Category: MIL-OSI

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Summer holidays are here, and Kiwis everywhere are swapping office desks for camp chairs, laptops for loop tracks, and alarms for birdsong (the good kind, not the pūkeko screaming at 5am).

But before you lace up your boots and head for the hills, it’s time for a quick refresher on the fine art of naturing, that sweet spot where decent planning meets good vibes, and where you enjoy the outdoors without becoming “that person” in the hut book. 

So, in the spirit of sunshine, snacks, and not annoying the wildlife, here’s your guide to what counts as naturing… and what absolutely does not.

🌿 Naturing is booking your huts or camp in advance. 
✖️ Not naturing is turning up on Day 1 and asking if there’s “any chance of a bunk or campsite somewhere, maybe, kind of?” 

SONY DSC

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🌿 Naturing is checking your gear and breaking in your boots. 
✖️ Not naturing is discovering blisters the size of pancakes halfway up the track and pretending it’s “part of the experience”. 

🌿 Naturing is packing for all weather, rain, sun, wind, snow, maybe a small tornado. 
✖️Not naturing is bringing only shorts and a smile because the weather app said “sunny”. 

🌿 Naturing is enjoying the peace, the birds, and the quiet. 
✖️Not naturing is blasting your “Great Walks Vibes” playlist across the valley and wondering why the tūī looks offended. 

🌿 Naturing is keeping a respectful distance from wildlife. 
✖️Not naturing is chasing a kea for a “funny photo” and watching it steal your lunch. 

🌿 Naturing is staying on the track. 
✖️Not naturing is shortcutting through a bog because “it’ll be faster”. Spoiler: it’s not. 

🌿 Naturing is reading the hut book and leaving a friendly note. 
✖️Not naturing is writing “ate all the snacks, send help” and blaming your mate. 

🌿 Naturing is waking up early for sunrise. 
✖️Not naturing is hitting snooze three times, then pretending you “saw it on the way to the loo”. 

🌿 Naturing is taking only photos. 
✖️Not naturing is wrestling wildlife into “the perfect shot”. 

🌿 Naturing is finishing the track exhausted, proud, and a little bit wiser. 
✖️Not naturing is finishing with three wet socks, one missing tramping pole, and a strong urge to nap forever. 

🌿 Naturing is respecting the track, the huts, and the wildlife. 
✖️Not naturing is trying to Instagram every step and missing the whole walk. 

Beginning our two days hiking through the trees on Kepler Track in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?fit=300%2C172&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?fit=580%2C334&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=580%2C334&ssl=1″ alt=”Photograph of a tramper wearing a hiking backpack with walking polls walking on the Kepler Track. The track is covered in native flora, including ferns and trees.” class=”wp-image-58742″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=1024%2C589&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=300%2C172&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=768%2C441&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=1536%2C883&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=1200%2C690&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?w=2048&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?w=1740&ssl=1 1740w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>

As you head off on your summer adventures,  armed with bookings, boots and  snacks remember that naturing is really just about experiencing our places with care, respect, and a bit of common sense. 

If we all do our bit, the tracks stay tidy, the huts, camps and rangers stay happy, the kea keep their lunch-stealing reputations intact, and everyone gets to enjoy a classic Kiwi summer in nature. 

So pack smart, tread lightly, laugh often… and may all your blisters be tiny. 

Happy naturing! 🌿 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has passed legislation which helps ensure future elections are timely and efficient, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“While the core principles guiding our elections endure, how they’re delivered needs to adapt over time to keep up with changing trends, new challenges and new technologies. 

“Late enrolments, for example, have placed too much strain on the system. The final vote count used to take two weeks, last election it took three. If we leave things as they are, it will likely take even longer. 

“Therefore, this legislation closes enrolment before advance voting begins. People will need to make sure they enrol or update their enrolment details by midnight on the Sunday, before advance voting opens on the Monday morning. 

“This is a significant, but necessary change, and New Zealanders have plenty of time to get organised and enrolled.

“Automatic enrolment updates will also now be allowed and postal requirements will be removed, helping to keep people contactable and participating in democracy. 

“It will take a concerted effort to turn the ship around and address the trends of later enrolments and more special votes. However, I have every confidence in the Electoral Commission to deliver.”

Changes included in the legislation are:

• Closing enrolment 13 days before election day to reduce pressure on post-election timeframes.
• Requiring 12 days of advance voting at each election.
• Introducing automatic enrolment updates so the Electoral Commission can update people’s enrolment details using data from other government agencies.
• Enabling greater use of digital communication by removing postal requirements for enrolment.
• Creating a new offence that prohibits the provision of free food, drink or entertainment within 100 metres of a voting place while voting is taking place. It will be punishable by a fine of up to $10,000.
• Reinstating a prisoner voting ban for prisoners sentenced to less than three years for offences committed after the Bill takes effect, which extends the current ban for prisoners sentenced to more than three years.
• The donation threshold for reporting the names of party donors is also being adjusted from $5,000 to $6,000, to account for inflation.

The Bill makes a wide range of other changes including:  

• Enabling special vote processing to begin earlier.
• Increasing the Electoral Commission’s board from three to up to seven members.
• Setting a single deadline for all candidate nominations.
• Changing party registration requirements and timeframes.
• Providing flexibility on the contact details that can be included in promoter statements.

The Government is progressing a separate bill to amend the Constitution Act 1986 to ensure the continuity of executive government in the post-election period.

Source: New Zealand Government

Legislation that will bring significant financial relief to many building owners by refocusing the earthquake-prone building system has passed its first reading in Parliament.

“Building a better future for New Zealand starts with putting the right settings in place for our cities and regions to thrive,” Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. 

“The current system for managing seismic risk in our buildings has landed owners with strengthening bills that can run into the millions. Many cannot afford the work, and buildings are falling into disrepair, because even demolition is too expensive. 

“We’re removing the New Building Standard (%NBS) ratings from the system, which have been used to assess how buildings are expected to perform in an earthquake. The ratings are overly broad, judging an entire building on its weakest part, and are applied inconsistently, with a building deemed safe by one engineer later classified as quake-prone by another.

“For owners unable to afford the repairs and left with an unsaleable asset, the result is devastating. The personal loss also becomes a community problem, as empty shops, apartments and community centres drain the life from main streets. 

“The Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill focuses the system only on buildings that pose the greatest risk to life in medium and high-risk seismic zones. This includes concrete buildings three storeys or higher, and those constructed with unreinforced masonry.

“Buildings in Auckland, Northland and the Chatham Islands will be removed from the system entirely and will not require remediation, reflecting the lower seismic risk in these regions. This will free up funds to address challenges more relevant to locals, such as flooding and coastal erosion.

“The current system has also placed immense pressure on smaller towns with a high proportion of historic buildings lining their main streets. Many now bear earthquake-prone building notices, despite the life safety risk in communities with fewer than 10,000 residents being lower, simply because there are fewer people inside buildings or near unreinforced masonry during an earthquake.

“Under the new approach, unreinforced masonry buildings under three storeys in small and rural towns will no longer require remediation or warning notices. However, owners who wish to remove their building from the earthquake prone building register will need to undergo façade securing.

“It has been incredibly encouraging to hear from rural Kiwis who are relieved they will be able to save buildings with deep meaning to their communities and local economies. The costs they were facing were significant and often insurmountable, and these changes are expected to save provincial New Zealand around $1.2 billion.

“Building owners who are still required to carry out work will benefit from greater flexibility. Territorial authorities can grant remediation deadline extensions of up to 15 years, giving owners time to plan, invest and complete the work without the pressure of immediate enforcement. 

“Overall, this more practical approach will save Kiwis more than $8.2 billion in remediation and demolition costs, keep people safe, and breathe life back into communities by keeping shops, community spaces and heritage buildings open. 

“We know the safety and affordability of our buildings matter deeply to New Zealanders. As the Bill moves to Select Committee, I look forward to hearing submissions on the proposed changes,” Mr Penk says.

Notes to editor:

• Attached: Refocused earthquake-prone building system media factsheet.
• The Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill now sits with the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee for consideration.
• Coastal Otago, including Dunedin, has been classified as a medium seismic hazard area and will remain within the earthquake-prone building system.

Source: New Zealand Police

The Mount Victoria Tunnel, Wellington City is closed following a serious crash this afternoon.

Police were called to the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1/Paterson Street around 4.10pm.

Initial indicators are that there have been serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit have been advised, and the tunnel is expected to remain closed for some time.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

The legislation underpinning New Zealand’s new planning system has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a major step toward replacing the RMA with a system that supports economic growth and opportunities for Kiwis, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say.

“The Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill will deliver a modern planning system that lifts growth, productivity and living standards,” Mr Bishop says.

“The two Bills will replace the failed Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) which has slowed down energy and infrastructure projects, made it far too hard to build the homes Kiwis need, and created enormous uncertainty for our farmers and growers among many others.”

Mr Bishop says each Bill plays a distinct but complementary role in delivering the new system.

“The Planning Bill is about cutting red tape, reducing costs and unnecessary delays, and unlocking growth.”

Among other things, it will:

• consolidate more than 100 existing plans into just 17 regional combined plans with clear timeframes
• allow more activities to proceed without a consent
• introduce simpler and standardised planning rules
• narrow what councils can regulate to genuine impacts like noise and shading, and raise the threshold for what is regulated
• focus consultation where it matters
• establish a Planning Tribunal to speed up smaller disputes
• establish a regulatory relief framework for situations where planning controls significantly affect the reasonable use of land.

