Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Legislation that will allow skilled plumbers and drainlayers to sign off on their own work has passed its first reading in Parliament, alongside a second Bill aimed at raising standards and improving accountability for building professionals.

“The Government is cutting red tape in the building consent system to make it easier and more affordable to deliver the new homes and infrastructure we need to raise living standards and grow the economy,” Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.

“The system has long been slow and inefficient, with even straightforward plumbing and drainlaying jobs delayed by lengthy inspection wait times, leading to frustrated tradies and homeowners who end up bearing the cost of lost time.

“The Self Certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers Bill has today cleared its first hurdle in the House, and will speed up straightforward residential plumbing and drainage work by allowing approved plumbers and drainlayers with a proven track record to certify their own work.

“It will also ease pressure on the consent system by allowing Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) to focus on processing paperwork and conducting inspections for more complex and higher-risk projects.

“Around 16,000 new standalone houses were consented in 2024, and most of these would likely have included plumbing and drainlaying work eligible for self-certification under the new regime.

“This approach has been long called for by Master Plumbers and aligns plumbers and drainlayers with electricians and gasfitters, who have been able to certify their own work for years.

“The scheme will be voluntary, and only practitioners who meet clear competency and compliance standards will be eligible. It will apply exclusively to straightforward plumbing and drainage work, while BCAs will continue to oversee complex or higher-risk projects to ensure public safety is protected.”

A second Bill has also passed its first reading in Parliament today, aimed at further strengthening accountability and standards across the building sector.

“The Building and Construction Strengthening Occupational Licensing Regimes Amendment Bill will support self-certification by increasing accountability and ensuring consumers have a clear path forward if building work goes wrong,” Mr Penk says. 

“New Zealand has a skilled building industry, but high-profile cases of poor workmanship can unfairly tarnish the sector’s reputation. It’s important to address this as more responsibility shifts from BCAs to building professionals.

“The Bill strengthens the disciplinary process by giving the Licensed Building Practitioners Registrar, who oversees the registration of LBPs, additional tools, and by publishing details of practitioners who have been suspended.

“Complaints processes for licensed electrical workers, plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers are being improved by allowing Registrars to initiate investigations more easily and by introducing Codes of Ethics to promote high standards of behaviour.”

“With these two Bills, we are backing tradies who take pride in their work, reducing unnecessary delays, easing pressure on the consent system, and giving Kiwis confidence that the people working on their homes are supported by clear checks and balances.”

Notes to editor:

• Self-certification for reputable building companies is in progress, with a Bill scheduled for 2026.
• The Building and Construction (Strengthening Occupational Licensing Regimes) Amendment Bill will apply to work completed by licensed electrical workers, licensed building practitioners and plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  18 November 2025

MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Coromandel in response to two weather systems currently bearing down on New Zealand – one of which will move in over Coromandel and other parts of the North Island tonight.

That weather system, swooping down from the Pacific Ocean from the northeast, is expected to dump up to 180 mm of rain on the peninsula from Tuesday 18 November. The MetService’s rain warning is in place until 3:00 pm on Wednesday 19 November.

DOC Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly says it’s prudent to close tracks to Mautohe Cathedral Cove given the weather system’s expected impact.

“DOC’s priority for this site continues to be the safety of visitors and managing visitor risk. Poor weather, particularly heavy rain, exacerbates the landslide and rockfall risks at Mautohe Cathedral Cove.

“We strongly discourage people from visiting the cove while this weather system moves – the conditions make it unsafe.

“We do not want people getting hurt.”

Nick says the Mautohe Cathedral Cove closure will come into effect from 6pm on Tuesday 18 November and be in place until further notice. Decisions about whether it is safe to reopen tracks to the beach will be made once staff undertake site inspections and weather forecasts are assessed.

Sea swells are expected to increase with the weather system and anyone planning to visit Mautohe Cathedral Cove by boat should check sea conditions first and consider the risks.

Mautohe Cathedral Cove is one of Coromandel and New Zealand’s most picturesque and iconic coastal locations, famous for its rock arch. However, land around the cove is known to be potentially unstable with a noted geological and landslide risk after heavy rain events.

DOC’s Trigger Action Response Plan for Mautohe Cathedral Cove guides decision-making for track closures at the site.

Tracks to Mautohe Cathedral Cove were closed in February 2023 due to extensive damage caused by Cyclone Garbrielle. DOC repaired the tracks through the second half of 2024, and they reopened to visitors in December 2024.

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Source: Maritime New Zealand

Maritime NZ has conducted 28 proactive inspections across 12 ports to assess health and safety practices in the handling of breakbulk cargo – primarily logs, but also fish and kiwifruit.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  18 November 2025

The Taranaki Crossing project is a partnership involving DOC, Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (Kānoa), Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and hapū which has seen several tracks across Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki upgraded. The Pouākai Hut has also been replaced.

The Taranaki Crossing is funded by the Provincial Growth Fund ($16.4 million), which is administered by Kānoa. Additional funding to support the project has been provided by DOC ($5.2 million).

Jacqui King, Taranaki Iwi representative, says the commencement of the final stage is a very exciting milestone for all partners involved.

“Mana whenua have been working tirelessly with our DOC and Kānoa teams to ensure each project – within the broader Taranaki Crossing project – is focused on protecting ngā maunga and providing manaaki (support) for manuhiri (visitors) throughout their journey.”

Jacqui says: “As kaitiaki (guardians) of this whenua, we hold a deep responsibility to care for this special place that sustain us all. This unique wetland is a taonga — a treasured ecosystem, rich with life and meaning.

“Over time, the growing number of visitors has placed stress on this delicate environment, and it is our duty to ensure it remains healthy for future generations.

“The extended and renewed boardwalk will allow people to continue to experience the beauty and mauri (life force) of this special place, without harming the fragile Taiao (water, soils and habitats) that lie beneath.”

Jacqui says the project partners look forward to welcoming visitors who share our respect of this unique landscape – those who walk gently, who listen and who understand that true connection to our natural word, comes with care.

“Patience and support from manuhiri (visitors) during this time of rebuild will help us improve the infrastructure to protect this special place so it can continue to thrive and inspire all who visit, for generations to come.”

DOC’s Hauraki-Waikato-Taranaki Regional Director Tinaka Mearns says the tarns are a sensitive and significant wetland feature within Te-Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, offering visitors dramatic views of both the Pouākai Range and Taranaki Maunga.

“For many enjoying the walk, it’s a chance to get the iconic image of the maunga reflected in the tarns’ water,” Tinaka says. “It really is a fabulous peaceful location, which makes it so popular with visitors.”

Tinaka says about 120 m of boardwalk across the tarns will be replaced. At 1.2 m wide, the new boardwalk will be nearly twice as wide as the existing structures and will be elevated above the sensitive tarns at heights between 20 cm and 90 cm.

The construction will take about nine weeks – good weather allowing – and will mean staged closures of different sections of the boardwalk while work is completed. There will be no detours, to keep visitors off the sensitive plants which are found across the tarns, and people enjoying the walk are asked to alert contractor staff to their presence.

Tinaka says: “We do want to acknowledge the replacement of the boardwalk will mean some delays, and visitors may not be able to get that special photograph they’re after.

“But we’re confident the investment and this part of the project will deliver a memorable experience for visitors who’ll be out naturing when the work is completed – and we’d encourage them to come back another time.”

The Taranaki Crossing feasibility study in 2017 identified the project as expected to generate $3.70 million annually for the region’s economy in years to come.

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Source: New Zealand Police

It was a busy night for burglars in Manurewa overnight, with Police ruining the fun for a handful of alleged criminals.

Just after 11.30pm, a number of residents phoned Police to report a group of people attempting to enter properties on Avonglen Court, Wattle Farm Road and Glencalder Place.

Counties Manukau Central Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Warrick Adkin, says shortly after another member of the public called Police in relation to a vehicle that was in the process of being abandoned.

“The vehicle hadn’t been reported stolen at the time, however a phone call to the registered owner confirmed it was stolen.

“The Police Eagle helicopter arrived quickly and observed a group of three people allegedly trespassing on properties and stealing clothing items.”

Inspector Adkin says Eagle directed staff on the ground to the suspects, who were taken into custody without incident.

“A 27-year-old man charged with burglary will appear in Manukau District Court today and two others, both 15, have been referred to Youth Aid.

“Police will continue to deploy a range of resources and tactics to respond to this sort of offending so that we can hold people to account.”

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police investigating the death of a man in North Dunedin would like to speak with the man pictured as he may be able to assist in our enquiries.

A 36-year-old man was located deceased at a North Dunedin address on Great King Street at around 2pm on Friday 3 October.

“We believe that the man in the picture may have valuable information that can assist in our investigation,” says Detective Sergeant Reece Munro.

“While we have no reason to believe this man had any involvement in this matter, we are eager to speak with him as he may have crucial information.”

It is believed the man walked south on Great King Street, between St David Street and Union Street West at around 11am the day of the incident.

“We would also like to speak with anyone who may have information and is yet to speak with us.”

Detective Sergeant Munro says a 25-year-old man has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in Dunedin District Court on 16 December, charged with murder.

Information can be provided online through 105.police.govt.nz, clicking ‘Update Report’ or by calling 105.

Please use the reference number 251003/5165.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

As a nation we must speak up and support each other to fix our nation’s tragic history of family violence. 

“All of us have an important part to play in preventing and responding to family violence, leading change and supporting friends and family to be safe and heal,” says Karen Chhour, Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence. 

“While government must lead any legal response to crimes, there is much we can do as communities and individuals to educate ourselves and help others. 

We know that people right across communities can see the signs of family violence, as communities and individuals it is on us to ask if a person is OK and help them get the support they need.   

I want people to seek help if they need it, and I want the helpers to know what to do if someone discloses violence to them. 

When people recognise that someone is experiencing violence, they should respond so that the affected person can get to safety and be supported to heal. 

People from all parts of society can be affected by family violence, and they usually seek help from family or friends before accessing more formal support services. 

If you want to help but don’t feel able to alone, there are services in nearly every community across the country who can help.

There is no shame in seeking help even if you think it’s not serious or the abuse has been going on for a long time. There are services that can help you, there’s great courage and strength in asking for help,” says Minister Chhour.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  18 November 2025

There, sitting on the grey stones in the bright sunshine was a deep pink female robust grasshopper (Sigaus robustus).

“I’ve been studying these amazing creatures for years. They are usually grey or brown coloured like river stones. I’d heard rumours about a pink one but never seen one myself. It was so exciting.

“Pink grasshoppers are exceptionally rare. It’s likely caused by a genetic mutation called erythrism which results in an over production of red pigment and less of the usual natural pigment that the species has,” Jen says.

The robust grasshopper is New Zealand’s largest lowland grasshopper and is only found along the edges of the braided rivers of the Mackenzie basin – a very specialised habitat of stones and boulders. The grasshopper comes in many shades of grey and rusty brown matching the stones and silty soils in its habitat. It’s classed as nationally endangered, and is at risk from predators like hedgehogs, cats and birds.

“These grasshoppers are so unique. They look almost prehistoric. They can jump fairly well but are renowned for their clumsy landings. They’re also very vulnerable. The pink one will unfortunately stand out even more to predators which is why this sighting is so special.”

In 2018, with funding from Te Manahuna Aoraki (TMA), a predator exclusion fence was put up around a small area of grasshopper habitat in the Mackenzie basin. It’s thought to be the world’s first exclusion fence built specifically for the protection of insects and to learn more about them.

Jen says the pink one is in a different site outside of the fence and will have to fend for herself.

“They do live up to their name, they’re quite robust and the females are double the size of the males. Maybe she will breed, and we will see some more pink ones. She has certainly become a big of a celebrity in our office and we joke about the paparazzi coming and taking loads of photos. I’m just so happy I got to see one after all these years. Getting out into nature in this part of the world is really special.”

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Source: New Zealand Government

Changes to bank lending rules that will help people to buy their first homes have been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.

The Reserve Bank has announced that it is increasing the percentage of new lending commercial banks can provide to home buyers with smaller deposits.

“The easing of the Reserve Bank’s Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) restrictions will help more young families to achieve the Kiwi dream of owning their own homes,” Nicola Willis says. 

“Presently, commercial banks are only permitted to allocate 20 per cent of new home loan lending to owner-occupiers with deposits of less than 20 per cent. 

“From next month, banks will be able to allocate 25 per cent of their new home loans to people with deposits of less than 20 per cent. 

“This means more opportunities for people to get a foot on the property ladder.

“Typically, about 80 per cent of those with deposits of less than 20 percent are first-home buyers who are currently taking advantage of lower prices and lower mortgage rates. 

“Cotality reported that in the three months to September, first-home buyers accounted for a record 27.7 per cent of property purchases nationwide.” 

The changes to the Reserve Bank’s Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) restrictions take effect on 1 December. 

The Reserve Bank has also announced that it is increasing the share of loans commercial banks can make to property investors with deposits of less than 30 per cent from 5 to 10 per cent. 

Nicola Willis says the changes follow the Reserve Bank’s introduction of debt-to-income (DTI) restrictions last year. 

“The Reserve Bank’s view is that the DTI restrictions increase the resilience of the banking system and means LVR restrictions can be eased.”

Source: New Zealand Police

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