Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Hundreds of extra young people, mums, and families across New Zealand will now get faster access to mental health support, following a boost of funding for multiple community organisations, says Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey.

“Five grassroots community organisations have received funding to ensure young people and families can access the support they need, when and where it’s needed,” Mr Doocey says.

“These initiatives will strengthen support for young people and expand maternal mental health services. They include:

• Ensure more children have someone to talk to. Barnardos will strengthen the 0800 What’s Up helpline, providing free, immediate support to more children and reducing wait times.
•  Help young people stay safe online. Netsafe will create a digital harm and mental health response network, strengthen its helpline, and train up to 1,000 workers to respond to youth distress linked to online harm.
• Build confidence and life skills. The Graeme Dingle Foundation will expand Project K, a strengths-based youth programme combining outdoor adventure, mentoring, and mental health support, helping 36 more young people across Waikato, Western Bay of Plenty, and Christchurch.
• Support young mothers. Ki Tua o Matariki will run 24 peer support groups for expectant mothers aged 15–25 in Auckland, helping at least 100 mothers connect, share experiences, and support their mental health.
• Reach families early. Whānau Āwhina Plunket will launch a new online maternal mental health service in Waikato, providing personalised care plans for up to 375 parents of children aged 0–5 years.

“We know the first 1,000 days of a child’s life lay the foundations for their future. That’s why we’re focused on early intervention and expanding maternal mental health support, so we can set our children up for success later in life. 

“Mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing our youth. Every young New Zealander deserves access to support when and where they need it. By expanding the help available, we can ensure that no one is left waiting on a waitlist.

“I am committed to reducing mental health and addiction wait times across New Zealand. By partnering with organisations such as Barnardos, Netsafe, Plunket, The Graeme Dingle Foundation, and Ki Tua o Matariki, we are making this a reality.

“These initiatives build on existing investments in youth and maternal mental health, including funding for Gumboot Friday, Youthline’s intervention programme, the Mitey programme in schools, the first ever prevalence survey in New Zealand and additional support for specialist maternal mental health services.

“When someone takes the brave step of reaching out, whether it’s you, your child, a friend, or a family member, we’re committed to ensuring the right support is always there to answer that call.”

Notes to editor

• The five projects are funded through the Mental Health Innovation Fund. For the second funding round, the matched funding threshold was lowered from $250,000 to $100,000 to allow a wider range of community-led initiatives.
• There will be further announcements from round two of the Innovation Fund shortly.
   

Source: New Zealand Police

Police will be part of something special, supporting Wellington District’s Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope in support of the Special Olympic Games.

Media is invited to the Wellington leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, hosted by Wellington District Police, travelling from Lower Hutt to Parliament.

What: Law Enforcement Torch Run – Wellington District.

Where: Meet at Lower Hutt Police Station, 19 Kings Crescent.

When: Saturday 15 November at 9.00am.

Who: District Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and Police staff.

Route: The route will be Kings Crescent – Queens Drive – Bunny Street – Knights Road – Stevens Grove – Dowse Square (opposite the Lower Hutt Town Hall).

The torch will then be taken by the Police boat, Lady Liz, from Seaview Marine to Wellington Police Maritime Base.

Wellington: Meet at the Wellington Police Maritime base – 25 Lady Elizabeth Lane, Pipitea on 15 November at 11am.

Route: Lady Elizabeth Lane – Waterloo Quay – Whitmore Street – Lambton Quay – Molesworth Street – Parliament Steps.

RSVP: Please email media@police.govt.nz.

Media are welcome to take photos, video footage and conduct interviews with athletes and Police staff.

The event will start at the Lower Hutt Police Station before the torch makes its way to Dowse Square, opposite the Lower Hutt Town Hall.

Then the torch will go by Lady Liz to Lady Elizabeth Lane and by road to the steps of Parliament.

The New Zealand Law Enforcement Torch Run

Originally the Torch Run started in Northland in early October and will travel all the way down to Southland.

It concludes in Christchurch the week before the Special Olympics Games begin.

Known as Guardians of the Flame, Police members carry the Flame of Hope as it traverses the country.

The countdown is on: The Special Olympics Games will be held at the new Wolfbrook Arena from Wednesday 10 December until Sunday 14 of December.

Inspector Rupert Friend from New Zealand Police says, “We are proud to take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to help raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.

“The Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms, including Polar Plunges.

“We held two plunges in Wellington and Christchurch this year, where a total of $26,000 was raised for our New Zealand athletes.

“The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a worldwide organisation and celebrated this year raising $1 billion to support the athletes of Special Olympics.

“We encourage all Kiwis to come out and show their support at Torch Run events up and down the country from October to December leading up to the games.”

Police contact: Inspector Mark Harrison 021 1907 805

Special Olympics contact: Coen Lammers 021 730 239

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: Privacy Commissioner

13 Nov 2025, 09:00

The increasing number of privacy complaints, and privacy breach notifications, received by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner shows New Zealanders’ increased concerns about privacy are fast becoming reality, the Privacy Commissioner says. 

“Privacy complaints in our 2024/25 Annual Report are up 21% from 2023/24, which was also a record year. The number of serious privacy breaches notified by organisations rose 43% this year.  

“New Zealanders are saying they’re more concerned about their individual privacy and personal information and it’s easy to see why. People are right to worry, as more needs to be done to improve New Zealander’s privacy,” Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says.

Our 2025 Privacy Survey showed that:

• 66% of those surveyed agreed that protecting personal privacy is a major concern.
• 67% are concerned about the privacy of children.
• 62% are concerned about government agencies or businesses using AI to make decisions about them, using their personal information.
• 82% agree they want more control and choice over the collection and use of their personal information.

“The reputational damage and financial costs associated with privacy breaches, and not protecting or respecting individuals’ personal information, should provide a spur to encouraging organisations to do privacy well.  But my Office also understands people need help to understand how to do that.  

This year, we’ve written guidance on a range of subjects for different audiences, including on children’s privacy and use of biometric technology, we hosted a series of webinars during Privacy Week which saw over 8,000 New Zealanders take part, and we have continued to advocate for modernisation of New Zealand’s Privacy Act.

“The Privacy Act currently provides insufficient incentives for many organisations to understand or meet even the most basic privacy requirements.  For example, a growing number of organisations do not establish policies and practices to effectively manage the privacy impacts of their activities.  Other countries have modernised their privacy regimes beyond our own to capture the benefits and avoid the harm of new technologies.
“We continue to recommend amendments to the Act that would modernise it and strengthen privacy outcomes. Our 2025 Survey also showed strong support for strengthening the Privacy Commissioner’s powers under the Act.”

The amendments include:

1. Empowering New Zealanders to better protect themselves with new rights, such as a ‘right to erasure’, that would provide individuals with the right to ask agencies to delete their personal information.
2. Adding strong incentives for agencies to take privacy seriously through establishing a new and significantly stronger penalty regime.
3. Requiring agencies to be able to demonstrate how they meet their privacy requirements, in similar ways to the privacy management programmes recommended by the OECD.
4. Providing New Zealanders with stronger protections for automated decision making.

Read more about this year’s Annual Report including a download of the full document.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are appealing for help to locate 61-year-old Anita Hart.

Police and her family have serious concerns for her wellbeing.

Anita was last seen on CCTV yesterday at around 11:43 am on Gillespies Road heading towards Akatarawa Road. Her vehicle was also located on Gillespies Road.

Police Search and Rescue volunteers will be visible in the area of Gillespies Road and the Hutt River.

She was last seen wearing a blue beanie with a pompom, a blue jacket, and dark-coloured trousers.

Anyone with information that may assist is urged to contact 111 and reference file number P064438940.

ENDS 

Issued by the Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash near Mangapai on Wednesday night.

The single vehicle crash was reported on Waiotira Road at 10.50pm.

Sadly, the passenger of the vehicle died despite medical assistance being provided at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit deployed to the scene overnight to carry out enquiries

The driver was taken to hospital for observations. Police are speaking with the man as part of ongoing enquiries into how the crash occurred.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

A Police investigation is underway after a fatal crash near Wellsford early this morning.

At around 1.40am, a single vehicle crash was reported on Waiteitei Road.

The vehicle has collided with a tree in the crash. Sadly, the sole occupant died at the scene.

Waiteitei Road has been closed between Farmers Lime and Whangaripo Valley Roads.

Overnight, the Serious Crash Unit attended to examine the scene.

Police enquiries into the crash are now underway.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 12 November 2025
Last updated 12 November 2025

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This page lists the current Student Management System (SMS) vendors that are working with existing tertiary education organisations.
This page lists the current Student Management System (SMS) vendors that are working with existing tertiary education organisations.

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Source: New Zealand Police

Two simultaneous search warrants have led to two arrests in relation to a slew of shoplifting across Christchurch.

“The arrests we have made relate to shoplifting and fraud matters totalling in excess of $20,000,” says Detective Sergeant Mike Freeman, Christchurch Fraud Squad.

“A significant portion of electrical equipment stolen from commercial premises has been recovered.

“Our understanding is that these items were stolen between 20 October and 3 November.”

The two warrants took place in Hei Hei and Hornby at around 8:15am today, while a third warrant took place later in the day.

A 30-year-old man has appeared in Christchurch District Court today, on two charges of causing loss by deception (over $1000), two charges of theft of a motor vehicle, and eight charges if shoplifting (over $1000). He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear tomorrow.

A 63-year-old woman is due to appear on 19 November on charges of causing loss by deception (over $1000) and theft of a motor vehicle.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

12 November 2025

On 6 November 2025, WorkSafe was informed that batches of coloured/kinetic sand used at educational facilities in Australia have been found to contain two types of asbestos – tremolite and chrysotile. This sand product is allegedly imported from China and can be used in classroom activities, as well as other decorative and craft uses at home.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  12 November 2025

The hard work of Fire and Emergency and DOC staff assessing the fireground over the past few days has allowed this transition to occur.  

Two DOC fire crews (13 personnel) were deployed today seeking hotspots, and no new hot spots were identified. 

Due to difficult terrain, ground crews were unable to access all areas of the fire impacted land. The Fire and Emergency specialist drone team will continue thermal imaging flights to determine if the fire is fully controlled. 

DOC has made several closures for the safety of visitors, and to facilitate work crew access to fire affected areas. These are: 

• Tongariro Alpine Crossing 
• Mangatepopo Track 
• Tongariro Northern Circuit north of Waihohonu. 

In addition, the 7-day rāhui enacted by Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro remains over a larger area including Whakapapa Village walks and the Bruce Road.  

DOC is asking visitors to respect rāhui and track closures and give work crews space to respond to the fire and its aftermath in Tongariro National Park. 

State Highway 47 is open with speed restrictions.  

Supporting Fire and Emergency investigation: 

• Fire and Emergency would like to hear from anyone with a dashcam who was on State Highway 47 on Saturday 8 November between 1 and 4pm. 
• Of interest is State Highway 47 from the intersection with State Highway 4 to the intersection with State Highway 46. 
• Contact the investigation team: tongarirofirephotos2025@fireandemergency.nz  

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