Source: New Zealand Police
District:
The Northern motorway, near Moir Hill Road, is blocked due to a vehicle being on fire.
One northbound lane remains open as emergency services respond.
Motorists are asked to take alternative routes.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Government
More than 1,700 pet bonds have now been lodged with Tenancy Services since the pet bond system started on 1 December 2025, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.
“Pets are part of the family for many Kiwi households, so it’s great to see such a pawsitive response, with 1,708 pet bonds now lodged,” Mr Bishop says.
“The pet bond system is a practical way to make it easier for renters with pets to find a home, while giving landlords confidence there are clear protections in place. It’s a reform that is working as intended, without any ruff edges.”
Mr Potaka says the milestone shows the changes are striking the right balance.
“This is about giving renters a fair shot at keeping a pet, while making sure landlords have a clear and reliable process. It’s encouraging to see the system landing well and getting tails wagging,” Mr Potaka says.
Pet bonds can be lodged and managed through Tenancy Services, alongside the general bond, and are available where a landlord agrees to a tenant keeping a pet.
The pet bond rules include:
“Our Government is focused on a rental market that works for everyone -young renters, whanau, and the people providing homes,” Mr Potaka says.
Source: New Zealand Government
One year on from the Coalition Government’s Fast-track approvals system opening for business, New Zealand is already benefiting from faster approvals, lower costs, and real infrastructure getting underway, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones say.
“Fast-track was set up to fix a problem New Zealanders know all too well. Important projects were stuck for years in delay, buried in bureaucracy, with costs spiralling and communities missing out,” Mr Bishop says.
“Twelve months on, the results speak for themselves. Fast-track is fixing the basics of how we approve infrastructure, and building the foundations for New Zealand’s future growth.
“The first project approved under Fast-track, the Ports of Auckland wharf extension, took just 111 days from when the application was assessed as complete and in-scope by officials, to approval. Without fast-track, the same project was expected to take around five years for a decision.
“That difference is not bureaucratic trivia. It means jobs are created sooner, economic growth is unlocked earlier, and infrastructure is delivered when it is actually needed.
“Fast-track combines multiple approval processes into a single, integrated pathway, while maintaining environmental safeguards through independent expert panels and robust approval conditions.
“Fast-track is not a rubber stamp. It is about applying the same environmental rigour more efficiently, so good projects can get on with delivering.
“One year in, it’s clear to see that Fast-track is already building serious momentum.
“Nine projects have been approved so far, with another nine expected to receive decisions before the end of March.
“The nine approved projects include a new wharf and cruise ship terminal in Auckland, four housing developments across the country, three mining and quarrying projects, and one renewable energy project.
“Over their lifetimes, the projects approved so far are expected to deliver nearly 2,000 new homes, produce more than 260 million tonnes of aggregate, support thousands of jobs, and contribute billions to the economy.”
“Coming down the pipeline we have another 17 projects currently before expert panels, with their decisions expected in the coming months.
“In total, there are 76 projects currently progressing through the Fast-track process, including referral applications being considered, or have been referred by the Ministers, and substantive applications having their application assessed for completeness, or being considered by an expert panel.”
Mr Jones says the successful implementation of the legislation shows criticism was unfounded, the obstacles thrown up by opponents overcome, and the guardrails put in place worked.
“I am proud that this Coalition Government has created a process that is the envy of countries around the world. Those companies that have successfully gone through it have noted the time and money they have saved as a result. That’s time and money better spent on growing our economy and creating jobs.”
Fast-track by the numbers:
Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:
Projects currently before expert panels:
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
A gas explosion that burned a forklift driver offers a stark lesson for businesses across all industries, WorkSafe New Zealand says, following a court decision in the case.
The forklift caught fire in March 2024, igniting LPG that was being released from condemned cylinders at Tank Test in Papatoetoe. Several 9kg gas bottles exploded, fuelling a significant fire. The driver was hospitalised with burns and spent nine weeks off work.
In sentencing Tank Test, Judge Gus Andrée Wiltens described the hazard as “clear and obvious”. He noted the company could have eliminated the risk at no cost by ensuring forklift and degassing operations never happened at the same time.
“This case isn’t just about flammable gases. It’s about a pattern we see across industries,” says WorkSafe principal inspector, David Worsfold.
“Businesses may identify risks but can fail to follow through with proper controls. They have procedures but don’t ensure they’re working in practice.”
Every business, regardless of industry, can learn from what went wrong at Tank Test:
“The lesson here transcends any single industry,” says David Worsfold.
“Whether you’re working with flammable gases, operating machinery, managing heights, or dealing with any workplace hazard, the principle is the same: identify the risk, implement controls that actually work, and make sure people follow them.”
“This worker ended up in hospital because his employer didn’t take simple steps to eliminate an obvious risk. Every business leader should ask themselves: where are we making the same mistake?”
The case highlights a critical gap WorkSafe sees repeatedly: the space between knowing what should be done and actually doing it.
“The question every business needs to answer is ‘are our safety procedures actually keeping our workers safe?’ If you can’t honestly say yes, it’s time to close that gap.”
WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses and workers to meet their responsibilities to keep people healthy and safe. Manufacturing is a priority sector for WorkSafe, as injury rates in manufacturing have remained stubbornly high over the past decade.
Try WorkSafe’s improvement toolkit for businesses, SafePlus
For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively:
Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Justice
Headline: Ministry of Justice publishes Long-Term Insights Briefing
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The Ministry of Justice has released its second Long-term Insights Briefing (LTIB) on The Future Operation of Courts and Justice Services, outlining six strategic choices to make courts more accessible, efficient, and resilient over the next 20 years.
The Ministry’s LTIB is a “think piece” that shares insights on challenges and opportunities that may affect the future operation of courts in Aotearoa New Zealand. LTIBs can help guide future thinking and work, but don’t make policy recommendations.
Secretary for Justice Andrew Kibblewhite says public consultation confirmed that the draft LTIB identified the right areas for future consideration.
“It was heartening to see feedback on the LTIB indicate that New Zealand’s courts and justice services generally work effectively. However, there were concerns about the timeliness of justice, and that the court system is under-resourced and over-burdened,” Mr Kibblewhite says.
The LTIB examines costs, user experience, and trends such as New Zealand’s growing, ageing, and diversifying population, which will affect court operations, and the level of support people need when accessing justice services.
The six strategic choices for decision-makers identified in the LTIB are:
Consultation highlighted accessibility and victims’ experiences, with calls for simpler processes and more in-court support.
“Respondents raised the complexity of navigating justice services as a barrier to access to justice. They called for more in-court support and simpler court processes. The final briefing reflects these insights”.
“Our latest LTIB provided the chance to look ahead and talk with a wide range of people about what they believe matters for the future operation of the courts and justice services. We particularly welcomed the insights of those with experience of the courts and justice services,” Mr Kibblewhite says.
The LTIB was tabled in Parliament this week. Any future changes stemming from the briefing would require discussion with the Judiciary and Government.
Read the full LTIB on the Ministry of Justice website: Long-Term Insights Briefing.
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Justice
Headline: Progress accelerates in complex Auckland District Court refurbishment
16 January 2026
Significant progress is being made on an upgrade of the country’s largest and busiest courthouse, with seismic strengthening and service upgrades on the nine‑storey tower at Auckland District Court nearing completion.
Work on the five‑level base of the building has now begun, marking the next phase in this complex refurbishment.
Ministry of Justice Deputy Secretary Corporate Services, Dr Kelvin Watson says the milestone is a significant step forward in upgrading New Zealand’s busiest court.
“Keeping justice services running while we strengthen and modernise this building is no easy feat. It has taken careful planning and extensive night works to ensure hearings can continue during the day while construction on the 13-storey building progresses behind the scenes.
“These improvements will make the courthouse safer, more reliable and a better place to work, benefiting staff, the judiciary and the public who use the building every day.
“I want to acknowledge Crown Infrastructure Delivery (CID), which is planning and delivering this project for the Ministry as well as the main construction contractor LT McGuinness and the project team for achieving this milestone” Dr Watson says.
CID Chief Executive John O’Hagan says the programme demonstrates the value of well‑structured project delivery in a live environment.
“This is one of the most complex infrastructure refurbishments currently underway in New Zealand, being delivered in a live operational setting so the court remains open. CID’s partnership with the Ministry is sequencing works floor‑by‑floor and coordinating out‑of‑hours activity to minimise disruption and keep justice services operating” Mr O’Hagan says.
The Auckland District Court building is the largest in the country, with 35 courtrooms across approximately 28,000 square metres.
Its scale and complexity have made this upgrade one of the most challenging courthouse projects in New Zealand history. The programme includes seismic strengthening and replacement of ageing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, lighting and fire systems.
Work began on the Auckland District Court building in mid‑2024 and is due for completion in late 2028 and budgeted at $204 million.
ENDS
For media queries contact: media@justice.govt.nz
This page was last updated:
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Justice
Headline: Survey results reveal fresh insights into perceptions of crime
class=”MsoNormal”>More than half of Kiwis (56%) say they have little fear of crime according to new analysis from the 2024 New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS).
Ministry of Justice Sector Insights General Manager Rebecca Parish says the NZCVS measures New Zealanders’ trust and confidence in the justice system, their views on fairness and effectiveness, and their concerns about different types of offending.
“The survey provides valuable insights into New Zealanders’ views on crime and how it impacts them. Our newly released analysis reveals that fear of crime is not uniformly experienced by all.”
Five new factsheets based on responses from the Public Perceptions Module, a new set of questions included in the 2024 NZCVS are released today. The NZCVS is an annual face-to-face survey of around 7,000 people aimed at capturing reported and unreported personal and household crime.
The results include the following:
The factsheets cover the following areas:
Victims have a far lower level of trust in the justice system than non-victims, the results show.
“However, trust improves when victims are given more opportunity to participate in the system and to understand what is being done to help them. As a result, different parts of the justice system are trying new ways to better support the victims of crime,” Rebecca Parish says.
Fact sheets: NZCVS Cycle 7 resources and results
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a water related incident in Thames.
Emergency services were called to Tararu Road just before midday.
The person was pulled from the water unresponsive, and despite emergency medical treatment they died at the scene.
The death will be referred to the Coroner.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley of Hawke’s Bay Crime Squad:
An investigation has been launched into the water-related death of a five-year-old boy who went missing in Napier’s Westshore area sometime between the hours of 6.00 and 8.30pm on Thursday night 5 February.
The boy was located deceased in the water at 1.30am, this morning [6 February] by emergency services.
Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the Westshore area, in particular Charles and Gardiner Streets, and the Ferguson Avenue Surf Life Saving Club area, who saw an unattended child on Thursday night.
Also, if you have CCTV footage from the area that could be of assistance, please get in touch.
Contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, or call 105, and use the reference number 260206/9567.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
In a desperate bid for freedom, a Porirua man fled from Police in a boat today, only to be pursued across the water by Wellington Maritime Unit’s vessel Lady Elizabeth IV.
Officers had gone to the Mana Twin Bridges public boat ramp about 8.30am and told the 27-year-old Porirua man he was under arrest for breaching bail conditions. Rather than face the consequences of his actions on a public holiday, the man jumped into his boat and fled towards the horizon.
Unbeknown to him, his plan had already hit a critical issue; the shore-based officers reported his escape from custody and The Maritime Unit answered their call.
The Police catamaran, Lady Elizabeth IV, was operating nearby and its crew began searching for a “red and old” boat, which came into view about 20 minutes later, off the Plimmerton coastline.
Unit Supervisor Sergeant Richard Kennedy says the appearance of the Police boat, complete with flashing lights, probably came as a surprise to the absconding skipper, who allegedly ignored all instructions to stop.
“When he saw us, he did a 180 in his boat and headed off at a rate of knots. He hit Porirua harbour at speed and headed toward the shore, with us in pursuit.
“It didn’t get any better for the absconder because we were speaking with Police units on the ground and letting them know where he was heading ashore.”
The Lady Elizabeth IV crew boarded their tender in anticipation of finishing their pursuit on dry land, but the co-ordination meant officers were already waiting nearby. They found the man hiding under a boat shed on the south side of the twin bridges at Paremata.
Fifteen minutes after trying to outrun the Lady Elizabeth IV, the man was back in custody.
“It’s extremely unusual for boats not to comply with directions – most boaties are great to deal with and it’s very unusual for them to try to run from us.”
The man has been charged with breach of bail, and escaping custody. A further charge of dangerous boating is being considered.
Fisheries Officers are also making enquiries after an inspection of the vessel.
He is expected to appear in the Wellington District Court in the coming days.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre