Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Government

The new Better Later Life Action Plan is designed to provide practical support to help older New Zealanders live well and maintain their connections and independence, Minister for Seniors Casey Costello announced today.

“The Action Plan consists of a range of practical improvements and is built around a simple goal – helping every New Zealander to live well for longer,” Ms Costello says.

“It focuses on three key areas that matter to older people. We want people to stay well and independent for as long as possible and to support social connection. We need to increase access to the right types of housing in the places people want to live. And we need to help older people remain financially secure and keep control over their lives.

“The plan builds on the wide range of existing government services for our over-65s. Before the plan was developed, we did a stocktake of what was currently provided by government agencies. 

“The stocktake found there are more than 50 services targeted for older people delivered by 23 agencies, and apart from NZ Superannuation, the most used service is the SuperGold card. In the last financial year the Government spent over $28 billion on these services, with around 80 per cent of this on NZ Super.

“The Action Plan supplements these core services with specific new initiatives that respond directly to what older New Zealanders have told us matters most, including:

working to increase the range of suitable housing options
reviewing driver licensing and medical assessment rules to support people to stay driving safely for as long as possible
supporting existing local networks to expand their services, with digital training through libraries
providing tools and guidance to allow people to plan for later life
strengthening protections against elder abuse, and
modernising the SuperGold Card and exploring whether it can be used as a primary form of identification so that it remains as useful as possible.” 

The Action Plan takes a cross-government approach, bringing Ministers and key agencies together to drive coordinated, practical action, Ms Costello says.

“Across government, we want to improve access to information about government services so people can more easily find the help that’s available and the support that they need. 

“This plan drives practical change to make life easier for older New Zealanders.” 

The Better Later Life Action Plan 2025–2028 is available on the Office for Seniors website: officeforseniors.govt.nz.

Source: New Zealand Government

The upgraded Auckland public transport network with City Rail Link (CRL) at its heart will open to passengers in the second half of 2026. 

Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson confirmed the project is on track to open in 2026, but that significant important work still needs to happen to ensure a safe, reliable service at opening. 

“The finish line for the City Rail Link is getting closer,” Minister Bishop says.

“CRL is a massive multi-billion-dollar investment for the Government and Auckland Council. New Zealand can look forward to the benefits this project will deliver next year.

“World-class new stations have taken shape, while streets and public spaces affected by construction are now reopening to Aucklanders. Work is moving from construction to systems testing and commissioning. 

“Aucklanders continue to show patience and understanding as this massive construction project begins to see light at the end of the tunnel, and we want to thank them for that. It won’t be too much longer.

“Opening an underground rail line is complex. There is a thorough programme of tests to make sure the CRL is safe, and that the new train timetable is reliable from day one.”

“This announcement gives Aucklanders confidence that the City Rail Link is firmly on track to open in 2026. This is the largest transport infrastructure project in New Zealand’s history,” Minister Brown says.

“City Rail Link will transform the way Aucklanders move around their city. It will reduce travel times, increase train frequency and unlock the potential of our CBD.

“CRL is going to bring thousands more people into the city every day – supporting businesses, growing the economy, and ensuring Auckland is a world-class city.”

“The good news is Aucklanders and visitors will finally be able to use the CRL in the second half of 2026. We know this is by far the most complex project undertaken in New Zealand and it takes time to get things right,” says Mayor Brown.

“As an engineer, I appreciate there are more than 16,000 tests across every part of the project to prepare for handover and gain the safety approvals needed to open to the public.

“Every part of the station buildings and each piece of technology in them need to work as planned.  This is crucial to deliver a good experience for passengers and for safety in the event of emergencies.

“What’s positive is the streets are more open with less cones, Albert St is reopening over the weekend and works around the stations will be completed early next year, bringing people back into the city.”

“The City Rail Link completion is in sight and our city centre is being rejuvenated into a greener, more vibrant and better-connected place. With other projects being finished, and new businesses and residents moving into town, the city is getting its sparkle back” says Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson.

Being ready to open involves a significant, integrated programme of work across City Rail Link Ltd, Auckland Transport and KiwiRail. City Rail Link Ltd, created to oversee building of the CRL tunnels and new and upgraded stations, expects to complete construction and testing by the end of June 2026. This will enable Auckland Transport and KiwiRail to complete preparations to open in the second half of the year.

The organisations involved are working closely together up to handover. After City Rail Link Ltd completes its work, Auckland Transport, KiwiRail and operators will need some time for the final steps to be ready for passengers, including final notifications to crews and staff whose rosters will change. 

Rail Network Rebuild update

Getting the track infrastructure on the Auckland rail network ready is integral to the opening of CRL. Projects like the Henderson Station upgrade are underway now and the Rail Network Rebuild programme to renew priority areas of track, is in the final stretch ahead of CRL. 

“The Rail Network Rebuild programme is making good progress, replacing foundations and upgrading drainage on the Auckland network. Once complete, this will reduce delays and allow more frequent trains in the future. There is more to do before CRL can open, including significant work during a four-week closure after Christmas,” Mr Bishop says.

Auckland Transport readiness

Auckland Transport is responsible for operating the CRL as part of the Auckland train network and is getting ready alongside its rail operator, maintenance providers and suppliers. Delivery of 23 new trains, and training of new drivers, crews, customer service staff and maintenance staff are well underway. 

With new stations and routes, we need AT to update customer information along our network – timetables, ticketing and digital displays. This is a mammoth undertaking to make sure people can find their way on the new network.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is strengthening New Zealand’s Emergency Responder capability by creating a new entity, and expanding the mandate of Next Generation Critical Communications, announced Emergency Management and Recovery Minster Mark Mitchell. 

“Around 25,000 frontline responders already use the Public Safety Network cellular services, improving coverage and reliability during emergencies. Cabinet has now given Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) the mandate to expand these services to the wider emergency management sector.” says Mr. Mitchell.  

“Our first responders and those who work in public safety, are simply outstanding. They go willingly into situations and places that most New Zealanders do not have to go. This change will support them in operational situations, and enable them to keep themselves and the public safe.”

Since 2020 NGCC been working on behalf of Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Hato Hone St John, and Wellington Free Ambulance to deliver the $1.4b Public Safety Network. NGCC will now support a larger eligible customer group of central and local government entities, not-for-profit organisations and infrastructure and lifelines companies.

“With top-tier emergency communications in place, New Zealand will be better prepared to respond to the variety of disasters we have seen over the past few years, such as Cyclones Gabrielle or Tam”. 

The new limited liability company will be listed in Schedule 4A of the Public Finance Act 1989. 

Shareholding Ministers of the new company will be the Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery and the Minister of Finance. 

Note to editors:

NGCC will offer the Public Safety Network’s Cellular Services on a user-pays basis to eligible organisations from mid-2026.  

About Next Generation Critical Communications | Poutama Whai Tikanga Pāpāho

Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) is the only government entity exclusively focussed on critical communications for public safety in New Zealand. NGCC’s mission is to modernise the communications capability of New Zealand’s emergency services to deliver more information, to more places in real time. It is responsible for delivering the new Public Safety Network solutions and cellular Location Information Services

About the Public Safety Network | Te Kupenga Marutau

The Public Safety Network (PSN) is a significant infrastructure project, investing $1.4 billion over 10 years to build and operate the networks and services, and roll out new devices to emergency services staff, stations and vehicles. The PSN consists of three complementary elements: a digital Land Mobile Radio network under construction, live Cellular Roaming, Priority and Network Visibility Services, and the ongoing provision of personal alerting

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute the following to Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Durston:

Waikato Police investigating a firearms incident overnight are seeking information from the public where a man was left with serious injuries.

At about 11.50pm on Thursday 27 November, Police were called to a property on Sapphire Place in Chartwell after reports a man had been shot.

A 37-year-old was located with gunshot wounds and taken to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.

He remains in hospital in a stable state. At this stage, Police believe the incident was targeted.

Police are asking the public for information of the incident or CCTV footage that may capture the area in and around Sapphire Place from last night.

The investigation team are currently looking for two motor vehicles – one red and one white – that were in the area at the time of the incident. We believe they may have been travelling in convoy in the area and can assist us in our enquiries.

Please contact Police with information either online or over the phone on 105 and quote file number 251128/8530.

A scene examination is underway, and the community can expect to see officers in the area today as enquiries are made.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are laying nearly 200 criminal charges against gang associates, who are allegedly facilitators in a criminal syndicate smuggling illicit drugs aboard international flights.

This week’s enforcement activity is the latest phase in a joint Police-Customs investigation, which has targeted a syndicate allegedly smuggling class A drugs through unattended baggage, primarily through Auckland Airport.

It comes as part of a significant operation to protect New Zealand’s borders from the threats posed by transnational, serious and organised crime.

Twenty search warrants were carried out across the Auckland region yesterday by the National Organised Crime Group and Customs, with eight associates from the Brotherhood 28 MC arrested.

Amongst those arrested was the gang’s president.

Those arrested will face 170 charges between them including:

-Participating in an organised criminal group
-Importing class A controlled drugs (methamphetamine and cocaine)
-Conspiracy to import
-Possession for supply
-Supplying methamphetamine
-Supplying cocaine
-Offer to supply cocaine
-Money laundering

During yesterday’s warrants Police have also seized NZ$50,000 in cash, multiple rounds of ammunition, jewellery and electronic devices.

This is the fifth phase of Operation Matata, targeting people employed by airline baggage handling agencies, and other associates from the criminal syndicate working within the air border.

Detective Inspector Tom Gollan says 43 people have been arrested since the investigation began in February 2025.

Twenty consignments of methamphetamine and cocaine have been seized, weighing 630 kilograms and 112 kilograms respectively.

“Since Operation Selena in 2021, Police and Customs have worked with Auckland Airport to disrupt the flow of drugs being imported through the air border, facilitated by the corruption of baggage handlers,” Detective Inspector Tom Gollan says.

“This operation has routed out the organisers, facilitators and baggage handlers involved in this illegal operation.

“Police and Customs investigators have exposed their networks, while establishing how they are evading systems and controls.”

Both agencies are working closely with Auckland International Airport and other supply chain partners at the border to alert staff to the dangers of transnational, serious and organised crime.

Detective Inspector Gollan says, “alarm bells should be going off when they are offered cash payments in exchange for them committing serious offending”.

“Twenty of those arrested in Operation Matata were baggage handlers. None of those arrested in this week’s search warrants were baggage handlers, instead they were facilitators and controllers sitting over the top of the syndicate.”

Support from a variety of international law enforcement agencies and companies has assisted in the success in Operation Matata, while in turn has led to enforcement activity in offshore countries.

Customs Investigations Manager Dominic Adams says the operation sends a strong message that attempts to exploit positions of privilege will be targeted and stopped.

“Customs, Police and industry partners are working across our air and maritime borders to combat these criminal groups intent on smuggling illicit drugs into New Zealand.”

“New Zealand’s high volume of legitimate trade and travel creates opportunities for criminal infiltration.

“This is not a new method used by transnational syndicates – it has been an issue around the world for several years – we are not immune to it. We are countering this through partnerships, intelligence, and increased frontline presence.

“Every day, our teams work nationally and internationally to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen New Zealand’s border. These arrests reflect coordinated action across multiple agencies and the power of collaboration to safeguard our communities.

“Those arrested have abused positions of trust to smuggle harmful drugs into our communities. Customs and Police will not tolerate this and will continue to pursue anyone who compromises the safety of our country and people.”

Auckland Airport’s Head of Terminal Operations Richard Deihl says: “These latest arrests demonstrate the strong and effective collaboration between Police, Customs and the airport community to disrupt the global drugs trade and prevent harmful substances from reaching our community.

“Everyone in the airport system, from airlines to ground handlers and the airport company itself, is united in our commitment to stamp out drug trafficking at the border.”

• Operation Matata – by the numbers:

5 – phases of the investigation

43 – arrests made

347 – charges laid

72 – warrants executed

630 – kilograms of methamphetamine seized

NZ$220.8m – retail value of methamphetamine seized

NZ$699.3m – estimated social harm figure

112 – kilograms of cocaine seized

NZ$50.4 – retail value of cocaine seized

NZ$33.6m – estimated social harm figure

NZ$800,000 – cash seized

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police