Northland News – WHAKAMĀNAWA Ā TAIAO – ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS CLOSE SOON

Source: Northland Regional Council Time is running out to apply for the sixth Northland Regional Council Whakamānawa ā Taiao – Environmental Awards, which recognise individuals, groups and organisations helping to protect and improve Northland’s environment. The Environmental Awards helps tell the story of the environmental work happening in Northland and shows that collectively we are making … Read more

Environment – EPA tightens rules to keep weedkiller out of compost

Source: Environmental Protection Authority The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is standardising the controls for products containing clopyralid, so that plants sprayed with the persistent weedkiller are less likely to contaminate compost. Clopyralid is used to control weeds in sports turf, lawns, and on farms and in forestry. If plants sprayed with the substance get into compost, … Read more

Animal Welfare – NZVA supports work to speed up availability of new veterinary medicines

Source: NZ Veterinary Association The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe will be working alongside The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Animal and Plant Health NZ (APHANZ) as they try to improve access to veterinary medicines, according to the Association’s Chief Executive Kevin Bryant. “The Government’s push to improve access to these medicines is … Read more

Education and Culture – Unitec and MIT celebrate more than 20 years with ASB Polyfest

Source: Unitec Tāmaki Makaurau vocational education providers are partnering to mark the 50 th anniversary of the Auckland schools’ Pacific cultural festival. Unitec and Manukau Institute of Technology have been long-time supporters of the event which showcases the talents and promotes pride among the young people of our region. This year, for the first time, the … Read more

SH45 safety work continues in New Plymouth

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency A small stretch of State Highway 45 Devon Street West in New Plymouth will be closing next month for safety improvement work. The work is part of a wider project that the New Plymouth Infrastructure Partnership, on behalf of NPDC and NZ Transport Agency, is completing to improve road user … Read more

DOC urges dog owners to act after nine kiwi killed

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  19 March 2025 “This situation needs urgent action. Kiwi are a taonga species found only in Aotearoa, and if they disappear from here, they’re gone forever. Dog owners and all organisations involved must take their responsibilities seriously.” “These recent kiwi deaths are devastating, and we need everyone to play their part … Read more

Greens call for compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe

Source: Green Party The Green Party is calling for the compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old kaumātua on hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility, after visiting him at the prison. “We are calling on the Minister of Corrections to urgently intervene when it comes to the safety and survival of Dean Wickliffe … Read more

Another failed ETS auction, another indictment on the Govt’s climate credibility

Source: Green Party The ETS auction’s failure today is yet another clear sign that the Government is failing us all on climate action.   “Yesterday, the acting Prime Minister admitted that the Government’s climate commitments were the bare minimum. Worse still, today’s ETS auction failure shows that even the market the Government is relying on doesn’t … Read more

Injured man dies in hospital after incident, Melville

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson, A man located in a critical condition after an incident in Hamilton over the weekend has died in hospital. Emergency services were called to Beatty Street, Melville at around 4.30am on Saturday 15 March. Upon arrival, a 26-year-old man was located deceased … Read more

Police switch onto offenders after burglary

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Two burglars face charges after failing to flee from Police with their lights off in Ōrewa. The pair had been travelling north after earlier allegedly committing a burglary at a Birkenhead store on the North Shore. Just after 4am, a Police unit observed a suspicious vehicle on Hibiscus Coast … Read more

Road blocked, SH2, Whakamārama

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police are responding to a crash involving four vehicles on State Highway 2 near Francis Road, Whakamārama. Emergency services were alerted around 12:20pm. It appears six people were involved, with one person in a moderate to serious condition, and the others with minor to moderate injuries. The road is … Read more

New electronic system to support pharmacy efficiency

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Health Minister David Seymour says he welcomes Medsafe’s decision to approve an electronic controlled drug register for use in New Zealand pharmacies, allowing pharmacies to replace their physical paper-based register.“The register, developed by Kiwi brand Toniq Limited, is the first of its kind to be approved in New Zealand for … Read more

6 creative community galleries to check out

Source: Auckland Council If Auckland was an artwork, it would be a vast tapestry woven with the colourful threads of the many cultures that make up its diverse population. There are heaps of ways for art lovers to explore the creative fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau, including public artworks and art trails, galleries and community centres. … Read more

World’s Most Beautiful Restaurant: Austria’s VINA wins Property Award 2025

Source: Media Outreach Austria’s restaurant VINA, designed by the architecture firm INNOCAD, has been awarded the title of the world’s most beautiful “Leisure Interior” at the “International Property Awards 2025” in London. Currently, it is fully booked for months. GRAZ, AUSTRIA – Newsaktuell – 19 March 2025 – With this accolade, the Vietnamese restaurant VINA … Read more

Release: Luxon quick to give away principled position on nukes

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Christopher Luxon seems to have thrown New Zealand’s principled anti-nuclear advocacy under a bus. New Zealand has long opposed India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, but the Prime Minister has walked that back in the India-New Zealand joint statement. “The Government appears to have abandoned New Zealand’s long held … Read more

The Oppression the Left Forgot

Source: ACT Party The Haps Your property is safe as Parliament is shut and David Seymour is the Acting Prime Minister. Yesterday, ACT made the big announcement that for the first time ever, we’re seeking candidates to stand in local council elections. We want common-sense Kiwis to champion lower rates, less waste, equal rights, and … Read more

Export growth narrows current account deficit to $5.9 billion – Stats NZ media and information release: Balance of payments and international investment position: December 2024 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand Export growth narrows current account deficit to $5.9 billion – 19 March 2025 – The seasonally adjusted current account deficit narrowed to $5.9 billion in the December 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. The current account deficit was $475 million narrower than the previous quarter due to … Read more

RIF delivering for regional NZ, more to come

Source: New Zealand Government The Coalition Government’s drive for regional economic growth through the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund is on track with more than $550 million in funding so far committed to key infrastructure projects, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “To date, the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) has received more than 250 applications. Approved … Read more

Comments following bilateral with US Secretary of State Rubio

Source: New Zealand Government [Comments following the bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio; United States State Department, Washington D.C.]* We’re very pleased with our meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this afternoon. * We came here to listen to the new Administration and to be clear about what is important to … Read more

Universities – Research finds significant shortfalls in early intervention psychosis services – Vic

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington A survey of early intervention services for people suffering from psychosis has found medical care is not being provided early enough, with many patients not seen until after they have been hospitalised. Researchers say these shortfalls are linked to a lack of resources. “A key purpose of early … Read more

GAZA – Gaza airstrikes: Largest single-day child death toll in last year – UNICEF

Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ The airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on March 18 represent the largest single-day child death toll in the region in the last year, with over 130 children reportedly killed.  Hundreds of people – families and children – have died and many others have been injured.  It is horrifying to consider a resumption in … Read more

A rude awakening out west

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) A man faces charges after a Police patrol caught him napping in a stolen vehicle in the small hours. Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison says a Crime Squad unit was travelling through Rānui at around 1.45am. “At first the night shift team came across a vehicle parked on Bahari … Read more

Stand Up for Palestine: A Call to Action Against Israels Treacherous Attack

Source: Te Pati Maori At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated areas, … Read more

Health – Raising funds for devices to detect heart disease early

Source: Kia Manawanui Trust | The Heart of Aotearoa New Zealand Thousands of Kiwis may be living with an undiagnosed heart condition that could put their lives at risk. Atrial fibrillation (AF), a serious heart condition that can lead to stroke and heart failure if undiagnosed, affects 1 in 35 Kiwis aged between 35 and 74. … Read more

Rātā Foundation appoints Megan Glen to Investment Committee

Source: Rata Foundation Rātā Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Glen to its Investment Committee. Rātā Foundation is the South Island’s most significant community investment fund, managing a $700 million pūtea (fund) that generates around $26 million per annum to invest in its funding regions of Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, and the Chatham Islands. … Read more

Transport – Public are big fans of truck drivers – survey

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Polling shows strong positive public sentiment towards truck drivers, with more than seven times as many people surveyed having a positive perception of road freight drivers compared to those taking a negative view (52 per cent to 7 per cent). The survey respondents noted truck drivers’ professionalism and skill, … Read more

New State Highway 2 roundabout to improve road safety in Eastern Bay of Plenty

Source: New Zealand Government The intersection of State Highway 2 (SH2) and Wainui Road in the Eastern Bay of Plenty will be made safer and more efficient for vehicles and freight with the construction of a new and long-awaited roundabout, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop.  “The current intersection of SH2 and Wainui Road is on … Read more