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Auckland Council urges vigilance against wildfire risks in regional and local parks

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Source: Auckland Council

Wildfires in California, bushfires in Australia and some significant vegetation fires across Aotearoa has brought global attention to fire risk and is a good reminder of the risks posed by wildfires closer to home in Auckland’s regional and local parks.

While Auckland’s cooler, damper climate provides some natural protection, climate change is intensifying conditions that could increase the likelihood of fires, particularly with the shift from last summer’s El Niño to La Niña, bringing drier and windier summer months.

Balancing safety with ecological integrity

Auckland Council’s General Manager Parks and Community Facilities Taryn Crewe says recent reports of informal “bush cleaning” by community members in urban local parks — where decaying wood and understorey plants are removed — have raised concerns.

“These practices can inadvertently increase fire risk by encouraging invasive plant species, which are often more flammable than native vegetation,” Ms Crewe says.

“In other countries, bush cleaning can be a way of preventing fires and encouraging seeds to germinate, as well as to clear old vegetation to let light in,” she says.

“However, many New Zealand forest species prefer damp conditions and shade to germinate.”

Regional Parks Manager Scott De Silva adds that while practices like ‘bush cleaning’ and controlled burns may be appropriate in some overseas parks, they are not appropriate in New Zealand parks.

“If we remove regenerating native understorey, we risk enabling invasive plants like pampas, gorse and prickly hakea to dominate. These species form highly flammable monocultures and can increase fire danger over time.”

“Of course, the primary goal is ensuring fires don’t start in the first place, so we urge all park users to take care while enjoying their time outdoors,” Mr De Silva adds.

Long-term resilience through careful management

With the dry summer the region is having, Auckland Council is also urging Aucklanders to take care when in the outdoors, especially in regional parks, which cover a total of 41,000 hectares.

“The impact of climate change means dry seasons, with high fire risk, are much longer and conditions are more volatile,” says Mr De Silva.

“We’re taking proactive steps like controlling highly flammable invasive exotic species like hakea where we can, but visitors must also play their part by observing fire bans, staying cautious, and being mindful of conditions, especially on windy days.”

He added that while Auckland Council continues ecological restoration efforts, some newly planted areas may temporarily increase vulnerability as native vegetation establishes.

“Managing invasive species and promoting healthy, diverse ecosystems remain priorities in reducing fire hazards.”

Practical tips for reducing fire risks

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is currently in a restricted fire season. Anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which they can apply for at checkitsalright.nz.

Open fires, including charcoal BBQs, are prohibited in all public areas throughout Auckland. This includes on beaches and foreshores, in parks, conservation areas and forests. It’s prohibited to light fireworks in any public places.

The council urges residents and park visitors to take these steps to help protect Auckland’s natural spaces:

  • Respect fire bans: check current restrictions and avoid activities that could spark fires, such as using open flames or discarding lit materials.

  • Be mindful of conditions: windy days significantly increase fire risks; refrain from activities that could ignite dry vegetation.

  • Support native ecosystems: avoid removing native plants or undertaking unauthorised “clean-ups” in reserves; healthy native vegetation helps buffer fire spread.

  • Manage vegetation at home: for those living near rural or parkland areas, maintain defensible space around properties by removing flammable materials like dry grass, leaves, and twigs; replace highly flammable species with lower flammability alternatives.

For updates on fire safety visit Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s fire prevention and fire safety website checkitsalright.nz.

And for information on low flammability plants for planting click here.

MIL OSI

Tech and Security – Ingram Micro to Distribute Avast Small Business Solutions in New Zealand

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Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners for Avast

AUCKLAND, 10 February 2025 – Avast, a leader in digital security and privacy and part of Gen™, has announced that Avast Small Business Solutions will now be available in New Zealand through local distributor Ingram Micro New Zealand. This increases the range of cybersecurity solutions available to small businesses in the market.

Ingram Micro has been the local distributor for Norton, another consumer brand of Gen, in this market for more than 20 years.  It will launch Avast Essential Business Security, Avast Premium Business Security and Avast Ultimate Business Security next quarter, giving New Zealand resellers access to a greater portfolio of robust cybersecurity solutions.  

Mark Gorrie, Managing Director Gen APAC says that the collaboration with Ingram Micro New Zealand is a testament to Gen’s commitment to Powering Digital Freedom for people and businesses across the world.  

“Our joint expertise and support will provide Kiwi resellers with the tools they need to enable their small business customers to thrive in an increasingly complex digital landscape. We have a long history of working successfully together and are confident that Ingram Micro is the right company to support our strategic growth in the region,” says Mark. “We’ll have a full programme of education, training, events and roadshows to ensure that resellers and retailers are able to confidently offer Avast Small Business Solutions to their customers.”

Gorrie continues, “Avast Business customers in New Zealand will benefit from the combined technical capabilities of the full Gen family of brands including Avast, Norton, AVG and Avira as well as our extensive threat intelligence network of 500 million users of Gen technology. This significant global and local footprint helps keep our small business customers one step ahead of emerging threats.”

Avast Business has a range of affordable and award-winning cybersecurity solutions for small and growing businesses. Organisations can easily manage their devices through an easy-to-use centralised dashboard ensuring software, data and devices are protected.

Avast Business product features include:

  • Single management dashboard  
  • Multi-Tenant support 
  • Device and policy management 
  • Import/export of policies 
  • Comprehensive reporting 
  • Alerts and notifications 
  • Master agent 
  • Real-time commands 
  • Network discovery with remote deployment 
  • Business API gateway.

Customers can add additional solutions such as:

  • Avast Business Patch management 
  • Avast Business Premium remote control 
  • Avast Business Cloud backup.

“Making Avast Business products available through Ingram Micro New Zealand aligns with our dedication to supporting the security needs of small businesses in New Zealand,” says Leon De Suza, Managing Director at Ingram Micro New Zealand. “This collaboration bolsters our cybersecurity offerings and will help deliver even more comprehensive solutions to our valued reseller partners and their customers.”

About Avast
Avast is a leader in digital security and privacy, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Avast protects hundreds of millions of users from online threats, for Mobile, PC or Mac and is top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom and Internet Watch Foundation. Learn more at Avast.com. Visit: www.avast.com.  

MIL OSI

Activist News – Winston Peters refusal to join 79 countries to protect the International Criminal Court puts New Zealand firmly in Trump’s minority, lawless, hard-right camp – PSNA

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Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

 

Winston Peters’ refusal to join other 79 countries trying to protect the International Criminal Court after vicious attacks and sanctions issued by US President Trump is unconscionable.

 

“Endless New Zealand politicians, including the present government, have pointed to our support for a rules-based international system” says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “The ICC is a key part of that system but Winston Peters has jettisoned this policy in favour of a US-First approach; rather than a New Zealand-First approach”

 

In fact, we can find no evidence that Peters has ever uttered a word of real criticism of the US in his entire political career.

 

Within the past two weeks Winston Peters has

 

  • Openly welcomed Israeli soldiers and Israeli war criminals coming into New Zealand, with no questions asked, for “rest and recreation” from their genocide in Gaza
  • Refused to condemn Trump’s racist plans for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza so his son-in-law can turn it into a “Riviera of the Middle East’.  This is an intended international crime of epic proportion, and now
  • Refused to join 79 countries supporting the International Criminal Court against Trump’s actions

 

“The countries we are refusing to join in criticising Trump include two other Five Eyes countries, the UK and Canada, as well as Germany, France, Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, Greece, Norway, Portugal, Spain etc”

 

“Winston Peters has put New Zealand in the hard-right international minority extremist camp with Trump” says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “This is creepy and cowardly complicity with a state whose values we do not share.”

 

“Winston Peters’ ministry has been at great pains over the past year to state how much our government supports the work of the ICC. The MFAT website states “We have also been clear in our support of the International Criminal Court’s mandate in Palestine”

 

“But when the ICC issues arrest warrants against Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity, our government goes completely silent.”

 

“Will Winston Peters now copy his master and revoke an immigration ban on 33 Israeli settlers responsible for leading pogroms against Palestinian communities in the Occupied West Bank, as Trump did a few days ago?”

 

“US policy towards Palestine underlines the case for New Zealand to leave the Five Eyes US international spy network.”

 

“An independent foreign policy means making our own decisions and working with the great majority of like-minded countries who support international institutions, such as the ICC and the International Court of Justice.”

 

“Instead, we have a foreign minister who is in the US pocket and blindly working for the interests of Trump and his robber barons.”

 

John Minto

National Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

MIL OSI

Federated Farmers proposes seven changes to lighten ratepayer burden

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Source: Federated Farmers

After rampant rates rises across the country last year, Federated Farmers is calling for the Government to make seven key changes to restore confidence in local decision-making.
“The funding model for our councils is broken,” Sandra Faulkner, Federated Farmers local government spokesperson, says.
“Rage about rates increases will feature strongly when voters have their say in council elections this October, but the Government should also do more to rein in cost pressures.
“Central governments over the years have pointed the finger at council excesses and failings but part of the solution here is to fix faulty legislation and government policy.”
It’s clear that change is needed to turn back the tide on massive rates increases, Faulkner says.
“Fewer people are voting in local body elections, and rates jumped an average 15% this year alone, which has really hurt all Kiwis, including rural families.
“Meanwhile, central government has chipped away at the autonomy of local government with an ever-increasing list of national directions and requirements.”
Two of Federated Farmers’ seven recommendations call on the Government to surrender some of its tax take in favour of councils.
“We say the lion’s share of the cost of repairing and renewing local roads should fall on road users, not property owners,” Faulkner says.
Outside of the state highway network, councils are responsible for maintaining roads and bridges.
On average, councils get 53% of this cost via a NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi Funding Assistance Rate (FAR), paid from fuel taxes and Road User Charges. The rest comes from ratepayers.
“Property value rates are a poor way to fund roads for the same reason as general taxation: it does not tie those who use roads with those who pay for roads,” Faulkner says.
“The system also lacks logic. In areas with a lot of tourism or freight, for example, locals are left paying for roading networks that serve a wider regional or national purpose.”
Because ratepayers baulk at rising road costs, councils feel obliged to scale back renewal and maintenance on roads that are a lifeline for rural families and businesses.
“So, we get deteriorating tarseal, potholes and even road closures in rural areas,” Faulkner says.
Federated Farmers argues the FAR rate should be lifted to an average 90%.
Another change that would reduce council funding pressure is to make Crown land rateable.
Currently, government land is exempt from local authority rates, apart from targeted rates and charges for utilities.
In 2023/24, Auckland Council estimated the Government was exempt from paying a total of $36.5 million in rates that year – worth $506.40 per household.
Federated Farmers also seeks legislation that focuses local government on providing necessary infrastructure, local public services and regulation.
“We want councils to stick to core services,” Faulkner says.
“That requires withdrawal of the controversial ‘four well-beings’ mandate – social, economic, environmental, and cultural – which has led to councils drifting into areas outside their areas of expertise, often duplicating work already handled by central government.”
Faulkner says there’s always debate on where to draw the line on what is a legitimate ‘local public service’.
“There should be room for fostering a sense of community through events such as celebrating Matariki, or investing in social infrastructure such as libraries, halls and swimming pools.
“But there should be restraint on councils from destroying their balance sheets through risky investments beyond their core purpose – things like convention centres and sports stadiums.
“We’re proposing that a referendum must be held before spending is committed on commercial facilities and ventures costing more than $500 per resident.”
New Zealand is at a crossroads with its 78 councils, Faulkner says.
“We can either continue to underfund big challenges on water, transport and housing, or we can look for new ways to restore confidence in a refocused and resourced local government.”
See Federated Farmers’ seven recommendations in its ‘Restoring confidence in local decision-making’ report – Restoring confidence

MIL OSI

Spartina control vital to protecting native species

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  10 February 2025

Spartina is a fast-growing, salt-tolerant grass that can grow to two metres tall.

Although it was originally planted in locations across New Zealand in the 1940s to stabilise land for reclamation, it has become an aggressive and persistent invader of inter-tidal mudflats – like those found around Coromandel Harbour

Spartina traps silt and sand, impacting the open mudflats needed by many migratory protected birds like kuaka/bar-tailed godwit, moho pereū/banded rail, and tūturiwhatu/dotterel, as well as some shellfish varieties.

DOC’s Coromandel Biodiversity Ranger Jamie Carey says the infestation of the plant in the Coromandel Harbour needs to be addressed, prompting an aerial herbicide operation his team has planned for February.

“When it comes to spartina, ‘do nothing’ is not an option,” says Jamie. “We need to control this plant, or it will spread and further compromise the biodiversity values in the harbour. 

“If we don’t address this infestation quickly, we’ll lose valuable habitat for our native species.”

The operation will involve using a helicopter to apply the herbicide (Halyoxfop), which will rely on a patch of good weather with minimal wind. Jamie says this will be visible to people in and around the harbour, but there is no need for concern.

“We want to be transparent about this work; even though the aircraft will only be deployed for a few hours, people may wonder what it’s doing flying at such low levels.

“In short, it’s helping us protect native species habitat by addressing the spartina issue in the harbour.”

Monitoring will be undertaken after the operation to ensure water quality in the harbour has not been compromised, as per DOC’s consent to use the product.

Background information

Spartina is an aggressive and persistent invader of inter-tidal mudflats.

It invades mangroves, mudflats and estuaries taking over the inter-tidal zone. It forms big clumps that hold mud (sediment).

This raises the level of the land and can change coastal ecosystems. Bird and fish habitat is damaged by spartina.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

Release: Watered down investor visa will fail economy

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Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy.

“Dumbing down the rules for the investor visa risks watering down the economic benefits for New Zealand,” Labour immigration spokesperson Phil Twyford said.

“Allowing people to buy residence by parking their money in a passive investment like property that won’t generate jobs or sustainable economic development for New Zealand doesn’t sit well. 

“Kiwi venture capitalists looking for investment opportunities urged the Government to keep Labour’s rules in place, and not open up to passive investments.

“This will stick in the craw for the hard-working migrants who have to crawl over cut glass to get residence. Giving the fast track to residence for the rich with no requirement for economic development for New Zealand, and removing the English language test for the rich but not for every day migrants, is not the Kiwi way. 

“The focus on wealthy visitors to New Zealand in the very same week the Government has figures showing Kiwi unemployment is at record highs is absolutely tone deaf.

“I’m surprised Winston Peters doesn’t have more to say about this. It flies in the face of what he has fought for decades,” Phil Twyford said.

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Release: Craven silence on ICC conveys consent

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Source: New Zealand Labour Party

New Zealand has long been a member of the International Criminal Court, which impartially prosecutes serious war criminals for atrocities.

“The United States of America is attacking the ICC with sanctions and undermining its important and respected role as a prosecutor of war criminals,” Labour foreign affairs spokesperson David Parker said.

“It is one thing for the USA not to participate in the ICC. To go further and introduce sanctions to hinder the ability of the ICC doing its work for other countries is plainly wrong.

“In recent days, 79 countries have signed a statement condemning this. Those countries include Switzerland, Canada, France and Germany – countries we normally work closely with. New Zealand was notably absent.

“It is understandable that New Zealand does not want to criticise every decision made by President Trump.

“But our government won’t even speak up in the company of 79 others when an institution we are part of is threatened and undermined.

“Silence conveys consent.

“New Zealand’s reputation for being fair and principled is built on decades of important decisions like these – across successive governments.

“In its efforts to appease the new USA administration, New Zealand should not cravenly abandon its principles,” David Parker said.

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MIL OSI

Respect your elders: Driving change for vintage vehicles

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Source: New Zealand Government

  • The Government will consult on reducing the frequency of Warrant of Fitness and Certificate of Fitness inspections for vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes.
  • At present these vehicles must be inspected every six months. 
  • The consultation proposes to extend this to a year.

The Government is looking to reduce unnecessarily onerous compliance requirements for owners of vintage cars, vintage motorcycles and privately owned motorhomes, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Everyone loves seeing a lovingly maintained vintage car out on the road for a Sunday drive, and cruising around our beautiful country in a motorhome is a quintessential Kiwi dream,” Mr Bishop says.

“There are around 128,000 vintage vehicles in New Zealand, and about 39,000 private motorhomes. At present the owners of these vehicles must spend time and money on Warrant of Fitness (WOF) or Certificate of Fitness (COF) inspections every six months.

“That’s despite motorhomes and vintage light vehicles travelling much less per year compared to most modern cars, and evidence showing that faults in these vehicles are half as likely to have contributed to serious crashes involving these vehicles. That’s true even when factoring in the smaller numbers of motorhomes and vintage vehicles on our roads.

“Evidence also shows that initial pass rates for vintage vehicles are higher compared to all vehicles under 40 years old.

“In fact, light vehicle WOF pass rates actually improve as vehicles age from 40 years old showing that, with proper care, some things really do get better with age.”

“That’s why we’re consulting on easing the overly onerous compliance requirements on these types of vehicles, so that owners of vintage cars and private motorhomes can spend less time waiting in line at the VTNZ, and more time tinkering happily in the garage or cruising the open road.”

The consultation is being run by NZTA, and proposes to: 

  • Reduce WOF check frequency for vehicles over 40 years old from every 6 months to every year, and
  • Reduce COF check frequency for privately owned heavy motorhome vehicles from every 6 months to every year. 

“Extending the time between WOF and COF inspections is a sensible approach to ensuring vehicles are safe while not going overboard on compliance.”

Public consultation on the proposed changes will begin on 24 February 2025. Visit nzta.govt.nz to share your feedback. The last day for feedback is 4 April 2025.

Note to Editors:

  • Vintage light vehicles refers to cars and motorcycles over 40 years old.
  • In total there are around 4.4 million light vehicles in New Zealand. Around 128,000 of them are vintage.
  • WOF pass rate statistics refer to initial WOF inspections only, and not re-checks.
  • To make a Rule change through this process, the Minister of Transport is required to consult with the public / interested parties.

MIL OSI

PSA seeks Privacy Commissioner investigation into reckless cuts at Health NZ Te Whatu Ora

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Source: PSA

Patient information at risk of privacy breach from deep cuts to IT staff
The PSA is asking the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate Health NZ’s plan to decimate its IT staff as part of the Government’s plans to cut health costs.
“The PSA is taking the unusual step of asking the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate cuts to data and digital teams at Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand because of the huge gamble with patient privacy and safety we believe Health NZ is taking with plans to cut almost half of IT staff,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, Acting National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
Health NZ Te Whatu Ora announced in December plans to cut 47% of roles in the Data and Digital Directorate, resulting in the loss of 1120 roles (including vacancies), all to save $100m.
“New Zealanders rightly expect that their private information as patients is held securely, but we don’t believe Health NZ can say hand on heart that will be the case if these cuts go ahead.
“Health NZ has important obligations under the Health Information Privacy Code and the Privacy Act, but we don’t believe the risks of breaching these obligations have been properly analysed in the rush to save money.
“The data and information these teams are responsible for is vital for clinicians to ensure the best possible treatment for patients. IT staff already warned Health NZ leaders late last year that the restructure raised the risks of unplanned outages. This could impact patients through the inability of clinicians to access patient data, as well as through medication and equipment failures.
“The Government is on notice that Health NZ’s IT systems are already under huge pressure and that the directorate is understaffed. The risk of a cyber security breaches is very real as the Waikato Hospital ransomware attack in 2021 showed.
“The Government should be investing in IT upgrades and more, not fewer staff to better protect sensitive patient records and ensure the benefits of centralising computer systems under the health restructure are realised.
“We urge the Privacy Commissioner to use his powers of investigation here before long term damage is done to the health system. We invite him to talk to impacted staff who know well the risks to patients from unplanned outages.
“It’s absolutely critical patient data is accurate, secure and available 24-7 for clinicians.”
– PSA letter to the Privacy Commissioner
– PSA submission to Health NZ / Te Whatu Ora on proposed restructure of the Data and Digital Directorate
Previous statement

MIL OSI

Fatal crash: Oregan Road, Ngāhinapōuri

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Ngāhinapōuri this evening.

The single vehicle crash on Oregan Road was reported at about 7:45pm.

One person died at the scene, a second person sustained serious injuries.

The road is currently closed while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

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