NewzIntel.com

Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Unemployment climbs above 5%

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 out 12 regions. 2.5m fewer hours were worked last year. There is a real and growing problem in the labour market.”

    This data should be a wakeup call to the Government about the economy. Renney said “Unemployment is a lagging indicator and is forecast to continue to keep increasing. Nothing in this data suggests that these forecasts are going to change. The number of people who want more work and can’t get it is at its highest rate since COVID.

    “Ahead of Waitangi Day, we should note that unemployment for Māori is nearly twice the rate of the general population at 9.2%. 5,700 more Māori are out of work than last year. Pacific Peoples unemployment is 9.6%, and unemployment for young people (15-24 year olds) is up 13,800 annually. The NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) rate was last this high, on a comparable basis, in 2012 according to Stats NZ.” Renney said.

    “Wage increases are slowing, with nearly half (46%) of working people getting a pay rise less than CPI. With the minimum wage rising by only 1.5% in April, this is another trend likely to continue. With part-time work growing, but full-time work declining, maintaining incomes in households is going to be increasingly difficult.

    “Right now, there is no plan for the economy. No plan for the labour market. The economy is in sharp recession. Unemployment is rising. It’s time for a plan for New Zealand. We are losing record numbers of people overseas, and without that these numbers would likely have been much worse,” said Renney.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Owning the Wrong Stuff

    Source: ACT Party

    The Haps

    David Seymour’s speech at the Treaty Grounds today is widely anticipated. This week’s Free Press covers other matters, but for a preview of ACT’s Treaty approach, you can read Seymour’s column in the Herald.

    The COVID Royal Commission, Mark II, designed by Brooke van Velden, is open to public submissions, and now there’s an online portal to make it easy. After Labour’s attempted whitewash, ACT campaigned for people to be able to say what they think about the lockdowns, mandates, and other public health measures. There will be another pandemic, probably not this decade but almost certainly this century, and lessons learned from this one could be worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

    If you don’t normally listen to Radio New Zealand, we understand. However Kathryn Ryan interviewed David Seymour for half an hour on the Regulatory Standards Bill, and we think it’s worth an exception.

    Owning the Wrong Stuff

    Last Monday we shared David Seymour’s State of the Nation speech. This week it is still in the headlines. How is this possible? The speech said two things people know deep down are true, but politicians are afraid to say.

    The Government owns the wrong stuff. Its books show $570 billion worth of assets, enough to build a four-lane highway from Whangarei to Invercargill six times, but you wouldn’t know it. The Government is having to downsize hospitals while the rest of the world is buying military hardware, and our roads and pipes need attention.

    Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the Government is invested in houses (60,000), a property valuation firm, farms, electricity generators, and sunset industries such as mail and television, among many other weird and wonderful things.

    Could it be an idea to, just maybe, just ask the question, without anyone getting their knickers in a knot: Does the Government own the right stuff. And if not, should it try selling some shares in power companies to invest in some roads and water treatment plants?

    Perhaps all Governments should think of ownership like this. Every year we ask what we own, what benefits the public get from it, and could the Government own something with greater public benefits for the same money? If the answer is yes, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change, then sell the thing that doesn’t pay and buy something that does.

    As for healthcare and education, the Government shells out a fortune, nearly $6,000 in healthcare for every single person each year. That’s up from $4,000 five years ago, but nobody’s happy. Perhaps it is time to say, if you want to take your $6,000 to a private insurer like Southern Cross, you can.

    There would have to be rules. The company would need to accept any patient who applied, without discrimination. The company could never cancel anyone’s policy. They would become responsible for all of the person’s care. Hospitals still owned by the Government would need to accept patients from any insurer at the same price.

    If this all sounds out there, fear not. It’s roughly how most healthcare systems in Europe work. It means that there would be people with an incentive to sort out the endless waste and dysfunction in what’s been described as our third world system run by first world medics.

    The Left say in a private system the poor miss out. Europeans would be surprised to hear this. What the Left don’t seem to get is this: You can have equal public funding, but allow competition to provide the service. Some would say the best of all worlds.

    Of course there is a reason why few politicians dare to raise these questions. The media have demanded to know from David Seymour exactly what he will sell tomorrow. They want a list. The hard Left say this is another Seymourian conspiracy, but they can’t say what. The Opposition have called on the Chris Luxon to rule out ever selling anything. Luxon says he won’t now but might in the future.

    There’s another reason why there are still articles in today’s papers, ten days after the speech was given. People know that, while New Zealand is a success story, as countries go, we’re not holding our ground at the moment. What we’re doing isn’t working.

    If we want to remain a first world nation and an island paradise—most countries can only do one—we need to work differently. That’s the other thing about Seymour’s speech, it told the truth we avoided all through the Clark-Key-Ardern era.

    As goes the Treaty Principles Bill, so goes this speech. This country needs a party that’s brave, articulate, and patriotic, and we’re glad we have ACT.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Climate News – January 2025 was marked by cooler-than-average temperatures – New Zealand’s coldest January since 2017 – NIWA

    Source: NIWA

    January 2025 Climate Summary for New Zealand – January 2025 was marked by cooler-than-average temperatures across much of the country, making it New Zealand’s coldest January since 2017, according to NIWA National Climate Centre’s Monthly Climate Summary.

    The nationwide average temperature was 16.4°C, which is 0.8°C below the 1991-2020 January average. Below-average temperatures were recorded in the central and southern North Island and much of the South Island, while western parts of the South Island, including the West Coast and Fiordland, experienced above-average warmth.
    It was a dry month for many regions, with below-normal rainfall observed across the West Coast, Southland, Otago, Marlborough, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and southern Northland. In contrast, eastern Canterbury, Nelson, and northern Northland recorded above-normal rainfall.
    Sunshine hours were exceptionally high in western South Island regions, with Hokitika recording its sunniest January since 1912 (328 hours), while Greymouth also had a record-breaking month (302 hours).
    Further Highlights:

    The highest temperature was 32.4°C in Kawerau on 24 January.

    Among major centres, Auckland was the warmest, Hamilton the driest, Tauranga the sunniest, Dunedin the coolest, and Christchurch the wettest and least
    sunny.

    The sunniest locations in January were the West Coast (328 hours), Taranaki
    (318 hours), Bay of Plenty (310 hours), and Mackenzie Country (302 hours).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Unemployment rate at 5.1 percent in the December 2024 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Labour market statistics: December 2024 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Unemployment rate at 5.1 percent in the December 2024 quarter – 5 February 2025 – Unemployment continued to grow, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reaching 5.1 percent in the December 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    In the December 2024 quarter:

    • the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent
    • the employment rate was 67.4 percent
    • annual wage inflation was 3.3 percent
    • average ordinary time hourly earnings were $42.57.

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stretch of SH3, Woodville to close during Te Ahu a Turanga roundabout work

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    As the Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū-Tararua Highway project nears completion, sections of State Highway 3 through Woodville will be closed for up to 5 weeks to allow for the completion of the new roundabout.

    SH3 at the Vogel Street / Woodlands Road bend will be closed 24/7 for 5 weeks from Monday 24 February.

    The work is expected to be completed by Sunday 30 March and the road reopened.

    Access to Woodville township and its businesses will remain open during the closure period. Residents in the construction area will continue to have access to and from their properties.

    Two detours will be in place – through Pinfold and Oxford Roads for light vehicles and through Pahiatua Track via Tay and Station streets in Woodville for heavy vehicles.

    The detours are expected to add less than 5 minutes to the journey times for light vehicles and up to 20 minutes for heavy vehicles.

    During the closure period, construction teams will connect the new roundabout to the existing roads, working onsite between the hours of 5am and 8pm.

    In addition to the roundabout work, we are planning to undertake some maintenance and resurfacing works on SH3 Napier Road near Ashhurst and SH3 Vogel St in Woodville. This will be undertaken during the same period to minimise overall disruption.

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi acknowledges this closure will cause frustration for some road users.

    “Once this work is finished, there’ll be a safe, reliable connection between Woodville and the new highway. It will also mark a major milestone as the whole project draws closer to completion,” says Project spokesperson Grant Kauri.

    “Thanks to all road users for their patience while these essential works are completed.”

    For more information about the Te Ahu a Turanga project, please head to :

    Te Ahu a Turanga project page

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: It’s business time for Golden Bay’s Birds Hill bump

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Golden Bay residents can expect to see contractors on site on State Highway 60 at Birds Hill next week with resilience work to start on the Birds Hill landslide.

    The slip reactivated  in 2017 and has continued to gradually move, creating  a large hump in what was the left-hand lane of the highway. While the highway is open to two lanes at the slip site, it has been under a long-term 50 km/h temporary speed limit.

    SH60 Birds Hill slip site.

    Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman, says work will begin next week (10 February) to repair the site and improve its stability.

    “Any future landslide movement poses a real risk to State Highway 60 in an area where there are no alternative detour routes. Maintaining and preserving access to Collingwood and western areas of Golden Bay is critical.”

    “To reduce the risk, contractors will carry out substantial drainage work at the slip site above the highway. This includes building horizontally drilled drains into the slip, constructing cut off drains above the hump, and redesigning and resurfacing the road to allow the current 50 km/h speed limit to be removed,” Mr Service says.

    However, he warns the work will not remove the current hump at the slip site.

    “The hump is at the toe of the slip and geotechnical assessments show it provides stabilisation, reducing ground movement. To remove it would likely increase slope instability and increase the risk of more movement, particularly after wet weather.”

    “In this case it is better to work with nature and leave it in place. Site studies have shown the slip’s stability is sensitive to groundwater. So, improving the drainage and removing water from the slope is the best and most cost-effective option,” Mr Service says.

    He says the work will affect traffic travelling between Tākaka and Collingwood.

    “For a project of this scale, it is unavoidable. The project site will be under stop/go during the day. Drivers will still be able to get through but can expect short delays. Outside of work hours, the highway will be open to two lanes.”

    “Weather permitting, we expect the project to be finished by late April. So, please bear with us while our contractors work hard to get this job finished,” Mr Service says.

    Works schedule

    • Monday, 10 February to Thursday, 24 April (Weather dependent). Monday to Saturday, 7 am – 7 pm
    • Stop go traffic management and  30/km/h temporary speed limit
    • Road open to two lanes and 50 km/h temporary speed limit outside work hours
    • No work will be done during the Easter Holidays

    More Information

    This project is funded out of the Crown Resilience Programme – a $419 million investment package of resilience improvement activities that will reduce the impact of severe weather events on our national roading networks. More information can be found on our website:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release: Fatal crash, Flaxmere

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are now in a position to release the name of the person who died following a crash on Chatham Road, Flaxmere on Thursday 30 January.

    She was 11-year-old Emma Jane Kupa of Flaxmere.

    Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

    A 34-year-old female is set to reappear in the Hastings District Court on 18 February, facing a charge of operating a vehicle carelessly and breath alcohol level over 400.

    Police are not ruling out further charges in relation to the crash.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – ProCare Foundation announces recipients of more than $200,000 of funding

    Source: ProCare Foundation

    Six Auckland organisations tackling health inequity and poverty have received a major boost, with the ProCare Charitable Foundation announcing $210,000 in grants to support initiatives that promote community health and wellbeing.


    This year’s recipients are:

    1. Auckland Women’s Centre Inc
    2. BabyStart Charitable Trust
    3. Dance & Arts Therapy NZ
    4. Garden to Table Trust
    5. Orange Sky NZ Ltd
    6. Warriors Community Foundation.

     

    ProCare Foundation Chair, Peter Didsbury, says: “Every dollar granted reflects our commitment to addressing health inequities and empowering organisations working on the frontlines of our communities. This funding is an investment in healthier futures for all Aucklanders.”

    “It’s inspiring to see the creativity and dedication these organisations bring to tackling some of our toughest social and health challenges. Their mahi aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s mission – to support the health and well-being of disadvantaged communities by delivering health-related activities that improve a community’s wellbeing, or reduce health inequalities and alleviate poverty and deprivation in the Auckland region,” concludes Didsbury.

    The Foundation was established by the shareholders of ProCare Health Limited in 2013 with Trustee and Administration services being provided by Public Trust.

    Glenys Talivai, CEO of Public Trust, says: “Empowering local organisations with targeted funding creates ripple effects and positive outcomes for the larger community. Our work with the ProCare Charitable Foundation is a powerful way to uplift organisations that provide care and protection for society’s most vulnerable. We are proud to be the trustee and manage the granting programme and congratulate the six organisations receiving funding.”

    Since the establishment of the ProCare Charitable Foundation, it has granted more than $2 million in funding to increase community health and wellbeing in the Greater Auckland Region.

    Recipients of the ProCare Charitable Foundation funding, as selected at the end of 2024 are:

    Organisation: Auckland Women’s Centre Inc

    Project: Supporting no/low-cost counselling: supervision, triage, referrals, and client-counsellor matching.

    The centre facilitates empowerment and wellbeing for all women in Tāmaki Makaurau via education, counselling, brief crisis support, peer support, advice and referral, community kōrero, advocacy, and safe space. In 2025, they will offer five student counsellors, up from 3.5 in 2024 and two in 2023. Their counsellors are of different ethnicities, ages and interests who meet the needs of diverse women.

    Organisation: BabyStart Charitable Trust

    Project: Supporting infant and maternal care packages for Auckland families.

    BabyStart’s purpose is to alleviate poverty, encourage positive parenting and safe sleep practices, and encourage engagement with maternal health services through the provision of high-quality infant care packages. This funding will go towards baby boxes with baby clothing and care items for high needs whānau based on need and availability.

    Organisation: Dance & Arts Therapy NZ

    Project: Dance movement and arts therapy for 80+ vulnerable children

    Their mission is to provide unwavering support to the mental health and disability sectors through dance movement and arts therapy. They serve individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, mental health challenges, low-income children and survivors of abuse. The funding will cover facilitation, materials, coordination, venue hire, and administration, delivering 108 sessions for at-risk children and 128 sessions for children with disabilities.

    Organisation: Garden to Table Trust

    Project: Supporting salary for programme coordinators – Auckland.

    The Garden to Table programme is currently running in 85 schools and ECEs in Greater Auckland (excluding South Auckland). The programme is typically run as a regular session in school where tamariki learn the skills they need to grow fresh produce, harvest it, prepare and cook it. Children do everything for themselves and are encouraged to take their learning home to share with family and whānau.

    Organisation: Orange Sky NZ Ltd

    Project: Laundry & shower service for those experiencing homelessness and hardship.

    In Auckland, they operate two vans, an internal laundry at HomeGround (Auckland City Mission), and a pod in South Auckland. Through these services, they aim to raise dignity and mana for individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship, supporting their health and wellbeing. By offering clean clothes and access to showers, they foster a sense of self-worth and community connection, addressing both immediate needs and the long-term goal of improving lives in the wider Auckland region.

    Organisation: Warriors Community Foundation

    Project: Supporting health-focused programmes promoting physical, mental well-being, and inclusivity.

    The Tupu Maia programme is dedicated to promoting the health and wellbeing of intermediate-aged girls by advancing education on physical and mental wellness. The programme focuses on building confidence, self-esteem, and physical activity through structured lessons on nutrition, hydration, sleep, and mental resilience. By fostering a supportive environment, Tupu Maia encourages participants to develop lifelong habits that improve both their physical and mental health.

     About the ProCare Foundation

    The ProCare Foundation was established by the shareholders of ProCare who gifted more than 90% of their shares to the Foundation in 2013. The purpose of the Foundation is to help promote the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged communities, deliver health-related activities that improve a community’s wellbeing, or reduce health inequalities and alleviate poverty and deprivation in the Auckland region. For more information about the Foundation and previous grant recipients, click here or visit www.procare.co.nz  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Palestine Forum of New Zealand Condemns Trump’s Remarks and Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Palestinian Rights

    Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    The Palestine Forum of New Zealand strongly condemns the recent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Such rhetoric is not only inflammatory but also deeply harmful, as it undermines the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people and perpetuates a cycle of violence and injustice.

    The Palestine Forum of New Zealand firmly believes that the Palestinian people have the right to live in dignity, safety, and peace within their homeland. Forced displacement is a violation of international law and human rights principles, and it must be unequivocally rejected by the global community. The suggestion that Palestinians have “no alternative” but to leave Gaza is both false and dangerous, as it ignores the root causes of the ongoing crisis and the need for a just and lasting resolution.

    The Palestine Forum of New Zealand stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people and reaffirms its commitment to justice, equity, and the protection of human rights. We urge the international community to take immediate and meaningful action to prevent further suffering and to work toward a future where all people can live in peace and dignity.

    Maher Nazzal
    Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Public Health Surveillance Strategy 2025–2030

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

    The Public Health Surveillance Strategy 2025-2030 is designed to strengthen our public health surveillance system to better support increased life expectancy with quality of life for New Zealanders.

    The strategy was a collaboration between the Public Health Agency with the wider Ministry, Health New Zealand, and ESR. Extensive consultation with the wider surveillance sector informed its development.

    Public health surveillance is the collection and dissemination of health or health-related information to plan and implement initiatives to help keep people healthy, and protect them from new health threats, such as disease outbreaks.

    Sources of information for public health surveillance can be drawn from across the health system, government, and wider society. They include laboratory test results, mortality data, wastewater testing, global health data, mosquito surveillance, health surveys, clinician reporting, and even retail spending. 

    The health system has an obligation to protect and improve the health of New Zealanders. This cannot be achieved without the well-coordinated and systematic collection of public health information. The strategy outlines an approach to public health surveillance based on ensuring the confidentiality, privacy and protection of people’s personal health data. It supports using information only to support protecting and improving the health of New Zealanders.

    The strategy identifies four strategic directions. These include:

    • strengthening governance, leadership, and coordination
    • focussing on the things that matter
    • responding to emerging challenges and opportunities
    • continuously improving.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Transport – Desert Road closure costing freight businesses an estimated $100,000 per day

    Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

    National road freight association Transporting New Zealand has emphasised the importance of getting the Desert Road on State Highway 1 reopened as soon as possible, estimating that the closure is increasing freight costs for businesses and consumers by $100,000 per day.
    Chief executive Dom Kalasih says that while using block road closures allows NZTA to work more efficiently and safely on roading projects, it is essential that these are well managed and keep to schedule.
    “Transporting New Zealand supported the block road closure approach for the Desert Road project, rather than operating stop-go for months and years on end. However, taking this approach means that NZTA needs to be providing regular comms updates and completing these works on time.
    “If there are any delays with the Desert Road opening, it is critical that NZTA provides notice well in advance so that transport companies can readjust their plans to manage the extra demands.”
    Kalasih says that having the closure extended would be bad news for businesses and consumers across the country.
    “Based on NZTA information about the additional detour time and traffic data, we estimate the additional freight cost is in the order of $100,000 per day, due to approximately 800 trucks per day having to travel for an additional 35-40 minutes. Our members have no choice but to pass those costs on to their customers, and that shows up as higher prices for consumers.
    “There’s also the loss in labour productivity and the significant impact on local businesses in the affected area to consider.
    “The closure also increases risk to the resilience of the network. If SH4 between National Park and Tohunga Junction was to become blocked for any significant period, then inter-regional travel across the Central Plateau would be severely impacted.”
    Transporting New Zealand sought an update from NZTA on how the project was tracking to schedule on Monday, and will be keeping their members regularly updated. 
    About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand 
    Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter-regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
    Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Housing Market – First home buyers well placed for 2025 – CoreLogic

    Source: CoreLogic – Commentary from Kelvin Davidson, CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist

    In today’s Pulse, CoreLogic NZ’s Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson looks at the conditions facing first home buyers (FHBs) in 2025, with the data pointing to favourable market conditions – although their percentage share of activity may not hold at recent record highs.

    Even if mortgaged investors and movers do take a greater proportion of activity in 2025, FHBs are still likely to buy a higher number of properties than they did last year.
    Put simply, a larger overall number of transactions in 2025 should ‘float all boats’.

    A look back at 2024The full-year CoreLogic Buyer Classification data for 2024 showed another strong performance from first home buyers (FHBs), making up 26.1% of property purchases. That was a new record high, surpassing the previous mark of 25.7% set the previous year. Granted, at around 20,850, the number of FHB purchases had been beaten on seven previous occasions since 2005 (including each year from 2019 to 2021), but it was still a solid year on that measure too.

