ACT helps Kiwis make voices heard for equal rights

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January 15, 2025

Source: ACT Party

“The ACT Party has made a submission to the Justice Select Committee in support of the Treaty Principles Bill, joined by tens of thousands of New Zealanders who shared their views through ACT’s submission tool,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“This bill stands for universal suffrage and equality before the law – principles that are fundamental to New Zealand’s democratic tradition and consistent with the text of the Treaty itself. Dividing people based on ancestry has never been a path to success.

“New Zealanders have finally been given a voice in an important conversation that they have been locked out of for too long. Alongside those who submitted through ACT’s tool, thousands more made submissions directly through Parliament’s website, contributing thoughtful and compelling arguments. The calibre of submissions from New Zealanders like Elizabeth Rata, Ruth Richardson, and Tim Wikiriwhi demonstrates the depth of thought and passion behind the movement for equal rights.

“To oppose the Treaty Principles Bill is to support Labour’s continued march toward separate political rights for New Zealanders based on ancestry. This is a critical moment to uphold the values of fairness and equality that unite us as a country.

“I want to thank everyone who has stood alongside ACT in favour of equal rights for all New Zealanders.”

MIL OSI

Patients continue to be prioritised

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January 15, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister David Seymour says he is proud of the Government’s commitment to increasing medicines access for New Zealanders, resulting in a big uptick in the number of medicines being funded.
“The Government is putting patients first. In the first half of the current financial year there were more new medicines funded than the entire financial year prior,” says Mr Seymour.
”Increasing availability of medicines has always been a priority of mine. Access to pharmaceuticals for many is life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely.
“To reflect that, this government allocated Pharmac its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, and a $604 million uplift.

“When Pharmac is given the financial support it needs to carry out its functions – negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders – it does so effectively, as shown in 2024.
“More financial support means more buying power for Pharmac to deliver for Kiwis, as shown in Pharmac’s negotiations with AstraZeneca for a savvy multi-product deal.
“In the first half of the current financial year (since June 2024) Pharmac expanded access to 34 new medicines. That is six more than the entire 2023/2024 financial year.
“Included in those 34 new medicines are Pembrolizumab (branded as Keytruda) and Cetuximab (branded as Erbitux).
“Continuous Glucose Monitors have also been funded since August for nearly 12,295 Kiwis with type 1 diabetes.
“2024 also saw Pharmac increase its contracted medical devices for hospitals to $640 million on medical devices for hospitals, almost $100 million more than 2023. That includes nearly $50 million in national contract expenditure for medical devices, including major contracts for sterilisation, surgical implants, anaesthetic machines, and more.
“Pharmac was not just doing more but also streamlining processes to do things faster.
“Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assesment (NPPA) times were significantly reduced in 2024. An NPPA assesment is the process for considering funding for a treatment for individual patients, who are seeking funding for treatments that are not listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
“Pharmac aimed to complete 50% of NPPA decisions made within 10 working days every month. This target was exceeded with responsiveness improving each month since February. In October 93% of NPPA applications were closed within 10 working days.
“Changes were also made to allow parallel assessments for all medicines so Pharmac can assess funding applications at the same time Medsafe is assessing the application for regulatory approval.
“For the first time Pharmac has its own Minister. Last year I outlined in my letter of expectations that Pharmac should have appropriate processes for ensuring that people living with an illness, along with their carers and family, can participate in and provide input into decision-making processes around medicines.
“We want to build a world-class health system, and that requires access to world-class medicines.”

MIL OSI

Update: Taupō man hands himself in after escaping custody

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January 15, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A 30-year-old man who escaped Police custody in Taupō on Monday afternoon has handed himself in to Police.

The man handed himself in at Taupō Police Station shortly after 9am today.

He will be appearing in Taupō District Court this morning.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

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Appeal for information after attempted robbery, Dunedin

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January 15, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Dunedin Police are appealing for information from the public following an attempted robbery of a commercial premises in the North East Valley area.

At around 9.14pm on Saturday 28 December, Police were alerted to a person with their face covered entering a bar on North Road.

After being confronted by an employee, the alleged offender exited the premises and fleeing the area in a stolen vehicle.

Police believe the stolen maroon 1993 Mazda Familia, registration MSN831, was being driven by another person.

After following lines of enquiry, Police located the vehicle abandoned on Littlebourne Road on Thursday 31 December.

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the attempted robbery, or who may have CCTV footage of the incident.

Police are also looking for any sightings, CCTV, or dashcam footage of the stolen Mazda between Saturday 28 December and Thursday 31 December.

If you have any information that can assist Police in our investigation, please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or call 105.

Please use the reference number 241229/1914.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Trade and investment agreements signed with United Arab Emirates

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January 15, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand’s first-class free trade deal and investment treaty with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been signed.

In Abu Dhabi, together with UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, witnessed the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and accompanying investment treaty by Trade Minister Todd McClay and his UAE counterpart the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.

“Securing trade deals for our exporters has been a top priority for my government as we aim to double the value of our exports in ten years,” Mr Luxon says.

“The CEPA will unlock economic opportunities for Kiwi businesses, secure preferential access for our primary sector exporters, and strengthen supply chains with a key partner in the Gulf region.”

Two-way trade between New Zealand and the UAE is valued at NZ$1.3 billion annually, but that is set to grow when CEPA comes into force.

“Duties on 98.5 per cent of our exports to the UAE will be eliminated immediately on entry into force, rising to 99 per cent within three years and contributing to our ambitious target of doubling exports by value in ten years,” Mr McClay says.

“We’re committed to working closely with the UAE to bring the CEPA into force as soon as possible, ensuring it quickly brings benefits to both sides.”

Mr Luxon says that the CEPA negotiations, which were concluded in just over four months, makes this New Zealand’s fastest-ever free trade agreement negotiation.

“This is our first trade agreement in the Gulf region and is testament to Todd McClay’s hard work here and around the world.

“This is a significant step towards growing our trade and economic relationship,” says Mr Luxon.

New Zealand’s top exports to the UAE are dairy ($707 million), industrial products ($242 million), meat ($50 million), horticulture ($47 million), and tourism ($33 million).

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Body located at Piha Beach

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January 15, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police have located a body in the Piha Beach area this evening.

At around 5.10pm, Police were notified of the body on the shoreline.

While the formal identification process is yet to be completed, it is believed to be the fisherman reported missing on Thursday 9 January.

At around 1.50pm, Police were notified of a man who was unaccounted for after he went fishing at Piha Beach.

Police and Victim Support are providing support to the man’s family during this difficult time.

The death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Auckland man faces charges over inappropriate behaviour

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January 15, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police have arrested a man in Ponsonby after acting aggressively towards the public this afternoon.

As part of enquiries, Police are also wanting to hear from the public about similar concerning behaviour this week which may involve this man.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kathy Bostock, of Auckland City CIB, says frontline staff responded to Ponsonby Road this afternoon.

“There had been numerous reports about a man acting disorderly and aggressively towards the public along Ponsonby Road, before 1.30pm,” she says.

“This man allegedly punched two people at separate points, before being arrested on the same road.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Bostock says the man will face charges over his behaviour this afternoon.

Following further enquiries, the 45-year-old man is being charged over a concerning incident in Herne Bay on Monday.

“It will be alleged the man had approached a woman on Jervois Road at around 3.40pm and subjected her to an incident assault,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bostock says.

“Our investigators had been working to identify this man today when the reports on Ponsonby Road were received.”

He will be charged with indecent assault and Police will be opposing this man’s bail when he appears in the Auckland District Court tomorrow.

“It’s always concerning when this behaviour occurs in our communities, and I would like to reassure the wider community that this man is in custody.

“I acknowledge those people in Ponsonby who called 111 so soon as the man’s actions were taking place today.”

Police would like to hear from people that may have been subjected to similar aggressive or untoward behaviour by this man yesterday (13 January) or today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Bostock says: “It’s a concerning pattern of behaviour, and we would like to hear from anyone who might have further information to assist us.

“We believe this man may have been on foot around main roads extending from Jervois Road in Herne Bay, Ponsonby Road through to the Grey Lynn end of Karangahape Road.”

The man is described as Caucasian, around 180 centimetres tall, of medium build with shaved hair.

Police encourage anyone with further matters to report to make contact with Police online or by calling 105

Please use the reference number 250105/5512.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Closures resume at State Highway 6 Epitaph Slip Site

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January 15, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

The New Year has seen the resumption of resilience and rockfall remediation work on State Highway 6 between Moeraki and Haast.

Severe weather in November saw State Highway 6 closed at the Epitaph Slip site following a major rockfall and flooding.

Major rock scaling work required to remove dangerous unstable rocks above the highway was put on hold over the holiday period so the teams on site could take a well-deserved break.

There was no movement or other changes at the site over the break, and with the holiday period over, work crews have returned to the site to continue with further blasting and removal of material above the highway.

From this week, there will be weekly road closures at the slip site every Tuesday and Thursday, between 12:30 pm and 4 pm. These will continue until March.

The closures are essential. Because explosives are being used, it will not be safe to drive through the works area and the highway must be closed while rocks and debris are removed.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi appreciates the closures will create delays and disruption for drivers. However, it is critical this work be completed to improve the highway’s safety and resilience.

Because there are no available detour routes, driver must be aware of the closures and plan their travel accordingly.

Updates on the highway’s status can be found the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website. Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions before they travel.

Works Schedule:

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, 12:30 pm to 4 pm. Closures will be ongoing until March.

SH6 CLOSED to all traffic at the Epitaph Slip Site. No immediate detour available. Drivers should avoid the area and time their travel to outside the closure periods.

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Business confidence highest since 2021

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January 15, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

The latest NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion, which shows the highest level of general business confidence since 2021, is a sign the economy is moving in the right direction, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

“When businesses have the confidence to invest and grow, it means more jobs and higher incomes for Kiwis.

“The survey shows business is feeling more positive after a period doing it tough with a period of high inflation and climbing interest rates now coming to an end.

“Business confidence turning positive for the first time since June 2021, and only the second time since 2017, shows the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy is working.

“We are doing our bit to support growth by fast-tracking projects of economic significance, signing trade agreements, refocusing the education system on core skills and removing red tape.

“There have been three official cash rate drops since August and annual inflation is down to 2.2 per cent, providing relief to Kiwis and lowering the cost of borrowing for businesses wanting to invest and grow.

“Businesses know this Government has their backs, that’s why more and more of them are taking heart that the economy is turning a corner.”

Notes to editors: NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion release is available here.

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Cash, cannabis and vehicles seized following Taranaki warrant

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January 15, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Paula Drewery

Taranaki Police have seized cash, drugs and vehicles following a search warrant in Fitzroy on 9 January.

Approximately $5,000 cash was seized in the warrant, as well as around 100 ounces of cannabis.

Three vehicles were also seized from the property, a Holden Colorado ute and two Harley Davidson motorcycles. The three vehicles have a combined value of nearly $90,000.

A 35-year-old man was taken into custody at the Fitzroy address and is due to appear in the New Plymouth District Court tomorrow (15 January) charged with possess for supply (cannabis).

Drugs cause a lot of harm in our communities, and I want to acknowledge the wider team of Police staff who have assisted in collecting information and evidence that ultimately lead us to making this arrest.

We remain committed to holding people to account by putting them before the courts and seizing their assets that criminal profits have paid for.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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