Articles tagged with Mark Mitchell
Government Orders Review of Dog Control Act to Tackle Dangerous Dogs in NZ
5 days ago | 138 viewsThe Government has initiated a comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act to address issues with roaming and aggressive dogs, aiming to empower councils with stronger enforcement powers and clearer guidelines. Alongside the review, measures such as police support for high-risk dog control situations, increased monitoring on conservation land, and a $1.2 million grant to the SPCA for dog desexing have been implemented to enhance public safety. The overall focus is on holding dog owners accountable, reducing dog overpopulation, and ensuring communities can safely enjoy public spaces.
Tags: Dog Control Act Mark Mitchell Tama Potaka SPCA Mr Watts New Zealand Government dog attacks local councils dog desexing public safetyGovernment Introduces Bill to Strengthen Police Powers on Surveillance and Area Closures
1 week ago | 98 viewsThe Government has introduced a Bill to amend the Policing Act 2008, reaffirming Police's ability to record images and sounds in public and some private places for lawful purposes, addressing constraints from a recent Supreme Court decision. The Bill also expands Police's temporary area closure powers to include parks, reserves, beaches, and carparks, allowing them to manage non-compliance more effectively. These changes aim to strengthen Police capabilities in crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and enforcing law and order, ultimately enhancing public safety.
Tags: Mark Mitchell Chris Bishop Policing Act 2008 Police Supreme Court Tamiefuna case Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill Government Law and Order temporary road closure powersPrime Minister Luxon Visits Samoa and Tonga to Strengthen Pacific Ties
2 weeks ago | 179 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon will visit Samoa and Tonga to strengthen New Zealand’s ties with these key Pacific nations, reflecting the deep family connections shared by over 300,000 Samoan and Tongan New Zealanders. This trip marks New Zealand’s first full engagement with the new governments, aiming to build trust and collaborate on prosperity and security issues. Accompanied by senior officials, business leaders, and community representatives, Luxon will also celebrate cultural and economic links during the visit from March 15 to 18.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Savae Sir Michael Jones Rachel Afeaki Shane Reti Mark Mitchell Tim van de Molen Jenny Salesa Teanau Tuiono Prime Minister New ZealandGovernment Boosts Mayoral Relief Funds to Support Communities After Severe Weather
3 weeks ago | 184 viewsThe Government is providing additional funding to Mayoral Relief Funds across several districts to support communities affected by recent severe weather events, supplementing initial contributions made earlier this year. These funds enable local authorities to address urgent needs such as cleaning, debris removal, and supporting families and community organizations while broader recovery efforts are coordinated nationally. A National Recovery Office has been established to ensure a coordinated government response, with various agencies assisting in areas like agriculture, marae resilience, and emergency waste management.
Tags: Mark Mitchell Chris Penk Mayoral Relief Funds Whangārei District Council Gisborne District Council Tauranga City Council Western Bay of Plenty District Council Ōpōtiki District Council Ōtorohanga District CouncilViolent Crime Drops by 49,000 in NZ with Increased Police Patrols and Reforms
4 weeks ago | 282 viewsSince the Government was elected, a tough on crime approach and nearly doubling police foot patrols have led to 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in New Zealand by October 2025. Key reforms include tougher sentencing, enhanced police powers, and coordinated efforts to reduce youth reoffending, resulting in significant drops in serious youth offenses and ram raids. Despite this progress, the Government remains committed to further law and order improvements, including new legislation to address disorderly behavior and strengthen trespass laws.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell Karen Chhour New Zealand violent crime Police Oranga Tamariki Crimes Amendment Bill Three Strikes youth offendingNew Zealand Government Empowers Police with Move-On Orders to Curb Public Disorder
1 month ago | 216 viewsThe New Zealand Government is amending the Summary Offences Act to grant police the power to issue move-on orders to individuals exhibiting disorderly or disruptive behavior, obstructing access to businesses, begging, or rough sleeping in public places. These orders will require individuals aged 14 or older to leave a specified area for up to 24 hours and move a reasonable distance away, aiming to enhance public safety and reduce disturbances in city centers. Police will assess each situation individually and collaborate with social and housing services to provide support where necessary.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell New Zealand Government police powers Summary Offences Act public safety disorderly behaviour law and order police enforcementGovernment Urges North Island Residents to Prioritize Safety Amid Severe Weather Warnings
1 month ago | 301 viewsThe Government is urging North Island communities to prioritize safety amid severe weather warnings and recent flooding that has already caused a fatality. Emergency services and agencies, including the NZDF and local Civil Defence, are actively supporting response efforts and have resources pre-positioned in vulnerable areas. Authorities advise avoiding floodwaters, non-essential travel, and staying alert to landslide risks while following updates from official channels for safety guidance.
Tags: Government North Island Cyclone Gabrielle Mark Mitchell Emergency Management Civil Defence NZDF Severe Weather Flooding South WaikatoNZ Government Launches $1.2M Support for Recovery After Severe Weather Impact
1 month ago | 303 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon announced initial government support for recovery efforts following severe weather, including temporary housing for around 500 displaced people and $1.2 million in immediate relief funds, with additional funding available from various agencies. The government is prioritizing infrastructure repairs, health and mental support, and reimbursing marae that provided community welfare, while Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell emphasized ongoing assessments and future support. Luxon also appointed Hon Chris Penk as Associate Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery to coordinate the response and advise on a potential independent inquiry into the Mount Maunganui tragedy.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Mark Mitchell Chris Penk Mount Maunganui Welcome Bay Warkworth Natural Hazards Commission New Zealand Transport Agency Ministry for the Environment Ministry of Primary IndustriesWellington Launches Roadside Drug Testing to Crack Down on Drug-Impaired Driving
3 months ago | 478 viewsRoadside drug testing has begun in the Wellington District as part of a nationwide rollout by mid-2026 to deter drug-impaired driving, targeting substances like cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine. Police will use saliva-based screening devices at the roadside, with positive tests leading to laboratory analysis and potential penalties including fines, demerit points, and driving prohibitions. Drivers refusing tests face immediate penalties, and prescription or medical notes cannot prevent testing, though medical defenses may be applied after infringement.
Tags: Chris Bishop Mark Mitchell Wellington District New Zealand roadside drug testing THC methamphetamine MDMA cocaineDuane Kale Appointed Chair of Sport New Zealand to Lead High Performance Sport
3 months ago | 362 viewsDuane Kale ONZM has been appointed Chair of Sport and Recreation New Zealand, bringing extensive experience in sports administration and Paralympic leadership. He has served as Deputy Chair of Sport NZ and High Performance Sport New Zealand since 2023, and as Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee since 2017. Kale is a decorated Paralympian and recognized leader, recently awarded the Paralympic Order, and will succeed Raewyn Lovett as Chair.
Tags: Duane Kale Mark Mitchell Raewyn Lovett Sport NZ Paralympics New Zealand International Paralympic Committee High Performance Sport New Zealand New Zealand Paralympian Paralympic Order Chef de MissionNew High-Security Units at Hawke’s Bay Prison to Boost Capacity by 2027
3 months ago | 573 viewsTwo new high-security units with 316 beds will be built at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison, increasing its capacity from 755 to 1,071 by early 2027 to address the rising prison population driven by law-and-order measures. This expansion complements recent and ongoing projects at Waikeria and Christchurch Men’s Prisons, which together will add over 1,500 beds by 2029, while Corrections has also bolstered frontline staff with nearly 900 new officers since February 2024. These efforts aim to safely manage growth in the prison population, predominantly violent and gang-affiliated offenders, and maintain public safety without requiring additional funding.
Tags: Mark Mitchell Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison Naylor Love Waikeria Prison Christchurch Men’s Prison Corrections New Zealand prison population violent crime Corrections OfficersNew Zealand Expands Next Gen Critical Communications to Boost Emergency Response
3 months ago | 437 viewsThe New Zealand Government is enhancing emergency responder capabilities by creating a new entity and expanding the mandate of Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) to extend Public Safety Network (PSN) services beyond frontline responders to a broader range of emergency management and public safety organizations. NGCC, responsible for delivering the $1.4 billion PSN infrastructure, aims to modernize critical communications with improved coverage, reliability, and real-time information sharing to better prepare for disasters. The new company, overseen by the Ministers for Emergency Management and Finance, will offer user-pays cellular services to eligible organizations starting mid-2026.
Tags: Mark Mitchell Next Generation Critical Communications NGCC Public Safety Network Emergency Management New Zealand Police Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hato Hone St John Wellington Free AmbulanceNZ Government Ahead of Violent Crime Reduction Target One Year After Tough Gang Laws
4 months ago | 406 viewsThe Government is exceeding its violent crime reduction target, with 147,000 victims of serious violent crime reported in the past year, 38,000 fewer than when they took office. Tough gang laws introduced a year ago have significantly contributed to this decline by targeting gang-related crime, resulting in numerous seizures and convictions. Ministers emphasize their commitment to law and order, highlighting police efforts and the disproportionate gang involvement in serious violent crime despite their small population size.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell New Zealand violent crime gang laws Gangs Act 2024 Ministry of Justice Police crime reduction criminal justice systemGovernment Implements Strong Oversight Measures for New Zealand Police
4 months ago | 420 viewsThe New Zealand Government is responding to a critical report on the Police's handling of complaints against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming by establishing strong oversight through an Inspector-General of Police. The report highlighted serious issues within the former Police executive, leading to concerns about integrity and culture. The Government and Police are accepting and implementing recommendations to strengthen oversight, integrity processes, and code of conduct, emphasizing the importance of public trust in the Police force.
Tags: Government New Zealand Police Jevon McSkimming Judith Collins Mark Mitchell Independent Police Conduct Authority Public Service Commission probity checking Police oversightNew Zealand to Introduce Tougher Drug Testing for Drivers: Key Drugs and Procedures Revealed
4 months ago | 539 viewsNew Zealand is implementing tougher enforcement against drug-impaired drivers by introducing roadside drug testing for THC, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine using oral-fluid devices. The initiative aims to reduce the 30% of road deaths involving impairing drugs and improve road safety. Police will conduct quick roadside screening tests, followed by laboratory analysis for positive results, leading to driving prohibitions and infringement notices for non-compliance.
Tags: New Zealand Roads Government Transport Minister Chris Bishop Police Minister Mark Mitchell Road Safety Roadside Drug Testing THC Methamphetamine