Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Counties-Manukau Police are appealing for information from anyone who witnessed a crash involving a car and a truck yesterday morning on Whitford-Maraetai Road.

The crash occurred around 6.45am near the intersection of Whitford-Maraetai and Waikopua Roads.

The female driver of a small maroon hatchback vehicle remains in hospital in a serious condition.

The truck driver sustained minor injuries.

“A scene examination has been completed and Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward,” Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey, of Counties Manukau East Police, says. 

“We are keen hear from anyone who saw the accident or has dash cam footage that might assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to update Police online or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250609/0912.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

Thank you all for the invitation to speak with you this morning. I have been looking forward to this opportunity. May is a busy month for the Government, and it is always a relief to have the Budget delivered. 

Today, I would like to speak about what I see as my privilege and responsibility to uphold the rule of law, and the role that all lawyers play in this, alongside the judiciary and the executive.

This is also an opportunity for me to hear from you. It is always wonderful to hear from Law Association members who are out there in communities, listening to what clients want from their legal system, and from those making laws that affect them. You have a front row seat to lawmakers in action and can help us understand the impacts of what we do. 

A legal system we can be proud of

We can be proud of our legal system. 

As you know, the rule of law is a foundational doctrine underpinning the law and order of any civilised society. New Zealand’s adherence to the rule of law ensures that standards of justice are upheld and provides safeguards against the arbitrary exercise of power. That adherence is recognised internationally, with the World Justice Project ranking us 6^th overall in the 2024 Rule of Law index. 

This commitment to the rule of law helps maintain our international rankings as a country with low corruption rates. This reputation is important for New Zealand’s economic growth and prosperity as a nation. Those living, working, and investing here know that we have a sound and accessible justice system and that success doesn’t require bribes behind the scenes.

We are known as a country where access to independent courts, and the outcomes from these courts, cannot be bought or sold. That is invaluable and it means we are a good place to do business. 

And it’s not just me saying this: we are currently fourth internationally in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index behind Denmark, Finland and Singapore and well ahead of Australia, which is tied for 10th place.   

This is a great place to sit in the rankings, but we still have room for improvement. While our position is steady in the top five, our Corruption Perceptions score has fallen from a high of 91 in 2013-15 to 83 last year.

In 2024, the OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions found that only 42% of New Zealanders believed that public employees would refuse bribes to speed up service access. Even in the Rule of Law Index, there are factors such as order and security where we drop outside the top 10. 

The Government is committed to being better. Earlier this month, my colleague Minister Mark Mitchell joined the Serious Fraud Office for the launch of their national campaign targeting foreign bribery. The campaign will raise awareness and involves the introduction of a new online platform to support safe, anonymous reporting of suspected foreign bribery.

The campaign asks people to be on the lookout for ‘red flags’. You may come across some of these in your roles, particularly if you are advising clients engaged in international trade – things like business partners or agents refusing to provide details on transactions, or someone requesting an unusually high level of discretion around a particular contract. I think this is a great initiative, and I encourage you all to engage with the SFO’s content to learn more about the campaign.

Moving away from traditional institutions

Society is changing at a rapid pace. We are in a time, globally and domestically, where traditional institutions are losing the trust and respect they were once afforded. Data from the 2023 General Social Survey released last September found that New Zealanders’ trust in institutions such as Parliament, media and the courts has declined since 2021. 

We cannot be so naïve as to think that this loss of trust has occurred entirely by accident. There will always be those that see opportunities in destabilising norms. However, it is not just “bad“ actors who undermine our institutions. Misunderstandings of the constitutional settings can also impact how our respective institutions are seen and perceived. 

We can all think of times where emphasis is put on the Judiciary and Executive appearing to disagree. When the public see judges and politicians criticising each other, confidence in both groups can be lost, and this can affect the strength of our institutional domains.

When your clients see the judiciary and executive seemingly at odds, how can they feel confident about the experience they will have with our legal system? 

Comity and the separation of powers

Those of you who attended last year will have heard me talk about our constitutional arrangements and comity. I have spoken about its importance at length, most recently to senior members of the judiciary. 

Comity requires each branch to act with mutual restraint and respect towards the others. This principle allows them to respond in a way that reinforces, rather than undermines, the other branches’ legitimacy. It helps us ensure that we remain on the right side of our respective constitutional lines. 

If the delicate balance that keeps the executive, Parliament and the judiciary operating well together is disturbed, it is extremely difficult to restore.  This balance helps us be strong, both individually and collectively as the institutions of government, so it is crucial we do our best to preserve it. 

The separation of powers is something that I as Senior Law Officer pay particular attention to: what is the nature of that separation? How has it changed and how might it change in the future? How do we ensure that separate does not mean siloed, disconnected or in conflict, and that independence does not mean isolated? 

Maintaining trust and confidence

Those of us involved in creating the policy underpinning the laws of New Zealand need to ensure the resulting law is precise, clear, and not open to significant debate about its meaning.

Earlier this year, I took on the portfolio of Minister for the Public Service. I’ve made it clear to Public Service leaders that the more complex and challenging it gets, the more simple we need to keep it. 

Together with Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, I am committed to ensuring that the purpose and functions of the Public Service are clearly understood, including the importance of free and frank advice and the efficient use of taxpayers’ money. I want New Zealanders to feel confident that all those serving them can be trusted to deliver results. 

It is my expectation that when the Public Service delivers those core functions well, the legislation and practice that emerge will be less ambiguous. This will allow you to focus on your role and reducing the number of instances where the executive and legislature may be seen to have handed off their responsibilities.

“The Courts will sort that out” should not be a default position for a parliamentary lawmaker. We will play our part.

Independent, fair and efficient courts are an important cornerstone of our democracy and the rule of law, and courts are a key underpinning of social stability. They give confidence that our rights as citizens can be upheld; differences and conflicts can be resolved through law; our society can be protected from law breakers; and that the State can be required always to act in accordance with the law.

The courts do justice according to law, on the basis of clear, certain and determinate frameworks of legal principle. That sort of stability is not only essential to the rule of law and maintaining confidence in our legal system, but also facilitates government under law and economic growth.

New Zealand Judges are independent in their decision making and cannot be influenced by Parliament or the executive. They should hold us to account. New Zealand is not best served by courts that rubber stamp decisions.

However, the judiciary also cannot usurp the functions of the executive and the legislature. That undermines the system for everyone. While our common law method, of course, enables judicial development of the law that is to be done carefully, incrementally and being alert to the need to preserve certainty, stability and coherence of the law. 

We all need to respect the roles each branch of government plays even when – in fact, especially when – it is inconvenient to do so.

King’s Counsel appointments

While we are all here together, I would like to remind you that applications for King’s Counsel are open until 9 June. 

Appointments of King’s Counsel are made by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Attorney-General and with the concurrence of the Chief Justice. The Governor-General may also appoint King’s Counsel in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the law in fields other than advocacy. I take my role in this process very seriously.

I am proud to be the Senior Law Officer of New Zealand and to represent and advocate for lawyers. 

However, whether it is judicial appointment or KC appointment, I will not reward poor interpersonal conduct with appointment to these important and influential roles. 

If you experience rudeness or intolerance, overbearing or bullying behaviour, whether from judges or lawyers, please raise it through the processes available to you. Contact your law society representative if you need to know more about these options. 

I will never apologise for having high standards. If there is one thing you take away from my remarks today, I hope it is a reinforced sense of how important it is for each of us to do our duty. 

Do not underestimate the contribution of ensuring we speak the truth to each other and valuing what we each do. Together we all have our part to play in maintaining the trust and confidence of people, here and overseas – and long may it continue. 

Thank you for your time today. 

Source: New Zealand Police

A 73-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Horeke last month.

Daniel Hepehi, also known as Danny Whiston, was found with critical injuries at a property in Waikerikeri Road in the early hours of May 22.

Sadly, the 77-year-old died at the scene.

Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, of Northland CIB, says Police have now charged a man with murder following an ongoing investigation.

“The accused will appear in Kaikohe District Court today via video link and we are not seeking anyone else in connection with this homicide.

“Police have made a number of appeals for information during this investigation and we would like to thank those members of the public for their support,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.

“We are continuing with our enquiries and we are pleased with the progress so far.”

As the matter is before the court Police are limited in providing further comment.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

The government is boosting support for rural resilience and wellbeing announced by Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson.

“We’re backing Rural Support Trusts by committing $3 million over the next four years, to help improve rural communities’ access to primary mental health services and specialist services,” Mr Doocey says.

“A range of services already exist, this is about making them easier to access, better connected, and focused on delivering support that makes a difference for people in rural communities.

“Whether it’s help on the farm, over the phone, or at a local event, we’re ensuring rural people know where to turn and can get support when they need it.”

This funding is on top of the ongoing funding of $3 million over the next four years allocated to Rural Support Trusts through the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

“The Government is also investing $2 million of Health funding in the Rural Wellbeing Fund. Building on from Budget announcements this means the Rural Wellbeing Fund will double to $4 million over the next four years,” Mr Doocey says.

“The Rural Wellbeing Fund will be specifically focused on supporting the wellbeing and resilience of hard-working New Zealanders who live outside of the major centres.”

Mr Patterson says the package reflects the realities of rural life and the need for practical, locally driven support.

“I am delighted that we are bolstering funding to support those who need help the most – living rurally presents a unique set of challenges which include isolation and lack of services. When added pressures arise, rural people can find themselves facing challenging situations in need of mental wellbeing support.

“This is about investing in the people who drive our primary industries — and making sure they’re connected to the right support, whether it’s peer networks, wellbeing initiatives, or expert advice,” Mr Patterson says.

“It’s about building resilience and supporting rural New Zealand to stay strong, stay productive, and keep powering the country forward.”

“When rural communities mental health and wellbeing are supported, economy is stronger for it,” Mr Doocey says.

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is celebrating the fifth anniversary of Keep It Real Online, a website that helps New Zealand families navigate the digital world safely. 

“I know many parents are worried about the type of content their children might come across online and are looking for practical ways to protect them. The Keep It Real Online website offers helpful guidance on how to start those important conversations with your kids, along with information on practical tools like parental controls and safety filters available through search engines and social media platforms,” says Ms van Velden.

The website launched in 2020, with a campaign that went viral and attracted international attention for a campaign episode that featured fake porn stars visiting a suburban mother to inform her that her teenage son was watching porn online, and encouraging her to talk to him about how consent and relationships work in the real world. 

Since the launch five years ago, the website has been viewed over 1.1 million times. The most visited pages for youth focus on misinformation, pornography, and sending and receiving nude images, which highlights the real issues that young people are facing in today’s digital environment.  It has sections for parents, young people, and teachers, and has information available Chinese, Hindi, and Samoan as well as English and Māori.

“It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to manage any potential online harms. As much of the internet sits outside of New Zealand’s jurisdiction, it’s important that we equip New Zealanders with the skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world and take steps to protect their own wellbeing.”

“I’m really proud of the digital safety work that the Department has delivered in recent years and just as proud that we’re continuing to update the content to stay fresh, relevant, and in tune with the challenges people are facing online today.”

The Keep It Real Online website is managed by the Department of Internal Affairs and can be accessed at https://www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz/.

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

1 minute ago

An offer to support a friend’s studies unexpectedly set T&G’s Malandi Fourie on her own path of horticulture education through EIT.

The South African-born assistant manager at T&G Global in Hawke’s Bay has completed levels 3 and 4 of the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) and is now working towards the NZ Diploma in Horticulture Production (Level 5).

Although she had experience working with plants through her family’s nursery in South Africa, Malandi never imagined she would formally study horticulture, until a friend, feeling nervous about classroom learning, needed support.

“I started the level 3 qualification two years ago just to help a friend who didn’t feel comfortable being in class alone. I ended up loving it and decided to carry on for myself.”

She has now been in the industry for eight years and has worked her way up through various roles at T&G over the last six-and-a-half years from orchard hand to senior leading hand, then block lead, and now assistant manager.

“It’s a very humble feeling, working outside in orchards. Being a Christian, I believe we were told to work the soil. But more than that, I’m here for the people, because I believe people grow the trees.”

That people-first mindset has shaped her leadership style. Malandi says supporting others, especially women in the industry, is one of the most fulfilling parts of her job. From mental health struggles to financial hardship, she’s seen how practical skills, and a sense of purpose can help people reclaim confidence and direction.

“They learn new skills, gain confidence, and feel proud of what they’re doing. It’s like they can breathe again.”

As a mother of two children aged 17 and 20, Malandi admits balancing work, study and family life has been challenging. But completing her qualifications means a great deal.

“I never finished my studies in South Africa, so this feels like closing a loop. It’s also about inspiring others. If I can do it, they can too.”

She describes her experience at EIT as supportive and hands-on. “The tutors are passionate. They treat you like adults. It’s not just sitting in a classroom, they get you up, get you outside, and keep it practical.”

Lisa Turnbull, Assistant Head of School Primary Industries, said Malandi’s journey is a wonderful example of personal and professional growth.

“Her dedication to learning, leadership in the workplace, and commitment to supporting others embody values we strive to nurture at EIT.

The team is proud to have been part of her journey thus far and looks forward to seeing her continue to make a meaningful impact in the industry.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Today Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay introduced long awaited legislation that will put a stop to large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions – delivering on a key election promise to protect the future of New Zealand food production.
“For too long, productive sheep and beef farms have been replaced by pine trees in the race for carbon credits. That ends under this Government,” Mr McClay says.
“The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill will restrict wholesale conversions of farmland to exotic forestry by stopping LUC 1-5 land from entering the ETS and capping new ETS registrations on LUC 6 land.
“It will also protect farmers’ ability to diversify – allowing up to 25 per cent of a farm to go into trees, while stopping the kind of blanket ETS planting that’s been gutting rural communities in places like the East Coast, Wairarapa, the King Country, and Southland.”
As previously announced the new restrictions will take effect from 4 December 2024. The law will:

Restrict farm conversions to exotic ETS forests on high-to-medium versatility farmland (LUC classes 1-6)
A limit of 15,000 hectares per year for exotic conversions on medium versality farmland (LUC class 6)
The annual limit of 15,000 hectares for LUC 6 farmland will be allocated by a ballot process, including a reserved quota for small block holders, with the first ballot proposed to be held in mid-2026.
Allow for up to 25 per cent of a farm’s LUC 1-6 land to still be planted in exotic forestry for the ETS, ensuring farmers retain flexibility and choice.
Protect specific categories of Māori-owned land, in line with Treaty obligations
The Bill proposes time-limited transitional exemptions in rare cases for people who were in the process of afforestation prior to these changes originally being announced on 4 December 2024.
To be eligible for a transitional exemption, applicants need to show sufficient evidence that they made a qualifying forestry investment between 1 January 2021 and 4 December 2024.
Transactions that commenced after this date will not be eligible to register in the ETS.  
The applicant will need to demonstrate that the investment relates to the specific Land Use Capability (LUC) class 1–6 land they are applying to register in the ETS.
Registry of 25 per cent of LUC 1-5 land will be registered against the properties title to restrict further planting as a result of subdivision. 

“Labour’s careless ETS settings turbocharged the sell-off of our farming base. They let speculators put short-term profits ahead of long-term food production. That was careless – and it ends now,” Mr McClay says.
“This Government is backing farmers, restoring balance, and making sure the ETS doesn’t come at the cost of New Zealand’s rural economy.
“This policy is pro-farming, pro-food production, pro-commercial forestry and pro-rural New Zealand.”
The legislation is now before Parliament and is to come into force October 2025.
For more information: Forestry ETS Changes

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government’s ensuring more children learn from quality teachers by delivering the largest annual increase in the teaching workforce in two decades.
“We want to grow, promote and support the education workforce who every day deliver real change in the classroom. We are providing a world-leading education system with all the support teachers need to deliver it. It’s really encouraging this is resulting in more people choosing to become teachers,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
The schooling teacher workforce grew by 2.5% in 2024, delivering 1,864 new teachers, the largest year-on-year increase since records began in 2009 and slightly outpaced student roll growth. 1,128 new teachers were in primary, while secondary teachers grew by 736. 
“We’re seeing growth across the board. Every region has more teachers than it did a year ago, with particularly strong increases in South and West Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Canterbury. That’s a clear sign our reform of the education system is giving people the confidence to choose teaching as a career.”
In 2024:

First-time domestic enrolments in Initial Teacher Education rose by 6.3%, from 3,400 to 3,615. This includes increases across early childhood, primary, and secondary sectors, marking the highest entry rate into teaching since 2009.
the average total pay for primary teachers was over $94,000 and around $101,000 for secondary teachers.
on average, secondary principals were paid over $200,000 while primary principals were paid over $150,000.

“From scholarships and onsite training pathways to removing financial barriers like registration fees, we’ve made it easier for people to take that first step into the classroom, and it’s working.”
“We know there’s still more to do to ensure every student has a quality teacher in front of them. That’s why Budget 2025 includes even more investment to grow and strengthen the profession” says Minister Stanford
Budget 2025 includes $53 million to cover teacher registration fees through to 2028, alongside expanded training pathways for aspiring principals and support for returning and overseas-trained teachers.
“Great teachers are the single most important factor in a child’s education. We’re backing our education workforce — from training to registration to the classroom — because when we support teachers, we support better outcomes for every learner,” Ms Stanford says.

Source: New Zealand Government

Kia ora tatou. My warmest greetings to you all.
It’s a pleasure to be here with you at this year’s WasteMINZ Conference — the flagship event for New Zealand’s waste, resource recovery, and contaminated land sectors.
For over 30 years, this conference has been a space for industry leaders and innovators to come together — to be inspired, to share ideas, and to shape the future of this essential work.
Thank you for the opportunity to join you today. 
As I begin, I’d like to acknowledge Parul Sood, Chair of the WasteMINZ Board, along with the board members, CEO Nic Quilty and her team, and all of today’s delegates.
I also want to recognise the ongoing work of WasteMINZ members — your contribution to the sector is important and appreciated.
Today, I’d like to update you on several key areas I’m working on as Minister for the Environment.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve been focused on delivering the Government’s priorities for waste, contaminated sites, and broader environmental challenges.
We know the waste sector has long-standing issues.
But these challenges come with opportunities to improve outcomes for both the natural world and our communities.
Before I expand on the Government’s work on waste, I’d like to start with some announcements.
Last year, as part of Budget 2024, I announced the Government has changed the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 to allow the waste disposal levy to be spent on a wider range of activities.
As part of this, levy funds were allowed to support local authorities with the costs of managing waste from emergencies.
We know the frequency and magnitude of emergency events are increasing, partly due to the rise in severe weather events.
Emergency events often generate large volumes of waste, which needs to be dealt with quickly. 
Today, I am pleased to confirm that we have now established emergency waste funding.
The funding will support councils with the cost of managing waste following an emergency, including repairing or replacing damaged waste infrastructure.
The Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes, recent cyclones, the Auckland Anniversary floods, and many other large-scale events have underscored the importance of resilient waste management and minimisation facilities and services. 
So far, the costs of managing waste caused by these events have been dealt with on an ad-hoc basis, with no standing funds available to support councils.
The emergency waste funding will give councils timely access to funding to deal with waste in the aftermath of emergency events. 
This will reduce the financial burden of these events on central and local government.
The simple application process means councils will be able to quickly and easily access funding.
Waste management in emergency events is a critical service to get up and running quickly, to reduce public health risks and support communities to get back on their feet. 
This new funding will help councils and communities when they need it most.
Now, I would like to draw your attention to a new report on construction and demolition waste, which I know is a topic you will be keenly interested in. 
Construction projects are essential to growing our economy. 
However, they also leave behind a staggering amount of waste, which places a burden on New Zealand’s landfills and the environment.
Yesterday, the Ministry for the Environment published the first national baseline report for construction and demolition waste.
This baseline measure is the first of its kind in New Zealand. 
It will help us evaluate the state of construction and demolition waste, giving us a starting point for comparing changes over time. 
The national baseline report provides an overview of how much construction and demolition waste New Zealand is sending to landfill, and what materials make up this waste stream.
The results show that construction and demolition waste is New Zealand’s largest waste stream and highlight the significant role that surplus soil and rubble play.
To cover off a few key statistics from the report:
An estimated 5.25 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste was disposed at levied facilities (class 1-4) in 2023. This represents almost 70 per cent of all waste disposed at levied facilities.
Of all levied construction and demolition waste disposed, nearly 80 per cent of that waste is soil or rubble.
Of the remaining construction and demolition waste, timber, plastics, plasterboard and textiles (i.e. carpet) make up notable proportions of the overall waste stream. 
Further to these findings, as many of you will know, last month I met with the WasteMINZ sector group on surplus soils.
This was to discuss the group’s proposal to develop a national soils management framework through a Waste Minimisation Fund grant.
I would like to thank Nic Quilty, Parul Sood, Rod Lidgard and James Corbett for taking the time to meet with me to discuss this important issue. 
I understand managing surplus soils is a long-standing challenge, with no national rules or clear guidance on how to reuse them.
The national baseline report highlights the scale of the problem. 
Valuable soil resources are being lost to landfill, with clean or slightly contaminated soils often unnecessarily landfilled.
This contributes to landfill overuse, emissions, and high project costs.
For these reasons, I am pleased to confirm today that I support the WasteMINZ proposal to fund a national soils management framework. 
Ministry for the Environment officials will be working with WasteMINZ to develop a phased approach for addressing these issues. 
Details are still to be finalised, and the sector will be kept updated.
Following these announcements, I’d like to now move on to our waste strategy and work programme.
You may be aware that I recently launched the Government’s strategy to reduce waste and improve how it’s managed in New Zealand. 
The strategy sets out the Government’s approach to reducing the environmental and economic harm caused by waste.  
Alongside that, I confirmed a comprehensive waste work programme to implement the strategy’s goals.
You’ll be aware of some changes made late last year to existing waste policies. 
We’re reducing costs to ratepayers by leaving decisions about kerbside collections, including food scraps, up to local councils. 
The Waste Minimisation Fund will continue to support councils that choose to adopt these services.
We’ve also removed the 2025 deadline to phase out all PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging. 
We have had a positive response from industry on this decision as it gives them more time to adopt alternatives, while ensuring that new regulations are practical and workable.
These adjustments support our waste strategy while minimising cost-of-living pressures.
Our waste work programme is well underway, and I’d like to start by highlighting the proposed amendments to our waste legislation.
These changes would replace the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Litter Act 1979, with the aim of reducing inefficiencies and providing greater clarity around the roles of central government, local government, and the wider waste sector.
We recently consulted on these proposals, which aim to make the legislative framework clearer and more effective.
Consultation closed on 1 June, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to make a submission.
Officials are now carefully considering that feedback to help inform the policy development.
The aim is to introduce the new legislation before the next general election.
We also recently asked New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations to improve the way waste from commonly used farm plastic products is managed. 
We’re proposing new regulations to support a national product stewardship scheme covering agrichemical containers and other farm plastics, such as bale wrap. 
As someone who has lived on a farm almost all my life, I know how important this is.
It would bring together the services of existing schemes Agrecovery and Plasback, simplifying recycling and disposal for farmers and growers, and expanding access into a nationwide service.
This scheme would be funded through an advance disposal fee and offer free, nationwide take-back services. 
And it won’t just benefit farmers—sectors like forestry, tourism, hospitality, and manufacturing could also participate.
We have had strong engagement and feedback throughout the consultation process. 
Thank you to everyone who shared their valuable insights. 
In addition to the consultation on farm plastics, I’d like to provide a brief update on the progress of other product stewardship schemes.
Product stewardship schemes are designed to ensure everyone in a product’s life cycle shares responsibility to reduce its environmental impact at the end of its life.
The Tyrewise scheme is a strong example of this principle in action.
Tyrewise addresses the estimated 6.5 million tyres that reach end of life in New Zealand each year.
Since going live last September, the scheme has collected and repurposed more than 2.8 million tyres into fuel and other useful products.
It is also on track to exceed its first-year targets – an incredible achievement. 
I commend everyone involved in the development and daily operation of the scheme for their dedication and impact.
I also want to acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved in the accredited synthetic refrigerants scheme, known as Cool-Safe.
This scheme has been operating since 1993 and has now successfully collected over 600,000 kilograms of synthetic refrigerants, significantly reducing their environmental impact.
We are actively working with this scheme and the wider industry to support the responsible end-of-life management of these gases.
Earlier this year I received the Plastic Packaging Product Stewardship scheme co-design recommendations report.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this report – it represents the culmination of over two years of dedicated work.
We will carefully consider the recommendations and continue to work with stakeholders to plan the next steps in developing this important scheme.
Work is also progressing on electrical and electronic products (e-waste).
I’m aware safe battery disposal is a growing concern for the sector, as improperly disposed of batteries pose significant fire risks.
There is currently a high level of activity in the battery space, with multiple stakeholders across industry and government actively engaged.
This momentum is encouraging, and I look forward to seeing continued progress toward a safe, more sustainable approach to managing e-waste in New Zealand. 
Another area of focus focuses is remediating contaminated sites, including historic landfills vulnerable to weather events.
Historic landfills can be compromised by erosion, storm surges, rainfall events, high river levels and flooding.
There are hundreds of historic landfills and contaminated sites around New Zealand vulnerable to severe weather.
Remediating these sites is vital for protecting our environment from harm. 
No-one wants a repeat of the Fox River landfill event in 2019.
Communities should not be left dealing with the aftermath of old landfill breaches.
Acting early to remediate these sites also saves money in the long run. 
Councils have been asking for more support – and now they have it.
Last year, I opened the new Contaminated Sites and Vulnerable Landfills Fund, a $20 million fund to support councils and landowners.
This fund replaces the previous Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund and significantly increases support.
Regional, unitary and territorial authorities can now apply.
The Ministry is actively supporting councils with applications.
There has been great progress already, like the remediation project at Tāhunanui Beach in Nelson where $2.9 million of Government support has helped remove more than 10,000 cubic metres of contaminated material from underneath the beach carpark.
This project is a great example of what this new fund can support.
More information is on the Ministry for the Environment website.
I would like to now move onto our work in improving recycling.
Standardising the materials accepted in kerbside recycling was a vital first step — sending a clear signal to businesses and households about what can be recovered through kerbside systems across New Zealand.
Thank you to everyone who helped develop this policy.  
There is still work to do, but the new Recycling Leadership Forum is a great next step.  
The forum is exploring challenging kerbside issues, including the tricky items that don’t currently fit the system.  
I’m watching their work with interest and expect to receive their first report on potential solutions soon. 
Plastic is part of daily life, and while it has benefits, it creates far-reaching waste problems.
On the international stage, New Zealand is playing a part in negotiating a treaty to tackle plastic pollution globally. 
Our delegation is heading to the next round of negotiations in Geneva in August.
Domestically, we continue to reduce waste and support recycling innovation. 
The latest Our Environment 2025 report shows that our landfills received 11 per cent less waste per capita in 2023 than the peak in 2018.
The Waste Minimisation Fund is providing grant funding to upgrade resource recovery centres, transfer stations, and materials recovery facilities to increase the volume and quality of recovered plastic materials. 
The fund is also supporting the construction of processing infrastructure to facilitate the reuse of this recovered material, stimulating the local economy and reducing our reliance on overseas markets.
We’re managing hard-to-recycle plastics and working with industry to move away from problematic packaging like PVC and polystyrene.
Thank you for your efforts. 
I understand that tomorrow, Ministry for the Environment officials will be speaking to the waste work programme in more detail.
I encourage you to attend and ask any questions you may have.
In closing, I want to thank you for your time, for your contributions, and for your commitment to innovation. Your leadership matters.
Together, we are building a more resilient and sustainable New Zealand—for our people, our economy, and our environment.
I wish you all the very best for the rest of the conference. 
Thank you. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police need your help in investigating a cowardly attack on a Papakura man last month.

Still images are being released of a person that Police is still working to identify, and we need to hear from you today.

The wounding occurred on Friday 16 May at about 11.40am on Settlement Road in Papakura.

“A man in his 70s was walking alone in a westerly direction at the time, outside Papakura Intermediate School,” Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor, of Counties Manukau South CIB says.

“Around the same time a person was walking on the opposite side of the road heading in the other direction.”

For reasons unknown, this person crossed the road towards the victim.

“They have approached the victim and lunged towards him, making contact,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.

“Immediately after the offender fled the scene, and the victim realised he had suffered a stab wound.

“The victim required hospital treatment and is recovering from this cowardly and unprovoked attack.”

Police need to hear from anyone who recognises the person in images being released.

“People in the community will know who this person is and they need to do the right thing and speak up.”

Anyone with information can update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250516/1021.

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police