NewzIntel.com

Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Day drinkers beware, don’t drive

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Motorists in Northland can expect to be breath tested at any time, day or night, as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on drink driving in the region.

    Police are especially focused on those people who drink alcohol and drive during the day.

    Northland Road Policing Manager, Inspector Anne-Marie Fitchett, says day drinking and driving is a significant safety issue for Northlanders.

    “We are catching out drivers who are well over the limit at all times of the day, and not just when the sun goes down.

    “Yesterday, a person was stopped at a checkpoint at 9am and blew more than three times the legal limit.

    “Recently, we breath tested a person just before 3pm near a school, and their breath test reading was well over twice the legal limit.”

    Inspector Fitchett says drivers in Northland can expect to see checkpoints anywhere at any time.

    “Make no mistake, these drivers are out there, and we want our communities to know they are putting everyone in harm’s way with this reckless behaviour.

    “As we head to work and school, we are sharing the road with these drivers. 

    “Checkpoints are a vital tool for preventing harm on our roads and apprehending those drivers who put us all at risk.

    “It’s very simple really, if you drink alcohol to excess during the day, or at any other time, please don’t drive. And if you do, expect to be breath tested by Police.”

    ENDS.

    Tony Wright/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police find firearm following stolen vehicle incident

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    A loaded revolver has been taken off the streets following an incident involving a stolen vehicle near Auckland Airport during the early hours of this morning.

    At about 3am, Police were alerted to a stolen Toyota Hilux travelling along Tom Pearce Drive.

    Counties Manukau West Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey, says the Police Eagle helicopter was able to gain observations on the vehicle as it continued along the road before pulling into a nearby premises.

    “Units were able to quickly block in the vehicle and arrest two people,” he says.

    “A search of the vehicle has then located a loaded revolver and a significant amount of cash.

    “We are committed to holding offenders to account for these types of crimes and delivering on our intent to keep the community safe,” Senior Sergeant Albrey says.

    A 29-year-old man will appear in Manukau District Court today charged with unlawful possession of a pistol and ammunition and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers Calls for Fish & Game to be stripped of their advocacy function

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers Southland are calling for the Government to strip Fish & Game of their advocacy function and refocus the organisation on the management of hunting and fishing.
    “Fish & Game are a statutory body but in some parts of the country they’re acting like an environmental activist group,” Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick says.
    “As an organisation they’ve gotten so far away from their core purpose of managing, maintaining, and enhancing sports fish, game birds and their habitats.
    “Farmers are sick of their obstructive behaviour, unnecessary litigation, and anti-farming rhetoric – and so are everyday hunters and fishers who just want to enjoy their sport.
    “Unfortunately, Fish & Game’s advocacy positions, particularly in Southland, are increasingly at odds with the views of most reasonable hunting and fishing licence holders.”
    Federated Farmers say many farmers are keen hunters and fishers themselves, and are more than happy to pay an annual licence fee to support the important work Fish & Game do.
    This includes assessing and monitoring species populations, maintaining and improving habitats, and promoting hunting and fishing activities.
    “All of that good work is completely undermined by the advocacy positions Fish & Game takes, which is why we are asking for that function to be completely removed,” Herrick says.
    “As a farmer, and a fisher, it’s incredibly frustrating to see money raised through a compulsory licence fee used to fund political activism and litigation that I fundamentally disagree with.
    “The issue is that if you want to hunt or fish, you need to buy a licence. You’ve got no choice but to fund their activism and court action – that’s why I no longer fish despite loving the sport.”
    Recent examples include Fish & Game Southland opposing resource consents for things like the opening of the Waituna Lagoon and the extraction of gravel from clogged waterways.
    Fish & Game have also taken unnecessary court action that will require more than 3000 Southland farmers to get expensive resource consents for no environmental gain.
    This has led Federated Farmers Southland to call for a boycott of Fish & Game in the province and for farmers to withhold fishing access across their land.
    “For generations farmers have allowed hunters onto our properties, or for fishers to walk across private land to access fishing spots, as a gesture of goodwill,” Herrick says.
    “Unfortunately, that goodwill has been completely eroded by the political activism of Southland Fish & Game. That’s why droves of farmers are now denying fishing access.
    “While I appreciate this will be frustrating for many of Southland’s fishermen, who are generally very decent salt-of-the-earth people, Fish & Game have left us no other option.
    “We now need Southland’s fishing community to stand with farmers and let Fish & Game know that enough is enough. The obstructive litigation and anti-farming advocacy needs to stop.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Privacy Commissioner – Police well on the way to compliance; one critical step remains

    Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

    The notice was issued to require Police to stop unlawfully collecting photographs and biometric prints from members of the public, particularly young people, and to delete unlawfully collected material stored on their systems, including mobile phones.
    Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says, “I’d like to acknowledge the significant work Police has done in the past two years to complete most of the notice requirements.
    “I know from their regular reporting that they’ve improved training and now have procedures and policies that help officers understand how sensitive these photos are.
    “I’ve seen that they also know they need to have a clear lawful purpose and rationale to take and retain them and have put guardrails in place to help frontline officers make good decisions about what they collect in real-time.” says the Commissioner. These steps should help ensure that unlawful collection no longer occurs.
    However, ensuring that photos and biometric prints are collected lawfully was not the only focus of the Compliance Notice. Police were also required to find and delete all unlawfully collected material currently stored on their systems. This final important requirement is proving difficult to achieve in practice given the scale and organisation of Police’s information collections. “As a result, we have granted the Police an extension until June 2025 to complete the critical task of finding and deleting unlawfully collected images,” says Mr Webster.
    A key problem is that many images have historically been stored on Police systems without the labels that would allow them to be searched automatically. In these cases, Police can’t tell what an image is of without opening each image file manually, and unless key information has been recorded with the photo it may be difficult know the purpose and rationale for collecting and retaining it.
    It’s like going to the pantry and realising that all the labels and use-by dates have been taken off the cans of food. You can’t tell what something is until you open it and even then, you may not be able to tell if it is safe to use.
    “I am concerned that the current state of Police’s information management systems and the extremely large number of stored images make it very hard to find and delete images in a practical way,” said Mr Webster.
    “These same issues may make it difficult for Police to find and use the information they have collected and retained to fight crime and keep communities safe.”
    “The development and implementation of a digital evidence management system was presented to us as a potential solution to these issues. We are concerned that investment in such a system has not proceeded. Had they had that, Police could have stored and identified photos and linked them to specific cases, which would have also meant staff would have documented the lawful purpose for taking the photo.”
    “I am encouraged that Police are continuing to look for solutions to these challenging issues. Resolving them will be fundamental to public trust and confidence in Police use of personal information and their ability to turn it into actionable intelligence that helps keep communities safer,” said Mr Webster
    About the Compliance Notice to Police
    The December 2021 Compliance Notice was the result of a joint Inquiry by OPC and the Independent Police Complaints Authority into the police practice of taking, using, and retaining photos when they didn’t have a lawful purpose for doing so.
    The Inquiry found that thousands of photographs of members of the public have been kept on the mobile phones of individual officers or, if transferred to the Police computer system, not destroyed when there is no longer a legitimate need for them.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland News – $80,000 funding for council safe boating programme

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    Northland Regional Council’s safe boating programme – ‘Nobody’s stronger than Tangaroa’ – has received $80,000 from Maritime New Zealand’s (MNZ) annual Community Grant funding.
    Maritime NZ provides funding to deliver programmes that aim to reduce fatalities and injuries to people out on the water in recreational craft.
    Council Chair Geoff Crawford says the ‘Nobody’s stronger than Tangaroa’ programme is a multi-faceted approach to safe boating in Te Taitokerau that aims to reduce the number of recreational boating fatalities and incidents by enabling the community to assist in being part of the solution.
    The funding will allow council, which has been running the programme for several years, to once again hire ambassadors to support the delivery of the programme.
    “We will continue to leverage relationships formed by our ambassadors to deliver life jacket hubs as well as a training programme geared towards priority groups who otherwise would be unlikely to seek or have access to such training,” says Chair Crawford.
    These priority groups include males over 45 years-old and Māori, who have been identified by MNZ as being overrepresented in recreational boating fatalities nationwide.
    The ambassadors will deliver key safety messaging, including the importance of wearing a life jacket, carrying two waterproof forms of communication, checking the weather forecast before heading out, and knowing the rules.
    They will also set-up life jacket hubs in remote areas across the region. Since the programme began in 2017, 22 life jacket hubs have been established across schools, marae and clubs, with more than 470 life jackets provided by MNZ and council.
    The hubs are run by the communities who lend the life jackets out as they see fit, the rationale being that the recipients know how to maximise the benefits of the scheme, whether that be lending the life jackets out for just a few hours or longer-term.
    The funding will also allow for social media and traditional advertising, and the programme will be supported by council’s Maritime Officers and Harbour Wardens who will be conducting on-water patrols throughout the peak summer period (Labour Weekend to Easter) to enforce, educate, and achieve better compliance with safe boating rules and bylaws.
    A file shot of Safety Ambassador Dane Karapu and local kuia Ellen Hardiman of Whangaruru’s Tuparehuia Marae Committee with the lifejackets the marae holds for use by local and visiting boaties.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Events – Zero Waste Summit focused on waste and climate solutions

    Source: Zero Waste Network

    The national Zero Waste Summit in Wellington on 18-20 November will zero in on practical solutions to waste, plastic pollution and wider ecological crises.

    A public event on Monday night, Zero Waste Solutions to Planetary Crises, will be facilitated by veteran broadcaster, Kim Hill.

    It will feature two panels with experts and politicians speaking to a range of promising zero waste solutions. These include Bottle Deposits, Product Stewardship, the Right to Repair, using organic waste to restore degraded soils, and a Global Plastics Treaty. False solutions such as incineration, that we must avoid will also be discussed.

    MPs from across the political spectrum will get a chance to respond to the information raised by the panel of experts and to outline their policy positions. This public event has been organised in collaboration with the Aotearoa Plastic Pollution Alliance thanks to the support of Re.Group.

    “We all know we need to reduce waste. But it’s the upstream impacts of overconsumption that are the most critical right now: climate change, ecosystem damage, biodiversity loss, pollution and human health impacts.” says Sue Coutts from the Zero Waste Network.

    “To fix these problems we need to go up the supply chains and to put in place practical policies that solve our waste problems for once and for all. This will be the focus of discussions at the summit and we will be looking to our political leaders to implement some real solutions.”  

    The Summit is hosted by the Zero Waste Network Aotearoa. This three day event includes keynotes, panel discussions, and site tours exploring all aspects of zero waste from source reduction and redesign, to repair, recovery, repurposing and recycling. Special thanks to Rothbury Insurance and Wellington City Council for their sponsorship of the Summit.

    “People working on zero waste projects across the country will come together at the Summit to talk about the challenges, the practical solutions we are already delivering, and what we can all do to significantly expand our impacts.”

    “We’ll also be walking the talk, with all catering being provided according to zero waste practices, by local businesses and organisations thanks to the support of Reuse Aotearoa who are sponsoring the zero waste catering during summit day sessions.

    Panel discussions will consider social and economic dimensions, including social justice, sustainable financing for zero waste business models, the growth of zero waste towns, cities and regions, and practical tools and strategies for ensuring the wellbeing of those who work at the frontlines of resource recovery.

    Full information and tickets are available at https://www.summit.zerowaste.co.nz/

    More about us and our sponsors

    The Zero Waste Network is a membership organisation with 120+ members across the country who work towards Zero Waste with their local communities, providing practical resource recovery and behaviour change services. One of these members is Para Kore which is a network in its own right.  Our members employ 1,239 people who work in resource recovery and environmental education. Collectively we recover 29,000 tonnes of material each year and feed $88 million dollars back into local economies through our enterprises.  

    Aotearoa Plastic Pollution Alliance is a collaborative forum of researchers, educators, artists, activists and community leaders working to prevent plastic pollution in Aotearoa, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, and beyond.

    Reuse Aotearoa is an organisation dedicated to building the momentum to grow and strengthen reusable packaging systems in New Zealand, through evidence-based research, advice and workshops. 

    Wellington City Council are working to implement their zero waste strategy 

    Re.Group are a recycling and resource recovery company specialised in designing, managing and operating resource recovery facilities and systems for a waste less society.

    Rothbury Insurance helps protect the assets of over 53,000 Kiwis and businesses, from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Soaring benefit sanctions push more into poverty

    Source: Green Party

    Sanctions on beneficiaries have sky-rocketed since the Coalition Government came to power, pushing more families into poverty.

    “This heartless Government has more than doubled benefit sanctions, stripping people of their dignity and ability to put food on the table,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Ricardo Menéndez March.

    “People deserve to live in dignity, they deserve to be supported in times of need. We can afford to look after one another, all that is missing is the political will. 

    “Families living in poverty deserve more than smoke and mirrors from Louise Upston who is refusing to address child poverty while introducing more ways to push beneficiaries into hardship.  

    “Benefit sanctions for missing an appointment have almost tripled. This is quite clearly not about supporting people into work but depriving people in need of the means to survive. 

    “The Government has turned its back on our communities in need, adding fuel to the fire when it comes to growing inequality and widening poverty. 

    “The Prime Minister may be ‘wealthy’ and ‘sorted’ but a lot of people out there are struggling. It is time he woke up to this reality and started doing something about it.  

    “A Green Government will overturn this cruel system of sanctions that only makes life harder for beneficiaries and their whanau. 

    “We would instead guarantee liveable incomes for all, and provide tailored support to connect people to employment that provides secure hours, decent wages and helps them meet their aspirations,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Retirement Village Residents – Pleasing but slow progress in ensuring viability of retirement village industry

    Source: Retirement Village Residents Association

    The Government appears on the right track in signalling changes to better balance the needs of residents of retirement villages and operators and ensure this critical industry remains viable.
    “We welcome the direction of travel for future reform following the review of the industry carried out by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development,” said Carol Shepherd of the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council (Council), a newly formed body established to advocate for those living in retirement villages (see background below).
    The next stage of the review including key priorities for further work was announced by Ministers yesterday. This includes the intention to bring new legislation to reform the Retirement Villages Act to Parliament in the next term.
    “The Council has advocated for legislative change to provide improved consumer protections for residents and ensure the industry is sustainable so this is much needed, albeit slower progress than we would have wanted.
    “The country faces big challenges in this sector with the population of villages set to more than double from 50,000 residents today within the next 20 or so years.
    “It is pleasing that the Government has recognised the need to balance the needs of residents and the need for a sustainable industry. As our population grows and ages, residents need to have choices, their assets need to be better protected and the industry must be able to provide affordable options.
    “Specifically, the Council is pleased the Government has decided to look at options for incentivising or requiring early capital repayments when residents move out of a village.
    “This has been a big issue for residents. They quite rightly want their capital returned to them or their families quickly and interest should be paid as well if the process takes too long.
    “The Council also welcomes the intention to prioritise work on better managing complaints and disputes and who should pay for the maintenance of operator-owned chattels and fixtures. These are also areas of great concern for residents.
    “The Council looks forward to working with the Government on the next stage of the review to ensure changes that benefit residents,” said Carol Shepherd.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: International Energy Agency issues wake-up call on climate action

    Source: Green Party

    Today’s report from the International Energy Agency highlights how far this Government’s actions are dragging us backwards in the fight against climate change. 

    “Luxon’s decision to pour fossil fuel on the climate crisis fire actively undermines not only energy security and resilience, but a climate-safe future,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate Change Chlöe Swarbrick. 

    “Today the International Energy Agency issued its annual energy outlook with the key message: energy security and climate action are inextricably linked. 

    “The IEA have once again underscored that efficient, cleaner energy systems reduce energy security risks. 

    “Unfortunately, we have a Government operating in half-truths, weaponising the energy crisis created by reliance on fossil fuels and incentivised by profit-at-all-costs to somehow justify reinforcing and worsening those very settings.

    “The Prime Minister and his Government have tied themselves in knots with the tentacles of the fossil fuel industry, lifting the oil and gas ban, tearing through pristine biodiversity with more coal mines and opening our shores to LNG imports. These actions actively undermine a clean, green transition which is not only critical for a stable climate, but a resilient energy system too.

    “A better world is possible. Affordable, more reliable, renewable and resilient energy distribution is possible. Communities across Aotearoa New Zealand want and deserve it. The Greens will continue to fight to deliver that future owed to all of us,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – Transmission of monetary policy to financial conditions: A speech by RBNZ Assistant Governor Karen Silk

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    16 October 2024 – A speech will be delivered by Assistant Governor Karen Silk at the Citi Australia and New Zealand Investment Conference in Sydney, Australia.

    Financial conditions are significantly influenced by monetary policy settings and are therefore something that we monitor closely. The banking system is a key channel through which monetary policy settings influence financial conditions in New Zealand.

    Specifically, monetary policy affects bank funding costs and, in turn, the lending rates banks offer. This impacts the amount of money that households and businesses have to spend and shapes their inclination to save and invest.

    During the post-COVID period, tight monetary policy settings implemented to reduce inflation have made financial conditions more restrictive. This has contributed to a weakening of aggregate demand in the economy and increased our confidence that consumer price inflation is moving sustainably back to its target mid-point of 2%.

    However, the ongoing effects from the monetary and fiscal policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly increased liquidity in the banking system, have supported lower bank funding costs. This has impacted the extent to which banks have increased their lending rates.

    The upshot of this is that financial conditions were less restrictive during the recent tightening cycle for the same level of the Official Cash Rate (OCR) when compared with previous cycles. However, through ongoing monitoring we have been able to identify and factor this into our decision-making to ensure that financial conditions have been where we needed them to be to achieve our monetary policy objectives.  

    As liquidity is being drained from the banking system, bank funding conditions have been normalising towards their pre-COVID state. Over time, this is likely to influence the amount of decline in bank lending rates, even as wholesale rates fall, as banks seek to maintain their net interest margins.

    The factors discussed in this speech are important for understanding the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission, but there are many others that are considered in monetary policy decision-making. While we remain confident that inflation will converge back to the 2% target midpoint in the medium term, we will continue to assess and respond to the risks arising from broader economic conditions to manage inflation back to this level.
     
    More information

    Read the related Bulletin here: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=b1b3bdc72d&e=f3c68946f8

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – The cost of living crisis is coming to an end, with inflation close to 2%. We’re back in band – The cost of living crisis is coming to an end, with inflation close to 2%. We’re back in band – Kiwibank

    Source: Kiwibank
    Pay rises are finally running above inflation. The cost of living crisis is coming to an end, slowly.  It may not feel like it, yet, but inflation has eased, and will ease further.

