Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

Safely resolving a fleeing incident, allegedly involving eight youths who were all too young to drive, was a top priority for Waitematā Police in the early hours of this morning.   

At about 3.20am, a Police unit observed a stolen Toyota travelling through the Massey area.

Waitematā West Area Response Manager, Acting Senior Sergeant Matt Bartlett, says the Police Eagle helicopter was deployed along with the Delta Dog Unit as the vehicle travelled along State Highway 1.

“The vehicle failed to stop after exiting the Waterview Tunnel, despite being signalled by Police. 

“It took off at speed and Police opted not to pursue, as it continued along the South-Western Motorway towards Blockhouse Bay.”

Acting Senior Sergeant Bartlett says the vehicle was successfully spiked on State Highway 20, near the Hillsborough off-ramp.

“Eight youths, all aged between 12 and15, were taken into custody.

“It’s a good result all round and thankfully no one was injured.”

Three youths will appear in the Waitakere Youth Court this week on a range of related charges including dangerous driving and failing to stop.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Sergeant Samantha Pettigrew, Cambridge Public Safety Team:

Multiple incidents in Cambridge have landed three before the courts after they were no match for a Waikato Police Dog Unit.

On Sunday, Police were notified of three people unlawfully entering a commercial premises on Robinson Street at around 2.15am.

The alleged offenders have targeted vapes and cigarettes before fleeing the area in a vehicle.

About 2.50am, Police were called to a private property on Brancaster Place. The occupants of the house have woken to find the offenders taking items from the property.

The offenders have left the scene prior to Police arrival.

A stolen vehicle was located near the property, alongside a weapon believed to have been used in the Robinson Street burglary.

Thankfully, the occupants of the property were not harmed, however, they are understandably shaken by the incident and are being provided support.

At around 4.15am, Police received multiple reports of people breaking into vehicles on Thornton Road.

Upon arrival, a Police Dog Unit has picked up an offender’s scent and located a 18-year-old man a short time later near Lake Te Koutu.

When the man was taken into custody, Police found a number of items believed to have been taken in the Robinson Street burglary.

After some quick rewards for our canine, it was back to work to assist in locating the two remaining offenders.

About 5.45am, two youths were tracked near Carters Cresent where they were taken into custody.

This is a great example of our policing teams working together and with a coordinated approach to apprehend the alleged offenders and hold them to account.

Waikato Police will continue to deploy a range of resources to respond to this type of offending in order to keep our communities safe.

The 18-year-old man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court today, charged with committing a burglary with a weapon and unlawfully getting into a vehicle.

Two young people are due to appear in Youth Court at a later date.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZCTU

The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is concerned by new data released by Statistics New Zealand showing that the cost of living increased by 3%, more than public and private sector wage growth.

“Wages are rising by less than inflation, meaning all workers, regardless of sector, are now falling behind average living costs. The Government need to go to Specsavers for its laser-like focus on the cost of living,” said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. 

“The prices of things that New Zealanders can’t avoid are rising quickly, putting more stress on already overstretched household budgets.

“Electricity prices are up 11.3%. Gas prices are up 15%. Fruit and veg prices are up 7.5%. Contents insurance is up 9.3%. Going to the GP costs 10.3% more than last year. Rents are still rising faster than wages (2.6% vs 2.4%) – which is often the biggest cost working families face.

“This data shows the pressures that working families are facing when they in their day-to-day spending. Cuts to government investment – particularly water infrastructure – have helped drive higher local authority rates bills.

“The Government’s failure to regulate the electricity market is leading to the highest annual cost rises since the late 1980s according to Stats NZ.

“At a time when the Government is taking away jobseeker benefits from 18- & 19-year-olds, Stats NZ recorded a 22.6% increase in the cost of tertiary education. We know that the Government has already halved its support for apprentices, yet we have a huge youth employment problem. It is another symbol of a government that is out of touch with the public and what New Zealanders and the economy really need.

“There is an urgent need to make sure that working people and their families don’t continue to bear the brunt of the Government’s failed attempt to manage the cost of living.

“Workers pay is now actively going backwards, and pay deals proposed by the Government would almost certainly make that worse. It’s time for a different approach so that workers don’t see living standards falling even further in the future,” said Renney.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is moving to improve access to credit for New Zealanders through changes to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill, which was reported back from the Select Committee today.

These reforms will restore common sense to lending, reduce unnecessary red tape, and ensure responsible borrowers can access finance when they need it, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson says. 

“I would like to thank the Select Committee for the work they have done on this Bill, and all those who took the time to make submissions,” Mr Simpson says.

“I said from the outset that I wanted these proposals to be tested through the Select Committee process, and I’m pleased that has now been completed.

“As a result of the feedback received, the Committee has recommended a number of changes, which the Government parties will accept. This includes adjustments to the retrospective element of the legislation.

“While retrospective law change is unusual, in this case I believe it is justified. The intent has always been to fix bad law and ensure the courts have the discretion to reach fair and equitable outcomes. 

“Through the Select Committee process, it was suggested that ongoing court cases be exempt from these provisions. The Committee considered this carefully and recommended that approach, and the Government parties agree.

“There has been significant attention on the retrospective element of the Bill, which has at times overshadowed the broader purpose of these reforms. Ultimately, this legislation is about improving access to credit and reducing unnecessary red tape for both lenders and consumers.”

Mr Simpson says the reforms will make it simpler for New Zealanders to access credit when they need it, whether for buying a home, growing a business, or managing family finances.

“Previous changes saw banks and other lenders weighed down by excessive compliance requirements. That led to an overly cautious approach to lending, making it harder for Kiwis to access affordable credit when they needed it most.

“Many will remember the frustration of being asked intrusive questions about everyday expenses such as takeaways or streaming subscriptions when applying for a home loan. That is why the Government acted to remove unnecessary rules, bring back common sense, and make it easier for responsible borrowers to access finance.”

The Bill also simplifies the regulatory framework to reduce compliance costs for businesses.

“Currently, many firms face oversight from three separate regulators: the Financial Markets Authority, the Commerce Commission, and the Reserve Bank. This can be unnecessarily complex and confusing, and these changes will streamline that system.

“Another important change removes personal liability for directors and senior managers over minor administrative mistakes. That provision was discouraging capable people from taking up governance roles and added to the regulatory burden faced by lenders.

“These reforms are part of the Government’s wider financial services reform package, which is focused on creating a more dynamic, fair, and accessible financial system for all New Zealanders.”

Notes to editors:

The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill is being progressed as part of the Government’s financial services reforms.

This also includes the Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill and the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Amendment Bill. 

Together, these Bills form part of a comprehensive overhaul that will rebalance the system to ensure consumer protection without stifling access to credit or innovation.

This delivers on a National-ACT coalition agreement to rewrite the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 to protect vulnerable consumers without unnecessarily limiting access to credit.

Source: NZCTU

53 years since the Equal Pay Act 1972 was passed, NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges is calling on political parties to reverse the recent changes to the Act that undermine women’s pay equity rights.

On 6 May, the National-led Government announced sweeping changes to the Equal Pay Act, gutting pay equity. Active claims were cancelled, and barriers were raised for future claims – impacting over 350,000 people.

“The Equal Pay Act recognises a simple truth: women deserve equal pay for work of equal value. It’s shameful that the Government has undermined that,” said NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges.

“The Act was born from the courage and solidarity of working women and their unions who refused to accept inequality.

“We are being taken backwards by the Government. Women’s hard-won rights are being sacrificed to fund tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies. 

“Māori women and Pasifika people are effectively working for free for the rest of the year because of persistent gender and ethnic pay gaps, with all women working for free from the 30th of November—that’s a national shame.

“To dismantle decades of progress overnight without consultation is a disgrace. It was a slap in the face for New Zealand women who have been fighting for equality for generations.

“We are calling on political parties to commit to reversing the Equal Pay Act changes, restoring pay equity claims and fully funding settlements,” says Ansell-Bridges.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are making positive progress following an aggravated robbery at a Birkenhead store earlier this month.

At about 1.35pm on 1 October, Police responded to reports of three people armed with weapons (not firearms) entering a commercial premises on Mokoia Road.

The group entered the shop, smashing cabinets and taking a number of items before fleeing in a stolen vehicle.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Renfree, Waitematā CIB, says the investigation team has been working hard to identify and locate those involved.

“Late last week our team executed a number of search warrants at properties in Counties Manukau.

“A 16-year-old was taken into custody and charged with aggravated robbery,” he says.

An 18-year-old has also been arrested in relation to this incident and will appear in Hamilton District Court today.

“We’re incredibly pleased with the progress made by the team, however this investigation remains ongoing.

“Police take this sort of offending very seriously and will continue to hold offenders to account.”

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Renfree says the cost to victims who have their vehicles stolen is also significant.

“This includes the financial loss of the vehicle, potential damage to personal property, and the expenses associated with temporary transport and possible insurance issues.”

Police cannot rule out further arrests or charges in relation to this incident.

A 16-year-old will appear in Manukau Youth Court on 11 November.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are urgently seeking a man in relation to a homicide investigation underway in Pahiatua.

Jeremy Robertson, pictured, is in his 50s and is of solid build.

Officers want to speak with him in relation to an incident on Thursday 15 October, where a woman was located deceased in a residential property that afternoon.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson, Area Investigations Manager, says it is believe Jeremy was driving a red Mitsubishi ASX, registration QGU91 (an impression is attached).

“This vehicle was taken from the victim’s address in Pahiatua, and Police located it unoccupied at the Blue and Green Lakes lookout on Tarawera Road, Rotorua,” he says.

It is believed Jeremy arrived in the Tarawera Road area in the Mitsubishi around 2am on Thursday 15 October.

Members of the public have seen the vehicle parked at the lookout carpark from around 8am on Friday 16 October.

“Police are keen to hear from anyone that may have seen this vehicle, in this area, between 2am on Thursday 15 and 8am on Friday 16 October,” Detective Senior Sergeant Thompson says.

“We are also interested in any sightings of Jeremy in the Tarawera Road, Rotorua area from Thursday 15 October.”

It is not clear if Jeremy is still in the area or has left. Should you see him, do not approach him but call 111 immediately and advise Police.

Non-urgent information can be passed to please contact Police via 105 and quote file number 251015/6286.

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

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Education Minister Erica Stanford has launched the Curriculum Roadshow for Leaders, a nationwide initiative designed to support school leaders as they lead curriculum change across New Zealand. 

“The Roadshow was developed in direct response to requests from the sector for more support. It’s about the importance of collaboration, leading through changes, and sharing best practice. It focuses on helping schools implement a strengthened national curriculum with greater clarity and confidence,” Ms Stanford says. 

The programme brings together national and international experts, including keynote speaker Dr Nathaniel Swain, who share evidence-based insights on structured teaching approaches. 

It offers a clear overview of the curriculum changes, practical strategies for implementation, and resource packs to support planning and professional conversations with staff.

As part of the wider curriculum refresh, the Roadshow also supports school leaders to prepare for the staged release of curriculum content. The final curriculum content for Years 0-10 English and Mathematics is available now for use from the start of Term 1, 2026.

Other learning areas (Social Sciences, Science, Health and Physical Education, the Arts, Technology, Learning Languages) will be rephased and introduced in two stages in 2027 and 2028. This provides schools with more time to plan and progress their implementation. 

“This Government remains committed to getting 80 per cent of Year 8 students achieving at or above curriculum expectations by 2030. This Roadshow will help equip school leaders with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to lead curriculum change that delivers better outcomes so more students reach their potential,” Ms Stanford says.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health