Search warrants executed in connection to Ngāruawāhia homicide

SH50 south of Hastings closed following crash

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January 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

22 January 2025 2:10 pm | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

State Highway 50 between Tikokino and Maraekakaho is currently closed following a truck crash this afternoon.

The crash happened near the intersection with Gwavas Road and has blocked both lanes.

Emergency services are currently on site.

A detour is currently in place. Please follow the instructions of the onsite crews. Traffic is being detoured to State Highway 2.

Access for residents remains open.

Please avoid the area and expect delays through the area and on the detour route.

Keep up to date with the NZTA Journey Planner.

More state highway summer maintenance in Marlborough.

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January 22, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

State Highway summer maintenance work continues to move at pace in Marlborough with work planned for State Highway 1 south of Seddon.

Contractors will be on-site near Taimate from Monday, 27 January, to Sunday, 9 February, 7 am to 6 pm, carrying out area wide pavement treatment (AWPT) on a 600-metre section of the highway.

Once work at this site is complete, contractors will move to a second AWPT site on State Highway 1 just south of the Seddon township. Work at this site will be carried out from Monday, 10 February to Friday 21 February between 7 am and 6 pm.

An area wide pavement treatment involves removing the top layer of the road, laying new gravel, and then applying a new layer of chipseal on top. The end result is more stable and improved road surface.

To ensure the chip-sealing is successful, this work has to be carried out during the day when the weather is warmer.

A 30 km/h temporary speed limit will be in place while at each site while the work is underway. All drivers must follow it – it is there to protect the road surface, keep drivers safe, and protect vehicles for stone chip damage.

Road users can expect delays of up to 10 minutes during work hours until this work at these sites is completed.

Works schedule:

Site 1:

Taimate is located between Lake Grassmere and Ward on SH1 Marlborough.
Monday, 27 January, to Sunday, 9 February. 7 am – 6 pm (no work on Sunday, 2 February, and Thursday, 6 February).
Stop/go and 30km/h temporary speed limit.
Delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected.
Work is subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of unsuitable conditions, work will be rescheduled to the next suitable night.

Site 2:

Just south of the Seddon township
Monday, 10 February, to Friday 21 February. 7 am – 6 pm (no work on Saturday, 15 February and Sunday, 16 February).
Stop/go and 30km/h temporary speed limit.
Delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected.
Work is subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of unsuitable conditions, work will be rescheduled to the next suitable night.

More Information:

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

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January 22, 2025

View larger map [PDF, 287 KB]

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Major maintenance works are planned for Wellington’s urban motorway next month, meaning drivers will have to plan ahead for getting in and out of the CBD.

Full night closures are planned from Sunday, 9 February to Thursday, 13 February, between 9 pm and 4:30 am.

The works are dependent on good weather, so the closures may be delayed into the following week if required.

While the work is underway, the motorway will be closed to northbound traffic between Karo Drive and Ngauranga Interchange. It will also be closed to southbound traffic between the Terrace offramp and Vivian Street. Drivers will have to use alternate routes to get in and out of Wellington city.

Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Transport Alliance Manager, says significant resurfacing work is planned for the motorway’s northbound lanes and the Terrace Tunnel will have its annual Building Warrant of Fitness (BWoF) inspection.

“Crews will resurface around five lane kilometres of the northbound lanes between Aotea Quay onramp and the Ngauranga Interchange. Since December, around 2.5 lane kilometres of this section of highway has already been resurfaced and we still need to resurface a further 2.5 lane kilometres this season. These resurfacing works will make this stretch of road much smoother and safer as it is currently in poor condition.”

“Over 30,000 vehicles use this section of State Highway 1 daily, so it’s crucial that it’s regularly maintained. Closing the road at night when traffic volumes are much lower reduces disruption to drivers.”

Ms Hilliard says the annual BWoF for The Terrace Tunnel is also important.

“The Terrace Tunnel is a vital piece of infrastructure, and it must be inspected, tested and maintained regularly.”

“We will also be making the most of the full closure to complete other tasks as well. This includes renewing digital signs, streetlight maintenance, sign gantry assessments, carrying out structural inspections on overbridges and on and offramps, assessing safety barriers, clearing drains, removing graffiti, and clearing rubbish,” Ms Hillard says.

She says the full closures allow more work to be done faster, are safer for road crews and road users, and they also save traffic management costs.

“However, this full closure and the detour routes mean it will take drivers a little longer to get in and out of the central city. Plan ahead and allow extra time for your travel – particularly if you are heading to Wellington Hospital or Wellington Airport,” Ms Hillard says.

Works Schedule and Detour Routes:

Sunday, 9 February to Thursday, 13 February. 9 pm – 4:30 am.
Traffic management set up from 7 pm – drivers can expect delays during this time.
Northbound closure:
- SH1 Urban Motorway closed between Karo Drive and Ngauranga Interchange
- All northbound on and offramps will be closed – Clifton onramp, Tinakori onramp, Tinakori offramp, May Street onramp and Aotea Quay onramp
- Drivers should detour via Karo Drive – Willis Street – Customhouse/Waterloo/Aotea Quay – Hutt Road – Ngauranga Interchange. See the detour map below.
Southbound closure:
- SH1 Urban Motorway closed to southbound traffic between The Terrace offramp and Vivian Street
- Drivers should detour via The Terrace offramp and Ghuznee/Victoria/Vivian Streets. See the detour map below.

More Information:

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.”