Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 3, near the Narrows Road intersection, is blocked following a serious crash this afternoon.
Police were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 1:20pm.
Initial indicators suggest that there have been critical injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit has been notified, and the road will remain blocked while emergency services work at the scene.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible, and expect delays.
ENDS
Source: Radio New Zealand
A fallen tree blocks Homewood Road, in Riversdale, Wairarapa, after one of the storms in the last week of October. Photo: SUPPLIED/LDR
A spokesperson for insurer IAG described the region as having been ‘hit hard’, with claims in all four districts mostly relating to wind damage.
A total of 200 claims were made, with Masterton having the highest number at 60 – mostly from the weather event on 21 October. South Wairarapa was next highest at 56 claims, most from high winds on 23 October. Carterton property owners made 44 claims, and Tararua 40.
Damage to fences, gutters and sheds were most commonly reported.
A spokesperson for Carterton council confirmed a claim had been made for damage to the Wairarapa Event Centre’s roof in Carterton. The damage meant a change of venue for a dance performance had been necessary.
Spokespeople for South Wairarapa and Masterton councils said they did not intend to make claims, with council property sustaining only minimal damage.
While there was damage to council property in Tararua, the estimated repair costs were below the council’s insurance excess, and a claim was unlikely.
While Wairarapa had a large number of claims, a statement from IAG said the South Island had sustained the most significant damage.
AMI, State and NZI executive general manager for claims, Stephannie Ferris said the insurers had received more than 3,300 claims for weather and fire events in October. Claims were across home, contents, motor and commercial policies.
“From the significant, gale-force winds alone that mainly affected the Southland, Otago, Canterbury and Wellington regions, we have received 2209 claims,” she said.
For all claims, including non-wind related storm damage, Canterbury policy holders made 481 claims, Southland 1,129, Otago 615, and Wellington 570. Across the rest of New Zealand 566 claims were lodged.
“Most of the damage we have seen has been caused by wind damage,” she said.
“We’ve accepted claims for things like smashed windows and flying roofs.”
She said insurers were able to help with things like emergency temporary accommodation, payment support for customers staying with family or friends, and help with lodging claims.
For land damaged in the weather event, the insurers could also lodge a claim with the natural hazards commission as part of an insurance claim.
Ferris said general advice for people whose property is damaged during a storm or by flooding is to first ensure they and their whānau are safe.
After that, people need to make a claim as soon as they are able to. This is especially the case where homes become uninhabitable or temporary accommodation is needed.
People should not return to their homes or businesses until it’s safe to do so, she said.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 31 October 2025
DOC Southern South Island Operations Director Aaron Fleming says wild spring weather across Southland, Otago and Fiordland has led to slips, flooding and track damage across many of the region’s popular hiking locations and caution is required.
“Rangers have not yet been able to access and fully assess conditions in many areas due to ongoing severe weather and the vast area to cover,” Aaron says. “We’re asking people to think carefully before heading out and urge them be prepared to turn back or change their plans if needed.
“Naturing is about connecting with the outdoors, but that connection also means respecting nature’s power and knowing when to pause or change plans.”
Heavy snow and avalanche risk are key concerns, particularly on the alpine passes.
The Routeburn Track is partially closed, with the section between Routeburn Falls Hut and Lake MacKenzie Hut inaccessible due to waist-deep snow and significant avalanche danger.
The Milford Track, which opened two weeks later than scheduled due to avalanche damage earlier this month, will now be delayed by a further week because of ongoing avalanche risk following recent snowfall.
The opening date for the Milford Track is now expected to be 19 November. The Kepler Track is expected to be inaccessible between Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn Hut for up to a week due to avalanche risk, and has also been affected by flooding in low-lying areas.
Booked hikers affected by the closures will be contacted and offered refunds. In some cases (such as the Routeburn), alternative options may be available, and DOC staff will discuss these directly with walkers when they get in touch.
Conditions and the weather are changing quickly, so visitor patience is appreciated as DOC staff work through contacting customers ahead of their planned walks.
