NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

My thoughts and condolences are with Jim Bolger’s wife Joan, his children and grandchildren, and the rest of his extended family.

Mr Bolger was a proud New Zealander who served his country as Prime Minister during a difficult period of serious transition in our politics. 

Everyone with a knowledge of New Zealand political history from the late 1980s and early 1990s will know that the two of us sometimes had our policy differences! 

But from 1996 onwards, Mr Bolger and I led New Zealand’s first MMP Government – which was a coalition between NZ First and National. 

As the leader of Mr Bolger’s coalition partner, I can attest he was a man of his word. He did what he said he would do – and we ran our Coalition Government with integrity, focus and a fidelity to New Zealanders who had delivered a majority to our two political parties. 

After leaving politics, Mr Bolger continued to play a role in advancing New Zealand’s interests on the international stage – including as New Zealand Ambassador to the United States at a time when we were seeking to bring our two countries closer together.

Mr Bolger should be remembered warmly as a New Zealander who devoted his life to our great country.

Source: New Zealand Police

Two people have died following the two-vehicle crash near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Horahora Road at Piarere this evening.

One other person has sustained critical injuries, and two other people have also been seriously injured.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are underway.

Significant diversions are in place, at the intersections with SH 29 and SH 27.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

A serious two-vehicle crash was reported to Police about 7:40pm, near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Horahora Road at Piarere, north-west of Tirau.

There are understood to be serious injuries.

The road is closed and diversions are in place.

The Serious Crash Unit have been advised.

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Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Government

Regional decision-making has been restored for New Zealand’s polytechnics, and industry put back into the driver’s seat for work-based learning, with the Government today making good on its promise to scrap Te Pūkenga, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says.

“This is an important milestone in rebuilding a vocational education and training system that’s locally and industry-led, regionally responsive, and future focused,” Ms Simmonds says.

“Vocational education trains the people who make our roads, build our houses, run our farms, fix our machinery and care for our people.

“The previous centralised model under Te Pūkenga took decision-making away from regions and industry, failed students and employers, and weakened local communities. 

“This Government is turning that failed system around – giving regions control, restoring financial accountability, and strengthening industry leadership in work-based training.”

The Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill disestablishes the centralised model created under Te Pūkenga and enables the re-establishment of, initially, ten regionally governed polytechnics, with more to follow. It also establishes eight Industry Skills Boards to lead standard-setting, qualification development and temporarily manage work-based training across defined industry groups. These will be operational from 1 January 2026.

Most programmes, functions, assets, and staff of Te Pūkenga will move into the new polytechnics. A two-year transitional period will see the Industry Skills Boards manage existing work-based training while new arrangements are developed across polytechnics, private training establishments, and wānanga.

As announced by the Minister in July, Cabinet has confirmed which polytechnics will operate as stand-alone institutions, including those which will be supported by a new federation, and those which will temporarily remain within Te Pūkenga while continuing to work toward financial sustainability. Cabinet also confirmed in July which Industry Skills Boards will be set up.

“This reform delivers a stable, practical, and future-focused vocational education system,” Ms Simmonds says.

“It allows local providers to respond to regional needs, employers to shape training, and learners to gain skills that lead to real jobs. Communities regain local control, and polytechnics become financially sustainable.”

The legislation ensures vocational education is fit for the future, giving regions and industries the tools to meet local skills needs, support economic growth, and provide learners with pathways to meaningful employment.

“We’re rebuilding a system that works for apprentices, students, employers, and communities – delivering real skills, real jobs, and real value to support this Government in going for growth,” Ms Simmonds says.

Source: New Zealand Police

Both sides of State Highway 1, north of Kekerengu are blocked due to a burning vehicle.

Motorists can expect delays and are advised to delay travel if possible.

Emergency services were notified at around 4:15pm.

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Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Government

Defence, GCSB and NZSIS Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to Washington DC to attend a range of defence and security meetings.

“In a complex and deteriorating global environment, defence diplomacy that strengthens relationships and responds to new and emerging threats has never been more important,” Ms Collins says.

While in Washington Ms Collins will meet with a number of counterparts, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary for Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

“I look forward to meeting with my US counterparts to share perspectives on the uncertain geostrategic environment we face, and to discussing how we might further bolster our long-standing defence and security partnership, including in pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

“As New Zealand focuses on building a more combat capable defence force, with enhanced lethality and interoperability, it is important we discuss potential opportunities for closer collaboration with one of our closest partners.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Police found a patient transfer service ambulance among vehicles restricted by flooding and slips in Awakino on Monday night.

Heavy rain made the road through the Gorge area impassable in places.

On-call Police officer Constable Donna Potroz from Mōkau received a call around 1.40am about a major slip blocking Awakino Gorge.

Constable Potroz got to the scene quickly to find multiple vehicles, including a patient transfer service ambulance with a newborn on board, stuck by slips.

She was able to provide support and advice to motorists at the scene.

Hato Hone St John was carrying out a routine transfer of a patient by road ambulance from New Plymouth to Waikato Hospital, as poor weather conditions prevented an air ambulance from being dispatched.

Chris Haines, Hato Hone St John National Operations Manager – Patient Transfer Services said they are grateful for the support of Constable Potroz.

“Constable Potroz chose to travel alongside our Patient Transfer Services officer and medical team from Health New Zealand, to provide access to important communications.

“We are also grateful to have had a team of neonatal intensive care specialists from Health New Zealand onboard our ambulance, to provide essential care to the patient, who was a critically unwell baby,” says Mr Haines.

Roading contractors were already working hard on clearing the road but there were many slips, and it would take time.

“Along the way, we encountered some road obstructions which meant we had to evaluate our options and adjust our plans, with the support of police. It became clear that waiting for a bigger slip to be cleared would take a long time so we decided to turn around and return to New Plymouth,” said Mr Haines.

Working hard through the night, roading contractors were able to clear the smaller slip to provide safe passage for the ambulance and police.

It was a long night and a team effort to get everyone safely out of the gorge.

“We are pleased that when conditions improved, we were able to dispatch an air ambulance to airlift the patient to Waikato Hospital.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in the care of our young patient,” says Mr Haines.

Acting Area Commander Inspector Darin Haenga said that Constable Potroz went above and beyond on Monday night, putting the safety of others ahead of her own.

“When situations like these present themselves people rely on our support.

“Constable Potroz was brilliant, helping all these people trapped by the slips to feel safe and be safe.

“I’d also like to acknowledge how well served our communities were by roading crews at the scene, and the ambulance and Health New Zealand staff, who worked hard through the night.

“It’s a privilege to see dedicated officers working alongside health and emergency services, road crews and members of the public, getting stuck in and helping them, all before breakfast!” says Inspector Darin Haenga.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua, Counties Manukau CIB:

Police investigating the fatal fire at Bucklands Beach on 2 October can now confirm the details of those who died.

They were Jung Sup Lee, 36, and Ha-il Lee, 11, both of Bucklands Beach.

Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family at this difficult time.

At 2.30am on Thursday 2 October Emergency Services responded to the house fire on Murvale Drive.

Police have confirmed it is being treated as a double homicide and are calling for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible for the fire.

Anyone who resides in Bucklands Beach, Howick, Sunnyhills, Mellons Bay, Botany Downs, Highland Park who has any CCTV footage between the hours of 10pm on Wednesday 1 October and 5am on Thursday 2 October is urged to get in touch.

Police are also wanting any dash cam or Go Pro footage from the same areas and times.

We want to reiterate that no detail is too small, or irrelevant.

Police have set up an online portal for Operation Town: https://town.nc3.govt.nz/.

Anyone can visit the link and upload footage for Police to review.

Alternatively, anyone with information can contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 251002/9501.

Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 70 new social homes will be delivered in Northland by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Our Government backs social housing, and we’re determined to deliver it better. That means building the right homes, in the right places, with the right support, for the people most in need,” Mr Bishop says.

“Across New Zealand, CHPs and Kāinga Ora have delivered over 6,800 net new social homes since November 2023, with 424 of those places being in Northland.

“On top of that, the Government has committed funding for more than 2,000 additional homes to be delivered by CHPs over the next two years. 

“Northland, which has a very high level of severe housing deprivation, is one of the regions that will benefit from this pipeline.”

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated social homes based on regional need, which has been assessed using a range of factors including the housing register and emergency housing use. 

“In Northland, the CHP projects are expected to deliver:

• At least 70 social homes to be delivered by CHPs including Otangarei Papakāinga Limited, Ngāti Rēhia and Habitat for Humanity
• Homes located in areas such as Whangarei, Maunu and Kerikeri
• More than 80 percent of places are one or two-bedrooms which will help address the greatest gap in social housing supply in Northland 

“Half of those waiting for a home nationally need a one-bedroom property, yet only 12 percent of Kāinga Ora’s stock meets that need. In Northland, 81 per cent of the housing register demand is for one and two bedroom places, so these new homes will make a real difference,” Mr Bishop says.

“Every set of keys handed over is another person or family in a warm, dry social home. We’re focused not just on delivering more homes, but on delivering the right homes that match the needs of people and communities.

“The Government’s wider reset of the social housing system is already showing results. Recently the Community Housing Funding Agency achieved an A+ credit rating from S&P Global, and recently we announced the introduction of a new loan guarantee scheme, reducing borrowing costs for CHPs and enabling them to deliver more homes.

“We’re simplifying the funding system so providers can get on with building homes, instead of navigating a confusing web of overlapping funds. These Northland projects are a good example of the progress being made.”

Seven of the homes have already been delivered, with Habitat for Humanity delivering these places in Whangarei.  Remaining homes will be delivered by CHPs working in conjunction with construction partners of their choice from July 2026.  

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are urging for sightings of a grey ute in relation to Aydan, 39, who went missing over eight weeks ago.

Last seen in Chartwell, Hamilton on Sunday 17 August, Aydan was believed to be driving his 2016 grey Mazda ute, registration QYA209.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Carter said both Aydan’s family, and police, are hoping for someone to come forward with information about Aydan’s grey Mazda ute.

“Have you seen a grey ute anywhere? Perhaps you’ve noticed it hasn’t moved?

“If you’ve noticed a grey Mazda ute somewhere across the region, we would like to hear from you,” says Detective Sergeant Jonathan Carter.

Police and family have serious concerns for Aydan’s wellbeing.

If you have any information, please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, referencing file number 250819/5160.

You can also get in touch anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org

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Issued by Police Media Centre