Category: CTF

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Fears for NZ children in ‘harsh’ immigration crackdown

Source: Radio New Zealand

Axing humanitarian appeal rights for temporary visa holders will potentially harm children caught in the crosshairs, legal experts say. RNZ

Alarm bells are sounding about harsh reductions in appeal rights for migrants which could lead to families being separated by deportation.

Overseas right-wing sentiment, reporting of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) crackdowns in the US and fears about domestic migration could be factors driving policy change, says a top immigration and refugee lawyer.

Legal experts say strict rules already exist for migrants seeking to overturn deportations, and they fear that axing humanitarian appeal rights for temporary visa holders will potentially harm children caught in the crosshairs.

Law Society Immigration and Refugee Committee convener Simon Graham Supplied

Law Society Immigration and Refugee Committee convener Simon Graham said current policy balanced individual rights and the public interest, but the proposed legislation would shift the goalposts against vulnerable people, especially children and families.

“You could have a child born here, only ever gone through the New Zealand educational system, seven, eight years of age, all the formative years, and then that child is now being asked to return back to a country, [with] language barriers, different educational system, whatever that might be.

“When a child is into that seven, eight-year period, a fundamental shift occurs. Generally speaking, child psychologists will say this is going to cause or this has the potential to cause a problem for this child. And these are the types of things that currently the system looks at and weighs up in the balancing exercise. But if that’s removed, who’s going to consider this issue or weigh it up?”

Concerns were widespread in the legal community, he added, and he was worried other governments’ policies could be creeping into New Zealand’s thinking.

“I do wonder, stepping back from it all, whether there is some overseas influence as we see in other jurisdictions. It’s a sort of hardening line in a lot of these areas, probably for good reason, in certain European countries and America, where there’s this excess and it’s causing problems, whereas I think New Zealand is different from that. I don’t think we have the same tensions – but possibly our policy choices are now potentially mirroring or lining up with some of these overseas jurisdictions.”

ICE agents depart the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on February 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP / John Moore

Deadline over appeals

The Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT) – which hears appeals against deportation, as well as residence and asylum application refusals – has seen a large increase in cases, as migration numbers have risen. In terms of deportation appeals among temporary migrants, its latest annual report shows 188 people lost and 174 won their cases.

Graham said a 42-day deadline already limited who could appeal, and the tribunal weighed up humanitarian circumstances against public interest concerns.

Under the Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill, migrants classed as visitors – which can include renewable partner and parent visas – would not be able to appeal on humanitarian grounds to the IPT at all.

“From a legal perspective, I think it’s unnecessarily harsh and unnecessary because there’s already systems in place to weigh the balance. This seems to be shifting the balance unnecessarily in one direction without any real justification for it. So it’s certainly harsh and it could potentially create very harsh and unfair outcomes in a certain percentage of cases.

“What parameters or safety nets are going to be put in place to substitute for the Immigration and Protection Tribunal process? Has that been thought about? And if it has, what is that process and who oversees it?”

The ‘Mama Hooch’ clause

Another proposal would extend the ability to deport people from 10 years after they become residents, to 20 years. Non-residents, such as temporary workers and students, would lose their chance to appeal deportation if they committed a crime.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford last week said New Zealand had “one of the most lenient criminal deportation liability regimes” compared to Australia, the UK, Canada, and Ireland, saying those countries all made residents liable for deportation indefinitely, including for relatively minor convictions.

She cited the notorious sex offending ring in Christchurch operated by rapist brothers Danny and Roberto Jaz who have been in New Zealand too long to be deported, under current laws.

Graham said that framing did not acknowledge the new law would strip appeal rights from less serious offenders, or who had immigration question marks.

“I noticed the minister made reference to the Mama Hooch guys as a general sort of overlay as to justify some of these changes to the policy, and being not able to deport these guys for serious criminal offending,” he said. “And that’s a legitimate question and consideration, I understand that. But I believe that the proposals also incorporate all the other reasons which would trigger deportation liability, which encapsulates for example, providing misleading information to immigration as part of a visa process.”

Auckland University’s Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies co-director, Professor Jay Marlowe, worried discussion about the bill and amendments also blurred important distinctions between migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.

Professor Jay Marlowe University of Auckland

The Jaz brothers are the children of Australian migrants, and arrived about 25 years ago as teenagers.

“I would be cautious about how the Mama Hooch case is being used in this context. It was an extremely serious case, but one that involved harm occurring over time within New Zealand, and raises serious concerns about how institutions responded to women’s complaints. Linking that case directly to asylum policy risks conflating different issues and shifts attention away from the need to address those underlying failures.

“Extending deportation liability to 20 years means we may be dealing with people who arrived as children and have grown up here, raising questions about responsibility and belonging. There are parallels with Australia’s section 501 deportations, which New Zealand has criticised – and it raises a fundamental question about whether we are managing harm here, or shifting responsibility elsewhere.”

Stanford has been approached for comment.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/fears-for-nz-children-in-harsh-immigration-crackdown/

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Live: 36-hour heavy rain warnings begin in Northland

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rain has set in across Northland ahead of a major deluge expected – though so far it’s steady rather than torrential.

Northland Regional Council data shows rain everywhere but the southern half of the Kaipara District.

  • What’s the weather looking like at your place? Email us iwitness@rnz.co.nz

The MetService red heavy rain warning applies to the entire east coast from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei, from 4pm Wednesday afternoon until 4am on Friday. The rest of Northland is under an orange heavy rain warning.

Whangārei District Council is urging some people to leave their homes today.

Up to 320mm of rain is forecast, with downpours of 20-40mm/hr possible.

Northland Civil Defence expects the worst of the rain to hit the northeast coast on Thursday night.

A number of other watches and warnings are in place across the country in what MetService is calling an “impactful” weather event.

Heavy rain, potentially bringing dangerous river conditions, flooding and slips, could pose a threat to life, MetService has warned.

Residents are urged not to enter floodwaters, avoid travel, and evacuate quickly if you see rising water.

Follow the latest updates in our live blog above.

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/2026/03/25/live-36-hour-heavy-rain-warnings-begin-in-northland/

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A F Thomas Park: Future recreational use announced by local board

Source: Auckland Council

The future parks and recreation outcomes for inclusion in A F Thomas Park in Wairau Valley have been decided.

Today, the Kaipātiki Local Board voted for space in the park to be used for a mix of golf, sports fields and space to enable indoor sports and events, including:

  • The provision of a golf offering that is affordable, accessible and commercially sustainable with an allocation of a minimum of 18 hectares, excluding car parking and buffer zones
  • Space to enable indoor sports events
  • A minimum of two full-size sports fields
  • Safe pedestrian and cycling connections both north/south and east/west
  • Other parks and recreation service outcomes such as children’s play, exercise and fitness equipment, youth recreation, dog walking and other sports offerings
  • The continued presence of Shore Archery Club and Sunnybrae Bowling Club in the wider park catchment.