    Why have FHBs proven successful? Access to KiwiSaver for at least part of the deposit is one factor, while they have also been making full use of the low-deposit lending allowances at the banks. Getting around the loan to value ratio rules by purchasing new-build properties is another popular option at present, and we estimate that FHBs accounted for about 27% of new-build buying activity in 2024.
    FHBs have also been taking advantage of plenty of choice (total available listings are high) and the soft market – their median price paid in 2024 was $698,000 (down from $719,000 in 2022). 
    They are also benefiting from reduced competition. For example, ‘movers’ or relocating owner-occupiers ‘only’ accounted for 26.5% of activity last year, which is about 2%-points below their average.
    At the same time, mortgaged multiple property owners (MPOs including investors) have had a tricky few years too, with their share of activity at 21.7% in 2024, versus the average since 2005 of around 24.5%.
    That’s not too surprising, given that typical mortgage rates were above 7% for at least the first half of 2024, meaning that significant top-ups out of other income were required to sustain a standard new rental purchase. Interest deductibility was back to 80% for most of the 2024 calendar year, but the Brightline Test only came down on 1st July 2024 while the deposit rules were eased from 35% to 30% on the same day.
    2025 outlook
    Looking ahead, our expectation is that overall property sales volumes will rise from around 80,000 in 2024 to 90,000 in 2025, reflecting the lagged effects of lower mortgage rates and the anticipation of a growing economy again, albeit slowly. 
    That being said, further job losses in the near term are unfortunately looking likely, and debt to income ratio limits will also become a consideration, although the ‘generous’ 20% speed limit and the new-build exemption should mean they don’t put a hard stop on activity.
    In this environment, it would not be a surprise to see a higher number of deals from all buyer groups, especially the three main cohorts of FHBs, mortgaged investors, and movers.
    Anecdotally, we have seen evidence that movers are starting to become more active again as housing chains free up, especially in the ‘next home’ segment (i.e. previous FHBs who are now looking to trade up), while mortgaged investors have also shown clear signs of a comeback.
    Although mortgaged investors’ calendar-year market share in 2024 was still quite low, the quarter-by-quarter figures had turned up by the end of year, hitting 22.6% in Q4 – their strongest result since the middle of 2022. Our more granular analysis shows that this was driven primarily by smaller/new investors (those who now own two properties in total after their latest purchase), or the cliched ‘Mums and Dads’.
    To illustrate the impact of lower mortgage rates on those top-ups: If you plug in a purchase price of $780,000 (the median paid by mortgaged MPOs in 2024), assume 30% deposit, 4% gross rental yield, interest-only mortgage (and 100% deductibility), a drop in mortgage rates from around 7% to about 5.5% broadly cuts the weekly cash requirement from $350 to $200. That’s still significant for a new investor, but much less of a hurdle than before.
    A story of many buyers
    Looking ahead, 2025 looks set to be busier year for the property market in general and across the various buyer groups. However, market share must always equal 100%, and even though FHBs will likely buy more properties this year than last, it is still conceivable that their percentage share of activity will drop back from recent record highs, as mortgaged investors and movers return closer to their normal positions.
    In turn, that may well prompt fears or headlines that first home buyers are being shut out again. But as an example, they could see their market share drop to 24% this year and still purchase about 1,000 more properties than in 2024. In other words, a lower market share doesn’t mean the demise of FHBs.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Op-Ed – Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face – OPED Conor English

    Opinion – by Conor English
     
    5 February 2025 – Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face – Boxer Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”.  He was simply pointing out in his own unique direct way, that sometimes things don’t go the way you think. There can be unintended consequences. Your opponent can counter punch, so a “plan b” can be useful!
     
    The new USA government has a plan to use tariffs as a way of incentivising other countries to do things that are helpful to the USA. Things like curtail immigrants or drugs travelling over the border, or to shift their manufacturing jobs to America.  The President has described the word “tariffs” as “the most beautiful word in the dictionary” so its clear he likes the idea of using tariffs. It does have some logic. Maybe this plan will work?
     
    So, using emergency powers that enable quick action, rather than long winded trade negotiation processes, this plan is being implemented this week.  First up, 10% tariff on goods from China, and energy products from Canada. Tariffs will be set at 25% for most other goods from Canada and Mexico. If these countries change their drug, migration and manufacturing policies, the USA will look to review the tariff levels.  That’s the new deal.
     
    New Zealand had its own tariffs for many years as was fashionable. But now we seek fair trade, with no tariffs or quotas, or other non-tariff trade barriers in our trading relationships. It matters to us as a small trading country at the bottom of the world. Multilateral co-operation and enforcement frameworks such as the World Trade Organisation are vital.   
     
    America, like many countries, has a long history of using tariffs. An excellent example of how things can end up like a punch in the face, as Mike Tyson would put it, is the passing of what was known as the “Smoot Hawley” Tariff Act on June 17, 1930. This raised tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods, despite a petition signed by 1,028 economists asking President Hoover to veto the legislation. He didn’t. The theory was it would save jobs in America and protect local producers from international competition following the “Black Thursday” share market crash on October 24, 1929.
     
    But it didn’t make things better, it made things worse.
     
    Americas trading partners punched back. They didn’t do nothing. They retaliated, just as Canada and Mexico now have. The world economy and geopolitics has evolved significantly since the great depression and what happened then may not happen now. However, history can perhaps provide some small insight as to how this might play out.
     
    Wikipedia tells us that after the Smoot- Hawley passed – yes – USA imports did decrease by 66% from $4.4 billion  in 1929, to $1.5 billion in 1933. So that must be good for domestic jobs and industries? Well no, because other countries punched back with their own tariffs, as well as sourcing their own imports from other countries rather than America.
     
    As a result, USA exports also decreased 61% from $5.4 billion to $2.1 billion. GNP fell from $103.1 billion in 1929 to $75.8 billion in 1931, bottoming out at $55.6 billion in 1933, a drop of around 50% over four years. 
     
    So rather than create jobs, jobs were lost, and plenty of them. Unemployment was at 8% in 1930 when the Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act was passed, but the new law failed to lower it. The unemployment rate jumped to 16% in 1931, and 25% in 1932–33. The factories that produced those export goods couldn’t sell their products, so staff lost their jobs.
     
    Unemployment didn’t fall below early 1930s levels until the massive economic stimulus of World War 2.
     
    As with any economy, there is always more than just one thing happening, but at that time, that is what happened in the USA. So how does this current fast changing situation effect New Zealand?
     
    Unlike 100 years ago, we get impacted very quickly by the transmission of changes in our exchange rate, interest rates, commodity prices, share markets and trade flows. This then flows through our economy.
     
    For example, if inflation goes up in America because of the new tariffs, international interest rates may go up, thus reducing the speed of any reductions on our mortgage rates. Dairy commodity prices might rise, but so too might international oil prices, pushing up our fuel prices and inflation. Our dollar may fall, making it cheaper for tourists to visit, but the cost of servicing our increasing national debt more expensive.  Chinese built EVs may be more available and cheaper here as cars are diverted from the USA market.
     
    There will be all sorts of positive and negative impacts, unintended consequences and unforeseen outcomes. It could be overall positive or overall negative for both America and New Zealand, but we just don’t know. We do know though that it creates more uncertainty, and that’s not helpful to anyone.     
     
    So will it be a punch in the face, as Mike Tyson suggests, or a pat on the back?  Either way, we need to be fleet of foot and have a “Plan B”.
     
    Conor English is a Director of Silvereye – a Wellington based Government relations firm, a former exporter, CEO of Federated Farmers, and Independent Advisor to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Events – Mark your calendars for the best night of the year when Australia’s most famous girls night out hits Auckland on March 1st

    Source: AO Communications

    Lise & Sarah’s DISCO CLUB will turn up the volume again in 2025 with its Australian and New Zealand tour, with  general release tickets on sale now.

    In 2025, 20,000 women* will have the chance to dance at the sell-out phenomenon that is Lise & Sarah’s DISCO  CLUB. And for the first time an international trip across the ditch to Auckland, NZ.

    Founded two years ago by best friends and podcasters, Lise Carlaw and Sarah Wills, DISCO CLUB continues to grow  and establish itself as the ultimate night out for women, delivering an electric night of dancing and singing with  friends.

    “DISCO CLUB is designed by women for women: everything we miss about clubbing and nothing we don’t,” said Lise.

    “While it all started with a simple conversation between us about how much we missed nights out dancing with our  girlfriends, we have seen first hand – over and again – the incredible collective joy shared on a judgement-free night of  much-needed fun,” said Sarah.

    “There’s an undeniable energy – the power of song and movement, of freedom, that comes with feeling safe,  comfortable and welcome – the scene is set to feel the emotion and revel in nostalgia.”

    “But it’s not just about the music – it’s about connection – connection between both friends and strangers and across  generations, and that’s why it’s booming,” said Lise. “Women continually tell us it’s dancefloor therapy.”

    Another essential element is the early start and finish time, with arrivals from 6pm for a 7pm start and 10pm finish. “We simply wanted a great night out and a chance to press pause on real life, but we also wanted to be in our PJs by  11pm, and it turns out we’re not alone!” said Sarah.

    Lise & Sarah’s DISCO CLUB Tour is Australia’s largest event series for women borne from a podcast (The Lise and  Sarah Show).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand Harkness Fellowship applications now open

    Source: Leadership Development Centre

    The New Zealand Harkness Fellowship is for a high potential senior leader in any field of study or vocation (excluding health care policy and practice) to study or research in the US for between 3-6 months.

    A New Zealand Harkness Fellowship, worth up to NZ$70,000, is being offered in 2025 (for travel in mid-late 2025) to a leader currently employed in the New Zealand Public Sector.  The length and total value of the Fellowship will be determined by the LDC and Harkness Trust Board, in conjunction with the successful applicant.

    Applications are now open and will close 5pm, 31 March 2025.   

    More information is available on our website .

    New Zealand Harkness Fellowships

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Twin Lakes Road, Upper Hutt

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on Twin Lakes Road, Upper Hutt this morning.

    The single vehicle crash was reported at about 7am.

    The sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.

    Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Mouse plague threatens rare skink

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Date:  05 February 2025

    Mouse numbers have been tracking consistently high in the area where the skinks live. Mice are small enough to enter the small holes and burrows where the skinks live and eat them alive.

    This operation, in Victoria Forest Park, will protect the only known population of the Alborn skink, which is at high risk of extinction. It’s classified as Threatened – Nationally Critical with the population estimated to be 30 individuals.

    DOC Operations Manager Chris Hickford says that the 10-hectare pest control operation is an interim measure to protect the skinks, until a predator proof fence can be built.

    “We are working with the New Zealand Nature Fund (NZNF) to raise funds to build a predator proof fence for the skinks. Once we can enclose an area, and remove any predators inside it, we’ll be able to protect the skinks without needing to use toxins.

    “The pest control operation will utilise the toxin brodifacoum, placed in bait stations. Brodifacoum is the most effective toxin to control mice and is less likely to lead to bait shyness than other toxins.”

    Map of caution zones
    Image: DOC

    Because brodifacoum persists in the environment, an area around the operation will become a “caution zone” for three years due to the risk of game animals consuming sub-lethal amounts of the toxin, which could then enter the food chain. There is a five-kilometre radius zone for pigs, and two-kilometre radius for deer.

    Hickford says, “We have designed the operation to minimise this risk as much as is practical. We have evidence that pig and deer numbers are very low in the treatment area and will monitor for interactions with the bait stations throughout the operation.”

    You can donate to this project to build a fence for the Alborn skink through DOC’s partner, New Zealand Nature Fund (NZNF). NZNF is a charitable trust responsible for funds donated to this project. Visit NZNF to secure the future of the Alborn skink

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New infrastructure research can aid disaster preparedness

    Source: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission

    New research from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga shows how insurance can help us to manage natural hazard risks and choose how to prepare infrastructure for a changing climate.
    “New Zealand has experienced some significant natural events in recent years,” says the Commission’s General Manager Strategy, Peter Nunns. “In dollar terms alone, we’ve seen at least $10 billion in infrastructure rebuilding costs from two large earthquakes and two storms since 2012. And that doesn’t of course include the impact of these events on people’s lives and businesses or the economy.”
    Nunns says that not only is the likelihood and size of events such as storms expected to grow in coming years, but the replacement cost of infrastructure is growing too.
    “On an inflation-adjusted, per-person basis, public infrastructure is now worth 70% more that it was in 1990. So, the cost of replacing it after a natural disaster is rising at the same time as the likelihood of a disaster is rising. It’s more important than ever to make good decisions about when and how to reduce risks and minimise costs.”
    The Commission’s report Invest or insure? Preparing infrastructure for natural hazards looks at how insurance can help us decide if, when and by how much to invest in infrastructure adaptation or resilience.
    The report shows that insurance prices rise as risks to assets, like the chance of flooding, and the cost to repair or re-build go up. Investing to make infrastructure more resilient or adapt to changing risks can bring down the cost of insurance. When infrastructure providers measure their risks and price them through insurance, they can make better risk management decisions by looking at whether the cost of resilience investments are matched by benefits from lower insurance premiums.
    Providers must also factor in other costs – such as risks to public safety or damage caused by the failure of their infrastructure. These economic and social consequences can also be added to the providers’ insurance / resilience appraisal.
    However, Nunns says that overall New Zealand has an incomplete picture of the hazards it faces, the risks these pose for our infrastructure, and how these are being managed. For instance, the last time a review of insurance coverage for public assets was undertaken – over 10 years ago – it found that less than half of public assets were insured.
    “This is challenging, as our research shows that, in addition to helping to smooth out the costs of responding to natural hazards, insurance can also help infrastructure providers make better decisions about when and how to reduce risk and minimise costs.”
    “Risks change over time. A risk management decision made yesterday might not be the best decision for tomorrow. It’s important that infrastructure providers consider this in their long-term asset management planning.”
    Report key findings
    – There is no single best approach to managing natural hazard risk to infrastructure. Instead, the optimal approach will vary depending on many factors, including likelihood and consequence of the hazard, and the relative cost of different options in different situations.
    – To manage risk well, infrastructure providers need to have a good understanding of their assets and the risks to which they are exposed. They will also need the capability to assess their options and optimise their response to risks from natural hazards. However, at a national level, we lack comprehensive and consistent hazard data for providers to use to assess their risk.
    – Quantifying risk and/or pricing it through insurance premiums, can help clarify the optimal risk management approach for infrastructure assets. Optimal resilience investments should reduce risk management costs, compared to continuing to pay risk related insurance premiums. When resilience investments are more costly than insuring risk, they may not be warranted.
    – The optimal level of resilience will depend on the relative cost of resilience investments compared to the expected cost of (and the benefits we get from) the assets being protected. We can increase the case for resilience investment by focusing on keeping infrastructure delivery costs down. Conversely, rising infrastructure delivery costs will erode the case for resilience investments.
    Background notes
    – Our understanding of both the probability and severity of natural hazards continues to improve as scientific research progresses. Improving our scientific understanding and investigating hazards in more detail sometimes results in increased estimates of risk. For example, pre-2021 modelling estimated that there was a 30% chance of a major earthquake on the Alpine Fault over the next 50 years. More recent research has estimated the probability to be much higher, with a 75% probability of occurring over the next 50 years.
    – In some cases, the underlying risks are also changing as climate change is expected to make severe weather events both more frequent and more severe.
    – In recent decades, New Zealand has experienced annual reported losses equal to almost 0.6% of gross domestic product (GDP). These losses mainly reflect damage to residential property and businesses, as well as damage to infrastructure.
    – Already, natural disasters cost New Zealanders more as a share of GDP than anyone else except Chileans. Some hazards will grow significantly in their frequency and intensity as our climate changes over the next 30-80 years.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Proposed changes to cost recovery settings: 2025 annual review

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    Have your say

    The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) seeks your feedback on increases to:

    • the Dairy Standards Processor Levy and the Dairy Exporter Levy
    • veterinary service fees for establishments
    • veterinary service fees for live animal imports and exports, including germplasm
    • the Raw Milk Levy
    • the Homekill Levy.

    We’re also proposing 6 relatively small design changes to ensure appropriate charging for the services provided.

    Summaries of the proposals are on this page and full details are in the consultation document.

    Consultation opened on 5 February and we must get your submissions by 5pm on 7 March 2025.

    Consultation document

    Annual review 2025: Proposed changes to MPI’s cost recovery settings [PDF, 1.9 MB]

    What’s being proposed?

    Fee/levy Current rate Proposed rate

    Dairy Standards Processor Levy total revenue per annum 

    $4,279,580

    $5,576,268

    Dairy Exporter Levy revenue per annum 

    $834,567

    $1,541,334

    Establishments fees (vets) per hour

    $128.15

    $152.42 or $155.80

    Establishments fees (supervising vets) per hour

    $136.45

    $169.89 or $173.71

    Veterinary service fees for live animal imports and exports, including germplasm per hour

    $186.30

    $216.84

    Raw Milk Levy per annum

    $581.25

    2% increases per annum for 3 years.

    $616.83 by 2027–28.

    Homekill Levy per annum

    $100

    2% increases per annum for 3 years.

    $106.12 by 2027–28.

    Summaries of proposed regulatory design changes to 6 other cost recovery settings

    1. Clearance of increased regulatory interest and high regulatory interest foods (for example, frozen berries)

    Regulations currently include an administration activity fee for importing of increased regulatory interest food or high regulatory interest food. Under the regulations, charging is specified as being for “each consignment”. The administration activity is often done for groups of consignments, for example, where a group of consignments comes from a single origin, rather than for each consignment within that group. This saves time and reduces the bill for the importer. It is proposed to amend the regulations to clarify that charging is done for “each consignment or group of consignments of a single origin”.

    2. Levy waiver relating to the former Meat Industry Initiative Fund

    Regulations state amounts to be charged for a now-ended Meat Initiative Fund. A permanent waiver is in place so that these amounts are not actually charged. The design change proposes to replace the waiver with a change to the regulations to clarify that these charges have ceased.

    3. Food export exemptions

    It is proposed to add a new charge of $135 per application plus $33.75 per quarter hour beyond the first hour to recover the cost of the work undertaken by MPI officials to process exemption requests under section 347 of the Food Act 2014. For example, if food is destined solely for export, it should comply with standards in the destination market and could be given an exemption from meeting New Zealand standards where these differ from those prevailing in the destination market. The new fee will increase revenue by about $34,000 per annum.

    4. Agent collection rate (Domestic Food Business Levy)

    A change is proposed to clarify that the $11 collection charge for the Domestic Food Business Levy currently described in regulation is GST-exclusive. Charges in regulations are routinely recorded as GST-exclusive because businesses are generally the one charged and claim back GST (the price businesses are concerned about is the GST-exclusive price). This will also future-proof charges in case of future GST changes. This charge was intended to be GST-exclusive.

    5. Animal products: charges for use of electronic system

    The proposal is to amend the Animal Products (Dairy Industry Fees, Charges, and Levies) Regulations 2015 and Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Regulations 2007, to enable certification costs to be recovered at the same level during 2025–26, as the certification system transitions from the AP e-cert system to the new trade certification system. The proposals include removing the “cost per second” component of the charging formula, and to amend the definition of “cost per request” as the cost per second component is not compatible with how the new system will operate.

    6. Food Importer Levy

    Three changes are proposed to the new Food Importer Levy. The changes improve efficiency around who pays, what data is used in the calculation of the levy, and the due date for levy payment. The changes reflect original intentions when the Food Importer Levy was approved last year, but which were not given effect at the time. The changes are as follows:

    • extend the levy to importers who are registered but who do not import any amount of food. Despite importing no food, these importers generate some cost by interacting with the food safety system
    • charge importers at the start of each financial year according to their import amounts from the previous year. This is expected to reduce administration costs for importers and MPI.

    We also propose to standardise the date the levy is payable to within 20 working days of the date of the annual levy invoice.

    Making a submission

    We welcome submissions on the proposals contained in the consultation document. Submissions must be received by 5pm on 7 March 2025.

    You can make a submission by completing a submission form and either:

    • sending it to us by email, or
    • posting it to us.

    Cost recovery submission form [DOCX, 110 KB]

    How to submit your completed form by email

    Attach your completed form to an email and send it to costrecovery@mpi.govt.nz

    How to submit your completed form by post

    Post your completed submission form to:

    Cost Recovery Directorate I Corporate Branch
    Ministry for Primary Industries
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington 6140.

    Submissions are public information

    Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

    People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

    If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

    Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire Safety – Dry conditions prompt fire restrictions in Otago’s alpine area

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand has placed Otago’s alpine area into a restricted fire season from 8am, Wednesday 5 February until further notice.
    A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which they can apply for at checkitsalright.nz.
    Otago District Manager Phil Marsh says the current warm, dry weather is forecast to continue over the next few weeks, raising the fire risk in Otago’s fragile alpine environment.
    “Our highlands have some of the most beautiful tussock, grass and native forest in the country – and unfortunately it’s all quite flammable,” he says.
    “Significant fires can ignite and spread quickly in these types of vegetation even when the fire danger isn’t that high.
    “There’s very little rain expected, which means it’s especially vulnerable at present.”
    Fires are already restricted or prohibited in the rest of the Otago district, due to the dry summer conditions.
    “The Otago district can have large uncontrolled fires all year round, whenever there are periods of dry weather,” Phil Marsh says.
    “The large vegetation fire on Mt Creighton in 2022 showed how quickly a significant fire can get started, with serious consequences for our environment and wildlife.
    “The best way to prevent a wildfire is not to light an outdoor fire, which is why we’re restricting outdoor fires in the Otago alpine area.
    “If you’re thinking about starting any kind of open-air fire, you must go to checkitsalright.nz first to find out if you can do that in your location, and what restrictions apply.
    “We’re serious about protecting our people, property and environment, so we urge everyone to take extra care with fire this summer.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ChildFund – Back to school? Not without clean water

    Source: ChildFund New Zealand

    ‘Back-to-school’ means something different in parts of the Pacific
    Children in remote areas of the Pacific, like the outer islands of Solomon Islands or Kiribati struggle to go back to school if they don’t have access to clean water, let alone access to pens, school books and a new school bag.
    “The Pacific is our home too. It’s unacceptable that even one child in our region does not have easy access to the most important life-saving resource of all – water,” says CEO of ChildFund Josie Pagani
    Some schools lack running clean water, and parents either cannot access or cannot afford bottled water. Children miss school to spend the day collecting clean water from sources many miles away.
    “Lack of clean water has a domino effect. Dirty water impacts a child’s education, which then impacts their ability to work and earn an income, and even their lifelong health,” says Sharon Inone, CEO of Greenergy
    Sharon has recently returned from working with the United Nations, to her home province of Temotu in Solomon Islands, where Greenergy is working with ChildFund New Zealand to bring clean water to her community.
    “I made a promise to my mother that I would do something about the lack of clean water in our home, and that’s what I’m doing,” says Sharon Inone.
    The lack of clean water in parts of Solomon Islands, Kiribati and other remote parts of the Pacific leads to dysentery, severe diarrhoea, hospitalisation and even death in children with their whole lives ahead of them.
    ChildFund New Zealand is working with local communities across the Pacific to fix or build water infrastructure.
    Without this work, too many children will miss out on an education, a career and even a full healthy life.
    1 in 10 deaths for children under 5 years in parts of the Pacific is linked to diarrhoea, vomiting and dirty water. The Pacific has some of the highest rates of stunting in the world, with 33 per cent of children under the age of five in Solomon Islands suffering from stunting, and 15 per cent of children affected in Kiribati.
    “Stunting doesn’t just affect physical growth. It affects a child’s brain development which makes it hard for them to learn. Preventing the illnesses that come from dirty water will help to reduce these rates. This is a fixable problem. So let’s fix it,” says Josie Pagani.
    “I want our kids to grow up like normal kids, with access to the basics like clean water. Not to be born into the culture of looking for water every day. If they have clean water, kids will get the education they deserve. We are adding four to five more hours every day to their lives if they don’t have to search for clean water. These are hours that their parents can use earning an income instead of looking for water. It is adding more time to do more productive things,” says Sharon Inone.
    “This is not just about water. It’s about people getting their lives back. It’s about stopping kids die. It’s about allowing parents time to make money, and the kids the time to learn. It’s about improving the standard of living and the health of children no matter where they live,” says Sharon Inone.
    “Clean water changes everything.”
    Give the back-to-school gift of an education to a child in the Pacific.
    Donate to ChildFund, to help us buy water tanks, rebuild broken water pumps or provide safe sanitation kits to schools and homes: https://childfund.org.nz/closethegap/

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release: Fatal crash Acacia Bay, Taupō

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police can now release the names of the two people who died following a crash in Acacia Bay, Taupō on Friday 17 January.

    They were Purity Anne Te Pairi and Tamatoa Kimi, both aged 19, from Taupo.

    Our thoughts are with the whānau of those involved.

    Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Firearms and ammunition recovered in Levin

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police have recovered stolen firearms and a large amount of ammunition from a house in Foxton, thanks to two members of the public making the decision to call 111.

    Horowhenua Prevention Manager Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Vine says thanks to those calls, Police have prevented weapons and ammunition falling into the wrong hands.

    The calls were made about 7:30am on Tuesday 4 February.

    “A young man was seen going between houses carrying armfuls of firearms. They thought it was strange so got in touch with us.”

    A Police team went to the Mark Perreau Place property where they located an 18-year-old Foxton man, 5 firearms and a large amount of ammunition.

    “The firearms and ammo had been stolen a day earlier. To get that tip off from a member of the public is just fantastic – they’ve prevented these weapons from getting into the wrong hands and all the harm that goes with that.”

    The 18-year-old Foxton man was taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with burglary, four counts of unlawfully possessing a firearm, two counts of unlawfully possessing ammunition, unlawfully being in an enclosed yard, and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.

    He is due to appear in the Levin District Court today (5 January). 

    Acting Senior Sergeant Vine urged anyone who sees suspicious behaviour to report it.

    “If it looks illegal, dodgy, or strange, tell us. Call 111 if it’s happening now, or make a report to 105 if it’s after the fact. Your call could make a huge difference.”

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatality following crash on 28 January, Te Poi

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on State Highway 29, Te Poi on Tuesday 28 January.

    The person was transported to hospital with critical injuries following the single vehicle crash.

    As a result of the injuries sustained, the person passed away in hospital last night.

    Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police continue investigation into Birkenhead incident

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    An investigation into the wounding of a man in Birkenhead on Tuesday afternoon will continue today.

    A man suffered multiple stab wounds outside an address on Birkenhead Avenue at around 2pm.

    North Shore Area Commander Inspector Stefan Sagar says the victim underwent surgery at Auckland City Hospital last night.

    “The victim is now in a serious but stable condition in hospital, and we will be looking to speak with him in the coming days as we continue our enquiries.”

    Police will be visible again in the Birkenhead community today with an area canvas as part of the investigation.

    “From what we have established so far in our enquiries, we do not believe this is a random incident,” Inspector Sagar says.

    “We are continuing to make enquiries into information about a vehicle that left the area, but at this point we do not have further information to release.”

    Police acknowledge the Birkenhead community, with many people coming forward to assist the investigation.

    “We have had good support from the neighbourhood, and this information is assisting us in progressing the investigation,” Inspector Sagar says.

    “I know when these events take place in our communities that this can be unsettling, but we believe it is an isolated event and Police are continuing to work hard to identify and hold this offender to account.”

    Police welcome further information to assist with the investigation.

    Anyone that can assist enquiries can update Police online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 250204/5489.

    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: Fatality following crash, SH39, Ngāhinapōuri

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police can confirm that a person has died following a crash near Ngāhinapōuri this morning.

    Emergency services attended the crash involving three vehicles, reported at around 2.20am. In addition to the fatality, two other people were moderately injured.

    State Highway 39 is closed while the scene is cleared and Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

    Diversions are in place, motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Support for Māori economic development projects

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A major infrastructure upgrade at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, supported by $10.2 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, is progressing well with some new facilities opening in time for the 185th Waitangi Day commemorations this week, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say.

    The Ministers also today announced $7.1m funding for Māori economic development projects in Northland and Taranaki.

    “The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are a nationally significant site for all New Zealanders and it is important they are maintained at the highest level,” Mr Potaka says.

    “The grounds are also the No.1 tourism destination in Northland and each year the number of visitors increases, boosting the local economy. More than 160,000 people visited last year, including about 50,000 on Waitangi Day 2024. The infrastructure improvements will ensure the grounds are fit for purpose year-round.”

    Mr Jones says it was clear the facilities and buildings at the Waitangi grounds were reaching the end of their shelf life and needed upgrading.

    “I am pleased that work has cracked on in time for this year’s events, and that all-important bathroom facilities and carparking is in place.”

    The remaining upgrades at Waitangi are expected to be finished by November 2026. The total cost of the upgrades is $10.65m.

    The Ministers announced the funding in November last year, along with $10.1m for infrastructure improvements at Rātana Pā near Whanganui.

    Today the Ministers also announced $7.1m in grants from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) for enabling infrastructure in three Māori economic development projects in Northland and Taranaki.

    “We understand access to capital is a particular barrier for Māori entities and businesses, and the RIF aims to be a potential source of investment in Māori-led regional infrastructure projects that have merit, and it is proven funding cannot be found elsewhere,” Mr Jones says.

    “It is often difficult for Māori to borrow against collectively owned whenua (land) and some Māori entities have lower levels of assets that can be used by lenders as security collateral. Investing in the Māori economy is important for lifting the New Zealand economy as a whole.”

    Research from Business and Economic Research Limited and the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment shows the Māori economic contribution to the New Zealand economy grew from $17 billion (6.5 per cent of GDP) in 2018 to $30b (8.4 per cent) in 2023.

    “These three grants from the RIF will provide these communities with the funds needed to unlock potential Māori economic development opportunities while supporting growth and resilience in these regions,” Mr Potaka says.

    The three projects are:

    • Te Kao Community Microgrid (Te Tai Tokerau) project will receive a $3m grant to construct a solar- and wind-powered microgrid connected to a community battery in Te Kao village to provide a consistent low-cost energy supply to the community and local businesses.
    • Ngā Wāhi Tapu o Pukerangiora (Taranaki) will receive $2.8m to build tourism infrastructure at Pukerangiora Pā, a site of significance to increase cultural tourism opportunities. 
    • Waimamaku Community Solar Resilience Programme (Te Tai Tokerau) will receive $1.3m to install solar power and batteries to multiple businesses and community facilities to provide consistent and reliable power.

    In September the Government provided a $5.8m grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, a place of passive resistance, peace, and shelter during the New Zealand Land Wars.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road closure, SH39, Ngāhinapōuri

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway 39 is closed following a crash near Ngāhinapōuri.

    Emergency services attended the crash involving three vehicles, reported at around 2.20am. Critical injuries are reported.

    Serious Crash Unit are conducting a scene examination.

    The road is closed and diversions are in place, motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Opening of He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal

    Source: New Zealand Governor General

    Toitū Kāhui tangata

    Ka Haea te ata,

    ka Hāpara te ata

    Ka korokī te manu

    Ka wairori te kutu

    Ko te ata nui, ka horaina

    Ka Taki te umere,

    He po, he po, he ao

    ka awatea.

    E koro, ….Matiu,

    Kua tatū mai ō rahi ki te whakanui i te kaupapa o te rā, arā , Te Taraipiunara o Waitangi rima te kau tau ki muri, whakaara mai ai.

    Hoki wairua mai!, Hoki wairua mai!

    Hoki wairua mai!

    Koutou, tātou kua tatū mai i runga i te reo karanga o te rā,

    Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

    [Be alert for this is a gathering of great significance. As the dawn breaks, and we hear the birds call, we move from the time of darkness to the new era of enlightenment. Each new dawn enables us to embrace new knowledge, to be inspired by the possibilities that rise in front of us.

    Matiu(Rata) We have arrived to celebrate 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal, which was begun under your watch. Return in spirit to embrace your people, as we celebrate its journey.]

    To one and all gathered here today, greetings.

    I specifically acknowledge:

    Distinguished members of the judiciary, including the Honourable Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann, Chief Justice of New Zealand, and

    The Honourable Chief Justice Debra Mortimer, Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia,

    Ministers of the Crown,

    Members of Parliament,

    Ngati Kawa, Ngati Rahiri, Ngati Hine and Ngati Kuri representatives,

    Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu and Dame Claudia Orange.

    I am truly honoured to take part in the opening of this exhibition commemorating the first 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal.

    How fitting that He Kura Toi Tangata begin its tour of Aotearoa here in Waitangi – te pito te whenua – where Te Tiriti, the foundational document for the Tribunal’s work, was conceived in its English and te reo Māori iterations – and was signed by rangatira, as well as my earliest antecedent in this role, Captain William Hobson.

    Kō ngā tahu ā ō tapuwai inanahi, hei tauira mō āpōpō. The footsteps laid down by our ancestors create the paving stones upon which we stand today.

    Retrospectives challenge us to consider and compare how we were in the past, with how we are today. This exhibition will prompt us to reflect on the impacts and achievements of the Waitangi Tribunal over the past 50 years, and the ways they are woven through our story as a nation.

    From its small beginnings; to the gradual additions to its powers, Members and support staff; to its ground-breaking reports – the Tribunal has become a vital forum for the airing of concerns about a wide range of issues; for the seeking of redress for past wrongs; and for exploring the meaning of Te Tiriti as it pertains to the contemporary world.

    The Tribunal has achieved so much, whether it be in greater public awareness of Te Tiriti and te ao Māori, in contributions to legislative development and new institutions, and of course, in the Treaty Settlement process.

    Tonight, I particularly want to pay homage to those claimants who spent many decades of their lives toiling on behalf of their hapu or iwi – often at great personal cost – and sometimes not living long enough to see the resolution of those claims.

    In addition, I want to acknowledge all who have been involved in working with the Tribunal, including those behind the scenes. Sir Doug Graham observed that the Treaty Settlements in the 1990s would not have been possible without the Tribunal’s research and deliberations – which, incidentally, included research undertaken by our current Minister of Justice, the Honourable Paul Goldsmith, during his time with the Tribunal. The research done by, and presented to the Tribunal over its 50 years is an immensely valuable resource for all New Zealanders.

    On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I thank Members – past and present – for their willingness to grapple with complex histories and contentious issues, and to make recommendations that have often been at the leading edge of the practical application of te Tiriti.  As Sir Doug said: “They have done their country proud”.

    I hope the more difficult moments were balanced by moments of intense satisfaction – whether it be enabling histories to be heard and recorded for posterity – or providing a forum for debate about emerging societal, cultural or environmental issues.

    There is so much to learn from the lessons of history uncovered during the Tribunal process. The Tribunal’s recommendations have, in turn, become part of the historical record.

    If Matiu Rata could have been with us tonight, how proud he would have been to celebrate his legacy with you all – and to honour the people who played their part in taking the Waitangi Tribunal forward on its journey.

    Congratulations to everyone here tonight who has been involved in the Tribunal process to date, as well as all those involved in the making of this powerful and timely exhibition. I am delighted to now formally open He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal, 1975-2025. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Remains located, identified as woman missing since March

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attribute to Waikato Western Area Commander Inspector Will Loughrin:

    Police can confirm the remains of a woman missing since March 2024 have been found in the Pureroa Forest in Waikato.

    Police were alerted to the discovery by a local hunter on Monday evening, 27 January.

    Police can now confirm the remains are those of 79-year-old Judy Donovan.

    Judy was laying bait with a group in the forest on 23 March last year when she became separated.

    That afternoon, Search and Rescue teams, including Land Search and Rescue, Police Search and Rescue, and dog units, were deployed to the area.

    The search for Judy was suspended in April last year after a large-scale, weeks-long search. The choice to suspend a search is always a tough one. It involves the assessment of a number of factors, including consultation with survivability experts.

    In May, Police and a cadaver dog deployed to the area again, however, they were unable to locate her. 

    Judy’s family has been advised of the discovery, and they are being offered support at this incredibly emotional time.

    A post-mortem examination has been completed along with the formal identification process.

    As the matter is with the Coroner, we are unable to provide further comment.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –