New Zealand Sugar Company fined almost $150,000 for importing and selling sugar products contaminated with lead

February 7, 2025

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Sugar Company, trading as Chelsea Sugar, has been fined $149,500 for manufacturing, distributing and selling sugar products contaminated with lead.

In November and December 2021, the company recalled thousands of packs of sugar products because of potential low level lead contamination.

Media release: New Zealand Food Safety to investigate sugar recalls

Two other product recalls were needed when it was later discovered New Zealand Sugar Company provided incorrect information to supermarkets, resulting in more sugar products being released to consumers.

“These recalls had a significant impact on consumer access to certain sugar products, such as brown sugar. It also affected a large number of other businesses which had to recall products made with the contaminated sugar,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle.

In the Auckland District Court, the company was sentenced on 2 charges it pleaded guilty to in May last year, including breaching its National Programme (NP) – designed to manage any food risk to consumers – along with negligently endangering, harming, creating, or increasing risk to consumers by distributing its product.

A sentencing hearing was held in September last year and the court has released its reserved decision today.

“New Zealand Sugar Company knew what its responsibilities were to consumers – ensuring the safety and suitability of its products and managing any potential risk to consumers.

“It failed to properly detect the extent of lead contamination until after the imported sugar had been used in production.

“Offending at this scale is rare, and the Court’s sentence today sends a strong message that it will not be tolerated,” says Vincent Arbuckle.

In September 2021, the New Zealand Sugar Company imported sugar from Australia that became contaminated with lead during sea transport. From this sugar it manufactured and distributed 971 tonnes of contaminated sugar products to businesses in New Zealand.

The sugar had been freighted to New Zealand from Australia aboard the cargo ship Rin Treasure – a vessel that had been used to ship metal sulphide concentrates (lead and zinc) on its previous voyage.

Before choosing this ship, New Zealand Sugar Company was advised the vessel failed a survey report on 3 September, meaning it was not fit to load and transport bulk sugar. Prior to its departure, the vessel was cleaned, and a cleanliness report certified the vessel’s hold was in a fit state for the stowage and carriage of raw sugar.

However, the cleaning was not effective, and the cargo of sugar became contaminated with lead during the journey from Queensland. This contamination may have been potentially exacerbated by a broken pipe aboard the vessel that spilled water into the sugar during the cargo unloading process by contractors.

Samples of the sugar were collected between 15 and 24 September for testing but New Zealand Sugar Company followed its normal process of producing sugar products from the cargo for distribution and sale.

“The test result on 7 October showed high readings of lead contamination, but rather than take immediate action and stop production and distribution, they instead sought more testing which confirmed the same result.

“Some of this product was sold between October and early November. We were not informed of the lead contamination until 3 November, which is unacceptable.

“New Zealand Sugar Company’s lack of definitive action resulted in a consumer level recall of sugar products on 4 November – around 6 weeks after the contaminated product arrived in New Zealand.

“Although the short-term exposure to increased lead levels through these sugar products would not have endangered people’s health – we cannot afford to take a chance on public health,” says Vincent Arbuckle.

If you have concerns about a food product, you can contact New Zealand Food Safety on 0800 008 333 or use our online food complaint tool

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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Road blocked, Mokau Road, Mokau

LiveNews Publisher

February 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are responding to a single vehicle crash where a truck has rolled on Mokau Road (SH3), near Mohakatino Road, Mokau.

The crash was reported around 1:45pm.

The driver is reported to be in a moderate to serious condition.

The road is blocked and motorists are advised to take an alternate route.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Weather News – Thundery Afternoon for Central North Island before a Summery Weekend – MetService

LiveNews Publisher

February 7, 2025

Source: MetService

Covering period of Friday 7 – Monday 10 February – Severe thunderstorms are possible for the central North Island this afternoon and evening (Friday), but MetService is forecasting more warm and dry weather for most during the weekend.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place for the central North Island this afternoon and evening, covering Taupō, Waikato south of Tokoroa, Taumarunui, inland Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Taihape. Scattered heavy showers, thunderstorms and localised downpours (25 – 40 mm/h) are expected within this area.

MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon comments, “Not everywhere within the Watch area will see a thunderstorm or downpour today, but the potential is there. Localised downpours can cause surface flooding, especially in low-lying areas, so it’s worth keeping an eye on metservice.com as our expert meteorologists will be issuing localised Warnings for severe thunderstorms as they occur.”

It’s shaping up to be a sunny day for the rest of the North Island today, with toasty forecast high temperatures in the mid-high twenties. The South Island is cloudier, especially over Canterbury and Marlborough where temperatures remain in the teens, but this cloud is forecast to break up this afternoon. The remains of a front over western South Island areas means cloud and a sprinkling of rain will stick around into the weekend.

Over the weekend, a ridge of high pressure over the North Island means more sunny and warm weather. There will still be a few showers in central areas. Down south, showers continue in the west while eastern areas get sunny, warm weather to start the weekend. Alexandra has a forecast high of 31°C on Saturday, before temperatures drop as a band of rain reaches Southland at night.

Wotherspoon details, “Brief rain spreads over Southland and Otago tomorrow night as a front moves north, but it slows and begins to break up heading into Sunday morning. There will be a dip in temperatures for the South Island with this front; Christchurch has a forecast high of 29 °C on Sunday, but is only expected to reach 19 °C on Monday.”

The remnants of this front will linger into next week, keeping conditions in the South Island cool and cloudy, while the North Island is in store for more warm and dry conditions.

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Universities – Green light for remote tech to sort the wood from the trees – Flinders

LiveNews Publisher

February 7, 2025

Source: Flinders University

New Zealand and Flinders University experts have deployed artificial intelligence and 3D laser scanning to accurately map planted pine (radiata) forests for most of NZ’s North Island.

The results, which distinguish planted large estates, small woodlots and newly established stands as young as three years old, showcase a new way of using remote sensing with other technology to reveal forest growth and update growth information.

This approach is just as relevant for Australia, where radiata pine is also widely grown, says Dr Grant Pearse, Senior Lecturer in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Flinders University.

“In New Zealand, where radiata pine plantations dominate the forestry sector, the current national forest description lacks spatially explicit information and struggles to capture data on small-scale forests,” says Dr Pearse, from the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia.

“We combined deep learning-based forest mapping using high-resolution aerial imagery with regional airborne laser scanning data to map all planted forest and estimate key attributes.”

The spatially explicit forest description provides wall-to-wall information on forest extent, age, and volume for all sizes of forest. This facilitates stratification by key variables for wood supply forecasting, harvest planning, and infrastructure investment decisions – applications equally valuable for other forestry industries.

The research, with New Zealand timber industry researchers from Rotorua, Christchurch and Auckland, was carried out on planted forests in the Gisborne region, which has publicly available aerial imagery and airborne laser scanning data.

This region is particularly significant as it was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023, which caused widespread landslides and forest debris flows.

For such vulnerable terrain, knowing exactly where forests are located in the landscape, their age and condition is key to managing the risks of harvesting operations on the region’s steep slopes.

“We propose satellite-based harvest detection and digital photogrammetry to continuously update the initial forest description. This methodology enables near real-time monitoring of planted forests at all scales and is adaptable to other regions with similar data availability,” researchers say in a new article.

Along with the economic importance of NZ’s 1.8 million hectares of radiata pine forestry for export timber and fibre, these planted forests are a key part of the country’s emission trading scheme and are expected to play a significant role in achieving the government’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The forest map derived from artificial intelligence can be viewed at: www.forestinsights.nz

In South Australia, plantation estates covering about 40,000 hectares support a $3 billion industry and employ 18,000 people as well as construction, manufacturing, tourism and regional communities.

The article. ‘Developing a forest description from remote sensing: Insights from New Zealand’ (2024) byGrant D Pearse (Flinders University), Sadeepa Jayathunga, Nicolò Camarretta, Melanie E Palmer, Benjamin SC Steer, Michael S Watt (all Scion), Pete Watt and Andrew Holdaway (both Indufor Asia Pacific) has been published in the journal Science of Remote Sensing. DOI: 10.1016/j.srs.2024.100183. (ref. https://www.forestinsights.nz/ )

Acknowledgements: This project was funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Strategic Science Investment Fund (administered by Scion, the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd) and through the MBIE Programme (grant number C04X2101).

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Seventy-three graduate in first police wing for 2025

LiveNews Publisher

February 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Commissioner Richard Chambers, the Minister of Police, Hon Mark Mitchell, Associate Minister of Police Casey Costello and Wing Patron, Glenn Dunbier ONZM congratulated the 73 graduating constables from wing 381 today.
Families and friends joined the newly attested constables at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua this morning to watch them parade out from their initial police training course.

Constable Brent Edwards, Ngāti Awa, recipient of the Minister’s Award for top recruit of the wing, who was previously a police officer is pleased to be back on the front line; “I missed the job and the sense of satisfaction you get from helping people and holding offenders to account. There is no other job like it. But the main reason I’ve returned is the people, the organisation is full of good people, who are doing things for the right reasons. It is great to be part of it again.”

The Commissioner’s Award for Leadership and the Patron’s award was awarded to Constable Aleksandar Banjac. “This recognition is not a reflection of my individual efforts, but a testament to the hard work and commitment of the entire wing. This award is a shared achievement, and I accept it with deep respect and gratitude to my peers for the nominations. I would like to thank everyone involved with their continued support in this journey.”

All Awards:
Minister’s Award recognising top student: Constable Brent Edwards, Ngāti Awa, posted to Tasman District.
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership and the Patron’s Award for second in wing, recognising second top student: Constable Aleksandar Banjac , posted to Auckland City District.
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Lucas Lowe posted to Bay of Plenty District.
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Eli Marsters, Ngāti Whanaunga, posted to Bay of Plenty District.
Firearms Award: Constable Michael Tooley, posted to Wellington District.

Deployment:
The new constables will start their first day of duty in their Police districts on Monday 17 February 2025 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables.
Northland 6, Tāmaki Makaurau a total of 23 and broken down as follows: Auckland – 5, Waitematā – 5, Counties Manukau – 13, Waikato – 4, Bay of Plenty – 8, Eastern – 9, Central – 3, Wellington – 9, Tasman – 2, Canterbury – 4, Southern – 5.

Demographics:
23.3 percent are female, 76.7 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 58.9 percent of the wing, with Māori 16.4 percent, Pasifika 8.2 percent, Asian 11.0 percent, LAAM 1.4 percent and Other is 4.1 percent.

381 Wing Patron
Former Deputy Commissioner Dunbier joined Police in 1985. He has worked across frontline, investigative, covert policing, and numerous leadership roles. He was appointed Area Commander for Eastern Waikato in 2006, District Commander for Bay of Plenty in 2010, then promoted to Deputy Commissioner in 2014. He served as lead police liaison officer in Turkey, coordinating the tri-lateral Australia – New Zealand – Turkey commemorations for the Anzac centenary of Gallipoli in 2015.
Following a three-year secondment to the Australian Department of Defence in 2017, he became deputy commissioner of operations in early 2020, with responsibility for more than 10,000 New Zealand Police staff. Dunbier led the police response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which included the policing of lockdown restrictions, staffing and managing the managed isolation and quarantine facilities across the country and operating the alert level boundary checkpoints. In 2022, he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to New Zealand Police and the community. Glenn retired from New Zealand Police in 2023. He now volunteers with two organisations – one dedicated to combatting food poverty/food waste and the other caring for the aged, as well as participating on boards and committees.

Watch out for our Ten One story coming soon with more images and stories.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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State Highway summer maintenance continues in Marlborough

LiveNews Publisher

February 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

People travelling between Nelson and Blenheim can expect to see road works on State Highway 6 into March as investment into the region’s highway infrastructure continues.

These works are critical for ensuring the transport link between Blenheim and Nelson is kept safe and reliable for all road users.

Work will be getting underway at Havelock and near Pelorus from next week.

These works are critical for ensuring the transport link between Blenheim and Nelson is kept safe and reliable for all road users.

SH6 Pelorus works

From Monday 10 February, to Friday 21 March, Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, contractors will rebuild a 1.6-kilometre section of the highway near Pelorus.

They will remove the top layer of the road, lay new gravel, and then apply new chipseal on top. The end result is more stable and improved road surface.

Drainage works will also be completed, and the shoulder of the state highway will be widened. Road users can expect delays of up to 10-minutes during work hours until this work completed.

To ensure the chip-sealing is successful, this work must be done during the day when the weather is warmer.

A 30 km/h temporary speed limit will be in place while the work is underway. All drivers must follow it – it is there to protect the road surface, keep drivers safe, and protect vehicles for stone chip damage.

This work is deliberately planned to minimise disruption for drivers and has been timed to coincide with the State Highway 6 Whangamoa Saddle closure when there will be less traffic on the road.

People travelling between Nelson and Blenheim are also reminded of the upcoming night closures of the Pelorus Bridge on Sunday 23 February.

SH6 Havelock works

From Wednesday 12 February, to Sunday 16 February, between 7pm to 7am, contractors will also carry out nighttime asphalting work on State Highway 6 through the Havelock township. Work will be underway from just north of Neil Street to Allied Petrol. Stop/go traffic management will be in place during work hours with delays of up to 10 minutes.

Drivers are urged to check road conditions before they travel and plan their journeys accordingly. This is especially important for people with Picton ferry connections.

Upcoming SH6 work schedules and locations

SH6 Pelorus – Daytime road rebuilding

10 February, to 21 March (no work on weekends), 7am – 6pm.
Stop/go and 30km/h temporary speed limit.
Delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected.
Reduced temporary speed limit will remain in place outside of work hours.
Work is subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of unsuitable conditions.

SH6 Havelock – Nighttime asphalting

Wednesday, 12 February, to Sunday, 16 February, 7pm – 7am
Stop/go and 30km/h temporary speed limit.
Delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected.
Work is subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of unsuitable conditions, work will be rescheduled to the next suitable night.

SH6 Whangamoa Saddle – night closures

23 February to 13 March. Sunday to Thursday nights, 8pm – 5:30am.
SH6 CLOSED between Hira and Rai Valley.
Outside of work hours, the highway will be subject to traffic management and reduced temporary speed limits at work areas.
There will be one nightly opening of the road at 12:30am to allow vehicles through. Drivers must be at the closure points (at the weighbridge in Hira, and on the Rai Valley straight at Rai Engineering & Mechanical) by 12:30am.
The alternate route for drivers wanting to travel over night between Blenheim and Nelson during the SH6 Whangamoa Saddle closure is via State Highway 63 and St Arnaud. This a much longer route and adds significantly to travel times.
Bad weather may see works delayed or extended.

SH6 Pelorus Bridge – works schedule and location

Sunday 23 February, Bridge CLOSED 8pm – 5:30am with one opening of the road at 12:30 am to allow vehicles to cross the bridge.
Drivers must be at the closure points at the Pelorus Bridge by 12:30am.
Drivers travelling from Nelson to Havelock/Blenheim must be at the Hira closure point at 12:30am to be allowed through the Whangamoa Saddle closure and the Pelorus Bridge site.
Drivers travelling in the opposite direction will need to be at the Pelorus Bridge closure point at 12:30am to be allowed through the Whangamoa Saddle closure.
Contractors will return to the site to complete maintenance work on SH6 Pelorus Bridge from 3 March to 6 March, 8pm – 5:30am. Expect delays of up to 10 minutes.
Bad weather may see works delayed or extended.

More information

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Release: Health leadership in disarray while Kiwis miss out

LiveNews Publisher

February 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders.

“Margie Apa was a team player who worked hard to build a modern health system designed to serve everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. She cares deeply for health outcomes and was focused on that in her role,” Labour’s acting health spokesperson Peeni Henare said.

“She helped put systems in place to close the gaps for Kiwis to access the healthcare they deserve. Whether it was mums-to-be in the furthest reaches of rural New Zealand, to those historically uncatered for in our cities. I want to thank Margie Apa for her work and wish her all the best in her next role.

“Fourteen months in Christopher Luxon’s Government has brought in chaotic changes to leadership: firing his first Health Minister and the Health New Zealand board, and now seeing off the chief executive.

“Soon he will run out of people to blame for his own failures in health.

“Changing leadership while fundamental issues of resourcing are unaddressed is taking the health system backwards.

“New Zealanders want to know they can access healthcare when they need it. This chaos at the top only shows the Prime Minister is failing to deliver that,” Peeni Henare said.

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Scientists hit the water for Maaui dolphin population survey

LiveNews Publisher

February 7, 2025

Source: Department of Conservation

Date: 07 February 2025

This research, conducted every five years, uses a proven genetic mark-recapture method to estimate the Maaui dolphin population along the west coast of the North Island. DNA samples will be collected from live, wild dolphins using a small biopsy dart, providing essential information about population size, genetic diversity, and movement patterns.

“The Maaui dolphin is critically endangered, and every sighting or sample contributes to our understanding of the species and its future survival,” says Cara Hansen, DOC Ranger.

The most recent abundance estimate, completed in 2021, indicated there were approximately 54 individual Maaui dolphins over the age of one year in the water off the North Island’s west coast (the animals’ known habitat). This new survey will provide an updated estimate to help track changes in the population and inform conservation efforts.

The survey will be carried out over two summer seasons, in 2025-26 and 2026-27, with field teams operating between the entrance of Kaipara Harbour and the Mokau River in Taranaki. Staff from DOC’s Taranaki, Auckland, and Waikato districts, the Marine Species Team, the University of Auckland, and Ngaati Te Ata will collaborate on this important project.

The public can also play a role in conservation efforts by reporting any sightings of Maaui dolphins and being aware of the threat that toxoplasmosis has on Maaui dolphins. The dolphins have a distinctive round dorsal fin, often likened to an ear from the cartoon character Mickey Mouse.

“Real-time reports help our field teams understand where the dolphins are being seen and improve the success of our survey,” says Cara.

Sightings can be reported through DOC’s hotline at 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or online Marine mammal sighting form.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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Innovation Fund to provide improved access to digital mental health resources

LiveNews Publisher

February 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is thrilled to announce today that the Mental Health Foundation is the latest recipient of a grant from the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund.
“This funding is being matched by the Mental Health Foundation to fully fund Project Wakapuāwai, an initiative that will digitise more mental health resources to allow Kiwis faster access to mental health information and support,” Mr Doocey says.
“If you are on a farm in Northland or a tiny town in Southern New Zealand, your access to mental health support can be limited. That is not acceptable. We want every Kiwi to know help is close and this goes someway to achieving that.
“The Mental Health Foundation will now be able to redevelop and future proof its digital platforms to improve the ways they provide crucial information about mental health and wellbeing, suicide prevention, and mental distress for all New Zealanders.
“We know that access to information and support for many rural and remote communities remains a barrier so alongside telehealth, this is another option for those looking to support themselves or for someone they care about.
“The Mental Health Foundation has been supporting our communities for nearly 50 years and the knowledge they have built up over time is invaluable.
“The contract announced today is the fourth contract to be awarded from the first round of the Mental Health Innovation Fund. Altogether, funding to Youthline, the Sir John Kirwan Foundation, MATES in Construction and the Mental Health Foundation account for more than $2.3 million.
Further announcements about other successful providers from round one of the fund are expected in the coming months.
“The Innovation fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in grassroots initiatives through non-governmental and community organisations that deliver mental health and addiction support to New Zealanders.
“We know that community-based organisations like the Mental Health Foundation are already delivering results for Kiwis. It is vital that we enable NGOs to deliver innovative projects and initiatives that increase faster access to better mental health support across New Zealand.”

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Investigations – Fire investigators seek help from Roxburgh community after Town Hall fire

LiveNews Publisher

February 7, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigators looking into the cause of the Roxburgh Town Hall fire yesterday are asking for help from the local community.

Fire investigator John Smalls says that his team is doing everything they can to get a clear picture of the fire’s progress, and people in Roxburgh may be able to help determine how and where the fire started.

“We really feel for the community, who are clearly devastated by the loss of their historic building,” he says.

“That’s why we’re doing everything we can to get a clear picture of what was happening to the building before and during yesterday’s fire.

“We’re especially looking for any images that show the back and sides of the building.”

John Smalls says the call went out to the community this morning and the response has already been terrific.

“We know how much this building means to local people, both for its current use, and as an important link to Roxburgh’s long history.”

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