Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealanders can now build granny flats in their backyards without needing building or resource consents, marking a milestone in the Coalition Government’s effort to expand affordable and diverse housing options for Kiwis. 

“It’s an exciting day for Kiwis across the country who have been waiting for the green light to build a granny flat on their property without going through costly and time-consuming consent processes,” RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. 

“For too long it has been overly difficult and expensive to provide the housing solutions New Zealanders need. Red tape has increased the workload for local councils and blocked simple, affordable dwellings that meet families’ housing needs. 

“That changes today as updates to the Building Act and the new National Direction under the Resource Management Act take effect. These updates remove the need for a building consent and a resource consent for small standalone dwellings up to 70 square metres in size, also known as granny flats. 

“After extensive public consultation last year, it is exciting to see these much-needed changes finalised following feedback from New Zealanders.” 

Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says he is pleased to see a major commitment in the New Zealand First-National Coalition Agreement become reality. 

“These exemptions from building and resource consents will save New Zealanders up to $5,650 in direct costs when building a granny flat and speed up the process by up to 14 weeks. 

“We know Kiwis have been feeling the strain of the cost of living, so it’s great to see this long-awaited change, which will provide practical housing solutions that reduce costs for extended families, small communities, and even businesses that provide staff accommodation, such as farms,” Mr Jones says. 

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says even with the building consent exemption, Kiwis need to remember that it applies only to simple designs that meet the Building Code and where work is carried out by authorised professionals.  

“The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has published guidance and templates on its website to assist homeowners, councils, and building professionals.  
 
“This includes information on how the exemption works, the responsibilities of those involved, and what homeowners should consider before starting construction. 

“I look forward to seeing a boost in productivity in the construction sector now that the exemption is in place, with as many as 13,000 more granny flats expected over the next decade.  
 
“That means more jobs for builders, less stress for councils, money saved for homeowners, and greater choice for families and their dependents,” Mr Penk says

Note to editors:

For the building consent exemption, relevant forms, template and guidance are available on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website here: Granny flats exemption: Guidance and resources | Building Performance

Further information on the resource consent exemption is available on the Ministry for the Environment website, here: RMA National Direction updated | Ministry for the Environment

Under the RMA, the new National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units (NES-DMRU) makes it easier to build a granny flat on your property without a resource consent. Before they start building, homeowners and builders should:

• Check the new NES-DMRU to confirm if their granny flat meets the standards.
• Look at their local council’s rules, as they may be more even more flexible than the NES-DMRU.
• Find out if they need a resource consent for the project.

To support local infrastructure in growing communities, councils can charge development contributions for granny flats when issuing a Project Information Memorandum (PIM). 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government’s changes to improve the way productive land and natural hazard risks are managed take effect today, freeing up land for development and supporting greater resilience from natural hazards, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.

“These changes will make it easier to enable the development that New Zealand needs while still protecting our most productive land and helping communities become more resilient to natural hazards,” Mr Bishop says.

“The National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land has been amended to provide a more flexible approach to the use of Land Use Capability Class 3 (LUC3) land. LUC3 land is moderately productive land that has some limitations but can still be used for farming.

“We want to better enable development of greenfield land while retaining protections on the best land for primary production. This change appropriately balances our need for more housing.”

Mr McClay says feedback from the consultation process was considered and the Government has decided to pause progress on a proposal to establish “Special Agricultural Areas”.

“Land Use Capability Classes 1, 2 and 3 will continue to be protected, with a more enabling pathway for urban development on LUC 3 land,” Mr McClay says.

“What this does is protect food production while offering farmers and growers flexibility with what they do with their land.”

“I’m also pleased that a new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards is being introduced. New Zealand is particularly vulnerable to natural hazards, many of which are being intensified by climate change,” Mr Bishop says. 

“Our changes today set a consistent, risk‑based approach for how councils manage natural hazard risks, such as flooding, storms, and erosion, when planning new developments. 

“This ensures councils take a proportionate and consistent approach, so communities are safer and more resilient.

“Communities and councils have been asking for these changes for some time, so this is a good step forward.”

“Together, these changes will support more robust planning decisions, enable needed housing and infrastructure, and strengthen long‑term resilience.

“Making these changes now mean that New Zealanders can see some of the benefits from a more enabling, simpler planning system now, rather than waiting until our new planning system fully takes effect.”

Notes to editor: 

National direction refers to the rules and policies under the RMA that guide how councils develop and implement local plans and make consent decisions.
Ten new or amended national direction instruments come into force today, forming the first tranche of significant national direction package after being consulted on in 2025.
The amended instruments were formally gazetted on 18 December 2025 and will take legal effect on 15 January 2026.
More guidance and information about the changes can be found here.
A second tranche of RMA national direction instruments, including five further National Environmental Standards, will be considered by Cabinet in the coming months.

Integration With the New Planning System

All amended and new RMA national direction instruments will continue to operate under the RMA and will be integrated into the new planning system.
The Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill, introduced in December 2025, will establish a modern framework for national direction, ensuring councils, iwi, and applicants experience a smooth transition and continued clarity.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested a man following an alleged assault on a bus driver in Mt Eden on Tuesday night.

The incident occurred aboard the 27H bus on Mt Eden Road around 6pm.

Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill says a passenger allegedly became verbally aggressive towards the driver.

“He allegedly sprayed the driver with a fire extinguisher before exiting the bus,” he says.

“The driver avoided any significant effects, but she was understandably shaken by what occurred.”

Avondale Police have been following positive lines of enquiry to identify the man, arresting him late last night.

The 32-year-old man has been charged with assault with a weapon and endangering transport.

