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Fatal crash, Whangārei

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died after a truck collided with a power pole in Whangārei overnight.

The crash, at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ewing Road, was reported to Police at 1.25am today.

The driver of the truck was the sole occupant.

Enquiries are under way into the circumstances of the crash.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 
 

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University Research – Daytime boosts immunity, scientists find – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

Kiwi scientists have discovered how daylight can boost the immune system’s ability to fight infections.

NZT 6am Saturday 24 May: A breakthrough study, led by scientists at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, has uncovered how daylight can boost the immune system’s ability to fight infections.

The team focused on the most abundant immune cells in our bodies, called ‘neutrophils’, which are a type of white blood cell. These cells move quickly to the site of an infection and kill invading bacteria.

The researchers used zebrafish, a small freshwater fish, as a model organism, because its genetic make-up is similar to ours and they can be bred to have transparent bodies, making it easy to observe biological processes in real time.

“In earlier studies, we had observed that immune responses peaked in the morning, during the fish’s early active phase,” says lead researcher Associate Professor Christopher Hall, from the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology.

“We think this represents an evolutionary response such that during daylight hours the host is more active so more likely to encounter bacterial infections,” says Hall.

However, the scientists wanted to find out how the immune response was being synchronised with daylight.

With this new study, published in Science Immunology, and led by two doctoral researchers, neutrophils were found to possess a circadian clock that alerted them to daytime, and boosted their ability to kill bacteria.

Most of our cells have circadian clocks to tell them what time of day it is in the outside world, in order to regulate the body’s activities. Light has the biggest influence on resetting these circadian clocks.

“Given that neutrophils are the first immune cells to be recruited to sites of inflammation, our discovery has very broad implications for therapeutic benefit in many inflammatory diseases,” Hall says.

“This finding paves the way for development of drugs that target the circadian clock in neutrophils to boost their ability to fight infections.”

The research was funded through the Royal Society of NZ’s Marsden Fund.

Current research is now focussed on understanding the specific mechanisms by which light influences the neutrophil circadian clock.

Find out about animal-based research at the University of Auckland: http://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/research/about-our-research/openness-in-animal-research.html

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Fatal crash, Clutha

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash in Tapanui this afternoon.

Just after 3:30pm, Police were called to a single vehicle crash on Station Road.

The vehicle collided with a garage before catching fire. The sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.

Police are making enquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash.

Station Road remains closed while enquiries continue.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Far North Homicide: Police reassure community

Source: New Zealand Police

A homicide investigation is continuing into the death of a 77-year-old man in Horeke.

The investigation has been underway after the man was found critically injured at a property on Waikerikeri Road in the early hours of 22 May.

He sadly died at the scene.

Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, of Northland CIB, says a scene examination is ongoing at a property on Waikerikeri Road.

“A team of 15 investigators are working on the enquiry, with Northland receiving support from other Police districts and from ESR scientists,” he says.

“Police want to assure the community that no other persons are being sought in relation to this matter.”

A 73-year-old man, who arrived the Kaikohe Police station on Wednesday night, has been remanded in custody on a range of unrelated charges.

He will reappear in the Kaikohe District Court next month.

Enquiries will continue into the 77-year-old man’s death.

“A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on the victim tomorrow,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

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Kaikohe: Investigation continues into little girl’s death

Source: New Zealand Police

Northland Police are continuing to investigate the tragic death of a 3-year-old girl in Kaikohe on Wednesday evening.

Police attended an address on Taraire Street where the girl was initially located unresponsive.

“A scene examination has taken place today and will continue into tomorrow,” Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, of Northland CIB, says.

“These are always difficult investigations, for the whānau, community and the police themselves.”

At this stage the circumstances are still unexplained. A post-mortem was conducted today and Police are waiting on the results.

“The investigators are determined to uncover the full facts and have a team of 20 working on the case,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.

“The enquiry team is supported by staff who’ve arrived from other districts given a number of serious matters being investigated.”

Investigations into the little girl’s death will continue across the weekend.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

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Two men before the courts after firearms incident

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Pritchard

Two men have been arrested in Gisborne this afternoon, following an incident involving a firearm earlier today.

At around 6:30am today Police were called to an address on Colin Street after receiving reports of two vehicles being damaged, and a firearm presented at the occupants of the address.

Armed Police attended and two men, aged 29 and 50 were taken into custody at the scene.

A search of a nearby address resulted in Police locating two firearms.

The incident, which was not gang related was resolved quickly due to a swift Police response, and enquiries into the incident will continue.

The two men are due to appear in the Gisborne District Court tomorrow, charged with wilful damage, commission of a crime with a firearm and presenting a firearm at a person.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Budget 2025 – Principals describe Budget as Bitter Sweet

Source: NZ Principals Federation

Principals say the boost to Learning Support from Budget 2025 is the most substantial in years, even though there is a cost through other valuable resources.
“For schools, this Budget has delivered a breakthrough. The Government has recognised the intense pressures teachers and principals are under with minimal support,” said Leanne Otene, President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation. (NZPF).
“We have been calling for a substantial increase to learning support, especially for our most vulnerable tamariki, for years, and at last we have been heard,” said Otene.
“The Additional Learning Support Coordinators, Teacher Aide hours, 25 new specialist classrooms and specialist services will make a huge difference to our schools,” said Otene.
“Our only concern is where these people will come from,” she said. “We have often been told there are not enough qualified specialists to cover schools’ needs and more will have to be trained,” she said. 
Principals were also pleased that the Minister has recognised the role of principals and the minimal support they receive. The additional Leadership Advisors will give confidence to principals, especially those new to the role.
“We are thrilled to see an increase in the number of Leadership Advisors. Principals report high satisfaction rates with the existing service which now gets a boost from 16 to 34 Leadership Advisors across the country,” she said. “That will still not be enough, but it is a step in the right direction,” she said.
Otene also acknowledged what services have been reprioritised in the Budget process,
“We have lost valued services such as Resource Teachers of Literacy, Resource Teachers of Maori the Kahui Ako collaborations and the halt to pay equity will affect our future Teacher Aide staff.”
” I call it the ‘Bitter-Sweet Budget,” said Otene, “because the gains in learning support resources and leadership support are hugely welcome, but it is at the cost of losing other valued resources,” she said.  
Otene was clear that if the new funding is to be effective, it must be ‘demand driven’ and not restricted to a single Budget. 
“This funding needs to be locked in and grow to meet the real needs in our schools,” said Otene. “This gives us a great kick start, but more is needed for long term changes in learning and behaviour,” she said. 
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NZ and Australia: navigating turbulent times together

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

New Zealand and Australia are redoubling our efforts to navigate an increasingly challenging strategic environment together, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.

“It’s been an honour to be hosted in Adelaide today by Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong,” Mr Peters says. 

“We wanted to get across the Tasman as soon as possible after the Australian general election because there is so much for us to tackle together.

“New Zealand and Australia face an unpredictable, contested and disordered region and world. We are strongest when we meet these challenges together.”   

Ministers Peters and Wong meet formally for Australia–New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations twice a year. Today’s FMCs in Adelaide follow those held in Melbourne and Auckland in 2024 and covered bilateral cooperation, priorities in the Pacific, regional security in the Indo-Pacific and global tensions and developments. 

“Australia is New Zealand’s closest, most important and most likeminded partner, and it has been invaluable to discuss in detail with Minister Wong today how we will work together in the period ahead on the issues that matter most to our countries and our peoples,” Mr Peters says.

“The global environment is such that New Zealand and Australia face more concerted threats to our interests and values than we have for generations. In that context, we have been able today to update each another on our respective government priorities at an important moment in our countries’ political cycles, while focusing on how and where we can cooperate for mutual benefit.

“Our relationship is as strong as ever, and we are committed to maintaining this close bond now that Prime Minister Albanese, Foreign Minister Wong and their colleagues have secured a second term.

“These consultations highlight not just the value New Zealand places in our relationship with Australia, but also our enduring commitment to work together to promote our shared international goals, such as Pacific development and security,” Mr Peters says. 

Minister Peters will depart Australia for Sri Lanka tomorrow, where he will begin a tour of South Asia

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Legislation – Regulatory Standards Bill inflicts ACT’s far-right principles on Aotearoa – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

The Government is facing backlash over David Seymour’s controversial Regulatory Standards Bill which passed its first reading today, under the shadow of the Budget.
“After the uproar over the Treaty Principles Bill, the Luxon Government looks to be trying to keep Seymour’s latest unpopular Bill quiet. They’ve clearly chosen to introduce it in Budget week to minimise scrutiny,” said Greenpeace spokesperson Gen Toop.
“The Regulatory Standards Bill tries to make all future lawmakers in government follow a rigid set of the ACT Party’s far-right principles – prioritising corporate interests over people, nature, and Te Tiriti,” says Toop.
The Bill was also the subject of a Waitangi Tribunal inquiry, brought by over 13,000 claimants. The Tribunal found the Crown had breached its Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and called on the Crown to halt further work on the controversial bill until it consults with Māori.
One of the principles in the Regulatory Standards Bill would create a new and unprecedented expectation that the Crown compensate corporations if environmental or public interest laws affect their property.
“It’s a simple principle: polluters should pay – not be paid by the public. But Seymour’s bill turns that on its head,” says Toop.
“If this bill becomes law, corporations like ExxonMobil, Fonterra and Monsanto would expect taxpayer handouts when the government introduces basic environmental or public protections.”
“These extreme neoliberal ideas have no place in our legal system here in Aotearoa, where we have long valued fairness and collective responsibility rather than individual entitlements to harm nature or others under the guise of freedom,” says Toop.
Greenpeace, along with Forest & Bird, WWF-New Zealand and the Environmental Defence Society, issued an open letter to the Prime Minister on Monday calling on him to reject the Regulatory Standards Bill, warning that it is an “unprecedented threat” to environmental protection, climate action, and the country’s democratic and constitutional foundations.
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Budget 2025 – Budget Investment for ENRICH Education Programme – Methodist Mission Southern

Source: Methodist Mission Southern

The Hon. Erica Stanford has today announced an investment in the ENRICH oral language programme – which will see the programme reach 525 early learning services over four years.
ENRICH is an evidence-based programme created by Professor Elaine Reese (University of Otago) in partnership with Methodist Mission Southern (MMS). Over the last four years, the programme has been extensively researched through the world-leading Kia Tīmata Pai study – involving 140 ECEs from BestStart.
ENRICH focuses on strengthening oral language skills, communication skills and early maths competencies – all critical foundations for future learning and long-term life success. The programme has demonstrated significant improvements for tamariki in these areas in research trials, and has been successfully implemented in ECE classrooms since 2021.
The implementation of ENRCH is led by Jimmy McLauchlan, Chief Development Officer at Methodist Mission Southern, who has spent ten years working in partnership with researchers, policymakers, and education providers – to translate child development science into practical programmes that can benefit children on a national scale.
“Some of the world’s best child development science has come out of this country – and programmes like ENRICH are turning that science into learning for hundreds of thousands of New Zealand children,” said McLauchlan.
“ENRICH works because it shares the science of language development through practical techniques that have been co-designed with teachers to work in busy classrooms. The programme embraces our cultures and curriculum, and has been tested by hundreds of teachers around the country over the last four years.”
ENRICH will initially be rolled out to 525 ECEs over the next four years, alongside ongoing research and evidence-gathering work, which is aimed at making the programme even more effective and sustainable across the entire ECE sector in coming years.
“This investment today means we can reach even more tamariki with tools that build language, communication and early literacy skills when it matters most.”