New Zealand News: Here is a summary of significant articles published on ForeignAffairs.co.nz on July 31, 2025.
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Legislation – New low from Govt in Public Service Act changes aimed at ending long term planning, diversity and inclusion and pay equity – PSA
Source: PSA The Government’s proposed changes to the Public Service Act, to be debated in Parliament today, aim to strip away key provisions that ensure fairness, equality and long-term planning in the public sector. Under the proposed amendments, detailed in the Public Service Amendment Bill, diversity and inclusion, pay equity and long-term planning would be downgraded. “This […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reform of import health systems begins
Source: New Zealand Government The Government is taking decisive steps to modernise New Zealand’s import health system, with a new programme aimed at significantly reducing the time it takes to develop Import Health Standards (IHSs) while maintaining the country’s world-class biosecurity protections. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the current regulatory framework is over 30 years […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pharmac makes annual tender decisions
Source: New Zealand Government Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to reduce the cost of some funded medicines to free up money for new medicines. “For many New Zealanders, funding for pharmaceuticals is life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely,” Mr Seymour says. “The […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: ECE reform gives the sector rights and the regulator purpose
Source: New Zealand Government Associate Education Minister David Seymour has introduced new legislation to set out the purpose of regulating early childhood education (ECE) and put the Education Review Office (ERO) in charge, instead of the Ministry of Education. “The Bill will increase clarity and certainty. It will ensure the sector and parents know their rights […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: 19 funded medicines to change brands following community consultation
Source: PHARMAC Pharmac has awarded contracts to a range of suppliers following its annual tender process, which will mean 19 medicines will be changing brands in the coming months. The annual tender is one of the ways that Pharmac manages the fixed budget it receives from the Government to fund medicines for New Zealanders. This […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: HRC struggles to rustle up ‘Conversion Therapy’ complaints
Source: Family First MEDIA RELEASE – 30 July 2025 The $2.25m taxpayer-funded complaints centre set up by the Human Rights Commission for receiving complaints about ‘conversion therapy’ has struggled to obtain any formal complaints about the use of ‘conversion therapy’ in the three years since the new law was passed, and haven’t referred a single […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government subsidies for dirty dairy dams will lead to polluted drinking water – Greenpeace
Source: Greenpeace Greenpeace is calling on the Government to scrap subsidies for irrigation dams following news that the Tukituki water storage scheme – formerly known as the Ruataniwha Dam – is seeking funding from the Regional Investment Fund managed by Shane Jones. Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says “There is no excuse for this Government to be […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tech and Security – Gen Threat Report Reveals Rise in Crypto, Sextortion and Tech Support Scams in an AI-Powered World
Source: Gen Gen in New Zealand tracks 77,721% rise in crypto scams, 170% spike in sextortion scams, and 278% increase in malicious push notifications Auckland, 31 July 2025 – Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), a global leader powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, MoneyLion and more, today released its Q2/2025 […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – Mayor Campbell Barry calls for a water services powerhouse in Lower Hutt – Hutt City
Source: Hutt City Council Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry has set out a bold vision for the city to become a powerhouse for water services, with professional services being anchored within Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (formerly RiverLink). Speaking at a business event last night, Mayor Barry said the timing is right with major […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health experts urge inquiry into tobacco industry influence after heated tobacco tax cut extended – Health Coalition
Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) is calling for a public inquiry and urging the Government to rethink its support for heated tobacco products (HTPs), following fresh revelations the Government extended a 50% tax cut on the products for two more years. Following on the heels of last week’s revelations about tobacco industry lobbying of politicians, Health […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Retirement Commission – New data reveals financial discomfort among women at an all-time high
Source: e Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission New research from Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission has revealed that record numbers of women are feeling more uncomfortable financially compared to their male counterparts. Data from the Retirement Commission’s financial sentiment tracker has found that 62% of women are financially uncomfortable in comparison to 51% of men […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – RBNZ launches new indicators to track financial inclusion
Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand 31 July 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) has created a series of financial inclusion indicators, designed to improve understanding of how well the financial system is serving the diverse needs of our communities and how it evolves over time. Director of […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Applications open for 2026 On Farm Support Science Scholarships | NZ Government
Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries A scholarship programme run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has started producing the next generation of on-farm advisers to support farmers and growers. Ffion White was one of the inaugural recipients of the On Farm Support science scholarship and is now an intern with Ballance Agri-Nutrients in […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stronger accountability for your rates
Source: New Zealand Government Key metrics published today show how much councils are spending and what they are spending it on, which has a direct impact on your rates, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “We know it is really tough out there and the cost of living is the biggest worry for households. Councils […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Strengthening sustainable tourism at iconic sites
Source: New Zealand Government A $17.5 million investment into strengthening sustainable tourism at some of the country’s most popular natural attractions will support jobs and incomes for regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our beautiful Conservation lands are one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest drawcards, attracting $3.4 billion into our economy from tourism a […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Heritage tourism boost to support local economies
Source: New Zealand Government A $4.5 million investment to develop tourism at places with unique cultural heritage will help create jobs and boost incomes in rural economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “This investment over the next three years from the International Visitor Levy will expand Tohu Whenua experiences to more regions with Manawatū-Whanganui and […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Killing weeds and wildings for economic growth
Source: New Zealand Government Tourism and rural businesses will benefit from Government action to eradicate invasive weeds from popular landscapes including progressing the development of world-leading early detection technology, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. The Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is New Zealand’s biggest tourism provider – conservation tourism is worth $3.4 billion […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: World Ranger Day 2025: selfie-style |
Source: NZ Department of Conservation It’s World Ranger Day! Time to celebrate our crews doing their best to protect nature in Aotearoa. This is a window into conservation field work: selfie-style. 📸 📷1: Taking a break at Ōpoutere Beach after clearing tracks – (L to R) Rebecca, Rachel, Shania📷2: Daniel and Chippy setting new trap […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maternal mental health boost for four regions
Source: New Zealand Government More women and families in need of specialist mental health support during and after pregnancy will soon have better access to care, with new investment being directed to Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Mid Central, and the Wellington region. Pregnancy and early parenthood can be a challenging time. This funding will mean more […]
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and safety regulations to support science and technology
Source: New Zealand Government Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting on proposed changes to health and safety regulations to better support innovation in New Zealand’s science and technology sector. “As part of the wider health and safety reforms, we’re clearing the way for scientific progress by reducing complexity and making it […]