Source: New Zealand ParliamentThe Justice Committee has reopened submissions on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill. The new deadline for submissions is 1.00pm, Tuesday, 14 January 2025.
MIL OSI
Greens welcome deadline extension but reiterate call for Bill to be binned
Source: Green Party
The Green Party welcomes the extension of the deadline for Treaty Principles Bill submissions but continues to call on the Government to abandon the Bill.
“We welcome the bare minimum decision to extend the deadline but know this Bill must be put in the bin altogether. Our founding agreement should never be up for negotiation by one tiny part of one side,” says the Green Party’s Justice Committee representative, Tamatha Paul.
“Te Tiriti o Waitangi is enduring. Governments are temporary.
“There is no reason why this Bill cannot be thrown out right now. The coalition agreement between ACT and National only commits to the Treaty Principles Bill being brought to Select Committee. There is no commitment or need for it to be taken any further, it can and must be abandoned now.
“The power is in your hands, Christopher, as it was from the start when. You have now fulfilled the conditions of your poorly negotiated coalition agreement. Now you need to do your job and uphold the founding agreement this nation was built on and kill this Bill.
“The spread of dis- and misinformation fuelled by this Bill is well documented by the likes of Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa in their public submission on the legislation. Nothing good will come from allowing it to live on.
“This Bill should have never been introduced in the first place. This is a complete waste of resources at a time when there are bigger fish to fry; housing insecurity, poverty, environmental decline, and a health system crumbling before our eyes,” says Tamatha Paul.
Weather News – Southerlies continue, but summer lives on in the west – MetService
Source: MetService
Covering period of Thursday 9th – Monday 13th January – Southerlies look to persist into next week as a low pressure system to the east and ridge of high pressure to the west remain largely static. This status quo means the weather for the country is largely stratified between the east and west.
MetService meteorologist Alec Holden says, “The continuing southerlies will make it feel like summer is still lackluster in the east with cloud and showers washing in and out, but summer is alive and well elsewhere.”
MetService is forecasting temperatures along the eastern seaboard of the country to continue to fall short of the climatic average for January by 5° to 7°C. In fact, Christchurch has yet to reach their climatic average daily maximum temperature of 22°C this month. The weather is expected to be largely settled with no severe weather expected for the mainland moving into next week, as the ridge provides a steadying influence. However, near constant strong to gale southerly winds are expected for the Chatham Islands.
The weather for today (Thursday) and tomorrow is largely similar with cloud and isolated showers along the east coast, and fine conditions elsewhere, aside from a few afternoon showers about Waikato northward and the ranges of the South Island. That said, tomorrow cloud breaks up in the east making it a good day to get the washing done for east coasters, but a bad washing day for Southlanders as showers develop around midday when a weak front approaches from the southwest.
On Saturday winds pick up again in the east as the low drifts back towards the county, but showers are predicted to remain largely offshore. Conditions should be mainly fine elsewhere marking a good day for the Black Caps to take on Sri Lanka at Eden Park.
Looking long range, this status quo of southerlies in the east and more summery weather in the west looks to continue at least until the end of next week.
Please keep up to date with the most current information from MetService at https://www.metservice.com/
Children make up nearly half of Rohingya refugees taking perilous boat journeys in 2024 as numbers continue to rise – Save the Children
Source: Save the Children
Children made up just under half – 44% – of predominantly Rohingya refugees leaving Bangladesh and Myanmar by boat in 2024 as the number of people taking to sea continues to rise with about 460 so far in 2025, Save the Children said.
Last year, more than 7,800 Rohingya refugees embarked on perilous boat journeys, an increase of 80% on 2023. UN [1] data showed 44% of documented arrivals were children compared with 37% in 2023. A total of 656 passengers were reported dead or missing in 2024 compared with 416 in 2023, the highest number since 2014 [2].
So far 2025 has seen no let-up in the number of people embarking on the journey despite flimsy fishing boats often spending weeks at sea, with food and water sometimes running out before reaching land.