Danielle Grant, Chair of the Kaipātaki Local board, says the decision is a win for the local community.

“This has been a significant and once-in-a-generation decision for Kaipātiki. Local board members have invested many hours reviewing information, attending site visits, engaging with the community and listening to a wide range of views.

“This has been a complex and at times contentious issue, and we have worked respectfully through those differences to reach this point. We understand the importance of getting this right.

“We have adopted high-level priorities that reflect future sport, recreation and environmental needs for our community. This includes planning infrastructure carefully so that when work is carried out, it can be done efficiently and avoid the need for repeated disruption in the future.”

“The next step is developing a masterplan to work through how the priorities decided today can best be delivered on the site.

“We would also like to acknowledge and thank council staff, stakeholders and community members for their time, expertise and commitment throughout this process.”

In late 2025, the Kaipātiki Local Board ran five weeks of public consultation to hear from the community what recreational activities they would like A F Thomas Park to be used for into the future.

Following public submissions, a consultation report, deliberative forum report and several technical reports were presented to the Kaipātiki Local Board in early 2026 to support their decision-making.

Today’s decision on recreational use for the park sits within a larger plan to mitigate the risk of flooding in the area.

Taryn Crewe, General Manager of Parks and Community Facilities says the decision will give the local community new opportunities to connect and be active.

“The local board’s decision is the first step for keeping golf at the park and planning and implementing new space for a range of park, sport and recreation offerings for locals and Aucklanders to use and enjoy.

“The board prioritised a list of parks and recreation outcomes to be achieved. The council will work with them to deliver as many of these outcomes as possible.

“Once complete, A F Thomas Park will be an even more valuable asset for the community.”

Auckland Council will restore part of A F Thomas Park to flood storage wetland and dry water detention areas, while keeping the green space available to all Aucklanders to use when the park is not flooded.

Once completed, this comprehensive flood resilience (blue-green) network will significantly reduce flood risks across the Wairau catchment. 

This decision sets strategic direction for future development and allows the Ngā Wairau Flood Resilience project to move forward in a timely manner.

Craig Mcilroy, General Manager for Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience says it is crucial that progress with the transformation of A F Thomas Park continues to maintain momentum as there is a clear desire from the community to move swiftly to reduce flood risk to nearby areas. 

“This project aims to significantly reduce downstream flood flows through Wairau Creek, and reduce flood risk to over 150 homes and three residential care homes in Milford. It will also protect critical infrastructure and access to key facilities such as North Shore Hospital and Westlake Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, as well as Eventfinda Stadium.

“The work in A F Thomas Park is a critical first step to reduce the significant flood risk across the Wairau catchment and will enable wider flood resilience works in and around Nile Road, and the commercial areas of Wairau Valley.” 

It is important to note the elements that remain out of the scope of today’s decision, these include stormwater infrastructure requirements, details around location and design and funding sources. Today’s decision only sought to define the future park and recreation outcomes for inclusion in the park.

Next steps 

The local board’s decision today (25 March) establishes what should be provided for at A F Thomas Park. How and when it gets delivered will be determined through subsequent processes.

Following today’s decision work will begin to develop a detailed master plan for the park, that will include detailed designs and leasing arrangements.

Because this project was made necessary by urgent flood resilience needs, there is no dedicated council funding set aside for major new recreational facilities beyond the wetland and detention basin.

To deliver the new recreational infrastructure at the park there is a need to plan for funding through future budgets or explore alternative funding options. Delivery is likely to be staged over time as funding becomes available.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/25/a-f-thomas-park-future-recreational-use-announced-by-local-board/

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Auckland’s annual plan – give your feedback by this Sunday

Source: Auckland Council

Aucklanders have until this Sunday (29 March) to provide their feedback on Auckland Council’s plan for the year ahead.

Public feedback on Auckland Council’s Annual Plan 2026/2027 closes 11.59pm this Sunday (29 March 2026). Aucklanders are encouraged to visit the AK Have Your Say website to see what the council has planned for Auckland from July.

Councillor Greg Sayers encourages Aucklanders to check out the plan and take a few minutes to pass on some feedback.

“This is one of the best opportunities to help elected representatives with decision-making – we want to hear what Aucklanders think about the plan for next year and what’s front of mind, for them,” says Cr Sayers.

The annual plan sets out the council’s services, activities and spend for the year ahead.

Supporting information

What’s in the plan?

The City Rail Link (CRL) launch is a major highlight expected to be the centrepiece of significant improvements in transport connectivity, capacity and levels of service across Auckland’s integrated transport system. It will improve Aucklanders’ ability to move around the region by delivering more trains and quicker, easier journeys.

– The 2026/2027 plan prioritises transport, water and local boards responding to their local communities’ needs.

– $3.9 billion will be invested into vital infrastructure across Auckland.

– $5.3 billion dedicated to essential services, like pools, libraries, animal management, public transport and waste collection.

– A proposed overall rates increase of 7.9 per cent (for the average value residential property), as previously agreed in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034.

–  All of Auckland’s 21 local board plans for the coming year – this includes priorities for local communities and key services.- The region’s long-term future is also up for input – to inform on transport planning, water service strategies and the Long-term Plan 2027-2037.

– A proposed overall rates increase of 7.9 per cent (for the average value residential property), as previously agreed in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034.

All of Auckland’s 21 local board plans for the coming year – this includes priorities for local communities and key services.

The region’s long-term future is also up for input – to inform on transport planning, water service strategies and the Long-term Plan 2027-2037.

 

We want to know what Aucklanders think about the plan – visit the AK Have Your Say website now.

Consultation closes Sunday 29 March 2026.

Supporting Aucklanders to have their say 

There is increased flexibility and accessibility in how Aucklanders can give feedback.

Alongside translations into NZSL, Easy Read, large print and braille, there are more ways for people to have their say.

AK Have Your say
Auckland Council
Freepost Authority 182382
Private Bag 92300
Auckland 1142.

Visit the AK Have Your Say website for more information.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/25/aucklands-annual-plan-give-your-feedback-by-this-sunday/

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NRL: NZ Warriors still hope to retain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with contract extension

Source: Radio New Zealand

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is off contract with the Warriors at the end of this season. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster hasn’t completely given up hope of retaining superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck beyond this season.

The veteran wing’s future at the club has been up in the air since last year, when he was linked to the breakaway R360 union competition, which has been delayed until 2028.

NRL players have been threatened with a 10-year ban if they sign with the Saudi-backed rebel outfit, so very few have declared their intentions.

Former All Black Tuivasa-Sheck’s current contract with the Warriors ends this season, so he has been the subject of intense interest over his immediate prospects.

Two weeks ago, he was reportedly exploring options with Sydney NRL clubs. Latest rumours have him heading to the English Super League with Wakefield Trinity.

Webster was loathe to fuel the speculation, but hinted Tuivasa-Sheck’s departure was not quite a done deal.

“I’ve had plenty of conversations,” he acknowledged. “Whichever way it goes, whether he stays or wherever he ends up, if he plays union or plays league… if he leaves, he goes with our blessing and if there’s an opportunity for him at the end of the season to stay, we’d celebrate that too.

“It will all become clearer, but we’ve had really good conversation and we’re on the same page, which is always a good feeling between a player and a coach.”

Webster had previously said he hoped Tuivasa-Sheck never left the club.

Last month, Tuivasa-Sheck, 32, played questions about his future with a straight bat.

“My head is still down in the trenches for the pre-season,” he said during the Warriors pre-season. “Just trying to turn up each day, each week for the grind, because everyone is so fast and I have to keep up.

“Future stuff I will get to at some stage, but I’m always putting my actions on the field and do my talking from there.”

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck heads for the corner against Sydney Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Conjecture ramped up this month, when Aussie media reported the Warriors were close to signing former All Blacks Sevens star and Melbourne Storm wing Will Warbrick.

At the time, Webster warned not to believe everything you hear on the rumour mill.

“A lot of the time, we’re linked to players that we’re not even close to signing or I get a text message from someone saying, ‘I heard so-and-so is starting tonight’, but no, they’re not.

“I don’t know where it comes from, but sometimes where there’s smoke, there’s fire and sometimes they’re just miles off. Sometimes they’re just trying to pump up the price.”

On Wednesday, he had no update on that situation.

Tuivasa-Sheck is still the only Warrior to win the Dally M Medal as the NRL’s Player of the Year in 2018 and won his fourth Simon Mannering Medal as the club’s Most Valuable Player last year.

The Warriors have several other players off contract beyond 2026, including Origin star Kurt Capewell and veteran second-rower Marata Niukore, who has been linked to Newcastle Knights in recent weeks.

“I haven’t read too much into it, to be honest,” Niukore grinned. “It’s pretty clichéd, but that stuff will sort itself and, over time, I’m pretty sure we’ll knock it on the head and hopefully that’s it.”

He had “no idea” when an official announcement might be forthcoming.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/nrl-nz-warriors-still-hope-to-retain-roger-tuivasa-sheck-with-contract-extension/

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Anyone worried about looming Northland storm should act early, Whangārei Council urges

Source: Radio New Zealand

Flooding around Ngunguru Road, east of Whangārei in January this year. RNZ / Susan Edmunds

Whangārei District Council is advising anyone who doesn’t feel safe ahead of more heavy rain in the region to leave their homes now, before the red weather warning kicks in.

MetService has upgraded its rain warning to red for areas east of Kaikohe, from Doubtless Bay down to Whangārei.

In those areas up to 320mm of rain was possible over a 36-hour period starting at 4pm on Wednesday.

Posting on its Facebook page, the council said it was monitoring the situation alongside Civil Defence.

“People whose homes were impacted by flooding and land slips in the January weather event, who don’t feel safe, are advised to leave today to a safe location either with family and friends or to a local marae.

We are advising people to leave today, ideally during daylight hours,” the post said.

An orange heavy rain warning remained in place for the rest of Northland, as did an orange strong wind warning.

Northland Civil Defence said the red heavy rain warning – the highest level possible – is a sign people need to prepare for what’s to come during the next few days.

“Keeping in mind those red warnings are really only issued for the most severe weather events, that really does signal this is one to be taken seriously,” spokesperson Zach Woods said.

Woods said Northlanders might not experience warning levels of rain straight away.

“This is expected to be a long duration event with heavy rain and strong winds continuing over several days. MetService expects the rainfall to intensify over time and reach some quite significant levels as the system develops,” he said.

“The main period of concern at this stage is that Thursday afternoon through to Friday morning, when we could see some very heavy downpours on top of all the rain that’s already fallen, particularly around the east coast of the Far North.”

Woods said that created potential for “really dangerous river conditions” as well as possible floods, slips, landslides, and hazardous driving conditions.

“Of course we could see road closures, and some power outages due to the strong winds as well.”

Woods said it remained “an evolving situation” so he urged Northlanders to stay up to date with the latest forecasts as well as advice from MetService and their local councils.

A big swell pounds the Paihia shoreline during a previous storm. Peter de Graaf

Locals brace for a wild few days

Anthony “Vinnie” Pivac, the owner of Zane Grey’s Restaurant on the Paihia waterfront, said the predicted 50 knot easterly gusts could be damaging – but it was the sea he was keeping a close eye on.

When Cyclone Gabrielle caused $100,000 worth of damage and lost contracts in 2023, that came down to a combination of strong winds and a 7-metre swell.

So far the swell was forecast to reach just 2.5m, he said.

“If it had swell behind this easterly then I would be panicking, but it’s not going to be too bad. On the flip side of things, we’re just going to have today and tomorrow of horrendous rain and no customers,” he said.

“But for now we’re sitting cosy. I’m going to sit here, have a few beers and see what happens on either side of the tide.”

However, Pivac said he would keep monitoring the forecast and was not taking anything for granted.

“Mate, we’re in New Zealand, so the weather changes every five minutes.”

File pic RNZ / Sam Olley

Any time the swell reached 4m he removed parts of the decking around the restaurant to reduce the impact of the waves, but that was not necessary at this point.

Pivac said the most damaging winds for Paihia were northeasterlies. Easterly winds were bad if they coincided with big swells.

“Anything from the north, it’s hold onto your britches,” he said.

The next high tides were due in the Bay of Islands around 1.20pm on Wednesday and 2am and 2.20pm on Thursday.

Heavy seas pound Paihia wharf during Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Power cuts a concern

Meanwhile, Richard Holt, the owner of Cellini’s Ice Cream and Espresso Bar on nearby Williams Road, said power cuts caused by wild weather were the biggest threat to his business.

He had invested in a bunker freezer to keep ice cream cold in the event of a serious power outage – but if it lasted more than eight or nine hours, he would still lose his stock.

Holt said he did not expect to sell many ice creams in Paihia today but there had been plenty of demand for coffee this morning.

Further down the east coast in Ōakura, in the Whangārei District, residents still recovering from the devastating January storm are preparing for more rain.

That deluge swept through multiple homes and baches, triggered landslides, and severely damaged the newly renovated Ōakura Community Hall.

The Whangārei District Council had planned to hold a public meeting on Thursday afternoon to update locals on storm recovery efforts.

That meeting had now been postponed until 6pm on Tuesday at the Ōakura Sports Complex.

The main road from Ōakura south to Whangārei remained closed due to a massive slip at Helena Bay Hill, and eight homes and buildings were still red-stickered, meaning they were too dangerous to enter.

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/2026/03/25/anyone-worried-about-looming-northland-storm-should-act-early-whangarei-council-urges/

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Live: Rain begins ahead of red warning for Northland, severe weather for upper North Island

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rain has set in across Northland ahead of a major deluge expected to start later this afternoon – though so far it’s steady rather than torrential.

Northland Regional Council data shows rain everywhere but the southern half of the Kaipara District.

The wettest place so far is Weta, on the east coast near Whangaroa, which has recorded almost 12mm in the past hour.

  • What’s the weather looking like at your place? Email us iwitness@rnz.co.nz

The MetService red heavy rain warning applies to the entire east coast from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei, from 4pm Wednesday afternoon until 4am on Friday.

Up to 320mm of rain is forecast, with downpours of 20-40mm/hr possible.

Northland Civil Defence expects the worst of the rain to hit the northeast coast on Thursday night.

A number of other watches and warnings are in place across the country in what MetService is calling an “impactful” weather event.

Heavy rain, potentially bringing dangerous river conditions, flooding and slips, could pose a threat to life, MetService has warned.

Residents are urged not to enter floodwaters, avoid travel, and evacuate quickly if you see rising water.

Follow the latest updates in our live blog above.

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/2026/03/25/live-rain-begins-ahead-of-red-warning-for-northland-severe-weather-for-upper-north-island/

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Rotten to the core – ‘ocean exploitation bill’ must be rejected, says Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace says the coalition government’s removal of one item in NZ First’s ‘ocean exploitation bill’ is not enough to satisfy public outcry, with the organisation calling for the bill to be rejected in its entirety.
On Wednesday PM Christopher Luxon announced that after listening to concerns about the Fisheries Amendment Bill, sections that scrapped minimum fish size requirements for commercial operators will be removed. Greenpeace says no one is fooled by this small concession.
Oceans lead Ellie Hooper says: “All the Prime Minister and coalition partners have done is remove one aspect of this bonfire of a bill. But the scales have fallen from everyone’s eyes on this.
“The bill, even with the size requirements removed, remains a hand out to the commercial fishing industry, who Jones advocates for. It incentivises the worst types of fishing – unselective bottom trawling – the impacts of which are being felt increasingly by all. “It’s clear the ocean is depleted and it’s harder to go out and catch a fish. We’ve got crashed populations, and ocean habitats are struggling. Incentivising trawling, which destroys the ocean and takes too many fish out of the sea, is not going to fly with the New Zealand public.”The bill contains proposals to limit public consultation on fisheries decisions and blocks public access to the footage from cameras on boats. Anyone who shares or publishes this footage could face a fine of up to $50,000.Hooper points out that without public access to cameras on boats footage, mistrust in the commercial fishing industry will only continue to grow. “New Zealanders have a right to know how the fishing industry is impacting ocean health. What should be abundantly clear to the Prime Minister and all the politicians in an election year is that the public cares deeply about what happens out at sea. And there are more of them in the voting population than commercial fishing bosses.
“A transparent industry that boasts their world-leading fisheries management, wouldn’t need these cover ups,” says Hooper. “It just looks like they’re trying to hide the plain facts of their activities, from hauling up coral to killing fur seals and dolphins as bycatch.”
In a statement on social media today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote he wanted to ensure “our kids and grandkids have abundant fisheries for the decades to come”.
“If the Prime Minister stands by this statement, then the amendment bill has got to go.” says Hooper. “Not to select committee, not for tiny tweaks – but be voted down by politicians with a backbone who want to actually represent the vast numbers of New Zealanders opposing it.
“The coalition government may have collective amnesia on this bill but the ocean community doesn’t. The amendments have been, and continue to be rejected – that includes proposals to lock up cameras on boats, incentivise trawling, and erode the public’s right to have a say. The fish bone they’ve thrown us is nowhere near enough.”

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/rotten-to-the-core-ocean-exploitation-bill-must-be-rejected-says-greenpeace/

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Investments – Upcoming Minimum Wage and KiwiSaver Changes – Effective 1 April 2026

Source: Peninsula New Zealand

Auckland, 25 March 2026: New minimum wage rates and KiwiSaver contribution changes will take effect across New Zealand from 1 April 2026, impacting employers, employees, and payroll processes nationwide.

Minimum Wage Increases

From 1 April, the Government has confirmed the following rates:

Adult Minimum Wage: $23.95 per hour
Starting‑Out Wage: $19.16 per hour
Training Wage: $19.16 per hour

These apply to all employees aged 16+, including part‑time, casual, fixed‑term, and remote workers. Minimum wage rules also extend to workers’ earning commissions or piece rates.

Training wage eligibility: Employees aged 20+ completing 60 credits annually toward an approved industry qualification.
Starting‑out eligibility: Workers aged 16 – 19 who meet criteria such as being new to employment or undertaking relevant training.

KiwiSaver Changes

Also from 1 April:

Default contribution rate increases from 3% to 3.5% (first stage of a phased rise to 4% in 2028).
Employees may opt down to 3%, but contributions reset to the default after 12 months.
16‑ and 17‑year‑olds who opt for KiwiSaver will now receive compulsory employer contributions.

Ashlea Maley, Associate Director – Operations, Peninsula New Zealand, said: “The current economic climate is placing significant pressure on small businesses, with many facing rising payroll obligations at a time when operating conditions are already tough. We’re seeing a noticeable increase in employers seeking guidance, as the cost of getting things wrong – particularly around unfair dismissal and wage compliance – continues to rise.

“As wage theft has become a criminal offence, unintentional underpayments have much more dire consequences for small businesses now. We urge business owners to take this opportunity and review their internal systems and processes. With new regulations coming into effect, employers need to act cautiously, stay informed, and make sure every part of their operation is compliant.”

What Employers Need to Do

Employers are encouraged to:

  • Update payroll systems for new wage and KiwiSaver settings
  • Review employment agreements
  • Communicate changes to staff, particularly young workers and trainees
  • Ensure minimum wage increases are applied from the first full pay period after 1 April.

Non‑compliance may lead to arrears, penalties, or disputes.

Ashlea added that the pressure is intensifying as the end of the financial year approaches: “This EOFY period is proving to be one of the toughest we’ve seen in recent years. Businesses are making hard calls – letting staff go, restructuring, or in some cases closing their doors altogether. We’re supporting a growing number of employers navigating redundancies brought on by uncertainty and escalating costs.

“The message to business owners is clear: in this climate, compliance isn’t optional. It’s essential to protect your people, your operations, and the long‑term viability of your business.”

About Peninsula Australia
Peninsula is New Zealand and Australia’s leading workplace advisory firm for SMEs, advising more than 30,500 clients in New Zealand and Australia on workplace relations and workplace health & safety issues. Its advice line allows businesses to speak with its team of workplace relations specialists, and through onsite visits to their business.  

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/investments-upcoming-minimum-wage-and-kiwisaver-changes-effective-1-april-2026/

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Energy – Re-Energise 26 highlights opportunity for energy sector workforce to secure New Zealand’s energy future

Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa

Wellington, New Zealand – New modelling released today in Re-Energise 26 shows New Zealand should grow its energy workforce, and grow it quickly, to deliver electrification and build a secure, resilient energy system.

Produced jointly by Energy Resources Aotearoa and the Electricity Engineers’ Association (EEA), Re-Energise 26 is the first report to map workforce needs across the full energy sector. The comprehensive data set was built using top-down and bottom-up inputs from government and energy sector sources and covers a workforce of over 13,800 full-time equivalent energy sector employees and more than 4,000 contractors and consultants.

The modelling identifies pressure points in critical roles, with major bottlenecks in supervision, mentoring and assessment. It shows that without more skilled people, New Zealand will struggle to electrify, cut emissions and maintain a secure, resilient energy system.

It calls for coordinated action across the sector to lift career visibility, strengthen training pathways and build a more diverse and highly skilled workforce.

“Technology alone will not deliver New Zealand’s energy future,” says Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie.

“Timing is critical for regions experiencing declining industries, where skilled workers are being displaced and risk being lost before new energy projects and opportunities come online.

It will take skilled people with the capacity to design, run and improve the system. If we want a more secure, lower-emissions energy future, our country needs to invest in the workforce that will make it happen.”

EEA Chief Executive Nicki Sutherland says energy security and reliability depend on experienced people and a strong pipeline of new talent.

“We need to think about investment in people as seriously as we do infrastructure to create the depth needed on our bench to achieve New Zealand’s secure energy future. And we need to be equipping our workforce with the right skills for a world that will be fundamentally different.”

Re-Energise 26 sets out an Industry Skills Action Plan built around four priorities: Attract, Develop, Collaborate and Retain.

To drive delivery, a Workforce Summit will be convened in May 2026, bringing energy sector organisations together to set priorities and assign delivery leads.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/energy-re-energise-26-highlights-opportunity-for-energy-sector-workforce-to-secure-new-zealands-energy-future/

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Health – GenPro Chair Pushes Back on “Catastrophising” Around New PHO

Source: GenPro

GenPro Chair Angus Chambers is calling for a more balanced and constructive conversation around the establishment of the new primary health organisation (PHO), amid what he describes as widespread negativity and misinformation within the sector.

“There has been quite a lot of catastrophising around the impact of a new PHO,” Chambers said. “The response from parts of the sector has been negative, instead of focusing on the opportunity to deliver greater national consistency, coherence, and support for general practice.”

Recent criticism claimed the new PHO will be highly disruptive which will “distract and destabilise” patient care, lead to job losses among clinicians, and reduce patient access to services. Chambers says those claims are overstated and not supported by the evidence.

“The new PHO has undertaken detailed mapping of services and contracts across the system. The reality is that very little will change in the next 12 to 18 months,” he said.

“Many providers are already operating under contracts outside of the PHO Services Agreement that extend for one, two, or even three years. These arrangements are not being torn up. The current contracts already provide stability, and contrary to the misinformation there is no immediate threat to services.”

Dr Chambers emphasised that maintaining continuity of care is a core priority.

“We do not want to break anything on the way through—because that is not helpful to patients. The ideal scenario is that patients notice very little change, other than their general practice becoming more viable and more robust over time.”

He also expressed concern about fear mongering directed at general practices.

“There has been messaging encouraging practices to be fearful about what they are signing up for, rather than supporting them to undertake clear and informed due diligence. That is not helpful to the sector or to patients.”

Dr Chambers pointed out that the recent establishment of new PHOs, which will work alongside 30 other, already established, PHOs, is not unprecedented.
   
“We’ve seen two PHOs established in the past year. Change is not new to this sector, and it can be managed in a way that strengthens primary care.”

He concluded by urging stakeholders to shift the tone of the conversation.

“This is an opportunity to build a stronger, more sustainable general practice system. We need to move away from worst-case scenarios and focus on what will actually deliver better outcomes for patients.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/25/health-genpro-chair-pushes-back-on-catastrophising-around-new-pho/

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Banking – Banking Ombudsman urges extreme caution over use of crypto ATMs

Source: Banking Ombudsman Scheme

25 March 2026
People should be highly suspicious of anyone telling them to withdraw cash and deposit it in cryptocurrency ATMs, says the Banking Ombudsman after investigating several scam cases in which people have lost large sums of money using such ATMs.
Crypto ATMs allow people to deposit cash and buy cryptocurrency, which is sent to a digital wallet. Transactions usually happen very quickly and cannot easily be stopped or reversed once completed.
Banking Ombudsman Nicola Sladden said this speed and lack of traceability made crypto ATMs particularly risky when used under pressure or at someone else’s direction.
“We are seeing cases where customers are told to withdraw cash and deposit it in a crypto ATM, often as part of a so-called job offer or investment opportunity.
“Legitimate organisations, such as banks, or potential employers will never ask anyone to make payments in this way.”
In one recent case  investigated by the scheme, a customer responded to what appeared to be a genuine online job advertisement. Following instructions, she withdrew $31,500 from her bank account, telling the bank it was to buy a car, but then deposited the cash in a crypto ATM. The funds were transferred to the scammer’s digital wallet and could not be recovered.
In another case , a customer was targeted over a six-month period after being drawn into what appeared to be a job offer. He withdrew and deposited nearly $65,000 in cash through crypto ATMs, thinking he was investing his money.
“In both cases, the victims believed they were following legitimate instructions,” Ms Sladden said. “That’s why it is so important that people are aware of the risks of using crypto ATMs, and also that they are skeptical about anyone urging them to use these machines.”
Consumer advocates and authorities around the world have expressed concern about the risks of using such machines, given the strong links to scammers and others involved in financial crime, and the Government in New Zealand looking at restricting or banning their use.
Ms Sladden said obvious red flags included requests to keep payments secret or give false information to a bank.
“People should independently verify who they are dealing with, and talk to someone they trust before making large or unusual payments.
“It’s important to stop and ask questions before taking any steps that might result in the loss of money.”
Related links: 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/25/banking-banking-ombudsman-urges-extreme-caution-over-use-of-crypto-atms/

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Thousands more Kiwis now eligible for bowel screening

Source: New Zealand Government

Thousands more New Zealanders are now able to access bowel screening earlier, with the starting age being lowered from 60 to 58 across the central and lower North Island, and MidCentral to follow as the next district, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“From this week, the starting age for bowel screening is being lowered from 60 to 58 across the central and lower North Island, meaning the lower screening age is now in place across the rest of the country, with MidCentral to follow as the next step in the rollout,” Mr Brown says.

 

“This means thousands more people will have access to lifesaving screening, giving them the best chance of having bowel cancer detected early, when it can often be successfully treated.”

 

Around 40,000 additional people will become eligible in the first year, with the majority of newly eligible 58-and 59-year-olds to be invited for free bowel screening by April 2027. The expansion is expected to prevent an additional 771 bowel cancers and 566 deaths over 25 years, compared with the previous screening age of 60 to 74.

 

“The programme is being expanded in stages to make sure services have the workforce and endoscopy capacity needed to safely support more people being screened.

 

“The Government is committed to lowering the screening age further, and this marks the first milestone toward aligning New Zealand’s screening age with Australia.”

 

Alongside the bowel screening expansion, the rollout of the FIT for Symptomatic pathway is continuing nationwide, with full implementation expected by the end of September.

 “The FIT for Symptomatic pathway is a separate but critical part of our plan. It delivers two key benefits: helping detect bowel cancer earlier in people with symptoms, including those not eligible for routine screening, and making better use of colonoscopy services.”

 

The pathway gives people of any age with bowel cancer symptoms access to a simple, non-invasive test, similar to the one used in the National Bowel Screening Programme. It uses a stool sample to check for traces of blood, an early warning sign of bowel cancer.

 

Rather than referring all symptomatic patients for colonoscopy, clinicians can use the FIT test as a triage tool to identify who needs urgent investigation and who does not. People at low risk can avoid an unnecessary procedure, which is expected to reduce non-urgent colonoscopy referrals by at least 30 per cent. This frees capacity for people who need further investigation and supports the safe expansion of the screening programme.

 

“In MidCentral, the FIT for Symptomatic pathway will roll out on 20 April, establishing the foundation for the lower screening age to rollout as soon as possible. Together, these steps will help prioritise patients, make better use of colonoscopy capacity, and support the safe next step in the programme’s rollout.

 

“As the screening age is lowered, more people become eligible, which increases demand for follow-up colonoscopies. This pathway ensures those at highest risk are prioritised, while also improving our ability to detect cancer earlier in people experiencing symptoms, including those younger than the screening age.”

 

The pathway is already available in Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waitematā, Waikato, and Hawke’s Bay, with the remainder of the country to follow by the end of September.

 

Mr Brown says the expansion of screening and the FIT for Symptomatic pathway are part of the Government’s wider work to improve access to diagnostics and cancer care.

 

“By lowering the bowel screening age to 58 and rolling out the FIT for Symptomatic pathway, more New Zealanders can access lifesaving tests and detect cancers earlier, ensuring hundreds more New Zealanders live longer, healthier lives.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/25/thousands-more-kiwis-now-eligible-for-bowel-screening/

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Report reveals accessibility gaps holding New Zealanders back

Source: Access Matters Aotearoa (AMA)

Wellington, New Zealand – Access Matters Aotearoa (AMA) has released a major national report, highlighting entrenched accessibility barriers across Aotearoa, with calls for coordinated, system-wide reform.

Kōrero for Change: Insights and Actions brings together findings from ten national forums held across 2024 and 2025, drawing on the experiences of people living with a disability, alongside input from government, business, and community leaders.

The report finds the 17 per cent of New Zealanders who live with a disability face barriers in nearly every part of daily life, from accessing healthcare and education to finding work and suitable housing.

AMA Co-Chair Amy Hogan says accessibility remains inconsistent and often left to chance.

“Too often, whether someone can fully participate in everyday life depends on circumstance. This shouldn’t be the system we aspire to in New Zealand.”

The report identifies accessibility as a system-wide issue, with barriers arising from policy settings, funding decisions, and design choices that haven’t  prioritised inclusion.

It highlights stark disparities, including employment rates for people with a disability sitting at around 38 per cent compared with 78 per cent for non-disabled people, alongside significantly higher unmet health needs and ongoing shortages of accessible housing.

AMA Co-Chair Dr Rebekah Graham says these outcomes are the result of long-standing structural gaps.

“Inaccessibility is predictable and preventable. When accessibility is treated as an afterthought, exclusion becomes embedded across systems.”

The report sets out practical actions across ten sectors, including introducing enforceable accessibility standards, embedding accessibility in policy and design from the outset, and strengthening accountability across government and industry.

It also points to the economic cost of inaction, with modelling showing closing the employment gap could add hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy.

Hogan says the findings reinforce the need to treat accessibility as essential infrastructure.

“This is all about participation, productivity, and fairness. When systems are designed to support people with disabilities, they end up benefiting all Kiwis.”

Dr Graham says the report is intended to drive sustained action.

“This is about working towards an Aotearoa where people with a disability can participate fully in everyday life. This requires deliberate action, consistent standards, and leadership across every sector.”

About Access Matters Aotearoa

Access Matters Aotearoa is a solutions-driven, non-partisan advocacy trust working to secure strong accessibility legislation so everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand can participate fully.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/report-reveals-accessibility-gaps-holding-new-zealanders-back/

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Transporting New Zealand calls for payload increases to mitigate diesel price hikes

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Road freight association Transporting New Zealand says transport regulations should be urgently amended to allow certain trucks to carry higher payloads, as diesel prices continue to hit record highs.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says increasing payload capacity for approved operators within the existing heavy vehicle permitting system could improve fuel efficiency across the freight task and reduce diesel cost pressures.
Heavy vehicle permitting regulations currently allow approved freight operators to run High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs) on state highways and local roads suitable for vehicles operating above the standard 44-tonne weight limit.
“I have written to New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), asking the agency to consider how the heavy vehicle permitting regulations could be urgently amended to move more freight in fewer trips,” Kalasih says.
“Increasing allowable payloads on 50MAX vehicles and other HPMVs could reduce the diesel required to move freight, while maintaining a safe and well-regulated system. That will put downward pressure on freight costs at a time when businesses and consumers are doing it really tough.”
“HPMVs are already delivering fuel savings compared to standard 44-tonne trucks. For example, 50MAX trucks increase freight capacity by approximately 20% while only increasing diesel use by 10%, with their additional axle ensuring no additional wear on roads per tonne of freight.”
“Improving freight efficiency also has benefits for safety and emissions, as fewer trips are required to move the same volume of goods.”
“Now more than ever we need a regulator that is responsive and agile in getting freight moved the best way possible. We’re looking forward to working constructively with NZTA to maximise the savings that the permitting system can offer.”

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/transporting-new-zealand-calls-for-payload-increases-to-mitigate-diesel-price-hikes/

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Lifestyle – Australia Beats New Zealand to Modernise Physical Activity and Wellness Guidelines

Source: Exercise NZ

“The Australian guidelines are simple, clear, and pick up on all the key points we know matter. Move more, sit less, and build activity into everyday life.  We are used to rivalry on the sporting field, now Australia is beating us with clear simple guidelines for wellness.”

“Importantly, they recognise that physical activity is not just about how much you do, but also the type, and part of overall wellbeing, something our sector has long championed.  It also gives the right focus to strength and balance activities – something that is often omitted or given little thought.”

“Ironically, the day these were released I was meeting with the CEO of our sister body in Australia, AusActive, at a global meeting in San Diego discussing greater global collaboration.” says Beddie “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel on these guidelines.”

“New Zealand has an opportunity right now to take what Australia has done and go even further, incorporating our unique context, communities, and cultures.”  

“We strongly encourage the New Zealand Government to review and update our national physical activity guidelines so they are fit for today, not the past.”

“This is about more than guidelines; it’s about helping all New Zealanders live healthier, more active lives in ways that work for them,”

________________________________

Exercise New Zealand welcomes the Australian Government’s release of its updated national physical activity and wellness guidelines, calling them a clear, practical step forward, and urging Aotearoa New Zealand to follow suit.

The newly released Australian guidelines simplify how people understand movement, health, and wellbeing, placing a stronger emphasis on everyday activity, reducing sedentary behaviour, and supporting long-term healthy habits.

ExerciseNZ Chief Executive Richard Beddie says the updated approach reflects what the industry has been advocating for.

“The Australian guidelines are simple, clear, and pick up on all the key points we know matter. Move more, sit less, and build activity into everyday life.” says Beddie. “We are used to rivalry on the sporting field, now Australia are beating us with clear simple guidelines for wellness.”

“Importantly, they recognise that physical activity is not just about how much you do, but also the type, and part of overall wellbeing, something our sector has long championed. It also gives the right focus to strength and balance activities – something that is often omitted or given little thought.”

“Ironically, the day these were released I was meeting with the CEO of our sister body in Australia, AusActive, at a global meeting in San Diego discussing greater global collaboration.” says Beddie “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel on these guidelines.”

Beddie says the updated framework aligns closely with global trends, including a stronger focus on:

  • Every day movement rather than just formal exercise
  • Reducing sedentary time
  • Supporting mental well-being alongside physical health
  • Including sleep and recovery as a part of the guidelines 
  • Including clear guidelines for strength and balance activities as part of the main message.

 

ExerciseNZ believes New Zealand is now at risk of falling behind if it does not modernise its own national guidance.

“New Zealand has an opportunity right now to take what Australia has done and go even further, incorporating our unique context, communities, and cultures,” says Beddie.

“We strongly encourage the New Zealand Government to review and update our national physical activity guidelines so they are fit for today, not the past.”

ExerciseNZ emphasises that modern guidelines must reflect how people actually live, recognising diverse communities, including Māori, Pasifika, and broader whānau-based approaches to wellbeing.

“This is about more than guidelines, it’s about helping all New Zealanders live healthier, more active lives in ways that work for them,” Beddie says.

With physical inactivity continuing to be a major contributor to long-term health challenges, ExerciseNZ says clear, relevant, and culturally responsive guidance is a critical foundation for improving outcomes across the country.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/lifestyle-australia-beats-new-zealand-to-modernise-physical-activity-and-wellness-guidelines/

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Economy Positions – Recruitment for Assistant Governor, Financial Stability underway

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

25 March 2026 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has commenced recruitment for the role of Assistant Governor Financial Stability.  

This is one of the most senior and visible leadership roles within the RBNZ and involves matters central to New Zealand’s financial system stability.

Financial stability leadership and RBNZ’s financial stability functions continue without disruption while recruitment is underway. Angus McGregor will continue as Acting Assistant Governor Financial Stability and Stan Christian will continue as Acting Director Prudential Supervision.  

Interest in the role internally, domestically and internationally is expected. RBNZ has engaged executive search firm Hobson Leavy for the recruitment process and appointment.  

A further update will be released once the recruitment process is complete. An appointment is expected to be announced in June 2026.

Candidates for the role can apply here: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=b495904a68&e=f3c68946f8

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/economy-positions-recruitment-for-assistant-governor-financial-stability-underway/

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Greens promise to cap rent rises at 2 percent a year

Source: Radio New Zealand

Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The Greens have launched their housing policy for the election, promising legislation to limit rent rises at 2 percent a year.

No-cause evictions would also be scrapped, and a rental Warrant of Fitness and register of landlords and property managers introduced.

Investment in building public housing and ending homelessness would also be increased.

The ‘A home for everybody’ policy was launched by the party co-leaders and local MP Tamatha Paul at a rental home in Wellington on Wednesday afternoon.

Co-leader Marama Davidson said with rental costs increasing from 19 percent of incomes in 1988 to 30 percent in 2022, it was time for housing to be treated as a human right.

“In a country like Aotearoa, with our wealth of resources and skills, there is no excuse for people to go without a decent home, let along any home at all.”

Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the Greens would build tens of thousands more public homes and support councils and community providers to do the same, stimulating local economies and creating jobs while curbing homelessness and waiting lists.

“This isn’t rocket science,” she said. “Mass building of public housing almost 100 years ago led to decades of stable, affordable homes for New Zealanders.

“Other countries have shown how sensible, practical policies to strengthen renters’ rights and common sense tax settings to stop housing being treated as a state-sanctioned casino means more affordable homes.”

A policy document outlined:

  • A Renters’ Rights Bill to cap rent increases at no more than 2 percent a year, end no-cause evictions, and bring in a Rental Warrant of Fitness
  • Create a national register of all landlords, property managers and boarding houses, introducing accreditation and regulatory compliance
  • Build tens of thousands more public homes, and increase long-term funding for councils and community housing providers
  • Invest in domestic pre-fabrication and offsite manufacturing
  • Ensure Kāinga Ora and community housing providers have enough funding to build enough accessible housing to meet the needs of disabled people, including stronger regulation for universally designed house building
  • Create a ‘Duty to Assist’ law placing a legal duty on agencies to ensure people have the housing they need
  • Reverse the government’s changes to emergency accommodation eligibility, and ensure same-day emergency housing is available until the person has access to suitable housing without going into debt
  • Increase funding for mental health, alcohol and addiction, budgeting, food and other community services
  • Ensure planning laws enable house building in towns and cities connected to public transport, shops and community facilities
  • Require councils to enable development capacity for long-term population growth
  • Remove barriers to Māori building on their own land and scale up Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga programme
  • Reverse National’s changes to interest deductability for landlords

The party at the last election also campaigned on many of these measures, but the previous rent-rise cap used a more complicated calculation based on rates of inflation and wage growth.

The party’s 2023 policy for expanding public housing also specified a figure of 35,000 new “warm, affordable homes”, and they had a plan to increase the Income Related Rent Subsidy so no tenant would be forced to spend more than a quarter of their income on rent.

At the time, the housing policy was costed at nearly $14 billion over five years.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/greens-promise-to-cap-rent-rises-at-2-percent-a-year/

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Cause of massive Tongariro National Park fire discovered

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tongariro on Saturday 8 November 2025, a few hours after the fire broke out. Kristina Montgomerie / @kristinamonts

A vehicle losing its rear wheel and dragging its undercarriage along the road sparked the fire which swept through 3000 hectares of Tongariro National Park in November.

A fire investigation report released under the Official Information Act describes witnesses seeing a vehicle with no left rear-wheel being pushed on State Highway 47 by three people.

About 50 metres away a fire was quickly growing which a member of the public called in just after 3pm, 8 November last year.

“The fire size was noted at around the size of two cars and quickly grew to as big as a house, with flames up to 2.5m tall, then very rapidly, by three-to-five minutes, it was the size of a large farm implement shed,” specialist wildfire fire investigator Grant Detheridge-Davies said in his report.

“After the 111 call was terminated, it was estimated the fire to be almost a football field in size.”

Vehicle LH rear wheel showing damage to under side and evidence of metal components being subjected to high temperature. Fire and Emergency / supplied

The vehicle in question was discovered parked in a layby on the opposite side of the road, hidden from sight, about 400m from the specific fire origin area.

“When found the vehicle did have four wheels fitted however the left-hand rear wheel was not fitted correctly and there was significant damage to the underside of the vehicle.”

Detheridge-Davies said inspection of the road showed marks consistent with an item being dragged across the surface from about 60m before the specific fire origin area and then on for approximately 320m.

“The use of a magnet and metal detector confirmed the presence of metal filings and steel pieces in and around these drag marks, most showing they had been subjected to high temperature.”

Based on physical evidence gathered at the scene, witness statements and photographs, Detheridge-Davies concluded the probable cause of the blaze was the “wheel, contacting the road surface creating hot metal sparks setting roadside vegetation on fire”.

The specific ignition area of the fire was narrowed down to the edge of a drain on the side of SH47 where “dry tussock vegetation and rubbish had built up”.

Detheridge-Davies said once the grass was ignited the fire spread quickly to other dry fuels.

“On the day of the fire, scrub fuels had an extreme fire rating. This along with a 15km/h wind recorded at National Park enabled the fire to increase in intensity and rate of spread, becoming a high intensity and fast-moving fire.

“A witness described the fire as the size of a car, but quickly spread to the size of two rugby fields by the time the brigade arrived.”

Detheridge-Davies concluded the fire was accidental.

Fire damage at Tongariro National Park. Fire and Emergency / supplied

Remarkably, documents show a second fire was sparked in the same area in similar circumstances just 30 days later.

A second fire investigation report released under the Official Information Act, describes how a caravan breaking an axle sparked a 300 hectare fire on 8 December.

Also penned by Detheridge-Davies it said FENZ received a 111 call to several vegetation fires on Volcanic Loop Highway SH47 at 1.10pm.

“An overflying helicopter reported the fire as over an 1/2-hectare in size and growing. Due to fire conditions a 3rd alarm [was raised] and a request for three helicopters was transmitted.”

Motorists travelling north on SH47, between State Highway 48 and Mangapopo reported seeing a camper van towing a trailer travelling South towards Waimarino, “the towed trailer was emitting large number of sparks onto the side road from what appeared to be a major mechanical fault”.

A motorist who saw smoke and came across a number of fires on the roadside called 111.

The first arriving Fire and Emergency appliance and passing police officers confirmed at least four fires started on the roadside over about 850m.

Once tussock on the side of the road was ignited the fires grew quickly and merged.

Detheridge-Davies concluded the fire was sparked accidentally.

“The probable cause of the fire was a trailer being towed by a camper van having a flat tyre then breaking an axle, resulting in the underside of the trailer contacting the road surface creating hot metal sparks setting roadside vegetation on fire.”

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/2026/03/25/cause-of-massive-tongariro-national-park-fire-discovered/

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Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara to lead next phase of Predator Free 2050

Source: New Zealand Government

Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara is set to become New Zealand’s first predator-free city, as the Government steps up the next phase of Predator Free 2050, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

As part of this next phase, the focus shifts to scaling up predator elimination across New Zealand, building on the work already underway in communities, strengthening coordination, and using improved tools and technology to move from local projects to larger, sustained impact.

“In Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara, that means extending predator control across the whole city, with more traps, more monitoring, and more action on the ground to bring back native wildlife and strengthen the city’s appeal as a destination.

“This is a coordinated push across the whole city. Practical action that people will notice in their neighbourhoods, with more native species returning and thriving.”

The Department of Conservation will invest $5.5 million over five years to support Predator Free Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara, working alongside Capital Kiwi and Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne. The phased operation will target introduced predators across 18,500 hectares, benefiting more than 200,000 residents and 20,000 businesses.

This work is part of a wider shift to expand what works, advance new tools, and prepare for rollout across New Zealand.

“We are committed to backing our environment and our economy at the same time.

“Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara already attracts visitors, and as native wildlife returns, it opens up opportunities to grow conservation-based tourism, supporting local businesses and jobs.”

More than 9,000 community trapping projects are now active nationwide, alongside large-scale programmes already delivering results. 

This next step focuses on scaling those efforts, using improved tools and coordination to move from local gains to sustained, citywide impact.

“Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara is leading that shift, showing how we scale this work across the country.”

This phase focuses on predator elimination that can work at scale in towns and cities, creating a model that can be applied across New Zealand over time.

Notes to editors:

The Predator Free 2050 strategy Innovate for a predator-free New Zealand outlines priorities for the next five years of delivery.

The Department of Conservation will invest $5.5 million over five years to support Predator Free Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara, alongside partner and philanthropic contributions.

More than 9,000 community trapping projects are active nationwide, alongside 20 large-scale predator free programmes.

A copy of the 2026 Predator Free 2050 strategy can be found attached. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/25/wellington-te-whanganui-a-tara-to-lead-next-phase-of-predator-free-2050/