Category: New Zealand

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Serious crash in Marlborough

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Serious crash in Marlborough


Location:

Tasman

State Highway 1 at Redwood Pass, Marlborough, is blocked following a crash between a car and a truck.

Emergency services were notified just after 10:30am.

One person is understood to be seriously injured, and a helicopter has been called.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

Motorists are asked to use alternative routes as the road is likely to remain closed for several hours.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

 

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Poor hit from all angles with regional fuel tax

Source: ACT Party

Headline: Poor hit from all angles with regional fuel tax




“The poorest Aucklanders will be in hit in at least three different ways with Phil Twyford’s new regional fuel tax”, says ACT Leader David Seymour. 

“Grant Robertson doled out $40 a week to many families with children in his ‘Families Package’. Now Phil Twyford will take back four weeks’ worth of Families Package payments with a new tax that will cost the average household $160 a year.

Legislation to enable the regional fuel tax will begin its first reading in Parliament today.

“The government’s regulatory impact statement shows poorer Aucklanders will be the hardest hit for three reasons.

“First, they use more fuel during their commute given they often live further from the city centre.

“Second, they are less likely to be able to access electric and newer fuel efficient vehicles meaning they use even more fuel.

“Finally, according to Westpac, increased fuel costs will put upward pressure on the prices of everyday goods and services.

“Mangere Budgeting Services Trust Chief Executive Darryl Evans has echoed these sentiments, saying the city’s poorest families will be among those hardest hit by the new tax. 

“The real kicker, though, is that Aucklanders aren’t even being told which transport projects the tax will fund”, says Mr Seymour.

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Jury’s out on whether sildenafil (Viagra) helps growth-restricted babies

Source: University Of Auckland – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Jury’s out on whether sildenafil (Viagra) helps growth-restricted babies

As results from a major New Zealand-Australian clinical trial are revealed, the jury’s out on whether sildenafil – also known as Viagra – taken by mothers during pregnancy could help babies suffering from stunted growth in the womb by increasing blood supply to the placenta.

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KiwiSaver fees made clear

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: KiwiSaver fees made clear

KiwiSaver providers disclosing in dollars the total fees charged to their investors is a step forward for Kiwis towards achieving the best retirement savings, Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Kris Faafoi says.
“This greater KiwiSaver fees transparency is enacted from April 1 and consumers will start to see fees disclosed on their statements over the next few months. As well as providing greater clarity on what their investments are costing them, I hope this will help people make more informed choices about their retirement scheme.”
Disclosure of fees in dollar terms was a recommendation by the Retirement Commissioner in the Review of Retirement Income Policies in 2016.
“Since 2016, officials from MBIE have worked with the Financial Markets Authority and the Commission for Financial Capability to improve the information KiwiSaver providers are required to disclose to their members in their annual statements.
“I want New Zealanders to get clear and easy-to-interpret information about their KiwiSaver so they can make positive decisions about their retirement savings.
  “Further improvements are being made to KiwiSaver annual statements and soon they will include projected retirement savings and income figures.  
“As a Government we are supportive of these moves to help ensure all New Zealanders can enjoy the best living possible in retirement.” says Mr Faafoi.
 

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Emeritus Professor honoured for impact to engineering

Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Emeritus Professor honoured for impact to engineering

Massey Emeritus Professor Bob Hodgson.

Engineering New Zealand has named Emeritus Professor Bob Hodgson a distinguished fellows, the top tier of their membership.

Professor Hodgson was awarded the title, along with three new distinguished fellows and 17 new fellows, in Wellington earlier this month at the professional body’s annual fellowship dinner.

Professor Hodgson served as the Head of Institute Information Sciences and Technology at Massey University from 1998-2005, and as director of the Massey School of Engineering and Technology from 2005-07.

He is a recognised expert in image processing, information, human factors and systems engineering. He was a founding member of the New Zealand Council of Engineering Deans.

Professor Hodgson was involved in a start-up science and engineering company that has won worldwide recognition for using Artificial intelligence to extract information from microscopic images, called the Classifynder, which won the supreme award at the New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards in 2013.

His contribution to the professional body has been immense, having served on numerous boards and committees and six International Washington Accord Panels.

As the New Zealand representative, and then President, of the Association of Engineering Educators in South East Asia and the Pacific, Bob revitalised that organisation. He has also worked with the University of the South Pacific, in an unpaid Adjunct Professor role, to support its work towards engineering accreditation.

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Unions ready to start a just transition to low carbon economy

Source: Council Of Trade Unions (CTU) – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Unions ready to start a just transition to low carbon economy

The Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sam Huggard welcomed the announcement today of Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods that the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) would be facilitating a tripartite approach with workers, business and government to plan a just transition for the oil and gas workforce.

“The urgency for a just transition to a sustainable future for New Zealanders increases every day,” Mr Huggard said. “Everyone will be affected and should be involved in the transition to sustainable energy, but the longer people working in directly affected industries have to plan and prepare, the better the outcomes will be for them and their families.”

“We need to respect the contribution that people working in New Zealand’s fossil-fuel industries have made to developing the goods, services and modern way of life we rely on today. How we demonstrate this respect is ensuring workers have a full transition plan that maps the move to new secure, well-paying jobs, recognises existing skills and supports retraining, and provides financial support to protect people’s quality of life.

“We know from overseas experience that trade unions, environmentalists and industry partners working together can deliver sustainable, high paying jobs with equivalent or better terms and conditions than the fossil fuel industry. The key is starting the transition plan early, and holding open conversations so we make sure communities’ needs are met into the future.”

“There are no jobs on a dead planet. That’s the international motto of the Just Transition movement. We have a make or break opportunity to show the world that there is a future for a sustainable way of living that protects our way of life. We’re ready to seize that opportunity with both hands and look forward to engaging with Government and industry on the transition plan very soon.”

To read more about what a Just Transition means for working people, see: www.together.org.nz/the_urgency_of_a_just_transition_for_climate 

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UPDATE: Operation Notus targets organised crime and drugs in Bay of Plenty

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: UPDATE: Operation Notus targets organised crime and drugs in Bay of Plenty


Location:

Bay of Plenty

Police are today terminating a six month-long investigation into organised crime and the distribution of illicit drugs in the Bay of Plenty region.

Operation Notus was launched in October 2017 after the community contacted Police with concerns about the social harm being caused by an organised crime group operating in the area.

The investigation identified that members and associates of the Kawerau Mongrel Mob were involved in the commercial distribution of methamphetamine and cannabis to the community.


Images(s):

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Unexplained death, Opawa Road, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Unexplained death, Opawa Road, Christchurch


Location:

Canterbury

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Cottam:

Police are on Opawa Road in Christchurch at the scene of an unexplained death.

Emergency services were called to the scene just before 8:30am.

There are cordons in place on Opawa Road, and traffic control is in place.

Police are making inquiries to determine the circumstances of what happened.

We are appealing for anyone who was in the area this morning who has seen anything that may assist Police, to contact us on (03) 363 7400.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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America’s Cup: great theatre, poor deal

Source: ACT Party

Headline: America’s Cup: great theatre, poor deal




“The America’s Cup is a fantastic event, but David Parker and Phil Goff have negotiated an incompetent deal on behalf of New Zealanders”, says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“Clearly feeling the pressure, Parker and Goff will stump up at least $212.5 million of taxpayer and ratepayer money, including a $40 million ‘hosting fee’.

“Economists have put the cost-benefit ratio of the event at between 0.997 and 1.14. That means the most optimistic scenario has the country only just breaking even.

“But, with a high likelihood of cost blowouts, New Zealanders could end up losing money on the event. 

“No private investor in the world would accept a maximum $1.14 return on the dollar. Why should the taxpayer?

“David Parker and Phil Goff should have pushed Team New Zealand much harder for a better deal for New Zealanders”, says Mr Seymour.

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Work crews on course for mid-week reopening of SH1 north of Kaitaia

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

Headline: Work crews on course for mid-week reopening of SH1 north of Kaitaia

11 pipes which are 2.1 in diameter have been laid to form a new culvert under the road and the stream has been diverted to run through the pipe, says the Transport Agency’s Northland System Manager, Jacqui Hori-Hoult.

Backfilling is now well under way to cover the pipes up to road level. About 5,000 cubic metres of material is needed to fill the gap left after the washout created a hole about 20 metres long and 4-5 metres deep.

“The conditions on site and difficult access have meant progress has been slower than anticipated. Work continued tonight until nightfall. There is no overnight work for safety reasons, but work will resume at first light tomorrow,” says Ms Hori-Hoult.

The road will be built up to create a single lane for traffic to cross, leaving room on both sides for excavators to continue filling in the area around the pipes.

Once the road is reopened, traffic will be managed via stop/go points to allow one direction of traffic through and allow work to continue. Motorists should expect some delays.

“The Transport Agency understands the closure is frustrating and we thank people for their continued patience and understanding, especially towards our road crews on site as they work to reopen the road,” says Ms Hori –Hoult.

Meanwhile, two more successful convoys have gone through the forest tonight with about 20 vehicles in each direction.

The convoys were under police supervision for the forty minute journey along a private forestry track. That route is only open to emergency services outside of the organised convoys.

There will be morning and evening convoys again tomorrow for essential travel only. The morning convoy will leave at 7:30am for southbound traffic from the corner of Far North Road and Trig Road and at 8:15am for northbound vehicles from 113 Hukatere Road at the end of the sealed section, says Ms Hori-Hoult.

Motorists will be travelling at their own risk through the off road route.

If you don’t have to travel, please delay your journey until the road to the top of the North Island is open, says Ms Hori-Hoult.

Schools are open, though pupils who can’t get past the washout have been told to stay at home.

The Transport Agency is continuing to work with local authorities, emergency services and the Ministry of Civil Defence to ensure the welfare of local communities and visitors.

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