Category: MIL-OSI

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Whether you’re making family dinner, heating up leftovers, packing lunch for the kids, or having friends over for a barbecue, New Zealand Food Safety has great science-backed tips to keep everyone safe.

“Every year, thousands of New Zealanders get food poisoning. Many of these foodborne illnesses are due to poor food preparation, cooking, or storage at home,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“There’s a wide range of symptoms, ranging from the inconvenient to the life-threatening for people vulnerable to illness.

“New Zealand Food Safety already has a wealth of science-based information on its Food safety at home webpages to help you prevent getting foodborne illnesses. This year, to coincide with World Food Safety Day tomorrow, we have distilled all this expertise into a new booklet of simple tips for avoiding foodborne illness in the home.”

From the store to your table, the ‘Food safety at home’ booklet is packed with science-based food-safety advice. It contains:

• The latest evidence-based recommendations for preparing, cooking, storing, and transporting food safely. Did you know:  Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent foodborne illness. Washing them before preparing or eating food helps prevent germs spreading to your food.
• Updated advice on handling and cooking raw meat and meat products; barbecuing and eating outdoors; keeping at-risk people safe; and how long you can keep leftovers. Did you know: You can keep leftovers for up to 4 days in the fridge if you are going to eat them hot. But leftovers of cooked meals you won’t be reheating – like pasta salad – should only be kept for 2 days.
• Dedicated sections on use-by and best-before dates and advice for shellfish gatherers. Did you know: If a food is past its use-by date, throw it away as it’s not safe to eat. But if it’s past its best-before and it smells and looks okay, it probably is. Check it, sniff it, taste it – don’t waste it.

World Food Safety Day – jointly led by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – highlights the importance of food safety for the health, prosperity and wellbeing of people around the world.  The theme for 2025 is “Science in action”.

“Our advice is based on up-to-date science, it’s now up to you to take action,” says Mr Arbuckle.

You can download your own ‘Food safety at home’ booklet on our website. And, to celebrate World Food Safety Day, try our quiz on Facebook tomorrow to see how food safety savvy you are.

Food safety at home booklet [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Food safety at home

World Food Safety Day

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: New Zealand Government

The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, has today released his decisions on 17 recommendations referred to him by Christchurch City Council on its Intensification Planning Instrument (Plan Change 14). 

“In December 2024, the Council accepted the majority of the Independent Hearings Panel’s (IHP) recommendations on those parts of Plan Change 14 subject to Policies 3 and 4 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (NPS-UD),” Minister Bishop says.

“These recommendations were incorporated into its district plan. The Council rejected 20 of the IHP’s recommendations and referred them, along with its own alternative recommendations, to me for a final decision in early 2025.

“I have carefully considered this matter and taken extensive advice from officials. The law requires that I only consider matters that the IHP could have taken into account when making its recommendations.

“I have made decisions on 17 of the 20 recommendations referred to me by the Council, which relate to a range of issues including qualifying matters, zoning and built form standards. 

“Together, these decisions will enable a greater level of development in and around Christchurch City’s urban centres as required by Policies 3 and 4 of the NPS-UD.

“I have not made decisions on three recommendations relating to Daresbury House, Antonio Hall and the Piko Residential Character Area.  

“I intend to consider these recommendations once the Council has decided on the zoning of these areas. The Council may refer these decisions to me again ahead of deciding on the balance of Plan Change 14. 

“I thank the Councillors, the Independent Hearings Panel and Council staff for the work undertaken on the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process so far.”

Minister Bishop’s decisions, made under Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991, are final and cannot be appealed to the Environment Court.

Editor’s note: 

A table outlining the decisions is attached as a separate document. 

Policies 3 and 4 of the NPS-UD are set out on page 11 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020.

The Minister’s decision making process is set out in Section 105, Schedule 1 of the RMA: Resource Management Act 1991 No 69 (as at 05 April 2025), Public Act 105 Minister must decide on rejected and alternative recommendations – New Zealand Legislation.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are working to locate the driver of a red ute involved in a hit-and-run crash that left a woman seriously injured in Rotorua last night.

The crash happened about 9pm, near the intersection of Haupapa Street and Tuanekai Street.

After striking the victim, the vehicle drove east on Haupapa Street towards Fenton Street, Detective Sergeant Philip Wilkinson said.

The vehicle involved was still being sought by Police.

“This incident easily could have been fatal, and it’s important we hear from anyone who saw it happen, and anyone who witnessed an interaction between a woman and the driver of a red ute immediately prior.

“We are reviewing CCTV from the area, but if you have any information or cell phone footage, please contact us as soon as possible.”

If you have information that may assist, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report”, or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250605/9241.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Debra Gower:

One person has been located deceased following a house fire in Browne Street, Waitara this morning.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at 7.30am.

The person found deceased is believed to have been the only occupant of the house at the time of the fire.

Enquiries are under way to determine the cause of the fire and at this stage there is no further information available.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 1 is closed at Peketā, Kaikoura, following a crash involving a truck and pedestrian.

Emergency services were called to the scene, between Inland Kaikōura Road and Rakanui Road, about 9.20am.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified and the road is expected to be closed for some time. The closure affects both north and south-bound traffic.

Traffic management is being arranged, however motorists should use Inland Kaikōura Road/Leader Road East via Mt Lyford.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging motorists not to get caught out as more snow is forecast across the South Island leading into the weekend.

Heavy snow warnings or watches have been issued by the MetService from tomorrow, with heavy snow down to 300m potentially causing travel disruption, damage to trees and powerlines in Central Otago and Canterbury, from the Rangitata River southwards.

Queenstown Lakes is also facing potentially heavy snow to 400m, and snow is expected to fall about the Dunedin-Waitati Highway (SH1) from about 10am tomorrow

North of the Rangitata River, Canterbury and southern Marlborough may also be affected, with heavy snow possible down to 400m. Mountain passes across the island may be impacted as snow accumulates.

“We got off relatively lightly with the snow so far this week,” says NZTA system manager Mark Pinner.

“The highway closures we had in the MacKenzie Country were only short-lived and the impact was not widespread. If you are heading away for the weekend, and especially if you are travelling on highways at higher elevations, make sure you are prepared and plan ahead using our Journey Planner.”

Journey Planner(external link)

In addition to accumulating snow, the accompanying cold temperatures create risks of frost and ice on the roads.

“Make sure that if you are driving in these conditions, that you adjust your speeds and following distances accordingly.”

Good winter driving habits

“If you can avoid or delay travel on roads while there is elevated risk, that’s sensible.”

NZTA will be working with its partners to keep a close eye on the State Highway network around the south and responding with its crews as required.

In the Westland District, motorists are encouraged to be prepared for potentially severe gale force southeast winds from tomorrow afternoon.     

Source: New Zealand Government

A major step in protecting Franz Josef township on the West Coast has been officially completed.
Stage 1 of the Franz Josef Flood Protection Scheme, a major regional infrastructure project supported by a $9.2 million government grant will boost the resilience and safety of Franz Josef, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.
“The vulnerability of Franz Josef to flooding is well known. The completion of stage 1 works – installing stopbanks on the north side of the Waiho River, is the first step toward protecting the community and local economy against flooding events,” Mr Jones says.
Stage 1 was funded through a 2021 COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund – Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) grant.
Mr Jones was at Franz Josef today to formally mark the end of stage 1 works.
“Last year, I announced a $6m grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to co-fund stage 2 of the flood protection scheme, including construction of new stopbanks and strengthening of existing stopbanks along the southern side of Waiho River.
“This investment will further strengthen Franz Josef’s ability to withstand extreme weather events and provide the community more time for effective long-term planning,” Mr Jones says.
Editors’ note
The Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) is a $1.2 billion capital fund with the primary purpose of accelerating infrastructure projects, particularly with a focus on water storage, energy, Māori economic development, growth, and resilience, to make a difference in our regions.
In August 2024, the Government committed $200 million of the RIF to flood resilience and announced $101.1 million of investment into 42 flood resilience projects across New Zealand, which included Stage 2 of the Franz Josef Flood Protection Scheme. 
More information about the RIF can be found on the Grow Regions website 

Source: New Zealand Police

Southern Police are asking motorists to drive to the conditions and take extreme care today with black ice forming on Southland roads and snow incoming later throughout Otago.

Police have already attended one black-ice related crash this morning and are aware of another.

Thankfully no one has been injured but we want to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.

Drivers need to be aware of the potential for slippery road surfaces and to drive the conditions.

ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

A new mobile ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist clinic has been launched in Northland, bringing high-quality specialist care directly to local communities, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey say.“This is a significant step toward improving access to care for people in rural and remote parts of Northland,” Health Minister Simeon Brown says.The initiative began in May with the first of several rural outreach clinics held in Kawakawa. Additional clinics are planned for Kaikohe and Rawene this month.“In just two days, the mobile clinic saw 53 patients – more than half of whom had been waiting over 10 months for an appointment, mostly for a first specialist assessment. Others were seen after spotting the clinic parked in their community.“These patients would otherwise have had to travel to Whangārei Hospital. That’s why initiatives like this make a real difference in improving timely access to care and delivering services closer to home.“They also support our focus on reducing wait times for first specialist assessments and elective surgeries by easing pressure on hospital waitlists.”Patients were assessed for a range of conditions, including hearing loss, grommet and tonsil concerns, chronic ear disease, nasal and sinus obstruction, and head and neck lumps.Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says the mobile clinic is a welcome development for the region.“Access to healthcare is one of the biggest concerns for people living in rural and remote communities.“This mobile clinic is fully equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment technology, providing a standard of care on par with what patients receive at Whangārei or Kaitaia hospitals – exactly what rural communities deserve.”The service supports procedures such as endoscopy, vertigo manoeuvres, treatment for otitis media, adult grommet insertions, and removal of foreign bodies from the ear, nose, or throat. It also enables outpatient bookings for ENT surgeries including adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, and mastoidectomy.“This initiative is a practical example of how we’re working to bring services closer to home and reduce long waits for specialist care.“Our focus is on ensuring all New Zealanders, regardless of where they live, can get the care they need without having to travel long distances or face lengthy delays,” Mr Doocey says.

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council