Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

36 seconds ago

New EIT Auckland students were formally welcomed to Aotearoa during a visit to Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Te Whare Takiura o Manukau (Manukau Institute of Technology).

Held on February 13, the visit included a traditional pōwhiri and provided an opportunity for students and staff to engage with Māori tikanga and strengthen their sense of connection and belonging.

Robin Fabish, Pouārahi Māori (Executive Director Māori); Rocky Ropiha, Kaiwhakaako; and Putiputi Te Wake-Munro, Advisor Mātauranga Māori, travelled from EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale.

Robin said it was a real honour to join Rocky, Putiputi and members of the EIT Auckland team in welcoming the new cohort of international students.

“A formal pōwhiri is important for our new students not only for the cultural experience but also to spiritually welcome them to our land.”

“Many have left their families in their countries of origin, so as part of our manaakitanga and commitment to looking after them while they are in our country we’re pleased to be able to welcome them into our whānau.”

Student representatives Sofiya Parveen and Ruwan Dissanayaka also attended the visit to support their peers.
Ruwan said it was a privilege to be part of the marae visit as a student representative.

“I have visited the MIT Marae with EIT several times, and each experience has helped me deepen my understanding of Māori culture, values, tikanga and whakawhanaungatanga.”

EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherie Freeman said marae visits are an important part of welcoming students and helping them settle into life in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“EIT warmly welcomes all new students with a pōwhiri and visit to the marae. Our international students often connect with the pōwhiri experience, finding familiar elements within Māoritanga that resonate with their own culture,” she said.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is expanding a successful University of Auckland programme that helps manufacturers adopt new technologies, boosting productivity and building skills across their workforce.

“In an increasingly digital world, overseas competitors are reaping the rewards of greater automation, artificial intelligence, robotics and cloud computing,” Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says.

“New Zealand manufacturers need these tools and technologies to sharpen their competitive edge, but some are held back by cost or concerns about disrupting their operations, especially where in-house technical expertise is limited.

“That’s why the Government has committed to a three-year funding package to expand the Digital Manufacturing Light programme, supporting businesses to work smarter, run more smoothly and face future challenges with confidence.

“The expansion will see the programme rolled out to support at least 180 small and medium‑sized manufacturers in Auckland and parts of Waikato, Northland and the Bay of Plenty, where around 55 per cent of New Zealand’s manufacturers are located. 

“Digital Manufacturing Light uses low-cost, off-the-shelf technologies and open-source software to help manufacturers introduce new systems into their existing operations without the need for major capital investment or complex infrastructure.

“Businesses taking part in the programme receive a tailored assessment of their needs, help choosing the right solutions, hands-on installation assistance, and training to ensure the new technology delivers real value on the factory floor.

“A key strength of Digital Manufacturing Light is that it works closely with manufacturers and their own technical staff, building the digital skills into the business that will support sustainable, long-term improvements. 

“Digital Manufacturing Light will support manufacturers to move away from manual and often outdated processes, providing real-time insights into machine performance, bottlenecks, and quality issues. 

“The potential benefits are significant. Research from Xero and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research shows that faster digital adoption across small and medium‑sized enterprises could lift national GDP by $8.6 billion. 

“The Government is fixing the basics and building the future for New Zealand. Backing programmes like Digital Manufacturing Light is a smart, targeted investment that helps smaller firms grow, innovate, and contribute to our economy and communities.”

Notes to editor:  

Source: Green Party

The Green Party has welcomed the release of the report from the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity. 

“This report makes clear what we have said all along: the Government’s decision to make it easier to underpay people and limiting pay equity access is yet another attack on women,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for women, Kahurangi Carter. 

“The Government underestimated how badly this would go down with the public. Today, the workers this Government tried to silence have found their voice, and it is powerful.” 

“Make no mistake: this is a cost-cutting measure taken straight from the people who need it. Rather than paying women what they’re worth, this Government is simply shifting these costs onto women to bear. 

“Pay inequity disproportionately impacts Māori, Pacific and disabled women. The very communities already facing the greatest barriers to fair pay. This Government is deepening those disparities, not closing them. 

“Our healthcare, education, and social service workers are the backbone of our country. They deserve better than a government that undermines their pay and conditions at every turn. 

“The fact that former MPs from across the political spectrum came together on a pro bono basis to do the work this Government refused to do tells you everything you need to know about how egregious these changes are. 

“This wasn’t a technical tweak. This was wage theft on a national scale, rushed through without any opportunity for the women affected to have their say. 

“The Green Party is committed to all of the demands from unions, to repeal this legislation and fully fund pay equity claims. Workers deserve that commitment from every party in Parliament,” says Carter. 

Green Party MP and former Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter says the report confirms the damage done to a framework she helped build. 

“As Minister for Women, I worked alongside unions and workers to pass the Equal Pay Amendment Act in 2020, legislation that passed unanimously and was one of the biggest gains for gender equity since the Equal Pay Act 1972. This Government has torn that up. 

“Over 100,000 workers had already received significant pay increases, many in the double digits, through the framework this Government gutted. The evidence of what was working was right in front of them, and they chose to destroy it to fund their tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies,” says Genter. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are responding to reports of a serious crash on State Highway 2 near Mangatāwhiri.

Police were called to the crash involving two vehicles just after 11am.

Initial indications are there are serious injuries.

State Highway 2 is closed in both directions between Rawiri Road and Kopuku Road.

Further information will be released as it is available.

ENDS.

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Numerous hours of scouring video footage has led to the arrest of a woman in relation to retail crimes in Thames.

Yesterday, Police arrested and charged a 52-year-old woman following multiple shoplifting incidents dating back over the past month.

“This type of offending, especially at this large scale, has a big negative impact on our local businesses and I’m pleased with this outcome,” says Inspector Mike Henwood, Eastern Waikato Area Commander.

The woman was due to appear in Thames District Court today, charged with 20 counts of wilful trespass, and two counts of speaking threateningly.

“I commend the tenacious work of local Police staff to pull these, and other investigations, together to prosecute offenders.

“Recidivist retail thieves are not tolerated – by business owners, their honest customers, or Police – and this highlights Police’s commitment to target and hold these offenders to account,” Inspector Henwood says.

If you witness any retail crime, or any other crime, please call 111 if it is happening now or for historic offending, please make a report, with as much information as possible, either online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or by calling 105.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand will provide $8 million in new assistance for Ukraine and implement additional sanctions targeting Russia’s war machine, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.

 “Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion, now entering its fifth year, has devastated Ukraine, destabilised Europe and impacted the security of our own region,” Mr Peters says. 

 “Russia’s relentless bombardment of civilian infrastructure this winter has hit Ukraine’s people hard, and this assistance demonstrates New Zealand’s continued solidarity. 

 “These contributions will help address urgent needs as a result of Russia’s brutal winter attacks on Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure.”

New Zealand will provide $5 million in humanitarian assistance to international aid partners supporting Ukrainian civilians badly affected by the war. 

 This brings New Zealand’s total humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to $45 million over the past four years. 

 A further $3 million will go to the World Bank-administered Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund, which supports energy resilience and reconstruction. 

New Zealand is also implementing its 34th round of sanctions against Russia.

New measures include lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil and sanctioning 100 shadow fleet vessels.

“These are calculated steps to curtail crucial oil revenues fuelling Putin’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” Mr Peters says.

New Zealand has also sanctioned actors from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, alongside alternative payment providers, malicious cyber actors, and those supporting Russia’s military‑industrial complex. 

More information about sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, as well as diplomatic, military and economic support to Ukraine, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Thousands of NZ Businesses May Be Exposed Under New Contractor Law

A major change to New Zealand employment law has come into force with the new Gateway Test, potentially exposing thousands of businesses using independent contractors to legal and financial risk.

The post Thousands of NZ Businesses May Be Exposed Under New Contractor Law first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are working to locate Tevita Lasa, who has a warrant for his arrest and is wanted by Police.

Lasa, 35, is wanted by Police in relation to burglary and is known to frequent the Auckland City area.

It’s believed he is actively avoiding Police.

If you have seen him or have any information that may assist in locating him, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 260118/6795.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can release the name of the man who sadly died following a crash on Waiwhero Road, Lower Moutere, on Wednesday 4 February.

He was Paul Daniel McKay, 42, from Motueka.

Police extend condolences to Paul’s loved ones.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Good old-fashioned Police work has ended in the arrest of a man wanted in relation to an aggravated robbery in New Lynn last week.

At about 1am on 16 February, four masked offenders entered a venue on Great North Road and stole a large amount of cash.

The group fled the scene in a stolen vehicle and a short time later were seen entering a second vehicle.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting, Waitematā West Area Investigations Manager, says that vehicle was located abandoned on Winstone Road, Mt Roskill.

“A substantial amount of money was recovered from inside the vehicle.

“Following this, our enquiries team reviewed CCTV from the area and spoke with a number of people.”

He says the information received led officers to pound the pavement, eventually locating an address of interest.

“Police executed a search warrant at a Mount Albert Road address and located a suspect hiding inside a closet.

“He has subsequently been charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully using a motor vehicle.

“This was a great arrest, and we can’t rule out further arrests or charges.

“This is a great example of good old-fashioned Police work, getting great results and holding people to account.”

A 22-year-old man appeared in court on Friday and was remanded in custody to appear in Waitākere District Court this week.

Anyone with any further information is asked to please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, and use the file number 260216/2305.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or through 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police