Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will meet with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. when he visits this week for what will be the first visit to New Zealand by a Palauan president. 

The visit comes as Palau prepares to host this year’s Pacific Islands Forum, with New Zealand set to host in 2027. 

“I look forward to discussing how New Zealand and Palau can continue to work together closely on the key issues facing the region, particularly ahead of our respective Forum hosting responsibilities,” Mr Luxon says.

“As consecutive Forum hosts, we want to make the most of the next two years. The Forum provides an important opportunity to work with partners and ensure their support reflects priorities set by Pacific countries.”

While in New Zealand President Whipps will also meet several Cabinet Ministers, a range of agencies and businesses, and iwi in both Auckland and Rotorua.  

Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will formally welcome the President to New Zealand at Government House in Auckland on Monday 13 April. 

Source: Auckland Council

Aucklanders can now use an AI-powered virtual assistant to safely report problems, including graffiti, roaming dogs and party noise.

Every day, Aucklanders help keep our communities safe, neighbourly and tidy by reporting problems to the council. This has just got easier with the launch of a new, purpose-built virtual assistant called Ask Auckland Council.

You can use it to report graffiti, illegal dumping, roaming dogs, missed bin collections, and party/people noise, as well as quickly find information for reporting other problems.

More problem categories will be added over the coming months. Meanwhile, the council is working on speeding up internal processes so that reported problems can get fixed faster.

Ask Auckland Council is an AI assistant which you can access on your smartphone, computer, tablet or any device via a web browser. Find the link on the main Report a problem page on the Auckland Council website or access the assistant directly.

Our customer research and feedback show the current ways of reporting problems can be frustrating and confusing. That’s why this AI assistant was developed.

Ask Auckland Council is far more sophisticated than a simple chatbot. As a conversational AI assistant, it can understand everyday language, understand people and place names in te reo Māori, ask follow-up questions, check it’s got the facts right, and quickly analyse a photo of the problem if you upload one.

In February 2026, the virtual assistant was made available to 1,000 Aucklanders who reflected the demographic of Auckland. Their experience and feedback built on positive findings from an initial pilot with Auckland Council kaimahi, showing that:

Ask Auckland Council works as intended in real-life situations It’s fast and easy to use – 8 out of 10 users find it easy (80 per cent compared to 42 per cent for existing channels) Users find it significantly easier to ‘show’ the problem by uploading a photo compared to trying to describe it in words The assistant’s te reo Māori capability stood out It is safe, secure and reliable It works well for people with access needs.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says it’s important for council to stay up to speed with using digital tools.

“It’s about using technology to make life easier for people and meet demand for simple, convenient ways to engage with council. AI assistants learn, so Aucklanders can help us make it better for them just by using it.”

Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says the launch marks the culmination of work she initiated with the mayor. “Seeing the idea now brought to life – and working so well for real users – is incredibly pleasing.

“We built this virtual assistant with Aucklanders, for Aucklanders. People told us the old reporting tools were confusing. We listened and worked hard to deliver an AI solution that’s more intuitive, easier and quicker to use, and safe and secure.

“It’s also simple to access through the website, and you can save it as a web app so it’s right there on your phone whenever you need it. We encourage Aucklanders to add it to their home screen and make it part of their everyday toolkit.”

Source: New Zealand Police

A Northland man has been charged in connection with more than $250,000 worth of damage to aircraft, following a burglary at the Kaikohe Gliding Club.

On 27 March, Police received a report of significant damage and theft at the Kaikohe Aerodrome.

Mid Far North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong, says the club’s gliders were damaged in the targeted burglary, with costs totalling $60,000 per glider.

“Two vehicles were also taken and an $80,000 tractor mower. This equipment is essential to keeping the gliding club operational.

“Adding further insult, approximately 100 litres of diesel and petrol were stolen, along with batteries from the club’s solar power system,” he says.

The Kaikohe Aerodrome, built in 1942 as a United States Marine Corps bomber base, has the largest grass airstrip in the Southern Hemisphere, with the gliding club responsible for mowing and maintaining it.

“This is a volunteer group who rely entirely on goodwill,

“This has been a massive blow and has really hurt them,” says Senior Sergeant Armstrong.

Following an investigation, a 28-year-old man has been charged in connection to the burglary and is due to appear in the Kaikohe District Court on 21 April.

The local man faces 21 charges relating to a series of rural thefts in the Mangakahia and Awarua areas. These include twelve charges of burglary, two of theft of a motor vehicle, intentional damage, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, receiving, and theft.

“The club was over the moon to hear we had arrested someone,” Senior Sergeant Armstrong says.

During the investigation, Police also located stolen industrial drill parts valued at $40,000. The equipment, which had been imported from the United States by a local earth mining company, was returned last week. 

“It’s great to be able to recover these expensive and crucial pieces of equipment and return them to their rightful owners.

“Our investigation remains ongoing. We are still looking at who else may be involved,” he says.

Senior Sergeant Armstrong urges people to report thefts in rural areas, no matter how minor they might seem.

“Reporting incidents helps us build a picture of what’s happening in an area. Please report suspicious behaviour and any vehicles of concern, including number plates,” he says.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a two vehicle crash in Sanson this morning.

Emergency services were called to the crash on State Highway One on Bulls Bridge at around 10.55am.

Sadly, despite the efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene.

State Highway One remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.

Motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  13 April 2026

That’s the message from Waikato DOC staff after a recent incident in which recreational boaties came too close to the protected marine mammals in Raglan Harbour/Whaiangaroa.

Waikato Operations Manager Niwha Jones says a witness contacted DOC reporting seeing several boats harassing a pod of orca in the popular west coast harbour on 23 March.

The witness identified one vessel as a small runabout, and also mentioned a previous incident a few weeks earlier during which boaties in the harbour had also got too close to orca.

Niwha says DOC is now calling for other witnesses to come forward with any information they have about the 23 March incident.

“We’d encourage anyone who saw what happened – and can identify the boats or their skippers – to call 0800 DOC HOT and quote case number CLE-11562.

“You can share information anonymously if you wish. We’re interested in eyewitness reports, videos or photographs which show the incident or those involved.”

Niwha says orca come into Raglan Harbour from time to time to feed, and it’s a special experience for people who see them.

“Orca are amazing animals to encounter if you’re out naturing on the water – but they’re a powerful apex predator and deliberately getting close to them is very risky.

“We urge all boaties to let the orca interact with humans and vessels on their terms – not ours.”

Interacting with protected marine mammals in water or coastline around New Zealand is guided by the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978. All seals, sea lions, dolphins and whales are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978.

It’s an offence to harass, disturb, injure or kill marine mammals. You should not attempt to swim with or near orca – and if orca come near you while you’re swimming, you should calmly leave the water.

New Zealand’s marine mammal protection rules say vessels must stay 50 m from orca, and avoid the area directly in front of the animals. The maximum number of vessels allowed within 300 m of orca is three. Kayaks may raft together as one vessel, otherwise they count as individual vessels too.

Anyone purposefully approaching them closer than 50 m, or in a way that disturbs them, is breaking the law and could face an infringement or prosecution.

Anyone charged with harassing, disturbing, injuring or killing a marine mammal faces a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine to a maximum of $250,000.

For more information: Sharing our coasts with marine mammals

The reminder about correct and safe behaviour comes ahead of Conservation Week 2026 (20 April to 26 April), which encourages people to take small actions for nature.

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  13 April 2026

The bridge which will span 189 metres across the Hooker River on the upper section of the popular Hooker Valley track will replace an existing swing bridge which had to be closed in April 2025 due to riverbank erosion near the bridge supports.

Construction of the new bridge began in August 2025 and since then mother nature has thrown everything at the team working on site.

Aoraki/Mount Cook Operations Manager Sally Jones says extreme weather and adverse sub-alpine conditions have been very challenging for the construction crew who have battled 130 kph winds and un-seasonal snowfalls.

“Despite this, the team is making good progress with the completion of the large backstay anchors. The massive steel cables which will span the river, have arrived from Italy and will be hung in the next few months. The bridge is really starting to take shape which is exciting. It will be a spectacular destination for visitors to experience,” she says.

The lower section of the Hooker Valley track from the first suspension bridge to a viewing platform with a lookout over Mueller Lake is still open. The upper part of the track will remain closed until the completion of the project.

Visitors to the park are enjoying other walking and hiking tracks including to Governors Bush, Kea Point, and up to the Tasman Lakes and for a more challenging hike, the climb up to the newly refurbished Mueller Hut.

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Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway One has partially reopened after an earlier two vehicle crash this morning. 

One lane has now opened with traffic management for both north and south bound traffic. 

While traffic is moving, motorists are advised of continued delays in the area. 

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway One is blocked following a serious crash in Sanson this morning.

Emergency services were called to the two vehicle crash at around 10.55am near Bulls Bridge. 

SH1 is blocked in both directions and diversions are in place.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays. 

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

Thousands more New Zealanders will be able to access life-saving cancer treatment closer to home, with a nationwide expansion of community infusion services underway, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

• Hundreds more infusion treatments every week nationwide
• 14 new infusion centres and expansions at 14 existing sites
• Thousands more patients getting cancer care closer to home

“Infusion services are essential for delivering a wide range of treatments, particularly for cancer,” Mr Brown says.

“Our record $604 million investment in Pharmac through Budget 2024 delivered 66 new medicines, including 33 cancer treatments. That’s life‑changing for many thousands of people, but it also requires increased infusion capacity to ensure patients can access these medicines when they need them.”

Around 13,000 additional cancer infusions are expected in 2025/26 – a 12 per cent increase compared with prior volumes.

“To meet this demand, we are delivering 14 new infusion centres and expanding a further 14 sites across the country, so more patients can receive treatment in their own communities.

“Once fully implemented, the expansion will deliver 218 more chair-days of treatment space each week. This will allow hundreds more patients to be treated weekly across the country, with each chair typically used by three to five patients per day.”

New and expanded services have already been rolled out, including:

• New centres in the Bay of Islands, Buller, and Waitākere
• Expanded services in Whangārei, South Auckland, Taupō, Wairoa, Napier, Whanganui, Wellington, Christchurch, and Timaru 

Further rollout through to 2028 will include:

• New centres in Dargaville, Henderson, Greenlane, South Auckland, Te Kūiti, Hāwera, Waipukurau, Horowhenua, Golden Bay, Christchurch, and Rolleston
• Expanded services in Kaitaia, North Shore, Taranaki, Kāpiti, and Ashburton 

This expansion is supported by a $210 million investment announced as part of Budget 2024 to upgrade facilities, purchase equipment, and grow the workforce needed to deliver additional treatments following the Pharmac funding boost.

“As part of this investment, a nationwide programme is underway to meet rising demand and ensure more consistent access to care, no matter where people live.

“This includes actively recruiting for additional staff to deliver infusion services, including Senior Medical Officers, specialist nurses, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals.”

Mr Brown says improving cancer outcomes is a key priority for the Government. 

“Our focus is on ensuring patients can access cancer treatment sooner and closer to where they live. That means not only funding new medicines, but making sure the health system has the capacity to deliver them.

“This expansion puts patients at the centre, enabling more New Zealanders to start treatment earlier, receive care closer to home, and spend less time travelling for appointments and more time with their families,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway One remains closed following an earlier two vehicle crash at around 7.30am.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance conducting a scene examination.

Motorists are advised to avoid travel on this road as no diversions are in place, and to expect significant delays.

We thank motorists for their patience and understanding.

ENDS