Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

The Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Award finalists highlight the wide range of great work under way to keep our seafood sector productive and fisheries healthy, says deputy director-general Fisheries New Zealand Dan Bolger.

The finalists for this year’s awards include people and groups with projects ranging from reseeding initiatives and innovative fishing methods to new ways of transforming waste into value-added products.

“We’re an island nation, with one of the largest oceans in the world. It sustains the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who go fishing for fun, sport and food, and is also a significant earner, bringing in $2.2 billion dollars in exports and providing thousands of jobs all around the country,” Mr Bolger says.

“Making the most of our ocean resources requires hard work, dedication and innovation from many people from across New Zealand.

“These awards recognise the individuals, businesses, iwi organisations, and not-for-profits who are demonstrating exceptional commitment to sustainability and innovation in our seafood sector.”

Fisheries New Zealand received a high number of quality entries and it was not easy for the independent panel of judges to select just 3 finalists for each category. 

“The judges were pleased to see a variety of entrants including large scale enterprises and boutique businesses, and veterans of industry as well as relative newcomers, all demonstrating fresh thinking and a ‘can do’ attitude,” Mr Bolger says. 

The finalists for each category are:

Operational Innovator Award, sponsored by Fishserve

• Scallop Survey Imaging and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Team, NIWA/Earth Sciences New Zealand.
• Rob Ansley (Ocean Pearl Fisheries), Keith Mawson (Egmont Seafoods), Jerome Chua (Massey University), and Mark Peychers (Fiordland Lobster Company).
• Aaron Pannell, Flip Farm.

Market Innovator Award, sponsored by Aquaculture New Zealand

• Alex Worker, Nutrition from Water.
• Clare Bradley, Agrisea.
• Jake Dikstaal, Leigh Fish.

Future Leader Award

• William Macdonald, Rangitāne o Wairau.
• Alex Hannon, Transition Technologies Ltd.
• Tamar Wells, Seafood New Zealand.

Ocean Guardian Award, sponsored by Dragonfly Data Science

• Ngatiwai Ki Whangaruru Whenua Topu Trust Mohimohi Moana Project.
• Fiordland Marine Guardians.
• Mike Rhodes, Talley’s Limited.

Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki Award, sponsored by Te Ohu Kaimoana

• Te Kohuroa Rewilding.
• Professor Kura Paul-Burke, University of Waikato.
• Whangai Mokopuna Rohe Moana Management Group.

The winner of the Supreme Sustainability and Innovation Award, sponsored by Seafood New Zealand, will be selected from winners across these categories.

New Zealand’s seafood sector is full of people finding clever ways to care for the ocean and our planet, says chief executive Seafood New Zealand Lisa Futschek.

“Fishers spend more time on the water than most, so are seeing first-hand the changes in our environment – like climate change and sedimentation. Their connection to the sea runs deep.

“These awards are a wonderful way to celebrate the mahi of not only the commercial sector but all Kiwis making a difference in this area,” says Ms Futschek.

“Congratulations to all the finalists. By sharing their stories and honouring their efforts, I am certain we will inspire even more ideas and action to help sustain and protect our moana.”

In addition, a Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Award will be presented to recognise a long-term contribution to sustainability and innovation in the seafood sector.

The winners will be announced at an Awards ceremony at Parliament on 11 September 2025.

Find out more about the Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards

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 Government

The Government is investing in a new Biodiversity Research Centre future-proofing New Zealand’s unique natural history and providing construction jobs right now, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“We know improving the quality of New Zealand’s infrastructure is vital to growing our economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. Around 150 staff are expected to be on site during peak times, but the contractor expects more than 2,000 people to be involved in the project in some way.

“This is just one of the $6 billion worth of infrastructure projects our government is getting underway before Christmas. 

“The new facility in Upper Hutt will house Te Papa’s natural history specimen collection containing more than 860,000 preserved specimens, including the world’s largest collection of New Zealand and Southern Ocean fishes. 

“The current Tory Street facility is earthquake-prone and no longer fit for purpose. Without this investment, the collection would have faced disposal, which may have been more costly, and a devastation to science and research.

“Te Papa’s collection is a cornerstone of scientific research in biosecurity, biodiversity, and environmental science, supporting industries such as seafood, aquaculture, horticulture, agriculture, and forestry both nationally and globally.

“It includes specimens dating back over 150 years, with the oldest being a hoki fish caught in Wellington Harbour in 1869. Alongside smaller samples stored in jars, the collection features large marine species such as sharks and a colossal squid, all preserved for scientific study.”

Construction is set to begin next week, with completion expected by March 2028. The collection will be transferred shortly after, and the current facility will be decommissioned by April 2029.

The Government is investing $112.5 million over the next three years. The project is projected to cost $155.4 million overall. It previously received $42.9 million in 2022. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Feedback is being sought on proposals to cut the rock lobster catch on Northland’s east coast to allow the fishery to recover.

“Rock lobster, which plays an important role in the marine ecosystem, is prized by commercial, recreational and customary fishers,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

“The proposals that have been developed are significant. They would reduce catch on Northland’s east coast to, in the longer term, increase the abundance and size of rock lobster in that fishery.

“It’s about allowing the fishery on the east coast to recover so there are more and bigger lobsters in Northland’s east coast fishery,” Mr Jones says.

The proposals include:

• Options for seasonal or year-round area closures to the spiny rock lobster fishery on the east coast of Northland (CRA 1),
• an additional option to close a small section of the CRA 2 coastline (bordering CRA 1) to the take of spiny rock lobster to avoid displacement of fishing effort, and
• options to reduce the recreational daily limits for spiny rock lobster and packhorse rock lobster.

“Officials engaged with the public late last year ahead of developing these proposals, and it’s clear from feedback that we all want a healthy and thriving Northland rock lobster fishery,” Mr Jones says.

“Taking steps to increase the abundance and size of rock lobster in this fishery is good for fishers but also for the marine environment. Rock lobster helps keep kina in check so they don’t destroy important kelp forest habitat and cause bare areas of rocky reef known as kina or urchin barrens.

“I’ve made dealing with kina barrens a priority. Last year, I introduced new tools to help tackle kina barrens, and in April I closed the inner Hauraki Gulf to rock lobster fishing.”

Consultation on the Northland proposals starts today, and people have until 5pm on 22 September 2025 to make a submission.

More information, including how to make a submission, can be found on MPI’s website.

Source: New Zealand Police

New Zealand Police is congratulating Fijian Police Officer Corporal Sailasa Kerekere and his dog Villain on their graduation from the Police Dog Training Centre (DTC) in Trentham today.

Corporal Kerekere marked the occasion in front of Fiji Police training Sergeant Nuimaia Lawanicina and training staff from the DTC.

This is Corporal Kerekere’s second operational dog, and he now heads back to the front line with an explosives specialist, a black Labrador called Villain.

“My first dog Hague and I worked together for two years as a drug detector team. I covered a large area with him, and this new pup Villain is a great dog too.  I think he’ll be really good at his job,” he says.

The team trained at Trentham, supported under New Zealand and Fiji Police’s Partnership Programme and the Pacific Detector Dog Programme.

National Coordinator Police Dogs and Pacific Detector Dog Programme (PDDP) Manager, Inspector Todd Southall, congratulated Corporal Kerekere.

“Corporal Sailasa Kerekere has trained here in Upper Hutt for eight weeks and now the rest of his training is completed back in Fiji under the watchful eyes of advisors from the PDDP,” he says.

New Zealand Police has a close partnership with its Pacific neighbours and the PDDP is part of a commitment to increase safety across the region.

The DTC has been working with Pacific countries for much longer than the PDDP has been running, Inspector Southall says.

“About 20 years ago we started to work with some of the Pacific countries – initially the Cook Islands, Samoa, and Tonga, then later Fiji and now French Polynesia and New Caledonia has been added this year.”

The PDDP officially started in 2018, funded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye, Tasman Organised Crime Unit:

Police executed a warrant earlier today at a Wanaka address and charged a 28-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman with defrauding a person of $1,044,500 over the past two years.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye said the Tasman Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) has been investigating two suspects who first lived on the West Coast and have recently moved to Wanaka where they have been living the high life with rented properties and high end European cars.

Their lavish lifestyle has been funded with money allegedly defrauded from family, friends and associates, for cancer treatment that inquiries show was never required and never obtained.

“The TOCU has been investigating this matter for only two weeks and has acted as promptly as possible to prevent further offending on this scale.

“Inquiries to date including an ongoing financial analysis of bank accounts used by the couple which indicates there are other victims who have not yet spoken with police. We’re identifying who they are and will be investigating their complaints.”

Existing matters against the couple were filed at court in April 2024 for fraud related offending against another two victims, totalling $79,000. They will appear in the Queenstown District Court where bail is opposed.

“Members of the TOCU will continue to investigate this matter to ensure all offenders are held to account. We’re also seizing assets where possible to assist with any possible reparation, and so that potential victims are protected from further offending by this couple.

“If you feel like you have given money away to this couple that matches with some of the deceptive reasons mentioned here or have information that can assist the inquiry, contact the Tasman Organised Crime Unit.”

“We’re based in Greymouth where the team will be actively investigating your complaint. Please quote case number 241031/7310,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye.

If you believe you are, or have been, a victim of fraud, contact Police at www.police.govt.nz/use-105, or call Police on 105 and report the matter.

If you have handed over your bank details, contact your bank and immediately suspend your account.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have made two arrests over an aggravated robbery in Onerahi on Monday afternoon.

Whangārei CIB have been investigating after a woman’s bag was taken from her near an alleyway on Ross Street on 11 August, around 3pm.

“A woman’s bag was taken after a weapon was allegedly presented at her,” Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says.

“Enquiries have been underway to locate the two young males allegedly involved in this crime.

“This resulted in us locating two males, aged 14 and 16, yesterday.”

Police have charged the 14-year-old male with aggravated robbery and breaching bail.

He will be appearing in the Whangārei Youth Court today.

The 16-year-old has been referred to Youth Aid.

Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says an Onerahi address was searched as part of enquiries.

“Crucially, we have located a laptop that was in the woman’s bag at the time,” he says.

“This is a great result in both holding these two males to account, and recovering the laptop as I know it contained irreplaceable university material.

“Police and the community will not tolerate violence or other intimidation.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can today release the name of a man who died in Ruakākā on Monday.

He was local man, 29-year-old Matthew George Taylor.

Matthew leaves behind a partner and three young children.

“They are all struggling to come to terms with their loss,” Sergeant Simon Craig, from Ruakākā Station, says.

“What should have been morning exercise in good conditions has turned into a tragedy.”

His family have asked for privacy as they continue to grieve.

Police have established that Matthew had gone kayaking in the sheltered Ruakākā estuary.

“A search operation got underway after Matthew failed to return home,” Sergeant Craig says.

“Matthew was located a few hours later by Ruakākā Surf Lifesaving Club members in the estuary a short distance from where his upturned kayak was found.”

Police acknowledge those involved in the search for Matthew.

A rāhui has been put in place by Patuharakeke kaumātua over the Ruakākā River, which lifts this afternoon.

Police are referring Matthew’s death to the Coroner.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:

Late last night, Police shot two people following a report of a family harm incident at an address in Clyde Street, Bryndwr.

Sadly, a woman died at the scene and a man sustained critical injuries.

The man is now in a stable condition in hospital. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening at this time.

These incidents are extremely distressing for all involved, and our number one priority is to offer support to the family of the two people shot, as they come to terms with what has happened. Attending Police staff are also being provided the necessary support.

Police were called to the property about 11pm, after receiving a 111 call from a person who was not present at the address. They told the emergency calltaker that the man was allegedly armed with a knife and threatening to hurt both himself and his partner.

Due to information provided to Police at the time, officers established a safe forward point and made a tactical decision to arm themselves.

At that point, a woman ran out of the house, closely followed by the man, who was in possession of a hunting knife.

Police believed the woman was at risk of imminent serious harm and fired a single shot, which struck the man.

As an officer immediately approached the man to provide first aid, the woman picked up the knife and began to threaten the officers.

Despite an appeal for her to put the weapon down, she advanced on Police, brandishing the knife.

A second shot was fired, hitting the woman.

Officers immediately provided medical assistance, however she died at the scene.

Support is in place for the 10 officers who were in attendance at the time of the shooting.

Cordons remain in place at the address and a scene examination will be carried out over the next few days.

I want to assure the community that there is no ongoing threat following the events overnight.

I also want to acknowledge the difficult situation our staff found themselves in last night. Drawing a firearm is one of the last things a Police officer wants to do, and this will likely be the most significant decision they will make in their Police career.

A critical incident investigation is ongoing, and the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA).

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Te Poi Road, southeast of Matamata, will be closed for some time following a crash between a truck and a pedestrian.

It happened just north of the intersection with State Highway 29.

Indications are that the pedestrian is seriously injured.

The Serious Crash Unit will be in attendance.

Te Poi Road is closed between the State Highway 24 and State Highway 29 intersections, and motorists are asked to avoid the area.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

In Government, we’re busy working to grow our economy – and this includes improving competition settings.  Today I can provide an update on where things stand across competition and consumer policy. 

I’ll begin with the Commerce Act review and the governance of the Commerce Commission – two areas I know are top of mind for many of you.

Commerce Act review

The Commerce Act review was launched to modernise New Zealand’s competition law framework – the first review of its kind in 20 years. 

The review looked at New Zealand’s merger regime, rules around beneficial collaboration, confidential information, industry codes, and the effectiveness of enforcement tools.

We received a wide range of submissions – most of them from the people in this room. Thank you to everyone who contributed – your feedback has been detailed, constructive, and very helpful.

As you know, the review was initiated earlier in the term and has been carried forward under new ministerial leadership. That transition has brought fresh perspectives while maintaining momentum on the work already underway. 

I acknowledge the delay and appreciate your patience. Increasing competition is a central pillar of this Government’s Going for Growth Agenda. The issues are complex, have important implications across the economy, and I want to make the most of this opportunity to update our competition settings to promote business dynamism and lift economic growth.

Today, I’m pleased to announce the initial set of reforms to the Commerce Act, with further changes to be announced over the coming weeks. 

First, we’re making changes to the Act to better support beneficial collaboration – because we’ve heard the current system is too complex, costly, and slow for business. 

Right now, even low-risk, competitive collaboration – like joint R&D or emergency coordination – faces legal uncertainty and high barriers. The authorisation process alone costs nearly $37,000 and can take several months. That’s not workable for small businesses or urgent initiatives. 

So, we’re introducing a new framework to make collaboration easier, while keeping competition safeguards in place:

• A statutory notification regime, initially limited to resale price maintenance and small business collective bargaining, will allow firms to notify the Commission of collaborative conduct and proceed unless the Commission objects – a faster, cheaper alternative to authorisation.
• Class exemption powers will allow the Commission to exempt categories of conduct that are low-risk or clearly beneficial.
• Fee relief mechanisms will give the Commission discretion to waive or reduce application fees where appropriate.
• A streamlined process for collaborative activity clearance will allow applicants to ask the Commission to assess the purpose and necessity of cartel provisions, without assessing broader competition impacts.
• Flexibility for evolving collaboration will allow clearance and authorisation for arrangements with changing participants over time – better supporting multi-party initiatives.

These changes will reduce duplication, simplify the process, and better reflect the original intent of the collaborative activity regime. 

We have also heard in your submissions that businesses and individuals are increasingly reluctant to share information with the Commission because of fears confidential information could be released under the Official Information Act, potentially leading to retaliation or misuse of confidential information by competitors. This is undermining the Commission’s ability to collect evidence and receive useful information, particularly in investigations and merger clearances.

To address this issue, we are:

• Providing a 10-year OIA exemption for confidential information provided to the Commission.
• Extending the Commission’s ability to issue confidentiality orders over classes of information or documents, to attach terms and conditions on release, and to allow orders to continue to apply for up to 10 years.
• Protecting individuals against retaliation who provide information to the Commission – modelled on whistleblower legislation. 

These changes will help restore trust, encourage cooperation, and ensure the Commission can access the information it needs – especially from complainants and whistleblowers.

Further decisions on the merger regime, potential new industry codes, and other changes will be announced over the coming weeks. 

Commerce Commission Governance Review

Alongside the Commerce Act review, we’re also looking at the governance of the Commerce Commission.

This review, led by Dame Paula Rebstock, was focused on:

• The structure and composition of the Commission board
• Decision-making processes and transparency
• The skills and expertise needed to regulate increasingly complex markets. 

The Commission is made up of very talented people, and I see some of you in the room today.

The goal is to ensure the Commission is well-equipped to deliver timely, high-quality decisions and maintain public confidence in its work.

We are considering the review’s recommendations and will announce Cabinet decisions in the coming weeks. 

Banking

The Commission’s market study into personal banking services (launched in June 2023) found that the four major banks do not face strong competition, due to structural advantages, regulatory barriers, and low consumer switching.

The final report, released in August 2024, recommended: 

• Strengthening Kiwibank as a competitive force
• Accelerating open banking, and
• Making it easier for consumers to switch banks.

The government has accepted all the recommendations, and my colleague Hon Nicola Willis has issued a new Financial Policy Remit to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, directing it to place greater emphasis on promoting competition alongside its stability objectives.

In June 2024, a Select Committee inquiry into banking competition was announced, with broader terms of reference including business and rural banking. The Committee is expected to report back this month.

Open banking and consumer data right

In March, Parliament passed the Customer and Product Data Act, establishing the Consumer Data Right.

The framework will allow consumers to safely share their data with other providers, making switching easier and promoting innovation.

The Act also sets rules to make sure data is shared in standard formats, outlines who can receive the data, and includes safeguards to keep it secure and compatible across systems.

Banking is the first sector to be regulated, with rules coming into force by the end of 2025. 

Over time, different sectors will be brought into the framework through regulations.

Retail payments

In July, the Commission released its final decision to further regulate interchange fees on Mastercard and Visa networks, aiming to reduce merchant service fees by $90 million annually.

This decision builds on the initial fee caps set back in 2022, which led to $140 million in annual savings for New Zealand businesses. 

In late July, I announced the Government will ban surcharges on in-store EFTPOS and domestic Visa and Mastercard debit and credit payments by May 2026, and earlier if possible.

This responds to concerns that consumers are paying up to $150 million in surcharges annually, including up to $65 million in excessive surcharges.

The decision followed a detailed competition impact assessment, which weighed potential benefits and risks:

• Benefits include eliminating excessive surcharges, lowering compliance costs for merchants, improving enforcement, and enhancing the consumer experience.
• Risks include pressure on small businesses, potential price increases, and reduced incentives for consumers to adopt lower-cost or innovative payment methods.

The Retail Payment System (Ban on Surcharges) Amendment Bill will be introduced by the end of 2025, ensuring consumers know exactly what they’ll pay at the point of sale.

Water regulation 

As part of the Local Water Done Well reforms, the Government is introducing a new regulatory regime under the Commerce Act to ensure water services are efficient, transparent, and accountable.

The Local Government (Water Services) Bill is expected to pass very shortly, and will appoint the Commerce Commission as the water services economic regulator.

The regime will initially apply to local government drinking water and wastewater services, with potential to include stormwater later.

The Commission’s tools will include: 

• Information disclosure, to promote transparency about regulated suppliers’ performance.
• Maximum and minimum revenue thresholds, so that regulated suppliers have a clear understanding about the level of revenue they need to collect and invest in water infrastructure.
• The ability to impose requirements on regulated suppliers that give effect to the financial ring-fencing principle.

Together, these tools will lay the foundation for a water services system that is financially sustainable and delivers better outcomes for communities across New Zealand.

Broader view of competition policy 

Competition policy is broader than just the Commerce Act. It intersects with consumer protection, sector-specific regulation, and innovation policy.

Making competition a priority means embedding it across government – not just in legislation, but in how we regulate, procure, and design markets.

For example, new Cabinet requirements for regulatory impact analysis explicitly reference the Commerce Commission’s Competition Assessment Guidelines to guide officials in developing regulatory proposals. 

MBIE and the Commerce Commission play a key role in supporting this work, providing secondary advice that informs decisions across agencies and sectors.

Competition policy is also a function of trade policy, and a Government priority to deepen our relationship with key trading partners, including Australia and a single trans-Tasman economic market. 

Closing remarks 

Thank you again for your engagement and feedback – especially through the Commerce Act review process.

We’re committed to delivering reforms that are practical, enduring, and in the public interest.

I look forward to working with you as we move into the next phase of implementation.