Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

A first-of-its-kind health and rehabilitation centre has opened at Burnham Military Camp to support the health, wellbeing and operational readiness of New Zealand Defence Force personnel. 

“Kiwis who put on the uniform put their lives on the line to defend and protect New Zealand and its people. They deserve the best support possible to proactively care for their minds and bodies, and to help them get back on their feet when they’re injured,” Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk says.  

“The new Military Health and Performance Centre, Tû Manawa Ora, at Burnham Military Camp is the first combined health and rehabilitation facility across the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) estate, bringing together a broad range of services under one roof.” 

The new facility includes: 

• Comprehensive medical treatment centre
• Dental services
• Physiotherapy, rehabilitation and performance spaces
• Psychological resilience, pastoral care, social work and counselling services
• Education, research, simulation and training facilities
• Staff and logistics areas
• Emergency response, including ambulance facilities 

“Today’s opening represents a step forward in how the Defence Force looks after its people, setting a new standard for healthcare infrastructure across camps and bases,” Mr Penk says. 

“Providing multi-disciplinary care will benefit both the prevention and treatment of health issues, ensuring Defence personnel are well supported during service and continue to thrive long after they leave the Force.  

“Military healthcare professionals now also have a modern, fit-for-purpose environment that enables the delivery of high-quality health, rehabilitation and performance services, which in turn will improve retention and operational readiness across the Defence Force. 

“Building the centre at Burnham, the largest military base in the South Island, reflects its strategic importance. The camp plays a key role in New Zealand’s national security system, supporting training, operational deployments, humanitarian assistance and disaster response. 

“Completed in just 18 months, the $22 million project is a testament to the combined efforts of the Defence Estate and Infrastructure group, construction partner Hawkins New Zealand, and our Alliance partners Ernst & Young, GHD NZ and Beca. 

“This new centre demonstrates to our Defence people that while they dedicate themselves to serving New Zealand, we are committed to ensuring they have the health, wellbeing and working environments they need to perform at their best.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are in attendance at a serious crash near Clarks Junction between Rocklands Road and Johnson Road in Otago.

The crash involving two vehicles occurred at about 2.15pm today.

The driver of one vehicle has been transported to hospital with serious injuries.

Diversions are in place on SH87 while emergency services work at the scene.

Please expect delays in this area.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are continuing to investigate a woman’s death in Kaihu after she was attacked by dogs yesterday.

Emergency services responded to the rural address off State Highway 12 at about 11.25am on 17 February.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, Whangārei CIB, says: “This was a very upsetting and tragic event in which a woman has suffered unsurvivable injuries.

“I know the community will have a lot of questions; our investigation is still in the early stages and our focus is on establishing all the facts in this case.

“What we can say is that the three dogs involved live on the property, and the woman was visiting a person known to her when the attack occurred.”

Police have since notified the woman’s next of kin.

We can name her as 62-year-old Mihiata Te Rore, who is local to the community.

Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says the three dogs are currently with animal management.

“As part of our investigation, we would like to hear from anyone in the Kaihu community who has had issues with dogs roaming in the area,” he says.

If you can assist enquiries, please contact Police on 105 using the reference number 260217/8328.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today congratulated the finalists for this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition.

The three finalists for 2026, Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective and Otama Marere Trust which are both based in the Bay of Plenty, and Northland’s Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust, were announced at a function at Parliament today.

The trophy celebrates the vital role Māori farmers and growers play in New Zealand’s economy.

“This year’s finalists exemplify excellence in horticulture, driving growth in the food and fibre sector while creating jobs in rural communities,” Mr McClay says.

“The hard work of Māori growers and their staff will help achieve New Zealand’s aspirational goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years, while meeting the global demand for high-quality, safe and sustainable food and fibre.”

The competition was expanded to include horticulture in 2020, recognising the growth of horticulture on whenua Māori, which has increased by 50 per cent since 2017.

“Māori orchards, such as apples and kiwifruit, and agribusinesses provide employment and vital reinvestment back into marae, papakāinga, kura, and education scholarships,” Mr Pokata says.

“The prosperity and wellbeing horticulture generates for Iwi and Māori across the motu has far reaching impacts. I tautoko the outstanding work these finalists are doing.”

Each Ahuwhenua Trophy finalist will host a field day to demonstrate their growing operations. These field days and a second round of judging will determine the overall winner. The winner will be announced on 5 June in Whangārei.

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac’s proposal to fund two new combination therapies for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), a type of blood cancer.

“Improving access to cancer medication in New Zealand is important to cancer patients, and their families. That’s why it has been a focus of this Government,” Mr Seymour says. 

Pharmac is proposing to fund venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab, as first line treatments from 1 May 2026.

“Pharmac heard from the Blood Cancer community and from clinical advisors that venetoclax with ibrutinib or obinutuzumab will make a big difference for people with CLL, especially when used at the beginning of treatment,” Mr Seymour says.

“While CLL isn’t curable, the right treatment means patients can live longer more fulfilling lives. Venetoclax with ibrutinib or obinutuzumab will help patients achieve longer lasting remission, and avoid the need for traditional chemotherapy. Two of these medicines will be available in pill form, which don’t require an IV drip and could mean fewer hospital visits

“Obinutuzumab will be the second cancer medicine available in private clinics. When Pharmac fund a new cancer treatment, people already paying for that treatment privately are forced to make a very difficult choice: spend their savings to continue private treatment undisrupted, or transfer to a public hospital. Patients told Pharmac the latter was hugely disruptive and caused significant stress during an immensely difficult period.

“People currently paying privately for these combinations could receive funded treatment in a private hospital, provided they met the funding criteria at the time they began treatment.” 

Mr Brown says the Government is committed to improving treatment and care for New Zealanders with cancer, including blood cancer.

“That’s why this Government has funded seven new cancer medicines that target blood cancer through Pharmac’s $604 million investment – expanding treatment options for patients and their families.

“This announcement means more Kiwis with blood cancer will have access to medicines that improve their quality of life and help them live longer, fuller lives.

“We are also significantly expanding stem cell transplant services for patients with blood cancers and related conditions, helping more people access critical, life-saving treatment sooner.

“Alongside investment in new medicines, our Faster Cancer Treatment target, and wider efforts to strengthen cancer services, we are focused on improving access, reducing delays, and ensuring people get the treatment they need, when they need it.”

Notes to editors: 

Source: PHARMAC

People in New Zealand living with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) could soon benefit from funded access to targeted treatments under a new proposal from Pharmac.

Pharmac is consulting on a change that would fund two new treatment combinations – venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab – for people with CLL. If approved, funding would begin on 1 May 2026.

“This proposal would give people access to powerful, targeted treatments immediately after their diagnosis,” says Pharmac’s Director Pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin. “We expect around 80-90 people each year to benefit from these combinations over the next five years.”

While these medicines are already used to treat blood cancers, they are not currently funded for use together as a first treatment option for CLL. Pharmac funded venetoclax in combination with rituximab, as well as venetoclax on its own, for CLL in 2019. 

Ibrutinib was funded in 2022 for people whose CLL has returned or has not responded to other treatments. In 2016, obinutuzumab was funded in combination with chlorambucil for some people with CLL.

“We’ve heard clearly from the blood cancer community and from our clinical advisors that these combinations could make a real difference when used early,” says Martin.

CLL is a slow‑growing blood cancer where the bone marrow makes too many abnormal white blood cells. While it cannot be cured, people can live well for long periods with the right treatment.

“Using these medicines together can help people achieve longer‑lasting remission and may reduce the need for traditional chemotherapy,” says Martin. “They could also mean fewer hospital visits, and an improved quality of life.”

Pharmac is seeking feedback from people with CLL, their families, health professionals, advocacy groups, and anyone else who would like to comment.

Consultation is open until 5pm, Wednesday 4 March. Feedback can be emailed to consult@pharmac.govt.nz or submitted using the online form linked in the consultation.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are in attendance at a serious crash in Māngere East involving a truck and pedestrian.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Savill Drive and Massey Road, just before midday.

The pedestrian has been transported to Middlemore Hospital with serious injuries.

Diversions are in place, and traffic cannot currently turn onto Savill Drive from Massey Road.

Please expect delays in the area.

The Serious Crash Unit and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team have been advised.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Bay of Plenty Police are seeking to the public’s help to identify the three people pictured in these images.

We believe they may be able to assist us with our enquiries into a breach of the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon on Wednesday 11 February and Sunday 15 February.

If you are one of these people, or you recognise them, please update us through 105 either online or over the phone.

Please use reference number 260217/6366.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: Privacy Commissioner

Events are a great way for us to promote privacy issues, and answer questions. Our people speak to a range of audiences across New Zealand about privacy issues. The Commissioner is often asked to be a keynote speaker at conferences. 

Privacy Week speaker applications are now open

During May each year we run Privacy Week, a series of free webinars that promote privacy awareness regardless of how much you already know. Applications for speakers for this year’s event opened on Wednesday 18 February.

Apply now using our form. Applications close Friday 20 March. 

Contact us at privacyweek@privacy.org.nz if you have questions.

About Privacy Week

Privacy Week is held in conjunction with Privacy Awareness Week, an initiative by the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) network. Find out more about APPA and Privacy Awareness Week.

Privacy Week 2025
Privacy Week 2024

Previous years’ webinar recordings can be watched on our YouTube page.

Request a privacy speaker

If you’d like to request a speaker please fill in our speaker request form.
 
We meet every two weeks to discuss requests for speeches and will accept or decline the request soon after that. Declines are almost always owing to resourcing – we are a very small office. If you have questions please email our communications team at  commsteam@privacy.org.nz

Sir Bruce Slane Memorial Lecture

The Sir Bruce Slane Memorial Lecture is delivered every two years by an invited guest, and always on a topic of privacy law. Sir Bruce Slane was New Zealand’s first Privacy Commissioner. Read more about his life.

2025 lecture (happening in 2026)
This year’s lecturer is Justice Christian Whata who will speak in February about the concept of privacy through a tikanga lens. Sign up to watch the webinar online via Teams.

2023 lecture
Professor Nicole Moreham
Balancing privacy and other interests in the social media age

(Regular lectures interrupted by COVID-19 pandemic).

2018 lecture
Hon Justice Helen Winkelmann
Privacy law at a cross roads: can the courts provide

Right to Know Day

Right to Know Day is on 28 September each year and promotes the legal right all New Zealanders have to see the information that organisations hold about them. Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to ask for personal information about you. You can do that using our About Me tool. 

Personal information can include simple details such as your name, address and your pay slips. It can also include any sensitive records such as medical test results and notes.
Download a Right to Know factsheet.

Watch us on YouTube

Our recorded events and webinars can be watched on our YouTube channel. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Belmont Lane, Musselburgh, Dunedin, and surrounding roads are closed following a landslip this morning.

Police were notified of the slip around 10.50am. Thankfully, no one was injured.

Police are assisting Fire and Emergency New Zealand with evacuations of nearby residents.

The public is advised to avoid the area.

ENDS