Kiwi Kids Crown Hasbro’s Top Toys of 2025 on What Now!

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November 3, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are attending a serious crash at the intersection of Airfield and Mullins Roads, Ardmore.

The single-vehicle crash was reported at 5.50am.

At this early stage we can advise that one person has been critically injured.

Both Airfield Road and Mullins Road are closed, with cordons at Clevedon-Takanini Road, Mill Road and Papakura-Clevedon Road.

Police are advising motorists to use alternate routes as road closures may be in place for some time.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and an investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the crash.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Employment and Law – ACC restriction on working from home prompts legal action by PSA

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November 3, 2025

Source: PSA

The PSA has filed legal action in the Employment Relations Authority alleging that ACC has breached its collective agreement by failing to consult the union before imposing new working from home rules on staff.

ACC told staff on 7 October that they would be required to work from their office three days a week, up from two. This amounted to a significant change to ACC’s Remote Working Policy and is in breach of existing agreements between staff and ACC.

The PSA received less than an hour’s notice of the decision, which was made without consultation with the union which is clearly required under the collective agreement.

“ACC has ridden roughshod over its legal obligations under the collective agreement and completely ignored the views of workers by taking this unilateral step,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“Flexible working arrangements are a win-win for employers and workers and in many cases, ACC had advertised this flexible work as a benefit of working at ACC. People who work at ACC deserve to have existing legal arrangements upheld and to be consulted on changes that will significantly impact their working lives.

“We are asking the Authority to require ACC to suspend the new rule due to take effect from 1 December 2025 and instead require ACC to begin a proper consultation.

“This is not the behaviour we expect from any public sector employer when the obligations spelt out in collective agreements are crystal clear. The collective also requires ACC ‘to promote and maintain mutual trust and co-operation between ACC and its staff’.

“Staff morale at ACC is at rock bottom, 1200 workers went joined the mega strike on October 23.

“ACC needs to hear their voice – fix the culture problems, reverse the decision on working from home and come back to bargaining with a fair pay offer.”

Road blocked by crash – State Highway 2, Kaitoke

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November 2, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a crash on State Highway 2, Kaitoke, north of Upper Hutt.

The crash involved two cars and was reported to Police at 8.30pm.

There are no reports of injuries but the road is blocked and motorists should expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

140 new hospital beds to boost nationwide capacity

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November 2, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Five of New Zealand’s busiest hospitals will benefit from the Government’s fast-tracked hospital wards programme, which will deliver a total of 140 new beds in 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“As part of Budget 2025, we expected to deliver at least three wards. A competitive procurement process has now allowed four wards to be delivered within the same funding, alongside the fifth ward at Hawke’s Bay Hospital announced in February,” Mr Brown says.

The new wards will be located at Middlemore Hospital, Waikato Hospital, Wellington Regional Hospital, Nelson Hospital, and Hawke’s Bay Hospital, and are all expected to become operational during the second half of 2026. Operational funding has also been approved, and planning is underway to ensure the workforce is in place when the new wards open.

“This investment is about delivering practical solutions to meet growing demand. By getting these new hospital wards built quickly through modular design and construction, we’re strengthening hospital capacity so patients can get the care they need when they need it.”

The rapid-build wards will be constructed off-site and installed on hospital grounds, enabling faster, more cost-effective delivery, while also providing flexibility to redeploy units to other hospitals if required.

“These new wards will make a real difference for both patients and staff. They will ease pressure on emergency departments, support faster admissions and discharges, and improve patient flow right across the hospital.”

Each hospital’s unit will serve a specific role in improving performance and patient care:

Middlemore Hospital – The ward will expand general medicine capacity to relieve pressure on the emergency department and help meet the shorter stays in ED target.
Waikato Hospital – The ward will operate as an assessment and diagnostic area near the emergency department, providing brief observations and treatment outside the main wards.
Wellington Regional Hospital – The ward will expand in-patient capacity to support acute flow by caring for lower-acuity patients, help meet the shorter stays in ED target.
Nelson Hospital – The ward will enable services to be relocated while seismic strengthening work is carried out on existing buildings. Once complete, it will provide additional inpatient capacity to help address current bed shortages and improve patient flow until the new inpatient tower is built.
Hawke’s Bay Hospital – The ward will be used for short-stay surgical patients and surgical assessments, helping to streamline care for this patient group and free up surgical and medical inpatient beds elsewhere in the hospital.

Mr Brown says the investment is part of the Government’s wider programme to deliver the health infrastructure New Zealanders need to access timely, quality care.

“This is about delivering more capacity, quickly and efficiently, while we continue major rebuilds in Dunedin, Wellington, Nelson, and Whangārei.

“These investments are about making sure our hospitals and frontline health workers have the space, resources, and flexibility they need to meet demand and deliver the best care for patients.”

Bus fire – motorists and pedestrians asked to avoid area

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November 2, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Motorists and pedestrians are being asked to avoid the area around Constellation Busway Station and Sunset Road due to a bus fire.

Just after 1pm, Police were advised that a bus had collided with the edge of an overpass as it passed under it.

The bus has subsequently caught fire and there is a significant amount of smoke in the area.

Cordons are being put in place and motorists and pedestrians are asked to follow the directions of emergency services staff.

Nearby residents and businesses are also advised to close their doors and windows to prevent smoke getting inside their homes.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

Fatal crash, Rodda Road, Rangiriri

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November 2, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a serious crash in Rangiriri overnight.

Police were called to a two vehicle crash on Rodda Road at around 10pm yesterday.

Sadly, one person was located deceased at the scene.

Two other people were transported to hospital in a critical to serious condition.

The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Advocacy – 108 Years Since the Balfour Declaration: Palestine Forum of New Zealand Demands Accountability for Colonial Legacy

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November 2, 2025

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Today marks 108 years since the Balfour Declaration of 1917, a statement that set in motion the dispossession and suffering of the Palestinian people. The Palestine Forum of New Zealand joins Palestinians and justice advocates worldwide in condemning the ongoing consequences of this colonial promise, one made by Britain to a European movement over land that was not theirs to give.

The Balfour Declaration, issued by British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour on 2 November 1917, expressed support for “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people,” while dismissing the political and human rights of the Palestinian Arab majority who had lived there for centuries. This 67-word statement laid the foundation for decades of displacement, military occupation, and systemic injustice that Palestinians continue to endure.

“The Balfour Declaration was not merely a historical document; it was the spark of an enduring tragedy,” said Maher Nazzal, spokesperson for the Palestine Forum of New Zealand. “It represents the beginning of over a century of denial of Palestinian self-determination, a violation of international law that still echoes in every demolished home, every refugee camp, and every silenced Palestinian voice.”

Since 1948, more than 5.9 million Palestinian refugees remain displaced across the Middle East, unable to return to their ancestral homes. The legacy of the Balfour Declaration continues through ongoing settlement expansion, home demolitions, and what international human rights organizations have characterized as apartheid conditions.

Calls to Action:

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on:

The United Kingdom to acknowledge its historic responsibility and issue an official apology for the Balfour Declaration and its devastating legacy
The New Zealand Government to take a clear stance by supporting international efforts to end the illegal occupation, uphold Palestinian human rights, and recognize the State of Palestine
The international community to prioritize accountability and enforce international law without exception

This anniversary is not only a moment of remembrance — it is a call to action. Justice requires truth, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to end impunity. The world cannot continue to look away while Palestinians live under occupation.

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand remains steadfast in advocating for a just and lasting peace based on equality, freedom, and the right of return for all Palestinians.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Consumer NZ – Environmental and consumer advocates welcome Z Energy apology

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November 2, 2025

Source: Consumer NZ

Z Energy has apologised for any confusion caused by aspects of its advertising campaign, which claimed it was moving with the times and in the business of getting out of the petrol business.

In November 2023, Consumer NZ, Lawyers for Climate Action New Zealand, and the Environmental Law Initiative (the plaintiffs) sought High Court declarations that Z Energy had misled New Zealanders with its public messaging in an advertising campaign.

The parties have now mutually agreed to settle the case.

“We maintain Z Energy’s ‘Moving with the Times’ advertising campaign was misleading,” said Jon Duffy, chief executive of Consumer NZ.

“Our goal in taking this case was to hold Z Energy accountable. Today’s public apology by Z Energy, which is featured in newspapers across the country, shows that we have achieved that.”

Although Z Energy’s campaign said the company was in the business of getting out of the petrol business, it wasn’t actually intending to get out of the petrol business. Or at least not any time soon.

“We are pleased to have reached the point where Z Energy has accepted it should apologise for any confusion caused by aspects of its advertising campaign,” said Duffy.

The agreement to settle did not include any payment to the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs acknowledge that Z Energy does not consider its actions to be greenwashing, or to involve misleading and deceptive conduct, and has not admitted any liability.

Even so, Duffy said, “We continue to believe this was one of the worst examples of greenwashing in New Zealand’s history. Our settlement allows for us to agree to disagree with Z Energy on that.”

Consumer defines greenwashing as a sneaky marketing tactic that makes a shopper think something is ‘green’ or more environmentally friendly than it really is.

“In this case, three small not-for-profits joined forces to call out a big corporate entity for greenwashing,” said Jessica Palairet, executive director at Lawyers for Climate Action New Zealand.

“While the government and regulators are currently missing in action, we have shown that we are not afraid to step in to fill that gap. This case sends a clear message to other major businesses: if you cross or sail close to the line on green claims, you run the risk of being very publicly held to account, and spending significant sums of money to defend yourself in legal proceedings.”

In a statement issued today by all parties, Z Energy has agreed with the plaintiffs that greenwashing is a prevalent problem in New Zealand, and that it has been subject to limited enforcement action. Z Energy and the plaintiffs have acknowledged the importance for businesses to communicate accurately to consumers.

Z Energy has acknowledged that petrol and fossil fuels are a leading contributor to climate change, and that transport emissions, including from the fuel Z Energy sells, are a big part of New Zealand’s emissions.

Z Energy agrees with the plaintiffs that the government has a crucial role in facilitating the energy transition in New Zealand, particularly in relation to the transport sector.

“Having one of New Zealand’s largest emitters join our call for the government to step up and better support climate action is extraordinary. We need a robust plan to transition away from fossil fuels, and Z Energy agrees with our stance that the government needs to step up to make this happen,” said Palairet.

“Collectively we are calling for bipartisan policies and strategies to achieve our climate targets, so businesses and consumers can navigate the transition confidently,” said Dr Matt Hall, director of legal and research at Environmental Law Initiative.

The plaintiffs are pleased by Z Energy’s acknowledgement that consumers currently find it hard to verify green claims, and that businesses must be truthful for markets to be successful.

“We will continue to monitor the claims of major polluters, including Z Energy, to ensure they are meeting this standard,” said Hall.

“The wave of accountability is spreading. Z Energy’s apology follows an apology from Energy Australia in the settlement of a greenwashing case brought by Australian Parents for Climate Action, and comes at the same time as a landmark ruling in France against TotalEnergies’ greenwashing advertising. Outcomes like this show that the pressure is working.

“Ultimately, the only way to prevent consumers from being misled by any aspect of fossil fuel advertising is to completely ban it,” said Hall.

About Consumer, LCANZI and ELI

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

Help fund more research, investigations, and campaign work like this. Join at consumer.org.nz.

Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) is a New Zealand registered charity. ELI uses litigation, advocacy and education to protect Aotearoa’s environment.

Read about existing cases at eli.org.nz.

Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc (LCANZI) is a non-profit collective of lawyers who use the law to ensure more effective action against climate change. LCANZI’s members are barristers, solicitors, legal academics and students from across Aotearoa New Zealand.

LCANZI brings strategic climate litigation, and advocates for legislation and policies to ensure Aotearoa meets or exceeds its commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as soon as possible and no later than 2050. Find out more about LCANZI.

PM Luxon concludes Asia trip

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November 2, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has concluded his official visit to Malaysia and the Republic of Korea.

On the final leg of the trip, Mr Luxon attended the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju where the regional economic situation was the focus. While in Korea, he attended an Indo-Pacific Leaders’ dinner and held bilateral discussions with partners, including the United States and Indonesia, to advance New Zealand’s trade and economic interests.

APEC’s 21 economies receive more than 70 percent of New Zealand’s exports; account for over half of global trade; and have 40 percent of the world’s population.

“It’s critical for New Zealand to play an active part in forums like APEC and the East Asia Summit so we can be heard,” Mr Luxon says.

“The Indo-Pacific region is full of potential and critical to New Zealand’s future prosperity. Our Government is deepening ties to realise that potential. That’s why it’s important to be in the room with other leaders, engaging on what more we can do together, and advocating to advance our interests.

“That is how we create jobs and opportunities, and lift incomes for Kiwis back at home. That’s what these visits are all about.”

In Korea, the Prime Minister and President Lee Jae Myung launched the New Zealand-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), marking a new era for the bilateral relationship.

Days earlier in Kuala Lumpur, the Prime Minister concluded a CSP with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – a group of 11 nations with a collective population of 700 million people.

“These agreements elevate New Zealand’s status, making it easier for Kiwis to do business in these parts of the world, and raise New Zealand’s profile as a partner for trade and investment,” Mr Luxon says.

The Prime Minister arrives home on Sunday 2 November.