NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

The Disability Support Services Taskforce will be extended for a year to continue its progress in stabilising the disability support system and shaping it for the future.
Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston says the Taskforce has been extended to 30 June 2026, with its work further enhanced by a billion-dollar funding boost announced in last month’s Budget.
“This Government is committed to the ongoing support of the disability community and delivering better outcomes for disabled people, their families and carers,” Louise Upston says. 
“We’ve demonstrated this in Budget 2025, where the DSS Budget received $1 billion in additional funding over four years – that’s about $250 million a year of new money. 
“This includes $60 million a year in residential care funding increases and about $190 million a year for increases across all DSS services for cost pressures, including care in the community.
“We are making good progress in delivering for disabled people, and the Taskforce will continue to play a key role.  
“In August 2024, the Independent Review made recommendations to manage increasing cost pressures faced by DSS.
“The Taskforce was established to lead the implementation of these recommendations. That important work is progressing well, and I am now looking to the Taskforce to lead more work to further strengthen the system.
“The Taskforce has already made significant progress to stabilise DSS, including:

reviewing pricing and contracting arrangements for residential care, which are being implemented following Budget 2025
improving systems and processes for assessing performance and forecasting expenditure
reviewing needs assessment and allocation, and flexible funding settings so they better meet the needs of disabled people, their whānau and carers. 

“My expectation is that DSS will continue to involve the disability community in discussions about how disability support services are delivered. I’ll have more to say on the next phase of work in the coming months,” Louise Upston says. 
Notes for Editors 
New funding for DSS in Budget 2025 included:

$1 billion over four years towards meeting the increasing costs of disability support services (including $240 million for residential care) and to support more people to access those services. 
$10 million over two years to address the increasing costs for services and support for people with an intellectual disability and complex care needs who live in secure or supervised care under the High and Complex Framework. This will also fund critical workforce training initiatives and essential infrastructure, including repairs and maintenance upgrades. 
$9.5 million over four years to recognise and respond to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry. This includes work to strengthen how DSS audits the quality of its services, critical incident and complaints management processes and systems, and to contribute to other cross agency work to improve recordkeeping and the capability of the disability workforce.

 
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Reforms to modernise and strengthen Fish & Game New Zealand will improve the national management of hunting and fishing resources and advocacy, while maintaining local control over local fishing and hunting rules, Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has announced. 

“I want to make it as easy as possible for Kiwis to go hunting and fishing in New Zealand. This long overdue reform to Fish & Game will refocus the organisation on its core job of managing our sport fishing and game bird resources and implement a more professional approach to national decision making,” Mr Meager says.

“It is important to our economy that Fish & Game is a well-functioning, highly effective and efficient organisation. Licence holders are estimated to spend up to $138 million every year, and our hunting and fishing resources are the envy of the world, drawing in tourists from across the globe. 

“Previous reviews have made clear current legislation is not fit for purpose, resulting in internal dysfunction, wasted revenue on duplicated activities and staff, variable governance practices, disconnect from licence holders and local advocacy which has overstepped the mark. These long-standing issues must be addressed.”

The reforms will make several key changes, including:

• Clarifying the roles and responsibilities so that regional Fish & Game councils focus on delivering hunting and fishing opportunities on the ground, with the New Zealand Council responsible for administrative tasks and policies.
• Shifting to a nationalised fee collection system to reduce double handling of licence fees and ensuring funding follows the demand on the resource.
• Making more licence holders eligible to vote and stand in Fish & Game elections and requiring councillors to comply with professional standards.
• Requiring Fish & Game councils to better consider the interests of other stakeholders such as farmers and the aviation sector in decision-making.
• Requiring a national policy around advocacy and restricting court proceedings to within that policy.

A stand-alone Fish & Game Act will be created, to better recognise the organisation’s contribution to helping New Zealanders hunt and fish.

“Sports fishing and game bird hunting are well-established traditions and important recreational pastimes for Kiwis. They have positive impacts on our regional economies and create wider benefits for tourism, wellbeing and our environment – making it even more crucial its regulator is modern and credible”, Mr Meager says.

Legislation will be introduced this year, and the Select Committee will provide an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to provide feedback on the proposals.

Source: New Zealand Police

The north bound carriage way of State Highway 1, south of Cambridge is closed.

A vehicle crash has ocurred and is blocking the north bound carriageway.

The road closure is expected to last for at least 45 minutes, until the road is cleared of vehicles and debris.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 2, Matawai Road, between Gisborne (from the intersection with Back Ormond Road) and Opotiki has been closed.

Multiple slips along the length of the road will need to be cleared.

Roading crews have been deployed to assess and clear the obstructions.

There is no time scale available for this closure due to the number of slips and obstructions.

Motorists are requested to take an alternative route where possible or delay their travel.

ENDS

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  05 June 2025

The Department of Conservation is working with Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro to replace Oturere Hut. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring, and Mangatepopo and Waihohonu huts will remain bookable online through the DOC website.

Department of Conservation Operations Manager Libby O’Brien says it’s a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy small tasters of the Tongariro Northern Circuit.

“This is a great chance for people who might never have stayed in a DOC hut, or perhaps in Tongariro National Park, to have an overnight experience this summer. These small bites of the normal loop track are suitable for families and those not quite ready for a full Great Walk.”

She says the existing Oturere Hut is more than 50 years old.

“It no longer meets the standards we want to deliver for this Great Walk, so we’re working with Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro to deliver a new building which better reflects the mana of the Dual World Heritage National Park.”

Designers have worked closely with Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro to incorporate cultural elements and hapū identity across the design.

Due to construction taking place at the existing hut site, Oturere Campsite and all facilities associated with Oturere Hut are closed for safety reasons this summer, meaning Tongariro Northern Circuit cannot operate as a Great Walk for the 2025-2026 season.

Libby says the walk between Mangatepopo and Waihohonu huts is challenging without Oturere as a stop.

“It’s a 20 kilometre walk with a lot of elevation gain, so it’s a lot more demanding than what we offer with our Great Walk experiences.”

“While the new Oturere Hut is under construction, we’re encouraging people to try a small bite of the Circuit by having an overnighter at Mangatepopo or Waihohonu huts.”

Bookings for Mangatepopo and Waihohonu huts will open on the DOC website in July.

The work on the new Oturere Hut will make the Tongariro Northern Circuit Great Walk an even better experience and help it be enjoyed for many years to come.

Background information

• The Tongariro Northern Circuit cannot function as a Great Walk without Oturere Hut. The walk between Mangatepopo and Waihohonu huts is 20 km through steep, rough alpine terrain. It takes 8-10 hours in an environment with fast-changing, extreme weather. DOC asks visitors to consider their fitness and preparedness carefully before committing to this walk.
• The campsite and all facilities associated with Oturere Hut will be closed for safety reasons. Construction activities and helicopter movements will make the area dangerous for members of the public.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

A person has died following a crash yesterday evening in Stillwater, Auckland.

Two cars collided on East Coast Road just before 7pm.

Sadly one person has died at the scene. Another person suffered moderate injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit attended and an investigation is underway.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with the deceased person’s family at this extremely difficult time.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

The Police Media Centre will operate at reduced capacity on Thursday 5 June.

Media Advisors will be available to respond to urgent queries and significant events only, during the usual hours of 6am to 9pm.

Other queries may be held until the following day.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

On this page:

Resources for developing your Plan
Our role at the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is to make high-quality investment decisions that support the tertiary education system to deliver quality learning, and equip learners, employers, industry and communities for economic and social success.
We provide resources to help tertiary education providers develop their Investment Plans:

When creating your Plan, you should read Plan Guidance, the Investment Plan Gazette notice, and Supplementary Plan Guidance alongside each other.
This year we have published the Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance. It describes the TEC process for managing educational delivery and performance where it needs to improve.
You can also find templates for the strategic intent and learner success parts of your Plan, as well as our newly developed Disability Action Plan progress update template.

All these documents should inform your discussions with your Relationship Manager or our Customer Contact Group.
Please refer to Plan Guidance and Supplementary Plan Guidance, once available, for our investment information.
Plan Guidance 2026
Plan Guidance is an important document that provides information about what providers need to submit in their Investment Plan, how we will assess it, and our priorities for investment.
Plan Guidance for providers submitting Plans for funding from 1 January 2026 (PDF 8.5 MB)
Supplementary Plan Guidance
Supplementary Plan Guidance will provide you with further information to support you to develop your Investment Plan and any relevant Budget 2025 information. This will be available in June 2025.
Investment Round Timeline

Activity
Timing

TEC publishes notice in the New Zealand Gazette setting out requirements for Plan content, timetable, assessment and Plan summaries
Early March 2025

TEC releases Plan Guidance, and Plan engagement begins
Early March 2025

Government announces Budget 2025
May 2025

TEC provides indicative allocations
From 3 June 2025

TEC releases Plan-related templates
From 9 June 2025

TEC publishes Supplementary Plan Guidance to reflect any policy or Budget changes
June 2025

Providers submit proposed Plans
By 4 July 2025

TEC reviews proposed Plans and has further discussion with providers as needed
July–October 2025

Providers are notified of decisions in writing
From November 2025

First payment made against Plans: Plan delivery begins
January 2026

Gazette notice 2025 for investment in 2026
The Gazette notice is a legal instrument where the TEC sets criteria for the content of Investment Plans, Plan summaries, the submission process, the timetable, and how Plans will be assessed. These are published in the New Zealand Gazette and on our website.
2025 Investment Plan Gazette notice for investment in 2026 – TEC website
2025 Investment Plan Gazette notice for investment in 2026 – Gazette.govt.nz

Templates
Many of the templates you require for drafting and submitting your Plan (for example Mix of Provision (MoP) templates) are available in DXP Ngā Kete.
Please refer below for other relevant templates.
Strategic Intent template
Template for Strategic Intent section of Investment Plans for Investment in 2026 (DOCX 338 KB)
Tertiary education organisations (TEOs) can use this template to structure the strategic intent component of their Investment Plan (Plan). It sets out the requirements for proposed Plans and ensures we have all the information we require to make informed investment decisions.
Who needs it: All providers submitting a full Investment Plan must submit a Strategic Intent.
Submission deadline: By 4 July 2025
Learner Success Plan template
Template for Learner Success Plans for Investment from 2026 (DOCX 279 KB)
TEOs are encouraged to use the template, or to use the headings provided to guide their own document. To help you complete your Learner Success Plan we have provided the following guidance:
Guidance for TEOs submitting Learner Success Plans for funding from 2026 (PDF 383 KB)
This includes what you need to consider in each section of your submission.
Who needs it: TEOs must submit a Learner Success Plan if they:

receive $5 million or more in on-Plan funding in 2025
do not currently have a Learner Success Plan, and
are submitting a full Plan (including a Strategic Intent this year).

Submission deadline: By 4 July 2025.
Learner Success progress update template
Template for Learner Success Progress Update for Investment from 2026 (DOCX 279 KB)
TEOs are encouraged to use the template, or to use the headings provided to guide their own document. To help you complete your Learner Success progress update, we have provided the following guidance:
For guidance for TEOs submitting a progress update, see:
Guidance for TEOs submitting Learner Success Plans for funding from 2026 (PDF 383 KB)
This includes who needs to submit an update and what you need to consider in each section of your submission.
Who needs it: TEOs must submit Learner Success progress updates if they:

receive $5 million or more in on-Plan funding in 2025  
have a current Learner Success Plan, and
are submitting a full Plan (including a Strategic Intent this year).

Submission deadline: By 4 July 2025. 
Disability Action Plan progress update template
Template for Disability Action Plan progress update for Investment from 2026 (DOCX 277 KB)
TEOs are encouraged to use the template, or to use the headings provided to guide their own document. To help you complete your Disability Action Plan (DAP) progress update, we have provided the following guidance. This also supports TEOs developing a DAP for the first time:
Guidance for TEOs submitting Disability Actions Plans (DAP) or a progress update from 2026 (PDF 424 KB) 
Who needs it: TEOs must submit a Disability Action Plan progress update if they:

receive $5 million or more in on-Plan funding in 2025
have a Disability Action Plan, and
are submitting a full Plan (including a Strategic Intent this year).

Submission deadline: By 4 July 2025.
New provider process
The process for providers wishing to apply for TEC Investment Plan (“on-Plan”) funding for the first time is outlined at Application to receive TEC funding.
You need to contact us before applying.
Who needs it: Any TEO that has not received on-Plan funding in the last 12 months.
Submission deadline: By 4 July 2025. 

Additional funding information
For more information on 2025 in-year additional funding, see 2025 in-year additional funding requests.
Submitting your documents
All your Plan documents, including your Strategic Intent, Learner Success Plan, Disability Action Plan, MoPs and Educational Performance Indicator Commitments (EPICs) must be submitted through DXP Ngā Kete.
Please do not submit these documents by email, as this can result in delays.
Additional resources to support investment plans
Introduction to the TEC’s investment process
This process describes TEC’s investment process, as well as who’s responsible for each part of the process and what the different stakeholders in the system do. It is designed to support TEOs and other stakeholders to understand how the investment process works.Investment Framework for Learner (Delivery) Funds
The Investment Framework for Learner (Delivery) Funds describes the current way we make investment decisions, what goes into our decision-making, and examples of how this works in practice.
Response Framework for Education Delivery and Performance
This describes how we manage performance where it needs to improve. It describes the information we consider in making a response decision, what other factors affect these decisions, and what options and levers we use. It provides greater transparency about what to expect if your performance needs to improve.Learner Success Framework
This provides a blueprint for developing and implementing learner-centric operating models. It provides you with tools to understand your learners and address why and how your organisational model supports (or does not support) learner success.
Kia Ōrite Toolkit – achieving equity for disabled learners
The Kia Ōrite Toolkit provides current, New Zealand-specific guidance to help tertiary education organisations better support disabled learners.
Previous year resources

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are now in the position to name the man who died following a crash on Seafront Road on 25 May.

He was 25-year-old Paki Topi Rongo Whiti-ao Maaka Ngaira, from Castlecliff.

Police extends our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Mossburn Five Rivers Road, near Diack Road, is currently closed following a bus crash earlier this afternoon.

The bus was carrying 17 passengers, including the driver, when it crashed about 3.45pm. Some passengers have sustained minor to moderate injuries.

The road will remain closed while recovery crews work to move the bus.

Motorists are advised to take alternate routes, such as the Resolution Drive on-ramp, and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre