First Responders – Victoria Park New World Fire Update #5

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Two crews of firefighters remain at the Victoria Park New World supermarket in Auckland, following yesterday’s fire, and the section of Victoria St between College Hill and Franklin Rd is still closed. The fire was extinguished last night and the firefighters are monitoring hotspots, Incident Controller Phil Larcombe says. Further … Read more

Universities and Trade – Strengthening ties to China during Prime Minister’s trade delegation

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Launching new study abroad and research collaboration partnerships with top Chinese universities and research institutes is the focus of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s involvement in the Prime Minister’s trade delegation to China.   Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Smith is delighted to be participating in this visit to … Read more

Bee Choo Origin Celebrates 25th Anniversary with CEO Succession and Mascot Reveal

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2025 – Home-grown herbal hair care brand Bee Choo Origin commemorated its 25th anniversary with a glittering annual dinner held at Goodwood Park Hotel. Themed Shimmer & Shine: A Silver Jubilee Celebration, the evening was marked by heartfelt tributes, prestigious awards, and three significant … Read more

One offender caught after Napier pharmacy burglary

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Inspector Caroline Martin Hawke’s Bay Area Prevention Manager. Police have made one arrest for the burglary of the Life Pharmacy on Monday 16 June. Two alleged offenders entered the Emerson Street premises around 2.30am using a weapon to break through a glass door. They took several items from the … Read more

Delivering better orthopaedic care for Northland

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is delivering on its commitment to improve healthcare access across the country, with expanded orthopaedic services now reaching more patients in Northland, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealanders deserve timely, high-quality healthcare no matter where they live – and that’s exactly what we’re delivering for both urban and … Read more

Release: Govt overreach removes power from local councils

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Ministers will now be able to override the decisions of councils and locally elected officials. “Chris Bishop has taken National’s general disdain for local councils up a notch and has assigned himself the role of Chief Council Despot,” Labour local government spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. “Councils are elected by the … Read more

Release: Govt Bill strips vital job protections from workers

Source: New Zealand Labour Party The Employer Relations Amendment Bill will make work even less secure for Kiwis. “At a time when New Zealanders are doing it tough, the Government wants to cut worker protections and make it easier to fire people,” Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. “Christopher Luxon should be … Read more

Lanes blocked on the Waikato expressway

Source: New Zealand Police At around 11:20am emergency services received reports of a single vehicle crash on the Waikato Expressway, south of Cambridge Road, Tamahere. One north bound and one south bound lane are blocked. No injuries have been reported at this stage. Motorists should expect delays and avoid the area if possible. Traffic management … Read more

Charges filed by Maritime NZ against KiwiRail following investigation into 2024 grounding of Interislander ferry north of Picton.

Source: Maritime New Zealand Maritime NZ has filed two charges against KiwiRail after completing a comprehensive and wide-ranging investigation into the grounding of the Interislander ferry, Aratere last year. The Aratere grounded just north of Picton on 21 June last year, it had 47 people on-board at the time. Thankfully, all passengers and crew were … Read more

Arrests, assets restraints following Police operation targeting Greazy Dogs MC

Source: New Zealand Police NZ Police have this week dealt a significant blow to the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine by the Greazy Dogs MC in western Bay of Plenty this week, with the arrest of several members and associates of the gang, and the restraint of more than $1.5 million of assets. On 17 … Read more

Nutrition replacements fully funded for adults with Crohn’s disease who use them as their only source of nutrition

Source: PHARMAC Pharmac is fully funding two brands of liquid nutrition replacements for adults with Crohn’s disease who use them as their only source of nutrition. The nutrition replacements are Ensure Plus and Fortisip (200ml bottles, 1.5kcal/ml) and changes to funding will take place from 1 July 2025. Adrienne Martin, Manager Pharmaceutical Funding says, “we … Read more

Quarterly current account deficit $5.5 billion – Stats NZ media and information release: Balance of payments and international investment position: March 2025 quarter

Quarterly current account deficit $5.5 billion – media release 18 June 2025 New Zealand’s seasonally adjusted current account deficit narrowed by $53 million to $5.5 billion in the March 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “The value of New Zealand goods exports increased in the March 2025 quarter. However, rising export values … Read more

Release: Government is full of it on homelessness

Source: New Zealand Labour Party The Government continues to deny its policies are contributing to homelessness in New Zealand, despite being told they are. “Frontline housing providers have told Government Ministers that there are more people on the streets as a result of its policies,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. “They are stopping people … Read more

Release: PM must stop changes further failing children

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Today’s damning report on Oranga Tamariki shows Māori children are being left with little chance of success, or even survival, after their experiences in the state care system, and Minister for Children Karen Chhour is making it worse. “This report is the first of its kind and reveals a disturbing … Read more

Release: Changes to stalking Bill important step for women’s safety

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Parliament today took an important step to improve women’s safety with the Government moving closer to Labour’s position on how stalking should be defined in law. “Stalking should be a crime. It can make a victim feel extremely unsafe and insecure, and in some cases result in serious assault, or … Read more

Solitude sees rare spider numbers increase

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  18 June 2025 A population of the rare and unusual spider, which lives in the “Crazy Paving Cave” in the Ōparara Valley on the South Island’s West Coast, is increasing and scientists think it is because the spiders have had a break from visitors. The spiders had been monitored for … Read more

Delays SH1 Silverdale

Source: New Zealand Police Southbound motorists are advised to expect delays on State Highway 1 north of Auckland. Two cars collided around 10.10am between the Silverdale and Oteha Valley Road offramps. There are no reports of injury although one of the vehicles is badly damaged. Police are at the scene and ask motorists to be … Read more

Positive year for tara iti – but the fight for survival continues

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  18 June 2025 Thanks to intensive management of wild nests and a growing hand-rearing programme with Auckland Zoo, this season saw 19 fledglings take to the skies. This is a significant improvement from last year’s nine, and just three the year before. With fewer than 45 adult birds (over a … Read more

Modernising New Zealand’s data system – Stats NZ media release

Modernising New Zealand’s data system – media release 18 June 2025 Wide-ranging improvements to the data system will modernise and future-proof how New Zealand’s economic and population statistics are produced. Minister of Statistics Hon Dr Shane Reti announced today sweeping changes that will see Stats NZ moving in a bold, future-focused direction to provide more timely … Read more

Sharpened focus on quality economic, population stats

Source: New Zealand Government Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti has today announced a major new direction for Stats NZ, replacing the traditional paper-based census and increasing the frequency and quality of economic data to underpin the Government’s growth agenda. From 2030, New Zealand will move away from a traditional nationwide census and adopt a new … Read more

Tougher sentences ahead as Three Strikes returns

Source: New Zealand Government Repeat violent and sexual offenders are officially on notice Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Tougher penalties are now in place as the Three Strikes law comes into force today and the message is clear.  If you commit serious violent or sexual offences, expect to face increasingly severe consequences.  New Zealanders … Read more

Police issue appeal for missing teenager Alexander

Source: New Zealand Police Police is seeking information on the whereabouts of Alexander, who is missing in the Waiatarua area. The 15-year-old was reported missing to Police at about 8.30pm on Monday night, after he failed to return home from school. Alexander was dropped off at Henderson High School where he was last seen at … Read more

Data shows mental health access improving

Source: New Zealand Government Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the latest quarterly results for the Government’s mental health and addiction targets, saying the access targets reflect real progress in delivering faster, more accessible support to New Zealanders. “I’m pleased to see that at a national level, 84.3 per cent of people are … Read more

Going for growth with more overseas investment

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Finance Minister David Seymour welcomes the introduction of legislation to make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages.  The Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has been introduced to the House.   “New Zealand has been turning away opportunities … Read more

Speech to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce: Saying yes to more housing

Source: New Zealand Government Good morning and thanks to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce for hosting us. I have spent most of my life in either the Hutt or Wellington and I love this city and I love our region. Some people like to paint this city as only a public service town. The reality, … Read more

Saying yes to housing growth

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealanders have an opportunity to help shape the new planning system replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA) through public consultation on removing unnecessary barriers to housing growth, says Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “New Zealand’s house prices are among the most expensive in the developed world – a … Read more

Have you seen Mya?

Source: New Zealand Police Police is seeking information on the whereabouts of 17-year-old Mya. The teenager has been reported missing to Police from the North Shore area. She was last seen in the Takapuna area at around 1.45am on 17 June. Police have been working with Mya’s family and conducting enquiries across areas she is … Read more