Category: MIL-OSI

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BNZ is cutting its standard variable home loan rate, passing on the full OCR cut of 50-basis points.

This follows BNZ’s 50-basis point cut to its standard 6-month fixed home loan rate last week to 5.99%.

BNZ Executive Customer, Products and Services Karna Luke says while a 50-basis point cut to the OCR was widely expected, today’s announcement will be welcome news for many New Zealand households and businesses.

“With Christmas approaching and many households managing their budgets carefully, lower interest rates should help make a difference for New Zealanders.”

BNZ will also make changes to its Total Money, Rapid Repay and Mortgage One rates. BNZ’s Rapid Save rate will decrease by 45 basis points to 3.75% effective from 29 November 2024.

The changes to BNZ’s variable home loan rates will be effective from 11 December 2024 for both new and existing customers.

All home loans are subject to our lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees. An establishment fee of up to $150 may apply.

The post BNZ passes on full OCR cut to its standard variable home loan rate appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

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One in four older New Zealanders are hesitant to go online due to fears of being scammed, BNZ research reveals.

Up from 13% three years ago, the growing hesitancy among over-65’s raises concerns about digital exclusion in an increasingly online world.

Released for Fraud Awareness Week, the research shows a stark generational divide in digital confidence, with only 10% of under-35s expressing hesitancy about going online due to scams. However, the findings show age doesn’t increase someone’s risk of becoming a scam victim, suggesting fear among older people may be creating an unnecessary barrier to digital participation.

BNZ Head of Financial Crime, Ashley Kai Fong, says this creates significant challenges as we increasingly manage our lives online.

“When older New Zealanders avoid going online out of fear, they miss out on everything from banking convenience to video calls with family. As our world becomes increasingly digital, we need to ensure everyone can participate with confidence,” says Kai Fong.

More positively, the research found strong engagement with education efforts, with 96% of respondents aged over 65 seeing scam prevention material recently.

“While it’s encouraging that older New Zealanders are engaging with scam education, we need to ensure this builds confidence rather than creates fear,” says Kai Fong.

“The goal isn’t to avoid technology – it’s to use it confidently and safely. This is particularly important as more essential services, from banking to government support, become digital-first.”

To help customers stay safer online, BNZ provides scam education resources through its Scam Savvy programme. Offering practical tips and updates on emerging scam trends, the programme equips customers with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world safely.

This is in addition to other measures, including:

• Tools such as its new online banking lock feature in the BNZ app, which gives customers the ability to disable all online banking activity and lock access to their online banking if they suspect a scammer has gained access to their accounts.
• Enhanced verification processes for high-risk banking actions
• Two-factor authentication for greater security
• In-app identity verification when speaking with BNZ staff

“Digital inclusion is about more than just having internet access – it’s about having the confidence to use it safely. At BNZ, we’re doing our part to better educate New Zealanders about the risk of scams, what to look out for and how to keep yourself safer online,” says Kai Fong.

Keeping account details, passwords and pin numbers safe

• never click on links or attachments sent by someone you don’t know or that seem out of character for someone you do know
• keep your computer and phone security software up to date
• contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed

Top tips to get scam savvy – BNZ will never:

• email or text you links to online banking and ask you to log in
• send you a text message with a link to a website, or link to call us
• ask you for information about your PIN number, bank account number, or password
• ask you to verbally share the authentication codes sent to you by text or email, even with a BNZ staff member
• ask you to transfer money to help catch a scammer or a bank employee who is scamming customers send you a text message about account issues with a link to log in
• ask you to download software to access your Internet Banking remotely
• use international phone numbers to call or send you notifications.

The post A quarter of older NZers fear going online due to scam concerns appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

A six-person hut in near Maruia on the South Island’s West Coast has received a major makeover, with a refurbished roof, new piles and a smart paint job. 

The work was planned and led by ranger Matt Ainge, with team members Ben Pigott, Mike Detlaff, David Deck, Darrell Haworth (all DOC staffers from a range of teams) and John Edwards (volunteer).

Matt says, “the entire objective of this work was to protect this hut for generations to come, while leaving the hut in the original condition as we had found it.”  

First things first, Ranger Darrell surveyed a rotten tree for the presence of bats, of which there were none. The tree then needed to come down as the hut was in the fall zone. 

The hut was built in the 1960’s. Over the years it has received minimal maintenance, so a major spruce up was required. The job required the team to entirely re-pile the hut and replace almost all the bearers as some were completely rotten. The team discussed the work needed, which required digging under the hut to dig out and replace each pile, and repair and replace the bearers.  

They then got stuck into the large amount of earthworks needed to unearth the hut in order to re-pile it. Getting down and dirty on the job. Lying down while shovelling was hard work.  

While the re-piling was underway, the paint preparation was also started. 

After the underneath of the hut was dug out, a subfloor was put in the porch entry for stacking up the firewood, with the original porch step being put back in the same place where it came out. A front step was also added so hut users can easily gain access to the hut.  

Large rocks were stacked under and around the entire fireplace structure to help future stabilization.  

The hut roof was taken off, wire brushed, metal primed, and laps painted before going back on the same position it came off.   

 Afterwards, the ridge cap, barge flashings, and lead head nails were all replaced.  

The inside of the hut also received attention, a new fire shroud and insert was put in the open fireplace to protect the outer steel and concrete with rollout protection on the front to minimise the chances of logs rolling out of the fire. A stainless-steel bench was also added inside over the existing painted timber bench. More bunk slats were added to the existing beds, and the entire inside was cleaned and the floor treated with linseed oil.  

Paint prep complete, the hut was ready for a coat of orange paint.  

Matt says, “Apart from the fact that this job was a complete labour of love, it was great to have a range of people from different teams all working together, sharing knowledge, learning from each other and working together towards a common goal: protecting and maintaining the back country for all to enjoy.” 

Find out more about Wheel Creek Hut in Victoria Forest Park.

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  29 April 2025

Lake Marian Falls and Lake Marian Track are about 30 km from Milford Sound/Piopiotahi on the lower Hollyford Road off State Highway 94.

Lake Marian Falls’ new platform will be semi-circular and positioned to allow visitors to enjoy the dramatic waterfalls and water-sculpted rocks, away from the river’s edge.

The platform will also mark the start of the advanced Lake Marian Track, which continues past the falls up to Lake Marian/Hinepipiwai.

Lake Marian Track (advanced tramping) is closed until approximately 30 May while the platform is built. The timing of construction should be less disruptive to visitors as the track is busiest in summer.

Access along the Lake Marian Falls Track (easy walking) will be limited over the construction period. It won’t be possible to view the upper falls, but visitors can still access viewing spots over the lower rapids.

John Lucas, DOC’s Operations Manager Te Anau, says barriers will protect people while the new platform is built.

“Climbing over or around barriers to have a closer look could result in serious injury or death. For your own safety, respect the advice on signage and stay behind barriers.”

Signage is in place at both the starting footbridge of the Lake Marian Falls Track and the point at Marian Falls where the track is closed. Visit DOC’s website for updates.

Note: All visitors to Lake Marian Track should avoid walking near the creek. The rocks are slippery, and Marian Creek’s current is strong. A fall into the water could cause serious injury or death. Stay on the track. Keep children within arm’s reach and watch them carefully.

While construction is underway at Lake Marian, visitors may like to explore stunning alternative tracks in the Fiordland National Park such as Key Summit Track or Hollyford Track.

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Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  17 April 2025

That’s according to last year’s winner Patrick Clement, whose photo featured three generations of family enjoying Taupō Fishery. He says his family all ended up with a licence featuring the photo to keep as mementos.

“They love it. The photo was taken in 2017, and the boys are now old enough to fish, and I’m pleased to report they caught fish not just at the Trout Centre, but also in the ‘big river’!”

As one of the winning entries, Patrick also received a free full season licence for the 2024-2025 season.

“My mates were out on the river bragging that they were fishing with someone famous,” he says.

This year, seven Taupō fishing licences are up for grabs to kick off the new trout fishing season beginning 1 July 2025.

While the overall winning photo makes it onto printed season licences, other winning photos are used for categories on the website and paper licences.

DOC Senior Community Ranger James Barnett says the judges are looking for photos celebrating the uniqueness of the world-famous Taupō Fishery.

“It could be a trophy shot, but equally important are those moments with family, with friends, or even landscape shots with a fishing theme.

“We’re looking for photos for seven licence categories, including family, senior, and junior,” says James.

“For many of us getting out into nature with a fishing rod is our happy place, and a photo of your fishing experience could be just the thing we’re looking for to celebrate the joy of fishing in Taupō.”

Entries close midnight, Sunday 18 May 2025.

Up to five photographs can be submitted per person. To enter, email photographs to fishlicence@doc.govt.nz along with your name, where the photo was taken, and the approximate date it was taken. All photos must have been taken in the Taupō Fishing District.

Further information, including a list of the licence categories and full terms and conditions for the competition, can be found online.

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Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  17 April 2025

The DOC Community Fund (DOCCF) is a contestable Crown fund, open to community groups and private landowners to support community-led conservation projects on public and private land.

This 2025 funding round criteria focused on protecting and restoring threatened species and ecosystems. Projects are funded for up to three years and cover a range of threatened ecosystems and species across Aotearoa New Zealand, including plants, invertebrates, and birds like tara iti/fairy tern, New Zealand’s rarest bird.

Director Strategic Partnerships and Investment, David Van Der Zouwe, says the 20 projects and organisations funded are those most likely to have the greatest positive impact for biodiversity.

“The DOCCF is an investment in our future,” says David. “Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique species and habitats will have a better chance of being enjoyed by future generations thanks to this funding.”

The DOCCF received 291 applications, totalling requests for more than $141 million – the largest amount of funding ever sought through this fund – compared to $77 million in 2023. With an average grant of $450,000, the funding targets investment into high-value conservation outcomes, and supports collaboration and engagement with local communities and iwi.

“There is a huge appetite for funds from community groups to support conservation projects,” says David.

“The passion and dedication of all applicants is admirable, making this a challenging process. Ultimately, the projects awarded funding prioritise our species in genuine danger of disappearing forever.

“When they’re gone, they won’t come back. So helping our vulnerable species and places recover and thrive, through projects like these, is a great way to make a real difference for nature.”

The recipients and their related projects are available on the successful applications 2025 webpage.

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Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  16 April 2025 Source:  Department of Conservation and Marlborough District Council

“Boaties are not allowed to go within 100 m of king shag colonies under the district’s environment plan rules, to protect this endangered species which only breeds in the Marlborough Sounds,” DOC Ranger Dan Palmer says.

“King shags are famously skittish and tend to fly the nest when disturbed by a noisy boat, leaving their eggs and chicks vulnerable to predation by gulls.”

There are colonies on Sentinel Rock – a popular fishing spot – and at Trio Islands, Duffers Reef and White Rocks.

They’re often mistaken for common shags, but Dan says there are a few important differences.

“Unlike common shags, king shags won’t go near anyone with a fishing line and aren’t interested in scavenging, so they don’t tend to trouble boaties. King shags are also larger than their common shag cousins.”

Marlborough District Council Principal Coastal Scientist Oliver Wade says the taonga bird species was identified as needing specific protection through the development of the new Marlborough Environment Plan.

“The rules in the new environment plan identify the limited number of important breeding and roosting sites for the King Shag and put in place a 100 m exclusion zone that applies to any boating activity.

“Marlborough District Council and the Department of Conservation are committed to working together to care for this incredible species, which can dive up to 60m and is the deepest diving bird species in our region.”

Dan Palmer says king shags are under considerable pressure following challenging La Nina conditions in 2022-23.

“At last count, the overall number of birds was 614, having dropped by 25 per cent since 2021, although last year’s successful breeding season was a bright spot. Still, we’re going to continue to see La Nina knock-on effects in the breeding population over the coming years.

“The good news is we can help king shags by simply respectfully sharing space. They’re unique and special – and if they go from here, they’re gone from everywhere.

“Giving king shags the space they need creates a much safer environment for adults to protect their eggs and chicks, and gives king shags a fighting chance to grow a healthy, resilient population.”

Background information

The king shag is only found in the outer Marlborough Sounds. Because they have a small range and there are not many of them, even a single adverse event could impact most of the population.

A deep diving bird, they feed on bottom-dwelling fish species including lemon sole, opalfish and witch. Given their preferred prey, king shags depend on a healthy seafloor ecosystem.

Other threats include disturbance from human activity and bad weather events.

King shags breed in winter, making nests of sticks and seaweed cemented with guano on low rock platforms, steep rock faces, or rock ridges. Typically, they lay one to three pale blue eggs per nest.

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Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  16 April 2025

The mural, which celebrates the reserve turning 30 years old in 2023, shows a stunning underwater scene representing the iconic marine reserve that runs along 11 km of the Abel Tasman Coastline.

Featured on the mural are taonga species such as kekeno/NZ fur seal, tāmure/snapper, koura/crayfish and rāwiri/blue cod, alongside other species and habitats. It also educates boaties and the public about the rules of the reserve.

DOC Marine Reserves Ranger Stew Robertson says the mural is a real joint venture, with the concept design coming from working with artist Mat Tait.

“Mat is a national treasure in his own right, famous for his art, illustrations and award-winning books. A huge thanks to Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve which funded Mat’s time, and Dulux which provided the paint through its partnership with DOC.”

The Tonga Island Marine Reserve was established in 1993 to reverse declining populations and a degrading marine ecosystem along the Abel Tasman Coast. It’s been a spectacular success, with significant increases in size and abundance of species like rāwiri, kōura and blue moki.

Stew says, “nature thrives as an interconnected system and we need to work together to protect it”.

“Diving and boating are encouraged in our reserves but fishing is strictly prohibited. The rules are simple: no fishing, taking, damaging or polluting of marine life inside a marine reserve.

“Ignorance of the rules is no excuse. The default penalty for breaking marine reserve rules is a $600 infringement fine up to prosecution and imprisonments for serious, commercial or repeat offending.”

The reserve’s boundaries run from Mosquito Bay reef in the south to Awaroa Head in the north, to one nautical mile (1.8 km) out to sea. There are yellow triangular markers on land and yellow buoys with crosses and lights at sea along each end out to the corners. CCTV cameras are installed to detect illegal fishing, and rangers and locals often patrol the reserve at any time of the day or night.

All NZ marine reserves are marked on modern vessel chart plotters. If you don’t own a chart plotter, you can download the Marine Mate App which will tell you the local rules and regulations wherever you are in the country.

“Marine protection allows areas to have intact food webs which builds ecosystem resilience and benefits the surrounding areas.”

“Aside from protecting fragile habitats and increasing their resilience, marine reserves give us a glimpse into the marine world without the influence of fishing.

Background information

Tonga Island Marine Reserve

Tonga Island Marine Reserve is known for its crystal-clear water and thriving marine ecosystem – both below and above the waves. This includes fish, shellfish and crustaceans, seabirds, several dolphin species, seals, and seaweeds.

DOC and Dulux

DOC and Dulux have had an official partnership since 2013. This partnership supports the restoration and maintenance of the vast visitor infrastructure that DOC manages, including backcountry huts.

As a result, hundreds of DOC huts and buildings and other community facilities have been protected and enhanced.

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The latest figures provided by the major banks to Consumer Protection for Fraud Awareness Week shows $194 million was lost to bank scams.

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