Firearms, cash and drugs seized in Hawke’s Bay search warrant

Time to pull plug on banking wokery

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January 30, 2025

Source: ACT Party

“So far, the inquiry into rural banking has not changed my suspicion that a cabal of woke banks is neglecting rural communities in the name of climate action,” says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron.

“Banks are starving rural New Zealand of capital. Farmers have long complained they’re getting a raw deal on loans compared to their urban cousins. BNZ won’t even lend for people to set up or expand rural petrol stations.

“Banks should be supporting Kiwi farmers. If they are concerned about emissions globally, they should be falling over themselves to lend to the most efficient dairy producers in the world, lest production shift offshore where farming activity creates more emissions.

“The problem is that here we have banks acting in concert to virtue signal with anti-rural lending practices. This is in part thanks to their association with overseas umbrella organisations and the way banks are regulated.

“Through the banks’ parent companies they are part of the UN’s Net Zero Banking Alliance, which was set up to change lending practices for the sake of climate goals. The six largest banks in the United States have all left the Net Zero alliance in the last few months. It’s time for banks in New Zealand to do the same. There’s been a political sea-change and there’s no longer an appetite for corporate virtue-signalling.

“Meanwhile, the Financial Markets Authority imposes emissions reduction reporting on banks. In 2021, ACT was the only party to vote against the legislation that introduced these reporting requirements, warning that they could affect loans to farmers. We continue to support the repeal of these requirements.”

Four-year term: New poll bodes well for better law making

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January 30, 2025

Source: ACT Party

ACT Leader David Seymour is welcoming a new Horizon Research poll showing strong support for a four-year Parliamentary term. ACT’s coalition commitment includes introducing Seymour’s four-year term Bill in the first half of this term.

“Better law making is the number one thing that New Zealand can change about itself to get more economic growth, better social services, better regulation, and ultimately give the next generation more reason to stay here,” says Seymour.

“The poll shows more Kiwis support the four-year term than oppose it, by 40-30 per cent. Another 30 per cent remain unsure, and the debate has not been opened yet.

“A four-year term gives Kiwis more time to see whether political promises translate into results, so they can vote accordingly. This will lead to more accountability and better law making.

“Crucially, ACT’s proposal to extend the term comes with a balancing step to turn control of Select Committees over to the Opposition. This gives the Opposition more power to scrutinise legislation and grill Ministers and officials.

“ACT’s proposal is a constitutional change, so we won’t do it without the consent of the voters. The legislation we’ve proposed culminates in a public referendum at the end of a full Parliamentary process.

“ACT will continue to make the case for a four-year term. If New Zealanders agree at a referendum, it will vindicate the risk we took in starting a tough conversation. More importantly, we’ll have better laws and a more mature democracy.”

Release: Frontline providers deserve certainty, not name-calling

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January 30, 2025

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily.

“In August last year, Karen Chhour was calling frontline service providers “disgruntled” and accusing them of using Oranga Tamariki as a “cash cow,” Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said.

“I hope that she has taken the summer break to reflect on those comments. Frontline service providers have some of the hardest jobs, and they deserve certainty, not name-calling.

“Many vulnerable children and whānau have relationships with these providers and they do the kind of work that can be incredibly difficult, but can change lives.

“It is a relief to see some contracts have been extended out to the end of the year. While this provides immediate relief, it does not fix the uncertainty that many children and whānau face if providers’ funding is not continued.

“It appears Karen Chhour has woken up to the absolutely vital services that are provided on the frontline. Now she must ensure that support continues beyond the end of the year,” Willow-Jean Prime said.

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First Responders – Tiwai Peninsula vegetation fire update

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January 30, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews have been working hard to contain a large vegetation fire in mixed scrub and wetland on Tiwai Peninsula in Invercargill today.

The fire has grown to 1,200 hectares across the centre of the peninsula, with an 18 kilometre perimeter, due to higher temperatures and wind speed this afternoon.

There are currently eight trucks in attendance, with ten helicopters in support.

Firefighters will work until 6pm tonight, then two crews will monitor the fire overnight. All crews will return at 7am tomorrow to continue battling the fire.

Incident Controller Hamish Angus says the fire is not an immediate threat to people, homes, the smelter, or the Tiwai Bridge.

“The Tiwai Bridge is closed to all traffic except our crews and the smelter staff, and we’re asking people to keep away from Tiwai Road so we can continue to work safely,” he says.

“We are working closely with mana whenua and the Department of Conservation, to ensure culturally and ecologically sensitive areas still threatened by the fire are prioritised for protection.”

Awarua Rūnaka Manager Gail Thompson says she is deeply saddened at the damage caused in such a short time.

“This peninsula is a precious taonga, with a history going back a long way, which is important to Ngai Tahu,” she says.

She’s happy to see the newly-established Mana Whenua Emergency Facilitator for Murihiku, Angie Hopkinson, at the site to support Fire and Emergency and the Department of Conservation with the response.

Department of Conservation’s Operation Manager for Murihiku, John McCarroll, says Awarua Peninsula has considerable environmental value, and today’s fire is a huge blow.

“Awarua has a significant number of biodiversity values and is used by a lot of wading birds for flocking and feeding, including the endangered Southern New Zealand Dotterel/Pukunui,” he says.

“As well as the loss of wildlife, we’ve also lost assets such as predator-trapping infrastructure.

“We will assess the losses once the fire is under control and we can return there safely. We may never know the full impact on biodiversity, but it is likely significant.”

The nearby Awarua wetland is also a Department of Conservation area of environmental significance, which was devastated in April 2022 when wildfire burnt through 1,330 hectares.

Farmers welcome Kāinga Ora back-track on wool carpets – Federated Farmers

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January 30, 2025

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is welcoming today’s decision by Kāinga Ora to give wool carpet providers the chance to tender for supply of carpet and underlay in its homes.

A previous request for proposals (RFP) confined bids to synthetic carpets, not even allowing wool to compete.

“This decision is cause for celebration for all strong-wool farmers,” Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams says.

“The change of stance by Kāinga Ora has come about because of relentless pressure from the sheep and wool sector, with Federated Farmers and Campaign for Wool leading the charge.

“Kāinga Ora’s previous tender process pulled the rug out from under the nation’s farmers and didn’t even give the sector a chance to put its best foot forward.

“Now it’s up to wool carpet providers to make sure their proposals are competitive, and highlight all the factors that make the natural product superior to synthetics.”

Wool provides better insulation and warmth, it’s moisture wicking, and it’s a natural fire retardant, Williams says.

“It’s also hypoallergenic, and better for those with asthma.”

Kāinga Ora says the new RFP is for supplying floor coverings for 2,650 new homes and 3000 renovations between now and June 2026.

First Responders – Vegetation fire along Bay of Plenty train track now contained

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January 30, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received multiple calls to a large vegetation fire burning along the railway line by Wainui South Road, Whakamarama in Western Bay of Plenty at 12.40 today.

Incident Commander Bill Pike says the fire is now contained and six fire trucks from Greerton, Omokoroa, KatiKati and Tauranga are dampening down hotspots. No evacuations were required.

“The fire is in bush and scrub and is approximately 700 metres on either side of the train track,” Bill Pike says.

“There are road closures in the immediate area, but State Highway 2 remains open.

“We ask people to stay away from the area so emergency services can carry out their job safely.”

Bill Pike says Fire and Emergency is working with Kiwirail to establish a cause for the fire.

Minister must reverse all Oranga Tamariki cuts after Barnardos u-turn

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January 30, 2025

Source: PSA

The PSA urges Children’s Minister Karen Chhour to reverse all the damaging cuts to community service contracts, and to Oranga Tamariki, in the wake of her u-turn today on funding Barnardos.

The backflip follows revelations that Barnardos’ youth telehealth counselling service was at risk of closing in July along with other services supporting vulnerable families. This followed funding cuts by Oranga Tamariki under the Government’s austerity drive.

“This backflip shows how rushed and reckless her original decision was to order Oranga Tamariki to cut contracts for dozens of community service providers across Aotearoa,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“The PSA calls on the Minister to urgently reverse all the cuts – reinstate the contracts that have been axed and restore the funding to existing contacts that were cut – before lasting damage is done to families.

“She must also reverse the cuts to Oranga Tamariki which has seen 419 jobs axed, nearly 10% of the workforce.

“Last year the Minister accused charities of abusing their contracts with Oranga Tamariki, claiming they had become ‘cash cows’ through the contracts – this was offensive, disrespecting the vital work they do.

“The Minister has tried to wash her hands of these cuts, calling them ‘operational matters’ for Oranga Tamariki, but now that the reality is hitting home, the Minister needs to do the right thing.

“She knows New Zealanders are increasingly alarmed by the cuts.

“The Government promised its cuts would not impact frontline services. The Minister’s u-turn over the Barnardos’ contract shows the Government slowly realising it can no longer get away with this spin.”

Living on orchard and enjoying outdoors fostered love for environment in EIT student | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

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January 30, 2025

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

37 seconds ago

Growing up on a Twyford orchard and living an outdoor life fostered a love for the environment which led Jordyn Campbell to study Environmental Management at EIT.

This has proved to be a good move with Jordyn, who finished the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management (Level 6) last year, currently doing conservation surveying and monitoring work. She is working for SPS Biota| Biosecurity & Environmental Services, collecting data about the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Spongy Moth – both serious pests and risks to NZ fruit and vegetable industries. This project started in October and runs until April 2025.

Jordyn, 20, attended Iona College in Havelock North and won a Year 13 scholarship in 2022 to study at EIT. A Year 13 Scholarship, which is offered annually by EIT, covers one year of tuition fees. The Scholarship supports school leavers across the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti regions to study any one of EIT’s degrees or selected level 5 diploma programmes that lead into a degree by providing one year FREE study.

Jordyn Campbell completed the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management (Level 6) at EIT last year and is looking forward to completing her Bachelor of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management).

Jordyn entered the Environmental Management programme in 2023, completing her level 5 NZ Diploma in Environmental Management, and has loved every moment.

“I live on an orchard, too, so I decided to study more about the environment around me, because I’ve been growing up in a rural area.”
She says choosing EIT to study at was an easy decision, especially when she won the Year 13 scholarship.

“It was close to home and easier to study there, especially since I liked the sound of the programme. The scholarship also helped me make the decision.”

Jordyn says that her new job is working on behalf of the Ministry for Primary Industries and involves searching for evasive species of Spongy Moths and Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs in Napier, Hastings and Havelock North.

“We have an app called Field Maps and it has all the locations on it, which are indicated by dots on the map. You complete forms depending on if you get a sample or you’re just doing a trap clearance, and then it will change the colour of the dots on the map. There are 63 traps for the Spongy Moth and six traps for the Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs across Hawke’s Bay.”

This year Jordyn will be completing her final year of study to achieve the Bachelor of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management). As for the future, Jordyn is leaning towards working in biosecurity, but she does not rule out studying further.

She says that wherever she winds up, she will not forget what she has learned from EIT. She has no hesitation in recommending the institute to others.

“I like EIT because you get to know everyone on a very personal level, including the lecturers. You are not just a number to them, you’re an actual person and you get one-on-one help from them.”

Environmental Management Lecturer Dr Glen Robertshaw says: “I think this is a fantastic opportunity for Jordyn, who I know really enjoyed our level 6 Biosecurity course”.

“It is also a real validation of the value of our programme and demonstrates that what we are teaching can lead to employment locally. It’s great to think that one of our students is helping to protect the local horticulture industry from invasive species that could potentially devastate it.”

A triumph over anti-car ideology

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January 30, 2025

Source: ACT Party

Welcoming the delivery from tonight of increased speed limits – an ACT coalition commitment – ACT Leader David Seymour says:

“Sensible speed limits are a triumph for common sense and democracy. Instead of being dictated to by a faceless bureaucratic minority, the people are in charge again.

“People often asked me where blanket speed limit reductions came from. Who asked for this, whose idea was it, why don’t my views count? The previous Government’s traffic engineering was thinly disguised social engineering that just made people mad.

“The government’s job is to make life easier, if a road is safe to drive 100, 110, or 120 km/h, people should be allowed to drive that fast. It sounds simple, and it is, but the last Government’s ideological anti-car project made life harder than it needed to be.

“The last government had an anti-car, anti-speed ideology. They didn’t care if they made life less convenient for the vast majority who drive to get around, in fact they seemed to relish slowing people down.

“Driving is important for New Zealanders. It liberates us from our homes and opens up the country for ordinary people to explore and do business. If we want productivity, we should be able to use roads we’ve paid for to their maximum safe capacity.”