Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

Police will be part of something special this weekend, supporting Bay of Plenty’s Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope in support of The Special Olympics Games.

Media is invited to come along to the Bay of Plenty leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run hosted by Rotorua Police.

• What: Law Enforcement Torch Run for Bay of Plenty
• Where: Rotorua Police Station to the Village Green
• When:  10.15am on Saturday 25 October 2025
• Who: District Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and police staff including Police Commissioner Richard Chambers
• RSVP: Please email media@police.govt.nz

Media are welcome to take photos, video footage and conduct interviews with athletes and police staff.

The event will start at the Rotorua Police station before the torch makes its way down Pukuatua Street then along Tūtānekai Street to end at the Village Green.

Athletes from Rotorua will be joined by their counterparts from Taupō , Tokoroa and Tauranga.

The New Zealand Law Enforcement Torch Run started in Northland in early October and will travel all the way down to Southland, before it ends up in Christchurch in the week before the Special Olympic Games begin.

The games are being held at the new Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch from Wednesday 10 until Sunday 14 of December this year.

Known as Guardians of the Flame, police members carry the Flame of Hope as it traverses the country.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is expected to join the Rotorua event in support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and is looking forward to getting into the spirit of the event.

“It is inspiring to see people of all abilities striving to reach their personal best through sport and competition. 

“The Special Olympics is a great event which fosters respect and inclusion for people with disabilities through sport. We are proud to support these athletes and to help our local communities get excited about the games,” he said.

Police contact: Inspector Mark Harrison 021 1907 805

Special Olympics contact: Coen Lammers 021 730 239

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Aleurolobus taonabae – Grapevine whitefly China This whitefly is very unlikely to enter New Zealand as it shows visible symptoms, and adults are likely to fly or fall off during inspection or packing. Due to limited mobility of immature stages and limited host availability, exposure to host plants is unlikely. Establishment and spread are unlikely as the whitefly only feeds on a few plant species despite climate suitability. Economic impact is minimal. While it can damage plant leaves by causing yellowing, curling and producing honeydew, which promotes sooty mould, damage is rare, and no significant losses have been reported. Archips micaceana – Soybean leaf roller China, India This moth is unlikely to enter New Zealand as it produces webs and waste that are usually visible during inspection despite the possibility of hiding in grape bunches and surviving transport. Due to limited mobility of immature stages and inability to survive winter, exposure to host plants is very unlikely, despite host availability. Establishment and spread are unlikely as the moth is found in tropical and subtropical regions. However, it could establish in the warmer northernmost areas if suitable host plants are available. Economic impact is minimal and would be largely restricted by climate despite availability of host material. Archips podana – Large fruit-tree tortrix China, Korea, USA The moth could enter New Zealand undetected as larvae or pupae hidden in grape bunches, especially non-feeding stages that cause no visible damage; however, due to limited mobility of immature stages, exposure to host plants is very unlikely. Establishment and spread are very likely due to favourable climate and wide availability of host plants. Economic impact is moderate. Its larvae can damage various crops by rolling leaves together and feeding on fruits, reducing yield and market value. It is a moderate to major pest of apples and pears. Argyrotaenia ljungiana* China Likely to be detected during commercial production activities. Cryptoblabes gnidiella* Egypt, India, Korea, Mexico Popillia quadriguttata* China, Korea Botrytis prunorum Chile This fungus could enter New Zealand with mild infections possibly going unnoticed; otherwise, symptoms are likely to be detected either before or after harvest. However, host exposure is very unlikely due to low spore production and weak pathogenicity. If it were to enter NZ, it could establish and spread, as a closely related Botrytis species is already widespread due to favourable climate. Economic impact is minor, causing blossom blight and post-harvest fruit rot but very unlikely to add significantly to existing Botrytis-related losses. Coniella vitis – White rot of grapevine China This fungus is unlikely to enter New Zealand as it infects damaged fruit, and symptoms are typically visible, despite spores on the surface of healthy grapes possibly going unnoticed. Host exposure is unlikely as the disease requires open wounds, and favourable conditions (high moisture and, warm temperatures). Establishment and spread are unlikely and limited to the warmer regions of New Zealand where grapevines grow. Economic impact is minimal with white rot possible under ideal conditions though New Zealand’s climate may limit outbreaks. Dysmicoccus brevipes – Pineapple mealybug Chile, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Peru, USA This mealybug is very unlikely to enter New Zealand due to poor survival during transport. Due to limited mobility of young and adult stages, exposure to host plants is unlikely, despite host availability. Establishment and spread are unlikely or very unlikely, especially in cooler regions, though possible in warmer areas or greenhouses. Economic impact is minor. While it can affect other crops, climate limits their spread. Indirect damage may include honeydew production, which promotes sooty mould reducing fruit quality and market value. Eulia stalactitis (Chileulia stalactitis)* Chile Based on information available the webbing and the feeding of the pest should be detected either in field monitoring, grading, sorting or phytosanitary inspection. Basic measures are considered appropriate. Ferrisia gilli USA These mealybugs are very unlikely to enter New Zealand, as they’re easily detected, have few hiding spots on grapes, prefer other hosts over grapes, or unlikely to survive transport. Due to limited host range, and limited mobility exposure to host plants is unlikely, despite host availability. Establishment and spread are unlikely as climate in New Zealand is generally unsuitable (too cold) in most areas to support its survival. Economic impact is minor. While they can affect other crops, climate limits their spread. Indirect damage may include honeydew production, which promotes sooty mould reducing fruit quality and market value Nipaecoccus viridis Australia, China, Egypt, India, Mexico Paracoccus marginatus Australia, China, India, Mexico Phenacoccus solenopsis Australia, Chile, China, Egypt, India Planococcus lilacinus China, Mexico, USA Planococcus minor China, India Pseudococcus cribata Australia, India, Mexico Pseudococcus cryptus Chile, China Pseudococcus meridionalis Australia, Chile, India, Korea

Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae

Australia, China, Egypt, India, Korea, Mexico, Peru

These fungi have been reported in other hosts but have not been investigated in grape berries. If found on grapes, they could enter New Zealand as infection may be asymptomatic. However, host exposure is unlikely requiring open wounds despite host availability. Suitable climate and widespread hosts could facilitate establishment and spread; however, low temperatures may slow growth. Economic impact is moderate and sporadic, mainly affecting stressed or wounded plants.

L. theobromae** – Diplodia rot

Australia, Chile, China, Egypt, India, Korea, Mexico, Peru, USA

Marmara gulosa – Citrus peelminer Mexico, USA The moth is unlikely to enter New Zealand as it rarely infests grape bunches and prefers citrus fruits. Limited flight restricts movement, making exposure to hosts unlikely despite their availability. Establishment and spread are likely due to common host plants, high reproduction and suitable climate. Economic impact ranges from minor to moderate, causing cosmetic damage to citrus fruits, particularly grapefruit, reducing their market value.

Neopulvinaria innumerabilis

USA

These scales are unlikely to enter New Zealand as they are not strongly associated with grapes, they are likely to be detected and unlikely to survive transport. Due to limited mobility, exposure to host plants is unlikely, despite host availability. Establishment and spread are likely as these scales are present in a wide range of climates and can establish in some parts of New Zealand. Economic impact is moderate. These scales can feed on a wide range of economically important host plants, and heavy infestations can cause symptoms of decline, potentially affecting both yield and quality. However, effective control methods are available.

Ceroplastes actiniformis

China, Egypt, India

Ceroplastes cirripediformis

Chile, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Peru, USA

Parthenolecanium orientalis

China, Korea

Russellaspis pustulans

China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Peru, USA

Aonidiella orientalis

Australia, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Peru, USA

Oligonychus punicae* Australia, Chile, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Peru, USA Weak association with table grapes and low risk of exposure. Basic measures are considered appropriate. Popillia mutans* China, Korea, India Visibly detectable, the larvae and pupae are associated with grass and soil, and adult associated with branches because it is an external feeder. Basic measures are considered appropriate. Proeulia triquetra* Chile Not enough information available to conduct a PRA but is likely to be detected so basic measures are considered appropriate. Retithrips syriacus- Black vine thrips Egypt, India This thrip is very unlikely to enter New Zealand, as its easily detected and unlikely to survive transport. Limited flight restricts movement, making exposure to hosts unlikely despite their availability. Establishment and spread are likely in warmer regions of New Zealand due to favourable climate and widespread host plants. Economic impact ranges from minor to moderate including defoliation, feeding damage, and excrement contamination on horticultural crops, but can be managed through insecticides, biopesticides, cultural practices, or biological control.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are asking for the public’s help finding Lindsay Harry, who has been reported missing from the Avondale area.

The 35-year-old was last seen at about 6.45pm last night near Taramea Street.

Lindsay is described as about 178cms tall with brown eyes and dark hair.

He is known to frequent the Avondale and Auckland Central areas.

Police and Lindsay’s family have concerns for his welfare and would like to find him as soon as possible.

If you have seen Lindsay or have information that might help us find him, please call 111 and quote reference number 251022/8718.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will visit New Zealand this week to participate in the European Union-New Zealand Business Summit and first NZ-EU Trade Committee meeting.

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says it will be the first time an EU Trade Commissioner has visited since 2018, which was for the formal launch of free trade talks.

Commissioner Šefčovič will be joined by senior government representatives and business leaders spanning a range of sectors including construction, cybersecurity, food and renewable energy.

More than 400 businesses will connect at the summit in Auckland, with 26 European Union member states represented.

“This summit will open doors for trade, creating opportunities for business growth and investment and to reach our goal of doubling export value in 10 years,” Mr McClay says.

The inaugural NZ-EU Trade Committee meeting will also be held on Saturday in Queenstown.

“I’m pleased to be hosting Commissioner Šefčovič for this milestone meeting, which will ensure we are making the most of our high-quality Free Trade Agreement.

“We’re committed to unlocking the full potential of this agreement to boost trade, investment and partnership so businesses across New Zealand and Europe can flourish.

“The EU is an important trading partner for New Zealand, both for exports and imports. Two-way goods and services trade between New Zealand and the EU was worth NZ$21.58 billion in the year to June 2025, with New Zealand exports having increased by $2 billion since the FTA entered into force last year.”

Commissioner Šefčovič will arrive on Friday, October 24 and depart on Saturday, October 25.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Work to make one of Nelson’s main arterial links safer for road users will begin next month.

Starting in November, contractors will undertake important recovery work on State Highway 6, Rocks Road.

This will help protect one of the region’s most heavily used routes – including the 22,000 road users who use it every day – by ensuring it is more resistant to weather events, slips and rockfalls in the future. 

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson-Tasman, says this will be an extensive programme of work, which is why it has been broken up into several phases. 

“The first phase will run from Sunday, 2 November, and is expected to conclude in March 2026”.

“It will include completing critical rock scaling work and removing vegetation and old netting along the southern section of the cliff face, closest to Tāhunanui Beach. This will be followed by the installation of new mesh netting that will be anchored to the cliff face,” Mr Service says. 

Other methods such as shotcrete or matting will be used in other locations to prevent further erosion of cliff face material while encouraging natural revegetation. 

Mr Service says previous winter storms show how vital this work is. 

“During June and July this year, soil and rock, primarily from the top of the cliffs, fell and closed the road, creating significant disruption for road users in Nelson. It also highlighted additional instability along sections of the cliff.”

“The investment we are making is about improving safety, and maintaining and protecting a critical regional transport link,” Mr Service says. 

Because contractors will be working above the road, Mr Service says steps must be taken to keep the public safe from the risk of falling debris.

“Traffic management will be in place throughout this project and may, at times, include temporary lane and road closures.” 

“Our contractors will do their best to keep traffic delays to a minimum but, unfortunately, we cannot do projects like this without affecting traffic. Drivers should expect disruption and travel delays as work takes place.”

“Please bear with us as we complete this critical investment into creating safer and more reliable roads,” Mr Service says. 

Businesses along Rocks Road will also remain open during these works, and access to them will be retained. Locals are encouraged to continue supporting them while the project is underway.

Upcoming works

• Sunday, 2 November to Friday, 21 November. Sunday to Thursday, 8 pm – 5:30 am
• Stop/Go traffic management.
• At times, Stop/Stop traffic management will be used during the installation of new mesh netting on the cliff face. Traffic will be stopped in both directions for temporary periods of time.
• We will try to communicate any changes in traffic management set up before they occur.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Interested in what’s happening in Tauriko West? Join us for a community information day to learn about key transport and infrastructure projects shaping the future of your neighbourhood.

Where: Tauriko School, 768 State Highway 29 (SH29) Tauriko, Tauranga 

When: Saturday 8 November 2025, between 11am and 2pm 

The community information day is a chance to connect directly with the teams behind: 

• SH29/SH29A Tauriko West Road of National Significance (RoNS).

• SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works.

• SH29 Ōmanawa Bridge replacement.

• Upcoming maintenance on SH29.

• The evolving Tauriko West community and other local developments.

“We’re looking forward to sharing updates and hearing from the community,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager System Design, Susan Collins. 

“A lot has changed in Tauriko West over the last 2 years and with construction underway at 3 major sites on SH29, this is a great opportunity to connect and share what’s happening.” 

People travelling along SH29 will shortly see the first steps to build the new Ōmanawa Bridge getting underway. 

The new bridge, the first phase in the SH29/SH29A Tauriko West RoNS project, will be built alongside the existing one, on an alignment that fits with the future design for Tauriko West. 

“The team is now making a start on preparing the site, with trees clear and work about to start on access roads. By November main construction will be underway,” says Ms Collins. 

NZTA has recently awarded the contract to protect the route and seek consents for the  SH29 Tauriko West (RoNS) and upgrades to SH29A – important steps in supporting growth, improving safety and building a more resilient roading network. 

“The future new SH29 will feature 4 lanes between the Redwood Lane Interchange and Takitimu North Link Interchange, widening SH29A to 4 lanes between the Takitimu Drive Toll Road roundabout and Barkes Corner Interchange. 

“The designation and consenting work is being supported by BBO, including identifying the land required, technical and environmental assessments, relocating utilities and working with landowners,” says Ms Collins. 

Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or simply interested in the future of Tauriko West, we’d love to see you there. 

For more information and to sign up for updates visit:

nzta.govt.nz/tauriko-west

Source: New Zealand Police

Motorists are advised to take care following a crash caused by strong winds in Pukeatua this morning.

Police were called to the single-vehicle crash on Arapuni Road at around 11:40am.

A strong gust of wind appears to have blown the vehicle off the road and into a powerpole.

Thankfully, no one was injured.

The road does not appear to be blocked.

Road users are urged to take care and drive to the conditions. Where possible it is advised to delay travel.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

Good evening

It’s a pleasure to be here tonight to celebrate the 13th annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards.

Thank you to Dr James Hutchinson and KiwiNet Chair Katherine Sandford for the invitation to join you. And a huge congratulations to all the winners and finalists – your achievements are a testament to your hard work, creativity, and determination.

Looking around the room, I see a significant part of New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem – researchers turning ideas into impact, entrepreneurs building companies from the ground up, and investors backing our bold visionaries.

I want to give a special acknowledgment to the commercialisation teams within our universities and public research organisations. Your work often happens behind the scenes, but tonight is a celebration of your skill, ingenuity, and contribution to New Zealand’s future. Thank you.

One of the 5 pillars of the Going for Growth strategy is science, innovation and technology.
And you – the people who turn research into real-world solutions – are at the heart of that plan.

We know that world-class research is only the first step. To truly unlock its value, we need to turn discoveries into products, services, and companies that benefit New Zealanders. That’s why we’re reshaping the science, innovation and technology system to better support commercialisation.

Here’s a brief precis of changes that simplify that pathway

We’ve set up the Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council – bringing together respected leaders from science, business and industry to advise Government on where investment can have the greatest impact.

We’ve also merged the Crown Research Institutes into three new Public Research Organisations – to encourage collaboration, reduce duplication, and create clearer pathways from research to market, as well as creating some of the biggest research organisations in the world.

For the commercialisation community, that means stronger partnerships, better alignment with industry needs, and a simpler more connected platform for scaling innovation.

The new Bioeconomy Institute tell me they already have around 55 commercialisation projects in the pipeline.

Through a fourth organisation – the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology – we’re accelerating our mission to grow a high-tech, high-value economy. This institute will connect researchers, industry and investors to turn cutting-edge discoveries into real-world impact and economic growth.

Our recent $70 million investment in AI research shows our commitment to building a resilient, globally competitive innovation system. And we’re exploring future opportunities in areas like quantum technologies and synthetic biology.

I acknowledge that public good, stewardship and some humanities and social sciences research are just that, public goods and may be less easy to monetise. I however am also interested funding research that more clearly leads to real commercial outcomes and helps create highly productive, knowledge-intensive firms, and we’ll
be looking to work with you to help us achieve that.

Here’s what one third of a billion in funding I have announced in the past 6 months looks like.

In the past 6 months I have announced:

$70 million for AI,
$71 million for new materials and magnets,
$46 million worth of Endeavour Smart Ideas grants,
$183 million for Endeavour Research Programmes, and
$42 million for a biodiscovery science platform, and there is more to come.

International connections are also vital to our success. Through Invest NZ, we’re attracting global talent, capital and partnerships to strengthen our innovation ecosystem.

The success of the Active Investor Plus visa is already bringing new investment into New Zealand businesses – creating jobs, opening global markets, and helping our companies scale faster. 

As of 30 September, there were 359 applications for the visa, including 1,154 people, amounting to a total investment of $2.155 billion. That direct investment can also include technology, manufacturing and renewable energy, and they are hungry to invest in your ideas.

A key part of commercialisation is intellectual property and in the coming weeks, I look forward to announcing the Intellectual Property Management Policy – a real game-changer for commercialisation in New Zealand, particularly for universities.

It will aim to remove long-standing roadblocks and puts researchers with great ideas firmly in the driver’s seat – creating stronger incentives and clearer pathways to bring ideas to market. We want to cut red tape and help brilliant ideas from our labs reach New Zealanders – and the world. 

These new intellectual property changes will encourage researchers to think big – to see commercialisation not as an afterthought, but as a natural part of their research journey – just like you do. More specifically, the advice to me is that the sooner we get ideas out of universities and into the commercialisations sector, the better outcomes we will get. 

To emphasise this, I announced $20 million earlier this year for applied PhDs where students will be required to complete project management, finance and entrepreneurship courses. 

In closing, I want to reaffirm this Government’s commitment to you. We see your work. We value your expertise. And we believe that your vision and ingenuity will continue to shape New Zealand’s future and I will back that.

Let’s keep building that future – together.

 Congratulations to tonight’s award winners. We all want to look back in the next 10 years and remember that we were here tonight, and witnessed the next unicorns and venerated clever people doing clever things. Congratulations.

Source: New Zealand Government

The financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal will soon double, making civil cases quicker and more affordable for thousands of New Zealanders, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“Legislation which doubles the jurisdiction from $30,000 to $60,000 passed its final reading in Parliament today.

“Ministry of Justice modelling indicates around 2,000 claims per year will benefit, including new claimants and people who would have abandoned part of their claim to fit within the jurisdiction.

“The tribunal is a quick and inexpensive way for New Zealanders to settle civil disputes, without facing expensive legal fees. This comes at a time when low-cost dispute resolution is increasingly important for many.

“We need to improve access to justice so New Zealanders can get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the profession included. It just takes one thing to be out of place and everything grinds to a halt. Another adjournment. Justice delayed once more.

“To build on this, we’re also planning to pass legislation which will order a respondent to pay the cost of the filing fee back to a successful applicant.

“Giving referees the power to order respondents to repay the cost will help ensure these costs do not fall on those who have been wronged.

“Currently, filing fees vary from $61 to $468 depending on the size of the claim, and this can often be a cost barrier for people, particularly when an applicant isn’t seeking money.”