Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a truck crash in Wairoa Valley, Tasman District, this morning.
Police were notified at 9.40am that a logging truck had crashed on Wairoa Gorge Road.
The driver was unresponsive when emergency services arrived and sadly was unable to be revived.
The road is closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 03 July 2025
At the fossicking site at Slab Hut Creek Campsite, south of Reefton on the West Coast of the South Island, there have been problems with fossickers mining into the creek bank. DOC staff say if left unaddressed, the fossicking will ultimately result in the creek eroding into the campground.
Senior Ranger Darrell Haworth says the repairs to the site needed a digger to remediate and have cost thousands to undertake.
“This is the second time we have had to carry out remediation to protect the camping area because of gold fossicking activity – which means we have less budget to spend on visitor assets elsewhere,” Darrell says.
“As well as threatening the stability of the camping area, the unlawful digging potentially impacts the access road for the campground.
“With the gold price so high at the moment (at over $5400 an ounce), we are assuming that’s a motivation for these people, as a lot of effort has been put into these destructive earthworks.
“We’d like people to spread the word the rules need to be followed when fossicking for gold at these sites. Signs are in place informing people of the key rules – fossickers must stay in the active streambed, use hand tools only, leave natural features undisturbed; and ensure the area is returned to near its original condition.
“We are aware this issue of digging in banks and undermining vegetation is also occurring at the Moonlight Creek fossicking area, and we have carried out legal proceedings in the past for people caught. Rangers are regularly in the area and will be monitoring these sites.”
Digging in banks on Public Conservation Land is an offence under the Conservation Act as it interferes with or damages natural features.
The penalty for this activity in the case of an individual, is imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding $100,000, or both: in the case of a body corporate, a fine not exceeding $200,000
Gold fossicking is the activity of collecting gold by a stream or river using pans, shovels, and sluice boxes.
People can do this in designated public gold fossicking areas. There is a low concentration of alluvial gold (found in soil usually around rivers and streams) within all the gold fossicking areas.
Nine of New Zealand’s 19 gold fossicking sites are on the West Coast.
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Police
A woman will appear in court in connection with an investigation underway into the discovery of human remains in Freemans Bay on Tuesday.
Police have been investigating since officers located the body of a newborn baby in a wheelie bin outside an address on Renall Street.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland City CIB, says a 32-year-old woman is expected to appear in court.
“At this stage we have charged the woman with interfering with human remains, and she is due to appear in the Auckland District Court,” he says.
“We believe this appearance will be via audio-visual link.
“A post-mortem examination was carried out on the baby yesterday, the results of which are still pending.
“We are conscious that this is a very delicate situation, and we are ensuring there is support in place for the woman.”
Cordons around Renall Street have since been stood down.
Detective Inspector Beard says Police are still carrying out enquiries at a specific property on the street.
“Our enquiries remain ongoing and it will take some time for a thorough investigation to be completed,” he says.
“We are continuing to ask for those in the community that might have information or CCTV footage that could assist us to get in touch.”
Anyone with information can update Police online now or call 105, using the reference number 250630/9878 or citing ‘Operation Yarrow’.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is investing more than $56 million into water resilience projects in rural Canterbury to help protect against changing weather patterns and increase productivity through higher value land use, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say.
“Ease of access to water is a top priority for Canterbury’s rural communities,” Mr Jones says.
“Canterbury has so far avoided the extreme drought experienced in previous years, thanks in part to high rainfall over December and January. However, it is still critical that the region future-proofs its water supply.”
The three projects receiving loans through the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) are:
Opuha Dam and Irrigation Scheme upgrade – up to $20.8m to upgrade Opuha Dam
Balmoral Water Storage Facility (Amuri) – up to $20m to build a pond to store up to 10 million cu m for an existing irrigation scheme where resource consents are already held to divert, take, use, and discharge water to land in Amuri Basin.
Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme – up to $15.6m to develop a large-scale storage facility to improve water reliability through the existing Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme.
Mr Patterson was at an event in Cust, along with close to a 100 farmers and other stakeholders to announce the funding.
“In recent years Canterbury has faced increasingly longer and dryer periods. Last August I was nearby Rangiora to announce additional support for farmers dealing with drought,” Mr Patterson says.
“Opuha Dam is a vital regional asset which needs an upgrade to extend its life and address flood management, water quality and seismic risks. Today’s funding will ensure this critical work goes ahead,” Mr Patterson says.
“As well as irrigating farms, the dam has enabled growth in downstream industries such as vegetable and dairy processing while helping preserve the river environment.
“The Balmoral project will ensure a more reliable water supply for farmers, providing more certainty to continue investing in diversified land use and high-value food production.
“The need for a more reliable water supply was also a key driver for the Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme. The project will enable water diverted from Waimakariri River when it is plentiful to be stored in ponds and used all year,” Mr Patterson says.
“Each of these projects has its own geographical boundary within which it operates but combined they provide a significant boost to the region’s broader water resilience and supply for the primary production sector,” Mr Jones says.
Editors’ note:
The Regional Infrastructure Fund is a capital fund with the primary purpose of accelerating infrastructure projects, with a focus on water storage, energy, and resilience that will make a difference in the regions.
Funding is approved in principle and announced, after which contracts are negotiated. Some funding may depend on completion of business cases. Payments are made once agreed milestones are met. These are set as part of contract negotiations and differ from project to project.
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government’s focus on improving roads across the country is well on its way, with the successful completion of one of the largest state highway road renewal programmes in New Zealand history, Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed today.
“We are focused on ensuring government agencies are better at looking after the infrastructure assets we already have, to ensure New Zealanders get the most from their public infrastructure,” Mr Bishop says.
“That’s why we’ve invested in road maintenance and renewals through the $2 billion State Highway Pothole Prevention fund, which ensures vital work is carried out to keep our roads safe and suitable for the people that use them.
“Over the summer months from September to April, almost 2200 lane kilometres of road either received a new layer of seal or asphalt or the entire road was completely replaced.
“With over 300 lane kilometres of road being rebuilt, the NZ Transport Agency and its maintenance contractors almost tripled their delivery of brand-new high-quality roads when compared to the previous summer.
“A particular highlight this past season was the State Highway 1 Tīrau to Waiouru accelerated maintenance programme, which delivered over 100 lane kilometres of road rebuilding and resealing throughout the centre of the Waikato region. Regions such as Northland, Taranaki, Manawatū and Southland each saw more than 20 lane kilometres of new roading also.
“I extend my thanks to the communities, drivers and truckies who’ve been so patient through this busy summer maintenance season, and to the contractors who’ve worked hard to get the work done to a high standard.
“Our focus on building new roads will continue over the next two years. We acknowledge that this work can be disruptive for road users; but the use of new construction techniques, increased use of risk-based traffic management guidance, and clear communication with the public will ensure that New Zealanders experience better journeys both during construction and after the works take place.
“Having safe, high-quality roads to drive on is critical for people getting to work, school and home safely as well as making sure our freight gets to where it needs to go in a timely manner.”
Source: New Zealand Government
Market soundings with international and local toll road investors, operators and financiers will begin next week as the next step in exploring how toll concessions could help fund, build and operate important road infrastructure, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“The Government is focused on improving high-quality road infrastructure to boost economic growth and ensure people and freight can travel efficiently and safely. To accelerate the delivery of vital transport projects, we’re looking into alternative funding and financing methods, including the use of toll concessions.
“New Zealand currently has three toll roads in operation in Auckland and Tauranga, with three more in various stages of construction or planning. The Government has also set expectations in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 that other roads are considered for tolling in future, including all future Roads of National Significance.
“Although existing toll roads are currently managed by the NZ Transport Agency, the Government is, for the first time, considering private sector involvement in the operation of toll roads. This includes the potential use of toll concessions as part of a broader approach to infrastructure delivery.
“A toll concession involves a private entity—known as a concessionaire—being given the right to manage and maintain a toll road for a specified time. During this period, they collect toll revenue to recover costs and earn a return. In exchange, the Government receives an upfront capital payment which can be used to fund additional road projects and potentially deliver them years earlier than would otherwise be feasible.
“Concessions may apply to existing toll roads to operate and maintain a road, or be integrated into the development of new roading infrastructure. In the latter case, a private partner could be contracted to design, construct, operate, and maintain the road, and recoup operations and maintenance costs through toll collection.
“There are several advantages to toll concessions: they can provide immediate capital that can be used to deliver more infrastructure projects sooner, draw on private sector expertise and innovation in areas like construction and tolling technology, and can help government to share and manage risks more efficiently.
“It is important to note that the Crown continues to own the toll road under a concession arrangement. The private operator manages the road for the duration of the concession, after which control reverts back to a government agency.
“Next week, my officials will begin market sounding discussions with toll road investors, operators and financiers to test opportunities for private firms to operate and maintain toll roads through concessions. The officials will meet with a cross-section of market participants – from international toll road operators to domestic and international investors and iwi – to get a range of perspectives on the opportunities available. If work on concessions is taken forward, there will be wider opportunities to be involved in any transactions stage.
“Market sounding discussions will give us deeper insight into whether toll road concessions are viable here, under what circumstances, and the different ways they could be structured and phased.
“The Government will test concession opportunities on:
New Zealand’s existing three toll roads – the Northern Gateway in Auckland, and Takitimu Drive and Tauranga Eastern Link in Tauranga
Three roads in development that Cabinet has confirmed will be tolled – Penlink, Takitimu North Link, and Ōtaki to North of Levin
All future Roads of National Significance
“Officials will also seek to understand the extent to which concessions could support private investment and involvement in delivering other future projects beyond the immediate RoNS programme, including an alternative Waitematā Harbour crossing, where the significant scale of such projects and investment needed means different delivery approaches may deliver greater value for New Zealanders.
“The Ministry of Transport has appointed global investment bank, Citi, as its financial and commercial advisor to support this market sounding process.
“Citi has extensive experience advising on toll road concessions overseas and we’re pleased to have access to their expertise, connections and insights to ensure we run a high calibre market sounding process.
“The insights we get from the market sounding will inform my decisions about whether and how to take toll concessions forward, including which ones are viable and have value. I look forward to hearing what the market has to say,” Mr Bishop says.
The Government expects to make decisions on toll road concessions later this year.
Notes to editor:
· Exploring toll concessions gives effect to the National-ACT coalition agreement to institute long-term city and regional infrastructure deals, allowing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), tolling and value capture rating to fund infrastructure.
· Market sounding discussions will start in the week of 7 July 2025, with discussions being held in Sydney, Wellington and Auckland until late July 2025.
· The market sounding process is being led by the Ministry of Transport and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited (NIFFCo), with input from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Treasury. Global investment bank, Citi, is acting as the Ministry of Transport’s financial and commercial advisor for the market sounding process.
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Central Road Policing Manager Phillip Ward:
Emergency services were called to a crash on Livingstone Road, Tokaora where a car hit a power pole.
The incident occurred around 11:16pm and sadly the driver, the sole occupant, has died at the scene.
An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash and the matter will be referred to the Coroner.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with the deceased’s family at this difficult time.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has welcomed 4 new High Court rulings, the latest of at least 20 court rulings in favour of Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass project.
Today’s High Court decisions rejected an appeal by landowners and confirmed the Environment Court’s May 2024 ruling, which supported the Crown’s compulsory acquisition of the final piece of land required for the project’s northern section. The land, located in the 6km bypass alignment, is essential to move the project forward.
The Bypass is a new two-lane 6km route between Uruti and Ahititi that avoids the existing steep, narrow and winding route over Mt Messenger on State Highway 3 in North Taranaki. It will provide much needed interregional economic, resilience, safety and environmental benefits, including for local communities, businesses, freight and all SH3 road users.
NZTA’s Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, Rob Partridge, says the ruling marks a significant milestone, following years of legal challenges.
“While it is always our preference to acquire land through agreement, this has not been possible, despite extensive efforts including numerous offers made to the landowners,” says Mr Partridge.
Since 2017, there have been many attempts to acquire the land by agreement, and the landowners have been presented with 20 offers including options for new housing elsewhere across their 683-hectare landholdings.
“The delays in securing this land have come at a considerable cost. NZTA plans to update the overall project cost later this year, factoring in the impacts of these delays, as well as inflation and rising construction costs.
As of June 2025, the NZTA Board had approved funding of $365.1 million for the project.
Construction is progressing well, with the southern-most 1km section at road level.
Excavation for the 235 metre tunnel and work on the project’s main bridge are underway, with the tunnel expected to be completed in early 2026 and the 125 metre bridge in late 2026.
NZTA will now request the Crown takes the necessary steps to become the legal owner of this 11-hectare parcel of land, subject to any further legal challenge against this process occurring, so that the Mt Messenger Alliance can begin works on the northern section as soon as possible.
The work is then expected to take 4 full construction seasons, from October to April, to complete.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
With Orange Heavy Rain Warnings in place for Nelson and Tasman, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging drivers to take extra care on the roads and check for the latest road conditions before travelling.
Wet roads can be slippery, so road users should reduce their speed, increase their following distances, and be prepared for the possibility of slips, rockfalls, and flooding.
Road users should be prepared for the possibility of strong winds, fallen trees, and wind-blown debris – particularly in exposed areas.
People traveling in the region are urged to stay up to date on road and weather conditions. Road conditions can change without warning, and routes can be closed at short notice due to slips and flooding.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
With Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Warnings in place for the several North Island regions, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging drivers to take extra care on the roads and check for the latest road conditions before travelling.
Wet roads can be slippery, so road users should reduce their speed, increase their following distances, and be prepared for the possibility of slips, rockfalls, and flooding.
Strong winds can be hazardous for trucks, vans, campervans, towing vehicles, and motorcycles. Road users should be prepared for sudden gusts, crosswinds, fallen trees, and wind-blown debris – particularly in exposed areas.
With weather watches or warnings in place for parts of Northland, Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Tairawhiti, Taumaranui/Taupo and Taranaki, people traveling throughout the Upper North Island need to stay up to date on road and weather conditions. Road conditions can change without warning, and routes can be closed at short notice due to slips and flooding.