NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is strengthening plant variety rights (PVR) to protect investments underpinning high‑value exports, regional jobs and global demand for New Zealand produce, Trade and Investment and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer say.

“High‑value horticulture relies on years, often decades, of breeding, testing and commercialisation. Strengthening the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 gives New Zealand the intellectual property settings it needs to compete internationally, protect our investment and grow export returns,” Mr Brewer says.

“From drought-resistant grass seed that benefits pastoral farmers, to higher-yielding and better-tasting produce for New Zealanders and our export markets, these changes will provide vital support for growers,” Mr McClay says.

“In 2024, 75 per cent of the $3.5 billion in export returns from kiwifruit and an estimated 55 per cent of the $979 million in export returns from apples came from plant variety rights‑protected varieties. This shows the vital contribution that new plant varieties make to growing export earnings and taking us closer to New Zealand’s ambitious goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years.

“A successful sector means thriving communities, economic growth, secure jobs and a prosperous economy.”

“Zespri’s projections show that extending the PVR term by five years for SunGold Kiwifruit alone would mean additional revenue of around $1.8 billion over five years from the time of the extension, to the kiwifruit industry and the Biosecurity Science Institute,” Mr Brewer says.

“Growers will also benefit from additional returns as PVR varieties maintain their market value for longer, allowing growers to continue to build high value demand ahead of supply.

“Directly and indirectly we all benefit when our domestic growers are thriving. 

“Breeding and importing new varieties can be a long, expensive and uncertain process. Breeders and importers take a significant risk, and we need to ensure they are supported in this process.”

The Government is also restoring provisional protection, so breeders are covered from day one of their rights application instead of when it is granted.

“This means plant breeders can take immediate legal action if new varieties are stolen and commercially exploited during the application process, which can take up to five years and sometimes much longer,” Mr Brewer says.

“By providing greater certainty and support, we are empowering plant breeders to keep innovating – driving economic growth and ensuring New Zealand remains competitive on the world stage,” Mr McClay says.

“The National-led Government is fixing the basics and building the future by making common-sense changes for industry that help support more opportunities for New Zealanders.” Mr Brewer says.

Source: New Zealand Police

All roads led to the impound lot for a driver who performed a burnout in front of Whangārei Police.

At around 10pm on 2 May, Police were monitoring a group of car enthusiasts who had gathered at the Okara Shopping Centre.

Sergeant Shawn Parker, of the Whangārei Youth Crime Unit, says officers were speaking with youths in the area when one of the vehicles left the meet.

“A white Honda Accord exited the carpark and performed a burnout through multiple gears along the road,” Sergeant Parker says.

“The driver appeared to be unaware Police were nearby.”

The vehicle returned to the gathering a short time later, where it was stopped by officers.

The driver was arrested, and his vehicle was subsequently impounded.

Sergeant Parker says the incident serves as a reminder that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Illegal street activity puts not only those involved at risk, but also members of the public. In this case, there were young people nearby when the offending occurred.

“Drivers who engage in this behaviour can expect enforcement action, including having their vehicle impounded and facing the courts.”

A 26-year-old man will appear in Whangārei District Court on 27 May, charged with operating a motor vehicle with sustained loss of traction.

ENDS.

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Ten new forensic inpatient beds at Waikato Hospital have been officially opened today by Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey, a step forward in improving access to specialist mental health support.

“Opening more mental health beds is a commitment made by the Government in its plan to deliver faster access to support,” Mr Doocey says.

“Last year we announced almost $51 million to help those with acute mental health and addiction needs access specialist forensic services. That included the 10 new beds opened today and eight new step-down beds in the Midland Region.

“This responds to the growing demand on our forensic services. We know people in the corrections system have higher mental health and addiction needs than the general population, and there needs to be enough beds to adequately care for those who need them.

“Currently, around 13 per cent of the region’s prison population is on the forensic mental health caseload, one of the highest rates nationally. These extra beds will help ease that load.

“I am always very clear that both patient and public safety must be paramount. By getting those in our forensic system the support they need, we can help ensure this is the case. This expansion will help improve access to treatment and strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration pathways.

“The investment also included a new community wrap-around support service to assist people transitioning from prison back into the community, as well as a workforce development fund aimed at growing and retaining specialist forensic clinicians and support workers. Both initiatives are expected to begin shortly.

“I recently announced that four of the new community-based forensic step-down beds have opened ahead of schedule for the region, following a partnership between Ember and Health NZ.

“I listened to frontline staff, as well as patients and mental health professionals, and directed that funding for eight new beds be brought forward over two years, rather than the four years originally planned.

“Community based step-down beds free up inpatient beds for people who really need them and form part of a step-by-step care system, allowing patients to move gradually from higher support to less supervision. 

“I want to acknowledge the dedication of the regional forensic frontline workforce and our community organisations. Their work is essential to improving outcomes within the community.”

Source: New Zealand Government

The Minister for Regulation and the Attorney‑General have today issued joint statutory guidance to support consistent application of the Regulatory Standards Act 2025 (the Act) across government.

“We’re showing voters who is responsible for putting costs on them and why. Better information means more informed choices at the voting booth. That’s important for the future of New Zealand,” Mr Seymour says. 

“Statutory guidance issued today will show government agencies how to comply with the Act’s new transparency requirements. From July any Minister introducing a Bill to the house must also provide a Consistency Accountability Statement (CAS), which will published. The CAS will show whether proposed laws are consistent with the principles of good regulation in the Act, and if not, Ministers must explain why not.”

The guidance outlines expectations and best practice in relation to:

• how the principles of responsible regulation should be applied
• how to review proposed or existing legislation for consistency with the principles of responsible regulation
• the content and presentation of consistency accountability statements
• how to prepare, publish, carry out, and report on plans for review of existing legislation.

“From July we are also replacing Regulatory Impact Statements (RIS) with shorter and sharper Regulatory Analysis Summaries (RAS). RISs could be over 100 pages of fluff. RASs will be less than 20 pages and more focussed on cost benefit analysis. To ensure the quality of the analyses, RASs will be quality assured by an independent panel,” Mr Seymour says. 

“Bad regulations have real consequences for real people. People work hard to earn their livelihood. Now there is scrutiny for people who ruin it with bad regulations.”

“The guidance was developed in close cooperation with the Parliamentary Counsel Office and the Crown Law Office. It reflects the Crown’s understanding of the legal effect of the principles of responsible regulation as set out in the Act,” Attorney‑General Chris Bishop says.

“Good regulation should be necessary, proportionate, and effective. The guidance helps agencies apply those principles in practice.” 

The full guidance can be found here: https://www.regulation.govt.nz/about-us/our-publications/guidance-issued-under-section-26-of-the-regulatory-standards-act-2025/

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is asking people to pause and do a quick check before buying food through social media platforms to make sure it’s safe for them and their families.

“We know shopping for food online through non-traditional avenues is becoming increasingly popular and that people enjoy the selection and convenience this provides,” say New Zealand Food Safety acting deputy director-general Jenny Bishop.

“It’s up to sellers to identify and manage all the risks associated with their products and that’s no different when it comes to food sold through social media.

“However, consumers can’t be expected to know all the rules involved in selling food, especially for online sales where they can’t immediately interact with the seller.

“There are a few steps you can take to make sure you are safe before buying.”

Here’s a few things to look at before you place an order: 

Before you buy, check: 

• Ask if the seller is registered under the Food Act if they need to be. Note, if you are buying from homebased cake makers, they do not need to be registered.  
• Can you tell what’s in the food (including any allergens), how it’s prepared, and how it’s been stored?  
• Does the food look cleanly presented and consistently prepared? For instance, is there a clear picture of the label and/ or product information?
• Will it arrive at the right temperature (for example, hot if it’s hot, chilled, or frozen if it’s meant to be frozen)? 

“If you suspect that the food is unsafe, contact the seller with your concerns, as it helps improve food safety and prevents future harm. 

“You should be able to easily contact the seller to ask them these questions, and as always if the answer doesn’t feel right, do not buy it,” says Ms Bishop.

People can also report unsafe food to New Zealand Food Safety by making a food complaint.

“If you have doubts you want to follow up it helps to take a photo for when you contact the seller or report the issue.”

Find out how to make a food complaint

Learn more about buying food safely online