On 5 January, 254 Rohingya people landed in Aceh in Indonesia with 10 people reported missing or dead [1]. Save the Children’s partner organisation, the Geutanyoe Foundation, said 118 children were among the new arrivals.
Two days earlier 196 refugees arrived by boat in Langkawi in Malaysia with police detaining the new arrivals on the island. Two other boats are thought to be still at sea after authorities reportedly gave passengers food and water before escorting them out of Malaysian waters. Malaysia does not formally recognise refugees and has previously turned away boats or detained people as illegal migrants [3].
More than one million Rohingya refugees live in the world’s largest refugee settlement at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Since fleeing violence in Myanmar more than seven years ago, they are stateless and confined to camps, often in squalid and overcrowded conditions. Refugees are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid to survive.
Sultana Begum, Asia head of humanitarian policy and advocacy for Save the Children, said:
“Since February 2022, thousands of Rohingya refugee children have taken life threatening boat journeys from Bangladesh and Myanmar [1]. Thousands of children who have got on rickety boats in the scorching sun with meagre supplies of food and water. Thousands of children who have no guarantee they will get to safety and have risked everything in the hope of a better future.
“2025 must not be yet another year of despair for Rohingya refugees. The surge in life threatening boat journeys in 2024, taken predominantly by Rohingya refugees, should sound a global alarm.
“Escalating conflict in Myanmar, and the deteriorating conditions in the Bangladesh camps, including violence, dwindling humanitarian aid, lack of freedom of movement, and limited access to education and livelihoods, is driving these risky journeys which often take refugees through several different countries in Asia.
“Regional governments must act decisively. All governments in the region must live up to their international obligations. They must not push refugee boats back and allow them to land safely, provide legal protection in transit and destination countries and address the root causes of boat journeys.”
Save the Children is one of the leading international NGOs working in the Cox’s Bazar camps in Bangladesh, providing child protection, access to learning, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and distribution of shelter and food items. We have reached about 600,000 Rohingya refugees, including more than 320,000 children, since the response began in 2017.
Fire Safety – Fires restricted in Waikato district from Friday
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared that all of the Waikato district will be in a restricted fire season from 9am on Friday 10 January until further notice.
This will include Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Waikato, Hamilton City, Waipa, Otorohanga and Waitomo areas. The Central North Island is already in a restricted fire season.
A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, which can be applied for at checkitsalright.nz.
Waikato District Manager Daryl Trim says the fire risk has continued to increase despite unseasonably cooler days and some rainfall.
“In these conditions, we want to help landowners safely manage their fires to limit the risk of fires spreading out of control,” he says.
“Anyone planning to light fires in the open air will need to go to checkitsalright.nz, and go through a few easy steps to get a permit for their fire.
“If you don’t have internet access, you can phone 0800 658 628 to apply for a permit.”
The website also provides guidance on how to light open-air fires safely, and to make sure they are fully extinguished afterward.
“We are continuing to monitor the weather and the fire risk in the Waikato District, as it is expected conditions may dry out further,” Daryl Trim says.
“Please do the right thing and apply for a permit to help keep yourselves and your community safe when using fire.”
Burst water main, Mt Wellington
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Motorists are being asked to avoid a section of Carbine Road following a burst water main.
Police were notified of the incident at about 11.13am.
At this stage Carbine Road, between Clemow Drive and Te Ahoterangi Rise, has been affected.
Police are onsite and directing traffic, however motorists are advised to avoid the area including the entry to Sylvia Park, until it has been cleared.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
SH2 HB Expressway 4 laning project enters second phase of enabling works
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
A reminder that work begins next week alongside Tutaekuri River Bridge on State Highway 2 (SH2) Hawke’s Bay Expressway as the 4 laning Roads of National Significance project continues.
From Monday 13 January, crews will begin work alongside Tutaekuri River Bridge, starting with vegetation clearance, before laying repurposed silt to raise the land alongside the bridge and create a wide, flat surface for construction of the 4 laning project to begin later this year, once the silt has compacted.
During this time, there will be a temporary 70km/h speed limit through this area and road users will notice a lot of activity off to the side of the northbound lane, including silt transportation and construction from the beginning of February.
In February, the Rotary cycle path and walkway will be slightly realigned and there will, at times, be work site trucks crossing a small section of it. There will be traffic management to ensure all truck drivers will be slowing to a stop before crossing the path for the safety of all users and there will be people on site keeping the path clear for users.
There will also be some upcoming road closures for a range of maintenance work, separate to expressway project work. The expressway project team will also use the closures to install temporary steel barrier to separate traffic from the Tutaekuri River Bridge work site.
From Monday 20 to Thursday 23 January, sections of SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway will be closed from 8pm to 5am each night for a range of maintenance work. The work will be finished by 5am on Friday 24 January.
- 20 – 22 Jan – Between Prebensen Drive and Taradale Rd roundabouts, closed for 3 nights. Local road detour suitable for all vehicles.
- 22 Jan – Kennedy Rd on ramp, closed for 1 night. Local road detour suitable for all vehicles.
- 22 – 23 Jan – Between Meeanee Rd and Pākōwhai Rd/Links Rd, closed for 2 nights. Local road detour not suitable for heavy vehicles.
The closures are expected to add 5-10 minutes to people’s journeys and detours will be clearly signposted. The closures are weather dependent and if required, contingency dates will be communicated.
Crews will be sealing the Kennedy Road onramp, sealing between Prebensen Dr and Taradale Rd, and between Meeanee and Pākōwhai/Links Rds, and other work including median barrier replacement and lane marking.
SH51 Clive resealing work overnight next week
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
A reminder there will be overnight closures next week on State Highway 51 at Clive for resealing work.
Crews will be onsite between 8pm and 5am each night, with work starting on Monday 13 January and finishing at 5am Saturday 18 January.
Outside the closure times, the road will be open, with a 30 km/h temporary speed limit in place.
During the work, southbound traffic will be detoured down Awatoto Road, into Meeanee Road and onto Hawke’s Bay Expressway. The reverse will apply for northbound traffic.
Access for residents within the closure points will remain open (please speak to crews onsite) and at times during the work, light vehicles will be able to detour down Farndon Road onto Pākōwhai Road.
The detour signs will show when this is possible, with updated messaging on the boards at the southern end.
This work is weather dependent. Please check NZTA Journey Planner for updates.
Journey Planner(external link)
It’s important this work is carried out during the drier, warmer weather. To allow the new seal to set properly and ensure its longevity, it is crucial that road users adhere to all temporary speed restrictions in place.
NZTA thanks all road users and the local community for their support during this week of work.
Resurfacing of Mohaka slow vehicle bay, south of Wairoa, starts next week
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Work to resurface the State Highway 2 (SH2) Mohaka slow vehicle bay will begin from next Tuesday (14 January.)
The work is expected to take a fortnight to complete and stop/go traffic management will be in place along a stretch of the southbound lane which runs alongside the slow vehicle bay, south of Raupunga.
A temporary speed limit of 30 km/h will also be in place.
Please expect delays of approximately 10 minutes to your journey, as a result of the work.
Crews will be onsite between 6am to 6pm, every day except Sundays. Outside these hours the stop/go will revert to traffic lights and the 30 km/h temporary speed limit will remain in place.
The slow vehicle bay stretches 650 metres just after the Mohaka Rail Viaduct, about 2 kilometres from Raupunga. The slow vehicle bay is currently closed pending this resurfacing work and will reopen once this work is complete.
In the event of bad weather, work will begin on the next fine day and may extend the programme out.
The Mohaka slow vehicle bay is part of Connecting Tairāwhiti, which is a programme of projects providing more slow vehicle bays and more places to pull off the road safely to check messages or take a break on SH2 and SH35 across the Tairāwhiti and northern Hawke’s Bay regions.
Thank you to all road users for your continued patience while this work is carried out.
Desert Road closed for 2 months from Monday 13 January
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
After the Christmas hiatus, road maintenance is back with a major closure of State Highway 1. The Desert Road, between Tūrangi and Waiouru, will close from 5am on Monday 13 January for approximately 2 months.
As well as reconstructing 16 lane km (3 sites) of road, improving drainage, and clearing about 15km of shoulders, the deck of the Mangatoetoenui Bridge will be replaced.
“The bridge, built in 1966, has a timber deck that is now in poor condition and in need of replacement,” says Roger Brady, Waikato Bay of Plenty Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
“This job alone would require the road to have been closed for about a month, so being able to do this at the same time as the other maintenance work due is a real win. It does mean there will be a period of up to 4 weeks from 22 January when SH1 is severed, during the time when the bridge has no deck at all.”
The new deck for the Mangatoetoenui Bridge has been designed and is being built in Napier, ready to be shipped once the SH1 closure begins on Monday 13 January. It consists of steel girders and a concrete slab, which will be transported in 2 sections and then ‘stitched’ together once on site. Once the new deck is in place, the Mangatoetoenui Bridge is expected to last another 50 years before it needs replacing.
“In our planning for this closure in January, the average ground temperatures were analysed, as we need this temperature to be a minimum of 13 degrees for the work to be the quality required.
Overnight minimum temperatures start to drop below zero across the Desert Road from March onwards meaning the possibility of ground frosts. Already the area has experienced snow flurries in January, and while these are rare in the summer months, there is more chance of lower temperatures from March onwards,” says Mr Brady.
The detour (from north to south) is via SH41, SH47, SH4, SH49 and back to SH1 in Waiouru. It is the usual recommended detour route whenever the Desert Road is closed and adds around 30 – 40 minutes to journeys. To encourage safe driving on the detours, the speed limit near and through Ohakune will be reduced to 50km/h while the detour is in place. Additional billboards and signage will be in place, and NZ Police have indicated they will have an increased presence on the detour roads.
South of the SH1/SH47 intersection (the “soft closure point” – shown in orange on the map) to the beginning of our first worksite (south of the Tongariro National Trout Centre) remains open for visitors to access the Trout Centre but not SH46. The detour needs to be advised earlier for those on longer journeys so they can use the appropriate state highways.
The “hard closure” (black area on map) is from Tongariro National Trout Centre to the Desert Road gates near Waiouru. Within this hard closure where all the work is being done, there will be access for those travelling from the north booked with Kaimanawa Alpine Adventures, DOC sites and access roads such as Waipakahi Road or Tukino Access Road, except when the bridge deck is being replaced.
Those driving from the south (Waiouru) will have limited access up to the Mangatoetoenui Bridge. Traffic control staff will be posted at the 3 closure points (Tūrangi, Rangipo, Waiouru). Drivers will need to talk with the traffic controller at the closure point about where they want to access.
There will be further works required to put on the final surface later in the year. This work will, wherever possible, be done at night. The scheduling is still being worked through for when this final surfacing will be done.
This closure is part of a huge maintenance project which started in September 2024 near Tīrau. By doing this work under road closures, more invasive construction methodology can be used which would not be possible under stop/go traffic management. It means SH1 will be quickly brought up to a higher standard.
There is still much more to do before December 2025, flagged as the project finish date. Here are some statistics collected on what’s been done on SH1 in central and southern Waikato since September:
- Lane kms rebuilt: 45.9km (or 234,773m2)
- Re-seals completed: 52,828m2
- Foam bitumen sealing completed: 177,140m2
- Structural asphalt concrete: 7,870m2
- Tonnes of metal used: Approximately 114,000
- Truckloads of metal: Up to 145 loads per site per day
- Kms of line marking completed: More than 240km
- Number of workforce hours to date (road crews): 54,053
- Number of lost-time injuries: Zero
- Number of contracting firms utilised: Up to 12 working at once.
This maintenance work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.
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