Five arrests following Tikipunga aggravated robberies

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Five people have been arrested following an aggravated robbery and attempted burglary in Whangārei this morning. At about 6am Police received a report of an attempted break-in at a service station on Tarewa Road followed, by another report of a group of people breaking into a premise (service station) … Read more

First stage of Manukau Health Park expansion open to patients

Source: New Zealand Government Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened the new East Building expansion at Manukau Health Park. “This is a significant milestone and the first stage of the Grow Manukau programme, which will double the footprint of the Manukau Health Park to around 30,000m2 once complete,” Mr Brown says. “Home to … Read more

Operation Lola: Two further charges laid in investigation

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police is laying two additional charges in the investigation into allegations of inappropriate handling of burials at Waikumete Cemetery. Today, Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin confirms the charges are being laid against an Auckland man, who was arrested on Friday. “This man faces an additional charge of obtains by deception … Read more

Name release – SH 6 fatality, Gibbston

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police can now release the name of the man located deceased on SH6, near Gibbston, after an incident on 3 March. He was 22-year-old Ryoma Seki from Japan. Police extend our condolences to his family and are providing them with support during this difficult time. Our enquiries have determined … Read more

Climate and Science – Extreme atmospheric rivers could double in future climate – NIWA

Source: NIWA New Zealand could face twice as many of the most extreme atmospheric rivers by the end of the century, according to new research by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) published today. Not only could the narrow bands of concentrated water vapour increase, but in the future rainfall from these ‘rivers … Read more

Renewable Energy Declined – COVID fast-track consent declined for Southland wind farm – EPA

Source: Environmental Protection Authority An independent panel has declined resource consent for a wind farm in Oware and Gore, Southland. Contact Energy Limited applied for resource consent under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020. The decision comes 234 working days after the application was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority. The Environmental Protection Authority is … Read more

Advocacy News – Palestine Forum of New Zealand Condemns Israel’s Resumption of Military Operations in Gaza

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand The Palestine Forum of New Zealand strongly condemns Israel’s resumption of military aggression in Gaza. This reckless escalation further endangers innocent lives and deepens the humanitarian catastrophe faced by the Palestinian people. We call on the New Zealand government and the international community to take immediate action to hold … Read more

Activist News – Immediate condemnation of Israel must be NZ government priority – PSNA

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa   Israel has today relaunched widespread genocidal air attacks on the besieged Palestinian people of Gaza.   “Immediate condemnation of Israel’s resumption of attacks on Gaza must come from the New Zealand government”, says Co National Chair of PSNA John Minto. “Israel has breached the January ceasefire agreement multiple times and … Read more

Government Cuts – Internal Affairs gutted again with Govt planning to cut 133 roles – PSA

Source: PSA The Government is continuing its damaging campaign to hollow out the public service with 133 roles (69 being fixed term) proposed to go from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Staff were told today of the latest proposed job cuts which could result in the net loss of 64 permanent roles, plus 69 fixed … Read more

Serious crash, Main North Road, Onaero

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police are responding to a two-vehicle crash on Main North Road near Ohanga Road, Onaero, New Plymouth District. Emergency services were alerted around 1:50pm. The Serious Crash Unit has been advised and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing. The road is blocked with no local diversions … Read more

Update – Train fatality, Invercargill

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Attributable to Inspector Stu Harvey: Police are continuing to investigate the train fatality in Invercargill last evening, including work on the ongoing formal identification process. An adult male was hit by a train at the rail pedestrian crossing on the corner of Tyne and Ness Street shortly after 5pm … Read more

Herpetologists hop to it

Source: Auckland Council As World Frog Day leaps into our calendars (20 March), Auckland Council’s Environmental Services team is taking the opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of New Zealand’s most enigmatic and ancient amphibians – the Hochstetter’s frog. With a face only a herpetologist could love, this tiny, speckled creature may not have … Read more

Work underway to repair Coromandel Walkway

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  18 March 2025 The Coromandel Walkway, connecting Stony Bay and Fletcher Bay, follows the contour of the coastline and is a popular visitor site in northern Coromandel. It was damaged during the extreme weather events of summer 2022-23, with large slips causing significant damage and forcing the temporary closure of a … Read more

TREC progressing SH35 underslip work in eastern Bay of Plenty

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency A stretch of State Highway 35 near Opape in the eastern Bay of Plenty is now under stop/go traffic management as work continues to repair an underslip. Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC), on behalf of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), is completing the work, using gabion (rock filled) walls … Read more

Cyber Security – Protect Yourself from Cyberstalking Now – Anti-Stalking Bill Still a Work in Progress

Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners In a world where Baby Reindeer has become a pop culture hit, sometimes what seems harmless can reveal a darker side with unsettling encounters. Now more than ever it’s worth checking who might be digitally tracking you. In November 2024, the Government announced plans to make stalking and cyberstalking illegal, … Read more

NZ economy: Wheels turning – BusinessNZ

Source: BusinessNZ The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the March quarter shows signs of economic improvement – even as New Zealand continues to face significant issues at home and abroad. BusinessNZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says New Zealand is not immune to the economic uncertainty rising around the world. “As trade wars continue between the United … Read more

People Against Prisons Aotearoa Statement – Prison guards hospitalise 77 year-old parolee – PAPA

Source: People Against Prisons Aotearoa STATEMENT – People Against Prisons Aotearoa condemns the beating of 77 year-old Dean Wickliffe by prison guards at Waikato’s Spring Hill Corrections Facility. Wickliffe was recalled to prison after being made homeless and breaching his parole conditions that he reside at a specific address. After refusing to be double-bunked, a … Read more

Nominations open: Manurewa Community Volunteer Awards

Source: Auckland Council Nominations are now open for the 2025 Manurewa Community Volunteer Awards, which showcase the work of individuals and organisations that serve their community.   Volunteers are the heart and soul of our community, dedicating their time, energy, and passion to making a difference in the lives of others. Their contributions, whether big or … Read more

Vulnerable Milford landfill to be cleaned up

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  18 March 2025 Upper Cleddau Flats landfill, known colloquially as ‘Little Tahiti,’ extends inland from the Tutoko and Cleddau Rivers. Department of Conservation Operations Manager, Te Anau, John Lucas, says the clean-up is a legacy from an infrastructure project which took place 70 years before DOC was created. Gravel was removed … Read more

Two charged following Highland Park shooting

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police have arrested and charged two people following a shooting in Highland Park in January. At about 9.46pm on Thursday 16 January Police were after three males entered a premises on Dunrobin Place and assaulted a man before a shot was fired. Counties Manukau East CIB Area Investigations Manager, … Read more

Pacific – Intensive two-week training by FWCC on Gender, Violence Against Women and Girls, Human Rights, and Counsellor Training starts in Cook Islands

Source: Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre 17th March 2025, Cook Islands – An intensive two-week training program by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre on Gender, Violence Against Women and Girls, Human Rights, and Counsellor Training is started today in the Cook Islands in collaboration with the Punanga Turuturu Itivaine, Cook Islands Women’s Support Centre. This training … Read more

Fire Safety – Southland moves back to open fire season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Rain and cooler temperatures in Southland have lowered the fire danger, prompting Fire and Emergency New Zealand to move the district back to an open season at 8am on Tuesday 18 March. Fire and Emergency Southland District Manager Julian Tohiariki says this means permits will no longer be required to … Read more

Local News – Property owners doing their bit for a healthy Porirua Harbour

Source: Porirua City Council A programme to identify broken sewer pipes on private and public property is playing its part to improve Porirua Harbour’s health, with hundreds of repairs being carried out since the initiative began. Porirua City councillors were briefed on the Knowing Your Pipes programme at a workshop last Thursday. The project, led by … Read more

Universities – International tax rules are losing their grip – academic – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) As the Trump administration prioritises domestic interests over multilateral agreements, a University of Auckland legal scholar warns of a “quiet evolution” reshaping international tax law. Professor Craig Elliffe’s research on this shift is in the running for the 2025 Frans Vanistendael Award for International Tax Law, one of the field’s … Read more

The Educational Foundation of William Louey is to launch a video series to support younger people facing mental health challenges due to education pressures.

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 March 2025 – The William SD Louey Educational Foundation is proud to announce a collaboration with Suicide Prevention Services (SPS) aimed at tackling the mental health challenges faced by young men aged 15–25 in Hong Kong. The initiative features five key opinion leaders … Read more

Proceeds of crime to fund safety measures in central Auckland

Source: New Zealand Government The Government will boost anti-crime measures across central Auckland with $1.3 million of funding as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Fund, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “In recent years there has been increased antisocial and criminal behaviour in our CBD. The Government is … Read more

ACT looks to stand candidates in local council elections

Source: ACT Party For the first time ever, ACT is looking to stand candidates in local council elections. Today ACT Leader David Seymour announced the Party is seeking expressions of interest from New Zealanders to stand for their local council under the ACT banner. “ACT has been focused on tackling the cost of living, wasteful … Read more