Search for missing man, Cook Strait

Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses.

“Chris Bishop is full of it. It is completely heartless and out of touch of him to be comfortable with people sleeping in cars and tents, while he stands up and boasts about saving money,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said.

“It’s simple, build more public houses so that people have somewhere to live. Housing is the bare minimum that a person needs to live, and to help turn their life around.

“Chris Bishop has already instructed Kāinga Ora to build fewer houses each year in his letter of expectation, leading to a net loss of houses in Auckland next year, and cut $1.5 billion from building and maintenance costs in last year’s budget.

“If the best that he can come up with is the number of overall homes won’t go backwards, then it shows their priority is cutting spending, not housing people.

“He says a lot of words about how the private sector will step in, yet figures out today from Statistics New Zealand shows overall building consents for new homes are down nearly 10% for 2024.

“Chris Bishop completely missed out the words that matter – a commitment to building more public houses,” Kieran McAnulty said.

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MIL OSI

Government plan fails on growing public housing stock

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February 4, 2025

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Source: Green Party

The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis.

“The Government has given up on the housing crisis, using the review into Kāinga Ora to push their privatisation agenda,” says the Green Party spokesperson for Housing Tamatha Paul.

“Public housing is as essential as public healthcare and public education. Housing is a human right that this Government is denying our communities from accessing.

“The housing crisis in Aotearoa is getting worse and worse. Instead of making excuses to allow poverty and homelessness to skyrocket, the Government needs to back Kāinga Ora to build at scale and at pace.

“This Government is deliberately stripping Kāinga Ora to the bare bones, playing straight into the hands of wealthy landlords looking to exploit housing insecurity for private profit. We cannot rely on the private market to solve our problems, we have seen it entrench poverty and homelessness across generations.

“The last Government sold just 276 state houses over six years, but increased public housing supply by over 7,000 homes. With this new direction, Bishop will sell 900 per year. That’s not just opening the door to privatisation, it’s welcoming it in with open arms.

“In the past, our country’s leaders made a conscious decision to house everybody and grow public housing stock at scale. We can make that decision again and we must resist the sale of public housing at all costs because it will have consequences for generations to come.

“Public housing is a crucial part of ensuring we don’t have gentrified, segregated communities, and that our neighbourhoods reflect the make-up of our wider society, culturally and economically.

“Housing is a public good that provides the basis for a stable home for whanau, so that no one is left behind. The Government should be building thousands of new homes,” says Tamatha Paul.

MIL OSI

Home consents up in Otago in 2024, down in all other regions – Stats NZ media and information release: Building consents issued: December 2024

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February 4, 2025

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Source: Statistics New Zealand

Home consents up in Otago in 2024, down in all other regions – 4 February 2025 – There were 33,600 new homes consented in Aotearoa New Zealand in the year ended December 2024, down 9.8 percent compared with the year ended December 2023, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

“Otago was the only region with an increase in the number of new homes consented in 2024,” economic indicators spokesperson Michael Heslop said.

The five regions with the highest number of new homes consented in the year ended December 2024 were:

Auckland with 13,939 (down 10 percent compared with the year ended December 2023)
Canterbury with 6,544 (down 6.0 percent)
Waikato with 2,755 (down 22 percent)
Otago with 2,338 (up 19 percent)
Wellington with 1,833 (down 24 percent).

Files:

MIL OSI

Local News – Porirua set to host another massive Waitangi Day event

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February 4, 2025

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Source: Porirua City Council

You can expect another awesome Waitangi Day event in Porirua.

Waitangi Day at Te Rauparaha Park on Thursday 6 February, runs from midday to 5pm and will feature live music performances from homegrown talent PERE and Kings.

Also hitting the stage will be Swiss, The Voice Australia’s Roland Williams, Ella Monnery and Hoseah Partsch, and Leisure Tomlins.

Don’t miss cultural performances by Mana Whenua me te Kāhui Kuratea, and visiting Canadian Indigenous group the Kumugwe Cultural Society.

The fun continues inside Te Rauparaha Arena and Pātaka Art + Museum, with lots of free activities for tamariki and art and history to discover.

Visitors will also have the chance to check out the many stalls set up on Te Rauparaha Park, as well as choosing from a range of tasty kai options from food trucks located along Norrie St.

The popular free waka tours are also returning for the day, giving people the chance to paddle around Te-Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour, thanks to Toa Waka Ama.

“Last year we welcomed more than 30,000 people into our city centre for Waitangi Day, with many coming from outside of Porirua,” says Porirua Mayor Anita Baker.

“The range of musicians, performers, activities, stalls and kai on offer means there will be something for everyone.”

Last year the event was named Best Arts, Culture or Heritage Event at the NZEA Event Awards.

This year’s event has a zero waste kaupapa, so remember to pack your keep cups for inu (drinks) and kai (food), and is smoke and vape free.

There are plenty of ways to get to Te Rauparaha Park for Waitangi Day – walk, scoot or bike to the city centre if coming from nearby.

As it’s a public holiday Council parking is free in the city, although there will be fewer available parks due to event road closures. Visitors are encouraged to catch the train to Porirua city and make the five-minute walk around the waterfront to the action. Some mobility parking spaces will be available at Te Rauparaha Arena.

MIL OSI

Local News – Elections 2025 – are you Porirua Proud?

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February 4, 2025

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Source: Porirua City Council

It’s an election year, and we’re asking people in Porirua to show how much they care about their city. This year you’ll decide who represents you around the Council table. There will also be a poll on whether the city should keep its Māori ward.

There are three phases to an election year – enrol, stand, and vote.

Council’s Manager Democratic Services, Jack Marshall, says while the election is just over eight months away, now is a great time to find out more. You can check you’re enrolled and, if you’re interested, start thinking about standing for Council. You can find out online anytime whether you’re enrolled for the general or Māori roll.

“We’ll be out and about at events across our city (including Waitangi Day), helping people to show how ‘Porirua Proud’ they are. Come have a chat about enrolling, standing, or how voting works,” Jack says.

“Our mayor and councillors make key decisions on how the city is run and these decisions impact our lives every day.

“Council is responsible for delivering essential services and infrastructure like roading, rubbish, recycling, the landfill, three waters, animal control, planning and building consents, as well as things like parks, reserves, sports fields and events that help make Porirua the great place it is.

“If you’ve ever thought about being mayor or a councillor, now’s the time to start thinking about standing. Come help ensure the Council reflects our diverse and vibrant city.”

Local elections are by postal vote, with voting closing on 11 October. Porirua has a mayor, and 10 councillors, which includes one councillor for the Parirua Māori Ward.

A key decision to be made this election by voters is whether the city should keep its Māori ward.

“There are big decisions to be made for our city’s future. Make sure your voice is heard – either by voting or by standing,” Jack says.

Check you’re enrolled at vote.nz or call the Electoral Commission on 0800 36 76 56.

MIL OSI

Local News – Have your say – three Porirua City consultations open for submission

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February 4, 2025

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Source: Porirua City Council

Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025

Porirua City Council is reviewing the way it manages freedom camping. Under the proposed bylaw, freedom camping on reserves would still be managed under the Reserves Act, but freedom camping on other Council land would be managed under the Freedom Camping Act 2011.

The proposed bylaw would give Council officers the ability to issue on-the-spot fines. We hope this will reduce the number of people not complying with our freedom camping rules. There are six proposed sites where freedom camping in a self-contained motor vehicle is permitted, with restrictions. Submissions close 10 February.

Keeping of Animals Bylaw 2025

Updated rules are being proposed if you keep cats, poultry, bees or other animals in Porirua, and we want to hear what the community thinks. The Keeping of Animals Bylaw is a general bylaw that has rules around all domestic animals, apart from dogs, which are covered by the Dog Control Bylaw.

It’s proposed to strengthen the bylaw by putting in stronger provisions to prevent noise and mess nuisance by animals and clearer enforcement rules. This includes new rules for cats (requiring owners to desex, microchip and register their cat), new rules for beekeepers and proposed changes for keeping stock in the city centre and suburban areas. Submissions close 10 February.

Local Alcohol Policy

Feedback is sought to help shape the sale and supply of alcohol in Porirua. We are proposing to introduce priority areas in suburbs where alcohol-related harm is more common, which could then have conditions applied to manage alcohol sale and supply.

The hours that alcohol can be sold in both off-licence premises (that sell alcohol to drink elsewhere) and on-licence premises (where alcohol is sold to drink at that venue) is also being consulted on, with options proposed for feedback. Submissions close 7 March.

MIL OSI

Fire Safety – Hot, dry conditions prompt fire restrictions in Southland

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February 4, 2025

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has placed Southland District into a restricted fire season from 8am, Tuesday 4 February until further notice.

A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which they can apply for at checkitsalright.nz .

Southland District Manager Julian Tohiariki says a combination of above-average temperatures, moderately strong winds and reduced rainfall has contributed to increased fire risk in the area.

“These conditions make it too easy for fires to get started and get out of control,” he says.

“The wildfire on Tiwai Peninsula last week showed just how quickly fire can spread through dry vegetation, and the devastating impact it can have on our environment and wildlife.

“We have a lot of very dry and flammable vegetation out there in the district at the moment, so we need to restrict how and when outdoor fires are lit.

“If you’re thinking about starting any kind of open-air fire, you must go to checkitsalright.nz first to find out if you can do that in your location, and what restrictions apply.

“It’s important we take all the steps we can to reduce the fire risk to our safety, property and environment this summer.”

MIL OSI

Chipping away at North Auckland’s summer SH16 maintenance programme

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February 4, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises road users to plan ahead for upcoming chipsealing work on State Highway 16 Kaukapakapa.

Work will be carried out between 7am and 7pm over 5 days, beginning Monday 10 February, with stop/go traffic management and a reduced temporary speed limit in place. Temporary speed limits and traffic management will remain in place the following day to guide traffic over the new seal and help to embed it successfully.

It’s important to slow down through newly sealed sections of road because small chips can be flicked up from the road surface and damage vehicles – especially windscreens. That’s why we often keep temporary speed limits in place even after it looks like the work has been completed. As well as safety, the temporary speed limit also helps ensure the quality of the reseal. Travelling at the posted temporary speed limit allows for the chips to be embedded into the road surface and for them to remain in place as the seal cures.

Travel delays during these works are expected to be 5-10 minutes.

Chipsealing helps ensure a smooth, skid-resistant surface, free of potholes and slippery sections to reduce the risk of crashes and help keep everyone traveling on our roads safe.

Details of specific work sites for the week ahead can be found on the Northland State Highway Maintenance Programme website.

Northland state highway maintenance programme(external link)

Work is weather dependent and there may be changes to the planned works in the case of unsuitable weather. Please visit the NZTA Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) for up-to-date information, including any changes due to weather.

This work is part of Northland’s significant summer maintenance programme, which will see approximately 203 lane kilometres of state highway renewed across the region by the end of May.

NZTA thanks everyone for their understanding and support while we carry out this essential maintenance.

MIL OSI

Upcoming road reconstruction east of Thomsons Creek Bridge, west of Omakau

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February 4, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Five weeks of highway reconstruction gets underway near Thomsons Creek Bridge, west of Omakau, in Central Otago in a week’s time.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) crews will be starting on Monday 10 February, running through to Friday 14 March. The bridge is close to the intersection with Ophir Bridge Road. (See map below for the site being repaired and relaid).

Close to 600 metres of highway needs to be replaced, from the eastern end of the Thomsons Creek Bridge to about 40metres south of the Wilton St/SH85 intersection.

This work to fully reconstruct the road surface to give good traction and improve safety for road users is weather dependent. Dates could vary if it is wet or cold, says Peter Standring, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA in Central Otago.

Drivers will face delays up to ten minutes as one lane of the road will be tackled at a time and traffic managed with Stop/Go, with speeds down to 30km/hour. Crews will be on site from 7 am each day through to 6 pm, weekdays only.

Outside of these hours, the road will be unattended with speeds reduced to 30km/hour and open both directions.

NZTA thanks all road users for taking care around our crews while this work is underway and building in the extra ten minutes daytimes to keep everyone’s journey stress-free over the five weeks or so.

The area east of the bridge is about to get a new lease of life:

The location of the road rehabilitation starting 10 February. Note the bridge deck is not included in the reconstruction.

MIL OSI