Legislation – A blueprint for more pollution and environmental harm – Greenpeace reaction to new Resource Management bills

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Source: Greenpeace Greenpeace says the Government’s rewrite of New Zealand’s core environmental laws includes an outrageous new idea, whereby companies will be able to claim financial compensation when councils introduce rules to limit pollution or protect the environment. The proposal, called “regulatory takings” was announced as part of the Government’s plan to replace the Resource Management … Read more

Climate – Warmest spring and November on record – Earth Sciences

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Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand Seasonal Climate Summaries for spring and November Highlights: –  The nationwide average temperature for spring was 13.5°C. This was 1.3°C above the 1991-2020 spring average – The nationwide average temperature for November was 15.9°C. This is 2.2°C above the 1991-2020 November average – A Sudden Stratospheric Warming in September led to extremely active … Read more

Legislation – Fewer Consents, Faster Approvals: Property Council Supports Major Planning Reforms

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Source: Property Council New Zealand Property Council New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s announcement of an accelerated resource management reform programme, describing the direction of travel as “very positive” for development, investment, and economic productivity. Chief Executive Leonie Freeman says the introduction of two new Bills before the end of 2025 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity … Read more

First Responders – Tongariro fire update #6

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire crews have made good progress in containing the fire in the Tongariro National Park. Thirty firefighters on the ground have been blacking out a 15m containment line along the southern flank of the fire today, while two helicopters are working from the air. The fire is now 80 percent … Read more

Union campaign secures ACC backdown on working from home cut – PSA

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Source: PSA ACC has scrapped controversial proposals to force staff into the office three days a week, up from two, following legal action, a complaint to the Commerce Commission by the PSA and strong feedback from workers. “This is a clear victory for workers at ACC and for common sense, working from home is a win-win … Read more

Man dies at Karioitahi Beach

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Source: New Zealand Police A man has died after getting into difficulty in the water at Karioitahi Beach on Monday night. Inspector Jared Pirret, Counties Manukau South Area Commander, says Police were contacted at about 7.10pm. “Two men were reported to be experiencing difficulties in the water and struggling to return to shore.” Lifeguards from … Read more

Operation Governor: Police make arrests in offending against Ōrewa businesses

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Source: New Zealand Police Police have executed a series of search warrants across west Auckland and the North Shore, as part of an investigation into offending at Ōrewa businesses. Five people associated to the Headhunters gang have been arrested on Arson, dishonesty and criminal damage related charges. Waitematā North Area Commander, Inspector John Thornley says … Read more

Warrant to arrest: Tehau Creeks-McNiff

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Source: New Zealand Police Police are working to locate Tehau Ernest Creeks-McNiff, who has a warrant for his arrest and is wanted by Police. Creeks-McNiff, 19, is wanted in relation to a number of vehicle-related offences and is known to frequent the wider Northland region. It’s believed he is actively avoiding Police. If you have … Read more

NZTA allows 335 drivers re-sit tests after commercial licences suspended

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Source: Radio New Zealand The NZ Transport Agency will allow more than 300 drivers who lost their commercial licences after submitting false or altered documents in the licence conversion process to re-sit driving tests. The government agency said Monday the decision came after engagement with the transport industry. “NZTA originally intended to cancel 459 commercial … Read more

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand for Alcohol Levy funding

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Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Publication date: 9 December 2025 This publication provides the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand for the Alcohol Levy funded alcohol harm reduction work programme. It outlines funding allocations, performance measures, and deliverables for levy-funded activities and initiatives. The MoU reflects a commitment … Read more

New Emergency Management Bill introduced

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Source: New Zealand Government “The Government has introduced a new Emergency Management Bill today, set to strengthen New Zealand’s emergency management system” says Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell.  The Emergency Management Bill will replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, and enable the improvements identified by the Government Inquiry into the Response … Read more

‘Heartbroken’: Two killed in fire at Foxton Beach home

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Source: Radio New Zealand The blaze has been extinguished. Jimmy Ellingham / RNZ Two people are dead after a house fire at Foxton Beach. Police had recovered two bodies on Tuesday morning, and formal identification would be carried out over the coming days, Manawatu Area Commander Ross Grantham said. Grantham said a scene investigation was … Read more

SoéPay Now Offers Tap to Pay on iPhone for Merchants to Accept Contactless Payments

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Source: Media Outreach An easy, secure and private way to accept contactless payments with only an iPhone, no additional hardware needed HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 December 2025 – SoéPay now enables its Hong Kong merchants to seamlessly and securely accept in-person contactless payments with Tap to Pay on iPhone. Tap … Read more

Update: Foxton Beach house fire

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Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute the following to Manawatu Area Commander Ross Grantham: Police can confirm two people have died in a house fire at Foxton Beach today. We have spoken to family members and are providing them with support at this tragic time. Our thoughts are also with the tight-knit community of Foxton … Read more

Legislation – “Transformational reform” to resource management arrives – BusinessNZ

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Source: BusinessNZ The Government’s introduction of two Bills to replace the current Resource Management Act (RMA) is transformational and should result in fewer consents required to unlock development while protecting what matters, BusinessNZ says. Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the next step will be securing broad support for the changes, which will streamline the approach to … Read more

Legislation – RMA reform a positive step forward for New Zealand – EMA

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Source: EMA The two new Acts that make up today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) reform announcement will provide impetus to economic, business and infrastructure development while also providing environmental guardrails that were lacking in the previous Act, says the EMA. “The EMA has been at the core of a group of associations pushing for and working … Read more

Legislation – New environment law cuts red tape for farmers – Federated Farmers

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Source: Federated Farmers Today’s release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red letter day for the agricultural sector, Federated Farmers says. “The RMA is the single biggest handbrake on growing agricultural productivity and rural economies. It’s great to see its end come one step closer,” Federated … Read more

Federated Farmers: Government ends consenting crisis

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Source: Federated Farmers Federated Farmers is welcoming news that the Government will be taking urgent steps to end the spiraling consenting crisis that has been hammering farmers and rural communities. “This is a really practical and pragmatic step from the Government that will be a relief for thousands of farming families,” says Federated Farmers vice president … Read more

Fewer gulls, fewer squawks: Tūrangi spared rooftop mayhem

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  09 December 2025 In 2023 a large colony of black-billed gulls nested in Tūrangi town centre, leaving a generous layer of guano on cars, rooftops, and around businesses. This year, just 15 birds have decided to make the town centre their temporary home. Department of Conservation Biodiversity Ranger Sarah Tunnicliffe … Read more

Landowners to get more compensation from councils as major RMA overhaul revealed

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Source: Radio New Zealand RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop RNZ / Mark Papalii The coalition’s replacement of the Resource Management Act (RMA) will force councils to compensate landowners for significant restrictions that impact developments. It will be an additional challenge for councils facing rising costs and widespread changes in other areas, including restrictions on what … Read more

East Auckland homicide: Police seeking Adrian Pani for murder

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Source: New Zealand Police Police are releasing details of a dangerous man sought in connection with the homicide in east Auckland last night. He is 36-year-old Adrian Pani, and Police advise the public to not approach him. A homicide investigation has been underway since Monday night, 8 December. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City … Read more

New system to make planning easier for everyone

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Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand’s new planning system will be easier for local government to use and navigate and deliver better value for ratepayers, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts. “Last month, the Government announced proposals for the biggest changes to local government since 1989, including how we … Read more

Transitioning to the new planning system

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Source: New Zealand Government The Government is taking steps to ensure a smooth and fair transition to New Zealand’s new planning and environmental management system, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say. Mr Bishop says the transition arrangements will include additional legislation to extend existing consents which will be passed under urgency … Read more

Boosting renewable energy through planning reform

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Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand’s new planning system will accelerate renewable energy projects and unlock the country’s clean energy potential, Energy Minister Simon Watts says. Mr Watts says New Zealand has some of the best renewable energy resources in the world, but the current planning system has made it far too slow and costly … Read more

Former Assistant Commissioner breaks silence after scathing police report

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Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Former Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham has broken his silence following the scathing report by the police watchdog. The Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report, released last month, found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police over how they handled accusations of sexual offending by former Deputy Commissioner … Read more

Aviation Security – CAA urges travellers to carry power banks and spare lithium batteries with them

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Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) 9 December 2025 – Travellers are being reminded that spare lithium batteries must be correctly packed in carry-on only. This aligns New Zealand with similar efforts by global aviation regulators and airlines. Lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire. If this happens in the cabin, crew can deal with it quickly … Read more

RMA replacement to reduce costs and drive on-farm growth

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Source: New Zealand Government Farmers and growers will spend less time burdened with unnecessary paperwork and more time farming under New Zealand’s new planning system, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say. The Government is replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) with two new bills: a Planning Bill that enables development … Read more