NewzIntel.com

Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Asset Recovery Unit seizes vehicles and cash in Gisborne

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police have seized four motorbikes, two vehicles, and over $80,000 in cash following a number of search warrants in Gisborne.

    Earlier this week, Gisborne Police with the assistance of Hasting’s Police Asset Recovery Unit, executed three search warrants in the area for property believed to be obtained through illicit funds, connected to the methamphetamine supply chain in the region.

    During the search, Police located around $81,000 in cash, a Holden ClubSport, a Ford Ranger, and multiple Harley Davidson and Honda motorcycles.

    Central Asset Recovery Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Fischer says by targeting illicit benefits obtained by drug offending, denies offenders the success of their offending and removes their ability to expand their offending.

    Gisborne Police will continue to hold people to account for supplying drugs as we see first-hand the harm it causes to our community.

    Detective Sergeant Eric Hunter says this operation will have a direct impact on the local methamphetamine supply chain.

    “Our partnership with the Asset Recovery Unit is proving very beneficial for the community and we will continue to work with them to target organised crime in Gisborne.”

    Police urge anyone who may have information about illicit drugs or unlawful offending to please contact us.

    Information can be reported through 105 online or via phone, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Stats NZ email platform – add to your ‘safe sender’ list

    New Stats NZ email platform – add to your ‘safe sender’ list

    26 June 2025

    We are moving to a new email platform soon and future emails with your Stats NZ release notifications will come from publishing@communications.stats.govt.nz 
     
    Please add this address to your ‘approved/safe sender’ list to avoid missing your release notifications.  
     
    Contact us at publishing@stats.govt.nz with any questions.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Jewel thieves busted after offloading loot

    Source: New Zealand Police

    A pair of alleged burglars discovered there is no distance Police won’t cover when it comes to holding people accountable for their crimes.

    Auckland Central Police have been investigating a burglary at a High Street jewellery store on 30 May.

    “Enquiries carried out by our staff revealed the alleged offenders used a rented vehicle to leave the scene,” Auckland City Area Investigations Manager Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend says.

    “Further enquires carried out identified two individuals who reside in Ōpōtiki as being allegedly involved in the burglary.”

    With the offender’s identified, the Auckland Central Tactical Crime Unit were able to establish the property had been taken into pawn shops in Rotorua.

    “In total they have pawned 17 items of the stolen jewellery at a second-hand dealer, which we have been able to recover,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.

    “It’s another great result in Auckland Central in holding retail crime to account.

    “We are sending a clear message that this type of brazen offending will not be tolerated.

    A man and woman were arrested in Ōpōtiki this week and are before the Whakatāne District Court.

    A 30-year-old female will appear on 1 July charged with receiving stolen property and being in a stolen vehicle.

    A 27-year-old male was remanded in custody to appear on 17 July, charged with the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and two counts of burglary.

    ENDS

    Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES NAMES 50 GLOBAL FINALISTS IN 2025 MAYORS CHALLENGE Including Lower Hutt

    Source: Bloomberg Philanthropies

    Finalists from 33 countries will receive $50,000 and support to test breakthrough ideas for improving life in cities – In January 2026, 25 winning cities will receive $1 million each to bring their idea to life.

    New York, NY – (June 25, 2025) – Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced the 50 finalists of its latest Mayors Challenge, a competition to spur local government innovation that improves lives in cities around the world. The sixth Challenge elevates municipalities that have proposed the boldest ideas to bolster essential municipal services.

    From Boise to Belfast, Ansan to Addis Ababa, Toronto to Taipei, the 50 finalists, selected from more than 630 applications, hail from 33 countries and represent over 80 million residents. Their ideas aim to increase public transit ridership, lower household energy costs, expand urban green space, speed service response, strengthen sanitation, improve youth safety, safeguard water supply, and more.

    Each finalist city will receive $50,000 to prototype their idea. They will also participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Ideas Camp in July to hone and test their concepts with feedback from experts and fellow peers. In January 2026, the 25 city halls with the most promising ideas will each be awarded $1 million and operational assistance to bring their proposals to life.

    “Local government is where people meet policy—and where government improves lives and builds trust,” said James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “That’s why municipal innovation isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about solving hard problems under pressure, often with imperfect tools and finite resources. These Mayors Challenge finalists stand out because they’re not just thinking creatively—they’re designing solutions that reckon with the complexity of implementation and the urgency of their residents’ needs. Their proposals reflect a new standard for public sector achievement: ambitious, yes, but also grounded, disciplined, and ripe for real impact.”

    The 630 ideas submitted to the Mayors Challenge reflect some of the greatest public service challenges facing cities today—as well as the creativity that animates local governments across the globe. A third of U.S. and Canada applicants, for example, devised solutions addressing housing and shelter. Nearly half of the applicants from Africa proposed upgrades to waste collection and management. One out of five applicants from the Asia-Pacific region focused on cleaner water, air, and infrastructure, and 22 percent of European applicants sought ways to reduce poverty or enhance social inclusion.

    The 50 finalist ideas were selected for their originality, potential for impact, and credible vision for delivery. Artificial intelligence was featured in the plans of a number of finalists, including South Bend, Indiana, which envisioned a cutting-edge 311 system that anticipates complaints for non-emergency issues, such as potholes, allowing officials to address problems before a resident report. More analog innovations also rose to the top: In Yonkers, New York, city officials proposed a powerful new hyper-local civic brigade to help older neighbors age happily and healthfully in place.

    The 50 finalist cities are:

    • Abha, Saudi Arabia
    • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    • Ansan, South Korea
    • As-Salt, Jordan
    • Barcelona, Spain
    • Beaverton, U.S
    • Beira, Mozambique
    • Belfast, United Kingdom
    • Benin City, Nigeria
    • Boise, U.S.
    • Boston, U.S.
    • Budapest, Hungary
    • Cap-Haïtien, Haiti
    • Cape Town, South Africa
    • Cartagena, Colombia
    • Cauayan, Philippines
    • Choma, Zambia
    • Cuenca, Ecuador
    • Detroit, U.S.
    • Fez, Morocco
    • Fukuoka, Japan
    • Ghaziabad, India
    • Ghent, Belgium
    • Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, India
    • Helsinki, Finland
    • Honolulu, U.S.
    • Kanifing, Gambia
    • Kyiv, Ukraine
    • Lafayette, U.S.
    • Lower Hutt, New Zealand
    • Maceió, Brazil
    • Marseille, France
    • Medellín, Colombia
    • Mexico City, Mexico
    • Naga, Philippines
    • Ndola, Zambia
    • Netanya, Israel
    • Nouakchott, Mauritania
    • Pasig, Philippines
    • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    • San Francisco, U.S.
    • Seattle, U.S.
    • Seoul, South Korea
    • Sialkot, Pakistan
    • South Bend, U.S.
    • Surabaya, Indonesia
    • Taipei, Taiwan
    • Toronto, Canada
    • Turku, Finland
    • Yonkers, U.S.

    In this round of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, more funding will be distributed and more cities will be assisted than in the previous five Challenges which each selected between five to 15 winners. 

    “Local government and mayors’ offices are the beating heart of innovation and change in our urban environments,” said Professor Lesley Lokko OBE, Founder and Chair of the African Futures Institute and 2025 Mayors Challenge advisory committee member. “It has been an honour to join Bloomberg Philanthropies’ advisory committee for the organization’s sixth Mayors Challenge, an initiative dedicated to empowering and supporting city makers around the world. I look forward to working with these 50 finalists as they advance in this extraordinary competition—strengthening their ideas which each represent the inventiveness citizens everywhere should expect from their governments—and the future of what municipal delivery has the power and potential to be.”

    “For more than a decade, Bloomberg Philanthropies has provided unprecedented support to drive local government innovation in cities across the country and around the world,” said Admiral Michael G. Mullen, President & CEO of MGM Consulting and 2025 Mayors Challenge advisory committee member. “The organization’s sixth Mayors Challenge will invest in the future of urban delivery from the ground floor of communities—and I am thrilled to join its advisory committee and work with these finalist cities on accelerating their ideas – from safeguarding water supply to carving out community spaces to integrating AI to improve student routes, and more.”

    The new Mayors Challenge builds on more than 10 years of work led by Bloomberg Philanthropies to discover, nurture, and drive innovation in cities. The awards to date across five previous rounds of competition have provided 38 winning cities with funding and technical assistance to realize their ideas for addressing civic issues. By supporting the replication of the most successful winning ideas, Bloomberg Philanthropies has expanded the impact of the Mayors Challenge to 337 other cities globally, reaching over 100 million residents around the world.

    “Bloomberg Philanthropies has provided invaluable support for cities to develop and implement innovative solutions that improve the lives of residents in ways they can feel,” said Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit, Michigan. “Detroit is honored to be among the 50 municipalities selected from over 630 applications for the organization’s Mayors Challenge. As a finalist, we will work with renowned experts and peers to advance our proposal to create a powerful, single entry that connects currently scattered information – such as inspection dates, taxes, and utilities – on all 400,000 Detroit properties to revolutionize how owners can access this vital information, as well as how our city plans and provides its most essential services.”

    “Seoul is honored to be selected as one of the 50 finalists for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge competition,” said Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul, South Korea. “As a finalist, we will further our proposal to launch powerful educational campaigns and new support systems that will protect youth safety and prevent online child exploitation through the development of an AI-based mobile app that detects risks and alerts parents – while working alongside other cities to set a new standard for the future of urban policy.”

    “City halls deliver the most fundamental public services—from reliable public transport to affordable housing, clean water, sustainable environments, emergency response, and more,” said Mayor Gergely Karácsony of Budapest, Hungary. “Recognizing their potential and reach, the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge rewards and equips those with the most inventive ideas to lead transformations of the essential programs their communities rely on. We are honored that Budapest is one of the 50 finalists selected to further our idea to build a city-run food processing plant that can turn surplus fruits and vegetables from local markets into nutritious meals for schools and senior homes.”

    “It is an honor to be selected as a finalist for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge,” said Mayor Sunita Dayal of Ghaziabad, India. “As we pursue our idea to improve our environment alongside bolstering our workforce – converting organic waste into white rooftop paint and compost to cool homes, green parks, and lower emissions while providing new job opportunities – we have a unique opportunity to incubate innovation that will move our communities forward.” 

    “Thank you to Bloomberg Philanthropies for seeing our vision to improve the quality of life for seniors across our city,” said Mayor Mike Spano of Yonkers, New York. “We are honored to be among 50 finalists selected for the prestigious global Mayors Challenge competition. As a finalist, we will look to create a fully sustainable model for community engagement – marshaling public and private partners as well as residents and students – coupled with innovative technology and tools to enable many more to age safely and gracefully in place.” 

    With the expansion of the Bloomberg Cities Idea Exchange, future Mayors Challenge-winning ideas and other locally led solutions supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies will have new potential to scale—serving as models and catalysts for how governments solve problems across the globe. 

    To learn more about the 50 finalist proposals, visit mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org

    About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
    Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org,

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Iran accuses US over ‘torpedoed diplomacy’ – passes bill to halt UN nuclear watchdog cooperation

    BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied Bethlehem

    Kia ora koutou,

    I’m a Kiwi journo in occupied Bethlehem, here’s a brief summary of today’s events across the Palestinian and Israeli territories from on the ground.

    At least 79 killed and 391 injured by Israeli forces in Gaza over the last 24 hours, including 33 killed and 267 injured while seeking aid at the US-Israel “humanitarian” centres.

    *

    Three killed and 7 injured by settler pogrom on the town of Kafr Malik, northeast of Ramallah; setting fire to houses and cars, and protected by soldiers. Israeli forces shot and killed 15-year-old Rayan Houshia west of Jenin as they retreated from resistance fighters, after using a civilian home as military barracks; also invading several towns across the West Bank, firing teargas into al-Fawar refugee camp south of Hebron, sound-bombs near the Jenin Grand Mosque in the north, and arresting several Palestinians.

    Al Quds/Jerusalem’s old city faced low visitor numbers even after restrictions were lifted by the Israeli occupation. Jerusalem Governate reported 623 homes and facilities demolished by Israel since October 2023.

    *

    Palestinian political prisoner Amar Yasser Al-Amour was released after 2.5 years without charge or trial in Israeli prisons. Thousands remain detained illegally in this way. Another freed prisoner Fares Bassam Hanani mourned his mother who passed away while he was imprisoned. Mohammad al-Ghushi, also freed, was taken to hospital to have his kidney removed due to torture and medical neglect he faced in Israeli prisons.

    *

    The unexpected ceasefire between Israel, America, and Iran appears to be holding for now. Iranian officials say the US “torpedoed diplomacy” and have passed a bill to halt cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA.

    Cole Martin is an independent New Zealand photojournalist based in the Middle East and a contributor to Asia Pacific Report.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Dogged determination gets results

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Man’s best friend, a trusty dog owner and some speedy Police work potentially prevented car thefts in an East Auckland suburb early this morning.

    A Greenlane resident who was woken by his dog barking around 3.45am investigated immediately.

    “His trusty pooch had alerted him to two people outside his home apparently scoping out parked cars with a torch,” Inspector Jim Wilson, Auckland City East Area Commander, says.

    But by the time Police arrived the pair were on the move and fled despite being signalled to stop.

    “Police monitored the vehicle from a distance until The Police Helicopter arrived overhead to monitor the situation.”

    The car was successfully spiked but kept going onto nearby Great South Road, and Police observed it driving on the wrong side of the road.

    Inspector Wilson says a dog unit was deployed when the driver finally abandoned the vehicle at Garland Road and took off on foot. 

    “He was apprehended nearby and received minor police dog bites and was given medical treatment,” Inspector Wilson says.

    “A passenger remained in the vehicle and was arrested without incident.”

    The 38-year-old driver is appearing in the Auckland District Court, charged with failing to stop, driving in a dangerous manner, possessing cannabis and possessing

    an offensive weapon.

    “Fortunately, it appears no vehicles in the street were successfully broken into and it goes to show the importance of vigilance,” Inspector Wilson says.

    “After a busy night it’s left two smart dogs catching up on some much-needed sleep.”

    Police remind the public to report suspicious activity as soon as possible by calling 111.

    ENDS

    Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZCTU statement on Takutai Tarsh Kemp

    Source: NZCTU

    The union movement is sending its love and condolences to the whānau of MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, following the shocking news of her passing.

    “We are heartbroken for Takutai’s whānau, hapū and iwi, for the people of Tāmaki Makaurau, and for Te Pāti Māori at this sad time,” said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff.

    “We deeply appreciate Takutai’s tireless dedication and service on behalf of her people, including as a staunch advocate for rangatahi and for some of the most marginalised whānau in Aotearoa.

    “We acknowledge that as Te Pāti Māori’s spokesperson for Workers’ Rights, Takutai fought to ensure the rights of working people were upheld. 

    “Takutai was a leader who had so much more to give, and will be missed dearly,” said Wagstaff.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Next phase of Dellows Bluff slip repairs about to begin

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Contractors will be back at the site of an overslip on State Highway 6 at Dellows Bluff next week.

    Rob Service, System Manager for Nelson/Tasman, says work is about to resume at the overslip site, which occurred during heavy rain in October last year.

    “Contractors have already done work here, with rock blasting and tree removal done in February this year.”

    “However, during this work, site investigations revealed the slip was far more complex, larger, and more fragile than originally thought,” Mr Service says.

    SH6 Dellows overslip site, October 2024

    He says the work was put on hold and plans for a fix were revised.

    “We now have a plan in place and the first phase of it will begin next week.”

    “Contractors will build a new access track south of the slip site, remove some trees, and build a landing from which further work can be done. We expect this to take about a month to complete,” Mr Service says.

    To ensure both workers and drivers are kept safe while the tree-felling is underway and the new access track is being built, Mr Service says there will be  intermittent road closures during the day.

    “We do not want to put traffic at risk from falling debris. So, there will be periods when we will have to stop traffic during the day between 7 am and 5.30 pm.”

    “They will be no longer than 15-minutes and work crews will do their best to ensure drivers and the community aren’t too disrupted. Access for emergency services, school buses, and other critical transport will be prioritised,” Mr Service says.

    Phase One work schedule

    • Monday 30 June to Friday 25 July. Monday to Friday, 7:00am–5.30pm (weather permitting)
    • Stop/Stop traffic management – expect delays of up to 15 minutes

    Next steps

    Mr Service says once the tree-felling is complete and the access track built, contractors will be able to resume stabilising the slip site.

    “It is expected this will take one to two months to complete.”

    We will have to put shipping containers back at the site to ensure the highway and traffic are protected from rockfalls, and work crews will do as much work as possible within the road shoulder,” Mr Service says.

    However, he says there may be times when traffic will have to be stopped.

    “If there are large boulders or other debris at risk of falling and endangering traffic, we will put safety first and use stop/go traffic management at the site. Though, this will be for short periods only.”

    “We understand we are doing this work during winter, but it is time critical and cannot be delayed. This is a critical section of State Highway 6 and, with no local road detours, or alternative highway alignments available, it is essential the slip is stabilised and fixed as soon as possible,’ Mr Service says.

    These works are weather-dependent, and schedules may change. Updates will be provided as the project progresses.

    Project schedule

    30 June–Late July: Tree felling and access track construction
    Late July–August/September: Slope stabilisation
    September: Pavement repair, including roadside drainage and shoulder works
    Mid-October: Road reopened and back to normal level of service

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Southland commercial fishers and seller fined $36,900 for black-market seafood sales

    Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

    Thousands of dollars of black-market seafood sales have cost 3 Southland commercial fishers and another man fines of $36,900.

    Commercial fishers Michael Noel Hawke (61), Stuart Teiwi Ryan (48) and Peter George Fletcher (32) were sentenced in the Invercargill District Court having pleaded guilty to multiple charges under the Fisheries Act. Another man, Duncan William Davis (39) was sentenced on 2 charges under the Fisheries Act for illegally selling a large amount of kina, some pāua, and blue cod, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

    Mr Hawke was fined $6,000, Mr Ryan $13,000, Mr Fletcher $3,900, and Mr Davis $14,000.

    The prosecution was part of a larger 2023 investigation into illegal sales of kina, pāua, crayfish, blue cod, and oysters. Fishery officers gathered evidence of the illegal sales by studying seafood landing records and electronic communications between the fishers, black-market suppliers and potential buyers.

    “Our investigation found Mr Hawke sold about 1,000 dredge oysters during the 2023 season that were not part of his allowable commercial take. They were his allowable recreational take and should have been in his landing report.

    “Based on 2023 prices of $37 a dozen, the oysters were valued at more than $3,000. Bluff is the only wild oyster fishery in the world and selling fish illegally has a serious effect on sustainability,” says Greg Forbes, Fisheries New Zealand district manager.

    The investigation found a deckhand aboard the fishing vessel was also selling his allowable recreational catch.

    “Mr Ryan was found to have sold 114 crayfish and about 40 blue cod. Crayfish retails at about $140 a kilogram and blue cod $75 a kilogram. Mr Ryan made around $2,250 in illegal earnings.

    “Most commercial fishers follow the rules because they want their fishery to remain sustainable into the future – black-market sales of recreational catch is a slap in the face to the majority of commercial fishers who do the right thing.”

    Electronic evidence found Mr Davis, who is not a commercial fisher, sold seafood including up to 400 punnets of kina roe, some pāua, and blue cod on the black market he had either caught, or bought from Mr Ryan to resell.

    “This was up to $5,000 of kina that was sold illegally and finfish valued at about $2,000. This was deliberate and the motivation was simply to make money.

    Meanwhile, fishery officers found the third commercial fisher, Mr Fletcher, sold about 200 dredge oysters illegally on about 6 occasions.

    “None of these fishers held permits allowing them to sell fish, nor were they licensed fish receivers or fish farmers. When we find evidence of deliberate illegal sales of seafood – we will take action.

    “Poachers steal from everyone because the shared resources belong to all New Zealanders. Their behaviour also undermines the Quota Management System and our reputation for sustainable kaimoana,” Mr Forbes says.

    MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 476 224)

    For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Second arrest made in relation to fatal hit-and-run crash in Rotorua

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police have arrested and charged a second person in relation to a fatal crash in Rotorua on 15 June.

    As a result of a search warrant yesterday, a 55-year-old man was arrested at a Rotorua address. He is due to appear in the Rotorua District Court today charged with accessory after the fact to manslaughter.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen says the man also faces additional charges that are unrelated to the fatal crash on 15 June.

    “While executing the warrant, staff discovered ammunition, cannabis and stolen property at the address.”

    The man has also been charged with unlawful possession of ammunition, cultivating cannabis and receiving property (over $1000).

    “Once again, we wish to thank the public for the assistance they have provided over the course of this investigation, which has been vital to making the two arrests we have made.”

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road blocked

    Source: New Zealand Police

    At around 9:50am emergency services received reports of a two-vehicle crash on Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road.

    One person is critically injured.

    The road is partially blocked and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release: Fatal crash, State Highway 2, Pahiatua

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash on State Highway 2 south of Pahiatua on Thursday 15 May.

    He was 38-year-old Troy Joseph Hawe-Ross, of Palmerston North.

    Our thoughts are with those close to him at this difficult time.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Closing the gate on Mangapurua winter damage

    Source: NZ Department of Conservation

    Date:  26 June 2025

    Department of Conservation Supervisor Joshua Kilmister says the gate closure affects only larger powered vehicles and the track will remain open for walking and hunting during the winter months.

    “In wet winter weather, larger vehicles damage track surfaces and drainage channels, affect visitor safety, and make it harder for us to manage the track for visitors.

    “We already close this track to cyclists each winter, and now access will also be closed to quad bikes and light utility vehicles from the Mangapurua Trig.”

    The Mangapurua Cycle Trail is a popular destination for visitors seeking to connect with the biodiversity, history, and culture of Whanganui National Park.

    “We want to ensure a safe, quality experience for trampers through winter and we’re asking people to leave their powered vehicles behind. This is a seasonal closure, and full access will be restored in September,” says Joshua.

    A lockable gate will be installed south of Mangapurua Trig closing Mangapurua Track to large, powered vehicles from Monday 30 June 2025. The track will reopen in September.

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – Snapshot highlights banks’ efforts to reduce unnecessary barriers for Māori

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    26 June 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has published a primarily qualitative snapshot that offers a comparison of how banks are working to remove unnecessary barriers to Māori Access to Capital (MA2K).

    The Māori contribution to the New Zealand economy has grown to $32 billion (production GDP) in 2023. However, Māori businesses are more likely to face capital access challenges due to common factors like being younger, smaller, or more rural, as well as specific issues such as lending on whenua Māori and lower trust or awareness with the banking system.

    Acting Assistant Governor Financial Stability, Angus McGregor says that the snapshot will improve data and understanding across the Aotearoa banking system.

    “The measures in the snapshot show the steps some banks are taking to remove unnecessary barriers for Māori, helping to lift the entire sector in supporting MA2K and financial inclusion more broadly,” says Mr McGregor.

    Findings from the snapshot show that participating banks who volunteered to collaborate on this project, have introduced Māori-focused roles and strategies, supported by organisation-wide training to strengthen understanding of te reo, tikanga, and the Māori economy. The snapshot findings also suggests that banks recognise the value of Māori leadership and customer understanding and have products to support lending on whenua Māori.

    Some banks have initiatives specifically supporting Māori businesses and offer financial literacy programmes that incorporate te reo and/or tikanga. Māori employee representation varies between banks, with an average of 8% across all banks.

    However, there remains plenty of work to be done to continue to reduce any unnecessary barriers for Māori and we encourage banks to improve their data relating to Māori access to capital and enhance their practices around Māori business identification.

    Improved data on MA2K is an important step in tracking progress of the banking sector and builds on the momentum developed by the sector’s actions.

    “This work is in line with the 2025 Letter of Expectations from the Minister of Finance for the Reserve Bank to continue its collaboration with industry stakeholders to pursue competition-enhancing initiatives, including reducing barriers to lending for housing on Māori freehold land,” says Governor Christian Hawkesby.

    This snapshot was developed in collaboration with Tāwhia the Māori Bankers Rōpū and continues the 2022 MA2K work programme as part of our broader te ao Māori and financial inclusion workstreams. Impact requires a whole of sector approach, so we furthermore welcome the opportunity to work with other organisations to support this ongoing work programme.

    More information

    Māori access to capital (MA2K) snapshot – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua – https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=409ead4c8f&e=f3c68946f8
    Letter of expectations 2025 – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua – https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=642bea8827&e=f3c68946f8

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Analysis – A good time to get that extra bedroom? – Cotality

    Source: Kelvin Davidson, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist

    The cost to ‘trade up’ to a larger home remains significant across the country, but recent market movements suggest now may be a more favourable time for aspiring upgraders.

    It’s never been cheap to move up the so-called property ladder – such as buying a house with more bedrooms – and even after some falls lately, the ‘trade-up premium’ is still $100,000 or (significantly) more across the country. However, past experience suggests that a flat/soft property market can be a good opportunity to trade up, and of course mortgage rates are currently down, while there’s plenty of choice out there for buyers too. ‘Movers’ remain a group to keep an eye on in the coming months.
    One way to measure the potential costs facing a homeowner looking to ‘trade up’ is to look at the difference in median values between three-bedroom and four-bedroom houses – this equates to the extra debt and/or equity that needs to be found.
    Now, it’s not a perfect measure; some people might see trading up as getting the same-sized house that’s newer or in a ‘better’ suburb. However, getting extra space would certainly be how many households view a trade-up.
    How has the trade-up premium changed lately?
    Using the Cotality Market Tr

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – Southland Momentum Grows: Environment Southland Considers Action on Illegal Israeli Settlements after Invercargill Declines – PSNAA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) Invercargill

    Environment Southland agreed today (Wednesday 25th) to commission a staff report considering a procurement policy change to exclude companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

    The step follows a request by local residents and members of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. It places Environment Southland on a growing list of local councils responding to New Zealand’s co-sponsorship of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which declared the settlements a “flagrant violation under international law” and a “major obstacle” to peace.

    “New Zealand helped write this in 2016,” said the speakers. “We can’t promote it abroad and ignore it at home. This is a strong first step to ensure ratepayer money doesn’t fund human rights abuses.”

    The decision comes just a day after Invercargill City Council narrowly rejected the same change — a 6–6 vote decided by Nobby Clark — despite staff advice to the contrary. Speakers say Invercargill’s position is out of step with national policy and public demand. “Councils are simply being asked to align with what NZ agreed to years ago. This isn’t about ranking suffering, it’s about acting where there’s black and white legal clarity and political mandate.”

    In July 2024, the International Court of Justice confirmed Israel’s 57-year occupation breaches international law on apartheid and racial segregation. Countries including New Zealand voted that states “ensure they do not render aid or assistance” to it.

    The group also expressed concern that unlike at Dunedin’s recent vote, where councilors heard from supporting voices including local Palestinians and Israelis during the public forum, today saw those refused by the chair.

    “This is a narrow step – excluding companies listed by the highest authority on human rights, the UNHRC” said the group, “Since the current Israeli government came to power, the building of settlements and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has rocketed. International law protects all of us.”

    Other councils — including Christchurch City, Nelson City, and Environment Canterbury — have already taken action, and a formal vote on adopting the policy is expected following the staff report. PSNA says the window is still open: “Southland still has an opportunity to lead — and to stand on the right side of history.”

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) Invercargill

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Books – House of Day, House of Night by Olga Tokarczuk

    Source: The Text Publishing Company, Australia.

    An extraordinary novel from Nobel Prize-winner Olga Tokarczuk, the renowned Polish author of Flights and Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead – ‘Darkly humorous, deadly serious, and with a quirky cast of characters that will stay with you forever, this is definitely not to be missed.’  

    Dua Lipa on Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

    A woman settles in a remote Polish village. It has few inhabitants now, but it teems with the stories of its living and its dead. There’s the drunk Marek Marek, who discovers that he shares his body with a bird, and Franz Frost, whose nightmares come to him from a newly discovered planet. There’s the man whose death—with one leg on the Polish side, one on the Czech—was an international incident. And there are the Germans who still haunt a region that not long ago they called their own. From the founding of the town to the lives of its saints, these shards piece together not only a history but a cosmology.

    Another brilliant ‘constellation novel’ in the mode of her International Booker Prize–winning Flights, House of Day, House of Night reminds us that the story of any place, no matter how humble, is boundless.

    Praise for Olga Tokarczuk

    ‘The Empusium is an emphatic triumph—a feast of culture, both literary and popular, highbrow and low, that shows Tokarczuk writing at the peak of her powers and enjoying every moment of it…I was in thrall to this from the first page.’ Sydney Morning Herald

    ‘The pleasures of Tokarczuk’s prose are in the neat little tricks of noticing, veering into the supernatural and strange.’ Saturday Paper

    ‘Boy this is so good. This is so good.’ ABC Radio National The Bookshelf

    Olga Tokarczuk is the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature and the International Booker Prize, among many other honours. She is the author of more than a dozen works of fiction, two collections of essays, and a children’s book; her work has been translated into more than fifty languages.

    Antonia Lloyd-Jones has translated works by many of Poland’s leading contemporary novelists and reportage authors, as well as crime fiction, poetry and children’s books. Her translation of Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by 2018 Nobel Prize laureate Olga Tokarczuk was shortlisted for the 2019 Man Booker International prize. For ten years she was a mentor for the Emerging Translators’ Mentorship Programme, and is a former co-chair of the UK Translators Association.

    AVAILABLE: 16 SEP 2025 Fiction Paperback, 304pp AU $34.99 / NZ $40.00 ISBN 9781923058675

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police seek footage of night market assaults

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police is seeking additional footage as part of the investigation into an alleged stabbing at the Pakuranga Night Markets.

    Counties Manukau Police charged a 23-year-old man over the incident, who has been remanded in custody to reappear in court next month.

    “We are aware a number of people filmed the violent assault taking place on Saturday evening,” Counties Manukau East Area Investigations Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey says.

    “While we are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident, this footage will be beneficial as part of the prosecution phase.”

    Please contact Police if you have footage to provide.

    You can update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250621/0744.

    Meanwhile, Detective Senior Sergeant Batey says both victims are continuing to make a recovery after their ordeals.

    “Police will be speaking with both victims further, and we can advise they are both in a stable condition in Middlemore Hospital.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tech – Avast Makes AI-Driven Scam Defense Available for Free Worldwide

    Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners & Passion – for Avast

    Avast debuts Avast Scam Guardian and Scam Guardian Pro as data breaches and scams soar.

    Auckland, 26 June 2025 – Driven by a commitment to make cutting-edge scam protection available to everyone, Avast, a leader in digital security and privacy and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), has unveiled Avast Scam Guardian, a new AI-powered offering integrated into its award-winning* Avast Free Antivirus.

    Cybercriminals continue to abuse AI to craft increasingly convincing scam attacks at an alarming rate. Available at no cost, the new service marks a significant step forward in democratising AI scam protection. A premium version, Avast Scam Guardian Pro, has also been added to Avast Premium Security, giving customers an enhanced layer of AI protection against email scams.

    “Today’s scams aren’t crude or obvious – they’re tailored, targeted, and AI-enhanced, making it harder than ever to tell the difference between truth and deception,” said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. “As scammers take advantage of rising data breaches and leaked personal information, anyone anywhere can become a victim of scams. That’s why it’s never been more important to make powerful AI-powered scam protection available to everyone, everywhere. We’re levelling the playing field with world class scam defense that helps people strengthen their digital and financial safety.”

    According to the recent Q1/2025 Gen Threat Report, breached records of individuals surged by more than 186% between January and March 2025, revealing sensitive information such as passwords, emails, and credit card details. Over the same timeframe, reports of phishing scams rose by 466% compared to the previous quarter, making up almost a third of all scam submissions observed by Gen.  

    As data breaches rise, so do the opportunities for attackers to exploit leaked information to launch targeted, hyper-personalised scam campaigns that are harder than ever to spot. Like a seasoned scam investigator, Avast Scam Guardian uses proprietary AI trained on scam data from Gen Threat Labs to go beyond just detecting malicious URLs – it also analyses context and language to more effectively identify signs of deceptive or harmful intent. Avast Scam Guardian also helps to pull back the curtain on hidden threats in website code and neutralises them to keep people safer as they browse and shop online.  

    Key features available in Avast Scam Guardian for Avast Free Antivirus, include:

    Avast Assistant: Provides 24/7 AI-powered scam protection guidance on suspicious websites, SMS messages, emails, links, offers, and more. Allows people to engage in open dialogue when they’re unsure about a potential scam and uses natural language to better understand queries and deliver clear advice on what to do next. Available on Windows and Mac.

    Web Guard: Uses the collective power of Gen Threat Labs telemetry and AI trained on millions of frequently visited websites to continuously analyse and detect hidden scams in content and code** – offering unique visibility into dangerous URLs. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS**.

    Avast Scam Guardian Pro includes everything in Avast Scam Guardian, plus:

    Email Guard: Uses AI to understand the context of emails and the meaning of words to detect scams. Scans and flags safe and suspicious emails before you open them, helping to protect your email wherever you check it, no matter what device you use to log in. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS***.

    Avast Scam Guardian and Scam Guardian Pro are available to download now as part of Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security. Later this year, additional AI-powered tools will be added to Avast Scam Guardian Pro for greater protection against sophisticated scams targeting other communication channels, including SMS and phone calls.

    For more information, please visit www.avast.com.  

    *AV-Comparatives, “Top-Rated Product 2024 Award” & AV-Comparatives, “Real-World Protection 2024 Award” – Jan-Dec 2024.

    **Content and code scanning is only available on Windows and Mac.

    **Email Guard is included, but mobile platforms do not have the Scam Guardian user interface.

    About Avast

    Avast is a leader in digital security and privacy, and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Avast protects hundreds of millions of users from online threats, for Mobile, PC or Mac, and is top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom and Internet Watch Foundation. Learn more at Avast.com.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police accept IPCA findings following accidental fall

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority following the death of a man in Auckland last year.

    On 4 November 2024, Police were called to a commercial property on Boston Road after a report of a man becoming agitated towards staff at the address and paramedics.

    Police officers arrived and instructed the man to leave.

    The man refused to leave despite the officer’s requests, so the officer placed a hand on his shoulder to guide him along.

    The man has then fallen and hit his head on the ground. Unfortunately, he was seriously injured and later died in hospital.

    The IPCA conducted an independent investigation, which included reviewing CCTV footage of the incident, and found the officer did not use force when placing his hand on the man’s shoulder and instead he lost his balance on the sloping driveway and fell to the ground.

    “This was an incredibly unfortunate incident for everyone concerned, including our attending staff,” Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent Sunny Patel, says.

    “Our sympathies remain with the man’s family and friends during what was no doubt a very challenging time.”

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment Issues – Another day, another attack on workers’ rights – employers can dock pay of workers who take partial strike action – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The Government’s anti-worker agenda has stepped up with the passing into law last night the right for employers to dock the pay of workers who take low level strike action.
    The Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill allows employers to deduct 10% of a worker’s wage for partial strike action such as not performing a task.
    “It’s clear what the agenda is here, this Government wants to give employers even more tools and power to keep wages down and profits high,” said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “The new law is all about weakening the position of workers when involved in collective bargaining that becomes difficult to settle.
    “There are already only a small range of tools available to workers when negotiations fail. “Every time the Government takes away one of those tools, or puts a price on using them, the power imbalance gets worse, and workers pay the price.
    “The vast majority of collective agreements are settled without industrial action as employers and working people agree on pay and conditions but when that agreement is difficult to find, there are tools that both sides can use help to find agreement. This includes mediation or facilitation ordered by the Employment Relations Authority.
    “If that fails, low level strike action, agreed by union members through a ballot, is a tool workers can use to make their concerns loud and clear to employers.
    “If the Government keeps raiding the toolkit as they are here, they actually risk opening the door to escalating strike action and longer stoppages when the only tool left is a sledgehammer.
    “This is another win for employers, the latest in a long series of extreme anti-worker policies – cancelling pay equity rules, axing of fair pay agreements, the 90 day fire at will law, tightening personal grievance rules, low minimum wage increases and the prospect of cutting sick pay for part-time workers now on the radar.
    “This government has no shame in pursuing an agenda that is blatantly all about giving more power to employers and beating down on workers – the PSA will continue to resist strongly.”
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Sustainability sees rising strategic importance amid increasing strain on professionals

    Source: Sustainable Business Council

    Research released today into New Zealand’s sustainability profession reveals a compelling picture of a profession which is gaining strategic traction, while grappling with systemic challenges.
    The report, Insights on Aotearoa New Zealand Sustainability Professionals, delivered by Oxygen Consulting in collaboration with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), draws on the insights from sustainability professionals across Aotearoa New Zealand, unpacking capability and competencies, remuneration, job opportunities, and overall wellbeing.
    Now in its sixth year, the 2025 findings reveal a sector navigating heightened economic pressures, regulatory complexity, and emotional strain. Despite these headwinds though, the profession is maturing, with sustainability roles increasingly being embedded in core business functions such as strategy and finance.
    Director of Oxygen Consulting Sarah Holden says the 2025 results show sustainability professionals are no longer operating on the fringes but are increasingly central to business resilience and transformation.
    “But with that visibility comes pressure. Our research shows a profession that is passionate and committed but also stretched and in need of greater structural support.”
    Key findings include:
    • 60% of professionals have been in their current role for two years or less, suggesting high turnover and limited career pathways.
    • Only 12% believe current training adequately prepares them for the demands of their roles.
    • Climate anxiety and emotional exhaustion are rising, particularly among younger professionals.
    Professor Marjo Lips-Wiersma of Auckland University of Technology says, “The wellbeing data in this year’s finding is sobering. Sustainability professionals are deeply affected by the issues they work on. As organisations and educators, we must support graduates and sustainability officers at all levels to not only be technically skilled, but also emotionally resilient.”
    Despite these challenges, the findings also highlight:
    • A growing sense of professional competency, with more than 88% of respondents feeling confident in their ability to manage sustainability responsibilities.
    • Increasing integration of sustainability into strategy and finance functions, signalling a shift from compliance to core business value.
    • A growing appetite for business-relevant skills such as financial sustainability, business case development, and influencing.
    “These findings offer crucial insights for our business leaders,” says Mike Burrell, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council.
    “If we want to deliver on our climate and ESG commitments and harness the opportunities sustainability presents, we must invest in the people doing the work. That means providing quality training and adequate development opportunities, as well as demonstrating leadership that champions sustainability from the very top.”
    The findings come at a time when sustainability is increasingly seen as a strategic imperative. Yet, 80% of professionals report no clear development pathway within their organisations.
    “It’s no surprise this report confirms that sustainability is indeed central to business success, export growth and meeting the expectations of global supply chains,” says Rachel Brown, CEO of the Sustainable Business Network.
    “What’s equally clear is that we have the talent, passion and capability in Aotearoa to deliver. Yet to truly succeed they need adequate resourcing, recognition and clear career pathways so their contributions can thrive.”
    The report calls for systems-level investment in training, cross-disciplinary integration, and visible leadership support to ensure the profession can thrive-and deliver the transformation New Zealand businesses need.
    A comprehensive list of training opportunities offered by the report’s partners can be found here.
    Insights on Aotearoa New Zealand Sustainability Professionals is the only research of its kind in New Zealand. Download the full insights report here.
    Notes
    The sustainability experts and partners listed above will be participating in a panel at today’s launch event, responding to the insights and discussing ideas for addressing future challenges.
    Target participants for this research included any employed people who currently have ‘sustainability’ as part or all of their role. ‘Sustainability’ includes responsibilities that address the social, environmental and economic risks to the organisation. The scope included anyone in full time, part time or contractual positions within public, private, non-governmental, charity, and not-for-profit organisations.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: BNZ offers flexible business loans up to $50,000, approved in minutes

    Source: BNZ Statements

    Small businesses can now access unsecured finance of up to $50,000 with BNZ’s new Merchant Flexi Loan, with approval in as little as three minutes. It offers eligible businesses a simple way to manage cash flow and fuel growth, with no interest and just a one-off fee.

    Karna Luke, BNZ Executive for Customer Products and Services, says it delivers the speed and flexibility small businesses need to grow.

    “Our Flexi Loans give small businesses fast access to capital, without the need to provide paperwork like financial statements or business plans. Instead, we use actual card sales data from the past 12 months to determine loan eligibility and calculate a personalised loan offer.

    “Businesses can see their personalised offer, choose their preferred repayment rate and get a decision in minutes. Once accepted, funds are available within two business days.”
    Repayments are set at a rate chosen by the business, between 10% and 30% of daily card sales, and are automatically deducted.

    “This means repayments are higher when sales are strong and lower when business is quieter, helping owners stay focused on operations with cash flow under control,” Luke says.

    Christchurch institution Waffle Haus takes advantage to expand business

    The benefits of this flexible approach are already being realised BNZ customers like Jamie Stewart. He already had a successful Waffle Haus café in Akaroa when he expanded to Christchurch, opening on New Regent Street in December 2020. Now, with both locations thriving, he’s using BNZ’s Merchant Flexi Loan to fund expansion into a third branch, set to open next month at The Colombo shopping centre.

    “A lot of prep goes into opening a new location – it takes about a year to get everything in place,” says Jamie. “When the Merchant Flexi Loan became available, the timing was perfect because I was looking at a significant equipment investment for the new café and wanted to preserve working capital for other business needs.”

    For Jamie, whose capital is invested in growing his business rather than property assets that could be used as security, the merchant sales-based approach offers a compelling alternative to traditional secured lending. Instead of needing collateral, the loan is based on his proven sales performance.

    The flat fee structure also appealed to Jamie: “The fee worked out at about 2.5% of the loan amount, which is really good value and substantially cheaper than a traditional business loan.”
    With trading patterns that vary over time – busy evenings year-round, peak weekends and school holidays, plus seasonal fluctuations – Jamie appreciates having repayments that adjust accordingly.

    “The winter period is slightly quieter for us than the summer and school holiday peaks,” he says. “Having repayments that flex with our natural business rhythms makes financial planning much easier.”

    Fast funding when opportunities arise

    Karna Luke says timing is critical when business opportunities emerge, which is why the BNZ team has worked hard to make the process of applying for a Merchant Flexi Loan as fast and simple as possible.

    “Our customers tell us they need to move fast to stay competitive and grow, whether that’s securing new equipment, expanding their premises, or taking advantage of seasonal demand. By streamlining the application process and using data we already have, we can help them seize those opportunities without delay.

    “It’s about bringing together speed, simplicity and flexibility to make it easier to move quickly when opportunity knocks. We’re proud to be the first New Zealand bank to offer a lending solution like this.”

    To find out how Merchant Flexi Loan can help your business manage cash flow and growth, visit bnz.co.nz/business-banking/loans-and-finance/merchant-flexi-loans

    The post BNZ offers flexible business loans up to $50,000, approved in minutes appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police and Customs bag smuggling ring operating airside

    Source: New Zealand Police

    A joint investigation has unpacked a criminal syndicate’s operation, which allegedly facilitated the smuggling of class A drugs through Auckland Airport.

    Police and Customs terminated nearly two dozen search warrants on Wednesday across the Auckland region as part of Operation Matata.

    Eighteen arrests have been made, including nine baggage handlers and another staff member working at the country’s busiest airport.

    Those arrested are 17 men, aged between 20 and 42, and a 19-year-old woman. Those arrested were appearing in the Manukau District Court yesterday afternoon and today.

    It all began on 20 March 2025, when a man was arrested outside an East Tamaki address after 25 kilograms of methamphetamine was discovered in his vehicle.

    Now, detectives from the National Organised Crime Group and counterparts at Customs have uncovered a wider group organising and facilitating controlled drugs being smuggled through Auckland Airport.

    “Police will allege in court that this group imported controlled drugs through the airport on six occasions,” Detective Inspector Tom Gollan says.

    “As a result, approximately 64 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.4 kilograms of cocaine has been seized by Customs and Police.”

    This would have gone on to cause significant harm and cost to New Zealand communities.

    “Insider threats pose a threat to this country, and we are pleased to continue to work with Auckland Airport authorities, Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to stamp this out,” Detective Inspector Gollan says.

    Customs Investigations Manager Dominic Adams adds: “These individuals are alleged to have abused their trusted positions as airport workers to smuggle significant amounts of harmful drugs into New Zealand.

    “There is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and this operation signals the action that law enforcement, with the support of industry partners, has taken against those who thought they could operate outside of the law and profit from their criminal activities.”

    During the 23 search warrants carried out, Police located a significant amount of cash along with quantities of cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun.

    Those arrested will face serious drugs charges, including importation, supply and possession for supply of the class A controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine.

    • Operation Matata – by the numbers:

    Around 64.5kg of methamphetamine equates to:
    – 3,225,000 doses
    – $22.5m – the approximate retail value of this methamphetamine
    – $71.5m – an approximate amount of social harm prevented

    Around 3.4kg of cocaine equates to:
    – 34,000 doses
    – $1.5m – the approximate retail value of this cocaine
    – $1m – the approximate amount of social harm prevented

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Herds of Special Interest one step closer

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Legislation to clarify how Herds of Special Interest (HOSI) operate in National Parks has passed its first reading in Parliament today, Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager says.
    “The Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill will ensure the legislation for HOSI is clear and unambiguous. It will support the designation of a wapiti deer HOSI in Fiordland National Park and will allow hunter-led conservation groups to manage deer numbers in our national parks, creating opportunities for local hunters and tourism and driving more economic growth in the region,” Mr Meager says.
    “HOSI are another tool to effectively and sustainably manage deer, tahr, and other valued introduced species on our conservation estate. By utilising hunter-led conservation groups we can manage deer numbers down to healthy, sustainable levels, whilst better protecting our biodiversity and controlling dangerous predators which kill our native birds.
    “The National Parks Act’s requirement to ‘exterminate’ introduced animals as far as possible is at odds with the purpose of designating a HOSI, which is to manage game animals for hunting purposes while preserving conservation outcomes.
    “The Game Animal Council Act always intended for HOSI to be allowed in national parks. By introducing this bill, we aim to provide clarity and certainty for all involved. The legislation will retain the requirements for HOSI to be consistent with New Zealand’s wider conservation framework, including the preservation of indigenous habitats and natural features.
    “The bill has been referred to the Environment Select Committee for consideration, and the public will have the opportunity to submit. I look forward to hearing from everyone who is keen to better manage the impact of valued introduced species on our conservation estate.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Learner Success Community of Practice

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Employability Ecosystems – Part 1: Improving learner outcomes through links to industry
    Dr Roy Priest, Associate Professor at Birmingham City University (BCU), gives an overview of their Employability Ecosystems that improve learner engagement, and support successful graduate outcomes by embedding employability into the curriculum and connecting learners with industry throughout their programme of study. 
    Set in the heart of Birmingham, with a focus on practice-based learning, this public university has over 30,000 learners from over 100 countries. Around half of their learners come from the most deprived neighbourhoods of Birmingham. A significant proportion of learners are the first in their family to attend university and commute from home.  
    The BCU’s Employability Ecosystems maximise the potential for ongoing connection between learners, industry-based professionals and tutors through informal frameworks. It’s a holistic approach encompassing research, knowledge transfer, curriculum development, course and programme marketing. Roy discusses what this approach looks like in practice and the support BCU has put in place for academic staff to enhance learner outcomes through informal engagement with industry.
    [embedded content]

    Employability Ecosystems – Part 2: Informal networks to support graduate outcomes
    Dr Roy Priest, Associate Professor at Birmingham City University (BCU) shares insights into three informal network initiatives – Industry Mentors Forums, Special Interest Groups, and Formal and Information Industry Advisory Boards.
    [embedded content]
    DREAM Convening
    The annual DREAM Convening is Achieving the Dream’s (ATD’s) flagship event. It attracts influential leaders and practitioners from more than 300 US-based community colleges and organisations who exchange ideas about evidence-based reform strategies that transform higher education and impact learner success.
    Achieving the Dream
    Te Rito Maioha
    Nikki Parsons, Te Rito Maioha General Manager Workforce and Learner Engagement, shares her reflections on the 2024 DREAM conference. She talks about how Te Rito Maioha, a private training establishment, is applying the knowledge she has gained to help their learners to be successful in their tertiary study.
    [embedded content]
    Skills Group
    Jon Smith, Skills Group General Manager Academic Skills and Quality, shares his three takeaways from the 2024 DREAM conference. He talks about introducing the Achieving the Dream 2.0 Capability Framework model into the Skills Group, and their robust conversations on what they need to do to build a student success model. The Skills Group is a private training establishment.
    [embedded content]
    English Language Partners
    A key takeaway from the 2024 DREAM conference for Rachel O’Connor, English Language Partners Chief Executive, is the importance of having and applying an equity mindset throughout your organisation – from how you use data to how you train your people. Rachel talks about how English Language Partners are applying the knowledge she’s gained, and using data to support equity and address learner success.
    [embedded content]

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Supermarkets warned about unfair practices

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis has written to the major supermarkets to restate the basic expectation that they take all steps needed to comply with the Fair Trading Act and ensure Kiwi shoppers are not subjected to misleading price claims. 

