Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has welcomed the Health Committee’s report following its inquiry into aged care support services for people experiencing neurological cognitive disorders. The formal response to the inquiry was tabled in Parliament today.

The inquiry was a commitment in the New Zealand First-National coalition agreement.

“New Zealand has very good aged care, but there are challenges in the system that are well-understood, and need to be addressed” Associate Health Minister Casey Costello says.

“This report makes a valuable contribution to the work underway to strengthen services.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that people needing aged care, including those with neurological cognitive disorders are supported and able to access the right services, in the right place and at the right time”

The Health Committee launched its inquiry into neurological cognitive disorders, like dementia, in 2024.  It received more than 100 submissions and visited several aged care facilities and service providers across the country.

The Committee’s report made 14 recommendations on improving support for people with neurological cognitive disorders. These relate to access to aged residential care, home and community support services, carers and the aged care workforce.

The Government’s formal response to the inquiry notes all the recommendations.

“Many of the report’s recommendations will be considered through the work already underway on aged care, including through the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group,” Ms Costello says.

The Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group was established last year to provide independent recommendations to Ministers on the sustainability and future direction of the aged care system.

It is expected to provide advice and recommendations to Ministers by mid-2026 and will consider the Health Committee’s report as part of this work. 

“The Government thanks the Health Committee and all submitters for their contributions, which will inform the wider aged care work programme,” Ms Costello says. 

“We are committed to ensuring older people, including those with neurological cognitive disorders, can access timely, high-quality services that support them to live and age well.”

Source: NZCTU

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Sandra Grey is calling on Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden to pause the proposed reform of the Holidays Act and listen to the concerns of workers.

“The Minister’s desire to introduce a bill to Parliament has got ahead of writing good legislation. We have many concerns about the proposed Bill and have not been consulted properly in its development,” said Grey.

“The Bill as currently written might mean that some workers, particularly vulnerable workers, have their holiday pay reduced. Workers don’t appear to be able to take leave in advance, and their ability to take two weeks of consecutive leave is weakened.

“New Zealanders already work some of the longest hours in the developed world. Burnout and work stress are harming workers and their whānau and costing the economy billions.

“We need to approach change carefully as this Bill will impact millions of Kiwis. Many of the proposed changes seem designed to reduce the benefits that workers deserve during their precious holiday breaks.

“The Government needs to come back to the table, talk with workers and unions, and develop changes that have broad-based support. It does not have the mandate for this Bill.

“There is an opportunity to build an enduring system that delivers for decades to come. Both employers and employees need certainty and a fair deal. The Minister shouldn’t let her desire for speedy reform ruin New Zealanders’ future holiday plans,” said Grey.

Source: New Zealand Government

Access to New Zealand’s smaller ports will be significantly improved by the procurement of a new crane dredging barge, which will ensure vital supplies can be delivered to regional communities cut-off by natural disasters and other major emergencies.

Associate Transport Minister James Meager confirmed the Government’s $8 million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund co-investment, while visiting Whanganui Port.

“We’ve seen how recent storms and major events like Cyclone Gabrielle significantly impact communities. In many cases the only way to deliver essential supplies is by sea, due to road and rail links being cut off,” Mr Meager says.

“However, there have been cases of vital goods unable to get into ports, including in Greymouth, Whanganui and Ōpōtiki, as the sites require dredging to ensure enough depth for ships’ access.

“It’s not easy or cost-effective for smaller ports to dredge. The current market is focused on high-volume, long-term projects, and often our smaller ports can’t afford or procure the dredging required to keep them navigable and open for business.

“That’s why we’re co-funding a purpose-built crane dredger hopper barge, specifically designed for low-cost, small-to-medium scale work. This is far more commercially viable and technically suited for smaller sites.

“The new equipment will be available for use nationwide, increasing the resilience of regional communities. It will be able to be deployed at short notice, to restore navigable depths so essential supplies can enter and communities can recover sooner.”

The equipment’s total cost is $12.9 million, with the remainder being co-funded by Northland-based marine construction company Johnson Bros Limited. It will be operational in late 2027.

“Our Government is committed to fixing the basics, like port access, and building the future by improving our country’s resilience to natural disasters. This summer’s devastating weather events have only highlighted this need further,” Mr Meager says.

Source: New Zealand Government

The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 has been released today, delivering an independent account of the pandemic response and its lasting impact on New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“New Zealanders lived through one of the most significant global public health and economic events. They made real sacrifices, and this report is an important step in understanding the impact of the decisions that were made and how we can learn from them,” Mr Brown says.

Key findings from the Royal Commission include:

• Restrictions were initially balanced, then went too far: COVID-19 restrictions were initially balanced and appropriate but extended beyond what public health advice recommended as the response continued.
• Economic warnings were not heeded: Treasury advised from the outset that pandemic spending should be timely, temporary, and targeted. The $60 billion COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund spanned 821 programmes, around half of which were unrelated to the pandemic. The Commission found that many investments, including shovel-ready projects, did not meet those tests. The spending that followed drove up house prices and the cost of living for New Zealanders.
• Public debt has left New Zealand exposed: The Royal Commission has made it clear that the debt accumulated during the pandemic has left New Zealand with less flexibility to respond to future economic shocks, and that prudent fiscal management is required to rebuild those economic buffers.
• Opportunities to do better were missed: Many opportunities to improve economic decision-making were missed throughout the response, with high-level data failing to capture what was happening on the ground for ordinary New Zealanders.
• Auckland’s lockdown went longer than advice recommended: Auckland was kept in lockdown and separated from the rest of the country for longer than what officials advised was necessary. A former Minister has since acknowledged that the public health benefits of lockdowns did not emphatically outweigh the costs by the end of 2021, despite Auckland and parts of Northland and Waikato being kept in lockdown.
• Vaccine mandate advice for under-18s was not made sufficiently clear: Former Ministers were informed of advice against applying a two-dose vaccine mandates to 12-17 year olds due to myocarditis risks. The two-dose vaccine mandate remained, which did not align with this advice.

“New Zealanders supported the initial 2020 response. Communities came together and made sacrifices, and it protected New Zealanders’ lives. But the Commission has also found that restrictions continued longer than public health advice recommended, and that the economic costs were not given sufficient weight alongside the health response.

“New Zealanders remember what that period felt like – not being able to visit loved ones in hospital, struggling to get home from overseas, and keeping children home from school for months.

“Aucklanders experienced this more than most, spending more than six months in lockdown, the longest lockdown of any region in the country, separated from family and missing some of life’s most important moments.

“The report also found that the cost of living pressures New Zealanders are still feeling today – and the ongoing lack of social cohesion for some – are part of that story.

“New Zealanders made enormous sacrifices and placed enormous trust in their government. We owe it to them to understand what happened and learn from it.”

The Government is carefully reviewing the Commission’s findings and expects to outline its response to the recommendations by July, ensuring any future decisions balance the health and economic needs of all New Zealanders.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  10 March 2026

Pirongia was hit by severe weather on 13 and 14 February and the network of tracks across the maunga were significantly damaged – including slips, downed trees and floodwaters destroying some bridges and steps.

DOC Waikato Operations Manager Niwha Jones says staff have completed initial assessments on all tracks across the maunga, and several tracks are now able to be reopened.

“The popular Nikau Walk and Loop has reopened – however, visitors should be aware there are contractors working on repairs and there may be pedestrian management in place to ensure visitor safety while machinery is used,” Niwha says.

The Pāhautea Hut and campsite have reopened for booking – but visitor access is now from Waite Rd and only via Ruapane and Tirohanga tracks.

Visitors should return via the Tirohanga and Ruapane tracks to Waite Rd.

No other tracks to the hut are currently open, but over coming weeks DOC will plan for repairs to Tahuanui Track.

“The Mangakara Nature Walk will remain closed for some time, due to the destruction of two bridges. We will need to plan and budget for replacements,” Niwha says.

The Bell Track and Mahaukura Track were significantly damaged by slips and will require further assessment before any decisions are made.

The Hihikiwi Track remains unavailable due to the closures of surrounding public roads.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

An alleged offender attempting to break into cars right under the noses of Police was caught in the act in Henderson early this morning.

Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Nick Salter, says officers were called to an unrelated job at Waitākere Hospital just before 1am.

“As they were leaving units noticed a man riding an electric scooter though the car park,” he says.

“They observed this man appearing to look into vehicles with a flashlight.”

Officers stopped the man and asked for his details, which he provided.

“Our staff discovered this man had a recent fingerprint hit for a burglary in Kohimarama,” Acting Inspector Salter says.

“Credit cards and some other items were taken from two vehicles parked at the address.”

When officers informed the man he was under arrest he attempted to flee on the scooter, but didn’t get far.

“One of our constables took off after him and caught up before he could make his escape,” Acting Inspector Salter says.

“He was taken into custody and a search located multiple debit cards that were not in his name.”

Acting Inspector Salter says it was a great result by the officers who spotted the man.

“It is pleasing that we were able to potentially prevent a further offence from occurring that night,” he says.

“This individual now has to answer for his actions in court.”

A 34-year-old man will appear in the Waitākere District Court today charged with unlawfully gets into a motor vehicle, resisting police, possessing utensils for drugs and receiving.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Queenstown Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspects involved in stealing two vehicles and damaging two others.

The vehicles were seen in the Lake Hayes Estate and Lower Shotover areas overnight on Saturday 7 March and into the early hours of Sunday 8 March.

Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson, Area Response Manager says at about 1.40am on Sunday morning Police received a call from a resident in Lake Hayes Estate who had heard two cars speeding and what sounded like a crash.

When Police arrived, they saw a silver Subaru Legacy station wagon on Hope Avenue. Police signalled it to stop but the vehicle sped off. Police did not pursue the vehicle due to its dangerous speed. A short time later the vehicle was found abandoned in Ada Place, Lake Hayes Estate. The vehicle had been stolen from Tonis Terrace, Lower Shotover.

A second vehicle involved, a Nissan Tiida, was located abandoned in a park. It had been stolen from Orbell Drive, Lake Hayes Estate.

On the same night Police also received reports of two vehicles that were broken into and damaged on Tonis Terrace, Lower Shotover and Castalia Drive, Lake Hayes Estate.

Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson says this is a timely reminder to keep vehicles locked and to remove any valuables from vehicles overnight.

Queenstown Police would like to hear from anyone who has information on these vehicles, and are wanting to hear from anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage showing suspicious behaviour in the Lake Hayes Estate and Lower Shotover areas between 10pm Saturday and 4am on Sunday.

Information can be passed through the 105 service using file number 260309/9008 as a reference.

People can also give information anonymously using the Crime Stoppers number 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Disabled people will have more choice over how they use their flexible funding from April, while keeping the same level of support they receive today, Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston says. 

“Our Government committed to restoring flexibility, choice and control in a way that was sustainable,” Louise Upston says. 

“The steps we have taken since 2024 to stabilise the disability support system have been successful. Because of this, we can now confirm two things: the current purchasing rules will be removed in April, and people’s flexible funding allocations will stay exactly the same as they are now.

“This means we no longer need to look at what people spent in previous years to set new budgets. 

“People will also get more support, guidance or coaching to manage their flexible funding – in a way that reflects their situation. 

“Flexible funding must still be spent in line with people’s plans, a few things will need pre-approval, and people must stay within their allocated budgets. However, they’ll have more choice and control over the supports that work for them, including respite options for carers. 

“These changes reflect feedback from the disability community last year, and the recommendations of the 2024 Independent Review. 

“In 2024, some difficult decisions were made to limit rapidly rising costs. The 2024 Independent Review found disability support services had unsustainable spending increases, unclear criteria for access to flexible funding, and an unfair postcode lottery for disabled people around the country. 

“Since then, we have made real progress in stabilising services.  

“DSS has strengthened financial controls, budgets and oversight for NASCs, Enabling Good Lives sites and equipment providers, fixed longstanding issues with residential care pricing, and improved the way people’s needs are assessed and funding for supports is allocated. 

“Our Government also provided significant new funding in Budget 2025, with $1 billion to manage demand and inflation pressures. 

“These steps mean the system is financially stable, sustainable, more consistent and easier to use. We can now restore flexibility and choice without creating uncertainty. Disabled people can be confident their support will continue.” 

Editors Notes

From 1 April 2026: 

Flexible funding budgets will stay at each person’s current allocation level.
The purchasing rules will be removed.
Flexible funding must still be spent in line with people’s funding plans, but people will have more choice about what works for them.
People still need to keep their spending within their allocated budgets.
Flexible funding still cannot be used for prohibited items such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling.
A small number of purchases will need pre-approval. For example, international travel or high-cost purchases, or certain kinds of equipment where safety and health need to be considered. 
Hosts will support, guide or coach people to plan and manage their budgets. They will be talking to people about the support they need from April onwards. The level of support people get depends on their situation.

Source: New Zealand Police

Fairfax-Isla Bank Road, Isla Bank, Southland, is closed at the intersection of Isla Bank-Flints Bush Road following a serious crash this morning.

The crash, involving two vehicles, was reported to emergency services around 8.40am.

The Serious Crash Unit have been notified.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 29A, by Oropi Road, is currently closed while a diesel spill is cleared.

Lanes in both directions are closed and traffic is being diverted.

Motorists are advised to take care on the surrounding roads, expect delays and seek an alternative route or delay travel if possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre