Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the seven months ended 31 January 2025 – Treasury

    Source: The Treasury

    The Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the seven months ended 31 January 2025 were released by the Treasury today.

    The January results are reported against forecasts based on the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (HYEFU 2024), published on 17 December 2024, and the results for the same period for the previous year.

     

      

      Year to date Full Year
    January
    2025
    Actual1
    $m
    January 
    2025
    HYEFU 2024
    Forecast1
    $m
    Variance2
    HYEFU 2024
    $m
    Variance
    HYEFU 2024
    %
    June
    2025
    HYEFU 2024
    Forecast3
    $m
    Core Crown tax revenue 70,193 69,583 610 0.9 120,623
    Core Crown revenue 77,804 77,122 682 0.9 134,038
    Core Crown expenses 80,125 80,717 592 0.7 144,638
    Core Crown residual cash (5,051) (4,337) (714) (16.5) (16,610)
    Net core Crown debt4 180,603 180,669 66 192,810
              as a percentage of GDP 42.8% 42.8%     45.1%
    Gross debt 203,070 195,257 (7,812) (4.0) 206,558
              as a percentage of GDP 48.2% 46.3%     48.3%
    OBEGAL excluding ACC (OBEGALx) (3,669) (5,041) 1,372 27.2 (12,868)
    OBEGAL (4,994) (6,233) 1,239 19.9 (17,317)
    Operating balance (excluding minority interests) 1,087 (2,223) 3,310 148.9 (10,161)
    Net worth 188,883 185,654 3,229 1.7 177,492
              as a percentage of GDP 44.8% 44.0%     41.5%
    1. Using the most recently published GDP (for the year ended 30 September 2024) of $421,702 million (Source: Stats NZ).
    2. Favourable variances against forecast have a positive sign and unfavourable variances against forecast have a negative sign.
    3. Using HYEFU 2024 forecast GDP for the year ending 30 June 2025 of $427,252 million (Source: The Treasury).
    4. Net core Crown debt excludes the NZS Fund and core Crown advances. Net core Crown debt may fluctuate during the year largely reflecting the timing of tax receipts.

    Core Crown tax revenue, at $70.2 billion, was $0.6 billion (0.9%) higher than forecast with the largest variance relating to GST being $0.3 billion (1.9%) above forecast.

    Core Crown expenses, at $80.1 billion, were $0.6 billion (0.7%) below forecast. This variance is mostly timing in nature and was spread across a range of functional spending areas.

    The operating balance before gains and losses excluding ACC (OBEGALx) was a deficit of $3.7 billion, $1.4 billion less than the forecast deficit. When including the revenue and expenses of ACC, the OBEGAL deficit was $5.0 billion, $1.2 billion less than the forecast deficit.

    The operating balance surplus of $1.1 billion was $3.3 billion better than the deficit forecast. This reflected both the favourable OBEGAL result and favourable valuation movements. Net losses on non-financial instruments were $1.6 billion less than forecast (largely owing to a $0.6 billion net actuarial gain on the ACC outstanding claims liability compared to a forecast net loss of $1.0 billion), partly offset by net gains on financial instruments being $0.2 billion above forecast.

    The core Crown residual cash deficit of $5.1 billion was $0.7 billion more than the deficit forecast and was largely owing to lower tax receipts.

    Net core Crown debt at $180.6 billion (42.8% of GDP) was broadly in line with forecast ($180.7 billion or 42.8% of GDP). While the core Crown residual cash deficit was higher than forecast, its impact on net core Crown debt was more than offset by valuation changes and higher issuance of circulating currency.

    Gross debt at $203.1 billion (48.2% of GDP) was $7.8 billion higher than forecast, largely owing to higher than forecast unsettled trades, derivatives in loss and the issuances of Euro Commercial Paper driven by short-term cash requirements. However, this increase in gross debt was broadly offset by a corresponding increase in financial assets, therefore this has not flowed through to the net core Crown debt measure or to net worth.

    Net worth at $188.9 billion (44.8% of GDP) was $3.2 billion higher than forecast largely reflecting the operating balance result.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Asia New Zealand – Top Asia experts gather in Auckland to discuss New Zealand’s progress in and with Asia

    Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation

    Top Asia experts from across New Zealand and the Asia region will meet in Auckland from 9 to 11 March to share their perspectives on New Zealand’s Asia relations.
    The experts are part of the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Honorary Advisers Network and include current and former ministers, academics, businesspeople and other sector leaders.
    As a network, they help to guide the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s work and support its mission of being one of New Zealand’s leading non-profit, non-partisan providers of Asia insights and experiences that help New Zealanders to excel in Asia.
    During the two-day meeting, members of the network will meet with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Foreign Minister Winston Peters (who is also chair of the network) and a range of New Zealand’s top public and private sector leaders.
    Attendees from Asia will include key figures such as Dr Ng Eng Hen, Singapore’s Minister for Defence; Ms Heekyung Jo Min, Executive Vice President of major Asian media and entertainment company CJ Cheiljedang; trade expert and former ASEAN Secretariat head Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria; and Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Thailand’s leading international relations authority.
    “The advisers are vital advocates for New Zealand in Asia, bringing deep expertise and longstanding ties. As New Zealand’s relationships with Asia evolve and as the Foundation’s work develops across the region, their contributions become even more critical,” says Foundation Chief Executive, Suz Jessep.
    “At a time of profound change in our region, this in-person meeting provides an opportunity to really unpick how other small and medium sized countries are responding to challenges and opportunities in Asia and to hear free and frank assessments from trusted advisers who know us well and who want to see New Zealand succeed.” Jessep noted.
    The advisers have supported New Zealand’s connections with Asia in several ways. In addition to their honorary role, they have also supported educational scholarships, paid internships for New Zealand students in Asian companies and facilitated and participated in Track II (informal diplomacy) dialogues between New Zealand and Asian experts.
    List of Honorary Advisers attending:
    Asia Honorary Advisers
    • Ms Adaljiza Magno – Timor Leste
    • Mr Amane Nakashima – Japan
    • Mr Guillermo M. Luz – Philippines
    • Ms Heekyung Jo Min – South Korea
    • Ms. Helianti Hilman – Indonesia
    • Prof Jolan Hsieh – Taiwan
    • Dr Ng Eng Hen – Singapore
    • Prof Pavida Pananond – Thailand
    • Ms Pham Thi My Le – Viet Nam
    • Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria – Malaysia
    • Dr Reuben Abraham – India
    • Mr Stanley Tan ONZM – Singapore
    • Prof Thitinan Pongsudhirak – Thailand
    New Zealand Honorary Advisers 
    • Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand
    • Mr Danny Chan
    • Rt Hon Sir Don McKinnon (Foundation Founder) 
    • Mr Josh Wharehinga
    • Mr Kyle Murdoch 
    • Hon Lianne Dalziel 
    • Prof Manying Ip
    • Ms Nicola Ngarewa 
    • Ms Paula Tesoriero
    • Hon Philip Burdon (Foundation Founder) 
    • Ms Sachie Nomura
    • Mr Sameer Handa 
    • Mr Simon Murdoch 
    • Ms Tania Te Whenua 
    • Ms Traci Houpapa
    • Mr Warrick Cleine (Viet Nam)
    About the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono
    Established in 1994, the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is New Zealand’s leading provider of Asia insights and experiences. Its mission is to equip New Zealanders to excel in Asia, by providing research, insights and targeted opportunities to grow their knowledge, connections and experiences across the Asia region. The Foundation’s activities cover more than 20 countries in Asia and are delivered through eight core programmes: arts, business, entrepreneurship, leadership, media, research, Track II diplomacy and sports.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Politics- Open letter to the Prime Minister: on marmite sandwiches and healthy school lunches

    Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa

    Today, Health Coalition Aotearoa, Child Poverty Action Group and NZEI sent an open letter to Prime Minister Chris Luxton, Hon David Seymour (Associate Minister of Health) and Hon Erica Stanford (Minister of Education).
    In the letter, we raise concerns about the Prime Minister’s comment about “marmite sandwiches and an apple” regarding the litany of problems with the Ka Ora Ka Ako school lunch programme.
    We also propose some solutions to the problems.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland’s flood resilience pilot a success

    Source: Auckland Council

    Aucklanders have come together to build flood resilience, with a successful pilot programme proving the power of community action. Their efforts have paved the way for region-wide expansion in 2025, helping more neighbourhoods prepare for future storms.

    As part of Council’s Making Space for Water programme – a response to the 2023 extreme weather events – the pilot focused on promoting partnership, inclusivity, and local leadership to enhance Auckland’s flood resilience.

    Running from September 2023 to December 2024, the pilot:

    • engaged 1,424 volunteers in resilience-building activities, including clearing critical stream blockages

    • partnered with 11 organisations to amplify community leadership

    • delivered 72 community events to improve flood awareness and stormwater management

    • planted 2,512 native plants in the right places to absorb water and reduce erosion.

    Building on this success, 12 community environmental organisations have now been contracted to expand the programme regionwide in 2025 strengthening flood preparedness in at-risk communities by:

    • increasing public workshops to improve flood literacy and understanding of healthy catchments.

    • expanding stream restoration efforts to support stormwater management.

    • strengthening partnerships with mana whenua and local organisations to enhance resilience.

    “The 2023 storms showed that we needed to strengthen community connections and invest in community engagement to foster resilience,” says Tom Mansell, Auckland Council’s Head of Sustainable Partnerships.

    “This initiative ensures communities aren’t just preparing for floods—they’re actively reducing risk through education and local initiatives.”

    Alanah Mullin from EcoMatters is involved in the initiative and highlights the importance of collective action. 

    “Flooding is a growing challenge, but we can all be part of the solution. Restoring waterways and planting the right native plants in the right places can help absorb stormwater and reduce the impact of heavy rain on our communities,” she says.

    “When the city’s drainage system is overwhelmed, healthy streams can play a crucial role in moving excess water to the sea. By working together, we’re making Auckland more resilient—one neighbourhood at a time.”

    Tom Mansell agrees.

    “This initiative shows the power of community-led action. We’re not just responding to past events—we’re building a more resilient Auckland for the future.”

    For more information or to get involved, visit the Auckland Council website. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ‘Need not race’ approach to bowel cancer screening will save lives

    Source: ACT Party

    “The move to reduce the eligibility age for free bowel cancer screening to 58 is ‘need, not race’ in action, and will save lives,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

    “ACT campaigned against targeting services based on race, because this practice was unfair, inefficient, and led to perverse outcomes.

    “Bowel cancer screening was a classic example. In 2022, Labour set a lower eligibility age for Māori/Pacific people accessing the National Bowel Screening Programme.

    “However, bowel cancer does not discriminate on race. Māori and Pacific peoples have a similar risk of developing bowel cancer compared to other population groups at a given age.

    “It was true that a higher proportion of bowel cancers occur in Māori and Pacific peoples at a younger age, but that is because the overall demographics of those groups are younger. It has always been age that determines bowel cancer risk, not race.

    “Today, the Government has repurposed Labour’s funding to deliver an eligibility age of 58 for all population groups, down from the previous default of 60.

    “This is ‘need, not race’ in action. ACT campaigned on it, we secured it in our coalition agreement, the Minister of Health pushed officials, and the result was (after having to go overseas for the advice) that we can have good things and deliver wider health benefits to all New Zealanders.

    “It shows, when you use real science and real statistics you don’t have to be racist. The previous government got the science and statistics wrong, and practiced racism. We abhor racial discrimination and we’re proud to be part of seeing the back of it.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: 6 March 2025 New home, new outlook on life Cece felt like she’d struck it lucky when she walked into her new Kāinga Ora home in Christchurch after living in emergency housing.

    Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

    “When they showed me the house I was crying. I felt like I was living in a dream and that I’d won Lotto. I moved in here on December 17 just in time for Christmas,” she says.

    Cece and her dog Ray Charles are now happily settled into their new home, which Cece has tastefully furnished with community donations and colourful op shop finds. Even the garden is sprinkled with bright ornaments.

    “When I moved in here, I only had two plates and Ray [the dog]. I’m so thankful for all the donations of furniture I’ve received,” she says.

    In 2011, Cece was walking across a pedestrian crossing on her way to work one morning when she was hit by a car and broke her hip. After having a hip replacement, she now lives with chronic back pain and uses a mobility scooter to get around when she’s not at home.

    Cece and Ray Charles

    When Cece had to move out of a private rental home three years ago, she struggled to find another suitable place to live. Emergency housing was the only option until she was matched to her new Kāinga Ora home.

    Cece says her new home is perfect for her. It has a concrete path up one side that allows her to drive her mobility scooter straight inside the gate to her house. There is also space inside her front door to park her mobility scooter if she needs it and the bathroom has a walk-in shower.

    Cece is also loving being part of a community in the new development where she lives, which includes several family homes. Until recently, she was a child and youth worker specialising in arts and crafts.

    Just a few days after moving into her new home, Cece held an impromptu arts and crafts session for her neighbours’ kids in the development’s communal area. “I’ve been given so much that I want to give it back. After the Christmas party, the kids left a gift on my doorstep on Christmas Day,” Cece says.

    Now that she’s settled into her new home, Cece is thinking about what to do next. “I’m planning to get another job and have been looking at teacher aide jobs. Or I might do my master’s degree,” she says.

    In the meantime, she’s enjoying every moment in her new home.

    “This house is such a blessing. Every morning, I clean any spot I can see. It’s a privilege to have this house.” 

    Page updated: 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Avondale’s new community hub gets set to connect

    Source: Auckland Council

    Great progress is underway in the preparations to build Te Hono – the new Avondale library, community hub, and upgraded town square.

    Deconstruction works are complete and the focus now shifts to site preparations that include the construction of retaining walls, ahead of the main construction phase beginning in spring 2025.

    Centrally located in Avondale’s town centre, when complete Te Hono aims to connect, inspire, and bring people together.

    “Our priority is to deliver Te Hono as soon as possible, at the same time as maximising value for money for ratepayers and keeping true to the community’s vision for a modern, purpose-built space for generations to enjoy,” says Taryn Crewe, Auckland Council’s general manager of Parks and Community Facilities.

    The project steering group of the council and Eke Panuku met on 24 February and agreed to run the enabling works and the main construction phase separately. This decision was taken to keep the project moving and ensure that the main construction phase is delivered at the right value.

    “The council is committed to delivering high-quality community projects that provide true value. Our intent is to manage capital projects effectively and ensure that every dollar is well spent for Aucklanders. This project reflects our commitment and strikes the right balance between fiscal responsibility and the community’s aspirations,” says Mrs Crewe.

    “This next stage of on-site work will effectively help the main construction phase this year to occur more quickly, after winter, and ensure steady progress. Come spring, you’ll see Te Hono come to life!”

    The project group continue their focus on minimizing compromises to the design, to ensure the final outcome delivers on the community’s vision and long-term needs keeping within the available budget.

    For more information, visit: Te Hono – Eke Panuku and OurAuckland

    Background Info

    Since 2019, Auckland Council and Eke Panuku Development Auckland have worked in partnership on the design and planning of Te Hono – the new Avondale library & community hub with an upgraded town square. The plan for a modern, flexible space aims to support learning, creativity, and community interactions, evolving alongside Avondale as a vibrant gathering place.

    Following an open selection process, the council signed a pre-construction services agreement with a main contractor in August 2022. Rising construction costs in 2023 resulted in a funding shortfall, so the Whau Local Board approved an updated design to simplify construction and minimise some of the costs. To secure the project’s future, Auckland Council reallocated $15 million in September 2023 from the planned Whau Aquatic and Recreation Centre development budget, reinforcing the project’s importance to the community.

    In September 2024, after finalising the detailed designs, the council’s steering group for this project invited the pre-construction services contractor to submit a final bid. After a thorough assessment and negotiations, both parties were unable to reach an agreement on the value for money and budget considerations.

    On 24 February 2025, the project steering group approved the decision to go-to-market via a competitive tendering process. 

    The council remains committed to delivering value for money within the approved overall budget for this project.

    Next steps

    At the council Project Steering Group on 24 February 2025, the decision was made to engage another council-approved contractor for the next stage of pre-construction, known as ‘enabling works’. This stage includes removing the remaining concrete and steel structure supporting the slip lane and constructing new retaining walls. This approach also allows the project to continue while the new competitive tendering process for a new main contractor is completed.

    The successful main contractor is expected to start on-site in spring 2025. 

    This approach also avoids the additional costs and risks of undertaking major earthworks during winter, including soil instability, sediment control and environmental mitigations.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland’s flood resilience pilot a success: community leadership drives expansion in 2025

    Source: Auckland Council

    Aucklanders have come together to build flood resilience, with a successful pilot programme proving the power of community action. Their efforts have paved the way for region-wide expansion in 2025, helping more neighbourhoods prepare for future storms.

    As part of Council’s Making Space for Water programme – a response to the 2023 extreme weather events – the pilot focused on promoting partnership, inclusivity, and local leadership to enhance Auckland’s flood resilience.

    Running from September 2023 to December 2024, the pilot:

    • engaged 1,424 volunteers in resilience-building activities, including clearing critical stream blockages
    • partnered with 11 organisations to amplify community leadership
    • delivered 72 community events to improve flood awareness and stormwater management
    • planted 2,512 native plants in the right places to absorb water and reduce erosion.

    Building on this success, 12 community environmental organisations have now been contracted to expand the programme regionwide in 2025 strengthening flood preparedness in at-risk communities by:

    • increasing public workshops to improve flood literacy and understanding of healthy catchments.
    • expanding stream restoration efforts to support stormwater management.
    • strengthening partnerships with mana whenua and local organisations to enhance resilience.

    “The 2023 storms showed that we needed to strengthen community connections and invest in community engagement to foster resilience,” says Tom Mansell, Auckland Council’s Head of Sustainable Partnerships.

    “This initiative ensures communities aren’t just preparing for floods—they’re actively reducing risk through education and local initiatives.”

    Alanah Mullin from EcoMatters is involved in the initiative and highlights the importance of collective action. 

    “Flooding is a growing challenge, but we can all be part of the solution. Restoring waterways and planting the right native plants in the right places can help absorb stormwater and reduce the impact of heavy rain on our communities,” she says.

    “When the city’s drainage system is overwhelmed, healthy streams can play a crucial role in moving excess water to the sea. By working together, we’re making Auckland more resilient—one neighbourhood at a time.”

    Tom Mansell agrees.

    “This initiative shows the power of community-led action. We’re not just responding to past events—we’re building a more resilient Auckland for the future.”

    For more information or to get involved, visit

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Unexplained death, Wairoa

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attribute to Detective Inspector Dave de Lange:

    An investigation has been launched after the death of a man in Wairoa yesterday.

    Emergency services were called to a Lucknow Street address about 4pm after a man was found unresponsive.

    He was pronounced dead at the scene.

    His death is currently being treated as unexplained, and enquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances of what has occurred.

    A scene examination will commence at the property today, and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

    Further information will be provided when it becomes available.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Bowel screening changes to save hundreds of lives

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has agreed to progressively lower the age of eligibility for bowel cancer screening tests to align with Australia.“Today, I am pleased to announce that we are taking the first step by lowering the age to 58, with redirected funding of $36 million over four years. “This means free bowel screening will become available to all New Zealanders from the ages of 58 to 74,” Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Lowering the age of eligibility from 60 to 58 will see 122,000 Kiwis eligible for free tests in the first year and save hundreds of lives over the coming decades.“This is the first significant step we are taking to align our screening rate for bowel cancer with Australia as funding and access to additional colonoscopy resource becomes available.“The changes announced today are projected to prevent an additional 771 bowel cancers and an additional 566 bowel cancer deaths over the next 25 years.“Advice from the Ministry of Health clearly states that lowering the age to 58 for all New Zealanders will save even more lives than the previous government’s approach to lower the age to 50 for Māori and Pacific Peoples only.“Under our approach, we will be able to prevent 218 additional cancers and 176 additional deaths over 25 years in comparison to the settings proposed by the previous government.“This also aligns with the Government’s policy of ensuring that healthcare is delivered on the basis of need. “The evidence is clear: by delivering this first step for all New Zealanders, more lives will be saved. “The Government has also approved additional funding for targeted initiatives that aim to increase screening rates among population groups with low rates. Improving early detection of bowel cancers can be lifesaving, and this significant investment will be a game-changer for under-screened populations. “New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer globally. Every year, more than 3,300 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in New Zealand. Tragically, more than 1,200 Kiwis die from the disease. “We are committed to improving cancer detection and treatment for Kiwis. Last year we announced a $604 million uplift over four years to enable thousands more Kiwis to access life-saving cancer drugs.”“We will continue to deliver better outcomes for people with cancer as a result of the changes announced today.“By expanding eligibility for free bowel cancer screening tests, we will enable Kiwis to detect cancer earlier, undertake treatment, and ultimately save lives,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Can you help us identify this man?

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are seeking information to identify a man sought as part of an ongoing investigation.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Kathy Bostock, from Auckland City CIB, says the incident is sensitive in nature and occurred in the Auckland City area last year.

    “As part of the investigation we have located footage of a man we would like to speak with as part of the investigation,” she says.

    “Despite further enquiries being made into this footage we have so far been unable to identify him.

    “The public will in no doubt know who he is, and I would encourage them to contact us.”

    Detective Senior Sergeant Bostock also encourages the man himself to make contact with Police.

    Please contact Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 240616/3973.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS. 

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police follow new lead in West Coast cold case investigation

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Tasman Police are following a new lead believed to be the last sighting of David John Robinson before his execution-style murder in 1998.

    The new last sighting, and other new leads, has breathed renewed energy into the 26 year-old investigation.

    The homicide investigation was launched on 28 December after 25-year-old David’s body was located on a remote West Coast beach near Ross. The investigation remained open but unresolved, until Police reopened the investigation in mid-February.

    And the investigation team has been making progress.

    Detective Inspector Geoff Baber says after conducting further interviews and new information coming to light, Police have identified new avenues and opportunities to solve David’s murder.

    “We have spoken with a witness who reports they saw David on a street corner at the northern end of Bold Head Road near Kakapotahi, a day before the single reported gunshot was heard through the area between 14 and 18 December.

    “They have also reported seeing David in the passenger seat of a green coloured 4×4 vehicle travelling in the settlement hours following the street corner sighting.”

    This information is crucial as David’s last movements were never confirmed in the original investigation.

    “We now have a better understanding of his whereabouts and can confirm he was in the Kakapotahi area in the lead up to his death,” says Detective Inspector Baber.

    Before this new information, the last confirmed sighting of David was in the beginning of November 1998 when he was arrested by Police in Haast for theft.

    “We have a responsibility in helping David’s family find the truth behind his death, and this information brings us closer to doing so.

    “If you know who may have owned or drove a green coloured 4×4 vehicle around 1998 in the Kakapotahi and Ross areas, please do not hesitate to contact the investigation team.”

    It is not too late to provide David’s family with answers – if you know something, we encourage you to come forward and speak with us.

    If you have information that could help Police’s investigation, please email us via the Cold Case form on the New Zealand Police website, or call 105 and reference the case number 231129/2221.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Property Market – NZ property values return to growth in February – CoreLogic

    Source: CoreLogic

    Property values in Aotearoa New Zealand rose by +0.3% in February, the clearest sign yet that 2024’s ‘mini downturn’ has come to an end and that 2025 will likely see modest growth.

    After a cumulative -4.1% decline over March to September last year, the CoreLogic Home Value Index (HVI) recorded modest movements from October to January. This month’s result marks the strongest rise since a +0.5% gain back in January last year.
    The median national value now stands at $807,164, which is down -16.9% from the record highs in late 2021 and early 2022, but +17.1% above the pre-COVID figure of $689,353 in March 2020.

    Around the main centres, February marked a stronger month despite a -0.2% drop in Tauranga, with Ōtautahi Christchurch and Ōtepoti Dunedin both seeing increases of +0.6%, and Kirikiriroa Hamilton at +0.5%. Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland had +0.3%. Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington saw a +0.1% rise – a modest increase, but still quite a marked change from the average falls of -0.7% in the prior 11 months.
    CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said the modest growth was expected given earlier signs about a return to growth. “The rise of 0.3% in the national median property value is fairly modest by past standards but nevertheless represents the first meaningful increase for more than a year,” he said.
    “It was always likely that the property value falls in 2024 would come to an end at some stage in early 2025, given the extent of interest rate cuts since July or August last year.”
    He said the overall growth figure was masking local variability. “While some markets have clearly turned a corner, there’s still variability, with Tauranga edging lower in February.”
    “While the early signs of renewed growth for property values will be welcomed by many, the good vibes won’t be universal.”

    “After all, there’s always two sides to the coin when it comes to house prices, and aspiring buyers would no doubt be happier if they were flat or falling.”

    “That said, with listings still abundant and debt to income ratio limits set to be a restraint if and when banks’ serviceability test rates fall further, a rampant boom in property values in 2025 seems unlikely.”

    Index results for February 2025 – national and main centres

    From post-COVID peak
    From 2024 mini peak
    From pre-COVID levels
    Median  value
    Aotearoa New Zealand
    Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
    $1,062,680
    Kirikiriroa Hamilton
    Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington*
    Ōtautahi Christchurch
    Ōtepoti Dunedin

    Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

    The general re-emergence of rising property values in February was replicated across almost all of Tamaki Makaurau, with Franklin and Auckland City both recording gains of 0.5%, and North Shore 0.3%. Rodney, Waitakere, and Papakura all had a modest rise of 0.1%, although Manukau edged down by the same figure.

    Over a slightly longer three-month horizon, some areas have still seen modest falls (e.g. 0.3% in Waitakere and 0.2% in Manukau), but those figures also seem likely to turn positive again in the near term.

    Mr. Davidson commented: “The sentiment on the ground across Auckland has been more positive of late, and February shows this has been translating into the hard data. Elevated stock levels may mean any further near-term growth for property values remains muted, but the soft patch does now seem to be behind us.”

    From post-COVID peak
    From 2024 mini peak
    From pre-COVID levels
    Median value
    $1,191,524
    Te Raki Paewhenua North Shore
    $1,296,321
    Auckland City
    $1,143,162

    Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

    The wider Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington area also bucked its recent weak trend in February, with Porirua and Wellington City holding steady, and Kapiti Coast, Lower Hutt, and Upper Hutt all increasing.

    Wellington City remains 1.1% lower than it was three months ago, but the other areas have broadly stabilised, at +/-0.1% change compared to November.

    “Wellington still faces some economic challenges in the near term, given the restraint on public sector expenditure. But housing affordability across the capital is far less stretched than it was 2-3 years ago, which is likely to have played a role in helping bring some buyers back to the table in February.”

    From post-COVID peak
    From 2024 mini peak
    From pre-COVID levels
    Median value
    Kāpiti Coast
    Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt
    Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt
    Wellington City

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Seven decades on, Marshall Islands still reeling from nuclear testing legacy

    By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Bulletin editor/presenter

    The Marshall Islands marked 71 years since the most powerful nuclear weapons tests ever conducted were unleashed over the weekend.

    The Micronesian nation experienced 67 known atmospheric nuclear tests between 1946 and 1958, resulting in an ongoing legacy of death, illness, and contamination.

    The country’s President Hilda Heine says her people continue to face the impacts of US nuclear weapons testing seven decades after the last bomb was detonated.

    The Pacific Islands have a complex history of nuclear weapons testing, but the impacts are very much a present-day challenge, Heine said at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting in Tonga last year.

    She said that the consequences of nuclear weapons testing “in our own home” are “expensive” and “cross-cutting”.

    “When I was just a young girl, our islands were turned into a big laboratory to test the capabilities of weapons of mass destruction, biological warfare agents, and unexploded ordinance,” she said.

    “The impacts are not just historical facts, but contemporary challenges,” she added, noting that “the health consequences for the Marshallese people are severe and persistent through generations.”

    “We are now working to reshape the narrative from that of being victims to one of active agencies in helping to shape our own future and that of the world around us,” she told Pacific leaders, where the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was a special guest.

    President Hilda Heine and UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, in August 2024 Image: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis

    She said the displacement of communities from ancestral lands has resulted in grave cultural impacts, hindering traditional knowledge from being passed down to younger generations.

    “As well as certain traditional practices, customs, ceremonies and even a navigational school once defining our very identity and become a distant memory, memorialised through chance and storytelling,” President Heine said.

    “The environmental legacy is contamination and destruction: craters, radiation, toxic remnants, and a dome containing radioactive waste with a half-life of 24,000 years have rendered significant areas uninhabitable.

    “Key ecosystems, once full of life and providing sustenance to our people, are now compromised.”

    Heine said cancer and thyroid diseases were among a list of presumed radiation-induced medical conditions that were particularly prevalent in the Marshallese community.

    Displacement, loss of land, and psychological trauma were also contributing factors to high rates of non-communicable diseases, she said.

    Runit Dome, also known as “The Tomb”, in the Marshall Islands . . , controversial nuclear waste storage. Image: RNZ Pacific

    “Despite these immense challenges, the Marshallese people have shown remarkable resilience and strength. Our journey has been one of survival, advocacy, and an unyielding pursuit of justice.

    “We have fought tirelessly to have our voices heard on the international stage, seeking recognition.”

    In 2017, the Marshall Islands government created the National Nuclear Commission to coordinate efforts to address testing impacts.

    “We are a unique and important moral compass in the global movement for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation,” Heine said.

    Kurt Campbell at the Pacific Islands Forum . . . “I think we understand that that history carries a heavy burden.” Image: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis

    The US Deputy Secretary of State in the Biden-Harris administration Kurt Cambell said that Washington, over decades, had committed billions of dollars to the damage and the rebuilding of the Marshall Islands.

