Update 3.40pm: State Highway 1 between Whakapara and Towai has now reopened to one lane, with contractors managing traffic past the site under stop/go. Please expect delays and allow additional time for travel between Whangārei and Kawakawa.
3.17pm:
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises State Highway 1 is closed between Whakapara and Towai, north of Whangārei, due to a crash blocking the road in Hūkerenui.
Motorists are asked to delay their travel, where possible, or to consider alternate routes, such as State Highway 15.
SH1 is also closed between Kaiwaka and Te Hana for clean up and recovery, following a truck rollover earlier today.
Earlier traffic bulletin covering this event:
People are encouraged to visit the Journey Planner website for up to date information on the closure and detour route before they travel.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises State Highway 1 between Kaiwaka and Te Hana remains closed for clean-up and recovery, following a truck rollover this morning.
The road is likely to remain closed for some time, with specialist machinery required for the clean-up and recovery. Motorists are encouraged to delay their journeys, where possible, or to allow extra time for the detour route.
There is a detour in place for light vehicles only. Southbound vehicles should turn left on to Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Rd, then continue on to Moir St before turning right on to Insley St. From there they should continue on to Tomarata Rd, then Mangawhai Rd, before returning to SH1 north of Te Hana. Northbound traffic should take the same route, in reverse.
Traffic on the detour route is currently heavy but flowing. People are asked to stick to the recommended detour as other local roads are not suitable for state highway detour traffic.
There is no detour route for heavy vehicles and, due to a significant build-up of traffic at the closure point, heavy vehicles are asked to delay their journeys if possible.
People are encouraged to visit the Journey Planner website for up to date information on the closure and detour route before they travel.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 February 2025 – VEGA, a global leader in AV/IT solutions, announces two major milestones: the relocation of its global headquarters to Champion Tower at 3 Garden Road, Hong Kong, and the appointment of Max Davies, formerly a senior leader at Crestron, as Country Manager for VEGA Australia. These developments underline VEGA’s commitment to innovation, leadership, and delivering exceptional solutions to clients worldwide.
VEGA relocates its global headquarters to Champion Tower at 3 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong, reflecting its commitment to innovation and global service.
New Global Headquarters at Champion Tower
In February 2025, VEGA will relocate its global headquarters to Champion Tower in Hong Kong’s central business district. This move reflects VEGA’s focus on fostering growth and collaboration while staying close to its key clients in the financial services and business sectors.
The new headquarters, situated on a high level with stunning views of Mid-Levels, features state-of-the-art facilities designed to host client events, partner meetings, and internal team collaborations.
“Our relocation to 3 Garden Road mirrors the ambitious growth plans of our clients and underscores our leadership in Asia and the Middle East,” said Steven Medeiros, CEO of VEGA. “This move enhances our ability to serve our clients better, foster innovation within our team, and build an even stronger future for VEGA.”
Max Davies Joins as Country Manager for VEGA Australia
VEGA is proud to welcome Max Davies as the new Country Manager for VEGA Australia. With nearly 20 years of experience in AV/IT solutions, Max brings a wealth of expertise from his time at Crestron, where he led large scale projects like Canon’s head office and ANZ Bank’s Sydney headquarters.
Max’s expertise in AV/IT integration, workplace technology, and strategic project delivery makes him an ideal leader to drive VEGA’s growth in the Australian market. His deep understanding of cutting-edge collaboration technologies positions him to meet the evolving needs of VEGA’s clients.
“I’m excited to join VEGA to build on the success of the Australian team and the greater global business,”* said Max Davies. “I’ll be working alongside some of the best people in the industry, striving to provide excellence and innovation for our clients.”
Steven Medeiros added: “Max’s leadership and expertise from his time at Crestron will strengthen VEGA’s position in Australia and elevate our ability to deliver exceptional solutions across industries.”
These announcements reflect VEGA’s focus on innovation, client success, and global growth as the company continues to expand its footprint and deliver world-class AV/IT solutions.
This Waitangi Day, Tiriti Action Group Pōneke will stage a hīkoi from Pukeahu to Waitangi Park starting at 10am. The Hīkoi is in support of mana whenua Te Kotahitanga o Taranaki Whānui, all tangata whenua and in opposition to the ongoing attacks on Māori, on the environment and on a liveable future.
“Everyone is invited to join us in this celebration of the kotahitanga that Te Tiriti o Waitangi offers every person in this nation,” said Anaru Ryall spokesperson for Tiriti Action Group.
“Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a blueprint for a peaceful and just Aotearoa, where Māori rights and decisions are respected, and non-Māori are invited to call this beautiful place home.”
“But right now, we are facing multiple breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi which trample on our enduring relationship, and harms instead of heals historic injustices.”
“These breaches also limit our future aspirations as a nation where everyone has what they need for a good and dignified life, and our children have hope and opportunity.”
“Just two months ago we made history – and international news – with 100,000+ people at the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti. That was just the beginning of our growing movement for real change.”
“Waitangi Day is another incredible opportunity for everyone in this country to remember our history, and cultivate the relationships we need to have a Te Tiriti-honouring future. This is a future that will nurture the seeds Te Tiriti planted, and ensure we can flourish together as a healthy, sustainable, equitable Aotearoa.”
The Waitangi Day Hīkoi aims to bring the local community together in the midst of the government’s assaults on Māori and their tino rangatiratanga, as well as the protections that Te Tiriti offers.
“This will be an event for the whole whānau, including tamariki, kaumatua, and everyone in the community, no matter where you are in your learning journey about Te Tiriti.”
“We urge especially Tangata Tiriti to come join us and participate in this show of kotahitanga. Our role as allies cannot be understated, and we must stand up and alongside Tangata Whenua in this troubling political climate.”
The Hīkoi will begin with a gathering at 10am at Pukeahu (War Memorial). After speeches, the hīkoi will move down to Waitangi Park via Tory Street, in time to join the Mihi Whakatau at the official Waitangi Day events at Waitangi Park.
Organisers will set up manaaki stations at Pukeahu and Waitangi Park, with activities for tamariki, education and ‘chill space’ for rest.
About Tiriti Action Group Pōneke:
Tiriti Action Group – Pōneke is a community group who supports actions for rangatiratanga, kotahitanga and justice in Te Upoko o te Ika (Wellington city and Hutt Valley). We operate under the korowai of mana whenua (Te Kotahitanga o Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika) so that we can live based on the relationship that Te Tiriti o Waitangi promised us.
Land Information Minister and Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk will travel to Antarctica this week to see New Zealand’s scientific and international cooperation efforts on the ice.
“Our scientists carry out globally significant research in one of the most challenging environments in the world, alongside essential conservation work,” Mr Penk says.
The Minister will meet with teams from Antarctica New Zealand and the New Zealand Defence Force who support our scientific programmes.
“I will visit monitoring sites in Antarctica where there is critical instrumentation that informs navigation systems, topographical maps, and nautical charts. I’ll also observe active research that helps us understand land movement,” Mr Penk says.
The visit coincides with the HMNZS Aotearoa’s fuel resupply mission to McMurdo Station, an important contribution by New Zealand to the US-NZ Joint Logistic Pool.
Mr Penk will meet with NZDF staff assisting the mission and offloading the ship, and our closest neighbours, the United States, at McMurdo Station.
“The US is a critical partner in supporting New Zealand’s operations at Scott Base, and we work closely to preserve the region for future generations as a place for peace and science.”
Mr Penk is scheduled to depart from Christchurch on Thursday 8 November and is expected to return to New Zealand on Tuesday February 11.
He is the third Minister to visit Antarctica in recent months, following visits from Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts in November 2024.
Covering period of Monday 3 – Thursday 6 February – MetService is forecasting a mostly settled start to the week before a brief spell of rain moves over the South Island in time for Waitangi Day. This will bring a cooler day for the island, while sunny skies are on the cards for other parts of the country. Meanwhile, activity continues to develop in the tropics.
Monday and Tuesday offer sunny and dry weather for many parts of the country, thanks to a ridge of high pressure. While some areas may experience cloud cover at times or an isolated shower, particularly in the northern half of the North Island, as well as the lower and eastern South Island, most places can expect a summery couple of days.
Temperatures climb in the lower South Island on Wednesday, with highs in the mid to upper 20s. However, this warmth will be short-lived as a weather system approaches from the west, bringing rain at night.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says, “Brief rain spreads up the South Island on Thursday, bringing a cooler day for many. For the rest of the country, Waitangi Day is shaping up to be mostly settled, including in Waitangi itself.”
At the same time, MetService continues to keep a close watch on the tropics, where a couple of low-pressure systems between Australia and Vanuatu have the potential to develop into tropical cyclones. These systems may bring heavy rain to parts of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, along with strong winds and large waves across the region, including waters near Australia’s east coast.
“At this early stage, these systems appear likely to remain north of Aotearoa New Zealand as they move eastwards, but our meteorologists will continue to monitor their development,” Makgabutlane says. Further details on these systems can be found on the websites of the Fiji Meteorological Service and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Average household living cost inflation has continued a downward trend, showing the steps the Government has taken are having an impact, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Datareleased by Stats NZtoday shows the yearly household living costs increased by 3 per cent in the year to December 2024, after increasing 3.8 per cent in the year to September 2024 and 7.4 per cent in the year to September 2023.
“Today’s statistics release shows Kiwis are still battling with the cost of living, but the pressure is starting to ease,” Nicola Willis says.
“The Government said it would address the cost of living. We are making progress.
“We worked fast to refocus the Reserve Bank solely on tackling inflation, and we made its job easier by reining in wasteful public spending and respecting taxpayers’ dollars.
“Drops in the Official Cash Rate have flowed through to average interest rates, easing pressure on household budgets.
“We also delivered New Zealanders their first tax relief package in 14 years, and we’re helping low and middle-income families through FamilyBoost.
“There is still more work to do.
“That’s why we’re focused on economic growth to deliver a stronger economy for New Zealanders. Economic growth will lift New Zealanders’ incomes, improve their living standards and support future investment in health, education and other vital public services.”
Oringi rail overbridge, just south of Dannevirke, on State Highway 2 will be closing for 1 night at the beginning of March for asphalt resurfacing.
Crews will be resurfacing the bridge on Monday 3 March working between 6pm and 6am (Tuesday 4 March).
During these work times, a section of SH2 will be closed with the following detour in place:
All northbound traffic will be detoured via Pinfold Road, Coppermine Road to Top Grass Road, to Tamaki River Road before rejoining to SH2.
Southbound traffic will be detoured via Maharahara Road, Kiritaki Road, Top Grass Road, Coppermine Valley Road to Pinfold Road then back to SH2.
The detour is expected to add an additional 10 minutes to journey times. Please note, this detour is not suitable for heavy vehicles. High Productivity Motor Vehicle (HPMV) and over-dimension loads will be escorted through the SH2 worksite.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for their patience and for taking the detours during this work, which will boost the long term resilience of this stretch of road.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is reminding people to plan ahead and expect delays as contractors will be rebuilding the southbound left lane on State Highway 1, between Flyger Road and Prescott Road, from Monday 10 February 2025.
This work had been scheduled to start at the end of January but has been pushed back due to delays completing other works because of poor weather.
Contractors will undertake approximately 4 weeks of day works, followed by 2 weeks of night works, with work expected to be complete by Friday 21 March 2025.
The passing lane will remain closed for the duration of the works, with a 50km/h temporary speed limit in place 24/7.
During the day works, traffic flow will be maintained in both directions, except for brief periods of stop/go to allow contractors to shift equipment or set-up and pack-down the site.
During night works, the road will operate under stop/go traffic management.
Alternative southbound passing lanes are located between Puwera and Oakleigh (slightly south of Puwera) and between Oakleigh and Mata (near Totara Road).
Travel delays during these works are expected to be 5-10 mins.
Please be patient and treat our crews with kindness and respect. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the directions of traffic management staff and signs.
Rebuilding the road, which often involves replacing all or most of the structural road layers, improves the longevity of the network, the resilience and ultimately the safety and efficiency for all road users.
This summer maintenance period (September 2024 to May 2025), we’re investing in the largest road rebuild programme ever for the region, with Northland one of three regions across Aotearoa with the most significant road rebuild programmes over the next three years.
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 for up-to-date information on these works, including any changes due to weather.
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