NZ Engine

Source: Radio New Zealand

A person has died after a crash in Belfast, Christchurch last week.

Police were called to the two-vehicle crash on Main North Road just after 1.30pm on Thursday.

Five people were transported to hospital by ambulance with injuries ranging from moderate to serious, police said.

One person died in hospital on Sunday night.

Another person remained in hospital in a stable condition, while the other three people were discharged.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing, police said.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Porirua family is frustrated and angry that it took months of back and forth with Work and Income – and a call to the media – to get an unwell man the benefit he’s entitled to.

The Ministry of Social Development apologised for initially denying the man the Supported Living Payment, despite a doctor’s certificate proving he was unfit to work.

The u-turn came after contact from RNZ.

The man’s daughter said it should not have taken advice from someone in the know – and media attention – to get a fair result in a complex system.

She was concerned for other families without that access.

The 61-year-old, who RNZ agreed not to name, was made redundant from his factory job in August, but was already struggling to work, due to complications from diabetes.

His daughter said they made an appointment with Work and Income in September, and were told he wasn’t eligible for the Supported Living Payment or the accommodation supplement, and that he should apply for the Jobseeker benefit.

He was granted $145 a week and it was tough to make ends meet, she said.

In November, the doctor told him he shouldn’t be looking for work. RNZ saw his medical certificate, which said he had “no current capacity to work”.

After seeking advice from a friend who knows the system well, they applied for the Supported Living Payment – a benefit for people with a health condition.

“They declined it,” the man’s daughter said. “They didn’t give us any written decision, it was when we called two weeks after the application and we were told over the phone that it’s been declined.”

Stressed, frustrated and disappointed, she again sought advice from her friend, who encouraged her to formally appeal the decision.

They did and waited two weeks, before making another call – only to be told the appeal was declined and the man needed to re-apply for the Jobseeker benefit.

“Dad was trying to tell them there’s no point going on Jobseeker, because he’s not seeking a job,” she said. “They kept saying, ‘Oh, your last payment will be on the 19th of March … and then your payments will stop’.”

They were never given a reason why, she said. The family was overwhelmed and had a “massive” falling out.

“My dad got frustrated and then my sister got frustrated, and then everyone’s so stressed.

“My sister wanted to give up because … she felt like, ‘Oh, there’s no point fighting dad’s case, because they’re not going to accept [it]’.”

The family contacted RNZ and asked MSD about their situation.

A few days later, MSD called the man and told him his appeal was accepted, and he would receive a $331 weekly Supported Living Payment and be backpaid.

MSD confirmed it reversed the original decision, after RNZ brought the case to its attention.

MSD ‘deeply sorry’

Regional commissioner Gagau Annandale-Stone planned to apologise to the family in person, saying the ministry was “deeply sorry”.

“We have looked into [his] situation and sincerely regret that we made an incorrect decision,” she said. “This error occurred because we did not fully consider all of the evidence he had provided.”

MSD had contacted the man to apologise “for the mistake, the quality of our communication, the time it has taken to resolve this matter, and the distress this has caused him and his family”, she said.

“Our staff aim to provide a consistent and professional standard of service at all times, and work hard every day to assist people who are seeking support. We acknowledge that we did not get it right in this case.”

The man was incredibly relieved it was sorted.

“I was very frustrated and angry,” he said. “All my family was angry with me, they were affected because of my case.

“I used to push my kids to ring up the social welfare.”

He was relaxed and happy now, he said.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Southland farmer who invented edible bale netting has his eyes set on the international markets and the British royal family.

Orepuki deer farmer, Grant Lightfoot is the creator of Kiwi-Econet, a non-polluting baleage netting that animals can eat, rather than traditional plastic.

Baleage is a way of storing forage to preserve it as livestock feed – the big round bales are usually given to the animals over winter.

RNZ spoke to Lightfoot a year ago and since then, he’s travelled around Europe, met royalty and is looking to enter the US market.

And his diary for this year is also looking full to the brim, with shows and meetings.

“I’ve got a stall at Jeremy Clarkson’s farm, the Diddly Squat Farm. A couple of weeks ago I had a phone call from the CEO of McHale Balers, the big green one, and he’s invited us over to Ireland.”

Also on his itinerary is the Royal Norfolk Show in the UK, where he’s hoping to speak to the royal family about using his product on their farms.

Lightfoot added that Prince William showed interest in his baleage at a festival last year.

“I think I might be able to catch up with King Charles while I’m there as well.”

It’s not been completely smooth sailing entering the US market though.

The jute-based product is manufactured in India, which were facing heavy tariffs from the Trump administration last year.

However, due to recent changes to tariffs, Lightfoot is feeling optimistic that they he can enter the US market this year.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

After last week’s battering more bad weather on the way and the Far North council is warning people to be extremely careful as the area is already saturated, while a MetService yellow heavy rain watch has been issued for Auckland, Waikato, Taupō and Taumaranui.

The new weather front sweeping in from the north is expected to bring strong rain and winds to exposed places from Sunday night into Monday morning, with thunderstorms possible.

Downpours for Auckland, Waikato, Taupō and Taumaranui could reach up to 35 mm/h, from 1am Monday, MetService forecasters said.

“In areas outside the Watch, even though rainfall isn’t expected to reach warning amounts there could still be impacts from brief bursts of very heavy rain and strong wind gusts on already saturated ground – now’s the time to clear the drains and gutters and secure anything that could fly away or fall over,” they said.

Warning for saturated Far North

The incoming system will likely clear away quickly, but the ground is already saturated and more vulnerable than usual, the Far North District Council (FNDC) said.

People should stay away from existing landslides and slips, and keep away from waterways and steep slopes.

Far North residents experiencing weather related issues could continue to report them to the council on 0800 920 029. The helpline “operates around the clock: If you can’t get through, please leave a message with your name and contact number. We will call you back,” FNDC said, but also added the reminder that threats to life or to property should always be reported immediately to 111.

People in the affected areas should stay up to date with the latest information from MetService and NZTA as the situation changes, they said.

RNZ is New Zealand’s statutory civil defence lifeline radio broadcaster, providing vital information and updates as they come to hand. All frequencies can be found here.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A rural fuel distributor says strict allocation rules at certain ports mean it is needing to prioritise distribution to those who need it most.

The most up-to-date figures showed that there was 18.1 days of diesel in the country, with a further 28.3 days worth on ships bound for New Zealand, but an update is due to be released Monday.

Fern Energy chief executive Chris Gourley told Morning Report people were trying to beat the price by filling up early, and in some cases by hoarding, which was creating demand spikes in certain regions that could not be met because of new allocation rules.

“Importers have said to us that in some ports, they are managing that fuel to make sure it lasts until that next boat comes in, and they’re giving us strict … seven-day allocations.”

He emphasised it was not a problem of supply, but increased demand.

These allocation rules meant that sometimes there was not enough fuel where it was needed, and distributors were forced to bring it in from other regions, which slowed it down, he said.

They were also prioritising deliveries based on need, which was especially important at this critical part of the farming season, Gourley said.

“They are harvesting, they are working through that final stages as they work towards winter … so we are trying to prioritise based on that need, and trying to get to those customers before it becomes dire and they lose their crops.”

Federated Farmers spokesperson David Birkett previously told RNZ up to 95 percent of farming machinery used the fuel.

The hops season had just finished, so recently they had been prioritising that industry, Gourley said.

It was also the middle of the grape harvest season, and there was a huge amount of food in the ground that needed to come out, he added.

The forestry industry was also struggling, but that was more about cost and less about fuel demand, he said.

“Some of them are actually saying ‘do you know what? We’re going to just pull up and stop working until this settles down’.”

It would be “useful” for the government to start telling certain ports how to allocate their fuel, he said.

“(In) three or four weeks when the supply issue settles, it could be too late for some farmers … There could be some need immediately, if it’s possible, to improve allocations for distributors like Fern, so we can get on and get fuel to farmers quicker.”

He was confident that there would not be any issues around supply to the country, but reiterated that allocation was a concern

“Supply isn’t going to be an issue for New Zealand. Sustained high prices is what we’ve got to focus on next.

“The crisis is a price shock crisis.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

1 April is approaching – a day on which a host of rule changes take effect.

This year, some additional shifts can make a big difference to your bank balance, pay and retirement savings.

Here are some that you need to know about.

KiwiSaver contribution rates

From 1 April, the default contribution rate for KiwiSaver will lift from 3 percent to 3.5 percent for both employers and employees.

This will happen automatically, unless you have applied for a temporary reduction to stay at 3 percent. An ASB survey showed that 15 percent of recipients said they planned to do so.

KiwiSaver contributions for under 18s

People aged 16-17 will be paid employer contributions, as long as they are contributing themselves.

The government has made contributions to 16-17-year-old contributing KiwiSaver members since mid last year.

Benefit rates

Benefit rates will rise in line with inflation, which means a lift of 3.11 percent.

JobSeeker for a single person over 25 will increase from $361.32 to $372.55 a week, after tax.

Sole parent support lifts from $505.80 to $521.52.

Super rates

NZ Super increases from $1076 for a single person living alone per fortnight to $1110.30, based on changes in average wages, as well as general inflation.

Minimum wage

The minimum wage rate will increase from $23.50 an hour to $23.95. The training and starting-out minimum wages rise to $19.16 per hour, 80 percent of the adult minimum wage.

In-work tax credit

From 1 April, the in-work tax credit – part of the Working for Families scheme – will increase by $50 a week for those who qualify, as part of the government’s efforts to offset the impact of fuel price rises.

ACC earners’ levy

The ACC earners’ levy will increase from 1.67 percent to 1.75 percent per $100 earned for any pay runs after 1 April.

Residential solar

A new exemption takes effect from 1 April that means power generated by rooftop solar systems and sold back into the grid is exempt from tax. This also means customers cannot claim any tax deductions from cost of that activity.

BestStart payments

Families with babies born on or after 1 April will only receive BestStart payments, if their household income is low enough to make them eligible.

These are payments designed to support families in the early years of a child’s life.

The weekly payment of $77 will be reduced, when a household earns more than $79,000.

For children born before that date, the full Best Start payment is paid until they turn 1, no matter the household income.

Low-user tariff changes

The government will still phase out the low-user power scheme, which allowed households to pay a lower daily fixed charge and higher prices per kilowatt hour for the energy used.

There have ben concerns that the scheme is not well targeted and sometimes helps higher-income earners, while large low-income families pay comparatively more.

This phase-out process started in 2021. From 1 April, the maximum low-fixed charge will be $1.80 a day, up from $1.50 last year.

The regulations will be removed entirely from next April.

Power bills

1 April is often a day that power companies increase their prices. Lines charges are lifting, which help drive some of the rise.

Tax rules for digital nomads

People visiting New Zealand while working for themselves or for a foreign employer will have a new tax exemption. They can be in the country for up to nine months, before triggering the need to consider New Zealand tax residency issues.

Deloitte tax partner Robyn Walker said that assumed they did not acquire a permanent place of abode while living here.

New options for calculating tax on employee share schemes

Unlisted companies that offer staff shares will receive new options deferring employees’ tax obligations until a later date.

This helps to avoid a situation where employees might end up with a tax liability, without the funds to pay it.

A new rule will also allow employers to pay tax on employee benefits through the fringe benefit tax regime, rather than PAYE.

Information sharing agreements

Inland Revenue will be able to share data with other government agencies under the direction of a ministerial agreement.

Walker said information-sharing agreements were already in place, but this could make the process faster.

Shared information could be for things like determining eligibility for government assistance, the investigation of crime or removing the financial benefit of crime, she said.

Crypto-asset reporting framework

Crypto asset service providers must collect and report information about their users.

Inland Revenue said that would mean reporting on things like exchanges between fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies, exchanges between different crypto assets and transfers of relevant crypto assets.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lower Hutt residents have been left feeling like “sitting ducks” as a proposed motorway threatens to cut through their neighbourhood.

A preferred route for the new four-lane route linking Lower Hutt and Porirua, has been approved by NZTA Waka Kotahi.

At peak times, the Petone to Granada road will shave off up to 23 minutes of travel time between Lower Hutt and Porirua.

The project, which is currently slated to cost more than $2 billion, is designed to better connect the Lower Hutt to State Highways 1 and 2, ease congestion and increase the road network’s resilience to accidents and natural disasters.

While some residents back the plan, it has left others feeling scared and angry, with claims it has already affected a house sale in the area.

Living in the project’s shadow

Lisa’s family have for 20 years lived in their century-old home on Hector Street in Petone.

They are among those the NZTA has sent a letter saying the Government may need to acquire their property.

She said she “felt a little bit angry, a little bit apprehensive” at the news.

She went to the NZTA’s community information sessions to learn more.

But as the project is still in the early planning stages with many details to be confirmed, she has been unable to get as clear answers as she wants.

Lisa said her family were left feeling like “sitting ducks” as they wait for further developments.

“But what if we want to move or what if we want to do other things?”

She worries about the options that will be available to her family amidst the uncertainty.

“Obviously, they were like, we’ll offer compensation and stuff like that, but it’s not always guaranteed that compensation will be enough to buy the same value of house in a different area.”

She understands the need for the road.

“I think the commute is awful. The road is being built [with] good intentions.”

But Lisa wonders if building the road is the right choice given the cost of living and fuel crisis, and the impact on the environment,

Her ecological concerns have been echoed by many residents who question why the road’s design had been chosen over other options when it has the “greatest impact” on the environment according to the project’s investment case.

The route curves around Percy reserve and below the Korokoro hills before potentially cutting through Gilberd Bush Reserve and Seton Nossiter Park to reach Grenada.

Officials chose the design as it was less steep and provided the best value for money.

NZTA is currently conducting ecological surveys and geological investigations.

One property owner, who RNZ has agreed not to name, said the project was already affecting him.

After putting his house for sale, a neighbour called his estate agent to let him know the street would be next to the off-ramp for the proposed road.

“So received kind of a slightly disappointing e-mail from the agent saying, ‘obviously this sort of complicates the sale’,” he said.

The buyers who had been interested in his house pulled out because of this.

“It just puts us in a really awkward situation due to the uncertainty.”

He renovated the property for months and is now unsure whether he’ll be able to recoup the costs on top of the estate agent and photographer fees to prepare for the sale.

“I was disappointed that NZTA were not more proactive in engaging with the community.

“They’re focused more on the people who are directly impacted, but there was no communication with those who are kind of adjacent.”

He is concerned that his status as an “adjacent” – someone whose house will not be acquired but who will be impacted by the project – might limit his right to compensation and how much his feedback on the project will be considered.

Michelle Stronach-Marsh is a resident of Riddlers’ Crescent, a street filled with historic homes which was originally in the path of the road.

She’s glad the path has changed but remains deeply worried about the road’s impact on the wider community.

“We have a lovely community of vibrant people from all walks of life and we’re able to walk everywhere. And I think for me it would see what is a tight-knit community being pulled apart for a road.

“I just can’t understand why we would just keep building roads when we should be looking at making our community more resilient through other means.”

A vital piece of infrastructure

Those in favour of the road argue that major infrastructure project will inevitably affect some some residents – but the benefits to the wider community outweigh these costs.

Mike Fisher, the former chair of the Petone community board, wants to see the project go ahead. “It’s a key missing piece in the region’s roading network.”

He is hopeful that if the project is submitted for fast track approval it will speed up the delivery of much-needed infrastructure.

“We’ve talked about it for years and years and years and it just keeps getting put off, but it’s not going to get any cheaper.

“So, I think it’s very timely and let’s get going – let’s get the bulldozers out.”

NZTA says it working to inform residents

NZTA said in a statement that it recognised that people living near a planned project might experience impacts from the construction and operation of a new road.

“Our direct, one‑to‑one engagement is focused on landowners whose properties may be required for a project, as these owners have specific legal rights and processes that apply to them.

“At the early stages of planning, that group is typically limited to properties within a proposed alignment where land may need to be acquired.

It said it was getting information out to the community, including those whose properties would be end up being adjacent to the potential motorway.

“While these properties are not classed as ‘directly affected’ for land acquisition purposes, they are not ignored.

“NZTA keeps the wider community informed through updates on project websites, newsletters, community information sessions and dedicated project inboxes, and we respond to the enquiries that we receive.”

Chris Bishop, who is the MP for Hutt South, spoke to RNZ but only in his capacity as Minister of Transport.

He said the “potential for disruption to residents and businesses from infrastructure projects large or small is always front of mind for delivery organisations”.

“Whilst this preferred option [for the Petone to Grenada Road] does not remove all the impacts on residents, it does reduce them appropriately in a cost effective and efficient manner.

“At the referral stage [of a Fast Track application], comments will be invited from various people including relevant local authorities. Through these comments, the Minister for Infrastructure, as decision maker, can gain a good understanding of the project, including from a local perspective, helping to inform the minister’s decision-making on a referral application.”

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