Review of the Kaikōura Marine Area management measures

Proposed updates to MPI’s cost recovery for plant and forestry export certification

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October 20, 2025

Proposed updates to MPI’s cost recovery for plant and forestry export certification [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Background to phytosanitary certification

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is reviewing how much it charges to recover the costs of providing export phytosanitary certification for plant and forestry products. This will be the first major review in fees since 2007.

Phytosanitary certification is essential for New Zealand’s plant-based exports, providing official government-to-government assurances that exported plant products meet the plant health and regulatory requirements of importing countries. These services support around $13 billion in annual exports across the horticulture (excluding wine), forestry, and arable sectors.

MPI currently charges a per-certificate fee. Rising costs, inflation, increased international compliance requirements, and changes in export behaviour have contributed to a projected deficit of $7.276 million in the certification account by 2027–28 based on the current fee structure.

Recovering the cost of services from external third parties, including those who directly benefit from the services delivered, is a commonly accepted practice across all New Zealand government agencies and around the world.

What we’re proposing

MPI is proposing 2 options to reduce the projected deficit.

Option 1: Immediate recovery: Apply a one-off fee increase for 13 months from 1 December 2025 until 31 December 2026.
Option 2: Gradual recovery: Increase fees over 3 years (2025–26 to 2027–28).

Without changes, MPI will need to reduce its services, potentially affecting New Zealand’s ability to meet international export requirements and maintain market access.

Once the existing deficit has been recovered, the proposed levy rates will be reset to cover the cost of delivering phytosanitary certification only.

Have your say

MPI is seeking feedback from exporters, industry stakeholders, and interested parties on which cost recovery option you prefer and any other issues MPI should consider in addressing the current phytosanitary certification account deficit.

Your input will help shape the final decisions.

Consultation document

Making your submission

Submissions are open until 5pm on 31 October 2025.

You can submit your feedback online or by email.

Online

Complete the submission form – SurveyMonkey

Email

Send your comments to plantexports@mpi.govt.nz

To help you give your feedback, use our submission template [DOCX, 79 KB]

What to include in your submission

The title of the discussion document.
Your name and title.
Your organisation’s name (if applicable) and whether the submission represents the whole organisation or a part of it.
Your contact details (email, phone number, or address).

Submissions are public information

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

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

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

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Motorbike riders urged to take care after several crashes

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October 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

As spring arrives and the weather improves, Police are urging motorcycle riders to use good judgement on the roads, following four crashes in the space of two hours.

“As the country steps out of winter into warmer and lighter months we usually see an uptick of motorcycles on our roads, and unfortunately an increase in motorcycle injuries and crashes,” says Superintendent Steve Greally, Director Road Policing.

Spring often brings inexperienced riders, and people who might have had time off from riding, back onto bikes.

“The consequences of a mistake on a motorbike can be far worse than for other vehicles, which is why we’re urging new and returning riders to take extra care,” Superintendent Greally says.

Spring riding can present its own challenges. Short bouts of rain can make for a combination of wet and dry, and greasy, roads; sunstrike and glare can limit rider vision; and warm temperatures can lead to oil and loose grit.

Police were aware of and monitoring an organised motorcycle run, which went from Whatawhata, through Pirongia, Te Awamutu, Arapuni, Putaruru, and north to Huntly on Saturday.

Within around two hours, Police were notified of four riders coming off their bikes.

At around 11am, a woman came off her motorbike after hitting gravel on Te Pahu Road, sustaining a fractured wrist.

Ten minutes later on the same road, a man came off his bike and was knocked unconscious, and reported having a sore back. The man hadn’t ridden in 30 years.

About 12:20pm, another member of the motorcycle run came off his bike on Arapuni Road. He had been riding in formation, and was pushed onto gravel after going around a slight bend. He suffered a broken arm.

Around 15 minutes, later another man who was riding two abreast came off his bike on Arapuni Road – ambulance assistance was declined.

“We all want to be out on the roads when it’s good weather, but it’s important to get the basics right,” Superintendent Greally says.

“I understand that riding with friends can be a great experience, but it’s not great when the cost is a serious injury or worse.

“We’re reminding riders to take it slow, make sure they’re wearing the right gear and make good decisions,” he says.

New and returning riders are urged to explore resources such as Ride Forever.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

New Zealand’s first sports school will open in Term 1 2026

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October 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the much-anticipated New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa (NZPAA) will open as a charter school for athletes in Term 1 2026.

The school will serve students with serious sporting aspirations, giving them the skills to ignite a professional career, while ensuring they get the academic education all students need.

“Students will no longer have to sacrifice their education in pursuit of sporting dreams, or vice versa,” Mr Seymour says.

“There is absolutely no doubt that if this school was open when I was growing up, I would have been an All Black.

“The academy will initially offer elite football training, leveraging the expertise of the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy, and rugby union training. Other sports will be added over time based on the needs of students.”

The academy will be based at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) in Upper Hutt, a state-of-the-art facility designed to support high-performance sports. NZCIS will also partner with the school to provide specialised sports training.

“The school will teach a nationally recognised curriculum and world class-athletic development. For example, students will be taught key skills such as leadership, how to build healthy relationships, how to look after their mental health, and nutrition. Students will also have access to flexible scheduling, personalised support, and top-tier coaching and facilities,” Mr Seymour says.

“When it comes to education, one size does not fit all.

“Charter schools show education can be different if we let communities bring their ideas to the table.

“These schools have more flexibility in return for strictly measured results.

“The charter school equation is: the same funding as state schools, plus greater flexibility plus stricter accountability for results, equals student success.

“There are more ideas in the communities of New Zealand than there are in the Government. That’s why we open ideas to the wider community, then apply strict performance standards to the best ones.

“It will join the three new charter schools announced last week which will open in Term 1 2026. This takes the total number of charter schools to 15. We expect more new charter schools to be announced before the end of the year, along with the first state schools to convert.

“I want to thank the Charter School Agency and Authorisation Board for the work they have done getting charters open. They considered 52 applicants for new charter schools. This year they tell me the choices were very difficult.

“This is just the beginning. I hope to see many more new charter schools opening, and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools.”

Proposed changes to the Plant Export Requirement: MPI Technical Standard: Phytosanitary Certificates

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October 20, 2025

Proposed updates to the MPI Plant Export Requirement: MPI Technical Standard: Phytosanitary Certificates [PDF, 702 KB]

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is consulting on proposed changes to an existing plant export requirement, the MPI Technical Standard: Phytosanitary Certificates [PDF, 326 KB]

This is part of the ongoing work to strengthen the MPI plant export phytosanitary assurance system.

MPI wants your feedback on the proposed changes to the standard.

This consultation opened on 20 October and we will accept submissions until 5pm on 28 November 2025.

Summary of what is being proposed and why are we making these changes

MPI has reviewed the standard, proposing some changes designed to make it easier for users to follow requirements. They include:

amending the flow of information to make it easier to read and find relevant information
adding more guidance and detail to the requirements to ensure they are well understood
future-proofing the standard as much as possible by broadening terminology
requiring exporters (whether requesting the certificates themselves or via another organisation) to register with MPI for access to the electronic certification system. This change aligns with new functionality being introduced in MPI Trade Certification, which will enable enhanced user management and allow exporters to have greater control over who can view and submit requests on their behalf. (Note that this change will not be introduced in ePhyto).

We are proposing these changes to the requirements to offer clarity and provide more guidance. These changes are intended to help industry more efficiently obtain and use phytosanitary certification while still meeting MPI’s requirements. While the standard may look different, the requirements largely remain the same.

Note: these are proposed changes only and are not currently in effect. The requirements outlined in the current version of the MPI Technical Standard: Phytosanitary Certificates (dated 18 November 2020) remain applicable.

Consultation document

Note: due to the number of amendments, the proposed changes to the requirements have not been highlighted in yellow.

Making your submission

Submissions are open until 5pm on 28 November 2025.

You can submit your feedback online or by email.

Online

Complete the submission form – SurveyMonkey

Email

Send your comments to plantassurance@mpi.govt.nz

To help you give feedback, use our submission template [DOCX, 81 KB]

Submissions are public information

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

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

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

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Richard Wagstaff’s response to the Government on nationwide strikes

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October 20, 2025

Source: NZCTU

This statement was originally published by The Post

The strikes planned by several unions on October 23 represent the biggest day of industrial action in decades. More than a hundred thousand union members spread across many occupations have voted to send a message that they expect their employers to respond properly to the claims they have put forward in negotiations.

These workers include primary and secondary teachers, teacher aids, allied health workers, care and support workers, advisory and knowledge workers, mental health and general nurses, and doctors. Other professions like fire fighters are also taking industrial action.

What these groups all have in common is that they are being confronted with a coordinated and deliberate bargaining strategy from the Public Service Commission and employers. That is to respond with long-term pay offers that are well under inflation. In other words, the employers are insisting that these workers take a pay cut in real terms, not just for this year, but for two or three years.

These disputes are about much more than pay rates. These workers have also raised numerous issues around the quality of service and care, especially around short staffing and resources. This has largely fallen on deaf ears. No meaningful proposal has been made on these issues, which go to the very heart of the disputes.

Taken together, the bargaining position of the employers, which will have been signed off by the Government, represents a downgrading of our public services, our health services, and our education services.

The public sector workforce is highly committed to providing what they were trained as professionals to do – deliver a quality service that supports communities to have a high quality of life. If they accept the paltry offers being put in front of them, they know service quality will suffer, and even more workers will head overseas.

The Government consistently demonstrates they are out of touch with the realities of workers. They have tried to portray the dispute as politically driven by unions – ignoring the fact that it is the workers themselves, not union officials, who have voted overwhelmingly to take this action.

The Prime Minister even falsely claimed that the unions taking action are affiliated to the Labour Party – in reality, none of these unions are affiliated to Labour. He is deliberately spreading misinformation to deflect from his Government’s failure to deliver quality public services.

The concerns over safe staffing, resources, and equipment are all long standing and have been raised year after year. There have been agreements to fix things that have not been honoured. Just a few months ago, these workers had their pay equity claims and settlements severely undermined by the Government, which has had a significant impact on their take home pay.

This Government promised to fix the cost-of-living crisis but are instead cutting wages for hundreds of thousands of public service workers.

The nature of industrial disputes is that reaching a fair settlement will ultimately require agreement between the parties.

The Government argues it can’t afford it to meet the claims. But workers are well aware that the Government found $23 billion over the past two budgets for tax cuts for high income earners, and tax breaks and write offs for landlords, tobacco companies, and businesses. Workers understand its all about priorities, and that ministers could choose to prioritise the essential services and workers we all depend on.

Previous National-led governments have found ways through industrial disputes in the past. We need to see leadership not politics from this Government.

No one wants to take strike action if it can be reasonably avoided. Workers know there are impacts of strike action – but if there wasn’t no pressure could be brought on employers to change their position.

In fact, these workers have shown extraordinary patience. They have been in bargaining for many months, for some over a year. This simply can’t go on with the meaningless timewasting of employers who keep coming back with effectively the same offers.

It is condescending for the Government to accuse these workers of not caring about the impact of the strike. This workforce is dedicated to these services and fully understand that these disputes are not just about settling collective agreements, but also about protecting the public investment and long-term viability of these services. They are taking a stand for all of us, and we encourage the public to show their support.

We all depend on essential public services that are there when we need them. We need to show that we value these services not just with words, but by addressing the concerns brought to the negotiating table by the people who do the work.

300+ new social homes on the way for Bay of Plenty

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October 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 300 new social homes will be delivered in Bay of Plenty by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Our Government backs social housing, and we’re determined to deliver it better. That means building the right homes, in the right places, with the right support, for the people most in need,” Mr Bishop says.

“Across New Zealand, CHPs and Kāinga Ora have delivered over 6,800 net new social homes since November 2023, with 539 of those places being in Bay of Plenty.

“On top of that, the Government has committed funding for more than 2,000 additional homes to be delivered by CHPs over the next two years. Bay of Plenty is one of the regions benefiting from this pipeline.”

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated social homes based on regional need, which has been assessed using a range of factors including the housing register and emergency housing use.

“In Bay of Plenty, the CHP projects are expected to deliver:

At least 300+ new social homes to be delivered by CHPs including Accessible Properties Ltd and Emerge Aotearoa
The new homes will be located in places such as Ngongotahā, Te Puke, Greerton, Lynmore and Papamoa
Over 85 percent of places are one or two-bedrooms which will help address the greatest gap in social housing supply in Bay of Plenty
“Half of those waiting for a home nationally need a one-bedroom property, yet only 12 percent of Kāinga Ora’s stock meets that need. In the Bay of Plenty, 82 per cent of the Housing Register demand is for one- and two-bedroom places so these new homes will make a real difference,” Mr Bishop says.

“Every set of keys handed over is another person or family in a warm, dry social home. We’re focused not just on delivering more homes, but on delivering the right homes that match the needs of people and communities.

“The Government’s wider reset of the social housing system is already showing results. Recently the Community Housing Funding Agency achieved an A+ credit rating from S&P Global, and last week we announced the introduction of a new loan guarantee scheme, reducing borrowing costs for CHPs and enabling them to deliver more homes.

“We’re simplifying the funding system so providers can get on with building homes, instead of navigating a confusing web of overlapping funds. These Bay of Plenty projects are a good example of the progress being made.”

Delivery is well underway on the first tranche, which includes around 100 homes from CHPs including Accessible Properties Ltd and Emerge Aotearoa. We expect all of the 300+ homes to be delivered between now and 2027.

Death following fire, Riwaka

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October 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

A man has died following a fire at a Riwaka address yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the property about 10.50am on Sunday after a report of a house fire.

One person was initially unaccounted for. Sadly, they were located deceased after the fire was extinguished.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the fire are ongoing, and the man’s death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Mobile scanner delivering diagnostics closer to home

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October 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 340 patients in the lower South Island have been able to access advanced cancer diagnostics closer to home through fortnightly visits from a mobile PET-CT service to Dunedin, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This has been a gamechanger for patients in the lower South Island who need a PET-CT scan,” Mr Brown says.

“Patients are now benefiting from easier access to high-quality cancer imaging, without the need to travel long distances for scans. The mobile service now visits Dunedin Hospital for three days every fortnight.

“Until December last year, most patients in the region who required a PET-CT scan were referred to Christchurch. Now, the majority are referred to the mobile imaging unit at Dunedin Hospital, with 347 patients scanned so far.

“This means earlier diagnosis, faster treatment decisions, and less stress for patients and their families.”

PET-CT imaging is an advanced technology used to diagnose and stage cancer, giving doctors a much clearer picture than traditional CT scans. By showing the exact location and extent of cancer, it helps clinicians make more informed decisions about treatment. In around 18 to 25 percent of cases, the results can lead to changes that improve how a patient’s care is managed.

Mr Brown says increasing access to diagnostics closer to home is a priority for the Government.

“This service is improving access for patients and ensuring those in the lower South Island can receive world-class diagnostic care closer to home.

“We are committed to ensuring patients in every part of New Zealand have access to the same quality services, no matter where they live.”

Keep an eye out for our new spokes-Buoy this Safer Boating Week

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October 20, 2025

Source: Maritime New Zealand

As Safer Boating Week 2025 gets underway, a new ambassador for safety will start bobbing in the waves around the country.

Introducing “Buoy-Boy” – a floating reminder to recreational craft users to stay safe on the water. Buoy-Boy will be appearing at popular boating spots nationwide, starting this week, and continuing throughout the summer months.

Buoy-Boy’s mission is simple: to encourage recreational craft users to be prepared in case they unexpectedly find themselves in the water. His presence is a light-hearted but important reminder to check lifejackets, monitor marine weather conditions, and carry at least two waterproof forms of communication – such as a beacon (EPIRB), cellphone, or have a marine radio on-board.

The name Buoy-Boy is a playful twist on the maritime term “buoy,” paired with “boy” to give a human touch to the delivery of safety messages. Buoys are familiar to water users and serve a vital role in marking hazards, speed zones, and areas designated for specific activities, such as water skiing.

Matt Wood, Maritime NZ’s Principal Advisor Recreational Craft, says Buoy-Boy’s role is to gently reinforce safety habits as boaties head out for the day.

“While he’s not an official aid to navigation, we hope Buoy-Boy will serve as a friendly prompt to think about safety as recreational craft users are leaving for a day on the water.

“When boaties see Buoy-Boy, it should be their final reminder to ensure they’re wearing a properly fitted lifejacket, have checked the marine weather forecast and are carrying two forms of communication.”

Buoy-Boy will be popping up at some popular recreational boating locations across the country over the next month.

Tragically, an average of 17 people lose their lives each year in incidents involving recreational craft. Research shows that the highest risk occurs within 400 metres of shore – an area where many assume they are safe.

“I want to acknowledge the tragic incident that occurred at Port Waikato over the weekend. While we are not able to talk about what occurred. This is a devastating reminder about the dangers of heading out on the water.

Our thoughts are with those involved and their friends and family,” Matt Wood says.

Maritime NZ wants to thank all the responders who worked to help those involved in this heartbreaking incident.

One craft type identified through our research as having an elevated risk are dinghies.

“Over the past decade, a quarter of all fatal incidents have involved dinghies, and in most cases, those who died were not wearing lifejackets.”

“People often believe that being close to shore means they are safer than they actually are – but sadly, that’s not always the case,” Matt Wood says.

Before heading out, every water user should ask themselves; If I end up in the water, how prepared am I?

“Preparation is the key to staying safe.

“We want recreational craft users to be sure before they leave the shore; this means they will enjoy their time on the water and most importantly come home safely,” Matt Wood says.