Education – Whitireia and WelTec celebrate over 1,000 students in April graduation ceremonies

Source: Whitireia and WelTec On Wednesday 2 April Whitireia and WelTec proudly celebrated the achievements of graduating ākonga (students) from the School of Health and Wellbeing, Pacific Health, Social Practice, and Te Wānanga Māori at a ceremony held at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua. This special occasion marked the first of two graduation ceremonies in April, … Read more

Defence News – Final Court of Inquiry into HMNZS Manawanui grounding and sinking in Samoa released

Source: New Zealand Defence Force Twelve further factors, in addition to the direct causes, have been identified as contributing to the grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui, the final Court of Inquiry report has found. Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui ran aground with 75 people on board in Samoa whilst conducting a hydrographic survey of … Read more

Stats NZ information release: Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: December 2024 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: December 2024 quarter – 4 April 2025 – Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: December 2024 quarter presents information on one subset of Māori businesses that contribute to our country’s economy. This release includes data on Māori authorities and related businesses. It … Read more

Climate – March was dry for most; warm for the South Island – NIWA’s Monthly Climate Summary March 2025

Source: NIWA March was dry for most parts of New Zealand, and warm for the South Island, according to the Monthly Climate Summary issued by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). Below normal rainfall or well below normal rainfall was observed across much of the North Island, and northern, western and inland parts … Read more

Fire Safety – Check your smoke alarms when clocks go back this Sunday

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is reminding people to check their smoke alarms are working when daylight saving ends on Sunday 6 April. Community Education Manager Tom Ronaldson says the routine for New Zealanders on Sunday morning is simple – wake up after enjoying an extra hour’s sleep, and check … Read more

Local News – Lower Hutt lands once-in-a-generation deal for city centre

Source: Hutt City Council Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says securing funding and signing final agreements for the transformational Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi project is a once-in-a-generation deal for the city. “We’ve pushed hard to get this over the line, and today, we can say with confidence: funding is secured, agreements are signed, … Read more

Food cuts and an earthquake bring double the devastation for children in Thai refugee camps – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children Food cuts this month and an earthquake that has devastated Myanmar and parts of Thailand will exacerbate living conditions for more than 110,000 refugees living along the Thai-Myanmar border and could force some children out of school, Save the Children said. Due to budget shortfalls, The Border Consortium (TBC), a government and … Read more

MIAS 2025 Celebrates 20 Years, With VinFast in the Lineup

Source: Media Outreach HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 April 2025 – VinFast will make its first appearance at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2025 as the event celebrates its 20th anniversary, showcasing its growing commitment to the Philippines’ electric vehicle market amid the country’s push for sustainable transportation. At MIAS 2025, … Read more

Name release – fatal crash, Sheffield

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police are now in a position to release the name of the man who was killed on West Coast Road, Sheffield on Tuesday. He was Robert Alexander McKinley, aged 66, of Ikamatua. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this difficult time. The crash remains under investigation. … Read more

Over 300,000 Treaty Principles Submissions, and not a glove laid on Equal Rights

Source: ACT Party “The Treaty Principles Bill Select Committee report confirms what ACT has long said. There are no good arguments against people being equal, and more people making bad arguments does not improve them,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “They came in their thousands to oppose the Bill, but only succeeded in showing why … Read more

SH29 Kaimai Range closed until further notice

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 4 April 2025 11:56 am | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises road users that State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range is closed until further notice between Valley View Road and Soldiers Road. A truck carrying a hazardous substance understood to be chlorine, … Read more

State Highway investment in Wairarapa steps up

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency More road improvements are coming for Wairarapa with three major road rebuild projects and resurfacing works planned over the next three months. Work is planned for Greytown, Carterton, and Masterton from April through until mid-June, weather permitting. View larger map [PDF, 365 KB] These will be road rebuild works and … Read more

Auckland overnight motorway closures 6 – 10 April 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 11 April 2025. Please note this traffic bulletin is updated every Friday. Daily updated closure information(external link) Unless otherwise stated, closures … Read more

Speech to Project Auckland

Source: New Zealand Government Check against delivery.Kia ora and thank you so much for inviting me here today. It’s great to be with you all.Can I start by thanking Fran O’Sullivan for her hard work in organising and supporting this annual event and the also NZME for sponsoring the event as always. I’d also like to … Read more

Disability working groups announced

Source: New Zealand Government Strong interest in the development of a refreshed New Zealand disability strategy has been welcomed by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston. Membership of the strategy working groups was announced today, drawn from the disabled community, industry and government agencies. The groups will develop actions in the five key areas of education, … Read more

Potential flooding SH10 Kaeo, drive with care

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 4 April 2025 9:00 am | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi People traveling on State Highway 10 at Kaeo are asked to drive with care, with low lying areas of the state highway expected to flood with the ongoing rain and incoming tide. Where possible, people are asked to delay … Read more

SH 29 / Kaimai Range road closed

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range is closed due to a truck breaking down. It happened shortly before 10am between the intersections with Soldiers Road and Valley View Road. The truck is understood to contain chlorine, which is reacting due to the inclement weather. Motorists are asked to … Read more

Outcome of Timaru’s Evans Street consultation

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will proceed with the four-laning of a section of Timaru’s Evans Street/SH1 and associated removal of on-street parking, following public consultation and feedback. “After careful consideration of all the feedback received, we have decided to proceed with the removal of on-street parking to allow … Read more

Melling transport improvements to start this year

Source: New Zealand Government The Melling Road of Regional Significance project will start this year. The project includes a new grade-separated interchange and bridge, improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure, and better access to public transport like buses and trains through relocation of the train station. The wider programme also includes a new cycling and … Read more

Christchurch homicide: Man charged with murder

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Please attribute to Senior Sergeant Damon Wells, Canterbury Police: This morning, Christchurch police have executed search warrants in Northcote and Pegasus in relation to the death of Tyrone Munns. Tyrone died on 9 March 2025 and Police have since arrested and charged a 29-year-old man with murder. Follow the … Read more

Precautionary closure of SH6 north of Haast overnight with ongoing heavy rain

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 3 April 2025 3:33 pm | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi SH6 from Haast to Knights Point/Lake Moeraki in South Westland will close at 7 pm tonight (3 April) as a precautionary measure, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). The road will reopen at 8 am Friday, subject to … Read more

Update: Crash closes State Highway 58, Pāuatahanui – Paremata (SH58 open)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Update 4 April, 6:15 am: State Highway 58 has reopened overnight following a car crash early yesterday (Thursday) evening. The highway reopened around 11 pm after being closed to traffic for almost five hours. Update 8:10 pm: State Highway 58 remains closed this evening between Postgate Drive and James Cook … Read more

Enviroschool students learn through play in Timaru

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council Date: 31 Mar 2025 Ākonga were tasked with finding answers to a scavenger hunt on the many information boards scattered around the playground – topics included Māori and European history of the area, the development of Timaru, and geological features. This teaches the importance of being kaitiaki/guardians of the environment. … Read more

Community groups receive funding to protect indigenous biodiversity

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council Date: 31 Mar 2025 Successful biodiversity projects We received a total of 31 applications requesting more than $1.6m. Through a structured selection process, we awarded funding for eight projects. The organisations, the project titles and the self-described project purposes are listed below. Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, $72,550 Control of infestation … Read more

Treated wood? If in doubt, leave it out of the burn pile

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council Date: 27 Mar 2025 Recently, we’ve been spotting chemically treated pallets and other treated timber in burn piles on properties across Waitaha/Canterbury. Burning chemically treated timber, painted wood, MDF, plywood and chipboard creates toxic smoke and ash that’s harmful to health and the environment. To protect your health, your community’s … Read more

End-of-season stubble burning reminders

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council Date: 27 Mar 2025 Pay close attention to the weather: It goes without saying that in high winds, you shouldn’t start a crop residue burn or any type of outdoor burn. Choose days with light winds that will help disperse the smoke. Be a good neighbour: Displaying ‘controlled burn’ signs … Read more

Explore the seafloor: new maps launched in Akaroa

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council The maps are the result of extensive fieldwork and modelling, and will help rūnanga, communities and agencies make more informed decisions about ecosystem management. Iongairo is a partnership between papatipu rūnanga of Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū, the Department of Conservation, and us, with the University of Otago serving as the … Read more