Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Government

Market soundings with international and local toll road investors, operators and financiers will begin next week as the next step in exploring how toll concessions could help fund, build and operate important road infrastructure, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. 
“The Government is focused on improving high-quality road infrastructure to boost economic growth and ensure people and freight can travel efficiently and safely. To accelerate the delivery of vital transport projects, we’re looking into alternative funding and financing methods, including the use of toll concessions.
“New Zealand currently has three toll roads in operation in Auckland and Tauranga, with three more in various stages of construction or planning. The Government has also set expectations in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 that other roads are considered for tolling in future, including all future Roads of National Significance. 
“Although existing toll roads are currently managed by the NZ Transport Agency, the Government is, for the first time, considering private sector involvement in the operation of toll roads. This includes the potential use of toll concessions as part of a broader approach to infrastructure delivery.
“A toll concession involves a private entity—known as a concessionaire—being given the right to manage and maintain a toll road for a specified time. During this period, they collect toll revenue to recover costs and earn a return. In exchange, the Government receives an upfront capital payment which can be used to fund additional road projects and potentially deliver them years earlier than would otherwise be feasible.
“Concessions may apply to existing toll roads to operate and maintain a road, or be integrated into the development of new roading infrastructure. In the latter case, a private partner could be contracted to design, construct, operate, and maintain the road, and recoup operations and maintenance costs through toll collection.
“There are several advantages to toll concessions: they can provide immediate capital that can be used to deliver more infrastructure projects sooner, draw on private sector expertise and innovation in areas like construction and tolling technology, and can help government to share and manage risks more efficiently.
“It is important to note that the Crown continues to own the toll road under a concession arrangement. The private operator manages the road for the duration of the concession, after which control reverts back to a government agency.
“Next week, my officials will begin market sounding discussions with toll road investors, operators and financiers to test opportunities for private firms to operate and maintain toll roads through concessions. The officials will meet with a cross-section of market participants – from international toll road operators to domestic and international investors and iwi – to get a range of perspectives on the opportunities available. If work on concessions is taken forward, there will be wider opportunities to be involved in any transactions stage.
“Market sounding discussions will give us deeper insight into whether toll road concessions are viable here, under what circumstances, and the different ways they could be structured and phased. 
“The Government will test concession opportunities on:

New Zealand’s existing three toll roads – the Northern Gateway in Auckland, and Takitimu Drive and Tauranga Eastern Link in Tauranga
Three roads in development that Cabinet has confirmed will be tolled – Penlink, Takitimu North Link, and Ōtaki to North of Levin
All future Roads of National Significance

“Officials will also seek to understand the extent to which concessions could support private investment and involvement in delivering other future projects beyond the immediate RoNS programme, including an alternative Waitematā Harbour crossing, where the significant scale of such projects and investment needed means different delivery approaches may deliver greater value for New Zealanders. 
“The Ministry of Transport has appointed global investment bank, Citi, as its financial and commercial advisor to support this market sounding process. 
“Citi has extensive experience advising on toll road concessions overseas and we’re pleased to have access to their expertise, connections and insights to ensure we run a high calibre market sounding process.
“The insights we get from the market sounding will inform my decisions about whether and how to take toll concessions forward, including which ones are viable and have value. I look forward to hearing what the market has to say,” Mr Bishop says. 
The Government expects to make decisions on toll road concessions later this year. 
Notes to editor:
·         Exploring toll concessions gives effect to the National-ACT coalition agreement to institute long-term city and regional infrastructure deals, allowing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), tolling and value capture rating to fund infrastructure.
·         Market sounding discussions will start in the week of 7 July 2025, with discussions being held in Sydney, Wellington and Auckland until late July 2025. 
·         The market sounding process is being led by the Ministry of Transport and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited (NIFFCo), with input from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Treasury. Global investment bank, Citi, is acting as the Ministry of Transport’s financial and commercial advisor for the market sounding process. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Central Road Policing Manager Phillip Ward:

Emergency services were called to a crash on Livingstone Road, Tokaora where a car hit a power pole.

The incident occurred around 11:16pm and sadly the driver, the sole occupant, has died at the scene.

An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash and the matter will be referred to the Coroner.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with the deceased’s family at this difficult time.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has welcomed 4 new High Court rulings, the latest of at least 20 court rulings in favour of Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass project.

Today’s High Court decisions rejected an appeal by landowners and confirmed the Environment Court’s May 2024 ruling, which supported the Crown’s compulsory acquisition of the final piece of land required for the project’s northern section. The land, located in the 6km bypass alignment, is essential to move the project forward.

The Bypass is a new two-lane 6km route between Uruti and Ahititi that avoids the existing steep, narrow and winding route over Mt Messenger on State Highway 3 in North Taranaki. It will provide much needed interregional economic, resilience, safety and environmental benefits, including for local communities, businesses, freight and all SH3 road users.

NZTA’s Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, Rob Partridge, says the ruling marks a significant milestone, following years of legal challenges.

“While it is always our preference to acquire land through agreement, this has not been possible, despite extensive efforts including numerous offers made to the landowners,” says Mr Partridge.

Since 2017, there have been many attempts to acquire the land by agreement, and the landowners have been presented with 20 offers including options for new housing elsewhere across their 683-hectare landholdings.

“The delays in securing this land have come at a considerable cost. NZTA plans to update the overall project cost later this year, factoring in the impacts of these delays, as well as inflation and rising construction costs.

As of June 2025, the NZTA Board had approved funding of $365.1 million for the project.

Construction is progressing well, with the southern-most 1km section at road level.

Excavation for the 235 metre tunnel and work on the project’s main bridge are underway, with the tunnel expected to be completed in early 2026 and the 125 metre bridge in late 2026. 

The process now

NZTA will now request the Crown takes the necessary steps to become the legal owner of this 11-hectare parcel of land, subject to any further legal challenge against this process occurring, so that the Mt Messenger Alliance can begin works on the northern section as soon as possible.  

The work is then expected to take 4 full construction seasons, from October to April, to complete. 

Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass project page

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

With Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Warnings in place for the several North Island regions, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging drivers to take extra care on the roads and check for the latest road conditions before travelling.

Wet roads can be slippery, so road users should reduce their speed, increase their following distances, and be prepared for the possibility of slips, rockfalls, and flooding.

Strong winds can be hazardous for trucks, vans, campervans, towing vehicles, and motorcycles. Road users should be prepared for sudden gusts, crosswinds, fallen trees, and wind-blown debris – particularly in exposed areas.

With weather watches or warnings in place for parts of Northland, Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Tairawhiti, Taumaranui/Taupo and Taranaki, people traveling throughout the Upper North Island need to stay up to date on road and weather conditions. Road conditions can change without warning, and routes can be closed at short notice due to slips and flooding.

Latest information on road and weather conditions

Source: New Zealand Government

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a strong turnout for the first in a series of regional employment events reinforces a cross-sector commitment to get Kiwis into jobs, boost employment and grow the economy.
Kicking off the MSD-led series in Levin, Minister Upston and officials met with representatives of around 30 employers and other stakeholders, reinforcing job opportunities across the Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast regions.
“It was great to attend this event, acknowledge the commitment of MSD and recognise the partnership with local employers,” Louise Upston says.
“That’s because this Government is focused on a Going for Growth strategy which includes a key emphasis on developing the talent of our people. 
“These events reinforce that. They’re about people, about maximising the potential of Kiwis, about raising their earning potential while also ensuring businesses can access the people they need to help them complete globally and grow.
“The Government has an ambitious target to reduce the number of people on the Jobseeker Benefit by 50,000 by 2030. MSD and employers are key to this.
“We know we can’t do it alone, and need support from the community, employers and training organisations to achieve this goal. 
“To continue discussions about how we can work together to achieve the Jobseeker reduction target, MSD will host a number of events to bring together employers, providers and community organisations.
“The focus for the Levin/Horowhenua Supporting New Zealanders Into Work event was ensuring employers and partners are motivated to invest in the good of their communities by training or employing MSD clients, and that they know how MSDs products and services can support them. 
“It provided a great opportunity for local employers and organisations to discuss how we can all work together to understand workforce needs and address workforce challenges.
“This week, I’m attending two more MSD-hosted events in the Hutt Valley and in Gisborne, with additional dates to be confirmed around the country.
“Again, I want to acknowledge the work of MSD staff in getting people into jobs, with work exits up 11 per cent on the same time a year ago.    As we saw in Levin last night, MSD are doing a great job engaging proactively with both Jobseekers and with employers.
“We know the faster we can help beneficiaries – especially young people – find sustainable employment, the better the outcomes for them, their families, our communities, and our economy.
“That’s why we’ve introduced more early intervention through a new phone-based employment case management service which includes 6,000 18-24-year-old clients in this service, we’ve got 2,100 more places for young people to get community job coaching, more regular work seminars, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their obligations.
“The new Relocate for Work Support payment will also make it easier for people to move to take up sustainable employment. 
“All of these initiatives are helping on the frontline, and that matters because  ‘work’ is about more than money. It also gives people a sense of purpose, independence, connectedness – leading to a better future and helping families break out of the cycle of inter-generational welfare dependence.”

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Fisheries New Zealand is seeking public input into proposed changes to catch limits and management measures for the Chatham Rise orange roughy fishery, says Fisheries New Zealand director fisheries management, Emma Taylor. 

The consultation, which began today, is part of the regular fisheries sustainability review, which began with consultation on changes for other fish stocks last week.   

“The Chatham Rise orange roughy fishery (ORH 3B) is New Zealand’s largest orange roughy fishery, by area and catch, and is of value to commercial fishers,” says Emma Taylor. 

“Catch limits for ORH 3B were reduced by 40 percent in 2023 due to sustainability concerns. Recent stock assessments indicate that further changes are needed to put the fishery back on track to meet sustainability targets, so we are seeking feedback on a variety of different options to reduce catch limits in the fishery.”

Also included in the consultation beginning today are proposals for catch limit changes for blue mackerel on the east coast of Northland and the Bay of Plenty (EMA 1). 

“The latest information indicates the EMA 1 stock is at or around the target level and we are seeking views on whether there is an opportunity to make some slight increases to catch limits. We want to hear peoples’ views about the risks and benefits of the options we have proposed,” says Emma Taylor. 

“Following this consultation, we will prepare advice for Fisheries Minister Shane Jones to make decisions on any changes, which would come into effect for the fishing year starting 1 October 2025.”

The consultation for changes on these two stocks is open now and will run until 28 July 2025.

The full proposals, as well as more information about the consultation and how to make a submission can be found on Fisheries New Zealand’s website: 

Review of sustainability measures for orange roughy (ORH 3B) and blue mackerel (EMA 1) – 2025 October round

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Children Karen Chhour has announced that the residential workforce is being boosted by an investment in their professionalisation.  

Secure residences provide care for children and young people, placed there for either care and protection or youth justice reasons. They often have complex needs and can be highly vulnerable.

“Professionalisation of the residential workforce is a critical component and necessity for keeping children and young people safe in residential care settings,” says Minister for Children Karen Chhour.  

“This government is committed to helping these important helpers, improving the supports we provide to children and young people, and addressing long standing gaps in practice. 

“They deserve safe, stable, and therapeutic environments, where the staff are not only dedicated and able, but have all the skills they need.

“I have the pleasure of regularly meeting with many of our frontline workers around the country and residential workforce have told me that they would hugely value better access to further training and professional qualifications.

“That is why we are investing $41 million in their professionalisation.

“This funding will strengthen professional leadership, uplift the capability of the core workforce, and raise the proportion of the workforce that has comprehensive skills, knowledge, and experience.

“A 2023 review of Oranga Tamariki secure residences and several group homes similarly noted that a constant theme in many reviews over the years was a misalignment between the complex and high needs of the tamariki and rangatahi in care and the relatively unskilled nature of parts of the workforce.”

The Minister for Children believes these workers deserve greater backing. 

“They are doing their best in often challenging situations but were not supported well by the previous government, who received a Ministerial Advisory Board report in 2021 requesting greater training for this workforce and failed to act on it,” says Mrs Chhour.

“That report highlighted that, while the staff were highly committed and passionate, they were not being offered the tools required in order to provide the high level of care the children and young people need and deserve.

“This funding boost will go a long way towards addressing these issues and uplifting the number of staff with a professional qualification.

“It will also establish new professional, clinical roles within each residence, help the recruitment of qualified staff to vacant positions, and supporting bespoke inhouse and external qualification pathways for current staff.”    

Source: New Zealand Police

Police is continuing the investigation launched following the discovery of human remains in Freeman’s Bay overnight.

Further information is being released in the early stage of the investigation.

“Sadly, I can confirm the deceased is a newborn baby, and they were discovered in a wheelie bin outside an address,” Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland City CIB, says.

“A woman is in custody and Police are speaking with her to establish the circumstances around what has occurred.”

Police is not looking for anyone else in connection with the matter.

“This is a tragedy for everyone concerned and there is a person’s wellbeing to consider here alongside the investigation, so we will ensure the woman gets the support she needs.

“Police acknowledge this will understandably be quite confronting information for the community to grapple with.”

A post-mortem is ongoing today to determine the next steps in the investigation.

“The result is not yet known, and Police will provide further updates as the investigation allows,” Detective Inspector Beard says.

“We would ask the public to avoid speculation given what has occurred and allow investigators to carry out their work.”

Police will be carrying out an area canvass as part of the investigation.

“We will be seeking CCTV from residents in the street and also searching other wheelie bins in order to secure any additional evidence that may be relevant to the investigation.”

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please make a report via 105, using the file number 250630/9878 and quote ‘Operation Yarrow’.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-nz.org.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police