Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Fisheries New Zealand wants feedback on proposals to secure the long-term sustainability of 2 key North Island rock lobster fisheries, says Director of Fisheries Management, Emma Taylor.

Proposals for the Hauraki Gulf/Bay of Plenty (CRA 2) and Wellington/Wairarapa (CRA 4) rock lobster fisheries would involve a higher volume of rock lobsters being maintained in the fishery over time.

“The options for proposed management targets, which set the level of fish maintained in a fishery, translate to more lobsters in the water for now and for generations to come.

“This is about improving resilience and making these fisheries more predictable year to year. It would mean a better fishing experience for customary and recreational fishers, and provide commercial fishers with the certainty they need to deliver consistently to their customers,” Emma Taylor says.

“Our rock lobster fisheries are highly valued by all New Zealanders, and rock lobster are part of an interconnected marine ecosystem.

“Rock lobster eat kina among other things, and they can help to keep kina numbers down, so they don’t destroy important kelp forest habitat and cause bare areas known as kina barrens,” Emma Taylor says.

The proposals also seek feedback on draft fisheries plans that would implement the management targets and defining management actions, such as providing for monitoring, compliance, and research.  

If approved, the fisheries plans and the management targets within them would be considered by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries when making future decisions for these stocks.

“Consultation starts today and runs until 5:00pm on Monday 8 September 2025, and I encourage anyone with an interest to read the proposals and provide feedback,” Emma Taylor says.

More information, including how to make a submission can be found on MPI’s website.

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Kelray Heating Introduces Locally Made Fire Pits for New Zealand Backyards

Kelray Heating has launched a new collection of outdoor fire pits, offering New Zealand homeowners a way to add both warmth and visual interest to their outdoor spaces.

The post Kelray Heating Introduces Locally Made Fire Pits for New Zealand Backyards first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Source: New Zealand Privacy Commissioner – Blog

by Michael Webster, Privacy Commissioner

A Hobson’s Pledge billboard that used the photograph of a kuia and her moko kauae generated a lot of discussion both in our office and across media. 

Experts are discussing which laws and oversight are relevant here. Is it the Fair-Trading Act or the Advertising Standards Code? We think it’s also a privacy issue because this is about the use and control of personal information, where it causes significant injury to feelings or mana. 

It’s also similar in nature to our recent Case Note where an employee had their photo taken that was later used for marketing purposes.  

The Privacy Act protects the personal information of all New Zealanders, which includes any information that identifies an individual, such as a picture of a face. In this particular situation we don’t know all the facts about what occurred, so we won’t speak specifically about this photo. Instead, let’s look more broadly at image use. 

There are many reasons why people may not want their image taken, including tikanga Māori considerations, which can be significant and sensitive for Māori because of the connection to parts of the body or images that are tapu, including tā moko, mataora or moko kauae.

This is why it’s important to be transparent about how you collect, use, and share personal information. Not only is this a requirement of the Privacy Act, but transparency also helps you build trust and confidence in the way your organisation manages personal information.

Commercial agencies must also make sure that the way personal information is collected is fair and not unreasonably intrusive. This obligation applies even when personal information is collected in a public place. 

Even if the personal information is publicly available, agencies need to make sure that using or disclosing it would be fair and reasonable to the relevant individual. Exactly what is unfair or unreasonable will depend on the circumstances of the case, but relevant factors might include the sensitivity of the image or the impact that using it may have on the relevant individual. 

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has a free service for members of the public to make complaints about breaches of their privacy. We look at any relevant privacy principles, whether they have been infringed and how an individual has been impacted. There are options for investigation, conciliation and resolution if the complaint is successful.  

Ideally, someone taking or using photos for commercial use should use a consent form where people can consent to photos being taken and then consent to specific purposes for which those photos can be used. Generally, the Privacy Act doesn’t apply to the collection and reporting of news and current affairs by news media.

For more information

Collection of information from subject
Case Note – Individual complains about use and disclosure of their photo

Back

Source: New Zealand Police

A disturbance in the night prompted a Police callout, resulting in arrests and stolen property being recovered.

A resident called Police around 10.51pm, after he heard floorboards creaking inside his property.

“The caller said he’d gone to investigate and could see the outline of a man in the darkness,” Inspector Wayne Kitcher, Area Prevention Manager, Auckland City West Area says.

“He’d disturbed the intruder, who got a fright and fled the scene.”

A 111 call-taker took all the available information, and Police were deployed to the area.

Inspector Kitcher says the Police Eagle helicopter, a Police dog unit and frontline staff were quickly on the scene.

Eagle directed staff towards two men seen in the area. The first, a 45-year-old man, who was later arrested for breaching bail.

The second man was seen jumping through properties on Ennismore Road.

“A dog handler tracked down the 30-year-man, who was arrested for burglary with a laptop also being recovered,” Inspector Kitcher says.

“We want to reassure the community that we respond quickly to calls of this nature. Please call us as soon as possible so we can follow-up and keep communities safe.”

A 30-year-old man will appear in the Auckland District Court on charges of burglary and being unlawfully in an eclosed yard.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police  

Source: New Zealand Government

A new Fiordland Marine Guardian appointment plus the reappointment of five existing Guardians will help safeguard Fiordland’s precious natural environment, Acting Environment Minister Tama Potaka says.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Murray Willans,” Mr Potaka says.

“Murray has in-depth knowledge of Fiordland and extensive networks with people interested in the Fiordland Marine Area. He brings valuable experience to the Guardians, including science and monitoring, strategic, governance and collaboration and engagement skills.”

The Fiordland Marine Guardians is an advisory group established under the Fiordland Marine Management Act 2005. The group advises central and local government on the integrated management of the Fiordland Marine Area.

“I am also pleased to announce the re-appointment of Dr Rebecca McLeod, Stewart Bull, Mark Peychers, Gavin Tayles and John Cushen.

“Having been chairperson of the Guardians since 2015, Rebecca McLeod knows Fiordland’s marine environment well. She provides continuity, stability and leadership to the group, as well as effective and established relationships with the management agencies.

“Stewart Bull (nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu) has extensive knowledge of customary fishing management and resource use in Fiordland and has been a Guardian since the group was established in 2005.

“Mark Peychers has more than 30 years’ experience as a commercial fisher and is involved in fisheries management in Fiordland and other parts of the country. He is experienced in consent applications and the review of the Regional Coastal Plan for Southland.

“Gavin Tayles brings a recreational fishing perspective and valuable recreational fishing connections.

“John Cushen adds an important tourism perspective to the Guardians’ work. He brings education, communication, and engagement skills to the role.”

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: PHARMAC

Source: New Zealand Police

Auckland City Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a woman’s death in Parnell.

Police were called to Cracroft Street on the night of 7 July, after a woman was found unresponsive inside an apartment.

Today, Police can name the woman as 59-year-old Leiann Rae Davis.

Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, Auckland Central Area Investigations Manager, says Leiann’s death remains unexplained.

“A post-mortem examination was carried out on Friday, the results of which are inconclusive,” he says.

“Police have since completed a scene examination at her apartment and the circumstances of her death remain under investigation.”

This will include Police awaiting further detailed pathology results.

A funeral was held for Leiann at the weekend.

Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says Police are continuing to support her whānau through the process.

Anyone with information that might assist enquiries can update Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250808/6672.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

The number of people in Northland waiting for their first heart specialist assessment (FSA) has dropped significantly, with the waitlist decreasing by 36 percent since November 2023, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Heart disease remains one of New Zealand’s biggest health challenges. Ensuring patients are seen promptly is vital to detecting heart conditions early and providing timely treatment,” Mr Brown says.

“It’s encouraging that more Northlanders are now accessing specialist care faster when they need it most.”

Between November 2023 and March 2025, the cardiology FSA waitlist fell from 1,091 to 691. The number of patients waiting longer than four months dropped by 68 percent, from 367 to 116.

“Whether it’s a dairy farmer receiving a timely assessment before their heart condition worsens, or a rural family no longer left anxiously waiting for a crucial appointment for their loved one, these improvements are making a real difference in people’s lives.”

This progress comes after a period between 2020 and 2023 when waitlists grew by 42 percent.

“Our patient-first commitment is reflected in the dedication of Northland’s hardworking teams, who have played a key role in reducing waitlists by:

Running regular cardiac clinics and tests at rural hospitals, reducing travel for patients and families
Coordinating assessments to minimise multiple visits
Prioritising those who have waited the longest
Expanding local services, including the catheterisation lab, and attracting skilled specialists at Whangārei Hospital

“Reducing wait times for First Specialist Assessments remains a Government priority, with a target for 95 percent of patients to be seen within four months by 2030.

“While there’s still more work to do, these results show that we’re making real progress towards faster, more accessible heart care for the people of Northland,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Government

Fewer Waikato patients are waiting for critical heart and lung surgery, with the number of people on the cardiothoracic treatment waitlist dropping by 70 per cent since November 2023, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Heart and lung conditions can be life-threatening if left untreated, so it is fantastic news that more people in Waikato are getting the treatment they need faster,” 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 is happening here in Waikato.”

Between November 2023 and March 2025, the number of people waiting for cardiothoracic treatment in Waikato has fallen from 90 to 27, a 70 per cent reduction. The number waiting longer than four months for surgery has dropped from 13 to 4.

“This is great progress, and it is making a real difference to people’s lives. Whether it is a grandparent needing a heart bypass to keep up with the grandkids, a young mum recovering from lung surgery and getting back to her family, or a Waikato farmer returning to work after life-saving treatment, this is about delivering for patients.”

Mr Brown says these improvements are a result of the strong focus on delivery by frontline health workers in the Waikato region responding to the Government’s health targets. 

“The region’s strong commitment to preventing surgery cancellations and expanding surgical capacity has delivered significant reductions in waiting lists. These outcomes reflect the hard work and dedication of local teams, whose focus on patient care has been essential to this success.

“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.

“We are investing in our health workforce, validating our waiting lists, boosting capacity, and working closely with hospitals to make sure services meet patient needs, because that is what Kiwis deserve.

“This is part of our plan to deliver timely, quality healthcare for every New Zealander. We want everyone to access specialist care, such as heart or lung surgery, sooner – no matter where they live.”