Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are invited to attend the graduation ceremony of Recruit Wing 390 in Auckland tomorrow.

The ceremony mark the recruits’ completion of their initial training course and attestation as Police Officers.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Associate Minister of Police Hon Casey Costello will be in attendance, alongside the Wing Patron, the Rt Hon Sir John Key.

Graduation of the New Zealand Police Sir John Key 390 Recruit Wing will be held at the Barfoot and Thompson Stadium in Auckland at 11am on Friday 14 November.

Details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation.

Media are requested to confirm their attendance at the ceremony by emailing media@police.govt.nz

Commissioner Chambers will be available to speak with media following the completion of graduation formalities.

• 390 Wing Patron:

The Right Honourable Sir John Key was the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to December 2016, successfully leading the National Party to three election victories before retiring from politics at the end of 2016.

He led the country through the aftermath of the global financial crisis and a series of devastating earthquakes in Christchurch.

Sir John entered politics after a successful career in investment banking including nearly a decade in New Zealand, primarily with Bankers Trust, and a decade offshore with investment bank Merrill Lynch in London, Singapore and Sydney.

Sir John is married to Bronagh and has two adult children, Stephie and Max.

He loves to cook, watch rugby, travel and play golf.

He also has his helicopter pilot licence.

In 2017 he was made a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, which brings with it the title of Sir John.

He was also recognised by the Australian Government and has been appointed an Honorary Companion in the Order of Australia.

The University of Canterbury awarded Sir John an Honorary Doctorate in Commerce in 2017.

He graduated from the university in 1983 with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accountancy.

Sir John keeps busy by contributing to several boards, he chairs the Board of Oritain Global (NZ) and the Advisory Board for Bolt Group (Australia), and he is an advisor to a range of organisations.

He also engages in public speaking events throughout New Zealand, Australia and the world.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

This morning two people visiting the Whiritoa blowhole got caught out by the big surf and incoming tide. Then a bystander nearby watching also got into trouble.

Waikato police are urging anyone near the coastline to take extra care as the conditions can change at any time.

Sergeant Bradley York from the Waikato Search and Rescue team says Police were alerted around 8.30am.

“The surf was big and the tide was coming in.

“Two males were stuck in the Whiritoa blowhole and one had a suspected broken leg,” says Sergeant York.

Emergency services joined forces with Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Surf Life Saving New Zealand and the Auckland Westpac Rescue helicopter working together.

“While we were winching the injured man out of the blowhole we heard about someone else who was watching the rescue.

“He’d been taking photos from rocks nearby then been washed off ​​into the surf.

“We had to divert away from the initial rescue, and shift to the more urgent situation where he was in the sea.

“After we winched out the bystander we went back to the original scene and rescued the remaining person from the blowhole.

“This was a good reminder to members of the public to exercise caution near the sea as conditions can change rapidly.

“Please take care near water – be aware of the tide and the risks,” said Sergeant York.

All three people were successfully airlifted to safety and for medical support as required.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Thousands more households are now receiving FamilyBoost payments of $150 a fortnight or more thanks to the expansion of the scheme, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has welcomed official stats out today showing continued growth in New Zealand’s overseas visitor numbers, with Australian tourists continuing to lead the way.

“Visitor arrivals from Australia reached 1.48 million in the September 2025 year, up from 1.33 million the year before,” Louise Upston says.

“That’s great news – an increase of 153,500, or 12 per cent, compared with the September 2024 year.

“For September years, 2025 was the second highest for the number of visitor arrivals from Australia after 2019, reflecting an increase in trans-Tasman flights, and the success of Tourism New Zealand’s Everyone Must Go campaign.

“Australians have well and truly grabbed that opportunity, and everyone has come.

“Overall, today’s data from Stats NZ shows New Zealand welcomed 248,600 international visitors in September 2025, an increase of 21,700 from September 2024. 

“This exciting increase reflects our Government’s efforts to attract more international visitors and get New Zealand’s tourism industry humming again.

The biggest changes were in arrivals for the year were:

• Australia (up 153,000 to 1.48 million)
• United States (up 21,000 to 381,000)
• United Kingdom (up 20,000 to 190,000)
• Japan (up 10,000 to 74,000)

Chinese numbers remained relatively steady at 246,100 for the period, compared to 245,800 previously.

“As well as today’s improved statistics, we’re seeing also international arrivals to Queenstown and Christchurch being the highest on record for this time of year,” Louise Upston says. 

“Accommodation in Auckland will be at full occupancy next week and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited has estimated that Auckland will be at 80-85 per cent occupancy over the summer period.

“These are all promising signs and reflect the hard work the Government and the sector have been putting in together.

“We started off the year with a Tourism Boost package, developed in partnership with industry to support an immediate growth in visitor numbers. 

“We’ve continued that teamwork through September’s $70 million events and tourism investment package, alongside last week’s announcement that we are welcoming the Michelin Guide to these shores. 

“This is all part of the Government’s plan to double the value of international tourism by 2034. A thriving tourism sector is key to our economic success, and one I’m fully committed to.”

Source: New Zealand Government

A new national intellectual property (IP) policy will give New Zealand researchers more control over their inventions and greater opportunities to turn world-class ideas into commercial success, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Dr Shane Reti announced today.

“New rules for managing intellectual property will ensure our brightest minds are incentivised and supported to turn ideas into impact,” says Dr Reti. 

“This approach will foster and drive more innovation so Kiwi-made discoveries reach New Zealanders and the world faster, improving lives, creating jobs and driving economic growth.”

Under the policy:

• University researchers will have the first right to commercialise their inventions.
• Researchers can commercialise independently or work with their university for support.
• Where universities help, their equity stake in any spin-out company in exchange for a standard level of support will be capped at around five to ten per cent, ensuring inventors retain the majority of benefits.
• Public research organisations will continue to have the first right to take discoveries to market, but if they choose not to, they must give the inventors the opportunity to take the lead themselves.

“Whether it’s developing new medicines, climate solutions or high-tech industries, this policy puts our world-class scientists in the driver’s seat,” Dr Reti says. 

“By giving researchers more control and clearer rewards, we’re turning great ideas into jobs, industries, and solutions for global challenges.”

Currently, each university and research organisation manages IP differently, and institutions often claim ownership of discoveries made by their researchers. This can limit inventors’ ability to commercialise their work and drive growth.

Dr Reti says the national policy will replace this patchwork system with clear, fair rules that reward inventors directly and encourage more commercialisation.

“We’re removing the handbrake on innovation. This policy creates the right incentives for researchers to take their ideas to market with the confidence that they’ll share directly in the benefits.”

From 1 July 2026, the new national IP management policy will apply to most research projects funded through the Science, Innovation and Technology portfolio.

“Our goal is simple. To make it easier for great Kiwi research to become great Kiwi products. This new IP policy is about making smart choices for a better tomorrow – unlocking the full potential of our research talent to deliver jobs, growth, and solutions for the challenges ahead,” Dr Reti says.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  13 November 2025

Further good news from the fire ground: no new fire activity was identified yesterday by ground crews and drone surveys.

With more precise mapping we now have updated figures revealing fire has affected 2,935 ha of Tongariro National Park. This is over varied terrain including, sub-alpine scrub, alpine scrub, wetlands, frost flats and pockets of kaikawaka forest.

Following the smooth transition of fire management from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to the Department of Conservation, the situation will continue to be managed by the local DOC office, with out-of-town DOC firefighter crews heading home. The local office will continue to ensure appropriate fire containment and safety assessments occur as they start to look towards recovery and restoration of the impacted area.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Culverden Road/State Highway 7, Culverden, Hurunui, is blocked due to a serious crash this afternoon.

Police were called to the single-vehicle crash, between Long Plantation Road and School Road, around 12pm.

Initial indicators are that there are critical injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and the road is expected to remain blocked for some time while emergency services work at the scene.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible and expect delays.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has introduced the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill to Parliament, taking the next step towards a fairer, simpler, and more modern transport funding system.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the Bill makes important changes across both the road user charges and tolling frameworks, ensuring New Zealand is ready for the next generation of road building.

“A core principle of our transport funding system is fairness: that all road users should contribute in proportion to their use of the roads,” Mr Bishop says.

A stronger, more flexible tolling system to deliver new roads

Mr Bishop says the Bill makes important improvements to tolling – a key tool for delivering the Government’s Roads of National Significance programme.

“Tolling helps us bring forward investment and build the roads New Zealand needs sooner. The Bill provides the flexibility required to support major projects, including our new Roads of National Significance.

“Key changes include enabling ‘corridor tolling’, which allows tolling on parts of an existing road where users receive clear, demonstrable benefits from a new project in the same corridor.

“The Bill also introduces new tools to manage diversion from toll roads, including the ability to restrict heavy vehicles from using unsuitable alternative routes, and allowing toll revenue to help fund maintenance of alternative roads when councils are unable to do so.

“To make tolling fairer and more predictable for users, the Bill mandates annual CPI adjustments instead of ad-hoc increases. And to improve collection efficiency, liability for paying a toll will shift from the driver to the registered person.

“These changes will give us a more consistent, more flexible tolling framework so that we can deliver big road upgrades faster and support regional economic growth.”

A modernised RUC system

“The Bill also provides improvements to the outdated RUC system. It was designed in the 1970s and still relies on manual paperwork and paper licences,” Mr Bishop says.

“Right now, drivers paying RUC have to track their odometer readings and stick paper labels to their windscreen. 

“This Bill enables new payment models like subscriptions or post-payment, and allows private companies to offer easy, set-and-forget billing options – similar to how many of us already pay for power or streaming services.

“It also future-proofs the system by allowing accurate in-vehicle technology to record distance, and separates NZTA’s regulatory role from its retail role so third-party providers compete on a level playing field.

“These changes are the first step towards replacing petrol tax with RUC for light petrol vehicles. We’ll assess the improved system in 2027 before deciding on next steps for transitioning the remaining 3.5 million vehicles.”

Next steps

Following its first reading, the Bill will be considered by the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee. The legislation is expected to pass in 2026.

Notes to editor: 

A Request for Information (RFI) will be released on the GETS website later in November to test options with potential market providers on the design of new third-party RUC payment services.

The RUC system currently applies to all diesel vehicles, heavy vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes), and light electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids. These changes will improve the system for existing users and prepare it for the eventual transition of 3.5 million light petrol vehicles.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has accepted or partially accepted all the recommendations made by the Finance and Expenditure Committee’s inquiry into banking competition.  

The inquiry examined the state of banking competition with a focus on business and rural banking, as well as lending to Māori entities. 

Nicola Willis says the select committee’s findings echo many of the findings of the Commerce Commission’s report on personal banking services last year. 

“The inquiry’s findings highlighted concerns about the high levels of banking profitability and market concentration, barriers to entry for other players, and regulatory settings.

“The Government has been progressing all the recommendations in the Commerce Commission’s report. They include giving Kiwibank’s parent company the go-ahead to raise additional capital and requiring the Reserve Bank to place greater emphasis on banking competition across a range of policies and actions.” 

Scott Simpson says that in response to the select committee inquiry, he will be writing to banks encouraging them to:

standardise financial information and use digital technologies to help customers compare products and loan options across banks; and
disclose profitability on transaction, on-call and savings accounts.

“I will also be writing to the Financial Markets Authority asking it to consider broadening its regulatory sandbox trail which allows firms to test innovative products and services in a controlled environment. 

“Work is also underway on a single licensing model to cut red tape for innovative financial services. 

“This Government is committed to driving competition in the banking sector, encouraging innovation and delivering a better deal for consumers.

“Monitoring and reporting on the committee’s recommendations will be coordinated by the Treasury.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, members of the police executive and wing patron Cameron Leslie MNZM congratulated the 55 graduating constables from Wing 389 this morning. 

Families and friends watched as the newly attested police officers marched out at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua.

They are a diverse group of people who have worked in roles such as a security guard, swim coach, builder and in customer service. Many in the wing have degrees, diplomas and trade qualifications.

Also attending the graduation and presenting the prize to the top award winner was Associate Minister of Police Hon Casey Costello.

Top of the wing, Constable Millie-Maree Sedgwick, is looking forward to returning to Canterbury District.

Millie-Maree is well acquainted with policing as she has worked for New Zealand Police since 2018 in the Police Vetting Service, National Command and Coordination Centre, and in several Intelligence roles in Wellington and Canterbury.

Moving into a constabulary role is a way to make even more of a contribution to the community, she says.

“My main reason is to be part of something bigger than myself. I believe I can give more back to the community by being on the frontline than from behind a computer.”

While she found the recruit course provided many challenges along the way, Millie-Maree says the wing members supported each other well and this helped her immensely.

“The support from my peers in the wing really helped me push through the 20 weeks of training.”

The Leadership Award Winner is Constable Jordan Bremner (Ngāti Maniapoto), posted to Central District.

Jordan’s father was a police officer for 10 years and even worked at the Police College for some of that time, so policing was always on the horizon for Jordan.

First though, he completed more than six years in the New Zealand Army, with a career highlight being a stint instructing youth at a military-style course.

“I really loved my time instructing on that course, seeing the trainees really grow. Now, as a police officer I want to take every opportunity to help the community, including preventing youth offending and helping them take better pathways.”

At the graduation Jordan spoke on behalf of the wing.

“As we move on from here to our districts, we do so with pride, wearing our uniform with honour, carrying the confidence of the public and upholding the standards of this organisation and the values we have gained during our time here.

“May we remember that to be a police officer is to be a leader in our community. May we never take that responsibility lightly.”

Joining Jordan in Central District is Constable Ashleigh Chapman, who was awarded the Patron’s Award for second in wing and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award.

Ashleigh worked in beauty therapy before joining Police, but wanted to move into a service-based role.

“I decided I wanted to serve the community and people, but at first I wasn’t sure how to do this. My Mum reminded me that as a kid of around 10 years old I really wanted to be a police officer, and this triggered my mindset towards joining. I hit ‘apply’ and it happened!”

Ashleigh found the most challenging aspect of the recruit course was the physical aspects.

“I only started the physical training like the running when I applied to join Police, but I have enjoyed those challenges and I’ve grown because of them. My sergeant and section have been incredibly supportive, I always felt like they had my back throughout the course, and my faith also played a huge role in getting me through the tough days.”

Deployment:

The new constables will start their first day of duty in their Police districts on the week beginning Monday 24 November 2025 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables.

Auckland City 1, Counties Manukau 4, Waikato 6, Bay of Plenty 11, Eastern 5, Central 8, Wellington 6, Tasman 1, Canterbury 8, Southern 5.

All Awards: 

• Minister’s Award recognising top student: Constable Millie-Maree Sedgwick, posted to Canterbury District.
• Commissioner’s Award for Leadership: Constable Jordan Bremner, posted to Central District.
• Patron’s Award for second top student and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Ashleigh Chapman, posted to Central District.
• Firearms Award: Constable George Lynch, posted to Tasman District.
• Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Andre Kleuskens, posted to Bay of Plenty District.

Demographics:

27.3 percent are female, 72.7 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 78.2 percent of the wing, with Māori 12.7 percent, Pasifika 1.8 percent, Asian 5.5 percent, LAAM 1.8 percent.

Wing Patron:

Cameron Leslie MNZM is a Kiwi Paralympian and Wheel Black from Whangārei. He has broken world records and won gold medals at Paralympic Games. Cameron was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2009 New Year’s Honours, for services to swimming.

In wheelchair rugby Cameron is known as a mid-point player. This means he carries the ball a lot and is one of the generals on court. Among some of Cameron’s proudest achievements are helping the Wheel Blacks qualify for the 2020 Summer Paralympics, which Cameron did not attend due to Covid and the birth of his second child, and being a finalist for the global sporting awards The Laureus Awards in 2023.

Currently Cameron lives in Whangārei with his wife and three children while working for Swimming New Zealand as the Disability and Para Swimming Participation Manager.

Watch out for our Ten One story coming soon with more images and stories.

If you’re interested in joining police check out newcops.govt.nz

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre