Te Pāti Māori warns that the Government’s Treaty Clause Review represents the most severe erosion of iwi rights in modern legal history.
“Luxon’s Government is doing what the Treaty Principles Bill failed to do. They are removing every legal reference to Te Tiriti across health, housing, conservation, and child wellbeing laws, clause by clause” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
The Treaty clause review impacts 28 laws, including the Conservation Act, RMA, Oranga Tamariki Act, Climate Change Response Act, and the Pae Ora Act. Key protections for Māori health equity, kaitiakitanga, and tino rangatiratanga are being systematically erased.
“This is constitutional vandalism” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi. “The Government is deleting our rights from legislation, with no consultation, no mandate, no Treaty partner process.”
Te Pāti Māori is calling on all iwi, hapori Māori, legal advocates, community defenders, whānau, and Tangata Tiriti to prepare a unified response.
“They may be erasing words from legislation, but we will not let them erase our rights,” concluded Ngarewa-Packer.
1. The 28th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM+3) took place on 4 May 2025 in Milan, Italy under the co-chairmanship of H.E. Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II of Malaysia, H.E. Dato’ Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, H.E. Lan Fo’an, Minister of Finance of the People’s Republic of China, and H.E. Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China. The Director of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat, and the Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were also present at the meeting.
2. We express our deepest condolences to the people of Myanmar and Thailand for the tragic loss caused by the devastating earthquake on 28 March. Our thoughts are with the affected communities during this difficult time, and we stand in solidarity with them as they recover and rebuild.
Download the full statement here.
The post Joint Statement of the 28th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Duncan, Teaching Fellow in Politics and International Relations, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Trying to capitalise on the electoral success of US President Donald Trump, now that his policies are having real-world effects, is proving to be a big mistake for conservative leaders.
Australian voters have delivered a landslide win for the incumbent Labor Party, returning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a second term with a clear majority of seats.
When he said in his victory speech that Australians had “voted for Australian values”, an unspoken message was that they’d firmly rejected Trumpian values.
Meanwhile, opposition and Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton had such a bad election he lost his own seat. While not the only reason for his electoral demise, Dutton’s adoption of themes associated with Trump backfired.
As recently as mid-February, however, it was a completely different story. Opinion polls were projecting Dutton’s Coalition to win. Betting markets followed suit, pricing in a change of government.
But by March, Labor had pulled ahead in the polls, and exceeded expectations in the election itself. As one commentator put it, the Liberals were “reduced to a right-wing populist party that is all but exiled from the biggest cities”.
Following a Trumpian pathway turned out to be a strategic blunder. And Dutton’s downfall mirrors Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s defeat in Canada’s election on April 28.
In January, Canada’s incumbent centre-left Liberals were heading for defeat to the Conservatives. But there were two gamechangers: the Liberals switched leaders from Justin Trudeau to Mark Carney, and Trump caused a national uproar with his aggressive tariffs and his call for Canada to become the 51st US state.
Pre-election opinion polls then did a dramatic flip in favour of the Liberals, who went on to win their fourth election in a row.
His strategy failed as soon as Trump rolled out “America First” policies contrary to Canadians’ economic interests and national pride. The takeaway for serious right-wing leaders in liberal democracies is clear: let Trump do Trump; his brand is toxic.
Not a universal trend
Trump’s actions are harming America’s allies. His tariffs, disregard for the rule of law, and tough policies on migrants, affirmative action and climate change have seen voters outside the US react with self-protective patriotism.
A perceived association with Trump’s brand has now upended the electoral fortunes of (so far) two centre-right parties that had been in line to win, and had been banking on the 2024 MAGA success somehow rubbing off on them.
Admittedly, what has been dubbed the “Trump slump” isn’t a universal trend.
In Germany, the centre-left Social Democratic-led government was ousted in February, in spite of Trump ally Elon Musk’s unhelpful support for the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
And in the United Kingdom, the populist Reform UK party has risen above 25%, while Labour has fallen from 34% in last year’s election to the low 20s in recent polls.
But other governing centre-left parties are seeing an upside of the Trump effect.
Norway’s next election is on September 8. In early January it looked like the incumbent Labour Party would be trounced by the Conservatives and the right-wing Progress Party.
Opinion polls dramatically flipped in early February, however, boosting Labour from below 20% back into the lead, hitting 30%. If that trend is sustained, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will get another term in office.
Denmark’s governing Social Democrats have enjoyed a small polling boost, too, since Trump declared he’d like to take Greenland off their hands.
Lessons for NZ’s left and right
The common denominator underlying these shifts to the left seems to be the Trump effect. Voters in countries normally closely allied with the US are turning away from Trump-adjacent politicians.
In 2024, elections tended to go against incumbents. But, for now at least, people are rallying patriotically around centre-left, sitting governments.
Ironically, Trump is harming leaders who could have been his allies. Unrepentant as always, the man himself seemed proud of the impact he had in Canada.
Winston Peters: culture war rhetoric. Getty Images
In Australia and New Zealand, polls in mid-2024 showed support for Trump was growing – heading well above 20%. Australia’s election suggests that trend may now be past its peak.
In New Zealand, with debate over ACT’s contentious Treaty Principles Bill behind it, and despite NZ First leader Winston Peters’ overt culture-war rhetoric (which may appeal to his 6% support base), the right-wing coalition government’s polling shows it could be on track for a second term – for the time being.
While the Trump effect may have benefited centre-left parties in Australia and Canada, polling for New Zealand’s Labour opposition is softer than at the start of the year.
While “America First” policies continue to damage the global economy, centre-right leaders who learn the lesson will quietly distance themselves from the Trump brand, while maintaining cordial relations with the White House.
Centre-left leaders, however, could do worse than follow Anthony Albanese’s example of not getting distracted by “Trump-lite” and instead promoting his own country’s values of fairness and mutual respect.
Grant Duncan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Tax reform advocacy group Tax Justice Aotearoa is calling on the Government and opposition parties to remedy the failures in our taxation system illustrated by a new report from the Centre of International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research, which looks at transparency and corporate tax issues in the heavily public-funded aged care sector.
“Instead of talking about the possibility of reducing our corporate tax rate of 28 per cent, the Government should be finding ways to increase financial transparency, and ensuring that multinational corporates pay their fair share of current corporate tax by reviewing the thin capitalisation rules,” says Glenn Barclay, Chairperson of Tax Justice Aotearoa.
“This is particularly urgent where public funds are paid to multinational corporations delivering services on behalf of the government.”
The report focuses on the transparency of public funding in the aged residential care sector, and shows how our tax system allows multi-national providers to avoid paying the taxes that the public would expect them to pay, demonstrating this through the example of UK-owned BUPA.
BUPA had an average effective corporate tax rate over the past decade of only 4 per cent, much lower than the headline rate of 28 per cent, driven largely by tax-free capital gains.
In addition, the company appears to have used inter-company interest payments on a substantial loan to an Australian-incorporated BUPA company, which may have reduced taxable income by around $151m over the decade, trimming tax revenue by as much as $27 million over that period.
“This ability of multi-nationals to set up loans between subsidiary companies in different countries and then claim tax deductibility on the interest from those loans is a major issue,” says Glenn Barclay.
“While entirely legal, this ‘thin capitalisation’ is an approach that most members of the public would find questionable. It also gives multi-national players an advantage over wholly New Zealand-owned companies in competitive markets.”
“New Zealand does have thin capitalisation rules that are supposed to prevent this kind of activity, but this example shows that they are simply not strong enough,” says Glenn Barclay.
“We note that Australia and the UK have introduced a ‘fixed ratio’ test for interest payments on related party debt which limits allowable interest deductions in any one year to 30 per cent of gross earnings and this is the kind of measure that we should also seriously consider.”
“On a related matter, we note that IRD is looking at relaxing the existing thin capitalisation rules for infrastructure projects as part of its work programme agreement with the Minister of Revenue.
This could well be in the Budget and would be a big step in the wrong direction,” says Glenn Barclay. “We urge the Government not to go down this route, but instead look at tightening this provision across the economy.”
The report questions the tax exemptions in the sector for capital gains arising from revaluations of assets, which is significant given the amount of real estate that companies in the sector own.
“It seems that aged residential care providers are intentionally using the capital gains they make from selling both rights to occupy properties to new residents, and sometimes the properties themselves, as part of their income streams,” says Glenn Barclay.
“If this is true, then the current law, which says that capital gains on sales made intentionally for that purpose are taxable, should be enforced. If, for some reason, it is not enforceable, then the law should be clarified. A comprehensive tax on capital gains would resolve these issues in a much clearer way.”
The report also raises questions about the level of funding for the aged care sector and the extent to which unaccountable multi-national and other private providers should be involved in service delivery.
“The report indirectly supports the need for more funding for aged care generally as the population ages and this is yet another example of a demand for services that only a more progressive tax system that properly taxes wealth can address,” says Glenn Barclay.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
By Yang Yuan, Zhang Boyu and Zeng Xuetong
BEIJING, Apr. 8 — Recently, the 23rd Chinese peacekeeping multi-role engineering company to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) dispatched an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team to help the South Korean peacekeeping troops neutralize expired high explosive ammunition, thereby eliminating security risks in the UNIFIL camps.
The continuing tension in southern Lebanon exacerbates the already acute challenge faced by the UNIFIL troop-contributing countries in the disposal of expired ammunition. Recently, the Chinese EOD team was assigned by the Combat Engineering Division of the UNIFIL Operations Department to destroy 277.2 kilograms of expired COMP-C4 explosives.
Prior to the operation, the Chinese peacekeepers conducted an overall security assessment of the blasting site under the control of the UNIFIL. During the process, all steps, including the movement, placement and detonation of the explosives, were conducted in strict accordance with the UN standard operating procedures. After the successful destruction of the expired high explosive ammunition, the South Korean peacekeeping troops expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Chinese EOD team.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) — The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea on Tuesday, a spokesperson said.
Tian Junli, the command’s spokesperson, said the Philippines has repeatedly provoked incidents at sea and colluded with non-regional countries to stage so-called “joint patrols.”
He stated that the Southern Theater Command’s naval and air forces maintained close tracking and monitoring of these activities throughout the process.
Tian emphasized that troops of the Southern Theater Command remain on high alert, vowing to resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, April 30 (Xinhua) — At the invitation of Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense, the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) participated in a military parade here on Wednesday, celebrating Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification.
As the Chinese formation entered the parade ground, the Vietnamese audience rose to their feet and greeted them with enthusiastic applause.
“I was deeply impressed by the Chinese soldiers’ dignified appearance and movements. I feel proud of the comradeship and brotherhood between Vietnam and China,” said a Vietnamese audience Pham Thi Hue after the parade.
This marks the first time for the PLA’s Guard of Honor to be invited to participate in a military parade in Vietnam. Troops from the Vietnamese army, navy and air force, police forces, as well as foreign military formations participated in the parade.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
BEIJING, May 4 — “China urges the Japanese side to strictly restrain its citizens’ activities and stop provocative acts that complicate the situation in the sea and airspace of China’s Diaoyu Dao,” said a Chinese defense spokesperson on Sunday.
It is reported that China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels recently drove away the Japanese civilian aircraft that illegally entered the airspace of China’s Diaoyu Dao. The Japanese Defense Ministry claimed that the CCG ship-borne helicopters violated the Japan’s “airspace”.
In response to that, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said that the relevant remarks made by the Japanese side distort right and wrong and are irresponsible. The Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China’s inherent territory.
“The Japanese civilian aircraft illegally entered the airspace of China’s Diaoyu Dao, seriously infringing upon China’s territorial sovereignty,” said the spokesperson, adding that it is completely legitimate and legal for the CCG to take necessary measures to issue warnings to the Japanese aircraft and drive it away.
“We urge the Japanese side to strictly restrain the activities of its citizens, stop provocative acts that complicate the situation in the sea and airspace of China’s Diaoyu Dao, so as to avoid bringing unstable and unsafe factors and affecting the overall development of China-Japan relations,” said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson also stressed that China will continue to take effective measures to firmly safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from May 7 to 10 and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow, at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
With a historic vision and from a strategic height, President Xi and President Putin have guided China-Russia relations in the new era to always forge ahead despite a complex external environment and demonstrate the relations’ defining features of everlasting good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson introduced that during the upcoming state visit, President Xi will have strategic communication with President Putin on China-Russia relations under new circumstances and on a series of major international and regional issues.
“We believe the important common understandings between the two presidents will further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries, add new substance to strategic coordination, promote practical cooperation in various fields, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute more stability and positive energy to the international community,” the spokesperson said.
Noting this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, the spokesperson said that as the two main theaters of Asia and Europe in World War II, China and Russia made immense sacrifice and major, historic contributions to secure the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, save their respective nations from demise, and also save the future of mankind.
President Xi and President Putin previously agreed that the two sides will jointly remember history, honor the martyrs, foster a right view of the World War II history, defend the outcomes of the victory in the war and the post-war international order, and uphold international fairness and justice, the spokesperson said.
At this special historic juncture, President Xi’s attendance at the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow upon invitation is an important part of his visit, the spokesperson said, adding that it is also reflective of support by China and Russia to each other’s commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.
This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, the spokesperson said, noting that China and Russia, as founding members of the UN and permanent members of the UN Security Council, shoulder special and important responsibility in safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core.
“The two countries will further strengthen their close coordination in the UN, SCO, BRICS and other multilateral platforms, rally the Global South, shape global governance in the right direction, unequivocally oppose acts of unilateralism and bullying, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization,” the spokesperson said.
Now is the time for Kiwis to give New Zealand Sign Language a go as we take a week to celebrate the language, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says.
This week is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) week. The theme is that “anyone can sign anywhere”.
“NZSL is an official language of this country, used by almost 25,000 people and the primary language for many Deaf New Zealanders.
“The Government, through the NZSL Board, invests $1.25 million each year to support initiatives promoting and maintaining NZSL. Included in that investment is the NZSL dictionarywhich is a great resource for learning new words,” Louise Upston says.
“This Government is committed to better public services, delivering services and support that meet the needs of the Deaf community.
“The NZSL Board is now consulting on a draft NZSL strategy which will drive its work for the next five years and I am encouraging all New Zealanders with an interest to submit on the strategy and have their say.
“I encourage New Zealanders to learn some everyday signs this week, such as ‘good morning’ or ‘good evening’ or ‘thank you’.”
There are resources and activities on the New Zealand Sign Weekwebsite to inspire everyone to learn the language.
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Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Jonglei State, SOUTH SUDAN (May 4, 2025) – Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) strongly condemns the deliberate bombing of its hospital in Old Fangak, South Sudan. The attack began at around 4:30am when two helicopter gunships first dropped a bomb on the MSF pharmacy, burning it to the ground, then went on to fire on the town of Old Fangak for around 30 minutes. At around 7am, a drone bombed the Old Fangak market. There have been at least seven deaths and 20 injured.
Mamman Mustapha, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan, said “At 8am, we received around 20 wounded people at our hospital in Old Fangak, including four in a critical condition. There are reports of more fatalities and wounded in the community. One patient and two care givers, including one of our staff, who were already inside the hospital were injured in the bombing – patients who were not in a critical condition, ran from the facility. The bombing of our hospital in Old Fangak has resulted in significant damage, including the complete destruction of the pharmacy, which was burned to the ground. This is where all our medical supplies for the hospital and our outreach activities were stored, severely compromising our ability to provide care. We strongly condemn this attack, which took place despite the geolocations of all MSF structures, including Old Fangak Hospital, being shared with all parties to the conflict.
“Old Fangak Hospital is the only hospital in Fangak county, serving a population of over 110,000 people who already had extremely limited access to healthcare. We are still assessing the full extent of the damage and the impact on our ability to provide care, but this attack clearly means people will now be even further cut-off from receiving life-saving treatment. We call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure – this includes health workers, patients and health facilities. Hospitals must never be targeted and the lives of civilians must be protected.”
This is the second time an MSF hospital has been impacted in the past month, following the armed looting of our hospital and premises in Ulang, Upper Nile state on April 14, which led to the entire population of Ulang county being cut off from accessing secondary health care.
Notes:
Since 2014, MSF has been providing secondary healthcare services in Fangak County, a remote area where people struggle to access medical care due to flooding, insecurity, and displacement. The hospital supported by MSF is the only facility serving a population of over 110,000 people in Fangak county. Many patients travel for days by canoe to reach it, particularly during the rainy season when extreme flooding isolates entire communities.
In South Sudan, MSF works in six of the country’s 10 states and in two administrative areas, providing a range of services including general healthcare, mental healthcare and specialist hospital care. Our mobile teams also provide health assistance to displaced people and remote communities. In addition to responding to emergencies and disease outbreaks, we also carry out preventative activities, such as vaccination campaigns, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, safe drinking water and distribution of non-food items.
MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au
Sunday 4 May 2025 – The government has announced an additional $1 billion of military spending today on top of $12 billion of spending already announced over the next four years. These plans will take New Zealand’s annual military budget to approximately 2% of GDP.
“The budget will have the most severe cuts in decades, and yet there are billions to wage war with the United States. This is absolutely the wrong priority, and frankly I find it sickening,” said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington.
“Clearly the money is there. It is a matter of priorities. Most New Zealanders would say their priority is a health system that is there for them if they get sick. Right now, that doesn’t exist.”
“Health NZ has just announced 1800 further job cuts. Our doctors, nurses and health care assistants are on strike demanding safe conditions in our hospitals. More than 180,000 people are waiting for their first specialist appointment, with 40% of these waiting more than 4 months. Our people are dying now. These are the real threats to life and security in this country.”
“Where is the multi-billion dollar funding to rebuild our health system? Where is the commitment to investing in broken health infrastructure and an adequate workforce? Instead what we see is a government intent on destroying the public health system, dismantling it to the point it does not function.”
“We firmly reject the entire basis of this $12 billion military spend-up. We keep getting told that the global situation is dangerous and that there are “rising tensions.” This is the US framing their agenda as our problem. It isn’t our problem. Instead, for a healthy and prosperous country, we must steer very clear of being involved with the US military and its murderous imperial adventures.”
“The US is scaremongering about China. It is in the US’s interest to pick a fight with China, to surround it and threaten it. This has absolutely nothing to do with New Zealand’s own defence and security.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor & Principal Fellow in Urban Risk & Resilience, The University of Melbourne
More than half of the world’s population currently lives in cities and this share is expected to rise to nearly 70% by 2050.
It’s no wonder “smart cities” have become a buzzword in urban planning, politics and tech circles, and even media.
The phrase conjures images of self-driving buses, traffic lights controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) and buildings that manage their own energy use.
But for all the attention the term receives, it’s not clear what actually makes a city smart. Is it about the number of sensors installed? The speed of the internet? The presence of a digital dashboard at the town hall?
Over the past two decades, governments around the world have poured billions into smart city initiatives, often with more ambition than clarity. The result has been a patchwork of projects: some genuinely transformative, others flashy but shallow.
So, what does it really mean for a city to be smart? And how can technology solve real urban problems, not just create new ones?
What is a smart city, then?
The term “smart city” has been applied to a wide range of urban technologies and initiatives – from traffic sensors and smart meters to autonomous vehicles and energy-efficient building systems.
In academic and policy circles, one widely accepted view is that a smart city is one where technology is used to enhance key urban outcomes: liveability, sustainability, social equity and, ultimately, people’s quality of life.
What matters here is whether the application of technology leads to measurable improvements in the way people live, move and interact with the city around them.
This could be features like high-tech digital kiosks in public spaces that are visibly modern and offer some use and value, but do little to address core urban challenges.
The reality of urban governance – messy, decentralised, often constrained – is a long way from the seamless dashboards and simulations often promised in promotional material.
But there is a way to help join together the various aspects of city living, with the help of “digital twins”.
Slick digital dashboards that show the stats of a city at a glance are a far cry from the messy reality of city governance. thinkhubstudio/Shutterstock
Digital twin (of?) cities
Much of the early focus on smart cities revolved around individual technologies: installing sensors, launching apps or creating control centres. But these tools often worked in isolation and offered limited insight into how the city functioned as a whole.
Instead of layering technology onto existing systems, a city digital twin creates a virtual replica of those systems. It links real-time data across transport, energy, infrastructure and the environment. It’s a kind of living, evolving model of the city that changes as the real city changes.
Used in this way, digital twins support decisions that are better informed, more responsive, and more in tune with how cities actually work.
Not all digital twins operate at the same level. Some offer little more than 3D visualisations, while others bring in real-time data and support complex scenario testing.
The most advanced ones don’t just simulate the city, but interact with it.
Where it’s working
To manage urban change, some cities are already using digital twins to support long-term planning and day-to-day decision-making – and not just as add-ons.
It integrates high-resolution 3D models of Singapore with real-time and historical data from across the city. The platform has been used by government agencies to model energy consumption, assess climate and air flow impacts of new buildings, manage underground infrastructure, and explore zoning options based on risks like flooding in a highly constrained urban environment.
In Helsinki, the Kalasatama digital twin has been used to evaluate solar energy potential, conduct wind simulations and plan building orientations. It has also been integrated into public engagement processes: the OpenCities Planner platform lets residents explore proposed developments and offer feedback before construction begins.
Urban planners in Helsinki have been using a digital twin to help plan building orientations. Mistervlad/Shutterstock
We need a smarter conversation about smart cities
If smart cities are going to matter, they must do more than sound and look good. They need to solve real problems, improve people’s lives and protect the privacy and integrity of the data they collect.
That includes being built with strong safeguards against cyber threats. A connected city should not be a more vulnerable city.
The term smart city has always been slippery – more aspiration than definition. That ambiguity makes it hard to measure whether, or how, a city becomes smart. But one thing is clear: being smart doesn’t mean flooding citizens with apps and screens, or wrapping public life in flashy tech.
The smartest cities might not even feel digital on the surface. They would work quietly in the background, gather only the data they need, coordinate it well and use it to make citizens’ life safer, fairer and more efficient.
Milad Haghani receives funding from The Australian Research Council & The Australian Government.
Abbas Rajabifard receives funding from Victorian Government via Land Use Department.
Benny Chen does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Robinson Research Institute, a pioneer in high-temperature superconductivity (HTS) research, has received funding of $71million towards setting up and hosting an advanced technology platform in Future Magnetic and Materials Technologies.
The funding for the advanced technology platform was announced by Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Shane Reti at Robinson Research Institute’s facility in Lower Hutt, and will operate through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-administered Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) portfolio over a period of seven years.
In line with the objective to grow New Zealand’s hi-tech exports, the advanced technology platform will apply materials and engineering expertise across a range of sectoral themes including space, electric aviation, critical minerals and technologies for fusion energy. The platform will play a crucial role in lifting New Zealand’s innovation capacity, enabling companies to take technology to market, and in accelerating the growth of the domestic manufacturing sector.
Professor Nick Long, director, Robinson Research Institute, said “It is an honour for the Institute to receive this strategic funding. At Robinson, our focus has always been on how applications of HTS can be leveraged to address real-world issues, ranging from propulsion in space to more accessible Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. With proven capabilities in emerging areas like space and advanced aviation, Robinson is well-placed to drive growth in this area. Initially leveraging our capability in magnetics, the Institute has also developed processing methods for critical minerals from New Zealand resources. This funding will enable us to solve some problems with scaling these methods to commercial levels.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Professor Magaret Hyland is excited by the possibilities that the funding offers. “Te Herenga Waka has a strong culture of research excellence and the work that our staff undertake has impact on national and international scales.
“A valued part of the University community, Robinson Research Institute has a strong track record of projects evolving into pilot projects or commercial enterprises. This new platform is a significant opportunity for Robinson to strengthen collaborations with the wider research community, in a way that delivers stronger outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand. With an established network of research and commercialisation partnerships, within New Zealand and abroad, I can see Robinson now playing an even bigger role in enhancing New Zealand’s capabilities in advanced technology.”
The objectives of the platform will include developing workforce capability through internships and postgraduate study, and encouraging early career researchers to take their research beyond the laboratory. Projects from the platform will also enhance local and international research and commercial partnerships, and encourage inward investment into the New Zealand research and development sector.
2025-60 DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONDUCTING UNATTENDED DEATH INVESTIGATION
Posted on May 2, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA
JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
ANNE LOPEZ
ATTORNEY GENERAL
LOIO KUHINA
DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONDUCTING UNATTENDED DEATH INVESTIGATION
News Release 2025-60
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2025
HONOLULU – The Department of the Attorney General Investigations Division is investigating the discovery of a body in a restroom in the Sand Island State Recreation Area. Investigators responded at approximately 1:07 p.m., at the request of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement.
The body was that of a deceased female, who appeared to be in her mid 40’s.
AG Investigators have opened an unattended death investigation and as such, no further information will be released at this time.
AG Investigations Division is asking anyone with information to call 808-586-1240.
* * *
Media Contacts:
Dave Day
Special Assistant to the Attorney General
Office: 808-586-1284
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov
Toni Schwartz Public Information Officer Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General Office: 808-586-1252 Cell: 808-379-9249 Email: [email protected]
Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Wins Passage Of Historic Climate Impact Legislation
Posted on May 2, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases
STATE OF HAWAIʻI KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR KE KIAʻĀINA
GOVERNOR GREEN WINS PASSAGE OF HISTORIC CLIMATE IMPACT LEGISLATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 2025
HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., today heralded the Legislature’s passage of SB1396, creating the climate impact fee, or “green fee,” that will help the islands to mitigate the impacts of climate change and the roughly 10 million annual visitors we welcome to our shores.
“This legislation, which I intend to sign, is the first of its kind in the nation and represents a generational commitment to protect our ‘āina. Hawai‘i is truly setting a new standard to address the climate crisis, and I want to thank lawmakers for their unrelenting work these past two years in bringing this to fruition,” said Governor Green.
SB1396 will increase the state’s portion of the Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) collections from 10.25% to 11%. Additionally, all four counties have exercised their legislated authority to apply an additional TAT of up to 3% and have adopted the full amount. The net result with this 0.75% increase is a TAT of 14% statewide. General Excise Tax is applied on top of room rates. It is estimated the fee will raise $100M annually to provide disaster mitigation for the Aloha State.
“Given the devastation we saw on Maui in August of 2023, this measure is crucial because it will help us to deal with wildfire risk resulting from the climate change crisis. It is foundational to our ability to provide a safe and secure Hawai‘i for our children, our residents, our visitors and the environment,” Governor Green said.
Governor Green has until July 9, 2025, to sign the bill into law. He has repeatedly indicated his intention to do so, as it has been a priority piece of legislation for his administration.
A video statement by Governor Green shared on his social media platforms is available here. Courtesy: The Office of the Governor.
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Media Contacts: Erika Engle Press Secretary Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i Office: 808-586-0120 Email: [email protected]
Makana McClellan Director of Communications Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi Cell: 808-265-0083 Email: [email protected]
Office of the Governor — Flag Order — Gov. Green Lowers Flags in Honor of Prince David Klaren La‘amea Kaumuali‘i Kawānanakoa
Posted on May 2, 2025 in Flag Orders, Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases
STATE OF HAWAIʻI KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR KE KIAʻĀINA
GOVERNOR GREEN LOWERS FLAGS IN HONOR OF PRINCE DAVID KLAREN LA‘AMEA KAUMUALI‘I KAWĀNANAKOA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 2025
HONOLULU – In honor of the late Prince David Klaren La‘amea Kaumuali‘i Kawānanakoa, Governor Josh Green, M.D., has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawai‘i state flag be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard effective immediately until sunset on Friday, May 9. Plans for a memorial service are pending.
Prince David Kawānanakoa, a respected figure in Hawai‘i’s ali‘i lineage and a dedicated cultural steward, passed away on May 1, 2025. A descendant of Kaua‘i’s royal family and a member of the House of Kawānanakoa, Prince David was a direct descendant of both Prince David Kawānanakoa, heir to the Hawaiian Kingdom — and of King Kaumualiʻi, the last sovereign ruler of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. He was deeply committed to preserving and perpetuating Native Hawaiian history, language and traditions. His advocacy, mentorship and leadership enriched generations of cultural practitioners and strengthened the connection between Hawai‘i’s past and its future.
“David Kawānanakoa was a pillar of aloha ‘āina and cultural pride for our islands. His life’s work leaves an indelible mark on Hawai‘i and serves as a reminder of the importance of heritage, service and kuleana to our community,” said Governor Green. “Jaime and I offer our deepest condolences to his ‘ohana and all those whose lives he touched.”
A photo of Prince David Kawānanakoa, along with his wife Maria Kawānanakoa, Governor Green and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, can be found here.
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Media Contacts: Erika Engle Press Secretary Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i Office: 808-586-0120 Email: [email protected]
Makana McClellan Director of Communications Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi Cell: 808-265-0083 Email: [email protected]
A new report from E tū and international tax watchdog CICTAR has raised serious questions about whether aged care giant Bupa is shifting profits offshore to avoid paying its fair share of tax in Aotearoa.
E tū is calling for urgent reform and transparency in aged residential care funding, following the revelations that Bupa – the country’s second-largest provider – has paid just $12 million in income tax over the past decade, despite reporting nearly $300 million in profits.
“We spend billions of dollars each year on aged residential care, but there is very little transparency about whether that money supports decent jobs for workers, or simply subsidises corporate profits,” says Edward Miller, researcher with the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR).
“Our research suggests that over the last decade, Bupa earned $3.3 billion in revenue and $293 million in profit, but only paid a total of $12 million in income tax – an effective tax rate of just four percent.
“In addition, a major intercompany loan appears to have reduced their taxable income by $150 million over the last decade. That could have cost Aotearoa up to $27 million in lost tax revenue over that period.”
E tū National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh says the report reveals a disturbing pattern.
“At the same time as Bupa is sending tens of millions overseas in interest payments on questionable debts to other Bupa subsidiaries, they’re pushing through dangerous new rosters that cut hours and destabilise care,” Rachel says.
“Care workers are rightly asking whether Bupa is putting tax planning ahead of providing safe, decent care for residents. In 2023, for instance, Bupa made $12 million in pre-tax profit but paid just $11,000 in corporate tax – that’s about what a Level 4 care worker pays.”
Rachel says while more funding is urgently needed for the sector, companies must also be held to account.
“We need increased investment in aged care, but with it must come transparency. New Zealanders deserve to know their taxes are going to support quality care, not just boost overseas profits.
“It’s time to put the wellbeing of our elderly and those who care for them at the centre of this system.”
5 May 2025 – The rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in financial services presents both opportunities and risks to financial stability, according to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in a special topic from the upcoming May 2025 Financial Stability Report.
As AI tools and models become increasingly sophisticated and widely integrated across the financial services sector, they offer significant potential benefits. These include improved productivity, greater modelling accuracy, enhanced risk assessment capabilities, and strengthened cyber resilience – helping financial institutions better detect and manage threats.
Alongside these opportunities lie potential vulnerabilities. Errors in AI systems, data privacy concerns and market distortions could amplify existing risks. The growing reliance on a small number of third-party AI providers may also contribute to market concentration, creating new channels for contagion and increasing the potential impact of cyber-attacks.
“There is still considerable uncertainty around how AI will shape the financial system,” said Kerry Watt, Director of Financial Stability Assessment & Strategy. “While its impact could be positive, especially in enhancing resilience, it could also introduce or amplify vulnerabilities.”
Regulated entities are expected to understand and manage AI-related risks as part of their existing obligations. The special topic notes that it is important that regulatory frameworks keep pace with technology developments to support effective risk management by industry.
We will continue to closely monitor developments in AI technology, adoption trends, and the evolving regulatory landscape, to ensure that the financial system remains well-positioned to manage emerging risks.
Australia’s federal election, held less than a week after Canada’s, has produced a shockingly similar outcome. Commentators allover the world have pointed out the parallels.
In both countries, centre-left governments looked like they were in serious trouble not long ago.
On February 23, a Resolve Strategic poll found the Coalition leading Labor 55-45% on a two-party-preferred basis. An Angus Reid poll in December found voting intention for Canada’s Liberals dropping to just 16%, compared to 45% for the Conservatives.
Yet, both governments are now celebrating historic victories. And in both countries, the conservative opposition leaders, Pierre Poilievre and Peter Dutton, lost their own seats.
In Canada, Trump cheerfully presented himself as an existential threat to the country.
But if anything, Labor’s landslide win in the Australian election on Saturday highlights just how poorly the Coalition fared under Dutton compared to Canada’s Conservatives. The Coalition bottomed out, while the Tories fared reasonably well in the face of difficult circumstances.
A painful but respectable loss for Conservatives in Canada
So, why the huge difference between the two parties? This is largely because of the differences between the Canadian and Australian electoral systems.
Unlike Australia, Canada does not have preferential voting – a vote for one party is a vote against another. The Liberals’ rise in the polls came mostly at the expense of the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) rather than the Conservatives.
Back in December, 21% of voters preferred the NDP, compared to 16% for Justin Trudeau’s deeply unpopular Liberals. But when Trudeau stepped down and Mark Carney became the party’s new leader, the threat posed by Trump unified centre-left Canadian voters behind the Liberals, who had the best chance of winning.
This is the strategic voting that is necessary in winner-take-all systems. The NDP has never won the largest share of seats in a national election, and it never had a chance of winning this one.
The NDP was left with seven seats in last week’s election and under 7% of the vote, losing their party status in parliament and their leader. This was the most significant “Trump effect” on the Canadian election.
Canada’s Conservatives ended up with 41.3% of the vote. This was only a few points down from their December high of 45% in the Angus Reid poll. They also won the greatest share of the national vote by any centre-right party since 1988, and expanded their share of seats in the parliament.
Poilievre was rightly criticised for failing to respond effectively to the challenge posed by Trump’s bullying, instead continuing to campaign as if the election were still a referendum on Trudeau.
That may have cost him a victory that seemed certain months earlier, especially considering Carney made his campaign all about standing up to Trump.
Yet, the Conservatives still performed well enough for Poilievre to retain his position as opposition leader despite losing his seat. Another Conservative sacrificed his own seat to let Poilievre back into parliament.
Dutton’s mistakes were bigger
It’s hard to imagine any member of Dutton’s party doing the same. Dutton handed Labor a staggeringly high two-party-preferred vote and (likely) the most seats it has ever had. Labor won 86 seats in 1987, while Anthony Albanese’s party will have at least 86, with the count continuing.
Dutton’s campaign has been widely described as “shambolic”. But it wasn’t just the last five weeks that doomed the Coalition.
From the moment he became leader, it was clear Dutton had little interest in winning back the former Liberal heartland seats that fell to Teal independents in 2022. Instead, he held out the promise the outer suburbs would become the new heartland.
Following the patterns established by John Howard, Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison, he believed the loss of middle-class women, once the backbone of the Liberal vote, could be compensated by gains among working-class men.
This was always a pipe dream, given the flimsiness of the culture war issues that have been Dutton’s preferred terrain. But it drove urban voters further away from the Liberal Party.
The Liberals should have been alarmed that in state elections and byelections last year, they were making almost no gains in metropolitan seats, whether inner suburban or outer suburban.
Not all right-wing populists are the same. Poilievre and Dutton have their own brands of populism they have spent decades cultivating, as have other right-wing populists like Javier Milei in Argentina. But in the suffocating global environment created by Trump, there is limited room for brand differentiation. He is the unavoidable reference point of right-wing politics.
Last November, many right-wing figures thought this would benefit them. One of them is now a spectacular political casualty.
David Smith does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
0:15 Platform boots workplace inclusivity — Inclusively rounds up what potential employers can offer them from reasonable adjustments to assistive technologies. Employees can log in anonymously and state their disabilities and needs for support or resources.
3:40 Japan 3D-printed this railway station — Hatsushima’s old wooden station was built in 1948 and needed replacing but building a new one would have taken 2 months. Serendix printed the new station’s parts in a week before transporting them to Hatsushima for assembly.
5:13 How to identify and fight online harms — Making the digital world safe while protecting freedom of expression is an ongoing challenge. Nearly half of US teens say they’re online almost constantly but how safe is their digital world?
8:41 6 myths about modern manufacturing — We sat down with 4 manufacturing leaders based in Switzerland, Morocco, Belgium and the US to discuss common mistakes people have about the industry.
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The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.
class=”has-text-align-left”>Today, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the people of Australia as we commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea—a pivotal moment in the fight against tyranny and a defining chapter in the enduring alliance between our two nations.
At the height of World War II, American and Australian forces fought for 4 grueling days against enemy naval and air forces at the Coral Sea. Through their heroic bravery, their unwavering resolve, and the grace of Almighty God, our Allied forces halted at great cost a major enemy advancement for the first time in the Pacific Theatre, and sank an enemy aircraft carrier for the first time—marking a significant turning point in the war and paving the way for the enemy’s eventual defeat.
As we commemorate this historic battle, we also remember the 656 Allied service members who gave their lives for our liberty. The courage of those fallen heroes not only changed the course of the war but also forged a glorious bond between the United States and Australia that endures to this day—a friendship that remains foundational to Indo-Pacific security and prosperity.
Today, we honor the fearless determination of those who fought at the Coral Sea, and we solemnly remember those who laid down their lives to secure the future of freedom. Their sacrifice will forever be etched in our hearts, and our nations remain eternally grateful.
Following their hard-fought victory over the Brumbies in Canberra last month, the Hurricanes have demonstrated that their strength extends beyond the rugby pitch.
In a meaningful gesture, all 23 jerseys worn by Hurricanes players during the DHL Super Rugby Pacific’s Anzac Round have been donated to the RSA. The aim is to help generate funds in support of New Zealand’s military veterans and theirwhānau. Each jersey, featuring the RSA’s iconic red poppy, has been personally signed by the player who wore it.
RSA National President Sir Wayne Shelford expressed deep gratitude for the Hurricanes’ ongoing generosity.
“Time and again, the Hurricanes prove they’re not just fierce competitors but compassionate community leaders. Last year’s jersey auction raised more than $11,000 for our support services, and we’re truly thankful to have the chance to raise even more this year.”
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the alignment between the two organizations’ values.
“We’re proud to support the RSA and the crucial work they do for our veterans,” said Lee. “Giving back is a big part of who we are as a club. Connection and humility are two values we hold dear, and the RSA’s Poppy—such a powerful national symbol—will always be worn with honour by our team.”
The jerseys are listed for sale on auction site Trade me and close on Thursday 8 May and can be viewed here:https://rnzrsa.info/TMstore
– Cold nights with widespread single-digit temperatures; frost risk for the central North Island. – Monday morning saw some of the lowest temperatures recorded so far this year, including Christchurch: -0.5°C, Taumarunui: -1.7°C, Taupo: -1.8°C and Masterton: -0.5°C. – Clear skies dominate early in the week under a ridge of high pressure. – Rain and warmer, humid air arrive late week as a trough moves in from the Tasman. – Strong northwesterlies develop over the lower South Island ahead of rain on Thursday.
MetService is forecasting a week of two halves, with frosty mornings, clear days and chilly nights to kick off the week, then wet weather looming toward the end.
Settled weather and cool overnight temperatures are expected for many, as a broad ridge of high pressure dominates Aotearoa New Zealand early this week. Single digit overnight temperatures will be felt by much of the country over the next few days, with the potential for central North Island areas to drop into the negatives on Tuesday morning.
The ridge will bring clear skies for most, but it does push some coastal cloud and a few showers onto the east of the North Island, and the west of the South Island. A return to more normal temperatures is expected heading into Wednesday and Thursday, as northerlies begin to build, drawing warmer air down from the tropics.
“Warmer doesn’t always mean better,” says MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden. “These relatively settled conditions aren’t expected to last. A band of rain is building in the Tasman, pulling warm, moist air from the tropics, resulting in some wet weather later this week.” As this system approaches, strong northwesterlies are expected to develop over the lower South Island late Wednesday, potentially bringing gusty conditions to exposed areas. This extends to the lower North Island on Friday.
The wet weather is set to move onto the south of Te Waipounamu/South Island early Thursday morning, and quickly move north, affecting much of the country come Friday.
“With a crisp, clear start to the week, and wet conditions approaching, don’t be caught off guard and keep up to date with the latest forecasts at metservice.com” says Lynden.
This notice affects assistance animal handlers travelling on cruise ships between Australian ports (not leaving Australian waters), cruise line operators and pet transport agents.
What has changed?
The department currently grants approval for assistance dogs to travel on cruise ships within mainland Australian waters, where the cruise ship is under biosecurity control. The department also requires these assistance dogs to be…
A new study challenges a common assumption that Australian women who divorce or separate in midlife are destined for a bleak future.
While finances can be a struggle and personal happiness declines in the short term, it gradually increases within a few years, often exceeding pre-divorce levels.
That’s one finding from a South Australian study that tracked over 1400 women who had divorced or separated, comparing them with a control group of over 2500 women who remained in long-term relationships.
Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the University of Adelaide said that social support, perceived control, and income satisfaction influenced how well women adjusted after their relationships dissolved.
Lead author, UniSA clinical psychology master’s student Olivia Arcangeli, says that divorce and separation are among the most stressful experiences of adulthood, yet little is known about the impact of later-life relationship dissolution.
“When long-term relationships end during midlife (age 45-50), people still have decades ahead of them, but also less time to re-establish themselves financially and in other ways,” Arcangeli says.
“We found that within three to four years, divorced and separated women returned to their pre-dissolution levels of life satisfaction. This contrasts with a similar study in Germany, which showed that women still had not returned to pre-divorce levels of happiness five to six years after their relationship ended.”
The difference between the two countries may be attributed to more lenient attitudes towards divorce in Australia, where there is far less stigma around divorce than in Germany.
University of Adelaide psychology lecturer, Dr Anastasia Ejova, says the Australian study showed that life satisfaction levels for divorced and separated women matched those of married and partnered women approximately 13.5 years after their relationship ended, and continued growing somewhat faster, slightly exceeding the control group’s life satisfaction in the last few years of measurement.
“This finding can be explained through the lens of post-traumatic growth, whereby individuals who experience major crises may develop increased insight and gratitude regarding their circumstances, which in turn increases their wellbeing,” Dr Ejova says. “We would ideally need to keep following the women for another few years to see whether the faster growth post-separation is sustained.”
Women whose life satisfaction levels fell sharply in the years surrounding the relationship breakup experienced greater long-term happiness afterwards.
The researchers say this could be linked to feelings of relief after dealing with high levels of stress and conflict during their relationship.
Among the control group, happiness levels also rose later in the marriage, consistent with the view that many marital problems were able to be resolved over time.
Women with strong support networks, a sense of control over their lives, and a greater ability to manage on their available income reported higher life satisfaction post separation.
The effects of re-partnering, having children, and education were either non-significant or unexpected.
Unlike previous research on men and women, this study did not find re-partnering to improve life satisfaction levels post-divorce for Australian women. The researchers note it is possible that the benefits of re-partnering are more likely to be seen in men.
In addition, despite an assumption that children present significant emotional and financial challenges for divorcees, the study showed minimal differences in happiness levels post-divorce between women with and without children.
“The findings highlight the need for targeted support services for middle-aged women going through divorce and separation,” Arcangeli says.
“Providing access to counselling, financial advice and social support networks could help women navigate the emotional and economic challenges of separation more effectively, making a big difference to their long-term wellbeing.”
Notes for editors
“Does Time Heal All Wounds? Life Satisfaction Trajectories in Australian Middle-Aged Women Before and After Relationship Dissolution” is published in the Journal of Happiness Studies. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00853-5
That’s what Jade Steven’s five-year-old son whispered to her one morning before school.
For Jade, a mother-of-three from Wellington, those words captured the fear that comes with living – and parenting – while battling asthma.
This World Asthma Day (on Tuesday 6 May), Jade, 37, is sharing her story to raise awareness of those living with asthma.
Jade was diagnosed in her late 20s with brittle asthma – a rare and severe form of the disease, more commonly referred to now as severe or difficult-to-control asthma.
At the time, she was being admitted to hospital nearly every month, with long stays in intensive care and repeated courses of oral steroids. All this while raising three young boys.
“I wanted to be the kind of mum who could be there for everything – every school pickup, every bedtime story – but instead, hospital beds replaced family dinners.
“I’ll never forget the moment I dropped my youngest off at school one day. He was just five. He kissed me goodbye, paused, and whispered, ‘I love you, Mummy. Please don’t die today.’
“I reassured him, but inside I was breaking. That fear – his and mine – was all too real.”
Today, thanks to a biological treatment, Jade’s condition is under control and her symptoms are manageable.
“The treatment gave me my life back.
“The hospital visits have become rare, and I’ve finally been able to stop taking steroids.”
Her children are now teenagers and she’s able to be the mum she always wanted to be at the beginning, she says.
“I can go to my eldest son’s bandIntercitegigs, school events, quad bike adventures, or just sit on the couch and watch a movie without them having to worry that Mum might be going to hospital again.”
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says Jade’s story shows the reality of asthma that many New Zealanders are still unaware of.
“Jade’s experience is a reminder that asthma can affect people in very different ways, and for some, it’s far more serious than many realise.
That’s why World Asthma Day is so important in raising awareness, Ms Harding says.
“We need to lift the stigma, increase awareness, and ensure everyone understands just how serious this condition can be.”
This year, the Foundation is marking World Asthma Day by launching its first-ever Blue Shirt Day campaign.
Blue Shirt Day calls on all Kiwis to wear blue, share stories like Jade’s, and support better research, education, and access to life-saving treatments.
In New Zealand, asthma affects 1 in 8 adults and children, kills an average of 96 people each year, and is responsible for the hospitalisations of thousands of children – many of whom will have had a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
