Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

A record 235 primary care registered nurses will begin advanced education this year – nearly doubling the number originally planned – following strong demand for the Government’s new Registered Nurse Primary Care Scholarships, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Last year we committed to supporting up to 120 primary care registered nurses each year over four years to undertake advanced education. The very high level of demand has shown how strongly nurses want to take up these opportunities, which is why I’m pleased to confirm 235 scholarships have been awarded for this year, with placements beginning from next week,” Mr Brown says.

“This is the highest number of primary care nurses ever supported into advanced education in a single year.”

Of the 235 registered nurses currently working in primary and community healthcare settings, 147 will work towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Prescribing and 88 will undertake a Master of Nursing. The expansion has been achieved within existing funding.

“Nurses who complete these qualifications can become registered nurse prescribers, working as part of collaborative healthcare teams and prescribing from an approved list of medicines. Many will continue along the pathway to become nurse practitioners.”

Mr Brown says this additional training capacity comes at an important time following the recent expansion of prescribing rights announced in December.

“Nurse prescribers can now prescribe 211 additional medicines – covering a wide range of common and long-term conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory conditions, and menopause symptoms. As more nurses gain these advanced qualifications, patients will see real benefits through faster, more convenient access to care closer to home.

“Growing the number of nurse prescribers is a practical way to improve access to care, particularly for patients who rely on regular, ongoing treatment. Enabling nurses to work at the top of their scope helps reduce pressure on GPs and hospitals and ensures more patients can be seen sooner.

“New Zealand registered nurses already deliver exceptional care in communities across the country. Empowering more of them to prescribe will help build a more responsive and sustainable health system, while strengthening the pipeline into future nurse practitioner roles.

“I want to congratulate every nurse who has taken up this opportunity. Choosing to continue your training while serving your community is a significant commitment, and it reflects the dedication you have to improving care for New Zealanders. Thank you for the vital role you play in supporting patients, families, and communities across the country.”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  23 February 2026

The free annual hunting competition has been run by DOC’s Maniapoto team, with support from the NZ Deerstalkers Association (NZDA), for more than 30 years.

Allan – who’s been a part of the NZDA for 30 years – has been involved in for the competition numerous times, collecting the jaws, summarizing the results and relaying the information to the hunters. He was recently made an association life member.

He believes there’s scope for the competition to grow if more newcomers are willing to join in.

“We need wider involvement,” Allan says. “The prizegiving is a very family-friendly event – we see the same faces every year, and some have been coming for generations.”

The Pureora Hunting Competition includes a junior category, for hunters less than 15 years old. Young hunters can enter goat tails, rat tails and mustelids.

The fact the competition focusses on Pureora and is run by DOC makes it unique. DOC also runs the National Goat Hunting Competition, which has a broader nationwide focus and launched in 2023.

Allan says the consistent hosting of the competition – apart from 2020 and 2022 when the country was under COVID-19 restrictions – means there’s now 12 years of data and 580 hunted deer to glean information from.

“After COVID-19 lockdowns effectively banned hunting, I expected to see an influx of young deer into the competition when it restarted,” Allan says.

That wasn’t the case.

“Young jaws were rather sparse at the competition. Bored locked down locals were hunting hard – they really kept the freezer topped up.”

Allan believes the competition has the potential to become a significant contributor to wild deer management for the Pureora Forest, and as it’s run by DOC it has the potential to expand further.

DOC Principal Ranger Maniapoto Kina Tweedale says the competition gives participants a chance to hunt competitively during the Roar – rather than recreationally – in lush native forest and potentially claim prizes for their efforts.

“If your kind of naturing is a good hunt in the forest or you think it could be, then we’re keen to see you involved. The competition has a great sense of camaraderie, and we know it’s important to the local hunting community.”

The competition will open on 14 March and culminate with prizegiving at DOC’s Pureora Field Base workshop on Sunday 26 April.

For more information, visit Pureora Hunting Competition.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Eagle-eyed Police who spotted a vehicle driving with no lights on through the streets of Papakura overnight have taken a pair into custody.

At about 12.30am, a vehicle travelling with its lights off sped past a Police car on Great South Road.

Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes, says units did not attempt to stop the stolen vehicle and instead initiated assistance from the Police Eagle helicopter.

“Eagle located the vehicle still travelling at excess speed with its lights off, narrowly avoiding a collision with another vehicle.

“The vehicle has then turned into Glenburn Place where two occupants bailed out while it was still moving, causing it to crash through a fence.”

Inspector Hoyes says the pair allegedly attempted to flee through neighbouring properties.

“Unfortunately for them, we had our eyes in the sky who were able to direct staff on the ground to their locations and they were both taken into custody without incident.

“If you see any dangerous driving activity please contact Police on 111 if it’s happening now or 105 if it’s after the fact.”

Two youths, both aged 14, have been referred to Youth Aid Services.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm a third person has died following a serious crash on State Highway One near Redwood Pass.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 10.40am on Sunday 22 February.

Two people died at the scene, and three others were transported to hospital with serious to critical injuries.

Sadly, despite best efforts by medical professionals, a third person has since passed away.

The two other injured remain in hospital in a serious and critical condition.

The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination and the road has since reopened.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

The road is closed near Town Centre at Mokonui Road, Te Anau following a serious crash outside a business at about 8.45am today.

Emergency services are currently at the scene of the crash involving a car and a pedestrian.

The pedestrian has been transported to hospital with serious injuries.

Diversions are in place and motorists will need to avoid the area and expect delays.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

END

Issued by Police Media Team.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on Eugenia Rise, Totara Heights on 17 February.

Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash at around 1.23am.

The vehicle had hit a tree and flipped into its side in the middle of the road.

One person suffered moderate injuries, with one person being transported to hospital in a serious condition.

Sadly, they passed away in hospital on Thursday evening.

The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene, with enquires ongoing into the cause of the crash.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are invited to the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation to Samson Aruwa in recognition of his courageous actions at a critical incident in Dunedin on the night of 5 October 2019.

On that night, during a life threatening crowd crush at a student gathering, Samson demonstrated exceptional courage, calmness, and leadership. Tragically, the night was marked by the loss of Sophia Crestani, whose life and memory are honoured with enduring respect.

The Commissioner of Police Richard Chambers will be presenting this award on behalf of New Zealand Police, with Sophia Crestani’s parents in attendance, as well as University of Otago Vice Chancellor Grant Robertson, Southern District Commander Superintendent Jason Guthrie, and members of Southern District Police leadership.

Date: Thursday, 26 February
Time: Please meet no later than 10.50am
Location: Clocktower, University of Otago, 362 Leigh Street, Dunedin (there is a bench seat dedicated to Sophia Crestani nearby and the presentation will take place there).

RSVP: media@police.govt.nz 

Source: New Zealand Government

Customs Minister Casey Costello will travel to Honolulu this week to represent New Zealand at the United States’ Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit.

“The Summit is an important opportunity for New Zealand to strengthen partnerships that support the Pacific’s long‑term prosperity and resilience,” Ms Costello says.

“Stronger economic connections, resilient infrastructure, and increased investment are central to lifting incomes, growing jobs, combatting transnational organised crime, and supporting communities. These benefits extend across our region, where shared prosperity depends on collaboration and trusted long‑term partnerships.”

Hosted by the United States Government, the Summit will bring together a number of Pacific leaders, senior US officials, and private‑sector investors to discuss reducing barriers to investment, accelerating project readiness, and connecting capital with opportunities across the Pacific.

The inclusion of all Pacific Islands Forum member countries at the Summit reflects the central role of the Forum in regional cooperation. New Zealand welcomes this initiative by the United States, a Forum Dialogue Partner, as an important contribution to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

“Meeting US private‑sector organisations will also help identify opportunities for investment in priority sectors, including commercial partnerships that complement regional initiatives such as PACER Plus, an comprehensive agreement aimed at fostering sustainable economic development in the Pacific,” Ms Costello says.

“New Zealand remains committed to supporting a resilient, prosperous Pacific. Our success as neighbours, partners and family is closely interconnected — and strong economic and investment cooperation is key to our shared well‑being.”

The Summit takes place on 23 and 24 February. 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has confirmed it will buy up to $200 million of new Genesis Energy shares as part of a capital raise announced by the company this morning.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the raise will support and advance the Government’s goals for secure and affordable energy.

“We confirmed last year that we would consider requests from all three Mixed Ownership Model energy companies for Crown investment in commercially sound generation capacity. 

“Genesis’ proposed investments will directly contribute to enhancing energy security, including through enabling Genesis to bring more flexible capacity to the market which can be used to address dry-year risk”.

State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says the Government’s investment aims to strengthen the performance and long-term value of one of New Zealand’s state-owned assets.

“This is about delivering better outcomes for Kiwis and ensuring we have a stronger, more secure, and more reliable energy system.”

Energy Minister Simon Watts says this is only one part of a wider Government work programme. 

“This decision is part of a wider package of work the Government is undertaking to support energy security and drive down the cost of living for all New Zealanders”.

The purchase of new shares will ensure the Crown retains a 51 per cent share of Genesis at the conclusion of the raise. 

All eligible investors in the Genesis equity raise are encouraged to undertake their own due diligence and seek individual professional investment advice before making decisions with respect to the raise.

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is calling on Christopher Luxon to hold Winston Peters accountable for making false claims about union engagement on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill.

“Winston Peters’ behaviour following the passing of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill is a disgrace,” says Green Party Workplace Relations spokesperson Teanau Tuiono.  

“He has falsely claimed that unions didn’t raise their concerns with NZ First early enough. That is simply not true.  

“We fully back unions’ calls for Luxon to step in and act.  

“Not only did Peters sell out workers when he voted for this bill, now he’s accusing their representatives of lying. The receipts lay it out clearly.  

“Every party, including NZ First, knew exactly what the unions’ concerns were as soon as the Bill was introduced.  

“Peters was caught out making up nonsense about the Green Party last year which he had to correct in Parliament, so it’s obvious he has prior form.  

“Luxon is setting a dangerous standard for his Cabinet by letting Ministers get away with blatantly lying.”  

“Peters sits around the Cabinet table which agreed to strip workers’ rights, gut pay equity for low-paid women, and allow below inflation minimum wage increases, yet claims to be on the side of the regular working New Zealander.  

“Unlike this government, the Greens back workers. And we are proud to let everyone know our position and stick to it,” says Teanau.