“The Planning Bill has been designed with property rights at its core including tension mechanisms like regulatory relief and a Planning Tribunal. The Bill streamlines and rationalises planning and consenting so that far fewer consents will be required,” Mr Court says.

“These tension elements also carry through into the Natural Environment Bill, which provides the framework for protecting and enhancing the natural environment through clear, science-based limits on freshwater, coastal water, land, soil and biodiversity.”

The Natural Environment Bill:

• retains the existing RMA allocation approach initially but enables more efficient allocation tools over time, including market-based methods.
• requires a proportionate regulatory approach – using voluntary or farmer-led tools wherever possible and regulating only when necessary
• upholds Treaty settlements
• extends regulatory relief to biodiversity controls where they have a significant impact on private property.
• ensures mandatory limits, clear goals and a consistent national-to-local hierarchy so communities know exactly what must be protected and how environmental outcomes will be delivered.

“The RMA tried to do everything at once and did none of it well. These Bills replace it with two focused, fit-for-purpose laws,” Mr Court says.

Mr Bishop says the Bills, together with the national instruments that will sit beneath them, will deliver a system that works for New Zealanders.

“The new planning system these Bills will deliver will make it easier to build the homes and infrastructure our country needs, give farmers and growers the freedom to get on with producing world-class food and fibre, and strengthen our primary sector while protecting the environment.

“These reforms are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to free ourselves from a millstone that has weighed on both our economy and our environment, and to build a system grounded in property rights, clarity and common sense.”

Mr Bishop says independent economic analysis shows the new system is projected to save $13.3 billion over 30 years from reduced administrative and compliance costs. Analysis also indicates that it could remove the need for up to 46 per cent of resource consents.

“I encourage New Zealanders to engage through the select committee process and through the development of national instruments,” Mr Bishop says.

“The passage of the first reading is only the beginning. The select committee process is the main opportunity for councils, iwi, environmental groups, developers, businesses, farmers and members of the public to engage with the detail of these reforms.

“The planning system affects all of us in different ways, and must be workable across every sector in New Zealand. We look forward to constructive feedback on the bills through the select committee process, which will then help shape national instrument development, where sector input will also be critical.”

The Government aims to pass the Bills into law in 2026.

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

16 December 2025

Check out our latest guidance and resources to help you ensure a healthy and safe work environment for you and your workers.

Source: NZCTU

The Treasury’s latest forecasts, released today, show the Government’s economic strategy isn’t working and that workers will be paying the price for years to come, said NZCTU President Sandra Grey.

“This Government’s fiscal choices have exacerbated the economic downturn over the past couple of years and working people have suffered the consequences,” said Grey.

“Since the Government took office, 37,000 more people are unemployed. It’s no surprise that tens of thousands of Kiwis have left for Australia in the past year.

“Treasury is now forecasting the unemployment rate will peak at 5.5% and will stay above 5% for the entirety of 2026. That means around 165,000 Kiwis out of work through 2026.

“The forecasts show the economic recovery will be further delayed, with the return to growth slower than expected in May. The anticipated recovery is highly fragile, reliant on favourable exports, a strong rise in net migration, and a return to 7% annual house price growth. Even if we do see recovery next year it will take a long time for this to feed through to the job market.

“Even on its own terms, the Government’s economic policy is a failure. Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis have justified their fiscal choices on the idea New Zealand could cut its way to prosperity and better-looking government accounts.

“But the Government’s cuts to public services, and its failure to intervene in a stalling economy has meant higher unemployment and lower tax revenue, which has only made the fiscal challenge worse. This has been exacerbated by the tax breaks they gave to landlords and tobacco companies.

“National’s fiscal plan going into the election was to return the books to surplus by 2027. On the numbers released today a return to surplus is not expected within the forecast period. Net debt is expected to continue to rise, peaking at nearly 47% of GDP in 2028.

“Cutting expenditure during an economic downturn only worsens life for working people and makes it harder for the Government to achieve “balanced books”. Unfortunately, the Minister of Finance is refusing to open her eyes to this reality and has signalled today that further cuts are likely.

“The Government needs to rethink its fiscal policy and focus on supporting a broad-based economic recovery in 2026. On the current numbers, working people are being left behind,” said Grey.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are issuing an advisory to media around interim suppression orders in place concerning Operation Hawkin, the Mt Wellington homicide on 5 December 2025.

A Coroner’s non-publication order is due to expire tomorrow, 17 December 2025, at 5pm.

However, media should be aware that an interim suppression order is still in place in the District Court.

This interim suppression includes: the defendants’ names, the victim’s name, and any reference to specific gangs.

These interim suppression orders were to remain in place until the next court appearance at the Auckland High Court, on 21 January 2026.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Kiwis are receiving faster access to healthcare, with the latest quarterly results showing year-on-year improvements across all health targets despite a busy and challenging winter, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Our frontline teams have made steady progress ensuring New Zealanders can access timely, quality healthcare when they need it,” Mr Brown says.

“These improvements mean real benefits for patients – faster cancer treatment, more children protected from disease, and shorter waits for surgeries and specialist assessments that improve people’s lives.”

Key improvements for the July to September quarter compared to the same time last year:

• Faster cancer treatment: 86.8 per cent of patients started treatment within 31 days, up from 84.6 per cent last year. This is supported by the Government’s $604 million Pharmac boost delivering 33 new cancer medicines.
• Improved childhood immunisations: 82.6 per cent of children fully immunised by age two, up from 75.7 per cent last year – the largest gain across all targets – protecting thousands more young Kiwis from preventable diseases.
• Shorter emergency department stays: 68.9 per cent of patients admitted, treated or discharged within six hours, up from 67.5 per cent last year, despite higher attendances – meaning our doctors and nurses are treating increased volumes of patients and still getting people seen faster.
• Shorter waits for elective procedures: 65.9 per cent of patients received treatment within four months, up from 62.2 per cent last year.
• Shorter waits for specialists: 62.3 per cent of patients had their first assessment within four months, up from 61.2 per cent last year.

“Strong improvements in immunisation rates mean parents giving more Kiwi kids the best start to life, protecting them and others from preventable diseases.

“Despite union strikes cancelling around 13,500 procedures and appointments between July and September, patients are still spending less time waiting than last year for life-changing elective surgery.

“Our Elective Boost has delivered thousands of additional hip and knee replacements, cataract surgeries, and other procedures since February, helping more Kiwis get ready for an active summer. This is about getting Kiwis back to work and helping them return to the activities they love with their families.

“This progress happened during a busy and challenging winter, when emergency departments were treating more patients with winter illnesses. Despite this, our healthcare workers got patients through emergency departments faster than last year, while also reducing wait times across the healthcare system.

“Making it easier to access care when you need it is a key priority for our Government. While our health targets are driving progress, we know too many Kiwis are still waiting too long to be seen. Our focus remains on ensuring every New Zealander can access timely, quality healthcare.

“I want to thank our healthcare workers for their dedicated work throughout a challenging winter, and for continuing to put patients first. Together, with a record $30 billion annual investment and more doctors and nurses on the frontline, we are rebuilding the system around patients, strengthening accountability, and driving better outcomes.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are invited to the 391 Louisa Wall recruit wing graduation.

What:              Graduation of the New Zealand Police 391 Recruit Wing.
Who:               For families and friends to celebrate with the newly attested police officers.
Why:               Completion and graduation from initial training course.
Where:            Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua.
When:             Thursday 18 December at 2pm – media will need to be in place by 1.45pm.
How:               RSVP the Police Media Centre if you’re attending: media@police.govt.nz

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers will attend the ceremony along with the Hon Mark Mitchell – Minister of Police, members of the Police executive and Wing Patron, Louisa Wall.

The 391 Wing Patron:

Louisa Wall – Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Waikato, Ngāti Hineuru – is a former elite athlete and Member of Parliament who is a respected advocate for human rights, gender equality, and Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Her work spans over two decades across sport, politics, and diplomacy.

Louisa is a former Silver Fern and Black Fern, representing New Zealand in netball and rugby. She was part of the 1998 Rugby World Cup-winning Black Ferns team and brought elite sporting experience and leadership into her later public service career.

Elected to Parliament in 2008, Louisa served until 2022 as a Member of the New Zealand Labour Party. She was the driving force behind the Marriage Equality Act (2013) and led the passage of the Safe Areas Amendment Act (2022) to protect access to abortion services. She also advanced key amendments to the Harmful Digital Communications Act, ensuring stronger protections against image-based abuse. As Chair of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians and a leader within the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s global human rights efforts, Louisa consistently elevated Indigenous, women, and Takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ voices on the international stage.

In 2022, Louisa was appointed New Zealand’s inaugural Ambassador for Gender Equality (Pacific)/Tuia Tāngata, working with Pacific leaders, communities, and civil society to advance gender justice and inclusive development. She is currently the Women Deliver 2026 Mobilisation Advisor, supporting Pacific feminist engagement and spotlighting the links between gender, climate change, and Indigenous sovereignty.

A proud Tūwharetoa wahine, she chairs the Tūwharetoa Iwi Māori Partnership Board, leading work to embed hapū and iwi perspectives into health system design. Louisa also serves as Women’s Chair for ILGA Oceania and remains a trusted advisor, strategist, and mentor to emerging leaders across the region.

More details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation on Thursday and a follow up Ten One story will be published later this month. 

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre