New Zealand Police have issued a warning, reminding parents to think safety when posting back-to-school photos of their kids online.
This time of year means a steady parade of images posted by proud parents on social media of smiling kids in school uniforms, sometimes in front of the family home or a child’s school.
A diagram from an Australian organisation that shows information that could be gleaned from an image of a child.
ThinkUKnow Australia
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
National and Labour are joining forces to get modern slavery legislation into Parliament, using a new process to skip the biscuit tin for the first time.
The MPs backing it say the process was needed because the ACT Party and its Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden refused support.
National’s Greg Fleming and Labour’s Camilla Belich have agreed to co-sponsor the bill.
The bill strengthens reporting to Parliament, brings in public naming and potential liability for directors and senior managers, along with fines up to $200,000 for companies that failed to report on modern slavery, or which made false or misleading statements.
“Large companies will have to report on modern slavery that they find in their supply chain, that they have to report that to a registrar that keeps those reports – it provides for ministerial oversight and it also provides greater support and focus for victims,” Belich said.
This would apply to all companies operating in New Zealand making more than $100 million a year. It would also introduce civil penalties of up to $600,000, give the Human Rights Commission a formal role and create a public register of reports.
A capacity for future reviews would include the potential for establishment of an anti-slavery commissioner.
Camilla Belich (Labour) and Greg Fleming (National).Samuel Rillstone / RNZ
The move marks the first time Parliament has used a new rule allowing a bipartisan majority to have a member’s bill progress without being pulled from the ‘biscuit tin’ ballot.
In a statement, Fleming said the issue of modern slavery was close to his heart and he had been working on the legislation since coming to Parliament.
“It’s time that New Zealand has a coordinated framework to deal with modern slavery, and this bill does just that,” he said.
Belich said the legislation would also bring New Zealand into line with partners like the United Kingdom and European Union.
“Workers in New Zealand and around the world should never face the horrors of modern slavery. It’s time New Zealand stood with other countries and acted,” she said.
“When we signed free trade agreements with these partners, we said we would act on modern slavery, and through this joint Bill we are keeping that promise. I’m proud that both sides of the House have come together to stand against exploitation, and grateful to the advocates, organisations and businesses who have pushed for this change.”
Parliament’s internal rules – called standing orders – were updated as part of a 2020 review with a new process enabling the automatic introduction of a member’s bill if it gets formal expressions of support from at least 61 non-executive MPs – those who are not ministers or Parliamentary under-secretaries.
The bill was lodged Thursday morning, and with that rule – standing order 288 – invoked, it will be introduced to Parliament on the next sitting day, 10 February.
The MPs said with “member’s days” every second sitting Wednesday, they hoped to have the bill passed before the election on 7 November.
They said there would be no transition time, so companies would need to get up to speed on reporting requirements before the law received royal assent.
“Not a priority for her, certainly a priority for National,” Fleming said. “For the legislation to get through Cabinet it obviously needed the full support of Cabinet, and ACT weren’t supportive of it, which is why Camilla and I have worked through this route.”
He said it would be for ACT to explain the party’s opposition to the bill, but it had something to do with business regulation.
Asked how it felt to have a workplace relations minister that did not support modern slavery laws, Fleming said ACT might see the merit in the law before it passed.
“That’s how coalitions work,” he said. “I mean, I understand their critique of it – I don’t agree with it. I’m in full support of this legislation.”
Belich said ACT had already shown a “complete disregard for workers’ rights”.
“From Labour’s perspective, it’s not surprising to see they’ve failed to stand up for workers not only in New Zealand but that are being exploited worldwide. That’s the reality – we found a way to move past the fact that particular political party is not willing to take steps to stop modern slavery.”
Fleming said there were “different views” on it and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was particularly supportive.
Luxon in 2022 – the year after being installed as National leader – told RNZ’s Guyon Espiner the topic was what he would have marched in the streets for.
His daughter had visited children in the Philippines who had been rescued from trafficking, and he had joined Tearfund, a charity which tackled the problem.
In a statement, van Velden said she would consider the bill and indicated it was a matter of priorities.
“At the start of my term as minister for workplace relations and safety, I made it clear what my priorities are, and I’ve worked for the past two years to progress those,” she said.
“They are reforms to the Holidays Act, health and safety, and an Employment Relations Amendment Bill. All three will progress through the House this year. I will look to consider this bill put forward by other parliamentarians as a caucus member of the ACT Party.”
An ACT party spokesperson said the party had not formed a view on the bill “because it has not been introduced to Parliament”.
“While slavery is already illegal, we understand the bill introduces a reporting regime for New Zealand businesses. We will review the practicality of this regime and then come to a position.”
World Vision backs legislation
In a statement, children’s charity World Vision’s head of advocacy and justice Rebekah Armstrong described it as a “momentous” move on “something that really matters”.
“Kiwis don’t want to be complicit in exploitation. This new law will require companies to take responsibility and gives New Zealanders confidence that the goods they are buying are slavery-free,” Armstrong said.
“Investors and businesses accounting for more than $215 billion in funds have also joined calls for the introduction of modern slavery legislation, while a poll in 2023 found that 80 percent of New Zealanders wanted such legislation.
“It’s reassuring to see that the issue of modern slavery isn’t going to stagnate for another election cycle and that Parliament will work to address an issue of such immense importance.”
Thousands enslaved
One tracker estimated 8000 people in New Zealand were living in modern slavery, comparatively low compared to other countries – placing it 148th out of 160 states for slavery prevalence.
Police in August last year said they had 31 ongoing investigations into the matter.
Lola, a real deal celebrity in central Wellington.Supplied/Josephine Brien
For years Lola the Cat was the undisputed Queen of Aro Park in Wellington – a mural was even painted with the proclamation. News this week of her death sparked an outpouring of emotion from fans on social media.
Her adventures started back in 2008 when she and another kitten Mickey were bought from Animates.
Josephine Brien, who looked after Lola for several years, says it was her ex’s partner who first got the feline.
She said her partner lived on one side of Aro Park and she on the other.
“The kids would walk through from their dad’s. Lola, I think she just sort of got used to sort of following us around.”
Brien said even back then Lola would visit her house.
Supplied/Josephine Brien
“She knew so many people, and, you know, for a small cat, she brought a lot of love out of everybody.”
Lola wasn’t however always the three-legged cat she was remembered as in later years.
Brien said Lola was attacked by dogs twice, once around 2017 and again around 2019.
“The first one, she did lose her leg [and] that really curtailed her movements,” she said.
“But, you know, she’d still limp on into the park. It’s like she had her public, she had to look after.”
Claire Naughton with Lola.SUPPLIED
Brien said after a second attack Lola mostly vanished from the park, instead sitting in a basket near the house.
“We used to think that we should put a little sign up, like in that Peanuts cartoon, ‘psychiatric help 5 cents or whatever’, because […] people would talk to her for ages.”
She said she’s received lots of messages since Lola’s death in December.
“This boy came around with this beautiful oil painting he’d done of her, which is just so lovely, and […] another beautiful drawing has come through the letterbox as well, lots of cards.”
A local celebrity
RNZ visited Aro Park and shops to see what people’s memories of Lola were.
“I used to date a guy who lived next to her owners so every day I’d go and I’d see the little tripod stumbling around her little kind of soggy pet bed,” Koda said.
“Then she just disappeared.”
Koda said she eventually found out the cat had died.
“I knew that there was a whole lot of like cats of like inner city Wellington that you had to know when you moved to Wellington and she was one of them,” Liz told RNZ.
Liz said when she saw Lola she then told her friend and her daughter about her.
News that Aro Park’s beloved cat Lola had died inspired hundreds of tributes online.SUPPLIED
“Then we came here once to play basketball altogether and we saw Lola.”
“Since then, my daughter and I have come down regularly to play at the park and visit Lola on the way in and the way out and give her some love and pets and admire her little house,” her friend Natalie said.
“I haven’t broken the news [of her death] to my daughter.”
People who had left Aro Valley, Wellington and even New Zealand, also remembered their years with Lola fondly.
Lola Stoodley said the cat helped her a lot during her first year flatting in a cold flat in Aro Valley while dealing with “crazy life events”.
“My mental health wasn’t like amazing, and then I would go for a walk in the park and she would be sitting there on the benches by the basketball court.
“So she helped me through a lot actually that year.”
Stoodley also liked that the cat shared her name.
Sarah Fa’avale lived in Aro Valley during her last year of university.
“Being poor students back then, we would walk down to uni every day and we were always greeted at the park by Lola walking towards us with big meows and she was always happy to have a pet.”
Fa’avale said for her 21st birthday her friends did a scavenger hunt in which one of the clues was also by Lola.
Simon Dartford was going through a breakup when he first moved to Aro Valley and met Lola.
“My first morning I was walking to the office, I walked through Aro Park and I couldn’t believe my luck. This cat just wandered up to have a bit of a chat, and a cuddle, and it really, it was the highlight of my day actually.”
Courtney Hutchinson said seeing Lola in her basket on her morning walk to work was always a highlight.
She said Lola lapped up the attention.
“Cuddling her just felt so welcoming. It was a beautiful way to start my day.”
Alex Paterson said when she first moved to Aro Valley she saw the mural of Lola.
“I immediately wanted to know who the little celebrity was.”
“It wasn’t long before I found her sitting on her usual spot, a little planter box in the corner and she was a super duper friendly little cat.”
Alex said she’d look forward to seeing Lola when she walked down to the city.
“She’d always be there and I’d stop and say hi, maybe give her a cheeky little treat sometimes.”
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Earlier this afternoon, a gazebo was erected on the Mt Maunganui slip site and a crew in white suits continued work on the ground nearby, while diggers stopped for about half an hour.Nick Monro/RNZ
Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following a deadly slip have been paused for a second time.
In a statement, police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday.
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.
“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.”
Warner said police would give an update when it was able to.
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.
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Messages written on an Auckland fire engine protesting firefighters’ working conditions.RNZ / Rayssa Almeida
Fire and Emergency says some of its firefighters are afflicted by angst over union signs on fire trucks, feeling their image is being tarnished.
The signs – such as ones saying ‘dire emergency’ – have been emblazoned on trucks and fire stations for months.
National MPs questioned what FENZ was doing about the signs – and about damaging fires during strikes – at a parliamentary select committee on Wednesday.
The agency said it could not do anything about the signs, and the firefighters’ union said nor should it.
The industrial dispute has gone on for over a year and a half, and the two sides remained far apart, according to both FENZ and the union on Thursday.
MPs had been quizzing the agency over its plans to both save $150 million – the money does not return to the government’s consolidated fund but will be reinvested or act as a buffer because levy income has become more volatile – and adapt to the likes of more wildfires and extreme storms, during the routine annual review of FENZ.
‘That can’t be what a professional workforce does’
Ōtaki MP Tim Costley raised the issue of the protest signs, stating, “That can’t be what a professional workforce does can it?”
FENZ chairperson Rebecca Keoghan responded: “We have asked the same thing at board level and I know the team has looked into it.”
Chief executive Kerry Gregory then said he was picking up on “a lot of angst” – even from some career firefighters – but mostly volunteers.
“I get a lot of feedback from our volunteers saying we need to do something about this, you know, it’s disrespectful, it’s not professional, it’s affecting our image.”
He had checked legally to ensure there was nothing they could do, and confirmed the signs were covered by the notified strike action.
