Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is sprinkling some magic to ensure steady, smoother journeys for people travelling on key holiday routes around the Bay of Plenty and Waikato this summer.

As the summer break is fast approaching, NZTA is reminding everyone to plan ahead for safe, enjoyable trips using our real-time summer holidays journey planner. It’s important as ever to drive to the conditions, allow extra time and take regular breaks to stay alert.

Summer holidays journey planner(external link)

https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/holiday-journeys/summer-holidays-2025

Like previous years, the passing lanes on State Highway 2 (SH2), between Pōkeno and the State Highway 25 (SH25) Mangatarata roundabout, will be closed during peak times to ensure smoother traffic flows.

The eastbound passing lanes will be closed on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December 2025 between 4am and 10pm. Westbound lanes will be closed on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 January 2026 between 4am and 10pm.

“Queues might be a little longer when the passing lanes are closed, but there will be minimal impact on your journey time,” says Waikato Journey Manager for NZTA, Andrew Brosnan.

“A slightly slower speed doesn’t make for a longer journey overall, as traffic moves more steadily.”

As SH2 is the main connection between Auckland and the holiday hotspots of the Coromandel Peninsula, Waihī Beach and Tauranga, Mr Brosnan says it’s all about making the state highways safer for everybody.

“The Christmas shutdown for roadworks will be in place from midday Friday 19 December 2025 and continue through to midnight Sunday 4 January 2026. The break ensures fewer delays for travellers and gives our hardworking crews a chance to wind down and prepare for a busy start to 2026.

“Even though major work is put on hold, there may be sites under traffic management to keep road users safe,” says Mr Brosnan.

In the Waikato, the busiest spots are expected to be on SH25 around Tairua township, on SH1 between Tīrau and Karāpiro and on SH2 between Pōkeno and Matamata.

In the Bay of Plenty, the busiest spots are likely to be on SH2 between Paeroa and Waihī, on SH2 between Tauranga and Katikati and on SH29 over the Kaimai Range.

For peak travel times, when congestion is likely, check out our summer holiday journey planners:

NZTA wishes everyone a safe journey, wherever they may be travelling to, over the holiday break. 

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Durston:

Two youths have been arrested in relation to an aggravated robbery in Hamilton.

On Sunday 14 December around 5.30pm, Police were called with a report of an aggravated robbery at a business address on Crawford Street.

It is reported that a group of six people, believed to be teenagers, entered the premises with at least one person allegedly armed with a knife.

It appears that the group made demands to the workers however were confronted by another staff member.

After a short confrontation, the group fled the store – taking some items with them.

On Sunday evening around 9pm, Police responded to a report of disorder in Bader, where a vehicle had allegedly been driven at a group of people.

Upon Police arrival, the vehicle fled and was subsequently stopped on Reuben Place.

Officers at the scene were able to identify two people in the vehicle in connection to the earlier aggravated robbery and were taken into custody.

Two youths are due to appear in the Hamilton Youth Court.

Thankfully, in both instances, no one was injured.

Police are continuing enquiries to locate others involved in the incidents and are not ruling out further charges.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Today’s Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update confirms that continued fiscal discipline is required to restore the books to surplus and bend the debt curve down, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

“Despite the challenges of global events, Treasury is forecasting an accelerating economic recovery, underlining the importance of the Government’s focus on economic growth.

“The economy is forecast to grow 3 per cent next year and inflation to remain low throughout the forecast period. New Zealanders can expect wages to grow faster than inflation every year and about 270,000 jobs to be created over the five year forecast period. 

“At the time of the Budget, Treasury forecast a small surplus in the headline operating balance measure – OBEGALx – in 2028/29. Forecast adjustments now show a small deficit that year. 

“Despite this, the Government is targeting an OBEGALx surplus in 2028/29. This will support our goal to put net core Crown debt on a downward trajectory, ensuring New Zealand is better placed to respond to future shocks.  

“We are sticking to our strategy of taking a deliberate, medium-term approach to fiscal consolidation, and not over-reacting to movements in the forecasts.

“Today’s forecasts confirm the Government’s approach to fiscal repair puts New Zealand in good stead internationally. We are on target to return the books to surplus faster than Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and many other advanced economies, while maintaining a prudent debt position.

“Achieving these fiscal goals will require ongoing restraint and tight control of discretionary spending. As such, we have confirmed our operating allowances will not exceed $2.4 billion in next year’s Budget. This compares with the previous government’s repeated blowouts and average operating allowances of $4.8 billion in its last three years in office.

“Over the past two years, the Government has had to take some tough decisions which collectively have delivered about $11 billion a year in savings. Without this disciplined approach, this year’s deficit would be $25 billion and debt would be on track to blow out to 59 per cent of GDP. 

“Health, education, defence and law and order will be priorities in next year’s Budget. Beyond this, any new funding will need to be found from savings and reprioritisation.  Government agencies have been instructed to keep seeking savings and efficiencies that support this disciplined approach.”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  16 December 2025

Contractors refer to it as “the beast” for its sheer size but also because of the unseasonal bad weather they have had to battle over the past few months.

The bridge will span 189 metres across the Hooker River on the upper section of the popular Hooker Valley Track. It will replace an existing swing bridge which had to be closed in April due to riverbank erosion near the bridge supports.

Construction on the new bridge began in August and since then, Mother Nature has thrown everything at the team working on site.

Ash Rogers, construction supervisor from Abseil Access, says while he’s worked on many challenging bridge builds around the Pacific and in New Zealand, including on the Milford Track, this one takes the cake for stress.

“Spring really threw absolutely everything at us, to be honest. We had heavy snow and ridiculously strong winds that blew sheds and equipment down steep banks. Mentally it was tough for the staff working in such extreme conditions. The weather can change many times a day up here.  We have our own weather station, and an average day has winds of between 80 and 150 kilometres per hour blowing.

“It’s a very special place to work in and sometimes you want to pinch yourself with the view, but there are many times, when the wind gets up and you just pray for calm fine days in a row where we can get the work done without worrying about the elements,” he says.

The team have just completed drilling of the main bridge support masts and are now in the process of completing wind-anchor drilling and concrete foundation pours. They hope to start work assembling the bridge cables early next year. 

The engineer and architect behind the unique bridge design, Dan Crocker of DC Structures Studio, says getting to design New Zealand’s longest span footbridge in one of our most iconic locations was an amazing opportunity.

“It’s been designed with state-of-the-art pedestrian vibration and wind dynamics due to the unique location. We wanted a design which was a “light touch” in such a pristine landscape, so that visitors can revel in the experience and thrill of such a large crossing while appreciating the magnitude of the surrounding peaks.”

Department of Conservation Aoraki/Mount Cook Operations Manager Sally Jones says it’s going to be an exciting next few months seeing the bridge really take shape.

“The new swing bridge will become a destination in its own right for people who love getting out naturing. The design is spectacular, and visitors will find crossing it exhilarating because of the length. The construction team are doing an awesome job, as the past few months have been really full on, weatherwise.

“At this stage, we’re hoping to have the bridge open towards the end of Autumn next year. The weather has put things a little behind schedule, but fingers crossed, its settled down, and we can get some calm periods for the construction team,” she says.

The Hooker Valley Track is currently open to a viewing platform overlooking Mueller Lake, past the first suspension bridge, while the upper part of the track is closed due to the construction. DOC recently installed security cameras and warned people to stay away from the building site, after some visitors were seen climbing through barrier fences and gates to access the closed part of the track.

“We can’t wait to re-open the upper part of the Hooker Track and Hooker Hut next year and celebrate the opening of the longest swing bridge in New Zealand,” she says.

Construction supervisor Ash Rogers laughs and says he will most likely be celebrating with a cup of tea and a lie-down, or a much-needed rest, somewhere calm with no wind blowing.

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Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 16 December 2025
Last updated 16 December 2025

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The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) monitors each tertiary education organisation’s (TEO’s) performance and practices, to inform our decisions about future funding.
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) monitors each tertiary education organisation’s (TEO’s) performance and practices, to inform our decisions about future funding.

Reporting
TEOs should outline their support for the Equity funding learner groups as part of their normal Investment Plan documentation. This includes a Learner Success Plan and Disability Action Plan where applicable.
Equity funding for learners with disabilities
We collect information from tertiary education institutions (TEIs) on their use of Equity funding for learners with disabilities.
Collecting this data is very important, as it supports work being undertaken by the TEC and the Ministry of Education to improve outcomes for disabled learners in the tertiary sector. The detailed information provided by TEIs on the challenges, highlights and successes of supporting disabled learners helps inform work on funding needs. It will also continue to be reviewed to gauge additional content needs for the Kia Ōrite Toolkit.

The Kia Ōrite Toolkit – A New Zealand code of practice to achieve an inclusive and equitable tertiary education environment for disabled learners.

The data is collected through the ‘Equity funding: Tertiary students with disabilities’ reporting template, which captures various types of learners and resourcing information, such as costs, staff numbers, services provided, learners accessing the services, challenges faced by TEIs, etc.
You can access the latest reports below:

Source: New Zealand Police

Police investigating a stolen trailer and motorcycles in the Christchurch area are seeking help from the public.

On Monday 15 December, Police received a report that the trailer [pictured] had been stolen sometime overnight on Sunday 14 December, from an address on Kairua Road in Hornby.

The trailer – registration U110C – was then used in a burglary of four motorcycles from an address on Almond Lane, Prebbleton on Monday 15 December.

Police have since located the trailer and are now needing the public’s assistance to try find where the trailer has been or who may have been driving the vehicle towing it.

If you have any information regarding the thefts or the trailers movements from Sunday 14 December, around 4pm, onwards please contact Police.

Information can be provided through 105, either online or over the phone, please use reference number: 251215/1054.

Alternatively, you can make a report anonymously though Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111, using the same reference number.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett:

Police investigating a double homicide in Rutatiti are continuing to make enquiries to locate Mitchell Cole, 29.

Cole is believed to be in the Ruatiti area and should not be approached if seen.

Police have concerns for Cole, and we also want to speak to him in relation to our ongoing enquiries.

If you see him, please call 111 immediately.

Additional Police staff remain in the Ruatiti area to assist the investigation.

Police will pursue every lead available to us in relation to this investigation and are working to locate Cole as quickly as possible.

A warrant for his arrest has also been issued, for unlawful possession of firearms.

Reassurance patrols are also continuing around the Ruatiti area.

You can also share non-urgent information about what happened with us via 105, either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz, using the reference number P064773873.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre