Posts

Posted on

Proposed temporary fisheries closure offshore of Napier Port, to the take of all finfish, shellfish, and seaweed

Source: police-emblem-97

Have your say

Ngāti Pārau Hapū Trust has requested a temporary closure offshore of Napier Port, Hawke’s Bay, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The requested closure would prohibit the take of all finfish, shellfish, and seaweed for 2 years. The closure is to be called Te Oho o Parapara rāhui.

This request follows a previous temporary closure known as Te Rāhui o Moremore. The new request is to provide additional time to support further species establishment in the area and to develop long-term protection strategies.

Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions from anyone who has an interest in the species concerned, or in the effects of fishing in the area.

Document requesting the closure

Te Oho o Parapara rāhui Section 186A temporary closure application [PDF, 168 KB]

The proposed closure area

The proposed area is approximately 0.11 square kilometres, and encompasses the artificial reef located approximately 6 km northeast of Napier Port. The reef was created as a result of the development of the port’s new wharf, named Te Whiti.

Proposed Te Oho o Parapara Rāhui temporary closure map [PDF, 637 KB]

Making your submission

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 18 June 2025.

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Spatial Allocations
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Public notice

A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the ‘Hawke’s Bay Today’ on Tuesday 20 May 2025.

Related information

Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition will recognise and provide for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.

Find out more about temporary closures .

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Posted on

Matariki Festival’s 2025 programme launches

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

The Matariki Festival programme for 2025 launches today via the Matariki Festival website.

This season’s programme celebrates wai (water), with a whakataukii at its heart:

Waitaa ki te Maanuka,

Waitii ki te Mangatangi,

Waipuna ki te Rangi.

Ngāti Tamaoho, in partnership with Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland Council), is proud to present Matariki Festival for their second year as iwi manaaki (partner iwi).

Ngāti Tamaoho invites Aucklanders and visitors to be drawn to the cultural, environmental, and spiritual significance of water, guided by a reflection on three stars in the Matariki star cluster in particular.

Matariki star cluster can be seen mid-left.

Waitaa is the star of the sea and ocean, Waitii is the star of fresh water, and Waipunarangi symbolises rain.

For Ngāti Tamaoho, Waitaa connects through Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa (the Manukau Harbour), Waitii connects through the Mangatangi Awa (a river flowing through the Hunua Ranges) and Waipunarangi connects with the rain bringing life to their fertile lands in the southern part of the Auckland region – Pukekohekohe.

Matariki Festival is a celebration of the Māori New Year for all to enjoy across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This year it spans five weeks from 7 June to 13 July.

Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki (Matariki Festival Day) at Auckland Botanic Gardens on 20 June. Photo credit Grant Apiata.

Matariki Festival, known as Matariki ki te Wai in 2025, will see Ngāti Tamaoho hosting cultural activities, community events, water blessings and storytelling focused on their whakapapa (genealogy) and kaupapa (purpose).

[embedded content]

Regional celebrations, with community events, exhibitions and workshops will take place across the Auckland region with Matariki ki te Manawa in the city centre. These activities will bring local iwi, environmental groups and artists together.

Matariki Festival closes with a concert featuring Māori artists to celebrate the promise of the new year.

Head to the Matariki Festival for the full festival line-up. 

Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki (Matariki Festival Day) on 20 June celebrates the rising of the Matariki star cluster above the horizon in the north-east skies at dawn.

The city centre with the most visibility of te ao Māori (Māori worldview) in its streetscapes in the world, will light up at around this time also, with a full programme heralding the Māori New Year.

Tūrama returns to Queen Street for Matariki Festival 2025; photo Auckland Council.

Posted on

Dairy conversions: What’s the story?

Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education

Changes in the regulatory environment for National Environmental Standards for Freshwater

The  National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F 2020) temporary agricultural intensification regulations controlling the conversion of land to dairy farmland expired on 1 January 2025.

Before this date, under the NES-F 2020, consent was required to convert to dairy farming.

At the time those temporary restrictions on dairy conversions were put in place, the expectation was that regional councils would notify new freshwater plans or change existing plans, to manage effects on water quality.

Central Government has since introduced restrictions on plan changes that would have given effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. A replacement National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) is currently being prepared and will give new national direction on managing water quality.

While consent is no longer required for a change in land use to dairy farming, there are still consenting controls in place under the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) to protect the environment. Both existing and new dairy farms must hold consent for animal effluent discharges.

Farms may also require water permits for the taking and use of water in the dairy shed.

Applications for these activities still need to be considered through the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) process with a consideration of the effects of these activities on the environment.

A consent may also be required for the use of land for farming in general, but that requirement isn’t specific to dairy farming.

Farming and the environment

We know that water quality is degraded in some parts of Waitaha. This means we carefully consider all consent applications for the discharge of animal effluent to evaluate the effects of the proposed discharge relative to the existing state of the local environment. Every consent application is considered on a case-by-case basis following RMA process; we can’t pre-determine decisions.

The likelihood of a new dairy effluent discharge permit being open for public input (being publicly notified) and/or being granted will depend on the state of the receiving environment, the effect of the proposed operation, and the proposed mitigations.

For example, declining water quality trends in the area where dairy farming is proposed may require a consent applicant to demonstrate how the conversion will not worsen, or in some cases improve, local water quality outcomes.

If the likely adverse effects of the proposal are deemed to be more than minor, they will be publicly notified to give the wider community an opportunity to be heard.

Posted on

Caught on camera: Gang member arrested in Paihia

Source: New Zealand Police

An eagle-eyed camera operator alerted Police to a person possessing a firearm in Paihia overnight.

“At around 2am Police were notified by Kaitaia cameras that a male had been seen on CCTV pulling what appeared to be a firearm from his pants,” Mid North Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Mark Barratt says.

“He was observed holding it on camera for a few seconds before adjusting it and placing it back into his pants.”

Units were dispatched to the location and located the man a short distance away after carrying out area enquiries.

Senior Sergeant Barratt says the firearm he was allegedly possessing has not been located at this stage and enquiries are ongoing.

Police have since located methamphetamine paraphernalia.

“This was great work by the camera operator who as part of proactive prevention has observed this male, and we were able to locate and charge him,” Senior Sergeant Barratt says.

“We will continue to act on this sort of information to keep our communities safe.”

A 37-year-old male, who is a patched Black Power member, has been charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm and possessing utensils for methamphetamine. He will appear in the Kaikohe District Court today.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Posted on

A 22 year old mystery solved

Source: New Zealand Police

A 22 year old Lake Taupo mystery involving a Russian stuntman has been solved thanks to some useful information being sent in following an appeal by Police.

Artour Melikov was 36 when he was reported missing on 10 September 2002. Turangi Police located his vehicle at the Jellicoe Reserve, 400 metres north of Bulli Point at Lake Taupo.

Despite extensive search efforts, there was no sign of Artour and Police established he hadn’t been seen since he left Auckland two days prior.

On 9 January this year, Police were called to a holiday park at Motutere, where several bones were located near a walking track. Police believed the bones were those of Artour, but extensive enquiries had been unable to lead to a positive identification.

Senior Constable Barry Shepherd QSM, of the Taupo Area Search and Rescue Squad, said following an appeal for information two people have come forward with photos which have enabled Police to formally identify Artour.

“The two photos sent in have shown clear evidence of his gold teeth and clothing he was wearing when he was found,” Senior Constable Shepherd said.

“I want to thank these people for coming forward to allow us to formally identify Artour and provide some closure.”

The case has been referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Posted on

Upgrades to improve rail reliability

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Train commuters and businesses moving goods around the country will see more reliable rail services, thanks to the Government’s investment of $604.6 million for rail upgrades and renewals through Budget 2025, Rail Minister Winston Peters and Transport Minister Chris Bishop say. 

“The funding provides $461 million to maintain and renew the rail freight network, and $143.6 million to replace and upgrade the Auckland and Wellington metropolitan rail networks, and will deliver a more productive, efficient and reliable rail network that supports economic growth and productivity,” Mr Peters says.

“We want railways to succeed for this country – rail freight backs our business, and business backs our cities and provinces.

“Rail currently moves 13 per cent of national freight and a quarter of New Zealand’s exports, complementing our road freighters’ short-hauls by doing the heavy-haul weights, the long-distance runs, and being the efficient clearing house so coastal ports can handle more export ships.

“The Rail Network Investment Programme for 2024-2027 is now funded, meaning maintenance, network operations, asset renewals and modest improvements are funded.

“This programme replaces decades’ old bridges, culverts, and other assets with infrastructure to last for generations to come, and provides the bedrock for growth by the commercially-funded freight operations to move our goods.

“We have a legacy for rail freight and this builds on it. The Northland line is upgraded from Swanson to Whangārei, new locomotives and shunts are arriving, new wagons are serving customers and more are being assembled in Dunedin, and rail ferries are being secured on the Strait,” says Mr Peters.

The Government is also funding critical network renewals in Auckland and Wellington.

“Metro rail investment in Auckland and Wellington will improve the level of service for passengers by addressing overdue and critical renewals work,” Mr Bishop says.

“A backlog of overdue renewals has made services less reliable, with commuters experiencing ongoing disruption in recent years. Piecemeal network maintenance has increased overall costs and has not delivered the high-performing metro rail service that our cities need to flourish.

“The poor state of our metro networks has flow-on impacts for performance. For example, temporary speed restrictions are often needed as a safety precaution, leading to increased travel times and disrupting service schedules. 

“The Budget investment in metro rail will continue to support delivery of modern networks that are more reliable, can be efficiently maintained, ease congestion on the busiest parts of the network, and allow for increased future demand. It will also ensure a better experience for commuters who already make 24 million journeys on the networks each year. 

“Auckland Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council will also need to meet their fair share of costs to deliver the services we want for metro rail.”

Editor’s notes for the metro networks and the Wairarapa:

Recent rail investments include funding through previous Budgets and the National Land Transport Fund of:

  • $159.2 million funding to complete the Rail Network Rebuild programme in Auckland, and to address historic formation, drainage and track issues. This investment is critical to prepare the network for the opening of City Rail Link
  • $107.7 million in Budget 2024 funding for metro rail networks was split between Auckland and Wellington to address the renewals backlog and deliver more reliable services for commuters in our main cities:
    • $48.8 million for Auckland
    • $52.9 million for Wellington
    • $6 million of contingency funding to manage cost escalations on maintenance and renewal works.
  • $137.2 million for upgrades to substations on the Wellington metro rail network, to improve the reliability of services
  • $802.8 million investment into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail network infrastructure and rolling stock to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island. 
Posted on

Proposed temporary fisheries closures at Tangoiro/Waihirere and Motuoroi, north of Gisborne

Source: police-emblem-97

Have your say

Ngāti Wakarara – Ngāti Hau Takutai Kaitiaki Trust has requested 2 temporary closures at:

  1. Tangoiro/Waihirere
  2. Motuoroi.

Both areas are north of Gisborne. If granted, the closures would prohibit the take of finfish and shellfish (including crustaceans and rock lobster) for 2 years, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The request follows a rāhui and previous temporary closures. The request states that additional time is needed for:

  • further population recovery after Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle
  • data collection over a sufficient timescale
  • to establish longer-term protection strategies.

Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions from anyone who has an interest in the species concerned, or in the effects of fishing in the areas.

We are accepting submissions from 20 May until 5pm on 18 June 2025.

Letter requesting the closures

Tangoiro Waihirere and Motuoroi Temporary Closure Request 2025 (Redacted) [PDF, 1 MB]

The proposed closure areas

The area of the proposed Tangoiro/Waihirere temporary closure covers about 0.7 square kilometres and includes the fisheries waters offshore of Tangoiro and Waihirere Beachs. The proposed area excludes the rock platform at the southern end of Waihirere Beach.

Map of the proposed Tangoiro/Waihirere temporary closure [PDF, 625 KB]

The area of the proposed Motuoroi temporary closure covers about 1.2 square kilometres, and includes the fisheries waters between Motuoroi Island and the mainland, from the Lockwood Woolshed to south of the shore caves.

Map of the proposed Motuoroi temporary closure [PDF, 637 KB]

Map of both proposed temporary closures [PDF, 519 KB]

Making your submission

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 18 June 2025.

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Spatial Allocations
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Public notice

A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the Gisborne Herald on Tuesday 20 May 2025.

About temporary closures

Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition will recognise and provide for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.

Find out more about temporary closures

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Posted on

Industry awards highlight economic contribution

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Defence Minister Judith Collins has announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence to Industry, highlighting the significant contribution they make to New Zealand’s security, economy and workforce.
“Congratulations to this year’s winners, whose work strengthens New Zealand’s defence capabilities and demonstrates the highest standards, skills, innovation and impact on local communities,” Ms Collins says.
“The winners include a New Zealand and Tongan-based construction company, which built the Pacific Leadership Development Programme classrooms and fale in Tonga, and an augmented and virtual reality developer who built simulated training courses with the Royal New Zealand Navy.
“Defence looks forward to enhancing its partnership with industry to supply military assets, equipment and infrastructure following the release of the 2025 Defence Capability Plan, which outlines $12 billion of planned commitments over the next four years.”
Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk says this year’s recipients demonstrate industry is a trusted partner to Defence.
“About 800 companies supply critical products and services to New Zealand’s Defence industrial base, bolstering its resilience,” Mr Penk says.
“Defence is a major contributor to the economy, spending hundreds of millions of dollars locally on engineering and commercial services, maintenance, repair and training support.”
Notes to editor:
More information about the award recipients can be found on the Ministry of Defence website: www.defence.govt.nz/business-and-industry/industry-awards/2024-awards-of-excellence-for-industry 
Imagery of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence to Industry event at Parliament will be available at 10am on 20 May: www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdfmedia 
Ministry of Defence Youtube channel here: https://youtube.com/@NewZealandMinistryofDefence
2024 Category Winners:
Category A – Prime Contractor of the Year – Hawkins  
Category B – Sub-contractor/Small to Medium Enterprise of the Year Product – (two winners) Build N Concrete and Seipp Construction
Category C – Sub-contractor/ Small to Medium Enterprise of the Year Service – The Sysdoc Group
2024 Special Award Winners:
Tū Kaha (Courage) – Dr Laura Robichaux (Beca)
Tū Tika (Commitment) – (two winners) Krystal Paraone (StaplesVR) and Rodney Bosch (PAE) 
Tū Tira (Comradeship) – Paul Grant (Kuehne + Nagel Limited)
Tū Māia (Integrity) – Damian Little (Hawkins) 
Kotahitanga (Unity) – Annette Smith (The Sysdoc Group)
 
The Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry are administered by the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council on behalf of the Minister of Defence.

Posted on

Legal News – Former NZ Associate Minister Of Foreign Affairs Calls On NZ Government To Uphold International Law Over US Designation of Cuba

Source: Hon Matthew Robson

Former NZ Associate Minister Of Foreign Affairs, Hon Matt Robson, has called on the New Zealand Government to uphold International Law.

“New Zealand prides itself on being in the forefront of countries supporting the international rule of law and not the international rule of might ”, said former Associate Foreign Minister in the Helen Clark government, the Hon Matt Robson.

“To uphold this principled position Foreign Minister, the Hon Winston Peters, must strongly condemn the US action of placing Cuba on its “List of Non-Cooperative Terrorism countries.

“This illegal act is a further breach of international law alongside the ever-tightening unilateral sanctions on Cuba, in place since 1960, which have been condemned as illegal by an overwhelming vote in the UN General Assembly, including that of New Zealand vote” said the Hon Matt Robson.

“Cuba is recognised by the UN for its commitment to anti-terrorism measures. The irony is that it has been the United States that has supported terrorism against Cuba from the attempted assassination of its leaders, military invasions ,economic sabotage to the bombing of a Cuban airliner and protection in the US of the culprits.”

“Cuba is renowned not for terrorism but for sending medical professionals to the poorest countries of the world since 1960, training doctors in Cuba from those countries, including many from Pacific nations, and during Covid providing specialist health personnel, including to developed Italy , to world acclaim”.

“The Hon Winston Peters should place New Zealand on the side of the vast majority of countries supporting international law and condemn the United States for its illegal persecution of a developing country,” Hon Matt Robson said.

Posted on

Stats NZ information release: Business price indexes: March 2025 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Business price indexes: March 2025 quarter – 19 May 2025 – Business price indexes (BPI) includes the producers price index (PPI), capital goods price index (CGPI), and farm expenses price index (FEPI).

Key facts
In the March 2025 quarter compared with the December 2024 quarter:

  • the output producers price index (PPI) rose 2.1 percent
  • the input PPI rose 2.9 percent
  • the farm expenses price index (FEPI) rose 0.4 percent
  • the capital goods price index (CGPI) rose 0.5 percent.

Files: