Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Improving the resilience of State Highway 35 (SH35) between Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay in Tairāwhiti is shifting up a gear with construction starting this month on a new Hikuwai Bridge, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Cyclone Gabrielle damaged the original bridge, severing an important connection across the Hikuwai River, and local crews worked hard in the months that followed to reinstate access. A temporary Bailey bridge has been in place since June 2023 while a long-term solution was designed,” Mr Bishop says.

“The new bridge will feature a modern, two-lane structure, be approximately 100 metres in length, and will follow the same alignment as the previous bridge. It will provide better flood and earthquake resistance, improved durability, and delivers environmental benefits. Once complete, it will provide a more efficient and permanent solution for SH35 road users for generations to come.

“The bridge has been designed to better withstand debris in the river with a wider central span and rounded piers, reducing blockages. Larger, deeper piles enhance resistance to flooding and erosion effects, while stronger columns boost structural durability. Improved bearings will also prevent the bridge deck uplifting when inundated and during earthquakes.

“Cyclone Gabrielle severed more than a road in this part of the world – whole communities were cut off from Gisborne, and this much-needed bridge is a crucial part of delivering a resilient network for people and freight.

“At a programme cost of around $50 million, the Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Alliance will be working with CLL Service and Solutions, who will lead the construction of the bridge structure, given its expertise in this area. Local businesses Parata Construction, Currie Construction, and local branches of Downer and Fulton Hogan will also be working on the project.

“Early works and site establishment started last month, and local road users will see more activity as cranes are set up on site ready to get to work. Piling work on the new bridge is due to begin late October.

“I look forward to this new bridge being completed as soon as possible. The East Coast was hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle and restoring modern, resilient networks for people and freight is a priority for the Government.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua, Counties Manukau CIB:

Emergency Services are attending a house fire on Murvale Drive this morning.

At around 2.30am reports were received that a property was fully ablaze.

Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand are at the scene with an investigation underway.

At this stage we can advise that two people are currently outstanding.

We are working to establish what has occurred and urgently locate the people unaccounted for.

Three further people have been taken to hospital with inquires ranging from serious to minor.

Police will remain on scene with cordons established on Murvale Drive, between Janome Place and Jandell Cresent.

Police will provide further information as it becomes available.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are appealing for sightings of 62-year-old Cecil, reported missing in Tauranga.

Cecil was last seen around a week ago in the Ohauiti/Hairini area of Tauranga.

It is believed he may be in Tauranga or Hastings areas.

Police and Cecil’s family are concerned for his wellbeing and would like to see him return home.

If you have information regarding Cecil’s whereabouts, please contact Police on 105 online or by call.

Please use the reference number 250929/9768.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 18 on the Upper Harbour Bridge is down to one lane after a small digger has fallen off a truck.

Around 7.15am Police were notified the digger was blocking the lefthand lane, heading towards Squadron Drive.

Traffic is building with Police are advising motorists to expect delays while the digger is removed.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

The Ministry for Social Development is successfully partnering with local businesses to get Northland job seekers into work.

Whangarei employers have joined Minister of Social Development and Employment Louise Upston at an Into Work event, sharing their experiences of successfully filling multiple vacancies in their businesses.

One successful example is Fulton Hogan who have been working with MSD, investing local communities by training and eploying 44 MSD clients. These cadets undergo a structured learning programme aimed at acquiring essential skills and knowledge in a particular job role or industry.

“Fulton Hogan are among those providing opportunities for job seekers, placing more people in Northland than anywhere else in the country.” Louise Upston says. 

“MSD is making sure it really understands a business so it can link employers with local job seekers who are the right fit for local jobs. 

“We know that 76 per cent of people receiving Jobseeker Support in Northland (who have been on benefit for less than a year) already have previous work experience and with MSD’s team guiding the process, they’re being linked with employers and real jobs.” 

Whangarei’s Into Work event is the fifth Louise Upston has attended across New Zealand, bringing MSD employment teams together with local employers with more locations to come. 

“These are opportunities for local employers and organisations to discuss how we can all work together to understand workforce needs and address workforce challenges.” Louise Upston says. 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is introducing changes to the Animal Welfare Act 1999, raising welfare outcomes for pigs in New Zealand while providing farmers appropriate time to make the changes, Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) Andrew Hoggard announced today.

“These proposed changes set new requirements for the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls, and requirements for space for growing pigs,” Mr Hoggard says.

“Together, these proposed new requirements will be amongst the highest in the world and demonstrate the importance New Zealanders place upon animal welfare.

“Because these are substantial changes, the Government will give farmers sufficient time to prepare for them, with the requirements coming into effect on 19 December 2035.

“This approach provides the sector with a realistic timeframe to make changes to their practices and farms adapting to the new requirements without disrupting domestic pork supply or putting undue pressure on pig farmers.”

Under the proposed new regulations:
•    minimum spacing requirements for grower pigs will increase by 13.3 percent.
•    the time sows are confined in farrowing crates will be reduced from a maximum of 33 days to seven days, and a requirement to provide manipulable and deformable materials to enable farrowing sows to engage in nest-building behaviours; and
•    use of mating stalls will be limited to no more than three hours at a time, down from seven days.
This decision follows five years of consultation with industry, key stakeholders, veterinarians and the public.
“We’ve listened to and considered a broad range of perspectives. I’d like to thank all those that have provided their perspectives and expert advice to ensure our approach is scientifically robust and economically viable”

“The proposed amended regulations aim to ensure New Zealand retains its reputation for high animal welfare outcomes, while making sure we keep a viable pig farming industry in New Zealand, and Kiwis have access to locally grown pork.

“We’ve worked hard to minimise the costs for farmers. Nevertheless, many of these changes will require significant financial investment, infrastructure modification, and changes to practices on farm.”

The Code of Welfare for Pigs is currently being finalised and will be issued after the Amendment Bill is approved by Parliament to ensure alignment between the new requirements pig farmers will need to operate within.

“The approach of separating out the regulations and the Code of Welfare was the best way to replace the regulations that are set to automatically revoke on 18 December 2025, give the sector a realistic path to compliance, and uphold the welfare standards expected by New Zealanders.”

Notes for editors

The changes that are proposed are as follows: 

• farrowing crates: a regulation allowing confinement of sows for a maximum of three days pre-farrowing, and four days post-farrowing. This will replace the current requirement of a maximum of seven days before farrowing and up to four weeks post-farrowing. There will be no changes to the requirements of the crate size.
• a requirement to provide ‘manipulable and deformable materials to enable farrowing sows to engage in nest-building behaviours.’ This will now be required for all facilities, not just those facilities constructed after 3 December 2010.
   mating stalls: a regulation allowing use for up to three hours at a time, with no limit on the number of times they are used. This replaces the current regulation of the use of mating stalls for no more than seven days per reproductive cycle.
•  spacing requirements are measured through a formula known as a ‘k value’. The area for static space allowance for pigs is calculated from metabolic liveweight using the model equation: Area (m2) per pig = k x liveweight 0.67 where k is a constant. The formula gives an indication of the ‘footprint’ of a pig that is lying down (without sharing space with another pig). A k value of 0.019 represents the static space (area occupied when the pig is not moving) while lying on its belly while a k value of 0.047 represents a pig recumbent on its side. The minimum value for k under New Zealand regulations is currently 0.03. 
   

Source: NZCTU

The Government’s proposed package of reforms to the electricity sector will do nothing to stem job losses, or manage the cost of living for New Zealanders said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The Government is tackling non-existent problems such as financing investment, while dodging the real issues, such as delivering new generation and excessive dividend distribution. It’s time that New Zealand’s electricity supply was brought back into public hands, not just further mismanaged.”

“The Government’s proposals amount to doubling down on the problem which will compound a broken system. Jobs are being lost on a weekly basis across New Zealand and high electricity prices are contributing to those losses. Households faced an average 11.4% increase in electricity prices. Yet the best thing that the Government can do is write a sternly worded letter to the Generators.

“The Government claims that it wishes to ‘improve electricity market transparency and information’, yet it supported the Electricity Authority stopping the provision of information on electricity market margins earlier this year.

“Instead of getting on with fixing the electricity system, the Government has sought to deliver an LNG terminal which will be years away – when renewable energy projects in New Zealand could be started now.”

Renney said, “This Government has failed to address the challenges inherent in our current electricity market. The NZCTU believes that electricity is a public utility, rather than a source of profit. Even the Government’s own press release states that the market has failed to invest, and we are now paying the price. The weak package put forward by Ministers today shows how much better a publicly owned electricity system, as proposed by the NZCTU, would be for the future of New Zealand.”

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A Northland farmer has been handed a 3-year ban from owning or managing deer after underfeeding more than 145 of the animals.

Niven John Lowrie (66) was also fined $7000 when he was sentenced in the Manukau District Court (30/9/2025) on two charges under the Animal Welfare Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). 

Along with the ban, Mr Lowrie was ordered to pay veterinarian associated costs to MPI of $7,161.97.

“Mr Lowrie was managing another farm outside of the district and neglecting his own animals at his Northland farm. 

“Our investigation found that more than 145 deer were basically left to fend for themselves with poor pasture and a lack of supplementary feed,” says MPI regional manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Brendon Mikkelsen.

When Animal Welfare inspectors responded to a complaint, they found 14 deer carcasses at his farm. They also discovered a deer tangled in a fence by its antlers and stuck in mud. That animal had to be euthanised to end its suffering. 

“Being an absent farmer is unacceptable. People in charge of animals are responsible at all times for their wellbeing. The suffering of these deer could have been prevented if Mr Lowrie had stayed on top of his responsibilities.

“When we find evidence of deliberate animal neglect – we will hold farmers to account and put the case before the court,” says Mr Mikkelsen.

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz 

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Work is about to begin to make two key Top of the South transport links safer for the public and more resistant to slips and rockfalls.

Contractors will be on site from next week at 2 sites near Murchison – one at the Granity Narrows on State Highway 6 between Kawatiri and Owen Junction, and the other near O’Sullivan’s Junction – also on State Highway 6. 

Work for both projects will be underway from Monday, 6 October until the end of May 2026.

Jetesh Bhula, Regional Manager Infrastructure delivery, says extensive rockfall protection will be installed at both locations, with around $8.6 million to be spent on the projects.

“This will involve rock scaling to remove loose rock, as well as installing rock bolts and mesh to stabilise the rock faces and reduce the risk of further debris falling onto the road.” 

“This is critical work. Not only will it reduce the danger rockfalls pose to drivers, but it also improves and strengthens sites where we know there is an active rockfall risk.”

Mr Bhula says the winter storms this year show how vital resilience works like these are.

“Areas on State Highway 6, Whangamoa Saddle, that had work done after the 2022 floods stood up well, and the route remained open, during the weather events we had in June and July this year.”

“The investment we are making at both the Granity Narrows, and O’Sullivan’s Junction are about improving safety, and maintaining and protecting critical transport links,” Mr Bhula says.

He says drivers can expect some disruption and travel delays at both sites while the work is underway.

“The geology and geography of both sites is challenging. When we have contractors working above the road, we must take steps to keep the public safe from the risk of falling debris. This is why lane closures and stop/go traffic have to be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

“Our contractors will do their best to keep traffic delays to a minimum but, unfortunately, you cannot do projects like these without affecting traffic. Drivers  should  be prepared for 15-minute delays at both sites,” Mr Bhula says.

Initial work will see contractors clear loose rock and unstable vegetation from the cliff faces at both sites.

Mr Bhula says the early works may not be immediately visible, but they are crucial – particularly at the Granity Narrows site on State Highway 6.

“The first few months will see an embankment built on an old railway line below the road. This will allow the highway to be widened and moved away from the cliff, providing more space for traffic when the substantive rockfall protection works are underway.”

“Please bear with us while we get this work completed. These are critical investments that will result in safer and more reliable roads,” Mr Bhula says.

Works schedule and location map

• Monday 6 October until end of May 2026.
• Stop/Go traffic management and 30 km/h temporary speed limit at both sites 24/7 – expect 15-minute travel delays.
• Stop/Stop traffic controls will be used when controlled rock clearing is underway.
• Access will be available for emergency services and school bus services.
• The road will be open to two lanes over the Christmas/New Year holiday period. 

More information 

• The $8.6 million project costs are funded from the National Land Transport Fund.
• Other resilience works recently completed or underway in the top of the South Island include rock scaling work on State Highway 65 at Higgins Bluff and flood prevention works on State Highway 1 at Dashwood in Marlborough, State Highway 6 at Dellows Bluff and State Highway 63 near the Wash Bridge in the Wairau Valley. Stage Two of the resilience work on State Highway 6 Whangamoa Saddle is currently underway. 

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

Local seafaring jobs are under threat by multinational cement company Holcim and Nova Algoma Cement Carriers Limited (NACC) who plan to replace a New Zealand-crewed vessel with a foreign-flagged and crewed ship.

New Zealand’s maritime unions are calling on the government to urgently intervene to keep skilled jobs.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ), the Merchant Service Guild (MSG), and the Aviation and Marine Engineers Association (AMEA) say Holcim is trying to orchestrate the replacement of the domestic cement carrier MV Buffalo and its Kiwi crew with the Panamanian-flagged NACC VEGA crewed by a foreign charter crew.

This would place up to 32 seagoing jobs in jeopardy.

“This is a direct assault on New Zealand seafarers and their families,” says MUNZ Auckland Branch Local 13 Secretary Grant Williams.

“At a time when Kiwis are facing economic tough times, Holcim is choosing to dump its loyal, skilled workforce for a cheaper, foreign Flag of Convenience and Crew of Convenience vessel. This is another blow to New Zealand’s coastal shipping industry.”

The unions warn the consequences extend far beyond the immediate job losses.

“Every job lost means less tax paid in New Zealand and one less skilled professional contributing to our national maritime capability,” said Mr Williams.

“Relying on foreign shipping leaves our essential supply chains vulnerable. Granting this permit will signal a race to the bottom that our domestic shipping industry simply cannot win.”

Mr Williams says the situation shows a lack of commitment and social responsibility by Holcim, which makes substantial profits from its New Zealand business.

The situation began in February 2025 when Holcim started a consultation process to replace the MV Buffalo, citing its age and high operating costs.

An initial proposal that would have seen the Kiwi crew offered fixed-term contracts until the end of 2025 collapsed in July, with Holcim providing no reasons for the failure.

In response, MUNZ has filed a case with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) focused on the disadvantage clause in the Collective Agreement, and the statutory right of cooks and stewards to transfer to the new employer.

The existing Collective Agreement includes a clause intended to protect employees from being disadvantaged if work is contracted out or the business is sold or transferred.

The case also seeks the transfer of cooks and stewards employed to meet crew requirements, claiming their entitlement to transfer to the new vessel under the provisions of Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act.

The parties have been to mediation but were not able to reach agreement. NACC is now seeking a New Zealand government authorisation for the NACC VEGA to operate in New Zealand’s domestic trade for 12 months, starting from October 2025.

The unions are putting the pressure squarely on the government to enforce New Zealand law.

Under section 198 of the Maritime Transport Act, the Minister of Transport can only authorise a foreign vessel to work the coast if no suitable New Zealand ship is available.

“The law is crystal clear, and so is the choice for the Minister,” says Mr Williams.

“The MV Buffalo is a suitable New Zealand ship that is available to do this work.

Holcim’s own documents confirm this. The Government must reject this application from NACC.”