Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Young Pacific people will have the opportunity to enter New Zealand’s growing $750 million gaming sector through Game On, a programme to support them into the industry, Pacific Peoples Minister Dr Shane Reti says.

“Game On will support up to 57 Pacific youth to turn their interest in gaming into real employment opportunities in an industry facing ongoing skill shortages,” says Dr Reti. “It will open doors and create long term opportunities for our Pacific communities.” 

Game On is delivered in partnership with NGO The Cause Collective, MSD’s Tupu Toa, industry leader PikPok and the New Zealand Game Developers Association.  

The Ministry for Pacific Peoples will be the key funder, investing $1 million over four years, matched by industry partners. 

“Young Pacific people bring creativity, fresh perspectives and strong collaborative strengths to industries like gaming and technology,” Dr Reti says.  

Through school outreach, studio visits, mentoring and internships, Game On will support Pacific learners explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers in real studio environments.  

Dr Reti says: “Game On builds on the Ministry’s wider work to improve Pacific outcomes in STEM – another way the Government is fixing the basics and building the future.

“Game On extends the reach of the Toloa programme and gives studios access to diverse Pacific talent.” 

The first cohort will begin their training in July 2026. 

Source: New Zealand Police

A dangerous driver who allegedly stole a car and drove it through Albany while intoxicated is now facing a raft of charges.

Late last night, Police were notified a vehicle had been stolen from Channel View Road, Takapuna.

Waitematā East Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant CJ Miles, says Police then spotted the vehicle travelling north on Wairau Road at about 1am this morning.

“Units, including the Police Eagle helicopter, have flooded the area, however the vehicle wasn’t located.

“But just a short time later, the vehicle was seen on Albany Expressway driving erratically and at more than twice the posted speed limit.”

Senior Sergeant Miles says Eagle observed the vehicle driving dangerously, crossing onto the wrong side of the road and at excessive speed.

“The vehicle has continued travelling through the Albany area before eventually coming to a dead-end street at St Andrews Way where it appeared the driver was attempting to take another vehicle.

“Police arrived quickly and took the man into custody without further incident,” she says.

Breath alcohol procedures were carried out and the man was allegedly over the legal driving limit.

“It’s extremely lucky no one was injured or seriously hurt as a result of this reckless behaviour.

“It’s clear he had little regard for anyone else and I’m pleased we could put a stop to this before anyone else was put at risk.”

A 25-year-old man will appear in North Shore District Court today charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and driving with excess breath alcohol.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  05 March 2026

This statement can be attributed to Bec Rush, Mainland Auckland Operations Manager, DOC:

The Shepherd’s beaked whale that was refloated near St Heliers in Auckland on Tuesday 3 March was found deceased on the afternoon of Wednesday 4 March off Hobsonville.

It is unusual for a deep-water species of whale to be found close to shore – it’s often a sign it is injured or sick.

We have taken tissue samples for scientific analysis and are working alongside mana whenua to remove the remains from the current spot to a suitable burial site.

Thank you to everyone involved this week including Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Paoa, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Project Jonah and Massey University, and the volunteers and public who have been a great support.

If you spot a stranded or entangled whale, dolphin or other sea animal, please immediately call the Department of Conservation emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Species background

This statement can be attributed to Dave Lundquist, Senior Marine Science Advisor, DOC:

The Shepherd’s beaked whale is found only in the Southern Hemisphere, with most records in and around New Zealand.

They are one of 13 species of beaked whale known from New Zealand, a world biodiversity hotspot for the group.

They are unique amongst beaked whales in having functional teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.

The Shepherd’s beaked whale status in New Zealand is Data Deficient, as we do not know how many of these animals there are, nor whether that number is increasing or decreasing over time.

We have records of 38 Shepherd’s beaked whales stranding in New Zealand, as well as 11 sightings of groups of whales seen live at sea.

Strandings have occurred all around the country, from Cape Reinga out to the Chathams and down to Stewart Island, indicating they likely have a widespread distribution throughout New Zealand waters.

Most of the live sightings are associated with offshore underwater canyon systems, for example off Kaikoura and Otago, in relatively deep waters typically used by beaked whales.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Government

The Bluff oyster season is open, with a cautionary approach and after careful assessment of the fishery, Oceans and Fisheries Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft says.

A pre-season survey by Fisheries New Zealand found that although, like last year, 2026 was likely to be a challenging season, there were good numbers of new oysters beginning to grow to larger sizes, Ms Marcroft says.

“Careful management will be required this season with issues such as disease and environmental pressures impacting oyster abundance and condition but there’s encouraging signs as well.

“Early results from the annual survey show that these issues are still present in the fishery and careful science-based fisheries management remains vital to safeguarding the fishery’s future.”

Fisheries New Zealand conducts the Bluff oyster survey before the start of the season each year to assess the status of the fishery including oyster size, abundance and disease prevalence. 

The survey’s preliminary results have found that there is little oyster mortality and large numbers of small oysters in the areas of the fishery. This is similar to last year’s findings. 

“Fisheries New Zealand officials have been working with local oyster fishers on plans to protect areas with large numbers of small oysters, and set a conservative catch level,” Ms Marcroft says.

“Bluff oyster fishers have faced tough conditions in recent years and I’m thankful for their collaboration and research that forms the bedrock of this work.”

Bluff oysters have been fished for more than 150 years and are some of New Zealand’s most treasured kaimoana. As well as employing oyster fishers directly, Bluff oysters support the local tourism industry and are a delicacy enjoyed nationwide. 

“Fisheries New Zealand will work with oyster fishers over the first few weeks of the season to continue to assess oyster beds for quality and health to ensure what they are seeing aligns with the survey results,” Ms Marcroft says.

“I’ve been steadfast in my support for New Zealand’s oyster industry and have been deeply concerned about the issues both Mahurangi oyster farmers in the north and Bluff oyster fishers in the south have been facing.”

The Bluff oyster season is open from 1 March to 31 August each year but may end earlier depending on conditions in the fishery.

The full survey will be presented to the Shellfish Working Group in May, and the report will be made publicly available in November.

Source: New Zealand Police

Ahead of a major recruitment activation and partnership with Round the Bays in Auckland this Sunday, Police are announcing more recruit wings are coming to Auckland. 

Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers says at Round the Bays last year the Commissioner announced a new campus in Auckland offering senior courses and recruit wings.

“A year on that campus is already a huge success – especially for recruit training,” she says.

“We can now confirm our third Wing at the RNZPC Auckland Campus will start on 29 June, and we are planning more for next year.”

Deputy Commissioner Rogers says Police heard feedback from the recruits that graduated from the Auckland Campus last year about what a great experience it was.

“They’ve raved about the benefits of being close to family, the quality of the facilities, the tight knit group they built and how smooth their transition into district was after training was complete,” says Deputy Commissioner Rogers.

“Many of our Auckland recruits are more established and have families, they’ve told us their dream of becoming a police officer wouldn’t have been possible without the RNZPC Auckland Campus.”

Providing recruits the opportunity to train closer to home continues to be a drawcard, with the RNZPC Auckland Campus supporting efforts to grow the Police workforce, especially in priority recruitment areas of Tāmaki Makaurau and Northland. 

“We’re also open to offering spaces on the Auckland Wing to those interested in relocating to support them in their move.

“Wings in Auckland are limited, and capped to a maximum of 40 recruits, so don’t hesitate,” Deputy Commissioner Rogers says.

“If you are ready to start your training for one of the most rewarding careers there is, come visit the Police recruitment activation at Round the Bays or apply now at New Cops.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have this morning arrested and charged a man following a serious assault in Marychurch Road, Mātangi over the weekend.

Inspector Andrea McBeth, Hamilton City Area Commander says a 24-year-old patched Black Power member has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He is due to appear in the Hamilton District Court tomorrow.

“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will ensure that in any case, offenders will be held accountable.

“We understand the frustration of residents where we are seeing anti-social road user behaviour, and for these people to go one step further and attack people trying to speak with them, is unacceptable.

“We are extremely lucky that we are not dealing with more serious consequences here. There is zero tolerance for this violent offending.”

Police continue to investigate this attack which left two people with serious injuries.

“Further arrests are likely,” says McBeth.

If you have any information that could assist Police, you can contact us via 105 either over the phone or online, referencing file number 260301/0526.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Two new appointments have been made to the nominating committee for the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, alongside two reappointments, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

Experienced corporate leaders Tim Mitchell and Juliet Tainui-Hernandez have been appointed.

Committee Chair Michelle Tsui, and committee member Mark Butcher have been reappointed to their roles from August 1 this year.

The committee identifies and recommends highly qualified candidates for the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Board which oversees the NZ Super Fund and the Elevate NZ Venture Capital Fund.

“Tim Mitchell brings strategic oversight, recruitment expertise, and a strong understanding of the NZ Super Fund’s governance framework, alongside global investment community connections to identify effective governance candidates,” Nicola Willis says.

“Juliet Tainui-Hernandez is an internationally connected executive leader with 25 years’ experience in legal and financial services. She has governance, risk management, sustainability, and human capability expertise.”

Mr Mitchell’s and Mrs Tainui-Hernandez’s terms began on 1 March this year.

Ms Tsui has been on the committee since 2018 and Chair since August last year.

Mr Butcher has served on the committee since May 2018.

Source: New Zealand Police

Hokitika Police have arrested and charged a man following a burglary last week in Hokitika.

On Thursday 26 February, Police received a report from a local contractor that items had been stolen from their site.

The following day, a Police unit saw a man driving a vehicle that was known to be pink stickered. The driver was signalled to stop, however he failed to do so and fled.

Police did not pursue the vehicle, instead conducted area enquiries which led to locating the vehicle abandoned on Adairs Road, before the driver soon returned and was arrested.

During a search of the vehicle and the very near vicinity, officers located a number of items including those that were reported stolen the day before.

West Coast Area Commander, Inspector Jacqui Corner says this was a great quick catch by local staff.

“I would like to commend the officers involved in this arrest – their attention to detail in noticing the vehicle that was not supposed to be on the road, is what has led to this quick result.

“I am also very pleased that we were able to return the stolen goods to their rightful owner and hold the alleged offender to account,” says Inspector Corner.

The 57-year-old man is due to appear in Greymouth District Court on 25 March, facing a range of charges related to driving offences and receiving stolen goods.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand and Chile have signed an arrangement to boost agricultural cooperation and drive sector success, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.

“Agriculture is at the heart of the New Zealand and Chilean economies. We have similar farming systems, similar geographies, and both advocate for open, rules-based trade,” Mr McClay says.

“The new Strategic Agricultural Arrangement 2026 – 2030 signals our strong commitment to working together and strengthening our agricultural relationship.

“Key features of the arrangement include encouraging regional and global collaboration and developing our people. We will work together to exchange expertise, promote and advance sustainable agricultural development, undertake important research and innovation, and build climate resilience.”

Last year New Zealand and Chile marked 80 years of diplomatic relations, and two-way trade reached $342.94 million in the year ending September 2025.
 

“The new arrangement will enable New Zealand and Chile to seize agricultural opportunities, tackle shared challenges, and ultimately achieve more together,” Mr McClay says.

“This Government is laser-focused on building the future, boosting returns for farmers, growers, producers and exporters, growing the economy and driving prosperity for New Zealanders.”

The arrangement was signed by Mr McClay and Chile’s Minister of Agriculture Dr. Ignacia Fernández.

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a report of a crash on Shenandoah Highway.

Police were called to the crash involving a single vehicle about midday.

Initial reports indicate two people with moderate injuries are being assessed by Ambulance.

Shenandoah Highway / State Highway 65 is currently closed between Awapiriti and Maruia West Bank Roads.

Police ask motorists to avoid the area where possible and expect delays. Visit NZTA’s Journey Planner site for updates on traffic flow.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre