Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 6th August 2025
In today's episode, unemployment has edged to a near five-year high and there are now an extra 16,000 people without work compared to last year; The government is inching closer to replacing petrol tax with electronic road user charges, or RUCs, on all light vehicles, in what the Transport Minister calls the biggest shake-up of road funding in half a century; Police are worried about public safety due to a spate of powerline tampering incidents of powerline tampering and theft across the Christchurch area; The amount of commercial and industrial waste being sent off to landfill has plummeted according to the latest snapshot of our waste and recycling habits.
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RNZ News
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Serious crash closes State Highway Two into Welllington
Police were callled to the scene about 8.30pm Thursday. Photo: RNZ/ Marika Khabazi Motorists heading to Wellington from Lower Hutt face a lengthy detour, after a two-vehicle crash. Police say there are serious injuries, after the accident in the southbound lanes of State Highway Two, just north of the Ngauranga interchange. The highway southbound is closed from the Dowse Drive interchange and Petone. Northbound lanes are open. Motorists will have to take State Highway 58, the Haywards Hill and State Highway One, until the road is re-opened. More to come Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
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Car rolls on Auckland motorway, blocking lanes
The left northbound lane at Highbrook Dr was blocked following the crash. Photo: NZTA A person is in hospital following an early morning crash on Auckland's Southern Motorway. The incident occured around 5:30am at the Highbrook Drive offramp when a car crashed and rolled, blocking the left northbound lane of the motorway and forcing the closure of the offramp. No other vehicles were involved and police are currently speaking to the driver. NZTA / Waka Kotahi says the scene has since been cleared and all lanes restored. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
a day ago
- 1News
Rural Tasman highways drop speed limits to 80km/h
Several key rural roads across Tasman have had their speed limits dropped. Lowering speed limits around the district has been difficult for Tasman after its regional speed plan was largely invalidated by a Government rule change. However, as of Monday, the Motueka Valley and Moutere highways, as well as Dovedale, Edwards, and Neudorf roads, have fallen from 100km/h to 80. In Richmond, McShane Rd has also lowered to 50km/h from 80, while Lower Queen St immediately northeast of McShane saw sections drop to 50 and 60km/h from 60 and 80km/h. These reductions come after speed limits were reduced and variable limits installed around several schools in late July and earlier in August. ADVERTISEMENT The lower speed limits are expected to reduce the number of crashes in the district, especially on the two local highways, which are some of Tasman's most crash-prone roads. Reducing speeds on targeted roads around the district has been a challenge for the council after the Government rule change largely invalidated its original speed plan, forcing it to re-consult on the changes and frustrating many local communities who have been wanting the changes for years. 'It's great to see that these important changes are finally in place to help keep our communities safer,' said Jane Murray, Tasman District Council's transportation planning advisor. She likened road safety to Swiss cheese. 'Each safety measure – like road design, vehicle safety, or driver behaviour – acts as a layer of protection, but no layer has no holes. Crashes happen when the holes in the layers line up,' she said. 'Safe speeds are a vital layer. They help prevent crashes and reduce harm when crashes happen. Even if other safety measures fail, safe speeds can save lives.' Drivers should watch out for the new speed signs, especially near schools where 30km/h speeds now applied during pick-up and drop-off times, she added. ADVERTISEMENT About 300 signs needed to be replaced for the speed limit reductions. While the council aimed to align the changing signs with the official implementation dates, some were put up earlier which led to confusion and anger from some residents. 'We've been working with police on this and appreciate everyone's patience,' Murray said. Senior sergeant Christopher Brooks, Tasman District road policing manager, warns motorists to drive to the conditions and take particular care of the changed speed limits. 'The posted speed limit is just that – a limit – not a target,' he said. 'Even a small change in speed makes a big difference to injury severity in a crash – for you and everyone else involved. Motorists should expect to be stopped by Police anytime, anywhere.' Brooks added that there was an increase in the number of roadworks happening locally after the recent severe weather and reminded drivers to follow directions and respect workers. ADVERTISEMENT 'Reduced speed limits are a warning that there is a hazard on or near the road approaching. Whether you're heading out of town or staying local, we want you to get to your destination safely.' The council will be considering a second phase of speed limit reductions on Thursday, which would affect narrow or winding unsealed roads, rural residential and peri-urban streets, urban roads without footpaths, along with other specific roads around the district. If approved, those changes will be made between 2026 and 2028. Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
