Category: MIL OSI – New Zealand

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Taxpayers invest $784K to new Rakaia River wetland to try lure salmon back

Source: Radio New Zealand

The small farming township of Rakaia’s river was once internationally-recognised for its abundant sea-run chinook salmon and other aquatic species, but population numbers have since drastically declined. Steve Terry

It’s hoped a new $1.7 million wetland in Mid Canterbury will improve the once-thriving salmon run in the Rakaia River.

For the past 70 years, Glenariffe Stream – considered a key salmon-spawning site in the braided river – has been diverted to drain farmland.

The stream contributed around 18 percent of the wild chinook salmon that returned to spawn in the river.

For the small farming township of Rakaia, south of Christchurch, its river was once internationally-recognised for its abundant sea-run chinook salmon and other aquatic species, but population numbers have since drastically declined.

Now, three large high country farms have retired hundreds of hectares of land to return the river’s eastern branch to its original course, pre-agricultural expansion.

Forty-four hectares of the wetland habitat have also been restored.

With Fish and Game the project lead, its North Canterbury project manager, Steve Terry, said [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/571617/fish-and-game-family-fishing-licences-to-undergo-changes-to-remove-historic-anomaly

protecting spawning habitat] was one of the few levers available to help the fishery recover.

“Salmon numbers are at historic lows not just in Canterbury but across New Zealand’s East Coast rivers, with unfavourable, warmer ocean conditions among the key drivers of decline.”

He said while the ocean and climate could not be controlled, the efforts would ensure that when salmon do return to the Rakaia to spawn, their offspring have the best possible habitat.

“Glenariffe Stream is one of the river’s most significant spawning tributaries, and for 70 years it simply wasn’t functioning as it should. Getting it back to its natural course is a major step forward for the fishery,” Terry said.

The McIntyre wetland project was named after the late James McIntyre, who bequeathed $550,000 to the project.

Meanwhile, taxpayers fronted $784,000 towards the three-year project under the Ministry for the Environment’s freshwater improvement fund.

Double Hill Station retired 77 hectares of wetlands and waterways, Redcliffes Station stopped farming on 59 hectares of wetlands and native scrub, and a 200-hectare QEII covenant protecting the Hydra Waters for Mount Algidus Station.

Distressed anglers were raising the alarm about the Rakaia’s abysmal fish stocks and degraded river quality and flow, and were currently limited to catching just one salmon.

The Rakaia River. Supplied

For the first time in 40 years, organisers of the annual Rakaia River Fishing competition did not weigh in any fish to allow the fishery to recover.

But Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager said a range of options to help restore state of the fishery were being considered with Fish and Game.

“We have had some concerns over the stock of the fishery there in terms of sea-run salmon.”

But he said it was all about balancing the economic drivers with environmental outcomes.

Meager said a water conservation order in place here provided guardrails, so farmers could irrigate within safe environmental limits.

He said irrigators had high standards, and he hoped Resource Management Act reform would see consenting for water storage eased.

“It’s all a balance though, of course, because we have to generate enough economic activity in the region, and we know that water is a big part of that in Mid-Canterbury, while balancing that off against the environmental outcomes that we want to achieve,” Meager said.

“So particularly for this project, it reaches a good balance.”

When asked if the economic drivers versus environmental impacts were unbalanced, he said he did not think so.

“If you look at the progress that’s been made over the past 10, 20, 30 years in terms of farming practice, in terms of the awareness of our activity and the impact on the environment, I actually think we’ve come a long way.”

Meanwhile, environmental critics including fish veterinarian Peter Trolove said salmon returns were excellent before the privatisation of public grazing runs, following the High Country tenure review.

Published back at the turn of the millennium, the Glenariffe stream’s tenure review warned that land‑use changes could worsen river sedimentation, water quality deterioration and habitat loss-issues.

The Salmon Anglers Association will hold a meeting about the future of the fishery in Christchurch on Thursday.

The wetland restoration was a partnership with landowners, the Canterbury regional council, Cawthron Institute, Manawa Energy, Rakaia River Fishing Promptions and QEII Trust.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/taxpayers-invest-784k-to-new-rakaia-river-wetland-to-try-lure-salmon-back/

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A new approach to city-fringe living quietly unfolds amid Grey Lynn villas

Source: Auckland Council

Cohaus, a 20-unit resident-led development on Surrey Crescent, shows what happens when architecture, community, and sustainability come together.

Grey Lynn is no stranger to tension between its historic villas and demand for new housing. Yet Cohaus has proven that intensification can be beautiful, respectful, and enriching. Its’ understated street presence conceals an inner world of courtyards, communal gardens, and light-filled apartments. The original villa on the site was retained and refurbished, anchoring the development in heritage while welcoming new life.

Architect and co-founder Thom Gill says this development is exactly what Auckland needs.

“Density doesn’t need to mean compromise. With the right design, we can add homes without losing the character people cherish. Cohaus proves that medium-density housing can lift a neighbourhood.”

Cohaus community designed housing development.

Auckland Council’s Team Leader Urban Design and Landscape Strategy Nicole Miller says, despite its consenting challenges at the time, Cohaus was designed in a way that reflects many of the qualities the council wants to see in medium density development into the future.

“While this project was developed within a co-housing framework, the outcomes, spatial qualities and benefits of living closer together with shared amenities aren’t limited to this model of development – it’s an approach to living that can be applied to many scenarios.”

Inside Cohaus, there’s a richness of life that goes beyond walls and floorplans. Families with toddlers share space with retirees. A communal laundry, guest flat, bike storage, and shared cars reduce costs while lowering environmental footprints. Gardens spill across the central courtyard, where neighbours swap vegetables as easily as stories. This mixed generation living keeps people close to schools, jobs, and transport, while also easing social isolation, a quiet benefit as Auckland ages.

Georgianne Griffiths and her family are residents of the complex, and she says living at Cohaus has exceeded her expectations.

“It’s a beautiful space and there is a real sense of community.

“One of the design elements that has worked well is to restrict parking of our six shared cars to the edge of the development. Without driveways and carparks at our front doors we can maximise our garden space, which has become the centre of our community, and create a place where kids of all ages can run free.”

During the build phase, by sharing resources and cutting out developer profit margins, residents could create high-quality homes for less. Each member had a hand in shaping the design, meaning spaces feel liveable and intuitive.

As Gill puts it, “This is about the future of how we live together. Not gated suburbs, not anonymous towers, but neighbourhoods where people know each other.”

For residents anxious about change, Cohaus is reassurance made real. It demonstrates that medium-density housing can sit comfortably in a historic suburb, enhance its character, and create a community that feels both modern and timeless. This is the kind of development that makes cities greener, more liveable, and more connected – exactly what Auckland needs now.

Read more about the design of the Cohaus development on the Auckland Design Manual.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/a-new-approach-to-city-fringe-living-quietly-unfolds-amid-grey-lynn-villas/

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What Auckland’s new plan means for your neighbourhood

Source: Auckland Council

 

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Auckland Council is making changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan – the city’s rulebook for where and how new homes and buildings can be built.

These changes will see stronger protections against floods and other natural hazards and focus new homes in safer, well-connected places near shops, services, jobs and fast, frequent public transport.

Why are these changes happening?

The 2023 Auckland floods were a turning point for our region. As one of our most significant natural disasters, they devastated communities, caused billions in damage, and, most tragically, cost lives.  

At the time, Auckland Council was part way through Plan Change 78, which intended to introduce rules set by the previous government to boost housing supply by allowing three homes of three storeys in most residential areas across Auckland.

However, the severe weather of 2023 made it clear that some areas are not suitable for new homes and that Auckland needed even stronger rules to better protect people in the most vulnerable areas. While Plan Change 78 proposed more housing by allowing three storey housing in most residential areas across Auckland, the legislation didn’t let the council limit building in high-risk flood areas. 

What’s new

Following persistent advocacy from the council, in August 2025, the Government changed the law so the council could replace Plan Change 78 with a new version — Plan Change 120.

The proposed plan will introduce stronger rules to better protect communities from floods, coastal erosion and inundation. It will also enable more homes near rapid transit public transport stations, along frequent transport routes and around urban centres nearer to jobs, shops, and everyday services.

The changes propose to:

  • Introduce tougher consenting rules in flood risk areas to make new homes more resilient, and apply single house zoning in the most at-risk areas.
  • Focus new homes within walking distance to the city centre, urban centres, transport stops with fast and frequent services such as train stations and the Northern and Eastern Busways.
  • Remove the medium density residential standards and amend the standards for three-storey housing in the zone that allows for such housing in Auckland.
  • Meet Government requirements to provide an opportunity for the same total housing capacity as Plan Change 78.
  • Meet government directions, including increased building heights around five key Western Line stations: 15 storeys at Maungawhau, Kingsland and Morningside; and 10 storeys at Baldwin Avenue and Mt Albert stations, as well as identifying other areas where taller buildings could be enabled under this plan.
  • Allow more apartment buildings along a number of Auckland’s transport corridors with frequent bus services. Up to 6 storeys, around 200m back from the road. 

Read: What You Need to Know – Proposed Changes to Auckland’s Planning Rules

What does this mean for my local area? 

Over the next 30 years, Auckland could see more housing choices, such as apartments, terraced housing, and townhouses, near rapid and frequent transport routes, workplaces and urban centres.

This plan change allows higher density housing, but property owners and developers influence what actually happens based on market demand. Even in areas allowing apartments, there will still be a mix of housing types, due to the different choices landowners might make

This doesn’t mean local areas will change overnight. Development usually happens gradually, typically over decades. There can be limits to building heights and density where it may not be suitable and where it’s supported by good evidence, for example, to protect sites with coastal character.

Protecting against natural hazards  

In high-risk flood or coastal areas, there will be tougher rules for new development. This will give the council stronger powers to decide whether development can go ahead and how much is appropriate.

This includes some parts of Eastern Beach, East Tāmaki, Manurewa, Māngere Bridge, Mt Roskill, Blockhouse Bay, Te Atatū Peninsula, Glen Eden, Browns Bay, and other suburbs.

More homes focused near urban centres and rapid public transport  

Auckland’s largest centres could see more homes enabled within a 10-minute walk (about 800 metres) of Newmarket, Manukau, New Lynn, Sylvia Park, Botany, Papakura, Takapuna, Henderson, Albany, Westgate, and Drury. 

This walking distance will also apply around train stations and stops along the Northern and Eastern Busways. It means opportunities for terraced housing or apartment buildings of 15, 10, or 6 storeys – with the building heights reflecting the demand for homes in the area, level of services and amenities available, and how easy access is to transport, jobs and services. 

Other suburban centres could have more townhouses, apartments, and terraced housing of up to six storeys. This includes within around 400 metres of town centres like St Lukes, Northcote, and Onehunga, while a 200m distance is set for smaller local centres like Blockhouse Bay, Grey Lynn and Mairangi Bay.

This is based on how big each suburban centre is and how easy it is for people to get there by walking, cycling, or public transport, making it simpler for people to live nearby and travel to schools, parks, and workplaces.

For suburbs that are not inside walkable catchments, or town centre areas, there will be more Mixed Housing Suburban (allowing homes in a mix of 1- and 2-storey forms) and Mixed Housing Urban (allowing homes up to 3-storeys, including townhouses and terraced homes). The Single House zone will still be used where it makes sense.

Supporting transport and infrastructure

By focusing new homes near trains, busways and frequent bus routes, Plan Change 120 helps make better use of major public investments, such as the $5.5 billion City Rail Link.

It also helps infrastructure providers to plan and fund future infrastructure more efficiently by giving a clearer picture of where growth will happen.

Local area breakdown

Below you’ll find a breakdown of which areas are rezoned for Terraced Housing and Apartment Buildings across Auckland, so you can see what’s being upzoned in your local area. 

Note: Some places will be in two or more overlapping areas – for instance, the area around a town centre might also be in the walkable catchment for a transport link. When this happens, the higher density and heights will apply.

For example, if some streets are identified for both 6-storey housing around a town centre, and 10-storey housing as part of train station walkable catchment, the 10-storey height will apply.

On the other hand, where properties are close to a town centre or transport link, but are also subject to “qualifying matters” (for example, Special Character Areas, natural hazards, infrastructure constraints, or open space), the “qualifying matter” will still apply, and can limit the density and height allowed.

Central  

Waitematā 

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 15 storeys): Karanga-a-Hape*, Te Waihorotiu*, Waitematā*, Grafton, Parnell train stations (about 800 metres), Newmarket Metropolitan Centre.
  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Newton – Upper Symonds, Parnell, Ponsonby. 
  • Local Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Grey Lynn, Jervois Rd. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): Great North Rd (Ponsonby–MOTAT), St Marys Bay–Ponsonby routes. 

Note: the City Centre zone itself is not open for submissions, and it was addressed through an earlier plan change in May 2025.

Albert-Eden 

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 15 storeys / about 800 metres): Maungawhau**, Kingsland**, Morningside** train stations – these heights were required in legislation passed in August 2025.
  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 10 storeys / about 800 metres): Mt Albert**, Baldwin Ave** train stations – these heights were required in legislation passed in August 2025.
  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Mt Albert, Pt Chevalier, Three Kings, St Lukes, Stoddard Rd. 
  • Local Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Balmoral, Eden Valley. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): Dominion Rd (Mt Eden–Mt Roskill), Sandringham Rd, Mt Eden–Sandringham (via Valley Rd), New North Rd (Morningside–Avondale).

Puketapapa 

  • Town Centres / about 400 metres: Three Kings, Stoddard Road.
  • Local Centres / about 200 metres: Mt Roskill, Lynnfield. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): overlaps on Dominion Rd & Mt Eden Rd. 

Maungakiekie-Tamaki 

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 15 storeys / about 800 metres): Panmure, Glen Innes train stations.
  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 10 storeys / about 800 metres):  Penrose, Sylvia Park Metropolitan Centre, Sylvia Park train station.
  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys/ about 400 metres): Panmure, Glen Innes, Onehunga, Royal Oak 
  • Local Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Mt Wellington. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): Panmure–Ellerslie, Panmure–Mt Wellington–Sylvia Park, Greenlane–Western Springs (via Balmoral). 
North 

Upper Harbour  

  • Walkable catchment (buildings up to 15 storeys / about 800 metres): Albany Bus Station
  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 10 storeys / about 800 metres): Albany Metropolitan Centre, Constellation Bus Station.
  • Walkable catchment (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 800 metres): Rosedale Bus Station.
  • Local Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Hobsonville, Albany Village.

Kaipātiki 

  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Birkenhead, Glenfield, Northcote. 
  • Local Centre (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Chatswood. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side) along Glenfield–Birkenhead, Verrans Corner–Onewa Rd routes.

Hibiscus and Bays  

  • Town Centre (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Browns Bay. 
  • Local Centre (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Mairangi Bay.

Devonport Takapuna  

  • Walkable catchment (buildings up to 15 storeys / about 800 metres): Takapuna Metropolitan Centre.
  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 10 storeys / about 800 metres): Smales Farm, Sunnynook, Akoranga busway stops.
  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Devonport, Milford, Sunnynook. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): along Smales Farm–Takapuna–Milford, Northcote–Takapuna.

Rodney

  • In line with changes across most of the urban areas of Auckland, Warkworth will see more 2- and 3-storey townhouses and terraces allowed, and less Single House zoning.
  • There are no walkable catchments for town centres or transport links in Rodney under PC120. 
West 

Henderson-Massey 

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 15 storeys / about 800 metres): Henderson Metropolitan Centre, Henderson Train Station. 
  • Walkable catchment (buildings up to 10 storeys / about 800 metres): Westgate Metropolitan Centre. 
  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 800 metres): Sunnyvale, Sturges Rd, Ranui train stations.
  • Town Centre (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Te Atatū North. 
  • Local Centre (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Te Atatū South. 
  • Transport corridor (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): New Lynn–Henderson (shared).

Waitākere Ranges 

  • Town Centre (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Glen Eden.

Whau 

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 10 storeys / about 800 metres): New Lynn Metropolitan Centre, New Lynn Train Station, Avondale Train Station.
  • Walkable catchment (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 800 metres): Fruitvale Rd train station. 
  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Avondale, New Lynn. 
  • Local Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Blockhouse Bay, Kelston. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): Great North Rd (Pt Chev–Avondale–New Lynn), New Lynn–Henderson (shared) routes.
East 

Ōrākei

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 15 storeys / about 800 metres): Remuera, Greenlane train stations.
  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 10 storeys / about 800 metres):  Ellerslie, Ōrākei, Meadowbank train stations.
  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Greenlane, Remuera. 
  • Local Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Greenlane West, Kepa Rd/Eastridge, Meadowbank. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): Manukau Rd (Onehunga–Newmarket, shared), Greenlane East, St Johns–Remuera–Newmarket. 

Howick 

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 10 storeys / about 800 metres):  Pakuranga Bus Station, Te Taha Wai (Edgewater), Williams Ave. 
  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 800 metres): Botany Metropolitan Centre, Koata (Gossamer Drive), Pohatu (Burswood). 
  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Highland Park, Howick, Pakuranga. 
  • Local Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Botany Junction, Meadowlands. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): Howick–Botany (via Meadowlands), Botany–Manukau (via Ormiston). 
South  

Māngere-Otahuhu 

  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Māngere. 
  • Local Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Māngere East. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): Papatoetoe–Ōtāhuhu–Sylvia Park. 

Ōtara-Papatoetoe 

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 15 storeys / about 800 metres): Manukau Metropolitan Centre, and the Manukau, Ōtāhuhu train stations. 
  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 10 storeys / about 800 metres):  Papatoetoe, Puhinui train stations.
  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 800 metres): Middlemore train station.
  • Town Centres ((buildings up to 6 storeys / about 400 metres): Hunters Corner, Ōtāhuhu, Ōtara, Papatoetoe. 
  • Local Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres): Dawsons Rd, Clendon. 
  • Transport corridors (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 200 metres either side): Papatoetoe–Ōtāhuhu–Sylvia Park. 

Manurewa 

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 6 storeys): Manurewa, Homai train stations
  • Town Centres (buildings up to 6 storeys): Manurewa. 

Papakura 

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 800 metres): Takaanini, Te Mahia, Papakura Metropolitan Centre, Papakura Train Station. 

Franklin  

  • Walkable catchments (buildings up to 6 storeys / about 800 metres): Drury Metropolitan Centre, and the Drury, Ngākōroa, Paerata, and Pukekohe train stations.

Hauraki Gulf islands  

  • Waiheke, Aotea/Great Barrier and other Hauraki Gulf islands are covered by the Hauraki Gulf Islands District Plan. This plan is separate from the Auckland Unitary Plan, and as such, PC120 does not change it. 

Time to have your say

Stronger hazard rules apply from Monday 3 November 2025, when Plan Change 120 is notified. However, they are subject to change following the public submission process.

You can have your say on these measures, and all proposals under Plan Change 120.  

Visit the AKHaveYourSay website until 19 December 2025 to learn more.  

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/what-aucklands-new-plan-means-for-your-neighbourhood/

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Get the facts on Auckland’s future housing plan

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland’s Future Housing Plan – Proposed Plan Change 120 – makes important changes to Auckland’s planning rules, and there is discussion happening in communities across the city. 

The plan change strengthens the rules for building new homes in places at risk of flooding and other natural hazards while also meeting central government direction on housing capacity.   

It aims to better protect people and property, while enabling more new homes in well-connected areas near jobs, shops, services and fast, frequent public transport.

But some of the things being shared aren’t accurate, from forcing homeowners and tenants to relocate, new homes being built immediately to comparing Auckland to different situations in different cities.

Here are some quick questions and answers to help you understand what Proposed Plan Change 120 does – and what it doesn’t do.

Question: Does Plan Change 120 make people leave their homes?

Answer: No, it has nothing to do with relocating or moving people out of their homes. Plan Change 120 does not require anyone to leave their home or relocate – that is not how planning rules work. 

Instead, it strengthens rules for building in areas with known hazard risks, like flooding, so future buildings are more resilient or reduced in the most vulnerable areas, meaning people living in these areas are better protected. Existing homes remain and development will still happen but with tougher rules.

Question: Will the whole city be “blanketed” by higher-density homes indiscriminately?

Answer: No, taller buildings are only proposed in certain areas, mostly enabled near train stations, rapid busways (like the Northern Busway), frequent bus routes, and town centres where jobs, shops and services already exist.

These are locations where research shows public transport access and housing demand are strongest, and which help to support higher productivity across Auckland. 

Not every property will be developed that way. What gets built depends on what the market determines, property owner choices, and what can feasibly be built, not just planning rules. Development usually happens gradually, typically over many years and even in areas allowing taller buildings, there will still be a mix of housing types. 

Question: Has Plan Change 120 changed the floodplains? 

Answer: Auckland Council has continuously published information it has on flooding and other natural hazards – Plan Change 120 only introduces updated rules in the Auckland Unitary Plan that manage development in these areas.

Information on natural hazards change over time. This is due to changes in modelling inputs and assumptions, understanding of climate change and improved technology. In recent years new modelling has been undertaken to consistently reflect latest climate change information across the region.

The newer modelling has also been able show a greater level of detail about potential flooding risk than previously understood – for example, anticipated depths and velocities of floodwaters.

Question: Are homes being put into flood plains? 

Answer: Plan Change 120 allows residential development in flood plains in existing developed areas where the hazard is low, medium or high, as long as the risk can be maintained at or reduced to a tolerable level, for example through the provision of a safe evacuation route and a floor above the flood level.

Any new development will need to go through the resource consent process to determine its appropriateness against the relevant policy settings.

For sites that are constrained by very high flood hazard flooding, the zoning has changed to limit development to the Residential – Single House zone.

For all other sites, in some cases the zoning has changed to allow for additional intensification opportunities. However, the level of development that is suitable on those sites will be dependent on a site-specific assessment and the hazard conditions on site.

Question: Didn’t Christchurch push back on intensification, so Auckland should too?

Answer: No, Christchurch made significant changes to its planning rules to meet government’s intensification requirements.  

Christchurch only withdrew from some parts of the government’s housing intensification requirements because it could prove that its updated planning rules enabled enough housing capacity to meet what the legislation required – 30 years of capacity that has been shown to be commercially feasible to build. This is the legal test that applies to Christchurch. 

Auckland’s housing capacity requirement is completely different. The legal test for Auckland is that the new Plan Change 120 must enable at least the same amount of housing as the withdrawn Plan Change 78 (the previous plan change required by central government) would have enabled. 

Christchurch and Auckland are very different cities with different growth-related challenges, different legislation and their legal housing capacity requirements are not calculated in the same way.

Question: Isn’t housing capacity just a target and does leads to more choice?

Answer: No, housing capacity is not a building target, but it does provide more housing choices over time. Housing capacity required by Plan Change 120 is the theoretical number of homes that could be built if every suitable site across Auckland was fully developed to the maximum the rules allowed.

In reality, far fewer homes are built, even over many decades, and not every site will be developed. Plan Change 120 allows for the same housing capacity as the previous planning rules from central government called Plan Change 78. Capacity is not a construction target. Taking-up opportunities for development depends entirely on property owners and developers.

Capacity is set deliberately high, so developers and property owners have more choices in different locations and for different housing types. This flexibility helps to respond to changing market demands and helps improve affordability over the long term, which is supported by economic data and analysis. 

Question: Will I be forced to sell or develop my property?

Answer: No, nothing forces you to sell or develop. Property owners can continue to live in, sell, maintain, improve or redevelop their home as the planning rules allow, what happens with their property is entirely up to them. 

Plan Change 120 sets tougher standards for the future development of new homes or buildings, so they are more resilient, or to limit how much new housing can be built in areas most at risk from hazards like flooding to help reduce future risks to people and property.

There is no requirement to develop. It is entirely up to owners whether they want to sell, develop, or do nothing at all.

Question: Will my suburb change overnight with new buildings appearing?

Answer: No, Plan Change 120 doesn’t trigger immediate development. Planning rules only set out what’s allowed to be built, they do not require that homes get built or that development happens. Plan Change 120 simply enables where different types of housing could go in future. Not every property would be suitable for taller buildings. What actually gets built depends on property owners, what is determined by the market and other rules such as resource consents. 

Homes cannot be built at that speed anyway. When development does occur, it happens gradually, even over decades, and varies widely across neighbourhoods.

Question:  Won’t housing in expensive places still be unaffordable?

Answer: Allowing for more housing density can help make homes more affordable over time. For most homes, land is the biggest cost. Allowing more homes on one property spreads that cost, so each home can be more affordable than a single house on a full section. 

Areas near jobs, shops and transport are in high demand, which pushes up land values, so more homes in these areas provide more housing choices.

While homes won’t suddenly be “cheap,” more choices — like townhouses and apartments — give people more choice at different price points and creates competition in the market, helping ease price pressure over time.

What does Proposed Plan Change 120 do?

Here’s the simple version, plan change 120 proposes to:

  • Strengthen rules for building new homes in areas at risk from flooding and other hazards, with the worst-affected areas mainly limited to single houses.
  • Enable more homes within walking distances of the city centre, other town centres, train stations, stops on the northern and eastern busways and along some frequent bus routes.
  •  Meet central government direction for significantly more housing capacity and taller buildings around key train stations to support investment in the City Rail Link.

This could mean:

  • Better protection for people and property by strengthening the rules we already have, reducing exposure to hazards that are becoming more common with climate change.
  • More new homes where it makes more sense, in well-connected places close to jobs, shops, and fast, frequent public transport – where demand for housing and transport access is strongest.
  • More housing choices in more locations with easier access to everyday services and facilities.
  • More transport choice, less congestion, and better access to game-changing infrastructure that all Aucklanders have paid for – helping to get the best return on billons of public investment.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/get-the-facts-on-aucklands-future-housing-plan/

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Hobsonville Point – first decade of a housing masterclass

Source: Auckland Council

Hobsonville Point has evolved into a living example of smart housing in a growing city.

The harbourside suburb in west Auckland has shown how walkable, well-designed, mixed density housing can build a strong sense of community.

Like Northcote ( and many other emerging suburbs offering medium density housing options built close to transport hubs, town centres, schools and community facilities) Hobsonville Point is a housing blueprint envisioned and enabled by the Auckland Unitary Plan.

Hobsonville Point, now a flourishing residential suburb, has grown up from land once used as an airforce base. When the land became available, it was essentially a blank slate for new housing and presented an opportunity to do things smarter and more sustainably.

The Auckland Council group worked closely with the Hobsonville Land Company (a subsidiary of Housing New Zealand established to lead the development, and now part of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities) and private sector partners to deliver a new kind of neighbourhood for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Ten years later, Hobsonville Point is a model of effective master-planning and the delivery of mixed density housing at scale. It is a model for the future.

Hobsonville Point resident and business owner Mike (Buzz) Thomson was sceptical at first of the ‘moments away, worlds apart’ slogan, but after living here since 2017 he believes it delivers more than the slogans promise. 

“The planning of Hobsonville Point stands out for me. We have walkable streets, shared laneways, public art and our coastal walkway has become a community anchor. It draws people here,” he says.

The planning Buzz mentions is a recurring theme. Architect Errol Haarhoff was impressed by the area’s master-planning, clear urban design guidelines, the consistent quality of housing and the surrounding environment. 

Errol says: “We didn’t actively choose Hobsonville Point. It chose us. We came here for a visit on a whim after hearing about the farmers’ market and loved the place so much we put a deposit on a house within a week,” he says.

Like Buzz, Errol was drawn to the area’s walkability and the presence of social infrastructure. He highlights that early investment in schools, public art, markets, and the coastal walkway helped potential buyers imagine what life would be like in Hobsonville Point.

Errol participated in a National Science Challenge project, which looked at Hobsonville Point as a case study. The study involved interviews with residents. 

‘Living at Density in Hobsonville Point, Auckland: Resident Perceptions’ was authored by Errol Haarhoff, Natalie Allen, Patricia Austin, Lee Beattie and Paola Boar in April 2019.

Overwhelmingly, their research demonstrated that satisfaction among residents was high. Respondents highlighted the importance of quality public spaces at Hobsonville Point, which prioritised the wellbeing of residents.

Good development through partnership

Jenny Larking is Head of Growth and Regeneration Delivery in Auckland Council’s newly established Auckland Urban Development Office (AUDO). She is also a resident of Hobsonville Point.

She says the new AUDO is council’s “front door” for partnerships like the one that made Hobsonville Point possible, working with government agencies, iwi, developers, not-for-profit organisations and other partners to deliver smarter, better urban outcomes in Auckland.

She says Hobsonville Point is a shining example for the future of new housing in Tāmaki Makaurau because of its careful master-planning and design.

“The site allowed developers and council to plan new infrastructure, housing, resilience features and amenity all at once, and then to use the area’s uniqueness to get better outcomes. It is always our ambition at Auckland Council, through the Unitary Plan, to enable good development and good design through smart, strategic partnerships.”

Jenny says people have embraced the lifestyle at Hobsonville Point.

“From what I’ve seen, people don’t try and live as they might have lived anywhere else. They enjoy and embrace what’s been created here. Generations can move through different stages in this area – from stand-alone houses to townhouses, duplexes, apartments and even retirement villages.

“And parents of young children have a level of comfort here – 60 to 70 percent of kids walk or cycle to school, a lot higher than the Auckland average. The pathways are wide, roads are safe to cross and we have good pedestrianised infrastructure, encouraging people to get out and about,” Jenny says.

She adds that in new housing development like this Auckland Council and developers build flood resilience in from the start – with rain gardens, bio swales and wetlands protecting people, property and the environment from flooding.

Transport options are also evolving to match people’s needs. The popular ferry service has been expanded to have more sailings and they carry bikes and scooters on board, allowing people to make multi-modal trips. 

Multiple bus routes run through the neighbourhood, including the recently improved number 12 service, which connects Henderson and Constellation Station on the Northern Busway via Hobsonville. This service, with double decker electric buses, is one of the most popular in Auckland.

Density done well

Orson Waldock works for Kāinga Ora (and formerly Hobsonville Land Company) as Team Leader Urban Design and is also a long-time resident of Hobsonville Point. In his role at Kāinga Ora, he helped shape the design and delivery of the neighbourhood over six years.

“Within the Kāinga Ora team, this project is colloquially known as the ‘University of Hobsonville Point’. It has enabled us to explore what density done well looks like in a contemporary Auckland context,” Orson says.

“While early housing at Hobsonville Point was more conventional (standalone homes on compact sections), over time we’ve been able to innovate, test and deliver a greater variety of housing forms including terraces, apartments and mixed-use buildings.

“The uplift in density (approximately two to three times greater than conventional suburbs) has come with unique challenges as section sizes have decreased. A large part of my role has been working alongside builder partners and designers to ensure we maintain design quality and liveability.

“My experience of living in Hobsonville Point for 10 years is that the community makes the most of this new kind of neighbourhood. I meet at the local bus stop most mornings at 6am to run with the Early Bird Run Crew. It’s an amazing group of locals who shuffle 5km around the stunning Te Onekiritea Park and Coastal Walkway. The exercise is good, but the company is better. It’s a regular reminder of why we chose to move to Hobsonville Point,” he says.

Hobsonville has some fun-tastic playgrounds for the kids to enjoy all year round.

The people of Hobsonville Point are proud of their place. It’s a proof-point for a widely-held urban planning premise that a mix of housing options will foster vibrant, inclusive, and connected communities.

Hobsonville Point’s transformation reflects what is possible. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/hobsonville-point-first-decade-of-a-housing-masterclass/

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Super Rugby Pacific: Reds beat Fijian Drua in Lautoka

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fijian Drua couldn’t capitalise on their home advantage as they lost their Super Rugby Pacific match 21-6 to the Queensland Reds in Lautoka.

The Drua had won five of their last seven matches on their home turf but struggled to find cohesion in their attacks today.

Both teams made plenty of mistakes in a scrappy affair but the Reds made two telling blows in the second half, and the Drua just couldn’t respond despite trying hard.

The Reds led 7-6 at halftime, but the second spell tries to Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Richie Asiata blunted the Drua effort, as the players made too many handling errors.

The result gives the Reds a bonus point victory and four wins in a row, while the Drua are left in ninth place on the table, with four of their next five games away from home.

See how the match unfolded here.

Kick-off was at Suncorp Stadium at 4.35pm.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/super-rugby-pacific-reds-beat-fijian-drua-in-lautoka/

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Taylor Broughton sentenced for life-threatening knife attack on Whanganui probation officer

Source: Radio New Zealand

Corrections undertook a safety review following the stabbing. NZME

An offender who became enraged during a meeting with his probation officer repeatedly stabbed the man in what has been described as the most serious attack on a probation officer in the country’s history.

The officer suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed in the head and four times in the chest by Taylor Lara Broughton, who had taken a flick knife to the meeting.

After the initial attack, he continued trying to stab the officer, but the victim’s “valiant and determined resistance” saved his life, a judge said.

Broughton later claimed he stood by his actions.

Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (PSA), a Corrections staff union, told NZME that probation officers’ work was inherently dangerous but they were not given the basic protections, training or resources needed

to keep them safe.

It was concerned for its Community Corrections members, saying that, despite the near-fatal attack, Corrections has largely failed to act on the union’s safety recommendations.

But Corrections said its review into the incident, and a wider review, identified what more it could do to provide safe work environments for Community Corrections staff, and it was in the process of implementing safety enhancements.

However, it said the risk of violence could not be eliminated entirely and noted assaults on the staff were rare.

Police guarded the Community Corrections office in Whanganui after the probation officer was attacked. NZME / Eva de Jong

A prior risk assessment of Broughton, who had no history of violence or aggression towards Corrections’ staff, considered him suitable to be alone with his probation officer.

While Broughton had a knife in his pocket, Corrections said it does not have the authority to use metal detectors or conduct body searches at its community sites.

Enraged offender pulled out flick knife

According to court documents released to NZME, Broughton was serving a sentence of intensive supervision for firearms and offensive weapons offending when he met with his probation officer at Community Corrections in Whanganui

on 9 April, 2025.

That morning, the pair were wrapping up their appointment when, without warning, Broughton became enraged because the officer would not let him sign a document and keep a copy.

He waited until the officer turned and was distracted with paperwork before, “in a swift action”, he took the flick knife from his pocket and swung it at the victim, causing a deep cut to the side of his head.

A scuffle ensued, during which Broughton stabbed the probation officer in the chest four times as the officer tried to fight him off.

As they fell to the ground, Broughton continued trying to stab him but was prevented from doing so.

Taylor Lara Broughton was sentenced in Whanganui District Court. NZME / Bevan Conley

Other staff members intervened and Broughton was subdued and restrained until police arrived.

The officer was hospitalised for treatment of the stab wounds, a fractured rib and a small bleed in his lung.

Meanwhile, Broughton told police he became angry because he was unable to keep the document, which he said he was normally allowed to do.

He said he “stands by [his] actions”.

Broughton was sentenced in the Whanganui District Court in January this year for the attack.

‘Most serious assault ever’

At the hearing, Judge Bruce Davidson said the officer’s injuries were initially life-threatening, with one wound close to his heart and another near a vital artery. The injury to the head caused a small skull chip.

“This attack is said to be the most serious assault ever on a probation officer in New Zealand,” Judge Davidson said, according to his sentencing notes.

The judge said there was nothing to suggest Broughton had any obvious angst with the probation officer, “who was doing his level best to assist with [Broughton’s] rehabilitative pathway under the intensive supervision sentence”.

The victim was described as an experienced and skilled probation officer who, the judge said, had tried hard to defend himself.

Judge Bruce Davidson sent Taylor Lara Broughton to prison. NZME

“Your attack was sudden, swift and lethal and most likely it was only the valiant and determined resistance of your victim that saved his life,” Judge Davidson told Broughton at the hearing.

Since the attack, the officer has suffered ongoing concussion, headaches, fatigue and an inability to concentrate.

“The effects for him have been profound, physically, psychologically and emotionally,” the judge said.

“These effects have flowed on to his immediate family, whānau and work colleagues. Only now, some nine months later, he is on a return-to-work plan.”

At sentencing, the Crown proposed 11 years’ imprisonment as an appropriate starting point, submitting that Broughton lacked remorse and insight and that there were barriers to treatment given his failure to engage with the intensive

supervision sentence.

But the defence suggested a starting point of seven years and six months, submitting the attack was brief and something had “triggered [Broughton’s] rage”. His deteriorating mental health and personal background were justifiable

mitigating factors, his counsel said.

Judge Davidson said the writer of Broughton’s presentence report was rightly “deeply troubled” that Broughton had armed himself before attending the appointment, and by his “rather casual, if not nonchalant” attitude towards weapons

and violence.

The judge described the attack as extreme, sudden and unprovoked. He said it was premeditated and the injuries had a significant and profound effect.

However, he had also watched CCTV footage of the incident and described it as brief, lasting about 20 seconds.

For that reason, the judge stopped short of the Crown’s suggested starting point and instead adopted one of nine years and six months.

He then applied an uplift for offending committed while Broughton was serving a sentence and noted his prior firearms and weapons convictions.

Broughton was given credit for his guilty plea, mental health and the causal link between his “violent and traumatic” upbringing and his offending.

His final sentence on the charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was six years and three months’ imprisonment.

Probation officers’ safety under the spotlight

This week, PSA national secretary Duane Leo told NZME that Community Corrections staff manage a population that is by nature “volatile, violent, and anti-authority”.

He described the work undertaken as “fundamentally unsafe and dangerous”.

“Yet staff receive minimal training in how to respond to violence and aggression and what training is provided is regarded by PSA members as completely ill-matched to the risks they face every day,” Leo said.

He said PSA members say they see no difference in their health and safety at work a year on from the stabbing.

“Offenders may come into offices affected by methamphetamine or other substances and there is no weapons detection before they enter a room with their probation officer.”

The PSA has been explicit in its demands to Corrections since the stabbing over what is required to ensure probation officers are kept safe at work, Leo said, adding that very few recommendations have been supported by Corrections.

The urgent requests included body-worn duress alarms, GPS monitoring of staff, professional supervision, especially when managing violent offenders and sex offenders, information-sharing with police, and pay in accordance with the

risks they face, which their colleagues working in prisons receive.

Leo said the government must properly resource Community Corrections to support rehabilitation, while Corrections must ensure public and staff safety.

Brigid Kean, Corrections’ acting director, communities, partnerships and pathways, said keeping staff safe was the top priority and any violence directed towards them was completely unacceptable.

Safety processes were in place at all Community Corrections sites around the country, including Whanganui, she said.

This included staff training on de-escalation and keeping safe at work, physical security features, CCTV and technological security features enabling staff to call for urgent assistance.

Kean said for security reasons, she could not detail all the security measures in place.

She said Corrections’ review following the stabbing identified more than 40 “appropriate steps to deliver effective enhancements to safety”, of which it had started implementing more than half.

A start would be made on the remainder over the next two years, she said.

However, the PSA said that of the actions Corrections had already begun implementing, only one had been completed as of February 27. Nine were in progress, seven were in the planning stage and three had not yet started.

-This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/taylor-broughton-sentenced-for-life-threatening-knife-attack-on-whanganui-probation-officer/

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Vintage cars celebrated in Nelson festival

Source: Radio New Zealand

Cars lined up for the teams relay as part of the Vero International Festival of Motoring Samantha Gee/RNZ

There have been flashbacks to the past on the roads around Nelson this week, with hundreds of veteran, vintage and classic cars hitting the streets as part of an international motoring festival.

The four-yearly Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring has drawn people in from all over the country, with some even shipping their beloved cars from as far as the US and Europe for the occasion. It was last held in Nelson in 1972.

The Auckland Veteran and Vintage Car Club brought a blue 1915 Renault Charabanc, known as Angelique, down for the event.

Club member John Stokes said vehicle was found and restored by the club in the 1960s. It had originally been used as a truck to haul timber, then as a speedway vehicle, before it became a farm hack and was left to disintegrate in a paddock.

The 1915 Renault Charabanc named Angelique which is owned by The Veteran and Vintage Car Club in Auckland. Samantha Gee/RNZ

“This type of vehicle was very common probably between about 1910, maybe earlier, and the Second World War. They largely disappeared after World War II.”

The crank start Renault was doing laps as part of a relay challenge at the festival on Friday, where teams of up to 30 vehicles compete to achieve the greatest collective distance over a four hour period.

Stokes said its comfortable cruising speed was somewhere between the 30 and 40 kilometre per hour range and it was maintained by a group of five to ten club members who met once a a month.

“Although it’s probably going to need a bit more maintenance after today when it gets back.”

Jim and Lynn Hefkey also made the trip down from Auckland in their 1975 Bricklin SV1 and Jim said didn’t want to think about how much the fuel had cost, given they still had to get home.

Jim and Lynn Hefkey with their 1975 Bricklin SV1. Samantha Gee/RNZ

“I’m hoping they don’t start shutting the pumps off, you know, when you’ve got a big American V8, they’re fairly thirsty.

He said the Bricklin were built in Canada for the American market, and with their gull wings, bear a striking resemblance to the DMC DeLorean.

“They all say, oh, back to the future, but no…This is the back, the DeLorean is the future.”

The Hefkey’s Bricklin which they drove from Auckland to the festival in Nelson. Samantha Gee/RNZ

Hefey said there were only two other Bricklin SV1’s in New Zealand, both in Christchurch and the couple would head there after Nelson to meet their owners.

Mike White is on the festival organising team and said there were around 1200 participants and 560 vehicles, with people travelling from as far as Czechoslovakia, Canada, the USA and the UK to take part.

“Not all of them have brought vehicles, but some have, some have shipped their Packard’s and the like out, it’s pretty amazing.”

Mike White with his 1955 series 1 Landrover. Samantha Gee/RNZ

The week-long event was tipped to inject $4.5 million dollars into the region.

Rally directors Jim and Kyra Wareing spent hundreds of hours compiling runs – so entrants had the chance to tour the region,

Their aim was to ensure festival-goers could see the region’s three national parks – Abel Tasman, Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes, travel on back roads, and visit places of interest like the Higgins Heritage Park, Gardens of the World and the Port Māpua Maritime Museum.

Jim and Kyra Wareing in their 1972 mark II. Samantha Gee/RNZ

“We’ve encouraged them to go to Marahau and get out of the car, walk across the boardwalk, and touch the [Abel Tasman] national park and same at St Arnaud, they were right at the [Nelson Lakes], so we encouraged them to go for a walk in the bush,” Jim Wareing said.

He said there were several runs each day, short ones to cater for small veteran cars which were over 100 years old, and longer runs to cater for newer models.

Nelson man Jared Dacombe is one of the younger festival attendees, at the age of 28. He owns several vintage cars and said his 1989 Nissan Skyline GTR was also among the newer vehicles.

Jared Dacombe with his 1989 Skyline GTR. Samantha Gee/RNZ

“Anything 30 years old is club eligible. It’s kind of a bit controversial but it has its own in history as well and that’s that’s what this thing is about – cars in history.

Dacombe, who owns an automotive business, said his love of motoring came from his great grandfather.

“We we did a lot of touring together both in vintage and classic cars, but the first one was a big international rally down in Invercargill.

“It was just awesome, as a kid, six years old, cruising on the back of a 34 Dodge, it was great touring from Nelson down the coast route and staying in different accommodation, it was just a big buzz.”

Nelson man Stephen Caunter has a 1937 International D2 truck, a 20-year restoration project that he said cost a bit to run, given the increasing cost of fuel.

Nelson man Stephen Caunter with his 1937 International D2 truck. Samantha Gee/RNZ

“There will be people that will go, is this an appropriate thing for the use of fuel at the moment? And, you know, this has been in the organisation stage for years, and did we know what the price of fuel was going to do the month before the event starts?”

He said some vehicles were more fuel efficient than others and a survey of fuel usage among those attending the rally was being done, in order to understand the total consumption.

Caunter said his truck had been in Nelson for years, it was used as a tow track during speedway racing and still had Tahuna Beach Auto Services painted on the side.

“Everyone takes an immense amount of pride in whatever sort of vehicle that they’ve got and I think their ability to share it with the public is one of the joys of vintage motoring.”

Festival director Ray Robertson said the event was several years in the planning and there had been a few recent curveballs – the fuel crisis, ferry cancellations and several car breakdowns.

Festival director Ray Robertson. Samantha Gee/RNZ

“We’ve really had a lot of influence over what happens in the Middle East, you can’t do anything about it.

“Could we have postponed it? Sure, we could have, but why would we?”

The festival finishes tomorrow with a public vehicle show at the Richmond A&P Showgrounds.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/vintage-cars-celebrated-in-nelson-festival/

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One injured after boat explosion at Tauranga marina

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police said they were called to the scene at the marina about 1.35pm. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Emergency services are responding to a boat explosion in Tauranga.

Police said they were called to the scene at the marina about 1.35pm.

One person suffered moderate injuries, police said.

Fire and Emergency said it heard from “another emergency service” that there was a fire on a boat, but there was only “a little bit of smoke”.

St John confirmed it had sent two ambulances and a manager.

“Our crews assessed and treated one patient who was transported in a moderate condition to Tauranga hospital.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/one-injured-after-boat-explosion-at-tauranga-marina/

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Fitch outlook reaffirms case for fiscal discipline

Source: New Zealand Government

Global economic volatility makes the Government’s programme of fiscal consolidation more important than ever, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

“Fitch Rating’s decision to place New Zealand’s AA+ long-term credit rating on negative outlook is a reminder of why fiscal discipline is so important. 

“Over the past two years, this Government has pursued a balanced fiscal strategy – lifting investment in frontline services like health, education, and law and order, while charting a credible path back to surplus. That has required hard decisions: $43 billion of savings across the last two Budgets, with further savings planned in Budget 2026.

“The Government remains committed to achieving its three fiscal goals – reducing spending as a proportion of GDP, returning the headline operating balance measure to surplus and bending the debt curve down. 

“Treasury’s preliminary economic forecasts — prepared before the latest volatility in the Middle East — showed New Zealand’s economic recovery gaining momentum, with growth of around 3 per cent by early 2027 and a corresponding improvement in revenue that would support a more positive fiscal outlook

“Those forecasts will now need to be revised. Energy market disruption adds real uncertainty, and that is precisely why careless spending is off the table.

“My focus remains on a balanced approach: investing in frontline services like health, education and law and order and keeping debt at prudent levels.

“Increasing borrowing, spending and debt, as some political parties have proposed, would damage New Zealand’s reputation for responsible fiscal management and lead to increased borrowing costs for all Kiwis.”

 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/fitch-outlook-reaffirms-case-for-fiscal-discipline/

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PSA – What is the Govt. hiding? MPI blocks key info on meat inspection privatisation

Source: PSA

MPI officials make flying visit to USA to reassure key export market
The PSA is calling on the Ministry for Primary Industries to lift the veil of secrecy on its controversial plans to privatise meat inspection services.
MPI has refused to release to the PSA under the Official Information Act the detailed analysis it carried out to justify its plan to allow meat companies to inspect their own export meat. This is currently an independent and effective service provided by government agency AsureQuality that has safeguarded the quality of our $12b/year meat export industry.
“The Ministry for Primary Industries took three months to respond to the OIA and then only because the Ombudsman intervened and still withheld the key analysis underpinning its controversial plan to privatise meat inspection,” said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.
The PSA is the union for meat inspectors employed by AsureQuality. Hundreds of meat inspectors could face the axe under this plan, with many forced to transfer to the private sector with lower wages and poorer conditions.
“This is appalling behaviour by a public sector agency which has an obligation to be transparent and explain its policies – what has it got to hide? The case for change has not been made.
“Hundreds of meat workers need to know why their futures are being upended, and the public has a right to know why the Government is playing fast and loose with our hard-won reputation for quality and safe export meat.”
The PSA requested all advice MPI has prepared on the proposal. The response only landed after the consultation closed preventing the PSA from making a fully informed view of the plan.
Only one internal memo was released, and a key document, the analysis of the proposal, Ante and postmortem project analysis was withheld in full because it ‘would prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the Government of New Zealand’. Another five were withheld, four of these including even their titles, under the same grounds.
“This is extreme – surely sensitive issues around international relations could have been redacted. But this is par for the course from MPI which has consistently withheld information or limited the scope of requests from the PSA over the past year. Workers and the New Zealand public deserve better.
“We asked for this information because what MPI provided to the public as part of its consultation process was completely inadequate and provided no information about why they believe the proposal is an improvement on the status quo or what evidence that belief is based on. Throughout this entire process we’ve continued to ask for information about the analysis and advice underpinning their decisions and been provided with very little.”
This obfuscation comes as MPI officials make a flying visit to meet counterparts at the United States Department of Agriculture to convince them there are no risks to food safety. This is happening just weeks before final decisions on the plan are due to be made.
“Why the late dash to America? Surely any issues the Americans may raise should have been sorted well before the proposal was even hatched and consulted on. It just smacks of poor planning, but how do we know when MPI has shrouded this in secrecy?
“MPI must do better when the livelihoods of hundreds of AsureQuality meat inspectors and our meat export industry are at stake.
“The PSA calls on Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard to tell MPI to release all relevant information now, before final decisions are made in April.”
ENDS
Attached: Response letter from MPI re OIA document request
Previous statements
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.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/psa-what-is-the-govt-hiding-mpi-blocks-key-info-on-meat-inspection-privatisation/

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‘Huge explosion’: Firefighters respond to house fire in Christchurch’s Aranui

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Two people have been seriously injured in a house fire in Christchurch.

Firefighters were called to a fire in the Christchurch suburb of Aranui on Friday evening.

Fire and Emergency said the house on Bournemouth Crescent was well ablaze when crews arrived.

It said the fire had since been extinguished and all people were accounted for.

Nearby residents posted on social media that they had heard a “huge explosion” and others reported their house shaking as a result.

Bournemouth Street resident, Scott, said he was listening to loud music at home when he felt that his house shook.

He went outside to have a look at what happened, only to discover that a nearby house was on fire.

“There was actually a guy screaming, because he was actually on fire, and he ran out of the house from what I saw, and someone aimed him with a fire extinguisher,

“And you could see the flames from one of the down stair windows as I was walking towards it, starting to leap around inside the house, and from there the fire pretty much took off and crept out a window.

“Thankfully by then there was about half the street out, going what the hell is going on, and they were calling fire brigade and the cops.”

Scott said the house on fire was one of two, two-storey units that are linked.

He said he heard there was a family living in the linked unit, who managed to get out safely.

St John ambulance said two patients in a serious condition were transported to Christchurch Hospital.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/huge-explosion-firefighters-respond-to-house-fire-in-christchurchs-aranui/

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Government orders review of Dog Control Act

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act to crack down on roaming and uncontrolled dogs, following a number of horrific attacks.

“New Zealanders are appalled by recent attacks by aggressive and out-of-control dogs. People are reporting that they are avoiding areas in their neighbourhood because they have been attacked or have reason to believe they will be,” Mr Watts says.

“Kiwis should be able to walk, run, or take their kids to the park without worrying about being harmed. 

“Dog owners must take responsibility and keep their animals under control to protect their families and visitors, as well as the wider public, wildlife and pets.”

Reviewing the Dog Control Act

“We have heard clearly from Local Government New Zealand and councils that the Dog Control Act is outdated and is preventing them from doing their jobs effectively. This is putting unnecessary strain on resources and the wider system,” Mr Watts says.

“That’s why the Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act to ensure the law empowers councils to keep communities safe.” 

While the scope of the review is still being considered, it will include looking at clauses which may be imposing barriers or resource pressure on councils, as well as penalties and consequences for non-compliant dog owners, desexing obligations, and stronger powers for council officers.

“We are also updating enforcement guidelines so dog control officers have a consistent approach to their work, with clarity on how they should respond and what tools are available to them,” Mr Watts says.

“Alongside the review and updated guidelines, I have sent a letter to every council outlining my expectations around dog control and encouraging them to make full use of their powers.

“Dog control issues are best managed locally and councils already have enforcement powers under the Dog Control Act.

“As we review the Act, I want councils to be able to confidently say they are using every power available to tackle this issue.

“The letter also reinforces that the Government wants to work alongside them as we review the Act and continue to update the dog control enforcement guidelines.”

Other measures in the response 

While the review is underway, there are several measures in place to respond to dog attacks and support public safety.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the police will continue to work with local councils and to provide ongoing support to dog control officers where assistance is required.

“Police have a role to play in dog control when council staff have safety concerns while dealing with dangerous and high-risk dogs. Police will accompany council staff where Police-only powers are required or there are significant safety risks.”

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says on public conservation land, DOC will step up monitoring in high-risk areas and expand its professional hunter response so incidents involving feral or uncontrolled dogs can be dealt with quickly.

“This will focus on places where dogs pose a risk to people or vulnerable native wildlife, with DOC working closely with councils, iwi, landowners and communities to support early detection and coordinated action where problems arise,” Mr Potaka says.

Earlier this week the Government announced a targeted $468,000 grant to the SPCA for dog desexing. The SPCA will contribute a further $700,000 bringing the total investment to almost $1.2 million.

“Dog overpopulation is a significant problem and is often linked to irresponsible breeding. This grant funding supports a practical, preventative measure to help reduce the number of unwanted dogs,” Mr Watts says.

“The Government’s response is about backing councils to keep their communities safe and holding dog owners responsible for their animals.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/government-orders-review-of-dog-control-act/

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‘Huge explosion’: Firefighers respond to house fire in Christchurch’s Aranui

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Two people have been seriously injured in a house fire in Christchurch.

Firefighters were called to a fire in the Christchurch suburb of Aranui on Friday evening.

Fire and Emergency said the house on Bournemouth Crescent was well ablaze when crews arrived.

It said the fire had since been extinguished and all people were accounted for.

Nearby residents posted on social media that they had heard a “huge explosion” and others reported their house shaking as a result.

St John ambulance said two patients in a serious condition were transported to Christchurch Hospital.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/huge-explosion-firefighers-respond-to-house-fire-in-christchurchs-aranui/

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Overseas merchandise trade: February 2026 – Stats NZ information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/overseas-merchandise-trade-february-2026-stats-nz-information-release/

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Live: Chiefs v Brumbies – Super Rugby Pacific round six

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action as the Chiefs take on the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

Kick-off is at 9.35pm.

Chiefs team list:

1. Jared Proffit 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho 3. Reuben O’Neill 4. Josh Lord 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc) 6. Simon Parker 7. Jahrome Brown 8. Luke Jacobson (c) 9. Cortez Ratima 10. Damian McKenzie 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc) 13. Daniel Rona 14. Leroy Carter 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling

Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson 17. Ollie Norris 18. George Dyer 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi 20. Samipeni Finau 21. Xavier Roe 22. Josh Jacomb 23. Lalakai Foketi

“The Brumbies are a terrific side and the Force next week will be tough in Perth, so this is a good mini tour for us. If we get things right, it will help set us for the rest of the season.” – Head coach Jonno Gibbs.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/live-chiefs-v-brumbies-super-rugby-pacific-round-six/

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Police appeal for witnesses after Hastings pub brawl leaves several injured

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police want to identify the man in the fawn cap – the photo on the right shows him without the hat. Police/Supplied

Police are looking for the public’s help to identify people involved in a pub brawl in Hastings.

Detective Sergeant Heath Jones, Hastings Criminal Investigation Branch, said a fight involving both men and women took place inside the Common Room bar between 1.30 and 2am on Sunday 8 March.

Several people were injured, some seriously, with one requiring hospital treatment.

“Police are disappointed at the aggressive and careless behaviour on display at the Common Room that night and will be holding any offenders to account,” Jones said.

“We are asking the public for information to help identify the offenders and anyone else who was there at the time who may have suffered injuries or witnessed the fight.”

Police have released images of one of the people they wish to identify, a man wearing a fawn ‘Gucci’ baseball cap with a white shirt.

Information can be reported to Police by calling 105 or online using the file number 260308/6292, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/police-appeal-for-witnesses-after-hastings-pub-brawl-leaves-several-injured/

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Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes humiliate Highlanders

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fehi Fineanganofo of the Hurricanes, pictured in an earlier match, scored a hat-trick. Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz

The Hurricanes have kicked clear at the top of the Super Rugby standings after hammering the Highlanders 50-7 in Dunedin.

A hat-trick for Fehi Fineanganofo and a brace for Cam Roigard saw the Hurricanes romp to a 10th straight win over the Southerners.

The Highlanders would strike first through Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as the fullback sliced through untouched to score beside the bar.

But that would be as good as it got for the home side as the Hurricanes went on a 50-point unanswered scoring spree.

Roigard’s first came as he threw an audacious dummy just a metre from the chalk and launched himself over.

Next was from a quick tap, Roigard catching the Highlanders napping from a scrum penalty.

The Cane’s stretched their advantage courtesy of a pinpoint, flat cross kick by Ruben Love which landed perfectly in the arms of Fineanganofo.

The tries kept coming after the break, the best of the night coming shortly after sparked by a Ruben Love break.

Some beautiful interchange between the Hurricanes putting Devan Flanders over to cap a 60-metre scorcher.

The wheels well and truly fell off the hosts as replacement Bailyn Sullivan cruised over the chalk with Fineanganofo completing his trio.

The half century came through Peter Lakai as he lunged over from close range, mercifully ending the desiccation.

Follow how the action unfolded:

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/super-rugby-pacific-hurricanes-humiliate-highlanders/

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Country Life: Inside Kapiro Farm’s quest to find the sheep of the future

Source: Radio New Zealand

The seven-year long Sheep of the Future project started off with a flock of Romneys and the fifth generation in the programme is ready for mating. Jess Burges Photography

Climate change, increasing costs, fussier consumers and changing rules have researchers and breeders working hard to develop a sheep that will not only be economic to farm but good for the planet.

Kapiro Farm in Northland is five years into a seven-year project to breed the sheep of the future.

The Sheep of the Future programme is a $10.5 million collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries, Pāmu and its subsidiary Focus Genetics.

How well the sheep grow on the feed they’re given in Northland’s warm and sticky climate, which other regions will likely increasingly experience, is being measured.

Sheep on the Sheep of the Future programme standing in yards, their bodies displaying shedding wool traits. Jess Burges Photography

The animals that do best are the ones to breed from, and there are other traits to balance too, including the animal’s resilience to disease like facial eczema and the amount of methane it emits.

Reducing costs for the farmer within a struggling wool industry has been a big consideration for the breeders.

“With the way the world’s heading with global warming and whatnot, [we’re also aiming for] an animal that is easy care, that has an element of shedding about it,” Kapiro Farm manager Ian Leaf told Country Life.

“An easy care sheep of the future that can handle what the future has in store for us.”

With wool prices strengthening of late Leaf said there was not as hard a focus on 100 percent shedding ability, ” more like 30 percent.”

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The fifth generation of ewes culled from the original 2000-strong flock of Romney sheep are being mated now.

Over the programme, at least 12 different breeds have been mated with the Romneys, including Dorper sires, Damaras, Exlanas and Wiltshires. They “basically chucked every shedding or no wool sire into the paddock,” Leaf said.

The Romney-based flock has had sires from at least 12 different breeds of ram including the Dorper, Damara and Wiltshire. Kara Tait Photography

The Damara from Namibia, known for its hardiness in arid climates and maternal instincts, was the first breed to be culled out, as much for its looks as anything, Leaf said, pointing out the final sheep must be acceptable to the market.

“They resemble a lot a goat. They have a lot of goat traits. They grow horns. They’re a bit bit more slender of a build. They hold their fat stores in their tail.”

“Moving forward, there’s always a visual aspect that you look to adhere to. A lot of people are going to have their own impressions and judgements visually before looking at data. So just cleaning that up and getting a nice uniformed animal that everyone’s used to seeing.”

The main breeds coming through now include the Wiltshire “definitely for the shedding ability,” UltraWhites and Exlanas, low maintenance sheep developed in Australia and the UK respectively.

“We’ve had our struggles with the Wiltshire with their feet. They don’t tend to have very good feet, so just making sure we’re mixing them in the right volumes of Wiltshire.”

They also want to end up with an animal that “gives you a decent lamb at weaning.”

“There’s a little bit of Texel in there … for the meat and carcass production.”

Ian Leaf, Kapiro Farm manager. RNZ/Sally Round

The ram lambs are methane-tested every year.

“That all has a huge impact on the selection process.”

So will there be a perfect sheep of the future at the end of the programme in two years’ time?

Lesf said they were starting to see a “nice, uniformed animal now … that is growing, well, growing at competitive rates to where we were as a Romney-based flock.”

He was interested to find out what the animals could do further south ” in the land of milk and honey”, saying there’s always room for improvement.

“What [the programme] is bringing is insurance on the data. The data is there. We now know exactly how much these guys emit in methane. We know exactly how much feed they take to convert into a kilo of carcass.

“What this Sheep of the Future has done is it’s given you actual facts, ‘what is’ not ‘what ifs’.”

Learn more:

  • Learn more about the Sheep of the Future project here

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/country-life-inside-kapiro-farms-quest-to-find-the-sheep-of-the-future/

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Tairāwhiti graduates celebrate milestone at EIT ceremony

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

21 seconds ago

Fifty-seven graduates crossed the stage at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne today, in the first EIT Tairāwhiti graduation since the polytechnic re-established itself as a standalone institution.

The ceremony brought together graduates, whānau and community leaders from across the region to celebrate academic achievement and the journeys behind each qualification.

EIT Tairāwhiti graduates, led by CEO Lucy Laitinen, paraded through Gisborne.

In total, 443 qualifications were achieved in 2025 by students who studied at EIT’s Tairāwhiti-based locations. Of those, 73 were bachelor’s degrees or diplomas, while a further 370 certificates were awarded at other ceremonies throughout the year.

The average age of graduates was 30, with students ranging in age from 16 to 76.

A total of 993 students enrolled at EIT Tairāwhiti in 2025. While not all were expected to complete their studies within the year, the completion rate for those due to finish was 86 per cent – ahead of the overall EIT completion rate of 84 per cent across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.

Of those enrolled at EIT Tairāwhiti in 2025, 69 per cent identified as Māori and 7 per cent as Pasifika.

EIT Chief Executive Lucy Laitinen delivered opening remarks at her first Tairāwhiti graduation since taking the role, while EIT Chair David Pearson offered closing comments.

Lucy said the occasion was a moment of pride for both the institute and the wider community.

EIT Tairāwhiti graduates celebrated their success.

“We are incredibly proud of our graduates and all they have achieved. Education is transformative. It opens doors for individuals, strengthens whānau, and builds capability and confidence across our communities.

“Having regained our independence, EIT is more determined than ever to serve Tairāwhiti and the wider region, ensuring our graduates leave with the skills, knowledge and resilience to make a real difference, both locally and beyond.”

Tairāwhiti Campus Executive Director Tracey Tangihaere said the ceremony was a special occasion for the region.

“It is always a wonderful occasion to recognise and celebrate the success of so many graduates and honour the many people who have supported their academic journey,” she said.

“This year carries added significance as we re-establish EIT as an independent institution for our region.”

She also acknowledged the passing of long-serving kaumātua Ngāti Porou leader Taina Ngārimu, and welcomed Dr Wayne Ngata, who officiated the ceremony.

“We acknowledge the legacy and contribution of Taina Ngārimu, and we are honoured to have Dr Wayne Ngata step into this role, continuing that guidance and leadership.”

Guest speaker Jordan Lima (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāpuhi) addressed graduates, alongside valedictorian Ami Hokianga (Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi). Gisborne Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria was also in attendance.

Tracey said the day was also a time to reflect on the values carried forward by graduates.

“I love the sentiments of ‘keep your face to the sunshine, be the change you wish to see, live life to the fullest, and spread positivity in the world’.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/tairawhiti-graduates-celebrate-milestone-at-eit-ceremony/