    “Supermarkets have statutory obligations under the Fair Trading Act to ensure that pricing information is accurate and does not mislead consumers.

    “I am disappointed that I have to spell out to some of New Zealand’s biggest and most sophisticated retail operators – Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island, and Woolworths – that they should have in place processes to prevent inaccurate pricing, institute and publicise refund policies, and train staff to ensure that when errors are reported, fixes occur system-wide. Compliance with the law should be a basic expectation. 

    “I am concerned to hear from the Commerce Commission and Consumer New Zealand that misleading promotional practices and common pricing errors are still occurring within New Zealand’s major supermarket chains.

    “These include customers being charged more at the checkout than the advertised price, specials being advertised that don’t represent a saving on the normal price,  and multibuys that are more expensive than if the products are individually purchased.

    “This week it was reported that two PAKnSave supermarkets that are part of Foodstuffs North Island have pleaded guilty to multiple charges of breaching the Fair Trading Act. The Commerce Commision has also filed proceedings against Woolworths for misleading consumers about prices. 

    “I will not comment on ongoing court proceedings. However, it is clear that as participants in a sector that generates revenue of $27 billion a year, the major supermarkets have the resources to treat their customers fairly. 

    “It should not be customers’ responsibility to alert stores to pricing discrepancies. Kiwi shoppers have the right to expect that the price they pay at the checkout is the same as the price they see in the aisle. 

    “I have asked the major supermarket chains for an update on the actions they are taking to address these issues. It is in their and New Zealand shoppers’ interests that they be clear about what they are doing to ensure shoppers are not misled. 

    “I am considering introducing tougher penalties and potential changes to ensure the provisions of the Fair Trading Act are more readily enforced. 

    “I note that the maximum penalty for a breach of the Fair Trading Act in New Zealand is a fine of $600,000 whereas in Australia the courts can impose a penalty of up to $A50 million.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Introducing our Regulatory Licensing Review Panel

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    Earlier this month we launched the Regulatory Licensing Review Panel to support the effective delivery of our regulatory licensing function, and to provide applicants with an accessible process for resolving specific disputes.

    As you’re probably aware, a number of the maritime rules, regulations and conventions we administer are complex in relation to regulatory licensing. The Panel will review specific disputed decisions when it can be demonstrated that an alternative interpretation or application of a rule, regulation or convention may lead to a different decision, without compromising safety. 

    The Panel is made up of senior leaders and experienced Maritime NZ staff who apply a risk-based approach focussed on preventing harm.

    During its establishment, the Panel reviewed two applications – one was a disputed decision from an applicant and the other was an active application with Maritime NZ’s Regulatory Licensing Team, which can also access the panel for particularly complex applications. These pilot reviews provided us with useful insights to develop, test and refine our processes.

    The Panel is now accepting applications from the sector directly. 

    How to access the Panel  

    Applicants can apply for a review of a decision using the new online application form.

    To apply:

    • The decision made on your original application would have been based on Maritime NZ’s interpretation or application of a rule, regulation, or convention that could have been interpreted or applied differently.
    • The request for a review is being made within three months of the decision date (unless an exception is requested and accepted).

    There is no cost for a review.

    For more information, including the Panel’s terms of reference, please visit this webpage.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: PM wraps up Europe visit at NATO Summit

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has attended the NATO Summit in the Hague, alongside other world leaders.

    “The Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions face many of the same security challenges. That’s why it’s important New Zealand is at the table at NATO for these critical discussions with likeminded partners,” Mr Luxon says.

    “We can see the links between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific in North Korea’s support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Russia’s technical expertise that can help North Korea develop its nuclear programme.

    “Alongside NATO and its members, New Zealand is committed to the rules-based international system, and democratic values and norms.”

    During the summit, Mr Luxon held one-on-one talks with a number of leaders and met with NATO alongside the other members of the Indo-Pacific Four – Australia, the Republic of Korea and Japan.

    Mr Luxon returns to New Zealand on Friday 27 June. 

    Indo-Pacific Four Partners and NATO Joint Statement attached

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ law change restores balance – fairer rules for partial strikes

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has passed a change to the Employment Relations Act that reinstates the ability for employers to make pay deductions during partial strikes – making the system fairer for all, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. 

    “These changes will help both employers and unions to return to the bargaining table and restores the law to what it was before the previous government removed this option in 2018.  

    “I
    acknowledge the right of workers to strike in
    support of their collective bargaining claims, the right to strike remains,” says Ms van Velden.  

    “The changes were needed to ensure a fairer bargaining process and minimise the disruption partial strikes have caused to public and
    customer services. 

    “The key benefit for all workers and the public is less disruption
    to our communities – partial strikes had serious impacts on Kiwi families,
    students, patients, and other workers across our workplaces,” says Ms van
    Velden.  

    Some
    of the impacts included MRI and nuclear
    medicine technologists limiting scans, around 50 per cent fewer procedures were
    done. That meant delays in early cancer treatment, growing waitlists, increased
    outsourcing costs and pressure on front-line staff to pick up the work of others participating in the partial strikes. 

    In
    2023, teachers took partial strike action, refusing to teach certain year
    levels on specific days. This disrupted student learning and made it hard for
    some parents to work.  

    “Rebalancing collective bargaining settings will support the
    Government’s priority to deliver better public services, by reducing disruption and maintaining a high quality of
    service,” says Ms van Velden.  

    This
    new law allows for pay to
    be deducted during partial strikes, but it’s up to each affected employer to decide how they respond to partial
    strikes when they occur. 

    Note to Editors: 

    What
    is partial strike and what did it mean prior to this change     

    A
    partial strike is industrial action that would normally involve turning up to
    work but refusing to partake in parts of the job. Until now, if an employee was on a partial strike, their employer could not deduct their pay unless they suspended the employee or issued a lockout notice.  

    Other
    noted impacts on the communities:     

    • Since mid-September 2024, NZDF PSA union members have been ‘working-to-rule’, and from November, they have been taking coordinated breaks and stopped working at heights or off-site. In response, the Minister of Defence has authorised uniformed personnel to cover civilian work in some selected areas.
    • In September 2024, train operators in Wellington began work-to-rule industrial action including refusing shift changes, leading to disruption for travellers. 

    What
    these changes mean     

    • Employers can respond to a partial strike by either: 
    • reducing an employee’s pay by a proportionate amount, calculated in accordance with a specified method
      that is based on identifying the work that the
      employee will not be performing due to the strike, or 
    • deducting 10 percent of their wages. 

     

    • Employers will have to provide written notification to employees that they will be reducing their pay before the deduction is made (the amount of deduction is not required in the notice).
    • If the union believes the employer has incorrectly applied a pay deduction, the union must advise the employer of that as soon as practicable, after receiving the employer’s information on how they calculated the specified pay deduction if relevant. The union can apply to the Employment Relations Authority, who can determine whether the employer has correctly applied the deduction. 
    • Employers do not have to deduct pay in response to partial strikes – this simply provides an additional tool for how they can respond to a partial strike, if it works for them. 

     

     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –