Category: MIL-OSI

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.

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill:

Canterbury Police has been consulting internally with staff on a proposal to redesign its structure.

Our goal is to deliver a better service to our communities by boosting core policing services and strengthening our ability to meet demand, now and in the future.

We are focussed on the safety of our communities and our Police team.

As the proposal concerns changes that directly impact our staff, we have an obligation to consult with them first.

We also acknowledge the importance of listening to our communities. We have already received some feedback and it’s great to hear how passionate our communities are about the service we provide. We want to continue to provide that great service.

In a departure from our normal process in relation to operational decision-making, we are now sharing an external version of the proposal and inviting feedback from the public.

We haven’t reviewed our structure since 2017 and we want to get it right. We’re not content to keep doing things the way we always have when we believe we can do better.

I stress that this is a proposal and no decisions have been made. I will be paying close attention to the feedback as it comes in.

If you would like to provide feedback on the proposed changes, please email canterbury.review@police.govt.nz

Feedback will be accepted up until 5pm, Monday 18 August.

The redesign proposal is available here.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

At around 6.30am on 7 August, Police were called to an Ōtāhuhu address where a male allegedly confronted another male and presented a firearm.

Police approached, secured the scene and detained three occupants.

A statutory search was invoked and during the search firearms, illicit drugs and cash were located within the property.

A 32-year-old and a 28-year-old male were arrested and charged with firearms and drug related offences. They are appearing in the Manukau District Court today.

Further enquiries are being conducted into other items located inside the address and further charges are likely.

A 22-year-old male was detained for deportation by Immigration NZ.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

Eighteen job seekers have now started work clearing flood-damaged farms and orchards in Tasman, supported by the Government’s Enhanced Task Force Green programme.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston announced funding for an Enhanced Task Force Green, following the Nelson and Tasman region’s first flood in late June. 

“These local teams are now out on the ground, doing vitally important work,” Louise Upston says. “We made $500,000 in funding available for job seekers to help with the clean-up on farms, orchards and in community spaces, and they’re more than stepping up to the mark.

“There’s been a great response from people who wanted to support their community and get into work. Seminars were held at Motueka and Richmond Work and Income service centres, and MSD was able to fill all 18 positions available on the same day.

“These Tasman job seekers have now received the necessary training and started work on flood damaged properties. 

“They’re clearing fence lines and removing silt, debris and trees from farms and orchards so people’s lives and the regional economy can bounce back,” Louise Upston says.

MSD’s employment team will continue to work with all job seekers who were interested in working on the recovery, to help them also find other employment opportunities.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government will amend the Building Code to better protect New Zealanders, following strong calls for change as part of a nationwide fire safety review, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has confirmed.

“The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has today released the summary of submissions from last year’s consultation on fire safety regulations in the Building Code. 

“The review was launched following the devastating fire at Loafers Lodge in Wellington, which sadly claimed the lives of five people in May 2023.

“The recent tragedy here and similar incidents overseas have made it clear we need to look closely at how safe our buildings are, especially larger residential accommodation. 

“More than 100 organisations, businesses, and individuals across New Zealand shared their insights during the consultation. I want to thank everyone who took the time to make a submission.

“Since the last update of the Building Code fire safety regulations in 2012, building uses, technology, materials and construction methods have evolved rapidly – adding new complexities to fire safety in our buildings and to firefighting.

“Many submitters agreed that the current framework is overly complex, with confusing building classifications and unclear language.

“These issues are causing inconsistent compliance decisions, consenting delays and challenges for owners trying to maintain buildings.

“Respondents agreed that it is essential for all building occupants to be able to evacuate safely, including people with disabilities and those in accommodation like hotels, motels and boarding houses.

“Others agreed the rules should target specific fire hazards to ensure requirements are fit-for-purpose and cost-effective.

“There was also support for ensuring fire safety provisions in the Building Code align with the realities of modern-day firefighting to protect firefighters while doing their jobs. Submitters agreed that New Zealand’s rules need to keep pace with new technologies and construction methods.

“We have a clear mandate to strengthen protections for New Zealanders by updating our fire safety requirements for buildings.

“I have instructed the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to incorporate this feedback into proposed Building Code changes for Cabinet to consider early next year.”

Notes to editor:
 

Further information on the Building Code fire safety review 2024 can be found on the MBIE website.
Any changes to fire safety provisions will be progressed separately from the new three-year Building Code update cycle, reflecting the priority and ongoing nature of this work.
The summary of submissions can be found on the MBIE website.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Drivers of the scenic Thames Coast highway are all too familiar with stop/go interruptions due to damage to State Highway 25 (SH25) in recent years, but one disruption will soon become a distant memory with the replacement of the Boundary Creek Bridge deck.

The bridge itself, wedged tight between the cliffs and the sea, has been reduced to a single lane since 2023 while it patiently waits for a new bridge deck and repairs to its abutments.  

“Drivers will be pleased to know a new bridge deck and strengthening work is planned to be completed ahead of summer, meaning SH25 will once again revert to 2 lanes here,” says Darryl Coalter, Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). 

This work will also see the restoration of the slow traffic bay on the southern bridge approach, which has been temporarily closed. 

“It’s great news for everyone. The new, safer 2 lane bridge and passing bay will be in place ahead of the holidays and peak summer period, making this section of state highway safer, more resilient, and one less pinch point during busy times.” 

With the contract for the works now awarded, NZTA expects repair work will begin in October. A full road closure of up to 7 days will be required to allow for the demolition of the old bridge deck and installation of the new one. The closure is currently anticipated for the week immediately after Labour weekend. 

“In this location it isn’t possible to build the new bridge deck in a way that allows continued access for road users. Without suitable local detours, we appreciate this will mean a lengthy detour around the peninsula for a short duration” Mr Coalter says. 

NZTA has considered a range of construction options after talking with emergency services, stakeholders, businesses and the community, to understand how the closure will impact them and has incorporated their preferences into the planning.  

“We will use a prefabricated bridge deck and other key components, as well as work extended hours to speed up construction, meaning the road will be closed for the least amount of time as possible,” Mr Coalter says. 

NZTA will provide regular updates to the community and stakeholders as more details are confirmed.  

Elsewhere across the peninsula, our Coromandel Recovery project to repair storm damage caused by cyclones Gabrielle and Hale in 2023, is now nearing completion.

A summer maintenance programme is scheduled to begin across the Coromandel, with up to 10 worksites planned between Wharehako (north of Whitianga) and Waihī as well as on State Highway 25A. 

These works are part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and resilience and will be communicated widely once work schedules are confirmed.