Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government will receive a $10 million special dividend from Landcorp Farming Limited today, State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says. 

“We expect our state-owned enterprises to operate efficiently, maintain strong balance sheets, and return value to New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says.

“Including this payment, Landcorp will have returned a total of $25 million in dividends to the Crown in the 2025/26 financial year, reflecting Shareholding Ministers’ expectations for appropriate capital returns.

“Every dollar returned to the Crown is available to support the Government’s investment in the public services New Zealanders rely on, including schools, hospitals, roads, and frontline services like Police. That is central to our plan to deliver better outcomes for Kiwis.”

“It also demonstrates confidence in Landcorp’s financial position and its ability to deliver consistent value for taxpayers.”

Mr Brown says the dividend follows a capital payment from Fonterra and highlights the strength of Landcorp’s recent turnaround.

“I’m pleased to see the continued improvement in Landcorp’s performance, with recent half-year results pointing to a strong full-year outcome, supported by improved operations and favourable commodity prices.

“This progress reflects disciplined management, a sharper operational focus, and a clear commitment to delivering value for taxpayers.”

Landcorp received a $9.5 million capital repayment as a shareholder in Fonterra. The special dividend represents a pass-through of this non-operating receipt and sits outside Landcorp’s ordinary dividend policy.

Source: Auckland Council

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Auckland Families Seek More End-to-End Moving Help Beyond Traditional Removal Services

Auckland families are seeking full-service moving support, with rising demand for help across packing, planning, unpacking, and home setup.

The post Auckland Families Seek More End-to-End Moving Help Beyond Traditional Removal Services first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Source: New Zealand Government

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has today announced the second South Island Crisis Recovery Café will open in Dunedin.

“Talking to people with lived experience, the feedback has been clear. Sitting in a brightly lit, busy emergency department is not the best environment to be in when in mental distress. That’s why we are rolling out Crisis Cafés across the country, which offer an alternative calm, peer-led, non-clinical space to go to for support,” Mr Doocey says.

“Not only do these cafés provide people experiencing mental health or addiction challenges with a safe place to go, but they also better connect people with community services. 

“We know wraparound support is so important, so having someone who can help refer people on to long-term support can make a real difference and help people feel less overwhelmed by the process. 

“Communities know what works best for them. That’s why I have always said the solutions already exist within our community organisations, they just need the opportunity be backed. Otago Mental Health Support Trust is a good example of this, having been a trusted provider with nearly 40 years’ experience working in the community.

“Now they will be running the café and reaching even more people in need. The café will be peer-led, with support provided by people who have lived experience of mental distress and recovery.”

The café will be operating from two sites in both South Dunedin and Northeast Valley. The service will operate across the two sites for 16 hours per week. The first night of seeing people in the Café will be this Saturday at the North East Valley site from 5:30pm until 10:00pm. 

“It has been heartening to hear the positive feedback about the peer support roles. One that has stayed with me was a worker reflecting on her own experience, she told me peer support services are exactly what she wishes she had when she was struggling, someone who can say, I see you, I hear you, I know what you’re going through.

“That’s exactly why we are better utilising peer support workers in a range of settings, including emergency departments, eating disorder services, and inpatient settings. 

“Crisis cafés form part of our mental health plan. Just recently I announced a crisis response package that includes more clinical workers in crisis assessment teams, new peer-led acute alternative services, and additional peer support workers in emergency departments and crisis recovery cafés.

“We’re delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response.”

Notes to editors:

• The North East Valley site will be operating from 5.30pm to 10.00pm on Saturdays and Tuesdays from 28 April.
• The second site in South Dunedin is scheduled for opening on the second week of May, and will be open Tuesday and Saturdays, 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
• For further information on the Café, including locations and timings visit here. 
   

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  14 April 2026

Efforts by DOC, local mana whenua, Auckland Zoo, stakeholders and many dedicated volunteers this spring-summer have significantly improved your chances of spotting one on beaches between Bream Bay, Te Tai Tokerau/Northland and Pākiri, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, or in one of the many inlets of the Kaipara Harbour (read below to learn how to identify a tara iti).

Results from the latest tara iti census conducted by DOC at the end of March means we can kick off this year’s Conservation Week (20 – 26 April) with positive news, demonstrating the potential of collective action: the census found an approximate 15 per cent increase in the population meaning there are now nearly 50 birds more than a year old in the wild and 11 breeding pairs. The population hit its lowest point in 1983 when only three to four breeding pairs remained.

DOC Programme Lead Ayla Wiles puts the increase in population down to the strength of DOC’s partnerships and the mahi of volunteers to protect tara iti and the effort to constantly learn, adapt, and improve.

The latest tara iti census conducted by DOC at the end of March found an approximate 15 per cent increase in the population meaning there are now nearly 50 birds more than year old in the wild and 11 breeding pairs. The population hit its lowest point in 1983 when only three to four breeding pairs remained.

DOC Programme Lead Ayla Wiles puts the increase in population down to the strength of DOC’s partnerships to protect tara iti and the effort to constantly learn, adapt, and improve.

“What we’re seeing is a net increase off the back of two good seasons,” Ayla says. “Next breeding season’s numbers are looking promising with the potential for 15 (or more) pairs, in comparison to 11 this year, plus up to 10 more fledglings to join the adult population.”

Auckland Zoo’s Curator of Birds Dr Juan Cornejo says the process of refining incubation and rearing methods has given he and the team confidence in the intensive management tools and their ability to help the species recover.

“As part of this collective mahi for tara iti, Auckland Zoo’s Head Start programme has had its most successful year to date – hatching, rearing and releasing 10 chicks,” he says.

Despite the overall gains of the 2026 breeding season, there were also challenges and losses. Rats and harrier hawks/kāhu predated eggs and chicks, and weather events meant eggs needed rescuing. We also had members of the public and dogs entering protected areas.

“Between now and next summer, we’ll be looking to monitor potential new breeding sites, exploring ways to reduce predation, securing more fish supplies for Auckland Zoo’s Head-Start programme, and undertaking habitat improvements at the current breeding sites,” Ayla says.

“The tara iti is really calling for all our support. So please give back to our rarest endemic bird by donating to NZ Nature Fund or giving your time as a much-needed volunteer.”

More information

Identifying tara iti requires keen eyes. It is the smallest of New Zealand’s terns, weighing in at approximately 70g, roughly the size a blackbird. They have distinctive yellow bills and orange legs which separate them from the more commonly seen white-fronted terns. Each tara iti has unique colour-bands on its leg, so keep an eye out for small terns with fancy leg bling.

DOC works closely with partners, including hapū and iwi groups, Patuharakeke, Te Uri o Hau Environs, Ngā Maunga Whakahii O Kaipara , Ngāti Wai , and Ngāti Manuhiri, Auckland Zoo, The Shorebirds Trust, NZ Fairy Tern Charitable Trust, About Tern, Birds NZ, Auckland Council, Tara Iti Golf Club, NZ Nature Fund and local trapping groups.

Generous support for the breeding season has been provided by organisations including the Shorebirds Trust, Endangered Species Foundation, BYD Andrew Simms, Pākiri Beach Holiday Park, Auckland Council, Manāki Whitebait, Tongariro National Trout Centre, Fish and Game Rotorua, and New Zealand King Salmon.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are disheartened in the number of fatal crashes on our roads across the country over the last few days and are urging drivers to exercise caution.

Director of Road Policing, Superintendent Steve Greally says nine people have lost their lives in crashes since Friday 10 April, and there have been many more serious crashes – some sadly involving young people.

“This is incredibly frustrating.

“We are only three and a half months into the year, and already too many families have had their lives altered forever due to these crashes – many of which could have been avoided.

“There is no excuse for any driver to be endangering their lives and those of others with unsafe behaviours.”

“The weather across the country has been wild, especially in the North Island, so it is especially important now to be patient, slow down, and never drive distracted or impaired,” Superintendent Greally says.

“We will not tolerate dangerous driving of any kind and motorists can expect to see us anywhere and anytime,” he says.

“Make sure you are always driving to the conditions, slow down on wet roads, and during severe weather events it is best to delay travel where possible.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility – never get behind the wheel if you’re impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue and stay fully focussed on the road without any distractions,” says Superintendent Greally.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police want to find the owners three rings, that were recovered during a search warrant in Gisborne.

Police conducted a search warrant today, at an address on Taruheru Crescent. During the search, the pictured rings were found and are believed to be stolen.

The rings are quite distinctive, and Police would like to return them to their rightful owner.

If the rings belong to you, or you have any information on who they may belong to, please get in touch, either online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 and click “update report”, or by calling 105.

Please quote file number 250902/9765.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  14 April 2026

From planting natives and coastal cleanups to pest eradication on workplace grounds, families, communities and colleagues are coming together to connect with and care for Aotearoa’s unique natural taonga.

DOC Southern South Island Operations Director Aaron Fleming says naturing means different things to different people, and that’s the beauty of it.

“Naturing is something anyone, anywhere can do,” he says.

“Using the iNaturalist app to log bird sightings or invasive weeds while on a walk meeting with your colleagues is naturing.

“Tuning into the Kākāpō Cam is a healthy naturing alternative to doomscrolling. Naturing works best when everyone’s onboard.

“What’s amazing is our wellbeing is boosted by giving back. Nature has had our backs since day one. It’s time to return the favour – I’ll be rounding up my whānau and friends to help me do just that.”

DOC has created a Conservation Week kete full of resources to help people at work or in their communities to plan, promote and share their actions for nature.

Everyone is encouraged to:

• Choose one or more of the easy naturing activities in the Conservation Week kete, such as your workmates together and heading to the beach, river or local park to collect rubbish.
• Share photos or videos on social media showing how you and your workmates are taking action.

Activities include:

• Do some after work weeding
• Tune into the Kākāpō Cam
• Donate to help the wild stay wild
• Identify birds on your lunch break
• Join a trapping group

Download your free Conservation Week kete.

The kete includes activity guides and promotional materials to make running your own event simple, fun, and impactful.

Explore ideas at www.doc.govt.nz/conservationweek

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

A man has been arrested after a routine traffic stop yielded drugs, cash, and weapons yesterday in Lower Hutt.

Wellington Police Dog Section Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant Paul Fleck, says a Police dog handler unit and partner stopped a vehicle that was seen to be speeding, around 5pm on Waterloo Road.

“Officers quickly noticed a hammer that appeared out of place in the driver’s door that could be easily accessed and used as a weapon, which raised safety concerns,” he said.

Police conducted a search of the vehicle and located a second hammer under the passenger seat, a pair of knuckle dusters, and bags containing cocaine.

Both occupants of the vehicle were also searched, to which Police found a fanny-pack containing several thousand dollars in cash.

“The driver of the vehicle was observed by officers leaning over a nearby fence – Police checked the area and located two additional stacks of cash which had failed to be concealed in the shrubbery.”

Senior Sergeant Fleck says the find prompted some light-hearted references to a “money-tree”, but the offending itself was serious.

“Police arrested a man, and approximately 9g of cocaine and over $16,000 in cash was seized, along with the weapons and a mobile phone,” he says.

A 24-year-old man was arrested and appeared in Hutt Valley District Court today, he is due to reappear on 5 May, facing charges of possessing an offensive weapon and possession of cocaine for supply.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government welcomes new data showing New Zealand’s international visitor numbers continue to rise, with particularly strong growth from people visiting from China over Chinese New Year.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says Stats NZ’s latest monthly international travel data shows New Zealand tourism continues its strong positive recovery.  

“Our tourism sector continues its strong growth, with over 408,000 overseas visitors choosing to visit New Zealand in February 2026, over 53,000 more than the same time a year ago. 

“International tourism contributes to our Government’s plan to fix the basics and build the future and support economic growth, with businesses, jobs and communities across the country feeling the benefits of increasing visitor numbers,” Louise Upston says.  

Annual figures show overseas visitor arrivals reached 3.58 million in the year to February 2026, an increase of 229,000 on the previous year. This continues to track towards pre‑COVID levels, now sitting at 92 per cent of December 2019 figures.

“It’s great to see continued growth from our largest visitor market, Australia, with 1.54 million arrivals in the year to February, up 123,000 from the year before.

“Changes that allow eligible visitors from China and the Pacific to travel to New Zealand from Australia with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), rather than a visa, are also making a difference. 

“Chinese visitor arrivals were up 41,700 (increase of 214 per cent) in February 2026 compared with the same month in 2025, as more Chinese visitors chose to take advantage of the NZeTA and experience New Zealand’s unique scenery and hospitality over Chinese New Year.”

Monthly data shows 53,700 more international visitors arrived in February 2026 compared with February 2025.

“This Government has backed our vital tourism and hospitality sector through initiatives including funding for promotion of New Zealand as a year-round destination and strengthening partnerships with key markets. 

“As a country we are seeing the flow on growth and confidence in our tourism and hospitality sector as more visitors have chosen New Zealand as their next holiday destination. 

“More international visitors mean more customers for our businesses and ultimately more jobs. 

“The effects of the fuel crisis are yet to be seen but I will keep working with tourism operators on ensuring New Zealand continues to be seen as an attractive and safe destination to visit,” Louise Upston says.