Category: MIL-OSI

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  24 June 2025

One of the injured ruru which was found on the side of the road in Greymouth in mid-May has just been released after a spell recovering at the South Island Wildlife Hospital.

“Usha” was found by a member of the public who used a towel to gently pick her up when she saw the ruru sitting on the ground unable to fly away.

The bird was initially cared for by Cassie Mealey, a DOC Senior Technical Advisor who rehabilitates native birds in her spare time (under an appropriate Wildlife Act authority).

After a few days of recovery and care Air NZ flew her across to the South Island Wildlife Hospital in Christchurch to see wildlife vet, Pauline Howard.

The little ruru had x-rays that showed a fractured coracoid (a deep chest bone that helps stabilize flight muscles). This was likely the result of a vehicle hitting her. Treatment included pain relief, cage rest and fluids. Pauline said, “Usha was a model patient, and she had an uncomplicated recovery.”

Once the fracture was stabilised and Usha had “rehab flight training”, Air NZ flew her back and Cassie released her into the wild near to where she was found.

Cassie has had five ruru in her care throughout May, most with fractures from suspected vehicle strikes, and some with suspected secondary poisoning from mice that have eaten poison brodificaum bait used by households to control rats and mice.

Chris Hickford, Greymouth DOC Operations Manager, says the work Cassie and the South Island Wildlife Hospital do to care and rehabilitate injured birds is really appreciated.

“DOC can’t look after every bird, so we rely on a network of individuals and organisations nationwide who donate their time to do this work,” Chris says.

Cassie says people are seeing more ruru in their back yards.

“It is likely that the cooler weather and mice boom at this time of year that has driven them into urban areas where there is more food such as moths around streetlights and mice around houses and compost bins,” she says.

After dark, ruru are attracted to streetlights, where they hunt moths attracted to the bright lights. They commonly fly into the sides of buildings or are hit by cars.

“People can help protect ruru by maintaining old trees, as they like to nest in tree cavities instead of on the ground where they are more vulnerable. You can also build nest boxes, and place them in trees,” Cassie says.

“Using traps instead of poison to control mice and rats also helps to protect the ruru population,” she says.

If you see sick or injured ruru or other wildlife, call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Acting Superintendent Lincoln Sycamore, Eastern District Commander:

Police will be closely monitoring the movements of those travelling from Napier through to Hastings for a funeral tomorrow morning around 9am.

Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members and associates travelling around the region both this evening and tomorrow.

We’re reminding all those who are travelling on our roads to not act in any way that can put yourself and other road users at risk. Motorists should also expect delays.

Police will be investigating any unlawful behaviour, and where enforcement action can not be taken at the time, expect our staff to follow up.

If you have concerns for your safety, or witness any illegal behaviour from those involved, please call 111 immediately.

To report or send in any footage of the group engaging in illegal activity on our roads, please make a report online at 105.police/govt.nz, call Police via 105 or make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 3, Ōhaupō is closed at the intersection with West Road following a crash.

The three-vehicle crash happened at about 12:10pm.

No serious injuries have been reported.

Diversions are in place via Forkert Road (northbound) and Kaipaki Road (southbound).

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZCTU

The commitment at the 113th International Labour Organization conference to develop a binding Convention for securing decent work in the platform economy shows how disconnected and out of touch the New Zealand government is when it comes to employment rights.

“This decision is a huge step towards establishing internationally recognised labour rights for digital platform workers,” said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges. 

“This is the mandate for much-needed regulation of digital labour platforms and by doing so, ensuring that innovation is not achieved at the expense of workers’ rights.

“It’s really telling, that while the international community comes together to support platform workers, Brooke van Velden has introduced a new Employment Relations Amendment Bill that will undermine the rights of those very workers in Aotearoa.

“Her Bill, which intends to misclassify workers as contractors and remove their legal right to challenge their employment status in court, is a severe undermining of worker rights. It is completely out of touch, and the Bill must be voted down”, said Ansell-Bridges.

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Lee Underhill, Wellington CIB

An investigation is underway following the discovery of human remains at an address in Ōwhiro Bay on Sunday (22 June).

On Monday afternoon a Police team were in the area after a homeowner located remains in his garden.

The remains have been identified as human, and enquiries will look to determine how old these remains are, followed by a formal identification process, which may take some time.

Anyone with information that may assist as to the identity of the remains and how they came to be at the location is encouraged to contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online.

Please reference file number 250622/3189.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has held high-level talks with European Union leaders in Brussels, to underline the close ties between New Zealand and the EU.

“The European Union is one of New Zealand’s most trusted partners,” Mr Luxon says.

“This is something that was emphasised in my meetings with both EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa.

“President von der Leyen and I discussed our commitment to the international rules-based system – something that’s more important than ever given the pressure on global security and prosperity.

“We also talked about opportunities to ramp up two-way trade under the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

“New Zealand’s goods exports to the high-value EU market have already grown by more than $1 billion, a 25 percent increase since last year. But we know there is still scope to significantly increase this further with our premium New Zealand products.”

New Zealand and the EU are also collaborating on research, science and innovation through Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research funding programme.

“Our researchers are working together on 17 projects across a range of sectors, from hydrogen storage to bioprinting. By joining forces, we are driving scientific progress and innovation that delivers economic benefit for both our regions,” Mr Luxon says.

While in Belgium, Mr Luxon also visited New Zealand memorials and other significant sites across Flanders Fields, to pay respect to the thousands of Kiwi soldiers who served on the Western Front during World War I.  

He now travels to the Netherlands where he will meet with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof before attending the NATO Summit in The Hague.

A joint readout of the meeting is attached.

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Transport Minister James Meager has confirmed an additional $76.7 million for New Zealand Search and Rescue over three years, to ensure 12 organisations can continue their lifesaving operations.
Additionally, the Government has announced an investment of $624,000 over the same period, to help maintain and improve recreational aviation safety across the country.
“New Zealand has one of the largest and most challenging search and rescue regions in the world, so it’s vital to ensure they have necessary funding to deliver their critical services,” Mr Meager says.  
“Ensuring Kiwis are safe as they go about their activities, either for work or leisure, is one of the Government’s top transport priorities.
“Last year, 152 lives were saved, 921 people were assisted and 794 people were rescued through the work of the search and rescue sector. This is thanks to the dedication of than 11,000 people involved in the industry – 80 per cent of whom are volunteers.”    
$542,000 will go towards the New Zealand Aviation Federation to deliver updated Instrument Flight Procedures at unattended aerodromes, which pilots use to safely take off and land at airports across the country.
An $82,000 funding boost will also enhance safety at those sites, paying for further training and education to remind pilots of the necessary safety procedures.
“The investment also underlines the Government’s commitment to helping grow our economy by supporting a safe and secure recreational aviation system,” Mr Meager says.
“Many Kiwis and visitors love to get out and explore our beautiful country. Today’s announcements will help keep everyone safe when they’re outdoors – whether that’s on the land, water or in the air.”
 

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Can you please explain the different groups involved in the changes?

ISBsIndustry Skills Boards

Industry Skills Boards are new entities that will be established formally from 1 January 2026. 
They have a core role of standard setting for vocational education across their allocated sectors. They will also work to share the voice of industry and advise TEC about workforce needs.
Each ISB will be set up through an Order in Council and will be industry led. (Six out of eight board members will come from industry.) 

ISB EAGsIndustry Skills Boards Establishment Advisory Groups

These groups will exist from mid-2025 until the end of the year to support the establishment of the new ISBs. 
Their focus is on governance and organisation establishment rather than industry advocacy. 

ITPsInstitutes of technology and polytechnics

ITPs are independent regional polytechnics that will be established in 2026. The location of the first of these will be decided by the government in mid-2025. Further decisions will be made during 2026.

ITP EAGsInstitutes of Technology and Polytechnics Establishment Advisory Groups

These groups will exist from mid-2025 until the end of the year to support the set-up of the ITPs that are being established at the beginning of 2026. 
Their focus is on establishing the regional polytechnics as they are split out from the national entity of Te Pūkenga. 

ITOsIndustry training organisations

Before the Reform of Vocational Education in 2023, all work-based training was delivered by ITOs. In 2023, most work-based training done in ITOs moved into Te Pūkenga, becoming the work-based learning divisions. Many of the entities continued to use their ITO branding even though ITOs did not technically exist in the system from 2023. 
These work-based learning divisions of Te Pūkenga will move into ISBs on 1 January 2026, for up to two years.

PTEsPrivate training establishments

PTEs are registered with and quality assured by NZQA. They are training providers who have met specific requirements. Training providers (that are not a university, polytechnic or wānanga) must hold PTE registration to be eligible for TEC funding. PTEs may be companies or not-for-profit organisations.

VETVocational education and training

Vocational education and training includes all provision at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework, as well as Level 2 when it is delivered in the workplace.
It does not include degree-level provision or foundation education.
VET can be delivered in the workplace (work-based) in a classroom/campus setting (provider-based) or by distance and online learning (extramural). 

TECTertiary Education Commission

TEC’s core role in the VET system is funding. We fund the provision at this level in line with funding mechanisms from government.

NZQANew Zealand Qualifications Authority

NZQA assures the quality and integrity of New Zealand qualifications. They register providers, quality assure programmes and, for some areas, act as a standard setter. They also oversee the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice.

