SKINARMA’s biggest iPhone 17 case collection in years lands with survivalist design built to last

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September 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

A repeat shoplifter with a warrant for his arrest will face court after being caught red-handed in Howick yesterday.

Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager Inspector Rakana Cook says the Area Prevention Unit had been seeking the 45-year-old man, as he was wanted in connection with $2,500 of shoplifting from a Howick supermarket in recent days.

Police had information this man was still active in the east Auckland area.

“Around 7.45pm yesterday we received a call from a supermarket in Howick, who were watching the wanted man fill a trolley with groceries inside their store.”

Units attended the scene and apprehended the male as he was filling the trolley with almost $200 worth of produce.

“While speaking with him a meth pipe was found in his possession,” Inspector Cook says.

All the items were returned to the supermarket and the alleged offender faces five new shoplifting charges on top of his outstanding matters.

The 45-year-old man will appear in the Manukau District Court.

“We are pleased to have been able to apprehend this individual and hold him to account for his actions,” Inspector Cook says.

“Police are opposing this man’s bail at his court appearance.”

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Erica Stanford – Historically poor school buildings upgraded

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September 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is continuing to deliver school infrastructure better, investing around $300 million into repairing and upgrading 33 schools facing some of the most challenging property conditions in the country.

“For too long, these schools have been left waiting with no certainty about when their much-needed redevelopment would begin. We are turning around the delivery of school property by driving efficiencies, transparency and better communication so more schools, communities and children benefit sooner,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

“This investment is getting spades in the ground, addressing the backlog of unfunded condition-related projects that we inherited to ensure more children can learn in a safe, warm, and dry environments.”

The first tranche is an $87 million investment across seven schools with the most urgent need:

4 refurbished classrooms and resource space at Dargaville High School
15 refurbished and strengthened classrooms at Albany Junior High School
9 replacement classrooms, library and resource space at Rangitoto College
9 refurbished and strengthened classrooms at Alfriston College, including interim seismic strengthening of classrooms scheduled in future stages
10 replacement classrooms and admin space at Onslow College
9 replacement and roll growth classrooms at Newlands College
Admin block replacement and seismic strengthening of the hall at Mairehau High School

Construction on all projects will begin in the next 12 months. They have undergone a rigorous value-for-money review, identifying over $54 million in savings through practical and efficient delivery methods. Further tranches will be announced once further due diligence and planning progresses.

“This is about fairness, transparency, and getting ahead of the curve. We’re investing smarter. By using modular construction and standardised designs, we’re delivering faster, more cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.”

Further to this, up to $30 million of roll growth funding will deliver 16 new teaching spaces at Wellington High School, including 10 specialist classrooms.

“Given the constrained site, a three-storey, 16 classroom teaching block meets the school’s capacity needs, and allows us to get shovels in the ground faster.

The investment is part of a broader plan for the school to address property needs in a staged and prioritised approach. Construction on the new classrooms is due to begin in December 2025 with the aim of being completed by early 2027.

“We’re getting spades in the ground sooner and building a long-term pipeline that gives communities across the country certainty about their school’s future,” Ms Stanford says.

Wellingtonians, expect rugby traffic this weekend

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September 10, 2025

Bigger buses and more trains to get fans to All Blacks vs South Africa game(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

With the All Blacks playing South Africa this weekend (13 September), the public can expect more traffic on Wellington highways on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/ Top of the South, says major sporting events see a lot of fans come in from out of town, and that means busier roads before and after the game.

‘If you’re coming in and out of Wellington on Saturday afternoon and evening, please plan carefully and allow more time for your journey. For the rugby fans, make sure you get into the city in time for the game.”

The game kicks off just after seven pm, and Sky Stadium will open to fans at five pm. The match is expected to end around 8:45 pm.

Mr Owen says there will be more traffic after the game as people head home, and extra care will be needed.

“Please be patient and drive carefully when leaving the city. Make sure your weekend is memorable for the right reasons and not because you got caught up in traffic or in a crash.”

Extra public transport will be available for the event. More details about this can be found on the Metlink website:

Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Consultation on the Liquidity Management Review opens

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September 10, 2025

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

10 September 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is consulting on how we conduct Open Market Operations and are seeking input on design considerations for a Committed Liquidity Facility.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) manages the level of liquidity (settlement cash) in the New Zealand banking system to ensure short-term market interest rates trade near the Official Cash Rate (OCR) and that there is sufficient liquidity for payments and settlements.

We have been reviewing our liquidity management framework following changes to the liquidity environment arising from the policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Concurrently, we have been reviewing our prudential liquidity policy which is to become a Liquidity Standard as part of the core standards under the Deposit Takers Act.

“Our Open Market Operations are a critical tool for us to manage liquidity as we maintain an ample settlement cash environment. It’s important that we design these operations in a way that delivers effective monetary policy implementation, while also facilitating market liquidity and supporting financial stability,” Financial Markets Director Adam Richardson says.

A Committed Liquidity Facility is necessary for deposit takers to meet their liquidity requirements while also maintaining a sufficient supply of these assets in the market for other investors. “We want to ensure that the size, fees and operationalisation of the Committed Liquidity Facility will serve the overall objectives of the forthcoming Liquidity Standard whilst also supporting the market liquidity of liquid assets,” Mr Richardson says.

This consultation builds upon previous work, including speeches and Bulletins given as part of the Liquidity Management Review. Respondents to the consultation may choose to comment on one or both parts of the consultation and whichever questions are relevant to them.

This consultation is open until 31 October.

You can find out more about the consultation on the Citizen Space website: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=c56a8c1b07&e=f3c68946f8

More information

Liquidity Management Review consultation paper: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=22103ebfc4&e=f3c68946f8

Update 5 – Critical incident, Waitomo + media advisory

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September 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are today continuing the search and examination of what is believed to be the main campsite of Tom Phillips and his children in recent months.

The area is difficult to access, well-hidden and highlights the challenging environment the family used as their base.

Police have released new images from this wider site – approximately 200 metres away, across some difficult terrain from where the younger children were found on Monday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders says Police staff are working in steep and uneven terrain to document evidence from the scene.

“It’s a very grim, dimly-lit area, surrounded by dense bush. The tent was well covered and dry.

“We are currently looking at a number of items at the site. Aside from the burglaries we are now able to link to Tom, it is apparent that he had outside help.”

The Police vehicles and the quad bike from the scene of Monday’s shooting were removed from Te Anga Road last night.

Police expect to continue their examination of the area today and tomorrow.

The officer injured on Monday continues to recover in Waikato Hospital and is being supported by the Police whanau.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank all our staff involved in Operation Curly at different times over the past four years, in particular our core investigation team.

“It has been a challenging operation, but I am relieved and delighted that we have been able to return the children to safety.

“Operation Curly was an operation focused on locating Tom and the safe return of the children.

“As the police work enters a new phase, our Operation Curly naturally comes to a conclusion. While no one wanted it to end in these circumstances, it is highly satisfying as an investigator that the children have been safely returned,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Saunders.

“We wish to thank the public for the ongoing support of Police, and in particular for the kindness and care people have shown in respecting the children’s privacy.”

ENDS

Media advisory

Media are advised that Police will hold a stand-up today regarding Monday’s critical incident.

Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Saunders will speak to media at 1:30pm in central Hamilton.

We ask those media interested in attending to RSVP to media@police.govt.nz(link sends e-mail).

Further details will be provided to registered media.

Issued by Police Media Centre

CORRECTION: Man appears in court following death of woman, Paraparaumu

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September 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Police would like to clarify the court details around the man arrested following the death of a woman in Paraparaumu last night.

The man is 31 and is due in Porirua District Court today charged with assault and breach of protection order.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Advisory: Police presence around Freemans Bay

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September 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are advising the public about additional Police staff deployed in Freeman’s Bay today for a planned exercise.

Tactical Police staff are deployed near the Auckland City Police Hub, off College Hill.

There is no ongoing incident and no cause for concern.

Police will be carrying out the exercise throughout the afternoon.

We thank the community for their understanding.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Man appears in court following death of woman, Paraparaumu

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September 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins:

Police have launched an investigation following the death of a woman at an address in Paraparaumu overnight.

Police were called to the address on Chums Road at around 9:50pm last night to a report of an assault.

Despite the best efforts of Police and other emergency services, the woman has sadly died at the scene.

A 48-year-old man, known to the woman, was arrested last night and is expected to appear in Wellington District Court today charged with assault and breach of protection order.

Police would like to advise the public that there will be an increased Police presence in the area as the investigation continues and that we believe there is no ongoing risk to the public.

Police are also working to support the family of the victim and offer our sincere condolences.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

First supercritical geothermal site chosen

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September 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Land within Rotokawa Geothermal Reservoir in the Taupō Volcanic Zone has been selected as a preferred site for New Zealand’s first supercritical geothermal exploration, with design work already underway to develop the first well, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.

“This early-stage exploration could help prove the viability of supercritical geothermal energy, which has the potential to deliver several times the power output of conventional geothermal wells. This groundbreaking work could be a game changer for securing New Zealand’s future energy needs,” Mr Jones says.

The Rotokawa site was selected following extensive geological and geophysical study by Earth Sciences New Zealand, and risk assessments to confirm its suitability.

“Tauhara North No.2 Trust is guardian of the Rotokawa geothermal resources and have deep cultural and historical connection to the area. Its people have used geothermal energy for cooking, bathing, and healing for generations,” Mr Jones says.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Tauhara North No.2 Trust, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Mercury NZ which operates the Rotokawa geothermal power station, to explore the potential of supercritical geothermal energy at the site. Earth Sciences NZ is contributing technical and scientific expertise.

As part of the work, a multi-disciplinary design team comprising local and international experts, is also being assembled to lead work across regulatory approvals, design, risk assessment, geoscientific modelling, engineering, procurement, drilling and asset management.

The Coalition Government has committed up to $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support the development of the first well, with plans for two additional wells as part of a broader programme.

The first phases of the project include pre-feasibility work studies, well design, development of a business case and validation of the preferred site. Drilling is expected to begin in 18-24 months.

“Three exploratory wells are the minimum needed to understand the energy resource. New Zealand has pioneered geothermal development in the past with government-led geothermal exploration during 1950s and 1970s. During this time, more than 40 wells were drilled across the motu to explore geothermal resources,” Mr Jones says.

“Drilling into supercritical zones means going 1km-3km deeper into the Earth and managing higher pressures and temperatures than current conventional generation. This is one of the most technically demanding frontiers in geothermal technologies and science,” Mr Jones says.

“Safely converting and commercialising supercritical geothermal energy is the next step. The Government is backing this groundbreaking project which aims to unlock transformative, clean, renewable energy over the long term to strengthen our energy security and be transformative for the country and internationally,” Mr Jones says.