HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 March 2025 – The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, continues its mission to promote Thailand’s entertainment industry in alignment with the government’s soft power strategy and economic growth policies. As part of these efforts, Thailand is positioning itself as a regional film hub by hosting the business networking event “Thai Night: Where Films Come Alive 2025.” In addition, DITP leading 37 Thai entertainment companies participate in the Thailand Pavilion at the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) 2025, one of Asia’s most significant film and television industry events.
Thai Night 2025 will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China. The event will be graced by Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, who will preside as the honorary chairperson, celebrating the outstanding achievements of Thailand’s entertainment industry over the past year.
Since its inception in 2011, Thai Night has served as a business networking event, showcasing the strength of Thailand’s entertainment industry at major international film festivals, including the American Film Market (USA), Cannes Film Festival (France), and Hong Kong FILMART (Hong Kong). This exclusive gathering brings together film and television producers from Thailand, Hong Kong, and around the world, along with experts from the global entertainment sector. Thai Night will feature a series of special activities, including presentations of outstanding works by Thai entertainment companies, networking sessions to foster collaborations between Thai and international industry leaders, a showcase of authentic Thai cuisine and beverages certified with the Thai SELECT label, highlighting Thailand’s potential in the Asian and international markets.
Thailand’s film industry has made remarkable growth in recent years, gaining international recognition for its skilled filmmakers, scenic filming locations, world-class production capabilities, and strong government support. Thai Night 2025 will serve as a key platform to further elevate the global presence of Thailand’s entertainment industry and promote its sustainable growth.
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Police are seeking the public’s help to locate Giovanni, who has been reported missing in Counties Manukau.
Giovanni, 15, was last seen in the Mangere area on Sunday evening.
He is described as about 180cms tall with black hair and green eyes .
Police and Giovanni’s family have concerns for his wellbeing and would like to see him return home safely.
If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact Police online at http://www.police.nz/use-105/update-report, or call 105 and quote file number 250310/3086.
Police is investigating the death of a man in Pukekohe at the end of last year as a homicide.
Counties Manukau CIB has been investigating the death of 48-year-old Donnie Houben since 30 December 2024.
Detective Inspector Karen Bright says Donnie was located deceased at a gang-associated property on Times Place.
“We have been treating the circumstances of Donnie’s death as suspicious since he was located at that address,” she says.
“Numerous enquiries have been underway to better understand the wider set of circumstances at play.
“Preliminary findings from the pathologist indicate he was subjected to an assault prior to his death.”
The investigation team are still awaiting detailed findings from the pathologist.
“We believe there are people out in the community that have further information about those involved in Donne’s death,” Detective Inspector Bright says.
“I’m calling on those people to do the right thing and speak up to help hold those responsible to account.”
Those with information can come forward that their information will be dealt with in confidence.
Information can be provided to the investigation team via Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
Alternatively, you can update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 241230/6522.
Cabinet has agreed to progress stronger controls on 23 harmful substances, including the classification of three substances related to the potent opioid, fentanyl, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Peddlers of illicit drugs are a scourge on society and cause devastating harm on families and communities across the country. Increasing penalties supports law enforcement agencies to crack down on these peddlers of misery and destruction and supports them to maintain law and order. “The proposed changes would impose stricter controls on 23 substances, increasing the ability of Police and Customs to take preventative action and allowing harsher penalties for those caught making or possessing these drugs.“This follows recommendations from the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs to limit the risk of harm and potential for misuse, including three fentanyl analogues, which are synthetic opioids.“Peddlers of illicit drugs cause significant harm in our communities and inflict misery on our streets. Synthetic opioids are often much more potent and harmful than the drugs they mimic and are more dangerous due to the increased risk of overdose.“We know that fentanyl itself is many times stronger than morphine and analogues can often be even stronger still.“The Committee has recommended classifying these three fentanyl analogues as class A controlled drugs for which the maximum penalty for manufacture is life imprisonment. “While New Zealand is fortunate to currently have lower illicit opioid use than other similar countries, these actions will limit the potential harm these substances could cause if they became increasingly available.“The Government has also agreed to increase controls on a number of other substances including synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, amphetamine precursors and novel benzodiazepines, under the Misuse of Drugs Act. “We know how important it is to reduce the impact of drug harm. Ensuring there are stronger controls in place for these harmful substances is a step towards that goal,” Mr Brown says.Most of the 23 substances were under some limited level of control either under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 as close copies of existing drugs, as prescription medicines or psychoactive substances. The planned changes have been approved at this stage by Cabinet and will now be drafted as an Order in Council, tabled in Parliament, and considered by the Health Select Committee before again being referred back to Cabinet. If agreed, the changes will come into force by mid-year.
Raglan Police investigating an aggravated robbery in Raglan are seeking information from witnesses.
Police were called to Bow Street at around 2am on Friday 28 February.
We would like to speak to the driver of a dark-coloured sedan that picked up a man from the bus stop at the intersection of Lorenzen Bay Road and Main Road at around 6am.
We believe the information the driver has have may be able to assist our investigation.
The man who was picked up was wearing a grey hoodie, grey shorts and white shoes.
If this was you, or you have any information that could assist Police, please get in touch via 105, either by calling or online.
Please reference file number 250228/5605.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
With the countdown officially on, all eyes are on Paris later this month as the world’s best prepare to put their skills to the ultimate test.
Reuben Sharples represents Aussie Butcher New Lynn in the Hellers Sharp Blacks, the team is ready to take on the world’s best at the ‘Olympics of Butchery’ in Paris.
The world’s top butchers are sharpening their skills as the World Butchers’ Challenge (WBC) 2025 approaches, set to take place in Paris, France, from March 30–31. This prestigious event will see elite teams from around the globe compete in a high-pressure showcase of craftsmanship, speed, and creativity.
The competition will be held at the iconic Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and runs for three hours and thirty minutes. The teams must each transform a side of beef, a side of pork, a whole lamb, and five chickens into a themed display of value-added products.
Reuben says the team is ready “I’m proud to be representing New Zealand. We’ve trained hard, and while we’re up against the best, there’s nothing we’d love more than taking down the Aussies in Paris!”
The Hellers Sharp Blacks team members have been selected for their outstanding butchery skills, as well as their ability to be part of this team, ensuring they will work well together under the enormous amount of pressure that awaits them in that stadium, competing against the world’s best butchers.
Reuben Sharples, Aussie Butcher New Lynn Reuben is a veteran member of Hellers Sharp Blacks and the President of the New Zealand Retail Meat Board. His New Lynn Store is Google’s Number #1 rated Best Butcher in Auckland.
More than 250 people visited the newly-reopened Pukekohe Water Treatment Plant this month to explore and learn the role it plays in Auckland’s integrated water network.
The plant resumed operations in early December, providing an additional five million litres of water per day to customers in Pukekohe and Buckland, easing the demand on the wider metropolitan water network that serves Auckland.
The Pukekohe Water Treatment Plant Open Day was hosted by Watercare in early March.
Watercare southern water treatment manager Tom Wallace, who was one of the educators on the day, felt that attendees left with a better grasp of the treatment water must go through before it reaches their taps.
“At the event, people had the opportunity to explore the site and talk directly to members of our water production team, at times throwing in the odd curly question or two.
“The event was also a great way for people to appreciate the complexities and the vastness of our network, which supplies around 440 million litres of water a day to about 1.7 million people in the Auckland region.
“We talked about the importance of using water wisely – particularly at the moment, given the dry weather we’re experiencing.
“Our four-minute shower timers went down well – as did the sausages and ice creams!”
Watercare capital delivery general manager Suzanne Lucas says the event was a great way for the community to see the work Watercare has put in to bring the plant back into service.
“The plant was taken out of service after experiencing severe flood damage during the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods.
“The flood destroyed essential infrastructure, including the chemical dosing system and electrical equipment.
“Instead of rebuilding immediately, the team worked with contractors to redesign the plant, relocating key components like the control room to higher ground and burying major electrical cables to reduce future flood risks.”
Construction of a new dosing system at the plant is planned to be integrated into the treatment process by mid-year.
The new dosing system that’s being installed will replace the current liquid dosing system with a new self-generating system that will use a sensor to monitor the pH level of the water and automatically adjust the chemical feed rate to maintain the desired levels.
Avocado tree planted at Hicky’s Reserve
A two-year-old avocado tree was also planted at the event in the community orchard behind Hickey’s Reserve near the Pukekohe Water Treatment Plant.
The tree, donated by resident Matthew Gouge, is his family’s way of giving back to the community they’ve called home for four years.
“When we moved to Pukekohe, I was amazed by the variety and accessibility of fruit in this orchard.
“The avocado tree originated as a self-seeded seedling in my compost heap. It is vigorous and I expect it will become a productive fruiting tree – making it the perfect addition to the orchard.”
Pukekohe resident Matthew Gouge (far right) donates an avacado tree to the community orchard that sits behind the Pukekohe Water Treatment Plant.
The orchard, initiated by Stewart Bent with support from the Franklin District Council, was created to make better use of the land.
Bent says it took him and a small team about three years from around 2007 to plant around 200 trees, including citrus, peaches, plums, and apricots.
“Although many original trees are gone, it’s nice to know people still collect fruit,” says Bent, who recently picked cooking apples there.
An operational process change has been introduced to enhance the visibility of dependent children of defendants in the criminal court, Minister for Courts Nicole McKee says.
“The improved process, which has been developed jointly by the Judiciary and Ministry of Justice, with support from several stakeholders from across the Justice Sector, aims to improve the consistency with which the court is made aware of the needs of dependent children when a primary caregiver may be facing a custodial remand or sentence.”
“The changes introduced include modifications to forms used by Defence Counsel and agencies to capture information about dependent children, as well as targeted communications to Defence Counsel and agencies highlighting the importance of bringing this information to the attention of the court.
“In addition, updated Court forms enable the Judiciary to record this information.
“The information will support the Court with bail and sentencing decisions and will function as a prompt for agencies present in proceedings to enquire about care arrangements for a defendant’s dependent children when they are facing a custodial remand or sentence,” Mrs McKee says.
“We all remember the case of Malachi Subecz, the five-year-old who was murdered by his caregiver in 2021 while his mother was in prison. In her independent review Dame Karen Poutasi stated: ‘Malachi was “unseen” at key moments when he needed to be visible.’
“This is a significant step towards ensuring the children of defendants facing a custodial remand or sentence are visible, so that their interests can be considered by the Court.”
Under Labour, the Māori economy went from strength to strength according to the latest report released by MBIE.
“The report shows that over Labour’s time in Government the Māori asset base exceeded expectations by $26 billion, growing from $69 billion in 2018 to $126 billion in 2023. Māori contribution to the economy has grown from $17 billion in 2018 to $32 billion in 2023. This is a massive achievement for Māori businesses and for New Zealand,” Labour acting Māori economy spokesperson Peeni Henare said.
“It shows the policies we introduced such as Progressive Procurement; Treaty provisions in Free Trade Agreements; and targeted approaches to funding and supporting Māori initiatives, innovation, and ideas work,” Peeni Henare said.
“For the first time, more Māori are employed in high-skilled jobs compared to those in low-skilled jobs. Māori who are self-employed surged a massive 86 percent, and the number of Māori employers grew by 91 percent.
“Unfortunately, Christopher Luxon’s Government does not show the same enthusiasm, scrapping programmes that encourage entrepreneurship like Progressive Procurement, and undermining iwi and Māori organisations with policies that remove Māori interests from legislation.
“Māori businesses and exporters deserve more than wishful thinking and hollow promises that don’t even mention the contribution of Māori to the economy.
“Our concern now is that the gains and momentum we have seen in this report will be undone because of the choices of this Government. When you choose not to invest in growing Māori businesses and continually undermine the Treaty, as this Government is doing, the future doesn’t look bright for whānau who want to contribute more to the economy,” Peeni Henare said.
Business employment data: December 2024 quarter–11 March 2025 –Business employment data includes filled jobs and gross earnings, with breakdowns by industry, sex, age, region, and territorial authority area, using a combination of data from two different Inland Revenue sources: the employer monthly schedule (EMS) and payday filing. Both are associated with PAYE (pay as you earn) tax data.
Key facts Total actual filled jobs in the December 2024 quarter were 2.28 million.
In the December 2024 quarter (compared with September 2024 quarter):
total seasonally adjusted filled jobs were down 0.3 percent (6,248 jobs).
For the year ended December 2024 compared with the year ended December 2023:
total gross earnings were up 4.5 percent ($7.68 billion).
An annual comparison is used for earnings to account for payroll timing differences between quarters.
