Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is celebrating the fifth anniversary of Keep It Real Online, a website that helps New Zealand families navigate the digital world safely. 

“I know many parents are worried about the type of content their children might come across online and are looking for practical ways to protect them. The Keep It Real Online website offers helpful guidance on how to start those important conversations with your kids, along with information on practical tools like parental controls and safety filters available through search engines and social media platforms,” says Ms van Velden.

The website launched in 2020, with a campaign that went viral and attracted international attention for a campaign episode that featured fake porn stars visiting a suburban mother to inform her that her teenage son was watching porn online, and encouraging her to talk to him about how consent and relationships work in the real world. 

Since the launch five years ago, the website has been viewed over 1.1 million times. The most visited pages for youth focus on misinformation, pornography, and sending and receiving nude images, which highlights the real issues that young people are facing in today’s digital environment.  It has sections for parents, young people, and teachers, and has information available Chinese, Hindi, and Samoan as well as English and Māori.

“It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to manage any potential online harms. As much of the internet sits outside of New Zealand’s jurisdiction, it’s important that we equip New Zealanders with the skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world and take steps to protect their own wellbeing.”

“I’m really proud of the digital safety work that the Department has delivered in recent years and just as proud that we’re continuing to update the content to stay fresh, relevant, and in tune with the challenges people are facing online today.”

The Keep It Real Online website is managed by the Department of Internal Affairs and can be accessed at https://www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz/.

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

1 minute ago

An offer to support a friend’s studies unexpectedly set T&G’s Malandi Fourie on her own path of horticulture education through EIT.

The South African-born assistant manager at T&G Global in Hawke’s Bay has completed levels 3 and 4 of the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) and is now working towards the NZ Diploma in Horticulture Production (Level 5).

Although she had experience working with plants through her family’s nursery in South Africa, Malandi never imagined she would formally study horticulture, until a friend, feeling nervous about classroom learning, needed support.

“I started the level 3 qualification two years ago just to help a friend who didn’t feel comfortable being in class alone. I ended up loving it and decided to carry on for myself.”

She has now been in the industry for eight years and has worked her way up through various roles at T&G over the last six-and-a-half years from orchard hand to senior leading hand, then block lead, and now assistant manager.

“It’s a very humble feeling, working outside in orchards. Being a Christian, I believe we were told to work the soil. But more than that, I’m here for the people, because I believe people grow the trees.”

That people-first mindset has shaped her leadership style. Malandi says supporting others, especially women in the industry, is one of the most fulfilling parts of her job. From mental health struggles to financial hardship, she’s seen how practical skills, and a sense of purpose can help people reclaim confidence and direction.

“They learn new skills, gain confidence, and feel proud of what they’re doing. It’s like they can breathe again.”

As a mother of two children aged 17 and 20, Malandi admits balancing work, study and family life has been challenging. But completing her qualifications means a great deal.

“I never finished my studies in South Africa, so this feels like closing a loop. It’s also about inspiring others. If I can do it, they can too.”

She describes her experience at EIT as supportive and hands-on. “The tutors are passionate. They treat you like adults. It’s not just sitting in a classroom, they get you up, get you outside, and keep it practical.”

Lisa Turnbull, Assistant Head of School Primary Industries, said Malandi’s journey is a wonderful example of personal and professional growth.

“Her dedication to learning, leadership in the workplace, and commitment to supporting others embody values we strive to nurture at EIT.

The team is proud to have been part of her journey thus far and looks forward to seeing her continue to make a meaningful impact in the industry.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Today Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay introduced long awaited legislation that will put a stop to large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions – delivering on a key election promise to protect the future of New Zealand food production.
“For too long, productive sheep and beef farms have been replaced by pine trees in the race for carbon credits. That ends under this Government,” Mr McClay says.
“The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill will restrict wholesale conversions of farmland to exotic forestry by stopping LUC 1-5 land from entering the ETS and capping new ETS registrations on LUC 6 land.
“It will also protect farmers’ ability to diversify – allowing up to 25 per cent of a farm to go into trees, while stopping the kind of blanket ETS planting that’s been gutting rural communities in places like the East Coast, Wairarapa, the King Country, and Southland.”
As previously announced the new restrictions will take effect from 4 December 2024. The law will:

Restrict farm conversions to exotic ETS forests on high-to-medium versatility farmland (LUC classes 1-6)
A limit of 15,000 hectares per year for exotic conversions on medium versality farmland (LUC class 6)
The annual limit of 15,000 hectares for LUC 6 farmland will be allocated by a ballot process, including a reserved quota for small block holders, with the first ballot proposed to be held in mid-2026.
Allow for up to 25 per cent of a farm’s LUC 1-6 land to still be planted in exotic forestry for the ETS, ensuring farmers retain flexibility and choice.
Protect specific categories of Māori-owned land, in line with Treaty obligations
The Bill proposes time-limited transitional exemptions in rare cases for people who were in the process of afforestation prior to these changes originally being announced on 4 December 2024.
To be eligible for a transitional exemption, applicants need to show sufficient evidence that they made a qualifying forestry investment between 1 January 2021 and 4 December 2024.
Transactions that commenced after this date will not be eligible to register in the ETS.  
The applicant will need to demonstrate that the investment relates to the specific Land Use Capability (LUC) class 1–6 land they are applying to register in the ETS.
Registry of 25 per cent of LUC 1-5 land will be registered against the properties title to restrict further planting as a result of subdivision. 

“Labour’s careless ETS settings turbocharged the sell-off of our farming base. They let speculators put short-term profits ahead of long-term food production. That was careless – and it ends now,” Mr McClay says.
“This Government is backing farmers, restoring balance, and making sure the ETS doesn’t come at the cost of New Zealand’s rural economy.
“This policy is pro-farming, pro-food production, pro-commercial forestry and pro-rural New Zealand.”
The legislation is now before Parliament and is to come into force October 2025.
For more information: Forestry ETS Changes

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government’s ensuring more children learn from quality teachers by delivering the largest annual increase in the teaching workforce in two decades.
“We want to grow, promote and support the education workforce who every day deliver real change in the classroom. We are providing a world-leading education system with all the support teachers need to deliver it. It’s really encouraging this is resulting in more people choosing to become teachers,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
The schooling teacher workforce grew by 2.5% in 2024, delivering 1,864 new teachers, the largest year-on-year increase since records began in 2009 and slightly outpaced student roll growth. 1,128 new teachers were in primary, while secondary teachers grew by 736. 
“We’re seeing growth across the board. Every region has more teachers than it did a year ago, with particularly strong increases in South and West Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Canterbury. That’s a clear sign our reform of the education system is giving people the confidence to choose teaching as a career.”
In 2024:

First-time domestic enrolments in Initial Teacher Education rose by 6.3%, from 3,400 to 3,615. This includes increases across early childhood, primary, and secondary sectors, marking the highest entry rate into teaching since 2009.
the average total pay for primary teachers was over $94,000 and around $101,000 for secondary teachers.
on average, secondary principals were paid over $200,000 while primary principals were paid over $150,000.

“From scholarships and onsite training pathways to removing financial barriers like registration fees, we’ve made it easier for people to take that first step into the classroom, and it’s working.”
“We know there’s still more to do to ensure every student has a quality teacher in front of them. That’s why Budget 2025 includes even more investment to grow and strengthen the profession” says Minister Stanford
Budget 2025 includes $53 million to cover teacher registration fees through to 2028, alongside expanded training pathways for aspiring principals and support for returning and overseas-trained teachers.
“Great teachers are the single most important factor in a child’s education. We’re backing our education workforce — from training to registration to the classroom — because when we support teachers, we support better outcomes for every learner,” Ms Stanford says.

Source: New Zealand Government

Kia ora tatou. My warmest greetings to you all.
It’s a pleasure to be here with you at this year’s WasteMINZ Conference — the flagship event for New Zealand’s waste, resource recovery, and contaminated land sectors.
For over 30 years, this conference has been a space for industry leaders and innovators to come together — to be inspired, to share ideas, and to shape the future of this essential work.
Thank you for the opportunity to join you today. 
As I begin, I’d like to acknowledge Parul Sood, Chair of the WasteMINZ Board, along with the board members, CEO Nic Quilty and her team, and all of today’s delegates.
I also want to recognise the ongoing work of WasteMINZ members — your contribution to the sector is important and appreciated.
Today, I’d like to update you on several key areas I’m working on as Minister for the Environment.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve been focused on delivering the Government’s priorities for waste, contaminated sites, and broader environmental challenges.
We know the waste sector has long-standing issues.
But these challenges come with opportunities to improve outcomes for both the natural world and our communities.
Before I expand on the Government’s work on waste, I’d like to start with some announcements.
Last year, as part of Budget 2024, I announced the Government has changed the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 to allow the waste disposal levy to be spent on a wider range of activities.
As part of this, levy funds were allowed to support local authorities with the costs of managing waste from emergencies.
We know the frequency and magnitude of emergency events are increasing, partly due to the rise in severe weather events.
Emergency events often generate large volumes of waste, which needs to be dealt with quickly. 
Today, I am pleased to confirm that we have now established emergency waste funding.
The funding will support councils with the cost of managing waste following an emergency, including repairing or replacing damaged waste infrastructure.
The Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes, recent cyclones, the Auckland Anniversary floods, and many other large-scale events have underscored the importance of resilient waste management and minimisation facilities and services. 
So far, the costs of managing waste caused by these events have been dealt with on an ad-hoc basis, with no standing funds available to support councils.
The emergency waste funding will give councils timely access to funding to deal with waste in the aftermath of emergency events. 
This will reduce the financial burden of these events on central and local government.
The simple application process means councils will be able to quickly and easily access funding.
Waste management in emergency events is a critical service to get up and running quickly, to reduce public health risks and support communities to get back on their feet. 
This new funding will help councils and communities when they need it most.
Now, I would like to draw your attention to a new report on construction and demolition waste, which I know is a topic you will be keenly interested in. 
Construction projects are essential to growing our economy. 
However, they also leave behind a staggering amount of waste, which places a burden on New Zealand’s landfills and the environment.
Yesterday, the Ministry for the Environment published the first national baseline report for construction and demolition waste.
This baseline measure is the first of its kind in New Zealand. 
It will help us evaluate the state of construction and demolition waste, giving us a starting point for comparing changes over time. 
The national baseline report provides an overview of how much construction and demolition waste New Zealand is sending to landfill, and what materials make up this waste stream.
The results show that construction and demolition waste is New Zealand’s largest waste stream and highlight the significant role that surplus soil and rubble play.
To cover off a few key statistics from the report:
An estimated 5.25 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste was disposed at levied facilities (class 1-4) in 2023. This represents almost 70 per cent of all waste disposed at levied facilities.
Of all levied construction and demolition waste disposed, nearly 80 per cent of that waste is soil or rubble.
Of the remaining construction and demolition waste, timber, plastics, plasterboard and textiles (i.e. carpet) make up notable proportions of the overall waste stream. 
Further to these findings, as many of you will know, last month I met with the WasteMINZ sector group on surplus soils.
This was to discuss the group’s proposal to develop a national soils management framework through a Waste Minimisation Fund grant.
I would like to thank Nic Quilty, Parul Sood, Rod Lidgard and James Corbett for taking the time to meet with me to discuss this important issue. 
I understand managing surplus soils is a long-standing challenge, with no national rules or clear guidance on how to reuse them.
The national baseline report highlights the scale of the problem. 
Valuable soil resources are being lost to landfill, with clean or slightly contaminated soils often unnecessarily landfilled.
This contributes to landfill overuse, emissions, and high project costs.
For these reasons, I am pleased to confirm today that I support the WasteMINZ proposal to fund a national soils management framework. 
Ministry for the Environment officials will be working with WasteMINZ to develop a phased approach for addressing these issues. 
Details are still to be finalised, and the sector will be kept updated.
Following these announcements, I’d like to now move on to our waste strategy and work programme.
You may be aware that I recently launched the Government’s strategy to reduce waste and improve how it’s managed in New Zealand. 
The strategy sets out the Government’s approach to reducing the environmental and economic harm caused by waste.  
Alongside that, I confirmed a comprehensive waste work programme to implement the strategy’s goals.
You’ll be aware of some changes made late last year to existing waste policies. 
We’re reducing costs to ratepayers by leaving decisions about kerbside collections, including food scraps, up to local councils. 
The Waste Minimisation Fund will continue to support councils that choose to adopt these services.
We’ve also removed the 2025 deadline to phase out all PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging. 
We have had a positive response from industry on this decision as it gives them more time to adopt alternatives, while ensuring that new regulations are practical and workable.
These adjustments support our waste strategy while minimising cost-of-living pressures.
Our waste work programme is well underway, and I’d like to start by highlighting the proposed amendments to our waste legislation.
These changes would replace the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Litter Act 1979, with the aim of reducing inefficiencies and providing greater clarity around the roles of central government, local government, and the wider waste sector.
We recently consulted on these proposals, which aim to make the legislative framework clearer and more effective.
Consultation closed on 1 June, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to make a submission.
Officials are now carefully considering that feedback to help inform the policy development.
The aim is to introduce the new legislation before the next general election.
We also recently asked New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations to improve the way waste from commonly used farm plastic products is managed. 
We’re proposing new regulations to support a national product stewardship scheme covering agrichemical containers and other farm plastics, such as bale wrap. 
As someone who has lived on a farm almost all my life, I know how important this is.
It would bring together the services of existing schemes Agrecovery and Plasback, simplifying recycling and disposal for farmers and growers, and expanding access into a nationwide service.
This scheme would be funded through an advance disposal fee and offer free, nationwide take-back services. 
And it won’t just benefit farmers—sectors like forestry, tourism, hospitality, and manufacturing could also participate.
We have had strong engagement and feedback throughout the consultation process. 
Thank you to everyone who shared their valuable insights. 
In addition to the consultation on farm plastics, I’d like to provide a brief update on the progress of other product stewardship schemes.
Product stewardship schemes are designed to ensure everyone in a product’s life cycle shares responsibility to reduce its environmental impact at the end of its life.
The Tyrewise scheme is a strong example of this principle in action.
Tyrewise addresses the estimated 6.5 million tyres that reach end of life in New Zealand each year.
Since going live last September, the scheme has collected and repurposed more than 2.8 million tyres into fuel and other useful products.
It is also on track to exceed its first-year targets – an incredible achievement. 
I commend everyone involved in the development and daily operation of the scheme for their dedication and impact.
I also want to acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved in the accredited synthetic refrigerants scheme, known as Cool-Safe.
This scheme has been operating since 1993 and has now successfully collected over 600,000 kilograms of synthetic refrigerants, significantly reducing their environmental impact.
We are actively working with this scheme and the wider industry to support the responsible end-of-life management of these gases.
Earlier this year I received the Plastic Packaging Product Stewardship scheme co-design recommendations report.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this report – it represents the culmination of over two years of dedicated work.
We will carefully consider the recommendations and continue to work with stakeholders to plan the next steps in developing this important scheme.
Work is also progressing on electrical and electronic products (e-waste).
I’m aware safe battery disposal is a growing concern for the sector, as improperly disposed of batteries pose significant fire risks.
There is currently a high level of activity in the battery space, with multiple stakeholders across industry and government actively engaged.
This momentum is encouraging, and I look forward to seeing continued progress toward a safe, more sustainable approach to managing e-waste in New Zealand. 
Another area of focus focuses is remediating contaminated sites, including historic landfills vulnerable to weather events.
Historic landfills can be compromised by erosion, storm surges, rainfall events, high river levels and flooding.
There are hundreds of historic landfills and contaminated sites around New Zealand vulnerable to severe weather.
Remediating these sites is vital for protecting our environment from harm. 
No-one wants a repeat of the Fox River landfill event in 2019.
Communities should not be left dealing with the aftermath of old landfill breaches.
Acting early to remediate these sites also saves money in the long run. 
Councils have been asking for more support – and now they have it.
Last year, I opened the new Contaminated Sites and Vulnerable Landfills Fund, a $20 million fund to support councils and landowners.
This fund replaces the previous Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund and significantly increases support.
Regional, unitary and territorial authorities can now apply.
The Ministry is actively supporting councils with applications.
There has been great progress already, like the remediation project at Tāhunanui Beach in Nelson where $2.9 million of Government support has helped remove more than 10,000 cubic metres of contaminated material from underneath the beach carpark.
This project is a great example of what this new fund can support.
More information is on the Ministry for the Environment website.
I would like to now move onto our work in improving recycling.
Standardising the materials accepted in kerbside recycling was a vital first step — sending a clear signal to businesses and households about what can be recovered through kerbside systems across New Zealand.
Thank you to everyone who helped develop this policy.  
There is still work to do, but the new Recycling Leadership Forum is a great next step.  
The forum is exploring challenging kerbside issues, including the tricky items that don’t currently fit the system.  
I’m watching their work with interest and expect to receive their first report on potential solutions soon. 
Plastic is part of daily life, and while it has benefits, it creates far-reaching waste problems.
On the international stage, New Zealand is playing a part in negotiating a treaty to tackle plastic pollution globally. 
Our delegation is heading to the next round of negotiations in Geneva in August.
Domestically, we continue to reduce waste and support recycling innovation. 
The latest Our Environment 2025 report shows that our landfills received 11 per cent less waste per capita in 2023 than the peak in 2018.
The Waste Minimisation Fund is providing grant funding to upgrade resource recovery centres, transfer stations, and materials recovery facilities to increase the volume and quality of recovered plastic materials. 
The fund is also supporting the construction of processing infrastructure to facilitate the reuse of this recovered material, stimulating the local economy and reducing our reliance on overseas markets.
We’re managing hard-to-recycle plastics and working with industry to move away from problematic packaging like PVC and polystyrene.
Thank you for your efforts. 
I understand that tomorrow, Ministry for the Environment officials will be speaking to the waste work programme in more detail.
I encourage you to attend and ask any questions you may have.
In closing, I want to thank you for your time, for your contributions, and for your commitment to innovation. Your leadership matters.
Together, we are building a more resilient and sustainable New Zealand—for our people, our economy, and our environment.
I wish you all the very best for the rest of the conference. 
Thank you. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police need your help in investigating a cowardly attack on a Papakura man last month.

Still images are being released of a person that Police is still working to identify, and we need to hear from you today.

The wounding occurred on Friday 16 May at about 11.40am on Settlement Road in Papakura.

“A man in his 70s was walking alone in a westerly direction at the time, outside Papakura Intermediate School,” Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor, of Counties Manukau South CIB says.

“Around the same time a person was walking on the opposite side of the road heading in the other direction.”

For reasons unknown, this person crossed the road towards the victim.

“They have approached the victim and lunged towards him, making contact,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.

“Immediately after the offender fled the scene, and the victim realised he had suffered a stab wound.

“The victim required hospital treatment and is recovering from this cowardly and unprovoked attack.”

Police need to hear from anyone who recognises the person in images being released.

“People in the community will know who this person is and they need to do the right thing and speak up.”

Anyone with information can update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250516/1021.

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

A person has died after being hit by a car on State Highway 8 in Roxburgh last night.

Emergency services were called to the crash, between Tamblyn Road and Selkirk Place, about 7.20pm.

The person was a pedestrian and died at the scene.

Police are providing support to their next of kin.

The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination. State Highway 8 was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

Police would like to thank the emergency response teams who assisted at the scene, and motorists for their understanding and patience.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are attending a crash on State Highway 8, Fruitlands – Roxburgh Road, near Roxburgh.

The crash involved a vehicle and a pedestrian and was reported just after 7.20pm.

The pedestrian has been seriously injured.

The road is currently closed, there are diversions in place from Roxburgh to Roxburgh Dam.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Here’s what road users need to know:

State Highway 21 (SH21) Airport Road, State Highway 1 (SH1) and State Highway 1C (SH1C) interchange at Tamahere are likely to be severely congested from tomorrow, Tuesday 10 through to Sunday 15 June, and motorists should plan ahead. Long queues and delays can be expected.

“We know that Fieldays attracts thousands of people every year, so we’ve planned for the inundation of traffic to Mystery Creek and surrounding state highways, by making some changes to help traffic flow,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Waikato Journey Manager, Andrew Brosnan.

“This year, there will be a closure of the SH21 northbound lane, between the SH21 Airport Road – Raynes Road intersection and the event. This lane will be closed from 7am to 10am and from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to reduce tailbacks on SH1 during the morning and afternoon traffic peaks.

“Tamahere Interchange will be closed between 6am and 11am,” Mr Brosnan says.

Alternative routes for people travelling through the area but not to Fieldays are to use State Highway 3 (SH3) and SH1C. People travelling from SH1 to Fieldays on SH21 Airport Road will not be affected. Through-traffic is limited to people living around SH21 Airport Road and school traffic including local school buses and parents travelling to and from Tamahere School and Tamahere Educare.

“Attendees should also consider taking the bus. There are several free services travelling to and from Fieldays every day,” Mr Brosnan says.

Regional buses and Hamilton City buses can be taken free to the Hamilton Transport Centre, and then out to Gate 1 at Fieldays, Mystery Creek with a valid 2025 Fieldays ticket which must be presented to the driver.

Regional buses include those from Raglan, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville, Huntly, Taumarunui, Te Kūiti and Tokoroa. Buses to Fieldays will depart from Hamilton Transport Centre approximately every 30 minutes from 7am to 11am returning from 1pm to 5.30 pm.

Visit fieldays.co.nz/attend-fieldays/getting-to-fieldays for more information.

While the event is on, people are encouraged to use alternative routes or travel arrangements between Tuesday 10 and Sunday 15 June.

Check Journey Planner before heading to Fieldays or if travelling through the area.

You can get real-time updates on traffic conditions around Mystery Creek at https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions/waikato/traffic-dashboard

Source: Auckland Council

Kirks Bush in Papakura has been transformed from a neglected area into a cherished native forest, thanks to dedicated local volunteers.  A new oral history project, led by historian Janine Irvine and funded by Papakura Local Board, is preserving the stories behind this community effort.  The project honours the environmental, emotional, and cultural legacy of those who restored Kirks Bush—and calls for new volunteers to continue the work.

For more than 30 years, a quiet transformation has taken place in Papakura at Kirks Bush. Once known as a place to avoid, this pocket of native forest has slowly become a sanctuary thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteer group Friends of Kirks Bush.  

Now through the Kirks Bush Oral History project, those decades of dedication are being formally recognised, recorded, and preserved.  

Led by historian Janine Irvine, and funded by Papakura Local Board, the project aims to capture and protect the stories for those who have played a role in reclaiming and restoring Kirks Bush.

Papakura Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole says local iwi – Te Ākitai Waihoua recognised the importance of preserving the stories and contributions of the Friends of Kirk Bush.   

“The board are pleased to see the oral history come to fruition; Kirks Bush is a living taonga nestled in the heart of Papakura with a rich history and fond memories for local residents. 

“I commend the Friends of Kirks Bush and all the community partners involved for their dedication to preserving this very special urban ngāhere that we all get to enjoy today.”  

The oral histories are more than a record of volunteer labour; they’re a testament to community resilience and long-term commitment. From those who have spent countless hours pulling weeds, removing graffiti, advocating for improvements and kauri protection, this project is a chance to have their experiences formally acknowledged and archived for future generations.  

In the Oral History of Kirks Bush, Muriel Nacey describes how rewarding it was to see people become more confident about walking in the Bush as conditions improved.  

For Margaret Gane Kirks Bush offered her a kind of pause or reset from daily life. “They speak to me about something far bigger than me,” she describes, recalling the feeling of walking beneath the tall tree canopy.  

“I come out and my life is so much more in perspective. Those trees have lived through things I have not seen.” she says  

Kirks Bush survival amid Auckland’s urban sprawl is rare, and its transformation into a place of safety, learning, and connection is thanks to those who cared enough to act. 

The Oral History of Kirks Bush ensures that this care is not forgotten. It recognises the decades of quiet mahi and honours those who made a long-term commitment to the land.  

Many of the founding friends of Kirks Bush have now retired or passed on, and new volunteers are needed to carry this important work forward, to care for and nurture this very special place. 

Become a Friend of Kirks Bush by volunteering today! 

Contact Margeret Gane 

Phone: 022 158 8064 

Email:  margaretjgane@gmail.com 

Listen here: Friends of Kirks Bush Collection – Oral History – Kura 

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