Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

Statement attributable to Inspector Adam Pyne, Counties Manukau Police:

Police are incredibly disappointed at behaviour exhibited by some gang members on a memorial ride in parts of Counties Manukau today.

A Police operation had been monitoring the movements and behaviour of these gang members through the latter part of the morning and into the afternoon.

While most were well behaved, Police did observe some poor driving behaviour on parts of the route and intervened on several occasions, as the group travelled to West Auckland and returned towards Flat Bush.

Two arrests were made for driving offences and two motorbikes were seized.

The group of at least 100 were then monitored travelling to a function at a bar at Botany Junction.

At one point during the afternoon one of these attending the function performed a burnout outside the bar.

Police took affirmative action in putting a stop to this activity.

Some of those present exited the bar and became aggressive towards Police staff present, with objects thrown towards our staff.

Three arrests were made at the scene, one of which was for wearing gang insignia in a public place.

Another three motorbikes were seized at this location.

Police again took action and advised those present to leave the area, and the bar was shut down.

Police are now investigating the actions of those present at the bar in Botany Junction, along with some of the other driving behaviour earlier in the day.

We will not hesitate to take action against those who think that this behaviour is acceptable.

It is very clear that this behaviour will not be tolerated. We have made five arrests today and we expect to make further arrests as our investigation continues.

Anyone who has further information to help assist those enquiries are asked to contact Police on 105 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Norton Road is closed following a serious crash in Hamilton this afternoon.

Police received a report of the two vehicle crash at around 4.30pm.

Initial enquiries suggest there are serious injuries.

The road is closed between Tahi Street and Jolly Street.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour has welcomed the launch of Vine (Violence Information Aotearoa) – the nation’s leading source of knowledge about sexual violence and family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

“This resource will be hugely useful for frontline services and everyone who cares for, and supports, victim survivors.

“Previously known at the NZ Family Violence Clearinghouse, Vine has been the national resource for family violence and sexual violence information for 20 years and is now launching a website that brings together best practice guidance for people working to prevent and respond to violence.

“It will equip everyone from the frontline, to researchers, to policy makers and even news media with good quality information and understanding of what is proven to work in eliminating violence,” said Karen Chhour.  

This work is a fundamental part of Te Aorerekura, and its second Action Plan, which is currently being implemented to break the cycle of violence through evidence-informed investment and collective action.

The library carries over 7,000 records online, with 2,000 resources in the physical library. The knowledge hub provides key statistics, frameworks and guidelines, and Vine promotes events and news to keep people up-to-date with latest developments.  

“I would like to congratulate Dr Charlotte Moore and the team at Vine for the work they have done to create a space that is easy to navigate and enables workforces to easily access information about violence prevention and effective practice.

“I encourage people to visit Vine and engage with the information there,” said Karen Chhour. 
 

Source: Argument for Lifting NZ Super Age

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will roll out its first mobile safety camera next week – the next step in the transition of safety camera operations from NZ Police to NZTA.

As part of the change, for the first time in New Zealand speeding vehicles will be detected by cameras operating in cars (SUVs), alongside the vans which NZ Police have traditionally used. Later this year NZTA will also add trailers to the fleet of safety camera vehicles.

A camera-equipped Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) will be parking up on roadsides across Auckland from next Tuesday (13 May) to improve safety for all road users by detecting drivers exceeding speed limits. In the coming months, it will be joined by other SUVs and trailers as NZTA expands its mobile safety camera operations across the country to a total of 44 mobile cameras – 35 of which will be operating at any given time.  

“Speeding drivers can cause serious and irreparable harm on the roads, including deaths and serious injuries. Evidence shows that we can reduce the chance of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes if drivers travel within speed limits, and that is why we have safety cameras,” says Tara Macmillan, Head of Regulatory Strategic Programmes.

“Mobile safety cameras reduce deaths and serious injuries by discouraging speeding generally, and they are most effective when they are deployed nationwide on a ‘anytime, anywhere’ basis. The exact timing and location of mobile safety cameras is informed by evidence, which may include crash data and feedback from local communities.

“Mobile cameras will be used in places where there is a risk of people being killed or seriously injured in a crash. Evidence shows that unsigned mobile safety cameras are twice as effective at reducing crashes than sign posted cameras, so while our safety cameras in SUVs and trailers will be visible to drivers and will not be hidden, they won’t be signposted.”

NZTA will not receive any incentives or funds from tickets issued. Safety camera infringement fees go into the Government Consolidated Fund. 

From 1 July 2025, NZTA will be responsible for the operation of all safety cameras and NZ Police will no longer operate their mobile safety camera vans.

Police officers will continue to issue notices for the offences they detect.

Images above: Speeding vehicles will be detected by cameras operating in SUVs from next week, with trailers to be added to the fleet later this year.

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

Next week Watercare will start tunnelling a new harbour outfall at Clarks Beach as part of the southwest wastewater servicing scheme. This will improve the quality of the Manukau Harbour with significant benefits for the community and environment.

On Monday, May 12 a 1.2-metre-wide tunnel-boring machine (TBM) will get the ground moving on the $22 million Clarks Beach Outfall wastewater pipeline.

Watercare programme delivery manager Dave Kennerley says the treated wastewater will be discharged approximately 100 metres into the Waiuku Channel – a highly dynamic part of the harbour where it will quickly disperse.

“The outfall is a crucial part of a wider programme of work that will support the projected population growth of Auckland’s south-west which is expected to grow to around 30,000 people by 2050.

The tunnel boring machine (TBM) will take about seven weeks to complete its journey.

“Initially, it will carry highly treated wastewater from the Clarks Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant, which we’re currently upgrading. But it has been designed and sized to support future population growth in the wider area.”

Watercare project manager Jason Salmon says the outfall installation is expected to take six or seven weeks.

“To ensure the resilience of the outfall, the pipeline will be double layered. 

“The carrier pipeline, which is made from high-density polyethylene, will sit inside a steel pipe to prevent any leaks or ground and seawater intrusion.

“To install the outfall the TBM will cut through the ground and install the exterior steel pipeline at the same time.

“Once it’s reached its destination, the carrier pipe will be pulled through and plugged until it is brought into service. A 66-metre-long diffuser will then be installed.”

The diffuser includes 22 rubber nozzles called ‘duck bills’, due to their shape resembling a duck’s bill.

The nozzle design allows the periodic release of treated effluent to flow out but stops sea water flowing in.

Salmon says once the TBM finishes its journey it will arrive at a receiving pit 10 to 15 metres under the sea.

“The TBM will be lifted out by a team of divers who will unbolt it from the carrier pipe in the outfall, attach lift bags to it and winch it out on to a pontoon.

“Once it’s on the pontoon it will be towed to Onehunga Port and lifted back onto land.”

Update on Clarks Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant project

The upgrade to the Clarks Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant introduces sophisticated technology that will allow the plant to produce exceptionally high-quality treated wastewater, which ultimately benefits the Manukau Harbour.

Watercare programme delievery manager Dave Kennerley and Sophia Chan.

It also supports population growth in Clarks Beach and Glenbrook Beach in the short term.

Watercare project manager Sophia Chan says work has progressed well with all the main tanks now on site and the civil construction of the inlet structure nearing completion. A new power supply has also been installed and fit-out has begun.

“We’ve also built a small temporary wastewater treatment plant, which will be operational in June.

“This will allow us to treat wastewater to a high standard uninterrupted while we continue to build the main wastewater treatment plant.

“Both the treatment plant upgrade and the outfall are on track to be completed by June next year.”

Meanwhile, Watercare has been engaging the community on several short-listed options for the wider programme of work that will support the projected population growth to 30,000 people by 2050. Watercare will continue to share this work with the community as the optioneering process concludes.

Anyone can sign up to receive updates on Watercare’s website.

Source:

Te Pāti Māori stands in staunch and emotional opposition to the Government’s so-called Equal Pay Amendment Bill, calling it a calculated attack on working women and a cruel betrayal of the generations who have fought for pay equity in Aotearoa.

“This bill doesn’t just undermine equal pay — it completely erases it,” said MP for Tāmaki-Makaurau and Workers Rights Spokesperson, Takutai Tarsh Kemp.

“It will make it impossible for people in female-dominated professions to be paid fairly. It locks in gender discrimination, and it will hit wāhine Māori, Pacific, Asian, and migrant women the hardest. This is not reform — this is repression.”

The Government’s Equal Pay Amendment Bill cancels 33 live claims under urgency, bans back pay, delays fair pay for years, and blocks new claims for a decade — all while giving bosses unchecked power to shut down claims without reason.

 “This Government can afford to give $3 billion in tax breaks to landlords, and $13 billion to the military, but this comes at the expense of paying our wāhine fairly,” said Kemp.

“I have witnessed this first hand as a Māori woman who put my heart, sweat, blood, and tears into my mahi while a male equivalent was paid more than ten thousand dollars more. I was undervalued, demoralised and taken advantage of.”

“Māori women are paid 80 cents to every dollar a Pākehā man earns. These aren’t just numbers. This is the intergenerational impact of discrimination that the ACT Party and this government are hellbent on entrenching.

“Te Pāti Māori will not be supporting this bill. We stand by wāhine. We stand by justice. And we will fight this every step of the way,” said Kemp.

Source: NIWA

Source: NZCTU

Unemployment data released today by Statistics New Zealand shows ongoing weakness in the labour market, with falling employment, falling hours of work, and nearly half of all workers getting a pay rise less than inflation, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

“While the unemployment rate number stayed at 5.1%, the number of people working full-time fell by 45,000 while the number working part-time increased by 25,000. People can’t find all the work they need to get by,” said Renney.

“This data demonstrates that there are now 37,000 more unemployed people than at the last election. Māori unemployment is now at 10.5% and Pacific unemployment is at 10.8%. Employment fell in manufacturing, construction, retail, education, and health care. There are now nearly 3 million fewer hours being worked in the economy.

“The weakness of current economic growth is also being reflected in the wage data. Total weekly gross earnings rose by less than inflation at 2.4% annually. 41% of workers saw no pay rise at all. It’s clear that workers are struggling to get the wage increases they need to keep up with the cost of living.

“Youth unemployment continues to rise. There are now 70,700 15–24-year-olds unemployed and 96,600 are not in employment, education or training. There is no plan to help these younger workers, and they are bearing the brunt of employment change.

“Without changes to the Government’s economic approach, things will likely get worse. In 2022 New Zealand was sixth in the OECD rankings for unemployment. We are now 18th.

“The Budget this month will likely see forecasts of unemployment rising in the future. It’s time to change course and deliver policies that ensure good work and fair pay for all,” said Renney.

Source:  Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

The Honourable Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban DNZM, will be awarded an honorary doctorate by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington at the graduation ceremonies this May.

Dame Winnie is a distinguished and transformative leader who has driven profound changes within Aotearoa New Zealand’s political, social, and educational landscapes. From her career in politics as the first Pacific Island woman MP in New Zealand, to her role as the first Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pasifika in New Zealand—at Victoria University of Wellington—she has consistently broken down barriers for Pasifika representation and strongly advocated for the needs of the Pacific Island community.

Her parents emigrated from Samoa to New Zealand in 1954 and settled in Wainuiomata—where she still lives—raising her and her brother, Fauono Ken Laban there. She grew up in an ‘aiga entwined in public service, which instilled in her the traditional Samoan value of supporting other people. 

After completing a Diploma in Social Work at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, she worked as a family therapist, probation officer, social worker, and community development worker.

The closure of the Kenson Industries car part factory in Wainuiomata, where many workers, primarily Pacific Islanders, lost their jobs with no support, motivated her to stand for Parliament in 1999. As an MP from 2002–2010, she worked tirelessly on behalf of Māori, Pasifika, working-class communities, and the elderly. One of her proudest achievements was leading the charge to repeal the Employment Contracts Act and replace it with the Employment Relations Act, to bring good faith negotiations into law. 

Her dedication to improving the lives of others carried on into tertiary education, and during her tenure as Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pasifika at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington from 2010–2024, the number of Pasifika students enrolled at the University, as a percentage of the student population, increased from 4.7 percent in 2010 to over 6.6 percent in 2024.  

“Education has always been a passion of mine because it’s very consistent with my commitment to social justice,” Dame Winnie says. “Because I feel if you have an education, you have more choice, and more doors open to you. But secondly, you research, you read—you’re an informed citizen.”

Dame Winnie believes passionately in making education accessible for all, and spearheaded initiatives such as the annual Pasifika Roadshow, which introduces the university experience to people within their communities, as well as funding a scholarship and promoting Pacific student success in other ways.

Chancellor Alan Judge says, “Dame Winnie’s contributions to the University, and to all of New Zealand, are immense. During her impressive career she has consistently worked to uplift and celebrate Pacific peoples, and we are pleased to award her this honorary doctorate in recognition of everything she has achieved.”

Dame Winnie is a founding member of The Fale Malae Trust, a group whose vision is to build an internationally significant, landmark Fale Malae that will be a place to gather, learn and celebrate the contribution that Pasifika arts, cultures, and histories make to our national identity. Her leadership in this space and in Arts and Education will continue to shape the future of Pacific Islanders in both New Zealand and the wider Pacific region. 

Dame Winnie says, “I am humbled and honoured to receive an honorary doctorate.”

Dame Winnie has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 Women of Influence Awards, her Damehood in 2018, and an honorary doctorate from the National University of Samoa in 2023.

A Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington honorary doctorate reinforces her legacy as a trailblazer and tireless advocate for the value of education. 

The honorary Doctor of Literature from the University will be awarded to Dame Winnie at the second graduation ceremony at 3 pm, Tuesday 13 May.