    “I think we understand that that history carries a heavy burden, and we are doing what we can to support the people in the [Compact of Free Association] states, including the Marshall Islands,” he said.

    “This is not a legacy that we seek to avoid. We have attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment,” he told reporters in Nuku’alofa.

    A shared nuclear legacy
    The National Nuclear Commission chairperson Ariana Tibon-Kilma, a direct descendant of survivors of the nuclear weapons testing programme Project 4.1 — which was the top-secret medical lab study on the effects of radiation on human bodies — told RNZ Pacific that what occured in Marshall Islands should not happen to any country.

    “This programme was conducted without consent from any of the Marshallese people,” she said.

    “For a number of years, they were studied and monitored, and sometimes even flown out to the US and displayed as a showcase.

    “The history and trauma associated with what happened to my family, as well as many other families in the Marshall Islands, was barely spoken of.

    “What happened to the Marshallese people is something that we would not wish upon any other Pacific island country or any other person in humanity.”

    She said the nuclear legacy was a shared one.

    “We all share one Pacific Ocean and what happened to the Marshall Islands, I am, sure resonates throughout the Pacific,” Tibon-Kilma said.

    UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Pacific head Heike Alefsen at the Pacific Islands Forum . . . “I think compensation for survivors is key.” Image: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis

    Billions in compensation
    The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Pacific head, Heike Alefsen, told RNZ Pacific in Nuku’alofa that “we understand that there are communities that have been displaced for a long time to other islands”.

    “I think compensation for survivors is key,” she said.

    “It is part of a transitional justice approach. I can’t really speak to the breadth and the depth of the compensation that would need to be provided, but it is certainly an ongoing issue for discussion.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Papakura fire contained but smoke alert remains in force

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Firefighters have contained a large fire burning at a metal recycling premises in Papakura, but the fire is expected to take several hours to fully extinguish.
    Fire and Emergency NZ has 15 fire trucks at the scene, including three aerial appliances, as well as a command unit and support vehicles.
    The fire was reported just after 4.30pm. Assistant Commander Chris Delfos says that the initial crews who responded are being relieved by fresh firefighters.
    An emergency mobile alert was issued at 5.55pm because of the widespread smoke, particularly to the east of Hunua Road. The smoke warning remains in place. People in areas where there is smoke are advised to stay inside with their doors and windows shut to avoid exposure to the smoke.
    Police and St John have also been at the scene, which is routine for a fourth alarm level fire.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Hamilton community effort leads to safer streets

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Inspector Andrea McBeth, Hamilton City Area Commander

    Council CCTV operators have assisted Hamilton Police in making an arrest after providing information of a person carrying a weapon in the CBD.

    In the early hours of Tuesday 4 March, Police were alerted by Council CCTV camera operators, after a man was seen holding a weapon before getting into a vehicle.

    As officers made their way to the scene, they were further advised of critical information from camera operators including descriptions and images of the man and the vehicle.

    Thanks to this information, Police located the man a short time later at an address in Nawton.

    The man was subsequently arrested, with an offensive weapon located alongside a metal pole.

    CCTV operators are an invaluable service to both us and the community. They detect a wide range of incidents from medical events and lost property, to identifying and notifying Police of suspicious and unlawful behaviour.

    The 38-year-old man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court on Friday 7 March, charged with possessing an offensive weapon and possessing methamphetamine.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH1 night closures for asphalt resurfacing in Ashburton – from end of March

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Five weeks of night work to resurface a section of SH1 in Ashburton is due to start from Sunday, 30 March through to around 9 May. Although the work’s biggest impacts will be experienced overnight after 8pm, this work will slow down traffic during the daytimes also, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

    Crews will be renewing the asphalt on SH1 West St from the SH77 intersection at Moore St to the Ashburton River Bridge in three stages, says Chris Chambers, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA in Mid Canterbury.  

    “Crews will be working on SH1 from 8pm each night through to 6am each morning. Detours will be available for all traffic but there will be delays at times,” he says. (See map below)

    A changing range of traffic management, night-time work will affect daytime journeys

    “People need to be aware that traffic management will change over the five weeks,” says Mr Chambers.  “It will range from Stop/Go, to highway closures and local road detours, each night between 8pm and 6am. People need to build in extra time along this section of SH1 West St.”

    He advises allowing an extra 30 minutes if you are travelling through Ashburton after 8pm – and if possible, avoid travelling during the typical morning and afternoon peaks.  “We acknowledge that even though we are completing the most impactful work at night, the work site will cause congestion and delays in the area during daytime.”

    The three stages

    • Three-and-a-half weeks of night closures of SH1 West St from the SH77 / Moore St intersection to South Street.  Detour via Walnut Ave, Chalmers Ave and South St.  
    • Two nights of closures at the SH1 and SH77/Moore St intersection.  SH77 detoured via Oak Grove and Walnut Ave.  SH1 detoured via Walnut Ave, Chalmers Ave and South St.
    • One week of night-time Stop/Go on SH1 from South St to the Ashburton River Bridge.

    The State Highway will be reopened each day at 6am, under temporary speed limits with reduced lane widths.

    Easter no night work

    There will be no work undertaken over Easter Weekend – Friday 18 April through to Easter Monday, 21 April.

    While the road is closed, KiwiRail will take the opportunity to complete maintenance work on the SH1 level rail crossing prior to the resurfacing. This will reduce disruptions around further works being required in the immediate future.

    NZTA thanks all night-time drivers for taking care around the work site and on the detour routes when they are being used, says Mr Chambers. “We only have a few short weeks left before autumn temperatures make this kind of project unviable, so crews will be doing their best to complete it as fast as they can.”

    Asphalt layer cake

    • Around 6,000 tons of asphalt will be placed in three layers – two structural layers and a top/wearing course.
    • Overall, the area will measure 10,000 square metres, 250mm thick.
    • Highways re-surfaced like this have a design life of around 25 years before they need future full reconstruction.

    Work happening from next week (10 March) which will also affect Ashburton road users

    Prior to the paving works, the Ashburton District Council will be undertaking maintenance and renewal works, replacing a 110-year-old watermain within SH1 between Kermode St and SH77.

    Drivers can expect some disruption and delay with construction works in the area from Monday, 10 March while these works are completed ahead, and in preparation for, the highway surfacing rehabilitation works.

    View larger map [PNG, 352 KB]

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Academia – University welcomes primary care announcements – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    The government’s announcements of support for more locally trained doctors and nurses to work in primary care are welcomed by the University of Auckland.

    The government’s announcements this week of support for more locally trained doctors and nurses to work in primary care are welcomed by the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Dean, Professor Warwick Bagg and Head of Nursing Professor Julia Slark.

    Today, 5 March, Health Minister Hon Simeon Brown announced five-year funding for training of 120 nurse practitioners based in primary care, as well as $21.6 million over four years to accelerate advanced tertiary education for up to 120 primary care registered nurses a year.

    Head of the School of Nursing Professor Julia Slark says it’s excellent news, especially to see the government’s sustained commitment over to funding for additional primary care nurse training.

    “We really welcome the investment in nursing. It is pleasing because nurses have a pivotal role in primary care,” Slark says.

    Yesterday, Brown announced an increase of 25 training places for doctors in the two existing medical schools and training opportunities in primary care for up to 50 New Zealand-trained graduate doctors. Earlier in the week, the minister also announced 100 clinical places for overseas-trained doctors to work in primary care.

