Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Motorists are being advised to expect delays following a crash in Glenbrook this morning.
The two vehicle crash, at the intersection of Wyner and Glenbrook Roads, was reported to Police at 5.50am.
One person has been transported to hospital in a moderate condition.
Motorists are being advised to expect delays while the scene is cleared.
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Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Attributable to Senior Sergeant Andy Livingstone, Taupō Police:
Police received a report about 12:40pm today of a person or people on a jetski in trouble, on Lake Taupō off Acacia Bay.
While one person and the jetski made it to shore with assistance from Police and Taupō Coastguard, a second person sadly did not, and was last seen struggling in the water.
The Police National Dive Squad has been notified and is expected to deploy tomorrow.
Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board has been advised and local hapū are assisting to support those involved.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police investigating the death of a man in Stratford overnight (Saturday 18 January), are appealing for information.
About 11:15pm a man was located deceased on Lear Street, after deciding to walk back from an event on Miranda Street around 10pm.
His death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries remain ongoing to determine how he died.
If anyone saw anything between Miranda Street and Lear Street, Stratford, between 10pm and 11:30pm, or has any information they believe may assist in the investigation, not yet reported to us, please get in touch with Police.
You can contact us via 105 either online or over the phone, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11, please reference file number: 250119/6141.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has delivered a refreshed team focused on unleashing economic growth to make people better off, create more opportunities for business and help us afford the world-class health and education Kiwis deserve.
“Last year, we made solid progress on the economy. Inflation has fallen significantly and now a steady march of interest rate cuts are translating into real financial relief for households. Having set the building blocks for rebuilding the economy, 2025 is all about going for growth and I am refreshing my team to underline this priority,” Mr Luxon says.
“In addition to her role as Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis becomes Minister for Economic Growth – formerly known as the Economic Development portfolio.
“Her focus will be on leading the Government’s growth agenda to unleash the potential of our businesses to grow, develop talent and attract investment. That will mean co-ordinating and strengthening efforts that are already underway to deliver economic growth – and taking responsibility for new initiatives designed to promote growth and productivity in the New Zealand economy.
“In 2024, Nicola did a fantastic job delivering tax relief for hardworking Kiwis and restoring a culture of fiscal discipline – with New Zealanders now seeing the benefits in the form of lower inflation and interest rates. In 2025, I’m confident she will bring that same focus and dedication to the task of unleashing Kiwi businesses to grow at pace.
“In 2025, health is also a priority area.
“Last year, Dr Shane Reti worked hard to reset the culture and performance of Health NZ. It was critical to establish targets and refresh their leadership – and I am confident the organisation is heading in a much better direction that it was when we entered office.
“But I have also heard Kiwis’ concerns that they expect to see even more progress – ensuring they can access the care they need, when they need it. To deliver on that expectation, I have decided Simeon Brown will become Minister of Health.
“Simeon is an outstanding and diligent minister who has done an excellent job delivering on the Government’s priorities. Off the back of that performance, I have decided his skills are best placed to take leadership of our health system going forward.
“Dr Shane Reti will take on an important new role assuming responsibility for New Zealand’s universities and our science sector – both of which are expected to play a critical role in our economic growth plan.
“A series of other Ministers are also expected to play even greater roles in our plans to unleash economic growth in 2025.
“Chris Bishop becomes Minister of Transport, taking responsibility for an additional part of the Government’s ambitious infrastructure agenda.
“Louise Upston picks up Tourism and Hospitality, a critical industry for promoting growth and employment in regional New Zealand. She also becomes Deputy Leader of the House.
“Judith Collins KC becomes Minister for the Public Service, while Mark Mitchell picks up the Sport and Recreation, and Ethnic Communities portfolios.
“Simon Watts takes on the Energy and Local Government portfolios – both areas with significant reforms underway and expected to play a major role in our growth plan going forward.
“Outside Cabinet, Chris Penk picks up Small Business and Manufacturing, while Andrew Bayly becomes Minister for ACC.
“I have also decided to bring in James Meager as a Minister outside Cabinet. He will take on the Hunting and Fishing, and Youth portfolios and the newly created role of Minister for the South Island. He will also be an Associate Minister of Transport.
“Finally, I would like to acknowledge Melissa Lee’s contribution in Government over the last year. She has worked incredibly hard engaging with the range of ethnic communities calling New Zealand home and I thank her for that service.”
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
3 minutes ago
EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates Isaac Winterson (second left) and Becca Williams with Havelock North Primary School Principal Nick Reed (right) and Deputy Principal Greg Bain (left).
EIT’s partnership with local schools continues to thrive, with two Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates the latest to secure jobs at Havelock North Primary School.
Becca Williams and Isaac Winterson finished the programme, renowned for its practical, community-focused approach, at the end of the semester, having completed placements at Havelock North Primary during their three years.
Isaac is excited to begin his career teaching Year 4 students. Reflecting on his time at EIT, he credited the programme’s practical focus for preparing him for the realities of teaching.
“The practical experience was invaluable. Being in classrooms, working alongside incredible teachers, and applying what I learnt built my confidence over the three years,” Isaac said. “I’m stoked to start this new chapter.”
Isaac also expressed gratitude for the supportive environment at EIT, where lecturers provided personalised guidance.
For Becca, joining the staff at Havelock North Primary is a homecoming. A former student at the school, she completed her final practicum in a Year 3 classroom, spending two days a week on-site throughout her final year.
“It feels so special to return to the school I attended as a child,” Becca shared. “The connections I’ve made with staff and students during my practicum gave me insight into the school’s culture and prepared me for this opportunity. It’s like a year-long job interview.”
Becca credits EIT’s focus on real-world experience and the close relationships with lecturers for her success.
“The support was incredible. Unlike larger universities, where you might not even know your lecturer’s name, at EIT, you can contact them anytime,” she said.
Principal Nick Reed and Deputy Principal Greg Bain have long been advocates of EIT’s Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), commending its hands-on approach and the positive impact it has on teacher preparedness.
The partnership, which dates back to the programme’s inception more than a decade ago, sees candidate teachers spend 40 per cent of their training in classrooms around the region, giving schools a unique opportunity to mentor and assess future educators.
They congratulated Becca and Isaac, and said they ticked a lot of boxes.
“We’re lucky to have them because there were a number of other schools who were keen to sign them up as well. So, we were fortunate to get in nice and early with the interview process and secure their services,” Nick said.
EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates Isaac Winterson (second left) and Becca Williams with Havelock North Primary School Principal Nick Reed (right) and Deputy Principal Greg Bain (left).
Greg said both Becca and Isaac were “really successful in being able to build relationships with the staff and kids”.
“We want people who are going to go the extra mile for the kids,” Nick added.
Greg described the partnership with EIT as mutually beneficial, allowing the school to evaluate top talent throughout the year.
“We get a really good look at the candidates coming through, which is really positive. I tell every candidate teacher that this is basically your interview for the whole year you’re here, so make the most of it,” he said.
Nick added: “They’re well prepared and providing that they’ve had positive postings, which in most cases they have, they’re ready to make a difference from the get-go.”
Kirsty Jones, EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) Programme Co-ordinator, says: “It is always so rewarding to see graduates winning jobs in the partner schools where they practiced the craft of teaching, it is a fabulous endorsement of the quality of EIT’s BTP programme.”
“This year the graduates were snapped up by local schools with most securing positions before they had even finished their final course work. They will all start teaching in 2025.”
“Many of our past graduates have been appointed as senior leaders and mentor teachers for these beginning teachers too. I feel so proud of them and seeing them grow over the years and become leaders in the profession is heart-warming.”
Source: Department of Conservation
Date: 19 January 2025
Attribute to Andrew Lamason, DOC Acting Operations Manager Golden Bay
“We had a report come in yesterday afternoon of a pod of whales close to shore near Pakawau. Our ranger who lives nearby was tracking them.
The pod of whales moved northward and stranded near Taupata Stream.
A large pod of whales had stranded and several were swimming nearby. They are pilot whales and are a range of ages and sizes.
Of those stranded, one passed away very quickly.
Our team and Project Jonah volunteers were out with the whales until dark last night. This includes several Project Jonah medics, their help is always greatly appreciated.
DOC Rangers and Project Jonah volunteers have been at the site from first light this morning. Gusty easterly winds are not making things easy.
We will be looking after the remaining whales until the tide turns around 2 pm. We will attempt to re-float them at high tide.”
Attribute to Andy Thompson DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager
“We received a call around 4:30 pm yesterday of a dolphin stranded in New Brighton.
Local iwi Ngāi Tūāhuriri, DOC, and Project Jonah responded.
It is likely to be a young or juvenile Cuvier’s beaked-whale or an even rarer Gingko whale. Both are deep water species.
At 5:40 pm Project Jonah staff had the whale secured and pointing out to sea. The whale swam out, so it was a successful re-float.
The whale was seen later in the evening, just out behind the breakers.
It is a young and vulnerable whale and we are very hopeful of a successful outcome but we are very mindful it is likely we will see it again somewhere else along the coast.
We would ask the public to report any sightings of the whale to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).”
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Wellington Police were out in force last night disrupting antisocial road user gatherings across the district, with vehicle seizures, impoundments, and infringements being issued.
Operation Kereru saw Police staff taking a coordinated zero-tolerance approach within the region, specifically within the Hutt Valley area.
Over the course of the night, 10 vehicles were either pink or green stickered, three licences were suspended, 32 infringement notices were issued, three vehicles impounded, and three drivers were summonsed for excess breath alcohol.
Bailiffs from the Ministry of Justice also assisted leading to four vehicles being seized and a large number of fines collected.
Wellington Police remained agile and persistent, ready to respond and disrupt gatherings, conduct checkpoints, and stopping drivers across the district.
Acting Area Prevention Manager Senior Sergeant Samuel Avison says this operation sends a clear message to those wanting to participate in disruptive and illegal activity.
“Our high visibility and enforcement approach meant groups were intercepted before they could set up in one location, meaning they were unable to participate in antisocial road user behaviours.”
Wellington 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,” says Senior Sergeant Samuel Avison.
Police ask members of the public to report unlawful activity to us, as soon as possible with as much information as safely possible.
This will assist in an effective response to the issue, and in cases where we can’t immediately response, 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.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
