Please attribute to Commissioner Richard Chambers:
One man has died and a Police officer has been seriously injured after an incident in Waikato overnight.
Police were called about 2.30am to a Waitomo address after reports of a burglary at a commercial property.
During the response, a man and a Police officer were shot.
The man was provided immediate first aid, however died at the scene. The officer was taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.
A significant Police operation is underway. Police ask media and members of the public to respect the Police operation and cordons that are now in place to ensure nobody is put at risk.
Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers is in Waikato and will speak to media as soon as possible.
You’ve heard of hiking. You’ve heard of recycling. You’ve heard of eating hot chips at the beach while a seagull judges your life choices. But have you heard of naturing?
No, it’s not a typo. And no, it’s not some new wellness trend involving forest smoothies and crying in a fern. Naturing is a real word (we Googled it and everything) and it’s the word we’re using to describe something genuinely awesome.
Wait, naturing? Is that like… gardening?
Close! But not quite.
Naturing is what happens when people do stuff that connects them to the outdoors and, importantly, makes them more likely to help protect it.
You might already be naturing and not even know it. Ever stopped to admire the stars? Fed your kids a piece of fun nature trivia at dinner? Picked up someone else’s rogue takeaway cup on the beach? Then congrats. You, my friend, are already naturing.
You don’t need hiking boots, binoculars, or a PhD in freshwater ecology to be naturing. You just need curiosity, a bit of care, and a willingness to connect with the living world outside your front door.
Okay but… does naturing mean being naked?
Excellent question. No.
Despite the suspiciously nude-sounding name, naturing does not require you to remove your clothing (unless you really want to and are somewhere it’s legal and non-concerning to the neighbours). Naturing is about connecting with nature, not confusing the ducks .
So, please keep your pants on metaphorically and literally. But by all means, feel free to take your shoes off on the grass. That kind of barefoot rebellion is 100% naturing-approved.
So why does naturing matter?
Because nature needs us and, spoiler alert, we need it too.
We’re living in a time when our environment is under pressure. Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, you name it. But the more people connect with nature, the more likely they are to protect it. That’s science. Real science. White-coat, peer-reviewed, nature-nerd science.
So whether you’re planting a tree, joining a local restoration group, or simply pausing to watch pīwakawaka do backflips in your backyard; those moments matter. They build a relationship with nature. And relationships are where the good stuff starts.
Okay cool, but what does naturing actually look like?
Glad you asked. Naturing comes in many forms. Some obvious, some less so. It could be:
➜ Going for a bushwalk and learning the names of three native plants (bonus points if you say them out loud like a walking documentary).
➜ Tuning into a nature podcast while stuck in traffic, imagining yourself in the ngahere instead of on the motorway.
➜ Sharing a photo of a weird-looking bug on social media and not calling it gross.
➜ Teaching your tamariki not to stomp on mushrooms, because even fungi have feelings (kind of).
➜ Spending your lunch break cloud-gazing instead of doomscrolling.
➜ Refusing to let your dog chase birds at the beach, even when he looks at you like you’ve ruined his entire life.
➜ Picking up litter you didn’t drop and resisting the urge to mutter angrily while doing it. Or not. Mutters still count.
We’ll be sharing more naturing ideas on the blog, from the wild and wonderful to the small and every day. Because naturing isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. It’s for the hikers and the hammock-readers. The surfers and the seed-planters. The mountain climbers and the slow-walkers-who-stop-to-talk-to-ducks.
So where do you come in?
You already have. If you’ve read this far, you’re probably halfway to naturing already. It’s all about helping more people recognise the nature they already love, and giving them more ways to show it a little love back.
So try something new. Tell your mates. Use the word “naturing” like it’s always been a thing (because now it is). And most of all, enjoy it. Nature’s good for you. Like really good. Science says so.
Headline: Counter Narratives launches in Ōtautahi – food, culture, and community through photography and kōrero
Hayley Walmsley launches Counter Narratives, a photo and interview series about kitchens, recipes, and the cultural stories in our kai. Backed by Boost Ōtautahi, it will start with shared meals and grow toward an archive, book, or exhibition.
The Government has exceeded its first Elective Boost target, delivering more than 16,000 additional procedures so far and reducing wait times for patients, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“In March, I committed to delivering an extra 10,579 procedures before 30 June so more Kiwis could get life-changing operations like hip, knee, and cataract surgeries sooner,” Mr Brown says.
“Final results show we achieved 16,005 procedures – 51.3 per cent more than planned. Every one of those procedures represents a New Zealander getting the care they needed faster, while also reducing pressure on elective surgery waitlists.”
The most common procedures completed were:
638 hip surgeries
751 knee surgeries
5,058 cataract surgeries
The impact is being felt right across the country:
Northern region – 4,766 procedures
Midcentral region – 5,051 procedures
Central region – 2,961 procedures
South Island – 3,227 procedures
People of all ages and backgrounds have benefited:
15 per cent were children, receiving operations such as tonsillectomies.
49 per cent were over 65 years old.
66 per cent were NZ European and other, 16 per cent were Māori, 11 per cent Asian, and 7 per cent Pacific peoples.
“That’s thousands of Kiwis who are no longer living in pain and can get back to exercising, work, running after their grandchildren, or driving again with confidence.”
The Elective Boost is a key part of the Government’s plan to reduce elective treatment wait times, especially for patients waiting more than four months. The long-term goal is to treat 95 per cent of patients within four months by 2030, in line with the Government’s health targets.
“Under the previous government, waitlists reached record highs. Between 2017 and 2023, the number of patients waiting more than four months for elective procedures surged by 2,500 per cent.
“We are turning that around. Waitlists for elective surgery are now smaller than they were at the same point last year. Since the Boost began, the total elective treatment waitlist has dropped by 9 per cent, and the number of people waiting more than four months has fallen by 22 per cent.
“This progress puts us on track to achieve the 2024/25 milestone of 63 per cent of patients receiving their elective treatment within four months.
“We’re making the health system work smarter, using both public hospitals and private providers in a coordinated national effort. New Zealanders don’t care who does the operation – they just want it done, and done quickly.
“This is just the start. The next phase is underway, with a target of an additional 21,000 procedures over the next year. We will keep working to get Kiwis the care they need, when they need it.”
Four gang members have been arrested and a number of search warrants have been executed overnight as Hawke’s Bay Police continue to put pressure on gangs.
“It’s been a busy 24 hours,” says Inspector Dean Clifford.
“Police executed two search warrants, and the Gang Conflict Warrant on four occasions, across Napier and Hastings and this has resulted in the arrest of four Mongrel Mob members.
“The action overnight was part of our response to recent gang violence in the Hawke’s Bay area and reinforces our message that we won’t be letting up.”
Following the arrests, a 39-year-old man has been charged with possession of methamphetamine; a 51-year-old man has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, a 37-year-old has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and receiving stolen property, while a 39-year-old has been charged with receiving stolen property.
They are expected to appear in the Hastings District Court over the coming days.
Inspector Clifford said additional Police officers remained on duty across the area as enquiries continued into two serious events – an assault on Riverbend Road in Napier, and a grievous assault on Omahu Road in Hastings – which led to the Gang Conflict Warrant being issued.
“The four victims of those incidents are continuing to recover, and we are doing everything we can to find those responsible.
“The investigation is sensitive, but the warrants that were executed have opened up new lines of enquiry and we’ll be acting on that information.”
Inspector Clifford said Police were continuing to speak with local gang leaders in an effort to de-escalate tensions.
“Members of our communities have a right to feel safe and be safe. The recent events are concerning, and that’s why we will continue to have extra staff and a visible presence across the Hawke’s Bay while this is resolved.”
Police investigating the burglary of a Tītahi Bay store have recovered $12,000 of tobacco products and arrested three young people, thanks to quick-thinking community members.
Members of the public raised the alarm after seeing suspicious activity at the Main Road store about 10.40pm on Thursday. The offenders took off with a suitcase filled with cigarettes, leaving the scene in a waiting vehicle.
Within minutes Police had flooded the area and located three people of interest, said Kāpiti Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins.
“Thanks to the people who reported that suspicious behaviour, we were able to prevent a significant loss to a local business, and now three people are facing consequences for their alleged actions.”
A 19-year-old Porirua man and two teenage boys have been charged in relation to the offending and are due to reappear in the Porirua Youth Court on 11 September.
BERLIN, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 September 2025 – At IFA 2025, the world’s leading consumer electronics showcase, SenseRobot debuted its SenseRobot Chess Mini demo, an AI-powered chess robot designed to support STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. As the first company to mass-produce household robotic arms, with over 100,000 units shipped globally, SenseRobot combines precision engineering with ethical AI to deliver engaging learning and entertainment experiences for families.
Highlights of the Chess Mini
STEAM-Focused Programming: Using intuitive card-based programming, children can instruct the robotic arm to move chess pieces, perform creative tasks like dancing, or compose simple music, introducing coding skills in an engaging way.
Rapid Chess Mode: This feature encourages quick decision-making, adding excitement and variety to traditional chess gameplay.
Adaptive AI Chess Coach: Suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players, the Chess Mini offers personalized coaching and challenging matches.
Compact and Efficient: Despite its smaller design compared to previous models, the Chess Mini retains core functionalities with added features, reflecting SenseRobot’s commitment to innovation.
Positive Reception at IFA 2025
The Chess Mini demo attracted significant attention, with visitors offering valuable feedback through on-site surveys. Its integration of AI-driven chess learning with STEAM education resonated strongly, sparking enthusiasm for its potential in home learning environments.
Showcasing a Range of Board Game Robots
SenseRobot’s booth also featured its diverse lineup, including the SenseRobot Chess, Go Edition, Two-in-One Edition, and Four-in-One Edition, each equipped with advanced capabilities:
Precision Robotics for seamless, accurate gameplay
AI Vision with 99.9% piece recognition accuracy
Online Integration with Lichess for global matches
Challenge AI to promote family collaboration and engagement
Apex Duel Mode to push players of all levels to their competitive best
Advancing Human-Centric AI
At IFA 2025, SenseRobot demonstrated its commitment to AI that empowers and educates. By integrating advanced robotics with classic board games, the company highlighted how purposeful innovation can foster creativity, learning, and meaningful family interaction. The strong response to Chess Mini signals growing demand for intelligent, user-focused solutions that bridge technology and education.
For more information, visit SenseRobot’s website or explore the Chess Mini demo and other products at IFA 2025.
For media inquiries Contact : Jean Huang jean.huang@senserobotchess.com
Hashtag: #SenseRobot
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
BERLIN, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 September 2025 – Hohem, a global innovator in AI gimbal technology, officially debuted at IFA this year, showcasing a powerful lineup that solidifies its dominant position in the consumer market. By pioneering innovations like edge AI tracking and the world’s first detachable touchscreen remote, Hohem has reshaped the smartphone content creation experience. This strategic foundation now signals the company’s bold expansion into professional commercial creation.
Since launching the world’s first AI tracking gimbal in 2016, Hohem has led innovation for creators worldwide. Its products dominate major platforms, ranking as the #1 gimbal brand on TikTok in the U.S.
Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra: Best AI Gimbal for Starters
Powered by a highly-trained AI that utilizes a CNN-based deep learning algorithm, the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra makes capturing professional-quality moments effortlessly simple. It’s now available on the Amazon store, priced at £169 / €189. Key features include:
Advanced AI Tracking: Multimodal AI trained on millions of scenes enables precise face, pet, vehicle, and object tracking with seamless re-identification and ultra-fast motor response.
Universal Compatibility: Works with native smartphone cameras and all third-party apps—perfect for filming, streaming, and meetings.
Integrated Touchscreen Remote: Detachable 1.22″ screen offers live view and one-tap control from up to 10 meters.
Versatile Design: Features a built-in 205mm extension pole, 360° infinite pan tracking, and a three-color adjustable fill light.
Hohem iSteady M7: Ultimate AI Gimbal for Smartphone Creation
The iSteady M7 redefines smartphone gimbals with the world’s first detachable touchscreen control and upgraded AI tracking—no app needed. Designed for pros, it supports a 500g payload, features 360° RGB and CCT fill lights, and has earned the IFA Innovation Award for Best in Design.
Hohem iSteady MT3 Series: AI Gimbal for Professional Content Creation
Slated for release in Q4 2025, the MT3 Series includes two models: iSteady MT3 Pro for professional commercial production and iSteady MT3 for effortless content creation.
Commitment to Every Creator
Hohem, the first to integrate AI into gimbals, has consistently delivered smart imaging solutions that elevate creativity. Now, it’s expanding its innovation into the professional camera stabilizer market.
Hohem invites all attendees to visit Booth H20-143 at IFA to experience its latest smart gimbals firsthand.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
