NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Commissioner Richard Chambers: 

Police are responding to serious incident in Western Waikato this morning. 

Police expect to provide a full update later this morning. Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers is travelling to Waikato and will speak to media.

Further details will be provided as they become available.

ENDS 

Media note: Commissioner Richard Chambers is in Melbourne to attend the funeral of Victoria Police members. He will return to New Zealand later today.

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has exceeded its first Elective Boost target, delivering more than 16,000 additional procedures so far and reducing wait times for patients, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“In March, I committed to delivering an extra 10,579 procedures before 30 June so more Kiwis could get life-changing operations like hip, knee, and cataract surgeries sooner,” Mr Brown says.

“Final results show we achieved 16,005 procedures – 51.3 per cent more than planned. Every one of those procedures represents a New Zealander getting the care they needed faster, while also reducing pressure on elective surgery waitlists.”

The most common procedures completed were:

• 638 hip surgeries
• 751 knee surgeries
• 5,058 cataract surgeries

The impact is being felt right across the country:

• Northern region – 4,766 procedures
• Midcentral region – 5,051 procedures
• Central region – 2,961 procedures
• South Island – 3,227 procedures

People of all ages and backgrounds have benefited:

• 15 per cent were children, receiving operations such as tonsillectomies.
• 49 per cent were over 65 years old.
• 66 per cent were NZ European and other, 16 per cent were Māori, 11 per cent Asian, and 7 per cent Pacific peoples.

“That’s thousands of Kiwis who are no longer living in pain and can get back to exercising, work, running after their grandchildren, or driving again with confidence.”

The Elective Boost is a key part of the Government’s plan to reduce elective treatment wait times, especially for patients waiting more than four months. The long-term goal is to treat 95 per cent of patients within four months by 2030, in line with the Government’s health targets.

“Under the previous government, waitlists reached record highs. Between 2017 and 2023, the number of patients waiting more than four months for elective procedures surged by 2,500 per cent.

“We are turning that around. Waitlists for elective surgery are now smaller than they were at the same point last year. Since the Boost began, the total elective treatment waitlist has dropped by 9 per cent, and the number of people waiting more than four months has fallen by 22 per cent.

“This progress puts us on track to achieve the 2024/25 milestone of 63 per cent of patients receiving their elective treatment within four months.

“We’re making the health system work smarter, using both public hospitals and private providers in a coordinated national effort. New Zealanders don’t care who does the operation – they just want it done, and done quickly.

“This is just the start. The next phase is underway, with a target of an additional 21,000 procedures over the next year. We will keep working to get Kiwis the care they need, when they need it.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Four gang members have been arrested and a number of search warrants have been executed overnight as Hawke’s Bay Police continue to put pressure on gangs.

“It’s been a busy 24 hours,” says Inspector Dean Clifford.

“Police executed two search warrants, and the Gang Conflict Warrant on four occasions, across Napier and Hastings and this has resulted in the arrest of four Mongrel Mob members.

“The action overnight was part of our response to recent gang violence in the Hawke’s Bay area and reinforces our message that we won’t be letting up.”

Following the arrests, a 39-year-old man has been charged with possession of methamphetamine; a 51-year-old man has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, a 37-year-old has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and receiving stolen property, while a 39-year-old has been charged with receiving stolen property.

They are expected to appear in the Hastings District Court over the coming days.

Inspector Clifford said additional Police officers remained on duty across the area as enquiries continued into two serious events – an assault on Riverbend Road in Napier, and a grievous assault on Omahu Road in Hastings – which led to the Gang Conflict Warrant being issued. 

“The four victims of those incidents are continuing to recover, and we are doing everything we can to find those responsible.

“The investigation is sensitive, but the warrants that were executed have opened up new lines of enquiry and we’ll be acting on that information.”

Inspector Clifford said Police were continuing to speak with local gang leaders in an effort to de-escalate tensions.

“Members of our communities have a right to feel safe and be safe. The recent events are concerning, and that’s why we will continue to have extra staff and a visible presence across the Hawke’s Bay while this is resolved.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash that has blocked Te Atatu Road and Miltonia Avenue in South Auckland.

Police were called to the crash, involving a car and motorbike, about 1.35pm.

One person reportedly has serious injuries and diversions are being put in place.

Motorists should avoid the area if possible.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police investigating the burglary of a Tītahi Bay store have recovered $12,000 of tobacco products and arrested three young people, thanks to quick-thinking community members.

Members of the public raised the alarm after seeing suspicious activity at the Main Road store about 10.40pm on Thursday. The offenders took off with a suitcase filled with cigarettes, leaving the scene in a waiting vehicle.

Within minutes Police had flooded the area and located three people of interest, said Kāpiti Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins.

“Thanks to the people who reported that suspicious behaviour, we were able to prevent a significant loss to a local business, and now three people are facing consequences for their alleged actions.”

A 19-year-old Porirua man and two teenage boys have been charged in relation to the offending and are due to reappear in the Porirua Youth Court on 11 September.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Location:

Images(s):

Source: New Zealand Police

Extra Police remain on patrol across Napier, Hastings and Wairoa, as part of a Gang Conflict Warrant in place throughout the Hawke’s Bay.

Overnight Police used the warrant for three vehicle searches and officers arrested a 39-year-old Camberley man for possession of an offensive weapon, Inspector Dean Clifford said.

“Across the Hawke’s Bay, we have a focus on keeping people safe, and Police will continue to have a highly visible presence.

“While there were no major incidents overnight, we remain ready to respond.

“I do want to thank the public for their support while we make ongoing enquiries into recent incidents and work to hold the offenders to account.”

END

Issued by the Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

Fewer people in Auckland are waiting to see a cardiologist, with the cardiology first specialist assessment (FSA) waitlist down 25 per cent since November 2023, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Heart disease is one of New Zealand’s leading health challenges. It’s encouraging to see more Aucklanders getting timely access to specialist care when they need it,” Mr Brown says.

Between November 2023 and March 2025, the number of people waiting for a cardiology FSA reduced by 25 per cent, with patient numbers dropping from 3,829 to 2,847. The longest waits saw the biggest improvement, with those waiting over four months reducing by 73 per cent – from 663 to 179.

“These numbers represent real lives being changed. It means a dad with chest pain is seen quickly and started on the right treatment before a heart attack happens, an older woman with breathlessness finally gets answers and support, and families are no longer left waiting in uncertainty for that first crucial appointment.”

The results come after years of mounting pressure, with the cardiology waitlist having grown by 36 per cent in the previous three years. Now, progress is being made across all three Auckland districts:

• Waitematā – down 47 per cent
• Auckland – down 8 per cent
• Counties Manukau – down 20 per cent

The turnaround reflects the dedication of Auckland’s clinical teams, who have:

• Expanded clinic capacity through extra sessions and better use of resources.
• Improved reminder and follow-up systems.
• Streamlined scheduling systems to reduce delays in booking appointments.

“Our plan is working – we are backing clinical teams, improving referral systems, and ensuring hospitals have the capacity to deliver faster, smarter care.

“Reducing wait times for FSAs is a key Government priority, with a clear target: by 2030, 95 per cent of patients will be seen within four months.

“Patients are still waiting too long, and there is more work to do – but this latest data shows we are heading in the right direction,” Mr Brown says.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 23 February 2024
Last updated 23 February 2024

Print

Share

This page contains information for tertiary education organisations (TEOs) about using Equity funding. Equity funding is available for Māori, Pacific, and disabled learners.
This page contains information for tertiary education organisations (TEOs) about using Equity funding. Equity funding is available for Māori, Pacific, and disabled learners.

Making education easier to access and improving the achievement of all learners is a core part of the priorities outlined in the Tertiary Education Strategy. 
TEOs contribute to this by accommodating the diverse needs and aspirations of learners of all ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities and socio-economic backgrounds.
Equity funding is a “top-up” to:

Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ1-2) Fund (available only for disabled learners), and
Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ7-10) Fund (available for Māori, Pacific, and disabled learners).

For learners with disabilities, Equity funding seeks to improve their participation in tertiary education and achievement of qualifications at any level. For Māori and Pacific learners, it is to improve participation in and achievement at higher levels of tertiary education (Levels 7 (degree) to 10).
Equity funding helps cover the costs of any additional support some learners may need and is not intended to be the sole or primary source of funding. Equity funding should supplement DQ1-2 and DQ7-10 funding and contribute to ensuring the success of all learners.
Equity funding does not apply to the Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework and all industry training (DQ3-7) Fund.
Resources
We expect all providers to offer the support required for learner success. These resources contain helpful information:

Source: New Zealand Police

A Gang Conflict Warrant is now in place across Hawke’s Bay as Police respond to concerning incidents of gang violence.

Inspector Dean Clifford says the warrant gives Police special powers to search vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms, weapons, and vehicles.

It comes after two incidents in the last 48 hours believed to involve those linked to the Mongrel Mob and Black Power.

The first was a serious assault on Riverbend Road in Maraenui last night, where a firearm was reportedly discharged and two people were taken to hospital with moderate injuries.

The second was in the early hours of this morning, where Police were called to a grievous assault on Omahu Road, Hastings, where two young people sustained life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to hospital.

Inspector Clifford says an increased Police presence remains across Hawke’s Bay as we continue our enquiries into these incidents.

“I hope the Gang Conflict Warrant will do two things,” he says.

“That it reassures the public that we are using every tool at our disposal in order to keep them safe, and that it sends a clear message to those involved in this violence that we will not accept it in our community.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre