Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Government

Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Saudi Arabia and then to the United States (US) next week to meet with his trade and agriculture counterparts.

In Riyadh, Mr McClay will meet with Minister of Commerce, HE Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, and Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, HE Eng Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, to advance bilateral trade and investment opportunities, including in food and agritech cooperation.   

The visit will also be an opportunity discuss how best to leverage the New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, for which negotiations concluded last year. 

Mr McClay will then travel on to Washington D.C. at the invitation of United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer. He will also meet with U.S. industry representatives, think tanks, and his agriculture counterpart, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

“Following the United States’ 1 August decision to apply a 15 per cent, or more, tariff to ever country with a trade surplus, this visit will be an opportunity to discuss the impact of that decision and better understand the factors that may influence future U.S. tariffs,” Mr McClay says.

“New Zealand and the United States have a long-standing, well-balanced trading relationship, with periods where the US has enjoyed a surplus and times, like now, when New Zealand has a modest one. Overall, our trade is complementary and reflects the strength of a long-standing partnership.

“I will be seeking to understand the effect of any change in trade flows for example, if New Zealand’s current surplus shifted to a deficit, and what that might mean for our exporters,” Mr McClay says.

“The US currently faces an average tariff of just 0.3 per cent when exporting to New Zealand, far lower than what we face into their market.

“It’s important that we raise these concerns constructively, while reaffirming our commitment to the strong, cooperative relationship we have with the United States,” Mr McClay says.

Meetings in Washington will cover wider bilateral trade, investment and agricultural priorities.

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 100 New Zealanders have already benefited from a groundbreaking diagnostic tool that is delivering faster, more accurate brain tumour diagnoses, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 

DNA methylation profiling, the international gold standard for diagnosing brain tumours, has been rolled out at Auckland City Hospital over the past year. 

“This technology is a game-changer for brain tumour diagnosis in New Zealand. It enables doctors to pinpoint the exact tumour type with greater precision and in less time, meaning patients can start the right treatment sooner,” Mr Brown says. 

“Until now, diagnosis was typically made by microscopic examination. In some complex cases, samples were sent overseas for methylation profiling, but that could take up to six weeks. 

“Having this cutting-edge capability in New Zealand means more Kiwi patients can access this advanced diagnostic technology locally. Turnaround times are faster, around four weeks, and quicker for urgent cases. 

“It also means we can prioritise urgent cases, deliver answers sooner, and give patients and their families greater certainty.” 

In some recent cases done locally, methylation profiling has significantly altered the initial diagnosis. In others, it has identified rare or unexpected tumour types that may have been missed using traditional methods. 

The Auckland-based service is one of only three in Australasia, with samples from hospitals around the country also being sent to Auckland for analysis. Along with improving access and outcomes for patients, it is also significantly cheaper than sending samples offshore. 

“Delivering faster access to cancer treatment is a key focus for the Government, which is why it is one of our five national health targets. Faster, more accurate diagnosis for brain tumours that may be cancerous is a vital part of that. 

“By providing local access to the world’s best diagnostic tools, we are improving outcomes for New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Community midwives will now be funded to deliver antenatal immunisations to pregnant women, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced today.

“Community midwives play a vital role in protecting maternal and infant health,” Mr Brown says.

“Protecting pregnant women and their babies from vaccine-preventable diseases such as whooping cough is critically important. Offering antenatal vaccines through community midwives provides expectant mothers with a convenient and trusted option, helping to ensure both mother and baby are protected during pregnancy and in the early months of life.”

Under this new funding, community midwives can now claim payments for administering selected vaccines to pregnant women in their care.

“Empowering midwives means more families can choose where they receive their immunisations – removing barriers to access and helping protect more mothers and babies from the serious complications of preventable illnesses.”

The initiative is a key part of the Government’s response to the national whooping cough epidemic, which has seen more than 2,600 cases nationwide. Nearly half of all infant cases have required hospital care, an outcome that can often be prevented with immunisation during pregnancy and timely infant vaccinations.

“When pregnant women receive these vaccines, they are not only protecting themselves but also helping to protect their babies before they are able to begin their own immunisations at six weeks of age.

“Midwives hold a uniquely trusted position with families. By making vaccines easier to access, we are helping to protect mothers, safeguard newborns, and reduce the toll of serious, preventable diseases across New Zealand,” Mr Brown says.

This initiative is being delivered through a partnership between Health New Zealand and the Midwifery and Maternity Providers Organisation (MMPO).

Source: New Zealand Police

Forty-five years ago, Alicia O’Reilly was tragically raped and murdered in her Avondale family home.

Police continue to investigate the events on Canal Road in the early hours of 16 August 1980.

No one has yet been held accountable for the 6-year-old girl’s death.

In 2020, Police began a re-investigation into the homicide under Operation Sturbridge.

In recent years a trial has been under way for a new genetic investigative tool, which may provide new leads after a DNA sample was obtained.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard, who oversees the investigation, says Police are continuing to work methodically through the trial of Investigative Genetic Genealogy.

“This is a slow process, and we are working carefully through this trial,” he says.

“Modern scientific technology continues to advance, and we are working very closely with PHF Science to try and establish a DNA link to a potential offender.”

No matter how much time passes, Detective Inspector Beard hasn’t given up hope.

“We would dearly like to give Alicia’s family the answers they so deeply deserve after all this time,” he says.

“They continue to suffer from not knowing who is responsible for this crime.

“My thoughts are with them today especially.”

Police are determined to bring about a resolution in the investigation.

“Even after all these years, if there is someone out there who has any knowledge as to who was involved.

“Police want to hear from you – it’s not too late,” Detective Inspector Beard says.

Operation Sturbridge has used the expertise of the Behavioural Science Unit through the course of the investigation, particularly re-examining persons of interest.

“Part of the investigation is looking at reviewing every person who was considered a person of interest back in 1980, whether they were eliminated or not – even those who may have passed away.

“Our aim is to solve the case and give the family the answers.”

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Ōamaru Police and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are executing a joint investigation into the cruel shooting of three endangered sea lions at Waitaki River on Saturday 9 August.

Two of the sea lions died, and a third wounded sea lion sadly had to be euthanised. Local iwi were notified of the situation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh says the incident has upset the community, DOC, and Police.

“This is a senseless act against a protected species and we’re eager to find those responsible and hold them to account,” he says.

The investigation is ongoing and both organisations are assessing evidence and following lines of enquiry.

DOC Operations Director for Southern South Island, Aaron Fleming, says the response to the call for information has been heartening.

“Thousands of New Zealanders are sharing in our shock and disgust.

“Everyone who sees and shares the news could bring us another step closer to finding who is responsible,” he says.

If you know anything about the killings of the sea lions, please get in touch:

• Contact Police on 105 quoting event number P063434540 or visit the Ōamaru Police Station.
• Call 0800 DOCHOT to speak to DOC.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Senior Sergeant John Stapleford: 

Rotorua Police arrested a man in Glenhome yesterday morning, after he failed to stop for Police when signalled for dangerous driving in the Mangakakahi area.

The man was seen by Police driving a trail bike recklessly on Biak Street and has fled when signalled by Police.

Due to the nature of driving staff did not pursue. Enquiries were then made at the registered address of the bike.

The 29-year-old man was located at the address and arrested. Police have also seized the mans bike.

The man appeared in Rotorua District Court today and has been remanded in custody to reappear on 21 August, charged with failing to stop when signalled and operating a motor vehicle recklessly.

Another bike (pictured), unrelated to this incident, was also seized on Monday from a park in the Fordlands area.

These seizures and the arrest come after an operation launched on Monday 11 August to disrupt the illegal use of trail bikes in the Rotorua area.

Police have seen an increase in fleeing driver incidents and dangerous driving involving dirt bikes in recent months and remain committed to holding these people to account.

Often, riders are seen without helmets on, which puts their safety at risk as well as the safety of other road users, due to the speeds these bikes are travelling.

Police are committed to ensuring the community is safe, especially on our roads and at this stage this operation remains ongoing and has no end date.

We ask anybody who witnesses antisocial road behaviour to contact Police, on 111 if it is happening currently, or 105 if it is after the fact.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  15 August 2025

The uncommon Antarctic visitor was first seen last Thursday on Taylors Mistake beach and spent most of this week resting on Sumner Beach.

Department of Conservation Senior Biodiversity Ranger Mailee Stanbury says the young female leopard seal was unwell and in declining condition.

“It’s unusual for a leopard seal to spend more than a few days on one beach at this time of year and this animal was clearly unwell. She had been getting weaker and more lethargic over the week.

“Yesterday, we had a wildlife vet from the South Island Wildlife Hospital assess the seal, who determined she likely had pneumonia and was dying.

“To avoid the seal suffering from continued disturbance from people and dogs on such a busy beach we moved it to a location where it could be safely euthanised.

“DOC generally takes a hands-off approach in these situations and lets nature take its course. But sadly, in this case, we’ve had to intervene to avoid her continuing to suffer.

“We’d like to thank the local volunteers in the Sumner and Taylors Mistake Seal/Penguin Group, who have been on the beach every day this week and done an amazing job informing the public and keeping people and dogs from disturbing the seal,” says Mailee.

The leopard seal will be taken to the University of Canterbury where a necropsy will be carried out to determine why it died.

DOC is working Ngai Tuāhuriri and Ngāti Wheke Rūnanga to determine an appropriate burial site for the seal following the postmortem.

Leopard seals mostly live in Antarctica but during autumn and winter they disperse through the Southern Ocean and sometimes visit New Zealand. In recent years, we have seen two or three leopard seals visit the Canterbury coast each year.

Unusually, DOC staff saw another leopard seal swimming in Akaroa Harbour on Thursday this week when they were out taking water samples in Akaroa Marine Reserve. The healthy-looking seal swam up to the boat to check it out before swimming away.

If you are lucky enough to see a seal on the beach, remember to keep yourself and your dogs at least 20 metres away from it. This is to avoid causing stress for the seal, and to keep you and your pet safe.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:

Police can now release the name of the woman who died after she was shot by Police at a Christchurch address on Wednesday night.

She was 53-year-old Te Arohanui Pohio, who resided at the address in Bryndwr.

Our thoughts remain with her loved ones at this extremely difficult time, and we continue to offer them the necessary support.

A post-mortem examination was completed today, and her death will be referred to the Coroner.

As of this morning, a 47-year-old man remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital, following surgery yesterday.

Cordons and a scene guard remain in place at the address this morning as Police continue the ongoing scene examination. These cordons will remain in place until the scene examination is completed in the coming days.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is introducing a new offence for engaging in disruptive demonstrations outside private homes, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“The public’s ability to demonstrate is a cornerstone of our free and democratic society. It is a key way for citizens to express themselves and engage in political activity. 

“However, in recent times, we have seen increased reports of demonstrations targeting private residences, especially of public persons, such as MPs, judges, and other public officials.

“Everyone in New Zealand, and their families, should be able to expect peace and privacy in their own home, no matter what their daytime job is.

“We intend to stop this intrusive behaviour, while protecting the public’s right to demonstrate in a reasonable manner.

“The ability to protest is protected under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and that will not change. All rights are subject to reasonable limitations. This new offence is such a reasonable limitation and provides a good balance of the interests involved.

“The new law will be tightly targeted. It will only apply to demonstrations directed at a person in their home. It will prohibit unreasonable disruptions for residents, and will consider factors like the time of day, duration, the actions of demonstrators, noise levels and distance to the premises.

“Just as we value the right to protest, privacy is also a key value of our society. Unreasonable intrusions into people’s privacy are simply unacceptable.”

The legislation will contain a new offence for engaging in a targeted and disruptive demonstration outside residential premises.

The Bill includes a maximum penalty of three months in jail or a fine of up to $2,000.

Source: New Zealand Government

KiwiRail and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard have reached a full and final settlement on the cancelled Project iReX ferries, KiwiRail confirmed today.

“The net $144 million final settlement payment is to cover the costs incurred by Hyundai and its global suppliers, and that is only fair as the decision to cancel Project iReX was never a reflection on Hyundai,” Mr Peters says.

“As $300 million was originally provisioned to cover the potential cost of exiting iReX commitments, including settling the contract with Hyundai, more funding is now available for other Government projects.

“Doomsayers said cancelling the contract would cost the taxpayer the full $551 million contract value, but these are some of the same people who accepted Project iReX ballooning from $1.45 billion when approved in 2021 to Treasury warning it was on course to $4 billion in 2023 thanks to eyes-bigger-than-their-mouths ambitions and absentee management. Even their criticisms blew out.

“So the factual final settlement is net $144 million, not:

• $300 million as reported by RNZ, who said that ‘may not be enough to cover all the costs.’
• $300 million as headlined by The Post.
• $1.16 billion as stated by Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere.

“We have brought this project’s costs back to what we established in 2020 and New Zealanders always expected: building what is needed for road, rail and passengers, and keeping the rest so we save the taxpayer billions.

“Ferry Holdings’ engagements with shipbuilders are progressing well, and so is the work to deliver the infrastructure in Picton and Wellington,” Mr Peters says. 

“The settlement with Hyundai ends yet another sorry chapter in the story of the previous government’s mismanagement of the Crown’s books,” Nicola Willis says.

“It signed up to purchase two big new ferries without giving sufficient consideration to the port infrastructure needed to support ships of a much bigger size.

“As a result, the cost of the project had almost quadrupled by the time Cabinet cancelled it in December 2023 and officials were worried about further cost escalations.

“No Government should be advised of billion-dollar blowouts in a major infrastructure programme upon being elected, as was the case after the 2023 general election.

“I am pleased that a more pragmatic solution is now in place that will ensure a safe, reliable Cook Strait service at an affordable price,” Ms Willis says.