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Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Wednesday, 16 October 2024 – Volume 779 – 001421

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    Question No. 2—Prime Minister

    2. Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government’s statements and actions?

    Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister): Yes, and especially our actions to get on top of inflation. This morning Stats New Zealand confirmed that inflation fell to 2.2 percent in the September quarter, the lowest rate in more than 3½ years, and it is clear that our plan, our economic plan, is working, which is why under our Government we’re getting on top of inflation fast. Just before the election last year, Treasury picked that inflation would have only fallen to 3.1 percent by this time and wouldn’t have reached 2.2 percent until the end of next year. And that’s despite all the scaremongering from the Opposition that fully funded tax relief, which Labour didn’t support, for supporting working families with the cost of living would actually push inflation higher. It didn’t do that. But, instead, our economic plan is delivering lower inflation, lower interest rates, two interest rate cuts in 10 months versus, I think, six or seven increases over the last six years. Importantly, what we’re seeing is that the foundations for economic growth to get New Zealand back on track are in place.

    Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why did his Government cut funding for apprenticeships in critical infrastructure sectors when apprentice numbers are already in decline, compounding the skills shortages in the trades sector?

    Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well, what I’d say to the member is the Apprenticeship Boost was actually another case of Labour leaving behind another fiscal cliff. We’ve made funding for Apprenticeship Boost permanent so the programme wouldn’t expire like it would under Labour and, at the same time, we’re targeting it at the skills that we need.

    Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why has he and his Government cut funding for apprenticeships in areas such as pipeline construction, bitumen resurfacing, road construction and maintenance, and drinking and waste-water treatment when this country is facing major challenges in those areas and this will only exacerbate skill shortages?

    Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well, we have to make sure we are spending money carefully. That’s what we do on the side of the House; we don’t waste money. That’s only a very small proportion of those that are actually using Apprenticeship Boost, and what I’d say to you is that we are making sure that we’ve got support for the skills we need like building and agriculture and manufacturing, forestry, food, and hospitality.

    Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why was providing over $200 million in tax breaks to the tobacco company Philip Morris more important to his Government than keeping people in apprenticeships?

    SPEAKER: Just a moment. I think there’s a word there that probably shouldn’t have been in it. Do you want to ask that question again.

    Hon Member: What’s that?

    SPEAKER: I think you referred to the entity belonging to someone, which it didn’t. So just ask the question again.

    Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why was providing over $200 million in tax breaks to companies like Philip Morris, the country’s largest supplier of cigarettes, more important to his Government than keeping people in apprenticeships?

    Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well, I reject the characterisation of that question. What I would say to that member is that on this side of the House we are very committed to lowering daily smoking rates. We are determined to deliver on Smokefree 2025 and we’re going to make alternatives available. Also what I’d say is, with respect to the so-called tax that he talks about, what we’ve done is make sure Treasury is conservatively estimating the loss of excise tax by any shift that happens to an alternative product other than cigarettes.

    Rt Hon Winston Peters: Prime Minister, how often have you met someone whose logic is that when the tax on cigarettes go up, as it did December last year, it somehow is a concession to some business?

    Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: It’s just prudent to actually set money aside. And for the most extreme scenario, if we get a shift from cigarettes to alternative products—that’s what we’re accounting for.

    Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why should the construction sector have trust in his Government when they are cutting apprenticeships and, in their first 10 months in power, they have spent their time gutting school building programmes, shelving State housing projects, cancelling major infrastructure projects, and leaving the industry staring down a pipeline that’s looking more like an empty barrel?

    Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Again, what you see is you see a business confidence at a 10-year high. Why is that? Because they know this is a Government dealing with and improving the economic fundamentals. We are making sure there is financial discipline and no wasteful spending. We’re making sure that inflation now, for the first time in 3½ years, is within the band. Interest rates cuts are coming down; confidence is up. That leads to economic growth and people in work.

    Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: If things are so good for the building and construction sector, why are there 10,000 fewer people employed in the building and construction sector now than there were the day he became Prime Minister?

    Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Because this economy is dealing with the lag effects of woeful economic mismanagement by that member and his former Government. What is good news is that consents are up 2 percent; the Infrastructure Commission’s latest pipeline estimates a total of over 6,000 projects—$147 billion worth; and the Transport Government policy statement put in $33 billion for the next three years. If the member cares a lot about it, I look forward to his support of our fast-track legislation, because that was a great idea from David Parker. We’ve built on it; there’s 149 fantastic projects: 55,000 potential new homes, 30 percent increase in electricity generation, and 180 kilometres of new roads, rail, and public transport.

    Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why won’t he admit that his Government doesn’t care about the damage it causes to New Zealand’s infrastructure, workforce, and economy, as long as his favourite pet projects like tax breaks for landlords and tobacco companies get billions of dollars that could so desperately be spent elsewhere?

    Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Aww, it’s a terribly sad day for the Leader of the Opposition. We have good news, which is we have inflation in the bands, we’ve delivered income tax relief for low and middle income working New Zealanders—people the Labour Party used to care about but don’t any more—we’ve got fast-track legislation sitting there, and he refuses to support it. Come on board, do something positive.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Conference addresses the systemic causes of poverty – Vic

    Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

    Media are invited to attend ‘Pakukore: Poverty, by Design—Addressing the systemic causes of poverty and options for change,’ an upcoming conference which will analyse the interconnected web of economic, governmental, legal, and institutional systems that have locked poverty in.

    Hosted by the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, the conference runs from 21‒23 November. It features speakers from research backgrounds and the front lines, who will provide evidence, present joined-up thinking, and examine where hope lies for eradicating poverty and assisting those who suffer its harms.

    “Should a developed nation continue to tolerate poverty and inequality? The conference invites speakers who work at the front lines in the fight against poverty to tell us of the lasting and severe harms it inflicts on people’s lives,” says Rebecca Macfie, JD Stout Research Fellow and co-organiser.  

    The programme will be ordered around the systems that have played, and continue to play, key roles in underpinning and maintaining the crisis of poverty: economic management, the housing, health, welfare, and education systems, the courts and corrections, and short-term political thinking.  

    The conference will also look at where hope lies, and how we can choose to redesign Aotearoa New Zealand to eradicate poverty and heal those who suffer its harms.

    Confirmed speakers include:

    Murray Edridge, Maria English, Philippa Howden-Chapman, Judge Ida Malosi, Professor Lisa Marriot, Max Rashbrooke, Professor Tracey McIntosh, Professor Māmari Stephens, Associate Professor Anna Matheson, Dr Jin Russell, Craig Renney, Jennie Smeaton, Pat Hanley, Brooke Pao Stanley, Agnes Magele, Rebecca Macfie, Dr Huhana Hickey, Sue Bradford, Bill Rosenberg, Dr Kay Saville-Smith, James Te Puni, Miriana Stephens, Professor Nikki Turner, Associate Professor Sarah-Jane Paine, Dr Avataeao Junior Ulu, Dr Hana O’Regan, Amanda Coulston, Jess Berentson-Shaw, MPs Carmel Sepuloni, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Kassie Hartendorp. Journalist and commentator Bernard Hickey will be the conference rapporteur.

    The conference opens on Thursday 21 November 2024 at 5 pm with the JD Stout Memorial Lecture from Rebecca Macfie, and then runs from 9 am to 5 pm on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 November. A full programme can be viewed here.  https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/stout-centre/about/events/poverty-by-design-addressing-the-systemic-causes-of-poverty-and-options-for-change

    Venue:  
    Lecture Theatre 1
    Rutherford House
    Pipitea Campus
    Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Nursing students rally across the country

    Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

    On Saturday (19 October), New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) nursing students take their struggle to the streets calling on the Government to invest in their futures with paid training.
    Students need assistance while they study but are being ignored and exploited by those in charge, NZNO spokesperson and former National Student Unit co-chair Shannyn Bristowe says.
    They are given no additional financial help during clinical placements which sees them working full time without pay for up to 12 weeks – and often away from their hometown, she says.
    “Existing student allowances aren’t enough to cover even the most basic necessities.
    “Tauira (students) are stressed both financially and mentally. They are living in sheds, in cars, or in cramped, temporary spaces, just to get by. Some can’t afford to keep the lights on or put kai on the table for their whānau. The financial burden of studying weighs heavily on us all, forcing some of us to make impossible choices between paying bills, buying food, or continuing our education.
    “This burden is even heavier for Tauira Māori, as existing inequities create additional barriers, leading to the continued under-representation of Māori in the nursing workforce.
    “This is the reality we face every day. And we endure it because we want to serve, we want to help, we want to be the faces of care for our communities.”
    Ms Bristowe says with a high student drop-out rate of 33 percent, paid training is essential to keep students focused on studying and professional development instead of perpetually struggling.
    “Aotearoa cannot wait. Our people need nurses who are well-prepared, culturally safe, and emotionally resilient. Nurses who have not been broken by the journey to get there but have been supported along the way.
    “We ask the Government: Is this not a worthy investment? Because this isn’t just about us-it’s about the health and future of Aotearoa. We’ll be calling on the public to support us by signing our petition to the Government calling for paid training,” Ms Bristowe says.
    Rallies take place at nine centres across the country.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Priorities set for Retirement Villages Act review

    Source: New Zealand Government

    E te huru mā, haramai e noho. E tu te huru pango, hanatu e haere.

    The coalition Government is progressing mahi in the Retirement Villages Act 2003 review and focusing it on the areas of highest importance, Associate Minister of Housing Tama Potaka and Seniors Minister Casey Costello announced today.

    “It’s clear based on the over 11,000 public submissions received in 2023 during consultation that there are some areas with high levels of agreement,” says Mr Potaka.

    “These areas include updating the Act to bring it in line with sector best practice, strengthening transparency such as introducing a plain language version of the Code of Practice, and looking at changes to increase protections for residents, for example restricting operators from passing on insurance excesses to residents if the damage was not their fault. 

    “Additionally, I have agreed the next steps of the review should focus on three key priority areas that support residents. These involve receiving advice on:

    • Maintenance and repairs of operator-owned chattels and fixtures. 
    • Managing complaints and disputes.
    • Options for incentivising or requiring earlier capital repayments when residents move out of a village.

    “The objectives of the review remain the same including ensuring adequate consumer protection, balancing the rights and responsibilities of operators and residents, and ensuring the ongoing viability of the sector.

    “The continuation of the Retirement Village Act review reflects the coalition Government’s agreement to work with the sector and safeguard the interests of the residents living in retirement villages.

    “I expect to receive a series of briefings and kōrero from agencies next year, before seeking Cabinet agreement for legislative change in 2026. At this stage, any amendment Bill will likely be introduced in the next Parliamentary term,” Mr Potaka says.

    “New Zealand’s population is ageing and it’s essential we have a range of housing options available for older people,” Ms Costello says.

    “Retirement villages play an important role in this mix, and around two-thirds of them also provide aged care facilities, so we need to continue the review and to get it right.”

    It is estimated that more than 53,000 people currently live in retirement villages and the industry forecasts that close to 113,000 retirees will be wanting to live in this type of accommodation by 2048.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update – homicide inquiry, Te Awamutu

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Enquiries into the death of a man in Te Awamutu overnight are continuing this afternoon.

    The two people arrested at the scene have now been released, however continue to assist us with our enquiries.

    A post-mortem examination will take place on Friday and Police expect this will inform next steps.

    However, we can confirm we are currently not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter. 

    Police are still working to ascertain the full circumstances of what occurred, and would like to speak to anyone who might have witnessed this incident who has not yet come forward.

    If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 241016/0455.

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

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Transport – Trucking firms weathering tough economic conditions

    Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

    The latest economic data shows the road transport industry continues to meet market demand, despite tougher economic times, and most companies are successfully withstanding rising costs.
    Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Interim Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says that transport operators have shown remarkable resilience in the face of challenging economic conditions.
    “While it’s clearly not easy out there, we believe there is no cause for alarm. It’s a case of operators having to do what they need to do to weather the current downturn before the economy gradually moves up a gear and gets in better shape.”
    “It’s important for operators to keep a keen eye on costs and pass increases on to customers when necessary, and to take advantage of best price offers for fuel and other services. Transporting New Zealand can help with all of those challenges.”
    Recently released economic data confirms this tough picture for the industry. The latest Transporting New Zealand/Grant Thornton Transport Cost Index (TCI) for the quarter ending June 2024 with forecasting to September 2024, shows transport costs outpacing CPI inflation.
    “The TCI increased by 8.2% in the 12 months to June 2024, with CPI sitting at 3.3% during the same period. While it’s great to see general inflation coming down, there are still real cost pressures facing road freight operators when setting their rates.” Dom Kalasih says.
    “The only TCI cost category coming down over the June 2024 quarter was fuel, with all other categories apart from RUC increasing. That means costs like insurance, tyres, overheads and interest are all going up”.
    These cost increases have combined with falling monthly demand to put the squeeze on some freight operators. The latest ANZ Truckometer data revealed a monthly fall in September for the Heavy Traffic (down 1.8%). However, it was 0.6% higher than a year ago (based on a three-month average). Light traffic was 1.1% lower. ANZ commented “The overall signal regarding economic activity remains weak.”
    Motor Industry Association (MIA) data for September 2024 and for the year to the end of September shows a mixed picture. Heavy commercial vehicle sales were down on 2023 (minus 2.30%) but up on 2022 (plus 7.95%). Monthly sales for September 2024 (585) were lower than last year (724).
    Transporting New Zealand encourages any members under pressure to contact their team for support.
    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 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road Safety – Local Crash Survivor wins award for contribution to road safety

    Source: Road Safety Education

    NZ Steel recognises contribution to road safety in Palmerston North. Since 2007, over 115,000 students in New Zealand have participated in the country’s largest, best practise road safety education programme, RYDA. 
    At all of these workshops 7-8 different facilitators run interactive sessions with the students and each year NZ Steel, Road Safety Education’s (RSE) co-founding partner, recognises one of these facilitators for the outstanding contribution they make towards helping to save lives and reduce road trauma through their work.

    On Monday 23rd September Palmerston North based facilitator Juliette Wilson was presented with this year’s NZ Steel Supporting Excellence Facilitator Award.  Juliette, herself a victim in a road crash in 2005, takes leave from her full-time job to facilitate a crash investigation with students.  

    Using her own lived experience as a case study she bravely helps students unpack her crash and helps them identify all the different crash factors which contributed to her injuries, enabling them to understand how crashes happen and come up with strategies to help avoid similar crashes happening to them.

    Juliette has been assisting with the programme since 2015 facilitating RYDA sessions across the Lower North Island. “If I can change the mindset of just one rangatahi by sharing my story, then I’ve saved a life—one more than I had the day before speaking to them.” She graciously accepted her award in front of over 50 parents attending a new parent programme (Drive Coach) also run by RSE and designed to support the RYDA youth programme.

    RYDA, an evidence-led best practice programme, has been delivered to high school students in New Zealand  since 2007, with over 115,000 students taking part since it began. RYDA is developed and provided by RSE, a not for profit and leading learning organisation operating throughout Australia and New Zealand.  With a commitment to best practice in road safety education, their facilitators are highly trained and receive fantastic feedback from students and teachers alike.

    NZ Steel has been a founding partner of RSE since 2007 and through their support have enabled the programme to expand from an initial few schools around Auckland to now reaching over 170 nationally from Kaitaia to Invercargill.  As part of their partnership, they sponsor the NZ Steel Supporting Excellence in Road Safety Education Facilitator Award each year.  Ms Vicki Woodley, Manager External Affairs says,” We would like to congratulate Juliette on her well-deserved award and thank her for her wonderful contribution over almost a decade.  The impact of sharing her own personal story to raise awareness to help young people stay safe on our roads is truly amazing.

    Youth road trauma in NZ

    In the past 5 years the 15-19 year old group continue to be over-presented in the overall road trauma statistics.  Below is road deaths for the past 5 years for 15-19 year olds.

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024 (to date)

    28

    28

    35

    38

    23

     

    Drivers are at their highest risk of being involved in a crash during their first year of driving unsupervised. A range of factors have been linked to the higher rate of injuries and deaths caused by young drivers. These include driver inexperience, risky driving behaviours such as speeding, driving while fatigued, driving without a seatbelt and driving smaller and/or older vehicles with fewer safety features.  The risk of crashing diminishes with experience plus the development of decision-making and resilience skills so they can recognise risky situations and make safer choices.

    RYDA aims to address this over-representation of youths in general, through targeted, customised learning that addresses attitudes to road use, and creates positive normative behaviour in youths right at the time they are preparing for driving themselves, and are more likely to be the passengers of novice drivers.

    The RSE’s facilitators ability to bring this to life for students and positively engage with them so they adopt behaviour change strategies going forward is critical to them getting the best outcomes from the programme. The NZ Steel Supporting Excellence Facilitator Award is a great way they can recognise excellence and celebrate the efforts of the more than 100 different facilitators who assist with the programme.

    About RSE and the RYDA programme

    RYDA is Australasia’s largest and longest running road safety education program for high school students. Since 2001, over 800,000 students have participated in the program, including over 115,000 in New Zealand since 2007.  RYDA aims to empower students with the strategies, tools and resilience to make good decisions on the road, as both drivers and passengers. For more information, visit http://www.rse.org.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Open Polytechnic to co-host 2025 30th ICDE World Conference in Wellington

    Source: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Mayor to promote Auckland in key international markets

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is embarking on official visits to Brazil and China aimed at increasing trade and fostering relations between New Zealand’s largest city and countries with a combined population of over 1.6 billion.

    He will be supporting senior delegations of Auckland-based business leaders seeking to promote their products in these key markets.

    The potential creation of a dedicated passenger and freight air link between Asia, Auckland and South America – the Southern Cross trade connection, also known as Southern Link – will be a key discussion point on both legs.

    “Trade between China and Brazil totals around $490 billion annually – there is a huge opportunity for Auckland to tap into that with an air link that stops here and allows our businesses to get their products into these markets reliably, quickly and cost-effectively,” Mayor Brown said.

    “This is all about driving new investment in Auckland and helping companies based here to tap into export opportunities.

    “We have to be proactive and unapologetic about reaching out, building links and letting the world know that Auckland is a thriving and progressive place that welcomes trade and investment.

    “I’m very pleased to have a number of Auckland-based business leaders joining me at their own expense who see value and opportunity in taking our city to the world.

    “Modern Auckland is a cultural melting pot – we are a Pacific city in Asia, with more than 170,000 people who identify as Chinese alone living here. It’s important to keep reinforcing that we are proud, outward-looking people wanting to participate in the world around us.”

    The Mayor is well-acquainted with both countries, having been to Brazil on several occasions and written a book that was translated into Portuguese and sold well in Brazil. He has also led business delegations to China while he had his own interests.

    In 2008, he was invited by then-Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark to travel to Beijing for the signing of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, where a particular highlight was attending the formal lunch to celebrate the signing with Premier Wen Jiabao.

    He is an official invited guest of the New Zealand Government whilst in Brazil, departing October 20 and returning October 25. It will be the first time an Auckland Mayor has made an official visit to Brazil, with a population well in excess of 200 million.

    He will accompany Trade Minister Todd McClay to a bilateral meeting with the Vice-Governor of São Paulo and participate in an economic and business briefing.

    There will also be a roundtable event hosted by NZ Trade and Enterprise, a partnership signing between New Zealand companies and their Brazilian customers and a NZ Business Technology Showcase featuring local companies in the technology and manufacturing sectors.

    The Mayor will return to Auckland before travelling to China on 31 October, leading a delegation of New Zealand business leaders for a series of official events.

    It will be the first time in five years an official delegation from Auckland has gone to China – New Zealand’s biggest export market worth more than $20 billion annually.

    He will have meetings with members of the Hainan Government in Haikou, support Auckland businesses exhibiting at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, meet the China Chamber of Commerce in Ningbo, meet the Mayor of Ningbo and speak at a function in Guangzhou recognising 35 years of Auckland’s sister city relationship.

    While in Guangzhou, the Mayor will visit Auckland companies with operations there, including Zuru, before attending the International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Development Conference in Chengdu at the invitation of the Sichuan Government.

    The Mayor will be taking a particular interest in China’s approach to rapid infrastructure development – noting it has rolled out 46,000km of high-speed rail in under 20 years – and will look for opportunities for Auckland to benefit from better, faster and cheaper delivery methods.

    He will stop briefly in Tokyo en-route back to Auckland for a meeting with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and attend part of the 50th Japan-New Zealand Business Council Conference before returning to Auckland on 17 November.

    The travel has been approved by the chair of council’s audit committee and complies with council rules. One Mayoral Office staff member will accompany the Mayor on each leg and the total cost is expected to be around $75,000, with business delegates meeting their own travel costs.

    Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson will be Acting Mayor in Mayor Brown’s absence.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass and Rotokare Scenic Reserve welcome striped skinks to Taranaki

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Rotokare Scenic Reserve, in South Taranaki, has today welcomed a new resident: the elusive striped skink – with the support of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger project partner Ngāti Tama and local mana whenua Ngāti Tupaia.

    This vulnerable taonga species now has a new home, thanks to a partnership between the Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust and Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass project.

    The striped skink (Oligosoma striatum), known for its lightning-quick movements and distinctive pale stripes, is one of the country’s most cryptic and scarcely sighted lizards.

    The team from the Mt Messenger Bypass project has constructed a temporary holding area at Rotokare Scenic Reserve for any striped skinks discovered during the project’s construction.

    The area will provide a safe environment where the skinks can acclimatise to their new surroundings before exploring the broader reserve through the treetops.

    Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust Conservation Manager Fiona Gordon says striped skinks haven’t been found during formal lizard surveys at Rotokare, but it’s believed they were once present as they’ve been located in pockets around South Taranaki.

    “We are excited to offer a safe home for this at-risk skink species in a space completely free of rodents, one of their main predators,” she says.

    So far three striped skinks have been encountered during Te Ara o Te Ata’s work in Parininihi. Specialist ecologists relocated them to Auckland Zoo temporarily, ahead of rehoming at Rotokare. Any further striped skinks found by the project will be transferred directly to Rotokare.

    The Trust is also working with the Department of Conservation to secure a permit to transfer further striped skinks from other locations across Taranaki if needed. It is hoped that skinks will flourish in their new home, creating a secure population in South Taranaki.

    About the striped skink

    Native to New Zealand, these reptiles are usually found in lowland forests, farmland, and swamps, where they live everywhere from the forest canopy to leaf litter on the forest floor. They are currently listed on the Department of Conservation’s Threat Classification System as ‘At Risk – Declining,’ However, accurate population monitoring remains a challenge due to their secretive habits.

    About Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust

    The 230-hectare Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust is a community-led conservation organisation dedicated to the preservation and restoration of native biodiversity within the predator-free Rotokare Scenic Reserve, located in South Taranaki.

    About Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass

    Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass is a major roading project designed to improve safety and efficiency on State Highway 3 in northern Taranaki. Alongside its construction objectives, the project includes comprehensive environmental initiatives aimed at protecting local ecosystems.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Smoother travels coming on State Highway 6 Kohatu-Kawatiri Highway in Tasman

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Drivers can expect smoother journeys on State Highway 6 – Kohatu-Kawatiri, with the road to undergo reconstruction next month.

    The work is part of the $147 million 2024/27 National Land Transport Programme investment in state highways across the top of the South Island.

    Contractors will be on the job near Tunnicliff Bridge, between Motupiko and Korere, for six weeks beginning Monday 29 October. The work will continue through to Friday 6 December. 

    Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says many residents and drivers are looking forward to seeing this part of State Highway 6 fixed.  

    “We’ve previously carried out a number of temporary patches on this section of road, but the pavement has reached the end of its life. We’re getting in now to do long-term repairs, making the highway safer and travel easier.” 

    For the first three weeks (29 October to 15 November) the work will be carried out during the day from Monday to Friday under stop/go traffic controls. Drivers will need to factor in around 15-minute delays through the area.

    Between 18 and 29 November, the highway will be closed during the day between Motupiko and Korere due to the narrowness of the Tunnicliffe Bridge section of the road. A local road detour will be available during this time, but drivers must allow an extra 20 minutes of travel time.

    From 2 to 6 December, the site will return to daytime stop/go as road crews tidy up and disestablish the site.

    Rob Service says temporary speed limits will be in place to keep road crews and drivers safe while the repairs are underway.

    “We understand it will be a significant disruption this for many people who live on and drive on this road, including people travelling between the West Coast, Tasman and Nelson.”

    “However, it’s a case of short-term pain for long-term gain. Investing in road reconstruction like this significantly reduces the roadworks the highway will need in the future. Yes, there will be delays now – but looking ahead, drivers can expect a much easier drive,” Mr Service says.

    He acknowledges that roadworks occur more frequently during spring, summer, and early autumn and affect people’s travel – but that is the best time to do major roadworks.

    “Road reconstruction and re-sealing must be done during the warmer, drier months. It can’t be done during winter when the weather is wet and cold. Not if you want the work to be durable and effective.”

    “And Mr Service says every effort is being made to minimise disruption for the public

    We’ve timed the work to begin after Labour Weekend and have it completed before the busy Christmas holiday season. That means the road will be clear when traffic is at its busiest.”

    Works schedule

    • Work is from Tuesday, 29 October, to Friday, 6 December 2024.
    • Working hours: 7:00 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday (no night-time or weekend work).
    • Stop/go controls and a reduced temporary speed limit in place from Tuesday, 29 October, to Friday 15 November. Expect delays of up to 15 minutes.
    • Full road closure in place from Monday, 18 November, to Friday, 29 November between Motupiko and Korere.
    • Detour via Korere-Tophouse Rd, Kerr Hill Rd, Stock Rd, and Wai-iti Valley Rd. Traffic lights and 30km/hr speed restrictions will be in place at Jansens Bridge on Kerr Hill Rd. The detour is suitable for all vehicles but approval for permitted vehicles (e.g. O/W or HPMV) will be required from Tasman District Council.
    • Allow an extra 20-minutes travel time for your journey.
    • The site will reopen outside work hours under a reduced temporary speed limit.
    • Traffic management will remain in place during weekends and nights (between 5.30 PM and 7:00 AM Monday to Friday).
    • Access through the works zone will be available for residents, businesses, and emergency services.
    • From Monday, 2 December to Friday, 6 December the site will return to stop/go and a reduced temporary speed limit between 7.00 am and 5.30 pm to allow crews to tidy up and disestablish the site.

    Download PDF containing both maps above [PDF, 2.2 MB]

    Summer maintenance season – tips and advice

    • Drivers need to be aware other summer maintenance and resilience works are happening around the region including on State Highway 6 between Nelson and West Coast. Drivers should check road conditions before they travel as knowing when and where roadworks are happening means you can time your travel to avoid them or allow extra time for your trip.”
    • Whenever you come to a worksite, remember that our road workers are doing their best to complete their work and keep you moving. Please be respectful and follow their advice and instructions.

    More Information

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Defence News – HMNZS Manawanui update

    Source: New Zealand Defence Force

    Below is the latest update on HMNZS Manawanui.
     

    • Three containers from the ship remain out on the reef. The team has emptied one of the containers and one was already empty.
    • The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) task group ashore and Maritime NZ have confirmed that so far no pollution has been found on the shorelines, nor any deceased wildlife.
    • The NZDF continues to conduct daily beach surveys together with local authorities and have not found any evidence of pollution or fuel affecting the shoreline. 
    • RNZAF uncrewed aerial vehicles have been assisting with shoreline surveys.
    • Diving continues with a focus on damage assessment and obtaining imagery to aid in the investigation and containment.
    • An RNZAF P-8A Poseidon and crew have conducted several surveillance flights to provide imagery and assessments of the site.
    • Tomorrow HMNZS Canterbury will arrive in Apia harbour to support the Government of Samoa’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The ship is also transporting equipment that can assist in our ongoing response.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government News – Retirement Commissioner welcomes commitment to complete the Retirement Villages Act review

    Source: Retirement Commissioner

     

    The Retirement Commissioner is pleased to see the Government’s commitment to progress the review of the Retirement Villages Act 2003.

     

    Associate Minister for Housing Tama Potaka and Seniors Minister Casey Costello announced today (Wednesday) that the Government is taking a more focused approach to the review including considering three priority areas relating to:

     

    • maintenance and repairs of operator-owned chattels and fixtures
    • managing complaints and disputes
    • options for incentivising or requiring earlier capital repayment when residents move out of a village.

     

    This comes following analysis of more than 11,000 submissions on a discussion paper developed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development which tabled a raft of proposals relating to retirement village living.

     

    Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson says the three areas of focus align to the issues that she’s seen regularly raised over the years and part of what she’s been advocating to see updated in the legislation.

     

    “There are longstanding issues that need to be resolved with a holistic look at the system. Changes will ultimately be good, not just for the residents, but those in the industry as well,” she says.

     

    “Having a fit for purpose, independent complaints scheme for example, will help take the onus off village managers from trying to resolve the messier disputes and provide a safety valve for both parties.

     

    “Providing some form of payment to residents or their families, while waiting for the License to Occupy to sell, whether in the form of interest or the capital sum minus the deferred management fee, may make the lives of village managers easier. Villages will deal with fewer distressed families who aren’t sure how they can pay for their parent’s rest-home care.”

     

    The Retirement Commissioner first called for a review of the legislation following the release of her white paper published in 2020 and the response to submissions received in 2021.

     

    “Retirement villages remain an attractive choice for some older New Zealanders, providing a sense of community and a quality option for those who wish to downsize,” says the Retirement Commissioner.

     

    “I look forward to a speedy resolution to address the most significant concerns we have with the current legislation and see the consumer protections for residents strengthened.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Great South Road, Manukau

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on Great South Road near Ryan Place, Manukau. 

    Initial indications are there have been serious injuries. 

    Traffic management is in place while emergency services work at the scene.

    Motorists, please avoid the area, or expect delays.

    ENDS 

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Engaging rangatahi back into active recreation

    Source: Weekend Express/Rātā Foundation

    Rates of rangatahi youth participating in active recreation have fallen by 6% since Covid, according to research by Active NZ.
    Sport Tasman hopes to turn that statistic around with targeted approach programmes like Marlborough-based Ngahi Foha oe Moana Pasifika that link with the values and interests of young people and encourage them to go back into active recreation.
    South Island funder Rātā Foundation supports the programme through its rangatahi partnership with Sport Tasman.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Homicide – Te Awamutu

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have a homicide investigation underway after a man died overnight in Te Awamutu.

    Police and Hato Hone St John were called to a disorder incident on Te Rahu Road near Picquet Road at about 11:45pm where the victim was located unconscious. Despite receiving immediate medical treatment, he sadly died at the scene shortly after Police arrival.

    Police have arrested a 27-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman at the scene and they were taken into custody without incident.

    They are now assisting Police with our investigation and charges are being considered.

    A scene examination is underway and traffic management is in place to divert traffic from the area.

    Police are very early in our investigation and our focus is on establishing the circumstances leading into the incident and to support the victim’s family.

    Police cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests as the investigation progresses.

    We appreciate this will be concerning to the community and they can expect to see an increased police presence in the area.

    Anyone with information which they think may be of assistance to the Police investigation, please update us online now  or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 241016/0455.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Welfare traffic light system off to good start

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Data from the first full calendar month of the Government’s welfare traffic light system shows more beneficiaries are doing what is required of them, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.

    A total of 331,530 people were in the system at the end of September due to having work-related or social obligations attached to their benefits. About 98 per cent had green lights for fulfilling those obligations, while about two per cent, or 5922 people, were idling at the orange and red lights for not taking the steps required to continue receiving payments, such as finding or preparing for work.

    The total number of obligation failures recorded in September was 6975 and the total number of benefit sanctions applied was 4662. This compares to 7491 obligation failures and 5268 sanctions recorded in August.

    “The traffic light system makes it easier for beneficiaries to understand their obligations and when they’re not meeting them. While it’s early days, it’s encouraging to see a drop in the number of people failing to uphold their benefit obligations with this new warning system in place,” Louise Upston says.

    The numbers also showed about 98 per cent of those failing their obligations and receiving sanctions were work-ready job seekers.

    “The Government has been clear that beneficiaries who are motivated to find work will get our full support, but we won’t tolerate those who are receiving a Jobseeker benefit and aren’t seeking a job,” Louise Upston says.

    “There is responsibility that comes with receiving a benefit. These obligations aren’t difficult to comply with and reflect the expectations of most hardworking New Zealanders whose taxes go towards benefit payments.

    “If someone can’t find a job, their benefits will not be cut. We are merely asking people who can work to be available for jobs and out there looking.”

    The traffic light system began on August 12 with the introduction of a new warning system for the existing benefit sanctions regime. Beneficiaries now see their colour status when they receive correspondence from MSD and log into their MyMSD.

    The system will be expanded next year as part of the Government’s wider welfare reforms to include new non-financial sanctions and increased accountability for those who repeatedly fail to comply with their benefit obligations. This will occur alongside a new requirement for those on Jobseeker Support to reapply every six months to continue receiving payments.

    “Our government has greater aspirations for New Zealanders than a life spent on welfare, which is why we have a plan to support people into work and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support benefits by 2030.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police investigating youth offending in Christchurch

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Canterbury Metro Area Commander Superintendent Lane Todd:

    Police are investigating after there were several serious incidents involving youth offenders in Christchurch overnight.

    The first incident occurred not long before 6pm outside a gym in Wigram, where a vehicle was stolen. Shortly after four young people threatened to take another person’s vehicle outside a store in Hornby.

    Just before 10pm, a 17-year-old man stepped off a bus on Mackworth Street in Woolston and a vehicle described as a Toyota Aqua attempted to drive at him. One of the offenders then got out of the vehicle and confronted the victim and attempted to take his phone.

    Around 45 minutes later on Skyhawk Road in Wigram, a group of young people has threatened a member of the public before taking off with their cell phone and dog. They then tried to drive their vehicle toward the victim. The dog has since been located.

    Following this serious incident, there was a burglary at a vape shop on Stanmore Road at about 4:36am where the offenders have smashed their way into the store, however, they fled as Police arrived and drove off in such a dangerous manner that Police were unable to initiate a pursuit.

