Update 4 – Critical incident, Waitomo

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are today releasing photos of one of the campsites where Tom Phillips and his children were hiding prior to Monday morning’s shooting at Waitomo.

The makeshift camp was located by specialist Police, acting on information from one of the children, about 2 kilometres from the scene where Phillips died after he shot and critically injured a Police officer.

A large-scale investigation is continuing into the shooting, which happened about 3.25am on Monday on Te Anga Road.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Minister of Police Mark Mitchell today visited the injured officer, Officer A, in hospital.

“I was pleased that I could meet him and his family today and offer my encouragement and support to them. While the officer has a long road to recovery, we will be there to support him and his whānau at every step.

“He is a dedicated and caring constable and represents the best of what it means to be a rural Police officer.

“I’m proud of him, and the officers who arrived on the scene seconds later and dealt to the threat.”

Commissioner Chambers also met with Acting Waikato District Commander Inspector Andrea McBeth and staff this morning.

“Their professionalism in dealing with a colleague being injured and working through an incredibly complex investigation is admirable and they will receive any additional support that is needed.”

Scene examinations

A number of areas in Western Waikato remain under scene guard as Police process evidence following Monday morning’s events.

The camp area in Waitomo and the scene of the shooting remain active crime scenes, with forensic staff on site today to gather evidence.

Three firearms, including the weapon used by Phillips, have been recovered from the scene of the shooting. Several firearms have been located from the area where Phillips was camping, and further details will be shared when they become available.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said a number of investigations are under way into the incident, including an Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation, Coronial enquiries, and a Critical Incident Review.

“The body of Tom Phillips was removed from the scene late yesterday and there will be a post mortem tomorrow, after which his body will be released to his family.

“Investigation staff are going over the areas where the family had been staying, and have been speaking with farmers, locals, and workers in the area. That work is to help us build an accurate picture of the movements of Tom Phillips and the children.”

Wrap-around support

Acting Deputy Commissioner Rogers said the children were reunited late yesterday and are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki.

“Our staff described the children as being engaged and they readily spoke with our staff, who provided them with snacks and drinks while they waited to be brought out of the camp site.

“While they are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki, we will continue to work closely with the children, taking the time and sensitivity that is needed after the ordeal they have been through.”

Extra Police staff have been deployed to the Marokopa and King Country areas and will remain in the district over the coming days.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Update: Youth charged with murder after the death of Kaea Karauria

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are asked to remove the additional charges listed in our original media release on the youth charged with the murder of Kaea Karauria, as ordered by the Judge in Napier Youth Court today.

This is due to the charges being a separate matter to the murder charge, and these charges will go through separate Court proceedings.

We ask media to please update any stories to reflect this.

Thank you for your understanding.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Planner At Large Founder Announces Release Of Début Book Swimming Downstream

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September 9, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

Award-winning consultant Judd Labarthe launches a much-anticipated book, Swimming Downstream, challenging conventional marketing wisdom with practical, evidence-based guidance

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 September 2025 – Judd Labarthe, the US-born founder of Singapore-based consultancy Planner at Large LLP, today announced the release of his début book, Swimming Downstream: How To Stop Struggling & Start Winning With Marketing That Actually Works, published by Marshall Cavendish Business.

In the author’s view, the marketing field is plagued by intuitive yet fundamentally flawed assumptions that lead even seasoned, well-meaning businesspeople to repeat the same avoidable mistakes.

“The good news”, said Labarthe, “is that successful marketing is more accessible than most businesspeople realize. Thanks to the work of some smart, often contrarian thinkers, we now know much more about what to commit to and what to avoid. It’s thinking that’s starting to catch on among more advanced marketers, but it’s not much talked about, let alone applied, by the people for whom the stakes are highest: brand and business owners themselves.”

Swimming Downstream aims to change that.

The book is built around a clear idea: most companies are ‘swimming upstream’, wasting resources on popular but misguided tactics that may feel right but don’t actually help them compete. Instead, Labarthe offers readers a more appealing alternative: to ‘swim downstream,’ by recognizing, understanding and aligning with the powerful currents of evidence-based marketing.

“The title metaphor is deliberate,” Labarthe explained. “We’ve been sold this image of success as a noble battle where we bravely fight the current to work our way upstream. But in marketing, if you stop chasing trends and start understanding the currents that actually drive growth, you can swim with these currents instead. And that means building success with less effort – and a lot less waste.”

Drawing from marketing science, real-life case studies, and Labarthe’s decades of experience, Swimming Downstream provides a success framework that’s immediately actionable – in part because it’s built around the core questions all businesspeople face sooner or later.

Specifically, brand and business owners will learn how to break free from convention, to recognize and harness marketing’s real success drivers, and to avoid making the common and costly mistakes that limit competitiveness and growth. Marketing professionals will develop a convincing arsenal of arguments for doing more of what will help, and against doing what won’t but is often baked into company culture as “best practice.” And marketing students and others new to the field will gain a plain-language set of evidence- and experience-based alternatives to conventional wisdom, including what’s commonly taught in school.

The book is also a gateway to the thinking that drives Labarthe’s consultancy, Planner At Large LLP, whose clients benefit from an approach to growing their business that focuses on building fame and distinctiveness. Asked about this approach, Labarthe said “we strive to be more creative than the typical management consultant, and more commercially savvy than the typical brand consultant. And the proof is in the pudding: over my career I’ve helped my clients win almost 80 awards for marketing effectiveness.”

Labarthe concluded: “Marketing is much more than logos and package designs and social posts and clever stunts; it’s how a business competes. You can’t tack it on at the end of the process of becoming more competitive; marketing is that process.”

Swimming Downstream is a refreshing and necessary dive into what successful marketing can and should be.

Availability

Swimming Downstream is available now on Amazon.com, Amazon.sg, Google Play, and in major bookstores including Kinokuniya and Popular, and through the author directly.

Early Praise for Swimming Downstream:

Swimming Downstream takes a thoughtful, analytical, and well researched approach to helping business leaders re-think their marketing with a focus on long-term success. Labarthe reminds us, rightly in my view, that marketing and brand are the responsibility of the top of the house, not a department. His anecdotes are instructive, and the chapter end summaries provide a shorthand “to-do list” for the attention-challenged. Swimming Downstream is a useful, understandable, and practical guide to fixing marketing, so it can make the cash register ring.
Stephen Ban, former Fortune 500 CMO

Swimming Downstream crushes the conventional wisdom dished out by marketing veterans and self-styled “experts”, and it does so with a deft combination of rigor, creativity and a fun, conversational style I really loved. Better still, Labarthe doesn’t simply poke holes in traditional marketing tropes; he provides solid, practical solutions illustrated with insightful case histories based on his experience as a marketing consultant.
Marty Horn, former SVP, DDB Worldwide and author of the forthcoming The Marketing Researcher’s Edge

As a nonfiction book editor who has co-written four books on marketing and sales, it’s safe to say I’ve read dozens of marketing books. Swimming Downstream offers two things I rarely see together: clear, practical, and actionable guidance for growing brands and businesses, and also a ripping great read! If you’re looking for a serious (and seriously witty) book that will change the way you think about marketing and how you do it, this book is for you.
Helena Bouchez, Principal, Executive Words

The most unconventional marketing book I have ever read. Labarthe is a critical thinker who questions and refutes the typical marketing concepts and buzzwords, the models taught in business schools and marketing classes. Instead, his book is a celebration of logical thinking and common sense. It’s both refreshing and entertaining. Will recommend it to my students!
Prof. Dr. Michael Bahles, BSP Business & Law School Berlin

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

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

Launch of the World’s First AI Organizer — Bika.ai

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September 9, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

Buzz in Silicon Valley as It Redefines the Future of the “One-Person Company”

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 September 2025 – A pioneering AI team today announced the launch of Bika.ai, the world’s first AI Organizer. The concept has already generated significant buzz in Silicon Valley, where experts view it as a breakthrough in reshaping productivity for the AI era.

The Dilemma: From Workers to Foremen

AI is everywhere. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and MidJourney have become tireless “digital workers” — writing, coding, designing on demand. Yet instead of leading these AI teams, humans have slipped into the role of foremen: endlessly prompting, editing, and micromanaging outputs.

The result is stalled productivity and growing digital fatigue. The situation mirrors the industrial era a century ago, when factories had machines but lacked management. It wasn’t until scientific management emerged that productivity truly soared. Today, the same principle applies: we don’t need more AI workers. We need an AI Organizer.

The Solution: Bika.ai, the AI Organizer

Unlike ordinary AI assistants, Bika.ai acts as the Organizer of AI teams. It coordinates, delegates, and oversees multiple AI agents, transforming scattered tools into a coherent organizational structure.

With Bika.ai, individuals can lead AI as if running their own companies:

Financial Advisors: Traditionally, they must manually track markets, compile reports, and send them to clients every day. With Bika.ai, stock news and data are automatically monitored, with visualized insight slides delivered to clients’ inboxes at 8 AM. Advisors can focus on investment strategy instead of paperwork.
Marketers: Campaign planning often requires juggling multiple platforms for emails, social media, and follow-ups. Bika.ai integrates these processes so that with one command, a three-day automated campaign across email, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn can be launched — complete with response tracking — multiplying marketing efficiency.
Insurance & Finance Professionals: Prospecting usually involves tedious cold calls. With Bika.ai, one can simply request “CFOs of companies that completed IPOs in 2025.” The system automatically discovers potential clients, builds a database, and triggers follow-up emails — making lead generation faster and sharper.
Entrepreneurs: Running a solo business often means wearing every hat — sales, marketing, support, product management. Bika.ai allows entrepreneurs to organize multiple AI “employees,” each handling a different role, effectively operating a one-person company with the power of a full team.

The Vision: From Chatbots to Organizers

Industry observers often describe AGI’s development as five levels:
1. Chatbot — simple Q&A
2. Reasoner — logical problem-solving
3. Agent— task execution
4. Innovator — creative generation
5. Organizer— orchestrating and managing other AI entities

Most current AI tools remain at Levels 2–3. Bika.ai aims for Level 5: the Organizer —where AI is no longer just a tool, but a coordinated digital workforce.

“The future of AI is not about adding more agents, but about managing them better,” said Kelly, Founder and CEO of the Bika.ai team. “Our mission is to make Bika.ai the scientific management system of the AI era — freeing people from digital busywork so they can focus on vision, creativity, and leadership.”

Hashtag: #Bika

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

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

New model opens pathways to farm ownership for Kiwis

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Landcorp has launched a new livestock equity partnership opportunity, designed to support equity-building pathways for farm operators and strengthen the future of farming in New Zealand, State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This is a welcomed initiative that directly supports the Government’s priorities to strengthen rural employment, improve farm productivity, and create genuine pathways to ownership for the next generation of farmers,” Mr Brown says.

“By enabling operators to take financial responsibility behind the farm gate, we’re backing high performance and helping unlock the full potential of New Zealand’s farming sector.”

The equity partnership model builds on the State Owned Enterprise’s 2024 introduction of contract farming options for dairy farmers, including sharemilking and contract milking arrangements across four farms: Quarry and Otago in the Central Plateau, Waimakariri in Canterbury, and Ruru on the West Coast.

The first property available for expressions of interest is Mahiwi Farm, a 708-hectare livestock operation located 35 minutes west of Wairoa. The farm offers a strong balance of breeding and finishing country, with clear potential for improved performance.

“This model is about opening the gate and creating opportunities for the next generation of Kiwi farmers.

“The benefits extend beyond individual farms. It supports local employment, develops skills in rural communities, and helps ensure that high-performing farms stay in Kiwi hands, contributing to a resilient and productive agricultural sector for the long term.

“By offering equity options, we’re providing real pathways for more New Zealanders to take ownership and shape their future on the land,” Mr Brown says.

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Digital health service delivering faster access to primary care

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 21,000 consultations have already been delivered through the Government’s new 24/7 digital health service launched in July, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This service is giving New Zealanders faster access to care when they can’t see their usual GP, helping them get the support they need, when they need it,” Mr Brown says.

In its first months, the service has:

Delivered 21,740 consultations to 19,331 people across New Zealand.
Been used most often when a timely GP appointment wasn’t available (71.6 per cent of bookings).
Provided treatment for 83.5 per cent of patients, without needing an in-person GP follow-up.

“Most people were able to get answers and treatment straight away, easing pressure on emergency departments by addressing non-urgent issues earlier and in the right setting.

“This service is reaching people in every corner of the country, from our busiest cities to our smallest rural towns. That shows it is making a real difference for those who might otherwise face long waits or long drives just to see a doctor.”

Working-age adults and parents are the biggest users, with strong uptake among 20–39-year-olds and children under 10. It’s also being used across all communities, with every ethnicity well represented.

“This digital service provides easily accessible healthcare when it’s needed, bridging the gap when people might otherwise be left waiting, worrying, or unsure where to turn. For many families, that makes a real difference in their daily lives.

“Our Government is committed to ensuring every New Zealander can access timely, quality healthcare. Digital health solutions are a key part of delivering that,” Mr Brown says.

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Tackling avalanche risk at Milford

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Important work is being carried out to reduce the avalanche risk to visitors at one of New Zealand’s top tourist attractions, Milford Sound.

The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound, State Highway 94, has been subject to several closures in recent days, from Hollyford Road Junction to the Donne River Bridge, due to snow blocking the highway and the avalanche risk.

Check out some helicopter video footage of avalanche mitigation work on Saturday, where the avalanche lands on the western side of the Homer Tunnel at a location called Avalanche Creek.

[embedded content]

The Milford Road/SH94 is open this morning but will close again between Hollyford Road Junction and the Donne River Bridge at 5pm today for forecast overnight snow. It is likely to reopen mid-morning tomorrow after snow clearing, but snowfall is expected to continue on and off for much of the day tomorrow and there may be minor delays while snowploughs are operating.

Closures and management of the avalanche risk on the Milford Road are among the roles of the Milford Road Alliance, which is an alliance between New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Downer. It manages and maintains the critical roading connection to Milford Sound.

“The work the alliance does in this extreme environment around managing and maintaining the roading and Homer Tunnel assets, and including incident response, is critically important for this region and for New Zealand tourism in general,” says Milford Road Alliance Manager, Kevin Thompson.

“The avalanche programme that we undertake each year is internationally recognised. We take very seriously the responsibility to keep visitors to Milford safe.”

In 2023, the Milford Alliance avalanche programme won the International Road Federation’s Global Road Achievement Award for Programme Management. The selection was made by an independent, international panel of judges with expertise in the road development industry.

Until the late 1970s, the avalanche danger saw the Milford Road closed all winter. The avalanche control programme was established in 1983 to predict and manage risk from snow, ice and avalanches more effectively, while allowing year-round operation.

SH94 Milford Road

Avalanche clearing work carried out at the weekend (with the highway visible at the centre-left of the image).

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Youth charged with murder after the death of Kaea Karauria

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

A teenager has been charged with murder following an investigation into the death of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria.

Today, Police arrested and charged the youth for the fatal stabbing of Kaea in Napier on 11 May.

Detective Inspector Dave de Lange says the investigation into the matter will continue and Police cannot rule out further charges.

“What happened to Kaea was devastating, and Police will remain focused on establishing the exact circumstances on what has occurred.

“Kaea deserves justice, and while nothing will undo this terrible act, we hope this arrest can bring a small amount of closure to his family and loved ones.

“I would like to acknowledge the determination of the investigation team over the past four months, who have worked tirelessly to reach this result.”

Police would also like to thank members of the public who have provided information that has assisted in our investigation.

“This information has been crucial in allowing us to piece together the tragic events of that night,” says Detective Inspector de Lange.

The youth is due to appear in Napier Youth Court today, charged with murder.

The youth will also appear on a number of additional charges unrelated to the murder charge. These include two charges of male rapes female (12-16), one charge of possession of methamphetamine, and one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.

A 21-year-old woman and another teen have previously been charged with wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the matter.

Anyone with information who has not yet contacted Police is urged to get in touch online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

Footage can also be uploaded anonymously here.

Please quote the reference number 250511/1317.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Employment Stats – Jobs fall again with no plan from the Government – NZCTU

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney is saying that new data released by Statistics New Zealand shows that the labour market is even more bleak than feared, with the loss of more than 10,000 jobs in just three months.

“What we are seeing is an unemployment crisis in New Zealand, and this Government is failing to do anything about it. Working people are paying the price of their inaction,” said Renney.

“There are more than 50,000 fewer jobs than in December 2023, with widespread falls across a wide range of sectors, including construction (16,230 fewer jobs), manufacturing (8,707), retail (6,091), professional services (7,228), IT and telecommunications (3,527), and public administration (6103).

“Every region has seen job losses. Since December 2023 there have been 23,000 jobs lost in Auckland – 35 jobs lost every day. Nowhere in the country has escaped the pain of rising unemployment, even in areas where the local economy is stronger.

“The economy is particularly difficult for younger workers, with 19,842 fewer filled jobs for 15–24-year-olds than this time last year, and 41,000 fewer filled jobs than this time 2 years ago.

“Total gross earnings rose 1.5.% last year – well below current inflation of 2.7%. This supports data we have seen elsewhere that many workers are falling further behind the current cost of living. This has likely been compounded by real-terms cuts in the minimum wage, and fewer jobs being available.

“For the past 9 months, the number of jobs being lost was declining, but is now rising quickly again. Outside of a COVID-affected quarter, there was not a single quarter where filled jobs declined going back to June 2019. Now we have had more than a year of continued job losses across the country.

“The Government has no plan to manage this crisis and has resorted to sanctions and removing people from jobseeker support rather than tackling the issue.

“More job losses and business closures are being announced every day, and the Government does not seem to have any ability to recognise the growing scale of the challenge,” said Renney.

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Lifestyle – New Zealand’s largest initiative to Get More People Physically Active

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Exercise New Zealand

Exercise New Zealand’s Subsidised Gym Membership Programme is one of the country’s largest initiatives to help more Kiwis get physically active. Available year-round, the programme provides 40-70% off gym memberships at over 350 participating facilities nationwide, breaking down financial barriers and creating more equitable opportunities for people to begin, or return to, their exercise journey. With the September rollover upon us, all memberships are restocked, making now the perfect time to secure a subsidy.

“There is high demand for these memberships, and while the subsidy is available at over 350 facilities, each has only a limited number of subsidies available, so we encourage people to get in quick,” says ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie.

Beddie adds:
“Starting an exercise journey is personal, but it benefits everyone, your own health, your whānau through a longer life span, and the taxpayer through reduced health costs. Above all, people simply feel better when they do it. The side effects are all positive, exercise really is the closest thing we have to a magic pill.”

Why Getting Active Matters

Research consistently shows that regular physical activity is one of the most effective tools for improving health, often outperforming pharmaceuticals in both prevention and treatment. The former United States Surgeon General Dr Regina Benjamin has described exercise as a “miracle pill”, highlighting its power to improve physical and mental wellbeing across all populations.

Exercise is now considered a front-line therapy for conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health conditions, delivering benefits that are broader and safer than many medications.

Physical activity also plays a powerful role in reducing pressure on the healthcare system. The latest studies show that exercise lowers the incidence and severity of chronic diseases and age-related decline, potentially delaying or avoiding costly medical interventions (Saini et al., 2025). Making gym access more affordable could therefore result in significant long-term savings for the public health sector.

Beyond physical health, the mental health benefits of regular exercise are profound, from boosting mood to reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhancing resilience (Nascimento & dos Santos, 2025).

Exercise also plays an important role for populations such as people with disabilities, who report not only improved physical health but also greater daily motivation, psychological stability, and overall happiness when they have access to exercise facilities (Cho & Chang, 2025).

Alarmingly in New Zealand, physical inactivity costs taxpayers over $600 million annually in direct health costs and results in a loss of more than $2.3 billion to GDP (source: Deloitte’s Cost of Physical Inactivity, 2024).

How It Works

The subsidy is available to:

First-time gym-goers, or
Anyone who has not been a member of a gym in the last 12 months, and
Anyone who has not previously received this subsidy.

There’s no complex application process. Instead, you simply:

Visit www.exercise nz.org.nz to check eligibility and browse participating providers by region.
Secure their subsidy by completing a short membership form.
Receive a voucher via email to redeem directly at their chosen facility.

Key Details:

Over 350 locations nationwide
40%-70% off standard gym membership fees
Open to those not currently in a gym and not a member in the past 12 months
Simple online process, check eligibility, secure your voucher, and get started

With the September rollover around the corner, there’s never been a better time for eligible New Zealanders to access affordable, life-changing fitness opportunities. Exercise New Zealand urges individuals, whānau, health providers, and community leaders to help spread the word and support those who may benefit most. By making exercise more accessible, we’re not just helping people move, we’re investing in a healthier, more resilient Aotearoa.

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