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

Flaming start to the new year for waste trucks

Source: Auckland Council 2025 is off to a fiery start for Auckland’s waste trucks with five rubbish and recycling truck fires in the first two weeks of January.   An ever-increasing number of battery-powered devices and batteries in household bins are the most-likely cause of these fires. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite if damaged or crushed … Read more

Kauri dieback: clean bill of health for Hūnua Ranges

Source: Auckland Council A Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges Kauri Population Health Monitoring Survey just published, has revealed no detectable signs of kauri dieback (P. agathidicida) in the Hūnua Ranges. The health monitoring survey, the first for the Hūnua Ranges, was carried out between March and November 2023. It was designed to establish … Read more

SH15 closed between Maungatapere and Otaika

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 29 January 2025 9:33 am | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi State Highway 15 is closed between Maungatapere and Otaika due to a serious incident. There is a detour in place via State Highway 14 and State Highway 1 for those traveling between Maungatapere and Otaika. Those traveling from Otaika … Read more

Update: Serious crash closes State Highway 59 to southbound traffic near Porirua (one SB lane now OPEN)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 10 pm: One southbound lane on State Highway 59 has been reopened to traffic following the crash earlier this evening. The highway was closed to southbound traffic for approximately three and a half hours. NZTA/Waka Kotahi and the Wellington Transport Alliance thank drivers for their patience and understanding this evening … Read more

Unexplained death in Otaika

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Whangārei CIB are investigating an unexplained death in Otaika overnight. Just before 5.30am, a motorcyclist was located deceased in a creek adjacent to Otaika Valley Road, State Highway 15. Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says the man’s motorbike was located on the side of the road. “Our enquiries … Read more

Budget will be delivered on 22 May

Source: New Zealand Government Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget – will be delivered on Thursday 22 May.  “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build on … Read more

Serious crash, State Highway 1, Tuamarina

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Motorists travelling between Picton and Blenheim should expect delays following a three-vehicle crash that has left a person critically injured. Emergency services were called to the crash at Tuamarina, between Bush and Para roads, about 6.30am. A vehicle hit a wire barrier and one of the occupants was ejected; … Read more

Piha: Search effort continues for missing swimmer

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) A search for a missing swimmer at Piha Beach will resume this morning. The man was part of a group of swimmers who got into difficulty yesterday afternoon. Five swimmers were rescued, however a sixth member of the group was not located. Surf Lifesaving New Zealand alerted Police just … Read more

Fatal Crash, Kelly Road, Paengaroa

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) One person has died following a serious crash in Paengaroa overnight. At around 1am, Police were called to a single-vehicle crash at the Kelly Road and Te Tumu Road intersection. One person was located deceased at the scene. The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene and enquiries into … Read more

Oriental Pearl and Shanghai Tower, together with towers around the world, light up in red in celebration of the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake

Source: Media Outreach SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 January 2025 – Shanghai extends an invitation to landmarks and towers from cities across four continents to light up in red and celebrate the first Spring Festival as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. The Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, two of Shanghai’s iconic landmarks, … Read more