NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

Dr Mark Hickford has been appointed as a member of the Law Commission for a five-year term and will serve as the President for the next six months, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“Dr Hickford has outstanding legal credentials and I am delighted to welcome him to the Commission.  

“Not only does he have the ability to work in complex legal environments, he has sound senior management experience and appreciates the issues involved in maintaining the capability of an organisation.

“Dr Hickford will initially work part-time with the Commission while completing a short-term contractual obligation with Te Puni Kōkiri.

“He will also serve as President of the Commission for a six-month term pending the confirmation of a new President in the New Year.

“I would like to thank the out-going President, Dr Kawharu for her able leadership, her work in the review of the Evidence Act 2006, and in reviewing the law relating to hate crime.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston has welcomed significant progress in preparing Kiwi job seekers for work, with a big jump in targeted case management. 

“The Ministry for Social Development is very firmly focused on putting job seekers first, and matching them with prospective employers,” Louise Upston says.

“This is important because increasing regular contact and training opportunities now will help people get ready for jobs and reinforces to employers that MSD is the right place to find trained, enthusiastic staff who’re ready to go to work. 

“As a result, we are seeing:

• MSD case management places increasing from around 60,000 to 70,000 places, including phone-based case management for up to 10,000 clients.
• This is a one-to-one employment service dedicated to helping people get work-ready and find a job.
• MSD rolling out Individual Employment Plans for around 70,000 clients in 2025, developed by clients and their case managers together.

“The way a modern and fit for purpose MSD engages with its clients is ultimately geared to meeting the Government’s Jobseeker reduction target but equally, it’s about preparing people to support themselves and their families in being financially independent.

“We know economic times continue to be challenging, but the number of people receiving a benefit is forecast to peak from the end of the year. There are key Government projects coming onstream, and data from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4,500 jobs.

“We want our people to be ready, so MSD is focused on preparing job seekers for positions available now as well as those expected as the economy continues to improve.”

Source: New Zealand Government

The hospitality industry employs 145,000 people and is key for New Zealand’s economic growth. The Ministry for Regulation will conduct a sector review into the $15.7 billion industry to fix what matters for hospitality operators and their patrons, Regulation Minister David Seymour and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston say. 

“The Ministry for Regulation is in a unique position to address regulatory costs that make it harder for Kiwis to get affordable services. Because these regulations are imposed by so many departments, it takes one ministry with a mandate for cutting red tape and fixing things,” Mr Seymour says. 

For the purposes of this Review, regulation that applies to restaurants, bars, cafes, food stalls at markets, food trucks, catering businesses, and hotels is in scope. The gambling regulatory system is out of scope.

“Hospitality is a sector which was hit hard by Covid. Red tape and dumb rules make it hard for the industry to bounce back. Every Kiwi has a café or bar they wish was still open,” Mr Seymour says. 

“Inconsistent requirements cost owners valuable time and money. For example, some business owners might be required to get resource consents on top of alcohol licenses, so that customers can enjoy a cold beer in sun. In other areas of the country just an alcohol license is required.

“In a hotel with an alcohol license, a guest can purchase a glass of wine in the bar but they cannot take the glass to their room. It just doesn’t make sense. That same guest can purchase a bottle of wine from the supermarket to drink in their room.

“Local councils put disproportionate costs on small food truck owners to operate at events. We heard frustration at extensive council paperwork requirements, inspections, and various fees totalling over $900, for one event.” 

“New Zealand’s hospitality industry has been facing many challenges and complex rules and unnecessary regulations are making it even more difficult for one of our biggest earning industries to reach its full potential,” Louise Upston says. 

“This review will improve hospitality rules so they’re working as they should – cutting red tape, keeping costs down, managing risks, and making compliance easier.

“We need to give our business owners the best chance at success. The current regulations act as a significant barrier for new businesses to open. Existing businesses are also struggling with these rules and regulations. 

“I look forward to working to get hospitality back on the table. 

“We want to hear about red tape getting in the way. I encourage anyone with a red tape issue in these areas to have their say here https://www.regulation.govt.nz/regulatory-reviews/hospitality-sector-review/” 

The review is expected to take six months and will report back to responsible Minister’s with recommendations. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Four Auckland properties valued at approximately $36 million have been restrained under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 following a two-year investigation.

This week, the Commissioner of Police initiated civil proceedings pursuant to the Act against five people and one company connected to the Honey Bear methamphetamine laced beer manslaughter and drug importation investigation, also known as Operation Lavender.

The second phase of this operation, the civil asset recovery investigation, began after the death of Aiden Sagala in 2023.

Aiden, 21, had unwittingly consumed liquid methamphetamine, disguised as a can of Honey House Beer, and died on 7 March 2023.

Auckland City Police initiated Operation Lavender to investigate his tragic death and the wider shipment of methamphetamine, which had been imported from Canada.

Ultimately, the investigation seized more than 700 kilograms of methamphetamine, the largest ever single seizure of methamphetamine in this country.

As a result of that investigation, two people were charged.

Himatjit Singh Kahlon, 42, was sentenced to 21 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter and possession for supply of methamphetamine.

Another man, who has permanent name suppression, was sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment for multiple drugs offences including possession for supply of methamphetamine and importing methamphetamine.

Detective Inspector Chris Allan, of the Financial Crime Group, says the investigation subsequent to Aiden’s death led to the discovery of a clandestine laboratory and hundreds of kilos of stockpiled methamphetamine imports.

“Through extensive financial investigation and analysis our team has now restrained an estimated $36 million in real estate property alleged to be connected with the importation and supply of methamphetamine.

“These properties are a mix of residential and commercial rural properties across the Whitford, Totora Heights, Karaka and Bombay areas.”

Detective Inspector Allan says transnational organised crime groups are sophisticated business entities, not only for their criminal activities but also how they launder their funds.

“Police have been quietly focused on unpicking the financial activities of this group.

“Given the scale of this criminal enterprise, this proceeding is an indication of the determination New Zealand Police have to investigate, disrupt and dismantle organised crime.

“This restraint represents significant capital that otherwise would have been at the disposal of the group to carry out further drug imports and create further harm in the community, until now.”

Detective Inspector Allan says this is yet another example of the ongoing work of Police to strip criminals of their assets and profits through organised crime.

“This is a substantial restraint in terms of value but also work and I would like to acknowledge everyone from Financial Crime Group, Auckland City District Police, National Clan Lab Response Team, NZ Customs, and the financial sector who have spent time piecing this together.

“Police will investigate these instances and look to remove the unlawful benefits from those who engage in significant criminal activity.”

As the matter is before the Court, Police are limited in providing further comment.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

KiwiRail directors Rob Jager and Bruce Wattie will complete their service on 31 October 2025, and two new directors have been appointed from 1 November 2025, Minister for Rail Minister Winston Peters announced today.

“KiwiRail must deliver the goods, so it is pleasing the former acting chair Mr Jager and chair of the risk, audit and assurance committee Mr Wattie finished by signing off on the year-end operating surplus which exceeded their $110 million target,” Mr Peters says.

“Mr Jager led Shell New Zealand, was a nine-year director of Air New Zealand, has deep knowledge of health and safety systems, and stepped up as acting chair in 2024 – all of which is acknowledged today.

“Mr Wattie joined the KiwiRail board in 2020 and has been an accomplished director and committee chair, particularly driving better insurance arrangements for the company.

“Earlier this year, we appointed Sue Tindal as chair along with two new directors and strengthened our expectations of KiwiRail to reduce costs and lift earnings, volumes, reliability and safety.

“This week, Cabinet approved the appointment of chartered accountants Murray Harrington and Alastair Bell as new KiwiRail directors, each bringing strong public sector financial acumen, experience in infrastructure and network management, optimising balance sheets, and competence in core audit functions.

“When the taxpayer builds an asset like railways, we expect it to be made use of and not left to waste on the side of the road and that is why we are driving strong focus on turning KiwiRail into the successful business New Zealanders expect it to be,” Mr Peters says.

New director biographies:

Murray Harrington is a Chartered Accountant and former PwC partner with extensive expertise in assurance, infrastructure, and risk management. He is the Chair of Corde Limited, a Council-Controlled Organisation owned by Selwyn District Council and Methven Adventures Limited. Mr Harrington is also an Independent Member of the Risk and Assurance Committee for the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission. He is a Director for Airtech NZ Limited, Genesis Capital and IHC New Zealand.

Alastair Bell is a Principal at Alastair Bell & Associates at The Ruskin Group, a consultancy. He is a governance professional with a strong background in corporate services, organisational leadership, and strategic change. He brings over 15 years of governance experience across public, private and not-for-profit sectors. His board roles include NZ Post Limited and the NZX-listed Vector Limited. Mr Bell is also an elected Trustee of Entrust, chairing key committees focused on regulators, policy and dividends.

Source: New Zealand Government

The latest research from the Education Review Office (ERO) shows the Government’s decision to mandate structured literacy and introduce structured mathematics was right, as student engagement and ability improves.

“For decades we’ve seen a decline in achievement and an equity gap that has continued to grow. This report confirms we are turning that around, more young people are on track to reaching their potential at school,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

ERO found half of primary school teachers report students’ English and maths have improved compared to last year. Parents agree, with over three quarters reporting better progress in both English and maths. So do students, with around 75 per cent saying they are getting better in those subjects, 95 per cent say they find English interesting and 86 per cent think the same for maths. Teachers also report that new approaches like structured literacy have improved attention and behaviour in the classroom.

“This is an incredible boost in less than a year, and it is reflective of the brilliant work going on in schools across the country. We followed the science and gave teachers the support and resources they needed to roll it out.

“For example, 33 thousand teachers are trained or in training in structured literacy – that’s 80 per cent of all Year 0-8 teachers. We re-prioritised $30 million to deliver over 1.1 million maths textbooks, workbooks and teacher guides to schools. Encouragingly, ERO found teachers who used these resources were four times more likely to change their teaching practice. This investment is working,” Ms Stanford says.

Overall, eighty per cent of teachers have already changed how they are teaching English and maths and all schools are now using explicit teaching techniques.

“A third of teachers have increased the time spent on reading, writing and maths and this is even greater in schools in lower socio-economic communities, where ERO found almost half of teachers are focusing more on maths.

“Every student deserves the chance to succeed and go on and live the life they want. We’re making sure that every student, regardless of background, has that chance. We will continue to support teachers with the tools they need to help our young people reach their potential,” Ms Stanford says.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  15 October 2025

Called Te Pū Hono, the cadetship jobs will provide hands-on experience in a range of skills needed to thrive as a ranger.

The first intake of 10 cadets will be based in DOC’s Renwick Base in Marlborough for the 30-month programme, starting in January 2026.

Applications open on 20 October 2025. Cadets must be fit, flexible, resilient, ready to work in remote and challenging environments, and be passionate about conservation.

DOC Monitoring and Insights Director Karl Beckert says DOC is creating these jobs to invest in its future workforce, to protect New Zealand’s unique ecosystems and priceless heritage, and maintain world-renowned outdoor recreation infrastructure.

“Introduced species, habitat loss and climate change are all putting immense pressure on our ecosystems. Aotearoa has the highest rate of threatened species in the world and if we lose them, they’re gone for good.

“Our economic future is reliant on nature going strong. It’s vital we develop the next generation of conservation workers and set them up well for a long conservation career. That includes building the skills and capability for us to maintain our internationally significant visitor network, and key tourism icons.

“This programme will have cadets working for conservation from the get-go while building skills like trapping, weed control, ecological monitoring, track and hut maintenance, cultural competency, health and safety, and general backcountry competency.

“Cadets will also get work experience in more specialised roles in their areas of interest and to experience other parts of Aotearoa in placements.

“It will be a tough but rewarding work programme – there’s lots to do, and cadets will take part in some rugged trips into the spectacular backcountry around the motu. These will be great roles for people who love to get out naturing.

“For those up for the challenge, we’re setting up the programme with great support to guide candidates to success. We welcome applicants with good attitudes who are committed to the environment and conservation.

“Once the programme is established, the intention is to recruit 10 new cadets each year.”

For more information, visit Te Pū Hono Cadetship Programme.

Contact

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

15 October 2025

Two new reports reveal WorkSafe’s frontline activity is making a tangible difference to the factories, farms, forests and construction sites of New Zealand.

Source: PHARMAC

Information on what the Immunisation Advisory Committee will be considering at its meeting in November 2025.

Source: New Zealand Police

Road closures are in place near Waikanae Railway Station this morning, following a crash.

Police were notified at 6.20am that a truck had collided with a freight train.

Fortunately both the truck and train drivers are uninjured.

Motorists are asked to follow the directions of emergency services staff at the scene.
 

ENDS
 

Issued by Police Media Centre.