NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

Three solar projects in regional New Zealand will receive loans of up to $28.1 million combined from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to ensure security of local energy supply and community resilience, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Energy Minister Simon Watts say.

“The loans for these projects in Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Rakiura/Stewart Island will allow them to get under way this year, helping them to improve economic prosperity and resilience. They will also create up to 150 jobs during construction,” Mr Jones says.

“These projects support the Coalition Government’s objective of doubling renewable energy generation by 2050 and enabling a more reliable and affordable electricity supply for regional New Zealand,” Mr Watts says.

The three projects are:

• Rakiura/Stewart Island – a suspensory loan of up to $15.35m to Southland District Council to build the first stage of a solar farm, and network upgrades, replacing high-cost, diesel-generated electricity for the island’s 494 permanent electricity connections
• Ongaonga, Hawke’s Bay – a loan of up to $8m to local lines company Centralines Ltd to build a 35ha solar farm to generate 52GW annually and provide about 9000 electricity connections in Central Hawke’s Bay with a local source of generation
• Te Kaha, Bay of Plenty – a loan of up to $4.75m to Te Huata Charitable Trust to build an 804kW-peak solar farm to ensure reliable electricity supply to about 320 homes and businesses.

The Rakiura/Stewart Island project is expected to reduce diesel consumption by 200,000 litres within two years of beginning. During construction, about 40 high-skilled workers will be required.

When complete, more competitive energy costs will help business growth on the island including in aquaculture, tourism and hospitality.

The Ongaonga solar farm will improve electricity network resilience and support more competitive pricing for residents and commercial customers. Power could also be supplied to the national grid at peak generation. About 80-100 roles are expected to be needed during construction.

The Te Kaha project will provide more reliable, competitively priced power for a Māori community that regularly suffers electricity outages. The solar farm battery will have storage capacity for up to 72 hours which will protect the community from power outages. Reliable power will also help the Ōpōtiki region with its bid to be an aquaculture centre of national significance. During construction, up to 12 people will be employed.

“Solar power is playing an increasingly important role in increasing electricity generation in New Zealand. It will help us reach our renewable energy targets and bolster the security and affordability of our energy supply,” Mr Watts says.

“The Government has been making great progress on a series of exciting new solar and battery initiatives recently. I look forward to seeing these three projects make a real difference for these communities.”

Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson travelled to Rakiura for the announcement today. He said the project should lead to considerable savings for residents.

“The Regional infrastructure Fund is contributing to energy security where communities cannot gain investment from other sources, and there are wider benefits for the communities,” Mr Patterson says.

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged to see overseas investment decisions being made twice as fast following his Ministerial directive letter (the letter) to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). 

“Last year I issued a Ministerial directive letter setting out my expectations for faster consent processing timeframes under the Overseas Investment Act (the Act),” Mr Seymour says. 

“The letter set my expectation that LINZ, the regulator for the Act, will process 80 per cent of consent applications in half the statutory timeframes for decisions. 

“The financial year beginning 1 July 2024 is on track to meet my expectations. So far, LINZ has been processing 88 per cent of consent applications in half the statutory timeframe. 

“Since this financial year began, processing times have reduced by 39 per cent faster than the previous financial year. The average timeframe has reduced from 71 working days in the last financial year, to 28 working days this financial year. 

“The improvements to processing times are largely owed to the new risk-based approach LINZ take to verifying information and streamlining consent processes. This recognises that the majority of consent applications are low-risk and should be processed more efficiently.

“1 July 2024 to 19 June 2025 saw 122 applications for overseas investment, decreasing from 146 in the financial year prior (both figures exclude ‘only home to live in’ applications). The decrease is explained by a significant drop in applications for residential land development due to poor property market conditions. I expect these numbers to bounce back with the rise of the property market.

“In order to have a strong growing economy New Zealand needs to be more welcoming to investment. Long waiting times for applications was creating uncertainty and impacting the attractiveness of investing in New Zealand. This affected New Zealand businesses that rely on overseas investment for capital or for liquidity.

“Since delegating most decision-making to LINZ and directing officials to focus on realising the benefits of overseas investment, there has been a significant improvement in processing times.

“Feedback from investors has been overwhelmingly positive, and they have welcomed the changes to make the application process more efficient, while still giving the right level of scrutiny to high-risk transactions.

“LINZ still has the full statutory timeframe to process 20 per cent of consent applications, which will allow them to manage complex and higher-risk applications.

“This week will see the first reading of thee Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill as well.

“The Bill will consolidate and simplify the screening process for less sensitive assets, introducing a modified national interest test that will enable the regulator to triage low-risk transactions, replacing the existing benefit to New Zealand test and investor test. If a national interest risk is identified, the regulator and relevant Minister will have a range of tools to manage this, including through imposing conditions or blocking the transaction. 

The current screening requirements will stay in place for investments in farmland and fishing quota.

“New Zealand has been turning away opportunities for growth for too long. Having one of the most restrictive overseas investment regimes in the OECD means we’ve paid the price in lost opportunities, lower productivity, and stagnant wages. This Bill is about reversing that.   

“For all investments aside from residential land, farmland and fishing quota, decisions must be made in 15 days, unless the application could be contrary to New Zealand’s national interest. In contrast, the current timeframe in the Regulations for the benefit test is 70 days, and the average time taken for decisions to be made is 30 days for this test,” says Mr Seymour.

“International investment is critical to ensuring economic growth. It provides access to capital and technology that grows New Zealand businesses, enhances productivity, and supports high paying jobs.

The Bill can be read here: Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 171-1 (2025), Government Bill Contents – New Zealand Legislation

Source: New Zealand Police

A 33-year-old man has been arrested following an assault near a Sikh Temple in Takanini late yesterday afternoon.

The incident occurred at a sports complex on the grounds at around 5pm.

Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor, of Counties Manukau CIB, says the man presented on site and was taken into custody this afternoon.

“We have charged the man with two counts of assault with a weapon and one count of threats to kill,” he says.

“He will remain in custody overnight and will appear in the Papakura District Court tomorrow.”

Police will be opposing this man’s bail.

Police thank the community for their support in enquiries to-date.

“We reiterate that this incident is not being treated as a hate-motivated crime, and involves two parties known to each other,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.

Police are continuing to carry out reassurance patrols around the temple.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have made two arrests following an aggravated robbery in New Lynn this morning.

At around 8.30am, Police attended a Parker Avenue convenience store.

Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie, Waitematā CIB, says two offenders have entered the store, one armed with a knife.

“The offenders have jumped over the counter and stolen the till before leaving the store and fleeing in a stolen car.

“Fortunately, the shop keeper was uninjured.”

Police located the stolen vehicle a short distance away and the two occupants were taken into custody without incident.

Detective Senior Sergeant Goldie says two young people, aged 14 and 16, will appear in the Waitākere Youth Court, charged with aggravated robbery and unlawful taking a motor vehicle.

Enquires are ongoing to locate the stolen property.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  23 June 2025

DOC Senior Community Ranger James Barnett says the new platform will provide enhanced features at no extra cost to anglers.

“The old system served us well but was based on old technology and was becoming expensive to run and maintain. The new platform offers anglers an improved user experience with a more intuitive interface, increased stability and greater security.

“We’re delighted with the benefits of the new online-only system, particularly for those who purchase more than one licence or want a more convenient way to buy a season licence each year.”

James says the licence platform is catching up with the functionality people expect from online transactions.

“You can choose to set up a profile which shows, at a glance, all the licences you’ve bought, and stores your information to make your next licence purchase easier. A guest function is available for those who prefer not to save their information.”

Taupō Trout Fishery has an international reputation, offering excellent fishing experiences in a stunning volcanic landscape.

It’s also a significant contributor to the regional economy. A survey conducted in 2013 found the Taupō Trout Fishery supported nearly 300 jobs, created at least $29 million in business turnover and added $11 million to the size of the economy.

The new platform is considered customer-friendly, but a user guide is available online and at fishing retailers in the area.

“Although licenses are no longer available from local agents, they’re still great places to buy gear and pick up local knowledge about the fishery,” says James.

All season licences for the 2025/26 Taupō fishing season will be available to purchase online on 24 June 2025. Short-term licences will go on sale when the new season starts on 1 July 2025.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

NZ Police and Customs have disrupted a Wellington-based syndicate dealing a variety of drugs into the community, seizing 23 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than 1000 MDMA pills.

Over the past month a joint NZ Police and New Zealand Customs investigation – Operation Armani – identified a group smuggling significant amounts of drugs into New Zealand over a number of months. The 23 kilos of methamphetamine was intercepted at the border and has a street value of more than $8 million dollars. The MDMA seized has a street value of around $50,000.

Last week the National Organised Crime Group, Customs, district investigators and specialist support groups executed a number of search warrants across the Wellington district.

As a result four men, aged 26 to 30-years-old and residing in the Hutt Valley and Wellington city, are facing a range of serious charges. They include the import and supply of methamphetamine, and possession for supply of cocaine, MDMA and cannabis. Police also located a loaded pistol and ammunition, which has also resulted in charges.  The four men have appeared in the Lower Hutt and Wellington District Courts.

“This investigation demonstrates how the excellent work of frontline Customs officers combined with the collaborative efforts of our Police partners is protecting our communities from the scourge of illicit drugs,” says Acting Customs Investigations Manager Matt Green.

“This is an enormous amount of serious harm being peddled into our communities, with these suppliers giving no conscious thought to the impact on those they are supplying to,” says Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson of NZ Police’s National Organised Crime Group.

“Meth is a highly addictive illicit substance that often leads to addiction and violence. It brings misery to families and relationships.  Keeping New Zealand safe from those deriving profit from this offending is a priority for NZ Police.”

“This investigation is ongoing but we are confident we have made a dent in this syndicate’s supply chain and the charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged offending. Evidence gathered at the scene will allege that this syndicate had been operating for some time, and that Police and Customs’ actions have dismantled their offending and prevented future harm.”
 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is attracting new migrants to bring their capital, experience and skills to New Zealand with a flood of formal interest in the new ‘golden’ visa.

Since only April – less than three months – Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 189 applications for the Active Investor Plus visa, significantly more than the 116 applications received over more than two-and-a-half years under previous settings, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says.

“New applications under the scheme represent a potential $845 million of new investment in New Zealand business.”

“Attracting investment to New Zealand is crucial to the country’s economic growth. It means Kiwi businesses can expand, hire and grow – and that means more opportunities for New Zealanders.

“Investor migrants are clearly attracted to New Zealand’s growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy. In a world where countries compete for dollars and talent, it’s great to see New Zealand’s growth prospects being recognised.”

“New investors don’t just bring their dollars to our shores, they also bring skills, knowledge and experience that will drive future economic development. It’s a win-win.”

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says the interest shows investors hear the call loud and clear: New Zealand is open for business.

“We welcome your capital, your knowledge, and your contribution to New Zealand’s economic growth,” Ms Stanford says.

“We’re seeing strong momentum from global investors, particularly across Asia and North America. This reflects our growing reputation as a stable, forward-looking destination for investment and innovation.

“These are smart, flexible and nuanced immigration solutions to help stimulate economic growth.”

On April 1 the Government changed the Active Investor Plus visa to a simple two-pronged system: the Growth category and the Balanced category.

Other changes included expanding the scope of acceptable investments and removing potential barriers to investment, such as the English language requirement.

As at 23 June, 100 applications had been approved in principle, and of those, seven had transferred and invested their funds in New Zealand and had been granted a resident visa. Five of those were invested in the Growth category and two under the Balanced category, totalling a total minimum investment of $45 million.

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are issuing a clarification regarding an assault in Takanini yesterday.

While the incident took place on the grounds itself, it occurred at a sports complex located next to the Takanini Sikh Temple, not in the temple itself.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police