Serious Crash, Te Aroha-Gordon Road, Manawaru

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Emergency Services are responding to a two vehicle crash on Te Aroha-Gordon Road, Manawaru.

The crash was reported around 11:30am.

Two people are reportedly injured, one in a moderate to serious condition and one in a critical condition.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

The road is closed and diversions are being put in place.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre
 

Police appeal for information in Point England homicide case

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police investigating the murder of a man in Point England last weekend are appealing to the public for assistance.

Two people have been charged with murder after the victim was found in the middle of Point England Road at 11.15pm Saturday.

Today, Police are calling on the public to assist in relation to sightings of a vehicle of interest and a number of items unaccounted for.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves, Auckland City CIB, says Police would like to hear from anyone who has information that could assist our enquiries.

“In particular, we are appealing for sightings of white BMW station wagon in and around Point England Road, Point England and Leybourne Circle, Glen Innes and surrounding streets.

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw this vehicle between 10pm and midnight on Saturday 5 October.

“Anyone who saw this vehicle, or has any dashcam footage of this vehicle between these times is urged to come forward.”

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Greaves says Police are also interested in locating a dark brown men’s wallet and the keys to the BMW.

“No piece of information is insignificant as we continue to determine exactly what has occurred.

“We still have a long way to go in this investigation, and we are continuing to seek witnesses who may have been in the area of Point England Road near Point England Reserve that evening.”

Information can be provided online at https://webforms.police.govt.nz/en/update-report or by calling 105.

Please use the reference number 241006/5254.

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

A 21-year-old man and 22-year-old woman have both been charged with murder in relation to this investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Overseas Investors – Federated Farmers applauds streamlining of overseas investment processes

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers agrees with the Government that it is timely and worthwhile to review New Zealand’s overseas investment settings.
“It’s alarming and regrettable the OECD has rated us 35 th out of 35 countries in terms of openness to investment,” Federated Farmers meat & wool chair and forestry spokesperson Toby Williams says.
“As a small nation, capital and investment from overseas can help New Zealand to fix infrastructure and drive industry development.”
Federated Farmers agrees the Government should retain the legal option of screening those investment types currently screened, including the sale of farmland, to ensure they are in the national interest.
“However, fast-tracking the overseas investment assessment process when no risk factors have been identified, and consolidating the investor, benefit and national interest tests, also makes sense,” Williams says.
“We understand the farmland test can take as long as two years from application.
“It’s such a long-winded process that investors can lose interest and pull out.”
The delay and costs are a real deterrent to potential offshore investors who want to invest in farmland, and keep farming it, rather than converting it to forestry – applications for which are currently processed faster,” Williams says.
“We’ve seen some fantastic results from foreign investors who continue farming.
“A benefit of the proposed changes is that the true value of farms could be realised by opening it up to a shorter, more efficient process for other investors.”
Williams doesn’t see any risk the proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act (OIA) will accelerate conversion of farmland to forestry.
“The land use changes we are seeing are due to settings with the ETS distorting the profitability of one land use over another.”
Reforming the OIA for effectiveness and efficiency is also consistent with the streamlining in decision-making the Government is pursuing in other areas, such as with our resource management legislation.
Federated Farmers also applauds the Government’s plans to issue Government Policy Statements that highlight those areas New Zealanders would particularly welcome overseas investment.
“The current process of either amending the legislation, or a letter of expectation from the minister, tends to take too long or is not an ideal mechanism.
“Going the GPS route will be far more robust and should be able to be far more comprehensive on the delivery of desired outcomes,” Williams says.
Another positive move by the Government as it makes these changes would be to add ownership and management options for young NZ farmers, with the potential for ownership pathways over time.
“This is a win/win for both parties and will ensure rural communities are maintained,” Williams says.

Pop Up Masks Exhibition in Auckland

Source: Press Release Service – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Pop Up Masks Exhibition in Auckland

RITUAL project, MASKS – Faces of Us – Pop Up Exhibition. RITUAL AE invites you to dive into the captivating world of MASKS. In addition to visual artworks from local and international artists with diverse cultural backgrounds, we’re showcasing an evening filled with live traditional and contemporary performances, theatre play, educational talks, contemporary and folkloric dances, live music, and interactive virtual installations. 5 workshops in October and November 2024. Final exhibition 16 November at TAPAC Center, 3:00pm to 10:00pm.

The post Pop Up Masks Exhibition in Auckland first appeared on PR.co.nz.

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Overseas investment changes to get New Zealand off the bench

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says the Government has committed to action on overseas investment, where the country’s policy settings are the worst in the developed world and holding back wage growth.

“Cabinet has agreed to the principles for reforming our overseas investment law. At the core of these principles is reversing the presumption that investing in New Zealand is a privilege and that investors must justify their transaction to the government. The new starting point is that investment can proceed unless there is an identified risk to New Zealand’s interests. This process will be guided by a government policy statement.

“These changes are designed to overcome New Zealand’s position as the most restrictive out of the developed countries we compare ourselves to. I will now be developing detailed proposals to reform the Overseas Investment Act, with the goal to pass legislation before the end of next year.

“The truth is that, in the overseas investment game, New Zealand has been benched by international investors. Being 38th out of 38 countries for openness to investment means we’re simply not in the game.

International investors report that our rules impose significant compliance costs, delays, and uncertain outcomes. That’s not to mention the potential investors who are discouraged from even considering New Zealand as an opportunity and simply go elsewhere.

“We are 26th out of 38 for foreign investment as a percentage of GDP, which doesn’t sound so bad until you consider the size of our economy. United States, with its massive internal market, could afford to close itself off, but it is more open than us and gets more investment as a percentage of GDP than us.

“It would be bad enough if the world was standing still, but our partners, such as Australia’s Labor Government, are moving to liberalise their overseas investment settings further. 

“Specifically, Cabinet has agreed to amend the Overseas Investment Act according to the following principles:

  • Retaining the scope of what we currently screen (including farmland), in order that the Government retains the legal option of screening all investments currently subject to screening; 
  • Fast-tracking the assessment process with the starting assumption that investment can proceed unless there are risk factors identified, by consolidating the Act’s core tests (investor test, benefit test, and national interest test);
  • Providing the government flexibility to call-in these investments for detailed scrutiny on a case-by-case basis, and impose conditions or block the investment where there are risks to New Zealand’s national interest.

“There’s a simple equation that is holding back wage growth: workers with more capital get paid more. They work with better tools and technologies and, as a result, they are more productive. Other countries have more capital than us because we have one of the most obstructive overseas investment laws in the world. New Zealand workers have less capital to work with so they get paid less than they could.

“I’ve seen the difference that overseas investment can make. I once visited two businesses in the same industry on the same afternoon. Both had skilled and passionate people with good ideas. One had overseas investment, though, and benefited in two ways. They had more money for machinery, and they had more know-how for manufacturing and marketing their product by receiving knowledge from their partners offshore.

“Nearly every other developed country has less obstructive laws than New Zealand. They benefit from the flow of money and the ideas that come with overseas investment. If we are going to raise wages, we can’t afford to ignore the simple fact that our competitors gain money and know-how from outside their borders.

“Attracting more overseas investment is a vital part of the Government’s economic strategy. The decisions Cabinet has taken will ensure that New Zealand is a player once again, instead of sitting on the bench.”

Luxon wraps up East Asia Summit

Source: New Zealand Government

The annual East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Laos this week underscored the critical role that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays in ensuring a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.

“My first participation in an EAS has been a valuable opportunity to engage with leaders on complex issues facing our region, from geopolitical tensions to expanding trade. In my statement, I emphasised the importance of regional security to our collective economic prosperity,” Mr Luxon says.

Mr Luxon confirmed New Zealand will hold an ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Leaders’ Summit in Malaysia in November 2025. 

“This will be a fitting way to mark 50 years of New Zealand-ASEAN dialogue relations next year,” Mr Luxon says.

“My Government is lifting the energy New Zealand brings to our relationships across Southeast Asia and we continue to deepen our ties with ASEAN. This includes work to upgrade to a New Zealand-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

Mr Luxon held bilateral talks with the leaders of Cambodia, India, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Thailand. He also delivered a speech to the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

“I had a lengthy and warm bilateral with Prime Minister Modi, who invited me to visit India in the new year. We discussed the many connections between India and New Zealand, how we could grow the relationship further, and the contribution the 300,000 India diaspora make to New Zealand both culturally and economically.

“I also sat with Prime Minister Modi at the Leaders’ Gala dinner where we continued our conversation. We will look at finding a mutually agreeable time to visit India early in 2025.”

Prime Minister Luxon also met with the Prime Ministers of Canada and Australia in Laos. Prime Ministers Trudeau, Albanese and Luxon traversed common interests such as their work together on the troubling situation in the Middle East, CPTPP, and the Commonwealth.

Mr Luxon arrives back in New Zealand on Saturday.

Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes pragmatic approach in Electricity GPS

Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa

Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes the refreshing pragmatism in the Government’s Policy Statement (GPS) to the Electricity Authority.
The GPS says mitigating climate change is not the job of the Electricity Authority, and Minister Brown has made it clear that the Authority should take a “fuel agnostic” approach to the electricity sector.
Chief Executive John Carnegie says, “This is a welcome dose of pragmatism and the direction we need as we transition to a low-carbon electrified economy.
This winter highlighted that we still need thermal generation to ensure a secure energy system.
“We must keep our options open with facilities like Genesis’ Huntly Power Station, which can generate energy from domestic gas, coal, and biomass” Carnegie says.
The GPS also says that the Government will not intervene in the wholesale market as this “can undermine incentives on market participants to manage their risks properly, chilling hedging and new investment leading to increased scarcity, more periods of high prices and reduced security. We couldn’t agree more”.
The statement clarifies that the Electricity Authority must refrain from favouring one form of fuel or technology over another, something we have consistently advocated for over the last five years. Carnegie says it is great to see the government agree with Energy Resources’ Aotearoa’s long-standing position on fuel and technology agnosticism. 
If thermal generation is cheaper than renewable alternatives, we should use it. It also says that the Emissions Trading Scheme with carbon pricing should be the mechanism for addressing climate change.
Carnegie says, “This is a welcome departure from ideologically driven policy, which contorted our largely renewable energy system into a vehicle for reducing emissions. Right now, thermal generation is a necessary part of our generation mix, and it is great that the government acknowledges this. 
“Now we need the right regulatory and market conditions to encourage the development of gas-fired peaking plants and the fuel we so badly need to keep the lights on.” 

Auckland Council appoints Watercare board chair

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council’s Performance and Appointments Committee today appointed Geoff Hunt to be the chair of the Watercare Services Limited Board with effect from 12 October 2024.

A ‘revisited’ appointment

The council revisited its process to appoint the chair following a judicial review of the process undertaken for the appointment earlier this year. The outcome of that process was that the High Court set aside the appointment of the chair made on 25 June 2024.

The judgment did not direct concern toward the appointment itself, but rather the process that was followed to complete the appointment.

“Ensuring the appropriate appointment practices are in place, and carried out, to deliver well-governed council-controlled organisations is a priority for us and we have adjusted our processes accordingly,” says Alastair Cameron, the council’s Manager CCO/External Partnerships team.

The Performance and Appointments Committee is responsible for all appointments to the boards of council-controlled organisations, in accordance with the council’s Appointment and Remuneration Policy for Board Members and the Local Government Act.

About Geoff Hunt

Geoff’s career has been mainly in construction, operation, and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Over a 27-year period he has been CEO of four successful New Zealand-based companies operating in these areas. He has worked in the UK and the USA and has been involved in project delivery and infrastructure maintenance services in Australia, the Pacific, Melanesia, and SE Asia.

Geoff has worked in and held governance roles in both the government and private sectors and in industry bodies. He is currently a New Zealand Infrastructure Commission board member and director of two privately owned business providing materials to the construction sector. Through Geoff Hunt Consulting Ltd he advises on business performance improvement, staff relations and development, construction project delivery, and construction sector dispute resolution.

Geoff has a master’s degree in engineering, is an Engineering New Zealand Distinguished Fellow and a member of the Institute of Directors.

Health warning of extreme risk for Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake) lifted, though a health warning remains in place

Source: Waikato District Health Board

The Public Health warning of extreme risk for Lake Rotorua issued on 19th July 2024 has now been lifted. This is due to significant reductions in the concentration of cyanobacterial biovolumes, which earlier prompted the increased level of risk and vigilance. Please note a health warning still remains in place at Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake), as cyanobacterial levels continue to be above the warning levels.

Lakes Hakanoa, Waikare, Rotokauri, Whangape and Kainui also continue to have a cyanobacterial health warning in place.

Dr Richard Vipond, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Medical Officer of Health for Waikato recommends that where cyanobacteria health warnings are in place, lakes should not be used for any activity that involves skin contact with the affected water.

“Swallowing water from lakes affected by blooms should also be avoided,” said Dr Vipond.

“Cyanobacteria can release toxins which can trigger asthma and hayfever symptoms, and can cause skin rashes, stomach upsets, and in some cases neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.

“These symptoms may not appear until some time after contact with the affected water.

“Scums are a particular risk because they contain a high level of toxins.  If contact with scum does occur, skin should be rinsed clean and clothing changed as soon as possible. This warning is particularly important for children.

“If people do come into contact with the lake when warnings are in place, or any other lake where there are visible changes to water colour, they should shower and change their clothing as soon as possible afterwards, even if no symptoms are noticeable,” he said.

Dog owners should prevent their dogs from drinking or swimming in the water, as dogs are particularly sensitive to cyanobacteria.

Up-to-date information on cyanobacterial cell counts is available by visiting the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website at https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/waikato-region/

National Public Health Service – Waikato would like to be informed about health problems that develop after exposure to any of the lakes with health warnings in place. Please contact on (07) 838 2569.

Powering up the food system (PPF)

Source: Plant and Food New Zealand – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Powering up the food system (PPF)

People | Planet | Food – Roger Robson-Williams speaks with Mike Casey, about producing cherries without using fossil fuels and running a charity called Rewiring Aotearoa.
They discuss what it takes to build a fully electrified orchard and the emerging opportunities for farmers and growers to help address growing demand for renewable power. Mike explains how Rewiring Aotearoa is helping kiwis save money on energy bills, reduce their carbon emissions, and have the resilience to keep their lights on and homes warm. This episode highlights the changing relationship between energy, food production, and the everyday decisions we all make about how to live our lives.
For further information on Rewiring Aotearoa see: www.rewiring.nz
To view our full catalogue of podcasts go to our Scigest page: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

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