Prime Minister expected to return to Waitangi

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ahead of Waitangi Day 2025, Luxon gave notice in December 2024 that he would not be going to Waitangi. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The Prime Minister is expected to attend Waitangi for the annual commemorations next week, RNZ understands.

Details on Christopher Luxon’s timetable are still yet to be revealed, but it is understood the Iwi Chairs Forum is expecting his attendance in the days leading up to the anniversary itself.

Luxon’s office is yet to confirm whether he will be there for the pōwhiri or the dawn service at Te Whare Rūnanga.

While a lot of focus goes on the Waitangi Day commemorations on the 6th, politicians are formally welcomed on the 5th.

Some opt to spend the whole week at Waitangi, to meet with iwi and soak up the atmosphere.

Last year, Christopher Luxon opted to go to Canterbury instead, spending the ‘political day’ in Christchurch to announce a roading upgrade.

He spent New Zealand’s national day in Akaroa, with Ngāi Tahu at Ōnuku Marae.

That will not be an option this year.

Ngāi Tahu, which usually alternates holding Waitangi Day events between Ōnuku, Awarua, and Ōtākou, is taking the unusual step of heading to Waitangi.

Ahead of Waitangi Day 2025, Luxon gave notice in December 2024 that he would not be going to Waitangi.

He revealed his actual destination a few days in advance.

At the time, Luxon said he held the view that he wanted to “go around the country” and visit the places where the Treaty was signed.

A historical precedent

Not every prime minister has been at Waitangi for Waitangi Day itself.

Helen Clark and Sir John Key both stopped going after falling out of favour.

After being heckled and jostled in 2004, Clark would go up for breakfast in subsequent years, but would not visit Te Tii Marae.

When Key was denied speaking rights in 2016, he opted to go to the NRL Nines in Auckland instead.

Sir Bill English, in his sole year as Prime Minister, spent the day with Ngāti Whātua at Ōrākei Marae.

When announcing the election date last week, Luxon said there was a protocol around when he would announce his decision, based on security reasons, and he would announce his decision “shortly,” while talking up the “positive reception” he received at Rātana.

He did not end up going to Rātana last week, instead focusing on the response to last week’s severe weather.

His decision was supported by the opposition and in speeches from the hau kāinga.

That may well have weighed on his mind when deciding whether to go to Waitangi.

The heat has gone somewhat out of the Treaty debate following the end of the Treaty Principles Bill.

But there is still a lot of hurt amongst Māori, with Waikato-Tainui leader Tuku Morgan saying the relationship with the Crown had become “pretty fractured.”

Plus, it is an election year.

The recent RNZ-Reid Research poll showed 62 percent of people think it is either very or somewhat important that New Zealand’s Prime Minister is in Waitangi for Waitangi Day. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/585236/nearly-40-percent-of-voters-think-treaty-of-waitangi-has-too-much-influence-on-government-decisions-poll

Politicians have their say

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour confirmed he would attend.

Last year, Seymour twice had the microphone taken away from him (although, wearing his own wireless microphone, his speech still made it out to ACT’s social media channels).

He said he would continue to go up and express his view that “we are all equal and alike in dignity and have the same opportunity in this country, regardless of when our ancestors got here”.

Asked whether the prime minister was also going, Seymour said he did not do Luxon’s diary.

“He’ll make his own decision. I’ve previously advocated that the celebrations should move around the country, so I understand if he wants to go to Christchurch or Ngāti Whātua, as he has in previous years. Equally, I’m from Northland and I quite like going up there myself.”

David Seymour accepting the wero at Waitangi last year. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Sons of the North Winston Peters and Shane Jones will also be there, no doubt already preparing to give as good as they get.

Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka, who often speaks at Waitangi, said Waitangi was “the birthplace of the nation” and confirmed he would be there throughout the week.

He also said he was not responsible for Luxon’s diary, but said “all MPs” should be there.

“It represents the font of kotahitanga in our country, and I’m all about that, and I’m very supportive of that.”

Potaka said there had been volatility in the korero on the paepae, and in the relationship “for the last few decades,” and said the government was working to address longstanding grievances.

“We go with an open heart, with some views and some pretty strong convictions around what we need to do to get things like the economy back on track, and public services, but also with an absolute appetite to settle and implement Treaty claims, that’s where we’re at.”

Tama Potaka on 5 February last year. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said it was New Zealand’s national day, and a significant occasion.

“We’re heading up towards a very significant milestone. Two hundred years of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not that far away. Now’s the time for us to be looking to the future, sitting down, having those conversations about where do we want to be when we hit that very big milestone, how do we want to celebrate it, what do we want to do between now and then so we’ve got more to celebrate,” he said.

“Now’s the time to have those conversations, and the prime minister should be leading that.”

Teanau Tuiono from the Green Party also said the prime minister should attend.

“I think it’s appropriate that the prime minister should attend Waitangi Day. It is an important day, Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our constitutional founding document and so he should show up. He should answer questions that the iwi have, that Māori have.”

Northland MP Grant McCallum confirmed he would be going, but deflected questions on whether the prime minister would be joining him.

“Waitangi is obviously a great place to be for Waitangi Day and I’m gonna be there as the local MP. And you guys are welcome to come and have a beer.”

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More than 100 people help clean up rubbish from Wellington’s waterfront

Source: Radio New Zealand

More than 100 people have mucked in to help clean up rubbish from Wellington’s waterfront today.

Wellington Museum’s annual Great Big Waterfront Clean Up is in its eighth year.

On average each year, the clean up usually collected around 1500 litres of rubbish.

Organiser Naiomi Murgatroyd expected this year’s total would be about the same.

In the past they’ve uncovered some interesting finds.

“We get a lot of road cones,” she said. “We’ve actually pulled Lime scooters out of the sea.”

Acrylic nails were another common find, and once she said they found a doll’s head.

Murgatroyd said Wellington was the only capital city in the world to be home to little blue penguins, some of which nest along the waterfront.

“They make their homes right in all those rocks and crevices along the waterfront here. So any time there’s any rubbish or debris or anything like that, you know, that’s something that could harm them if they eat it.”

Cecilia Tuiomanufili liked to take an active part in looking after the environment. She brought her granddaughter Layla down to the clean up to help out.

She said what she hoped to get out of the clean up was removing all the rubbish the birds could eat and to teach her granddaughter about looking after the environment.

“If we can’t live well in our environment and take care of it, how are our children supposed to know how to do that?,” she said.

“We should be showing our children this is how we do it, this is how we keep our environment clean.”

Anna Brewster is here from England on a working visa.

“I’m a guest in this country and it’s beautiful and I’ve learned a lot about the ecology and the nature and I want to help in some way and I saw the poster and thought it would be a good thing to do.”

She said most of the rubbish she picked up was plastic or aluminium, but she did make a few other finds.

“I found some bucket hats, a lot of bottles of beer, lots of condoms,” she said.

She said she also came across a lot of cigarette butts.

“Which is a shame because I feel like that’s the kind of thing people, they don’t really see it as littering, because they’ll like have a cigarette and then just throw it away because it’s kind of the done thing.”

Maggie Drawz, Cole Kasbarian and Samuel Goldsmith were visiting from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts.

Through their school they’re partnering with local organisations to help solve social science problems and get involved in communities around the world.

They got involved in the clean up through Zelandia who is a sponsor of their project here.

“They asked us if we would like to join, and we were like, absolutely. So we’ve been here cleaning up, and we’ve enjoyed every second of it,” said Kasbarian.

Plastic, food and broken glass were among the items they cleaned up.

The group has also got some pretty nice things to say about Wellington’s Waterfront compared to back home.

“Everything is so nice around here,” said Goldsmith. “It’s much cleaner.

“People seem a lot more conscious of caring for their environment and doing what they can individually compared to back home, which is really great to see,” said Drawz.

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Watch: Community vigil for Mount Maunganui landslide victims

Source: Radio New Zealand

More than 1000 people, with more expected, are attending a community vigil in the wake of the Mt Maunganui landslide.

Families of the victims, having held another service with emergency services at the base of Mauao, will be in attendance with seats set aside for them.

Older members of the community were asked to sit in other sets next to the family seats as a show of support.

Several people said it was important for them to be here to support one another as well as victims’ families. Many described a heavy feeling since the landslide a week ago today.

One woman came with black balloons with each of the victims’ names painted on in gold.

RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Hosted by the Tauranga City Council, the vigil was a time for the community to “come together in aroha – to support one another”, as well as say thank you to the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue working to return loved ones to their families.

The vigil will take place from 7pm at Coronation Park with a karakia at 8pm. The event is expected to conclude around 9pm.

“Our community is grieving deeply. This is a time for us to come together with compassion, to honour the lives lost, and to wrap support around those who have been affected,” says Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale.

“There is no right way to grieve – some may come to reflect in silence, others to stand alongside neighbours and whānau. However people choose to take part, they are welcome.

“This is a gathering of the community, where we can stand in solidarity with the families affected by this terrible tragedy. We come together to say thank you to all the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to return loved ones to their families.”

A free park and ride service is running from Kawaka St to Maunganui Rd.

RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

What we know about the six victims of the Mt Maunganui slip

One of the victims of the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide was formally identified as Max Furse-Kee, on what would have been his 16th birthday.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court on Wednesday evening, deputy chief coroner Brigitte Windley formally identified Furse-Kee after hearing evidence provided by Senior Constable Robert Stokes.

Max Furse-Kee one of the six victims of the Mount Maunganui landslide. Supplied

Stokes told the court his body was found on Monday, and detailed the forensic dental examination which determined his identity.

Furse-Kee’s body will now be released to his family.

On Thursday, another victim of the fatal landslide was formally identified as Måns Loke Bernhardsson, from Sweden.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court this evening, coroner Louella Dunn formally identified the 20-year-old tourist.

The remaining victims of the landslide have been named as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, and Sharon Maccanico, 15.

Only Furse-Kee and Bernhardsson have been formally identified.

Thousands donated to landslide victims’ families

Fundraising pages set up for some of the Mount Maunganui landslide victims’ families have raised thousands of dollars, with donors paying heartfelt tribute to those trapped by last week’s massive slip.

A Givealittle page set up by Maclennan’s sister had raised almost $13,000 within 13 hours for the Morrinsville teacher’s family.

Lisa Maclennan, 50, is one of six victims of a landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. Supplied / Givealittle

“She lost her life trying to save everyone else,” the page said.

“We cannot put a value on the loss of a loved one but any donations will make a difference and help this whanau through this extremely difficult time.”

A separate page has also been set up “In Loving Memory” of Furse-Kee, with $35,435 donated to the teenager’s family in less than 15 hours.

On Monday evening, about 100 people gathered at Auckland Domain to remember Maccanico, another Pakuranga College student and landslide victim.

Recovery efforts halted again over slip safety concerns

Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following the deadly slip were paused for a second time.

In a statement, police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday.

Recovery efforts resumed at 2pm, police said.

Work resumes at Mount Maunganui landslide on 26 January. RNZ/Nick Monro

It comes a week after the slip occurred, burying six people.

Technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered and work suspended.

Detective Inspector Lew Warner said the safety of all staff working at the scene is front of mind.

Independent review ordered into landslide as iwi call for answers

Tauranga City Council has announced an independent review into the events leading up to Thursday’s landslide at the base of Mauao, as local iwi Ngāi Te Rangi say they are seeking a thorough investigation into the cause of the slip.

Drysdale and council chief executive Marty Grenfell confirmed the review last Friday, describing the landslide as an incident of “local, national and international importance”.

“The landslide and its impacts on those affected and their families clearly represents a serious and significant incident,” Drysdale said.

“It is important that we have a clear and accurate understanding of the facts and events leading up to the landslide, so that we can ensure that the future safety of the community is appropriately safeguarded.”

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45,000 sign petition demanding equal treatment of visitors from Pacific nations

Source: Radio New Zealand

Arthur Anae (right) with Samoa’s Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt who says he backs the petition. Facebook / Anae Arthur Anae

More than 45,000 people have signed a petition demanding equal treatment of visitors from New Zealand’s Pacific neighbours.

At the moment they must apply for a visitor visa, provide proof of funds for the duration of their stay and could be asked to get an x-ray or doctor’s check to show they’re in “good health”.

But the petition wants visitors from six Pacific nations to be treated the same as travellers from 60 other countries – that it says are eligible for a cheaper more straight forward electronic authority to enter Aotearoa.

The petitioner, former National MP Arthur Anae, told Checkpoint’s Lisa Owen discrimination against Pacific peoples travelling to New Zealand needed to end.

“At this point of time 3.2 billion people around the world can access New Zealand direct or via Australia and be issued a visitor’s visa on arrival at the airport. The less than 16 million people of the Pacific have been denied this opportunity for far too long,” Anae said.

When challenged on the fact that people accessing the electronic authority also face barriers such as still having to have sufficient funds to sustain themselves while in New Zealand and also having to process online documentation and pay a fee Anae said they were not the same barriers put on people from the Pacific.

“We can meet those no problem. And the fees they have nothing to do in the size that we have to pay.

“All I am asking for, treat the people of the Pacific equal,” Anae said.

Anae said he wrote to the [immigration] minister and the prime minister last year describing it as a sad situation.

“I just said this question, close your eyes and put yourself in this position. Your mother’s died, your father’s died, or your brother or sister or your child, and you can’t come to the funeral.

No matter what the emergency Pacific people have to make an application and pay a fee before they can come to New Zealand, he said.

“Why are we discriminated [against] this way all the time by the New Zealand immigration office.”

Anae said he wanted to make it very clear who he thought was to blame.

“It is the New Zealand Immigration Office and the minister responsible who doesn’t give a damn about us,” Anae said.

When asked what kind of response he had had from government Anae said he had had none.

“Nothing. The minister hasn’t responded to anything I have asked in anyway at all.”

It was pointed out to Anae that the highest number of overstayers as a percentage are from some Pacific Island countries. When he was asked if he thought that was the reason why there are stricter requirements he had this response.

“That’s true, but that’s based on the few numbers that are here and taken into consideration all the other people. But the fact is, as I just said, if you made it easier for people to come and go, they don’t need to overstay.”

Anae said he intended to present his petition to Parliament next month.

“We present the petition on the 11th of February, asking for the petition to go … to Parliament so that the members of Parliament can have a conscious vote on the outcome of that.”

He said what he wanted was to have a select committee process so parliamentarians themselves could hear from people and understand how they had been treated in comparison to others.

“And they can make the decision if they think this is right or wrong.”

“I believe 95 percent of people [in] this country have no idea, no idea, how the Pacific people are treated by New Zealand immigration.

RNZ has approached the office of Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for comment.

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One dead after Auckland crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / REECE BAKER

One person has died after a single vehicle crash in the Auckland suburb of Taupaki.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash on Nelson Road at 5.20pm.

The road is closed and diversions in place.

The Serious Crash Unit is attending.

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Christchurch’s Bromley plant stench expected to continue for at least a week

Source: Radio New Zealand

Diggers working at the burnt-out Bromley wastewater treatment plant on 10 June 2022. Christchurch City Council

A putrid stench lingering in Christchurch’s eastern suburbs from the city’s wastewater treatment plant is expected to persist for at least another week.

Locals have complained of nausea and headaches and say the odour from the Bromley plant is driving them inside behind closed windows and doors.

Offensive odours have plagued Bromley and neighbouring suburbs since a fire at the plant in in 2021 but some neighbours believe the pong has become worse than ever in recent days.

The fire badly damaged the plant’s two trickling filters, affecting the quality of effluent flowing into the system.

The stench left people battling nausea, worsening asthma, sleepless nights and deteriorating mental health for months.

Christchurch City Council said recent heavy rain had affected the health of oxidation ponds and treatment plant staff were trying to improve the water quality.

Environment Canterbury said since Monday it had received 530 odour reports from east Christchurch suburbs which were likely related to the plant.

Since the beginning of this year 610 residents had reported odour issues to the regional council, it said.

In a statement, the regional council’s acting compliance manager Lauren Hamilton said it was aware “and we understand that these odours are affecting people’s daily lives in very real ways”.

Environment Canterbury continued to work with the Christchurch City Council to ensure they were “meeting their consent requirements and putting suitable odour mitigation measures in place wherever practicable,” she said.

Bromley woman Tracy Andrew said the smell was “absolutely vile”.

“The smell yesterday was the worst I have smelt it for a couple years. It woke me up, just about being sick. I have turned my HRV off as it was making the house so much worse,” she said.

Andrew said she was forced to keep doors and windows closed.

Gabrielle Barry said it was unfair that people were expected to live with the smell.

“It’s horrific it gives me and my children headaches, gets in your clothes so you can’t even hang your washing out, even with all the windows shut it somehow seeps into the house,” she said.

The Bromley Wastewater Plant in May 2022.

Another Bromley woman, who did not wish to be named, said she was concerned about her health.

“Everyday coming home from work I smell that, it’s very terrible. It smells like toilets. Hopefully the council can fix it because it’s alarming for the community,” she said.

Bromley local Sharon said the smell had been strong around Maces and Ruru Roads but it was dependent on the way the wind blew.

“I’ve had enough. For a lot of people I think that are paying their rates it’s about, ‘hey you’re charging exorbitant fees for our rates but you’re making us suffer with this putrid smell in the area’,” she said.

Christchurch City Council head of three waters Gavin Hutchison said the council expected higher-than-normal odour levels to continue for at least another week.

He said the council had received 12 complaints about the smell in the last week and 14 in total this year.

“The recent period of heavy rain has significantly affected the health of several oxidation ponds. Monitoring from this week showed a drop in dissolved oxygen levels across the system. These low-oxygen conditions create an environment where odour is much more likely to be released,” he said.

“This is different from what we’ve seen in the past. During previous wet-weather events, the additional rainfall has generally supported pond recovery, improving overall pond health and preventing odour issues. However, this time the ponds have not responded in the same way. Our staff are continuing to collect and analyse data to understand why these conditions have developed on this occasion.

“We’ve also seen increased loading to the ponds, which also put more pressure on the ponds, increasing the likelihood of odour.”

Hutchison said staff were trying to minimise the odour by using all available tools to improve the ponds’ water quality.

“We know odour impacts are disruptive and we want to reassure our community that reducing them is a priority for us,” he said.

Hutchison said work started on a new $140 million sludge plant, with construction expected to take about three years.

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Huge demand for Wairoa pop-up dental clinic offering free care

Source: Radio New Zealand

During the last week the clinic did over 100 extractions, on top of check-ups and cleaning, Dr Isha Woodhams says.

A pop-up clinic offering free dental care in Wairoa has been overwhelmed with demand in an area that has not had a full-time dentist for half a decade.

The clinic is a joint project between Health New Zealand, the iwi Ngāti Kahungunu and Hawke’s Bay’s Golden Apple dentists.

Patients are being prioritised according to need, and there have been a lot of them keen to get in the chair, with the clinic’s two week run almost over.

Dr Isha Woodhams of Golden Apple Dental volunteers her time at the clinic.

She told Checkpoint over the last week they had done over 100 extractions, on top of check-ups and cleaning.

Woodhams said that number of extractions was far higher than what you would see in a community that had been well serviced.

“There is a lot of unmet demand from just deferred care. So, we’re seeing a lot of patients in pain, a lot needing fillings, just basic dental care.”

The pop-up clinic has brought overwhelming demand, with some patients waiting as long as three hours to be seen.

“We have had patients booked in, but we’ve been accommodating patients that have been turning up and waiting.

“There’s quite a lot of people in pain, even some facial swellings and infections.”

While historically there had always been a dentist in Wairoa, Woodhams said due to a national shortage of dentists there had not been one in the town for over half a decade.

The Kahungunu Executive, a Māori health provider in the area has put in a weekend locum service, but it is not enough to meet demand.

The charitable trust has also recently acquired a full-time clinic with two chairs, but the challenge now is staffing it.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to help find a clinician, a long-term solution for the clinic.”

Woodhams said there were multiple factors that made it difficult for people in Wairoa to go outside of the district to access dental care.

“The region, a couple of years ago, was badly affected by the floods, and there’s very low socio-economic demographics here. So, it’s a huge barrier to leave for routine care.”

The clinic has been offering all of its services for free, something Woodhams said patients had been extremely grateful for.

“One patient misunderstood, they thought that they had to pay and they were extremely relieved. She was almost in tears when we said it was free.

“It’s extremely rewarding work… it’s a huge issue for many dentists to discuss fees with patients.

“We know that things have been tough for patients across the country, especially in the context of the last five years. So it’s a huge privilege to be able to provide free dental care and to just take cost out of the equation for the day.”

It is this feeling that has kept Woodham volunteering.

“It’s a privilege to practice dentistry and cost is a huge barrier, so practising in a context without it is just a blessing really.”

While her stint in the town is nearly over, she is hoping that a new dentist is not too far away.

“There’s huge funding in place at the moment from the Health New Zealand for a bonded scholarship scheme for health providers to come work in the regional areas, so I’m hopeful that someone will turn up soon.”

After two weeks in service, the clinic will wrap up on Friday.

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Basketball: Breakers one win away from Ignite Cup pay day

Source: Radio New Zealand

Breakers coach Petteri Koponen Blake Armstrong/Photosport

The New Zealand Breakers have not won any silverware in more than a decade but that could change next month.

This week the Breakers cemented their place in the final of the Ignite Cup, thanks to other results going their way, and they will face in-form NBL team the Adelaide 36ers in the decider of the new in-season competition on the Gold Coast on 22 February.

Making history as the inaugural Ignite Cup champions would be a boost for the team operating under new ownership and fighting to get into the play-offs for the NBL Championship.

Knowing the Cup champions take home $300,000, while the runners-up will get $100,000, with 60 percent of the prize money going directly to players, is a boost of a different kind.

The Breakers’ second-season head coach Petteri Koponen has not yet lifted any trophies with the Auckland-based club and said getting a trophy of any kind in any season was “not easy”.

With the Ignite Cup final a month away, Koponen does not want to look too far ahead as he realises his injury-hit roster still need to win the six remaining NBL regular season games before the focus can turn to the final to be played three days after their last scheduled game.

“Before this we have still other goals we try to achieve and we keep fighting for the play-in spot until the end, but really happy about [the Ignite Cup] and one game everything is possible.”

The back end of the season will be a battle for the Breakers who have not won more than three games in a row this season.

To achieve a run of victories without one of their standout players this season in Sam Mennenga, who broke his wrist and will miss the remainder of the season, will be a challenge that Koponen believes he has the roster to achieve.

“Rob Loe, Max Darling need to take his minutes, it’s hard to replace [Mennenga] but they need to do their job and find their way how they can help the team but everything starts from the defensive end if you can get stops and run and get to the open court everything becomes easier unfortunately we’re missing Sam but the next guys need to be ready.”

Not only will the Breakers have Mennenga missing from the starting five they are also without injured American import Rob Baker who was getting regular minutes from tip off.

Koponen will make some tweaks to the game plan but admitted not a lot could change.

“Luckily we have enough guys, Carlin Davison, Reuben Te Rangi can play a bit more at the four spot and Reuben’s been playing really well the last few games and Max and Rob are going to take the five spot and help the team.

“It’s opportunities for other guys to step up and play more minutes and show what they can do. We still have enough depth and enough quality to compete and it’s just the mentality needs to be there and the guys that maybe didn’t play so many minutes in the beginning of the season, or a big part of the season, now with the opportunities they’ve got they need to be ready to take it.”

Koponen was not yet thinking of resting players ahead of the Ignite Cup final.

“Every game for us is like a final at the moment so every game is important and we treat it that way, we try to take it one game at a time but one month [until the final] is a long time so we don’t have that opportunity to start to think that yet, later on [maybe] but every game is the next big thing.”

Fourth placed Melbourne United are the next challenge on Friday at Spark Arena before the Breakers back up against Tasmania JackJumpers on Sunday.

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Watch live: Community vigil for Mount Maunganui landslide victims

Source: Radio New Zealand

A community vigil is being held in Tauranga on Thursday evening to honour those missing and the lives lost following the landslide at Mount Maunganui.

Hosted by the Tauranga City Council, the vigil is a time for the community to “come together in aroha – to support one another”, as well as say thank you to the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue working to return loved ones to their families.

The vigil will take place from 7pm at Coronation Park with a karakia at 8pm. The event is expected to conclude around 9pm.

“Our community is grieving deeply. This is a time for us to come together with compassion, to honour the lives lost, and to wrap support around those who have been affected,” says Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale.

“There is no right way to grieve – some may come to reflect in silence, others to stand alongside neighbours and whānau. However people choose to take part, they are welcome.

“This is a gathering of the community, where we can stand in solidarity with the families affected by this terrible tragedy. We come together to say thank you to all the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to return loved ones to their families.”

A free park and ride service is running from Kawaka St to Maunganui Rd.

Flowers, notes and signs left near the site of the landslide-struck campground. RNZ/Nick Monro

What we know about the six victims of the Mt Maunganui slip

One of the victims of the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide was formally identified as Max Furse-Kee, on what would have been his 16th birthday.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court on Wednesday evening, deputy chief coroner Brigitte Windley formally identified Furse-Kee after hearing evidence provided by Senior Constable Robert Stokes.

Max Furse-Kee one of the six victims of the Mount Maunganui landslide. Supplied

Stokes told the court his body was found on Monday, and detailed the forensic dental examination which determined his identity.

Furse-Kee’s body will now be released to his family.

On Thursday, another victim of the fatal landslide was formally identified as Måns Loke Bernhardsson, from Sweden.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court this evening, coroner Louella Dunn formally identified the 20-year-old tourist.

The remaining victims of the landslide have been named as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, and Sharon Maccanico, 15.

Only Furse-Kee and Bernhardsson have been formally identified.

Thousands donated to landslide victims’ families

Fundraising pages set up for some of the Mount Maunganui landslide victims’ families have raised thousands of dollars, with donors paying heartfelt tribute to those trapped by last week’s massive slip.

A Givealittle page set up by Maclennan’s sister had raised almost $13,000 within 13 hours for the Morrinsville teacher’s family.

Lisa Maclennan, 50, is one of six victims of a landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. Supplied / Givealittle

“She lost her life trying to save everyone else,” the page said.

“We cannot put a value on the loss of a loved one but any donations will make a difference and help this whanau through this extremely difficult time.”

A separate page has also been set up “In Loving Memory” of Furse-Kee, with $35,435 donated to the teenager’s family in less than 15 hours.

On Monday evening, about 100 people gathered at Auckland Domain to remember Maccanico, another Pakuranga College student and landslide victim.

Recovery efforts halted again over slip safety concerns

Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following the deadly slip were paused for a second time.

In a statement, police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday.

Recovery efforts resumed at 2pm, police said.

Work resumes at Mount Maunganui landslide on 26 January. RNZ/Nick Monro

It comes a week after the slip occurred, burying six people.

Technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered and work suspended.

Detective Inspector Lew Warner said the safety of all staff working at the scene is front of mind.

Independent review ordered into landslide as iwi call for answers

Tauranga City Council has announced an independent review into the events leading up to Thursday’s landslide at the base of Mauao, as local iwi Ngāi Te Rangi say they are seeking a thorough investigation into the cause of the slip.

Drysdale and council chief executive Marty Grenfell confirmed the review last Friday, describing the landslide as an incident of “local, national and international importance”.

“The landslide and its impacts on those affected and their families clearly represents a serious and significant incident,” Drysdale said.

“It is important that we have a clear and accurate understanding of the facts and events leading up to the landslide, so that we can ensure that the future safety of the community is appropriately safeguarded.”

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Man charged with murder after woman’s death on New Year’s Day in Pukehina

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / REECE BAKER

A man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman in Pukehina in the Bay of Plenty.

The woman’s body was discovered on New Year’s day in a house in the rural area.

A 50-year-old man who was initially charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship has now been charged with murder.

Police say their enquiries are ongoing and they are asking people with information to come forward.

A second person was found dead on the property a day after the woman.

The police say the man’s death is being classed as unexplained and their enquiries are ongoing.

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Watch live: Mount Maunganui landslide community vigil

Source: Radio New Zealand

A community vigil is being held in Tauranga on Thursday evening to honour those missing and the lives lost following the landslide at Mount Maunganui.

Hosted by the Tauranga City Council, the vigil is a time for the community to “come together in aroha – to support one another”, as well as say thank you to the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue working to return loved ones to their families.

The vigil will take place from 7pm at Coronation Park with a karakia at 8pm. The event is expected to conclude around 9pm.

“Our community is grieving deeply. This is a time for us to come together with compassion, to honour the lives lost, and to wrap support around those who have been affected,” says Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale.

“There is no right way to grieve – some may come to reflect in silence, others to stand alongside neighbours and whānau. However people choose to take part, they are welcome.

“This is a gathering of the community, where we can stand in solidarity with the families affected by this terrible tragedy. We come together to say thank you to all the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to return loved ones to their families.”

A free park and ride service is running from Kawaka St to Maunganui Rd.

Flowers, notes and signs left near the site of the landslide-struck campground. RNZ/Nick Monro

What we know about the six victims of the Mt Maunganui slip

One of the victims of the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide was formally identified as Max Furse-Kee, on what would have been his 16th birthday.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court on Wednesday evening, deputy chief coroner Brigitte Windley formally identified Furse-Kee after hearing evidence provided by Senior Constable Robert Stokes.

Max Furse-Kee one of the six victims of the Mount Maunganui landslide. Supplied

Stokes told the court his body was found on Monday, and detailed the forensic dental examination which determined his identity.

Furse-Kee’s body will now be released to his family.

On Thursday, another victim of the fatal landslide was formally identified as Måns Loke Bernhardsson, from Sweden.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court this evening, coroner Louella Dunn formally identified the 20-year-old tourist.

The remaining victims of the landslide have been named as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, and Sharon Maccanico, 15.

Only Furse-Kee and Bernhardsson have been formally identified.

Thousands donated to landslide victims’ families

Fundraising pages set up for some of the Mount Maunganui landslide victims’ families have raised thousands of dollars, with donors paying heartfelt tribute to those trapped by last week’s massive slip.

A Givealittle page set up by Maclennan’s sister had raised almost $13,000 within 13 hours for the Morrinsville teacher’s family.

Lisa Maclennan, 50, is one of six victims of a landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. Supplied / Givealittle

“She lost her life trying to save everyone else,” the page said.

“We cannot put a value on the loss of a loved one but any donations will make a difference and help this whanau through this extremely difficult time.”

A separate page has also been set up “In Loving Memory” of Furse-Kee, with $35,435 donated to the teenager’s family in less than 15 hours.

On Monday evening, about 100 people gathered at Auckland Domain to remember Maccanico, another Pakuranga College student and landslide victim.

Recovery efforts halted again over slip safety concerns

Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following the deadly slip were paused for a second time.

In a statement, police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday.

Recovery efforts resumed at 2pm, police said.

Work resumes at Mount Maunganui landslide on 26 January. RNZ/Nick Monro

It comes a week after the slip occurred, burying six people.

Technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered and work suspended.

Detective Inspector Lew Warner said the safety of all staff working at the scene is front of mind.

Independent review ordered into landslide as iwi call for answers

Tauranga City Council has announced an independent review into the events leading up to Thursday’s landslide at the base of Mauao, as local iwi Ngāi Te Rangi say they are seeking a thorough investigation into the cause of the slip.

Drysdale and council chief executive Marty Grenfell confirmed the review last Friday, describing the landslide as an incident of “local, national and international importance”.

“The landslide and its impacts on those affected and their families clearly represents a serious and significant incident,” Drysdale said.

“It is important that we have a clear and accurate understanding of the facts and events leading up to the landslide, so that we can ensure that the future safety of the community is appropriately safeguarded.”

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Second Mount Maunganui landslide victim formally identified as Swedish tourist

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Another victim of the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide has been formally identified as Måns Loke Bernhardsson, from Sweden.

Six people died in the Mauao slip last Thursday.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court this evening, coroner Louella Dunn formally identified the 20 year old tourist.

Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths told the court the body was found on Saturday, and forensic dental examination and DNA had determined his identity.

On Wednesday, the first victim was formally identified as Max Furse-Kee. His identity was released on the same day he would have turned 16.

Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui have resumed after being paused for a second time when technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered.

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Burst water pipe sends silt into Wellington’s Oriental Bay

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Water says crews are working to fix a burst water pipe on Oriental Parade in Wellington. Supplied / Wellington Water

A burst water pipe has sent silt and discoloured water into Wellington’s Oriental Bay on Thursday afternoon.

At 2.30pm crews responded to a burst drinking water pipe on Oriental Parade.

Following the pipe breakage silt and discoloured water entered the stormwater system – causing it to flow into the harbour.

Welllington Water said the material was quickly contained.

The team was using a sucker truck to clean out sumps in the area to prevent further discharge, it said.

At 5.25pm, Wellington Water said the fault had been located towards the side of the road which meant that there were no traffic issues.

It expected work to repair the pipe would take several hours.

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New measles case in Tauranga

Source: Radio New Zealand

Getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (after the age of 12 months) is the best form of protection against measles. Sherry Yates/123RF

There is a new measles case in Tauranga which is likely linked to overseas travel.

Heath NZ says the patient is believed to have contracted the disease overseas and was not thought to be infectious on their flight to New Zealand.

National Public Health Service clinical director Dr William Rainger said the person was working with health officials to identify anyone they may have been in contact with while infectious.

The person’s early symptoms started on 21 January, he said.

So far two locations of interest have been listed for Wednesday 21 January: The General Cafe in Mt Maunganui from 7.30am-3.30pm and Pak N Save Cameron Road, Tauranga from 4.15pm to 7.15pm.

Measles symptoms include: 

  • an illness that begins with high fever (over 38C), cough, runny nose, and sore red eyes (conjunctivitis) 
  • a rash, beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts for up to one week. 

Dr Rainger said it was a highly infectious disease which could affect all age groups.

“If you have symptoms of measles, please phone ahead before visiting your doctor or healthcare provider so they can take precautions to prevent measles spreading,” he said in a statement.

“Getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (after the age of 12 months) is the best form of protection against measles. ”  

The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is very effective in preventing measles – and it is free in New Zealand for all children under 18, regardless of immigration status, and for adults 18 years old and over who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, that includes all citizens and permanent residents.

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Whangārei District Council announces emergency recovery fund for flood-hit residents

Source: Radio New Zealand

Flooding in the Helena Bay – Ōakura area of Northland on 18 January 2026. Screengrab from video – supplied

The Whangārei District Council has announced an emergency recovery fund for residents affected by last week’s severe weather.

Mayor Ken Couper said flood-affected residents would be supported with small grants of $1000 or $2000.

“The community spirit in the area has been nothing short of inspiring. It’s important to us that you’re not left out of pocket,” Couper said in a written statement.

“It’s been a really tough time for many in these communities and the emergency recovery fund is a small but vital part of the response.”

Community and non-profit organisations, marae and small businesses in the Hikurangi-Coastal Ward that had suffered extreme hardship would also be eligible.

Couper said the fund was around $130,000 in total and was made up from contributions from NEMA and the council itself.

The government has also announced that it will make Civil Defence payments available for people affected by last week’s weather events, in specific areas.

The payments would be for people based in Rawhiti, Ngaiotonga, Bland Bay (Whangaruru North), Punaruku, Ōakura (Whangaruru South), Mokau, Helena Bay, Mimiwhangata, Whananaki, Waioweka Gorge, Hicks Bay, and Te Araroa.

The payments would vary depending on someone’s circumstances and what they were paying for.

For example, a single person needing support for food, clothing, or bedding could receive a maximum of $400 and a couple or sole parent with three or more children could get up to $1100.

The payments could be used to help pay for some types of accommodation and assist with lost income.

The government had also provided $1.2 million towards Mayoral Relief Funds and a further $1m to reimburse marae that provided shelter and support.

It had stood up a Temporary Accommodation Service, and sent motorhomes to remote and isolated communities.

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Business confidence retreats from 30-year high

Source: Radio New Zealand

Takapuna CBD – shopping and retail generic RNZ/Nick Monro

  • Business confidence retreats 10 points from a 30-year high but still seen as strong
  • Businesses own expectations drop 9 points, but still historically high at 52 percent
  • Wage pressures start to lift modestly with inflation expectations the highest in 15 months.
  • More firms expect to raise prices over the next in two years

January’s business confidence is down 10 points from December’s 30-year high but is still considered to be extremely strong.

ANZ Bank’s business outlook’s headline confidence indicates a net 64 percent expected better economic conditions.

While businesses’ own expectations fell by 9 points to 52 percent, that reading was also historically high.

“The economy has clearly turned higher,” ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner said.

“Reported past employment is also rising and is back in the black for all sectors. That hasn’t been the case since late 2022,” she said.

She said reported past activity, which was the best indicator of GDP, rose 3 points to 26 — the second highest reading since August 2021.

“The less-good news is re-emerging signs of inflation pressure.”

Inflation indicators rose to the highest reading in nearly three years (March 2023) with prices expected to rise by 2.1 percent, with wage pressures also expected to increase.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/01/29/business-confidence-retreats-from-30-year-high/

Hundreds of pensions affected by IT error

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

About 200 pensioners have had the amount they receive in NZ Super affected this week because of a problem with the Ministry of Social Development’s IT system.

One man who contacted RNZ said he had been receiving NZ Super for more than 10 years, as well as a small proportion from Canada because he had worked there briefly.

But his NZ Super payment did not arrive on Monday.

When he called to ask what had happened, he was told there was a system error and everyone receiving Canadian or Netherlands pensions had their NZ Super suspended.

Paula Ratahi-O’Neill, the ministry’s general manger of centralised services, said it was working urgently to fix a fault that affected people receiving overseas pensions.

“The fault was in the IT system that updates overseas pension rates. It has caused a small group of people to have their NZ Super payments incorrectly assessed.

“This has led to some payments being suspended, and in other cases incorrect payments being made.

“We estimate that around 200 clients receiving overseas pensions have been affected. We will continue to monitor numbers.

“We are working with urgency to fix these payments and will be paying amounts owing to people by Friday. We apologise to those impacted by this fault.”

She said the ministry’s technical team was working “at speed” to stop other payments being affected and a data fix should be released by Monday.

Some overseas pensions that are deemed to be similar to New Zealand’s system offset NZ Super.

For every dollar people get from an overseas pension, their New Zealand payment is reduced by one dollar.

According to the government’s website, to count as a pension that offsets NZ Super, the pension needs to be part of a programme providing pensions or benefits, cover something that NZ pensions and benefits cover, such as old age or disability, and be administered by or on behalf of a country’s government.

Voluntary savings schemes generally were not included.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/01/29/hundreds-of-pensions-affected-by-it-error/

Teenager arrested after Auckland bus driver assaulted

Source: Radio New Zealand

The bus driver was taken to hospital in a moderate condition. 123RF

A 14-year-old has been arrested after a bus driver was assaulted in West Auckland.

Police were called to reports a person had been injured on a bus on Colwill Road in the suburb of Massey at about 7pm.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting said upon arrival, the alleged offender had fled on foot.

The bus driver was taken to hospital in a moderate condition.

“This was an understandably frightening ordeal for the victim and we are continuing to support them,” Detective Bunting said.

He said on Thursday morning, police arrested a 14-year-old in relation to the alleged attack.

The teenager has since appeared in Waitākere Youth Court charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.

“People have a right to be safe going about their business, without having to be subjected to any type of violence,” Bunting said.

“Any violent behaviour will not be accepted and those engaging in it will be held to account.”

The teenager will reappear in Waitākere Youth Court on 17 February.

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Recovery at Mount Maunganui slip resumes after safety concerns

Source: Radio New Zealand

People watch on as work at the slip site is halted. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following a deadly slip have resumed after being paused for a second time.

Work resumed at 2pm, several hours after it was suspended, following confirmation that the area was safe to re-enter.

“Following consultation with a number of experts on the ground, the recovery teams have been given the green light to continue with the recovery,” Detective Inspector Lew Warner said.

“While the suspension of work is frustrating for everybody involved, the correct measures must be taken to ensure the safety of everybody at the scene.”

Detective Inspector Warner reiterated the need to keep the recovery team safe.

“These people have been working tirelessly in a range of testing conditions across the last week, to bring families their loved ones back.”

Police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday after technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered.

It comes a week after the slip occurred, burying six people.

Detective Inspector Lew Warner said earlier on Thursday that the safety of all staff working at the scene is front of mind.

“The systems installed are designed to trigger any potential land movements, and excess water within the scene,” Warner said.

“Geotechnical experts will now conduct a thorough examination of the area before clearance to return to work is given.

“All staff working at the scene have been withdrawn, pending further assessments.”

Staff working at the scene have been stopped. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Warner said police would give an update when it was able to.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins got to the disaster site just as work was being halted.

Struggling for words at one point, he described a moving experience meeting workers and victims’ families.

“It’s incredibly hard for them and to the families who have been affected, some of whom I had the opportunity to speak to briefly.

“There just aren’t really any words that you can share that really express the sense of loss that is here and the commitment of the people who are working here now to do everything that they can to support those families and to bring them some comfort.”

Hipkins said everyone was doing everything they could to support those affected and working at the site, but also to protect their safety.

“It’s a very, very difficult time for the families,” Hipkins said.

“I imagine at this point, seven days on, they just need some space and so that’s what we’ve tried to do here.

“I think being here is important to, I guess, express the country’s support, but also recognising that they deserve their space.”

Over the weekend, work was halted for about 24 hours due to a potential slip occurring.

At the time, police said the victim’s families were understandably frustrated by the delay in the recovery work but they understood why it needed to happen.

Slip recovery a ‘dangerous environment’, expert says

Dr Chris Massey, an engineering geologist with Earth Sciences, told Midday Report, one of the biggest issues with digging into an area following a landslide was the potential for the land to be destabilised further.

Massey said while he was not involved with the recovery efforts at Mt Maunganui, generally with landslides there was a possibility that digging into the debris could cause a secondary slip that could kill or hurt people nearby.

“A landslide occurs when soil or rock moves from one location to another… so the key really is managing the risk to people in that lower area who are trying to excavate the debris.

“It’s a really dangerous environment.”

Monitoring a landslide was difficult, Massey said, due to their relatively small size when compared to something like a volcano.

“You need experts to understand where they are. We use different techniques – starting from space, we can monitor the movement of the ground using radar technology, we can then get closer to the ground by monitoring using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), and aerial photography.”

On the ground sensors could be installed on the surface of the area, Massey said, which monitored movement or even instal sensors in the landslide to monitor when there was moving in the ground.

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Nelson Marina upgrade secures $13m from government

Source: Radio New Zealand

Nelson mayor Nick Smith, regional development Minister Shane Jones and former Nelson Marina CEO and current city councillor Nigel Skeggs. RNZ/Samantha Gee

Nelson Marina has received a $13 million loan from the government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund for a new service centre and a vessel hoist for marine maintenance.

The project is part of the marina’s wider redevelopment, which is estimated to take 15 years and cost $120m.

In announcing the funding in Nelson on Thursday, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said the project would create well over 100 jobs.

“It is anticipated this part of the project will create up to 110 jobs during construction and up to 180 ongoing roles once completed, while promoting local innovation within the marine sector,” he said.

Nelson City Council, which owns the marina, will also contribute $12.89m in co-funding for the expansion.

A maximum of $10.5m will go towards the marine service centre, which includes a mix of workshops for boat building and maintenance, office space and retail shopfronts for marine-related businesses, with construction due to begin in 2027.

A further $2.4m will be used to upgrade the existing boat yard and hardstand to double its current footprint, with capacity increasing from 14 to 54 bays. It also includes the purchase of a new 110-tonne straddle lift, which has already arrived from Italy and will replace the old 50-tonne machine once a new runway is built.

Jones said Nelson’s sea-based “blue economy” added more than $350m a year in GDP to the region and employed more than 3700 people. It serves as a base for a number of industries, including fishing and aquaculture and is a popular tourism destination. Nelson is also an important centre of marine research and marine engineering.

“This investment aligns with the RIF’s priority of supporting growth through enabling infrastructure that ensures regions are well-connected and productive,” he said.

The new 110-tonne travel lift at the Nelson Marina which was built in Italy. RNZ/Samantha Gee

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said the announcement followed an incredibly tough year for the region with many job losses, and it had taken several years’ work to secure the funding.

“Council has worked hand in hand with the marina to secure this government investment of almost $13 million, which will enable us to accelerate our ambitious development plans for Nelson’s Marina. It’s a great way to start 2026 and a real boost for the city’s economic recovery,” he said.

“We want Nelson to become New Zealand’s lead marine centre by growing our blue economy – the go-to place for recreational and commercial boat building and maintenance, fishing and aquaculture and for marine science and associated professional services.”

The proposed Marina Service Centre at the Nelson Marina. Supplied/Nelson City Council

Nelson Marina Management chair Rick Herd said the investment would deliver long-term economic, social and maritime benefits.

“By improving infrastructure at the marina, we’re helping to future-proof Nelson’s waterfront and ensuring it continues to deliver value for locals, visitors, and marine operators alike,” he said.

Minister for the South Island, James Meager, said the marina upgrade was a priority for the region.

“After a tough 2025 for Nelson-Tasman, I know the creation of 110 jobs during the marina’s expansion phase and the 180 ongoing roles once completed will be welcomed by the community,” he said.

Construction is expected to start in May and be completed in mid-2028.

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