Category: MIL-OSI

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The latest quarterly update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission shows that the value of infrastructure initiatives in the National Infrastructure Pipeline now totals $206.9 billion in the March 2025 quarter, an increase of nearly $3 billion since December, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. 
The Pipeline is managed by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission and provides a national view of current and future infrastructure projects and programmes, from roads, to water infrastructure, to schools, and more.
“The March 2025 Pipeline update also shows that the overall value of initiatives in the Pipeline with a confirmed funding source has increased, up $3.7 billion to $111.6 billion,” says Mr Bishop. 
“A strong pipeline of infrastructure projects means a growing economy with more jobs and more opportunities for Kiwis.
“The Commission’s projections indicate at least $16.6 billion of total spend across all infrastructure sectors in 2025, which equates to nearly 4 per cent of our GDP – up from December’s projected 3.6 per cent of GDP spend across 2025. 
“Three quarters of projected spend from initiatives with a confirmed funding source occur within five and a half years, providing important planning certainty for the sector. 
“The Commission continues to work with infrastructure providers to improve the transparency and quality of information that is available. A more complete Pipeline improves the effectiveness and value that we can gain from this tool.
“It’s encouraging that the number of infrastructure providers who contribute to the Pipeline has grown with every quarter under this Government. There are now 114 organisations contributing, including central government, local government, and the private sector. This includes 64 councils, but leaves 14 councils that are yet to contribute, which I urge them to do as soon as possible.
“The Pipeline now includes information on more than 8,100 infrastructure projects that are underway or being planned. This stronger and more transparent pipeline will help New Zealand’s infrastructure construction sector plan ahead for major upcoming projects, ensuring they can hire and retain key staff in the right locations.
“The estimated value of projects in the Pipeline shifts over time as infrastructure providers finish projects, update their plans, improve the detail and accuracy of their submissions, and as more organisations share their project data.
“The March Pipeline update was the last opportunity for contributors to have their investment activity and intentions inform the draft National Infrastructure Plan, which is expected to be published in June ahead of public consultation.
“The June and September quarters will inform the final version of the Plan, which will be published in December.
“I encourage the remaining councils and any infrastructure provider who is not yet contributing to reach out to the Commission.”

Note to editor:
Read the latest Pipeline update: https://tewaihanga.govt.nz/the-pipeline/pipeline-snapshot-may

Source: GenPro

The General Practice Owners Association is welcoming a $41 million a year uplift in funding for urgent and after-hours care services and hopes the government’s newly proactive approach to supporting family doctors continues in Thursday’s Budget.

“The after-hours and urgent care system is under considerable stress – about 10 urgent care services closed in the last two years – so it’s encouraging the government is funding improvement to urgent and after-hours care, but the devil is in the detail,” said Dr Angus Chambers, Chair of GenPro.

In particular more detail is required on rural services, which are under considerable stress, and on the split in funds for five new regional services, the expansion of others, and support for those already operating.

“This $164 million injection over four years and other recent announcements by senior ministers show the government is serious about tackling the crisis in primary health care.
 
“Looking forward, the best thing the Budget could contain is a 10 percent uplift in the government’s contribution to general practice, which covers approximately half a patient’s consultation fee.

“The government’s contribution has gradually fallen over the past 20 years, a period when an aging population, changing health needs, rising costs, and stretched hospitals have piled more work and cost on family doctors.

“The result is that many general practices have closed or reduced their services, GP salaries have failed to keep pace with overseas, and recruitment hasn’t kept up with GPs leaving or retiring. We expect considerable upward pressure on patient fees unless there is a substantial funding boost in the Budget.

“The government currently puts $1.3 billion or just 4 percent of its $30 billion health budget toward general practice.  A 10 percent uplift is urgently required in 2025/26 just to catch up and maintain existing services, with more investment needed in later years.

“General practice would also like the Budget to include progress on a new method for funding general practice to replace the current flawed ‘capitation’ model.

“A new model has been worked on for years by successive governments. But we’re still waiting for an outcome. The need is urgent as the old model hasn’t kept pace with the needs of patients and is resulting in longer waiting times to see a family doctor,” Dr Chambers said.

GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit  www.genpro.org.nz

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

May 19, 2025 – Auckland, New Zealand – In a clear act of defiance against international humanitarian obligations, the occupying state has permitted only nine aid trucks to enter the Gaza Strip — covering both the devastated north and south. This paltry number of trucks represents a deliberate and cynical attempt to circumvent global decisions calling for unrestricted humanitarian access.

Under the guise of permitting aid, this token gesture is being used to claim compliance while continuing to suffocate more than two million Palestinians trapped under siege. It is a tactic designed to deflect international criticism and ease diplomatic pressure without meaningfully alleviating the catastrophic conditions faced by civilians.

This is not aid — it is manipulation. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands immediate, full, and unhindered access to food, water, medical supplies, and shelter for all areas of the Strip. The international community must see through these performative measures and act decisively.

We call on governments, humanitarian agencies, and civil society around the world to intensify public and political pressure on the occupying state. It is imperative that world leaders hold it accountable for its ongoing violations and demand an end to the blockade, the siege, and these deceptive, life-threatening tactics.

Every minute of delay costs lives. Nine trucks are not enough. Gaza needs justice, not crumbs.

Maher Nazzal
Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Source: Green Party

A new report from Aotearoa Educators’ Collective, released today, has confirmed what teachers, students, and whanau have been calling out for years–our learning support system is overstretched, underfunded, and simply not working.

“This report paints a stark picture of systemic strain, with those working in learning support being pushed to breaking point,” says Green Party Education Spokesperson, Lawrence Xu-Nan.

“Education should serve the wellbeing and potential of all mokopuna—not just those whose needs align with the status quo. We have all the tools we need to give them that and more, but it requires serious investment and support for our workforce.

“However, the Government is intent on making cosmetic tweaks, like fragmented and reactive funding, while ignoring the core issue: the system was never set up to work properly in the first place. 

“Every announcement to date from this coalition has tinkered around the edges to make the numbers look prettier, rather than prompting genuine change that benefits our tamariki, their whānau, kaiako, kaimahi, and the wider communities.

“Today’s report shows decades of neglect, growing pressure, and a workforce pushed to breaking point. The Government’s cancellation of 33 pay equity claims–many of which affect teachers and support staff–makes it blatantly clear they’re not serious about fixing it.

“Further, the new Education and Training Amendment Bill completely fails to recognise the actual need of our education system.

“The Greens’ plan lays out real solutions. As a starting point: nationalising ECE, expanding free school lunches, and building a learning support system where every child belongs.

“Our plan will put children’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making and policy, where it should have been all along,” says Lawrence Xu-Nan.

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Disability and activity limitations: 2023 Census – 20 May 2025 – Disability and activity limitations: 2023 Census provides information through the release of 52 new Aotearoa Data Explorer tables and a report Using data from the Household Disability Survey and the 2023 Census.

Disability and activity limitation statistics provide important insights about disabled people living in New Zealand. These statistics and insights are used by government agencies, service providers, and community groups to monitor the outcomes of disabled people compared with non-disabled people and to support the development of accessible services.

Activity limitations are measured in the census using the Washington Group Short Set on Functioning (WGSS). The WGSS asks about six basic activities that a person might have difficulty with: seeing, hearing, walking or climbing stairs, remembering or concentrating, washing all over or dressing, and communicating. A person can have more than one activity limitation and will be counted for each limitation they give as a response.

Files:

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Acting Detective Sergeant Steve Leonard:

A man has been arrested in relation to an assault in Hawke’s Bay last month in which cyclists competing in a race were pelted with glass bottles.

On the afternoon of Saturday 19 April, the occupants of a black ute were seen on Mutiny Road, Poukawa throwing bottles from their vehicle towards participants of a Council-sanctioned cycle race.

A young person was hit by a bottle and fell from their bike – fortunately they were not seriously injured.

Hastings Police would like to thank the public for their response to our appeal for information at the time, as this has helped bring this matter to a resolution.

An 18-year-old man has been charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, and is due to appear in Hastings District Court on Friday 23 May.

He was a passenger in the black ute at the time. This vehicle has been seized by Police, and Police are following lines of inquiry to speak with the driver.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind road users that cyclists are legal road users under the Land Transport Act, who will on occasion ride two abreast, particularly in organised ride or race situations.

Please be patient and overtake when safe to do so for all parties, ensuring everyone arrives at their destination safely – preserving Hawke’s Bay’s reputation as a proud cycling region.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have made arrests following an early morning burglary at a Devonport apartment building.

Two offenders were seen allegedly breaking into the Queens Parade complex just before 2am.

Waitematā East Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant CJ Miles says Police quickly deployed into the area.

“Our staff were on scene quickly and located a vehicle travelling away from the scene,” she says.

“The vehicle was stopped on Lake Road in Hauraki and its occupants were spoken to.”

A 39-year-old woman, who was a passenger, has since been charged with a raft of offences.

She will appear in the North Shore District Court today charged with burglary, possession of instruments for burglary, resisting Police and possession of methamphetamine utensils.

Another passenger taken in custody, a 27-year-old woman, had warrants for her arrest for failing to appear in court.

Police enquiries remain ongoing into the burglary.

“I’d like to acknowledge the work of our night shift team in their response,” Senior Sergeant Miles says.

“It highlights the benefits of having good quality CCTV operating around your property.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

The Matariki Festival programme for 2025 launches today via the Matariki Festival website.

This season’s programme celebrates wai (water), with a whakataukii at its heart:

Waitaa ki te Maanuka,

Waitii ki te Mangatangi,

Waipuna ki te Rangi.

Ngāti Tamaoho, in partnership with Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland Council), is proud to present Matariki Festival for their second year as iwi manaaki (partner iwi).

Ngāti Tamaoho invites Aucklanders and visitors to be drawn to the cultural, environmental, and spiritual significance of water, guided by a reflection on three stars in the Matariki star cluster in particular.

Matariki star cluster can be seen mid-left.

Waitaa is the star of the sea and ocean, Waitii is the star of fresh water, and Waipunarangi symbolises rain.

For Ngāti Tamaoho, Waitaa connects through Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa (the Manukau Harbour), Waitii connects through the Mangatangi Awa (a river flowing through the Hunua Ranges) and Waipunarangi connects with the rain bringing life to their fertile lands in the southern part of the Auckland region – Pukekohekohe.

Matariki Festival is a celebration of the Māori New Year for all to enjoy across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This year it spans five weeks from 7 June to 13 July.

Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki (Matariki Festival Day) at Auckland Botanic Gardens on 20 June. Photo credit Grant Apiata.

Matariki Festival, known as Matariki ki te Wai in 2025, will see Ngāti Tamaoho hosting cultural activities, community events, water blessings and storytelling focused on their whakapapa (genealogy) and kaupapa (purpose).

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Regional celebrations, with community events, exhibitions and workshops will take place across the Auckland region with Matariki ki te Manawa in the city centre. These activities will bring local iwi, environmental groups and artists together.

Matariki Festival closes with a concert featuring Māori artists to celebrate the promise of the new year.

Head to the Matariki Festival for the full festival line-up. 

Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki (Matariki Festival Day) on 20 June celebrates the rising of the Matariki star cluster above the horizon in the north-east skies at dawn.

The city centre with the most visibility of te ao Māori (Māori worldview) in its streetscapes in the world, will light up at around this time also, with a full programme heralding the Māori New Year.

Tūrama returns to Queen Street for Matariki Festival 2025; photo Auckland Council.