Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

 
The KIS makes key information available to learners so that they have access to consistent information about qualifications, and can make more informed tertiary education study decisions. 
Guides and more information
Detailed information and frequently asked questions are contained in the documents on the KIS guides and FAQs page. 
Who publishes the KIS?
Tertiary education organisations (TEOs) delivering SAC-funded qualifications at level 5 and above will publish the KIS for these qualifications. If you don’t deliver qualifications at level 5 and above you won’t be expected to implement the KIS on your website. 
What information makes up the KIS?
The KIS has two levels of information and a total of twelve fields.

TEO-specific qualification information – provides information about studying qualifications with your organisation. These fields include Entry requirements, Duration, Tuition Fees, and Successful course completions. 
National graduate outcomes information – provides national outcomes three years after the completion of a qualification (regardless of TEO). These fields include Earnings, In employment, In further study and On a benefit.

For more information about the KIS fields, please read the KIS Your Data and its Sources handout.
KIS Your Data and its Sources (PDF 542 KB) 
Options for publishing the KIS 

TEOs have two options to choose from:
A. The full KIS displays the KIS for all level 5 and above qualification pages on your website.
B. The KIS button is a graphic which is located on all level 5 and above qualification pages and optionally other key web pages, and ‘links’ to the centrally-hosted KIS.
For more information refer to the KIS design and implementation page.
The process for publishing the KIS
Regardless of which publishing option is chosen, there are four phases you will be required to undertake to publish the KIS on your website:
Phase One: Initiate
This phase is for you to become familiar with what the KIS is, how you want to implement it on your website and checking your data is up to date.
Refer to KIS Your Data and its Sources (PDF 542 KB) 
Phase Two: Design
This phase is when you work with the TEC on the design of the KIS on your website. To ensure the location and design of the KIS is aligned to the implementation plan and style guide for your selected publishing option.
Refer to the KIS guides and FAQs page
Phase Three: Implement
This phase is for you to connect to the KIS Data Service (full KIS only) or to apply the KIS button to the relevant qualification pages on your website, linked to the KIS central website.
Refer to KIS Data Service Guide (PDF 997 KB) updated February 2018
Phase Four: Ongoing Maintenance
This phase is for ongoing maintenance of your data to ensure users view up-to-date data for your qualifications. The KIS quick reference guide provides information on the phases outlined above.
Refer to KIS Quick Reference Guide (PDF 348 KB) 
KIS deployment timeframe
The deployment started in October 2016 and is a phased deployment. We will engage with you to confirm your start date. The KIS is expected to be fully deployed across all TEOs by mid-2017.
For more information about the implementation process refer to the KIS design and implementation page.
Contact us
If you’d like to find out more or ask a question, please contact us by:

 

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 10 January 2020
Last updated 10 January 2020

Print

Share

Learners tell us making decisions about studying can be difficult because consistent information on qualifications and tertiary providers is hard to find and not easily comparable. 
Learners tell us making decisions about studying can be difficult because consistent information on qualifications and tertiary providers is hard to find and not easily comparable. 

We worked with learners and their advisors to develop a consistent, structured and accessible way to view key information about qualifications; called the Key Information for Students (KIS).
What is the Key Information for Students (KIS)?

The KIS is a specific set of information about a qualification provided by a tertiary education organisation (TEO). The KIS will be published on each associated qualification page on the TEO’s website in either a full table or as a button graphic. Both options will link to the full table on the central KIS website, hosted by Careers New Zealand.
Why are we doing this?
We are focused on improving outcomes for learners. Learners need information to be able to identify and assess the value of tertiary education and how it will contribute to achieving their desired outcomes.
Government and education providers have a shared responsibility to challenge learners to look at how they make decisions and the choices likely to result in achieving the best outcomes.
The KIS is a result of research, consultation and sector engagement to ensure that we help make it easier for learners to make good tertiary enrolment decisions.
The Key Information for Students (KIS) will:

enable learners to make real comparisons between qualifications and across providers when deciding on what and where to study
facilitate informed enrolment choices that align with learners’ desired tertiary education outcomes.

What does it mean for TEOs?
We’ll be working with TEOs to publish the KIS or KIS button on the qualification pages of their websites. This has been communicated in our Plan Guidance for 2017 and 2018 (page 15 of the Plan Guidance).
Who is required to publish the Key Information for Students (KIS)?

Funded TEOs (this excludes industry training organisations (ITOs)).
TEOs delivering SAC-funded qualifications at level 5 and above.

How are we doing this?
We are implementing a phased approach and will notify you about which group you are in, ensuring you have plenty of time to plan, resource and implement the KIS.
The key activities you’ll need to undertake to ensure that you are ready to start are:

Initiation: select which KIS option you will progress with, engage with your team and check your qualification data.
Design: the KIS or apply the KIS button for qualification pages level 5 and above. Send your design to us via email to begin the design review process. 
Implementation: once your design is approved, connect to the KIS data service (if implementing the full KIS) and or embed the link in your website, test and publish your KIS to your website.

Guides and more information
For more information on the publishing options and process refer to the KIS initiation page.
To view all guides, refer to the KIS guides and FAQs page.
Contact us
To find out more, or if you have a question:

Related Content

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Apprenticeship Boost payments are available through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
Payments are made directly to employers to incentivise them to take on new apprentices. From 1 January 2025, employers can receive up to 12 months of support per eligible apprentice. Payments are currently $500 per month (excluding GST).
The employer must continue to pay their apprentice at least the minimum or relevant training wage.
More information, including how employers can apply for Apprenticeship Boost, is available from Work and Income:
Apprenticeship Boost – Work and Income
Background
Apprenticeship Boost was first introduced in August 2020 as part of the Government’s wider Apprenticeship Support Programme – a cross-agency response to help support apprentices and employers to manage the impacts of COVID-19. The Government has provided ongoing funding through Budget 2024, with some changes to eligibility and payments.  
Apprentice eligibility from 1 January 2025
To be eligible for Apprenticeship Boost, an apprentice must:

be enrolled and engaged in a Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)-approved and funded New Zealand Apprenticeship or Managed Apprenticeship, and
be actively training in a targeted occupation through a tertiary education organisation (TEO), and
have completed no more than 12 months in a TEC-approved apprenticeship that is the “same or similar” to a programme they may have done in the past.  

Apprentices must be employed in the occupation for which they are in training. They must be an employee (ie, not a self-employed contractor or sole trader).
Approved and funded New Zealand Apprenticeships and Managed Apprenticeships
Apprentices need to be enrolled in a TEC-approved and funded New Zealand Apprenticeship or Managed Apprenticeship programme to be eligible. More information about New Zealand Apprenticeships is available at:
New Zealand apprenticeship programmes
New Zealand Apprenticeships and Managed Apprenticeships both involve training consisting of 120 credits or more, leading to a qualification at Level 4 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. Apprenticeship programmes are approved and funded by the TEC. Enrolments in these programmes are specifically reported as apprenticeship enrolments to the TEC.
Apprentices’ training is governed by a tripartite training agreement signed by the apprentice, the employer and the relevant TEO.
Apprentices must be actively training in a targeted occupation
Targeted occupations for Apprenticeship Boost are defined through New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED) code of the qualification that an apprentice is training towards. They are:

NZSCED code
Field of study

0403
Building

0501
Agriculture

0503
Horticulture and Viticulture

0505
Forestry Studies

0301
Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology

0303
Process and Resources Engineering

0305
Automotive Engineering and Technology

0313
Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology

0315
Aerospace Engineering and Technology

0317
Maritime Engineering and Technology

0399
Other Engineering and Technology

0905
Human Welfare Studies and Services

1101
Food and Hospitality

These qualifications are targeted at the NZSCED Narrow Fields of Study. More information about NZSCED codes is available at NZSCED Narrow Fields of Study – Education Counts.
To ensure that targeted occupations remain relevant, the Ministry of Education will review them every two years and report to Cabinet ministers. The next review is scheduled for July 2027.
List of eligible qualifications
TEC has compiled a list of eligible qualifications, which was last updated in April 2025. 
Qualifications in Targeted Fields for Apprenticeship Boost as at April 2025 (PDF 454 KB)
TEC does not assign NZSCED codes. NZSCED codes are assigned by the qualification developer and registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). If the qualification an apprentice is training towards is not on the TEC published list you can search for the qualification on the NZQA website.
Apprentices must be in their first year of training
As of 1 January 2025, only apprentices in their first year of training are eligible for Apprenticeship Boost.
Employers may receive up to 12 monthly payments for an eligible apprentice in a TEC-approved apprenticeship that is the “same or similar” to a programme they may have done in the past.
Apprenticeship programmes are the “same or similar” if they create transferable technical skills relevant to a particular occupation. If an apprentice has been previously enrolled in any other TEC-approved apprenticeship with “same or similar” content, this will be counted towards the number of months of training the apprentice has completed. The number of months enrolled in a “same or similar” programme will be subtracted from the maximum 12 months of possible payments.
Some new apprentices may be ineligible because they have completed training in a “same or similar” programme with a previous employer. This requirement cannot be waived regardless of the circumstances. Qualifications under the same NZSCED Narrow Field level are considered as “same or similar”. 
Transition to new requirements
There are some changes to eligibility and payments as of 1 January 2025.
Previously, payments were available for a maximum of 24 months per apprentice. This is now 12 months.
Previously, apprentices in all occupations were eligible. This is now limited to targeted occupations.
Employers will continue to receive payments for apprentices from 1 January 2025 if:

the apprentice is training in a targeted occupation, and
they are in their first 12 months of training.

MSD will automatically check the eligibility of employers who are currently receiving payments. Employers of eligible apprentices will continue to receive payments as normal and don’t need to reapply, but will need to continue to reconfirm each month with MSD to get the monthly payment.  
Agency roles and who to contact
MSD’s role
MSD manages the applications for Apprenticeship Boost and is responsible for payments. It receives employers’ applications, processes them and makes the payments. Applications can be made through MSD’s web page Apprenticeship Boost – Work and Income.  
MSD is the best point of contact for employers.
TEC’s role
TEC supports MSD by verifying and providing information on apprenticeships. We check an employer’s details, and confirm the number of months of training the apprentice has completed and if the training is in a targeted occupation. A data file is transferred from MSD to TEC for verification each day. When all details match between the MSD application and TEC’s data for an apprentice, the data is verified and MSD can start the payment process.
TEC is the best point of contact for TEOs, and for issues with data submitted for an apprentice.

FAQs for TEOs delivering apprenticeships  
What is the role of TEOs in Apprenticeship Boost?
There are a few things you can do that will help the process run smoothly:

Make sure all the data for apprenticeships that you provide to TEC is up to date and accurate so we can match it with the data that employers submit to MSD.
Check the Apprenticeship Boost Unmatched submission app on Qlik for a list of your apprentices where the Apprenticeship Boost employer name does not match the data you have submitted for that apprentice.  

As part of TEC’s Data System Refresh (DSR) Programme, this app will be replaced with a new Power BI report in mid-2025 (date to be confirmed). The data in the app will be current up to 25 December 2024, but no data will be added to it after this date. For queries that need 2025 data, please contact customerservice@tec.govt.nz.
Please continue to refer to the app for information submitted up to 25 December 2024, and work with the employer to ensure you are submitting the same employer name to TEC and MSD. 

Process new enrolments for apprenticeships as promptly as possible.
Help out where you can with enquiries from employers whose applications haven’t been successfully processed because the data they have submitted doesn’t match the data in TEC’s system.

Where should I direct further questions from employers about Apprenticeship Boost?
MSD is leading the Apprenticeship Boost programme and is the best contact point for employers.
What are the privacy statement requirements since data is being shared with MSD?  
Employers will need to get their apprentices to sign a consent form as part of the application process. This will cover the privacy arrangements and enable TEC and MSD to share information. Make sure the consent form used is the original form from the Work and Income website – do not use a copy or altered version.
How will Apprenticeship Boost affect other TEC funding paid to TEOs for apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship Boost won’t affect any funding that you currently receive from TEC. Apprenticeship Boost payments will be made directly by MSD to employers.
Apprenticeship data
Good data helps applications be approved more quickly
Apprenticeship Boost relies on good data provided to MSD by the employer and submitted to TEC by TEOs. Often, the data is different and this slows down payments to employers. Key data includes:

Apprentice name and date of birth: Make sure you give the apprentice’s legal name, and encourage employers to do the same in MSD applications. We often see abbreviated names that don’t match, or mismatched dates of birth. These mismatches result in failed verification.
Employer name: The employer name must also match in the MSD application and TEC data. The MSD application records the legal name of the entity verified by the Inland Revenue Department and the trading name. A training agreement should record the legal name (which can be checked against the Companies Office). Please do not include branch names in this field.

If I deliver Managed Apprenticeships, will I have to send data to TEC more frequently?
A Managed Apprenticeship template will be provisioned monthly on DXP Ngā Kete for TEOs that have been approved by TEC to deliver Managed Apprenticeships. This needs to be completed fully and accurately and submitted on time each month. Giving the employer’s correct name is critical to the data matching and the employer being paid as quickly as possible.
For TEOs that submit data via the Single Data Return (SDR), the data you submit in your course enrolment file should match the data you submit in your monthly Managed Apprenticeships template.
We are aware there will be timing issues as the Managed Apprenticeships template in DXP Ngā Kete is submitted monthly while the SDR files are submitted three times a year. However, we expect that your course enrolment file in the SDR will reflect apprenticeships submitted via Managed Apprenticeships templates in DXP Ngā Kete for the prior months.
How is the payment start date calculated for employers?
If the employer completed their application to MSD within 20 working days of creating their account with MSD, the payment start date will be the day they created their account. If the employer completed their application more than 20 working days after they created their account with MSD, the payment start date will be the day they completed their application.
If an apprentice’s training is on hold, is their employer still entitled to the Apprenticeship Boost assistance?
No. TEC will advise MSD when an apprentice’s enrolment is on hold. Payments will not be made when we have reported an apprentice as on hold.  
Does an apprentice’s previous study or training impact their eligibility?
It may do.
If an apprentice has been enrolled in a same or similar apprenticeship programme previously, this will be included in the calculation of their months of eligibility.
If the apprentice has previously been enrolled in other vocational training that is not an apprenticeship, this will not be included in the calculation of their months of eligibility.
How will MSD be informed about previous study or training?  
We will count every month where there is a record of an active apprenticeship   and share this with MSD. “Active” means the enrolment is not on hold, withdrawn or completed.

How will my privacy be protected?
Your employer will ask you to sign a consent form before sharing any information with MSD. This form clearly outlines what information will be shared between MSD and TEC to help determine if you are eligible for Apprenticeship Boost. The information will be shared securely.
What should I do if I change employers?
Please let your TEO know about any changes in employment status as soon as this occurs.
What should I do if I put my training on hold?
Please get your employer to notify MSD if you put your training on hold. You should also let your TEO know.
What should I do if I no longer want to do my apprenticeship?
Please get your employer to notify MSD if you withdraw from your training. You should also let your TEO know.
Will I receive Apprenticeship Boost payments?
No. Apprenticeship Boost payments will be paid to your employer.  
What should I do if I’m concerned about wages I receive from my employer?
The wages you receive are part of your agreement with your employer. If your employer is doing something that you think would make them ineligible for Apprenticeship Boost payments, please let MSD know by calling 0800 673 227 or emailing Apprenticeship_Boost@msd.govt.nz.
Assistance payments will be made to your employer, who must continue to pay you the relevant minimum or training wage. If you think you are not being paid the minimum wage or training wage, this may be a breach of employment law. Contact Employment New Zealand to lodge a complaint with the Labour Inspectorate.  
Who/where should I send my questions to?
Please send your questions to customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A south Auckland lifestyle farmer has been banned from owning or being in charge of any cattle under the age of 12 months, after 2 of his animals had to be euthanised.

Smith (Sam) Salevao (28) was sentenced in Papakura District Court yesterday (7 August 2025) after pleading guilty to one charge under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). The ban from owning or being in charge of young cattle is for 2 years.

“In May 2024, animal welfare inspectors visited a lifestyle block and found 12 young calves in extremely thin condition, with no adequate food or shelter available. One calf had to be immediately euthanised by a veterinarian to prevent further suffering,” says MPI district manager of animal welfare and National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) compliance Cody Taylor.

“While we instructed Mr Salevao on how to provide the right care for the remaining calves, following a search warrant, we had to euthanise one other calf to end its suffering.”

All animal owners or people in charge of agricultural animals are responsible for ensuring they meet their animals’ physical, health, and behavioural needs. This includes providing quality and sufficient food and water, adequate shelter, timely veterinary care, and the opportunity to display normal patterns of animal behaviour.  

“Throughout our investigation, we worked with Mr. Salevao on how to improve the standard of care for his calves. Mr. Salevao failed to provide the basics, so we took action and placed the matter before the court,” says Cody Taylor.

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 008 333.

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: New Zealand Police

An investigation is underway following the discovery of human remains at a beach in Waihau Bay, Ōpōtiki earlier today.

Police were notified at around 11:50am today.

The remains have been identified as human, and enquiries will determine how old these remains are. This will be followed by a formal identification process, which may take some time.

Anyone with information that could assist Police is urged to make a report via 105, either over the phone or online. Please quote the event number P063420839.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The first 12-month Military-Style Academy pilot has now concluded, having provided support and opportunities that have made our communities safer and turned young lives around.

The pilot began in July 2024 at an existing Youth Justice residence, Te Au rere a te Tonga in Palmerston North. Throughout the pilot, participants were intensively supported, along with their whānau, by social workers, a mentor and other professionals. 

Minister for Children Karen Chhour has stated, “While the pilot only just closed, the feedback I have received has been overwhelmingly positive.”

“The aim of the pilot, trialling a new approach to working with the country’s most serious and persistent youth offenders to reduce (and, ultimately, end) re-offending, has been achieved and, in some cases, exceeded. 

“We have seen marked improvements in these young people’s behaviour, attitudes to offending, and activities. 

“The families of these young people have expressed great appreciation for the support they have been provided, such as accessing stable housing and parenting support services. 

“Most importantly, many of the young people involved in the pilot have taken this opportunity to turn their lives around and are showing real promise.”

Minister Chhour said, “Zero re-offending was never going to be realistic, but the goal of this programme has always been to provide meaningful supports and an opportunity for these young people to make better choices.”

“It is wonderful to see that so many have taken this chance and made great progress – several have found employment or work experience, some have returned to sports and other activities that promote positive social development, the vast majority have shown greater personal responsibility and a desire to no longer victimise others.

“This government committed to reducing the harm caused in our communities by serious and persistent youth offending. 

We are now tracking to reach a 15% reduction in the total number of children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour well ahead of schedule and initiatives like the Military-Style Academy pilot have played a huge role in this success.”

“Communities are becoming safer, young people who lacked hope and direction are finding it, this government is getting results.”    

Source: New Zealand Police

Two men who allegedly attempted to hide guns, drugs and cash in the engine bay of a car before Police arrived are now reconsidering their actions.

Yesterday Police in Counties Manukau South, including the Armed Offenders Squad, executed a search warrant at a Patumahoe address following a report relating to a person acting in a threatening manner.

Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes, says upon arrival a man was observed in the garage area attempting to hide items.

“This person was quickly taken into custody without incident.

“A second man was then seen also scrambling to hide a number of items.

“He failed to follow Police instructions and was also arrested after attempting to assault an officer.”

Inspector Hoyes says officers searched the property and found a pistol inside a bag, which had been hidden in the engine bay of a vehicle upon Police arrival.

“Also in this bag was s substantial amount of cannabis, LSD and methamphetamine.

“During a further search of the property a sawn-off shotgun and revolver type pistol were located in a bedroom along with some ammunition.

“A rifle and 61 rounds of ammunition were also located in a campervan on the property.”

Inspector Hoyes says three of the four firearms located were loaded.

“I am really proud of the work our teams did investigating this offending – being able to hold these offenders to account shows our commitment to stamping out this type of criminal activity in our community.

“Recovering the drugs and dangerous weapons that were present, alongside evidence of dealing, is a great result for everyone.”

A 42-year-old man has been charged with five counts of unlawful possession of a firearm/ammunition, possessio0n of methamphetamine for supply, possession of LSD for supply, possession of drug utensils, possession of cannabis for supply, assaults Police and resists Police.

He will appear in Pukekohe District Court today.

A 27-year-old man will appear in Pukekohe District Court today charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and threatening to kill.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngāmihi ki a koutou.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Smith, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Hyland, Director of Wellington UniVentures, our partners from Booster NZ, and of course, the entrepreneurs showcasing their work tonight – thank you for the invitation to join you at this celebration of innovation and collaboration.

Tonight’s event is a showcase of what can happen when world-class research meets entrepreneurial drive. The partnership between Wellington UniVentures and Booster NZ represents New Zealand ingenuity – and I am delighted to be here.

One of the real strengths of Wellington UniVentures is the way research is intentionally designed to have an impact. This is research that doesn’t just sit on a shelf. 

The numbers speak for themselves. In 2024 alone, UniVentures worked with university staff to secure over $5 million in external research funding. This demonstration of support from industry also strengthens Victoria University of Wellington’s reputation.

And it’s not just about funding – it’s about impact. Innovations from the university are emerging in bio-health, MRI development, cancer treatments, AgTech, and superconductivity. This is a pipeline of ideas that can transform industries and lives.

I am informed that the partnership with Booster NZ, which began in 2018, has been a critical enabler of this work. Booster’s journey – from its KiwiSaver launch in 2007 to its role today as a driver of New Zealand innovation – is a story of using local capital to create local opportunity.

By linking KiwiSaver investments to our own world-leading research, this partnership ensures that the benefits of innovation – the profits, the knowledge, and the opportunities – stay right here in New Zealand.

When academic and business communities come together, as they do here, they turn research into real-world solutions. These are not separate worlds. Both are driven by curiosity, creativity, and the desire to make an impact.

As Minister for Universities and Science, Innovation and Technology, my role is to strengthen the bridge between these two worlds. By bringing these portfolios together, this Government is making it easier to connect brilliant research with the entrepreneurial and technological ecosystems that can take it to the next level.

The partnership we are celebrating tonight does exactly that. It looks squarely at community and national challenges – and applies ingenuity to solving them. This is the kind of work that underpins New Zealand’s economic future.

Across the country, our universities have a history of commercial collaboration. Commercialisation and innovation are not side projects. They are essential to building the entrepreneurial ecosystem we need. And, as we see tonight, these partnerships turn research into initiatives that have real, measurable impact.

This is one of the reasons our tertiary institutions are so attractive – to both domestic and international students. Our universities produce leaders in science, the arts, business, sport, and public life. And increasingly, they are producing innovators – people creating jobs, driving economic growth, and improving the lives of New Zealanders.

This aligns closely with the Government’s Going for Growth agenda. Science, innovation, and technology are important for that plan – because they are important for unleashing our country’s economic potential.

And to achieve that, we need to ensure that our researchers are rewarded for their creativity and entrepreneurship.

That is why the Government will be developing a national Intellectual Property policy for science, innovation and technology-funded research. This will be based on principles from the successful model used at Canada’s Waterloo University, where the ownership of IP rests with the researchers who create it.

We want to make sure that those who have the ideas – and the drive to turn them into commercial success – share in the financial rewards. Fundamentally we want more agency for creators and inventors. Through the NZX-listed Booster Innovation Fund and the university partnership fund, around $7.2 million has been invested in 13 companies born from this university’s research.

Today, those companies have a combined enterprise value of over $200 million. That is a marvellous achievement – for Wellington, and for New Zealand.

And we are only just getting started. With the new Public Research Organisations and the New Zealand Institute of Advanced Technology, there is even more potential to connect university research with national-scale innovation.

So tonight, I want to acknowledge everyone who has made this partnership thrive:
the Vice-Chancellor and university leadership,
the Wellington UniVentures team,
the Booster NZ team,
and the entrepreneurs who are turning bold ideas into reality.

By building partnerships like this – and by prioritising commercialisation and entrepreneurial opportunity – we ensure that the remarkable research being conducted here creates real-world outcomes that benefit New Zealanders.

Congratulations on everything you have achieved so far, and thank you for the invitation to celebrate with you this evening.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Drainage improvement work is starting next week on State Highway 4 (SH4) between Mapara North and Kopaki roads north of Taumarunui.

The work will begin on Monday 11 August and run through until mid-September, weather permitting.

Crews will be on site between 6am and 6pm Monday to Saturday.

The stretch of SH4, approximately 3 kilometres in length, will be under a combination of contraflow (two-way) and stop/go traffic management between Mapara North and Kopaki roads, with delays of approximately 10-15 minutes.

During the 5 weeks of work, existing drainage will be upgraded to protect the road and improve the resilience of this area of SH4.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Project Manager Kendra Ludeke says saturated ground conditions along this stretch of highway is causing an issue with the settlement of the road surface.

“This work, to install 5 large drains, is designed to take water from the hillside, directing it away from the road and ultimately improving stability.

“The 5 drains will be installed from the hill side, and run at angles of between 6 and 12 degrees for 20 to 30 metres in length under the road and out the other side.

“Water is the enemy of most infrastructure projects and being able to draw as much water as possible from hillsides and away from roads is the best way to ensure our roads remain safe and resilient,” says Ms Ludeke.

Access to property within the work site will be maintained.

In the event of unsuitable weather, work will be postponed to the next suitable day. 

Motorists are asked to follow the instructions of road workers and temporary traffic management in place.

The work is funded by the Crown Resilience Programme – a $419 million investment package of resilience improvement activities that will reduce the impact of severe weather events on our national roading networks.

The total Crown Resilience Programme comprises $279 million for activities on state highways.

Crown Resilience Programme

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A Christchurch man has been jailed for 18 months for poaching 1,432 sea cucumbers.

Jason Murray Nix (55) was also banned from all fishing for 3 years when he appeared for sentencing in the Christchurch District Court on 2 charges under the Fisheries Act yesterday (7 August 2025).

“In one instance, Mr Nix was stopped by NZ Police on other issues and was found to have more than 20 times the daily limit for sea cucumbers in his vehicle that were likely to be sold on the black market,” says Fisheries New Zealand district manager Marlborough/Canterbury Stuart Moore.

“When we find evidence of poaching or any other illegal fishing, we will investigate and – in serious situations – place the case before the court. Our job is to protect the sustainability of our shared fisheries now and into the future.”

In November 2023, police stopped Mr Nix and another man and impounded his vehicle because of other legal matters. A search of the car found 1,022 sea cucumbers and fishery officers were contacted. Mr Nix was caught again in December 2024 with another 410. The daily limit per person for taking sea cucumbers is 50.

“Our investigation found strong electronic evidence of illegal seafood sales. To buy sea cucumbers commercially can cost up to $80/kg. Black market sales of sea cucumbers can be as little as $25/kg, seriously undermining the legitimate market.

“We urge any member of the public who is aware of or has been offered cheap sea cucumbers to contact us,” says Mr Moore.

The other man stopped with Mr Nix is still to appear before the court.

Mr Nix received a total sentence of 30 months’ imprisonment as he was also sentenced on separate police charges. A range of equipment, including 2 boats and a car, were forfeited to the Crown.

MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 476 224)

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.