NZ Engine

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: New Zealand Police

A teenager who allegedly attempted to steal more than $20,000 worth of clothing from an Albany store overnight has been caught in the act.

At about 2.54am, Police were notified of several alarms being activated at the retailer on Don McKinnon Drive.

Waitematā East Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant CJ Miles, says Police attended the job immediately and found the glass shop front smashed and the roller door pulled up.

“Officers also located a stolen vehicle parked in front of the store, full of stolen merchandise.

“A person, in the process of loading further stolen goods into the car, exited the store and was taken into custody immediately.”

Senior Sergeant Miles says more than $20,000 worth of property was recovered.

“This is a great example of how quick reporting greatly assists us in being able to stop offenders in their tracks.”

A 16-year-old will appear in North Shore Youth Court today charged with burglary and unlawfully taking a vehicle.

She says Police will continue to have an increased presence in and around shopping precints in the lead up to Christmas.

“It takes all of us to keep our communities safe, and we acknowledge retailers who continue to report matters to us.”

If you see any unlawful or suspicious activity, please contact Police.

If it is happening now, or you have immediate concerns for you or someone else’s safety, call 111.

Information after the fact or in non-emergencies can be reported online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or by calling 105.

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

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

The Hon Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance and Minister for Economic Growth and the Hon Simon Watts, Minister of Climate Change and Minister for Energy, welcomed the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer and the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy to Auckland on 5 December 2025 for the third Australia-New Zealand Climate and Finance Ministers’ 2+2 Dialogue.

Ministers agreed that climate action and more investment in renewable energy are essential to putting downward pressure on power prices and cost of living for New Zealand and Australian households and businesses and enhancing the productivity, security and stability of our respective energy systems.

They agreed that the global transition to low emissions economies powered by cheaper, cleaner energy presents significant economic opportunities with increasing demand for products, technologies and investments that help address climate change. Both countries have taken significant steps to grow renewable energy, including to support enhanced energy security during the transition. They welcomed new Nationally Determined Contributions submitted by both nations as critical investment signals designed to seize the economic opportunities of the energy transition and deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our uniquely close relationship enables us to work together, to capture economic opportunities, boost trade and growth, address shared policy challenges, and deliver real benefits to businesses, households, Māori and First Nations Australians. 

Building on commitments made at the Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting on 9 August 2025, Ministers discussed supporting trans-Tasman energy affordability, security and regulatory alignment, economic growth and productivity, cooperation in and with the Pacific, and the evolution of the 2+2 dialogue.

Climate pressures are reshaping the environment in which Australia and New Zealand operate, with increasing impacts on supply chains, infrastructure, and regional economies. Ministers recognised the importance of strengthening the resilience of our people, industries and communities, and reaffirmed that regionally driven economic development and deeper integration are central to safeguarding long-term prosperity.

Ministers noted the progress each has made on climate action since the last 2+2 Dialogue on 30 July 2024. For New Zealand, this includes publishing the second emissions reduction plan (ERP2) for the period 2026 to 2030 and a National Adaptation Framework. For Australia, this includes the national Net Zero Plan, comprising 6 sectoral emission reduction plans, a National Adaptation Plan and the National Climate Risk Assessment. 

 

Discussions and commitments 

Supporting trans-Tasman energy affordability, security and regulatory alignment

The transition to low emissions economies, underpinned by reliable, abundant and affordable renewable energy represents a once in a generation opportunity for Australia and New Zealand. Both countries have taken significant steps to grow renewable energy, including to strengthen energy security during the transition.

Australia and New Zealand reinforced their commitment to working together on energy issues. Ministers agreed to continue to align regulatory frameworks, reduce barriers to investments, and ensure sustainable finance systems are interoperable.

Australia and New Zealand Ministers agreed to empower consumers and boost energy productivity by:

co-invest ~NZ$1 million (AU$0.9 million) and Australia ~AU4.1 million (NZ$4.6 million) to upgrade the joint Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program registration system to facilitate better access to cheaper, cleaner household products and bring down costs for industry, including by improving operations and operability, reducing compliance burden and accelerating the adoption of energy efficient products.
further align regulatory settings for consumer energy technologies, by working towards developing a joint approach on enabling electric vehicle (EV) chargers to have smart functionality. This follows on from the Menezes report recommendations on aligning green technology standards.
develop and align Vehicle to grid (V2G) standards for EVs to ensure market alignment. 

facilitate direct engagement between the Australian solar and battery industry and regulators with their New Zealand counterparts to support knowledge exchange and trade arising from Australia’s successful Cheaper Home Batteries program and related policies, as well as to identify further opportunities for trans-Tasman regulatory alignment on solar and battery systems. 

These new commitments will support businesses and households to achieve energy savings, enhance efforts to accelerate EV charging locations, reduce compliance complexity, and unlocking scalable market opportunities for trans-Tasman providers and local businesses. 

Realising the economic opportunities of the net zero transition

Building on commitments made at the 2024 2+2 Dialogue, Ministers also acknowledged the work led by Bioenergy Australia and its New Zealand members to develop a trans-Tasman Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Strategy. Ministers recognised that scaling a competitive regional SAF industry is important to attract investment and strengthen regional fuel security, and enable Pacific partners to access SAF. New Zealand welcomed the announcement of Australia’s $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program to support domestic low carbon liquid fuel production, and the opportunity to share learnings on SAF policy development. 

Ministers emphasised the importance of clear net zero plans and internationally relevant standards for attracting investment, and agreed to continue bilateral and international engagement to develop interoperable and comparable sustainable finance frameworks. These frameworks will provide clarity for businesses and investors and support individual countries to finance their net zero transformation. Australia welcomed the expansion of New Zealand’s sustainable finance taxonomy to the energy and construction sectors, and the opportunities it brings across our Single Economic Market through the continued alignment of sector coverage, technical criteria and implementation through market use pilots led by the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute and New Zealand’s Centre for Sustainable Finance. 

Ministers welcomed progress in developing internationally aligned Guarantee of Origin schemes since their commitment at the 2024 2+2 Dialogue. Australia’s successful launch of its Guarantee of Origin scheme in November 2025 represents a significant step in certifying the emissions intensity of green hydrogen, sustainable fuels, and green metals. New Zealand’s November 2024 Hydrogen Action Plan reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting access to internationally aligned certification schemes. Ministers acknowledged the importance of working together to maintain close alignment between emerging certification frameworks and to support a consolidated, transparent and trusted trans-Tasman market for clean energy products.

Ministers reaffirmed the importance of supporting agricultural emissions reductions to enable this important economic sector to thrive. They welcomed the investment and action demonstrated in both countries from government in partnership with industry, including the AU$300 million invested in Australia’s Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC and New Zealand’s over NZ$400 million invested to accelerate the development and availability of new tools and technology to reduce on-farm agricultural emissions, recognising also the potential benefit and value of this work in farming systems internationally. Ministers committed to expanding technical collaboration and information sharing on livestock emissions reductions.   

 

Expanding collaboration on economic growth and productivity

Ministers discussed the importance of coordinating respective economic reform programmes, including New Zealand’s Going for Growth agenda and Australia’s productivity agenda, targeting lowering business costs, reducing regulatory burden, and boosting productivity.

Australia and New Zealand will establish a working group of government and industry to share information and collaborate on solutions to help ensure insurance remains accessible.

Ministers agreed that Treasuries should continue to explore opportunities for closer alignment as we progress development of our countries’ payment systems, licensing and digital assets reforms. They noted the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and Reserve Bank of New Zealand are exploring options to more closely align non-financial risk management and tiering of banking regulation. 

Ministers agreed on the benefits of aligning our building codes and standards, and tasked officials to take this work forward. 

Australia and New Zealand agreed to work together on the future of aligned product safety settings.

 

Pacific Partnership

Ministers recalled that Pacific Island Forum Leaders, at their meeting in Honiara in September 2025, reaffirmed that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of peoples of the Pacific. Ministers reaffirmed Australia and New Zealand’s commitment to working together with Pacific partners to ensure the resilience and prosperity of the region.

New Zealand welcomed Australia’s agreement struck with Türkiye on COP31 hosting arrangements which provides a unique opportunity to amplify Pacific voices, grow the global clean energy economy and drive strong outcomes for our region. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Intensive efforts are under way to combat yellow-legged hornets from Auckland’s North Shore, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.

Mr Hoggard, who visited biosecurity operations in Auckland today, says the response has escalated significantly over recent weeks with more traps, ground searches and efforts to raise public awareness.

“There’s a narrow window to eradicate this hornet and seeing the efforts on the ground today, I know our people are absolutely committed to removing this pest.

The work at the regional control centre in Auckland is an impressive operation with staff working seven days a week,” Mr Hoggard says.

I’m getting daily updates from Biosecurity New Zealand, and I’ve directed them to take appropriate steps to respond to the threat.”

Mr Hoggard says it’s important that Biosecurity New Zealand’s actions be guided by expert advice.

“That’s why I support Biosecurity New Zealand’s move to set up a technical advisory group comprising experts from countries with experience managing hornet incursions.”

Biosecurity New Zealand met with the group again this week to confirm the response is on track and identify any additional actions that could make a difference.

Electronic tracking technology, used successfully overseas, will be used to help locate nests if hornet activity increases over summer.

With ramped up surveillance more hornets are expected to be found in coming months,

“Reporting by the public and beekeepers is still our best shot at detecting these hornets. But I need your help on this one, I’m asking Aucklanders – make checking your property and hornet hunting part of your routine.

“At this stage of the Hornets life cycle check under eaves, decks, soffits, garages, sheds, boats, and trailers – low-to-ground spots near water where it’s sunny.

In a months’ time they’ll move to secondary nests – So look high in trees, mid-canopy level, or in hedges and buildings near water.”

“If anyone sees a suspected hornet or nest, report it immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand at report.mpi.govt.nz  or by calling the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on State Highway 2, Matamau this morning.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at around 9:50am.

A second person sustained serious injuries and has been transported to hospital.

The road will remain closed for some time while the Serious Crash unit conduct a scene examination.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area, detours are in place.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Updated guidance for Public-Private Partnership projects in New Zealand will provide greater clarity and consistency to the private sector and government agencies, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say. 

“Refreshing New Zealand’s PPP model is an important part of our plan to deliver, maintain, fund, and finance infrastructure in smarter ways, and attract international capital and expertise to New Zealand projects,” Mr Bishop says.

“PPPs in New Zealand are not new. Eight PPP projects have been developed since 2011, including three correctional facilities, two Roads of National Significance state highways, and three bundles of primary and secondary schools.

“The service delivery outcomes achieved through these projects to date have been positive, in many cases outperforming similar projects delivered using other methods. Standardised or modular designs from PPP projects and asset management lessons have also begun to be implemented elsewhere.

“In November 2024, the Government released a Blueprint to the market outlining how the government will approach future PPPs. The Blueprint took into account lessons learned on our existing PPP projects, as well as lessons learned from other jurisdictions, and set out several improvements to the New Zealand model.”

“The response to the 2025 Infrastructure Investment Summit demonstrates why it is so important to have a robust PPP approach – it puts New Zealand back on the map for the global talent, innovation, and investment our infrastructure sector is hanging out for,” Mr Court says.

“For years New Zealand has limped along with an overloaded infrastructure pipeline and buildings falling to bits, while countries like Australia have been getting on with the job. Their PPPs are delivering durable schools, hospitals, and transport networks. That’s the level we should expect too — infrastructure that actually gets built, lasts, and serves people well.

“The Treasury’s updated guidance builds on the PPP Blueprint is designed to support government agencies delivering PPPs, and its public release helps ensure agencies take a consistent approach that is transparent and can be clearly understood by the market.”

Some of the key elements in the updated guidance include:

Bid cost reimbursement – guidance for agencies on how to allow for bid cost reimbursement and ensure the right level of information is sought from bidders through procurement to help reduce the burden involved in bidding and encourage competition. 

Price validation – guidance on how and when price validation can occur during the procurement process, including requirements for agencies to undertake robust due diligence of cost estimates to ensure the price is set appropriately. 

Works completions regime – introducing a more flexible and responsive works completion regime that includes new elements that are open for adoption on a project-by-project basis, such as split and staged completion. 

Expansions and augmentations – introducing the ability for expansions and augmentations of PPP projects on a project-by-project basis, provided value for money can be demonstrated. 

Crown capability and resourcing – guidance for agencies on the capability and resourcing they need to put in place when delivering a PPP.

Crown capital contributions – guidance on how capital contributions can be considered and assessed so that they can be used when they improve overall project outcomes.   

Notes to Editor:

The guidance can be found on the Treasury website: https://www.treasury.govt.nz/information-and-services/public-sector-leadership/partnerships/public-private-partnerships