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Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Two new members of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed by the Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, on the recommendation of the RBNZ’s Board.
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Ngā tāngata kaitiaki ō Te Hikutū (Te Hikutū Hapū) has applied for a mātaitai reserve (Te Mātaitai ō Te Hikutū) in the southern part of the Hokianga Harbour, Northland.
Te Hikutū Hapū and Fisheries New Zealand will hold a public meeting to discuss the application and invite submissions on the proposal from the local community.
This is the first of 2 consultations that will be held about the application.
Find out about the second consultation
The proposed mātaitai includes a portion of the southern Hokianga Harbour, from near Koutu Point to north of the Whirinaki River mouth, and includes the waterways in the Waima Forest.
The proposed area is the same as the gazetted area/rohe moana of Te Hikutū Hapū.
Map of proposed mātaitai [JPG, 12 MB]
Te Mataitai o Te Hikutu application [PDF, 9.3 MB]
As part of this consultation, a public meeting will be held to discuss the application. Details of the meeting will be posted on this page soon.
We’ll also put advertisements about the meetings in local newspapers.
Submissions close at 5pm on Monday 13 May 2024.
Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz
While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:
Fisheries management – spatial allocations
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.
Public notices notifying the local community that an application has been made and calling for submissions are scheduled to appear in the Northern Adovocate and Northland Age (28 March and 11 April).
Notices will also be placed in these papers about details of a public meeting to be held with the local community to discuss the application.
Following this consultation, Fisheries New Zealand will hold a second consultation.
In the second consultation, we’ll invite submissions from people having a fishing interest in the stock or stocks in the proposed reserve.
We’ll advertise the second consultation in the same newspapers and on this website.
A mātaitai reserve is an identified traditional fishing ground which tangata whenua have a special relationship with. Mātaitai reserves are limited to fisheries waters and do not include any land area. Mātaitai reserves do not change any existing arrangements for access to private land.
Mātaitai reserves also do not affect private landowners’ land titles, or their ability to exercise resource consents for such things as taking water or extracting gravel or sand. Resource consents are managed under the Resource Management Act 1991.
Mātaitai reserves do not change the existing recreational fishing rules, however, commercial fishing is banned in a mātaitai reserve.
Mātaitai reserves do not have an impact on whitebait or trout fishing.
Find out more about mātaitai reserves
Fisheries (Kaimoana Customary Fishing) Regulations 1998 – NZ Legislation
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking your views on proposals to change the recreational daily bag limits for kina (Evechinus chloroticus and Centrostephanus rodgersii) in fisheries management area 1 (FMA 1).
These proposals are part of a package of measures to help address kina barrens (areas of the seafloor that have a lack of vegetation due to overgrazing by kina).
The current limits are set under the Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 and are specified in the Fisheries (Recreational Management Controls) Notice.
FMA 1 is an area defined in Schedule 1 of the Fisheries Act 1996. It covers the east coast of the North Island from North Cape down to Cape Runaway (Bay of Plenty).
This consultation opened on 26 March and closes at 5pm on 3 May 2024.
A summary of 3 proposed options is on this page and full details are in the consultation document.
Urchin barrens are areas on the seabed where sea urchins have multiplied in large numbers and consumed all the vegetation. This leads to a barren seafloor with a loss of habitat and biodiversity, impacting the overall health of coastal environments. Urchin barrens are prevalent in north-eastern New Zealand and pose significant ecological risks as they expand, leading to the degradation of marine ecosystems.
Fisheries New Zealand is adopting an integrated management approach to try to reduce the spread of these barren areas, recognising the urgent need for comprehensive action. This approach encompasses a suite of management initiatives aimed at restoring kelp forests and mitigating the adverse effects of urchin barrens. Adjusting recreational daily limits for kina is one of many tools in Fisheries New Zealand’s broader management efforts.
Three options are proposed for kina in FMA 1.
Fisheries New Zealand would like to know your views and what option you support. Or whether you have an alternative option.
Proposed recreational daily limits for kina and Centrostephanus: FMA 1 [PDF, 725 KB]
Enabling the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens
Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 – NZ Legislation
Schedule 1 of the Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation
Fisheries (Recreational Management Controls) Notice
Media release: Minister calls for work to tackle kina barrens – Beehive
Fisheries New Zealand invites your feedback on the proposed options by 5pm on 3 May 2024.
A template is available to help you complete your submission.
Submission form template [DOCX, 74 KB]
Email your completed template and submission to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz
While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand – MPI
17 Maurice Wilson Avenue
PO Box 53030
Auckland Airport 2022
New Zealand.
Following this consultation, we’ll give the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries advice and the submissions from the public to support final decisions on the recreational daily limit for kina in FMA 1.
Make sure your submission tells us:
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking your views on a proposal to introduce a new special permit purpose under section 97 of the Fisheries Act 1996. The special permit purpose would enable the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens (areas of the seafloor overgrazed by urchins).
The consultation opened on 26 March and closes at 5pm on 3 May 2024.
A summary of the proposal is on this page and full details are in the consultation document.
Urchin barrens are areas on the seabed where sea urchins have multiplied in large numbers and consumed all the vegetation. This leads to a barren seafloor with a loss of habitat and biodiversity, impacting the overall health of coastal environments. Urchin barrens are prevalent in north-eastern New Zealand and pose significant ecological risks as they expand, leading to the degradation of marine ecosystems.
Fisheries New Zealand is adopting an integrated management approach to try to stop the spread of these barren areas, recognising the urgent need for comprehensive action. This approach encompasses a suite of management initiatives aimed at restoring kelp forests and mitigating the adverse effects of urchin barrens. Introducing a new special permit purpose that focuses on restoration and prevention efforts to combat urchin barrens is one of many tools in Fisheries New Zealand’s broader management efforts.
Under the special permit framework set out in section 97 of the Fisheries Act, special permits can be issued for a range of purposes. The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may also approve a new special permit purpose, following consultation.
Fisheries New Zealand is proposing the minister approve a new special permit purpose specifically to assist in managing and preventing urchin barren areas.
The proposed purpose is “to allow persons or organisations to harvest, cull, or translocate sea urchins for the purpose of habitat restoration and/or prevention of urchin barrens.”
Fisheries New Zealand would like to know your views and whether you support the introduction of this new special permit purpose.
Enabling the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens [PDF, 494 KB]
Review of the recreational daily kina limit in fishery management area 1
Section 97 of the Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation
Fisheries New Zealand invites your feedback on the proposed new special permit purpose by 5pm on 3 May 2024.
A template is available to help you complete your submission.
Submission form template [DOCX, 74 KB]
Email your completed template and submission to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz
While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand – MPI
17 Maurice Wilson Avenue
PO Box 53030
Auckland Airport 2022
New Zealand.
Following this consultation, we’ll give the minister advice and submissions from the public to support final decisions on this consultation.
Make sure your submission tells us:
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Feedback from the public is being sought on 2 proposed measures to help address kina barrens and rebalance local ecosystems, says Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones.
“Kina barrens are a concern for iwi, local communities, and recreational fishers in Northland, as they are a major threat to biodiversity,” said Mr Jones.
“I have instructed my officials at Fisheries New Zealand to begin public consultation on measures to address kina barrens.”
Kina barrens are areas of rocky reef where healthy kelp forests have been consumed by an excess of kina to form a bare, or barren, space, making it uninviting to other marine life.
The proposals include a new special permit for targeted culling, harvest, or translocation of kina and long-spined sea urchins, and options to increase recreational daily bag limits for kina in the Auckland East Fisheries Management Area.
The proposed special permit would allow the removal of kina and long-spined sea urchins from areas where there are already kina barrens or areas that are at risk of forming new barrens. Special permits would also enable kina to be moved to other areas with low kina density to improve their food value, or to be used in aquaculture projects.
The proposed increase to the daily bag limit would affect the Auckland East Fisheries Management Area, which covers the east coast of Northland, the Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel, and Bay of Plenty. The current daily bag limit for kina is 50 per fisher. Proposed options are to increase this limit to 100 or 150 kina per fisher per day.
“Kina barrens occur in other regions of New Zealand, however they are most commonly found in Northland. Raising the daily bag limit for this area means that locals can help deal with kina barrens by taking more kina, and benefiting from the overabundance of this kaimoana.”
“These measures aren’t a silver bullet for kina barrens, what they will do is empower the communities most impacted by kina barrens, including tangata whenua, to play an important role in fixing the issue by removing unwanted kina. I also see an opportunity for younger people to get involved and learn about their local marine ecosystem and take part in restoring and preserving its ongoing health.”
“The consultation is open now, I’m interested in hearing from any members of the public with an interest in the issue.”
Once consultation closes, Fisheries New Zealand will analyse the submissions and provide advice to Mr Jones for consideration.
Submissions can be made online until 5pm on 3 May 2024.
More information, including how to make a submission:
Recreational bag limit for kina in Auckland Fisheries Management Area consultation
Special permit for removal of kina and long-spined sea urchins consultation
Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has published Guidance for our regulated entities on managing climate-related risks. This follows our consultation on draft Guidance in March 2023 and is one of the actions set for us in the National Adaptation Plan.
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
A Lake Tekapo farmer who failed to register 295 deer into the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme has been fined $13,750.
Under the system all cattle or deer must be fitted with a NAIT tag and registered in the NAIT system by the time the animal is 180 days old, or before the animal is moved off farm.
John Wheeler (60) was sentenced in the Timaru District Court on 4 charges under the NAIT Act.
“Mr Wheeler’s animals were not registered into the NAIT system as required when they were moved off farm. We take this seriously because the scheme provides a critical tool in the fight against biosecurity incursions,” says MPI regional manager of animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Murray Pridham.
“The scheme helps us track and trace animals so we can respond quickly and accurately when we need to. Put simply, when people in charge of animals disregard their NAIT obligations they put the whole agricultural sector at risk.”
NAIT records showed the 295 deer had been tagged but remained unregistered between May 2021 and June 2022.
In November 2021, he was educated by an MPI NAIT officer on his obligations and how to meet them, but records show no animals were registered after that meeting even though Mr Wheeler confirmed he knew what to do for his NAIT animals.
In 2019, penalties in the NAIT Act increased tenfold to $100,000 for an individual, and up to $200,000 for a body corporate.
Mr Pridham says while receiving one of these penalties could hurt the bottom line for people in charge of animals, the inability to trace animals can have far reaching and serious consequences for everyone.
“The NAIT tag and registration system is only as effective as the information entered in. If you are unsure about what you need to do, reach out. There is plenty of information, advice and support available,” says Murray Pridham.
More information, advice and support – OSPRI
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
A Waikato cattle farming family have been fined $23,000 for failing to provide sufficient food and care for their animals, resulting in more than half a dozen animal deaths.
Shane Ross Quigley (49), Colin Ross Quigley (75) and Margaret Heather Quigley (72) were this week (19/3/24) sentenced on 4 charges under the Animal Welfare Act in the Morrinsville District Court, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Shane Quigley was fined $13,000, while Colin Quigley was fined $7,000 and Margaret Quigley, $3,000. Shane and Colin were also ordered to pay $4,058 in veterinarian costs, sought by MPI.
Colin and Shane Quigley were also disqualified from being in charge of more than 100 bovine cattle over the age of 6 months and 30 cattle under the age of 6 months. They will also need to employ a farm consultant to carry out visits every 4 to 6 weeks.
Between July and August 2022, animal welfare inspectors and a veterinarian inspected the cattle at the Quigley’s 26-hectare Matamata farm, resulting in charges being laid.
“We found the Quigleys were raising about 158 mixed breed and 21 Limousin cattle, which was above the appropriate stocking rate for the feed available at their farm,” says MPI acting regional manager, animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Bianca Upton.
“Seven dead cows were discovered on the property, and the grass cover for grazing animals was minimal. They were also providing low-quality supplementary feed – some of it mouldy and rotten.
“Most farmers do the right thing for their animals, but the Quigleys were not living up to their welfare obligations and more of these animals were at a high risk of dying from starvation.”
Shane Quigley was in charge of the animals between 1 March and 7 July 2022. Due to an injury, his parents, Colin and Margaret Quigley, who own the farm and cattle, took over responsibility for the animals until 4 August 2022.
During the first visit by MPI, 39 cattle were visually assessed as being emaciated and the Quigleys were issued a legal notice of direction to immediately address these animal welfare issues.
A further inspection found a young bull, a Limousin cow and a young heifer were in serious need of veterinary care because of conditions such as worms and emaciation. All three animals were euthanised due to their poor health.
“Our veterinarian assessed that it would have taken a number of months for these animals to have built up to the level of worm burden they were suffering from.
“These animal deaths were preventable if the Quigleys had been meeting their animal welfare responsibilities” says Bianca Upton.
MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.
Evidence of a tail break following a veterinarian examination.
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
This technical bulletin is aimed at persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who design, manufacture, supply or use cabinets constructed to meet the requirements of AS 1940, and compliance certifiers who encounter these cabinets in the course of their duties.
Flammable liquids need to be stored correctly and safely. If they are not, they can pose a risk to workers and others in the workplace.
Regulations 11.11 and 11.29 of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 prescribe requirements for the storage of flammable liquids (classes 3.1A-C) in cabinets. A PCBU should have documentation that the cabinet complies with the relevant requirements of one of the standards specified in these regulations. This could include an assessment by a relevant duty holder (for example, designer, manufacturer, importer, supplier or PCBU with management or control of the workplace) detailing how the cabinet complies with the standard.
A type of compliant cabinet that is commonly used in workplaces is one constructed and installed to sections 4.9.2 and 4.9.5 (and 4.9.7 for regulation 11.29 cabinets) of AS 1940:2017 – The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (AS 1940).
Cabinets that have been constructed to the previous AS 1940:2004 standard will also comply with AS 1940:2017, as the construction requirements for cabinets in section 4.9.2 are the same.
A cabinet constructed to section 4.9.2 of AS 1940 is required to be marked to verify compliance with the standard.
WorkSafe has become aware of cabinets marked as compliant that appear to be non-compliant with the construction requirements of section 4.9.2.
To help PCBUs make sure that their flammable liquid cabinets comply with section 4.9.2 of AS 1940, this technical bulletin provides clarity on these areas of concern:
The space under the lowest shelf of the cabinet acts as the secondary containment area for the flammable liquids contained within the cabinet. This space must be at least 150 mm deep. The measurement does not include a 40 mm air space that must exist between the double-walled sheet steel construction.
The cabinet must be constructed so this secondary containment area cannot be used as part of the storage space of the cabinet.
The cabinet must be constructed so all leakage flows into this area.
PCBUs must make sure their cabinets remain liquid-tight. This may involve testing of the cabinet’s secondary containment.
Any components critical to the cabinet’s structural integrity must not melt at temperatures less than 850°C.
This includes any hinges, handles and the locking mechanism, depending on the design of the cabinet, as these components are critical to its structural integrity. PCBUs need to determine if these components of their cabinets meet this requirement.
Aluminium (including rivets) and plastics cannot be used for any component, or part of a component, critical to the cabinet’s structural integrity.
Cabinet doors must be self-closing, close-fitting and held shut automatically by catches at two or more points.
The doors must close fully and not remain partially open. If a cabinet has two doors, and one side has a lip, then the doors must automatically close in the right order so both doors close fully, and the catch engages. If the doors close out of order one door can remain partially open. This means that the locking mechanism will not work properly.
There must be no manual intervention needed to make sure the doors close in the right order and the catch of the locking mechanism engages.
Linear actuators can be used so the cabinet doors close in the right order.
If the cabinet is equipped with a device to hold the doors open, the doors must close as soon as the ambient temperature exceeds 80°C.
A 40 mm air space between the double-walled sheet steel construction is required, and this space should be maintained to meet the construction requirements. Placing the handles or other devices within the 40mm air space may create a heat transfer bridge between the inner and outer metal walls of the cabinet door.
Recessed door handles may only be used under AS 1940 if there is a 40 mm air space between the inner cabinet wall and the inside of the recessed door handle.
Shelves must be perforated to allow free air movement within the cabinet.
The standard does not provide a definition of perforated, or how many holes within the cabinet shelf are required. Typically, a compliant cabinet will have multiple holes on each shelf. Any gap between the shelf and the cabinet walls or door will also assist with the free movement of air.
Under section 36 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, PCBUs have a primary duty of care to ensure the health and safety of workers, which includes the provision and maintenance of safe plant and structures. This duty of care extends to the maintenance of storage cabinets used to hold flammable liquids.
You need to make sure the cabinet continues to meet the requirements of AS 1940 and that no changes or alterations, including wear and tear from day-to-day use, impact the compliance with the standard (for example, preventing the cabinet door to self-close).
Other common areas to check regularly as part of maintenance is whether the cabinet locks properly and that the secondary containment area is not used for storage (that is, the lower shelf has not been removed).
If a hazardous substance location has been established and requires certification, then a compliance certifier should assess the marking on the cabinet and whether the cabinet has been constructed to section 4.9.2 of AS 1940. This should include assessing whether the cabinet has been properly maintained and that it continues to comply with the relevant requirements of the standard.
A compliance certifier should not assume compliance of the cabinet. For example, they may wish to check that the self-closing doors do close in the right order and catch correctly. A certifier may also require a PCBU to provide evidence that the cabinet construction complies with the relevant requirements.
For further information regarding your cabinet, contact the supplier of your cabinet or your compliance certifier. PCBUs who are concerned that their cabinet does not meet the construction requirements of section 4.9.2 of AS 1940 should consider contacting the manufacturer and/or supplier of their cabinet.
Technical bulletin: Clarification on construction requirements of flammable liquid cabinets designed to comply with AS 1940
Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s 2019 Capital Review focused on improving the quality and quantity of bank capital to make the banking system safer for New Zealanders and to ensure that bank owners have a meaningful stake in their businesses.