Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are praising Palmerston North retailers whose quick reporting led to an alleged shoplifter’s arrest.

The teen is alleged to have stolen caps from a store near The Plaza yesterday afternoon and was a suspect in another theft where $400 of product was shoplifted. Thanks to the detailed descriptions provided, within three hours the Beat Team was tracking the teen as he moved through a crowd of shoppers at The Plaza.

Following a short foot-chase, the teen gave himself up, and officers also recovered a machete. He is due to appear in the Palmerston North Youth Court on Tuesday 23 December on related charges.

Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham is full of praise for the retailers, the Beat Team, and officers who came to assist in the arrest of the young man.

“The businesses didn’t waste any time reporting the thefts and what they provided was gold for us. Their descriptions of the offender went out to officers in the central city, and it made the suspect stand out like a sore thumb. We intercepted him before he could strike again, but without that information he just would’ve been another face in the crowd.

“It’s a great result, and the stores deserve credit for being quick off the mark.

“At this time of year, people of undesirable intention will use crowded stores and distracted staff as an opportunity to steal, but this result shows Police will use the information we get to track those offenders and get them off the street.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Targeted speed limit changes are being proposed on state highways across the South Island after community concerns were raised about safety.

Next month, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will open public consultations for people to have their say on these proposed changes in Canterbury, on the West Coast and in Southland.

The proposed speed limit changes include the following:

• State Highway 1 (SH1) at both ends of Temuka, South Canterbury – northern section 70km/h to 50km/h, southern section 80km/h to 60km/h.
• SH1 south of Amberley (North Canterbury) – 80km/h to 60km/h.
• SH1 south of Rolleston (near Christchurch) – 100km/h to 80km/h.
• SH75 north of Halswell (Christchurch) – 60km/h to 50km/h.
• SH73 Kirwee and Sheffield (Central Canterbury) – 70km/h to 50km/h.
• SH67 and SH67A Westport south including Buller Bridge (West Coast) – 100km/h to 60km/h.
• SH7 at Blacks Point (West Coast) – 70km/h to 60km/h.
• Introduction of Intersection Speed Zones* on SH1 at Norwood and SH73 at Waddington (Central Canterbury), and SH6 at Five Rivers (Southland) – 100km/h to 100/60km/h variable.

*Intersection Speed Zones (ISZs) feature electronic signage that temporarily lower the speed limit when a vehicle approaches to turn from or onto a side road.

“These proposed changes are highly targeted, covering just 12 kilometres of the South Island’s 5000km state highway network, but they will make a real difference where it matters most,” says NZTA director of regional relationships for the central and lower South Island, James Caygill.

“We’re focused on saving lives and reducing serious injuries without adding unnecessary delays for drivers.”

Each proposal meets the requirements of the Government’s Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024, which mandates six weeks of public consultation before decisions are finalised. New limits will become legally enforceable once signs are installed and uncovered.

NZTA’s targeted approach to state highway speed management under the 2024 Rule prioritises:

• Schools Variable Speed Limits (VSLs)
• ISZs for high-risk rural intersections
• Speed changes and new speed limits needed for projects and seasonal speed limits
• A small number of community requests that meet strict criteria.

Visit below for more information, including how to suggest a speed change. This website will be updated with full consultation details and feedback options for the proposed changes above, in late January 2026.

State highway speed management

Source: New Zealand Police

A shoplifter stole over $13,000 worth of items then she hid in a wardrobe. She was found and arrested in Rotorua at the weekend.

Area Prevention Co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Sonia Sherborne says that the Beat Teams are focused on retail crime and that offenders will be found and held to account for stealing.

“Retail crime is a key focus,” says Senior Sergeant Sherborne. “Shoplifting is not okay, and we are catching offenders in the act, and afterwards.”

“We simply won’t stand for that sort of behaviour.”

On Saturday, officers tracked down this shoplifter by locating the vehicle she had used while offending.

She was wanted for shoplifting multiple times, in many locations including Taupō, Tūrangi, Tauranga, Te Kūiti and Rotorua. She had a warrant out for her arrest and had breached bail.

After locating the vehicle, the Beat Team officers found the 22-year-old hiding in a wardrobe and arrested her on 17 shoplifting and a total of 24 charges, almost all relating to dishonesty offences. She is now in custody and will appear in Taupō District Court on 9 February 2026.

Another shoplifter, a 20-year-old, was also found at the same address. She was quickly recognised by a tattoo on her forearm. She is currently on bail with two charges of taking goods worth over $1000 and will appear in Rotorua District Court on 18 December 2025.

You are likely to see our Beat Teams out and about over the Christmas and New Year period, says Senior Sergeant Sherborne.

“We take shoplifting seriously and make no apologies for protecting our communities and local businesses.

“Our communities deserve to feel safe, and we are committed to being present, engaged and responsive in the spaces where people live, work and play,” she says.

If you witness any illegal or suspicious activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact.

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is cutting unnecessary red tape so restaurants with on-site retail areas can finally sell take-home alcohol to their customers.

The Government will amend the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow restaurants to apply for an off-licence, if they also sell takeaway food or non-alcoholic beverages prepared by the business.

“Right now, restaurants that prepare and sell food products like sauces, pastries or desserts for consumption off site are effectively barred from selling customers a bottle of wine to take home,” says Mrs McKee.

“These rigid rules have created absurd barriers to responsible businesses providing a unique experience their customers want.

“They’re already trusted to supply alcohol in their restaurants through an on-licence. This change will simply allow them to apply for permission to sell it for off-site consumption too – subject to the normal licensing process.

“La Bella Italia in Petone is one well-known example. They’ve had to jump through all sorts of hoops just to sell a bottle of wine that someone may have enjoyed with their meal. Nonsensical rules like this help no one.

“One of the hidden costs of regulation is that lawmakers and regulators can’t possibly predict every innovative or unique business model New Zealanders will come up with. When the rules can’t adapt, they block good ideas and kill the spirit and ambition of the people behind them.

“This red tape relief is about trusting responsible operators, giving customers more choice, and letting entrepreneurial hospitality businesses get on with what they do best.

“I want to acknowledge Hutt South MP Chris Bishop, who first introduced this reform as a Member’s Bill and kept attention on the issue for many years. I also want to thank Mike Butterick, who then took up the Bill and continued to champion it before I adopted it as part of the Government’s broader alcohol reforms.”

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Mexico Bariatric Center’s New Zealand Seminars Draw Strong Attendance and Empower Patients for Life-Changing Surgery

Mexico Bariatric Center’s bariatric seminars in New Zealand were highly successful, providing Kiwis with information on surgery, travel, and support. The strong attendance led to the organisation of exclusive group travel opportunities in early 2026.

The post Mexico Bariatric Center’s New Zealand Seminars Draw Strong Attendance and Empower Patients for Life-Changing Surgery first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Source: New Zealand Police

Rotorua Police have arrested a man for murder in connection to the death of Nicholas Mitchell last week.

Mr Mitchell, 37, was found deceased in a vehicle on Ford Road shortly before 8:30pm last Friday.

A 28-year-old man was arrested last night and is due to appear in Rotorua District Court today on a murder charge.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark van Kempen says the development is positive, but work is still ongoing.

“We continue to make further enquiries into Mr Mitchell’s death, and cannot rule out further arrests,” he says.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has announced additional funding to support efforts to eradicate yellow-legged hornet in Auckland, following detections on the North Shore earlier this year.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the Government has committed $12 million to cover the cost of the response to 30 June 2026. 
“This funding gives us the best possible chance to eradicate yellow-legged hornet,” says Mr Hoggard. 

“The hornet is a predator that poses a serious threat to honeybees and, by extension, to New Zealand’s agricultural sector and overall economy. It’s crucial we prevent it from establishing here to protect what matters most to New Zealand—our environment, our primary industries, and the livelihoods that depend on them.

Biosecurity New Zealand will contribute $2 million from its baseline funding. The remaining $10 million will come from reprioritised funds.
“If costs rise, the Government will consider further funding.” 
Mr Hoggard says Biosecurity New Zealand is working with industry partners as part of the Government Industry Agreement, which includes cost sharing for the response, as well as engaging with beekeepers via their groups.  
“I’m confident that strong and swift measures are in place to deal with the hornet, and we will continue to draw on the knowledge of our local and international experts who are guiding our work.”
The response has escalated since it began on 3 November. So far, Biosecurity New Zealand has:
•       Detected and safely destroyed 37 queen hornets and 28 nests.
•       Deployed more than 730 traps and that number is increasing with the extension of the surveillance zone out to 11km.
•       Working closely with more beekeepers for enhanced surveillance around hives – over 575 registered apiaries within the 11km zone.
•       Searched thousands of properties within 200m of confirmed finds and that number grows every day.
•       Established an independent technical advisory group to guide the response.
•       Purchased electronic tracking gear to trace nests by attaching transmitters to foraging worker hornets.
•       Launched a national advertising campaign urging the public to report suspected sightings.
•       Raised public awareness through markets, schools, businesses, and libraries.
“I can’t overstate the importance of public vigilance. I am asking that all eyes are on this, if you suspect you’ve seen a yellow-legged hornet, please report it immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand,” says Mr Hoggard.
 

Source: Family First

MEDIA RELEASE – 19 December 2025

The Abortion Services Annual Report 2025 was quietly released last week and signals a massive jump in abortions from 13,246 in 2020 to almost 18,000 each year.

This is a disturbing trend with the number of abortions increasing 34% since abortion was decriminalised (while New Zealand was going into lockdown to protect vulnerable people from COVID!), and no signs of the numbers decreasing any time soon. There has been a 25% increase in just the past 24 months alone.

17,785 abortions were performed last year. This means that on average, every day, almost 50 children are killed in the womb in New Zealand.

The ratio of abortions has increased since the law change from 18.6% to about 23.2% of known pregnancies ending in an abortion.

Disturbingly, Māori are disproportionately represented, accessing 27% of all abortion procedures in 2024. According to the report, socioeconomic deprivation also remains a key indicator for differences in rate of abortion access. Those living in more socioeconomically deprived deciles tended to access abortion services at a greater rate.

This begs the question – what is the Government doing to support families and those facing pregnancy so that cost factors aren’t pressuring people to terminate their pregnancy.

There has also been a 60% increase in late-term abortions (over 20 weeks) between 2020 (102) and 2024 (164) – despite claims that late term abortions wouldn’t be allowed except in exceptional circumstances.

The report dedicates only a short one-page commentary on counselling and support for the women involved, and there is no mention of post-abortion regret or follow-up.

The report also acknowledges that there were 8 failed abortions – confirming our earlier data released in November showing that almost monthly, an unborn child is surviving an attempted abortion according to official government data.

The report has conveniently excluded information on the number of repeat abortions – which is usually reported. The use of abortion as contraception should be disclosed – even if it’s an inconvenient truth.

As expected, the biologically-ignorant report refers to “females” only 17 times (woman = 0) but the term “person” or “people” is used 100 times – despite the biological fact that only women can get pregnant.

Taking abortion out of the criminal code and inserting it into health legislation has given the unborn baby the same status as an appendix, gall bladder or tonsils – simply ’tissue’ removed as part of a ‘health procedure’.

But anyone who has viewed the ultrasound of an unborn child will know that this is a gross abuse of human rights. It also creates inconsistency with other legislation and public health messaging which clearly recognises the rights of the unborn child.

Ironically, the report writers try to justify their own conscience by suggesting that earlier abortions are somehow more justified than later abortions – but that involves a tacit admission that there is a developing life involved.

READ MORE about New Zealand’s Abortion Law.

Source: New Zealand Government

Northland’s rock lobster fishery will have a reprieve from fishing to help build stocks of spiny rock lobster, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

“I have decided to close most of the east coast of Northland to both commercial and recreational spiny rock lobster fishing and reduce recreational daily limits,” Mr Jones says.

“This fishery is a priority for me and I’m aware people have concerns about low spiny rock lobster numbers. Rock lobsters play an important role in the marine ecosystem by helping keep kina numbers in check. The changes I am making will help restore balance by increasing the numbers and size of spiny rock lobsters in the fishery.”

Most commercial spiny rock lobster fishing off the east coast of Northland has already stopped under a voluntary industry closure.

“I commend the industry on taking action to support this fishery. However, I consider that further measures for both commercial and recreational fishers are needed to give the fishery the best opportunity for recovery.”

Summary of the changes:

• The CRA 1 closure will extend from Ohao Point, including Pārengarenga Harbour, to Hauraki Gulf at Cape Rodney
• The recreational daily catch limit for spiny rock lobster will reduce to two per person per day in the CRA 1 fishery, which includes the west coast of Northland
• A portion of the CRA 2 fishery will also close between Te Ārai Point and inner Hauraki Gulf. 

The inner Hauraki Gulf was closed to spiny rock lobster fishing earlier this year.

“These changes will create a chain of restrictions down the east coast and mean the coastline and most of the waters from Northland to Coromandel Peninsula will be off limits for spiny rock lobster fishing.

“To protect against fishers simply switching from spiny to packhorse rock lobster (PHC 1), I have set a nationwide recreational catch limit of three packhorse rock lobsters per person per day.

Consultation on the changes took place between August and September and Fisheries New Zealand received more than 600 submissions expressing a range of views. 

The changes will take effect from 1 April 2026.