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Councillors vote to oppose plans for fast-tracked sand mining at Northland’s Bream Bay

Source: Radio New Zealand

The vote on councillor David Baldwin’s sand mining position statement was unanimous.

Whangārei district councillors have voted unanimously to oppose plans for fast-tracked sand mining at Northland’s Bream Bay.

The proposal – which, if granted, could see 8 million cubic metres of sand removed over a 35-year period – could be lodged within days by Auckland company McCallum Brothers.

It was one of 149 projects listed in the government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill, allowing it to bypass the often laborious RMA process.

However, any move to dredge sand off Bream Bay is staunchly opposed by local residents, who say it could have long-term environmental effects and accelerate coastal erosion.

Those concerns were highlighted by the position statement passed by 13 votes to 0 at Thursday’s council meeting in Whangārei.

If approved, the sand mining operation will take place off the southern end of Northland’s Bream Bay. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

New councillor David Baldwin, who drafted the motion, said there was no certainty under fast-track rules that the council or local groups, such as the Bream Bay Guardians, would have a say.

He said the statement was a way of amplifying local voices, which were “overwhelmingly” opposed to sand mining, and making sure they were heard by the government and the consenting panel.

“This motion is our opportunity, as the community’s representatives, to draw a clear line in our sand. It’s a chance for us to declare that the health, wellbeing and economy of our district are paramount … We must not be taken for granted. This proposed large-scale offshore operation poses an existential threat to Bream Bay’s fragile ecosystems.”

Baldwin said the risks sand mining posed were “totally unnecessary”.

A report from consultant engineers BECA, commissioned by the Bream Bay Guardians, had found no shortage of sand for industry or construction, and plenty of land-based, replenishable or manufactured alternatives to marine sand.

He said the proposal offered no jobs or economic benefits to Bream Bay or Northland, even though regional benefit was a requirement of the fast-track law.

The public gallery was packed with Bream Bay residents during Thursday’s meeting. Supplied

The public gallery was packed during Thursday morning’s meeting with Bream Bay residents, many holding banners declaring opposition to sand mining.

McCallum Brothers has been approached for comment.

A substantive resource consent application has yet to be lodged, but parties involved in the process expected that to happen before Christmas.

The proposal, as it currently stands, is to use a suction dredge to remove up to 150,000 cubic metres of sand a year for an initial three years and up to 250,000 cubic metres a year for the next 32 years.

In total more than 8 million cubic metres of sand would be removed from a 17 square kilometre area of seabed.

At its closest point the dredging area would be 4.2km from shore in about 20m of water.

A study would be carried out after the first three years to check for any environmental effects.

However, Bream Bay Guardians told Thursday’s meeting many effects would be long-term and not necessarily evident after three years.

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

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Gas Security Fund to seek expressions of interest

Source: New Zealand Government

The $200 million Gas Security Fund will open on 12 January 2026 to expressions of interest to help increase the availability of natural gas in New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.

“We are looking for proposals that will accelerate or increase the volume of gas to market as quickly as possible, or which will enable gas to be stored so it is available when most needed for industry and homes,” Mr Jones says.

“Natural gas remains critical in our energy system while we transition to more renewable energy sources. Until then, it’s needed to get us through periods of high demand and for industries that require consistent, high-temperature energy. 

“Declining gas production is pushing up costs for businesses and households and constraining economic growth. This fund will support activities that secure supply now and into the future, delivering short to long-term benefits,” Mr Jones says.

A gas advisory panel is being established to ensure decisions are informed by deep commercial and technical expertise, particularly given the complexities of gas exploration and market conditions in New Zealand, Mr Jones says.

The panel will provide expert technical advice to the decision-making ministers – Mr Jones and Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop. 

Members of the panel will be named in due course.

The 12 January 2026 opening date for expressions of interest for the fund follows the Government’s announcement last month that it has broadened the fund’s scope from new exploration to include existing fields and storage options.

The Gas Security Fund is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit. 

“Once the fund opens on 12 January, we encourage expressions of interest to be submitted as soon as possible. More information can be found on the Grow Regions website, and interested parties can also speak to Kānoa officials,” Mr Jones says.

“We are moving at pace to restore confidence in New Zealand’s gas sector and support businesses that rely on it for their ongoing industrial needs and the benefit of New Zealand’s wider economic growth.”

For information on the fund go to www.growregions/gas-security-fund

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Area School Principals’ Vote to Accept Settlement

Source: New Zealand Government

Education Minister Erica Stanford welcomes the successful conclusion of pay negotiations to renew the Area School Principals’ Collective Agreement. 

“Area schools principals play an integral role in our rural communities. This settlement delivers meaningful improvements to pay and conditions and reflects a firm commitment to strengthening professional learning and development and raising student achievement,” Ms Stanford says. 

The new collective agreement which benefits over 140 principals includes:

  • A cumulative increase to u-grade remuneration component of 4.7% within 12 months
  • Introduction of an NCEA Change Implementation Allowance of $6,000 per annum, to recognise the significant work principals do the lead changes in our national secondary school qualification
  • Increase in the Area School Principal Payment by $1,500, phased over two years
  • Increase to Career Structure payments by $1,500
  • An allowance for principals who are appointed as mentors of $5,000 per annum.  

“This settlement is a result of productive negotiations and good faith bargaining. We back our teachers to succeed in the classroom and help build our country’s future,” Ms Stanford says.

Notes for editors: Full details of the Area School Principals’ Collective Agreement (SPCA) settlement can be found here: Collective Agreement negotiations | Education Workforce 

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Next steps in advanced tech research

Source: New Zealand Government

Five leading AI concepts have been shortlisted to establish a world-class national platform for artificial intelligence research, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.

“A new national AI research platform – backed by the Institute for Advanced Technology with up to $70 million over seven years – will accelerate AI innovation, strengthen global and domestic partnerships, and drive the growth of high-tech businesses that boost our economy,” Dr Reti says.  

“By embracing AI as a catalyst for sustainable growth, national competitiveness, and long-term prosperity, New Zealand can lead, not follow, in the global digital economy. 

“These concepts offer a strong mix of sector leadership and applications. They span universities, Public Research Organisations, and industry and cover areas including infrastructure, healthcare, robotics, primary industries, creative industries and aerospace among others. 

“Their selection is an exciting first step to significantly lift our AI capabilities, fast-track commercialisation and create new opportunities for New Zealanders.” 

The selected concepts are:

  • Aotearoa Agentic AI Platform, led by the University of Auckland, focused on next-generation AI assistants aligned with New Zealand values.
  • Aotearoa Creative AI Research Institute, led by Wētā FX, positioning New Zealand at the forefront of AI research for the creative sector.
  • Aotearoa Institute for Autonomous Intelligence, led by Earth Sciences New Zealand and Victoria University of Wellington, developing AI and autonomous systems for aerospace, marine and primary industries.
  • BioAI Platform, led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute, using AI to drive productivity and export growth across agriculture, aquaculture and forestry.
  • Physical AI for Real-World Systems, combining strengths from the University of Waikato and University of Canterbury to deliver AI that works in complex outdoor and industrial environments.

Each concept will receive $250,000 to develop a detailed proposal for further assessment. The final platform is expected to be confirmed in the first half of 2026, with funding from July 2026.

Dr Reti also announced the inaugural Institute for Advanced Technology Board, appointed to shape the future of advanced technology research. 

Steve O’Connor will serve as Establishment Chair for six months to ensure strong governance and flexibility during the early establishment phase. He will be supported by board members Professor Cather Simpson, Professor Greg O’Grady, and Arama Kukutai, who have extensive expertise in governance, entrepreneurship, and innovation. 

“The establishment of the Institute for Advanced Technology is an important step in our science reforms, which are about fixing the basics and building the science system New Zealand needs in the future. 

“With the Board in place and momentum building across AI, quantum and materials technologies, we’re laying the foundations for long-term economic growth driven by innovation,” Dr Reti says.

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New Zealand’s only Māori visual arts degree celebrates 30 years of arts education

Source: Radio New Zealand

Toioho ki Āpiti graduate Rewiti Arapere (left) and graduate and Senior Lecturer Erena Arapere (right). Supplied/Massey University

Toioho ki Āpiti – New Zealand’s only university based Māori Visual Arts programme celebrated its 30th anniversary this month at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.

Across those three decades Toioho ki Āpiti has produced a number of notable alumni including Dr Huhana Smith, Reweti Arapere and Mataaho Collective members Erena Arapere, Bridget Reweti and Dr Teri Te Tau winners of the Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Biennale.

Erena Arapere, now a lecturer at Toioho, said although the course was small its graduates had had a huge impact and had gone to work as artists, teachers, tā moko artists and curators.

“So the breadth of possibilities following a degree like a Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts is really huge,” she said.

Students in the Toioho ki Āpiti studio. Supplied/Massey University

The programme was established at Te Pūtahi-a-Toi School of Māori Knowledge in the mid-1990s by renowned artist and educator Professor Robert Jahnke (Ngāti Porou).

Arapere (Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga) said there had been many amazing people who had contributed to Toioho, far too many to name, but among them were Rachel Rakena, Shane Cotton, Ngatai Taepa and Kura Te Waru Reweri.

When Professor Jahnke established Toioho 30 years ago he wanted to create a programme that could address some of the racism he had experienced as a young man studying visual art and where Māori students could learn on their own terms, she said.

“So Māori students were taught by Māori and the art history practice that they draw on as our customary practice, as opposed to an international kind of art canon.”

The mural outside the student centre at Massey University’s Turitea Campus in Manawatū celebrates 30 years of the Toioho ki Āpiti Māori Visual Arts programme. Supplied/Massey University

Even after three decades Toioho ki Āpiti remains the only Māori visual arts programme of its kind in the world, she said.

Work on the mural underway at Massey University’s Turitea Campus in Manawatū. Supplied/Massey University

“So it connects customary knowledge with contemporary practice and gives, hopefully, the students the confidence to create any work that they wish to create, be that work that is explicitly Māori or more subtle in its approach. And as long as it’s made by someone who’s Māori, we consider it to be Māori art,” she said.

“What’s cool is we all are encouraged to foster our own practice and how that impacts into experience for the students.”

To mark the 30-year anniversary artists, alumni and current students gathered to paint a large-scale mural at the concourse on Massey’s Turitea campus in Manawatū.

The mural, designed by staff and students to honour the programme’s legacy, features a repeated X motif referencing tukutuku cross-stitch, the marks made by many Māori when signing Te Tiriti o Waitangi and framed by the Ruahine and Tararua ranges the mural positions Toioho ki Āpiti within its local landscape.

Arapere said as another part of the three decade celebrations new students enrolling in the programme for next year were able to apply for a $5000 scholarship to support their study, with 15 scholarships available to help people start their creative journey.

Since graduating with her Master’s in 2009 Arapere has gone on to success as part of Mataaho Collective, which won the Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Biennale, one of the world’s most prestigious art prizes.

Three of the collective’s members are graduates of Toioho ki Āpiti, Bridget Reweti, Teri Te Tau and Arapere herself, and she believed even though they all came through in different years the programme set them up for success by giving them a shared understanding of who they were and how they approached art making, which translated into being able to work collaboratively.

“The whānau environment of Toioho also fosters kind of collaboration and sharing of knowledge, skills… it’s nice to see that you can achieve so much more as a group than on your own.”

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

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The Ashes live: Australia v England – third test, day two

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the cricket action, as the third in the five-test Ashes series between archrivals Australia and England enters day two at Adelaide Oval.

Australia currently lead the series 2-0, after victory at both Perth and Brisbane.

First ball is scheduled for 12.30pm NZT

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Usman Khawaja bats against England at Adelaide. MB Media

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

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Police abandon man’s yacht – and home – at sea after call for help

Source: Radio New Zealand

The vessel was found more than 10 nautical miles at sea. 123rf

A man who had allegedly just been stabbed lost his yacht – also his home – after he called police and they arrested him and his supposed attacker, and decided to abandon the vessel at sea.

The 16m-long boat contained all his possessions, and more than a year later still has not been found.

The strange case ended up before the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), which on Thursday said police should have done more to mitigate the loss of the yacht, and increase the likelihood of its recovery.

The vessel was off the Far North coast on the afternoon of 2 December 2024, when its owner (Mr X) made a mayday call, claiming he had been stabbed by his crewmate (Mr Y).

Police located them about 10 nautical miles (18.5km) offshore shortly before 8.30pm and arrested the pair on existing warrants, putting both men in handcuffs. The IPCA said this was reasonable, with Mr Y being accused of stabbing Mr X, and Mr X “exhibiting unusual behaviour”, possibly due to “drugs or under the influence of some substance”.

They were taken ashore, the yacht left adrift.

Mr X complained to the IPCA that he had no opportunity to retrieve his belongings before being taken off the boat, and that neither he nor Mr Y were given lifejackets for the trip back to land.

The IPCA said in its ruling “more consideration should have been given to allowing Mr X to retrieve some of his property”, though the “circumstances were hazardous and reboarding the yacht may not have been without risk”, noting the vessel was in poor condition.

Police said uncuffing the men to put lifejackets on posed too much risk, which the IPCA disagreed with.

As for the stabbing, no investigation was undertaken while the men were in custody at Whangārei Police Station.

“We also found that police should have arranged mental health assessments for the men while they were in police custody and more should have been done to deal with Mr X’s complaint against Mr Y in relation to the alleged assault,” the IPCA said.

This was attributed to “the police response [involving] staff from different geographical regions of the Northland Police District, with staff from Whangārei assuming staff from the Far North would handle it, and vice versa.

“We note that police have held a debrief in relation to the response to this incident, including with Maritime NZ and Coastguard,” the IPCA report said.

“One of the issues identified was the absence of a clear policy on how police respond to incidents of this nature, unusual as they are. A recommendation from the debrief was that police develop a policy to support police responders in maritime operations. We fully support that recommendation.”

A search for Mr X’s yacht in the following days came up empty.

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

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Police Commissioner Richard Chambers – provisional appointments of three Assistant Commissioners

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Police Commissioner Richard Chambers:

I am very pleased to announce Superintendent Jeanette Park (Eastern District Commander), Superintendent Corrie Parnell (Wellington District Commander) and Superintendent Tim Anderson (Bay of Plenty District Commander) are provisionally appointed as Assistant Commissioners for NZ Police.

The appointments of new Deputy and Assistant Commissioners will ensure that from early 2026 we will have a refreshed leadership team and be well-placed to deliver on our core priorities.

Jeanette, Tim and Corrie all have significant operational experience and a strong understanding of the front-line, as well as the communities Police serve in. They will bring different perspectives and experience to the wider team.

They will begin in their new roles as Assistant Commissioners in early February.

This follows the confirmation yesterday of Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett as the statutory Deputy Commissioner. I expect to appoint a second, non-statutory, Deputy Commissioner early in 2026.

Superintendent Jeanette Park has been District Commander of the Eastern District since 2020, overseeing major operations including Operation Kotare to disrupt organised crime and gang harm.

She led the local Police response to Cyclone Gabrielle. Under her leadership, Eastern District has improved public trust and confidence through crime prevention measures and addressing gang tensions and the disruption gangs cause to communities. She has a proven track record in engaging with different communities and a strong focus on the safety and training of frontline staff.

Prior to her role as District Commander, she was Area Commander in Hawke’s Bay.

She started her policing career in Papakura in South Auckland in 1991 and has worked in Southern, Bay of Plenty, Central, Counties-Manukau, and Eastern Districts in a range of roles from CIB and road policing to prevention manager.

In 2005 she was awarded the Bravery Star for her actions in a 2002 critical incident in which her colleague Detective Constable Duncan Taylor was shot and killed, and Jeanette was also shot and seriously wounded.

Superintendent Corrie Parnell was appointed Wellington District Commander in 2019, and recently has been acting Assistant Commissioner: Investigations, Serious and Organised Crime.

Corrie joined New Zealand Police in 1993 and has worked across a broad range of investigative groups, and in District Commander and prevention roles.

Corrie has extensive experience in cross-agency emergency management.

As District Commander, he led multi-agency responses to some of the largest public order operations in Police history, including the 2022 Parliament protests and the 2024 Hīkoi mō e Tiriti, facing high levels of public and political scrutiny.

He was also involved in cross-agency management for the Canterbury earthquakes, Kaikoura earthquake, Port Hills fires, Covid-19 response, and Cyclone Gabrielle.

He has represented NZ Police globally, working with the United Nations on model protocols for policing protests and as a speaker on crisis management.

He was Acting Assistant Commissioner: People Services in 2023, overseeing nationwide strategies for workforce wellbeing, performance management, recruitment and culture change.

During 2018 Corrie was seconded as the Acting National Manager: Safer People, leading a major transformation programme. That same year he received training in counter-terrorism investigations, which in March 2019 saw him as one of the leaders responsible for the initial response to the Christchurch terror attacks.

In 2019 Corrie graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, completing their three-month leadership programme.

Between 2003 and 2009 Corrie led several successful major crime and homicide investigations, receiving both District Commander and Commissioner’s Commendations for outstanding commitment to criminal investigations.

Superintendent Tim Anderson has been Bay of Plenty District Commander since 2022.

Since joining Police in February 1994, Tim has held a range of roles across Auckland and Bay of Plenty, including leadership roles across major investigations and prosecutions.

He has had a focus on serious crime investigations, including adult sexual assault and child protection matters.

From 2015 to 2019 Tim served as Detective Superintendent in the National Crime Manager role, leading the National Criminal Investigation Group.

In 2019, Tim was lead Senior Investigating Officer based at PNHQ in the investigation into the Christchurch terror attacks. He was also appointed by the Commissioner to lead the NZ Police team response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attacks. In 2022, he was awarded the Police Bronze Merit Award for his work on Operation Deans.

As a trained Personal Protection Officer, Tim has been part of operational security planning teams for major events both domestically and overseas. He led the NZ Police Team as lead security adviser to the Chef de Mission and NZ Olympic Committee for the Rio Olympic Games 2016.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Auckland University, majoring in international criminal law and employment law.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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A chick for Charlie Girl

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  18 December 2025

Charlie, who was a long-term resident of the Department of Conservation’s Te Anau Bird Sanctuary after being hit by a car, was moved to Dunedin last year as part of the captive breed-for-release programme.

DOC Fauna Science Manager Ash Murphy says the successful fledging of a new chick, which hatched in October, is another great sign Charlie’s settling into her new home.

“Charlie continues to do well in Dunedin, where she is well cared for. She is an excellent mum, and we’re all thrilled with her latest chick, which fledged last week.”

In Dunedin she is currently paired up with male kākā, Bling, who she successfully bred with when they were both in Te Anau.

Because of Charlie’s experience, the team are hopeful she will be able to foster another chick this season, says Ash.

“Experienced mums like Charlie are important for the breed-for-release programme as they help fill gaps left by the less experienced, younger parents. It’s also another great way to help with her wellbeing as it provides an outlet for her strong maternal instincts.

“Charlie has raised multiple clutches of chicks in the past, making a big contribution to the recovery of the species, which are Nationally Vulnerable.”

Visitors are reminded not to disturb Charlie Girl and the other kākā during this sensitive breeding time, and always be naturing responsibly.

The Dunedin Botanic Garden Aviary has a proven track record of supporting South Island kākā conservation with kākā raised there going on to help re-establish wild populations at Orokonui Ecosanctuary and Abel Tasman National Park.

Charlie is well-supported at the aviary, under the highly qualified avian specialist veterinary team from Dunedin Wildlife Hospital.

An independent welfare assessment completed by Professor of Animal Welfare Science Ngaio Beausoleil, from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science, showed that Charlie’s welfare is best supported by her continuing to be cared for at the Dunedin Botanic Garden Aviary.

Ash says DOC is confident Charlie is well cared for and supported in Dunedin.

“We’re all thrilled to see her continue to be a brilliant mum.”

Charlie Girl kākā welfare assessment report (PDF, 511K)

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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GDP data shows economic growth is flatlining

Source: NZCTU

New GDP data released today from Statistics New Zealand showed that the economy flatlined over the past six months, and overall, the economy is still smaller than it was at the election.

“For all the talk of green shoots, the economy hasn’t grown at all in two years. Unemployment is up, and the cost of living is still rising for middle and low-income New Zealanders,” said NZCTU President Sandra Grey.

“The economic wellbeing of working people is continuing to get worse under this National-led government. We urgently need a different approach.

“The data shows that the benefits of growth have been unequally distributed. Wages and salaries grew by 0.9% over the year to September 2025, but the broad measure of profits grew by 7.2%. There is a twin-track economy that is not benefitting workers.

“Across the economy, there were annual declines across more than half of all the sectors. Construction fell 8.5% this year. Mining is down 7.7% this year. IT and telecommunications are down 3.1%. Manufacturing is down 2.3%. Overall, the economy fell 0.5% last year.

“Economic growth is welcome if it translates into greater wellbeing. But the main growth is in unemployment claims, and the numbers of New Zealanders leaving the country. The economy is flatlining.

“This data reflects the fact that there is no plan to improve the lives of working people. GDP has fallen for two years in a row and is now worse than it was when National was elected. They are looking at further cuts at the next Budget, while we have record numbers on benefits.

“This National-led Government has proven that they are unable to lift the economic prosperity of working people, instead they are delivering higher costs and more job losses,” said Grey.