Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 2 near Karangahake Gorge in the Hauraki District is blocked following a single-vehicle crash.
Police were notified of the incident just before 5pm this evening. No injuries are reported at this time.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
A section of Tāmaki Drive in Auckland will be closed for a short time on Tuesday 28 October, due to a planned hīkoi.
The seaward side of Tāmaki Drive (eastbound) will be closed between Ōkahu Bay and The Strand in Parnell, from 11.45am until around 1.15pm.
The partial road closure is being put in place to ensure the safety of all road users while the hīkoi takes place.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead for any traffic delays and to consider taking alternative routes where possible.
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Source: New Zealand Police
Tāmaki Makaurau Police have arrested 23 people following celebrations in relation to a rugby league game this weekend.
Police monitored a number of town centres that traditionally celebrate the two league teams on Sunday night.
During this operation, Police saw a high volume of pedestrians and vehicles travelling within these areas.
While Police would like to thank the majority who celebrated peacefully and lawfully, there were multiple incidents that were disappointing to Police.
Over the course of the weekend, Police saw a range of unlawful behaviours including high-risk traffic offending, people riding on top of vehicles, and sustained loss of traction.
As a result, 14 people were taken into custody on Saturday and nine people on Sunday.
204 infringement notices were also issued for driving and road related offences.
This behaviour is not only unlawful, it poses a real risk to those participating in this behaviour, spectators, and members of the public.
Police ask those who wish to celebrate, to please do so in a lawful and considerate manner, to ensure the safety of everyone within our communities.
Police’s enforcement action will continue as we follow-up on gathered information from throughout the weekend.
If you see any unlawful or suspicious behaviour, please call Police immediately on 111 with as much information as you can safely gather.
Information can also be provided in non-emergencies or after the fact through our 105 services, or anonymously at Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is making a contribution of $150,000 to help communities in Clutha and Southland impacted by the Labour Weekend severe weather, Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell announced today.
The government will contribute $75,000 to the Southland region and $25,000 to the Clutha District Council Mayoral Relief Fund, for immediate needs.
In addition, it has been classified as a medium scale adverse event and the Ministry for Primary Industries is contributing $50,000, split between Southland and Clutha, through the Mayoral Relief Fund to help the rural sector get back on its feet.
“This significant weather event has caused prolonged power outages in large areas of the lower South Island, as severe winds and heavy rain caused damage across the region,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The Government’s contribution to the Mayoral relief Funds meets the request from local leadership and will support local welfare, resilience building and recovery efforts, including clean-up.
“This has been a tough few days for impacted communities, and unfortunately, we’re not out of the woods just yet. More severe weather is on its way this afternoon. For anyone travelling home after a long weekend break, make sure to plan your journey, pack extra supplies in case you get stranded, and if you feel unsafe, consider delaying your travel if you can.
“I want to thank everyone who is working to support the communities impacted by this event – Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups, council, first responders, iwi and volunteers, and members of the community who have pitched in.”
Mayoral Relief Funds help communities bounce back after an emergency. Local communities and councils understand where the immediate needs are and how to help individuals, whānau, community organisations, and marae.
The medium scale classification also unlocks further support for farmers and growers, which could include tax relief and enables MSD to consider Rural Assistance Payments and activating Enhanced Taskforce Green.
Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
Mayoral Relief Funds are intended to help fill gaps quickly where an immediate need exists. It’s not a replacement for insurance and costs covered by other funding sources.
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 1 (Waikouaiti-Waitati Road) in Otago is blocked following a crash.
Police were notified of the crash on the bridge over the Waikouaiti River at 10.20am.
Two cars – one towing a caravan – are reported to have collided.
Diversions are being put in place.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
A 33-year-old man has been arrested after fleeing from Police in Westgate this afternoon.
At around 4:20pm Police received reports of a vehicle being driven erratically in Westgate.
The report also stated that a firearm was visible in the vehicle.
Ground units followed the vehicle through the Huapai and Kumeu areas.
The Eagle helicopter was then deployed to follow the vehicle through Massey and Henderson.
At around 5:40pm road spikes were deployed which brought the vehicle to a stop within minutes, on Te Kanawa Crescent, Henderson.
The man was taken into custody and a range of driving related charges are being considered.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Deegan:
Police investigating a burglary in Palmerston North are seeking help from the public.
The residential burglary in the Stoney Creek Road area was reported to Police today and likely occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A Polaris Ranger 1000 all-terrain vehicle was stolen, along with the trailer it was on.
Police would like to hear from anyone who may have been in the Stoney Creek Road area at the time who saw this vehicle and the trailer, or has any information about the burglary, to come forward.
Please contact Police via 105 online or over the phone, referencing file number 251026/3014.
Alternatively, you can contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died and another has been seriously injured following a motorbike crash on Waiheke Island.
Emergency services were called to Ocean View Road, Oneroa just before 2pm, to reports the three-wheeled bike had hit a tree.
One person sadly died at the scene, while another was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and Ocean View Road near Goodwin Avenue will be closed while they attend the scene.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Government
Stanford University earth science and engineering expert Professor Roland N Horne will chair the international review panel for New Zealand’s pioneering supercritical geothermal exploration project, Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.
“Professor Horne’s credentials in the geothermal engineering world are unparalleled and he brings significant mana to this flagship initiative.
“He will be joined on the international review panel by geologist Dr Omar Friðleifsson and well engineer Kristinn Ingason who both work for the Iceland Deep Drilling Project. The fourth member of the panel is United States geochemist Dr Darrell Gallup.
“We’ve also appointed a top-tier New Zealand team of technical experts who will design the well, the equipment needs, and the steps to get us to the extreme depths for accessing supercritical geothermal fluids. It’s exciting to see such high-powered collaboration for the greater good of energy security, not just for New Zealand but for the world.” Mr Jones says.
Mr Jones announced the make-up of the international review panel during his keynote speech to the 2025 Indigenous Geothermal Symposium in Reno, Nevada yesterday.
Drilling into supercritical zones means going 1km-3km deeper into the earth and managing higher pressures and temperatures than current conventional geothermal energy generation.
“This is one of the most technically demanding frontiers in geothermal technology and science. It represents a bold and globally significant step forward in the pursuit of clean, resilient and reliable renewable energy and shows how science, innovation, and partnership with Māori can shape a sustainable energy future,” Mr Jones says.
“In November last year, I announced the Government would ring-fence up to $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the exploration phase of this project. Last month I announced land within the Rotokawa Geothermal Field in the Taupō Volcanic Zone had been selected as a preferred drilling site for the first well,” Mr Jones says.
“The Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the landowners Tauhara North No.2 Trust and the field operators Mercury NZ, so with our experts coming on board, the project is gaining momentum.”
Prof Horne is a New Zealander who has lived in the United States for several decades and is the leading Professor of Earth Science and Engineering at Stanford University.
Prof Horne says New Zealand has the people and the geology to make supercritical geothermal technology happen.
“Although geothermal energy has been a steadily growing energy source worldwide for more than 70 years, new technology and new ideas have opened new doors and led to renewed interest in its global potential.
“New Zealand was at the forefront of the first geothermal revolution in the 1950s and is now well placed to lead the move forward to superhot, supercritical geothermal resources, which are bigger and more efficient,” Prof Horne says.
The technical design team for the supercritical geothermal project has now been assembled and comprises experts from Mercury NZ, Contact Energy, Upflow NZ, Geode Well Engineering and Earth Sciences NZ.
Editors’ Note:
Roland N Horne is the Thomas Davis Barrow Professor of Earth Sciences and Professor of Energy Science and Engineering at Stanford University, and Director of the Stanford Geothermal Programme. He was the chairman of the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Stanford from 1995 to 2006.
He served on the International Geothermal Association (IGA) Board and was the 2010-2013 President of IGA. He was Technical Programme Chairman of the World Geothermal Congress 2005 in Turkey, 2010 in Bali, Melbourne in 2015, and in Iceland in 2020-2021.
Prof Horne is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering and an Honorary Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He is also a Fellow of the School of Engineering, University of Tokyo and an Honorary Professor of China University of Petroleum – East China.
*Biography on Stanford University website, and supplied by Prof Horne.
Source: New Zealand Government
Kia ora koutou, and warm greetings from New Zealand.
It’s an honour to be here in Reno, Nevada, speaking as New Zealand’s Minister for Resources and Minister for Regional Development – two closely intersecting portfolios in New Zealand.
I want to thank the organisers of the 2025 Indigenous Geothermal Symposium for the invitation to deliver this keynote address. I would also like to acknowledge the people of Reno-Sparks Indian Colony for undertaking the opening ceremony.
This is a special gathering. Unlike many audiences where geothermal energy must be explained from first principles, here I’m speaking to experts – engineers, researchers, technology providers, and advocates. That allows me to take a broader view: to reflect on geothermal’s past, its cultural significance, and its future potential.
New Zealand is proud to be the world’s fifth-largest producer of geothermal electricity. Our location on the boundary of the Indo-Australian and Pacific tectonic plates gives us access to a world-class geothermal resource.
But our connection to geothermal energy goes far deeper than geology. For Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, waiwhatu – geothermal water—is a taonga, a treasure. It is a place where the physical and spiritual worlds meet. Our tīpuna, or ancestors, used geothermal waters for cooking, healing, and warmth. These practices were not just practical – they were deeply spiritual, rooted in a worldview that sees the land, water, and energy as living entities.
The Pink and White Terraces, once a major attraction in the central North Island before the 1886 volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera destroyed them, drew visitors from around the world to bathe in their restorative waters. These terraces were more than a tourist destination – they were a symbol of the natural harmony between geothermal energy and human wellbeing.
Rotorua’s spa culture, established in the 1870s, played a vital role in healing injured soldiers returning from war. The geothermal waters were seen as therapeutic, and the region became a centre for rehabilitation and recovery.
This legacy of geothermal use is woven into our national identity. It’s a story of innovation, resilience, and respect for the land.
Globally, geothermal electricity generation began over a century ago in Larderello, Italy. New Zealand engineers visited the site in 1944 and again in 1948, witnessing its rebirth after wartime destruction. Inspired, we began exploratory drilling at Wairākei in 1949, leading to the world’s second geothermal power station – and the first to harness wet steam.
That pioneering spirit continues today. We are a small country but in geothermal science, we have consistently led the way.
Today, geothermal energy is a cornerstone of the Māori economy, and Māori have a long-term vision to enhance their role in New Zealand’s energy sector. Māori have a rich cultural heritage and a deep connection to their land and natural resources. Their identity is rooted in a unique worldview that emphasises the importance of kaitiakitanga, guardianship, over the environment, demonstrated in their commitment to sustainability and community wellbeing.
Many Māori iwi (tribes) own land with significant geothermal potential, particularly in regions like the central North Island. As a result, they’ve become key players in geothermal energy projects, both as resource owners and partners in large-scale ventures.
Investment in geothermal energy supports iwi, hapū, and ahu whenua (land management) trusts, enabling innovation and investment in areas like geothermal aquaculture, horticulture, and tourism.
These ventures are not just economically significant – they are culturally affirming. They allow Māori communities to exercise rangatiratanga, or self-determination, over their resources. They create opportunities for intergenerational wealth, education, and environmental stewardship.
In this way, geothermal energy is helping to shape a future that is both prosperous and culturally grounded.
I’ve been following the statements of US Energy Secretary Chris Wright with great interest. His emphasis on ‘affordable, reliable, and secure energy’ as the foundation of national prosperity resonates deeply.
Globally, energy demand is projected to rise faster than we experienced during the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. According to the International Energy Agency, electricity use has grown at twice the pace of overall energy demand over the last decade and is projected to rise even faster.
As AI and other technologies drive unprecedented electricity demand, the link between energy and economic strength becomes even more critical.
Secretary Wright’s concept of ‘energy dominance’ highlights the strategic importance of energy policy. I believe we are witnessing a global reset in how geothermal is positioned – especially in countries like the United States, Japan, and New Zealand.
While geothermal accounts for around 20 per cent of New Zealand’s electricity, it contributes less than 1 per cent in the US, despite the US being the largest producer by volume.
Just as the US is advancing its energy transition, New Zealand is developing a national geothermal strategy that aims to unlock the full potential of our geothermal resources to drive energy resilience and support regional and Māori economic development.
The draft strategy, released for public consultation in July, sets the goal of doubling geothermal energy use by 2040, positioning New Zealand as a global leader in sustainable geothermal innovation and supporting our transition to a low-emissions economy.
Let me now turn to supercritical geothermal – sometimes referred to as superdeep or superhot geothermal. In New Zealand, we are investing in proving its viability.
Our Central North Island, home to the Taupō Volcanic Zone, offers extraordinary advantages. Scientific research confirms that supercritical fluids lie just 5–6km, or around three miles, beneath the surface—shallower than in most other regions globally.
Supercritical geothermal has the potential to revolutionise energy generation. These fluids carry vastly more energy than conventional geothermal sources. If harnessed effectively, they could provide baseload renewable energy at a scale comparable to fossil fuels.
We know the risks. We expect challenges. But just as our engineers pioneered wet steam technology in the 1950s, we are backing ourselves to innovate again.
We’ve established a robust governance structure for this programme. Our Kiwi-based team includes top engineers, scientists, and strategic advisors.
Representatives from these groups are here in Reno and eager to connect with you.
We’ve also convened an International Review Panel.
Today I am delighted to announce that Professor Roland Horne of Stanford University has agreed to chair the panel.
As you will know, Professor Horne is one of the world’s foremost geothermal experts and is attending the Geothermal Rising Conference here in Reno. We are delighted he has agreed to lend his expertise and leadership to our project.
I’d also like to welcome the three other highly regarded members of the International Review Panel – Dr Omar Friðleifsson and Mr Kristinn Ingason both from the Iceland Deep Drilling Project. We also warmly welcome to the panel United States geochemist Dr Darrell Gallup of Thermochem Inc.
We are very pleased to have such outstanding engineering and scientific experts join us.
On that note, I would like to say we are inviting other international collaboration – particularly from US companies and researchers. We believe the Taupō Volcanic Zone can serve as a global laboratory for supercritical geothermal.
But this is not just about New Zealand. The information we gather will have global implications. They will inform policy, guide investment, and shape the future of clean energy. Globally, we’re in an energy crisis. We need more clean, renewable energy to support the electrification of transport, industry, and data infrastructure.
Supercritical geothermal offers untapped potential that would be a great step forward for clean, green, sustainable energy. New Zealand is ready to lead – offering decades of geothermal expertise, political stability, a robust regulatory framework, and strong partnerships which our indigenous Māori landowners and communities, for whom geothermal resources are deeply embedded in whakapapa (histories), wairuatanga (identity and spirituality), and tikanga (customs).
We are already seeing interest from Japan, Iceland, and other geothermal-rich nations. The opportunity to share technology, capital, and expertise is immense.
Let me be clear, we are not just drilling wells. We are building a global partnership for energy transformation.
The future of geothermal is bright. With advancing science and deeper collaboration, the opportunities before us are limitless.
We stand at a crossroads. One path leads to incremental change. The other leads to bold innovation, cultural empowerment, and global leadership.
New Zealand has chosen the latter. We invite you to walk it with us.
Ngā mihi nui. Thank you.