Source:
More than 300 children have died in fighting across Yemen in the year since an airstrike hit a bus in Sa’ada killing 41 school children, and almost 600 have been injured as international arms sales continue to fuel the conflict.
5 steps governments can take to prevent another Mauritius Leaks scandal
Source:
A 5-point plan to stop big corporations cheating poor countries out of billions of dollars in tax revenue, was published by Oxfam today in the wake of the Mauritius Leaks.
When multinational corporations and the super-rich use tax havens to dodge paying their fair share, it is ordinary people, and especially the poorest, who pay the price. The Mauritius Leaks show that tax havens continue not only to exist but to prosper, despite government promises to rein in tax dodging. Oxfam’s plan lists five steps governments can take to tackle tax avoidance and end the era of tax havens.
Welcome to 2020
Source: Tairawhiti District Health
Ngā mihi.
I hope everyone has had a happy new year and thanks to those who stayed safe and looked out for one another.
It’s been a busy holiday season for New Zealand Police, with a number of major events attended across the country.
This coming year is expected to be another significant one as we continue to work towards our mission for New Zealand to be the safest country.
Ongoing Gang Tensions
Many of you will be aware of the recent heightened gang tensions. Police are treating these incidents extremely seriously – the safety and wellbeing of the community is our priority. We will hold those who act unlawfully and put the public at risk to account. Following these incidents we have increased the Police presence in the areas where we have seen issues, and we have stepped up our response. We have seen some incredible work by investigators in the Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty over the past few days with multiple arrests and weapons seized including firearms.
The criminal and anti-social behaviour of gangs have a detrimental effect on communities, and their actions, lifestyle and a range of unlawful behaviour contribute to people feeling unsafe. We are committed to targeting organised crime and have specialist teams working hard on this – such as the Gang Focus Unit introduced last year in Eastern District.
We also know there are many factors at the heart of the gang issue – like poverty, health and educational issues, pressure from others, and drugs. This is not a Police problem alone, and Police cannot be the only ones involved in the solution. This is why we are working alongside community groups, iwi, councils, other government agencies and the gangs themselves.
We ask that people speak to us about anything that concerns them, so we can help and respond. People can contact Police on 111 or 105, or give information anonymously through Crimestoppers.
Armed Response Teams Update
The six-month trial of the Armed Response Teams (ARTs) in Counties Manukau, Waikato, and Canterbury is progressing well with each team making a real difference in their community. For example, an ART recently responded to an event where they provided lifesaving first aid to an injured person while the area was made safe for ambulance staff. Another team has successfully managed to gain entry to a property and talk down a female who was attempting to cause harm to herself.
As part of the trial’s evaluation, we’re interested to know what impact ARTs are having on the public’s feelings of safety. Police will engage with members of the community and our partners to gain further insight on the perceptions held by the community on ARTs. People are also welcome to provide feedback directly to Police at haveyoursay@police.govt.nz.
Any decisions in relation to the team’s future will be made following a full evaluation of their effectiveness.
Have you downloaded our new app?
We’ve recently released a free mobile app for Apple and Android devices to provide another way for you to access policing services, information, news and alerts.
Through the NZ Police app, you can read Police news and customise the alerts you receive, easily use the 105 online form to report any non-emergency situation to Police, and access our other online services.
The app is part of a wider suite of work we are undertaking to ensure everyone in New Zealand, including our international visitors, can access policing services anywhere, any time. I look forward to sharing with you some of our other initiatives in the near future.
Until next time, stay safe.
Mike Bush MNZM
Commissioner of Police
Downloaded the NZ Police app today
Subscribe to the Commissioner’s blog.
Mautohe Cathedral Cove closed as Cyclone Tam nears
Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house
Date: 16 April 2025
MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Warning for Coromandel in response to Cyclone Tam. The cyclone is expected to dump up to 250 mm of rain on the peninsula and pack winds of up to 140 kmh – resulting in a Wind Warning from the forecaster. MetService’s warnings are in effect from 12 am Thursday 18 April to 12 pm Friday 19 April.
DOC Coromandel Senior Ranger Matt Flynn says it’s prudent to close tracks to Mautohe Cathedral Cove given the cyclone’s expected impact.
“As well as the wind and rain forecast, swells up to 4 m are predicted, meaning the waves are likely to reach the cliffs behind the cove’s beach.
“We strongly discourage people from visiting the cove over the next few days – the conditions make it unsafe.
“We do not want people getting hurt.”
Matt says the Mautohe Cathedral Cove closure will come into effect from 5 pm on Wednesday 16 April, and be in place until at least midday Saturday 19 April – when staff will carry out a site inspection and make further decisions about whether it is safe to reopen tracks to the beach.
Mautohe Cathedral Cove is one of Coromandel and New Zealand’s most picturesque and iconic coastal locations, famous for its rock arch. However, land around the cove is known to be potentially unstable with a noted geological and landslide risk after heavy rain events.
DOC’s Trigger Action Response Plan for Mautohe Cathedral Cove guides decision-making for track closures at the site.
Tracks to Mautohe Cathedral Cove were closed in February 2023 due to extensive damage caused by Cyclone Garbrielle. DOC repaired the tracks through the second half of 2024, and they reopened to visitors in December 2024.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
‘Obscene’ amount of dog faeces spoils popular Bluff walking track
Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house
Date: 15 April 2025
One of Bluff’s signature tracks, Foveaux Walkway is an easy, well paved track following the Motupōhue/Bluff coastline to a lookout point.
The track is part of the Te Araroa Trail and is a huge drawcard for both locals and tourists. Hundreds of people visit daily to take in views over Foveaux Strait, Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island and Rakiura/Stewart Island.
DOC acting Operations Manager Murihiku Jono Airey says it’s a special track.
“It’s visually stunning with native flora and fauna and is rich with Māori and European history. We’re talking about nature and heritage unique to New Zealand, these are things you can’t find anywhere else.
“Dogs are allowed on the track as long as they are on lead. Dogs are doing what dogs do, but unfortunately their owners are leaving their dogs’ faeces behind in this precious place. It’s a long-term issue, and it’s getting worse.
“It’s not good enough, track maintenance is now a dangerous, disgusting job for our rangers. They return covered from head to toe in dog excrement thrown about by scrub-cutters. They even wear face shields to protect themselves. You wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
Dog faeces contain germs which can harm humans and wildlife and should always be picked up and disposed of responsibly.
Along with marine mammals kekeno/fur seals and pakake/sea lions, the area is frequented by marine sea birds including tītī, shag, tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin, mottled petrel, kororā/little penguin and numerous forest bird species. In winter tohorā/southern right whales can be spotted in the strait.
“Unless things improve, we will have to exclude dogs from our track network in Bluff to ensure the health and safety of our rangers, visitors, and wildlife,” says Jono.
“Dog poo bins aren’t an option for us, they encourage fly tipping and illegal dumping and require a level of maintenance we can’t resource.
“People tramping in our backcountry carry out human rubbish and waste to protect our natural environments, so we’re sure visitors to the urban Foveaux Walkway can manage the much easier job of cleaning up after their dogs.”
New signs will soon remind dog walkers of their obligation to remove dog poo from the Foveaux Walkway, and DOC will monitor the situation to inform decisions on future dog access to the track.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Better data reveals growing pressures on NZ marine mammals
Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house
Date: 15 April 2025
The number of marine mammal species in New Zealand classified as Threatened or At Risk has increased from 10 in 2019 to 14 today, with the sperm whale, pygmy blue whale, southern right whale dolphin, goose-beaked whale, and pygmy sperm whale added to the list. Leopard seals were moved from at-risk to migrant.
A ‘Threatened’ species status is given to animals in serious trouble. New Zealand has the highest proportion of threatened indigenous species in the world – more than 4000 native species are currently threatened or at risk of extinction.
Panel lead and DOC Senior Science Advisor, Dr Dave Lundquist, says several species have been shifted to a more threatened conservation status. This includes sperm whales, which were moved from Data Deficient to At Risk – Declining.
“Research published by the University of Otago in 2022 shows a long-term decline in the number of sperm whales seen off Kaikōura during summer,” says Dave Lundquist.
“We don’t yet know if this reflects a broader drop in sperm whale numbers across New Zealand, but the panel has taken a precautionary approach and assumed it could be.”
Thanks to improved population data, eight other marine mammal species previously considered Data Deficient now have updated conservation statuses. This includes pygmy blue whales, now listed as Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable.
The New Zealand sea lion has also been moved to a higher risk category – from Nationally Vulnerable to Threatened – Nationally Endangered. This is due to a smaller estimated number of breeding adults and a faster rate of population decline than previously thought.
“Estimates suggest sea lion numbers could decline by 30–70% over the next 30 years, which is about three generations. Multiple human-caused threats are likely to be contributing to this decline,” says Dave Lundquist.
Bottlenose dolphins are the only species whose status has improved – from Threatened – Nationally Endangered to Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable. However, Dave Lundquist says this change is due to better information, not an actual increase in numbers.
“We previously estimated fewer than 1000 coastal bottlenose dolphins in New Zealand, plus an unknown number of oceanic ones. We now know there are over 1000 oceanic dolphins, which improved the overall status. But coastal populations are still at risk and depend on local conservation efforts to survive.”
Dave Lundquist says the positive takeaway is that when people act to reduce threats and protect nature, it makes a real difference.
“This information is valuable for everyone involved in marine mammal conservation – including iwi, community groups, businesses, fishers, councils and government.
“When we understand the conservation status of marine mammals, we’re all better equipped to make informed decisions to help protect them and their habitats.”
The conservation status of 57 marine mammal types found in New Zealand waters was reviewed by an independent panel of national and international experts. They used the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – a tool that assesses the extinction risk of native species.
NZTCS assessments are reviewed roughly every five years and are based on factors such as population size, trends, and distribution. DOC uses these results to prioritise conservation work, guide resource allocation, and shape policy decisions. The assessments also support collaboration with iwi, researchers, community groups, and others working to protect native species.
Visit the New Zealand Threat Classification System’s website for the latest marine mammal conservation status data and background notes.
Background information
Explanation of Conservation Status.
The NZTCS is a rule-based system for experts to assess the risk of extinction faced by organisms in Aotearoa New Zealand. The NZTCS is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and complements the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Independent panels of experts assess groups of taxa (for examples, birds, reptiles or marine mammals. Species, subspecies, varieties and forms are collectively known as taxa, singular = taxon), approximately every five years, using criteria of population state, size and trend.
Knowing a species’ risk of extinction provides a basis for setting priorities and making decisions, planning recovery programmes and research, monitoring the effectiveness of management and gaining support for habitat protection. Taxa assessed as ‘Threatened’ face greater risk of extinction because they have small population with greatest rate of decline. Taxa assessed as ‘At Risk’ are not considered Threatened, but they could quickly become so if conservation management reduces, if a new threat arises, or if the declines continue.
Published assessments and manuals can be found on the New Zealand Threat Classification System Lists. Data supporting these publications can be accessed from the NZTCS database.
The expert panel assessed the conservation status of 57 taxa of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, fur seals and sea lions.
Thirteen species have changed status since last assessed in 2019. One has a more threatened status, one has a less threatened status, and the remainder are neutral status changes (into and out of the category Data Deficient).
The published research on sperm whale decline in Kaikōura can be found here: Long‐term decline in abundance of male sperm whales visiting Kaikōura, New Zealand.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
‘Precious’ threatened fish found in Waimatuku
Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house
Date: 14 April 2025
The fish are named after Gollum from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, due to their large eyes and preference for swampy habitat.
DOC River Ranger Pat Hoffmann says finding Gollums in the stream is exciting, and reinforces the need to protect their habitat.
“Gollum’s conservation status is Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable, the same as South Island takahē,” says Pat. “They’re unique to our region and only found in Southland, so if we lose them here, they’re gone from everywhere. You might even say they’re ‘precious’.
“In December, we were doing an eDNA (environmental DNA) survey of the Waimatuku catchment when we spotted the juvenile Gollums in many of the waterways. The eDNA backed this up with positive results at nearly every test site.”
Gollums stay in freshwater all their lives, and never enter the ocean. However, intriguingly, they are also found in streams on Rakiura/Stewart Island. It’s thought they got there during an ice age when a land bridge was present.
Waimatuku Stream recently became part of DOC’s nationwide Ngā Awa river restoration programme. Through Ngā Awa, DOC and Te Rūnaka o Ōraka-Aparima are working together with local councils and landowners to enhance freshwater species and ecosystems in the catchment.
“We’re now looking at ways to find out more about their populations and ensure they can thrive here,” says Pat. “If you live in the Waimatuku catchment and are interested in doing some restoration on your property, we’d love to hear from you to see how we can support your ideas.”
Visit DOC’s website to find out more about Gollum galaxias and how to protect them and other non-migratory galaxiids.
Background information
Finding Gollums isn’t the only recent highlight at the Waimatuku. DOC and Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka hosted a public information evening in March as an introduction to the Waimatuku Ngā Awa work programme.
The following day, 100 school students took part in a BioBlitz near the stream mouth, learning about the native plants, water quality, birdlife, and history, and recording their findings on the iNaturalist app.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Work set to commence on Opera Point wilding conifer control
Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house
Date: 14 April 2025 Source: National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, Department of Conservation and Waikato Regional Council
Wilding conifers are a pest tree species impacting on native bush and coastal environments, taking water, light and air from native plants that are home to endemic birds, lizards and bugs. The wilding conifers at Opera Point are self-seeded, and if left uncontrolled, they will eventually take over – as they have at many locations around New Zealand.
DOC and Waikato Regional Council staff have arranged for an experienced and qualified local arborist to undertake the work at Opera Point, a small and picturesque headland near the settlement of Whangapoua. The project has been made possible through funding from Waikato Regional Council and is supported by the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme (NWCCP).
DOC Coromandel Senior Ranger Josh Angell says Opera Point is significant to local iwi, and is also a popular recreation location for the local community and visitors.
“We have been in an ongoing conversation with iwi and the community about enhancing the biodiversity at Opera Point and working to restore the small forest area there – and the wilding conifer project contributes to that,” Josh says.
“Wilding pines along the foreshore above and below public access tracks at the point have caused significant damage to the reserve during and after extreme weather events.”
As high winds and rainfall topple the conifers, the root balls expose large holes in the ground, damaging cultural significant landmarks and infrastructure. This results in track closures and high levels of financial investment to reinstate safe visitor access and ongoing archaeological assessments.
The Opera Point conifer removal project will see two methods used – what is colloquially known as “drill and fill”, with small holes to be drilled into trees into which herbicide is then injected. The trees will be left to decay and break down over time. This method is used as it causes the minimum impact on surrounding native plants. The remaining wilding conifers – close to historic features and tracks and access areas – will be completely felled using chainsaws later this year. The two methods are among the accepted good practice for wilding conifer removal.
The reserve will stay open during the arborists’ work, and people visiting are urged to stick to the marked tracks. Public access will be restricted in some areas during and following the operations, to ensure safety.
The arborists’ work at Opera Point is scheduled to start on Wednesday 16 April, and is expected to take between two and three weeks, weather permitting. Once the initial work is completed, the trees’ deterioration and decay will be monitored.
“Waikato Regional Council is responsible for biosecurity and protecting special places within the region,” Waikato Regional Council Senior Biosecurity Officer Clark McMichael says.
“The local residents who enjoy the walking tracks and native bush at Opera Point want to see the native environment protected and restored – and this project will progress that.”
Background information
This project is part of the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, which is led by Biosecurity New Zealand (MPI) in partnership with the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand, the New Zealand Defence Force, and delivered locally through Regional Councils, Runanga and Community Trusts.
For more, visit National Wilding Conifer Control Programme.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Government Should Respect Women & Biology In Law
Source:
MEDIA RELEASE
22 April 2025
Family First NZ is calling on both the National Party and the ACT Party to fast-track NZ First’s Member’s Bill that would ensure the biological definition of a woman and man are defined in law, and adopt it as a Government bill.
The What is a woman? campaign last year called for ‘woman’ to be defined as ‘an adult human female’ in all our laws, public policies and regulations and was signed by more than 23,500 people and presented to Parliament last August. We are still awaiting a response from the Select Committee.
An appropriate bill would state that:
● an individual’s “sex” means an individual’s sex at birth, either male or female;
● a “female” means an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova; who has, had, will have or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization.
● a “male” means an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilise the ova of a female who has, had, will have or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization.;
● “woman” and “girl” refer to human females, and “man” and “boy” refer to human males;
● “mother” means a parent of the female sex, and “father” means a parent of the male sex; and
● with respect to biological sex, separate accommodations are not inherently unequal.
The bill would require and state that distinctions between the sexes be considered substantially related to the important governmental objectives of protecting the health, safety, and privacy of individuals, with respect to the following areas:
● schools;
● sports;
● prisons or other detention facilities;
● domestic violence centers;
● rape crisis centers;
● changing rooms;
● toilets; and
● other areas where biology, safety, or privacy are implicated that result in separate accommodations.
Individuals born with a medically verifiable diagnosis of disorder/differences in sex development should be provided appropriate legal protections.
How do we target specific women’s health issues or target the gender pay gap, or violence against women, or support the Women’s Refuge, or uphold our nation’s history of fighting for women’s rights if we can’t define the target audience in the first place?
A ’woman’ always has been, always will be, our beloved mothers, grandmothers, wives, daughters, sisters, aunts – an adult human female.
Given the recent decision by the UK Supreme Court, it’s time that NZ’s Government also removes the confusion and returns to simple biological reality.
MPs Should Reject Easter Trading Bill
Source:
MEDIA RELEASE
18 December 2024
MPs Should Take A Break & Reject Easter Trading Bill
Family First NZ is calling on MPs to reject ACT’s bill to liberalise Easter trading laws which is having its 1st Reading in Parliament today.
“We reject any liberalisation of Easter trading laws and also Anzac and Christmas days because workers deserve this special annual break to spend time with their families. If anything, we should have more public holidays around Labour Day, Matariki and Waitangi Day,” says Bob McCoskrie, Chief Executive of Family First NZ.
“Economic improvement needs to be finely balanced with family and community time. Anzac Day, Easter, and Christmas remain as the few times when the whole country stops and takes a break. How long before attempts are made to liberalise trading laws around Anzac Day and Christmas day.”
Significantly, there seems to be a focus in this latest attempt not just on shops in general being able to open but on being able to sell alcohol. The explanatory note to the bill says: “This bill removes the restriction on trading and selling alcohol on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.”
David Seymour originally announced the bill by saying “Easter’s a wonderful time – a long needed break after easing into the new year.”
But not a break for workers in the retail industry.
“Public holidays are a social good – whether they are religious-based or not. Poll after poll has shown that both parents and children want to spend more time doing family things like picnics and holidays together. However, this is becoming increasingly difficult as the retail industry is required to work almost every day of the year, and shoppers focus on the holiday specials. To argue that it is justified because shoppers are able to shop online is a flawed argument. If it was a valid argument, retailers in NZ would have to be open 24/7,” says Mr McCoskrie.
“New Zealanders deserve the break.”
“This is not an issue about choice as has also been argued. For many workers, they don’t have the luxury of choice as to whether they work or not. Coercion to work will be a very real threat.”
“Tourists will cope. Many countries have public holidays with shops closed, and tourists simply plan around it, accepting it as part of the local culture and identity,” says Mr McCoskrie.
“We should keep the Easter culture, for the sake of families.”