Source: New Zealand Police
Tutaekara Road is closed after a tractor rolled just before 12:40pm.
The road is currently closed between Kopikopiko Road and Mangamaire Road, and is expected to be closed for several hours.
No injuries have been reported.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
By Coco Lance,
A new Auckland-based kava business has found itself at the heart of a cultural debate, with critics raising concerns about appropriation, authenticity, and the future of kava as a deeply rooted Pacific tradition.
Vibes Kava, co-founded by Charles Byram and Derek Hillen, operates out of New Leaf Kombucha taproom in Grey Lynn.
The pair launched the business earlier this year, promoting it as a space for connection and community.
Byram, a Kiwi-American of Samoan descent, returned to Aotearoa after growing up in the United States. Hillen, originally from Canada, moved to New Zealand 10 years ago.
Both say they discovered kava during the covid-19 pandemic and credit it with helping them shift away from alcohol.
“We wanted to create something that brings people together in a healthier way,” the pair said.
However, their vision has been met with growing criticism, with people saying the business lacks cultural depth, misrepresents tradition, and risks commodifying a sacred practice.
Context and different perspectives
Tensions escalated after Vibes Kava posted a promotional video on Instagram, describing their offering as “a modern take on a 3000-year-old tradition” and “a lifestyle shift, one shell at a time”.
On their website, Hillen is referred to as a “kava evangelist,” while videos feature Byram hosting casual kava circles and promoting fortnightly “kava socials.”
The kava they sell is bottled, with tag names referencing the effects of each different kava bottle — for example, “buzzy kava” and “chill kava”.
Their promotional content was later reposted on TikTok by a prominent Pacific influencer, prompting an influx of online input about the legitimacy of their business and the diversity of their kava circles.
The reposted video has since received more than 95,000 views, 1600 shares, and 11,000 interactions.
In the TikTok caption, the influencer questioned the ethical foundations of the business.
“I would like to know what type of ethics was put into the creation of this . . . who was consulted, and said it was okay to make a brand out of a tradition?”
Criticised the brand’s aesthetic
Speaking to RNZ Pacific anonymously, the influencer criticised the brand’s aesthetic and messaging, describing it as “exploitative”.
“Their website and Instagram portray trendy, wellness-style branding rather than a proud celebration of authentic Pacific customs or values,” they said.
“I feel like co-owner Charles appears to use his Samoan heritage as a buffer against the backlash he’s received.
“Not to discredit his identity in any way; he is Samoan, and seems like a proud Samoan too.
“However, that should be reflected consistently in their branding. What’s currently shown on their website and Instagram is a mix of Fijian kava practice served in a Samoan tanoa. That to me is confusing and dilutes cultural authenticity.”
Fiji academic Dr Apo Aporosa said much of the misunderstanding stems from a narrow perception of kava as simply being a beverage.
“Most people who think they are using kava are not,” Aporosa said.
‘Detached from culture’
“What they’re consuming may contain Piper methysticum, but it’s detached from the cultural framework that defines what kava actually is.”
Aporosa said it is important to recognise kava as both a substance and a practice — one that involves ceremony, structure, and values.
“It is used to nurture vā, the relational space between people, and is traditionally accompanied by specific customs: woven mats, the tanoa bowl, coconut shell cups (bilo or ipu), and a shared sense of respect and order.”
He said that the commodification of kava, through flavoured drink extracts and Western “wellness” branding, is concerning, and that it distorts the plant’s original purpose.
“When people repackage kava without understanding or respecting the culture it comes from, it becomes cultural appropriation,” he said.
He added that it is not about restricting access to kava — it is about protecting its cultural integrity and honouring the knowledge Pacific communities have preserved for upwards of 2000 years.
‘We can’t just gatekeep — we need to guide’
Dr Edmond Fehoko, is a renowned Tongan academic and senior lecturer at Otago University, garnered international attention for his research on the experiences and perceptions of New Zealand-born Tongan men who participate in faikava.
He said these situations are layered.
“I see the cultural appreciation side of things, and I see the cultural appropriation side of things,” Fehoko said.
“It is one of the few practices we hold dearly to our heart, and that is somewhat indigenous to our Pacific people — it can’t be found anywhere else.
“Hence, it holds a sacred place in our society. But, we as a peoples, have actually not done a good enough job to raise awareness of the practice to other societies, and now it’s a race issue, that only Pacific people have the rights to this — and I don’t think that is the case anymore.”
He explained that it is part of a broader dynamic around kava’s globalisation — and that for many people, both Pacific and non-Pacific, kava is an “interesting and exciting space, where all types of people, and all genders, come in and feel safe”.
“Yes, that is moving away from the cultural, customary way of things. But, we need to find new ways, and create new opportunities, to further disseminate our knowledge.
‘Not the same today’
“Our kava practice is not the same today as it was 10, 20 years ago. Kava practices have evolved significantly across generations.
“There are over 200 kava bars in the United States . . . kava is one of the few traditions that is uniquely Pacific. But our understanding of it has to evolve too. We can’t just gatekeep — we need to guide,” he said.
He added that the issue of kava being commercialised by non-Pacific people cannot necessarily be criticised.
“It’s two-fold, and quite contradictory,” he said, adding that the criticism against these ventures often overlooks the parallel ways in which Pacific communities are also reshaping and profiting from the tradition.
“We argue that non-Pacific people are profiting off our culture, but the truth is, many of us are too,” he said.
“A minority have extensive knowledge of kava . . . and if others want to appreciate our culture, let them take it further with us, instead of the backlash.
“If these lads are enjoying a good time and have the same vibe . . . the only difference is the colour of their skin, and the language they are using, which has become the norm in our kava practices as well.
“But here, we have an opportunity to educate people on the importance of our practice. Let’s raise awareness. Kava is a practice we can use as a vehicle, or medium, to navigate these spaces.”
‘Getting judged for the colour of my skin’
“I completely understand the points that have been brought up,” Byram said in response to the criticism.
Tearing up, he said that was one of the most difficult things to swallow was backlash fixated on his cultural identity.
“I felt like I was getting judged for the colour of my skin, and for not understanding who I was or what I was trying to accomplish. If my skin was a bit darker, I might have been given some more grace.
“I was raised in a Samoan household. My grandfather is Samoan . . . my mum is Samoan. It’s tough to be this person and then get hurt online, without having a conversation with me. Nobody took the time to ask those questions,” he said.
The pair also pushed back on claims they are focused on profit.
“We went there to learn, to dive into the culture. We went to a lot of kava bars, interviewed farmers, just to understand the origin of kava, how it works within a community, and then how best to engage with, and showcase it,” Byram said.
“People have criticised that we are profiting — we’re making no money at this point. All the money we make from this kava has gone back to the farmers in Vanuatu.”
Representing a minority
Hillen thinks those criticising them represent a minority.
“We have a lot of Pasifika customers that come here [and] they support us.
“They are ecstatic their culture is being promoted this way, and love what we are doing. The negative response from a minority part of the population was surprising to us.”
Critics had argued that the business showcased confusing blends of different cultural approaches.
Byram and Hillen said that it is up to other people to investigate and learn about the cultures, and that they are simply trying to acknowledge all of them.
Byram, however, added that the critics brought up some good points — and that this will be a catalyst for change within their business.
“Yesterday, we joined the Pacific Business Hub. We are [taking] steps to integrate more about the culture, community, and what we are trying to accomplish here.”
They also addressed their initial silence and comment moderation.
‘Cycle so self-perpetuating’
“I think the cycle was so self-perpetuating, so I was like . . . I need to make sure I respond with candor, concern, and active communication.
“So I deleted comments and put a pause on things, so we could have some space before the comments get out of hand.
“At the end of the day . . . this is about my connection with my culture and people more than anything, and I’m excited to grow from it. I’m learning, and I’m utilising this as a growth point. We’re just doing our best,” Byram said.
Hillen added: “You have to understand, this business is super new, so we’re still figuring out how best to do things, how to market and grow along with not only the community.
“What we really want to represent as people who care about, and believe in this.”
Byram said they want to acknowledge as many peoples as possible.
“We don’t want to create ceremony or steal anything from the culture. We really just want to celebrate it, and so again, we acknowledge the concern,” he added.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Detective Inspector Martin James, District Manager Criminal Investigations:
Police can now release the name of the teenager killed in Napier early on Sunday morning.
He was 15-year-old Kaea Karauria from Napier.
He was found critically injured at an Alexander Avenue address. Despite all efforts by ambulance staff, he died at the scene.
A homicide investigation was launched yesterday, and a team of 20 investigators are continuing to make enquiries.
No one has been arrested at this stage.
A disorder event involving a group of people on Dinwiddie Avenue may be linked to the incident.
We still urgently need to hear from anyone who was in the area, or anyone who took photos or video of the altercation on Dinwiddie Avenue.
We understand the fact someone so young has been killed is very unsettling for the community.
We are providing support to the whanau of the victim and assure the community we are working hard to understand what happened and hold those responsible to account.
We would like to thank local residents for their cooperation and patience.
Anyone with information is asked to make a report online, or by calling 105.
Footage can be uploaded here
Please quote the reference number 250511/1317.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house
This Mother’s Day we pay tribute to New Zealand mums ensuring the survival of our native species. Here’s some of our favourite photos…
Today mums, we salute you!
To all the mums, grandmothers, mother figures and caregivers out there, Happy Mothers Day, Whakamihia Te Rā o Te Māmā.
Source: New Zealand Police
District:
The public are asked to avoid Betsy Eyre Park, The Brook, while Police attend an incident there.
There is no risk to the public, however we ask people to steer clear while Police are at the scene and obey any instructions from local staff.
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can confirm a person has died following a crash on Oxford Street, Levin earlier today.
Emergency services were called to the collision involving a truck and a van just before 7:20am.
One person died at the scene and a second person was transported to hospital with moderate injuries.
The road has since reopened.
The Serious Crash Unit attended and enquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist
The escalation of violence in West Papua is on par with some of the most intense times of conflict over the past six decades, a human rights researcher says.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) claims that Indonesia killed at least one civilian and severely injured another last Tuesday in Puncak Regency.
In a statement, ULMWP interim president Benny Wenda said Deris Kogoya, 18, was killed by a rocket attack from a helicopter while riding his motorbike near Kelanungin Village.
Jemi Waker, meanwhile, sustained severe violent injuries, including to both his legs.
The statement said Waker had refused to go to hospital, fearing he would be killed if he went.
Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said that over the past month he had received an unusually high number of messages accompanied by gruesome photos showing either Indonesian soldiers or civilians being killed.
“The fighting is much more frequent now,” Harsono said.
More Indonesian soldiers
“There are more and more Indonesian soldiers sent to West Papua under President Pradowo.
“At the same time, indigenous Papuans are also gaining more and more men, unfortunately also boys, to join the fight in the jungle.”
He said the escalation could match similarly intense periods of conflict in 1977, 1984, and 2004.
A spokesperson for Indonesia’s Embassy in Wellington said they could not confirm if there had been a military attack in Puncak Regency on Tuesday.
However, they said all actions conducted by Indonesia’s military were in line with international law.
They said there were attacks in March and April of this year, instigated by an “armed criminal group” targeting Indonesian workers and civilians.
Harsono said if the attack was on civilians, it would be a clear breach of human rights.
Confirmation difficult
However, he said it was difficult to confirm due to the remoteness of the area. He said it was common for civilians to wear army camouflage because of surplus Indonesian uniforms.
— Benny Wenda (@BennyWenda) May 7, 2025
ULMWP’s Benny Wenda said West Papuans were “a forgotten, voiceless people”.
“Where is the attention of the media and the international community? How many children must be killed before they notice we are dying?”
Wenda compared the lack of attention with the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict that was getting more media attention.
He said Indonesia had banned media “to prevent journalists from telling the world what is really going on”.
The Indonesian Embassy spokesperson said foreign journalists were not allowed in the area for their own safety.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines
If you’re about to dive into some DIY, check out the materials from storm-damaged homes that are available at your community recycling centre.
With more than 200 of the 1200 Category 3 homes now removed, material from the deconstructed homes have ended up at recycling centres across the city – ready to become someone else’s treasure.
Grab everything from a whole kitchen, to framing timber, to a door for your next renovation and help these recycled materials find a new home. If the recycling centre doesn’t have the material you’re looking for, please ask them if they can get it.
The recycling centres with these materials are Devonport, Helensville, Onehunga, Henderson (Tipping Point), Point England (Tāmaki), Wairau, Waiuku and Warkworth. See the Auckland Council website for location details and hours of operation.
Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house
Date: 12 May 2025
Danica Stent, DOC’s International Manager, says New Zealand’s existing UNESCO World Heritage sites are some of the most remarkable places in the world.
“Our natural and cultural heritage is central to who we are as a nation. World Heritage sites are a source of national identity and our share of earth’s most unique, significant places.
“They are also a great source of national pride, containing internationally iconic heritage such as Piopiotahi Milford Sound, world-class hikes including the Routeburn and native species found only in New Zealand like kiwi, takahē and kākāpō.”
Aotearoa currently has three World Heritage sites: Te Wāhipounamu – South-West New Zealand, Tongariro National Park and the New Zealand subantarctic islands.
“We want to hear about the places that might make the cut for a new World Heritage site,” Danica says.
“Pursuing World Heritage status is all about being good tīpuna and protecting our heritage today, for all mokopuna tomorrow.”
Anyone making an application for the Tentative List should be prepared to submit a full nomination for World Heritage status within the next 10 years.
Danica says although New Zealand currently has a Tentative List of potential World Heritage sites, it was developed in 2007 and needs updating.
“Ideas about heritage have evolved over the past few decades. There’s now a greater recognition of the importance of the views and rights of indigenous peoples. For this reason, support from mana whenua will be essential for sites to be considered for the Tentative List.”
Making the Tentative List is the first step in the process towards becoming a World Heritage site.
“Robust examination of current sites and potential new sites for the Tentative List is needed to ensure they have local support and a high chance of making it onto the World Heritage List,” Danica says.
Vicki Soanes, Secretary General, New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, says the programme seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
“The process of refreshing the Tentative List is an important signal to UNESCO about the value New Zealand places on the World Heritage programme,” Vicki says.
Anyone interested in applying should submit an expression of interest by 31 July 2025, allowing DOC to provide any advice needed to support development of applications. The final closing date for applications is 30 January 2026.
An independent panel of natural and cultural heritage experts will assess the applications and deliver a report to the Conservation Minister on sites for the Tentative List.
Cabinet is expected to decide on the final Tentative List by the end of 2026. The list is submitted to the World Heritage Centre, then nominations can be developed for World Heritage status.
Visit DOC’s website for information on making an application for New Zealand’s World Heritage Tentative List.
New Zealand is a party to the World Heritage Convention under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
DOC is New Zealand’s lead agency for the Convention, working closely with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
New Zealand’s three World Heritage sites won’t be affected by this review.
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets
As Road Safety Week begins, the Government’s crackdown on drunk drivers is delivering real results with newly released 2024 statistics showing the number of alcohol-related road deaths reducing by nearly 40%, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.
“Our Government is focused on improving road safety through road policing and enforcement, investment in new and safe roading infrastructure, and targeting the leading contributors to fatal crashes such as drugs and alcohol impairment. That plan – the Road Policing Investment Programme (RPIP) – is seeing some strong results, and we need to keep it up,” Mr Bishop says.
“Police have really stepped up their road policing efforts in the past year. In 2024, Police delivered 4,118,159 passive breath and breath screening tests, the highest number recorded in a calendar year, and smashing their RPIP target of 3.3 million per year.
“Police have also exceeded their target to focus 65% of their breath testing on the highest risk times. In the first nine months of this financial year (July 2024 to March 2025), Police delivered 2,177,179 passive breath and breath screening tests during high or extreme risk alcohol hours. This is 35% above the year-to-date target of 1,608,750 tests, and a 21% increase compared to the first nine months of the previous financial year.
“The whole point of roadside breath testing is to keep New Zealanders safer on the roads – and it’s working.
“It’s really encouraging to see an almost 40% reduction in the number of road deaths where alcohol was a contributing factor, from 92 alcohol-related road deaths in 2023 down to 57 in 2024.
“In fact, the steep reduction in alcohol-related road deaths led to the 2024 total road toll being the lowest since 2014. Every avoidable road death is a tragedy and there’s always more work to do, but this is a big step in the right direction.”
“The reduced number of road deaths in 2024 is also significant given the presence of factors that can drive up the road toll, such as population increases, continued increases in the size of the vehicle fleet and increases in the total vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) across the network.
“Roadside testing for drug driving is also coming soon. Anyone who drives while under the influence of drugs should know that they’re putting themselves and other road users at risk – and we’re not going to put up with it.
“In March 2025 the Government passed legislation to enable Police to conduct roadside testing for drug impairment, and we expect these tests to start being rolled out later this year.”
“Alcohol and drugs are leading contributors to death and serious injury on our roads, and both random and selective breath testing is proven to discourage people from drinking and driving. Every breath test delivered has the potential to save a life, and you can continue to expect to Police highly visible on our roads,” Mr Mitchell says.
“I’m proud of the work our Police are doing to reduce deaths on our road, keep our communities safe, and ensure everyone can get to where they need to go safely.”
Notes to editor:
Source: New Zealand Labour Party
Rehashing old laws around boy racers is not going to make our communities safer, or distract New Zealanders from the appalling decision to cut women’s pay.
“This Government is better at crushing the rights of working women than crushing cars,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.
“Putting out a press release talking about boy racers on Mother’s Day isn’t fooling anyone. New Zealanders value their mums and think they should be paid fairly. The debacle over women’s pay this week isn’t going away.
“So instead of addressing pay equity, they’ve announced tweaks to laws around boy racers, including making it easier to crush cars which didn’t work last time they were in Government. Slightly increasing fines also hasn’t historically changed behaviour in the long-term.
“This Government is yet again putting more work on frontline police without more resources. They’re failing to meet their 500 police promise and are more focused on confiscating gang patches than tackling meth.
“Reheating old policies won’t make our communities safer. They’re failing to address the nub of what is causing crime, while attempting the ultimate distraction.
“Get proper policies and pay women what they’re worth,” Ginny Andersen said.
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A cutting-edge trades teaching and training facility which has officially opened at Highbrook is set to unlock educational opportunities across Auckland and fuel growth in the trades industry.
The opening was marked with a symbolic wire-cutting ceremony — a nod to the electrical trade — led by 24-year-old student Georgia Rensen who recently qualified as an electrician. Georgia’s role in the ceremony highlighted the growing presence and importance of women in trades.
The event was also attended by the Hon. Erica Stanford, Minister of Education and Minister of Immigration, who officially opened the new 3,300-square-metre, two-storey campus – a major milestone for Skills Group, New Zealand’s largest private training establishment.
Previously a logistics warehouse, the building has undergone a $4.5 million transformation into a modern learning hub, now dedicated to training students in the electrical trades.
Skills Group Director Trades School, Di Lithgow, says the new campus reflects the organisation’s commitment to delivering contemporary and effective training environments.
“This facility represents a significant boost in our capacity to support the growing demand for skilled tradespeople across Auckland,” she says.
“It’s designed to meet the needs of both students and the wider industry through innovative, hands-on learning.”
The Highbrook facility follows recent expansions by Skills Group in Christchurch and Dunedin, bringing world-class training environments to key regions across the country.
Designed using feedback from tutors and drawing on international best practice, the new campus features state-of-the-art workshop classrooms for pre-trade students.
These spaces combine theory and practice in one cohesive environment.
“Students don’t have to leave the classroom to apply what they’ve learned,” Di says.
“They can immediately work on training boards within the same space, creating a seamless learning experience.”
Workshops are equipped with custom-designed U-shaped benches that allow students to sit or stand while learning about appliances, soldering, and other practical components. This layout also enables tutors to maintain full visibility and engagement with the entire class from a central position.
“We are incredibly proud to offer this world-class facility in Auckland – one that supports not only our apprentices but also their employers and the broader industry,” Di says.
The new campus is located at 18 Business Parade North, Highbrook.
Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
A decision by the Broadcasting Standards Authority to uphold a complaint against a 1News broadcast in November is a warning to the news media, says the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority has ruled that a TVNZ news item on violence in Amsterdam breached BSA rules.
1News described violence in the streets of Amsterdam following a soccer match as ‘disturbing’ and ‘antisemitic’ and stated the graphic video of beatings were Maccabi Tel Aviv fans under attack just for being Jewish.
Videographers who took the footage which 1News had used, complained to their news agencies that this description was quite wrong. The violence was perpetrated by the Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv fans against those they suspected of being Arab or supporters of Palestine. The visiting Israelis were the attackers – not the victims.
(Before the match these same Maccabi fans had gathered in large groups to chant “Death to Arabs” – a racist genocidal chant which if used with the races reversed (“Arabs” replaced by Jews”) would have been rightly condemned in purple prose by western news media such as TVNZ. But no such sympathy for Palestinians or Arabs)
PSNA immediately requested that TVNZ broadcast a correction. TVNZ refused, though admitting they had got the story wrong.
PSNA then referred a complaint to the BSA who upheld the complaint as failing to meet the accuracy standard.
PSNA Co-Chair John Minto says the BSA decision should be seen as a warning to the news media to be aware that Israel is using fabricated charges of antisemitism, to justify and divert attention from its genocide in Gaza and silence its critics.
“Just because Benjamin Netanyahu and the then US president Joe Biden made statements turning Amsterdam attackers into victims, doesn’t mean TVNZ news should automatically parrot them,” Minto says. “That’s effectively what the BSA concluded.”
Minto also points to what he called a recent fabricated hysteria about antisemitism in Sydney, which the New South Wales police found to be completely based on hoaxes by a criminal gang.
“In the US, Trump is using the same charge as an excuse to close down university courses and expel anyone who protests against the Israeli genocide in Gaza.”
“The Human Rights Commission here has also been guilty of publishing misinformation through the news media, which it refuses to publicly correct, probably because of its own fondness for Israel.”
“Of course, we strongly condemn the real antisemitism of anti-Jewish, Nazi-type Islamophobic groups,” Minto says.
“It should be easy for professional reporters and editors to tell the difference between criticism of Israeli apartheid, ethnic cleansing and violence on one hand, and on the other hand Nazis and their fellow travellers who condemn Jews because they are Jews”
“The BSA is, in effect, demanding the news media educate themselves.”
John Minto
Co-Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets
A new floodway infrastructure upgrade that provides flood protection and resilience for Edgecumbe was opened today by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson.
“The completion of this multi-stage project is an impressive milestone that has been undertaken over 12 years and is one of the largest flood resilience projects completed in New Zealand in recent times. It will bring much needed flood protection for communities and will enable economic development opportunities in the Eastern Bay of Plenty,” Mr Patterson says.
“We only need to think back to the 2017 Edgecumbe floods to realise how critically important this project is to the region. The floods saw water pouring through this area after the Rangitāiki River burst its banks causing millions of dollars in damage, displacing many people, and disrupting the lives of many families for a considerable amount of time.”
The Rangitāiki Floodway upgrade was a six-stage project designed to take pressure off the flood prone Rangitāiki River stopbanks by diverting some of its flow during significant weather events. The final stage included increasing the capacity of the floodway and the construction of an additional spillway to manage the water flows entering the floodway from the Rangitāiki River above Edgecumbe.
Back in August 2024, this government committed $200m of the Regional Infrastructure Fund to flood resilience across New Zealand.
The $50m floodway has been co-funded, with $14m government funding, and the balance of the project funded by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and local community.
Upgrading the spillway and installing new floodgates allows the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to safely manage and control the release of flood waters,” says Mr Patterson.
“Projects like the Rangitāiki Floodway upgrade represent core, resilient infrastructure, crucial to the economic, social, cultural, and environmental wellbeing of our country. They help to protect lives and reduce the toll these events can have on communities, businesses, and infrastructure,” says Mr Patterson.
“This project has been a testament to the partnership between central and local government, Rangitāiki River communities, and local Iwi and industry to support community resilience and economic growth in the Eastern Bay. I look forward to seeing this newly protected land being utilised for future growth opportunities that benefit the local economy,” Mr Patterson says.
Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets
The Government is turning up the heat on boy racers and fleeing drivers with a suite of stronger measures to deter anti-social and intimidating driving, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.
“At present, the penalties for anti-social or intimidating driving behaviour aren’t strong enough to deter this appalling behaviour. Police reporting shows that some types of anti-social road events are actually increasing in frequency. We’re saying enough is enough,” Mr Bishop says.
“Kiwis are sick of seeing these idiot drivers putting everyone around them at risk, so we’re taking action through a range of much tougher penalties.
The new offences and penalties will include:
“These changes, to be introduced in new legislation in mid-2025, will mean convicted fleeing drivers, boy racers, and people participating in intimidating convoys have their vehicle destroyed or forfeited,” Mr Bishop says.
“The legislation will establish a presumptive court-ordered sentence of vehicle forfeiture or destruction. This means that, if someone is convicted of these offences, courts must order that vehicle be destroyed or forfeited to the Crown to be sold.
“There will be some limited exceptions where the vehicle is owned by someone other than the offender, or if it would be manifestly unjust or cause extreme or undue hardship to do so.”
Minister Mitchell says the bill will give Police new powers to manage intimidating convoys and illegal dirt bike gatherings, through the ability to close roads and compelling people to leave or face fines.
The bill will also introduce stronger fines for intentionally creating excessive noise from within or on a vehicle. This will take the Police-issued fine from $50 to $300, and the court ordered fine from $1000 to $3000.
“People have had enough of boy racers and their dangerous, obnoxious behaviour. These people drive without regard for the danger and disruption it causes to our communities. They have no consideration for anyone other than themselves.” Minister Mitchell says.
“Anti-social road use and illegal street racing have no place in New Zealand. Our message is clear: if you want drive dangerously, face the consequences”.
Notes to editors:
Source: New Zealand Police
Emergency services are in attendance following a serious crash in Oxford Street, Levin.
Two vehicles have crashed just before 7:20am.
At this stage it appears one person has suffered critical injuries and another person is in a moderate condition.
The road is currently closed and diversions are in place.
The Serious Crash Unit is attendance.
A further update will be provided later this morning.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
ANALYSIS: By Robert Inlakesh
Israel is in a weak position and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s extremism knows no bounds. The only other way around an eventual regional war is the ousting of the Israeli prime minister.
US President Donald Trump has closed his line of communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to various reports citing officials.
This comes amid alleged growing pressure on Israel regarding Gaza and the abrupt halt to American operations against Ansarallah in Yemen. So, is this all an act or is the US finally pressuring Israel?
On May 1, news broke that President Donald Trump had suddenly ousted his national security advisor Mike Waltz. According to a Washington Post article on the issue, the ouster was in part a response to Waltz’s undermining of the President, for having engaged in intense coordination with Israeli PM Netanyahu regarding the issue of attacking Iran prior to the Israeli Premier’s visit to the Oval Office.
Some analysts, considering that Waltz has been pushing for a war on Iran, argued that his ouster was a signal that the Trump administration’s pro-diplomacy voices were pushing back against the hawks.
This shift also came at a time when Iran-US talks had stalled, largely thanks to a pressure campaign from the Israel Lobby, leading US think tanks and Israeli officials like Ron Dermer.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Trump publicly announced the end to a campaign designed to destroy/degrade Yemen’s Ansarallah-led government in Sana’a on May 6.
Israeli leadership shocked
According to Israeli media, citing government sources, the leadership in Tel Aviv was shocked by the move to end operations against Yemen, essentially leaving the Israelis to deal with Ansarallah alone.
After this, more information began to leak, originating from the Israeli Hebrew-language media, claiming that the Trump administration was demanding Israel reach an agreement for aid to be delivered to Gaza, in addition to signing a ceasefire agreement.
The other major claim is that President Trump has grown so frustrated with Netanyahu that he has cut communication with him directly.
Although neither side has officially clarified details on the reported rift between the two sides, a few days ago the Israeli prime minister released a social media video claiming that he would act alone to defend Israel.
On Friday morning, another update came in that American Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth would be cancelling his planned visit to Tel Aviv.
Can Trump and Netanyahu remake the Middle East? Video: Palestine Chronicle
Is the US finally standing up to Israel?
In order to assess this issue correctly, we have to place all of the above-mentioned developments into their proper context.
The issue must also be prefaced on the fact that every member of the Trump government is pro-Israeli to the hilt and has received significant backing from the Israel Lobby.
Mike Waltz was indeed fired and according to leaked AIPAC audio revealed by The Grayzone, he was somewhat groomed for a role in government by the pro-Israel Lobby for a long time.
Another revelation regarding Waltz, aside from him allegedly coordinating with Netanyahu behind Trump’s back and adding journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a private Signal group chat, was that he was storing his chats on an Israeli-owned app.
Yet, Waltz was not booted out of the government like John Bolton was during Trump’s first term in office, he has instead been designated as UN ambassador to the United Nations.
The UN ambassador position was supposed to be handed to Elise Stefanik, a radically vocal supporter of Israel who helped lead the charge in cracking down on pro-Palestine free speech on university campuses. Stefanik’s nomination was withdrawn in order to maintain the Republican majority in the Congress.
If Trump was truly seeking to push back against the Israel Lobby’s push to collapse negotiations with Iran, then why did Trump signal around a week ago that new sanctions packages were on the way?
He announced on Friday that a third independent Chinese refiner would be hit with secondary sanctions for receiving Iranian oil.
Israeli demands in Trump’s rhetoric
The sanctions, on top of the fact that his negotiating team have continuously attempted to add conditions the the talks, viewed in Tehran as non-starters, indicates that precisely what pro-Israel think tanks like WINEP and FDD have been demanding is working its way into not only the negotiating team, but coming out in Trump’s own rhetoric.
There is certainly an argument to make here, that there is a significant split within the pro-Israel Lobby in the US, which is now working its way into the Trump administration, yet it is important to note that the Trump campaign itself was bankrolled by Zionist billionaires and tech moguls.
Miriam Adelson, Israel’s richest billionaire, was his largest donor. Adelson also happens to own Israel Hayom, the most widely distributed newspaper in Israel that has historically been pro-Netanyahu, it is now also reporting on the Trump-Netanyahu split and feeding into the speculations.
As for the US operations against Yemen, the US has used the attack on Ansarallah as the perfect excuse to move a large number of military assets to the region.
This has included air defence systems to the Gulf States and most importantly to Israel.
After claiming back in March to have already “decimated” Ansarallah, the Trump administration spent way in excess of US$1 billion dollars (more accurately over US$2 billion) and understood that the only way forward was a ground operation.
Meanwhile, the US has also moved military assets to the Mediterranean and is directly involved in intensive reconnaissance over Lebanese airspace, attempting to collect information on Hezbollah.
An Iran attack imminent?
While it is almost impossible to know whether the media theatrics regarding the reported Trump-Netanyahu split are entirely true, or if it is simply a good-cop bad-cop strategy, it appears that some kind of assault on Iran could be imminent.
Whether Benjamin Netanyahu is going to order an attack on Iran out of desperation or as part of a carefully choreographed plan, the US will certainly involve itself in any such assault on one level or another.
The Israeli prime minister has painted himself into a corner. In order to save his political coalition, he collapsed the Gaza ceasefire during March and managed to bring back his Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to his coalition.
This enabled him to successfully take on his own Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, in an ongoing purge of his opposition.
However, due to a lack of manpower and inability to launch any major ground operation against Gaza, without severely undermining Israeli security on other fronts, Netanyahu decided to adopt a strategy of starving the people of Gaza instead.
He now threatens a major ground offensive, yet it is hard to see what impact it would have beyond an accelerated mass murder of civilians.
The Israeli prime minister’s mistake was choosing the blocking of all aid into Gaza as the rightwing hill to die on, which has been deeply internalised by his extreme Religious Zionism coalition partners, who now threaten his government’s stability if any aid enters the besieged territory.
Netanyahu in a difficult position
This has put Netanyahu in a very difficult position, as the European Union, UK and US are all fearing the backlash that mass famine will bring and are now pushing Tel Aviv to allow in some aid.
Amidst this, Netanyahu made another commitment to the Druze community that he would intervene on their behalf in Syria.
While Syria’s leadership are signaling their intent to normalise ties and according to a recent report by Yedioth Ahronoth, participated in “direct” negotiations with Israel regarding “security issues”, there is no current threat from Damascus.
However, if tensions escalate in Syria with the Druze minority in the south, failure to fulfill pledges could cause major issues with Israeli Druze, who perform crucial roles in the Israeli military.
Internally, Israel is deeply divided, economically under great pressure and the overall instability could quickly translate to a larger range of issues.
Then we have the Lebanon front, where Hezbollah sits poised to pounce on an opportunity to land a blow in order to expel Israel from their country and avenge the killing of its Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Trigger a ‘doomsday option’?
Meanwhile in Gaza, if Israel is going to try and starve everyone to death, this could easily trigger what can only be called the “doomsday option” from Hamas and other groups there. Nobody is about to sit around and watch their people starve to death.
As for Yemen’s Ansarallah, it is clear that there was no way without a massive ground offensive that the movement was going to stop firing missiles and drones at Israel.
What we have here is a situation in which Israel finds itself incapable of defeating any of its enemies, as all of them have now been radicalised due to the mass murder inflicted upon their populations.
In other words, Israel is not capable of victory on any front and needs a way out.
The leader of the opposition to Israel in the region is perceived to be Iran, as it is the most powerful, which is why a conflict with it is so desired. Yet, Tehran is incredibly powerful and the US is incapable of defeating it with conventional weapons, therefore, a full-scale war is the equivalent to committing regional suicide.
Robert Inlakesh is a journalist, writer, and documentary filmmaker. He focuses on the Middle East, specialising in Palestine. He contributed this article to The Palestine Chronicle and it is republished with permission.
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 1 near Moerewa is blocked by a crash, between Main Road and Hautapu Road.
The crash, involving a truck and a car, was reported to Police at 8pm.
One person is reported to have serious injuries, one person has moderate injuries, and one person has minor injuries.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following an ATV crash at a private property on French Pass Road, Karapiro this afternoon.
The crash was reported to Police at 2.30pm.
In addition to the fatality, one person sustained critical injuries, one has serious injuries and one has moderate injuries.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Asia Pacific Report
The Aotearoa Philippines Solidarity national assembly has condemned the National Party-led Coalition government in New Zealand over signing a “deplorable” visiting forces agreement with the Philippine government
“Given the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ appalling human rights record and continuing attacks on activists in the Philippines, it is deplorable for the New Zealand government to even consider forging such an agreement,” the APS said in a statement today.
Activists from Filipino communities and concerned New Zealanders gathered in Auckland yesterday to discuss the current human rights crisis in the Philippines and resolved to organise solidarity actions in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The visiting forces agreement (VFA), signed in Manila last month, allows closer military relations between the two countries, including granting allowing each other’s militaries to enter the country to participate in joint exercises.
“By entering into a VFA with the Philippines, the coalition government is being complicit in crimes against humanity being perpetrated by the AFP and the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against the Filipino people,” the statement said.
Having such an agreement in place with the Philippine military tarnished New Zealand’s global reputation of respecting human rights and having an independent foreign policy.
“The APS reiterates its call to the New Zealand government to junk the VFA with the Philippines and to end all ties with the Philippine military,” the statement said.
Mid-term general election tomorrow
“Assembly participants also discussed the mid-term general election campaign in the Philippines “and the violence borne out of it”.
“Elections are typically a bloody affair in the country, but the vote set to occur on Monday [May 12] is especially volatile given the high stakes,” the statement said.
“The country’s two dominant political factions, the Marcos and Duterte camps, are vying for control of the country’s political arena and there is no telling how far they would go to obtain power.”
The statement said there were reports of campaigners going missing, being extrajudicially killed and also being detained without due process.
“We expect electoral fraud and violence will again be committed by the biggest political dynasties especially against the progressive candidates representing the most marginalised sectors.
“The Philippine government must do everything it can to avoid further bloodshed and violent skirmishes that aim to preserve power for the competing political dynasties.”
The statement said that the APS called for the immediate and unconditional freedom for Bayan Muna campaigner Pauline Joy Panjawan.
“Her abduction, torture and continuing detention on trumped up charges speak volumes about the reality of the ongoing human rights crisis in the Philippines.
With yesterday’sassembly, the APS renewed its commitment to raise awareness over the human rights crisis in the Philippines and to do everything it could to raise solidarity with the Filipino people struggling to “achieve a truly just and democratic society”.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Tairāwhiti Area Commander Inspector Danny Kirk:
The Gisborne community will notice additional Police on patrol ahead of a tangi for a patched gang member on Monday morning.
A large number of gang members and associates are expected to be in town for the tangi, and Police will have additional resources on hand to provide staff the support they need for a gathering of this size. Extra staff from neighbouring Police districts will be in Tairāwhiti, ensuring we can respond to any scenario that threatens public safety. The Police helicopter, Eagle, will also provide aerial support through Monday.
We are mindful of providing a space for whānau and friends to grieve peacefully while balancing the safety of the community.
Police have been in contact with local gang leaders to outline our expectations, including around the wearing or displaying of gang insignia in a public place, which Police will act upon. We have also been in communication with whānau of the deceased.
Our focus is on the safety of everyone. We will not tolerate behaviour that aims to threaten or intimidate, and officers will be working to reduce disruption to the public.
Police will have extra patrols around Gisborne and the wider area, including on the roads. Even if we can’t take enforcement action on the day, staff will follow up on reports of illegal activity.
At the heart of this is the safety of our community and I urge anyone who has immediate concerns for their safety to please call Police on 111.
If you are reporting matters after the fact, please make a report online or call 105, referencing file number 250511/1622.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
A teenager has died after a serious incident in Napier overnight.
Police were called to a disorder event on Alexander Avenue in Onekawa, about 3.10am today, said Detective Inspector Martin James, District Manager Criminal Investigations.
“On arrival, a teenage boy was found critically injured at an Alexander Avenue address. Despite all efforts by ambulance staff, he died at the scene.
“At the same time, a second injured teenager was located at a Cottrell Crescent address. He was transported to hospital in a serious condition but has since been discharged.
“Enquiries are in the very early stages and Police are providing support to the whānau of both victims.”
Detective Inspector James said a disorder event involving a group of people on Dinwiddie Avenue may be linked to the incident.
A scene examination is ongoing, and cordons remain in place at the intersections of Hitchings Avenue and Alexander Avenue, Dinwiddie Avenue and Wallis Place, and Alexander Avenue, near Dinwiddie Avenue.
“Police will have a noticeable presence in the area while that work continues.
“We are speaking with a number of people as part of the investigation, but we urgently want to hear from anyone who was in the area, or anyone who took photos or video of the altercation on Dinwiddie Avenue.
“A number of investigators are working to determine what occurred and why, and we urge anyone who can assist our enquiries to contact us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to make a report online, or by calling 105. Please quote the reference number 250511/1317.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police investigating an aggravated robbery in Marton are appealing for information from the public.
On Saturday 10 May, Police received a report of a person entering a commercial premises on Broadway at around 10pm.
The alleged offender threatened an employee with a weapon before taking cash.
The employee was uninjured, however is understandably shaken by the incident.
Prior to Police arrival, the alleged offender fled the area on foot.
Manawatu Police would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the aggravated robbery or may have information that could assist in our invesitgation.
Police would also like to hear from anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage in the Broadway area between 9.30pm and 11pm on Saturday night.
Anyone with information that can assist Police in our investigation is urged to contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.
Please use the reference number 250511/1196.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
On Saturday 8 May, around 400 protesters rallied with Queer Endurance in Defiance (QED), protesting against a proposed member’s bill by NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft, which aims to legally exclude trans people from definitions of “man” and “woman.”
NZ First leader Winston Peters announced on 22 April that the bill will define a woman as an “adult human biological female” and a man as an “adult human biological male.” The wording of the bill reflects that of a recent ruling from Britain’s Supreme Court, which similarly excluded trans women from the definition of women.
QED activists say both moves seek to facilitate the exclusion of trans people from social services and public life. QED spokesperson Tristan-Cordelia Egarr noted that the government had already indicated moves to restrict access to puberty blockers for trans rangatahi, and erase queer and trans people from Relationships and Sexuality Education in schools.
Egarr also noted that “instead of focusing on the most pressing issues facing New Zealanders – the cost of living crisis, child poverty, the climate crisis, our overburdened healthcare system – Peters and the government are presenting these transparent attempts to distract and divide us by targeting an already marginalised and vulnerable community.”
“Now more than ever, trans communities need support. Join Queer Endurance in Defiance, or your local queer organisation, and help us demonstrate that we will not be defined out of existence. We trans people will continue to exist, and we will continue to resist.”
Source:
Te Pāti Māori MP for Te Tai Tokerau calls out the government’s decision to keep funding state abuse, turning their backs on justice and real change for abuse in care survivors.
“The government has committed to throwing $744 million down the drain, reinforcing a violent regime of disrespect against the expertise and experience of survivors” said Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Oranga Tamariki Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.
“Survivors bared their souls to the Royal Commission and its findings were meant to deliver transformational change, not serve as an inquiry for nothing. Minister Erica Stanford should be deeply ashamed of herself, as should every other complicit member of parliament in the coalition government.
“Stanford has assumed she knows better than those who have lived and survived state abuse, throwing away money top-ups to cover up the fact that government has yet again ignored key recommendations.
“We need to see these ‘band-aid for bullet wounds’ approaches for what they truly are, cover-ups and superficial solutions to deep systemic failures” said Kapa-Kingi.
Te Pāti Māori remains unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that every recommendation from the inquiry is fully implemented.
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died and another has serious injuries following a two-vehicle collision in Hastings overnight.
Emergency services were called to the crash on Southampton Street West, near the intersection with King Street South, about 12.20am.
Sadly, one of the drivers died at the scene, while the other was transported to hospital in a serious condition. There were no other occupants in either car.
Police are providing support to the next of kin.
The Serious Crash Unit has carried out a scene examination and enquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets
Minister for Mental Health and Associate Minister of Health Matt Doocey will travel to Australia on 12 May to attend Digital Health Festival 2025 in Melbourne. He will head a delegation of 23 New Zealand companies and organisations, to highlight the leading role New Zealand is playing in the digital transformation of healthcare.
“New Zealand has a proud history of innovation in healthcare. I am delighted to support the innovative, forward-thinking Kiwi companies at this year’s Digital Health Festival and showcase some of New Zealand’s world-class healthtech solutions,” Mr Doocey says.
While at the event, Mr Doocey will deliver a keynote speech on New Zealand’s innovative approach to healthcare and take part in a panel discussion on ‘Enhancing the Future of Patient Care – Innovation from the Edge’. He will also work directly with New Zealand companies to open doors to more opportunities for New Zealand businesses in Australia and globally.
“Healthtech is one of New Zealand’s largest and fastest-growing tech subsectors, employing over 10,500 people globally. International collaboration is key to driving much-needed innovation in the industry and events such as this provide an excellent platform for fostering partnerships,” Mr Doocey says.
Digital Health Festival 2025 will run from 13-14 May, bringing together over 8,000 influential leaders and innovators to connect and share the latest developments in healthcare. A New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) hosted pavilion will be the focal point of New Zealand’s presence at the event.
Mr Doocey leaves for Melbourne on Monday 12th May and will conclude his visit on Thursday 15 May.
Source: New Zealand Police
Cordons are in place following a serious incident in Napier overnight.
Police were called to Alexander Avenue in Onekawa about 3.10am.
Cordons are in place at the intersections of Hitchings Avenue and Alexander Avenue, Dinwiddie Avenue and Wallis Place, and Alexander Avenue, near Dinwiddie Avenue.
A scene examination is under way this morning and cordons are expected to remain in place through the day.
At this early stage, Police are unable to comment further.
Information will be released proactively.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
