NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden welcomes the Governance and Administration Committee [Committee] report back of the Online Casino Gambling Bill [Bill]. 

This report marks a crucial step forward in advancing online gambling regulations that protect Kiwis from harm. I’m pleased the report aligns strongly with Government decisions,” says Ms van Velden. 

The Committee received over 5000 submissions from individuals and organisations and heard oral evidence on the Bill. Of these, 3,966 submissions raised concerns about community returns from gambling revenue. 

Community returns are a source of funding taken from gambling revenue that gets distributed back to sports clubs and community groups to support grassroots activities. For example, it has been used to buy new kayaks for local sea scouts and help Special Olympics athletes get to national competitions. 

“Many groups were concerned that more gambling online would mean less gambling on pokie machines, and therefore a decrease to the level of funding returning to community groups. 

“Submissions clearly showed New Zealanders want community returns from online gambling activity to ensure communities continue to get the funding they need. Cabinet agreed to provide these returns, and the Committee supported that decision,” Ms van Velden.

The Committee also recommended that the Lottery Grants Board be responsible for distributing community returns, which aligns with recent Cabinet decisions.  

Other key themes raised in submissions included that regulating online casinos could normalise gambling and lead to greater harm, as well as concerns about the potential harm from gambling advertising. 

“I’ve listened carefully to these concerns. The regulatory settings the Bill will put in place are intended to reduce gambling harm first and foremost. This represents a significant improvement from the status quo where there are no safeguards to protect Kiwis gambling online.  

“We will review online casino gambling’s impact on pokies revenue after two years to ensure that community returns are still providing adequate funding for community and sports groups. 

“This is an important piece of legislation that will bring online casino gambling under New Zealand law for the first time. I look forward to seeing it progress through the House,” says Ms van Velden. 

Note to Editors 

Source: New Zealand Government

Registered nurse prescribers can now prescribe nearly double the number of medicines, significantly expanding access to timely, local care for New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Improving access to healthcare in communities is a key priority for the Government. These changes will mean people can get the medicines they need more quickly, with fewer delays and better continuity of care,” Mr Brown says.

Under the changes authorised by the Director-General of Health, registered nurse prescribers will be able to prescribe 211 additional medicines, on top of the over 240 medicines they can already prescribe. 

“These medicines cover a wide range of common and long-term conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory conditions, and menopause symptoms. Expanding the range of medicines registered nurse prescribers’ can prescribe will make a real difference for people who rely on regular, ongoing treatment.”

New Zealand currently has around 1,570 registered nurse prescribers working across primary care, community health, and specialist services such as diabetes, respiratory, and sexual health.

“Pharmacist prescribers also play an important role in hospitals and general practice settings, supporting more integrated and effective care. They can already prescribe over 1,700 medicines and will see their list expanded by 20 additional medicines.

“The expansion of the range of medicines reflects the advanced education, training, and clinical expertise of nurse and pharmacist prescribers, and builds on wider work to improve access to medicines. 

“This includes expanding prescriber regulations to give nurse practitioners and other prescribing professions greater flexibility within their scope of practice, as well as changes allowing podiatrists to prescribe certain medicines.

“From 1 February 2026, some New Zealanders on stable long-term medicines will also be able to receive prescriptions for up to 12 months, reducing costs and making it easier for people to stay on top of their medicines.”

Mr Brown says empowering health professionals to work at the top of their scope will help deliver better, faster care for communities across New Zealand.

“This is about ensuring our highly trained workforce can use the full extent of their skills, improving care for Kiwis while reducing pressure on other parts of the health system.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested a North Canterbury resident for over 500 tags in various locations throughout Kaikoura, Canterbury and Dunedin.

The 23-year-old man will be appearing in the Christchurch District Court on 5 December on charges of entering agricultural land with intent and wilful damage for graffiti.

Senior Sergeant Stephen McDaniel says that Police are happy to have the brazen tagger off the streets.

“Not only was the offender spray painting his ‘tag’ everywhere, he was also taking videos of his offending and posting them to social media and benefitting from the notoriety.”

The offending tag was found on public bridges, toilets, walls, rubbish bins, walkways, light posts, former gun emplacements, train tracks, water tanks and drainage pipes.

“The offending leaves a lasting piece of graffiti on the public structures, and in some instances the offender has spray painted the same spot after councils have cleaned up their prior graffiti.”

“Graffiti or tagging is considered as intentionally damaging property, and we’ll hold offenders to account,” says Senior Sergeant McDaniel.

If anyone sees illegal graffiti being undertaken, let Police know. Call 111 if its an emergency or 105 if its after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Education Minister Erica Stanford is welcoming the successful conclusion of pay negotiations for secondary teachers following a majority vote from Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) members to accept the most recent offer.

“I’m delighted for secondary teachers across the country who will be receiving pay increases at the start of the next school year. This agreement recognises the effort and hard work of secondary teachers who are committed to raising achievement for students across the country each and every day,” Ms Stanford says.

The conclusion of secondary teachers’ pay negotiations after five months of bargaining came following a majority vote from Post Primary Teachers’ Association / Te Wehengarua members to accept settlement of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (STCA). 

The settlement includes a cumulative pay increase of 4.7 per cent by January 2027 for teachers on the top two steps of the base salary scale. In addition, teachers who are growing in their career and moving up the scale will continue to receive annual step increases along with a 4.6 per cent pay increase by January 2027. 

The settlement includes an increase in the value of middle management and senior management allowances from $2,000 to $2,400 while the value of units rise from $5,000 to $5,500, bringing the pay increase to 2.9 per cent in year one.  The agreement also introduces a Principal’s Nominee Allowance of $2,500 per annum + 1 hour of release time from Term 2, 2026 for the nominee.

“Investing in our education system is investing in everyone’s future. We are firmly committed to backing teachers to succeed in the classroom and deliver the world-leading education Kiwi kids deserve,” Ms Stanford says.

Notes for editors:

On 4 December, Post-Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) members voted to accept the offer to settle the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement. Nearly 25,000 secondary teachers will benefit from settling the STCA. 

Full details of the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement settlement can be found here: Collective Agreement negotiations | Education Workforce

Source: New Zealand Police

As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.

Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.

Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Blair Dalton says there are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe on Facebook Marketplace this holiday season.

“A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created,” says Senior Sergeant Dalton.

“If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”

Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up.

“We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member – that’s a huge red flag.

“When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through.

“Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage.

“Due diligence is also very important if you’re purchasing expensive items. If you’re buying a car on Marketplace, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”

Senior Sergeant Dalton emphasises that with Facebook Marketplace, a golden rule will always apply.

“If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.”

Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is also seeing a rise in text messages, phone calls, and emails being sent from scammers pretending to be from customers’ banks.

“Key things to remember are that a bank will never contact you asking for your login information. Your bank will also never ask you to withdraw cash or ask you to deliver your bank card for collection.

“If you’re suspicious, reach out to your bank immediately and report what has happened.

“Suspicious activity can also be reported on 105.”

Source: New Zealand Police

A coordinated Police response meant an offender didn’t get far after she allegedly carried out an aggravated robbery in Newmarket.

Around 4pm the alleged offender entered a shop on Osborne Street allegedly carrying a knife.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk, of Auckland City Crime Squad, says the woman approached the sole attendant of the shop and demanded they open the till.

“This offender allegedly demanded cash, and also took two bags worth almost $200,” she says.

“She then fled the shop, thankfully leaving the victim uninjured.”

A Police Camera Operator became aware of the incident, and tracked the alleged offender’s movements as she made her way through the city in a taxi.

“Our camera operator spotted her getting into a taxi further up the street,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk says.

“They then guided Police units to the taxi’s location based on the approximate direction of travel, and they located it on Market Road.”

Officers followed the taxi at a distance until more units were able to assist in stopping the vehicle in a safe location.

“Once we were able to safely carry out a traffic stop, the taxi was pulled over,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk says.

“The alleged offender was taken into custody without any further issues.”

The stolen property was recovered and returned to the store.

“This was a fantastic result in apprehending this person with the help of camera operators guiding officers to their location,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk says.

“We are pleased to be able to hold the alleged offender to account and answer for her actions.”

An 18-year-old woman will appear in the Auckland District Court today charged with aggravated robbery.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police