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Boatie fined after illegal island landing

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  25 February 2025

The incident occurred on Saturday 8 February, when two people and two dogs from a 660 Haines Hunter recreational vessel were spotted on the shore of Kawhitu/Stanley Island – one of several pest-free islands off Coromandel’s east coast.

DOC’s Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly says DOC was tipped off to the landing by other concerned boaties in the area.

“Landing on our pest-free islands is strictly prohibited, so our informants did the right thing by calling 0800 DOC HOT and reporting what they saw,” says Nick.

“We’re very grateful for their assistance.”

Publicity of the illegal landing prompted the vessel’s skipper – an Auckland man in his 50s, who had launched his vessel from Tairua – to contact DOC via the department’s 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) phone line.

“The boatie was interviewed by a DOC warranted officer, and he’s admitted landing on Kawhitu, and walking right past a sign warning stating the island is off-limits to the public.”

The boatie was subsequently fined $800 under DOC’s infringement system.

Nick encourages boaties who see people go ashore on Kawhitu, or any of Coromandel’s conservation islands (Cuvier Island, Aldermen Islands, Mercury Islands), to contact DOC immediately.

“Anyone landing on our pest-free islands risks undoing decades of conservation work protecting vulnerable species, and potentially compromises island biosecurity.

“Our nature is among the world’s most vulnerable, and we hope this makes people more aware of how important pest-free areas like Kawhitu are, and why we need to protect them.”

Roughly 86 ha in size, Stanley Island/Kawhitu is a haven for a number of protected and threatened species, including tieke/saddlebacks, flesh-footed shearwaters/toanui, and kakariki/red-crowned parakeet.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

Oregon State University President highlights AI, innovation, and global careers for Taiwanese students

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MIL OSI
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Source: Media Outreach

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 February 2025 – As Taiwan continues to rise as a global powerhouse in semiconductors, AI, and advanced computing, Oregon State University (OSU) President Professor Jayathi Y. Murthy has made a compelling case for Taiwanese students to pursue world-class education and global career opportunities at OSU.

The OSU delegation with alumni and newly admitted students in Taipei.

Addressing OSU alumni, newly admitted students, and their families at an exclusive event organized by the OSU Foundation, Murthy emphasized OSU’s leadership in AI, robotics, semiconductors, and sustainability research, making it an ideal destination for Taiwanese students seeking world-class research opportunities and career prospects.

“We provide the research environment, industry connections, and global opportunities to prepare OSU students to play a leading role in shaping the future of technology and innovation,” said Murthy.

Founded in 1868, OSU is a premier Tier 1 research university, ranked among the top 1.4% of higher education institutions globally. With US$422 million in annual research expenditures and a goal to double that by 2030, OSU remains at the forefront of AI, advanced computing, semiconductors, and engineering research. It hosts the largest Computer Science program in the U.S. and world-renowned programs in engineering, robotics, AI, oceanography, and sustainability.

Home to nearly 38,000 students from over 100 countries, OSU has a growing international student population, including more than 230 students from Taiwan.

Murthy highlighted OSU’s interdisciplinary approach to tackling global challenges, stating: “Our faculty are at the forefront of research in AI and robotics, climate science, clean energy and biotechnology – areas that will define the future of technology and sustainability worldwide.”

OSU’s impact in AI, advanced computing, semiconductors and robotics is underscored by its partnerships with global tech leaders, such as Google, Intel, NVIDIA, Amazon, and Tesla.

Notably, NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, an OSU alumnus, and his wife Lori Mills Huang have made a transformative US$50 million philanthropic investment in the Jen-Hsun and Lori Mills Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex at OSU. Set to open in 2026, this state-of-the-art facility will house one of the most powerful supercomputers in the United States, supporting research in AI, climate science, sustainability, and beyond.

“The Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex will be a game-changer for AI and climate science research,” Murthy noted. “It will empower OSU students and faculty to push the boundaries of innovation.”

The event celebrated OSU alumni in Taiwan as well as newly admitted Taiwanese students who will soon embark on their academic journey at OSU. With parents in attendance, Murthy emphasized OSU’s student-centered approach, career-integrated education, and commitment to student success.

“Our priority is to provide every OSU student with a strong foundation for success,” she said. “From our ‘Beyond OSU’ career initiative to our strong industry connections, we are committed to equipping students with the skills, experience, and networks to thrive in their chosen fields.”

For more information, visit www.oregonstate.edu.

https://oregonstate.edu
https://www.linkedin.com/school/oregon-state-university/

Hashtag: #studyabroad #OSU #internationalstudents #intled #Taiwan #AI #Robotics #technology

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Vehicle fire, Titirangi

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Emergency services are responding to a vehicle fire on Tanekaha Road, Titirangi.

There are no reported injuries, however the vehicle’s battery will take some time to extinguish.

Cordons are in place on Otitori Bay and Miha Roads and motorists are advised to expect delays or seek an alternate route.

Enquiries are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

MIL OSI

Release: Millions spent to rehash bad ideas on retail crime

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Source: New Zealand Labour Party

The Government has spent $3.6 million dollars on a retail crime advisory group, including paying its chair $920 a day, to come up with ideas already dismissed as dangerous by police.

“Instead of focusing on real solutions, the Government has wasted millions on an advisory group that took several months to release a report, only to recycle old and bad ideas,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.

“Worse still, they’re paying Sunny Kaushal $920 a day to deliver a report with dangerous recommendations, like encouraging people to take the law into their own hands, which police have already rejected because they would put both retailers and the public at risk.

“These are millions of dollars that could have gone to resourcing frontline police. Instead, they’re being used to pay a lofty salary for Kaushal to rehash his bad ideas.

“His advisory group initially promised recommendations within weeks, but after months of delay, they’ve produced proposals that encourage citizens to use force against retail crime, something Police have consistently warned is unsafe.

“This Government promised New Zealanders they would fix retail crime, but so far, all they’ve delivered is a hefty bill and no results.

“The reality is they still don’t have a plan. This Government promised 500 more police officers, but they’re losing officers faster than they can recruit. Meanwhile, methamphetamine use is skyrocketing and instead of addressing the root causes of crime, they’re focusing on distractions like confiscating gang patches.

“We need a government that will keep communities safe and break the cycle of crime, not one that wastes millions on rehashing bad ideas,” Ginny Andersen said.

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MIL OSI

A Journey from Biomedical Science to Digital Marketing Entrepreneurship

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Source: Press Release Service – Business

In a rapidly changing digital landscape, Deesha Bhatia, COO and Co-founder of Adclics, reflects on her journey from biomedical science to entrepreneurship in the world of digital marketing. With a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Science and a Master’s in Audiology, Bhatia’s transition to the digital marketing sphere may seem unusual—but it was precisely her diverse background that led to the creation of Adclics, an AI-driven marketing platform designed to simplify digital marketing for businesses of all sizes.

Adclics was born out of necessity. After co-founding an e-commerce skincare brand, Bhatia faced the challenges of competing in a crowded online space against established brands with physical stores. The experience highlighted the importance of effective brand imaging, messaging, and digital marketing strategies. “One of the biggest challenges was building trust and engagement with customers. I quickly realised how crucial it was to understand the intricacies of digital marketing—from SEO to A/B testing and everything in between,” said Bhatia.

Despite having no formal background in marketing, Bhatia dove headfirst into the world of digital marketing. Through trial and error, countless hours of learning, she gained invaluable knowledge on SEO, SaaS, ROI, and CRM. She also recognised that many small and mid-sized businesses were facing the same struggles she encountered. This insight led to the creation of Adclics, a solution that simplifies marketing processes using AI automation and data-driven insights.

“Digital marketing can be overwhelming, especially for those who don’t have a background in it,” Bhatia explained. “Adclics was designed to make marketing accessible and manageable, even for entrepreneurs without a marketing degree. By leveraging AI and data, businesses can make smarter decisions, save time, and see real results.”

Adclics aims to revolutionise the way businesses approach digital marketing. By focusing on user-friendly tools and intelligent automation, the platform helps entrepreneurs and businesses effectively manage their online marketing campaigns. From automating tasks to providing actionable insights, Adclics empowers businesses to achieve their marketing goals with ease.

Bhatia and her business partner’s journey continues to evolve, and they plan to share more insights on digital marketing challenges and the story behind Adclics in upcoming blog posts and content. “Exciting things are on the horizon, and we can’t wait to share them with our community,” Bhatia said.

Media Release 25 February 2025.

Related Posts:

MIL OSI

Going for Growth: Public Works Act overhaul

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Source: New Zealand Government

The Public Works Act will undergo its most significant reform in nearly 50-years to help unleash an infrastructure boom, Land Information Minister Chris Penk has announced.  
“Removing barriers to make it faster and more affordable to build the homes Kiwis need, creating jobs through new projects and providing infrastructure to support better public services is a major part of the Government’s economic growth agenda,” Mr Penk says.  
“Complex regulations and inefficient processes are slowing down development, resulting in blown out budgets and added costs for taxpayers. 
“The Public Works Act is the mechanism which empowers us to acquire land for new infrastructure, while ensuring that fair compensation is provided to landowners – but it is no longer fit for purpose,” Mr Penk says.  
“A targeted review last year has found unnecessary duplication in the system, issues with outdated negotiation processes and disjointed government agency practices. 
“Right now, it takes up to a year on average to acquire land. If compulsory acquisition is required, the process generally takes up to two years, with at least another year tacked on if objections to the Environment Court are made.  
“We cannot afford this in the face of a productivity crisis and critical infrastructure deficit. A modernised Public Works Act will set the foundation for building better.” 
Extensive policy changes will be announced over coming weeks. The first tranche will:  

Delegate land acquisition responsibility: Empower government agencies like the New Zealand Transport Agency, which regularly use the Public Works Act, to enter into acquisition agreements with landowners. The Minister for Land Information will remain responsible for compulsory acquisition by the Crown.  
Enable collaboration between agencies: Allow government agencies to work together when acquiring land for connected public projects. Instead of each agency acquiring land separately, they will be able to coordinate acquisition of land as needed to make the process smoother. 
Enable relocation of infrastructure: Allow both the government and local authorities to acquire land when they need to move existing infrastructure (like powerlines or pipes) that are in the way of new public works. 
Refine the role of the Environment Court: Clarify the factors that the Environment Court can consider when reviewing objections to land acquisitions for public works, with a renewed focus on individual property rights, removing overlap with the Resource Management Act. 
Require mediation for compensation disputes: Require that parties try to resolve disputes over compensation through mediation or alternative dispute resolution before going to the Land Valuation Tribunal, to avoid lengthy court proceedings where possible.  
Allow Transpower to bypass standard processes: Enable Transpower, the State-Owned Enterprise managing New Zealand’s power grid, to use the Public Works Act to acquire land by agreement. This would streamline their process for building energy infrastructure.  

“We have already announced the Government will fix a discrepancy in the Public Works Act which undervalues Māori freehold land compared to other land types,” Mr Penk says.  “Further improvements will be revealed as we prepare to introduce the Public Works Amendment Bill to Parliament around the middle of 2025.” The public will be able to provide feedback during the select committee process.  

MIL OSI

Violent crime drops for the first time since 2018

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Source: New Zealand Government

Police data shows that violent crime has fallen for the first time since 2018, indicating that the Government’s tough-on-crime and victims-first approach is working, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith say.
 “After year-on-year increases in violent crime since 2018, it is encouraging to see a reversal of this rise with a two per cent drop in the numbers for 2024,” Mr Mitchell says. 
 “It is especially encouraging when you consider that violent crime increased by 51 per cent between 2018 and 2023. 
 “This drop coincides with New Zealand’s prison population hitting its highest level since 2018, and a raft of other Police statistics showing crime overall reducing, with total victimisations down two per cent, and assaults and serious assaults both down 1 per cent.
 “This is good to see, and what it shows is that after six years of emptying our prisons, and a soft-on-crime approach, the Government’s approach of restoring consequences for crime, and backing Police with new powers, is beginning to yield results. 
 “Police are getting back to basics. They’re highly visible and demonstrating why they’re a world class Police Force. New tools enabling Police to crack down on gangs have proved their worth, with the insignia ban enabling Police to net further charges on a raft of things including drugs and firearms. Getting Police back out on the beat with 40 per cent more foot patrols, has seen aggravated robberies drop by 8 per cent, and the upward trend around theft in retail premises starting to slow. 
 “With theft in retail premises up 11 per cent there is still more work to do but I am pleased to note that the violent element of that has plateaued, and the upward trend overall is slowing – which will be welcome relief for our small retail business owners across the country.”
 “The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey also shows how effective our work to restore law and order has been,” Mr Goldsmith says. 
 “There were 24,000 fewer victims over the year ending October 2024, compared to June 2024. 
 “These results are extremely promising, but we expect the data to remain volatile before a longer-term trend emerges. There’s still more work to do.
 “It’s important to remember this survey covers a 24-month period, so it will take some time before we see the full positive results of tougher legislation”. 
  “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and ensuring there are 20,000 fewer victims of serious violent crime by 2029.”
 
Notes to editors:

Statistics (nationwide)
 
2023
 
2024
 
Percentage change

Ram raids
 
495
 
207
 
-58%

Foot patrols
 
56,134
 
78.830
 
+40%

Total victimisations
 
381,743
 
373,684
 
-2%

Serious assaults
 
55,470
 
54,656
 
-1%

Resulting in injury
 
25,129
 
24,509
 
-2%

Not resulting in injury
 
30,341
 
30,147
 
-1%

Common assault
 
21,432
 
21,397
 
0%

Abduction and kidnapping
 
475
 
482
 

+1%
 

Aggravated robbery
 
3,261
 
2,988
 
-8%

Unlawful entry with intent/Burglary, break and enter
 
66,355
 
62,200
 
-6%

Victimisations at retail premises:
 
2023
 
2024
 
Percentage change

Acts intended to cause injury
 
4,353
 
4,341
 
0%

Robbery, extortion and related offences
 
915
 
895
 
-2%

Unlawful entry with intent/Burglary, break and enter
 
8,023
 
8,294
 
+3%

Theft and related offences
 
109,991
 
122,773
 
+12%                    

Violent crime is not a category of data that Police tracks, and therefore data is based off of @Charteddaily’s post on x: https://x.com/Charteddaily/status/1885143695667978298. Their measure for violent crime includes common and sexual assaults, abductions, robberies and blackmail.

MIL OSI

Social workers enabled to have more time helping children and young people

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Source: New Zealand Government

“Families, young people, and social workers are set to benefit from technology upgrades at Oranga Tamariki that will free up social workers to spend more time with families, will help young people by ensuring important routines and needs are shared, and will improve collaboration and transparency,” Children Minister Karen Chhour says.

“This is a significant development that will greatly enable social workers to better serve and work with children, families, caregivers, and partner organisations that provide services.

“Until now, social workers and other practice staff have been having to use outdated, 20-year-old computer programmes and systems for administration tasks. 

“I have heard feedback from social workers, caregivers, partners, and young people who have voiced their frustrations about the challenges of out-of-date legacy technology, and I am extremely pleased that we are now delivering a modern, fit-for-purpose solution.

“I am looking forward to seeing the difference this makes not just for social workers but for young people and families.

“It will also support working alongside service provider partners by making it easier to share personal information with them to improve the wellbeing of children – such as a child’s regular routine and specific needs.”

Min Chhour says that the new case management system will also help make it faster for records and information to be provided to children and families when they need it, and will help ensure the protection of records in the future.

“The records of our young people and of all New Zealanders are sacred. The report into abuse in state care highlighted for many the scenarios where records have been fragmented or lost over the decades. That is unacceptable for the people we serve and I am very pleased that the new systems will help to resolve this issue for the future.

“The information that social workers record is an important part of the journey and life story of children and young people, particularly those in care.  

“These improvements will enable better collaboration between children, families and social workers, with regard for how they participate in their plans and develop them. They will also be able to make sense of their experiences while in care.

“Investing in our frontline and making sure social workers have the tools they need to focus on their critically important job of supporting children and young people in need is an absolute priority for me.  

“Young people deserve to be heard, and to have agencies working together for their betterment. I also want young people to make sure they have control over the direction of their future, and this will enable that.

“I’m delighted we can invest in our critical frontline workforce, remove barriers, and provide the tools they need to do their job, so they can focus on making the most difference for children and families.”  

This upgrade is just one part of the $68.5m funding boost for frontline technology systems over four years announced as part of Budget 2024. 

It will be up-and-running within 12 months, if not earlier. 

MIL OSI

Four to appear in court following burglaries, Waihi

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Four people are before the courts after separate burglaries in Waihi and Waihi Beach areas.

The offending occurred between 23 January and 5 February.

A 31-year-old woman and 40-year-old man, both of Karangahake, have been jointly charged with burglary from a holiday park; a 48-year-old Auckland man is also charged with burglary from a separate holiday park; while a 24-year-old Waihi man has been charged with burglary of a residential property.

Across all three burglaries, clothing, food and a car were stolen.

Waihi Sergeant Nigel Sanderson says Police want to thank the members of the public who promptly reported the incidents.

“The information they provided us allowed us to act quickly – and two of the accused were arrested as they walked past the Waihi Police station.”

All four have appeared in court and will reappear at later dates.

“It’s horrible knowing that someone has invaded your home or rifled through your property, and it’s great being able to get this result for the victims.

“If you’ve been the victim of a crime, please let us know – call 111 if it’s happening now, or make a report via 105 if it’s after the fact.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Refreshed eating disorders strategy announced during awareness week

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Source: New Zealand Government

As part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is announcing his intention to refresh New Zealand’s eating disorders strategy, and shining a spotlight on the work and research being done to support people with disordered eating.   

“Very positive work is being done across the country to address eating disorder issues and the Government wants to take this even further. Eating disorders are not choices, they are a health crisis that have the potential to disrupt people’s lives. New Zealand’s strategy has not been refreshed in 16 years and it is time for an update.  

“Today I am signalling my intent to refresh the ‘Future Directions for Eating Disorders Services in New Zealand’ strategy document, with the objective of having clear prioritised actions for implementation. Other focuses will include identifying where further efforts across eating disorders services are required, and improving our understanding of eating disorder data. 

“There is also great opportunity to grow and utilise the peer support workforce more – professionals with lived experience who help people within the health system.  

“The introduction of new roles like lived-experience peer support workers and family peer support workers provides additional valuable help, along with reassurance that recovery is possible. They also recognise the important role that families play in treatment and provide support to families. 

“The refresh we are carrying out will give an opportunity to better explore how to help people benefit from these roles more. 

“Currently there are not many peer support workers in New Zealand focused specifically on eating disorders. Today I had privilege of meeting with one of the only peer support workers who works exclusively at an eating disorder service, based at Hillmorton Hospital, to discuss their unique role in improving treatment.  

Mr Doocey also met with the South Island Eating Disorders (SIEDs) service today to show his support for the sector. SIEDS is one of four regional specialist eating disorders hubs, which work closely with their district partners or ‘spokes’.  

“It is always inspiring to meet with our frontline clinicians, and to hear about innovation and improvements that are underway to support people, including those with eating disorders, to make a full recovery,” Mr Doocey says.    

“Important research is being done in the sector – SIEDs is involved in research partnerships with the University of Otago, with a particular focus on prevention and understanding more about the genetics of eating disorders that will contribute treatment advances internationally.  

“The team are also working on expanding Media Smart, an eight-lesson programme aimed at improving body image and reducing eating disorder risk factors among young people. 

“Prevention is key in this space, and this programme has shown significant improvements in intermediate-aged students’ resilience against harmful media messages.  

“It is work like this that will contribute to helping people with mental health and addiction needs, as well as supporting people to stay well and help us reach the mental health targets this Government has committed to.”  

Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an annual campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope and visibility to individuals and loved ones impacted by eating disorders. Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2025 is taking place from 24 February to 2 March. New Zealand’s Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week will take place between 2 September and 8 September. 

MIL OSI

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