Office of the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services: Regulatory Report 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Publication date: 31 March 2026 The Office of the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services Regulatory Report 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 provides information and statistics relating to the use of compulsory assessment and treatment legislation in Aotearoa New Zealand. For more mental health and addiction … Read more

Five ways the Waiheke Local Board protects our environment

Source: Auckland Council Across Waiheke, locals are taking action – trapping pests, restoring wetlands, reducing waste and protecting marine life.   Backed by the Waiheke Local Board, these community-led efforts are helping safeguard the island’s environment and the wider Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana.   1. Restoring wetlands and native habitats  Wetlands across Waiheke are being restored through large-scale native planting and … Read more

Person stabbed then run over in Hastings

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER A person was stabbed and then became the victim of a hit-and-run in Hastings on Monday night, but the incidents appear unrelated, police say. Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley said police were called to a hit-and-run on Heretaunga Street West, between Stortford Street and Davis Street, about 9.30pm. … Read more

Tech – LONG-TERM, BIPARTISAN TECH POLICIES NEEDED FOR NZ TO REALISE GROWTH POTENTIAL

Source: Tech New Zealand New Zealand’s $24 billion technology sector is calling on policymakers to put aside political differences and commit to a long-term, bipartisan strategy to secure the country’s economic future. Launching the Tech New Zealand 2026 election manifesto, CEO Graeme Muller warns that New Zealand’s prosperity is at risk without decisive action. “Our … Read more

Fire Safety – Parts of Nelson-Marlborough moving to restricted fire season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is declaring a restricted fire season in the Coastal, Waimea and Lake Rotoiti zones of the Nelson-Marlborough District, from 8am on Tuesday 31 March until further notice. The Coastal, Waimea and Lake Rotoiti zones extend from and include Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson Lakes National … Read more

Business leaders quantify major sustainable growth opportunity for New Zealand economy

Source: Sustainable Business Council New Zealand could boost its economy by more than $22 billion per year by 2035, while strengthening productivity, energy security, and long-term resilience, according to a major new business-led report released today. The report, Driving Sustainable Growth: Opportunities for New Zealand’s Economy, commissioned by the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders … Read more

Property Market – Property Sector Set for Billion-Dollar Expansion as Primary Exports Surge

Source: Impact PR for Calder Stewart Hundreds of millions of dollars of investment is set to be injected into large-scale industrial property developments as sustained growth in the country’s primary export industries drives demand for logistics facilities, cold storage and distribution infrastructure, according to new figures. Latest Ministry for Primary Industries forecasts show food and … Read more

Government reduces housing intensification rules for Auckland – again

Source: Radio New Zealand Housing Minister Chris Bishop. RNZ/Marika Khabazi The government has made yet another change to legislation setting out the plan to accommodate new homes in Auckland in the coming decades. Housing Minister Chris Bishop said the government will reduce the minimum housing capacity required for Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120 to 1.4 … Read more

KMD Brands raises funds to help recapitalise business

Source: Radio New Zealand KMD Brands owns Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz footwear brands. RNZ / Nate McKinnon KMD Brands raises $65m in deeply discounted offer Posts $13.1m loss in six months to January Sales up but margins down Chair David Kirk to step down Outdoor retail company KMD Brands is raising funds to help … Read more

Celine Dion is returning to the stage

Source: Radio New Zealand Celine Dion, who was previously sidelined from performing due to a rare neurological disorder, has announced a series of concerts that will bring her back to the stage. Making good on rampant speculation, Dion is set to perform ten concerts in Paris, according to an announcement shared Monday on social media … Read more

Big telecommunication companies complete 3G mobile network shutdown

Source: Radio New Zealand Jae Park/ Unsplash The big telecommunication companies have completed the shutdown of the 3G mobile phone network, though some devices were still connected. Spark said 1.41 percent of devices, including those operating on the Internet of Things, were still connected to the 3G network, when it was shut down this morning. … Read more

Police staffer claimed nearly $30,000 for overtime hours they didn’t work, watchdog reveals

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf.com A police staffer claimed nearly $30,000 for overtime hours they did not work, the police watchdog has revealed. The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a summary of the investigation into the staffer on Tuesday. The IPCA said it oversaw the police investigation into an allegation that an authorised officer … Read more

Ministers seek ‘urgent advice’ to ease fuel price pain for support workers

Source: Radio New Zealand Health Minister Simeon Brown. RNZ / Mark Papalii Ministers have sought “urgent advice” about how best to ease the pain of rising fuel prices for in-home care workers and other public servants who might be in a similar plight. Support workers, who often earn little more than minimum wage, were not … Read more

Police investigating man’s injuries after assault and being hit by car in Hastings

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley, Police are investigating an incident that has left a man with injuries in Hastings last night. At around 9.30pm, Police were called to Heretaunga Street West after a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian between Stortford Street and Davis Street. It is reported the … Read more

Legislation gives more flex for Auckland’s PC120

Source: New Zealand Government The Government will today introduce legislation to amend the Resource Management Act and reduce the minimum housing capacity required for Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120, Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says. “Housing growth in Auckland is critical to fixing our housing crisis, driving growth and raising living standards for … Read more

NZ Warriors lose co-captain Mitch Barnett through injury

Source: Radio New Zealand Mitch Barnett of the Warriors. PHOTOSPORT Mitch Barnett’s return to the Warriors has lasted just a couple weeks. The team’s co-captain broke a thumb in last weekend’s 32-14 loss to Wests Tigers in Auckland. Barnett had only just returned from injury the week prior after suffering a season-ending knee injury last … Read more

Deregulation proposed for little-used fibre landlines

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF The Commerce Commission says fibre landlines account for only 0.36 percent of fibre connections. The competition watchdog is recommending deregulating wholesale fibre landline services, saying they have had little uptake compared to other ways of making calls. Telecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson said regulation was introduced in 2018 as the country … Read more

New DOC concessions support regional economies

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  12 February 2026 Source:  Office of the Minister of Conservation The decisions include a 38-year concession for The Remarkables Ski Area, and a 30-year guided walking concession on the Milford Track and a 25-year concession for Te Ana-au Caves in Fiordland Te Rua o te Moko. “My focus is supporting jobs … Read more

Why IBS diets don’t work for everyone

Source: Radio New Zealand If you’ve ever tried a diet to fix gut symptoms, you’ll know it can be hit or miss. One person swears it changed their life. Another follows it carefully and feels no better. This is especially true for irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. It’s a common condition that causes stomach pain, … Read more

Alleged Northland trade school burglars caught

Source: Radio New Zealand Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong. RNZ / Peter de Graaf Two men are due in a Northland court on Tuesday after a school burglary police described as a “kick in the guts” for students. The break-in, on 6 March, targeted the trades academy at Northland College in Kaikohe, where students learn the … Read more

Maritime Union expresses condolences following Cook Strait incident

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand Maritime Union of New Zealand Wellington Branch Secretary Fiona Mansell says the Union is deeply saddened after a passenger jumped overboard from the Kaiarahi ferry in the Cook Strait overnight. “This is a shocking event, and our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and loved ones of the … Read more

New programme streamlines approvals for innovation

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has welcomed a new pathway to help New Zealand agri-chemical and veterinary medicine companies register products in both New Zealand and Australia, says Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard. “The pilot lets manufacturers register agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines in both countries through a single process, removing unnecessary duplication. “Products … Read more

New Zealand leads protection of world’s rarest seabirds

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  31 March 2026 At the Convention’s Conference of Parties (COP15) in Campo Grande, Brazil, Parties yesterday (NZ time) agreed to list flesh-footed shearwaters and 26 species of gadfly petrels under the Convention. DOC Principal Science Advisor and seabird specialist Graeme Taylor says New Zealand proposed the listing to increase global … Read more

DOC hut with ‘best view in New Zealand’ gets a makeover

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  31 March 2026 The hut sits at 1850 m and looks out over New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. It was opened by Sir Edmund Hillary in 2003. Department of Conservation contractors have just finished work on Mueller Hut putting in new windows and doors, replacing interior and exterior cladding … Read more

Teenage rugby star Braxton Sorensen-McGee re-signs with NZ Rugby

Source: Radio New Zealand The Black Ferns celebrate a try to Braxton Sorensen-McGee (C). Photosport Teenage star Braxton Sorensen-McGee will chase glory in both sevens and fifteens after recommitting to New Zealand Rugby to the end of 2027. The 19-year-old’s primary focus will be with the Black Ferns Sevens, but the new deal gives her … Read more

Speech to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce – How can lessons from the COVID Response help navigate fuel shortages?

Source: New Zealand Government How can lessons from the COVID Response help navigate fuel shortages? Thank you, Matthew, and thank you all for being here this morning.  I’d like to speak plainly to you about the event affecting every part of business right now. I’d like to cast it through another lens we try not … Read more

Trans-Tasman pilot for manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines to register products in both countries

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries Manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines looking to enter or expand into the trans-Tasman market can now take part in an improved registration pathway pilot to get their products into the hands of customers in both countries. New Zealand Food Safety and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines … Read more