Inquiry to improve mental health services
Category: News
Christchurch: Well inspections reveal contamination risk
New engineering assessments of Christchurch’s wells have revealed some of them may be susceptible to contamination, particularly in heavy rainfall events.
Joint Working Group on Pay Equity Principles Reconvened
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Iain Lees-Galloway, and Minister for Women, Julie Anne Genter, are reconvening the Joint Working Group on Pay Equity Pr
Commissioner for Hato Petera College
Education Minister Chris Hipkins has asked the Secretary for Education to appoint a Commissioner to take over the governance of Hato Petera College, he said today.
Christchurch: Rauora Park free family fun day this Sunday.
A range of free family-friendly activities will be on offer in Christchurch’s newest park this Sunday.
Aotearoa Bike Challenge returns in February
Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter announced today that the 2018 Aotearoa Bike Challenge, the month
Public Advisory: Potential historic radiation exposure at McMurdo Station
From 1962 to 1979, the U.S. Navy maintained a small nuclear power plant at the McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The risk of radiation exposure for those working in the vicinity of the power plant as low. Read the reports.
Christchurch: Lessons in back to school safety
Parents and children are being urged to take a “devices down, heads up” approach to the journey between school and home.
Time to turnaround NZ’s rubbish record on waste
New Zealand’s position as 10th worst nation for creating urban waste per capita is shameful, says Associate Env
Progress on major Transpacific cable welcomed
Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Clare Curran says the new Hawaiki Transpacific cable system should be up and running by mid-year, improving and enhancing New Zealand’s international connectivity.
Christchurch: New library on the cards for Opawa
The Opawa community will get a new building to house its voluntary library following Christchurch City Council’s decision to invest in a new facility rather than repair the old.
Christchurch: Buskers Festival pitch perfect for city business
Things are heating up in Christchurch as temperatures soar and buskers set the streets alight, boosting business in the city.
Christchurch: Window of opportunity for stained glass artist
Restoring stained glass windows broken in the earthquakes is a labour of love for a local artist and curator.
Another milestone for New Zealand space industry
21 January 2018
Minister for Trade and Export Growth heads to London and Davos World Economic Forum
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister-trade-and-export-growth-heads-london-and-davos-world-economic-forum
MBIE welcomes Rocket Lab’s successful second launch
The New Zealand Space Agency at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has welcomed Rocket Lab’s successful second test rocket launch into space from the Mahia Peninsula.
Christchurch: Schlock,horror: Buskers hook in the crowd
They are known across the globe as the brothers of bodily abuse and the Monsters of Schlock are living up to their name.
ORC seeking feedback on Leith river project with new tool
Otago Regional Council (ORC) has begun public engagement on the enhancement of the Forth St to Otago Harbour reach of the Water of Leith, one of the final stages of the Leith Flood Protection Scheme.
Winston Peters congratulates PM
New Zealand First Leader congratulates PM
Prime Minister and Clarke Gayford expecting first child
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner, Clarke Gayford, have today announced that they are expecting their first child in June.
Christchurch: Coming up at the 25 January Council meeting
Christchurch City Council will hold its first meeting for 2018 on Thursday 25 January at 9.30am. Items on agenda for the public part of the meeting include:
Fine for plant smuggler
An air passenger has been fined $2250 for following his cousin’s advice to smuggle plant cuttings and seeds into New Zealand.
Further support for struggling farmers
Further support for struggling farmers
Christchurch: Buskers add to colourful weekend line-up
With SummerTimes in full swing and some of the best buskers in the world performing across Christchurch’s city centre, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained this weekend.
Christchurch: Council seeks views on Denton Park changes
Christchurch City Council is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to the use of Denton Park.
Tribute to Donna Howard
Statement on the death of Wairarapa Area Commander, Inspector Donna Howard
I am saddened by her passing at such a young age.
Report on response to natural disasters and emergencies released
Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi has released a report into how New Zealand responds to natural disasters and emergencies and will meet key groups to discuss its
Tax relief for drought affected farmers
Revenue Minister Stuart Nash has confirmed tax relief measures will be extended to farmers in drought areas.
Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children
The name change for Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children officially takes effect today.
Testing for Mycoplasma bovis spread
A testing and tracing regime for Mycoplasma bovis will provide a clearer indication of its spread and potential actions for eradication by the end of February, says Agric
Christchurch: Survey shows river quality a big concern
Having quality waterways is rated as more important than housing and education but most people believe our rivers are in poor condition, a new survey shows.
Christchurch: Bug man on the hunt for wildlife in the Gardens
Brian Patrick loves bugs and won’t leave home without a jar in his pocket just in case he spots a rare specimen.
Public given more time to feedback on Clutha consultation
Otago Regional Council (ORC) has extended the closing date for public feedback on the plan change ‘Managing the amount of water in the Clutha River/Mata-au.’
Minister talks food security at Green Week
Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor travels to Europe today to speak at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, held during Interna
Christchurch: Museum adds to its Antarctic collection
Canterbury Museum has successfully bid at a London auction for four medals and two diaries belonging to Trggve Gran – the Norwegian skiing expert on the British Antarctic Expedition.
$3.74 million for new electric vehicles
More electric vehicles will be hitting New Zealand’s highways, bus lanes and streets with funding announced by Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods today
Christchurch: Work pumps up on new wells
Work is well under way on the Gardiners Pump Station in the city’s north-west.
Heat goes on Auckland landlord for not having smoke alarms
The Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team has successfully taken an Auckland landlord to the Tenancy Tribunal for failing to install smoke alarms, giving all landlords in this busy rental market a timely reminder to ensure their properties comply with smoke alarm legislation.
Christchurch: Kite Day puts eyes on the skies
New Brighton beach will come alive with colourful, fluttering kites in all shapes and sizes on Saturday.
Heritage buildings receive helping hand
A 150-year-old pub is among three heritage buildings to receive funding to help with earthquake strengthening, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Jacinda Arder
Dry conditions affecting Otago rivers
A drier and warmer December than normal has resulted in low levels in some Otago rivers.
Christchurch: New seaside playground a magnet for families
New Brighton’s playground is proving a holiday hot spot attracting hundreds of people a day to the suburb.
Christchurch: Thrillers book top spot at library
Thrillers are the most popular books with Christchurch library users, led by British author Lee Child’s “Jack Reacher” novels.
Foreign Minister attends North Korea meeting
Foreign Affairs Minister to attend international meeting to discuss North Korea
Christchurch: Rain temporarily eases fire risk
Recent rain has eased the fire risk across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula but authorities say it will only take a few hot nor’west days to push it up again.
Safe to swim at Otokia Creek, Brighton
The latest Otago Regional Council (ORC) water quality samples taken from Otokia Creek, which runs into Brighton Beach, have shown low levels of bacteria and the creek is now safe to swim in.
Christchurch: Botanic Gardens teeming with visitors
Visitors to the Botanic Gardens are being urged to get in early or make the most of the warm summer evenings as the popular city site is swamped by holidaymakers.
Christchurch: Join the top brass at 35th Sparks
Want the chance to blow your own trumpet in front of tens of thousands of people?
Valuing new opportunities
A former refugee from Nepal has been making a difference in her role with Spotless at the Palmerston North Hospital.
Consultation on fisheries sustainability measures for 2018
MPI is seeking feedback on the annual review of catch limits and other management settings for the start of the April 2018 fishing year.
High levels of E. coli at Otokia Creek in Brighton
Otago Regional Council (ORC) water quality samples taken from the Otokia Creek, which runs into Brighton Beach, have shown high levels of the bacteria E. coli.
MPI and dairy industry extend milk testing programme for Mycoplasma bovis
MPI and its dairy industry partners have decided to extend the current Mycoplasma bovis milk testing underway in Canterbury, Otago and Southland into a national milk surveillance programme.
Sausage smuggler sent packing
A Belgian air passenger has been forced to leave New Zealand after attempting to smuggle 3 sausages into Auckland.
Christchurch: Book in some chill-out time this weekend
If the hustle and bustle of the festive season has left you in need of some chill-out time, then make a beeline for one of the following weekend events.
Attitudes towards students with disabilities must change, Commission says
The recent case of an autistic boy having to move schools due to bullying is a clear indication that more has to be done to change attitudes towards children with disabilities and address bullying in schools, says the Human Rights Commission.
Stink bug treatment for Italian shipping containers
MPI has introduced new treatment requirements to stop brown marmorated stink bugs arriving into New Zealand in sea containers from Italy.
Organic farm exploits ‘thousands’ of travellers through volunteer scheme
An organic farm near Christchurch was ruled to have breached the rights of workers it said were volunteers by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), following an Inspectorate investigation.
Check clean dry to avoid spreading freshwater pests this summer
With the summer holiday season now well underway, Otago Regional Council (ORC) and the Ministry for Primary Industries are reminding everyone in Otago of the importance of cleaning their equipment between waterways to avoid the spread of unwanted freshwater pests including the invasive alga didymo.
Christchurch: Night-time closures on Durham Street
Part of Cambridge Terrace/Durham Street will be closed for several nights next week so roading crews can put the final seal and line markings on the revamped road.
Christchurch: Major roading project to get under way in Shirley
Roading crews will begin work on reconstructing earthquake damaged North Avon Road, in Shirley, on Monday 15 January.
Christchurch: Council keeping close eye on rainfall levels
A close watch is being kept on rainfall levels across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
Christchurch: Airport passenger numbers soar to new heights
The equivalent of the entire population of Canterbury and the West Coast passed through Christchurch Airport last month, making it the airport’s busiest month ever.
Drought classification extends to Grey and Buller
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Communities Damien O’Connor has extended the medium-scale adverse event classification to the drought-hit Grey
Christchurch: Lazy Sundays on song for summer
One of SummerTiime’s favourite events – Ingham’s Lazy Sundays – is back to ensure your weekend ends on a high note.
Tests confirm cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis on Ashburton farm
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) confirms that the bacterial cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis is present on a farm in the Ashburton area.
Christchurch: Orangutans go ape over garden waste
Pruned foliage from the Botanic Gardens is being fed to orangutans at Orana Wildlife Park to liven up their diet.
Worrying warnings on the weather front
Hon James Shaw
Minister for Climate Change
Christchurch: New campaign challenges ‘right’ to speed
A new road safety advertising campaign is challenging speeding drivers to slow down and stop defending their perceived ‘right’ to speed.
Christchurch: Buskers festival a bright spot for January
Don’t feel too grim about heading back to work – the 25th anniversary World Buskers Festival is just around the corner.
Christchurch: Risingholme ready to rise from the ashes
Work will get under way shortly on rebuilding the historic Risingholme Community Centre in Opawa.
NZ First condolences with passing of Jim Anderton
Winston Peters
Government mourns the passing of Jim Anderton
New Zealand has lost a man of integrity, compassion and dedication to public service with the passing of the Hon Jim Anderton, Prime Minister Jaci
Potentially toxic algae reported in Tomahawk Lagoon
High levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) has been sampled from the Tomahawk lagoon in Dunedin, prompting a warning from the Otago Regional Council for people (and dogs) to avoid contact with the waters of the lagoon.
Christchurch ready for heavy rain and high tide
With heavy rain forecast for Friday and Saturday – which happens to coincide with higher than normal tides – Christchurch City Council is taking steps to minimise any flooding impact in the city and Banks Peninsula.
Zero tolerance for poaching at Gisborne’s Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Department of Conservation (DOC) are warning that they will continue to take a zero tolerance approach towards people who poach from the Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve north of Gisborne.
380 deaths on NZ roads an unacceptable end to 2017
The provisional number of lives lost on New Zealand roads in 2017 is 380, the highest since 2009 says Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter.
Prime Minister congratulates Honours recipients
Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Jacinda Ardern today congratulated the 179 New Zealanders named on the 2018 New Year’s Honours List.
Pacific community celebrated in New Year’s Honours
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio has welcomed the Pacific recipients named in the New Year’s Honours.
Condolences to the family of Tony Johns
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio has expressed his sincere condolences and sympathies to the family of Tony Johns who has passed away.
NZ supports latest Security Council resolution on North Korea
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the latest United Nations Security Council resolution against North Korea.


























