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Government minister and Whangarei MP Dr Shane Reti is stepping down from politics at the election. Reti was first elected in 2014 and has served as deputy leader of the National Party and interim leader between Judith Collins stepping down and Christopher Luxon assuming the leadership. In this term of government, he was appointed Minister of Health but lost that role in early 2025 when he became Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology. He is also Minister of Pacific Peoples, Statistics, and Universities. He said reshaping the science and technology sector by amalgamating seven Crown Research Institutes into three Public Research Organisations had been a privilege.
A group of New Zealand truck owners have settled a claim against vehicle manufacturer and distributor Hino for $10.9 million.
In 2022, Hino admitted it had falsified fuel efficiency and emissions testing data to secure vehicle certification in Japan.
The claimants alleged that Hino misreported engine performance data for thousands of new and used diesel vehicles manufactured and exported to New Zealand between 2010 and 2022. The claim, filed in March 2025, also alleged Hino failed to meet its obligations under New Zealand consumer protection laws. Hino denied those allegations.
Shine Lawyers NZ represented the complainants. “While no admission of liability has been made as part of the settlement, it provides certainty and a pathway to compensation for affected class members, without the need for protracted litigation," solicitor Heidi Gwynne said.
The settlement is conditional on court approval.