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Moped rider finds the red and blue lights

Source: New Zealand Police

A moped rider may now have seen the light after failing to stop for Police in Auckland overnight.

Just after 12.30am, a unit spotted a moped travelling without a headlight on in the Mt Albert area.

Senior Sergeant Guy Baldwin, Auckland City West Area Response Manager, says the moped was signalled to stop.

“The moped was not only travelling without a headlight on but was also travelling at speed, which was very concerning for us,” he says.

“The rider failed to stop and was not pursued at the time.”

A short distance away, the moped was abandoned near Owairaka Park.

“Our staff observed the rider get off and make a run for it on foot,” Senior Sergeant Baldwin says.

“Another unit caught up with him running towards O’Donnell Avenue and took him into custody without incident.”

The 35-year-old man has been charged with failing to stop and being an unlicensed driver failing to comply with prohibition.

He will appear in the Auckland District Court today.

Senior Sergeant Baldwin says, “it’s fortunate that the man didn’t cause himself or a member of the public any harm by these reckless actions.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Historic agreement for Top of South Island land

Source: New Zealand Government

The ownership of approximately 7,583 acres (3,068 hectares) of Top of the South land will be restored to descendants of its original owners following a long-standing private litigation, Attorney General Judith Collins and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced today.

The Crown and the owners, descendants of Te Tauihu Māori, have agreed to allow continued public access to land currently used by the government agencies. This includes the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve and the Abel Tasman Coast Track Great Walk, with a 25-year agreement on the latter. There will also be a $420 million payment. 

“This is very different from Treaty settlements, which settle historical claims concerning breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles,” Ms Collins says.

“In this case, we are simply returning land to its rightful and legal owners. 

“This case is the result of a private property litigation brought by Kaumātua Rore Stafford against the Crown in 2010 but which originates in the 1840s. At that time, the Crown agreed to reserve 15,100 acres (6,110 hectares) – which was a tenth of the land being granted to the New Zealand Company at the time – for the land’s original owners and their descendants. The agreement to reserve the land was in part-payment for the company’s purchase of the land.

“The Crown failed to keep its side of the deal but in 2017 the Supreme Court ruled it had a legal duty to the original owners. In 2024 the High Court confirmed that the land, in parts of Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay, had been held on trust by the Crown and that it had always belonged to descendants of its original owners.” 

Mr Potaka says the Department of Conservation has worked with the owners to ensure ongoing public access to this special part of New Zealand.

“The Abel Tasman Great Walk, the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve and wider conservation areas will remain open, with all bookings and access continuing as normal,” he says.

“Visitors, tourism operators, and local communities can be assured there will be no immediate changes to access or day-to-day use.”

No private property is affected by the agreement but for many decades the Crown has been using some of the affected land for roads, schools and conservation purposes. The agreement transfers the land back to its rightful owners but allows the Crown to lease some of the land currently being used for important public purposes.

“Schools will continue to run as normal, the public can visit and enjoy the national park as they currently do, all bookings within the national park remain in place, and the Crown and Mr Stafford’s representatives have agreed the return of the land will be as seamless as possible for the public, tenants and businesses who use it,” Mr Potaka says.

“Both parties are mindful of the need to balance legal ownership with how the land is currently being used and the desire for certainty for everyone. Everyone acknowledges that the Great Walk and Reserve are important sites, much loved by locals and visitors, and that they are of deep significance to the original owners, local business operators and future generations.”

Ms Collins says the Government is pleased to be resolving this unique private law case, and to be able to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties.

“I want to acknowledge Mr Stafford and his whānau, and to thank them for their patience across many years.” 

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Removing barriers to hydrogen sector growth

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has agreed to make changes to the health and safety regulations for the hydrogen sector, ensuring they are fit for purpose and support growth, Energy Minister Simon Watts and Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden say.

“The Government sees hydrogen as a valuable tool we can harness to kickstart economic growth. By harnessing its potential, we can drive innovation, create jobs, and position New Zealand as a leader in sustainable energy solutions,” Mr Watts says.

“Hydrogen has an important role in our future energy mix. It can support sectors that are difficult or impractical to electrify – such as heavy transport and industry – to reduce emissions while keeping our economy growing.

“To unlock hydrogen’s full potential, we need a regulatory framework that supports growth and innovation rather than getting in the way.”

“While on our nationwide health and safety roadshow, I heard that because current safety requirements were not developed with hydrogen in mind, they are now preventing the safe development and use of hydrogen technologies,” says Ms van Velden.

“We have worked closely with the sector to ensure health and safety regulations relating to hydrogen are fit for purpose and remove unnecessary compliance costs without compromising health and safety.

“We want our safety regulations to strike the right balance in allowing businesses to pick the technologies that work best for them, while still keeping workers and others safe.”

The 10 changes the Government have agreed to make include technical amendments to outdated provisions known to prevent businesses from adopting new practices and creates new requirements where clarity is needed now. They include:

setting specific requirements for hydrogen fuelling stations and cryogenic liquid hydrogen
providing for easier approval of hydrogen appliances and fittings
allowing alternatives to odorisation for hydrogen
allowing Multi-Element Gas Containers, commonly used overseas for storage and transport
enabling Safe Work Instruments and new safety instruments to set requirements as the sector evolves updating references to newer standards for transporting dangerous goods and hazardous areas.

“By making these changes, we are delivering a key priority under the Hydrogen Action Plan which was released in November 2024,” Mr Watts says.

“We need businesses, innovators, and investors to grasp and make the most of the opportunities at hand. By cutting this red tape we can unlock faster growth of the sector, drive more jobs, and deliver real benefits to our energy system, climate, and economy.”

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Crown delivers for Ngāpuhi

Source: New Zealand Government

The Crown’s relationship with Ngāpuhi has taken a significant step forward with legislation which returns the historic Kororipo Pā passing in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka say.

“The return of the pā reflects the Crown’s commitment to right the wrongs experienced by Ngāpuhi. Advancing Treaty settlement negotiations with Ngāpuhi groups remains a priority, and we are eager for these conversations to begin,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“This moment is the result of three years of dedicated negotiations between the Crown and Ngāti Rēhia, supported by hapū with deep connections to Kororipo Pā.

“Ngāpuhi have stood alongside Ngāti Rēhia in this journey, and it was a privilege to welcome both Ngāti Rēhia and their Ngāpuhi whanaunga to the House today to witness this important occasion.”

“Kororipo Pā is significant to New Zealand as a place of learning, diplomacy and trade.  It was a hub of interaction between Ngāpuhi, missionaries and settlers – a place where rangatira gathered to deliberate matters of war and peace, politics and progress,” Mr Potaka says.

“Ngāpuhi have long called for the return of Kororipo Pā, and today we honour their perseverance and leadership across generations.  This is not just a legislative milestone – it is a celebration of enduring relationships and shared history.” 

Kororipo Pā will transfer to Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Trust on 23 January 2026. They will hold it as kaitiaki on behalf of Ngāpuhi. 

The site will retain its historic reserve status and public access to the reserve will not be affected. 

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Pharmac will not proceed with proposed changes to how it manages the Options for Investment list

Source: PHARMAC

Following feedback, Pharmac has decided not to proceed with a proposal to decline some low-ranked applications on the Options for Investment (OFI) list.

In October, Pharmac consulted on a proposal to decline applications that have remained in the lowest-ranked group for more than two years. The aim was to provide greater transparency about which medicines are unlikely to be funded and why.

“We heard from many people – clinicians, patient advocates, individuals, and suppliers – and we’ve listened carefully,” says Pharmac’s Director Pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin.

“People told us that while they understood our aim was to improve transparency, they did not want us to remove funding applications from the OFI.”

Feedback highlighted that people want clear, public information about where medicines sit on the OFI list and why, decisions based on updated evidence – not where the medicine is on the OFI, and assurance that changes to how the OFI is managed do not disadvantage Māori, Pacific peoples, rural communities, or people with rare disorders.

“People also told us they want medicines to stay on the list to maintain hope for future funding,” says Martin. “We listened carefully and appreciate the time and thought that went into this feedback.”

At this stage, Pharmac is not proposing any changes to how it manages the OFI list.

Improving transparency and timeliness of the medicine funding application process remains a focus for Pharmac and our Consumer and Patient Working Group. Broader work is now underway as part of the Reset Programme, focusing on improvements to the current process and potential future changes.

“We want to thank everyone who took the time to share their feedback. It really matters to us and has a direct impact on the decisions we make,” says Martin.

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What changes to New Zealand’s foreign buyers real estate ban will mean

Source: Radio New Zealand

The change is expected to apply to $5m-plus houses mostly in Queenstown or Auckland. 123RF

Explainer – In a flurry of last-minute activity before the holidays, Parliament has approved changes to the foreign buyers ban that has been in place for the last seven years.

The changes will allow “golden visa” investors to purchase a home in New Zealand – but there’s a catch. They’ve got to spend at least $5 million on buying or building a home, as well as committing to other contributions to the economy.

So, can foreign buyers once again buy houses here?

Only some of them with pretty deep pockets. The $5 million minimum purchase requirement will keep buyers to pretty small numbers, and they also have to meet other “golden visa” investor requirements.

“If a migrant invests a minimum of $5 million to help grow the economy, passes a good character test, and has acceptable health, they will now be able to buy or build a home,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said while announcing the passage.

The change will take effect in early 2026.

Cotality NZ chief property economist Kelvin Davidson told RNZ’s Afternoons the change is quite specifically focused.

“Generally, it’s not an easing of the foreign buyer ban. The foreign buyer ban is as it’s always been. This is actually a different visa category that’s being talked about.”

The foreign buyers ban was passed by the then-Labour-led coalition government in 2018. Figures at the time showed up to 20 percent of homes in some of Auckland’s most expensive suburbs were being sold to foreign buyers.

The only people who will be allowed exemptions are those wealthy investors who are already committed to growing New Zealand’s economy.

“It’s a happy compromise,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in announcing the changes earlier this year.

“We’re doing everything to make sure that it’s not just frothy speculative… driving a property market. It’s actually genuinely about supporting more investment which drives more jobs.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, centre, with Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Associate Finance Minister David Seymour, left, announcing a new exemption to the foreign buyers’ ban in September 2025. RNZ

How is the government trying to bring in foreign investors?

This is all part of the government’s broader goals to attract more overseas investment into New Zealand.

Earlier this year, the government announced a new “golden visa” for investors, the Active Investor Plus, which introduced two simplified investment categories – Growth, requiring a minimum $5 million investment for a minimum of three years, and Balanced, which requires a minimum $10 million investment over five years.

As of 15 December, Immigration New Zealand data shows there had been 491 golden visa applications, covering 1571 people, representing a potential minimum investment of $2.9 billion.

The foreign buyer changes are included in the overall passage of the Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, which also now says that overseas investment decisions must be made within 15 working days.

“Under the new law, decisions on all investments except residential land, farmland and fishing quota must be made within 15 working days, unless there is a potential national interest concern,” Associate Finance Minister David Seymour said in announcing the passage. “That compares with a 70-day statutory timeframe for the current benefit test.”

Only a few hundred transactions a year are for homes over $5m. 123RF

So, how many houses would this actually affect?

“The scale of potential foreign investment is pretty small, really,” Davidson said.

“The number of properties that are valued at $5 million or above, which is where these people will be able to purchase, it’s about sort of 5- or 6000 across the country as a whole.”

Rural, farm and “sensitive” land is also excluded.

Davidson said that represents less than 0.5 percent of the housing stock, “mostly focused on parts of Auckland and parts of Queenstown.”

“Of course, for buyers to actually come to buy these properties, they have to be for sale in the first place. There might only be a few hundred transactions a year in that price bracket.”

Stanford has said the change meant to show that New Zealand is “open for business”.

“New investors don’t just bring their capital, they bring skills, knowledge and experience that will drive future economic development,” she said.

Wasn’t this passed rather quickly?

Yes, it was passed late Friday night along with many other bills as Parliament sat in urgency.

Changes were introduced in an amendment paper to the Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill.

As the bill had already been through select committee, that means the public didn’t get a chance to give feedback on the softening of the foreign buyers ban through typical parliamentary processes.

The real estate news website OneRoof reported that some agents were surprised by how quickly the changes were passed, although Seymour had previously said the changes would come before the end of the year and “be law before New Year’s Eve”.

Property economist Kelvin Davidson. SUPPLIED

So, is this a controversial change?

“I think this is a fairly non-controversial sort of policy,” Davidson said.

The intent is that investors are meant to come here and buy one home to live in for their own use.

“It’s not a price bracket where the average home buyer in New Zealand would really be even thinking about.”

The average house price in New Zealand sits closer to $800,000.

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand said it welcomed the change.

“REINZ and our members support sensible reform that reduces unnecessary barriers while maintaining safeguards for sensitive assets,” it said in a statement.

National campaigned in 2023 on letting foreigners buy homes worth more than $2m subject to a 15 percent tax, but was forced to abandon that plan during coalition negotiations with NZ First.

Peters, who helped introduce the foreign buyers ban in the first place in 2018, supports the change that he called a “very, very minor” one.

He told RNZ earlier that the original foreign buyer ban was introduced in the context of “rampant” house-flipping and “serious duplicity and cheating” by some foreigners who had been “using this country as a bolt-hole”.

“That’s why the total ban happened, and this very, very, very minor adjustment will attend to the benefits of the investor.”

Davidson said that he felt overall the changes to foreign buyer restrictions could help boost investment.

“I think there’s wider positive benefits from this. It’s always seemed a little bit odd that the government’s been trying to attract foreign capital to New Zealand but not allowing those people to buy a house.”

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

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Name release: Fiordland climbing deaths

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the names of the two climbers that died on the north buttress of Sabre Peak, Fiordland, at the weekend.

They were 28-year-old Connor Scott McKenzie, a dual citizen of New Zealand and Canada, and 23-year-old Australian citizen Tanmay Shetankumar Bhati. Both men resided in Australia.

Police remain in contact with the men’s families and are offering ongoing support.

Their deaths have been referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Consumer confidence up in December but still below long-term averages index shows

Source: Radio New Zealand

Spending remained strongest in the South Island, but was picking up in other regions. 123rf.com

The holiday season appears to have boosted the spirits of consumers with household confidence on the rise.

The Westpac-McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index rose 5.6 points in December to 96.5.

While the reading was a little below long-run averages, it was the highest level of confidence seen this year.

Men were more optimistic at a positive 102.6 points, while women remained pessimistic at 90.6 points.

An index number over 100 indicates that optimists outnumber pessimists.

“Since our last survey, confidence has taken a step higher in most parts of the country, and spending appetites have also firmed,” Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod said.

Spending remained strongest in the lower South Island, but was picking up in other regions.

“That includes Auckland, which is now the most upbeat part of the country.”

Ranchhod said a drop in mortgage interest rates was playing a big part in the improved confidence.

“Increasing numbers of borrowers have been rolling on to lower interest rates. That process will continue into the new year and will help to boost households’ disposable incomes right across the country.

“Importantly, while we have seen some upwards pressure on borrowing rates recently, most borrowers who are refixing now will still be rolling onto much lower rates.”

Still, the cost of living remained a major concern, as well as the soft labour market.

“Those challenges will be with us for a while yet. However, we’re starting to see some more encouraging signs in the economy, and hopefully 2026 will be a more positive year for most New Zealand households,” he said.

McDermott Miller market research director Imogen Rendall said nearly half of women surveyed believed they were worse off financially than a year ago, compared with a third of men.

“Looking ahead to next year, both men and women have broadly similar expectations for their personal finances,” Rendall said.

Men, however, are more optimistic than women about New Zealand’s short-term economic future, as well as the country’s longer-term prospects.

“Confidence amongst younger age groups is relatively buoyant, particularly in contrast to older New Zealanders.”

She said people with a job were optimistic, with confidence up 6.4 points this quarter up to 104.7.

“Those not in paid work experienced the same lift in confidence this quarter, but they are still firmly pessimistic at 86.7,” Rendall said.

“Just under a quarter of those in paid work feel they are better off financially now than a year ago, compared to fewer than one in 10 of those who are not in paid work.”

The survey was conducted over 1-11 December 2025, with a sample size of 1550 and a 2.5 percent margin of error.

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

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Report shines light on ‘gentle giant’ manta ray

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  17 December 2025

Manta rays are amongst 113 species assessed by an independent expert panel for the latest conservation status report on New Zealand’s chimaeras, sharks and rays.

The latest data shows manta rays are now ‘Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable’. Previously, they were considered ‘Data Deficient’. This change represents a greater level of concern for the species than previously held.

DOC Senior Science Advisor Dr Karen Middlemiss, who was a member of the expert panel, says manta rays are curious, gentle natured, and highly intelligent.

“They’re highly mobile, which is a challenge for data collection. They navigate over long distances through the Pacific region, visiting our waters to feed and breed for six months each year.”

Karen says collaborative efforts to get better data on New Zealand manta rays have so far included satellite tracking studies and photo-identification of individuals. DOC, Manta Watch NZ and Conservation International NZ have partnered on this work.

“Boat strike and plastic pollution are a problem for them. In fact, researchers have found around 30% of the manta rays photographed showed signs of injuries likely caused by human activity.

“Raising awareness that manta rays spend from spring through to early autumn each year in New Zealand’s coastal waters can help, and we urge boaties to keep a lookout for them.”

Karen says manta ray population estimates are thought to be around a few thousand in New Zealand, but data is needed to confirm this.

“We know very little about our manta ray population size, age structure, and regional connectivity with other Pacific populations.”

Basking and Plunket’s sharks are now ‘Threatened – Nationally Critical’ – the last status before extinction. Basking sharks were seen in large schools along our coastline until the mid-1990s and Plunket’s sharks have also suffered large declines since that time.

“The disappearance of the basking shark from New Zealand’s shores is very concerning, and we don’t know exactly why this has happened,” Karen says.

“Urgent research is required to better understand population pressures – both human induced and environmental – to inform conservation management decisions for both basking and Plunket’s sharks.”

Frill sharks, southern Mandarin dog fishes, goblin sharks and smalltooth sand tigers have all improved in status, reflecting better information on the extent of their habitat and greater protection from the closure of the Kermadec Ridge and parts of Lord Howe Ridge and Norfolk Ridge to trawl fishing.

Karen says people can help all marine species by being “citizen scientists”.

DOC encourages the public to report details of sightings, captures or strandings of protected sharks, rays or chimaeras to sharks@doc.govt.nz or 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Protected species identification guides are available on DOC’s website to help identify sea life: Protected species identification guides: CSP resources for fishers

“You can also take part in naturing for our native species by downloading the Spyfish Aotearoa app, which invites people to watch short clips of underwater footage in New Zealand’s marine reserves and count and identify fish species. Your input will directly contribute to scientific research,” Karen says.

To join Spyfish Aotearoa, visit: Spyfish Aotearoa | Zooniverse – People-powered research.

Visit DOC’s website to view the report: Conservation status of chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks and rays) in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2024.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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Onehunga bus killing: Kael Leona pleads not guilty on grounds of insanity

Source: Radio New Zealand

Flowers left at an Onehunga bus stop at the time of Bernice Marychurch’s death. RNZ/Nick Monro

The man charged with murdering a woman on an Auckland bus a year ago has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Bernice Louise Marychurch was killed on the Number 74 bus travelling through Onehunga in October 2024.

The man charged with her murder, Kael Leona, handed himself in to authorities shortly after.

In the High Court at Auckland on Wednesday morning, Leona’s lawyer entered a not guilty plea by reason of insanity on his behalf.

Bernice Moneychurch Facebook

Leona himself was not present in court.

He was remanded in custody until his trial in March.

The killing sparked a significant response from transport officials, with Auckland Transport deploying extra transport officers for the route the bus was taking at the time.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also commented on the crime, saying he was “incredibly saddened and shocked”.

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