Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 1, Motutere, Taupo, is blocked due to a crash this afternoon.
Police were called to the two-vehicle crash, involving a truck and a car, just north of the Motutere township around 12.30pm.
Initial indicators are that there are injuries.
Motorists are advised to avoide the area where possible and expect delays.
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Government
The road cone digital hotline pilot is wrapping up ahead of schedule, after six months of valuable data collection and relationship building with road controlling authorities.
The hotline will close on Friday, 19 December 2025, to coincide with the requirement of NZTA for councils to have a plan in place to apply the new risk-based temporary traffic management guidelines to their local roadworks contracts before approving government funding for those projects.
“This pilot has done exactly what we needed it to do,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. “We now understand what’s really causing the excessive use of road cones, and changing to a risk-based approach is key to resolving these issues”
When the public see excessive road cones, chances are it’s because the local council signed it off. Site visits revealed that 86% of sites were compliant with the number of cones and other temporary traffic management devices laid out in the council-approved traffic management plans.
The problem seems to be that councils across the country were not required to apply NZTA’s most recent guidance to temporary traffic management, so while the use of road cones may be consistent with council-approved plans, they may still be excessive. Moving forward, NZTA has said all councils must be fully compliant with the new guidance by 1 July 2027.
“That’s a crucial insight. It tells us where efforts should be focussed,” says Ms van Velden.
The hotline also met its three core objectives: giving the public a voice, identifying the root causes of concern, and clarifying WorkSafe’s role in relation to temporary traffic management.
“Beyond the data, WorkSafe has built important working relationships with those responsible for temporary traffic management. That collaborative approach will continue as they work with NZTA to help councils better understand risk-based compliance,” says Ms van Velden.
The pilot was initiated to understand the causes of perceived overcompliance in temporary traffic management and to clarify WorkSafe’s enforcement role. Some stakeholders felt they could not take a more risk-based approach (as recommended by NZTA), as they were concerned WorkSafe could take action against them for being under-compliant.
WorkSafe Inspectors have received training in TTM and the new NZTA guidance and will continue to integrate it into their business-as-usual assessments. This is part of an overall culture change programme at WorkSafe to ensure it is a consistent, clear and proportionate regulator.
Lessons learnt from the pilot will also be applied to improve how WorkSafe, receives and responds to feedback from the public and businesses.
Source: Privacy Commissioner
Two PAK’nSAVE stores have been named by the Privacy Commissioner for breaching the Privacy Act. Both failed to have adequate oversight of their third-party providers who were providing security services to the stores. Read the Decision Note about this.
Breaches of the Privacy Act by C Park Traders Limited (formerly trading as PAK’nSAVE Clendon) and Hutchinson Bros Limited (trading as PAK’nSAVE Royal Oak), were notified to OPC in early 2025. They involved third-party security guards, engaged to work in the stores, with one incident also involving a store employee. The security guards shared images of customers, accompanied by allegations of theft or criminal activity. As a result, both individuals whose images were shared faced a heightened risk of harassment and reputational harm.
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster said, “We found similar issues of concern where both stores did not meet expectations set out in the Privacy Act relating to the Storage and security of information.
“The decision to name the two individual stores is a significant step and was made because of the seriousness of the issues and their public interest.
“Both stores lacked important safeguards that retailers should have in place when allowing third party providers access to sensitive information such as surveillance information,” said Mr Webster.
“Agencies engaging third-party agents who access or operate surveillance or loss-prevention technologies (such as CCTV) should ensure that privacy obligations are explicit, enforceable, and routinely monitored to prevent harm. That keeps information safe and maintains public confidence in how personal information is handled.
“It is rare for me to name agencies, but this serves as a reminder to businesses that outsourcing functions does not outsource accountability. When contractors handle personal information, the agency who has hired them must ensure that their privacy expectations are clear, enforceable, and actively managed.”
While the stores remain individually accountable for ensuring compliance with the Privacy Act, OPC was also working with Foodstuffs North Island Limited (as the Co-op lead for the two stores) to adopt remedial actions. These included carrying out training with store personnel (including security contractors) on privacy obligations and requiring stores to have written agreements in place with all contractors who process personal information on behalf of stores (including security).
Source: Privacy Commissioner
C Park Traders Limited (formerly trading as PAK’nSAVE Clendon) and Hutchinson Bros Limited (trading as PAK’nSAVE Royal Oak) breached IPP5 by not having adequate oversight of third-party providers.
Recent incidents at two PAK’nSAVE stores highlight the risks to individuals’ privacy when agencies fail to implement adequate security safeguards over third-party providers managing surveillance information. These breaches underscore the potential for serious harm when agencies do not exercise oversight of third-party providers.
C Park Traders Limited (formerly trading as PAK’nSAVE Clendon) and Hutchinson Bros Limited (trading as PAK’nSAVE Royal Oak) “the stores” – both in Auckland, reported two separate privacy breaches to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) in early 2025. Both incidents involved the unauthorised disclosure of CCTV footage of two customers, accompanied by allegations of theft or criminal activity.
Our review of the two breach notifications found both stores did not meet expectations set out in the Privacy Act 2020 relating to information storage and security.
In both cases, third-party security guards acting on behalf of the stores disclosed images of customers alleged to have shoplifted without authorisation. The images were taken or shared using personal mobile phones and later published on multiple social media sites. Both affected individuals experienced significant harassment and reputational harm as a result.
In October 2024 a security guard engaged by the store took a photograph of the affected individual for surveillance purposes. The image was captured on a personal mobile device due to the poor quality of the available CCTV footage and followed store protocol at the time.
In early 2025 the photo was published online, and, after internal investigations, the store concluded in February 2025 that the source of the published image was the third-party security guard. The publication accused the affected individual of shoplifting.
Following the publication, the individual faced harassment and threats.
In this instance, Foodstuffs North Island Limited (FSNI) issued a direct apology to the individual on behalf of the store.
In January 2025, a store employee instructed a contracted security guard to record CCTV footage of an alleged theft incident on their personal phone. The security guard then sent the footage to the employee, who subsequently disclosed it further and published it on social media alongside allegations of theft.
The store became aware of the unauthorised disclosure following the circulation of the footage online. The publication resulted in media attention from an international newspaper. Given that the affected individual is a public figure, the incident attracted widespread attention causing reputational and emotional harm.
In this instance the store and FSNI issued an apology to the individual.
Note: The PAK’nSAVE Clendon store is no longer under the ownership of C Park Traders Limited.
IPP11 provides that agencies must not disclose personal information unless one of the limited exceptions in the Privacy Act applies. Disclosure of images or CCTV footage without a lawful purpose or applicable exception under the Privacy Act, can cause serious harm and is inconsistent with the protections afforded by IPP 11.
IPP5 requires agencies to ensure there are safeguards in place that are reasonable in the circumstances to protect personal information from loss, misuse, or unauthorised disclosure. This applies whether personal information is handled directly by the agency or through a third-party service provider in accordance with section 11 below.
Section 11 of the Privacy Act makes it clear that an agency is responsible for the actions of its agents when personal information is collected and used by those agents for the agency’s purposes.
Accordingly, agencies engaging third-party providers who access or operate surveillance or loss-prevention technologies (such as CCTV) should ensure that privacy obligations are explicit, enforceable, and routinely monitored. Importantly, these requirements should be documented through enforceable contractual arrangements between the parties.
Taking reasonable steps under IPP 5 also includes conducting due diligence before entering a contractual relationship with a service provider, to ensure that the provider has appropriate capability, governance, and technical safeguards in place. Agencies must be confident that personal information remains protected wherever it is held, and by whomever it is handled.
Additional measures, such as targeted training for personnel and contractors on the sensitivity of surveillance information, alongside clear policies and codes of conduct, provide essential safeguards to ensure this information is handled securely and responsibly by the parties involved.
The Commissioner found that both incidents constituted breaches of IPP 11, as they involved unauthorised disclosures of personal information without a lawful purpose or applicable exception under the Privacy Act. However, the Commissioner considered that the underlying cause of both incidents was the absence of reasonable and appropriate safeguards required under IPP 5.
At the time of these incidents, both stores lacked key safeguards that retailers should have in place when providing third party providers access to sensitive information such as surveillance information. On that basis, the Commissioner determined that the stores breached IPP5.
The Commissioner found that:
In these cases, the safeguards around personal information were insufficient. There were a lack of physical controls (namely, mobile device protection) and organisation controls (policies, contracts, training, and staff behaviour).
OPC engaged with FSNI which provides certain support to its member stores. Both stores operate under the cooperative FSNI. The stores remain individually accountable for ensuring compliance with the Privacy Act.
The Commissioner acknowledges FSNI’s cooperation and proactive engagement during this process.
In responding to these incidents, FSNI acknowledged the absence of contractual provisions at the store level. Additionally, FSNI has taken the following remedial actions in response to our prompting and recommendations:
Despite the measures put in place at the time of the incidents by FSNI, these incidents were likely to cause serious harm. The individuals affected may have suffered significant emotional distress and reputational harm after their images were shared publicly and associated with allegations of theft. In both cases, once the images and allegations appeared online, they were replicated and discussed widely, including in mainstream media.
Beyond individual harm, such incidents can erode public confidence in how retailers use surveillance technologies. Customers entering a supermarket cannot reasonably opt out of being filmed, their trust depends on assurance that footage will be used responsibly and kept secure. Supermarkets are considered essential services with many thousands of customers being monitored in each store by CCTV each week, creating a significant privacy risk when systemic privacy safeguards are not in place, or are ineffective.
Our response was driven by the Compliance and Regulatory Action Framework (CARAF) and Naming Policy. The focus was on both uplifting compliance across the FSNI network and raising awareness more broadly of agency responsibilities when sharing information with third party service providers.
The Commissioner considers that naming the stores is appropriate given:
This finding serves as a reminder to all agencies: outsourcing functions does not outsource accountability. When contractors handle personal information, the principal agency must ensure that privacy expectations are clear, enforceable, and actively managed. Our Office recommends that agencies ensure that:
Misuse or inappropriate disclosure and access of surveillance material can cause serious harm to affected individuals. Strong contracts, targeted training, and secure systems are essential to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in how personal information is managed.
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has today announced appointments to the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group, to provide expert advice on long-term reform of the aged care system.
“This group will identify the changes needed to the aged care funding model, in order to build a sustainable system and one that is easier for people to access and navigate,” Ms Costello says.
The group comprises 10 members who have specialist knowledge across aged care and primary care, home and community support services, aged residential care, and funding models.
Former Minister of Health David Cunliffe, who is currently the chair of the faith-based aged care provider Selwyn Foundation, has been appointed Chair of the Group.
The other members are: Brien Cree; Shelley Cunningham; Suzanne Dvorak; Dr Richard Lowe; Murray Penman; Mike Peters; Max Robins; Allan Sargeant; Helen Watson.
The Group will provide an independent report and a set of recommendations around three areas:
The Group is expected to provide advice and recommendations to Ministers by mid-2026.
“As I’ve said before, New Zealand has very good aged care, provided by dedicated people,” Ms Costello says.
“However, a number of reviews have found that our aged-care model is out of date. We are committed to addressing this and building a system that provides the right care in the right place, that is sustainable and will endure as our population ages.
“These are significant policy issues, with major political considerations attached and that’s why an independent group is required,” Ms Costello says. “The goal is that the Group’s recommendations will inform any future government’s policy and funding decisions.
“The Government is committed to a bipartisan approach to addressing these challenges as part of the commitment in the National-NZ First Coalition Agreement.”
Note to editors:
Aged Care Advisory Group
Members have been appointed for a term beginning on 12 January 2026. The group is expected to have completed its work by mid-2026; however, a one-year term has been set to provide flexibility if needed.
The Group will be supported by the Ministry of Health, which will provide a secretariat and other support, and will engage with additional experts as required.
Aged Care
About 115,000 older New Zealanders use aged care services annually, with about two-thirds of this number using home and community support services.
Aged care is funded by government and some private contributions, and provided privately. These include a range of charities, private businesses and listed companies.
Government spending on aged care is more than $2.5 billion annually.
Individuals in residential aged care will contribute an estimated $1.38 billion this financial year.
Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
A Taranaki farmer and livestock agent who illegally swapped NAIT tags from cows infected with a bovine disease in an attempt to sell the cows has been fined $15,000.
Simon Mark Payne (44) was sentenced (16 December 2025) in the New Plymouth District Court on one charge under the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
“The 4 cows Mr Payne attempted to sell in August last year were affected by bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD),” says MPI animal welfare and NAIT compliance manager, central, Gray Harrison.
“He knew this but directed one of his workers to replace the NAIT tags on these animals with new NAIT tags so he could sell them with a clean history.”
However, on the same day Mr Payne sent the animals to the saleyards in Stratford, MPI received a phone call alleging the unlawful removal of these NAIT devices.
“One of our NAIT officers intervened and stopped the animals being sold. This avoided the potential for them to infect animals at another farm. Mr Payne’s actions were both deceitful and self-serving with a total disregard for the potential effect – spreading a contagious disease from animal to animal,” Gary Harrison says.
“While this situation was uncommon, this case sends a strong message to others tempted to get around the law. When we find evidence of a person in charge of animals deliberately disguising the true traceability of animals – we will put the case before the court.”
Under the Act, all cattle or deer must be declared in movements to the NAIT organisation, OSPRI, within 48 hours. Additionally, all animals must be fitted with a NAIT tag and registered in the NAIT system by the time the animal is 180 days old, or before the animal is moved off farm. NAIT tags must never be removed from animals unless authorised by a NAIT officer.
The NAIT system is designed for tracking and tracing animals if an unwanted biosecurity incursion affecting cattle or deer occurs. Any person in charge of animals who is unsure about what you need to do, should contact MPI’s partners at OSPRI.
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 17 December 2025
The actions of the members of the public have prompted DOC’s Dunedin/Ōtepoti Operations Manager Gabe Davies to remind people of the potential consequences for interfering with protected species – dead or alive. People can face a prosecution, or a $600 infringement notice.
“We were made aware of the dead orca just outside the harbour and our staff were working with Te Rūnunga o Moeraki to respectfully manage the situation. We had a conversation with a member of the public and advised them not to interfere,” he says.
The dead orca was not causing any issues or risk to public safety, and Gabe says DOC staff were working through a considered plan to determine the most appropriate course of action.
“Next thing we know, it’s being towed into the harbour, watched by concerned members of the public.”
DOC staff gave clear advice to leave the whale undisturbed, but this was disregarded.
“It is important for the public to allow the appropriate agencies to manage these situations in a way that respects cultural values and ensures health and safety of those involved,” Gabe says.
“We want to remind people in situations like this they should ring 0800 DOC HOT.”
Gabe says there many risks involved with managing marine mammals if people take matters into their own hands.
“There are many potential issues, including the risk of several zoonotic diseases – infectious diseases naturally transmitted between animals and humans – that are harmful.”
Gabe says after closer inspection of the orca, it’s likely it may have died due to birthing complications. He says it’s very disappointing a breeding age female (and potentially calf) have been lost from the population. Measurements and samples have been sent to Massey University for investigation so hopefully this will provide some insight into what happened. The whale has since been respectfully buried in partnership with mana whenua.
“We have really good relationships with fishers and boaties – and coming into summer we want to remind everyone of the rules around the coastline. We love seeing people out ‘naturing’ on the water and want to ensure everyone respects the incredibly special species we have here,” he says.
DOC’s compliance team is currently investigating the incident.
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Police
A large-scale marine search and rescue (SAR) exercise involving specialist Police personnel off the New Plymouth coastline on Sunday has been hailed a major success.
The scenario tested the ability of multiple agencies to work together in challenging marine conditions, requiring rapid decision-making, clear communication and effective use of land and sea-based resources.
Police Exercise Director, Constable David Bentley said all agencies met the mission of the day.
“The Taranaki marine SAR exercise simulated an aircraft crash at sea, with 47 victims reported missing. By the conclusion of the exercise, all 47 simulated casualties had been successfully located, a fantastic result that demonstrates the region’s high level of preparedness for a real-life emergency.
“The scale of the scenario reflected the reality of modern aviation and marine risks that could happen at any time. The exercise provided valuable opportunities to test inter-agency systems, leadership and volunteer capability.”
Participants included New Zealand Police Search and Rescue, Coastguard New Zealand, Department of Conservation, Port Taranaki, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Cape Egmont Rescue, Air New Zealand, and New Plymouth Airport, with personnel deployed across vessels, coastal locations and coordination centres.
“This exercise was about more than just finding people – it was about proving that when agencies come together, we can respond quickly, safely and effectively to protect lives,” said Constable Bentley.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard volunteers played a key role in the water response, while Police SAR and the Rescue Coordination Centre from Wellington coordinated the overall operation alongside port Taranaki partners, ensuring realistic pressure on command, control and communication systems.
Air New Zealand and New Plymouth Airport’s involvement added further realism, enabling responders to practise liaison with aviation operators during a major incident.
Police warmly acknowledge the significant commitment from volunteers and staff who gave up their Sunday to participate, as exercises of this scale are essential to maintaining readiness for the worst-case scenarios no one hopes to face.
The annual exercise is a cornerstone of Taranaki’s emergency preparedness and continues to strengthen the region’s ability to respond to major marine and aviation incidents.
As summer approaches, exercises like these allow us to prepare for rescues in and around the water. Constable Bentley reminds everyone to please swim between the flags, wear a lifejacket when on marine vessels, always take two forms of communication and stay out of the water if you’re not sure.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
A moped rider may now have seen the light after failing to stop for Police in Auckland overnight.
Just after 12.30am, a unit spotted a moped travelling without a headlight on in the Mt Albert area.
Senior Sergeant Guy Baldwin, Auckland City West Area Response Manager, says the moped was signalled to stop.
“The moped was not only travelling without a headlight on but was also travelling at speed, which was very concerning for us,” he says.
“The rider failed to stop and was not pursued at the time.”
A short distance away, the moped was abandoned near Owairaka Park.
“Our staff observed the rider get off and make a run for it on foot,” Senior Sergeant Baldwin says.
“Another unit caught up with him running towards O’Donnell Avenue and took him into custody without incident.”
The 35-year-old man has been charged with failing to stop and being an unlicensed driver failing to comply with prohibition.
He will appear in the Auckland District Court today.
Senior Sergeant Baldwin says, “it’s fortunate that the man didn’t cause himself or a member of the public any harm by these reckless actions.”
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government has agreed to make changes to the health and safety regulations for the hydrogen sector, ensuring they are fit for purpose and support growth, Energy Minister Simon Watts and Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden say.
“The Government sees hydrogen as a valuable tool we can harness to kickstart economic growth. By harnessing its potential, we can drive innovation, create jobs, and position New Zealand as a leader in sustainable energy solutions,” Mr Watts says.
“Hydrogen has an important role in our future energy mix. It can support sectors that are difficult or impractical to electrify – such as heavy transport and industry – to reduce emissions while keeping our economy growing.
“To unlock hydrogen’s full potential, we need a regulatory framework that supports growth and innovation rather than getting in the way.”
“While on our nationwide health and safety roadshow, I heard that because current safety requirements were not developed with hydrogen in mind, they are now preventing the safe development and use of hydrogen technologies,” says Ms van Velden.
“We have worked closely with the sector to ensure health and safety regulations relating to hydrogen are fit for purpose and remove unnecessary compliance costs without compromising health and safety.
“We want our safety regulations to strike the right balance in allowing businesses to pick the technologies that work best for them, while still keeping workers and others safe.”
The 10 changes the Government have agreed to make include technical amendments to outdated provisions known to prevent businesses from adopting new practices and creates new requirements where clarity is needed now. They include:
setting specific requirements for hydrogen fuelling stations and cryogenic liquid hydrogen
providing for easier approval of hydrogen appliances and fittings
allowing alternatives to odorisation for hydrogen
allowing Multi-Element Gas Containers, commonly used overseas for storage and transport
enabling Safe Work Instruments and new safety instruments to set requirements as the sector evolves updating references to newer standards for transporting dangerous goods and hazardous areas.
“By making these changes, we are delivering a key priority under the Hydrogen Action Plan which was released in November 2024,” Mr Watts says.
“We need businesses, innovators, and investors to grasp and make the most of the opportunities at hand. By cutting this red tape we can unlock faster growth of the sector, drive more jobs, and deliver real benefits to our energy system, climate, and economy.”