Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Headline: New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey released

The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) shows that around a third of adults were victims of a crime in 2024.

Published by the Ministry of Justice today, the latest survey is based on interviews with more than 7,000 New Zealanders between October 2023 and October 2024.

It found that 30 percent of adults (1.3m) were the victim of a personal or household crime in 2024.

“This finding is consistent with previous years since the survey began in 2018,” says Ministry of Justice General Manager Sector Insights Rebecca Parish.

“The NZCVS helps define the true rate of crime in New Zealand by asking participants about both reported and unreported experiences of crime. Each year only around a quarter of crime incidents are reported to Police.”

In 2024, there was a significant increase in the number of victims of sexual assault reporting to Police.

In the most recent survey, 32 percent of victims (28,000) reported at least one sexual assault offence to Police, compared to 7 percent (5,000) in 2018.

“When the reporting rate increases, it does not necessarily mean that the prevalence rate has also increased.

“In the case of sexual assault, rates of sexual assault remain broadly steady but more victims are reporting those assaults,” Ms Parish says.

“We are working to understand what is driving these findings. This will be further explored in the NZCVS Key Stories report which will be published at the end of May. This will contain further analysis and context for some of the trends in this report.”

In other key findings, 17 percent of adults were victims of personal offences (interpersonal violence, fraud and cybercrime, and threats and damages) in 2024, compared to 15 percent in 2018.

“This is mostly driven by an increase in fraud and cybercrime over the last two years,” Ms Parish says.

The NZCVS is shared with government agencies, NGOs and researchers who use it to understand the full picture of crime in New Zealand, both reported and unreported.

“The findings are used to help target investment at the people and communities that need it most, and to measure the performance of the justice system.”

The Government has set a target of less violent crime – with 20,000 fewer people the victims of assaults, robberies and sexual assaults by 2029.

The NZCVS is being used to monitor progress towards this target.

Other key findings

• Since the survey began there has been a slight decrease in both the proportion of households who were victims of household offences, and the number of incidents of household offences – 26 incidents per 100 households in 2024 compared to 33 incidents per 100 households in 2018. A decrease in burglary is driving this trend.
• The number of incidents of personal offences (interpersonal violence, fraud and cybercrime, and threats and damages) has remained around 30 incidents per 100 adults for every year of the survey. In 2024, it was 32 incidents per 100 adults.
• Victimisation rates for violent offences (physical and sexual assault, and robbery) have mostly remained steady compared to previous years.
• The survey consistently finds that adults aged 65+ are less likely than the New Zealand average to be the victim of at least one offence – 21 percent compared to 30 percent.

Quarterly violent crime updates

• The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet publishes a quarterly update on the Government’s Target 4 – Reduced violent crime using NZCVS data. The annual NZCVS year to October data provides the most robust measure of violence and is what we recommend for making comparisons over time, but the quarterly update provides a more regular snapshot.
• Using NZCVS year ending October 2024 data, there were 24,000 fewer victims of violent offending, compared to the year ending June 2024.
• The Government’s violent crime target aims to reduce the number of victims of violent crime (assault, sexual assault, and robbery) by 20,000 people from the October 2023 baseline of 185,000. Since the target was set, the number of victims has varied, including an increase to 215,000 for the year to June 2024. The year to October 2024 data indicates a decrease of 24,000 victims since the year to June 2024.

About the NZCVS

• The NZCVS is an annual national survey about New Zealanders’ experiences of crime that has been running for seven years.
• The NZCVS is the most comprehensive source of data on adult victims of crime in New Zealand.
• Only around a quarter of crime is reported to the Police, so the NZCVS provides a key source of data on the nature and volume of crime.
• There are now seven years of data, representing almost 50,000 interviews since data was first collected in March 2018.
• Over the next few months, the Ministry will be publishing two more NZCVS reports. The Public Perceptions report will be published at the end of April. This will summarise data from a new set of survey questions designed to measure New Zealanders’ levels of trust and confidence in the law and criminal justice system.
• The Key Stories report will provide further analysis and context for some trends in both Key Results and the Public Perceptions report, and will be published at the end of May.

High resolution infographics from the NZCVS are available on request.

NZCVS Cycle 7 resources and results

Public Perceptions report – NZCVS

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Source: New Zealand Police

Phase Two of the Police Mental Health Response Change Programme is set to be extended with a second group of districts implementing Phase Two from 19 May.

The tranche two districts have been jointly assessed for their readiness and the multi-agency Mental Health Response Change Programme Governance Group has endorsed their implementation.

Included in this second tranche will be:

• Police districts Auckland City, Canterbury, Kaikōura as part of Tasman, Wellington, Bay of Plenty (excluding Tokoroa and Taupo), Eastern (excluding Wairoa), and Southern (excluding Waitaki and Central Lakes), and
• Health NZ districts Auckland, Canterbury, South Canterbury, Capital Coast & Hutt Vally, Wairarapa, Bay of Plenty, Lakes (excluding Taupo), Hawke’s Bay (excluding Wairoa), Tairāwhiti, and Southern (excluding Waitaki and Southern Lakes).

Police and Health NZ will continue to work closely with these teams and districts to support their preparation and implementation for the changes and will continue work with remaining districts to get them ready to start Phase Two.

The agencies anticipate tranche three districts will implement Phase Two changes on 16 June, pending final readiness assessments and governance group endorsement.

Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says we remain committed to our joint efforts towards a system that supports mental wellbeing and gives people access to the best help that works for them.

“Safety is always Police’s number one priority.  Police have always, and will always, respond when there is an immediate risk to life or safety.  This will not change.

Outside of an emergency, Police have a threshold for what mental health related work sits with police and what doesn’t.

“This supports us all to clarify roles and responses, ensuring Police are only involved where it’s appropriate. That means where there is an offence identified (that we would attend through normal prioritisation) or where there is an immediate risk to life or safety,” says Assistant Commissioner Johnson.”

Health NZ Director of Specialist Mental Health and Addiction Karla Bergquist says agencies are committed to getting it right and have been working together to ensure the changes are well implemented.

“The safety and well-being of patients and our staff is paramount as we work to ensure people requiring mental health support receive the right care at the right time.

“We have adopted a staged approach and extended our timeframes for Phase Two, introducing it in a planned and safe way. As part of this planning work, we have developed new procedures with clinical input and created training materials for staff to support them through this change.

“We are focussed on continuous improvement and will keep listening to feedback from our teams and stakeholders and take a joint approach to review learnings as we go.”

“We’d like to assure the public that as always, there is a range of services to help people in serious mental distress or those who are concerned about whānau. You can free call or text 1737 , contact your local crisis assessment team or in a life-threatening situation, call 111.”

Phase One of the joint agency approach commenced on 4 November 2024, and Phase Two roll-out commenced in some districts on 14 April 2025. The changes will see an increased health-led response, enabling Police more time to do the work that only Police can, which the community expects them to do.

ENDS

Notes to media:

Contact numbers for local crisis assessment teams are available online at: https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-…

Phase Two of the mental health response changes began on 14 April in Police districts Waitematā, Counties Manukau, Waikato, and Tasman (excluding Kaikoura) and Health NZ districts Waitematā, Counties Manukau, Waikato (excluding Tokoroa and Taumarunui), Nelson-Marlborough, and West Coast.

The Phase Two changes remain the same and include:

• 60-minute handover detained persons in EDs – Police who have detained a person under the MH Act and transported them for an assessment will remain in the ED for a maximum one hour before departing, unless they consider there is an immediate risk to life or safety.
• Changes to mental health assessments in custody – If someone is placed under the MH Act while in a Police custody suite, they will need to be taken to a health facility within 30 minutes. Custody rules will ensure people in distress are assessed appropriately, preferably in a health setting.

NZ Police and Health NZ districts are not the same (Police has 12, Health has 20), so there are some parts of a Police district which are not included in the comparable Health NZ district or vice versa.

Police media contact: media@police.govt.nz

Health NZ media contact: hnzmedia@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a fire at McDonalds in Pakuranga.

Emergency services attended the fire on Pakuranga Road just before 3pm on 5 May.

The fast food restaurant has sustained significant fire damage as a result.

Detective Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie, of Counties Manukau CIB, says a scene guard has been in place at the restaurant overnight.

“At this point in time we are treating this fire as a suspected arson,” she says.

“A scene examination is being conducted this morning and Police will work alongside a fire investigator.

“As part of these enquiries we will be working to understand how the fire originated.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Gillespie says Police would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity prior to the fire.

If you have information to assist enquiries, please contact Police on 105 using the reference number 250505/2106.

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on the South-Western Motorway this morning.

The single vehicle crash was reported just before 5am, on northbound lanes near Onehunga.

Sadly, the sole occupant of this vehicle died at the scene.

Earlier closures of northbound lanes have now lifted, and Police advise motorists to continue to expect delays as earlier backlogs clear.

We appreciate motorists’ understanding this morning while emergency services carried out their work.

The Serious Crash Unit examined the scene this morning, and an investigation is underway into this morning’s crash on behalf of the Coroner.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 2 is blocked at Waiotahe, west of Ōpōtiki, due to a serious crash.

It happened at the intersection with Baird Road about 5:35am, and involved two vehicles.

Indications are that one person is seriously injured.

Diversions are in place and motorists are asked to delay travel if possible.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious single-vehicle crash on the Southwestern Motorway, northbound, between the Onehunga Harbour Rd on-ramp and the Queenstown Rd off-ramp.

Traffic management is in place. 

Motorists should avoid the area or expect delays. 

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Motorists should expect delays on parts of the Auckland motorway network this morning.

Emergency services are responding to a two-truck collision on the Northern Motorway, near the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Southbound traffic is being impacted this morning, with some lanes closed while the scene is cleared.

Fortunately no injuries have been reported.

Crews will work as quickly as possible to clear the scene, however motorists should expect delays on their commute this morning.

This is in addition to an earlier serious crash this morning further south, on the South-Western Motorway near Onehunga.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government is amending the Equal Pay Act [the Act] to make the process of raising and resolving pay equity claims more robust, workable and sustainable, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. 

Pay equity is achieved when women and men are paid the same for work that is different but of equal value: for example, care and support workers and mental health assistants perform work that is different but is of equal value. 

“It is clear the current Act is not working as intended, and amendments made by the previous government in 2020 have created issues. Claims have been able to progress without strong evidence of undervaluation and there have been very broad claims where it is difficult to tell whether differences in pay are due to sex-based discrimination or other factors.  

“The Government is committed to addressing these issues. The new and improved pay equity system will provide greater confidence that genuine pay equity issues will be correctly identified and addressed. 

“New Zealand’s pay equity regime is an outlier internationally. The Act allows employees and unions to bargain a pay equity settlement with multiple employers. In most countries we compare ourselves to, people raise pay equity claims against their own employer only, or there are legal requirements on employers to proactively take steps to achieve pay equity,” says Ms van Velden.

Pay equity claims have been concentrated in the public sector, with a recent increase in the number of claims in the publicly funded sector. Costs to the Crown have become significant, with the costs of all settlements to date totalling $1.78 billion per year.

“These changes will mean the pay equity claim process is workable and sustainable. There are often significant costs involved with pay equity settlements which can involve large workforces [e.g. around 94,000 people for the teachers claim] and we need to ensure the process to raise and resolve claims is robust.  

“The changes I am proposing will significantly reduce costs to the Crown,” says Ms van Velden.

There will be a better framework and guidance for parties to use to assess whether there is sex-based undervaluation. These changes include: 

• Raising the threshold of “predominantly performed by female employees” from 60 percent to 70 percent and requiring that this has been the case for at least 10 consecutive years.
• Ensuring there are reasonable grounds to believe the work is historically and currently undervalued, including a requirement for evidence.
• Further clarity and guidance on the use of comparators – work performed by men that is different to the claimant’s work but has similar skills, responsibilities, levels of experience, or working conditions to the claimant’s work.
• Employers being able to meet their pay equity obligations in a way that is sustainable for their business – for example through phasing of settlements. 

The changes will discontinue current pay equity claims, but new claims can be raised under the amended Act if they meet the new requirements. Review clauses in existing settlements will become unenforceable. Settled claims can be re-raised 10 years after settlement, if the claim meets the new requirements. 

The changes are reflected in a Bill introduced today and going through Parliament under urgency, which will amend the Equal Pay Act and take effect the day after Royal assent. 

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  06 May 2025

“The most-loved experiences during peak times such as the holidays tend to book up quickly, but there’s plenty to choose from across the network,” DOC Heritage and Visitor Director Catherine Wilson says.

DOC has upgraded its booking system ready for Great Walks 2025/26 bookings, which open from 15 May 2025.

Catherine Wilson says people booking Great Walks will notice some changes this year.

“We’ve introduced a new industry-leading lobby system, similar to those used by concert-booking companies, so customers have a smoother experience, and we can better manage the very high demand when bookings first open.”

Catherine Wilson says the opening dates for all facilities are staggered between 13 May to 4 June to give people making multiple bookings a better chance of securing their preferred slot.

“We’ve re-shuffled the booking schedule* to balance demand across the weeks so the Kepler, Heaphy and Rakiura Great Walks open first on Wednesday 15 May, and the exceptionally popular Milford Track will open last on Wednesday 28 May.

“While the most popular Great Walks such as Milford and Routeburn book out very fast on the day, there are often cancellations so it’s worth keeping an eye on the booking website. Other experiences, such as Abel Tasman and Heaphy have more capacity and don’t generally book out on opening day.” 

On opening morning, users logging into their DOC account will be redirected to the lobby and assigned a number. At 9.30 am the queue will start to move steadily into the booking system. 

“We continue to ask users to be patient when booking. New Zealand’s Great Walks face massive demand with close to 100,000 people booking a Great Walk annually, 35% of whom are international visitors,” says Catherine Wilson.

“We’re lucky to have stunning mountains, forests, beaches, parks, lakes and rivers on our doorstep, and incredible tracks, huts and campsites for people to enjoy them.” 

The Great Walks vary in their length, challenge, and the necessary skills and fitness required. Walkers are encouraged to read about the options on DOC’s website and pick the Great Walk best suited to their skills and experience.

As part of regular price reviews, customers may notice price increases at some facilities next season.

Price increases range between 5-15% for the Milford, Routeburn, Kepler, Abel Tasman Coast Track, and Paparoa Great Walks and several high-demand huts and cottages. Some of DOC’s standard and serviced campsites have increased by $3-$5 per person per night.

User charges contribute to the running costs of DOC’s recreation network, Catherine Wilson says.

“User fees are an increasingly important tool for improving the financial sustainability of the visitor network.

“New Zealand has a huge variety of DOC facilities with price points for all budgets. Just make sure you book huts, campsites, and cottages early to secure popular dates and times,” says Catherine Wilson.

For information on DOC’s pricing changes and to book, visit DOC huts, campsites and cottages.

Bookings for Tongariro Northern Circuit are on hold while DOC assesses plans for replacing Oturere Hut.

To book the Hump Ridge Track visit . Bookings can be made anytime. The Hump Ridge Track’s walking season is 25 October 2024 to 21 April 2025.

Contact