Firearm incidents prompt increased Police presence in Levin

Community Magistrates to help ease bottlenecks

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August 21, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government will expand the role of Community Magistrates to help speed up the justice system and reduce unnecessary delays in the District Court, Associate Justice and Courts Minister Nicole McKee announced today.

“Community Magistrates play a valuable part in the District Court but are currently underutilised. By expanding their jurisdiction, we can reduce bottlenecks, ease pressure on judges, and improve court timeliness,” Mrs McKee says.

Legislation to be introduced early next year will expand the jurisdiction of Community Magistrates so they can take guilty pleas for all offences except those reserved for the High Court. They will also be able to manage a wider range of cases within the District Court. This includes presiding over some trials and being able to order pre-sentence reports for Judges to use at sentencing.

“This is a practical step to improve how our courts function day to day. Allowing Community Magistrates to handle more straightforward cases means District Court Judges can focus on the complex matters before them, helping reduce the long waits that frustrate victims and delay justice,” Mrs McKee says.

While Community Magistrates will not be able to impose custodial sentences such as imprisonment or home detention, they will retain the power to issue community-based sentences like supervision, community service, and fines. Cases that could result in imprisonment will still be referred to a Judge for sentencing.

“This is about making the justice system more responsive and more efficient, especially for victims. Delays in court proceedings can retraumatise those affected by crime, and we are committed to delivering justice faster,” Mrs McKee says.

The new powers are supported by Budget 2025 funding of $1.7 million annually for three additional Community Magistrates and the appointment of a judge as Chief Community Magistrate to oversee training, quality, and consistency.

The legislative changes will amend the District Court Act 2016, the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, and the Bail Act 2000 to reflect these enhanced powers.

“This is part of a wider effort to make real improvements in our justice system. We’re already seeing progress; criminal adjournments have dropped significantly over the past two years. The expectation is that expanding the Community Magistrate role will build on that momentum,” Mrs McKee says.

NZ-AU: High-Tech Comfort Meets Street-Ready Style: SHEIN’s GLOWMODE Collection

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August 21, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

SYDNEY, Aug. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global fashion powerhouse SHEIN is making waves with GLOWMODE, a fusion of high-performance fabrics and all-day style, and content creator Kaela Tavares leading the celebrations.

Powered by innovative fabrics, sleek silhouettes and the confidence of comfort, the GLOWMODE design is formed for those training hard, lounging smart, or navigating the hustle in between.

The signature fabrics are engineered using next-gen textile technology, offering wearers high-performance functionality with an elevated fashion edge. Each material is tailored to a specific lifestyle moment; from high-intensity cardio to studio sessions.

Next Generation Fabrics:

FeatherFit: A buttery-soft blend made from high-quality nylon 66 yarn, delivering unmatched breathability and softness sees GLOWMODE designed in three variations – Warm, Air & Sculpt – FeatherFit transitions seamlessly between daily wear and tough sweat sessions.

PowerSculpt: Featuring an air-layered design and ultra-fine nylon yarn, this fabric is built to support and sculpt. Its quick-dry and ventilation technology ensures a cool, confident workout every time.

Silky-Smooth Modal: Luxuriously soft with a fluid drape, this fabric is your go-to for studio-to-street styling. Crafted for calm, worn for everything.

Everyday Fleece: Plush on the inside, lightweight on the outside. This fleece offers gentle warmth without weighing you down, ideal for casual wear or cool-downs.

CloudKnit: High elasticity meets pillow-soft texture. CloudKnit is made for lounging, layering, or low-key movement with supreme comfort.

Momentech Seamless: Lightweight, sweat-wicking, and chafe-free – perfect for medium-impact workouts like rowing or cycling.

GLOWMODE is not just about innovation, but also providing stylish options. The range includes sculpting zip-up jackets, supportive leggings, sports shorts, wide-leg leisurewear, and everything in between. It’s activewear that works as hard as you do, with the comfort to match and the aesthetic to elevate.

Kaela Tavares Leads the GLOW:

Bringing the GLOWMODE spirit to life, Kaela Tavares showcases how performancewear can feel powerful, look luxe, and remain effortlessly wearable, all with her signature vibrant energy and fitness-forward style. The campaign was officially launched with Kaela at an intimate SHEIN event in Coogee Beach on 19 August.

What’s more, GLOWMODE is heading to Bondi Beach for a one-time only giveaway on August 25. Keep an eye on SHEIN’s socials for the giveaway details.

GLOWMODE is available to shop now, by simply searching “GLOWMODE” in the SHEIN search bar to find a seamless blend of innovation and practicality.

Media contact: SHEIN@glowbored.com, +61 2 9059 2502, +61 7 3556 7756

– Published by The MIL Network

Serious crash, Onehunga

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August 21, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a serious crash in Onehunga this afternoon.

The crash, between a vehicle and cyclist on Neilson Street, was reported to Police just before 3pm.

Early indications suggest one person is in critical condition.

Neilson Street, between Galway Street and Selwyn Street, has been closed.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified and motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek an alternate route.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Greatest ever protection for Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana

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August 21, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has moved a step closer to nearly tripling marine protection for the beautiful Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana to help restore precious biodiversity while enabling New Zealanders to benefit for generations.

“The nature of the Hauraki Gulf is incredibly unique and is home to amazing wildlife not found anywhere else in the world. For some, like our most endangered bird, the tara iti, this is one of their last remaining habitats,” Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

“The beauty of the Gulf is a catalyst for local economies through tourism, recreation and fishing. The NZ Institute of Economic Research recently estimated its economic value at $100 billion.

“Sadly, many of us have also seen the effects of the Gulf’s long-standing ecological decline leading to kina barrens and habitat loss.

“Today, the Government has taken bold action for nature. The progression of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Act through the Committee of the Whole stage in Parliament is a big step toward delivering the most significant increase in marine protection in over a decade for Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Overall, we are establishing High Protection Areas for 800 square kilometres of the Gulf while limited ring-net fishing will only be allowed in three per cent of the total area protected under this Bill. This will be reviewed after three years.”

The Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai will lead the changes and educate the public on the new rules.

“A new team of DOC Marine Rangers are out on the water already. They will be educating the public, ensuring compliance, and monitoring the effectiveness of the changes,” Mr Potaka says.

“The newly protected areas range from the waters surrounding the Mokohīnau Islands in the North to the Aldermen Islands in the Coromandel and critical habitats closer to Auckland.

“The legislation also ensures we balance the needs of communities, the environment and the economy.

“The Gulf is a place that many have a deep connection to, including myself, and it is the most popular fishing and boating area in the country. It is home to many precious habitats, including biologically important kelp forests, dog cockle beds and fragile coral. One-third of all seabirds that breed in Aotearoa nest in the Gulf.

“The Act is about ensuring we protect this taonga for future generations. We want to bring back more fish, more variety, more biodiversity to restore the health and mauri of the Gulf and improve fishing over time.

“The world’s first marine reserve, Goat Island / Te Hāwere a Maki (Cape Rodney – Okakari Point) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. This marine reserve will more than triple in size as part of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act.

“We know marine protection works and Goat Island is an exceptional example. It is home to one of the most diverse marine habitats in the country and is an educational, scientific and tourism hub with 350,000 visitors per year. It also pumps out ten times more snapper than any comparable bit of coast in the Gulf.”

12 charged with murder of Zain Taikato Fox

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August 21, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have today charged 12 people for the murder of a Rotorua man last month – seven of them in a small Bay of Plenty town.

Zain Taikato Fox, aged 20, died in Rotorua Hospital of critical injuries on 28 July.

Officers have conducted numerous enquiries since then, culminating in search warrants being executed in Maketu, Rotorua, and Whanganui this morning.

Detective Inspector Craig Rawlinson says it is a big day for the small town.

“Most of those arrested are from Maketu, and these arrests will have a significant positive impact on the township,” he says.

“It’s great to have progressed this investigation to this point. Our thoughts are with Zain’s family, and we hope this will help reassure the greater Bay of Plenty community.”

Police Iwi Liaison officers, who have been in Maketu today, will remain to help ensure those affected by these arrests get any support they need.

The 12 people are all appearing in Tauranga Youth Court later today.

Details of the arrests:

Four Rotorua men – aged 23, 25, 29, and 54.
A male youth was arrested in Whanganui (and will be appearing in Tauranga by audio-visual link).
Seven Maketu men – aged 37, 38 and 63, two aged 22, and two aged 40.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Linyi emerges as a powerhouse of China’s private economy

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August 21, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

LINYI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 August 2025 – Known as China’s logistics capital, Linyi has become a development hotspot of the private economy. By the end of June, the city had cultivated over 1.54 million market entities, ranking second in Shandong province, according to statistics from the Linyi Municipal Government.

Among them, there were more than 1.53 million private market entities, accounting for 99.3 percent of the total, contributing over 90 percent of the city’s business revenue, industrial tax revenue, and employment for residents. Private investment accounted for 75.9 percent, ranking third in the province, surpassing the provincial average by 14.3 percentage points.

As a major gathering for entrepreneurs from across China and abroad, the 2nd Linyi Entrepreneurs Convention was held in Linyi from Aug 18 to 20, with the tagline “choose Shandong, gather in Linyi for win-win future”, showcasing the city’s vibrant private economy and development potential to the public.

With an unprecedented scale, the event featured the release of Shandong top 100 private enterprises list. There were more than 900 attendees including representatives from local enterprises, leading figures of private enterprises, and renowned experts and scholars, gathering in Linyi to express their deep feelings for their hometown and discuss major development plans. It also highlighted new policies to support private businesses, offering both financial incentives and comprehensive services.

Linyi is an important birthplace of Dongyi culture, an important part of Shandong culture, with the phoenix serving as its symbolic totem. The event introduced the Phoenix List to recognize and motivate local enterprises, symbolizing advancement and cultural identity.

The event launched site visits to Linyi’s 13 iconic industry value chains, ranging from food processing and modern medicine to agricultural machinery and high-end equipment. Activities like the “Linyi enterprise experience tour” and six matchmaking conferences were organized to foster collaboration along key industry value chains, aiming to boost investment, attract talent, and drive high-quality development in the city.

Linyi’s private economy is the foundation of its development, and its entrepreneurs are the backbone of its growth. The Linyi Entrepreneurs Convention serves as a key platform for private business leaders to exchange ideas and innovate. Starting next year, Linyi will make the conference an annual event, aiming to create a distinctive symbol for the city’s private sector, a shared celebration for its entrepreneurs, and a prestigious brand for the city.

Hashtag: #Linyi

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

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

Operation Hawk swoops on criminals

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August 21, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Two men have been arrested, and firearms, ammunition and drugs have been seized, during a series of search warrants executed in Invercargill and Mataura Island this week.

The warrants were part of Operation Hawk, which targeted illegal hunters and associated criminal activity.

Four warrants were executed, which took three firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine, cannabis and a four-wheel drive vehicle out of criminal hands. Three of the warrants were carried out in Invercargill and one was carried out in Mataura Island.

The operation was supported by detectives from the Southern District Organised Crime Group.

Senior Constable Nicky Herbert says illegal hunting poses serious risks to public safety, property and the environment.

“The presence of firearms and drugs in these contexts significantly escalates the potential for harm,” Senior Constable Herbert says.

“Police remain committed to identifying and holding accountable those who engage in illegal hunting and associated offending. These actions are not only criminal but dangerous, and they will not be tolerated.”

The two men are facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms, reckless discharging of firearms and entering agricultural land with intent to commit a crime.

Further charges are also being considered.

A 24-year-old man is due to appear in Gore District Court on 27 August.

A 28-year-old man is due to reappear in Invercargill District Court on 16 September.

Police continue to urge anyone with information about unlawful hunting or related activity to contact Police on 105, visit their local station, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Environment – KASM calls on Bishop to reign in Shane Jones on Fast-Track interference

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August 21, 2025

Source: Kiwis Against Seabed Mining

Kiwis Against Seabed Mining has today asked the Minister in charge of the Fast-Track, Chris Bishop, to refuse Minister Shane Jones’ request to meet with the Fast-Track Panel Convenors, arguing it could amount to bullying, and could put the integrity of the Fast-Track process further into question.

Minister Jones has complained to media both about the time the Fast-Track process is taking, and about critical language used by the Panel Convenor overseeing wannabe seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources’ application, saying he has asked Chris Bishop to set up a meeting with the Convenors.

“The credibility of the Fast-Track regime dep

Auckland News – Port expansion fast-track a much-needed economic boost – EMA

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August 21, 2025

Source: EMA

The fast-track approval of Port of Auckland’s expansion project will deliver an economic boost for the city, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA).

The project, approved under the government’s Fast-track Approvals Act, will see construction begin next month on extensions to the Bledisloe Terminal and Fergusson North Berth, as well as a new cruise passenger terminal and other upgrades.

The development is expected to create additional jobs during construction, strengthen supply chain resilience, and significantly increase importing and exporting capacity.

EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald says the Port is a vital contributor to the Auckland region, returning millions of dollars in divid