Category: Asia Pacific

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Growing the frontline workforce in Wairoa

Source: New Zealand Government

A Rural Training Hub to grow the frontline rural health workforce will be established in the Wairoa District, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey announced today.

“This second Rural Training Hub shows the Government’s commitment to fixing the basics and building the future for the one in five New Zealanders who live in rural communities. Kiwis should have access to timely, quality care, wherever they live,” Mr Doocey says.

“Rural Training Hubs are designed to deliver exactly that. They aim to attract and retain frontline health workers in rural communities by coordinating clinical placements, training pathways, and pastoral support. This will make it easier for doctors, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals to live, work, and train locally.

“To bring healthcare closer to home, we also need to bring health worker education closer to home,” Mr Doocey says.

The Wairoa District Hub is the second of four hubs being rolled out nationally, following the first in South Taranaki. It will be co-designed with local communities, iwi, and health providers.

“One of the ways we can lift barriers to getting frontline workers settled in our rural communities is ensuring people feel connected to where they live. These coordinators will help people settle into life in Wairoa, whether that’s finding housing or helping find employment.”

Each hub will have a dedicated programme lead responsible for facilitating connections between local health services, universities, and training providers so students and staff can learn and work in the community.

The Hubs build on the work already underway to grow the rural health workforce. This includes the new medical school at the University of Waikato and the Rural Medical Immersion Programme, which places fifth-year medical students at local rural GP practices.

“These Hubs help ensure rural New Zealanders have access to timely, quality, and reliable care close to home.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/growing-the-frontline-workforce-in-wairoa/

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Greenpeace – Luxon’s climate policies leave Kiwis hurting as petrol hits $3 a litre

Source: Greenpeace

As petrol prices climb to around $3 a litre, Greenpeace is pointing to a series of Government decisions that have left Kiwis hit harder by the oil price spike.
“The Luxon Government has spent the last two years dismantling policies that were helping wean New Zealanders off expensive imported oil,” says Gen Toop, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Aotearoa.
“Instead of helping households escape volatile and expensive petrol prices, they have crashed the EV market, slashed public transport funding and are spending billions on new roads.
“These decisions are making the climate crisis, and the cost of living crisis worse.”
Greenpeace points to a number of decisions that it says have increased New Zealand’s dependence on imported fossil fuels including:
“This Government is effectively turning New Zealand into a dumping ground for the world’s dirtiest, most oil-hungry cars while other countries rapidly switch to EVs,” Toop says.
“At the same time they are slashing public and active transport options which forces more people into cars leaving them facing more pain at the pump when petrol prices spike.
“This latest plan to build a multi-billion dollar LNG import terminal is ludicrous. Importing and burning another volatile fossil fuel is the last thing our climate, and power bills need. Especially when we have all the wind, sun and renewable energy potential we need right here at home.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/greenpeace-luxons-climate-policies-leave-kiwis-hurting-as-petrol-hits-3-a-litre/

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Man arrested over Whangārei firearms incident

Source: New Zealand Police

A man will face court today following a firearms incident at a Morningside property last week.

Whangārei CIB have been investigating the isolated incident which allegedly occurred on 3 March.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says the following day, it was reported to Police a firearm had been allegedly discharged at the property.

“Enquiries were carried out, which resulted in the search of a motor vehicle and the recovery of the firearm used,” he says.

“Police also established a woman presented at hospital with a serious injury to her foot, which required surgery.”

Over the past week, enquiries have been ongoing to locate the alleged offender.

Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says Police checked a Raumanga address on Wednesday afternoon.

“Our staff were supported by the Offender Prevention Team (OPT) and located a person of interest.”

The 30-year-old man was arrested and has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm and driving while disqualified.

He will appear in the Whangārei District Court today.

“It’s a great outcome for the community that the man is now in custody and the firearm is also out of circulation,” Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

A second man, aged 35, is also before the Whangārei District Court after allegedly being found in possession of a firearm and being an accessory after the fact.

The man was arrested on Thursday as part of enquiries into the original incident in Morningside.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/man-arrested-over-whangarei-firearms-incident/

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Retirement Com – New guides give schools clear pathway for implementing financial education

Source: Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission

 

Schools and financial education providers now have access to new Financial Education Implementation Guides, giving them practical support to plan and deliver high-quality financial education as it becomes compulsory in the curriculum. 

 

With 70% of New Zealanders agreeing school is a good place for young people to learn about money, the two guides, developed by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission in partnership with the Ministry of Education and financial education providers, provide a clear roadmap for what to teach, when to teach it, and how learning builds from Years 0 to 13.

 

Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson says the guides remove complexity and provide practical support for schools as financial education is mandated. “The Government’s decision to make financial education compulsory is an excellent step forward to increase New Zealanders’ financial capability.” 

 

“For financial education providers and funders, both current and potential future ones, these guides offer something they’ve long asked for, a shared framework, clear curriculum expectations, and visibility for programmes that meet the standard. These guides bring everyone onto the same page.”  

 

The release of the guides follows last year’s announcement that financial education will become compulsory within the national curriculum, including through the social sciences learning area, which is currently out for consultation. Financial mathematics is also explicitly included in the updated Mathematics & Statistics learning area. The guides provide practical support for schools as financial education becomes an increasingly important part of the curriculum.

 

“Every young person in New Zealand deserves to leave school with the skills and confidence to manage their money. These guides are about clarity and confidence. They show schools what good financial education looks like, how learning builds over time, how to work effectively with external providers, and how to plan programmes that are age appropriate and curriculum aligned,” Deputy Secretary for Te Poutāhū at the Ministry of Education, Pauline Cleaver says. 

 

The Retirement Commission has also released new maths resources as part of its Sorted in Schools programme, that apply the guides’ best practice principles and align with the Mathematics & Statistics curriculum, showing how financial education can strengthen learning across subjects.

 

The Financial Education Implementation Guides are available at: Financial Education Implementation Guides

 

Notes

Current providers who are part of the financial education providers’ advisory group include ASB, Banqer (supported by Kiwibank), BNZ, Life Education Trust, Money Time, SaVy, Westpac, and Young Enterprise Trust. Assistance will also be offered by the financial advice community. There will be opportunities for new providers as gaps are identified. Schools can choose which provider or providers they want to work with. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/retirement-com-new-guides-give-schools-clear-pathway-for-implementing-financial-education/

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Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation board chair reappointed

Source: New Zealand Government

John Williamson has been reappointed as Chair of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Board, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

The Board manages the investment of government contributions to the NZ Super Fund and administers the Elevate NZ Venture Capital Fund.

John Williamson’s reappointment – for a further two years from October 1 this year – reflects his strong board leadership, Nicola Willis says.

“It also maintains stability and continuity during the pre-election period and beyond, particularly as five of the seven board members are in their first term.

“Mr Williamson brings extensive experience in senior leadership, private equity, and governance, including eight years as managing director of former NZX-listed Hellaby Holdings Ltd. He has held diverse governance roles and legal expertise in competition and Māori resource law.

“This reappointment underscores the Government’s commitment to ensuring the Guardians continue to deliver robust investment performance and fulfil their mandate to grow New Zealand’s sovereign wealth funds for future generations.”

Mr Williamson has been a board member since 2016, and Chair since March 2024.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/guardians-of-new-zealand-superannuation-board-chair-reappointed/

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Economy – RBNZ working with industry to improve access to basic transaction services

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

12 March 2026 – Last year the Council of Financial Regulators (CoFR) consulted the public on whether New Zealanders should have the right to access a basic transaction account if they want one.

50 submissions were received and 22 community groups, financial institutions, fintechs, and support services were directly engaged, with 98% of submitters stating that action is needed to improve access to transaction accounts.

Acting Assistant Governor Financial Stability, Angus McGregor, says that the consultation clearly highlighted the challenges some groups face in accessing the basic banking services necessary to meet their everyday financial needs.

“This consultation process has allowed us to gather a wide range of perspectives, take on board industry feedback, and find pragmatic solutions.” Mr McGregor says.

“We received constructive input from the banking sector, and a willingness to work with us to solve this issue through a collaborative approach.”

The RBNZ is developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support this approach to addressing financial exclusion.

Under the MoU, participating financial entities will commit to provide access to all New Zealand consumers unless they have a compelling reason for declining to provide a basic transaction product. Public sector agencies will commit to clarifying regulatory requirements, co-ordinating efforts, and highlighting best practices that can be adopted to support financial inclusion.

The MoU will provide flexibility for participating entities to develop their own solutions to promote inclusion, while ensuring progress can be monitored through regular reporting.
This work aims to bring financial inclusion in New Zealand in line with other developed countries such as Canada, the UK, France, Denmark and Sweden.

The RBNZ will be leading co-ordination of the MoU, with support from the Financial Markets Authority, the Banking Ombudsmen, the Retirement Commission, the Department of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and the Department of Corrections.

“This work directly supports our statutory purpose of enabling economic wellbeing and prosperity for all New Zealanders, and aligns with recommendations in the Commerce Commission’s Market Study into Personal Banking Services.” Mr McGregor says.

It is anticipated that the MoU will come into effect later this year.

More information:

Read the CoFR Consultation Summary on Access to Basic Transaction Accounts: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=1545100f1e&e=f3c68946f8

Background information:

Issues Paper on Access to Basic Transaction Accounts – This Issues Paper builds on Recommendation 14 from the Commerce Commission Market Study into personal banking services, for the banking industry to collaborate to make basic transaction accounts widely available found here: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=86d03f3ba9&e=f3c68946f8
Financial Inclusion Indicators Base Set Report: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=1f879f66b8&e=f3c68946f8
First Steps to Financial Inclusion Report: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=d70d87a7b2&e=f3c68946f8
CoFR – CoFR represents five agencies: The Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the Financial Markets Authority, the Commerce Commission, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and the Treasury. Financial Inclusion is one of five priorities for CoFR. The CoFR Financial Inclusion Community also included Te Ara Ahunga Ora The Retirement Commission and the Ministry for Social Development as observer agencies. More information on CoFR’s financial inclusion work can be found here: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=2fa26e3350&e=f3c68946f8

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/economy-rbnz-working-with-industry-to-improve-access-to-basic-transaction-services/

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PM to visit Samoa and Tonga

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will depart for Samoa and Tonga on Sunday, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to two of the closest members of our Pacific family.

“Both countries are integral to who we are as a nation. With more than 300,000 Samoan and Tongan New Zealanders, the family connection is woven into the fabric of our society,” Mr Luxon says.

The visit marks New Zealand’s first comprehensive engagement with the new governments in both countries, with the Prime Minister looking forward to his meetings with the new leaders and their Cabinets in each capital.

“Through our longstanding ties, we have built enormous trust between our nations. I’m looking forward to hearing my new colleagues’ points of view, and then agreeing how we can work together to build communities that are more prosperous and safer from threats like drugs.”

The visit also represents an opportunity to celebrate the vibrancy of the connections between our countries, whether that’s sport, music or business. The Prime Minister will be joined by senior business leaders and community members, led by Savae Sir Michael Jones and Rachel Afeaki.

The Prime Minister will also be joined by Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti, Police Minister Mark Mitchell (in Samoa), Tim van de Molen MP, Jenny Salesa MP and Teanau Tuiono MP.  

The delegation departs Auckland on Sunday 15 March and returns on Wednesday 18 March.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/pm-to-visit-samoa-and-tonga/

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Police presence in Rotorua and Ōpōtiki for gang tangi

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Inspector Nicky Cooney, Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander:

Police will have a visible presence across Rotorua tomorrow and Saturday as a gang tangi travels from Rotorua to Ōpōtiki.

A large number of gang members and associates are expected to be in town for the tangi from many parts of the country.

Police will have additional resources available to provide support to staff and to provide a respectful and safe space for whānau and friends to grieve peacefully.

Police have conveyed our lawful expectations to local gang leaders, including around the wearing or displaying of gang insignia in a public place, which Police will act upon.

Our focus is on the safety of everyone. We will not tolerate behaviour that aims to threaten or intimidate, and officers will be working to reduce disruption to the public.

Police will have additional patrols in place Friday and Saturday, and will follow up on reports of illegal activity.

We urge anyone who is witnessing illegal behaviour to call 111 immediately. Other reports can be made via 105.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/police-presence-in-rotorua-and-opotiki-for-gang-tangi/

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Pharmac widening access to a treatment for people with a rare blood cancer

Source: PHARMAC

People in New Zealand living with a type of blood cancer, systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL), will benefit from wider access to the medicine brentuximab vedotin, from 1 April 2026.

This change comes after Pharmac consulted on a proposal for brentuximab vedotin to be used as a first-line treatment option in people newly diagnosed with sALCL.

“This will mean people could receive brentuximab vedotin as a first treatment option, instead of waiting until other options have been tried,” says Pharmac’s Manager of Pharmaceutical Funding, Claire Pouwels. “Around 12 people are expected to benefit in the first year, with around 60 people benefitting over the next 5 years.”

Brentuximab vedotin is currently funded only for people whose lymphoma has returned or has not responded to earlier treatment. Using brentuximab vedotin earlier is expected to support better outcomes for people with sALCL, who often face poor survival rates and significant health needs.

“Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rare form of cancer that is often diagnosed in people under 55,” says Pouwels. “Making this treatment available earlier has the potential to improve both survival and quality of life.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/pharmac-widening-access-to-a-treatment-for-people-with-a-rare-blood-cancer/

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Further improvements to Pacific visitor visa settings

Source: New Zealand Government

Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford have announced further changes to visitor visa settings for Pacific people, making it more affordable for Pacific visitors to travel to New Zealand. 

“From 1 June this year, the total cost of applying for a visitor visa for Pacific nationals will drop from $216 to $161, for a 12-month period, as part of New Zealand’s ongoing work to deepen Pacific connections,” Mr Peters says.

“This is a practical update to visitor visa settings that reduces cost, supports easier travel and helps strengthen the relationships that matter most.”

“These updates build on earlier improvements, such as longer visa durations – from one year to two years with multiple entries – along with reduced processing times, new escalation processes to support urgent travel, and the current visa‑free trial for Pacific travellers coming from Australia,” Ms Stanford says.

“Together, these changes make it easier and cheaper for Pacific visitors to come to New Zealand, while ensuring the system remains clear, predictable and secure.  The Government will review the impacts in a year’s time, before deciding what happens next.”

Further details on eligibility and timing will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit Immigration New Zealand’s website:  www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/visitor-visa-fees-temporarily-reduced-for-pacific-nationals/ 

Media contacts: 

Mr Peters: John Tulloch +64 21 868 943

Ms Stanford: Michael van der Kwast +64 21 875 347

Notes to editor:

This change applies to people visiting from American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
As part of the Realm of New Zealand, people from the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau do not need visas to travel to New Zealand. Neither do citizens and permanent residents from Australia, given the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.
People from New Caledonia and French Polynesia are French citizens and already eligible for visa-free travel. While people from Pitcairn Islands may be eligible for the reduced fee, as British citizens they are also already eligible for visa-free travel.
Visitor visas for Pacific Islands Forum nationals moved to a 24‑month multi‑entry default from 6 July 2025.
A 12‑month trial, from 3 November 2025, allows Pacific passport holders travelling from Australia on a valid Australian visa to enter New Zealand visa‑free with an NZeTA for visits of up to three months.

These changes follow two earlier updates announced in April 2025:

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/further-improvements-to-pacific-visitor-visa-settings/

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Moa Point Crown Review Team appointed

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has appointed the Crown Review Team which will give Wellingtonians clarity about what went wrong at Moa Point wastewater treatment plant, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.

Former Watercare chief executive and current chair of the Water Services Authority Raveen Jaduram will lead the team. He will be joined by experienced lawyers Helen Atkins and Michael Weatherall, and senior infrastructure engineer Garry Macdonald.

“Wellingtonians deserve clear answers about what led to the catastrophic failure at Moa Point and the assurance that it will not happen again,” Mr Watts says.

“The review team’s work will provide that certainty by investigating what led to the failure and what must change to prevent it from happening again.

“It has been appointed to both Wellington City Council and to Wellington Water Ltd in a parallel process to ensure we have a comprehensive and coordinated investigation. While they are required to operate under two terms of references, they will function as a unified team to avoid duplication and deliver clear answers about what happened.”

The Crown Review Team’s term runs until 31 August 2026, and it will produce a final report before then.

“We expect to receive an interim report before Wellington’s water assets – including the Moa Point plant – are due to transfer to the new council water organisation Tiaki Wai Limited on 1 July,” Mr Watts says.

Following consideration of the final report, Mr Watts will report back to Cabinet on any recommendations from the investigations. 

“I am mindful that the Review Team’s work is likely to coincide with the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) own investigation as the environmental regulator under the Resource Management Act,” Mr Watts says.

“It is my expectation that the Crown Review Team’s activity will not constrain the local authority’s regulatory activity.  

“My intention is to publicly release the findings as soon as possible while managing any risk of prejudicing the investigation or any enforcement action by Greater Wellington Regional Council or any commercial or legal action or claims.”

Links to the Terms of Reference:

Wellington City Council Terms of Reference: https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2026-go1237  
Wellington Water Terms of Reference: https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2026-go1238/  

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/moa-point-crown-review-team-appointed/

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Proposed spawning area closure to orange roughy fishing in the East and South Chatham Rise (ORH 3B) from 1 June 2026

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

Fisheries New Zealand is consulting on options for closures to commercial fishing for orange roughy in the spawning areas of the East and South Chatham Rise part of ORH 3B under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996.

We welcome your feedback on the proposed options and any alternatives. Your feedback will be incorporated into our final advice to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries and will help to inform their decisions on any changes.  

This consultation opened on 11 March and we are accepting submissions until 5pm on 10 April 2026. 

Consultation document

Review of proposed spawning area closure to orange roughy fishing in East and South Chatham Rise (ORH 3B) from 1 June 2026 [PDF, 1.7 MB]

Related information

This review follows engagement in 2025 on setting the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC), and non-regulated sub-area catch limits for ORH 3B for the 2025–26 fishing year. 

Review of sustainability measures for orange roughy (ORH 3B) and blue mackerel (EMA 1) – 2025 October round

Background to the proposed changes

The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries agreed to decrease the ORH 3B TACC from 4,752 to 2,321 tonnes for the 2025–26 fishing year. As part of of this, the non-regulatory sub-area catch limit for the East and South Chatham Rise was reduced to 324 tonnes to allow the stock to rebuild.

To support the rebuild, the minister agreed that the reduced TACC would be supported by the closure of orange roughy spawning areas. This is based on recent research that indicates fishing activity may disrupt spawning aggregations and influence spawning success. 

Making your submission

Email your feedback by 5pm on 10 April 2026 to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:

Orange roughy spawning area closure submission 
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include

Make sure you tell us in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document
  • your name and title 
  • your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
  • your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email). 

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/proposed-spawning-area-closure-to-orange-roughy-fishing-in-the-east-and-south-chatham-rise-orh-3b-from-1-june-2026/

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Proposed temporary pāua closure at Tauroa Peninsula, Northland

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

The Roma Marae, Ahipara Marae, hapū, and community members have requested a 2-year pāua closure of this area under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

Consultation opened on 10 March and submissions close at 5pm on Friday 24 April 2026. 

The proposed closure area

The proposed closure area starts near Te Huahua/Iron Gate on Tauroa Peninsula, west of Ahipara, and follows the coastline to near the Hunahuna Stream. It extends from the mean high-water mark to about 2 km offshore and covers approximately 32.4 square kilometres.

The proposed area excludes approximately 1.8 square kilometres of fishery waters at the sandy beach near Hukatere Stream.

Request for closure 

Application letter [PDF, 1.7 MB]

Proposed Te Tauroa pāua closure map [PDF, 449 KB]

Related document 

Pāua working roopu 2025 report [PDF, 353 KB]

Making your submission 

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 24 April 2026. 

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz 

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Spatial Allocations
Fisheries New Zealand 
PO Box 2526 
Wellington 6140. 

Public notice 

A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the Northland Age and Northern Advocate on 10 March 2026. 

Related information

Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition will recognise and provide for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.

Find out more about temporary closures

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/proposed-temporary-paua-closure-at-tauroa-peninsula-northland/

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Consultation on Organics Standard Notice – Tranche 3

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

This is the third and final consultation in this round

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has begun work to develop notice content to supplement both the Organic Products and Production Regulations, and the Organic Standards Regulations.  

We are consulting about the content of the organic supplementary notices in 3 stages (tranches). The first 2 consultations have closed.

  • Tranche 1: technical content to supplement the Organic Standards Regulations.
  • Tranche 2: requirements for recognised entities, including recognition, accreditation, verification, quality management systems, competencies and record keeping, to supplement both sets of regulations.  
  • Tranche 3 (this consultation): requirements for organic management plans and requirements for application for export certification.

Previous consultations

Tranche 1

Tranche 2

Future consultations

The following notices are expected to be consulted on in the coming months:

  • inputs and trade-name products
  • organic management plans
  • export requirements.

Have your say 

We are seeking your input on the proposed notice for technical information for operators and recognised entities. 

The Tranche 3 notice sets out the notice content for procedures that are required in the Organic Management Plan. These requirements are in addition to the regulations, which also cover procedures to be set in the Organic Management Plan. Subclause 10 in Schedule 3 of the Organic Products and Production Regulations states what processes and procedures are expected, so in the Tranche 3 Notice are specific procedures which aren’t already covered in the regulations. 

Note: MPI is developing an Organic Management Plan template which can be adopted by operators. This will be consulted on later in the year (2026) to prepare operators for transitioning into the Organic Products and Production (OPP) Act system. This template will cover all of the detail that needs to be included in an Organic Management Plan. 

Topics covered in this third tranche of notice content include: 

​​Organic Management Plan requirements​:

  • key tasks [OPP Sched 3 cl 3(b)]
  • defining boundaries and layouts [OPP Sched 3 cl 5]
  • details of operator activities: producers and processors [OPP Sched 3 cl 4]
  • details of operator activities: service providers [OPP Sched 3 cl 4]
  • general procedures [OPP Sched 3 cls 10 and 11]
  • ingredients of processed products [OS Reg 143]
  • assessment of imported products [OPP 121 and 122]
  • corrective actions when breach of relevant export requirements [OPP Sched 3 cl 10(2)(b) and (c)].

Export: application requirements:

  • official assurance application [OPP 124]
  • statement of compliance application [OPP 125].

Consultation document

Draft Standard Notice – Tranche 3 [PDF, 365 KB]

Making your submission 

We welcome submissions on the proposals contained in the consultation document. Your feedback helps to ensure that the requirements set out in this third tranche of notice content are accurate and reflective of how organic operations operate. MPI will consider all feedback provided and review how your feedback can be integrated into the final notice.

Submissions sent by email or post will be accepted until 5pm on 31 March 2026. 

Email ​organicsconsultation@mpi.govt.nz​ 

Or post to:      

New Zealand Food Safety
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Make sure you also include in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document 
  • your name and title  
  • your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it) 
  • your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/consultation-on-organics-standard-notice-tranche-3/

Posted on

Proposed temporary fisheries closure at Moeraki, Otago

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

Te Rūnanga o Moeraki has requested a temporary closure of fisheries waters near Moeraki, Otago. The requested closure would prohibit the taking of all shellfish, including crustaceans, for 2 years, under section 186B of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The request is intended to temporarily stop fishing pressure on the shellfish fisheries, and in particular on tuaki (cockles), to give populations an opportunity to rebuild. 

Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions from anyone who has an interest in the fish stock concerned or in the effects of fishing in the area concerned.

This consultation opened on 4 March and we are accepting submissions until 5pm on 20 April 2026.

Request for the closure from Te Rūnanga o Moeraki

Covering letter [PDF, 427 KB]

Closure application from Te Rūnanga o Moeraki [PDF, 286 KB]

The proposed closure area

The area of the proposed Moeraki temporary closure covers about 1.3 square kilometres and includes the fisheries waters out to 500 m offshore, starting near the northern end of the Moeraki Boulders/Kaihinaki Walk and extending southwards along Moeraki Beach to the headland at the eastern edge of Onekakara Bay. 

Map of the proposed Moeraki temporary closure [PDF, 529 KB]

Making your submission

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Monday 20 April 2026.

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Spatial Allocations
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Public notice

A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the Otago Daily Times on Wednesday 4 March 2026.

Related information

Section 186B of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition is likely to assist in recognising and providing for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.

Find out more about temporary closures

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/proposed-temporary-fisheries-closure-at-moeraki-otago/

Posted on

Application for a mātaitai reserve, at Guards Bay and Anakoha Bay, Marlborough Sounds

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Your views sought

Ngāti Kuia has applied for a mātaitai reserve covering the waters of Guards Bay in the outer Marlborough Sounds. The proposed area includes all South Island fisheries waters lying between Forsyth Island (Te Paruparu) and Alligator Head with an offshore boundary north of Titi Island and including Anakoha Bay and Titirangi Bay. 

Ngāti Kuia and Fisheries New Zealand invite submissions on the proposal and will hold a local community meeting to discuss the application.

This is the first of 2 consultations to be held about the application.

What area is being proposed?

The proposed area includes approximately 56.6 square kilometres of South Island fisheries waters within the following lines: 

  1. starting at a point on the mean high-water mark at Culdaff Point at 40°56.387’S and 174°04.834’E; then
  2. proceeding in a straight line in an easterly direction for approximately 4km to a point offshore at 40°56.189’S and 174°07.696’E; then
  3. proceeding in a straight line in a south-easterly direction for approximately 2.4km to a point offshore at 40°56.824’S and 174°09.202’E; then
  4. proceeding in a straight line in a southerly direction for approximately 2.4km to a point on the mean high-water mark located approximately 250m east of Alligator Head at 40°58.096’S and 174°09.573’E; then
  5. following the mean high-water mark in a generally south-westerly direction to a point on the south side of Allen Strait/Guard Pass at 40°59.780’S and 174°03.923’E; then
  6. proceeding in straight line in a north-westerly direction for 284m to a point on the mean high-water mark on the north side of Allen Strait/Guard Pass at 40°59.682’S and 174°03.767’E; then
  7. proceeding in a generally northerly direction along the mean high-water mark to the starting point. 

Consultation documents

Map of the proposed mātaitai reserve [PDF, 1.5 MB]

Application for proposed mātaitai reserve [PDF, 13 MB]

Making your submission

The local community are invited to make a written submission on the application. Submissions close at 5pm on Monday 20 April 2026.

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Fisheries management – Spatial Allocations
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Public notices about this consultation

Public notices calling for submissions are scheduled to appear in Nelson Mail and Marlborough Express on Monday 2 March 2026 and Wednesday 11 March 2026.

Public meeting planned

A meeting with the local community will be held to discuss the application. A further notice will be published in both the Nelson Mail and Marlborough Express, and on this website, advertising the time, date and venue for this meeting.

A second consultation is planned

After the local community consultation period has closed, Fisheries New Zealand will hold a second consultation. This will invite written submissions from people who take fish, aquatic life, or seaweed or own quota, and whose ability to take fish, aquatic life, or seaweed or whose ownership interest in quota may be affected by the proposed mātaitai reserve.

The second consultation will be advertised in the same newspapers and on this website.

About mātaitai reserves

A mātaitai reserve is an identified traditional fishing ground where tangata whenua have a special relationship. Mātaitai reserves are limited to fisheries waters and do not include any land area. Mātaitai reserves do not change any existing arrangements for access to private land.

Mātaitai reserves do not affect private landowners’ land titles or their ability to exercise resource consents for such things as taking water or extracting gravel or sand. Resource consents are managed under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Find out more about mātaitai reserves

Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations 1999 – NZ Legislation

Recreational fishing

Mātaitai reserves do not change the recreational fishing rules. However, the tangata tiaki/kaitiaki for a mātaitai reserve may propose changes to the rules at a later date. These are called mātaitai reserve bylaws. Any proposed bylaws will be consulted on separately with the public and relevant stakeholders. They need to be approved by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.

Commercial fishing

Commercial fishing is generally prohibited in a mātaitai reserve, and the applicants have not sought any conditions to enable specified commercial fishing activities to continue in the area if it becomes a mātaitai reserve.

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/application-for-a-mataitai-reserve-at-guards-bay-and-anakoha-bay-marlborough-sounds/

Posted on

Ghiotti brand Chorizo Velita recalled due to incorrect date mark

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Granarolo New Zealand Limited in its recall of Ghiotti brand Chorizo Velita (150g) due to the product being labelled with the incorrect date mark.

“The concern is that this chorizo has been mislabelled with the incorrect date mark. The affected product is labelled Best Before 21/05/2026. The correct date mark should be Use By 21/02/2026. This is important because use-by dates indicate when the product is no longer safe to eat,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle.

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

The affected batch of Ghiotti brand Chorizo Velita (150g) is sold at retailers throughout New Zealand.

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

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

The products were imported from Spain and labelled in New Zealand. The products have not been re-exported. They have been removed from stores.

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Granarolo New Zealand Limited to understand how the how the date mark labelling error 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. 

Ghiotti brand Chorizo Velita

Read more on our website about how to read food labels.

How to read food labels  

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/ghiotti-brand-chorizo-velita-recalled-due-to-incorrect-date-mark/

Posted on

Kaikōura dairy farmer fined $35,000 for multiple NAIT failures involving hundreds of animals 

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A Kaikōura dairy farmer has been fined $35,000 for failing his National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) responsibilities involving hundreds of cattle, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). 

Trevor Ronald Bolton (59) was sentenced in the Kaikōura District Court (6 March 2026) on 3 representative charges under the NAIT Act. Mr Bolton earlier pleaded guilty to the charges.  

Under the NAIT Act, the movement of all cattle or deer must be declared to the NAIT organisation, Operational Solutions for Primary Industries (OSPRI), within 48 hours. Additionally, all animals must be fitted with a NAIT tag and registered in the NAIT system by the time the animal is 180 days old, or before the animal is moved off farm.  

Mr Bolton runs 2 large dairy farms and is the person in charge of the animals. MPI’s investigation found significant failures including not registering 269 NAIT animals, failing to declare 571 NAIT animals that were being moved off farm, and failing to declare movements of 83 NAIT animals onto his farms. For each of these failures, he was fined $11,666.  

“The system is critical to New Zealand’s ability to trace potentially affected animals to manage disease or biosecurity incursions. This farmer’s failures under the NAIT Act related to almost 1,000 animals. As we have learned from our experience with Mycoplasma bovis it only takes one animal to cause a problem,” says MPI district manager of animal welfare and NAIT compliance upper south, Paul Soper.  

“MPI takes non-compliance with NAIT seriously. Put simply, when people in charge of animals disregard or fail to live up to their NAIT obligations they put the whole agricultural sector at risk,” says Paul Soper.   

More information on NAIT and your obligations as a person in charge of animals – OSPRI

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/kaikoura-dairy-farmer-fined-35000-for-multiple-nait-failures-involving-hundreds-of-animals/

Posted on

Groundbreaking New Zealand product set to tackle yellow-legged hornets

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand is deploying a new tool in the fight against the yellow-legged hornet in Auckland.

Mike Inglis, commissioner north, says the agency will soon be using a locally developed protein-based insecticide bait that has proven extremely successful on wasps and is expected to be effective against the hornet. 

“Targeting hornets with this product, called Vespex®, is a world-first, as unlike in other countries, New Zealand has no native wasps that are attracted to this bait, so native species won’t be harmed. 

“Research has also shown that the product does not affect honeybees.

“Vespex® has low toxicity to mammals and birds, and they would need to consume a large amount of bait to show any symptoms of poisoning. The active ingredient, fipronil, is used in pet flea and tick products in higher concentrations than what we’ll be using.”

Mr Inglis says the bait will be placed in special stations and visiting hornets then roll it into small balls and take it back to the nest where it poisons others.

Starting in mid-March, when hornets are looking for protein feed, bait stations will be set in the response ‘B’ and ‘C’ Zones, which are the surveillance areas furthest from where hornets are being detected on Auckland’s North Shore.

“We’re targeting these outer areas first to destroy any hornets that have so far evaded traps or sightings by the public. This gives us an extra layer of insurance. 

“We will ultimately use the Vespex® in the central ‘A’ Zone where the hornets are concentrated, but we are holding off for now because we’re having great success tracking hornets to nests using visual inspections and radio trackers.

“In addition, we’ve had a new breakthrough using drone-based thermal imaging. Using this technology over an area where a suspected nest was present, we were able to locate a new secondary nest, adding another tool to our toolbox.

All of the activities being undertaken to get rid of this hornet are based on science and guided by the advice of a group of technical experts, many with experience managing yellow-legged hornets overseas. 

“The yellow-legged hornet response is progressing well, and the end goal remains eradication, which is considered feasible.”

Read more about yellow-legged hornets

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/groundbreaking-new-zealand-product-set-to-tackle-yellow-legged-hornets/

Posted on

Response continues in Papatoetoe, with no further fruit flies found today

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand’s Oriental fruit fly response continues in Papatoetoe, Auckland, with no further fruit flies found today.

Four male Oriental fruit flies have so far been found in traps within our surveillance zone. 

“Our team hit the ground running over the past several days, installing signs, setting additional traps, distributing fruit disposal bins, and sharing information with the community,” says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north.

“Staff are continuing to visit businesses, schools, and households to provide information and support and today they’ll be focused on those in the newly extended Zone A and B areas.”

There are now 3 areas under Zone A restrictions, 200 metres around each fly detection, with their combined area including approximately 1,400 properties. Zone B has also been extended to account for the location of the new detections and now covers approximately 14,500 properties.

Residents in the 2 new areas subject to Zone A restrictions will receive a bin to securely dispose of their fruit and vegetable waste.

“There is one bin for each household in Zone A and bins are publicly available right across Zone B,” Mr Inglis says.

“An interactive map will be available on our website today showing the location of those Zone B bins, where you can search for your nearest bins based on your address.”

A map of the controlled area and a full description of the new boundaries and movement controls is available at:

Oriental fruit fly detection in 2026 in Papatoetoe, Auckland

A biosecurity operation has been under way in the area since last Wednesday, with legal controls in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables to help prevent any fruit flies spreading beyond the controlled area. 

“We have a specialist team working in a mobile laboratory, collecting and inspecting fallen fruit for evidence of Oriental fruit fly,” Mr Inglis says.

“Since the response began, they have sliced and examined a significant amount of this windfall fruit.” 

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/response-continues-in-papatoetoe-with-no-further-fruit-flies-found-today/