# New Zealand daily digest — 23 Oct 2026

Defence led New Zealand's government news on 23 October, as Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies is resigning over undisclosed integrity matters, while the Defence Force reported on its four-month Indo-Pacific naval deployment. Elsewhere, Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomed Pharmac's extension of private-hospital funding for the breast cancer medicine Phesgo. Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced the next stage of the SH76 Brougham Street upgrade in Christchurch, and the National Cyber Security Centre urged businesses to check for critical PHP vulnerabilities.

Source-local date: Friday 23 October 2026 (Pacific/Auckland). 5 release(s). Canonical: https://mediarelease.co/digests/nz/2026-10-23/

## Releases

### [Military cooperation features during NZDF deployments to Indo-Pacific region](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr02244-military-cooperation-features-during-nzdf-deployments-23102026.html)

Issued by: New Zealand Defence Force · Original source: https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/military-cooperation-features-during-nzdf-deployments-to-indo-pacific-region/

HMNZ Ships Te Mana and Aotearoa have returned to New Zealand after a four-month Navy Task Group deployment in the Indo-Pacific, the New Zealand Defence Force says. The deployment included Te Mana's first patrols monitoring United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea and participation in the Rim of the Pacific exercise. Aotearoa carried out 45 replenishments at sea for vessels from six partner nations, including its first fuel transfers to Italian and Japanese warships.

### [SH76 Brougham Street upgrade moving to next stage](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr02243-sh76-brougham-street-upgrade-moving-to-next-stage-23102026.html)

Issued by: Hon Chris Bishop, Minister of Transport · Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/sh76-brougham-street-upgrade-moving-next-stage

Downer has been appointed to deliver Stage Two of the State Highway 76 Brougham Street upgrade in Christchurch, the main freight route to Lyttelton port, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. A new pedestrian and cycle bridge between Collins and Simeon Streets is expected to open in November. Stage Two, with work starting in the new year, includes upgraded intersections and signals, T2 lanes, new signalised crossings and a shared path, with the project due for completion by mid-2029.

### [Pharmac extends limit for cancer medicine to be funded in private hospitals](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr02242-pharmac-extends-limit-for-cancer-medicine-to-be-funded-23102026.html)

Issued by: Hon David Seymour, Associate Minister of Health · Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/pharmac-extends-limit-cancer-medicine-be-funded-private-hospitals

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has welcomed Pharmac's decision to extend the 12-month transitional access funding limit for the breast cancer medicine pertuzumab with trastuzumab (Phesgo) in private clinics. The medicine will continue to be publicly funded for these patients in private settings, a change expected to help around 15 patients due to exceed the limit in the next six to 12 months. The 12-month limit remains in place for all other cancer medicines.

### [NCSC urges small businesses to check websites and online services following PHP vulnerability](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr02241-ncsc-urges-small-businesses-to-check-websites-and-23102026.html)

Issued by: National Cyber Security Centre · Original source: https://www.ncsc.govt.nz/news/ncsc-urges-small-businesses-to-check-websites-and-online-services-following-php-vulnerability/

The National Cyber Security Centre is urging businesses to check whether their websites or online services are affected by recently disclosed critical PHP vulnerabilities and to make sure security updates have been applied. Director of Cyber Defence Operations Dr Emma Bickerstaffe says the flaw could let an attacker take full control of a website, web server or web service. Businesses should contact their developer or hosting provider, while people browsing the internet need not act.

### [Chief of Defence resigns](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr02240-chief-of-defence-resigns-23102026.html)

Issued by: Hon Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Defence · Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/chief-defence-resigns

Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies is resigning with immediate effect over integrity matters he did not previously disclose, Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith says. Both agree the position is no longer tenable, and Mr Goldsmith will recommend the Governor-General accept the resignation. Chief of Army Major General Rose King will act as Chief of Defence Force until Sunday, followed by Vice Chief Rear Admiral Mat Williams. The matter has been referred to the Inspector General of Defence.

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