Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Packing a personal locator beacon paid off for two teenagers when one was swept down a river north of Wellington today.

The two 15-year-olds were returning from an overnight hike to Kapakapanui Hut in the Tararua Forest Park when they got into trouble trying to cross the Ngatiawa River.

Constable Alex McCormack said the river was rising from heavy rain and the flow swept one of the boys off his feet and carried him downstream.

“His friend made the right choice not to go in after him. The boys thought it was crossable, but underestimated the power the water was packing.”

The teen that was in the water managed to get to safety, but on the opposite riverbank. He stayed put and activated the locator beacon while the other boy walked to the end of the track to wait for Police and family members.

“The Search and Rescue team were able to assist the second teen out and both of them were fine – just a little cold and wet. The fact they’re okay is a real relief given what the river was looking like.”

Constable McCormack says the rescue showed the value in packing a locator beacon and looking at the forecast – lessons anyone heading into the outdoors should learn from.

“Both these guys did lots of things right, but it shows how quickly the conditions can change. If you’re heading into the wilderness, pay attention to the forecast and weather warnings, and don’t risk crossing a flooded or fast-rising river – you’re better to wait it out.

“Despite all that, they packed a locator beacon and used it when they needed to. And importantly, the one with the beacon stayed put after activating it, so we were able to find them without any trouble.”

Constable McCormack said the rescue was a team effort involving Land Search and Rescue volunteers, the Rescue Coordination Centre, and local landowners who provided advice and allowed the rescue team access through their land.

“They all deserve thanks for the parts they played. There are a lot of people willing to drop everything to help a stranger and we couldn’t do it without them.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Otago rail has received a big boost today with the official reopening of the Hillside Workshops in Dunedin and the announcement of up to $8.2 million for part of a vital rail link between Port Chalmers and Mosgiel.

Rail Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones attended the reopening of the Hillside Workshops this afternoon.

“Our nation was built in rail yards just like Hillside, a facility that has contributed significantly to connecting our communities and enabling New Zealand’s growth and development through the movement of goods and resources,” Mr Peters says.

“Hillside is a key part of New Zealand’s rail infrastructure, the only heavy lifting rail facility in the South Island and vital to KiwiRail’s operations.”

The transformation of the workshops was enabled by a total of $127.97m investment.

The project received $19.97m in 2019 through the former Provincial Growth Fund, as well as funding in Budget 2021 and from KiwiRail.

It created around 200 construction-related full-time jobs during the demolition and construction process.

The redevelopment added a new mechanical workshop, where up to 21 locomotives, wagons or carriages can be worked on at a time, as well as a new wagon assembly facility capable of assembling two wagons daily.

“KiwiRail expects to assemble up to 1500 wagons at Hillside before 2027, enabling safer and more reliable rail freight services that will benefit all New Zealanders,” Mr Peters says.

Hillside Workshops has played an important role in New Zealand’s rail journey since 1875, at its peak providing 1200 jobs.

As well as celebrating the reopening of Hillside Workshops, Mr Jones announced that the development of a three-track rail siding at the Southern Link Logistics Hub development near Mosgiel will receive a loan up to $8.2m from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

The freight and rail hub will service Port Otago.

Mr Jones made the announcement for funding to Southern Link Property Limited and KiwiRail Holdings Limited at a regional growth summit in Dunedin earlier today.

“The project will address a regional priority and long-standing issues with the freight network in Otago. By reducing heavy vehicle movements through Dunedin, the logistics hub will reduce traffic congestion and reduce travel time to and from the port for freight vehicles, says Mr Jones. 

The Otago regional growth summit was the last event in a nationwide series which              aimed to facilitate conversations with regional stakeholders around opportunities for economic growth, regional priorities, prosperity and resilience through the use of the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Source: New Zealand Police

Wairarapa Police have made an arrest in relation to seven suspicious fires in Masterton earlier this year.

Six churches and a local business were damaged by fire on 22 February, acts Police believe were intentional.

This morning, Police executed a search warrant at a Masterton address, where a 44-year-old man was arrested without incident. Police have filed seven charges of arson against him and he is expected to appear in the Masterton District Court tomorrow (19 May).

Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom welcomed the arrest.

“I want to acknowledge the support we’ve had from the community during this investigation. The fires were unsettling and upsetting for many people, and I hope today’s arrest brings some comfort.

“Information from the public has played a pivotal role in this investigation and I want to thank everyone who has helped us, including the dedicated investigators who have spent months following leads and making enquiries.”

As the case is before the court, Police are unable to comment further.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Kiwis living in rural and remote communities will benefit from a significant funding boost to urgent and after-hours healthcare services, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says.“Access to healthcare is one of the biggest concerns for people living in rural and remote communities,” Mr Doocey says.“Our Government is committed to ensuring all New Zealanders can get the care they need, when they need it – no matter where they live. This investment will bring healthcare closer to home for more people.“Budget 2025 is investing $164 million over four years to strengthen urgent and after-hours care nationwide, meaning 98 per cent of Kiwis will be able to access these services within one hour’s drive of their home.”The funding includes targeted support for more than 70 rural and remote communities, including: 

Extended after-hours
24/7 on-call in-person clinical support
Improved access to diagnostics and medicines 

Changes will be rolled out over the next two years to ensure services are tailored to the specific needs of each community. This year, new services will be trialled in Twizel, Tākaka, Tūrangi, Te Kūiti, Coromandel, and Great Barrier Island before being rolled out nationwide.“People in rural New Zealand deserve access to timely, quality healthcare. This investment will reduce travel times, improve access to services, and help take pressure off our emergency departments.“This is about delivering practical improvements that make a real difference for people living in rural and remote areas. Geography shouldn’t be a barrier to getting the healthcare you need,” Mr Doocey says.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

South Island communities will have better access to urgent and after-hours healthcare as part of a nationwide investment, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Improving access to urgent and after-hours services is a key part of our plan to ensure all New Zealanders – whether they live in cities, towns, or rural areas – can get timely, quality care when they need it,” Mr Brown says.“Budget 2025 delivers new and enhanced urgent care services across the South Island, making it easier for people to get the care they need closer to home.“In Dunedin, a new 24/7 service has been identified to ensure the community has round-the-clock access to care every day of the week, easing pressure on the city’s hospital. This means people in Dunedin will be able to get urgent care any time of the day and night, while our Government continues to prioritise delivering the New Dunedin Hospital.“New daytime services have been identified for Invercargill and Timaru, building on existing after-hours services to offer more consistent, reliable care.“Rural and remote communities will also benefit from improved urgent care access, including better access to diagnostic services, urgent medicines, and on-call clinicians. “This investment means South Islanders will have faster access to care, with shorter trips and more treatment available locally – especially outside of normal hours – while reducing pressure on emergency departments.Key Budget 2025 initiatives for the South Island include: 

A new 24/7 urgent care service identified for Dunedin by late 2025.
A new daytime urgent care service identified for Invercargill and Timaru, building on the existing after-hours services.
Maintaining all existing urgent and after-hours healthcare services in the region.
Improved after-hour services identified for Alexandra, Ashburton, Balclutha, Golden Bay, Gore, and Oamaru.
Around 30 rural and remote communities to benefit from improved services, including better access to diagnostics, urgent medicines, and 24/7 on-call clinical support.

“This Government is investing more in health than ever before, with a record $16.68 billion over three Budgets to improve health outcomes for Kiwis.“Alongside new and improved urgent care services, our investment will better support rural clinicians with tools, diagnostics, and more connected care – helping deliver timely, quality services across the South Island,” Mr Brown says.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Access to urgent and after-hours healthcare is being expanded across the central and lower North Island as part of Budget 2025 to deliver faster, more accessible urgent care, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“We’re investing in new and extended urgent care services across the Central region to ensure people can get the right care, at the right time, closer to home,” Mr Brown says.“These improvements will make it easier for New Zealanders to get help when they need it – whether late at night, on weekends, or in more remote communities, while also reducing pressure on emergency departments.“In Palmerston North, a new 24/7 service has been identified to provide the community with consistent access to timely, quality urgent care around the clock.“A new daytime urgent care service has been identified for Lower Hutt, adding to the existing after-hours service and expanding access to urgent care seven days a week. This means people living in the Hutt will be able to access care during the day, without needing to wait or travel further for non-emergency support.”These new and improved urgent care services will be introduced over the next two years, alongside continued support for existing providers and improvements to rural access.“This investment will make a real difference for patients – with shorter travel times, better local options, and faster access to essential treatments like diagnostics and urgent medicines.”Key Budget 2025 initiatives for the Central region include: 

A new 24/7 urgent care service identified for Palmerston North by mid 2027.
A new daytime urgent care service identified for Lower Hutt, building on the existing after-hours service in late 2025.
Maintaining all existing urgent and after-hours healthcare services in the region, with capability to extend hours in central Wellington.  
Extended after-hour services identified for Dannevirke, Masterton, Levin, and Wairoa.
Improved services for rural and remote communities, including better access to diagnostics, urgent medicines, and 24/7 on-call clinical support.

“This Government is investing more in health than ever before, with a record $16.68 billion over three Budgets to improve health outcomes for Kiwis. “Our investment means people living in cities, towns and rural areas across the Central region will have better access to the care they need, when they need it,” Mr Brown says.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Faster, more accessible urgent care for communities across Auckland and Northland will be delivered through Budget 2025, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Government is making a significant investment to improve access to urgent and after-hours healthcare nationwide, including across the Northern region,” Mr Brown says.“Strengthening urgent and after-hours care is a key part of our plan to ensure all New Zealanders – including Aucklanders and Northlanders – can access timely, quality healthcare, when and where they need it.“Budget 2025 will fund a new 24/7 urgent care service identified for Counties Manukau, providing more accessible after-hours options and easing pressure on the region’s already busy emergency departments, including Middlemore.“A new 24/7 urgent care service in Whangārei has also been identified, significantly improving access to care outside normal hours in Northland’s largest city.”Communities across Auckland and Northland will also benefit from extended opening hours, and greater support for rural and remote providers, with changes being rolled out over the next two years.“These investments will give people – especially in rural and remote communities – greater access to essential services like diagnostics and urgent medicines when they need them.“More options in the evening, overnight, and on weekends for locals will also reduce pressure on emergency departments and deliver better outcomes for patients.”Key Budget 2025 initiatives for the Northern region include: 

A new 24/7 urgent care service identified for Counties Manukau by late 2025.
A new 24/7 urgent care service identified for Whangārei from 2026.
Maintaining all existing urgent and after-hours healthcare services in the region.
Extended after-hour services identified for Dargaville, Hokianga, Kaitaia, and Wellsford.
Improved services for rural and remote Northland communities, including better access to diagnostics, urgent medicines, and 24/7 on-call clinical support.

“This Government is investing more in health than ever before, with a record $16.68 billion over three Budgets to improve health outcomes for Kiwis.“Our investment will give Aucklanders and Northlanders more choice, reduce wait times, and bring care closer to home,” Mr Brown says.