Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

Hawke’s Bay Police have located more than 200 nearly mature cannabis plants at a property in Hastings today.

The plants have an estimated street value of between $600,000 and $750,000 and were found at a leased commercial property in Orchard Road, Camberley this morning.

Two men – aged 45 and 49 – have been charged with cannabis cultivation and will appear in Hastings District Court on 12 September.

“This was a significant, large-scale commercial operation,” says Detective Inspector Marty James.

“It is one of the biggest cannabis growing operations I’ve seen in Hawke’s Bay, with 216 well-propogated plants just coming into production.”

The property had only been leased three months ago and the alleged offenders had built three rooms within the property, plus a loft, in order to contain their equipment and grow the plants.

“There would have been a significant cost involved in setting up this operation, and I believe we busted the operation right before the growers were able to harvest their first crop,” says Detective Inspector James.

Three different rooms in the building were used for growing, with 72 plants in each room, at different stages of growth.

There was also evidence at the property to suggest the growers were stealing electricity to power lights and fans to aid the growing process.

“This is a valuable reminder to commercial property owners to do their due diligence when leasing properties to tenants – be mindful about who your tenants are, and what they are actually doing in your buildings,” says Detective Inspector James.
 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Community Housing Providers (CHPs) are getting on with delivering the more than 2,000 social homes funded by the Coalition Government, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.

“Today we’re releasing an update on the allocation of the 1500 social houses funded in Budget 2024 for delivery from July 2025 until June 2027, and the 550 social homes for Auckland funded in Budget 2025,” says Mr Bishop. 

“These CHP-delivered social homes are additional to the more than 6,800 net new social homes delivered since November 2023 by Kāinga Ora and CHPs.

“Our government backs social housing and we are determined to deliver it better. We are therefore building an entirely new housing investment system centred on three principles – building the right homes, in the right place, for the right people. 

“We are not there yet but we are making good progress, as shown in the allocations announced today.

“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has deliberately allocated houses to regions based on their identified housing need – for example, by looking at the regional social housing need and emergency housing usage. It makes sense to build houses where they’re most needed.

“We are also making sure we get the right type of houses built. Around half of the people on the social housing waitlist need a one-bedroom home, yet only 12 per cent of Kainga Ora’s homes are one bedroom.

“For the places we funded through Budgets 2024 and 2025, around 48 per cent of these new homes will be one-bedroom and around 42 per cent will be two-bedroom. In addition, around 22 per cent of these homes are expected to be accessible or accessible-ready for people with mobility needs. 

“In addition to building the right houses in the right places, we are also taking a new and more sophisticated approach to how we partner with the community sector.

“The Government is deliberately partnering with five strategic partner CHPs to deliver more effectively at scale. 

“Nearly half of the 1500 Budget 2024 places have been allocated to five experienced and savvy CHPs: Community of Refuge Trust Community Housing, Salvation Army, Emerge Aotearoa, Te Āhuru Mōwai, and Accessible Properties NZ. 

“We are also helping CHPs unlock lower borrowing costs by backing the Community Housing Funding Agency through a $150 million lending facility. This means CHPs will be able to deliver more social homes for less. We are working on further initiatives that will make it easier for CHPs to access financing for social housing. These initiatives will reduce borrowing costs, enabling CHPs to deliver more homes for less and reinvest savings into social programmes.

Mr Bishop says the new Flexible Fund established in Budget 2025 will drive further change in social housing.

“The Government currently has a confusing and often duplicative tangle of housing funds, many of which are tightly limited in what they can fund. Successive governments have added new funds over time. The system is inflexible, with investment determined by programmes with available funding rather than what is needed in a region or the right sort of house.

“Budget 2025 replaced a suite of housing funds with one single Flexible Fund, which currently consists of $41 million operating funding over four years and $250 million capital funding over the next ten years for additional houses from 1 July 2027. This will enable up to 650-900 further social homes and affordable rentals.

“Our intention is that the new Flexible Fund will use a variety of providers to deliver different housing types, including social houses and affordable rentals built by a range of providers including community housing providers, Kāinga Ora and Māori providers. Further announcements will be made later in the year and we are working with the community sector on the design of the fund.

Mr Bishop says the government is making good progress on improving housing for Kiwis:

• New private sector rents are the lowest they’ve been since October 2023
• The social housing register has declined from 25,483 in November 2023 to 19,297 today
• Over the 12-months to 30 June 2025, 1,041 households and 2,200 children were moved out of motels and into social housing via the government’s Priority One fast-track.

“Ultimately the root cause of our housing crisis – including in social housing – is a planning system that has stymied not encouraged housing growth, and a broken infrastructure funding and financing system. The government’s Going for Housing Growth reforms are progressing well, alongside fundamental reform of our planning system. In the long-term, these reforms will drive more affordable housing for all.”

Minister Potaka said many whānau will also benefit from the Government’s significant progress partnering with Māori housing providers delivering affordable rental homes across the country.

“Earlier this year, I announced $200 million would be accelerated into building 400 more homes in high-need areas such as Te Tai Tokerau, Taranaki, and Waikato by June 2027. 

“So far, nearly 350 affordable rentals have already been approved for construction under these partnerships. It’s been great visiting providers at sites like Ōwhata Kōhanga Rakau in Rotorua and Toitū Tairawhiti on the East Coast. These are communities where we hear from whānau about how proper housing will mean a big difference in terms of healthier communities, stronger school attendance and for maintaining regular mahi.

“Looking ahead, we expect that credible Māori providers and community housing providers will be eligible for investment through the Flexible Fund, particularly given their recent success in delivering quality houses.”

Note to editors:

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will publish a monthly dashboard on CHP housing delivery. The first monthly dashboard can be found on their website.

Source: New Zealand Police

A tenacious investigation over the past five months has led to two arrests following a cash-in-transit robbery at Sylvia Park.

The Auckland City Organised Crime Unit has been investigating after $210,000 was allegedly stolen when a firearm was presented at security guards on 9 April 2025.

“Police located a vehicle, allegedly used to flee from the shopping centre, on fire in the nearby Mt Wellington area at the time,” Detective Senior Sergeant Matthew Bunce says.

“Fortunately, no one suffered any injuries as a result of the offending.”

Offenders had fled the area.

Five months on, they were awoken in darkness early this morning at properties in rural south Auckland. The Operation Blur team had arrived.

“This morning the investigation team executed three search warrants, with assistance from the Armed Offenders Squad,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunce says.

“Police have interviewed the pair and laid serious charges against them for the Sylvia Park robbery.”

A 50-year-old Tuakau man and a 28-year-old Paerata man will appear in the Auckland District Court later today.

They have been charged with:

– Aggravated robbery with a firearm
– Conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery with a firearm
– Arson
– Burglary
– Unlawfully taking a motor vehicle
– Theft of a motor vehicle
– Aggravated assault
– 7x theft ex-car (under $500)
– Theft ex-car (over $1000)

Detective Senior Sergeant Bunce says Operation Blur’s enquiries continue.

“We cannot rule out further charges being laid at this point,” he says.

“This has been a challenging investigation to-date and I’d like to acknowledge this team of investigators whose work has led to this significant development today.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are responding to a serious two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Kairanga Bunnythorpe Road and Roberts Line, north of Palmerston North.

Emergency services received reports of the crash about 12:30pm.

The intersection of the road is closed, diversions are in place, and motorists should avoid the area.

Initial reports suggest there are serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit are in attendance.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died after the two-car collision on the intersection of State Highway 1 and Kew Road around 6am.

Sadly, one occupant died at the scene and there were no other injuries involved.

The highway remains closed with diversions in place while the Serious Crash unit examines the scene.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Team

Source: New Zealand Government

Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the launch of the RegRoom will improve regulations and how they’re enforced.

RegRoom is an online space where government regulators can learn best practice and connect with each other. Government regulators can include any public servant who is involved in making or enforcing rules.

“The Ministry for Regulation is attacking regulatory burden in three ways. It revises old regulations, improves new regulations, and raises the quality of regulators because bad regulation causes real harm,” Mr Seymour says. 

“RegRoom represents the third part of the mission. It will help ensure that Kiwis have their rights respected by regulators. 

“We’ve already completed Sector Reviews. We’re fixing dumb rules that people submit to the Red Tape Tipline. The Regulatory Standards Bill will raise the standards for new laws. Now we are doing something to raise regulators skills and the standards of how they enforce rules. 

“Everyday Kiwis are tired of being terrorised by regulators, we don’t just need better rules, we need better regulators. Some recent examples of what poor regulations can do to Kiwis include:

• Country Kindy, an early childhood centre beloved by its community faced shutdown. To this day it is unclear what they did wrong, except face an overzealous regulator
• Regulated parties frequently complain that they fear health and safety regulators, and pay exorbitant consultant fees to comply when they really need guidance from the regulator
• Overzealous enforcement of CCCFA regulations forced financial institutions to ask absurd questions about people’s finances before offering credit.

“In each case, the Government has addressed the issue with substantial overhauls. Early childhood regulation, health and safety regulation and the CCCFA all face major changes under this Government. However, good regulation should be business as usual, it should not require ministerial intervention. That’s why we’re spreading good regulatory practice throughout the public sector. 

“The RegRoom gives regulators access to online learning tools called learning modules. These interactive modules endorse principles of good regulation, preventing harm, and protecting peoples’ rights. Alongside these modules are ‘Quick Guides’ which are condensed guides covering key concepts. 

The modules and ‘Quick Guides’ teach regulators key skills, including:

• Whether to regulate or not
• How to assess the effect of a potential regulation
• How to solve problems by addressing the highest risk harms
• How to apply regulations consistently and fairly
• How to communicate clearly with regulated parties 

“The Learning materials have been developed by sector leaders, drawing on real life examples. They have been recognised internationally as world leading, and nationally as the new gold standard by many regulators,” Mr Seymour says. 

The Ministry for Regulation’s work in setting a better standard for regulation has been receiving international recognition, most recently from Marcial Boo, the founding Chair of the UK’s Institute of Regulation

“New Zealand’s Ministry for Regulation is again setting the international pace with its 10 quick guides to regulation. Each is a few pages long, with clear text and well-designed graphics on what good regulation looks like. There’s little better globally for practising regulators to learn from,” Mr Boo says. 

“The UK has many good regulators. But as a country, we are 15 years behind New Zealand in systematising and promoting good regulatory practice in this way.”

“This view is shared back at home too. Many regulators including the Civil Aviation Authority, the Real Estate Authority, and Customs NZ have already made them compulsory for regulators,or are planning for them to be used. This is a great start,” Mr Seymour says. 

“In a high-cost economy, regulation isn’t neutral – it’s a tax on growth. This Government is committed to clearing the path of needless regulations by improving how laws are made.”

The ‘Quick Guides’ are available here: Quick guides to good regulatory practice | Ministry for Regulation

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers:

The use by a media outlet of material based on Police radio communications is grossly irresponsible and puts at risk inquiries under way into the events that unfolded in Western Waikato on Monday night.

This material was not released by Police, nor did the media outlet in question approach us for comment.

The material contains very sensitive operational details that are the subject of a number of inquiries and investigations.

It should not be in the public domain.

The extensive and detailed use of information by the media outlet has also caused significant distress to the staff involved that night and their families.

I ask all media to please act responsibly and respect the sensitivities of this matter.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre
 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Crown has taken a significant step forward with Ngāpuhi as legislation that returns Kororipo Pā passes first reading in Parliament today, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith says.

“This marks the end of three years of negotiations between the Crown and Ngāti Rēhia, who have led these negotiations with the support of hapū with close connection to the site. It will be the first redress the Crown provides to Ngāpuhi, and demonstrates our commitment to a settlement. 

“Reaching a comprehensive settlement remains a high priority for the Government and we would like to progress negotiations as soon as possible. It is an honour to welcome Ngāpuhi into the house for their first Treaty settlement-related Bill reading.

“Kororipo Pā is significant to New Zealand as part of early settlement. It was a place of learning and trade between Ngāpuhi, missionaries and settlers. Ngāpuhi would assemble there before going to war and rangatira would meet to discuss politically important issues.

“Ngāpuhi has long sought the return of Kororipo Pā, on the banks of the Kerikeri River, as a historical site of great significance to all Ngāpuhi. I’d like to thank them for all their hard work in getting us here today.”

Kororipo Pā will transfer to Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Trust in early 2026, which will hold it as kaitiaki on behalf of all Ngāpuhi. 

The site will retain its historic reserve status and public access to the reserve will not be affected.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 11 September 2025
Last updated 11 September 2025

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In 2024 the Cyber Security for the Tertiary Sector initiative facilitated online webinars to help organisations in the New Zealand tertiary education sector to better understand cyber security and help them decide what steps they can take to become more secure.
In 2024 the Cyber Security for the Tertiary Sector initiative facilitated online webinars to help organisations in the New Zealand tertiary education sector to better understand cyber security and help them decide what steps they can take to become more secure.

The cyber security webinars, facilitated by Defend, were well attended and informative. Recordings of these sessions are below.
Recordings of webinars

Title
Overview

Phishing Awareness – YouTube, 31mins

Learn about the different kinds of phishing, how to spot a phish and what to do when phished.

Staying Safe Online – YouTube, 58mins

Learn the biggest threats to the tertiary sector, how hackers get in, and what you can do to keep your organisation and yourself safe.

Data Handling – YouTube, 31mins

Learn about what data to protect and how to keep data safe.

Zero Trust – YouTube, 33mins

Learn how to use conditional access, muti-factor authentication, Azure Identity Protection and Zero Trust Principles to reduce the likelihood of accounts being compromised.

Social Engineering – YouTube, 38mins

Find out about the different methods that threat actors use to manipulate you to do the hard work for them.

Passwords and Authentication – YouTube, 38mins

Learn more about different kinds of authentication, what makes a bad or good password, multi factor authentication (MFA) and new developments.

Additional educational videos and content from Microsoft
These workshops, run by Microsoft, provide targeted information on what to do to make your organisation more cyber secure. They are primarily aimed at tertiary education organisations (TEOs) with access to E5/A5 Microsoft licensing. We’ve outlined the groups most likely to benefit from the workshops, below:

Title
Overview
Links

Most likely to benefit

Security Foundations

Setting the stage for Zero Trust, MFA and the basics on Identity based protection and why.

Understanding and Getting Started with ZERO TRUST – YouTube, 57mins

IT professionals, security admins, identity, and access admins, CISOs, security managers.

CISO and Cloud Security Architectures – MCRA 

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) training helps accelerate security program modernisation with reference to strategies built using Zero Trust principles. Modular videos cover strategic initiatives, roles and responsibilities, success metrics, maturity models and more.

Individual CISO Workshop Videos – Microsoft
MCRA playlist explaining each key topic in the MCRA – YouTube

Security and risk managers, CISOs, IT managers.

M365 Security

What do we get with M365 Security?
An overview of what is available and what you need to plan to implement as a baseline.

Video on using Defender M365 – YouTube
Full playlist for Defender for Endpoint – YouTube
Key concepts and how to guides – Get Security Done

IT professionals, security admins, identity and access admins, IT developers.

Cloud and Hybrid Security

Using Defender for Cloud to manage your multi cloud security requirements.

Video introducing Defender for Cloud – YouTube
Full playlist for Defender for Cloud – YouTube
Defender for Cloud helps you simplify your cloud security management and improve your security outcomes. Learn more at: Defender for Cloud – Microsoft.

IT professionals, security admins, identity and access admins, IT developers.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 1 September 2025
Last updated 1 September 2025

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Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi supports language revitalisation and addresses workforce needs through the growth of te reo Māori speakers.
Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi supports language revitalisation and addresses workforce needs through the growth of te reo Māori speakers.

This funding supports the development of new or existing programmes targeting higher levels of te reo Māori proficiency, with the aim of growing the number of highly proficient te reo Māori speakers and supporting sector workforce capabilities.
What is the intent of Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi?
Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi is a fund that supports the outcomes of:

The Fund is intended to support the further development and growth of programmes that support high levels of te reo Māori language proficiency, as outlined in the Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework, developed by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission).
Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework
We do not intend the Fund to be the only source of funding that providers use to develop and deliver programmes. It is intended to support growth of proficiency in te reo Māori.
Next funding round
The TEC is no longer accepting new applications for Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi fund. All existing contracts will continue to be honoured.