BusinessNZ – New Zealand more attractive to foreign investment
Source: BusinessNZ
Rescue on the Wakaia River
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
Going for Growth: Unlocking investment in NZ
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.
Police urging caution on the roads as thousands depart region
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
Fatal Crash, Kakaramea Road, Ngahinapouri
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.
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Police closely monitoring Hawke’s Bay tangi
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
Fatal Crash, Parihauhau Road, Parikino
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
A man has died following a crash involving a ute and a motorbike on Parihauhau Road, Parikino this afternoon.
Emergency services responded to the scene around 1:40pm.
The motorcyclist was located deceased, and the occupants of the vehicle were uninjured.
The Serious Crash Unit has completed a scene examination and the road has since reopened.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Cente
Fatality, Maketu
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
A person has died on the northern end of Maketu Beach this afternoon.
Emergency services were advised just after 4pm today that an unresponsive male had washed up on the shoreline.
Despite immediate medical attention, he was sadly unable to be revived.
The man’s death will be referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Fatal water incident, Rakaia River
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
A woman has died following a water incident at the Rakaia river mouth this afternoon.
Around 1pm emergency services responded to the south side of the Rakaia River mouth, following reports a group had become stuck in the river after attempting to cross on quad bikes.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Police, and Hato Hone St John responded, with the assistance of a member of the public in a private vessel.
Of the six people recovered, one person was located deceased and one person was transported to hospital in a critical condition by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Man before courts after item of concern found at Hamilton Police Station
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
A 29-year-old man is before the courts after an item of concern was located following an incident in Hamilton.
On Friday 7 February around 4.05pm, Police were called to a Massey Street address after reports that a man had been seen with a firearm before leaving the area in a vehicle.
A short time later, a Police unit located the vehicle and kept observations before conducting an armed traffic stop on Cambridge Road.
The driver was taken into custody without incident.
A search of the vehicle located two firearms and a collection of ammunition.
On arrival at the Hamilton Central Police Station, staff located an item of concern among the man’s property.
Police took advice from the New Zealand Defence Force to secure the item away from Police staff and any public areas of the station.
The NZDF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team attended the station and made the item safe.
The 29-year-old man appeared in Hamilton District Court today on multiple charges.
He was remanded in custody to reappear on multiple charges on 11 February.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre