Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 2 south of Pahiatua is closed following a serious crash.
It happened around 3pm and involved two vehicles.
Traffic is being diverted off State Highway 2 at Bridge Road to the south, and Mangahao Road to the north.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.
There are serious injuries involved.
ENDS
Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities
SPEAKER’S RULINGS
New Speaker‘s Ruling—Content of questions
SPEAKER: Members, yesterday, oral question No. 8 led the House into presenting itself in a less than favourable light. The content of the question led to numerous points of order, each referencing Standing Orders and Speakers’ rulings, presenting matters that were relevant, but on their own, contestable. I’ve taken time to review the Hansard recording of these proceedings, and I will present to the House, a new Speaker’s ruling, which builds upon, although not exhaustively, Speakers’ rulings, 55/1, 56/4, 157/5, 192/5, and Standing Order 390, and specifically, Standing Order390(1)(c).
In considering all of these points, I’ve reached the conclusion that I should not have allowed question No. 8, although I note that no party raised issues with the question during the pre-publication period. It was reasonable, then, to reach the assumption that the House had accepted the content of the question, as the House is, of course, the architect of its own procedure. Nor should I have allowed the word used in response to the question to go unchecked. The member concerned may wish to think about a belated action to uphold the dignity of the House.
Those who assist members in the preparation of questions need to be more rigid in restricting questions to the confines of all parts of Standing Order 390 and also the provisions around answers. Accordingly, I offer this new ruling to the House which should bring together all of the matters that were raised yesterday in a fairly concise form.
The ruling is: “Oral or written questions may ask a Minister if they agree with comments made in news or opinion articles or broadcasts, but cannot repeat comment if it is of a discreditable nature to any member of this House. The use of socially unacceptable language or profanity, even if relevant to authentication, in either questions or answers, is not permissible, and that has long been a position in this House.” All other rulings on matters relating to Standing Order 390 are upheld.
Hon Kieran McAnulty: Point of order. Thank you, sir. And thank you very much, I’m sure the House will benefit from that clarity. I have one question, just for everybody’s understanding: is the restriction outlined in your new ruling in regards to members personally, not in regards to views or policies that they may hold?
SPEAKER: Well, you raise immediately the need for there to be some discretion in the consideration of these matters. But if you take that situation yesterday, that was an article that very unreasonably attacked certain members in the House and characterised them in a way that is totally unacceptable. So those sorts of comments included in the question are now not going to be permitted. It would have been easy to ask the question simply if they agreed with the article. So I hope that makes it clear.
Rt Hon Winston Peters: Point of order, please. Mr Speaker, can I ask you as to which country the flags currently being flown outside of Parliament represent?
SPEAKER: They’re not being flown at the moment, they—
Shanan Halbert: Outrageous.
SPEAKER: Member, we’re on a point of order; if the member wants to leave the House, he should do so voluntarily before he’s asked to.
They’re not being flown at the present time; they were there for a short recognition ceremony this morning that has been, as I understand it, and I have been advised, undertaken for quite some years.
Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines
Kōrero flowed about all things emergency management at a community forum in Tāmaki Makaurau on 29 March.
Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) hosted Auckland’s first Community Civil Defence Emergency Management Forum at Te Manawa Community Hub, Westgate. In attendance were iwi and marae, community groups and emergency service partners including NZ Police, Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ), Hato Hone St John, Neighbourhood Support NZ, Citizens Advice Bureau, New Zealand Response Teams, NZ Red Cross and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The forum was also attended by Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell and Councillor Sharon Stewart, chair of Auckland Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee.
“It was pleasing to see a range of different groups represented at the forum, where attendees made new connections and engaged in robust discussion about emergency readiness,” says Councillor Stewart.
“Having these discussions and regularly connecting is essential for enhancing emergency readiness in Tāmaki Makaurau, from grass roots community organisations to official response agencies.”
Dr Angela Doherty, AEM’s Principal Science Advisor, talks at the forum.
Dr Angela Doherty, AEM’s Principal Science Advisor, facilitated a session on “Understanding hazards – community perspectives”. Dr Doherty emphasised that preparation is key no matter what the hazard or emergency Aucklanders may face and educating Aucklanders about risks is essential to give people the information they need to make informed choices about preparing for emergencies.
FENZ representatives spoke about fire seasons and why it is important to go to www.checkitsalright.nz before lighting outdoor fires. Attendees also heard from the Ministry for Primary Industries about biosecurity responses including the recent response to oriental fruit fly in Birkdale – a pest that could negatively affect New Zealand’s agricultural export sector.
This session allowed people from a range of community organisations and networks to highlight their neighbourhood emergency readiness planning. Speakers who began the session and people engaged in the discussion that followed represented resilience networks, churches and faith centres, marae, schools, advisory and advocacy groups, neighbourhood groups and Auckland Council advisory panels.
Greg Morgan, AEM’s Principal for Business and Partnerships.
Adam Maggs, General Manager for AEM says the forum was a success.
“This year’s inaugural Community Civil Defence Emergency Management forum was an essential event in Auckland Emergency Management’s calendar this year. It brought emergency management groups together to connect, share ideas, and ultimately enhance emergency readiness for both frontline organisations and the wider community.
“A big thank you to everyone who attended the forum. This was only possible because multiple groups stepped up to share their unique experiences and knowledge.
“Just as importantly, they were willing to listen to others and will be taking what they learnt to refine their emergency management plans and practices.”
Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines
The tree-filled linear park at the northern entrance to Te Waihorotiu Station has reached another big milestone on its journey to completion.
The eastern section of Te Hā Noa from Lorne Street to Albert Park is now open to the public, with widened footpaths, fewer traffic lanes, wooden seating, new trees and landscaped resting places, all reflecting its te reo Māori name.
Te Hā Noa is a name gifted by mana whenua. Te Hā is about life’s essence – to breathe – and Noa is about being free in the journey to experience your surroundings.
Four trees were crane-lifted from trucks into new street-side seating areas earlier this month, watched over by the ancient trees of Albert Park.
The new trees – pūriri, pōhutukawa, titoki and rewarewa – and around 600 new plants underneath are another milestone in the transformation of midtown’s station neighbourhood.
Auckland Council’s midtown regeneration programme is ensuring the area will be ready when the City Rail Link (CRL) and Te Waihorotiu Station open.
Jenny Larking, Auckland Council Head of City Centre Programmes, says the new streets and spaces are like a leafy ‘living room’ for people in midtown.
“Like any international city with an underground rail system, our streets and spaces need to be tailormade to cater for an influx of people. The area had to undergo radical change to make sure the City Rail Link was optimised at street level. The fruits of that change are becoming really clear now,” she says.
Councillor Richard Hills recognises that trees provide shade and shelter, attract birdlife, counter the heat effects of an urban space like this, and absorb carbon.
“Recent urban heat assessments show our city is warming, especially in the city centre. These stunning native trees will not only help reduce those effects, but will contribute to the growing network of green infrastructure flourishing across the city centre and the region.
“Visitors, residents, workers and students will be able to walk or sit beneath these trees and amongst the new planting to enjoy a fresh perspective on the city centre, with no doubt many more native birds and insects enjoying their new habitats as well. It’s another big step forward in the development of Te Hā Noa,” he says.
In time, Te Hā Noa will form a green link across the city, linking two much-loved city parks – Rangipuke / Albert Park and Waikōkota / Victoria Park.
Victoria Street is one of three east-west streets purpose-designed for the station neighbourhood. In the regeneration, Wellesley Street is becoming an important central city bus interchange, and the upgraded Victoria Street is making the connection between walking, cycling, high frequency bus routes, and the train station easier and safer. Mayoral Drive will be the east-west route for the balance of vehicle movements.
This latest milestone follows the mid-section of Victoria Street’s Te Hā Noa, between Elliott Street and Queen Street, which opened in October 2024.
Read about the opening of the first section of Te Hā Noa at OurAuckland.
[embedded content]
As the linear park at the station’s Victoria Street entrance reaches this milestone, the station itself is gleaming with finishing touches.
Four thousand rods designed to mimic the stems of raupo (reeds) and the movement of water are now in place in the main entrance of Te Waihorotiu Station. Points of light among the reeds reflect a starlit sky and provide functional lighting at the gateway to the station.
A kauri carving at the centre was designed in collaboration with Paraone Luiten-Apirana ((Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Arawa) and the station’s main artist Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu).
The carving represents Horotiu, the kaitiaki or guardian looking after the people and supporting the abundance of life-giving energy in the area.
More on the station design here.
Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets
A Bill that modernises and re-enacts the Valuers Act 1948 passed its first reading in Parliament today, Attorney-General Judith Collins and Minister for Land Information Chris Penk announced.
“The Valuers Bill is on the Government’s revision programme for 2024-2026 as part of our ongoing work to keep legislation current and accessible,” Ms Collins says.
“The Bill rewrites the 1948 Act in modern plain language and drafting style so the rules will be easier to understand and use.”
The 1948 Act created the current scheme for the registration and discipline of land valuers and established the Valuers Registration Board and New Zealand Institute of Valuers.
“We have also released an Amendment Paper to fix small issues in the 1948 Act that cannot be addressed in the Bill as introduced under the statutory revision powers,” Mr Penk says.
“The changes include operational improvements consistent with other occupational regulation Acts, and amendments to promote consistency with legislation such as the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Legislation Guidelines.”
Releasing the Amendment Paper at the same time as introducing the Valuers Bill means the Primary Production Select Committee can call for public submissions on both the bill and the amendment paper, and consider them together.
Read the Valuers Bill.
Read the Amendment Paper.
Source:
The 2025 Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament was presented in the House today. It summarises members’ financial interests as at
31 January 2025.
Since 2005 Standing Orders have provided a system for members of Parliament to register their financial interests. The summaries record members’ interests in 14 categories, including directorships, trusts, investments, debts, and gifts.
The Register provides transparency of, and accountability about, members’ interests thereby strengthening public trust and confidence in parliamentary processes and decision-making.
Visit the Parliament website to view the 2025 Register.
https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-financial-interests/
ENDS
For further inquiries contact:
The Office of the Registrar OCRegistrar@parliament.govt.nz
+64 817 9079
Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities
THURSDAY, 15 MAY 2025
The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.
KARAKIA/PRAYERS
TEANAU TUIONO (Assistant Speaker): E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou, mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi mātou ki te Kīngi, me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga, kia mōhio ai, kia whakaiti ai tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o te Whare nei, mō te oranga, te maungārongo, me te aroha o Aotearoa. Āmene.
[Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility, for the welfare, peace, and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]
Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities
THURSDAY, 15 MAY 2025
The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.
KARAKIA/PRAYERS
TEANAU TUIONO (Assistant Speaker): E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou, mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi mātou ki te Kīngi, me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga, kia mōhio ai, kia whakaiti ai tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o te Whare nei, mō te oranga, te maungārongo, me te aroha o Aotearoa. Āmene.
[Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility, for the welfare, peace, and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]
Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines
Storm recovery efforts are well underway in Mt Roskill, with council and the community working together to build resilience after the major 2023 storms. But recent weather events have been a reminder that the job isn’t over — and that preparing for future storms is just as important as recovering from past ones.
Local groups, with support from the recovery planning Wesley and Roskill Leadership Rōpū, are working with flood-affected residents to understand what matters most to them in this space — including how to be better prepared for floods. The goal is to create a Community-Led Recovery Plan that genuinely reflects the needs of the people who live there.
Upcoming events will help bring together different voices and experiences, ensuring that everyone’s input shapes the future. The goal is to not just to recover from the 2023 storms, but to be stronger and more ready for what’s ahead.
Promoting emergency preparedness
Two local groups— Acts of Roskill Kindness (ARK) and Global Hope Missions (GHM) — have multiple projects planned to support connection and preparedness.
“With these events we are looking to understand what our community needs to feel recovered after flooding. Alongside that, we are conducting workshops with Auckland Emergency Management, Civil Defence, and other organisations to support these families and encourage them to be prepared so that in the event of a natural disaster our community is more resilient,” says Peter Leilua of ARK and GHM.
As part of this series of events, they have launched ‘Road to Recovery’ workshops to help young people in Wesley and Mt Roskill learn about how to stay safe during natural disasters like floods and cyclones.
“The 2023 storms caused a great deal of disruption in our families and communities, and a lot of those families are still suffering,” Peter adds. So, we are very excited to have such a diverse group of student leaders from various high schools participating in this community leadership project.”
Nik Naidu from the Wesley Whānau Community Hub
Engaging all communities
This Sunday, the Wesley Whānau Community Hub is hosting an Ethnic Communities Festival — a celebration of culture, connection, and recovery — at Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall.
“Our Roskill and Wesley communities are amazingly diverse, so our focus is really on hearing from as many different flood-affected locals as we can,” says Nik Naidu, event organiser.
“A celebration of ethnic diversity is a great way to start those conversations. We’ll be chatting with people about their experiences of recovery: what kind of support they still need; what a happy and healthy neighbourhood looks like for them; and what might be getting in the way.
“Puketāpapa is one of the most diverse areas in Aotearoa, and that’s something we’re proud to reflect in this event.”
These events are part of a wider local effort to support community-led flood recovery in the Roskill–Wesley area.
If you’d like to help out, come along to an event, or share your thoughts, email Heather at thecommunitycollectivenz@gmail.com.
Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines
Following recent bad weather, the Recovery Office has noted an increase in homeowners asking to join the categorisation programme.
While we sympathise with homeowners across the region affected by flooding, we are unable to admit any further properties into the programme.
The programme was a limited, one-off scheme co-funded by Auckland Council and the Government in response to the 2023 North Island Weather Events.
Affected homeowners were able to voluntarily register for a risk assessment between June 2023 and October 2024, and the programme was widely publicised over the 15-month period including via regional and national media, paid advertising campaigns, social media, community events and through local MPs and councillors.
The agreement with the Government requires all category 3 purchases to be completed by the end of 2025.
Outside of this limited programme, the council does not, categorise private properties to determine risk, and is not funded to acquire properties that are at risk of future flooding.
The council’s Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience teams, along with Auckland Emergency Management, will continue to help homeowners understand their level of flood risk and what they can do to prepare for future flooding.
As you can see in the graphic above, the Category 3 buy-outs are progressing well with 703 properties now settled.
Category 2P works are also progressing with 17 homeowners having completed their mitigations.