Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash in Whitianga on 12 November.
He was Melford (Mel) Robert Watson, 80, of Whitianga.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Motorists are being advised to expect delays following a truck crash in Orewa.
The crash, on the Northern Motorway near the Millwater off-ramp, was reported to Police just after 11.30am.
There are no reports of injury, however the crash is causing significant congestion for both northbound and southbound lanes.
Motorists are being advised to expect delays or seek an alternative route.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: Radio New Zealand
Mayor Andrew Little says the council needs to establish why several of its projects have gone way over their budgets. RNZ / Mark Papalii
Wellington’s mayor says a review of the Golden Mile project will give the council an opportunity to take another look at what the project was trying to achieve.
The Wellington City Council on Thursday voted for a review of the contentious project, which council officers predicted would now cost up to $220 million – up from $139m.
Mayor Andrew Little told Morning Report the area was in need of work, but the project had to be realistic and affordable.
“People certainly want to see that end of the Golden Mile, the Courtenay Place end, spruced up a bit and tidied up.
“But on all these things I always say: ‘let’s go back to these objectives, let’s see how we can cut the cloth to suit, and see whether we can achieve the objectives, but at a rate that’s more affordable for Wellingtonians’.”
The overall goals of the Golden Mile were good for the city, but the review was needed to work out how to rein in ballooning costs, Little said.
“They are important. Getting better passage of public transport so we get more reliable public transport services, improving places for people to walk and all that sort of stuff.”
The council and its ratepayers “simply cannot sustain another cost blowout”, Little said.
“The worst thing would be to box on, regardless of the numbers.”
The council also needed to work out why projects like the Town Hall and the Golden Mile kept going over budget.
“At some point we are going to have to go back over those projects. You can’t have cost blowouts of that magnitude and not see that there is something wrong with the way projects are being managed or planned or designed or whatever it is.
“We will, at some point, have to get to the bottom of that because, whatever it is, we have to improve our processes,” Little said.
Some works have already begun at the intersection of Cambridge and Kent Terraces, but council officers said in October it was discovered that the Courtenay Place works, which are currently under negotiation, are now expected to exceed budget by between $15m and $25m.
It’s the second time this year a budget blowout has been reported on the project. In August, a $20 million increase was reported, but the project was reviewed and brought back into budget.
Little said on Thursday that asking for a review of the Golden Mile was one of his first actions as Mayor, because it was apparent Council no longer had a clear picture on the costs of the project.
An impession of how some of the Golden Mile project would look. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The review would take three to six months, with council officers providing an estimation of the review costing between $200,000 to $400,000.
It would include economic analysis on both the long-term impacts of the project and also in the short term across the full corridor from Lambton Quay to Courtenay Place.
One of the concerns raised by officers was if the project was rescoped to reduce costs, it could risk losing funding from central government.
“Although the government has agreed to fund 51 percent of the project, that was based on a business case done four years ago.
Meanwhile, the council was potentially on the hook for any cost escalations.” That’s why we need this review,” Little said.
“The review does not relitigate the benefits of the Golden Mile project, and as such will maintain the project’s current level of central government support.”
Councillor Rebecca Matthews said on Thursday the council had far too many times pressed pause when they should have pressed fast forward.
She was concerned the review could represent the first step in terminating the project and hoped she was wrong in her fears.
The vote for the review passed with 12 in favour and four opposed. Those opposed were Matthews, Laurie Foon, Jonny Osborne and Geordie Rogers.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
Police Minister Mark Mitchell RNZ / Mark Papalii
The police minister says the correct process was followed by his electorate staff who forwarded emails containing allegations about former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming to his ministerial office, months before he was made aware.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report found ” the emails allegedy sent by Ms Z dramatically increased in their number and distribution” in December 2023 and January 2024.
The report said the emails were sent to a range of people and organisations, including McSkimming himself, then-Commissioner Andrew Coster, then-Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura, the Prime Minister, the Police Minister, the IPCA, and various media outlets.
Mark Mitchell, who is also MP for Whangaparāoa, said 17 of the 36 emails in relation to McSkimming went to his electorate office.
“The correct process was followed, with those emails forwarded to the ministerial inbox for actioning. Electorate Staff are not employed by Ministerial services and do not deal with Ministerial Correspondence.”
The Post has reported the staffer in his electorate office, who is also his sister, responded to one of the emails in January 2024, to say the email address was for matters related to his electorate, and because the content related to his ministerial portfolios they would be managed by his ministerial team in the Beehive.
But because of a protocol put in place by Coster, the emails sent to Mitchell’s ministerial team were forwarded on to Coster’s office, and not shared with Mitchell.
Jevon McSkimming RNZ / Mark Papalii
The minister said the first time he was alerted to the situation regarding McSkimming and Ms Z was on 6th November 2024, when Coster briefed him. The next day, he called a meeting with the Public Service Commission and the Solicitor General to express his concerns.
“I am satisfied that all my team at both electorate and ministerial level have acted appropriately and diligently. No one knew at that stage there were integrity issues with the Police Executive,” he said.
Shortly after the release of the IPCA report, Mitchell said 36 emails containing the allegations were sent to his office, but he never saw them.
A protocol had been put in place for police staff in Mitchell’s ministerial office to forward the emails directly to then-Commissioner Andrew Coster’s office, and not share them with Mitchell or his political staff.
Mitchell has previously also defended the police staff in his ministerial office, saying they were put in an “awful situation” by the protocol, which he was unaware of.
Coster remains on leave from his role as Social Investment Agency chief executive while an employment process is carried out between him and the Public Service Commission.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
Moeaia Tuai during his trial at the High Court at Auckland. RNZ / Gill Bonnett
A jury has found Auckland man Moeaia Tuai guilty of slavery, and a string of sexual attacks on one of the slavery victims.
The 63-year-old has been on trial for the past month on 20 charges, including two charges of dealing in slaves.
The charges relate to a young man and a young woman who Tuai enslaved over different time periods from 2016 until last year.
He put them to work, restricted their movements and communication, and controlled their money, paying them little for their work. He threatened both with deportation if they spoke out.
Tuai was also found guilty of two counts of rape, eight indecent assaults, six sexual violations, and an assault.
The jury at the High Court in Auckland was told he treated the pair as if they were his property. He denied all the charges.
The jury took almost two days to reach their verdicts.
Tuai has been remanded in custody until his sentencing in February.
The Crown said Tuai kept their passports, bank cards and wages, forcing one to take out a loan.
Justice Wilkinson-Smith, summing up the case, said prosecutors alleged Tuai’s actions were the ‘very definition of slavery’, in exercising rights of ownership over the complainants.
“It can include conduct such as restricting freedom of movement – where a person can go, restricting freedom of association – who they can spend time with, restricting freedom of communication – who they can contact and talk to, using actual or threatened violence for breach of rules, retaining income and denying access to money, threatening consequences such as deportation to ensure compliance, restricting access to education to maintain control.
“All of these things can be used to control a person in a way that is tantamount to possession.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
Minister for Sport and Recreation Mark Mitchell directed Sport NZ to to withdraw its Guiding Principles for the Inclusion of Transgender People in Community Sport in July this year. RNZ / Mark Papalii
Auckland Pride says it has taken the government to court, filing for judicial review in the High Court.
The organisation said released documents through the Official Information Act, show the minister for sport and recreation had directed Sport NZ in July this year to withdraw Guiding Principles for the Inclusion of Transgender People in Community Sport.
The organisation which advocates for Tākatāpui and Rainbow communities made the announcement on Friday morning.
Auckland Pride spokesperson Bhen Goodsir said documents released by Minister Mark Mitchell show he did not consider the Bill of Rights Act, the Human Rights Act or Sport NZ’s legal obligations when making this decision.
“The Government has also been clear that the Human Rights Act and the Bill of Rights Act protect transgender people from discrimination, and we agree,” Goodsir said in a statement.
“Human rights are for everyone. When Ministers make decisions, they must follow the law and uphold New Zealanders’ rights.
“The development of the Guiding Principles followed a robust consultation process shaped by affected communities. The Minister’s decision did not.”
Auckland Pride said Sport NZ’s statutory role was to promote and advocate participation in physical activity.
Goodsir said Auckland Pride was asking the courts to send this decision back to Minister Mitchell “so he can consider the impact of his decision on our communities”.
Auckland Pride said documents showed sports organisations asked for support navigating some of the nuanced challenges of inclusion and that Sport NZ consulted widely on the Guiding Principles, which were published in 2022.
Goodsir said the document offered practical guidance for local clubs on inclusion, such as utilising existing tools like weight bands and age brackets.
The Auckland Pride spokesperson said a government-initiated review began in 2024 but was halted when the principles were withdrawn before local organisations could have their say.
“Community sport is for the whole community… It makes sense for Sport NZ to support local organisations that are asking for guidance on how best to achieve that.
“Overseas culture-war tactics have turned this topic into a vector for misinformation elsewhere, but our focus is on work here. Our case simply asks that the minister consider his legal obligations, and the needs of the community, before making a decision,” Goodsir said.
Asked about the judicial review, Mitchell’s office replied: “The Minister won’t be commenting on the matter at this time.”
In 2023, New Zealand First campaigned on making any publicly funded sporting body “that does not have an exclusive biological female category, where ordinarily appropriate” ineligible for public funding.
Announcing the review, former sport and recreation minister Chris Bishop said the principles did “not reflect legitimate community expectations that sport at a community level should not just be focused on diversity, inclusion, and equity, but also prioritise fairness and safety”.
The completed review was handed over to Bishop’s successor Mark Mitchell.
Rather than an update, the government told Sport NZ to stop all work on the guiding principles and remove them altogether.
In August, Mitchell said he took coalition commitments seriously and believed the best decision was made in the long run.
“I just don’t think government should be meddling and getting into areas that… the sports themselves are best placed to know how to run their code in a safe and fair way.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: New Zealand Government
The New Dunedin Hospital project has reached a significant construction milestone, with pile capping for the new inpatient building now successfully completed, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Completing the pile capping is a major achievement for this project. It demonstrates real, tangible progress on the ground and marks a crucial step toward delivering the world-class hospital that Dunedin and the surrounding Otago and Southland region deserve,” Mr Brown says.
Construction on the inpatient building resumed on the former Cadbury site in July, which is transforming quickly.
A total of 154 pile caps have now been installed, connecting 324 deep foundation piles. Pile capping involves securing the tops of the piles with steel-reinforced concrete to create a stable base for the building’s substructure.
With this foundational phase complete, the project is now progressing to the next stage of construction,
“Substructure work is now underway, including forming the basement and ground-floor concrete slabs. Preparations are also advancing for the arrival and installation of the structural steel framework, with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing coordination progressing in tandem.
“From mid-2026, the steel structure will begin to rise from the site, giving the community a clear sense of the scale and ambition of this new hospital.
“It’s also encouraging to see several Dunedin-based companies working alongside lead contractor CPB Contractors. Around 40 workers are on site each day, and the transformation is becoming more visible every week. At peak construction, the project will support more than 900 full-time-equivalent jobs and inject around $100 million into the local economy annually.
“This is an exciting moment for Dunedin and the wider region. As momentum builds, the project is not only delivering a modern, fit-for-purpose hospital but also supporting local employment, strengthening businesses, and boosting long-term confidence in the region’s future.
“The completion of pile capping marks another significant step toward delivering the world-class hospital this community has been waiting for.”
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is making progress on transitioning New Zealand’s 3.6 million light petrol vehicles to road user charges (RUC), today launching a Request for Information (RFI) on paying for RUC electronically, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“We want to hear from innovators and private companies on how we can make paying for road use as easy as paying your power bill or streaming service”, Mr Bishop says.
“Our transport funding system must keep pace with the way Kiwis pay their bills today. The current RUC framework is out of date and still relies on manual paperwork and paper licences.
“Modernising RUC will allow for more technology options, including systems already built into modern vehicles. Road users will be able to opt in to using this technology to make it easier for them to pay RUC, but they will also have the option of manual alternatives.
“We know data privacy is important to New Zealanders. Any technology solutions will be required to comply with the Road User Charges Act which contains strong privacy safeguards and strictly limits what information can be accessed.
“The Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill which is currently before Parliament, will pave the way for new technology and open up the RUC market to wider competition.
“We’d like to see a mix of businesses get involved and be part of this opportunity. This could include:
“New services could include very simple solutions that enable people to keep track of their odometer readings and receive purchase reminders, through to full electronic solutions enabling automated purchase.
“This work is part of a broader reform programme to future-proof transport funding. As our vehicle fleet changes, so too must the way we fund our roads.
“Responses to the RFI will inform Government decisions on next steps for the transition to a modern, user-friendly, and competitive RUC system.”
Notes to editor:
Source: New Zealand Police
Police investigating a double fatal crash north of Timaru are seeking help from the public.
Emergency services were called to the crash involving a car and a truck on State Highway 1, near Brosnan Road, about 5:10pm yesterday.
Sadly, two people died at the scene, while another was airlifted to hospital in serious condition.
As part of ongoing enquiries, Police are appealing to the public for anything which may assist.
The white truck was heading south, while the silver station-wagon was heading north.
There was a separate crash before the fatal crash, involving other vehicles, about 500m north of the scene on SH1 which caused traffic to backup. Police would also like to hear from anyone who saw this crash.
If you saw what happened in either crash, or you have any information which may help, please get in touch with Police via 105, referencing file number 251120/2692.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Radio New Zealand
August, Hugo and Goldie Supplied
The mother of three children who died following a fire in the Manawatū town of Sanson has spoken out for the first time. August, Hugo and Goldie died last weekend, in what is being treated as a murder-suicide. Their father, Dean Field, also died. Below are Chelsey Field’s words in full.
August, Hugo and Goldie were taken from me and all those who love them in the most horrible of circumstances, but I do not want their deaths to define the important, beautiful lives that they lived.
My babies were my absolute world. I have been a stay-at-home Mum since I had Hugo in 2020. Before that, I was an early childhood teacher and August came to work with me every day, and I am so glad I got this time with my darlings. I enjoyed so much quality time with them; trips to gymnastics, music groups, playgroups and play dates with friends. We had so much fun together and many holidays away. I will forever cherish all these special memories.
Not only did I lose my children and my home that day, but I also lost our beloved miniature schnauzer, Marlo, who would have been six this Christmas. She was the children’s best friend, and one of Goldie’s first words was dog.
I also had a stillborn daughter, Iris, who would have been nine this year. I have lost her ashes, photos and all her special keepsakes. I know my darlings will be reunited with their big sister.
August, Hugo and Goldie at the memorial to their sister, Iris. Supplied
This incident has left me heartbroken and devastated. My children did not deserve this.
I would like to acknowledge the first responders who responded to the incident and have helped me since. Their support has been so appreciated.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the many thousands of people around New Zealand who have been so generous during this difficult time. I have felt the aroha of those around me, in my community and around the country. This support has given me the strength to carry on in honour of the short lives my children lived and the impressions they left on so many people’s hearts.
August, Hugo and Goldie. Supplied
August
August would have turned eight next Thursday and was looking forward to his birthday party at Timezone with five of his best friends. He was such a happy, kind and outgoing boy. He loved sport, especially football, he was a massive Messi fan. I had been planning on taking him to a Wellington Phoenix game soon. He loved going to the stock cars, fishing at the beach and playing with his best friend Levi. August was a fantastic big brother and he loved his siblings, especially his baby sister. He liked to get her out of bed in the morning, he would make her bottles and feed her. He loved his brother Hugo and they were always glued at the hip, either wrestling or playing outside making huts, digging in the sandpit or playing on the trampoline.
Hugo
Hugo was such a Mama’s boy. He was so kind, thoughtful and considerate, he would always come and tell me “Mum I got Goldie’s nappy and wipes ready for you, Mum I put your bag by the car for you”. He loved dinosaurs and Hot Wheels. He started school at the beginning of Term 2 and was taking it in his stride. He had begun to read so confidently, he was learning to count so proudly and he loved writing stories. Hugo loved going to the beach fishing also and riding his motorbike. He had just enjoyed his first pet day at school where he took his lamb Nigel and he won an award for care and attention. He loved his little sister Goldie too and was such a doting big brother.
Chelsey with Goldie at eight days old. Supplied
Goldie
Goldie was my special little girl I had waited so long for. I am so glad I never spent a day or night away from her in her short life. She had just gotten her top two teeth and was pulling herself up to standing and attempting to coast around furniture. Her first words were ‘Hi’ and ‘dog’, she even said ‘Marlo’ the dog’s name before she said Mum. She loved going to music group every Tuesday, she enjoyed the drums and dancing to music. She was the happiest little girl and such a cruisy baby. She loved to have big snuggly cuddles and her brothers were the best things in the world to her. She followed them around the house getting into their Lego and toys. She loved going into the boy’s school every morning and afternoon and she had a massive fan club with the younger girls there.
Miniature schnauzer Marlo also died in the fire. Supplied
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand