Man arrested – Birkenhead stabbing

Rural News – Farmers celebrate more funding for QEII Trust – Federated Farmers

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February 22, 2025

Source: Federated Farmers

A funding boost for the QEII National Trust is a win for farmers and the environment, Federated Farmers vice president Colin Hurst says.

Following strong advocacy from Federated Farmers, the Government have announced an additional $4.5 million for the trust over the next three years.

“When it comes to environmental bang for your taxpayer buck, I can’t think of a better investment than the QEII Trust,” Hurst says.

“But despite the amazing work they do in our rural communities to improve biodiversity and other environmental outcomes, the trust hasn’t had an increase in funding for over a decade.

“During that time the trust has faced huge inflationary pressures and a 28% increase in demand for their services.

“Today’s announcement may not be the doubling of funding Federated Farmers called for, but it’s certainly a positive step in the right direction and will do a lot of good.”

The QEII National Trust was established in 1977, with Federated Farmers dairy chair (the late) Gordon Stephenson a key instigator.

The trust partners with landowners who are willing to voluntarily protect their land without selling or donating it.

Covenants ensure special areas of bush, wetland and biodiversity are protected for future generations, in perpetuity.

There are now more than 5,200 covenants covering 187,774 hectares – the vast majority on farms.

“Without an increase in funding the QEII Trust would have been forced to scale back the number of new covenants it could support,” Hurst says,

“That would have been a huge setback for nature, and the ongoing efforts of many farmers who are committed to protecting special areas of biodiversity on their land.”

Federated Farmers has been given a 30-minute slot in front of the Primary Production Committee to explain why it believes the trust deserves more support.

“We’ll certainly be taking up that opportunity and making a strong case for further funding increases that will allow the trust to expand their work.”

Minister going to Australia for aged care meetings

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February 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister Hon Casey Costello is traveling to Australia for meetings with the aged care sector in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney next week.

“Australia is our closest partner, so as we consider the changes necessary to make our system more effective and sustainable it makes sense to learn from its recent experience on aged care sector reform,” Ms Costello says.

Minister Costello will meet with Ageing Australia, visit aged care facilities across the three cities, and meet with Federal and State government organisations, including the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner and Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority. She will also meet with New Zealand aged care providers operating in both trans-Tasman markets.

“This visit also provides an opportunity for me to engage with my ministerial counterparts and their officials across my Customs, Seniors, and Associate Police and Associate Immigration portfolio responsibilities,” Ms Costello says.

Minister Costello will meet with the Hon Anthony Carbines, Victoria Minister for Police; Hon Tony Burke, Federal Minister for Home Affairs; and Hon Jodie Harrison, New South Wales Minister for Seniors.

The Minister will also meet with the Commissioners of the Australia Federal Police, Australian Border Force, and the Australia Taxation Office to discuss their experience targeting transnational and serious organised crime.

Have you seen Geoffrey?

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February 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are asking for anyone in the area of Makokomiko Road, Hikumutu, to keep an eye out for missing man Geoffrey Kelly.

Geoffrey’s car was located about 10.30am yesterday (Friday) morning in a ditch on Makokomiko Road, however he was not in the vehicle.

It is believed he may have walked to get assistance and become disoriented, has taken shelter somewhere, or has gotten a lift from a passerby.

He was last seen on Thursday night, wearing grey knee-length shorts, jandals, a tan sweatshirt and glasses.

If you have any information that might help us locate Geoffrey, please call 105 and quote reference number P061689135.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

More funding for biodiversity protection

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February 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is boosting investment in the QEII National Trust to reinforce the protection of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biodiversity on private land, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
The Government today announced an additional $4.5 million for conservation body QEII National Trust over three years.
QEII Trust works with farmers and landowners who voluntarily set aside permanently protected areas including forests and wetlands on private property using covenants.
“Many of our most at-risk plants and animals are found on private land,” Mr Potaka says. “Landowners provide a significant contribution to conservation efforts through additional planting, pest control, and fencing work.
“The QEII Trust has proven extremely effective in collaborating to protect these crucial habitats, particularly in lowland and coastal zones where much of our threatened biodiversity exists.
“This funding increase acknowledges the Trust’s excellent track record and growing demand from landowners to protect special areas of bush, wetland, and biodiversity for future generations,” Mr Potaka says.
This brings the Trust’s total annual funding from the Government to just under $5.8 million per year for the next three years.
“For nearly half a century, QEII Trust has worked with landowners, councils and others to protect over 187,000 hectares of land in 5,200 covenanted areas – you could think of it as about 187,000 rugby fields.
“I’m also pleased to announce a one-off funding injection of $750,000 over three years for the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Sanctuary.
“The Sanctuary – a popular tourist destination in the Waikato region – is home to native kākāpō, Mahoenui giant wētā, takahē, banded kōkopu, giant kōkopu (native NZ fish) and tuna (longfin eel).
“I’m confident this funding will help the Sanctuary continue their work with our precious native species.
“Kia kaha te mahi tahi. We all have a role to play in looking after Aotearoa New Zealand’s incredible and vulnerable nature.”

Homicide investigation launched, Rotongaro

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February 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attribute to Detective Inspector Daryl Smith

A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Rotongaro overnight.

Police were called to Hetherington Road at about 10:40pm after receiving reports a male had been stabbed following a roadside altercation. He died at the scene.

A 25-year-old man has been taken into custody and is assisting us with our enquiries.

Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter.

ENDS

issued by Police Media Centre

First Responders – Fire and Emergency responds to church fires in Masterton

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February 22, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews have attended four church fires in Masterton this morning, which started between 4.25am and 4.35am.

The churches are: Anglican Church Of The Epiphany, St Patrick’s Catholic Church Masterton, Masterton Baptist Church and Equippers Church Masterton.

Damage to the churches ranged from moderate to significant.

Crews responded from across the Wairarapa region and from as far away as Avalon Station.

The fires are being treated as suspicious and have been referred to Police.

Biosecurity New Zealand media release – Birkdale fruit fly update

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February 22, 2025

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

The biosecurity response to the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly in Birkdale on Auckland’s North Shore is making good progress, with extra traps in place, stepped-up checks and legal controls introduced, says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand regional Commissioner North.

“Special bins have started being delivered for fruit and vegetable waste disposal and that will continue over the weekend, and a mobile laboratory to check fruit and vegetables is in place.

“Our team is back out today as we continue to ramp up our response efforts to ensure there are no other fruit flies around,” Mr Inglis says.

There were already more than 60 Oriental fruit fly surveillance traps in the North Shore area, and nearly 700 traps aimed at other fruit fly species. Over the weekend, around 100 extra Oriental fruit fly traps will be in place within a 1500-metre area of the original find.

“Yesterday, we introduced legal controls to restrict the movement of fruit and vegetables around the location where the fruit fly was found to stop the spread of any other Oriental fruit flies that may be out there.

“We’ve been delivering information to residential letterboxes about the two zones affected by restrictions and people can also find full information about what they need to do here.”

Oriental fruit fly detection

“People will notice biosecurity signage up in the area and we delivered special disposal bins for fruit and vegetable waste this morning.”

Mr Inglis says instead of putting waste in rubbish bins to be disposed of normally, residents in the two zones are being asked to put fruit and vegetable waste into the special response bins for Biosecurity New Zealand to dispose of securely.

Every household in Zone A will have a fruit and vegetable disposal bin, and in Zone B, there will be bins placed around the edge of the zone, primarily on major transport routes and more within the Zone.

“The bins in Zone A will be cleared daily initially, then as required. There will be no need to put them out on the street as they will be serviced, re-bagged and insecticide applied in bags and inside lids where they are currently placed. If residents have any issues with the bin or need them cleared earlier, they can call us on 0800 80 99 66.

“I want to thank the local community for their positive response to our team so far. In the previous 13 occasions we’ve found fruit flies in New Zealand we’ve successfully eradicated them with the help of our horticulture sector partners and local communities, so it’s important everyone plays their part. At present, the restrictions will be in place for a fortnight.”

We will send out a further update at 10am tomorrow.

For media queries, call 029 894 0328 or email media@mpi.govt.nz

Dodgy crane safety inflicts misery for teen worker

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February 22, 2025

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

22 February 2025

Old equipment repurposed by businesses must be safe to use, WorkSafe New Zealand says, following sentencing of a Rotorua company whose modified crane became a weapon that changed the life of a teenage contractor.

Harrison Gilbert was struck in the face by an untethered 412-kilogram steel beam being manoeuvred by the mobile crane at Lakeland Steel in Rotorua, on the day of his seventeenth birthday in October 2022.

Mr Gilbert was knocked unconscious and received over 100 stitches in his face, a broken eye socket, a broken nose, several smashed or lost teeth, and skull fractures. He required facial reconstruction surgery and has more to come.

A WorkSafe investigation found the mobile crane had no certificate of inspection, no load safety devices fitted, and unclear labelling on its controls. The load should have had a tag line or tether to steady it. The crane appears to have originally been a log skidder bought in the 1970’s by the previous owner of Lakeland Steel. At some point in time, it was modified into a crane which was inherited by the current owners who did not maintain it.

Mr Gilbert had not been trained in any of the activities associated with the crane, and was dividing his attention between the load and working with the crane operator when he was hit.

“This young worker was traumatically let down through no fault of his own. Simply put, the crane should not have been operational,” says WorkSafe’s area investigation manager, Paul West.

“Businesses must manage their risks. This includes regularly checking all their equipment to check it’s fit for purpose and compliant. Pay extra attention to modified or older equipment so it doesn’t get neglected while still operational.”

The Crane Association says the incident highlights the importance of ensuring freely suspended crane loads are controlled by a tag line or tether.

“In an industry full of risks, it’s important to understand all the elements that contribute to working safely. Businesses must train their staff in selecting and properly using tag lines, because you don’t want injuries like these on your conscience if things go wrong,” says the Association’s chief executive Sarah Toase.

WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses to meet their responsibilities and keep people healthy and safe. When they do not, we will take action.

Background

Lakeland Steel Limited was sentenced at Rotorua District Court on 20 February 2025.
A fine of $234,000 was imposed, and reparations of $54,131 were ordered
Lakeland Steel was charged under sections 36(1)(a), 48(1) and (2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
- Being a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), having a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers who work for the PCBU, including Harrison Gilbert, while the workers are at work in the business or undertaking, namely using a T-Lift Mobile Crane to move steel beams, did fail to comply with that duty, and that failure exposed the workers to risk of serious injury or death.
The maximum penalty is a fine not exceeding $1.5 million.

Media contact details

For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively:

Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz

Police investigating suspicious church fires in Masterton

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February 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are investigating after four suspicious fires at churches in Masterton early today.

Emergency services were called to the fires from around 4.25am.

Police have undertaken checks at other churches in the town this morning and have located evidence to suggest three further churches were targeted but did not catch alight.

Police remain at the scenes of the fires this morning, alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Officers will also be conducting reassurance patrols, including in nearby towns Featherston and Carterton.

If anyone has information which could assist our investigation, please contact Police via 105.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.