Cyclists and pedestrians in Whakatāne are set to benefit from a safer and more comfortable crossing on the State Highway 30 (SH30) Landing Road Bridge, with funding now secured for upgraded barriers and handrails.
The bridge is a key connection for people travelling between Whakatāne’s retail and industrial areas and communities such as Coastlands. It also forms part of the Whakatāne District Council’s strategic cycle network, making it an important route for everyday travel and recreation.
Sandra King, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) System Manager for the Bay of Plenty, says the upgrade will deliver noticeable safety improvements.
“New safety standards require higher barriers, and we’ve worked hard to ensure the design meets those standards while remaining cyclist friendly,” says Ms King.
“The new barriers and handrails will be installed on the outside edge of the existing path, to create some extra width and improve safety for everyone who uses the bridge. Previously, maintenance funding only allowed for like for like replacement of the bridge barriers and handrails, which did not enable safe cycling.
“Design work will begin soon, followed by custom fabrication, with installation expected in mid-2026,” says Ms King.
Recent inspections show that most of the handrail posts and panels on the bridge remain in good shape. However, rust and holes on some sections of the top rail (particularly on the upstream side) have created sharp edges that could be dangerous for people using the path. At these points, we will install protective measures until replacement.
“While the handrail continues to provide effective edge protection, these damaged areas highlight the need for an upgrade.
“This investment is a great outcome for the Whakatāne community and for anyone who walks or cycles across the bridge, making every day journeys safer and more enjoyable,” says Ms King.
Gloriavale Christian Community on the West Coast, taken when it was visited by the Employment Court’s chief judge on 25 February 2023.RNZ / Jean Edwards
The Secretary for Education is cancelling the registration of Gloriavale Christian School.
The school was told of the decision on Thursday, which will take effect from 23 January.
Secretary for Education Ellen MacGregor-Reid wrote to the private school in October advising she was considering cancelling its registration after a second failed Education Review Office audit in as many years.
July’s ERO report found Gloriavale Christian School had not met three of eight registration criteria and was not a physically and emotionally safe space for students.
Education officials met Gloriavale school leaders on 23 July to express concerns about its compliance with registration requirements and issue a second formal “notice to comply”.
In August, Children’s Commissioner Claire Achmad called for the school’s urgent closure, saying she had zero confidence that students were safe.
The Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust favoured a special transitional model for the children’s education, if the school closed, saying the community’s hostels were not an appropriate place for homeschooling.
More to come…
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Hutt Valley Police are continuing to investigate a serious assault that left a person with critical injuries.
At around 5am on Wednesday 10 December, Police received reports of an assault at an address on Trinity Avenue, Epuni.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Cusin says Police continue to explore multiple avenues of enquiry and are asking the public for their help.
“What has occurred is a disturbing instance of extreme violence, and we’re asking anyone who was in the Trinity Avenue and Oxford Terrace area at that time to reach out to Police, or anonymously at Crimestoppers.
“We know there will be people in the community who have information which could help us find the people responsible for this crime.”
Information reported online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “update report”, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number 251210/2088.
Anonymous reports can be made through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
Police supporting the Coroner investigation into the death of Connor Scott McKenzie are issuing a statement on behalf of the family. They ask media to respect their privacy while they grieve.
Statement issued on behalf of the family:
Connor Scott McKenzie was a well centred, kind man, loved by all.
His dad recently said, “If wealth was measured in the number and quality of people you have as friends, then my son was rich”.
Born in Christchurch to Jen, his Canadian mum and Paul, his New Zealand dad, meant he had a large extended family – an ocean apart – that loved him dearly.
Connor’s parents taught at, and ran international schools all over the world, living with Connor and his sister Abby on five continents. First Christchurch then to Canada, Kuwait then Serbia, Burkina Faso, Fukuoka and on to Melbourne.
Connor received a scholarship to university but decided to follow his passions. He had just finished his carpentry apprenticeship in Melbourne and was doing up a van with the dream of working from town to town as he travelled Australia.
Another love was climbing.
At a young age he had developed a passion for going where most wouldn’t, to see things that most hadn’t. After completing various climbing courses, he taught other climbers rope safety and improved his skill during challenging climbs.
Although it’s devastating for all Connor’s family and friends, there is some solace in that he lived life to its fullest and died doing something he loved.
The family would like to thank the New Zealand Police especially their family liaison officer who provided the family with a level of support both thoughtful and thorough. The family would also like to thank the brave Police Search and Rescue, Wakatipu Alpine
Cliff Rescue team, the Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand, Heliworks and Southern Lakes Helicopters for what had been an extremely difficult recovery.
The attached photo is the last one we received from Connor.
Two climbers missing on Aoraki/Mount Cook are not believed to be alive, after search teams found evidence they had been caught a large ice avalanche.
The men set off on Friday 12 December from the Tasman Valley car park for Plateau Hut. They then departed the hut on the evening of Saturday 13 December with the intention of summitting Aoraki Mount Cook, via the Linda Glacier route.
The Department of Conservation were made aware that the pair had not returned to Plateau Hut on Monday morning.
Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said search and rescue efforts spanned three days, when weather allowed.
“Once a weather window appeared, the Department of Conservation Search and Rescue team, supported by The Helicopter Line (THL) and New Zealand Police, were able to conduct a search of the mountain.
“The first opportunity for an aerial search occurred late Tuesday evening, however they were not located, however because they noted their intentions, it drastically narrowed the area we had to search.”
“On Wednesday, search teams utilised a RECCO SAR detector, suspended under a THL helicopter.
With the aid of the detector and Search and Rescue staff, we were able to identify a key area of interest and located some items of climbing equipment,” Inspector Walker said.
“A visual investigation of this area has led to the determination that the overdue climbers have been caught in a significant ice avalanche within a known icefall hazard zone on the upper Linda Glacier.
“Because of the scale and volume of material involved, we don’t believe this avalanche was survivable.”
Department of Conservation Aoraki/Mount Cook Operations Manager Sally Jones says the area remains too unstable for ground crews to access, or for a recovery operation to be attempted.
“This is a tragic outcome, and our thoughts are with the climbers’ family and friends.
“The Linda Glacier is an unforgiving alpine environment. Conditions can change rapidly, and even highly experienced climbers are exposed to unexpected hazards including icefall, crevasses, avalanches, and extreme weather.
“Aoraki is a place of immense beauty and significance, but it also can be extremely brutal in terms of what it can throw at those who attempt to climb it.”
While aerial reconnisance had not been able to pinpoint where the bodies of the climbers might be, Inspector Walker said Police would consider a recovery operation if warmer weather allows.
“Sadly, for now, we can’t reach them and they lie in rest on the maunga, and our sympathy is with their whānau.”
About the RECCO SAR detector
Smaller handheld RECCO detectors have been located in New Zealand for quite some time but recently two RECCO SAR Helicopter Detectors have been provided by RECCO, one of which is located in Canterbury. The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector is a system that can help search-and-rescue teams find RECCO-equipped hikers and other outdoor users by scanning large areas of ground quickly.
For anyone venturing out in the outdoors it is essential to have a way of communicating your location and intentions with someone who can advise emergency services if you become overdue. Devices such as Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and Garmin InReach devices with SOS functions can achieve this.
RECCO reflectors provide an additional way rescuers can find missing or overdue persons quickly without being activated. Avalanche Transceivers should always be carried when travelling into an alpine environment.
A second substantial Auckland quarry project has gained Fast-track approval to expand operations, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
Kings Quarry Limited lodged an application in May 2025 to expand existing quarrying activities to enable the extraction and processing of approximately 500,000 tonnes per year for up to 100 years – up to 60 years for Stage 2 and 40 years for Stage 3.
“The project has been approved by an expert panel in just 66 days from appointment of a panel,” says Mr Bishop.
“The project will deliver long-term benefits by providing a local source for aggregate materials used in major infrastructure projects in the region. A range of important projects will no longer need to source aggregates from outside the region, which means cost can be kept to reasonable levels.
“Meeting aggregate demand locally is vital as it delivers direct transport cost savings, help lower emissions and heavy traffic levels on major roads, creating both economic and environmental benefits.”
Mr Jones says quarrying projects such as the Kings Quarry provides long-term job opportunities in the regions.
“I am highly supportive of quarrying because, as well as producing materials that are vital to addressing New Zealand’s housing and infrastructure deficit, it provides good, long-term employment nationwide.
“It’s great to see Fast-track streamlining quarrying approvals so applicants don’t have to navigate multiple, costly layers of consents, over a far longer timeframe, as they have done using existing RMA processes.”
Notes to editor:
For more information about the project: Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3
Fast-track project approved by expert panels:
Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing]
Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying]
Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying]
Maitahi Village [Housing]
Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing]
Rangitoopuni [Housing]
Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying]
Arataki project
Ashbourne
Ayrburn Screen Hub
Green Steel
Haldon Solar Farm
Homestead Bay
Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme
Pound Road Industrial Development
Ryans Road Industrial Development
Southland Wind Farm Project
Stella Passage Development
Sunfield Masterplanned Community
Takitimu North Link – Stage 2
Taranaki VTM Project
Waitaha Hydro
Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project
Expert panels have been appointed for:
25 projects have now been referred into the Fast-track process by the Minister for Infrastructure.
The first major mining project, Waihi North, has gained consent today to expand operations until 2043 through the Fast-track process, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones say.
“Oceana Gold’s Waihi North mining project is a nationally significant investment that will deliver substantial economic benefits for the Waikato region and New Zealand,” Mr Bishop says.
“A project of this scale and complexity requires numerous consents, permits and authorisations across a range of decision-makers. The one-stop shop of the Fast-track process brings all these approvals together.”
The project took 112 working days to approve, from the time the panel was convened. Mr Jones estimates that had it gone through the usual process, approval would have taken longer than five years.
Mr Jones says the project is expected to generate $5.2 billion in additional silver and gold exports over its 18-year life – around $286 million per year.
“That annual figure is equivalent to 64 per cent of New Zealand’s wool exports and 14 per cent of wine exports. It is a substantial boost to New Zealand’s exports.
“The Waihi North Projectwill support around 800 jobs in Hauraki District and beyond over its 18-year life, and these well-paid jobs will inject millions into the regional economy while boosting export earnings for the country.”
Mr Bishops says the expert panel concluded that over the life of the project, Crown revenue including corporate tax, PAYE and royalties, will deliver a net present value of $422 million.
“That revenue will go towards meeting our future healthcare, education and infrastructure needs – investments that will benefit every New Zealander.”
Oceana Gold (New Zealand) Limited lodged the application in April 2025 for staged expansion of its existing gold and silver mining operations at Waihi. The application sought environmental, wildlife, heritage and access permissions to establish new open pit and underground mines, and tailings and rock storage areas across several sites.
The consent extends mining operations beyond the original planned expiry in 2030, to 2043.
Notes to editor:
For more information about the project: Waihi North
Fast-track project approved by expert panels:
Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing]
Please attribute to Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey, Field Crime Manager, Central District CIB:
Police continuing to search for a man in relation to the double homicide in Ruatiti are making further appeals to the public.
Officers have concerns for Mitchell Cole, 29, and also want to speak to him in relation to our ongoing enquiries.
If you see Cole, please do not approach him, but instead call 111 immediately.
The area Police is focusing on is very remote, with a number of huts, lodges, and camps.
Police’s appeal to the public is for anyone who has a hut or lodge in the wider Ruatiti area to please get in touch with us via 105.
Also, if you have CCTV footage which covers roads in the area and you have not yet spoken to Police, please let us know.
While the search for Mitchell continues, we are also asking hunters to keep out of the search area at this time.
We are also seeking information about the owner of this quad bike and trailer (pictures attached).
They are currently parked on Murumuru Road in an area known locally as the airstrip.
If this quad and trailer are yours, or you know who they belong to, please tell us.
If you can help, or have any other non-urgent information that might help Police, please tell us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking ‘Update Report’, or by calling 105.
Use reference number 251213/6207.
You can also make a report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Another busy year of construction on Hawke’s Bay state highways means Cyclone Gabrielle recovery work in the region edges closer to completion, helping to keep people connected and freight moving.
The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance has now completed 88% of cyclone recovery work on the region’s state highway network. All sites are back to 2 lanes for Christmas for the first time since Cyclone Gabrielle. That includes Devil’s corner, just south of Devil’s Elbow.
TREC Project Manager Richard Bayley says the team has worked hand in hand with local contractors to complete repairs to more than 110 ‘faults’ (which includes slips under the road, slips over the road, culvert replacements and repairs).
The three remaining Hawke’s Bay state highway projects for 2026 are asphalting a 4.5km section of SH2 in January, repairs at the Tutaekuri (Waitangi) Bridge on SH51, and three underslip repairs on SH38, which will continue until June.
“We’ve stabilised slopes and underpinned highways to enhance road strength, improved drainage to help with stormwater runoff, which has enabled us to reinstate all damaged highways in the region to 2 lanes, in time for the peak holiday travel season,” says Mr Bayley.
“We’d like to thank all our communities for their continued support while we work through an extensive recovery programme. It’s been a long road to recovery for the network and we know it hasn’t always been easy, and at times the network has been busy with construction and traffic management. We truly appreciate everyone’s patience since the cyclone.
“We’d also like to thank iwi and hapū partners for their partnership, and local contractors who have delivered these projects alongside us. It’s been a real team effort.”
Progress by state highway
SH2 – one project remains
SH2 in Hawke’s Bay was badly damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle. In the winding 4.5km Devil’s Elbow section, the final 5 of 11 major projects were completed this year.
This includes at Devil’s Corner – the most complex of the Devil’s Elbow sites where a 40 metre long and 10 metre high slip had to be repaired. Initial works, started last November, involved drilling 633 nails through over 4 kilometres of drilling and excavating 500 truckloads of material. Recently crews have finished building a 12 metre high retaining wall to support the road with 24 layers of rip rap (rock) baskets, geogrids (reinforced plastic), and compacted aggregate to create a strong, stable structure that will protect the road. You can see the wall being completed in this video:
Traffic has recently switched onto the new road alignment.
TREC has also recently completed a programme of culvert repairs and replacements at Devil’s Elbow to manage stormwater runoff. Keeping water away from the road is one of the most important ways to boost the resilience of the network.
Other SH2 sites completed this year include underslip repairs at Mohaka Rail Viaduct, White Pine Bush and Lake Tutira; as well as slip stabilisation at Sandy Creek and drainage upgrades at Morere. Recently road reseals were completed at White Pine Bush and Waikoau Hill, and road rebuilds at Sandy Creek, Tangoio Falls and Te Ngarue.
NZTA’s project on SH2 at Mohaka Viaduct remains single-lane under traffic light management.
The team will return to Devil’s Elbow in January (during night closures) to asphalt a 4.5km section resulting in a smoother and safer drive. This is the only remaining recovery project on SH2 in Hawke’s Bay.
SH5 – recovery work complete
In December the final SH5 project at the Tarawera culverts was finished. Here, two culverts had been badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle. The culvert inlets were repaired alongside work to fix erosion caused by overflow when the culverts were blocked by debris.
Other SH5 work completed this year included repairs at three underslips at Māori Gully, and road shoulder repairs near Eskdale Substation.
Recently TREC completed a programme of road reseals at various locations and a road rebuild at Captain’s Culvert.
SH50 – recovery work complete
TREC’s work on SH50 was completed earlier this year with underslip repairs at Glencoe Gorge.
This slip was around 15 metres high and 10 metres wide and had undermined the guardrail, posing a risk to the road above. An EcoReef wall, made from hexagonal blocks filled with material, was constructed to protect against future erosion.
SH51 – repairs ongoing
Work at Tutaekuri (Waitangi) Bridge has progressed well in 2025. Work includes removing debris from both sides of the river and repairing the concrete piles in the river. In early 2026 work will continue to replace the damaged bracing beams (under the cycle path).
SH38 – three underslips remaining
On 1 December work started to repair three underslips on SH38 between Lake Waikaremoana and Tuai.
Repairs will help restore the road to its original width, improve long-term resilience and keep communities connected.
This work will continue until June 2026 and will be the final TREC projects delivered in Hawke’s Bay.
Traffic management over the holiday period
Work at TREC sites will stop over the Christmas and New Year period from Thursday 18 December to Monday 5 January.
All TREC Hawke’s Bay sites are back to two lanes.
We encourage everyone to plan their journeys and check the latest traffic updates at journeys.nzta.govt.nz to stay informed on road conditions.
It’s a further blow to the species which is already at risk of becoming threatened due to a declining population.
The attacks on the birds have prompted mana whenua, conservation organisations, the Department of Conservation and Auckland Council to urge dog owners to keep their pets under control and well away from the rocky coastline, dunes, and pest-free islands where kororā are found.
The call for more care and vigilance for kororā follows a spate of dog attacks at Piha and Te Henga, where a seventh dead bird in a month was found on 13 December. In a separate incident on 7 December, a paddleboarder brought his dog illegally to Tiritiri Matangi island – a predator-free native wildlife sanctuary – where a penguin was found needing veterinary care just metres away on the beach.
Kororā are a protected species found on both the east and west coast of Auckland. There are colonies at Piha, Muriwai and Te Henga and on many Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana islands including Waiheke. They’ve been seen at popular beaches such as Big Manly and Omaha. Many stay ashore during the day through summer as they go through a moult.
Dr Rashi Parker, Fundraising Manager for BirdCare Aotearoa, a native wildlife hospital and rehabilitation centre, says dog-attacked kororā rescues typically occur during spring-summer.
“Those dogs were just displaying dog-like behaviours, but the owner’s actions led to incredible pain, distress, and often irreversible injuries for the tiny penguins.
“The kororā rushed to us from Tiritiri Matangi was showing torticollis, a painful neck twisting symptom, and we immediately administered pain relief.
“Torticollis often comes about from ‘ragging’ when dogs bite and shake their prey. Although our clinical team tried to stabilise the patient over several days, it was no longer able to swim properly, and had to be put to sleep.
“Healthy birds are around 25 cm tall, and 1 kg in weight. But, with all our admissions being underweight this year – likely starving – the last thing these little penguins need are large predators roaming through their shelters and nests.”
Edward Ashby, CEO of Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust, which have a close connection to both West Auckland and Tiritiri Matangi, is angry these attacks keep happening.
“Kororā are a taonga, and all New Zealanders have a duty of care as kaitiaki to look out for them. It’s part of our cultural capital to care for our environment and wildlife,” says Edward.
“The carelessness and entitlement of a reckless few put the wellbeing of these taonga at risk – at a time when we are facing a biodiversity crisis. It undermines all the hard work and resources of community groups, NGOs, Council, DOC and iwi.”
Auckland Council Manager of Animal Management Elly Waitoa says the bylaws which restrict dog walking in some areas and at certain times of the year protect wildlife.
“This is not optional; it isn’t just about bylaws; failure to control dogs and respect restricted areas puts vulnerable coastal wildlife at risk.
“Auckland Council’s Animal Management team will be patrolling the west coast beaches throughout summer and will issue infringements without hesitation to anyone who chooses to ignore the bylaws.”
DOC Principal Ranger Dave Wilson says the public can be DOC’s eyes and ears.
“We welcome reports from the public about dogs chasing or killing wildlife. If you see a dog on a pest-free island or interacting with coastal wildlife such as penguins or seals call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). If it is safe for you, please take photos of the behaviour, and of vehicles or boats to help us pursue leads.
“If anyone has information on the dog attacks at the northern end of Piha on Sunday 23 November, please come forward and quote the case file number: CLE-10612”
Tips to keep wildlife safe on beaches:
Many coastal species rest or nest in sand dunes and around rocky areas – don’t let your dogs wander there.
Only take your dog to beaches where dogs are permitted.
Keep your dog on a leash or under tight control at all times.
Don’t let the dog approach wildlife – this includes gulls and shorebirds who need space to rest, eat and raise young.
Visually scan for wildlife on your walk.
Bring a toy as a decoy.
Let other dog owners know if you spot wildlife.
Learn more on naturing with your dog here: dogs on beaches.
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.