Paid firefighters call off latest strike

Source: Radio New Zealand

The union said members will not strike for an hour on Friday as planned. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Paid firefighters have called off their latest strike, saying new information has surfaced that will be key to pay talks.

The Professional Firefighters Union and Fire and Emergency (FENZ) have been in a lengthy stalemate over pay and conditions.

The union said members will not strike for an hour on Friday as planned, and it will be back in bargaining on Monday and Tuesday.

It said it has new information that is “pivotal” to the bargaining talks.

A separate strike notice for 21 November, also for an hour, was issued last week.

It comes after RNZ reported on Thursday morning that FENZ had launched the biggest restructure in its eight-year existence.

RNZ obtained a 266-page change proposal in which FENZ expresses sympathy and support for the at least 140 people slated to lose their jobs.

Unions say the proposal poses many risks and will decimate the agency most relied on for first response in emergencies.

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

Fifty-five new police for the frontline

Source: New Zealand Police

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, members of the police executive and wing patron Cameron Leslie MNZM congratulated the 55 graduating constables from Wing 389 this morning. 

Families and friends watched as the newly attested police officers marched out at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua.

They are a diverse group of people who have worked in roles such as a security guard, swim coach, builder and in customer service. Many in the wing have degrees, diplomas and trade qualifications.

Also attending the graduation and presenting the prize to the top award winner was Associate Minister of Police Hon Casey Costello.

Top of the wing, Constable Millie-Maree Sedgwick, is looking forward to returning to Canterbury District.

Millie-Maree is well acquainted with policing as she has worked for New Zealand Police since 2018 in the Police Vetting Service, National Command and Coordination Centre, and in several Intelligence roles in Wellington and Canterbury.

Moving into a constabulary role is a way to make even more of a contribution to the community, she says.

“My main reason is to be part of something bigger than myself. I believe I can give more back to the community by being on the frontline than from behind a computer.”

While she found the recruit course provided many challenges along the way, Millie-Maree says the wing members supported each other well and this helped her immensely.

“The support from my peers in the wing really helped me push through the 20 weeks of training.”

The Leadership Award Winner is Constable Jordan Bremner (Ngāti Maniapoto), posted to Central District.

Jordan’s father was a police officer for 10 years and even worked at the Police College for some of that time, so policing was always on the horizon for Jordan.

First though, he completed more than six years in the New Zealand Army, with a career highlight being a stint instructing youth at a military-style course.

“I really loved my time instructing on that course, seeing the trainees really grow. Now, as a police officer I want to take every opportunity to help the community, including preventing youth offending and helping them take better pathways.”

At the graduation Jordan spoke on behalf of the wing.

“As we move on from here to our districts, we do so with pride, wearing our uniform with honour, carrying the confidence of the public and upholding the standards of this organisation and the values we have gained during our time here.

“May we remember that to be a police officer is to be a leader in our community. May we never take that responsibility lightly.”

Joining Jordan in Central District is Constable Ashleigh Chapman, who was awarded the Patron’s Award for second in wing and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award.

Ashleigh worked in beauty therapy before joining Police, but wanted to move into a service-based role.

“I decided I wanted to serve the community and people, but at first I wasn’t sure how to do this. My Mum reminded me that as a kid of around 10 years old I really wanted to be a police officer, and this triggered my mindset towards joining. I hit ‘apply’ and it happened!”

Ashleigh found the most challenging aspect of the recruit course was the physical aspects.

“I only started the physical training like the running when I applied to join Police, but I have enjoyed those challenges and I’ve grown because of them. My sergeant and section have been incredibly supportive, I always felt like they had my back throughout the course, and my faith also played a huge role in getting me through the tough days.”

Deployment:

The new constables will start their first day of duty in their Police districts on the week beginning Monday 24 November 2025 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables.

Auckland City 1, Counties Manukau 4, Waikato 6, Bay of Plenty 11, Eastern 5, Central 8, Wellington 6, Tasman 1, Canterbury 8, Southern 5.

All Awards: 

  • Minister’s Award recognising top student: Constable Millie-Maree Sedgwick, posted to Canterbury District.
  • Commissioner’s Award for Leadership: Constable Jordan Bremner, posted to Central District.
  • Patron’s Award for second top student and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Ashleigh Chapman, posted to Central District.
  • Firearms Award: Constable George Lynch, posted to Tasman District.
  • Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Andre Kleuskens, posted to Bay of Plenty District.

Demographics:

27.3 percent are female, 72.7 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 78.2 percent of the wing, with Māori 12.7 percent, Pasifika 1.8 percent, Asian 5.5 percent, LAAM 1.8 percent.

Wing Patron:

Cameron Leslie MNZM is a Kiwi Paralympian and Wheel Black from Whangārei. He has broken world records and won gold medals at Paralympic Games. Cameron was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2009 New Year’s Honours, for services to swimming.

In wheelchair rugby Cameron is known as a mid-point player. This means he carries the ball a lot and is one of the generals on court. Among some of Cameron’s proudest achievements are helping the Wheel Blacks qualify for the 2020 Summer Paralympics, which Cameron did not attend due to Covid and the birth of his second child, and being a finalist for the global sporting awards The Laureus Awards in 2023.

Currently Cameron lives in Whangārei with his wife and three children while working for Swimming New Zealand as the Disability and Para Swimming Participation Manager.

Watch out for our Ten One story coming soon with more images and stories.

If you’re interested in joining police check out newcops.govt.nz

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Former financial advisor David McEwen pleads guilty to criminal charges

Source: Radio New Zealand

David McEwen is due to be sentenced on 14 January. Screenshot / YouTube

Former Auckland financial advisor David McEwen has pleaded guilty to all charges for breaching a banning order imposed by the financial markets regulator.

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) previously issued warnings about financial products and related advice provided by McEwen and his associated entities.

It issued a stop order against McEwen in 2023, and criminal charges were filed against him in December 2024 for breaching the stop order.

FMA head of enforcement Margot Gatland said the agency continued to recommend investors contacted by McEwen or related entities report it to the FMA.

“Ultimately, confident participation in the financial markets can only exist if an intrinsic level of market integrity exists, which stop order provisions serve to facilitate,” Gatland said.

The FMA also previously told former or existing clients of McEwen or subscribers to his publication “McEwen Investment Report” to check their credit and debit card statements for possible unauthorised payments.

The FMA said it received complaints from his clients suspecting card payments were made without their permission.

McEwen is due to be sentenced on 14 January.

McEwen was a business journalist prior to his investment career, and worked for well-known publications, including the Financial Times, National Business Review and Reuters.

He later founded his advisory firm Stockfox, and was a director of McEwen & Associates.

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

Ombudsman warns customers not to falsify flood insurance claims

Source: Radio New Zealand

The ombudsman said it’s important to know the consequences of making a false statement on an insurance claim. 123rf

The insurance ombudsman is urging customers not to embellish claims for flood damage.

The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme), which reviews insurance complaints, said with more frequent flooding events, people could risk their recovery by falsifying statements.

Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, Karen Stevens, said it’s important to know the consequences of making a false statement on an insurance claim.

“Providing false information can result in your whole claim being declined, not just the items that were inaccurately included. And if you’re found to have committed fraud, then you’ll likely not be able to get insurance in future,” she said.

Stevens said if people are unsure about the details, they should check before submitting their claim.

“Its important to remember that insurance relies on trust. Honesty is always the best policy-especially when so many are relying on insurance to recover from natural disasters,” Stevens said.

The warning follows a recent investigation where an Auckland woman’s claim for flood-damaged household contents was declined.

IFSO Scheme said after the Auckland floods in January 2023, the woman claimed that 43 household items-including large pieces of furniture-had been damaged and thrown away.

But, the insurer’s investigation revealed that some of these items were actually stored at a nearby storage facility.

When questioned, Heather provided a revised list with only 10 items.

The insurer’s findings were that the false statements had been made in support of the claim and, under the policy’s terms, declined the woman’s claim and cancelled her policy.

The customer subsequently made a complaint to the IFSO Scheme, asking them to review the case.

She claimed family members had helped move and dispose of the household items and that she had not visited the storage unit herself.

Despite that, the IFSO Scheme found it was “deliberately reckless” for the woman to claim the items had been thrown out and seek compensation without taking reasonable steps to verify this.

The complaint was not upheld by the IFSO Scheme.

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

Name release: Fatal crash, Rotorua

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the person who died in the two-vehicle crash on Te Ngae Road, Rotorua, on Thursday 6 November.

She was Teleia Thompson, a 23-year-old from Rotorua.

Police extend their sympathies to her family and friends at this difficult time.

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Liam Lawson to give Kiwi fans a thrill ride

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. Javier Jimenez / PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand motorsport fans have a chance to sit alongside Formula 1 star Liam Lawson on a race circuit.

The Racing Bulls driver will return to Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell in December to provide hot laps for charity.

Three hot lap experiences alongside Lawson in a V12-powered Aston Martin Vulcan Supercar will be up for grabs, with all proceeds being donated to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

One of the three charity hot lap experiences will be paid for by a sponsor.

The remaining two Vulcan ride experiences with Lawson will be auctioned to the highest bidder with all proceeds going to charity.

Lawson will be at Highlands on Tuesday, 23 December.

The 23-year-old finished seventh at last weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil which improved him to 14th in the F1 Drivers’ Championship.

There are three Grands Prix remaining with the next in Las Vegas next week.

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David Seymour blames teacher strikes for drop in school attendance in last week of term

Source: Radio New Zealand

David Seymour says strikes in the final week of Term 3 prompted many to begin their holidays early. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Associate Education Minister David Seymour is blaming teacher strikes for a drop in school attendance in the final week of Term 3.

In a statement, he said the term was tracking towards 52.7 percent regular attendance – up 1 percentage point on the previous year’s term’s 51.7 – but lower attendance in the final week of term brought the rate down to 50.3.

Regular attendance measures the percentage of students who have attended more than 90 percent of the term’s half-days.

Strikes in the final week of term likely played a significant role in this disappointing finish. Even though students are not marked absent on strike days, we saw a clear drop-off in attendance, with the disruption of a mid-week day off prompting many to begin their holidays early,” he said.

“Almost 20,000 students were not regular attendees in Term 3, because they knocked off early. That is unacceptable.”

He also acknowledged, however, the term had the highest rate of sickness-related absence since 2022.

“Students missed 7.2 percent of the term due to medical-related reasons in Term 3 2025. More than any other reason. This was the highest rate of medical-related absence in any term since Term 2 2022, when nationwide attendance was only 39.9 percent.”

A drop-off in attendance is also typical for the final day of the term, as well as most Fridays.

Rates remain below pre-Covid levels, with the 2019 regular attendance rate being 59.5 percent. Attendance dropped in 2022, down to 45.8 percent.

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

Teenager charged, more arrests likely after fire at old Palmerston North pub The Fitz

Source: Radio New Zealand

The scene on the night of 30 October. Supplied/ Mike Dixon

An 18-year-old Palmerston North man has been arrested and charged with arson, following a large fire in the old Fitzherbert bar in central Palmerston North.

Police were called to the blaze on the evening of 30 October.

Huge flames and a large cloud of black smoke could be seen billowing up from the large building at the time.

The blaze in the closed down student pub on Ferguson Street prompted widespread text warnings from Fire and Emergency NZ, warning people in the city to stay indoors and keep windows closed.

Fire broke out at long-closed student pub The Fitz, on Ferguson Street, in Palmerston North, on Thursday 30 October, 2025. Supplied/ Wayne Belk

Detective Senior Sergeant David Thompson said the fire was deemed suspicious after initial inquiries.

The investigation identified a number of people who were in the building that afternoon, and one has been arrested.

He said further action against others involved was likely.

The man is due to appear in the Palmerston North District Court next Tuesday.

The Fitz opened in 1966, and was known for its raucous atmosphere and sticky floors. It has been boarded up since it closed in 2008.

Fire broke out at long-closed student pub The Fitz, on Ferguson Street, in Palmerston North, on Thursday 30 October, 2025. Supplied/ Mike Dixon

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Tide turns in battle against Lake Wānaka weeds

Source: New Zealand Government

A more than two-decade-long campaign to reclaim Lake Wānaka from an invasive aquatic weed has reached a major victory, with 40 kilometres of shoreline now successfully cleared.  

“This milestone marks a real triumph for the beautiful Lake Wānaka ecosystem and for everyone who treasures this iconic place,” Land Information Minister Chris Penk says.  

“For the first time since 2013, Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has been able to shift the lake’s containment line, the invisible boundary separating weed-free and infested waters, marking real progress in a long and determined fight to turn the tide in our favour.  

“Lagarosiphon grows extremely quickly and forms dense, thick mats. Left unchecked it can choke waterways, smother native plants, and ruin how we use and enjoy our lakes. 

“All it takes for a new invasion is a tiny fragment carried by a boat, a fishing line, and lake users moving between different bodies of water. 

“The clearing of lagarosiphon is a testament to the sustained commitment of LINZ, its partner agencies, local groups, and the wider community, who have shown the power of working together to protect our freshwater ecosystems.  

“Innovative control methods, particularly the use of hessian mats, have been vital on the frontlines, acting like underwater shields that suppress lagarosiphon while allowing native vegetation to regroup and reclaim ground.  

“Today’s good news and the shifting of the containment line prove we have won a key battle, but the war against this aquatic invader is not yet over.  

“Ultimately, the goal for LINZ is to keep pushing that containment line further south towards Roys Bay near the Wānaka township, and we will need every ally we can get.  

“I want to acknowledge the lake users who have been diligent in checking, cleaning, and drying their gear and to urge them to keep up the good work. 

“Their ongoing vigilance is crucial to preventing this aquatic enemy from regaining a foothold and to ensuring we maintain the progress we have made.” 

Notes to editor: 

This work is funded by LINZ, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Otago Regional Council (ORC), with support from the Lake Wānaka Aquatic Weed Management Committee. 
The committee includes LINZ, QLDC, ORC, Department of Conservation, Guardians of Lake Wānaka, Kāi Tahu, Wānaka Marina Limited, and Fish and Game Otago Region. It also includes representatives from LINZ’s biosecurity delivery partner Boffa Miskell Limited and Earth Sciences New Zealand, who provide scientific advice. 

First sod turned on Hawke’s Bay Expressway

Source: New Zealand Government

Construction has begun on the State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway – one of the first new Roads of National Significance to reach the main works stage, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. 

“This project is a major milestone for Hawke’s Bay and for our Government’s transport investment programme. It will improve resilience and productivity across the region, and is expected to create hundreds of jobs while under construction,” Mr Bishop says.

“Along with the Waikare Gorge realignment project, the Expressway is part of more than a billion dollars’ worth of road infrastructure being delivered across the Hawke’s Bay region in the coming years.

“The Roads of National Significance programme is about improving connections, improving productivity, and making daily life easier and more efficient. The Hawke’s Bay Expressway is a perfect example – it’s a lifeline route linking people to the regional hospital and airport, and a key part of the national freight corridor connecting central North Island with Napier Port.”

The Hawke’s Bay Expressway corridor includes: 

·     7km of four-laning between Links Road/Pākōwhai Road and Taradale Road

·     a duplicate two-lane overpass at Meeanee Road

·     a duplicate two-lane overpass at Kennedy Road

·     a duplicate two-lane bridge over Tutaekuri River

·     a four-lane grade separated interchange at Links Road/Pākōwhai Road

“Initial construction will focus on the section of road between Taradale Road and Tutaekuri River bridge, with four-laning expected to be completed in 2028,” Mr Bishop says.

“Work on the new Meeanee Road overpass is planned to start in January 2026, and work on the Kennedy Road overpass will follow in April 2026. Construction of the interchange at Links Road/Pākōwhai Road will follow in mid-2026 upon completion of detailed design.

“The Expressway is vital to Hawke’s Bay. It connects people between Napier and Hastings and is crucial for moving freight to and from the airport and the Napier Port.  

“But we also know the Expressway is congested and won’t be able to cope with the future predicted growth of the region. Hawke’s Bay is expected to be home to more than 200,000 people by the year 2048.  

“The start of construction today will unlock the Expressway’s future potential for the region, not only when the project is complete, but also during construction.”

The project is expected to be completed in December 2029.