Category: MIL-OSI

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

New Zealand will host leaders from across the Pacific next week, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Pacific Peoples Minister Dr Shane Reti have announced.

“New Zealand is a Pacific country, and regular face-to-face dialogue is a crucial underpinning for our relationships throughout our region,” Mr Peters says. 

The Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Baron Waqa will visit New Zealand, engaging with Mr Peters and Dr Reti, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and a range of MPs from across Parliament.

“New Zealand’s membership of the Forum underpins much of our engagement in the region,” Mr Peters says. 

“Secretary-General Waqa’s visit will be an opportunity to discuss the Forum’s work on regional priorities, including health, education, security, and the environment.”

Ulu o Tokelau Esera Tuisano will make his first official visit to New Zealand, ahead of New Zealand and Tokelau marking a centenary of their constitutional relationship next year.

“New Zealand and Tokelau have enjoyed close ties for nearly a century. We are united by our shared New Zealand citizenship and mutual obligations and responsibilities,” Mr Peters says.

New Zealand will also host the Council of the University of the South Pacific in Auckland on 19-21 May. The meeting brings together 12 Pacific countries to guide the direction of the leading tertiary provider in the Pacific. 

“Our role as host reflects our steadfast commitment to advancing tertiary education and research through Pacific regionalism,” Dr Reti says.

Mr Peters will also meet with Tuvalu Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Panapasi Nelesone. He will reaffirm New Zealand’s commitment to supporting Tuvalu’s development priorities, including economic resilience.

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  16 May 2025

“We know how much this iconic walk is valued and how much people love to visit and walk it, so we’ve worked hard to keep the lower part of the track open,” says Aoraki Mount Cook Operations Manager Sally Jones.

“There is an elevated viewing site looking over Mueller Lake and visitors can still walk up the stunning Hooker Valley past the first suspension bridge which is about an hour’s return from the carpark at White Horse Hill.

“We will have to keep the upper part of the track closed while the construction takes place as there are helicopters carrying big loads flying overhead. It’s a worksite and keeping people safe is our number one priority.”

Sally Jones says the well-known track to Kea Point is also still open and visitors can enjoy the iconic views of Aoraki and other mountains close by.

“Kea Point is not as popular, but the views are just as spectacular as the Hooker Valley. For those who with the skills and fitness seeking a more challenging walk, there is also the trek up to Sealy Tarn, to Mueller Hut and the walk up to the Tasman blue lakes.”

Work is underway to get the Hooker Valley Track fully open. Once built, a huge new suspension bridge will span 189 metres across the river. It will replace an older bridge which had to be closed last month due to riverbank erosion near the bridge supports.

DOC contractors have been on site to block off access to the old bridge and to keep visitors away from what is now a construction site and must be treated as such.

Construction work will continue for the rest of this year, and it’s hoped the new bridge will be open by next Autumn.

“It’s a huge and challenging project and will be a tourist attraction in its own right,” says Sally Jones.

The cables that will be flown in are massive and the whole thing will be spectacular to watch. We can’t wait until it’s open.”

Incredible landscapes, nature, and cultural heritage make Aoraki Mount Cook one of the top two most popular national parks in Aotearoa (alongside Fiordland). It attracts over a million visitors a year and is on the itineraries of about 21% of international visitors.

Map of the current closures on the Hooker Valley Track

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Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government is providing certainty to New Zealand’s film industry by providing the funding needed to sustain the International Screen Production Rebate, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis announced today.

“This funding will help bring investment, jobs and income to New Zealand, boosting our economic growth. 

“We are sending a clear message to the world: New Zealand is the best place in the world to make movies.  Bring your productions here to take advantage of our talent and locations. 

“The Budget increase of $577 million across this year and the next four takes total funding for the rebate scheme to $1.09 billion over the forecast period, better reflecting expected demand for the scheme. Settings remain unchanged,” Nicola Willis says. 

“The rebate scheme is working and we want New Zealand’s film industry to know the Government is backing them to grow into the future. 

“At last count our screen sector provided work for about 24,000 people and generated about $3.5 billion in annual revenue. 

“While industry incentives are not generally our favoured approach, the reality is we simply won’t get the offshore investment in our highly successful screen sector without continuing this scheme,” Ms Willis says.

“New Zealand competes with more than 100 territories world-wide that provide screen incentives, including countries like Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom that provide more generous incentives than ours.

“Eligible productions can access a 20 per cent cash rebate on qualifying New Zealand production expenditure where production costs are more than $15 million for feature films and $4 million for TV productions.

”A further 5 per cent rebate is available to productions spending more than $30 million which meet additional criteria for industry and economic growth.

“Inbound productions invested nearly $7.5 billion in New Zealand in the past 10 years, supported by $1.5 billion in rebate payments.

“Following a review of the rebate settings completed in late-2023, 10 big international productions have been attracted here, including eight from the major Hollywood studios. They include A Minecraft Movie, the second highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun now in production.

“Along with investment and jobs, New Zealand has benefited from acquiring a highly skilled screen industry workforce. Film production companies provide work for thousands of people and create fantastic opportunities for young New Zealanders.

“The Government will continue to work with the New Zealand Film Commission to ensure we continue to attract high-value productions from around the world.”

Notes for editors

• Through Budget 2025, the Government is increasing baseline funding for the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate – International so it better reflects current forecast demand for the rebate.
• Previously the Government was regularly called on to provide time-limited funding on top of baseline funding for the scheme.
• The changes mean that funding for 2024/25 is increasing to $250 million, and to $210 million from 2025/26 onwards, which better reflects the expected costs of the rebate based on registered productions and current forecast demand.

Source:

Te Pāti Māori is gravely concerned by the Government’s approval of the Trans-Tasman Resources (Taranaki VTM) seabed mining project under its fast-track regime. This marks the first time a commercial shallow seabed mining operation has been approved anywhere in the world- pushed through with no transparency, no public input, and no consent from tangata whenua.

“This project will extract 50 million tonnes of seabed every year, dumping millions of tonnes of sludge into the moana for 35 consecutive years,” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“Iwi, hapū, whānau, and local government have spent over a decade fighting to stop this destructive proposal- winning in the highest courts of the land.

“The approval hasn’t come because it’s safe or supported. It’s been enabled by a fast-track process that gives unchecked power to Ministers and shuts out those most affected.”

Te Pāti Māori acknowledges the tireless efforts of iwi, environmental protectors, legal experts, scientists, divers, and everyday New Zealanders who have stood up for this moana.

“Their voices weren’t lost- they were deliberately excluded. This decision is devastating. It confirms that economic interests have been placed above environmental safety, public accountability, and Treaty justice. The fast-track regime isn’t about efficiency- it’s about erasure” said Ngarewa-Packer.

Te Pāti Māori stands in full solidarity with iwi, communities, and all New Zealanders who oppose this decision. We reaffirm our total opposition to seabed mining and the fast-track process that enabled it.

“We must make this a one-term government- and repeal the fast-track regime at the very first opportunity” concluded Ngarewa-Packer.

Source: New Zealand Police

Kopu Road between Kopu and Thames has reopened, after being closed earlier this morning when a person was found with what appeared to be serious injuries.

Police have now established that the person had suffered a medical event.

The person has been airlifted to Waikato Hospital and the road has reopened.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government will subject a draft Pandemic Treaty to a full National Interest Test before deciding whether or not New Zealand should sign up to it, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Health Minister Simeon Brown say. 

The draft Treaty will be discussed at the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly in Geneva from next week 

“Decisions about how New Zealand responds to any health emergency are made in Wellington, not Geneva, and we are determined to preserve our sovereign decision-making ability,” Mr Peters says.

“While negotiations on the draft Treaty have been completed, there are a number of steps remaining – which are likely to take some years – before the New Zealand Government will take a decision on whether or not we should sign up.”

Mr Brown noted that, after three years of negotiation, the World Health Assembly next week would have the Pandemic Treaty presented to it for adoption.

“New Zealand supports the aim of strengthening global health systems and to improve pandemic preparedness and response,” Mr Brown says.

“This will also help New Zealand support our Pacific partners to better manage future pandemic responses in our region.”

Mr Peters says that it is very important to New Zealand that its sovereign decision making on health is protected. 

“Any Treaty needs to confirm the sovereignty of countries to address public health matters within their borders and gives no power to the WHO or any other international body to direct, order, or change national laws or policies, or to direct countries to take specific actions, such as ban or accept travellers, impose vaccination mandates, or implement lockdowns.”

“For these reasons, any future decision on whether or not to sign and ratify the Pandemic Treaty will be informed by a full National Interest Test.” 

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash on State Highway 1, Putaruru this morning.

Police were notified just after 7am that a truck had collided with a parked car, near the intersection with Sholson Street.

The truck driver was unresponsive when emergency services arrived at the crash scene.

Medical attention was immediately provided but sadly he could not be revived. 

The road remains partially closed and motorists should continue to take alternative routes where possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 1 in Putaruru is partially blocked following a crash this morning.

Police were notified just after 7am that a truck had collided with a parked car, near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Sholson Street.

There may be traffic delays and motorists should take alternative routes where possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash in Takanini last night.

Emergency services were called to the crash between a vehicle and a dirtbike on Mill Road just before 8.30pm.

Sadly, one person was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit attended and enquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Wairarapa Police are working to track the offenders behind 29 car thefts in the space of two weeks.

The number of thefts is an increase on the 37 vehicles that were stolen in the two months to May last year. Wairarapa Area Prevention Manager Senior Sergeant Gill Flower said the recent rise is believed to be down to groups of criminals operating in the area.

“There’s no reason behind some of these thefts – they’re doing it for their enjoyment and don’t care about all damage they’re doing to the cars and the impact it has on people.

“Of the 29 recent cases, 25 have been in Masterton. Mazda Demios and Ford Couriers have been the main target for these offenders, and we’re asking people to take some additional steps to keep their vehicles safe.

“Some of the vehicles have been left unlocked, or keys left in places that are easy to access. People are also leaving items in their cars, and that attracts attention too. These offenders aren’t above stealing your prescription glasses, so the less you can leave in your car, the better.”

Senior Sergeant Flower said steering wheel locks were a cost-effective way to immobilise a car and make it less attractive to thieves.

“Some people can’t afford insurance, but a steering wheel lock will mean your car is undrivable. It’s a worthwhile investment, especially if you have to park your car on the road.

“We’re working hard to track these offenders, but we need the public’s help to do that.

“If you see suspicious behaviour, call 111,” Senior Sergeant Flower said. “The faster we get a report, the quicker we can act.”

Even in cases where Police can’t respond immediately, the reports helped Police track where offenders were operating.

“For us it’s valuable intelligence.”

“If you can’t report something straight away, please still tell us about it by making a report through 105.

“We’re working hard to find these offenders, but we need the community to help us.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.