Category: politics_and_government
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Search and Rescue Training Exercise Planned for Northland
A multi-agency search and rescue training exercise will take place in the Tangihua Ranges, Waiotira, from Friday, June 13, to Sunday, June 14. Led by the Police with support from Land Search and Rescue, the exercise will simulate a land-based…
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Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Opposes Regulatory Standards Bill, Citing Treaty Concerns
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated has voiced strong opposition to the proposed Regulatory Standards Bill (RSB), citing concerns over Māori sovereignty, environmental protections, and potential exacerbation of inequalities. In a submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee, the iwi highlighted the…
Politics and GovernmentLegalSocial IssuesWorld Ngāti KahungunuRegulatory Standards BillTe Tiriti o WaitangiMāoriAotearoa New Zealandenvironmental protectionFinance and Expenditure Committee
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Wellington City Council and Predator Free Wellington Win Supreme Award
Wellington City Council and Predator Free Wellington have been awarded the Supreme Award at the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards, held at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. Separately, Eyegum Music Collective is set to present GREAT SOUNDS GREAT,…
EntertainmentPolitics and GovernmentAustralasiaMusicState Governments
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New Zealand Parliament Disallows Tikanga Māori Integration in Core Law Subjects
New Zealand's Parliament has voted to disallow a provision in the Professional Examinations in Law Regulations that mandated the teaching of tikanga Māori (Māori law and philosophy) as part of every core law subject. The vote, which occurred on May…
Politics and GovernmentEducationLawNational PartyLabour PartyLegalState Governments ParliamentTikanga MāoriRegulations Review CommitteeCouncil of Legal EducationLegislationU.S. Library of Congress
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Search Continues for Missing New Plymouth Woman
The search continues for Jan, a New Plymouth woman missing since Tuesday, June 10. Police, LandSAR, and volunteers are focusing their efforts around the Thomason Road and Lake Mangamahoe areas. Authorities are urging anyone using mountain bike and walking tracks…
Politics and GovernmentLaw Enforcement New PlymouthLandSARMissing PersonSearchTaranakiState Highway 3New Zealand Police
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Media Monitor: RNZ Reports Book Disposal, Drone Incident, and Housing Case
RNZ is reporting that a second-hand bookstore owner in New Zealand is upset over the National Library's plan to dispose of half a million books. It said the library claims it has been trying to re-home the books since 2018,…
Politics and GovernmentHealthBusinessWorldMediaSportEducationSocial IssuesLegalFilm and TVArtificial IntelligenceTransportation RNZNational Library of New ZealandTransport Accident Investigation CommissionAuckland AirportBook disposalDroneHousingRNZ News
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Police Seek Public Help to Find Missing Man Last Seen in Thames
Police are appealing for information regarding missing person Ian, who was last seen at approximately 7pm last night on Pollen Street, Thames. There are concerns for his welfare. Ian was wearing a black jumper and a hi-viz over top, grey…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial Issues Missing PersonNew Zealand PoliceThamesPollen StreetTe AwamutuWelfareIan
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New Zealand CAA to Increase Fees and Levies in 2025
New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will increase fees, levies, and charges starting July 1, 2025, following a pricing review. Passenger safety levies will rise by 145% to $3.92 per passenger. Passenger security levies will increase by 66% to $10.91…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationBusinessAustralasiaEconomyFederal Government
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NZ Local Authority Statistics for March 2025 Quarter Released
Statistics New Zealand released local authority statistics for the March 2025 quarter, offering insights into the performance of core non-trading activities across New Zealand's territorial and regional councils. The data is accessible on the Stats NZ website. CSV files are…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAustralasiaState Governments Statistics New ZealandLocal AuthorityMarch 2025Regional CouncilsTerritorial CouncilsGovernment Statistician
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Wellington City Council Introduces Urban Liaison Officers
Wellington City Council has introduced new Urban Liaison Officers to enhance safety and address issues in the city. These officers, identifiable by their blue uniforms, will collaborate with businesses, the NZ Police, social services, and various Council teams. Their primary…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessSocial IssuesAustralasiaLaw EnforcementState Governments
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Media Monitor: RNZ reports on axe attack report, missing woman, and Israeli ministers ban
Radio New Zealand is reporting that Christchurch police did not investigate a report from Hillmorton Hospital nurses about a mental health patient who claimed to have attacked a woman with an axe. RNZ said the police cited limited information and…
Politics and GovernmentHealthWorldSportAustraliaIsraelMedical ScienceLaw EnforcementLegal ChristchurchHillmorton HospitalMissing PersonPalmerston NorthWinston Petersdomestic politicsRNZ News
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New Zealand Sees Increase in Overseas Visitors in April 2025
Overseas visitor arrivals in New Zealand reached 267,300 in April 2025, marking a 42,200 increase from April 2024, according to recent data. The largest increases were in arrivals from Australia (up 33,800), the United Kingdom (up 4,000) and the United…
Politics and GovernmentWorldMediaAustralasiaGeneral Politics International TravelOverseas VisitorsTourismAustraliaUnited KingdomUnited StatesStatistics New Zealand
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New Zealand Bans Entry to Extremist Israeli Politicians
New Zealand has imposed travel bans on two extremist Israeli politicians, joining Australia, Canada, the UK, and Norway, according to Foreign Minister Winston Peters. The ban prevents Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering…
Politics and GovernmentWorldAustraliaCanadaEuropeMiddle EastGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentForeign Affairs IsraelWinston Peterstravel banBezalel SmotrichItamar Ben-GvirMiddle East Peace Process
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Western Nations Impose Sanctions on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich Over West Bank Violence
In a joint statement, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions and other measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The ministers…
Politics and GovernmentWorldMediaAustraliaCanadaEuropeMiddle EastGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentMedia Crisis Itamar Ben-GvirBezalel SmotrichWest BankSettler ViolenceSanctionsTwo-State SolutionPalestiniansUK Government
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Unattended Kayak Found on Lake Te Anau
Police are seeking information after an unattended kayak was discovered on Lake Te Anau late Tuesday afternoon, June 10. The red and white kayak was found floating upside down, accompanied by a paddle, a stainless-steel flask, and some fishing tackle…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementAustralasia Lake Te AnaukayakfishingNew Zealand Policesearch and rescuestainless-steel flaskP062824240
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New Zealand Farmers Welcome Restrictions on Carbon Forestry
Federated Farmers' ‘Save our Sheep’ campaign has seen progress with the Government introducing legislation to curb carbon forestry on productive farmland. Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams said the legislation is a positive step but "long overdue." He…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnvironmentAgriculture Federated Farmerscarbon forestryToby WilliamsEmissions Trading SchemeSave our SheepLegislation
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Media Monitor: Man sentenced for murder of 83-year-old
RNZ is reporting that Elliot Cameron was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 83-year-old Frances Anne Phelps. RNZ said Cameron, a mental health patient, murdered Phelps in her Christchurch home in October of last year. He will serve…
Politics and GovernmentHealthBusinessWorldEntertainmentSportMedical ScienceEconomySocial IssuesLegal RNZElliot CameronFrances Anne PhelpsChristchurchMurderSentencingRNZ News
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Internal Migration Up Slightly in New Zealand
Stats NZ data reveals that 2.2 million New Zealanders moved within the country between 2018 and 2023. The 2018 Census recorded just under 1.8 million internal moves since 2013. While the number of movers increased in 2023, the proportion of…
Politics and GovernmentSocial IssuesAustralasia migrationStats NZcensusWellingtoninternal migrationpopulationStatistics New Zealand
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New Zealanders Work Longer, Says Stats NZ
Stats NZ reported today that New Zealanders are entering the workforce sooner and working later in life. According to 2023 Census data, teenage participation in the workforce has increased compared to previous censuses. Dr. Rosemary Goodyear, 2023 Census spokesperson, noted…
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborEconomyEducation Stats NZworkforceemploymentcensusDr Rosemary GoodyearDemographicsStatistics New Zealand
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Media Monitor: NZ Schools Maintain Homemade Lunches Despite Funding Cuts
RNZ is reporting that some New Zealand schools are choosing to continue making their own lunches despite funding cuts to the government's free school lunch program. It said that after six months under the revised scheme, the schools are reporting…
Politics and GovernmentWorldBusinessSportEducationWeatherAustraliaMiddle EastLaw EnforcementSocial IssuesEconomyEnergyLegal RNZschool lunchesfunding cutsLoafers Lodge fireHMAS Canberrainternet outageRNZ News
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Federated Farmers Petition for KiwiSaver Access for Young Farmers
Federated Farmers has launched a nationwide petition urging the Government to amend KiwiSaver rules, enabling young farmers to use their savings to purchase their first farm, flock, herd, or home. Dairy chair Richard McIntyre highlighted the importance of this issue,…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAgricultureEconomy Federated FarmersKiwiSaverRichard McIntyreNational FieldaysPetitionFarmingGovernment
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Wellington Alcohol Licence Applications Open for Public Objections
Several establishments in Wellington have applied for alcohol licenses, with opportunities for public objection. Minibar, located at 24 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, has an application period open from June 5, 2025, until July 11, 2025. The Ramen Shop at 191…
Politics and GovernmentLegal alcohol licenceWellingtonMinibarThe Ramen ShopOhariu FarmClub KFlavours of RajasthanWellington City Council
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Wellington Boosts Safety with New Urban Liaison Officers
Wellington City Council is collaborating with local businesses and community organizations for clean-up days in Courtenay Place and Cuba Street. Additionally, the central business district has a new team of Urban Liaison Officers (ULOs) to boost safety. The ULOs will…
Politics and GovernmentSocial IssuesAustralasiaLaw EnforcementState Governments
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Media Monitor: Radio New Zealand reports on psychedelic drug trials, gas reserves, and more
Radio New Zealand is reporting that broadcaster Sonia Gray is participating in psychedelic drug trials. RNZ said Gray never thought she would take the one drug she was most afraid of, but she did so in the name of research.…
HealthBusinessPolitics and GovernmentSportWeatherMedical ScienceEnergyParliamentNational Party
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Search Resumes for Missing 79-Year-Old Elisabeth in Christchurch
The search for 79-year-old Elisabeth, a missing woman, has resumed in Christchurch after being paused due to poor weather. Police Search and Rescue, along with Land Search and Rescue volunteers, are focusing on the Fendalton and Riccarton areas. Residents may…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial Issues Missing PersonSearch and RescueChristchurchFendaltonRiccartonNew Zealand PoliceElisabeth
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Media Monitor: Christchurch Housing Plans Mostly Rejected
Radio New Zealand is reporting that the Christchurch City Council's housing plans have been largely rejected by the government. Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said the decision was a setback after a lot of work. \ \ RNZ also reports that…
Politics and GovernmentHealthWeatherEntertainmentSportAustralasiaGeneral PoliticsState GovernmentsMedical ScienceMusic
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ACT Party Condemns Parliamentary Conduct and Announces WorkSafe Overhaul
ACT criticizes Te Pāti Māori's behavior in Parliament, calling it a "disgrace" after Rawiri Waititi brought a noose into the debating chamber. The party contrasts this with what it calls a civil debate on free speech at the Oxford Union,…
Politics and GovernmentWorldGeneral PoliticsParliamentLaw Enforcement ACT PartyTe Pāti MāoriNew Zealand ParliamentWorkSafeDavid SeymourBrooke van VeldenPolitical ReformACT Party NZ
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Media Monitor: Māori MPs Suspended, Cook Strait Ferries Cancelled
RNZ is reporting that Te Pāti Māori co-leaders received a 21-day suspension from Parliament following a debate over their haka protest. It said Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke received a seven-day suspension. RNZ also reported that Cook Strait ferries have been canceled due…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessWeatherSportWorldGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentEconomyClimate ChangeLegal Te Pāti MāoriHakaCook StraitSkyCityFletcher ConstructionTrumpElon MuskRNZ News
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Wellington Residents Invited to Shape 10-Year Coastal Plan
Wellington City Council and mana whenua are inviting residents to participate in shaping the future of the Pōneke coastline, described as a "taonga of the city." This initiative encourages public input on the 10-year Coastal Plan. In other news, the…
Politics and GovernmentWorldAustralasiaState GovernmentsSocial Issues
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New Zealand Amends Wildlife Act to Clarify Incidental Harm Authorizations
The New Zealand Parliament has passed the Wildlife (Authorisations) Amendment Bill, clarifying the government’s authority to permit incidental harm to wildlife from lawful activities. Signed into law on May 12, the bill amends the Wildlife Act 1953, the primary legislation…
Politics and GovernmentLawEnvironmentAustralasiaGeneral PoliticsState GovernmentsLegal Wildlife Act 1953Environmental Law InitiativeTama PotakalegislationHigh Court decisionDepartment of ConservationU.S. Library of Congress