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What to do if you have the coloured sand recalled for asbestos in your home

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tremolite – a naturally occurring asbestos – had been found in samples during lab testing. Supplied / Product Safety NZ

Nearly 60 schools and early childhood centres have contacted the Ministry of Education over possible asbestos contamination from recalled coloured play sands. Here’s what we know.

What is the product that was recalled?

The sand is brightly coloured and used for play, craft and classroom activities. The recalled products are:

  • Creatistics Coloured Sand
  • Educational Colours Rainbow Sand

Tremolite – a naturally occurring asbestos – had been found in samples during lab testing. Asbestos contamination had been found in similar products in Australia.

How dangerous is tremolite asbestos?

Inhalation of asbestos fibres is associated with an increased incidence in a number of respiratory diseases, including asbestos, mesothelioma, pleural and lung cancers, ABC Australia reported.

MBIE said while testing of New Zealand product is ongoing, as a precautionary measure, the company Educational Colours has issued a recall notice.

“Asbestos is a serious health hazard and we are working with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Education and WorkSafe to provide guidance for consumers and educational facilities which may have bought these products.”

What shops stock the sand?

The sand was sold at

  • Paper Plus
  • Hobby Land
  • NZ School Shop
  • Office Products Depot
  • Discount Office
  • Acquire

It was also sold at Qizzle, Modern Teaching Aids, Creative Classrooms Ltd and ACME Supplies.

MBIE said it may have also been sold online.

The sand was sold at a number of stores as well as online. Supplied / Product Safety NZ

How long has it been on shelves?

“At this stage we do not have enough information to quantify how widespread the use of the product is in schools and early learning services,” Ministry of Education head of operations and integration Sean Teddy said on Thursday.

How is it being handled?

Earlier this week the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said people needed to stop using the products immeidately.

“We urge anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or potential use in a school or other setting to act immediately,” said Ian Caplin, MBIE product safety spokesperson.

“Stop using the sand, contain it, secure it in a safe place and arrange for safe disposal through licensed professionals, a list of these is available on the WorkSafe website.”

Caplin said people should avoid trying to clean any loose particles themselves

“It’s not a question of hoovering it up and chucking it in a waste bin, call an expert.,”

RNZ had been in touch with a number of asbestos removal firms who said they had been notified of the product by WorkSafe, and were awaiting further information before formulating plans to address potential contamination.

What should parents do?

  • Stop using it immediately
  • Place the sand in a sealed container and store it securely away from people.
  • Do not dispose of it in general waste. WorkSafe strongly recommends engaging a Class A licensed asbestos removalist for safe disposal. A list of licensed removalists can be found on the WorkSafe website.

Once secure, it encourages people to reach out to the supplier to organise a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

What should schools and ECEs do?

“We’ve been contacted by around 30 schools and 30 early childhood services from around the country, and we are working with them to validate if the product they have on site is the product that is being recalled, as well as if the product they have is in active use or not,” Teddy said.

  • If the product is in a sealed container move it to a secure location away from people.
  • If the sand is currently being used in your facility, please instruct everyone to leave the area, block it off and make sure it is not accessible.
  • Do not vacuum or sweep floors where there is sand, or attempt to clean it up.
  • Contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for immediate advice and support on your specific situation. Details of Class A licensed removalists are available in the Asbestos Removal Licence Holders Register.
  • Do not return to the affected area until the extent of contamination is established, and after the area is remediated by an expert.
  • If individuals are currently using the sand, they should put it down and relocate to a sand-free, well-ventilated area.
  • If an educational facility has identified that the sand has been used at their facility, they should notify Ministry of Education that the sand has been used on site, and detail the actions that have been taken so far.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Police say delay in responding to reports of disorder in Tauranga due to another incident

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police say they did attend and disperse a crowd in Welcome Bay on 1 November after multiple complaints, though not immediately. RNZ / REECE BAKER

Police say a delay in responding to reports of disorder in Tauranga earlier this month was due to being busy elsewhere.

On the evening of Saturday 1 November, police said they received multiple reports of a large group of people on a street in Welcome Bay.

One request came from Tauranga City Council’s noise control team which asked for assistance.

“Our contracted Noise Control officers received three complaints on Saturday, 1 November and attended Victory Street to assess the situation. Due to health and safety concerns arising from the large number of people present, Noise Control requested Police assistance to serve an Excessive Noise Direction,” said the council’s general manager regulatory & community services Sarah Omendsen.

However, she said police did not attend while council staff were still there.

The New Zealand Herald reported the disorder calls as relating to a “massive brawl”.

Police told RNZ they did eventually attend and disperse a crowd, though not immediately.

“Police will prioritise events based on risk, and attendance or non-attendance, will reflect that risk,” a spokesperson said.

“In this case, while we were unable to respond immediately due to another serious disorder incident, we gathered appropriate resources, attended the scene and dispersed the crowd.”

Omendsen said police were the ones who needed to deal with events that got out of control or caused problems for neighbours.

“Residents experiencing public disorder are encouraged to report it directly to police, who are responsible for and best equipped to respond to these types of incidents.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Manufacturing sector expands for fourth consecutive month in October

Source: Radio New Zealand

A reading above 50.0 indicates expansion in the BNZ-Business New Zealand PMI, in October the score rose by 1.3 points to 51.4. 123rf

  • Manufacturing activity expands, rises 1.3 points to 51.4 – above 50 is expansion
  • Four of five sub-indexes also in expansion – employment still contracting
  • Manufacturing expanded four months in a row, first time in three years

New Zealand’s manufacturing sector expanded for a fourth consecutive month in October, led by a rise in new orders and improved demand.

The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance Of Manufacturing Index (PMI) for October rose by 1.3 points to 51.4 from 50.1 in September.

A reading above 50.0 indicates expansion.

BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said the lift to 51.4 from September’s 50.1 was not large, but was moving in the right direction.

“The October result sees the PMI now boasting four consecutive months above the break even 50 mark for the first time in three years.”

BusinessNZ director of advocacy Catherine Beard said that after two months of flatlining activity in the sector, at least October showed more signs of life.

“Four of the five sub-index values were in expansion during October, lead by New Orders, which showed its highest level of expansion since August 2022.”

Production and Finished Stocks also rose, but Employment remains in contractionary territory at 48.1.

Steel said manufacturers were still shedding workers and employment was usually the last sector to rise in an economic recovery.

Manufacturers were also less negative above the future, the proportion of negative comments fell in October to 54.1 percent, down from 60.2 percent in September and 58.1 percent in August.

Manufacturers reported a lift in orders and improved demand, helped by seasonal activity, new customers/products, and signs of economic confidence returning.

Many also noted better efficiency and productivity, with process improvements and automation supporting stronger sales and output.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Australian company to supply police’s new roadside drug-testing kits

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police will start testing for THC, methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine using the new oral-fluid testing devices. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Police have confirmed a deal with an Australian company to provide detection devices for roadside drug-testing.

Roadside testing for four types of drugs will begin in Wellington next month, with a nationwide rollout by mid-2026.

Police will start testing for THC, methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine using the new oral-fluid testing devices.

Director of road policing Superintendent Steve Greally said Australian-based company Pathtech Pty Ltd would supply the devices, as well as oral fluid collection kits to collect samples to be sent for laboratory analysis.

The Securetec DrugWipe 3S devices were used in police jurisdictions throughout Australia, as well as other overseas nations.

The DrugWipe detects the presence of drugs in saliva at or above a threshold that detects current or recent use.

Drivers will take an initial swab test, with a positive result triggering a second test. If confirmed, the driver faces an immediate 12-hour driving ban, and their initial sample is sent to a laboratory for evidential testing.

Greally said it followed an extensive global procurement process, and Pathtech had “extensive knowledge” of introducing drug detection equipment across Australia.

“Many countries, including New Zealand, have seen a rise in the number of drivers testing positive for drugs in recent years, and the direct correlation to the number of people being seriously injured or killed on our roads,” he said.

“The focus now shifts to the implementation and our processes as our staff prepare for this crucial change.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Why an ‘Inspector-General’ might not have stopped the Jevon McSkimming cover-up

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police Conduct Association founder Shannon Parker says the move to bring in an Inspector-General is a knee-jerk reaction. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

An advocate supporting people with complaints about police misconduct says bringing in an Inspector-General is a knee-jerk reaction that may not make much difference.

The government revealed on Tuesday it plans to set up an Inspector-General of Police as part of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), which will be expanded to become an Inspectorate, with additional resourcing and powers.

The National Integrity Unit in Police has also been bolstered with six additional investigators, and a lawyer has been tasked with investigating current police employees involved.

The moves are a response to the damning IPCA report into the failures of police leadership to investigate or follow up complaints of sexual offending by McSkimming.

The complaints are thought to have been made by a woman 20 years younger than McSkimming, who he had an affair with.

The founder of the Police Conduct Association, Shannon Parker, told Nine to Noon host Kathryn Ryan she set up the NGO after her own difficulties making a complaint about police.

“I found the process very difficult, and basically didn’t know what I was doing, and I felt that many people would have the same problem,” she said.

Jevon McSkimming. RNZ / Mark Papalii

She said the move to bring in an Inspector-General was a knee-jerk reaction and several avenues for investigating police conduct already existed: the IPCA; the Police Professional Conduct Group inside police; and the National Integrity Unit also within police.

“In my mind, all [were] set up for the purpose of protecting the police reputation as opposed to protecting victims of police conduct … I can’t see how an Inspector-General of Police is going to make any difference if you put that person sitting at the IPCA.”

She said the IPCA had admitted there were times it could have stepped in sooner or done more to prevent the McSkimming scandal, and an Inspector-General would only know what they had been notified of.

“If someone’s instructed not to forward an email on, not to notify someone, how is it going to have made any difference? … he only knows what he knows. He only knows what he’s notified of.

“What’s the difference between that and any other avenue they already have for communicating anonymously?

“I think it’s another thing that’s going to cost a lot of money that is not going to offer the victims or complainants of police misconduct any value.”

She said the internal groups like the Professional Conduct Group sometimes referred complaints back to the police district the complaint originated from – and whether they were acted on often depended on “how much that person is willing to do”.

The problem with the McSkimming case was the correct processes were not followed, and Parker questioned whether having an Inspector-General would affect that.

The same was true of the idea of setting up an anonymous portal for complaints.

“We’ve got whistleblowers process, anyone can set up an anonymous email … they could have gone to CrimeStoppers, again that’s anonymous.

“I’m not saying that they should have to, or that that should be what they should have done – but I’m saying there’s already ways and means of doing that.”

Public Services Minister Judith Collins speaks after a damning report into police conduct, with Police Commissioner Richard Chambers in the background. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

More resources for IPCA a ‘great next step’

Parker said the IPCA only investigated a small portion of the complaints they received, with many instead being sent back for police to investigate themselves.

More detailed investigations by the IPCA were typically only undertaken for very serious cases like police shootings, fatal pursuits, and sexual offending, she said.

“Other than that, they are usually left with the police.”

She said some complaints were only successfully raised because the complainants had “pushed and pushed” and asked further questions.

“The bulk of those, if I’m honest, have actually only been taken seriously or relooked at after we have gone to the media and it’s got – or about to get – public attention. And that concerns me. That shouldn’t have to happen.

“It makes me wonder how many people just give up at the starting gate … because it’s too stressful, it’s too hard, or they just don’t know what to do next.”

Another difficulty with the IPCA was any complaint made would automatically be notified to the police.

Greater powers for the IPCA would be “a great idea and would be a great next step”, she said, but the priority was more resourcing.

“They are very limited in what they can do, and I do understand that … but I think they definitely need greater resourcing.

“In some cases I know that they would like to take things further and they just can’t – but not having the time and the resources to be able to go through these with a finer-toothed comb definitely has a big impact.”

She said complainants sometimes filed “incredibly long” complaints with irrelevant details that could take up police and IPCA time, and which may be exacerbating problems with ignored or lost complaints.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Why low-flying German military planes are in New Zealand skies

Source: Radio New Zealand

Luftwaffe means Air Force in German. Samantha Gee / RNZ

Low-flying military aircraft have been seen around the country over the last week, with a deployment from the German Air Force setting up in Woodbourne, near Blenheim, where its members are training with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

The joint exercise, Tūhono Rangi, involves German military aircraft doing formation and low-altitude flights and deploying parachutists and cargo around the country.

The German Air Force has brought two A400 planes from the Air Transport Wing 62 and a Airbus A330 and A321 from the Special Mission Wing to New Zealand.

Colonel Markus Knoll, who is piloting one of the Airbus A400 aircraft, said the six-day journey from Germany via Europe, the United States and Fiji, was a dream come true for a pilot.

Once arriving in New Zealand, he said they were able to fly the A400s in their full tactical spectrum.

“In Blenheim, we’ve got, from our point of view, a very short runway, so we have to take care to do some short field landings, we do some low-level flying that’s unique, we can go down to 300 feet (91m) AGL (above ground level), we’re not allowed to do this in Germany, only 500 feet (152m) AGL.

The Germans were working closely with the RNZAF Combat Support Squadron (CSS) from Base Ohakea, and Knoll said they were developing interoperability, which would allow them to work together on operations in the future.

The cockpit of a German Air Force A400 during a training exercise in NZ. Samantha Gee / RNZ

Over the next week, working alongside the New Zealand Army at Waiouru, they will practice dropping containers of kit and supplies in various locations.

“We’ve done these airdrops over the Gaza Strip for humanitarian relief, and now we have to train the four crews we’ve brought with us to use our newest software in the A400 so we can do some automatic drops.”

The joint military exercise is called Tūhono Rangi. Samantha Gee / RNZ

The German Air Force first visited Base Ohakea last year as part of the Pacific Skies exercise, marking the first time operational German and Spanish military aircraft had come to New Zealand.

Knoll said that was the beginning of a partnership between the two countries, with the current mission an invaluable chance to work together.

“We learn a lot from each other – in the military world nowadays you’re never ever on your own, you’re always in a ‘coalition of the willing’ or NATO, together with partners.

“New Zealand is one of the partners and if we train together, if you get used to each other, if our tactics fit with the others – that’s great, we are stronger together.”

German Air Force Colonel Markus Knoll flew one of the A400s to New Zealand, a journey that took six days. Samantha Gee / RNZ

Operation squadron leader Matt Williams led the exercise to mount and deploy from Ohakea to Woodbourne, ensuring all capabilities could be deployed effectively through military air assets, then set up again in location, operational and ready to support.

He said they did not often get a chance to operate with aircraft like the A400.

RNZAF pilots were able to sit alongside the German pilots in flight to gain an understanding of the systems and processes they used, while also helping them to understand New Zealand’s unique flying environment.

Flight Lieutenant Shane Leaming is a security forces officer in combat support services. Samantha Gee / RNZ

Around 60 Air Force personnel came down from Ohakea to support the mission, including Flight Lieutenant Shane Leaming, a security forces officer.

“New Zealand is very far away from the centre of the world where the big militaries are, such as Europe and America, so it’s very cool when a detachment of them comes all the way to New Zealand just to fly in our airspace and work with us.”

A German Air Force A400 flying across the Tasman Sea. Samantha Gee / RNZ

His work in combat service support involved leading security forces teams to protect aircraft and military bases in scenarios during the exercise.

“For my teams to practice their flyaway techniques and procedures, one of the hardest things for us to access is actually having ready access to an aircraft because our planes are so busy – so having the Germans here willing to fly four flights per day that my team can jump on, and we have a scenario that is safe but also tests us, that’s the best part.”

Inside a German Military A400 aircraft. Samantha Gee / RNZ

Corporal Ezra Te Awe Awe, a logistics specialist in the air movements team, said it was the first time he had worked with the German Air Force. He had been loading and unloading passengers, signing off pre-flight paperwork, securing cargo and marshalling the aircraft in and out.

“Being able to marshal them in, it’s different to what we usually do with our aircraft. Working with A400s, you don’t really get to do that in New Zealand.”

Corporal Ezra Te Awe Awe, a logistics specialist in the air movements team. Samantha Gee / RNZ

The German military aircraft will be visible in the skies for the next week, until exercise Tūhono Rangi concludes.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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‘Just looking for a result’: Scott Robertson on All Blacks’ challenge against England

Source: Radio New Zealand

England v All Blacks

Kick-off: 4:10am Sunday 16 November

Allianz Stadium (Twickenham), London

Live blog updates on RNZ

England have been installed as favourites by some local bookmakers for this weekend’s crunch match with the All Blacks at Twickenham. However, Scott Robertson isn’t reading too much into it as his side prepares for what’s being billed as the biggest game of the end of year tour.

“We’re just looking for a result,” he said when asked if the All Blacks were aiming for a statement performance.

“You look at these games, how tight they are in the margins, and there’s two quality teams both got clear DNA, how they want to play. Discipline, keep trusting ourselves and keep playing is the key.”

Robertson has made several changes to his team, most notably shaking up the loose forwards by bringing back Simon Parker to start at blindside.

“He’s a big body, he’s physical and Wallace (Sititi) will come on obviously…we still have to make our tackles and turn the ball over, whatever the style of game is, he can add to it.”

All Blacks Cam Roigard and Wallace Sititi celebrate at full-time after George Ford of England misses a drop goal attempt at the final whistle during All Blacks v England. Bob Martin/ActionPress

When asked for an assessment of England, Robertson was surprised and amused to learn of the ‘Pom Squad’ nickname that Steve Borthwick’s bench has earned. Props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and loose forwards Tom Curry and Henry Pollock will be presumably injected in the second half, in a plan that has been likened to the Springboks’ successful switching of starting players to impact roles in recent years.

“Wow that’s catchy,” said Robertson.

“That’s innovation, isn’t it? The finishing of test matches is critical…(we’ve got to) bring all we need to make an impact.”

Of course, there was the inevitable question about the haka, but in the English media’s defence, the topic of how the home side should issue a response was far more thoughtful than last year’s eruption of controversy.

“We welcome that, respectfully. There’s always rules of engagement around it, but they know what we’re going to do,” said Robertson.

England players approach the New Zealand team as they perform the Haka. James Crombie / www.photosport.nz

England coach Steve Borthwick will be looking to reverse a run of three narrow defeats to the All Blacks, including a dramatic 24-22 result in the same fixture last year. He hinted at a kick-heavy game, having identified that Robertson’s gameplans have relied on Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie’s boots a great deal.

“Every game it has spiked how much they have kicked. Last year at Twickenham, they came and the first thing they did is go ‘right we are kicking this ball’,” Borthwick told media this week.

“It is that tactical element of it and it will be interesting to see if that’s what Scott Robertson has asked his team to do.”

Scott Barrett addresses the All Blacks. ActionPress

Team lists

England: 1. Fin Baxter, 2. Jamie George, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Maro Itoje (c), 5. Alex Coles, 6. Guy Pepper, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl, 9. Alex Mitchell, 10. George Ford (vice-captain), 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 12. Fraser Dingwall, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 14. Tom Roebuck, 15. Freddie Steward

Bench: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Chandler Cunningham-South, 20. Tom Curry, 21. Henry Pollock, 22. Ben Spencer, 23. Marcus Smith

All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan

Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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EIT launches new landscaping pathway to meet growing demand in green industries

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

24 seconds ago

EIT is launching a new hands-on training pathway designed to prepare aspiring landscapers and horticulture workers for careers in New Zealand’s fast-growing green industries.

Beginning in February 2026, learners can start with the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) – Gardening: Foundations for Landscape Work. From there, in July, they can progress to the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills (Level 3) – Landscaping Skills: Build the Outdoors.

EIT tutor Aaron Williams is leading the new landscaping pathway, designed to prepare students for careers in the growing green industry.

Delivered three days per week at EIT’s Taradale campus, the two programmes offer a clear route into landscaping, horticulture and other land-based sectors focused on creating, maintaining and managing outdoor environments.

Tutor Aaron Williams, an experienced landscaper, says the courses are all about developing practical skills and confidence.

“Students start with the basics at Level 2, including plant care, soils, tools and teamwork, and when they reach Level 3, they’re ready to take on more responsibility, operate machinery safely and work effectively on real projects,” he says.

“It’s about learning by doing and developing the skills employers are really looking for.”

With strong demand for skilled workers in landscaping, horticulture and the wider primary industries sector, these programmes offer a supportive, job-ready pathway into a thriving and sustainable industry.

Lisa Turnbull, Assistant Head of School – Primary Industries, says: “this new landscaping pathway is an exciting addition to our Primary Industries offerings and reflects EIT’s commitment to meeting industry needs while creating opportunities for learners.

“It provides a clear, practical route into the green sector, which is experiencing strong growth and offers sustainable career opportunities. By combining foundational skills at Level 2 with advanced operational skills at Level 3, students will graduate job-ready and confident to contribute to landscaping and horticulture projects.

“These programmes deliver a strong foundation and hands-on experience, ensuring graduates are prepared for roles in landscaping, horticulture, and other green sectors. We’re proud to support students in building meaningful, sustainable careers that make a real impact on our environment.”

Applications are now open for the February 2026 intake. Graduates can move into entry-level roles in the primary industries or progress to further study, such as Environmental Studies.

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Manufacturing orders up, but employment still a struggle – survey

Source: Radio New Zealand

The survey showed a rise in new orders and production, but a further weakening of employment. 123rf

Manufacturing sector activity expanded in October thanks to higher new orders and improving demand.

The BNZ-Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index rose by 1.3 points to 51.4 in October, although it was still below its long-run average of 52.4.

A reading over 50 was regarded as expansion in the sector.

The survey showed a rise in new orders and production, but a further weakening of employment.

BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said the lift to 51.4 from September’s 50.1 was not large, but it had moved the right way.

He says Friday’s result was the fourth consecutive monthly expansion, something that had not happened for three years.

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Dozens of schools and childcare centres report using asbestos-contaminated sand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said people needed to stop using the products immediately. Supplied / Product Safety NZ

The Ministry of Education says nearly 60 schools and early childhood centres have contacted them over possible asbestos contamination from recalled coloured play sands.

Rainbow sand from Educational Colours and coloured sand from Creatistics were recalled because Tremolite – a naturally occurring asbestos – had been found in samples during lab testing.

Head of operations and integration Sean Teddy said schools were told not to attempt to clean it up, but leave the area and close off access to affected spaces.

“We’ve been contacted by around 30 schools and 30 early childhood services from around the country, and we are working with them to validate if the product they have on site is the product that is being recalled, as well as if the product they have is in active use or not.

“We will have a better understanding of the number of schools and early learning services affected by the recall, and how they are responding, by the end of the day Friday.”

Asbestos contamination had been found in similar products in Australia.

Earlier in the week the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said people needed to stop using the products immediately.

“We urge anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or potential use in a school or other setting to act immediately,” said Ian Caplin, MBIE product safety spokesperson.

“Stop using the sand, contain it, secure it in a safe place and arrange for safe disposal through licensed professionals, a list of these is available on the WorkSafe website.”

Caplin said people should avoid trying to clean any loose particles themselves

“It’s not a question of hoovering it up and chucking it in a waste bin, call an expert.,”

The sand was sold at Paper Plus, Hobby Land, NZ School Shop, Office Products Depot, Discount Office, Acquire, and Qizzle, Modern Teaching Aids, Creative Classrooms Ltd and ACME Supplies.

MBIE said it may have also been sold online.

RNZ had been in touch with a number of asbestos removal firms who said they had been notified of the product by WorkSafe, and were awaiting further information before formulating plans to address potential contamination.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand