NZ Engine

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

DOC is calling on New Zealanders to “Always be Naturing” with two powerful new citizen science tools that make marine conservation easy, wherever you are.

SeaSpotter and Spyfish Aotearoa apps are fun, simple ways to turn everyday moments, whether at the beach, in the office, or at home, into action for nature.

Department of Conservation Marine Technical Advisor Hannah Hendriks says everyone can contribute. “From identifying fish at your desk, to snapping photos of seals on the beach or spotting Māui dolphins while you surf, you can be taking action for nature. It’s about finding those small moments in daily life to connect with and care for the environment.”

Citizen science app SeaSpotter makes it easy to upload photos and videos of marine mammals such as whales, dolphins and seals. Sightings contribute to an open-source platform directly supporting research and conservation efforts for marine mammals.

The application was developed by conservation technology not-for-profit MAUI63, with DOC, WWF-New Zealand, MPI, and others.

Co-Founder and CEO of MAUI63 Charitable Trust, Tane van der Boon, says the trust is passionate about using technology to help everyone better understand and protect marine animals.

“We’re super excited about SeaSpotter and how it will turn everyday kiwis into citizen scientists.”

Tane says the app gives the community a chance to get involved.

“Collecting data will help scientists and researchers track and protect marine mammals like the threatened southern right whale. The more people involved, the better the data and the greater impact it will have.’’

Marine mammals in New Zealand waters range from permanent residents, like Hector’s and Māui dolphins, to migratory visitors that travel thousands of kilometres to feed or breed here.

Hannah says New Zealanders have the opportunity to make their beach culture count for nature. “We love to visit the coast – and we have the privilege of sharing it with dolphins, whales, and seals in their natural environments,” says Hannah.

“Every sighting helps us better understand where rare species live and how to protect them. With 695 billion reasons to care, SeaSpotter turns everyday encounters into conservation action.”

For days when the coast is a wistful memory, the Spyfish Aotearoa project is designed to bring marine life into offices, homes, and classrooms.

Launched in partnership with Wildlife.AI via the Zooniverse platform, Spyfish Aotearoa invites people to watch short clips of underwater footage from New Zealand marine reserves and identify fish species. Outputs contribute directly to real scientific research – helping scientists focus their time on trend analysis and conservation planning.

“Spending five minutes of a meeting counting fish together is a calming, collaborative activity which just happens to help nature. You don’t need to be a scientist. You just need a few minutes, a screen, and some curiosity and it’s surprisingly relaxing,” says Dr. Monique Ladds, DOC Marine Ecosystems Senior Technical Advisor.

Both apps are part of a growing movement to use citizen science for marine protection. Whether in the office or out on the water, Hannah says there’s a role for everyone in caring for the oceans.

“But when thousands of people take small actions – from logging a dolphin sighting, to identifying a blue cod on screen, we create a powerful wave of support for the future of our marine ecosystems, “says Hannah.

“Always be Naturing is about exactly that: making nature part of everyday life, and taking those small, meaningful actions that add up to big change.”

Get involved

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Source: New Zealand Government

Ferry Holdings has secured the preferred supplier of two new ferries to serve passengers, road and rail for the next 30 years, Rail Minister Winston Peters announced today.

“Nobody can accuse us of a lack of pace when Ferry Holdings is delivering a multi-year procurement process within 9 months,” Mr Peters says.

“Ferry Holdings has conducted wide market engagement, led a closed tender process with six shipyards, and has now signed a letter of intent with the preferred ship builder to start the final stage of technical negotiations.

“The letter of intent is a key milestone in any procurement process as it means the two parties are on the same page for the deal and can now iron out the technical points before signing later this year.

“The shipbuilder and Ferry Holdings have agreed a fixed price, completion in 2029, and full delivery of our ship specification for 200-metre-long ferries with road and rail decks, room for 1,500 passengers each, and an extraordinary 2.4 kilometres on each ferry of lanes for trucks, cars and 40 rail wagons.

“The shipyard will be named once the contracts are signed, and we thank the other five shipyards for their competitive engagement throughout this process.

“This deal builds on more than six decades of Interislander serving New Zealand on the Cook Strait and readies the Strait for another 30 years of service.

“In a few short months we will show the taxpayer exactly how we have saved them billions by returning to the no-nonsense ferry replacement solution that was supposed to happen in 2020 but was so wantonly disregarded between 2021 and 2023.

“In Tasmania, two ferries arrived with nowhere to berth and had we followed the previous Government’s mismanaged course we would have spent $4 billion to have exactly the same outcome – but thankfully commonsense is at the helm again,” Mr Peters says.

Design and delivery of ships

On 31 March 2025, Cabinet agreed to the core ship specification for two new rail ferries to be procured by Ferry Holdings Limited.

Following detailed preparations and engagement with shipyards through an expressions-of-interest process, the procurement process for the two new ferries formally commenced, with the six short-listed shipyards being visited by Ferry Holdings and their key advisors.

The Request for Information phase with the shortlisted shipyards was completed in June and resulted in 229 information requests received and processed by Ferry Holdings. This process enabled Ferry Holdings to clarify important technical matters with the shipyards before receiving their proposals. The resulting proposals from the shipyards were evaluated by a team of advisors and Ferry Holdings to determine which yard would best deliver to our requirements. 

The signing of the Letter of Intent signals the commencement of negotiations between Ferry Holdings and the shipyard for the design, construction, and delivery of the two new ferries.

Ferry Specifications

The new ferries will be designed to safely transport passengers, cars, trucks and rail wagons across the Cook Strait. The new vessels will work to minimise carbon emissions and will have an expected life of 30 years.

Ship dimensions: 200 metres long and 28 metres wide.

Capacity: 1530 passengers and 70 crew, drive-on and off capability for 2,400 lane metres for cars, trucks and 40 rail wagons.  

Power and propulsion: Diesel-electric hybrid with batteries and azimuth thrusters’ propulsion (360-degree directional rotating) to support the vessels’ manoeuvrability in the Tory Channel, whilst docking, and operating at 20 knots. 

Environmental impact: Designed to minimise carbon emissions and environment impact.  

Ship redundancy: Designed to meet safe return to port requirements and will be fitted with system redundancies to ensure the required operational reliability in the event of equipment failure. 

Safety: Fit for purpose safety features and designs for the vessel to safely operate in the Cook Strait.

Source: New Zealand Government

Disabled people, their families and carers will gain choice and control around flexible funding when improvements to the disability support system are rolled out from early next year.

“The disability community has made it clear they want the freedom to make their own decisions on what supports and services they need,” Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston says.

“We’ve taken that feedback on board.  We know some difficult decisions had to be made in 2024 to limit ongoing acceleration of costs. Since then, we have done more work to make sure disabled people, their families and carers have a system they can trust and is easy to use.

“Last year’s Independent Review found disability support services had unsustainable spending increases, lack of clear criteria for access to flexible funding, and an inequitable and unfair postcode lottery for disabled people around the country.

“Underlying all these were long-standing issues that had not been tackled over time.

“Since then, our Government has made real progress in stabilising services, with this year’s Budget funding $1 billion over four years towards meeting the increasing costs of disability support services, including $240 million for residential care.

“Now we can confirm the next phase, giving disabled people and their families and carers more clarity, certainty and choice.

“My absolute priority is to ensure the disability support system is more consistent, transparent, sustainable and fair.”

The changes announced today will only apply to disability support services   and funding allocated by Needs Assessment Service Coordination organisations (NASCs). The changes do not include supports and funding allocated by Enabling Good Lives (EGL) sites, as further consideration would be needed for there to be any changes to the current EGL operating model.

• To ensure the coordination of supports is consistent across the country, there will be a single assessment process and allocation used by all NASCs.
• NASCs will develop personalised support plans.
• Families and carers will be considered as part of the assessment where their needs are relevant to the care of the disabled disability support user.
• The purchasing guidelines, including March 2024 amendments to them, will no longer apply.
• Flexible funding users will have more choice and control but will need to keep their spending within their budget
• People can seek a reassessment if their circumstances have changed, but otherwise will not receive more funding if they use up their budget early.

“The improvements have been informed by what more than 1,800 disabled people, their families and carers told DSS they wanted in nationwide community consultation this year,” Louise Upston says.

“We know about 38,500 people already use flexible funding, with more than 90 per cent of them accessing it through a NASC.

“While it will take time to implement the new system, these changes are significant for disabled people, families and carers.

“They build on improvements already made to stabilise the disability support system while longer-term work is done to strengthen it to reflect the Enabling Good Lives vision and principles,” Louise Upston says.

The website www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz has more information on the changes and will be updated regularly.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police has announced work is underway on a new Taradale police base, with the larger base replacing the old station and set to better serve Police and the Hawke’s Bay community.

The new base’s construction is expected to start on site in late January 2026 and be completed and ready for staff to move in by the end of April 2026.

The existing Gloucester Street station was closed in 2023 because of an internal property issue.

The new base will accommodate up to 50 police staff working in a range of roles, and will relieve pressure on workspace for police staff across Hawke’s Bay.

“The new Taradale police base will provide a modern work environment with a design tailored for the site and Police’s needs,” says Hawke’s Bay Area Commander Inspector Lincoln Sycamore.

The new base will be two storeys and built using a modular system, with the modules that make up the building constructed in a factory then transported to site.

“This type of building means its construction on site will be quick and will minimise disruption to the public,” says Inspector Sycamore.

Front counter services will still be available at Napier and Hastings Police Stations. Like the old station, the new Taradale police base will not have front counter services.

Demolition of the old station will start on 22 September and is planned to be completed in four weeks.

Inspector Sycamore says this work may be disruptive to the public at times and communication is underway with neighbouring properties and local businesses.

The site is also home to a memorial to slain police officer Senior Constable Len Snee.

“I want to reassure the Hawke’s Bay community that before the demolition begins, Len’s memorial in the grounds will be protected and looked after safely on site until it can be replaced once construction of the new base is completed.

“We’re looking forward to this new phase for Police in Taradale.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Tuhikaramea Road between Temple View and Dinsdale is closed following at single-vehicle crash around 3.30am.

One person has serious injuries and is being treated at hospital.

A diversion has been put in place from Killarney Road to Collins Road.

Motorists should expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

A Gang Conflict Warrant has been extended to cover the entire Manawatū area, as Police broaden their focus on dangerous gang activity.

It follows several firearms incidents in Levin, which led to the initial Gang Conflict Warrant being issued on 21 August, and two separate events in Palmerston North on Sunday and Monday morning this week, where Police were shot at while trying to stop suspicious vehicles.

Superintendent Dion Bennett, Central District Commander, said Police applied to the district court on Monday, asking it to broaden the coverage of the Gang Conflict Warrant that had been issued for Levin. The application was granted the same day.

“We’re still working to establish what, if any, links there are between the Palmerston North and Levin incidents, but it appears the message hasn’t sunk in for the gangs yet.

“No police officer expects to come to work and be shot at as part of their daily routine, and our communities don’t want this stupidly reckless behaviour either.”

Gang Conflict Warrants are temporary orders that broaden Police’s power under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act, giving Police special powers to search vehicles and occupants of vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms and weapons, and vehicles.

The Nomads and Mongrel Mob are the focus of the Police operation, with tensions between both gangs and gang members.

“By extending the footprint of the warrant, we’re able to reach gang members across the district, including those who left Levin since 21 August to avoid the attention,” Superintendent Bennett said.

The warrant extends to from Levin to Feilding, across to Dannyvirke, and south to Eketāhuna.

“We remain open to mediating between these gangs, but their actions are a risk to the community, a risk to our Police, and we’re not going to sit idly by while this dangerous activity plays out.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

As New Zealand prepares to commemorate Merchant Navy Day tomorrow, 3 September 2025, the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is paying tribute to the sacrifice of merchant seafarers in times of war, while issuing a warning about our current maritime vulnerability.

Merchant Navy Day marks the anniversary of the sinking of the first Allied merchant ship in 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Throughout the war, New Zealand and Allied merchant seafarers served as a vital lifeline, crewing vessels that carried troops, military equipment, and essential supplies through perilous waters.

“Tomorrow we will honour the memory of the thousands of merchant seafarers who never returned to port,” says MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay.

“These unsung heroes faced unimaginable dangers to keep our country and our allies supplied, and their courage and sacrifice must never be forgotten. They crewed the ships that were the backbone of the war effort.”

Mr. Findlay says that the lessons of history underscore a critical weakness in modern New Zealand’s infrastructure, the decline of its domestic coastal shipping fleet.

“New Zealand is an island nation, utterly dependent on sea freight for our economic survival. But we have allowed New Zealand-flagged and crewed ships to be pushed off our coast through bad policies and short-term greed.”

The Maritime Union is a vocal advocate for rebuilding New Zealand’s coastal shipping capacity.

“For too long, we have outsourced our own supply chain resilience. A global pandemic, an international conflict, or a trade dispute could see foreign-flagged ships redirected overnight, leaving our ports isolated, our shelves empty, and our industries crippled,” says Mr. Findlay.

MUNZ is calling for Government and industry to invest in a national strategic fleet that can guarantee the movement of essential goods, create skilled maritime jobs for New Zealanders, and build a more resilient and secure nation.

“The best way to honour the legacy of our past merchant mariners is to ensure New Zealand has a strong, sovereign maritime capability for the future. On this Merchant Navy Day, we remember their service and recommit to our struggle to secure our nation’s lifeline,” says Mr. Findlay.

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on SH6, near Gibbston, between Gibbston Back Road and Victoria Flats Road. 

Police were called about 5.45pm.

The road is blocked, and there are expected to be delays.

Please avoid the area and use an alternate route, if available.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Auckland City Police are seeking help locating Raupunga Puru who has multiple warrants for his arrest.

The 28-year-old is wanted by Police for breaching release conditions.

Puru is transient and known to frequent the Auckland City area.

Numerous attempts to locate him have been unsuccessful and we believe the public can provide information as to his whereabouts. 

Anyone with information is urged not to approach him and instead call 111 immediately quoting file number 250710/1106.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police