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Source: New Zealand Government

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Seniors Minister Casey Costello is urging older New Zealanders to safeguard their rights by establishing Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs).
Speaking at Auckland’s first-ever Treasuring Our Seniors Expo, Ms Costello highlighted the need for older people to take proactive steps to protect themselves.
“Establishing legal protections is an important tool to strengthen the financial position of older New Zealanders and therefore preventing what we know as Elder Abuse. 
“This abuse is not limited to physical impacts but also arises through loss of financial control and independence.  
“Setting up an EPA puts the power back into the hands of older people, allowing them to choose someone trustworthy to make decisions if they can’t.
“This is essential to keeping their voices heard and their rights respected.”
Ms Costello said elder abuse is often hidden, occurring behind closed doors and inflicted by people who are often well known and even loved by their victims. 
“It’s a horrible crime because this means the victims of abuse can be reluctant to report the harm that’s occurring.
“We must break this silence. Every one of us has the power to make a difference. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Trust your instincts and reach out.”
Immediate, confidential support is available through the Elder Abuse Response Service helpline at 0800 32 668 65 (0800 EA NOT OK).
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About elder abuse
Elder abuse is a serious issue in New Zealand. Many cases remain hidden due to fear, shame, or lack of awareness.  It is estimated that as many as three-quarters of cases go unreported.
Abuse can impact anyone regardless of gender, ethnicity, income, or health. Risk factors include isolation, physical or mental challenges, past abuse or trauma, poverty, social exclusion, and experiencing discrimination.
About EPAs
An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) allows people to appoint someone they trust to make decisions about their personal care and finances if they become unable to do so themselves. 
There are two types of EPA:

An EPA for personal care and welfare, covering decisions related to healthcare, accommodation, and personal wellbeing.
An EPA for Property, relating to financial matters and asset management.

The individual chooses trusted people to act on their behalf, giving them legal authority to make specific decisions – if the individual can no longer make those decisions themself.
A lawyer is required to set up an EPA. Options include Public Trust, a family lawyer, or Community Law. Consumer NZ and Sorted have guidance on affordable choices.

Source: New Zealand Government

Rotorua whānau will enjoy greater access to modern affordable housing thanks to a community-led partnership delivering 189 affordable homes backed by the Government, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says.

Up to 150 of these will be social housing homes to be delivered by end-June 2027 under a new community-led approach through the Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Community Housing Providers.

In addition, a project consisting of 39 affordable rentals will be delivered in 12-months by Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau, which is partly funded by HUD’s Māori Housing programme.

“Rotorua is a priority location for housing,” Mr Potaka says. “We’re backing community-led solutions to address the need here, which has seen disproportionate numbers of people in emergency and temporary housing, and about 700 applicants waiting on the social housing register.

“Rental affordability has been a long-standing issue. Some whānau have struggled to find an affordable rental home so they’ve been limited to emergency and social housing.

“The new homes will complement RLC’s new Rotorua Housing Plan to enable iwi and hapu housing aspirations, increase housing choice and support diverse housing needs. The plan was developed with extensive local engagement.

“As promised, we are also making solid progress toward ending Contracted Emergency Housing. We prioritised exiting two motels located near Whakarewarewa Village and this will be followed by the exit of a further two motels by the end of July, with all remaining motels exited before the end of the year.

“Progress has been the result of the Government’s significant investment in the city, working with central government agencies such as HUD, leadership from Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell and the RLC, as well as by Iwi and other local parties to increase social and affordable housing.

“The 150 social homes to be delivered are part of the 1,500 homes to be built by CHPs and funded from Budget 2024. The Government committed $140 million in new funding for 1,500 new social housing places in May last year. Funding has been approved for these Rotorua social homes under this pathway.

“The 39 affordable rental homes are part of a $200 million package announced in February that will enable the delivery of 400 affordable rentals in high-need areas by the end of June 2027.

“Further to the 189 new homes announced today, the Government is also in the early stages of progressing a further 80 affordable rental homes for whānau Māori in Rotorua and we’ll have more details on this next stage soon.”

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government will introduce legislation to ensure the health system is more accountable, more efficient, and focused on delivering better outcomes for patients, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“After years of bureaucracy and confusion, the health system lost its focus. The previous government scrapped health targets, centralised decision-making with no accountability, while every single health target went backwards meaning patients waiting longer for the care they need,” Mr Brown says.

“This Government is focused on delivery – getting the basics right, fixing what the previous Government broke, and ensuring New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare.”

Cabinet has approved a suite of amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, designed to strengthen the performance of Health New Zealand and ensure a clearer, more accountable system.

“These changes are about improving health outcomes by making sure the system is focused on delivery, not bogged down in doing the same thing twice. That means better care for patients through a more connected, transparent, and effective health system,” Mr Brown says.

“The previous Government’s reforms created a bloated system where no one was truly accountable for delivery. We’re changing that,” Mr Brown says.

“We’re putting health targets into law so every part of the system is focused on delivering faster care, shorter wait times, higher immunisation rates, and real results.”

The current legislation is too focused on bureaucracy rather than patients, with multiple charters and plans creating confusion and fragmentation. These reforms repeal the health sector principles and health charter – cutting needless bureaucracy – while requiring each population strategy to give effect to the Government’s health targets.

Mr Brown says infrastructure delivery was one of the most serious failings under the previous Government.

“Too many builds were delayed, blown out, or never even started. We’re addressing this by establishing a dedicated infrastructure committee and embedding infrastructure as a core function of Health New Zealand. This means the board can focus on lifting system performance where it matters most: for patients.”

The Minister is also confirming changes to strengthen the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee (HMAC) and clarify the role of iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs).

“Local IMPBs will continue to engage with their communities but will now provide advice directly to HMAC. That advice will then support decisions made by the Minister and the Health NZ board.

“These changes are about one thing – putting patients back at the centre. We’re rebuilding a health system that delivers real outcomes, not just organisational charts.”

The Amendment Bill will be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash this evening in Dargaville.

At around 5.20pm, Police were notified of a single vehicle crash on Jervois Street.

Despite best efforts from emergency services, one person died at the scene.

A scene examination has been completed and the road has reopened.

While enquiries into the crash are ongoing, initial indications suggest this is a suspected medical event and the death will be referred to the Coroner.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a serious crash on State Highway Two, Maharahara earlier this evening.

Emergency services received a report of the two-vehicle crash at around 5.05pm.

Sadly, despite best efforts from emergency services, one person died at the scene.

Two others have received moderate to serious injuries.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.

Motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Te Aroha this afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash on Stanley Road South was reported just before 1:40pm.

One person died at the scene, a second person was seriously injured and a further two people sustained moderate injuries.

The road has since reopened.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway Two, Maharahara is closed following a serious crash this evening.

Police were alerted to the two-vehicle crash near Gaisford Road at around 5.05pm.

Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

The road is closed while emergency services are at the scene.

Motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.

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Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson:

Police acknowledge the findings by the coroner into the tragic death of three-year-old Lachie Jones who was found deceased in a Gore oxidation pond in January 2019.

Police will now need to consider the findings and the direction by the coroner for Police to undertake a third investigation. We will work diligently on all aspects we need to undertake to progress that with the appropriate resources and urgency to complete this direction as is required.

Police want to acknowledge Lachie’s family and the impact his death and the subsequent processes have had on them.

Police would also like to take this opportunity to recognise members of the public who came out on the evening Lachie was reported missing and searched for hours. We know that Lachie’s death has also had an impact on them and the wider Gore community.

Police have previously acknowledged but reiterate again today that our initial action following Lachie’s death fell short of the high expectations we set for ourselves. As a result of Lachie’s death, Police have implemented a national policy change which requires that CIB must be consulted for any death of a baby, child, or young person and where possible attend all scenes. The CIB will also be required to oversee or lead any investigation into the death of an infant or child under 10.

Our deepest thoughts and sympathies continue to be with Lachie’s family.

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Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Baird,

Ten people have been arrested and are facing over 70 drug charges following a series of search warrants in Southland and Otago this week.

Police seized approximately $16,000, ammunition, drugs, and other drug paraphernalia.

The Southland and Otago Coastal Organised Crime teams executed the warrants as part of Operation Strata, targeting drug dealers with gang connections.

There were 15 warrants in total, in Invercargill, Dunedin, Gore, Mataura, and other rural properties.

The 10 people arrested face numerous serious charges, from supplying methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, LSD and cannabis, to possession of restricted weapons and ammunition.

Investigations are ongoing and we expect to make more arrests, and file further charges, in coming days.

Our message is clear – drug dealers are not welcome in our communities, and neither is the harm that comes with them.

Police will continue our focus on disrupting the supply of drugs to our communities, and holding to account those suppliers who make money through the harm and suffering of others.

Operation Strata involved over 30 staff from a number of Police groups across the Southern District and South Island, including the Te Waipounamu Gang Disruption Unit based in Christchurch.

If you have any information about the supply of illicit drugs, please contact us through 105, either online or via phone.

Information can also be reported to your local Police station, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

We encourage anyone affected by drug addiction to seek help through Alcohol and Drug helpline on 0800 787 797, or free text 8681.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves,

Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to Tingjun Cao today in the Christchurch High Court.

Mr Cao was sentenced to life imprisonment with 17 and a half years non-parole for the murder of Yanfei Bao.

A dedicated investigation team, supported by our forensic specialist partners, has worked tirelessly since July 2023 to tell Yanfei’s story and seek a resolution for her and her loved ones. I speak on behalf of all the staff involved when I say this case will stay with us forever.

Once again, I would like to acknowledge Yanfei’s family, both here in New Zealand and in China, who have showed nothing but strength, grace and courage over the last two years.

We would also like to thank all the members of our community who have provided valuable information since day one of our investigation. Your support, your observations, and your willingness to assist the investigation and prosecution, directly contributed to this successful result.

Yanfei was like so many of us, a much loved and admired woman, who was working hard to provide a better life for herself and her family. She had a fundamental right to be safe in her place of work and return home at the end of the day.

Violent men who harm women will not be tolerated in our community and New Zealand Police will hold offenders to account.

Violent men should feel under threat, not women and girls going about their lives.

While there is no outcome that can bring Yanfei back to her family, we hope that today’s sentencing can bring them some closure, as they continue to adjust to life without her.

This is just one part of the healing process and I hope her family can take some comfort knowing the person responsible has been held to account for his actions.

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Issued by Police Media Centre