Source: New Zealand Police
An earlier release contained an incorrect date in relation to the death of Zain Takato Fox.
The correct date that Zain Taikato Fox died was 26 July.
We sincerely apologise for this error.
We ask media to please update any stories to reflect the correct date.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a continuation of a series of regional employment events reinforces a cross-sector commitment to get Kiwis into jobs, boost employment and grow the economy.
Minister Upston and officials met with representatives of around 36 employers and other stakeholders in Hamilton, reinforcing job opportunities across the Waikato region.
“It was great to attend this event, acknowledge the commitment of MSD and recognise the partnership with local employers,” Louise Upston says.
“That’s because this Government is focused on a Going for Growth strategy which includes a key emphasis on developing the talent of our people.
“These events reinforce that. They’re about people, about maximising the potential of Kiwis, about raising their earning potential while also ensuring businesses can access the people they need to help them compete globally and grow.
“The Government has an ambitious target to reduce the number of people on the Jobseeker Benefit by 50,000 by 2030. MSD and employers are key to this.
“We know we can’t do it alone, and need support from the community, employers and training organisations to achieve this goal.
“To continue discussions about how we can work together to achieve the Jobseeker reduction target, MSD will host a number of events to bring together employers, providers and community organisations.
“The focus for the Waikato Supporting New Zealanders Into Work event was ensuring employers and partners are motivated to invest in the good of their communities by training or employing MSD clients, and that they know how MSDs products and services can support them.
“It provided a great opportunity for local employers and organisations to discuss how we can all work together to understand workforce needs and address workforce challenges.”
“I want to acknowledge the work of MSD staff in getting people into jobs, with work exits up 11 per cent on the same time a year ago – in Hamilton alone, work exits were up 23% in July 2025 compared to July 2024. As we saw in Hamilton last night, MSD are doing a great job engaging proactively with both Jobseekers and with employers.
“We know the faster we can help beneficiaries – especially young people – find sustainable employment, the better the outcomes for them, their families, our communities, and our economy.
“That’s why we’ve introduced more early intervention through a phone-based employment case management service which includes up to 10,000 clients in this service, more regular work seminars, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their obligations.
“The new Relocate for Work Support payment will also make it easier for people to move to take up sustainable employment.
“All of these initiatives are helping on the frontline, and that matters because ‘work’ is about more than money. It also gives people a sense of purpose, independence, connectedness – leading to a better future and helping families break out of the cycle of inter-generational welfare dependence.”
Source: New Zealand Government
“Hundreds of food exporters will benefit from a common-sense cut to red tape, making it easier to deliver safe New Zealand food to more markets,” says Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard.
From 25 September 2025, food exporters will no longer need to apply for special exemptions from New Zealand rules if their products meet the requirements of the importing country.
“This simple change means that as long as exporters comply with the rules of the country they’re sending food to, they won’t need MPI’s approval to get around New Zealand’s composition or labelling requirements,” says Mr Hoggard.
“Previously, exemptions had to be applied for product by product – an onerous process that drove up costs, created delays, and sometimes meant missed opportunities.
“The dairy sector, for example, has pointed out that composition requirements for dairy products vary significantly between countries, as their citizens often have different diets and get their nutrition in different ways.
“The new rules cut paperwork and compliance costs, give exporters more certainty, and allow them to manage their own compliance with overseas markets.
“Exporters have been clear that the old system held back trade and innovation. Cabinet has now delivered a streamlined approach that makes exporting easier and more efficient.”
The changes include a one-year transition period where exporters can choose either the existing exemptions or the new pathway. MPI has today published guidance to help businesses adjust.
“This is just the start. I’ve asked officials to prioritise additional work on dietary supplements, and we are working on extending the new approach to all foods. This staged rollout balances cutting red tape with maintaining food safety and consumer trust,” says Mr Hoggard.
The new guidance on the Ministry for Primary Industries Website can be found here: mpi.govt.nz/export/food/exempting-food-exports-from-new-zealand-requirements/
Source: New Zealand Police
Media are invited to the 387 Jude Simpson MNZM recruit wing graduation.
What: Graduation of the New Zealand Police 387 Recruit Wing.
Who: For families and friends to celebrate with the newly attested police officers.
Why: Completion and graduation from their initial training course.
Where: Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua.
When: Thursday 4 September at 2pm – media will need to be in place by 1.45pm.
How: RSVP the Police Media Centre if you’re attending: media@police.govt.nz
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers will attend the ceremony along with a delegation from Victoria Police, Australia.
Also attending will be members of the Police executive and Wing Patron, Jude Simpson MNZM.
The ceremony will include a minute’s silence in honour of Victoria Police officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, who were killed in the line of duty in Porepunkah, Victoria on 26 August, 2025.
Commissioner Chambers: “It is important to mark the service Neal and Vadim gave to their communities, organisation and country. I have also spoken to Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush on behalf of our New Zealand Police to acknowledge the loss and will attend the funerals of the two fallen officers in the next few days on behalf of all New Zealand Police staff.
“NZ Police works closely with Victoria Police and our Australian colleagues are here on a pre-arranged visit to look at the technology and tools we provide to our New Zealand Police officers to help them in their work.”
The 387 Wing Patron:
Jude Simpson is a family harm education and training specialist. She is passionate about empowering victims of family harm to live their life to their full potential.
Jude has been working for the past 11 years at the Royal New Zealand Police College as the lead Family Harm Facilitator. She designed, developed and delivers training for recruits on family harm from the perspectives of a victim and a perpetrator. Alongside other family harm training, this gives recruits a full view of family harm and how to respond to it with empathy and understanding.
Jude has also worked for Presbyterian Support Northern as a Family Violence Advocate and while in this role designed, developed and delivered a programme for the Department of Corrections focusing on low-risk women offenders. The objective of the programme was to build self esteem and empower and support the women into work or training.
Over the years, Jude has become a skilled presenter and facilitator, and she has spoken at many conferences as the keynote speaker.
Jude was the lead female spokesperson for the “It’s not ok” national campaign for several years and helped raise awareness of family harm and the needs of victims. She was the project lead on Mangere College becoming the first school in the country to be an “It’s not ok” school.
In 2018 Jude was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her contribution and work relating to family harm.
Born and raised in Taranaki, Jude now lives in Tauranga. She is the mother of four, a grandmother and great grandmother.
More details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation on Thursday and a follow up Ten One story will be published later next month.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Senior Sergeant John Stapleford, Rotorua Road Policing Coordinator:
One person has pleaded guilty to driving in a dangerous manner after Rotorua Police investigated illegal motorbike anti-social road users.
Police received reports of a man riding a trail bike dangerously through Rotorua suburbs. He was identified through CCTV and arrested in Fordlands on 29 August, now granted bail after pleading guilty to the charge.
The man, aged 20, is due to re-appear in the Rotorua District Court on 31 October 2025.
Anti-social road users disrupt the peace of the community, cause damage to roads and are dangerous to all traffic.
Police want to stop dangerous behaviour on and off streets.
If you drive recklessly, you should expect Police to take action to keep neighbourhoods and others on the road safe.
All Bay of Plenty Police across the district strongly encourage anyone in the community who witnesses anti-social road user behaviour to report it immediately to 111.
You can make a report after the fact through our 105 service.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
DOC is calling on New Zealanders to “Always be Naturing” with two powerful new citizen science tools that make marine conservation easy, wherever you are.
SeaSpotter and Spyfish Aotearoa apps are fun, simple ways to turn everyday moments, whether at the beach, in the office, or at home, into action for nature.
Department of Conservation Marine Technical Advisor Hannah Hendriks says everyone can contribute. “From identifying fish at your desk, to snapping photos of seals on the beach or spotting Māui dolphins while you surf, you can be taking action for nature. It’s about finding those small moments in daily life to connect with and care for the environment.”
Citizen science app SeaSpotter makes it easy to upload photos and videos of marine mammals such as whales, dolphins and seals. Sightings contribute to an open-source platform directly supporting research and conservation efforts for marine mammals.
The application was developed by conservation technology not-for-profit MAUI63, with DOC, WWF-New Zealand, MPI, and others.
Co-Founder and CEO of MAUI63 Charitable Trust, Tane van der Boon, says the trust is passionate about using technology to help everyone better understand and protect marine animals.
“We’re super excited about SeaSpotter and how it will turn everyday kiwis into citizen scientists.”
Tane says the app gives the community a chance to get involved.
“Collecting data will help scientists and researchers track and protect marine mammals like the threatened southern right whale. The more people involved, the better the data and the greater impact it will have.’’
Marine mammals in New Zealand waters range from permanent residents, like Hector’s and Māui dolphins, to migratory visitors that travel thousands of kilometres to feed or breed here.
Hannah says New Zealanders have the opportunity to make their beach culture count for nature. “We love to visit the coast – and we have the privilege of sharing it with dolphins, whales, and seals in their natural environments,” says Hannah.
“Every sighting helps us better understand where rare species live and how to protect them. With 695 billion reasons to care, SeaSpotter turns everyday encounters into conservation action.”
For days when the coast is a wistful memory, the Spyfish Aotearoa project is designed to bring marine life into offices, homes, and classrooms.
Launched in partnership with Wildlife.AI via the Zooniverse platform, Spyfish Aotearoa invites people to watch short clips of underwater footage from New Zealand marine reserves and identify fish species. Outputs contribute directly to real scientific research – helping scientists focus their time on trend analysis and conservation planning.
“Spending five minutes of a meeting counting fish together is a calming, collaborative activity which just happens to help nature. You don’t need to be a scientist. You just need a few minutes, a screen, and some curiosity and it’s surprisingly relaxing,” says Dr. Monique Ladds, DOC Marine Ecosystems Senior Technical Advisor.
Both apps are part of a growing movement to use citizen science for marine protection. Whether in the office or out on the water, Hannah says there’s a role for everyone in caring for the oceans.
“But when thousands of people take small actions – from logging a dolphin sighting, to identifying a blue cod on screen, we create a powerful wave of support for the future of our marine ecosystems, “says Hannah.
“Always be Naturing is about exactly that: making nature part of everyday life, and taking those small, meaningful actions that add up to big change.”
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
The Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy moves New Zealand towards a full continuum of treatment and support, including a greater focus on prevention, access to early intervention and specialist community supports, and a more inclusive approach to family, whānau and carer involvement and support.
The Strategy provides the overall strategic approach and covers:
Implementing the Strategy will shift New Zealand towards a vision where:
People and their families, whānau and carers are able to access treatment and supports that respond to their unique needs and contexts and are fully included in their own recovery and that of their family and whānau.
Specialist eating disorders workforces, health workforces, and other relevant workforces are trained to confidently understand and respond effectively to eating issues and eating disorders.
There is an eating disorders system of care across the full continuum of treatment and support spanning early intervention through to specialist community and inpatient services. This includes prevention and public health promotion initiatives to minimise and prevent the risk factors associated with developing eating issues and eating disorders.
To support the implementation of the Strategy, Health New Zealand is increasing investment in the eating disorders continuum by over $4 million each year. This will bring the total investment in eating disorders services to over $23 million per year. This new funding package includes ongoing investment to:
