Category: MIL-OSI

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  08 October 2025

DOC rangers joined forces with the Police, the Waimakariri District Council and Christchurch City Council and patrolled the Ōtākaro/Avon, Waimakariri, Kaiapoi, Pūharakekenui/Styx Rivers and Otipua/Saltwater Creek, speaking to hundreds of fishers.

DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson says there were 6 alleged offences observed in total which will be followed up, with possible outcomes ranging from no further action, a warning letter or a fine. Serious or repeat offences can lead to a prosecution.

“What’s really pleasing this season, is that 95 per cent of the fishers were adhering or wanting to adhere to the rules and are out there “naturing” on the rivers and catching a feed. Small pockets of tension arise due to the commercial value of whitebait and that’s generally where more serious deliberate offending occurs,” he says.

Andy Thompson says he would like to see whitebait fishers do more to advocate for and protect the environment near the whitebait habitats.

“There are incidents of riverbank modification, and this is not something we want to see. I’d love to see fishers getting involved in restoration projects and habitat protection. They are out there enjoying the environment we want to encourage them to actively give back to nature. We see many in the hunting and tramping space working actively in conservation and it makes a real difference to the work we do at DOC,” he says.

“Ngāi Tūāhuriri also really take a leadership role in this space. They have customary fishing rights and are active as kaitiaki (guardians). We want to see all fishers to see themselves as guardians to protect the fishing resource and surrounding habitats for future generations.”

The whitebait season runs from September 1 to October 30 in New Zealand, with fishing permitted from 6 am to 9 pm.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Government

Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.

I want to begin by acknowledging the leadership of Mark Ross and Don Hammond, and the Association’s continued commitment to advancing New Zealand’s wood processing sector. Your Value-Added Wood Exports Growth Acceleration Plan is a bold and strategic blueprint — one that reflects the ambition and clarity of purpose this industry is known for.

I also wish to recognise the working group behind the plan’s development. Your efforts serve the more than 42,000 New Zealanders employed across forestry, logging, wood production, and processing — a workforce larger than the urban population of Gisborne. That fact alone underscores the scale and significance of this sector to our national economy.

Forestry and wood processing are not just economic drivers — they are foundational to the prosperity of regional New Zealand. In my own Rotorua electorate and across the country, I see firsthand how thriving businesses in this sector sustain communities, create jobs, and foster innovation.

Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities

We are all aware of the challenges confronting the sector. Plant closures, high energy costs, soft domestic demand, and tariff uncertainty are placing pressure on businesses. These issues are real, and I’ve heard them directly from many of you.

But this industry is resilient. Your commitment to long-term prosperity is evident in the conversations taking place at this very conference. It is through forums like this — where expertise, experience, and vision converge — that we shape the path forward.

The sector’s performance last year speaks volumes. Forestry and wood processing exports rose 9% to $6.3 billion—an increase of $500 million. For the first time, processed wood exports exceeded $1 billion, reaching $1.1 billion—a 27% increase. These are not just numbers; they are signals of momentum and capability.

Looking ahead, the global trading environment and the projected softwood deficit present significant opportunities. With coordinated effort between industry and Government, New Zealand is well-positioned to lead.

Your growth plan aligns with the Government’s objective to double export value over the next decade. It sets out a clear pathway and places business leadership at the centre of accelerating high-value exports. This is a shared vision — one that focuses on processing more forest products onshore to maximise returns and build resilience.

Government Support for Sector Growth

Currently, around 60% of our wood exports are unprocessed. That will remain a vital part of our export mix. But New Zealand is increasingly recognised for its innovation and its ability to deliver high-value food and fibre products. The world demands quality — and we are ready to supply it.

The $47 million Wood Processing Growth Fund is a key enabler. It supports the development of high-value, long-lived wood products — structural timber, furniture, fencing, and landscaping. It helps projects move from concept to execution, creates employment, and strengthens the sector’s capacity.

To date, $11.5 million has been committed to 24 projects nationwide. These investments are not just commercial—they are community-building. Supporting Kiwi businesses means supporting the regions they call home.

Beyond direct investment, we are focused on removing structural barriers to growth. Reforms in the building and construction portfolio are streamlining regulation, making it more proportionate to risk and consistent nationwide.

We are addressing RMA consenting delays through the introduction of a fast-track process and a one-year maximum timeframe for councils to decide on wood processing consents. This will provide greater certainty, unlock investment, and accelerate growth.

Energy costs remain a significant challenge. That’s why I’m encouraged by the sector’s initiatives to improve energy efficiency and supply. Over the past 18 months, more new generation has been commissioned than in the previous 15 years. We remain committed to building a sustainable and affordable energy system that supports industry needs.

Trade, Tariffs, and Global Positioning

My trade and investment portfolio gives me a deep appreciation for how global dynamics affect your businesses.

We are actively working to strengthen New Zealand’s international position. We’ve signed a Cooperation Arrangement with Viet Nam to grow timber exports and remove trade barriers. A Memorandum of Cooperation with India will deepen collaboration and unlock new market opportunities. We are hosting inbound and outbound trade missions to reinforce these ties.

We are also working closely with Australia to align timber production standards and grading processes — enhancing trade and delivering mutual benefits.

These efforts are about placing New Zealand businesses front and centre on the global stage. They are about securing market access, building certainty, and unlocking value.

I understand the concern around tariffs. I remain steadfast in my view that tariffs are detrimental to trade. My officials and I continue to advocate strongly for relief.

We are disappointed by the imposition of a 10% tariff on the majority of New Zealand’s timber exports to the United States. However, we remain hopeful that US builders, manufacturers, and retailers will continue to recognise the quality and reliability of New Zealand timber.

In my engagements with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, I have consistently emphasised the value our timber products bring to the US market — and I will continue to do so.

Closing Remarks

Before I take your questions, let me reaffirm this Government’s commitment to your growth and continued excellence.

This sector is built on hard work, innovation, and leadership. I see those qualities in the faces around this room. You are driving the industry forward—and we are here to support you.

Thank you again for the opportunity to speak today. I look forward to your questions and to continuing our work together.

Source: Family First

MEDIA RELEASE – 8 October 2025

JUST RELEASED: The Untold Stories Of Kiwi ‘Detransitioners’ Issy and Zara – WATCH

A Canadian-based study, the largest of its kind in decades, and released recently in the International Journal of Transgender Health suggests that while there is plenty of support for those who want to attempt to transition to the opposite sex, those who wish to revert back to their biological sex feel poorly supported by LGBTQ groups and gender-affirming care practitioners, and wish doctors “took a more neutral approach to care.” The researchers say that this exposes a new form of stigma – using the language of the left: detransphobia.

This is similar to the experiences of kiwi ‘detransitioners’ Issy and Zara, whose stories have just been published online by Family First NZ after they were first shared at the recent Forum on the Family attended by 750 delegates in Auckland.

Reported in Canada’s National Post, the York University-led research team wrote

“The mainstream gender-affirming care system largely presumes that gender identity / expression is immutable and that TGD (transgender and gender-diverse) people will engage in only one gender transition…  this presumption can create environments in which multiple transitions, gender fluidity, and detransitions are misunderstood or even stigmatized.”

The findings of the survey of 956 ‘detransitioners’ living in Canada and the US are backed up by New Zealander Issy. Issy ‘transitioned’ to male at the age of 19 and then had ‘top surgery’ when she was 21 and a hysterectomy when she was 22. She grew a beard, got a deep voice, her period stopped, there was more sweat and she could make muscle easily. All the stuff she wanted. But she also got massively depressed. But then she came to the realisation that she would always be female – and there was power in acknowledging and accepting that. Issy ‘detransitioned’ but says that the support that was there when she was transitioning is now much harder to find.

In Zara’s case (also a kiwi), when she was 13, she started ‘socially transitioning’ to be a male with a changed name and ‘preferred pronouns’. By the time she was 15, she was on puberty blockers. When she was 16, she was on testosterone. With the help of the public health system, she had ‘top surgery’ lined up for when she was 18 years old. She was told that if she said she was suicidal, it would help get her through the system quickly – so she did exactly what they told her to do. But just before she was scheduled to have her healthy breasts removed, she ‘detransitioned’.

“Sadly, our politicians disgraced themselves and criminalised the support of vulnerable young people such as Issy and Zara via the flawed ‘conversion therapy ban’ law. As a result, parents, counsellors and medical professionals are at risk of prosecution for helping vulnerable young people, the ban is scaring therapists away from troubled adolescents, and self-determination of how you want to live your life and align your values are being criminalised and dictated by the state,” says Bob McCoskrie, CEO of Family First NZ.

“Fortunately the transgender agenda is slowly crumbling before our eyes, and more and more countries are banning puberty blockers and so-called gender affirmation treatment which has made the problem worse, not better, for vulnerable young people.”

“It’s well over time that New Zealand also moved to safeguard our young people.”

WATCH The Untold Stories Of Kiwi ‘Detransitioners’ – Meet Issy

WATCH The Untold Stories Of Kiwi ‘Detransitioners’ – Meet Zara

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are at the scene of a crash that has blocked State Highway 1 at Domett this morning.

The single-vehicle crash was reported about 10am and happened between Darrochs Road and Ethelton Road.

One person is reported to have critical injuries and will be flown to hospital.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified and diversions are being put in place. North-bound traffic is being diverted along State Highway 7, From Waipara, while south-bound traffic is being diverted along Leader Road East at Parnassus.

Motorists should expect delays while the scene is cleared.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has celebrated the addition of peer support workers in Dunedin Hospital’s Emergency Department today with a visit to the region to meet some of the team. 

“For people arriving at an emergency department in mental health crisis, the experience can feel overwhelming. Having a peer support specialist alongside them, someone with lived experience who understands what they’re going through can make a huge difference,” Mr Doocey says. 

Dunedin Hospital is the sixth major hospital to implement the service since September last year. 

“We’ve already seen the impact this service is having in other hospitals. It’s helping people feel heard, supported, and more connected to ongoing care. I’m pleased we’re moving quickly to expand this model across New Zealand so more people can benefit.” 

The Dunedin service will be delivered by Life Matters Suicide Trust, who have been offering peer-led support and advocacy in the community since 2014. Their team will build on this work inside the hospital, complementing the drop-in and crisis services they already provide locally. 

“Knowing there is someone in the room who has walked a similar journey and come through it can give people real hope,” Mr Doocey says.

“Peer support specialists also play an important role in linking people back into community services, helping to set them up for better outcomes once they leave hospital.

“As New Zealand’s first Minister for Mental Health, I’m determined to better utilise and strengthen the peer support workforce. Their expertise and empathy are invaluable in our mental health system and part of a silent revolution taking place.”

Since its launch at Middlemore Hospital in September 2024, the peer support service has been rolled out to Auckland City, Wellington, Christchurch, and Waikato Hospitals, with more to follow.

“Peer support workers are a part of our mental health plan for faster access to support, more frontline workers and a better crisis response.

“This Government is focused on building a stronger workforce so that when people take the brave step of asking for help, that support is available.”

Source: New Zealand Government

The space and advanced aviation sectors are entering a phase defined by scale, ambition and global relevance, Space Minister Judith Collins says.

“At this summit a year ago I released the New Zealand Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy, which set out our ambition to double the value of the sectors by 2030,” Ms Collins said at this year’s New Zealand Aerospace Summit in Christchurch today.

“An economic report released earlier this year shows space sector revenues increased 53 percent to $2.68 billion in the five years to 2024, and the advanced aviation sector, which overlaps with the space sector, had a total estimated revenue of $530 million in 2024.

“Our space and advanced aviation sectors are more than just rockets, drones and satellites. They’re about advanced manufacturing, AI and autonomy, earth monitoring and next-generation mobility. 

“The sectors are also about building a high-tech economy that delivers high-value jobs and solutions to global challenges.  

“We are on track to establish a world-leading regulatory environment for the sectors. By the end of this year, we will have put in place a regulatory sandbox where tests can be carried out freely and safely. 

“New Zealand’s approach to advanced aviation regulations is proving to be world-leading and will attract more interest from overseas players keen to take advantage of a safe and responsive and regulatory environment.

“In July we passed new legislation to deter foreign interference and protect New Zealand’s national interests and national security through a new regulatory regime for operators of ground-based space infrastructure.

“In terms of a national space mission, our first objective is to develop our sovereign space capabilities, and I expect I will have more to say about this by the end of the year. 

“All of this is evidence New Zealand’s space and advanced aviation sectors are no longer emerging, they’re here and they’re accelerating.”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  08 October 2025

Mohua, a Ngāi Tahu taonga species, was once one of the most common and noisy birds in South Island beech forests but today lives in small, scattered populations across about five per cent of its former range. Roosting and nesting in tree holes, this sparrow-sized bird is very vulnerable to being killed by rats and stoats.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) targets large-scale predator control to protect key mohua populations and monitors results for this at-risk species.

Monitoring in nine mainland forests last summer shows mohua populations increasing or stable at five sites, but in decline at four others, says DOC Principal Science Advisor Graeme Elliott.

“We’ve seen small increases in mohua numbers in the Eglinton and Dart valleys in Fiordland and Aspiring national parks which are the best counts in five years.

“Small populations in Canterbury’s Hawdon and Hurunui valleys remain stable, and the mohua stronghold in South Westland’s Landsborough valley is still trending up despite a drop off in numbers last summer.

“However, it’s a more sobering story in other areas with mohua numbers in Otago’s Blue Mountains, the Caples valley, the Catlins and the Grebe valley in Fiordland continuing to decline.”

The results show predator control is making a difference but also reflects the challenges of keeping rat and stoat levels low enough for mohua to thrive. A combination of aerial 1080, trapping and ground-based toxins seems to get the best results.

“This year we’re planning aerial predator control operations at all our key mohua sites to protect them from the surge in predators next year with the widespread South Island beech forest seeding forecast for this summer,” says Graeme.

“With their bright yellow head and breast, mohua are our most colourful forest birds, found nowhere else in the world. We need to do all we can to keep the chattering of this songbird in our forests.”

In the Landsborough, successful predator control using a combination of aerial 1080 and trapping has seen mohua go from the brink of extinction to common in the past 26 years. Unfortunately, last year numbers dipped due to a beech seed-fuelled rat plague in 2023 taking its toll prior to the predator control operation in January 2024.

DOC has recently changed the timing for predator control operations when beech forests seed – to target rodents before seed hits the ground and after it’s gone, when they are more likely to eat toxic bait – which is showing improved results.

Controlling predators is one of DOC’s key activities to protect nature. People can do their bit for nature or ‘naturing’ to help protect native wildlife by setting traps in their backyards, joining a local trapping group or donating, as we work towards New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 goal.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston says a concerted focus by MSD on frontline partnerships is helping better prepare jobseekers to match with prospective employers. 

“I’ve been really encouraged by the ongoing MSD ‘Into Work’ regional workshops for employers I’ve been attending,” Louise Upston says.

“Employers at these workshops consistently tell me they find well prepared, work-ready staff through MSD. A key driver for this has been MSD increasing its proactive engagement with job seekers, so they’re primed and ready for roles.

“It’s great to report that MSD delivered 80,000 proactive appointments in June 2025, around 60 per cent more than the same period in 2024. 

“This includes the three customised Kōrero Mahi seminars Jobseeker Support clients need to attend.  The seminars are in-person and have practical information to get ready for finding a job including help with getting an up-to-date CV, where to look for a job, and getting a driver licence. 

“MSD is working really hard to ensure there is help available for all job seekers while they’re looking for a role.

“Even with the challenging economic climate, we’ve seen an increasing number of Jobseeker work exits. In the June 2025 quarter, 12 per cent more clients (1,866 clients) went off the benefit and into a job compared to the June 2024 quarter last year.

“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,” Louise Upston says.

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 340 nurses have expressed interest in the Government’s plan to support 120 registered nurses each year to complete advanced training and become nurse practitioners in primary care, with applications opening today, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This strong, early response shows how motivated nurses are to take on advanced roles and deliver more care in their communities,” Mr Brown says.

“Nurse practitioners are highly trained registered nurses who can assess, diagnose, and treat patients, prescribe medications, manage chronic conditions, and provide preventive care. They play a vital role in delivering timely, quality care, particularly in primary and community settings.

“That’s why we want to give more nurses the practical support they need to advance their careers and take on greater responsibility in caring for their communities as nurse practitioners.”

The Nurse Practitioner Training and Support Scheme (NPTSS) will support up to 120 registered nurses each year complete the final practicum year of their Master of Nursing qualification and transition into nurse practitioner roles in primary and community healthcare. There are a further 60 places for nurses in specialist areas, including mental health and emergency care.

The programme provides comprehensive wraparound support for nurses and their employers, including:

• Tertiary education costs
• Mentoring and preceptorship
• Travel and study time support
• Clinical supervision
• Employer engagement and backfill funding

“The scheme is a practical investment in our nursing workforce and in better outcomes for patients across New Zealand. It makes it easier for nurses to complete their advanced training while ensuring employers can continue delivering care.”

The programme is part of the Government’s wider plan to grow and strengthen the nursing workforce in primary care, including incentives for primary care to recruit up to 400 graduate registered nurses, and support for advanced postgraduate study for up to 120 primary care registered nurses, including prescribing and advanced practice qualifications.

“By supporting nurses to work at the top of their scope, we’re expanding access to care, strengthening the frontline of our health system, and ensuring more New Zealanders have access to the care they need, close to home,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes the Education Review Office’s (ERO) report showing that parent and student attitudes to school attendance have improved under this Government. 

This is a strong, scalable and robust report. It is based on a survey of 14,600 students, parents, teachers and school leaders. It follows a similar survey in 2022, giving comparable data.

“School attendance matters for the future of this country, and we are fixing it. When the Government takes education seriously, so do parents, students, and schools,” Mr Seymour says.  

“The data shows rising attendance every term this Government has been in power. In Term 2 2025 58.4 per cent of students attended school regularly, compared to 39.6 per cent in Term 2 of 2022. ERO’s report released today identifies the three main reasons for this. 

“The first reason is the actions of schools and school leaders. 93 per cent of teachers and leaders report setting clear expectations with students and parents around attendance. The report found that when these expectations were clear about why school attendance is important, they were more effective. 

“Many schools have also already implemented their own attendance management plan, aligned with the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR). It will be mandatory for all schools to have theirs in place by Term 1 of 2026. 

“When schools take attendance seriously, so do students. Three-quarters of students now think daily attendance is important, compared to two-thirds in 2022. More students also think education is important for their future. The number of students who say they never want to miss school has almost doubled, from 15 per cent in 2022 to 28 per cent now.

“Parents place a higher value on their children attending school than three years ago. Parents are 10 percentage points less likely to be comfortable with their child missing more than a week or more of school.

“As our attendance action plan continues to roll out, I expect attitudes and attendance rates to continue to improve. 

“At the start of next year frontline attendance services will be more accountable, better at effectively managing cases, and data-driven in their responses. To achieve this, they will soon have access to a new case management system and better data monitoring, and their contracts will be more closely monitored.

Budget 2025 included $140 million of additional funding package to improve attendance over the next four years.

“Attending school is the first step towards achieving positive educational outcomes. Positive educational outcomes lead to better health, higher incomes, better job stability and greater participation within communities. These are opportunities that every student deserves.”