Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now confirm the name of the victim of the homicide Kaitaia homicide on Sunday, 16 November.

He was Alister Montgomery Knight, 80, of Kaitaia.

Acting Detective Inspector Tania Jellyman, Northland CIB, says Police continue to support Mr Knight’s whānau during this difficult time.

“A 57-year-old woman charged with her murder has been remanded in custody to reappear on 5 December in the Whangārei District Court.”

As the matter is now before the Court, Police are limited in providing further comment.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand’s first business-backed Gender Pay Gap Toolkit has been expanded to include tools for calculating gender-ethnicity and gender-disability pay gaps. It also features new resources for small to medium sized businesses and a guide to support young women to confidently discuss pay at work, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says.

“I welcome the recent fall in the gender pay gap to 5.2 percent, the lowest since records began. However, this is a top-level index and below it sits numerous wider gaps.  

“We know that gender pay gaps are not experienced equally and remain wider for women from some ethnic groups, with Asian women experiencing a pay gap of 10.2 percent, wāhine Māori at 12 percent, and Pacific women at 15.8 percent. The gender pay gap for disabled women compared to all men is 14.8 percent.

“These numbers remind us that while progress is being made overall, we have a long way to go – especially for these women who continue to face the largest gaps.”

The expanded toolkit was developed in partnership with business, reflecting the shared commitment across the private and public sectors to take action on gender pay gaps and create fairer workplaces for all. 

It provides clear guidance on how to measure and interpret gender pay gaps, with practical advice on collecting data, analysing results, and reporting actions. It highlights the links between different types of gender pay gaps, helping organisations to identify overlapping barriers and focus their effort where it will have the greatest impact.

For small and medium-sized businesses, the toolkit now includes a dedicated resource, developed with input from business.  This guidance recognises that SMEs face different constraints to larger organisations and provides practical, tailored steps they can take to measure and address their gender pay gaps. 

“I want to acknowledge former Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Dr Karanina Sumeo, who led engagement with communities to understand perspectives on ethnicity-pay gaps, as well as the YWCA Auckland and the community of young women who helped develop this comprehensive package. 

“Thank you to the many New Zealand businesses that helped develop these resources and are leading the way by voluntarily measuring pay gaps, reporting data and implementing policies to ensure fairness for all. 

“I encourage all businesses to access the new resources and take steps to measure and take action on their gender pay gaps”.

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Inspector Jamie Woods:

Police have launched a homicide enquiry after a man died in Waikanae yesterday.

Officers were called to Kakariki Grove about 3:15pm yesterday to reports of an altercation.

A male was located critically injured and, despite medical attention, died at the scene.

Two vehicles left the area, with one being stopped by Police a short time later and a male arrested. The second vehicle has also been located and the male driver also arrested.

Charges are being considered.

A scene guard remains in place at Kakariki Grove, and enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate others involved in the incident.

Residents can expect to see a Police presence in the area while these enquiries are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has cut unnecessary red tape so banks can more easily share vital information to better protect New Zealanders from fraud and scams.

A ministerial exemption to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act 2009 now allows several banks to share AML-related information with one another for the purpose of preventing fraud and scams.

“Anti–money laundering rules have made it too hard for banks to share information about known fraud or scam activity – including ‘mule’ accounts and associated details,” says Mrs McKee.

“This red tape relief means banks will be able to act faster, work together more effectively, and in many cases freeze scam transfers before the money disappears overseas for good.

“It shows that we don’t always need to create new rules or spend more taxpayers’ money to fix what matters. 

“Often, the best thing government can do is step aside and give individuals and businesses the freedom to solve their own problems in innovative ways.

“This is especially important in today’s fast-moving digital world, where scammers and fraudsters constantly evolve their tactics. Our regulatory settings need to be just as agile.

“That’s why this Government is also making wider reforms to the AML/CFT regime to ensure it targets actual financial criminals while freeing law-abiding New Zealanders and businesses from the headache and cost of excessive red tape.

“Once implemented, these reforms will deliver the most significant regulatory relief since the AML/CFT regime was first introduced in 2013.

“That means less time and money wasted on box-ticking, and more focus on improving productivity, creating jobs, and lifting incomes.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Motorists are being advised to expect delays following a serious crash in Mount Eden.

Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash on Dominion Road at about 10.18am.

Early indications suggest one person is in a critical condition.

Dominion Road, between Milton Road and Elizabeth Street, has been closed and diversions are in place.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

New research from the Education Review Office (ERO) shows the Government’s decision to ban cell phones in schools is working and is delivering better student outcomes.

“Our Government is relentlessly focused on raising student achievement and closing the equity gap at school. That’s why in our first 100 days, we removed cell phones from classrooms so our young people could focus more on their learning. This report confirms our bold move hasn’t just done that, it’s also improved student behaviour and reduced bullying,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

In secondary schools, ERO found:

• 80 per cent of teachers report removing phones from the classroom has improved students’ ability to focus on work.
• 66 per cent report student achievement has improved.
• 75 per cent say removing cell phones have improved student behaviour.
• 66 per cent report bullying in their schools has reduced.

“These results are clear evidence that removing the distraction of cell phone use has a positive impact on student achievement and wellbeing. Not only do they have greater focus in the classroom, but students are also developing stronger connections and building more effective learning habits. Parents can be confident when their children are at school, we’re giving them the best chance to reach their full potential.

“Despite these results, there is more work to do. The report found about a third of Year 12 and 13 students don’t follow the rules, the most common reason is to message parents during the day. Parents have an important part to play in helping their children understand the benefits of staying off cell phones during school.

ERO made several recommendations including increasing visibility of the benefits of removing digital distractions and what good practice in school compliance looks like. Advice and guidelines for schools will be updated to align with the findings. ERO also suggests expanding the policy to include banning smartwatches at school.

“We know access to technology is changing rapidly, the first step was banning cell phones. We are thinking carefully about future policy considerations and will seek further advice on this. Regardless, individual schools can make their own choices about what’s appropriate for their community,” Ms Stanford says

“We remain committed raising achievement and delivering better outcomes for our young people. This report is yet more evidence our reforms are achieving that.”

Source: PHARMAC

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested a man in relation to a fatal crash in Sheffield, Canterbury.

The two-vehicle crash happened on State Highway 73, at the intersection with Deans Road, around 2:50pm on Wednesday.

Following enquiries, a 32-year-old Swiss national has been charged with careless driving causing death.

He is due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.

Police’s thoughts remain with the family of the deceased at this difficult time.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 150 new social houses are expected to be delivered by Community Housing Providers (CHPs) in Hawke’s Bay says Housing Minister Chris Bishop.

“Our Government backs social housing and we are determined to deliver it better,” Mr Bishop says. 

“We are building an entirely new housing investment system centred on the key principles of building the right homes, in the right place, with the right support, for the people most in need. 

“Across New Zealand, CHPs and Kāinga Ora have delivered over 6,800 net new social homes since November 2023, with 356 of those being in Hawke’s Bay.

“On top of that, the Government has committed funding for more than 2,000 additional homes to be delivered by CHPs over the next two years. Hawke’s Bay is one of the regions benefiting from this pipeline.” 

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated social homes based on regional need, which has been assessed using a range of factors including the housing register and emergency housing use.

“In Hawke’s Bay the CHP projects are expected to deliver:

At least 150 social homes to be delivered by providers including Emerge Aotearoa, Habitat for Humanity, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and Ka Uruora
Homes will be delivered in locations including Marewa, Parkvale, Taradale, Napier South and Hastings.    
Most of the places are being allocated to CHPs through the Government’s community led approach with the Hawke’s Bay Matariki Housing Leadership Group.
At this stage, all places being delivered in Hawke’s Bay are one or two-bedroom which will help address the greatest gap in social housing supply in Hawke’s Bay as 77 percent of the Housing Register demand is for one and two bedroom places in this region. 

“I met with the Hawke’s Bay Matariki Housing Leadership Group earlier this year and it was great to be in a room full of people committed to providing the housing people need in Hawke’s Bay.

“Half of those waiting for a home nationally need a one-bedroom property, yet only 12 percent of Kāinga Ora’s stock meets that need. These new homes will make a real difference,” Mr Bishop says.

“Every set of keys handed over is another person or family in a warm, dry social home. We’re focused not just on delivering more homes, but on delivering the right homes that match the needs of people and communities.

“The Government’s wider reset of the social housing system is already showing results. Recently the Community Housing Funding Agency achieved an A+ credit rating from S&P Global, and recently we announced the introduction of a new loan guarantee scheme, reducing borrowing costs for CHPs and enabling them to deliver more homes.

“We’re simplifying the funding system so providers can get on with building homes, instead of navigating a confusing web of overlapping funds. These Hawke’s Bay projects are a good example of the progress being made.”

Six of the homes have already been delivered, with Whatever It Takes Trust delivering these places in Napier South.  Over 130 more homes have been approved with delivery expected from mid 2026 by CHPs such as Emerge Aotearoa, Habitat for Humanity, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and Ka Uruora, each working with construction partners of their choice.

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are in attendance at a bus crash in Glen Innes this morning.

The crash, involving two buses and a vehicle on Apirana Avenue, was reported to Police just after 9am.

One person has been transported to hospital in a moderate condition.

Apirana Avenue is closed between Taniwha Street and Delwyn Lane while the scene is cleared.

Diversions are in place and motorists are advised to expect delays.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police