In southern Fiordland, the Hump Ridge Track has also sustained some storm damage however is fully open.
There is also damage to tracks and infrastructure in other parts of the region, including the Catlins, Forest Hill Scenic Reserve, and a large slip on the Dart Track in Mount Aspiring National Park.
“Our teams are trained and ready to carry out the necessary repair and avalanche control work, but we need a break in the weather to get in safely,” says Aaron.
Safety for both staff and visitors remains our top priority. We will directly contact booked hikers if any further delays or disruptions are expected.
“We want to get these tracks safe and repaired as quickly as possible. Teams have been out this week making repairs where they can, and we’re bringing in more people and resources as weather conditions improve.”
Visitors are advised to check the DOC website for the latest track alerts before setting out.
DOC will provide another update on the impacted Great Walks on Friday 7 November.
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Government
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay joined their Singaporean and Chilean counterparts today to launch negotiations for the Green Economy Partnership Agreement (GEPA) in the Republic of Korea.
“New Zealand, Singapore, and Chile have a proud history of shared leadership in developing innovative trade agreements to drive integration and economic growth in our region,” Mr McClay says.
“This agreement is an opportunity to work together to position our businesses to seize trade and investment opportunities in the growing global green economy, the value of which is estimated to more than quintuple to US$11 trillion by 2040.”
The agreement will boost trade and investment and will involve the partners working together on issues like environmental credit markets, sustainable finance and investment, green goods and services, sustainable agriculture and food systems and low and zero emissions fuel alternatives.
“New Zealand is committed to meeting its climate targets, and this innovative agreement will help drive our transition to a greener, more resilient economy,” Mr McClay says.
Negotiations are set to begin immediately and will continue into 2026. The launch closely follows the signature of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Singapore on 10 October and the agreement will be a flagship initiative under the Climate Change and Green Economy, and Trade and Economics pillars.
It also comes after successful Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and bilaterals this week.
“In an increasingly fragmented and unpredictable international trading landscape, APEC remains a leading platform for international dialogue on trade and economic issues.
“Trade with APEC economies constitutes around 75 per cent of New Zealand’s exports, and accounts for about 60 per cent of global GDP.
“Meeting with important trading partners presented a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties with key economic partners and advance the interests of New Zealand exporters.”
Source: Radio New Zealand
Canterbury Student Army volunteers pitched in to help. Photo: SUPPLIED/LDR
A West Coast community group has joined forces with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to reopen a historic tramway and restore one of the region’s best-loved day walks, connecting Hector and Seddonville.
The southern half of the popular Charming Creek Walkway, about 45km north of Westport, has been closed by multiple slips since 2019.
DOC’s regional director Owen Kilgour told the West Coast (Tai Poutini) Conservation Board this month that the route could never reopen.
It was a tough call to make, but there were now 19 slips on the track, and it could not be made safe, he said.
“It’s a damn shame — but the community has picked the ball up.
“They’ve got volunteers keen to open up the old tramway route that runs through to Hector and we are working with that group on a community agreement.”
Community Action Northern Buller (CANB) co-ordinator Jo Douglas, told Local Democracy Reporting that local people mourning their favourite walk had been hunting around for an alternative route for some time.
“Some of them had been tramping around looking for options since 2019 when the track first closed.
“DOC did try to reopen it, but a digger got buried in a slip — it’s still there.
“It’s really dangerous, some people still walk there even though it’s closed, and it looks benign but it’s not.
“Even 50 metres from the entrance there are trees hanging over the track, and a massive slump just waiting to come down.”
About 40 years ago, when she was a possum hunter, Ms Douglas heard about another old track up to the old Watsons mill site, that came down onto the northern half of the track, just after the swing bridge.
“It’s a tramway, used to haul timber – at least a hundred years old. A few people knew about, but all the access points were on private land, and previous owners didn’t want people tracking over their property.”
But new owners Heather and Lewis Holland had supported the idea of restoring the old tramway, and an online survey by CANB had drawn an enthusiastic response, not just from locals but people in Christchurch and Nelson who were keen to help and had joined up as members.
Landowner Heather Holland directs the first working bee on new track. Photo: SUPPLIED/LDR
DOC had agreed it was feasible to reopen the tramway but was concerned to protect some parts of it, Ms Douglas said.
“Quite a lot of it is still intact.
“Bridges and tunnels have fallen but we can divert around them. The biggest problem will be that it goes through an ecological zone country with rare trees like yellow pine, that has a really high form of protection.”
For that reason and to preserve heritage, the new southern half of the track would have to be for trampers only, not cyclists, she said.
The access route was steep in places, and the tramway had a steady incline, climbing to 200 metres above sea level, staying above the risk of landslides.
The group had begun cutting the new track through the private land access and had invited search and rescue workers to inspect it, Ms Douglas said.
“We’re mostly retired people, so there’s plenty of opportunity for us to cark it one way or other or come to grief so we needed to know if we can be rescued,” she joked.
“But I can get up there with sticks, on my bad knees – so it’s no problem for younger fit people.”
LandSAR confirmed the track was wide enough for a wheelie stretcher, but they would have to rope and belay a patient in some places, Ms Douglas said.
LandSar volunteers check out the route for stretcher ops. Photo: SUPPLIED/LDR
DOC had no money for new tracks and had costed the new 4 kilometre route at $40,000.
The volunteers would be saving DOC that cost but would still need to raise about half that amount for predator control and Good Nature traps, as part of their agreement with DOC, Ms Douglas said.
Since May the volunteers had put in nearly 900 hours of work and if all went as planned, the route from Hector to Seddonville should be open again by the end of next year, she said.
“We do want to celebrate the history of the place, the early pioneers, the Watsons, but also want to write about our experience of doing it because it is a journey in itself and will also be history in another 20 years.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Autism NZ Education Hub will open in Term 3 2026 as a charter school.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. Today’s announcement demonstrates the innovation enabled by the charter school model,” Mr Seymour says.
“Autism NZ Education Hub will give another option to autistic and neurodivergent secondary school students who have struggled with traditional schooling. It will be sponsored by Autism NZ and operate from campuses in Wellington and Auckland.
“Students’ days will follow a personalised plan built around their strengths, interests, and needs. Core education will be balanced with development of life skills and social-emotional learning.
“The goal is to get students benefitting from in class education. It will utilise online and community-based learning as ways to transition students back into the classroom, learning face-to-face.
“When it comes to education, one size does not fit all.
“It is estimated there are at least 3,900 autistic students in years 9-13 in Auckland and Wellington. National data suggests there is disproportionately high and chronic absence and school rejection among neurodivergent and disabled students, particularly in secondary years.
“The 2023 Education Review Office review on Alternative Education highlighted this concern. Autism New Zealand has relentlessly advocated for efforts to better understand and address these inequalities.
“Providing more education options for whānau is essential to ensuring that every young person can access an education that supports their individual needs. The Autism New Zealand Education Hub represents a meaningful step forward for autistic learners and their families. We appreciate the support of the Charter School Agency in helping bring this vision to life,” Dane Dougan, the CE of Autism New Zealand says.
“Charter schools show education can be different if we let communities bring their ideas to the table,” Mr Seymour says.
“These schools have more flexibility in return for strictly measured results.
“The charter school equation is: the same funding as state schools, plus greater flexibility plus stricter accountability for results, equals student success.
“There are more ideas in the communities of New Zealand than there are in the Government. That’s why we open ideas to the wider community, then apply strict performance standards to the best ones.
“It will join the five new charter schools announced in the last couple of weeks which will open in 2026. This takes the total number of charter schools to 17. We expect more new charter schools to be announced before the end of the year, along with the first state schools to convert.
“I want to thank the Charter School Agency and Authorisation Board for the work they have done getting charters open. They considered 52 applicants for new charter schools. This year they tell me the choices were very difficult.
“This is just the beginning. I hope to see many more new charter schools opening, and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools.”
Source: Press Release Service
Headline: Celebrating 30 Years of Curves: Women Empowering Women Around the World
This year marks a major milestone for Curves – the iconic women’s fitness franchise that has helped millions of women around the world reclaim their strength, their health, and their voice.
We’re celebrating nearly 30 years of impact, with a renewed commitment to community-centered wellness under the leadership of our new CEO and President, Kim McQueen.
The post Celebrating 30 Years of Curves: Women Empowering Women Around the World first appeared on PR.co.nz.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash on Tamaki Drive on 22 October.
He was Sean James Cleary, 61, of Point Chevalier.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
The family of the deceased ask for privacy as they grieve their loved one.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
ENDS.
Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Government
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has announced two new appointments to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Board, alongside a new Deputy Chair and two reappointments.
“The Government is focused on delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response. It is the Commission’s role to hold the Government to account to ensure we are delivering those results,” Mr Doocey says.
“Dr Barbara Disley, a current board member, has been appointed Deputy Chair for a five-year term. Hayden Wano continues as Chair of the Commission.
“The two new members who have been appointed are Josiah Tualamali’i and Rae Lamb.
“There are also two existing members that have been reappointed who are Professor Sunny Collings and Tuari Potiki.
“Wayne Langford continues his term as a member.
“I want to acknowledge outgoing board members Kevin Hague and Alexander El Amanni for their significant contributions to the Commission during their terms.”
“As leaders in mental health and wellbeing, the Commission’s board members are powerful advocates for ensuring services meet the needs of New Zealanders. It is great to have such strong mental health advocates bringing specialist expertise and diverse perspectives to the table.”
Note to editor:
Hayden Wano has over 40 years’ health sector experience including in the areas of mental health, community services and medical services.
Dr Barbara Disley has been in a number of leadership roles in the mental health sector since the 1990s and has an in-depth understanding of mental health and addiction services.
Josiah Tualamali’i has substantial frontline youth advocacy experience, particularly from a Pacific perspective. He has served on many different groups and Boards for mental health.
Rae Lamb has extensive governance and senior leadership experience and has expert knowledge of health, disability, and aged care services.
Sunny Collings has a background as a researcher and clinician, having practiced as a Consultant Psychiatrist for over 25 years. She is currently the Chief Executive of the Health Quality and Safety Commission.
Tuari Potiki has experience in the Māori health, mental health, education, and justice sectors. He has worked in a number of different roles as a Māori alcohol and drug clinician and tutor before moving into public and non-government leadership roles.
Wayne Langford brings extensive experience as a board member for several organisations supporting mental health – particularly for rural and remote communities.
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is increasing and extending the Crown Liquidity Facility (CLF) that it provides to the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited (LGFA) to support local government sector borrowing, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
The CLF assists LGFA to secure competitively priced financing for local authorities by assuring lenders the agency has sufficient tools to manage exceptional circumstances such as global financial market disruptions.
The facility was established in December 2011 when LGFA was created and has never been drawn on.
Nicola Willis says the facility is being increased from $1.5 billion to $3 billion and its term extended from December 2031 to June 2037.
“The changes will enable the agency to continue to secure competitively priced financing which supports the delivery of critical infrastructure and public services. The increase takes effect today.”
Notes to editors:
LGFA is the largest lender to New Zealand’s local government sector, with approximately 80 per cent market share of annual sector borrowing and has loans outstanding to councils and Council-Controlled Organisations of $23.4 billion. The Crown owns 20% of the paid up capital of LGFA and thirty councils own the remaining 80%.
The establishment of the LGFA was driven in part by the experience of councils during the Global Financial Crisis when access to finance became more challenging. LGFA has provided certainty of access to long dated financing for the local government sector since it was established.
A facility fee paid by LGFA for the CLF covers the cost of the extra liquidity held on the Crown’s books to support local government borrowing, meaning the provision of the facility does not have a significant cost to the Crown.