    Professor Bagg says the announcements recognise the urgent workforce needs of the health system.

    “Every New Zealander knows our health system is under strain, and we need a range of solutions to meet those needs. The announcements are excellent news. The University of Auckland looks forward to offering more places for students to study medicine.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Four-year term legislation takes first step

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Legislation that will enable a four-year term of Parliament subject to a referendum has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
    “As stipulated in the National-Act coalition agreement, the Bill is modelled on the ACT Party’s draft Constitution (Enabling a 4-Year Term) Amendment Bill.
    “This means a standard term of Parliament will remain at three years, but with the ability to extend the maximum term of Parliament to four years. 
    “The main condition is that membership of certain select committees is calculated in a way that is proportionate to the non-Executive parliamentary party membership of the House.
    “Given the constitutional significance of the term of Parliament, this change would be subject to the outcome of a binding referendum.
    “Both the National-Act and National-New Zealand First coalition agreements include supporting to select committee a bill that would enact a binding referendum on a four-year term of parliament.
    “At this stage, no decisions have been made on whether this Bill will proceed beyond this. 
    “It is possible a referendum could be held alongside the next General Election in 2026. However, any final decisions on timing for a referendum will depend on what comes out of the select committee process.
    “To enable this, a Referendums Framework Bill will also have its first reading this week. This will provide for the conduct of a referendum alongside a General Election and will be modelled on the temporary legislation put in place for the 2020 referendum on the End-of-Life-Choice legislation and on Cannabis regulation.
    “Future decisions will also need to be made by the Government as to whether the bill proceeds as introduced, or whether it should be amended.
    “We want to hear what New Zealanders think during the select committee process.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand backing new justice building for Niue

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New Zealand will support Niue with the design and construction of a new justice building in the capital Alofi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced.
     
    Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi is in New Zealand this week for a number of high-level meetings – including with Prime Minister Luxon, Minister Peters, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk – that build on the special and enduring free association relationship between the countries.
     
    “Niue’s future is interconnected with the Pacific region and New Zealand remains steadfast in supporting its Realm partner’s development across a range of sectors,” Mr Peters says. 
     
    “We are proud of the partnership we have built with Niue, and we look forward to continuing to work together to realise our shared goals of resilience, prosperity and sustainability.”
     
    New Zealand will work in partnership with Niue to deliver a new building for Niue’s justice sector services. 
     
    “This is another example of practical support, on the ground, for Niue. The new Justice Building ensures access to judicial services for all Niueans, for years to come,” Mr Peters says.
     
    New Zealand has also announced it will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Niue through a partnership between Business Link Pacific (BLP) and the Niue Development Bank (NDB). This partnership will offer eligible SMEs loans at reduced interest rates, along with subsidised advisory support to assist with their loan applications. 
     
    Funding for this initiative and the justice building project will come from New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation programme, with the size of our financial contribution to be determined.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Antarctica swift field tests to speed up avian influenza monitoring

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Sampling and timely testing for avian influenza in remote locations like Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands is now a step closer thanks the development of a portable laboratory, says Minister for Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard.Biosecurity New Zealand recently tested the ground-breaking equipment during a voyage to Antarctica on the icebreaker MV Argus.  
    “This was an incredible opportunity to be able to locate, sample and test for HPAI in the field under extreme conditions,” says Andrew Hoggard.HPAI H5N1 emerged in 2020 and has spread through most of the world. In February 2024, it was detected on the Antarctic peninsula. Affected species include brown skuas, Adélie penguins, snowy sheathbill and Antarctic fur seals.   “The benefit of this is that samples don’t need to be sent to a laboratory for testing, a process which can take weeks from remote locations like Antarctica. Instead, a confirmed result for HPAI H5N1 can be obtained within 48 hours of taking the sample.”The portable laboratory was set up aboard the MV Argus. Samples were collected from a skua carcass on Torgersen Island in the Palmer Archipelago before being tested aboard ship.“I understand that conditions were incredibly challenging to set up complex lab work, with the vessel having very limited space. But it was the ultimate test of the portable lab, and it proved to be a huge success.” Research stations in the area do not have sequencing capability and do not test for HPAI. If samples are taken, they are typically sent back to Australia for testing, which can take weeks.“Having the portable lab for remote locations like this means results can be obtained in the field – allowing faster more informed decisions on any next steps.  While HPAI H5N1 is still some distance from New Zealand, it’s important that we take a cautious approach.“We need to be prepared and have strong biosecurity practices in place. Everyone has a part to play.”Detailed information on how to prepare for HPAI H5N1 is here   

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Long-serving staff members celebrate four decades in EIT’s 50th year | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

    28 seconds ago

    For more than 40 years, Mandy Pentecost and Gail Maxey have been part of the fabric of EIT, witnessing its evolution from a community college to a leading educational institution as it now celebrates its 50th anniversary.

    Gail and Mandy started their careers at EIT just months apart in 1984, when the institution was still known as Hawke’s Bay Community College.

    Gail, who originally joined to teach anatomy and physiology in the nursing programme, remembers how radical it was to shift nursing education from hospitals to the classroom. “It was a huge change at the time,” she recalls. “We didn’t realise then how significant that shift was.” Over the years, she has taught across multiple disciplines, including beauty therapy, sports science, and foundation programmes, always centering around her passion for anatomy and physiology.

    Gail Maxey and Mandy Pentecost have been teaching at EIT for more than 40 years.

    Mandy, on the other hand, came to EIT with a background in community education. While she had originally interviewed for one role, those hiring her decided to create a position for her with a community development focus. “It was a one-year role that kept getting renewed,” she laughs. She helped shape the social services and counselling programmes, eventually moving into leadership positions, including Assistant Head and Acting Head of the School of Education and Social Sciences.

    Throughout their careers, both Gail and Mandy have experienced the evolution of EIT, from its modest beginnings with just a few buildings to the large institute it is today. Gail recalls how fields which were once used for soccer and rugby have been replaced by modern teaching facilities. “I’ve worked in nearly every building on this campus,” she says. “And now, after 41 years, I’ve come full circle back to the one I started in.”

    Mandy appreciates how EIT continues to provide education opportunities for students in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti. “The way we support students now is different,” she says. “EIT has always had a strong regional focus, ensuring people don’t have to leave Hawke’s Bay or Tairāwhiti to access quality education. That’s something I’ve always believed in.”

    Despite their long tenures, neither Gail nor Mandy are in a rush to leave. “I love being in the classroom,” Gail says. “I love working with students who are figuring out their paths and proving to them that they can achieve more than they thought possible.”

    Mandy shares a similar sentiment. “I never expected to stay this long,” she admits. “But EIT’s values align with mine. I love seeing students I taught 20 years ago succeed in their careers. That’s what makes it all worth it.”

    As EIT celebrates 50 years, Gail and Mandy recognise the milestone but view it as just one chapter in the institution’s journey. Reflecting on recent years, Gail acknowledges the challenges posed by COVID-19, natural disasters, and organisational changes. “You couldn’t walk away in the middle of all that,” she says.

    For Mandy, stepping back from leadership to focus on postgraduate teaching is her way of giving back. “Teaching is why I started in education. It’s what I still love to do.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Concrete mixer roll on Christchurch Southern Motorway – avoid SH76 at Curletts Road, Middleton area

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    |

    A truck roll before midday on Christchurch’s Southern Motorway eastbound (ie towards Christchurch) is causing significant delays in the area, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Eastbound traffic is currently back to the Awatea Road overpass.

    SH76 remains closed eastbound at the Curletts Road (SH73) off ramp, with a detour in place via the Curletts Road off and on ramps.

    Road users should consider using SH1 (Main South Road) or taking the Shands Road off-ramp if travelling towards Christchurch for the next hour or two.

    View larger image [PNG, 599 KB]

    Updates:

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH30 Te Ngae Road works at Wharenui Road – plan ahead

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    |

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises road users to expect delays on State Highway 30 (SH30) Te Ngae Road Wednesday March 12 while contractors remove overhead power lines near the Wharenui Road intersection.

    This work will be done during the day and to minimise disruption will be outside of peak travel times.

    For road user safety, SH30 will be closed for short periods under stop/stop traffic management so the overhead work can be safely done. Traffic flow will return to normal between the brief closures.

    This is part of the SH30 and Wharenui Road intersection project where traffic lights are being installed. As part of that, Wharenui Road is closed to traffic at the intersection and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place on SH30 Te Ngae Road through the work zone.

    We ask for your patience and compliance to ensure the safety of our workers and other road users navigating the site.

    This work is currently scheduled for Wednesday 12 March but is weather dependent and may change at short notice. People are encouraged to visit the Journey Planner website for up-to-date information:

    Journey Planner(external link)

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Overnight closures, SH1, on two Mid Canterbury bridges start this weekend

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    People who normally drive south of Christchurch in the evening or early hours of the morning need to plan around some night-time bridge closures, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

    The work starts this Sunday night, 9 March and will close the Rangitata River bridge initially, followed by the Hinds River bridge. Both bridge decks are being re-surfaced.  Detours will be in place for both sites.

    Detour for light vehicles and HPMV (not Oversized)

    Drivers of light vehicles and HPMV will be able to take the detour route around the bridges, adding half an hour or so to the travel time, however it is not suitable for Oversized vehicles.

    • All traffic required to stay on the highway (eg including Oversize or permit-restricted) will be allowed across at midnight for 30 minutes, but otherwise SH1 will be closed at the bridge from 8pm to 6am.
    • The detour route will be operating for all other drivers all night.
    • The milling machine and paver take up space on the bridge, hence the restrictions around bridge access during this work.

    Work will run from Sunday 9 March to Friday 14 March, 8pm to 6am, each night.

    Rangitata River Bridge: Closed Sunday night, 9 March to Wednesday night, 12 March

    • DETOUR: Southbound traffic – turn right onto Dalmaine St, left onto Hinds Arundel Rd, left onto Route 72 Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd, left onto SH79 Rangitata-Orari Bridge Hwy, then back onto SH1 (detour route will take about 30 minutes). Or consider continuing south through Geraldine and along Route 72 to Winchester and back onto SH1. Reverse for northbound traffic.

    Hinds River Bridge: Closed Thursday night, 13 March to Friday night, 14 March

    • DETOUR: Southbound traffic – turn left onto Longbeach Rd, right onto Poplar Rd, right onto Isleworth Rd, them back onto SH1 (detour route will take about 25 minutes). Reverse for northbound traffic.

    Changes to the schedule

    This work is weather dependent so check the NZTA Journeys or Travel pages for any updates:

    Journey Planner – Canterbury highway conditions(external link)

    View/download larger map [PNG, 312 KB]

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZTA welcomes sentencings for improper vehicle inspections

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is welcoming the sentencing last week of two individuals involved with unauthorised vehicle inspections.

    Following an investigation by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), vehicle inspector Juan Carlos Acarapi Scoria and mechanic Gideon Tali from Automotive New Lynn were sentenced to five months’ community detention and 60 hours’ community work respectively.  

    They were sentenced in the Waitakere District Court on 27 February 2025 for accessing a computer system (WoF Online) for dishonest purposes.  

    Acting on a tip off, NZTA found that from 7 June to 8 July 2022 Mr Tali was carrying out WoF inspections without authority. Mr Tali was following the instructions of his employer Mr Scoria and was using Mr Scoria’s vehicle inspector authority to issue warrants of fitness (WoFs). 

    The investigation established that 121 WoF inspections were registered and 86 WoF labels were issued to vehicles without a proper safety inspection by an authorised vehicle inspector.  

    To arrive at the sentence, District Court Judge Singh acknowledged the seriousness and period of the offending, that the vehicles may have been unsafe, the issue of integrity and premeditation. 

    “We welcome the sentencing of these individuals, and hope it serves as a deterrent to others. We don’t tolerate misconduct by appointed vehicle inspectors and inspecting organisations, and we will take action whenever our investigations find unlawful behaviour. The actions of these individuals put road users at risk,” says NZTA Senior Manager Safer Vehicles Nicole Botherway.  

    “These vehicles had not been checked by an inspector vetted by NZTA to ensure they had the necessary technical skills to understand and meet safety standards. WoF inspections check brakes, tyres and wheels, steering, suspension, exhausts, seatbelts, lighting, and vehicle structure to ensure vehicles are safe and protect people both inside and outside of a vehicle.”

    NZTA cancelled all WoFs issued under Mr Acarapi’s name during that period and informed vehicle owners that they needed to get new ones. 

    NB: The NZTA Safer Vehicles team regularly reviews inspecting organisations and vehicle inspectors to check compliance. If serious non-compliance is found, the team ensures that the right regulatory response is applied, including enforcement action.   

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrest made, bikes seized after fleeing driver events, Porirua

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Sergeant Vince Smylie

    Police have arrested a man in Cannons Creek this morning, after a search warrant was executed in relation to fleeing driver events in the Porirua area.

    The man, aged 36, has been charged with failing to stop, unlawfully gets onto a motorcycle and dangerous driving.

    The man is due to appear in the Porirua District Court on 11 March.

    Police also seized three vehicles from the address, a motorbike and a moped, both believed to be stolen, as well as a dirt bike.

    Police have seen an increase in fleeing driver incidents involving dirt bikes in recent months and remain committed to holding these people to account.

    Often, riders are seen without helmets on, which puts their safety at risk as well as the safety of other road users, due to the speeds these bikes are travelling.

    Police are committed to ensuring the community is safe, especially on our roads.

    We ask anybody who witnesses antisocial road behaviour to contact Police, on 111 if it is happening currently, or 105 if it is after the fact

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-Evening Report: RSF slams ‘horrific conditions’ for journalists in Gaza in wake of fragile ceasefire

    Pacific Media Watch

    The Paris-based global watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has expressed support for Gaza’s media professionals and called on Israel to urgently lift the blockade on the territory.

    It said the humanitarian catastrophe was continuing in Gaza and hampering journalists’ work on a daily basis.

    The Israeli army had killed their colleagues and destroyed their homes and newsrooms, said RSF in a statement.

    Gaza’s remaining journalists, who had survived 15 months of intensive bombardment, continued to face immense challenges despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on 19 January 2025 with the first stage expiring last weekend.

    Humanitarian aid, filtered by the Israeli authorities, is merely trickling into the blockaded territory, and Israel continues to deny entry access to foreign journalists, forbidding independent outlets from covering the aftermath of the war and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

    Exiled Palestinian journalists are also prevented from returning to the Gaza Strip.

    “We urgently call for the blockade that is suffocating the press in Gaza to be lifted,” said RSF editorial director Anne Bocandé.

    “Reporters need multimedia and security equipment, internet and electricity.

    “Foreign reporters need access to the territory, and exiled Palestinian journalists need to be able to return.

    “While the ceasefire in Gaza has put an end to an unprecedented massacre of journalists, media infrastructure remains devastated.

    “RSF continues to campaign for justice and provide all necessary support to these journalists, to defend a free, pluralist and independent press in Palestine.”

    Reporters face the shock of a humanitarian catastrophe

    • Working amid the rubble

    “The scale of the destruction is immense, terrifying,” said Islam al-Zaanoun of Palestine TV.

    “Life seems to have disappeared. The streets have become open-air rubbish dumps. With no place to work, no internet or electricity, I was forced to stop working for several days.”

    Journalists must also contend with a severe fuel shortage, making travel within the country difficult and expensive. Like the rest of Gaza’s population, reporters have to spend long hours in queues every day to obtain water and food.

    • Israeli fire despite the ceasefire

    “Entire areas are unreachable,” Al Jazeera correspondent Hani al-Shaer told RSF.

    “The situation remains dangerous. We came under Israeli fire in Rafah.”

    The journalist explained that due to an unrelenting series of crises, he was forced to choose which stories he covered.

    “The destroyed infrastructure? The humanitarian crisis? Abandoned orphans?” he wondered.

    • Witnesses and targets: the double trauma of reporters

    With at least 180 media professionals killed by the Israeli army in the course of 15 months of war, including at least 42 killed on the job, according to RSF figures, surviving journalists must face their trauma while continuing their news mission.

    Gaza media sources put the journalist death toll at more than 200.

    “We covered this tragedy, but we were also part of it. Often, we were the target,” stressed Islam al-Zaanoun.

    “We still can’t rest or sleep. We’re still terrified that the war will start again,” adds Hani al-Shaer.

    • The suspended lives of exiled journalists

    From Egypt to Qatar, journalists who managed to escape the horror continue to live with the consequences, unable to return to their loved ones and homes.

    “My greatest hope is to return home and see my loved ones again. But the border is closed and my house is destroyed, like those of most journalists,” lamented Ola al-Zaanoun, RSF Gaza correspondent, now based in Egypt.

    The Gaza bureau chief of The New ArabDiaa al-Kahlout is one of many who watched the Israeli Army destroy his house.

    “When they arrested me, they bombed and set fire to my house and car. I’ve lost everything I’ve earned in my career as a journalist, and I’m starting all over again,” he told RSF.

    A refugee in Doha, Qatar, he is still haunted by the abuse inflicted by Israeli forces during his month-long detention in December 2023, following his arbitrary arrest at his home in Beit Lahya, a city in the north of the Gaza Strip.

    “No matter how many times I tell myself that I’m safe here, that I’m lucky enough to have my wife and children with me, I have trouble sleeping, working, making decisions,” confided the journalist, whose brother was killed in the war.

    “I’m scared all the time,” he added.

    Asia Pacific Media Network’s Pacific Media Watch project collaborates with Reporters Without Borders.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Watercare activates drought plan, stresses water restrictions unlikely

    Source: Auckland Council

    Ongoing dry weather has tipped Auckland’s total dam storage level just below the ‘preparing for a drought’ level in Watercare’s Drought Management Plan.

    Auckland’s total dam storage today is 66.5 per cent, compared to the historical average of 78.4 per cent for this time of year.

    Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says: “Watercare has notified my office and Auckland councillors that the total storage in Auckland’s drinking water supply dams has just dropped into the ‘preparing for a drought’ zone in its Drought Management Plan.

    “Watercare is responsible for ensuring the situation is managed. In line with the plan, they’ve provided an update on what they’re doing and how they’re dealing with the situation. I’m satisfied Watercare has it under control and is taking any appropriate action.”

    Over summer the Hūnua dam catchments, which traditionally supply up to two thirds of Auckland’s water, received 27 per cent less rainfall than normal. The Waitākere catchments, where Watercare’s smaller dams are located, received less than half the normal rain.

    Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne says Aucklanders do not need to be alarmed.

    “We’ve been keeping a close eye on dam levels, Auckland’s water demand and the weather and have been actively managing our supply network to put us in the best position to face an extended dry spell.

    “While our total dam storage has dropped below where we’d normally like it to be at this time of year, it’s still looking highly unlikely that we’d need to look at mandatory water restrictions in the next few months.

    “The most recent weather forecast we’ve received signals March could be fairly dry, but rainfall is likely to return to normal for the rest of autumn. Winter has the potential to be wetter than normal.

    “That said, we’re encouraging Aucklanders to continue to be mindful of their water use. They’ve been doing a fantastic job over summer, so we’re really just asking everyone to keep up the great work.

    “If you need to water your garden, use a trigger nozzle on your hose to prevent any wastage.

    “Another really easy way to keep your water usage down is to take short showers – four minutes or less is ideal. And if you need to take two on these scorching days, challenge yourself to make them two minutes each.

    “If we all do something small to keep our water use down, we can further reduce the likelihood of needing water restrictions if the weather turns out to be drier than forecast.”

    Auckland’s water consumption crept up last week, with the seven-day average rolling demand at 496 million litres per day today.

    “To put that in perspective, when we were in the middle of drought in late summer 2020, water consumption peaked at 549 million litres per day,” Bourne says. “It’s great to see we’re still a long way off that, which to me shows many Aucklanders have maintained those basic water-saving habits we adopted back then.”

    What does ‘preparing for a drought’ mean?

    Bourne says a cross-functional team has been formed at Watercare to manage the three main “levers” of drought management: Increasing supply, reducing demand and optimising the water network.

    “We’re continuing to produce more water at our Waikato water treatment plants, which treat water from the Waikato River. This slows the rate of decline of our dams.

    “And right across Tāmaki Makaurau, our maintenance crews are doing a fantastic job at staying on top of leaks. Since the start of summer, 16,208 have been reported and 16,112 have been fixed, leaving a to-do list of just 96.

    “As well as fixing reported leaks, we also run proactive leak detection in targeted areas around the city, which helps us to find leaks that may not be visible on the surface.

    Anyone can see Auckland’s dam levels live on the Watercare website.

    Top tips for going easy with your water use: 

    • Cool off the kids with water pistols, reusable water balloons or even a small paddling pool, instead of under the sprinkler.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – More nurses in primary care will be a welcome boost says ProCare

    Source: ProCare

    Leading healthcare provider, ProCare, has today welcomed the Health Minister’s announcement to increase the number of training places for nurse practitioners specialising in primary care to 120 a year, and support advanced education for up to 120 primary care registered nurses.

    This announcement, alongside the two announcements made earlier this week will provide a welcome boost for an underfunded primary care sector.

    Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare says: “Nurses are a vital part of any general practice and investing in their skills means better, more accessible healthcare for our communities. We are pleased to see a longer-term commitment to nurse practitioner training and advanced education for primary care registered nurses.

    “Increasing the number of skilled nurses will undoubtedly support primary care practices. However, it’s crucial to ensure they receive equitable remuneration compared to their hospital counterparts. Without this, we risk facing the same challenges we do today,” says Norwell.

    “We have a meeting with the Minister in the coming weeks and look forward to sharing any updates with our members following those discussions,” concludes Norwell.

    Anna Wright, Associate Nursing Director at ProCare highlights, “Nurse practitioners are highly skilled professionals who can provide a valuable alternative for patients who need care but are facing long wait times to see their GP. Additionally, nurses with prescribing authority can provide care for certain conditions while also helping to free up GP capacity.”

    “Expanding opportunities for nurses to upskill and take on greater roles in primary care not only keeps them engaged in their profession but also gives patients more choices when seeking care within a practice,” concludes Wright.

    It’s no secret there has been immense workforce pressures in healthcare, so these initiatives will go some way to easing this pressure.

    About ProCare
    ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to nearly 700,000 patients across Auckland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News