Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Taranaki study will investigate the health of one of New Zealand’s most iconic marine species – the kōura/spiny red rock lobster.

The collaboration between Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama and the Department of Conservation (DOC) will monitor kōura off the north Taranaki coast, comparing abundance, size, sex ratio and health inside the Parininihi Marine Reserve and several points outside the protected area.

DOC marine reserves ranger Oscar Cotter said the species, commonly known as crayfish (Jasus edwardsii), was a keystone in the coastal environment, playing an essential role in maintaining ecosystem health, but they were under significant pressure from commercial and recreational fishing.

“Kōura are a key indicator species in determining the success of marine reserves DOC is responsible for,” Cotter said.

“In marine reserves like Parininihi, they are fully protected and able to recover from fishing impacts. In marine reserves, people can see our marine life and fish species as nature intended.

“They are great places for people to enjoy naturing in our oceans and learn about the species that live there.”

Cotter said three days of field work were scheduled to begin on 1 December, with craypots placed at 50 specific locations inside the marine reserve and a further 50 points outside it.

All kōura caught would be returned to the sea, once they’d been measured and details recorded.

“We’ll be using a commercial vessel for this work and, as the boat will be inside the marine reserve, we wanted to pro-actively inform local residents and boaties,” Cotter said.

“Parininihi Marine Reserve is significant to the communities of the area, and DOC and Ngāti Tama feel it’s important to alert residents to the work, so there are no concerns or confusion about the commercial vehicle appearing to be harvesting koura in the marine reserve.”

Kaitiaki Taiao, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama, Troy Tawhiao said the iwi were fully onboard with the work.

“Through this kōura survey, Ngāti Tama shares our mātauranga and strengthens our connection to Parininihi as kaitiaki,” he said. “It also helps us educate our uri and wider community about the health of our moana.”

DOC staff and Ngāti Tama representatives would be onboard the vessel at all times during the field work, which was reliant on good weather and sea conditions.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Hawaiian waka will be on display for people to see at Mangonui’s main wharf in Northland on Sunday.

Hikianalia is accompanying waka Hōkūleʻa to take part in celebrations to mark 40 years since Hōkūleʻa visited.

It sparked the revival of building ocean-going waka and traditional navigation, led by the late Sir Hek Busby.

Hikianalia will be on display between 10 and 2pm, and will then head to a dry dock in Auckland for maintenance.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A new law change allowing key immigration decisions to bypass established processes and earlier judges decisions, and relying on vague definitions, will put vulnerable migrants at greater risk, an immigration lawyer says.

Lawyer Alastair McClymont is ringing the alarm, after the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in parliament, saying the changes to the Immigration Act will put vulnerable migrants at greater risk.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford claims the bill is “introducing safeguards for vulnerable people”.

She said New Zealand needed an immigration system that was fit for purpose and responsive to risk, and the bill strengthened the integrity and flexibility of the system, acted on independent review recommendations and shared costs more fairly across users.

The bill created a new offence for knowingly seeking or receiving premiums for employment, either in New Zealand or offshore, with penalties of up to seven years in prison or a $100,000 fine. It also lifted the threshold for detaining asylum seekers and introduced electronic monitoring as a less restrictive option.

Stanford said the changes meant residents could no longer avoid conviction or sentencing by arguing that a criminal record might affect their immigration status, putting them on the same footing as citizens.

Other changes included a broader levy base, judicial warrants for out-of-hours compliance visits, extra safeguards for asylum seekers under warrants of commitment, clearer deportation rules for residents convicted of offences and a new power to cancel residence visas for people who posed a security risk, but could not be deported, because they might face torture.

McClymont told RNZ the bill would increase risk to vulnerable migrants, because it allowed key immigration decisions to bypass established processes – including decisions previously made by judges.

“Taking the decision-making power away from experienced and trained judges when looking at mitigating factors of convictions, and putting that in the hands of inexperienced, untrained immigration officials increases the risk of separating families and creating significant harm,” he said.

McClymont was also concerned about what he described as “a lot of very vague definitions” that could be interpreted in many different ways.

“That raises the risk that the bill is not much more than a ‘Trojan horse’ for potentially harsher action against migrants in the future, depending on how particular phrases are read.”

Failing to define key terms was dangerous, he said.

“Is it going to be up to the government of the day to decide what a security risk is?”

McClymont said similar shifts happening in the United States and the United Kingdom were starting to seep into New Zealand law and policy.

“That’s a very big concern, because a lot of that is dog-whistle politics – blaming immigrants, blaming refugees, associating them with security risks and mass arrivals – instead of policy that provides proper care and support for migrant families, and ensures refugee applications are processed promptly and fairly.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Air New Zealand has won a number of international awards, including being named the world’s safest airline for 2025 by AirlineRatings.com.

Alongside the top gong for safety, the airline was named the best in the South Pacific by APEX, and claimed Oceania’s Leading Airline and Oceania’s Leading Airline Brand at the World Travel Awards 2025.

Air New Zealand also won the Forbes Travel Guide’s Innovation of the Year for its Skycouch seats, while readers of USA TODAY’s 10 BEST Awards voted the airline among the world’s favourites, placing second for Best Airline, second for Best Cabin Crew, second for Best Airline Food, and third for both Business Class and Inflight Entertainment.

Alongside these awards, Air New Zealand was ranked as the third best airline in the world by AirlineRatings.com, and was named Australia’s most trusted airline in the Finder Awards as well as taking out the top value frequent flyer programme.

The airline was also awarded for its sustainability efforts, by taking out the Asia Pacific CAPA Environmental Sustainability Award of the Year for 2025.

Air New Zealand chief customer and digital officer Jeremy O’Brien said the recognition reflects the talent, creativity and commitment of the airline’s people.

“It’s fantastic to see Air New Zealand recognised alongside some of the biggest and best carriers in the world. It’s a reflection of New Zealand and where we come from, as well as our people on the ground and in the air who work tirelessly to deliver an experience that feels genuinely Kiwi.

“These awards belong to our team, and to our customers, who continue to support and believe in what we do. Our teams have ensured our manaaki and care continue to shine through, and it’s that unwavering commitment that’s clearly turning heads on the global stage,” O’Brien said.

Beyond the skies, Air New Zealand was again named New Zealand’s Most Attractive Employer by recruitment agency Ranstad, a title it has now held for three consecutive years.

“Awards are wonderful recognition, but they’re also motivation to keep moving forward,” said O’Brien.

“We’ll continue to innovate, evolve and do what we do best, taking care of our customers and showcasing the very best of New Zealand to the world.”

The awards come as Air New Zealand cabin crew prepare to strike in December after months of negotiations failed to secure a fair deal on pay and conditions.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand