Full night closures planned for Wellington State Highway 1 Urban Motorway next month

Bridge blocked by truck crash – State Highway 50, Central Hawke’s Bay

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January 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A bridge on State Highway 50 in Central Hawke’s Bay is blocked after a truck hit the side of the bridge this afternoon.

The bridge over Mangaonuku Stream, between Tikokino and Maraekakaho, is expected to be closed for several hours, until the truck can be removed.

The road has been closed at the intersections of State Highway 50 and Maraekakaho Road, and State Highway 50 and Tikokino Road.

Motorists planning to travel in the area are advised to use State Highway 2 as an alternative.

There are no reports of serious injuries to the two occupants of the truck.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

Release: Nicola Willis has a new job while she oversees New Zealanders losing theirs

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January 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

There are still struggles ahead with rising rents, rates, insurance and high unemployment, despite today’s inflation data.

“Despite inflation easing globally, National has failed to steer our economy out of trouble, leaving families worse off,” Labour’s finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

“New Zealand is now in the deepest recession in 30 years, with unemployment rising, and thousands of Kiwis leaving the country every month.”

The latest data shows domestic inflation remains high, squeezing Kiwi families and those out of work under this government, even further.

“Nicola Willis is taking credit for global inflation trends, but domestically high rent, which has increased by 4.2%, and local authority rates, up 12.2% continue to bite. Rents have increased despite the Prime Minister’s continued promises to Kiwis they wouldn’t,” Barbara Edmonds said.

“Under National, 77,900 Kiwis have left the country in the past year. Nearly half of professionals surveyed for the recruiting agency Robert Walters said that they are planning to move to Australia.

“Ironically, Nicola Willis has been given a new job to grow the economy after spending a year shrinking it. As Finance Minister she led disastrous frontline cuts that hurt families and our economy, and now she’s doubling down as Minister of Economic Growth. It’s like putting out a fire with a can of petrol.

“It’s not just families feeling the squeeze. Small businesses are reeling under this Government’s failed policies. Last year, 2500 businesses went under – representing a 10-year-high and nearly 700 more than in 2023.

“Labour’s focus is on rebuilding an economy that works for all Kiwis. National has had over a year to deliver results, and instead, they’ve deepened the recession and let opportunities slip away. It’s time for leadership that invests in jobs, skills, and the future, not cuts and excuses,” Barbara Edmonds said.

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CN Logistics Newly Launched Air-charter Flight Service Empowers China-Italy Airfreight Connectivity

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January 22, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 January 2025 – CN Express, a subsidiary of CN Logistics International, a listed company and a subsidiary of Cargo Services Group, has launched its first regular air-charter flight service between Ezhou, to the east of Wuhan, and Milan in Italy. The inaugural flight took place in the afternoon of January 19, 2025.

Ezhou is fast becoming an airfreight hub in China, with a huge cargo catchment area from Shanghai in the east, Chengdu in the west, Xian in the north and Changsha in the south of the country.

Italy has been the major airfreight station of CN Logistics International for many years, with a significant import of garments from China to well-known brands in Italy.

Italy and Europe are the key markets for China. An air service to Milan will have a big cargo catchment area in Europe, both for imports and exports, including France, Switzerland and Germany.

This newly-launched air-charter service will have three flights a week to satisfy the needs of the trade between these two regions. It is a strategic partnership between CN Express and Wuhan Financial Holdings and Hubei International Logistics, two major corporations in Hubei, the centre of China, with a business scope spanning from reefer products, high-tech electronics, general merchandise ( both B2B and B2C ), industrial products, minerals and cereals.

It is the vision of the partnership to expand the co-operation to the U.K., the Iberian, the Middle East and Africa in the coming years.

Mr. Lau Shek Yau, Chairman of CN Logistics, said “We are very pleased to have this opportunity to collaborate with Wuhan Financial Holdings and Hubei International Logistics to promote an airfreight service between the centre of China and Italy of the European Union. We appreciate the professionalism of the Ezhou airport which is manifested by the fast turnaround of the inaugural flight of a Boeing 767 which completed loading of 60 M/T ( chargeable weight ) of cargoes, refueling and supplies and Customs clearance within 3 hours. The efficiency of the Ezhou airport and the service will be well-liked by the eCommerce operators of China with substantial B2C business in Western Europe. Similar efficiency was achieved at the destination in Malpensa airport in Milan. With the support of the parent company of Cargo Services Group, DP World, in Europe, we will see the two-way trade between China and Italy to take a big stride forward with this new Ezhou – Milan air-corridor to be operated by CN Express. We will start planning for other air-routes with our partners to turn Ezhou into a major air-hub in the country.

Hashtag: #CNLogistics #Logistics

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Two new appointments to Film Commission Board

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January 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Jon Kroll and Aimee McCammon have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“I am delighted to appoint these two new board members who will bring a wealth of industry, governance, and commercial experience to the Film Commission.
“Jon Kroll has been an Emmy-winning producer, director and writer of both film and TV for more than 30 years. He recently completed work on the fourth season of ‘Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted,’ a show he has run for National Geographic since its inception.
“Aimee McCammon has 12 years’ governance experience and 18 years’ senior leadership experience. She is currently the CEO of Pic’s Peanut Butter and has executive experience in the industry including at Augusto Group, Park Road Post Production and serving on the Arts Foundation and Boosted boards.
“I’d like to thank the outgoing board member Pania Gray for her service to support New Zealand’s film industry.”

IHC applauds research on barriers to banking for disabled people

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January 22, 2025

Source: IHC

IHC welcomes Westpac’s research highlighting the barriers disabled people face in accessing banking services. These challenges, which IHC has raised repeatedly over the past decade, underscore the urgent need for systemic changes to promote financial inclusion for disabled communities.

As a member of the New Zealand Banking Association Older and Disabled People Focus Group, IHC has long advocated for fair and accessible banking practices. A particular area of concern is the disproportionate impact of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation and Know Your Customer (KYC) standards on intellectually disabled people in residential care.

“These regulations, while essential to combat financial crime, have created significant barriers for a marginalised group, limiting their ability to access and manage banking services,” says Tania Thomas, Director of Advocacy at IHC.

Key issues impacting intellectually disabled people

Know your client documentation requirements
Many people with intellectual disabilities lack the necessary photo identification or address verification documents required by KYC standards. Additionally, frequent changes in disability support staff complicate the verification process for those assisting account holders.

Banking decisions on capacity
Banks often require legal authority, such as appointing a welfare guardian, for someone to manage an account if they deem the account holder incapable. The process of appointing welfare guardians is cumbersome, costly and infringes on the disabled person’s rights to manage their own finances.

“We have seen many cases where intellectually disabled people have their accounts frozen by the bank, sometimes for considerable periods,” says Tania. “Many intellectually disabled people are already financially very precarious so even freezing an account for one day can cause significant harm and distress for the person.”

The call for action

IHC is advocating for the formation of a government-led taskforce, recently writing to the Minister of Justice and the Banking Ombudsman about these issues. This group would work to identify practical, sustainable solutions, including:

Clarifying and expanding the legal authority of disability service providers to manage bank accounts.
Exempting intellectually disabled individuals in residential care from certain AML/KYC requirements.
Funding for financial management as part of disability support assessments.

“This issue is about fairness and dignity,” Tania emphasises. “No one should face discrimination or financial exclusion because of unnecessary barriers. We need swift action to ensure disabled people have equal access to essential financial services.”

Too early for a victory lap, but hope is on its way

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January 22, 2025

Source: ACT Party

Responding to new data confirming inflation is sitting at 2.2 per cent, within the official target range, ACT Leader David Seymour says:

“At the height of Labour’s lock-down and spend-up reign, inflation hit 7.2 per cent. When our Government was elected it was still 5.6 per cent. Getting spending under control is a long hard slog, and we still have work to do.

“Non-tradeable inflation was 4.5 per cent for the year, the lowest since 2021. Encouragingly, non-tradeable inflation was only 0.7 per cent for the quarter, suggesting it is slowing down fast.

“Continued discipline by Government and Councils will be essential to get local inflation under control, we cannot rely on low oil prices to control inflation in our troubled world.

“ACT remains ever vigilant of the inflation monster. The Government needs to forge ahead in its work to cancel spending programmes that are not making New Zealand richer.

“As mortgages come up for renewal, households will see real relief, and savings will be passed on to local businesses who can in turn invest and employ. That’s how we return to real prosperity and real hope.

“Perhaps the most important thing we can do to win the war on inflation is to grow the economy. I’ll be addressing this challenge in my State of the Nation speech on Friday.

“We also need an upgrade in how we get inflation data. The Stats NZ figure of 2.2 is for the months of October-December last year, implying a midpoint of November. Real time figures from GDP Live’s inflation tracker, based on continuous data from business, suggest the figure is now 2.06 per cent.

“It is time to make better use of this world-leading data source, inflation is likely even more under control than official figures suggest.”

Government spin won’t pay the rent

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January 22, 2025

Source: Green Party

The latest Consumer Price Index figures show rents rising almost twice as fast as general inflation.

“Christopher Luxon tells New Zealanders one thing while doing another,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance Chlöe Swarbrick.

“He says he is rebuilding the economy, when in reality, his Government’s decisions have helped create rent inflation double the rate of general inflation and driven more people into poverty while deepening and lengthening the recession. Those are consciously made choices, with clear consequences that the Government was warned about.

“We can build an economy that works for people and planet, instead of one which exhausts and exploits both. That requires decisions that prioritise the wellbeing of all, instead of lining the pockets of those at the top.

“The Government is either deeply economically illiterate, taking New Zealanders for chumps, or both.

“Cutting taxes for landlords, paid for by chopping public spending on essential services right through the bone, is not only deeply unfair, but deeply unproductive. It hurts the poorest most, and all of us in the long run.

“The only thing that’s trickling down is more cost for regular people, while Government decisions secure profits for the wealthiest.

“The climate crisis and infrastructure deficit are not going away. Instead of confronting them and investing in solutions, Luxon’s Government is digging its head in the coal and supporting corporate profiteering over New Zealanders’ wellbeing.

“It would appear the only people unwilling to see the devastating reality of this Government’s decisions is the Government itself,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.

Proposed bylaw changes won’t affect how cemeteries run

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January 22, 2025

Source: Auckland Council

You can now have your say on proposed updates to Auckland Council’s Cemetery and Crematoria Bylaw. These changes follow a statutory review of the bylaw and will not impact the day-to-day running of Auckland’s public cemeteries.

Auckland Council looks after more than 50 cemeteries in Tāmaki Makaurau, including North Shore Memorial Park, Waikumete Cemetery and Manukau Memorial Gardens. Each offers a peaceful place to honour and remember loved ones, while catering to the customs and traditions of the diverse communities of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Councillor Josephine Bartley, chair of the Regulatory and Safety Committee explains a bylaw is one tool the council uses to help keep public cemeteries and crematoria safe and serving Aucklanders effectively.

“Our cemeteries are special places, and they deserve to be treated with care and respect. That’s why we have a bylaw in place and a dedicated, thoughtful team managing them,” she says.

The Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw sets out how our cemeteries operate on a daily basis, taking into consideration the cultural, physical and social needs of those who use them. It is supported by a code of practice.

Like all bylaws, there is a legal requirement to review it every few years to ensure it continues to work for Aucklanders.

Following our statutory review, council staff recommend keeping the rules we have now. This means there are no changes proposed to how Auckland’s cemeteries run on a day-to-day basis, and no change to the rules for Aucklanders.

However, the review found some duplicated and outdated information in the code of practice. To make the bylaw clearer and easier to understand, we propose to move most rules in the code of practice to the bylaw, so they are in one place.

These proposed changes will not impact the rules for Aucklanders, they will just tidy up the bylaw so it is clearer. Changes like this can only be made through a statutory review of the bylaw.

“Council staff carried out the legally required review of this bylaw in 2024 and found it to be working well. Therefore, we propose for the rules to stay the same,” says Cr Bartley.

“While the changes being proposed are administrative, we want to hear from Aucklanders whenever we make changes to our bylaws – no matter how small. It’s important these local rules work for our communities, and now is the perfect time to share your thoughts if this matters to you” she says.

You can have your say on the proposed changes to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw on the Have Your Say website. The consultation closes on Sunday 23 February.

Annual inflation at 2.2 percent in December 2024 – Stats NZ media and information release – Consumers price index: December 2024 quarter

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January 22, 2025

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Annual inflation at 2.2 percent in December 2024 – 22 January 2025 – New Zealand’s consumers price index (CPI) increased 2.2 percent in the December 2024 quarter, compared with the December 2023 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

The 2.2 percent annual increase follows a 2.2 percent annual increase in the September 2024 quarter.

“This is the second consecutive quarter that the annual inflation rate has been within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s target band of 1 to 3 percent,” prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.

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