Category: MIL-OSI

Posted on

Employment – Authenticity over Authority – 63% of professionals admit to leaving a previous employer because they didn’t resonate with leadership

Source: Robert Walters

Two thirds of professionals (63%) have admitted that one of the leading reasons for leaving a previous employer is because they did not have a ‘connection’ with their management or leadership team.  

A further 68% stated that their exit was due to ’empty promises’ from management – with professionals feeling that leaders who fail to act on commitments erode trust.

The findings come from a new report from global talent solutions business – Robert Walters – which highlights ‘Human-centric Leadership’ as a key trend that will be required of any business that wants to be successful in 2025 and beyond.  (ref. https://www.robertwalters.co.uk/insights/hiring-advice/e-guide/top-talent-trends-in-recruitment.html )

Gerrit Bouckaert – CEO of Robert Walters Recruitment – comments:  

“In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, leadership success will be easier to achieve when leaders put people first – more so now than ever as professionals fear the role of AI and whether it will be considered as a job replacement.  

“We will always need people in the workplace. And much like you would invest in your technology with R&D and improvements, the same goes for your people.  

“Business leaders that foster psychological safety, flexibility, and continuous learning will build stronger, more engaged teams – and ultimately, a more successful business.”

Transactional Relationships  

The report highlights the downfall of when a leader lacks genuine interest – with 62% stating that they feel disengaged when leaders only communicate when they need something.

71% of employees say they can tell when leaders are being insincere in their optimism, with many reporting this as ‘forced enthusiasm.’

Gerrit adds: “Leaders who fail to engage personally with their teams not only risk losing loyalty, but also some valuable insight on the company and ideas for improvement or future growth.”  

Inauthentic Leadership  

When asked what the common traits were for poor or inauthentic leadership, professionals responded with:

Lack of Transparency (72%) – Employees lose faith in leaders who withhold information or fail to explain decisions.

Inconsistency (66%) – Leaders who say one thing but do another struggle to earn long-term respect.

Avoiding Accountability (44%) – A failure to admit mistakes or take responsibility leads to a culture of blame.

Ignoring Employee Wellbeing (30%) – Leaders who prioritise profit over people create a toxic work environment.

Micromanagement (28%) – A lack of trust in employees’ abilities can stifle innovation and motivation.  

Playing Favourites (22%) – Unequal treatment of team members fosters resentment and disengagement.

Route to Success

Findings from the Robert Walters Talent Trends 2025 report include that companies are 1.5x more likely to retain high performers when leaders display a human-centric organisational focus.

In fact, companies are 2.6x more likely to meet objectives as a ‘people-first’ organisation. Gerrit outlines top tips on how organisations (and its leaders) can become more human-centric:  

Offer coaching and development: Leaders should receive coaching on the principles of human-centric leadership—including empathy, emotional intelligence, leading with authenticity, active listening, and inclusivity. If you don’t have this expertise in-house, consider outsourcing coaching and development programs.

Deliver clear communication: Open, transparent and regular communication is key in a human-centric approach. Companies should build an environment where ideas are freely shared and valued, and where constructive feedback is encouraged. Simple things such as open Q&A’s to the office floor or having an open-door policy for questions – be it in-person or via email.  

Don’t forget about culture: Shifting to a human-centric approach may require a significant change in company culture. This may involve redefining company values, rethinking performance metrics and revamping reward systems to align with human-centric principles.

Engage your employees: Organisations should focus on understanding the needs of their employees to develop strategies to increase employee engagement. This could involve creating more opportunities for collaboration, promoting work-life balance and implementing recognition and reward systems.

About Robert Walters  

With more than 3,200 people in 31 countries, Robert Walters Group delivers recruitment consultancy, staffing, recruitment process outsourcing and managed services across the globe. From traditional recruitment and staffing to end-to-end talent management, our consultants are experts at matching highly skilled people to permanent, contract and interim roles across all professional disciplines, including: Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Engineering, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, Sales & Marketing, Secretarial & Support, Supply Chain & Procurement. www.robertwaltersgroup.com  

Posted on

Banking Ombudsman Scheme backs banks’ stronger consumer protections from scams

Source: Banking Ombudsman Scheme

23 April 2025 – The Banking Ombudsman Scheme has welcomed today’s announcement by banks that they will crack down on scams.
Banking Ombudsman Nicola Sladden said the scheme had been calling for stronger consumer protections from scams for some time.
“We see first-hand the emotional and financial cost of scams. Beyond the monetary impact, victims endure the distress of being deceived, leading to a loss of confidence to operate online.
“Consumers are doing more and more online, making it increasingly vital they have a safe digital environment in which to make payments and transfer money.
“We’re pleased the confirmation of payee system is now in place. It’s an obvious way to fight back against scammers.”
Ms Sladden also welcomed other initiatives such as greater sharing of intelligence, improved fraud detection systems and warnings for high-risk transactions.
“These initiatives will all help in the fight against the scourge of scams. However, for scam prevention measures to be truly successful, more cross-sector collaboration is needed.
“New Zealand will not be able to defeat scammers unless all relevant government and non-government organisations work in concert. Scammers will continue to exploit vulnerabilities in the eco-system, so any counter-measures must be equally broad in scope.”
She said the Government, relevant agencies such as the police and the National Cyber Security Centre, banks, telecommunications companies and digital platforms must work together to make scam prevention stronger at every level.
“We also welcome the updated Code of Banking Practice. It is a step forward. The updated Code now provides a basis for banks to compensate customers for scam losses for both authorised and unauthorised payment scams.”
Ms Sladden said the scheme believed the introduction of comprehensive, mandatory codes of practice for banks, telecommunication companies and digital platforms governing their responsibilities in preventing scams and the scope of their liability in the event of scam losses was long overdue.
“Enforceable standards will help lift the bar on preventing scams. Such standards will provide clarity for consumers and industry, which will help deliver effective resolution.
“We look forward to increased collaboration with banks, consumer groups, regulators and government agencies to prevent scams.”
The scheme received 949 scam cases in the 2023-24 financial year. The average loss for escalated scam cases (disputes) was $80,000 – up from $57,000 the previous year.
About the scheme
The Banking Ombudsman Scheme is a free and independent dispute resolution service. We look into complaints by customers about their banks. Sometimes we make formal decisions, but often we facilitate outcomes agreeable to the customer and the bank before that. We also help in other ways, such as offering information and guidance on banking matters. We put the customer at the heart of what we do.
Posted on

Book launch – ‘Excellence in Care: A Guide for Managers and Nurses’ by Gillian Robinson-Gibb

Source: Nazareth Care

Endorsed by Honourable Tracey Martin, CEO of the Aged Care Association NZ, “Excellence in Care: A Guide for Managers and Nurses (2025)” is authored by Gillian Robinson-Gibb.

With 30 years of background managing and nursing in Aged Care, Gillian is also the Founder of Healthcare Compliance Solutions Ltd, Registered Nurse, and Auditor.

This new and well sought-after resource aims to support excellence in care and provide guidance for those new to aged care or new to management roles.  

This event is a celebration of aged care!  The audience will include key members of New Zealand’s aged care, healthcare and community sector and this event will provide a unique opportunity to hear from current and aspiring leaders about the art of leading in this growing sector. It will also provide an excellent networking opportunity, where you can mingle with colleagues from across the sector.

This will be a catered event. An allocation of 4 tickets per media organisation are available. To confirm your attendance, please register using the Trybooking link below:

https://www.trybooking.com/nz/WRI

Event details:

Date:                  May 6th, 2025
Time:                 1pm
Venue:              Nazareth Care, 220 Brougham St, Christchurch
RSVP by:          May 1st, 2025.

Posted on

Real Estate – National market turning a corner as listings surge and buyer confidence builds

Source: Raine & Horne

Highlights

  • Raine & Horne recorded a significant rise in listings and buyer activity in March 2025 across the country, signalling a strong property market rebound aligned with national price growth trends.
  • Affordable prices, infrastructure investment, and coastal lifestyle appeal are driving renewed interest from both first-home buyers and investors, especially in Southland and Christchurch.
  • Falling interest rates and more realistic vendor expectations have created a sweet spot for buyers, with quality homes around $850,000 in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui drawing strong demand.

Wellington, NZ (24 April 2025) The national property market is showing clear signs of recovery, with a significant uplift in listing activity and buyer engagement recorded by leading real estate network Raine & Horne.

New data reveals that Raine & Horne listings rose by 49% in March 2025 compared to December 2024, while open for inspections jumped by 175% over the same period. The uptick aligns with national trends, with CoreLogic reporting a +0.5% increase in property values in March, building on a +0.4% lift in February.

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne, said the renewed momentum reflects improving market sentiment, buoyed by earlier interest rate cuts and increased brand awareness.

“We’re pleased to see the property upturn beginning to take shape. The effects of OCR reductions always take time to filter through fully, but we’re starting to see confidence return,” Mr Raine said.

“While demand remains patchy across some regional and metropolitan areas, that’s to be expected in a recovering economy. The encouraging consensus is that residential property values are likely to rise by around 5% nationally this year, fuelled by more affordable finance and steady buyer demand.”

The return of investors is a big plus for Southland real estate

On the ground, Raine & Horne Southland Franchise Owner Sheree Williams confirmed that market activity is building strongly.

“Things are really starting to gain momentum here. Southland always moves to the beat of its own drum, and in the past few weeks we’ve definitely seen a noticeable upswing,” Mrs Williams said.

“There are more buyers actively looking, and importantly, we’re also seeing a strong return of investors to the market.”

Recent interest rate cuts are having an impact. “First-home buyers have remained a constant presence, but now investors are coming back with renewed confidence,” Mrs Williams said.

For instance, Mrs Williams noted that a solid three-bedroom home at 586 Tay Street, Hawthorndale[i], is generating strong interest from both investors and first-home buyers. “With the potential to earn approximately $500 per week in rent, it’s a smart option for savvy investors,” she said.

“However, it’s not all about investors. In many cases, first-home buyers are coming out ahead,” Mrs Williams added. “They’re more informed than ever, they know how to prepare financially, what steps to take, and how to position themselves competitively. So when it comes to going up against investors, they’re holding their own more than ever before.”

As for what’s attracting buyers to Southland, Mrs Williams said: “It’s definitely our affordability, hands down.

“Southland remains one of the most affordable regions in the country, which is a huge drawcard. But it’s not just the price point, there’s a lot happening here.

“We’ve got exciting new infrastructure projects underway that are drawing interest from outside the region. Combined with strong local employment across key industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and education, and an unbeatable lifestyle, it’s giving people real confidence to make the move and invest in Southland.”

Christchurch attracts buyers chasing coastal lifestyle and “bang for buck”

In Christchurch, Nick McIsaac-Luke, Franchise Owner at Raine & Horne Parklands, New Brighton, Shirley, Burwood, and Marshland, said the local property market has remained relatively steady. “We’ve seen a bit of a dip over the past couple of years, but right now, things are looking pretty solid,” he said.

Commenting on what’s driving demand, Mr McIsaac-Luke added, “I’m seeing more people from the North Island realising how good it is down here. Even people from the lower South Island are making the move. Everyone’s cottoning on to the fact you can get wicked bang for buck in Christchurch — you can live by the beach for under a million.”

To illustrate, Mr McIsaac-Luke and business partner Tina Lawson recently sold a stunning and spacious four-bedroom house at 1 Iti Place, Parklands. “This is a fantastic house that sold within four and a half weeks for $975,000.

Mr McIsaac-Luke said Parklands is proving especially popular with lifestyle seekers. “It’s probably one of the top spots right now for people wanting that laid-back lifestyle. We’re right on the edge of the forest, and the beach is just five minutes away — seven at a push.

“In Auckland or Wellington, this would literally be a $1.8 million house — maybe more,” Mr McIsaac-Luke said. “We’re seeing buyers from those cities thinking, ‘We’re sitting on a $2 million home — let’s sell up, move to Christchurch, get relocated by our employer or work remotely, buy a million-dollar mansion, and still have money left in the bank or buying a rental or two on the side.’”

Confidence returns to Bay of Plenty as rates fall and vendors meet the market

In the Bay of Plenty region, Paul Billinghurst, Principal of Raine & Horne Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, Katikati, Waihi Beach, and Waihi, said there’s been a clear uplift in market activity over the past six months.

“People have been more open to transacting. Buyers have responded well since the Reserve Bank began cutting the official cash rate (OCR) and are less spooked by high interest rates,” Mr Billinghurst said.

“The commentary suggesting prices have bottomed out has also encouraged buyers to act. They see it as a buyers’ market and are coming in confidently.”

On the flip side, Mr Billinghurst stated that many vendors have moved on from waiting for post-COVID price peaks to return and are now more prepared to meet the market.

Mr Billinghurst said, “Vendors are recognising the heady days of 2021 are long past, as are the prices being achieved back then.

“If owners are selling and buying in the same market, they are more willing to accept a lower market price on their current property and pay a lower market price for their new one to be able to move forward.”

In Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, Mr Billinghurst said that quality properties around $850,00 were in the sweet spot for many buyers.

“We have a lot of first home buyers really active, up to $850,000, who are snapping up quality properties in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

Outside of any geopolitical risks, such as potential US tariffs, Mr Billinghurst believes the Bay of Plenty market is poised for a strong finish to 2025.

“We’re on track for a really solid and stable market over the final three quarters of the year,” he said. “It’s shaping up to be a return to more normal conditions.”

Posted on

VANUATU: Families find climate-smart ways to grow crops 18 months on from cyclone devastation

Source: Save the Children

Families in Vanuatu are adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques to improve food security, such as growing climate resistant crops, to prepare for future climate-driven disasters in the wake of devastating Tropical Cyclone Lola 18 months ago.
Tropical Cyclone Lola was one of the most powerful off-season storms to strike the Pacific when it made landfall in October 2023 with wind speeds of up to 215 km/h, destroying homes, schools and plantations, claiming the lives of at least four people [2] and affecting about 91,000 people [1]. 
Recovery efforts were made significantly more challenging when Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila was then hit by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in December last year, claiming 14 lives and destroying critical infrastructure.
Madleen, 11, said when the cyclone hit, her family’s crops were destroyed, leaving them short of food. 
“It destroyed the food crops. When we came outside, we saw the crops were destroyed. The banana tree was just bearing fruit and it was destroyed. And we didn’t have enough food. We were eating rice, but we were almost running short. We were not eating well, we ate just enough. I felt bad.”  
After the cyclone, a shortage of nutritious food put children at risk of hunger as well as diseases like diarrhea, with typically an increase in the number of children hospitalised for diarrhea following cyclones, Save the Children said. 
Vanuatu is already one of the most climate disaster-prone countries in the world, and scientists say tropical cyclones will become more extreme as the climate crisis worsens. This will disproportionately impact children due to food shortages, disruption to education and psychosocial trauma associated with experiencing disasters. 
Save the Children, alongside Vanuatu’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries, and Biosecurity (MALFFB) and local partners, is supporting Madleen and her family through the Tropical Cyclone Lola Recovery Programme, which is helping improve food security and resilience in communities impacted by the cyclone. 
As a part of the Recovery Programme, over 1,100 households have received climate-resistant [3] seeds from a seedbank. These seeds, for growing watermelon, papaya, Chinese cabbage, tomato, capsicum and cucumber, are proven to perform in Vanuatu’s changing climate, with tolerance to high rainfall, drought, pests and disease. Farmers are encouraged to preserve the seeds from crops and sell them back to the seed bank. 
The programme is also training communities in other climate-smart agricultural techniques such as growing smaller fruit trees that are robust enough to withstand strong cyclone winds.
Save the Children has also built a collapsible nursery for plants in Madleen’s community that can be taken down when a cyclone is predicted, so saplings and trees can be stored, protected and replanted after it passes.
Save the Children Vanuatu Country Director, Polly Banks, said:
“In just 18 months, people in Vanuatu have been deeply shaken by a devastating cyclone and a powerful earthquake.
“Children have borne the brunt of this, with food taken off their plates, crops destroyed, homes and schools damaged and diseases on the rise. As the climate crisis accelerates, we must work with communities to strengthen their resilience, so children and their families are better equipped to face whatever comes next.
“We’re working in partnership with the Government of Vanuatu and local partners to help communities build the skills and resources they need to support themselves when future cyclones and disasters strike.”
Save the Children has been working in in Vanuatu for more than 40 years to make sure children are learning, protected from harm, and grow up healthy and strong.
This project was also supported by the New Zealand Government’s Disaster Response Partnership programme.
[3] Open-pollinated seeds (OP seeds) produce plants that can reproduce true to type, meaning farmers can save seeds from their harvest and plant them in the next season with similar results. OP varieties used and recommended by the Vanuatu Agriculture Research and Technical Centre are often locally adapted, meaning they’ve been trialed and selected for their performance in Vanuatu’s climate – including tolerance to high rainfall, drought, pests and diseases. These seeds have genetic diversity, allowing plants to better adapt to changing weather patterns.
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
Posted on

Aid cuts threaten the lives of 110,000 children with severe malnutrition reliant on emergency treatment from Save the Children

Source: Save the Children

At least 110,000- severely acutely malnourished children supported by Save the Children in 10 countries could be left without access to life-saving ready-to-use emergency food and nutrition programmes as aid cuts hit supplies in coming months, according to a Save the Children analysis.
Globally, one in five deaths among children aged under 5 are attributed to severe acute malnutrition, making it one of the top threats to child survival. Community-based programmes combining medical treatment and therapeutic foods, including a fortified peanut paste, have a 90% success rate.
Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) is an energy-dense, micronutrient paste typically made using peanuts, sugar, milk powder, oil, vitamins and minerals that is packaged in foil pouches with a long shelf life and no need of refrigeration. Over the past 30 years this emergency therapeutic food has saved the lives of millions of children facing acute malnutrition [1] [2].
At a time when global hunger is skyrocketing [3], the current global supply of RUTF is already not even meeting 40% of global needs, Save the Children said, leaving millions of children without access to this life-saving intervention.
In 2024 there were large-scale breaks in the supply of RUTF as rising malnutrition rates drove up demand and due to disruptions in global supply chains and insufficient funding. This situation is expected to worsen in 2025. An analysis by Save the Children of the 10 countries forecast to have the biggest gaps in supplies found 110,000 malnourished children could miss out on this vital treatment by the end of the year. RUTF supplies are expected to run out in many locations from next month due to a lack of funding.
Globally at least 18.2 million children were born into hunger in 2024, or about 35 children a minute, with children in conflict zones from Gaza to Ukraine, to Haiti, Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), struggling daily to get enough to eat. Famine has been declared in several parts of Sudan where people are resorting to eating grass to stay alive.
Hannah Stephenson, Head of Hunger and Nutrition at Save the Children, said:
“Right now, funding shortfalls mean essential nutrition packs are not reaching the children who desperately need them. We know we have the expertise and the track record to reach children around the world but what we urgently need now is the funding to ensure children can receive life-saving treatment. We are running out of time, and t his will cost children’s lives.
“We also need to see long-term commitments to tackle the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, or else we will continue to see the reversal of progress made for children.”
In Kenya, one of the countries where Save the Children treats acute malnutrition cases, 18-month-old Ereng has just recovered from malnutrition with treatment from Community Health Promoter Charles, who was trained in basic healthcare by Save the Children.
Lomanat and Daniel, Ereng’s parents, walked for several kilometres to reach Charles’ clinic. The family are pastoralists, but recent droughts have killed their livestock, and the family now has no sustainable income and no reliable food source.
They know how important treatment is for children like Ereng, who gained 2.4 kgs (5.3 pounds) in two months once she started receiving nutrition treatment using the fortified peanut paste which has about 500 calories in each portion. Lomanat said:
“Our  child was in a very bad shape, and the doctor helped by giving her peanut paste. I am very happy, because she is cured.”
In Somalia, where Save the Children also treats child with acute malnutrition, 7-month-Mukhtar- arrived at a health centre in Puntland after contracting flu which led to breathing difficulties and malnutrition.
His mother Shamso, 40, who has eight other children, feared her son would not survive with the family struggling after drought killed all but six of their herd of 30 goats. But after receiving medical care and treatment for malnutrition with peanut paste, Mukhtar recovered and returned home.
“His condition was serious when I brought him in and I didn’t expect him to reach the town alive ,” said Shamso. “My biggest worry is the children, whether my own, those of the relatives or those of my neighbours. When drought comes, it follows that hunger will strike.”
Children are always the most vulnerable in food crises and, without enough to eat and the right nutritional balance, they are at high risk of becoming acutely malnourished.
Malnutrition can cause stunting, impede mental and physical development, and increase the risk of contracting deadly diseases.
About 1.12 billion children globally – or almost half of the world’s children – are unable to afford a balanced diet now, according to data from Save the Children released last month.
In 2025, Save the Children aims to treat 260,000 children for severe acute malnutrition at outpatient sites in 10 countries that are now experiencing therapeutic food shortages.
Save the Children is urgently trying to raise $7 million to provide 110,000 severely malnourished children with life-saving RUTF and the critical services needed to treat malnutrition 1 including skilled health workers, community follow-up, immunizations, safe spaces for treatment, safe water, hygiene and sanitation support.
In the United States, actress and Save the Children ambassador Jennifer Garner launched her #67Strong4Kids campaign on her birthday last week. For #67Strong4Kids she is running a mile a day for 67 consecutive days to raise awareness about Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). The amount $67 covers a six-week course of RUTF that treats a child suffering from severe acute malnutrition and potentially saves their life.
-Methodology: Save the Children used the target reach figures for all outpatient severe acute malnutrition treatment in 10 countries facing the largest disruption to the RUTF supply and compared with the current funding gaps for RUTF in those countries. Given the continued uncertainty in supply funding these figures are preliminary and up to date as of 26 March 2025. The 10 countries facing the largest disruptions are Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.
REFERENCES
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
Posted on

EMA – Northwest Busway will transform Auckland’s western suburbs

Source: EMA

The decision today by the NZ Transport Agency to endorse the Northwest Busway investment case is welcome news for West Auckland residents, says EMA’s Head of Advocacy, Alan McDonald.
“We’ve seen the success of the Northern Busway in significantly reducing traffic on the Auckland Harbour Bridge,” he says.
“There is no doubt that the Northwest Busway will have a similarly transformative impact on Auckland’s burgeoning north-western suburbs.”
Today’s decision follows other significant infrastructure announcements by the government this week, including the preferred corridor for a four-lane connection over the Brynderwyn Hills to Whangārei, as well as the Tauriko four-laning and Takitimu North projects in Tauranga.
“Together, these major roading projects will generate thousands of jobs and provide much needed work for the construction sector.”  
Posted on

Fire Safety – Marlborough eases outdoor fire restrictions

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is changing the restrictions for outdoor fires throughout Marlborough at 8am on Thursday 24 April, until further notice.
The Marlborough South area will move from a prohibited to a restricted fire season, which means all outdoor fires need a permit approved by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
The Marlborough North area will move from a restricted fire season to an open fire season, which means people can light outdoor fires without an approved permit.
All Department of Conservation land in Marlborough remains in a restricted fire season.
Nelson Marlborough Group Manager Chris Hayles says recent rainfall has lowered the fire danger in both areas, although the southern area is still drier after a hot summer.
“There has been new grass growth across Marlborough, but long dry grass can enable fire to move extremely fast in windy conditions,” he says.
“It’s still critically important that people lighting permitted fires comply with the conditions required.
“Even where no fire permit is required, the person lighting the fire has a responsibility to do this safely.
“Fires need to be kept to a manageable size and not allow smoke drift to become a hazard for motorists.
“If you’re not sure what the fire season is in your location, go to checkitsalright.nz to find out, and follow the advice provided.”
Posted on

Custody officer uses unjustified force in Manukau Custody Unit

Source: Independent Police Conduct Authority

Custody officer used unjustified force in Manukau Custody Unit

17 April 2025

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a custody officer used unjustified force on a male prisoner in the Counties Manukau Custody Unit.

On 14 November 2023, a 19-year-old man was received into the District Custody Unit at Manukau. While in a holding cell, he began banging his head backwards against a concrete wall. Custody officers told him to stop and warned him that he would otherwise be placed in a restraint chair. However, the man banged his head a further three times.

While a restraint chair was being prepared, Custody Officer A went into the cell alone and pulled the man to his feet. The man resisted and moved into a corner of the cell, where Custody Officer A struck him while attempting to restrain him.

Two other custody officers entered and assisted in removing the man from the cell. As they escorted him towards the door, Custody Officer A punched the man in the face, saying that he believed the man was about to spit at him.

We found that custody officers should have made further attempts to stop the man from banging his head before looking to use a restraint chair, which should only be used as a last resort. Custody officers also failed to seek authority from a supervisor before using the restraint chair, as is required by Police policy.

We found that Custody Officer A should not have intervened on his own as there was no immediate threat to the man’s safety, and that it was unreasonable and unjustified for him to strike the man while in the corner of the cell.

Custody Officer A was justified in using force to stop the man from spitting at him. However, by punching him in the face, he used excessive force to do so.

Police completed their own investigation. They concluded it was not in the public interest to charge Custody Officer A but conducted a disciplinary process regarding his use of excessive force. We agree with this process and outcome.

The Authority completed its investigation in July 2024 but was obliged to wait for Police processes before publishing its report.

Public Report
Posted on

Police actions during the investigation and prosecution of defendants for the murder of Mr Palmiro MacDonald

Source: Independent Police Conduct Authority

The Independent Police Conduct Authority examined complaints regarding the actions of three Police officers, referred to as Officers A, B, and C, involved in the investigation and the subsequent trial of the defendants accused of murdering Mr Palmiro MacDonald on 23 March 2016.

The defendants’ legal representatives raised concerns regarding all these officers.

Officer A interviewed a prisoner, Witness A, who reported that a defendant in the same facility admitted to his involvement in Mr MacDonald’s murder and implicated co-defendants. The defence counsel complained that Officer A did not adequately document his interactions with Witness A or disclose necessary records before the pre-trial hearing.

Officer B, the second in charge of the murder investigation, was responsible for disclosure. The defence counsel complained that he failed to disclose a letter of assistance that Witness A received for cooperating, which was vital for challenging Witness A’s credibility. It was also said that Officer B did not inform the Solicitor-General about this letter when submitting an affidavit supporting the Crown’s application for Witness A’s anonymity, and that he wrongly asserted that Witness A had no reason to be dishonest. The Crown Prosecutor initially dismissed the defence’s concerns about the undisclosed letter. It was only during cross-examination at the pre-trial hearing that the letter was acknowledged and disclosed to the defence.

The application for anonymity was unsuccessful. Following this, Officer C, along with the Crown Prosecutor and his junior, met with Witness A in prison to discuss the situation and ascertain whether he would be willing to give evidence without anonymity. After their meeting, the Crown Prosecutor instructed Officer C not to record his presence or that of his junior in his notebook. Officer C did note their presence in his notebook, but later submitted a job sheet to the Court that omitted this information. The defence counsel expressed concerns that Officer C’s notebook was not disclosed as it should have been and that his actions misled the Court and could potentially constitute an offence of perverting the course of justice.

The Authority has found that:

• Officer A’s notetaking was adequate.

• Officer A’s failure to disclose his interview notes and Witness A’s letters, while not intentional, constituted a breach of his obligations.

• Witness A’s letter of assistance should have been disclosed to the Court.

• The failure to disclose the document was a mistake rather than a deliberate act.

• Officer A should have informed the investigation team that he had uploaded a copy of the letter of assistance into the special case folder he had created.

• Officer B should have followed up with either Officer A or D about the status of this document.

• Officer C should not have omitted to record the presence of the Crown prosecutor and his junior at the meeting in his job sheet.

• Officer C did not mislead or attempt to mislead the Court.

• Officer C’s conduct did not amount to an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

• Officer C did not state that he disclosed all the information he had.

• On the evidence, it is not possible to make a finding on the issue of disclosure of Officer C’s notebook.

The Authority is recommending that Police prescribe in policy that interviews conducted for the purpose of taking statements from prison informant witnesses should be audio or video recorded as standard practice.