Testing / Law Enforcement Seven infringements from 300 roadside drug tests as Wellington trial informs national rollout The Wellington pilot is shaping the April start of nationwide drug-driving saliva testing, with Police stressing prescriptions won’t exempt drivers at the roadside.
Testing / Law Enforcement Seven infringements from 300-plus Wellington roadside drug tests; national rollout starts April Police say two months of testing has produced lessons for the nationwide programme, and prescriptions won’t exempt drivers from saliva screening.
Testing / Government Mt Roskill Queensland fruit fly find triggers local controls and inspections The biosecurity response is ramping up, with residents asked not to move fresh produce while checks are carried out.
New Zealand / Testing Government ends road cone hotline as councils told to shift to risk-based traffic management Six-month pilot points to council approvals as the driver of cone-heavy sites, with NZTA now tying funding to updated guidelines and a full shift required by July 2027.
Testing / New Zealand Council drops fortnightly rubbish trial; alternatives due in 2026 The six-month trial in Te Atatū Peninsula, Panmure/Tāmaki and Clendon Park/Weymouth has been shelved after strong opposition, with staff now tasked to find other ways to cut kerbside waste.
Testing / Law Enforcement Roadside drug testing starts in Wellington, with national rollout set for 2026 Police begin saliva screening for THC, meth, MDMA and cocaine; lab confirmation required for penalties, with 12-hour driving bans after two positive roadside tests.
Testing / Law Enforcement Roadside drug testing begins in Wellington, nationwide rollout due by mid-2026 Police start saliva checks for THC, meth, MDMA and cocaine; positives go to the lab before penalties, refusals draw a $400 fine and demerits.
Government / Testing Auckland to allow in‑water spot cleaning of arriving ships this summer Provisional approval lets Port of Auckland and NZ Diving & Salvage deploy targeted hull-cleaning to help cruise and cargo vessels meet biofouling rules without leaving port
Law Enforcement / Testing Roadside drug screening starts in Wellington on Monday, first use on the roads here Saliva tests will check for THC, meth, MDMA and cocaine; refusals draw a $400 fine, 75 demerits and a 12-hour driving ban.
Law Enforcement / Testing Three Auckland liquor stores sold alcohol to minors in controlled purchase operation Police tested 36 premises over three weeks; three failed and will be referred to the licensing authority.
Law Enforcement / Testing Police seize 3D-printed firearm; three Mongrel Mob-linked men arrested in Hawke’s Bay meth operation A six-month covert investigation driven by wastewater results led to simultaneous raids across Central Hawke’s Bay and Hastings, with more charges likely.
Government / Testing Government eases testing for micro abattoirs, cutting carcass sampling from 60 to as low as 12 a season The change targets very low-throughput processors, with ministers saying it lowers costs without weakening food safety oversight.
