Source: New Zealand Parliament
WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE 2025
The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.
KARAKIA/PRAYERS
BARBARA KURIGER (Deputy Speaker): Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom, justice, mercy, and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.
Source: New Zealand Parliament
WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE 2025
The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.
KARAKIA/PRAYERS
BARBARA KURIGER (Deputy Speaker): Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom, justice, mercy, and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.
Source: Auckland Council
Aucklanders are urged to be prepared for heavy rain and strong winds later today and this evening, which are forecast to hit during the commute home this afternoon.
MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for Auckland and Aotea Great Barrier Island effective 3pm today until midnight (Wednesday 4 June).
A strong wind watch is also in place for Auckland, including Aotea Great Barrier Island for the same period.
Adam Maggs, General Manager of Auckland Emergency Management encourages Aucklanders to plan ahead, stay safe, and keep in touch with whānau and friends.
“Parts of Auckland could be hit by heavy localised downpours with possible thunderstorms later today and this evening,” says Adam.
“With this weather on the way, now is the time to make sure you and your property are prepared.
“We are asking Aucklanders to be mindful that the heavy rain may hit during the afternoon commute home. Plan your journey and avoid low-lying areas, drive cautiously and never drive in floodwaters,” says Adam.
“MetService advises periods of heavy rain with localised downpours are likely this evening and tonight.
“Download the MetService app and keep an eye on MetService.com for the latest weather updates.
“And lastly, if you or your property are in danger phone 111 – don’t wait, natural warnings like rising floodwaters need to be acted on immediately.
“Visit our website or alternative at the Get Ready website for plenty of good advice on getting your household prepared for an emergency.
“Stay safe Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Adam.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash in Okoia on Monday 26 May.
He was 76-year-old David Hauparoa Hiroti, of Okoia.
Our thoughts are with those close to him at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government will invest $15.2 million into upgrading infrastructure and enhancing conservation at Milford Sound Piopiotahi to sustainably grow tourism while also protecting the jewel in our conservation crown.
The first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project, announced today, also provide certainty to operators by confirming that cruise ships will continue to access the fjord, and Milford Aerodrome will be retained.
“This iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in Fiordland attracts more than a million visitors a year and pumps about $200 million into the regional economy, creating jobs and boosting incomes,” Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
“For Ngāi Tahu, Piopiotahi holds special significance as the final masterpiece of atua and land-shaper Tū Te Rakiwhānoa.
“Visitors accessing the fjord via Milford Road will soon enjoy new and enhanced short stops, including an alpine nature walk in Gertrude Valley. Little Tahiti landfill will also be cleaned up and flood protection at Cleddau River will be improved.
“There will be improved amenities, including much-needed new facilities at Deepwater Basin where we are replacing the recreational boat ramp.”
Funding for the improvements will come from the International Visitor Levy ($8.2 million) and the Department of Conservation’s capital works programme ($7m).
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said Milford Sound Piopiotahi had a key role to play in helping the country’s tourism sector bounce back from the Covid hangover.
“We are supporting the local economy and providing certainty for operators by enabling cruise ships and aircraft to continue to access the fjord, rejecting a previous proposal to ban this.
“We know Milford Sound Piopiotahi, Mitre Peak Rahotū, the bush, the sea and the wildlife play an integral part in capturing the hearts and minds of millions of tourists dreaming of a visit to this wilderness area.”
Mr Potaka said the next tranche of work would involve the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai engaging with Ngāi Tahu, and stakeholders such as local government and the tourism industry on further initiatives.
“These include collaborating on investment opportunities along Milford corridor, developing a multi-year investment plan for the area, and considering improved planning tools, such as a Special Amenities Area within Fiordland National Park.”
Note for editor
The Milford Opportunities Project feasibility business case, supporting reports and Cabinet paper are available on the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/milford-opportunities
Source: New Zealand Police
Police’s newest recruitment advertising campaign is now mobile across Tāmaki Makaurau with five double-decker buses wrapped in Police livery.
Commissioner Richard Chambers says: “This campaign represents another positive step toward delivering our target of 500 additional officers.
“These newly decorated double-decker buses seat 500 people, which is exactly the number we want to recruit.
“Auckland has always been a key recruitment area for us, and we are keen to be highly visible and advertise far and wide. We know that the buses are ideal for reaching the whole of the city.”
The ‘police’ buses will be in public circulation for over three months.
The cost to wrap the buses totalled $119,800 including print, installation and 12 weeks of media advertising.
“The new Auckland training campus at Albany will also help make a career with the Police a reality for those who cannot relocate to Wellington for the full 20-week course.
“That campus is set to welcome its first intake from the start of July. That is a significant development in our recruitment and training,” Commissioner Chambers says.
Applications remain open in all districts across the country, except for Canterbury. Recruitment efforts continue to ramp up and applications are trending upwards with a spike in applications in 2025 and total application numbers reaching the highest seen in 10 years.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Tasman District Road Policing Manager, Acting Inspector Nathan Snell.
From Wednesday 28 May to Sunday 1 June 2025, Tasman Police delivered an operation focused on anti-social road users.
This was in response to an increase in complaints from the local community.
Two search warrants were executed, resulting in a stolen firearm being located and three vehicle impounds for sustained loss of traction and driver licence offences.
Further Police activities occurred across the district with Tasman Police staff supported by the Anti-Social Road User team from Christchurch.
The team deployed across Nelson Bays and Marlborough resulting in over 50 vehicles being inspected and deemed unsafe or defective.
Five more vehicles were impounded for Land Transport Act offences.
Over 100 Infringement notices were issued for speeding, restraint and distraction offences amongst many others.
Following the operation, Police have laid charges against multiple individuals for unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, sustained loss of traction, driving whilst suspended, driving whilst disqualified and threatening behaviour. Further charges are being considered.
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
State Highway 29 (SH29) Kaimai Range will be closed for 4 nights, from Sunday 15 June to Thursday 19 June, between 8pm and 3.30am each night. These closures are necessary to complete routine maintenance, including drain clearing, sign maintenance, road marking and surface repairs.
“We occasionally close SH29 for essential maintenance works. The full closures allow us to complete the work safety and efficiently – benefiting both road worker crews and road users,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) System Manager for the Waikato, Andy Oakley.
SH29 plays a critical role in connecting New Zealand’s largest port with the wider Golden Triangle region.
With approximately 14,000 vehicles, including thousands of heavy vehicles, using the road daily, maintaining it is essential for safety and accessibility.
“We’ve worked closely with freight operators and roading contractors to coordinate the best possible schedule for these closures. By confirming specific days and times, regular road users—including freight operators—can plan ahead to minimize disruptions to themselves and their customers,” says Mr Oakley.
The detours for this closure are significant and add considerable time to journeys. People are encouraged to check the NZTA Journey Planner and allow extra time for their journey, or if possible, delay travel over SH29 on these nights.
“We’d like to thank our stakeholders and partners for working with us on this. While disruptive in the short term, everyone will enjoy the benefits of having a more reliable and safer route over the Kaimai Range,” says Mr Oakley.
The closure points on the western (Waikato) side are at the SH29/24 and SH29/28 intersections and on the eastern (BOP) side at the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection. Emergency services will have access at all times, and residents can access their property from the relevant side of the closure.
Source: New Zealand Labour Party
The Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Statement predicts a sluggish economy with higher inflation and more job losses.
“Just days after Nicola Willis slashed women’s pay in order to deliver her so-called ‘Growth Budget’, growth is now predicted to slow,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.
“The Reserve Bank cited low growth, higher inflation in the short term, and higher unemployment as key reasons why they cut rates today. Rate cuts are good for mortgage-holders, but there are some real alarm bells in the RBNZ’s statement.
“Specifically, it projected sluggish economic growth of less than 1% in 2025, and said that inflation will continue to rise in the short term.
“Most concerning, the Reserve Bank warned about a weakening labour market, with unemployment remaining above 5% and expected to climb further this year. That contradicts National’s promises of thousands of new jobs in their Budget. Thanks to their choices, more than 15,000 construction jobs have been lost.
“The Government claims to have delivered a ‘Growth Budget’ but the only growth we can see is growing unemployment, growing prices, and a growing pay gap between men and women.
“Instead of helping people through tough times, the Government has chosen to cut jobs and take money from women’s future pay, all so they can give it to tobacco, fossil fuel, and big tech companies.
“Labour would make different choices, investing in jobs, health, and homes to grow the economy and lift living standards for everyone,” Barbara Edmonds said.
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Source: New Zealand Labour Party
The Government is continuing its attack on women, this time targeting the pay of early childhood education (ECE) teachers.
David Seymour’s changes will mean new ECE teachers being at the whim of their employers who will choose what they’re paid, regardless of any higher qualifications.
“It wasn’t enough that the Government cut women’s pay to save its budget, but now it’s doubling down and further undermining the pay of ECE teachers,” Labour’s early childhood education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.
“Under these changes, ECE centres will have a harder time attracting recent graduates – a devastating blow for a sector already struggling with teacher numbers.
“We introduced pay parity to ensure we could build the ECE workforce back up and reduce turnover. We did this so those doing the most important teaching of our tamariki would be paid what they deserved and wouldn’t just see it as a temporary job, but a career.
“Budget 2025 offered a measly 0.5% cost adjustment in ECE subsidies. To make up for this cost, women are again, being under-valued,” Jan Tinetti said.
“This also comes as it’s reported that the Ministry of Education’s pay equity claims team is at risk of cuts,” Labour’s education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said.
“This is after Erica Stanford stood in the House and claimed she didn’t know anything about the proposed cuts.
“Women across the country are still trying to stitch the holes National has cut into their pockets and it’s disheartening that at every turn, National chooses to continuing cutting,” Willow-Jean Prime said.
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