Racing Minister, Winston Peters has welcomed proposed plans to rehome greyhounds, as the transition away from greyhound racing continues.
“The intention was always to support the industry as it transitions away from greyhound racing,” says Mr Peters.
“There has been a campaign of misinformation about greyhounds and owners being left to fend for themselves, but this was never the case.
“It was important to go through a proper select committee process before taking the next steps.
“The Select Committee has now completed its work and reported back. Everyone, including representatives of the greyhound racing sector, rehoming groups, and members of the public, have had the opportunity to have their say.”
The Ministerial Advisory Committee, established to plan the transition away from greyhound racing, set out key elements of their plan as part of the recent select committee process. This includes:
The setting up of a transition agency to manage the end of greyhound racing.
Options for the agency to take over ownership of dogs and pay for all their food and care until they are successfully re-homed.
Mental health and wellbeing services for those whose daily lives are closely tied to the industry.
Re-training support for those currently employed in the industry.
Training and behavioral support for greyhounds to improve rehoming outcomes.
Working with animal welfare organisations, including groups such as SPCA, to support the rehoming process.
“We’re ready for a smooth transition, with planning focused on certainty, support, and, most importantly, ensuring the welfare of greyhounds.” says Mr Peters.
“This is a deliberate, multi‑stage process designed to ensure fairness and good outcomes for both people and animals. Nothing changes overnight, and the Government’s focus remains on a smooth and responsible transition.
Transition planning will continue over the coming months, informed by the feedback from the select committee and ongoing work by the Ministerial Advisory Committee.
This work follows the announcement in late 2024 to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. Reviews across several years (2013, 2017 and 2021) consistently raised the need for change to address serious animal welfare concerns.
Polls show the large majority of the public support an end to greyhound racing.
A new top-of-the-line karting facility at Colin Dale Park in the city’s south is open for Aucklanders to use thanks to support from Auckland Council.
In late February, Councillor Ali Filipaina and council staff were among those who marked the new facility at Wiri with a blessing of Sir Colin Giltrap Raceway and the dedication of the Bob Cunningham straight and Crang Corner.
In 2024 the Colin Dale Park KartSport Development Charitable Trust was allocated $2.5 million by the council’s Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, through the Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund.
Councillor Filipaina, who represents the Manukau Ward, says the karting facility is an important community asset not just for south Auckland, but for the whole region.
“I’m thrilled the Colin Dale Park facility is up and running. It’s a fantastic piece of sports infrastructure for the community.
“The new racetrack has come as New Zealand’s motorsport stars – the likes of Scott Dixon and Liam Lawson, are flourishing on the international stage.
“We hope Kiwi kids from all walks of life use and enjoy the facility.”
“Auckland Council is proud to have supported making this happen with significant funding through our grants scheme.”
The Sir Colin Giltrap Raceway can be used for leisure and competition for multiple wheel sport activities, including karting.
Anita Kinsman, Chair of the Colin Dale Park KartSport Development Charitable Trust, thanked the council for the funding contribution, at the opening ceremony prior to the first race day event.
“We’d like to extend our thanks to Auckland Council for their substantial contribution to this facility.
“The $2.5 million grant through the Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund was essential in getting the raceway up and running for Aucklanders to use now and long into the future.”
Martin Devoy, the council’s Regional Sport and Recreation Investment Lead has been involved with the development of Colin Dale Park for a number of years and says he recognises the value of the facility.
“It has been a pleasure working with the KartSport trustees and representatives. Their professionalism, dedication and generosity have resulted in an outstanding community facility.”
Aliimalemanu Kenneth Aiolupotea, Auckland Council’s General Manager Community Wellbeing says he’s thrilled the facility is up and running for Aucklanders to use.
“A key aim of the Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund is to create opportunities for Aucklanders to get active.
“Colin Dale Park is a standout example of the importance that non-council facilities play within the sport and recreation sector.”
More information on the council’s grants programme that supports Aucklanders’ aspirations for a great city, including the Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund can be found on the Auckland Council website.
Attribute to Detective Nadine Staples, Whanganui CIB:
Police have arrested and charged three people in relation to an aggravated robbery in Castlecliff, Whanganui.
On Wednesday 4 March, around 6.10pm, Police were called with a report of an aggravated robbery that had occurred at a premises on Polson Street.
It is alleged that the offenders entered the premises and stole a number of cigarettes and bottles of alcohol, before fleeing the scene on a quad bike which has now been located.
Police previously arrested one youth in relation to the incident. Two more men, both 18, are now due in Whanganui District Court. One on 31 March charged with aggravated robbery.
The other on 16 April, charged with unlawful possession of ammunition/firearm, cannabis possession and receiving stolen property.
Enquiries remain ongoing and Police are not ruling out further arrests or charges.
Police are asking for anyone who has information about the incident, or who recognises the people in these images, to please get in touch.
You can provide information through 105, either online or over the phone, referencing file number 260304/4451 – or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police were out in numbers Wednesday night mitigating a gang gathering in the Rotorua area, as well as making a number of great arrests on unrelated matters.
A large group of gang members began gathering in Rotorua on Wednesday, but they weren’t Police’s only focus of the night, officers made seven arrests unrelated to the gathering, summonsed one person to court, and impounded a vehicle.
Officers will continue to have a visible presence in Rotorua today as the gang moves on through to Ōpōtiki.
A 30-year-old man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, utensils for use, a firearm, and an offensive weapon, following a call to Police reporting suspicious behaviour on Aquarius Drive. He is due to reappear in Rotorua District Court on 27 March.
In a separate incident, around 9pm, Police saw a vehicle traveling in the Western Heights area that had been reported stolen the day before. When signalled to stop, the driver attempted to flee, Police pursued the vehicle, and it was spiked before coming to a stop on Harrold Crescent. Two youth were arrested.
A further three people were located and arrested on warrants to arrest, another was arrested for breach of conditions, and a final person had their vehicle impounded and has been summonsed to court for driving while disqualified.
Inspector Tristan Murray says just because there are officers in the area focused on ensuring there are no issues with the gang gathering, doesn’t mean any other matters or offending will fly under the radar.
“Police remain focused on the safety of the community, and we will continue to work hard to disrupt all illegal activity and hold offenders to account, whether it’s gang members or otherwise” he says.
Anyone who is witnessing illegal behaviour is urged to call 111 immediately. Any reports after the fact can be done through 105 with as much information as possible, either online or over the phone.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Hawke’s Bay Police investigating unlawful interference with vehicles in Clive are appealing for information to assist enquiries.
Detective Gabrielle Parsons says Police are investigating damage involving parked vehicles over the past week on Ferry Road, Tucker Lane, Allens Lane, Sutton Avenue and State Highway 51.
“The damage has mainly been done overnight.
“Windows have been smashed, vehicles rummaged through, and in some cases ignition was damaged.”
Police are conducting enquiries into the incidents to identify and locate those responsible.
“If you recognise anyone in these pictures, we believe they can assist us with our enquiries, please get in touch.”
We ask anyone who has seen suspicious behaviour around parked vehicles, or who has dashcam/CCTV footage from these streets between 6 and 12 March, to contact us as soon as possible.
Detective Parsons says it’s a good time to remember to park your vehicle off the street if possible, remove valuable items and lock it.
“Exterior lighting and operational CCTV help too, and if you see any suspicious behaviour as it’s happening please report it immediately on 111.”
Other information can be provided to Police online through 105.police.govt.nz, clicking ‘Update Report’ or by calling 105.
Please use the reference number 260307/3517.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.
The latest data from Oranga Tamariki has shown significant improvement in performance against vital targets, leading to safer children and communities.
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has refocused Oranga Tamariki on what matters most, the care and protection of children.
This commonsense approach is bearing fruit, with Oranga Tamariki making strong progress against Ministerial and Government priorities in Quarter One.
“97% of children in care were visited by a social worker within the targeted time, demonstrating strong engagement and a focus on understanding the needs of children and young people.
“The National Care Standards (NCS) lead performance indicators are also now showing improvement with compliance against caregiver support plans rising by 8% in this Quarter alone.
“There has also been both a large reduction in children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour since June 2024 and a 14% reduction in children in State care residences being harmed.
“Young people are turning their lives around and being kept safer while doing so.
“This is not mission accomplished, I also acknowledge there is still room for improvement.
“Historically high reports of concern show that the public are stepping up and speaking out when they see concerning behaviours, which is hugely important and I thank everyone who comes forward, but it has made responding to these reports within a gold standard timeframe more challenging.
“Responding to this challenge will take more social workers, better case management technology, and a singular focus on the wellbeing of young people above all else.
“This is why we have invested $68m in new case management technology which will free up social workers to spend more time supporting young people and less time behind a desk.
“We’ve recruited twice the number of social workers compared to the number of social workers who left Oranga Tamariki in the last financial year. We’ve also invested in greater professional supports and training.
“There are still not enough supported accommodation places available to young people. Addressing this will take multiple government agencies working better together, something my colleagues and I are committed to achieving.
“Our children’s system is complex, and while in Opposition I was clear that Oranga Tamariki was not focused properly, with too many children falling between the cracks.
“I am committed to fixing this, it is my sole reason for entering politics and remain focused on child protection above all else.
“This latest data shows, while there is still work to be done, we’re moving in the right direction,” says Minister Chhour.
Police on the lookout for a stolen vehicle ended up locating not just the vehicle they were on the hunt for, but another luxury vehicle valued at more than $100,000.
At about 11.40pm, a unit was conducting patrols in the Flat Bush area looking for a Mercedes Benz, which had been reported stolen the previous day.
Detective Inspector Karen Bright, Counties Manukau CIB, says officers were making a number of enquiries and located the vehicle parked on Whakatupu Road.
“The vehicle was displaying altered number plates and officers have then conducted an enquiry at a nearby address, where the keys to the stolen Mercedes Benz were found.
“Officers also located a second stolen vehicle, another Mercedes Benz station wagon valued at more than $100,000.”
Detective Inspector Bright says two people were quickly taken into custody.
“We refuse to tolerate offending of this nature.
“This is a fantastic result and we’re pleased these people can be held to account.”
A 32-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman have been charged with aggravated robbery and will appear in Manukau District Court today.
On the Chatham Islands, 800 kilometres east of mainland Aotearoa, New Zealand, a group of locals are mobilising to protect hundreds of endangered species, including eight types of albatross.
Chatham Islands albatross/toroa/popo. Photo by Dave Boyle.
Taking action for all living beings
The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust has launched the first phase of its Predator Free Chathams project. This includes targeting introduced predators across an initial 7500-hectare area in the northeast of Rēkohu/Wharekauri/main Chatham.
“Predator Free Chathams is a big step in something larger, for all our communities – human, plant, animal, everything that’s part of our ecosystems,” says Hamish Chisholm, the Trust’s Project Lead and a sixth-generation islander.
Success in this area will show what’s possible for the biggest island in the archipelago, Rēkohu/Wharekauri, and further activate the local movement, he says.
“We’re currently building a network of AT220 automated traps targeting possums and rats in the operational area, and we are working with the Hokotehi Moriori Trust to remove feral cats.
“We’re treating this phase like a pilot – what we learn here will help inform how we approach the rest of the island. We want to build greater opportunities for community involvement and support as we are quite a small organisation with two staff, our trustees, and some dedicated volunteers we couldn’t do without.”
Project lead, Hamish Chisholm, amongst the bracken at Te Whanga Lagoon.
Stories of native species revival
The Chatham Islands community has a proud history of bringing species back from the brink of extinction.
This includes the parea, a wood pigeon much like kererū on mainland Aotearoa, whose population has risen from about 40 birds to around 600.
Another example is the Chatham Island tāiko which was once one of the world’s rarest seabirds before sustained predator control and species recovery work started.
“Tāiko are being carefully monitored and protected in the south of main Chatham by another local conservation group, the Chatham Island Taiko Trust, with 52 known breeding pairs returning to their burrows in the 2024/25 season,” Hamish says.
The parea/Chatham Island pigeon is closely related to the slightly smaller kererū on mainland Aotearoa, New Zealand. Photo by Jess MacKenzie
The project has many stories to draw upon, including the rescue of the kakaruia/karure/black robin which helped put Aotearoa on the international conservation stage in the 1980s.
“Dropping to just five individual birds, DOC teamed up with locals to help bring this species back from the brink, and it now exists on the two nature reserve islands, Mangere/Maung’Re and Rangatiara/Hokorereoro,” Hamish says.
“These islands are now reaching their population capacity, highlighting the real need for safer habitat to be created in other areas of the archipelago.”
“One of the highlights from last year was translocating some hakoakoa/tītī to revive an old seabird site in the area, as part of a project led by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust,” Hamish says.
“These chicks all fledged successfully, and the second translocation of chicks is due to happen at the end of March.”
Image: Hakoakoa/tītī translocation into the northeast project area led by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust.
Creating a sustainable future for the Chatham Island community
The livelihood of the local community is also the heart of the vision for Predator Free Chathams, Hamish says.
“Our mahi isn’t just about endangered species, although we do have 326 of those living across the archipelago. By rewilding and restoring whole ecosystems in the archipelago, we can mitigate against climate change and help create a sustainable future for the 700 or so people who live on these remote islands.”
This includes creating environmental career pathways for young people on the island so they can stay if they choose and help restore their home while building valuable skills.
“Our gardens and agriculture will also benefit a lot, with opportunities for alternative land use or new approaches to farming. With the incredible number of seabirds, and unique species out here, there are also great possibilities for well-managed ecotourism.”
Chatham Islands albatross/toroa/popo on its nest with a chick. Photo by Dave Boyle.
Hamish says there are important opportunities to learn in the Chathams that could benefit the wider predator-free movement and conservation efforts across the country, particularly if a project to remove feral cats from Pitt Island can find funding to go ahead.
“From approaches to targeting feral cats to insight on eradicating predators on inhabited islands, we’re keen to be part of that big picture, working towards a Predator Free Aotearoa where nature, including the people who live in it, is thriving.”
The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust and Predator Free Chathams has been supported by a range of organisations along the way, including WWF, Wellington Zoo, Predator Free NZ Ltd, Pacific Development Fund, private donors, Chatham Islands Council, and more recently through two operational grants from the Department of Conservation.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn to New Zealand.
It is the first high-level visit to New Zealand by a Cambodian Minister since 2019 and signals a deepening of the New Zealand-Cambodia relationship.
“Cambodia is a steadfast and trusted partner of New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific region,” Mr Peters says.
“We collaborate on development, work together in regional and multilateral forums, and there are close links between our people in areas such as development and education.
“Deputy Prime Minister Prak’s visit to New Zealand closely follows our visit to Cambodia in November, demonstrating our mutual commitment to the relationship,” Mr Peters says.
During their talks in Auckland, Mr Peters announced NZ$7.5 million in additional support for mine clearance, risk reduction and access to victim assistance in Cambodia.
Discussions also focused on geostrategic challenges and the shared commitment to the rules-based international system and promotion of regional peace, security and prosperity.
