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EIT gains approval for new Environmental Studies degree and diploma

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

40 seconds ago

Those passionate about protecting the environment will soon be able to study a new suite of Environmental Studies programmes at EIT, following NZQA approval for the qualifications to begin in 2026.

The Environmental Studies suite includes the new Bachelor of Environmental Studies covering environmental science, legislation, management and sustainability, and the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies for degree holders or professionals wanting to specialise or retrain in the environmental field. There is also the existing level 5 Diploma in Environmental Management for those seeking a pathway into degree-level study.

EIT Environmental Studies lecturers Chris Thorman (left), Gerard Henry, Dr Dinusha Jayathilake, Dr Amelia McQueen and Dr Glen Robertshaw will teach across the new Environmental Studies programmes launching in 2026.

Lisa Turnbull, Assistant Head of School – Primary Industries, says the programmes have been developed in response to regional and national needs.

“Students can study locally, gain essential skills, and launch a career without leaving the region. Developed with local stakeholders, our courses reflect the realities of environmental work in Aotearoa and beyond. We’re excited to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and experience to lead change and make a real difference.”

The qualifications are designed to give students the knowledge and practical skills to address complex environmental challenges and contribute to conservation, sustainability and resource management across Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

The programmes explore how humans interact with the natural world, equipping graduates to contribute to conservation, sustainability, and resource management efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

The programmes integrate both Western science and mātauranga Māori, recognising the importance of combining knowledge systems to create solutions that respect people, place and environment.

Students will gain hands-on experience through fieldwork, lab sessions, and projects across the Hawke’s Bay region, working alongside government agencies, iwi, and environmental organisations.

EIT’s environmental teaching team brings together academic expertise and industry experience, ensuring students gain both theoretical understanding and practical know-how.

“The future of our planet depends on people who care, and it starts here at EIT.”

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Government proposes further ETS cost reductions for forest owners

Source: New Zealand Government

Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today announced additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS), saying that all forest owners will benefit from this decision.

“The last Labour Government wanted forest owners to pay an excessive $30.25 per hectare per year, forcing the sector to take legal action. We’re lowering that, for a second time, to $10.25,” Mr McClay says.

“This represents a 66 per cent reduction in the annual charge since the National-led Government took office.”

Consultation opens today and is the result of a second review into operational costs of the scheme. Mr McClay requested the first independent review in 2024, which resulted in an initial reduction to $14.90 per hectare.

Key proposed changes include:

  • Lowering the annual charge for post-1989 forest land from $14.90 to $10.25 per hectare per year.
  • Updating service fees by reducing the hourly rate and aligning time estimates with actual administration costs.
  • Introducing eight new targeted service fees for activities that deliver specific private benefits to participants.

“The changes aim to ensure cost recovery reflects the true costs of administering forestry in the ETS while upholding high service standards” Mr McClay says.  

The consultation also seeks feedback on an alternative reduced annual charge option for forests that no longer need to report carbon stock changes, to apply for a limited period.

“Today’s announcement delivers on the Government’s promise to rebuild confidence in the forestry sector and support its role in achieving New Zealand’s exporting and emissions targets,” Mr McClay says.

Updated settings are expected to take effect from mid-2026.

Details on the consultation are available here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/review-of-forestry-in-the-emissions-trading-scheme-cost-recovery-settings

 

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Review of forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme cost recovery settings

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) wants your feedback on proposals to update cost recovery settings for forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The proposals include: 

  • a reduced annual charge
  • a reduced hourly rate to underpin service fees
  • changes to the average hours used to calculate service fees
  • 8 proposed new service fees.

A summary of the proposals is on this page and full details are in the consultation document.

If progressed, we anticipate that changes would be made in mid-2026.

Consultation opened on 22 January and we will accept submissions until 5pm on 13 February 2026. 

Consultation document

Review of forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme cost recovery settings [PDF, 1.9 MB]

Summary of the proposals

Reducing the annual charge

  • Option 1 – from $14.90 per hectare to $10.25 per hectare.
  • Option 2 – from $14.90 per hectare to $10.28 per hectare, and applying a reduced and time-limited annual charge for forests that no longer report changes in carbon stock. 

Reducing most existing service fees

  • Reducing the hourly rate that underpins service fees from $165 to $133.83.
  • Adjusting the hours that underpin some service fees to better reflect the time it takes to carry out the service.

Eight proposed new service fees

New fees for services that have a direct benefit to a participant, including:

  • assessing an emissions return when a participant fails to submit a return
  • amending incorrect emissions returns
  • removing 1 or more whole carbon accounting areas for permanent forests
  • removing 1 or more part carbon accounting areas for permanent forests
  • processing notices that post-1989 offset deforestation is complete
  • removing land status notices
  • assessing LUC class 6 ballot applications
  • carrying out a review of decision.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the proposals, email etsforestrychanges@mpi.govt.nz

Making your submission

Send us your feedback by 5pm on 13 February 2026. 

We would prefer if you made your submission electronically, by email. However, we will also accept written submissions sent by post. 

You can give feedback on all of the proposals in the consultation document, or you can choose only the areas relevant to you. Provide reasons for your answers with your submission where possible. 

We’ve prepared a template to help you make your submission.  

ETS cost recovery submission template [DOCX, 170 KB]

Email 

Email your submission to etsforestrychanges@mpi.govt.nz

Post 

If you prefer to make your submission by post, send it to:

NZ ETS Cost Recovery
Forestry System Directorate
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

What to include

Make sure you tell us in your submission: 

  • the title of the consultation document [Review of forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme cost recovery settings]
  • your name and title 
  • your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
  • your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email). 

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

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Weather live: Several people missing as slip hits Mt Maunganui holiday park

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow the RNZ liveblog above.

A person is seriously hurt and two others are unaccounted for after a landslide in Welcome Bay in Papamoa.

Meanwhile, Police say helicopters are being deployed to assist people trapped on roofs due to flooding in Te Araroa on the East Cape.

About 10,000 people were without power on Thursday morning, mostly in the Bay of Plenty, after a night of heavy rain.

Follow the RNZ liveblog at the top of the page for the latest updates.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Traveller hikes three days with abandoned kitten on Te Araroa trail

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Te Araroa hiker from the UK carried an abandoned kitten through rugged backcountry for nearly three days to get it to safety.

Katie Evans, a cat owner from Cheltenham, had been on the trail since early November when the black kitten appeared in front of her near Lake Sumner earlier this week.

“One kilometre past there in this deep wooded area … this black kitten just popped up and I was like, ‘well, that’s unusual’,” she says.

Lady Bluff, now known as Bluffy, was found near Lake Sumner earlier this week by UK hiker Katie Evans.

Supplied / Katie Evans

The kitten — which she named Lady Bluff — hid among logs and roots, watching Evans cautiously.

She says she was aware of how dearly New Zealanders held wildlife and how roaming cats were considered a threat to the biodiversity in these parts, but, being an animal lover, Evans knew she couldn’t leave it behind.

“I kind of waited about 40 minutes, didn’t seem to be any mum around. It seemed quite nervous.”

After several failed attempts and trekking through logs, Evans finally managed to scoop the hissing kitten up in a towel. Carrying it one-handed, she clambered over fallen trees and navigated a swinging bridge over the Hurunui River to reach the nearest hut, 6km away.

Lady Bluff, now known as Bluffy, was found near Lake Sumner earlier this week by UK hiker Katie Evans.

Supplied / Katie Evans

There, fellow hikers helped her feed the kitten milk powder and dried yoghurt.

The next day, Evans fashioned a better hiking solution for her new travelling companion. The kitten was curled up inside her trusty shoulder bag, and secured with her hoodie to keep it snuggled close.

Keeping a close eye on her friend, Evans hiked over rough terrain for two more days – walking 25km each day.

“The cat mainly slept in there. When it woke up, I just kind of tried to feed it some dry powder milk.”

At the huts, she learned through the logging records that another hiker had previously spotted the kitten but couldn’t catch it.

Lady Bluff, now known as Bluffy, was found near Lake Sumner earlier this week by UK hiker Katie Evans.

Supplied / Katie Evans

After reaching Arthur’s Pass, Evans shared the story in a Te Araroa WhatsApp group, prompting multiple offers to adopt the kitten. Evans says she was cautious at first, wanting to make sure an animal shelter could get it treated and vaxxed.

She eventually met a Christchurch resident who told her they were experienced with stray kittens and already had a vet appointment booked, just in case she agreed.

During that meeting on Wednesday, she learned the kitten was already weaned because of the changes in its eye colour.

“I thought it wasn’t weaned because it wouldn’t take any of my trashy hiker food,” she says, adding that it gobbled down her scrambled eggs at an Arthur’s Pass café.

“[The Christchurch resident] was like besotted … they were like, we’ve actually already got the vets booked, just in case. So I felt confident that they were like they were quite knowledgeable about kittens.”

The kitten — now renamed Bluffy — was given a clean bill of health, though slightly underweight.

Evans is taking shelter from the rain for a few days before continuing her journey south, grateful that her unexpected trail companion is now safe.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Police ask Lake Hāwea residents to help in car break-ins investigation

Source: New Zealand Police

Police investigating numerous reports of cars being interfered with in Lake Hāwea are seeking the public’s help to identify the man captured in this CCTV footage. 

We believe he may be able to assist us with our enquiries into the break-ins, which were reported between midnight Saturday 17 January and 5am Sunday 18 January.

If you recognise this man, please contact Police on 105 now.

Please quote file number 260118/4376.

Eight cars were attempted to be broken into, including one vehicle that was stolen – and later recovered by Police.

The streets the cars were tampered with were parked on Capell Avenue, Paradise Place, Hewson Crescent, Little Maude Avenue, Lakeview Terrace, Grandview Road and Bell Street.

Police are also aware of a vehicle heard doing burnouts and crashing in the area at 4am, where Police were not called.

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

Police also remind everyone to lock your vehicle and not to leave any valuable items visible, whether you’re parked on your property or on the road.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Business owner claims he lost money after Facebook and Instagram accounts banned

Source: Radio New Zealand

* Correction: This story has been updated since publication to clarify ownership and impact to the businesses.

A Wellington man says his business lost money after its Instagram and Facebook accounts were banned. 

Alex Hoang owns the Velvet Nail Room, and is general manager for Pho Viet Street Food.

On 14 January he was notified that the Instagram and Facebook accounts were locked due to sexual content on his page which he completely rejected.

Hoang immediately appealed which resulted in Meta services saying he was permanently banned.

He told RNZ after he was not getting anywhere with the normal process of escalating these issues, he contacted an email address that was not public after seeing an influencer use it who had similar problems.

Following that the ban was reversed on Saturday.

Hoang said his businesses relied social media a lot.

“Social media is really important for those businesses as it is a channel for us to communicate with customers.”

He said it had cost his nail business money.

“A lot of customers very luckily they contacted me, they thought something was wrong with me [or] something was wrong with the business, which is really, really frustrating.”

Hoang was concerned he’d have to wait months for the issue to be resolved and noted he also contacted a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment mailbox that was set up for people in similar situations.

Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk told RNZ around 100 requests had been received through the dedicated inbox since the beginning of October.

“The consistent concern raised by these businesses is the disruption caused by losing access to their accounts. For many small businesses, social media platforms are a primary channel for communicating with customers and promoting their products and services.”

Penk said MBIE continued to engage constructively with Meta and was passing on emails received directly for the company to review in cases where small businesses alleged their accounts may have been incorrectly suspended.

A Meta spokesperson told RNZ it took action on accounts that violated their policies, and people could appeal to the social media company if they thought it made a mistake.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Two people missing after major slip blocks road in Tauranga

Source: Radio New Zealand

Welcome Bay Road closed after a slip. Justine Murray

Cars are being turned away on Welcome Bay Road in Tauranga where two people are still unaccounted for after a major slip.

RNZ producer Justine Murray said about eight cars were in front of her with a sign saying the road was closed.

“It’s a no-go zone for cars,” she said.

“[The slip] was about a kilometre away.”

Murray said the area was winding and hilly, with the worst of the slip unable to be seen from the cordon.

Elsewhere, residents were going about their business and the sun had come out.

“You would not think a major slip has happened, the sun’s come out at the moment and people are going about their normal day,” she said.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Tauranga emergency department gets peer support workers

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has delivered on its commitment to roll out peer support services in eight emergency departments five months ahead of schedule, with Tauranga Hospital becoming the latest hospital to implement the service, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says.

“We committed to rolling out peer support workers in eight hospitals over two years, and I’m pleased to say we’ve delivered that milestone five months early,” Mr Doocey says.

Mr Doocey marked the milestone by meeting peer support specialists from Ember, who will work in the emergency department.

“Ember already provides peer support specialists in EDs in the Auckland and Waikato regions and have valuable experience in ensuring a smooth establishment of the service in Tauranga.

“For people arriving at ED in mental health crisis, the experience can be overwhelming. Having a peer support specialist alongside them someone with lived experience who understands what they’re going through can make a real difference.

“The feedback from hospitals already using this service is clear. People feel more heard, more supported, and better connected to follow-up care in the community.

“Peer support specialists also play a key role in linking people back into community services once they leave hospital, helping set them up for better long-term outcomes.

“As New Zealand’s first Minister for Mental Health, I’m determined to better recognise and strengthen the peer support workforce. Their lived experience brings incredible value to our mental health system.”

Since launching at Middlemore Hospital in September 2024, the service has expanded to North Shore, Auckland City, Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and now Tauranga.

“This is about backing what works, growing our workforce, and making sure that when people take the brave step of asking for help, support is there when and where it’s needed.” Mr Doocey says.

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Local study pathways on offer at EIT Tairāwhiti event

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

14 hours ago

EIT Tairāwhiti will host its annual Information and Enrolment Day this week, giving people across the region the chance to explore local study options ahead of 2026.

The event will be held tomorrow (January 22) at the EIT Tairāwhiti Campus in Gisborne, with additional sessions available at the Wairoa Learning Centre from 10am to 2pm. Ruatoria will now hold their Information and Enrolment Day on Thursday, January 29 10am to 2pm.

EIT Tairāwhiti Executive Director Tracey Tangihaere says the day is about helping people see what is possible through study and training in the region.

“For many people, deciding what to study or where to begin can feel overwhelming. This day gives people the chance to talk things through, ask questions and see what options are available to them right here in Tairāwhiti.”

Tracey says the event is designed to be welcoming and practical, with staff available to provide clear guidance and support.

“Our tutors and student support teams will be on site throughout the day to help with course advice, enrolment and study planning,” she says.

“Whether you’re just starting out, returning to learning or thinking about a change, we’re here to help you take that next step with confidence.”

Visitors will be able to meet tutors and student support staff, tour campus facilities and discuss study pathways aligned with their career goals.

EIT offers a wide range of qualifications, from certificates and diplomas through to degrees and postgraduate programmes, with flexible full-time, part-time and online study options available.

The Information and Enrolment Day is free to attend, and no booking is required.