Source: New Zealand Police
Traffic management is in place following a crash on State Highway 1/Waihola Highway, Milburn, in the Clutha District.
Emergency services received reports shortly before 7:50am of a van hitting a power pole.
Injury status is unclear at this stage.
Traffic is down to one lane and motorists are asked to expect delays.
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Source: New Zealand Police
There are likely to be extensive delays, of several hours, as a result of the State Highway 2/Matawai Road crash at Waipaoa.
The diversion is also extensive and motorists, including those in commercial vehicles, are asked to delay travel or consider alternative options.
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Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 2/Matawai Road, Waipaoa, is currently blocked following a serious crash this morning.
Police were notified of the two-vehicle crash, near McMillan Road, around 6.50am.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and the road is expected to remain closed for some time while emergency services work at the scene.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible, and expect delays.
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Source: New Zealand Government
A major transport upgrade for the Western Bay of Plenty has received Fast-track approval, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.
NZTA lodged its application in August 2025 to build about 7.7 kilometres of new highway in the Bay of Plenty.
“Approval has taken just five months following the commencement of the expert panel,” says Mr Bishop.
“The Government is committed to building a long-term pipeline of transport infrastructure investments to redress New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit and build jobs and growth for Kiwis.
“The Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 Road of National Significance will be a four lane, median-divided highway between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, improving safety and reliability on one of the region’s busiest routes.
“Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is now four years into construction, with major structures largely complete. All bridge construction is scheduled to finish in 2026, and the project is expected to be fully completed in 2028.
“The new road will provide a safer and more reliable trip between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, supporting regional growth and productivity. It will improve travel times for all transport modes and enhanced reliability and safety for commuters.
“NZTA estimates the project could deliver around $610 million in economic output for the Bay of Plenty region and provide more than 4,800 jobs over the development period.
“It’s part of the Government’s work to ensure New Zealand has a credible pipeline of high value infrastructure projects extending into the future, and that they’re ready to go as funding becomes available.
“This is the 14th project approved through the Fast-track process and the first roading project.”
Notes to editors:
For more information about the project: Takitimu North Link – Stage 2
Fast-track by the numbers:
Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:
Expert panels have been appointed for:
Source: New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police is pleased to see levels of trust and confidence remain stable at 69% after a significant increase in 2024. Improvements in several indicators show that New Zealanders have high confidence in effectiveness of Police in the latest component of the annual Ministry of Justice New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS).
The Police Module, which measures the public’s perceptions, experiences, and views about New Zealand Police, saw public trust and confidence in Police remain at 69% between October 2024 and October 2025.
Assistant Commissioner Jeanette Park says maintaining trust and confidence within our communities is a constant priority for New Zealand Police, and whilst it is encouraging to see several improvements, there is always more work to be done.
Key findings from the Police Module saw:
“These numbers are the direct result of the hard work our staff put in everyday when dealing with victims of crime,” Assistant Commissioner Park says.
“They are dedicated in serving our communities through timely and responsive policing, improving public safety by being visible and accessible and committed to strengthening trust and confidence through connection with communities.
“While these results are encouraging, there is always more work to do. We would like to see these numbers increase as we want to have the trust and confidence of all New Zealanders.
“This survey has also given us sufficient data to assess areas where we need to continue to improve.
“Our responsiveness to community needs is one area for consideration. This measure has remained static since the introduction of the Police Module, and it is something we would want to see improving over time.
“Police continue to work hard in the areas that ensure safety and responsiveness and with the highest number of FTE constables in history at 10,497 we aim to make a difference in deterring crime, enforcing the law and increasing feelings of public safety.”
About the NZCVS
The NZCVS was introduced in 2018 and aims to survey around 8000 New Zealanders. The total number of responses for this round was 8008.
The report is based on data collected between October 2024 and October 2025. The Police Module was introduced in 2021 and provides a credible source of information that can shape and direct future decisions within New Zealand Police, with the intention of building greater trust and confidence in Police by communities.
Find out more here about the wider Ministry of Justice NZCVS findings MoJ overall findings and a helpful infographic of the Police Module here.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Justice
Headline: New survey shows drop in crime
Fewer people are becoming victims of crime in New Zealand, according to new data published today.
The latest results from the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) show that in the eight years to 2025, the proportion of victims of crime has dropped from 30% in 2018 to 28% in 2025.
The number of victims in 2025 equates to 1.2 million adults.
“This is the lowest level of people experiencing crime since the NZCVS began in 2018. The result was driven by drops in both personal and household offences,” says Ministry of Justice General Manager Sector Insights, Rebecca Parish.
For the first time since the NZCVS began, the proportion of adults who were victims of interpersonal violence fell significantly below 2018 levels – five percent in 2025 compared to seven percent in 2018.
Burglary was experienced by nine percent of households (184,000) – also a significantly lower rate than in 2018 (12 percent or 210,000 households).
Other household offences, such as trespass and vehicle-related offences, were also at their lowest levels since the survey began.
The proportion of adults who were victims of fraud and cybercrime has been on a downward trend since peaking in 2022, though it remains significantly higher at 10 percent (440,000) in 2025 compared to eight percent in 2018.
The proportion of adults who were victims of violent offences was significantly lower in 2025 (three percent) than in both 2024 and 2018 (four percent).
“While these results are positive, we are also mindful that behind each statistic is a real person, some of whom have experienced crime and victimisation, and assisted us by providing valuable insights through their responses,” Ms Parish says.
Today’s results are for the whole of the NZCVS, while data released in February focused on violent crime. This showed there were 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in the year to October 2025 than two years previously.
Full New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey results can be found here.
About the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey
High resolution infographics from the NZCVS are available on request.
This page was last updated:
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says baseline attendance data for charter schools shows they’re off to good start, but there is more work to be done.
“When children can learn and grow in ways more specific to their needs, they attend school more,” Mr Seymour says.
In 2025 the average regular attendance rate for charter schools was 59.7 per cent. For state schools it was 58 per cent. A student regularly attends when they are in class for 90 per cent of the term.
“This is a good result for the seven charter schools which opened last year,” Mr Seymour says.
“Three of the charter schools which opened last year work specifically with young people who have long‑standing challenges with education. This includes many students who previously attended school very rarely but are now at school significantly more.
“The regular attendance rate across the other four schools was 66.7 per cent. If it weren’t for illness making attendance in Term 4 difficult for students at one of these schools, it would have been even higher.
“Now that schools have their attendance baselines they will be monitored on how they perform against it. The expectation is that schools will show significant improvements in their second year.
“In return for greater autonomy with how they use their funding, charter schools will face greater scrutiny and must adhere to minimum standards.
“Minimum standards are informed by a school’s equity index (EQI), which is reviewed annually. As schools grow and change, their EQI, and the standards they are expected to meet, may also change. The goal is to guide schools towards the Government’s target.
“All charter schools are expected to make progress towards these minimum standards and the Government’s target of 80 per cent of students attending regularly.
“If a school does not meet its minimum standard, the Authorisation Board will step in. Initially, this may involve requiring the school to map out how it will improve attendance. If progress is not made, the Board can end the school’s contract.
“The charter school model ensures these schools can be flexible in how they use their funding, while maintaining clear accountability for results. Ultimately, this is about making sure more children are in class, learning, and succeeding.”
Source: New Zealand Government
Main construction is getting underway on the Waihoehoe Road Upgrade, helping to build the future of Auckland’s transport system Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“This marks a major milestone in delivering improved transport connections and supporting long‑term growth in the Drury area,” says Mr Bishop.
“Alongside other investments already underway in South Auckland, including the SH1 Papakura to Drury improvements, the new Drury, Ngākōroa, and Paerātā train stations, and the planned SH22 Drury upgrade, the Waihoehoe Road project will ensure roads and rail are being delivered together as a connected transport network.
“South Auckland is the region’s fastest growing area with more than 120,000 additional people expected to make it their home over the next 30 years. Investing in an integrated transport network supports the Government’s priorities of unlocking growth and improving access to new housing and jobs.
“Waihoehoe Road will ultimately form part of a major east–west arterial route, running approximately 4.5 kilometres between Drury Hills Road and Jesmond Road. The corridor will support local communities and future rapid public transport services, helping connect people to the nearby Drury and Ngākōroa train stations.
“The project will widen and upgrade a 400‑metre section of Waihoehoe Road between Great South Road and Kath Henry Lane, improving safety, capacity and resilience.
“Access to the new Drury train station and nearby housing developments currently underway will also be improved, while laying the foundations for future growth in the area.”
Notes to Editor:
Source: Auckland Council
The Annual Plan 2026/2027 prioritises transport, water and local boards responding to their local communities’ needs.
To deliver all activities, $3.9 billion will be invested into vital infrastructure across Auckland and $5.3 billion dedicated to essential services, such as pools, libraries, animal management, public transport and waste collection.
The consultation also asks for views on Auckland long-term – helping inform transport plans, water service strategies and the Long-term Plan 2027-2037.
Budget and Performance Committee chair, councillor Greg Sayers, encourages Aucklanders to get involved in the consultation.
“The Annual Plan consultation is how elected representatives hear what Aucklanders think about the plan for the year ahead and any hot topics or priorities they need to consider, as the Auckland Council heads to decision-making in June,” says Cr Sayers.
“The plan for 2026/2027 includes Auckland-wide priorities and our local board plans for the year. There is a range of ways to check out the plan for 2026/2027 and how you can feedback – every piece of feedback counts.”
Auckland Council group chief financial officer Ross Tucker says a range of highlights will be delivered by the council during 2026/2027.
“This includes the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL), which will deliver benefits region-wide, such as more frequent trains, new routes across town on a single train and more direct journeys into the city,” says Mr Tucker.
The CRL will be the centrepiece of significant improvements in transport connectivity, capacity and levels of service across Auckland’s integrated transport system, and double the number of people who can reach the city centre by train in 30 minutes or less.
“We also have vital progress on infrastructure such as the Central Interceptor, delivered by Watercare, which will reduce wastewater overflows into central Auckland waterways. $500 million is also being invested by Watercare into a water and wastewater renewals to replace ageing pipes and treatment plant infrastructure. This fundamental work sets up the region to better manage growth and reduce risk of system issues.”
Watercare is also progressing an upgrade of Wellsford’s wastewater treatment plant and a $450 million wastewater programme at Snells Beach/ Warkworth.
Urban development programmes and city centre regeneration will continue, including completing public spaces at CRL stations and further development of High Street and Te Toangaroa.
“The plan also seeks feedback on what Auckland’s 21 local boards are planning for the coming year – this includes priorities for local communities and key services Aucklanders will receive in their backyard,” says Mr Tucker.
As a big investment for Auckland in 2026, the CRL is in the key driver of the 7.9 per cent rates increase next year (for the average value residential property), as the council manages additional CRL costs (ownership and operational costs).
From 2027/2028, the average rates increase is forecast to be no more than 3.5 per cent for the rest of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034.
For the average household, annual rates are proposed to increase by around $320 next year – from $4055 in 2025/2026 to $4375 in 2026/2027. This is a total weekly rates cost of around $84, or $6.16 more a week (based on an average $1.28m capital value residential property).
Ratepayers can find out estimated rates for their property in 2026/2027, see the online rates guide.
Targeted rates changes are proposed, including the Waitākere Rural Sewerage Scheme; a local services targeted rate for Mangere-Otahuhu and the Ōtara-Papatoetoe local boards; and two business improvement district (BID) changes.
Among proposed fee updates is the residential parking permit operated by Auckland Transport. The residential permit fee has not been amended since 2013. The annual $70 fee is proposed to increase to $114 per year, to better recover the cost of administering and managing the process.
The Governing Body and local boards will consider public feedback before councillors agree the final Annual Plan that will be underway from 1 July 2026.
We want to know what Aucklanders think about the plan – visit akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan now. Consultation closes Sunday 29 March 2026.
There are a range of events happening across the region where you can talk to some of the Auckland Council team in person. Head to akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan to find an event that works for you.
There is increased flexibility and accessibility in how Aucklanders can give feedback. Alongside translations into NZSL, Easy Read, large print and braille, there are more ways for people to have their say.
akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan
Source: New Zealand Government
Economic data released today confirms the economy was growing at the end of last year, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Stats NZ figures released today show real Gross Domestic Product rising 0.2% in the December quarter.
“While GDP data was volatile throughout 2025, the New Zealand economy picked up noticeably in the second half of the year, growing 1.1 per cent over the final six months after being relatively flat over the first half of the year,” Nicola Willis says.
Before the recent conflict in the Middle East, economic forecasters had been predicting growth to continue and strengthen in 2026.
“The conflict will have an impact on the economy, but we are starting from a much stronger position now than was the case in the past few years, when high inflation and high interest rates were weighing down on people.
“The full impact of the conflict will depend on the severity of the disruptions and how long they last, but realistic scenarios have so far shown growth continuing in 2026.”