The HKFYG successfully concludes “Hong Kong International A Cappella Contest”

January 20, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

Pooi To Middle School and HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College emerge as champions
Youngest primary school team proudly claims the Most Potential Award

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 January 2025 – The unique allure of a cappella lies in its harmonious melodies, created solely by human voices, without instrumental accompaniment. On 18 January, local and international talent came together to celebrate the art of a cappella at the “Hong Kong International A Cappella Contest Finals.“

At the HKFYG’s “Hong Kong International A Cappella Contest Finals 2024,” the Open Division featured professional teams from Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, who competed alongside local vocal talent in an extraordinary musical showdown.

An annual event organised by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), the Contest was a resounding success. The team from Pooi To Middle School claimed both the Championship and Outstanding Harmony titles in the “School Division: Pop Chorus.“ Meanwhile, HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College’s HLC Harmonix won the “School Division: Vocal Band,“ along with the Best Presentation, Outstanding Lead Vocal and Outstanding Harmony awards.

In the Open Division, the youngest a cappella ensemble, Little by little Kids, earned the Most Potential Award with their original children’s song “A Happy Day” and their rendition of the cartoon theme song “Problems Every Day.” Comprising six members aged eight to ten from three different primary schools, including a nine-year-old beatboxer who started teaching himself to beatbox at age four, they delivered their performance with great poise and were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience. All members expressed delight at their competition debut. Despite their young age, they demonstrated sophistication in rhythm, lead vocal, harmony, choreography, beat, and even the finer details of song introduction

Also making their competition debut was Pooi To Middle School’s 12-member team, the winner of the “School Division: Pop Chorus.” Having started practising since last September, they attributed their success to their enjoyment of performing and strong team spirit. The team emphasised the importance of individual performances as well as that of their fellow team members. They revealed that while they initially focused too heavily on pitch accuracy, they disordered that shifting their attention the meaning behind the lyrics eventually enhanced their performance.

The Open Division featured professional teams from Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, who competed alongside local talent in an extraordinary musical showdown. TunaStars from Hong Kong ultimately emerged victorious, securing both the Vocal Band (International) and (Hong Kong) Championship titles.

Carrie Wong, Supervisor of the HKFYG, congratulated the winning teams and commended all participants for their exceptional virtuosity and teamwork. She remarked, “By bringing together top teams from Hong Kong and around the world, the Contest serves as a valuable platform for artistic and musical exchange. A cappella groups, without relying on expensive equipment, showcase the power and versatility of the human voice.”

Wong also expressed gratitude to the judges for their professional guidance and extended special thanks to the Hong Kong Arts Development Council for its steadfast support. She affirmed the HKFYG Cultural Services Unit’s continued commitment to promoting a cappella education and fostering exchange through the art form.

The panel of judges for the “Hong Kong International A Cappella Contest Finals” included: Ray Chu, Pop and Jazz Artistic Director of Taiwan Choral Music Center; Zhang Mingming, Chief Executive Officer of Guangzhou Modern A Cappella Club; baratti, A Cappella Producer and Member of Japanese vocal harmony group “Nagie Lane”; Alfred Wong, composer and recipient of CASH Golden Sail Music Awards; and Guddy Chan, renowned vocal coach.

Appendix: Prize winners of the “Hong Kong International A Cappella Contest 2024 Finals”

School Division: Pop Chorus

Prize	School/Team
Champion, Outstanding Harmony Award	Pooi To Middle School
Second Place, Best Presentation Award, Outstanding Lead Vocal Award	HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College’s HLCers

School Division: Vocal Band

Prize	School/Team
Champion, Best Presentation Award, Outstanding Lead Vocal Award, Outstanding Harmony Award	HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College’s HLC Harmonix
Second Place	SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School’s LKaMella
Third Place, Outstanding Rhythm Award	Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School’s Trend
Best Arrangement Award	Po Leung Kuk Tang Yuk Tien College’s ERA

Open Division: Vocal Band (International)

Prize	Team
Champion (International), Champion (Hong Kong), Best Presentation Award	TunaStars (Hong Kong)
Second Place, Best Arrangement Award, Outstanding Lead Vocal Award	JiU (Taiwan)
Third Place	SHAKA-SHOKU-SHAKAI (Japan)
Outstanding Harmony Award	TunaDream (Hong Kong)
Most Potential Award	Little by little Kids (Hong Kong)

Hashtag: #ACappella #contest #HKFYG

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

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

Trend Micro is Recognized as a 2024 Gartner® Peer Insights™ Customers’ Choice for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms

MIL OSI

January 20, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

The Gartner® Peer Insights™ Customers’ Choice Distinction is based on feedback and ratings from end-user professionals who have experience with the product or service

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 January 2025 – Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybersecurity leader, has announced that it was named a Customer’s Choice in the 2024 Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms. According to Gartner, “Cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPPs) are a unified and tightly integrated set of security and compliance capabilities designed to protect cloud-native infrastructure and applications.”

To learn more about Trend’s Cloud Security, please visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/en_hk/business/products/hybrid-cloud.html

Rachel Jin, Chief Enterprise Platform Officer at Trend: “Organizations have been grappling with a proliferation of security tools that fail to provide unified risk visibility, comprehensive protection for multi-cloud environments, and effective detection and response capabilities for hybrid clouds. That’s why we’re delighted to be named one of just four Customer’s Choice for CNAPP, with a ‘willingness to recommend’ customer rating of 96% based on 81 reviews submitted as of December 2024 on Gartner Peer Insights for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms market. We believe this recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences to help address the most pressing challenges in today’s dynamic and complex infrastructure landscape.”

Trend averaged a 4.7-star rating from customer reviews, three-quarters (72%) of which were five-star reviews and 27% four-star. It scored particularly highly in Product Capabilities (4.7) and Sales Experience (4.7) based on 81 reviews submitted as of December 2024.

Today’s businesses are leveraging cloud-native application in ever-greater numbers to drive competitive advantage, but too often cybersecurity solutions are still playing catch up.

Siloed point solutions lack automation, create security gaps for risk to thrive in, and exacerbate friction between security and developer teams caused by time-to-market pressures.

Trend Vision One™ – Cloud Security offers a modern approach to CNAPP for customers. The centralized platform enables deep visibility into risks, preventative measures such as runtime protection, and rapid response actions designed to minimize exposure.

By combining these capabilities in a single platform, organizations can remove developer-security friction, enhance compliance, and continuously mitigate risk in the cloud, through features such as:

Cloud misconfiguration checks for open Amazon S3 buckets, databases and network ports
Runtime monitoring and protection of cloud workloads such as instances and containers
Automated detection of vulnerabilities within containers, virtual machines (VMs) or serverless functions
Exposure scanning for CVEs, secrets, sensitive data and malware
Infrastructure as code (IaC) and container image scanning enable early risk detection, allowing issues to be addressed before deployment to production.
Agentless scanning capabilities identify risks, vulnerabilities, and threats in workloads where deploying agents is not possible.
File security scanning detects and prevents any malicious files from being uploaded to critical cloud-native applications
Cloud detection and response (CDR) correlates telemetry from workloads, applications, and cloud logs to provide security teams with real-time visibility into suspicious activities in cloud accounts
Data security posture management (DSPM) helps identify sensitive information and correlates it with predictive attack paths, enabling organizations to prioritize the most critical risk based on their most valuable assets
Cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM) continuously monitors permissions and identity activities to prevent unauthorized access and potential lateral movements within cloud accounts

Disclaimer:
Gartner, Voice of the Customer for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms, Peer Contributors, 27 December 2024
Gartner® and Peer Insights™ are trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Gartner® Peer Insights™ content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences, and should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

https://www.trendmicro.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/trend-micro-hong-kong-96353768/
https://twitter.com/trendmicroamea
https://www.facebook.com/tmhk1989/

Hashtag: #trendmicro #trendvisionone #visionone #cybersecurity

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

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

Update on sudden death in Whangārei

LiveNews Publisher

January 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are referring a Whangārei woman’s death over the weekend to the Coroner.

The woman’s death was initially treated as unexplained, after she was located deceased at a Moody Avenue address in Whau Valley on Saturday evening.

Police can advise a post-mortem examination was carried out earlier today.

Following these enquiries, Police are not treating the death as suspicious and it will now be a coronial matter.

Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

Kim Yew Integrated Celebrates 40 Years With $68,000 Donation To The Business Times Budding Artists Fund

MIL OSI

January 20, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 January 2025 – Led by a new management and board since 2021, Kim Yew Integrated marked its 40^th anniversary with a $68,000 donation to The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) at a celebration on 18 January 2025. Kim Yew Integrated is a leading provider of Integrated Facilities Management services in Singapore.

Mr Patrick Tan, Managing Director of Kim Yew Integrated, presents a cheque during Kim Yew Integrated’s 40th anniversary dinner to Ms Chen Hui Fen, Editor of The Business Times and Board Member of TRCL, and Ms Elaine Tan, Head of Partnership Development at TRCL.

Since 2021, Kim Yew Integrated has been led by Managing Director, Mr. Patrick Tan, supported by a new management and board that is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency. The new leadership team is driving a digital-first vision for the future, focusing on innovation to deliver integrated, cutting-edge services that exceed customer expectations.

In his speech at the 40^th anniversary dinner, Mr. Tan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Kim Yew Integrated team, partners and clients, acknowledging that their trust and contributions have been the force behind the company’s progress. He said: “These enduring partnerships have not only been key to our growth over the past 40 years but have also inspired us to give back to the community. As part of tonight’s celebration, we are proud to support The Business Times Budding Artists Fund and TRCL, creating opportunities for children and youth to pursue their passions and furthering our commitment to make a lasting, positive impact on society beyond our business endeavours.”

The BT BAF aims to make the arts accessible for children and youth from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. This donation will directly support TRCL, a charity that empowers children and youth from underserved backgrounds to fulfil their potential in the arts and culture sectors.

Founded in 1985, Kim Yew Integrated has grown from a traditional term contractor into an industry leader. Today the company has a workforce of over 700 employees and boasts a successful track record, completing over 200 projects across Asia. Over the past 40 years, Kim Yew Integrated has achieved numerous accolades, including Singapore International Facility Management Association’s (SIFMA) Gold Plus certifications for facilities management and sustainability, and SIFMA Smart Technology wins for three consecutive years (2021-2023).

Hashtag: #KimYewIntegrated

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

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

Police make arrest over Middlemore firearms incident

LiveNews Publisher

January 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

One man faces court, as the Police investigation continues into a firearms incident outside an Auckland hospital.

Counties Manukau CIB have been investigating since 4 January when a firearm was allegedly fired from a vehicle at Middlemore Hospital.

Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers says it was fortunate that no one sustained injuries as a result.

“An altercation allegedly occurred before 6.30pm in the car park when the incident unfolded,” he says.

“Over the weekend, our investigation team terminated a search warrant and arrested one of the offenders involved.”

A 34-year-old man will appear in the Manukau District Court today facing serious charges, Detective Inspector Vickers says.

Those charges include committing a dangerous act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and commission of an offense with a firearm.

Police are continuing to investigate others who were at the scene, and further arrests cannot be ruled out.

Detective Inspector Vickers says: “Those allegedly involved showed no regard for the safety of those around them, given this occurred at a hospital.

“We have no tolerance and will continue to hold those to account who take part in this behaviour.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

Waitangi ki Manukau

LiveNews Publisher

January 20, 2025

Source: Auckland Council

Waitangi ki Manukau 2025: Exploring the Treaty, culture and music for Te Tiriti o Waitangi with headliners Dam Native, MAJIC, and Jordyn with a Why.

Get ready for a show-stopping, free, community celebration at Waitangi ki Manukau 2025, taking place on Thursday 6 February 2025, at Barry Curtis Park.

Hosted by Auckland Council, join us for a fantastic day that honours the 185th anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, packed with music and rich cultural experiences within te ao Māori (the Māori world). This whānau-friendly event in the heart of Manukau is a fun and significant way to celebrate what Waitangi Day means for us all today.

Waitangi ki Manukau 2025: Te Tūhura i te Tiriti, te ahurea me te puoro mō Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, ko ngā kaiwhakangahau matua, ko Dam Native, ko MAJIC, ko Jordyn with a Why hoki.

Kia rite ki te whai wāhi ki tētahi whakanui mā te hapori e whakamīharo ana, e utu kore ana hoki, e tū rā ki Waitangi ki Manukau 2025, hei a Tāite te 6 o Pēpuere 2025, ki Barry Curtis Park.

Piri mai ki tētahi kaupapa rawe e whakatūria ana e Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau hei whakamaharatanga ki te huritau 185 mai i te hainatanga o Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, ka pāorooro te puoro, ka rangona hoki te pārekareka o te ahurea i te ao Māori. He ara ngahau, he ara tāpua hoki tēnei kaupapa pai mā te whānau hei whakanui i te rā o Waitangi me tōna hiranga ki a tātou katoa i tēnei wā.

This year’s theme, ‘Te Tiriti ki Tāmaki Makaurau’, commemorates the historical importance of Manukau as a site where treaty signings took place, and will provide a space to reflect on the ongoing relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its role in shaping Aotearoa.

Cr Alf Filipaina sees this event as a powerful reminder of the historical significance, unity, and future aspirations Te Tiriti o Waitangi offers Aucklanders.

“Waitangi ki Manukau 2025 is a commemoration for all, showcasing the rich diversity of Auckland communities through music, cultural experiences, and time with whānau,” Cr Filipaina says.

“Auckland Council is committed to celebrating Māori identity, history and culture as Auckland’s unique point of difference in the world. This event highlights how through Te Tiriti o Waitangi, when Māori thrive, we all thrive in Tāmaki Makaurau.”

The musical lineup is a standout of the event, with headline performances from Dam Native, MAJIC, Jordyn with a Why, MOHI and Tipene each bringing their own unique flavour to the stage. In addition to these incredible headliners, the event will feature Valkyrie, bringing their indie rock edge to the lineup, and award-winning NLC, delivering fresh, dynamic energy with their reggae fusion. From hip hop to R&B to indie rock, the musical diversity on display at Waitangi ki Manukau will reflect the vibrant mix of cultures welcome in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Auckland Council’s Māori Culture and Identity Programme Lead Melz Huata-Lucas says that while the lineup of artists will help to create a stirring, unified atmosphere through the expression of music, this year’s commemoration of Waitangi Day will be so much more than just music.

“This year’s Waitangi ki Manukau event will embrace culture and community and the remembrance of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi – the significance for Māori, in particular, iwi Māori from Tāmaki Makaurau, and the impact of the treaty on this region and on our society as a whole, ever since the signing,” Miss Huata-Lucas says.

The day’s events will begin with a karakia, setting a tone of reverence and unity, before the powerful lineup of performances and activities fills the day.

Learning opportunities focusing on Te Tiriti o Waitangi will also be at the forefront, allowing attendees to dive deeper into the historical and cultural significance of the Treaty as an important, living document. The Waitangi Village will offer interactive activities, including weaving workshops and kōrero, designed to foster understanding from both Māori and Pacific cultures.

The festival will also feature a curated market with Māori arts and crafts, and kai stalls showcasing a delicious fusion of Māori and international flavours. A special area for children’s activities including face painting and poi making will ensure that tamariki have a fun and educational experience of their own.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday 6 February, 2025

Time: 10 AM to 4 PM

Location: Barry Curtis Park, 163 Chapel Road, Flat Bush, Auckland

Cost: Free

Artist line-up

Dam Native, groundbreaking 90s hip hop group, will captivate audiences with powerful storytelling and dynamic urban beats, blending ancestral pride with contemporary Māori experience to speak to social issues and inspire the next generation.

MAJIC has quickly gained attention for her distinctive style which combines reggae-roots with waiata Māori. A Waiata Maori Music Award winner for top artist, MAJIC crafts her soulful music to inspire her iwi and provide a positive example for her tamariki.

Jordyn with a Why, an up-and-coming star in the Aotearoa R&B scene, will mesmerise attendees with her emotive voice and soulful melodies, inspiring audiences through her unyielding spirit of Māori reclamation.

MOHI, with his smooth-groove blend of traditional Māori sounds and soulful-jazz styles, will offer an intimate connection to te ao Māori, inspiring listeners to find their own meaning within the story.

Tipene is a hip-hop artist from Hawkes Bay known for blending Māori culture with contemporary rap. His music often highlights social issues, personal stories, and cultural pride, recognising him as one of Aotearoa’s leading bilingual artists.

Presented by Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland Council.

Supported by Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), Hustle Management, Flava, Radio Waatea, Auckland City of Music and Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Follow the Facebook page for updates on stage performance times.

For more information, please visit ourauckland.nz/waitangiday.

ENDS

MIL OSI

Weather News – Heavy Rain returns to the North – MetService

LiveNews Publisher

January 20, 2025

Source: MetService

Covering period of Monday 20 – Tuesday 21 January – Heavy rain and strong winds return to the north of New Zealand. MetService warns of strengthening easterly winds, heavy rain and the potential for thunderstorms from Monday afternoon and into Tuesday across Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel. During Tuesday afternoon the rain spreads into Tairawhiti with periods of heavy rain expected north of Tolaga Bay.

The heaviest rain is forecast for northern and eastern areas of Northland; a Heavy Rain Warning and Severe Thunderstorms Watch cover the region. Rainfall totals of 90-120mm are possible between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning with intense bursts of rain and thunderstorms. A Heavy Rain Warning in also in place for the Coromandel Peninsula where rain is expected to feed in from the east throughout Tuesday.

Severe Weather Watches also cover the Auckland Region (including Great Barrier Island) as rain spreads over the area during Tuesday, accompanied by strong easterly winds which may reach severe gale force in exposed parts of the region.

The driving force for the wet and windy weather is an area of low pressure that sinks towards Aotearoa New Zealand from the north before tracking eastward across the upper North Island.

“It’s been a dry but cool start to 2025, so these Heavy Rain Warnings for Northland and the Coromandel are the first of the year”, says MetService Meteorologist John Law. “The potential for intense downpours and thunderstorms within the broader rain band means some areas, especially in Northland, could experience significant rainfall in a short period.”

The low pressure will also be delivering gusty easterly winds to Northland and Auckland, with gusts around 100 km/h in the most exposed locations.

“The strongest winds and wettest weather will affect areas exposed to the east,” Law adds. “For Auckland, the heaviest rain is likely to fall north of Orewa, while the strongest winds will impact the eastern coast.”

MetService urges residents in affected regions to monitor the latest Severe Weather Warnings and Watches at metservice.com.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch indicates that conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area. People should remain vigilant for threatening weather and stay updated on potential Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.

MIL OSI

Two to appear in court following search warrants, Southland

LiveNews Publisher

January 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Two vehicles have been impounded and their drivers facing charges following search warrants in Southland.

Police executed simultaneous search warrants on Friday 17 January at addresses in the Tuatapere and Winton areas following an incident on Tuesday 5 November 2024.

At around 6.50pm, Police received a report of a vehicle having crashed into a paddock after failing to make a turn at a corner on Grove Burn Road while participating in antisocial road user behaviour.

The vehicles were believed to have been travelling around three times the posted 50km/h speed limit before the crash.

As a result of Friday’s search warrants, two men aged 18 and 19 were spoken to by Police and their vehicles were impounded.

The two men are due to appear in Invercargill District Court on 18 February, charged with illegal street racing. Further charges are likely.

Police are committed to holding illegal street racers to account as we know the impact this activity has on the community.

Not only does it keep residents awake and damage the roads, but it places drivers, passengers, bystanders, and other motorists at extreme risk.

Police ask members of the public to report unlawful activity to us, as soon as possible with as much information as you can safely gather.

This will assist in an effective response to the issue, and in cases where we can’t immediately respond, allow us to follow up with drivers and take later enforcement action.

You can report information to us by calling 111, if it is happening now, or through our 105 service for non-emergencies.

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Waitangi Day festivities in Tāmaki Makaurau

LiveNews Publisher

January 20, 2025

Source: Auckland Council

February marks one of the most important days in the calendar for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Waitangi Day commemorates the day when 183 years ago, several Māori chiefs signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi; the founding documents of our nation.

This day holds great significance in Aotearoa as a day to remember Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and brings with it reflections and celebrations year-on-year. For 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau, this year’s Waitangi Day theme is ‘Te Tiriti ki Tāmaki Makaurau’, commemorating the historical importance in our region of where treaty signings took place.

There are also many free, family-friendly events full of tasty kai, great music and enriching kōrero to commemorate our national holiday.

Here’s a few to get you started:

Waitangi ki Manukau

A large crowd in attendance for the Waitangi ki Manukau event, with live music and delicious kai for all to enjoy.

Education is at the forefront this year at Waitangi ki Manukau, located at Barry Curtis Park (entrance opposite 260 Chapel Road, Flat Bush), and welcoming all to enjoy the day with great kai, lively music and exploration of the Treaty and its historical and cultural significance. Plenty of opportunities to get involved await visitors at The Waitangi Village, which has on offer weaving workshops and educational kōrero, designed to foster understanding of both Māori and Pacific cultures.

Plus, there’s a curated market with Māōri arts and crafts, kai stalls showcasing delicious fusion of Māori and international flavours, and a designated play area for tamariki with engaging activities.

There’s also an exciting line-up of musicians with headliners Dam Native, MAJIC, Tipene, Jordyn with a Why and many more! 

Waitangi at Waititi

Festival attendees enjoying the performances at Waitangi at Waititi.

More family fun awaits in West Auckland at Parrs Park, thanks to Te Whānau o Waipareira, who are putting on an incredible event full of delicious kai and some kid-friendly rides for the whole whānau to enjoy.

You won’t want to miss out on epic performers like Stan Walker, Mark Williams, Che Fu & The Kratez, Ladi 6, Black Slate, Corrella, Troy Kingi, Aaradhna, Rob Ruha and Annie Crummer.

Waitangi Day ki Tāmaki

Kapa Haka performers sharing Māori tradition with their waiata / song.

You can also head to Point England Reserve, which will be bursting with family friendly activity for the day.

Get amongst the celebrations and enjoy yummy kai, arts and craft stalls, and a live music stage featuring top musicians like Katchafire, Teina Mamaori, Norizin, Lopz & the Rasta, Queen Shirl’e Academy, Kas Tha Feelstyle, as well as kapa haka groups.

Vector Lights for Waitangi Day

Enjoy a Waitangi-themed light show to delight friends and whānau with Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

As the sun sets, enjoy a Waitangi-themed light show to delight friends and whānau with Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Designed by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, in collaboration with Mandylights, the dazzling show is a celebration of the many tūpuna gone before who laid a strong foundation for their descendants, creating a legacy and everlasting connection to their whenua, to their moana and to each other.

The accompanied waiata ‘Maunga’ by siblings Majic Pāora and Robbie Pāora can be listened to live at vector.co.nz/lights. The show will repeat every 15 minutes from 9pm until midnight.

Here’s a tip: grab your paraikete (blanket) and catch the show from some of the best viewing places like Silo Park, Bayswater Marina and Takarunga Mt Victoria!

Please note, due to critical maintenance work by NZTA, some of the lights will not appear on the west side overarch of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Completion of the work is expected by 31 March 2025.

MIL OSI

Have your say on proposed changes to Auckland’s dog rules

LiveNews Publisher

January 20, 2025

Source: Auckland Council

It is time to unleash your views on proposed changes to Auckland’s dog rules. You can have your say by taking part in the 5-week consultation from Monday 20 January until Sunday 23 February.

The changes being proposed are part of a regular review of Auckland’s dog policy, Dog Management Bylaw and local dog access rules.

Councillor Josephine Bartley, chair of Auckland Council’s Regulatory and Safety Committee says the proposals aim to strike a fair balance for everyone who uses Auckland’s public places.

“We are so lucky to have a variety of public spaces to share in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s important we maintain a balance that respects everybody’s right to use them.

“The changes being put forward aim to keep a good mix of dog-friendly and dog-free spaces so there are places for dogs, and anyone who is not a dog person, to enjoy. This will also help to protect vulnerable wildlife, like endangered shorebirds nesting on our beaches, and kauri in specific places”, she says.

Data also shows that multiple dogs being walked together appears to be an emerging issue for Aucklanders, so a limit on the number of dogs that can be walked at the same time is being proposed.

“This aims to respond to the concerns in a way that’s fair and reasonable, without imposing unnecessary restrictions. Ultimately, everyone should feel safe and welcome to visit Auckland’s parks, beaches and public spaces – this is at the heart of these proposals.

“This is a topic that people are passionate about – I know as well as anyone that we want the best for our beloved pets. Testing these changes with Aucklanders is key to making sure we have it right. If this is important to you, I strongly encourage you to have your say online, or at one of the many engagement events being held across the region.” says Josephine.

Some of the changes being put forward aim to help protect endangered native dotterels.

Doggy details – what are the proposed changes?

The changes aim to maintain a balance of dog-friendly and dog-free spaces in Tāmaki Makaurau. They cover dog access rules (where dogs can go off a leash, on a leash, or are not allowed) at 14 regional parks and 64 places in local parks and beaches across the region. New off-leash areas are recommended, as well as changes to keep dogs out of places with vulnerable wildlife, and to provide some places for the public to visit that are dog-free.

Under the proposed changes, people can walk a maximum of six dogs at once and only three of those dogs can be off a leash. This means you could walk three dogs off a leash at once, or three dogs off a leash and an additional three dogs on a leash, or six dogs on a leash.

Finally, some existing rules in the policy and bylaw will be made clearer. This includes the need for any dogs classified as menacing and dangerous outside of Auckland to be neutered if they are moved here, rules and exemptions for working dogs and dogs in vehicles, plus dog access rules for places such as council car parks and camping grounds.

What does the data say?

Early feedback from Aucklanders, interviews with groups and individuals that have an interest in dog rules, and analysis of relevant data, including complaints to the council, animal management service requests and dog registrations, has shaped the proposed changes.

An analysis of dog-related complaint data found complaints about dog access rules not being followed and multiple dogs being walked at once. In a preliminary survey in March 2024, Aucklanders told us that owners not picking up after their dog, dogs wandering off-leash in on-leash areas and packs of dogs taking up pathways were of concern to them.

Reviewing the data available to the council is a valuable first step when updating policies or bylaws. It has helped to show where the policy works well, and where improvements can be made.

What could change in my area?

Parks and beaches with proposed changes to local dog access rules include:

Central/West

North

Long Bay Regional Park

Te Ārai Regional Park

Snells Beach (Rodney)

South

Waitawa Regional Park

You can view the full list and changes being put forward in the statement of proposal documents for the policy and bylaw review (including regional parks) and local dog access rules. The documents are available on AKHaveYourSay

Are we barking up the right tree? Have your say now.

Have your say from Monday 20 January until 11.59pm on Sunday 23 February. You can take part online or at one of the 23 engagement events happening across the region.

Visit AKHaveYourSay.nz to view the full list of proposed changes, find out more about the engagement events, and take part in the consultation.

MIL OSI

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