    *       The RBNZ engineered a long, harsh recession in order to get inflation back within its 1-to-3% target band. They focus on the 2% mid-point.  And we’re close… very close.  At 2.2%, inflation has fallen from a rapid peak of 7.3%.

    *       The RBNZ can declare victory in the war on inflation. And they have acknowledged the success, with rate cuts.

    *       There is more disinflationary pressure in the pipeline as the economy continues to operate below its productive capacity. Tradables is the reason we have returned to 2%. And the eventual normalisation in domestic price pressures is why we see 2% sustained in the medium-term. It’s the two phases of 2%. Phase 1, imported. Phase 2, domestic.

    *       The light at the end of the tunnel is burning brighter. Cost pressures are easing. Great news for businesses and households, and interest rate relief is coming thick and fast. Policy settings are still restrictive, but more interest rate cuts are coming. Falling inflation, and falling interest rates will help household budgets, and business opex.

    The good news – deflationary pressures are becoming more broad based.  There were more goods and services recording declines in prices. And there were fewer goods and services recording hikes in prices. 
    The bad news – there’s still some very chunky prices hikes in council rates and insurance premiums to pay. The $5 fee for prescriptions also hurt.

    Importantly, core inflation recorded a 1% gain on the quarter, and eased to 3.1% over the year.  

    Beneath the surface, there was some (welcomed) weakness in housing related costs.  Despite a sharp 12% increase in council ratees over the quarter, lower labour costs and cheaper materials costs helped on the construction front.

    Earlier this year, we had forecast inflation falling back within the RBNZ’s 1-3% target band in the September quarter – but only just (2.8%) given the persistent strength in domestic inflation. While that remains the case, inflation has now fallen to 2.2%. And we still have cheaper imported prices to thank for bringing inflation closer to the RBNZ’s 2% target.

    The two phases of deflation.

    The first phase is the deflation of prices for imported goods.  Known as tradables inflation, imported prices are falling, and are DOWN -1.6% over the year. Imported prices peaked at a whopping 8.7%, and have fallen swiftly with the decline in global inflation rates.

    The second phase is the deflating of domestic prices. Domestic inflation is a slow-moving beast. The good news is that it is moving in the right direction (south). Non-tradables prices have eased from 5.4% to 4.9%. It’s fallen some distance from the 6.8% peak, although it is still sitting high above the long-term average (~3%).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Celebrate local environmental heroes

    Source: Auckland Council

    The Love Your Place Awards are back for 2024! The awards celebrate volunteers, local community and conservation groups and schools making a difference for the environment in the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area.  

    The biennial awards are funded by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board and organised and hosted by EcoMatters Environment Trust. 

    “This is the fifth time we’ve held these awards, and we’re always inspired by the stories of local environmental champions working to help preserve this very special part of Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Waitākere Ranges Local Board Chair Greg Presland.  

    “We want to celebrate those who are going above and beyond to work for our local environment, so I encourage everyone to nominate their local environmental hero,” Greg adds.  

    People can nominate themselves or others working in the environmental space anywhere across the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area, which stretches from Whatipu, Glen Eden and Titirangi in the south to Waitākere, Swanson and Te Henga in the north.  

    Nominations are open from 1 to 17 November, with winners announced at a special local event early 2025. 

    EcoMatters CEO Carla Gee says the awards have become a much-anticipated local event, celebrating the special relationship people in the Waitākere Ranges have with their local environment.  

    “These are truly heart-warming awards, because they recognise the people who are working in and with our communities to make a real difference.  

    “It’s never been more important to protect our precious natural heritage, particularly in the Waitākere Ranges, an area loved by so many Aucklanders, as the climate crisis continues to threaten biodiversity,” says Carla. 

    The previous awards, in 2022, recognised trailblazers and previously unsung heroes working in predator and weed control, food growing and waste minimisation initiatives. 

    The five award categories are: 

    • Denise Yates Award: for youth (under 18) showing emerging leadership around local environmental issues. 
    • Karaka Award: for a school or school group taking action on a local environmental issue. 
    • Nīkau Award: for a business or social enterprise making a contribution to improve the environment. 
    • Rātā Award: for an outstanding volunteer group or organisation taking action on a local environmental issue. 
    • Kahikatea Award: for an outstanding individual volunteer taking action on a local environmental issue. 

    Nominations are open from 1 to 17 November 2024.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Four caught illegally whitebaiting during joint operation in Southland

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Four Southland men are in the deep end following a joint operation at the Waiau river mouth yesterday.

    With two weeks until the end of the whitebaiting season, Police and the Department of Conservation completed compliance checks at the Waiau river mouth between 10pm and 1am last night.

    This is part of Operation Inaka, a joint operation between Police, the Department of Conservation, Fisheries New Zealand, and Te Rūnaka o Ōraka-Aparima.

    “The aim of this operation is to target and apprehend offenders who are partaking in illegal activity by fishing outside the legal fishing hours, participating in anti-social behaviours, or driving impaired,” says Western Southland Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Pete Graham.

    “Four local men were discovered fishing outside of the regulated hours while we were conducting our compliance checks last night. Their nets were seized, and they will face enforcement by the Department of Conservation.”

    Penalties for people found illegally fishing whitebait can include having their fishing equipment seized and possibly destructed, while any whitebait caught would be returned to the river. They can also face a $400 fine or court prosecution.

    “Although this is a disappointing result, previous compliance checks on Sunday 18 August resulted in no issues and Police did not observe anyone illegally fishing before the beginning of the whitebaiting season on 1 September.”

    Police and the Department of Conservation will continue to work together over the whitebaiting season to monitor any unlawful fishing, or antisocial behaviour.

    “To avoid any confusion, we encourage all whitebaiters to educate themselves on the rules and regulations to ensure their 2024 whitebaiting season goes swimmingly.”

    The whitebaiting fishing season for New Zealand, the fishing season is between 1 September and 30 October. For the Chatham Islands, it is from 1 December to the last day of February.

    Whitebaiting is only permitted on these days between 5am to 8pm, or 6am to 9pm during New Zealand daylight saving. Any whitebaiting outside of these times is illegal.

    “It is important all whitebaiters comply with the whitebait fishing regulations as this will help sustainably manage this precious taonga,” said John McCarroll, Department of Conservation Operations Manager, Murihiku District.

    If you see illegal or suspicious activity this whitebaiting season, please call Police immediately on 111.

