Respect your elders: Driving change for vintage vehicles

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February 10, 2025

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.

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

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February 10, 2025

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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

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Fatal crash: Oregan Road, Ngāhinapōuri

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February 9, 2025

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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

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Arts – YOUTH WRITING MENTORSHIPS OPEN FOR 2025

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February 9, 2025

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Source: NZSA Youth Mentor Programme

The NZSA Youth Mentor Programme seeks Emerging Young Writers

Four secondary school students will have the opportunity to be mentored by one of New Zealand’s best professional authors in order to develop their craft and hone their writing skills.

The NZSA Youth Mentorship Programme offers aspiring young writers aged 15 -18 a mentorship, from May to November. The intent of the mentor programme is to foster and develop emerging writing talent with the support of established authors. There are 4 places awarded each year in the youth programme, and it is a game-changing opportunity for young writers.

NZSA has been running successful assessment and mentoring programmes since 1999 that aim are to nurture, encourage, inspire and develop emerging writers with the support of established writers through mentoring and assessment.

Deadline for applications: 6 April 2025
Find out about how to apply (ref. https://authors.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=905a5275ec5c023659502ec21&id=26a272c506&e=466373ae7c )

Comments from previous youth mentees
Leo Reid from Hamilton had award-winning author Kyle Mewburn as their mentor in 2024 and had this to say: “Through the NZSA Youth Mentorship Program, I have developed my skills as an author outside of simply writing. My mentor Kyle was endlessly kind and patient with me and I feel I have grown into myself using her help. Kyle offered me the experience of working with a seasoned author as well as providing me with extremely beneficial feedback. I know I can apply these newfound skills to projects outside of the one I had been working on with Kyle. I will look back on this shared time with her as one of immense value to myself, on both a personal level and as a writer.”

“I feel that I improved my skills as a writer and made a great deal of progress in terms of my project — I now have a clear structure, a plan moving forward and many smaller pieces to work with and develop further. Michelle has helped me build confidence in my work and consider things I previously didn’t, such as pacing and specific characterisation, as well as highlighting my strengths,” said Stella Weston who was partnered with writer and editor, Michelle Elvy.

Yiyang Cao of Auckland had award-winning poet Siobhan Harvey for her mentor and said this about her experience, “I feel that I’ve developed significantly as a poet this year, a process that was well aided by the feedback exchanged with my mentor. Her suggestions on form and craft have been intriguing and helpful to me as I worked towards finding my own poetic voice. I’ve also achieved the goal I had entering the mentorship, of writing and compiling a personal anthology of 40 of my poems in 2023.”

The Youth Mentor Programme is run by the NZSA, the principal organisation representing writers in Aotearoa. We offer memberships for writers at all stages of their careers including students. Our assessment and mentorship programmes, such as our annual Youth mentorships, are offered with the support of Creative New Zealand.

About NZSA
The NZSA represents over 1,800 writers in New Zealand. We offer support through advocacy and representation, professional development, information and guidance on publishing and the literary arts, administer prizes and awards and contract and business advice. We work to protect authors incomes and offer memberships for writers at all stages of their careers including students. Our many assessment and mentorship programmes, such as our annual Youth mentorships, are offered with the support of Creative New Zealand. NZSA is affiliated to International PEN, a voice that upholds freedom of speech and protests against writers falsely silenced and imprisoned around the world.
www.authors.org.nz

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BusinessNZ – New Zealand more attractive to foreign investment

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February 9, 2025

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Source: BusinessNZ

Changes to investor visa settings will make New Zealand more attractive as an investment destination, says BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich.

We welcome the next move in the government’s foreign investment strategy to attract high net wealth individuals and their families. Investors bring international business networks, unique skills and expertise as well as capital to our country, says Mrs Rich.

A broader range of investment opportunities and internationally comparable settings will open the doors for investors that want to call New Zealand home. There is an opportunity for New Zealand businesses to leverage these networks for investment and international trade. We welcome these visa changes and look forward to continued efforts by the government to attract foreign investment and expertise.

The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

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Rescue on the Wakaia River

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February 9, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Three men have been rescued after being reported missing while rafting on the Waikaia River near Piano Flat.

Police were alerted at around 9.30pm yesterday that the men did not reach their designated pick-up point after a planned trip on the river.

After making initial enquiries overnight, Police Search and Rescue began the search at first light this morning.

Police would like to thank Fire and Emergency New Zealand for providing a Command Truck for a forward search base at Piano Flat.

Southern Lakes Helicopters – Te Anau assisted the search by providing a helicopter, which located two inflatable watercrafts in a gorge section of the river, about 6.5km north of Piano Flat.

At around 11.30am, one of the men was sighted by the helicopter near the river’s edge with a leg injury.

The other two men were located nearby a short time later, cold but otherwise uninjured.

The trio were winched from the river to safety by the helicopter and were medically assessed. The man with the leg injury was transported to hospital by Ambulance.

Police would like to thank Land Search and Rescue volunteers from Southland, Eastern Southland, Catlins, and Fiordland, alongside Amateur Radio Emergency Communications.

Police would also like to thank the public who provided vital information of the area and terrain.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Going for Growth: Unlocking investment in NZ

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February 9, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is modernising visa settings to incentivise migrants to invest in New Zealand.
“Foreign investment has the potential to provide jobs for Kiwis, lift incomes by delivering new businesses and investing in existing ones. We should be rolling out the welcome mat and encouraging investor migrants to choose New Zealand as a destination for their capital,” Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says.
“Unfortunately, changes made to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa category by the previous government had the effect of discouraging potential investors from seeking New Zealand residence. Since 2022, migrants entering New Zealand under the AIP category have invested just $70 million. By contrast, in the two years prior to COVID-19 migrants invested $2.2 billion.
“Rather than turning potential investors away, this Government is intent on welcoming people who want to contribute to New Zealand. We are already making it easier for digital nomads to work remotely while visiting here and have established Invest New Zealand to promote investment into this country,” Ms Willis says.
“Capital is highly mobile and in an increasing complex world, people are looking for a safe and stable country to do business. We are now making our investor visa simpler and more flexible to incentivise investors to choose New Zealand as a destination not just for their capital, skills and international connections, but to build a life for themselves and their family here,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
From 1 April the current complex weighting system for the AIP will be replaced with two simplified investment categories:

The Growth category will focus on higher-risk investments, including direct investments in New Zealand businesses. It will require a minimum investment of $5 million for a minimum period of three years.
The Balanced category will focus on mixed investments, with the ability to choose ones that are lower risk. There will be a minimum investment of $10 million over five years.

Other changes include expanding the scope of acceptable investments and removing potential barriers to investment, such as the English language requirement.
“Incentivising, simplifying and broadening the investment offerings will make New Zealand more attractive and accessible to more foreign high-value investors. These changes will turbocharge our economic growth, bringing brighter days ahead for all Kiwis,” Ms Stanford says.

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Police urging caution on the roads as thousands depart region

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February 9, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

As people travel back home from the Burt Munro Challenge, we remind motorists that our highways are not racetracks and there is no prize for getting home first.

Thousands of people are leaving the Invercargill region in the coming days, prompting our reminder to drive safely so you reach your destinations safely.

Ensure you plan your journey ahead and allow plenty of travel time in case of delays. With a significant increase in traffic heading out of the region, it is crucial to keep your cool all times.

Please drive to the conditions, obey all speed limits and restrictions, don’t drive impaired and keep your phone away. If you are feeling fatigued, pull over or have somebody else drive.

If you are on a motorcycle, wear all the appropriate safety gear and check your bike is road safe before setting off.

We hope everyone enjoyed the events in our region, and if you’re on the road, expect to see us out and about, making sure everyone’s safe.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Fatal Crash, Kakaramea Road, Ngahinapouri

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February 9, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

One person has died following a serious crash in Ngahinapouri this morning.

Police were alerted to the single vehicle crash on Kakaramea Road/SH39 at around 8.55am.

Sadly, despite the efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene.

There are no other injuries reported.

The road is closed while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and expect delays.

ENDS

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Police closely monitoring Hawke’s Bay tangi

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February 9, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attribute to Detective Inspector Martin James:

There will be a visible Police presence in the Hawke’s Bay on Monday for the tangi of a senior member of the Mongrel Mob.

In the morning, the deceased will be taken from Mahora to Moteo for burial, with more than 100 gang members and associates possibly taking part.

Police have been working with whanau and gang leaders to minimise the impact to the community and the tangi itself. We have also been speaking with residents in the Mahora and Moteo Pa areas advising them of the increased presence of gang members and Police.

Our focus for the tangi is keeping people safe, preventing or minimising disruption to the public and responding to any unlawful behaviour. Neighbouring districts are providing additional policing teams to support the operation and help us monitor the movement of gang members through the region.

Illegal, antisocial or disruptive behaviour won’t be tolerated.

Police will take every opportunity to immediately intervene and enforce the law, including the Gangs Act 2024. In instances where immediate enforcement isn’t possible, officers are instructed to gather evidence that allows us to hold people accountable for their actions.

If you are on the roads, expect to see us; Police will be running checkpoints to breath test drivers, ensure passengers are properly restrained, and check that vehicles are roadworthy.

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

If you see any illegal behaviour, call police on 111 if it is happening now, or make a report at 105.police.govt.nz if it’s after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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