“Effectively you haven’t done anything because you believe you can’t?” Costley asked.
“Essentially,” Gregory said.
The Professional Firefighters’ Union national secretary Wattie Watson said it was FENZ that had disrespected personnel in the dispute.
“Putting information on the appliances so that the public can understand what we are fighting for is not disrespectful.”
People regularly came up to ask firefighters to explain the signs, she told RNZ on Thursday.
The large fire at a business in Pakuranga on 9 January.EAST SKATE CLUB / SUPPLIED
‘There are delays and the risk of those almost daily’
It took volunteer crews half an hour to get to the Pita House shop run by Syrian brothers. One brother went to hospital from stress and heat.
FENZ executives and Keoghan told MPs they had asked the union multiple times if it could budge but it would not.
“To not be able to sit down and say when human life or property is at risk these are the conditions our firefighters can be made available I think is unacceptable,” deputy chief executive Megan Stiffler said.
On 9 January in an online post, FENZ accused the union of “gambling with the public’s safety”. Government ministers also criticised the union at the time, which the union rejected.
Stiffler told the select committee on Wednesday that senior officers who went to the fire had to stand and wait, causing stress.
“I spoke with the incident controller – it had a huge impact on him, seeing that family’s livelihood go.
“We have to find a solution where the community is safe,” she said.
Gregory said they should be able to reach an agreement with the union and would keep trying, adding it was pleasing the union called off another one-hour strike due during last week’s storms.
“We’re not seeking legislative change in there,” he said.
FENZ had presented them with a “long list” of types of incidents the union might call off the strikes for, though the action had strict legal parameters around it, including advance notice.
“FENZ is attempting to go behind that notice, and any change that we give them would give them an argument that these notices are no longer valid,” she said.
The Pakuranga fire was not an insolated event.
“Unfortunately that fire occurred, but those fires occur and there are delays and the risk of those almost daily in FENZ.”
The agency did not inform the public when it did not have enough staff to cover shifts, or trucks were out of action.
“That hour that the firefighters are striking, yes, there is that risk but we want the public to understand that risk can occur at any time … and they won’t know that.”
The agency should more focus on settling the industrial dispute, Watson said.
The two sides were in talks early this week and meet again next week.
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Settled and warm weather is forecast this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach the high-20’s for some places.
It comes as a welcome relief for those who enjoy warmer and drier weather after last week’s heavy rain.
“It’s pretty much settled weather, maybe the lower South Island might see some showers, especially in the southern and western regions on Saturday, otherwise it’s mostly dry,” MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala told RNZ.
Magwala said the east of the North Island is forecast to see the warmest temperatures, with Gisborne, Napier and Hastings expected to reach the high-20’s on Thursday.
It comes after the east coast experienced the brunt of the severe weather last week. Tauranga, Whitianga, and Whakatāne all saw their wettest day on record on Wednesday. Tauranga received 274mm of rain, while Whitianga saw 247.6mm, and 114.2mm for Whakatāne.
A ridge of high pressure brings settled weather to much of the country on Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures forecast to be in the mid-20’s for most places in the North Island, and slightly cooler for the South Island.
But don’t get used to the warmer weather, MetService said a frontal rain band, preceded by a strong northwest flow, is expected to move over the South Island on Monday and on to the North Island later in the day.
“Things are changing on Monday, with another system coming, giving us some rain in most parts of the country,” Magwala said.
Magwala said the front was expected to mostly affect western parts of the South Island and bring some showers to the central North Island.
There is low confidence for warning amounts of rain in Fiordland, the ranges of the districts of Westland, Grey and Buller, the west of the Tasman District, the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers, and also about the Tararua Range.
Additionally, there is low confidence northwest winds could reach severe gale strength in exposed places of Southland, including Stewart Island, Clutha, western parts of Otago, the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and Wairarapa.
“The change of weather on Monday might affect the school openings, so people should keep an eye on the MetService website to keep up to date,” Magwala said.
MetService’s forecast temperatures this weekend:
Friday
Auckland – High of 25C, low of 16C
Hamilton – High of 27C, low of 12C
Tauranga – High of 25C, low of 17C
Wellington – High of 20C, low of 14C
Christchurch – High of 18C, low of 9C
Dunedin – High of 19C, low of 11C
Invercargill – High of 16C, low of 9C
Saturday
Auckland – High of 25C, low of 16C
Hamilton – High 26C, low of 12C
Tauranga – High of 25C, low of 14C
Wellington – High of 19C, low of 15C
Christchurch – High of 23C, low of 11C
Dunedin – High of 20C, low of 12C
Invercargill – High of 19C, low of 10C
Sunday
Auckland – High of 25C, low of 18C
Hamilton – High 25C, low of 12C
Tauranga – High of 27C, low of 15C
Wellington – High of 19C, low of 15C
Christchurch – High of 22C, low of 14C
Dunedin – High of 22C, low of 13C
Invercargill – High of 21C, low of 10C
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Jordi Viljoen of the Hurricanes scores a try during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 match between the Western Force and the Hurricanes at HBF Park in Perth, Friday, February 23, 2024. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright / www.photosport.nz)RICHARD WAINWRIGHT
While he is set to share halfback duties with one of the top number nines on the planet, Jordi Viljoen is not content with a spot on the bench.
The second generation Hurricane is looking to nip at the heels of incumbent and All Black Cam Roigard, who has rapidly risen to be regarded among the world’s best.
“I’m a competitive human and player, I want to be the best in the world as well. I don’t ever try and take a back seat, it’s in my nature to push everyone and I want to be the best in any team, it doesn’t matter who’s there.”
Viljoen said it was a privilege to compete with Roigard.
“If you are always trying to compete with the best, that’s going to accelerate your game and I don’t think there’s another halfback going around that you’d want to be alongside, learn from, or pick the brains of, he’s a great player and I’m lucky to have him here.”
However, should he get his chance, Viljoen is ready to prove his worth.
“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself, focus on what I can, and when there’s an opportunity, take it.”
Now in his third season of Super Rugby, the 22-year-old said he is feeling far more at home and finding his voice with the Hurricanes.
Jordi Viljoen of the Hurricanes is congratulated by Ruben Love after scoring a try during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 match between the Western Force and the Hurricanes at HBF Park in Perth, Friday, February 23, 2024. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright / www.photosport.nz)RICHARD WAINWRIGHT
“Time helps with that, so I definitely feel a lot more comfortable and I’ve been able to speak up at times.”
With the likes of Jordie Barrett returning to the capital, Viljoen said there was plenty of depth in the ranks.
“It’s like another coach going around, his presence on the field helps as well. It’s pretty fresh squad. Some new faces coming in, some returning, some international players coming over. New and returning coaches, it’s a fresh feeling and I think there’s really something special here.”
It was a special off-season for Viljoen, who got married during the Christmas break.
“It was just a small wedding. Both of our families are quite extended so we just wanted to have it nice and intimate, it was a perfect day for us.”
A third generation player, Viljoen’s connection to South Africa is well documented.
He is the son former Hurricanes and Springboks halfback Joggie Viljoen, who played for Manawatū in the mid-2000s when Jordi moved to Aotearoa.
With both his father and grandfather having played for the Boks, Viljoen is open to either a black or a green and gold jersey in the future.
“I’m just taking each year as it comes, trying to focus on the present and just allow those pathways to open and whatever’s meant to happen will happen.”
Jordi Viljoen of Manawatu celebrates winning the match. Auckland v Manawatu, Week 4 of the 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC domestic rugby union competition at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday 30 August 2023. Mandatory credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nzAndrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
A third generation halfback, Viljoen’s younger brother has bucked the family trend by not only playing first five, but signing with the Chiefs development side.
Jordi was hopeful though that Jamie would one day make the move to the ‘Canes.
“I’m just happy that he’s happy and he’s got an awesome opportunity there if the Chiefs and Taranaki, but never say never. Obviously the goal is to play together one day and that’ll be amazing, but I’m just happy that he’s got an opportunity and he’s going to really thrive there in that environment.”
After finishing fourth in the 2025 Super season, Viljoen believes the ‘Canes can go deep and win their first title since 2016.
“With the new faces here, and a lot of experience, I think we can definitely go all the way.”
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Steven Adams posts from hospital.Steven Adams / Instagram
New Zealand basketballer Steven Adams will sit out the rest of the NBA season after the Houston Rockets centre had ankle surgery.
Adams injured his left ankle late in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on 19 January while attempting to block a layup. He had to be helped from the court by medical staff as he could not stand unassisted.
Immediately after the game, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka gave a brief update on Adams’ condition.
“Nothing broken, not a high ankle sprain, not sure about anything as far as time wise but quite a bit of swelling and pain and obviously couldn’t put much weight on it,” Udoka said.
However, Adams has reportedly since had surgery and will not take the court again this season.
Steven Adams is out injured for remainder of NBA seasonAFP
The 32-year-old posted on social media: “All went well. Grateful for all your thoughts and prayers.”
Adams has had a tough run of injuries – he missed a few games earlier this season with a right ankle injury and missed the entire 2023-24 season with a knee injury.
Steven Adams in hospital.Steven Adams / Instagram
The Rockets are currently fourth in the Western Conference.
The gang funeral of Mossey Hines dad, William “Bird” Hines, in 2023. (File photo)RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham
A gang funeral procession is expected to make the six-hour journey from Auckland to Foxton this week, after the death of the son of a former Head Hunters gang leader.
Mossy Hines, the son of late William “Bird” Hines, died on Monday, aged 49, according to posts from whānau on social media.
His body was taken to Haven Falls Funeral Home in Henderson, Auckland, and would make the journey to Foxton on Friday, to be buried at the Motuiti Pā Marae beside his father, who died in November 2023.
A funeral service was expected at 11am.
Inspector Steve Richards said police were aware a large group of mourners, including gang members, would be arriving in Foxton over the coming days.
There would be more officers in the area than usual, to ensure the safety of everyone in the small community.
“We do not expect any major disruption to road users or the public, however State Highway 1 in the area of the Urupā may experience delays for a short period of time, and we ask motorists for patience during this time.”
He said police would be monitoring the roads to ensure safe driving, and to remind those travelling that any breaches of the law would be either dealt with at the time or followed up later.
Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden said police had a template for these kinds of events, and he wasn’t expecting any major disruption.
“This is not new for us,” he said. “Police have had to deal with a similar event only about a year or so ago, so I’m sure they’re planning well for it. The last event went without any hiccups, and I’m hoping that this does the same.”
As the marae was north of the town, he didn’t expect the funeral procession would disrupt daily activities for most residents.
He hadn’t spoken to police, but he expected they would keep him informed of logistics across the weekend.
The funeral for Mossy Hines’ father briefly blocked State Highway 1, but police said there were no significant issues reported – although police said one person was arrested for a driving-related matter immediately after the tangi.
Mossy Hines was jailed in 2009 for “a prolonged attack” with a Stanley knife on someone he thought was a nark.
According to a judicial decision available online, in March 2021, police executed a search warrant at Mossy Hines’ home in Pakuranga, Auckland “and found a total of $63,610 in cash, including $20,000 hidden in his underpants”.
They also found a gun, ammunition, and small amounts of controlled drugs, and he was arrested and charged with various offences.
In June 2022, they arrested Mossy Hines again, this time at the SkyCity casino in Auckland, after a search warrant at his home in Howick uncovered ammunition and what appeared to be a cannabis plant.
In September 2022, police searched a Gucci bum bag he was carrying while walking in Highland Park and found 43 grams of methamphetamine, some cannabis plant, and $15,296 in cash.
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With 4 years of construction work completed, Stage 1 of the Takitimu North Link project has made strong progress, with all major structures, earthworks, and environmental works well advanced. The project focus now shifts to pavement construction and associated drainage and stormwater treatments.
Some highlights include:
Over 3.1 million hours worked since project start
2.5 million m³ of earth moved (of 3 million m³ total)
8.84 km of piling complete (100%)
212,000 plants in the ground so far (of more than 900,000 planned)
18 of 19 major culverts completed
90% of utility work complete
203 bridge beams installed.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Infrastructure Delivery Manager for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Adrian Jones, says the momentum reflects strong collaboration between the project team, partners, and the local community.
“Every milestone represents thousands of hours of dedicated work from people right across the region. “The scale of this project is immense, and we’re proud to be delivering it safely, efficiently, and with a strong focus on environmental stewardship,” says Mr Jones.
Key progress across the project
SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR) Flyover
The nearly completed 363 metre flyover – nicknamed by commuters as the “bridge to nowhere” – is a major structure. Still under construction and not yet connected to the new road, it spans the Kopurererua Valley Reserve and will allow you to bypass the new roundabout when travelling from Tauriko to the Port. Construction vehicles are expected to start using the bridge from March, with commuter traffic following from mid this year, when it will become the “bridge to somewhere,”
Fifteenth Ave Connection
The 120-metre soil nailed retaining wall is nearly complete. All 12 bridge beams have been installed.
A 4-month ramp closure from SH29 onto SH2 is underway until to April 2026 to allow for lane works and signage gantry construction.
The bridge structure is nearing completion, with installation of the barriers, and design panels now underway.
Completed bridges
The Cambridge Road, Wairoa Road, and Minden Road overbridges are now complete, allowing temporary speed limits to be lifted. Along with the completed Minden Gully offramp, four of the project’s ten bridges are now finished.
Wairoa River Bridge
All 80 beams are in place on the 355-metre bridge, with curing and barrier installation now progressing.
Minden Gully bridges
The Minden Road overbridge is complete. The offramp bridge is currently serving as a haul road for construction vehicles, while barriers are being installed on the remaining structures.
Earthworks
A total of 3 million cubic metres of material will be moved by the time earthworks conclude in autumn 2026.
Pavement
The pavement construction comprises multiple engineered layers that form the finished road surface. Pavement works have begun and will continue through to the road’s opening in 2028.
Fast facts
296 people currently working on the project
More than 2,808 people inducted to date
100 subcontractor staff engaged (around half from local businesses)
All bridges scheduled for completion in 2026
22 sediment retention ponds
3 km of network drainage installed (of 13 km total)
2,971 archaeological features uncovered
250,902 plant hours logged (as of December 2025)
Construction fleet includes 6 bulldozers, 28 dump trucks, 31 excavators, 2 graders, 7 rollers, and 6 water carts.
“We’re building more than a road – we’re building long-term environmental resilience,” says Mr Jones.
“The wetlands, culverts, and extensive planting we’re putting in place will support the landscape and local ecosystems for generations.”
“The community has been incredibly supportive, and we appreciate their patience. Once complete, this corridor will provide safer journeys, improved resilience, and better connections for people across the Western Bay of Plenty.”
The Takitimu North Link Stage 1 project is a Road of National Significance supporting economic growth and productivity in the western Bay of Plenty, by providing a reliable, resilient and safe expressway connection between Tauranga and Te Puna.
People can keep up to date with traffic impacts through our regular bulletins and on the NZTA Waka Kotahi Facebook page. Take extra care by following signs and instructions from our traffic management team.
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes the bipartisan Bill to combat modern slavery in our supply chains.
This Bill is an important step in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery and stop products made with forced labour from entering New Zealand.
Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges says, “New Zealand is not immune to the scourge of modern slavery. World Vision estimated that in 2022, New Zealand imported nearly $8 billion worth of goods made with forced or child labour. And we know some workers in New Zealand are also trapped in modern slavery.
We commend Labour and National for this bipartisan approach. It’s a vital first step toward protecting the most vulnerable workers, both in New Zealand and internationally.”
This Bill will bring New Zealand into alignment with other developed democracies such as Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands who already have modern slavery legislation.
The International Labour Organization estimates around 50 million people worldwide are trapped in conditions of modern slavery. Around 25 million are forced labourers, trapped by violence, coercion, and deception.
“The NZCTU will engage closely on this Bill as it moves through Parliament” says Ansell-Bridges. “International experience is clear: effective modern slavery laws require regulators with real enforcement power. Securing this will be a priority for the NZCTU.”
Emergency services were called to the scene of the fight at 3.40am in late December, which police believed involved over 50 people.
Three men, aged 27, 33, and 46 were hospitalised with serious injuries.
Police charged a 21-year-old man with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but had previously asked the public for information about two identified through CCTV.
In the video of what appeared to be the December brawl posted to social media, a group of men could be seen stomping and kicking another man as he lay motionless on the ground outside of the shops on Karangahape Rd.
Do you know more? Email finn.blackwell@rnz.co.nz
It panned quickly to show another man laying on the pavement as someone tried to pull him up.
The video then cuts to a man shirtless, standing with his fists up before another fight breaks out.
He was knocked to the ground and kicked repeatedly.
After a second cut, the video jumped to a number of people trying to break up the fight, getting in between those involved, as the shirtless man staggered away.
Small pools of blood could be seen on the pavement.
It wasn’t long until more fighting spilled onto the street.
The mass brawl involved over 50 people on Karangahape Rd in December, police said.SCREENSHOT
The video continued with more people knocked to the ground and screaming could be heard from onlookers.
Detective senior sergeant Martin Friend said police were aware of video clips being shared on social media.
He said no further arrests had been made.
Friend said they were still appealing for information around three assaults.
They wanted to hear from anyone with information about serious assaults on December 28, at roughly 4.15am outside Crown Bar on Queen St, 4.30am, on Cobden St just off Karangahape Rd, and about 5am, at the Mobil petrol station on the coroner of Karangahape and Ponsonby Rds.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Philippa Wright says they’re “extremely lucky” the water didn’t go inside their home.Supplied / Philippa Wright
A grandmother who fled rising floodwaters with her moko is overwhelmed by the scale of destruction in her East Coast community.
“I’ve probably walked around in circles a thousand times,” Philippa Wright told RNZ from her Te Araroa home, “not really knowing where to begin”.
Logs have ended up on the property.Supplied / Philippa Wright
As a digger shifted mud and logs on the property, Wright said she, her 10-year-old grandson, and husband Steve were “extremely lucky” to survive the storm that laid waste to the township last week.
“Seeing what they’re digging out … I knew it was deep, but it’s deep alright, and you couldn’t see the logs for the mud, but now … they’re scraping them all out.”
As the rain came down on 21 January, Wright and her moko sat in the car, poised to evacuate.
She periodically flicked the headlights on watching the water, while her husband monitored the levels from inside their tiny home.
The property, which now had a few dwellings and a deck, was just a bare paddock with some trees when they bought it five years ago.
“And as soon as we walked on this land we just knew it was us,” Wright said, and after years of work, they had finally made it their off-the-grid dream.
“Punaruku Stream is our boundary between us and the camping ground, and it was just a little trickler.”
That night, however, her neighbours told her that the stream was climbing up the bridge – and that this time, the rain and the water levels were different.
“The first thing I noticed was the smell changed, the earth, the debris.
“I flicked on my lights and all I could see was this wall of water – logs, debris, in the neighbour’s section come flying towards me … and I just planted it.”
Supplied / Philippa Wright
On the phone to Steve, she yelled at him to “get the hell out of there”.
“He just heard the logs hitting our tiny home. He couldn’t go out the front door because of the water level and the debris.”
While he escaped with the dog out the back, Wright and her grandson found a “pocket” at the base of the hill – but with slips in front of them and the bridge impassable behind them, they were trapped.
“There were slips going all around us, so we were having to shuffle backwards and forwards because we could hear the crackling and stuff coming down.”
It was a sleepless night.
Wright’s neighbours had escaped with their five children onto the roof of their house and on the phone to Te Araroa Civil Defence, all she could do was flash her headlights at them.
“They were asking us if we could see them, and thankfully … one of them had a high-vis on … so I could tell them, “Yes, they’re still on the roof”.”
National and Labour are joining forces to get modern slavery legislation into Parliament, using a new process to skip the biscuit tin for the first time.
National’s Greg Fleming and Labour’s Camilla Belich have agreed to co-sponsor the bill.
The bill strengthens reporting to Parliament, brings in public naming and potential liability for directors and senior managers, along with fines up to $200,000 for companies that fail to report on modern slavery.
The move marks the first time Parliament has used a new rule allowing a bipartisan majority to have a member’s bill progress without being pulled from the ‘biscuit tin’ ballot.
It would also introduce civil penalties of up to $600,000, give the Human Rights Commission a formal role and create a public register of reports.
A capacity for future reviews would include the potential for establishment of an anti-slavery commissioner.
Camilla Belich (Labour) and Greg Fleming (National).Samuel Rillstone / RNZ
In a statement, Fleming said the issue of modern slavery was close to his heart and he had been working on the legislation since coming to Parliament.
“It’s time that New Zealand has a coordinated framework to deal with modern slavery, and this bill does just that,” he said.
Belich said the legislation would also bring New Zealand into line with partners like the United Kingdom and European Union.
“Workers in New Zealand and around the world should never face the horrors of modern slavery. It’s time New Zealand stood with other countries and acted,” she said.
“When we signed free trade agreements with these partners, we said we would act on modern slavery, and through this joint Bill we are keeping that promise. I’m proud that both sides of the House have come together to stand against exploitation, and grateful to the advocates, organisations and businesses who have pushed for this change.”
Parliament’s internal rules – called standing orders – were updated as part of a 2020 review with a new process enabling the automatic introduction of a member’s bill if it gets formal expressions of support from at least 61 non-executive MPs – those who are not ministers or Parliamentary under-secretaries.
The bill was lodged this morning, and with that rule – standing order 288 – invoked, it will be introduced to Parliament on the next sitting day, 10 February.
Thousands enslaved
One tracker estimated 8000 people in New Zealand were living in modern slavery, comparatively low compared to other countries – placing it 148th out of 160 states for slavery prevalence.
Police in August last year said they had 31 ongoing investigations into the matter.
Date: 29 January 2026Source: Department of Conservation, Wellington Zoo and Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō
The St Arnaud speckled skinks (Oligosoma aff. newmani ‘St Arnaud lowland’) were rediscovered during a survey in late 2025. Two females and one male were quickly relocated thanks to a collaboration between the Department of Conservation (DOC), Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Rārua, Taranaki Whānui, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, and Air New Zealand.
Monitoring of this species for ten years from the early 2000s showed a severe population decline. At the time, these skinks were regarded as an unusual population of a more-widespread species, but advanced genetic work revealed they are a unique species. Despite ongoing monitoring, none had been found since 2012, and there were fears the species may have died out.
These incredibly rare medium-sized skinks (reaching over 20 cm in length) are chocolate brown on top with cream-coloured flecking, with a striking belly which can be orange, pale pink, yellow or grey, and is heavily speckled with dark spots.
Dave Johnston, General Manager of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, says the Trust was pleased to lead the safe translocation of the mokomoko to Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, with the support of kaimahi, Kereopa Baker and Kelly Hayes. He acknowledged all those who took part in the mihi whakatau held on arrival.
“This kaupapa is an important contribution to the ongoing protection and conservation of our taonga species.”
Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō acknowledges mana whenua, Wellington Zoo, the Department of Conservation, and all those involved for their collective efforts, manaakitanga, and commitment to the continued care and conservation of the mokomoko.
DOC Nelson Lakes biodiversity ranger Yolanda Shergold says it was important to get the skinks into human care for their own safety, ahead of the South Island beech mast this summer.
“When the beech trees seed en masse during a mast year, it means there’s lots of food available for rodents and their numbers surge. But when the seeding stops, these rodents will look elsewhere for food, and unfortunately, lizards like the speckled skink will be on the menu.
“Now we’ve found these skinks again, thanks to a recent survey funded by the International Visitor Levy, moving these individuals quickly into a safe managed programme was the best thing we could do for the future of the species.
“A big thanks to Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo and Air New Zealand for the quick support to make the translocation happen.”
Nic Dunn, Acting Director Wildlife at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, says it’s a privilege to care for this critically endangered species.
“Te Nukuao is already home to several threatened native lizard species including Whitaker’s skink, Wellington green gecko, and Duvaucel’s gecko so welcoming these rare lowland speckled skinks to the Zoo is very exciting, both for our team and the future of this species.
“And they’re doing well! Our specialist Ectotherm Team has created a space where the three skinks are thriving.”
DOC’s Yolanda Shergold says in the longer term, DOC intends to build a predator-proof fence around an area of the skink’s habitat.
“This is a species that was once common but has been taken to the brink by introduced predators and habitat loss. We’re working hard to secure its future for the long-term, by setting up a captive breeding programme and securing a safe site where these skinks can thrive in the wild.
“We’re still looking for more populations of speckled skink so if you’re out naturing near St Arnaud and see a skink that looks the part, please get in touch with DOC via lizardresearch@doc.govt.nz. If you can take a picture and record an exact location, that would be really helpful – and remember not to touch the lizard as this can be harmful to it.”
Background information
St Arnaud speckled skinks belong to a broader group known as the ‘speckled skinks’ which comprise several species that are regionally distributed around the country (from the Waikato region in the North Island to the West Coast region of the South Island). Speckled skinks can look similar to some of the more common species like grass skinks (that people in the lower North Island and South Island may have in their gardens), but are larger as adults, often more heavily patterned, and more secretive in their behaviour.
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.
Work is underway to support health services in storm-affected regions, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey say.
“I want to acknowledge the profound stress, loss, and disruption these communities are experiencing. Ensuring the health system responds effectively has been a critical part of our efforts, with Health New Zealand establishing a recovery team to support both the immediate response and longer-term recovery, giving communities the care and reassurance they need,” Mr Brown says.
“We are also working across government to actively monitor and plan for emerging risks, particularly for vulnerable and isolated communities.
“Despite the scale of these severe weather events, health services across the country remain operational and continue to deliver care as usual.”
Mr Doocey says coordination is underway across all affected districts to provide targeted mental health support.
“I know the emotional toll these events are taking on individuals, families, and communities. We’re working to ensure the health system is ready to provide whatever support is needed as communities navigate this tragic situation,” Mr Doocey says.
“Mental wellbeing coordination is underway across affected districts, with District Psychosocial Coordinators embedded in local Civil Defence Emergency Management Welfare Groups. Working alongside local iwi, they are supporting community wellbeing while ensuring core health services remain uninterrupted.”
Mr Brown says Health New Zealand’s National Public Health Service is working closely with local authorities and Civil Defence Emergency Management partners to assess and manage environmental health risks.
“This includes providing guidance on sewage and waste-contaminated silt, monitoring risks such as leptospirosis, and increasing surveillance to detect early signs of enteric disease outbreaks,” Mr Brown says.
“We’re also maintaining close awareness of isolated communities through district and regional networks and ensuring health services are ready to scale up if medical or supply issues worsen.”
Agencies across government are monitoring risks to essential lifeline infrastructure, including telecommunications, roads, and power, that could disrupt access to care. This includes ensuring ongoing support for medically dependent people who rely on consistent power and communications.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected. I want to acknowledge the tireless work of frontline staff, including health workers, who continue to look after our communities during this challenging time,” Mr Brown says.
“I also acknowledge the unimaginable grief many families are experiencing. We share your grief, and we remain committed to supporting all those affected through this tragedy,” Mr Doocey says.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
Five federal polls have been released in the last week, with three of them having some fieldwork after the Coalition split on January 22. One Nation is in second place on primary votes in the YouGov and DemosAU polls, leading the Coalition by five points in YouGov and three points in DemosAU.
In Morgan, the Coalition and One Nation are tied at 22.5% each, while Essential gives the Coalition a three-point lead. The Freshwater poll was conducted before the Coalition split, and gives the Coalition a nine-point lead.
Two polls have given a Labor versus One Nation two-party estimate. In YouGov, Labor led One Nation by 57–43, compared with a 55–45 Labor lead against the Coalition. This was despite primary votes of 31% Labor, 25% One Nation and 20% Coalition.
An early January Fox & Hedgehog poll gave Labor a 56–44 lead against One Nation, compared with 53–47 against the Coalition, from primary votes of 29% Labor, 25% Coalition and 21% One Nation.
Analyst Kevin Bonham said that in the Senate at the 2025 election, with exhaust removed, nationally Coalition preferences favoured One Nation over Labor by 75.6–24.4, while Greens preferences were stronger for Labor against One Nation than against the Coalition.
As the Senate uses an electronic distribution of preferences, all preference flows can be obtained from the electoral commission’s data. This is not the case for the House of Representatives, where only minor party preference flows between Labor and the Coalition are recorded.
Furthermore, the Coalition has already lost its right-wing supporters to One Nation, so preferences of remaining Coalition voters may be better for Labor.
Compared with late December or early to mid-January issues of the same polls, there have been primary vote gains for Labor, suggesting the Bondi effect is fading. The last issue of Freshwater was in October and the last issue of Essential in early December.
YouGov poll has One Nation second
A national YouGov poll for Sky News, conducted January 20–27 from a sample of 1,500, gave Labor 31% of the primary vote (up one since an unpublished late December YouGov poll), One Nation 25% (up five), the Coalition 20% (down four), the Greens 12% (down one), independents 6% (steady) and others 6% (down one).
Video included in the poll article has Labor leading the Coalition by 55–45 and One Nation by 57–43, presumably using respondent preferences.
In rural seats, One Nation led the Coalition by 35–21 on primary votes, putting them on track to gain many conservative rural seats from the Coalition.
Anthony Albanese’s net approval was -16 with 55% dissatisfied and 39% satisfied. Sussan Ley’s net approval was -31. Albanese led Ley as better PM by 47–29. On immigration, 64% wanted it decreased, 28% stay about the same and just 8% increased.
On Bondi, 28% thought Albanese had responded very badly, 21% not as well as can be expected, 38% as well as can be expected and 5% very well.
Morgan poll has One Nation and Coalition tied
A national Morgan poll, conducted January 19–25 from a sample of 1,653, gave Labor 30.5% of the primary vote (up two since the January 12–18 Morgan poll), the Coalition 22.5% (down 1.5), One Nation 22.5% (up 1.5), the Greens 13% (down 0.5) and all Others 11.5% (down 1.5).
By respondent preferences, Labor led the Coalition by 56.5–43.5, a three-point gain for Labor. By 2025 election preference flows, Labor led by 54.5–45.5, a 1.5-point gain for Labor. No Labor vs One Nation two-party figure was provided.
Essential poll best for Coalition
A national Essential poll, conducted January 20–23 from a sample of 1,022, gave Labor 31% of the primary vote (down three since early December), the Coalition 25% (down one), One Nation 22% (up five), the Greens 9% (down one), all Others 7% (down one) and undecided 6% (up one).
Essential hasn’t updated its two-party chart. A Labor vs Coalition two-party estimate based on 2025 election flows would give Labor about a 51.5–48.5 lead. This is the best poll for the Coalition of these five polls.
Albanese’s net approval slumped 12 points to -14, with 53% disapproving and 39% approving. Ley’s net approval was down eight points to -17. By 56–36, respondents thought Albanese had handled Bondi badly.
DemosAU poll has One Nation second
A national DemosAU poll, conducted January 13–21 from a sample of 1,933, gave Labor 30% of the primary vote (up one since the January 5–6 DemosAU poll), One Nation 24% (up one), the Coalition 21% (down two), the Greens 13% (up one) and all Others 12% (down one).
No two-party estimate was given by DemosAU, but seat estimates gave Labor 87–95 of the 150 House seats, One Nation 29–38, the Liberals 9–17, the Nationals 1–5, the Greens 0–2 and all Others 6–11.
A three-way preferred PM question had Albanese on 39%, Pauline Hanson 26% and Ley 16%. Albanese’s net approval was down two points since early January to -14, while Ley was down seven to -18. Hanson had a -5 net approval.
Freshwater poll
A national Freshwater poll for the News Corp papers, conducted January 16–18 (before the Coalition split) from a sample of 1,050, gave Labor a 53–47 lead over the Coalition by respondent preferences, a two-point gain for the Coalition since an October Freshwater poll.
Primary votes were 33% Labor (steady), 28% Coalition (down three), 19% One Nation (up nine), 11% Greens (down three) and 9% for all Others (down two). By 2025 election preference flows, Labor would have led by about 52.5–47.5.
Albanese led Ley as preferred PM by 45–32 (48–31 previously). Albanese’s net favourability was down two points to -9, while Ley’s was steady at -5. Hanson’s net favourability was +6, One Nation’s was +4, Barnaby Joyce’s was -8, federal Labor’s was net zero, the federal Liberals were +2, the federal Greens were -16 and Donald Trump was -34.
By 44–26, respondents thought the Australian economy would worsen rather than improve in the next 12 months. On current immigration levels, 65% thought them too high, 27% about right and just 4% too low. However, by 41–37 respondents thought immigration improves Australia’s economy rather than worsens it.
Australia Day questions in federal Resolve poll
I previously covered the mid-January federal Resolve poll for Nine newspapers. In further questions, by 68–16 respondents wanted Australia Day kept on January 26 rather than moved to another date.
Support for Australia Day on January 26 has surged since January 2023 (47–39 support). By 66–9, respondents thought Australia Day adds to social cohesion rather than detracts.
NSW Resolve poll: Minns gains but not Labor
The next New South Wales state election is in March 2027. A Resolve poll for The Sydney Morning Herald, conducted with the early December and mid-January federal Resolve polls from a sample of 1,145, gave Labor 37% of the primary vote (steady since November), the Coalition 27% (down one), the Greens 10% (steady), independents 11% (down four) and others 15% (up four).
No two-party estimate was given by Resolve, but The Poll Bludger thought Labor led by about 60–40, though this would overstate Labor if One Nation makes up most of the “others”.
Labor Premier Chris Minns’ net likeability surged 11 points since November to +25, his best since May 2023. In late November, Kellie Sloane replaced Mark Speakman as Liberal leader. Sloane’s initial net likeability was +10. Minns led as preferred premier by 40–18 over Sloane (31–19 over Speakman in November).
I previously covered questions on Bondi from the January sample of this poll.
Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.