SH15 to remain closed overnight

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 29 January 2025 3:41 pm | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises State Highway 15 between Maungatapere and Otaika will remain closed overnight as NZ Police investigations into the unexplained death of a motorcyclist continue. Detours remain in place via State Highway 14 and … Read more

Road blocked, SH30, Bennydale

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) State Highway 30 is blocked after a truck rolled dislodging a powerline around 12:56pm. The driver received minor injuries. The road is expected to remain blocked for the next 1-2 hours and motorists are advised to take an alternate route.  ENDS Issued by Police Media Centre  MIL OSI

Make a splash at these toddler pools this summer

Source: Auckland Council As Auckland temperatures rise, many tots and toddlers will enjoy cooling off in one of the regions’ pools this summer – even if they haven’t learnt the word pool yet. There are many toddler-friendly pools around Auckland ready to help your child make a splash, helping them to stay cool, learn life-long … Read more

Update on Grey Lynn intentional damage

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) A woman allegedly responsible for a raft of smashed windows will be out of the community for at least three months. Police have been investigating recent reports of wilful damage on Sackville Street in Grey Lynn. On Monday, frontline Police located a 39-year-old Grey Lynn woman and charged her … Read more

Health – College of GPs welcomes newest GP and rural hospital medicine trainees

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) welcomes the 221 year 1 registrars who have started their journeys to becoming specialist general practitioners or rural hospital doctors. Of this group, 201 registrars are starting on the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP) and 20 are starting on … Read more

Activist News – The government has begun to “go through the motions” of questioning Israeli soldiers at the border but it’s just a “look busy” policy – too little too late! – PSNA

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa   The government has begun questioning Israeli soldiers about their military service in Gaza at the New Zealand border as revealed in a Times of Israel story today which says:   “New Zealand’s government immigration authority has begun to require Israelis applying for a visa to report details of their military service … Read more

Social Issues – IHC urges collective fix to address root causes of child poverty

Source: IHC IHC is urging policymakers, educators and the community to come together to address the root causes of poverty and ensure that no child is left behind, including children with an intellectual disability. A new survey from KidsCan has found that thousands of children in New Zealand are beginning the school year without essential … Read more

Release: More road deaths likely if evidence not followed

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Any road deaths as a result of increased speed limits will now be on the Government’s hands. “Where it is safe to do so, we do not oppose raising speed limits. However, the Government’s making many of these changes based on a campaign promise, rather than evidence,” Labour’s transport spokesperson … Read more

Citizenship applications completed up 54 per cent in December

Source: New Zealand Government Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship.  “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared to … Read more

Fleeing driver: Charges confirmed

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) A man is expected in court today, following a fleeing driver incident across much of central Auckland. On Tuesday, a vehicle with mismatching plates was located on the Northwestern Motorway. After allegedly failing to stop for Police, the matter concluded at Dress Smart shopping centre in Onehunga. Auckland City … Read more

Police seek information on Ōkaihau hit-and-run

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Northland Police is investigating the fatal hit-and-run of a cyclist in Ōkaihau last night. An investigation team is forming in the small Far North town to locate the person responsible. Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry, of Northland CIB, says Police were contacted by Settlers Way residents at around 10.15pm … Read more

Wheels come off yard burglary

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Two men face a slew of charges after their alleged burglary plans uncoupled on Auckland Anniversary Day. On Monday, frontline Police responded to a burglary in progress at an industrial area in Takanini, at around 8.54am. “Two men had allegedly broken into the business’ yard and were in the … Read more

Pair arrested after Panmure aggravated robbery

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police were on the money, arresting two offenders shortly after an aggravated robbery in Panmure this morning. Just after 9am, two offenders entered the Cash Converters store on Queens Road. Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, from Auckland City Crime Squad, says the pair were allegedly carrying weapons at the … Read more

Animal Welfare – Warmer weather brings increased risks to dogs – NZVA

Source: NZ Veterinary Association Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets away from highly toxic karaka berries and algal blooms this summer, and to contact their veterinarian immediately if they think their dog has swallowed them. The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) encourages owners to walk dogs on a leash if … Read more

Health – Proper funding of primary care nurses key to Kiwis getting into GPs – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation Primary care nurses must be paid the same as hospital nurses to fix the chronic staff shortages causing New Zealanders to be turned away from GP clinics, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says. A Victoria University of Wellington study has found 36% of New Zealand’s … Read more

Health – ProCare reflects on progress made towards equitable health outcomes by committing to Te Tiriti o Waitangi Principles

Source: ProCare Over the last four years, primary healthcare provider, ProCare, has made significant progress on embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi across all aspects of the business, but acknowledges there is still more to do. In 2021, ProCare made a commitment to align to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and deliver key actions to help … Read more

Raising speed limits on undivided highways invites trouble

Source: Green Party The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. “The Government’s pro-growth spin cannot obscure the fact that raising speed limits significantly increases the risk of serious harm,” says the Green Party’s Transport spokesperson, Julie Anne Genter. … Read more

Speed limit reduction reversals begin

Source: New Zealand Government Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on reversing … Read more

Transport Sector – Transporting New Zealand backs speed limit changes

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand National road freight association Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand has welcomed today’s Government announcement reversing speed limit reductions on 38 sections of the state highway network, saying the changes will reduce journey times and help avoid dangerous behaviour by frustrated drivers. Speed limits on 49 further sections of … Read more

Economy – Reserve Bank NZ speech: Beyond the cycle – Growth and interest rates in the long run

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand 29 January 2025 – In a speech delivered today, Reserve Bank Chief Economist Paul Conway discussed New Zealand’s longer-term ‘potential output’ and its significance for monetary policy. “Understanding potential output is crucial for assessing whether the economy is running too hot or too cold from an inflation control perspective … Read more

Saving threatened seabird from rising sea levels

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  29 January 2025 Johannes Fischer, Department of Conservation Senior Science Advisor, says climate change impacts have the potential to wipe out the Whenua Hou diving petrel – a small seabird with cobalt blue feet that’s “like a flying penguin”. “Their entire population breeds in the fragile sand dunes of Whenua Hou/Codfish … Read more

Health and Tech – Essential medical imaging services now more accessible in the Bay of Plenty

Source: RHCNZ RHCNZ Medical Imaging Group is excited to announce that Bay Radiology’s new flagship clinic on 17th Avenue in Tauranga is now fully open. Phase One of the clinic, which includes Bay Radiology’s first PET-CT scanner, opened in September 2024. Phase Two opened last week, completing this state-of-the-art facility. The new purpose-built clinic is designed … Read more

Ombudsman – Scheme to publish quarterly figures on bank complaints

Source: Banking Ombudsman Scheme 29 January 2025 – Consumers will now have a better picture of banking problems following the Banking Ombudsman Scheme’s decision to begin publishing quarterly reports on the cases it receives. The reports, the first of which was published last week, share insights about cases received by the scheme. They provide a breakdown of … Read more

Universities – Forests of protected red coral filmed for first time off Fiordland’s coast – VIC

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Researchers exploring the deep waters off the Fiordland coast have caught on camera marine communities that have never been filmed before. These communities include a protected species of red coral that has not previously been seen in such large numbers. “We were filming at depths of 80 to … Read more

Business and Renewables – Fonterra announces electrification plans to future-proof operations

Source: Fonterra Fonterra is taking another significant step toward its climate goals and operational resilience with $150 million in investments in electrification projects across the North Island over the next 18 months. Investments into electric boilers at the Co-operative’s Whareroa, Edgecumbe and Waitoa sites, along with further fleet decarbonisation, marks further steps in renewable energy … Read more

Health – $500k vape kit deal ‘reeks of tobacco tactics’ – Asthma Foundation

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation The Government has forked out more than half a million dollars on vapes to help adults quit smoking – despite these products not being approved for smoking cessation. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ can reveal that the Government bought 3000 RELX Essential Vape Devices for $575,000 to help achieve its … Read more

Kennards Hire Expands Sound Sensitivity Initiative to Forsyth Barr Stadium

Source: Kennards Hire Forsyth Barr Stadium is taking a strong step towards making events more sensory-inclusive and enjoyable for everyone attending, by proudly unveiling the Kennards Hire Sound Sensitivity Station – the first of its kind at a major venue in the South Island. This initiative reflects the stadium’s ongoing commitment to creating a sensory-friendly environment … Read more