Climate News – January 2025 was marked by cooler-than-average temperatures – New Zealand’s coldest January since 2017 – NIWA

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Source: NIWA January 2025 Climate Summary for New Zealand – January 2025 was marked by cooler-than-average temperatures across much of the country, making it New Zealand’s coldest January since 2017, according to NIWA National Climate Centre’s Monthly Climate Summary. The nationwide average temperature was 16.4°C, which is 0.8°C below the 1991-2020 January average. Below-average temperatures were … Read more

Owning the Wrong Stuff

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Source: ACT Party The Haps David Seymour’s speech at the Treaty Grounds today is widely anticipated. This week’s Free Press covers other matters, but for a preview of ACT’s Treaty approach, you can read Seymour’s column in the Herald. The COVID Royal Commission, Mark II, designed by Brooke van Velden, is open to public submissions, and … Read more

Unemployment climbs above 5%

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Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose … Read more

Unemployment rate at 5.1 percent in the December 2024 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Labour market statistics: December 2024 quarter

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Source: Statistics New Zealand Unemployment rate at 5.1 percent in the December 2024 quarter – 5 February 2025 – Unemployment continued to grow, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reaching 5.1 percent in the December 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. In the December 2024 quarter: the unemployment rate was 5.1 … Read more

It’s business time for Golden Bay’s Birds Hill bump

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Golden Bay residents can expect to see contractors on site on State Highway 60 at Birds Hill next week with resilience work to start on the Birds Hill landslide. The slip reactivated  in 2017 and has continued to gradually move, creating  a large hump in what was the left-hand lane … Read more

Stretch of SH3, Woodville to close during Te Ahu a Turanga roundabout work

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency As the Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū-Tararua Highway project nears completion, sections of State Highway 3 through Woodville will be closed for up to 5 weeks to allow for the completion of the new roundabout. SH3 at the Vogel Street / Woodlands Road bend will be closed 24/7 for 5 … Read more

Name release: Fatal crash, Flaxmere

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police are now in a position to release the name of the person who died following a crash on Chatham Road, Flaxmere on Thursday 30 January. She was 11-year-old Emma Jane Kupa of Flaxmere. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. A 34-year-old … Read more

Palestine Forum of New Zealand Condemns Trump’s Remarks and Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Palestinian Rights

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Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand The Palestine Forum of New Zealand strongly condemns the recent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Such rhetoric is not only inflammatory but also deeply harmful, as it undermines the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people and perpetuates a cycle … Read more

Health – ProCare Foundation announces recipients of more than $200,000 of funding

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Source: ProCare Foundation Six Auckland organisations tackling health inequity and poverty have received a major boost, with the ProCare Charitable Foundation announcing $210,000 in grants to support initiatives that promote community health and wellbeing. This year’s recipients are: Auckland Women’s Centre Inc BabyStart Charitable Trust Dance & Arts Therapy NZ Garden to Table Trust Orange … Read more

Public Health Surveillance Strategy 2025–2030

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Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health The Public Health Surveillance Strategy 2025-2030 is designed to strengthen our public health surveillance system to better support increased life expectancy with quality of life for New Zealanders. The strategy was a collaboration between the Public Health Agency with the wider Ministry, Health New Zealand, and ESR. Extensive consultation … Read more

Events – Mark your calendars for the best night of the year when Australia’s most famous girls night out hits Auckland on March 1st

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Source: AO Communications Lise & Sarah’s DISCO CLUB will turn up the volume again in 2025 with its Australian and New Zealand tour, with  general release tickets on sale now. In 2025, 20,000 women* will have the chance to dance at the sell-out phenomenon that is Lise & Sarah’s DISCO  CLUB. And for the first … Read more

Op-Ed – Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face – OPED Conor English

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Opinion – by Conor English 5 February 2025 – Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face – Boxer Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”.  He was simply pointing out in his own unique direct way, that sometimes things don’t go the way you think. There can … Read more

Housing Market – First home buyers well placed for 2025 – CoreLogic

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Source: CoreLogic – Commentary from Kelvin Davidson, CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist In today’s Pulse, CoreLogic NZ’s Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson looks at the conditions facing first home buyers (FHBs) in 2025, with the data pointing to favourable market conditions – although their percentage share of activity may not hold at recent record highs. … Read more

Transport – Desert Road closure costing freight businesses an estimated $100,000 per day

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Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand National road freight association Transporting New Zealand has emphasised the importance of getting the Desert Road on State Highway 1 reopened as soon as possible, estimating that the closure is increasing freight costs for businesses and consumers by $100,000 per day. Chief executive Dom Kalasih says that while using … Read more

Mouse plague threatens rare skink

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Source: Department of Conservation Date:  05 February 2025 Mouse numbers have been tracking consistently high in the area where the skinks live. Mice are small enough to enter the small holes and burrows where the skinks live and eat them alive. This operation, in Victoria Forest Park, will protect the only known population of the Alborn … Read more

Fatal crash, Twin Lakes Road, Upper Hutt

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on Twin Lakes Road, Upper Hutt this morning. The single vehicle crash was reported at about 7am. The sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene. Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing. ENDS Issued by … Read more

New infrastructure research can aid disaster preparedness

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Source: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission New research from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga shows how insurance can help us to manage natural hazard risks and choose how to prepare infrastructure for a changing climate. “New Zealand has experienced some significant natural events in recent years,” says the Commission’s General Manager Strategy, Peter Nunns. “In … Read more

ChildFund – Back to school? Not without clean water

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Source: ChildFund New Zealand ‘Back-to-school’ means something different in parts of the Pacific Children in remote areas of the Pacific, like the outer islands of Solomon Islands or Kiribati struggle to go back to school if they don’t have access to clean water, let alone access to pens, school books and a new school bag. “The … Read more

Fire Safety – Dry conditions prompt fire restrictions in Otago’s alpine area

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand has placed Otago’s alpine area into a restricted fire season from 8am, Wednesday 5 February until further notice. A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which they can apply for … Read more

Proposed changes to cost recovery settings: 2025 annual review

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Source: Ministry for Primary Industries Have your say The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) seeks your feedback on increases to: the Dairy Standards Processor Levy and the Dairy Exporter Levy veterinary service fees for establishments veterinary service fees for live animal imports and exports, including germplasm the Raw Milk Levy the Homekill Levy. We’re also … Read more

Firearms and ammunition recovered in Levin

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police have recovered stolen firearms and a large amount of ammunition from a house in Foxton, thanks to two members of the public making the decision to call 111. Horowhenua Prevention Manager Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Vine says thanks to those calls, Police have prevented weapons and ammunition falling … Read more

Name release: Fatal crash Acacia Bay, Taupō

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police can now release the names of the two people who died following a crash in Acacia Bay, Taupō on Friday 17 January. They were Purity Anne Te Pairi and Tamatoa Kimi, both aged 19, from Taupo. Our thoughts are with the whānau of those involved. Inquiries into the … Read more

Police continue investigation into Birkenhead incident

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News) An investigation into the wounding of a man in Birkenhead on Tuesday afternoon will continue today. A man suffered multiple stab wounds outside an address on Birkenhead Avenue at around 2pm. North Shore Area Commander Inspector Stefan Sagar says the victim underwent surgery at Auckland City Hospital last night. … Read more

Fatality following crash on 28 January, Te Poi

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on State Highway 29, Te Poi on Tuesday 28 January. The person was transported to hospital with critical injuries following the single vehicle crash. As a result of the injuries sustained, the person passed away in hospital last night. … Read more

Fatality following crash, SH39, Ngāhinapōuri

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police can confirm that a person has died following a crash near Ngāhinapōuri this morning. Emergency services attended the crash involving three vehicles, reported at around 2.20am. In addition to the fatality, two other people were moderately injured. State Highway 39 is closed while the scene is cleared and … Read more

Support for Māori economic development projects

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Source: New Zealand Government A major infrastructure upgrade at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, supported by $10.2 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, is progressing well with some new facilities opening in time for the 185th Waitangi Day commemorations this week, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. The Ministers also … Read more

Road closure, SH39, Ngāhinapōuri

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News) State Highway 39 is closed following a crash near Ngāhinapōuri. Emergency services attended the crash involving three vehicles, reported at around 2.20am. Critical injuries are reported. Serious Crash Unit are conducting a scene examination. The road is closed and diversions are in place, motorists are advised to avoid the … Read more