Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

The plans of five alleged car thieves have been busted by Rangiora Police.

The quintet were apprehended about 2am on Wednesday 4 June, two cars of interest were tracked to Pegasus, north of Christchurch. The vehicles had been stolen earlier in the night, one from Bishopdale and the other from St Albans.

With only one way out of Pegasus, Police laid spikes and waited until the alleged offenders drove over them, Senior Sergeant Stephen McDaniel said.

“They’ve kept driving for a short distance, but the spikes did their job and both cars eventually came to a stop.”

Police apprehended the boys and young men without further incident, but Police discovered another vehicle had been interfered with.

“At Pegasus, we’ve established there was an attempt to steal a third vehicle, but all they’ve done is break a window and make a mess of the ignition – and sadly, that’s a headache for yet another car owner.”

The five are aged between 13 and 23, Senior Sergeant McDaniel said.

The 13-year-old has been referred to Youth Services, while the other four are scheduled to appear in the Christchurch District Court and Christchurch Youth Court on charges including unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, attempting to unlawfully take a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of an air rifle, and failing to stop for Police.

“We know car theft is an ongoing problem and urge vehicle owners to purchase immobilisers or steering wheel locks if they have to park on the street.

“Even with attempted car theft, it’s more than an inconvenience, because offenders can cause a lot of damage to the ignition when they’re attempting to start the car. This offending has a real impact on real people’s lives, and we need the community’s help to prevent it.

“If you see suspicious activity, such as people casing out vehicles, the best thing you can do is call 111 immediately.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

Through the first round of the Electrifying the Great Rides Fund, $478,750 in co-funding has been approved to install 10 e-bike charging stations across the Hawke’s Bay Trails and the Remutaka Cycle Trail. These stations will be located at key points along the trails, including outside popular business premises and i-SITEs, enhancing accessibility for e-bike users and encouraging longer, more enjoyable rides.

The $3 million Electrifying the Great Rides Fund was launched in 2024 to make New Zealand’s cycle trails more appealing to both domestic and international visitors.

In a move to broaden the impact of the programme, the second round of funding – opening on 1 August 2025 – will expand eligibility to include Heartland and Connector Rides. These trails form part of the wider Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail network and often traverse rural and remote areas. The expanded criteria will allow more communities to benefit from increased tourism and improved trail infrastructure.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is also working with sector partners to refresh the overall New Zealand Cycle Trail programme, ensuring it continues to meet the growing demand for nature-based and environmentally friendly tourism experiences.

More information about the second funding round will be available on the MBIE website from 30 June 2025. Territorial authorities and community groups supported by their local councils are encouraged to apply.

Read the Minister’s release:

E-bike upgrades for New Zealand Cycle Trails(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is boosting economic growth in the regions by supporting Hawke’s Bay Trails and the Remutaka Cycle Trail to set up e-bike charging stations with more regions set to benefit from a second funding round, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
“We launched the $3 million Electrifying the Great Rides Fund last year to make our cycle trails more accessible and appealing, both to international tourists and kiwis looking to explore more of their backyard,” Louise Upston says.
“They play an absolutely crucial role in attracting visitors to our regions, supporting our local businesses, jobs and communities.
“We’re pleased to be supporting investment in our Great Rides and hope more trails will take up the opportunity with the second round of funding opening shortly.”
The first round of the Electrifying the Great Rides Fund approved $478,750 of co-funding to install 10 e-bike charging stations on two Great Rides.
Hawke’s Bay Trails will install e-bike charging stations at six locations outside adjacent business premises and i-SITEs, as will the Remutaka Cycle Trail at four popular business premises along that trail.
“In the second round of funding, we’ve expanded the eligibility criteria to include not only the Great Rides but the Heartland and Connector Rides which are part of the wider Ngā Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trail network,” Louise Upston says.
“By opening up the criteria, we’re able to make our rural and remote trails much more accessible to visitors wanting to see more of our beautiful country.”
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is also working with sector partners to refresh the broader New Zealand Cycle Trail programme.
“Demand for nature-based tourism experiences is only increasing – which means our cycle trails are even more important as people seek out more environmentally friendly experiences,” Louise Upston says.
“By investing in our cycle trails we are directly supporting our local tourism operators and driving economic growth in our regions.”
The second round will open on 1 August 2025 for one month. Applicants will be able to find more information on the MBIE website from 30 June 2025. Opening up the fund to Heartland and Connector Rides means that territorial authorities and community groups supported by their local council will be eligible to apply.

Source: New Zealand Government

Today’s opening of a new 596-bed facility at Waikeria Prison will ensure Corrections can safely manage the rising prison population and provide effective services to help reduce reoffending, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says.
“Our Government has restored proper consequences for crime.  Because of that, there has been an increase in the prison population and fewer victims of crime.
“As the prison population continues to increase, this new facility will help ensure Corrections has the right level of capacity and resources to keep its staff, people in prison, and the public safe.
“The facility is modern and fit-for-purpose. It adds 500 high-security beds to New Zealand’s prison system as well as 96 dedicated mental health and addiction beds.
“There is also a new education and rehabilitation hub with ten classrooms to support offenders with opportunities that put them on a better path away from crime.”
The new facility, consisting of 28 buildings, has been built across 21 hectares of land at Waikeria Prison, which is located 14 kilometres south of Te Awamutu in Waikato. Surrounded by a secure 1.7 km long perimeter fence, the new facility sits adjacent to the prison’s existing low security facility.
Key features include:

High-security accommodation for 500 men
A dedicated mental health and addiction service within a new 96-bed facility
An education and rehabilitation hub
Large kitchen and laundry, a new waste and recycling centre, and more industry training spaces for prisoners
Single point of entry with secure perimeter
Advanced biometric security
Two main visitation areas
A modern medical centre

“Corrections have already recruited 300 additional frontline staff for when it is ready to take prisoners in the coming months, following final assurance checks,” Mr Mitchell says.
“Preparations are also underway for a further expansion of Waikeria Prison, which is due to be completed in 2029 and will add a further 810 beds to New Zealand’s prison system.
“Ongoing investment in our prisons will keep us ahead of the increasing prison population and enable Corrections to focus on safety and effective rehabilitation to reduce reoffending.”

Source: Auckland Council

It’s not every day a TV icon and one of Aotearoa’s most loved scientist personalities turns your local park into a lab – but that’s exactly what happened when Ruud Kleinpaste, a.k.a the Bug Man, hit Kohuora Park in Papatoetoe.

Ruud is a naturalist, entomologist (a scientist who studies insects) and host of the Animal Planet series Buggin’ with Ruud.

On 2 May, over 120 students, teachers, and the Sustainable Schools team gathered at Kohuora Park for a day of discovery, connection, and environmental action, made possible with funding from Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.

Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says, “We need to care for and protect our public green spaces so that flora and fauna can thrive – so we don’t have to visit a zoo or head deep into the bush to experience wildlife right here in our urban areas.”

Thumbs up and all hands on deck! Photo credit: Sustainable Schools.

From kindergartens to colleges, schools across Puhinui came together in one of Papatoetoe’s best-kept secrets – Kohuora Park, a 34-million-year-old volcanic crater turned thriving wetland. Teeming with native wildlife, rich history, and cultural stories, Kohuora – meaning “mist of life”, honours the giant god Matāoho, whose footsteps shaped Tāmaki Makaurau’s volcanic landscape.

A young scientist marvels at what he has discovered with Ruud.

Ruud shares why, if we truly care about the planet, we need to ask ourselves some honest questions: How do the other species we share Earth with see us? Are we kind, generous, and respectful – or are we falling short?

“Over the years, I’ve come to believe that true environmental education is the foundation for becoming nature-literate. And it starts with empowering our teachers to teach outdoors. When we do that, we create generation after generation of children who not only understand nature but learn from it.

Bug Man in action! Ruud inspires curious minds at Kohuora Park. Photo credit: Sustainable Schools.

“Because that’s the heart of it: we don’t just learn about nature or in nature – we learn from nature. We begin to see the connections in everything. Nature runs on sunlight, uses only what it needs, and wastes nothing. It thrives on diversity, local wisdom, and life-friendly chemistry. It’s humbling and inspiring. What an incredible planet – and what an extraordinary outdoor classroom we have right at our feet,” says Ruud.

The day began with a warm welcome from Ngāti Tahinga Wilson of Ngāti Te Ahiwaru, who share the park’s cultural importance as a historic portage site. Image: Sustainable Schools.

Guided by Mātātahi Taiao – a Māori-led youth climate initiative in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland Council Rangatahi Advisors, and leading scientists like fungi expert Dr. Peter Buchanan, students explored ecosystems through a Māori lens and hands-on science stations covering insects, birds, trees, fungi, pest control, and water quality.

Kohuora Park, Papatoetoe. A thriving natural habitat.

Why It Matters

Sustainable school’s advisor Cate Jessep says, “It was a valuable hands-on opportunity for teachers, students, and the wider community to connect with this special local place during Saturday’s community day. This work is more than just science, it’s about identity, guardianship, real world learning, inclusion and future leadership. As tamariki (children) engage with their local environment, they discover that they are part of it, and that they can protect it.”

Throughout the day, they learned new kupu (words), deepened their connection to nature, and strengthened their understanding of how to care for te taiao (the environment).

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Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson:

A 38-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Hamilton woman Jayde Gilbert.

Jayde, aged 30, was struck by a vehicle at the corner of Ohaupo Road and Kahikatea Drive on 15 May.

The man charged with her murder was arrested today and will appear in Hamilton District Court this afternoon.

On behalf of the investigation team, I would like to thank the people who assisted Jayde after she was struck by the vehicle, and the many members of our community who responded to our appeals for information. 

As this is now before the court, further comment is not available.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 
 

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Whether you’re making family dinner, heating up leftovers, packing lunch for the kids, or having friends over for a barbecue, New Zealand Food Safety has great science-backed tips to keep everyone safe.

“Every year, thousands of New Zealanders get food poisoning. Many of these foodborne illnesses are due to poor food preparation, cooking, or storage at home,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“There’s a wide range of symptoms, ranging from the inconvenient to the life-threatening for people vulnerable to illness.

“New Zealand Food Safety already has a wealth of science-based information on its Food safety at home webpages to help you prevent getting foodborne illnesses. This year, to coincide with World Food Safety Day tomorrow, we have distilled all this expertise into a new booklet of simple tips for avoiding foodborne illness in the home.”

From the store to your table, the ‘Food safety at home’ booklet is packed with science-based food-safety advice. It contains:

• The latest evidence-based recommendations for preparing, cooking, storing, and transporting food safely. Did you know:  Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent foodborne illness. Washing them before preparing or eating food helps prevent germs spreading to your food.
• Updated advice on handling and cooking raw meat and meat products; barbecuing and eating outdoors; keeping at-risk people safe; and how long you can keep leftovers. Did you know: You can keep leftovers for up to 4 days in the fridge if you are going to eat them hot. But leftovers of cooked meals you won’t be reheating – like pasta salad – should only be kept for 2 days.
• Dedicated sections on use-by and best-before dates and advice for shellfish gatherers. Did you know: If a food is past its use-by date, throw it away as it’s not safe to eat. But if it’s past its best-before and it smells and looks okay, it probably is. Check it, sniff it, taste it – don’t waste it.

World Food Safety Day – jointly led by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – highlights the importance of food safety for the health, prosperity and wellbeing of people around the world.  The theme for 2025 is “Science in action”.

“Our advice is based on up-to-date science, it’s now up to you to take action,” says Mr Arbuckle.

You can download your own ‘Food safety at home’ booklet on our website. And, to celebrate World Food Safety Day, try our quiz on Facebook tomorrow to see how food safety savvy you are.

Food safety at home booklet [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Food safety at home

World Food Safety Day

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, has today released his decisions on 17 recommendations referred to him by Christchurch City Council on its Intensification Planning Instrument (Plan Change 14). 

“In December 2024, the Council accepted the majority of the Independent Hearings Panel’s (IHP) recommendations on those parts of Plan Change 14 subject to Policies 3 and 4 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (NPS-UD),” Minister Bishop says.

“These recommendations were incorporated into its district plan. The Council rejected 20 of the IHP’s recommendations and referred them, along with its own alternative recommendations, to me for a final decision in early 2025.

“I have carefully considered this matter and taken extensive advice from officials. The law requires that I only consider matters that the IHP could have taken into account when making its recommendations.

“I have made decisions on 17 of the 20 recommendations referred to me by the Council, which relate to a range of issues including qualifying matters, zoning and built form standards. 

“Together, these decisions will enable a greater level of development in and around Christchurch City’s urban centres as required by Policies 3 and 4 of the NPS-UD.

“I have not made decisions on three recommendations relating to Daresbury House, Antonio Hall and the Piko Residential Character Area.  

“I intend to consider these recommendations once the Council has decided on the zoning of these areas. The Council may refer these decisions to me again ahead of deciding on the balance of Plan Change 14. 

“I thank the Councillors, the Independent Hearings Panel and Council staff for the work undertaken on the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process so far.”

Minister Bishop’s decisions, made under Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991, are final and cannot be appealed to the Environment Court.

Editor’s note: 

A table outlining the decisions is attached as a separate document. 

Policies 3 and 4 of the NPS-UD are set out on page 11 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020.

The Minister’s decision making process is set out in Section 105, Schedule 1 of the RMA: Resource Management Act 1991 No 69 (as at 05 April 2025), Public Act 105 Minister must decide on rejected and alternative recommendations – New Zealand Legislation.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are working to locate the driver of a red ute involved in a hit-and-run crash that left a woman seriously injured in Rotorua last night.

The crash happened about 9pm, near the intersection of Haupapa Street and Tuanekai Street.

After striking the victim, the vehicle drove east on Haupapa Street towards Fenton Street, Detective Sergeant Philip Wilkinson said.

The vehicle involved was still being sought by Police.

“This incident easily could have been fatal, and it’s important we hear from anyone who saw it happen, and anyone who witnessed an interaction between a woman and the driver of a red ute immediately prior.

“We are reviewing CCTV from the area, but if you have any information or cell phone footage, please contact us as soon as possible.”

If you have information that may assist, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report”, or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250605/9241.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Debra Gower:

One person has been located deceased following a house fire in Browne Street, Waitara this morning.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at 7.30am.

The person found deceased is believed to have been the only occupant of the house at the time of the fire.

Enquiries are under way to determine the cause of the fire and at this stage there is no further information available.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.