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Public Works Act overhaul fails to protect Māori land

Source: Green Party

The Government’s so-called overhaul of the Public Works Act will fail to prevent further injustices around the confiscation of Māori land.

“Now is the time for this Government to be brave and ensure not one more acre of Māori land is stolen by the Crown,” says Green Party Māori Development spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon.

“The Government is failing to address what remains a source of great injustice for Māori – that’s why I’m calling on all political parties to support my bill to protect Maori land from confiscation under the Public Works Act.

“Māori have already lost a significant amount of land and that includes for public purposes. But the plans for the overhaul of the Act give Māori no ability to say no to the state taking their land for public works.

“Adding the Minister of Māori Development into the hierarchy controlling approvals for compulsory acquisition of whenua gives no comfort to Māori. We’ve already seen with Fast-Track, having multiple ministers signing off on things is hardly a protection for whenua or te taiao.

“What’s more, the inadequate compensation package announced by the Minister is a bitter pill for Māori who have already lost so much. 

“The Government’s neglect of Māori concerns is an insult to injury compounded by the Prime Minister’s absence at Waitangi this week.

“Don’t think for one second that the confiscation of land is just a memory of the Land Wars and their legacy – it’s something still confronting us in the present.

“The Waitangi Tribunal found that the Crown must actively protect Māori interests, and this is what my Bill seeks to do, by protecting the small amount of Māori land left from compulsory acquisition – thus giving primacy to Article Two of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“The Green Party’s Hoki Whenua Mai commitment would prevent whenua Māori being taken in future, and provide a clearer path for the return of land previously taken.

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Govt’s lack of a plan shows in soaring unemployment stats

Source: Green Party

The latest labour market figures confirm unemployment has risen to levels not seen since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This Government lacks a plan for creating jobs, its only plan is entrenching poverty for our poorest communities,” says the Green Party’s Social Development spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March.

“Our country has the means to build an economy that works for everyone and leaves nobody behind. We can invest in the public services and infrastructure which support our communities into meaningful jobs and livelihoods.

“The latest stats lay bare the poverty trap this Government is setting for our communities. Cutting thousands of jobs and undermining support for people doing it tough is setting our communities up to fail.

“There are not enough jobs – this is by design. We can’t use austerity to condemn people into deeper poverty due to hard times

“The Government has introduced new benefit sanctions while they push more people into unemployment, knowing full well there aren’t enough jobs for every single person on the benefit, and will never be while it’s in power.

“Where is the workforce planning desperately needed for our country, with its many challenges including the huge infrastructure deficit and meeting the needs of an ageing population? Nowhere to be seen under this coalition for the rich.

“We have a plan for a Future Workforce Agency to strategically upskill New Zealanders and coordinate industrial planning.

“The Greens would end poverty with a Guaranteed Minimum Income, more training opportunities, and restarting public investment in healthcare, schools, and building housing that creates good jobs. Our jobs for nature plan will also be a central plank for providing people with meaningful and stable work.

“The Government needs to boost benefits and abolish sanctions, so that the increasing number of unemployed New Zealanders aren’t left to languish in poverty, and aren’t punished for struggling to find work in National’s barren economy,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.

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New psychosocial risk infographics for high-risk sectors

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

WorkSafe has developed infographics on psychosocial risks in the high-risk sectors of agriculture, construction, forestry, and manufacturing, as well as psychosocial risks that affect all New Zealand workers.

Mental health is an important workplace health and safety issue. Businesses have a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act to manage both physical and psychosocial risks.

Psychosocial risks arise from poor work design and challenges in the social and physical environment, and they may result in negative psychological, physical, and social outcomes.

These infographics help businesses to easily find and understand data on psychosocial risks relevant to their industry. Sharing information like this is part of our engagement function, to empower businesses and workers to improve health and safety practice.

The infographics collate existing data into an easily digestible format. The data is from WorkSafe’s workforce segmentation and insights surveys, New Zealand psychosocial survey, work-related suicide report, and mentally healthy work concerns notified to WorkSafe.

The following information is available about each sector:

  • Psychological harm
  • Self-rated health
  • Work-related suicides and significant work-related stressors
  • Offensive behaviours such as bullying and threats of violence
  • Policies around bullying, harassment, and violence
  • Protective factors
  • Mentally healthy work concerns that WorkSafe has received
  • Employer attitudes
  • Employers’ health and safety maturity, perceptions, and practices.

View the psychosocial risks infographics

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Explore the best summer spots at Auckland Regional Parks

Source: Auckland Council

We’re pretty lucky here in Tāmaki Makaurau, to have access to such epic scenery right in our own backyard. With a whopping 45,000 hectares, Auckland’s 28 regional parks have plenty on offer. They span bush, beach and farmland and can satisfy anyone from the picnic seekers and beach-goers to water sport junkies, adventurous hikers and campers alike. 

Wherever you fall on the adventure spectrum – get inspired here for your next outing with friends and whānau, ready to enjoy the outdoors your way. 

BEST REGIONAL PARKS FOR CAMPING: 

Ātiu Creek  

If you’re keen on horsing around (with a permit), check out Ātiu Creek Regional Park and campground – the only campsite in an Auckland regional park where you can stay overnight with your horse secure in a nearby paddock.

If you’re more keen on mountain biking or walking, you too can make the most of 843 hectares that make up Ātiu Creek, Auckland’s third-largest regional park, which sits right on the shores of Kaipara Harbour.

Safe to say there’s plenty of prime picnic spots and epic lookout points throughout as well.  

Explore the serene environment of Āitu Creek Regional Park.

Āwhitu  

Located on the southwest shores of Manukau Harbour, and only 90 minutes from Auckland, you’ll find Āwhitu Regional Park. With its two campgrounds, a golf course, historic homestead, picnic and barbecue areas, and safe swimming beaches, this is the prime spot for a weekend getaway.  

Wenderholm 

Head south towards the mouth of the Puhoi River, to find the region’s best example of mainland coastal forest in Wenderholm Regional Park. You can set up camp for the night at Schischka campground, before exploring the various walking tracks, viewing spots and historic house museum known as Couldrey House. Be sure to check out either the Pūhoi River, Hauraki Gulf and/or Mahurangi Harbour by boat or kayak! 

Ōmana 

Further southeast is Ōmana Regional Park where you’ll find breathtaking views of Tīkapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf. With accessible concrete paths that lead to shelly beaches decorated by pōhutukawa, the Clifftop campground makes for the perfect home away from home. 

Waharau 

For something unique, head out to Waharau Regional Park’s Tainui campground, which supplies power and hot showers – a luxury for remote campgrounds!

You’ll be surrounded by nature out at the Blackberry campground, which sits next to a calming river, mature native bush and delightful birdsong.

This location is also the start/finish point of the Te Ara Moana/Kayak Trail, which takes kayakers down the coast with camps at five different regional parks along the way. 

BEST COASTAL WALKS 

If a multi-day adventure isn’t on the cards, how about heading southeast to the quiet and scenic coastal parks Auckland has to offer. Consider your next day trip sorted!  

Duder and Waitawa 

For farm and coastal walks, check out Duder Regional Park which consists of a number of trails varying from 30-minute walks to 3hr loop trails and is located on the scenic pōhutukawa-fringed Wahakakaiwhara Peninsula. Dogs aren’t allowed at Duder, but they’re welcome at the nearby Waitawa Regional Park where you can walk, mountain bike, ride your horse, fish and even play disc golf. 

Tawhitokino 

Tawhitokino Regional Park is praised by having what some call the most beautiful beach in Auckland, the catch is that it’s only accessible at low tide. This means a trip to this small coastal park – at the end of Kawakawa Bay Coast Road – needs careful planning. The walk through the low tide section will take up to 30 minutes. Dogs are allowed off leash (including the adjoining beach) but prohibited near the campgrounds. 

The seaside views from Tawhitokino Regional Park are a must-see!

Motukorea/Browns Island 

Another regional park that needs careful planning beforehand is Motukorea / Browns Island. One of two island regional parks in Tāmaki Makaurau (the other is Whakanewha Regional Park on Waiheke), Motukorea is only accessible via boat or kayak, so keeping a close watch on the weather is recommended. Some places offer guided kayak tours to the island too.  

Orere Point and Tāpapakanga  

Spend some time at Auckland’s smallest regional park, Orere Point Regional Park, before heading 10 minutes down the road to Tāpapakanga Regional Park. Marvel at the stunning coastal and farm walks available.

One of these tracks takes you to the highest point in the park, where you can get gorgeous views across to Coromandel Peninsula.

Further along the Firth of Thames is the dog friendly Waharau Regional Park where you can pick from the vast farmland, riverbanks and forest for camping, picnics and walking. 

The coastline of Tāpapakanga Regional Park is one of the most gorgeous in the Auckland region.

HIDDEN TREASURES 

Te Rau Pūriri  

Hidden treasures abound in Tāmaki Makaurau! Did you know the largest and deepest of the sand-dune lakes is found along Auckland’s west coast? Check out Lake Ototoa located in Te Rau Pūriri Regional Park, South Head, which spans 340 hectares and conveniently also offers a beach to its visitors. 

Take in the majestic views from the hilltops of Te Rau Pūriri Regional Park.

Mutukāroa/Hamlins Hill 

How about a spot where you can see both the East and West coasts from the same point? Check out Mutukāroa/Hamlins Hill Regional Park for this hidden gem of a spot, and a historic strategic location for Iwi, and part of the portage route when moving waka from the Waitematā to the Manukau and vice versa. This epic park, located between Penrose and Mount Wellington, is visible from the southern motorway and holds great importance to mana whenua. Archaeological features include pits, middens and terraces where crops once grew.  

Scandrett 

For the history buffs, visit Scandrett Regional Park, home to two headland pā sites, on the Mahurangi Peninsula. Shipbuilding took place here in the 1850s, and from the 1860s it was a farm noted for its concrete, rather than kauri, buildings. Restored farm buildings remain and have become features of the park that was still used as farmland until 1998. 

Shakespear 

Make the most of Auckland’s most accessible open sanctuary! Located on the tip of Whangapāraoa Peninsula, you’ll find a stunner of a place in Shakespear Regional Park where conservation, recreation and farming come together to provide a unique experience. Keep an eye out for glow-worms and kiwi or set up camp behind the sand dunes at the eastern end of Te Haruhi Bay. 

BEHOLD THE RANGES! 

Waitākere Ranges 

Adventure waits out in Auckland’s West side. The Waitākere Ranges Regional Park are a treasure and certainly a sight to behold. Check out the various walking tracks and all it’s got to offer at the Arataki Visitor Centre where you can also learn more about the ecology and cultural significance of the land. 

Hunua Ranges 

At 25,000 hectares, Hunua Ranges Regional Park features numerous tramping and mountain biking tracks, as well as opportunities to fish, swim and visit waterfalls (but note that swimming at Hunua Falls can be dangerous). Surrounded by stunning scenery, it might also be tempting to explore the interior of the Hunua Ranges, but this kind of remote tramping is only recommended to those with back-country experience armed with a detailed track map and the right provisions and equipment.  

Did you know Kauri Dieback, (Phytophthora taxon Agathis), is a disease that is threatening the survival of kauri trees? Hunua Ranges Regional Park is particularly special as it remains the largest Kauri Forest known to be free of this disease. 

Regardless of which park you visit, be sure keep to the defined tracks, use the hygiene stations when provided and clean your footwear before and after your visit. 

Immerse yourself in the forest and waterfall scenery through the Hunua Bush Walk.

Stay safe out there

You can also check out the Mountain Safety Council’s Plan My Walk app for helpful tips to plan your trip! 

And before you take the plunge this summer, check out the Safeswim website for up-to-date information on water quality, wind, waves and tides, as well as jellyfish swarms and other hazards. Safeswim is a fantastic tool to help keep you and your whānau safe. 

To ensure an enjoyable time outdoors, remember these helpful tips: 

Dogs and track notices: Check the rules before you go. All parks have a designated webpage which outline unique specifications and updates on potential hazards and closures due to maintenance or Kauri Dieback.  

Amplified sound: Be courteous of others and the wildlife. Keep amplified noise to a minimum. 

Rubbish free parks: Plan your visit, minimise what you bring to the park and ensure you take you all your rubbish home with you. 

Fire & solid fuel BBQs: Check for any restrictions at https://www.checkitsalright.nz 

Parking: Be patient, park with care and avoid blocking access ways and other people. 

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Media are invited to the 381 Glenn Dunbier ONZM Police recruit wing graduation

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

New Zealand Police is pleased to announce that recruit wing 381 will graduate from their initial training course on Friday morning 7 February. 

Attending the ceremony will be Commissioner Richard Chambers and members of the Police executive, Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Police, Hon Casey Costello, Associate Minister for Police along with Wing Patron, Glenn Dunbier ONZM.

Wing 381’s prize-winners are spread across four police districts, namely Auckland City, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Tasman.

More details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation on Friday.

The 381 Wing Patron former police officer Glenn Dunbier was Bay of Plenty District Commander from 2010 to 2014. He was then appointed Deputy Commissioner: Resource Management in 2014, a role he held until he took a three-year secondment in 2017 to work with the Australian Defence Department. On returning to New Zealand Police in 2020 he took up the role of Deputy Commissioner: Districts and then Deputy Commissioner: Operations.  While in Police, Glenn was awarded two Silver Merit Awards for his work in covert policing. He was recognised in the 2022 New Year Royal Honours, appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to policing and the community. He retired from Police in April 2023.

Media are welcome to attend the graduation parade which takes place at 10am on Friday 7 February at The Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua. 

Media will need to be in place by 9.45am, however will need to RSVP to Police Media Centre as soon as possible:  media@police.govt.nz

ENDS

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Police appealing for information on stolen service medals, Waihi

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are appealing for information to reunite a number of service medals with their rightful owners after being stolen during a burglary in Waihi.

The selection of medals were among a range of property taken from an address on Trig Road North between 6pm on Sunday 1 February and 2pm on Monday 3 February.

The seven service medals are of extreme sentimental and historical value, and are of great importance to the victims and their family.

Other items stolen during the burglary include two Stihl chainsaws, a hedge cutter, a cordless drill, an angle grinder and battery, wedding rings, and other personal jewellery.

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the Trig Road North area between Saturday evening and Monday afternoon.

Police are also appealing for any CCTV or dashcam footage in the area that may assist in our investigation locating the service medals and holding the alleged offenders to account.

If you have any information that may assist Police in our investigation, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

You can also provide information in person at the Waihi Police Station or anonymously through Crime Stoppers via 0800 555 111.

Please use the reference number 250203/0911.

ENDS

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Police operation in Waterview

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A Police operation is underway in an area of Waterview this afternoon.

Police have cordoned off an area around Tutuki Street.

There is an increased Police presence in the area to ensure the safety of the public.

Police staff are armed as a precaution.

Great North Road is still open, but we are advising the public to stay clear of cordons at this early stage.

Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

ENDS. 

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Release: Māori and Pacific people hit hardest by lack of jobs

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%.

“The Government is continuing to take Māori backwards in every possible way,” Labour spokesperson for Māori Development Willie Jackson said.

“Christopher Luxon has no plan for Māori to support whanau into meaningful employment. The Prime Minister had every opportunity to front up to Māori at Waitangi to provide a positive plan for all of us to work together. Instead, he left it to David Seymour to speak and further divide our nation.

“The reality is, when National took power the Māori unemployment rate was 8.2%. They have had more than a year to deliver results, and instead we see rising unemployment, shocking health disparities, and tragic poverty rates,” Willie Jackson said.

Unemployment among Pacific People is now 10.5%, up from 6.1% when National took office. Across all groups, unemployment reached 5.1%—a four-year high.

“The Government’s failure to deliver real results for Pacific People is shameful and shows their complete lack of attention to this community,” Labour Pacific People’s spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni said.

“That is a huge increase in Pacific unemployment, 1 in 10 Pacific people in New Zealand are now unemployed. This is bordering on a crisis for our people.

“Instead of supporting our people into work, this Government chooses to slash funding for frontline services, cut public sector jobs, and has left a total of 33,000 more people out of work,” Carmel Sepuloni said.

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Serious crash: The Strand, Parnell

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A section of The Strand in Parnell is being closed following a serious crash.

The crash involves a truck and pedestrian and was reported just after 2pm.

The pedestrian is currently in a critical condition, and will be transported to hospital.

Emergency services are at the scene and a section of The Strand is being closed between the intersections with St Georges Bay Road and Tamaki Drive.

We anticipate this will cause disruption in this busy transport corridor this afternoon.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised and will attend the scene.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Government Cuts – Govt must re-employ science staff about to be axed from Callaghan Innovation – PSA

Source: PSA

Some 75 highly skilled science staff at Callaghan Innovation are being left high and dry and without a job by the Government’s decision to axe funding for Callaghan Innovation in June it has been revealed today.
The NZ Herald has reported that new Science Minister Shane Reti wrote to Callaghan Innovation last month saying funding will end in June and detailing the transfer of functions to other existing agencies following the recent science system restructure.
Callaghan Innovation is being scrapped under plans to merge other agencies into three new Public Research Organisations (PRO) over the next 12 – 18 months, alongside the establishment of a fourth, new PRO looking at Advanced Technology. But at least 75 science and research staff at Callaghan risk being lost to the science system.
“The Minister should order MBIE to immediately set up a process to retain these specialist scientists until the fourth PRO focused on their skills is set up or they will be lost to countries overseas which value science,” said Fleur Fitzsimons Acting National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“There are people working in medical technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other areas of technology which are of great value to New Zealand.”
The Government announced last month it will set up a new Advanced Technology Public Research Organisation, focused on the same areas of science, but this will not be established until next year.
“The Government risks no-one being able to do this job and be forced to recruit offshore,” said Fitzsimons. “So much for science growing the economy that it talks about. It’s astonishing that the Government is pressing ahead with closure without a plan for these dedicated science staff.
PSA delegate and Callaghan Innovation scientist Ben Wyle van Eerd said; “We’re not even being given the chance to apply for a position – it’s so upsetting given all we have done for science. It just feels like the Government is saying there’s no future here in New Zealand for me or my colleagues.”
Fleur Fitzsimons said the new Ministers appeared not to have read the advice of the Science System Advisory Group which recommended that ‘actions will be needed at multiple levels to develop and retain a high calibre workforce of researchers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs’
“This will be a brain drain of the Government’s own making – how can the Government expect these people to hang around with no income waiting for the new research organisation to be set up?
“The PSA calls on new Minister Shane Reti to do what was recommended and retain this highly skilled workforce before lasting damage is done to our science system by losing this talented workforce.”
Previous PSA statement