The greatest threat in the workplace could be sitting next to you

March 4, 2025

Source: Privacy Commissioner

By Michael Webster, Privacy Commissioner

Originally published on the New Zealand Herald 3 October 2024. One of the greatest risks to privacy in the workplace could be sitting next to you – or it could even be you. Employee browsing or the unauthorised access and misuse of personal information is one of the most common privacy breaches. I also believe its one of the least understood or reported on, as required by the Privacy Act. New Zealand is a small place and theres a good chance a familiar name will crop up in a database or on a file at work and it can prove very tempting to have a look. However, a sneaky peek isnt a harmless case of nosiness; its inappropriate and can be a breach of the principles underpinning the Privacy Act.

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Calls to ditch NCEA tests expose a deficit in school leadership

LiveNews Publisher

March 4, 2025

Source: ACT Party

Responding to principals calling for an end to new online NCEA tests due to low pass rates, ACT Education spokesperson Laura McClure says:

“We’ve tested literacy and numeracy and discovered big problems. A normal response would be to look at how our schools are equipping kids with these basic skills. Instead, we’ve got principals wanting to hide from reality and ditch the tests that expose the problem.

“What kind of leadership are kids getting when the message from their principals is, ‘this is too hard for you and we need to make the test easier‘?

“As a country we cannot afford to lower expectations and create a workforce defined by mediocrity. We must aim higher and empower every student to reach their potential.

“NCEA exists to offer real knowledge and skills, and set real standards – not to give qualifications to everyone. Testing against real standards makes the system accountable.

“We need to lift our aspirations and ensure school leavers have basic competencies – such as being able to understand the employment contracts they’re signing.”

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Every Bite’s deep work shifts behaviour on food waste

LiveNews Publisher

March 4, 2025

Source: Zero Waste Network Aotearoa

Every Bite has released its first annual report outlining in-depth its work, methods and outcomes in preventing food waste. What emerges are good news stories about how communities and individuals are connecting with each other and learning how to address Aotearoa NZ’s serious food waste problem.

“A lot of us tend to underestimate how much food we actually waste, and there is a lack of public awareness of how our behaviours impact food systems and lead to environmental degradation. Whilst most people declare that wasting food feels wrong, the complexity of our food systems combined with busy lives make it challenging to see how much food we do waste and build new habits to address this,” says Every Bite’s project manager Rachel Glaiser.

“This is why Every Bite was developed: to build a community of people making small but practical changes that over time will see a big impact. It is a model based on the zero waste hierarchy that prioritises preventing food waste in the first place rather than reducing it once it is created.”

The project aims to help New Zealanders make simple changes at home to waste less food.

“The Every Bite programme runs over four weeks and can be done in person or online, making it flexible for busy households. Among other things, participants receive a toolkit to experiment with ways to prevent food waste in their homes. The programme kick-off event brings people together and includes tips, tricks and hacks from zero waste chefs and others who have lots of experience in tackling their food waste.

“We all need inspiration, knowledge, practical tools and support so we can try new things at home to see what works for us. We are constantly learning how to build new habits and stay motivated to keep going on this journey. These learnings, together with staying across the latest research in behaviour change and food waste, are helping us to continue to improve the programme for our communities.”

“Every Bite’s first year involved four Hub partners who delivered the programme: Wastebusters (Wānaka), Sustainable Hawke’s Bay (Hastings), Environment Network Manawatū (Palmerston North), and Go Eco (Hamilton). These four Hubs brought experience, deep community connections and were strong collaborators.”

“Every Bite is excited to now move into years two and three of the programme, where it will reach new communities, welcome new Hubs, and deliver real impact to prevent food waste in Aotearoa.”

Notes:

Every Bite has been developed as part of the Ministry for the Environment’s ‘National Food Waste Reduction Programme’ that aims to deliver large-scale, national-level behaviour change programmes that reduce food waste and emissions.

The full report can be found here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6604ab9f601bc406c87b5ce7/t/67637e74ea92c508a72b7afa/1734573749062/Every+Bite+Year+1+Report.pdf

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Tech and innovation boost for Marlborough

LiveNews Publisher

March 4, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

A major boost to regional innovation opens in Blenheim today, supported by a $578,000 grant from the Government’s Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF), Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson says.
“The completion of Te Au Pūngao – Tech & Innovation Hub is a key regional development milestone which will provide opportunities for start-ups and existing agri-businesses, tech innovators, researchers, investors, and support agencies – they will have a place to connect and collaborate in shared workspaces, and hold start-up events, networking sessions, seminars and workshops” Mr Patterson says.
The 500 sq metre hub in central Blenheim received $635,000 in co-funding from the Marlborough District Council. The facilities include co-working space of up to 28 hot desks, meeting rooms, video conferencing facilities and a prototyping room.
“Marlborough is home to some of New Zealand’s most innovative minds and pioneering sectors, especially in viticulture and aquaculture,” Mr Patterson says.
“As these industries transform to adopt AI, robotics and advanced technologies, the region is attracting more agritech and marine tech innovators who work in these spaces.
“The hub is crucial in supporting these sectors by providing a space where local businesses can develop solutions and realise the ever-evolving opportunities that Marlborough and New Zealand’s agribusiness sector has to offer.
“I see strong alignment between the Government’s ‘Going for Growth’ economic plan and Te Au Pūngao – Tech & Innovation Hub, particularly through investment in the innovation, science and technology space. I look forward to seeing this new regional asset delivering high value innovation, economic growth, and well-paid jobs to Marlborough,” Mr Patterson says.

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Police seek information and footage to SH6 fatality, Gibbston

LiveNews Publisher

March 4, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

An investigation has been launched into the death of a man on State Highway 6 after he was struck by a vehicle last night.

Emergency services were called to the scene near Kawerau Bridge Historic Reserve at around 10pm.

Sadly, the man was located deceased at the scene.

Work is now underway to understand what has occurred, as well as to formally identify the victim.

Police would like to speak with anyone who might have witnessed the incident.

We’d also like to hear from anyone who may have seen a man wearing black pants and a black shirt, walking on SH6 near the area before 10pm, or anyone who has captured dashcam footage from the incident or surrounding times.

If you have any information that may assist Police in our investigation, please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

Please use the reference number 250304/8199.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Driver charged over crash that killed passengers

LiveNews Publisher

March 4, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police have charged a 20-year-old driver for allegedly causing the deaths of two of his passengers in January.

The crash on Butchers Road, Clarkville, on 11 January, killed a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman, both of whom were in a vehicle being driven by the accused.

The car they were travelling in hit a concrete power pole with such force, the vehicle split in half. Both the victims were located deceased at the scene, while the driver sustained minor injuries.

Following an investigation into the cause of the crash, Police arrested the 20-year-old North Canterbury man on 26 February and charged him with two counts of causing death while under the influence of drugs. Police allege the driver was under the influence of a drug to such an extent that he was incapable of having proper control of the vehicle.

He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court today, 4 March.

As the case is before the court, Police are unable to comment further.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Woman charged over child’s death

LiveNews Publisher

March 4, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A woman has been charged with manslaughter after a young girl died when she was struck by a vehicle in Hawke’s Bay earlier this year.

About 5.30pm on 25 January, Police were called to Chatham Road, Lochain, after a crash involving a car and a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, an 11-year-old girl, died at the scene.

An investigation has been carried out and in relation to the matter, a 34-year-old woman has now been charged with a number of offences, including manslaughter.

She is due to appear in Hastings District Court about 11.45am today, 4 March.

Other charges include breath alcohol level over 400, dangerous driving, and failing to stop to ascertain injury.

As the matter is now before the courts, Police are limited in what further comment can be provided.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Mental health peer support extends to Wellington Hospital ED

LiveNews Publisher

March 4, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today officially marked the start of a new peer support service at Wellington Hospital Emergency Department, an initiative that will help people to have faster access to mental health support.

“The peer support specialists are workers with lived experience who are available talk to people who are presenting to the ED in mental distress, they provide comfort, as well as help connect people with the needed community services,” Mr Doocey says.

“I have been heartened to hear that early feedback is showing that peer support specialists are already proving to be beneficial for people presenting to emergency departments in mental distress.

“Mental health is about lived experience. Peer support specialists have the ability to offer others hope and show that there is a pathway forward. These are workers that have been trained on how to adequately support others going through similar experiences.

“I’m very pleased that this service is now being rolled out to Wellington ED. The hospital services a large community across the region, and ensuring we have peer support specialists available will mean extra support for people and their families.

Wellington ED is the most recent hospital to provide the service with Auckland Hospital and Middlemore hospital already rolled out. The service will be extended to Christchurch and Waikato EDs in the coming months and three further locations will be announced soon.

“One of the biggest barriers to support is the workforce, that is why we are focused on growing the mental health and addiction workforce so people can access timely mental health support when and where they need it.”

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Police respond to IPCA findings on death in custody

LiveNews Publisher

March 4, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police acknowledge the findings by the Independent Policy Conduct Authority in relation to the death of an Auckland man in June 2021.

The 43-year-old man was admitted into Auckland Hospital on 11 June with abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Hospital staff located a concealed package in his clothing and alerted Police who attended and found it contained over 24 grams of methamphetamine.

The following day medical staff discharged the man into police custody, and he was taken to the Auckland Custody Unit until his appearance in Court the following day on a charge of possessing methamphetamine.

He was arrested by Police that evening and CCTV shows the man is walking unaided, compliant and co-operative. In the custody unit he was talking with officers and placed into a cell at about 6:30pm and put on 2-hourly checks.

Police staff had an overview of why he had been in hospital and that he was likely under the influence of illegal substances. However, they believed his health was in a stable condition given he had just been discharged by a medical professional into Police custody.

Officers checked on the man through the night and spoke with him just before 9pm. Shortly after midnight, they found the man unresponsive. An ambulance was called and police staff commenced CPR. He was taken to Auckland Hospital where he died a short time a later.

The IPCA found Police officers should have conducted more frequent checks on the man, recognised he was deteriorating and provided quicker medical assistance when they realised he was unresponsive.

They do note that expert medical opinion indicates the man’s death may have been unavoidable, regardless of where he was.

WorkSafe filed a charge against New Zealand Police relating to this death but withdrew it in August of last year.

Relieving Auckland City District Commander Inspector Grae Anderson says Police are responsible for more than 120,000 people who come in our custody units across New Zealand each year in an often challenging and complex environment:

“Police have a duty of care to those who come into our custody, and we acknowledge there were learnings from this incident.

“As a direct result of what occurred, police have updated training to staff, and now ensure that we give stronger weighting to recent hospital admissions when assessing the level of care required for a detainee in similar circumstances.”

Police remain committed to continuous improvement in our custody units and have implemented a raft of significant changes over the last few years.

“Including the creation of a National Custody Team (NCT) which provides national oversight of the policy, practice, and training for all Police staff,” says Inspector Anderson.

“Police continues to work with all relevant stakeholders including WorkSafe, and the IPCA to look for opportunities to constantly improve our approach to the custody of people detained by Police.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Heritage and History – Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island waka excavation uncovers clues to our voyaging past

LiveNews Publisher

March 4, 2025

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

The limited excavation of the partial remains of a waka found on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island has finished.

“The site has now been covered and secured by the archaeological team and neighbouring landowner,” said Glenis Philip-Barbara, Pou Mataaho o Te Hononga Deputy Secretary Māori Crown Partnerships, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

“Over the past month, the team has worked tirelessly to recover the visible pieces of the waka that remained in situ. More than 450 waka pieces and other items of interest have been retrieved. These items are now being stored securely under interim conservation measures (temporarily wrapped or submerged in tanks in secure storage) while more detailed conservation plans are developed.

“We understand from the archaeologist and conservator that braided fibre lashed to timber and other textile fibres have been uncovered and that such finds are incredibly rare. They will be particularly valuable in helping experts to understand when this waka was built – or at least when the fibres were added.” Glenis Philip-Barbara said.

“The Ministry will continue to be guided by imi and iwi to ensure that the waka is protected for the benefit of future generations. Their input and consensus is crucial and we look forward to building upon these relationships.”

“The local community were instrumental in leading the on-island support during the excavation. Community interns and volunteers travelled across the island to the site, providing precious cultural advice, supplying meals and taking up the opportunity to add new skills to their impressive resumes,” Glenis Philip-Barbara.

“The neighbouring landowner provided the team with uninterrupted site access and invaluable logistical support, as well as readily hosting Te One and Kaingaroa schools and an open day for locals.

“The Ministry’s role has been to follow statutory processes under the Protected Objects Act. We are grateful for the support from Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri, Moriori Imi Settlement Trust, Pouhere Taonga Heritage New Zealand, the Department of Conservation and other stakeholders. By working together, the story of this important miheke/taonga has the best chance of being uncovered.

“An interim report will now be prepared by the archaeologist and conservator. It is still too early to speculate about the provenance of the waka, however, those 450 waka pieces will provide important clues.

“The public notice on the Ministry’s website gives any interested parties 60 working days to register their claim for ownership of the waka as taonga tūturu under the Protected Objects Act 1975. This notice expires on 7 April 2025,” Glenis Philip-Barbara said.

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