“The man will appear in the Auckland District Court today to answer these charges,” Detective Senior Sergeant Darvill says.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are warning the public travelling to, from and around Raglan to take extreme care driving due to the SoundSplash festival playing this weekend.

The 25th anniversary of the festival will be held at Wainui Reserve, close to the Raglan town centre, from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 January.

Traffic congestion leading into and out of Raglan on SH23 is expected to be heaviest on the morning of Friday 16 January and most of the day on Sunday 18 January.

Senior Sergeant David Hall says Police are expecting up to 8,000 extra people in the area to attend the festival.

“SoundSplash this weekend, coupled with a busy summer season, will see a swell in the number of cars on the open road.

“We’d like to see good driving behaviour to ensure everyone can travel and get home safely.

“We recommend for those intending to travel to or from Raglan this weekend to plan their trip and take your time due to the queues of traffic expected,” said Senior Sergeant Hall.

In addition to safe driving, Police will be keeping a high profile to also maintain safety of festival goers. 

Police will be highly visible patrolling the festival grounds, making sure attendees can enjoy themselves safely and responsibly.

Any offending and breaches of the law will result in the appropriate action and intervention to prevent harm.

If you see unlawful or suspicious activity, call 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Road closures are in place following a serious crash early this morning on State Highway 30, Tikitere.

The crash, involving two cars, was reported to Police at 4.20am. 

Diversions are in place at the intersections of State Highway 30/State Highway 33 and State Highway 30/Matahi Road.

At this stage, Police are unable to confirm any information regarding injuries to those involved.

An update will be provided as soon as we are able. 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Manawatū Police say quick attendance at the scene of a shooting in Waitārere Beach likely helped save three victims’ lives.

A 111 call was placed around 12:40am today requesting assistance at the Waitārere Beach Road property, where three people – a 46-year-old woman, a 17-year-old boy, and a 21-year-old man – were found in critical condition with gunshot wounds.

A 60-year-old man was found deceased. Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham says officers were at the property within eight minutes.

“The quick response by Police likely saved the three victims’ lives. Our officers were confronted with a harrowing scene that no one should have to witness.”

The woman has been transferred to Wellington Hospital, where she and the two males remain, all in critical condition.

The body of the deceased man remains at the scene. It is intended to be removed tomorrow, ahead of a post-mortem on Friday.

A young girl who was at the scene is being given support and is now in the care of family.

Inspector Grantham says Police remain at the scene conducting a scene examination, which is expected to continue into the next couple of days.

“Locals can expect to see a Police presence in the area for the time being.

“I would like to commend everyone who was involved in this harrowing ordeal, from those who called emergency services, as well as first responders at the scene,” Inspector Grantham says.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Acting Detective Sergeant Laura Murdoch:

Wellington Police investigating a number of serious assaults in Churton Park are appealing for information that may assist us in identifying the men pictured, as we believe they may be able to assist our investigation.

On Saturday 13 December 2025, Police were called to a premises in Churton Park where a gathering was taking place.

Around 90 young people were in attendance of the supervised invitation-only gathering, where at around 10.30pm four people arrived uninvited. The alleged offenders were masked, and one was armed with a weapon.

The alleged offenders have then conducted a planned, violent, unprovoked assault on seven young people in attendance of the gathering before fleeing the area.

The seven people received a range of injuries, from minor bruising to a fractured skull which required surgery. They are now all home and recovering from their injuries.

Police have been speaking with the victims, and the large number of witnesses at the gathering.

Our enquiries into the incident have established the alleged offenders attended the Mobil Gas Station in Johnsonville around 20 minutes prior to the assault.

An 18-year-old Tawa man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to injure, and common assault. He is due to appear in Wellington District Court on 29 January 2026.

Police are now appealing for information from the public that may help us in identifying the three people pictured as we believe they could assist in our enquiries.

One man is wearing a ‘36’ Pittsburgh Steelers NFL jersey, light coloured denim shorts, and blue and white basketball sneakers.

The second man is wearing a black hoodie with ‘Lakers’ printed on the front, dark-coloured shorts, white sneakers, and has a diamante stud earring in their left ear.

A third person cannot be seen in the images, however, has been described as wearing a grey hoodie, beige / grey shorts, and black sneakers.

If you know who these men may be, or attended the gathering, please get in touch with us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking ‘Update Report’, using the reference number 251217/8772.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or through 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

A teenager will face court over an aggravated robbery in Whangārei late last week.

It comes as Police continue to investigate a series of aggravated robberies targeting dairies in the community over recent weeks.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, Whangārei CIB, says Police have been investigating the incident on Jack Street on 8 January.

“Our enquiries led us to a Te Kamo property this morning where a search warrant was executed,” he says.

“A 17-year-old male was taken into custody without incident.”

He has been charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.

The male is expected to appear in the Whangārei Youth Court today and Police will be opposing his bail, Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

Police acknowledge the ongoing support from the Whangārei community with ongoing investigations.

“It’s pleasing to be able to share this update with the community,” he says.

“It’s good to be able to share this update with the community, and Police particularly thank dairy owners and staff who have shown patience while our investigation was carried out.”

Police are sending a clear message to those responsible.

“These cowardly acts will be not be tolerated in our community and we will leave no stone unturned to hold you accountable,” Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Three people have been rescued after their crayfishing vessel overturned off Tolaga Bay today, thanks to a coordinated effort involving Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ), NZ Police, Coastguard Tautiaki Moana, the New Zealand Defence Force, the Eastland Rescue Helicopter, Surf Lifesaving NZ and local commercial operators.