Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

The search is continuing for missing New Plymouth woman Jan, with Police, LandSAR and other volunteers out searching around the Thomason Road and Lake Mangamahoe areas today.

We’re asking anyone out along the mountain bike and walking tracks to keep an eye out for Jan.

In addition to this, if any farmers or residents in the surrounding areas of Alfred Road and Albert Road could check their paddocks, backyards, sheds, sleepouts and under anything where a person could seek shelter.

Jan was last seen walking north along State Highway 3 near the intersection of Thomason Road, between Egmont Village and New Plymouth at around 11am on Tuesday 10 June.

She was last seen wearing long pants and a green jacket.

If you have seen Jan, or have any information that could help, please contact Police via our 105 service, either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz.

Please reference the file number 250611/5626.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Source: Green Party

The Green Party says the Government’s newly announced Biodiversity Credit scheme is a tiny positive that doesn’t undo the biodiversity harm caused by the Luxon Government.

“This is a bandaid on a gaping wound which does nothing to address a deepening crisis and runs the risk of being mere greenwashing,” says the Green Party spokesperson for Agriculture Steve Abel.

“While credit schemes and covenants are an important pathway to protecting vital biodiversity on farmland, these alone are not nearly enough to address the biodiversity crisis in Aotearoa. 

“One tiny step in the right direction does not make up for the significant damage this Government is doing to the environment in many ways including through cuts to the Predator Free programme, Department of Conservation funding, significant natural area identification, and Jobs for Nature.

“You cannot pretend to care for biodiversity while openly making policy that destroys it, targeting wetlands as a cash cow through tax deductibility, weakening or removing protections for freshwater, and allowing significant pollution to be permitted in our most vulnerable waterways.

“Furthermore, market and corporate driven biodiversity credits can be little more than a greenwashing tool – and there’s proven to be very little demand without regulatory requirements for them.

“Protecting biodiversity is in everyone’s interests, especially farmers. Our Green Budget proposed significant investment in supporting landowners to protect and restore their environments, rather than leaving it to the corporate world to pick up the slack in light of extensive government cuts,” says Steve Abel.

Source: New Zealand Police

Three offenders will appear in court over an aggravated robbery at a Pukekohe jewellery store last Friday.

Counties Manukau Police have been investigating after a group allegedly entered the Michael Hill Jewellers King Street branch at around 5.45pm on 6 June.

Detective Inspector Karen Bright, of Counties Manukau CIB, says a vehicle of interest was identified at a Henderson petrol station at around midnight last night.

“West Auckland police responded quickly to Lincoln Road and with the assistance of the Police Eagle helicopter stopped the vehicle,” she says.

“Three occupants of the vehicle aged between 15 and 20 were arrested.”

Detective Inspector Bright acknowledges the careful coordination of all Police staff involved in last night’s operation.

“We’re incredibly pleased with the progress made by the enquiry team over the past six days.

“Police take this sort of aggravated offending seriously and work to hold offenders to account as swiftly as possible.”

Police acknowledge the community for information provided to the enquiry team in the past week.

Those arrested, aged 15, 17 and 20, will appear in the Manukau Youth Court today, charged with aggravated robbery and unlawful takes motor vehicle.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

Forestry Minister Todd McClay today congratulated the winners of the inaugural Growing Native Forests Champions Awards for driving real progress in native forest establishment and land use innovation.

“This is what good land management looks like — native forests that support both the environment and the rural economy,” Mr McClay says.

“This is practical, long-term investment in our land that delivers environmental and economic benefits while supporting farm profitability.”

With 59 entries this year, the awards show what’s possible when innovation meets local knowledge — from farmers and lifestyle block owners to iwi and forestry companies.

“Native forests and farming go hand in hand. We can farm the best land and plant natives on the most vulnerable, stabilising hillsides and safeguarding waterways.

“These winners prove native planting can work alongside other productive land uses to deliver real results.”

Award Winners:

• Lifestyle Block Owner: Paul and Katherina Quinlan, Northland — pioneers of sustainable tōtara timber management.
• Mana Whenua: Kapenga M Trust, Bay of Plenty — blending mātauranga Māori and science to grow native forests and create jobs.
• Trees on Farms: Ian Brennan, Waikato — integrating natives for ecosystem health and income through continuous cover forestry.
• Forestry Company: Tasman Pine Forests, Nelson/Tasman — restoring native forests, controlling wilding pines, and protecting native species.
• Catchment/Community: Wai Kōkopu, Bay of Plenty — retiring erodible land and improving estuary health while supporting profitable farming.

Each winner received a handcrafted trophy made from native timbers — a symbol of their commitment to New Zealand’s land and future.

Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

Businessman Aaron Coupe:

• was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months for managing companies while prohibited under the Companies Act and concealing property worth more than $1.7 million from the Official Assignee.
• during his second bankruptcy, breached restrictions and took part in the management of businesses through actively managing several construction projects.

Jailed businessman Aaron Coupe was further sentenced at Auckland District Court on Friday 6 June 2025 to 3 years and 9 months for taking part in the management of businesses while bankrupt and concealing property worth more than $1.7 million from the Official Assignee.

Mr Coupe was jailed for 4 years and 5 months in January 2025 for managing companies while prohibited under the Companies Act and the latest sentencing will see him serve up to 8 years and 2 months in total.

During his second bankruptcy in 2022, Mr Coupe breached the restrictions imposed on him by taking part in the management of businesses through actively managing construction projects in Tuakau, Wiri and Auckland.

Under the alias ‘Aaron McGregor’, his birth name, Mr Coupe overtly sought out projects to manage and directed payments for these projects into an account under his mother’s name. Mr Coupe did not disclose an interest in this account to the Official Assignee.

In court, Judge Kathryn Maxwell said Mr Coupe’s “arrogance is incomprehensible”.

“We’re also dealing with a maximum penalty that is arguably inadequate,” Judge Maxwell said.

“You have barely taken a breath since you started offending in 2013.”

This is the most recent prosecution taken against Mr Coupe by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), following original charges that were laid in 2014 for offending that arose from his conduct during his first bankruptcy in 2010.

He was sentenced in 2016 to 12 months’ home detention, 200 hours’ community work, and $75,100.68 reparation. The convictions also meant he was banned from being a director of or involved in the management of a company for 5 years.

Despite his prohibition, and without seeking an exemption to the imposed prohibition from the Court, Mr Coupe took part in the management of 5 companies causing substantial financial losses and significant emotional distress to his business partners, stakeholders, and creditors.

Business Registries Investigations and Compliance Team Manager Vanessa Cook says it was important that Mr Coupe was held to account for his ongoing offending.

“The sentence reflects the harm that Mr Coupe caused through his failure to comply with conditions imposed on him, not only by being adjudicated bankrupt, but also by the Court,” Ms Cook says.

“By intentionally evading the measures that were put in place to protect the public, Mr Coupe was able to deceive people into engaging in business with him, enabling him to conceal $1.7 million that could have been paid to his creditors.

“It’s important that responsibility is accepted by those whose behaviour causes significant harm to the community and MBIE would like to thank all the witnesses who came forward to assist in ensuring that Mr Coupe’s unscrupulous behaviour was stopped.”

Prohibited directors can be found by searching on the Companies register:
Searching the Companies Register(external link) – New Zealand Companies Office

Individuals who are currently adjudicated bankrupt can found by searching on the insolvency register:
Search the insolvency register(external link) – New Zealand Insolvency and Trustee

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand has extended its commitment the Operation Gallant Phoenix multinational intelligence mission in Jordan, the Government announced today.

The deployment of up to 10 New Zealand Defence Force and Police personnel has been extended for two years until June 2027. 

“This operation is essential to our commitment to a safe and secure New Zealand,” Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says.

“Our personnel are working with counterparts from other countries to help us understand and respond to current, evolving and future terrorist and violent extremist threats to New Zealanders at home and abroad.”

Defence Minister Judith Collins says New Zealand brings valuable resources and expertise to this global effort to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

“In return, New Zealand is able to enhance relationships with a wide range of countries and expand our information networks.”

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the deployment provides our personnel with specialised experience working with overseas partners.

“It also provides Police and other agencies with valuable insights and information to help keep New Zealanders safe.”

Operation Gallant Phoenix was established in 2014 and is a mission where partners collect and share information about potential and existing terrorist threats, irrespective of threat ideology. It comprises a large number of countries and agencies, including law enforcement, military and civilian personnel. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced funding for the first stage of a major project to upgrade and expand interventional radiology services at Auckland City Hospital.

“This project will significantly improve access to radiology services for patients across Auckland and beyond,” Mr Brown says.

“A $41.2 million investment will fund the initial phase of the project – including construction of a fourth interventional neuroradiology operating theatre equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technology and enhanced support services.

“Investing in modern health infrastructure is a priority for this Government to ensure New Zealanders can access timely, high-quality care when they need it.

“The existing interventional radiology facility is outdated and no longer suitable for the advanced imaging equipment clinicians need. Redesigning the space will enable the use of modern technology and support more sophisticated models of care that meet the increasing complexity of patient needs over the coming decade.”

The expansion, expected to be operational by early 2027, will significantly boost capacity for emergency stroke interventions and complex neuroradiology procedures – including specialist treatments for children from across the country.

Stage 1 will also deliver:
 

• A replacement fluoroscopy room
• An interventional ultrasound room
• A new biplane imaging machine
• An expanded short-stay ward

The funding will also support development of a second business case to fully complete a new, purpose-built interventional radiology suite – strengthening services not only for Auckland, but for patients nationwide who require advanced interventional care.

“This project will help reduce wait times for interventional radiology procedures, which play a critical role in diagnosing and treating life-threatening conditions and guiding decisions for further specialist care.

“Better access to interventional radiology means faster diagnoses, less invasive treatments, and improved outcomes for patients,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Police

Motorists heading to Fieldays in Waikato are advised of even more potential traffic disruption.

A truck hit an overbridge on Airport Road in Tamahere, near the roundabout, about 10:15am.

While the truck has been removed, traffic management is in place while contractors assess the site.

Motorists are asked to have patience.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is supporting the expansion of a voluntary credits nature market through the running of pilot projects across New Zealand. Establishing a market that is durable, measurable and transparent will help farmers, landowners, iwi, and conservation groups unlock new income streams for looking after nature on their land, Associate Minister for the Environment Andrew Hoggard announced today at Fieldays.

“We want to connect those caring for the land with investors who support conservation. Nature credit markets help fund trusted environmental projects that actively protect and restore ecosystems.”

Mr Hoggard said international and domestic investors—including corporates, banks, and philanthropists—are seeking high-quality nature and carbon credits that meet global standards. The development of a nature credit market is important to investors and New Zealand’s reputation.

“New Zealand companies spent millions on carbon and nature credits mainly offshore last year. With the right framework, we can keep more of that investment at home.”

The Government moved quickly to repeal the previous Government’s direction to Councils to identify and map Significant Natural Areas (SNA) by suspending parts of the National Policy Statement – Indigenous Biodiversity.

“Farmers and other private landowners are doing their part to protect native biodiversity and want to do more. Supporting voluntary natural credits markets is a chance for the Government to show them the carrot, not just the stick.

Privately funded pilot projects are underway to test how nature credit markets can work in the New Zealand context. As part of these pilots, we will test the role for Government which may include setting principles, and a framework for standards, to build market confidence and ensure quality.”

Further details on the Government’s role and the design of the expanded market will be announced in the coming months.

Information about voluntary nature credits market pilots

The pilots represent different land conditions, locations, types of market participants, and activities.  They will help the Government understand how to meet the high standards of international markets, the role of Government, and what works best in New Zealand. This real-life experience will provide valuable insights as we move to the next stage of market design.

1. Te Toa Whenua Northland, led by Reconnecting Northland. Transitioning around 100 ha from exotic forestry to native including pest control on iwi-owned land.
2. Waituna Nature Credits Prototype Southland, led by Whakamana te Waituna Charitable Trust (Awarua Rūnunga, Ngai Tahu, Fonterra, Southland District Council, Environment Southland, and Department of Conservation). Restoring 400 ha of farmland at lagoon margins to lowland forest & wetlands (RAMSAR protected site).
3. Waimanu Forest Gisborne Led by Aratu Forests. Converting a commercial forestry block to 50 ha of natives for biodiversity uplift and increased recreational and educational values. Scope to expand to up to 5,000 ha.
4. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari insights Waikato, led by Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. Observing the current process of issuing credits for conservation and protection activities within the 3,360 ha inland ecological sanctuary.
5. Existing Biodiversity Credits Market (BCM) project standard insights Led by Ekos. Offering market insights from an existing BCM provider. Includes understanding the journey of Reconnecting Northland’s proof-of-concept project through this process.
6. Adapted nature credits international standards Led by Boffa Miskell. Testing at-place an additional NZ BCM project standard that is adapting UK methodology to NZ environments as a competitor to domestic or international project standard/certification providers.
7. Voluntary carbon market standard with biodiversity safeguards insights Led by AsureQuality. Testing its carbon project standard, which requires native revegetation, designed to be more applicable and affordable for the New Zealand context.
8. Nature positive credit programme pilot Led by Silver Fern Farms. Testing a processor-led programme for market attraction, and potentially third-party investment, in on-farm nature restoration and enhancement activities that support commercial ‘nature positive’ claims.
9. Nature-based markets pilots for rural landowners Led by Pāmu Farms. Exploring pathways to make nature-based markets accessible to a range of New Zealand farmers and landholders.