Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

NZ Police will be hosting the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police annual conference in Waitangi, on 20-22 August.

The conference features Chiefs of Police (or their delegates) from the PCIP’s 22 member countries.

Media are invited to attend an opportunity for photography and/or filming at the pōwhiri and opening ceremony, on Wednesday 20 August, at the Upper Treaty Grounds from 8.30am.

The conference itself is closed to media. 

NZ Police Commissioner Richard Chambers will be available for interviews on request after the opening ceremony.

Please email media@police.govt.nz

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

People are urged to take extra care travelling through the newly activated traffic signals at the intersection of State Highway 30 (SH30) Te Ngae Road and Wharenui Road as part of the SH30 Eastern Corridor project.

While this phase of the project is nearly complete, fine tuning of the signal phasing, skid resistant surfacing and some additional road marking is yet to be completed. 

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Infrastructure Delivery Manager Darryl Coalter is asking people to take care and be patient as they adjust to the new layout.  

“We ask people to be patient while this work is being carried out as it may take a few days to fine tune the signals to improve traffic flow.

“Busy sites with single lanes can create slow-moving queues as some vehicles accelerate slowly compared to others and gaps develop. The local operations centre is observing the flow and adjusting the signals to reduce the gaps and delays. 

“We’re also adding some additional line-marking over the next few weeks to improve exiting from the high traffic volume supermarket,” he says. 

A temporary speed limit of 40km/h will remain in place until October, when warmer weather will allow for skid resistant surfacing to be applied, ensuring a quality and long-lasting finish. 

“Efficient operation of this intersection is important for both through and local traffic, and we appreciate people’s patience and co-operation during this transition” says Mr Coalter. 

Significant development, particularly new housing, is underway in eastern Rotorua and NZTA is planning for the effects of growth across the transport network, and SH30 Te Ngae Road in particular.  

SH30 carries between 12,500 (11.6% heavy) south of SH30/SH33 roundabout and 20,700 (7.2% heavy) vehicles near Puarenga Park each day. It is one of 2 key routes between Rotorua and Tauranga and is the key heavy vehicle route for freight.  

SH30 Eastern Corridor – Stage Two

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is announcing the biggest change to the building consent system since the Building Act came into force in 2004, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.  
  
“The building sector has the potential to be an economic powerhouse, yet productivity has stalled since 1985 despite major advances in building methods and technology,” Mr Penk says. 

“New Zealand’s sluggish consenting system is delaying projects and driving up costs, making the average standalone house here 50 percent more expensive to build than in Australia. 
  
“We must eliminate system blockages to speed up the delivery of new homes and infrastructure. 
  
“Today, we are announcing plans to ease the cost burden on ratepayers for defective building work. 
  
“Right now, councils are hesitant to sign off on building consents and inspections because they could be held liable for all defects, leaving ratepayers to foot the bill.  

“This often happens when one of the parties responsible cannot pay for repairs, for example, if a business goes bust.  
  
“Currently, building owners can claim full compensation from any responsible party – and it’s often councils, with the deepest pockets and no option to walk away, that end up paying out.  
  
“The risk-aversion this creates leads to frustrating delays and extra cost for builders and homeowners.  
  
“A case in Queenstown shows the scale of this issue. In 2015, the Oaks Shores body corporate filed a $160 million claim for weathertight defects. The developer had been placed into voluntary liquidation and was not sued, leaving ratepayers exposed to the entire claim.  
  
“If the case hadn’t been settled privately, ratepayers could have faced rates increases of $300 a year for 30 years. 
  
“It’s time to put the responsibility where it belongs.  
  
“The Government will scrap the current framework, known as joint and several liability, and replace it with proportionate liability.  
  
“Under this new model, each party will only be responsible for the share of work they carried out. 
  
“Building owners will be protected if things go wrong and we’re exploring options such as requiring professional indemnity insurance and home warranties, similar to arrangements in Australia. 
  
“The second major change I am announcing will allow councils to voluntarily consolidate their Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) functions with each other. 
  
“It is ridiculous builders, designers and homeowners must navigate 66 different interpretations of the Building Code, because of the number of council BCAs across the country. 
  
“Builders can be rejected on paperwork that would be accepted by a neighbouring authority simply because each BCA applies the rules differently.  
  
“Many councils have asked for this and I expect they will seize the opportunity to consolidate, share resources like building inspectors and IT systems, and pass the savings on to ratepayers. 
 
“Clearing blockages in the building consent system to make it easier and more affordable to build is an important part of this Government’s economic growth plan.

“We know the sector is behind us. New Zealand Certified Builders have said that this is the most significant change for the building industry in a generation, that it has been a long time coming and the change is welcomed by the industry.

“We are determined to get the building and construction sector firing on all cylinders, and that requires bold change.  

“This Government is making that change.” 

Notes to editor:

• Changes to liability settings and measures to enable voluntary BCA consolidation will be made by amending the Building Act 2004. The Government expects to introduce a Bill to Parliament in early 2026.
• The Government is investigating supporting mechanisms for proportionate liability. These may include:
  • Requiring home warranties for certain building projects, with an option to opt out
  • Requiring professional indemnity insurance
• Regulatory changes to support BCA consolidation will include removing the requirement for a Territorial Authority (TA) to be a BCA providing they transfer their building control functions to another accredited BCA, removing restrictions on TAs transferring their building consent functions to a non-TA organisation, and updating and standardising regulations to eliminate duplication and incentivize collaboration.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash on the corner of Pohlen Road and Waharoa Road East in Matamata on 16 August.

She was 79-year-old Martje Gezina Eastment, of Putaruru.

Investigations to determine the cause of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross:  

Manawatu Area Police are appealing for information and witnesses following an aggravated robbery of a man on Thursday 14 August.

At around 9:40pm a man was assaulted and robbed, by three male suspects, near the corner of Linton Street and Church Street.

The victim sustained moderate injuries and is understandably very shaken by this incident.

Police would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed this attack, particularly the two women who assisted the victim.

We are also asking for anyone that may have information on the attack to please come forward.

If you have any information that could assist Police, please contact us via 105, either over the phone or online. Please reference file number 250815/1380.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross: 

Police have charged a man with two counts of attempted arson and unlawfully possessing an offensive weapon following a house fire on Main Street yesterday afternoon (17 August).

Police were called to the fire, which affected three residential properties, at around 4pm.

The 26-year-old was taken into custody at the scene by the Police – and received medical treatment at the police station for smoke inhalation.

He is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court today.

Thankfully, no one else was injured

A scene guard was in place overnight while examinations took place, these have now been completely.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A cold snap moving up the South Island today and tomorrow has prompted a warning to motorists to plan ahead and prepare for disruption on inland state highways and at alpine passes.

Snow has been falling this morning in Southland, and MetService has issued road snowfall warnings from today for the South Island’s alpine passes, Milford Road (State Highway 94) and the Crown Range Road. 

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) already has area warnings in place due to snow and ice on State Highway 85 from Ranfurly to Becks, on SH94 from Mossburn to Te Anau, and Te Anau to Milford.

Forecasts supplied to NZTA suggest about 10cm of snow could fall at Porters Pass (State Highway 73) above 600m tomorrow morning. Snowfalls of this quantity could require closure of parts of SH73.

Snow is also expected elsewhere in inland Canterbury tomorrow morning, above 300m. Up to 5cm is expected in many places, especially State Highway 7 west of the Hanmer Springs turnoff, and SH73 east of Craigieburn Cutting. 

The forecasts provided to NZTA also show that for the Mackenzie Basin, up to 5cm of snow is expected today in the Tekapo, Burkes Pass and Aoraki-Mount Cook areas, affecting State Highways 8 and 80, with further snow showers tomorrow.

Very frosty conditions are expected in the days to follow, which is likely to mean icy roads.  

“Our crews will be out and ready to clear snow and lay grit or a de-icing agent on icy roads,” says NZTA system manager Mark Pinner.

“If conditions are considered bad enough, temporary speed reductions or road closures are also possible.”  

“We want to remind motorists to drive with care and to the conditions – including being visible, reducing speed, adjusting the travelling distance behind other motorists and avoiding sudden braking or turning movements.”  

Plan ahead by visiting our Journey Planner site, and helpful tips about winter driving can be found on our website.

Source: New Zealand Police

A speeding vehicle caught more than a ticket in New Lynn early this morning with Police discovering firearms and drugs.

Around 3am a patrolling unit noticed a vehicle travelling at excessive speed along Titirangi Road.

Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Kelly Farrant, says officers signalled for the vehicle to stop, it did and then the driver became aggressive toward Police staff.

“Two passengers in the vehicle were also uncooperative and refused to provide their details,” says Inspector Farrant.

Further enquiries revealed one of the passengers had an active warrant for arrest and was taken into custody.

“As the male was being removed from the vehicle, officers observed a small handgun and ammunition in the footwell,” says Inspector Farrant. “Staff acted swiftly to secure the firearm without further incident.”

It was the second firearm located overnight, as a few hours earlier in Manurewa, Police located a sawn-off shotgun in the vehicle of a patched gang member during a routine traffic stop.

“These incidents highlight the importance of our frontline staff’s safety and vigilance,” says Inspector Farrant. “It’s reassuring to have removed these weapons from our communities”.

A 27-year-old man will appear in the Waitākere District Court charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, possessing methamphetamine, possessing cannabis, and breaching bail.

A 54-year-old man is appearing in the Manukau District Court charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition and possessing cannabis.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Most Cardiac Arrests Happen at Home : New Zealanders Urged to Learn First Aid

A newly released review of New Zealand health data reveals a confronting truth: emergencies don’t usually happen in public, they happen at home, to the people you love.

The post Most Cardiac Arrests Happen at Home : New Zealanders Urged to Learn First Aid first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died and two people have been critically injured following a crash north of Matamata.

The two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Waharoa Road East and Pohlen Road shortly before 5:25pm.

The Serious Crash Unit are in attendance and the road remains closed.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.