Category: New Zealand

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Springs Road/Halswell Junction Road – Easter alert

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

Headline: Springs Road/Halswell Junction Road – Easter alert

The lane reduction will enable drainage work to take place for the Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 project.

In addition there will be lane or shoulder closures at the south end of the Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 1 and on Halswell Junction Road leading up to the roundabout with the motorway. Diagrams showing where the roadworks will take place are below.

Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your Easter journey.

 

 

Keep up to date with the latest traffic information:

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Agreement reached on America’s Cup venue

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Agreement reached on America’s Cup venue

An agreement has been struck on the Auckland waterfront venue for the 36th America’s Cup, including the division of costs and the payment of a hosting fee.
Economic Development Minister David Parker, Auckland Council and Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) reached agreement in principle today securing the America’s Cup defence for New Zealand in 2021.
The signed agreement is subject to approval by the Auckland Council Governing Body, which will meet on Thursday.
“I am very pleased to advise that we have succeeded in negotiating a venue on the Auckland waterfront that all New Zealanders can be proud of. It significantly reduces the intrusion into the harbour at the lowest practical cost,” Mr Parker says.
“The event will also deliver economic benefits to Auckland and the country.”
“Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Mayor Goff and I all stated our commitment to limiting the intrusion into the harbour, while achieving a word class venue for the Cup event, and this delivers that.
“Our work in reaching this point has seen a major cost reduction for taxpayers and Auckland ratepayers of more than $50 million, compared to other options. This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the time and effort we have invested to reach the best outcome possible,” Mr Parker says.
Mr Parker thanked ETNZ for their cooperative approach that helped achieve the final outcome.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said New Zealand could now look forward to hosting the event.
“It’s good for Auckland and great for Kiwis who will get to experience in person the thrill of an America’s Cup in 2021 and cheer our team on.”
“We have agreed a base configuration that is less expensive than previous options and requires a much smaller extension into the harbour. It allows the earlier removal of hazardous substance tanks from the southern part of the Point, is more straightforward to consent, will be quicker to construct and creates a positive legacy for Auckland,” Mr Goff says.
The location, known as Wynyard-Hobson, has evolved from several options on the table. It entails only about 6,600 square metre intrusion into the harbour at Hobson Wharf, compared to 9,900 square metres under the earlier Point Halsey option.
Other options had envisaged intrusions of 22,800 square metres.
“This gives ETNZ the certainty it needs to proceed with planning for the event.”
ETNZ will occupy the Viaduct Events Centre, while Luna Rossa will be offered the place on the extended Hobson Wharf. The remaining bases will be located on Wynyard Wharf.
The expected contributions are $114m from the Crown including a $40 million host contribution fee, and $98.5m from Auckland Council.
The funding agreement also sets out key financial reporting milestones, governance processes and other safeguards for the Government and Council’s investment.
The agreement details the timing of three events.
They are the America’s Cup Christmas Race December 2020 the America’s Cup Challenger Selection Series in January-February 2021 and the 36th America’s Cup match in March 2021.
A resource consent application will be lodged in early April.

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NZ Police celebrate the establishment of Iwi/Community Justice Panels following successful pilots (+ media advisory)

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: NZ Police celebrate the establishment of Iwi/Community Justice Panels following successful pilots (+ media advisory)


Location:

National News

Tomorrow evening Police and justice sector partners are being hosted by Police Minister Stuart Nash at Parliament’s Grand Hall alongside Iwi leaders to celebrate a major milestone in criminal justice. 
 
The celebration is to acknowledge the successful establishment of Iwi/Community Panels which sees justice sector agencies and community working together to reduce reoffending and to launch “Te Pae Oranga” a concept that imbues the vision and principles of Iwi Panels. 
 

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Name release – Turakina Valley Road fatal

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Name release – Turakina Valley Road fatal


Location:

Central

Police can now release the name of the child killed in a crash on Turakina Valley Road, Rangitikei District, on Tuesday 20 March at around 2:15pm.

He was 6-year-old Hamiora Cruiz Patrick Ioannidis of Taihape.

Police’s thoughts are with his family and friends.

The investigation into the crash is continuing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Name release – SH 34/Kawerau Loop Road crash

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Name release – SH 34/Kawerau Loop Road crash


Location:

Bay of Plenty

Police can now release the name of the woman killed in a crash near Kawerau in the Eastern Bay of Plenty on Saturday 24 March.
 
She was Peggy Ngataierua Wikohika, 27, from Te Toko.
 
Our thoughts are with Peggy’s whānau and friends.
 
Police enquiries into the crash are ongoing.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by Police Media Centre. 

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Hipkins tries to bully schools while suppressing their success

Source: ACT Party

Headline: Hipkins tries to bully schools while suppressing their success




“The Government has utterly failed in its attempts to bully fledgling charter schools into accepting a different educational model”, says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“A month and a half after introducing a Bill to scrap charter schools, only one has taken the Minister up on his offer.

“Meanwhile, Mr Hipkins is suppressing the final Martin Jenkins evaluation of the charter school model which by all accounts is glowing.

“Jacinda Ardern says she accepts that charter schools have a right to exist and are working, but wants to take away the freedoms that have seen them succeed.

“This confused approach is one reason why polling shows that most New Zealanders disapprove of the Government’s handling of charter schools and support the schools remaining open.

“The Government should now wake up to the fact it is on the wrong side of public opinion and end its ideological opposition to educational choice”, says ACT Leader David Seymour.

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Printing money doesn’t create jobs

Source: ACT Party

Headline: Printing money doesn’t create jobs




“Directing the Reserve Bank to focus on employment ignores the basic fact that printing money doesn’t create jobs”, says ACT Leader David Seymour. 

“Monetary policy doesn’t affect employment in the long-term. 

“Jobs are created when we have a world-class education system, a flexible labour market, and a sound welfare system, none of which is related to monetary policy. 

“If central banks were able to increase employment by printing money, Zimbabwe would be a thriving economy. Instead, it is a basket case.

“Forcing the Reserve Bank to focus on both inflation and employment will put it in an impossible situation.

“When inflation starts to increase as a result of the Government’s massive spending plans, the Reserve Bank will face a difficult choice: raise interest rates and therefore short-term unemployment, or accept higher inflation with all of its damaging consequences.

“New Zealand’s employment rate is high compared with other developed countries. If we want to keep it that way, fighting inflation should be the sole focus of the Reserve Bank. Low inflation is an absolutely necessary condition for strong economic performance.

“These changes are economic vandalism of the highest order”, says Mr Seymour. 

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Name release – Arthur’s Pass canyoning death

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Name release – Arthur’s Pass canyoning death


Location:

Canterbury

Police can now name the woman who died while canyoning in Arthur’s Pass National Park on Sunday 18 March. 
 
She was 38-year-old Verena Kuehl from Australia. 
 
Police extend our sympathies to her family and friends. 
 
ENDS
 
Issued by Police Media Centre. 

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Decisions on three fish species

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Decisions on three fish species

The rock lobster catch in the fishery area between Auckland and East Cape will be more than halved in an effort to rebuild the seriously depleted stock.
Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash has reviewed the total allowable catch (TAC) for three species across seven areas, for the fishing year starting 1 April. The decisions follow public consultation on sustainability measures for rock lobster, sea cucumber, and southern blue whiting. 
Mr Nash has reduced the rock lobster TAC in the Hauraki Gulf/Bay of Plenty area known as CRA2 and the Otago area known as CRA7. He has increased the rock lobster TAC in the Wellington/Hawke’s Bay area known as CRA4 and the Southern area CRA8.
The TAC for two sea cucumber stocks off the east coast of the South Island and Challenger Plateau/Nelson will be increased, along with the TAC for southern blue whiting on the Bounty Platform to the south of New Zealand.
Mr Nash says the rock lobster fishery in the CRA2 area, which stretches from Auckland to East Cape, is seriously depleted. “Decisive action is needed to rebuild the crayfish stock,” Mr Nash says.
The current TAC of 416.5 tonnes will be reduced to 173 tonnes. Commercial and recreational crayfish allowances will be reduced as a result. The total allowable commercial catch (TACC) will be reduced from 200 tonnes to 80 tonnes; the recreational allowance from 140 tonnes to 34 tonnes; and the estimate for ‘other mortality’, such as theft and blackmarket activity, is also revised downwards, from 60 to 42.5 tonnes.
The customary allowance of 16.5 tonnes is unchanged and was not part of the review. However in 2017 the customary catch was estimated to be well within the allowance.
“The decisions are the first step in rebuilding the fishery. Further steps will be developed and implemented this year, including changes to the current recreational bag limit of six crayfish per person per day prior to October 2018,” Mr Nash says.   
“I have also asked MPI to ensure Fisheries Compliance staff have an increased focus on the CRA2 fishery to help minimise illegal take. Although the current estimate of illegal removals is highly uncertain, given the status of the fishery and the reductions in harvest levels to legitimate users, I do not want to see benefits of any rebuild going to those who are stealing from this fishery.
“When the stock has been rebuilt to a healthier level, we can reassess how best to share the fishery amongst iwi, recreational and commercial fishing interests.
“During consultation, a number of submissions called for the fishery to be closed to reflect its poor current status and allow the fastest period of rebuild. Closure of a fishery is a very significant step. Fisheries have been closed in the past. While there is no doubt the CRA2 stock is well below desired levels, the best available information suggests that it can increase by an amount and over a timeframe I consider reasonable.
“I will continue to monitor this fishery closely and if the number of crayfish does not improve sufficiently I may have to consider further measures at the next review,” Mr Nash says.
ENDS
This media statement is a summary of the formal decision. The full decision can be found on the MPI website at:  www.mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations/review-of-sustainability-measures-for-1-april-2018/

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Minister using taxpayer cash for political gain

Source: National Party – Headline: Minister using taxpayer cash for political gain

Labour’s coalition partner NZ First has threatened to withhold regional development funding for an important economic development project in Rodney unless local National MP Mark Mitchell ends his advocacy for it and stops criticising NZ First ministers.

In an extraordinary request over the weekend, NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft – who said she was under instruction from a Minister – also requested that National pledge to not ask Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones questions about the project, should it go ahead.

“Ms Marcroft said she had been sent to tell me that the Mahurangi River Restoration Project would be considered for funding from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund, but for that to happen I would have to end my involvement with it as a local MP.

“Ms Marcroft told me this was because the Government was unhappy with me revealing the illegitimate use of Defence Force aircraft by Defence Minister Ron Mark.

“She also said if I ended my involvement and the money was granted, that they did not want National’s Regional Economic Development spokesperson Paul Goldsmith asking Shane Jones questions about it in Parliament.

“Finally, she implied my work as an Opposition MP would be a factor in funding any projects in my electorate I was involved in.

“I immediately told Ms Marcroft this behaviour was unacceptable, and that she had been put in a very compromised position by her colleague. She refused to name them so I said she had two hours to have the Minister call me before I took the matter further.

“She sent a text message an hour later asking me to forget the conversation.

“But this is rotten politics. It goes to the core of our democratic processes and the National Party will not let such behaviour stand.

“This billion dollar Provincial Growth Fund is taxpayer money and should be used to benefit New Zealanders, not buy an easy ride for the Government nor to try and convince local MPs to stop supporting local projects, because they have annoyed the Government.

“The Prime Minister needs to find out which of her Ministers is attempting to use public money for political gain and she needs to quickly explain what she intends to do about it.”