Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

A man has been arrested and charged following a fight at a football match in Sunnynook, which left a player with a broken jaw.

At about 1.30pm on 28 June, Police were called following a scuffle between players from two teams following a football game at Sunnynook Park.

Waitematā East Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Tim Williams, says the victim was allegedly punched in the face and fell to the ground before being kicked by the same person.

“The victim suffered serious facial injuries, including a broken jaw which required surgery.

“Following a number of enquiries over several weeks, our team yesterday arrested a 23-year-old man.”

The man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear in North Shore District Court on Friday.

“Police will continue to take stern action against assaults on sports fields.

“This type of violent behaviour is unacceptable and we will hold people accountable for their actions.”

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

The refurbishment of Christchurch Hospital’s new Ambulatory Care Hub is now complete, with services beginning to transition into the new space, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This $4.7 million hub marks a major step forward for outpatient care in Canterbury, making it easier for patients to access the services they need from one location,” Mr Brown says.

Following the relocation of the Emergency Department to the Waipapa building in 2020, the ground floor of Parkside Block A has been repurposed to create an integrated Ambulatory Care Hub.

“The hub brings six key outpatient services together in one location: the Medical and Oncology Day Units, Respiratory Physiology, Sleep Services, ECG, and Neurophysiology. It also includes a dedicated diagnostic centre, providing essential respiratory, EEG, and sleep studies in a coordinated and patient-friendly environment.

“Bringing these services together creates a smoother, more coordinated experience for patients. They can move between appointments more easily, and staff will be able to provide care more efficiently. 

“The Oncology Day Unit will also benefit from additional infusion chairs, boosting capacity and ensuring patients begin cancer treatment on time, supporting the Government’s target of delivering faster cancer care.

“A new drop-off area at the front of the building will also ensure convenient access for patients and their families.

“This is what smart, patient-focused health infrastructure looks like. We are committed to building a health system that delivers for New Zealanders, ensuring people can access the outpatient care they need, when and where they need it,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are on the scene of a two-vehicle crash on the intersection of Thames and Ouse Streets in Oamaru.

Emergency services received reports of the crash around 12.52pm.

Two people are reported to have serious and moderate injuries and are being treated by ambulance staff.

The road is closed with diversions and traffic management in place.

Motorists are advised to take Trent Street if they are travelling northbound.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Planning to build a vessel overseas for use in New Zealand under our Maritime Operator Safety System (MOSS)? Understanding local design, construction and equipment (DCE) rules and their application early on can help ensure a smooth process.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is moving with urgency to suspend recognition of unsafe international adoptions to protect children and young people from harm, Associate Justice Minister, Nicole McKee says.

The Adoption Amendment Bill has been introduced to the House today to immediately and temporarily suspend New Zealand’s recognition of unsafe overseas adoptions for citizenship and immigration purposes.

“There is evidence that our international adoption laws do not provide sufficient safeguards for children and young people. Adoptions that take place in overseas courts do not always access or require an adoptive parent’s criminal or child protection record,” Mrs McKee says.

“We know, for example, about instances in which people with known care and protection histories, or previous convictions for violence or sexual abuse, have been able to adopt overseas.  They have then been able to bring those children and young people back to New Zealand where they have been neglected, abused, or exploited.” 

“For example, Joseph Auga Matamata, who was sentenced to 11 years in 2020, had previous convictions for violence when he adopted three boys from overseas. He withdrew one boy, aged 12, from school, covering his tracks by saying that he had returned to his home country. 

“For a year, the boy was locked up and treated as a domestic servant. He was made to work in the field and often didn’t receive necessary medical care. The other two boys escaped by scaling a tall perimeter fence in the middle of the night.”

“This case is the tip of the iceberg. It is completely unacceptable for our international adoption laws to be used in this way.  This abuse is preventable, and this Government is acting decisively to prevent future harm to children adopted overseas into unsafe situations,” Mrs McKee says.

The law change will immediately and temporarily suspend the recognition of international adoptions under section 17 of the Adoption Act 1955 (the Act) by New Zealand citizens and residents for citizenship and immigration purposes.  It will also restrict the ability of the Family Court to grant adoptions where the adoptive parent or child are overseas under section 3 of the Act.

“The Government is progressing this change under urgency as any delay is unacceptably prolonging the risk to children and young people.  The temporary suspension will provide the time to develop and pass law that ensures international adoptions are safe for the children and young people involved,” Mrs McKee says.

The temporary suspension will expire on a date set by the Governor-General through Order in Council, or on 1 July 2027, whichever is earlier. 

“I intend, however, to introduce a bill for a long-term solution next year. That bill will include an opportunity for members of the public to make submissions to select committee,” Mrs McKee says.

“Both the temporary suspension and the long-term solution are significant cross-agency workstreams, involving the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Department of Internal Affairs, Oranga Tamariki, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”

“I recognise that the suspension will be disappointing for some families planning to adopt from overseas, most of whom are caring people who adopt with the best of intentions.

“Recognising this, the Government is taking steps to preserve adoption pathways where it has been able to establish that the arrangements for international adoptions are safe.”

“We are exempting countries where I am satisfied that adoption practices sufficiently safeguard children and young people. 

“International surrogacy arrangements will continue to be recognised by the New Zealand Family Court and Ministerial discretion will be able to be exercised in individual cases for citizenship and immigration,” Mrs McKee says.

“More information about the temporary suspension and the exceptions to it can be found on the websites of the Ministry of Justice, Immigration New Zealand, and the Department of Internal Affairs. In all cases I advise families to seek expert legal advice to understand how this will affect their particular circumstances.”

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is set to roll out the first roadside mobile safety camera operated in a trailer later this week, joining the fleet of camera-equipped SUVs which have been operating across the country since May this year.

The first trailer will be begin operating in Auckland from this Wednesday (17 September). Nine more trailers will join the fleet in the coming months, and together with the 34 mobile cameras operating in SUVs, mobile cameras will be operating on average for over 6,500 hours every month across the country. 

“This, coupled with our risk-based approach and 24/7 operation will make our roads safer for everyone by deterring speeding nationwide, and drivers who continue to choose to speed are much more likely to be detected and fined,” says Tara Macmillan, NZTA Head of Regulatory Strategic Programmes.

“The camera technology in trailers is the same as we’re using in our SUVs, but having both vehicle types gives us more flexibility to move cameras between high-risk locations quickly and easily, ensuring that we are targeting stretches of road where speeding drivers are putting themselves and others at risk.

“Using mobile trailers also allows us to have our cameras out for longer stretches of time, and to set up in places that might be difficult for SUVs to operate. Both our trailers and SUVs will be working day and night, detecting speeding wherever and whenever it occurs.

Speeding drivers can cause serious and irreparable harm on the roads, including deaths and serious injuries. Evidence shows that we can reduce the chances of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes if drivers travel within speed limits, and that is why we have safety cameras,” Ms Macmillan says.

Like cameras in SUVs, the camera-equipped trailers can detect speeding vehicles traveling both towards and away from them, from either side of the road. They also won’t be sign posted. 

Both cars and trailers have extensive security and tracking systems and are equipped with CCTV cameras and alarm systems to protect the equipment and ensure the safety of operators. They are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Following engagement with the Picton community, businesses and stakeholders, designs are being progressed for the Picton road network improvements project.

Richard Osborne, Regional Manager System Design, says NZTA/Waka Kotahi has engaged with multiple stakeholders including well-attended community sessions in June.

“Overall, the feedback shows people are interested in the project and the improvements being proposed for State Highway 1 and key intersections in Picton.” 

“While there is support for the project, there are concerns about how it will affect the community. This includes parking, traffic noise, and intersection layouts,” Mr Osborne says. 

He says these concerns are being considered, with the project team reviewing key feedback as they work towards finalising designs.

“Changes are being made to the plans, subject to design considerations, safety requirements, and available funding.”

He says the project team also received some feedback that was outside the direct scope of the project.

“It covered issues such as additional walking and cycling improvements, and enforcement opportunities.”

“We will pass this on to relevant teams at NZTA/Waka Kotahi and also to our transport and local authority partners,” Mr Osborne says 

Once design for the project is complete, updates will be shared with the community and stakeholders before construction begins in mid-2026.

An engagement report, including questions that were raised by the community and stakeholders as well as NZTA’s response, is available on our website:

Picton road network improvements project

Source: New Zealand Police

A team tackling retail crime across some south Auckland town centres have clocked up, and locked up, some promising numbers in the past year.

In July 2024, the Counties Manukau South Community Engagement Team noticed that high rates of retail offending were contributing to a general sense of unease among shoppers and business owners alike.

This was particularly the case in the busy town centres across Takanini, Papakura and Pukekohe.

In the past financial year, the team has arrested 67 people, resulting in 741 retail crime charges and $363,232.20 worth of stolen property recovered.

Sergeant Phill Moody says a series of coordinated efforts and multiple investigations targeting individuals and small groups of offenders has been in motion.

“Our team has also spent a considerable amount of time engaging with business associations, big retail stores and stand-alone local retailers to understand the issues and provide reassurance.

“I’m extremely proud of the team and the great results they have achieved.”

Sergeant Moody says technology like CCTV has also played a key role, as well as the increase in businesses reporting thefts.

“Our team remain actively engaged with retailers, business associations, and the National Retail Investigation Support Unit and we are committed to holding these offenders to account.”

“It takes all of us to keep our communities safe, and we acknowledge retailers who continue to report matters to us.”

If you see any unlawful or suspicious activity, please contact Police.

If it is happening now, or you have immediate concerns for you or someone else’s safety, call 111.

Information after the fact or in non-emergencies can be reported online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or by calling 105.

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

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Today the Government’s sentencing reforms take effect, restoring real consequences for crime, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“Communities and hardworking New Zealanders should not be made to live and work in fear of criminals who clearly have a flagrant disregard for the law, corrections officers and the general public.

“We know that undue leniency has resulted in a loss of public confidence in sentencing, and our justice system as a whole. We had developed a culture of excuses. 

“This Government promised to restore real consequences for crime. That’s exactly what we’re delivering. It’s part of our plan to restore law and order, which we know is working.

“This is a significant milestone in this Government’s mission to restore law and order. It signals to victims that they deserve justice, and that they are our priority.”

The reforms strengthen the criminal justice system by:

• Capping the sentence discounts that judges can apply at 40 per cent when considering mitigating factors unless it would result in manifestly unjust sentencing outcomes.
• Preventing repeat discounts for youth and remorse. Lenient sentences are failing to deter offenders who continue to rely on their youth or expressions of remorse without making serious efforts to reform their behaviour.
• Responding to serious retail crime by introducing a new aggravating factor to address offences against sole charge workers and those whose home and business are interconnected, as committed to in the National-Act coalition agreement.
• Encouraging the use of cumulative sentencing for offences committed while on bail, in custody, or on parole to denounce behaviour that indicates a disregard for the criminal justice system, as committed to in the National-New Zealand First coalition agreement.
• Implementing a sliding scale for early guilty pleas with a maximum sentence discount of 25 per cent, reducing to a maximum of 5 per cent for a guilty plea entered during the trial. This will prevent undue discounts for late-stage guilty pleas and avoid unnecessary trials that are costly and stressful for victims.
• Amending the principles of sentencing to include requirement to take into account any information provided to the court about victims’ interests, as committed to in both coalition agreements.  

Two aggravating factors are also included.

These respond to: 

• Adults who exploit children and young people by aiding or abetting them to offend;
• Offenders who glorify their criminal activities by livestreaming or posting them online.

Source: New Zealand Government

An ambitious new Aviation Action Plan has been released, containing 25 actions to grow and future-proof the aviation sector, ensuring it continues to deliver for all New Zealanders.

Associate Transport Minister James Meager launched the plan, led by industry through the Interim Aviation Council in partnership with government, while speaking at the Aviation Industry Association Conference in Wellington this morning.

“Aviation is vital to New Zealand’s economic prosperity and our way of life. The Aviation Action Plan outlines a strategic programme of work to ensure the sector continues to support trade, tourism, regional connectivity and economic growth across the country”, Mr Meager says.

“This action plan is a first for New Zealand and represents a major sector milestone. It’s a practical roadmap that tackles challenges facing aviation, including the need to embrace growth and innovation, and build a skilled and sustainable workforce.”

Key actions from the Aviation Action Plan include:

·         Promote growth and innovation by reworking specific civil aviation rules, including in emerging technologies like drones and uncrewed aircraft, improving the pace of regulatory decision-making, reducing certification wait times, and automating routine tasks.

·         Developing a programme of work to tackle workforce issues, including by updating the pilot and engineer training pipelines, promoting aviation careers, and progressing international mutual recognition of licences where appropriate.

·         Making RNZAF Base Ohakea available as an alternative runway for wide body aircraft on a permanent basis.

·        Strengthening passengers’ consumer rights and improving accessibility for disabled travellers.

·         Securing vulnerable regional routes by supporting small airlines through concessionary loans and providing investment for interlining arrangements.

“We’ve already made progress on several actions, including targeted investment in regional routes through $30 million in loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund. We have also commenced the system-wide first principles funding review of the Civil Aviation Authority, which is another recommendation,” Mr Meager says.

“This plan includes long-term steps to continue building momentum, including confirmation we will establish the Aviation Council as a permanent body. I’d like to thank the Interim Aviation Council for its leadership and expertise, and I look forward to working with the new permanent Council.