NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is taking another step to strengthen the fiscal sustainability and integrity of the immigration system following the successful first reading of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill.

“Our immigration system needs to be smart, responsive and flexible to keep pace with the changing geopolitical context.  The changes proposed will help ensure our settings appropriately respond to risk and are sustainable,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.  

“The Bill introduces appropriate safeguards in the system for vulnerable people and implements legislative recommendations from two independent King’s Counsel (KC) reviews of the immigration system. It also offers pragmatic updates to keep the Act current and support efficient visa processing.” 

Changes include: 

• Introducing appropriate safeguards in the system for vulnerable people, including refugees and protection claimants, as recommended in the 2022 Victoria Casey review. 
• Introducing a requirement for a judicial warrant for any ‘out-of-hours’ compliance activity, as recommended in the 2023 Micheal Heron review. 
• Tightening some settings so that more instances of migrant exploitation can be prosecuted, and strengthening consequences for residence class visa holders who commit criminal offences.
• Ensuring the system is flexible to respond to unusual events, such as natural disasters.  

Other changes, such as the options to expand the immigration levy payer base and create a new immigration levy in the future, will enable a greater sharing of the costs of the immigration, although there is no intent to implement these changes this year. 

“These sensible and timely changes will help futureproof the immigration system, and better balance the integrity of the immigration system with the rights of individuals,” Ms Stanford says. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with the Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, to mark 60 years of diplomatic representation between New Zealand and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

“The Netherlands is one of New Zealand’s oldest and closest friends. Our people share strong bonds, enriched by the 150,000 New Zealanders who have Dutch heritage,” Mr Luxon says.

“In our discussions, Prime Minister Schoof and I reaffirmed our commitment to global peace and security, pledged to increase bilateral trade and investment, and promote further innovation between our researchers.”

The Netherlands is one of New Zealand’s top export destinations within the EU.

“The Netherlands is crucial to New Zealand’s economic growth. Our exports have grown by 24 percent since last year,” Mr Luxon says.

“It is New Zealand’s greatest source of foreign direct investment from the EU, and it is also a base for many Kiwi businesses in Europe.”

Mr Luxon will now attend the NATO Summit in the Hague. 

A joint statement from Mr Luxon and Mr Schoof is attached.

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour welcomes the passing of first reading for a Bill to make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages. 
The Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament today.   
“New Zealand has been turning away opportunities for growth for too long. Having one of the most restrictive foreign investment regimes in the OECD means we’ve paid the price in lost opportunities, lower productivity, and stagnant wages. This Bill is about reversing that,” says Mr Seymour.  
“In 2023, New Zealand’s stock of foreign direct investment sat at just 39% of GDP, far below the OECD average of 52%. Investors are looking elsewhere, so we’re showing them why New Zealand is the best place to bring their ideas and capital.  
“International investment is critical to ensuring economic growth. It provides access to capital and technology that grows New Zealand businesses, enhances productivity, and supports high paying jobs.   
“New Zealand’s productivity growth has closely tracked the amount of capital workers have had to work with. Our capital-to-labour ratio has seen very little growth in the last 10 years, averaging approximately 0.7 per cent in measured sectors annually. That’s compared to growth in the capital-to-labour ratio in measured sectors of around 2.2 percent in the previous 10 years. Unsurprisingly, productivity growth averaged 1.4 percent a year between 1993 and 2013, but only 0.2 percent between 2013 and 2023.  
“The Bill will consolidate and simplify the screening process for less sensitive assets, introducing a modified national interest test that will enable the regulator to triage low-risk transactions, replacing the existing benefit to New Zealand test and investor test. If a national interest risk is identified, the regulator and relevant Minister will have a range of tools to manage this, including through imposing conditions or blocking the transaction.”
The current screening requirements will stay in place for investments in farmland and fishing quota.  
“For all investments aside from residential land, farmland and fishing quota, decisions must be made in 15 days, unless the application could be contrary to New Zealand’s national interest. In contrast, the current timeframe in the Regulations for the benefit test is 70 days, and the average time taken for decisions to be made is 30 days for this test,” says Mr Seymour.  
“High-value investments, such as significant business assets, existing forestry and non-farmland, account for around $14 billion of gross investment each year. We’re removing the barriers for these investments so that number can grow.  
“The Ministerial Directive Letter will be updated to provide guidance on which assets should undergo further scrutiny and which risks may be contrary to New Zealand’s national interest. This guidance will provide a degree of certainty to investors and support a flexible regime which is responsive to new and emerging risks.  
“The updated system brings New Zealand up to speed with other advanced economies. They benefit from the flow of money and the ideas that come with overseas investment. If we are going to raise wages, we can’t afford to ignore the simple fact that our competitors gain money and know-how from outside their borders.  
“These reforms cut compliance costs, reduce processing times, and restore confidence that New Zealand is open for business. The Bill will be passed by the end of the year and the new regime implemented by early 2026. A new Ministerial Directive Letter will come into force at the same time.”    
The Bill can be read here: Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 171-1 (2025), Government Bill Contents – New Zealand Legislation

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have formally identified a man located deceased in a car in the Waikato River last year.

He was Michael Murdoch, aged 44, from Ngāruawāhia, who had been missing since September 2019.

Michael’s body was found in his car in the Waikato River on 13 August 2024, by a company which removes wrecked cars and other hazardous materials from the river.

Formally identifying Michael was a complex and lengthy process, due to having been in the river for a significant period of time.

Michael’s death is being treated as unexplained and has been referred to the Coroner.

Note for media: Michael’s family has requested privacy and do not wish to be contacted by media outlets.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Fisheries New Zealand is seeking nominations from people and organisations who are putting in the hard mahi to help ensure our seafood sector is sustainable and innovative, says Dan Bolger, deputy director-general Fisheries New Zealand.

“The Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards recognise the individuals, businesses of all sizes, iwi organisations and not-for-profits who are demonstrating exceptional commitment to ensuring that our oceans are productive and healthy, both now and for future generations,” Mr Bolger says.

A panel of independent judges, representing different parts of the seafood sector, will select finalists and winners across 5 categories:

• Operational Innovator Award
• Market Innovator Award
• Future Leader Award
• Ocean Guardian Award
• Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki Award

The winner of the Supreme Sustainability and Innovation Award will be selected from winners across these categories.

In addition, a Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Award will be presented to recognise a long-term contribution to sustainability and innovation in the seafood sector.

We are pleased to acknowledge Seafood New Zealand as the sponsor of the Supreme Sustainability Award and Aquaculture New Zealand as the sponsor of the Market Innovator Award. Additional sponsors will be named shortly.

To nominate yourself or someone else, complete the online form on the MPI website.

Award entries are open from 24 June 2025, and close at 5pm on 24 July 2025.

Finalists will be announced in August with an awards presentation at Parliament on 11 September 2025.

New Zealand Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards 2025

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark van Kempen, Rotorua CIB:

Rotorua Police can now release the name of the man who died after being struck by a motorcycle on Edmund Road on 15 June.

He was Paige Johnson, aged 24, from Rotorua.

Police have received a number of calls and online reports in response to our previous appeals for information and we would like to thank everyone who has contacted us so far.

We are now appealing for further public assistance to identify and locate the rider of the motorcycle involved.

Since 15 July, the investigation team has been working to trace the movements of the motorcycle that day.

CCTV footage provided by members of the public has helped establish that following the collision, the motorcycle travelled from Edmund Road on to Clayton Road, then along Thomas Road and in to Gordon Road, heading east.

Today, a significant police presence has been in and around this area, speaking with residents and gathering further information. The response has been extremely positive, with several valuable pieces of information being received.

Police are also continuing to support Paige’s family, who are devastated by his loss. Both Paige’s family and Police reiterate our appeal to anyone with knowledge of this incident, the motorcycle, or its rider to contact Police – either directly or anonymously via Crime Stoppers. 

We also want to reiterate our appeal to the motorcyclist to come forward and do the right thing – both for their own sake and for Paige’s grieving family. We know Paige’s death will likely be weighing heavily on this person and it is important that we speak to them to understand the full picture of what occurred.  

Additionally, we want to remind members of our community that assisting anyone involved in this incident in a way that intentionally hinders the police investigation could have serious consequences.

Photographs of the motorcycle and its rider are attached. The motorcycle is believed to be a black and gold Kawasaki Ninja 600cc. The rider is believed to be male and has a distinctive full-length tattoo on his left leg.

If you can help, please contact Police via 105 and quote Operation Simpson, file number 250615/1168. 

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Mr Speaker,

The situation in the Middle East is of the gravest concern. 

No New Zealanders want to wake up to news of more bombing, more strife and more misery. Yet, tragically, for the last two years, that is what we have seen: a relentless and remorseless series of events which have greatly destabilised the region and gravely harmed its people and their sense of security and prosperity. 

New Zealanders are scattered across every part of the world – and so of course our minds turn in the current crisis to our people in harm’s way. Ensuring their safety is an absolute priority of this Government. 

New Zealand is a very long way from the Middle East. Unlike our own region, the Pacific, New Zealand’s influence in the Middle East and our ability to affect the trajectory of events is modest. Nevertheless, this Government, continuing New Zealand’s long tradition as a responsible international citizen, has pursued an active foreign policy based on engagement with all – via an intensive programme of Prime Ministerial and Ministerial travel. 

We have sought to understand the perspectives of all involved in the Middle East crisis – and to present a clear New Zealand position. That’s why we travelled to Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia; why we’ve met and discussed these issues with Israel, Iran, the Palestinians, the Gulf states, the Europeans, Australia, the United States, our Asian partners, and many others. And that’s why we have resisted the pressure from some to expel from New Zealand the Ambassadors of some Middle Eastern countries. We prefer diplomacy to moral outrage. 

Indeed, ours is a foreign policy of collecting all the facts, hearing all the perspectives, and applying a careful, reasonable, cool-headed approach to the situation – not kneejerk reaction and simplistic moral posturing. 

The New Zealand Government’s response to what is happening in the Middle East should be guided by two questions: 

• how can we act to get our people out of harm’s way?; and
• how can we best contribute to an international debate which helps push the situation towards de-escalation and peace not further disintegration and despair? 

Our first priority is the safety of New Zealanders. Our advice to New Zealanders in Iran and Israel remains to leave if and when they can find a safe route. The Government is committed to supporting New Zealanders caught up in this crisis. Since the beginning of the conflict, MFAT has provided 24/7 consular support to New Zealanders in Israel and Iran, and to their families back home in New Zealand. It will continue to do so. 

As we announced on Sunday, we have sent a C-130 aircraft to ensure that we have the resource available to aid in evacuations from the region for those that want to leave. We are also in discussions with commercial airlines to see if they can help. We encourage all New Zealanders in the region to make sure they register with SafeTravel so we can have an accurate picture of who may need assistance and where. We are also monitoring carefully the economic impacts back home of what is happening in the Middle East. 

We note, and welcome, positive signals in the last few hours about a potential ceasefire. New Zealand strongly supports all efforts toward diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks. An enduring solution depends on de-escalation and diplomacy.

As we have repeatedly said, the Middle East is not a situation of black and white; of good and evil; of just one bad actor. Those in this House who rush to condemn or call out one actor or other – or who demand that the Government do the same – should pause to reflect on whether they are seeking to understand and influence what is going on, or simply virtue-signal about it.

New Zealand has consistently called for peaceful resolution of this latest conflict. Diplomacy must always be the first resort, not the last. We have been clear to all our partners, and to all parties to the conflict, that military action must end and parties must return to the negotiating table to find a lasting resolution. 

New Zealand has a long, proud history of standing up against nuclear weapons. Our concerns about Iran’s aspirations for nuclear weapons are longstanding. Iran has a proven pattern of non-compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. And Iran has made threats against other countries in the volatile Middle East.

We end this statement by noting what New Zealand is looking for in the Middle East, and what we oppose. 

We want de-escalation and dialogue. We want a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living in security and peace side-by-side. We want humanitarian aid to get to those who need it. Ultimately, we want peace. 

And what we do not want is New Zealanders in harm’s way. We do not want ever escalating rounds of military action. We do not want a nuclear Iran. We do not want Hamas holding hostages and terrorising Palestinian and Israeli civilians alike. And we do not want Israel occupying Palestinian land.

And, ultimately, we do not want another generation of young people in the Middle East, scarred by conflict, replicating the enmities of today and yesterday. This cycle of conflict, now generations old, must end.

Mr Speaker, the Middle East is a long way away from New Zealand and our influence is limited. But the Government is committed to doing all we can to help New Zealanders affected and to help contribute to de-escalation and diplomacy. 

Thank you. 

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  24 June 2025

One of the injured ruru which was found on the side of the road in Greymouth in mid-May has just been released after a spell recovering at the South Island Wildlife Hospital.

“Usha” was found by a member of the public who used a towel to gently pick her up when she saw the ruru sitting on the ground unable to fly away.

The bird was initially cared for by Cassie Mealey, a DOC Senior Technical Advisor who rehabilitates native birds in her spare time (under an appropriate Wildlife Act authority).

After a few days of recovery and care Air NZ flew her across to the South Island Wildlife Hospital in Christchurch to see wildlife vet, Pauline Howard.

The little ruru had x-rays that showed a fractured coracoid (a deep chest bone that helps stabilize flight muscles). This was likely the result of a vehicle hitting her. Treatment included pain relief, cage rest and fluids. Pauline said, “Usha was a model patient, and she had an uncomplicated recovery.”

Once the fracture was stabilised and Usha had “rehab flight training”, Air NZ flew her back and Cassie released her into the wild near to where she was found.

Cassie has had five ruru in her care throughout May, most with fractures from suspected vehicle strikes, and some with suspected secondary poisoning from mice that have eaten poison brodificaum bait used by households to control rats and mice.

Chris Hickford, Greymouth DOC Operations Manager, says the work Cassie and the South Island Wildlife Hospital do to care and rehabilitate injured birds is really appreciated.

“DOC can’t look after every bird, so we rely on a network of individuals and organisations nationwide who donate their time to do this work,” Chris says.

Cassie says people are seeing more ruru in their back yards.

“It is likely that the cooler weather and mice boom at this time of year that has driven them into urban areas where there is more food such as moths around streetlights and mice around houses and compost bins,” she says.

After dark, ruru are attracted to streetlights, where they hunt moths attracted to the bright lights. They commonly fly into the sides of buildings or are hit by cars.

“People can help protect ruru by maintaining old trees, as they like to nest in tree cavities instead of on the ground where they are more vulnerable. You can also build nest boxes, and place them in trees,” Cassie says.

“Using traps instead of poison to control mice and rats also helps to protect the ruru population,” she says.

If you see sick or injured ruru or other wildlife, call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Acting Superintendent Lincoln Sycamore, Eastern District Commander:

Police will be closely monitoring the movements of those travelling from Napier through to Hastings for a funeral tomorrow morning around 9am.

Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members and associates travelling around the region both this evening and tomorrow.

We’re reminding all those who are travelling on our roads to not act in any way that can put yourself and other road users at risk. Motorists should also expect delays.

Police will be investigating any unlawful behaviour, and where enforcement action can not be taken at the time, expect our staff to follow up.

If you have concerns for your safety, or witness any illegal behaviour from those involved, please call 111 immediately.

To report or send in any footage of the group engaging in illegal activity on our roads, please make a report online at 105.police/govt.nz, call Police via 105 or make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 3, Ōhaupō is closed at the intersection with West Road following a crash.

The three-vehicle crash happened at about 12:10pm.

No serious injuries have been reported.

Diversions are in place via Forkert Road (northbound) and Kaipaki Road (southbound).

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre