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
Source: New Zealand Government
Money seized from criminals will once again be redirected to protecting New Zealanders, with a new funding round for the Proceeds of Crime Fund opening on 30 March 2026, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
“We are taking money off criminals and using it to fix what matters for victims by reducing violent crime,” says Mrs McKee.
“Following its refocus last year, the Fund now supports tightly targeted initiatives that directly contribute to the Government’s goal of reducing the number of victims of violent crime.
“We want high-impact proposals that make a measurable difference to reducing violent crime and keeping New Zealanders safe.
“This includes initiatives that stop lower-level offending before it turns violent, and initiatives that go after organised criminals by breaking the gang business model that profits from violence and misery.”
“Government agencies are invited to apply using the updated funding proposal template and are encouraged to partner with community organisations to deliver outcome-focused programmes.
“Under Labour, money taken from gangs was funnelled back into a programme delivered by a life member of the very gang fuelling New Zealand’s meth problem. We put an end to that.
“New Zealanders expect that when assets are seized from organised crime, that money goes toward preventing more victims and that’s exactly what we are doing.
“We have already funded a range of initiatives to improve public safety. This includes practical safety improvements in Auckland’s CBD, such as better lighting, expanded CCTV coverage, and additional security patrols.
“We have also supported community-led initiatives such as the Meke Academy, which works with young people at high risk of serious offending in Hawke’s Bay to reduce offending, cut drug use, and help young people gain qualifications and improve literacy and numeracy skills.”
The 2026 funding round will run from 30 March to 29 May. Approved initiatives must meet strict criteria and will be short-term investments of up to three years.
Information on how to apply can be found on the Ministry of Justice website
Source: Maritime New Zealand
We’ve recently become aware of an incident where detergent was sprayed on an oil spill, so we’d like to share a reminder about the rules for using ‘oil spill control agents’ or OSCAs.
Dispersants can help reduce the amount of spilled oil reaching the shore, but we need to be sure that they are used in the right way.
Maritime NZ has strict rules on the use of dispersants and other OSCAs that make it illegal to spray anything like detergent on an oil spill. The rules require OSCAs to be approved by Maritime NZ and require appropriate authorisation from an On-Scene Commander before they can be used in a response, which is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Please report any oil spills to your local council, and remember not to spray anything on an oil spill without appropriate authorisation. You may use sorbent pads or put a sorbent boom around the oil spill if practicable.
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora provides a weekly report to the Minister for Mental Health containing regular updates on the Ministry’s Mental Health work programme and other key information. The published weekly reports do not necessarily reflect the current status of the content.
In addition to the weekly reports published below, we also publish briefings and advice to the Minister for Mental Health, Minister of Health and Associate Ministers of Health, as well Cabinet material, including briefings to Ministers. These can be found on the Information releases page.
Some parts of this information release would not be appropriate to release and, if requested, would be withheld under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). Where this is the case, the relevant sections of the Act that would apply have been identified. Where information has been withheld, no public interest has been identified that would outweigh the reasons for withholding it.
Key redaction codes:
Source: New Zealand Police
The death of a man in Tauranga on Saturday is now being treated as a homicide.
Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown, Western Bay of Plenty Area Investigations Manager, says the man’s body was discovered in a secluded area of Wharepai Domain about 2pm on Saturday 14 February.
“A post-mortem on Monday established the victim’s death is suspicious and we are now working to establish what happened and identify who was involved.
“An examination of the scene has now been completed”.
Detective Senior Sergeant Flowerdew-Brown said Police would like to speak with anyone who has information that could help the investigation.
“We ask people to contact us if they saw unusual or suspicious behaviour around the Wharepai Domain prior to 2pm on Saturday.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number 260214/8937.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers, on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Five youth are before the court following an aggravated robbery in Westshore, Napier.
On Monday 16 February, Police were notified of an aggravated robbery at a commercial premises on Charles Street about 4.40pm.
Three people allegedly entered the premises and stole a number of items before fleeing in a vehicle containing two others. All took steps to conceal their identities.
No injuries were reported however the owner of the premises is understandably shaken.
The vehicle was later located abandoned on Alexander Avenue, and has been seized for a forensic examination.
Following enquiries into the incident, including information provided by members of the public, Police identified five alleged offenders.
Yesterday evening, Police executed a search warrant at a Napier address where four alleged offenders were taken into custody.
During the search warrant, Police also located evidence relating to the aggravated robbery. including clothing worn by the alleged offenders.
The fifth alleged offender was located and taken into custody a short time later.
Acting Hawke’s Bay Area Investigations Manager, Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Karli Whiu says he is pleased with this result.
“I would like to thank all staff involved for their great collective work in bringing this to a quick resolution.
“Much like the community, Police have no tolerance for this type of offending, and we will continue to work hard to hold offenders to account,” Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Whiu says.
The youth are due to appear in Napier Youth Court today, jointly charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Further charges have not been ruled out.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Seven grassroots mental health initiatives supporting small and hard-to-reach communities have received funding to deliver faster access to support, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced today.
“These seven projects deliver practical support, from supporting parents and educating on mental health, to empowering women, grassroots sport initiatives, and accessible movement programmes,” Mr Doocey says.
“We’re focused on fixing the basics and building the future by supporting community organisations to step in early and provide support before people reach a point of crisis.
“Each community has different needs, and this fund reflects that. The organisations receiving funding include those supporting Māori, Pasifika, rainbow, rural and disability communities, the groups we know have the highest unmet need.”
The seven funded projects are:
The grants are delivered through the Mental Health Foundation’s government-funded Top Up community grants scheme and complement the Top Up campaign, launched in August last year, which promotes the Five Ways to Wellbeing—Connect, Give, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Be Active. These five evidence-based actions have been shown to support better mental health. The campaign has already reached millions through TV, radio, and digital channels.
“The aim of the campaign is simple, if you’ve had a challenging day on the farm or stress from work is building up, we want New Zealanders to automatically think which of the Five Ways to Wellbeing you can use to top up,” Mr Doocey says.
“I want to acknowledge the Mental Health Foundation for the work they are doing on the ground and ensuring the resources are going where it’s most needed.
“Support like this helps us deliver faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response.”
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander, Inspector Clifford Paxton:
Bay of Plenty Police have arrested and charged a man following a breach at the Mount Maunganui landslide site cordon early this morning.
At around 2.30am, Police were notified that a man had allegedly entered the Mount Maunganui landslide zone which is cordoned off for the public’s safety.
Police coordinated a response with Māori Wardens, who are watching over the site, and a 20-year-old man was arrested.
He is due in Tauranga District Court on Tuesday 24 February, charged with breaching the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act and careless driving.
Police remind the public that the landslide site is a restricted area as it remains unstable and poses significant public safety concerns.
The area is cordoned off with clear signage – there is no excuse to breach this.
Any suspicious behaviour around cordoned, or restricted, areas should be reported to Police immediately by calling 111, if it is happening now, or through 105 if it is after the fact.
You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is introducing legislation to clarify the law on the impact of ACC payments on welfare entitlement and ensure the process is fair.
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill will:
“There are two main cohorts of ACC compensation recipients in the welfare system,” Louise Upston says.
“Under the current situation, as interpreted by the courts, the latter group, who receive lump sum payments, are treated more generously than the former.
“They are in effect receiving two forms of income support to address one need. This also means these clients can remain eligible for assistance which only beneficiaries receive, such as the Winter Energy Payment.
“This would not result in fair treatment between these groups and isn’t in line with the policy intent.
“The Government has a duty to fix this situation and clarify the law, so it aligns with the longstanding intent of policy,” Louise Upston says.
Notes to editors:
The retrospective effect of the legislation will not apply to a small number of cases that have been filed with the Social Security Appeal Authority or the Courts before 2pm on the day of the introduction of the Bill.
Source: Green Party
The newly released National Infrastructure Plan stands in stark contrast to the Government’s actual spending priorities, the Green Party says.
“We welcome today’s National Infrastructure Plan, which would take us in the opposite direction of the decisions of Luxon’s Government,” said Chlöe Swarbrick, Green Party Co-Leader and Finance spokesperson.
“This Plan shows how we can and must invest in resilient critical infrastructure like hospitals and renewables. Yet Luxon’s Government continues to burn taxpayer money on inflaming the climate crisis and inducing congestion through the daft LNG terminal and roads at all costs.
“Treasury confirmed on Friday that we should be borrowing more to invest in infrastructure that builds real value and expands our productive capacity, which is exactly the vision the Greens have shown can be a reality in our Fiscal Strategy.
“As parts of our country are underwater in yet another climate emergency, the need for decisive action, leadership and investment has never been more clear.
“The choice is obvious: invest now in resilience, reducing the cost of living and improving our quality of life – or pay exponentially more for failures and disasters later,” said Swarbrick.