Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Leeston Road, Springston, Selwyn, is currently closed following a serious crash this afternoon.

Police were notified of the crash, involving a car and a pedestrian, around 3.30pm.

Initial indicators are that the pedestrian has received serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit have been advised and diversions are in place at the Goulds Road and Leeston Road intersection and at the Bethels Road and Leeston Road intersection.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

One year on from the Government’s $200 million investment to accelerate new affordable rental housing for whānau Māori, hundreds of homes are now moving from planning into delivery on the ground, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says.

“Since the investment was announced, 463 homes have been approved across 11 Māori-led housing projects, with 392 homes now contracted for delivery. Momentum is building, with over 260 homes already progressing through consents, infrastructure works and earthworks,” says Mr Potaka.

All of the homes are located in priority regions with high housing need, Te Tai Tokerau, Ikaroa–Rāwhiti, Tāmaki Makaurau, Waiariki, Te Tai Hauāuru and Hauraki–Waikato, helping to increase the supply of affordable rentals where it is needed most.

“Partnering with Māori housing providers is a practical way to address housing deprivation while building long-term housing capacity.

“This mahi is getting more homes built and into communities, while backing Māori organisations to lead delivery for their own whānau. These organisations understand their whenua, their people and the long-term needs of their communities.

“By increasing the supply of stable, affordable rental housing, we’re supporting better outcomes for whānau and Tamariki, and because these homes will be retained as affordable rentals for at least 25 years, this is an enduring investment in Māori housing.”

The three largest programmes supported through the funding include:

• Toitū Tairāwhiti Housing Limited, delivering 150 homes across Ikaroa–Rāwhiti
• Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi, delivering 100 homes across Kaikohe
• Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands, delivering 80 homes in Rotorua

Homes are being delivered progressively, with construction continuing across multiple sites and further projects in the pipeline for approval.

“The progress in Māori-led affordable housing reflects the Government’s broader focus on fixing the housing system and enabling long-term supply.

“Alongside this work, the Government is focused on unlocking land for housing, supporting infrastructure, and reducing the barriers and costs that slow down building.

“One year on, the progress we’re seeing in Māori-led housing highlights what can be achieved when we focus on delivery, by fixing the immediate shortages while building a stronger foundation for the future. That approach will continue as we work to make it easier to build the homes New Zealand needs to support economic growth and future prosperity.”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  04 February 2026

Northern Coromandel was heavily impacted by intense weather events in late January, damaging several of the popular DOC campsites around the northern tip of the peninsula – and the roads used to access them.

Nick Kelly, DOC’s Coromandel Operations Manager, says all five of the north Coromandel campsites – Stony Bay, Waikawau, Fletcher Bay, Fantail Bay, and Port Jackson – were affected by the extreme weather which swept across the north of the country.

“They were closed due to infrastructure issues at and around the campsites, including damage to public roads, says Nick.

“The team has worked really hard, with the support of contractors, to ensure we can reopen Fletcher Bay, Fantail Bay and Port Jackson for the long weekend.

“It’s been a hectic few days, with a lot of challenges and logistics to work through alongside other agencies, but we’re pleased to have these beautiful campsites available for visitors this weekend so they can enjoy a Waitangi getaway.”

The north Coromandel campsites offer a basic and classic kiwi coastal camping experience, in idyllic and isolated locations.

Nick says Waikawau and Stony Bay campsites remain unavailable due to a combination of at-place infrastructure issues – particularly water supply – and the situation with the roads in the immediate area.

“Those two campsites will be closed for at least another week, and we’ll update our website pages for those facilities once they’re available again.”

The track to Mautohe Cathedral Cove reopened on Friday 30 January, after extensive work to clear debris and mud, and a geotechnical inspection, following the storm events.

Nick reiterated the need for visitors to be aware of the risks if visiting the picturesque cove and not to use any of the closed tracks across the Recreation Reserve.

“This is a known landslide and rockfall risk area – we urge people to be very conscious of this if they plan to visit. Lingering beneath the cliffs or under the famous rock arch is strongly discouraged.”

Part of DOC’s risk management for Mautohe Cathedral Cove is to monitor known landslip areas, and that will continue. Heavy rain is a trigger for the closure of the track to mitigate the landslide and rockfall risk to visitors, and that closure is communicated publicly. The track is only reopened after inspections.

Recent events on the East Coast and in Mt Maunganui – along with advice previously obtained by DOC – have shown the risk to public safety must be carefully managed based on reliable information.

There has also been a landslide on the closed Hahei coastal track to Grange Rd – reinforcing the previous decision not to repair and reopen that part of the track network. Work to completely decommission the closed section of the track is scheduled.

Reinstatement work at Waimata Gemstone Bay remains on hold and the track is currently closed.

Visitors should check the DOC website for alerts on tracks or facilities – these alerts will publicise closures as needed following inspections. People are also urged to check websites and social media channels for Thames Coromandel District Council, Hauraki District Council and NZTA.

Contact

Source: NZCTU

Unemployment data released by Stats NZ today shows that working people are bearing the cost of the Government’s economic mismanagement, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Sandra Grey.

“Unemployment has risen to levels we haven’t seen in a decade. 164,000 people are now unemployed, up 39,000 in just two years. There are 7,600 more young people unemployed than a year ago.”

“The Government has no plan to tackle this growing emergency. Instead of real solutions, they’re promising more spending cuts, more workers thrown on the scrap heap.”

“With Waitangi just around the corner, it’s worth reflecting on the fact that Māori unemployment continues to be a huge concern. Māori unemployment was 11.2% in December 2025 – more than twice the national average.  There are now 13,800 more Māori unemployed than two years ago.”

“The Government’s policies are making it harder for working people, their whānau, and their communities to get ahead. There is no recovery in the economy unless people are feeling it. The numbers show that right now they are not,” said Grey.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Installation and preparation for these VSLs – which indicate on electronic signs the reduced speed limit is in force – is now underway. They will operate at peak times at seven West Coast schools (see list of schools below).

This work by the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is part of the Government’s approach to setting speed limits under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, which requires safer speeds outside schools by 1 July 2026. All eligible schools, including those on 100km/h roads, will have variable speed limits installed. At peak times, mainly before and after school, speed limits will drop to 30km/h or 60km/h, depending on the road and safety requirements.

“We know that these reduced speed limits, when in force at school drop-off and pick-up times, can make a real difference in keeping children and their families safe,” says NZTA Director of Regional Relationships, James Caygill.

An example below of existing Variable Speed Limit signage:

The coming addition of the VSLs is being welcomed at the OneSchool Global campus in Greymouth.

“Safety both at school and for our students as they travel to and from school is a priority for us at OneSchool Global,” says Campus Principal Pip Hateley.

“The Variable Speed Limit initiative provides an additional measure of safety for our students and a strong reminder for motorists to take increased caution and care around schools.”

The list of West Coast schools with new VSLs is as follows:

• Granity School
• Greymouth High School
• St Canice’s School, Westport
• Franz Josef Glacier School
• OneSchool Global – Greymouth Campus
• Ross School
• Whataroa School

All VSL sites have been approved under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 and will be legalised through the National Speed Limit Register, making them subject to enforcement when they ‘go live’. The VSLs operate for up to 45 minutes before and after the school bell and can also be activated for short periods at other times when there are significant numbers of children around.

Find out more about safer speeds outside schools here:

Safe speeds outside schools

Source: New Zealand Government

As the draft curriculum in te reo Māori is released for Term 1, Education Minister Erica Stanford is announcing a set of Māori education resources and the launch of a new te reo Māori training programme for 50,000 teachers.

Local MP Grant McCullum was thrilled to host Minister Stanford across three Northland schools showcasing the excellent work of educators in Northland in both full immersion settings, at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe, and mainstream settings at Kerikeri High School, Oromahoe School and Blomfield Special Schools. 

While on school visits, Minister Stanford announced the launch of the new te reo professional learning development programme Te Ataarangi, alongside iwi leaders and esteemed Māori language revitalisation expert, Dr Ruakere Hond. 

“We are firmly committed to properly resourcing our bilingual education system and supporting Māori students to thrive across both English and Māori-medium settings,” Ms Stanford says.

The suite of supports and resources announced included:

• New te reo Māori language training for 50,000 teachers nationwide
  A new digitally available programme, funded through Budget 25, will give teachers right across the country practical support to increase their capability in te reo Māori, suitable for everyday classroom teaching. The optional programme includes tutorials, videos, and self‑paced modules available from Term 2, 2026. Registrations start in Term 1.
• Kia Rangatira Te Reo 
  A refreshed and relaunched resource supporting advanced te reo Māori learning in wharekura and secondary settings which has been endorsed by the original author, Ta Tīmoti Kāretu.  The resource is a Māori language text book to support teaching vocabulary, grammar and comprehension.
• New Ngā Āhuatanga Reo language handbook
  A new linguistic handbook for teachers supporting clearer, more structured language teaching for students in Years 4–8. It supports explicit teaching of knowledge essential for Te Reo Rangatira along with consistent, high‑quality language instruction. This will be available from Term 1, Week 3.
• Seven new classroom texts for Te Reo Rangatira and STEM
  From Week 3, Term 1, wharekura will receive seven new text sets supporting Te Reo Rangatira and STEM teaching. Online teaching resources will follow Term 2. These resources bring together mātauranga Māori, advanced language and literacy, and scientific content in ways that reflect Wharekura learning needs. They are intended to help strengthen Māori-medium pathways for opportunities in emerging sectors.
• New Pāngarau (Maths) products
  New hands‑on Pāngarau resources for Years 0–8 will be rolled out to kura from Term 1, with more following in Term 2. These new resources will give ākonga tools to explore mathematical ideas in ways that build conceptual understanding and confidence and are aligned with the new curriculum and the science of learning.
• Release of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa a major milestone in the curriculum work programme, delivering a refreshed curriculum for nine subjects for use and sector feedback. 

“We’re providing students with the strong learning foundations they need to succeed and backing teachers with practical tools and investment,” Ms Stanford says.

These initiatives were announced as part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to investing in te reo Māori and strengthening kaupapa Māori pathways for students. They reflect progress against the Government’s Māori Education Action Plan and have been supported by Budget 25 investments.

“The redesign of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa provides a knowledge-rich, year-by-year curriculum in te reo Māori that is culturally grounded and aligns with evidence and science around learning, so that teachers know what to teach and have resources to support their work.” 

Ms Stanford was also pleased to visit schools where the Government has made school property investments, supporting redevelopments and growing school rolls.

“This week, I was honoured to be at the dawn blessing at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna in Wellington as their significant redevelopment moves ahead.

“Today, I’ve had the opportunity to visit Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki in Wellsford to follow up on the investment into their school property we made last year at Matariki. I have also visited Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe, where we are delivering four classrooms to help with their roll growth.

“I am delighted to have been able to announce significant investment into our education system to raise achievement for tamariki Māori.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Location:

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are appealing for information following a firearms incident in Napier today.

At around 3am this morning [Wednesday 4 February], Police responded to an incident where it was reported that a firearm had been discharged on Thackeray Street, Napier.

Police attended and found one person nearby, with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound. They were transported to hospital in moderate condition.

The alleged offender fled the scene in a vehicle but was located later at a Barker Street address.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm with a firearm and is due to appear in Napier District Court tomorrow.

Police would like to hear from any who may have witnessed this incident, or who has any information around what happened, to please get in touch.

Information can be provided through 105, either online at 105.police.govt.nz or by calling 105. Please reference file number 260204/2691.

You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The growing number of people in work is good news for New Zealand, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

“Stats NZ data released today shows an additional 15,000 people got jobs in the final three months of last year.

“In addition, the hours worked and the number of people actively seeking work also increased. Together with other recent surveys showing rising business and consumer confidence, these are signs of a growing economy in which people see increased opportunity.

“The unemployment rate increased 0.1 per cent in the quarter to 5.4 per cent, fractionally below the 5.5 per cent rate forecast by the Treasury in its December Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update.

“Obviously, we would prefer the rate to be lower still but the underlying details are positive and economists are expecting the unemployment rate to fall this year as the economy recovers.”

Nicola Willis says it is also pleasing to see that the number of young people not in education, training or employment declined from 13.7 to 13.2 per cent in the quarter.

“Many Kiwis are still doing it tough and there is heaps to do. But all the signs are that the steps the Government has taken to fix the basics and build the future are making it easier for businesses to invest, innovate, grow and employ more people.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Inspector Will Loughrin, acting Waikato District Commander:

A man is in Waikato Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot at by Police in Hamilton this morning.

Police responded to reports of a vehicle driving erratically on Cambridge Road, Te Awamutu just before 9am.

Initial information suggested the driver was wanted by Police in relation to prior serious incidents.

Police monitored the vehicle’s movements, and deployed units to Ulster Street, where the vehicle was located trying to leave a carpark.

Officers stopped the vehicle from leaving, before the man presented a shotgun.

Police appealed for the man to put the shotgun down, which he failed to do.

An officer then fired two shots at the offender.

Officers provided immediate medical assistance, and St John transported the man to hospital, where he remains in a moderate condition. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A second occupant of the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene.

Thankfully, no Police staff were injured in this incident.

Ulster Street remains closed from the Mill Street intersection. Traffic is being diverted down Richmond Street.

Members of the public are advised to avoid the area, as road closures are expected to remain in place for several hours.

We want to reassure the community that there is no ongoing public safety risk following this incident.

Police are conducting reassurance patrols around the area.

The community can also expect to see an increased Police presence in the coming days.

Support will be provided to the attending officers.

A critical incident investigation into the incident is under way and the incident will also be referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), as is standard procedure for any incident involving a Police shooting.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre