NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are invited to attend the graduation ceremonies of recruit wings 389 in Wellington and 390 in Auckland this week.

The ceremonies mark the recruits’ completion of their initial training course and attestation as Police Officers.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Associate Minister of Police Hon Casey Costello will attend both ceremonies, alongside the respective wing patrons.

Graduation of the New Zealand Police Cameron Leslie 389 Recruit Wing will take place at Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua at 10am tomorrow, Thursday 13 November.

Graduation of the New Zealand Police Sir John Key 390 Recruit Wing will be held at the Barfoot and Thompson Stadium in Auckland at 11am on Friday 14 November.

Details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation.

Media are requested to confirm their attendance at either ceremony by emailing the Police Media Centre: media@police.govt.nz

389 Wing Patron:

Cameron Leslie MNZM is a Kiwi Paralympian and Wheel Black from Whangārei.

He has broken world records and won gold medals at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games.

He debuted for New Zealand in 2006, and after having spent most of his career as a medley swimmer he switched to becoming a sprinter before the recent Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. At those Games, Cameron’s best finishes were two 4th placings where

he missed the podium by 0.13 and 0.24 of a second.

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. Recently he competed in Adelaide for the Wheel Blacks against teams from all over the world.

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.

390 Wing Patron:

The Right Honourable Sir John Key was the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to December 2016, successfully leading the National Party to three election victories before retiring from politics at the end of 2016.

He led the country through the aftermath of the global financial crisis and a series of devastating earthquakes in Christchurch.

Sir John entered politics after a successful career in investment banking including nearly a decade in New Zealand, primarily with Bankers Trust, and a decade offshore with investment bank Merrill Lynch in London, Singapore and Sydney.

Sir John is married to Bronagh and has two adult children, Stephie and Max. He loves to cook, watch rugby, travel and play golf. He also has his helicopter pilot licence.

In 2017 he was made a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, which brings with it the title of Sir John.

He was also recognised by the Australian Government and has been appointed an Honorary Companion in the Order of Australia.

The University of Canterbury awarded Sir John an Honorary Doctorate in Commerce in 2017. He graduated from the university in 1983 with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accountancy.

Sir John keeps busy by contributing to several boards, he chairs the Board of Oritain Global (NZ) and the Advisory Board for Bolt Group (Australia), and he is an advisor to a range of organisations. He also engages in public speaking events throughout New Zealand, Australia and the world.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

The intersection of State Highway 25 and Moewai Road in Whitianga is completely blocked following a serious crash.

Police were called to the incident just after 10am. Two people are reported to be injured, one with serious injuries, and another with minor injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit have been notified.

All traffic are advised to avoid the area or delay travel as there are no diversions in place. Those that require urgent travel in and out of Whitianga must take significantly longer reroutes towards Coromandel or Thames. 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour, and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac’s decision to fund access to five treatments, including for breast and lung cancer, from 1 December 2025.

Pharmac has made decisions to: 

• Fund new, more convenient options for medicines already funded as IV (into a vein) infusions:
• Subcutaneous ocrelizumab (Ocrevus SC) for multiple sclerosis
• Subcutaneous pertuzumab with trastuzumab (Phesgo) for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer
  • Fund two new medicines:
• Faricimab (Vabysmo) for diabetic macular oedema and wet age-related macular degeneration (eye conditions)
• Entrectinib (Rozlytrek) for ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer
  • Fund ongoing access to:
• Bevacizumab (Avastin) for people with eye conditions 

“Today’s decisions show the culture we are building at Pharmac. Pharmac listened to what patients want. They funded medicines to make patients’ lives easier, and reduce strain on the health system,” Mr Seymour says. 

“Subcutaneous pertuzumab with trastuzumab (Phesgo) will be the first cancer medicine available in private clinics. When Pharmac fund a new cancer treatment, people already paying for that treatment privately are forced to make a very difficult choice: spend their savings to continue private treatment undisrupted, or transfer to a public hospital. Patients told Pharmac the latter was hugely disruptive and caused significant stress during an immensely difficult period. 

“The new subcutaneous injections are much quicker to administer than current IV treatments. They are expected to save an estimated 7,500 hospital infusion hours in year one, 12,800 by year five, and realise expected health system savings of $11 million over five years. This frees up money and health professionals to deliver other treatments. This is exactly what I expect Pharmac to consider.

“People told Pharmac that they wanted funded access for more people and the ability to administer these medicines in more settings. Pharmac heard that loud and clear. Pharmac removed the Health New Zealand hospital-only restriction for faricimab (Vabysmo) to give people better access. This is another great example of Pharmac listening to consumers. I expect to see more of this.” 

Mr Brown says delivering better and faster access to cancer care in New Zealand has been a focus of this Government, which is why it is one of our five key health targets.

“As Minister of Health, I am focused on improving cancer management through our faster cancer treatment target, strengthening early detection through screening programmes, and ensuring Kiwis have better access to cancer medicines,” Mr Brown says.

“One of the key reasons New Zealanders elected this Government was because they trusted us to fund more cancer medicines. That’s why we delivered a $604 million uplift for Pharmac to deliver more lifesaving and life-extending treatments.

“Pharmac’s announcement today is another important step for Kiwis with cancer and their families. More people will now be able to access the treatments they need, when they need them, helping them get the right care without delay and giving families greater peace of mind during an incredibly challenging time.”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

A word from Sirocco.

Skraaaaark! Kia ora, friends! Sirocco here, your favourite feathered conservation ambassador, and occasional internet sensation. I’m popping in (virtually, of course) to talk about something close to my heart: the kākāpō adoption programme.

Now, before you get too excited – no, I’m not up for adoption. I’m flattered, truly. But the great news is nine birds are including some of my fav friends, plus my granny and grandad! Symbolic adoptions are one of the coolest ways you can help my species thrive. 

What’s this adoption thing all about? 

When you symbolically ‘adopt’ a kākāpō, you’re not just getting a certificate or a cute soft toy version of one of us (though, we are very cuddly). You’re helping fund the incredible mahi of the Kākāpō Recovery team – the tireless humans who monitor us, protect our habitats, and ultimately help us thrive. 

There are three levels of support, and you can choose an email adoption (eco-friendly and available all year, with just a digital certificate of acknowledgement) or a postal adoption (which includes goodies like a plush toy, certificate, sticker, and bookmark – but these ones are only available until 25 November, so be quick!). 

Who can you adopt? 

I’m not on the list (I know, tragic), but let me introduce you to some of my fabulous friends and whānau up for adoption this year: 

Bluster-Murphy – attack survivor 

My mate Bluster-Murphy has two missing toes, is known for stealing food, and may become a first-time father this breeding season.  

Jem – feisty survivor 

Jem survived a soggy egg incident in her early days. She’s now a great mum and foster mum, known to lay the first ever recorded clutch of five eggs. She is also great at hiding from the rangers. 

Marama – little lady 

The smallest and most delicate female in the population. Wee Marama is a calm and caring foster mum who had three chicks of her own in 2019. 

Waikawa – special starter

The first chick to hatch from a fully artificially incubated egg, the youngest female to successfully breed and a 100% fertility record – Waikawa is making it look easy. 

Nora – marvellous matriarch 

The longest-known kākāpō alive, and my remarkable grandma – Nora! Granny was the first nesting female found on Rakiura. She has many descendants though I’m sure I’m her favourite. She once incubated a kumara, let’s not get into that – all you need to know is that my granny is a living legend.

Rangi – artful dodger 

Boy, does grandad Rangi have some stories to tell. He disappeared for 21 years before being rediscovered booming without a transmitter. Grandad is elusive, alert, and hard to catch but he also has more descendants than any other male. A true legend of the undergrowth. 

Kuia – genetic genius 

The only daughter of the last Fiordland kākāpō Richard Henry. Precious Kuia carries rare genes and is known for eating the most food of all the mums during breeding seasons.  

Rahotu – future promise 

Grandson of Richard Henry and fathered by Sinbad with the help of artificial insemination – some birds just hatch special. Rahotu overcame infection as a little one and has grown into a handsome bird with his father’s bright green plumage.  

Sinbad – Fiordland father 

Sinbad had a dramatic start, needing an oxygen mask on a flight as a chick. Now days, his efforts to pass on his precious Fiordland genes by artificial insemination make him a true conservation success story. 

How to adopt 

Boom boom boom! It’s kākāpō adoption time and it’s super easy. Choose your favourite bird from their online profiles, follow the prompts, and boom – you’re part of our conservation story. You will also receive an exclusive email update on your adopted bird later next year. 

Whether it’s a gift for someone special or a treat for yourself, your support helps keep our species alive and thriving.  

PS. Remember if you want the postage pack with the soft toy, order before 25 November. 

Ngā mihi nui, 
Sirocco

Source: PHARMAC