Testing / Government AI cameras join yellow-legged hornet hunt as Auckland eradication passes 120 nests Biosecurity NZ will trial UK-built devices at feeding traps to track hornet activity ahead of winter, while asking North Shore residents to keep reporting sightings.
Government / Testing ERO school reports to be simplified and expanded from Term 2 Parents will get clearer measures of student achievement, progress and engagement, with new ERO report formats rolled out alongside the Government’s testing changes.
Government / Testing Government to trial one-on-one Year 2 maths check, aims for nationwide rollout by year’s end The 15-minute assessment will gauge number knowledge and early operations, begin in 100 schools, and feed into new parent reporting alongside phonics checks.
Testing / Government Government opens 12-month digital food labelling trial for some imported foods Selected retailers will test digital labels in place of some physical requirements on lower‑risk, pre‑packaged imports; New Zealand Food Safety to oversee; expressions of interest close 8 April.
Testing / New Zealand PPTA convenes expert panel to scrutinise final NCEA changes, report due in October The union will run an independent review of the Government’s looming secondary qualifications overhaul, led by sector figures Kate Gainsford and Melissa Denzler.
Emergency / Testing St John’s first electric ambulance meets targets, heads to Lyttelton for next phase After a year on Waikato roads, the EV ambulance will be tested in colder, hillier conditions around Banks Peninsula.
Testing / Government New meth residue rules for rentals set at 15µg threshold, taking effect 16 April Government gazettes regulations to standardise meth testing and clean-up in rentals, with fast termination option above 30µg and professional testing required in set cases.
New Zealand / Testing Low-flying Hercules over Central Otago part of RNZAF ‘Skytrain’ deployment drill The Air Force based a C-130 at Wānaka for Exercise Skytrain, practising tactical low-level flying, air drops and rapid turnarounds designed to translate directly to disaster relief and regional operations.
Testing / New Zealand NZDF puts first payload ‘Korimako’ into orbit, begins on‑orbit tests Defence scientists are talking to the Korimako experiment from Whangaparaoa after a Rocket Lab Electron launch from Virginia.
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.
