Category: New Zealand

Posted on

Live: Trump says ‘big wave’ in Iran is yet to come as conflict widens, Qatar halts LNG production

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow the latest with our live blog above

US President Donald Trump is warning what he is describing as ‘a big wave’ of strikes against Iran is yet to come.

Speaking to CNN, Trump said the US hasn’t even begun to hit the Iranian regime hard yet.

Missile strikes continued to fly over the Middle East overnight, with multiple countries threatening escalation of the ongoing conflict.

Top members of the Trump administration have spoken publicly about ‘Operation Epic Fury’ for the first time at a Pentagon press conference. The US said the goal of the war was not regime change, despite the deaths of top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States was not ruling out any options in the war, but promised, “This is not Iraq … This is not endless”.

Meanwhile, Iran said it was ready for a “long war” and has targeted US military bases in other Gulf states.

Kuwait said it accidentally shot down “several” US military aircraft in friendly fire.

Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel continue to trade blows, prompting the Lebanese government to ban Hezbollah’s military and security activities and call on the group to hand over its weapons to the state.

Trump has said he envisages the conflict could last four weeks.

Follow the latest with our live blog at the top of this page.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/live-trump-says-big-wave-in-iran-is-yet-to-come-as-conflict-widens-qatar-halts-lng-production/

Posted on

Another wastewater leak hits Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Harbour is off limits for swimmers with strong southerlies, rain and rough seas forecast to ease heading into Wednesday. Supplied

Wellington Water crews are responding to a wastewater leak on Marine Drive in Eastbourne.

The leak is from the main outfall pipe, which transports fully treated wastewater over 18km from Seaview to Pencarrow.

Because of the leak’s location, it’s likely that fully treated wastewater is entering the stormwater system and may be coming into contact with the coastline around 735 Marine Drive.

Wellington Water said the risk to public health remains low.

At this stage, Wellington Water estimates the repair will be completed by early next week.

It’s not the first wastewater leak in Wellington this year. On 4 February, Moa Point treatment plant failed catastrophically, sending about 70 million litres of untreated sewage to the sea daily.

It prompted Wellington Water chair Nick Leggett to resign on 15 February, saying stepping aside would allow Wellington Water to focus on fixing the problems and restoring public trust.

An independent government review would examine the causes of the plant’s failure.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/another-wastewater-leak-hits-wellington/

Posted on

Beneficiaries responding to traffic light system, government says

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Quin Tauetau

The government says a new survey shows its traffic light system for those on a job seeker benefit is working as planned.

In August 2024, the coalition set up a traffic light system – alongside sanctions – for beneficiaries who don’t meet their obligations.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston said an evaluation had now found MSD clients were more on top of their job search responsibilities.

“Ninety percent of clients surveyed as part of the Ministry of Social Development’s latest evaluation said they found the traffic light system has been helpful for understanding their obligations, which include a range of activities towards finding employment.

“We’re also seeing nearly 99 percent of clients are fulfilling their obligations, along with a 10.6 percent drop in the number of sanctions issued between the September 2024 and September 2025 quarters.”

Upston said the traffic light system had been designed to reset expectations for those on welfare and it was clear the reset was working.

“The traffic light system ensures the welfare system is more integrated and helps jobseekers understand and navigate their obligations, helping them to be prepared, proactive and seize opportunities when they come along.

“Welfare is conditional on recipients meeting their responsibilities.”

Upston said the coalition remained committed to reaching its target of 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/beneficiaries-responding-to-traffic-light-system-government-says/

Posted on

Conflict in Iran shows ‘risk’ of government’s plan to import LNG as back-up to Taranaki facility

Source: Radio New Zealand

A navy vessel is seen sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which much of the world’s oil and gas passes on March 1, 2026. SAHAR AL ATTAR / AFP

A spike in the price of LNG because of conflict in Iran shows how risky the government’s plan to import the fuel as a back-up is, experts say.

The government said last month it would proceed with plans to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility in Taranaki, with the cost spread across all electricity users through a levy.

Energy Minister Simon Watts said that it would result in overall savings to households, because it would help to lower electricity premiums during dry years.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf with open ocean – has ground to a halt since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

Alan Brent, chair of sustainable energy systems at Victoria University, said the strait was a “key choke-point” for the global energy market and its closure had prompted price spikes for many different fuels.

“LNG has been slower to respond than crude oil but it is up more than one percent already, just in the last few hours,” he said.

“The commentary that’s coming through is that they’re expecting this to be quite significant, especially for LNG.”

More than 100 billion cubic litres of LNG moved through the strait every year – roughly 20 percent of the global LNG trade, Brent said.

Energy Minister Simon Watts. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Goldman Sachs forecast price rises of 130 percent – more than double – if the disruption continued throughout March.

Both a Cabinet paper and a report commissioned by the four electricity gentailers warned that exposure to price shocks was a risk of proceeding with LNG imports.

“LNG-dependent markets saw extreme spikes in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine … illustrating the volatility imported into domestic bills,” the gentailer report said.

The government’s plan has been widely criticised, with even a report it commissioned last year finding that LNG should only be used as a last resort.

Energy advocates have pushed for the government to pursue alternatives, saying even burning a stockpile of coal at Huntly would be preferable.

Independent climate policy analyst Christina Hood said New Zealand already experienced the effect of petrol price shocks during periods of geopolitical turbulence.

“It’s a huge risk for the New Zealand economy to be exposing even more of our energy system to volatile international prices,” she said.

“That really worries me, and that risk analysis does deserve a re-think and we should be pivoting towards more stable, domestic energy sources.”

The government’s own analysis had found that using biomass pellets at Huntly was cheaper and had benefits for the local economy, she said.

That option was ruled out because, according to that analysis, it would take the longest to deliver.

Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen said that “very quickly, the risks outlined around LNG access have come true”.

Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“Current events make it harder to immediately buy into why this LNG facility is likely the best option, because it has potentially fallen over at the first hurdle.”

It was true that high prices might not persist, he said.

“But if the whole idea of the LNG facility was to provide that short-term relief, well, if New Zealand hit a dry-year time and something’s happening in the Starit of Hormuz, then you’ve got a very expensive white elephant that might be sitting there.”

There was still time for the government to pivot to a different solution.

“From what I understand we haven’t signed commitments,” Olsen said.

“If there’s some real feeling of need around emergency supply in dry years, I do wonder if water take around the hydro lakes is a much more readily accessible option.”

There were environmental concerns to factor into that alternative, he said.

“But if you want to get stuff done quickly, then using the water in the lakes that’s already there … is going to be a lot easier.”

The government should also be telling those gentailers in which it held a majority stake to not return such a large dividend to the Crown, and instead invest it into renewables and other options to provide security of supply, he said.

Energy Minister Simon Watts’ office has been approached for comment.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/conflict-in-iran-shows-risk-of-governments-plan-to-import-lng-as-back-up-to-taranaki-facility/

Posted on

Two before the courts after supermarket catch in Queenstown

Source: New Zealand Police

A pitstop to curb a chocolate craving led to the arrest of two wanted shoplifters in Queenstown.

On Tuesday 24 February an officer stopping in at a supermarket in Frankton noticed two men matching the description of offenders from a previous shoplifting incident.

Upon enquiries, the officer located further evidence indicating the pair were also shoplifting at the time, and they were subsequently arrested.

Otago Lakes Central Area Commander, Inspector Paula Enoka, says this is a great catch and a further step towards Police’s crackdown on retail crime.

“I would like to commend the officer – their keen eye and attention to detail is what has led to this arrest.

“This type of offending puts a big strain on our local businesses and will not be tolerated by Police or the community.

“Police are committed to targeting retail crime and holding offenders to account, which these arrests are testament to,” says Inspector Enoka.

The two men, aged 19 and 20, are due to appear in Queenstown District Court on 23 March, charged with shoplifting.

If you witness any retail crime, or any other crime, please call 111 if it is happening now, or for historic offending, please make a report, with as much information as possible, either online or by calling 105.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/two-before-the-courts-after-supermarket-catch-in-queenstown/

Posted on

Traffic light system proves results

Source: New Zealand Government

An evaluation has found MSD clients are more on top of their job search responsibilities under the Government’s traffic light system, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. 

“90 per cent of clients surveyed as part of the Ministry of Social Development’s latest evaluation said they found the traffic light system has been helpful for understanding their obligations, which include a range of activities towards finding employment,” Louise Upston says. 

“We’re also seeing nearly 99 per cent of clients are fulfilling their obligations, along with a 10.6 per cent drop in the number of sanctions issued between the September 2024 and September 2025 quarters.”

“The traffic light system was designed to reset the expectations for those on welfare and we now know this reset is having a big impact. 

“The traffic light system was introduced in August 2024 and uses traffic light colours to help beneficiaries stay on track with their obligations. The system was a cornerstone of our Government’s welfare system reset, which incentivises employment over welfare dependency.” Louise Upston says.

“The welfare system will continue to support unemployed New Zealanders into work as labour market conditions improve.

“Welfare dependency in New Zealand often begins when young and capable people don’t gain employment. 

“The traffic light system ensures the welfare system is more integrated and helps jobseekers understand and navigate their obligations, helping them to be prepared, proactive and seize opportunities when they come along. Welfare is conditional on recipients meeting their responsibilities.

“Our Government has invested heavily in a range of frontline services to help jobseekers stay on track with their obligations and support clients with complex needs” Louise Upston says. 

“We’ve already introduced a number of initiatives including phone-based employment case management service, more frontline staff for more contact with jobseekers, regular work seminars, increases to the number of community job coaches and the option of non-financial sanctions for some clients.” 

“In late 2025 we also announced a $1000 bonus for young people who move from community job coaching into work and stay off the benefit for more than a year. We’ve also improved the way MSD works with businesses. 

“Times have been tough, but the welfare system needs to be fair, firm and simple. We know jobs are out there and work will always be the best way for New Zealanders to support their families and get ahead in life. 

“We’re committed to fixing the basics and building the future and reaching our target of 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030.”

The evaluation report is available here: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/evaluation/traffic-light-system/tls-evaluation-findings.html

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/traffic-light-system-proves-results/

Posted on

Wellington council releases first triennium plan in almost a decade

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington’s mayor says making building cheaper through a one-stop shop for consents and fixing the failed Moa Point plant will be part of a three-year council plan.

On Tuesday morning, the council released a triennium plan for the first time in nearly a decade.

It outlined a range of policy ideas councillors were advocating to get done over the council term such as establishing an office that streamlined the building consent process, improving confidence in the council and fixing its ageing infrastructure.

Wellington mayor Andrew Little said an overwhelming majority of councillors and pou iwi had pledged to support the plan at a meeting next week.

Little said the plan’s purpose was to align council staff with councillors’ priorities.

Moa Point

A major element of the plan was the Moa Point sewage plant which Little admitted to RNZ was added to the plan recently.

“Moa Point has become a prominent issue for us just in a matter of the last few weeks and we have to address it.”

One of the priorities of the council was supporting the region to negotiate a regional deal with the government after it missed a deadline to show interest in doing so, which Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described at the time as “pretty lame-o”.

Little told RNZ it was possible funding for fixing the Moa Point sewage plant could be part of those negotiations.

“It might be something that goes on the table at the beginning.”

He said he could not predict “what the prospects of that would be”.

The mayor said generally it could be possible to get Crown funding for infrastructure through those negotiations.

Wellington mayor Andrew Little. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Consents

As part of the plan the council would develop an urban development office which it described as similar to Auckland’s Eke Panuku which was an organisation that supported development in the city.

Little told RNZ the idea would be that one person would take responsibility for a consent rather than builders being passed between several people.

“It is about trying to co-operate with applicants because, look, we want to get these developments done.”

He said there was a large amount of support for the idea amongst councillors, so he believed once the plan was signed off it would not take “too long” before it worked through council.

The council would also set KPIs for building and resource consent timelines and review fees for consents in order to bring time and cost down.

Transparency

In a pre-election report released last year, it said less than a third of Wellingtonians surveyed had trust in the council.

In the introduction to the triennium plan, Little said “that must change”.

He told RNZ transparency, particularly when a councillor or staff member made a mistake, was important.

“Most of these things are more you know, cock-up than conspiracy.”

Little said he expected there to be fewer publicly excluded meetings around the council table.

“I am paying close attention to suggestions that something might be taken to publicly excluded and I want to be satisfied it genuinely is justified.”

He said there was one situation where a councillor suggested a meeting be publicly excluded, which was rejected.

A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed it was relating to when councillor Diane Calvert was chairing a briefing which was made publicly excluded in December.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/wellington-council-releases-first-triennium-plan-in-almost-a-decade/

Posted on

Previously unknown faultlines discovered in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

123rf

Dozens of previously unknown faultlines have been discovered under Auckland – and new work is set to find out if they are likely to cause quakes.

Scientists will soon start to dig trenches across some of the lines to see if they are active.

So far the discovery has not increased the known risk to the city.

One of the scientists, Auckland University senior lecturer James Muirhead, said any fault that had moved in the past 125,000 years was considered active.

Some of the faults could have been still for six million years – which meant they were technically not active. Others were suspected faults.

Muirhead’s team would begin by looking at some of the most likely – near Pukekohe or Drury in the city’s rural south.

Diggers would carve out four-metre deep trenches across the fault which would then be analysed to see how recently they had moved.

Likely faults, possible faults and possible structures identified in the study superimposed on a shaded relief map of Auckland and plotted alongside Auckland Volcanic Field centres and earthquake epicentres since 1988. Supplied

“So hopefully two years from now we have a really good answer to that question – whether these faultlines in Auckland are active and whether they represent a significant seismic hazard,” he said.

There was a common perception that Auckland was not very seismic but that was probably because it was compared with other places in New Zealand which was a very seismic country, he said.

It had actually experienced some significant events, like the 1891 Port Waikato quake which was strong enough to shatter windows in the city, he said.

The new potential faults were discovered when researchers analysed borehole samples.

“Basically holes that have been drilled around Auckland to look at how the sub surface has moved both up and down below our feet through time,” Muirhead said.

The team divided the lines into likely faults, possible faults and possible structures – lines that showed signs of ground movement but it was unclear why.

Two of the most prominent probable faults ran from the Waitematā to the Manukau harbours, one through Avondale, the other from Glendowie to Blockhouse Bay.

They had already been suspected but the latest research had shored them up and more accurately measured them, Muirhead said.

Some of the possible faults were around Northcote, Birkenhead and Wiri.

There were many more in the “possible structure” category which meant they needed a lot more investigation, such as in Sandringham, Newmarket and Ōtāhuhu.

The research said it was possible intense urbanisation could mask faults.

The report also revealed Auckland experienced more small earthquakes than previously thought, but Muirhead said that was likely because there was better monitoring.

The work has been partly funded by the Natural Hazards Commission which has highlighted them in its latest Resilience Highlights Report which looked into the impact of natural hazards.

The commission said even though major earthquakes remained unlikley, the findings could help decide how land is used as the city grew.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/previously-unknown-faultlines-discovered-in-auckland/

Posted on

Only lunar eclipse of 2026 taking place tonight

Source: Radio New Zealand

A montage of pictures shows the phases of the Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse as it is seen in Depok City, West Java province, Indonesia, on September 8, 2025. Aditya Irawan / NurPhoto via AFP

A total lunar eclipse is taking place tonight – and New Zealand has the “best seat in the world” to view it.

According to Stardome, the only lunar eclipse of 2026 (also known as a blood moon) will begin about 9.45pm.

“We are one of a few countries that will be able to witness the eclipse for its entire duration,” it said on social media.

“The best time to see the blood moon will be from midnight to 1am, with the peak of the eclipse occurring just after 12.30am (Wednesday).”

Send us your pictures of the blood moon to iwitness@rnz.co.nz

Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki earlier told RNZ lunar eclipses were not rare per se – the rarity was whether or not it was visible from your location.

“For this one in particular, we really have the best seat in the world, really. It’s really only visible for its entirety over the Pacific. And it’s the only one that we’re going to see this year. I don’t think we have another until 2028, about two years.”

With Nasa’s Artemis missions and sending people back to the moon, Aoraki said there was a lot of buzz and excitement around the moon and space exploration.

“Having this lunar event is just one of those reminders that there’s really cool things happening up there all the time.”

Aoraki said he had his “fingers crossed” that it wouldn’t be cloudy during the event.

Stardome has outlined the timings for the total lunar eclipse tonight – and when is best to view it. Supplied / Stardome

According to MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan, the South Island and upper North Island will be the best places to see the lunar eclipse “If you’re daring enough to leave the comfort of a warm bed”.

It is likely to be cold – with single digit temperatures possible for much of the country.

“These next couple of days are for everyone who loves the feeling of being wrapped up in a cozy bed. If you had to grab an extra blanket (Sunday night), it’s probably going to be needed for the next three nights as well.”

But what do you need to see the eclipse?

Nothing special, just your eyes, Stardome said.

“Just your eyes and a clear view of the sky. Be sure to check the forecast for your local area if you’re planning to watch this dazzling celestial display.

“There will not be another total lunar eclipse until 2028, and we are among the few locations able to watch the entire event unfold over the Pacific. Only an estimated 2 percent of Earth’s population will be able to view this eclipse from beginning to end.”

According to Nasa, totality of the eclipse will also be visible in eastern Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and North and Central America.

Partial visibility will be visible from central Asia and much of South America – but it will not be visible in Africa or Europe.

Key events – Auckland time

  • 8.11pm Tuesday 3 March – Moonrise (AKL time, varies slightly between regions)
  • 9.44pm Tuesday 3 March – Penumbral eclipse begins: Earth’s outer shadow starts to touch the moon.
  • 10.50pm Tuesday 3 March – Partial eclipse begins: The moon begins to darken as Earth’s main shadow moves across it.
  • 12.04am Wednesday 4 March – Total eclipse begins: The moon is fully immersed in Earth’s shadow and appears red.
  • 12.33am Wednesday 4 March – Maximum eclipse: The moon is closest to the centre of Earth’s shadow.
  • 1.02am Wednesday 4 March – Total eclipse ends: The moon begins to exit Earth’s shadow.
  • 2.17am Wednesday 4 March – Partial eclipse ends: The dark shadow fully clears the moon.
  • 3.23am Wednesday 4 March – Penumbral eclipse ends: The Earth’s outer shadow leaves the moon completely.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/only-lunar-eclipse-of-2026-taking-place-tonight/

Posted on

US-Israeli strikes on Iran could last ‘weeks’, 48 Iranian leaders and 3 US soldiers killed

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow the latest with our live blog above

Israel and the US have begun a fresh waves of strikes on Iran, with Israel saying it is continuing large-scale strikes against targets across Tehran.

The US military says it has sunk nine Iranian warships and is “going after the rest” in attacks which US President Donald Trump says have killed 48 top Iranian leaders – including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump said he envisages the conflict could last four weeks.

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour says the government has not taken a position on whether or not it is in support of the US and Israeli led attacks on Iran.

Australia has ruled out deploying troops if the conflict escalates.

The attacks have sparked warnings about KiwiSaver, fuel and inflation in New Zealand.

Major Middle Eastern airports have been shut and regional gateways including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi were closed.

MFAT is advising New Zealanders in affected areas to shelter in place and leave when it is possible to do so.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks on Saturday, which US President Donald Trump said were aimed at overturning Tehran’s government.

Follow the latest with our live blog at the top of the page

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/us-israeli-strikes-on-iran-could-last-weeks-48-iranian-leaders-and-3-us-soldiers-killed/

Posted on

Employment indicators: January 2026 – Stats NZ information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/employment-indicators-january-2026-stats-nz-information-release/

Posted on

Health Policy – ‘Hospitals and health workers should never be targets’ – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

The right of health care workers to provide care during international conflicts must be protected, Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO says.
NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says hospitals and health care workers are increasingly being targeted in war torn nations.
“Hospitals and health workers should never be targets. Health care workers must have the right and freedom to provide care in conflict zones,” she says.
International media have reported an Israeli air strike hit a hospital in Tehran’s north, badly damaging the facilities and forcing patients to be evacuated. The air strikes were part of the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran.
“Sadly, attacks on hospitals and health care workers are not a new development,” Kerri Nuku says.
“The World Health Organization last week said attacks on Ukraine’s health care facilities had increased by 20% last year and hit a staggering total of 2881 since the war with Russia began four years ago.
“In Myanmar, at least 34 people were killed and dozens more injured late last year after air strikes from Myanmar’s military hit a hospital in the country’s west.
“ NZNO is supporting Myanmar health care workers providing care on the Thai border. We have heard firsthand the struggles of providing health care in a conflict,” Kerri Nuku says. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/health-policy-hospitals-and-health-workers-should-never-be-targets-nzno/

Posted on

Police seek robbery victim following arrests

Source: New Zealand Police

Auckland City Police are seeking the victim of an aggravated robbery in Ellerslie this afternoon to come forward.

Six people have been arrested over the offending which occurred at the Ellerslie Train Station.

Sergeant Tim Roberts, of Mt Wellington Police, says the victim left the area before Police could speak with her.

“Auckland Transport contacted Police at around 2pm, after observing the offending take place,” he says.

“A group have allegedly stood over the victim in a threatening manner, taking her personal belongings before the victim has fled visibly upset.”

Sergeant Roberts says the offenders left the scene onboard a train, with camera operators tracking their movements.

“Thanks to the expert eye of a Police camera operator, they have been tracked on the rail network with Police units being directed to Newmarket Train Station, and all six people were taken into custody,” he says.

An 18-year-old woman has now been charged with aggravated robbery and will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow.

Five other offenders, all youth, are being referred to Police Youth Aid over the offending.

The Police focus is now on identifying the victim.

“This woman was wearing a grey hooded top with a NASA space agency logo on the front,” Sergeant Roberts says.

“We want to contact you to make sure you are okay and to ensure there is further support in place for you.

“If this is you, or you know who this woman is, please contact Police.”

You can contact Police on 105 using the reference number 260302/5584.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/police-seek-robbery-victim-following-arrests/

Posted on

Extra funding for Smokefreerockquest and Tangata Beats 2026

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is investing in extra support for Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today.

“Any event that promotes a smokefree and vapefree lifestyle for our young people is worthy of government backing, and these events have become an iconic part of our Smokefree work”, Ms Costello says. 

“The new contract with Health NZ ensures continuity for these nationwide youth music programmes, which have supported creativity, and, most importantly, wellbeing among our young people for 36 years,” Ms Costello says. 

The new 3-year contract is for $550,000 per year – an increase from the previous $355,000. This funding forms part of $5.3 million in investments in marketing and quit smoking campaigns.

“Thankfully, young people have turned their back on smoking – the daily smoking rate for 14–15-year-olds is around 1 percent, and increasingly they are stopping vaping too”, Ms Costello says.

“But while we focus on getting older smokers to quit, it’s also important to keep reminding youth to stay smokefree and vapefree, and these events are a great way of reaching young people.”

The 2025 editions set records with over 1,010 entries, over 14,000 live audience members, and hundreds of thousands engaging online. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/extra-funding-for-smokefreerockquest-and-tangata-beats-2026/

Posted on

Boosting the teacher workforce and investing in success

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is announcing new initiatives to strengthen the teacher workforce, and new data shows supply is at its strongest in two decades, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

“Growing and developing the teacher workforce of the future is one of my key education priorities, and new projections show our initiatives are working. Our Budget investment and ongoing work is significantly strengthening teacher supply,” Ms Stanford says.

“As many as 5,200 qualified primary and secondary teachers are expected to join our teacher workforce over the next three years as a result of our work.

“Currently, we have more teachers in the workforce since records began in 2004, with the largest year-on-year increase for primary teachers in 2024 and for secondary teachers in 2025. We have more teachers in training, with first-time enrolments increasing by 30 percent in 2025. Retention rates remain stable, having stayed at 90 percent for many years.

“The latest teacher supply data projects a return to surplus for primary schools this year, with a national surplus of 530, set to grow to 1,350 by 2028. 

“Through Budget 25 we have invested in hundreds of maths and literacy intervention teachers and learning support coordinators across primary schools and achieving surplus puts us in a strong position to continue rolling this out for schools.

“Secondary teacher supply is improving – we have a surplus projected in the next three years with a narrowing shortfall, and work will continue on closing the gap. There is still work to do and we are continuing to focus our initiatives on our high schools.

“In particular, there are gaps across Māori-medium settings and in some geographic areas, along with secondary teachers specialising in STEM subjects.”

Ms Stanford says significant growth in the number of people enrolling to train to as a teacher is very encouraging for future supply.

Workforce investment continues through multiple initiatives underway, focusing on supporting future leaders, teacher training, and staffing in rural and in-demand areas. These include:

  • Aspiring Principals programme and Beginning Principals programme – 200 aspiring principals and up to 450 early-career principals will benefit from a new professional development pathway from Term 2. These programmes are evidence based and supported by mentoring, and aim to prepare experienced teachers and newly appointed principals to lead in schools.
  • Boost for in-class training places for new teachers – We’re increasing the number of in-classroom training spots from 242 places in 2025 to 533 places in 2026. The School On-site Training Programme supports the Government’s work to supply confident, well-prepared new teachers and support student achievement.
  • Peer to peer principal support – From Term 1, the Ministry of Education’s Leadership Advisory Service is growing. Leadership advisors are all experienced principals who are on call and available to support principals directly across New Zealand. They provide coaching and advice, and information about policy changes. The team is expanding from 16 to 32 advisors.
  • Supporting rural teaching with Go Rural – The new Go Rural fund will promote teaching in rural and isolated schools and support new teachers wanting to experience teaching in our regions through removing financial barriers. Student teachers can receive a $4,000 grant to teach in one of 454 eligible Go Rural schools. Applications are now open, providing up to 123 student teachers this year.
  • Strengthening Māori-medium teacher supply – funding for the Iwi Māori Work Support Programme has increased from $1.1 million to $2.3 million annually. This will support more iwi organisations to address teacher supply shortages.

“Teachers and principals are central to providing a strong education for our young people. These initiatives expand our work to ensure that teachers and principals have training and support they can depend on, and that areas in need have access to the teachers they deserve.”

Today, Ms Stanford also announced the new Education Excellence Awards which will recognise outstanding work across the schooling sector. 

“Today’s data reflects where our initiatives are working and where to continue our efforts. We remain relentlessly focused on boosting teacher numbers and to ensuring teachers are well supported to provide a world-leading education for New Zealand students.”

Notes to editor:

  • The Government has invested in a range of initiatives to attract, train and retain teachers with a focus on building a pipeline of New Zealand trained teachers, augmented by overseas teacher supply and returning teachers.
  • Budget 25 invested $117.2 million in leadership development pathways, teacher supply initiatives and funded registration and certification to build the education workforce of the future.
  • In Budget 24, $53 million was invested to train and recruit 1500 teachers over four years domestically and overseas. This included expanding the School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP) to 1200 places for aspiring teachers to train in the classroom. Applications for interested providers just opened and interest has exceeded the number of places available.
  • An ongoing domestic and overseas recruitment campaign continues to run to attract and retain teachers.  

Other initiatives include:

  • Scholarships for people wanting to change their careers to teaching
  • Changes to Immigration settings, the Overseas Relocation Grant to support overseas teachers moving to New Zealand, and the Overseas Finder Fee for schools to help meet recruitment costs.
  • The Voluntary Bonding Scheme that encourages newly graduated teachers to teach in certain areas of need. Teachers can receive up to $17,500 if they stay at an eligible school for up to 5 years.
  • The BeTTER Jobs Programme – connecting beginning and returning teachers with schools facing recruitment or retention challenges.
  • Initial Teacher Education Course Finder Tool – provides information on all the teaching courses available in New Zealand so people can find a course that fits their needs more easily or move to New Zealand to teach.
  • Funding to encourage former teachers to return to the profession as relief teachers and for teacher aides to upskill as Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) teachers.

New Zealand Education Excellence Awards

The Education Excellence Awards will recognise outstanding achievements in schools and kura in four categories – primary schools with up to 150 students, primary schools with more than 150 students, Kaupapa Māori, and secondary schools. 

For each of the four categories, achievement in the following fields will be recognised: 

  • Raising student achievement  
  • Improving attendance and engagement
  • Quality teaching and instruction
  • School leadership

Nominations open on 16 March 2026 and will remain open until 10 April. 

Full details on eligibility, the nomination process, and criteria for judging are available on the Ministry of Education website: www.education.govt.nz/education-professionals/schools-year-0-13/scholarships-and-study-awards/new-zealand-education-excellence-awards

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/boosting-the-teacher-workforce-and-investing-in-success/

Posted on

New appointments to University of Otago Council

Source: New Zealand Government

Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced two new appointments to the University of Otago Council. 

“Universities play a vital role in educating the workforce New Zealand needs and contributing to our country’s economic growth and wellbeing. Strong governance is essential to support that role,” says Dr Reti. 

“I am pleased to appoint Chris Hopkins and Dr Peter Bramley as new members of the University of Otago Council.” 

Chris Hopkins is a professional director and business mentor with extensive leadership experience as a chief executive and managing director, as well as strong financial management expertise. He is currently Chair of the Dunedin International Airport Board. 

Dr Peter Bramley is a consultant and professional director with extensive experience in health management, including serving as chief executive of a former district health board. He has also lectured at both the University of Canterbury and the University of Otago. 

“I thank both appointees for taking on these important governance roles and acknowledge outgoing members Malcolm Wong and Hon Clare Curran for their service. Their contributions to the Council are greatly appreciated,” says Dr Reti. 

“Effective university councils play a key role in building the skills, knowledge, and leadership New Zealand needs for the future.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/new-appointments-to-university-of-otago-council/

Posted on

Employment Disputes – Fire and Emergency received calls for 10 incidents during today’s NZPFU strike

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 10 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Monday, 2 March, the fifteenth time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.
Of the 10 incidents, eight were in areas impacted by the strike.
Four of these were fire alarms which did not result in a fire.
One was a medical incident, to which Hato Hone St John responded as per existing contingency plans.
Two were small fires in a bin and a bush, and one was a motor vehicle crash.
Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper thanked Fire and Emergency’s 11,800 volunteers across the country, particularly those volunteers who were called to attend events in areas impacted by the strike.
“I would also like to thank our Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers who contributed to the response.”
Ken Cooper also thanked New Zealanders for their extra care during the strike hour.
“It is disappointing the NZPFU continues to escalate its industrial action while we are in facilitation.
“We’ve seen the devastating outcome of fires in Pakuranga and Northcote College in recent weeks during strikes by paid firefighters. The NZPFU continues to gamble with public safety each time they strike,” Ken Cooper says.
“Fire and Emergency has also been seeking an agreed process with NZPFU on how we can respond to emergency situations during these strikes. These NZPFU has rebuffed by these attempts.”
“Fire and Emergency and the NZPFU are currently in a process of facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority’s independent facilitator. We remain engaged with the process in good faith and believe it’s the best chance of coming to a positive sustainable outcome.
“Prior to facilitation, there was a huge gap between what we were offering and NZPFU’s expectations. Fire and Emergency’s offer at the time amounted to a 6.2 percent average increase over three years and compared favourably with equivalent recent public sector agreements, but this was three times less than the NZPFU’s settlement proposal. 
“We believe our offer represented a fair and sustainable increase for our people. We continue to call on the NZPFU to call off its now twice-weekly strikes while the process of facilitation takes place. There is no point gambling with the public’s safety while we are engaged in this process,” Ken Cooper says. 
“We remain committed to a fair, sustainable, and reasonable settlement with the NZPFU, so we can continue working to keep our communities safe.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/employment-disputes-fire-and-emergency-received-calls-for-10-incidents-during-todays-nzpfu-strike/

Posted on

Transport – Road freight sector watching oil prices as Middle East conflict continues

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Transporting New Zealand says the road freight industry will be monitoring the risk of fuel supply issues and rising oil prices closely, as conflict in the Middle East pushes up the global price of crude.
Chief Executive Dom Kalasih said diesel is typically the second-largest cost for road freight operators after wages, meaning sustained increases put pressure on transport rates.
“With around 93 per cent of New Zealand’s freight moved by road, changes in diesel prices flow through the supply chain and can ultimately affect the cost of goods for businesses and consumers,” Kalasih said.
“Fuel is also the most volatile cost in our industry. Over recent years, price spikes have contributed to transport cost pressures rising well above CPI.”
Kalasih said it was too early to determine the full impact of the Middle East conflict on New Zealand diesel prices, but urged operators to closely monitor their costs.
“The road freight market is highly competitive, and many businesses operate on tight margins. That limits their ability to absorb cost increases.”
He said operators use a range of approaches to manage fuel volatility.
“Some companies apply a fuel adjustment factor, which allows rates to move up or down in line with fuel prices. Others will need to review their pricing manually.”
Kalasih also noted that the Government requires diesel importers to hold minimum fuel reserves to strengthen national resilience and reduce the risk of supply disruption. Under a decision announced last year, the minimum stockholding obligation for diesel will increase from 21 days to 28 days’ cover from 1 July 2028.
Editorial Notes
New Zealand imports approximately 3,700 million litres of diesel per year, compared to under 3,000 million litres of petrol (MBIE Fuel Security Study 2025).
Approximately 70 per cent of diesel is used by the transport sector. Around 11 per cent is used by industry, 10 per cent by agriculture and fishing, with the remainder consumed by commercial, retail and international shipping sectors (MBIE Fuel Security Study 2025).
A 2024 Commerce Commission analysis found that cost increases for Regular 91 and Premium 95 petrol were passed through to consumers more immediately than cost reductions. This asymmetry was not observed for diesel. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/transport-road-freight-sector-watching-oil-prices-as-middle-east-conflict-continues/

Posted on

Wāhine Māori overrepresented in the criminal justice system

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Justice

Headline: Wāhine Māori overrepresented in the criminal justice system

MEDIA RELEASE

24 February 2026

Māori women are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, and this increases the further they progress through the system, a new factsheet from the Ministry of Justice shows.

Analysis in the factsheet, Reducing the disproportionality of Māori in the criminal justice system: wāhine Māori [PDF, 337 KB], published today, focuses on how the justice system is experienced by Māori women.

“While wāhine Māori make up 15 percent of women in Aotearoa New Zealand, they continue to be disproportionately represented at every stage of the criminal justice system,” says Rebecca Parish, the Ministry of Justice’s General Manager, Sector Insights.

“Our research shows that wāhine Māori are disproportionately represented at every point of the  justice system, with a higher proportion (compared to the overall population of women) coming through courts, being remanded in custody and sentenced to imprisonment.”

The analysis shows that the disproportionality increases as wāhine Māori move through the system. Wāhine Māori made up 44 percent of all women who were proceeded against by police, 49 percent of women entering court, 66 percent of women remanded in custody, and 71 percent of women sentenced to imprisonment.

The factsheet provides early visibility on the work to understand where disproportionality – the over-representation of one group in relation to others – occurs and where change is likely to have the most impact.

While some of the disproportionality can be explained by factors such as seriousness and history of offending, a proportion remains unexplained, particularly at later stages in the system.

This indicates that the system’s response to wāhine Māori contributes to some of this disproportionality. Discretionary decisions made within the justice system, and therefore within the system’s control, contribute to this unexplained proportion.

Reducing disproportionality of Māori in the criminal justice system overall is a priority strategic goal for the Ministry. Wāhine Māori are the focus of the first stage of this work, with the justice sector exploring options to improve information provided to decision makers across the system, for system’s responses to be well informed and aligned to the needs and circumstances of wāhine Māori.

“This is partly because ensuring equitable outcomes for wāhine Māori have broader positive impacts on whānau and communities, including improved youth outcomes and reduced pressure on other government support systems,” Ms Parish says.

“Ongoing analysis will help us monitor the impact of this work, and how best to continue addressing the disproportionality of wāhine Māori in the criminal justice system.”

Key Findings:

In the year to June 2025, wāhine Māori made up 15 percent of women in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet they represent:

  • 44 percent of women who were proceeded against by Police
  • 49 percent of women who entered court
  • 66 percent of women who were remanded in custody
  • 71 percent of women who were sentenced to imprisonment.

END

← Back to the news

This page was last updated:

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/wahine-maori-overrepresented-in-the-criminal-justice-system/

Posted on

Proposed changes aim to better target dolphin protection efforts

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  02 March 2026

Public consultation runs from 2–30 March 2026 following a review by DOC and Ngā Hapū o Pēwhairangi Marine Mammal Protection Advisory Committee Rōpū on the effectiveness of the current Sanctuary rules at protecting marine mammals, and how they could work better.

“We always intended to observe, learn and adapt when we created the Sanctuary in 2021,” says DOC Regional Director, Sue Reed-Thomas. “Now we have new science and monitoring data to guide us. This proposal is about refining our approach so our effort is focused where it will make the greatest difference for dolphins.”

The Sanctuary rules regulate how humans out naturing on the water interact with marine mammals, particularly bottlenose dolphins, to protect them from harmful disturbances.

The current rules are:

  • People must keep out of the water within 300 m of all marine mammals (dolphins, whales, seals)
  • Vessels must maintain a 300 m distance from all marine mammals and stop if the person in charge becomes aware of any marine mammal closer than 300 m. Vessels must remain stopped until any marine mammal is more than 300 m away; and
  • Vessels must observe a 5-knot speed limit in two marine mammal safe zones.

Recent surveys and scientific studies found dolphins in the Sanctuary were rarely present in the two safe zones. High-use areas are largely outside the safe zones but still within the Sanctuary. This suggests DOC focusing its efforts on other management measures will be a more effective way to support the recovery of dolphin populations. 

The work also concluded that, except for commercial operators holding a marine mammal permit, compliance with the Sanctuary management measures is mixed, recording high levels of non-compliance with speed restrictions by powered vessels in the two safe zones.

“Removing the safe zones would allow us to focus protection where dolphins actually are – targeting education, compliance and enforcement around the measures that matter most,” says Sue.

“This is about smarter protection, informed by science and experience.”

DOC and Ngā Hapū o Pēwhairangi Marine Mammal Protection Advisory Committee Rōpū recommended the Minister of Conservation begin a statutory process to propose removing the safe zones, while maintaining the other management measures. The Minister has agreed to initiate the process. 

“Together, we can take meaningful steps to ensure these taonga species are protected for generations to come,” says Kipa Munro, Chair of Ngā Hapū o Pēwhairangi Marine Mammal Protection Advisory Committee Rōpū.

“Our Rōpū members have played an important role in safeguarding our taonga utilising methods and kōrero that have also been passed down from our tūpuna.” 

Public consultation begins on Monday, 2 March 2026 and will run for 28 days, concluding midnight Monday, 30 March. 

Submissions will be collated and presented to the Minister of Conservation to inform his decisions on the proposals.  

Have your say on the proposed amendment to Te Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands) Marine Mammal Sanctuary rules.

Background information

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/proposed-changes-aim-to-better-target-dolphin-protection-efforts/