Category: LiveNews

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Police criminal probe into Pike River nearly finished

Source: Radio New Zealand

Credit: NZ Police

Police are nearing the final stages of their criminal investigation into the Pike River mine disaster, in which 29 men were killed.

A methane-fuelled explosion ripped through the mine in the rugged Paparoa Range on the South Island’s West Coast on 19 November, 2010.

Detective Superintendent Darryl Sweeney said the nationally significant and unique investigation was legally complex, and police had been working with the Wellington Crown solicitor for more than 18 months.

“We acknowledge this year will be 16 years since the disaster. Before any decisions can be made, we will be conducting a further investigation phase,” he said in a statement.

“To protect the integrity of the investigation, we will not be providing specifics. However, I can say any further update is likely to be several months away.

“We appreciate questions over the time this investigation has taken but police are committed to exploring all possible lines of inquiry out of respect for the 29 miners and their families.”

Last November the lawyer for Pike River families Nigel Hampton KC told RNZ police had enough evidence to lay manslaughter charges over the disaster.

The Department of Labour laid health and safety charges against Pike River Coal Ltd, its former chief executive Peter Whittall and contractor VLI Drilling Ltd in 2011.

The charges were dropped in 2013 in exchange for a $3.41 million payout to the victims’ families, which was later declared unlawful by the Supreme Court.

The 29 men died from the blast or from the toxic atmosphere underground, while two others in the stone drift managed to escape.

RNZ / Anneke Smith

Efforts by Pike River families, including Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, ultimately led to police being able to re-enter the mine and recover further material and evidence from inside the drift.

In September 2022, police announced they were reopening the borehole drilling operation as part of the investigation and 10 boreholes were drilled, imaged and resealed. Human remains were found in the mine in 2023.

The 15th anniversary of the disaster followed the release of the Pike River feature film, which brought the families’ ongoing fight for justice back into focus.

Osborne and Rockhouse met Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden at Parliament on 19 November to warn that her workplace safety reforms risked another Pike River disaster.

Unions are calling on the government to support corporate manslaughter legislation, arguing it would ensure that the most extreme breaches of health and safety obligations result in criminal liability.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith last year said there were no plans to introduce a corporate manslaughter charge.

A 2012 royal commission of inquiry found that New Zealand’s old safety laws lacked teeth and there were catastrophic failings in the mining company’s systems, despite numerous warnings about a potential disaster.

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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/2026/02/02/police-criminal-probe-into-pike-river-nearly-finished/

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Investigation update, Pike River

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are nearing the final stages of the criminal investigation into the first explosion at Pike River Mine in November 2010.

Detective Superintendent Darryl Sweeney says this nationally significant and unique investigation is legally complex and Police have been working alongside the Crown Solicitor Wellington for over 18 months.

“We acknowledge this year will be 16 years since the disaster.

“Before any decisions can be made, we will be conducting a further investigation phase.

“To protect the integrity of the investigation, we will not be providing specifics.

“However, I can say any further update is likely to be several months away.

“We appreciate questions over the time this investigation has taken, but Police are committed to exploring all possible lines of enquiry out of respect for the 29 miners and their families,” Detective Superintendent Sweeney says.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/investigation-update-pike-river/

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Fertiliser a possible pawn in global chessboard – Rabobank

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rabobank senior animal proteins analyst Jen Corkran said the outlook for New Zealand’s agribusiness sector this year was mostly positive. 123RF

A new report has alerted that geopolitical risks, like further escalation of tensions in Iran, could affect prices for key items used on New Zealand farms like fertiliser.

Prices for key commodities and farm inputs were often vulnerable during times of volatility, like the sharp increase in grain prices at the start of the war in key producing nation Ukraine, in 2022.

Widespread [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/583713/why-are-iranians-protesting-and-what-does-it-mean-for-the-regime anti-government protests were held across Iran throughout January, in response to economic and social crises.

It came as the key producer of urea and ammonia fertilisers also faced a sharp increase in tensions with the United States.

In a new annual report titled Keeping One Move Ahead, Rabobank senior animal proteins analyst Jen Corkran said the outlook for New Zealand’s agribusiness sector this year was mostly positive from a farming point of view.

She said stable supply of our key exports coupled with good international demand should keep farmgate prices high this year, especially for dairy, red meat and horticulture.

“The mood out there in the agri-food and fibre spaces is quite buoyant and I guess positive, and this is driven largely by above average farmgate pricing across the board really.”

However, Corkran said geopolitical risks could push farm inputs prices even higher this year, like further escalation in tensions involving key fertiliser producer Iran.

Jen Corkran.

“Perhaps some softening in the later part of this year in terms of some of those farm input costs,” she said.

“But of course, some of these inputs are affected by some of the geopolitical situations globally, such as in the Middle East, in terms of the costs of some of the stuff we’re bringing into New Zealand.”

Iran was a major global exporter of urea in particular.

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on 9 January 2026. AFP/MAHSA

Corkran said urea and phosphate prices were already elevated for farmers – with urea highly volatile throughout last year, and possible further increases in the near-term.

“Certainly at times challenging around fertiliser prices, and we are expecting to see a bit of volatility continuing. It will be something we keep an eye on.”

She said fertiliser prices increased 8 percent for urea last year compared to the year prior, up 14 percent for phosphates and 22 percent for potash.

However she said with farmgate pricing for commodities well above five-year averages, this will help off-set rising costs.

Report co-author Emma Higgins said the “global chessboard” shifted again in 2025, with a steady tightening of trade blocs, industries policies and geopolitical manoeuvring.

“As we enter 2026, the pieces are still moving, and the pace hasn’t slowed,” Higgins said.

“Major economies are making assertive ‘opening moves’ on trade, technology and security, turning commerce into a tool of leverage more than cooperation.

“For New Zealand, this isn’t distant noise. It is the environment in which our farmers, processors and exporters must operate – in addition to usual supply and demand fundamentals.”

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/fertiliser-a-possible-pawn-in-global-chessboard-rabobank/

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Man charged over fatal Dunedin crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A 24-year-old man has appeared in the Dunedin District Court over a crash that killed one person and seriously injured another near the city on Friday night.

Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle crash on Wickliffe Road in Port Chalmers shortly after 9pm.

One person died at the scene and two others were hurt, one seriously and one with minor injuries.

The man faces charges of driving dangerously causing death and failing to stop to ascertain injury or death after crash.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Taranaki surfers thrilled over return of world’s surfing elite to NZ

Source: Radio New Zealand

Paige Hareb competed at the Women’s Championship Tour when it was hosted in New Plymouth. (File photo) Katrina Clarke

Taranaki’s surfing community, -the only region in New Zealand to have previously hosted the globe’s elite surf competition, is stoked for its Raglan cousins who will hold a combined men’s and women’s World Surf League event in May.

The Women’s Championship Tours stopped at Fitzroy Beach in New Plymouth between 2010 and 2013 sparking a surge of interest in the sport – particularly women’s surfing.

Craig Williamson was event director for the Taranaki Surf Festival which included what was then the ASP Women’s Dream Tour.

Reflecting on the groundbreaking event ahead of the World Surf League coming to Raglan, the Surfing Taranaki chief executive said the idea was to give a local favourite a leg up.

Craig Williamson was event director when the WSL’s predecessor the ASP brought the Women’s Dream Tour to Taranaki between 2010 and 2013. ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ

“Paige Hareb had just qualified for the world tour, the first New Zealand female to ever do so. She was young at the time.

“So, that was a huge deal for surfing in New Zealand and in Taranaki and we thought that perhaps we could pull something together here and give her a home town advantage.”

Williamson said the festival – which was pulled off with the help of 60 community partners – had left a lasting impression.

“It was incredibly inspiring for young surfers all around the country. I bump into people who are young adults now a lot of them and they are still surfing and they talk about what an effect it had on them to actually see the world best here.”

He said the impact of the visiting athletes went beyond what they demonstrated in the surf.

Promotional poster for the Taranaki Surf Festival. ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ

“I remember vividly when we had Bethany Hamilton, the Hawaiian who’d lost her arm in a shark attack, speaking to like a whole classroom, a whole group of youngsters – mostly young girls.

“I’m sure they remember that and it had an impact on them, you know, in terms of what you can do in spite of obstacles that can be put in you’re way.”

Now based in Australia, Paige Hareb remembered the competition fondly.

“Yeah it was pretty cool. At the time I and probably didn’t realise how good I had it, but yeah looking back now it was definitely a special moment to be able to surf in front of friends and family in your home breaks and show it off to all the other girls and the rest of the world is pretty special.”

She said the New Zealand stop was popular with her fellow competitors.

Paige Hareb in action during the 2022 Nias Pro in Indonesia. (File photo) PHOTOSPORT

“Everyone loved it. I know there was a lot of hype about it before they even went there and I think the worst part of it was that it was maybe too cold for them some days, but we got really good surf and everyone loved it the sea and the mountain I guess is pretty spectacular for anyone who doesn’t live there.,

She saw evidence of the Taranaki Surf Festival’s legacy every time she comes home.

“When I was growing up I was one of the only girls in the water and now I go home and there’s at least one other girl out every time I surf there, so yeah, there’s definitely a lot more females into surfing and out in the water which is cool to see.”

Hareb – who would compete for a wildcard into the Raglan competition – expected the Waikato settlement to be pumping during the 10-day event window.

Bruce Gatwood-Cook was media manager for the Taranaki Surf Festival.

A member of the New Plymouth Surfriders Club for about 20 years, he said the audience for WSL events was mammoth.

“It’d be in the millions of the reach we’d be getting because we provided packages to sports networks in Australia and America, Hawaii, South Africa to Europe.

“So, it would be impossible to quantify exactly how many people we reached, but we were reaching a global audience.”

He said WSL events were a marketer’s dream.

“At the same time as livestreaming footage of the heats and highlights of the heats, we also provided b-roll of mountain shots and scenics of the arena.

“So, typically as you see with sporting events like that they’ll have cutaways of the beach and local mountains and scenics like that of the country which really help destinations.”

As a surfer himself, Gatwood-Cook was also taken with the impact the surfers had with fans.

“We just had throngs of young girls idolising Paige Hareb let alone all the other superstars on the women’s circuit and it really created an aspiration for them that I could be that person and I could do that and also seeing how they surfed giving them inspiration to surf like that.”

Meanwhile, Izaro Williamson Sasia was a just a toddler when her dad ran the Taranaki Surf Festival.

Izaro Williams Sasia can’t wait for the world’s elite surfers return to New Zealand in May. ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ

Now a national under 18 and women’s longboard titleholder, she was stoked the world’s best surfers were returning to New Zealand.

“I don’t have any memories of it when it was here in Taranaki because I was only little, but I just can’t wait it would be such a cool experience to see it live and it’s been something I’ve always wanted to do, so I can’t wait. Like there’s no way I’m not going.”

The New Zealand Pro, which had attracted government major events funding, would run from the 15t-25 May at Manu Bay, Raglan.

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Mariameno Kapa-Kingi’s expulsion breached dispute process and tikanga, lawyer argues

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Pāti Māori MP, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi speaking in the House. VNP / Phil Smith

MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi’s lawyers have claimed Te Pāti Māori’s co-leaders were also projected to overspend their parliamentary budget, and there was discussion of a settlement proposal during the hearing to consider the Te Tai Tokerau MP’s expulsion.

Kapa-Kingi’s lawyers are arguing Te Pāti Māori’s constitution was not upheld during a process that resulted in her expulsion from the party, with Mike Colson KC saying a “political party which was created to fight injustice has visited a serious injustice”.

The substantive hearing is taking place at the High Court in Wellington on Monday, and follows a period of turmoil for the party that resulted in the expulsion of two of its MPs, Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris.

Kapa-Kingi challenged her expulsion late last year, resulting in a temporary reinstatement prior to the party’s AGM in December, allowing her to attend.

At the time, Justice Paul Radich said there were “serious questions to be tried” on the manner in which Kapa-Kingi was expelled from the party.

Both party president John Tamihere and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi were present in the courtroom on Monday morning.

Kapa-Kingi’s lawyer Mike Colson KC begun the hearing by saying the Speaker had not been properly notified by Te Pāti Māori about Justice Radich’s decision late last year, and she remained an independent MP, pointing out this could be in contempt of court.

Colson went on to summarise his client’s key argument: that the party’s National Council did not have the power to expel Kapa-Kingi, and that it breached the dispute process and tikanga.

“And I suppose thematically, that we are now seeing a revisionist approach to the decisions that were made, in which there seems to be an emphasis that there was not actually an expulsion, but a cancelation of the membership.”

Colson then referred to Te Pāti Māori’s constitution, outlining the importance of tikanga, arguing “tikanga should be part of the lens” through which the case is considered.

He then highlighted various clauses, pointing out relevant parts of the Constitution to the case.

In particular, Colson highlighted a clause he said did not allow the National Council to “cut across independently” a separate clause specifying a Disciplinary Disputes Committee.

Colson said Kapa-Kingi was given “no notice whatsoever” that there was going to be a hui where her expulsion would be considered.

He referred to various parts of the party’s constitution, claiming the party hadn’t adhered to it.

Colson provided documentation including a range of emails discussing the projected parliamentary overspend, a key reason for Kapa-Kingi’s expulsion.

Colson acknowledged the judge would not be able to resolve who was right or wrong on the issue of the budget, which he said didn’t “particularly matter”.

But Colson said Kapa-Kingi was entitled to “additional payments” due to the additional work she had undertaken.

In relation to the forecasted overspend, he said the party had argued Kapa-Kingi used those funds for her “personal gain”, which he rejected.

He explained “a fix” was arranged between various parties – including a parliamentary representative – in relation to her forecasted overspend of $133,000.

He then outlined Te Pāti Māori’s co-leaders were also forecasted to overspend their budget.

“It’s a bit ironic that the party to say this forecast overspend was misuse when we know at the time the co-leaders office was also in a budget deficit situation,” referencing the Te Pāti Māori co-leaders who had an overspend of around $40,000.

He also mentioned a “level of unsatisfactoriness” of evidence from the respondents, referencing affidavits that “seem incorrect”.

A settlement proposal was referred to during the hearing, which is expected to be addressed later.

Tamihere’s lawyers will respond Monday afternoon, but their initial arguments during the interim injunction last year stated the National Council did in fact have the authority to expel her.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/mariameno-kapa-kingis-expulsion-breached-dispute-process-and-tikanga-lawyer-argues/

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Cyclist dies after crash on SH1 in Marlborough

Source: Radio New Zealand

The road was closed between Lake Grassmere and Taimate (file photo). RNZ

One person has died after a crash between a bike and a car on State Highway 1 in Malborough on Monday morning.

Police say the cyclist died at the scene.

Another person has moderate injuries

The road has since reopened between Lake Grassmere and Taimate.

The circumstances of the crash are being investigated.

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First GP prescriptions for adult ADHD patients issued

Source: Radio New Zealand

ADHD medication was “life-changing” for many people, patient Adam Currie said. 123RF

Adam Currie became one of the first people in the country to be prescribed ADHD medication by a GP at an 8.30am appointment on Monday.

He told RNZ he booked the first available doctor’s appointment for February after he heard about the upcoming changes “many months ago, hoping the doctor would prescribe it”.

Not every GP would choose to offer the service, with some lacking the capacity to offer 90-minute ADHD assessments and the required follow-up sessions and questionnaires, which did not fit into the usual 15-minute appointment slot.

However, Currie – who already had his diagnosis – said his Monday morning appointment was “really smooth”.

Under the previous process, following his assessment and diagnosis (which cost thousands of dollars), he would have needed another psychiatrist appointment to have the medication prescribed. That would have cost more money and involved waiting several months.

On Monday morning he simply provided a urine sample and the doctor was able to prescribe him the medication.

ADHD medication was “life-changing” for many people, making it easier to hold down jobs, maintain relationships, and focus on tasks, contributing to a “far better quality of life”, Currie said.

“I think it’s really exciting that people are able to get the support they need,” he said.

Lack of funding ‘discriminatory’- advocate

The rule change allowing GPs and some nurse practitioners to diagnose ADHD and prescribe stimulants has been widely welcomed by many in the sector as a way to remove some barriers in terms of cost and access.

However, it is unlikely that every practice will have the capacity to offer ADHD assessments – and those which do will have to charge patients for their time, which could run to hundreds of dollars.

Aroreretini Aotearoa convenor Kent Duston, who represented adults with ADHD, said his organisation had been working alongside Pharmac, the Ministry of Health and Medsafe for years to get policy changes.

Poor access to diagnosis and treatment was “a long-standing and persistent issue in New Zealand”, and the lack of funding to support the rule change was disappointing, he said.

Government agencies had made “very timid progress towards addressing these problems”.

“The Ministry of Health’s refusal to fund anything of any description for the ADHD community really is a pretty significant piece of discrimination. in that I can’t think of any other issue that would affect 5-7 percent of the population that has life-long implications that the Ministry of Health would say. ‘We’re not going to do anything about that and we’re not going to allocate a single dollar to it.’

“So we think that the health system as it’s configured at the moment for the ADHD community is highly discriminatory.”

He dismissed fears of “over-diagnosis” or “over-prescribing” as unfounded.

Between 250,000 and 350,000 New Zealanders were likely to have ADHD, based on international estimates, but only 60,000 people had been prescribed medication, Duston said.

Even taking into account that medication was not suitable for everyone and that some people did not want it, “that’s still hundreds of thousands of people who are not getting the help they need”.

Both the Ministry of Health and Health NZ have been approached for comment.

Health authorities have been criticised for not allocating extra funding for the new service. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Change brings ‘both opportunity and risk’ – psychiatrist

The College of Psychiatrists said allowing doctors and nurse practitioners to also prescribe ADHD medicines would help reduce barriers for some people.

ADHD spokesperson Dr David Chinn, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, told Nine to Noon the change brought “both opportunity and risk”.

Firstly, there were significant risks associated with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD, and having a wider range of clinicians able to do that would be hugely beneficial.

Many went undiagnosed, particularly Māori, Pacific, Asian and people from deprived communities, Chinn said.

“In terms of risks, we want to make sure that assessments continue to be of a good standard, that the right people are diagnosed with the right conditions and prescribed the right medication, whether that’s ADHD or otherwise,” he said.

Primary health providers were highly skilled at treating many mental health conditions, but it was important that they had sufficient time to carry out ADHD assessments and also access to “escalation pathways”, if patients required more complex interventions.

A thorough assessment typically took about two hours.

None of the features of ADHD – including attention problems, impulsivity, difficulties with emotional regulation – occurred only with ADHD, and it was important to rule out other problems, like mood disorders, anxiety, substance abuse problems etc.

“Stimulants can be life-changing for some people. Psychiatrists are quite supportive of these changes to ensure people aren’t encountering extra barriers in accessing them.”

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/first-gp-prescriptions-for-adult-adhd-patients-issued/

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‘Avoid the area’: Report of person with firearm in Napier suburb

Source: Radio New Zealand

A police car seen behind a cordon as officers attend an incident. RNZ

Police say nothing of concern has been found after a report of a person with a gun in the Napier suburb of Marewa.

Cordons have been lifted on Nuffield Avenue in Marewa.

There will be an increased police presence in the area.

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‘Avoid the area’: Person with firearm seen in Napier suburb

Source: Radio New Zealand

A police car seen behind a cordon as officers attend an incident. RNZ

Police are asking people to stay away from Nuffield Avenue in Napier after reports of a person with a gun.

Cordons are in place in Marewa.

Police say people should avoid the area and follow instructions from emergency services.

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Update: Fatal crash, Port Chalmers

Source: New Zealand Police

Police investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash on Wickliffe Road on Saturday 31 January have arrested one person.

A 24-year-old man has appeared in the Dunedin District Court today on charges of driving dangerously causing death and failing to stop to ascertain injury or death after crash.

Emergency services were notified of the crash around 9.10pm that night. One person sadly died at the scene and two others were injured, one seriously and one sustained minor injury.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/update-fatal-crash-port-chalmers/

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Cordons stood down, Marewa

Source: New Zealand Police

Cordons have been stood down after the earlier alleged sighting of a person with a firearm on Nuffield Avenue, Marewa. 

Nothing of concern has been located, however the public can expect to see an increased Police presence in the area while further enquiries are carried out. 

Police thank the public for their patience.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/cordons-stood-down-marewa/

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Former rower Les O’Connell’s Olympic gold medal stolen in home burglary

Source: Radio New Zealand

Les O’Connell, Shane O’Brien, Conrad Robertson and Keith Trask celebrate winning gold at the 1984 Olympics. Photosport

A former Olympic rower is hoping there is some honour among thieves after his gold medal was stolen from his Christchurch home while he was away for the weekend.

Les O’Connell won the medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, rowing in the men’s coxless four, and was appealing to whoever pinched it to give it back undamaged.

He said the medal was gold coated but was largely made of silver.

O’Connell’s home was robbed over the weekend, with thieves stealing a vehicle full of work tools, as well as entering the house and rifling through his belongings.

He was yet to return home after the robbery and did not yet know the extent of what had been stolen

However, he told Checkpoint that no loss was stinging harder than the medal.

“All those other items, that’s what they are, they’re just pure items that can be replaced, this can’t.”

“All of that pale’s comparison to the gold medal.”

O’Connell said the years of work he put in prior to getting the medal was part of what had made the loss hit even harder.

“It’s something I’m not going to win again and it’s a whole process. You know, I was a world champion for two years before the Olympics, so it was a whole build-up to winning a gold medal… it was hard fought.”

Despite having championship medals displayed in his home, it was only the Olympic medal that had been hidden that was stolen.

“I had those in frame, I had this one hidden purely because I didn’t want it hanging on the wall and I didn’t want it stolen. So we hid it behind some books on a bookcase.

“I’ve been told that all the drawers have been opened and that sort of thing. So, yeah, they’ve had a good look around.”

O’Connell said he doesn’t believe the thieves knew what they had found initially and is now worried they might think the medal is worth more than it actually is.

“As time goes on, they’ll probably look at them and think, well, you know, what do we do with this?

“What scares me the most is that they might go and do something stupid like try and melt it down or disfigure it or something like that, which really destroys the whole thing.

“I don’t know what the monetary value is, it never had a value, but it’s more of a collector’s item.”

O’Connell was holding out hope that the thieves would see some sense and return the medal back to its home.

“If they could put it somewhere and let someone know or phone into something and say, it’s here. Even if they just hide it somewhere and later on they let someone know… even post it back somewhere.

“I just don’t want it disfigured or thrown away and lost forever.”

New Zealand Police have been contacted for comment.

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Watch: PM Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford on reporting students’ progress

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford have unveiled changes to how students’ progress is reported.

The government says the new reports will give families clearer information about their children.

It says the reports will ensure all primary and intermediate schools describe children’s achievement in reading, writing and maths twice a year in the same way.

They will rank children’s achievement on a five-point scale – emerging, developing, consolidating, proficient and exceeding.

The reports will also provide an overall percentage score and describe what the child can do in each of the three subjects .

The government says schools will report on other subjects and on student behaviour as they do now.

It comes as schools are opening up again for 2026 and must use new maths and English curriculums for students in Years 0-10 this year. Draft curriculums for other subject areas are out for consultation until mid-April.

By the end of 2025, nine percent of students in Year 13 and 15 percent of Year 12s had not achieved the literacy and numeracy co-requisite, figures provided to RNZ by NZQA show. The achievement rates were the lowest in the past five years.

They equated to about 5000 Year 13s and 10,000 Year 12s who would not receive any NCEA certificates because they had not yet met the requirement.

Watch the announcement live at the top of this page.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/watch-pm-christopher-luxon-and-education-minister-erica-stanford-on-reporting-students-progress/

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Fatal crash, SH 1, Grassmere

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash this morning on State Highway 1 near Grassmere in Marlborough.

Police were notified of the crash, which involved a car and a cyclist around 7.30am.

Sadly, the cyclist died at the scene. One other person sustained moderate injuries.

The road was closed at the time of emergency service attendance, but has since been opened.

The circumstances of the crash is being investigated.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/fatal-crash-sh-1-grassmere/

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Police responding to firearm sighting, Marewa

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are currently responding an incident on Nuffield Avenue, Marewa, and are asking the public to avoid the area.

Police were called to the incident around 2.30pm, where one person was allegedly seen with a firearm.

Cordons are in place, and anyone in the area should follow any directions from emergency services.

ENDS

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/police-responding-to-firearm-sighting-marewa/

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Assessment and reporting changes for parents shine light on learning

Source: New Zealand Government

Students returning to school this week will benefit from a significant change designed to give parents clearer, more consistent information about how their children are progressing at school.

2026 marks the first year of nationally consistent assessment and reporting in primary and intermediate schools, giving parents a clearer picture of their child’s learning and progress, no matter which school they attend.

“Parents have long called for clearer, more detailed reporting on academic achievement, and this new framework delivers that clarity. It supports parents to understand their child’s progress over time and to be active partners in their learning,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

This year, schools will begin using a nationally consistent reporting approach supported by twice-yearly progress check-ins. Together, these changes will ensure parents receive reliable, easy-to-understand information about progress in reading, writing and maths, alongside attendance information and guidance on next learning steps.

Parents are key partners in their children’s learning. To play that role well, they need information that is consistent, meaningful, and comparable over time. The new approach ensures families receive clear and detailed reporting regardless of which school their child attends.

The changes respond directly to expert advice and long-standing concerns about assessment and reporting. For years, the Education Review Office (ERO) and the New Zealand Assessment Institute (NZAI) have called for improved assessment practices and higher-quality reporting to parents.

“For too long, New Zealand has lacked consistent, reliable information on how students are progressing in the basics,” Ms Stanford says.

“Both ERO and the Assessment Institute have been clear that without nationally consistent assessment and reporting, parents can be left without the information they need, and the system cannot respond early when children need support. We are acting on that advice.”

“We are focusing on rich, detailed data that informs progress over time and gives clarity to enable action and support across all levels – between parents, schools, the Ministry and sector. This aligns with NZAI’s reporting, including that ‘assessment information is essential at all tiers of the education system’ and ‘contributes to improvement throughout the system’.

“ERO’s reporting on assessment has also highlighted key practices in effective schools, noting that while use of these is increasing, it is still not universal in all schools. We are acting to ensure students, and the sector at all levels are supported with nationally consistent information on learning progress.”

The new approach replaces an assessment system more than 20 years old and has been developed following consultation with principals’ associations and teachers, and trialling in 85 schools involving around 12,000 student assessment engagements. Feedback from participating schools has been positive.

Under the new reporting framework, parents of students in Years 0–10 will receive nationally consistent reporting across reading, writing and maths, including:

  • One of five clear progress markers describing learning progress
  • An explanation of why that progress marker was chosen and how parents can support next learning steps
  • Information on progress over time and attendance
  • Information on phonics achievement and twice-yearly progress check-ins

Reporting on other learning areas, values and behaviour will continue as it does now. Many schools already provide strong reporting and may continue using their existing templates where these meet the new expectations.

The second part of the change is the introduction of twice-yearly progress check-ins for students in Years 3–8, supported by the new SMART progress monitoring tool.

“The SMART tool is a low-stakes, light-touch way to support consistent assessment,” Ms Stanford says.

“It is not designed to replace teacher judgement. Teachers will continue to use their professional expertise, drawing on classroom work, observations and assessments. These tools support that judgement and help ensure parents receive clear, consistent information.”

The progress check-ins will align with mid-year and end-of-year reporting, helping parents see how their child is tracking across the year, not just at a single point in time.

Consistent, high-quality information across schools will also help better target support for students. This year, the Government is rolling out structured literacy and maths intervention teachers, expanding early intervention services, providing an additional 800,000 teacher aide hours, and introducing hundreds of new learning support coordinators and specialist staff.

“Our government is ambitious for every child,” Ms Stanford says.

“These changes ensure parents are better informed, teachers are supported, and students get help earlier when they need it. That is how we lift achievement and ensure every child can reach their potential.”

“I wish all students and teachers the very best as they return to school this year.”

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/assessment-and-reporting-changes-for-parents-shine-light-on-learning/

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Patient touched while sleeping, watched while washing during recovery at Hutt Hospital

Source: Radio New Zealand

The woman was in Hutt Hospital, recovering from a leg amputation. RNZ / REECE BAKER

A woman recovering from a leg amputation in Hutt Hospital was repeatedly harassed by a male patient who touched her while she slept and watched while she was being washed.

The Health and Disability Commission says the hospital failed to keep her safe during her 2022 stay.

The hospital took a week to assign someone to watch the male patient, 11 days to give the woman a security guard, and did not remove the man from the ward.

The woman, known as Mrs B, was being cared for in a room with other women but in a mixed gender ward, deputy commissioner Carolyn Cooper said in her report released on Monday.

Over the course of her stay, the confused man gave her “unwanted attention”.

That included “touching her when she was sleeping, watching her as she was being washed or changed, making inappropriate sexual comments, and going through her belongings”, the report said.

She was so badly impacted, her family discharged her early to finish her recovery at home and she became frightened to return to hospital.

The harassment began soon after the woman was admitted following her amputation.

For the first three days, the hospital used its confused patient protocols to manage the man – including medication, an alarm bracelet, regular checks and using nurses to help redirect him.

His behaviour escalated and a psychiatrist was consulted.

Health NZ told the commission it was unable to move the man from the ward to a place where his behaviour could managed better because of “resourcing constraints”.

On the eighth day of the woman’s stay, staff made an incident report and healthcare assistants were assigned to watch the man around the clock.

But the next day there was a “further incident” when the man entered the woman’s room.

She was offered a private room but declined because she felt safer in a shared room, saying it took 15 or 20 minutes for her call bell to be answered.

The family complained and met with staff to discuss safety measures.

It was not until another incident on day 11 that a security guard was posted outside the woman’s room and she was moved to a bed further from the door.

Her family told the commission the guard did not initially realise he was there to stop the male patient entering the room.

They decided to take her home early and her son complained to the commission.

She had post traumatic stress disorder as a result of her experience.

Deputy commissioner Carolyn Cooper. Supplied

Hospital criticised

Deputy commissioner Carolyn Cooper said the hospital did not provide the woman with the safe environment she was entitled to.

Health NZ had taken steps to address the behaviour of the man towards her but they were not effective – and incidents continued until she was discharged, Cooper’s report said.

The report noted the hospital’s comments that it could not move the man because of “resourcing constraints”.

“Despite this, I have concerns that the male patient remained in the ward when it was clear that his behaviour was escalating and could not be managed adequately by the measures taken to minimise the risk of harm to Mrs B,” she said.

The hospital also under-reported the number of incidents, the report said.

Health NZ responds

Heath NZ told the commission it took reasonable actions to provide appropriate care to the woman.

But it accepted that it had ultimately failed to provide her with a safe environment.

“Health NZ apologised for this and for the emotional distress this caused,” it said.

The hospital had considered moving the man to another ward but decided not to because of the complexity of patients on that ward and that they may have increased the confusion the man was experiencing.

It had made a series of changes since the woman’s stay.

It was increasing staff education, including for security guards, orderlies and minders on the risks of sexually inappropriate behaviour.

The hospital was looking into same-gender bays in wards to “enhance patient dignity, privacy and safety” and changing wards to include low-stimulation spaces for patients who are confused or agitated.

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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/2026/02/02/patient-touched-while-sleeping-watched-while-washing-during-recovery-at-hutt-hospital/

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Four before the courts following burglary, New Plymouth

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Seamus Doyle:

Three youth and one man have been arrested and charged following an aggravated burglary in New Plymouth last week.

On Wednesday 28 January, around 3am, Police were called with a report of a burglary in progress at a commercial address on Devon Street East.

Police responded immediately, however the alleged offenders had already fled the scene in a stolen vehicle.

A scene examination took place and Police conducted initial enquiries, which has led to the arrest of three youth and one man.

The three youth, aged 16-17, and a 22-year-old man, appeared in New Plymouth Youth Court on Thursday 29 January, two of the youth are due to reappear today, while the third youth and the man are due to reappear on Monday 16 February.

They are all facing multiple charges relating to burglary with a weapon and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

Some of these people have also been charged in relation to aggravated burglaries over the last week, in Whanganui and Tauranga.

If you witness any suspicious behaviour around commercial or residential properties, or any other criminal behaviour, please report it to Police as soon as possible, with as much information as you can.

If it is happening now, please call 111 – otherwise, to make a report after the fact, you can contact 105 either online or over the phone.

You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre
 

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/four-before-the-courts-following-burglary-new-plymouth/

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SH1 Desert Road closing to progress essential roadwork

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

The overnight-only closures, between Tūrangi and Waiouru, have been carefully programmed to enable swift progress during the last phase of road rebuilding in this location, while avoiding long-term disruption.

Closures here are needed to complete final surfacing in the area known as the 3 Sisters because the narrow, winding road can’t safely accommodate asphalting machinery and stop/go traffic management. Three consecutive southern sites spanning a total of 3.5km are affected: Mangamate, Oturere Hill and Mangatoetoenui.

All closures are scheduled to take place overnight between Sunday 15 February and Monday 9 March (weather dependent). Updates will be available on NZTA’s Journey Planner and Facebook pages, as well as electronic message boards in the area.

“Minimising disruption for road users, residents and businesses is always front of mind for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), so we don’t close roads unless it’s essential to ensure safety and to get the job done,” says Roger Brady, NZTA Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

“In this case, it’s short-term ‘pain’ for long-term gain, and we appreciate everyone’s patience while we improve this vital roading network.”

During the overnight closures, the recommended detour is via SH41, SH47, SH4, SH49 and back to SH1 in Waiouru, and vice versa. Those travelling on this alternative route will need to bear in mind that it adds approximately 35 minutes to journeys.

As well as this T2W rebuilding work being completed under closures, there’s a significant amount of general road maintenance happening at various sites on the Desert Road during the summer works season. This will require daytime stop/go traffic management. The schedule is being coordinated to reduce delays as much as possible.

Enabled by the Government’s $2.07 billion Pothole Prevention fund, T2W has condensed 4 seasons of work into 2, reducing future disruption on these sections of SH1.

“Having begun in September 2024, it’s now a matter of months before contractors working for NZTA will have completed the project’s entire 60km – 27 percent of SH1’s total 220km length.

“Weather and ground conditions generally being best during summer, the past few months have been a busy time for both road users and our crews. We’re working hard to ensure it’s not long now until this important project is completed and we can all get back to business as usual along SH1,” says Mr Brady.

SH1 Tūrangi and Waiouru detour map.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/02/sh1-desert-road-closing-to-progress-essential-roadwork/