Summer maintenance crews grateful for support from motorists in Auckland

January 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi would like to thank everyone who travelled on the Auckland motorway network over the summer break for their patience while critical maintenance work was carried out on State Highway 1.

To minimise disruption to road users, NZTA took advantage of lower traffic volumes during the holiday period to replace a bridge joint at Spaghetti Junction and carry out essential maintenance on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

NZTA Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations, Jacqui Hori-Hoult says our crews on the ground were grateful to all road users who adhered to traffic management in place and showed respect towards the on-site workers, helping to keep everyone safe.

“We acknowledge the work will have caused disruption and delay and we want to thank all road users who were patient and adhered to the lower speeds and traffic management in place while our roading crews were working to make our roads even more resilient.

“We were able to complete critical work and ensure the safety of our teams within closures on some of the busiest sections of the Auckland motorway network. Road users’ compliance was high which is a fantastic outcome for our roads and for the safety of our workers.”

Further maintenance work is scheduled to begin Sunday 19 January in the port area, on State Highway 16 The Strand. This will include full lane closures during the weekend and lane restrictions on week nights.

For a schedule of the SH16 works, please visit:

SH16 Port area summer works – The Strand, Stanley Street and Gladstone Road

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Name release: Fatal crash, SH1, Mangaweka

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can now confirm the names of the two people who died following a two-vehicle crash in Mangaweka, on Sunday 29 December 2024.

They were 2-year-old Agambir Singh Dhanju, and 38-year-old Sumeet Sumeet both of Auckland.

Police extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of those involved.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Arrests made following overnight incidents in Raglan

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attributable to Inspector Andrea McBeth, Hamilton City Area Commander:

Seven young people have been arrested following incidents including antisocial road-user behaviour, attempted theft and a car fire in Raglan last night.

At around 2:50am, Police responded to reports of a vehicle – believed to be stolen – doing burnouts on Riria Kereopa Memorial Drive. The occupants then reportedly attempted to steal a vehicle from an address on Manukau Road a short time later.

Police from both Western Waikato and Hamilton City responded, locating the vehicles leaving Raglan. The drivers were signalled to stop, however they continued.

No pursuit was initiated, instead Police maintained long-range observations of the vehicles. Tyre-deflation devices were successfully deployed on both vehicles at Main Road and a second time at Mangakino Road/ SH23.

One vehicle was abandoned on Mangakino Road/SH23, and the second vehicle continued to Waitetuna Valley Road where it was abandoned. All occupants were arrested.

A young person is due to appear in the Hamilton Youth Court in due course on charges of unlawfully taking a motor-vehicle, and failing to stop for Police. The remaining six young people have been referred to Youth Services.

In a separate incident a couple of hours later, a vehicle was allegedly set on fire down a bank at Wainui Road, which spread to surrounding scrub. The fire was extinguished later that morning, and enquiries are ongoing to determine if the incidents are linked.

I would like to commend the officers involved in the initial response – it was a well-executed plan by officers from two areas within the Waikato District.

We understand this activity is incredibly frustrating for the community, and we will continue to work hard to identify and arrest those involved.

If you witness any suspicious activity, please contact Police on 111 if it’s happening now or on 105 either online or over the phone if it is after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Fire Safety – Prohibited fire season revoked in Wairarapa

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is revoking the prohibited fire season put in place in Wairarapa last month, which banned outdoor fires in the area.

From 8am Wednesday 8 January, the southern coastal area, including Aorangi Forest Park and the eastern coast up to Pahaoa, will be in a restricted fire season until further notice.

A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an open-air fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which can be applied for at www.checkitsalright.nz.

All other areas in Wairarapa – including the valley and up the coast to Mataikona – will be in an open fire season, which means people can light outdoor fires without a permit approved by Fire and Emergency.

Wellington District Community Risk Manager Phil Soal says the recent rainfall and cooler conditions over the last couple of weeks has reduced the risk of wildfire in the area.

“We really appreciate the cooperation we’ve had from people in Wairarapa while fires were banned,” he says.

“We weren’t called out to any major vegetation fires over the holiday break, and we’re very pleased about that.

“However, while people can light fires again, they still need to take sensible precautions – particularly to avoid burning if strong winds are forecast.

“Make sure you have sufficient water or extinguishers to put the fire out properly, and keep checking that it’s out afterwards.

“If you’re not sure which season it is where you are, go to www.checkitsalright.nz to find out, and follow the safety advice provided.”

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Zuellig Pharma acquires Propan from ADP Pharma Corporation in the Philippines

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January 7, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 January 2025 – Zuellig Pharma, a leading healthcare solutions company in Asia, has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Propan, a market leading brand in the multivitamin-appetite stimulant segment, from ADP Pharma Corporation.

Propan is an established and trusted brand in the Philippines. It remains a reliable partner in promoting healthier lives across the nation. From prescription capsules to pediatric syrups, the brand offers a comprehensive range of products designed to cater to various age groups and health needs.

Prior to the acquisition, Zuellig Pharma has been responsible for the commercialization and distribution of the brand in the Philippines since 2018.

“This acquisition marks a significant step forward in our strategy to expand our capabilities in the consumer health segment. By building our own consumer health brand portfolio with our existing capabilities, we are strengthening our ability to provide high-quality, consumer healthcare solutions. This acquisition also reinforces our commitment to the Philippines market and enhances our ability to serve the evolving needs of consumers,” said John Graham, CEO of Zuellig Pharma.

The acquisition of Propan marks Zuellig Pharma’s continued expansion into consumer healthcare as it strategically innovates its offerings to meet Asia’s evolving healthcare needs.

“Propan’s position as the leading multivitamin and appetite stimulant in the Philippines has been achieved through operational excellence and a strong partnership with Zuellig Pharma. With their expertise, we are confident that the brand will continue its market leadership. This transaction will also allow our company to sharpen its focus on building high-potential brands while fortifying our financial position, ensuring we are well-equipped to pursue growth opportunities and deliver long-term value for our stakeholders,” said Martin Pascual, President and CEO of ADP Pharma Corporation.

https://www.zuelligpharma.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/zuellig-pharma/

Hashtag: #ZuelligPharma #ADPPharma #Propan #Pharmaceuticals #Healthcare #ConsumerHealth #Acquisition

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Name release: Fatal Havelock North crash

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can now name the person who died in a crash on Foster Lane in Havelock North on 2 January.

He was Wade William Crosbie, aged 19, from Hastings.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Two people seriously injured in the crash remain in hospital recovering from their injuries.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

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State Highway 1 Weld Pass night-works planned for late January

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

State Highway 1 Weld Pass will be the first big resurfacing job in Marlborough in the New Year as the state highway summer maintenance season continues in the top of the South Island.

Night works are planned for Weld Pass from Wednesday, 29 January to Thursday, 13 February. Work will be carried out nightly between 7 pm and 5 am.

Allowances are being made for the Waitangi Day holiday. Contractors will stop work at 5am on Wednesday, 5 February and won’t resume work until 7pm on Friday, 7 February.

Contractors will be carrying out structural asphalt work to strengthen the road surface on a 500m section of Weld Pass. This will include milling, or removing the old surface, before adding new layers. They will also maximise the closure by carrying out other maintenance work including clearing drainage and attending to signage and vegetation.

Mark Owen, Regional Manager Wellington/Top of the South, says Weld Pass must be closed to all traffic while the work is completed.

“Weld Pass is a narrow road with very limited space. Resurfacing work and laying asphalt requires large machinery that occupies a lot of space. It simply isn’t possible to allow traffic through the work site while work is underway.”

“A full closure at night is safer for road crews and the public. It also allows the work to be finished much faster. Doing this sort of the work during the day under stop/go, when there is more traffic would create major delays for drivers. This something we absolutely want to avoid,” Mr Owen says.

While there will be a midnight opening each night to allow queued traffic through the work site, Mr Owen warns the closure will create delays for people travelling between Blenheim and Christchurch.

“It is essential drivers are aware of the closure and factor it into their travel plans.”

“There are no suitable local road detours, meaning the only alternative route between Christchurch and Blenheim is the inland route – Lewis Pass, Murchison, St Arnaud – this is a much longer route and drivers, especially those with Picton ferry connections, must be prepared,” Mr Owen says.

Mr Owen advises travellers that other essential state highway maintenance work will be underway in Marlborough from late January and recommends drivers plan ahead and check the NZTA Journey Planner.

“While the Weld Pass closure is underway, contractors will also resurface two roundabouts in Blenheim, making the most of the lower freight volumes travelling on State Highway 1.”

“Drivers need to keep this in mind. Please, check road conditions before you travel. Be aware of where the road works are so you can plan your journeys properly,” he says.

Other Marlborough State Highway maintenance works

SH1 Grove Rd and SH6 Nelson St roundabouts resurfacing
- Sunday 2 February to Tuesday 4 February. 7pm – 5am
SH1 Grove Road and Main Street roundabout resurfacing
- Sunday 9 February to Wednesday 12 February. 7pm – 5am
SH1/Freeths Rd intersection, turning bay construction
- Monday 27 January to Friday 21 March

More information on these projects will be shared soon, before work begins.

Works schedule

Wednesday, 29 January to Thursday, 13 February, 7 pm to 5 am. No work on the night of Wednesday, 5 February or Thursday, 6 February.
Full road closure – no suitable local road detours available. An alternative route to Christchurch is via the inland route – St Arnaud, Murchison, Lewis Pass. This is a significantly longer route and has much longer travel times.
There will be one opening each night at midnight to let queued traffic through the work area. The northbound lane will travel first, followed by the southbound lane.
These works are weather-dependent, and schedules may change.
Road users must follow the instructions of contractors and obey all temporary speed limits and traffic controls.

More information

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Tech – Samsung Expands ‘AI for All’ Vision at CES 2025 to Bring AI Everyday, Everywhere

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: Samsung

Company outlines refreshed strategy using Home AI to elevate user experiences at home and beyond

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Jan. 7, 2025 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled its new “AI for All” vision at CES® 2025 in Las Vegas, with the focus of making AI an “Everyday, Everywhere” experience. Building on a decade of connected home leadership, Samsung is leveraging the power of AI to bring intelligence to every day, enabling people to experience a more personal, impactful and empowering world.

Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division, opened Samsung’s CES 2025 press conference by introducing the company’s roadmap for Home AI, a plan for redefining the meaning of home by providing truly personalised services across all intelligent, connected devices. This strategy, alongside Samsung’s innovations in AI-powered devices across mobile, home appliances and visual display, is a testament to Samsung’s longstanding commitment to human-centric innovation and brings the power of AI to everyday experiences to make life better for all.

“I’m proud of how we have introduced new technologies and intelligence to the home, connected key devices and set the standard for the home of the future,” Vice Chairman Han said. “This year at CES, we are reinforcing our commitment to delivering personalised experiences through our widespread implementation of AI and we will continue this journey of AI leadership in the home and beyond, not just for the next decade, but for the next century.”

Elevating Everyday Experiences With Home AI

Later in the press conference, Jonathan Gabrio, Head of the Connected Experience Center at Samsung Electronics America, expanded on Samsung’s Home AI vision, underscoring the company’s commitment to integrating AI across the entire connected experience to cater to diverse lifestyles. From single person households to multi-generational families under one roof, Home AI learns from habits and adapts to individual routines for a hyper-personalised smart home experience.

Security and Privacy are at the heart of Samsung’s strategy for Home AI. Samsung recognises that as users introduce more connected devices into their homes and AI becomes more personal, it must also protect users’ privacy. To meet these evolving needs, the company has extended its security capabilities. Now, Samsung Knox Matrix protects home appliances along with mobile devices and TVs with its signature blockchain technology, ensuring that connected devices are working together to protect the user’s home, data and each other from digital threats. With Knox Matrix Dashboard, a transparent privacy control, Samsung offers simplified security management across the entire connected home. As information syncs across devices, Knox Matrix’s Credential Sync ensures that data can only be encrypted or decrypted from the user’s devices, and Samsung Knox Vault adds another layer of protection, keeping sensitive information like passwords or PINs isolated in a secure location.

Samsung’s One UI provides an integrated software experience across all connected Samsung devices, enhancing interoperability, empowering users with AI-based features and providing software updates for up to seven years.

Underpinning it all is SmartThings, Samsung’s smart home platform that brings intelligent connectivity to hundreds of millions of users around the world. With Samsung’s belief in open innovation and partnership as a foundation, SmartThings is being equipped with the latest AI technology to streamline and personalise the smart home experience for complete convenience. SmartThings Ambient Sensing intuitively understands the user’s environment and situational context by analysing even human movements and ambient sounds through connected devices within the home, thereby enabling those devices to intelligently and seamlessly respond and adapt to daily routines.

Bixby Voice, an enhanced AI voice assistant, will be integrated to increase usability. The assistant has been trained so that it can recognise individual voices and respond to commands in a way that works best for each user. These Home AI updates free up time previously spent on home management, allowing users to focus on what matters most and explore new passions.

With productivity comes proactivity, too. When AI and Samsung Health combine, users are empowered to take control of their health and wellness. With AI-driven health insights gathered on the Galaxy Watch, Samsung is helping users make sense of their data and arrive at more informed decisions about their well-being. These new capabilities will further improve the overall experience of Samsung Health, which stands apart as an end-to-end health solution that integrates the entire home seamlessly.

Seamless Entertainment in the AI Era

Samsung’s latest screen experiences, powered by Samsung Vision AI, bring unexpected joy to users’ days through unparalleled personalisation and exciting new features. The AI Screen experience infuses intelligence into TVs, bringing Generative Wallpaper, Live Translate and Click to Search to users. At the forefront of this technology is the Neo QLED 8K, which provides the most advanced viewing experiences though AI features like 8K AI Upscaling Pro, Auto HDR Remastering Pro and Colour Booster Pro — all of which work behind the scenes to intelligently enhance picture quality. Plus, The Frame’s art experience is expanding, allowing all Samsung QLEDs to come with a digital collection of over 3,000 art pieces, making it so that they can turn any room into a personal gallery.

Samsung’s commitment to its Screens Everywhere strategy is reflected in new display options for its appliances, including its new refrigerators with 9″ AI Home displays and other devices with 7″ screens. Consumers will be able to enjoy heightened functionality — including various entertainment services and AI features such as AI Vision Inside — on a broader range of products.

Taking AI Everywhere

Beyond the home, Samsung’s AI innovations are set to transform new categories and industries with SmartThings Pro. Created to bring the same AI-powered digital solutions to business partners as SmartThings offers consumers, SmartThings Pro is a B2B solution spanning multi-residential homes to retail spaces, hotels, schools and more. Since its launch last June, SmartThings Pro provides businesses with integrations to better understand energy usage, proactively identify devices with maintenance needs and offer comprehensive control of connected solutions. Samsung is working with partners to create an innovative platform, Future Innovation Technology (FIT), for larger businesses and buildings to set automated climate controls that save energy and reduce electricity costs.

The company is also working with Samsung Heavy Industries on a new SmartThings collaboration that uses the Matter connectivity standard to connect with compatible ships. SmartThings for Ships offers a Pre-Sailing Mode, which allows captains and crews to automate when the engine starts and turn on settings for temperature and lights, saving time and energy. Meanwhile, Care Mode provides a complete view of a ship’s power, AC systems and smoke alarms, while Protection Mode constantly monitors for — and will alert captain and crew to — any abnormal activity.

Additionally, Samsung is expanding its SmartThings and automotive integrations in a new partnership with Hyundai Motor Group to bring SmartThings to Hyundai EVs. With the expanded ecosystem, users can now use SmartThings Find to easily locate their parked car, even in crowded parking lots. With the power of Home AI, SmartThings can make recommendations on when to recharge EVs based on schedules and rates. And if there is a neighborhood power outage, it will automatically activate Battery Backup Mode, which works alongside AI Energy Mode to extend the battery energy to power home essentials.

In the Automotive space, Samsung and its subsidiary Harman continue their promise to transform the in-car experience with new products that bring contextual awareness into the cabin. Leveraging Samsung’s expertise in UX and AI, Harman’s new in-vehicle avatar acts as an intelligent digital copilot that works with Harman products like Ready Care and Ready Vision to anticipate needs while drivers focus on the road.

Empowering the Next Generation

Finally, Inhee Chung, Vice President of the Corporate Sustainability Center, underscored how Samsung’s AI for All vision is rooted in the brand’s commitment to harness the power of advanced technology for a better, more inclusive world. Samsung is introducing diverse and enhanced accessibility features through its AI-powered devices and services, starting with the ability to automatically sync accessibility features across home appliances from a smartphone.

From the first half of this year, Bixby will automatically have connected devices display text in high contrast or provide a voice guide for family members with low vision, all by simply recognising their voice. For those with low vision, AI is improving Audio Subtitles by lowering foreign language audio and reading out the subtitles in the language of the user’s choosing.

Chung also discussed how initiatives like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung Innovation Campus and the company’s work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are enabling the next generation of innovators. Today, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow challenges more than 2.6 million students across 66 countries to use STEM to address challenges in their community. In particular, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last year, Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched a digital community “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People” and appointed top 10 teams from global Solve for Tomorrow as community ambassadors. Meanwhile, Samsung Innovation Campus has helped prepare nearly 180,000 young people across 33 countries for the workforce through training on emerging technologies like AI, IoT and big data.

In a video message, Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, joined VP Chung to share an update on Samsung and UNDP’s partnership to harness the power of technology for good. Since its initiation five years ago, the Samsung Global Goals app has raised over $20 million thanks to nearly 300 million users who are using a Galaxy smartphone, tablet or watch. Plus, Samsung and UNDP’s joint work through the Generation17 initiative continues to inspire extraordinary young leaders around the world who are mobilising their communities to advance the Global Goals.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners.

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Fire Safety – Canterbury fire district moves to a restricted fire season

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is revoking the prohibited fire season put in place in the Canterbury fire district last month, which banned outdoor fires in the area.

From 8am, Wednesday 8 January, the whole district will be in a restricted fire season until further notice, from north of the Rakaia River to just south of the Clarence River.

A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an open-air fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which can be applied for at www.checkitsalright.nz.

Canterbury District Commander Dave Stackhouse says rain over the holiday period greatly reduced the chances of vegetation fires getting started or getting out of control.

“While we haven’t had any large wildfires in the last three weeks, we are aware that it is still the middle of summer, which means we have kept some restrictions in place,” he says.

“Even with the recent rain and cooler temperatures, this is still one of the drier parts of the country.

“Therefore, we are asking people to continue to be cautious about lighting fires, and follow the fire safety advice available at checkitsalright.nz.”

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Health – Foundation hails select committee support for prostate screening pilots

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation

A prostate cancer screening programme which could save hundreds of lives a year has won conditional backing from an influential Parliamentary committee.

In a report presented to Parliament, the petitions select committee said “we encourage the Government to consider a pilot prostate cancer screening programme in a region with appropriate MRI capacity”.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation applauds the report of the multi-party committee, which spent more than a year collating evidence and hearing submissions before reporting back on the 30,000-signature petition of Kristine Hayward, who lost her husband to prostate cancer.

“Gaining an endorsement from a select committee is a huge boost to launching a prostate cancer screening programme, which starts with a simple blood test and could halve the number of deaths from prostate cancer,” said Danny Bedingfield, President of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The Foundation has been encouraging successive Ministers of Health to establish two pilots that would guide an eventual national screening programme for at-risk men.

“Pilots are important for learning the lessons on how to optimally engage with and screen New Zealand men in the same way that women are successfully screened for cervical and breast cancer,” Bedingfield says.

The Foundation paid tribute to Kristine, whose husband Bruce died from prostate cancer about five years ago, aged 66.  He’s one of 700 New Zealanders who die each year from the disease.

Because his death could be prevented, Kristine launched a petition calling for an early detection programme. The petition was handed over on the steps of Parliament in July 2023.

Bruce, a registered nurse like Kristine, had regular medical check-ups with his GP which included prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. These showed that his levels were rising – a key warning sign – but by the time he was referred to a specialist his cancer had metastasised and could not be treated. 

More than 4000 men are diagnosed annually – a number which is expected to rise each year – but clinicians believe there are many more whose cancer goes undetected. 

Current testing is unfunded, disorganised and inequitable, allowing too many men to die, Bedingfield said. 

“There’s no centralised national screening programme and things need to change to provide better healthcare for New Zealand men,” he said.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is asking the Government to fund two PSA screening pilots which would test men based on age and familial and genetic risk. The estimated cost is relatively low $6.4 million, and learnings would inform an eventual national population-based screening programme.

“Pilots will help us develop a comprehensive, optimum clinical care pathway for prostate cancer, which if done properly will take care of any issues with diagnosis and overtreatment,” Bedingfield said. “We really need to move now on piloting so we learn the lessons we need to learn.”

“We note the the committee’s concerns about access to MRI equipment and a workforce to operate it, but there are regions that have capacity for extra scans. These should host a pilot.”

Due to an ageing population, the number of prostate cancer cases is likely to double by 2040. The clock is ticking. “We need to pay attention to that now and start piloting prostate cancer screening,” Bedingfield said.

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