NZ Engine

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  05 August 2025

The 34-bunk hut was formally opened yesterday morning (4 August) as part of a small ceremony which also marked the official completion of an eight-month build project, which has been several years in the planning.

The new Pouākai Hut is part of the Taranaki Crossing project, a partnership involving DOC, Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (Kānoa), Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and hapū which has also seen several of tracks across Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki upgraded. The Taranaki Crossing is funded by the Provincial Growth Fund ($16.4 million), which is administered by Kānoa. Additional funding to support the project has been provided by DOC ($5.2 million).

The unique hut design is a result of collaboration between representatives from Ngā Mahanga a Tāiri and architects familiar with alpine hut design and construction.

Richard Buttimore, of Ngā Mahanga a Tāiri, says: “Hapū representatives have valued the collaborative partnership with DOC on the design and build of the new Pouākai Hut.

“It has reflected the agreed values for this kaupapa, respecting Pouākai the tupuna, the environment and the whenua – ensuring our ongoing manaaki for the day and overnight visitors who will use this beautiful new hut.

“To see the hut develop from initial ideas and plans, to now be completed and ready to welcome visitors represents a shared vision brought to reality.”

Tinaka Mearns, DOC’s Hauraki-Waikato-Taranaki Regional Director, says the new Pouākai Hut represents a major milestone in the Taranaki Crossing project.

“We’re so pleased to have completed this part of the project, as it’s the most popular hut in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki,” Tinaka says.

“The previous Pouākai Hut was at the end of its life, and the new structure is more than double the size of its predecessor – so it’s a big improvement for visitors.”

Tinaka says the construction of the hut presented some challenging logistics – including the need to fly materials and tradespeople to the site.

“I’m proud of the efficiency and smart thinking the project team has shown to finish the build – constructing a hut on the side of a mountain, where there’s no road, is not an easy feat.

“The construction team has done a terrific job: their skill and dedication to the build has been superb, including living on-site for extended periods.

The hut is expected to be back on the DOC booking system and available to visitors on 12 August.

Special thanks to Dulux for providing paint. Dulux and the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) have been working in partnership since 2013.

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Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

EIT is set to deliver its Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) in Tairāwhiti for the first-time next year, giving local students the opportunity to train as Early Childhood teachers without leaving the region.

The move follows two years of offering the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) in Tairāwhiti. It comes in response to strong demand from students and early childhood centres for a degree-level qualification that leads to teacher registration.

Zac Anderson, EIT’s Head of School: Education and Social Sciences, said the feedback from stakeholders made it clear that more was needed beyond the diploma.

“Educational outcomes and employment opportunities were limited for graduates who only completed Level 5. They couldn’t become registered teachers, which meant fewer pathways.”

The first year of the diploma is identical to the first year of the degree, allowing students to exit early if needed or continue on toward registration.

From next year, EIT will offer both the first and second years of the degree in Tairāwhiti, with current diploma students already indicating they want to continue.

“The vast majority of diploma students go on to complete the full degree. That’s what we’ve seen in Taradale, and we believe the same will happen in Tairāwhiti,” Zac said.

The Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) is delivered in a field-based model, with students spending two days a week on campus and three days in an early childhood centre.

“It’s the best of both worlds for the students and the centres. They’re working with people from their own community and supporting them to become qualified teachers.”

She said early childhood centres in the region had already expressed strong support.

“I visited six centres in Gisborne last week and every single one was excited. They could already think of staff or people in their community who would benefit. This kind of access hasn’t existed before.”

Zac said that until now, people in the region wanting to study early childhood education at degree level have mostly had to learn online through other institutions.

“That doesn’t work for everyone. Our degree is unique, practical and field-based.”

She said the degree includes local pūrākau and regional content to ensure it reflects the communities students are based in.

“We’re embedding place-based learning. That means connecting with local stories, iwi, and te ao Māori in a way that reflects the students’ surroundings and centre environment.”

The teaching team is growing to meet demand, with close collaboration between the Taradale and Tairāwhiti campuses to ensure a strong, cohesive experience for students.

“There’ll be block courses, combined noho marae, and online sessions that bring the cohorts together.”

Zac said interest from students has already been encouraging.

“Having a strong, supportive peer group makes a big difference. Students learn so much from each other, and the sector is crying out for qualified staff.”

She added that employment outcomes for EIT’s ECE graduates have been strong.

“We’ve had close to 100 percent employment for ECE graduates in Taradale. We expect no different in Tairāwhiti. It’s a great career pathway; young or old, anyone is welcome.”

Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart, Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science, said: “The expansion of delivery of EIT’s Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) into Tairāwhiti reflects our commitment to making high-quality teacher education more accessible to communities across the East Coast”.

“Early childhood educators play a vital role in shaping the foundations for lifelong learning, and we are committed to supporting the development of passionate, skilled professionals who will make a lasting impact in the lives of tamariki and whānau.”

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

5 August 2025

Check out our latest guidance and resources to help you ensure a healthy and safe work environment for you and your workers.

In this edition of the work-related health newsletter:

• WorkSafe’s regulatory approach
• Asbestos surveyors’ guidance
• Managing psychosocial risks at work
• Using insecticides safely
• Restricted entry intervals for hazardous substances
• Leptospirosis learning modules
• Managing risks from dusts in construction
• Mining and quarrying health risks
• Survivors recount toxic gas ordeal at landfill pit
• New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards winner
• Occupational health and hygiene journal article
• HASANZ scholarships
• Conferences and events

Read the full newsletter(external link)

Source: New Zealand Government

Northland’s economic future is on display with significant developments either underway or on the near horizon, Rail Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones say.

“The burgeoning energy, export and economic powerhouse of Marsden Point means New Zealand will prosper with much-needed jobs, trade, manufacturing and economic development,” Mr Peters says.

“A refurbished tank, a collaboration between Channel Infrastructure and Z Energy, will soon help power the country’s aviation sector by suppling jet fuel to Auckland Airport through the pipeline spanning Marsden Point to Wiri,” Mr Jones says.

“A commercial dry dock will bring specialist skills and international customers to New Zealand, maintaining large ships in a manner that a maritime nation desperately needs,” Mr Peters says.

“We are getting closer to finalising procurement of a provider for the Regional Infrastructure Fund part-funded drydock at Northport, which offers the best harbour in New Zealand as it is deep, there is plenty of land, and transport connectivity is only going to get better.

“As an exporting nation, we need strong connections for shipping lines and Northport offers the efficient shipping connections to bolster port services in Tauranga and Auckland.

“We are pleased to confirm that KiwiRail will open discussions, under commercial agreements, on its Marsden Point Rail Link design data for investors and builders – informing the best approach for building and funding this project,” Mr Peters says.

“While this on its own is great news for New Zealand’s fuel resilience, other initiatives being undertaken here such as the potential development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the upcoming construction of a bitumen import terminal, diesel peaker and biorefinery make Marsden Point a world-class proposition,” Mr Jones says.

“As I announced earlier this year, I am particularly interested in how we, as a country, develop these areas further and attract investment into our regions. I will be taking a paper to Cabinet soon on the use of special economic zones (SEZs) to do just that. With attractive regulatory regimes and tax treatment, SEZs could be the fuel that really gets New Zealand’s economic engine roaring.”

Source: New Zealand Government

[Address to media at Marsden Point to mark the announcement of plans for new rail link, as well as discussing the development of a dry dock, and the potential for ‘special economic zones’. ]

Good morning.

Welcome to Northland.

The Honourable Shane Jones has put in considerable effort with local leaders, like those from Channel Infrastructure today, to boost this region’s economic relevance to New Zealand.

Here, in Northland, we are closest to the rest of the world.

That matters because New Zealand is an exporting nation.

We rely on exports to create wealth right here in God’s own country, and imports to bring modernity to our homes and communities. 

Trade is the lifeblood of a thriving economy.

This port has the deepest seaport and the largest landholdings of any port. 

Its footprint, proximity to our largest domestic market Auckland, and position at the top of our country where shipping lines visit mean it is a logical place for investment.

We have heard from various operators that while the Port of Tauranga is currently, and will remain, a key port for the future, even an expanded Port of Tauranga will reach capacity within a decade or two, and a second major port is needed.

The Port of Auckland is not well positioned for expansion, given the demand by Aucklanders for other modern uses for its land.

Fanciful thoughts about a port in silt-laden Thames, Hunua-blocked Ōrere Point, and the dredge-prone and uninsurable Manukau Harbour are exactly that: fanciful.

Here in Northland is where our future lies as an exporting nation.

Unlike small ports that offer wharves and a loading zone to shift containers, large ports like this one offer industry.

That is because their landholdings can be developed for wider purposes.

Cast your eyes towards Marsden Point and you will see silos, responsible for fuelling every plane at Air New Zealand.

That is industry.

Fuel stocks

So, how is it possible that the previous Government could be so myopic, so economically short-sighted as to close the refinery here.

Ending our ability to process crude oil in New Zealand.

That means no ability to secure our energy sources in moments of crisis.

That is the residue of the previous Government, and they should be ashamed.

We make no apologies for defending New Zealand’s energy and fuel security.

This is why we have increased the minimum fuel holdings in New Zealand.

That is also why we are encouraged by the proposals by parties like Channel Infrastructure, who are with us today, with their energy precinct.

120 hectares of unutilised land which can support high-quality tenants.

Projects like the jet fuel tank which you will see shortly.

We also must move forward for Sustainable Aircraft Fuel. 

Other countries are far advanced in developing regional industries for fuel security, connectivity, and long-term competitiveness.

Investors are looking to secure feedstock as competition intensifies, and locations like Marsden Point have one thing that matters most: strategic relevance.

Investing in regional industries like this secures jobs on both sides of the Tasman and keeps New Zealand aviation in the game for the long-term.

Ask yourselves, is New Zealand – an island nation reliant on international flights – in a better or worse position when we have our own jet fuel supply?

The answer is obvious to every New Zealander.

Dry dock

Our Coalition Agreement includes a commitment to progressing the dry dock here in Northport.

In the 2010s, KiwiRail spent $74 million on off-shore drydocks. That includes the costs of travelling – crewing vessels for the week-long one way trip, covering the fuel costs, and forgoing the revenue from running those ferries on the Cook Strait.

A commercial drydock here in New Zealand would cut that travel time down to days, back the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries, the two largest navy vessels, and attract international shipping lines for maintenance right here in Northland.

And this isn’t just scraping the barnacles off the hull.

Dry dock work is specialist work – that means specialist skill development and career opportunities right here in New Zealand.

Marsden Point Rail Link

We have also received the final detailed business case from KiwiRail for the Marsden Point Rail Link.

Connecting this port to the national rail network is a no-brainer.

The land has been purchased, the corridor is designated, the broad designs are in place, partial funding of $410 million has been allocated, fast-track consenting tools are available, and this project is in the Coalition Agreement.

Today, we are pleased to announce that KiwiRail will be making its detailed designs available to builders and investor to assess and consider putting forward market-led proposals.

We have a good design from KiwiRail, but we want to see whether other builders have a better proposal to build rail within KiwiRail’s designated corridor.

In the coming weeks, KiwiRail will open this process and our message to interested parties is: if you want to be involved in building the first new rail line in decades, then participate and put your best foot forward.

Special Economic Zones

The strategic opportunities outlined in this statement – a commercial drydock, fuel security, an expanded Northport, and the rail link to connect it – can all be brought together as a single economic proposition.

This is an energy precinct – underpinning local specialist fuel and drydock expertise, connecting New Zealand to the world through long-term export operations, and connecting heavy industry with rail.

It could easily become New Zealand’s first Special Economic Zone.

The Honourable Shane Jones has spoken previously about the need for Special Economic Zones.

These are designated areas designed for long-term wealth creation – for New Zealand and New Zealanders.

These zones go a step beyond Fast-Track Legislation.

These zones enable consents to be granted as a matter of law for strategically important economic outcomes: energy security and export growth.

The zones will also have tax regimes that appeal to investors – local and international alike.

If you invest here in jobs and wealth creation in New Zealand, then you will see a return faster because of tax concessions.

New Zealand still wins because the job creation and export growth that sits behind it benefits New Zealand.

We are developing legislation for Special Economic Zones, for which Northport’s expansion, the commercial drydock, and the entire Marsden Point Rail Link will be included.

We look forward to detailing this in the future.

But today, let’s show you the jet fuel tank to see just a small part of what this site can deliver for New Zealand.

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

What began as a childhood fascination with designing floor plans for her Barbies has become a real-world career path for EIT student Hannah Stroud, who recently completed a Diploma in Architectural Technology.

After finishing school at Karamū High School in Hawke’s Bay, Hannah moved to Christchurch in 2017 to study airline operations and tourism management at the New Zealand School of Tourism.

That led to a year-long internship in Colorado, where she worked as a banquet supervisor and park attendant.

But when she returned home and began working in tourism, a serious back injury, followed by the arrival of COVID-19, forced her to rethink her career path.

“I had to re-evaluate what I was going to do. I couldn’t keep working in hospitality because you need to be able to move a lot.”

That is when she remembered how much she had always loved design.

“I always tell the story. When I was a kid, instead of playing with Barbies in the usual way, I used wooden blocks to build floor plans on the ground. I would walk the Barbies through the layouts, and they would critique it,” she laughs.

She has always loved seeing how things are put together and was often hands-on growing up, helping with home renovations and DIY projects whenever she could.

Hannah started searching online and was relieved to find that EIT offered a Diploma in Architectural Technology.

“It covered a lot more on the technical side than design, which appealed to me. I like figuring out how things work.”

She enrolled in the two-year NZ Diploma in Architectural Technology (Level 6) but took a break partway through. During that time, she spent more than two years working at an architectural practice, which gave her clarity and confidence.

“I worked on residential, commercial, and educational projects and loved the detailing, working closely with builders. It really confirmed that this is something I want to do.”

She credits her return to study to the support of EIT’s tutors.

“They really believe in their students. They had kept in touch and encouraged me to come back and finish what I had started.”

She says the hands-on, practical focus of EIT’s programme gave her the confidence and skills to succeed in an architectural workplace.

Outside of work, she has previously contributed her time to a charitable project designing homes for families in Fiji.

“I helped with design and quantities, figuring out what materials are needed and how we can get them there from New Zealand. While it was in my spare time, it was something I really cared about.”

Hannah says the diploma has opened the door to a wide range of career opportunities.

“It gives you a wide range of skills and can set you up for lots of different roles, not just drafting or design. You could go into project management, quantity surveying, construction admin, or become an architectural technician.”

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

The third symposium of EIT’s Te Kura i Awarua Rangahau Māori Research Centre brought together an array of Ngāti Kahungunu academic research talent.

Held from July 9 to 11 at Te Aho a Māui, EIT Hawke’s Bay, the event marked a significant milestone in the centre’s mission to grow and support Ngāti Kahungunu researchers within their home territory.

Professor of Rangahau Māori Dr Annemarie Gillies noted that the calibre of keynote speakers reflected the symposium’s aim as a platform for cutting-edge Māori research.

“It was simply fabulous to have such an array of high profile talent, indeed, world class Ngāti Kahungunu researchers presenting here at home.”

