Fatal crash, SH73 Arthurs Pass

Govt Cuts – One week on, new Health Minister must lift hiring freeze and start delivering

By

-

January 26, 2025

Source: PSA

The PSA is urging new Health Minister Simeon Brown to make good on his promise to deliver better health outcomes for New Zealanders and lift the hiring freeze on the health workforce.

When unveiled as the new Health Minister one week ago today, Mr Brown made much of his priority to ensure the health system ‘delivers for New Zealanders’.

“The Minister has had a week of briefings from officials and knows the issues so should start delivering straight away and lift the hiring freeze on the health workforce,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“The freeze has impacted many urgently needed frontline roles. At the same time the Government had inflicted damaging cuts to jobs throughout Te Whatu Ora.

“Hundreds of workers have lost jobs or will soon be gone in a desperate effort by the Government to simply save money. That’s not how you deliver better health outcomes for New Zealanders.

“It’s time to put a halt to the restructuring and save the jobs of so many who make a vital contribution to the health system. The Government needs to invest more in health instead of choosing to spend billions on tax cuts.

“It’s reassuring that Te Whatu Ora has put some restructures on hold – the Minister needs to order them to be scrapped entirely and end the uncertainty for health workers.

“Replacing Health Minister Shane Reti after barely a year in the job was a clear admission of failure by the Prime Minister.

“Christopher Luxon knows New Zealanders are seeing the cold hard reality of the health cuts every day in longer wait times at EDs, delays to elective surgery and other problems.

“The new Health Minister now needs to step up and deliver – that means no more cuts.”

Recent PSA statements on health cuts

First Responders – Fire crews respond to multiple calls after Mangawhai tornado

By

-

January 26, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency NZ is responding to multiple calls following a reported tornado in the Northland community of Mangawhai around 3am today.

Response Coordinator Graeme Quensell says firefighters from several brigades in the area are already at the scene assisting residents and other crews have been dispatched from Waitemata.

Incidents include roofs lifted from homes, fallen trees and downed powerlines.

About 16 calls have been received from Mangawhai and one from Langs Beach to the North.

An Incident Management Team has been established.

Graeme Quensell said that people in the area should make safety their first priority and wait until daylight to assess damage to their property. They should treat all power lines as live, and please avoid driving in the area so as not to hold up emergency services.

First Responders – Mangawhai tornado update #2 from Fire and Emergency NZ

By

-

January 26, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Firefighters are continuing to check homes and properties in the area where a tornado affected an area of Mangawhai earlier this morning.

Fire and Emergency NZ started to receive 111 calls from about 3am, Northland District Manager Wipari Henwood said.

Reports included people needing to be rescued from damaged property, rooves lifted from buildings, trees fallen onto homes, windows blown in and fallen power lines, as well as trees blocking roads.

Most of the calls have been from people in the Molesworth Drive and Old Waipu Road area, with a couple from Langs Beach and Ruakaka reporting wind damage.

“Our initial response prioritised the calls that related to life safety. Firefighters extricated two patients and handed them into the care of St John,” Wipari Henwood said.

“We are now working through all the calls for help with property damage and making systematic checks of homes in the wider area.”

Fire and Emergency’s specialist drone team has been deployed from Auckland and will help with damage assessments.

Crews from seven brigades have responded to about 16 calls so far.

Cordons are in place on Moir St and Molesworth Drive and power is still out in the area. People should treat all power lines as live and stay well away from the area so emergency services can move freely.

Fire and Emergency continues to work with Police, St John and Civil Defence Northland in the coordinated response to the tornado.

Second fatality following crash, Milford Clandeboye Road

By

-

January 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can confirm a second person has died following a crash on Milford Clandeboye Road on Wednesday 22 January.

The person was transported to hospital in a critical condition following the crash and passed away on Friday evening (24 January) as a result of the injuries sustained.

Police extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of those involved.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Unexplained death, Queenstown

By

-

January 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

An investigation is underway after the death of a woman at a Queenstown property on Saturday 25 January.

Emergency services were called to the Windsor Place property about 2.30pm.

Police are now working to establish the full circumstances of how she died. Her death is currently being treated as unexplained.

As part of our enquiries, Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Windsor Place between 8.00am and 3.00pm and who might have information that would assist.

If you can help, please use our 105 service, and quote reference number 250125/8733.

You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

State Highway 2 closed, Takapau

By

-

January 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

State Highway 2 is currently closed north of Takapau following a crash.

The two-vehicle crash was reported to Police at around 8:10am.

Initial indications are that there are serious injuries.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

Detours are in place.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Parents and drivers urged to keep kids safe as schools start back

By

-

January 25, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are urging families to prioritise the safety of our tamariki who are preparing to head back to school over the coming weeks.

The start of the school year is often an exciting moment for families, and road safety should be front of mind alongside your regular back-to-school checklist.

Inspector Peter McKennie of the National Road Policing Centre says road safety around schools is something to take note of all year round and especially at the beginning of the year.

“We continue to remind parents of the crucial role they play in teaching children about the potential dangers they face when going to and from school.

“Show your kids the safest way to get to school and back home – including the safest places to cross – and practice it with them, so when it comes time to doing it alone, they are confident.

“Teach them to use the marked pedestrian crossings and to look both ways before they cross, and arrange pick-up spots to meet.”

Inspector McKennie reminds drivers to remain attentive on the road, as children can often be unpredictable and appear out of nowhere. This applies both in rural and urban areas, as their differing environments still present similar safety concerns.

Together with our schools across the country, we all want to ensure the start of the school year is a memorable one for all the right reasons.

ENDS

Road safety advice for back-to-school time:

Be alert as children can be unpredictable and dart out onto the road.
Parents set the best example for our young people on how road users need to be safe and smart on our roads.
Be aware that there will be children on the roads cycling to and from school. Give them space and share the road.
The speed limit is 20km/h when driving past a stationary school bus, and you need to reduce your speed below 30km/h when passing schools.
Allow for plenty of time for school drop-offs so you are not rushed, and give the road your full attention.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Often drop off and pick up zones can be crowded before and after school. Suggesting a meeting point further down the road might be a safer option to avoid congestion around the area.
Take the time to show your children the safest route to get to school and back home and practice with them, including the safest places to cross. Remind them to look left and right and look out for cars.
Encourage your child(ren) to use the marked school crossing whether that be a pedestrian crossing, kea crossing or their school traffic wardens.