Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has acknowledged nine new Detector Dog Handlers and their dogs from across the Pacific and New Zealand who graduated at the Dog Training Centre in Trentham this afternoon.
The teams celebrated the occasion in front of whānau and friends, executives from New Zealand Police with officials from the New Zealand Customs Service, Aviation Security Service New Zealand, and New Caledonia Customs.
Commissioner Chambers, who is currently in the Pacific meeting local police leaders, congratulated them all on their achievements.
“Our New Zealand and Pacific Detector Dog teams play a crucial role in all kinds of policing, at our borders and within our communities.
“They are remarkable at what they do in detecting cash, firearms, and narcotics and some detecting explosives.
“These graduates have worked hard to obtain this operational qualification, and they’ll keep learning and developing with experience and time on the street and at their borders.”
Today’s graduates are from Customs agencies in New Zealand, Samoa, New Caledonia, and Fiji with one dog team bound for New Zealand’s Aviation Security Service.
The police graduates are from New Zealand, Tonga and for the first time ever, a policewoman has graduated as a dog-handler from the Fiji Police Force.
They will be welcomed into their various roles in the Pacific, and around New Zealand, very shortly,” says Commissioner Chambers.
Customs Deputy Chief Executive International and Governance, Joe Cannon, highlighted the importance of this long-running Pacific Detector Dog Programme and its role in building ongoing enforcement capability in the Pacific region.
“Detector dogs are a valuable enforcement tool in combating transnational and serious and organised crime syndicates who continue to target Pacific countries. We know that where there are illicit goods, there is criminal activity – and detector dogs are trained to help track them down.
“For us in New Zealand and our partners in the Pacific, having this additional capability puts us all in a better position to defend our borders.
This programme also highlights what can be achieved when countries and agencies work toward a common goal, which in this instance is protecting our borders and keeping our communities safe.”
Inspector Todd Southall, National Coordinator Police Dogs and Manager of the Pacific Detector Dog Programme says, “These incredible dogs are trained to detect drugs, explosives, firearms and cash and it’s a proud day for all teams, both experienced and new when they qualify.”
“This ceremony marks the end of a demanding few weeks training to become an operational team. It takes patience and perseverance to get through the training programme.
“There is high demand for detector dog teams across the Pacific, so planning will continue as we manage more courses throughout the year.
“In the meantime, best wishes to all our new teams as they begin their operational lives in New Zealand and throughout the Pacific,” says Todd.
Established in 2018, the Pacific Detector Dog Programme (PDDP) is jointly managed by the New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs Service. It is funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
ASB will support customers affected by extreme weather events impacting the South Island and lower North Island, with tailored packages including suspension of home loan repayments and emergency overdraft facilities available for personal, business and rural customers.
ASB Executive General Manager for Personal Banking Adam Boyd says ASB’s team is available to help any customers who require financial assistance or support.
“We know this may be a stressful time and our thoughts are with those impacted by the extreme weather. Our teams are on standby to talk through relief options for customers that have damage to their homes, properties or businesses and need support. We are here to help.”
Emergency assistance can be offered to personal, farming and business customers on a case-by-case basis, including:
Option to suspend home loan principal repayments for up to three months
Immediate consideration of requests for emergency credit card limit increases and overdraft facilities
Tailored solutions for eligible ASB business and rural customers including access to working capital of up to $100,000.
Personal customers needing support should call our contact centre on 0800 803 804. Alternatively, customers can email hardship@asb.co.nz. Affected ASB business and rural customers should speak to their relationship manager or call 0800 272 287.
Further detail on available support is available at Extreme weather support l ASB.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hiran Thabrew, Senior Lecturer in Child Psychiatry and Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition. Someone may have social and communication differences, sensory issues and/or restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour or interests.
There has been increased awareness and an expanded definition of autism over the past couple of decades. Now around one in 40people are thought to be autistic.
Autistic people often have strengths such as focus, honesty and dedication. But due to a combination of genetic and autism-related factors, they also have higher rates of other health conditions.
Common mental health conditions include anxiety, depression, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and intellectual developmental disorder.
Common physical health conditions include epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.
The core features of autism can’t and don’t need to be altered. But a range of talking therapies and medications can help manage these other health conditions.
Commonly prescribed medications
The increased awareness of autism and availability of new medications has seen increasedrates of prescribing for autistic people and those with other chronic conditions over the past few decades. This is a trend we have seen internationally.
The most common medications for mental health conditions among autistic people are:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), for anxiety and depression
low-dose antipsychotic medications, such as risperidone and aripiprazole, for reducing stress-related irritability and aggression
stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) for ADHD
melatonin and other sleep medications.
The most common medications for physical health conditions among autistic people are:
painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, for pain and fever, especially in younger children. These are also the most commonly prescribed medication for non-autistic children
antibiotics, such as amoxycillin, for suspected or confirmed infections (autistic children tend to have more infections)
asthma and allergy medications, including salbutamol inhalers, loratadine and oral steroids (autistic people have similar rates of allergies to non-autistic people)
laxatives, such as lactulose, for constipation. Autistic people are at increased risk of constipation due to limited food preferences, rigid toilet habits, and difficulty recognising when they need to use the toilet.
Autistic people are prescribed a range of medications for physical and mental health conditions. CandyRetriever/Shutterstock
Multiple medications, or not enough
Prescribing multiple medications at the same time is known as polypharmacy. This has become more of an issue for autistic people in Aotearoa New Zealandand Australia.
One study found autistic children and young people from Aotearoa New Zealand received a mean (average) four medications in one year (versus 2.9 medications for non-autistic people). Some 57% were prescribed three or more medications at a time.
Medications may work as well for people with and without autism. However, autistic people are more likely to have side effects. This might be due to heightened sensory sensitivities and the way medications affect the nervous system.
Polypharmacy increases the risk of medication interactions. It is also likely to contribute to autistic people’s higher chance of dying early. A 2024 study confirms this occurs at double the rate of non-autistic people.
Possible reasons for polypharmacy include:
lack of agreement between doctors and clear guidelines for prescribing medication
greater likelihood of being treated during crises. For instance, behaviour that escalates to the point of personal or property damage and family burnout may require medication to allow a child to stay at home.
However, at times, autistic people may not receive appropriate medications. This may be because doctors do not have clear prescribing guidelines or vary in how they prescribe. It can also be because someone or their family are concerned about side effects.
We should aim to use the appropriate medication for the appropriate period of time for the growing number of people diagnosed with autism.
It’s essential prescribers have clearer prescribing guidance, aim for the lowest possible dose of medication, actively address polypharmacy and regularly monitor autistic people with a view to weaning medications as soon as possible.
Earlier identification and support for autistic children and their families would reduce the chance of crises and stress-related health conditions.
We need health services that can better meet the needs of autistic people. Flexible, tailored care should be provided in an environment that matches someone’s sensory needs. For instance, an environment should not be too bright or loud, or overstimulating. Ideally, this will have been designed with autistic people.
We also need an adequately resourced health system to provide autistic people with timely, appropriate, safe and equitable care.
Hiran Thabrew is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, paediatrician, autism researcher and New Zealand Chair for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. He has never received any pharmaceutical company sponsorship for his clinical or research activities.
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey is pleased to be in Wairoa today as part of the Rural Health Roadshow across the country.
“I was pleased to begin the roadshow in Levin recently where I had the opportunity to hear from the local community and people working in rural health about their access to health care, what’s working well and what’s not. I look forward to continuing momentum by hearing from those living in Wairoa today,” Mr Doocey says.
“All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health and mental health outcomes, particularly for the one in five living in our rural communities.
“The Rural Health Strategy was published in 2023 and sets the direction for improving the health of people who live in rural communities. I now want to hear today from the public and those working in rural health in Wairoa on how well the strategy is being implemented.
“As Minister for Mental Health, I also committed to sustainably fund the Mana Ake school-based mental wellbeing programme to ensure its roll out to all of Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti’s primary and intermediate schools, including those in Wairoa.
“Early intervention and prevention are one of my priorities. I’ve committed to it in my mental health targets as we know it’s one of the best ways to increase access and encourage better mental wellbeing for young New Zealanders, both rural and urban.
“I have been heartened to hear positive feedback so far on the roadshow from many people who appreciate the opportunity for the voices of our rural communities to be heard.”
Note for editors:
Join your local community roadshow event to ensure your voice is heard. To register, please visit the Ministry of Health’swebsite
The remaining Rural Health Roadshow locations and dates:
Consumers price index: March 2025 quarter missing vehicle relicensing fee increase – We have identified that vehicle relicensing fee increases were not captured in the consumers price index (CPI) March 2025 quarter, released on 17 April 2025.
The CPI March 2025 headline figure will not be updated. CPI data published on 17 April remains the official measure of inflation. We will capture the impact of the vehicle relicensing fee increase and incorporate this in the CPI June 2025 quarter release.
Background
On 1 January 2025, vehicle relicensing fees increased by $25. While these prices were collected by Stats NZ, the increases were not included in our CPI calculations.
We have investigated the impact of this. Had the increase been captured, the CPI all groups inflation would have increased by an additional 0.1 percentage points, as shown in the table below.
Official CPI measure March 2025 quarter
CPI if the vehicle relicensing fee increase were included
CPI all groups – annual percentage change
2.5 percent
2.6 percent
CPI all groups – quarterly percentage change
0.9 percent
1.0 percent
Next steps
We will capture the impact of the vehicle relicensing fee increase and incorporate this in the CPI June 2025 quarter release. This is our standard approach for data updates to the CPI. We have confirmed with key customers that this is their preferred approach. CPI is widely used for contract indexation which is why it is not changed after publication.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Consumers price index: March 2025 quarter missing vehicle relicensing fee increase – We have identified that vehicle relicensing fee increases were not captured in the consumers price index (CPI) March 2025 quarter, released on 17 April 2025.
The CPI March 2025 headline figure will not be updated. CPI data published on 17 April remains the official measure of inflation. We will capture the impact of the vehicle relicensing fee increase and incorporate this in the CPI June 2025 quarter release.
Background
On 1 January 2025, vehicle relicensing fees increased by $25. While these prices were collected by Stats NZ, the increases were not included in our CPI calculations.
We have investigated the impact of this. Had the increase been captured, the CPI all groups inflation would have increased by an additional 0.1 percentage points, as shown in the table below.
Official CPI measure March 2025 quarter
CPI if the vehicle relicensing fee increase were included
CPI all groups – annual percentage change
2.5 percent
2.6 percent
CPI all groups – quarterly percentage change
0.9 percent
1.0 percent
Next steps
We will capture the impact of the vehicle relicensing fee increase and incorporate this in the CPI June 2025 quarter release. This is our standard approach for data updates to the CPI. We have confirmed with key customers that this is their preferred approach. CPI is widely used for contract indexation which is why it is not changed after publication.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fan Yang, Research fellow at Melbourne Law School, the University of Melbourne and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society., The University of Melbourne
This election, social media has been a major battleground as candidates try to reach younger voters. As Gen Z and Millennials now make up the dominant voter bloc in Australia, securing their support is more electorally important than ever.
This effort has also played out on Chinese social media platforms, namely WeChat and RedNote. Thousands of Australians use these apps, often as a main source of news.
The RECapture research team has been tracking political activity on these platforms for years. Between October 2024 and April 2025, we observed 319 Liberal Party advertisements, 68 Labor Party advertisements, and 258 ads from independent candidates on WeChat. More than 20 Australian politicians used RedNote for self-promotion. Both platforms are becoming increasingly popular among politicians.
But there’s a catch: political communication on these apps is either banned or hidden. So how do candidates work around the rules?
We’ve found they use influencers and third parties, blurring the lines between authorised political advertising and undisclosed campaigning.
Skirting the rules
Platforms such as Facebook and Google maintain public ad repositories to document political advertising.
On WeChat and RedNote, however, such content is not formally registered or subject to public scrutiny.
Since 2019, WeChat has been a key platform for Australian politicians trying to reach Chinese-Australian voters.
From 2022 onwards, our research has observed the rising political popularity of RedNote, driven by its low entry barriers and emphasis on visual content.
Chinese app RedNote is increasing in popularity. Shutterstock
In January, a shift of US-based users from TikTok to RedNote further elevated the platform’s prominence. Now, candidates of all stripes are using it.
But WeChat bans political advertisements and campaigning. RedNote uses shadowbanning (the covert hiding of specific content) to limit the visibility of political accounts.
As a result, political figures in democracies globally often bypass these restrictions by working with Chinese-language media or influencers to reach Chinese-speaking voters.
This tactic enables political messaging outside platform and regulatory oversight. It undermines transparency and accountability in political communication.
How do political ads work on WeChat?
Political advertising on WeChat isn’t transparent. WeChat requires official account registration through Chinese businesses recognised by Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent.
In Australia, Chinese-language media outlets serve as intermediaries. They distribute political campaign materials on behalf of candidates.
Political advertising on WeChat is presented in three main formats:
embedded within articles
as sponsored content
and as short videos distributed via WeChat’s Channel function.
Advertising costs are typically negotiated between media outlets and campaign teams, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the outlet’s influence and the ad’s target demographic.
Spending on political ads on WeChat isn’t disclosed anywhere, so it’s very hard to track how much money is being spent this way.
What do these ads look like?
For example, we identified Scott Yung, a Liberal candidate for Bennelong, and Andy Yin, a former Liberal Party member now running as an independent for Bradfield. They both published between two and eight political advertisements on WeChat daily in April.
These ads were in addition to their self-promotional content and other campaigning activities via short videos.
This content sometimes includes celebrity endorsements. In 2019 and 2025, respectively, Yung and Yin used third-party media and marketing companies based in China to recruit celebrities to endorse their campaigns.
However, such strategies are criticised domestically due to concerns about potential “Chinese influence” and perceived links to the Communist Party of China.
But behind the public political ads lies a semi-private form of campaigning.
By attaching a QR code to their political ads, candidates direct their campaigns to private group chats, enabling a more targeted form of engagement (observed in the case of Liberal candidate for Reid Grange Chung’s sponsored content).
What about RedNote?
Non-Chinese Australian politicians often get around shadowbans on RedNote by signalling their connection to Chinese communities through symbolic gestures. This includes posts showcasing their visits to Chinese restaurants or photos taken at Lunar New Year community events.
Candidates of Chinese background often highlight their connections with prominent white Australian politicians, such as former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, to show their standing and political credibility within the party.
Discussions of party policies, especially controversial ones such as Australia-US-China relations, are rare. When they do occur, they are often selectively focused on matters of concern to Chinese migrants or those deemed safe for discussion on RedNote.
Chinese-Australian candidates often organise their offline campaign events to target Chinese-Australian influencers. The influencers then disseminate relevant content on RedNote.
As a result, candidates rely on content creators, influencers, supporters, migrant businesses and Chinese-language media outlets to promote their campaigns.
Regulations falling by the wayside
Candidates usually follow authorisation disclosure rules on their English social media pages.
These rules, however, are often disregarded on RedNote or WeChat.
Candidates often outsource their campaigning work to Chinese media and marketing agencies. This means the candidates have minimal oversight of the activities taking place on these platforms, raising concerns about whether electoral regulations may be inadvertently violated in the process.
We’ve found instances of unauthorised pages of politicians and candidates that have gone unnoticed by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
These are hard to find because the content is largely shadowbanned. If users or the AEC searched a particular candidate’s name, they wouldn’t be able to find much.
In April, the AEC advised rules around authorising this sort of content. It said electoral communications distributed by people or organisations that are not political entities still require authorisation if monetary or gifts-in-kind transactions are involved.
The AEC’s guidance further says political parties should include an authorisation if they repost collaborative content. The general principle is: “when in doubt, authorise it”.
The key challenges here are identifying who collaborates with whom, on which platform, how content is remixed, and whether the collaboration is voluntary or involves monetary or in-kind transactions.
The AEC doesn’t actively monitor Chinese social media platforms. This makes enforcing any regulations almost impossible.
Given how much political candidates are using these apps, there needs to be better regulatory oversight of what happens on them.
We thank researchers Robbie Fordyce and Mengjie Cai for their contributions to this project.
The project is funded by the Susan McKinnon Foundation between 2024 and 2025.
Dan Dai, Luke Heemsbergen, and Stevie Zhang do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The 123 Youth Members of Parliament and 20 Youth Press Gallery members officially announced for 2025 represent the best of New Zealand, Youth Minister James Meager says.
“Our Youth MPs come from a wide range of backgrounds, and each have their own unique story, bringing diverse points of view to Parliament and a fresh way of looking at the biggest challenges we face,” Mr Meager says.
“Youth MPs will now engage with other young people in their community to gather their ideas and bring those views to Parliament, while Youth Press Gallery members will be drawing attention to the issues the Youth MPs are working on and helping generate interest around what happens.
“They will then take part in the Youth Parliament on 1 – 2 July in the Parliamentary precinct in Wellington, experiencing first-hand what it’s like to be at the highest decision-making table in the country.”
Among the 123 Youth MPs selected by MPs to participate this year are Maevi Fleming (17) from Roncalli College in Timaru who has been nominated by Mr Meager as his own Rangitata Youth MP.
Mr Meager says Maevi was someone who grew up in a similar background as he did, and who is now an advocate for a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
Other talented young people taking part include Abby Plom (17) from Auckland, selected by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and representing Botany.
Through her roles as School Student Representative and Chairperson of the Howick Youth Council, Abby says she’s realised how important it is for youth to be represented and heard, and how much work still needs to be done to create a fairer, more inclusive community.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has chosen Ryan Grant-Derepa (17) from Upper Hutt as his Remutaka Youth MP.
Ryan wants to advocate for better pathways into employment so every young person, no matter their background, has the chance to build a future they can be proud of.
Youth Parliament also has its own Youth Press Gallery. Korus MacDonald (16) from Havelock North is the youngest Youth Press Gallery member selected for 2025.
Korus says the role of the Press Gallery within our democratic Parliament is a key interest of his, and he’s excited for the insights and learning experiences this opportunity will bring.
“Young people are our future, and it is fantastic we have youth who are passionate about causes that affect us all, both in and out of politics – and who have an interest in working to help make a difference. I encourage them to give their absolute best in every area,” Mr Meager says.
“I also want to acknowledge the members of the Multi-Party Reference Group in Parliament who’ve supported me in guiding Youth Parliament 2025, as well as the work of the previous Minister for Youth Matt Doocey for his advocacy in continuing Youth Parliament this year. I can’t wait to see what our young people deliver at Youth Parliament 2025.”
The internet’s latest absurd obsession is: who would win in a no-rules fight between 100 average human men and one adult male gorilla?
This hypothetical and strange question has taken over Reddit, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Some argue that humans once hunted mammoths so, clearly, we would win. Others point out that a silverback gorilla can lift close to 1,000kg and could throw a grown man like a rag doll.
To be honest, it’s not really a question we need to answer – and yet, as usual on the internet, everyone has an opinion.
But, beyond the jokes and memes, this silly debate provides an opportunity to reflect on human evolution. What are the real strengths of our species? What have we sacrificed? And what can a gorilla, our majestic, powerful and endangered distant cousin, teach us about our own nature and evolution?
Gorillas and humans: two branches of the same evolutionary tree
Gorillas are one of our closest living relatives. Along with chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans, they belong to the great apes or Hominidae family. Chimpanzees share about 98.8% of their DNA with us, while gorillas come a close second, sharing around 98.4%.
The last common ancestor between humans and gorillas lived roughly 10 million years ago, and it is also the same ancestor for chimpanzees.
Since the evolutionary split, humans and gorillas have followed very different paths. Gorillas have adapted to dense forests and mountainous terrains, while humans have evolved to live in the open, but realistically to multiple and various environments.
Despite the substantial difference in ecological niches, humans and gorillas share many traits, such as opposable thumbs, facial expressions, complex social behaviours and emotional intelligence.
Mastering forest power
In the recent Dune saga, to win, Duke Leto Atreides wanted to develop “desert power”. Well, gorillas have mastered forest power.
And let’s be clear – in terms of raw power, the gorilla wins every time. An adult male silverback can weigh more than 160kg and lift about a tonne without going to the gym every day. Their upper-body strength is shocking. And that’s no evolutionary accident – it’s the result of intense competition between males, where dominance determines mating.
Additionally, gorillas are extremely tough and resilient, yet gentle and calm most of the time. Gorillas, like many primates, have a strong social intelligence. They use a variety of vocalisations, gestures and even chest drumming to communicate across distances.
They have shown the ability to use sign language, mourn their dead, and demonstrate empathy, attesting to sophisticated cognitive skills.
Trading muscles for minds
A fight between 100 men and one gorilla might lead to a lot of dead men, but we all know that men will come with weapons, strategies, drones, fire and other clever tricks.
Humans are not physically strong in comparison to many other mammals. Our strength as a species is our adaptability and our ability to collaborate in very large groups.
Our brains are, on average, three times larger proportionally than those of gorillas. This fantastic evolutionary adaptation has allowed us to develop abstract thinking and symbolic language, but most of all, to pass and build on complex knowledge across generations.
Humans’ evolutionary history has led to trading brute force for social, cultural and technological complexity, making us Earth’s most versatile and dangerous species.
So, who’s the winner?
In a one-on-one brawl, the gorilla can make “human-mash” with one hand. There is no contest when discussing brute force and bare hands.
But humans fight dirty. Judging by our evolutionary success, humans would likely lose many battles but ultimately win the fight. Mountain gorillas were not on the brink of extinction in the 1980s without our help.
Our species has spread across all continents, all terrains, and all climates. We have reshaped ecosystems, walked on the Moon, and developed advanced technologies. But gorillas are another kind of success rooted in harmony with their environment, physical grace, and quiet strength.
Perhaps the real takeaway message isn’t who wins in a fight, but to realise that two very different and yet very close cousins have walked two separate evolutionary roads, each in their own distinct way. And both are nature’s triumph and accomplishment.
Renaud Joannes-Boyau receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Leakey Foundation, National Geographic, and the European Research Council.
The United States and China remain in a standoff in their tariff war. Neither side appears willing to budge.
After US President Donald Trump imposed massive 145% tariffs on Chinese imports in early April, China retaliated with its own tariffs of 125% on US goods.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this week it’s up to China to de-escalate tensions. China’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said the two sides are not talking.
The prospect of economic decoupling between the world’s two largest economies is no longer speculative. It is becoming a hard reality. While many observersdebate who might “win” the trade war, the more likely outcome is that everyone loses.
A convenient target
Trump’s protectionist agenda has spared few. Allies and adversaries alike have been targeted by sweeping US tariffs. However, China has served as the main target, absorbing the political backlash of broader frustrations over trade deficits and economic displacement in the US.
The economic costs to China are undeniable. The loss of reliable access to the US market, coupled with mounting uncertainty in the global trading system, has dealt a blow to China’s export-driven sectors.
China’s comparative advantage lies in its vast manufacturing base and tightly integrated supply chains. This is especially true in high-tech and green industries such as electric vehicles, batteries and solar energy. These sectors are deeply dependent on open markets and predictable demand.
New trade restrictions in Europe, Canada and the US on Chinese electric vehicles, in particular, have already caused demand to drop significantly.
China’s GDP growth was higher than expected in the first quarter of the year at 5.4%, but analysts expect the effect of the tariffs to soon bite. A key measure of factory activity this week showed a contraction in manufacturing.
China’s economic growth has also been weighed down by structural headwinds, including industrial overcapacity (when a country’s production of goods exceeds demand), an ageing population, rising youth unemployment and persistent regional disparities. The property sector — once a pillar of the country’s economic rise — has become a source of financial stress. Local government debt is mounting and a pension crisis is looming.
Negotiations with the US might be desirable to end the tariff war. However, unilateral concessions on Beijing’s part are neither viable nor politically palatable.
Regional coordination
Trump’s tariff wars have done more than strain bilateral relationships; they have shaken the foundations of the global trading system.
By sidelining the World Trade Organization and embracing a transactional approach to bilateral trade, the US has weakened multilateral norms and emboldened protectionist tendencies worldwide.
One unintended consequence of this instability has been the resurgence of regional arrangements. In Asia, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), backed by China and centred on the ASEAN bloc in Southeast Asia, has emerged as a credible alternative for economic cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) continues to expand, with the United Kingdom joining late last year.
Across Latin America, too, regional blocs are exploring new avenues for integration, hoping to buffer themselves against the shocks of resurgent protectionism.
But regionalism is no panacea. It cannot replicate the scale or efficiency of global trade, nor can it restore the predictability on which exporters depend.
Looming dangers
The greater danger is the world drifting into a Kindleberger Trap — a situation in which no power steps forward to provide the leadership necessary to sustain global public goods, or a stable trading system.
Economist Charles Kindleberger’s account of the Great Depression remains instructive: it was not the presence of conflict but the absence of leadership that brought about the global economy’s systemic collapse.
Without renewed global coordination, the economic fragmentation triggered by Trump’s tariff wars could give way to something far more dangerous than a recession – rising geopolitical and military tensions that no region can contain.
The political landscape is already fraught. The Chinese Communist Party, for instance, has long tethered its legitimacy to the promise of eventual unification with Taiwan. Yet the costs of using force remain prohibitively high.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent designation of China as a “foreign hostile force” have sharpened tensions. Beijing’s response has been calibrated – military exercises intended more as a warning than a prelude to conflict.
However, the intensifying trade war with the US may become the final straw that exhausts Beijing’s patience, leaving Taiwan as collateral damage in a US-China final showdown.
A role for collective leadership
China alone is neither able nor inclined to assume the mantle of global leadership. Its current focus is more on domestic priorities – sustaining economic growth and managing social stability – than on foreign policy.
Yet, Beijing can still play a constructive role in shaping the international environment through its cooperation with Europe, ASEAN and the Global South.
The objective is not to replace American hegemony, but to support a more multi-polar and collaborative system — one capable of sustaining global public goods in an era of uncertainty.
Paradoxically, a more coordinated effort by the rest of the world may ultimately help bring the US back into the fold. Washington may rediscover the strategic value of engagement — and return not as the sole leader, but as an indispensable partner.
In the short term, other states may seek to gain an advantage from the great power standoff. But they should remember that what begins as a clash between giants can quickly engulf bystanders.
In this volatile landscape, the path forward does not lie in exploiting disorder. Rather, nations must cautiously advance the shared interest in restoring a stable, rules-based global order.
Kai He receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
The internet’s latest absurd obsession is: who would win in a no-rules fight between 100 average human men and one adult male gorilla?
This hypothetical and strange question has taken over Reddit, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Some argue that humans once hunted mammoths so, clearly, we would win. Others point out that a silverback gorilla can lift close to 1,000kg and could throw a grown man like a rag doll.
To be honest, it’s not really a question we need to answer – and yet, as usual on the internet, everyone has an opinion.
But, beyond the jokes and memes, this silly debate provides an opportunity to reflect on human evolution. What are the real strengths of our species? What have we sacrificed? And what can a gorilla, our majestic, powerful and endangered distant cousin, teach us about our own nature and evolution?
Gorillas and humans: two branches of the same evolutionary tree
Gorillas are one of our closest living relatives. Along with chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans, they belong to the great apes or Hominidae family. Chimpanzees share about 98.8% of their DNA with us, while gorillas come a close second, sharing around 98.4%.
The last common ancestor between humans and gorillas lived roughly 10 million years ago, and it is also the same ancestor for chimpanzees.
Since the evolutionary split, humans and gorillas have followed very different paths. Gorillas have adapted to dense forests and mountainous terrains, while humans have evolved to live in the open, but realistically to multiple and various environments.
Despite the substantial difference in ecological niches, humans and gorillas share many traits, such as opposable thumbs, facial expressions, complex social behaviours and emotional intelligence.
Mastering forest power
In the recent Dune saga, to win, Duke Leto Atreides wanted to develop “desert power”. Well, gorillas have mastered forest power.
And let’s be clear – in terms of raw power, the gorilla wins every time. An adult male silverback can weigh more than 160kg and lift about a tonne without going to the gym every day. Their upper-body strength is shocking. And that’s no evolutionary accident – it’s the result of intense competition between males, where dominance determines mating.
Additionally, gorillas are extremely tough and resilient, yet gentle and calm most of the time. Gorillas, like many primates, have a strong social intelligence. They use a variety of vocalisations, gestures and even chest drumming to communicate across distances.
They have shown the ability to use sign language, mourn their dead, and demonstrate empathy, attesting to sophisticated cognitive skills.
Trading muscles for minds
A fight between 100 men and one gorilla might lead to a lot of dead men, but we all know that men will come with weapons, strategies, drones, fire and other clever tricks.
Humans are not physically strong in comparison to many other mammals. Our strength as a species is our adaptability and our ability to collaborate in very large groups.
Our brains are, on average, three times larger proportionally than those of gorillas. This fantastic evolutionary adaptation has allowed us to develop abstract thinking and symbolic language, but most of all, to pass and build on complex knowledge across generations.
Humans’ evolutionary history has led to trading brute force for social, cultural and technological complexity, making us Earth’s most versatile and dangerous species.
So, who’s the winner?
In a one-on-one brawl, the gorilla can make “human-mash” with one hand. There is no contest when discussing brute force and bare hands.
But humans fight dirty. Judging by our evolutionary success, humans would likely lose many battles but ultimately win the fight. Mountain gorillas were not on the brink of extinction in the 1980s without our help.
Our species has spread across all continents, all terrains, and all climates. We have reshaped ecosystems, walked on the Moon, and developed advanced technologies. But gorillas are another kind of success rooted in harmony with their environment, physical grace, and quiet strength.
Perhaps the real takeaway message isn’t who wins in a fight, but to realise that two very different and yet very close cousins have walked two separate evolutionary roads, each in their own distinct way. And both are nature’s triumph and accomplishment.
Renaud Joannes-Boyau receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Leakey Foundation, National Geographic, and the European Research Council.
Trade, Investment and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has wrapped up a successful programme hosting Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, His Excellency Eng Abdulrahman A. AlFadley, in Auckland this week for the 9th New Zealand–Saudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commission. “This visit builds on growing momentum in our trade relationship with Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region following the conclusion of the New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement,” Mr McClay said. “With Saudi Arabia being our largest export market in the Gulf and the GCC trade deal soon to be signed, we’re opening new doors for Kiwi exporters —particularly in agriculture, agri-tech, food innovation and fintech.” The delegation of 37 Saudi officials and business leaders engaged in a packed programme, highlighting New Zealand’s strengths across food security, innovation, and primary production. Businesses and organisations visited included:
Auckland Business Chamber Vessev (Electric hydrofoil vessel) Westbury Stud Farm University of Auckland (Space Institute and satellite testing) Moana Seafood Fonterra The FoodBowl-NZ Food Innovation Auckland
“From dairy and seafood to clean tech and research partnerships, the opportunities for collaboration are real and growing. The GCC trade agreement will deliver duty-free access for 99% of our exports over time and ensure New Zealand businesses are well-positioned in one of the world’s most dynamic regions,” Mr McClay says. “The Government is focused on unlocking export growth and backing New Zealand’s exporters to succeed globally.”
New data released today shows steady improvements in childhood immunisation rates across the country, highlighting the Government’s commitment to ensuring every child gets the best start in life, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Improving childhood immunisation rates is a priority for our Government. The latest quarterly figures show immunisation coverage has improved across nearly all age milestones, with particularly strong gains at six, 12, and 24 months,” Mr Brown says.“Overall, 24-month coverage for the second quarter of 2024/25 is up 2.1 per cent compared to the previous quarter. It’s encouraging to see our targeted approach, made possible by our Government’s record $16.68 billion health investment over three Budgets, is delivering real results.“We’re seeing some standout improvements across the country. In Tairāwhiti, coverage at 24 months is up 12.7 per cent. The West Coast also saw a 12.7 per cent increase, with Taranaki up 5.4 per cent and Auckland up 4.5 per cent.”The improvements reflect the Government’s health targets in action, which is focussing the health system on improving outcomes for Kiwis.“Our Government is focused on delivering access to timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders. By investing in community-based services and growing our frontline workforce, we are enabling our health system to protect our most vulnerable.“These results are a step in the right direction, and our focus remains on meeting our target of 95 per cent of children being fully vaccinated by 24 months of age.”
Eurojust President Mr Michael Schmid said: Organised crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated and international, operating seamlessly across both physical and digital borders. To meet this challenge, prosecutors from different countries and continents need to unite and devise strategies for closer cooperation. It is not enough to temporarily disrupt criminal networks. We need to hold these criminals accountable in court. That is why I am proud to sign this Working Arrangement with our South Korean counterparts today, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation and more impactful joint casework.
Close inter-state cooperation is essential to root out transnational crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking and cybercrimes, including online sexual abuse and hacking, said Minister of Justice of the Republic of Korea Mr. Park Sung-jae in his remark. Through the Working Arrangement signed today, we are making a step forward to reinforce criminal justice cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the European Union.
As organised crime is expanding on a global scale, judicial cooperation across borders on a worldwide level is of paramount importance for the European Union. The signing of Working Arrangements with partner countries is in line with the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime, supporting judicial authorities in the EU to have effective and reliable cooperation with national authorities outside the Union.
Working Arrangements facilitate the exchange of best practice and provide for more direct and straightforward contact with judicial authorities outside the EU. They can also assist with the access of partner countries’ authorities to Eurojust’s operational cooperation tools in investigations involving at least one EU Member State.
A Working Arrangement is no basis for the exchange of operational personal data, but formalises the role of the Eurojust Contact Point, with the aim of ensuring the more rapid execution of requests for judicial cooperation on both sides. As of November 2023, Eurojust has signed cooperation agreements with Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ecuador, Nigeria, Panama and Peru, as well as the Ibero-American Association of Public Prosecutors Offices (AIAMP).
Australia’s credit and charge card payments market continues to demonstrate resilience and growth, underpinned by rising consumer spending, robust payment infrastructure, and an expanding e-commerce landscape.
Enhanced by value-added incentives such as cashback offers, flexible repayment options, and installment facilities, the market is set to maintain an upward trajectory, reaching AUD453.9 billion ($299.7 billion) in 2025 despite evolving global economic challenges, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s Payment Cards Analytics reveals that credit and charge card payment value in Australia registered a growth of 6.3% in 2024, driven by the rise in consumer spending.
Kartik Challa, Senior Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Public awareness of the advantages associated with credit card usage is widespread in Australia. Consumers frequently utilize these cards to capitalize on benefits, including cashback offers and rewards programs. Bolstered by a robust payment infrastructure and a flourishing e-commerce market, credit and charge cards have gained marked preference among the Australian consumers.”
Australians are increasingly using credit and charge cards for payments, with the frequency of payments per card standing at 225.5 times in 2024 and is anticipated to further rise to 239.5 in 2029. This is driven by banks offering flexible repayment options and value-added benefits such as cashback, reward points, discounts, and installment facilities.
CommBank offers an installment plan “SurePay,” allowing its credit card holders to convert purchases into three, six, or 12 months. Likewise, National Australia Bank’s NAB Now Pay Later option allows customers to split the cost of purchases into four interest-free repayments over six weeks.
Well-developed payment infrastructure has been another key driver for the rise of credit and charge cards in Australia. The number of POS terminals per million inhabitants in Australia stood at 39,031 in 2024, which is higher compared to some of its peers such as China (33,631), Hong Kong (27,184), and India (6,964), though there is significant room for further expansion of POS infrastructure.
Rising e-commerce payments is another factor contributing to the growth in credit and charge card usage. According to GlobalData’s E-Commerce Analytics, credit and charge cards are the preferred payment method for online payments, with 22.5% share in 2024.
Meanwhile, to mitigate the risk of over-indebtedness, banks offer debt reconsolidation programs and credit card balance transfer programs to their customers to enable them to merge multiple loans (including credit card debt) into a single, monthly installment and transfer their credit card balance without interest. For example, ANZ offers balance transfer options that enable customers to consolidate debt by transferring outstanding balances from non-ANZ credit cards to a new or existing ANZ credit card.
Challa concludes: “Australia’s credit and charge card market is poised for sustained growth over the next five years, driven by the economic recovery, growing consumer spending, and growth in e-commerce payments. However, challenges such as the ongoing global trade tariff dispute among major countries, and geopolitical uncertainties remain bottlenecks to the market. Overall, the value of credit and charge card payments is forecast to register a slower compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4% between 2025 and 2029 to reach AUD539.1 billion ($356 billion) in 2029.”
About GlobalData
4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Sec. Kennedy and Dr. Oz joined Gov. Mike Braun in Indiana to highlight the state’s bold commitment to improving public health. From modernizing SNAP nutrition standards to promoting fitness and wellness in schools, Indiana is paving the way for a healthier future. HHS is proud to support state leaders taking action to Make America Healthy Again!
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
India/Pakistan
Security Council
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Secretary-General/Syria
Lebanon
General Assembly/Pope
Security Council/Ukraine
Afghanistan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Haiti
Locusts
Noon Briefing Guest
Financial Contribution
INDIA/PAKISTAN
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke separately by telephone with Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and he also spoke earlier in the day with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Minister for External Affairs of the Republic of India. In his phone calls, the Secretary-General reiterated his strong condemnation of the 22 April terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir. The Secretary-General noted the importance of pursuing justice and accountability for these attacks through lawful means.
The Secretary-General also expressed his deep concern at the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and he also underscored the need to avoid a confrontation that could result in tragic consequences.
The Secretary-General offered his Good Offices to support any de-escalation efforts.
SECURITY COUNCIL
The Secretary-General, in a briefing to the Security Council this morning on Israel and Palestine, said that the promise of a two-State solution is at risk of dwindling to the point of disappearance. The political commitment to this long-standing goal is farther than it has ever been, he said.
The world cannot afford to watch the two-State solution disappear, heasserted. Political leaders face clear choices — the choice to be silent, the choice to acquiesce, or the choice is to act.
Regarding Gaza, Mr. Guterres said that the recent ceasefire had brought a glimmer of hope – the long-sought release of hostages and the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian relief. But those embers of opportunity were cruelly extinguished with the shattering of the ceasefire on 18 March.
The Secretary-General said that he was alarmed by statements by Israeli government officials about the use of humanitarian aid as a tool for military pressure. Aid is non-negotiable, he said. Israel must protect civilians and must agree to relief schemes and facilitate them, he said.
The Secretary-General told the Council that there must be no hindrance to humanitarian aid – including through the vital work of UNRWA. We need the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and we need a permanent ceasefire.
Mr. Guterres added that it’s time to stop the repeated displacement of the Gaza population – along with any question of forced displacement outside of Gaza, and the trampling of international law must end.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=29%20April%202025
Volcanoes erupting underwater have a distinctive effect on the climate, according to research led by University of Auckland and Tongan scientists.
Research on Tonga’s devastating 2022 Hunga eruption has just been published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
“Submarine volcanism has previously been overlooked in global climate studies, because there is typically not much atmospheric sulphur dioxide released,” says Professor Shane Cronin, a co-lead author of the study with postdoctoral fellow Dr Jie Wu.
However, while sulphur dioxide can lead to significant climate effects, so too can water vapour.
At its peak Hunga’s eruption injected up to 3 billion tonnes of steam into the atmosphere in a single hour, with the water vapour reaching the stratosphere and even the mesosphere more than 57 km up, Cronin says.
“The eruption has been shown by several recently published studies to have cooled the Southern Hemisphere and cause a range of other atmospheric and climate impacts that we are still discovering,” he adds.
Hunga had the potential for a global impact from sulphur dioxide. The team estimates 20 million tonnes of it was released during the eruption, however, most of the sulphur went directly into seawater at depths between 300m and 1100m.
Cronin is at the School of Environment at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, while Wu is now based at the University of Otago.
University of Auckland and staff and students have been working with Tongan partners to understand the wider implications of submarine volcanism in the Southwestern Pacific in the aftermath of Hunga, the largest eruption witnessed in the modern era.
“We are striving to understand the broader hazards of submarine volcanism including tsunami and damage to shorelines and internet data cables as well as how these eruptions affect our environment and climate,” says Cronin.
The work is supported by an MBIE Endeavor Research Programme grant from 2024.
Covering period of Thursday 1st – Friday 2nd May – MetService has issued a Red Warning for Winds in Wellington from 10am Thursday to 3am Friday. This is the first Red Warning issued for Wellington. MetService Red Warnings are reserved for the most extreme weather events where significant impact and disruption is expected.
Wind speeds have already reached at least 150 km/h in exceptionally exposed areas and 118 km/h elsewhere, with winds expected to peak early afternoon, with gusts of 140 km/h possible. The combined effects of heavy rain (the region is currently under an Orange Warning for Heavy Rain), high tides and large waves of 7 metres have the potential to exacerbate the impacts from the damaging gusts affecting the area. In addition, the unusual direction of these very strong winds – being from the southwest rather than the more common strong northerly winds, is also expected to increase the likelihood of wind-induced damage.
Impacts include falling trees and flying debris. Destructive winds is also expected to cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport, communications, and power supply.
A Red Warning signifies that people need to act now as immediate action is required to protect people, animals and property from the impact of the weather. People are encouraged to stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel if possible, and follow any advice from Civil Defence and other agencies.
This is the first Red Warning MetService has issued this year, and it’s the 16th Red Warning weather event since the highest alert level was introduced back in May 2019. Keep up to date with weather and warnings via metservice.comor our free MetService weather app.
Vaping has, for the first time, been linked to a life-limiting and irreversible lung disease.
The groundbreaking study, published in the Nicotine and Tobacco Research Journal, shows that e-cigarette use is strongly associated with increased new diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in New Zealand.
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says this study confirms what we’ve long suspected – vaping isn’t just risky, it’s dangerous to your health.
“For years, we’ve been gaslighted into believing vaping is harmless – or at least ‘less harmful’ than cigarettes – meanwhile, we’ve watched teen vaping rates skyrocket.
“Now the science is catching up, and it’s not good news,” she says.
“Vaping is not harmless – it never has been – and this study shows it causes long-term irreversible lung damage.”
This study, which tracked 250,000 people over about three-and-a-half years, should be a significant wake-up call to the Government to tighten regulations even further, Ms Harding says.
“The vaping industry is using the same tactics Big Tobacco used decades ago – and it’s resulting in a new generation of teens addicted to nicotine who we now know are at risk of developing a life-long respiratory illness.”
Dr Stuart Jones, a respiratory physician and member of the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, says that while there is now a clear link between vaping and COPD, the bigger issue is dual use (vaping and smoking).
“For the first time, we’ve got hard data showing that vaping alone can cause COPD – and if you’re vaping and smoking, you’re not reducing risk, you’re doubling down on it.
“Dual use is not a stepping stone to quitting – it’s a shortcut to the respiratory ward.”
E-cigarettes must be kept out of the hands of non-smokers, particularly young people, Dr Jones says.
“Vapes are not harmless devices – they are engineered nicotine delivery systems that inflame lung tissue and can leave lasting damage.
“If you smoke and vape, then the goal is to stop both. If you don’t smoke, then don’t vape. It’s that simple.”
When the All Blacks played France in Paris last November, they honoured New Zealand’s veterans of military of service by wearing an RSA Poppy embroidered onto their jersey.
One of those jerseys has now been gifted to the Royal New Zealand RSA to help raise funds to continue their support to our veterans.
National President Sir Wayne Shelford said it was heart-warming to see this show of support from the national team.
“Pulling on the Black Jersey is incredibly emotional for any player. But having that mark of respect for veterans embroidered on the sleeve takes it to another level.
The poppy is worn to honour the fallen, but this gift from the All Blacks will now allow us to provide more support to our living veterans.”
The “Remembrance Test” was played on 17 November (NZ time) with the All Blacks wearing the poppy to commemorate Remembrance Day and honour those New Zealanders who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.
The All Blacks wore the white version of the national jersey to differentiate from France’s dark blue.
The jersey has been signed by the 2024 All Blacks Squad and Coach Scott Robertson and is a true collector’s item, with no supporter version ever produced for sale.
The jersey is now being auctioned on Trade Me and closes on – the RSA is incredibly grateful to the All Blacks for the opportunity to raise more funds to improve the wellbeing of New Zealand’s veterans.
A true collector’s item – these jerseys were only made for the test played against France on 17 November 2024 (16 November in France). No supporters jerseys were produced or made available for sale.
As the test played closest to Remembrance Day, the All Blacks’ jersey featured the poppy as a mark of respect for New Zealand’s veterans of military service.
Although it features the number 14, the jersey was not worn during the match – it was the spare jersey held on the sideline in case a replacement was needed.
The jersey was gifted to the RNZRSA to auction off to raise funds to continue our support to New Zealand’s veterans of military service and their whanau.
The jersey has been signed by Coach Scott Robertson and all members of the All Blacks’ squad that were in France at the time of the test:
Asafo Aumua, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, George Bell, Sam Cane, Caleb Clarke, Ethan de Groot, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, Peter Lakai, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Ruben Love, Damian McKenzie, Fletcher Newell, TJ Perenara, Stephen Perofeta, Cortez Ratima, Sevu Reece, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Codie Taylor, Mark Tele’a, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tupou Vaa’i, Tamati Williams.
Auckland – 1 May 2025 – SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced the appointment of Peter Moore as Head of Partner Ecosystem for SAP Asia Pacific (APAC), effective immediately. Moore takes over from Utkarsh Maheshwari, who held the position since 2021 before transitioning to the role of Senior Vice President and Head of Global Partner Sales and Services, SP, earlier this year.
In his new role, Moore will be responsible for leading and expanding SAP’s vibrant partner ecosystem across the APAC region. His remit includes driving partner recruitment, enablement, and co-innovation to deliver exceptional value to customers. He will focus on strengthening strategic alliances, fostering collaboration, and empowering partners to deliver transformative digital solutions leveraging SAP’s industry-leading technologies.
“The partner ecosystem is crucial to SAP’s success in Asia Pacific, especially as we experience rapid cloud adoption and increasing demand for specialized industry solutions,” said Simon Davies, Regional President, SAP APAC. “Peter brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in building and managing successful partner programs. We are confident that his leadership will further elevate the value we deliver to customers through our partners and drive continued growth across the region.”
Moore brings over twenty years of experience in the technology industry, with a deep understanding of the Asian market. Since joining SAP twelve years ago, he has served in multiple leadership roles and is an active executive sponsor for many strategic SAP customers and ecosystem partners. By prioritizing customer success, he has helped drive innovation and thought leadership in many industries across Asia Pacific, Japan and Europe.
“I am thrilled to take on this new role to lead the partner ecosystem in Asia Pacific,” said Moore. “The opportunity to work with such a dynamic and innovative partner network is incredibly exciting. I look forward to collaborating closely with our partners to help businesses across the region achieve their digital transformation goals and realize the full potential of SAP’s solutions.”
A group of bylaws and policies were agreed to be reviewed at a full meeting of Porirua City Council today, with public feedback sought for the next month.
Four bylaws and two policies are being reviewed, with only minor changes proposed as Council believes they are working as intended. All will be available to review on thehaveyoursay.poriruacity.govt.nzwebsite.
The bylaws are the Transport Bylaw, Alcohol Control Bylaw 2018, Water Supply Bylaw 2019 and General Bylaw 1991 (Part 9 Reserves Bylaw), while the policies with minor alterations are the Litter Infringement Policy 2019 and the Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy 2020.
As part of this review process, we have also revoked one policy – the Psychoactive Substances Policy (Local Approved Products Policy 2015), as no retailers in New Zealand are currently allowed to sell psychoactive substances, and there are no psychoactive substances approved for sale in New Zealand.
Nic Etheridge, General Manager Policy, Planning & Regulatory Services, says while these changes are largely process-driven and minor in nature, it’s important the public have their say to ensure we’re aware of any concerns our community has.
“It’s an important part of the process for Council to engage with our community. We encourage anyone who is interested to make comment during the consultation period to do so,” she says.
Once the public consultation period closes on 6 June, deliberations by Council and adoption of the updated bylaws and policies will take place on 31 July.
Greenpeace is calling on the leader of the opposition, Chris Hipkins, to take a public stand and pledge that seabed mining will never happen under a Labour-led government. A petition to the Labour Party leader launched this week has already gained more than 2200 signatures.
Greenpeace spokesperson Juressa Lee says: “The Luxon government seems intent on waging war on nature – but Governments come and go, and they won’t be in control forever. That’s why we’re calling on Chris Hipkins to promise that any seabed mining consents granted under the Luxon government will be revoked by Labour if it gets elected.
“Despite failing again and again to win approval for its seabed mining project, wannabe miners Trans-Tasman Resourceshave appliedto the Environmental Protection Authority for permission to mine the South Taranaki Bight under the Luxon government’s Fast Track process.
“That’s why we’re launching a new call on the leader of the opposition, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, to take a stand and ensure this destructive industry never gets off the ground in Aotearoa.”
For more than ten years,Trans-Tasman Resourceshas suffered defeat after defeat in the courts and faced opposition from Greenpeace and the Taranaki community, including iwi, commercial and recreational fishers and surfers.
Juressa Lee says: “Yet now, like a zombie, TTR is rising from the dead by taking advantage of the Fast Track Approvals Act to bypass environmental protections.
“That’s why it’s urgent the opposition leader Chris Hipkins takes a stand against seabed mining the Taranaki Bight.
“Chris Hipkins will also be in tune with the weight of public opinion in Aotearoa. Nearly 54,000 people signed the last Greenpeace petition to ban seabed mining.”
Trans-Tasman Resources is planning to extract 50 million tonnes of iron sand from the South Taranaki Bight every year for 35 years and dump 45 million tonnes a year back into the ocean.
Seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight would damage rich ecosystems and threaten precious marine life such as the pygmy blue whale, Māui and Hector’s dolphins and kororā.
Whānau across Aotearoa are beginning their Smokefree journey this May as part of the That’s Us campaign, led by Hāpai te Hauora. The campaign encourages whānau to give up smoking for the month of May with the support of their local Stop Smoking Service.
To launch the campaign, promotional videos from Stop Smoking Services are being rolled out nationwide and will be screened in hospitals and GP waiting rooms.
Jasmine Graham, National Tobacco Control Manager at Hāpai te Hauora, says the support of trained Smokefree practitioners is a critical success factor in quitting. “Whānau who are trying to quit are most successful when supported by a Smokefree practitioner, where they can access Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and tailored support. It’s so important that whānau know these services are available to them in their communities.”
That’s Us activations are taking place around the motu to promote Smokefree messages and remind whānau that it’s always the right time to begin their Smokefree journey.
“It takes an average of seven attempts to quit smoking. Our message is simply, even if you’ve tried before, give it another go. This time, you’ve got the whole nation behind you,” says Graham.
Smoking-related illnesses remain the leading cause of preventable death in Aotearoa. The time to act is now – Smokefree 2025.
