Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a crash in Aka Aka this morning.
The single vehicle crash was reported just before 5:30am on Aka Aka Road.
The road has since re-opened.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Canterbury Police are continuing to investigate the sudden death of a man at a residential address on Eastern Terrace in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The circumstances of the man’s death remain unclear, and Police are working to understand what occurred in the lead-up to this incident. Officers are particularly focused on tracing the man’s movements over the past two weeks and are appealing to the public for any information that may assist.
“We are committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding this man’s death,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Daniel Overend. “This is a perplexing case, and we are keeping an open mind as we work through a number of inquiries.”
As part of the investigation, Police are conducting an area canvas of the Eastern Terrace neighbourhood to identify anyone who may have seen or interacted with the deceased in recent weeks.
Anyone with information that could assist is urged to contact Police on 105, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote file number 251004/7850.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died and four others have been injured in a crash on Thornton Road near Matatā this morning.
Emergency services were notified of the crash involving two cars at 9.20am.
One person is reported to have serious injuries and three people have moderate injuries.
Thornton Road is closed at the intersections with Greig Road and West Bank Road. The road is expected to remain closed for the next three to four hours.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Government
The Battle of Te Tarata Pā reminds us of the extraordinary courage, determination and resilience of our tūpuna in a time of conflict and change, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.
Minister Potaka joined Te Whakatōhea and Ngāti Ira in Ōpōtiki today to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Te Tarata Pā — a site of enduring significance.
He acknowledged the significance of the battle to Te Whakatōhea, paying tribute to the tūpuna who stood in defence of their whenua and the whānau who carry their legacy today.
“Today we gather to honour those who came before us, to acknowledge their sacrifices, and to ensure that their stories are remembered by future generations.
“Commemorations such as Te Tarata play a vital role in strengthening collective memory, cultural identity, and the intergenerational passing down of kōrero tuku iho.
“These commemorations are not just about looking back – they are about coming together as Iwi, hapū, and communities to strengthen our connections, and to reaffirm our shared commitment to the future.”
He also acknowledged the leadership of Iwi and local communities in ensuring the commemoration was observed with mana and dignity.
“The Crown’s presence here today is part of an ongoing journey of understanding, respect, partnership, and honouring the enduring spirit of our people.”
Ko tā Te Pakanga o Te Tarata he whakamahara i a tātou ki te māia, te manawanui, me te manawaroa nui whakaharahara o ō tātou tūpuna i te wā o te tautohe me te hurihuri o te ao, e kī ana te Minita Whanaketanga Māori Tama Potaka.
I tū ngātahi a Minita Potaka ki te taha o Te Whakatōhea, o Ngāti Ira i Ōpōtiki i te rangi nei ki te whakamahara i te huritau 160 o Te Pā o Te Tarata — he wāhi tino whakahirahira tūroa ake nei.
I mihia e ia te tino whakahirahira o te pakanga ki te iwi o Te Whakatōhea, ka whakanuia hoki e ia ngā tūpuna i tū ki te mura o te ahi hei kaupare hoariri i tō rātou whenua, me te rere tonu o āna kupu whakamiha ki ngā whānau kei te hāpai tonu i ngā kōrero tuku iho o rātou mā i tēnei rā.
“I te rangi nei kua karahuihui mai tātou ki te whakahōnore i te hunga i takahi i te whenua i mua i a tātou, hei whakamihi i te nui o ā rātou whakapaunga, me te mātua whakarite ka maumahara tonu ō rātou kōrero, kei wareware e ngā whakatipuranga e whai ake nei.
“He wāhi nui tō ngā whakamaharatanga pēnā i a Te Tarata i te whakapakaritanga ake o te pūmahara ngātahi, o te tuakiri ā-ahurea, oti rā, me te whāngaitanga o ngā kōrero tuku iho heke, heke ki ngā whakatipuranga e haere ake nei.
“Ehara i te mea he tirotiro whakamuri noa iho te take o ēnei whakamaharatanga – he huihuinga Iwi, he huihuinga hapū, hapori anō hoki te take hei whakapakari i ō tātou hononga, he whakaū anō hoki i tō tātou paihere ngātahi ki ngā rā o te ānamata e tū ake nei.”
I mihia anōtia e ia ngā rangatira o ngā Iwi me ngā hapori o te rohe i tā rātou mātua whai kia whakanuia te whakamaharatanga i runga i te mana me te rangatira e tika ana.
“Ko te mahi a te Karauna i konei i te rangi nei ko tētahi hīkoi haere tonu o te māramatanga, o te whakaute, o te pātuinga, me te whakahōnore hoki i te wairua tū tonu, tū tonu o tō tātou iwi.”
Source: New Zealand Police
The northbound lanes of the Waikato Expressway are blocked between Cambridge Road and Tauwhare Road following a crash.
The crash, involving several vehicles was reported just after 1:15pm.
No serious injuries have been reported.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
From Monday, the starting age for free bowel screening will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island, with the rest of the North Island to follow in March 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Earlier this year, I confirmed the Government’s commitment to lowering the bowel screening age to match Australia, so that fewer New Zealanders die from bowel cancer,” Mr Brown says.
“The first step is lowering the eligibility age from 60 to 58. This means thousands more people will now have access to lifesaving testing, giving them the best chance of having bowel cancer detected early, when it can often be successfully treated.”
Lowering the starting age to 58 will see 122,000 people become eligible for free screening in the first year alone. Over the next 25 years, this change is expected to prevent 771 bowel cancers and save 566 lives.
People in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island will be eligible for the lower starting age from Monday, with those in the central and lower North Island from March 2026. All newly eligible people nationwide will be invited for free screening by March 2027.
“This is the first significant step towards aligning New Zealand’s screening age with Australia. Our goal is to bring the age down even further, and building colonoscopy capacity is key to achieving that.
“The Government is also introducing a new nationwide pathway called the FIT for Symptomatic test. This is a simple, non-invasive home test that uses a stool sample to check for traces of blood – an early warning sign of bowel cancer. It will allow anyone of any age with bowel cancer symptoms referred to a specialist to quickly assess their risk without needing to wait for a colonoscopy.”
The FIT for Symptomatic pathway has already been launched in Waikato and will be introduced in Counties Manukau, Waitematā, Hawke’s Bay over the next two months, ahead of a nationwide roll out next year.
“This will free up specialist capacity by prioritising colonoscopies for those at highest risk and reducing unnecessary referrals, leading to shorter wait times, faster diagnoses, and more resources to expand screening.
“The FIT for Symptomatic pathway is expected to reduce colonoscopy referrals by 30 to 60 per cent – a significant increase in capacity that will support both symptomatic patients and the extended screening programme.
“To further increase capacity, the Government has also recently announced a diagnostic uplift package that will deliver 7100 extra colonoscopies through to July 2026, helping to meet rising demand and ensure timely treatment.
“In addition, we are investing $19 million in initiatives to lift screening rates among populations with low participation rates. This includes targeted promotional and engagement campaigns, new online resources to support conversations about screening, and making it easier to return test kits through community laboratories.”
Mr Brown says the Government is committed to further lowering the bowel screening starting age as quickly as possible, and Erasmus University is undertaking modelling to support this.
“Bowel cancer is New Zealand’s second biggest cancer killer. By lowering the screening age, rolling out the FIT for Symptomatic pathway, expanding diagnostic capacity, and investing in targeted initiatives, we are taking action that will save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of families from losing loved ones too soon,” Mr Brown says.
Source: New Zealand Government
New Zealand and Australia have agreed to fast-track work on a more ambitious Single Economic Market (SEM), as Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell concluded the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Monarto, South Australia today.
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to open markets and closer trans-Tasman cooperation to strengthen both countries’ economic resilience and competitiveness in the current global trading environment.
Key outcomes included:
“This is about making it simpler for businesses to trade, invest and grow, not just between our two countries but across the wider region,” Mr McClay said.
The Ministers also welcomed input from businesses at last month’s Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum and committed to aligning government action with commercial priorities.
A joint statement was released following the meeting.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Detective Inspector Shona Low, Crime Manager Southern District.
A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in North Dunedin on Friday.
Police received reports of a sudden death at a property on Great King Street about 2pm and found a 36 year-old man deceased at the scene.
A scene guard remains in place today as a forensic examination is carried out. The circumstances of the man’s death remain under investigation, but initial indications suggest he died from non-accidental injuries.
There will be an increased Police presence in North Dunedin as we work to establish how the man died, and when.
Formal identification procedures will be carried out in the coming days as well as a forensic postmortem.
If you have any information that can assist in our investigation, please contact Police on 105 either over the phone or online.
Reference the file number 251003/5165.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
To be attributed to Inspector Jacqui Corner, West Coast Area Commander:
A 16-year-old male has been charged with the murder of Donald Baikie in Greymouth on 30 September.
The male was arrested last night and will appear in Greymouth Youth Court this morning.
Police have completed a scene examination at the address where Mr Baikie was located deceased, however there will be a continued police presence in the area as we continue with our investigation.
We would like to thank the Greymouth community for their support and cooperation as we work to carry out our enquiries into Mr Baikie’s death.
As the matter is now before the Court, further comment or information cannot be provided.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Government
A major government investment in cutting-edge science will unlock new economic opportunities by transforming New Zealand’s unique natural resources into high-value pharmaceutical and bio-based exports, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.
The Government is investing over $42 million across seven years to establish a Biodiscovery Platform, designed to accelerate the development of high-growth industries producing natural pharmaceuticals and other bio-based products. The platform will be led by the newly formed Bioeconomy Science Institute.
“This is an economic growth initiative,” Dr Reti says.
“By harnessing New Zealand’s rich biodiversity, we can develop world-class, export-ready products in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, functional foods, and advanced materials, creating jobs, growing businesses, and increasing our global market share.”
The global market for bio-based products is expected to exceed USD $300 billion by 2027, with natural pharmaceuticals among the fastest-growing segments. This initiative enables New Zealand to capture a share of that growth by commercialising products rooted in our unique flora and fauna.
“This platform will open up significant export opportunities for New Zealand businesses. With targeted R&D, we’ll help companies bring new, science-backed products to international markets, supporting regional development and building a stronger, innovation-led economy.”
The Bioeconomy Science Institute will unite researchers, Māori enterprises and industry to drive commercially focused innovation. It will also support market analysis, de-risk private sector investment, and help fast-track new product pipelines.
Dr Reti pointed to the success of New Zealand’s honey sector as a model.
“In 2014, honey exports earned $187 million. By June 2025, that number had more than doubled to $420 million – thanks largely to innovation in mānuka honey. That’s the kind of economic uplift we want to replicate across multiple natural product sectors.”
The Biodiscovery Platform is part of a broader strategic push to grow New Zealand’s science and tech economy. Over the past six months, the Government has committed:
“Science, innovation, and technology is one of the five pillars of our Going for Growth economic strategy. This investment ensures that New Zealand remains competitive in future-focused global industries – and that our natural advantages are turned into long-term economic gains,” Dr Reti says.