NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says the findings of an independent review of the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) for public transport have supported a reset of the programme which will see the rollout of NTS in Christchurch from November this year, with a target to be operational throughout New Zealand by the end of 2027.

“NTS equipment will start to be installed on buses and ferries in Christchurch later this week as we prepare for the roll-out of contactless payments across the city from November,” says NZTA Chief Customer & Services Officer and NTS Sponsor Sarina Pratley.

“This is exciting news for Christchurch and for the broader NTS programme. By mid-November, bus and ferry passengers in Christchurch will be able to make fare payments using credit or debit cards.” 

Mrs Pratley says the independent review commissioned by the NTS Governance Board in May 2025 has resulted in a range of recommendations across the programme that will help to ensure its successful delivery.

The report makes 10 primary recommendations and 32 sub-recommendations, including those relating to programme governance, leadership, delivery and decision making, as well as ensuring realistic resourcing commitments from all NTS partners*.  

Mrs Pratley says the findings of the review are already being actioned. Three of the ten primary recommendations and 13 of the 32 sub-recommendations have been closed out, and the remainder are being urgently addressed.

“A new Programme Director has been appointed, the programme’s governance structure is being reviewed to strengthen decision-making, a restructure of the programme is underway to ensure it has the right resources to be successfully delivered, and additional resource has been committed to the NTS programme by the partners,” Mrs Pratley says.

The independent review has also highlighted that NZTA was overly ambitious with the original timeframes of delivering the NTS programme by the end of 2026. 

“This finding is acknowledged,” Mrs Pratley says. “NTS is a complex programme to deliver. It is replacing four different ticketing systems that support five national and additional local concessions with one standardised national system.  

“The challenge has been accommodating a broad range of localised requirements into one national technical solution. NZTA has used the review’s insights to get agreement for a more manageable incremental release plan for the technical solution. This has also enabled us to drive better alignment across Public Transport Authorities to support NTS. 

“The NTS partners have welcomed the review’s findings and remain committed to the successful implementation of NTS, which will ultimately make it easier for everyone to hop on board and pay for public transport in New Zealand.”

NZTA will be publishing a redacted version of the independent review and its recommendations later this month, following consultation with our commercial partners. This will be available on our website: www.nzta.govt.nz(external link)  

An updated regional implementation schedule for NTS is currently being developed, and will also be finalised later this month.

* The NTS public transport partners are:  Auckland Transport, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Canterbury Regional Council, and a Regional Consortium – Northland Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Taranaki Regional Council, Gisborne District Council, Horizons Regional Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Nelson City Council, Otago Regional Council, and Invercargill City Council. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are today releasing photos of one of the campsites where Tom Phillips and his children were hiding prior to Monday morning’s shooting at Waitomo.

The makeshift camp was located by specialist Police, acting on information from one of the children, about 2 kilometres from the scene where Phillips died after he shot and critically injured a Police officer.

A large-scale investigation is continuing into the shooting, which happened about 3.25am on Monday on Te Anga Road.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Minister of Police Mark Mitchell today visited the injured officer, Officer A, in hospital.

“I was pleased that I could meet him and his family today and offer my encouragement and support to them. While the officer has a long road to recovery, we will be there to support him and his whānau at every step.

“He is a dedicated and caring constable and represents the best of what it means to be a rural Police officer.

“I’m proud of him, and the officers who arrived on the scene seconds later and dealt to the threat.”

Commissioner Chambers also met with Acting Waikato District Commander Inspector Andrea McBeth and staff this morning.

“Their professionalism in dealing with a colleague being injured and working through an incredibly complex investigation is admirable and they will receive any additional support that is needed.”

Scene examinations

A number of areas in Western Waikato remain under scene guard as Police process evidence following Monday morning’s events.

The camp area in Waitomo and the scene of the shooting remain active crime scenes, with forensic staff on site today to gather evidence.

Three firearms, including the weapon used by Phillips, have been recovered from the scene of the shooting. Several firearms have been located from the area where Phillips was camping, and further details will be shared when they become available.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said a number of investigations are under way into the incident, including an Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation, Coronial enquiries, and a Critical Incident Review.

“The body of Tom Phillips was removed from the scene late yesterday and there will be a post mortem tomorrow, after which his body will be released to his family.

“Investigation staff are going over the areas where the family had been staying, and have been speaking with farmers, locals, and workers in the area. That work is to help us build an accurate picture of the movements of Tom Phillips and the children.”

Wrap-around support

Acting Deputy Commissioner Rogers said the children were reunited late yesterday and are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki.

“Our staff described the children as being engaged and they readily spoke with our staff, who provided them with snacks and drinks while they waited to be brought out of the camp site.

“While they are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki, we will continue to work closely with the children, taking the time and sensitivity that is needed after the ordeal they have been through.”

Extra Police staff have been deployed to the Marokopa and King Country areas and will remain in the district over the coming days.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre  

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are asked to remove the additional charges listed in our original media release on the youth charged with the murder of Kaea Karauria, as ordered by the Judge in Napier Youth Court today.

This is due to the charges being a separate matter to the murder charge, and these charges will go through separate Court proceedings.

We ask media to please update any stories to reflect this.

Thank you for your understanding.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Landcorp has launched a new livestock equity partnership opportunity, designed to support equity-building pathways for farm operators and strengthen the future of farming in New Zealand, State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This is a welcomed initiative that directly supports the Government’s priorities to strengthen rural employment, improve farm productivity, and create genuine pathways to ownership for the next generation of farmers,” Mr Brown says.

“By enabling operators to take financial responsibility behind the farm gate, we’re backing high performance and helping unlock the full potential of New Zealand’s farming sector.”

The equity partnership model builds on the State Owned Enterprise’s 2024 introduction of contract farming options for dairy farmers, including sharemilking and contract milking arrangements across four farms: Quarry and Otago in the Central Plateau, Waimakariri in Canterbury, and Ruru on the West Coast.

The first property available for expressions of interest is Mahiwi Farm, a 708-hectare livestock operation located 35 minutes west of Wairoa. The farm offers a strong balance of breeding and finishing country, with clear potential for improved performance.

“This model is about opening the gate and creating opportunities for the next generation of Kiwi farmers.

“The benefits extend beyond individual farms. It supports local employment, develops skills in rural communities, and helps ensure that high-performing farms stay in Kiwi hands, contributing to a resilient and productive agricultural sector for the long term.

“By offering equity options, we’re providing real pathways for more New Zealanders to take ownership and shape their future on the land,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 21,000 consultations have already been delivered through the Government’s new 24/7 digital health service launched in July, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This service is giving New Zealanders faster access to care when they can’t see their usual GP, helping them get the support they need, when they need it,” Mr Brown says.

In its first months, the service has:

• Delivered 21,740 consultations to 19,331 people across New Zealand.
• Been used most often when a timely GP appointment wasn’t available (71.6 per cent of bookings).
• Provided treatment for 83.5 per cent of patients, without needing an in-person GP follow-up.

“Most people were able to get answers and treatment straight away, easing pressure on emergency departments by addressing non-urgent issues earlier and in the right setting.

“This service is reaching people in every corner of the country, from our busiest cities to our smallest rural towns. That shows it is making a real difference for those who might otherwise face long waits or long drives just to see a doctor.”

Working-age adults and parents are the biggest users, with strong uptake among 20–39-year-olds and children under 10. It’s also being used across all communities, with every ethnicity well represented.

“This digital service provides easily accessible healthcare when it’s needed, bridging the gap when people might otherwise be left waiting, worrying, or unsure where to turn. For many families, that makes a real difference in their daily lives.

“Our Government is committed to ensuring every New Zealander can access timely, quality healthcare. Digital health solutions are a key part of delivering that,” Mr Brown says. 

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Important work is being carried out to reduce the avalanche risk to visitors at one of New Zealand’s top tourist attractions, Milford Sound.

The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound, State Highway 94, has been subject to several closures in recent days, from Hollyford Road Junction to the Donne River Bridge, due to snow blocking the highway and the avalanche risk.

Check out some helicopter video footage of avalanche mitigation work on Saturday, where the avalanche lands on the western side of the Homer Tunnel at a location called Avalanche Creek.

The Milford Road/SH94 is open this morning but will close again between Hollyford Road Junction and the Donne River Bridge at 5pm today for forecast overnight snow. It is likely to reopen mid-morning tomorrow after snow clearing, but snowfall is expected to continue on and off for much of the day tomorrow and there may be minor delays while snowploughs are operating.

Closures and management of the avalanche risk on the Milford Road are among the roles of the Milford Road Alliance, which is an alliance between New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Downer. It manages and maintains the critical roading connection to Milford Sound.

“The work the alliance does in this extreme environment around managing and maintaining the roading and Homer Tunnel assets, and including incident response, is critically important for this region and for New Zealand tourism in general,” says Milford Road Alliance Manager, Kevin Thompson.

“The avalanche programme that we undertake each year is internationally recognised. We take very seriously the responsibility to keep visitors to Milford safe.”

In 2023, the Milford Alliance avalanche programme won the International Road Federation’s Global Road Achievement Award for Programme Management. The selection was made by an independent, international panel of judges with expertise in the road development industry.

Until the late 1970s, the avalanche danger saw the Milford Road closed all winter. The avalanche control programme was established in 1983 to predict and manage risk from snow, ice and avalanches more effectively, while allowing year-round operation.

SH94 Milford Road

Source: New Zealand Police

A teenager has been charged with murder following an investigation into the death of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria.

Today, Police arrested and charged the youth for the fatal stabbing of Kaea in Napier on 11 May.

Detective Inspector Dave de Lange says the investigation into the matter will continue and Police cannot rule out further charges.

“What happened to Kaea was devastating, and Police will remain focused on establishing the exact circumstances on what has occurred.

“Kaea deserves justice, and while nothing will undo this terrible act, we hope this arrest can bring a small amount of closure to his family and loved ones.

“I would like to acknowledge the determination of the investigation team over the past four months, who have worked tirelessly to reach this result.”

Police would also like to thank members of the public who have provided information that has assisted in our investigation.

“This information has been crucial in allowing us to piece together the tragic events of that night,” says Detective Inspector de Lange.

The youth is due to appear in Napier Youth Court today, charged with murder.

The youth will also appear on a number of additional charges unrelated to the murder charge.  These include two charges of male rapes female (12-16), one charge of possession of methamphetamine, and one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.

A 21-year-old woman and another teen have previously been charged with wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the matter.

Anyone with information who has not yet contacted Police is urged to get in touch online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

Footage can also be uploaded anonymously here.

Please quote the reference number 250511/1317.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Detective Darrin Healy:

Dunedin Police are appealing for the public’s help following a fatal crash on 4 September.

Around 1.30pm, Police were called to a crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle on East Taieri-Allanton Road.

Sadly, one person died at the scene.

Police would like to hear from any motorists who were travelling on East Taieri-Allanton Road, State Highway 1, near J.Tee’s Golf and Function Centre, between 1:20pm and 1:30pm that day.

In particular, Police are interested to hear from you if you may have seen an orange Suzuki Swift or a white and black motorcycle leading up to the time of the crash.

Police are also looking to speak to the driver of a white van with black and white chevron stripes on the back half (pictured).

We have no reason to believe this driver had any involvement in the crash, however, they may have information that can assist with our investigation.

If you can assist with these enquiries, or have dashcam footage from this time, please contact us via 105, either over the phone or online, referencing the file number 250904/9509.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister Responsible for the GCSB and NZSIS Judith Collins is this week representing New Zealand at the annual Five Country Ministerial meeting in London.

“This annual meeting recognises the common issues facing the five countries – New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK and the US – and our joint commitment to addressing them through research, engagement and working together,” Ms Collins says.

“We will be discussing a range of common challenges and emerging issues, including countering terrorism, approaches to state threats, border security and tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse.”

“While in the UK I will also meet with counterparts in the UK Intelligence and Defence communities, as well as with the UK public service on public service productivity, including digital government and artificial intelligence.  

“The GCSB and NZSIS have strong, enduring intelligence relationships with their UK counterparts and other Five Eyes partners.

“This directly contributes to the safety and security of our two countries, as well as broader global security efforts.

“New Zealand can’t work in isolation when we are dealing with national security – we must always work with our international partners.       

This week of engagements reaffirms New Zealand’s steadfast dedication to global security and the collective effort required to address these in an increasingly complex and dynamic international environment.”

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A long-awaited step forward is confirmed for the new 4-lane state highway west of Tauranga, between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, as applications for statutory approvals are lodged for Stage 2 of the Takitimu North Link project under the Fast-track Approvals Act, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) confirms.

This comes as contracts are being awarded for design of this Road of National Significance, and work is underway to refine the design where Stage 1 and 2 meet at Te Puna, helping align both stages and reduce re-work under Stage 2.

“This moment represents the culmination of considerable mahi and tautoko (support) by many over recent years. We acknowledge the commitment and support from our stakeholders over the project’s history, as well as the clear need for improved reliability, resilience and safety on this stretch of State Highway 2,” says Susan Collins, NZTA Regional Manager System Design.

Stage 2 extends Takitimu North Link Stage 1, currently in construction between Tauranga and Te Puna, onwards to Ōmokoroa. The project will improve reliability and resilience for those travelling through the Western Bay sub-region, particularly at Ōmokoroa, Whakamārama, Te Puna and Tauranga.

“Delivering a project of this size and scale comes with its challenges, from managing the sensitive coastal environment to landholdings and complex stormwater requirements.

“Reaching the pre-implementation phase is no small feat, with several structures and a major interchange to be designed for the proposed 7.1km 4-lane state highway to be built.

“We are looking forward to working on the design with local authorities including Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and local hapū Pirirākau and Ngāti Taka, recognising the important role this infrastructure will have in the future prosperity of the region” says Ms Collins.

People passing through the area will see a programme of ground investigations beginning later this year, with key sites near Snodgrass, Ainsworth and Te Puna Quarry, and Munro roads, and near Te Puna Stream.

Tolling has been confirmed to support construction and maintenance costs, and funding for construction will be considered following further work in consenting and detailed design, which is currently in progress.

Notes to the editor

The Stage 2 (Te Puna to Ōmokoroa) project is a Road of National Significance project and is an extension of Stage 1 between Tauranga and Te Puna. It will include: 

• a new 4-lane state highway with median and side barriers 
• overbridge for local traffic at Plummers Point Road / Barrett Road 
• overbridge for local traffic at Snodgrass Road / Te Puna Quarry Road 
• grade separated interchange at SH2 / Ōmokoroa Road 
• 4 million cubic metres of earthworks 
• ecological restoration areas
• connection to the Takitimu North Link Stage 1 (currently in construction) 
• existing SH2 highway retained as a local road.

Takitimu North Link project

Takitimu North Link Stage 2: Te Puna to Ōmokoroa

The application documents are published online at fasttrack.govt.nz(external link)

This page outlines the Fast-track approvals process(external link)

Statement provided by Ngāti Taka hapū spokesperson

“Ngāti Taka hapū representatives have been working alongside NZTA Waka Kotahi on Takitimu North Link Stage 1 and developing Stage 2 for many years. This Kaupapa acknowledges our Mana and History, strengthens the relationships we have, and recognises the contribution and values we each bring to the table.”

“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini – Our strength is not as an individual, but as a collective. We look forward to the next steps together.”

Statement provided by Pirirākau hapū spokesperson

“Pirirākau has walked alongside NZTA Waka Kotahi for more than 2 decades in the planning of the Takitimu North Link. The corridor traverses our ancestral rohe, connecting the high-growth centres of Ōmokoroa and Tauranga, and enabling the broader western Bay of Plenty region to flourish.”

“For Pirirākau, this whenua is not just land, it is imbued with whakapapa, kōrero tuku iho, and the legacy of our tūpuna. The corridor follows traditional routes that once connected our coastal kāinga to inland settlements and strategic pathways linking Pirirākau with our whanaunga in Waikato.”

“All our lands in this area were unjustly confiscated by the Crown in 1863, following the battles of Pukehinahina and Te Ranga. Yet despite that history, we remain committed to advancing positive outcomes for our hapū and the wider community.”

“Through this project, we look forward to continuing our relationship with NZTA, building not just a road, but a future that acknowledges the past, respects our cultural identity, and supports the prosperity of all who call this place home.”