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Takaka Hill, SH 60 Update – increasing access to Golden Bay

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Takaka Hill, SH 60 Update – increasing access to Golden Bay

Since the aftermath of ex-tropical-cyclone Gita, the hill road has been open to restricted convoys morning and evening (7-8 am and 5-6 pm) and Sunday daytime hours, 8 am to 5 pm.

“We understand how vital this road is as a lifeline for people in Golden Bay, and we are doing everything possible to improve access,” says Frank Porter, Transport Agency System Manager.

“We need to balance the need to keep the road open as much as possible with the need to fully rebuild it.”

An extra hour morning and evening Monday to Saturday

As of this Wednesday 14 March, the open hours for Takaka Hill road are extending by an hour each morning and evening, ie 6-8am and 5-7pm.

  • The Sunday 8am to 5pm open hours remain the same.

Lunchtime permitted convoys continue, with commercial passenger transport included from this week

“The lunchtime essential freight convoy with daily permits continues,” says Mr Porter.

“We are also pleased to allow commercial bus and shuttle services to make the lunchtime trip as of this week, so long as they comply with the length restrictions.

“This will ease up access for some people who want to travel out of Golden Bay at lunchtime and come back in the evening on the same passenger service.”

Other easing of restrictions – a way to get bikes over the hill

While pedestrians and cyclists are not allowed to travel by foot or cycle over the hill, people can arrange bike transport through local bus or transport services, to get them over through the convoy system.

Cars or vans towing caravans, trailers and boats can now travel over morning and evening Monday to Saturday, and any time 8am – 5pm Sunday. The length of the object being towed is the only qualification.

  • Trailers/boats/caravans of 7 metres or more in length may not be allowed over the hill.
  • All travel is still by escorted convoy only.
  • Trucks towing trailers are not permitted on the hill at this stage.
  • Over-dimension or over width units or large coaches are not permitted.

What our crews have achieved so far

Transport Agency crews are working hard to widen the road around some of the tight bends that are currently not wide enough for truck and trailer units, says Mr Porter. “We are also surfacing sections of the road damaged in the storm, completing retaining wall repairs, repairing and installing new culverts and drains, and installing safety barriers. 

“We are installing electronic sign boards in Takaka, Upper Takaka, Rai township, Murchison and Richmond to help keep people updated as to the status of the Takaka Hill road.”

Key safety messages for drivers on the hill and people waiting in the convoys

  • No overtaking on the Takaka Hill – people need to stay in their place in the convoy and drive with care once they are over the hill each side.
  • Turn your lights off while waiting at either end of the closure point so that your vehicle battery doesn’t go flat.
  • Please don’t wander out into the oncoming lane while you are waiting to join a convoy (particularly children).  Vehicles are travelling over the hill in that lane.
  • Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and you have sufficient fuel.

Easter opening hours   – open each day, all day

  • The Takaka Hill road will be open 8am – 5pm all of Easter, Good Friday to Easter Monday inclusive.
  • The Thursday night (29 March) opening is likely to be later than from 5 pm – 7 pm. The exact hours open will be confirmed closer to Easter.

After Easter hours and access – Tuesday, 3 April onwards

The Transport Agency is aiming to open up the road to be used without convoys, outside of the daytime construction work, ie outside of 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, including overnight.  However, this planned timetable to move beyond the convoy system is dependent on good weather in coming weeks.

A big thank you

“To the people needing to travel over State Highway 60, Takaka Hill, since the storm, a big thanks for your patience and understanding and all the messages of support that have been sent through,” says Mr Porter.  “We also thank our road crews for their hard work under difficult conditions.”

Traffic and travel pages for convoy information which will be updated when arrangements change: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/areawarnings/202314

How to stay up to date:

0800 4 HIGHWAYS

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Crash on SH5 near Rotorua – Road is blocked

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Crash on SH5 near Rotorua – Road is blocked


Location:

Bay of Plenty

SH5 is closed between Putaruru and Rotorua where a truck and car  have collided just before 4.30pm this afternoon. 

Police and other emergency services are at the scene and the road will be closed while the driver of the car is removed from their vehicle. 

Reports are that they have serious injuries, but are conscious. 

The truck driver is out of their vehicle and has no injuries.

The road will be closed for some time.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Phil ‘All Talk’ Twyford Should Get Off Twitter and Replace RMA

Source: ACT Party

Headline: Phil ‘All Talk’ Twyford Should Get Off Twitter and Replace RMA




“Phil Twyford needs to end his petty Twitter spat with Judith Collins and team up with Environment Minister David Parker to replace the Resource Management Act”, says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“While Phil and Judith are trading insults online, Kiwis are hurting big time.

ACT can reveal from Written Parliamentary Questions that Cabinet hasn’t even decided whether to think about the RMA, after more than four months in the Beehive.

“Twyford and Parker should take a glance at the report produced recently by Superu, a government agency that was disestablished late last year.

“It showed that land use regulations – rules that determine what can be built and where – are choking the ability of the private sector to build new homes.

“In Auckland, land use regulation could be responsible for up to 56 per cent, or $530,000, of the cost of an average home.

“Even if Superu have doubly exaggerated the effect, and bad land use planning has only added a quarter million dollars to the average house price, it would be the most economically vandalous policy we have.

“Twyford and Parker should seek urgent advice from their officials about replacing the RMA as a first step towards making housing more affordable”, says Mr Seymour.

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Auckland Council gives green light for Green Bonds

Source: Auckland Council

Headline: Auckland Council gives green light for Green Bonds

Auckland Council today gave the go-ahead for staff to establish a Green Bond framework and to consider the issue of NZD green bonds later in 2018 as part of its ongoing borrowing programme, probably around the mid-year.

Green bonds are vehicles for raising funds which are invested in projects with positive environmental and sustainability impacts. These bonds allow Auckland Council to diversify the pool of funds available by tapping into investors who wish to fund ‘green’ infrastructure assets and projects.

Green bonds are becoming an increasingly popular funding method of both local authorities and sovereign governments internationally. In establishing a green bond framework, Auckland is likely to be the first council in New Zealand and will join other C40 Cities Toronto, Johannesburg and Mexico City that are leading the way in green financing.

Finance and Performance Committee Chair, Councillor Ross Clow, says, “We know that there is increasing investor demand for green bonds with their global issuance projected to reach over $250 billion in 2018.

“Auckland is investing significantly in public transport infrastructure to reduce traffic congestion and emissions, as well as in water infrastructure for healthier waterways. These are exactly the sorts of projects that green investors are looking for,” says Councillor Clow.

No money is currently being sought and Green Bonds cannot currently be applied for under any potential offer.  If an offer is made, it will be made in accordance with the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. 

Items 1-8 were administrative and input items. There was no public or local board input.  

Item 9: Green Bond framework establishment and potential Green Bond issuance

The Finance and Performance Committee noted the contents of this report.

Item 10: Auckland Council Group – six monthly financial results to 31

December 2017

Councillors were provided with a report that informed the financial performance of the Auckland Council Group for the six months to 31 December 2017.

The committee:

  • noted the Auckland Council, for the six months to 31 December 2017, generated operating surplus before gains and losses of $1,053 million, and an increase in net assets of $989 million to $36,765 million;
  • noted that overall the financial performance, net of the City Rail Link budget accounting treatment difference, is in line with the phased annual plan.

In order to maintain current credit ratings, staff advised that spending should continue to be tightly controlled. This should be borne in mind as the 10-year Budget goes through its current consultation phase.

Item 11: Council-controlled organisation second quarter report ending 31 December 2017

CCOs presented their quarterly reports to Council, as the shareholder, to keep it informed of key risks and issues, and the status of their operating and financial performance. These reports support the consolidated group financial statements for the quarter ending 31 December 2017.

Councillors received second quarter reports from six Council Controlled Organisations:

  • Auckland Transport (AT)
  • Watercare Services Limited (Watercare)
  • Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA)
  • Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Limited (ATEED)
  • Panuku Development Auckland (Panuku)
  • Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL).

Item 12: Auckland Council parent performance report for the period 1 July 2017 to 31 December 2017

The half-yearly report was presented, laying out how the Auckland Council Group is performing against the revised budget and outlining associated financial risks.

  • The December 2017 quarter’s net operating result was $12 million better than budget, mainly due to lower than budgeted interest rates being applied across a lower than planned level of borrowing. Staff costs are forecast to be aligned to budget at year end.
  • At the end of December, $220 million, (or 36 per cent), of the full-year $605 million capital expenditure budget had been spent. The current forecast is that year end capital
  • expenditure will be $511 million.
  • For Treasury management, the forecast year end closing debt of $8 billion is $165 million above budget.

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New Zealand signs up to international CleanSeas campaign

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Zealand signs up to international CleanSeas campaign

New Zealand has joined the United Nations-led CleanSeas campaign to rid our oceans of plastic, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage announced today.
Ms Sage signed a pledge showing New Zealand’s commitment to the global CleanSeas campaign at the Volvo Ocean Race Village in Auckland. More than 40 other countries have already signed up.
“Turtles and other wildlife are being killed by litter in our oceans. Also the issue of microplastic in our oceans and its effect on the food chain is a concern for all species and is a potential risk to human health. New Zealand is proud to be joining this campaign to stop this from happening,” Ms Sage said.
“Scientists estimate that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastics in the ocean today. If nothing changes then plastic in oceans will weigh more than all the fish that live in them by 2050.
 “By signing up to the CleanSeas campaign, we are making it clear that New Zealand wants to be part of the solution to this problem.”
 Johan Salén, Volvo Ocean Race Co-President, welcomed the commitment.
 “I would like to congratulate the New Zealand Government on joining the United Nations-led CleanSeas campaign to address the impacts plastics are having on our oceans,” he said.
 “By individuals, businesses, NGOs and governments, such as New Zealand’s, working together we can find innovative solutions to educate, innovate and leave a lasting legacy that will help address this plastic problem.”
 Ms Sage said the Government was taking steps to prevent litter entering oceans by hitting it at its source on land.
 Measures included:
         Banning products containing plastic microbeads – this will come into effect in June.
         Developing options to get rid of single use plastic bags.
         Supporting data gathering on marine debris along our coastlines and oceans.
         Funding initiatives through the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) including Keep New Zealand Beautiful, Sustainable Coastlines and the Packaging Forum.
         Reviewing implementation of the Waste Minimisation Act to use its powers better and promote waste minimisation.
“This Government has pledged to significantly reduce waste to landfill by 2020. It’s an ambitious goal and will take a concerted effort.
 “We need to move to a circular economy where we make, use and return products and materials instead of the current model where we take resources, use them, then dispose of them. That is the focus of the latest round of the Waste Minimisation Fund which I also announced today.”
 At the launch Minister Sage will meet New Zealander Bianca Cook, who is a crew member aboard the Turn the Tide on Plastic boat. Cook is the first Kiwi woman to sail in the Volvo Ocean Race since 2001/02.
During the race, the Turn the Tide on Plastic crew members hope to raise awareness of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and are testing salinity, dissolved CO2, algae and microplastics levels in the ocean.
“It’s great to see the Volvo Ocean Race supporting the CleanSeas campaign. We all need to work together to stop plastic going into our oceans. We can all play a part by kicking the plastic bag habit and not buying drinks in plastic bottles.”
Further information:
The CleanSeas campaign was launched by the UNEP in February 2017.
The campaign aims to engage governments, the general public, civil society and the private sector in the fight against marine plastic by reducing the use of non-recoverable and single-use plastics.
CleanSeas campaign visit: http://cleanseas.org/
Waste minimisation http://www.mfe.govt.nz/waste
 

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NZNO welcomes Robertson’s pay increase signal  

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Headline: NZNO welcomes Robertson’s pay increase signal  

Media Release 

12 March 2018

 

Minister of Finance hints at pay boost

The Minister of Finance comment to media that nurses were in line for their pay to be addressed with a future “pay bump” will be great news to the nurse workforce.

Chief Executive Memo Musa says this comment said on the TVNZ Q and A programme is in line with the government commitment to put back the $2billion missing in the health spend over the last nine years.

“The finance minister signalling that increases in salaries for teachers and nurses is overdue is a welcome step towards addressing the ongoing issue of the undervaluation of nurses undervalued,” Memo Musa said. 

“NZNO members have campaigned for many years now for adequate health funding to ensure better care of New Zealanders in the health system, safe staffing levels and pay that better reflects the value they bring to the community. 

“The health spend freeze had a negative impact on the nursing workforce morale because of the strain of staff shortages and the subsequent inability for nurses to take time for professional development. In addition many remain unsatisfied with the care they can provide because of underfunding of the health service widely.

“We will be looking carefully at the government’s 2018 Budget for the road map towards redress of the decade of underinvestment in health and nurses’ salaries.

“We want to see more māori nurses attracted into nursing and every new graduate with a place on an NETP entry programme. We want our more senior experienced nurses to stay in nursing and for employers to accommodate their needs to keep them in the profession.

This suggestion of a future pay bump will likely be a morale boost for nurses as the government intends to better reflect the value of nurses,” he said.

 

 

 

ENDS
media enquiries to Media adviser: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

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Māori an afterthought in Govt’s education overhaul

Source: National Party – Headline: Māori an afterthought in Govt’s education overhaul

The Government’s education policies demonstrate that Māori are merely an afterthought rather than central to decision-making, National’s new Māori Education Spokesperson Jo Hayes says.

“Scrapping National Standards and closing partnership schools will risk undoing the significant gains made by Māori students in the last few years and take us back to the days when Māori were taught at and not with.

“National Standards were particularly important for those students who were falling behind, many of whom tend to be Māori, because they told teachers and principals where students were at in their learning so that they could provide the right support to lift their achievement.

“But even with the help of National Standards, some Māori students continued to struggle in mainstream education. That’s why the previous Government introduced partnership schools.

“These schools have made a positive difference for many young Māori who have failed in mainstream education, so it’s disappointing that Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis has turned his back on them and is sitting back while his Government shuts them down.

“He should know better that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for Māori and that’s why it’s so important to try new things when it’s clear the mainstream system isn’t effective.

“Partnership schools put the Government to shame when it comes to Māori education – while the Government treats Māori like an afterthought, these schools put Māori achievement front and centre.

“We cannot afford to have a drop in Māori education participation and achievement. It’s time the Government put its ideologies aside and started focusing on what works for Māori.”

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Funding available for projects that reduce waste from the outset

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Funding available for projects that reduce waste from the outset

The May round of the Waste Minimisation Fund will target projects that build in reducing waste from the outset, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage said today.
 “We need to stop thinking that recycling is the answer to our waste problems when actually producing less waste in the first place is better for the environment and our country,” Ms Sage said.
 “I hope to see projects come through that encourage a circular economy where we make, use and return products and materials instead of the current model where we take resources, use them then dispose of them.”
 A circular economy aims to reduce the resources and waste used to create a product. Examples include products that are made to last longer and can be repaired or be refurbished.
 “Designing waste and pollution out of the system makes for a more sustainable society for future generations of New Zealanders. It creates long-term cost savings and more local job opportunities, encourages technical innovation, and reduces the amount of harmful waste produced, which decreases our impacts on climate change.”
 Applications to the circular economy round of the WMF will open on 1 May and close at noon on 14 May 2018.
 For more information on the WMF and the circular economy visit www.mfe.govt.nz . The Ministry for the Environment encourages potential applicants to discuss their projects with them: email wmf@mfe.govt.nz
 

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Statement from Carmen Yanko’s family

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Statement from Carmen Yanko’s family


Location:

Tasman

Statement from the children of Carmen Yanko:

We as Carmen’s children are heartbroken and reeling from this senseless tragedy that occurred early yesterday morning.

She lived to be a mother and was there for us always.

Carmen loved and lived fiercely and will be terribly missed by her family and friends.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Media note: The family of Carmen Yanko do not wish to speak to media and ask that organisations respect their privacy at this time. 


Images(s):

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Northlands latest Police recruits a diverse group

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Northlands latest Police recruits a diverse group


Location:

Northland

Wing 315, which has a total of 80 new recruits, begin training at the Royal New Zealand Police College today.

Seven of these recruits will be on the beat in Northland in a few months helping to keep our communities safe.

“It is great to see the diversity in the group that will be joining us in Northland. The seven recruits come from Māori, British, Indian, South African and Pākehā backgrounds; there are four women and three men,” says Russell Le Prou, Northland District Commander.