Fire Safety – Fire restrictions eased in parts of Mid-South Canterbury

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand has revoked the restrictions on lighting outdoor fires in the lower-lying areas of Mid-South Canterbury from 8am on Friday 31 January. Mid-South Canterbury District Manager Rob Hands says that as fire danger has eased in these areas after recent rainfall, they are now back in … Read more

First Responders – Tiwai Peninsula vegetation fire update #2

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews are back on Tiwai Peninsula in Invercargill today, where the large vegetation fire has not grown further overnight. The fire grew to 1,200 hectares yesterday in hot, windy conditions but was contained by the end of the day. Incident Controller Hamish Angus says there … Read more

Latest climate target as useful as a screen door on a submarine – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace Greenpeace has slammed the Luxon Government for failing to protect future generations after releasing New Zealand’s latest climate target of a 1-5% additional reduction in emissions by 2035, saying it’s “about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.” Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson says, “This target is an absolute joke, yet the climate … Read more

Buzzing from the world stage to Auckland’s elections

Source: Auckland Council The dynamic new digital platform Buzzly, created to engage youth in civics and developed by Auckland Council just four months ago, has won at the World Summit Awards 2024 for Digital Innovation with Social Impact. Buzzly was recognised as one of the best digital impact solutions in the Government & Citizen Engagement … Read more

Signs of hope as Whangamarino Wetlands bounces back from fire

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  31 January 2025 The good news comes just ahead of World Wetlands Day, which celebrates and raises awareness of the significant role wetlands play for the planet and people. This year’s theme is protecting wetlands for our common future. Aotearoa has seven Ramsar-listed wetlands, recognised as internationally significant sites, including Whangamarino … Read more

Where’s the “culture of yes” on climate ambition?

Source: Green Party The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. “This new NDC is the closest thing the Government could do to breaking the Paris Agreement and walking away from our … Read more

Business confidence signals progress

Source: New Zealand Government Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 in … Read more

IMAX Rockets to Best Chinese New Year Opening with $12 Million

Source: Media Outreach SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 January 2025 – IMAX China set a record Chinese New Year opening day with a whopping $12 million in box office revenue, eclipsing the previous record set in 2021. Additionally, with 1.2 million admissions nationwide, IMAX achieved its highest day-one attendance in history, paving … Read more

Taranaki Maunga Granted Legal Personhood

Source: Te Pati Maori Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. “Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. Its … Read more

Government signs NZ up to a decade’s more pine planting – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers The Government’s announcement today of a 2035 climate target of a 51-55% emissions reduction has signed New Zealand up for a decade more of planting pine on productive land, Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams says.  “In the past, New Zealand has signed up to Paris Agreement targets that are achievable … Read more

Setting New Zealand’s second international climate target

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious and … Read more

Fatal crash: Chatham Road, Flaxmere

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on Chatham Road this afternoon. The crash involved a car and a cyclist, and was reported to Police just before 6pm. The cyclist sadly died at the scene. Chatham Road is currently closed while a scene examination is conducted. … Read more

Search continues for missing 24-year-old Travis

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police are continuing the search for 24-year-old Travis, who has been missing since 17 January. Travis travelled from Wellington to the Waikato region, where his vehicle was located burnt out on a Tolley Road farm in Ngaroma on 18 January. Police coordinated a search of the area where his … Read more

Auckland News – Developers Urged to Act Swiftly as Auckland Council Plans Major Development Fee Increases

Source: WarkWorth Web The Auckland Council is planning a considerable hike in development contributions, which are the monetary fees residential property developers pay to fund local infrastructure projects. These contributions, currently calculated over a 10-year timeframe, are proposed to be spread over 30 years, leading to significant cost increases for developers. The average development contribution … Read more

Swimwerks Launches Sponsorship for Lifeguard Training Initiative in Singapore

Source: Media Outreach Through this program, Swimwerks not only promotes water safety but also creates meaningful training opportunities for deserving individuals. SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 January 2025 – Swimwerks, a leading authority in swimming education and water safety, has announced the launch of its Lifeguard Sponsorship Initiative, a social responsibility program designed … Read more

Chipsealing works on SH1 Te Kamo Bypass Sunday, Monday

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) spokesperson advises chipsealing work will take place on State Highway 1 Kamo Bypass overnight on Sunday 2 February, with temporary traffic management remaining in place until contractors return to sweep and line mark overnight on Monday 3 February. This work had been scheduled to … Read more

Major negotiations with iwi of Taranaki conclude

Source: New Zealand Government Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi of … Read more

Firearms, cash and drugs seized in Hawke’s Bay search warrant

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attribute to Acting Detective Sergeant Steve Leonard Police have arrested one person and seized firearms, drugs and cash from the central Hawke’s Bay property of an Outlaws gang member. Three firearms, methamphetamine and cash were seized after Police executed a warrant at the address, this included a fully loaded … Read more

Time to pull plug on banking wokery

Source: ACT Party “So far, the inquiry into rural banking has not changed my suspicion that a cabal of woke banks is neglecting rural communities in the name of climate action,” says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “Banks are starving rural New Zealand of capital. Farmers have long complained they’re getting a raw deal … Read more

Four-year term: New poll bodes well for better law making

Source: ACT Party ACT Leader David Seymour is welcoming a new Horizon Research poll showing strong support for a four-year Parliamentary term. ACT’s coalition commitment includes introducing Seymour’s four-year term Bill in the first half of this term. “Better law making is the number one thing that New Zealand can change about itself to get … Read more

Release: Frontline providers deserve certainty, not name-calling

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. “In August last year, Karen Chhour was calling frontline service providers “disgruntled” and accusing them of using Oranga Tamariki as a … Read more

First Responders – Tiwai Peninsula vegetation fire update

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews have been working hard to contain a large vegetation fire in mixed scrub and wetland on Tiwai Peninsula in Invercargill today. The fire has grown to 1,200 hectares across the centre of the peninsula, with an 18 kilometre perimeter, due to higher temperatures and … Read more

Farmers welcome Kāinga Ora back-track on wool carpets – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers Federated Farmers is welcoming today’s decision by Kāinga Ora to give wool carpet providers the chance to tender for supply of carpet and underlay in its homes. A previous request for proposals (RFP) confined bids to synthetic carpets, not even allowing wool to compete. “This decision is cause for celebration for all strong-wool … Read more

First Responders – Vegetation fire along Bay of Plenty train track now contained

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand received multiple calls to a large vegetation fire burning along the railway line by Wainui South Road, Whakamarama in Western Bay of Plenty at 12.40 today. Incident Commander Bill Pike says the fire is now contained and six fire trucks from Greerton, Omokoroa, KatiKati and … Read more

Minister must reverse all Oranga Tamariki cuts after Barnardos u-turn

Source: PSA The PSA urges Children’s Minister Karen Chhour to reverse all the damaging cuts to community service contracts, and to Oranga Tamariki, in the wake of her u-turn today on funding Barnardos. The backflip follows revelations that Barnardos’ youth telehealth counselling service was at risk of closing in July along with other services supporting vulnerable … Read more

Living on orchard and enjoying outdoors fostered love for environment in EIT student | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti 37 seconds ago Growing up on a Twyford orchard and living an outdoor life fostered a love for the environment which led Jordyn Campbell to study Environmental Management at EIT. This has proved to be a good move with Jordyn, who finished the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management … Read more

A triumph over anti-car ideology

Source: ACT Party Welcoming the delivery from tonight of increased speed limits – an ACT coalition commitment – ACT Leader David Seymour says: “Sensible speed limits are a triumph for common sense and democracy. Instead of being dictated to by a faceless bureaucratic minority, the people are in charge again. “People often asked me where … Read more