Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  21 October 2025

The endangered Powelliphanta marchanti snail species, found only in the lower central North Island ranges of Ruahine, Kaweka and Kaimanawa, is in serious decline mainly due to being eaten by possums, rats and pigs.

The Department of Conservation has carried out four aerial 1080 predator control operations over the past 15 years to protect the biggest known population of snails in northern Ruahine, as well as native birds like whio/blue duck, kiwi, kākā, kākāriki and robin/toutouwai. The latest operation was earlier this year.

DOC Ranger Ruby Bennett, who led a team to monitor the snails this autumn, says there were no signs of possum-killed snails in the predator control area.

“We searched for snails in ten plots, each 100 square metres, at sites both inside and outside the predator control area.

“The difference was clear – there were no possum or rat-eaten shells in the predator control area and significantly more live snails.

“In contrast, we found a significant number of eaten shells in the area without predator control. These findings reinforce our long-term monitoring, which shows a steep decline in snails over the past 17 years in the area without predator management.”

Snail monitoring is painstaking work and involves carefully searching for snails on hands and knees through leaf litter. Shells with signs of being eaten are sent to Nelson where snail experts verify the predator.

Possums leave tell-tale marks on the shells of snails they eat. They bite near the opening to sever the muscle that attaches the snail to its shell, then pull out the body.

Ruby says snail eating seems to be learned behaviour for possums. By removing them from large areas we get the extra benefit of disrupting this behaviour for possums that reinvade in between predator control operations.

From the 1970s, possum snail-eating behaviour became widespread in many mountain areas where possum-favoured vegetation was scarce. Large rivers, which kept possum populations apart, slowed the spread of this behaviour. In places like the Ruahine Ranges and Kahurangi National Park, it’s been proven possible to disrupt possum snail-eating by keeping possum populations very low for a long period.

Ruby says people out tramping or ‘naturing’ can do their bit to help the snails.

“If you’re lucky enough to see a Powelliphanta snail, admire its beauty, take a photo, but please leave it where it is. And don’t take empty shells as they provide homes for other smaller snails, spiders and fungi.”

People can also report snail sightings to their local DOC office or by emailing manawatu@doc.govt.nz.

DOC has monitored Powelliphanta snails in the Ruahine for more than 25 years and in that time the overall population has shown gradual decline. This is likely due to additional threats including being eaten by pigs and increasingly dry summer soil conditions as the climate changes.

Snails can’t seal off their shell so are very susceptible to dehydration in dry conditions. Browsing by goats and deer removes the forest understorey and leaf litter, which contributes to drying out the ground and loss of habitat for the snails and their earthworm prey.

Background information

New Zealand has at least 20 species and 59 subspecies of Powelliphanta snails, which are the giants of the snail world. Most are only found in discrete small areas and are in serious threat of extinction.

A video of a Powelliphanta snail birthing an egg from its neck made global headlines this year.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have summonsed a 19-year-old man to court in relation to a fatal crash on State Highway 3, Te Mapara on 11 July 2025.

At around 11am, emergency services were alerted to a two-vehicle crash involving a vehicle towing a boat on a trailer.

Sadly, despite best efforts from emergency services, 23-year-old Nateisha-Kurstyn Hana-Wetere from New Plymouth died at the scene.

Four other people sustained injuries in the crash, one serious, one moderate, and two people with minor injuries.

At the time, the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination and an investigation was established.

Following the investigation, Police summonsed a 19-year-old to court in relation to the incident.

He is due to reappear in Te Kuiti District Court on 3 November, charged with dangerous driving causing death.

As the matter is before the courts, Police are unable to comment further in relation to the matter.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

One lane is blocked on State Highway 2, Takapau, following a crash this morning.

Police were called to the single-vehicle crash, where a truck has tipped on its side, at around 10:10am.

At this stage, there are no reports of serious injuries.

The lane is expected to be blocked for sometime while the vehicle is being removed.

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

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Sisters United Academy will open in Term 1 2026 as a charter school.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. All of the schools announced today demonstrate the innovation enabled by the charter school model,” Mr Seymour says. 

Sisters United Academy will teach Pasifika girls to be successful Pasifika women and proud of their culture. Every day students will partake in traditional activities and engage with Pasifika languages. 

“Students will be taught a personalised curriculum, tailored to their career aspirations and cultural needs. For example, students in years 12 and 13 will be offered flexible combinations of classroom learning, internships, tertiary study, overseas opportunities, or work experience,” Mr Seymour says. 

“AI learning tools will further personalise learning experiences for students. They will help students learn at their own pace, identify gaps in their knowledge early, and produce instant feedback for students. Teachers will monitor progress. 

“When it comes to education, one size does not fit all.

“Charter schools show education can be different if we let communities bring their ideas to the table. 

“These schools have more flexibility in return for strictly measured results. 

“The charter school equation is: the same funding as state schools, plus greater flexibility plus stricter accountability for results, equals student success. 

“There are more ideas in the communities of New Zealand than there are in the Government. That’s why we open ideas to the wider community, then apply strict performance standards to the best ones. 

“It will join the four new charter schools announced in the last week which will open in Term 1 2026. This takes the total number of charter schools to 16. We expect more new charter schools to be announced before the end of the year, along with the first state schools to convert.  

“I want to thank the Charter School Agency and Authorisation Board for the work they have done getting charters open. They considered 52 applicants for new charter schools. This year they tell me the choices were very difficult. 

“This is just the beginning. I hope to see many more new charter schools opening, and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools.”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  21 October 2025

Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) are an invasive pest fish which threaten our freshwater ecosystems by eating the aquatic plants our native fish species rely on.

The stocky fish has distinctive bright orange fins, and is thought to have been illegally introduced in the Motueka area in the late 1990s for sports fishing. They are known to have been released in 14 ponds.

Between 2000 and 2015, DOC carried out intensive eradication work as part of its local pest fish programme. Now, monitoring has confirmed rudd have been eradicated at all previously known sites.

Helen Otley, DOC Principal Ranger Biodiversity, says it’s been a big effort across the years to get to this point.

“It’s satisfying to confirm they’re gone,” says Helen. “Rudd are fast breeders, and can quickly outnumber and compete with native fish for food, as well as damage water quality.

Adult rudd eat lots of the plants our native fish need to survive, while the juveniles feed on plankton and invertebrates.

“We’re especially grateful to all the landowners who allowed access and helped with the eradication and monitoring work.

“We’re now confident all known rudd populations are finally gone from the region, but it’s always worth keeping an eye out. If anyone sees one in Tasman – they have very distinctive bright orange fins – please call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately and tell us what you saw, the location, and the water conditions, and provide any photos or videos of the fish.”

Threats like rudd highlight the importance of thorough freshwater biosecurity practices, says Helen.

“Freshwater pests have been spread throughout the country both accidentally and on purpose, and have devastating impacts on our waterways. It’s vital people ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ all clothing, boots, gear, and watercraft when moving between waterways while out naturing.

“To clean your gear spray or soak it using water with 10% detergent. This is especially important right now with the whitebait season underway, and also provides protection against other freshwater pests like didymo, lake snow, and gold clams.

“Our unique nature gives us our identity and way of life, but nature is in trouble. Invasive species put huge pressure on our ecosystems, and we all have a part to play in protecting them.”

Helen says invasive koi carp were also eradicated from the Motueka District in the 2000s, but vigilance is still key due to the devastating impact they could have should they return.

“Unfortunately, we know there are still introduced gambusia, perch, and tench in the area, and we want to prevent them from further spreading and impacting other waterways. Gambusia are a particular concern for whitebait, as they can aggressively attack and prey on whitebait species.

“Recognising the threat that ‘coarse’ fish like rudd and perch pose to the region’s waterways, Fish & Game have prohibited coarse fishing in the Nelson/Marlborough region.”

Background information

For a pest fish to be declared eradicated from a site rigorous monitoring using specific methods must be carried out for three years without any detections.

Rudd are a deep-bodied fish with distinctive bright orange fins. The colour of their scales changes depending on their age, moving from green in juveniles through to a pale orange for adults. They are typically 25cm to 35cm long when full-grown.

For more information about Check, Clean, Dry to prevent spreading freshwater pests:
Check, Clean, Dry: preventing didymo and other pests | NZ Government 

Contact

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

By Joe Harawira, Pouwhakahaere

Our kaupapa ‘Always Be Naturing‘ is a call to all New Zealanders to take action, but what does that mean to Māori who already embrace the ideas of kaitiakitanga (guardianship): exercising care, responsibility, and stewardship over the environment?  

Kaitiakitanga is not ownership, but a sacred duty to care for the land and all its inhabitants.

The ‘Always Be Naturing’ kaupapa is enriched by kaitiakitanga, our ways of seeing, doing and understanding the natural world.  We as Māori, whakapapa to all living things and the universe. We are connected in a whakapapa sense. We recognise that all living and non-living things are interconnected through whakapapa—our genealogy binds us to the land, the waters, the winds, the animals, and the plants as one extended family.

One of the key messages of this kaupapa is to see nature, not as separate, but as part of us and this is very much how Māori view taiao. Te Mauri o te Taiao (The Life Force of the Environment) possesses mauri or lifeforce and our actions must honour and embrace this mauri, not diminish it.

I encourage all New Zealanders to embrace rangatiratanga (leadership and responsibility) to model respectful and sustainable relationships with the environment.

We are asking all New Zealanders to work together (kotahitanga) The natural world has ngā taonga tuku iho (treasures passed down) and it is an inheritance that is entrusted to us. Protecting it is a legacy we leave for our mokopuna (grandchildren) and all who come after us.

There are many things people can do including personal reflection on your own relationship with the environment.

We must strive for harmony between the human needs and the needs of the natural world as our wellbeing is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of taiao. I am asking everyone to consider how their own choices affect the land, water, and all living things. Take mindful actions every day to uphold your responsibility as kaitiaki. This is what it is all about, asking everyone to be mindful, to care and to protect taiao.

Papatūānuku (mother earth) is calling out to us. We need to understand what she is telling us; she is urging all of us to breathe life into the environment, to protect it for generations to come.

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Nature needs all kinds of help and every action adds up to support te taiao. Discover small ways you can make a big difference and get naturing the way you want to: www.doc.govt.nz/always-be-naturing/do-your-bit-for-nature

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now name the woman who died after a fatal crash on State Highway 1 in Marlborough on 14 October.

She was Phuong Thi Loan Nguyen, 28. 

Our condolences are with her family and friends during this difficult time.

Police continue to make enquiries into the circumstances of the crash.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves, Auckland City CIB:

Further charges have been laid following Operation Beverly, the investigation into alleged historical sexual offending at Dilworth School.

This week, detectives charged another man as part of our ongoing enquiries into these matters at the Auckland school.

A 72-year-old man has been charged with three counts of indecency with a boy between 12-16 years old.

These charges relate to additional alleged offending that has been identified as part of our ongoing enquiries.

The man will appear in Auckland District Court on Wednesday.

Investigators working on Operation Beverly have spoken with a number of former students who have been identified as being victims of sexual abuse while at the school.

While we have spoken to more than 150 former students, I still encourage anyone with information that hasn’t spoken with the investigation team yet to get in touch.

Anyone with any information, or who would like to make a report, can update Police online now or call 105.

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

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are seeking the public’s help to locate Maria, 29 and Rumetati, 28.

Both were last seen entering the Hākarimata Summit Track at 4:30pm yesterday and have not returned to their homes.

If you have been near the Hākarimata Summit Track area around that time and have seen either person, Police want to hear from you.

Land Search and Rescue are operating in the area today and Police have serious concerns for their welfare.

If you have seen them or have any information that might help us find them, please call 111 and quote file number 251021/4117 for Maria and 251021/4027 for Rumetati.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

Moutere Highway, between Maisey and Old Coach Road, is closed following a fire.

Police received report of the fire around 12.40am today.

One person was treated for smoke inhalation.

Motorists should avoid the area as emergency services respond.

Diversions are in place.

ENDS