NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s oil trade while meeting with the Nordic 5 Foreign Ministers in Stockholm. 

“New Zealand is sanctioning 65 shadow fleet vessels involved the shipment of Russian oil, a key source of revenue funding Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” Mr Peters says. 

New Zealand has also sanctioned actors from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, involved in refining and transporting Russian oil, and in facilitating oil-related payments. 

“These actors are part of a broader network enabling the trade in Russian oil, undermining global efforts to curtail funding for Russia’s illegal war,” Mr Peters says. 

“By targeting the oil supply chain, New Zealand is acting decisively in support of international efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table.” 

Since the Russia Sanctions Act came into force in March 2022, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on more than 1,900 individuals, entities, and vessels, alongside a range of trade measures. This is New Zealand’s 33rd round of Russia sanctions. 

More information about New Zealand sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, as well as diplomatic, military and economic support for Ukraine, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here. 

Note: The Government has implemented the following actions in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine: 

Passed the historic Russia Sanctions Act under which New Zealand has implemented sanctions (including those announced today) targeting: 

Vladimir Putin and key members of his inner circle.
Senior leadership of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
All 620 members of the Russian parliament (State Duma and Federation Council).
All Russian Ministers and Governors.
More than 400 entities including state-owned enterprises, entities that are part of Russia’s military industrial complex, Donbas militia groups, and Belarusian defence entities.
More than 110 oligarchs and immediate family with close ties and influence with the Russian Government.
20 financial institutions, including Russia’s Central Bank.
7 Belarusian financial institutions.
62 individuals and entities involved in disinformation and cyber-attacks on Ukraine.
15 members of the Central Election Commission.
Almost 100 Russian-directed leaders in occupied Ukrainian regions.
The Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation.
Iranian individuals and entities involved in the supply of Iranian military materiel to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Individuals and entities involved in the supply of DPRK military materiel to Russia for use in Ukraine. 

Banned all Russian and Belarusian Government and military aircraft and vessels from NZ. 

Banned exports to Russian and Belarusian military and security forces.  

Suspended bilateral foreign ministry consultations with Russia. 

Endorsed the UK-initiated Call to Action on the “shadow fleet” engaged in sanctions circumvention by carrying Russian oil and gas. The Call to Action promotes compliance with international standards for maritime safety, environmental protection, and insurance.

Trade measures 

Implemented a 35% tariff on all Russian imports to NZ. 

Banned the import of Russian gold into NZ. 

Significantly expanded the export ban on Russia and Belarus to cover more industrial products of strategic importance (by adding more than 700 new prohibited tariff lines). 

Banned the import of Russian oil, gas, and coal. 

Banned the export of oil exploration and oil production goods to Russia. 

Banned the import from and export to Russia of certain luxury goods. 

Implemented the oil price cap on Russian-origin oil, which has since been lowered to further restrict Russia’s revenue from energy exports. 

Other assistance to Ukraine 

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, New Zealand has pledged over $168 million in financial assistance and in-kind support to Ukraine. This includes: 

support for military training, equipment, and materiel valued at $110.3 million, including up to 100 NZDF personnel deployed to Europe.
$39.9 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected Ukrainian communities in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.   
$6 million in support for recovery and reconstruction.
$5.2 million in support for international legal processes and human rights monitoring

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can release the name of the man who died following a boating incident off the coast of Napier on 21 October.

He was Howard Reese, 78, of Napier.

Police extend their condolences to his family and friends.

The death will be referred to the coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Please use the following version of the article issued 29 October, 8pm.
If you’ve used this in an article, please amend your story to correct the charge details.
We apologise for any inconvenience.

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown, Western Bay of Plenty Area Investigations Manager:

Police have arrested two men wanted in relation to death of Tristan Oakes, 29, in Te Puke on Saturday 25 October.

The two men are aged 39 and 40.

Both men will appear in the Tauranga District Court tomorrow on charges of murder.

Tristan died in hospital on Saturday, after being critically injured when shot at his Te Puke home.

Our thoughts are with this friends and family at this difficult time.

Police would like to thank the community for their assistance during the investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown, Western Bay of Plenty Area Investigations Manager:

Police have arrested two men wanted in relation to death of Tristan Oakes, 29, in Te Puke on Saturday 25 October.

The two men are aged 39 and 40.

Both men will appear in the Tauranga District Court tomorrow on the charge intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Tristan died in hospital on Saturday, after being critically injured when shot at his Te Puke home.

Our thoughts are with this friends and family at this difficult time.

Police would like to thank the community for their assistance during the investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Ōhaupō Road in Hamilton City has now reopened following a single-vehicle crash just after 4.30pm today.

Police were called to Braemar Hospital on Ōhaupō Road after receiving a report a car had crashed into the fence of the hospital.

Police thank drivers for their patience.

ENDS

Source: Family First

MEDIA RELEASE – 29 October 2025

Family First says that the Green Party’s attempt to relitigate the cannabis debate is desperate politicking that refuses to accept democracy and to divert attention from the proven harms of legalisation which have been mounting since 2020.

“Contrary to Chloe Swarbrick’s claims, the evidence coming from parts of the world that have legalised cannabis prove beyond doubt that New Zealand made the very best decision in 2020 when it rejected legalisation,” says Bob McCoskrie, CEO of Family First NZ.

“Swarbrick says that the referendum was an ‘unfortunate binary’. This is a complete myth – as is her assertions that people are being locked up for smoking a joint. The referendum involved a proposed law with details as to how so-called ‘regulation’ would look like. This is the real reason she lost the referendum, because voters saw just how harmful and extreme the legalisation of the drug would look like in their communities and within families.”

“When voters know exactly what legalisation of drugs look like, they rightly reject the proposal.”

The evidence continues to pour in about the harms of the drug to users and communities.

According to data obtained under the Official Information Act by Family First last year, New Zealand health authorities say that 461 patients have had a primary diagnosis of Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids, psychotic disorder in the last recorded 12-month period (22/23) – rising from 376 in 2019/20 – an increase of 23% over four years.

In a 2024 report in Australia, “doctors are warning of a significant increase of people ending up in hospital with psychosis after being prescribed the drug. Their concerns come amid a proliferation of “single-issue” cannabis clinics setting up in Australia, some of them willing to prescribe via telehealth consultations with few checks..”

Dr Marta Rychert, a senior researcher at Massey University who with co-author Associate Professor Chris Wilkins published NZ Medical Journal: Implementation of the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme in New Zealand: six emerging trends warn about the increasing prevalence of products high in THC.

A significant study released at the time of the referendum found that “people who smoked marijuana on a daily basis were three-times more likely to be diagnosed with psychosis compared with people who never used the drug. For those who used high-potency marijuana daily, the risk jumped to nearly five-times.” By “high-potency” the researchers meant marijuana with THC content of just 10%+. During the Referendum in 2020, Patrick Gower found growers who were manufacturing a  concentrated cannabis resin (dab) with an incredibly potent 81 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

A study released in 2017 in the US and published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that marijuana use and marijuana use disorders – in which people use the drug in unhealthy or abusive ways – increased at a “significantly greater rate” in states with medical marijuana laws than in states without the laws.

In the US, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) that assesses the prevalence of substance use and substance use disorder. The prevalence of past-month marijuana use among 18–25-year-olds has increased in the first four states that legalised recreational marijuana despite marijuana not being legal for use until age 21. The CDC warns, “The teen brain is actively developing and continues to develop until around age 25. Cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood may harm the developing brain.”

A recent study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, analysed data from 355 women at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, showing that children exposed to cannabis during pregnancy had “poorer task-based planning ability” and exhibited “more observed aggression” by age five. These developmental impacts may hinder children’s long-term academic success.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, from 2018 to 2023, the number of marijuana hospital-treated poisonings for children aged 4 and under increased by 733%

And a massive new study was published in one of the most prestigious journals in the pediatric world, the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The study found that state legalisation of recreational marijuana increases the likelihood of marijuana use in the past month among youth and young adults. Past-month use is a much clearer indicator of frequent use than “lifetime use” or “past-year use.”  The systematic review titled “Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Medical and Recreational Cannabis Legalization and Cannabis Use Among Youth in the United States” found that recreational marijuana legalisation increases the odds of past-month marijuana use by 13% among youth and 22% among young adults.  This is not just one study saying that use goes up after legalisation – this is a systematic review of the published data on this topic.

The Greens will struggle to persuade New Zealanders that we shouldn’t continue to say nope to dope, given the overwhelming evidence of the harms of legalisation.

Source: New Zealand Police

A tramper lost in dense Northland bush was able to make it home safely thanks to highly skilled and dedicated Search and Rescue teams.

Northland Police Search and Rescue lead, Detective Sergeant Paul Overton, says the tramper, who was on a day walk, had almost reached the summit of Mount Tutamoe before abandoning the effort due to the tough terrain.

“As he was on his way down, he unintentionally wandered off the track and ended up lost.”

The tramper had patchy cell phone reception but was able to place a call through to the Police emergency call centre.

“Once we received that call, Police Search and Rescue teams, assisted by Northland Land Search and Rescue volunteers, deployed to the scene,” Detective Sergeant Overton says.

“Three field teams went in to attempt to locate the lost tramper, with only sporadic details as to his location.”

The teams used a normally locked 4×4 forestry track to position themselves further up the mountain.

“Around 9pm, the teams located the man after making voice contact,” says Detective Sergeant Overton.

“Once he was secured the teams started an extremely slow walk out – due to the rugged terrain this took almost three hours.”

The lost tramper and SAR teams arrived back at the car park around midnight.

“The tramper was injured but exhausted after his ordeal,” Detective Sergeant Overton says.

“Police drove him home to make sure he got there safely.”

Despite the successful outcome, the incident has prompted a warning about the importance of thorough preparation when undertaking activities in isolated or challenging environments, either on land or at sea.

“With summer approaching and longer days people want to get out and about and enjoy Northland’s great outdoors,” says Detective Sergeant Overton.

“People need to make sure they have adequate clothing, navigation tools, and know what the weather forecast is.

“They should also ideally not go alone or tell someone else where they are going, have two forms of communication and carry a GPS.”

Detective Sergeant Overton expressed thanks to the Far North Land Search and Rescue volunteers for their help.

“Police train together with Land Search and Rescue volunteers for these scenarios,” he says.

“The teams know how to work together efficiently, making real-life rescues faster, safer, and more effective.”

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Ōhaupō Road in Hamilton City is blocked following a single-vehicle crash.

Police were called to Braemar Hospital on Ōhaupō Road just after 4.30pm after receiving a report a car has crashed into the fence of the hospital.

One person has serious injuries and emergency services are responding at the scene.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has formally confirmed the Streamlined Planning Process that will be used for Auckland Council’s new housing plan, known as Plan Change 120 (PC120), RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.

“In August, as requested by Auckland Council, Parliament passed a law allowing Auckland Council to withdraw its controversial Plan Change 78 (PC78). The Council asked for the ability to not apply the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) and “downzone” areas of the city vulnerable to natural hazards like floods.

“The Government agreed to this request and the law now provides that the new plan change must deliver at least the same overall housing capacity as PC78 would have, while also enabling greater building heights and housing density around key stations that will benefit from the City Rail Link investment when it opens next year.

“By giving Auckland Council the option to withdraw PC78, we’ve returned decision-making to locals – Aucklanders will once again decide how and where housing growth happens in this important city for New Zealand’s future.

“Auckland Council has now formally withdrawn Plan PC78 and upon the Council’s request, responsible Ministers have now issued formal direction to the Council to enter the Streamlined Planning Process for PC120.

“As requested by Auckland Council, PC120 will proceed through a 20-month process (an increase from the 18 months initially signalled).

“Public submissions will be open from 3 November to 19 December 2025, followed by hearings in 2026 overseen by a panel with a minimum of eight and maximum of nine members. Four members will be appointed by Ministers, with the remaining members to be appointed by the Council. Ministers are working with the Council on who the Council will appoint as Chair.

“As I have said many times, it is important that Aucklanders have robust opportunities to participate in this important process. The Council itself has asked for a transparent process, and that’s exactly what we’re committed to delivering.

“Ministers have also issued a formal statement of expectations for PC120, which asks the hearings panel and Council to consider whether PC120 provisions unduly frustrate development, to test the appropriate distribution of housing capacity (including greenfield development), and to look at whether all planned rapid transit stops have been identified (including the Northwest Busway).

“We’ve consulted with Auckland Council on the draft direction and statement of expectations and refined these in response to some of the feedback. The Government has declined the request of the Council to remove the reference to greenfield development in the statement of expectations. 

“As part of the process, a ‘friend of submitter’ service will be available to help Aucklanders engage with the plan change.

“I am confident the PC120 process will ensure local voices are at the centre of decisions on Auckland’s growth, while creating more housing options, making the most of the City Rail Link, and setting the city up for the future.

The direction takes effect from the date it is published in the New Zealand Gazette.

 

Note to editors:

On 24 September Auckland Council voted to withdraw Plan Change 78 and replace it with Plan Change 120.
Under the Resource Management Act, PC 120 must amend the Auckland Unitary Plan to provide at least as much housing capacity as PC78, enable greater density around key stations benefitting from CRL investment, and give effect to the intensification policies of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD).
A direction is required because the Council is using the Streamlined Planning Process for an Auckland Housing Planning Instrument. A direction is secondary legislation and takes effect from the date of Gazettal.
Ministers consulted with Auckland Council on the draft direction before issuing it.

The direction, including the statement of expectations, is available [The Resource Management (Direction to Auckland Council to use the Streamlined Planning Process to Prepare Proposed Plan Change 120: Housing Intensification and Resilience) Notice 2025 – 2025-sl6084- New Zealand Gazette]. Further information on PC120 is available on Auckland Council’s website.

Source: New Zealand Government

Revenue Minister Simon Watts has today announced a refreshed Tax and Social Policy Work Programme which sharpens the focus on growing the economy by making New Zealand a more attractive place for capital, talent, and small business investment.

“The initial work programme we released last year focused on boosting productivity, bringing in much-needed capital and skills, and streamlining international tax settings. Our refreshed work programme builds on this momentum,” Mr Watts says.

“The refreshed work programme is about removing regulatory barriers and delivering a stable, predictable tax environment that directly supports growth and opportunity.”

The refreshed work programme has four pillars:

• Attracting and retaining capital and talent
• Supporting small businesses
• Simplifying the tax system and improving integrity
• Improvements to social policy 

To encourage critical investment in infrastructure, targeted consultation begins today on refined thin-capitalisation proposals.

“We are removing barriers that currently discourage large-scale infrastructure investment. We are also progressing reforms to the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) regime and financial arrangement rules to both retain and attract talent here. These changes will help ensure our settings are modern, competitive, and do not inadvertently discourage productive investment,” Mr Watts says.

“The Government is also committed to making life easier for small businesses. This will include continuing work on simplification of the Fringe Benefit Tax subject to fiscal considerations. We will also be consulting on improvements to the GST regime.

“We are also working with intermediaries to reduce compliance costs and make tax treatment simpler and fairer. Inland Revenue is currently exploring a more flexible approach to income‑tax payments for sole traders and small businesses, and plans to consult on this in the first part of next year. 

“We continue to focus on simplifying the tax system and improving integrity. This includes our ongoing policy work looking at the taxation of charities and not-for-profits, Inland Revenue’s compliance programme and the Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that tax legislation remains up to date and fit for purpose. 

“We’re getting on with targeted, practical reforms. This means listening to stakeholders, removing barriers, and delivering a stable, predictable tax environment that supports growth and opportunity for every New Zealander.