Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

A second joint Government and industry Cruise Forum will bring together responsible ministers and industry representatives to further strengthen New Zealand’s position as a world‑class cruise destination.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the upcoming Forum is an effective way for the Government and industry to work together to support a resilient, competitive and growing cruise sector.

“Cruise plays an important role in New Zealand’s visitor economy and in many of regional communities, injecting $1.37 billion into the New Zealand economy in the previous financial year. 

“However we also know cruise activity has experienced significant volatility in recent years due to global market trends, deployment changes, and commercial pressures. 

“The Government and cruise sector representatives have been working together to address these issues, including improvements in regulatory coordination, engagement on biofouling management, and investment in port infrastructure.

“Holding a regular forum with industry means we can address shared challenges and ensure New Zealand remains an attractive and reliable destination for cruise lines.”

The first Cruise Forum was held in 2025 to support collaboration on key issues and unlock opportunities affecting cruise connectivity.

This year’s Forum on May 26 in Wellington will look at how to further strengthen the cruise sector, improve the visitor experience, and help New Zealand stay competitive in a fast‑changing global market.

In addition to the Cruise Forum, the Minister will attend Seatrade Cruise Global, the world’s largest annual cruise industry event, in Miami this April.

“Seatrade is a valuable platform to promote New Zealand, to meet directly with cruise lines, and demonstrate the Government’s commitment to supporting the cruise sector,” Louise Upston says. 

“We want the world to know New Zealand is open for business and we welcome visitors to experience the warm hospitality we have on offer.”

Source: Auckland Council

Saturday kerbside collections (due to Easter holiday)

Saturday’s collections are for areas that would usually be collected on Friday, due to the public holiday.

With windy conditions expected, please remember to bring your bins in as soon as they’ve been emptied.

Leaving bins out can lead to them being blown over, creating hazards on our streets, and making a mess in your neighbourhood.

• Put your bins out as usual
• Bring them back in promptly once collected
• Let’s keep our streets safe and tidy.

Inner City Centre collections

Sunday morning collections are still going ahead as planned, but due to the approaching cyclone, and to ensure the safety of our crews, we’re asking inner-city residents to hold onto their rubbish, and recycling until the Monday morning collection — unless it’s absolutely necessary. 

Strong winds can cause loose materials to become hazards on our streets and put people at risk.

If you do need to put your rubbish and recycling out:

• Place them out as close to collection time as possible
• Place in a secure location to ensure nothing can blow away
• Thank you for helping keep our crews and communities safe.

Inorganic Collections for week of 13 April

Inorganic collections booked for Monday 13 April collection will be moved to Saturday 18 April. 

The rest of the week will go ahead as scheduled.

For Aotea / Great Barrier Island residents only

Due to the severity of the cyclone, we need time to assess road conditions, debris, and any potential damage before collections can safely take place on Aotea/Great Barrier Island.

Next week’s rubbish and recycling collections on Aotea/Great Barrier Island will be pushed out by one day, like a public holiday schedule:

• Monday collections → Tuesday 14 April
• Tuesday collections → Wednesday 15 April

Strong winds can blow bins and crates over, causing mess and disruption on our roads. Please do not place rubbish or recycling out — keep items secured on your property until it is safe to put them out.

If wet weather continues, please hold onto your paper and cardboard. Wet paper and cardboard can’t be recycled, so it’s best to keep it dry and put it out at your next collection.

Thank you for your understanding while we prioritise safety for our crews and community.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are praising rescue staff who have retrieved two climbers from a precarious mountainside near Sabre Peak in Fiordland National Park today.

About 4.30pm on Wednesday, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) was activated in the Sabre Peak area. 

A Southern Lakes Helicopter was dispatched, however, due to heavy rain and low cloud, a rescue was unable to be carried out. The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) passed information to Police so they could launch a search and rescue operation.

On Thursday morning, Police were contacted by the brother of one of the climbers, who had received Emergency SOS satellite text messages from his brother. The messages confirmed both of the experienced climbers were uninjured, but unable to move due to the severe weather.

A second rescue attempt later that day was unsuccessful, again due to the conditions.

Southland Search and Rescue Coordinator Dougall Henderson says Police maintained contact with the climbers via satellite, keeping them updated with rescue efforts.

“About 7am today, the Southern Lakes Helicopter crew successfully located the climbers and carried out a 100 foot long line extraction from the mountainside,” he says.

“Their survival is remarkable. They had been stranded on the steep mountainside for three nights, sheltering in a two-person bivvy and sleeping bags, which became saturated during prolonged exposure to severe weather.

“They had run out of food, and believed they would not have survived another night on the mountain.”

Both climbers were checked over by a doctor on board the helicopter and were transported to Te Anau for further medical assessment.

Sergeant Henderson says the outcome highlighted both good decision-making by the climbers and the challenges faced by rescue services in alpine environments.

“The climbers made the right decision to activate their beacon early and remain in place once the weather deteriorated,” he says.

“They were well equipped and they communicated clearly using satellite messaging, and that allowed rescuers to make informed decisions while waiting for a safe weather window.

“This was also an outstanding effort by the helicopter crew, operating in an extreme and unforgiving alpine environment. Their ability to safely locate and extract the climbers using a long line technique prevented what could have been a far more serious outcome.”

Police say the incident is a timely reminder of the unpredictability of Fiordland weather and the limitations of rescue operations in mountainous terrain.

“Even when help is on the way, adverse weather can delay rescue efforts,” says Sergeant Henderson.

“People heading into alpine or remote areas need to plan conservatively, monitor forecasts closely, and carry appropriate emergency equipment – including a PLB or satellite communication device, or both.”

Police encourage anyone venturing into remote or alpine environments to leave their intentions with a trusted person, check weather conditions in advance, and be prepared to delay or abandon plans if conditions deteriorate.

More information and tips can be found on the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council website.

ENDS 

Source: New Zealand Government

Farmers, growers and rural communities are encouraged to stay up-to-date with weather warnings and prepare for Tropical Cyclone Vaianu, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say.

Impacts are possible across all of the North Island and Upper South Island from late Saturday to Monday. There may also be some impacts for the Chatham Islands.

MetService is forecasting significant heavy rain and damaging gale-force winds and has issued multiple wind and rain warnings. Farmers, growers, and rural communities are encouraged to stay informed through their forecasts and take necessary precautions.

“Stay safe, be prepared for power and communications outages, and take warnings from forecasters and civil defence seriously,” Mr McClay says.

“It’s important to self-evacuate if you see rising water and to keep out of floodwaters.”

Mr McClay says farmers and growers have shown significant resilience getting through multiple severe weather events already this year, and have taken proactive steps to ensure the welfare of their animals.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is actively monitoring the cyclone and has staff on-the-ground working closely with local emergency management groups and providing support where required.

“This incoming severe weather event will be particularly tough for rural communities who are still in recovery mode and repairing previous damage,” Mr Patterson says.

Mr Patterson is encouraging farmers and growers to prepare by moving stock to higher ground and seek support if they need it.

“Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.”
 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have now arrested eight people in relation to a fight at the Common Room bar on 8 March.

Detective Sergeant Heath Jones says more than 30 charges have been laid amongst those arrested.

“We are pleased to have held some of those responsible to account. Our team of three investigations staff have worked incredibly hard to bring about this result.

“This was a violent incident that was understandably traumatising for the victims and those who witnessed it.

“Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are likely to lay further charges.”

Police are now asking for the public’s help to identify the two people pictured (see attachments), as we believe they will be able to assist with our enquiries.

If you know who they are or have any information that might help our enquiries, please use our 105 service, quoting reference number 260308/6292.

Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

A speeding motorist has led Auckland Police to discovering a loaded firearm and nitrous oxide.

On Thursday evening, a road policing unit was carrying out usual patrols in Epsom when a speeding saloon caught an officer’s attention.

Senior Sergeant Dave Plunkett, from Auckland City Road Policing, says a traffic stop was carried out on Green Lane West around 5.30pm.

“As an officer was approaching the vehicle, he has observed the two occupants allegedly trying to hide balloons,” he says.

“This has invoked a further search of the vehicle which resulting in several concerning finds.”

Inside the Honda, Police located a loaded sawn-off rifle, ammunition and four large cannisters of nitrous oxide.

The 20-year-old driver and 21-year-old passenger were arrested on the roadside.

Senior Sergeant Plunkett says after further enquiries the driver is facing charges and will appear in the Auckland District Court next week.

He has been charged with unlawful possession of a pistol, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a psychoactive substance and careless driving.

“It is incredibly concerning for us that the driver was not only speeding but was also under the influence of nitrous oxide at the time,” Senior Sergeant Plunkett says.

“Any substances such as drugs or alcohol have no place in your system while you’re driving.

“This could have been a dangerous cocktail leading to someone being seriously injured or killed on our roads.”

Police continue to remain visible across our roads, and advise anyone who sees dangerous behaviour, such as someone inhaling from balloons, to call 111 immediately.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: Auckland Council

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash in Lower Moutere this afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash involving a car and a cyclist at the intersection of Edwards Road and Central Road was reported just after 12:40pm.

The cyclist died at the scene.

Road closures remain in place while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Legislation which strengthens trespass laws to make them more effective and practical for businesses has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“This government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where all New Zealanders can feel safe in their communities. One basic function that needs fixing, is the ability for a business owner to trespass somebody and stop them from returning.

 “The Trespass Act is not working effectively in a modern-day urban retail environment. Retailers are rightly very concerned about offenders engaging in criminal behaviour such as theft, and then just returning with impunity to do it all over again.

“These laws have remained virtually unchanged since the 1980s, when its focus was the removal of people from places like farms and private dwellings. They do not work for areas where the public freely enters, such as malls, busy shops, dairies and supermarkets. This legislation changes that.”

The Bill amends the Trespass Act by:

Increasing the maximum trespass period from two years to three years.
Allow businesses, such as franchises, to trespass individuals from multiple locations.
Increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to leave when asked, or returning when trespassed from $1,000 to $2,000.
Increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to give their name and address when requested, or giving false information, from $500 to $1,000.

The Bill will also close a loophole where people can avoid being trespassed by threatening the occupier, or simply walking away before they can be informed.

Under the Bill, a person will be ‘deemed’ to know they have been trespassed in retail and hospitality spaces, when the occupier has clear evidence of an attempt being made.

Source: New Zealand Government

The panel which inquired into alleged conduct by Judge Ema Aitken has found her removal is not justified, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“The Judicial Conduct Panel has found that Judge Aitken’s actions were a serious breach of comity. Comity requires each branch of Government – the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature – to act with mutual restraint and respect towards the others. 

“However, the Panel considered the Judge’s conduct fell short of the high threshold of ‘misbehaviour’ necessary to warrant consideration of her removal. Therefore, Judge Aitken will remain an Acting District Court Judge until her warrant expires in February 2027. 

“I would like to thank all those who participated in this assessment and the panel members for their service. Judicial conduct panels are an important mechanism to maintaining trust and confidence in the judiciary.

“I will not be making any further comment.”