Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: NZCTU

The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is today supporting PPTA members across the country who are striking for fair pay increases, more subject specialist advisors, and greater teacher-led professional development funding.

“The union movement stands in solidarity with secondary teachers who are fighting for a quality education system,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“Workers never make the decision to strike lightly. PPTA members are rightly taking action to ensure that schools can attract graduates and retain experienced teachers.

“It is unacceptable that teachers are being offered the lowest pay increase in a generation at the same time as they are facing an overhaul of NCEA.

“A quality education system affects all of us. Students, parents and communities all benefit from teachers having what they need to support our young people.

“The Government is prioritising tax cuts for the rich over essential public services. Everyone should be grateful to the teachers who are taking strike action this week,” said Wagstaff.

Source: New Zealand Police

A section of State Highway 10, north of Waipapa, is currently blocked following an earlier crash.

At around 8am, a truck and trailer has rolled north of the township.

The driver is thankfully uninjured, however one lane is currently blocked.

A road closure is being put in place while the truck and trailer are uprighted and the scene is cleared.

Diversions around Waipapa will be put in place for light vehicles. 

Heavy vehicles should expect delays in the area, however Police don’t anticipate that the closure will be extensive this morning.

Police appreciate motorists’ understanding.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Location:

Source: BNZ Statements

New Zealand could soon have instant money transfers, with BlinkPay today announcing it has developed the country’s first open banking-enabled real-time payments capability and is seeking banking industry partners to implement the technology at scale.

The technology enables transactions to have settlement confirmed within seconds rather than half hourly or overnight, and could transform how workers get paid, urgent funds are distributed, and businesses manage cash flow across New Zealand once broadly adopted by the banking industry. BNZ is the first major bank to commit to implementing the capability.

BlinkPay has developed the technology using secure open banking connections that can be deployed quickly across existing banking infrastructure and is designed to work with all banks and open banking providers meeting Payments NZ open banking standards.

“This capability is ready to go and represents a potential game-changer for New Zealand’s payments landscape,” says BlinkPay CEO Adrian Smith.

“With broad industry participation, workers and tradespeople could get paid the moment they finish a job, emergency government support could reach people instantly when they need it most, and businesses could improve their cash flow with immediate invoice payments.

“We are inviting New Zealand banks and open banking providers that meet Payments NZ standards to work with us to implement this solution at scale for the benefit of all New Zealanders. The technology is ready to go and can be rolled out quickly once more banks and providers come on board.”

Addressing settlement delays

The country’s current payment systems rely on half-hourly or overnight batch processing, which while reliable and cost-effective for most needs, can cause delays in fund availability and settlement risks in some cases.

Real-time payments settle transactions within seconds, enabling instant use cases like urgent insurance claims, instant property settlements and rental bond transfers, and immediate online marketplace payments.

BNZ CEO Dan Huggins says the capability offers the potential to give people and businesses more choice in how they send and receive money, offering added flexibility when speed and certainty of settlement matter most.

“This technology works alongside the existing payment system, expanding the range of options rather than replacing what already works well. We’re excited to work with BlinkPay and support industry-wide adoption to bring this capability to all New Zealanders.

“This initiative supports data sharing rights and the government’s broader open banking goals, working toward a secure, future-ready payments ecosystem for New Zealand,” Huggins says.

How it works

Payments are initiated through open banking connections, with settlement through existing banking protocols. The system supports real-time notifications and reconciliation and aligns with anti-money laundering controls and Consumer Data Right regulations. The system’s full potential is realised when multiple banks and open banking providers participate, creating a comprehensive real-time payments network.

Customers wouldn’t need to download a separate app or learn new payment methods. With broad industry adoption, the system would enable instant person-to-person transfers and business payments directly through familiar banking interfaces.

Industry collaboration

BlinkPay is actively seeking collaboration across the industry to achieve the broadest possible participation and accelerate access to this technology.

“We invite and welcome engagement from Payments NZ, regulators, and industry stakeholders to ensure this capability delivers maximum benefit to New Zealand’s financial infrastructure,” says Smith.

The post BlinkPay develops NZ’s first real-time payments capability using open banking, seeks industry partners with BNZ as inaugural participant appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

Source: New Zealand Police

Allanton-Waihola Road/ State Highway 1 is closed following a serious crash this morning.

The road is closed west of the Allanton township.

The two-vehicle crash occurred about 1am.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance.

Diversions are in place and will likely remain in place until this afternoon.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Police were disappointed after Operation Bullseye uncovered several drivers that were driving dangerously and under the influence of alcohol.

Around 200 vehicles were breath checked last week in Gore after local Police executed Operation Bullseye to catch drivers that were breaking the law.

Four people were charged with excess breath alcohol over 400mg and one driver was immediately stripped of their license and vehicle after their third subsequent offence.

Infringements were issued to several other drivers, which included them not wearing seatbelts, using their phone, speeding and plenty of breath alcohol results that were over 250mg.

Police are urging drivers to take care while driving, to remove distractions and not drive impaired.

People driving while impaired put themselves, their passengers, and other road users at risk, with alcohol and/or drugs a factor in about 20 percent of all fatal crashes.

If you are in any doubt at all about being safe or legal to drive due to impairment, don’t – it’s not worth it.

Stick to the basics when driving: watch your speed and your following distances, stay focused – put your phone out of reach – wear your seat belt, and always driver sober and alert.

Gore Police wants drivers to know they can be stopped anytime and anywhere. 

ENDS

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting food importer Goodfood Group Limited in its recall of Food Snob and Mon Ami brand French Brie and Camembert cheeses due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

All batches and all dates up to and including ‘Best Before’ date of 22 September 2025 are affected by this recall and includes the following products:

• Food Snob brand Classic French Brie 125g.
• Food Snob brand Classic French Brie 200g.
• Food Snob brand Classic French Camembert 125g.
• Food Snob brand Classic French Camembert 200g.
• Mon Ami brand Double Cream French Brie Petit 125g.
• Mon Ami brand Mild & Creamy French Camembert Petit 125g.

Up-to-date details of products affected by the recall, including photographs, are available on our food recall page: 

Food Snob and Mon Ami brand French Cheeses

“The concern with this product is that it may contain Listeria, a foodborne bacterium that can make you sick,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“Listeriosis infection can be serious among vulnerable groups, such as pregnant people and their unborn babies, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

“Listeria differs to other harmful bacteria in that it can grow at refrigerator temperatures, so you have to be very careful about the foods you eat, or provide to others, if you or they are in a vulnerable group.

“It is particularly dangerous during pregnancy because it can cause miscarriage, premature labour or stillbirth, and infection in the new-born baby.”

This product should not be eaten. It can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Should you be unable to do this, throw it out.

Infection in healthy adults is unlikely to be severe, at most causing mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms within a few days of eating contaminated food. For those in the vulnerable groups, it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks – or even longer – before symptoms appear.

If you have consumed any of these products and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

The recalled products are being removed from shelves at retail outlets and supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

The products were made in France and have not been re-exported.

The overseas manufacturer and distributer have initiated a recall. New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notification of associated illness.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are working to locate Ethan Hatata, who has a warrant for his arrest and is wanted by Police.

Hatata, 22, is wanted for retail offending and is believed to be in the wider Auckland region.

If you have seen Hatata or have any information that may assist in locating him, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250716/0533.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Extra Police are on patrol in Levin after several firearm-related incidents in two days.

Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham described recent shooting events in the area as “brainless violence” that put people at risk of harm.

Police are investigating several reports of shootings in the area, including a man who presented at a healthcare centre with a gunshot wound to his thigh. He was transferred to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious condition and enquiries are ongoing.

“Events that involve firearms are extremely concerning and we aren’t wasting time to find those responsible. We have put additional officers on patrol, but we need to hear from anyone who has any information that may help.”

About 8.55pm on Monday, Police were called after a firearm was discharged from a vehicle on Hinemoa Street, hitting a house. Thankfully nobody was injured, but the occupants and neighbours were shaken by the event.

A scene guard remained in place overnight and a scene examination is ongoing today.

Shortly after 6am today (Tuesday), five shots were reported to have been heard on Mabel Street. Police located a shed that appeared to have been shot and a scene examination is ongoing.

Inspector Grantham said investigation teams were making a number of enquiries and urged anyone with information to contact Police.

“There will be a visible Police presence while we complete scene examinations and speak with neighbours and those involved. At this early stage, we are still working to determine what firearm was used in the shootings targeting properties, and we don’t yet know why this happened.

“It’s brainless violence that puts people at real risk of harm and we are focused on finding those involved. Levin’s a caring community and people don’t want violence like this in their town. We know this will be unsettling, and the additional officers who are on duty will be carrying out patrols across the town.

“My message to the community is help us if you have any information at all, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to make a report online, or call 105.

Please use the following reference number:

• P063528842 for the Hinemoa Street shooting
• P063530513 for the Mabel Street shooting.

Alternatively, information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

A couple have been gifted charges on multiple offences after initially trying to get away with shoplifting in Pukekohe.

On Monday at 10.15am, Police were called to the Pukekohe Train Station after a man and woman were stopped by security as they attempted to take a trolley full of groceries onto a departing train.

Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes, says when Police arrived the male tried to hide the trolley in a toilet cubicle.

“We have observed this male’s actions on CCTV taking the trolley into the toilet block,” Inspector Hoyes says.

“Staff have recovered the trolley of groceries from inside the toilets and placed both suspects under arrest.”

Enquiries revealed that the groceries had allegedly been stolen from a nearby supermarket only minutes earlier.

“Further enquires revealed the male was also sought in connection with another serious incident at a superette in Papakura last week,” Inspector Hoyes says.

“This is a pleasing result for staff, with the man being held to account for multiple serious offences that occurred in our community.”

Back at the station the female was in interviewed and given a summons, however on her way out stated she had no money and would steal again.

“Police staff at Pukekohe Police Station gave her a food parcel to help, given the circumstances,” Inspector Hoyes says.

While waiting for the man she has left the station and retuned around an hour later.

“At this time, she was allegedly observing carrying yet more stolen food,” he says.

The female was arrested once again, and this time had her bail opposed.

“It’s disappointing that despite the support being provided, the woman has continued to offend in such a brazen manner.”

A 33-year-old man will appear in the Papakura District Court charged with receiving property, behaving threateningly, presenting an object like firearms and assault with intent to rob.

A 28-year-old woman will appear in the Pukekohe District Court charged with shoplifting.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police