Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

A combination of new talent and proven experience will leave the Transpower New Zealand Ltd Board well equipped to lead the company during a critical period of growth and development, State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says.Mr Brown has announced the elevation of director Michele Embling from 1 June 2025 to Transpower Board Chair to succeed outgoing Chair Dr Keith Turner.“Ms Embling’s elevation reflects her exceptional leadership expertise, and deep understanding of critical issues,” Mr Brown says.“Ms Embling brings extensive financial expertise as a Chartered Accountant, Chair of Transpower’s Audit and Risk Committee, and former PwC Board Chair. Her strengths include sustainability knowledge, relationship-building, and holding management to account, alongside a commitment to ethical standards and stability during change.“The reappointment of director Parekawhia McLean from 1 June 2025 ensures stability and continuity for the Board. Her governance experience, public sector expertise, and knowledge of New Zealand’s energy sector, Te Ao Māori, and major infrastructure projects bring significant value.”Mr Brown also welcomed the range of strengths and experience that three new directors will bring to the Transpower Board.“Leon Grice’s appointment effective from 28 May 2025, enhances Transpower’s innovation and adaptability through expertise in real-time data, complex systems, and asset management. His focus on cost efficiency, resource utilisation, and financial oversight complements his proven and approachable governance style,” Mr Brown says.“Kevin Palmer’s appointment effective from 28 May 2025, strengthens the Transpower Board with his expertise in finance, strategy, and performance management.“As the new Audit and Risk Committee Chair, he will bring a focus on financial rigour, operational efficiency, and delivering for shareholding Ministers.“Bruce Parkes brings extensive leadership experience in telecommunications, energy, and resource management. His skills in stakeholder relations, advocacy, and political and sector knowledge will support Transpower’s capital expansion and strengthen its strategic leadership during this period of growth.”Mr Parkes will commence his term from 1 August 2025 following his retirement from his role at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.“I would like to thank outgoing board Chair and director Dr Keith Turner for his contributions to the Transpower Board over the past three and a half years. Dr Turner has developed and maintained a culture that has made the Board more focussed on performance and strategy.“I also want to extend my best wishes to departing Board member Vanessa Oakley. Her extensive background in corporate and public sector organisations in both New Zealand and the UK, as well as her considerable experience in infrastructure and utilities, have been a great asset to the Transpower Board. “Transpower plays a critical role in the electricity sector as both New Zealand’s national grid owner and electricity system operator. Their market updates and infrastructure programme help ensure electricity is supplied across New Zealand, now and into the future.”

Source: Kiwibank

• Kiwibank and Air New Zealand decide to end Airpoints partnership.
• Regulatory and economic impacts affecting the value and viability of the Kiwibank Airpoints credit card programme.
• Kiwibank launch enhanced Platinum Visa card with domestic and overseas travel insurance to better meet the needs of more customers.

Over the past decade, the regulatory and economic landscape has changed significantly. Increased costs and changes to interchange fee regulations have impacted the value and viability of the Kiwibank Airpoints credit card reward programme, with further regulatory changes expected.

Mark Stephen, Kiwibank’s Chief Customer Officer – Retail, says:

“Kiwibank prioritises investment that provides value to the greatest number of customers. After a thorough review, we concluded that these products are no longer the most effective way to achieve this.”

“The alternative to closing the products would be to reduce the rate at which points are earned or to pass on increased costs through higher interest rates – options we believe are neither fair nor in customers’ best interests, as it would mean that customers who do not repay their balance in full every month would further subsidise rewards for those who do.

“Based on customer feedback about what they would value in a new card, our enhanced Platinum Visa now offers a range of benefits that reflect this, including a lower interest rate and more interest-free days. For those who enjoy travelling, the card offers international travel insurance and new domestic travel insurance benefits[1].

“We also offer a Zero Visa card, with no annual fee and a competitive 12.90% p.a. interest rate, designed for Kiwi seeking cost-effective banking solutions,” says Mr. Stephen.

To support customers, Kiwibank is providing as much notice as possible. Customers can continue to earn Airpoints until 31 October, and for continuity, customers will move to a Platinum Visa card automatically.

Notes about interchange fees:

In 2022, the Commerce Commission introduced new pricing standards under the Retail Payment Systems Act to reduce interchange fees for transactions. While some of the increased costs were passed on to cardholders, a significant portion was covered by the card issuers.

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland’s Manukau Harbour Te Maanukanuka-o-Hoturoa is well-loved and well-used by Aucklanders – so it’s important we continue to protect the health and vitality of the harbour. 

In 2024, Auckland Council’s Planning, Environment and Parks Committee adopted strategic direction to achieve better environmental outcomes for the Manukau Harbour and endorsed a forward work programme. 

Since then, staff have been progressing this programme, including the recent completion of an environmental assessment to identify priority focus areas to improve the health of the harbour.  

Cr Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee celebrates this small milestone and acknowledges the work needed to be done to ensure the council achieves the strategic direction adopted. 

“We have a responsibility to look after our natural environment, including a significant statutory role to ensure natural environment outcomes for the coastal marine environment, such as harbours,” says Cr Hills.  

“Decisions relating to policy and planning including land use zoning, environmental regulation, waste management, water services, and transport infrastructure, for example, all influence the state of the Manukau Harbour. Through this strategic direction, we can ensure that growth and infrastructure are delivered alongside prioritising the harbour’s health.” 

Environmental assessment and prioritisation  

This recently completed stage of the forward work programme involved an assessment of environmental state and pressures, a stocktake of the council’s environmental management activity related to the harbour, and the identification of gaps and priorities for further environmental management responses. 

As a result, fifteen priority focus areas were identified based on the environmental assessment to help foster clean waters, thriving biodiversity, and climate resilience for the harbour. 

These priorities range from reducing sediment from land-use activities, loss of coastal and marine ecosystems, to pressures on wading birds and seabirds using the harbour, to toxoplasmosis which threatens Māui dolphins of which there are approximately 54 remaining in coastal waters in and adjacent to the harbour entrance. 

The health of the harbour 

Some marine and coastal habitats are in good health while others are not. The sandflats in the main body of the harbour are considered in good health and support a diversity of life that provides food for the many wading birds that visit the harbour. However, historic loss of seagrass and saltmarsh habitat has not yet recovered, although some recovery in the amount of seagrass is occurring. 

Additionally, sediment has been building up on the seafloor in the harbour’s inlets over a long period. This has reduced the diversity of benthic life (organism that live at the bottom of a water body) in the inlets, which has numerous flow-on impacts for life in the harbour.  

“Manukau Harbour is recognised as a nationally and internationally significant bird habitat because of the numbers and diversity of bird species, as well as the high numbers of native and threatened bird species present. Wading and sea-birds face many pressures while in the harbour including habitat loss, pest animals, plastics, and disease,” says Dave Allen, Auckland Council Manager, Natural Environment Strategy. 

Water quality 

Most beaches around the Manukau Harbour are considered safe for swimming most of the time, referring to 24 of the 29 beaches assessed by Safeswim.  

Monitoring of arsenic, mercury, copper, lead and organic contaminants has not found these contaminants at concerning levels in the harbour.  

“Water quality is poor in the harbour’s inlets due to elevated sediment and nutrients coming into this system from the land. Water quality is poorest in and around Māngere Inlet. Algal blooms that would be expected with the levels of nutrients observed are not regularly occurring, because of the light limiting impact of the sediment in the water,” says Mr Allen. 

Microplastics have been found at high levels in the sediments of Manukau Harbour beaches, compared with Kaipara and Waitematā harbour beaches.  

Climate change is affecting the harbour, including increased sea surface temperatures, ocean acidification and rising sea levels. Climate impacts on marine species and habitats will increase over this century.  

Next steps 

The environmental assessment undertaken to date will underpin the next stage, which is to develop objectives to achieve the environmental outcomes and long-term vision that have been adopted for Manukau Harbour.  

The council will continue to report and communicate on this work as it progresses. You can read the full report on KnowledgeAuckland: Manukau Harbour environmental assessment 

Those interested in the future of the Manukau Harbour can also attend the Manukau Harbour Symposium – supported by the Manukau Harbour Forum. The Manukau Harbour Symposium will be held on Saturday 31 May in the Auditorium at Green Bay High School. Tickets are $15 each and can be booked through Evenfinda. 

Source: Family First

MEDIA RELEASE – 27 May 2025

Family First is appalled to see that the Ministry of Health has once again erroneously reported euthanasia numbers in New Zealand including one quarter where the number of deaths nearly doubled.

“This raises significant concerns about the upcoming review of the law and whether it will be based on actual quantifiable and credible evidence,” says Bob McCoskrie, CEO of Family First.

Reviewing recent quarterly reports from 2024, there are so far two instances where numbers have changed substantially – in one case, nearly doubling the numbers of those euthanised. In the third quarter of 2024 (01/07/2024 to 30/09/2024) the number of deaths leapt up from 73 to 129; an increase of 77%! In the quarter prior (01/04/2024 to 30/06/2024) the number of deaths was revised down from 126 deaths to 108 deaths.

“The Ministry appears to have no idea what is going on. Whether the number of deaths each quarter are being revised up or down, the system is failing to account for what is happening and consequently it is impossible for anyone to argue the system is operating safely.”

Family First has previously raised safety concerns around how the euthanasia system is working in New Zealand, including reported numbers not aligning. There were also concerns from whistleblowers within the End of Life Choice Review committee pointing out that they were being denied access to information and that doctors’ written accounts of deaths varied from what they described in voice.

“If the Ministry can’t even count the numbers correctly, how on earth can New Zealander have any confidence that the euthanasia system is working safely. Are they getting the criteria correct that patients must meet. What else are they missing?” asks Mr McCoskrie.

That the Ministry is also updating its reports quietly and with no public notification or acknowledgement of what has changed is also a red flag.

“The Ministry’s willingness to try and sweep such changes under the carpet indicates a system that is neither safe, transparent, or accountable,” said Mr McCoskrie.

Family First is calling on government to intervene immediately in the interest of public safety. In particular, the recent review of the End of Life Choice law clearly needs to be independently reviewed and revised. Not only is this review based on wrong numbers and trends, but also written by the same Ministry who continue to publish false data.

“Dead or alive, the Ministry seems to have no idea.”

Family First is also deeply concerned by comments by Associate Minister of Health David Seymour who is overseeing the review of the law. He stated in a media interview last year: “The statutory review is being the Ministry of Health right now. I believe, without pre-empting what it will say, that it will give a lot of weight to making change.”

If the Ministry can’t report the figures accurately and reliably, how can we trust the review of the law?

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Limited fish before the ramp

Our central biodiversity advisor Martin Rutledge, who led the project and assisted the trust with resource consent, said before the ramp was built surveys showed only tuna/eel and one red finned bully was found upstream of the weir.

“There wasn’t the usual range of species that would be expected, such as inanga and banded kōkopu,” Martin said.

Schools of inanga found after ramp

After the ramp was built, November 2024 surveys showed an increasing number of native fish and freshwater shrimp getting past the weir. Two species that had not been found before, inanga and banded kōkopu, were also recorded upstream of the weir.

Living Springs manager Denis Aldridge said for the first time people were reporting seeing schools of whitebait upstream of the weir.

This confirmed that the ramp was doing its job.

“It’s really great to know that our stream will be supporting more fish, and we really appreciate Environment Canterbury’s help to make that happen,” Denis said.

Martin said he was amazed the ramp had worked so well.

“It’s been a rewarding project to be a part of and a great example of how we can improve our freshwater biodiversity.”

What’s next

With the ramp in good working order, the number and variety of native fish in the stream are expected to keep increasing. There will be regular checks of the ramp, especially after floods, to clear debris and adjust sandbags as needed.

A follow-up survey is planned in summer 2026 upstream, including areas further up in the catchment, to monitor the progress of species like banded kōkopu.

Source: New Zealand Police

Northland Police investigating the death of a Horeke man are seeking information from the public in the case.

Today, Police are also formally releasing the victim’s name.

Daniel Hepehi, also known as Danny Whiston, was found with critical injuries at a property in Waikerikeri Road in the early hours of May 22.

The 77-year-old sadly died at the scene.

Police are now appealing for sightings of Mr Hepehi on Wednesday May 21.

“Police have confirmed that Mr Hepehi shopped for groceries in Kaikohe around 10.30am on that morning,” Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, Northland CIB, says.

“We would like to hear from anyone who saw Mr Hepehi or interacted with him over this time to assist in the investigation.”

“We are aware he frequently rode long distances on his bike around Horeke, Ōkaihau and Kaikohe,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.

Sightings in the area of a green and gold 4-wheel drive SUV vehicle with the number plate LCP129 are also being sought.

Northland Police launched homicide enquiry ‘Operation Dime’ after Mr Hepehi’s death on May 22.

Detective Inspector Johnston says: “As we have advised, we are not seeking anyone in connection with the homicide, but we are doing everything we can to find out what happened. Additional Police from other areas have joined the investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to make a report online, or by calling 105.

Please quote the reference number 250522/0155.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

Forestry and Trade Minister, Todd McClay has today announced a new Cooperation Arrangement between New Zealand and Viet Nam that will grow timber exports and remove potential trade barriers for our forestry sector.

The arrangement will see New Zealand’s radiata pine recognised under Viet Nam’s evolving timber construction standards, opening more opportunities in this growing market. 

“This will grow our $2.68 billion two-way trade and significantly bolster the $48 million worth of sawn timber we currently export into Viet Nam,” Mr McClay says. 

“Viet Nam’s economy has more than doubled in the past decade and is expected to see some of the fastest global income growth over the next. That means more construction, more demand for sustainable products—and more opportunity for New Zealand timber.

“This agreement adds value to New Zealand wood products and offers opportunities in addition to exporting logs. It boosts our export potential and helps double our exports by value in 10 years.”

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand dairy farmers are ending the 2024/25 season on a high, with increased production and record milk prices delivering real gains to the rural economy and every Kiwi household, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.
“Dairy exports are a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economy, contributing $4,700 for every New Zealander. This season’s strong performance is set to add an additional $4.5 billion in farmgate revenue for 2024/25. This is good news for farmers, rural towns, and our economy as a whole,” Mr McClay says.
With the final milk price forecast tracking around $10 per kilogram of milk solids, farmers are seeing the highest returns since 2021/22—and all signs point to another strong season ahead.
“This is the result of hard work on-farm, smart investment, and a global market that continues to demand high-quality, grass-fed New Zealand dairy,” Mr McClay says.
The Government is doing its part to ensure more of that value returns to the farm gate by removing barriers, restoring confidence, and improving the regulatory environment for dairy. Already we have:

Started the process of replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management
Moved to fundamentally reform the Resource Management Act
Halted unworkable winter grazing, stock exclusion, and Significant Natural Area (SNA) rules
Begun rebalancing Te Mana o te Wai to restore the rights of all water users
Removed agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme
Disbanded Labour’s He Waka Eke Noa initiative
Repealed the punitive Ute Tax
Commenced an inquiry into rural banking
Halted Labour’s costly Freshwater Farm Plans
Started and completed a number of Free Trade Agreements that offer farmers greater opportunity in new markets.

“Rural communities are the engine room of this economy. When farmers are doing well, it flows through to local businesses, regional jobs, and a growing economy for all New Zealanders,” Mr McClay says.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Justice

Headline: Nelson courthouse to reopen to public after seismic upgrade

Work to address a potentially critical seismic risk at Nelson courthouse is now complete, and the building is expected to reopen to the public on Wednesday, June 4.

The Ministry of Justice vacated the courthouse in February after an initial seismic
assessment recommended steel bracing be installed as a precautionary measure aimed at improving the building’s performance in an earthquake.

The remediation works meant Nelson’s court and tribunal operations have been run from several temporary sites and shared counters, including the Nelson Bridge Club. Some court appearances were also moved to Blenheim while works were carried out.

While acknowledging the disruption caused to normal operations over this time, the Ministry wishes to thank the judiciary, court users, its justice sector partners and the wider Nelson community for their ongoing support, acting Regional Services Manager, Robert Loo says.

Further strengthening works will be undertaken once a more detailed targeted seismic assessment is carried out. Engineers have advised that the building can be reoccupied while this work is done.

“The health and safety of all users of the courthouse remains a priority. Engineers confirm the building can be reoccupied while further seismic assessment is undertaken,” Mr Loo says.

Temporary arrangements will remain in place until next month’s reopening. Anyone
expected at court in the meantime can contact 0800 COURTS for assistance.

Media contact:

Katarina Fauvel
Senior Advisor, Media
Ministry of Justice
E: media@justice.govt.nz
M: 027 390 2703

← Back to the news