The Green Party is condemning the Government’s weakening of Te Tiriti o Waitangi provisions across multiple pieces of legislation. 

“Pushing through these sweeping changes in secret shows this Government is a dishonourable Treaty partner,” says Green Party MP Tamatha Paul. 

Documents seen by Paul outline Cabinet’s decision to amend Treaty provisions across 23 pieces of legislation.  

Under the changes, the standard of Treaty obligation would be reduced to no higher than “take into account”.  

Treaty references in other laws would be repealed entirely. The decisions were made in February but never publicly announced. 

“The Government’s changes diminish the mana of Te Tiriti by making it a mere consideration as opposed to something that must be honoured.” 

“It also conflates Te Tiriti o Waitangi with the Treaty of Waitangi, but these two documents are worlds apart in their meaning.” 

“The fact that the Government tried to do this without telling anyone speaks volumes. They know this is wrong.” 

“Provisions that currently require decision-makers to ‘give effect to’ or ‘honour’ the principles of Te Tiriti will be gutted.” 

“No one was consulted in this process. Māori, iwi, hapū, even the general public, have been left out. 

“It’s abhorrent that this Government consistently makes sweeping decisions about Te Tiriti without engaging its Treaty partners.” 

“The Waitangi Tribunal found the Crown’s process would breach Te Tiriti and said the review should be refocused with full engagement and inclusion of Māori in decision-making. The Government ignored both warnings.” 

“The Green Party will continue, as we always have, to uphold Te Tiriti and the promises that were made over 180 years ago,” says Paul. 

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The Green Party has used its 2026 State of the Planet address to set out a vision for a resilient, independent Aotearoa and to call on the Government to create a National Electrification Plan.

Co-leader Marama Davidson spoke about the middle-east crisis, the case for an independent, principled foreign policy, and the Green Party’s consistent stance on getting off fossil fuels. 

“What is happening in the Middle East is first and foremost a human catastrophe. Civilians are being killed and injured. Livelihoods are being destroyed. International law is being broken,” says Green Party Co-leader, Marama Davidson. 

“The warnings about fossil fuel dependence, about food sovereignty, about what happens when a small country ties its fate to extractive, corporate and ultimately unstable global systems, those were not abstract concerns. They are what families across this country are living through right now.” 

Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick set out the Green Party’s call for a National Electrification Plan as the practical response to the fossil fuel crisis on top of the Party’s previous calls for free public transport and measures to ease the cost of living.  

The plan would electrify homes, transport and industry, ending New Zealand’s dependence on unpredictable global fossil fuel markets, cutting household power bills, and building real energy security at home. 

“There is no trade-off between fixing the cost of living, addressing the fossil-fuel crisis and climate crisis. They are the same problem, all driven by the same rules that prioritise profit over people and planet,” says Green Party Co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick. 

“If we want a resilient economy, we’ve got to power it with homegrown sun, wind, water and geothermal energy. That doesn’t need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.” 

“We can lower the cost of living by rolling out rooftop solar and batteries for all, homeowners, renters, marae, schools, farms.” 

Swarbrick called for the Government to immediately support the Ratepayers’ Assistance Scheme, an initiative backed by groups such as Rewiring Aotearoa. 

“It’s simple, fast, and it cuts the upfront cost barrier for thousands of New Zealanders. We know this will save the average household a $1000 on their power bill,” says Swarbrick. 

The speech also called for boosting funding for public transport networks across the country that were previously rejected by the Government.

“It would have cost $150 million to expand the networks, just three quarters of just one of the subsidies the Luxon Government is instead dishing out to support fossil fuel dependence.” 

The Party called for the Government to work towards a National Electrification Plan. 

“The same arguments that have made sense forever – cleaner air, cheaper living, less congestion, easier ways of getting people around – make even more sense when we also need to conserve the fuel for those who don’t yet have another option,” says Swarbrick. 

“We need an industrial strategy electrifying freight and production, which requires Government to put its hands back on the wheel of the economy, not leave the fate of our country to bets in boardrooms.” 

Marama Davidson said, “our government should work for the people and the planet, not for the greed of corporations, their faceless boards and shareholders. Together we can reverse the damage that has been done and make decisions for the good of everyone.” 

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Attributable to Detective Inspector Martin James:

Three people have died after an incident at an Avenue Road East, Hastings, address early this morning.

Emergency services were called to the property about 6am after reports of several people being seriously injured.

On arrival, one person was found deceased.

Two others were found to be in a critical condition and one in a serious condition, and were transported to Hastings Hospital.

Sadly, both critical parties have now also died. 

A homicide investigation has been launched, and a scene examination will take place at the property today.

Police appreciate this is a distressing incident that will no doubt be concerning to nearby residents.

I would like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, contained to this specific group of people, and there is no risk to the wider public.

Further information will be provided when it is available.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Police Maritime responded to a search and rescue incident this afternoon after a group of kayakers were reported overdue off the coast in the Stanmore Bay area.

The group had set off from Mahurangi intending to paddle to Manly Beach. When one double kayak failed to arrive as expected and sea conditions deteriorated, with rough seas and winds of 15–20 knots, a member of the group contacted Police.

Police Coastal Master Senior Constable Trevor Proctor says they immediately initiated a search, issuing a mobile phone locate to the missing kayakers and tasking the Police Eagle helicopter, to search the coastal area between Mahurangi and Manly.

“The missing person wasn’t answering texts or calls so we managed to locate the kayakers by polling their phone.

“Eagle located the two kayakers approximately 5.7 kilometres off Stanmore Bay Beach. 

“They were in the water holding onto their kayak and were unable to get back in due to the conditions. 

“Both were wearing lifejackets.”

Police worked with Coastguard who were tasked to retrieve the kayakers.

Volunteers from Coastguard Hibiscus aboard Hibiscus Rescue 2 responded to the incident.

Hibiscus Rescue 2 retrieved both kayakers and transported them back to Coastguard Base at Stanmore Bay. No injuries were reported.

“We’re pleased with this positive outcome and acknowledge the teamwork between those involved, including the timely call for assistance, the use of location technology, and the coordinated response by emergency services,” says Senior Constable Proctor.

“This incident highlights the importance of always wearing a lifejacket and carrying more than one form of communication when you’re on the water.

“If you’re relying on a mobile phone, store it in a waterproof bag or case.

“These simple precautions can make a critical difference in an emergency.”

Police encourage anyone heading out on the water to check the forecast, plan conservatively and ensure they have appropriate safety equipment before setting out.

ENDS

Jo Wilson/NZ Police

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Police have seized a dirt bike and arrested its rider following dangerous and unlawful behaviour on Taupō roads.

We’re targeting the use of off-road motorcycles on local roads says Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Yardley, Taupō Area Investigations Manager.

“We’ve had numerous complaints about dirt bikes speeding in residential areas and on public roads where they’re quite simply not permitted. 

“Yesterday we executed several search warrants after numerous complaints from members of the public.

“This behaviour puts riders, pedestrians and other road users at risk.

“We will continue to take action where off-road motorcycles are illegally used on public roads.”

Police thank people who reported dangerous riding and say it’s been instrumental in identifying those involved and enabling enforcement action.

“While most riders use bikes responsibly and within the law, a small number of riders are putting themselves and others at risk,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Yardley.

“Riding motorcycles that are not road-legal, on public roads, is illegal and will not be tolerated.”

An 18-year-old man will appear in Taupō District Court, 26 May, on multiple charges including offending related to dangerous and unlawful riding.

Further arrests are likely as Police enquiries continue.

Anyone who sees who sees dangerous motorcycle riding is asked to contact Police immediately on 111 if it poses an immediate risk.

Relevant photos, footage, CCTV or dashcam footage would significantly assist ongoing investigations.

Use reference number 260413/2316.

Report non-urgent information via 105, either by phone or online. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

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Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male involved in a burglary at Glen Innes home early on Friday morning.

An investigation is underway after occupants awoke to an unknown male inside their home on Chiltern Crescent at around 4.30am.

Police are releasing an initial description of the man in an effort to identify and locate him.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk, of Auckland City CIB, says an occupant of the property was awoken at around 4.30am.

“Initially it was unclear who the person was in the darkness, but it was soon apparent that the male was not known to them,” she says.

“An occupant has screamed, startling the male and he has run from the address.”

He was last seen heading towards Leaside Lane. Police were contacted and attended the scene a short time later.

“We have been doing door knocks in the area, and an investigation is ongoing,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk says.

From enquiries to date, Police have obtained the below description of the man. He is described as:

• A male
• Possibly Pacific Islander
• Around 5’8” / 172 centimetres in height
• A neck tattoo of a gothic or Irish clover or similar
• A horse-tail haircut
• Barefoot
• Wearing red and white striped candy cane boxer shorts.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk is confident this description will ring a bell in the community.

“Given the state of the man’s dress, we believe it is highly likely that he is local to the area,” she says.

“It’s possible people heading to work have come across this male in the early hours.

“Someone will know who this male is, and they need to contact Police so we can resolve this matter.”

Police have been speaking with the occupants of the property and support has been made available.

“While they have not suffered any physical injuries, this was a frightening event for the household and we are working to identify this man,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk says.

Anyone in the area who witnesses suspicious behaviour should call 111.

Police are asking anyone who might know this man to contact Police on 105 using the reference number 260417/6763.

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

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Issued by Police Media Centre

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Attributable to Inspector Neil Forlong, Whanganui Area Commander:

Investigators undertaking a scene examination at a house fire in Rangataua located one person deceased yesterday afternoon.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) were alerted to the house fire on Kaha Street at around 6.40pm on Thursday 16 April.

The fire was extinguished by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), and Police were notified at around 7.25pm.

A scene guard was put in place overnight, to allow for a scene examination to be conducted during daylight hours yesterday.

Sadly, FENZ and Police investigators yesterday afternoon located the deceased person inside the house.

A scene guard remains in place at the house as investigators continue work to determine the circumstances of the fire.

Work is also under way to formally identify the deceased person and establish the circumstances of their death.

While we are in the very early stages of this investigation, our initial enquiries suggest there may be a connection between the fire and a fatal crash that occurred in Tangiwai on Thursday evening.

One person died in the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 49, which emergency services were notified of at around 6.45pm.

While that person is also yet to be formally identified, the vehicle involved is believed to be connected to the address where the fire occurred.

Residents in the Rangataua area may notice an increased police presence in the community as we continue to make enquiries into the circumstances of these two incidents, to establish exactly what has occurred.

If anyone has information which they think may assist our enquiries, we encourage them to report it via 105, quoting file number 260417/7386.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

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Lower Hutt’s new Eastern Bays Shared Path opens this morning, improving resilience for this coastal route and providing safer walking and cycling connections, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“The new 4.4km seawall and shared path along Marine Drive between Point Howard and Eastbourne is a significant investment in both transport resilience and safer travel for Lower Hutt’s Eastern Bays,” Mr Bishop says.

“This project strengthens a critical coastal route that Eastern Bays communities rely on, helping protect Marine Drive from waves and erosion, as well as extreme weather events.

“The seawall also protects critical infrastructure under the road, including a major wastewater discharge pipe serving the Hutt Valley – making this a value-for-money investment in the services people depend on.

“Sitting alongside the soon-to-be-completed Ngauranga to Petone Shared Path, the project delivers a safer, more attractive walking and cycling connection between local bays and into the wider Lower Hutt network, supporting active travel and reduced congestion.

“I want to acknowledge the patience of Eastern Bays communities during construction. It’s taken a while, but the Bays are now more resilient, and this long-awaited piece of infrastructure is now done.” 

Notes to editor: 

• The project progressed from early community engagement in 2015 and consent approvals between 2019–2021, to construction beginning in August 2022.
• The project is delivered in partnership with iwi mana whenua (Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira) through a Mana Whenua Steering Group alongside Hutt City Council.
• Delivery is led by Te Ara Tupua Alliance (NZTA, Downer NZ, HEB Construction, and Tonkin + Taylor), which is also responsible for the Ngauranga to Petone shared path.
• The total cost is $81.9 million, funded by Government (NIFF) $30 million, NZTA $25.5 million, and Hutt City Council $26.4 million.
• Construction has been delivered in stages across the Eastern Bays, with key completions including:
  • Eastbourne to Days Bay (first section opened November 2023; construction completed April 2024)
  • Sunshine Bay and York Bay (completed December 2024)
  • Sorrento Bay (bird protection area completed September 2025; full construction completed December 2025)
  • Point Howard (completed November 2025)
  • Lowry Bay (completed April 2026)

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Western Bay of Plenty Police are investigating incidents where people have received a scam phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer.

Acting Sergeant Gea Grilli is urging members of the Western Bay of Plenty community to be alert to the scam.

The ‘officer’ will call from an unknown number, and provide details in order to seemingly prove their identity.

They claim to be running an undercover operation into fraudulent bank notes coming from large banks in the Tauranga area, and ask people to withdraw money for evidence, with a script provided to answer any questions from the bank.

The scammer will then ask for several bank note serial numbers to determine whether the notes are fraudulent, and will provide a fake number for the victim to file an insurance claim.

The scammer then sends a courier to the victim’s house to collect the money.

This is a scam. No legitimate police officer will ever ask you to hand over money, for whatever reason.

If you want to establish the identity of a Police Officer, ask for their full details and contact Police on 105. Tell Police you think you have been contacted by an officer and ask for their details to be confirmed.

Older members of our community are being targeting and Police urge anyone with older or vulnerable family and friends to make them aware of this unlawful activity.

Since 1 April 2026, Western Bay of Plenty Police have received 12 instances of this unlawful activity happening in the community.

We ask people to be vigilant, and to educate themselves on how best to protect themselves from these scams.

New Zealand Police will also never contact people seeking their banking details, card numbers, PIN, or passwords.

There are instances where legitimate police officers will contact you as part of their duties, but New Zealand Police will never ask you to withdraw money.

Remember:

• Police will never ask for details about your bank cards, PIN or passwords over a landline phone call.
• Trust your instincts – if something doesn’t feel right, or is too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
• If you are approached, check in with a trusted friend or relative.
• If you are still uncertain or confused, ask for the officer’s details, hang up, contact 105 and request that officer call you back.

If you believe you are in the unfortunate position of being a victim of a scam or seem this situation may be familiar, please report the matter to Police and your bank.

Take the chance to upskill yourself on scam awareness, check for further information on the Netsafe website: https://netsafe.org.nz/

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Issued by Police Media Centre

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WorkSafe New Zealand has published an updated suite of guidance to help businesses and workers safely manage and work with asbestos.

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Police are urging people to be wary of unsolicited tree trimmers or gardeners, after a Masterton man was charged an exorbitant amount for shoddy work.

Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom says it’s a semi-regular problem, and generally people don’t realise what they’re going to pay until after the work’s done.

“In a recent incident, three people showed up at the man’s address, cut some branches, trimmed a hedge and charged $3500 for two hours work. They’ve driven the man, who’s in his 70s, to the bank so he can withdraw the money.

“It should’ve been a $600 job. These people take advantage of vulnerability and tend to target elderly victims or people who can’t do the work themselves.

“What can be really helpful is having conversations with your older relatives or neighbours and making them aware that there are charlatans who will try to get every dollar they can out of people.”

Inspector Thom urged people to shop around and get recommendations from friends or family. “Take your time and make sure you’re not going to fall victim to these opportunists.”

How to avoid being swindled:

• Get recommendations from friends and family – and always get at least two quotes, in writing.
• Check the reputation of the business online, and check their credentials.
• If someone can’t give you a written quote for their work decline their services.
• Be aware of those who resort to stories about coming back to do more but that they need the payment now.
• Take your time finding the right person to do the job – if they’re putting pressure on you, it’s likely a bad sign.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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A man has landed himself a court date after he was caught fishing in a protected marine reserve overnight.

Earlier this week, the Police Maritime Unit received reports of a man late-night fishing at the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve.

The reserve on Auckland’s North Shore covers 980 hectares of coastal habitats. To protect the marine ecosystem, the reserve is a ‘no-take’ area, meaning fishing is prohibited. But this offender decided he was above the rules.

With the reserve locked at night, the suspect would allegedly access the beach by driving through private property. 

Inspector Vaughn Graham says CCTV footage had been obtained showing a man visiting the reserve on three separate occasions within the last week.

“At around 12.40am this morning, the Police Eagle helicopter observed a man illegally fishing at Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve.

“Ground units were dispatched and swiftly located the man.

“Fishing equipment and number of freshly caught fish were in his possession, and he was arrested,” Inspector Graham says.

A subsequent search of the man’s car was invoked, and drugs and related paraphernalia were located.

“This was a great collaboration between the Police Maritime Unit, the Police Eagle Helicopter and units on the ground to catch an offender who decided marine protection laws didn’t apply to him.”

A 32-year-old man has been charged with two counts of unlawfully being in an enclosed area, and further charges are being considered.

The man will appear in North Shore District Court on 24 April.

The Department of Conservation have been closely following this situation.

Kirsty Prior, Department of Conservation Operations Manager Marine, says mrine reserves are no-take areas that contribute to a healthier and more abundant ocean for all New Zealanders.

“At Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve, fishing, shellfish gathering, and any other disturbance of marine life is strictly prohibited.

“We’re thankful to the NZ Police for their support in stopping people taking from these vitally important reserves.”

ENDS.

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Herald
 

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A fast-tracked renewable energy project on the West Coast will strengthen regional electricity supply and improve resilience, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones say.

In August 2025, Westpower Limited lodged a substantive application to build and operate a 23MW hydro scheme in the Waitaha Valley, about 38km south of Hokitika. The project includes a weir and a 1.5km tunnel to a two-turbine powerhouse.

“The Waitaha Hydro project has taken around 20 years to progress. Westpower Limited sought Department of Conservation concessions in 2014. Following a publicly notified process and a hearing in 2016, the Minister for the Environment declined the application in 2019,” says Mr Bishop.

“In 2022, Westpower applied to DOC seeking that the 2019 decision be reconsidered. That reconsideration process was suspended when the project obtained a listing in the FTAA and was subsequently withdrawn by Westpower.

“Fast-track meant this project received all the necessary approvals in around five months from the appointment of an expert panel.”

Poutini Ngāi Tahu is a key partner in the project, working alongside Westpower to support local economic development and ensure the hydro scheme benefits the West Coast community.

“Westpower estimates the scheme will generate enough renewable electricity to power around 12,000 homes each year and prevent up to 129,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. This is about the same as taking roughly 69,000 cars off the road annually,” Mr Jones says.

“The West Coast faces some of the highest electricity costs in New Zealand, largely due to its distance from major generation sources and dependence on a 550km-long transmission line. Increasing local generation is expected to help ease these pressures over time.

“The scheme could also contribute to New Zealand’s wider energy system by helping to manage dry-year risks affecting hydro generation elsewhere in the country.”

“Construction is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to the region, with total investment estimated between $160m and $200m. Around 71 full-time equivalent jobs will be created over the three-year construction period,” Mr Bishop says. 

“Local MP Maureen Pugh has been a strong advocate for this project, and I know she will be very pleased about progress being made.” 

Notes to editors

For more information about the project:  Waitaha Hydro

Fast-track by the numbers: 

• 18 projects approved by expert panels.
• 19 projects with expert panels appointed.
• 45 projects currently progressing through the Fast-track process.
• 43 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure.
• 149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.
• On average, it has taken 126 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope. 

Fast-track projects approved by expert panels: 

• Arataki [Housing/Land] 
• Ayrburn Screen Hub [Infrastructure]
• Green Steel [Infrastructure]
• Homestead Bay [Housing/Land]
• Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]   
• Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land]
• Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying]
• Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying]
• Maitahi Village [Housing/Land]
• Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land]
• Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land] 
• Southland Wind Farm Project [Infrastructure]
• Sunfield [Housing/Land] 
• Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
• Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 [Infrastructure]
• Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying]
• Waitaha Hydro [Renewable energy]
• Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project [Infrastructure]

Expert panels have been appointed for: 

• Ashbourne  
• Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project 
• Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project
• Central and Southern Block Mining Project
• Delmore
• Downtown Carpark Site Development
• Haldon Solar Farm
• Hananui Aquaculture Project
• Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme
• Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works
• Mahinerangi Wind Farm
• North West Rapid Transit
• Pound Road Industrial Development
• Ryans Road Industrial Development
• State Highway 1 North Canterbury – Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus)
• Stella Passage Development
• The Point Mission Bay
• The Point Solar Farm
• Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal

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17 April 2026, 10:00 am – The hint from David Seymour about a new policy for councils to receive a portion of the GST collected on construction projects in their areas, has been criticised by tax reform groups Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA) and the Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign. TJA and Better Taxes say this is just an excuse to further cut government public services, without properly tackling the issue of local government funding.

“There may be some merit in sharing GST raised in an area with the local council but, according to media reports, this policy has been costed at $5b over 4 years. Unless central government raises revenue from other forms of taxation, that will just mean further cuts to our already stretched public services,” says Glenn Barclay, spokesperson for TJA and Better Taxes.

“Minister Seymour is quite explicit about that when he said that government needs to get smaller. That really means that there will be more cuts to services that New Zealanders rely on like health and housing, and further moves to private services and user pays, in the middle of a cost of living crisis.”

“We invite the Minister to review our recently launched Tax Policy Statement to see the kind of policies that could be used to offset this loss of central government revenue,” says Barclay. “If they were willing to bring New Zealand into line with the rest of the OECD by taxing capital gains, or look at a net wealth tax on the very wealthy, then policies like this might become affordable.”

TJA and Better Taxes also point out this policy appears to have been developed without consideration of the wider issue of local government funding.

“A number of interesting ideas for the funding of local government have been raised over the years and this could be one of them, but the Government needs to take a holistic look at local government revenue raising tools,” says Barclay.

“Local Government funding is constrained and rate payers are feeling the pressure of increasing rates. Councils need to be properly funded for the functions they’re required to perform, no strings attached. This policy runs the risk of councils cutting corners on the enforcement of important building regulations in order to boost their revenue. We have been through the leaky buildings’ disaster, so we know what cutting regulatory corners can look like.”

TJA and Better Taxes will be watching the budget closely to see whether the Government coalition partners National and NZ First have just fallen into line with yet another policy driven by ACT Party dogma, or whether there are conditions built in that will ameliorate the worst effects of it.

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Plan, Build, and Test Faster With Agentic Workflows in Roblox Studio – Today, 44% of the top 1,000 creators on Roblox use Roblox Assistant or third-party AI tools via MCP to plan, build, and test their games.1 We’re levelling up Roblox Studio and Assistant with new agentic features so that creators can use AI to accelerate every step of the plan, build, test loop. We’re also surfacing features to third-party tools via Studio’s built-in MCP server. Creators now have more flexibility to augment their workflows with AI tools that can help them ship ambitious games faster.

Plan: Improved Planning Mode  

Game development is a multistep, multidiscipline endeavour that requires continual exploration and iteration. AI tools that intake a prompt and output a solution in one step can feel like shooting in the dark and often fail to truly capture a creator’s original intent. We’re introducing an improved Planning Mode to turn Assistant into a multistep, collaborative development partner that works with creators to analyse the game’s code and data model, ask clarifying questions, and turn a complex prompt into a highly detailed, reviewable, editable action plan.

Creators can add context and tweak the plan to make sure it reflects their intent before any changes are made. The plan serves as a mini game design document that agents can use to execute tasks in parallel and check their work against the original vision. Assistant creates a structured manifest of tasks with context that it can reference for the remainder of the session. Soon after launch, we’ll add the ability to automatically store this context so it can be referenced across sessions.

Build: New Mesh and Procedural Generation Tools

With a plan in place, it’s time to build out the world. New Mesh and Procedural Model Generation features accelerate the building process and help creators turn their plans into detailed, interactive worlds. Mesh Generation allows creators to quickly add textured meshes to the game world.

We’ll also soon introduce Procedural Models controlled by code. Creators will be able to generate Procedural Models with customizable attributes using text and image prompts, or they can build them from scratch. Attributes like the number of shelves in a bookcase, the number of chairs around a table, and more can be adjusted dynamically, creating smarter, editable building blocks that can be refined and reused for other purposes.

Test: New Playtesting Agent Beta

Testing and iteration are key to creating a robust game that keeps players coming back. Many creators have built sophisticated testing workflows and envisioned even more sophisticated workflows enabled by AI:

“In the future, community members could surface bugs or feature requests and my AI system could review and complete tasks overnight. When I wake up, all I have to do is check the pull requests and see what I want to integrate into the game.” – Malt, creator of Solo Hunters  

Assistant’s new playtesting agent beta can help test the game against the original plan, analysing the code and data model, reading logs, and using the player character as an automated QA tester to verify behaviour.

With the new capabilities across planning, building, and testing, Assistant is better at using agentic loops to test different aspects of the game, surface suggested solutions, and then incorporate the results into future planning loops, creating a self-correcting system that becomes more accurate over time.

More Workflows, More Flexibility

AI is accelerating workflows for planning, building, and testing games, and we’re committed to improving our tools so creators can close the gap between creative vision and execution.

We’re working on enabling other common workflows, allowing agents to run in parallel, building long-form cloud agent workflows for complex tasks, developing more intelligent NPCs that can simulate more types of player behaviour, visualizing AI workflows with a node graph, and supporting more tools and input methods. We’re also making sure creators can seamlessly use Claude, Cursor, Codex, and other third-party tools with Studio by surfacing all the context about a project via unprivileged APIs and Studio’s built-in MCP server. (ref. https://devforum.roblox.com/t/assistant-updates-studio-built-in-mcp-server-and-playtest-automation/4474643 )

1Creators who used Assistant or MCP features in Roblox Studio between 3/6/2026 and 4/7/2026. Top creators ranked by Robux spent in experience over the past 28 days as of 4/7/2026.

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The opening today of a new hardstand and mobile boat hoist near the slipway at Port Nelson marks a major milestone in the region’s marina upgrade, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.

“The Calwell Marine Maintenance and Transitional Facility is a key piece of infrastructure that strengthens Nelson’s position as a hub for marine servicing and support.

“The hardstand development adds to the region’s ability to service additional vessels. It removes smaller vessels from the larger Calwell Slipway, making room for larger vessels,” Mr Jones says.

Port Nelson will service larger vessels, while Nelson Marina will focus on smaller commercial and recreational craft, expanding total regional capacity without doubling up.

The project received $9.8 million in equity from the Crown, with additional funding provided by Port Nelson, Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council. During construction, the project employed 45 people.

The completed Calwell facility now provides haulout and launch facilities for vessels from 50 to 2400 tonnes. The new 550-tonne mobile boat hoist is supported by a new hardstand maintenance area. Together they provide critical vessel refit, repair, and marine equipment-servicing facilities to the marine support industry in Nelson.

“This investment by the Government backs the Nelson-Tasman region’s thriving marine industries. The region has lost a number of businesses in recent years but this infrastructure will help keep jobs, skills and economic value in the region,” Mr Jones says. 

In January Mr Jones announced a $12.89m loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the neighbouring marina upgrade.

The upgrade will provide the ability to lift out heavier boats for servicing by installing a 110-tonne vessel hoist. It will also expand the marina’s hardstand capacity for marine maintenance from 14 to 54 bays. A purpose-built marine service centre with office, retail and workshop spaces will also be built. Work on that project is due to begin in May.

MIL OSI