Category: MIL-OSI

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Update – homicide investigation, Hamilton

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson

Police investigating the death of a 30-year-old woman in Hamilton City are continuing to appeal to those who may have seen the incident to come forward.

The woman died after a vehicle drove into a traffic light pole she was standing next to on the corner of Ohaupo Road and Kahikatea Drive on Thursday 15 May.

Police have received a steady flow of information from the public, but are keen to speak with those who may have witnessed the incident, or any prior interactions between the offending gold ute and the woman who died.

In particular we would like to speak to a female wearing pink who assisted at the scene.

Please contact us at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

Please use the reference number 250515/6763.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Team

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Health – Bold demand-side action required in face of methamphetamine surge

Source: New Zealand Drug Foundation

New Zealand must invest in bold action to reduce demand for methamphetamine in the face of a recent surge in consumption, the NZ Drug Foundation says.

Wastewater testing data shows that methamphetamine consumption has doubled in the last year, with acute social and health impacts being reported in areas with the highest rates of use.

Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says being overly reliant on supply-side interventions like seizures and drug busts won’t shift the dial and that seriously addressing demand is the only way to solve the issue.

“We’ve seen a doubling of methamphetamine use in spite of record-breaking seizures by Police and Customs,” she says.

“If we don’t address demand and addiction, supply-side measures are short-lived, because as one supply source is removed another supplier steps in to meet the demand. We need to be bold and get serious about reducing demand, preventing harm and making addiction treatment much more accessible to people.”

Helm says there are a range of proven and emerging interventions that the Foundation and the sector are urging the government to adopt, including:

A rapid escalation of addiction treatment, including investment in accessible community-based, peer-led groups

Revamping and expanding proven health-based responses like Te Ara Oranga

A campaign that reduces stigma and encourages people to have conversations about their use with loved ones and to access help

Ramping up prevention by tackling unmet health needs by:

offering better support and treatment for people who use methamphetamine and have ADHD (one Australian study showed 45% of people who use illicit stimulants regularly screened positive for ADHD)  

investigating medication-assisted treatment options for people with methamphetamine dependence

Increasing harm reduction service availability, for example access to sterile injecting equipment to prevent communicable disease impacts

More kaupapa Māori-driven health responses

Helm says that she’s optimistic about progress, especially as Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has experience in the addictions sector and understands the issues.

“We’ve had many years of inaction on drug issues, but we have had very positive engagement with the Minister, including at a summit with almost 200 people from across the sector who offered up advice on how to tackle the serious challenges we are facing, so we are hopeful for progress,” she says.

Helm also acknowledges that demand reduction measures on their own risk being band aids without addressing the underlying social and economic drivers of methamphetamine use.

“Ultimately, this issue is bigger than any one sector or government portfolio and there are no quick fixes, but that doesn’t need we shouldn’t start doing what we know will work.”

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Animal Welfare – No more delays – SAFE demands urgent dog racing winddown

Source: SAFE For Animals
Carrington Magic is the latest dog to be killed by the greyhound racing industry. At only two years old, she suffered an open spiral fracture to her left hind leg on May 16 at Hatrick Raceway in Wanganui and was euthanised shortly after.
Her death marks the eighth greyhound killed since the Government announced its plan to ban greyhound racing, and the 13th fatality this racing season. Since the December 2024 announcement, over 300 greyhounds have been injured, including 58 who suffered broken bones.
SAFE says these deaths and injuries are mounting proof that every day of delay is costing dogs their lives.
“We are heartbroken that Carrington Magic, like so many before her, will never get the chance to experience life beyond the track,” says SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie.
“As long as racing continues, dogs like Carrington Magic will continue to die simply for someone else’s profit.”
The Government has committed to ending greyhound racing, and the Ministerial Advisory Committee is due to release an interim report at the end of May. SAFE is urging both the Government and Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) to move quickly to wind-down the industry, before more dogs are harmed or killed.
“Every race is a gamble on a dog’s life, and Carrington Magic’s death is yet another reminder of what’s at stake,” says Brodie.
“We hope to see clear directives from the Ministerial Advisory Committee to begin phasing out races and prioritising rehabilitation and rehoming. The dogs cannot wait.”
SAFE is calling on GRNZ to take immediate responsibility for the lives of the dogs still being forced to race and begin the wind-down now. 
SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.
We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
  • Since Racing Minister Winston Peters announced a ban on greyhound racing on December 10, 2024, 315 dogs have suffered injuries requiring a standdown period, 58 dogs have suffered broken bones, and 8 dogs have died.
  • Since the racing season began on August 1, 2024, 658 dogs have suffered injuries requiring a standdown period, 99 dogs have suffered broken bones, and 13 dogs have died.
  • The Ministerial Advisory Committee formed to oversee the closure of the industry was due to release an interim report on 30 April, however it has been delayed until 30 May 2025. The report will include advice on the legislative, regulatory or operational changes required to shut down the industry, an operational transition plan, and a timeline for closure.  
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Government Cuts – Budget week blow – Govt axes experts backing innovative Kiwi start-ups – PSA

Source: PSA

Callaghan Innovation that supports the next wave of innovative Kiwi companies.
This Friday, 15 highly skilled business innovation advisers at Callaghan Innovation will be shown the door.
“The Government is sacking these smart and successful business advisors while loudly beating the drum about its economic growth agenda – it’s hypocritical, and makes no sense,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The team supports Frontier Ventures – innovative start-ups in the science and technology area that have the potential to be world beaters.
“If the Government want to nurture the next Rocket Lab, then the wrap around services offered by the commercialisation team are exactly the support start-ups need to go to the next level.
“These are industry experts hired from the private sector who’ve been helping young companies navigate the commercial world and prepare them to scale up and succeed.
“This is fully funded, expert advice – a critical service being axed with a proven track record of success with no thought as to the impacts.
“There is no government agency picking up this work – the next wave of smart, innovative Kiwi entrepreneurs is being left high and dry. The service will not be picked up by the private sector as these companies are fledgling businesses with limited resources.
“It’s ironic that the Government just last week announced additional venture capital funding but is pulling the rug from under the very service that helps start-ups get to the stage of being able to seek venture capital.
“Sacking these people is all about saving money, not securing a prosperous future for New Zealand – it’s just another short-sighted decision by the Government without regard to consequences, as we have seen across the public sector.”
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Leading Environmental organisations call on the PM to reject the Regulatory Standards Bill

Source: Greenpeace

Four of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading environmental organisations have today issued a joint open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, urging him to reject the Regulatory Standards Bill in full.
The Regulatory Standards Bill is being discussed in Cabinet on Monday, 19 May 2025.
The open letter, signed by the executive directors of Forest & Bird, Greenpeace Aotearoa, the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), and WWF-New Zealand, describes the Regulatory Standards Bill as “an unprecedented threat” to environmental protection, climate action, and the country’s democratic and constitutional foundations.
The organisations warn the Bill would create a dangerous new precedent where governments are expected to compensate companies if new environmental protections interfere with their property, effectively turning the polluters pay principle on its head.
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Government Cuts – Government must commit to pay equity for funded health sector: NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

The Coalition Government must confirm its commitment to fully-funding pay equity for the funded health sector, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki O Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
After urgently changing the Equal Pay Act without public consultation and scrapping 33 pay equity claims overnight, the Coalition Government promised it had kept a “fair pay equity scheme focused on genuine sex-based discrimination”.
However, despite being asked in Parliament and by media, Cabinet ministers have refused to say whether a 2024 “pay equity reset” means the funded sector will not have pay equity claims funded by the Government. NZNO had 10 pay equity claims dumped including for the primary health care, hospice, Plunket and care and support funded sectors.
NZNO Primary Health Care Nurses College chair Tracey Morgan says the scrapping of the primary and community health care claim was devastating to nurses in the sector.
“Primary and community health care nurses, like their hospice and Plunket counterparts, accepted lower wage increases in their collective agreements on the understanding they were about to receive pay equity payments.
“They then had the rug pulled out from under them with the Government ending their claims without warning or legitimate reason.
“Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden has refused to say the Government will fund pay equity claims for the funded sector, simply pointing to an opaque 2024 Cabinet paper from Finance Minister Nicola Willis which says the funded sector can go cap in hand to the Government for each settlement.
“If the Coalition Government remains truly committed to a fair pay equity system, it should promise low-paid and hard-working health care workers in the funded sector such as primary and community care that they will fund their pay equity settlements,” Tracey Morgan says.
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Team effort to rescue teens

Source: New Zealand Police

Packing a personal locator beacon paid off for two teenagers when one was swept down a river north of Wellington today.

The two 15-year-olds were returning from an overnight hike to Kapakapanui Hut in the Tararua Forest Park when they got into trouble trying to cross the Ngatiawa River.

Constable Alex McCormack said the river was rising from heavy rain and the flow swept one of the boys off his feet and carried him downstream.

“His friend made the right choice not to go in after him. The boys thought it was crossable, but underestimated the power the water was packing.”

The teen that was in the water managed to get to safety, but on the opposite riverbank. He stayed put and activated the locator beacon while the other boy walked to the end of the track to wait for Police and family members.

“The Search and Rescue team were able to assist the second teen out and both of them were fine – just a little cold and wet. The fact they’re okay is a real relief given what the river was looking like.”

Constable McCormack says the rescue showed the value in packing a locator beacon and looking at the forecast – lessons anyone heading into the outdoors should learn from.

“Both these guys did lots of things right, but it shows how quickly the conditions can change. If you’re heading into the wilderness, pay attention to the forecast and weather warnings, and don’t risk crossing a flooded or fast-rising river – you’re better to wait it out.

“Despite all that, they packed a locator beacon and used it when they needed to. And importantly, the one with the beacon stayed put after activating it, so we were able to find them without any trouble.”

Constable McCormack said the rescue was a team effort involving Land Search and Rescue volunteers, the Rescue Coordination Centre, and local landowners who provided advice and allowed the rescue team access through their land.

“They all deserve thanks for the parts they played. There are a lot of people willing to drop everything to help a stranger and we couldn’t do it without them.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Southern rail celebrated with opening, funding

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Otago rail has received a big boost today with the official reopening of the Hillside Workshops in Dunedin and the announcement of up to $8.2 million for part of a vital rail link between Port Chalmers and Mosgiel.

Rail Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones attended the reopening of the Hillside Workshops this afternoon.

“Our nation was built in rail yards just like Hillside, a facility that has contributed significantly to connecting our communities and enabling New Zealand’s growth and development through the movement of goods and resources,” Mr Peters says.

“Hillside is a key part of New Zealand’s rail infrastructure, the only heavy lifting rail facility in the South Island and vital to KiwiRail’s operations.”

The transformation of the workshops was enabled by a total of $127.97m investment.

The project received $19.97m in 2019 through the former Provincial Growth Fund, as well as funding in Budget 2021 and from KiwiRail.

It created around 200 construction-related full-time jobs during the demolition and construction process.

The redevelopment added a new mechanical workshop, where up to 21 locomotives, wagons or carriages can be worked on at a time, as well as a new wagon assembly facility capable of assembling two wagons daily.

“KiwiRail expects to assemble up to 1500 wagons at Hillside before 2027, enabling safer and more reliable rail freight services that will benefit all New Zealanders,” Mr Peters says.

Hillside Workshops has played an important role in New Zealand’s rail journey since 1875, at its peak providing 1200 jobs.

As well as celebrating the reopening of Hillside Workshops, Mr Jones announced that the development of a three-track rail siding at the Southern Link Logistics Hub development near Mosgiel will receive a loan up to $8.2m from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

The freight and rail hub will service Port Otago.

Mr Jones made the announcement for funding to Southern Link Property Limited and KiwiRail Holdings Limited at a regional growth summit in Dunedin earlier today.

“The project will address a regional priority and long-standing issues with the freight network in Otago. By reducing heavy vehicle movements through Dunedin, the logistics hub will reduce traffic congestion and reduce travel time to and from the port for freight vehicles, says Mr Jones. 

The Otago regional growth summit was the last event in a nationwide series which              aimed to facilitate conversations with regional stakeholders around opportunities for economic growth, regional priorities, prosperity and resilience through the use of the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

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Police make arrest over Masterton fires

Source: New Zealand Police

Wairarapa Police have made an arrest in relation to seven suspicious fires in Masterton earlier this year.

Six churches and a local business were damaged by fire on 22 February, acts Police believe were intentional.

This morning, Police executed a search warrant at a Masterton address, where a 44-year-old man was arrested without incident. Police have filed seven charges of arson against him and he is expected to appear in the Masterton District Court tomorrow (19 May).

Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom welcomed the arrest.

“I want to acknowledge the support we’ve had from the community during this investigation. The fires were unsettling and upsetting for many people, and I hope today’s arrest brings some comfort.

“Information from the public has played a pivotal role in this investigation and I want to thank everyone who has helped us, including the dedicated investigators who have spent months following leads and making enquiries.”

As the case is before the court, Police are unable to comment further.

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Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Urgent care closer to home for rural and remote communities

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Kiwis living in rural and remote communities will benefit from a significant funding boost to urgent and after-hours healthcare services, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says.“Access to healthcare is one of the biggest concerns for people living in rural and remote communities,” Mr Doocey says.“Our Government is committed to ensuring all New Zealanders can get the care they need, when they need it – no matter where they live. This investment will bring healthcare closer to home for more people.“Budget 2025 is investing $164 million over four years to strengthen urgent and after-hours care nationwide, meaning 98 per cent of Kiwis will be able to access these services within one hour’s drive of their home.”The funding includes targeted support for more than 70 rural and remote communities, including: 

Extended after-hours
24/7 on-call in-person clinical support
Improved access to diagnostics and medicines 

Changes will be rolled out over the next two years to ensure services are tailored to the specific needs of each community. This year, new services will be trialled in Twizel, Tākaka, Tūrangi, Te Kūiti, Coromandel, and Great Barrier Island before being rolled out nationwide.“People in rural New Zealand deserve access to timely, quality healthcare. This investment will reduce travel times, improve access to services, and help take pressure off our emergency departments.“This is about delivering practical improvements that make a real difference for people living in rural and remote areas. Geography shouldn’t be a barrier to getting the healthcare you need,” Mr Doocey says.