Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Our crews left site around 7pm last night.

NZTA thanks people for their patience as we worked to reopen the road as quickly and safely as possible. People are urged to drive with care

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Contractors have made excellent progress clearing the slip over the past several days, allowing geotechnical specialists to safely access and inspect the site tomorrow (Wednesday 28 January).

In order to ensure the safety of road users, a thorough geotechnical assessment of the site will be undertaken from above and below the carriageway. Once the stability and safety of the site has been confirmed, it will be cleared to reopen.

If you are planning to travel, please delay your journey until SH25 has reopened.

While the road remains closed, we ask that people avoid the Kūaotunu area where possible to allow crews to safely continue their essential work.

We will update our Journey Planner website as soon as the road is open:

Journey Planner – highway conditions(external link)

Source: New Zealand Government

Nelson’s planned marina expansion has been provided a $12.89 million loan, which will help deliver infrastructure upgrades to drive economic growth and generate local jobs, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.

“The Regional Infrastructure Fund loan will help make Nelson Marina a world-class marine services facility and a major contributor to the region’s economy,” Mr Jones says.

The upgrade will provide the ability to lift out heavier boats for servicing by installing a 110-tonne vessel hoist. It will also expand the marina’s hardstand capacity for marine maintenance from 14 to 54 bays. A purpose-built marine service centre with office, retail and workshop spaces will also be built.

The funding recipient, Nelson Marina Management Ltd which is owned by Nelson City Council, will contribute $12.89 million in co-funding for the expansion project.

“It is anticipated this part of the project will create up to 110 jobs during construction and up to 180 ongoing roles once completed, while promoting local innovation within the marine sector,” Mr Jones says. 

It is estimated that Nelson’s sea-based blue economy adds more than $350 million a year in GDP to the region and employs more than 3700 people. It serves as a base for a number of industries including fishing and aquaculture, and is a popular tourism destination. Nelson is also an important centre of marine research and marine engineering.

“This investment aligns with the RIF’s priority of supporting growth through enabling infrastructure that ensures regions are well-connected and productive. This is central to the Coalition Government’s economic growth plans,” Mr Jones says. 

Construction is expected to start in May with an anticipated completion date of mid-2028.

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  29 January 2026

Department of Conservation (DOC) South Marlborough Operations Manager Stacey Wrenn say the wildlife and walking around Kaikōura Peninsula offers great naturing opportunities and it’s fantastic to see people getting out and enjoying it, but visitors need to treat our native species with respect.

“We’ve had reports of people getting far too close to seals, and even a report of people trying to kick or poke fur seals to try and get a photo, which we are investigating. This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable.

“Kekeno are a taonga species for local iwi Ngāti Kuri and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Like all our marine mammals, they are a protected species. It’s an offence under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill them.”

DOC’s guidelines for watching seals are:

• Stay at least 20 m away
• Don’t disturb seals by making loud noises or throwing things
• Keep dogs and children away
• Don’t feed the seals
• Never attempt to touch a seal.

These guidelines are for the safety of both seals and people, Stacey says.

“Disturbing or changing the natural behaviour of a seal can have negative consequences for the animal. At this time of year, mothers can even abandon pups if they are disturbed.

“While fur seals aren’t typically aggressive, they are a wild animal and can react if they feel threatened. They have a nasty bite and carry infectious diseases which can be transferred to people and dogs.

“If you see someone getting too close to a seal or other native animal, politely let them know they need to back off a bit. If they, or their dog, are harassing the animal, call the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). Any photos or video you can safely take are very helpful.”

Stacey says Kaikōura is a stronghold for seals, but the local colonies have had a tough few years.

“In 2024, we found a new strain of canine distemper virus in the Kaikōura fur seal population, which has been linked to disease and mortality because it causes respiratory illness and supresses immune systems. In spring of the year before, many fur seals died of starvation due to low food availability.

“Researchers have fitted satellite trackers and dive data collectors to eight female Kaikōura fur seals with pups this season so we can understand what they do when out in the oceans and where and when they’re feeding.”

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins:
 
A significant recovery operation took place yesterday to recover both the pilot and passenger from the crash site.

Police are working to formally confirm the identity of those who were recovered but are unable to do so at this stage of the investigation.

Our thoughts remain with their families and friends at this time.

Civil Aviation Authority investigators have completed their preliminary scene examination.

A scene examination by Police is ongoing and cordons will remain in place at the Battle Hill campground – media and members of the public are asked to respect those cordons and follow the instructions of emergency services staff.

Police would again like to thank our partners who assisted in the response and recovery phases of the operation, including Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Atiāwa ki Whakarongotai, Civil Aviation Authority and Greater Wellington Regional Council.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Construction has begun today on Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital’s rapid-build inpatient ward, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This new ward is a practical way to meet growing demand quickly. It will provide 28 inpatient beds for short-stay surgical patients and surgical assessments, helping streamline care for this group and freeing up surgical and medical beds elsewhere in the hospital,” Mr Brown says.

Four months of off-site factory construction will run in parallel with around six months of on-site works, with the ward expected to be operational in August 2026.

“This combined approach shortens the overall build programme, ensures consistent quality, and reduces disruption to day-to-day hospital operations.

“Once complete, the ward will improve the experience for people needing surgery, help meet demand during peak periods, and strengthen the hospital’s ability to deliver timely, quality care.

“Increasing inpatient capacity now will reduce the use of overflow areas, improve emergency department wait times, and help the hospital manage growing demand while long-term redevelopment continues.”

The Hawke’s Bay ward is one of five modular units being delivered nationwide under the Government’s fast-tracked hospital wards programme to rapidly expand inpatient capacity and improve patient flow at New Zealand’s busiest hospitals.

Funded as part of Budget 2025, the programme will deliver 140 new inpatient beds in 2026 across Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Middlemore, Wellington Regional and Waikato Hospitals.

“These units are quicker to build and more cost-effective than traditional construction, allowing us to strengthen hospital capacity where it’s needed most. Using off-site modular construction means we can deliver at speed, stay within budget, minimise disruption for hospitals, and provide faster benefits for patients and staff.

“This is about investing in infrastructure that supports better patient care, with patients at the centre of the design. The new ward will play an important role in lifting performance at Hawke’s Bay Hospital and supporting better outcomes for patients across the region,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Detective Sergeant Johnathon O’Byrne:

Police are investigating after a man was critically injured in Hamilton overnight.

The man was located by officers in Avalon Drive at around 2.40am and had significant injuries consistent with an assault.

He was transported to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Police are also investigating a linked violent incident at about midnight at a property in Lyon Street.

Scene guards are in place at the Lyon Street property and nearby residents can expect to see a police presence this morning as we conduct further enquiries.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance and ask that anyone with information which could assist our enquiries get in touch via 105, quoting file number 260129/1915.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Whangārei CIB is seeking a motorist who gave a lift to the victim of an assault in Onerahi early this morning.

That motorist is not being sought over the offending, but their information could help progress enquiries.

“Sometime between 4am and 4.45am, the assault victim has been picked up in the Onerahi area by a member of the public,” Detective Sergeant Pieter Serfontein says.

“Our enquiries are still in the very early stages, but we know that the motorist drove the victim to a property in Raumanga before carrying on.

“The victim had a number of facial injuries at the time, and I’m confident this person will remember this trip.”

Police were notified of the assault by ambulance staff after they were called to the Raumanga property.

“What we don’t know is where the victim was picked up in Onerahi and at what specific time,” Detective Sergeant Serfontein says.

“I’m asking this person to come forward as information they may hold could help us.”

The victim, who is a man, has received treatment at Whangārei Hospital today and is in a stable condition.

“Detectives will speak further with the victim, but we would also like to hear from anyone in the Onerahi area that might have witnessed any fighting in the area early this morning,” Detective Sergeant Serfontein says.

Please update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 260128/8749.

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

The recovery effort to reunite loved ones with their families following last week’s landslide at Mount Maunganui is continuing, supported by Police from across the country.

Dog handlers, family liaison officers, specialist search teams and other staff have been arriving in the Bay of Plenty District to provide support to the dozens of staff who have been on the ground since Thursday’s slip.

Inspector Will Loughrin, Acting Bay of Plenty District Commander, says recovery teams are making good progress but they still have days of work ahead of them.

“Police, supported by Urban Search and Rescue and contractor drivers, have reached the area where the ablution block was, and they are continuing the painstaking effort to gently dig through the slip.

“The reason the work is so time consuming is because we are digging millimetres at a time. We can’t rush this work, and we won’t rush it.”

Police are not yet in a position to comment on what has been located to date.

Staff from across New Zealand supporting operation

Each shift, an estimated 70 Police staff are involved in the recovery effort, with a number of Police districts sending resources to assist.

“There is an enormous amount of work, and the people doing that delicate work inside the scene are just the tip of the iceberg. Family liaison officers are in Tauranga to support families, there are staff inputting information, sorting logistics, carrying out interviews and reviewing footage from the public.

“Council, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, local iwi, and businesses are also supporting  this recovery – there is an army of people who are focused on doing what they can to help and to support the families.”

Inspector Loughrin praised everyone involved in the effort.

“They’ve put in massive hours, in very dynamic, exhausting conditions. People are getting tired, physically and mentally, but we’re making sure they get the rest and support they need.

“The work they have done is incredible, and they’ve done it with dignity and respect and I’m proud of them.”

Police seek imagery of mountain prior to slip

Police are asking anyone with video footage and images of the slip at Mt Maunganui to upload it via this online portal. We are particularly interested in anyone who has footage or images of the campsite and Mount Maunganui between Wednesday night right through to the time the slip happened and the immediate time after the slip.

We have already received more than 100 video clips and photos through the portal and we want to thank those who have taken the time to send this in.

Privacy request from families

Family members are feeling uncomfortable with receiving multiple requests for comment. We ask that any request for comment is made through the Police Media Centre.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: Press Release Service

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