Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is introducing changes to the Animal Welfare Act 1999, raising welfare outcomes for pigs in New Zealand while providing farmers appropriate time to make the changes, Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) Andrew Hoggard announced today.

“These proposed changes set new requirements for the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls, and requirements for space for growing pigs,” Mr Hoggard says.

“Together, these proposed new requirements will be amongst the highest in the world and demonstrate the importance New Zealanders place upon animal welfare.

“Because these are substantial changes, the Government will give farmers sufficient time to prepare for them, with the requirements coming into effect on 19 December 2035.

“This approach provides the sector with a realistic timeframe to make changes to their practices and farms adapting to the new requirements without disrupting domestic pork supply or putting undue pressure on pig farmers.”

Under the proposed new regulations:
•    minimum spacing requirements for grower pigs will increase by 13.3 percent.
•    the time sows are confined in farrowing crates will be reduced from a maximum of 33 days to seven days, and a requirement to provide manipulable and deformable materials to enable farrowing sows to engage in nest-building behaviours; and
•    use of mating stalls will be limited to no more than three hours at a time, down from seven days.
This decision follows five years of consultation with industry, key stakeholders, veterinarians and the public.
“We’ve listened to and considered a broad range of perspectives. I’d like to thank all those that have provided their perspectives and expert advice to ensure our approach is scientifically robust and economically viable”

“The proposed amended regulations aim to ensure New Zealand retains its reputation for high animal welfare outcomes, while making sure we keep a viable pig farming industry in New Zealand, and Kiwis have access to locally grown pork.

“We’ve worked hard to minimise the costs for farmers. Nevertheless, many of these changes will require significant financial investment, infrastructure modification, and changes to practices on farm.”

The Code of Welfare for Pigs is currently being finalised and will be issued after the Amendment Bill is approved by Parliament to ensure alignment between the new requirements pig farmers will need to operate within.

“The approach of separating out the regulations and the Code of Welfare was the best way to replace the regulations that are set to automatically revoke on 18 December 2025, give the sector a realistic path to compliance, and uphold the welfare standards expected by New Zealanders.”

Notes for editors

The changes that are proposed are as follows: 

• farrowing crates: a regulation allowing confinement of sows for a maximum of three days pre-farrowing, and four days post-farrowing. This will replace the current requirement of a maximum of seven days before farrowing and up to four weeks post-farrowing. There will be no changes to the requirements of the crate size.
• a requirement to provide ‘manipulable and deformable materials to enable farrowing sows to engage in nest-building behaviours.’ This will now be required for all facilities, not just those facilities constructed after 3 December 2010.
   mating stalls: a regulation allowing use for up to three hours at a time, with no limit on the number of times they are used. This replaces the current regulation of the use of mating stalls for no more than seven days per reproductive cycle.
•  spacing requirements are measured through a formula known as a ‘k value’. The area for static space allowance for pigs is calculated from metabolic liveweight using the model equation: Area (m2) per pig = k x liveweight 0.67 where k is a constant. The formula gives an indication of the ‘footprint’ of a pig that is lying down (without sharing space with another pig). A k value of 0.019 represents the static space (area occupied when the pig is not moving) while lying on its belly while a k value of 0.047 represents a pig recumbent on its side. The minimum value for k under New Zealand regulations is currently 0.03. 
   

Source: NZCTU

The Government’s proposed package of reforms to the electricity sector will do nothing to stem job losses, or manage the cost of living for New Zealanders said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The Government is tackling non-existent problems such as financing investment, while dodging the real issues, such as delivering new generation and excessive dividend distribution. It’s time that New Zealand’s electricity supply was brought back into public hands, not just further mismanaged.”

“The Government’s proposals amount to doubling down on the problem which will compound a broken system. Jobs are being lost on a weekly basis across New Zealand and high electricity prices are contributing to those losses. Households faced an average 11.4% increase in electricity prices. Yet the best thing that the Government can do is write a sternly worded letter to the Generators.

“The Government claims that it wishes to ‘improve electricity market transparency and information’, yet it supported the Electricity Authority stopping the provision of information on electricity market margins earlier this year.

“Instead of getting on with fixing the electricity system, the Government has sought to deliver an LNG terminal which will be years away – when renewable energy projects in New Zealand could be started now.”

Renney said, “This Government has failed to address the challenges inherent in our current electricity market. The NZCTU believes that electricity is a public utility, rather than a source of profit. Even the Government’s own press release states that the market has failed to invest, and we are now paying the price. The weak package put forward by Ministers today shows how much better a publicly owned electricity system, as proposed by the NZCTU, would be for the future of New Zealand.”

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A Northland farmer has been handed a 3-year ban from owning or managing deer after underfeeding more than 145 of the animals.

Niven John Lowrie (66) was also fined $7000 when he was sentenced in the Manukau District Court (30/9/2025) on two charges under the Animal Welfare Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). 

Along with the ban, Mr Lowrie was ordered to pay veterinarian associated costs to MPI of $7,161.97.

“Mr Lowrie was managing another farm outside of the district and neglecting his own animals at his Northland farm. 

“Our investigation found that more than 145 deer were basically left to fend for themselves with poor pasture and a lack of supplementary feed,” says MPI regional manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Brendon Mikkelsen.

When Animal Welfare inspectors responded to a complaint, they found 14 deer carcasses at his farm. They also discovered a deer tangled in a fence by its antlers and stuck in mud. That animal had to be euthanised to end its suffering. 

“Being an absent farmer is unacceptable. People in charge of animals are responsible at all times for their wellbeing. The suffering of these deer could have been prevented if Mr Lowrie had stayed on top of his responsibilities.

“When we find evidence of deliberate animal neglect – we will hold farmers to account and put the case before the court,” says Mr Mikkelsen.

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

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 Transport Agency

Work is about to begin to make two key Top of the South transport links safer for the public and more resistant to slips and rockfalls.

Contractors will be on site from next week at 2 sites near Murchison – one at the Granity Narrows on State Highway 6 between Kawatiri and Owen Junction, and the other near O’Sullivan’s Junction – also on State Highway 6. 

Work for both projects will be underway from Monday, 6 October until the end of May 2026.

Jetesh Bhula, Regional Manager Infrastructure delivery, says extensive rockfall protection will be installed at both locations, with around $8.6 million to be spent on the projects.

“This will involve rock scaling to remove loose rock, as well as installing rock bolts and mesh to stabilise the rock faces and reduce the risk of further debris falling onto the road.” 

“This is critical work. Not only will it reduce the danger rockfalls pose to drivers, but it also improves and strengthens sites where we know there is an active rockfall risk.”

Mr Bhula says the winter storms this year show how vital resilience works like these are.

“Areas on State Highway 6, Whangamoa Saddle, that had work done after the 2022 floods stood up well, and the route remained open, during the weather events we had in June and July this year.”

“The investment we are making at both the Granity Narrows, and O’Sullivan’s Junction are about improving safety, and maintaining and protecting critical transport links,” Mr Bhula says.

He says drivers can expect some disruption and travel delays at both sites while the work is underway.

“The geology and geography of both sites is challenging. When we have contractors working above the road, we must take steps to keep the public safe from the risk of falling debris. This is why lane closures and stop/go traffic have to be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

“Our contractors will do their best to keep traffic delays to a minimum but, unfortunately, you cannot do projects like these without affecting traffic. Drivers  should  be prepared for 15-minute delays at both sites,” Mr Bhula says.

Initial work will see contractors clear loose rock and unstable vegetation from the cliff faces at both sites.

Mr Bhula says the early works may not be immediately visible, but they are crucial – particularly at the Granity Narrows site on State Highway 6.

“The first few months will see an embankment built on an old railway line below the road. This will allow the highway to be widened and moved away from the cliff, providing more space for traffic when the substantive rockfall protection works are underway.”

“Please bear with us while we get this work completed. These are critical investments that will result in safer and more reliable roads,” Mr Bhula says.

Works schedule and location map

• Monday 6 October until end of May 2026.
• Stop/Go traffic management and 30 km/h temporary speed limit at both sites 24/7 – expect 15-minute travel delays.
• Stop/Stop traffic controls will be used when controlled rock clearing is underway.
• Access will be available for emergency services and school bus services.
• The road will be open to two lanes over the Christmas/New Year holiday period. 

More information 

• The $8.6 million project costs are funded from the National Land Transport Fund.
• Other resilience works recently completed or underway in the top of the South Island include rock scaling work on State Highway 65 at Higgins Bluff and flood prevention works on State Highway 1 at Dashwood in Marlborough, State Highway 6 at Dellows Bluff and State Highway 63 near the Wash Bridge in the Wairau Valley. Stage Two of the resilience work on State Highway 6 Whangamoa Saddle is currently underway. 

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

Local seafaring jobs are under threat by multinational cement company Holcim and Nova Algoma Cement Carriers Limited (NACC) who plan to replace a New Zealand-crewed vessel with a foreign-flagged and crewed ship.

New Zealand’s maritime unions are calling on the government to urgently intervene to keep skilled jobs.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ), the Merchant Service Guild (MSG), and the Aviation and Marine Engineers Association (AMEA) say Holcim is trying to orchestrate the replacement of the domestic cement carrier MV Buffalo and its Kiwi crew with the Panamanian-flagged NACC VEGA crewed by a foreign charter crew.

This would place up to 32 seagoing jobs in jeopardy.

“This is a direct assault on New Zealand seafarers and their families,” says MUNZ Auckland Branch Local 13 Secretary Grant Williams.

“At a time when Kiwis are facing economic tough times, Holcim is choosing to dump its loyal, skilled workforce for a cheaper, foreign Flag of Convenience and Crew of Convenience vessel. This is another blow to New Zealand’s coastal shipping industry.”

The unions warn the consequences extend far beyond the immediate job losses.

“Every job lost means less tax paid in New Zealand and one less skilled professional contributing to our national maritime capability,” said Mr Williams.

“Relying on foreign shipping leaves our essential supply chains vulnerable. Granting this permit will signal a race to the bottom that our domestic shipping industry simply cannot win.”

Mr Williams says the situation shows a lack of commitment and social responsibility by Holcim, which makes substantial profits from its New Zealand business.

The situation began in February 2025 when Holcim started a consultation process to replace the MV Buffalo, citing its age and high operating costs.

An initial proposal that would have seen the Kiwi crew offered fixed-term contracts until the end of 2025 collapsed in July, with Holcim providing no reasons for the failure.

In response, MUNZ has filed a case with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) focused on the disadvantage clause in the Collective Agreement, and the statutory right of cooks and stewards to transfer to the new employer.

The existing Collective Agreement includes a clause intended to protect employees from being disadvantaged if work is contracted out or the business is sold or transferred.

The case also seeks the transfer of cooks and stewards employed to meet crew requirements, claiming their entitlement to transfer to the new vessel under the provisions of Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act.

The parties have been to mediation but were not able to reach agreement. NACC is now seeking a New Zealand government authorisation for the NACC VEGA to operate in New Zealand’s domestic trade for 12 months, starting from October 2025.

The unions are putting the pressure squarely on the government to enforce New Zealand law.

Under section 198 of the Maritime Transport Act, the Minister of Transport can only authorise a foreign vessel to work the coast if no suitable New Zealand ship is available.

“The law is crystal clear, and so is the choice for the Minister,” says Mr Williams.

“The MV Buffalo is a suitable New Zealand ship that is available to do this work.

Holcim’s own documents confirm this. The Government must reject this application from NACC.”

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is backing community housing providers to deliver more social homes for less cost, with the introduction of a new loan guarantee scheme.

The scheme will help give community housing providers – with whom the Government is delivering more than 2000 new social homes – better access to debt financing at a lower cost and on more flexible terms from banks.

“That means more access to capital to get building, and more roofs over Kiwis’ heads,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

“The Government is dedicated to improving the way social housing is delivered. That means removing obstacles standing in the way of building homes, and inefficiencies that reduce the number built.”

Under the scheme, the Crown will guarantee 80 per cent of loans provided to eligible Community Housing Providers by participating banks.

“I want to acknowledge ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank and Westpac for working with the Government to turbocharge community housing growth through their enthusiastic participation in the scheme.”

Housing Minister Chris Bishop says because banks won’t need to hold as much capital to cover the loan’s debt, they can use the capital elsewhere.

“This initiative means banks can provide reduced interest rates to community housing providers. It may also allow banks to provide better lending terms. This will allow community housing providers to make decisions on their preferred financier based on the terms and pricing offered,” Mr Bishop says.

“This Government believes in social housing. We are working hard to deliver better housing to those who need support, including by assisting the community housing provider sector to expand and grow, with the government funding over 2000 new social homes in Budgets 2024 and 2025.

“Our ambition for the social housing system is for a level playing field between community housing providers and Kāinga Ora. The underlying ownership of a house – whether public or private – should be irrelevant. What matters is the provision of warm, dry homes to those who need them, along with social support if required.

“While Kainga Ora’s borrowing is done through the Crown, community housing providers currently access debt from the private market at higher rates and this has been identified by them as a real inhibitor to their growth.

“In March we signalled the Government was exploring new Crown lending facilities and a loan guarantee scheme to better support community housing providers.

“In September we established Crown lending facilities of up to $150 million for the Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA), which has now achieved an A+ credit rating from S&P Global and issued their first $200m of social bonds. CHFA is already helping community housing providers achieve much lower costs of borrowing.

“Scheme supported loans are available until 30 June 2027, for a maximum of five years from the date of issue. Once the terms are agreed between the community housing provider and the bank, the scheme loan will act like any other loan with its own terms and conditions.

“The scheme can support up to $900 million in both new lending and the refinancing of up to 50 per cent of community housing providers’ existing lending. It can support up to $80 million in scheme loans for each community housing provider.

“The loan guarantee and the Government’s support for the Community Housing Funding Agency are short-term measures providing critical support while other changes are made to improve the system in the longer term, including simplifying the funding system.

“We know community housing providers are often the best placed to deliver housing solutions for people within their communities – and we’re backing them to get on with what they are good at.”

Notes to Editor: Community Housing Provider Loan Guarantee Scheme

Community Housing Providers (CHPs) may be eligible for a loan under the Scheme if:

• They are registered CHPs
• The loans are being used for social and affordable housing
• The loans are provided by a participating bank, and:
• They are not on the bank’s watchlist.

Banks will assess each CHP’s individual circumstances to determine whether its loans are eligible.

More information on the CHP Loan Guarantee Scheme is available here.

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A former commercial fisher, who illegally sold seaweed online, has been fined $50,000.

Seaweeds are critical to marine and coastal environments, providing habitats and food for a wide range of marine organisms. Any commercial harvest of seaweed is carefully managed through a permitting and reporting system. 

Ryan Campbell McManaway (36) was sentenced in his absence at the Invercargill District Court (26/9/2025) on 4 charges under the Fisheries Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries. He was also fined an additional $3,000 on 3 charges of failing to comply with a directive to attend an interview with a fishery officer.

In November 2022, fishery officers discovered an online post advertising liquid seaweed fertiliser in 1,000 litre containers for $500 or $20 for a 20-litre bucket. A search warrant of a property found 14 of these containers of liquid seaweed fertiliser. Analysis of the seaweed found it to be Macrocystis pyrifera which can be used for fertiliser and in some food products.

“Mr McManaway was not a commercial fisher at the time. He had no legitimate right to harvest and sell this seaweed as a fertiliser,” says Fisheries New Zealand regional manager (south), Garreth Jay.

During their investigation, fishery officers also found an industrial mincer with 6 implements that had seaweed on them along with various other pieces of seaweed at his property.

“Mr McManaway could’ve potentially earned several thousand dollars from this illegal operation. When we find evidence of people breaking the rules that are there to protect the sustainability of our fisheries resources and the livelihood of legitimate commercial operators, we will hold them to account,” says Garreth Jay.

People are encouraged to do their part in protecting our fisheries by reporting any suspicious fishing to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or poacher@mpi.govt.nz

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

Media is invited to attend the Northland Law Enforcement Torch Run event to take photos and interview participants, including some of the local Special Olympics stars.

What: Law Enforcement Torch Run

Where: Meet at Whangārei Central Police station 9.45am then go to Whangārei Town Basin, 14 Quayside

When: Saturday 4 October 2025

Who: Northland District Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and police

Police contact: Mark Harrison 021 1907 805

Special Olympics contact: Coen Lammers 021 730 239

Police will be part of something special: supporting Northland’s Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope.

The first Law Enforcement Torch Run will happen on Saturday 4 October in Whangārei. It will start the countdown to the National Summer Special Olympics Games.

Known as Guardians of the Flame police members, along with Special Olympics athletes, will carry the Flame of Hope as it traverses the country to get local communities excited about the Games.

Athletes, supporters, Police and police dogs will assemble at Whangārei Central Police Station at 9.45am then head to the Whangārei Town Basin.

Police will assist athletes in carrying the torch over an identified route and back to the starting point.

The mayor will be on hand to greet the athletes as they complete the run.

“Lighting the Flame of Hope means that the games are just around the corner,” says Special Olympics Chief Executive Fran Scholey.

The New Zealand Law Enforcement Torch Run that starts in Northland on October 4 will travel all the way down to Southland, before it ends up in Christchurch in the week before the games start.

The countdown is on

The Special Olympics Games will be held at the new Wolfbrook Arena from Wednesday 10 until Sunday 14 of December.

Inspector Rupert Friend from New Zealand Police says, “We are proud to take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to help raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.

“The Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms including Polar Plunges. We held two plunges in Wellington and Christchurch this year where a total of $26,000 was raised for our New Zealand athletes.

“The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a worldwide organisation and celebrated this year raising $1 billion to support the athletes of Special Olympics. We encourage all kiwis to come out and show their support at Torch Run events up and down the country from October to December leading up to the games.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police

A Northland man who allegedly stole $600 worth of clothing from a Dargaville store came a cropper thanks to CCTV.

Police arrived at the Victoria Street store soon after being alerted to a theft at around 10.06am, on Monday, 22 September.

“A review of in-store CCTV provided Police with a clear picture of a person who’d made no attempt to pay for items of clothing he left the store with,” Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says. 

“A short time later, Police located a vehicle of interest at a petrol station in Dargaville.” 

The driver was subsequently arrested and placed under arrest for shoplifting.

“He’d been identified on CCTV at the clothing store,” Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.  “Other items of clothing with the tags still on, a speaker and tool bag were also located inside the car.”

Police are investigating whether these items were stolen around the same time.

“It’s good to get such a quick result and really demonstrates the value of having CCTV installed,” Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.  “We encourage store-owners to consider such measures to protect their business and help identify offenders.”

A 34-year-old man will appear in Whangārei District Court this week on two charges of shoplifting. 

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

From today more Kiwi families can apply for more help with the cost of early childhood education (ECE) under the Government’s expanded FamilyBoost scheme.

Households are from today able to submit claims for their costs from July to September.

“The expansion of the scheme means more families are eligible for FamilyBoost, and the refunds are more generous,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

“Now, households with combined incomes up to just under $230,000 are eligible – this was previously capped at $180,000.

“Meanwhile, the eligible households can now claim back 40 per cent of their ECE costs, up to a maximum of $300 a week. This was previously set at 25 per cent.”

Nicola Willis encouraged families with children in ECE to check their eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.

“It’s very easy to register and apply for FamilyBoost. Just head to the Inland Revenue website – ird.govt.nz/familyboost.”

“More than 68,000 households have already benefited from FamilyBoost, making life with a little one that much easier.

“The Government knows every little bit helps, and I encourage any family with children in ECE to check their eligibility and apply, so they have more money in their pockets, and can focus on the things that matter most.

Notes to editors:

The Income Tax (FamilyBoost) Amendment Act increased the proportion of ECE fees families can claim from 25 to 40 per cent.

Previously, an eligible household with fees of $100 a week could claim $25. Now, it’s $40 – an increase of $780 over the year. The amount they receive will depend on their household income.

FamilyBoost is paid on fees up to $300 a week so the maximum a family can now claim increases from $75 to $120 a week.

The Act also increased the household income limit for FamilyBoost from $180,000 a year to just under $230,000, making about another 21,000 households eligible for help with ECE costs.

Legislation supporting the changes – which expanded access to the scheme –passed into law at the end of September, with all parliamentary parties in favour except the Green Party.

For more information go to ird.govt.nz/familyboost.