Government Cuts – Scaled-back new Dunedin hospital puts cost-cutting before health – NZNO

January 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

The Coalition Government’s scaled-back new Dunedin hospital build is putting cost-cutting ahead of health and wellbeing, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.

NZNO President and emergency nurse Anne Daniels says today’s announcement fails to future-proof the health needs of the Southern community.

“This is short-sighted. The Southern community has a growing and aging population. We also have a failing primary care health sector which means more people will unnecessarily need hospital level care.”

NZNO is disappointed but not surprised with today’s announcement, she says.

“We had hoped the Coalition Government would keep its promise to fund the new build as outlined in the 2017 business case which was worked on by 500 clinicians.

“But this Government is still intent on putting dollars before the people. That is a choice.

“They are making decisions about the health and wellbeing of the Southern community rather than doing what they were elected to do,” Anne Daniels says.

The new hospital will open with 16 beds fewer than the existing hospital and even after it is scaled up over time, will have six beds less than originally promised, she said.

“Fewer beds also means fewer jobs for nurses as Te Whatu Ora will resource this hospital based on bed numbers.”

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Further appeal for information in Harley Shrimpton homicide investigation

LiveNews Publisher

January 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow:

In November 2023, Tauranga Police launched a homicide investigation after Harley Shrimpton was killed at a rural property in Poripori Road, Lower Kaimai, Tauranga.

He had been missing since he was kidnapped on 3 November 2023 and a missing person report was filed with Police by his whānau.

In January 2024, 23-year-old Tauranga man Piripi Tukaokao was charged with murder, kidnapping and other related offences. He is remanded in custody and will be appearing in Hamilton High Court in November 2025.

We know that there were others who assisted the defendant and we are continuing to follow positive lines of enquiry.

It is crucial that all those responsible in relation to Harley’s death are held to account.

It’s now been over 14 months since Harley was found and since then a dedicated Police team has continued with enquiries and are closely analysing new information.

We continue to speak with people close to the investigation and have not ruled out laying further charges against others who may have been involved.

On behalf of Police and Harley’s whānau, I want to acknowledge the significant public support shown over the last year, to thank everyone who has come forward with information during the course of the investigation, and to urge anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Police and tell us what you know.

Information can be passed to Police via our 105 phone service, or by going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 and using ‘Update Report’, referencing file number 231117/9085.

Alternatively, information can be passed to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Release: Dunedin wins, hospital build continues

LiveNews Publisher

January 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

The people of Dunedin have won in an almost year-long battle to have their hospital confirmed, but National’s delays have cost dearly.

“Though there are fewer beds than originally planned, this is a win for the people of the Southern region,” Labour health infrastructure spokesperson Tracey McLellan said.

“We have always said there is money to pay for this hospital, and the announcement today proves National was trying to make savings at the cost of good healthcare for the Southern region.

“Together we have fought hard against National’s attempts to scale back New Dunedin Hospital. The people of the Southern region deserve a state-of-the-art hospital that meets their needs now and into the future.

“According to one estimate, the Government’s poor negotiation and delays cost $100,000 per day while it sat still. This is money that should have been spent improving healthcare.

“The building of the new hospital, which Labour began and paid for, falls short of the promises National made during the election campaign, but it is the best of a bad situation.

“We’ll be watching closely to make sure this Government actually delivers on their promise and doesn’t try to cut corners down the line, both in Dunedin and at other hospitals which they said were threatened by the Dunedin project,” Tracey McLellan said.

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Pair get $25,000 fine and 300 hours community work over illegal slaughter and sales of pigs

LiveNews Publisher

January 31, 2025

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

An Auckland woman has been fined $25,245 and an Auckland man has been ordered to do 300 hours’ community work for the illegal slaughter and sales of pigs.

Following a successful investigation and prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety, Suli Rachael Rejoice Adimim (43) and Bruce Baru Luke Vunipola (38) were both sentenced in the Papakura District Court on 29 January on 7 charges under the Animal Products Act, and one charge under the Animal Welfare Act.

“This so-called homekill business was not registered as required under the Animal Products Act, meaning they were operating without a risk management programme,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general, Vincent Arbuckle.

“By failing to do this, they avoided meeting vital checks and balances in our food safety system that are there to keep consumers safe.

“While someone buying one of these pigs may have considered it a great deal, their health was potentially put at risk because of the pair’s illegal behaviour.”

Following a complaint from a member of the public in July 2022 – concerning the welfare of pigs on a farm and claims they had seen farmers killing and selling pigs – an animal welfare inspector visited the property and spoke with Mr Vunipola. They observed butchering facilities and a whiteboard with the names of customers and details on pigs sold. This visit led to a wider investigation, which included a covert food safety investigator buying a live pig that would be killed on site for $310 cash in October 2022.

In November 2022, Mr Vunipola was served a Notice of Direction under the Animal Products Act prohibiting him from operating as a homekill provider as he did not have a registered risk management programme. He was provided education and information on how to operate legally, which he acknowledged understanding.

However, food safety investigators found the illegal slaughter and selling of pigs continued when another covert investigator was offered a pig for sale in November by Mr Vunipola’s associate, Ms Adimim, for which the food safety investigator paid $220 cash. Ms Adimim was served the same Notice of Direction as Mr Vunipola, but investigators found the sales continued, and charges were laid against the pair.

“This was an organised operation. During the period of investigation, it was found they illegally sold 222 pigs and 4 sheep, for which they earned nearly $60,000,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“The majority of operators in New Zealand follow the rules and understand the importance of doing so to keep consumers safe.

“When we find evidence of people deliberately flouting the law, we take action and there are consequences as we’ve seen from the court’s response.”

More information on the Code of Welfare: Commercial Slaughter

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 008 333.

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

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Justice served in Southland drug operation

LiveNews Publisher

January 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attribute to Southern District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Shona Low:

Police have smashed a significant Southland drug operation, thanks to some dodgy-looking crockery intercepted by Customs in Auckland.

Kilograms of drugs, including over 30kg of cannabis, and over $60,000 cash have been seized and two Invercargill men have been arrested and charged.

The operation began at the Auckland International Mail Centre on 6 January 2025, when a package caught the attention of Customs officers. It was declared to contain dining plates, but an X-ray raised suspicions and testing revealed more than 2kg of MDMA had been pressed into plate shape and coated with paint.

The package was addressed to an Invercargill property, and the Southern District Organised Crime Group immediately got to work, gathering information and preparing a search warrant.

On 23 January the Invercargill property was searched, and officers turned up ketamine, cash, ammunition and cannabis. But the most significant discovery was evidence that showed a connection to another Southland address.

Given the quantities of MDMA intercepted at the border and clear signs of a wider drug operation, Police quickly obtained a search warrant for the second property and prepared to search it that same day.

At that address, Police were met with an overwhelming smell of cannabis and found a sophisticated grow set-up, numerous plants, and more than 25kg of high-grade cannabis head, packaged and ready to be sold.

A sizeable amount of a substance, believed to be ketamine, was also located, along with another half-kilogram of MDMA, and more than $60,000 cash.

This is offending on a scale rarely seen in Southland and serious harm has been prevented, thanks to Customs and Police working closely together and acting fast.

This wasn’t someone growing a cannabis plant for their own use. It was an organised, sophisticated drug operation designed to make a profit, without any concern for the people affected or damaged by it. The drug trade feeds people’s addictions and fuels crime by encouraging desperate individuals to steal in order to pay for their next hit.

We know this won’t stop the supply of drugs, it won’t stop organised crime groups or others from trying to profit from addiction, but it will put a noticeable dent in the availability of illegal drugs in the district and the harm caused by them.

We want to thank the highly trained Customs officers whose efforts have contributed to keeping our communities safe.

By the numbers:

18kg (40lb) of high-grade cannabis head
12kg (28lb) of leaf
22 Cannabis plants
431g (15.2oz) of MDMA
0.46g of cocaine
210g (7.4oz) of suspected ketamine
6 rounds of .303 ammo, and a magazine
8 rounds of .300 ammo
250 rounds of .22 ammo
$60,400 in cash

A 38-year-old Invercargill man appeared in the Invercargill District Court on 24 January, charged with:

Supplying ecstasy
Supplying ketamine
Cultivating cannabis
Possession of cannabis for supply
Possession of ecstasy for supply.

He has been remanded in custody.

A 34-year-old Invercargill man appeared in the Invercargill District Court on 28 January, charged with:

Possession of ketamine
Unlawfully possessing ammunition.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Govt Cuts – Official data shows Government over-egged working from home issue – PSA

LiveNews Publisher

January 31, 2025

Source: PSA

The Government should be embarrassed that its own data shows working from home by public servants is not the big problem it made out to be.

The Public Service Commission has today published data showing only a third of public servants work from home around one or two days a week. The average days working from home was in fact less than one day – 0.9 days.

“The Government’s appalling attack on public servants working from home has been exposed for what it really is – a flimsy attempt to deflect from its own decisions to axe thousands of workers,” said Fleur Fitzsimons Acting National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

The PSA has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority to stop the Government restricting flexible workplace practices (see statement below).

“The reckless and rushed job cuts ordered by the Government are what has been hurting Wellington’s CBD businesses. Ordering public servants to spend more time in the office when in fact most are already working most days of the week in the office is just stupid policy. It won’t offset the economic damage its austerity policies have inflicted.

“International evidence shows flexible work drives greater productivity. The PSA’s own survey last year showed 85% of members saying it improved the work they do, that means delivering the better outcomes the Government wants.

“The Government promised evidence-based decision-making. It should have waited before launching its attack on flexible work practices.

“It’s directive to order public servants to spend more time in the office has been over-egged for purely political ends – public servants deserve better.”

Past statements on flexible work

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Federated Farmers – Lend, don’t lecture – Feds support Shane Jones’ banking crackdown

LiveNews Publisher

January 31, 2025

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers welcomes Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones’ efforts to hold banks accountable when they stray from their core function – lending money.

Jones is spearheading a member’s bill seeking to ensure financial institutions focus on their legal and social responsibility to provide credit rather than engaging in selective lending based on ideology.

“We’re right behind that. Banks exist to lend, not to lecture,” Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says.

“It’s the job of elected governments to determine which businesses are lawful -not a handful of banking executives imposing their own moral compass.

“Yet we’re seeing banks decline credit to legal businesses simply because they don’t align with corporate PR strategies.”

One threat identified by Federated Farmers is to petrol stations, a vital lifeline for rural communities and isolated parts of New Zealand.

Internal BNZ documents provided to Federated Farmers in late 2024 clearly state there is to be no new lending to petrol stations, and all existing debt needs to be repaid by 2030.

“If banks are unwilling to provide lending to pay for things like upgrades, expansion or compliance, petrol stations will just disappear,” McIntyre says.

“It’s ideologically driven nonsense. Do they not think farmers and rural communities will still need petrol in five years?

“If a business is lawful, creditworthy, and can service a loan, then why should it be blacklisted by bank officials who jetted off to Glasgow together to sign an agreement on joint lending criteria?”

Banks hold a social licence, and with that comes an obligation to serve their customers fairly, not to dictate how they should run their businesses, McIntyre says.

Federated Farmers has been at the forefront of the fight against banking overreach in recent years.

The farming advocacy group has led the charge for a government inquiry into banking competition, and has been working with Ministers to push for a review of bank capital requirements that penalise the agriculture sector.

The federation also laid a complaint late last year with the Commerce Commission about the Net Zero Banking Alliance and its potential anti-competitive behaviour.

“We continue to monitor and put pressure on banks to be fair to their customers, and we’re pleased to support Minister Jones’ proposal.

“Banks should focus on banking, so farmers can focus on farming.

“We expect this Bill to include provisions ensuring lending decisions are based on financial criteria rather than emissions targets,” McIntyre says.

“Federated Farmers will continue to advocate for rural businesses and fair access to credit, so banking policies support the economy rather than ideology.”

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98 per cent of potholes repaired within 24 hours

LiveNews Publisher

January 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is a key priority for our Government, and boosting pothole repairs and prevention will deliver a safe and efficient state highway network that will support this growth.
“One of the reasons this Government was elected was because people were fed up with the degradation of our roads under Labour. They could see it in their day-to-day lives, with record numbers of potholes peppering highways across the country. Our Government promised change to Kiwis and the freight sector, and we are delivering on that promise.
“To sort out the potholes, we established a $3.9 billion Pothole Prevention Activity Class over three years, ringfenced for resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance works to ensure these funds are used entirely on preventing potholes. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is now delivering a significant programme of works, including a record increase in road rehabilitation, which involves rebuilding entire sections of road rather than just resealing.
“The Government’s Pothole Prevention Fund is delivering a total of 285.6 lane kilometres of rehabilitation work over the summer months – a 124 per cent increase compared to last year. This record level of rehabilitation work will help prevent potholes from forming in the first place.
“The previous government showed Kiwis that throwing more money at a problem is lazy, expensive, and ineffective. Funding must be paired with increased expectation and accountabilities, and that is what we’ve introduced to drive better results. Faster pothole repairs are improving the safety and maintenance standards on our roads.”
In July last year, the Government introduced targets for NZTA contractors to repair 95 per cent of potholes on main state highways and 85 per cent of potholes on regional state highways within 24 hours of identification.
“The results speak for themselves. Since our targets were introduced, NZTA has delivered every month with greater use of new innovations to ensure that temporary pothole repairs last longer before a permanent reseal can take place, instead of simply placing cold mix in potholes,” Mr Bishop says.
“Achieving these targets month after month shows the significant progress we’ve made in tackling the pothole issue. Kiwis can now travel more safely and efficiently on our roads, with fewer disruptions and safety hazards.
“If you see a pothole on the state highway network, report it immediately by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS. Together, Kiwis are ensuring that potholes are identified and repaired as quickly as possible.”
Notes to editor:

NZTA has delivered on the Government’s 24 hour pothole repair targets each month since they were introduced, exceeding the targets set in July.

Month
Total Potholes Repaired
% Repaired Within 24 Hours

Jul-24
7,114
95%

Aug-24
6,303
98%

Sep-24
5,030
98%

Oct-24
4,809
98%

Nov-24
3,200
99%

Dec-24
1,697
98%

Potholes tend to be formed in wet conditions, which is why there are a higher number requiring repair in winter months.

The Pothole Prevention Activity Class includes $2 billion of funding for State Highway Pothole Prevention over three years, and $1.9 billion for local road Pothole Prevention over three years.
The number of kilometres of rehabilitation work on state highways as part of the 2024/25 summer maintenance programme compared to the previous programme:
The summer maintenance programme began in October 2024 and will be completed by March 2025.

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Waitangi Day – Government supports 26 Waitangi events across Aotearoa

LiveNews Publisher

January 31, 2025

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Government funding will go towards 26 community events to commemorate Waitangi Day in 2025, from Tāhuna (Queenstown) to Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) and Rēkohu/Wharekauri (Chatham Islands).

The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund, administered by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, supports events that commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and increases awareness and knowledge of Te Tiriti through celebrations and local storytelling.

“This Fund recognises that Waitangi Day is for all New Zealanders, wherever you celebrate it,” says Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, Manatū Taonga Tumu Whakarae Secretary for Culture and Heritage.

“With so many exciting events planned, we hope that all New Zealanders will be able to engage with this important kaupapa up and down the motu to learn about our country’s history.

“$300,000 in grants will enable communities to celebrate this important national day and explore how Te Tiriti has shaped the nation we are today.

“In Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke’s Bay), Ngāti Kahungunu will be hosting an event for all members of the community. Whakawhanaungatanga activities will bring together the shared heritage of the region to commemorate Te Tiriti through kapa haka, English and Gaelic music, Pasifika dance and Asian songs.

“Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, Waikato Museum will be hosting a ‘Weaving a Future Together’ community day with kōrero (talks) and workshops covering local stories, Te Tiriti, toi Māori, and raranga (weaving).

“Masterton District Council is partnering with iwi, hapū, tangata whenua and high schoolers to enhance community understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ‘On the Couch’ discussions with Tangata Tiriti and a Year 13 Te Tiriti wananga are part of efforts to raise awareness and knowledge of Te Tiriti among the Whakaoriori and Wairarapa communities.

“And over on the Chathams, kaumatua, kura, local council and community groups will bring people together with traditional sporting activities, karakia, waiata, kōrero and kai to acknowledge Te Tiriti.

“With so many ways to celebrate in so many locations, we encourage all New Zealanders to take this opportunity to reflect on our nation’s founding document and how we can incorporate the principles of Te Tiriti into our lives on this public holiday and beyond.

“Thank you to all the event organisers across Aotearoa that will bring their communities together to mark this special day,” says Laulu Mac.

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New campaign calls for an end to criminalising Aotearoa’s vulnerable children – Save the Children

LiveNews Publisher

January 31, 2025

Source: Save the Children

Save the Children has today launched a new campaign calling on New Zealanders to oppose a new Government bill looking to introduce the use of physical force and re-introduce military style detention camps for the country’s most vulnerable children.

The ‘Boot the Bill’ campaign and petition asks Kiwis to make a stand against the new Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill, currently before Select Committee, which, if passed, would reintroduce harmful military-style boot camps and permit the use of physical force against children.

Save the Children’s Advocacy and Research Director Jacqui Southey says evidence shows that punitive approaches like these fail to address the root causes of youth offending, such as trauma, abuse and systemic inequality, and risk causing further harm to already vulnerable children.

“This form of coercive youth justice intervention is an outdated methodology, has been tried before in New Zealand, with little to no effect in preventing youth offending and may even increase rates of reoffending,” she says.

“The inclusion of allowing the use of “reasonable physical force”, which in real terms is the use of physical violence to subdue a child, poses a real risk to children and is absolutely unacceptable, breaching children’s rights to be protected from all forms of violence.

“It’s time to stop criminalising our most vulnerable children and look towards policies that support positive change and ensure a brighter future for our youth.”

In addition to the research, testimony provided by survivors of Abuse in State Care as part of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care and Faith Based Care clearly shows that children have been violently abused and traumatised in State-funded boot camp style institutions in New Zealand.

Ms Southey says as recently as 2004, Te Whakapakari Youth Programme (Te Whakapakari) was a fully State-funded boot camp style programme where children were sent as social welfare care and protection or youth justice sentencing options. While it claimed to promote drug abuse rehabilitation, self-esteem and skills development, Māoritanga and confidence building, underpinned by military style discipline, instead children suffered cruel, violent and inhumane treatment including, extreme psychological, physical and sexual abuse.

“A former Minister of Child, Youth and Family, Hon Ruth Dyson, was quoted as saying, ‘A lot of government money was put into that programme and in the end it resulted in the State funding violence and abuse towards children and young people’” she says.

“Most young offenders are victims themselves, having experienced high rates of criminal abuse, neglect, and violence, often from infancy. If New Zealand is to be truly effective in preventing youth crime, we need to be serious about preventing harm to children occurring in the first place. That means investing in programmes and policies to strengthen families, particularly those struggling, to ensure good outcomes for children in both the short and long term.”

About Save the Children NZ:

Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.

Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.

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