Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Hayward, Counties Manukau West Manager:

A 50-year-old man has been charged with assault following the discovery of a woman’s body in Papatoetoe yesterday.

Police were called to an Ashlynne Avenue address on Saturday about 10.30am.

Police are continuing to make enquiries, with a scene examination being carried out today, while a post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow.

The man is due to appear in Manukau District Court on Monday.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Sergeant Tony Woodbridge of Waitaki Police:

Ōamaru Police are eager to hear from the community to help identify those responsible for senseless acts of cruelty against wildlife.

Police were notified by the Department of Conservation (DOC) that three endangered sea lions were shot at the mouth of the Waitaki River on Saturday 9 August.

Two of the sea lions were deceased and a third wounded sea lion sadly had to be euthanised. 

Local iwi were notified of the situation.

Police are working with DOC rangers to investigate the evidence supplied to them.

If you can help, call Police on 105 quoting event number P063434540 or visit us at the Ōamaru Police Station.

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Issued by the Police Media Team

Source: New Zealand Police

A man has died after being pulled from the water on Tamaki Drive, Parnell, this afternoon.

Emergency services were notified about 3.35pm that the man had gone into the water from a boat at the marina.

Sadly, he was not able to be revived, and died at the scene.

His death will be referred to the Coroner.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services have been called to Pembroke Road, Egmont National Park, after a report of several vehicles sliding on ice and coming off the road.

There are no indications of any injuries, however the road is currently extremely icy and will be closed.

Motorists should avoid the area if possible.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is introducing two new seasonal visa pathways to help New Zealand businesses access the workers they need during peak periods, while also prioritising jobs for New Zealanders. 

“We know the success of our seasonal industries is critical to growing the economy. These new visas will make it easier for employers to bring back experienced seasonal workers and to fill short-term roles that are hard to fully staff locally,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says. 

“We are making sure businesses can access the right people at the right time, while also protecting opportunities for Kiwis.” 

The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) is an up to three-year visa for highly experienced seasonal workers in roles such as rural contracting, sheep scanning, winemaking, and snow instruction. It enables skilled workers to return for subsequent seasons on the same visa. Visa holders will need to spend a minimum of three months out of every 12 months offshore before returning to New Zealand. 

The Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) is a visa of up to seven months for short-term seasonal roles such as meat and seafood processing, calf-rearing, and wool handling. Visa holders will have to have at least one season of previous relevant experience and people will need to leave New Zealand for at least four months before the visa can be renewed. For visa over three months there will be a new requirement for insurance with health coverage.

Employers will be required to advertise these roles, as well as engage with MSD, to ensure that New Zealand workers continue to be prioritised.

“These visas are designed to reflect the realities of seasonal work and the diverse range of skill levels involved. They’ll help fill critical roles in industries where employers struggle to find enough New Zealand workers at peak times. From ski instructors guiding first-timers down the slopes to wine makers helping create next year’s vintage, these visas are designed to keep seasonal industries humming.” 

“These changes are part of our plan to deliver smart, flexible and nuanced immigration solutions to help grow our economy,” Ms Stanford says.  

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are attending a serious single-vehicle crash on Broadlands Road, between Ohaaki and Allen Roads, Rotorua. 

Police were alerted about 5.55pm. 

Initial indications are there have been serious injuries. 

The road will be closed, with diversions in place.

Motorists should avoid the area if possible.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese today in Queenstown.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome my great mate Anthony to the jewel in the crown of New Zealand’s scenic beauty. I’m looking forward to spending more time with him and Jodie, enjoying the best Queenstown has to offer. 

“Prime Minister Albanese and I have just concluded an energetic set of talks where we traversed the full range of matters that are top of mind for two leaders that see the world in very similar ways. 

“We discussed the shared challenges facing the New Zealand and Australian economies and the opportunities we have to work together.

“In particular, I valued the discussion about our respective economic plans. The crossover between New Zealand’s Going for Growth agenda and Australia’s productivity agenda provides plenty of cooperation opportunities,” Mr Luxon says.

The two leaders announced a new partnership between New Zealand and Australia’s national standards bodies. More harmonisation of standards will make trade even easier, bring down costs and support economic growth on both sides of the Tasman.  

The annual leaders’ meeting kicks off a busy period of trans-Tasman economic meetings with the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum in Canberra in September and the Climate and Finance Ministers’ meeting and CER Trade Ministers’ meeting taking place later this year.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died in the crash on State Highway 23 near Whatawhata this morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene after a car crashed into a tree near Ferguson Road around 9.10 am.

Two other people have serious injuries, and one person has a minor injury.

The Serious Crash Unit were notified of the crash and are investigating.

Te Pahu Road and Ferguson Road was closed for a period of time while emergency services were at the scene but has now opened. 

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Source: New Zealand Government

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today announced a national promotion campaign focused on getting Kiwis to Top Up with everyday actions that promote better mental health.

“The Top Up campaign uses the evidence-based 5 Ways to Wellbeing because we know it makes a difference in the lives of many New Zealanders. We want more Kiwis, and communities to take a proactive role in behaviour change that maintains and tops up their mental wellbeing,” Mr Doocey says.

“This is about common-sense tools and proven techniques that anyone can use. Whether you’re on the farm, in the office, at school or at home with the kids, better mental health is something we all have a stake in. Applying the Five Ways to Wellbeing has been shown to aid recovery from tough times and the management of long-term mental health issues.

“Just like we look after our physical health, we need to be proactive in looking after our mental health. This campaign is about helping New Zealanders make these preventative actions part of their everyday life and continuing efforts to reduce the stigma around mental health issues.

“We are not just focused on ensuring the right support is in place to treat mental health and addiction issues, we are also focused strongly on preventing Kiwis from getting to that point.

“However, when someone does reach out for help, whether it’s you, your child, a friend or a family member, this Government is committed to ensuring support is there.

“We’re turning the corner on reducing wait times and increasing the mental health workforce. Recent data shows the frontline Health NZ mental health workforce has grown around 10% since we came into Government, and over 80% of people are being seen within three weeks for specialist services.”

The campaign was developed by VML in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation. It aligns with the Government’s Mental Health Targets, specifically by strengthening prevention and early intervention efforts.

Notes to editor

•    The Top Up website which includes the promotion campaign video can be found here.

•    The campaign will aim to reach up to 2.6 million New Zealanders each year through a range of multimedia channels such as TV, radio, social media and other online platforms.

•    This will be complemented by a community grants scheme run by the Mental Health Foundation, with the first round open in October. It will offer $250,000 annually for two years to fund grassroots community wellbeing initiatives, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
 

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 23 in Whatawhata is closed following a serious crash.

The single-vehicle crashed happened about 9:10am, near the intersection with Ferguson Road.

Indication are there are serious to critical injuries involved.

The highway will be closed while emergency services work at the scene.

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