Driving in a stolen vehicle is the least of one Auckland man’s problems, as he faces serious drugs charges in court today.
On Tuesday afternoon, Police received information about a stolen vehicle travelling in the Ellerslie area.
Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rachel Dolheguy says the vehicle was located on Robert Street by the Police Air Support Unit.
“Ground units were directed to where the vehicle was stopped, and the sole male occupant was spoken to,” she says.
“Police established the vehicle had allegedly been stolen during a burglary in Onehunga earlier this month.”
The predicament quickly changed for the 28-year-old man.
Inspector Dolheguy says a belt bag the man was allegedly carrying was found to contain a crystal-like substance.
“It was suspected to be methamphetamine, and a further search of the vehicle was invoked.
“There, Police found a large quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine and cash.”
The 28-year-old man will face the Auckland District Court today.
He has been charged with possession for supply of both methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as possession of cannabis and methamphetamine utensils.
“Possession for supply of class A controlled drugs is a serious offence, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment,” Inspector Dolheguy says.
Police enquiries remain ongoing into the earlier burglary in Onehunga.
Earlier this month, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) visited New Zealand for the first time.
The IMO is the United Nations’ specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping, as well as the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
As part of his ongoing engagement across the global maritime system Mr Dominguez undertook a Pacific regional mission in August 2025. He arrived in New Zealand on Friday, 8 August, spending two days in Auckland before heading to Wellington.
While in Auckland, Mr Dominguez participated in a stakeholder workshop led by Maritime NZ Chair, Dame Jo Brosnahan. The workshop was attended by representatives from a number of key sector bodies, including Shipping New Zealand, the NZ Shipping Federation, the NZ Cargo Owners Council, and the NZ Marine Transport Association.
Maritime NZ Director Kirstie Hewlett described the session as energetic and engaging, providing the sector with an opportunity to discuss future challenges and priorities, and to hear directly from the IMO.
“The theme for the session was: Collaborative pathways to global regulation: Keeping Aotearoa New Zealand resilient and prepared for global challenges and technology change.
“This was a strong opportunity to show how there are linkages between the work that is undertaken by the IMO, down through to local operators here in New Zealand.
“Mr Dominguez was genuinely interested in what our sector had to say and this was appreciated by those in attendance,” Ms Hewlett says.
For Mr Dominguez, he viewed this as a great opportunity to listen and understand what is top of mind for key players in the New Zealand maritime sector.
“This workshop was a thoroughly enjoyable way not only to engage with the sector in New Zealand but also to learn and get a better understanding of the main priorities for the country and the region,” Mr Dominguez says.
During his time in Auckland, Mr Dominguez attended several engagements, including a ride on the new Fullers’ 360 electric hydrofoil ferry, meetings with key response sector stakeholders, and a visit to the Auckland International Seafarer Centre.
“Everyone I interacted with in New Zealand was very welcoming and ready to engage and share their knowledge and experience, and I had a fantastic time meeting and getting to know those who help keep New Zealand’s waters safe, secure, and clean.
“Getting out on the water on the police launch, and the Fullers’ 360 hydrofoil was a particular highlight, as it provided me with a practical example of the actions taken to implement the IMO regulations,” Mr Dominguez says.
Mr Dominguez also attended official engagements in Wellington, including meetings with key government stakeholders and the Associate Minister of Transport, Hon James Meager.
“These fruitful meetings allow me to dive deeper into common areas of interest, such as maritime security, shipping decarbonisation, seafarers’ welfare and the effects of the current geopolitical climate to international shipping, and how IMO and New Zealand can further cooperate to address such issues,” he says.
For Maritime NZ, this has been a great opportunity to promote the work in our country to the IMO.
“With this being the first time an IMO Secretary-General has visited New Zealand, the feedback from our people and the sector was that the visit was hugely valuable,” Ms Hewlett says.
Drivers of the scenic Thames Coast highway are all too familiar with stop/go interruptions due to damage to State Highway 25 (SH25) in recent years, but one disruption will soon become a distant memory with the replacement of the Boundary Creek Bridge deck.
The bridge itself, wedged tight between the cliffs and the sea, has been reduced to a single lane since 2023 while it patiently waits for a new bridge deck and repairs to its abutments.
“Drivers will be pleased to know a new bridge deck and strengthening work is planned to be completed ahead of summer, meaning SH25 will once again revert to 2 lanes here,” says Darryl Coalter, Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
This work will also see the restoration of the slow traffic bay on the southern bridge approach, which has been temporarily closed.
“It’s great news for everyone. The new, safer 2 lane bridge and passing bay will be in place ahead of the holidays and peak summer period, making this section of state highway safer, more resilient, and one less pinch point during busy times.”
With the contract for the works now awarded, NZTA expects repair work will begin in October. A full road closure of up to 7 days will be required to allow for the demolition of the old bridge deck and installation of the new one. The closure is currently anticipated for the week immediately after Labour weekend.
“In this location it isn’t possible to build the new bridge deck in a way that allows continued access for road users. Without suitable local detours, we appreciate this will mean a lengthy detour around the peninsula for a short duration” Mr Coalter says.
NZTA has considered a range of construction options after talking with emergency services, stakeholders, businesses and the community, to understand how the closure will impact them and has incorporated their preferences into the planning.
“We will use a prefabricated bridge deck and other key components, as well as work extended hours to speed up construction, meaning the road will be closed for the least amount of time as possible,” Mr Coalter says.
NZTA will provide regular updates to the community and stakeholders as more details are confirmed.
Elsewhere across the peninsula, our Coromandel Recovery project to repair storm damage caused by cyclones Gabrielle and Hale in 2023, is now nearing completion.
A summer maintenance programme is scheduled to begin across the Coromandel, with up to 10 worksites planned between Wharehako (north of Whitianga) and Waihī as well as on State Highway 25A.
These works are part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and resilience and will be communicated widely once work schedules are confirmed.
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is today supporting PPTA members across the country who are striking for fair pay increases, more subject specialist advisors, and greater teacher-led professional development funding.
“The union movement stands in solidarity with secondary teachers who are fighting for a quality education system,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
“Workers never make the decision to strike lightly. PPTA members are rightly taking action to ensure that schools can attract graduates and retain experienced teachers.
“It is unacceptable that teachers are being offered the lowest pay increase in a generation at the same time as they are facing an overhaul of NCEA.
“A quality education system affects all of us. Students, parents and communities all benefit from teachers having what they need to support our young people.
“The Government is prioritising tax cuts for the rich over essential public services. Everyone should be grateful to the teachers who are taking strike action this week,” said Wagstaff.
New Zealand could soon have instant money transfers, with BlinkPay today announcing it has developed the country’s first open banking-enabled real-time payments capability and is seeking banking industry partners to implement the technology at scale.
The technology enables transactions to have settlement confirmed within seconds rather than half hourly or overnight, and could transform how workers get paid, urgent funds are distributed, and businesses manage cash flow across New Zealand once broadly adopted by the banking industry. BNZ is the first major bank to commit to implementing the capability.
BlinkPay has developed the technology using secure open banking connections that can be deployed quickly across existing banking infrastructure and is designed to work with all banks and open banking providers meeting Payments NZ open banking standards.
“This capability is ready to go and represents a potential game-changer for New Zealand’s payments landscape,” says BlinkPay CEO Adrian Smith.
“With broad industry participation, workers and tradespeople could get paid the moment they finish a job, emergency government support could reach people instantly when they need it most, and businesses could improve their cash flow with immediate invoice payments.
“We are inviting New Zealand banks and open banking providers that meet Payments NZ standards to work with us to implement this solution at scale for the benefit of all New Zealanders. The technology is ready to go and can be rolled out quickly once more banks and providers come on board.”
Addressing settlement delays
The country’s current payment systems rely on half-hourly or overnight batch processing, which while reliable and cost-effective for most needs, can cause delays in fund availability and settlement risks in some cases.
Real-time payments settle transactions within seconds, enabling instant use cases like urgent insurance claims, instant property settlements and rental bond transfers, and immediate online marketplace payments.
BNZ CEO Dan Huggins says the capability offers the potential to give people and businesses more choice in how they send and receive money, offering added flexibility when speed and certainty of settlement matter most.
“This technology works alongside the existing payment system, expanding the range of options rather than replacing what already works well. We’re excited to work with BlinkPay and support industry-wide adoption to bring this capability to all New Zealanders.
“This initiative supports data sharing rights and the government’s broader open banking goals, working toward a secure, future-ready payments ecosystem for New Zealand,” Huggins says.
How it works
Payments are initiated through open banking connections, with settlement through existing banking protocols. The system supports real-time notifications and reconciliation and aligns with anti-money laundering controls and Consumer Data Right regulations. The system’s full potential is realised when multiple banks and open banking providers participate, creating a comprehensive real-time payments network.
Customers wouldn’t need to download a separate app or learn new payment methods. With broad industry adoption, the system would enable instant person-to-person transfers and business payments directly through familiar banking interfaces.
Industry collaboration
BlinkPay is actively seeking collaboration across the industry to achieve the broadest possible participation and accelerate access to this technology.
“We invite and welcome engagement from Payments NZ, regulators, and industry stakeholders to ensure this capability delivers maximum benefit to New Zealand’s financial infrastructure,” says Smith.
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2025 – Vingroup was awarded the First-Class Labor Order in recognition of its exceptional achievements in developing the National Exhibition and Convention Center. This prestigious award acknowledges the Group’s breakthrough efforts and determination in completing the project 15 months ahead of schedule, celebrating the 80th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and making a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the capital city and the nation.
Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Tô Lâm presents the First-Class Labor Order to Mr. Phạm Nhật Vượng – Chairman of Vingroup – in recognition of the Group’s outstanding achievements, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The conferment ceremony was part of the Inauguration and Groundbreaking Ceremony of National Projects commemorating the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945 – September 2, 2025), held at the inauguration site of the National Exhibition and Convention Center, Tu Lien Bridge area, Dong Anh District, Hanoi.
The National Exhibition and Convention Center is a state-level key project, ranked among the top 10 largest exhibition centers in the world. With a total area of about 900,000 square meters, it is envisioned to become a premier international destination for global trade fairs and exhibitions, as well as a new symbol of Hanoi’s development.
Construction commenced on August 30, 2024, and the site was handed over on June 27, 2025—after just 10 months of construction, 15 months ahead of schedule. This remarkable pace set a new benchmark in Vietnam’s construction sector, overcoming major challenges in engineering and executing a massive steel dome structure of unprecedented scale and complexity.
As both investor and general contractor, Vingroup maximized all resources, proactively designed construction plans, coordinated manpower, equipment, and materials, and ensured seamless supply chain management across multiple contractors.
During peak construction periods, the project mobilized hundreds of contractors and about 3,000 workers and engineers, supported by 800–1,000 pieces of heavy machinery sourced from across the country, including 300–500 ton cranes and super-heavy transport vehicles. The site operated at full intensity, 24/7 in three shifts, optimizing every moment to shorten construction time by 60%.
While accelerating progress, Vingroup also maintained strict oversight of each component, ensuring safety, quality, and long-term sustainability of the project.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup, shared: “Receiving the First-Class Labor Order at the inauguration of the National Exhibition and Convention Center is a profound honor and pride for all Vingroup employees. We are committed to continuing our spirit of perseverance and determination to operate the Center successfully, contributing to making Hanoi and Vietnam leading destinations for world-class political, economic, cultural, and social events.”
At the heart of the Center is the Kim Quy Exhibition Hall, one of the world’s largest circular exhibition hall with an area of approximately 130,000 square meters and a central height of 56 meters.
Located in Hanoi, the National Exhibition and Convention Center covers 90 hectares and ranks among the world’s top 10 largest exhibition venues.
Inspired by the sacred Golden Turtle God (Kim Quy) of the Co Loa legend, the hall’s unique architecture is hailed as a new wonder of the capital. Its engineering posed extraordinary challenges: a steel dome weighing 24,000 tons, assembled from ultra-large steel beams and high-strength bolts using specialized torque-severing methods to ensure quality control and double the standard safety factor. The roof is covered with ultra-light, ultra-durable fiberglass fabric, offering natural translucency and energy efficiency in line with global green building standards.
Beyond the Kim Quy Exhibition Hall, Vingroup has developed a comprehensive exhibition ecosystem including four outdoor plazas (East, West, South, North), the VinPalace International Convention Center, landscaped green parks and lakes, and large-scale parking facilities. With capacity for hundreds of thousands outdoors and thousands indoors, the Center is not only suited for mega exhibitions but also for large-scale events such as concerts, national festivals, and global technology showcases—meeting the strictest international requirements and redefining Vietnam’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.
One of the key drivers behind this construction milestone is the upcoming National Achievements Exhibition – 80 Years of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness, taking place from August 28 to September 5, 2025. For the first time, all provinces, ministries, sectors, and enterprises across Vietnam will gather in a single national-scale exhibition, expected to attract millions of visitors and reignite national pride.
The accelerated completion of the National Exhibition and Convention Center not only demonstrates Vingroup’s strong financial capacity, professional execution, and effective project management, but also affirms its commitment to serving the nation and the strength of Vietnam’s private enterprises in this new era of global integration.
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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2025 – With the demand for accountancy and finance professionals growing amid Singapore’s transition to a digital and sustainable economy, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) today launched a $2 million Career Support Programme to help jobseekers and mid-career individuals pivot confidently into the accountancy profession.
Unveiled by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development at ISCA’s Annual Dinner, the initiative is designed to provide both practical career support and financial relief at a time when many Singaporeans are seeking to reskill and future-proof their careers.
Developed in partnership with the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and Workforce Singapore (WSG), the Career Support Programme includes:
Professional Affiliation & Recognition – Eligible jobseekers will enjoy ISCA membership fee waivers, gain recognition through ISCA credentials, and access structured pathways to professional designations.
Learning & Upskilling Support – Complimentary networking events, talks, and e-learning via ISCAccountify, alongside a “Skills First, Pay Later” scheme that lets participants train first and only pay when they secure employment.
AI-enabled ISCA Talent Marketplace – As the programme’s centrepiece, this platform connects jobseekers with employers, conducts personalised skills-gap analyses, and provides tailored recommendations for next career steps. Since its soft launch in July, the platform has featured over 100 job postings by 28 employers, and over 150 job profiles created by jobseekers. The roles range from sustainability, AI consultancy to business finance and traditional accountancy roles.
Accountancy careers continue to experience sustained demand and the diversity of roles across industries offer opportunities for professionals who are open to upskill and expand their skillsets or even do a career switch. Professionals from general administration, customer care, engineering and equity investment who have leveraged WSG’s Career Conversion Programmes have successfully pivoted to assurance and financial accounting roles.
Ms Dilys Boey, Chief Executive, WSG, said: “The ISCA Career Support Programme offers a robust platform that guides individuals into accountancy careers. The synergy between WSG’s career advisory services and ISCA’s AI-enabled Talent Marketplace as well as industry expertise creates more opportunities for Singaporeans to join the sector at any career stage. This partnership not only enhances employment outcomes but also makes accountancy a more accessible career choice for all. Together with ISCA, we’re committed to helping Singaporeans discover and pursue meaningful careers whilst enabling companies to fulfil their talent requirements.”
The Career Support Programme will also prepare professionals for the impact of AI on jobs. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, global macro trends will create about 170 million new jobs this decade while displacing 92 million roles. Technological skills, especially AI and big data, are projected to grow in importance more rapidly than any other skills in the next five years. In anticipation of these shifts, ISCA had committed $2 million to spearhead its AI for Accountancy Industry (AI for AI) initiative through a multi-pronged approach. Through research, education, and adoption, the initiative will support firms and accountants in effectively harnessing AI across audit, non-audit, and commercial sectors.
ISCA President Mr Teo Ser Luck said: “AI will fundamentally reshape the accountancy sector and fuel demand for accountants with new skills to thrive in the digital economy. The ISCA Career Support Programme reflects our strong commitment to the profession and its people. By providing resources, financial relief, and practical tools such as the AI-enabled ISCA Talent Marketplace, we aim to support individuals — whether they are new entrants to the profession or experienced accountants displaced by change — through skill-gap training and career opportunities. Our goal is to help them find their footing, stay relevant, and move forward with clarity and purpose.”
