NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Police

Police need your help in investigating a cowardly attack on a Papakura man last month.

Still images are being released of a person that Police is still working to identify, and we need to hear from you today.

The wounding occurred on Friday 16 May at about 11.40am on Settlement Road in Papakura.

“A man in his 70s was walking alone in a westerly direction at the time, outside Papakura Intermediate School,” Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor, of Counties Manukau South CIB says.

“Around the same time a person was walking on the opposite side of the road heading in the other direction.”

For reasons unknown, this person crossed the road towards the victim.

“They have approached the victim and lunged towards him, making contact,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.

“Immediately after the offender fled the scene, and the victim realised he had suffered a stab wound.

“The victim required hospital treatment and is recovering from this cowardly and unprovoked attack.”

Police need to hear from anyone who recognises the person in images being released.

“People in the community will know who this person is and they need to do the right thing and speak up.”

Anyone with information can update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250516/1021.

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

A person has died after being hit by a car on State Highway 8 in Roxburgh last night.

Emergency services were called to the crash, between Tamblyn Road and Selkirk Place, about 7.20pm.

The person was a pedestrian and died at the scene.

Police are providing support to their next of kin.

The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination. State Highway 8 was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

Police would like to thank the emergency response teams who assisted at the scene, and motorists for their understanding and patience.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are attending a crash on State Highway 8, Fruitlands – Roxburgh Road, near Roxburgh.

The crash involved a vehicle and a pedestrian and was reported just after 7.20pm.

The pedestrian has been seriously injured.

The road is currently closed, there are diversions in place from Roxburgh to Roxburgh Dam.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Here’s what road users need to know:

State Highway 21 (SH21) Airport Road, State Highway 1 (SH1) and State Highway 1C (SH1C) interchange at Tamahere are likely to be severely congested from tomorrow, Tuesday 10 through to Sunday 15 June, and motorists should plan ahead. Long queues and delays can be expected.

“We know that Fieldays attracts thousands of people every year, so we’ve planned for the inundation of traffic to Mystery Creek and surrounding state highways, by making some changes to help traffic flow,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Waikato Journey Manager, Andrew Brosnan.

“This year, there will be a closure of the SH21 northbound lane, between the SH21 Airport Road – Raynes Road intersection and the event. This lane will be closed from 7am to 10am and from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to reduce tailbacks on SH1 during the morning and afternoon traffic peaks.

“Tamahere Interchange will be closed between 6am and 11am,” Mr Brosnan says.

Alternative routes for people travelling through the area but not to Fieldays are to use State Highway 3 (SH3) and SH1C. People travelling from SH1 to Fieldays on SH21 Airport Road will not be affected. Through-traffic is limited to people living around SH21 Airport Road and school traffic including local school buses and parents travelling to and from Tamahere School and Tamahere Educare.

“Attendees should also consider taking the bus. There are several free services travelling to and from Fieldays every day,” Mr Brosnan says.

Regional buses and Hamilton City buses can be taken free to the Hamilton Transport Centre, and then out to Gate 1 at Fieldays, Mystery Creek with a valid 2025 Fieldays ticket which must be presented to the driver.

Regional buses include those from Raglan, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville, Huntly, Taumarunui, Te Kūiti and Tokoroa. Buses to Fieldays will depart from Hamilton Transport Centre approximately every 30 minutes from 7am to 11am returning from 1pm to 5.30 pm.

Visit fieldays.co.nz/attend-fieldays/getting-to-fieldays for more information.

While the event is on, people are encouraged to use alternative routes or travel arrangements between Tuesday 10 and Sunday 15 June.

Check Journey Planner before heading to Fieldays or if travelling through the area.

You can get real-time updates on traffic conditions around Mystery Creek at https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions/waikato/traffic-dashboard

Source: Auckland Council

Kirks Bush in Papakura has been transformed from a neglected area into a cherished native forest, thanks to dedicated local volunteers.  A new oral history project, led by historian Janine Irvine and funded by Papakura Local Board, is preserving the stories behind this community effort.  The project honours the environmental, emotional, and cultural legacy of those who restored Kirks Bush—and calls for new volunteers to continue the work.

For more than 30 years, a quiet transformation has taken place in Papakura at Kirks Bush. Once known as a place to avoid, this pocket of native forest has slowly become a sanctuary thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteer group Friends of Kirks Bush.  

Now through the Kirks Bush Oral History project, those decades of dedication are being formally recognised, recorded, and preserved.  

Led by historian Janine Irvine, and funded by Papakura Local Board, the project aims to capture and protect the stories for those who have played a role in reclaiming and restoring Kirks Bush.

Papakura Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole says local iwi – Te Ākitai Waihoua recognised the importance of preserving the stories and contributions of the Friends of Kirk Bush.   

“The board are pleased to see the oral history come to fruition; Kirks Bush is a living taonga nestled in the heart of Papakura with a rich history and fond memories for local residents. 

“I commend the Friends of Kirks Bush and all the community partners involved for their dedication to preserving this very special urban ngāhere that we all get to enjoy today.”  

The oral histories are more than a record of volunteer labour; they’re a testament to community resilience and long-term commitment. From those who have spent countless hours pulling weeds, removing graffiti, advocating for improvements and kauri protection, this project is a chance to have their experiences formally acknowledged and archived for future generations.  

In the Oral History of Kirks Bush, Muriel Nacey describes how rewarding it was to see people become more confident about walking in the Bush as conditions improved.  

For Margaret Gane Kirks Bush offered her a kind of pause or reset from daily life. “They speak to me about something far bigger than me,” she describes, recalling the feeling of walking beneath the tall tree canopy.  

“I come out and my life is so much more in perspective. Those trees have lived through things I have not seen.” she says  

Kirks Bush survival amid Auckland’s urban sprawl is rare, and its transformation into a place of safety, learning, and connection is thanks to those who cared enough to act. 

The Oral History of Kirks Bush ensures that this care is not forgotten. It recognises the decades of quiet mahi and honours those who made a long-term commitment to the land.  

Many of the founding friends of Kirks Bush have now retired or passed on, and new volunteers are needed to carry this important work forward, to care for and nurture this very special place. 

Become a Friend of Kirks Bush by volunteering today! 

Contact Margeret Gane 

Phone: 022 158 8064 

Email:  margaretjgane@gmail.com 

Listen here: Friends of Kirks Bush Collection – Oral History – Kura 

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Source: New Zealand Police

A 42-year-old man has been arrested and charged following an investigation into a series of burglaries across North Canterbury and Selwyn.

On Monday 9 June, three search warrants were executed, two at residential addresses and one at a storage unit.

CCTV supplied by the public and from building sites helped identify the person of interest; acknowledged by Police as being crucial in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.

Burglaries at building sites cause significant disruption and financial loss to builders, contractors, and future homeowners.

Police urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity around construction sites.

The man has been bailed to appear on 13 June at Christchurch District Court.

ENDS

Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

The Government’s Tourism Boost invested funding into Tourism New Zealand to drive international visitor numbers in the short term. This additional funding will encourage more visitors from New Zealand’s core markets of Australia, the United States and China over the medium to longer term.

This is the first investment in the Government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets the path for Government and industry to work together and double the value of tourism exports by 2034.

International visitors bring billions of dollars into the economy. This investment is expected to deliver an extra 72,000 international visitors, generating around $300 million in spending.

Funding comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for 2025/26.

Read the Minister’s announcement:

Additional funding to attract 72,000 more visitors to New Zealand(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Source: New Zealand Police

Police investigating a fatal crash on the Desert Road/State Highway 1 on Saturday 7 June are seeking information from witnesses.

The crash was reported to Police just before 1:10pm.

We’re interested to hear from anyone who saw a yellow Suzuki Swift travelling southbound on State Highway 1 near Turangi at around 1pm.

This includes any dashcam or CCTV footage that could assist our enquiries.

If you have information, please contact Police on 105 either over the phone or online, and reference file number 250607/5123.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

A new $13.5 million investment in international tourism marketing is expected to deliver an extra 72,000 international visitors to our shores, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

“The additional funding into Tourism New Zealand will drive international visitor numbers and will be targeted towards our core markets of Australia, the United States and China over the next few years” Louise Upston says.

“We know how important marketing is to attract visitors, with around 14 per cent of international holiday visitors directly influenced by Tourism New Zealand’s marketing activity.

“This is the first investment in the Government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets out a series of Government initiatives and investments for the Government and industry to work together to double the value of tourism exports by 2034. 

“International visitors bring billions of dollars into the economy and these markets are the driving force behind our tourism sector.

“This investment is expected to generate around $300 million in spending, which is a very strong return on investment. International visitor numbers continue to climb and this boost will help drive further economic growth throughout the entire country.

“Encouraging more visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our cafés, spending in our shops and visiting our attractions. This creates jobs and drives economic growth.

“We want people to know New Zealand is open for business and we welcome visitors with open arms.”

Funding comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for 2025/26.

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is calling for the safe passage of the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel on course to Gaza, following the Freedom Flotilla being seized by the Israeli Military and urging the New Zealand Government to sanction Israel for its illegal occupation of Palestine. 

“The Green Party is calling for the safe passage of the Madleen and for the New Zealand Government to step up and sanction Israel for its violent occupation of Palestine and continued disregard for international law,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.

“The Madleen was trying to get much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, and has been intercepted by the Israeli Military in international waters. This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the International Court of Justice’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.

“Weaponising critical humanitarian aid must stop. Shooting at innocent people lining up for kai must stop. Aotearoa New Zealand cannot remain a bystander to the slaughter of innocent people in Gaza.

“I was on a peace flotilla for Gaza almost ten years ago and it pains me to still see the need for one all these years later. 

“If we stand for human rights and peace and justice, our Parliament must act. The New Zealand Government must sanction Israel and can do so by supporting Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill. All we need is the support of six Government MPs to make this happen.

“In September, Aotearoa joined 123 UN Member States to support a resolution calling for sanctions against those responsible for Israel’s ‘unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence.’

“Our Government has since done nothing to fulfil that commitment. Our Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill starts that very basic process.

“The Green Party stands with the Madleen and will continue to fight for the people of Palestine,” says Marama Davidson.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• In 2016, Marama Davidson was a part of the Women’s Boat to Gaza which brought awareness to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and highlighted the crucial role of women in keeping their communities afloat, particularly in post-conflict situations.
• Standing Order 288 outlines the process for Member’s Bills to bypass the member’s bill ballot (colloquially known as the ‘biscuit tin’), with the support of 61 non-executive members. With 55 Opposition members now officially in support of Swarbrick’s Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill, the support of just 6 Government MPs are necessary to get the Bill onto the floor of Parliament.
• On 10th December 2024, Swarbrick wrote to all Members of Parliament asking their support for the Bill to bypass the ballot, and later asked the Prime Minister in the House if there would be any Government policy or position preventing MPs from exercising their democratic right to support the Bill bypassing the ballot. He said that he would have a “good look at the Bill”.
• In the tenth emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly on 18 September 2024, NZ joined 123 other member states in supporting United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/24 “Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and from the illegality of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”.
• This resolution affirmed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s actions and presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, called upon all states to comply with their obligations under international law, and, amongst other actions, called upon all States to implement sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against natural and legal persons engaged in the maintenance of Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence.
• This Bill implements a sanctions framework, duplicating the Russia Sanctions Act, to allow sanctions to be imposed by the Government against Israel in response to Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
• The Bill implements some initial sanctions against Israeli Ministers, Israeli MPs who have supported the occupation, and military leadership, as well as sanctions on assets and services relating to arms and assets and services that are of economic or strategic importance to Israel.