Category: MIL-OSI

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

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 2, Matawai Road, between Gisborne and Opotiki has re-opened after an earlier closure. 

Temporary speed limits are in place and motorists are advised to take extra care when travelling through the area.

We thank motorists for their patience throughout the day.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police

A body has been located in the Boyle River this afternoon.

Police were notified at around 3:15pm that a helicopter assisting with a search in the area had located a body.

While the formal identification process is yet to be completed, it is believed to be the man who was swept into the river earlier this afternoon.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this tragic time.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: Green Party

The Green Party condemns the unprecedented decision to suspend Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi for 21 days, and MP for Hauraki-Waikato Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke for 7 days.

“This decision is a disgrace and so is this Tiriti trampling Government,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.

“Te Tiriti o Waitangi promises protection for people and planet. We’ve seen hundreds of thousands of people show up in support of te Tiriti, and today Te Pāti Māori members have been severely punished for doing so.

“The severity of the punishment sought by the Privileges Committee was unprecedented and has raised serious concerns on whether this is a new standard that will only apply when haka, waiata, and other tikanga Māori are expressed in the House.

“There was a better way of dealing with this. We must find ways to incorporate the tikanga this country was founded on into our House of Parliament. Instead, Māori have been punished for using tikanga Māori to challenge the Treaty Principles Bill – one of the most divisive pieces of legislation we have seen.

“When those with assumed power think their privilege is under threat, there is a tendency to scream victim. One needn’t feel intimidated by the power of upholding te mana i te Tiriti o Waitangi in the face of futile attempts to denigrate it.

“These consensus ignoring, Tiriti trampling, democracy mocking, narrowly supported recommendations from the Privileges Committee bring this House into more disrepute than any haka ever has,” says Marama Davidson.

Source: Auckland Council

Sixty-four conservation projects carried out by mana whenua and community groups around Tāmaki Makaurau have received Auckland Council funding in the current financial year to help protect, restore and enhance the natural environment.

Another 44 projects will also receive funding over the next two years.

Community Committee chair, Councillor Angela Dalton says a new streamlined process has delivered support for environmental-related projects this year where it is needed most to help achieve regional Tāmaki Makaurau conservation and water quality goals.

“We have clearer visibility on where funding will make the biggest difference and the application process is now easier for the groups who work on environmental projects to be considered for funding opportunities,” Cr Dalton says.    

On 27 May, the council’s Community Committee members approved $731,000 in funding to help support the goals of 23 community groups working to protect and restore the environment, through the 2024/2025 Regional Environment and Natural Heritage (RENH) grant.

General Manager Environmental Services Samantha Hill says grants ranging from $5,800 to $85,000 have been allocated to projects that will help to protect and restore native ecosystems, grow community involvement and contribute to Māori outcomes.

“One of the projects delivers pest control to help long-tailed bats living in Franklin; another supports mana whenua-led conservation work on Aotea / Great Barrier Island, and several other groups are carrying out ongoing predator control and native habitat restoration to support a range of threatened native species,” says Ms Hill.

“With the invaluable work these community groups are doing, we will see significant steps in progress to protect, improve and minimise risks to our natural environment. It is important for us to continue to recognise and support the tireless commitment given by these dedicated community-led conservation groups and their many volunteers.”

A separate group of 23 projects have also been approved with Community Coordination and Facilitation grants from the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) for region-wide and large-scale conservation activities.

Last year, $1 million delivered in grants supported by the Natural Environment Targeted Rate delivered a $6.10 return for each $1 invested on projects benefiting the natural environment.

Finally, an additional 18 projects will receive a share of ​$1,222,268 in funding from the council’s Healthy Waters department to support environmental projects in 2024/25. These projects will enhance water quality and improve flood resilience.

All applications were rigorously assessed against key criteria. Fair distribution across the region was also considered in recommendations made for grant allocations. Projects have been approved for funding in all local board areas.

Year	Grant Name	Allocation
2024/25	Regional Environment and Natural Heritage (23 applicants)	$  731,000
2024/25 2025/26 2026/27	Community Coordination and Facilitation (23 applicants) (23 applicants) (21 applicants)	$  973,800 $  773,000 $  702,000
2024/25	Water Quality and Flood Resilience (18 applicants)	$1,222,268

More detail on the environmental projects Auckland Council is supporting in this financial year, and in 2025/26 and 2026/27 is available in this PDF document.