Topics ranged from climate change adaptation and freshwater management to traditional birthing practices, te reo revitalisation, and innovative approaches to mental health support for tāne Māori.

Associate Professor Pauline Harris, astrophysicist from Massey University, delivered the opening keynote on her journey from dark matter to Matariki mā Puanga, bridging Western science with Māori astronomy and maramataka. Constitutional law expert Dr Carwyn Jones from the Law Faculty at Victoria University examined First Law and the Constitutional Foundations of Aotearoa, exploring how tikanga Māori operates as New Zealand’s foundational legal system.

Associate Professor Phillip Wilcox from Otago University presented groundbreaking work on precision health for Māori, while Professor Suzanne Pitama, Dean of Otago Medical School, reflected on her research journey and the importance of traditional networks like Te Kupenga a Te Huki in sustaining Māori academic experience and wisdom.

“The symposium’s strength lay not only in its keynote speakers but in the breadth and quality of research presented by emerging and established Māori scholars” said Prof Annemarie Gillies.  

HBRC environmental manager Ashleigh Keenan, presented her research paper ‘Climate change adaptation through Indigenous knowledge systems’. For this, she received the Te Pī Ka Rere Award for Emerging Researchers.

Professor of Māori and Indigenous Research Dr David Tipene-Leach said they had the complete range of experience from new and emerging researchers through to world class experts.

“But everyone was gathered in a non-competitive whānau-like atmosphere – quite different from the standard research conference.”

The collaboration between EIT and Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi was evident throughout the three-day programme, with both providing significant support that helped remove barriers and ensure the event was accessible to all participants. Additional support came from sponsors, including CHOICES, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, KŌR, and Te Rau Ora.

The programme included presentations on long-term projects, including Dr Joseph Te Rito’s presentation on a longitudinal oral archives research project that began at EIT and Radio Kahungunu more than 35 years ago, resulting in the development of the Pukapuka Kōrero app for Māori language learners. Another was Brian Morris’s translation and revival of a waiata drawn from the Henare Matua Manuscript collection. This waiata, ‘Te waiata tangi a Te Rangitotohu’, was related directly to his Takapau, Rākautātahi homeland.

Conference convener Charrissa Keenan said the symposium reflected the centre’s long-term vision.

“Te Kura i Awarua’s success in hosting the symposium reflects its strategic vision of nurturing mātauranga and rangahau Māori, and leading transformational change for Māori communities, the region, and generations yet to come.

“The symposium demonstrated the scope for investment in Māori research capacity within Ngāti Kahungunu and a strong foundation for academic excellence that serves local communities and contributes to national and international Indigenous scholarship.”

Planning is already underway for the next symposium, which will again provide a platform for Ngāti Kahungunu researchers to share their work at home, returning from the many places they practice research.

“Hearing what our other Kahungunu researchers are doing was extremely awe-inspiring. As an uri of Kahungunu, I was so proud of everyone, and I enjoyed listening to all of our kai kōrero. There was genuine sharing and caring across the hui,” commented Rāwiri Tinirau, director of the Te Atawhai o Te Ao Research group in Whanganui.

Source: New Zealand Government

Health Minister Simeon Brown, alongside Hutt South MP Chris Bishop, today officially opened the new premises of the Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre on Connolly Street.

“This new facility marks a significant step forward for urgent healthcare in Lower Hutt,” Mr Brown said.

“Urgent care and after-hours services help ease pressure on hospital emergency departments by providing better local options and faster access to essential treatments like diagnostics and urgent medicines.

“Lower Hutt is currently the only metropolitan area in New Zealand without a daytime urgent care service. That’s why the Government identified it as a priority location under the urgent care expansion announced in May.”

The new facility replaces the former High Street site, which did not have the capacity to support future growth. By taking over Health New Zealand’s lease of the former Te Awakairangi Birthing Unit, which closed in 2021, the medical centre has ensured the ongoing use of a valuable health asset and enabled the delivery of expanded urgent care services for the community.

“With seven consulting rooms, two triage rooms, a plaster and phlebotomy room, a carer’s room, and a much larger waiting area, this centre is purpose-built to meet the needs of a growing community. Co-location with radiology services means patients can get timely imaging and treatment for injuries like fractures, offering a practical alternative to the emergency department. Convenient access to pharmacy services also means urgent medicines can be supplied on the spot.

“This new location enables the staged rollout of a dedicated daytime urgent care service, starting from December 2025.”

Once fully operational, the new daytime service will build on the existing after-hours care, providing seven-day-a-week access to urgent care for the Hutt community.

“This means people in the Hutt will be able to access timely care day and night, closer to home, without needing to wait or travel further for non-emergency care.

“This is about making healthcare more accessible and responsive for the people of the Hutt, delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time. It’s a clear example of the Government delivering on its promise to improve health services right across the country,” Mr Brown said.

Source: New Zealand Police

A 51-year-old Invercargill man has been arrested and charged after pre-packaged methamphetamine, LSD, cannabis, morphine, and drug paraphernalia were all found inside a campervan.

“Police will continue to disrupt the supply of harmful substances into our communities and hold offenders to account,” says Inspector Mike Bowman, Area Commander Southland.

“This arrest is the result of significant and complex work by officers from all over the southern policing district.

“Every time we can take drug dealers, who trade on people’s suffering, off the streets, it makes our communities safer.

“Drug dealing and the downstream effects, such as drug-related crime, causes harm that we all feel.

“Southern Police will continue to stamp out drug dealing wherever we see it.”

A significant amount of cash and multiple mobile devices were also found, while an ammunition belt containing 13 12-gauge shotgun rounds was also located at an address of interest.

Police are in the process of restraining, and hopefully forfeiting the campervan, which is estimated to be worth over $200,000.

“The operation to shut this down was a whole-of-district, multi-team effort, with outstanding contributions across the board,” says Inspector Bowman. 

A 51-year-old man is facing charges of possession of methamphetamine for supply, obstructing Police, supplying methamphetamine, possession of morphine, possession of LSD, and unlawfully possessing ammunition.

The man is due to reappear in the Dunedin District Court on 21 August.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Six members of the Mataura Mongrel Mob have today been found guilty for a number of serious assaults and kidnapping in Southland in 2022.

Operation Pakari was a complex, detailed investigation by Southland Police into violent offending across several months.

Inspector Mike Bowman says the first incident, in late January 2022, spurred further offences in the form of drive-by shootings, and violent assaults which left people with critical injuries.

The termination of the operation in June 2023 resulted in 21 people being put before the courts on a range of charges.

Due to a number of factors, six defendants went on trial in Christchurch on 1 July 2025 on a total of 12 charges, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, and injuring with intent to injure.

“I’m incredibly pleased that the thorough investigation by our staff has resulted in convictions in court, meaning those responsible for this offending will be held to account.”

“The victims of these assaults were members of the Mongrel Mob, and in most cases were uncooperative with Police,” Inspector Bowman says.

“This was a very complex, difficult investigation and the prosecution of this group has been one of the more challenging cases for Southland Police in recent times.

“This investigation is testament to the fact that everyone can expect to be held to account for violent offending, no matter who you are or who the victims are.”

Inspector Bowman says Southland Police are also very proud of the work done within the community before, during, and after this investigation.

“Our role at the time of these arrests was to help ensure that Whanau and household members directly impacted by the arrests were well-supported,” he says.

“This involved working alongside our partner agencies to provide them the ongoing support they needed, and to help ensure any further harm and offending was minimised.”

This work is still ongoing, in the form of the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) programme, which was launched in Southland in 2023.

It brings together a range of agencies such as mana whenua, NGO providers, community representatives, Police, and those with lived experience of harm from organised crime.

Other matters in relation to this operation are still before the courts.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre