Latest news with #DepartmentofInternalAffairs'
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Mayor's water services affordability plea rejected by Ruapehu District Council
Ruapehu was among the most economically disadvantaged districts in New Zealand, with many households 'already stretched to breaking point by the cost-of-living crisis'. 'All of this term we've acknowledged this reality, especially for Māori communities. Yet today, some are still prepared to back the most expensive option on the table, a position I cannot understand.' Kirton said the two-council model would almost double the Department of Internal Affairs' (DIA) affordability benchmark that water costs should not exceed 2.5% of median household income. He also cited new information since the original July 9 decision, including a requirement from the Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai to bring forward costly wastewater treatment upgrades previously delayed for affordability reasons. The Whanganui council had rejected price harmonisation, which would have shared costs evenly across both councils. 'There is nothing in the two-council arrangement for Ruapehu except ability to increase our debt headroom to borrow more for upgrades our people cannot afford.' In the public forum, Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust spokesman Kuru Ketu said the council's role was to make decisions about water services and infrastructure, not water itself. Making a decision on the basis of 'keeping the catchment together' was 'statutory overreach'. 'The relationship and union of the catchment is whakapapa-based and now protected and provided for by Te Awa Tupua legislation. The catchment will remain together regardless of Local Water Done Well arrangements.' Ketu said 70% of Māori in northern Taumarunui ranked among the most deprived in the country. If people could not pay their bills, the council controlled organisation (CCO) could not function. The trust backed a larger multi-council entity for its greater borrowing capacity, cheaper debt and stronger buying power. Deana Wilson, representing Ngāti Rangi, supported the two-council decision, highlighting iwi connection to waterways and the link between water health and community wellbeing. She said collaboration was key to finding solutions to the region's wastewater treatment challenges. Ratepayer Marama Laurensen urged councillors to focus on practical realities such as cost and community impact rather than personal or emotive views about the river. 'I don't expect councillors to be carrying that particular responsibility. People elect you to deliver service to the community, not to use this table as a platform for your point of view or your feelings.' Laurensen said affordability was critical in a deprived community. Without it, 'you don't have the luxury of having wellbeing', she said. Kirton said the decision came down to a moral and financial duty. 'Do we protect our people from costs they can't afford, or do we lock them into a model that will take money they simply don't have?' Councillors Brenda Ralph and Janelle Hinch backed Kirton's position. Ralph warned higher charges would hit tenants, homeowners and businesses alike, forcing some residents to move away. Hinch said expert advice showed larger multi-council models were the most cost-effective, and warned the two-council option could be unviable for Ruapehu and risk being overturned. River protections were enshrined in legislation, and whakapapa to the rivers would not be severed, she said. Continuing with the two-council model would cause unnecessary hardship. Councillor Robyn Gram originally voted to join a larger model but on Wednesday withdrew her support. Deputy Mayor Viv Hoeta stood by her original vote for the two-council CCO. She said she valued the democratic decision already made and the partnership agreed to by both councils. The case for affordability was based on assumptions rather than facts, she said. Councillor Lyn Neeson said she struggled to see how $1000 extra would be imposed on ratepayers. 'I'm deeply concerned that the conversation over the past fortnight has put serious fear into our ratepayers that it is going to be unaffordable to live in Ruapehu.' Neeson said all councils' water rates would rise. 'The water improvements have to be made. They were unaffordable, that's the reason they weren't made. Now we have to make them.' A higher borrowing cap, cheaper debt and more buying power were not exclusive to the larger multi-council model, she said. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Government Must Not Neglect Speech Rights When Addressing Terrorism Laws
The Government must not let terrorism law reform inadvertently silence legitimate speech. Incitement to violence is already illegal; we should not ban the ability for individuals to freely advertise what they think, says Jillaine Heather, Free Speech Union Council Member. 'Recent reports of proposals to make it a criminal offence to publicly express support for designated groups or causes raise serious red flags. Peaceful protest, political commentary, or particular symbols could fall within the law's scope if definitions are not tightly drawn. We should not open the door to prosecuting Kiwis for expressing controversial or unpopular views. 'If certain opinions and discourse are banned, it will simply drive the conversation and ideologies underground to crop up in more dramatic ways. Censorship is a natural impulse to opinions we detest, but the wider picture must be considered. We're actually better off when we let individuals advertise their views. 'It's also concerning that these reforms are being developed behind closed doors, without public consultation. Transparency and accountability are key if we're to trust the Government's actions. 'New Zealand has already rejected 'hate speech' laws and the Department of Internal Affairs' proposed online content regime. Why would we open the door to this now? Banning speech is always a bad idea, no matter the good intentions."
NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Makorori Environmental Protection Society volunteers planting dunes to protect coast
The incorporated society secured funding from the Department of Internal Affairs' cyclone appeal to launch its restoration project, focused on removing exotic weeds, planting natural dune species, reducing accessways across the dunes and erecting educational signage to raise awareness of the work. By the end of it, the group aims to have planted more than 8000 native plants covering 3000 square metres of dune area, set up more than 250m of protective fencing, remove more than 100 cubic metres of invasive weeds and establish a community shed for tools and health and safety equipment. They hope to upskill volunteers in safe chemical handling and storage as well. Makorori resident Gwen Hinga, of MEPS, said there have been a couple of weeding days earlier in the month to prepare the whenua. Last weekend's outing was the first of three planned planting days. 'Last season we started some backdune planting... with wiwi and that was really successful,' Hinga said. Wiwi is a variety of coastal rush. The council had donated plants through local providers. 'Makorori has a lot of exotic weeds that are really stifling the whenua, so it is unable to do the job it is meant to do, which is to protect the land from Tangaroa's encroachment,' she said. 'By strengthening our dunes, we allow proper sand movement, which allows for erosion and accretion. By having good backdunes, we can create the right environment for foredunes.' She said the plants they were working with were kōwhangatara (spinifex) and pīngao (golden sand sedge), which they were trying to reintroduce to Makorori. She said there was a 'good mix' of local volunteers and those from outside the area on Sunday. The volunteers included Martin and Charlotte Friel, from Scotland, who were visiting relatives and decided to pitch in. Martin, left, and Charlotte Friel, from Scotland, were visiting relatives and decided to pitch in on the dune planting day. Photo / James Pocock 'We have a lot of locals who are super into this and come down to help when they can, because there is a lot to do,' she said. 'Ngā mihi to the community for turning out today.' She hopes the kaupapa will eventually extend along the area's entire coastline. 'It will be awesome to share that with our people because a lot of people have forgotten why we have sand dunes.' She acknowledged the volunteers and key partners, including the council, Fulton Hogan, Eastland Port, the Women's Native Tree Project Trust, Tairāwhiti Coastal Care Group, Coastlands Plant Nursery in Whakatāne and Ngāti Oneone. MEPS received a Coastal Restoration Award at the Coastal Restoration Trust conference in Uawa earlier in the year for its work.
Techday NZ
25-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Telesmart secures key government security endorsement for ICT
Telesmart has received an official endorsement from the Department of Internal Affairs for its Network Management and Administration services. The endorsement, granted through the All-of-Government (AoG) Marketplace, positions Telesmart among a small group of Information Communications Technology providers in New Zealand who meet the government's standards for information security. The Marketplace is designed to assist public sector agencies in identifying reliable ICT suppliers whose services align with strict security benchmarks, including the Protective Security Requirements (PSR) and the New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM). Endorsement significance The Tier 2 Information Security Endorsement is based on the provision of current and relevant documentation. Telesmart was required to provide evidence such as ISO 27001 certification, SOC 2 Type 2 reports, results from independent audits, and internal governance policies to meet the Department of Internal Affairs' expectations. For public sector organisations considering Telesmart as an ICT supplier, the endorsement means that due diligence checks on information security standards can be streamlined. However, it remains the responsibility of each organisation to conduct its own risk assessments as part of their procurement processes. Nigel Barker, Chief Executive Officer at Telesmart, noted the significance of this recognition for the company and its clients: We're proud to be one of a select group of Information Communications Technology (ICT) providers in Aotearoa to receive this endorsement from the Department of Internal Affairs, it's a clear signal that our customers are working with a provider who takes security seriously and delivers with integrity. Streamlining public sector procurement Geof Robinson, Chief Information Security Officer at Telesmart, highlighted the endorsement's practical implications for government agencies and other eligible organisations: Public sector teams face constant pressure to deliver secure, reliable services - often with limited time and resources. This endorsement simplifies that challenge, empowering agencies to choose technology with confidence without adding unnecessary complexity. Telesmart's inclusion in the AoG Marketplace enables agencies to access a suite of Cisco Meraki products offered by the company, which includes local area network (LAN) components, SD-WAN, Wi-Fi access points, firewall and security solutions, internet of things (IoT) sensors, cameras, and a dashboard for centralised management. Features and approach In addition to its network management services, Telesmart provides managed telephony, IT support, and cloud solutions for a range of organisational needs. The company supports clients in achieving operational resilience, streamlining communications, and enabling flexible working environments. Telesmart regularly serves sectors such as local government, education, health, and public administration. One aspect that distinguishes Telesmart is its internal service model. Every request is reviewed to assign the correct technical team, and progress is monitored using quality dashboards. An escalation path from the Help Desk Manager to the Head of Professional Services and ultimately to the CEO has been set up to address issues and maintain accountability. Security and trust Secure, efficient network management remains a priority for many organisations, particularly in government and the broader public sector. Reliable ICT service providers are increasingly important, given regulatory, operational, and service delivery demands. The Department of Internal Affairs' endorsement of Telesmart reflects a level of confidence in the company's processes and service delivery, with public sector agencies now in a position to consider Telesmart as a pre-vetted supplier. According to Telesmart, this endorsement is an additional layer of assurance for organisations looking to ensure their technology services are secure, straightforward, and scalable, allowing them to meet their current and future needs.
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Scoop
Napier Man Sentenced To Intensive Supervision For Distributing Child Sexual Exploitation Online
A Napier-based man in his 20's has been granted permanent name suppression and sentenced to two years intensive supervision and six months community detention. This follows his appearance at the Napier District Court on 17 June 2025, after an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs' Digital Child Exploitation team. The offender had earlier pled guilty to four representative charges relating to the distribution and possession of online child sexual abuse material. He became a person of interest to the Department of Internal Affairs after they received three referrals from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) with an email address that, through investigation, was attributed to the offender. A search warrant was then executed at his home address where investigators located and seized two devices for further examination. Forensic analysis of the devices found movie and image files depicting child sexual exploitation and abuse with children as young as 21 months of age. 'These images capture a real crime scene. Child sexual exploitation material depicts real children who have been sexually abused and exploited for these files to be created,' says Tim Houston, Manager of the Digital Child Exploitation Team. As part of his sentence, Judge Mackinstosh ordered the iPhone used during the offending to be forfeited and all objectionable material destroyed. About Department of Internal Affairs' Digital Child Exploitation Team: In 2024, the Digital Child Exploitation team conducted 69 investigations into child exploitation and helped to safeguard 14 New Zealand children from harm. Additionally, the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System blocked over one million attempts to access websites hosting child sexual abuse material. Support and Resources Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage with their tamariki about safe online practices. Advice and support for parents and caregivers on protecting their children online is available at If you have concerns about potential online harm or wish to report a crime, contact the Digital Child Exploitation Team at DIA. For situations where abuse is occurring or a child is in immediate danger, contact the Police at 111. Victims of child or sexual abuse crimes can access help and support services by contacting: Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334 Text 4334 If you are concerned about your own or someone else's sexual behaviour, please reach out for support: Safe Network: 09 377 9898 WellStop: 04 566 4745 STOP: 03 353 0257 Stand Strong, Walk Tall Notes: DIA uses the term child sexual abuse imagery. The term child pornography downplays the harm of child sexual abuse. For more information on the role of the Digital Child Exploitation Team, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visithttps://
