Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

New data released today shows inflation remains under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

Stats NZ released the Consumers Price Index today, showing inflation increased slightly to 2.7 per cent in the 12 months to the June 2025 quarter, remaining in the Reserve Bank’s target range.

“It’s the fourth consecutive quarter inflation has remained within the target range – a stark contrast to under the previous government, where inflation raged on unchecked, reaching 7.3 per cent in 2022,” Nicola Willis says.

“New Zealanders can be assured it now has a Government that is paying attention to forces that affect their cost of living.

“It’s pleasing to see non-tradeables inflation – which paints a picture of domestic demand and supply conditions – continues to fall.

“However, the effect of council rates on inflation is a concern.”

Stats NZ noted the largest single contributor to annual inflation was local authority rates and payments, which rose 12.2 per cent in the year.

“That’s why this Government has also been clear in its call to councils to focus on the basics and keep rates under control. We look forward to councils taking heed of this and playing their role as stewards of ratepayers’ money better in the future.

“External pressures on inflation remain, and we must remain cautious – it’s a reminder that the economic recovery is not to be taken for granted.

“That’s why this Government is focused on economic growth, because that is New Zealand’s pathway to more jobs, higher incomes and the money to pay for schools, hospitals and safer communities.”

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Invercargill’s Clifton industrial area will get a new, safer and more efficient access point from next week.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises the new access off the Elles Road roundabout, across the recently upgraded KiwiRail level crossing, will be available from Monday 28 July. It will be the key route to the Invercargill City Council (ICC) Pound, ICC Wastewater Treatment Plant and Freight Haulage.

“The existing access via Lake Street, about 300 metres south of the Elles Road roundabout will be closed,” says Jason Forbes, Senior Project Manager for NZTA in Southland.

The additional access takes the Elles Road roundabout to four legs (as seen in the aerial map below).

Mr Forbes says there will be signs advising of the closure of Lake St ahead of 28 July and people should find the new, wider route preferable to Lake St.

“Lake St is attracting increasing numbers of large trucks and with further developments in this area now underway, this traffic growth means this intersection is no longer fit for purpose,” Mr Forbes says.

“The new access off the Elles Road roundabout will have new bells and barrier arms to protect road users at the rail line, there will also be a separated cycle path adjacent to the new road which will have automatic gates at the rail crossing to protect cyclists and pedestrians.”

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Work begins soon on a major flood resilience project – Hakanui Straight (formerly Nesbitt’s Dip) – on State Highway 2 near Te Karaka.

The upgrade will see an 850 metres long flood-prone section of the highway raised by 3 metres, new drainage installed, the main culvert for Hakanui Stream replaced and safety barriers installed. 

The work is being delivered by Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) and local contractor crews, and is one of two projects which have been added to the recovery programme funded by savings found from other projects. The second project will involve flood resilience on SH35 at Rototahe.

TREC project manager Richard Bayley says the work will keep communities connected and freight moving and ensure a stronger, safer and more reliable route.

Mr Bayley says in the past this stretch of road had to close during heavy weather events because the area is prone to flooding.

“These closures create disruption for communities and the flow of freight, as well as causing safety risks for emergency services.

“To reduce the risk of future flooding, we’re raising the highway and upgrading drainage, making it stronger, safer, and more reliable for everyday travel and emergency response.

“The Hakanui Straight project spans a vital link for freight between the Bay of Plenty and the East Coast, and ensuring its resilience is essential for businesses, residents, and regional connectivity,” says Mr Bayley.

The improvements being made are particularly significant for Te Karaka residents, who faced severe flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle when water breached the stopbanks of the Waipaoa River. In the early hours of 14 February 2023, around 500 residents evacuated to surrounding hills, watching as the floodwaters overtook their homes, workplaces, and marae. 

Kaitiaki of Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Pimia Wehi, says working with TREC throughout the design process has been crucial in ensuring the upgrade meets the community’s needs. 

“This is a huge step forward for Te Karaka, Puha, and Whatatutu. The devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle is still fresh in our minds as families lost their homes, businesses were destroyed, and many of us were stranded without communication for more than a day,” says Pimia Wehi. 

“Seeing this work begin is a relief. It means our people will have better access to emergency routes and won’t have to face being completely cut off again.” 

Mr Bayley says early enabling work, such as the site office establishment, fencing and services relocation, is expected to begin this week, weather permitting.

“Road users aren’t likely to notice too much activity until the physical work begins, which is expected next month.

“At that stage, short traffic delays are expected while crews carry out the upgrades. Traffic will be managed by closing the road shoulder during early works, followed by one lane closures with stop/go to maintain two-way traffic during major works with reduced speed limits along the work site.

“Please drive to the conditions and be aware of the increased truck movements and trucks crossing the road.”

About the name Hakanui Straight

The project name is ‘Hakanui Straight’ but was formerly Nesbitt’s Dip. This is a change requested by hapū and Iwi representatives as the name reflects the area’s cultural and historical significance. The Hakanui Stream was important for local food gathering, mahinga kai, and as a travel route for waka.

With the road being elevated to ensure safer and quicker evacuations during floods, ‘Straight’ (rather than ‘Dip’), embodies strength, directness, and a clear path forward.

What’s changing at Hakanui Straight?

• An 850-metre section of SH2 will be raised by approximately three metres to reduce flood risks and keep the road open in severe weather. 
• The Hakanui Stream culvert will be upgraded with a larger, 1.8-metre-diameter structure to handle higher water volumes, prevent highway flooding and allow safe fish passage to protect local aquatic life.

For more updates, visit the SH2 Tairāwhiti recovery project page 

Source: New Zealand Government

An immediate one-off grant to mobilise and coordinate young people to assist in the response to the severe Nelson Tasman weather events has been provided to the Student Volunteer Army (SVA), Youth Minister James Meager has announced.

Mr Meager confirmed the $50,000 funding to support youth volunteers aged between 12 and 24, while speaking in Foxhill today.

“The Student Volunteer Army has a strong track record of rallying the troops at speed to respond to urgent need and has vast experience in crisis response and disaster recovery. I know the work its volunteers will undertake will be of enormous community benefit,” Mr Meager says.

“Young people are ready and willing to get involved and support communities badly affected by recent flooding events. This region has been hit hard twice in the past fortnight, and these volunteers will offer valuable assistance while taking part in a youth development opportunity.”

The SVA grant will finance region-wide activities over the next four-to-six weeks. These will be identified from a register of help being sought by individuals, families, and/or communities impacted by severe flooding.

“Involving students and young people in disaster response and recovery is always a good idea. They’re fit, energetic and like to help. It also provides them the opportunity to learn first-hand about the complex issues extreme weather present,” SVA Founder Sam Johnson says.

The organisation will incorporate the knowledge and expertise of local community leaders to coordinate, support, and lead volunteer opportunities that young people can safely and appropriately participate in.

“The youth volunteers that participate will be appropriately supervised and have access to mentoring and guidance to support their learning and development while doing this voluntary work. This represents a great opportunity to grow skills and resilience, while giving back to communities in need,” Mr Meager says.

“The Student Volunteer Army has already provided assistance to 50 properties so far, with many more in need of a helping hand. We welcome anyone who’d like to volunteer – particularly family groups and retirees,” Mr Johnson says.

“I want to thank those who have helped enormously with the region’s recovery efforts so far. I encourage all young people who have seen the devastation and want to help to reach out to the organisation.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects getting underway in the next few months will drive economic activity and create thousands of jobs across the country, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say.

The Ministers today released an infrastructure update showing $6 billion of government-funded construction is due to start between now and Christmas.

“The projects getting underway include new roads, hospitals, schools, high-tech laboratories and other government buildings,” Nicola Willis says.

“That means spades in the ground, jobs throughout the country and a stronger economy. 

 “Improving the quality of New Zealand’s infrastructure is critical to growing the economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. 

“Good roads, schools and hospitals help business to move goods and services to market quickly and efficiently, children to learn and doctors and nurses to get patients back on their feet.”

Chris Bishop says the projects getting underway will create thousands of employment opportunities for New Zealanders. 

“Numbers vary according to the nature of projects, but data sourced from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4500 jobs.

“In total, workers are expected to start construction on $3.9 billion worth of roading projects in the next few months. They include the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, the Melling interchange, the Waihoehoe Road upgrade, and the new Ōmanawa bridge on SH29. All will help to lift productivity by getting people and freight to their destinations quickly and safely.

“Health projects kicking off include upgrades to Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Hutt Valley Hospital. Construction work on the new inpatients building at the new Dunedin Hospital has also just begun.

“Between now and the end of this year, school property projects valued at nearly $800 million will get underway across the country.

“Other Government infrastructure projects due to start before the end of this year include a massive new state-of-the-art biosecurity facility in Auckland for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Papakura District Court interim courthouse.

 “Importantly, this is just the start. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the Infrastructure Commission, now shows planned future projects totalling $207 billion across central government, local government and the private sector.” 

Alongside the infrastructure update, Nicola Willis today released an update on the Government’s Infrastructure for Growth work programme. The update is the first refresh of the Going for Growth agenda launched in February to drive economic growth by backing business, improving infrastructure and skills, and removing barriers to innovation.

The update shows that since February the Government has delivered on 14 actions to build a stronger infrastructure pipeline and drive better value for money. They include: 

• streamlining land acquisition processes for major infrastructure projects
• agreeing to fund more than $550 million of water, energy, Māori development and other projects through the Regional Infrastructure Fund; and
• consulting on a draft National Infrastructure Plan due to become final by the end of the year that will give investors and businesses confidence and drive better value for money from public investment.
• Hutt Valley Te Whare Ahuru Acute Mental Health Unit, Wellington
• Kidz First and McIndoe Building Recladding, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland
• Linear Accelerators Replacement, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland
• Dunedin Hospital Sterile Services Unit, Dunedin
• Plant Health & Environment Capability Laboratory, Auckland
• Papakura District Court Interim Courthouse, Auckland
• Waihoehoe Road Upgrade, Auckland
• SH22 (Drury) Corridor Upgrade – interim works, Auckland
• SH29 Tauriko – Omanawa Bridge – Bay of Plenty
• SH1 Ōtaki to north of Levin, Horowhenua
• SH2 Melling Interchange, Wellington
• SH76 Brougham Street, Canterbury
• Rolleston Access Improvements – Package 1, Canterbury
• Parliamentary Library – south building and underground carpark seismic strengthening & rebuild, Wellington
• School property projects across the country including roll growth classrooms, upgrades and redevelopments & learning support satellite classrooms, administration blocks and gymnasiums. 

Note for editors

The projects beginning construction include:

This list excludes a small number of significant projects which will begin construction before the end of 2025, but cannot yet be named for a range of commercial reasons. The value of these projects is included in the $6 billion total. Announcements will be made about them in the coming weeks and months.

The Infrastructure for Growth update is here http://www.goingforgrowth.govt.nz/

Source: New Zealand Government

A new, state-of-the-art cardiac catheterisation lab is now operational at Tauranga Hospital, significantly improving access to diagnostic and treatment services across the region, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

The new lab replaces the hospital’s original suite, which had reached the end of its clinical life after delivering more than 1,200 procedures annually since opening in 2017. 

“With two state-of-the-art cath labs now in operation at the hospital, this is a major step forward for patients in the Bay of Plenty and surrounding communities. It future-proofs Tauranga’s ability to deliver more cardiac care, closer to home.

“Currently, some patients needing complex, non-surgical heart procedures must travel to Waikato or Auckland to receive treatment. This upgrade means more of those procedures can now be performed in Tauranga, giving people faster access to world-class treatment, closer to where they live.

“The modern facility now offers advanced imaging and diagnostic technology, improving clinical accuracy, enhancing safety, and reducing radiation exposure for both patients and staff.”

The lab will continue to provide a wide range of interventional services, including angiography, stenting, pacemaker insertion, electrophysiology, and endovascular aneurysm repair.

Initially, it will operate five sessions per week, with planning underway to increase this to ten. Once implemented, this will bring the total across both cath labs from 15 to 20 sessions per week.

“This upgrade means Tauranga Hospital is now better equipped to offer a wider range of procedures locally and play a stronger role within the coordinated regional system. It will enable Tauranga to take on more patients from areas such as Taupō and Rotorua, reducing referrals to other hospitals and easing pressure on their services as future planning progresses.

“As a result, Tauranga will be able to manage a larger share of the region’s demand, improving timely access to treatment and delivering better outcomes for patients across the region.

“We’re focused on making sure all New Zealanders, including those in Tauranga and across the central North Island, can access timely, quality healthcare when they need it. 

“Upgrades like this new cath lab are essential to achieving that goal, improving outcomes for patients and ensuring more people receive the care they need, closer to home,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is funding MetService to procure a new Nelson Tasman weather radar to improve severe weather monitoring and response in the region, Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced.  

“Following the recent devastating weather events in Nelson Tasman, our focus has been on supporting the region’s recovery whilst looking for opportunities to better prepare the community for future disasters,” Mr Meager says.  

“I’m pleased to confirm the Crown’s existing MetService contract will be varied to immediately begin the procurement of a new radar for the region. This is something the community has asked for, and it’s my hope the investment will give locals peace of mind over their individual and property safety in future events.

“Weather radars play an incredibly important role in emergency management once an event starts. They allow forecasters to monitor the progression of a storm, refine short-term forecasts and warnings, and provide specific guidance to emergency managers about the distribution and intensity of rainfall.” 

“Nelson Tasman has experienced several high-impact flooding events in recent years. Since 2011, there have been five states of emergency declared in the region,” Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell says. 

“Providing Nelson Tasman with a new weather radar will give emergency managers greater ability to monitor rainfall and flooding risk during a severe weather event, reducing the risk of loss of life and property.” 

A new radar has a capital cost of up to $5 million and ongoing operating costs of approximately $800,000 per annum. Immediate work will begin using existing MetService funding.

“In addition to the new weather radar, the Government has committed to strengthening the emergency management system to ensure it is fit for purpose to manage significant, widespread emergencies,” Mr Mitchell says.

“Investments in modern technology and trained personnel, along with clear governance structures and assurance, will ensure faster, more effective emergency management.”

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand has echoed international condemnation of malicious cyber activity by the Russian Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. 

“Russia’s hostile behaviour in cyberspace continues to threaten global cyber security and undermine agreed international rules and norms,” he says. 

Mr Peters’ comments follow UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s statement today that outlined a campaign of malicious cyber activity by Russia’s General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).

The GRU has undertaken sustained cyber attacks in support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and enables Russia’s destabilising activity worldwide.

“New Zealand stands with the UK in calling out this behaviour,” Mr Peters says.

The United Kingdom has exposed the role of the GRU’s cyber operations in real world events, including the 2018 Novichok poisonings in Salisbury and the bombing of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Today it has imposed sanctions on the units and individuals responsible.

“New Zealand supports international efforts to impose costs on those responsible for Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine,” Mr Peters says.

“New Zealand will continue to use the Russia Sanctions Act to hold the enablers of Russia’s military to account and press the Russian Government to end its unlawful and unjust war.

“New Zealand has already sanctioned some of the groups and individuals the United Kingdom has acted against today and officials are providing advice on whether further sanctions are appropriate.”

To date, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on more than 1,800 entities and individuals under the Russia Sanctions Act 2022, including the Head of the GRU and its cyberwarfare units 74455 and 26165, also known as Sandworm and Fancy Bear respectively.

Source: New Zealand Government

A cross-agency Anti-Corruption Taskforce pilot highlights the Government’s commitment to protecting public funds and upholding integrity across the state sector, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Public Service Minister Judith Collins say.

The taskforce is led by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), supported by NZ Police and the Public Service Commission, and brings together counter fraud and enforcement expertise to identify and combat corruption and fraud risks faced by the public sector. 

“The taskforce’s work will build a clearer intelligence picture of the threats that face our public sector. This is about taking proactive action to ensure our prevention and response system remains resilient and fit for purpose,” Mr Mitchell says.  

“The public sector accounts for a third of the economy and the pilot is a critical step in protecting and enhancing New Zealand’s reputation as an attractive place to invest.

“Every dollar of public funding counts, and preventing the unlawful taking of taxpayer money is something we take very seriously.”

Ms Collins says the taskforce supports the Government’s broader public integrity agenda.

“New Zealand is widely respected as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, and we intend to keep it that way,” Ms Collins says.

“By increasing transparency, identifying risks and encouraging ethical conduct across the public sector, this taskforce will help maintain trust in our institutions.

“Fighting corruption is not just about prosecution, it’s about leadership, accountability and promoting a culture of integrity.”

The taskforce will begin with a pilot project requiring a group of public sector agencies to assess their fraud and corruption prevention and detection systems. This will include reporting on offending detected and prevented, and the controls agencies have in place to protect public funds.

Participating agencies are the Department of Corrections, Land Information New Zealand, Inland Revenue, ACC, Ministry of Social Development and Sport New Zealand.

The pilot will inform the Government’s future approach to counter-fraud and corruption capability across the state sector, with a public report to be released following its completion.

The Anti-Corruption Taskforce follows the SFO’s launch of a national campaign to tackle Foreign Bribery and new online reporting platform for whistleblowers earlier this year, further strengthening New Zealand’s anti-corruption response.

More information about the Taskforce is available on the SFO’s website: https://www.sfo.govt.nz/fraud-and-corruption/what-we-do/anti-corruption-taskforce-pilot