Category: DJF

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Two people dead, another in critical condition after SH1 crash in Marlborough

Source: Radio New Zealand

Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene. 123RF

A crash near Redwood Pass has left two people dead and a third in a critical condition.

Emergency Services were called to the two-vehicle crash around 10.30am on Sunday.

Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.

It said two people were airlifted to Wellington hospital in a critical condition, while another was taken taken to Christchurch hospital, also in a critical condition.

Two people have since died.

Police said the Serious Crash Unit had been advised.

The New Zealand Transport Agency warned motorists to avoid the area until the incident site was cleared.

Those travelling between Marlborough and Canterbury were advised to detour via the inland route, with State Highway 1 closed.

The detour could add between two and three hours from Christchurch.

There is no current estimate for when State Highway 1 would reopen.

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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/2026/02/22/two-people-dead-another-in-critical-condition-after-sh1-crash-in-marlborough/

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Three people airlifted to hospital in critical condition after SH1 crash in Marlborough

Source: Radio New Zealand

Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene. 123RF

A crash near Redwood Pass has left three people in a critical condition and closed State Highway 1.

Emergency Services were called to the two-vehicle crash around 10.30am on Sunday.

Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.

It said two people were airlifted to Wellington hospital in a critical condition, while another was taken taken to Christchurch hospital, also in a critical condition.

Police said the Serious Crash Unit had been advised.

The New Zealand Transport Agency warned motorists to avoid the area until the incident site was cleared.

Those travelling between Marlborough and Canterbury were advised to detour via the inland route, which was significantly longer.

The detour could add between two and three hours from Christchurch.

There is no current estimate for when State Highway 1 would reopen.

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/2026/02/22/three-people-airlifted-to-hospital-in-critical-condition-after-sh1-crash-in-marlborough/

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Fatal crash, SH1, Marlborough

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm two people have died following a serious crash on State Highway 1 near Redwood Pass this morning.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 10.40am.

Despite best efforts by emergency services, two people died at the scene.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.

The road will be closed for some time and motorists are advised to expect delays or avoid travel to the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/fatal-crash-sh1-marlborough/

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Move-on orders to target disorderly behaviour

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is providing police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.

“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation, and dysfunction,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“Our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance. Businesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop. 

“Currently, police officers have limited options to respond, particularly when it doesn’t reach the level of offending. It means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before officers have any means of intervention. It doesn’t make sense.

“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where shoppers, visitors, residents and their families can feel safe in our communities,” Mr Goldsmith says.

Therefore, the Government has agreed to amend the Summary Offences Act, to provide police with the power to issue move-on orders to people who are: 

  • Displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour.
  • Obstructing or impeding someone entering a business.
  • Breaching the peace.
  • All forms of begging.
  • Rough sleeping.
  • Behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place.

These orders will: 

  • Require a person to leave a specified area for a specified amount of time, up to 24 hours.
  • Require a person to move on a reasonable distance from the area, as specified by the constable.
  • Apply to people aged 14 or older.
  • Be issued in writing, as is operationally appropriate.

“This is about public safety and providing our frontline with additional enforcement powers to ensure the public can feel and are safe,” Mr Mitchell says.  

“In terms of where people will be moved on to, they will be required to move a reasonable distance away from the area, as specified by the constable.

“Naturally, every situation will be different. Some people may require support services, some may not. Police have the expertise to assess and determine what support is required, if any – they do this every day.  

“Our police officers are familiar with the locations they work with and already have strong networks and partnerships with social and housing services. I expect Police will work closely with these providers as they develop their operational guidance for the frontline,” Mr Mitchell says.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/move-on-orders-to-target-disorderly-behaviour/

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Dogs that injured three people in Christchurch could be euthanised, councillor says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Animal control officers seized two dogs after the attack in the Christchurch suburb Brywndwr. Sam Sherwood / RNZ

The two dogs that attacked and injured three people in Brywndwr yesterday could be euthanised, a councillor says.

One person has critical injuries, another was seriously injured, and a third was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Animal control officers seized two dogs after the attack.

Fendalton ward councillor David Cartwright said it was “absolutely devastating”.

“My thoughts go out to [the victims], their family, and obviously the first responders who would have been faced with what I understand is quite a gruesome situation when they arrived.”

Staff would now work through what happens to the dogs, he said.

“My understanding is that there will be an investigation, and then a possible euthanasia for the dogs, if it’s found that they are … violent or uncontrollable.”

Staff would work alongside police, talk to any witnesses, and be sure that they had impounded the correct dogs, said Cartwright.

The Dog Control Act says dogs can be impounded if they’ve attacked a person or another dog.

The owner of a dog that causes serious injury can be imprisoned for up to three years or fined up to $20,000.

The court will also order the dog destroyed if they owner is convicted, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Christchurch City Council referred RNZ to police, who are investigating.

Cartwright said he also planned to ask staff to review local bylaws to ensure they were fit for purpose.

But he said a central government review of the Dog Control Act would have the biggest impact in preventing attacks.

Shane Jones says dog owners must be held accountable with hefty jail terms RNZ / Mark Papalii

The Christchurch attack comes the same week 62-year-old Mihiata Te Rore was killed by dogs while visiting a home in the Northland town of Kaihu.

Northland local and cabinet ministerShane Jones said the current laws were not fit for purpose and “homicidal dogs” were scattered around Northland – with the problem worsening over years.

Dog owners must be held accountable with hefty jail terms, he said.

Te Rore was the fourth person in New Zealand killed by dogs in the last four years, three of which were in Northland.

Elizabeth Whittaker was killed in an attack in 2023 while Neville Thomson died in a 2022 attack. A four-year-old boy was also killed in an attack in the Bay of Plenty last year.

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/2026/02/22/dogs-that-injured-three-people-in-christchurch-could-be-euthanised-councillor-says/

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Person injured in dog attack in Timaru

Source: Radio New Zealand

Emergency Services were called to Andrew Street at about 8.30pm Saturday. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

A person has been injured after a dog attack in Timaru.

Emergency services were called to Andrew Street in the suburb of Marchwiel about 8.30pm Saturday.

The person had suffered injuries to their hand from a dog bite.

Hato Hone St John confirmed it had sent an ambulance to the scene.

“Our crew assessed and treated one patient who was transported to Timaru hospital in a moderate condition,” a spokesperson said.

Animal Control was also in attendance.

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/2026/02/22/person-injured-in-dog-attack-in-timaru/

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Luxon chooses to punish the homeless after making more people homeless

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is imploring the Government to choose actual solutions to homelessness, after Ministers today announced the Government’s plan to effectively criminalise it.

“Christopher Luxon’s Government chose to intentionally make homelessness worse, and now they’re criminalising the problem they have inflamed,” says Green Party Co-leader and Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick.

“When the Government ignored its own official advice, community leaders, social services and expert warnings to cut off access to emergency housing and slash support for wrap-around services, communities received a tidal wave increase in homelessness.

“Since these changes came into effect, we have been practically begging the Prime Minister to come out into the real world, to meet the people, including the children, who his policies have made homeless.

“We know the solutions, which the Government continues to choose to ignore.

“Now, instead of solving it, they’re going to push the problem around, and throw good money after bad to lock up homeless people in prisons at a cost in excess of $200,000 a year, for worse and worse outcomes.

“Not only is Luxon’s Government following Trump’s America in foreign policy, but they’re now copy-pasting that callous approach to local issues – ignoring evidence, punching down and relying on strong man words when the country needs genuine solutions.

“If the Government wants to ‘deal’ with homelessness, it should house people. It says it just wants to ‘move’ people ‘on’ – to where?” says Chlöe Swarbrick. 

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/luxon-chooses-to-punish-the-homeless-after-making-more-people-homeless/

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Pulp at Spark Arena: Britpop band still have talent and charisma in spadefuls

Source: Radio New Zealand

Showing us they’ve still got talent and charisma in spadefuls, Pulp’s Auckland show was a great reminder (if we needed one) of why they were such a supremely popular band in the 1990s.

Last night, the British band gave no sign of age wearying them, nor creative juices drying up.

At 63, frontman Jarvis Cocker still oozes cool from every pore, and his distinctive all-limbs-in-up-and-out performance was as iconic as ever.

Pulp performing at Auckland’s Spark Arena on 21 February 2026.

Nik Dirga

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/pulp-at-spark-arena-britpop-band-still-have-talent-and-charisma-in-spadefuls/

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State Highway 1 in Marlborough closed after serious crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised. RNZ / Richard Tindiller

State Highway 1 in Marlborough is closed after a serious crash near Redwood Pass on Sunday.

Emergency Services were called to the two-vehicle crash around 10.30am.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

Police said the initial indications suggest there were serious injuries.

Motorists were advised to expect delays or avoid travel if possible.

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/2026/02/22/state-highway-1-in-marlborough-closed-after-serious-crash/

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Move-on orders build on progress in Auckland CBD

Source: New Zealand Government

New move-on powers for Police, announced today, are a key part of the Government’s action plan to create a thriving Auckland city centre, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Move-on orders give Police an important tool to address antisocial behaviour that makes people feel unsafe. When people are intimidating others, blocking doorways, or engaging in threatening behaviour, Police need the ability to act.

“These powers build on the work already underway through our city centre action plan announced last year and will help restore confidence that Auckland’s CBD is a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place for families, workers and visitors.

“Auckland’s city centre is a vital part of New Zealand’s economy, contributing around 8 percent of our GDP and serving as the gateway to our tourism sector. Ensuring the CBD is safe and welcoming for those who live, work, and visit is essential.”

The city centre action plan is already seeing good progress in making the city centre safer and more welcoming. 

  • 146 people have been placed into housing through our Housing First initiative by the end of January – up from 33 when the plan was announced in November last year.
  • Crime victimisations have fallen from 1,010 in January 2024 to 638 in December 2025, with a new Police Station opened in the CBD last year and Police increasingly on the beat.

“Our approach balances support with accountability. We’re helping those who need housing and mental health services, while taking firm action against behaviour that intimidates others.

“Auckland Council has also made good progress improving city centre safety, including redesigning Pocket Park to reduce anti-social behaviour, and ensuring street lighting and cameras cross the CBD are operational to support Police.

“Our city centre has never been more important. The International Convention Centre has recently opened, the City Rail Link opens this year, and cruise ships are bringing thousands of visitors into Auckland. 

“I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the progress we’ve seen so far – from frontline Police and outreach workers to council staff and community groups. While we’re heading in the right direction, there’s still more work to do to ensure Auckland’s city centre is a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.

“Our Government is backing Auckland to succeed.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/22/move-on-orders-build-on-progress-in-auckland-cbd/

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Serious crash, SH1, Marlborough

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 1 is closed following a serious crash near Redwood Pass this morning.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 10.40am.

Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

The road is closed while emergency services are in attendance, motorists are advised to expect delays or avoid travel if possible.

ENDS

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/serious-crash-sh1-marlborough/

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Government announces homeless move-on orders – for all town centres, not just Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

The government has confirmed it will give police the power to issue move-on orders – not just in Auckland, but all town centres across the country.

The powers will mean police can move on rough sleepers or people displaying disorderly behaviour as young as 14 years old.

That is despite data showing public order, health and safety offence proceedings reaching levels much lower than they were a decade ago, and the police minister expressing a reluctance towards police leading a homelessness response in Auckland’s CBD and an expectation other agencies “step up and own” social issues.

Last November, it was reported the government was considering measures to move homeless people out of Auckland’s city centre.

At the time, the prime minister said the government was “up for those”, but there had to be supports in place for the homeless.

Now, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell have revealed details of the policy, confirming it will be rolled out everywhere, and it will be left to police officers to decide what support a person needs, if at all.

Goldsmith said New Zealand’s main streets and town centres had been “blighted” by disruption and disturbance, with businesses “declining” as bad behaviour went unchecked.

He said police officers currently had limited options to respond, particularly if behaviour did not reach the level of offending.

“It means many disruptive, distressing and potentially harmful acts can occur before officers have any means of intervention. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The government will amend the Summary Offences Act to give police the power to issue move-on orders to people who are displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening, or intimidating behaviour.

They will also apply to people who are obstructing or impeding someone entering a business, breaching the peace, begging, rough sleeping, or displaying behaviour indicating an attempt to inhabit a public place.

The orders will require someone to leave that area for a specified time – up to 24 hours – and distance determined by the officer.

When the order is issued, the person will be warned it is an offence to breach it, unless they have a reasonable excuse for being there. The penalty for a breach would be a maximum fine of $2,000 or up to three months imprisonment.

Specifics on where people could be moved to were light.

Mitchell said someone would be required to move to a “reasonable distance” away from the area, “as specified by the constable.”

He said every situation would be different, and police had the expertise to assess and determine what support would be required.

“They do this every day,” Mitchell said.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Officers were familiar with their area and already had strong networks and partnerships with social and housing services, and Mitchell expected police would work closely with these services as the frontline operational guidance was developed.

However, emails released to RNZ under the Official Information Act showed Mitchell’s office expressing a reluctance for police to lead a homelessness response in Auckland’s CBD.

In the email, dated 5 November, a staff member said: “Feel it is important just to flag that Minister Mitchell does not believe that police has a leadership role in this and has in the past ended up picking up the work of other agencies, which stretches their resources in other areas.”

The staffer said police “obviously” had powers that others did not, and would assist, but Mitchell was “very keen to disabuse anyone of the notion that Police will lead a response to homelessness.”

“Police are already doing good work to curb offending in the CBD. Minister Mitchell’s view is that this needs to be cross agency work led elsewhere, with police continuing to do their part on the offending piece, but that the social issues require other agencies to step up and own those issues.”

The emails showed the government was considering adding in a commitment regarding antisocial behaviour to the Auckland City Deal, with police and Internal Affairs working with the Council to “support enforcement tools and powers, including strengthened bylaws and legislative change, where required.”

Mitchell’s staffer said they were “slightly frustrated” that the wording had progressed somewhat quickly, “as it looks to me like police may end up carrying a leadership role – acknowledge that this may end up having to be feedback on the CRD paper when it comes through, but I doubt Minister Mitchell would support that wording as framed.”

Rough sleeper tents in Wellington’s Shelly Bay. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The changes will have to go through a legislative process before coming into effect.

Police data shows public order, health and safety offence proceedings in Auckland City were at a 10-year low in 2025, with just 39 proceedings in December 2025 compared to 168 in December 2015.

Nationwide, there were 428 public order, health and safety offence proceedings in December 2025, compared to 1663 in December 2015.

Earlier this year, the Wellington City Mission said it would actively oppose any move-on orders if they were implemented without support services.

When they were first mooted in November, the Auckland City Mission said any enforcement approach would be “totally and utterly ineffective”, while Green Party co-leader and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick said moving homeless people out of the city centre would only shift the problem elsewhere.

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/2026/02/22/government-announces-homeless-move-on-orders-for-all-town-centres-not-just-auckland/

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Consumer NZ – Support for surcharge ban getting stronger

Source: Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ urges the government to push ahead with a surcharge ban, with research finding almost three in five New Zealanders support a ban on card payment surcharges, and only 15% oppose the proposal.

It’s estimated that excessive card payment surcharges cost New Zealand shoppers approximately $65 million a year. Yet since December 2025, businesses’ costs associated with accepting card payments have reduced, saving businesses an estimated $90 million a year.

“Two-thirds of New Zealanders think that businesses should cover the cost of card payments themselves,” says Jessica Walker, Consumer NZ campaign manager.

Since 2023, Consumer has received over 300 complaints about excessive surcharges. The highest reported surcharge was 25%.

Walker says New Zealanders are frequently being stung by excessive, hidden and unavoidable surcharges.

“Too many businesses are flouting the guidelines which say surcharges should be transparent, avoidable and not excessive.    

“Over a quarter of New Zealanders told us they think they are rarely or never informed of surcharges ahead of payment, and more than four in ten said they’ve paid a surcharge because they couldn’t use a no-fee option.”

According to Consumer, the best way to fix the surcharge mess is an all-out ban.

“A ban would be simple for businesses and would stop consumers from being hit with hidden or excessive surcharges. If a business chooses to pass on additional costs due to the ban, we expect those costs to be minimal.

“Internationally we are seeing a more progressive stance when it comes to surcharging, with Australian regulators signalling they will ban surcharges on debit and credit card payments from mid-2026. In the UK and EU, surcharging is already largely banned. We don’t think it’s fair New Zealand consumers are expected to continue shouldering these costs.”

Consumer says there’s widespread surcharge frustration amongst shoppers and it’s time for the government to fix the surcharge mess.  

Notes

Survey data is from the Consumer NZ Sentiment Tracker; a nationally representative survey of 1,000 New Zealanders aged 18+ conducted 21-29 January 2026 (margin of error ± 3.1% at the 95% confidence level). Respondents were excluded if they had completed the Sentiment Tracker at any point in the previous 12 months.

About Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/22/consumer-nz-support-for-surcharge-ban-getting-stronger/

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Arts – 2026 NZSA Kupu Kaitiaki & Kaituhi Mentor Programmes for Kaituhi Māori

Source: NZSA

Open For Applications February 20th – April 10th

He karanga tēnei ki ngā kaituhi Māori, he pōwhiri hoki kia kawea ō pūkenga tuhituhi ki tētahi taumata kounga hou. Whakaae ki tā mātou wero ki te tuhi i a koe anō ki tētahi wāhi e tū ai koe i waenga i ō hoa aropā, i ō hoa kaituhi hoki e titiro ai ki anamata. Nau mai, piki mai, kake mai!

Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei

Ko tā ngā hōtaka o te NZSA e kīia nei ko ngā hōtaka Kaituhi, Kupu Kaitiaki hoki, he tautoko i te whakarahi i ngā reo Māori, i ngā kōrero Māori kia kitea ai, hei te mutunga iho, kia nui ake te tā me te whakaatu i aua mahi. Kua whakatauiratia aua hōtaka ki ngā hōtaka kaiakopono me te aromatawai kua 30 tau e haere ana, he mea whai pānga, angitu hoki hei tautoko i ngā kaituhi. Whakarato ngātahi ai te NZSA me Ngā Kaituhi Māori i aua hōtaka motuhake mā ngā kaituhi Māori.

These two programmes aim to support the amplification of Māori voices, Māori stories, and ultimately see greater publication and performance of these works.  They are modelled on NZSA’s 30-year successful and impactful mentorship and assessment support programmes for writers. NZSA offers two dedicated programmes for Māori writers through Ngā Kaituhi Māori.

Kaituhi Māori Mentor Programme:

Designed for emerging writers who whakapapa Māori to have the opportunity to work closely with an acclaimed writer as their mentor to hone their tuhituhi ability and, in the process, evolve and refine a work toward a publishable state. We welcome applications from kaituhi who write in te reo Māori and/or te reo Pākehā, in the genres of fiction including short fiction, on any topic(s). We welcome kaituhi of all ages – from rangatahi to kaumātua.
 
Over a period of up to six months, this mentorship provides opportunities to discuss ideas and issues – practical and editorial – and benefit from the experience, mōhio and mana of experienced kaituhi Māori to help aspiring kaituhi Māori develop further skills to sustain and strengthen their future career. Modelled on a tuakana-teina relationship, this kaupapa aims to offer a safe and supportive space for emerging kaituhi to develop their craft; gain encouragement and accountability, along with substantive feedback. As well as mentorship, part of this programme is to provide constructive suggestions for the refinement of a work in progress.  
 
There are four (4) mentorships for kaituhi Māori available in 2026.

Kupu Kaitiaki:

This kaupapa is an assessment programme and aims to provide new and emerging kaituhi with valuable feedback from a skilled Kupu Kaitiaki, for the refinement of a part of a manuscript written in te reo Māori or in English. The proposed work can be in the genres of poetry, fiction (excluding plays), short fiction or non-fiction (excluding screenplays and picture books), on any topic(s), of up to 30,000 words. The two selected successful manuscripts will be read by an experienced te reo Māori pūkenga and literary advisor – a Kupu Kaitiaki – who will compile feedback in a brief report. It offers kaituhi an opportunity to further develop style and direction, and receive support for a project in the early stages of development.

The desired outcome is to champion Māori writers and Māori writing and in particular, works by kaituhi Māori in te reo Māori. To apply, kaituhi can send in a piece a 1-2 page synopsis along with a sample (max 5,000 words) of the manuscript they are seeking feedback on. There are two opportunities available in 2026. Assessments of the recipients’ works will begin shortly after selection, and will be completed on/by 30 June 2026.

Applications for these programmes are open from 20 February – 10 April 2026. Applicants will be notified within 4-6 weeks of the result.

How to Apply

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/22/arts-2026-nzsa-kupu-kaitiaki-kaituhi-mentor-programmes-for-kaituhi-maori/

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PSA Responds – How dare you blame unions Mr Peters. You blew chance to block anti-worker law

Source: PSA

PSA calls on NZ First to put workers first, not big business
Winston Peters is simply wrong to blame unions for being too slow to convince New Zealand First to block the Fire at Will Bill when his party knew about unions’ concerns in August last year.
Winston Peters told RNZ NZ First could have stopped the Fire at Will / Uber Bill but unions came to the party too late. The party failed to vote against the Employment Relations Amendment Bill which passed its Third Reading on Tuesday.
“How dare Winston Peters claim unions were too slow when they contacted his party last year when there was plenty of time for him to make a difference,” said Fleur Fitzsimson, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“He had all the time in world in fact – 196 days in fact between the PSA’s first meeting with NZ First last year and the passing of the Bill this Tuesday.
“It’s as simple as this – the party lacked the guts to stand up to the ACT party despite expressing concerns in speeches about the Bill.
“They committed in the Second Reading to make changes to the personal grievance provisions. We held out hope, but nothing happened. Why?
“So, ACT got to write a bill that rips up personal grievance provisions and allows Uber to exploit workers on contracts.
“Here are the facts:
“I got in touch with New Zealand First in August last year and met with their staff in Mr Peters’ office on 5 August. It was a useful meeting, and they put me in touch with their Employment Relations spokesperson, Mark Patterson .
“There were two further constructive meetings with Mark Patterson before the Second Reading of the Bill. He really seemed to give us a fair hearing and asked for possible amendments to take the harsh edges off the proposed legislation.
“And we made a last minute, constructive plea to the party last week delivering a handwritten card to Mr Peters.
“This is the man who claims his party is all about ‘the responsible face of capitalism’. Responsible capitalism means basic protections for workers from unfair treatment which is what personal grievance remedies are all about.
“Mr Peters had every chance to walk the talk but turned a blind eye.
“Once again, Winston Peters and NZ First, have ignored workers, and voted for the most anti-worker legislation in three decades, adding to his party voting with National and ACT to scrap Fair Pay Agreements and pay equity for 150,000 women, supporting 90-day trials and suppressing low minimum wage increases.
“The facts speak for themselves. NZ First, like National, is simply the lap dog of the anti-worker ACT party. You must wonder what price has Mr Peters extracted for his party to back the Bill.
“Workers will never forget this latest betrayal – the PSA will be reminding voters come the election what NZ First really stands for – putting the Coalition Government’s business mates first, not New Zealand workers.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/psa-responds-how-dare-you-blame-unions-mr-peters-you-blew-chance-to-block-anti-worker-law/

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Federated Farmers – Rates cap potential and pitfalls need scrutiny

Source: Federated Farmers

By Sandra Faulkner, Federated Farmers local government spokesperson
At Federated Farmers, we’re all in favour of greater local government spending restraint.
We’re not in favour of so severely straight-jacketing council budget decisions that vital infrastructure upgrades and maintenance are delayed or cancelled.
That might sound like Federated Farmers wants a bob each way on the Government’s proposed 2-4% cap on council rates.
In reality, it reflects the tricky balance between calls for fiscal discipline and the unavoidable cost pressures councils face.
I think all of us, even councils, agree on one thing – that the trajectory of rates hikes is unaffordable for increasing numbers of families and businesses.
But the 2-4% rates cap the Government wants in place by 2029 is a blunt tool that could have unintended consequences.
Exempt from the proposed cap are charges for waste, drinking and stormwater services.
With an estimated network renewal backlog of as much as $47.9 billion because of previous under-investment, the Government knows we have to catch up on this vital work.
Work on other infrastructure particularly vital to rural areas – roading, bridges, drainage, flood protection – is also plagued by significant council (and central government) under-investment in many districts.
When councillors factor in paying interest on rising council debt, never mind soaring costs for contractors and raw materials, a rates cap will create temptation – even necessity – to delay or delete important capital works.
Federated Farmers believes there should be a rates cap exemption for targeted road and infrastructure rates, just as is proposed for three waters charges.
The Government’s thinking is that a rates cap will force councils to prioritise ‘must haves’ and pare back on ‘nice to haves’.
As a generalisation, smaller rural councils probably spend less on nice to haves.
A rates cap, including on district councils already grappling with costs of providing for high numbers of visitors and tourists, could end up cutting into budgets for ‘must haves’.
Faced with a rates cap, councils might also look to offset revenue shortfalls by hiking other charges or selling assets.
Rates are the largest source of income for local authorities, making up on average 57% of total operating revenue.
Other revenue comes from council-owned trading entities like ports and airports, but these tend to be owned by metropolitan councils rather than smaller district councils.
Councils also charge fees for everything from swimming pool entry to parking, building consents and liquor licences. These services are often subsidised by general rates.
To offset a rates cap, these fees could be raised.
Lots of people like the notion of ‘user pays’ – unless they’re a user.
Perhaps farmers would welcome higher council fees for rubbish collection, swimming pools, sports playing surfaces, food outlet inspections and other services they don’t get to use as much as town residents.
But they’re less likely to be happy with fee hikes for compliance inspections, resource consents and dog registration.
There’s a common misconception the rates cap will mean no property owner’s rates bill can increase by more than 4% in any year. But the restriction is on a council’s total revenue from rates.
Just as is the case now, a property owner’s share of total rates is determined by capital (or land) value.
In three-yearly revaluations, if your property value has risen more than the average for the district, you’ll pay more in rates – and vice-versa.
Two other ideas Feds will raise in our submission on the rates cap proposal relate to referenda and benchmarking.
We think councils should need residents’ consent for large spends on commercial facilities and ventures, like stadiums and conference centres.
A referendum would be required, for example, where the spend is greater than $500 per resident.
This would allow councils to provide community well-being services and activities, while restrain them from destroying their balance sheets through risky investments beyond their core purpose.
If we’re serious about driving council costs down, there’s also a case for much improved nationwide benchmarking of council costs.
Armed with detailed information on average costs for road maintenance, playground installation, reserves mowing and so on, councillors could drill down into spending – and challenge officers’ reports.
With council rates bills now one of the biggest household costs – and one of the most prominent lines in a farm’s budget – the rates cap and related issues deserve solid debate in the run-up to the general election.
Federated Farmers will be vocal in the debate, just as we have been in talk of council restructuring and amalgamation, to make sure the rural voice and priorities are prominent. 

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/federated-farmers-rates-cap-potential-and-pitfalls-need-scrutiny/

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Fire Safety – Fire and Emergency received calls for 17 incidents during today’s strike

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 17 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Friday 20 February, the twelfth time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.
Of these, 13 incidents were in areas impacted by the strike.
Two incidents were reports of fires at residential properties, one of which was a pot smoking on a stove and the other was a fire in a property’s roof space.
Two incidents were reports of car fires, which did not result in a fire and two incidents were reports of rubbish bin fires.
One incident was a motor vehicle crash with no rescue required. Five were fire alarms which did not result in a fire.
There was also a significant fire at Northcote College on Auckland’s North Shore.
Assistant National Commander Ron Devlin says Fire and Emergency was first notified of the fire through a fire alarm at 12.17pm.
“As part of our contingency planning to manage reduced capability during strike action, we do not dispatch crews to automatic fire alarm activations unless there are multiple activations or confirming 111 calls.
“Following a second fire alarm notification crews were dispatched at 12.19pm.
“While heading to the scene we also received a 111 call from a member of the public.
“A commander was first to arrive at the scene at 12.29pm followed by a volunteer brigade from Silverdale at 12.34pm.
“They were later joined by additional volunteer brigades and career crews arrived following the conclusion of today’s strike action.
“Students and staff were evacuated and thankfully there are no reports of any injuries. Approximately 20 crews remain at the scene and the fire is now under control.”
Ron Devlin says Fire and Emergency continues to urge the NZPFU to call off planned strikes while the process of facilitation is underway.
“I want to thank our 11,800 volunteers across the country, especially those who were called to attend events in areas impacted by the strike.
“I would also like to thank our Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers, who managed the response.”

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/fire-safety-fire-and-emergency-received-calls-for-17-incidents-during-todays-strike/

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Property Market – $40m wiped from property market in Q4, but figures show improvement on last year – RealEstate

Source: RealEstate.co.nz

  • 1,374 listings recorded a price drop in Q4 2025, the lowest number in two years
  • Only 3% of all listings were reduced, the lowest portion in two years 
  • $41,309,345 million was the total value of price reductions, the lowest total price drop in a quarter
  • Stable OCR could be first sign of a property market recovery in 2026.

Latest data from realestate.co.nz shows that more than $40 million was trimmed from property asking prices across New Zealand in the last quarter of 2025.

In a shift that may signal improving market conditions, the total amount that dropped out of the market was $14 million less than the $55 million slashed in Q4 of 2024 *

In Q4 2025, fewer properties reduced the price of their listing. And of the listings that did drop their price, they did so by slightly less than any other quarter.

*This data reflects the difference between a property’s original asking price when listed on realestate.co.nz and its price at the point of sale or withdrawal. While it doesn’t show the final sale price, it provides a strong signal of how much sellers are adjusting to meet buyer demand.

Is the property market in recovery?

Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says the latest figures could be an early indicator that the market is beginning to swing in a different direction.

“While $40 million coming out of the market is still significant, fewer vendors reduced the price of their property last quarter than we’ve seen over the two years prior, an indication that the overall amount trimmed from the market in Q4 is a result not of smaller reductions but by fewer properties needing to reduce their price.”

Williams says: “This indicates that sellers may be starting to price more realistically from the outset, and buyer confidence could be slowly returning. It’s not a full recovery yet, but it could be one of the first signs that conditions are beginning to stabilise.”

How much are sellers cutting property asking prices by?

Nationally, vendors who reduced their asking prices in Q4 2025 took an average of $30,065 off each listing.

Regionally, Marlborough recorded the largest average drop, with sellers trimming $50,500 from their original asking prices. Gisborne followed at $49,333, while Northland, Wellington, and Coromandel rounded out the top five with average reductions of $38,479, $37,607, and $35,645, respectively.

Overall, fewer vendors dropped their prices in the final quarter of 2025, with the lowest percentage of price drops occurring in 11 of the 19 regions.

Signs of stabilisation heading into 2026?

The data suggests the intense repricing seen throughout 2025 may be easing.

“The significant amounts we saw slashed from the market in the earlier quarters of 2025 certainly hasn’t continued, which is a sign confidence is slowly returning to the market,” says Williams. “The stability of the OCR in this week’s announcement should also be an encouraging sign that the market may not be too far away from hitting its stride in 2026.”

realestate.co.nz is helping buyers and sellers move. Properties listed on realestate.co.nz that drop their price can receive free billboard advertising, while buyers who have saved them are alerted instantly.

About realestate.co.nz | New Zealand’s Best Small Workplace (2025)

Realestate.co.nz – your home for property search.

We’ve been helping people buy, sell, or rent property since 1996. Established before Google, realestate.co.nz is New Zealand’s longest-standing property website and the official website of the real estate industry. We are certified carbon neutral (2024 & 2025) and in 2025, realestate.co.nz was crowned Best Small/Micro Workplace in New Zealand by Great Place to Work.

Dedicated only to property, our mission is to empower people with a property search tool they can use to find the life they want to live. With residential, lifestyle, rural and commercial property listings, realestate.co.nz is the place to start for those looking to buy or sell property.  

Whatever life you’re searching for, it all starts here.  

Want more property insights?

Market insights: Search by suburb to see median sale prices, popular property types and trends over time: https://www.realestate.co.nz/insights

 Glossary of terms:  

Average asking price (AAP) is neither a valuation nor the sale price. It is an indication of current market sentiment. Statistically, asking prices tend to correlate closely with the sales prices recorded in future months when those properties are sold. As it looks at different data, average asking prices may differ from recorded sales data released simultaneously.  

Price drop reflects the difference between a property’s original asking price when listed on realestate.co.nz and its price at the point of sale or withdrawal. While it doesn’t show the final sale price, it provides a strong signal of how much sellers are adjusting to meet buyer demand.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/22/property-market-40m-wiped-from-property-market-in-q4-but-figures-show-improvement-on-last-year-realestate/

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Life Flight’s new aeromedical airbase for upper North Island officially opened

Source: Radio New Zealand

Life Flight chief executive Mark Johnston and Health Minister Simeon Brown officially open the new aeromedical airbase for the upper north island at Hamilton airport. Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Life Flight’s new aeromedical airbase for the upper North Island has been officially opened by Health Minister Simeon Brown, after quietly operating from a hangar at Hamilton airport since 2024.

The charity began fifty years ago after the founder, Peter Button, witnessed the sinking of the Wahine ferry and felt that a helicopter would have saved lives. It was best known for the Westpac Rescue Helicopters.

The Hamilton hanger is the upper North Island base for two of Life Flight’s air ambulance planes which provide bed-to-bed hospital transfers for critically ill and injured patients.

Life Flight’s board chair, Richard Stone, said that the airbase showed how different sectors could work together to build resilience into the health system.

“This hub is a clear example of what can be achieved when government, the community and corporate partners work together to strengthen health care for all New Zealanders,” he said.

Life Flight’s air ambulance planes which provide bed-to-bed hospital transfers for critically ill and injured patients at the new base in Hamilton Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Health Minister Simeon Brown echoed the focus on partnership.

“Fixed wing and rotary services are critically important to our health care service in New Zealand; transferring patients, providing emergency health care, and making sure everyone, no matter where they are in the country have that access to the tertiary hospitals that are needed,” he said.

Life Flight chief executive Mark Johnston said the planes flew patients around the country to where they can get the best treatment.

“From premature babies to stroke victims, Life Flight is often the only way for them to get to that care in time. Our Waikato airbase is going to provide us with faster access to this urgent care for those patients. It’s going to help us to deliver better outcomes, particularly for rural patients, and provide care to them that’s closer to home,” he said.

Johnston said it was the difference between reaching care in minutes, rather than hours.

Chief pilot for Life Flight Luke Rohloff. Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Chief pilot for Life Flight Luke Rohloff was at the event and said the New Zealand health care system was a hub and spoke service, which relied on a good transportation system for patients to get to services.

The aircraft are fitted out with intensive care equipment to enable transfer of even the most vulnerable patients.

“If you are talking about a baby needing neonatal care, sometimes we’ll see them as early as 25 weeks, and they are very small, and then maybe six months later you might be bringing them home and they’ve grown up and they are outside of the incubator, and that’s really neat,” he said.

Waipa mayor, Mike Pettit, was at the opening and said the service was fundamentally important to Waikato and surrounding regions.

‘It’s super important to keep the regions connected,” he said.

The mayor also had a personal connection to the service as his cousin, Paul Pettit, was one of Life Flight’s pilots.

Mike Pettit said every time he saw the air ambulance he would stop, look up, and tell people he was with that was his cousin up there.

“I know it’s not always Paul!” he said.

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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/2026/02/22/life-flights-new-aeromedical-airbase-for-upper-north-island-officially-opened/

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Noisy neighbours’ loud gear to be sold off

Source: Radio New Zealand

Confiscated audio equipment. Supplied

Dozens of sound systems seized by noise control officers in New Plymouth are about to go on sale at a charity op shop after their owners failed to pay the administration fee to have them returned.

Once the bane of sleeping neighbours, 18 sets of sound equipment – including stereos, Bluetooth sets, speakers and an amplifier – were confiscated between late 2023 and early last year after council received repeated noise complaints about the owners.

Council community health and animal services lead, Kimberley Laurence, said another nine sets of equipment seized later last year were set to join them at the charity sale unless their owners reclaimed them and paid a $130 administration fee.

“Confiscating noisy equipment is a last resort, but if someone is repeatedly deemed to be making excessive noise and won’t let their neighbours get a decent night’s sleep, then we have no choice,” said Laurence.

“We received 1399 complaints about residential noise last year and the vast majority of people making the noise were quick to turn it down after a noise control officer visited.”

The government changed the Resource Management Act last year to make it easier for councils to seize noise equipment from partiers.

Laurence said previously equipment could only be taken if someone was repeatedly deemed to be causing excessive noise within three days, but the new rules in August extended that period to eight days.

“So, if we get complaints about one property over two consecutive weekends, and the noise is deemed to be excessive, then we’ll have to pull the plug and take the sound systems away, so it pays to be considerate and get along with your neighbours.”

At a glance:

  • People should ask their noisy neighbours to turn it down before making a noise complaint, but if that was not possible, call the New Plymouth complaints line was open 24/7 on 06-759 6060.
  • Excessive noise was defined as noise that unreasonably interfered with the peace, comfort, and convenience of others.
  • NPDC donated confiscated items to charity op shops if they were unclaimed within six months.
  • Different rules apply to vehicle and construction noise – find out more on npdc.govt.nz/noise.

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/2026/02/22/noisy-neighbours-loud-gear-to-be-sold-off/