Two people have died after a boat capsized off Pātea this morning.
Three people were aboard the boat when it got into trouble in water off Pātea, about 10.15am.
One person was located in the water after the boat capsized. They were treated by ambulance at the scene and have been transported to hospital.
Sadly, two people died in the incident and their bodies were recovered by 11.30am.
Police are providing support to their next of kin.
The cause of the capsizing will be investigated, but at this time Police are unable to provide any further details.
Police would like to thank boaties, Coastguard South Taranaki and Coastguard Whanganui volunteers, and our emergency service colleagues for their help.
With all eyes on the stars, what are people looking at and why?Let’s introduce the stars of Matariki and Puanga.
Matariki and Puanga are stars that sit in the night sky together to signal the start of the Māori new year for different iwi.
📷: Fraser Gunn
The pre-dawn rising of Matariki, the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades, marks for many Māori the arrival of The New Year.
Puanga is a single star. It’s not part of the Matariki cluster but appears in the evening sky shortly before Matariki rises each year. Puanga rises higher in the sky than Matariki so it’s recognised by iwi and hapū that can’t see Matariki from their location.
This year’s theme of Matariki mā Puanga also highlights communities who observe Puanga astronomical traditions and is all about celebrating and learning about the Māori new year together.
This is a time to slow down and reflect, come together with family and friends, to feast and remember our loved ones who have passed. It is also a time to plan, look forward to the future, and, most importantly, connect with nature.
Traditionally tohunga would look to the stars and use Matariki and Puanga as an indicator to predict things such as the upcoming year’s harvest and weather. For example, if Tupuānuku was shining bright, this could indicate a plentiful harvest of kumara or crops from the māra kai (food gardens) in the upcoming season, but if Waipunarangi was difficult to see and hazy a wet and rainy season was to be expected.
The nine stars of Matariki, are each intrinsically connected to the natural world around us:
Matariki is the star that signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment and the gathering of people.
Matariki is also the Mother of the other stars in the cluster.
Pōhutukawa is the star connected with the dead, particularly those who have passed since the last rising of Matariki.
Tupuānuku is the star connected with food that grows in or on the ground. ‘Tupu’ means to grow, whilst ‘nuku’ is short for ‘Papatuanuku,’ meaning earth. When Matariki sets in May, the food stores are full from the harvest, ready for winter.
Tupuārangi is the star connected with food from above or in the sky. During the rising of Matariki, kererū are at their fattest. Traditionally they were harvested, cooked, preserved and stored as another food source.
Waitī is the star connected to fresh water and the creatures that live in our rivers, lakes and streams. The rising of Matariki signals the migration of the korokoro or lamprey. This eel-like creature held special significance to Māori as another essential food source.
Waitā is the star connected to the ocean and the many foods gathered from the sea. Waitā is also closely linked to the tides and floodwaters.
Waipunarangi is the star connected to the rain, and its name means “water that pools in the sky.”
Ururangi is the star connected to winds, and its name means “the winds of the sky.”
Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the star connected to the promise of a prosperous season. It is also known as the wishing star and would be used to set intentions with people sending Hiwa-i-te-rangi their hopes and dreams for the year ahead.
Puanga would often be connected to food and the harvest. If the star was low down and dim in the nightsky then the coming year would be a year of abundance. If the star was bright and high in the sky then it would be a bad year for crops.
The best time to view the rise of Matariki this year is between 19 June – 22 June before sunrise. Watch below for tips on spotting Matariki by using identifiable stars as markers.
The Government is boosting New Zealand’s attractiveness as a destination for Chinese tourists by improving visa settings and processes.
From November, New Zealand will trial visa waiver status for Chinese passport holders travelling from Australia with a valid Australian visitor, work, student or family visa, allowing them to visit for up to 3 months.
“Our immigration settings play an important role in brightening our country’s economic future. More than 240,000 Chinese visitor visas were granted in 2024, and we want those numbers to grow,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
“This will make it easier, cheaper and faster for them to cross the Tasman and visit our shores. The trial will last for 12 months and will be supplemented by further improvements to our immigration processes, making it easier for people applying for a visa.”
Other changes include:
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is establishing a dedicated contact centre number and support in China for Chinese ‘Approved Destination Status’ travel agents.
New Simplified Chinese web content on the INZ website
Visitor Visa applicants will no longer need to have their document translations certified. This will remove additional translation fees for all Visitor Visa applicants who need to provide translated documents, not only those from China.
These complement the five-year multiple entry Visitor Visa already in place and NZ’s current average processing time of five working days visitor visa applications from China
“China is one of New Zealand’s most important tourism markets, and more international visitors means more bookings in our restaurants, more people visiting our regions and attractions, more jobs being created across the country, and an overall stronger economy,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
“In the year ended March 2025, visitors from China contributed $1.24 billion to New Zealand’s economy, but there’s still more work to do to grow these numbers and drive further economic growth throughout the country.”
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Seniors Minister Casey Costello is urging older New Zealanders to safeguard their rights by establishing Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs).
Speaking at Auckland’s first-ever Treasuring Our Seniors Expo, Ms Costello highlighted the need for older people to take proactive steps to protect themselves.
“Establishing legal protections is an important tool to strengthen the financial position of older New Zealanders and therefore preventing what we know as Elder Abuse.
“This abuse is not limited to physical impacts but also arises through loss of financial control and independence.
“Setting up an EPA puts the power back into the hands of older people, allowing them to choose someone trustworthy to make decisions if they can’t.
“This is essential to keeping their voices heard and their rights respected.”
Ms Costello said elder abuse is often hidden, occurring behind closed doors and inflicted by people who are often well known and even loved by their victims.
“It’s a horrible crime because this means the victims of abuse can be reluctant to report the harm that’s occurring.
“We must break this silence. Every one of us has the power to make a difference. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Trust your instincts and reach out.”
Immediate, confidential support is available through the Elder Abuse Response Service helpline at 0800 32 668 65 (0800 EA NOT OK).
ENDS
About elder abuse
Elder abuse is a serious issue in New Zealand. Many cases remain hidden due to fear, shame, or lack of awareness. It is estimated that as many as three-quarters of cases go unreported.
Abuse can impact anyone regardless of gender, ethnicity, income, or health. Risk factors include isolation, physical or mental challenges, past abuse or trauma, poverty, social exclusion, and experiencing discrimination.
About EPAs
An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) allows people to appoint someone they trust to make decisions about their personal care and finances if they become unable to do so themselves.
There are two types of EPA:
An EPA for personal care and welfare, covering decisions related to healthcare, accommodation, and personal wellbeing.
An EPA for Property, relating to financial matters and asset management.
The individual chooses trusted people to act on their behalf, giving them legal authority to make specific decisions – if the individual can no longer make those decisions themself.
A lawyer is required to set up an EPA. Options include Public Trust, a family lawyer, or Community Law. Consumer NZ and Sorted have guidance on affordable choices.
Rotorua whānau will enjoy greater access to modern affordable housing thanks to a community-led partnership delivering 189 affordable homes backed by the Government, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says.
Up to 150 of these will be social housing homes to be delivered by end-June 2027 under a new community-led approach through the Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Community Housing Providers.
In addition, a project consisting of 39 affordable rentals will be delivered in 12-months by Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau, which is partly funded by HUD’s Māori Housing programme.
“Rotorua is a priority location for housing,” Mr Potaka says. “We’re backing community-led solutions to address the need here, which has seen disproportionate numbers of people in emergency and temporary housing, and about 700 applicants waiting on the social housing register.
“Rental affordability has been a long-standing issue. Some whānau have struggled to find an affordable rental home so they’ve been limited to emergency and social housing.
“The new homes will complement RLC’s new Rotorua Housing Plan to enable iwi and hapu housing aspirations, increase housing choice and support diverse housing needs. The plan was developed with extensive local engagement.
“As promised, we are also making solid progress toward ending Contracted Emergency Housing. We prioritised exiting two motels located near Whakarewarewa Village and this will be followed by the exit of a further two motels by the end of July, with all remaining motels exited before the end of the year.
“Progress has been the result of the Government’s significant investment in the city, working with central government agencies such as HUD, leadership from Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell and the RLC, as well as by Iwi and other local parties to increase social and affordable housing.
“The 150 social homes to be delivered are part of the 1,500 homes to be built by CHPs and funded from Budget 2024. The Government committed $140 million in new funding for 1,500 new social housing places in May last year. Funding has been approved for these Rotorua social homes under this pathway.
“The 39 affordable rental homes are part of a $200 million package announced in February that will enable the delivery of 400 affordable rentals in high-need areas by the end of June 2027.
“Further to the 189 new homes announced today, the Government is also in the early stages of progressing a further 80 affordable rental homes for whānau Māori in Rotorua and we’ll have more details on this next stage soon.”
The Government will introduce legislation to ensure the health system is more accountable, more efficient, and focused on delivering better outcomes for patients, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“After years of bureaucracy and confusion, the health system lost its focus. The previous government scrapped health targets, centralised decision-making with no accountability, while every single health target went backwards meaning patients waiting longer for the care they need,” Mr Brown says.
“This Government is focused on delivery – getting the basics right, fixing what the previous Government broke, and ensuring New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare.”
Cabinet has approved a suite of amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, designed to strengthen the performance of Health New Zealand and ensure a clearer, more accountable system.
“These changes are about improving health outcomes by making sure the system is focused on delivery, not bogged down in doing the same thing twice. That means better care for patients through a more connected, transparent, and effective health system,” Mr Brown says.
“The previous Government’s reforms created a bloated system where no one was truly accountable for delivery. We’re changing that,” Mr Brown says.
“We’re putting health targets into law so every part of the system is focused on delivering faster care, shorter wait times, higher immunisation rates, and real results.”
The current legislation is too focused on bureaucracy rather than patients, with multiple charters and plans creating confusion and fragmentation. These reforms repeal the health sector principles and health charter – cutting needless bureaucracy – while requiring each population strategy to give effect to the Government’s health targets.
Mr Brown says infrastructure delivery was one of the most serious failings under the previous Government.
“Too many builds were delayed, blown out, or never even started. We’re addressing this by establishing a dedicated infrastructure committee and embedding infrastructure as a core function of Health New Zealand. This means the board can focus on lifting system performance where it matters most: for patients.”
The Minister is also confirming changes to strengthen the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee (HMAC) and clarify the role of iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs).
“Local IMPBs will continue to engage with their communities but will now provide advice directly to HMAC. That advice will then support decisions made by the Minister and the Health NZ board.
“These changes are about one thing – putting patients back at the centre. We’re rebuilding a health system that delivers real outcomes, not just organisational charts.”
The Amendment Bill will be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks.
Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash this evening in Dargaville.
At around 5.20pm, Police were notified of a single vehicle crash on Jervois Street.
Despite best efforts from emergency services, one person died at the scene.
A scene examination has been completed and the road has reopened.
While enquiries into the crash are ongoing, initial indications suggest this is a suspected medical event and the death will be referred to the Coroner.
