Missing parcels deliver arrests

Road blocked, SH2, Waipawa Hawkes Bay

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August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 2, between Great North Road and Argyll Road, in Waipawa is blocked following vegetables spilling from a truck.

Police were called the blockage at around 4:30pm today.

No injuries have been reported, however the road will remain closed while clean up is underway.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and to expect delays.

ENDS

Fishery officers backed by police catch fishers with 422 pāua

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August 26, 2025

NZ Fishing Rules mobile app

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Serious charges are likely under the Fisheries Act after 3 people were stopped last night in a car containing 422 pāua taken from Kaikoura’s south coast.

Fishery officers had previously stopped the car yesterday (26 August 2025) afternoon and were attempting to inspect their catch when the driver of the car drove off, says Fisheries New Zealand district manager Marlborough/Canterbury, Stuart Moore.

“We’re grateful for the support of the New Zealand Police which stopped the car in Rangiora.

“Of the 422 pāua recovered from the car, 230 were undersized. People who disregard the rules like this steal from us all.

“The daily limit is 3 pāua per person with a minimum legal size of 130mm. The limit is there for a reason – to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable.

“We take this kind of offending very seriously. Our message to the small number of people who go out to break the rules for their own benefit is that there will be consequences,” says Stuart Moore.

“We encourage all fishers or people planning to go fishing to know the rules. The best thing to do is to download our free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app which will provide you the latest rules, restrictions, and closures at your fingertips.”

Report suspected illegal activity to the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 476 224).

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328

Forging a new path for forestry safety

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August 26, 2025

Read the updated forestry guidance

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

26 August 2025

New guidance to simplify safety for forestry businesses and workers has been published by WorkSafe New Zealand.

Forestry had the highest fatality rate of any sector in 2024, with 16.58 deaths per 100,000 workers. The fatality rate is 20 times higher than the average for all industries.

The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for forestry and harvesting operations was spearheaded by WorkSafe, in collaboration with the forestry industry. The ACOP has now been launched by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden.

The guidance outlines the responsibilities and legal expectations for operators, and helps workers know what good looks like. An update to the good practice guide for small forestry operations has also been published, along with educational resources to aid understanding. New information is included on machine safety, planting and pruning (silviculture), managing work-related health, and manual tree felling.

“The guidance blends technical expertise with hands-on knowledge from the sector, and uses shared language between the two,” says WorkSafe’s chief executive Sharon Thompson.

WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses and workers to meet their responsibilities and keep people healthy and safe.

“Reducing deaths and injuries in forestry requires everyone in the sector to properly plan for and practise safe harvesting.”

The updated ACOP is the first key deliverable from WorkSafe’s priority plan for forestry. The organisation will be undertaking targeted assessments to help embed the guidance in the coming months.

The Forest Industry Safety Council, the New Zealand Forest Owners Association, and the Forest Industry Contractors Association partnered with WorkSafe to develop the new guidance.

“Huge strides have been made to improve work health and safety in the forestry industry, but there’s plenty of work to be done. We want the same thing – for our people to be safe on the job, and to come home from work safely every day,” says Joe Akari, chief executive of the Forest Industry Safety Council and Safetree New Zealand.

Media contact details

For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively:

Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz

Government prioritises forestry sector amid ongoing safety concerns

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August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today launched the Approved Code of Practice [ACOP] for Forestry and Harvesting Operations for the forestry industry.   

ACOPs are practical guidelines to help people in specific sectors and industries to comply with their health and safety duties. The sector-specific ACOPs programme is one part of the broader health and safety reforms.  

WorkSafe has worked with the forestry industry, including input from both workers and forestry companies to create guidelines aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries in the sector.  

These guidelines can now be used across the Forestry sector to help reduce ambiguity about health and safety obligations. It was developed by the industry, for the industry, alongside WorkSafe, to address the specific risks the sector faces.  

Forestry is one of New Zealand’s highest-risk industries. Over the past decade, an average of four to five forestry workers have died at work each year.  A forestry worker is 20 times more likely to be killed and 7 times more likely to suffer serious injury than the average worker.  

For years there has been concern about the high rate of deaths in the forestry sector, and in September 2024, the Minister visited operations on the ground.  

“I met with people in the Forestry sector during my health and safety road show last year. While visiting a forestry operation, I saw the risks and dangers workers are faced with firsthand,” says Ms van Velden.   

“This new forestry code follows a suite of health and safety reforms announced earlier in the year which aim to focus the system on reducing critical risk and improve clarity for businesses, with a strong focus on supporting high-risk sectors.”  

“As part of the reforms, I announced a shift to greater reliance on ACOPs in order to provide sectors with specific, up-to-date guidelines, and changing the ACOP model to reassure people that if they comply with an ACOP, they have done enough to meet their health and safety duties.”  

Beyond forestry, the Government plans to develop ACOPs for multiple sectors including agriculture and construction. These codes will provide practical guidelines that reflects the real needs of each industry, moving away from one-size-fits-all approaches that have created confusion for employers.  

“We want to work with industry to create codes of practice that are realistic and effective,” says Minister van Velden. “The goal is to make health and safety laws clearer and simpler while actually improving workplace safety.”  

The initiative forms part of broader health and safety reforms based on extensive consultation with various industry sectors.  

Editor notes: 

Over the past 15 years 61 workers have been killed in the sector and 150 workers have suffered serious injury resulting in hospitalisation

Predator control gives lifeline to dotterel

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August 26, 2025

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date: 26 August 2025

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) successfully applied biodegradable 1080 bait across part of Rakiura National Park as an important measure to save pukunui/southern New Zealand dotterel from the brink of extinction.

DOC Southern South Island Operations Director Aaron Fleming says the aim is to give the birds a lifeline by heavily reducing feral cats, rats and possums.

“With just 105 birds remaining, pukunui are literally on the brink of extinction. The population has declined from 176 since 2020, largely due to predation by feral cats. In the 2023 season alone at least 41 adult birds died.

“Over the years, our team have worked extremely hard trapping, hunting and using bait stations to control predators but with pukunui numbers continuing to decline, it was clear we needed to take a different approach – before it was too late,” says Aaron.

Pukunui were once widespread across the South Island and Rakiura is their last refuge. Intensive management saw a slight lift in the population this year from 101 to 105, but to secure their long-term future, introduced predators need to be controlled over a larger area.

The safest and most effective way to control predators over large, remote areas is to use bait pellets containing 1080, which are distributed from helicopters along predetermined and monitored flight paths. The bait targets rodents and possums, with feral cats controlled as they feed on the poisoned carcasses.

Bait was applied over about 40,000 hectares of Rakiura National Park, covering the large home range of feral cats. ZIP also delivered a small-scale eradication trial across 6,500 hectares testing tools and techniques for the Predator Free Rakiura project.

This was the first time 1080 cereal bait has been applied aerially on the island to protect pukunui, and DOC is optimistic for the breeding season this spring and summer. The next pukunui flock count will be in Autumn next year.

“For years the annual flock count for pukunui has felt like documenting the demise of a species in real time, which has been devasting for those who work so hard to protect them. Once they’re gone from here, they’re gone for good,” says Aaron.

“A predator free Rakiura is the long-term solution for pukunui and other vulnerable native species, but urgent action was desperately needed, or it could have been too late for this unique New Zealand species.”

Hundreds of remote trail cameras are set out in the operational area to measure the abundance of predators before and after the operation.

Warning signs are in place at access points to the predator control area. 1080 is poisonous to humans, domestic and game animals. Hunters are warned not to eat animals from within the treatment area and two-kilometre buffer zone until the warning signs have been removed.

The aerial operation was largely funded by $3 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. DOC is grateful for support from the New Zealand Nature Fund, donors and others which contributes to the ground-based predator control and management of pukunui.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

Commerce – Meet the Buyer™ exhibitor trade floor sold out

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August 26, 2025

www.buywesteatbest.org.au

Source: Meet the Buyer

Exhibitor space at the fifth Buy West Eat Best annual trade show, Meet the Buyer™ held on 21 October at Crown Perth is officially sold out.

Hosted by the State Government’s Buy West Eat Best program, Meet the Buyer™ is Western Australia’s only dedicated food and beverage industry trade show exhibition and networking forum.

This year is billed the largest to date with a sold-out trade floor. It will showcase more than 500 products, ingredients, businesses and brands from across the State, with every region represented.

Melissa Worthington, program manager of Buy West Eat Best at Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, said Meet the Buyer™ is an important platform for WA producers and suppliers.

“The local producers who have secured an exhibition space this year will have the floor to promote their business and produce, connect with buyers and distributors, with a view to securing commercial outcomes across domestic and international markets, all under one roof and all in one day,” Ms Worthington said.

“The rapid growth in reputation of Meet the Buyer as WA’s only dedicated food and beverage exhibition trade show and premier networking event attracts delegates from around the state, across the country and from overseas.”

Delegates include major supermarket retailers, independent gourmet grocers, chefs, restauranteurs, hospitality groups, sommeliers, importers as well as media and educators.

“The relaxed and collaborative atmosphere of the tradeshow is deliberate, to meet the expectations of trade and industry delegates, foster meaningful conversations and, as we have determined in previous years, often leads to unexpected partnerships,” Ms Worthington said.

“For delegates, it’s a day of opportunity, finding new suppliers and new ingredients to showcase on a menu or on in stores, but importantly, a chance to actually meet the people behind the business.

“As a facilitator of Meet the Buyer, it’s extremely rewarding to watch Western Australian businesses go from strength to strength, make meaningful business connections, innovate through collaboration and potentially expand their supply range or scale their business, leading to greater growth and employment across the state within the sector.

“Over the past four years, we’ve seen many success stories as a result of business done at Meet the Buyer – it’s where business connections are made and opportunities grow.”

Independent feedback of previous Meet the Buyer™ events shows strong commercial outcomes for WA businesses with 67 percent of participants reporting they connected with new buyers or business contacts previously inaccessible, 54 percent secured commercial value through partnerships, new market access or business growth, and 83 percent discovered new products, brands or businesses.

The WA food and beverage sector, valued at $9.6 billion, is a significant contributor to the State’s economy supporting 1,555 businesses and 20,000 jobs.

Combined with the food service sector, the broader industry supports over 100,000 jobs across 8,000 businesses, generating approximately $17.6 billion in annual turnover.

Buy West Eat Best is a voluntary food labelling and marketing initiative developed by the Western Australian Government to assist local food and beverage producers to promote their products to consumers whether they be grocery shoppers or those that dine out.

For more information about Meet the Buyer™, visit meetthebuyer.com.au.

NOTES

YouTube highlights: https://youtu.be/m5YmaaxQ00c

About Buy West Eat Best

The Buy West Eat Best program is a voluntary food and beverage labelling and marketing initiative developed by the Western Australian Government to assist local producers to promote their products to grocery shoppers and those that dine out.

Buy West Eat Best works with members to support and promote the buy local message, highlight the importance of seasonality and champion delicious, fresh ranges of fruits and vegetables that grocery shoppers can seek out, particularly as new seasons commence.

The program works across the supply chain, from producers, processors, retail, and foodservice businesses; providing a critical conduit to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of businesses and identify source of origin for consumers. There is a vast and diverse range of local businesses and brands that are members of the Buy West Eat Best community.

When you see the distinctive Buy West Eat Best bite mark logo you can be assured that you are choosing food and beverage that has been grown, farmed, fished, processed, prepared and served right here in WA.

The program has matured, and it is vitally important to the State from an economic and employment perspective – the food and drink industry or agrifood sector is the second largest export sector to mining and resources and critical to the diversification and sustainability of local communities across the State.

The Buy West Eat Best logo is a registered trademark owned by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), administered by government and championed by business and supported by industry.

Cook Strait mayday: Search for boat suspended

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August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

After hours of searching, Police have suspended the search for a boat reported to have been swamped by water in the Cook Strait.

Police were alerted to a mayday call in the strait about 10.10pm on Monday.

The person was calling via VHF channel 14 and indicated they were in distress, 3 nautical miles south of Karori Rock.

Sergeant Jonathan Westrupp, Wellington District Search and Rescue Coordinator, said the person indicated their boat was taking on water with two people on board.

“They failed to respond after several further transmissions and a search was immediately activated and multiple vessels were deployed to the area.

“We’ve found no objects of interest in the strait or during searches of the shoreline or boat ramps, and no boaties have been reported missing or overdue. We continue to ask the public to notify Police should they notice anything unusual in the Cook Strait area or become aware that someone is overdue.”

Wellington Police wish to thank the public, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Rescue Coordination Centre, Coastguard Wellington, Wellington Airport Fire Service, Interislander, Bluebridge, Centreport, Seaworks and the media for their support for this search and rescue incident.

Sergeant Westrupp said Police were making enquiries into the distress radio transmission to determine its source and veracity.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Tax bill to grow the economy and ease cost of living

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August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Revenue Minister Simon Watts has introduced a new tax bill aimed at boosting New Zealand’s economy, helping businesses grow, and making it easier for skilled people to live and work here.

“This Government’s top priority is growing the economy so we can deliver more jobs, higher wages, and lower costs for New Zealanders,” Mr Watts says.

“One way to do that is by making New Zealand a place where talented people and investors want to stay and build their futures.”

“Currently, new migrants are taxed on estimated overseas income, even if they don’t actually receive it. The new law will change that, so they are only taxed on money they actually earn.

“This makes it fairer and more attractive for skilled migrants to move here, and helps keep talented New Zealanders from leaving.”

The bill also makes it easier for overseas visitors working remotely, sometimes known as digital nomads, to stay longer in New Zealand before being taxed, encouraging them to spend more in our economy while they’re here.

To help businesses attract and keep good staff, the Bill fixes tax timing issues with employee share schemes – a common way smaller businesses reward workers.

The bill also reduces unnecessary tax compliance costs. For example:

Joint ventures: Current GST practices will be recognised instead of forcing businesses through costly changes.
Residential solar power: People who export excess power back to the grid won’t face income tax, recognising that the compliance burden would outweigh any benefit and to encourage greater solar and battery uptake.

“These practical changes make the tax system simpler and more effective. They remove barriers that hold back investment and growth,” Mr Watts says.

“With this bill, we’re backing businesses, attracting investment, and creating the conditions for a stronger economy – one that delivers more opportunities, higher wages, and a lower cost of living for New Zealanders.”

Ashburton man banned from owning horses for 3 years, ordered to do 300 hours community work

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August 26, 2025

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

An Ashburton man has been banned from owning horses and ordered to do 300 hours community work after his 12 horses were found to be underfed and living in poor conditions.

Barry Alexander Hill (55) was sentenced today (26 August) in the Ashburton District Court on 8 charges under the Animal Welfare Act after a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). He was also placed on 9 months supervision by the court and ordered to pay $5,314.80 in reparations to MPI for veterinarian costs.

“Animal welfare inspectors visited this property numerous times and tried to get Mr Hill to take responsibility for his horses. He was directed to euthanise 2 horses to end their pain and suffering,” says MPI district manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance Canterbury, Richard Notley.

The 1.2 hectare (3 acres) lifestyle property had 12 horses but only had the capacity to hold 2 horses.

Animal welfare inspectors visited the property and found it was rundown with horses living in hazardous conditions, including amongst rubbish around the paddocks.

“There was no grass cover to graze, a lack of decent supplementary feed and water. Some horses were living in their own faeces, were underweight, ill or injured.

“Not only did Mr Hill fail to address any of the animal welfare concerns we identified but he ignored a Temporary Enforcement Order issued by the court that required him to remove all horses from the property within 7 days.

“We again intervened and rehomed 7 horses still on his property.

“The horses??? suffering could have been avoided if Mr Hill had taken the action we earlier directed. When we find evidence of deliberate animal neglect, we take action,” Mr Notley said.

Find more information in the Code of welfare for horses and donkeys [PDF, 554 KB]

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 008 333.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328