Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Patients across Otago and Southland are already benefiting from faster assessment and earlier treatment, with Dunedin Hospital’s new Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) now fully operational, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

Shorter ED wait times
Faster diagnosis and treatment
Improved patient flow across the hospital

“The $2.4 million SAU provides a dedicated space where patients with acute surgical conditions, such as appendicitis or abscesses, can be assessed and commence treatment earlier,” Mr Brown says.

“Patients can be transferred from the emergency department or referred directly by their GP, ensuring they are seen by the right team as quickly as possible.

“This means patients avoid unnecessary waits in ED and instead receive care in a calmer, more appropriate setting, while also freeing up emergency department capacity for those who need it most.”

Initially trialled with three beds in December 2025, the SAU officially opens today with five reclining chairs and six beds.

“More than 630 patients have already been treated in the unit, with clear improvements in how quickly people are assessed, diagnosed, and started on treatment.

“The early results show this unit is making a real difference. Patients are being seen, diagnosed, and treated sooner, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Operating 24 hours a day, the SAU enables earlier intervention, including prompt pain relief, fluids, and faster access to scans and tests.

“The unit is staffed by highly experienced surgical nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Registered Nurses, supported by surgical medical specialists. This nurse‑led model ensures patients receive timely, expert care from the moment they arrive.

“Importantly, patients are either admitted from the unit directly to a surgical ward or able to return home with a clear plan if surgery or an inpatient stay isn’t required, reducing delays and improving overall hospital flow.

“We are focused on reducing wait times for patients, particularly in emergency departments as we head into winter. Initiatives like the Surgical Assessment Unit put patients at the centre and will help people in Dunedin get the care they need sooner and in the right place,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Government

Fast-track approval has been granted for a screen hub, a full-service film and television production village in Queenstown.  

Waterfall Park Developments Limited lodged a substantive application for the Ayrburn Screen Hub in February 2025. The proposal is for a 7,200m² film and television hub with studios, offices, and 201 accommodation units on the applicant’s 26-hectare Ayrburn Farm property in the Wakatipu Basin, Queenstown Lakes District.

“Approval has taken around 5 months following the commencement of an expert panel,” Mr Bishop. 

“Waterfall Park Developments Limited expect building Ayrburn Screen Hub to inject about $280 million into the local economy and support around 640 jobs across the wider Otago region. Once operating, it is expected to support about 370 local jobs each year.

“The screen sector makes a significant contribution to the economy. Once complete, Ayrburn will allow Queenstown to attract international productions and provide high-quality facilities for local filmmakers. Purpose-built infrastructure will help New Zealand compete for high value international productions.

“The panel assessed landscape, traffic, noise, servicing, ecology and cultural effects. It found that while some landscape effects would be more than minor, they are not significant, will reduce over time, and could be managed through conditions.

“The panel also gave weight to proposed water quality improvement measures, including riparian planting and sediment controls. It also found the project’s environmental benefits would be regionally significant, specifically through enhancing water quality in Mill Creek and Lake Hayes.

“This is the second project in the Otago Region that has gained fast-track approval.”

Notes to editors
For more information about the project: Ayrburn Screen Hub 
Fast-track by the numbers: 

•    17 projects approved by expert panels. 
•    20 projects with expert panels appointed. 
•    45 projects currently progressing through the Fast-track process.
•    42 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure. 
•    149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval. 
•    On average, it has taken 126 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope. 

Fast-track projects approved by expert panels: 

•    Arataki [Housing/Land]  
•    Ayrburn Screen Hub [Infrastructure]
•    Green Steel [Infrastructure] 
•    Homestead Bay [Housing/Land] 
•    Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]  
•    Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land] 
•    Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying] 
•    Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying] 
•    Maitahi Village [Housing/Land] 
•    Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land] 
•    Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land]  
•    Southland Wind Farm Project [Infrastructure]
•    Sunfield [Housing/Land]  
•    Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy] 
•    Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 [Infrastructure] 
•    Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying] 
•    Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project [Infrastructure]

Expert panels have been appointed for: 
•    Ashbourne 
•    Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project  
•    Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project
•    Central and Southern Block Mining Project
•    Delmore
•    Downtown Carpark Site Development
•    Haldon Solar Farm 
•    Hananui Aquaculture Project 
•    Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme 
•    Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works 
•    Mahinerangi Wind Farm 
•    North West Rapid Transit
•    Pound Road Industrial Development 
•    Ryans Road Industrial Development 
•    State Highway 1 North Canterbury – Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus)
•    Stella Passage Development
•    The Point Mission Bay 
•    The Point Solar Farm 
•    Waitaha Hydro 
•    Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal  
 

Source: New Zealand Police

A man who attempted to steal jewellery in Manukau ended up with a different type of metal around his wrists.

At around 12.15pm on Sunday, the offender entered Westfield Manukau City and headed straight for a jewellery store.

Senior Sergeant Roelof Burger, of Counties Manukau Central Police, says the man allegedly concealed his face with a t-shirt and approached the counter.

“The man demanded staff members hand over jewellery.

“When staff refused to comply with his demands, the offender reached across the counter and attempted to open a cabinet,” Senior Sergeant Burger says.

A staff member activated the store’s fog cannon, sending mist into the air and the offender running.

As the man fled, he allegedly removed an axe from his backpack and discarded it in a rubbish bin.

“Our staff were quickly on scene, arresting the man and also locating the axe nearby,” Senior Sergeant Burger says.

A 24-year-old man appeared in Manukau District Court yesterday, charged with burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.

He has been remanded on bail and will reappear on 30 April.

ENDS

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

South Island’s first Crisis Recovery Café has been officially opened in Christchurch today by Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey, marking a significant step forward for faster mental health and addiction support.

“We are rolling out Crisis Cafés around the country to better support people in mental distress. Previously, people were going to emergency departments, which are often not the best environments to be in when experiencing mental distress. Instead of a brightly lit, busy ED, people now have the option to go to a calm, peer-led, non-clinical space for support,” Mr Doocey says.

“People don’t need a referral. They can simply show up to the café and receive support when they need it. Peer-led support is provided by people who have lived experience of mental distress and recovery.

“This café is a great example of community organisations working together to ensure New Zealanders receive a better response. The café will be delivered by trusted local providers Purapura Whetu, Odyssey House Trust and Stepping Stone Trust.

“These organisations have a strong track record supporting people with mental health and addiction challenges and are already delivering peer support services in Christchurch’s emergency department.

“Importantly, cafés also better connect people with community services. We know wraparound support is so important, having someone who can help refer people on to long-term support can make a real difference and help people feel less overwhelmed when seeking support.

“It has been heartening to hear the positive feedback about the peer support roles. That’s exactly why we are better utilising peer support workers in a range of settings, including emergency departments, eating disorder services, and inpatient settings.

“Crisis cafés form part of our mental health plan. Just recently I announced a crisis response package that includes more clinical workers in crisis assessment teams, new peer-led acute alternative services, and additional peer support workers in emergency departments and crisis recovery cafés.

“We’re delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response. Through community partnerships like this, we can provide more options for support outside emergency departments and better support New Zealanders.” 

 Notes to editor:

Today marks the official opening, clients will be able to use the café from early May. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested six youths following a series of vehicle thefts in Gisborne overnight.

At around 7.20am this morning, Police located one of three vehicles that had been reported stolen from various locations across Gisborne during the night.

“The vehicle was signalled to stop, however the driver failed to comply and fled,” said Senior Sergeant Bryan Smith, Tairawhiti Police.

“A pursuit was initiated, during which road spikes were successfully deployed.”

The vehicle was safely brought to a stop near the intersection of Tolerton Avenue and Birrell Street in Elgin.

“Six youths were apprehended at the scene,” Senior Sergeant Smith said.

Five youths are due to appear in Gisborne Youth Court today in relation to a range of charges stemming from the incident.

Police ask anyone who has information on the thefts to come forward.

“Anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from this can contact Police,” Senior Sergeant Smith said.

Information can be provided via 105, either by phone or online at police.govt.nz/use-105, selecting ‘Update Report’.

Please reference file number P066077494.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Luke McLawn is a DOC ranger who works out of Reefton on the South Island’s West Coast. During March, he led a team of DOC staff and volunteers from the Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) Love Our Huts and Tracks programme to refresh the 14 bunk Ada Pass Hut in the Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve.  Luke says, “We had a great trip in to Ada Pass Hut this week with five DOC staff and three volunteers from Love Our Huts – Peter, Mike, and Bill.” 

Ada Pass Hut is one of the huts on the 66 km St James Walkway, which lies east of Reefton and traverses forested valleys and the iconic St James Station. The 4-night walk is suitable for families looking for a longer adventure, though people also overnight into the Ada Pass Hut. 

Luke says, “With a break in the weather, we took the opportunity to fly in Monday afternoon (9 March). Once flying activities were completed, the team got stuck into a deep clean of the hut, including scrubbing all walls and ceilings and taking down all fixtures and fittings. 

Over the next few days, volunteers Peter, Mike, and Bill completed an internal hut paint to a very high standard to help brighten the hut. Window trims were sanded back and repainted for contrast. Fixtures and fittings were reinstalled at the end of the paint.”

Other tasks completed by rangers and volunteers around the hut were: 

• New front door painted and installed. 
• All external hut walls water blasted  
• All other external structures water blasted, include tanks stand, tank stand and external porches 
• An old coal bin modified to store kindling 
• All broken external cladding boards replaced and painted 
• All old window latches replaced 
• Porch and posts re-stained (2 coats) and netted 
• Fireplace spray painted 
• All old materials and rubbish removed from under the hut and flown out 
• Mattresses scrubbed and hut deep cleaned 
• Helipad and track entrances scrub barred  
• Barge boards scrapped and painted 

While the hut was having its makeover, everyone stayed in tents and utilised a makeshift camp kitchen in the great outdoors. Luke says sitting around in the evenings, after a hard days work was a really cool part of the trip. “We got to experience the Ada Valley, which is a really amazing spot. Working with people is a great way to get to know people, and hearing about the work these volunteers had done with the Backcountry Trust and FMC was great – we all learnt something new.”

DOC ranger Richard also led a windthrow team of DOC rangers up to the Ada Pass to clear the track on Monday afternoon.  

On Tuesday, the DOC crew cleared regrowth around the hut and the helipad to allow for better helicopter access. All suitable timber was ringed up by chainsaw and stacked in the woodshed. Some of the rangers left for Cannibal Gorge Hut Tuesday afternoon, and then out to the road end on Wednesday, clearing windfalls as they went.  

All in all, it was a great week at the hut, which is now much brighter and fresher.  Luke says it was awesome to connect with new people from the wider community and the work accomplished was much more than DOC rangers would have achieved by themselves, “the hut was the winner”.  

Volunteers on this project have connected with DOC through the FMC Love Our Huts and Tracks programme, inviting trampers to help give huts a spring clean and a little love. As well as the satisfaction of a job well done, volunteers also get all the benefits of time spent in nature and new friends too! 

To find out more, visit Love Our Huts and Tracks.

Source: New Zealand Government

A major expansion of Nelson Hospital’s emergency department has been completed, boosting capacity and strengthening care for patients across the region, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 

“With the final stage now complete, patients will move through a modern, fit-for-purpose emergency department designed to support more efficient care,” Mr Brown says.

The $10.6 million upgrade, delivered in four stages over 18 months, has increased treatment spaces from 23 to 29 and modernised key clinical areas to better meet growing demand.

“The expanded department includes additional clinical spaces, improved triage areas, dedicated mental health rooms, and new fast-track assessment zones, giving staff the tools they need to assess and treat patients more quickly and safely.

“Three new fast-track areas will also help ensure patients with less complex needs are seen sooner, freeing up capacity for those requiring more urgent care.”

The final stage of the project has delivered a refurbished reception and triage area, improving visibility, privacy, and the patient experience from the moment people arrive.

“With all stages now complete, the emergency department is better set up to support more efficient patient flow and deliver more responsive care for the community.”

The upgraded emergency department is already seeing improved performance against the Government’s shorter stays in ED target, with more patients being seen, treated, and admitted or discharged within six hours compared with the same period last year.

“Alongside the infrastructure upgrades, workforce capacity at Nelson Hospital has been strengthened following Health New Zealand’s review, with 28 permanent full-time roles now filled in the emergency department. This includes senior doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff, ensuring the expanded facilities are supported to deliver safe and timely care.”

The emergency department expansion is part of the wider redevelopment of Nelson Hospital, with work underway on a new 28-bed rapid-build inpatient ward to support further upgrades, including a new 128-bed inpatient unit.

“From the expanded emergency department to new inpatient capacity and ongoing redevelopment, we are committed to delivering the Nelson community modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that put patients at the centre of care, now and into the future,” Mr Brown says. 

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  14 April 2026

The new bridge, built by the Department of Conservation in partnership with Ngāti Tūrangitukua, Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, and Te Kotahitanga o Ngāti Tūwharetoa, will replace the 70-year-old Major Jones bridge, which is no longer fit-for-purpose. Major Jones Bridge is one of the prominent structures on the Tongariro River Trail, located short distance from the Koura Street entrance in Tūrangi.

DOC Taupō Operations Manager Dave Conley says the new bridge will honour the look of the existing bridge, with steel cable supports and a timber deck.

“The new bridge will be about 15cm wider than its predecessor, allowing easier use for cyclists, anglers, walkers, and other recreational users alike.”

Construction is set to occur between 20 April and 30 September 2026, with progress depending on weather conditions.

Ngāti Tūrangitukua Charitable Trust Chair Lauren Fletcher says the Tongariro River is an important taonga to all of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

“As it flows through our hapū we take our roles as tangata tiaki seriously, and we are looking forward to the construction of the bridge to ensure the safety of all manuhiri who are in our rohe.”

Dave says the existing bridge and Tongariro River Trail will generally remain open for the public during the construction period.

“We’ll be doing our best to minimise disruption, but there will be some noise, and temporary windows of closure to ensure visitor safety. Follow instructions from the crew on site to keep yourself and others safe.”

Construction will require some vegetation clearance, tree removal, and earthworks. The site will be rehabilitated in the 2027 planting season with weed control already underway to give new plantings the best chance of survival. No in-stream work is required.

Hugely popular and loved by both locals and visitors, the Tongariro River Trail offers naturing adventures including walking, biking, and access to world-class fly-fishing pools. With the trail hosting around 50,000 visitors a year, the new suspension bridge will enhance safety, visitor experience, resilience, and ensure ongoing access for another 50 years.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Main South Road in the Selwyn District is blocked following a two-vehicle crash.

The crash was reported to emergency services just before 7.30am.

The Serious Crash Unit have been notified.

Traffic control will be in place from Selwyn Lake Road to Telegraph Road.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area as emergency services work at the scene.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Dixon Street in central Masterton is closed following a single-vehicle crash overnight.

About 3.10am this morning Police were alerted to the crash involving power poles.

One person has minor injuries and was transported to hospital.

The crash has caused power to be cut to multiple addresses in the area.

Members of the public are advised to avoid the Dixon Street area and take alternative routes.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre