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He stressed the need for the migrants to pay their own costs and not rely on the taxpayer. Video / Mark Mitchell
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RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Could Northland's Marsden Point be NZ's first 'Special Economic Zone'?
'I'm on top of the world!' Regional Development Minister Shane Jones descends from the top of a 27-metre-high fuel tank. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf A 'Special Economic Zone' at Northland's Marsden Point could supercharge the region's - if not the country's - economy, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Jones and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters visited Marsden Point on Tuesday to inspect a jet fuel storage project , while also promoting their vision for encouraging investment around Northland's main port. Peters said the area could "easily" become New Zealand's first Special Economic Zone . It had New Zealand's best deep-water port, was closest to international shipping lanes, and had plenty of land to build on. "These zones go a step beyond fast-track legislation. The zones will also have tax regimes that appeal to investors, local and international alike." Jones said Special Economic Zones already operated in Ireland, Singapore and Croatia. He said increased depreciation, tax "holidays" in which companies initially paid no tax, and attractive regulatory regimes could be used to attract large-scale investment in specific areas. Jones admitted the plan was "unorthodox" and would not say if it was supported by the party's coalition partners - but he believed bold moves were needed because current efforts to grow the economy were not working. "The Ruth Richardson bare austerity approach … it's not delivering the economic growth we need. Unless we have these kinds of bespoke initiatives, with tax incentives and self-consenting powers, I fear we're just going to be stuck in a rut talking about the same things year after year … and that's not good enough." Only a small degree of contortion is required for the Regional Development Minister Shane Jones to enter the nation's equal-biggest jet fuel tank. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf He said the party wanted to table Special Economic Zone legislation in the coming year, or take the policy to the next election. Jones was typically provocative when describing how consenting in a Special Economic Zone might work. "When the zone is created any conditions of an environmental resource management character should be written into the zone. And then, my view is, you just have a couple of engineers in a tin shed somewhere, they can quickly consent things. This business of constipating and protracting all these resource consent processes is making the country broke." The Marsden Point zone, if created, could incorporate the former oil refinery site, the proposed Northport extension, and a planned dry dock facility for servicing large vessels such as Navy ships and Cook Strait ferries. Z Energy chief executive Lindis Jones and corporate affairs general manager Haley Mortimer with Regional Development Minister Shane Jones (centre) in the 18-metre-deep jet fuel tank. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf A rail link between the port and Northland's existing railway line was also vital for the development of Marsden Point, Jones said. Meanwhile, the aviation fuel tank the ministers came to inspect was being constructed by Channel Infrastructure on the former Marsden Point oil refinery site. Jones said it would boost New Zealand's resilience at a time of increasing geopolitical instability. Channel chief executive Rob Buchanan said the 30-million-litre tank had previously been used for crude oil and was being adapted for jet fuel at cost of up to $30m, in partnership with Z Energy. It would hold enough fuel for 10,000 flights between Auckland and Wellington. Once complete it would increase total storage of jet fuel, petrol and diesel at Marsden Point to about 300 million litres. Channel Infrastructure chief executive Rob Buchanan and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones atop a 30-million-litre jet fuel tank. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Buchanan said it was not the only project bringing life back to the site where oil refining ended in 2022. "One of the projects we're working on very actively at the moment is repurposing the old refinery into a biorefinery, which could produce diesel and jet fuel. That's with some international partners because it would be a very significant amount of capital investment. It'd be really exciting to bring back manufacturing capacity," he said. Buchanan would not say what would be used as the raw material, citing business confidentiality. A decision as to whether the biorefinery would go ahead was expected next year. Both Jones and Peters expressed disappointment at the oil refinery's closure , but with the cost of reopening it estimated at $5-7 billion, Jones accepted that was not going to happen. "We're over that chapter and we have to support new industry and new investment," he said. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones with Channel Infrastructure chairman James Miller, chief executive Rob Buchanan and operations general manager James Stewart inside the 30-million-litre jet fuel tank. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Peters said the Marsden Point rail project, which was part of the coalition agreement, was continuing to make progress. Almost all the land required had been bought and KiwiRail had completed the design work. The 19 kilometre rail spur between Oakleigh, south of Whangārei, and Northport had initially been estimated to cost $1 billion. Peters said he would not accept such a high cost. In the coming weeks KiwiRail would share its designs, on a confidential basis, with other potential builders, he said. "We're going to get value for money. And if we don't get it from New Zealanders we'll get it from international competition. That's why I can guarantee you we're not talking about a billion dollars or anything like it." Construction had originally been due to begin in late 2026 or early 2027 but Jones said that had been delayed. The other major project planned for Marsden Point was a dry dock expected to cost $400-500m. Jones said it would be a public-private partnership part-funded by the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Shortlisted companies had until May to submit Requests for Proposal. Jones said the government was "getting closer" to choosing a successful bidder. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Mark Brown: rejects talk of 'strategic shift' in Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship
Prime Minister Mark Brown says the New Zealand, Cook Islands relationship is too strong that disagreeing governments can not break it. Photo: Caleb Fotheringham The Cook Islands has no intention of leaving its special relationship with New Zealand, Prime Minister Mark Brown says. The Cook Islands marked 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand on 4 August. "The value of our relationship with New Zealand cannot be overstated," Brown said at the national auditorium in Rarotonga on Monday. His remarks were met with a round of applause. "I would like to emphasise that there is not now, nor has there ever been, a strategic shift by the Cook Islands government or our peoples to reject the value and responsibilities of our relationship of free-association with New Zealand." The Cook Islands marked 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand on August 4 Photo: Caleb Fotheringham The celebration was filled with dancing, singing, food and a 45-minute speech by Brown on where the nation has come from and where it's going. "Every island holds a piece of our future, let us stand with conviction on the global stage. Our people span oceans. Our voice carries across borders. And our contribution continues to grow," Brown said. Notably absent from the four Pacific leaders attending was New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is in Papua New Guinea. Foreign Minister Winston Peters was also absent. Brown said like any relationship, there will be moments that need reflection. "There are times when we must pause and consider whether the conventions and evolved understandings between our freely associated states remain aligned, we find ourselves in such a moment. "I see our relationship as one grounded in enduring kinship, like members of a family who continue to care deeply for one another, even as each has grown and charted their own path." Brown called the current issues a bump in the road. He said they had been through far worse, like natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic. "[The relationship] is too well entrenched and too strong, like steel, that nothing will break it, it is too strong that even disagreeing governments will not break it." Representing New Zealand was Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, who also talked of the long-standing relationship, stemming back hundreds of years to voyaging ancestors. "That bond of deep friendship between our two peoples, that will transcend all else as we continue to face the challenges, and celebrate the joys of the future, together." 60th celebrations Photo: Caleb Fotheringham After the official ceremony, there was a big kai kai. Those attending shared their thoughts on what they wanted for the future of their country. "To see our future generations grow up in our own paradise instead of them going overseas," one woman said. Another said she wanted the Cook Islands to remain a Christian nation and to keep their culture strong. One nurse said medical was always on the go and wanted more investment, "the resources we have are very limited, so I want to see a bigger improvement within our medical side of things". A dentist wanted the Cook Islands to be "a modern nation" and "to be a leader in economic wealth." Another man wanted to remain in free association with New Zealand but wanted the country "to make its own decisions and stand on its own two feet". A primary school principal said he wanted more young people to learn Cook Islands Māori. "This is our identity, our language." He also wanted the country to be more independent economically. "I think we as a nation need to look at how we can support other countries… I don't like that we're still asking for money from New Zealand, from Australia, at some point in the future I would like us as a nation to help other nations." There was a big kai kai as part of the celebrations Photo: Caleb Fotheringham New Zealand paused close to 20 million dollars in development funding in June, citing a lack of consultation on agreements signed between the Cook Islands and China earlier in the year. China's ambassador to New Zealand, Wang Xiaolong was attending the event. RNZ Pacific approached him, but the ambassador said he was unable to comment because he had to leave the event.
NZ Herald
3 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Number of high-security beds at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison could rise by up to 460, document shows
It said the population would increase rapidly until June 2028 and then rise gradually until June 2035. In a section of the long-term network configuration plan entitled The Future Prison Network – what could the prison network look like in the next 20 Years, the plan calls for new high-security capacity at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison. Between 240 and 720 new high-security beds would be built at the facility, to replace 256 existing beds deemed to be poor quality, the plan shows. The report also mentions the refurbishment of six hut units – typically low-security buildings for prisoners nearing release – which would improve quality and decrease bed numbers in these units from 380 to 252. A spokesperson from Corrections said on August 4, 2025, Hawke's Bay Regional Prison had 755 operational beds, 68 of which were vacant. Hawke's Bay Regional Prison. Photo / Paul Taylor Labour Corrections spokeswoman Dr Tracey McLellan said the party had warned before the 2023 election that the coalition Government was laying the groundwork for a 'mega-prison' in Hawke's Bay. 'The plan for up to 720 new high-security beds turns Hawke's Bay Regional Prison into one of the largest custodial sites in the country,' McLellan said. 'People in Hawke's Bay didn't ask for a mega-prison. They asked for better housing, safer communities and support for youth – not more cells.' Before the 2023 general election, then Tukituki Labour MP Anna Lorck said she didn't want any more beds built at the prison. 'What we know happens is, if we build a mega-prison, there will be more serious criminals brought into Hawke's Bay to serve their time and with them come their associates,' Lorck said at the time. Wedd said at the time that Lorck was peddling 'desperate misinformation' with her 'mega-prison' claim. When contacted by Hawke's Bay Today, Lorck, no longer in politics, said she hoped the region fights back against any plan to build a larger prison. 'It's the last thing our region needs,' she said. Wedd said Corrections had a range of projects under way to increase the number and quality of beds across the prison network, but no projects at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison had been confirmed. A Corrections spokesperson said public safety was their top priority, and ensuring they had sufficient fit-for-purpose prison capacity was critical to keeping the public safe. 'The Hawke's Bay Regional Prison redevelopment is a potential project being planned to meet the forecast rising demand for high-security beds at the prison,' the spokesperson said. 'This project would deliver additional high-security accommodation and necessary upgrades and replacements to essential site infrastructure such as the gatehouse and visitor facilities. 'The detailed scope of the project is being developed and the project remains subject to approvals and funding decisions.' The spokesperson said they could not provide timings of when decisions would be made. Inmate numbers at NZ's largest prisons*: Mt Eden Corrections Facility – 1318 Rimutaka Prison – 1024 Auckland South Corrections Facility – 960 Spring Hill Corrections Facility – 904 Christchurch Men's Prison – 896 Hawke's Bay Regional Prison – 703 Auckland Prison – 679 Northland Regional Corrections Facility – 601 Whanganui Prison – 519 * as of March 31, 2025 Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke's Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in Auckland, London, Berlin, and Napier.
