Source: New Zealand Police
A person has died after an incident involving a motorised bike on the beach near Whanganui Airport.
Emergency services were called to the area off Airport Road about 4:40pm on Saturday.
Sadly, one person was confirmed deceased at the scene.
The circumstances of the death will be under investigation.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
District:
People in Rotorua are advised if possible to steer clear of Wikaraka Street, Ngongotaha where there is a fire at a car wreckers.
The smoke is thick, and those living in the area are asked to stay inside and close windows and doors.
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Source: New Zealand Government
Energy Minister Simon Watts is travelling to Japan to join international leaders and businesses at the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum.
“As the world grapples with the recent events in the Middle East and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, energy security has never been more important to the economic prosperity of New Zealand and our partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” Mr Watts says.
“New Zealand’s attendance at the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum is essential to reaffirming our commitment to securing global energy supply chains, particularly for liquid fuels.
“While the conflict in the Middle East continues to be disruptive to international oil markets and the global economy, New Zealand is prepared for a disruption to fuel supply. Our fuel system is resilient, our stocks are healthy, and our plans are built precisely for moments like this. We are actively monitoring the fuel security situation for New Zealand and remain in close contact with fuel companies.
“In the light of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) decision to proceed with collective action, attending the Forum is a valuable opportunity to engage directly with New Zealand’s closest trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region and emphasise the importance of international collaboration.”
Mr Watts will attend the forum from 14 to 15 March 2026 and return to New Zealand on Monday 16 March.
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
7 minutes ago
Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds visited EIT’s Tairāwhiti campus today to see how the newly independent institute is helping build the region’s future workforce.
During the visit, the Minister, along with East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick, toured several facilities including the Drone Research Lab, Electrical Lab, Hospitality Kitchens and the Trades Training Centre.
Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds with EIT Senior Lecturer Dr Anastasia Mozhaeva at the Tairāwhiti campus.
EIT Chief Executive Lucy Laitinen said the visit was an opportunity to highlight how the institute is supporting regional economic development.
“The Tairāwhiti Economic Plan is clear that building local capability and investing in our people is fundamental to the region’s future. Now that EIT has regained its independence, we are refocusing squarely on the needs of our region,” she said.
“That means responding to industry, whether that’s pioneering new drone technology with partners like the Port, or creating trades pathways for rangatahi through our Trades Academy. We’re committed to strengthening the regional economy by developing the workforce of both today and tomorrow.”
EIT returned to independence on January 1 following amendments in late 2025 to the Education and Training Act 2020, enabling the institute to sharpen its regional focus and strengthen collaboration with industry.
EIT Executive Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Technology John West said the institute was delighted to welcome Hon Penny Simmonds to the Tairāwhiti campus.
“During her visit, the Minister was interested in the organisation’s 2026 enrolment picture, which continues to show a return toward education across our communities with strong enrolments.”
As part of her visit, the Minister learned more about EIT’s emerging drone technology research, led by Dr Anastasia Mozhaeva and developed through a dedicated research lab supported by Trust Tairāwhiti.
John said the work explores how drone technology can be applied to business and industry while helping develop specialist skills in the region.
“Drone technology is a specialised and emerging field, and it’s an area where we see real potential for Tairāwhiti,” he said.
EIT Executive Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Technology John West with Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds EIT’s Tairāwhiti campus.
“While visiting the EIT Drone Research Lab, the Minister shared her observations around the need to connect strongly with industry. She was impressed with what EIT had achieved in an emerging technology area and encouraged us to think broadly around the technology’s application.”
The Minister also met students participating in EIT’s Trades Academy programmes, where secondary school students gain hands-on experience across a range of vocational pathways including automotive, engineering, carpentry, hospitality and electrical trades.
John said demand from local schools for Trades Academy places was strong, with enrolment numbers exceeding funded levels.
“We’ve seen incredibly strong demand from local high schools for students to participate in these programmes, which is great,” he said.
Tairāwhiti Campus Executive Director Tracey Tangihaere said the visit was an opportunity to showcase the work being done in the region.
“It was great to have the Minister here to meet some of our students, staff and community partners and to see the programmes we’re delivering in Tairāwhiti. Students and staff enjoyed talking to Minister Simmonds and sharing their passion and aspirations,” she said.
Workforce development remains a key priority in the Tairāwhiti Economic Plan, with employers continuing to face skills shortages across a range of sectors.
Hon Penny Simmonds said she enjoyed visiting EIT, and it was fantastic to see students, tutors and industry partners in action at the Tairāwhiti campus.
“Touring the Drone Research Lab, Electrical Lab, Hospitality Kitchens and the Trades Training Centre gave me a real sense of the practical learning taking place. It was also great to meet secondary school students taking part in Trades Academy programmes and getting a taste of trades training, which shows the strong relationships EIT has with local schools.
“It’s exciting to see the institute preparing students for today’s jobs while fostering innovation, and it really shows the difference a regionally governed, community-focused polytechnic can make in preparing the workforce of tomorrow.”
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can confirm a pedestrian has died following a crash in Mauku earlier this afternoon.
The crash, reported at 3.22pm, occurred on Titi Road involving a truck and pedestrian.
Sadly, the male pedestrian died at the scene.
Both the Serious Crash Unit and Commercial Vehicle Safety Team attended the scene.
An investigation is now underway to establish what occurred in the crash.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Detective Sarah Harper – Invercargill CIB:
Police are appealing to the public for information following a burglary in Waikiwi, Invercargill this morning.
It happened around 5.15am at a supermarket on North Road.
Initial enquiries have determined that the offenders have used a vehicle to force the front doors of the store open, and taken a large amount tobacco and cigarette products, before fleeing in the vehicle.
Police would like to hear from anyone who may have information about this incident, or about people who may have an excess amount of tobacco or cigarettes, or anyone who has been offered tobacco or cigarettes.
Additionally, if you have CCTV or dashcam footage of the North Road and surrounding areas, between 4.30am and 6am this morning, or witnessed a blue Toyota Prado in the area, please get in touch.
Information can be provided through 105, either online or over the phone, referencing file number 260313/4943.
You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Green Party
The Green Party says the Fast Track expert panel should turn down the previously declined ‘Waitaha Hydro’ project, which if approved will destroy an internationally significant South Island river.
An application to dam the river as part of the ‘Waitaha Hydro project’ was declined in 2019 by the Minister for the Environment David Parker. It was shown then to offer little benefit to New Zealand, while causing significant impacts on the natural character of the wild Waitaha River and Morgan Gorge, the intrinsic value of the area, and people’s enjoyment of it.
Green Party Environment spokesperson MP Lan Pham says they are expecting a release on the Waitaha Fast-track hydro application today, based on comments from the panel chair during a recent hearing.
“The only people to benefit from this zombie project being resurrected from the dead are to its investors. It is a cynical manipulation of democracy to try and get a different result through the Fast Track process after it was already declined through an earlier, more robust process.”
“This project wouldn’t even be ‘fast’ to get going – the project backers want 15 years to build the thing. Using the Fast Track process is a transparent misuse of the legislation and a big middle finger to Aotearoa NZ.”
“The Waitaha river flows through conservation land. The area is home to over 25 native bird species, including kea, kākā and kārearea, whio, and long-tailed bats, and forest and green geckos.”
“The Department of Conservation themselves have said “the Waitaha Valley has ecological, landscape and recreational values of local, regional, national and international significance.”
“It is DOC’s view that the proposal will result in the fundamental loss of natural character, solitude and remoteness that underpin the Waitaha Valley characteristics of a back country-remote zone.”
Pham says along with irreversibly destroying the wild character of area, the project fails to meet any sensible economic threshold.
“There are already consented, unbuilt hydro schemes on the West Coast, that wouldn’t do the damage that this project would. The proposed cost has doubled to $200 million, while only providing power for 12,000 homes. That’s about $20,000 per household – money which could be used to expand nearby solar projects, or other modern technology solutions which don’t rely on destroying our remaining wild places.”
Source: Green Party
The Green Party is astounded to read a Wellington City Council working group’s newly released cost-cutting proposal which includes major slash and burn cuts to climate change and transport.
“Our city has been internationally recognised for its leadership in reducing emissions and transforming our transport system. This cost-cutting proposal completely guts that reputation and decades of good Green mahi within the council” says Green Party Wellington Central MP, Tamatha Paul.
“Wellington’s competitive factor is that we are a green city in every sense of the word. There is no stronger mandate for bold climate action than right here in Pōneke. We are one of the only cities in the world where native wildlife is increasing and we are among the highest pubic and active transport users in the country.”
“Our city’s climate emissions have dropped for the first time in a long time, including vehicle emissions which are our biggest emissions, and public and active transport use is up. This didn’t happen by accident. It’s because we took action that the Council seeks to abandon.”
“I was so proud to be a part of the Council that ushered in the plan to become a carbon zero capital city by 2050. This is being gutted by the current leadership in council.”
“Mayor Little must not fall into the classic local government trap of putting short-term thinking before trying to mitigate the climate catastrophe we are seeing all across the country. It’s right in front of our eyes.” says Tamatha Paul.
Source: Green Party
The Green Party is claiming a win for animals, following the Luxon Government’s confirmation that they have cancelled plans to reinstate the live export of animals at sea.
Plans to resume the trade in live animals by sea was part of the National and Act coalition agreement, however the frequently endorsed intention has been scrapped at cabinet, according to Animal Welfare Minister Andrew Hoggard, who said “we needed to get everyone on board to take it forward and haven’t achieved that.”
“The Greens have long opposed this fundamentally cruel trade.” Says Steve Abel, Green Party spokesperson for Animal Welfare.
“Animals are herded into miserable cattle ships where they are forced to wallow in their own waste for weeks at sea.”
“Exported animals also face disease, heat stress, bruising, motion sickness, and other conditions that cause fear, anxiety, and discomfort for weeks or even months.”
“New Zealanders don’t want to see animals suffering. The plans to reinstate this cruel trade cut against the grain of our values as a nation,” says Abel.
“It’s clear that reality has caught up with the Luxon Coalition. They’ve realised there is no magical ‘gold standard’ for live animal exports. The practice is fundamentally cruel, despite industry spin.”
“The decision to cancel the animal export plans is a great win for animal welfare advocates and the majority of New Zealanders, including many farmers, who opposed the cruel trade.”
With the ban on the live exports of animals at sea saved, the Greens would extend the ban to include the live export of animals by air, such as chicks, and the export of native wild-caught animals such as endangered longfin eels.
Source: New Zealand Police
Media are advised that Police have now identified the people sought in images from a releas this afternoon about an aggravated robbery in Castlecliff, Whanganui.
We would ask media to therefore please now remove these photos from any reporting.
Enquiries into the robbery are ongoing.
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