Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police are issuing a correction to media for a file number issued as part of a media release on Tuesday evening.
The original release, appealing for further information after a man was arrested in Ponsonby, contained an incorrect file number.
Police ask media to update the file number in online stories to 250113/5152.
We apologise for this oversight.
ENDS
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: Auckland Council
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has moved Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland into a restricted fire season from Thursday 16 January until further notice.
A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which they can apply for at checkitsalright.nz.
Fire and Emergency’s Te Hiku Region Manager Ron Devlin says outdoor fires will be restricted in the Waitematā, Auckland City and Counties Manukau districts due to the high fire risk throughout Auckland at present.
“While there is some rain forecast next week, this isn’t going to be enough to counter the effects of the recent warm, dry weather,” he says.
“We continually monitor the weather conditions throughout the region, and keep an eye on how quickly vegetation is drying out.
“Right now, we consider flammable vegetation such as mānuka, kānuka and grass, and forestry areas as being particularly high risk, as these burn easily, spread fast, and can be really difficult to contain.”
The Hauraki Gulf Islands remain in a prohibited fire season, which means all outdoor fires are banned on the islands.
“If you’re thinking about starting a fire, you must go to www.checkitsalright.nz first to find out if you can, and what restrictions apply,” Ron Devlin says.
“There’s also excellent safety advice, which I strongly urge people to follow, to help us keep Tāmaki Makaurau fire-free this summer.”
An image from the end of Anawhata Road, taken on Thursday 16 January 2025, shows the devastation caused by a fire to native vegetation on the headland.
As a total fire ban applies to the Auckland region , Auckland Council rangers are reminding visitors to avoid taking any risks with barbecues, fireworks and fires in remote park areas to prevent further damage from outbreaks.
Scott De Silva, Regional Parks Manager, says uncontrolled recent fires at Te Henga Bethells Beach, Long Bay and at Anawhata Beach show how quickly fires can spread at the height of summer.
“We are urging people to be sensible and mindful of the dry conditions, especially now that Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s fire restrictions have been extended.
“Remote locations, uneven terrain, and difficult access to water present a serious challenge to fight fires in our regional parks. Despite this, the support we receive from Fire and Emergency NZ in response to these incidents has been fantastic,” says Scott.
Fire and Emergency placed the season’s first fire restrictions in Tāmaki Makaurau on 2 December across the Hauraki Gulf islands, which remain in place.
With a shift to a La Niña weather pattern, from last summer’s El Niño, bringing warmer than normal temperatures over much of the country, any rainfall during the summer months is unlikely to prevent vegetation from drying out.
“Don’t take the risk of lighting any fires or fireworks – just one spark can get out of control so quickly and have devastating consequences for the safety of people, their livelihoods and of course, the flora and fauna we are trying to protect,” says Scott.
Open fires are prohibited in all public areas throughout Auckland
This includes on beaches and foreshores, in parks, conservation areas and forests
It’s prohibited to light fireworks in any public places.
Avoid any outdoor activity that could cause a spark.
Leave portable barbecues at home.
Only use established barbecues at parks and beach areas to cook food.
If you see smoke that could be a threat, dial 111.
Visit checkitsalright.nz for updates to the fire season (currently prohibited, a total fire ban).
Source: Privacy Commissioner
AboutMe (Request My Info Tool) had a glitch between 19 December 2024 and 12 January 2025 and any requests made during that time haven’t been forwarded on to the agency involved.
What happened was that an error in our system stopped people receiving an email verification link, which is a step in the process that lets your request go through.
Like any glitch, it was unintended, and we apologise for any inconvenience. We also recommend that if you used the AboutMe tool between 19 December 2024 and 12 January 2025 that you redo your request.
Source: Media Outreach
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 January 2025 – Alpro Group, a leading healthcare provider dedicated to enhancing the well-being of seniors, has announced a strategic partnership with Skechers Malaysia to launch the “Silver Step-Pro: Empowering Seniors to Take Every Step with Confidence” campaign. This collaboration underscores both organizations’ commitment to promoting active aging and raising awareness about fall prevention, aligning with Malaysia’s government initiatives to support a healthier aging population.
(From left: Ms. Joe Ann Chong (Branding Promotion & Trade Marketing Manager of Alpro Group), Ms. Wong Siew Piin (Operation Director of Alpro Group), Stephanie Chang (Senior General Manager of Skechers Malaysia), Alex Ong (Sales Account Manager of Skechers Malaysia) )
Through this initiative, Alpro Group’s Silvercare Initiatives have provided exclusive benefits for members, including access to Skechers’ innovative footwear designed to enhance comfort, mobility, and safety. The campaign also includes educational videos and workshops that empower seniors with the knowledge and tools needed to lead active, independent lifestyles.
“At Alpro Group, we want to drive a partnership rooted in a shared commitment that goes beyond price,” said Ms. Joe Ann Chong, Branding Promotion & Trade Marketing Manager of Alpro Group. “Together with Skechers, we’ll be collaborating to create a line of footwear designed specifically for the senior community—combining Skechers’ innovative design with Alpro’s deep understanding of senior care needs. This partnership is a testament to our dedication to providing solutions that improve the quality of life for seniors, ensuring they can take every step with confidence, safety, and comfort.”
From Left 9: Ms. Joe Ann Chong (Branding Promotion & Trade Marketing Manager of Alpro Group), Left 10: Ms. Wong Siew Piin (Operation Director of Alpro Group), Left 11: Stephanie Chang (Senior General Manager of Skechers Malaysia), Left 12: Zann Lee (Managing Director of Skechers Southeast Asia), Left 17: Alex Ong (Sales Account Manager of Skechers Malaysia).
Exclusive Benefits for Alpro Group Members
As part of the “Silver Step-Pro” campaign, Alpro Group members enjoy:
Empowering Active Aging Together
Stephanie Chang, Senior General Manager of Skechers Malaysia, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Skechers is honored to collaborate with Alpro Group in empowering seniors to lead active and independent lives. Our high-performance footwear is designed to provide the perfect balance of comfort and stability, helping seniors take confident steps every day. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults, ensuring their mobility and safety are prioritized.”
Invitation to Join the Movement
To further amplify the campaign’s impact, Alpro Group and Skechers Malaysia will be hosting workshops and creating video content focusing on the benefits of active aging, footwear safety, and fall prevention. Seniors and their families are encouraged to participate in these programs to gain valuable insights and make informed health decisions.
“This campaign is about more than just products; it’s about fostering awareness and creating a supportive environment for seniors to thrive,” added Ms. Joe Ann Chong. “Our joint efforts aim to empower seniors to live healthier, more fulfilling lives by addressing their unique mobility and safety needs.”
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OCM6Ib2AKGz-y8cGmhntGMhILJuW93Z9?usp=sharin
Hashtag: #AlproPharmacy #SkechersMalaysia #AlproSilvercare
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
State Highway 50 (SH50) Links Road in Napier will be closed for two nights later this month for resealing.
The road, between SH50 Korokipo Road and SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway, will be closed Friday 24 January and Saturday 25 January.
The work will take place between 8pm and 5am both nights and will be finished at 5am Sunday 26 January.
A detour is available for light vehicles. People travelling on SH50 wanting to access the expressway will be detoured through Waiohiki, onto Gloucester Street and right into Meeanee Road before joining the expressway. The reverse will apply for people travelling the expressway who want to access SH50.
This detour isn’t suitable for High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV). The detour is expected to add approximately 5-10 minutes to people’s journeys.
This work is weather dependent and contingency dates are Sunday 26 and Monday 27 January, 8pm to 5am each night.
The following week (Monday 27 January to Friday 31 January), sections of SH50 Korokipo Road, between Ngaruroro River Bridge at Omahu and Omarunui Road, will be under stop/go traffic management for resealing.
That work will take place during the day between 7am and 5pm. Please expect delays of up to 10 minutes to journey times.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for their patience while we improve both sections of SH50, ultimately making them more resilient, safer and efficient for travellers.
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe will remain in place for the next few weeks as part of the response to the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly earlier this month, says Biosecurity New Zealand’s commissioner north Mike Inglis.
“We’ve had fantastic support from the South Auckland community and sector groups to date, and we’re asking for that to continue just a little longer out of an abundance of caution. It is vital to our success in keeping fruit fly out of New Zealand,” Mike Inglis says.
“To date, no other Oriental fruit flies have been found in surveillance traps, which is very encouraging.
“We’ll continue to regularly check fruit fly traps, and specialist staff in our mobile field laboratory will cut up and inspect fruit and vegetables collected in the area for any signs of larvae. So far more than 200kg of produce has been examined.”
Mr Inglis says it’s anticipated the restrictions will remain in place until mid-February.
“This is so we can be confident that we are not dealing with a breeding population. This timeframe is based on scientific advice about the life cycle of the Oriental fruit fly,” Mr Inglis says.
There is no change to the current movement rules that are in place. The A and B Zone areas in Papatoetoe will remain the same and the instructions on the disposal of produce waste remain unchanged. More detail on these zones is on our website.
Oriental fruit fly detected in Auckland
“Those legal controls prohibit the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the specified controlled area around where the fruit fly was found. The restrictions are a critical precaution to protect our horticultural sector and exports,” Mr Inglis says.
“There have been 12 previous fruit fly incursions in New Zealand which we have successfully eradicated, so we have very strong and detailed operational plans to guide our work.
“The fruit fly poses no risk to human health, but there would be an economic cost to the horticulture industry if it were allowed to establish here.”
For media enquiries, call 029 894 0328
To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
Covering period of Thursday 16th – Tuesday 21st January – MetService is forecasting a warmer weekend ahead, bringing a long-awaited summer feel for most across Aotearoa New Zealand. The settled, mostly dry weather that many have witnessed this week is expected to continue; bringing an end to the unseasonal cool temperatures in some areas. In contrast, wet and windy conditions will be part of the weekend in the Far North.
MetService Meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo said, “Mainly fine weather is forecast for most over the weekend, apart from a few showers in some places inland. The good news is that we are forecasting a wind flow change from the cool southerlies to easterlies, bringing in warmer temperatures for most. The exception to this will be the east of the North Island, including Wairarapa where conditions will remain cool, cloudy and showery. Wellington is expected to reach maximum temperature of at least 21℃ from Friday, so hopefully there will be fewer jumpers needed this Anniversary Day.”
Although the weather will be mainly fine for most, a rain bearing weather system is forecast to move onto the upper North Island over the weekend.
“A strengthening easterly wind brings showers in Northland and Auckland from Saturday, with possible heavy rain and strong easterlies in exposed places.”, added Mhlongo.
The beginning of next week might introduce a change in weather, with rain spreading southwards.
“A band of rain will move to the southern half of the North Island and the eastern areas of the South Island from Tuesday early morning, while the possible heavy rain and strong to gale easterlies continue in Northland and Auckland, spreading to Coromandel. Although it is still early days, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay might also experience heavy rain on Tuesday. We may see the first set of severe weather warnings for the new year, so keep an eye on metservice.com for any updates.” said Mhlongo.