Work-based learning divisions
When the work-based learning divisions move into ISBs on 1 January 2026, will they stop enrolling new learners?
No. At this point we expect that all work-based learning divisions will still be enrolling new learners from 1 January.
When we have reached the point where there are sufficient providers for a sector, we will:
 (a) not fund additional providers; and
 (b) require ISBs to cease enrolling new learners (if provision remains with them).
ISBs will have the role of informing TEC about the network of work-based learning provision (number and types of providers) that industry needs. This will inform the funding of new providers, and the expectations on the work-based learning divisions.
ISBs will begin this work in January 2026, and we expect it to take time for them to gather this information from industry.
Why is work-based learning moving to the ISBs?
We appreciate that learners, employers and educators may have some concerns about possible disruption to work-based training because of the upcoming changes. The transition period (2026–2027) has been put in place to minimise disruption for learners and employers as the functions currently under Te Pūkenga work-based learning lift-and-shift unchanged into the ISBs.
Will the work-based learning divisions of the new ISBs be able to continue developing programmes? Or does all new development stop on 1 January 2026?
The focus for work-based learning during the transition period (where the training units sit within the ISBs) will be on preparing for transfer, rather than growing. There will, however, be cases where new standards, credentials or qualifications will be required to meet industry needs. In these cases, new provision will be supported.
What is happening with ITOs?
ITOs ceased to exist in 2022, although many Te Pūkenga work-based learning business divisions continued to use their old ITO names. Te Pūkenga work-based learning divisions will move temporarily into ISBs. This work-based learning will move into providers (including polytechnics, wānanga and PTEs) by 31 December 2027.
Industry Skills Boards
How many ISBs are there and what do they cover?
We are currently awaiting decisions on the number of ISBs and their broad coverage.
Further consultation will happen later this year when the ISB EAGs consult around detailed coverage as part of the Order in Council (OIC) process to formally establish the ISBs.
Why are you putting standard setting and delivery/arranging of training back together?
The training functions that are moving into the ISBs will only be there temporarily. By January 2028, no training will be delivered by ISBs. During the transition period, the training unit will sit within the ISB but will not be fully integrated into it.
How will you ensure ISBs manage the conflict of interest involved with being both the standard setter and a training deliverer?
During the transition period, each training unit will sit within the relevant ISB but will not be fully integrated into it, as this arrangement is only temporary.
If industries are grouped together in one ISB, will they stop having unique qualifications?
No. ISBs will be able to create and maintain standards, credentials and qualifications that are specific to the sectors they cover – in the same way Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) do.
I am worried that ISBs will only look after work-based learning.
ISBs will create and maintain standards, credentials and qualifications for all the sectors they cover at the vocational level. This will include products that support provider-based (including polytechnic) delivery, and extramural programmes as well as work-based learning.
How will industry continue to have a voice in the system when there is only provider-based learning for their sector?
An ISB will take on vocational standard setting for its entire sector, not just for the work-based learning elements. This means it will be responsible for all standards, credentials and qualifications for that sector.
The term “industry” is very broad. When you say industry will inform choices who do you mean?
ISBs have a role in communicating industry voice, and their governance will be industry led. ISBs will work with established industry groups and associations as well as employers and other sector stakeholders. ISBs will be expected to put in place mechanisms that identify the needs of all industries they represent.
What expectations does TEC have regarding collaboration between the ISB Establishment Advisory Groups?
We have an expectation for all ISBs and ISB Establishment Advisory Groups that they work together cooperatively, especially where the qualifications they cover will impact multiple sectors.
What will happen to WDCs? What will be done to ensure expertise in WDCs is retained in the new system?
The standard-setting functions of WDCs will continue until the end of 2025, when they will be disestablished and ISBs will be stood up. In the upcoming months, WDCs will develop plans to transfer relevant functions to ISBs.
ISBs have a more targeted role than WDCs. It is expected that WDC staff involved in these functions will transition into ISBs.
PTEs that deliver work-based training
What happens to work-based learners and apprentices who are studying through a PTE?
There is currently a small network of PTEs that are funded by TEC to deliver work-based learning. These PTEs will be able to continue enrolling and delivering the provision they currently do.
All TEC funded providers are given a funding allocation for the year and their enrolments must stay within that allocation. There is no guarantee of funding for providers that enrol above their allocation.
Who is responsible for determining who is eligible to become a new PTE or work-based provider? What will the criteria be?
NZQA determines whether an organisation has the appropriate capability to become a registered provider (PTE). TEC determines whether the provider’s offering is suitable for government funding. Funding decisions will be informed by industry preferences about a network of provision.
How does a PTE start being TEC funded to deliver work-based learning?
Currently we will only fund new work-based learning PTEs in cases where the provider can demonstrate significant industry support. Our requirements for this will be stringent. For details, see Application to receive TEC funding.
ISBs will work with industry during 2026 and beyond to understand the network of work-based learning provision that each sector needs. This information will inform TEC funding. Until this information is received, TEC will not have a clear picture of what provision will be both sustainable and sufficient to meet industry needs.
In most cases we encourage providers to read the guidance information about what we are looking for in work-based learning and start to prepare for future opportunities.
These same criteria will be applied to existing work-based learning providers that may wish to expand their provision.
What are the new funding parameters for work-based learning? This is a critical pathway for all providers as business owners.
See the TEC website for work-based learning funding rates.
Managed apprenticeships
Do Managed Apprentices stay with their Polytech provider or move to an ISB in January 2026?
Currently, no changes are expected for Managed Apprentices already enrolled with a Polytechnic.
We are currently working through the detail of what Managed Apprenticeships will look like in the future. Like other work-based provision, we do not want to see expansion before ISBs have had the opportunity to consider the network of provision needed for their sectors.
The stand up of regional ITPs
How do we find out which polytechnics will be standalone and which will be part of a federation?
These decisions are being worked through. We will update this information when details are available.
Will regional ITPs be able to offer programmes nationally?
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) are being set up to deliver regionally, to maximise the strength of local knowledge. We expect that this will be the main focus of their provision, however, we will consider other arrangements if these have the support of industry.
Secondary/tertiary provision
What is happening with standard setting and delivery for secondary to tertiary transition programmes like Gateway and Trades Academies?
We will be looking at how these programmes will be supported, and expect this information to be covered in the transition plans developed by WDCs and Te Pūkenga work-based learning divisions.

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed prescribing changes that will enable GPs and nurse practitioners to diagnose and treat adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

“I applaud Pharmac and Medsafe’s decision to widen prescribing rules for ADHD medicines from next February, this decision will give New Zealanders faster access to assessments and treatment,” Mr Doocey says.

“This is a common-sense change that will make a meaningful difference in many lives of New Zealanders. I have heard stories of many people with ADHD who have been unable to get a diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner because of long wait items and costs associated with seeing a specialist.”

Currently, GPs and nurse practitioners can only prescribe ADHD medicines to patients with a written recommendation from a paediatrician or psychiatrist, or after someone has already been diagnosed and had their first prescription.

“This is a great step forward for timely access to support and for system efficiency. A number of our GPs and nurse practitioners are already working closely with psychiatrists to treat ADHD, so they already have the skills to manage this work,” Mr Doocey says.

“It is still crucial that we balance risks. The Ministry of Health is working with sector representatives to develop a clinical principles framework for the assessment and treatment of ADHD. This will ensure there is quality and consistency for supporting patients with ADHD in New Zealand.

“I want to acknowledge the many advocates with lived experience and others who have spent years advocating for this change. This decision is based on the recommendations received from both healthcare practitioners and patients.

“We have heard your feedback loud and clear, and we know the positive impact this decision will have on many people’s ability to access what is often life-changing medicines.”

This change is only one in a suite of measures to increase access to ADHD medicines. Last year, Pharmac also removed the requirement for funded access to stimulant medicines to be renewed every two years and is funding a new ADHD medicine, lisdexamfetamine.

Note to editors:

• Health agencies will be working closely with health sector groups over the next few months to support these changes. Not all GPs and nurse practitioners will be equipped to carry out this work immediately after the regulatory changes come into effect.
• For younger people under 18, this change will allow nurse practitioners working within a multidisciplinary setting as part of paediatric or child and adolescent mental health services to diagnose and start treatment for ADHD.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is recognising Matariki at the official ceremony near Ohakune today, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say.

“We are honoured to be guests of Ngāti Rangi for this traditional hautapu ceremony,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“This is the fourth national Matariki broadcast but the first time it has been hosted by a marae, and the first year Puanga is the star of national celebrations. 

“Matariki and Puanga are both stars that sit in the night sky together to signal the start of the Māori new year for different iwi. 

“We are very fortunate to have this opportunity to witness and share in the Puanga traditions of Ngāti Rangi.

“The theme for this year’s celebration is Matariki mā Puanga, which means celebrating together. I hope that no matter where people are, they get the chance to remember, celebrate and look to the future. Mānawatia a Matariki!”

“For many Iwi, Puanga shines brightest above our communities as we grow the tradition of celebrating together,” Mr Potaka says.

“These Puanga observations signal the year is coming to a close, and inform forecasts for the future. It’s a time to reflect on the past, remembering and giving thanks to those who have passed on before us.

“It’s also a time to reflect on what was achieved over the past year. Along with the rising of Matariki, we welcome the dawn of a new year and plan ahead with ancestral wisdom.”