    Early enquiries lead Police to believe that all of these incidents are linked however work to fully establish this is ongoing. We now have a number of officers working to identify and locate the people involved.

    This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will ensure they are held accountable for their dangerous and reckless actions which has left a number of victims extremely shaken. We will be ensuring they receive Victim Support alongside ongoing police support.

    We have our Scene of Crime Officers carrying out forensic examinations at the relevant scenes and of vehicles of interest that have been located.

    Anyone with information which they think may be of assistance to the Police investigation, please update us online now  or call 105.

    Please use the reference number P060294419.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rotoiti a step away from reaping roroa translocation rewards

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Date:  16 October 2024

    It’s Save the Kiwi Week (14-20 October), the perfect time to highlight the work of the Friends of Rotoiti to grow the roroa population at the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project mainland island within Nelson Lakes National Park.

    DOC Biodiversity Supervisor Ricki Mitchell says the volunteer group provides massive support for DOC’s work.

    “The Friends of Rotoiti have invested a significant amount of time to support trapping efforts and help drive kiwi restoration work here. 

    “Thanks to their work, the future for roroa in the mainland island is bright. This is quite a contrast to 20 years ago, when there were no kiwi whatsoever in Nelson Lakes National Park.”

    Friends of Rotoiti chairperson Wayne Sowman is an integral part of the Great Spotted Kiwi Project and making the mainland island safe for roroa release.

    “I had the privilege of helping DOC take transmitters off three of the founder kiwi in 2018. It was thrilling. We took a transmitter off a male, who was found with two females and two chicks, and we found a female in a burrow with a male whose transmitter had fallen off,” Wayne says.

    “Although COVID slowed things down, an aerial predator control operation in 2020 meant mustelid numbers were low enough for more roroa introductions, so we translocated eight from Kahurangi National Park in 2023.

    “Friends of Flora, who do conservation work in Kahurangi, have provided incredible support with the translocations. They’ve helped to guide and plan translocations and supported us on the ground.

    “Recent funding from Save the Kiwi Charitable Trust has allowed us to do acoustic surveys and find vacant territories and suitable sites for the release of new roroa in the mainland island.”

    Wayne says the plan is to have one last translocation early next year.

    “We plan to add 11 more kiwi into the mainland island early next year, bringing the number of ‘founder’ roroa up to 40, which is the number required to establish a healthy, genetically-diverse population.”

    He says introducing roroa is hard work but extremely rewarding.

    “I hope these great results will encourage people to take up conservation. We at the Friends of Rotoiti would be delighted for more people to join us.

    “It’s been a long journey but a great privilege to see roroa thrive in the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project.”

    Ricki says that underpinning this story is iwi and hapū, from Tasman to the West Coast, who have supported the translocation of roroa between rohe.

    “The partnerships between iwi and hapū, the Friends and DOC is pivotal to success of this project.”

    Background information

    The largest of our kiwi species, the threatened great spotted kiwi/roroa mainly live at higher altitudes in some South Island national parks.

    Despite their size, roroa chicks are still vulnerable to stoats, particularly during South Island beech mast conditions. Roroa are also slow breeders and only lay one egg per season. Both parents incubate the egg.

    In the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project mainland island, the total number of roroa is unknown as they don’t have transmitters. Call counts are invalid as roroa in this area don’t tend to call much. However, since they were introduced in the early 2000s, the ‘founder’ birds have reproduced and the mainland island has a breeding population. 

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Apology following wrongful conviction of Alan Hall

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    The Commissioner of Police, Andrew Coster, met with Alan Hall to apologise for shortcomings in the investigation that saw him wrongfully convicted of murder in 1985.

    Mr Hall spent 19 years in prison for the murder of Arthur Easton before his conviction was quashed by the Supreme Court in 2022. 

    Last month Police charged three men in relation to the wrongful conviction.

    “This week I met with Alan and his family and apologised on behalf of NZ Police for the shortcomings in our original investigation that led to his wrong conviction,” Commissioner Coster says.

    “I am grateful to Alan and his family, who have been a great support to him, for meeting with me and accepting our apology.

    “Police continue to investigate. As matters pertaining to this case are still before the court it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further.”

    Family statement – to be attributed to Geoff Hall:

    “Alan really appreciates and thanks the Commissioner and the investigation teams for meeting with him.

    “His apology marks another milestone for Alan and our family in acknowledging the injustices of the past.

    “Our family appreciates the work the Police have committed to these investigations.”

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Malnutrition in women and girls costs $1.6 trillion annually: World Vision urges action for World Food Day

    Source: World Vision

    • Two thirds of children under five are living in food poverty in low and middle-income countries, with one in three living in severe poverty only consuming milk and grain every day
    • Girls are 40-50% more likely to die in infancy and childhood than boys because parents prioritise nutrition and medical care for sons over daughters 
    • Anaemia in low-and middle-income countries is costing women and girls $110 billion2 in lost productivity. Without the effects of stunting and anaemia, 15.8 million more girls would complete secondary school every year 
    • In NZ, there is an estimated loss of $897m in income from malnutrition
    • Ultra-processed foods now make up 80% of diets in high-income countries and 30% in middle income countries, adding additional complexity to a global nutrition crisis 
    • Without change more than three million girls will die in the next four years due to low birthweight and Vitamin A deficiencies.

    Malnutrition in women and girls costs the global economy more than $1.6 trillion annually in lost productivity, according to a disturbing new report from aid agency, World Vision.

    The report, Breaking the Cycle: Malnutrition’s Toll on Women and Girls, is launched ahead of World Food Day (October 16th) and underscores the urgent need for action to address a global nutrition crisis.  

    The research reveals that women and adolescent girls comprise nearly two-thirds of the world’s chronically malnourished, with more than one billion suffering from various forms of malnutrition.  

    World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Fragile and Developing Countries, Belinda Robb, says girls’ malnutrition weakens their immune system, heightens disease, and leads to higher mortality rates.

    She says it is a pervasive global crisis with far-reaching implications, affecting their education, future earnings, and increasing their likelihood to experience violence and stress.  

    “This report highlights the enormous costs of malnutrition to girls and women worldwide, and the urgency needed to address it. We need to invest in essential nutrition and address systemic issues in food production so we can enhance health, expand educational opportunities, and improve economic outcomes for millions of women and girls to ensure a healthier, more equitable future for future generations.”

    Currently, two thirds of children under five in low- and middle-income countries live in food poverty, with a third of these subsisting on a diet limited to milk and grain each day.  

    Robb says without significant intervention, hundreds of thousands of infants are expected to die from low birth weight, and 2.5 million girls could die due to Vitamin A deficiencies.  

    Globally, women face a higher risk of food insecurity than men, with a widening gender gap evident in Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.  

    Undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and anaemia predominantly affect women and girls in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In some countries, the prioritization of nutrition and medical care for boys over girls reveals a tragic truth: girls are 40-50% more likely to die in infancy and childhood than boys.

    Globally, 30% of girls and women globally are suffering from anaemia, which has a wealth of negative health implications for women and girls. Maternal iron deficiency and anaemia can increase the risk of maternal death from haemorrhage, causes low birth weight in infants, and impairs child development. Anaemia also harms women’s productivity and their ability to generate income, reducing the health and quality of life for millions of women and future generations.

    Malnutrition, particularly anaemia, costs children and women $110 billion in lost productivity in low- and middle-income countries. Without the impacts of stunting and anaemia, an additional 15.8 million girls could complete secondary school each year.  

    World Vision’s Advocacy lead, Dana Buzducea, says many families turn to child labour to provide short-term economic relief, but this traps girls in a cycle of low-incomes and chronic food insecurity.

    “The number of people going to bed hungry and living with the long-term effects of malnutrition shot-up during the pandemic and have not dropped. This is after years of success in reducing hunger.  People who cannot feed their children are left with little choice but to leave their countries and seek survival elsewhere,” she says.  

    Buzducea says the nutrition crisis is not just an issue in low-income countries either.  Since the 1990s, poverty among girls has risen in more than half of OECD countries, trapping many in a cycle of poverty and malnutrition that threatens the next generation.  

    She says ultra-processed foods now make up 80% of diets in high-income countries and 30 per cent in middle income countries, causing a plethora of health issues.  

    World Vision is calling on governments, organisations, and individuals to unite in combating malnutrition and advocating for the rights and health of women and girls globally.  

    To help ensure a girl has the nutrition she needs to survive and thrive, visit: https://www.worldvision.org.nz/give-now/sponsor-a-child/#choose  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Annual inflation at 2.2 percent – Stats NZ media and information release: Consumers price index: September 2024 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Annual inflation at 2.2 percent – 16 October 2024 – New Zealand’s consumers price index increased 2.2 percent in the September 2024 quarter, compared with the September 2023 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    The 2.2 percent annual increase follows a 3.3 percent annual increase in the June 2024 quarter.

    “For the first time since March 2021, annual inflation is within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s target band of 1 to 3 percent. Prices are still rising, but not as much as previously recorded,” consumer prices manager Nicola Growden said.

    Higher rent prices was the biggest contributor to the annual inflation rate, up 4.5 percent. Almost a fifth of the 2.2 percent annual increase in the CPI was due to rent prices.

    Visit our website to read this news story and information release and to download CSV files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Southland Police acknowledge sentencing in intimate visual recordings case

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Southland Police acknowledge the recent guilty plea and sentencing of a 54-year-old man, who was charged with making numerous intimate visual recordings of several victims over a five-year period.

    The man was sentenced on 9 October to 10.5 months home detention and ordered to pay $3000 emotional harm payment to each of the victims.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Nicholas Leigh says Police were able to hold this serious offending to account largely thanks to the help of the victims.

    “The bravery of the women who came forward to assist in the prosecution of this offender cannot be overstated.

    “While we are pleased with the guilty plea and sentencing in this instance, we are also mindful that offending around intimate visual recordings, blackmail and sextortion continues to be rife around the country.

    “We often see younger victims being coerced into sharing photos or videos of themselves, their school friends or their family. In time, these images can be used by offenders as blackmail with threats to post online, or share them with people close to the victim.”

    Detective Senior Sergeant Leigh urges parents and caregivers to discuss online safety with young people, and the importance of reporting any online offending. 

    “It pays to be vigilant with people you don’t know – whether that’s meeting online or in person.

    “Save any online chat, and immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the Police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.”

    To report this type of offending, please contact Police on 105, or an online report through Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz/report.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Environment – Greenpeace condemns rapid removal of freshwater protections by Government

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace is slamming the Government for proceeding with a controversial bill to strip back freshwater protections, which passed its second reading late last night.
    Greenpeace freshwater spokesperson Will Appelbe says, “New Zealanders value clean, swimmable lakes and rivers, and access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right.
    “By stripping away freshwater protections, the Government will undermine these key values that New Zealanders hold dear. Christopher Luxon’s coalition Government is positioning itself as anti-environment by putting commercial interests over the health of communities and ecosystems.”
    The Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill seeks to remove the requirement for resource consent applicants to comply with Te Mana o Te Wai, as well as removing restrictions on mud farming or intensive winter grazing.
    “Nobody wants to see cows giving birth knee-deep in mud. Nobody wants local streams choked with algal blooms or their tap water contaminated. But these are the real consequences of pushing this bill through Parliament,” says Appelbe.
    Already, many rural communities across the country, especially in Canterbury, are facing high levels of nitrate in their drinking water. A growing body of science shows that long-term exposure to levels of nitrate above 1 mg/L can lead to an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, and at levels above 5 mg/L, the New Zealand College of Midwives advises pregnant people to find an alternative water source due to an increased risk of preterm birth.
    “Greenpeace will continue to stand with communities and fight to end pollution of lakes, rivers, and drinking water at source. This means reducing the dairy herd, ending the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, and stopping new big irrigation schemes,” says Appelbe.
    Greenpeace is hosting a town hall meeting this Saturday in Rangiora to discuss the water pollution crisis in Canterbury – the hotspot of freshwater pollution in Aotearoa – and to support local communities in taking action on the issue. Additionally, more than twenty thousand people have signed a Greenpeace petition calling on the Government to leave New Zealand’s freshwater protections alone.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Water Safety – New Mangawhai Water Safety Ambassador

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    Following increased water activity in recent years, a new role dedicated to keeping people safe at several popular Northland marine areas is set to start in time for summer.
    From Labour Weekend Northland Regional Council’s (NRC) new Water Safety Ambassador will be out on the water in Mangawhai and surrounds, ensuring people are kept safe and practising good maritime behaviour.
    Experienced skipper and former Naval hydrographic technician, Barry Nielson, has taken up the new part-time position, working across Mangawhai, Waipu and Kai Iwi Lakes throughout the busy summer season until mid-February.
    Nielson said many people were now using areas like Mangawhai Harbour for kayaking, jet-skiing, and paddle boarding, which was causing the small area to become increasingly congested.
    After trialling last year’s pilot programme, he said he was confident he could make a difference and looked forward to doing his bit for the community.
    “I really want to make sure people have an enjoyable time out on the water, so I’m here to help educate people on where they can do their chosen activity in a safe manner,” he said.
    “Last year we had several people operating vessels they were unfamiliar with, or who had sailed into areas they thought were safe when they weren’t.
    “There’s also a compliance element to my role, so if people are not playing the game, I can gather their details and in conjunction with the harbour master, take some form of action.”
    One of the major issues Nielson said he was seeing was people not wearing life jackets on vessels six metres or smaller.
    “It’s actually a legal requirement to wear a life jacket on boats or vessels that size,” Nielson said.
    Another big issue was the lack of an assigned observer when someone was being towed behind a vessel, including personal watercraft (PWC) or jet skis.
    “Remember it takes three to ski. The skipper, observer and the person being towed.”
    In response to community feedback, NRC last year invested in a 4.6m catamaran patrol boat, a ‘Fat Cat’ design, named ‘Mangawhai’.
    NRC Deputy Harbourmaster – Operations Peter Thomas said Nielson’s vast maritime knowledge and experience, combined with the new vessel, made them the perfect combination for the role.
    “Prior to having the water safety ambassador, our harbour wardens were the only ones able to assist people or to intercept inappropriate behaviour sighted out on the water,” Thomas said.
    “Although they’ve been doing a great job, they’ve been land-based, which has meant limited ability to affect behaviour out on the water or to interact with people when they come ashore, which can be in several different locations.
    “After last year, we were able to realise more of an on-water service, which is a more effective method of maintaining control and being able to sort out any potential issues.”
    Nielson echoed Thomas’ comments and said he’d noticed once people spotted the unique vessel, there tended to be immediate compliance.
    “The Mangawhai is the perfect vessel, as it’s really short and stocky, is well-marked and stands out, so I have definitely seen how people respond to its presence.”
    Northland Regional Council Coastal South General councillor and long-time Langs Beach resident Rick Stolwerk said he wasn’t surprised to see more people coming to visit over the summer given the beauty of the area.
    He said he was therefore pleased to see the introduction of the new Water Safety Ambassador role to accommodate the growing need for an on-water presence.
    “As someone who is passionate about keeping our community safe, both on and off the water, I think this is a great initiative,” Cr Stolwerk said.
    “Our message to the community is, just be safe out there and look out for other water users operating in the same space.
    “If one person is not abiding by rules, that makes it difficult for everyone else, so just be mindful, respectful and considerate of others.”
    Things to remember when planning on going out in the water this summer:
    • Abide by all bylaws, including 5 knot rules
    • Life jackets must be worn by all people on a 6m (or smaller) vessel
    • Take two forms of communication to call for help
    • Check marine weather forecast
    • Avoid alcohol
    • Be a responsible skipper
    • Check all systems prior to heading out on the water.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business – New Zealand’s leading pre-loved fashion marketplace expands across the ditch to Australia

    Source: Designer Wardrobe

    Auckland, New Zealand – 16 October 2024 – Following significant growth, New Zealand’s leading two-way marketplace for pre-loved fashion, Designer Wardrobe, has officially launched in Australia to offer fashion-loving Aussies a more sustainable, affordable, and smarter way to shop and sell pre-loved fashion.

    With a thriving community of over 325,000 members using the marketplace, Designer Wardrobe will help Australians earn money with fashion pieces from their wardrobes that they no longer reach for and might otherwise remain unworn. Australians will also be able to enjoy more than 160,000 pre-loved fashion pieces from both Australian and New Zealand sellers, opening up the pre-loved market on both sides of the Tasman.

    With this latest move, Designer Wardrobe aims to help extend the life of thousands, if not millions, of fashion pieces and accessories, keeping them in active circulation and reducing the number of items that might otherwise end up in landfill.

    Designer Wardrobe’s launch comes at the perfect time, with industry insights revealing:

    • 300,000 tonnes of clothing in Australia either ends up in landfill or being exported each year;
    • 73 per cent of Australians already purchase pre-loved clothing;
    • Two-thirds of Australians are considering side hustles to make ends meet.

    Additional insights from Designer Wardrobe highlights:

    • Total sales traded on the marketplace increased 14 per cent year-on-year compared to the same period in 2023 (*1 January – 30 September 2024 v 1 January – 30 September 2023;
    • Over the same period of time*, Designer Wardrobe has seen 208,688 pieces sold – helping to reduce what may otherwise end up in landfill, And, almost half a million (469,320) listings have been created on Designer Wardrobe. 
    • Designer Wardrobe’s user base has reached an impressive 325,000, doubling since pre-Covid times (2020), with approximately 1 in 10 women in New Zealand now using the marketplace.  Additionally, the number of clothing items sold on the platform has increased more than fivefold during the same period, underscoring Kiwis’ growing enthusiasm for pre-loved fashion.

    Aidan Bartlett, CEO of Designer Wardrobe, says: “After 10 successful years in New Zealand, the growth we’ve experienced has been monumental, and we’re thrilled to now bring our thriving marketplace and community of fashion lovers to Australia.”

    “Global trend data highlights that there has been a significant surge in sustainable shopping trends, with consumers increasingly opting for smarter and more affordable fashion alternatives in response to rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.”

    According to GlobalData’s report for ThredUp, global sales of pre-owned clothing rose by 18 per cent last year, reaching $197 billion, and are projected to grow to $350 billion by 2028; And, second-hand clothing is projected to account for 10 per cent of global fashion sales, underscoring the rising demand for more sustainable shopping options.

    Bartlett continues: “At a time when many are seeking additional income streams and looking to make smarter fashion choices by purchasing pre-loved, Aussies can feel confident buying and selling through a trusted marketplace with thousands of active members.

    “Australians will have access to thousands of listings across both Australia and New Zealand, and Kiwis can also enjoy pieces from popular Australian brands like Aje, Shona Joy, Caitlin Crisp, Alemais, Bec + Bridge, and Sir the Label.

    “The average shopper can save up to 60 per cent off the original RRP of their favourite luxury, designer, and high-street brands. Even better, they can feel great about their smart purchasing decisions by extending the life of items they may otherwise end up in landfill.”

    “Our platform has always been about more than just buying and selling clothes; it’s about empowering our community to find value in what they own and to contribute to a more circular economy. It’s a win-win for both the wallet and the environment,” Bartlett adds.

    Just like in New Zealand, Aussies can shop with confidence using the Designer Wardrobe app or website. Every order comes with Purchase Protection, ensuring a secure experience. Sellers can list items for free and ship them to buyers via tracked courier. Once the item is received, the earnings are deposited into the seller’s DW Wallet, where they can be withdrawn at any time or used toward their next purchase.

    For more information about New Zealand’s largest community of pre-loved fashion enthusiasts, please visit http://www.designerwardrobe.co.nz

    About Designer Wardrobe

    Since its founding in 2014, Designer Wardrobe has experienced unprecedented growth, becoming a major player in the pre-loved fashion industry and forming New Zealand’s largest community of pre-loved fashion enthusiasts. The company’s purpose-built New Zealand-made marketplace platform is the go-to for 325,000 users to shop and sell pre-loved clothing and now facilitates around $1.6 million in transactions every month.

    Designer Wardrobe champions its customers’ needs, regularly launching innovative products, including seller add-ons, AI and an integrated resale widget, to create a seamless shopping and selling experience while promoting sustainability in New Zealand’s bustling fashion industry.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: West and Central Africa: About 10 million children forced out of schools by worst flooding in recent years

    Source: Save the Children

    About 10 million children across four countries in West and Central Africa are currently out of school due to massive regional flooding, which has damaged and destroyed infrastructure and displaced nearly one million people from their homes, said Save the Children.
    The unprecedented heavy rains across Nigeria, Mali, Niger and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have created a worsening education crisis with the damage or destruction of schools, the occupation of school buildings by displaced families, and the displacement of families away from schools. These kinds of extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe as a result of the climate crisis.
    While back-to-school season was expected to start at the end of September, all four countries are seeing masses of children missing out on the start of the school year. The 10 million children currently stuck at home or displaced due to floods are in addition to about 36 million children – of which over 20 million are in Nigeria – estimated to ,already be out of school in the four countries due to conflict and poverty according to the UN [1].
    At the end of September, Niger declared the postponement of the start of the school year for at least three weeks because of the floods, forcing 3.8 million learners out of school [2]. The floods have also leftover 5,520 classrooms in Niger damaged, destroyed, or occupied by displaced families [3].
    Earlier this month, Mali also declared a month’s postponement to the start of the school year. This nationwide decision is impacting some 3.8 million learners from primary and secondary schools [4].
    In Nigeria, at least 3 million children are out of school in Borno state, with 2.2 million children newly out of school due to statewide closures from flooding. [5] Heavy rains have affected 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states over the past month, killing 269 people and forcing 640,000 people from their homes [6].
    In the Democratic Republic of Congo, at the beginning of the year, flooding had resulted in the destruction of 1,325 schools and impacted over 200,000 children [7]. As of today, at least 59,000 children are out of school, with the province of Tanganyika most affected [8]. In May, at the peak of the flooding season, another 120 classrooms were destroyed in the province forcing 12,000 children to miss out on school [9].
    Before the flooding, 14,000 schools in Central and West Africa were already closed because of attacks and threats on education [10]. This catastrophic situation makes the already fragile chances of access to education for thousands of children even more dire.
    Vishna Shah-Little, Regional Director of Advocacy and Campaigns for Save the Children said, said:
    “Around the world, the start of a new school year is a time of joy and hope. For many children in West and Central Africa, the start of the school year is synonymous with sadness at the sight of their homes, schools and classrooms under water.
    “As well as seeing their families devastated and their homes destroyed, the children have to come to terms with witnessing the flooding of their education.”
    Save the Children is calling for donors to support scaling up the response to the devasting consequences of natural disasters on affected population especially children.
    Governments and partners must urgently take measure to provide alternative offers to allow children missing out on school to continue their education in this period and ensure as a way forward that schools are more resilient to extreme weather events such as flooding so that children can learn safely.
    Save the Children is responding to the situation in central and west Africa by providing emergency relief such as water, sanitation and hygiene kits, health and cash and voucher assistance support for affected families. We are also investing in strengthening national and community level early warning system for floods to better anticipate and prepare for such shocks.
    In the global response to the climate crisis, Save the Children is calling for national governments to rapidly phase out the use and subsidy of fossil fuels to limit warming temperatures to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels and to include the voices, needs and rights of children in the global response to climate change.
    Notes
    [1] UNESCO: https://education-estimates.org/out-of-school/data/. Total based on UNESCO’s middle estimate for 2023 for the four countries of DR Congo, Mali, Nigeria and Niger. Breakdown of 2023 out of school children (primary and secondary) according to the UN estimates: Nigeria: 21.4m; DRC: 6m; Niger: 5.5m; Mali: 3.3m
    [2] According to the Education cluster, 3,812,733 children were expected to go back to school at the start of the academic year in Niger.
    [3] As of 8 th October 2024, 5,520 classrooms were affected by flooding.
    [4] Based on national statistics on fundamental education from Mali’s Ministry of Education, noting that 2,972,650 children were enrolled in primary schools and 854,312 children were enrolled in secondary schools as of 2023.
    [5] In Nigeria, we estimate 2.2 million children out of school due to floods in Borno, in addition to 800,000 children already out of school in the state before the floods, according to local sources.
    [7] As of 24 February 2024, the flooding in DRC had inflicted significant damage across the DRC, resulting in the destruction of over 98,000 homes and1,325 schools. https://cerf.un.org/what-we-do/allocation/2024/summary/24-RR-COD-63589
    [8] DRC: As of July 2024, according to the Education Cluster, 10% of the 1,593 schools closed in the DRC were due to natural disaster. In total, the cluster estimates 590,000 children have been affected by school closures for all reasons in 2024.
    [9] According to the Education cluster, 117 classrooms were destroyed by flooding in Kalemi and Moba, in the province of Tanganyika, affecting 12 289 children https://reliefweb.int/map/democratic-republic-congo/republique-democratique-du-congo-alerte-sur-les-inondations-des-ecoles-dans-la-province-de-tanganyika-mai-2024
    [10] As of 9 September 2024, 14,364 schools have closed in central and West Africa because of armed violence according to the regional situation report Q2 2024 of Education in Emergencies Working Group for West and Central Africa [1]

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Privacy and employee snooping: The greatest threat in the workplace could be sitting next to you

    Source: New Zealand Privacy Commissioner – Blog

    Originally published on the New Zealand Herald 3 October 2024.

    Beware the risk within

    By Michael Webster, Privacy Commissioner

    One of the greatest risks to privacy in the workplace could be sitting next to you – or it could even be you.

    Employee browsing or the unauthorised access and misuse of personal information is one of the most common privacy breaches. I also believe it’s one of the least understood or reported on, as required by the Privacy Act.

    New Zealand is a small place and there’s a good chance a familiar name will crop up in a database or on a file at work and it can prove very tempting to have a look.

    However, a sneaky peek isn’t a harmless case of nosiness; it’s inappropriate and can be a breach of the principles underpinning the Privacy Act. In the cases I see it can have potentially serious consequences such as harassment and blackmail.

    In one example, a person in a position of power looked up the details of a colleague’s partner then used their position to repeatedly sexually harass them via text message. The victim felt intimidated, scared, and fearful in their own home so contacted our Office.

    In some circumstances employees look up information and then pass it on for the explicit purpose of causing harm – for example, finding the address of someone who owns expensive assets to be targeted for a burglary.

    In other examples they do it because they think they’re helping a friend when they’re acting illegally. Like the employee working for a counsellor who had a friend in a custody dispute with their ex-partner. The employee looked up information about the wellbeing of their friend’s ex-partner and shared it with their friend who then used it in their custody dispute hearing.

    Sometimes the temptation to ‘just have a quick look’ is a powerful force but employees need to be stronger. One story I’ve see was from a clinic doing STI and HIV testing. A new employee was being trained and decided to look up their own records while their trainer was in the room with them. That’s fine, it’s their information. However, when the trainer left the room, the new employee took the opportunity to look up the names of their ex-partner, current partner, and best friend – all in breach of the Privacy Act.

    The Privacy Act protects the personal information of all New Zealanders, which means that as well as employees not snooping, we need managers and owners to be informing their staff that it’s wrong to snoop, and to act when it’s found out.

    There’s a lot of information about us held in various databases, including contact details, bank accounts and financial records, and copies of identity documents. This material needs to be protected from internal threats from staff as well as external threats from third parties.

    Employers have a responsibility to secure databases and to limit access only to the staff that need that information to do their job. Employers also have a responsibility to recognise the potential for serious harm if staff are misusing their access privileges.

    The bottom line is organisations have an obligation to prevent their employees from inappropriately accessing and/or disclosing customer information. 

    Building privacy safeguards into your databases enables you to have access controls in place to protect personal information, ideally supported by audit logs so you can monitor who’s doing what and follow up on any unusual activity.

    Significant personal information is held in various databases across New Zealand. A good example is around driver licences and car registration details. Businesses and organisations like insurance providers, vehicle importers, or sellers can be granted access to the motor vehicle register for lawful purposes. However, when staff at those types of agencies access the database for their own reasons or interests then it’s a problem, which often leads to employee dismissal as well as the agency needing to report a privacy breach.

    Businesses have an obligation to ensure their staff have privacy training and a general awareness about the risks of employee browsing. They also need to take steps to make sure staff know they can only access information for work purposes.

    This can be reinforced by having clear policies about employee browsing in your agency’s code of conduct, including consequences for being caught inappropriately accessing personal information about customers and clients.

    Staff access to personal information comes with serious accountabilities about appropriate and lawful behaviour. We all need to treat it with respect. Organisations need to ensure there are consequences for employee browsing and treat any breaches of trust as serious compliance incidents.

    Back

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Construction Economy – NZ construction costs show minor uptick amidst ongoing industry slowdown – CoreLogic

    Source: CoreLogic

    Tax changes, high levels of existing stock on the market, and credit-constrained buyers have compounded the building industry slowdown, holding construction cost growth low for more than 18 months.

    CoreLogic’s latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) recorded a 1.1% rise in the September quarter, reversing the fall recorded in Q2. It marks the first time quarterly growth has exceeded 1% since December 2022.

    However, the annual growth rate remains subdued at 1.3% – the second lowest since late 2013 and well below the long-term average growth rate of 4.3%.
    CoreLogic Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said overall construction cost growth remains subdued, reflecting an easing of pressure for both labour and materials.

    The index recorded a drop in sub-contractor charge-out rates in Q3, alongside many plumbing materials such as PVC piping, although the cost for materials such as window hardware and kitchen joinery rose over the period.
    “The wider residential construction sector has been in a downturn for about two years now, with dwelling consents falling and actual workloads subsequently declining too,” he said.
    “The industry has come off extreme highs recorded during COVID, and building activity remains solid when compared to previous cycles. Even so, it does look like there is capacity opening up, which has reduced the pressure on costs.”

    Mr Davidson said the industry is grappling with additional challenges, as many households remain financially cautious despite falling mortgage rates and the number of established property listings available for sale remains high.
    New Zealand currently has about 26,000 properties listed for sale—up from 23,000 at the same time last year and double the 13,000 that were available in 2021.
    “With such an elevated stock of existing listings, there’s less incentive for buyers to consider new-build properties,” he said. “The shortening of the Brightline Test and the reinstatement of mortgage interest deductibility for all properties regardless of age has also lessened the appeal of new-builds.”
    The supply pipeline has also slowed, with annual dwelling consents peaking at about 51,000 in May 2022 before falling 34% to 33,632 in August this year. Meanwhile, Mr Davidson said actual construction workloads, measured by ‘work put in place’, are down around 15% from their peak.
    While the outlook for the sector isn’t particularly buoyant in the short term, signs of life might just be starting to emerge, and Mr Davidson noted that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s newly introduced debt-to-income ratio restrictions, which exempt new builds, could help stimulate demand in this segment.

    Further interest rate cuts and improvements in the labour market are also likely to have a positive impact on construction activity into 2025.
    “Developers may feel more confident to increase supply if these changes, combined with falling mortgage rates, create a relative shift in demand towards new builds over the next 12 to 18 months,” Mr Davidson said.

    “This could lead to a resurgence in New Zealand’s construction sector, with agents and developers watching closely for any signs of a turnaround in 2025.”

    CoreLogic’s research, tracks and reports on materials and labour costs which flows through to its Cordell construction solutions to help businesses make more informed decisions, estimate rebuild and insurance quotes easily and, ultimately, appropriate risk effectively.
    The CCCI report measures the rate of change of construction costs within the residential market for a typical, ‘standard’ three-bedroom, two-bathroom brick and tile single-storey dwelling.
    To read the report, visit http://www.corelogic.co.nz/reports/cordell-construction-cost-index.

    About CoreLogic
    CoreLogic NZ is a leading, independent provider of property data and analytics. We help people build better lives by providing rich, up-to-the-minute property insights that inform the very best property decisions. Formed in 2014 following the merger of two companies that had strong foundations in New Zealand’s property industry – Terralink Ltd and PropertyIQ NZ Ltd – we have the most comprehensive property database with coverage of 99% of the NZ property market and more than 500 million decision points in our database.
    We provide services across a wide range of industries, including Banking & Finance, Real Estate, Government, Insurance and Construction. Our diverse, innovative solutions help our clients identify and manage growth opportunities, improve performance and mitigate risk. We also operate consumer-facing portal propertyvalue.co.nz – providing important insights for people looking to buy or sell their home or investment property. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of CoreLogic, Inc – one of the largest data and analytics companies in the world with offices in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and United Kingdom. For more information visit corelogic.co.nz.
    About Cordell Building Indices
    The Cordell Building Indices (CBI) are a series of construction industry index figures that are used to monitor the movement in costs associated with building work within particular segments of the industry. The CBI indicate the rate of change in prices within particular segments of the New Zealand construction industry.
    The changes in prices are measured daily through the use of detailed cost surveys, and are reported on a quarterly basis. This ensures the most current and comprehensive industry information available. Each index is based on a combination of labour, material, plant hire and subcontract services required to construct buildings within the particular segment being measured. The CBI measure the change in the cost of constructing buildings, and as such do not provide the actual costs.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Overnight southbound closures of SH1 Western Hills Drive from Thursday

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises the southbound lane of State Highway 1 Western Hills Drive will be closed overnight between Kensington Ave and Central Ave for road resurfacing from this Thursday (17 October).

    Due to the narrow width of the road, we need to close the southbound lanes to ensure there is enough room for construction vehicles and large machinery.

    Works will take place overnight between 9pm and 5am on Thursday 17 October, Sunday 20 October and Monday 21 October. Outside work hours the road will be fully open with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. No works will take place on Friday (18 October) and Saturday (19 October) nights.

    There will be a signposted detour in place for southbound traffic via Kensington Ave, Kamo Road, Bank St, Water St and Central Ave. The detour is expected to add approximately five minutes to southbound journeys.

    Important note for Heavy Vehicles (HPMV)

    The detour route is not approved for HPMV. HPMV will be parked and grouped together, and escorted through the closure approximately every 20 minutes, as required.

    Emergency services and residents will be accommodated at all times. 

    Please take care when travelling through our work sites and watch out for our crews as they undertake important work to improve our roads. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the directions of traffic management staff and signs.

    NZTA thanks everyone for their patience while we complete these important works.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –