NZ Engine

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Children Karen Chhour has announced that the residential workforce is being boosted by an investment in their professionalisation.  

Secure residences provide care for children and young people, placed there for either care and protection or youth justice reasons. They often have complex needs and can be highly vulnerable.

“Professionalisation of the residential workforce is a critical component and necessity for keeping children and young people safe in residential care settings,” says Minister for Children Karen Chhour.  

“This government is committed to helping these important helpers, improving the supports we provide to children and young people, and addressing long standing gaps in practice. 

“They deserve safe, stable, and therapeutic environments, where the staff are not only dedicated and able, but have all the skills they need.

“I have the pleasure of regularly meeting with many of our frontline workers around the country and residential workforce have told me that they would hugely value better access to further training and professional qualifications.

“That is why we are investing $41 million in their professionalisation.

“This funding will strengthen professional leadership, uplift the capability of the core workforce, and raise the proportion of the workforce that has comprehensive skills, knowledge, and experience.

“A 2023 review of Oranga Tamariki secure residences and several group homes similarly noted that a constant theme in many reviews over the years was a misalignment between the complex and high needs of the tamariki and rangatahi in care and the relatively unskilled nature of parts of the workforce.”

The Minister for Children believes these workers deserve greater backing. 

“They are doing their best in often challenging situations but were not supported well by the previous government, who received a Ministerial Advisory Board report in 2021 requesting greater training for this workforce and failed to act on it,” says Mrs Chhour.

“That report highlighted that, while the staff were highly committed and passionate, they were not being offered the tools required in order to provide the high level of care the children and young people need and deserve.

“This funding boost will go a long way towards addressing these issues and uplifting the number of staff with a professional qualification.

“It will also establish new professional, clinical roles within each residence, help the recruitment of qualified staff to vacant positions, and supporting bespoke inhouse and external qualification pathways for current staff.”    

Source: New Zealand Police

Police is continuing the investigation launched following the discovery of human remains in Freeman’s Bay overnight.

Further information is being released in the early stage of the investigation.

“Sadly, I can confirm the deceased is a newborn baby, and they were discovered in a wheelie bin outside an address,” Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland City CIB, says.

“A woman is in custody and Police are speaking with her to establish the circumstances around what has occurred.”

Police is not looking for anyone else in connection with the matter.

“This is a tragedy for everyone concerned and there is a person’s wellbeing to consider here alongside the investigation, so we will ensure the woman gets the support she needs.

“Police acknowledge this will understandably be quite confronting information for the community to grapple with.”

A post-mortem is ongoing today to determine the next steps in the investigation.

“The result is not yet known, and Police will provide further updates as the investigation allows,” Detective Inspector Beard says.

“We would ask the public to avoid speculation given what has occurred and allow investigators to carry out their work.”

Police will be carrying out an area canvass as part of the investigation.

“We will be seeking CCTV from residents in the street and also searching other wheelie bins in order to secure any additional evidence that may be relevant to the investigation.”

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please make a report via 105, using the file number 250630/9878 and quote ‘Operation Yarrow’.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-nz.org.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Senior Constable Pehi Potaka of Hawke’s Bay Volume Crime Team:

Hawke’s Bay Police are appealing to the public to report any suspicious activity around railway crossings and bridges in their community, after hundreds of metres of copper was stolen in just a week.

Senior Constable Pehi Potaka says in the week beginning 23 June, more than 750 metres of copper cable was stolen from the railway bridge north of Clive, along with four level crossing bells being stolen from railway crossings between 12 April and 12 May.

“It is extremely concerning and a huge public safety risk,” he says.

“Railway core cables are responsible for transmitting power and signals to trains, which is crucial to keeping the rail systems operating safely and efficiently.

“Crossing bells are an essential part of public safety and play a huge role in warning people that a train is approaching. The removal of these bells has the potential to cause fatal accidents,” says Senior Constable Potaka.

Police take public safety very seriously and would like to remind offenders that not only are you putting your community at risk when stealing these essential railway safety tools, but cutting any electrical wires comes with risk – including to yourself.

Police are also reminding scrap metal yards that we will be taking a hard line with anyone found to be receiving the bells or other stolen copper or metal.

If anyone sees someone acting suspiciously around railways, they are asked to ring 111 immediately if it is happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact.

We also encourage anyone who sees anything at railway crossings and bridges that they are concerned about, such as wires that have been noticeably cut or bells missing, to contact Police immediately.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Twelve people have been arrested and charged in the wake of the King’s Birthday weekend anti-social road user gathering in Levin that saw police officers and members of the public injured, fireworks lit, and police vehicles damaged.

Since the 30 May event where a crowd of 1000 people gathered and participated in skids, burnouts, and other driving offences, Police have worked tirelessly to gather evidence from the night.

This includes reviewing the footage filmed by officers on the ground and the Police Eagle helicopter at the time, taking witness statements, and going over information provided by the public, alongside sourcing and reviewing relevant CCTV and any footage posted online on social media.

Inspector Ross Grantham, Manawatū Area Commander, says the level of violence and reckless behaviour shown at the gathering was dangerous and stupid.

“While Police were in attendance, the crowd became aggressive and riotous, with fireworks, physical aggression, and a vehicle all being used against officers. Multiple police vehicles were damaged, and two police officers received minor injuries from the fireworks.”

Five members of the public were also injured, including a woman who was knocked unconscious and left on the ground while people filmed her. The crowd refused to move for an ambulance, with Police having to deploy tactical options in order for emergency services to reach her.

As the event unfolded, 10 people were arrested for disorderly behaviour and driving-related charges. They are before the courts.

“It is sheer luck that there were not more serious injuries, or even death, that night,” Inspector Grantham says.

As a result of the last month’s work, Police have arrested and charged 12 people, in addition to the 10 people arrested on the night.

“These 22 total arrests are an amazing result for our community and we expect there will be further arrests and charges in the future,” Inspector Grantham says.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says those participating in this type of despicable behaviour should expect to hear Police knocking on their front door.

“The kind of behaviour we saw that night is completely unacceptable, and it puts participants, bystanders, and my colleagues in danger.

“Thankfully two officers only received minor injuries, however the situation could have been a lot worse.”

The range of charges include possession of offensive weapon, arson, failing to stop to ascertain injury, failing to stop for Police, sustained loss of traction, driving in a dangerous manner, driving while disqualified, unlawful assembly, unlawfully in an enclosed yard, and excess breath alcohol level.

Seven men aged 18–29, and two women aged 18 and 51 are due to appear in Levin District Court on Wednesday 2, Wednesday 9, and Wednesday 16 July.

Three youth are due to appear in Levin Youth Court at a later date.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  02 July 2025

State of the art drone mapping and laser rangefinders were used to identify and map the wilding pines. 

“Rangitoto is an ecosystem different from anywhere in the world, and wilding pines are one of the greatest threats to it,” says Dr Leigh Joyce, DOC Senior Biodiversity Ranger. 

Wilding pines would eventually take over the island’s native vegetation if left uncontrolled – as they have at many locations around New Zealand. 

Located in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana, Rangitoto has the largest pōhutukawa and rātā dominated forest in the world and is home to many taonga bird and lizard species, says Leigh.  

It’s also the only volcano in Auckland with an intact indigenous ecosystem. 

“The maps provided accurate GPS locations of the wilding pines which allowed ground crews to work at pace to remove the threat.” 

“A huge thank you to Island Solutions for their expert drone surveying and mapping, and Tree King for their excellent and efficient work felling the trees,” says Leigh. 

The island has been predator free since 2011. It’s home to a variety of native bird species, including kākāriki, korimako/bellbird, kākā, tūī, pīwakawaka/fantail, riroriro/grey warbler, and ruru/morepork, as well as five species of native lizards.

Unlike native New Zealand bush, where a wide variety of plant species exist together, wilding pines produce dense overgrowth which supports only other wilding pines.

“If wilding pine numbers increase, they will also have a significant visual impact. Control is needed to prevent them from becoming a dominant weed species on Rangitoto,” says Leigh.

Wilding pines currently affect more than 2 million hectares of New Zealand. Without large scale funding and control, experts estimate that within thirty years, 25% of New Zealand could be covered with wilding pines.  

The Rangitoto effort is part of the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, led by Biosecurity New Zealand in partnership with DOC and many other organisations across the country. The programme has delivered control operations on more than 3 million hectares, or just over 12% of New Zealand, preventing the spread into even more vulnerable land.  

Funding to remove wilding pines on Rangitoto was announced by the Minister of Conservation in November 2024 as part of the International Visitor Levy (IVL). 

Thanks to additional IVL funding, there is also weed control work underway or planned for several other conservation islands in the Hauraki Gulf. 

As part of this funding, DOC and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki will now carry out ground control weeding on Rangitoto and neighbouring Te Motutapu-a-Taikehu. This work will target moth plant, gorse, and rhamnus.   

As well as being an ecologically and culturally significant site for DOC’s iwi partners, Rangitoto is a tourism and economic drawcard with over 100,000 visitors a year. 

Related link

National Wilding Conifer Control Programme

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Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on Tauranga Eastern Link/State Highway 2 on Thursday 26 June.

The two-vehicle crash was reported to Police just before 10am.

The deceased is 34-year-old Lily Arabin, from Te Puke.

She died in hospital as a result of her injuries later that day.

Our thoughts are with those close to her at this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be coming to Ōamaru today as part of the rural health roadshow across the country. 

“The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.

“I started the roadshow in Levin and have since visited Wairoa and Wānaka. I am excited to now be in Ōamaru to hear from the community and people working in rural health.”

The roadshow builds on initiatives already in train to improve rural health care services. 

“Budget 2025 delivered for Kiwis living in rural and remote communities. The Government is investing $164 million over four years to strengthen urgent and after-hours care nationwide, meaning 98 per cent of Kiwis will be able to access these services within one hour’s drive of their home.

“We are also improving access to primary care including access to 24/7 digital care, training more new doctors and investing to increase the number of nurses in primary care. 

“I was pleased to hear from our hardworking farmers at Fieldays where I heard loud and clear that access to healthcare is one of the biggest concerns for people living in rural and remote communities. 

“To improve access to mental health support I was pleased that the Government recently announced $3 million over four years, to help improve rural communities’ access to primary mental health services and specialised services. The Government is also doubling its investment in the Rural Wellbeing Fund to $4 million over the next four years. 

“All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health and mental health outcomes, including for the one in five living in our rural communities.

“It is important that the Government continues the conversation with rural communities on how rural health care services can be improved. I have been thrilled with the support the roadshow has received so far, and I look forward to continuing to hear from our rural communities.” 
 

Source: New Zealand Police

“Is a life really worth it?”

It’s a question Police is putting to anti-social road users after an Auckland man’s sentencing over a pregnant woman losing her baby when she was struck in May 2023.

Police began investigating the illegal street racing event on 19 May 2023 in the East Tamaki area.

Today, a 24-year-old man was sentenced in the Auckland High Court to two years and four months imprisonment for manslaughter, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

He has also been disqualified from driving for 12 months.

For legal reasons he cannot be named at this stage.

“The events of that night were a tragedy for everyone concerned,” Counties Manukau East Area Investigations Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey says.

“The man took part in illegal street racing that was occurring in East Tamaki that night.

“While racing on a public road he struck a pregnant spectator, seriously injuring her and forcing emergency surgical procedures to be carried out.

“Her young baby sustained such catastrophic injuries that she barely even stood a chance at life and did not survive the day.”

Baby Sativa would have celebrated her second birthday earlier this year.

Police is sending a strong message to anti-social road users.

Detective Senior Sergeant Batey says Police and the wider community will not tolerate such blatant disregard for others around them.

“A lot of this behaviours ends up as merely a momentary rush of glory on social media or amongst peers.

“The reality is that the driving taking place on public roads is putting participants, spectators and innocent members of the public at real risk.

“I put this question to those taking part: ‘Is a life really worth it?’”

Police will continue to carry out disruptive and enforcement activities in response to anti-social behaviour on our roads.

Anyone who witnesses offending taking place should contact Police on 111 as soon as possible.

Further information can also be reported to Police online or by calling 105.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has laid out its expectations for City and Regional Deals (CRDs) as long-term partnerships that will increase economic growth, create jobs, and boost productivity for New Zealanders, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say.

The Government has also signed the first Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to negotiate deals with Auckland, Otago/Central Lakes and Western Bay of Plenty.

“City and Regional Deals will be strategic 10-year partnerships between local and central government to progress joint priorities including economic growth, enabling abundant housing, better management and utilisation of local assets, and closing the infrastructure deficit,” Mr Bishop says.

“The Government has established five objectives for the City and Regional Deals programme:

1. Better coordination between central government and regions, including how we work together and align our priorities
2. Unlocking regions’ unique potential and lifting economic growth, including regional employment opportunities
3. Making room forhousing growth
4. Ensuring local governments do a better job at managing and utilising their asset base and make significant progress to close their infrastructure deficits – without new funding from Central Government.
5. Ensuring Local Governments comprehensively adopt Central Government priority reforms such as Local Water Done Well, Resource Management Act reform, and Going for Housing Growth.

“Today we are outlining what central government will put on the table during negotiations for cities and regions participating in CRDs. These are:

1. Improved central government coordination (both internally and with the regions), ensuring the right agencies are around the table. This could include agreement to deploy more senior officials to existing Urban Growth Partnerships and other governance arrangements, and improved Government infrastructure investment and asset management.
2. Early collaboration with councils on system reforms including undertaking joint-spatial planning ahead of RM reform implementation. We will consider improvements to existing regulatory frameworks including: zoning, fees and charges innovation, streamlined planning and land acquisition processes, regional spatial planning.
3. Providing councils with new funding and financing tools and incentivising them to better utilise existing ones. This could include considering the use of sharing of mining royalties, mobilising existing government funds to support deals, and providing access to government experts that could help councils use more complex tools such as Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act Levies.
4. Supporting regions to unlock growth sectors (e.g., technology, biotech, advanced transportation, aquaculture, tourism, cleantech, renewable energy). Central government will consider locating “confirmed/funded” innovation facilities/institutes in regions as part of a CRD. 

Notes to editor: 

The three regions:

• The Auckland region comprises Auckland Council.
• The Otago Central Lakes region comprises Queenstown Lakes District Council, Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council.
• The Western Bay of Plenty region comprises Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Regions’ light-touch proposals were assessed by a multi-agency assessment panel against four criteria: 

• Strategic alignment – Is the proposal aligned with the Government’s priority objectives, does it have economic growth potential, and is there a commitment to housing and development growth?
• Effective partnerships – How strong and effective are the local and central government partnerships, is there collaboration between councils in the region, is there a history of positive collaboration with central government, and is there a commitment to broader government reforms and work programmes?
• Deliverability – Is there capacity, capability and readiness to deliver?
• Economic and financial feasibility – Is the proposal feasible, are projects likely to have a positive cost-benefit ratio, are timelines realistic, and is the risk profile of proposed projects acceptable?

More information is available at: www.dia.govt.nz/Regional-Deals 

“The Government expects that local government provides a better framework/structure for regional relationships with central government, and improves asset renewals, maintenance and management including ensuring a pipeline of future infrastructure work.

“We also expect that councils will go above legal and regulatory minimum requirements to unlock housing growth including around rapid transit corridors and where central government has invested in infrastructure. Further, we want regions to commit to exploring demand management tools like time of use charging.

“We are eager that regions commit to exploring new and existing tools including (but not limited to): Targeted rates, IFF Act Levies, Development Levies, asset recycling, and become attractive destinations for international investment opportunities.”

“The Government also expects regions to comprehensively adopt priority Central Government reform including Local Water Done Well, Going for Housing Growth, Resource Management Act and transport governance reform in Auckland,” Mr Watts says.

“Late last year, councils were invited to submit regional deal proposals to the Government. In total, 18 proposals were submitted. 

“Following a multi-agency assessment process that included review by independent experts, Cabinet agreed to progress to MOUs with three regions.

“The Government has now signed MOUs with the Mayors from Auckland, Otago Central Lakes and Western Bay of Plenty.

“All three regions have existing Urban Growth Partnerships which demonstrate existing collaboration, and all three have economies with significant economic growth potential.

“These initial regions put together compelling proposals that reflect the Government’s and the regions’ priorities through strong propositions that provide a clear pathway to getting important work done. 

“The Government will now begin negotiations with the three regions, with a view to agreeing the first Deal by the end of 2025.”

The MOU signings reflect the National-Act Coalition Agreement to institute long-term city and regional infrastructure deals, allowing PPPs, tolling and value capture rating to fund infrastructure.