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18 July 2024 A bright future for award-winning apprentice Braedyn Growing up with the stability of a Kāinga Ora home has allowed 20-year-old Braedyn to put down roots and begin a promising career in the neighbourhood he calls home.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

After attending local primary and secondary schools, Braedyn landed an apprenticeship just an eight-minute walk from home and enjoys his sense of independence.

“I love being able to walk to work. I don’t need to drive or depend on public transport,” he says.

Braedyn joined local company Woods Glass as an apprentice machinist straight from high school. He’d been studying carpentry for five years and was keen to get into a technology trade. Through his school’s work experience programme, he started spending one day a week at Woods Glass and was delighted to secure a full-time position towards the end of Year 12.

“I was quite shocked because I didn’t really expect it, it was more than I had dreamed of. It seemed to happen very quickly and suddenly I could be independent.

“It was a great feeling to make my family proud. As soon as I told my mum, the waterworks started,” he laughs.

Braedyn admits he also found the transition from school to the workplace nerve-wracking.

“Going into a workplace for the first time was a bit scary because there are people you don’t know and here there is a lot of machinery. I was pretty nervous for my first few months.

Braedyn works closely with his supervisor Sammy (left) pictured here with manager Steven.

“Now I’ve been here two years, I’d tell any high schooler not to be put off by nerves. It gets easier every day; you just have to give it a go and take the opportunity to learn. I’m not nervous anymore, in fact, my workmates are like one big family. I have my home family and my work family.

“We work in teams with everyone helping each other out. My supervisor Sammy is a great guy, he’s become my mentor. At break times, we chat about anything and everything. He’s actually my favourite part of the job”.

Sammy says he’s impressed with Braedyn’s progress since joining the company two years ago. “He is always willing to help out and he can quickly sense what needs to be done. I can see Braedyn becoming a supervisor then going further in his career.”

Sammy says he and Braedyn enjoy a special friendship. “We talk about our families and what we’ve been up to. We help each other with problems.”

Company manager Steven agrees. “Braedyn’s work ethic won him a company values award. Every four months, we hold a “Town Hall”, a celebration to acknowledge great work and Braedyn received an award for commitment. When his supervisor was away on holiday, Braedyn stepped up to manage the CNC (Automated aluminium milling) machine which was far beyond what we could have expected of him at that stage. We were so impressed.”

Supporting his whānau is important to Braedyn. He spends a lot of his time either at home with his mother and sisters or visiting his grandparents.

“It wasn’t easy for my mum to bring up us kids on her own so it’s nice to be able to help out now that I’m working.”

“I’ve had a lot of support from Kāinga Ora and my school and my employers, so it feels good to be able to give back.” 

Page updated: 18 July 2024

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Austria

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel

  • Reviewed: 16 July 2024, 14:00 NZST
  • Still current at: 16 July 2024

Related news features

If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

We advise that New Zealanders exercise increased caution in Austria (level 2 of 4).

Austria

Crime
The crime rate in Austria is low. However, petty crime (such as pickpocketing and bag snatching) is increasingly common in shopping areas, restaurants, cafés, hotel lobbies, on public transport at tourist attractions. Thieves use a variety of methods to distract people. Travellers on international trains and buses, such as the train between Vienna and Budapest, are often targeted for theft. New Zealanders in Austria should be alert of their surroundings and take steps to safeguard their personal belongings at all times. Never leave your bags unattended.

New Zealanders should also be wary of ATM and credit card fraud, and only use ATMs in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business.

Terrorism
Terrorist groups, individuals returning to Europe from areas of conflict, and individuals adhering to various forms of extremist ideologies, continue to make threats to conduct attacks in Austria and across Europe. Groups adhering to various ideologies have conducted attacks in the past. 

On 2 November 2020, four people were killed and several others injured in an attack in Vienna.

New Zealanders in Austria are advised to keep themselves informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local information sources. We recommend following any instructions issued by the local authorities and exercising vigilance in public places. If there is an attack, leave the area as soon as it’s safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Civil unrest
Demonstrations occasionally occur in Austria.  New Zealanders in Austria are advised to avoid all protests, demonstrations and large public gatherings as even those intended as peaceful have the potential to turn violent.  They can disrupt traffic and public transport.

General travel advice
Under Austrian law, you’re required to carry identification documents at all times.

A high risk of avalanches exists in parts of Austria. Follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator.  Skiing outside of prepared skiing areas (off-piste) is dangerous.  Stick to marked slopes and trails.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include lengthy imprisonment and heavy fines.

If you’re in public places or buildings, it’s illegal to cover your face with clothing or objects which makes your facial features unrecognisable.

New Zealanders travelling or living in Austria should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.  You should check your policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend undertaking in Austria, such as adventure sports.

New Zealanders in Austria are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Travel tips

The New Zealand Embassy Vienna, Austria

Street Address The ICON Vienna, Tower 24, Level 15, Suite 15.02, Wiedner Gürtel 13, 1100 Vienna, Austria Telephone +43 1 505 3021 Fax +43 1 505 3020 Email nzviennaconsular@aon.at Web Site http://www.mfat.govt.nz/austria Hours Mon-Fri 0900-1630 Note Notarial Services (by appointment only): 0900-1200 Monday & Friday; 1230-1400 Wednesday

See our regional advice for Europe

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14 July 2024 New approach to tenancy management Kāinga Ora has developed and implemented a new approach to managing its tenancies and strengthened its response to disruptive behaviour.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Our frontline teams are making earlier and more frequent use of the tools available under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).

In the past three months, there has been a six-fold increase in warning notices issued compared to the same period last year, and twice the number of forced relocations have occurred to resolve tenancy issues.

There have also been significantly more applications for tenancy terminations. In the past three months we have ended 14 tenancies for either disruptive behaviour or rental debt.

Alongside this, we are now introducing a new Tenancy Management Framework that will strike a better balance between our responsibilities as a landlord, the responsibilities of tenants, and the quiet enjoyment of others in the community. This will inform our approach to a range of tenancy issues, including rental arrears, disruptive behaviour and the management of pets. Our approach is about being firm but fair.

To drive further progress, we are rolling out a new Disruptive Behaviour policy to formalise our new approach and guide how our frontline teams respond to disruptive behaviour.

We will still work to understand what’s driving behaviour and refer tenants to specialist social and health services to address underlying issues. We will continue to use notices and relocation to prompt behaviour change.

However, we are also introducing an escalated approach in two situations: where a tenant’s behaviour creates a significant safety issue; or where behaviour is disruptive and persistent, and a household ignores our warnings. In these situations, we will apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to terminate the tenancy – and we will not provide the tenant with another home.

Ultimately, this new approach is designed to provide a clear deterrent for disruptive behaviour and spark behaviour change.

Since 1 July we have been rolling out guidance and training to our frontline teams to support them to act quickly when responding to disruptive behaviour. We are also working to ensure our tenants are aware of the changes and what they mean for how we manage tenancies.

These changes are focused on addressing serious disruptive behaviour. Many of the issues people get in touch with us about are minor things that are common issues between neighbours throughout the country, like noisy cars, lawns not being mowed regularly or how often visitors are calling at a home. We will continue to address these types of concerns through our existing processes.

It is important to stress the approach that we are taking will not have any impact on the majority of Kāinga Ora tenants who already do the right thing, are responsible tenants, and treat their neighbours with respect.

We will regularly publish performance data around how we are responding to disruptive behaviour on our website – this will begin in late-July.

Attributed to Nick Maling, General Manager of National Services

Page updated: 14 July 2024

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Costa Rica

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel

  • Reviewed: 11 July 2024, 09:28 NZST
  • Still current at: 11 July 2024

Related news features

If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to violent crime (level 2 of 4).

Costa Rica

Violent Crime
Violent crime is a concern in Costa Rica and can include armed robbery, sexual assault, home invasions, gang mugging and car-jacking. Exercise particular caution in the capital, San José. In January 2018 a tourist bus was stopped by criminals and passengers were robbed at gunpoint in Tortuguero, Limon province.

Incidents of “express kidnappings”, where individuals are forced to withdraw funds from automatic teller machines (ATMs) to secure their release, have occurred. To reduce the risk of this occurring we recommend you use ATMs located inside banks during daylight hours. Credit card fraud is a growing problem.

We advise New Zealanders travelling in Costa Rica to stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and exercise vigilance at all times, particularly in popular tourist destinations, including airports, bus stations, harbour facilities, beaches, national parks and the capital city of San José. You should avoid travelling alone at night and only use official red taxis (with a yellow triangle on side panels) or pre-booked orange airport taxis.

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, is a significant problem, including in tourist areas and from vehicles. Theft from overhead compartments on buses is common. You should take steps to secure your personal belongings and avoid wearing or displaying valuables such as mobile devices and jewellery or leaving them visible in vehicles. Theft may involve attempts to distract victims, such as slashing car tyres and staging accidents to then rob you when your car stops.

There have been incidents of drink spiking followed by robbery and assault reported in Costa Rica. Drink spiking with methanol is common and has caused a number of deaths and cases of serious illness. Extra care should be taken to ensure your drink is never left unattended. We recommend against accepting drinks from strangers or recent acquaintances.

If you do become a victim of a crime, report it to the closest office of the ‘Organismo de Investigacion Judicial’ (the Judicial Investigation Department) to ensure local authorities can conduct an investigation.

Civil Unrest
Demonstrations and strikes take place occasionally in Costa Rica and may disrupt local public services and transport. While protests are generally peaceful, New Zealanders in Costa Rica are advised to avoid all protests, demonstrations and marches as they have the potential to turn violent with little warning. Costa Rica’s constitution prohibits political activity by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention or deportation.

Terrorism
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Costa Rica, attacks cannot be ruled out.

General Travel Advice
Costa Rica is located in an active seismic zone, and earthquakes occur regularly.

There are several active volcanoes, which have caused airport closures in the recent past and tsunamis are possible.

Keep your passport in a safe place and only carry a photocopy for identification purposes.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include lengthy imprisonment or fines.

New Zealanders in Costa Rica should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for adventure activities and medical evacuation by air.

New Zealanders in Costa Rica are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

 

Travel tips

The New Zealand Embassy Mexico City, Mexico is accredited to Costa Rica

Street Address Jaime Balmes No 8, 4th Floor, Los Morales, Polanco, Mexico D.F. 11510 Telephone +52 55 5283 9460 Fax +52 55 5283 9480 Email nzmexico@mfat.govt.nz Web Site http://www.mfat.govt.nz/mexico Hours Mon – Fri 0930 – 1400

See our regional advice for Central/South America

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10 July 2024 Greymouth homes to welcome new residents Local iwi this week blessed four new two-bedroom homes at Hall Street in Cobden, with the local community given the opportunity to look through the homes before the new residents moved in.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

The homes were built offsite by Westport company South Peak Homes and transported by truck to the site in early May.  The homes were placed on piles, connected to services with fencing, decks and landscaping also completed.

Julia Campbell, Regional Director Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast, says the four new homes replaced two older homes.

“By making better use of the land we have available in Greymouth, we’re now able to provide more homes in an area where parks and the local school are close by.

“We’re currently working to place people into these homes and we’re looking forward to handing over the keys in the coming weeks.”

See more of what’s happening on the West Coast.

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4 July 2024 Ruby a gem of the local community Kāinga Ora customer Ruby is paddling away happily on a ‘waka of change’. Ruby says she has turned her life around in the past five years since she moved from emergency housing into her Kāinga Ora home with her now 10-year-old and 17-year-old sons.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

With a stable roof over her head, the Christchurch mum spent two years volunteering for her local community patrol, which supports Police to keep the area safe. Earlier this year, she also began volunteering at a local school assisting with the Garden to Table programme, which teaches pupils how to plant, harvest and cook kai.

Now those voluntary stints have led to permanent part time employment with the school, where she is continuing to help run the Garden to Table programme and has also set up a new health and wellness programme. She’s also about to begin weekend shifts at a security company, thanks in part to her community patrol work.

“My advice to anyone without a job is to do some voluntary work,” Ruby says. “If they see you’re willing to give your time, and you’re good at it, it will open doors. I’m all about encouraging others to jump on the waka of change.”

After leaving school and home at just 15, Ruby decided to begin studying again in her 40s and is now a qualified personal trainer. When she graduated from the New Zealand Institute of Sport, she set up an online fitness programme but that’s currently on hold while she explores other work.

“I need to rethink what I can offer in that space as I’d like to work with less privileged people. I’ve always believed that if you can change one life, then you’re winning,” Ruby says.

She says living in a stable home with an encouraging housing support manager by her side has given her the boost she needs to fulfil her dreams.

“I don’t know if I’d have made all these changes if I didn’t have this house and the tenancy manager I do. I’ve been able to create a life for my children that I could only have dreamed of,” she says. 

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Rwanda

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel

  • Reviewed: 29 July 2022, 11:49 NZST
  • Still current at: 4 July 2024

Related news features

If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Avoid non-essential travel to Rwanda’s borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi due to the unpredictable security situation, and the risk of banditry and cross-border incursions by armed groups (level 3 of 4).

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Rwanda due to crime (level 2 of 4).

Rwanda

Border regions
Due to ongoing tensions, borders with the DRC and Burundi could close without notice. If you travel to these areas, be vigilant as the security situation could deteriorate with little warning. Exercise extreme caution if you are travelling in border areas as the border may not be clearly marked.

Ebola has been detected previously in the North Kivu province of the DRC. As a result of this, the Rwandan government has put in place screening procedures for Ebola at all entry points into Rwanda, including land borders and international airports.

Security issues and civil unrest
Grenade attacks continue to occur, particularly in Kigali and Musanze. These incidents have killed and injured a number of people. Genocide memorial sites, markets, bus stops and taxis have previously been targeted. Security incidents have been recently reported in the Nyungwe Forest National Park.

New Zealanders in Rwanda are advised to be security-conscious in public and crowded places and follow any instructions issued by the local authorities. Avoid all demonstrations, protests and large public gatherings as even those intended to be peaceful have the potential to turn violent with little warning. Monitor the media for new security risks.

Crime
Although crime levels in Rwanda remain relatively low and violent crime is rare, petty crime (such as bag snatching and pickpocketing) does occur, particularly in crowded places. Incidents of armed robbery, theft from hotel rooms, residences and vehicles have been reported in Kigali.

New Zealanders are advised to avoid walking or travelling alone at night and guard personal belongings carefully. When travelling by road you should keep doors locked and windows up at all times. We advise avoiding wearing or displaying items that appear valuable, such as electronic devices, cameras and jewellery.

Avoid using minibuses and motorbikes. Only use licenced auto taxis, which have an orange stripe on the side.

General travel advice
New Zealanders travelling or living in Rwanda should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air. Medical facilities are very limited throughout the country.

Authorities may ask for proof of your identity, so carry a colour photocopy of your passport and visa for Rwanda at all times. Failure to produce these could result in detention.

Photography of government buildings, airports, military sites and public monuments is prohibited, and could result in detention. If in doubt, don’t take a picture.

Laws about appropriate speech regarding the genocide are strictly enforced. Promoting ideas based on “ethnic, regional, racial, religious, language, or other divisive characteristics” is prohibited and can result in imprisonment and fines.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include lengthy imprisonment or fines.

New Zealanders in Rwanda are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

 

The New Zealand Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is accredited to Rwanda

Street Address Bole Sub City, Woreda 03, House No 111, Behind Atlas Hotel/close to Shala Park, (Namibia Street), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Postal Address New Zealand Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Private Bag 18-901 Wellington Mail Centre 5045, Wellington Telephone +251-11-515-1269 Fax +251-11-552-6115 Email aue@mfat.govt.nz Web Site https://www.mfat.govt.nz/ethiopia Hours Open to the public: Monday – Friday, 9am-12pm by appointment Note In an emergency or if you require urgent assistance after hours, please call the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24/7 Consular Emergency line on +64 99 20 20 20.

See our regional advice for Africa

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Ceremony for the Presentation of Coastwatchers Certificates

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai ra ki Te Whare Kawana o Te Whanganui-a-Tara

I specifically acknowledge:

  • Her Excellency Kairangi Samuela, Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand
  • Mr Keutekarakia Mataroa, Cook Islands Consul General
  • Commodore Andrew Brown, Acting Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy
  • John Crawford, Defence Historian
  • Willie Cuthers, and
  • Mathew Kenning, from NZ Post
  • Alex Glennie, son of Coastwatcher Charles Glennie

And of course a very warm welcome to the descendants of our wartime coastwatchers.

It is a great privilege to host this ceremony in recognition of the service of brave men, and communities that kept watch, 24/7, for enemy aircraft and ships from stations in the Pacific Islands during the Second World War.

Today, we recognise the grave personal risks for civilian coastwatchers, given that they faced execution if they were captured by the enemy.

Any fears they may have had about their personal safety were fully justified, as they lived with the prospect of imminent Japanese invasion.

As it happened, in 1941, Sergeant Ronald Third was taken prisoner and executed by Japanese forces, and in 1942, a further 17 coastwatchers were executed on Tarawa, along with five Allied prisoners.

Coastwatchers often spent months at a time in remote locations with few supplies, and had to cope with extreme weather, including hurricanes. 

They were eyes and ears for the Allied effort, keeping watch for ships and planes, and monitoring radio activity.

In one instance, their presence on a remote island in the Cook Islands proved to be a life-saver for three US airmen. After their aircraft went down in 1942, the airmen had spent over a month drifting around the Pacific on a life raft, before washing up on the island.

In 2014, one of my predecessors, Sir Jerry Mateparae unveiled a New Zealand Post memorial to the coastwatchers who lost their lives in Tarawa.

Today I want to particularly acknowledge Willie Cuthers – whose dogged determination to honour the service of his grandfather and his compatriots set in motion official recognition of the dedication, courage and resilience of civilian coastwatchers in the Pacific.

Willie, I was very touched by the documentary made about your personal journey, and I think it is only fitting that your grandfather’s plaque was the very first to be installed on a coastwatcher’s grave in the Cook Islands.

You did him proud, and he would have been so proud of what you have achieved for the families represented here today. 

I also appreciate the research undertaken by John Crawford, one of our most distinguished military historians. I understand Defence has also worked diligently to track down the families of coastwatchers represented here today, and that this will be an ongoing project.

To the families who are with us here today, this must be such a proud moment – but also bittersweet – given that your forebears did not live to share today with you.

I hope that the on-line histories, the plaques on their graves, and the certificates of service you are about to receive will mark a new chapter in your family histories, and you can take pride that their legacy will now be remembered for posterity.

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3 July 2024 Nine new Kāinga Ora homes for Timaru Timaru whānau will soon be moving into nine new, warm and dry homes on Tyne Street Essex Streets, with the construction of the two-bedroom Kāinga Ora homes now complete.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

The recently completed homes

Regional Director Otago Southland, Kerrie Young says the nine new homes replace three older homes on the site that were no longer fit for purpose.

“This means more people can live in an area close to a local school and nearby main transport routes and amenities,” says Ms Young.

All of the new homes come equipped with rooftop solar panels and the five single-storey homes are accessible meaning they are, or can be made to be, fit for purpose for customers with mobility issues.

“The solar panel systems are going to make a real difference to people living here, by driving down the cost of their power bills.

“It’s pleasing to see construction completed and we’re looking forward to local whānau moving in over the coming weeks,” Ms Young says. 

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2 July 2024 New Kāinga Ora homes completed in Ashburton Kāinga Ora is ready to welcome customers into nine new homes in Ashburton.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

The Willow Street complex is a mixture of one and two-storey homes.

The new development in Willow Street – which comprises 3 one-bedroom homes, 5 two-bedroom homes and one three-bedroom home – was completed in late June. It is the largest social housing development Kāinga Ora has completed in Ashburton to date.

Four of the homes have full universal design features, which means they are suitable for people living with accessibility needs.

Liz Krause, Regional Director Canterbury, says the new homes replace four older homes that were no longer fit for purpose. 

“By increasing the number of homes on these sites more people will also be able to live in a suburb that has a school, shops and other services all within easy reach,” Liz says.

Kāinga Ora has an additional 75 homes under construction or contract in Ashburton and due to be completed by June 2025.