Category: DJF

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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.

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/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/

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Update: Charges laid following serious assault, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch CIB:

Christchurch Police have charged a man in relation to a serious assault on Worcester Street, Chirstchurch, last week.

On Thursday 19 March, around 10pm, Police were called to Worcester Street following reports that a person had received injuries consistent with being stabbed.

The victim was transported to hospital in a serious condition and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

This morning Police spoke with a 19-year-old man in relation to the incident.

He has now been charged with injuring with intent to injure, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He is due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.

Police would like to thank the members of the public who came forward and assisted with information, as well as provided CCTV footage for officers to review.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/25/update-charges-laid-following-serious-assault-christchurch/

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Fire at wreckers yard in Upper Hutt

Source: Radio New Zealand

A car wreckers is on fire in Upper Hutt. Wellington Fire and Emergency

Firefighters are responding to a fire at a wreckers yard in Upper Hutt.

Shift manager Murray Dunbar said they were called at 1.30pm, and there were 13 trucks in attendance.

The wreckers is near the intersection of Blenheim Street, Seddon Street and Goodshed Road.

Police said Blenheim Street is closed, and advised motorists to avoid the area.

A man at the cordon believed a wrecked car was the cause of the fire.

Another said there was lots of smoke and lots of firefighters.

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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/fire-at-wreckers-yard-in-upper-hutt/

Posted on

Few Kiwis accessing financial advice, many unsure where to start

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealanders actively think about their financial situation, with 63 percent considering their position at least weekly. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has found just 28 percent of New Zealanders have accessed financial advice in the past 12 months, with some groups significantly under-represented.

The regulator’s review found people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and some ethnic groups, including Māori and Pasifika communities, were missing out, with many unsure about what financial advice is, how to access it and how much it cost.

“Additionally, accessibility challenges are more pronounced for Māori, who encounter barriers including a lack of culturally aligned advice models and tools,” FMA chief executive Samantha Barrass said.

There was a gap in the availability of advice to support New Zealanders through retirement, with many unsure about how to sustainably use their savings throughout retirement.

She said many providers were uncertain about how to tailor the nature and scope of advice.

“This means advisers sometimes do more than they need to, or take an overly cautious approach, making advice less accessible.”

Financial Advice New Zealand chief executive Nick Hakes said members were looking forward to further collaboration and engagement with the FMA in coming months.

Among the key findings was New Zealanders actively thought about their financial situation, with 63 percent considering their position at least weekly.

However, poor financial literacy was an issue for many. Many had just moderate confidence in understanding what a financial advisor does, with women being less confident than men.

Education also played a role in confidence. Just 48 percent of those with a high school education rated themselves as having a high level of confidence of better than four out of five, followed by 69 percent for those with a bachelor’s degree and 67 percent for those with a master’s degree.

The FMA said there was also room for improvement when it came to helping consumers seek financial advice.

Affordability was an issue for 31 percent of respondents, while 26 percent said they did not know where to start, followed by a lack of trust in advisers (15 percent), not knowing how to find a qualified adviser and information overload (both 14 percent).

Just one in five respondents said they preferred to manage their finances themselves.

Only 24 percent indicated they had not experienced any difficulty in getting financial advice.

Barrass said innovation was a key area of opportunity for increasing accessibility, including technology-enabled and hybrid advice models that could make advice scalable and more consistent.

“Technology can automate parts of the process that currently take advisers a lot of time, freeing them up to focus more on the human conversations that consumers value.”

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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/few-kiwis-accessing-financial-advice-many-unsure-where-to-start/

Posted on

Live cricket: White Ferns v South Africa Proteas women – fifth and final T20

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the T20 cricket action as the White Ferns take on South Africa for their fifth and final T20 international match.

The White Ferns have already sealed victory 3-1 with a game to spare, after a commanding six-wicket win in the fourth match in Wellington on Sunday.

First ball at Hagley Oval is at 2.45pm.

– 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-cricket-white-ferns-v-south-africa-proteas-women-fifth-and-final-t20/

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Live: Rain sets in ahead of red heavy rain 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.

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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/live-rain-sets-in-ahead-of-red-heavy-rain-warning-for-northland-severe-weather-for-upper-north-island/

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Latest data shows dip in NZ’s fuel stocks

Source: Radio New Zealand

There is now 46.6 days of fuel in the country. RNZ / Unsplash

The latest data shows a very slight dip in the country’s fuel stocks – now just shy of 47 days worth.

That includes about 48.7 days worth of petrol, 46.4 days of diesel, and 43.4 days of jet fuel, either in the country or on its way.

It averages out at 46.6 days – just down from the 46.9 days reported on Monday.

Officials are now reporting twice weekly on the stock levels given growing concern about the potential for shortages given the war in the Middle East.

They said fuel supply remains within normal level right now – and New Zealanders don’t need to modify their behaviour.

More to come…

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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/latest-data-shows-dip-in-nzs-fuel-stocks/

Posted on

Blenheim Street, Upper Hutt closed

Source: New Zealand Police

Blenheim Street, Upper Hutt is currently closed due to a nearby fire.

Police were called to the fire on the corner of Blenheim Street and Goodshed Road at around 1:35pm.

No injuries have been reported.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/blenheim-street-upper-hutt-closed/

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Education groups unite to oppose government’s school curriculum overhaul

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Principals’ Federation says it hopes the ministry and Education Minister Erica Stanford will listen, however say the minister has been choosing to talk with other people in the education sector. RNZ / Nick Monro

Thirteen education organisations representing thousands of teachers and principals have united to oppose the government’s school curriculum overhaul.

In a letter published on Wednesday organisations including teacher union the Educational Institute, the Principals’ Federation and several subject associations, said the proposed changes were not fit for purpose.

They said the curriculum framework and six draft curriculum documents were not fit for purpose, did not meet the Education Ministry’s own standards, “and represent a profound, unworkable narrowing of curriculum scope”.

“The pace of curriculum change is unreasonable, has layered multiple demands on schools and kura, and has created huge workloads on the sector,” they said.

“This will have significant negative impacts, including impacting on the recruitment and retention of teachers.”

Principals’ Federation president Jason Miles told RNZ primary schools had already introduced new maths and English curriculums, which made huge changes to the way schools taught the subjects, and work on the remaining six learning areas should stop.

“There is a lot wrong with the draft curriculum that has been presented for consultation. It’s devoid of anything to do with Te Tiriti. It is full of knowledge, rich objectives, over 1000 objectives from year zero to eight, they’re not coherent,” he said.

“It’s surface level teaching, it’s tick-charts, it’s knowledge-rich objectives which will be easily assessed. But what we are concerned about is the deeper, capabilities and competencies that are missing from these curriculum.”

Miles said the groups’ decision to make a joint statement was hugely significant.

“We’ve all slammed the direction, the pace, and the lack of genuine consultation, and the government’s rushed wholesale curriculum reform,” he said.

“We’re fundamentally saying that these curriculums cannot go ahead.”

Miles said he hoped the ministry and Education Minister Erica Stanford would listen, however he said the minister was choosing to talk with other people in the education sector.

NZEI Te Riu Roa president Ripeka Lessels told RNZ the minister and ministry had not listened to the organisations so far, but she hoped that would change.

Asked if there was middle ground between the groups’ philosophy of education and the approach favoured by the minister, Lessels said there was still room for talk.

“We clearly do believe that the [government’s] ideologies are in opposition to what we believe is good practice for education and for the classroom,” she said.

“We do believe that some of the things that we believe are driving this ideology are definitely not good for our country and not good for our children and we do believe that if we don’t stand up and have a conversation, then these ideologies may become something that the country has no choice but to take on board.”

Other signatories to the open letter included the Māori principals’ association Te Akatea, the Teacher Education Forum and associations representing teachers of subjects including social studies, physical education, and drama.

It’s not the first time different education organisations had united to oppose the government’s school sector changes.

Multiple principals associations last year published open letters urging the government to slow down its curriculum overhaul and 10 organisations including Catholic school principals and kindergartens spoke out against changes to teacher registration and disciplinary body the Teaching Council.

Principals and teachers spoken to by RNZ this year have warned that while some of the government’s English and maths changes were positive, it was trying to make too much change too fast.

Thirteen organisations signed the letter and the NZEI said others were considering it.

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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/education-groups-unite-to-oppose-governments-school-curriculum-overhaul/