New Zealand News: Here is a summary of significant articles published on ForeignAffairs.co.nz on June 18, 2025.
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Govt overreach removes power from local councils
Source: New Zealand Labour Party Ministers will now be able to override the decisions of councils and locally elected officials. “Chris Bishop has taken National’s general disdain for local councils up a notch and has assigned himself the role of Chief Council Despot,” Labour local government spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. “Councils are elected by the […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Govt Bill strips vital job protections from workers
Source: New Zealand Labour Party The Employer Relations Amendment Bill will make work even less secure for Kiwis. “At a time when New Zealanders are doing it tough, the Government wants to cut worker protections and make it easier to fire people,” Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. “Christopher Luxon should be […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Lanes blocked on the Waikato expressway
Source: New Zealand Police At around 11:20am emergency services received reports of a single vehicle crash on the Waikato Expressway, south of Cambridge Road, Tamahere. One north bound and one south bound lane are blocked. No injuries have been reported at this stage. Motorists should expect delays and avoid the area if possible. Traffic management […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Charges filed by Maritime NZ against KiwiRail following investigation into 2024 grounding of Interislander ferry north of Picton.
Source: Maritime New Zealand Maritime NZ has filed two charges against KiwiRail after completing a comprehensive and wide-ranging investigation into the grounding of the Interislander ferry, Aratere last year. The Aratere grounded just north of Picton on 21 June last year, it had 47 people on-board at the time. Thankfully, all passengers and crew were […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrests, assets restraints following Police operation targeting Greazy Dogs MC
Source: New Zealand Police NZ Police have this week dealt a significant blow to the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine by the Greazy Dogs MC in western Bay of Plenty this week, with the arrest of several members and associates of the gang, and the restraint of more than $1.5 million of assets. On 17 […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Nutrition replacements fully funded for adults with Crohn’s disease who use them as their only source of nutrition
Source: PHARMAC Pharmac is fully funding two brands of liquid nutrition replacements for adults with Crohn’s disease who use them as their only source of nutrition. The nutrition replacements are Ensure Plus and Fortisip (200ml bottles, 1.5kcal/ml) and changes to funding will take place from 1 July 2025. Adrienne Martin, Manager Pharmaceutical Funding says, “we […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Quarterly current account deficit $5.5 billion – Stats NZ media and information release: Balance of payments and international investment position: March 2025 quarter
Quarterly current account deficit $5.5 billion – media release 18 June 2025 New Zealand’s seasonally adjusted current account deficit narrowed by $53 million to $5.5 billion in the March 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “The value of New Zealand goods exports increased in the March 2025 quarter. However, rising export values […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Government is full of it on homelessness
Source: New Zealand Labour Party The Government continues to deny its policies are contributing to homelessness in New Zealand, despite being told they are. “Frontline housing providers have told Government Ministers that there are more people on the streets as a result of its policies,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. “They are stopping people […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: PM must stop changes further failing children
Source: New Zealand Labour Party Today’s damning report on Oranga Tamariki shows Māori children are being left with little chance of success, or even survival, after their experiences in the state care system, and Minister for Children Karen Chhour is making it worse. “This report is the first of its kind and reveals a disturbing […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Changes to stalking Bill important step for women’s safety
Source: New Zealand Labour Party Parliament today took an important step to improve women’s safety with the Government moving closer to Labour’s position on how stalking should be defined in law. “Stalking should be a crime. It can make a victim feel extremely unsafe and insecure, and in some cases result in serious assault, or […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Solitude sees rare spider numbers increase
Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date: 18 June 2025 A population of the rare and unusual spider, which lives in the “Crazy Paving Cave” in the Ōparara Valley on the South Island’s West Coast, is increasing and scientists think it is because the spiders have had a break from visitors. The spiders had been monitored for […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Delays SH1 Silverdale
Source: New Zealand Police Southbound motorists are advised to expect delays on State Highway 1 north of Auckland. Two cars collided around 10.10am between the Silverdale and Oteha Valley Road offramps. There are no reports of injury although one of the vehicles is badly damaged. Police are at the scene and ask motorists to be […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Positive year for tara iti – but the fight for survival continues
Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date: 18 June 2025 Thanks to intensive management of wild nests and a growing hand-rearing programme with Auckland Zoo, this season saw 19 fledglings take to the skies. This is a significant improvement from last year’s nine, and just three the year before. With fewer than 45 adult birds (over a […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Modernising New Zealand’s data system – Stats NZ media release
Modernising New Zealand’s data system – media release 18 June 2025 Wide-ranging improvements to the data system will modernise and future-proof how New Zealand’s economic and population statistics are produced. Minister of Statistics Hon Dr Shane Reti announced today sweeping changes that will see Stats NZ moving in a bold, future-focused direction to provide more timely […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Sharpened focus on quality economic, population stats
Source: New Zealand Government Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti has today announced a major new direction for Stats NZ, replacing the traditional paper-based census and increasing the frequency and quality of economic data to underpin the Government’s growth agenda.From 2030, New Zealand will move away from a traditional nationwide census and adopt a new approach […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tougher sentences ahead as Three Strikes returns
Source: New Zealand Government Repeat violent and sexual offenders are officially on notice Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Tougher penalties are now in place as the Three Strikes law comes into force today and the message is clear. If you commit serious violent or sexual offences, expect to face increasingly severe consequences. New Zealanders […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police issue appeal for missing teenager Alexander
Source: New Zealand Police Police is seeking information on the whereabouts of Alexander, who is missing in the Waiatarua area. The 15-year-old was reported missing to Police at about 8.30pm on Monday night, after he failed to return home from school. Alexander was dropped off at Henderson High School where he was last seen at […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Data shows mental health access improving
Source: New Zealand Government Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the latest quarterly results for the Government’s mental health and addiction targets, saying the access targets reflect real progress in delivering faster, more accessible support to New Zealanders.“I’m pleased to see that at a national level, 84.3 per cent of people are accessing […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Going for growth with more overseas investment
Source: New Zealand Government Associate Finance Minister David Seymour welcomes the introduction of legislation to make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages. The Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has been introduced to the House. “New Zealand has been turning away opportunities […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce: Saying yes to more housing
Source: New Zealand Government Good morning and thanks to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce for hosting us. I have spent most of my life in either the Hutt or Wellington and I love this city and I love our region. Some people like to paint this city as only a public service town. The reality, […]