    You can also report information on 105 after the fact, and anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

    Information is available on the Department of Conservation Whitebaiting website.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrests following burglaries in Cambridge and Hamilton

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley, District Manager Criminal Investigations, Waikato.

    Waikato Police have arrested five youths in relation to a number of burglaries in the Waikato area in the past two days.

    At around 4:20am on Monday 14 October five youths travelling in a stolen vehicle gained entry to a commercial premises in Cambridge using hammers. The premises and items inside were damaged.

    A short time later, at around 5:40am, a store on Heaphy Terrace in Hamilton was broken into, with the group stealing several items and cash from the premises, causing damage to the store.

    On Tuesday 15 October a second commercial premises was broken into in Cambridge. The group arrived in a stolen vehicle about 1.30am and again used hammers to gain entry before taking items from the store.

    The youths then allegedly travelled in a second stolen vehicle to a service station on Naylor Street where a burglary took place, causing damage to the premises and taking items.

    That same vehicle was then driven to a store on Cambridge Road, Hillcrest a short time later where hammers were once again used to gain entry to the premises and again items were stolen.

    At around midday Tuesday, Police observed a vehicle that was reported stolen, travelling in Fairview Downs in Hamilton. Police signalled for the vehicle to stop, however it failed to do so. The vehicle was located a short time later in Nawton.

    Five youths were located at a property a short distance from the vehicle, where they were taken into custody.

    All five have since been referred to Youth Aid services.

    We wish to reassure the public that Police are committed to responding to offending in our communities and to holding offenders to account for their actions.

    We encourage the public to report offending as it happens by calling 111.

    Other matters can be reported after the fact by going online to http://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or calling 105.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Falling Inflation Reflects a Falling Economy

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    Data released by Stats NZ today showed inflation slowed to an annual rate of 2.2%, reflecting lower petrol prices and a weaker economy, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney.

    “The data shows that petrol prices fell 8% annually, and vegetable prices fell 18% annually. These reflect both softer global demand and a return to normal harvests after Cyclone Gabrielle. Prices for discretionary spending items such as furniture, electronics, or second-hand vehicles fell. This suggests weak demand and low consumer confidence, which is exactly what you would expect when unemployment is rising,” said Renney.
     
    “Inflation and rising costs that can’t be avoided by households kept rising much faster than the headline rate. Electricity costs are up 7.4% a year. Rates bills rose 12% last year. Pharmaceutical products rose 17% with the reintroduction of prescription fees. Housing insurance was up 20% from last year.

    “Rents were the biggest contributor to annual inflation, up 4.5%. It’s clear that the landlord tax cuts aren’t working to reduce rents. Low-income households, struggling after real terms cuts to the minimum wage this year, will still be feeling the pinch of these increases.
     
    “One of the biggest drivers of the fall in inflation was the reduction in early childhood costs associated with the new family boost payment. Without that change quarterly inflation would have risen from 0.6% in September to 0.9%. Yet we know that more than half of all eligible households aren’t claiming that support – meaning that fall is unlikely to be translating into families’ pockets for many. Petrol pricing was supported by the one-off removal of the Auckland Fuel Tax, and with rising oil prices globally that fall is unlikely to be sustained.
     
    “Inflation is falling right now, but low-income workers might not be feeling the benefit as inflation they can’t escape keeps rising. Lower inflation is good news if it doesn’t come at a cost of much higher unemployment, which every forecast tells us will be happening.

    “With inflation now being back in the target band, the Government has no reason to not invest in making sure that unemployment doesn’t happen. Anything else is a choice,” said Renney. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland Police target road safety ahead of summer

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Auckland City Police have begun a series of operations targeting drink and drug effected drivers as the evenings get warmer and lighter.

    Last week, Police spent two days conducting more than 20 checkpoints across the district.

    Auckland City’s Relieving Road Policing Manager, Acting Inspector Scott Jones, says more than 12,000 drivers were breath tested across Wednesday and Thursday last week.

    “The vast majority of motorists had made the responsible decision to drive sober, however disappointingly 18 drivers were found to be over the limit and are facing enforcement from Police.

    “It’s great to see so many people driving drink-free, but that result is still too many to be drinking and then driving on our roads.”

    Acting Inspector Jones says one driver was found to be more than double the legal limit.

    “His licence was suspended on the spot and he will be appearing in the Auckland District Court facing a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol.

    “The decision made by all 18 of these drivers has put themselves and other members of the community at enormous risk.”

    Police also issued a number of infringement notices to motorists for a variety of high-risk driving behaviours, including speeding, no restraints or driving while using a mobile phone.

    “With the summer season approaching, Police will have an increased focus on drink and drug related driving.

    “We ask that people plan ahead and make the responsible decision to appoint a sober driver or arrange other options such as public transport to get them home safely.

    “We know your whānau and friends will appreciate this, and so will we.”

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: No escape from Eagle’s prying eyes

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police arrested a gang member in east Auckland early this morning, after disturbing his dangerous late-night ride along the Southern Motorway.

    Auckland City Central Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Dave Plunkett, says a Police unit noticed a speeding motorcycle in Grafton just before midnight.

    “Police signalled for the rider to stop but he fled at speeds well over the legal road limit. We did not pursue the motorbike, due to this dangerous manner of driving.

    “However, the Police Eagle helicopter was deployed to the area and observed the motorbike as it exited the motorway towards Mount Wellington, and to an address on Panama Road.

    “Eagle directed Police ground staff to the address, where the alleged motorbike rider met them the gate and led them to the suspected motorbike in a garage.”

    The bike was impounded for six months along with another motorbike in the garage, that had multiple alerts for fleeing Police.

    The alleged rider, a 45-year-old patched Head Hunters gang member, was summoned to the Auckland District Court where he will face charges of failing to stop and dangerous driving.

    “This incident shows once again that we have no tolerance for reckless driving behaviour that puts other road users at risk,” Senior Sergeant Plunkett says.

    “Thanks to the good work of all Police staff involved, the rider will be held to account.”

    ENDS.

    Tony Wright/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Sluggish economy means struggles ahead for Kiwis

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    While today’s inflation numbers are good news for Kiwis, there are still struggles ahead with rising rents, rates, insurance and high unemployment.

    “Inflation is at 2.2 percent, but the rest of the economy is sluggish,” Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

    “The Reserve Bank was already on track to get inflation back into the target band. However, non-tradable inflation is still high. Rents are up 4.5 percent, local authority rates and payments are up 12.2 percent. 

    “Skilled workers are leaving the country in droves, and with cuts to the apprenticeship boost, the workers to fill the gaps simply won’t exist.

    “New Zealand continues to grapple with a growing infrastructure deficit that has been generations in the making. If the Government was truly serious about tackling it, you would think having a skilled workforce would be critical.

    “Nicola Willis wants to take credit for getting inflation down. She should take responsibility for these statistics as well:

    • Net New Zealand citizen migration has never been higher at 56,100
    • There are 10,000 fewer people working in construction than when this Government took over
    • 22,000 more people are on Job Seeker Benefit

    “This Government’s decisions have led to a stagnant economy with fewer jobs,” Barbara Edmonds said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Cuts to Apprenticeship Boost will fail future NZ

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The Government’s cuts to the Apprenticeship Boost programme will leave New Zealand without the workforce it needs to build homes, schools and hospitals.

    “As we see more and more skilled workers leaving the country, Penny Simmonds has cut the very tool that would ensure more people are trained to fill the gap,” Labour tertiary education spokesperson Dr Deborah Russell said.

    “Apprentices in road construction and maintenance, drinking/wastewater treatment, welding and mechanical engineering are just some of the industries where the Apprenticeship Boost no longer applies.

    “New Zealand continues to grapple with a growing infrastructure deficit that has been generations in the making. If the Government was truly serious about tackling it, you would think having a skilled workforce would be critical.

    “With the economy stagnating, now is the time to support more businesses to take on apprentices to stimulate employment.

    “After the global financial crisis, the previous National Government let apprenticeship numbers plummet and did nothing to support businesses to continue to put resource into training. Labour did the opposite during COVID-19 and supported businesses to keep people in work.

    “Cutting the Apprenticeship Boost is only adding to rising unemployment, as thousands of Kiwis leave or lose their jobs in construction under National.

    “Labour was proud to support businesses to keep on more than 62,000 apprentices through the Apprenticeship Boost programme.

    “This is another example of Penny Simmonds taking the tertiary sector backwards. She will go down as the Minister who set polytechnics up to fail and failed New Zealand’s future workforce,” Dr Deborah Russell said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: More good news for Kiwis

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Today’s inflation figures are more good news for New Zealanders, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. 

    Stats NZ reported today that the inflation rate had dropped from 3.3 per cent in the year to June to 2.2 per cent in the year to September. That is down from 5.6 per cent just a year ago and over 7 per cent in 2022. 

    “At 2.2 per cent inflation, it is also the first time the rate has been back within the Reserve Bank’s target range of 1 to 3 per cent since March 2021. 

    “The era of crushing price rises is now over. 

    “Kiwis can look forward to mortgage rate reductions and businesses will find it easier to invest and innovate with a lower cost of borrowing. 

    “The steps the Government is taking to reduce inflationary pressures by restoring discipline to public spending, reducing the red tape that is stifling innovation and development, and rebuilding business confidence are working.  

    “Together with the tax relief that took effect on 31 July, and the FamilyBoost childcare payments that many families are now receiving, falling inflation and interest rates mean large numbers of families are now better off than they were a year ago.  

    “There is more work to be done to get the economy growing, but New Zealanders can be confident we are headed in the right direction.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Palmerston North sheep farmer banned from being in charge of animals indefinitely, fined $13,000 over failure to treat flystrike and meet welfare needs for hundreds of sheep

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    A Palmerston North sheep farmer has been disqualified indefinitely from being in charge of animals and fined $13,000 for failing to treat flystrike and meet welfare needs of hundreds of sheep.

    Alasdair Donald Currie (65) was sentenced in the Palmerston District Court on 6 charges yesterday (15 October) under the Animal Welfare Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

    Following a complaint in February 2023, MPI sent an animal welfare inspector and a veterinarian to the farm to inspect his animals. They found some sheep recumbent or dead and others affected by fly strike – 2 of them had to be euthanised.

    The farmer was directed to muster all sheep and to take action to address a range of animal welfare issues, including shearing all woolly ewes to prevent flystrike. In April an animal welfare inspector and veterinarian returned to the farm and found Mr Currie had failed to effectively address the flystrike. Some sheep were still in full wool and a total of 48 sheep had either died or had to be euthanised.

    “Overall, 118 sheep were found to be affected by flystrike out of a mob of about 450. Our veterinarian found at least 70 of these sheep were in unnecessary pain and distress because of Mr Currie’s failure to act as directed.” says MPI regional manager Animal Welfare and National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Compliance, Gray Harrison.

    “This was aggravated by the fact Mr Currie admitted to us that he had not provided his sheep with any flystrike preventative during the 2022-2023 season.

    “The welfare of animals is our number one priority and when we find evidence of deliberate neglect – we will take action.” says Gray Harrison.

    Other animals were affected by parasites such as worms and a lamb that had a severed achilles tendon which occurred during crutching, had to be euthanised.

    Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

    For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

    For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New contracts awarded for outsourced pools and leisure centres

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Council has approved the award of new contracts for the operation of 20 pools and leisure centres across the region, that are outsourced.

    The decision to award contracts to two suppliers – Community Leisure Management (CLM) and YMCA North Incorporated (The Y), was made by the council’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee on October 15. Previously, three suppliers held the council’s outsourced contracts. The council is now working through the award process with CLM and The Y.

    Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, who is chair of the committee, says the new contracts mean Aucklanders will continue to have a number of excellent options where they can swim, get fit and connect with others.

    “The council is committed to providing outstanding service for our communities and making sure we are getting the best for Aucklanders.

    “CLM and The Y currently operate a number of the council’s pools and leisure centres across Auckland and have track records in providing safe and efficient services to the community.

    “We believe these two operators have the expertise, professionalism and customer and community centric values to run the centres to the highest standard while delivering good value for money.

    The new contracts will take effect from April 2025. The Y will operate seven centres and CLM will operate 13.  

    Rachel Kelleher, Auckland Council’s Director Community says the awarding of the new contracts will enhance the region’s pools and leisure network.

    “Grouping closely-located centres enables more efficiency across staff, resources and leadership for both the council and its service partners.

    “This model will also save ratepayers money, compared to maintaining the status quo.

    “The centre groupings have been designed to reflect local board areas, common community needs, and the specialist expertise required to operate some services, for example our outdoor pools that open over the summer period.”

    “As a result of the competitive procurement process Belgravia Leisure will no longer manage any of the council’s pools and leisure centres. We would like to thank and acknowledge Belgravia Leisure for their management of four centres across Auckland over the last 10 years and have appreciated its partnership with the council over this time.”

    The inclusion of the living wage as the minimum payment level to staff working at the outsourced centres will be part of all new pools and leisure service delivery contracts. This had not been a requirement within previous contracts.

    On 1 August 2024, the service delivery model for the council’s pools and leisure services was confirmed, with the council’s Governing Body deciding to proceed with enhancements to the current mixed model, which features partially outsourced services for the region-wide network.

    Feedback from the nine local boards with outsourced centres was incorporated into the options analysis and final recommendation to the Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee.

    Auckland Council owns 43 pools and leisure centres across the region. This decision sees the continued delivery of pools and leisure services across the region. Twenty centres are outsourced, one facility is operated under a lease arrangement (The Olympic Newmarket) and 22 are operated by the council.

    Auckland Council pools and leisure centre – new outscourced model

    Centre

    Service provider
    • Glen Innes Pool and Leisure Centre 
    • Lagoon Stadium 
    • Lagoon Pool and Leisure Centre 
    • Sir William Jordan Recreation Centre 
    • Onehunga War Memorial Pool and Leisure Centre 
    • Ellerslie Recreation Centre 
    • Massey Leisure Centre 

    YMCA North (The Y) 
    • Ōtāhuhu Pool and Leisure Centre 
    • Massey Park Pool 
    • Papakura Leisure Centre 
    • Whiteside Pool 
    • Jubilee Pool
    • Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre
    • Cameron Pool and Leisure Centre 
    • Lynfield Youth and Leisure Centre 
    • Mount Albert Aquatic Centre 
    • Mount Albert Community and Leisure Centre
    • Parnell Baths  
    • Point Erin Pool  
    • Grey Lynn Paddling Pool 

    Community Leisure Management (CLM) 

    Please visit the Auckland Council website to see the locations of all our pool and leisure centres.

    If you have any questions about these changes, please email poolsandleisurefeedback@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Standardising rubbish collections

    Source: Auckland Council

    Aucklanders out west will no longer need to use prepaid bin tags from 2 December 2024 as council rubbish collections will be funded by residential property rates.

    West Auckland is moving from pay-as-you-throw collections to rates-funded as part of a regionwide move towards a standardised waste service for Auckland.

    Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says that standardising waste services across Auckland will give everyone access to the same service at the same cost, wherever they live.

    “Having everyone on a unified collection service that includes recycling and food scraps, gives us the best chance to minimise waste and reduce emissions as we work towards Auckland’s goal of zero waste by 2040,” says Ms Haves.

    “We want to protect Auckland’s natural environment by reducing reliance on landfills, while keeping costs for Aucklanders as low as possible. A universal rates-funded rubbish collection helps us to deliver a more consistent and cost-effective service and makes it easier to engage with Aucklanders on how we can all reduce waste,” she says.

    The targeted rates charge for a property’s rubbish collection will depend on the size of the bin. With a choice of three bin sizes, Aucklanders can choose the size that best meets their individual household’s needs.

    “If households use their food scrap bins and recycling bins regularly, most will find that a smaller rubbish bin than they have now will work for them. Many people don’t realise that food scraps contribute significantly to harmful greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, and prior to the introduction of the food scraps collection, waste audits found that up to half of the weight of rubbish bins consisted of this waste,” says Ms Haves.

    “For larger households that require a larger bin even after they are using all three waste bins correctly, there is an option for the ratepayer to request a larger bin from Auckland Council, for a slightly higher cost to that household’s rates.”

    Bin tags will be accepted on council bins until Friday 29 November in West Auckland. After this date, West Auckland residents can get a refund from local libraries for any unused bin tags for a limited time – from Sunday 1 December 2024 to Friday 31 January 2025.

    The changes are being rolled out in pay-as-you-throw areas over the next 12 months. After Waitākere, the next areas to move to rates-funded rubbish collections are: North Shore, Papakura, Franklin and Rodney. Central Auckland and Manukau already have rates-funded rubbish services.

    Anyone living in a rural zone who would like to continue using bags should email ratesfunded@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Rural residents will still have options on the number of waste bags they would like to use, depending on their household requirements, and this is reflected in the targeted waste rate for each household.

    For more information, including how to request a refund for unused bin tags, please visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ratesfunded

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Old bridge gets modern help to ensure safety at Luggate

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    People who drive over the Luggate Red Bridge on SH8A near Cromwell will notice some activity around the new traffic signals this week.

    The new traffic signals, controlling access at each end, will be fully operational from the week starting 21 October. They are being tested this week, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

    Traffic signals all ready to be unwrapped and tested at the Luggate Red Bridge over the Clutha River/Mata-Au.

    The traffic lights will help manage the bridge’s single-lane flows, making it safer for motorists travelling on this key link between Tarras and Wānaka/Cromwell. They will also help extend the life of this single lane, 110-year-old bridge which regularly gets maintenance and inspections to ensure all road users’ safety. 

    The traffic signals will help to protect the historic bridge from the impact of heavy, modern vehicles by slowing down their approach speed so they have less damaging impact upon the bridge as they travel across it.

    The bridge is a part of the essential freight route linking Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes Districts over the Clutha River/Mata-au.

    Cameras that have been installed on the bridge will give a direct feed back to the NZTA Wellington Transport Operations Centre network controls team so they can monitor traffic flows and make adjustments if needed.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Trade Minister to attend G20 meeting in Brazil

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Trade Minister Todd McClay will attend the Group of Twenty (G20) Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting in Brasilia next week. 

    “As an exporting nation reliant on trade, this is a significant opportunity to boost our interests with some of the world’s largest economies and many of our most important trading partners,” Mr McClay says.

    “New Zealand was invited to attend following our success in negotiating the E-Commerce agreement at this year’s WTO Ministerial Trade negotiation in Abu Dhabi, and our inaugural attendance at the G7 Trade Ministers meeting in Reggio Calabria.”

    Minister McClay will represent New Zealand alongside G20 members to discuss sustainable development, investment, global food security, reducing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and strengthening of the Multilateral system to grow trade. 

    In addition to G20 meetings, Mr McClay will look to engage directly with counterparts including from Brazil, Canada, Chile, the European Union, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.

    While in the region, the Minister will also lead a business delegation to São Paulo to boost New Zealand’s $242 million exported to Brazil and supporting the 40 Kiwi businesses already operating in the region.

    The delegation includes 13 organisations: Aroa Biosurgery, Auckland Council, Foot Science International, Framecad, Gallagher Animal Management, Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPE), Latin America New Zealand Business Council (LANZBC), Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), Loadscan, Mindhive Global, New Zealand Brazil Business Chamber (NZBBC), Seequent, and Tait Communications.

    “We are committed to ensuring New Zealand remains competitive on the world stage and that our high-quality, safe and sustainable exports gain the recognition they deserve.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Karakia/Prayers – 001420

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    WEDNESDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2024

    The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.

    KARAKIA/PRAYERS

    TEANAU TUIONO (Assistant Speaker): E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou, mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi mātou ki te Kīngi, me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga, kia mōhio ai, kia whakaiti ai tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o te Whare nei, mō te oranga, te maungārongo, me te aroha o Aotearoa. Āmene.

    [Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility, for the welfare, peace, and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Petitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills – 001419

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    PETITIONS, PAPERS, SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

    SPEAKER: No petitions have been delivered to the Clerk, but Ministers have delivered 18 papers.

    CLERK:

    • 2023-24 annual reports of ACC, Crown Irrigation Investments, Crown Law, Inland Revenue, Kāinga Ora, LINZ, MBIE, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, NZQA, the Remuneration Authority, Stats NZ
    • Reports on the 2023-24 non-departmental appropriations for Vote Education, Vote Housing and Urban Development, and the Emergency Management and Recovery portfolio
    • Government response to the Climate Change Commission’s Monitoring report: Emissions reduction (July 2024); the ACC 2023-24 climate report and 2024-25 service agreement.

    SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House. No select committee papers have been presented. No bills have been introduced.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: State Highway 65, Maruia to Shenandoah, closed following truck crash

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Update 3:10 pm: State Highway 65 remains closed to traffic between Springs Junction and the Buller Gorge junction following a truck crash earlier today.

    Work to clear the crash site is continuing and the highway is expected to remain closed for some time.

    Drivers are asked to avoid the area and use the recommended detour.

    Updates on the highway’s status can be found on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website:

    Highway conditions – West Coast(external link)

    12.45pm:

    Drivers are asked to avoid State Highway 65 between Springs Junction and the Buller Gorge junction following a truck crash.

    The incident, which was reported shortly before 11:30 this morning, occurred  near the intersection of State Highway 65 and Pea Soup Road. The truck’s trailer has overturned.

    State Highway 65 is closed between Springs Junction and the Buller Gorge. Drivers must avoid the area, delay their journey or use an alternative route.

    Northbound traffic can detour via State Highway 7 to Reefton, then use State Highway 69  to Inangahua, and then State Highway 6 and the Buller Gorge. The reverse applies for southbound traffic.

    Emergency services and contractors are attending the crash. Work is underway to reopen the road, but no timeframes for this are currently available.

    Further information on the highway’s status will be provided when available. Updates can be found on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website:

    Highway conditions – West Coast(external link)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: CPI figures show rents continuing to soar

    Source: Green Party

    Stats NZ has confirmed that higher rent prices were the biggest contributor to the annual inflation rate. Almost a fifth of the 2.2 per cent annual increase in the CPI was due to rent prices. 

    “Housing is a human right, but this Government is treating it like a game of Monopoly,” says the Green Party’s Housing spokesperson, Tamatha Paul. 

    “Everyone deserves a warm and affordable place to call home. We have everything we need to make this happen. All we need to do is start treating housing as the public good it really is instead of exploiting it for profit. 

    “Successive governments have turned housing into a business venture, locking people out from having a home while a privileged few benefit at the expense of everybody else. 

    “The current landlord Government has only inflamed the situation by handing landlords $2.9 billion in tax cuts while punching down on renters with no cause evictions and allowing rents to spiral out of control.  

    “The current system is forcing people into making the impossible choice of either buying essentials like food or paying rent. 

    “The Government is entrenching the imbalance between tenant and landlord to the point where people are too afraid to ask for leaks to be fixed or smoke alarms to be replaced out of fear of being kicked out of their home. 

    “We deserve better than this. We need rent controls which will limit the amount that landlords can increase rent and how often they can do this. We also need a Rental Warrant of Fitness to ensure quality, and for the Government to commit to building more public housing to make sure that our most marginalised and vulnerable can also have affordable, secure homes.

    “Everyone deserves to live in a warm and healthy home,” says Tamatha Paul. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Council appoints Craig Pauling as Chair

    Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

    There were no other nominations for the role.

    Councillor Deon Swiggs has been appointed as Deputy Chair.

    Councillor Pauling, who represents the Christchurch West/Ōpuna constituency, said it will be an honour and a privilege to lead the Council.

    “We have an ambitious work programme for the next 10 years, and I am proud of that. Now we just need to get on with it.”

    Pauling was nominated by Ngāi Tahu Councillor Tutehounuku ‘Nuk’ Korako and this was seconded by Ngāi Tahu Councillor Iaean Cranwell.

    Deputy Chair Deon Swiggs (left) and Chair Craig Pauling

    “We are all on the same waka and we are paddling hard for our communities, most importantly for the precious place we call home, for our water and our land and our air and sea,” Pauling said shortly after his appointment.

    “A lot of our work goes unnoticed but it is happening – from the thousands of bus trips taken on our public transport each month to the 26,000 consents we manage. We have been a leader in setting rules for land use and farming consents.

    “We protect homes, farms and businesses through our river flood protection systems. We protect towns across Canterbury. Our regional parks provide multiple benefits, including sediment control, flood protection, biodiversity as well as being used for recreation. We clean up wrecked vessels and ensure safe use of our harbours and waterways.

    “We don’t always get it right, but at the end of the day, we’re doing a lot of good work for a lot of people,” Pauling said.

    Deputy Chair Swiggs, who represents Christchurch West/Ōpuna, said he’s looking forward to working alongside Chair Pauling.

    “I’m humbled to be appointed to this role of Deputy. For me, the priority will be ensuring we focus on our core services, and do it well.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –