Legislation that will enable a four-year term of Parliament subject to a referendum has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As stipulated in the National-Act coalition agreement, the Bill is modelled on the ACT Party’s draft Constitution (Enabling a 4-Year Term) Amendment Bill. “This means a standard term of Parliament will remain at three years, but with the ability to extend the maximum term of Parliament to four years. “The main condition is that membership of certain select committees is calculated in a way that is proportionate to the non-Executive parliamentary party membership of the House. “Given the constitutional significance of the term of Parliament, this change would be subject to the outcome of a binding referendum. “Both the National-Act and National-New Zealand First coalition agreements include supporting to select committee a bill that would enact a binding referendum on a four-year term of parliament. “At this stage, no decisions have been made on whether this Bill will proceed beyond this. “It is possible a referendum could be held alongside the next General Election in 2026. However, any final decisions on timing for a referendum will depend on what comes out of the select committee process. “To enable this, a Referendums Framework Bill will also have its first reading this week. This will provide for the conduct of a referendum alongside a General Election and will be modelled on the temporary legislation put in place for the 2020 referendum on the End-of-Life-Choice legislation and on Cannabis regulation. “Future decisions will also need to be made by the Government as to whether the bill proceeds as introduced, or whether it should be amended. “We want to hear what New Zealanders think during the select committee process.”
The government’s announcements of support for more locally trained doctors and nurses to work in primary care are welcomed by the University of Auckland.
The government’s announcements this week of support for more locally trained doctors and nurses to work in primary care are welcomed by the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Dean, Professor Warwick Bagg and Head of Nursing Professor Julia Slark.
Today, 5 March, Health Minister Hon Simeon Brown announced five-year funding for training of 120 nurse practitioners based in primary care, as well as $21.6 million over four years to accelerate advanced tertiary education for up to 120 primary care registered nurses a year.
Head of the School of Nursing Professor Julia Slark says it’s excellent news, especially to see the government’s sustained commitment over to funding for additional primary care nurse training.
“We really welcome the investment in nursing. It is pleasing because nurses have a pivotal role in primary care,” Slark says.
Yesterday, Brown announced an increase of 25 training places for doctors in the two existing medical schools and training opportunities in primary care for up to 50 New Zealand-trained graduate doctors. Earlier in the week, the minister also announced 100 clinical places for overseas-trained doctors to work in primary care.
Professor Bagg says the announcements recognise the urgent workforce needs of the health system.
“Every New Zealander knows our health system is under strain, and we need a range of solutions to meet those needs. The announcements are excellent news. The University of Auckland looks forward to offering more places for students to study medicine.”
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2025 – FBS, a leading global broker, continues making a difference by donating $10 000 to support vulnerable communities in Malaysia during the holy month of Ramadan. In partnership with SUKA Society, FBS is providing essential food supplies, gift packs, and celebrations for refugee children, foster families, and survivors of human trafficking.
FBS and SUKA Society Support Malaysian Communities During Ramadan
On February 25, FBS and SUKA Society launched the initiative with the first monthly food packing event, ensuring that unaccompanied refugee minors receive essential nutrition. The collaboration will continue throughout Ramadan with several key activities:
Mid-March: The preparation of Ramadan gift packs for refugee minors and Muslim foster families.
March 3–21: Food deliveries to government protection shelters supporting survivors of human trafficking.
March 26: The second monthly food packing event.
April 9 & 12: Hari Raya celebrations for undocumented and refugee children.
“This Ramadan, we are grateful to once again collaborate with FBS in supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities through SUKA Society’s programs,”said Anderson Selvasegaram, Executive Director, SUKA Society.“Thanks to FBS’s generosity, we will be able to bring joy and relief to those in need, including 45 refugee children without parents, 16 foster refugee families, and 100 survivors of human trafficking. Ramadan is a time of hope and generosity, and the support from FBS will provide much-needed comfort and dignity to our beneficiaries.”
FBS volunteers participated in organizing aid packages and preparing deliveries to guarantee efficient distribution to those in need. “At FBS, we believe in giving back to the community. Today, alongside SUKA Society volunteers, we worked together to organize essential aid, ensuring that those in need receive basic amenities efficiently. It’s inspiring to see the impact of collective effort in making a difference,”shared Aizzat Arfa, FBS Official Representative.
FBS is honored to contribute to meaningful initiatives that bring relief, dignity, and joy to those in need. As the company continues its mission to empower communities, it remains committed to making a real impact beyond trading.
Sampling and timely testing for avian influenza in remote locations like Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands is now a step closer thanks the development of a portable laboratory, says Minister for Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard.Biosecurity New Zealand recently tested the ground-breaking equipment during a voyage to Antarctica on the icebreaker MV Argus. “This was an incredible opportunity to be able to locate, sample and test for HPAI in the field under extreme conditions,” says Andrew Hoggard.HPAI H5N1 emerged in 2020 and has spread through most of the world. In February 2024, it was detected on the Antarctic peninsula. Affected species include brown skuas, Adélie penguins, snowy sheathbill and Antarctic fur seals. “The benefit of this is that samples don’t need to be sent to a laboratory for testing, a process which can take weeks from remote locations like Antarctica. Instead, a confirmed result for HPAI H5N1 can be obtained within 48 hours of taking the sample.”The portable laboratory was set up aboard the MV Argus. Samples were collected from a skua carcass on Torgersen Island in the Palmer Archipelago before being tested aboard ship.“I understand that conditions were incredibly challenging to set up complex lab work, with the vessel having very limited space. But it was the ultimate test of the portable lab, and it proved to be a huge success.” Research stations in the area do not have sequencing capability and do not test for HPAI. If samples are taken, they are typically sent back to Australia for testing, which can take weeks.“Having the portable lab for remote locations like this means results can be obtained in the field – allowing faster more informed decisions on any next steps. While HPAI H5N1 is still some distance from New Zealand, it’s important that we take a cautious approach.“We need to be prepared and have strong biosecurity practices in place. Everyone has a part to play.”Detailed information on how to prepare for HPAI H5N1 is here
New Zealand will support Niue with the design and construction of a new justice building in the capital Alofi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced.
Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi is in New Zealand this week for a number of high-level meetings – including with Prime Minister Luxon, Minister Peters, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk – that build on the special and enduring free association relationship between the countries.
“Niue’s future is interconnected with the Pacific region and New Zealand remains steadfast in supporting its Realm partner’s development across a range of sectors,” Mr Peters says.
“We are proud of the partnership we have built with Niue, and we look forward to continuing to work together to realise our shared goals of resilience, prosperity and sustainability.”
New Zealand will work in partnership with Niue to deliver a new building for Niue’s justice sector services.
“This is another example of practical support, on the ground, for Niue. The new Justice Building ensures access to judicial services for all Niueans, for years to come,” Mr Peters says.
New Zealand has also announced it will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Niue through a partnership between Business Link Pacific (BLP) and the Niue Development Bank (NDB). This partnership will offer eligible SMEs loans at reduced interest rates, along with subsidised advisory support to assist with their loan applications.
Funding for this initiative and the justice building project will come from New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation programme, with the size of our financial contribution to be determined.
Strengthening Hong Kong’s Position as an International Innovation and Technology Hub
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2025 – Ricoh Hong Kong Limited, a global leader in innovative imaging technology, IT services and digital solutions, has been transforming the way people work and communicate. As we enter the era of artificial intelligence (AI), Ricoh as an industry pioneer is proud to announce the launch of the Ricoh InnoAI Program. In collaboration with the Ricoh Software Research Center Beijing (SRCB), Ricoh will establish a dedicated International AI Research Center, the Ricoh InnoAI Center, at Cyberport, Hong Kong’s flagship digital technology and AI hub. The establishment has been created with the support of Dr. Dong Bin, who has been appointed as the Chief Scientist to provide technical support to local enterprises. The Ricoh InnoAI Center at Cyberport offers an extraordinary future-ready working environment and impactful meeting facilities designed to foster close collaboration for participating AI startups.
Ricoh Hong Kong Announces Launch of Ricoh InnoAI Program
The Ricoh InnoAI Program will be initiated with funding of over HKD 50 million. It aims to provide participating companies with advanced AI technology resources, commercialization opportunities, business development support, and potential funding from the Ricoh Innovation Fund. This initiative will accelerate the commercialization and growth of AI startups, helping various industries in Hong Kong to expand internationally and solidify Hong Kong’s status as a global innovation and technology hub.
To mark this significant occasion, Ricoh Hong Kong held a launch ceremony for the Ricoh InnoAI Program at Cyberport today. The event was honorably attended by distinguished guests, including Ms. Cheong Man Lei, Lillian, JP, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr. Charles Ng, the Associate Director-General of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK); Mr. Komatsu Yojin, Director, Economic Division, Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong; Mr. Simon Chan Sai-ming, BBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited; Mr. Howard Cheng Hay-wing, Chief Operating Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited; Ms. Georgina Chu, Chief Corporate Development Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited; Mr. Kei Uesugi, Managing Director of Ricoh Asia Pacific; Mr. Aaron Yim, Chairman, Ricoh Hong Kong; Mr. Ricky Chong, Managing Director, Ricoh Hong Kong; Mr. Go Fujimoto, President, Ricoh Software Research Center Beijing; and Mr. Dong Bin, Vice President, Ricoh Software Research Center Beijing. During the event, guests shared their visions for future technological development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation, and collectively witnessed this new milestone for Hong Kong’s AI-oriented future.
Ms. Cheong Man Lei, Lillian, JP, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, stated in her speech that in the rolling tide of AI, Hong Kong has not been absent. On the contrary, Hong Kong has prepared itself early and is also actively aligning with the national “AI+” initiative, driving AI development through comprehensive policies. These include the upcoming HK$3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme to further strengthen HK’s upstream research capability, the Cyberport AI Supercomputing Centre that will provide high-performance computing power of 3 000 petaFLOPS to support impactful R&D projects on AI, a HK$3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme to support academia and industries in utilizing Cyberport’s computing power for AI innovation, and the recently announced HK$1 billion allocation in the Budget to establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute to spearhead AI development and industry applications across government services, law, finance, healthcare, education, etc, in HK, positioning AI as a pivotal emerging industry for Hong Kong. Hong Kong has gradually built a thriving AI ecosystem. She is confident that Hong Kong will emerge as one of the leading hub in AI technology. In the near future, AI will become a cornerstone industry for Hong Kong, also spurring new “AI+” pillar industries that contribute to our new real economy. Hong Kong will also serve as a nexus for international collaboration in the AI sector.
As outlined in the “14th Five-Year Plan,” Hong Kong is positioned as an international innovation and technology hub. Hong Kong also plays a crucial role in “bringing in and going global,” making it an ideal base for Ricoh Asia Pacific to gather talent from the Greater Bay Area and around the world.
Mr. Kei Uesugi, Managing Director of Ricoh Asia Pacific, said: “Hong Kong is a culturally diverse and vibrant city with a mature business environment and a wealth of talent. We believe that the launch of the Ricoh InnoAI Program, coupled with the technical support from the Ricoh Software Research Center Beijing (SRCB), will drive technological innovation and economic growth across various industries in Hong Kong. Ricoh Asia Pacific will actively collaborate with local tech startups, leveraging our expertise and resources to inspire more creativity and cooperation, promote the application of AI technology, and contribute to future development.”
Mr. Simon Chan Sai-ming, BBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, said: “As Hong Kong’s AI hub and accelerator, Cyberport is centered around its AI Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab, forming a comprehensive AI ecosystem that brings together leading industry players from around the world and over 350 start-ups focused on AI and data science R&D. By leveraging their diverse capabilities in computing power development, large-scale model construction, and extensive industry applications, Cyberport drives AI innovation and empowers digital transformation and intelligent upgrades across various industries. Ricoh Hong Kong has launched the Ricoh InnoAI Program and established the Ricoh InnoAI Center at Cyberport, further enriching Cyberport’s thriving AI ecosystem, enhancing the technical R&D and business development advantages of outstanding Cyberport companies, and laying the groundwork for expanding into both local and international markets. Cyberport looks forward to collaborating with Ricoh Hong Kong to providing comprehensive support for the development of AI enterprises, accelerating R&D and applications across different segments of the industry ecosystem chain, promoting AI industrialisation and supporting Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for AI and innovation technologies.”
Ricoh Asia Pacific Establishes International AI Research Center at Cyberport to Provide Resources for Local Enterprises
As a global leader in technology, Ricoh Asia Pacific has always focused on providing intelligent digital solutions to maximize corporate profitability and enhance operational efficiency. Mr. Ricky Chong, Managing Director of Ricoh Hong Kong Limited, stated: ” Ricoh Hong Kong aims to leverage its extensive customer resources accumulated over the years in Hong Kong through the “Ricoh InnoAI” initiative, bringing the value of AI applications to various local businesses and achieving the goal of “AI to Business (AI2B).” Ricoh Hong Kong has signed a cooperation agreement with Hong Kong Cyberport to establish the “Ricoh InnoAI” center at Cyberport in the second quarter of 2025, serving as the AI research and development hub for the Asia-Pacific region. Together with Hong Kong Cyberport, Ricoh Software Research Center Beijing (SRCB), and AI partners under the Ricoh InnoAI initiative, we will jointly build Ricoh’s unique AI2B ecosystem. Currently, Ricoh Hong Kong has collaborated with over 10 technology companies to develop a range of industry-specific AI intelligent agents, including AI knowledge assistants, sales and marketing assistants, and customer service assistants. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector through this initiative, propelling Hong Kong’s AI innovation capabilities into Ricoh’s Asia-Pacific region and nearly 200 markets worldwide, and working hand in hand with local innovation forces to ‘set sail for global expansion.’”
Ricoh offers a diverse product portfolio, including the Ricoh InnoAI Hub integrated with its self-developed enterprise large-language-model (LLM) (which can be connected to other large-language-models such as DeepSeek as per customers ‘ needs), intelligent multifunctional printer solutions with innovative imaging technology, IT services, and advanced digital solutions. These will help local enterprises make significant progress in the application of AI technology.
For the newly launched Ricoh InnoAI Program, Ricoh will invest substantial resources to provide comprehensive technical support and resources to participating companies, assisting them in developing innovative technologies. This includes:
Initial Funding: A budget of HKD 50 million for the first year, primarily used for setting up offices at Cyberport, staffing, and infrastructure. The initial phase will involve hiring 20 developers to support the project.
Technical Support: Leveraging the latest AI technologies developed by the Ricoh Software Research Center Beijing, providing advanced AI tools and technical support, including self-developed large language models (LLMs), to help participating companies develop safer and more cost-effective AI innovations.
Sales Team and Marketing Resources: Providing sales and marketing resources to assist partners in market promotion, brand building, and business expansion, while sharing industry best practices. Ricoh’s sales team of over 100 members will actively promote products and services to approximately 30,000 corporate clients.
Space and GPU Support: Establishing a dedicated Ricoh InnoAI Center at Cyberport, offering innovative working environments and meeting facilities for participating companies. Additionally, GPU resources will be procured from Cyberport to support computational needs for innovation and technical development.
Business Development Support: Ricoh Hong Kong will provide resource assistance to each partner participating in the Ricoh InnoAI Program. In addition to office space and infrastructure at the Ricoh InnoAI Center in Cyberport, Ricoh will offer mentorship, strategic partnerships, professional guidance, and marketing and sales resources to facilitate business growth.
The Ricoh InnoAI Program is Divided into Four Stages, Selecting Approximately 50 Outstanding Partners Annually
Through a series of resource investments, Ricoh Hong Kong aims to provide free AI development resources to enterprises by leveraging its cutting-edge enterprise AI-powered Agents, the Ricoh InnoAI Hub, and its self-developed enterprise large language models. Ricoh will also act as a “super-connector,” utilizing its global network and market expertise to accelerate market expansion and commercialization for participating companies.
Ricoh Hong Kong expects to recruit participating companies annually, inviting Cyberport to recommend outstanding enterprises and selecting approximately 50 outstanding partner teams to ensure industry diversity. The program includes professional guidance, sales, and market expansion resources to help companies develop clear market strategies. Through Ricoh’s sales and market expansion teams, companies will be assisted in promoting their products and solutions through diverse channels, providing profit opportunities and platforms for business expansion. Ultimately, the goal is to promote products or services to the Asia-Pacific market and beyond.
Cyberport Builds AI Ecosystem to Help Hong Kong Become an International AI and Innovation Hub
As Hong Kong’s flagship digital technology hub and AI accelerator, Cyberport is committed to building a comprehensive ecosystem that encompasses computing power building, general and specialized large language model construction, model risk assessment, industry application support, study of governance and ethics. This includes establishing benchmarks for the quality and safety of AI models and researching governance and risk management reference guidelines for AI applications.
Currently, Cyberport is home to over 350 startups focused on AI and big data research and development. It has also attracted several leading AI enterprises and facilitated collaborations with top tech companies, leveraging their capabilities in computing power development, large model construction, algorithms, and data science to promote AI innovation and application. By gathering talent and innovative resources from both local and international sources, Cyberport supports innovative R&D and applications across different segments of the AI ecosystem chain, driving industrial development and helping Hong Kong grow into an international innovation and AI hub.
