Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  20 November 2025

Drawing on his deep and extensive knowledge, Kelvin has increased understanding of ecosystems on a nationwide level, aided court decisions, and supported community conservation.

Penny Nelson says that Dr Kelvin Lloyd, epitomises the qualities of the prestigious conservation award, which recognises people who have made an outstanding contribution to conserving indigenous flora.

“Winning the Loder Cup is not merely about personal achievement; it is about demonstrating leadership, inspiring others, and leaving a legacy that benefits generations to come.

“It’s an honour to present this award to someone who has spent a lifetime defending the native plants and landscapes that make Aotearoa unique.”

Based in Dunedin, Kelvin studied at the University of Otago, completing a PhD in botany, and built a successful career in ecology and botany.

Kelvin’s extensive research on ecosystems across Southland and Otago has shaped the way wetlands are mapped and assessed wetlands nationally.

Over many years, he has helped to safeguard vulnerable habitats by reviewing resource consents for major infrastructure projects and appearing as an expert witness in the Environment Court, before Boards of Inquiry and in Tribunals.

“His expertise is widely recognised by colleagues and environmental groups,” says Penny.

Kelvin was lead author for a report for the Ministry for Primary Industries in 2019, which modelled the potential spread of wilding conifers across the country. From this work, $14 million was allocated to controlling wilding conifers. Kelvin was part of the small group that started the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, north of Dunedin, and as a trustee for 14 years he has been central to its success. This 307-hectare coastal forest, protected by a predator fence, is a significant community-led conservation project.

Kelvin has made a major contribution to the study of New Zealand’s native plants, especially his research comparing the ecology of rare and common species. Through the NZ Ecological Society, he has widely shared his knowledge of new taxa, species distribution and ecology with colleagues.

One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, the Loder Cup was donated by avid plant collector and enthusiast Gerald Loder in 1926 to encourage and honour New Zealanders who work to investigate, promote, retain and cherish New Zealand’s indigenous flora.

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Source: New Zealand Government

A new funding arrangement to support the management and maintenance of New Zealand’s 23 iconic Great Rides will enable Kiwis and international visitors to get out to the regions, now and into the future, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

“The Government is committing $7.5 million over three years from the New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund to ensure our world-class trails continue to deliver economic, recreational, and environmental benefits to communities,” Louise Upston says.

“Each year more than 2 million people use the Great Rides of Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trails, and earlier this week, we saw new data that shows our Great Rides pump $1.28 billion a year into our local economies. This funding will only support this growth.”

“Preserving our Great Rides for the future is important. They create jobs, support businesses such as bike hire and tour companies, and attract hospitality and accommodation services to set up shop nearby.”

The new Trail Management funding has two key components:

• Maintenance: Funding to improve and maintain trail quality and address any trail audit findings as they arise.
• Management: Each Great Ride will receive funding for a dedicated trail manager.

“The Great Rides were set up by Sir John Key’s National-led Government in 2009 and have been an effective partnership between central and local government and the communities that host the trails for more than a decade,” Louise Upston says.

“The three years of funding provides certainty for our trail partners and enables better long-term planning.”

In addition to this new funding arrangement, our Government recently announced investments in cycle trail infrastructure in both Ruapehu and Dunedin, with more to come.

“We are committed to ensuring all our Great Rides remain well-maintained and managed for the future, continuing to attract visitors and deliver economic benefits,” Louise Upston says.

Source: New Zealand Police

A 41-year-old man has been charged with nine offences after a spate of thefts and burglaries in Feilding.

The offending goes back to 18 September, when the man is alleged to have broken into a vehicle and stolen personal possessions on Willowbank Crescent.

What followed was multiple instances of dishonesty offences around Feilding, including burglaries from commercial and residential premises and the theft of a vehicle and bank cards.

Operation Thor was created to reduce offending, and on 17 November the man was arrested, with the assistance of Palmerston North staff.

Officer in Charge Feilding, Sergeant Mike Linton, says Police are determined to hold people to account.

“My team and I remain committed to making sure anyone who commits crime in our town faces the consequences.

“This is a great result for the team and our community – we believe this will go some way in stemming the crime that has been occurring around the town.

“This is only the start of this operation.

“We continue to urge the public to report incidents through 111 if it’s happening now, or 105 for non-emergencies.”

The man appeared in the Palmerston North District Court on two charges of burglary, three charges of taking bank cards, two charges of taking items from a vehicle, one charge of taking a vehicle, and one charge of interfering with a motor vehicle.

The man was remanded in custody and is due to reappear on 25 November.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

Harihari Highway (SH6), Ross, is blocked following a serious crash this afternoon.

Police were notified of the multi-vehicle crash, near Donoghues Road, around 1:10pm.

Initial indicators are that there have been serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised and the road is expected to be blocked for some time while emergency services work at the scene.

Motorists are advised to avoide the area where possible and expect delays.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers, Counties Manukau CIB:

Two separate investigations are underway following several complaints received in relation to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Election.

Police can confirm that at this stage we are investigating 16 complaints, forwarded to us from Election Services.

This investigation remains in the early stages, however they relate to allegations of electoral fraud.

Separately, a petition of inquiry into the conduct of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board (Papatoetoe subdivision) election is before the Manukau District Court. 

The respondent to that petition is the independent Electoral Officer for Auckland (from Election Services).

ENDS.

Note for media: Any further questions in relation to the petition will need to be directed to Election Services.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Mount Eden this morning.

The crash, on Dominion Road, was reported at around 10.18am.

Sadly, one person died at the scene.

Dominion Road has since reopened and an investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Good Police work has swiftly ended the plans of four alleged youth offenders in Auckland on Tuesday.

Two investigation teams were tasked with enquiries into a series of aggravated robberies reported across Waitematā in recent days.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting, Waitematā West Area Investigations Manager, says there were four separate reports of intimidating behaviour and assault over a two-day period.

“These alleged offenders confronted their victims, assaulted them, and took multiple items including a gold watch, cash, cell phones, and a scooter,” he says.

“With the help of CCTV, investigators were able to identify a person of interest linked to the series of offences. Officers from the Youth Crime Team located and arrested that person shortly after.”

The alleged offender was also identified as being involved in multiple instances of disorder, trespass, and shoplifting in West Auckland over the past two weeks.

“Once we identified one member of the group, the other three were located and arrested within three hours,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says.

“We are pleased to have stopped the harm these alleged offenders were causing in our communities.”

A 14-year-old female has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated robbery and will appear in the Waitākere Youth Court today. She has also been referred to Youth Aid for the other alleged offending.

Three males, aged 12 and 13, have been referred to Youth Aid for aggravated robbery.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Fisheries New Zealand fishery officers caught 2 divers with 369 undersize pāua at Sponge Bay in Gisborne yesterday. 

Officers discovered the pair when they were patrolling the coast and inspected their catch. 

“The divers were preparing to leave the area when they were stopped for a routine check of their catch. It was very disappointing to find they had 369 undersize pāua, the smallest pāua was only 56mm,” says Fisheries New Zealand district manager, Gisborne/Whakatane, Jordan Cooper. 

Officers returned the pāua to the sea and seized their vehicle and diving gear. Fisheries New Zealand is considering next steps, including prosecution. 

“When we find evidence of people deliberately breaking the rules – we will hold them to account. The rules are there for a reason – to keep our shared fisheries sustainable into the future. 

“The daily limit per person for gathering pāua is 5 with a minimum size of 125mm and we would strongly encourage anyone who is unaware of the rules to download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app which will provide you the latest rules, including closures and gear restrictions for any area you intend to fish,” Jordan Cooper says. 

NZ Fishing Rules mobile app

We encourage people to report any suspected illegal activity through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 0800 4 POACHER line (0800 476 224). 

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz 

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