NZ Engine

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are responding to a single vehicle crash involving a bus on Wellington Road/State Highway 1, near Kilbirnie Cres.

The crash was reported just before 6am.

One person has sustained minor injuries.

Traffic management is in place and motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Trains on the Hutt Valley Line are being impacted while Police respond to an incident near Petone Railway Station this evening.

Police were alerted to the incident about 6.25pm. Cordons are in place and Korokoro Road overbridge is also closed to traffic.

Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.

Train services may be affected for several hours, however commuters should check the Metlink app or website for updates.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Two initiatives to move young people out of benefit dependency and incentivise them to stay in work will be significant for thousands of young New Zealanders, Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston says.

“Firstly, we’re outlining detail around our Budget announcement that young people aged 18 and 19 will no longer be eligible for Jobseeker payments if their parents can support them,” Louise Upston says.

“Also today, I’m announcing that young people participating in the Ministry of Social Development’s new Community Job Coaching service can apply for a $1,000 bonus payment if they get a job and stay off the benefit for 12 months. 

“Going on welfare when you’re young is a trap, with recent modelling suggesting that people under the age of 25 on Jobseeker Support will spend an average of 18 or more years on a benefit over their lifetimes.

“Currently 15,045* 18–19-year-olds are on the Jobseeker benefit, and I have far greater hopes and aspirations for those young Kiwis than a life on welfare. 

“Today I can confirm that we are bringing our Budget initiative forward for implementation to November 2026. From then, all young people aged 18 and 19 without dependent children will have to pass a Parental Assistance Test in order to access Jobseeker Support or the equivalent Emergency Benefit.

“This targets welfare assistance to those who need it the most, as young people will be expected to first be supported by their parents,” Louise Upston says.

The new Parental Assistance Test will kick in when young people apply for a benefit and comprises: 

• a parental income test, demonstrating whether their parents earn income at or below the income limit, and/or
• a parental support gap test, demonstrating they cannot reasonably be expected to rely on their parents for support.
• the income limit will be set at an income cut-out point for a couple with children receiving the Supported Living Payment and will be adjusted annually.
• Currently this limit is $65,529 and it is expected to rise to reflect the Annual General Adjustment of benefit payments
• This limit will ensure that young people from very low-income families will still be able to access support if required. 

Eligibility for the new bonus payment will apply to 18- to 24-year-olds on Jobseeker Support:

• who have worked with Community Job Coaching after being on benefit for at least 12 months
• who find work
• who stay off the benefit for 12 months
• who are in work at the time of their application

The payment will be available for eligible young people 12 months later, from October 2026 and is a key component of National’s Welfare that Works policy. 

“Today’s announcements build on the work the Government has already undertaken to encourage young people into work and are in-line with the National-NZ First coalition agreement.

“Our Government is focused on reducing benefit dependency in young people, and we have already introduced a number of initiatives such as a new phone-based employment case management service. 

“We’ve got 4000 places for young people to get community job coaching. We’ve also got more regular work seminars, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their benefit obligations.

“I am determined that young New Zealanders see education, work and training as their best options for the future,” Louise Upston says.

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash in Aka Aka this morning.

The single vehicle crash was reported just before 5:30am on Aka Aka Road.

The road has since re-opened.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Canterbury Police are continuing to investigate the sudden death of a man at a residential address on Eastern Terrace in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The circumstances of the man’s death remain unclear, and Police are working to understand what occurred in the lead-up to this incident. Officers are particularly focused on tracing the man’s movements over the past two weeks and are appealing to the public for any information that may assist.

“We are committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding this man’s death,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Daniel Overend. “This is a perplexing case, and we are keeping an open mind as we work through a number of inquiries.”

As part of the investigation, Police are conducting an area canvas of the Eastern Terrace neighbourhood to identify anyone who may have seen or interacted with the deceased in recent weeks.

Anyone with information that could assist is urged to contact Police on 105, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote file number 251004/7850.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died and four others have been injured in a crash on Thornton Road near Matatā this morning.

Emergency services were notified of the crash involving two cars at 9.20am.

One person is reported to have serious injuries and three people have moderate injuries.

Thornton Road is closed at the intersections with Greig Road and West Bank Road. The road is expected to remain closed for the next three to four hours. 

ENDS
 

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Battle of Te Tarata Pā reminds us of the extraordinary courage, determination and resilience of our tūpuna in a time of conflict and change, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.

Minister Potaka joined Te Whakatōhea and Ngāti Ira in Ōpōtiki today to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Te Tarata Pā — a site of enduring significance.

He acknowledged the significance of the battle to Te Whakatōhea, paying tribute to the tūpuna who stood in defence of their whenua and the whānau who carry their legacy today.

“Today we gather to honour those who came before us, to acknowledge their sacrifices, and to ensure that their stories are remembered by future generations.

“Commemorations such as Te Tarata play a vital role in strengthening collective memory, cultural identity, and the intergenerational passing down of kōrero tuku iho.

“These commemorations are not just about looking back – they are about coming together as Iwi, hapū, and communities to strengthen our connections, and to reaffirm our shared commitment to the future.”

He also acknowledged the leadership of Iwi and local communities in ensuring the commemoration was observed with mana and dignity.

“The Crown’s presence here today is part of an ongoing journey of understanding, respect, partnership, and honouring the enduring spirit of our people.” 

Te whakamaharatanga i te huritau 160 o Te Pakanga o Te Tarata

Ko tā Te Pakanga o Te Tarata he whakamahara i a tātou ki te māia, te manawanui, me te manawaroa nui whakaharahara o ō tātou tūpuna i te wā o te tautohe me te hurihuri o te ao, e kī ana te Minita Whanaketanga Māori Tama Potaka.

I tū ngātahi a Minita Potaka ki te taha o Te Whakatōhea, o Ngāti Ira i Ōpōtiki i te rangi nei ki te whakamahara i te huritau 160 o Te Pā o Te Tarata — he wāhi tino whakahirahira tūroa ake nei.

I mihia e ia te tino whakahirahira o te pakanga ki te iwi o Te Whakatōhea, ka whakanuia hoki e ia ngā tūpuna i tū ki te mura o te ahi hei kaupare hoariri i tō rātou whenua, me te rere tonu o āna kupu whakamiha ki ngā whānau kei te hāpai tonu i ngā kōrero tuku iho o rātou mā i tēnei rā.

“I te rangi nei kua karahuihui mai tātou ki te whakahōnore i te hunga i takahi i te whenua i mua i a tātou, hei whakamihi i te nui o ā rātou whakapaunga, me te mātua whakarite ka maumahara tonu ō rātou kōrero, kei wareware e ngā whakatipuranga e whai ake nei.

“He wāhi nui tō ngā whakamaharatanga pēnā i a Te Tarata i te whakapakaritanga ake o te pūmahara ngātahi, o te tuakiri ā-ahurea, oti rā, me te whāngaitanga o ngā kōrero tuku iho heke, heke ki ngā whakatipuranga e haere ake nei.

“Ehara i te mea he tirotiro whakamuri noa iho te take o ēnei whakamaharatanga – he huihuinga Iwi, he huihuinga hapū, hapori anō hoki te take hei whakapakari i ō tātou hononga, he whakaū anō hoki i tō tātou paihere ngātahi ki ngā rā o te ānamata e tū ake nei.”

I mihia anōtia e ia ngā rangatira o ngā Iwi me ngā hapori o te rohe i tā rātou mātua whai kia whakanuia te whakamaharatanga i runga i te mana me te rangatira e tika ana.

“Ko te mahi a te Karauna i konei i te rangi nei ko tētahi hīkoi haere tonu o te māramatanga, o te whakaute, o te pātuinga, me te whakahōnore hoki i te wairua tū tonu, tū tonu o tō tātou iwi.” 

Source: New Zealand Police

The northbound lanes of the Waikato Expressway are blocked between Cambridge Road and Tauwhare Road following a crash.

The crash, involving several vehicles was reported just after 1:15pm.

No serious injuries have been reported.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

From Monday, the starting age for free bowel screening will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island, with the rest of the North Island to follow in March 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Earlier this year, I confirmed the Government’s commitment to lowering the bowel screening age to match Australia, so that fewer New Zealanders die from bowel cancer,” Mr Brown says.

“The first step is lowering the eligibility age from 60 to 58. This means thousands more people will now have access to lifesaving testing, giving them the best chance of having bowel cancer detected early, when it can often be successfully treated.”

Lowering the starting age to 58 will see 122,000 people become eligible for free screening in the first year alone. Over the next 25 years, this change is expected to prevent 771 bowel cancers and save 566 lives.

People in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island will be eligible for the lower starting age from Monday, with those in the central and lower North Island from March 2026. All newly eligible people nationwide will be invited for free screening by March 2027.

“This is the first significant step towards aligning New Zealand’s screening age with Australia. Our goal is to bring the age down even further, and building colonoscopy capacity is key to achieving that.

“The Government is also introducing a new nationwide pathway called the FIT for Symptomatic test. This is a simple, non-invasive home test that uses a stool sample to check for traces of blood – an early warning sign of bowel cancer. It will allow anyone of any age with bowel cancer symptoms referred to a specialist to quickly assess their risk without needing to wait for a colonoscopy.”

The FIT for Symptomatic pathway has already been launched in Waikato and will be introduced in Counties Manukau, Waitematā, Hawke’s Bay over the next two months, ahead of a nationwide roll out next year.

“This will free up specialist capacity by prioritising colonoscopies for those at highest risk and reducing unnecessary referrals, leading to shorter wait times, faster diagnoses, and more resources to expand screening.

“The FIT for Symptomatic pathway is expected to reduce colonoscopy referrals by 30 to 60 per cent – a significant increase in capacity that will support both symptomatic patients and the extended screening programme.

“To further increase capacity, the Government has also recently announced a diagnostic uplift package that will deliver 7100 extra colonoscopies through to July 2026, helping to meet rising demand and ensure timely treatment.

“In addition, we are investing $19 million in initiatives to lift screening rates among populations with low participation rates. This includes targeted promotional and engagement campaigns, new online resources to support conversations about screening, and making it easier to return test kits through community laboratories.”

Mr Brown says the Government is committed to further lowering the bowel screening starting age as quickly as possible, and Erasmus University is undertaking modelling to support this.

“Bowel cancer is New Zealand’s second biggest cancer killer. By lowering the screening age, rolling out the FIT for Symptomatic pathway, expanding diagnostic capacity, and investing in targeted initiatives, we are taking action that will save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of families from losing loved ones too soon,” Mr Brown says.