Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Improvements and road repairs are coming for State Highway 1 between Manakau and Ōhau later this month.

Nightworks will be underway south of Kuku East Road, on Sunday to Thursday nights 8 pm to 4:30 am, from Sunday, 24 August to Thursday, 18 September.

Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Alliance Manager, says contractors will be completing a road rebuild and drainage improvements. 

“This section of State Highway 1 is heavily used and carries around 18,000 vehicles daily. It is now at the stage where it needs a full rebuild.”

“This will mean that contractors will have to excavate around half a kilometre of the highway. This will be disruptive, but the result will be a much improved and more durable stretch of road that will need less maintenance and repairs in the future,” Ms Hilliard says.

The work is being done at night under stop/go traffic management when there are fewer vehicles on the road, and Ms Hilliard says the highway will be open to traffic during the day

“Because there are no local road detours, we have to keep the highway open while we complete this work. It will mean drivers will experience some delays travelling through the area. Outside of work hours, there will also be a reduced speed limit in place during the day.”

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. However, this is essential state highway maintenance, and it is critical it be completed,” Ms Hilliard says.

She says contractors will make the most of the rebuild and also complete drainage works.

“They will be installing a soak pit and sub-soil drains. This helps keep water away from the highway, which is vital for preventing road and pothole damage.”

“It is important drivers take care when driving through this work site. While the rebuild is underway, the highway will have a rough surface. Please, keep yourself and our workers safe, and avoid damaging your vehicle by following the temporary speed limit in place and all traffic management instructions,” Ms Hilliard says.

Works schedule and location map:  

• Sunday, 24 August to Thursday, 18 September, Sunday to Thursday nights, 8 pm to 4:30 am
• Stop/Go traffic management and 30 km/h temporary speed limit.
• SH1 open to two lanes outside work hours under a reduced speed limit

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A new way of managing road maintenance is about to be trialled on one of Wellington’s key state highways – State Highway 58, between Hutt Valley and Transmission Gully.

Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Alliance Manager, says the highway carries around 20,000 vehicles daily, and is currently the site of ongoing works for the State Highway 58 Safety Improvements project.

“What we want to do is ensure we carry out other planned state highway maintenance on this route in a way that causes the least disruption and inconvenience for drivers and the community.”

“That’s why we will trial the approach we currently use on State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill  – regularly scheduled nighttime maintenance closures,” Ms Hilliard says.

Benefits

Ms Hilliard says night closures are the most efficient and low-impact way of getting maintenance work done.

“Our traffic data shows that while State Highway 58 carries, on average, 20 thousand vehicles every day between the Hutt Valley and Pāuatahanui, traffic volumes between 10 pm and 4 am are far, far lower – around 330 to 450 vehicles only.”

“It makes sense to do our road maintenance when fewer people use the route, and the most efficient, low-impact way is a night closure,” Ms Hilliard says.

She says they also mean essential safety barrier repairs can be completed faster.

“The wire rope barriers on State Highway 58 are a vital safety feature. They significantly reduce the risk of head-on collisions and deaths and serious injuries when people have a crash.”

“When they are hit, it is important we repair them as soon as possible so they can continue protecting drivers,” Ms Hilliard says.

Resident and business access

Ms Hilliard says residents, business owners, business customers, and emergency services will have access through the closures at all times. 

“They will be supported and have access when they need it. We are working on pilot vehicle solutions and will provide more details before the first planned closure in mid-September.”

She says, unlike the State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill closures, there will not be nightly escorts for other traffic through the work sites.

“People in the Hutt Valley needing to access Porirua or State Highway 1 Transmission Gully will have to travel via State Highway 2 to Ngauranga and then use State Highway 1. People heading to the Hutt Valley will have to use State Highway 1, then State Highway 2.”

“This is a longer trip, and people will need to allow for extra travel time when the closures are in place,” Ms Hilliard says.

Next steps

The new approach will be trialled for three months, with the first night closure scheduled for the night of Sunday, 14 September.

State Highway 58 will be closed between the State Highway 2 Haywards interchange and the State Highway 58 Pāuatahanui interchange.

The closure will run from 10 pm on Sunday night until 4 am Monday morning. Contractors will repair safety barriers, maintain vegetation, complete culvert inspections and compete other general maintenance work.

Ms Hilliard says once the trial is completed in November, a full review will be done.

“We need to take the time to check the approach, make sure it works, and make a call on whether it should be put in place permanently.

These planned closures apply to planned maintenance and are separate from the ongoing State Highway 58 Safety Improvements project.

Date	Closure start	Closure end
Sunday 14 September	Sunday 14 September, 10pm	Monday 15 September, 4am
Sunday 5 October	Sunday 5 October, 10pm	Monday 6 October, 4am
Sunday 9 November	Sunday 9 November, 10pm	Monday 10 November, 4am

Source: New Zealand Police

Two alleged burglars who broke into a vacant restaurant have bitten off more than they could chew after being caught in the act.

At about 2.47am, Police were alerted to a possible break-in at a commercial premises on Beach Road.

Senior Sergeant Tony Turner, Auckland City Police, says a nearby security guard had witnessed two people inside the building and raised the alarm.

“Officers quickly arrived and located one man carrying a black suitcase filled with property.

“A search of the building then located another man, attempting to hide from Police,” he says.

“I commend our Police staff who flooded the area quickly and located these offenders.

“I also want to extend our thanks to the security guard who observed suspicious behaviour and reported it to Police on 111 straight away, enabling the quick apprehension of the two men.”

Two men, aged 58 and 46, will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with burglary.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Inspector Lew Warner, District Manager Criminal Investigations.

A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Awakeri yesterday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to a property on State Highway 30 at around 4:30pm after reports of a serious assault.

Despite medical attention, sadly the injured woman died at the scene.

Another woman was taken into custody. The 25-year-old is due to appear in Whakatane District Court today, charged with murder. Police are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to this matter.

Police are now working to establish the full circumstances around what has occurred.

A scene examination continues at the property today and the community can expect to see an increased Police presence while we work in the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Ngamotu Road, Rerewhakaaitu, Rotorua, will be closed for some time following a single vehicle crash that occurred around 5.30am.

Indications are that there are serious injuries.

Ngamoto Road is closed between Gavin and Okahu Roads, and motorists are asked to avoid the area.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:

A scene examination is ongoing after Police shot two people at a Christchurch address on Wednesday night.

A man remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the shooting on Clyde Road in Christchurch.

He underwent surgery yesterday afternoon.

In the coming days, a post-mortem is expected to be carried out on the woman who died at the scene.

Cordons and a scene guard will remain in place at the property while the scene examination is completed.

Incidents such as this are complex and a range of investigations are already underway.

As such, we are limited in the detail we can provide at this stage.

Police are supporting the family of both the man and woman, as well as our own people.

Officers involved in critical incidents such as fatal shootings are provided full welfare and wellness support.  

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died after a petrol tanker rolled on State Highway 5 near Whakarewarewa around 2 am this morning.

The highway remains closed with diversions in place at the northern and southern ends of SH5.

The Serious Crash Unit is examining the scene and contractors will be clearing debris and spilt fuel across the highway.

Motorists should factor extra time in their journey when using the diversion.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

A serious crash has closed State Highway 2/Hutt Road, just north of the Ngauranga interchange.

Police were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 8.30pm.

Indications are that there are serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

Motorists will need to take State Highway 1/The Haywards as an alternate route.

ENDS