AM-NC – Page 24 – MIL-OSI Export

March 22, 2026

Shellfish biotoxin warning for Canterbury

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the northern side of Banks Peninsula due to the risk of paralytic shellfish toxins causing illness, says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle.

The warning extends from New Brighton to the northern side of Hickory Bay. As the weather changes, this bloom could spread wider.

“Do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick. Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes) and Cook’s turban.

“It’s important to know that cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.”

A visible bloom at the head of Port Levy has extremely high numbers of paralytic shellfish toxin producing algae.

“We are monitoring this algal bloom in Port Levy and the wider area. This algae, called Alexandrium pacificum, produces a dangerous toxin and when shellfish filter-feed, these toxins can accumulate in their gut and flesh. Generally, the more algae there are in the water, the more toxic the shellfish get.”

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
difficulty swallowing or breathing
dizziness and headache
nausea and vomiting
diarrhoea
paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

“Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

“Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking,” says Mr Arbuckle.

New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.

Anyone who becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued should phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. Please also contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by New Zealand Food Safety to ensure they are safe to eat.

Find out more

Shellfish biotoxin alert webpage

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

See signage in the affected area

Podcast about shellfish contamination

Collecting Shellfish and Keeping Them Safe [PDF, 3.2 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/22/shellfish-biotoxin-warning-for-canterbury/

March 22, 2026

Emborg Emmentaler cheese recalled due to possible presence of Listeria

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Goodfood Group Limited in its recall of a specific batch of Emborg Emmentaler cheese (200g) due to the possible presence of Listeria.

“The concern with this product is that it may contain Listeria, a foodborne bacterium that could make you sick,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“These products should not be eaten. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw it out.”

Emborg Emmentaler 200g with a best before 05.11.26 is affected by this recall.

The affected product was imported from Germany and sold at supermarkets nationwide.

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected product.

Emborg Emmentaler Cheese

“Listeriosis infection can be serious among vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and their unborn babies, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“Listeria differs to other harmful bacteria in that it can grow at refrigerator temperatures, so you have to be very careful about the foods you eat, or provide to others, if you or they are in a vulnerable group. 

“It is particularly dangerous during pregnancy because it can cause miscarriage, premature labour or stillbirth, and infection in the new-born baby.”

Listeriosis infection in healthy adults is unlikely to be severe, at most causing mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms within a few days of eating contaminated food. For those in the vulnerable groups, it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks – or even longer – before symptoms appear.

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.

New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness.

The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been re-exported.

The products under recall were identified through routine testing, and New Zealand Food Safety has not received any reports of associated illness.

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Goodfood Group Limited to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” says Mr Arbuckle.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/22/emborg-emmentaler-cheese-recalled-due-to-possible-presence-of-listeria/

March 22, 2026

Christchurch fish processing factory fined $30,000 for shellfish biosecurity breaches

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A Christchurch-licenced fish receiver and fish processing factory has been fined $30,000 for biosecurity breaches of a shellfish contained zone.

Ikana New Zealand Limited was sentenced on 9 charges under the Biosecurity Act it pleaded guilty to in the Christchurch District Court, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (13 March 2026). The company exports live seafood products, including green lipped mussels.

“Ikana New Zealand Limited arranged the movement of live green lipped mussels from the Upper South Contained Zone, which regulations prohibit them from doing. This was because Ikana did not have a permit to receive this seafood for processing and the company supplying the shellfish also did not have a permit to supply it,” says MPI director of investigations and compliance support, Gary Orr.

“Our investigation found Ikana received 27 consignments of more than 239,000 kg of live green lipped mussels illegally. Ikana’s action was in breach of the Bonamia Ostreae Controlled Area Notice – implemented to prevent the spread of the unwanted organism Bonamia Ostreae,” Mr Orr says.

This controlled area notice has been in place across areas of the South Island since 2015 to prevent the spread of the disease that has seriously affected the flat oyster fishery.

“These green lipped mussel shellfish were for export, and the unlawful movement of this shellfish had potential to cause serious reputational harm to the New Zealand shellfish industry,” says Mr Orr.

In October 2024, a biosecurity inspector discovered the green lipped mussels were being moved illegally by both seafood producers and processors as they did not hold permits.

The aquaculture companies that supplied the shellfish to the Christchurch company are also facing charges under the Biosecurity Act and are still before the court, along with several other associated companies.

“The vast majority of people who work in the commercial fishing industry are responsible and do the right thing by following all rules and regulations. Ikana’s action was negligent and the unlawful shellfish had the potential to cause serious harm to the reputation of our country’s multi-million-dollar export and domestic shellfish industry. When we find evidence of offending – we take action,” Mr Orr says.

We encourage people to report any suspected illegal activity through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 0800 4 POACHER line (0800 476 224).

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/22/christchurch-fish-processing-factory-fined-30000-for-shellfish-biosecurity-breaches/

March 22, 2026

Fatal crash – SH43 / Forgotten World Highway

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died after the single vehicle crash on SH43 / Forgotten World Highway in Stratford this morning.

The crash was reported to Police at 11.30am.

The road remains closed and motorists should continue to avoid the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/fatal-crash-sh43-forgotten-world-highway/

March 22, 2026

One seriously injured after explosion in steam engine train at Glenbrook Vintage Railway

Source: Radio New Zealand

The incident happened at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. File photo. Supplied / Glenbrook Vintage Railway

One person has been seriously injured, after an explosion in the engine compartment of a steam train at Glenbrook Vintage Railway.

Fire and Emergency sent four trucks to the vintage railway station between Glenbrook and Waiuku in southern Auckland just before 4pm.

A spokesperson said, when firefighters arrived, the blaze was contained inside the engine compartment of the locomotive.

St John Ambulance took one person to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.

– more to come

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/one-seriously-injured-after-explosion-in-steam-engine-train-at-glenbrook-vintage-railway/

March 22, 2026

Winston Peters announces proposal to overhaul energy sector in State of the Nation speech

Source: Radio New Zealand

During his state of nation speech, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters addressed his party’s new proposal to split up energy gentailers, the state of the economy, Covid and his party’s aspirations at this year’s election.

He also spent time taking shots at his political rivals, with sections of his speech dedicated to Labour, the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori.

Peters also acknowledged the country was “navigating a chaotic environment” and that New Zealand’s economy “isn’t where it should be”.

Here are some the topics Peters touched on.

Energy sector overhaul

Peters anchored much of his speech on energy, announcing his party would campaign on splitting up the energy gentailers (generators and retailers).

He said the policy would ensure energy gentailers could “no longer control both the power and the price”.

“The big four power companies control almost 90 percent of the electricity generation and then sell it back to themselves,” Peters said.

New Zealand First’s Winston Peters during his state of the nation speech. RNZ/Dan Jones

“It will mean more power stations. More renewable energy. More competition. More resilience.

“It’s time to secure our electricity system for all New Zealanders.”

New Zealand First Minister Shane Jones had already promised the party would look to split up energy gentailers.

New candidate Alfred Ngaro

New Zealand First also announced Alfred Ngaro as a new candidate, who will run for the party at this year’s elections.

Ngaro – speaking before Peters – said NZ First stood for “what is right” and everything he believed.

Alfred Ngaro. RNZ /Dom Thomas

“Right now there is a quiet uncertainty in this country, people are working hard but wondering whether things will get better.

“The best days of New Zealand are not behind us they are ahead of us,” he said.

However several people in the crowd questioned who he was, with Ngaro not introducing himself at the start of his speech.

Fonterra and Air NZ

Peters went on to talk about Fonterra’s proposal to sell Mainland, Anchor and Kapiti.

Fonterra had gone from a “propped-up nationalist company, to a sell-out globalist company”, Peters said.

He also labelled calls for the government to sell its stake in Air New Zealand as “economic neoliberal lunacy”.

“Air New Zealand is our national carrier and a national asset.

“As the majority shareholder, the government should be backing its future rather than dragging it down and hocking it off.”

Covid and Labour failures

Peters said the latest Covid-19 inquiry highlighted failures by the Labour party.

“The report brings questions that need to be answered by Hipkins and Verrall and all those other former ministers,” he said.

“They cannot brush this off… Someone needs to be held accountable.”

Peters claimed Labour wasted billions of dollars and did not “properly advise” the public of the vaccine “risks”, a claim Labour strongly denies.

Speech protests

Protests outside Winston Peters’ State of the Nation speech in Tauranga. RNZ/Dan Jones

Peters hosted the event at the Atrium Conference Centre in the Tauranga suburb of Otūmoetai, where a group of protesters gathered holding Palestinian and Māori flags.

People protesting Shane Jone’s fishing reform were seen holding signs that read: “Shane Jones = Fishy deal” and “Big fishing wins Kiwis lose”.

The New Zealand Herald reported some of the protesters as being Destiny Church members.

Currently, NZ First is trending upward in the polls. In the latest RNZ Reid Research poll, the party sat at 9.8 percent in the party vote, which would result in 12 seats in parliament – four more than what it currently holds.

Peters was third in the preferred prime minister ranking, at 12.6 percent. Labour’s Chris Hipkins was at 21.1 percent, with Christopher Luxon on 19.4 percent.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/winston-peters-announces-proposal-to-overhaul-energy-sector-in-state-of-the-nation-speech/

March 22, 2026

Fatal crash, Leet Street, Invercargill

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Inspector Mike Bowman, Southland Area Commander:

One person has died in a single vehicle crash early this morning.

Shortly before 3am, Police signalled for a vehicle to stop on Kelvin Street, Invercargill.

The driver failed to stop, and the vehicle fled. It was not pursued.

A short time later, the vehicle was discovered crashed at the intersection of Leet and Kelvin Streets.

Sadly, one person was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The road will remain closed as the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene and the circumstances of the crash.

Police will continue to investigate the matter and are asking for the public’s assistance.

The matter will also be referred to the IPCA, as is standard procedure in cases like this.

If you witnessed the crash, or have CCTV in the vicinity of Wellesley Avenue, Avenal Street or Kelvin Street, please get in touch with Police.

You can also make a report online on 105. Click ‘Make a report’.

Please use the reference number 260322/6911.

You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/22/fatal-crash-leet-street-invercargill/

March 22, 2026

Slicing pizza using a digger: How to win the national digger operator title

Source: Radio New Zealand

Steven George of Whangarei won the 2026 edition of the New Zealand National Excavator Operator Competition. Supplied

A Northland contractor has retained his national digger operator crown by successfully slicing a pizza with his excavator.

Whangarei’s Steven George also used the excavator to pour a cup of tea and play a super-sized game of Connect Four.

The three unorthodox challenges proved to be the biggest crowd-pleasers of the 32nd National Excavator Operator Competition held across Friday and Saturday at the Central Districts Field Days event in Feilding.

After winning last year’s competition, the Steven George Contracting owner-operator backed up his previous exploits by overcoming 11 other regional champions.

Supplied

Napier’s Marcus Ingram and Taranaki’s Ryan Prankerd were the biggest challengers, finishing on the podium in second and third place respectively.

Prankerd won the MVP award for his “sterling display of spirit and camaraderie” during the event.

George said it was “bloody good” to win against a number of new competitors this year.

“I came into this weekend not knowing what to expect. There were a bunch of new faces, as well as guys who have done it a few times before,” he said.

Other challenges on the course included slam-dunking basketballs, painting pictures and serving ice cream to the crowd.

Supplied

The digger operating marvel told RNZ the more unconventional tasks were not as difficult as they sounded.

“It wasn’t too bad to be honest. It was a lot easier than you’d think from watching on the sidelines,” he said.

“Those activities are crowd-pleasing ones, they love watching that kind of stuff and watching the machines do that.

“You just take your time, concentrate on what you’re doing and not rush it.”

The more traditional tasks included bulk trenching, digging carefully around underground services, truck loading and health and safety knowledge.

Supplied

Other winners included Rangitikei operator Dean Cave, who won the One-day Job Challenge, which tested competitors’ ability to plan and execute a complex task from start to finish.

Tasman operator Daniel Bruning was awarded the Geoff Duff Memorial Trophy, which recognised the participant who achieved the best scores across the truck-loading challenges.

Civil Contractors New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard said this year’s competition carried extra significance due to the essential work excavator operators had played in disaster-response efforts across the upper North Island in January.

“The competitors at this year’s event represent the very best of an industry that is more important to New Zealand than ever.

“These people are role models, who not only highlight the expertise and professionalism in our industry, but also inspire others to take up the tools and join the pool of talent required to build the infrastructure that will support the future of New Zealand.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/slicing-pizza-using-a-digger-how-to-win-the-national-digger-operator-title/

March 22, 2026

Watch: Seven weeks worth of fuel stocks in NZ – Finance Minister Nicola Willis

Source: Radio New Zealand

The finance minister says New Zealand’s fuel stocks remain at seven weeks worth, including stockpiles.

But Nicola Willis concedes that keeping that buffer was still “dependent on ships like this continuing to turn up”.

Speaking on Sunday afternoon at Channel Infrastructure’s Marsden Point Energy Precinct, Willis said she wanted to provide more information to address peoples’ concerns about delays in that supply.

She said New Zealand had a number of places fuel supplies arrive into the country, but Marsden Point is the largest.

Today’s visit comes amid fears of an energy crisis, with the global price of oil skyrocketing in the wake of the US and Israel’s attack on Iran.

Iran’s response has included threatening ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key channel for the transportation of fuel exports from the Middle East, and strikes on US-friendly neighbours’ energy infrastructure.

Marsden Point is New Zealand’s fuel import terminal, and until 2022 also had an oil refining facility. New Zealand now relies on imported refined fuels, without a facility to refine raw products.

Senior coalition politicians are at odds over whether the facility should have been closed.

Marsden Point. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Willis told Morning Report on Friday price increases were extremely tough and affecting all New Zealanders, but some were feeling it more than others.

“I can’t solve the pain for everyone. The cost of doing that would potentially involve levels of spending that would drive inflation higher, and certainly would put us in a more fragile position in terms of debt.

“So what we are looking at, is there something very targeted and temporary that we could do to assist those workers in particular who are most acutely impacted by these household budget squeezes?”

IRD and Treasury have been asked to come up with a package that could be implemented with urgency ahead of the Budget.

Willis will talk to the media at 2pm – watch it live here.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/watch-seven-weeks-worth-of-fuel-stocks-in-nz-finance-minister-nicola-willis/

March 22, 2026

Fatal crash, Winding Creek Road, Southland

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died in a single-vehicle crash along Winding Creek Road in Southland.

Emergency services were called to the rural road around 12.40am.

One other person sustained moderate injuries and were seen by ambulance services.

The road will remain shut as the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene and the circumstances of the crash.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/fatal-crash-winding-creek-road-southland/

March 22, 2026

Watch: Winston Peters delivers State of the Nation speech

Source: Radio New Zealand

Winston Peters will make his State of the Nation address in Tauranga on Sunday.

It comes off the back of heavy questioning by the New Zealand First leader about the previous government’s decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic, following the release of the second phase of the royal commission of inquiry.

NZ First is trending upward in the polls. In the latest RNZ Reid Research poll it sat at 9.8 percent, enough for 12 seats in Parliament – four more than it currently holds.

Peters was third in the preferred prime minister ranking at 12.6 percent. Labour’s Chris Hipkins was at 21.1 percent, with Christopher Luxon on 19.4 percent.

Last year, Peters faced disruptions from hecklers during his State of the Nation speech to a packed crowd on a range of topics, including the “war on woke”, diversity targets, water fluoridation and the Paris Climate Agreement.

This year, it was expected Peters would address the cost of living and the state of the economy, as well as make an election policy announcement.

Peters’ speech is scheduled to begin at 2pm – watch it live here.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/watch-winston-peters-delivers-state-of-the-nation-speech/

March 22, 2026

Watch: Nicola Willis visits fuel import terminal at Marsden Point

Source: Radio New Zealand

Finance Minister Nicola Willis on Sunday afternoon will be visiting Channel Infrastructure’s Marsden Point Energy Precinct.

The visit comes amid fears of an energy crisis, with the global price of oil skyrocketing in the wake of the US and Israel’s attack on Iran.

Marsden Point is New Zealand’s fuel import terminal, and until 2022 also had an oil refining facility. New Zealand now relies on imported refined fuels, without a facility to refine raw products.

Senior coalition politicians are at odds over whether the facility should have been closed.

Marsden Point. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Willis told Morning Report on Friday price increases were extremely tough and affecting all New Zealanders, but some were feeling it more than others.

IRD and Treasury have been asked to come up with a package that could be implemented with urgency ahead of the Budget.

Willis will talk to the media at 2pm – watch it live here.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/watch-nicola-willis-visits-fuel-import-terminal-at-marsden-point/

March 22, 2026

Multiple crashes block lanes, two dead, others hurt

Source: Radio New Zealand

In Auckland, northbound lanes were blocked on the South-Western Motorway, SH20, at Onehunga, on Sunday morning. Supplied/ NZTA traffic camera

Two people have died and others injured in crashes in Waikato, Auckland and Southland.

Waikato police said on Sunday morning a person died following a single-vehicle crash on Howden Road, to the west of Hamilton city in Temple View. The crash happened about 8:30pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, blocked lanes on Auckland’s Southwestern Motorway at Onehunga were reopened by 9:30am Sunday, after a collision earlier in the morning that had prompted police to direct northbound drivers to take another route.

Two vehicles were involved in the crash on the State Highway 20 motorway, police said.

One person was killed and two others moderately injured.

Crashes in Southland also reported

In Southland, Winding Creek Road was blocked following a single-vehicle crash between midnight Saturday and 1am Sunday.

Police said injuries were reported, and the Serious Crash Unit was advised.

“Motorists should avoid the road as emergency services work the scene or delay travel. The road is expected to be blocked for most of the day,” they said on Sunday

And Invercargill’s Leet Street was closed following a single-vehicle crash about 3am on Sunday.

“The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and the road is expected to remain closed for most of the day while emergency services work at the scene,” police said.

“Diversions are in place, and motorists should account for extra travel time.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/multiple-crashes-block-lanes-two-dead-others-hurt/

March 22, 2026

Mahurangi oyster farmers call for more transparency on Watercare’s compensation calculations

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mahurangi Oysters owner Jim Aitken. Nick Monro

A group of North Auckland oyster farmers are calling for more transparency on how Watercare came to its final calculation on compensation over a sewage spill into the Mahurangi River last year, that contaminated tens of thousands of oysters during the businesses’ peak season.

Wastewater poured into the Mahurangi River for over 17 hours, after a power surge tripped up the pumps at Watercare’s Warkworth Street wastewater plant in late October.

Reviews found that a faulty surge protection component at the plant meant the pumps could not restart, and a critical overflow alarm that was not working had delayed the discovery of the overflow.

Watercare estimated that half of the 1200 cubic metres of overflow went into the Mahurangi River, while the remaining was contained to the plant.

It announced on Thursday its last tranche of compensation payment – $750,000 – for Mahurangi oyster famers and the wider aquaculture industry, which came on top of the $2 million already paid to eight affected oyster farms.

It said part of the $750,000 was for a ninth oyster farmer who made a subsequent claim, and part of it would go towards Aquaculture New Zealand (AQNZ) for it to distribute to all impacted oyster farmers.

AQNZ, representing the affected farmers, said the “full and final settlement” did not cover lost income, cancelled sales, reputational harm and ongoing disruption to production.

An AQNZ spokesperson said the organisation was offered half a million in the final round of compensation, but had not accepted the money yet, as it felt Watercare had not made it clear how that money should be used.

Its CEO Teena Hale-Pennington said in a statement that farmers needed to see how Watercare assessed the losses and reached those final figures.

“At this stage, neither AQNZ nor individual farmers have received the independent assessment findings for their farms, nor information outlining the assumptions used in Watercare’s assessment.

“Without access to this material, farmers are unable to fully understand how assessments were undertaken or how conclusions were reached,” she said.

Meanwhile, Watercare maintained that its processes were robust.

“We commissioned an independent loss assessment to understand the financial impact of the October event on oyster farmers, resulting in the farms being shut down by MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) during a critical part of their harvesting season.

“This process has informed Watercare’s approach to resolving the claims,” said its chief operating officer Mark Bourne, who added that the total compensation covered the losses attributed to the event.

Watercare chief operating officer Mark Bourne. Jessie Chiang

Hale-Pennington said it was frustrating that Watercare’s decision had been described as final, without the agreement of those most affected.

Tim Aitken, whose family business – Mahurangi Oysters – lost a large portion of its 80,000 dozen of oysters following the event, said they had been treated “like muppets” by Watercare.

“They haven’t entered into the conversation in a transparent way, they’ve treated us quite badly, I believe,” he said.

Aitken said he and other oyster farmers have handed Watercare five years’ worth of income and expenditure, in the hope of entering into a transparent negotiation.

Aitken said none of Watercare’s assessors had chatted with him in person about how they came to those compensation figures.

He said the $200,000 he received in compensation was just enough to cover staff wages.

Aitken said the reputational damage and ongoing impacts such as the loss of clients, were not being factored into the compensation.

“We sell weekly to chefs, and we sell fresh oysters, so everytime we get closed we lose a chef, we lose a restaurant because we can’t guarantee supply.

“Our business right now is hanging on, but only just,” he said.

Aitken said these days, they were struggling to sell oysters due to the lost trust by their clients.

“People now talk to us and say ‘we don’t wanna buy your oysters, they’re the ones that are in the shit harbour’.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/mahurangi-oyster-farmers-call-for-more-transparency-on-watercares-compensation-calculations/

March 22, 2026

Fatal crash, South-Western Motorway, Onehunga

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a serious crash on the South-Western Motorway, Onehunga this morning.

Police were called to the two-vehicle crash about 6.15am.

Sadly, one person has died.

Two people have moderate injuries.

The motorway was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination, and has now reopened.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/fatal-crash-south-western-motorway-onehunga/

March 22, 2026

Serious crash, SH 43, Taranaki

Source: New Zealand Police

Ōhura Road on State Highway 43/Forgotten World Highway is blocked following a single-vehicle crash.

Emergency services were notified around 11.30am.

The Serious Crash Unit have been notified.

Motorists are advised that the road will be closed as emergency services attend. Please delay travel.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/serious-crash-sh-43-taranaki/

March 22, 2026

PM Edition: Top 10 Law and Security Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for March 22, 2026: PM – Full Text

PM Edition: Here are the top 10 law and security articles on LiveNews.co.nz for March 22, 2026: PM – Full Text

Multiple crashes block lanes, one dead, several hurt

March 22, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

Traffic was blocked in northbound lanes on the South-Western Motorway, SH20, at Onehunga, on Sunday morning. Supplied/ NZTA traffic camera

One person has died following a crash in Waikato.

The single-vehicle crash was on Howden Road in Temple View around 8.30pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a crash has blocked lanes on Auckland’s Southwestern Motorway at Onehunga, and northbound drivers are being warned to take another route.

Two vehicles were involved in the crash on State Highway 20, police said. One person had serious injuries and two were moderately injured.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the northbound motorway at this time, or delay travel,” they said.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said the Queenstown Road offramp was closed as a result of the crash. Motorists should instead use the Hillsborough offramp.

“Allow extra time for diversions. Please follow the directions of emergency services,” NZTA said.

In Southland, Winding Creek Road in Southland was blocked following a single-vehicle crash between midnight and 1am.

Police said injuries were reported, and the Serious Crash Unit was advised.

“Motorists should avoid the road as emergency services work the scene or delay travel. The road is expected to be blocked for most of the day.”

And Invercargill’s Leet Street was closed following a single-vehicle crash around 3am.

“The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and the road is expected to remain closed for most of the day while emergency services work at the scene,” police said.

“Diversions are in place, and motorists should account for extra travel time.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/22/multiple-crashes-block-lanes-one-dead-several-hurt/