In addition, Cyberport launched the largest AI supercomputing center (AISC) in Hong Kong last year. With the HKSAR government’s funding of HKD 3 billion, Cyberport is implementing the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme (AISS) to support local universities, R&D institutions, strategic enterprises and government departments in utilizing the computing power of the Cyberport AISC to achieve more scientific breakthroughs and strengthen the development of the local AI ecosystem. Cyberport AI Lab marshals R&D capabilities of AI ecosystem partner companies, providing an interactive space for showcasing AI solutions and launching service products. It offers a platform for AI ecosystem partners and enterprises to experience various supercomputing AI tools, hardware and language models, collaboratively exploring product innovation and technology integration for application in varied industries and scenarios.
Expanding Innovation Funding to Scale Startups and Accelerate AI Technology Industry Development
Ricoh Group currently offers the Ricoh Innovation Fund, which is aimed at scaling startups and providing funding support for technological innovation. As a corporate venture capital (CVC) fund, the Ricoh Innovation Fund focuses on supporting promising startups, particularly in the field of AI technology. The Ricoh InnoAI Program will further accelerate enterprise development and operations, creating a more robust business environment in Hong Kong and fostering continued growth, particularly in the field of AI technology.
Ricoh Asia Pacific will provide sales and marketing support to these enterprises, offering market insights and industry best practices to help them effectively promote their products and services. Ricoh aims to help local enterprises streamline data and improve performance in the most efficient way, leveraging Cyberport’s computational power to encourage local enterprises to flourish. This will not only enhance the business performance of startups but also create new business opportunities for Ricoh Asia Pacific, increasing the diversity of Ricoh’s product technology.
By providing opportunities for local innovation and technology enterprises and strengthening the application of AI technology among local companies, Ricoh hopes to promote overall digital transformation and business growth, enhancing market competitiveness. This will enable enterprises to generate profits in the Asia-Pacific market, including Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, and to further expand Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem, thereby providing a platform for collaboration and exchange.
Hashtag: #Cyberport #Ricoh
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
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For more than 40 years, Mandy Pentecost and Gail Maxey have been part of the fabric of EIT, witnessing its evolution from a community college to a leading educational institution as it now celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Gail and Mandy started their careers at EIT just months apart in 1984, when the institution was still known as Hawke’s Bay Community College.
Gail, who originally joined to teach anatomy and physiology in the nursing programme, remembers how radical it was to shift nursing education from hospitals to the classroom. “It was a huge change at the time,” she recalls. “We didn’t realise then how significant that shift was.” Over the years, she has taught across multiple disciplines, including beauty therapy, sports science, and foundation programmes, always centering around her passion for anatomy and physiology.
Gail Maxey and Mandy Pentecost have been teaching at EIT for more than 40 years.
Mandy, on the other hand, came to EIT with a background in community education. While she had originally interviewed for one role, those hiring her decided to create a position for her with a community development focus. “It was a one-year role that kept getting renewed,” she laughs. She helped shape the social services and counselling programmes, eventually moving into leadership positions, including Assistant Head and Acting Head of the School of Education and Social Sciences.
Throughout their careers, both Gail and Mandy have experienced the evolution of EIT, from its modest beginnings with just a few buildings to the large institute it is today. Gail recalls how fields which were once used for soccer and rugby have been replaced by modern teaching facilities. “I’ve worked in nearly every building on this campus,” she says. “And now, after 41 years, I’ve come full circle back to the one I started in.”
Mandy appreciates how EIT continues to provide education opportunities for students in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti. “The way we support students now is different,” she says. “EIT has always had a strong regional focus, ensuring people don’t have to leave Hawke’s Bay or Tairāwhiti to access quality education. That’s something I’ve always believed in.”
Despite their long tenures, neither Gail nor Mandy are in a rush to leave. “I love being in the classroom,” Gail says. “I love working with students who are figuring out their paths and proving to them that they can achieve more than they thought possible.”
Mandy shares a similar sentiment. “I never expected to stay this long,” she admits. “But EIT’s values align with mine. I love seeing students I taught 20 years ago succeed in their careers. That’s what makes it all worth it.”
As EIT celebrates 50 years, Gail and Mandy recognise the milestone but view it as just one chapter in the institution’s journey. Reflecting on recent years, Gail acknowledges the challenges posed by COVID-19, natural disasters, and organisational changes. “You couldn’t walk away in the middle of all that,” she says.
For Mandy, stepping back from leadership to focus on postgraduate teaching is her way of giving back. “Teaching is why I started in education. It’s what I still love to do.”
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is welcoming the sentencing last week of two individuals involved with unauthorised vehicle inspections.
Following an investigation by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), vehicle inspector Juan Carlos Acarapi Scoria and mechanic Gideon Tali from Automotive New Lynn were sentenced to five months’ community detention and 60 hours’ community work respectively.
They were sentenced in the Waitakere District Court on 27 February 2025 for accessing a computer system (WoF Online) for dishonest purposes.
Acting on a tip off, NZTA found that from 7 June to 8 July 2022 Mr Tali was carrying out WoF inspections without authority. Mr Tali was following the instructions of his employer Mr Scoria and was using Mr Scoria’s vehicle inspector authority to issue warrants of fitness (WoFs).
The investigation established that 121 WoF inspections were registered and 86 WoF labels were issued to vehicles without a proper safety inspection by an authorised vehicle inspector.
To arrive at the sentence, District Court Judge Singh acknowledged the seriousness and period of the offending, that the vehicles may have been unsafe, the issue of integrity and premeditation.
“We welcome the sentencing of these individuals, and hope it serves as a deterrent to others. We don’t tolerate misconduct by appointed vehicle inspectors and inspecting organisations, and we will take action whenever our investigations find unlawful behaviour. The actions of these individuals put road users at risk,” says NZTA Senior Manager Safer Vehicles Nicole Botherway.
“These vehicles had not been checked by an inspector vetted by NZTA to ensure they had the necessary technical skills to understand and meet safety standards. WoF inspections check brakes, tyres and wheels, steering, suspension, exhausts, seatbelts, lighting, and vehicle structure to ensure vehicles are safe and protect people both inside and outside of a vehicle.”
NZTA cancelled all WoFs issued under Mr Acarapi’s name during that period and informed vehicle owners that they needed to get new ones.
NB: The NZTA Safer Vehicles team regularly reviews inspecting organisations and vehicle inspectors to check compliance. If serious non-compliance is found, the team ensures that the right regulatory response is applied, including enforcement action.
People who normally drive south of Christchurch in the evening or early hours of the morning need to plan around some night-time bridge closures, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The work starts this Sunday night, 9 March and will close the Rangitata River bridge initially, followed by the Hinds River bridge. Both bridge decks are being re-surfaced. Detours will be in place for both sites.
Detour for light vehicles and HPMV (not Oversized)
Drivers of light vehicles and HPMV will be able to take the detour route around the bridges, adding half an hour or so to the travel time, however it is not suitable for Oversized vehicles.
All traffic required to stay on the highway (eg including Oversize or permit-restricted) will be allowed across at midnight for 30 minutes, but otherwise SH1 will be closed at the bridge from 8pm to 6am.
The detour route will be operating for all other drivers all night.
The milling machine and paver take up space on the bridge, hence the restrictions around bridge access during this work.
Work will run from Sunday 9 March to Friday 14 March, 8pm to 6am, each night.
Rangitata River Bridge: Closed Sunday night, 9 March to Wednesday night, 12 March
DETOUR: Southbound traffic – turn right onto Dalmaine St, left onto Hinds Arundel Rd, left onto Route 72 Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd, left onto SH79 Rangitata-Orari Bridge Hwy, then back onto SH1 (detour route will take about 30 minutes). Or consider continuing south through Geraldine and along Route 72 to Winchester and back onto SH1. Reverse for northbound traffic.
Hinds River Bridge: Closed Thursday night, 13 March to Friday night, 14 March
DETOUR: Southbound traffic – turn left onto Longbeach Rd, right onto Poplar Rd, right onto Isleworth Rd, them back onto SH1 (detour route will take about 25 minutes). Reverse for northbound traffic.
Changes to the schedule
This work is weather dependent so check the NZTA Journeys or Travel pages for any updates:
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises road users to expect delays on State Highway 30 (SH30) Te Ngae Road Wednesday March 12 while contractors remove overhead power lines near the Wharenui Road intersection.
This work will be done during the day and to minimise disruption will be outside of peak travel times.
For road user safety, SH30 will be closed for short periods under stop/stop traffic management so the overhead work can be safely done. Traffic flow will return to normal between the brief closures.
This is part of the SH30 and Wharenui Road intersection project where traffic lights are being installed. As part of that, Wharenui Road is closed to traffic at the intersection and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place on SH30 Te Ngae Road through the work zone.
We ask for your patience and compliance to ensure the safety of our workers and other road users navigating the site.
This work is currently scheduled for Wednesday 12 March but is weather dependent and may change at short notice. People are encouraged to visit the Journey Planner website for up-to-date information:
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