Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested a man following an aggravated robbery in Ngāruawāhia last week.

On Friday 20 February, Police received a report that someone had just been threatened and had their vehicle stolen from them at the Ngāruawāhia boat ramp.

Police, including a Dog Unit, were deployed to the boat however the alleged offender was not located during initial enquiries.

Following follow up enquiries, a search warrant was executed today at an address in Huntly and an 18-year-old man was arrested.

He is due to appear in Huntly District Court on 3 March, charged with Aggravated Robbery.

Police thank the public for their assistance during our investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Operation Safe Works begins in Canterbury next week with Police targeting speeding and dangerous driving around roadworks sites in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area.

Acting Canterbury Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Gerard Peoples says that Police are concerned about driver behaviour through roadworks sites within both urban and rural areas causing risk, and at times harm, to roadworkers and other road-users.

“There are far too many drivers exceeding the temporary speed limits and who are failing to comply with other traffic control measures.

“Motorists need to remember that these measures are in place to keep everyone safe, and this type of behaviour poses risks to roadworkers, other road-users, and yourself,” says Senior Sergeant Peoples.

Police are working with roading authorities and contractors over the next two weeks, conducting Operation Safe Works, which will focus on improving safety and preventing harm in and around roadworks sites.

Police will conduct high visibility operations to improve driver behaviour through educating drivers and taking enforcement action when required.

“Temporary set speeds are not a suggestion; they override the regular set speed for that area and should be treated with the same level of compliance as those permanent set speeds.

“I want to remind motorists that just because we are putting an increased focus on this for the next couple weeks, that doesn’t mean that enforcement action stops when the operation ends – you can expect to see us anywhere, anytime,” Senior Sergeant Peoples says.

Police remind the public that anyone who witnesses dangerous driving can make a report by calling 111, if it is happening now, or through 105 – with as much detail as possible – either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for dietitians employed by Health New Zealand, following a successful vote by members of the Association of Professional and Executive Employees (APEX).

“I’m pleased for the dietitians across the country that will benefit from this agreement, which recognises the important contribution they make to supporting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders,” Mr Doocey says.

Around 50 dietitians will receive a 2.5 per cent salary increase in the first year and a further 2 per cent increase in the second year of the 24-month term.

The agreement also provides for increased professional membership contributions and other enhancements to the collective terms and conditions.

“This ratification follows the recent approval of collective agreements for APEX Pharmacy, APEX Psychologists, and PSA Allied, Public Health, Scientific and Technical members, reflecting continued momentum in settling workforce agreements across the health sector. I acknowledge Health New Zealand and union representatives for their work in reaching these outcomes.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash on Kamo Road, Whangārei.

Emergency services were called to a crash involving a truck and a pedestrian at around 9.35am.

Sadly, the pedestrian was struck by the truck and died at the scene.

Kamo Road remains closed between Mains Ave and Simons Street while Police clear the scene.

Enquiries will be ongoing into the cause of the crash.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Regulations bringing clarity and consistency to the management of methamphetamine contamination in rental properties have now been publicly Gazetted and will take effect from 16 April 2026, Associate Minister of Housing Tama Potaka says.

“For too long, landlords and tenants have faced confusion, inconsistent testing practices, and, at times, disproportionate responses. These regulations set clear, evidence-based thresholds and processes so everyone knows where they stand,” Mr Potaka says.

Under the new rules, a rental property will be deemed contaminated if methamphetamine residue exceeds 15µg/100cm² and must be decontaminated to at or below that level. Where residue exceeds 30µg/100cm², landlords and tenants will have the option of ending the tenancy quickly. In defined circumstances where there is evidence of contamination, landlords will be required to engage professional testers, with testing and decontamination aligned to key elements of New Zealand Standard 8510:2017.

The regulations are informed by expert advice, including from the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science and former Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor Sir Peter Gluckman. They take a precautionary but pragmatic approach, protecting tenants’ health while avoiding unnecessary costs for landlords.

“With the regulations now Gazetted and coming into force on 16 April, the sector has certainty and clearer rules to follow,” Mr Potaka says.

Guidance will be available through MBIE’s Tenancy Services website. 

Note to Editors

For further details on the regulations, please visit Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s website: https://www.hud.govt.nz/our-work/methamphetamine-regulations

Source: New Zealand Government

Thousands of Kiwis stayed connected to health services over the holiday period thanks to the Government’s new Online GP Care service, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“During the Christmas and New Year period many New Zealanders are on holiday in different parts of the country and away from their regular GP. Online GP Care ensures they can still get timely medical advice and treatment wherever they are,” Mr Brown says.

Over the December to mid-January holiday period, 11,800 online GP consultations were delivered to around 11,000 people.

Since launching in May 2025, the service has delivered over 60,600 online GP consultations to nearly 50,000 people, showing strong and sustained demand for flexible healthcare across the country:

• More than 85 per cent of consultations resulted in treatment being provided
• Nearly 72 per cent of users booked because they couldn’t get a timely in-person appointment. Other reasons included rural location, work and family commitments, and avoiding exposure to infectious illness
• Use was highest among people aged 30-49 years
• 59.5 per cent of users were women and 40.2 per cent were men
• Māori made up 14.2 per cent of users, Pacific Peoples 6.9 per cent, and Asian communities 10.1 per cent

“The service is reaching people in both urban and rural communities across the North and South Islands,” Mr Brown says.

To make access even easier, a new Next Available Appointment feature allows people to see the earliest appointment across all online GP providers and compare costs based on age and Community Services Card status.

The feature includes direct booking links and is an early step ahead of a more comprehensive booking system planned for mid-2026.

Health New Zealand is also exploring how Online GP Care can be used in more targeted ways, including clinician-to-clinician support in rest homes, community pharmacies, urgent care pathways, and other high-need services.

“Our focus is on ensuring New Zealanders can access healthcare when they need it. Online GP Care is already supporting thousands of people, and it is an important part of our plan to deliver a more accessible and responsive health system that puts patients at the centre,” Mr Brown says.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  26 February 2026

Work to repair the Serpentine Church, in a remote part of Central Otago, has begun after it was trashed in mid-February.

DOC Central Otago Operations Manager Charlie Sklenar says windows were smashed, artefacts damaged and thrown around, and rubbish left all through the church.

“Serpentine Church is the last intact building in the remote Serpentine Reserve mining area and has stood strong for more than 150 years.

“Most of the Serpentine Reserve’s rich heritage is no longer visible, hidden beneath the tussock, so buildings like this present a tangible connection the region’s history. To have wilful damage inflicted upon it like this is upsetting.”

DOC staff have undertaken initial assessment of the site and completed urgent repairs to secure the site from further damage.

“Our first priority has been to make the building watertight, so there’s no further damage to the interior. Work to restore it fully will take time, and consideration to heritage requirements will be front of mind.”

Heritage repair work takes time and skill, and it’s not as simple as just replacing a window, Charlie says.

“We will draw on experienced people to help complete this work in a way that honours the original building, although every replacement takes the site further from its original material. It’s really disappointing a heritage site that’s stood all these years can have its integrity chipped away by senseless vandalism.”

Although the vandalism is disappointing, the response from the community has been heartening, says Charlie.

“This neighbouring communities take pride over these heritage sites as important parts of their local stories. Once the damage became known, we had people offering to get stuck in and help with repairs. Heritage restoration is very particular work, so we’ll engage qualified specialists for this mahi but we’re grateful for the care shown by the community.

“The best thing people can do is continue to advocate for their local historic sites. Visit them, enjoy them, and take the time to learn about what makes them so special. If you see something out of place, report it and encourage others to always be naturing responsibly.”

Background

Serpentine Reserve is a spectacular and well-preserved mining area on the Rough Ridge mountains.

An all-day walk or mountain bike ride, this significant and isolated scenic reserve has a feeling of remoteness. It shows many of the gold extraction technologies of the 19th century: a stamper battery, water wheel and church.

More than 1,000 m above sea level, the Serpentine Church was the most elevated in New Zealand when it opened in 1873. Today it is the only remnant of a once-bustling village. Much of the town’s rich heritage is hidden beneath the tussock: tailings, waterraces, dams, sod pits and the remains of buildings.

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