Category: New Zealand

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Further aid to Papua New Guinea

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Further aid to Papua New Guinea

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand will make a further deployment of aid to Papua New Guinea to help with the emergency response following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake last Monday.
A second RNZAF C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying emergency relief supplies will depart for Port Moresby on Thursday carrying mother and infant kits, family hygiene kits and tarpaulins. While in Papua New Guinea the C-130 will assist with the delivery of relief items to the affected Highlands region in partnership with Papua New Guinean authorities and other development partners.
“Sadly a number of people have lost their lives during this earthquake and New Zealand stands ready to help the people and Government of Papua New Guinea in the best way we can,” says Mr Peters.
ENDS
Contact: Alex Masters, Press Secretary, 021 809 186

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Auckland Transport

Source: Auckland Transport

Headline: Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport (AT) is pleased that the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) has agreed to end its industrial action.
AT will work with Transdev to get the train timetable back to normal as quickly as possible, which means weekday peak services will get back to a 10-minute frequency on the Eastern, Southern and Western Lines.
Train staff will begin returning to their regular roster this afternoon, and it’s expected that the timetable will be completely back to normal tomorrow (Tuesday 6 March 2018).
Read the media release: Train timetable being returned to normal.

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Bus Train Ferry

Source: Auckland Transport

Headline: Bus Train Ferry

Auckland Transport (AT) is pleased that the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) has agreed to end its industrial action.
AT will work with Transdev to get the train timetable back to normal as quickly as possible, which means weekday peak services will get back to a 10-minute frequency on the Eastern, Southern and Western Lines.
Train staff will begin returning to their regular roster this afternoon, and it’s expected that the timetable will be completely back to normal tomorrow (Tuesday 6 March 2018).
Read the media release: Train timetable being returned to normal.

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Cycling & Walking

Source: Auckland Transport

Headline: Cycling & Walking

Auckland Transport (AT) is pleased that the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) has agreed to end its industrial action.
AT will work with Transdev to get the train timetable back to normal as quickly as possible, which means weekday peak services will get back to a 10-minute frequency on the Eastern, Southern and Western Lines.
Train staff will begin returning to their regular roster this afternoon, and it’s expected that the timetable will be completely back to normal tomorrow (Tuesday 6 March 2018).
Read the media release: Train timetable being returned to normal.

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Driving & Parking

Source: Auckland Transport

Headline: Driving & Parking

Everything you need to know about driving and parking in Auckland.

Parking permits

Parking permits are required for some residential and reserved areas and certain types of work or events.

Park & ride

Free park and ride facilities exist at locations around Auckland.

Rent a car by the hour, day or week
Join up on Cityhop’s website

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Projects & Roadworks

Source: Auckland Transport

Headline: Projects & Roadworks

Our projects aim to provide better transport options for all Aucklanders, from developing innovative new travel solutions and improving public transport to maintaining current infrastructure and facilities.

AMETI

Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) is a group of transport projects that will give residents greater transport choices. 

Nelson Street Cycleway

A shared path and separated cycle lanes linking the Upper Queen Street bridge to Quay Street.

Cycling and walking programme

Find out what cycling and walking projects AT, NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Council and the Local Boards are working on for the next 3 years.

East West Connections

Improving travel and transport in the area between Onehunga, East Tamaki, and Auckland Airport.

Te Whau Pathway

Te Whau Pathway is a 12km shared path along the edge of the Whau River between Te Atatū Peninsula and Green Bay Beach.

Half Moon Bay ferry pier

Half Moon Bay ferry wharf is an important public transport terminal. This project will provide a ferry/transport hub connecting people to key Auckland destinations.

Light rail

Auckland Transport (AT) and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) agree to progress light rail for Auckland to urgently address Auckland’s growing congestion and accessibility problems. 

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Takaka Hill, SH60, Riwaka to Golden Bay – Easter update, open hours, repairs going well, dedicated 0800 number and email

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

Headline: Takaka Hill, SH60, Riwaka to Golden Bay – Easter update, open hours, repairs going well, dedicated 0800 number and email

“We know that freight providers and farmers need these truck and trailer units to get across the hill efficiently and that the single trucks’ restriction is adding to costs.”

Although there is no confirmed date at this stage for opening up the highway to trucks with trailer units, and over-dimension vehicles, the Transport Agency is hopeful it could be in two weeks’ time.

“Thanks to everyone for being patient while we work to get Takaka Hill repaired and safe for everyone to use again,” says Mr Porter.

Opening hours – same open hours continue this week

Currently the road open hours are Monday to Saturday inclusive, mornings and nights only, 7-8 am and 5-6 pm. People are encouraged to arrive as close to 7 am and 5 pm to reduce their waiting time and get through as quickly as possible.

On Sundays, people can travel by convoy all day 8 am to 5 pm as the crews have a day off repairs.

  • People should expect to be part of large convoys and to have to wait to get over the hill.
  • People towing caravans, trailers and boats can get over the hill at the end of each day in the last evening convoy in each direction (5-6 pm). On Sundays, they should be at the waiting area from 4 pm.
  • Otherwise the restrictions remain in place for rigid trucks only, with no trailers or over-dimension vehicles allowed on Takaka Hill currently.
  • The road is not generally suitable for motorcyclists in wet conditions, when it will be very slippery, particularly for those on road touring bikes with standard tyres. Motorcyclists will need to take extreme care.

Extending the open hours – soon

The Transport Agency is aiming to offer extended opening hours in coming days ie earlier in the morning and later in the evenings. This will allow more traffic to travel over the hill, but still allow the same time for crews to repair the road during the day.

The Transport Agency will communicate any changes to people as soon as they are confirmed and the Traffic and Travel page information will also be updated.

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 from 5 pm is likely to be extended to later so that people know they can travel to/from Golden Bay for their holiday break without the need to rush.

After Easter hours and access – Tuesday, 3 April onwards

The Transport Agency is aiming to open up the road to be used normally, without convoys, outside of the daytime construction work, ie outside of 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, including overnight. “Repairs will be ongoing for some time and they cannot be undertaken safely or efficiently while there is traffic on the road,” says Mr Porter.

This planned timetable to move beyond the convoy system is dependent on good weather in coming weeks, he says.

Try not to make up time, arrive on time for least delays

Frank Porter reiterated the need for people to take care once they are beyond Takaka Hill and not speed up to make up time. “We have had reports from our crews that some people are not driving to the speed limits once they are over the hill. Please, get home safely, and drive to the conditions.”

Mr Porter also reminded drivers that crews are unable to give priority to some people in the queue over others.  “We will work to get everyone waiting over, and our crews are there to get people over as quickly as is safely possible. If it is urgent, arrive on time.”

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:

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Cash in transit robbery in Takanini

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Cash in transit robbery in Takanini


Location:

Counties Manukau

Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Rob Hunkin, Counties Manukau Police.

Police are currently at the scene of an aggravated robbery that occurred at the Takanini Southgate shopping complex this morning.

Just after 11am, three heavily disguised offenders carrying a firearm approached security guards who were transporting cash back to the security van.

The offenders presented a firearm at the security guards and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.  Thankfully the security guards were not injured during the robbery.

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Marine protection off South Island coast

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Marine protection off South Island coast

Two options to protect areas of ocean off the east coast of the South Island will be considered by Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage.
The Ministers today released the final report of the South East Marine Protection Forum. The Forum is an independent body established by the previous government in 2014. It includes representatives of Kāi Tahu as manawhenua, commercial and recreational fishers, tourism, science, the environmental sector, and the broader community.
The report provides two alternative networks of marine protected areas off the coast from Timaru in South Canterbury, to Waipapa Point in Southland.
In late 2016, the Forum consulted with the public, industry and stakeholders on 20 sites for possible inclusion in a network of marine protected areas.
“The Forum has worked hard to produce a thorough and comprehensive report. We would like to thank Forum members for their work over three years, their dedication to a collaborative process and the significant contribution the report makes to advancing marine protection,” Ms Sage said.
“There was strong public involvement in the Forum process with more than 2,800 submissions received during public consultation.”
Mr Nash acknowledged the work of the former Ministers for Primary Industries and Conservation who began the process in 2014.
“This has been a long and demanding process over three and a half years. While it has not always been easy for participants I acknowledge the time and effort that has been invested,” Mr Nash said.
“Forum members were given a challenging task and their final report and recommendations reflect the variety of perspectives on marine protection. They spent a great deal of time considering the best ways to protect our marine life and marine environments. I am grateful for their work and for the efforts of those who made submissions during the process.  
“I understand that some, but not all fishing representatives, subsequently asked for more work to be done after the recommendations had been finalised and agreed. I do not believe that is necessary. We are happy with the quality of the report and the robust and demanding process followed by the Forum.
“In the end the report reflects the diverse range of views. We will now carefully consider the Forum’s recommendations,” said Mr Nash.
The Forum has proposed two alternative networks to the Ministers:
Network 1 – covers 1267 km2 of the Forum region and includes 18 of the 22 coastal habitats in the Forum region, seven of 12 estuarine habitats and two biogenic habitats.
Network 2 – covers 366 km2 of the Forum region, includes 10 of the 22 coastal habitats, no estuarine habitats and two biogenic habitats.
“Marine protected areas (MPAs) are vital to protect important habitats and feeding areas for marine mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates,” Ms Sage said.
“New Zealand’s marine environment is 15 times larger than its land mass and it’s important this is safeguarded for future generations.”
The Forum’s report provides detailed recommendations. It also explains the broader cultural and customary contexts of the marine habitats, as well as the economic, social and environmental considerations it took into account. The Ministers will now work through the next steps, which involves consultation with colleagues and agencies.
The Ministers said it was not yet clear what steps would be needed if new marine protections are required for the South Island’s south east coast. Before any changes are made to existing protections, they would seek the views of all parties in Parliament and invite public submissions.
Further information
The Forum report is on the SEMPF website at https://south-eastmarine.org.nz/

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Indonesia

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Indonesia

Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorism in Indonesia. While effective counter-terrorism measures have reduced the risk of attacks, Indonesian authorities continue to arrest terrorist suspects in the advanced stages of attack planning. Terrorist cells exist and have the capacity to carry out attacks anywhere in the country, including Bali. Terrorists may specifically target Westerners or Western interests in Indonesia, as well as police and security forces.

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