Animal Welfare – SAFE calls for halt on fish farm developments and urgent industry review

Source: SAFE For Animals SAFE is condemning the Government’s $11.72 million investment into salmon farming and demanding an urgent review into endemic animal welfare breaches. SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall says the funding allocated via the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is a concerning misdirection of Government resources. “Fish farms are quite simply under water factory … Read more

Government News – Chief Ombudsman releases report into secure aged care facilities

Source: Office of the Ombudsman The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is concerned that people can be placed in secure aged care facilities in New Zealand without the proper legal authority. Mr Boshier has today released a report on his inspections and visits to 148 secure residential aged care facilities across the country from 2021-2024. “The COVID-19 … Read more

Transport – National Freight Survey is Live!

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand March is a big month for the road freight industry with the largest survey in a decade being held to find out what are the key issues for transport operators and all the industry players. The 2025 National Road Freight Survey has been organised by national road freight organisation … Read more

Promoting Pacific languages in New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Government Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti says the Pacific language week series continues to celebrate our diverse Pacific languages, with exciting updates for 2025 and 2026, including the first-ever addition of Bislama, the national language of Vanuatu.  “Last year, the Pacific language week series saw an incredible response, with thousands … Read more

Home consents up in the month of January 2025 – Stats NZ media and information release: Building consents issued: January 2025

Source: Statistics New Zealand Home consents up in the month of January 2025 – 4 March 2025 – There were 2,203 new homes consented in January 2025, up 11 percent compared with January 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “While January 2025 saw an increase in homes consented compared to January 2024, … Read more

Local News – Feedback sought on naming policy – Porirua City

Source: Porirua City Council Names are important – they represent who we are as a city, and reflect our cultures, our histories and our connections to the environment around us and to each other. Porirua City is updating its Naming Policy to replace the Street and Road Naming Policy and Process that was introduced in 2006, … Read more

Investing in natural disaster research partnerships

Source: New Zealand Government The Government continues to invest in research which will deliver tangible benefits to New Zealanders, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  Three New Zealand research teams have been granted funding to partner with Japanese research organisations on projects that aim to make New Zealand more prepared and … Read more

Economy – Strengthening Trust and Confidence in New Zealand’s Insurance Industry – RBNZ

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand 4 March 2025 – Deputy Governor Christian Hawkesby has reinforced the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s commitment to ensuring a resilient, efficient, innovative and transparent insurance sector, speaking at the Insurance Council of New Zealand’s conference today. “The insurance industry is not just a key pillar of our financial … Read more

Upgrade to tourist experience on Stewart Island

Source: New Zealand Government Upgraded tourism ventures on Rakiura Stewart Island promise a world-class experience for visitors, with enhanced guided nature walks and improved facilities, says Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. Mr Patterson is on Stewart Island today, joining locals to celebrate the completion of the Rakiura Oneke Southern Wilderness Experience.“The realisation of this project … Read more

Privacy News – February 2025

Source: Privacy Commissioner The February 2025 issue of Privacy News includes a reminder about giving feedback on the Biometrics Code, a piece about the Public Services Commission and Stats NZ reports, how to apply to speak in Privacy Week 2025, and new guidance for tenants and landlords on our website. You can also read about … Read more

The greatest threat in the workplace could be sitting next to you

Source: Privacy Commissioner By Michael Webster, Privacy Commissioner Originally published on the New Zealand Herald 3 October 2024. One of the greatest risks to privacy in the workplace could be sitting next to you – or it could even be you. Employee browsing or the unauthorised access and misuse of personal information is one of … Read more

Calls to ditch NCEA tests expose a deficit in school leadership

Source: ACT Party Responding to principals calling for an end to new online NCEA tests due to low pass rates, ACT Education spokesperson Laura McClure says: “We’ve tested literacy and numeracy and discovered big problems. A normal response would be to look at how our schools are equipping kids with these basic skills. Instead, we’ve got principals … Read more

Every Bite’s deep work shifts behaviour on food waste

Source: Zero Waste Network Aotearoa Every Bite has released its first annual report outlining in-depth its work, methods and outcomes in preventing food waste. What emerges are good news stories about how communities and individuals are connecting with each other and learning how to address Aotearoa NZ’s serious food waste problem. “A lot of us … Read more

Tech and innovation boost for Marlborough

Source: New Zealand Government A major boost to regional innovation opens in Blenheim today, supported by a $578,000 grant from the Government’s Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF), Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson says.“The completion of Te Au Pūngao – Tech & Innovation Hub is a key regional development milestone which will provide opportunities for … Read more

Police seek information and footage to SH6 fatality, Gibbston

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) An investigation has been launched into the death of a man on State Highway 6 after he was struck by a vehicle last night. Emergency services were called to the scene near Kawerau Bridge Historic Reserve at around 10pm. Sadly, the man was located deceased at the scene. Work … Read more

Driver charged over crash that killed passengers

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police have charged a 20-year-old driver for allegedly causing the deaths of two of his passengers in January. The crash on Butchers Road, Clarkville, on 11 January, killed a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman, both of whom were in a vehicle being driven by the accused. The car … Read more

Woman charged over child’s death

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) A woman has been charged with manslaughter after a young girl died when she was struck by a vehicle in Hawke’s Bay earlier this year. About 5.30pm on 25 January, Police were called to Chatham Road, Lochain, after a crash involving a car and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, an … Read more

Mental health peer support extends to Wellington Hospital ED

Source: New Zealand Government Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today officially marked the start of a new peer support service at Wellington Hospital Emergency Department, an initiative that will help people to have faster access to mental health support. “The peer support specialists are workers with lived experience who are available talk to people who … Read more

Police respond to IPCA findings on death in custody

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police acknowledge the findings by the Independent Policy Conduct Authority in relation to the death of an Auckland man in June 2021. The 43-year-old man was admitted into Auckland Hospital on 11 June with abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Hospital staff located a concealed package in his clothing … Read more

Heritage and History – Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island waka excavation uncovers clues to our voyaging past

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage The limited excavation of the partial remains of a waka found on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island has finished. “The site has now been covered and secured by the archaeological team and neighbouring landowner,” said Glenis Philip-Barbara, Pou Mataaho o Te Hononga Deputy Secretary Māori Crown Partnerships, Manatū Taonga Ministry for … Read more

ChildFund – Urgent Support for Ukrainian Children in 2025

Source: ChildFund New Zealand Uncertainty about the next stage in the war in Ukraine is putting increased pressure on Ukrainian children who have already put up with three years of war. “Our ChildFund partners based all through Ukraine and in Moldova are continuing the roll out of our 2025 programme of support. No matter what the … Read more

Caravan caper leads pair to court

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Two men have been arrested following a fleeing driver event involving a vehicle towing a caravan in Wellington. Shortly after 5am, Police were notified that a caravan had been stolen from outside a Khandallah address. Police were able to locate the vehicle and lay road spikes, however, the driver … Read more

Laws to keep firearms out of the wrong hands come into force

Source: New Zealand Government Changes to the Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) regime take effect today (Sunday 2 March). Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Firearms Prohibition Order regime has been expanded to help Police to keep firearms out of the hands of gangs and other high-risk offenders. “This is part of our commitment to reduce violent … Read more

Reminder: Rock scaling works planned for State Highway 65, Higgins Bluff

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Drivers travelling on the inland route, State Highway 65, between Murchison and Springs Junction will need to detour from next week with resilience works planned on the highway at Higgins Bluff. Contractors will be onsite on the Shenandoah Highway near Ariki, from Monday, 10 March, when they will begin rock … Read more

Saddle Road reopens after earlier serious crash

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Saddle Road has reopened following a serious crash this morning. The road,  between Woodville and Ashhurst, closed around 11am and a detour was put in place through Pahiatua Track. The Serious Crash Unit has now finished its scene investigation. While the road is now open, please drive to the conditions … Read more

Drug Detection – TDDA Adds Tramadol and Fentanyl Testing Amid Rising Workplace Detections

Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners AUCKLAND – 3 March 2025 – The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), New Zealand’s largest workplace drug testing provider, is announcing new drug testing capabilities for New Zealand workplaces. Beginning in March, TDDA will make it easier for New Zealand workplaces to screen for tramadol and fentanyl, two high-risk opioids that … Read more

Health – ProCare welcomes Health Minister’s announcement around funding uplift for primary care

Source: ProCare Leading healthcare provider, ProCare, has today welcomed the Health Minister’s announcement around the funding uplift for primary care, as the sector has been underfunded for a number of years now. Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare says: “There is a significant need to invest in primary care, in order to keep people well, … Read more