AIA Hong Kong partners with Tottenham Hotspur to support youth development

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February 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Please attribute to Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook:

Police are aware of plans for a gang-related funeral procession heading through Counties Manukau this weekend.

We will have staff in the area monitoring to ensure the safety of the community, to monitor traffic movement and to minimise any disruption to the public.

Antisocial or unlawful behaviour and driving related offending will not be tolerated and any of this behaviour can expect to be met with enforcement action.

While it is not always possible to take action at the time, Police are committed to enforcing the gang insignia legislation and will take every opportunity to not only follow up on these breaches but also any other unlawful activity.

Everyone in the community has the right to be safe and feel safe.

Police encourage the public to report any instances of unlawful activity to us, so we can take appropriate action.

We ask you report any unlawful behaviour to Police on 111 if it is happening now or 105 after the fact.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

First Responders – Waipoua River fire update #6

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February 28, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Saturday will be a significant day in the firefighting efforts at the Waipoua River fire.

Incident Controller Corey Matchitt says numbers on the ground will double to approximately 90-100 crew.

“Crews have put in hard mahi on Friday to strengthen and extend the containment lines and the extra crews tomorrow are to sustain and bolster their efforts,” Corey Matchitt says.

“This means we will be able to make a huge effort to push in from the containment lines to make it safe for the evacuated residents to return as soon as possible.

“This work will also help us to be sure the fire is completely contained, which it currently is not.”

A crew will use thermal imaging on Friday night to identify hotspots for ground crews to focus on tomorrow.

“We will also have a night crew in to monitor containment lines,” Corey Matchitt says.

“Helicopters and heavy machinery will be in use again on Saturday.

“We are making use of all the resources we have available for the next three days to get on top of this fire.”

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a prohibited fire season for the Muriwhenua, Hokianga, Ripiro and Paparoa zones of Te Tai Tokerau Northland from 8am on Saturday 1 March, until further notice.

This includes the area around this fire.

A prohibited fire season means no outdoor fires are allowed and all fire permits are revoked.

This is the final update for today unless significant developments occur.

Rare Disorders New Zealand 25th anniversary

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February 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Governor General

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.

I specifically acknowledge

John Forman, founder of Rare Disorders New Zealand
James McGoram, Board Chair; and
Chris Higgins, Chief Executive of Rare Disorders New Zealand

My warmest welcome to members of the Rare Disorders community, to whānau, and to carers and supporters.

I am very pleased to be Patron of Rare Disorders New Zealand, and to support your work by joining you in celebrating your 25^th anniversary with this afternoon’s reception and awards ceremony.

It’s a truism worth repeating that we judge a society by the way it cares for its most vulnerable people. Twenty-five years ago, Rare Disorders New Zealand took up the challenge of representing people who understand what it is to feel alone and isolated, and appreciate the huge difference the right diagnosis and treatment can make to their lives. By helping them and representing their interests, you have helped Aotearoa New Zealand to be a better place.

The concept of an ‘umbrella organisation’ evokes manaakitanga, support and shelter from the elements.

I like to think you will also relate to this whakataukī: ‘Ki te kotahi te kakaho, ka whati; ki te kapuia, e kore e whati’ – which translates as ‘a reed that stands alone can be broken, but it will not be broken if it stands alongside others’.

Rare Disorders New Zealand has enabled people to experience strength and support by standing together in whanaungatanga.

You have been tireless advocates for a more coordinated approach to diagnosis and treatment, and your mahi bore fruit with the launch, last year, of New Zealand’s first national strategy for rare disorders.

The Aotearoa New Zealand Rare Disorders Strategy is a significant milestone, responding as it does to the lived experiences and needs of your community, as revealed through your own surveys.

I appreciate the impact of the Strategy has yet to be felt – and you will be eager to see meaningful progress – whether that be with earlier diagnosis, clearer pathways for clinical care, better access to support and medicines, appropriate training for the health workforce, or the gathering of research data.

With my own background in health and academia, I am delighted to see the establishment of the Rare Disorders Research Network, based in Victoria University. The Network will enable New Zealand researchers to experience the support of colleagues working in similar fields, and encourage coordinated research programmes.

Their findings will have real-life implications for your community, and contribute to global understanding of rare disorders and their treatment.

I appreciate that as a charitable organisation, Rare Disorders New Zealand is reliant on the tireless dedication of a small number of staff and a large number of volunteers. I welcome this opportunity to thank you all for devoting your time, energy and expertise to such a worthy cause.

Today we are also formally acknowledging award recipients for their steadfast commitment to the rare disorders community, and thanking them, on behalf of all New Zealanders, for what they have achieved.

Once again, I welcome you all to Government House. Please allow me to extend to you all the aroha and manaakitanga you so often extend to others, and are so deserving of receiving yourselves.

Kia ora, kia kaha, huihui tātou katoa

Road closed following vehicle fire, Mangawhai

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February 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Motorists are being advised a section of Mangawhai Road has been closed following a vehicle fire.

The fire, near the intersection of Wood Pigeon Lane, was reported to Police at about 3.13pm.

Emergency services are onsite as the blaze has engulfed a small section of nearby bush land.

There are no reports of injury.

Motorists are being advised to expect delays or seek an alternate route.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Going for Housing Growth: New and improved Infrastructure Funding and Financing

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February 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Today I’d like to talk to you about progress the Government has made on our Going for Housing Growth agenda. I’m also excited to announce policy decisions that will improve infrastructure funding and financing to get more houses built.

Lifestyle and Health – Making Exercise More Affordable Could Transform Health in Aotearoa

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February 28, 2025

Source: Exercise New Zealand

A new report reveals that reducing the cost of exercise facilities could significantly increase physical activity levels in Aotearoa, delivering major health and economic benefits. The 2024 HFA-Portas Price Elasticity Report identifies affordability as the primary barrier preventing more New Zealanders from joining gyms, despite clear evidence of the health benefits of structured exercise.

Physical inactivity is a growing public health crisis, contributing to preventable chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Alarmingly, the report finds that 53.5% of New Zealanders fail to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended physical activity levels, placing an increasing strain on the healthcare system. Childhood and adolescent obesity rates have also reached unprecedented levels, elevating the risk of lifelong health issues.

Key Findings from the Report:

67% of non-gym members cite affordability as their main reason for not joining.
Gym users are 54% more likely to meet WHO exercise guidelines than non-users.
A 10% reduction in membership fees could encourage up to 291,000 more Kiwis to join structured exercise facilities.

Increased participation could:

Prevent 7,600 cases of chronic disease annually.
Save 1,600 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
Generate $148 million in annual health savings.
Improve life satisfaction for 35,000 people and enhance community trust for 33,700.
Stimulate $209 million in additional consumer spending.
Create 4,500+ new jobs in the exercise industry.

Richard Beddie, CEO of ExerciseNZ, says the findings present a compelling case for affordability initiatives to boost participation. “New Zealanders recognise the benefits of exercise, but for many, cost remains a barrier. This report shows that even a modest reduction in gym fees could profoundly impact our nation’s health, economy, and social wellbeing. Exercise facilities must be recognised as critical health infrastructure and supported accordingly.”

The report’s release coincides with ExerciseNZ’s upcoming ‘Fit for Office’ initiative, where New Zealand MPs will have their physical activity levels tracked via heart rate monitors and displayed on a competitive leaderboard. “This initiative highlights that everyone, including busy MPs, can stay active and benefit from exercise,” says Beddie.

ExerciseNZ urges policymakers, industry leaders, and community organisations to collaborate on improving affordability through potential subsidies or membership incentives. This is about more than just gyms—it’s about improving public health, reducing healthcare costs, and fostering stronger communities.

Healthcare Safety – Staffing shortages putting patient safety at risk at Nelson Hospital

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February 28, 2025

Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

Nelson Hospital is operating with no medical registrar today as ongoing staffing shortages put patients and clinicians at risk, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says.

An email sent to clinicians earlier today (February 28) advised between 1600 and 2200 the hospital will have no medical registrar. As a result, the hospital’s rapid response team – who handle acute deterioration of patients – will be supported by a newly graduated doctor, no ward consultations will be possible and there are likely be flow-on delays to the functioning of the emergency department.

“Compounding the situation further is that the emergency department was also short staffed with no second senior medical officer on duty between 2pm and 4pm,” ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says.

“This is due to the hospital’s refusal to employ enough staff to cover absences.”

Nelson’s emergency department is staffed to see 70 to 80 patients a day, but they regularly see more than 100 a day.

Dalton says staffing issues at Nelson Hospital have been an issue for years and have been left unaddressed by DHB hospital management and now Te Whatu Ora.

“We have advocated for years to get staffing to safe levels, yet the people of Nelson still have an under-staffed hospital,” she says.

“On January 30 we held a crisis meeting with the regional Deputy Chief Executive Martin Keogh and still nothing has been done.

Our President, Dr Katie Ben, has also raised the matter directly with Minister of Health Simeon Brown. She says staffing shortages have become “business as usual”.

“Local managers, regional managers and central government are compromising patient care through continued inaction to resolve the healthcare worker shortages. It is unfair, unsafe and unacceptable.”

Minister acknowledges outgoing Chief Executive

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February 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has today acknowledged the resignation of Chief Executive of Pharmac Dr Sarah Fitt, and thanked her for her service.

“I would like to thank Sarah for her work and commitment to improving medicines access over the past 12 years at Pharmac, seven spent as Chief Executive,” says Mr Seymour.

“Since becoming Minister responsible for Pharmac I have been impressed by Sarah’s commitment to focussing Pharmac on its core role of expanding opportunities and access for patients.

“I acknowledge Sarah’s decision to step down from the role and thank her for her work in providing modern healthcare for New Zealanders.

“I wish her all the very best for the future,” Mr Seymour says.

GAC AION Unveils the Aion V: Redefining Electric Mobility with Advanced Technology and Design

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February 28, 2025