Source: New Zealand Police
Police are asking for the public’s help finding Louie, who has been reported missing from the North Shore area.
The 16-year-old was last seen on 27 July in the Unsworth Heights area.
Police and Louie’s family have concerns for his welfare and would like to find him as soon as possible.
If you have seen Louie or have information that might help us find him, please call 111 and quote reference number 250730/7761.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Government
Treasury’s latest report highlights the dangers of excessive government spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
The Treasury’s Long-term Insights Briefing released today explores the role of fiscal policy in economic shocks and crises including the way government finances were used during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
It says the response, which wound up costing $66 billion, about twice the cost of the Canterbury earthquakes (as a proportion of GDP) also shows the challenges of using big spending measures to respond to one-off shocks.
“Treasury’s language is spare and polite, but its conclusions are damning,” Nicola Willis says.
“The report makes clear significant errors were made in the fiscal response to Covid. Treasury is urging policy makers not to repeat those mistakes. Our Government will not.
“The briefing notes that the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund was established in May 2020 to ‘support a timely economic response and public confidence’ but as the economy recovered, the then-government was advised against further stimulating in favour of more targeted support.
“Unfortunately, the Labour government ignored that advice. The consequence was undisciplined spending that pushed up inflation, eroded New Zealand’s previously low public debt position, and fuelled a cost-of-living crisis.
“The briefing makes particular mention of programmes ‘not tied to the shock (that) had a lagged impact on the economy and proved difficult to unwind in later years’.
“That is a very diplomatic way of saying New Zealanders are still paying the price of the previous government extending a big-spending approach initially intended for a pandemic response.
“The lesson from Labour’s mishandling of the Covid response is that while there are times when governments have to increase spending in response to major events the fiscal guardrails should be restored as soon as possible.
“Kiwis can take confidence from the current Government’s commitment to strong and responsible fiscal and economic management.”
Source: New Zealand Government
Fewer South Island patients are waiting for life-changing neurosurgery, with more people getting the specialist treatment they need faster, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Neurosurgery is vital for treating serious brain and spinal conditions that can dramatically affect lives if left too long,” Mr Brown says.
“Putting patients first means making sure every Kiwi can access timely, quality healthcare when they need it, and that is exactly what our focus is on for the South Island.”
Between November 2023 and March 2025, the number of people waiting for neurosurgery in the South Island has fallen by 22 per cent, from 98 to 76. The number waiting longer than four months for surgery has dropped by 45 per cent, from 31 to 17.
“This is great progress, and it is making a real difference to people’s lives.
“Whether it is a parent needing urgent brain surgery to be there for their children, or a worker recovering from spinal treatment and returning to their community, this is about delivering for patients.”
This improvement follows a difficult period when the neurosurgery waitlist in the South Island rose by 92 per cent between 2020 and 2023, putting extra pressure on patients and health services.
“These results show our focus on reducing waitlists is delivering. We are investing in surgical teams, boosting capacity, and working closely with hospitals to ensure more New Zealanders get the specialist care they need sooner.
“This progress also reflects the hard work and dedication of our frontline health professionals, whose commitment to patient care is critical to achieving these results.
“We’re also focused on ensuring that the longest waiting patients get the care they need. That’s why it’s encouraging to see not only the total waitlist coming down, but the number of people waiting more than four months reducing at a faster rate of 45 per cent.
“This is all part of our plan to provide timely, quality healthcare for every New Zealander. If you need specialist treatment like neurosurgery, you should be able to get it when you need it.”
Reducing wait times for elective procedures is a key priority for this Government. Our health target is clear – by 2030, 95 per cent of patients will be treated within four months.
“Patients are still waiting too long, and there is still more work to do, but this latest data shows we are heading in the right direction,” Mr Brown says.
Source: New Zealand Government
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will host Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the annual Australia New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting in Queenstown later this week.
“I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon to a beautiful part of New Zealand,” Mr Luxon says.
“In today’s uncertain world, one certainty is that the Australia-New Zealand relationship is the bedrock as we look out into the world.
“Australia is our only ally and a vital economic partner. With two-way trade of $32 billion, I look forward to discussing what more we can do as we tackle economic challenges on both sides of the Tasman.”
Prime Minister Albanese will be welcomed to Queenstown by Ngāi Tahu at a pōwhiri followed by bilateral talks. Other engagements include a business roundtable with the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum and showcasing Central Otago’s beauty.
Prime Minister Albanese arrives in Queenstown on Saturday 9 August and departs on Sunday 10 August.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Inspector Nicholas Thom, Wairarapa Area Commander:
A 49-year-old man has been taken into custody following an incident in Masterton this morning.
About 11.37am, a man entered Masterton Police Station and presented a knife at a staff member on the front counter.
The staff member acted swiftly and immediately placed the station into lockdown.
Officers attempted to speak to the man, however he continued to act in a threatening way.
The altercation later moved outside the police station where staff continued to speak with the man.
A short time later, the man was tasered and then arrested at the scene.
He is being medically assessed by Ambulance.
The lockdown has since been lifted and the police station has reopened to the public.
Thankfully, no Police staff were injured during the incident.
Charges against the man are being considered.
I want to commend our attending staff on their quick response to this incident, resolving a tricky situation.
We would like to thank members of the Masterton community for their cooperation and understanding while this incident unfolded.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
WorkSafe and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) are encouraging councils to get on board with the shift to a risk-based approach to temporary traffic management across the country.
WorkSafe endorses the new NZTA guidance which was introduced in 2023 and requires temporary traffic management (TTM) to be more risk-based. Many councils have already embraced this new approach, and WorkSafe encourages those that haven’t considered adopting it yet to make a start.
“We recognise that this change is significant for councils, as road controlling authorities. We want to see traffic management that is fit for purpose, to manage the specific risks of the job and site,” says WorkSafe’s chief executive, Sharon Thompson.
The new guidance was specifically developed by NZTA in consultation with WorkSafe, to complement and sit alongside the responsibilities that businesses (including councils) have under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
NZTA and WorkSafe are available to provide guidance for councils to understand how to transition to the new risk-based TTM guidance, while ensuring work is healthy and safe.
NZTA and WorkSafe are also members of the Temporary Traffic Management Industry Steering Group, which was formed to support the sector and road controlling authorities to transition to the new guidance. This industry group will host engagement sessions in August and September with councils in Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay, with WorkSafe and NZTA in attendance.
Further educational workshops will be planned to share information with council operational staff about the guidance and also the National Forward Works Planner – details will be shared in due course.
WorkSafe is currently piloting a digital hotline aimed at reducing excessive use of road cones nationwide. Sharing the hotline reports with councils has been a catalyst for some to assess their temporary traffic management.
“The pilot aims to reduce unnecessary cones on the road. While cones are primarily there to manage the speed and flow of traffic and help keep everyone safe, there can be times when usage is excessive,” says Sharon Thompson.
WorkSafe inspectors are completing shared site visits with both Auckland Transport and Christchurch City Council, with more scheduled, to assess TTM.
Councils wanting more information can email roadcones@worksafe.govt.nz
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 07 August 2025
DOC Director of Heritage and Visitors, Catherine Wilson says all submissions have been reviewed, from iwi, stakeholders, businesses, concessionaires and the community across the two sites of Dolomite Point/Punakaiki and Franz Josef/Waiau.
“The outcome is a pricing proposal which we think is fair and reasonable.
“The pricing proposal aims to answer submitters’ calls for an initial free period, special consideration for locals, and a reasonable price for visitors. It is designed to be simple and easy to understand and provide different fee options tailored to different users of the car parks,” says Catherine.
The details of the pricing proposal are:
The paid parking pilot is planned to start in October 2025 and continue for nine months until the end of June 2026. Paid parking is also planned to be introduced at White Horse Hill, Aoraki/Mount Cook in December 2025.
Payment machines will be installed at the sites and cameras will record the entry and exit of vehicles. The company providing paid parking hardware will issue breach notices to vehicles for non-payment.
The introduction of paid parking means visitors can contribute to the facilities and nature they enjoy. DOC’s estimated combined revenue from the Dolomite Point and Franz Josef paid parking pilots is between $1 million and $1.3 million over the nine-month pilot period (October 2025 to June 2026).
“Legislation allows us to charge people fair and reasonable fees to use our facilities, which include campsites, huts and car parks,” says Catherine.
“This is standard practice at many national parks overseas. Most international visitors accept this as a necessary contribution to support the amazing nature they come to New Zealand to enjoy.”
Once the pilot is complete and the outcomes have been reviewed, a decision will be made whether to continue with paid parking at the three sites, and if it should be extended to other busy sites.
For more information visit DOC’s website: Paid parking pilot programme
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Government
Unnecessary costs and frustrations throughout the economy are caused by complex and outdated labelling regulations. Minister for Regulation David Seymour and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson have today announced the Ministry for Regulation will conduct a sector review into product labelling to address this.
“The Ministry for Regulation is in a unique position to take on regulatory costs that make it harder for Kiwis to get affordable goods. Because these regulations are imposed by so many departments, it takes one ministry with a mandate for cutting red tape,” says Mr Seymour.
“New Zealand product labelling requirements are made up of over 30 different codes, standards, and regulations. This leads to high costs for businesses to label their products to comply with New Zealand standards.
“New Zealand’s labelling regime drives up prices and limits wage growth. Exporters face extra compliance costs preparing products for overseas markets, while consumers miss out on global goods because importers face differences in labelling requirements. Many countries are also shifting to QR codes that link to online labels, easily tailored for different markets and changing needs.
“Complex labelling rules hit businesses at every level. From small exporters navigating conflicting overseas standards, to pharmacies putting medicines on their shelves. Businesses are forced to print multiple versions of essentially the same label. It’s also building products and agricultural sprays; the list goes on. Those costs ultimately get passed on to consumers at the checkout.
“The price of groceries is a major concern for Kiwis. Current settings mean products packaged for Australia might not be able to be sold in New Zealand. This forces businesses to waste time and money repackaging,” says Mr Seymour.
“If we want new international retailers to come here, we need to show them we welcome business investment. The best way to do that is to get out of their way when it comes to annoying compliance that isn’t benefiting anyone.
“Businesses like Chemist Warehouse have been a game-changer for Kiwis purchasing cheaper pharmaceutical products. However, they’re also tied up by excessive labelling requirements adding costs to their operations.”
“This is a step towards lower compliance costs for businesses and increased global competitiveness for Kiwi goods on the world stage,” says Mr Simpson.
“This Government is working with businesses, industry groups, and consumer advocates to identify pain points and gather input to shape the review’s terms of reference.
“In a time when households are feeling the pinch, every unnecessary cost we can remove from the system is a win for families and businesses.”
The review is expected to be complete by December 2025.
Source: New Zealand Police
SH45 is closed following a single vehicle crash in Rahotu this morning.
Police were alerted to the crash at around 7.50am, near Maungahoki Stream.
One person is reported to have injuries and is being assessed by Ambulance.
The road is expected to be closed for a significant period of time.
Diversions are in place and motorists are advised to expect delays.
ENDS
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
Our guidance on leptospirosis was recently updated to make it more accessible and user-friendly.
Online learning modules were created, as well as a printable one-page info sheet with key points for workers.
The updated guidance is for those working in close contact with animals and anyone visiting rural/farming areas.
We received positive feedback from businesses in the agriculture sector who are using the modules in their worker training.
“This learning module is a great addition to the education we provide to our staff.”
– Aliesha Mitchell, Health and Recovery Lead at Silver Fern Farms
“The WorkSafe learning modules for preventing and managing leptospirosis are great. We are incorporating these into our training programs for our farm-based staff.”
– Angela White, Health Safety and Wellbeing Lead at DairyNZ
Leptospirosis is the most common work-related infectious disease in New Zealand. People usually catch it from exposure to the urine of infected animals.
Sickness usually starts with flu-like symptoms, and if not treated quickly the disease can be severe and result in hospitalisation, long-term illness or even death.
Those who come into close contact with animals and are exposed to their urine, body fluids or flesh – especially in wet environments – are most at-risk.
Providing this guidance aligns with our strategy, with our target to influence agriculture as a priority sector, with serious known risks from animals on farms.
Heavy rain and flooding have been identified as an increasing risk in the spreading of the disease, and information about this is in the updated guidance.
“The update to our leptospirosis guidance and providing the learning modules is part of our work to bring our guidance up to date and make it more accessible,” says Guidance Content Advisor Matt Stewart.
This guidance replaced the previous leptospirosis good practice guide and nine fact sheets that were about specific jobs or animal species.
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