Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand and Iceland today signed an agreement to deepen cooperation on geothermal energy development. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the expertise of both countries in geothermal energy is recognised around the world. 

“This agreement builds on decades of shared expertise and paves the way for further collaboration to advance progress in this critical sector,” Mr Peters says. 

“It marks a new chapter in both nations’ long-standing interest in renewable energy innovation.” 

The agreement will be implemented through joint research projects, industry workshops, and academic exchanges. 

Resources Minister Shane Jones says the agreement will focus on superhot and supercritical geothermal systems, technologies with the potential to revolutionise global energy production and supply. 

“Geothermal energy could be a game-changer for secure and affordable energy in New Zealand. This agreement reflects our countries’ shared ambition to unlock the full potential of geothermal energy. 

“New Zealand must ensure affordable, secure, clean energy. The Government is committed to doubling renewable generation by 2050 and boosting geothermal production by 2040,” Mr Jones says. 

New Zealand and Iceland’s partnership builds on recent collaboration, including the appointment of two Icelandic experts to New Zealand’s International Peer Review Panel for its supercritical geothermal project. 

The formal Memorandum of Arrangement was signed at COP 30 in Belem, Brazil, by Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and Iceland’s Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, following discussions initiated by Mr Peters during his visit to Iceland last month. 

In November last year, Mr Jones announced the Government would ring-fence up to $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for geothermal exploration. Land within the Taupō Volcanic Zone has been chosen as a preferred drilling site for the first well.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) regarding an officer who was found to have not recognised a conflict of interest, which led to the inappropriate use of the Police database.

On 24 July 2024 Officer A, who was off duty, attempted to merge with another vehicle. This was followed by Officer A recording the other car’s registration.

Officer A has then discussed the matter with a senior officer the next day, and used the Police database to access the other driver’s contact details.

Acting Waikato District Commander, Acting Superintendent Will Loughrin, says that the behaviour isn’t consistent with the expectations Police and the public have of staff.

“In this instance Officer A has been given advice by a senior officer and proceeded to access the Police database inappropriately.

“While it is common practice for Police to contact people about their driving, the circumstances that have led to this are not acceptable.

“We understand Officer A believed he was justified in accessing the database in this instance, in the interests of providing education to the other driver.

“However, the circumstances of this incident and follow-on behaviour falls short of what we expect from our staff.

“Police conducted an employment process, and I am satisfied that Officer A now has a full understanding of how to identify a conflict of interest.

“Correct process has also been discussed with the senior officer to prevent this sort of occurrence happening again.”

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is acting to reduce onerous food labelling requirements on new supermarkets seeking to enter the New Zealand grocery market.  

Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today that the Government has initiated consultation on a proposal to trial the use of digital labels for lower risk imported goods.

Under the Food Act, the Government must consult before making changing food regulations.

“We have heard that one of the barriers to new supermarkets entering the New Zealand market is the cost of having to re-label pre-packaged products to meet New Zealand and Australian food labelling standards,” Nicola Willis says.

“Retailers would still need to provide shoppers with information about allergens, ingredients and nutrition, but they would not have to go to the expense of re-labelling products to do so.

“Information could be made accessible in-store and online via on-shelf QR codes, in-store digital labels, websites and mobile apps.

“If successful, the proposed trial would make it easier for new supermarkets to get established in New Zealand,” Nicola Willis says.

Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says: “Having met with many food businesses this year, it’s clear to me that physical labelling can be a costly barrier. If we can introduce digital labelling to provide additional flexibility – we should. It’s about fixing what matters.”

Last week the Trans-Tasman Food Ministers acknowledged the growing relevance of digital labelling. The findings from this trial will support the newly initiated trans-Tasman work on digital labelling.

“Products would come from trusted trading partners with strong food regulatory systems similar to New Zealand’s own.

“Trial participants will still need to provide information which aligns with the Food Act, the compositional requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and all other relevant legislation.

“As always, food must be safe and suitable, but food affordability is front of mind for me,” Andrew Hoggard says.

As required by the Food Act 2014, the Minister must consult with stakeholders who may be affected. Public consultation on the trial closes on 19 December 2025. Have your say here.

If the trial proceeds, potential participants will be invited to register their interest. 
 

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  20 November 2025

A total of 45 sites – 22 huts and 23 campsites – will become bookable in December. These range from backcountry adventures like the Hollyford Track in Fiordland to scenic coastal campsites in the Marlborough Sounds. There is no change to the cost of staying in any of these huts or campsites.

“We encourage people to book these places in advance,” says Cameron Hyland, DOC Visitor Services Manager.

“Making facilities bookable helps our teams plan effectively, reduces overcrowding, and means we can share important updates with visitors when needed.”

“Backcountry huts are always unlocked and available as emergency shelter to any who need it, regardless of booking, but booking provides extra assurance to families and less experienced visitors, as well as supporting the payment of hut fees so we can maintain these places into the future,” says Cameron.

Any huts and campsites currently included in the Backcountry Hut or Campsite Passes will continue to be included, with users able to make a booking online with the relevant pass.

DOC knows offering a good mix of bookable and non-bookable huts is important to cater to the wide range of people who spend time naturing in the outdoors, says Cameron.

“DOC manages around 950 huts, and the vast majority of these remain non-bookable.”

“The booking system also offers flexibility to adjust bookings if needed. It’s important that people assess conditions before deciding whether it’s safe to travel, and so we make sure that the ability to change plans is built into the system.”

Bookings for these facilities open on 2 December, for stays beginning from Friday 5 December.

Newly bookable huts

Turangi/Tongariro

• Boyd Hut
• Blyth Hut
• Mangaehuehu Hut
• Mangaturuturu Hut
• Rangipo Hut
• Whakapapaiti Hut

Canterbury

• Carrington Hut
• Casey Hut
• Edwards Hut
• Hawdon Hut

Fiordland

• Port Craig School Hut
• Demon Trail Hut
• Hidden Falls Hut
• Lake Alabaster Hut
• Hokuri Hut
• Martins Bay Hut
• McKerrow Island Hut

Golden Bay/Motueka

• Fenella Hut
• Sylvester Hut
• Balloon Hut
• Salisbury Lodge
• Mt Arthur Hut

Newly bookable campsites

Wairarapa

• Bucks Road Campsite
• Corner Creek Campsite
• Holdsworth Campsite
• Kiriwhakapapa Campsite
• Putangirua Pinnacles Campsite
• Waiohine Gorge Campsite

Marlborough and Sounds

• Butchers Flat Campsite
• Moetapu Bay Campsite
• Waimaru Campsite
• Harvey Bay Campsite
• Nikau Cove Campsite
• Aussie Bay Campsite
• Elaine Bay Campsite
• Picnic Bay Campsite
• Ferndale Campsite
• Nydia Campsite
• Jacobs Bay Campsite
• Putanui Point Campsite
• Pipi Beach Campsite
• Tawa Bay Campsite
• Ngaruru Bay Campsite

Nelson Lakes

• Kawatiri Campsite
• Teetotal Campsite

Contact

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is delivering on reducing wait times and growing the frontline mental health and addiction workforce, one year on from the country’s first dedicated workforce plan, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says.

“From day one, I’ve been clear that the biggest barrier to timely support is workforce shortages. That’s why publishing New Zealand’s first Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Plan in this Government’s first year was so important, and we are already seeing results,” Mr Doocey says.

“Over the past year, the frontline Health NZ workforce has grown by around 10 per cent. Overall vacancy rates and wait times are down, and we’ve seen strong growth in key areas. This includes:

• 349 extra frontline mental health and addiction workers beginning training in clinical professions in semester one alone
• New peer support roles expanding into eating disorder services, emergency departments, and Crisis Recovery Cafes
• Approval of a new psychology assistant role, with training to begin in 2026
•  Universities have opened more clinical places on mental health training programmes

“Budget 2025 provided increased funding for psychology internships and stage one psychiatry registrars, and we’re already seeing the impact. We set a goal of 60 new clinical psychology interns in 2025, we have surpassed that with 74 now employed, delivering on our commitment to double the number of clinical internship places.

“We have also made it a priority to grow the number of stage one psychiatrist registrar training positions available each year, it has gone from 33 in 2024 to 54 in 2026.

“It’s fitting to be releasing the updated plan at the Addiction Leadership Day today. Two weeks ago, the Government announced its plan to combat meth harm, allocating $30 million to increase the number of available services, including $6 million to grow the frontline addiction workforce.

“At the one-year mark, it’s appropriate that Health NZ is updating the Plan. This gives us the opportunity to acknowledge early gains, introduce new actions, and target workforce pressures.

“The updated plan continues the Government’s focus on faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a stronger crisis response.

“When someone takes the brave step of reaching out for help, workforce should never be a barrier. Whether it’s you, your child, a friend, or a family member, this Government is committed to making sure support is there.”

Notes to editor

•  The updated Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Plan can be found here.
• The next quarterly reporting will have the full 2025 academic year result against the target of training 500 mental health and addiction professionals each year.

Source: New Zealand Police

A homicide investigation has been launched after the death of a man in New Plymouth last night.

Emergency services were called to the scene on St Aubyn Street shortly before 7pm, after a report of an altercation occurring.

On arrival, a man was found with critical injuries. CPR was performed, however he died at the scene.

Two people were arrested. One of them, a 44-year-old man, has been charged with murder and is due to appear today in the New Plymouth District Court.

The second person was released without charge.

A scene guard has been in place overnight, and cordons will remain in place today while a scene examination is carried out.

Part of St Aubyn Street remains closed this morning, and motorists should avoid the area if possible, or expect delays.

Police would like to hear from anyone who might have witnessed this incident unfolding, or who has information about those involved.

If you can help, please use our 105 service, using reference number 251119/8652.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  20 November 2025

Commonly known as crayfish, Jasus edwardsii are a keystone species in our coastal environment, playing an essential role in maintaining ecosystem health. However, they come under significant pressure from commercial and recreational fishing.

DOC Marine Reserves Ranger Oscar Cotter says the monitoring project off the north Taranaki coast will compare kōura abundance, size, sex ratio and health inside the Parininihi Marine Reserve and several points outside the protected area.

“Kōura are a key indicator species in determining the success of marine reserves DOC is responsible for,” Oscar says.

“In marine reserves like Parininihi they are fully protected and able to recover from fishing impacts. In marine reserves people can see our marine life and fish species as nature intended. They are great places for people to enjoy naturing in our oceans and learn about the species that live there.”

Oscar says the three days of field work for the project is scheduled to begin on 1 December. The project will see cray pots placed at 50 specific locations inside the marine reserve, and a further 50 points outside it. All kōura will be returned to the sea once they’ve been measured and details recorded.

“We’ll be using a commercial vessel for this work – and as the boat will be inside the marine reserve, we wanted to proactively inform local residents and boaties.

“Parininihi Marine Reserve is significant to the communities of the area, and DOC and Ngati Tama feel it’s important to alert residents to the work so there are no concerns or confusion about the commercial vehicle appearing to be harvesting koura in the marine reserve.”

Troy Tawhiao, Kaitiaki Taiao, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama, says: “Through this kōura survey, Ngāti Tama shares our mātauranga and strengthens our connection to Parininihi as kaitiaki. It also helps us educate our uri and wider community about the health of our moana.”

DOC staff and Ngāti Tama representatives will be on board the vessel at all times during the field work, which is reliant on good weather and sea conditions.

Contact

Source: Maritime New Zealand

As the Pacific sailing season is approaching, Maritime NZ is reminding anyone intending to take a recreational craft overseas that your vessel must be registered and have an International Voyage Certificate (IVC).

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, Counties Manukau CIB:

Police have determined that there were no suspicious circumstances relating to the death of a woman in Ōtāhuhu on Monday.

Emergency services had been called to the Atkinson Avenue property at about 1.50am, and sadly the woman was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Enquiries have been carried out and have now determined her death was not suspicious.

Her death will be referred to the Coroner.

Police extend their sympathies to the woman’s whānau at this difficult time.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police