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Mother’s fuel bill triples after child no longer eligible for government-funded school bus

Source: Radio New Zealand

123rf.com

  • Parents feel the effect of Ministry of Education-funded school bus route reviews
  • One mother’s petrol bill jumps from $120 a week to $300 a week now her son can’t catch a bus
  • Ministry says reviews are routine, to make sure transport funding is fair and efficient
  • Officials back down from changes in Gisborne, RNZ understands.

A mother who now has to make two one-hour round trips to get her son to school every day says her petrol bill has tripled to more than $300 a week.

Becs Barr said her son Murphy is no longer eligible for a government-funded bus to school, after the Ministry of Education reviewed routes in the wider Manawatū region last year.

Officials said such reviews are routine and ensure compliance with its rules, such as students going to their nearest school.

It had recently undertaken such a review in the Gisborne area, but today it’s understood officials have backed down from changes that were to take effect from the start of the second school term, in April.

Fuel bill triples

For Murphy Barr’s first three years at Palmerston North Boys’ High School, getting to and from his home near the Horowhenua town of Shannon was easy – he’d catch the bus.

But this year, his fourth at the high school, he’s had to rely on his mum Becs for transport, after he was ruled ineligible to catch a ministry-funded service because Boys’ High isn’t his closest school.

“I have to take him to school each day, travel by car, and then turn around and come all the way back pretty much nearly to home to then go in the other direction to go to my job.

“I’ve now have lost an hour each morning at my job and I’ve also tripled my fuel bill.”

That bill has gone from $120 a week last year to more than $300 a week before the price hikes of the past few days.

When Becs Barr was recently sick, Murphy had to drive to Palmerston North, just two weeks after getting his restricted licence, to make sure he got to class.

Shannon parents and caregivers were looking at user-pays options, like families in some Manawatū towns Rongotea and Tangimoana had organised, Becs Barr said.

She was particularly displeased to often follow the funded-school bus into town as it transported students still deemed eligible to catch it.

“The bus which he would normally have got still leaves from exactly the same spot it used to and still takes children to their colleges in Palmerston North, but it won’t take Palmy Boys’ or Palmy Girls’ [students].”

Murphy Barr is set on becoming a helicopter engineer, and his Becs Barr said Palmerston North Boys’ High offered the best courses to help him achieve this.

The family made the decision to send him there knowing a funded bus was then available, and with no reason to think they wouldn’t fall within rules that weren’t being enforced.

“We’re fighting against a government that’s saying, ‘Get your children to school’. On the other hand they’re saying, ‘We’re not going to help you. We’re actually going to make it harder.’

“Do I quit my job to go on the dole and claim lots of benefits, so I can have more money to get my child to school. Is that what they want to happen?”

Reviews routine – ministry

The ministry has reviewed more than 250 routes nationwide, including in Manawatū, Northland and Hawke’s Bay.

General manager school transport James Meffan said such reviews were a routine, ongoing part of its work.

“We generally give schools at least a term’s notice of any changes to their school bus services,” he said.

“We notified the schools affected by the Palmerston North area review of the final outcome of our review on 17 September 2025. It is the school’s responsibility to notify their communities of school bus changes.”

The ministry funded buses from Shannon for students attending the closest high school, in Levin, and for those at state-integrated religious schools.

Eligibility criteria for buses were to make sure funding was allocated fairly and efficiently, Meffan said.

“The ministry’s bus operators can choose whether to transport ineligible students on ministry-funded services, as long as the student has permission from the school/s they are bypassing and there are enough seats for all students.

“We understand that the bus operator has elected not to carry ineligible students at this time.”

Biggest frustration in 14 years as school head

Palmerston North Boys’ High School rector David Bovey said about 300 students at the school were affected by bus route changes.

The school was looking at options for students. At times, some weren’t able to get to school.

“We’re having some families that are are making significant sacrifices to get their boys to school and it doesn’t always work.

“We had one situation where you could tell by the tone of the e-mail the mum was really, really frustrated, and had a bit of a crack at us because the car wouldn’t start and she couldn’t get her boy to school from Shannon.

“I feel for her because I’m right behind her. It’s it’s bloody tough.”

Bovey said the changes were a disaster.

“This has been the single most frustrating thing I’ve had to deal with in terms of our boys since I’ve been the rector, and that’s in 14 years.

“I know that they’re saying ‘it’s the policy’. So why now? The policy has been ignored for about 100 years,” he said.

“The government’s spending money on charter schools that we don’t need, and we’ve got kids who can’t get to the school they want to go to because of the bus situation.”

Backdown after Gisborne review

Rural students near Gisborne from term two faced the same challenges in getting to school after the ministry reviewed routes there.

Gisborne Boys’ High School headmaster Tom Cairns said the school had about 75 students who were no longer eligible for a funded bus, and other schools were affected too. Many came from isolated, rural communities, where families would struggle to travel into town.

But now RNZ understands the ministry has reversed course and services will stay as they are, a decision Cairns welcomed.

“We’re very pleased with the outcome. To reverse that shows that somebody is listening and has seen some sense.

“The really pleasing thing is they’ve recognised there’s an issue, and a significant one, and have acted on that.”

RNZ has approached the ministry on Tuesday for comment on the Gisborne situation.

Meffan had previously said: “Our recent review of routes in the Gisborne area showed that many students currently using our services are not eligible, either because public transport is available or because they are not attending their closest school.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/mothers-fuel-bill-triples-after-child-no-longer-eligible-for-government-funded-school-bus/

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Three Kiwi Students Set to Honour ANZAC Legacy in Türkiye – AFS Gallipoli Youth Awards 2026

Source: AFS Intercultural Programmes New Zealand

Three exceptional New Zealand students are preparing for a journey of remembrance and discovery as they depart next month for the Gallipoli Peninsula. Awarded the AFS Gallipoli Youth Award 2026, Tim Kirke (Timaru),Takikawa Rangi (Te Puia Springs), and Lexie Knight (Tauranga) will travel to Türkiye from 7- 27 April to connect with their family histories and attend ANZAC Day commemorations.
The AFS Gallipoli Youth Award is a prestigious scholarship that selects recipients based on their dedicated research into their ancestors’ roles in World War I. This year’s winners each bringing a deeply personal story to the three-week exchange programme:
Tim Kirke (Timaru): Recognised for his outstanding presentation on his Great GreatGrandfather, Charles Sealy Verity, and how Verity’s legacy continues to influence Tim’s life today.
Takikawa Rangi (Te Puia Springs): Takikawa researched his Great Uncle Rere Hauiti of the First Māori Contingent, highlighting the sacrifices made to secure a better future for coming generations.
Lexie Knight (Tauranga): Lexie used family letters to create a moving account of her threeGreat Great Uncles – Herbert, George, and Douglas Knight – two of whom were involved in the Gallipoli campaign.
During their time in Türkiye, the students will be hosted by local Turkish families and participate in cultural activities. The programme is facilitated by AFS New Zealand and AFS Türkiye and is supported in part by the New Zealand Embassy to Türkiye.
The AFS Gallipoli Youth Awards 2026 are generously funded by the AFS Educational Trust and the Michael Jull Memorial Trust.
“This award embodies our core mission of creating a more just and peaceful world through understanding; a mission more relevant today than ever,” says Shirley Webb-Speight, National Director of AFS Intercultural Programmes New Zealand.
Originally founded in 1914 as a volunteer ambulance corps (the American Field Service), AFS has been sending New Zealand students abroad to foster global peace since 1947.
Media are invited to contact us for opportunities to follow the students’ journeys as they bridge the gap between New Zealand’s past and a global future.
About AFS: AFS Intercultural Programmes is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/three-kiwi-students-set-to-honour-anzac-legacy-in-turkiye-afs-gallipoli-youth-awards-2026/

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ChildFund – Any war is a war on water

Source: ChildFund New Zealand

When oil prices surge, most people think about petrol. Few think about water.
The volatility in oil prices since the war in the Middle East does not stop at fuel pumps. It flows through to transport, infrastructure and essential services, especially in some of the poorest countries.
“Water systems run on energy. When oil prices spike, the cost of pumping, treating and delivering water rises too. In vulnerable communities, there is no financial cushion to absorb that shock,” says ChildFund New Zealand CEO Josie Pagani.
In many of the communities where ChildFund works, in the Pacific and beyond, clean water depends on bore pumps powered by diesel or electricity priced against global fuel markets. A surge in oil price increases operating costs immediately. Spare parts become more expensive. Transport costs rise. Maintenance is delayed.
“A rise in oil prices in one part of the world can mean a village pump runs fewer hours a day somewhere else.”
The consequences fall hardest on children.
When water systems become unreliable, families are forced to rely on unsafe sources. Waterborne diseases spread more easily. Girls are often pulled from school to collect water. Household income is diverted to cope with illness or to buy water from private suppliers.
“Access to clean water changes everything for a child. It means health instead of sickness. School instead of long walks carrying heavy containers full of water.”
Conflict also damages water infrastructure directly. Pipes, wells and treatment plants are frequently destroyed in war zones. But even communities far from conflict feel the economic aftershocks through global energy markets.
“Any war is a war on water. Children living thousands of kilometres from a battlefield still feel the impact when global shocks make essential services more fragile.”
ChildFund invests in long-term water resilience, including gravity-fed systems and solar pumping designed to reduce dependence on volatile fuel markets. Strengthening community-managed systems helps protect children from global economic shocks.
“Children already pay the biggest price in war. Access to clean water should not be part of that,” says Josie Pagani.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/childfund-any-war-is-a-war-on-water/

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Health – Alcohol reforms risk taking Aotearoa backwards on harm prevention

Source: Hapai Te Hauora

Hāpai Te Hauora says proposed reforms to alcohol laws risk taking Aotearoa backwards in efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm.
The Government has announced changes aimed at reducing regulatory barriers and making it easier for businesses to obtain alcohol licences. Ministers say the reforms reflect a belief that adults should be trusted to make their own choices in a free society.
But Hāpai Te Hauora Chief Operating Officer Jason Alexander says alcohol harm cannot be understood as simply a matter of individual responsibility.
These proposed changes undermine recent progress made through the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Act 2023, which strengthened community voice in licensing decisions and supported the development and implementation of Local Alcohol Policies. Introducing reforms that move in a different direction raises questions about what priorities are now guiding New Zealand’s alcohol policy.
“Alcohol harm doesn’t happen in isolation. It is shaped by the environments we create – how widely alcohol is available, how it’s marketed, and how many outlets operate in a community,” Alexander said.
Alexander says decades of public health evidence show that policy settings play a major role in influencing alcohol harm, and that weakening existing safeguards risks undoing progress made to reduce harm.
One of the most significant proposed changes would restrict who can object to alcohol licence applications. Alexander says limiting objections to those within a Territorial Authority boundary risk excluding communities who may still be directly affected.
Territorial Authority boundaries do not always reflect the realities of communities, he said, noting that people may live just outside a boundary but still be physically close to a proposed outlet and experience the impacts. Hapū and iwi boundaries can also overlap multiple Territorial Authorities, raising questions about how those interests will be recognised if community voice is restricted.
Alexander also raised concerns about proposals that could expand the settings in which alcohol can be served.
Expanding the setting for the sale and supply of alcohol – from retail environments to personal services – risks further embedding alcohol into everyday life. Greater visibility, availability and normalisation are key drivers of alcohol harm, which is why strong regulation of licensing and marketing is essential.
Hāpai Te Hauora says any changes to alcohol regulation should strengthen, rather than weaken, public health protections and the ability for communities to have a say on harmful products in their community.
“If we want safer communities and healthier whānau, alcohol policy must continue to prioritise prevention,” Alexander said.
These proposed changes come at a time when the Government is placing significant emphasis on economic growth. While economic wellbeing matters, it must not come at the cost of public health. Weakening safeguards around alcohol will increase exposure to harm and place even greater pressure on whānau, communities, and an already stretched health system.
Alcohol harm is already estimated to cost Aotearoa New Zealand $9.1 billion every year through preventable illness, injury, lost productivity, and wider social harm. Any reform to alcohol policy must put health, wellbeing, and equity at the centre. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/health-alcohol-reforms-risk-taking-aotearoa-backwards-on-harm-prevention/

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Operationalising the Australia-New Zealand Alliance: Anzac 2035

Source: New Zealand Government

[Joint Statement delivered at the Australia – New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations, Canberra 17 March 2026]

Closer Defence Relations Statement

At approximately 4:30am on the 25th of April 1915, the first ANZAC landing at Gallipoli forged a bond unlike any other; changing the Australian and New Zealand relationship forever. Since then, Australians and New Zealanders have served and fought 
side-by-side with selflessness, courage, perseverance, and mateship, to defend our freedom, our values, and uphold a peaceful world. 

This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formal establishment of the Alliance in the 1951 ANZUS Treaty, and reflect on the legacy of 111 years of Anzac history. Our Alliance continues to underpin the defence relationship between New Zealand and Australia. Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles and New Zealand’s Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC today reaffirm our formal commitments to each other as allies. We share a long history grounded in democratic values, an enduring commitment to multilateralism and international law, and our collective commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. 

Anzac 2035 Vision

The Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces are operationalising our Alliance with a vision of being able to operate seamlessly as an increasingly integrated, combat capable Anzac force by 2035, while remaining respectful of our status as two sovereign countries. In the face of a sharply deteriorating security environment, we must be ready to meet the security threats we face today and in the future.

Operationalising our Alliance builds on the significant work to date to strengthen integration. Our two militaries are building deep interoperability and interchangeability, including through common procurement and development of platforms and systems, where it makes sense to do so. We will be force multipliers for each other and combine our military forces in defence of our sovereignty, shared interests, and common values, and territory.

Operationalising our Alliance includes lines of effort across force posture activities, combined operations and exercises, preparedness, defence industry integration, resilience, and Pacific security as ways to protect our sovereignty and uphold regional security. 

Line of Effort One – Force Posture Activities

Further enhancing our ability to train and operate from each other’s territory strengthens our ability to respond to the threat of conflict and the prospect of coercion. Force posture cooperation enables us to project force to deter actions contrary to the security of our region and respond to crises. Our cooperation to monitor military activities in our region in 2025 demonstrated our ability to work together in pursuit of shared objectives. Deepening force posture cooperation will bolster our interoperability, our Alliance and collective deterrence. 

By 2035, we will:

Enhance force posture cooperation, including rotational activities in, from, and through our respective geographies, where this is in each countries’ national interest; and
Scope ways to increase Australia and New Zealand’s participation in each other’s force posture activities and force posture activities of our partners.
Establish and use an Australia-New Zealand Force Posture Working Group to develop recommendations to advance force posture cooperation.

Line of Effort Two – Combined Operations and Exercises

Australia and New Zealand’s combined operations and exercises in the Indo-Pacific are an important contribution to deterring potential threats and promoting a stable, resilient region in which international rules are respected. Increasing the complexity of our combined operations and exercises will mean that by 2035, we will be able to increasingly integrate our forces should the need arise. 

By 2035, we will:

Operate and exercise as a more integrated Anzac force alongside other allies and partners;
Deploy increasingly integrated and interchangeable units to achieve our 2024 Closer Defence Relations Shared Defence Objectives;
Further strengthen combined mission planning, combat readiness, and synchronisation mechanisms, including through the presence of embedded staff in each other’s strategic and operational headquarters;
Exercise and plan for a range of potential crises and contingencies, including through Exercise TALISMAN SABRE; and
Procure and employ common and complementary capabilities on our exercises and operations, including strike capabilities in a variety of domains, autonomous systems, maritime and air platforms and equipment, and land systems, where it makes sense to do so.
Build understanding of our respective and collective force readiness that underpins our ability to generate military power;
Foster Australian and New Zealand sovereign capabilities and industries where possible to leverage our respective cutting-edge technology development;
Reduce barriers to defence industry participation in our respective industries and build connections across our defence industry representative bodies;
Increase resilience of our sovereign industrial bases and supply chains to increase self-reliance to better support our shared defence needs;  
When it makes sense to do so, explore opportunities to co-develop, co-produce, and co-sustain common capabilities further entrenching our ability to act together in support of shared interests;
Leverage Australian and New Zealand sovereign capability and sustainment services to increase shared logistics and sustainment (eg C-130J and P-8A), which provide redundancy for our respective defence forces; and
Optimise collective training, education, exchanges and attachments to focus on common operating platforms. 

Lines of Effort Three, Four and Five – Force Preparedness, Resilience and Defence Industry Integration

Modern conflicts reinforce the need to be able to sustain military operations over time, and to have the resilience and industrial depth to support those operations. This also means building our collective capabilities and self-reliance within our Alliance construct. Cooperation across preparedness, resilience and defence industry is critical for us to generate and sustain the ability to achieve our 2024 Closer Defence Relations Shared Defence Objectives, drive cost-effective solutions, build resilience into our respective supply chains, and develop cutting-edge technologies. 

By 2035, we will:

Line of Effort Six – Pacific Security

New Zealand and Australia are Pacific nations. Our security is inextricably linked with the security of the broader Pacific region. Recognising our shared geography and the importance of our defence relationships with our Pacific partners, we will continue to support combined operations and exercises in the Pacific. We will work through the region’s security architecture to continue delivering Pacific-led solutions to regional security challenges and enhance our collective capabilities. 

By 2035, we will:

Increase Pacific defence force interoperability across a range of military tasks, with a focus on embedding the Pacific Response Group as a regional asset that enables more effective co-deployments in times of need, such as disaster response situations;
Expand our combined operations and activities in the Pacific to address regional security concerns;
Increasingly work through the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) to meet defence needs of the Pacific in accordance with Pacific aspirations and the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace; and
Increase our support to Pacific-led combined maritime activities to uphold and bolster regional maritime security.

Implementation and Monitoring

This statement on Operationalising the Alliance, our 2024 Joint Statement on Closer Defence Relations, and our defence dialogue architecture provide the policy framework to regularly review, update and adapt our Alliance. Subordinate working groups will take forward practical implementation initiatives against each of the lines of effort above. ANZMIN will remain the primary vehicle for managing our Alliance. 

Signed in Canberra, Australia on 17 March 2026 by Hon Richard Marles MP and Hon Judith Collins KC MP

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/operationalising-the-australia-new-zealand-alliance-anzac-2035/

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Northland News – Taitokerau can lead rural climate resilience; study

Source: Northland Regional Council

A comprehensive local study has found Taitokerau could lead the way in rural climate resilience by building on what is already working, aligning support across agencies and investing in practical, region-specific solutions.
The Climate Resilient Communities Project was initiated by Rural Support Trust Te Tai Tokerau (RSTTT) with a $40,000 grant from the Northland Regional Council Climate Resilient Communities Fund.
The project involved a region-wide survey of 200 respondents, two Māori wananga, 10 workshops, 61 follow up interviews and a sector leadership hui and resulted in a more than 50-page report “Understanding climate impacts and adaptation in rural communities”.
Regional councillor and farmer Geoff Crawford says it found that Northland’s rural communities are already living with the realities of a changing climate with more intense rain events, longer dry spells and shifting seasons testing the resilience of its land, infrastructure and people.
“The report shows extreme weather is already disrupting operations, but most farmers are adapting.” “Confidence is mixed and financial and regulatory pressures remain significant.”
Councillor Crawford says regulation and cost pressures are the most consistently raised barriers, limiting capacity for long term planning.
“Practical adaptation is widespread and largely self-driven, solar, feed planning, diversification, planting and water storage.”
He says wellbeing and community connection are critical resilience factors with high value placed on support from RSTTT, local networks and informal events.
“Peer learning is a major driver of change with farmers wanting to see working examples, hear real stories and learn locally.”
Looking ahead, the report’s authors recommend strengthening locally-led, practical efforts.
“Farmers and growers want hands-on, regionally relevant examples rather than generic advice.”
They also recommend prioritising water resilience.
“Drainage, storage, effluent systems and catchment protection emerged as the strongest shared needs across all data sources.”
The report suggests development of a Northland Water Resilience Programme to expand water storage support, strengthen catchment collaboration and target technical assistance to high-risk landscapes.
It also recommends supporting energy reliability and transition.
“Power outages present operational risks for all sectors, especially dairy and horticulture.”
In the future, it suggests providing independent solar and battery feasibility advice, and exploring cluster or community-scale renewable solutions for remote rural areas.
The study notes regulation and administration load are major barriers to planning for resilience and suggests creation of a Climate Resilience Helpdesk or digital hub offering plain language guidance on rules, templates for compliance tasks and clear links to NRC, RSTTT, Kaipara Moana Remediation and industry support.
It recommends recognising and investing in community wellbeing as core resilience infrastructure and expanding region-specific science and technical expertise.
“Farmers and growers want more applied research and specialist visits tailored to Northland’s climate, soils and crops.
It suggests the establishment of a Northland Resilience Science Hub with NRC, industry partners, NorthTec and researchers to run local trials and provide technical advice on soils, pasture resilience, crop diversification and biodiversity.
In summary, the report concludes by building on what is already working, aligning support across agencies and investing in practical, region-specific solutions “Taitokerau can lead the way in rural climate resilience.”
“This report provides a foundation for that next chapter – turning local insight into coordinated action that strengthens communities, supports whenua and prepares Northland’s rural sector for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”  

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/northland-news-taitokerau-can-lead-rural-climate-resilience-study/

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Health – Additional winter health care workers a drop in the ocean of need – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

The Government’s announcement today of 378 extra staff to help hospitals cope with winter demand is a drop in the ocean of what patients need, NZNO says.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter says every extra staff member is helpful.
“However, our hospitals are in crisis and barely keeping up with demand before the winter respiratory illnesses hit.
“The capacity for hospitals to meet patient need has been severely depleted after two years of Government cost-cutting and funding to an arbitrary budget.
“We constantly hear from our members that Te Whatu Ora regional health directors are deliberately delaying recruitment and still not giving local managers approval to fill vacancies,” Paul Goulter says.
“These additional staff are a drop in the ocean of what patients need. The 378 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff include medical, nursing, health care assistants, allied health, support and non-clinical roles, but it is unclear how many of those are nurses.
“These additional nurses aren’t going to go far considering an Infometrics report released last year found our hospitals were short on average 587 nurses every shift,” he says.
“The same report (page 22) found that nursing staff shortages are three times as bad in winter. It found between 2022-2024 nursing staffing were about 50,000 FTE hours short in April compared to 150,000 FTE hours short in July.
Paul Goulter says additional short stay beds in the hospitals and for aged residential care are desperately needed.
“NZNO acknowledges the acute need at Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch hospitals. But unfortunately, other hospitals are at capacity even before the winter illness peak,” he says.  

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/health-additional-winter-health-care-workers-a-drop-in-the-ocean-of-need-nzno/

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Joint Statement Australia–New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations 2+2

Source: New Zealand Government

17 March 2026

  1. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence the Hon Richard Marles MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong hosted New Zealand Minister of Defence Hon Judith Collins KC MP and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters MP on 17 March in Canberra for the third Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN 2+2). Ministers also met separately for a Defence Ministers’ Meeting and Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
  2. Australian Ministers expressed gratitude for the sympathy shown by the people of New Zealand for the families and friends of the 15 people who tragically lost their lives in the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and affirmed their commitment to stamping out antisemitism in all of its forms.
  3. Ministers recognised that the trans-Tasman relationship is more important than ever given the fundamental shifts in the global geostrategic environment and the risks posed to our shared national interests. They reaffirmed Australia and New Zealand were fundamentally aligned and rising to the challenge of permanent strategic contest through closer cooperation and major strategic investments by both countries to strengthen the fabric of peace in our region.
  4. Ministers discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East and Iran’s long record as a destabilising force and a threat to international peace and security, including through its nuclear program, support for proxy groups, and brutal acts of violence against its own people and beyond its borders. Ministers condemned Iran’s reckless and indiscriminate attacks on countries in the region.  Ministers urged the protection of civilian life, resumption of dialogue and diplomacy and adherence to international law.

 Our Alliance 

  1. Ministers reaffirmed that our Alliance is the foundation of our foreign policy and defence partnership, and is built on trust, shared values and collective security. Our Alliance has a critical role in safeguarding both nations’ security, supporting stability in the Pacific, and advancing a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific where sovereignty is respected. Ministers highlighted the centrality of ANZMIN in setting the Alliance’s direction, and our shared commitment to using the full suite of statecraft tools to respond to intensifying global competition and a deteriorating strategic environment, both individually and together. Ministers welcomed the 75th Anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, which underpins our formal commitments for the Australia-New Zealand Alliance.
  2. Ministers welcomed the “Anzac 2035: Operationalising the Alliance” Joint Statement, issued today by Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Minister Collins KC, which sets out the Defence Ministers’ vision for our defence Alliance over the next ten years. It focuses on enhancing interoperability, including through collaborating on defence industry, preparedness and resilience, combined operations and exercises, and force posture, so we are increasingly ready to combine as an integrated Anzac force to deter, counter and respond to shared threats.

 Partnering in the Pacific

  1. Ministers recognised the peace, stability and prosperity of all countries and territories in the Pacific are interconnected. They reaffirmed their commitment to working in partnership with fellow Pacific countries and to supporting Pacific‑led regional architecture, with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) at the heart of Pacific regionalism. Ministers committed to support Palau’s hosting of the PIF Leaders’ Meeting in 2026 and welcomed New Zealand’s hosting in 2027.
  2. As fellow founding members of the PIF, Ministers recognised Australia and New Zealand’s roles in contributing to a stronger Pacific family, upholding common values and norms. They underscored the importance of supporting the PIF Chair and the principle of engaging on issues through talanoa. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Pacific’s priorities set out in Pacific Leaders’ 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its Implementation Plan, as well as to the Blue Pacific being an Ocean of Peace. They called on the international community to engage in the Pacific in ways that respect and strengthen regional norms and institutions, and respond to Pacific-led approaches to peace and security.
  3. Ministers highlighted the Revitalised Pacific Leaders’ Gender Equality Declaration to accelerate gender equality and social inclusion in the Pacific and noted the growing challenge of maintaining hard‑won gains and sustaining momentum, including in addressing gender-based violence. Ministers agreed that continued, appropriately supported and well‑coordinated efforts on gender equality, social inclusion and human rights will help achieve the vision for a resilient, peaceful, prosperous and stable Pacific Region.
  4. Ministers emphasised that climate change remains the single greatest threat to Pacific countries. COP31 presents an opportunity to deliver genuine progress towards keeping warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. This comes at a critical time in this decisive decade for climate action.  Ministers noted Australia and New Zealand would continue supporting Pacific priorities and amplifying Pacific voices globally, including to enhance access to climate finance, and elevate the ocean-climate nexus. They reaffirmed the Pacific Pre-COP and Special Leaders’ event to be held in Fiji and Tuvalu in October 2026 as cornerstone opportunities to support these priorities. Ministers reiterated support for the Pacific Resilience Facility as a Pacific-led solution with global benefit as a model, to which Australia and New Zealand had pledged significant contributions, and encouraged further pledges at the special climate finance session for small island developing states at COP31.   
  5. Ministers acknowledged the impact of transnational organised crime on Australia, New Zealand and throughout our Pacific neighbourhood, and agreed that combatting transnational organised crime, including drug trafficking to and through the Pacific, is a shared challenge and an urgent priority. Ministers committed to using defence and foreign affairs resources, where appropriate, to support efforts to combat transnational organised crime. Ministers acknowledged the call from PIF Leaders for a coordinated regional response to transnational organised crime and agreed to work with Pacific partners to develop collective approaches, including for consideration at the Transnational Crime Summit to be held in Fiji in May 2026.
  6. Ministers acknowledged the value of our close coordination to maintain shared awareness of our maritime areas of interest and counter the risks posed both by concerning military vessel activity and the shipment of illicit drugs by sea.
  7. Ministers reaffirmed their enduring commitment to cooperating closely to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the Pacific and to support Pacific-led responses in that regard. They commended the rapid establishment of the Pacific Response Group (PRG) through the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM), as a regional asset to strengthen Pacific‑led responses to Pacific humanitarian and disaster response events and welcomed New Zealand’s forthcoming leadership as the host of the PRG headquarters after Australia. Ministers welcomed SPDMM’s direction to explore expanding the mandate of the PRG to cover wider Pacific security threats. They noted regional efforts to enhance Pacific-led responses to regional security challenges including through the scoping of a SPDMM Status of Forces Agreement, the Regional Operations Deployment Framework being scoped by the Joint Heads of Pacific Security and efforts to better coordinate regional defence and security architecture.
  8. Ministers welcomed the Political Declaration between New Zealand and Niue of 2025 and acknowledged New Zealand’s special constitutional relationships with the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, which are part of the Realm of New Zealand. They recognised New Zealand’s responsibility for the defence and security of the Realm and the benefits that these relationships bring to New Zealand and to the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.
  9. Ministers welcomed the signing of the historic Pukpuk Treaty between Papua New Guinea and Australia and the new Alliance in the region. They welcomed negotiations to finalise the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu and to elevate the Australia–Fiji Vuvale Partnership and the intention to establish the Kaume‘a ‘Ofi Partnership Agreement with Tonga.

  10.  These partnerships reflect a firm commitment to ensuring that the Pacific is in the driving seat to shape its future and that we are supporting each other in shared interests and challenges. 

Collaborating to address global challenges

  1. Ministers reaffirmed their enduring commitment to multilateralism and international law and to supporting UN and regional institutions. Challenges to the rules-based multilateral system called for strong partnerships in our region and beyond. Ministers agreed on the need for bold and effective reforms to achieve a UN system capable of better delivering on its core mandates. Ministers welcomed the adoption of a new Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, setting out practical actions for stronger accountability, safer access, and better protection for aid workers everywhere.  They affirmed the need for deeper bilateral engagement and with regional partners to support the full implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, including promoting women’s full, equal, safe and meaningful participation and leadership across all levels of conflict prevention, and regional peace and security. Ministers announced their support for Australia’s and New Zealand’s respective United Nations Security Council candidacies in 2029-2030 and 2039-2040.
  2. Ministers discussed economic security and the importance of maintaining open and connected supply chains to facilitate the flow of fuels and goods.  Respect for the commitments we and our trading partners have made underpins our prosperity and resilience, and that of our region. Both countries remain committed to working together and with other trade partners to ensure that trade continues to flow unimpeded.
  3. Ministers committed to uphold and promote the Antarctic Treaty System rules and norms that keep this part of our region peaceful and free from conflict, cooperative and protected, and dedicated to scientific research. They agreed officials would strengthen cooperation through an annual strategic dialogue.
  4. Ministers reaffirmed their support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture, and highlighted ASEAN’s central role in shaping a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. As Comprehensive Strategic Partners of ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand reiterated their commitment to building upon longstanding ties with our region by deepening economic engagement. Ministers welcomed progress implementing Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and New Zealand’s increased focus on Southeast Asia as part of its Foreign Policy Reset.  Ministers committed to continue working together on shared priorities under regional free trade agreements.
  5. Ministers emphasised the need for strategic competition to be managed responsibly and welcomed continued dialogue between the United States and China. They acknowledged our collective agency and shared responsibility for the stability of our region. They reaffirmed the need to promote open channels of communication, transparency and practical measures to reduce the risks of misunderstanding, miscalculation, escalation and conflict.
  6. Ministers reiterated concerns about the intensification of destabilising activities and instances of unsafe and unprofessional behaviour by China in the South China Sea. They reiterated all countries must adhere to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. They recalled the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award is final and binding on the parties. Ministers affirmed their shared commitment to promoting regional stability and security and to working with partners to build capability and strengthen interoperability, including through Multilateral Maritime Cooperation Activities. They also reiterated their concern about the situation in the East China Sea and unsafe and unprofessional conduct in the sea and air.  
  7.  Ministers reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposing any unilateral action to change the status quo and encouraging dialogue rather than resorting to coercion or the use of force. They also reiterated their will to continue deepening relations with Taiwan in the economic, trade, and cultural fields as well as enhancing development coordination in the Pacific.
  8. Ministers reiterated their grave concerns about human rights violations in Xinjiang. They expressed deep concerns about the erosion of religious, cultural, educational and linguistic rights and freedoms in Tibet. They shared deep concern over the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, including the actions of Hong Kong authorities in targeting pro-democracy activists both within Hong Kong and overseas.
  9. Ministers reiterated continued investment in the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). The FPDA remained an indispensable anchor for regional security as the only multilateral security arrangement of its kind in Southeast Asia.
  10. Ministers reaffirmed the importance of our relationships with global security partners, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), including through cooperation as Indo-Pacific partners of NATO.  Ministers agreed that the Five Eyes partnership remained vital to our shared security architecture.
  11. Ministers unequivocally condemned Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. They condemned the ongoing deployment of troops and transfer of military material from the DPRK to Russia, which supports the continued conflict. As active participants of the Coalition of the Willing discussions, Ministers welcomed the efforts of the United States of America, European countries and others aimed at ending the war, in line with international law. Ministers again urge Russia to end its war of aggression and engage in good faith with Ukraine on a ceasefire and peace deal. Ministers called on all those with influence on Russia, particularly China, to exert it now to end the war.
  12. Ministers urged all parties to uphold the terms of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and agreed Australia and New Zealand, together with our partners, would continue to do what we can to contribute to a just and enduring two-state solution. Ministers expressed deep concern over Israel’s actions that undermine the path to peace, including the expansion of settlements and control over the West Bank, increasing settler violence against Palestinians, and restrictions on INGOs that impede their humanitarian operations.
  13. Ministers strongly condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and its malicious cyber activities used to evade sanctions and fund these programs, and urged compliance with UNSC resolutions. 
  14. Ministers reiterated their grave concerns about the political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and the military regime’s airstrikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Ministers noted that recent elections did not meet the conditions of a free, fair and inclusive process. Ministers reiterated their calls for a cessation of violence, the release of those unjustly detained, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and inclusive dialogue. Ministers confirmed their countries stand ready to support genuine efforts to alleviate humanitarian suffering, improve economic and social conditions and advance a sustainable resolution to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. Ministers reaffirmed their full support for ASEAN’s central role in resolving the crisis and called again for the full implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
  15. New Zealand looks forward to hosting the next ANZMIN 2+2 in 2027.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/joint-statement-australia-new-zealand-foreign-and-defence-ministerial-consultations-22/

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Lines company offers reward to help reduce copper theft

Source: Radio New Zealand

Thieves are stealing copper wiring from North Canterbury power lines. 123RF

Canterbury lines company MainPower is offering a $5000 reward for significant information relating to the tampering with or theft of copper earthing wires.

There have been more instances of copper theft in North Canterbury since January, compared to the whole of last year according to chief executive Sean Horgan.

“This year alone we’re up to well over 200. Over the last couple of days we’ve had another 11 that were stolen.”

Horgan said the copper that is stolen provides protection for MainPower’s equipment and for the public.

The stealing of the copper wiring impacts MainPower workers, because instead of their normal work they are also having to find and repair the power lines where the wire has been stolen, Horgan said.

And it is also costly to replace.

“We’re replacing these things. It’s about $1000 to $2000 a pop.”

The copper is on top of power poles, but not on every pole. Horgan said it is an integral part of the wider system, and it ensures the electricity runs safely to earth if there is a fault with the equipment.

Horgan said the copper runs down the length of the pole and is covered in a protective covering, and the thieves are cutting through it to take one-and-a-half to two metres of copper.

Horgan described it as an “agricultural operation”, and said thieves are using axes and wire cutters to get it out.

MainPower decided to offer a reward in the hope it would help the company find those responsible for stealing the copper, and have also enlisted the help of a private investigator.

“If you see something suspicious, our staff, the MainPower staff, are easily identifiable, they’ve got the full gear on, they look professional. If it’s somebody out the back of a car or truck with an axe, then chances are they’re up to no good, so please let us know.”

The number to report any information is 0800 WIRETHEFT (0800 947 384).

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/lines-company-offers-reward-to-help-reduce-copper-theft/

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Man accused of making up sexual assault allegations to get reduced prison sentence

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A man who claims he was sexually assaulted as a teen by an older man decades ago has been accused of making up the allegation to get a prison sentence reduced.

The accused, who has name suppression, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection between 1994 and 1995.

A retrial of the alleged assailant started in the Christchurch District Court yesterday.

Yesterday, Crown prosecutor Penny Brown said the complainant, who was 18 or 19 years old at the time of the alleged offending, claims the pair drank and smoked cannabis at a bach in Lake Coleridge bach, before the complainant became so intoxicated he thought he might have been drugged.

The complainant said he was put to bed by the accused, and woke to find he was being sexually assaulted.

Brown said the complainant didn’t report it to the police until 2020, by which time she said his life had derailed and he was due to be sentenced for serious offending.

The complainant had earlier mentioned the alleged abuse to the writer of a pre-sentence report.

The accused’s defence lawyer, David Stevens, today asked the complainant about the timing of the complaint.

Stevens put to the complainant he told the pre-sentence report writer he had been abused in an attempt to reduce his sentence, and told his family about the allegation to try and explain his offending.

“No, I didn’t use anything. I don’t advertise my past, I don’t pity myself for what has happened to me over my life time. I don’t … poor me.”

Brown asked the complainant what led to him making the complaint when he did.

He said while in prison he encountered people who had experienced a lot of abuse in their lives, but he saw some of them had spoken up about what had happened to them and it had helped them.

“When you are brought up kids are supposed to be seen but not heard, you’re not meant to bring things up. And you live that life but seeing some of these old boys, and some of them are tough buggers, but to hear them come out and say you need to get it off your chest, you need to speak to someone.”

Brown asked him his response to the allegation he made up the complaint.

“What am I doing here now then? Why am I going through this now?” said the man.

“I’ve been sentenced and I’m a free man. If someone was in jail? Sure. But I’m a free man and this could have been knocked on the head ages ago. I wouldn’t be putting myself through this.”

The trial is continuing.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/man-accused-of-making-up-sexual-assault-allegations-to-get-reduced-prison-sentence/

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New health funding for winter a drop in the bucket – unions

Source: Radio New Zealand

More than 70 beds will be added to hospitals ahead of the colder months, which the government says will reduce wait times. File photo. Supplied/ Waikato Hospital

Millions in new government funding to meet winter demand is a drop in the bucket, healthcare unions say.

The $25 million funding will see 378 full-time staff and 71 beds added to hospitals ahead of the colder months, which the government says will increase patient flow and reduce wait times.

Health minister Simeon Brown said the goal was to keep people out of hospital by strengthening GP-level care, and improving patient flow by getting people out of those beds and into care in the community.

“Of course, this plan is not a silver bullet,” he said at the announcement at the Auckland Business Chamber on Tuesday morning.

“We know that demand will still be high and hospitals will face record levels of patients this winter,” he said.

“But by planning early, expanding capacity and supporting front-line teams we give our staff the tools, resources and flexibility they need to manage this pressure, and deliver the care when New Zealanders need it the most.”

The package included funding for 567 short-stay spots in aged care facilities, to free up space in hospitals.

Aged Care Association chief executive Tracey Martin said it was great to see the value of the aged care sector being recognised, but it was already at more than 90 percent capacity.

Finding beds to fund, and the staff to go with them, might be tricky, she said.

“So you might have money, but can you find a bed? And can you find a place that has the beds and the staffing that you need?” she said. “When you starve the sector for so long, you can’t just suddenly dial it up.”

It could be an option for aged care facilities – which were predominantly privately owned – to physically add more beds, but Martin said they might be reluctant to grow their footprint or hire staff on a short-term basis.

“I don’t think it’s going to be as easy to implement as they think it is,” she said. “There aren’t 567 short-term care beds just sitting empty right now, in New Zealand.”

Labour’s health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said demand needed to be addressed in the community first.

“It’s a pretty standard winter plan, the sort that was rolled out under Labour governments,” she said.

“But the difference here is now we know 650,000 New Zealanders each year can’t afford to go to the general practitioner because of the cost. As long as that’s the case, demand will remain high in our hospitals, and they’ll continue to struggle.”

Labour has committed to three free GP visits for every New Zealander, if they are elected, to treat people before they need hospital level care.

Meanwhile, the nurses’ union said any increase in staff was welcome, but this announcement severely underplayed the shortage.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation chief executive Paul Goulter said it was not yet clear how much of the funding would go towards hiring nurses specifically, but the union’s own research estimated a business-as-usual shortage far beyond what could be met by this funding.

“We’ve got an ongoing shortage of nurses across the hospital system, and our research showed that our hospitals are short on average 587 nurses every shift, and then you’ve got the impact of winter coming.”

Sarah Dalton from the senior doctor’s union, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, called it a drop in the bucket.

When that criticism was put to Brown, he stood by his announcement.

“We’re focused on putting more resource into the front line and actually making progress, and actually, this has been a plan put together by working with our local hospitals across the country, them highlighting what’s going to make the biggest difference.”

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/new-health-funding-for-winter-a-drop-in-the-bucket-unions/

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White Ferns lose to South Africa Proteas Women in second T20

Source: Radio New Zealand

South Africa’s top scorer Tazmin Brits. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

White Ferns captain Amelia Kerr brought up a T20 milestone in a 19-run loss to South Africa in Hamilton.

South Africa have levelled the five match series at 1-1.

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat at Seddon Park with openers Sune Luus and Tazmin Brits putting on 62 runs for the first wicket.

Amelia Kerr finally broke the partnership in the sixth over getting Luus LBW for her 100th T20 international wicket.

She then got Brits for 53 caught by Jess Kerr.

Jess Kerr also got in on the wickets taking two as the visitors reached 177-5 off their 20 overs.

The White Ferns’ scored quickly to open their chase but also lost wickets regularly.

New Zealand were 72-4 in the eighth over and despite the some lower order fight from Izzy Sharp and Jess Kerr New Zealand fell short.

The third game of the series is in Auckland on Friday.

Follow back on the action here:

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Home invasion in Howick leads to police chase across Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

A damaged car was seen after police cars swarmed central Auckland. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ

Police have chased a stolen car across Auckland as it hit other vehicles following a home invasion in the east of the city.

The burglary in Howick was reported just after 3pm on Tuesday, with offenders reportedly armed with a machete. The offenders left the scene in a Ford Ranger taken from the property on Bleakhouse Rd, police said.

Police had seen the vehicle heading towards the East Tāmaki area.

“Eagle monitored the vehicle as it drove dangerously through Ōtara, Manukau and onto the Southern Motorway into the central city.” Superintendent Shanan Gray said

Police officers seen in downtown Auckland after an incident resulted in a pursuit. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ

On multiple occasions it was seen driving on the wrong side of the road at high speeds.”

Gray said the Ford Ranger was the cause of several collisions with cars that belong to members of the public.

“Police vehicles were rammed on more than one occasion.”

Another damaged car at the scene of the incident. SUPPLIED

One lane of Karangahape Rd was blocked by police.

An RNZ reporter at the seen said two damaged vehicles can be seen, a small Honda with extensive damage to the front and its bumper ripped off and lying on the road, and a Ford Ranger nearby.

A damaged car was seen after police cars swarmed central Auckland. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ

Because of the risk, Gray said the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) was deployed and followed the car on Queen St.

Several police cars were seen swarming downtown Auckland SUPPLIED

“AOS has carried out a non-compliant vehicle stop on Karangahape Road, immediately taking all four occupants into custody,” he said

“Police deployed a range of tactics including a distraction device, a non-lethal sponge round and a police dog to effect the arrests.”

It was lucky no-one was seriously hurt, he added.

Police also want to hear from anyone who had their vehicle damaged by the incident.

They will be laying charges on Tuesday afternoon.

Police officers seen in downtown Auckland after an incident resulted in a pursuit. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ

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Western Bay of Plenty sees boost in childhood vaccination rates

Source: Radio New Zealand

Donna Moon vaccinating a child. Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (PHO)

A Bay of Plenty health team has had a big boost in childhood vaccination rates, saying “pressure free kōrero” and giving people space are the keys to success.

Over about 18 months, the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (PHO) has lifted the vaccination rate for Māori under-twos in its care from 58 percent to 70 percent.

For all its under-twos, it has gone from 78 to 83 percent.

Childhood vaccination rates for diseases like whooping cough and measles took a hit in the Covid era and have been slow to recover in many parts of the country.

The Western Bay of Plenty team said a flexible and personalised approach was driving change.

It was holding night and mobile clinics, and had nurses who would visit people at home if they had not been able to contact them.

Donna Moon was one of the outreach vaccinators.

She got mixed reactions when she turned up at people’s homes but said face-to-face visits made a huge difference.

It was a privilege to be at someone’s home and she always tried to respect their boundaries, she said.

“I will always say ‘look there is no pressure in this conversation’ early in the conversation,” she said.

Donna Moon was one of the outreach vaccinators. Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (PHO)

There were many reasons why people were behind on their vaccinations.

“It could simply be that they haven’t had time, they haven’t had petrol money, they’ve made appointments then the kids have been sick so there’s so many different reasons. Sometimes mum is needle-phobic and they just can’t face it,” she said.

Moon said she rarely vaccinated children at the first home visit, more often having a chat and listening to any concerns before leaving.

The nurses understood that patients had often been dealing with a lot of conflicting information on social media and it was hard for many to work out what was scientific and what was emotional, she said.

It was important to give people lots of space – many wanted to discuss it with their whānau, she said.

“We know that if we go at people with a whole lot of factual information, they’ll just close off. They need time to think about it, especially if they have been in that space of being reluctant,” she said.

The team never judged people on their decisions or the time they were taking, she said.

The Western Bay of Plenty PHO is a partnership between 23 GP practices and the Ngāi te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui iwis.

They also worked with the public health services and other iwi health organisations – it ran its overnight clinics alongside Ngati Kahu Health.

Tori Macartney oversees the outreach vaccination team and said, for the night clinics, the starting point was a “pressure free kōrero.”

Some people would choose to have their children immunised there, others would just glean information.

About 75 percent of the PHO’s vaccinations were done in standard clinics – but having options for the other quarter was crucial, she said.

“Is it easiest for us to come to the home? Would they prefer the immunisation done in their whare or in a van or in a night clinic?” she said.

The chief executive of the PHO, Sarah Stevenson, said the collaborative approach was key.

It was also working hard to take an equitable approach to its work and the team had been working on getting a better understanding of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.

Stevenson said one of the keys was to be very tailored to what the community needed and it was fantastic to see that working.

“It’s kind of delivering healthcare out there on the road in a way that is just more convenient,” she said.

“It’s an important service I think in any healthcare delivery that we look at what is the easiest and best way to deliver healthcare – and immunisation is no different.”

The organisation had about 148,000 patients enrolled across its clinics.

There were more than 800 under-twos covered by the statistics in the 18 month period, just over 120 of them Māori.

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NZ economy to face crunch point over next two weeks – economist

Source: Radio New Zealand

Food prices are up 4.5 percent, one of several economic indicators that household budgets are being squeezed. RNZ

New Zealand could experience a real fuel choke point in a fortnight, and Treasury’s worst-case scenario for inflation is too optimistic, says a leading economist.

War in the Middle East has effectively closed the Hormuz Strait, one of the world’s major shipping routes for crude oil.

While the government says New Zealand does not have a supply problem, it has conceded that rising prices will be putting pressure on some households.

Economist Cameron Bagrie says the real crunch point will come in just a few weeks, with fuel destined for New Zealand currently being refined in SIngapore or Korea after going through the strait before it closed.

“What that means in practise is that we’ve got about 30 days supply stored here locally, there’s about another 20 days on the water

“But it’s anybody’s guess as to what ships are going to be in the water two weeks down the track.”

He said a realistic picture should start becoming clear in the next week or two – “The critical variable to watch is going to be despatches of vessels out of Korea.”

While Treasury has said a 3.7 percent rise in inflation was the worst case scenario facing the country, Bagrie said he thought inflation was going to be closer to 3.7 percent as a baseline, with rises in oil costs following through into general price rises.

But he added that there was still so much uncertainty in the global economy.

“Three point seven is an incredibly low number to be putting out there if you are talking worst case scenario.

“There is a big risk that we need to manage, but that risk is unquantifiable at the moment because it’s a moving feast, just have a look at the volatility we’re seeing across markets oil prices get up around $110-$120 and then they’re down to $90, then they’re back up to $105

“There’s so much uncertainty out there and so much flip-flopping in regard to putting pen to paper and coming up with numbers.”

But Bagrie said he had been impressed by the finance minster’s moves this week.

“Nicola Willis has actually done a really good job in the past couple of days, being very measured and pretty honest in regard to her responses. Do we have a problem? The answer is yes. How much of a problem is it going to be? We don’t really know because this thing could settle down quickly, oil prices are up and down like a yo-yo.”

He said there would be a return to normalcy “at some stage”.

“No one knows what stage or how long the duration of this thing is going to last. If anybody can give me an idea of the duration or when Hormuz is going to open, we’ll give you a pretty firm economic assessment in regard to what’s going to be the economic hit.”

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Supermarket price warning issued by Consumer NZ

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fruit and vegetables are up 9.4 percent on last year, with meat, poultry and fish rising 7.5 percent. 123RF

New Zealand would benefit from a regime banning “excessive” supermarket prices, Consumer NZ says.

The organisation says some supermarket shoppers are questioning how quickly food prices have risen, as conflict in the Middle East pushes up oil prices.

There have been warnings that the cost of food may rise as producer and transportation costs increase.

Consumer NZ head of research and advocacy Gemma Rasmussen said it was understandable that shoppers were worried about how high prices could go.

Stats NZ data for February showed even before the impact of the conflict on oil prices was felt, food prices were up 4.5 percent year-on-year. Fruit and vegetables were up 9.4 percent and meat, poultry and fish 7.5 percent.

“When you pick up an item off the shelf, countless factors contribute to the final price. That makes it extremely difficult for consumers to know whether they are paying a fair and accurate amount,” Rasmussen said.

“Whether you’re an everyday shopper or a seasoned economist, breaking down the true pricing of any food item in a supermarket is close to impossible.

“The question for shoppers is: Are the prices you’re paying for food fair and competitive, and are there instances when the supermarkets are using external pressures as a smokescreen to jack their prices?”

She said when Cyclone Gabrielle hit the Hawkes Bay, she spoke to a producer who provided an example of a produce item that was affected by the floods.

“This resulted in the store price going from $3.50 a kg to $9 to $14.

“They said, if it’s sold for $3.50 retail, the supermarket is buying it for around $1.99 wholesale. It ended up reaching $4.50 wholesale, but despite this, it ended up being sold in the supermarkets for as high as $14.

“One supplier spoke on an instance when the margin a major supermarket made on a frozen product was close to 60 percent. He’s currently selling frozen produce with an alternative retailer who is ‘a dream to work with’ and takes only a 25 percent margin.”

She said businesses could set or increase their prices as they saw fit unless there was some form of price regulation in place.

“Australia had a similar model. However, from 1 July 2026, it will introduce a specific excessive pricing regime for very large supermarkets that will ban prices considered excessive in relation to supply cost plus a reasonable margin. If one of the big players breaches these rules it will face penalties of up to A$10 million, three times the benefit gained, or 10 percent of turnover.

“In effect, this is a direct attempt to curb price gouging and hold major supermarkets accountable where mark-ups are excessive and unjustified.

“New Zealand could benefit from a similar regime. Long-term structural reform has so far done little to meaningfully reduce supermarket pricing pressure, and with cost-of-living concerns continuing, households remain exposed to pricing that may be difficult to justify.”

Rasmussen said cost-of-living concerns were rising and shoppers were “continually” affected by potentially unfair or excessive pricing.

“New Zealanders don’t have time to wait for long term structural changes to be implemented and take effect.”

Woolworths and Foodstuffs were approached for comment.

Separately, Foodstuffs provided an update that said it was still business as usual at its supermarkets but its suppliers were planning ahead.

“New Zealand sits at the end of global supply chains, so we’re always looking upstream and keeping an eye on international events that could have flow-on effects for us,” said managing director Chris Quin.

“A large proportion of our products are grown or manufactured locally in New Zealand or Australia, sourced from Asia, or travel from Europe around the Cape of Good Hope at the bottom of Africa. So, right now our grocery supplies are largely unaffected by the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, and our normal offer’s available in our stores. 

“The main issue at the moment is higher fuel, freight and packaging costs rather than product availability.

“We’ve seen the cost of diesel for our transport fleet rise significantly, but at this stage we’re absorbing that to help keep our food prices as steady as possible for customers.

“For every dollar on-shelf, around two-thirds goes to suppliers for the goods themselves.

“So if suppliers are facing higher freight, fuel, packaging or other input costs, those pressures flow through over time. As we’ve all seen, this is a fast-moving situation, with no clear timeframes or outcomes. The effects of what’s happening now with supply chains and fuel prices could still be felt months down the track.”

Woolworths said it was watching the situation closely. “At this stage our stock levels and pricing have not been affected but we continue to monitor it.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/supermarket-price-warning-issued-by-consumer-nz/

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Four in custody following fleeing driver incident

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Superintendent Shanan Gray, Counties Manukau District Commander:

Police have arrested four men after they carried out a home invasion and fled across parts of Auckland.

At around 3.10pm Police received reports of an aggravated burglary at an address on Bleakhouse Road, Howick.

The offenders were reported to be in possession of a machete and left the scene in a Ford Ranger stolen from the address.

A short time later Police sighted the vehicle heading towards the East Tāmaki area.

Eagle monitored the vehicle as it drove dangerously through Ōtara, Manukau and onto the Southern Motorway into the central city.

On multiple occasions it was seen driving on the wrong side of the road at high speeds.

Through the course of the incident, it has been involved in several collisions with vehicles belonging to members of the public.

Police vehicles were rammed on more than one occasion.

Given the risk posed the Armed Offenders Squad was deployed and pursued the vehicle on Queen Street.

AOS has carried out a non-compliant vehicle stop on Karangahape Road, immediately taking all four occupants into custody.

Police deployed a range of tactics including a distraction device, a non-lethal sponge round and a Police dog to effect the arrests.

One person was transported to hospital in a moderate condition after receiving injuries from a dog bite.

It is extremely lucky that the reckless behaviour of these individuals did not result an anyone suffering serious injuries.

Police will be laying charges for the number of offences committed this afternoon.

Police seeking victims:

Police are aware a number of people may have been victims of minor collisions or have been side swiped by the offending vehicle.

If you believe you have had your vehicle damaged by a white Ford Ranger this afternoon between 3.15pm and 4.30pm, Police would like to hear from you.

Please call 105 and use the refence number P065783141.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/four-in-custody-following-fleeing-driver-incident/

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Watch: Labour leader Chris Hipkins holds media conference over ex-wife’s allegations

Source: Radio New Zealand

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is expected to respond to allegations made by his ex-wife at a media conference at 4.45pm today.

He arrived back in the country from Australia on Tuesday.

The claims – which do not relate to any unlawful activity – were posted on Jade Paul’s private Facebook page on Sunday evening but were since removed.

On Monday, Hipkins said “I reject the allegations entirely and don’t intend to make any further comment.”

In response to questions from RNZ, Paul said she stood by her comments.

Hipkins and Paul married at Premier House in early 2020 and separated in 2022. They have two children.

Hipkins publicly confirmed the split in January 2023, shortly after becoming prime minister, saying they had made the decision in the best interest of their family.

Later that year, Hipkins revealed during his election night concession speech that he had a new partner, Toni Grace.

Hipkins proposed to Grace in November.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/watch-labour-leader-chris-hipkins-holds-media-conference-over-ex-wifes-allegations/

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Rising petrol prices sees spike in Trade Me searches for electric vehicles

Source: Radio New Zealand

TradeMe said Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Kona were the most searched electric vehicles. 123RF

TradeMe says rising petrol prices are prompting more people to consider electric vehicles.

The site said it experienced a 142 percent spike in searches for electric vehicles in March compared to February.

The average price of 91 is now over $3.05 a litre according to price monitoring app Gaspy.

TradeMe said there were 125,000 searches for electric vehicles in the first half of March, compared to 50,000 in the same period of February.

TradeMe head of motors Brendan Hall said the end of the government’s Clean Car Scheme in December 2023 created a huge spike in demand previously.

“We saw EV searches peak at 111,000 in October 2023 as buyers rushed to take advantage of the rebate before it disappeared. As expected, interest cooled considerably after it ended, with searches declining in the beginning of 2024.

“The latest interest marks a significant turnaround, showing that while the rebate was a strong motivator, the current pressure of fuel prices has Kiwi drivers seriously considering whether an electric model would suit their needs.”

The average price of an electric vehicle on Trade Me is $39,000.

The most commonly searched cars were a Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Kona.

Hall said a 2015 Tesla Model S was the most viewed and watchlisted EV.

“At the same time, there is currently a 2013 Nissan Leaf with an asking price of $2,500, so there really is something for everybody.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/rising-petrol-prices-sees-spike-in-trade-me-searches-for-electric-vehicles/

Posted on

Several police cars involved in Auckland pursuit

Source: Radio New Zealand

A large number of police cars have been seen heading towards downtown Auckland and the police helicopter is circling.

A police spokesperson said the incident had resolved but would not provide further details.

More to come…

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/several-police-cars-involved-in-auckland-pursuit/