NewzIntel.com

Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Five arrests following Tikipunga aggravated robberies

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Five people have been arrested following an aggravated robbery and attempted burglary in Whangārei this morning.

    At about 6am Police received a report of an attempted break-in at a service station on Tarewa Road followed, by another report of a group of people breaking into a premise (service station) on Kiripaka Road at about 6.15am.

    Detective Sergeant Ryan Cooper, Whangārei CIB, says cash, cigarettes and vapes were targeted before the offenders fled in two vehicles.

    Both vehicles were quickly located abandoned in Aratiatia and Rerewai Place and towed for forensic examination.

    “Enquiries have led us to execute a search warrant at an address on Pebble Beach Road where two people were taken into custody without incident.

    “Some of the stolen property has been recovered from the address.”

    Detective Sergeant Cooper says CCTV also assisted in Police stopping a vehicle of interest nearby, where another three people were arrested.

    “A search of the vehicle has also located some of the stolen goods and cash.

    “This was a quick response by our teams, ensuring our community knows we are dedicated to holding offenders to account for these crimes.

    “I hope the Tikipunga and wider Whangārei community feels reassured by these arrests.”

    Five people, aged 15 and 16, will appear in the Whangārei Youth Court charged with unlawful gets into motor vehicle, attempted burglary and aggravated robbery.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Climate and Science – Extreme atmospheric rivers could double in future climate – NIWA

    Source: NIWA

    New Zealand could face twice as many of the most extreme atmospheric rivers by the end of the century, according to new research by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) published today. Not only could the narrow bands of concentrated water vapour increase, but in the future rainfall from these ‘rivers in the sky’ is likely to make up a much bigger proportion of New Zealand’s total annual rainfall.
    The research, led by NIWA research assistant Felix Goddard, analysed the latest climate change projections released last year by NIWA and the Ministry for the Environment, and was recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. 
    Co-author, NIWA climate scientist Dr Peter Gibson, says the study examined projections for the frequency and intensity of atmospheric rivers under a relatively high greenhouse gas emissions future. Only one scenario was investigated at this time.
    “Atmospheric rivers have been responsible for some of our biggest downpours in recent years, such as the West Coast flooding that took out the Waiho Bridge in March 2019, the widespread flooding in Westport in July 2021, and the exceptionally wet Auckland summer of 2022-2023. As an island nation surrounded by oceans, we experience atmospheric rivers when huge amounts of water vapour are transported down from the tropics and sub-tropics and make landfall. These ‘rivers in the sky’ cause heavy precipitation and flooding when they make landfall in New Zealand, producing extremely large rainfall totals, especially when they interact with mountainous terrain.”
    Dr Gibson says there are two reasons why atmospheric rivers are likely to increase in the future. “The first reason is that an overall warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapour, while the second reason why we may see an increase in atmospheric rivers is because of changes in wind patterns. Climate projections show changes to atmospheric circulation, with an intensification of the westerly jetstream over New Zealand with strong winds flowing west to east in the South Pacific region, and a shift of the jet towards the South Pole.”
    As well as finding that the most intense atmospheric rivers are likely to be more frequent and more intense, the researchers say that the phenomena may add up to 20 percent more to annual rainfall totals in some places. 
    “Overall, the biggest hotspot for these future changes is over the west coast of the South Island, where atmospheric rivers already often produce the largest impacts,” says Dr Gibson. 
    He says the latest climate projections for New Zealand, available on the Ministry for the Environment’s website, provide detailed information for every 5-kilometre square across the country. “The latest projections give us a much more comprehensive and detailed picture of our future climate. These updated climate change projections are based on refining the projections from six global climate models from the projections provided in the most recent report by the United Nations body that assesses the science related to climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.”
    The more detailed information will enable better evidence-based discussion and choices, says Dr Gibson. “Development of these updated, high-resolution climate projections was a mammoth science and technology effort and involved huge supercomputing power. The dataset is now helping New Zealanders – including councils, companies and communities – to better understand their specific climate-related risks. In turn, this will improve decision-making for climate adaptation and support people to build resilience to extreme weather events.”
    More research is being undertaken by NIWA into specific climatic features in the projections, to provide clarity on the future climate New Zealanders are likely to face in the decades to come.
    Journal link:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release – SH 6 fatality, Gibbston

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police can now release the name of the man located deceased on SH6, near Gibbston, after an incident on 3 March.

    He was 22-year-old Ryoma Seki from Japan.

    Police extend our condolences to his family and are providing them with support during this difficult time.

    Our enquiries have determined Ryoma fell from a cliff prior to being hit by a vehicle however, his cause of death will be determined by the Coroner.

    Police are not looking to file charges in relation to this matter.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Internal Affairs gutted again with Govt planning to cut 133 roles – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The Government is continuing its damaging campaign to hollow out the public service with 133 roles (69 being fixed term) proposed to go from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
    Staff were told today of the latest proposed job cuts which could result in the net loss of 64 permanent roles, plus 69 fixed term roles which are not being renewed beyond 1 September, for a total reduction of 133 roles. These are spread across all five branches of DIA.
    The latest cuts aim to save approximately $8 million a year. They follow a wave of restructuring last year which saw, among many changes, the loss of key staff keeping children safe from online harm, and those stopping scams and international crime syndicates engaging in money laundering.
    “Once again, we see the Government hell bent on downsizing the public service, regardless of the consequences,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “The Government is blind to the fact that the public service is right sized for our population and economy and should in fact be expanding to meet our many challenges from a growing and ageing population through to climate change and the infrastructure deficit.
    “It’s all about ideology and doing more with less. But the reality as we have seen with cuts across the public service, the Government will be doing less with less – there will be fewer workers at DIA able to support the needs of New Zealanders.
    “For example, the disbanding of the Ministerial and Monitoring Group, which has already had roles cut, will slow down decision making, impacting the provision of timely and quality advice to Ministers.
    “The proposal to cut back on Personal Assistants is a false economy that will see senior managers spending more time doing administrative tasks.
    “The proposed downsizing of the Digital Services branch, which has faced constant restructuring since 2019 will see among other things a loss of product testing roles. These roles are vital to ensuring a smooth introduction and upgrading of technology that New Zealanders rely on to do things such as apply for, or renew, their passports.
    “The proposed disbanding of the Workplace Services and moving some staff into other teams means there will no longer be a proper focus on ensuring maintenance is carried out for government buildings and equipment. This will affect productivity and will raise health and safety issues over time. Workplace Services is also responsible for security of Government property.
    “Internal Affairs purpose is to serve and connect ‘people, communities and government to build a safe, prosperous and respected nation’. These cuts coming on top of the damaging cuts from last year will make achieving that purpose all the more difficult and the PSA will be opposing them.”
    Previous statements
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – Immediate condemnation of Israel must be NZ government priority – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    Israel has today relaunched widespread genocidal air attacks on the besieged Palestinian people of Gaza.

     

    “Immediate condemnation of Israel’s resumption of attacks on Gaza must come from the New Zealand government”, says Co National Chair of PSNA John Minto. “Israel has breached the January ceasefire agreement multiple times and is today relaunching its genocidal attacks against the Palestinian people of Gaza”

    In the last few weeks Israel has:

     

    • refused to negotiate the second stage of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas which would see a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza
    • Issued a complete ban on food, water, fuel and medical supplies entering Gaza – a war crime of epic proportions
    • Cut off the electricity supply desperately needed to, for example, operate desalination plants for water supplies

     

    “The New Zealand government response has been a cowardly silence when the people of New Zealand have been calling for sanctions against Israel for its genocide”

     

    “The government is out of touch with New Zealanders but in touch with the US/Israel”

     

    “Foreign Minister Winston Peters seems to be explaining his silence as “keeping his nerve”

     

    “For the past 17 months Peters has condemned every act of Palestinian resistance against 77 years of brutal colonisation and apartheid policies but he has refused to condemn any of the countless war crimes committed by Israel during this time – including the deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war.

     

    “Speaking out to condemn Israel now is our opportunity to force it to reconsider and begin negotiations on stage two of the ceasefire agreement Israel is trying to walk away from”

     

    “Palestinians and New Zealanders deserve no less”

     

    John Minto

    Co National Chair

    PSNA

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy News – Palestine Forum of New Zealand Condemns Israel’s Resumption of Military Operations in Gaza

    Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    The Palestine Forum of New Zealand strongly condemns Israel’s resumption of military aggression in Gaza. This reckless escalation further endangers innocent lives and deepens the humanitarian catastrophe faced by the Palestinian people.

    We call on the New Zealand government and the international community to take immediate action to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing violations of international law and to demand an end to the assault on Gaza. The people of Palestine deserve justice, peace, and the right to live in dignity and security.

    Maher Nazzal
    Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Renewable Energy Declined – COVID fast-track consent declined for Southland wind farm – EPA

    Source: Environmental Protection Authority

    An independent panel has declined resource consent for a wind farm in Oware and Gore, Southland.
    Contact Energy Limited applied for resource consent under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.
    The decision comes 234 working days after the application was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority.
    The Environmental Protection Authority is not involved in the decision-making. We provide procedural advice and administrative support to the panel convenor, Judge Laurie Newhook, and the expert consenting panel he appoints.
    Note that this application was made under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 and not the more recent Fast-track legislation.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Main North Road, Onaero

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are responding to a two-vehicle crash on Main North Road near Ohanga Road, Onaero, New Plymouth District.

    Emergency services were alerted around 1:50pm.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been advised and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    The road is blocked with no local diversions available, motorists are advised to delay travel and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update – Train fatality, Invercargill

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attributable to Inspector Stu Harvey:

    Police are continuing to investigate the train fatality in Invercargill last evening, including work on the ongoing formal identification process.

    An adult male was hit by a train at the rail pedestrian crossing on the corner of Tyne and Ness Street shortly after 5pm yesterday.

    The track and railway crossing on Elles Road was reopened around midnight, after a scene examination was conducted.

    Police would like to thank the public for their patience while the area was cordoned off.

    Police are continuing efforts to identify the deceased, which is likely to take some time.

    As part of these inquiries, we are asking for any members of the public who may have seen the incident to please get in touch.

    Anyone with information can contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report”, or by calling 105.

    Please use the reference number 250318/0023.

    The matter has been referred to the Coroner, and Police is conducting inquiries on their behalf.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Herpetologists hop to it

    Source: Auckland Council

    As World Frog Day leaps into our calendars (20 March), Auckland Council’s Environmental Services team is taking the opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of New Zealand’s most enigmatic and ancient amphibians – the Hochstetter’s frog.

    With a face only a herpetologist could love, this tiny, speckled creature may not have the fairy-tale charm of the Frog Prince, but its survival story is one of persistence against the odds.

    Auckland Council is embarking on a critical project aimed at safeguarding Hochstetter’s frog/pepeketua, an “At-Risk – Declining” species, in Tāmaki Makaurau. Ngāti Manuhiri kaitiaki will be actively involved in the project, as they accompany experienced contractors during their search for the frog.

    Frogs are often called ‘barometers of ecosystem health’ due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. As Auckland’s climate continues to shift and urban development expands, understanding how these frogs are faring could provide crucial insights into the broader health of our natural landscapes.

    Leading the charge is Senior Ecologist Alicia Wong, who hopes the research will provide valuable insights into the species and inform future conservation efforts.

    “The Hochstetter’s frog is a true survivor, capable of living over 30 years – longer than many of our household pets,” says Wong.

    “But while it has fared better than its close relatives, like Archey’s and Hamilton’s frogs, its numbers are still in decline. This survey will help us gain a deeper understanding of their population, distribution, and habitat quality, ensuring we have selected the best possible sites to prioritise for conservation programmes.”

    The first year of the survey was completed last summer and focused on identifying areas with the highest potential for suitable habitats, while the current year of the survey started this week and will involve a detailed survey of frog populations to inform conservation needs.

    Frogs have been around for an astonishing 360 million years, predating dinosaurs. However, despite their long evolutionary journey, amphibians are now among the most threatened creatures on the planet.

    Hochstetter’s frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri) is one of New Zealand’s most evolutionary distinct and globally endangered amphibians, with its lineage dating back over 70 million years. Found only in specific areas of the North Island, including the Auckland region, its conservation is particularly urgent.

    A staggering 41 per cent of amphibian species face extinction globally, outpacing the risk to mammals, reptiles, and birds. Habitat destruction, climate change, and disease are taking a heavy toll on frog populations worldwide.

    New Zealand is home to 14 native frog species, including Archey’s frog, Hamilton’s frog, Hochstetter’s frog and the enigmatic Aotea/Great barrier Island swimming frog.

    The Hochstetter’s is now considered to be 10 genetically distinct species that haven’t been formally described yet. Auckland has four of the species including the Hūnua Ranges population, Hochstetter’s frog “Great Barrier”, Hochstetter’s frog “Waitakere” and Hochstetter’s frog “Northland”, which includes the populations in Rodney. 

    However, don’t expect a chorus of croaks – our unique amphibians are earless and voiceless, preferring to keep things on the quieter side. While Archey’s and Hamilton frog are fully terrestrial, Hochstetter’s frog stands out as the only one that favours watery habitats, making its home in damp native forests, alongside streams, and beneath mossy rocks.

    To better understand the numbers and distribution of this primitive amphibian in the northern reaches of the Auckland region, Auckland Council’s Environmental Services team has begun a two-year survey across three different sites including Department of Conservation land and private properties.

    On Aotea/ Great Barrier Island Auckland council is working with herpetologists, The Windy Hill-Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust and Ngāti Rehua to monitor Hochstetter’s frog “Great Barrier”.

    Auckland Council’s Senior Regional Advisor Fauna Dr Sabine Melzer says this project has been running since 2012.

    “This long-term monitoring programme provides crucial insights into frog population trends on Aotea, guiding future conservation efforts,” Dr Melzer says.

    “Hochstetter’s frogs are nocturnal and inhabit cool, moist environments such as streams, waterfalls, and rocky crevices, relying on these habitats for survival.

    However, they face numerous threats, including habitat loss, predation by introduced species, and climate change,” explains Melzer

    This initiative reaffirms Auckland Council’s commitment to protecting the unique biodiversity of the Auckland region, helping to ensure Hochstetter’s frogs have the support they need to thrive. The project is a vital step in conserving New Zealand’s rare and precious wildlife, offering hope for the future of this ancient and remarkable frog.

    Auckland Council encourages residents to get involved in frog conservation by protecting local waterways, reducing the amount of sediment entering waterways, taking part in predator control and supporting habitat restoration projects.

    While we may not be able to turn a frog into a prince with a kiss, we can certainly do our part to ensure their survival for generations to come.

    As Kermit the Frog famously said, “It’s not easy being green.” But with a little effort, we can make it a whole lot easier for the Hochstetter’s frog to keep hopping along.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Work underway to repair Coromandel Walkway

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Date:  18 March 2025

    The Coromandel Walkway, connecting Stony Bay and Fletcher Bay, follows the contour of the coastline and is a popular visitor site in northern Coromandel. It was damaged during the extreme weather events of summer 2022-23, with large slips causing significant damage and forcing the temporary closure of a 670-metre section.

    “In some sections, the landslips had taken out the track completely and it has been completely impassable,” says DOC’s Coromandel Supervisor Matt Flynn.

    DOC staff have waited for land movement in the area to cease – and now the land has settled, work has begun to recut the track.

    “We weren’t willing to risk a repair with land movement still occurring – waiting for the land to stabilise was vital for this project to be successfully completed.

    “We’re conscious this is a popular and picturesque asset which draws visitors to the northern peninsula, so we’re really pleased to have reinstatement work underway,” says Matt.

    The reinstatement work has involved contractors using a small 1.5-tonne digger, and also cutting back vegetation.

    The contractor has cleared slips which were considered safe to remove using the digger, and the project focus now turns to work at the site which must be done by hand.

    Track reinstatement includes a process called benching, which requires removal of soil to create a flat and safe track surface for visitors.

    Contractors completed the first stage of the job on 14 March, and their work will be followed by a team of DOC staff who will be using hand tools to complete the benching process along several sites throughout late March.

    The resulting section of repaired will be slightly narrower than the original track, but will still meet DOC’s own Day Visitor standard.

    Matt says once the physical work at the site is completed, DOC staff will install new signage advising visitors of the risks and urging caution should they choose to use the track.

    “One of the most important messages we have for visitors is they need to keep moving through the repaired section.

    “Although we’re satisfied the track will be safe enough to use, the repaired section is not a place visitors should stop.”

    The track is set to be fully reopen in mid-April.

    “We appreciate the community and visitors have been very patient waiting for us to reinstate this track – and we’re glad they will soon be able to again enjoy a wonderful Coromandel coastal experience.”

    Visitors to any DOC site are urged to choose the right trip for their fitness and experience, and prepare properly, including visiting DOC’s website.

    Like our wildlife, our outdoors is different – don’t underestimate our dramatic landscapes and dynamic weather.

    If you’re heading further into the great outdoors, be prepared with the Outdoor safety code.

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: TREC progressing SH35 underslip work in eastern Bay of Plenty

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    A stretch of State Highway 35 near Opape in the eastern Bay of Plenty is now under stop/go traffic management as work continues to repair an underslip.

    Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC), on behalf of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), is completing the work, using gabion (rock filled) walls to repair a 5-metre long underslip.

    Work is expected to finish in April. Once work is complete, this stretch of state highway will be back to 2 lanes.

    During work hours (Monday to Friday, 6am til 6pm) the crew will use stop/go signs to direct vehicles through the 1 lane site.

    Outside these hours, a give-way system will be operating. Vehicles travelling in 1 direction are given priority to pass through, while those coming from the opposite direction wait until the way is clear – just like if you were using a 1 lane bridge.

    Please slow down, stay alert, and follow all instructions to help keep both road users and our crews safe.

    Coming soon: Slip repairs on SH35 in Tōrere

    Also in the eastern Bay of Plenty, TREC is also starting to plan work to repair 2 slips on SH35 by Te Kura O Tōrere.

    This is a big piece of mahi, that will take around 6 months. There isn’t much space on the highway, so we will set up a worksite on Kura grounds. We’re working with staff and others to plan for this and will share more information shortly. 

    While repairs are underway, this section of highway will be down to one lane for up to six months. Drivers will need to plan for delays of up to 10 minutes.

    Thanks for your patience

    Repairing our highways after Cyclone Gabrielle is a huge job that has been underway for more than a year now. Thanks for your patience and cooperation.

    The good news is that we’re almost finished – most recovery work will be complete by July 2025 and we will transition from smaller recovery works into larger projects at Mangahauini Gorge, Hikuwai Bridge No.1 replacement, Rototahe and Nesbitt’s Dip.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pacific – Intensive two-week training by FWCC on Gender, Violence Against Women and Girls, Human Rights, and Counsellor Training starts in Cook Islands

    Source: Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre

    17th March 2025, Cook Islands – An intensive two-week training program by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre on Gender, Violence Against Women and Girls, Human Rights, and Counsellor Training is started today in the Cook Islands in collaboration with the Punanga Turuturu Itivaine, Cook Islands Women’s Support Centre.

    This training is being facilitated by a team led by Coordinator Shamima Ali who says the objective is to help participants identify specific types of violence against women and girls, as well as the cause and contributing factors.

    “Additionally, participants will learn to recognize the consequences of such violence on women and girls, their family members, and the broader community,’ she adds.

    “The training will also explore response and prevention actions that can be taken to eliminate violence against women. Moreover, sessions on Counselling Skills will ensure a survivor-centered approach, and support using a rights-based approach,”

    FWCC’s relationship with the Cook Islands and Punanga Turuturu Itivaine dates back to the first meeting of the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women in 1992.

    When the Pacific Women’s Network was created, there were only two centres addressing violence against women: FWCC in Fiji and Punanga Tauturu (as it was known at the time) in Cook Islands. Now the Network brings together organisations from over 10 Pacific countries.

    “So, we were invited to go to the Cook Islands in 1996 after the first regional meeting in 1992” said Shamima who is also the Chair of the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women.

    “We were invited by the Cook Islands to strengthen Punanga Tauturu at that time and do the training. We also did a male advocacy in the 2000s. Cook Islands was one of the first countries second to Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu,”

    She says they are very excited that the relationship with Punanga Turuturu Itivaine has been ongoing.

    “Even after a lull, the request has come through, and that also shows the trust that people who work in this area around the region have in the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre,’ adds Shamima.

    A comprehensive and holistic training module has been developed by FWCC and is used in various training packages locally and regionally with relevant adaptations.

    FWCC has been supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for more than three decades.

    About  Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women

    The regional Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women (PWNAVAW) has been a catalyst and leadership incubator for most work on sexual and gender-based violence in the region since the 1990s using a rights-based approach. Today, it operates in over 10 Pacific countries and advocates, trains, innovates and sets standards on the prevention and response to gender-based violence, with the Secretariat based at the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC). This is a clear example of the many ways that Pacific feminists have built the road we walk on.
     
    In 1992, FWCC facilitated and hosted the first Pacific Regional Meeting on Violence Against Women in Suva comprising of feminists from 15 Pacific Island countries. The inaugural meeting led to the establishment of the PWNAVAW.
     
    Since its establishment, the PWNAVAW, recognised as the leading network on ending violence against women and girls in the region, has brought together decades of collective expertise, networks and knowledge on ending violence against women and girls in the region, to support the efforts of Pacific governments, national, regional and international CSO and NGO networks and development partners to lift, build and maintain the quality and standards for gender-based violence and counselling services across the Pacific region.
     
    It has served as a support mechanism for women in the Pacific who are working in gender-based violence and human rights. This, in turn, is reflected in the emergence of many counselling centres in the Pacific region including in Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
     
    Collectively since 1992, the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women (PWNAVAW) has had a membership of 129 organisations in over 10 countries across the Pacific.

    PWNAVAW which is deeply rooted in the principles of feminism, women’s human rights, gender equality and the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls has also pioneered response and prevention approaches in engaging men.

    FWCC’s regional presence

    FWCC is a pivotal regional player. It has been provided with Australian aid resources to auspice similar organisations in Tonga and Vanuatu. In 1992, FWCC helped found the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women. It continues to act as the Secretariat for this Network and organises its conferences. The Centre undertakes training both across the region and within Fiji. Since 1995, the Centre has offered a four-week regional training twice a year on gender-based violence awareness, prevention and response strategies. This program has trained over 1,000 participants from 15 countries.  FWCC also runs specialised training programs. It began police training in 1995 and now trains police not only from Fiji but from other Pacific countries.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: People Against Prisons Aotearoa Statement – Prison guards hospitalise 77 year-old parolee – PAPA

    Source: People Against Prisons Aotearoa

    STATEMENT – People Against Prisons Aotearoa condemns the beating of 77 year-old Dean Wickliffe by prison guards at Waikato’s Spring Hill Corrections Facility. Wickliffe was recalled to prison after being made homeless and breaching his parole conditions that he reside at a specific address. After refusing to be double-bunked, a group of prison guards beat Wickliffe so badly he needed to be transferred to hospital for treatment. Wickliffe has been on hunger strike since March 10th, with his lawyer Annette Sykes saying that Corrections has refused to let her speak to him.

    “Corrections is breaching Section 69 of the Corrections Act, which clearly outlines that the Department must let prisoners speak with their lawyers. Spring Hill prison general manager Alan Lamb is acting unlawfully by refusing to arrange an AVL meeting for Dean’s lawyer.”

    “People Against Prisons Aotearoa has low expectations of Corrections, but the treatment of Dean Wickliffe is outrageous. When this old man was scared to be double-bunked, prison guards beat his head against the floor of his cell until he needed to be hospitalised. Given the recent spate of murders and suicides in custody, it is clear that Corrections is failing incarcerated people and failing Aotearoa. How are people meant to be rehabilitated when Corrections beats, abuses, and neglects them?”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ economy: Wheels turning – BusinessNZ

    Source: BusinessNZ

    The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the March quarter shows signs of economic improvement – even as New Zealand continues to face significant issues at home and abroad.
    BusinessNZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says New Zealand is not immune to the economic uncertainty rising around the world.
    “As trade wars continue between the United States and other nations, the world remains in a state of economic flux. As a trading nation, New Zealand cannot expect to come out of these renegotiations unscathed.
    “On the bright side, inflationary pressures continue to fall, and recent cuts to the official cash rate have taken some financial pressure off homeowners refixing their mortgage. World commodity prices are solid which is welcome news for our meat and dairy exporters.”
    “For the first time in almost two years, the manufacturing sector saw growth in 2025 – this is welcome news and a positive sign of recovery.”
    The BusinessNZ Economic Conditions Index (ECI) is a measure of NZ’s major economic indicators. It sits at 17 for the March 2025 quarter, an improvement of 7 on the previous quarter, and an improvement of 14 on a year ago.
    An ECI reading above 0 indicates that economic conditions are generally improving overall; below 0 means economic conditions are generally declining.
    The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cyber Security – Protect Yourself from Cyberstalking Now – Anti-Stalking Bill Still a Work in Progress

    Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners

    In a world where Baby Reindeer has become a pop culture hit, sometimes what seems harmless can reveal a darker side with unsettling encounters. Now more than ever it’s worth checking who might be digitally tracking you.

    In November 2024, the Government announced plans to make stalking and cyberstalking illegal, bringing New Zealand in line with the UK and Australia. The Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill was introduced under urgency. But Kiwi’s shouldn’t wait to take control of their privacy while academics and politicians remain divided on the bill.

    If you’re interested in more information on stalkerware, we’d be happy to connect you with Avast security expert.

    Researchers from Avast recommend the following 5-Point Stalkerware Quick Check:

    1.     Review your allowed permissions for anything unusual. Once installed, Stalkerware requires various permissions to function. Check your granted permissions such as access to SMS, call logs, contacts and location. Remove these permissions from any apps you do not recognise.

    2.     Clean sweep your location sharing. Location sharing has become very popular in the last few years, especially on iPhone. Are there people who you’ve shared your location with that may no longer need it? For iPhone users, go to “Find My” – at the bottom of that screen, you can see all the people you are sharing your location with.

    3.     Double-check your app list. Go through your apps and check for any applications that you do not recognise. Stalkerware is often disguised, either by hiding its application icon or by pretending to be a safe app such as a Notes, Settings or WiFi apps.

    4.     Keep an eye on your phone’s performance. If your phone’s performance or battery starts behaving in an unusual way, it may point to some form of Stalkerware. Sudden error messages, a battery that drains faster than usual, unknown notifications or requests for additional permissions out of nowhere may indicate an infected device.

     5.     Install reputable security software. Software like Avast Premium Security is free to users and can scan your phone for any known malicious apps, such as stalkerware and spyware. This free step can go a long way in helping protect your privacy.

    How to prevent Stalkerware if you think you are at risk:

    1.     Secure your phone against all unauthorised physical access. Most of our digital interactions occur through our mobile phones, be cautious about allowing physical access to your devices.

    2.     Ensure your phone or device uses a secure unlock method such as a complex PIN code or biometric unlock.

    3.     Install a reliable antivirus product on your mobile phone. A good mobile antivirus will treat stalkerware as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and give you the option to remove it.

    People who believe their device may be infected by stalkerware or spyware can find detailed instructions to help remove this software for iPhone, Android and PC users on the Avast blog. Avast, a part of Gen, is also a proud member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware which provides a variety of resources for people who have been impacted.

    If you are being stalked or cyberstalked, you can contact the NZ Police or Netsafe for support.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Two charged following Highland Park shooting

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have arrested and charged two people following a shooting in Highland Park in January.

    At about 9.46pm on Thursday 16 January Police were after three males entered a premises on Dunrobin Place and assaulted a man before a shot was fired.

    Counties Manukau East CIB Area Investigations Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey, says the victim received a serious gunshot injury and was transported to hospital.

    “Following extensive investigations by our team, two people have now been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and are currently before the court.

    “Although we knew that those involved in this incident were known to each other, there is no doubt the incident would have been deeply concerning for people who live nearby.

    “Police take these matters extremely seriously and will continue their work to hold people to account,” Detective Senior Sergeant Batey says.

    A 32-year-old man has been remanded in custody and will reappear in Manukau District Court on 6 June charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

    A 23-year-old man charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and unlawful possession of a firearm will reappear in Manukau District Court on 11 April.

    As the matter is now before the court, Police are limited in providing further comment.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Vulnerable Milford landfill to be cleaned up

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Date:  18 March 2025

    Upper Cleddau Flats landfill, known colloquially as ‘Little Tahiti,’ extends inland from the Tutoko and Cleddau Rivers.

    Department of Conservation Operations Manager, Te Anau, John Lucas, says the clean-up is a legacy from an infrastructure project which took place 70 years before DOC was created.

    Gravel was removed from Little Tahiti to construct Milford Road, and afterwards the site was used as a landfill, until the mid-1980s.

    “DOC, Environment Southland and Ministry for the Environment have been collaborating on this site since investigations uncovered contaminants like asbestos at levels posing a potential risk to human health and the environment,” says John.

    The 8200 m2 landfill also contains waste material and rubbish, along with heavy metals, building materials, hydrocarbons like petroleum, and general municipal waste.

    Located 100 m off the main SH94, Little Tahiti is closed to the public and is not a visitor destination. Material is buried and contact is limited to those assessing the site.

    John says high-priority remedial work is needed to address the contamination and erosion risk.

    “We are seeing more frequent high intensity rainfall events in Milford, like the 2020 floods, which did significant damage across DOC’s network of tracks in the region, including the Milford Track.”

    An earlier weather event in 2019 caused a landfill to breach in South Westland, spilling buried waste into the Fox River and sending it 21 kilometres downstream through Westland Tai Poutini National Park into the Tasman Sea – resulting in the need for a massive clean-up, dubbed Operation Tidy Fox.

    “What happened at Fox River highlights the pressing need to address Little Tahiti as soon as possible to avoid a similar environmental incident,” says John.

    Funding to clean up Little Tahiti is split, with DOC funding 50% while the rest was sourced from the Ministry for the Environment’s former Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund before it closed.

    The Little Tahiti Landfill has been awarded $2,024,700 for remediation works from the Ministry.

    MfE Waste Investments Manager Lara Cowan says the Ministry is pleased to be able to support the remediation of Little Tahiti and enable DOC to proactively address a site at risk of exposure in such a special place for New Zealanders. The Ministry continues to fund projects like Little Tahiti through the newly opened Contaminated Sites and Vulnerable Landfills Fund.

    The remedial work at Little Tahiti will likely affect State Highway 94 with some traffic delays, and increased truck movements on the road to Milford Sound while underway. It’s expected to take two and a half months.

    “Public safety is paramount while work is being carried out,” says John Lucas.

    “There will be notifications as early as possible on the visitor information networks for Milford Sound and SH94 Milford Road updates.”

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Nominations open: Manurewa Community Volunteer Awards

    Source: Auckland Council

    Nominations are now open for the 2025 Manurewa Community Volunteer Awards, which showcase the work of individuals and organisations that serve their community.  

    Volunteers are the heart and soul of our community, dedicating their time, energy, and passion to making a difference in the lives of others. Their contributions, whether big or small, help to build a stronger, more connected community.  

    The awards are one way the Manurewa Local Board recognises the efforts of the many volunteers in the board area.   

    “It’s important to recognise and celebrate the people who dedicate their time, effort and skills to our community, says board chair, Angela Dalton.  

    “This year we have introduced a new category for local businesses who go over and above to help the community. 

    “These awards are our way to say thank you and highlight their contribution which often goes unnoticed.”   

    There are five award categories:   

    • Local hero – Nominated by anyone in the community, this award is for individuals who make a difference in the community.  These are people who are always there giving a helping hand when needed. 

    • Group or organisation making a difference – For groups and organisations for their work in the community, whether is it arts, sports, social or other. Can be nominated by anyone in the community. 

    Get your nominations in by Friday 28 March by filling in the online nomination form.

    All nominees must be residents living within the Manurewa Local Board area or be groups and organisations that are based or volunteer within the area. 

    Stay connected

    Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area?

    Sign up for the Manurewa Local Board E-News or follow us on Facebook.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – International tax rules are losing their grip – academic – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    As the Trump administration prioritises domestic interests over multilateral agreements, a University of Auckland legal scholar warns of a “quiet evolution” reshaping international tax law.

    Professor Craig Elliffe’s research on this shift is in the running for the 2025 Frans Vanistendael Award for International Tax Law, one of the field’s most prestigious honours. Published in the World Tax Journal, his paper, one of just six shortlisted for the €10,000 prize, explores how governments are strengthening domestic tax laws to combat tax avoidance, sometimes at the cost of weakening international agreements.

    Elliffe looks at the relationship between international tax law, mainly tax treaties, and domestic tax law, examining how they interact and influence each other.

    For decades, tax treaties have been the backbone of cross-border taxation, designed primarily to prevent double taxation – where the same income is taxed in two different countries. Over time, tax treaties have also been used to prevent tax avoidance and evasion, especially by multinational companies and wealthy individuals.

    We’re already seeing this kind of shift with the trade tariffs being imposed by the US; there’s this sort of breakdown of the existing cooperative global world trade and tax systems.

    Professor Craig ElliffeUniversity of Auckland

    Elliffe argues that domestic law has prevailed against the more specialised law of tax treaties and at an increasing rate. This evolution has occurred in situations where the special law of treaties is “watered down” by the principle that treaties shouldn’t be allowed to be abused, or in situations where they facilitate tax avoidance.

    “There’s been a clear trend towards preserving and increasing the authority of certain domestic tax laws,” says Elliffe.

    “There are many reasons for this reassertion of sovereign taxing rights, but they’re mainly justified under the banner of preventing tax avoidance. Such domestic laws, however, can conflict with the reduction or elimination of double taxation and undermine the rationale for tax treaties.”

    Over the past decade, Elliffe says the pace of this trend has increased, suggesting more of a revolution than an evolution: a clear move towards preserving the authority of certain domestic tax laws.

    “This means there’s less certainty in law, which is a shame. It means countries can’t rely on the treaties to the same extent they previously had.

    “We’re already seeing this kind of shift with the trade tariffs being imposed by the US; there’s this sort of breakdown of the existing cooperative global world trade and tax systems.”

    His paper raises questions about the future of international tax cooperation. If countries continue to prioritise domestic tax sovereignty over treaty commitments, he says the result may be a more fragmented and unpredictable tax landscape.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – Property owners doing their bit for a healthy Porirua Harbour

    Source: Porirua City Council

    A programme to identify broken sewer pipes on private and public property is playing its part to improve Porirua Harbour’s health, with hundreds of repairs being carried out since the initiative began.
    Porirua City councillors were briefed on the Knowing Your Pipes programme at a workshop last Thursday. The project, led by Wellington Water Ltd (WWL), began four years ago to identify and fix problem areas causing pollution in Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour.
    To locate faults, a WWL drainage investigation crew identify and trace pollution caused by broken pipes. Where pipes are privately owned, property owners are required to take action to repair them.
    Since 2021, a total of 571 private wastewater and stormwater faults have been identified in Porirua. Of these, only 38 major faults are yet to be fixed, with almost half of these being in Kāinga Ora properties and scheduled for works.
    While most private property owners will voluntarily fix faulty pipes, from time to time there can be a delay in owners taking action. When a fault is found, the programme follows a structured process to notify and remind owners of repairs that are needed.
    At the workshop, officers outlined those steps, as well as the enforcement process and a financial assistance programme, where a repair can be paid for over time.
    Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says it is pleasing to see that there has been a high fix rate, with most property owners playing their part in restoring the health of our harbour.
    “The recent signing of the Porirua Harbour Accord underscores how important this issue is.
    “We all have a role to play – on both private and public land.”
    Faults found on the public network are fixed as part of the infrastructure maintenance programme. Since  Knowing Your Pipes began, 41 major public faults have been found. All but 10 of these have been fixed, with the rest in train.
    The newly minted Porirua Harbour Accord, signed in February between Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Porirua City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Wellington City Council, and WWL, alongside stakeholders, community groups, and organisations dedicated to improving the harbour’s health, sets the strategic context for Knowing Your Pipes, the workshop briefing noted.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire Safety – Southland moves back to open fire season

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Rain and cooler temperatures in Southland have lowered the fire danger, prompting Fire and Emergency New Zealand to move the district back to an open season at 8am on Tuesday 18 March.
    Fire and Emergency Southland District Manager Julian Tohiariki says this means permits will no longer be required to light an open-air fire in most of the district.
    There is still a restricted fire season in place around plantation forests, Awarua Wetlands, and Department of Conservation land.
    “We appreciate those people across Southland who have taken care with planned fires over the dry summer period, and ask everyone to stay vigilant when lighting fires in an open season,” Julian Tohiariki says.
    “The wind will remain a factor through to autumn, so Southlanders need to keep this in mind when lighting fires.
    “If you want to light a fire, you should still go to www.checkitsalright.nz to check the conditions in your location, and for advice on fire safety.
    “Make sure you have everything you need to contain the fire and extinguish it safely, and keep checking it afterwards.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Still no certainty for disability communities

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    One year on from the Government’s abrupt and callous changes to disability funding, the community still has no idea what the future holds.

    “Disabled people, their families and carers have gone through so much heartbreak over the past year because of this heartless Government,” acting disability issues spokesperson, Carmel Sepuloni said.

    “We’ve seen disability communities lose out on things like equipment, respite and activities; people frozen out of disability care homes; disabled people being paid less than the minimum wage; a freeze on the Enabling Good Lives rollout and of course, the gutting of Whaikaha.

    “We held public meetings throughout the country last year, listening to disabled people and understanding their new challenges following the government’s changes. Their stories were dire.

    “The Government is taking disabled people and their communities backwards. Louise Upston cannot keep pretending that nothing’s wrong and that there aren’t people suffering because of her Government’s choices.

    “With community consultations for feedback on policies affecting disabled people closing next Monday – I urge communities to share their stories.

    “This is a matter the Minister must take seriously and make amends for. It is simply unacceptable that disability communities are still struggling for certainty a year on,” Carmel Sepuloni said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ACT looks to stand candidates in local council elections

    Source: ACT Party

    For the first time ever, ACT is looking to stand candidates in local council elections.

    Today ACT Leader David Seymour announced the Party is seeking expressions of interest from New Zealanders to stand for their local council under the ACT banner.

    “ACT has been focused on tackling the cost of living, wasteful spending, and co-governance in central government. But when I travel the country, I’m constantly told that local councils have failed to address these same concerns at the local level.

    “Kiwis voted for real change in 2023, but our councils seem to have missed the memo. It’s time for a clean-out.

    “Ratepayers are fed up with councillors who make big promises to get elected, then whack up rates, neglect roads and pipes, and waste money on pet projects. They’ve waged war on cars with cycleways and speed bumps while pushing divisive race-based policies like co-governance and Māori wards. Meanwhile, the basics – rubbish collection, fixing potholes, keeping rates affordable – get ignored.

    “In Government, ACT is fighting for real change, slashing wasteful spending and reining in the cost of living. ACT councillors would do the same: lower rates, scrap the nice-to-haves, end the anti-car ideology, and take race out of local politics.

    “We’re seeking practical, community-minded New Zealanders to step up. We don’t want career politicians. We want people who are sick of the nonsense and ready to focus on what matters – keeping rates down and services up. If that’s you, we want to hear from you.”

    ACT is inviting potential candidates to visit actlocal.nz to learn more and register their interest.

    “Councils won’t change unless good people act. This is your chance to deliver real change for your community with ACT,” says Seymour.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Proceeds of crime to fund safety measures in central Auckland

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government will boost anti-crime measures across central Auckland with $1.3 million of funding as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Fund, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say.

    “In recent years there has been increased antisocial and criminal behaviour in our CBD. The Government is committed to cracking down on lawlessness and antisocial behaviours in central Auckland,” Mr Brown says.

    “This funding will support Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to deliver initiatives which will help improve safety in the CBD and surrounding retail areas. Initiatives include improved lighting, more CCTV cameras, and an increase in the number of security patrols in the area to deter criminal and anti-social behaviour in our city. 

    “These latest anti-crime measures will complement the new Federal Street 24/7 police station set to open in the coming months, and the Government’s investment to ensure there are additional police officers in the Auckland CBD to improve safety. This is all part of our plan to restore law and order.”

    Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is pleased to support this initiative using the Proceeds of Crime Fund. It will be jointly managed by New Zealand Police and the Auckland Council.

    “Auckland’s central city is an economic engine for both the region and for New Zealand, contributing 8 per cent of our national GDP in 2023. It’s our gateway for international visitors and investors, as well as a cultural and entertainment centre for communities. Ensuring the safety of all people in our CBD is a top priority for me as Minister for Auckland,” Mr Brown says. 

    The Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 enables New Zealand Police to seize money and assets that have been obtained directly or indirectly from the proceeds of crime. Once all legal matters are addressed, the recovered money is placed in the Proceeds of Crime Fund. 

    “Converting the assets seized from criminals into funding for initiatives that address crime-related harm and support community wellbeing is a valuable extension of our justice system,” Ms McKee says.

    “This funding is another positive step forward for ensuring our central city is a safe, vibrant and enjoyable place for all to live, play and work.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New Zealand and Gaza: Confronting and not confronting the unspeakable

    ANALYSIS: By Robert Patman

    New Zealand’s National-led coalition government’s policy on Gaza seems caught between a desire for a two-state diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and closer alignment with the US, which supports a Netanyahu government strongly opposed to a Palestinian state

    In the last 17 months, Gaza has been the scene of what Thomas Merton once called the unspeakable — human wrongdoing on a scale and a depth that seems to go beyond the capacity of words to adequately describe.

    The latest Gaza conflict began with a horrific Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 that prompted a relentless Israel ground and air offensive in Gaza with full financial, logistical and diplomatic backing from the Biden administration.

    During this period, around 50,000 people – 48,903 Palestinians and 1706 Israelis – have been reported killed in the Gaza conflict, according to the official figures of the Gaza Health Ministry, as well as 166 journalists and media workers, 120 academics,and more than 224 humanitarian aid workers.

    Moreover, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, signed in mid-January, seems to be hanging by a thread.

    Israel has resumed its blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza and cut off electricity after Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal to extend phase 1 of the ceasefire deal (to release more Israeli hostages) without any commitment to implement phase 2 (that envisaged ending the conflict in Gaza and Israel withdrawing its troops from the territory).

    Hamas insists on negotiating phase 2 as signed by both parties in the January ceasefire agreement

    Over the weekend, Israel reportedly launched air-strikes in Gaza and the Trump administration unleashed a wave of attacks on Houthi rebel positions in Yemen after the Houthis warned Israel not to restart the war in Gaza.

    New Zealand and the Gaza conflict
     Although distant in geographic terms, the Gaza crisis represents a major moral and legal challenge to New Zealand’s self-image and its worldview based on the strengthening of an international rules-based order.

    New Zealand’s founding document, the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, emphasised partnership and cooperation between indigenous Māori and European settlers in nation-building.

    While the aspirations of the Treaty have yet to be fully realised, the credibility of its vision of reconciliation at home depends on New Zealand’s willingness to uphold respect for human rights and the rule of law in the international arena, particularly in states like Israel where tensions persist between the settler population and Palestinians in occupied territories like the West Bank.

    New Zealand’s declaratory stance towards Gaza
    In 2023 and 2024, New Zealand consistently backed calls in the UN General Assembly for humanitarian truces or ceasefires in Gaza. It also joined Australia and Canada in February and July last year to demand an end to hostilities.

    The New Zealand Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, told the General Assembly in April 2024 that the Security Council had failed in its responsibility “to maintain international peace and security”.

    He was right. The Biden administration used its UN Security Council veto four times to perpetuate this brutal onslaught in Gaza for nearly 15 months.

    In addition, Peters has repeatedly said there can be no military resolution of a political problem in Gaza that can only be resolved through affirming the Palestinian right to self-determination within the framework of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

    The limitations of New Zealand’s Gaza approach
     Despite considerable disagreement with Netanyahu’s policy of “mighty vengeance” in Gaza, the National-led coalition government had few qualms about sending a small Defence Force deployment to the Red Sea in January 2024 as part of a US-led coalition effort to counter Houthi rebel attacks on commercial shipping there.

    While such attacks are clearly illegal, they are basically part of the fallout from a prolonged international failure to stop the US-enabled carnage in Gaza.

    In particular, the NZDF’s Red Sea deployment did not sit comfortably with New Zealand’s acceptance in September 2024 of the ICJ’s ruling that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory (East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza) was “unlawful”.

    At the same time, the National-led coalition government’s silence on US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to “own” Gaza, displace two million Palestinian residents and make the territory the “Riviera” of the Middle East was deafening.

    Furthermore, while Wellington announced travel bans on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank in February 2024, it has had little to say publicly about the Netanyahu government’s plans to annex the West Bank in 2025. Such a development would gravely undermine the two-state solution, violate international law, and further fuel regional tensions.

    New Zealand’s low-key policy
     On balance, the National-led coalition government’s policy towards Gaza appears to be ambivalent and lacking moral and legal clarity in a context in which war crimes have been regularly committed since October 7.

    Peters was absolutely correct to condemn the UNSC for failing to deliver the ceasefire that New Zealand and the overwhelming majority of states in the UN General Assembly had wanted from the first month of this crisis.

    But the New Zealand government has had no words of criticism for the US, which used its power of veto in the UNSC for more than a year to thwart the prospect of a ceasefire and provided blanket support for an Israeli military campaign that killed huge numbers of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

    By cooperating with the Biden administration against Houthi rebels and adopting a quietly-quietly approach to Trump’s provocative comments on Gaza and his apparent willingness to do whatever it takes to help Israel “to get the job done’, New Zealand has revealed a selective approach to upholding international law and human rights in the desperate conditions facing Gaza

    Professor Robert G. Patman is an Inaugural Sesquicentennial Distinguished Chair and his research interests concern international relations, global security, US foreign policy, great powers, and the Horn of Africa. This article was first published by The Spinoff and is republished here with the author’s permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Information sought after shots fired at tavern

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Moorhouse:

    Police investigating a shooting at a tavern north of Wairoa are seeking information from the public.

    Officers were called to the Frasertown Tavern about 11.10pm on Saturday 15 March to reports shots had been fired towards the building.

    At least two, possibly three, shots were fired, hitting the tavern and a vehicle in the carpark.

    The tavern was open with several patrons inside at the time, and it is very fortunate no one was injured. Police are working to establish if it involves any gang connections. 

    A full Police investigation, dubbed Operation Everest, is under way, and Police are interested in information from anyone who was in the vicinity of the tavern around the time of the incident on Saturday night. 

    We are particularly interested in sightings of a white hatchback vehicle seen in Frasertown at that time.

    Anyone with information please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report”, or by calling 105.

    Please use the reference number 250316/3361.

    Alternatively, you can get in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously at https://crimestoppers-nz.org/ or by calling 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Well-prepared missing hunter rescued on Stewart Island

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Sergeant Ian Martin, Southland Police Search and Rescue:

    A man’s lucky escape highlights the importance of taking a personal locator beacon when going on any outdoor adventure.

    Around 9:40pm Police were alerted a hunter had gone missing on the Bosom Hunting block in Port Adventure, Stewart Island.

    A member of a hunting party had left the group at the hut with an intended return of 5pm, however after they hadn’t returned by 6pm the occupants became worried.

    A search was completed by one of the hunters, including firing a few warning shots in an attempt to locate them, however they were not located, and at 9:40pm the decision was made to raise the alarm.

    Around 4am Monday morning, Police engaged the Southern Lakes Helicopters who conducted a night vision goggle and thermal camera search, again without success.

    A full-scale search was then initiated with Land Search and Rescue volunteer teams from Rakiura/Stewart Island and Southland, supported by Southland Amateur Radio Communication (AREC) volunteers.  Land Search and Rescue dog teams from Queenstown and Wanaka were also called in to assist.

    At 10:34am the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) received a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) activation from the missing man.  Southern Lakes Helicopters responded to the activation, locating and winching the man the man aboard.  He was taken back to the Port Adventure Hunters Hut and reunited with the rest of his hunting party.

    Police would like to thank the volunteers from Land Search and Rescue, AREC, and SAR Search Dogs for their assistance in locating the missing man, thanks to your efforts they were able to return to their friends.

    This was a good example of the importance of taking a personal locator beacon when going on any outdoor adventure, once it was activated it led us right to his location and he was swiftly located and recovered.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Warrant to arrest – Teina Repia

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are working to locate a man in relation to a number of burglaries at commercial premises in Otorohonga over the last two months.

    A warrant has been issued for the arrest of 35-year-old Teina Repia, as Police believe he may have information that can assist with our enquiries.

    Sergeant Heyden Nunn says we are working to determine the circumstances of these incidents as we know they have caused distress within our local community.

    If you have seen Repia, or have any information that may assist in locating him, please contact Police on 105 either online or over the phone. Please reference file number 250212/2469.

    Alternatively, you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Christchurch assault: Youth faces further charges

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons:

    Serious charges have been filed against a 16-year-old Christchurch boy accused of an assault that left a woman in critical condition in February.

    The victim was found seriously injured at the Richmond Village Green on Stanmore Road on 5 February and the teen was arrested and charged on 28 February.

    On Friday, Police filed further charges against him, relating to serious violent sexual offending. He appeared in the Christchurch Youth Court that day and has been remanded in custody.

    The accused is scheduled to reappear in the Christchurch Youth Court in early April.

    The victim is slowly recovering from a significant head injury and is still receiving treatment as part of her long road to recovery. We are continuing to provide her with support and update her about developments in this case.

    We would like to thank the members of the public who have come forward with information and allowed us to get to this point.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –