Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand
We are asking the public for feedback on a proposal that banks must provide a minimum level of cash services so people, businesses, and community groups can withdraw cash, deposit cash, and get change free-of-charge close to where they live.
Source: New Zealand Government
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston welcomed new data that provides fresh insights into how and why New Zealanders travel domestically.
Data released in February comes from the first wave of the new Domestic Visitor Survey, which measures insights into peak and off‑peak domestic tourism in New Zealand.
“This new survey provides valuable insights into New Zealanders’ domestic travel intentions, behaviours, and experiences,” Louise Upston says.
“Three in five New Zealanders took an overnight trip in the six months to October 2025, and nearly half took a day trip. That’s incredibly useful information for understanding where and how people are choosing to travel.
“Domestic tourism contributes around 60 percent of total New Zealand tourism expenditure and is essential to many of our regional economies. Insights from this survey will help the tourism industry plan with greater confidence and respond to changing travel patterns across the country.”
This first Domestic Visitor Survey was conducted in October and November 2025, capturing data on domestic travel over the previous six months and intentions to travel domestically over the next six months.
“These insights build on the volumes and flow data released late last year, to help understand how people move around New Zealand and support local planning and investment,” Louise Upston says.
“Delivering this data within six months ensures the sector has timely, practical insights to support planning and respond to emerging travel trends.
Other key findings include:
Main reasons for past travel were to visit family and friends and to relax and unwind.
Trip satisfaction was high, with most travellers satisfied or very satisfied.
Over three-quarters intended to take an overnight trip in the following six months; over half intended to take a day trip.
Key barriers to planned travel were cost and weather conditions.
Planning relied mainly on destination websites, online resources, and recommendations from friends and family.
“We’re already seeing a positive resurgence of international visitors coming to our shores post covid. These new insights will help the industry to maximise our tourism offerings for domestic travellers, encouraging kiwis to explore more of their backyard,” Louise Upston says.
“As the country’s second-highest export earner, tourism and hospitality has a key role in New Zealand’s economic growth. As a Government, we are committed to ensuring a thriving tourism industry in New Zealand.”
The survey is undertaken by Verian on behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Key results and interactive charts can be found on the Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre.
The next data release from the Domestic Visitor Survey is planned for September 2026 and will cover data collected in the April 2026 survey.
Editor’s note:
The first Domestic Visitor Survey took place in October and November 2025, with a sample of 2,581 New Zealanders aged 15+. The survey uses an online panel survey, with demographic quotas on age by gender, region, and ethnicity.
As with all sample surveys, there are limitations related to coverage and non-response that cannot be fully corrected. To help reduce these limitations, the survey is carefully sampled, with survey results weighted to 2023 Census demographics to ensure representativeness of the adult population.
Source: New Zealand Government
New Zealand is applying further sanctions on Iran, placing travel bans on members of the Iranian regime involved in the violent suppression of protests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.
“It has been horrifying to witness the brutal killing of thousands of protestors in Iran,” Mr Peters says.
“Iranians have the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and access to information. Those rights have been ruthlessly violated.”
The travel bans will target 40 individuals who have perpetrated human rights abuses in Iran, including Minister of the Interior Eskandar Momeni, Minister of Intelligence Esmail Khatib, and Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad. It will also include members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
New Zealand joins Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and the United States in taking this action.
The travel bans will also apply to three Iranian individuals implicated in Iran’s malign activity abroad.
“Iran’s destabilising activities are totally outside the norms of acceptable state behaviour,” Mr Peters says.
The individuals affected by travel bans will not be allowed to enter or transit New Zealand.
“Today’s actions send a clear message that those who act with callous disregard for human life are not welcome here.
“New Zealand will continue to act deliberately and alongside partners when we see actions that undermine international law and regional stability,” Mr Peters says.
New Zealand has previously announced three tranches of travel bans on 55 individuals responsible for human rights violations in Iran. New Zealand has also imposed sanctions on 29 Iranian individuals and 19 Iranian entities who have provided support to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.
The list of banned individuals is on the MFAT website.
Source: New Zealand Government
Education Minister Erica Stanford has welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations to renew the Primary Principals’ (NZEI Te Riu Roa) Collective Agreement. On 24 February, a ballot with members of the NZEI returned a majority vote to ratify the PPCA settlement, which covers around 1,300 primary principals.
“Primary principals play a key role in our schools and in the teaching workforce. They are dedicated and passionate about lifting educational achievement, and their leadership must be recognised during this important reform programme,” Ms Stanford says.
“Principals lead schools through major sector reforms and deliver on educational priorities, while playing an important role in their local communities. Their leadership is valued.”
Under the settlement terms, primary principals receive a cumulative 2.5 percent immediately, plus 2.1 percent in 12 months. The settlement introduces a $15,000 Curriculum Change Allowance paid over the term of the agreement to recognise their work to lead the implementation programme.
The Leadership in Literacy and Numeracy base payment will additionally increase to $10,000 per year over the term of the agreement, as well as other increases and new allowances.
“The settlement delivers meaningful improvements to primary principal pay and conditions. It reflects shared priorities, with a firm commitment to leading implementation of the new curriculum and lifting educational outcomes for our students.”
“I thank the Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche for seeing these negotiations through to a successful conclusion. The settlement represents a positive outcome for primary principals covered by the agreement.”
Full details of the Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement (PPCA) settlement can be found here: https://workforce.education.govt.nz/principals-and-schools/collective-agreement-negotiations
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is continuing its work to fix the basics of New Zealand’s transport system, with public consultation opening today on two packages of practical rule changes to make everyday travel safer and cut red tape for truck operators, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“For most New Zealanders, transport rules are not something they think about until they run into them,” Mr Bishop says.
“It might be a parent unsure whether their 10-year-old is allowed to ride their bike on the footpath, a driver not clear how much space to give a cyclist, an e-scooter rider not sure if they can use the cycle lane, a bus stuck waiting to pull back into traffic, or a truck operator tied up in paperwork just to move an empty trailer between depots.
“We are fixing the basics by making sure the rules are clear, practical, and reflect how people actually use our roads every day. This is about safer school rides, smoother bus trips, clearer guidance for drivers, and fewer compliance headaches for truck operators.
“This is technical work, but it matters in the real world. It affects how parents teach their kids to ride bikes safely, how drivers pass cyclists or horses on rural roads, how buses pull out in traffic, and how truckies get freight from A to B.”
The first package of proposals focuses on lane use and everyday road rules, aiming to make them clearer and safer for drivers, cyclists, bus users and pedestrians.
“We are seeking feedback on five practical proposals to improve the safe and efficient use of lanes and better align the rules with how people already travel,” Mr Bishop says.
Proposals include:
“Many children already ride on footpaths, although the current rule does not allow them to. Bringing the law into line with reality, with appropriate guidance and expectations around responsible riding, will help families make safer choices,” Mr Bishop says.
“I acknowledge some pedestrians, including older people and members of the disability community, may have concerns. Education and clear guidance will be important, and parents and caregivers will need to ensure children ride at safe speeds and give way to pedestrians.”
The second package focuses on heavy vehicles.
“Freight keeps our economy moving, and truck drivers are the backbone of our supply chains. We have heard clearly from operators that some of the current rules create unnecessary delays and costs without improving safety,” Mr Bishop says.
Under the proposals:
“These are practical, commonsense changes. They give operators more certainty to get on with their work, reduce compliance headaches, and support the transition to low-emissions vehicles, all while keeping safety front and centre.
“These two packages of proposals are just part of the wider Land Transport Rules Reform programme.
“Last year we reduced the frequency for vintage vehicles and private motorhomes needing to get a Warrant of Fitness or Certificate of Fitness, and in recent months we’ve consulted the public on also reducing WOF/COF frequency for light vehicles, simplifying heavy vehicle permitting, and potential safety requirements for vehicles entering the fleet. We’ll have more to say on those proposals soon.
“There’s still a lot more work to do on modernising New Zealand’s Land Transport Rules. We hear the freight and heavy vehicle sectors loud and clear when they tell us there are more changes they’d like to see, and policy work is underway to carefully consider those ideas.
“These changes are just a first step in commonsense reforms across New Zealand’s transport system. The Ministry of Transport and NZTA will build on the momentum of the programme by considering further reforms to Land Transport Rules, informed by issues that have been raised by industry and the public. There is also research underway to inform future work to enable more productive vehicles.
“We encourage parents, cyclists, bus users, disability advocates, truck drivers, transport operators, councils and everyday road users to have their say on the current proposals. Good rules are built on commonsense feedback from people who live by them.”
Notes to editors
Submissions can be made via the NZTA: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/laneuse, https://www.nzta.govt.nz/hvp-phase-2
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are attending a crash involving a car and a pedestrian on Clevedon Road, Papakura.
Police were called to Clevedon Road at around 8.20am.
The pedestrian has been transported to hospital in a moderate condition.
Diversions are in place at the intersection between Cosgrave Road and Clevedon Road.
The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and enquires into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
A woman has pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death in relation to the fatal crash on SH1, Motutere, on 4 July 2025.
The 24-year-old woman first appeared in court on 16 December 2025.
She has now entered a guilty plea and is due to appear in Taupo District Court for sentencing on 29 April.
Police extend our thoughts to the victim’s loved ones, who are no doubt still coming to terms with the loss of their child, Jax.
As the matter remains before the courts, Police are limited in providing any further detail.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police have received reports of chunks of tar on State Highway 1, State Highway 4, and State Highway 49, between Waiouru and Sanson.
Motorists are urged to take extra care while Police and contractors work to clear the chunks.
If you have seen or see a chunk of tar on the roads please contact Police on 105 and quote reference number P065564731.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police have laid a raft of charges against a man after he allegedly rammed two Police vehicles, one of which he rammed multiple times.
The man’s van came to Police attention just before 1.45am in the Manukau area.
Inspector Warrick Adkin, of Counties Manukau Central Police, says the Hiace van was seen driving erratically, including running through red lights.
“The Eagle helicopter was soon overhead and monitored the van until ground staff arrived.
“Units attempted to stop it on Manukau Station Road, resulting in the successful deployment of road spikes.
“The driver of the van then rammed a stationary patrol vehicle multiple times before targeting a second patrol vehicle which was entering the area,” Inspector Adkin says.
Police units have brought the van to a stop at the intersection of Te Irirangi Drive and Great South Road a short time later.
The 23-year-old man was taken into custody.
Inspector Adkin says the man will appear in the Manukau District Court today.
He faces four counts of assaults with intent to injure, intentional damage, dangerous driving, resist Police and failing to stop.
“One vehicle has been extensively damaged as a result of the incident, but first and foremost none of our staff were injured as a result of the man’s dangerous driving this morning,” Inspector Adkin says.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Police have arrested a 34-year-old man after a shooting in Manurewa last Wednesday.
Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers says at around 8.45pm on 18 February, Police were called to Marumaru Lane after reports a person had been shot.
“The offender has gone to the door and asked for the victim, before allegedly shooting him when he came to the door,” he says.
“The victim was taken to hospital in a serious condition, and was very fortunate to have not suffered life-threatening injuries.”
Enquiries into the incident led to Police to carry out search warrants, supported by the Armed Offenders Squad, in south Auckland on Tuesday afternoon.
“Staff carried out these warrants at properties in Takanini and Manurewa around 3pm,” says Detective Inspector Vickers.
“The alleged offender was not located at either address, but as a result he handed himself into Papakura Police Station not long afterwards and was taken into custody.”
Detective Inspector Vickers is pleased two arrests have now been made over the offending.
“We will not tolerate this type of offending and two people are now before the courts,” he says.
“Further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation continues.”
The man will appear in the Manukau District Court today, jointly charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and commission of an offence with a firearm.
A 29-year-old woman, who is co-accused, will also appear in court today after initially being arrested last week.
ENDS.
Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police