Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Education Minister Erica Stanford welcomed Estonian Education and Research Minister Dr Kristina Kallas to New Zealand this week, providing an opportunity to learn from each other’s successes, lessons, and practices in delivering a world-leading education reform.

“Estonia consistently ranks among the top performers in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study,” Ms Stanford says.

“The opportunity to meet in New Zealand with Minister Kallas forms part of my work to engage with international experts and thought leaders, from high-performing education systems, to bring evidence-based best practice into every school and every classroom in New Zealand,” Ms Stanford says.

“I’m particularly interested in how Estonia achieves student success in reading, maths, and science, and how their high-performing education system achieves strong academic achievement with equity and access to digital technology.

“Minister Kallas was here to look at our education reforms, and made comments in the media that many other European countries are also looking closely at New Zealand is doing. She was also very supportive of New Zealand’s knowledge-rich curriculum, which she noted Estonia has had for many years.”

Minister Kallas and Minister Stanford also attended the Teaching and Learning Symposium, hosted by Auckland University of Technology, where Minister Kallas delivered an address on Estonia’s AI-Leap (TI-Hüpe) programme. 

The programme embeds AI literacy and training in higher cognitive processes into schools to help prepare learners for interacting and working with AI.

“AI presents an opportunity for New Zealanders and the Government is committed to helping Kiwis to harness it in their jobs and industries where appropriate. This includes new subjects we are introducing at the secondary level,” Ms Stanford says.

As part of the visit, Minister Kallas also visited schools in Auckland and Wellington to meet with students, school leaders, and senior officials from the Ministry of Education, New Zealand Qualifications Authority, and the Education Review Office.  

Given our shared interest in strengthening collaboration between our countries in science and research, Minister Kallas also met the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor and with Universities New Zealand, including representatives of our universities on the Research Committee. 

“Our meetings have been very insightful and valuable – I acknowledge the outstanding work Minister Kallas and Estonia are doing in their education system.”

Notes to editor:

Estonia has a high-performing education system, recognised for combining high academic achievement with strong equity. It consistently ranks among the top performers in international assessments like the OECD’s latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study, particularly in reading, math, and science.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is clearing the path for Kiwi exporters by reducing trade barriers affecting approximately $600 million worth of exports so businesses can compete, grow, and create jobs, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced today in Auckland.

“Non-Tariff Barriers, such as complex labelling rules, certification costs, or quotas, slow growth. Reducing these barriers returns significant value to exporters, supports the 1 in 4 Kiwi jobs tied to trade, and puts more money into the back pockets of thousands of hard-working New Zealanders,” Nicola Willis says. 

“Market access, predictable trade rules and investment certainty are all crucial to business confidence and growing a strong economy. We’re seeing that confidence build with the latest ANZ Business Outlook at an 11 year high. Firms are reporting stronger recent performance and improving employment outlooks. This is the kind of momentum we want to back with practical action.”

Key examples of actions to free up trade in the last year include: 

• Unlocking access to China’s $200 million cosmetics and skincare market, removing a long-standing regulatory barrier and opening new channels for New Zealand exporters.
• Signing and implementing a deer velvet arrangement with China providing market growth worth $64.5 million in the year to December 2024.
• Working with New Zealand exporters and Mexican authorities to facilitate the flow of New Zealand good through its ports.
• Expanding access for New Zealand dairy products and blueberries to Korea worth $5 to $10 million, and $5 million, respectively.

“Today’s update to the Going for Growth Global Trade and Investment Pillar sets out the next steps to support business, drive export growth, expand market access and attract investment – to give our exporters the certainty and footing they need to scale globally,” Nicola Willis says.

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says, we’re backing Kiwi exporters with practical action – removing barriers to trade and opening doors to new partners. Every NTB resolved moves us closer to our goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years.

Since coming to government, we have concluded, signed and entered into force the NZ–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, finished negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, launched Free Trade Agreement negotiations with India and completed 17 trade missions, unlocking more than $2 billion in potential export value.

“Exports have exceeded $100 billion for the first time in our history, with food and fibre contributing a record $60 billion,” Mr McClay says.

Driven by strong growth into the EU and UK, total export value increased more than 10 per cent to $21.7 billion in the June quarter compared to the same period last year, taking total exports for the year ending June 2025 to $108.8 billion, up $98.4 million on the previous year.

“New Zealand is a trading nation and when our exporters do well, New Zealand does well. It is only through strong trade relationships and market access that we can support jobs, lift incomes and fund the public services New Zealanders rely on,” Mr McClay says. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Health Minister Simeon Brown has today presented Health New Zealand’s Annual Report to Parliament and issued a new Letter of Expectations to the Chair of the Health New Zealand Board, setting out the Government’s priorities for the rest of this financial year and into 2025/26.

The Letter of Expectations makes it clear: Health New Zealand must shift decision-making closer to the frontline, while continuing to deliver against the Government’s key priorities and ensuring the health system delivers better outcomes for patients.

“The previous Government’s mega-merger of our health system removed local decision-making and centralised too many decisions into Health New Zealand,” Mr Brown says.

“We want a nationally and regionally planned system, but one that has strong clinical input and buy-in at the hospital level. That means devolving decisions to the people who are closest to patients and communities.”

The publicly released Letter of Expectations outlines the Minister’s priorities and direction for the coming year, including:

• Continued progress on achieving the Government’s health targets.
• Strengthening primary and community care.
• Devolving decision-making to local districts and regions to ensure a nationally planned and locally delivered health system.
• Continuing to grow the health workforce and prioritise recruitment to frontline clinical roles.
• Building modern health infrastructure to support future needs.

“I expect Health New Zealand to rapidly devolve decision-making to its four regions and 20 districts, so they can get on with what they do best – delivering healthcare to patients,” Mr Brown says.

“That includes removing unnecessary bureaucracy and improving recruitment timeframes for frontline clinical roles. People need a health system that is responsive, and this shift in decision-making will support faster, better outcomes for patients.”

The Letter also reinforces the need for strong governance and accountability, with clear delegations in place to support delivery across the health system. Decisions must be made as close to communities and the frontline as possible, while ensuring national consistency.

“Health New Zealand must deliver on the priorities outlined in my Letter of Expectations while ensuring its operations are efficient, transparent, and focused on patients. The Government is investing record funding in health, and New Zealanders expect results.

“Health New Zealand has made good progress in stabilising its financial position. But challenges remain, and I expect the Board to continue driving efficiencies while investing in frontline delivery.”

The Government’s health targets remain central to Health New Zealand’s work, alongside a renewed focus on strengthening frontline services, improving access to GPs, and reducing wait times and wait lists.

“New Zealanders deserve a health system that works for them. That means meeting targets, reducing wait times, and ensuring care is accessible close to home.

“Health New Zealand plays a critical role in delivering timely, high-quality healthcare. I have made my expectations clear – I will continue to hold them to account for delivering results,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Police

On Thursday 27 November the Murihiku community came together at Invercargill’s ILT Stadium to celebrate Hāpori Manawaroa ki Murihiku, the Southern Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) work programme, and its efforts over the past year.

In attendance were many of the community providers, organisations and agencies who are part of the work programme, as well as special guests including Associate Minister of Police, the Honorable Casey Costello, Police Southern District Commander Superintendent Jason Guthrie, Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell, local government representatives, and iwi. The event also included performances form local rangatahi groups.

The ROCC work programme was launched in Southland in March 2023 and was gifted the name Hāpori Manawaroa ki Murihiku by local kaumatua. This name reflects the fortitude, strength and stamina of the Murihiku community, resonating with those involved in the programme. A source of pride since its inception has been the magnitude and quality of local buy-in from key Southland stakeholders.

The event provided the opportunity for Minister Costello to revisit and celebrate the successes of the programme of work over the past 12 months, having attended the announcement of the successful ROCC initiatives in 2024. Service providers were also able to share their experiences and details of their projects with the Minister over the course of the celebratory event.

Alongside Southland Police’s sustained focus and successes in enforcing organised crime, the Hāpori Manawaroa ki Murihiku and ROCC work programme has continued to enable local communities to become more connected, and has worked hard to reduce the chance of organised crime and its harmful effects to take root.

A key part of this has been the number of partnership initiatives backed through the ROCC programme of work that Southern District Police have been proud to be involved with.

Southern District Commander Superintendent Jason Guthrie spoke about this collective pride at the celebration event.

“I think it’s important to have an occasion like this, where we can come together and reflect on the many ‘wins’ we are achieving through our community-driven, efforts that are tailor-made for our own Southern Communities.”

Superintendent Guthrie went on to outline a number of the providers that have received funding through the Community Resilience and Whānau Support funding, that Police have been able to assist through the ROCC work programme.

This has included the Gore Blue Light registered charity that works alongside Police, which has this year been able to create camp experiences for local rangatahi aimed at building leadership skills, confidence and encouraging goal-setting. This also included an intensive week-long Life Skills Camp at Burnham Military Camp for seven youth participants as part of an alternative resolution pathway, away from the Youth Court justice system.

“I’m really pleased to say that our local participants in this course returned home with renewed engagement in school, with some gaining part-time or full-time employment, and have not come back to Police attention.” said Superintendent Guthrie.

Another of the many initiatives undertaken throughout the year that was highlighted was the Police partnership with Plunket services, in running special traffic checkpoints to ensure child restraints are correct and safe. Through the funding received, brand new child restraints and seating were able to be provided for those who were found to have unsafe or not fit-for-purpose child restraints.

“And that’s what the ROCC kaupapa is all about,” said Superintendent Guthrie. “This is the kind of prevention work and support Police can, and will, continue to provide alongside our persistent and targeted enforcement of organised crime in Southern Communities.

“Our Southern Organised Crime Units have been able to make some massive dents in the local distribution of meth through their excellent enforcement work, which removes a lot of harm from our streets.

“However, we simply can’t arrest our way out of the harm that organised crime and meth inflict on our communities. That’s why we are so proud and privileged to be part of the important prevention work alongside our highly valued partners, community agencies and organisations working under ROCC.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the Fast-track approval of a residential and retirement development in Riverhead, Auckland. 

Rangitoopuni Developments Limited lodged an application in May 2025 to subdivide land and develop approximately 208 residential allotments and a 296-unit retirement village, which has now been approved by an independent expert panel. 

“Rangitoopuni Developments Limited’s application also included plans for public amenities, walking tracks, landscaping and the protection of wetland areas” says Mr Bishop.

“This is another housing development approved through Fast-track that will help increase housing supply and address Auckland’s housing needs. 

“The Rangitoopuni development will deliver significant economic benefits to Auckland, with the project projected to inject $708 million and more than 7,000 jobs over the nine-year development period. This will provide a major boost for the region and for local communities.

“This is now the sixth project to be approved through the Fast-track system.” 

Notes to the editor: 

Fast-track projects to date: 

Project approved by expert panels:

• For more information about the project: Rangitoopuni
• Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
• Maitahi Village [Housing]
• Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing]
• Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
• Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing]
• Rangitoopuni [Housing]

Expert panels have been appointed for: 

• Sunfield Masterplanned Community
• Waihi North
• Kings Quarry Expansion – Stage 2
• Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block
• Taranaki VTM Project
• Ryans Road Industrial Development
• Homestead Bay
• Stella Passage Development 
• Pound Road Industrial Development
• Green Steel
• Arataki project
• Ashbourne 
• Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 
• Waitaha Hydro
• Ayrburn Screen Hub
• Southland Wind Farm Project
• Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project

24 projects have now been referred into the Fast-track process by the Minister for Infrastructure. 

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died after a serious crash near Waipapa Bay, Kaikoura this morning.

Police were called to crash involving a motorcycle at around 10am.

One person was located with injuries, however despite best efforts by emergency services they died at the scene.

The road remains blocked while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene.

Motorists are advised to follow the diversions in place and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has released a report by independent arbiter Hon Paul Davison KC, outlining his determination on financial redress for 37 survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit) and chose the individualised pathway.

“No Government before now has acknowledged torture or apologised for it happening in New Zealand. In July last year, we formally acknowledged that torture occurred at the Lake Alice Unit as defined in the United Nations Convention Against Torture. A specific redress scheme was established in December for survivors who were tortured at the Unit to serve as an expression of our regret as to the many ways in which they were failed,” Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford says.

“We know no amount of money can ever undo or fully recognise the harm and abuse survivors were subjected to.”

“Survivors could choose either an expedited payment of $150,000 or an individual payment process where each claim was independently assessed by arbiter Hon Paul Davison KC to determine payment amounts. It was important Lake Alice survivors had a choice.”

• 144 eligible registrations were received with 105 survivors opting for the expedited pathway to receive an immediate payment of $150,000
• The Government designated a fiscal envelope of $8.39 million to Hon Davison to allocate using a framework developed with survivors’ independent legal advisors.
• 37 survivors choosing the individual pathway with Hon Paul Davison determining a payment range of $160,000 to $600,000 reflecting their individual experiences at the Lake Alice Unit.
• All eligible survivors also receive a personalised apology and access to supports as required. 

Of the individualised pathway payments:

Band	Number of survivors	Payment range
Severe	<10	$160,000 – $170,000
More Severe	20 – 30	$175,000 – $250,000
Most Severe	<10	$375,000 – $600,000

“I want to acknowledge the work of Hon Davison KC and the courage, strength and resilience survivors have demonstrated throughout this process. I feel privileged to have met several of them personally. As a Government, we have taken responsibility and delivered on our commitment to properly recognise the torture they experienced,” Ms Stanford says.

The Government continues to provide redress as it finalises payments, delivers formal apologies, and offers wellbeing and other support.

Notes to editor:

Lake Alice torture redress comprises:

• a payment which recognises an individual’s experience of torture as a child. Eligible survivors could choose either an expedited payment of $150,000 or an individual payment process where each claim is independently assessed by an independent arbiter who will determine payment amounts.
• a new written apology explicitly acknowledging torture from the Prime Minister and the Minister for Mental Health
• access to wellbeing and other support.

As of 20 November 2025, 103 expedited payments and 29 individualised payments have been made, and 70 survivors have received wellbeing and financial support. 

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and 1978 did not have any form of mental illness yet were subjected to unmodified ECT or paraldehyde injections.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt is now much safer for drivers; with intersection upgrades and a speed review all now complete at the Moonshine Hill Road intersection.

The work has been critical in addressing a high-risk section of the State Highway 2 corridor in Upper Hutt.

New traffic lights have been installed at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Moonshine Hill Road, and a lower 80 km/h speed limit (reduced from 100 km/h) approved on the highway from just south of Moonshine Hill Road to just north of Whakatiki Street. The lights and new speed limit will be operating from 1 December.

Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says both measures are critical for making the highway safer for drivers.

“The new intersection allows traffic to safely turn on and off the highway, reducing the risk of high-speed side-on collisions. The reduced speed limit also slows traffic, making any crashes less severe and less likely to cause serious or fatal injuries.”

Mr Owen says over the past five years there have been an average of 13 crashes on this section of State Highway 2 every year.

“One was fatal, and five resulted in serious injuries. That’s why it has been so important for us to make this stretch of State Highway 2 safer.”

“Our analysis shows the lower speed limit will lead to a predicted 26% reduction in injury crashes, and the new traffic lights will make it much easier and safer for drivers turning onto and off Moonshine Hill Road,” Mr Owen says.

He says the lower speed limit will not have a major impact on peoples’ travel.

“Our estimates show an increased journey time of just 11 and a half seconds. That is more than outweighed by the benefits the new safety measures will bring.”

Serious and fatal crashes devastate families and bring huge social costs. They also cause significant disruption to roading networks. Safer roads bring major benefits for us all,’ Mr Owen says.

Mr Owen says the new traffic lights at the new intersection will be operational from when the new lower speed limit is implemented.

“This will take effect as of next Monday –  1 December. As with any new infrastructure and changes to the highway network, we expect there will be a bedding-in period as drivers get used to the new layout and the new speed limit.”

“It is really important drivers familiarise themselves with the changes and take extra care on this section of State Highway 2,” Mr Owen says.

Source: New Zealand Government

A remote community in the Hokianga area of Northland will have their electricity supply strengthened with the help of a $1.6 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.

“A new solar project will provide energy security to a small, predominantly Māori community at Horeke. The system will deliver power to about 100 existing households and five new homes, as well as to five marae and one school.

“Up until now, the Horeke community has been prone to power outages and disruptions to water supply caused by a lack of power. They have also had to rely on diesel and gas for some of their energy needs, rather than have the ease of ready electricity,” Mr Jones says.

“Securing their electricity supply will allow the community to unlock opportunities in eco and cultural tourism in the Hokianga, providing employment and powering economic growth.”

The grant will be made to a Māori trust, Utakura 7 Incorporation, which governs land in the Utakura Valley north of Ōkaihau and is providing co-funding. 

The trust is developing community initiatives that promote educational achievement and build an economic base for the valley. Construction of the solar system will begin in the coming months, including necessary network upgrades. 

“The power infrastructure upgrade will support essential services, particularly during extreme weather events.

“The Regional infrastructure Fund is contributing to energy security where there are wider benefits for communities that cannot gain investment from other sources,” Mr Jones says.

Source: New Zealand Police

A surfer caught more than just waves at Piha Beach on Tuesday after getting dragged out to sea.

Around 8pm a man reported to Police that his brother was missing north of Lion Rock, after becoming caught in a large rip.

Officer in charge of Maritime, Air Support and Search and Rescue Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen says the Police Maritime Unit responded quickly, running the search as incident controllers and coordinating the response.

“The Maritime Unit alerted Eagle who were quickly overhead searching for the missing surfer, along with two inflatable rescue boats from the Piha Surf Lifesaving Club,” he says.

“Light was fading fast, and the IRBs that had headed out onto the water were forced back to shore to wait on standby.”

With time running out Eagle widened their search, including an area south of Lion Rock and further offshore.

“The weather conditions were deteriorating, making search efforts even more challenging,” Senior Sergeant Larsen says.

“Just after 9pm and in complete darkness Eagle located a person around 1.5 kilometres offshore waving for assistance.”

Upon locating the missing surfer Eagle lit him up in the water with search lights, allowing the two IRBs to deploy into the water once again.

“The crew quickly collected him and made it back to the beach in complete darkness,” Senior Sergeant Larsen says.

“Along with it being pitch black the crew faced two to three metre-high waves, making this an outstanding rescue effort by them.”

The surfer was showing signs of hypothermia and was treated by medical professionals once back at the beach.

“This was a great example of team work to carry out this rescue, under less-than-ideal conditions in the dark and bad weather,” Senior Sergeant Larsen says.

“The actions of Eagle and the IRB crews in the water unquestionably saved this young man’s life.”

As Summer approaches and more people head to the beach Police want to send a reminder about staying safe.

“When surfing or swimming in unfamiliar locations, always put safety first,” says Senior Sergeant Larsen.

“Conditions can change quickly, and hidden hazards may be present.”

Never go alone and always ensure someone on the shore or nearby is actively keeping an eye on you.

Stay within your limits as unfamiliar rips, reefs, and currents can catch even experienced swimmers and surfers off guard.

“Enjoy the water but stay alert and stay prepared,” Senior Sergeant Larsen says.

“Stay connected so everyone gets home safely.”

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police