Commuter Waka updated with 2023 Census data and new features–15 April 2025 –New 2023 Census data inCommuter Waka‘s interactive map shows how we are choosing to commute in Aotearoa New Zealand, Stats NZ said today.
“Commuter Waka gives a comprehensive view of commuter data, allowing us to see where people are travelling to and from for work and education, and how they choose to travel,” 2023 Census spokesperson Kathy Connolly said.
“With the addition of the 2023 Census data, you can now see how commuter trends are changing over time.” In 2020, Stats NZ ran a competition to create an interactive data visualisation using the 2018 Census commuter dataset. The winning entry,Commuter Waka, is a data visualisation tool that uses an interactive map and series of graphs to show commuter information for areas across New Zealand.
Food prices increase 3.5 percent annually–15 April 2025 –Food prices increased 3.5 percent in the 12 months to March 2025, following a 2.4 percent increase in the 12 months to February 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Higher prices for the grocery food group and the meat, poultry, and fish group contributed most to the annual increase in food prices, up 5.1 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively.
Partly offsetting the increase in food prices was lower prices for the fruit and vegetables group, with prices down 2.7 percent in the 12 months to March 2025, following a 6.2 percent decrease in the 12 months to February 2025.
The Government is cracking down on the prolonged tethering of dogs, with progress being made on new regulations targeting owners who fail to properly care for the needs of their dogs, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “I’ve been hearing a lot from members of the public who want to see action taken, and the SPCA tells us that this is one of the issues that they receive daily calls on. I know that strong animal welfare standards are important to New Zealanders, and we have a level of companion animal ownership which is among the highest in the world. “When I came to office, officials provided me four proposed regulations. I was concerned that they couldn’t be enforced and that it wouldn’t lead to better outcomes for dogs that are tethered for unreasonable periods of time. “I directed my officials to work with the SPCA to improve on the proposals, taking into account the very considered input received during public consultation. Recently I took these new proposals to Cabinet, and I am pleased that my colleagues have supported these,” Mr Hoggard says. “These are very important regulations, and we needed to take our time to ensure the best outcomes. “Most dog owners in New Zealand treat their animals well and these regulations will have little to no impact upon them.” “The new regulations will provide animal welfare inspectors with the tools they need to intervene quickly when they identify a dog that is suffering harm as a result of being tied up for long periods. I’m confident these regulations will result in better outcomes for those dogs. “We have a few steps to follow to get these proposals ready to become law, but it is my expectation that these will be finalised by the end of the year. That will be followed by a short period with a focus on education so that all dog owners understand their obligations and to allow those who need to make changes time to adapt.”
PORT SUDAN, 15 April 2025– One child every 10 seconds on average has been forced to flee their homes since the conflict began in Sudan two years ago, according to new analysis from Save the Children.
Sudan was already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises before conflict erupted in the capital, Khartoum, in April 2023, and the country is now facing the largest child displacement crisis globally, with over 6.5 million children uprooted from their homes [1] [2]. More than 12.6 million people are currently displaced by the conflict in Sudan – or one in three people [3].
To mark two years of the conflict, Save the Children commissioned Sudaneseillustrator Shiroug Idris– who was herself displaced by the conflict – to highlight the impact of conflict on children’s lives.
Shiroug was herself forced to flee her home in Khartoum in 2023 and is now living 500 kms away in Kassala in eastern Sudan. She travelled to Gedaref with Save the Children to see the organisation’s work and ran a drawing workshop with children to let them tell their own stories of the conflict.
“As someone who was forced to flee this terrible conflict, it is heartbreaking to witness what these children are going through. Millions have been displaced, forced from their homes, and robbed of the childhood every child deserves,” Shiroug said.
“Through my drawings, I hope to make the world more aware of the atrocities unfolding in Sudan and the devastating impact on children’s lives. Governments around the world must do more to recognise this crisis and put an end to the suffering.”
One of the children working with Shiroug wasFatima-, 11,who was forced to flee her home in Al Jazirah state in east-central Sudan following violent clashes in which a bullet fired through one of the windows of their home.
Fatima- and her family escaped to a nearby village, but soldiers came to their house and threatened to kill them. Her family moved through multiple villages, facing violence, extortion, and hardship before reaching a camp in Gedaref Save the Children provided her family with food, blankets, mattresses, clothes, including pajamas and slippers.
“I was scared that we would be killed, but my mum reassured me. When we arrived in Gedaref, I was happy because there were no sounds of fighting, just peace,” Fatima- said.
Fatima- now attends school and a child friendly space, where she takes part in activities such as art, sports, and structured play, to help process her trauma, build resilience, and regain her confidence.
Her message to other children in Sudan is: “Don’t be afraid; we will go back home, just like others have.”
In the chaos and violence in the past two years in which an estimated 28,700 people have been killed, many children have been separated from their families, putting them at higher risk of being attacked or exploited.
Over 2,686 child rights violations have been reported in the past year to Save the Children alone, the majority involving the killing and maiming of children, child recruitment and sexual violence against children.
Mariam-, 14,was captured and raped by a group of armed men along with a friend who later died from her injuries. Mariam survived but became pregnant.
Upon learning of her pregnancy, her family forced her to move out of her home, and Mariam gave birth in unclean, unsupported conditions. Her newborn daughter became sick and died.
When Save the Children became aware of Mariam’s situation, the organisation supported her with health and psychological care and then worked closely with her family, helping them to understand why their daughter was not to blame. Today, she is back with her family, with ongoing support from Save the Children for her continued wellbeing.
Mohamad Abdiladif, the Country Director for Save the Children Sudan, said:
“For two years, conflict and widespread violence in Sudan have caused immense suffering for children. This has become the world’s largest displacement crisis for children, but despite the urgent need, the crisis in Sudan remains largely underreported and the world is not taking notice.”
“When people are forced to flee their homes due to violence, it’s usually the women and children who go first – and we often see displacement camps filled with children. But the number of children displaced in Sudan – and their young age and vulnerability – is staggering. The world has a duty of care for children, and we are failing them.”
Save the Children is urgently calling on the international community to take meaningful and urgent political action to address this crisis, for an immediate ceasefire and progress towards a lasting peace agreement.
Save the Children has worked in Sudan since 1983 and provides programming for children and families affected by conflict, displacement, extreme poverty and hunger.
-Names changed. We have spokespeople available in Sudan.
Calculations: Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Sudan:8,856,313(IOM, OCHA – February 2025). Over half(53%)of IDPs were reportedly children under the age of 18-years-old (IOM); IDPs who are under 18:4,693,845(IOM); Total newly arrived refugees/asylum seekers:3,772,215(UNHCR, IOM & Governments – December 2024). IDPs who are under 18:4,693,845+ Total newly arrived refugees/asylum seekers under 18 outside Sudan:1,888,270=6,582,115(This reflects data recorded since the commencement of the conflict in April 2023.)
6,582,115 ÷ 731 (number of days from the last two years) =9,004 every day
9,004 ÷ 24 (hours in a day) =375 every hour
375 ÷ 60 (minutes in an hour) =6.25 every minute = One every 10 seconds
15 April 2025 – Knowing the current state of the economy and where it is likely headed are key to making interest rate decisions today that keep inflation low and stable in future, Chief Economist Paul Conway says.
“Given economic uncertainty, which can be pervasive at times, forecasting is a critical tool for guiding monetary policy decisions, shaping expectations, and ensuring transparency,” Mr Conway says in a speech on forecasting, delivered today via live webinar.
“It is a complex but essential part of monetary policy making that is not always well understood by the public.”
We use a wide range of data and various methodologies to assess the current state of the economy to use as the ‘starting point’ for our economic projections and monetary policy decisions.
“Our forecast for the Official Cash Rate (OCR) reflects the economic picture at the time of the forecast. It is our best estimate of how the OCR will need to change over the next three years to meet our inflation target, conditional on the economic outlook, so inflation always ends up back at 2 percent.”
“That last bit – conditional on the economic outlook – should be read as being bolded, highlighted, and jumping off the page like a neon sign. I cannot overstate the importance of this conditionality,” he says. “If the economic outlook changes, which it almost always does to some degree, then our projection for the OCR will also change.”
“Because the OCR projection is conditional on everything else evolving as expected, it should almost never be interpreted as a guarantee of future MPC decisions,” he says.
NB: The speech is written by Chief Economist Paul Conway and RBNZ staff and is not an official statement from the Monetary Policy Committee. There is no update on the state of the economy since the 9 April 2025 Monetary Policy Review.
Alongside the speech, we are publishing a related Bulletin and 2 Analytical Notes, as well as launching Kiwi-GDP, which is a live “nowcast” of GDP on our website.
The best contribution monetary policy can make to the long-term wellbeing of New Zealanders is to deliver stable prices, aiming at 2 percent inflation. We aim for stable prices through ‘flexible’ inflation targeting. Trying to get inflation down too fast can damage the economy. We aim to control inflation over 1 to 3 years ahead.
The speech explains how the RBNZ forecasts and the tools we use, including:
How we conduct short-term forecasts (nowcasting)
How our forecasts should be interpreted
The importance of forecasting for flexible inflation targeting.
The EMA says the current law regulating Easter Sunday trading hours causes confusion for retailers throughout the country.
The EMA’s Head of Advocacy and Strategy, Alan McDonald, says the problem lies with the devolved powers given to local councils, who determine whether retailers stay open or not in their respective territories on Easter Sunday.
“This leads to ridiculous anomalies where shops can stay open in places like Rotorua and Queenstown, but not in Auckland or Christchurch,” he says.
“But every Easter Sunday you get some business owners who choose to open and run the risk of a fine, simply because the business returns on that day outweigh the cost of the fine. While it’s not something we encourage, it’s simply the reality of the anomaly in the law.
“The rules are complicated and confusing, and many retailers don’t understand what their obligations are.
“We favour a national policy that gives each retailer the freedom to decide for themselves whether or not they open on Easter Sunday – no matter where they’re located in New Zealand.
“We acknowledge that Easter Sunday is an important religious occasion for some Kiwis, but it is not a public holiday.
“In the last census more than half the population declared that they have no religion. So, why are trading hours on Easter Sunday different from any other Sunday?
“It’s time for one nationwide rule that clears up the confusion and gives shop owners the freedom to choose.”
About the Shop Trading Hours Act
The Shop Trading Hours Act governs the regulations regarding trading at Easter and on ANZAC Day. Following a change to the Act in 2016, the option was given to local councils to create their own Easter Sunday shopping policy for their respective territories.
Territorial authorities in Queenstown and Rotorua took advantage of the change, providing shop owners with the option to open or not. As a result, many retailers in these areas are now open on Easter Sunday.
“However, in most parts of the country, only a limited number of retailers such as dairies and service stations can open on Easter Sunday,” says McDonald.
“In these challenging economic times, if a business wants to trade on a particular day, then the law shouldn’t stand in its way.”
Obligations for retailers and employers
If retailers intend to trade on Easter Sunday, they must first check whether this is permitted under local council policy. Unlike Good Friday and Easter Monday, Easter Sunday is not a public holiday.
In addition, if retailers require employees to work on that day, they need to start the process early. Employees must be given at least four weeks’ (but not more than eight weeks’) notice of the requirement to work on Easter Sunday – and they have the right to refuse.
The EMA provides retailers and employers with clear guidance on their responsibilities over the Easter and ANZAC Day period. Find more information atEaster and ANZAC Day 2025.
Parents who exercise together with their teenagers are more likely to have kids with better physical and mental health.
From bike rides to backyard footy, parents who exercise together with their teenagers are more likely to have kids with better physical and mental health, according to new research from the University of South Australia.
Conducted in collaboration with Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO RI) and a team of Canadian partners, a study showed that teenagers who exercise more frequently with their families were more likely to:
meet physical activity guidelines of 60+ minutes per day (23%)
meet recommended screentime guidelines of two hours or less per day (74%)
report better mental health (81%) including higher life satisfaction (67%), and lower stress (86%), anxiety (73%) and depression (89%).
The study also showed that the more regularly the family exercises together, the better the outcomes.
“We know that regular exercise is great for both body and mind. But with more teenagers glued to screens and devices, it’s easy for sedentary habits to take hold,” Dr Lang says.
“Getting teenagers up and moving is crucial to reversing the slide into inactivity – and as our study shows, the key may be in getting the whole family involved.
“We found that teenagers who exercise daily with their families are twice as likely to meet activity and screen time guidelines – and four times more likely to report stronger mental health and greater life satisfaction.
“The message is simple: when parents get active with their teens and lead by example, everyone wins. Teens feel better, move more, and their mental health is stronger.”
It found that only 11% of teenagers met national guidelines of 60 minutes of medium-to-vigorous physical activity per day; and just over half (56%) of teenagers engaged in less than two hours of recreational screen time per day.
Co-researcher, CHEO RI’s Dr. JP Chaput, says parents play a powerful role in influencing behaviours in their children.
“Exercising as a family does more than get hearts pumping – it may strengthen bonds, builds confidence, and can have a real impact on teenagers’ mental wellbeing,” Dr. Chaput says.
“When parents take an active role in their teens’ physical activity, it can build stronger emotional bonds, improves communication, and helps create a protective buffer against mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression.
“So, when families prioritise being active together, they’re not only building healthy habits – they’re also investing in their teenagers’ long-term wellbeing.
“Ultimately, it’s a reminder that even small, shared moments of movement can make a big difference.”
The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are joining forces to become Australia’s new major university – Adelaide University. Building on the strengths, legacies and resources of two leading universities, Adelaide University will deliver globally relevant research at scale, innovative, industry-informed teaching and an outstanding student experience. Adelaide University will open its doors in January 2026. Find out more on theAdelaide University website.
Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Sudan – 15 April 2025 – The war in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) enters its third year and people remain unseen, bombed, besieged, displaced and deprived of food, medical care and basic lifesaving services. 60 percent of the country’s 50 million people need humanitarian assistance, according to the UN, and people are facing simultaneous health crises and limited access to public health care.
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reiterates its calls on the warring parties and their allies to ensure that civilians, humanitarian personnel, and medical teams are protected and that all restrictions are removed on the movements of humanitarian supplies and staff, especially as the rainy season fast approaches.
“The warring parties are not only failing to protect civilians — they are actively compounding their suffering,” said Claire San Filippo, MSF Emergency Coordinator. “Wherever you look in Sudan, you will find needs — overwhelming, urgent, and unmet. Millions are receiving almost no humanitarian assistance, medical facilities and staff remain under attack, and the global humanitarian system is failing to deliver even a fraction of what’s required.”
As frontlines have shifted over the course of the war, especially in Khartoum and Darfur, civilians feared retaliatory attacks from both warring parties. For the past two years, both RSF and SAF have repeatedly and indiscriminately bombed densely populated areas. The RSF and allied militias have unleashed a campaign of brutality, including systematic sexual violence, abductions, mass killings, looting of aid, erasure of civilian neighbourhoods, and occupation of medical facilities. Both sides have laid siege to towns, destroyed vital infrastructure, and blocked humanitarian aid.
Widespread starvation is taking hold, according to the UN, — Sudan is currently the only place in the world where famine has been officially declared in multiple locations. Famine was first declared in Zamzam camp, for internally displaced people, in August and has since spread to ten more areas. Seventeen additional regions are now on the brink. Without immediate intervention, hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk.
In March MSF supported multi-antigen catch up vaccination campaigns for children under two in South Darfur. The over 17,000 children, in 11 of the 14 localities, who received vaccinations were also screened for malnutrition showing 7% of those screened were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with 30% with global acute malnutrition. In December 2024, during a therapeutic food distribution in Tawila locality, North Darfur, MSF teams screened over 9,500 children under five years old. They found a staggering 35.5% global acute malnutrition rate, with 7% of the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Simultaneously, Sudan is facing multiple, overlapping health emergencies. MSF teams have treated over 12,000 patients — including women and children — for trauma injuries directly resulting from violent attacks. During the first week of February 2025, MSF teams in three areas of Sudan – Khartoum, North Darfur, and South Darfur states – treated mass influxes of war-wounded patients. Sudan is also experiencing one of the worst maternal and child health crises we are seeing anywhere in the world. In October 2024, in two MSF-supported facilities in Nyala, capital of South Darfur, 26% of the pregnant and breastfeeding women seeking care were acutely malnourished.
“Outbreaks of measles, cholera and diphtheria are spreading, driven by poor living conditions and disrupted vaccination campaigns. Mental health support and care for survivors of sexual violence remain painfully limited. These compounding crises reflect not just the brutality of the conflict, but the dire consequences of the crumbling public healthcare system and a failing humanitarian response”, says Marta Cazorla, MSF Emergency Coordinator.
Since April 2023, more than 1.7 million people have sought medical consultations at hospitals, health facilities and mobile clinics MSF supports or is working in, and more than 32,000 people were admitted in our emergency wards.
More than 13 million people have been displaced by the conflict, according to the UN — many of them multiple times. Of these, 8.9 million remain displaced inside Sudan, while 3.9 million have crossed into neighbouring countries. Many live in overcrowded camps or makeshift shelters, without access to food, water, healthcare, or a sense of future. People depend entirely on humanitarian organizations — but only where these organisations are responding.
Health facilities destroyed
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 70 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are barely operational or completely closed, leaving millions without access to critical care amid one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Since the war began, MSF has recorded over 80 violent incidents targeting our staff, infrastructure, vehicles and supplies. Clinics have been looted and destroyed, medicines stolen, and healthcare workers assaulted, threatened or killed.
“Buildings were destroyed, even beds were looted, and medicines were burned to the ground. From afar, it looked like a hospital, but when you entered it, it was a shelter for snakes and grass,” said Muhammad Yusuf Ishaq Abdullah, MSF health promotion officer in Tawila, North Darfur, about the state of Tawila´s hospital after being attacked and looted in June 2023.
These attacks must stop — medical personnel and facilities are not targets.
Upcoming rainy season
The rainy season, fast approaching, threatens to make an already catastrophic situation even worse — severing supply routes, flooding entire regions, and cutting off people just as the hunger gap peaks and malnutrition and malaria spike.
MSF calls for immediate preparedness measures ahead of the rainy season. More border crossings must be opened, and key roads and bridges must be repaired and kept accessible, especially in Darfur, where seasonal flooding isolates communities year after year.
Humanitarian restrictions must be lifted, and unhindered access must be guaranteed. MSF urges all actors — including donors, governments, and UN agencies — to enable and prioritize the aid delivery, ensuring that assistance not only reaches the country but is transported swiftly and safely to the hardest-hit and most remote communities. Without a serious commitment to overcoming the political, financial, logistical and security barriers that hinder last-mile delivery, countless lives will remain beyond the reach of help.
The people of Sudan have endured this horror for two years too long, they cannot and should not wait any longer.
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
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
HANOI, April 14 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday urged China and Vietnam to jointly oppose hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism.
In his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Xi said that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese government, the country has achieved political and social stability, and made impressive achievements in its cause of Doi Moi (reform), while its international status is increasing, for which China feels rejoiced.
Both sides shoulder the historical mission of realizing national rejuvenation and accelerating national development, Xi noted.
He called on the two countries to forge a strong sense of a community with a shared future, and deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation, so as to serve their respective modernization processes, and better benefit the two peoples.
The two sides, Xi said, should strengthen the strategic coordination and consolidate the political foundation for building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.
He urged the two sides to intensify high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, and jointly oppose hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism.
Xi also called on the two sides to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, so as to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and safeguard peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and beyond.
Xi said the two sides should promote high-quality development to provide solid strategic support for the two countries’ joint march toward modernization.
China and Vietnam, Xi said, should give full play to their geographical advantages of being connected by land and sea, strengthen the alignment of development strategies and tap the potential of industrial cooperation.
He also called on the two countries to steadily advance cooperation in infrastructure development, enhance connectivity and ensure a smooth flow of trade.
The two countries should expand cooperation in traditional areas such as trade and investment, and expand cooperation in emerging industries such as 5G, artificial intelligence, clean energy and digital economy.
Xi also said China and Vietnam should firmly uphold the multilateral trading system, and work together to push for economic globalization that is more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.
The two sides should deepen cultural cooperation and promote the main theme of China-Vietnam friendship, Xi said.
He urged the two sides to ensure a series of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic ties and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges a success, so as to tell stories well of friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as their joint pursuit of modernization.
Xi also urged the two sides to carry out more projects to win the hearts and minds of the people and improve their lives.
For his part, Pham Minh Chinh said that Xi’s state visit to Vietnam is the most important high-level exchange between the two countries this year, adding that this is a great, joyous event in Vietnam-China relations and of historic significance, and will surely lead Vietnam-China relations to greater development and inject strong impetus into bilateral cooperation.
Since Xi’s visit to Vietnam in 2023, the strategic mutual trust between the two countries has been further enhanced, practical cooperation has witnessed significant progress and the friendship of the two peoples has deepened, he said.
Vietnam attaches great importance to its relations with China and is determined to firmly promote the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, said the Vietnamese prime minister.
Noting that Vietnam sincerely congratulates China on its tremendous development achievements, he said Vietnam supports China’s sustained development and growth, and hopes to learn from China’s experience in the governance of the party and the country, its spirit of self-reliance and its development philosophy and model.
The Vietnamese leader noted that his country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in areas including economy and trade, investment, connectivity, science and technology, as well as finance to enhance economic vitality and growth drivers so as to jointly cope with risks and challenges.
He also said that Vietnam looks forward to the successful hosting of the Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges and expects more robust personnel exchanges and sub-national cooperation, and closer bond of the two peoples.
He said that his country also looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in international and regional affairs, so as to maintain strategic focus in the complex and volatile international situation, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the international order.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
At an event in Auckland today, Karen Chhour, the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, announced a new partnership between Te Puna Aonui, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Manawa Tītī* to strengthen the multi-agency response to family violence.
“Through this new partnership, we are investing in the development of a local system improvement plan, testing a more consistent approach to managing high-risk family violence cases, and delivering new specialist outreach support so that the families who need the most support receive it.
“This new approach will enable coordinated support and collaboration to deliver timely and effective responses to people at high risk and with complex family violence needs. This will help ensure the safety of victim/survivors and children and young people,” said Karen Chhour.
A key focus of the family violence and sexual violence Action Plan, launched in December, is strengthening multi-agency responses to family violence so that people affected by violence receive the support they need and get to safety sooner.
The Action Plan is designed to focus government agencies on parts of the system that require collaboration: including effective responses to people affected by violence, and improved ways of working with people who use violence.
“The system improvement plan will build on Manawa Tītī’s strategy and their key priority areas, including strengthening collaborative ways of working, whānau-centred responses, early intervention, and safer and effective responses to high-risk families, to strengthen their local response. This work has emerged following a local family death review,” said Karen Chhour.
“Evidence shows that having proactive, specialist outreach roles, delivered by people with the right capability, skills and knowledge, can increase safety and support for victims. Building on the recent publication of the Risk and Safety Practice Framework, the partnership will also enable a more consistent approach to identifying and responding to risk.
“This approach will help make children safer and reduce revictimisation. Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei, through their tribal development arm, Whāi Maia alongside Manawa Tītī will be testing and learning about new ways of working to deliver this service so that families and whānau get to safety sooner.
“I acknowledge the importance of local leadership and innovation in the family violence system and welcome the new partnership that will make a difference to the lives of people in Auckland,” said Ms Chhour.
New data shows Kiwis are becoming safer with the Government tracking ahead of its violent crime reduction target, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “The Government announced nine targets in March last year, which included ensuring there are 20,000 fewer victims of serious violent crime by 2029, equating to 165,000 victims,” Mr Goldsmith says. “The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey shows that for the year to February, there were 157,000 victims of violent crime. This is 28,000 fewer victims than the baseline set in October 2023. “This is very encouraging and shows our work to restore law and order is paying off. “We’ve provided police and the courts with extra tools to go after gangs, brought back a revised three strikes sentencing regime, restored real consequences for crime by limiting sentence discounts, and scrapped Section 27 reports.” Police Minister Mark Mitchell says we know there is a lot more work to do, but these results are a good early sign we are heading in the right direction. “I want to acknowledge and thank our Police Commissioner and Corrections Chief Executive, our entire Police and Corrections teams both sworn and non-sworn who are working hard with their Justice sector colleagues to implement the Government’s policies and direction on public safety. I am very proud of the work they are doing every day to make our country safer. “There were 12,000 fewer victims in Auckland and 5,000 fewer in Canterbury, which is credit to them all,” Mr Mitchell says. “The latest quarterly results for all Government targets will not be released until early June. However, given the significance of these results we are releasing them early, as we believe they are robust and in the public interest,” Mr Goldsmith says. “We do, however, expect the data to remain volatile, and there’s still more work to do to continue driving these numbers down. “It’s important to remember this survey covers a 24-month period, so we will continue to see the results of Labour’s soft on crime approach filter through at points.”
VILNIUS, Lithuania, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The WhiteBIT.au platform was launched in December 2024, but this launch was preceded by months of internal work and preparation. WhiteBIT has registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider and Independent Remitter Dealer. The company is just beginning to scale up its activities in Australia, planning to build on its already strong local team. As of now, spot trading is available; however, the product line will keep on growing. The company’s focus is to provide the highest quality products while staying within the regulatory approvals in each country.
WhiteBIT is the largest European centralized crypto exchange by traffic. It has 8 million registered users and offices in 7 countries and is part of the WhiteBIT Group, a leading ecosystem of blockchain and crypto solutions with more than 35 million users worldwide. This launch in Australia comes amidst the growing demand for cryptocurrencies among Australian investors, creating the perfect environment for the development of digital asset infrastructure in the region.
For Australian users, WhiteBIT offers fast and secure transactions and access to a range of new cryptocurrency trading tools, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced traders.
Australia’s Crypto Adoption Surges as Investment Interest Grows
According to Triple-A data, 9.6% of Australians already own digital assets, highlighting the high level of crypto adoption in the country. This creates an ideal environment for the continued growth of the crypto industry, particularly given the stable economy and increasing popularity of cryptocurrency investments among younger Australians.
Despite its complexity, Australia presents an attractive landscape for crypto businesses. The nation boasts a resilient economy that is steadily recovering from post-COVID challenges. With a consistently growing average salary, Australians have the financial means, an investment culture, and access to a wide range of financial instruments. Notably, derivatives and cryptocurrencies are among the preferred options for younger investors.
The country’s crypto market infrastructure is well-developed, with clear regulations and an established legal framework ensuring a structured environment for industry players. As a result, both local and global crypto companies are actively expanding their presence, competing to meet the needs of Australian investors.
Volodymyr Nosov, founder and president of WhiteBIT Group, comments, “Expanding into the Australian market presents a unique opportunity to engage with a highly crypto-savvy audience and a region that plays one of the crucial roles in the Asia-Pacific Region. Our goal is to contribute to the economic well-being and financial independence of both Australian and Asian communities while driving the adoption of blockchain technology on a global scale. This expansion marks a significant step in our mission to make crypto accessible to everyone.”
Hundreds of university staff and students in Melbourne and Sydney called on their vice-chancellors to cancel pro-Israel events earlier this month, write Michael West Media’s Wendy Bacon and Yaakov Aharon.
SPECIAL REPORT:By Wendy Bacon and Yaakov Aharon
While Australia’s universities continue to repress pro-Palestine peace protests, they gave the green light to pro-Israel events earlier this month, sparking outrage from anti-war protesters over the hypocrisy.
Israeli lobby groups StandWithUs Australia (SWU) and Israel-IS organised a series of university events this week which featured Israel Defense Force (IDF) reservists who have served during the war in Gaza, two of whom lost family members in the Hamas resistance attack on October 7, 2023.
The events were promoted as “an immersive VR experience with an inspiring interfaith panel” discussing the importance of social cohesion, on and off campus.”
Hundreds of staff and students at Monash, Sydney Uni, UNSW and UTS signed letters calling on their universities to “act swiftly to cancel the SWU event and make clear that organisations and individuals who worked with the Israel Defense Forces did not have a place on UNSW campuses.”
SWU is a global charity organisation which supports Israel and fights all conduct it perceives to be “antisemitic”. It campaigns against the United Nations and international NGOs’ findings against Israel and is currently supporting actions to suspend United States students supporting Palestine.
It established an office in Sydney in 2022 and Michael Gencher, who previously worked at the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, was appointed as CEO.
The event’s co-sponsor, Israel-IS, is a similar propaganda outfit whose mission is to “connect with people before they connect with ideas” particularly through “cutting edge technologies like VR and AI.”
Among their 18 staff, one employee’s role is “IDF coordinator’” while two employees serve as “heads of Influencer Academy”.
The events were a test for management at Monash, UTS, UNSW and USyd to see how far each would go in cooperating with the Israel lobby.
Some events cancelled At Monash, an open letter criticising the event was circulated by staff and students. The event was then cancelled without explanation.
At UNSW, 51 staff and postgraduate students signed an open letter to vice-chancellor Atilla Brungs, calling for the event’s cancellation. It was signed on their behalf by Jessica Whyte, an associate professor of philosophy in arts and law and Noam Peleg, associate professor in the Faculty of Law and Justice.
Prior to the scheduled event, Michael West Media sent questions to UNSW. After the event was scheduled to occur, the university responded to MWM, informing us that it had not taken place.
As of today, two days after the event was scheduled, vice-chancellor Brungs has not responded to the letter.
UTS warning to students The UTS branch of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students partnered with Israel-IS in organising the UTS event, in alignment with their core “pillars” of Zionism and activism. The student group seeks to “promote a positive image of Israel on campus” to achieve its vision of a world where Jewish students are committed to Israel.
UTS Students’ Association, Palestinian Youth Society and UTS Muslim Student Society wrote to management but deputy vice-chancellor Kylie Readman rejected pleas. She replied that the event’s organisers had guaranteed it would be “a small private event focused on minority Israeli perspectives” and that speakers would only speak in a personal capacity.
While acknowledging the conflict in the Middle East was stressful for many at UTS, she then warned students, “UTS has not received formal notification of any intent to protest, as is required under the campus policy. As such, I must advise that any protest activity planned for 2nd April will be unauthorised. I would urge you to encourage students not to participate in an unauthorised protest.”
Students who allegedly breach campus policies can face disciplinary proceedings that can lead to suspension.
UTS Student Association president Mia Campbell told MWM, “The warning given by UTS about protesting definitely felt intimidating and frightening to a number of students, including myself.
“Especially as a law student, misconduct allegations can affect your admission to the profession . . . but with all other avenues of communication exhausted between us and the university, it felt like we didn’t have a choice.
I don’t want to look back on what I was doing during this genocide and have done any less than what was possible at the time.
A UTS student reads the names of Gaza children killed in Israel’s War on Gaza. Image: Wendy Bacon/MWM
Sombre, but quietly angry protest The UTS protest was sombre but quietly angry. Speakers read from lists naming dead Palestinian children.
One speaker, who has lost 120 members of his extended family in Gaza, explained why he protested: “We have to be backed into a corner, told we can’t protest, told we can’t do anything. We’ve exhausted every single policy . . . Add to all that we are threatened with misconduct.”
Do you think we can stay silent while there are people on campus who may have played a part in the killings in Gaza?
SWU at University of Sydney University of Sydney staff and students who signed an open letter received no reply before the event.
Activists from USyd staff in support of Palestine, Students Against War and Jews Against the Occupation ‘48 began protesting outside the Michael Spence building that houses the university’s senior executives on the Wednesday evening, April 2.
Escorted by UTS security, three SWU representatives arrived. A small group was admitted. Soon afterwards, the participants could be seen from below in the building’s meeting room.
A few protesters remained and booed the attendees as they left. These included Mark Leach, a far right Christian Zionist and founder of pro-Israeli group Never Again is Now. Later on X, he condemned the protesters and described Israel as a “multi-ethnic enclave of civilisation.”
Warning letters for students Several student activists have received letters recently warning them about breaching the new USyd code of conduct regulating protests. USyd has also adopted a definition of anti-semitism which critics say could restrict criticism of Israel.
A Jews against Occupation ’48 speaker, Judith Treanor, said, “Welcoming this organisation makes a mockery of this university’s stated values of respect, non-harassment, and anti-racism.
“In the context of this university’s adoption of draconian measures to stifle freedom of expression in relation to Palestine, the decision to host this event promoting Israel reveals a shocking level of hypocrisy and a huge abuse of power.”
Jews Against the Occupation ‘48: L-R Suzie Gold, Laurie Izaks MacSween and Judith Treanor at the protest. Image: Vivienne Moore/MWM
No stranger to USyd Michael Gencher is no stranger to USyd. Since October 2023, he has opposed student encampments and street protests.
On one occasion, he visited the USyd protest student encampment in support of Palestine with Richard Kemp, a retired British army commander who tirelessly promotes the IDF. Kemp’s most recent X post congratulates Hungary for withdrawing from “the International Criminal Kangaroo Court. Other countries should reject this political court and follow suit.”
Kemp and Gencher filmed themselves attempting to interrogate students about their knowledge of conflict in the Middle East on May 21, 2024, but the students refused to be provoked and declined to engage.
In May 2024, Gercher helped organise a joint rally at USyd with Zionist Group Together with Israel, a partner of far-right group Australian Jewish Association. Extreme Zionist Ofir Birenbaum, who was recently exposed as covertly filming staff at an inner city cafe, Cairo Takeaway, helped organise the rally.
Students at the USyd encampment told MWM that they experienced provocative behaviour towards them during the May rally.
Opposition to StandWithUs Those who oppose the SWU campus events draw on international findings condemning Israel and its IDF, explained in similar letters to university leaders.
After the USyd event, those who signed a letter received a response from vice-chancellor Mark Scott.
He explained, “We host a broad range of activities that reflect different perspectives — we recognise our role as a place for debate and disagreeing well, which includes tolerance of varied opinions.”
His response ignored the concerns raised, which leaves this question: Why are organisations that reject all international and humanitarian legal findings, including ones of genocide and ethnic cleansing,
being made to feel ‘safe and welcome’ when their critics risk misconduct proceedings?
SWU CEO Michael Gencher went on the attack in the Jewish press:
“We’re seeing a coordinated attempt to intimidate universities into silencing Israeli voices simply because they don’t conform to a radical political narrative.” He accused the academics of spreading “provable lies, dangerous rhetoric, and blatant hypocrisy.”
SWU regards United Nations and other findings against Israel as false.
Wendy Bacon is an investigative journalist who was professor of journalism at UTS. She worked for Fairfax, Channel Nine and SBS and has published in The Guardian, New Matilda, City Hub and Overland. She has a long history in promoting independent and alternative journalism. She is a long-term supporter of a peaceful BDS and the Greens.
Yaakov Aharon is a Jewish-Australian living in Wollongong. He enjoys long walks on Wollongong Beach, unimpeded by Port Kembla smoke fumes and AUKUS submarines. This article was first published by Michael West Media and is republished with permission of the authors.
New Zealand’s Pacific connection with the United States is “more important than ever”, says Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters after rounding up the Hawai’i leg of his Pacific trip.
Peters said common strategic interests of the US and New Zealand were underlined while in the state.
“Our Pacific links with the United States are more important than ever,” Peters said.
“New Zealand’s partnership with the United States remains one of our most long standing and important, particularly when seen in the light of our joint interests in the Pacific and the evolving security environment.”
The Deputy Prime Minister has led a delegation made up of cross-party MPs, who are heading to Fiji for a brief overnight stop, before heading to Vanuatu.
Peters said the stop in Honolulu allowed for an exchange of ideas and the role New Zealand can play in working with regional partners in the region.
“We have long advocated for the importance of an active and engaged United States in the Indo-Pacific, and this time in Honolulu allowed us to continue to make that case.”
Approaching Trump ‘right way’ The delegation met with Hawai’i’s Governor Josh Green, who confirmed with him that New Zealand was approaching US President Donald Trump in the “right way”.
“The fact is, this is a massively Democrat state. But nevertheless, they deal with Washington very, very well, and privately, we have got an inside confirmation that our approach is right.
“Be very careful, these things are very important, words matter and be ultra-cautious. All those things were confirmed by the governor.”
Governor Green told reporters he had spent time with Trump and talked to the US administration all the time.
“I can’t guarantee that they will bend their policies, but I try to be very rational for the good of our state, in our region, and it seems to be so far working,” he said.
He said the US and New Zealand were close allies.
“So having these additional connections with the political leadership and people from the community and business leaders, it helps us, because as we move forward in somewhat uncertain times, having more friends helps.”
At the East-West Center in Honolulu, Peters said New Zealand and the United States had not always seen eye-to-eye and “US Presidents have not always been popular back home”.
“My view of the strategic partnership between New Zealand and the United States is this: we each have the right, indeed the imperative, to pursue our own foreign policies, driven by our own sense of national interest.”
The delegation also met the commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Paparo, the interim president of the East-West Center Dr James Scott, and Hawai’i-based representatives for Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Commuter Waka updated with 2023 Census data and new features – 15 April 2025 – New 2023 Census data in Commuter Waka‘s interactive map shows how we are choosing to commute in Aotearoa New Zealand, Stats NZ said today.
“Commuter Waka gives a comprehensive view of commuter data, allowing us to see where people are travelling to and from for work and education, and how they choose to travel,” 2023 Census spokesperson Kathy Connolly said.
“With the addition of the 2023 Census data, you can now see how commuter trends are changing over time.” In 2020, Stats NZ ran a competition to create an interactive data visualisation using the 2018 Census commuter dataset. The winning entry, Commuter Waka, is a data visualisation tool that uses an interactive map and series of graphs to show commuter information for areas across New Zealand.
Food prices increase 3.5 percent annually – 15 April 2025 – Food prices increased 3.5 percent in the 12 months to March 2025, following a 2.4 percent increase in the 12 months to February 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Higher prices for the grocery food group and the meat, poultry, and fish group contributed most to the annual increase in food prices, up 5.1 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively.
Partly offsetting the increase in food prices was lower prices for the fruit and vegetables group, with prices down 2.7 percent in the 12 months to March 2025, following a 6.2 percent decrease in the 12 months to February 2025.
Nominations are now open for the inaugural Growing Native Forests Champions Awards, celebrating the people and groups leading native growing efforts Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today.
“These awards will recognise the farmers, landowners, iwi, and community groups restoring and planting native forests, and helping bolster New Zealand’s biodiversity and land resilience,” Mr McClay says.
“Native trees are vital to healthy ecosystems — they shelter wildlife, protect water quality, stabilise soils, and store carbon.”
Award categories include:
Trees on Farms – for farmers growing native forests on their land.
Lifestyle Block Owner – for owners of properties under 20 hectares.
Forestry Company – for businesses or individuals in the forestry sector.
Mana Whenua – for individuals, whānau, hapū, and iwi-led projects.
Catchment/Community Group – for local and catchment-based initiatives.
Nominations open 15 April and close 9 May 2025. Winners will be announced at Fieldays in June.
Earlier this month, my family gathered to celebrate my niece’s christening marking the beginning of a new generation. As I was writing the card, I reflected on the importance of family and community, how they help shape lives and the enduring legacy they leave.
During the event, I spoke with the godmother who is expecting her third child about balancing work life and family responsibilities. I was incredibly encouraged by the empowered young woman, noting she is an incredible role model.
Role models are important in all facets of life. They include parents, mentors, coaches, teachers, leaders, academics, club members, professionals; the list is endless. What is true of all role models is their ability to influence behaviours and actions.
At the ATO, we talk about the model taxpayer and our vision for an Australia where every taxpayer meets their obligations because complying is easy, help is tailored, and deliberate non-compliance has consequences.
To support this vision, our Commissioner recently launched our organisational purpose ‘we collect tax so that government can deliver services for the Australian community.’
It’s within this context that we support the NFP sector and within which the sector must operate. In administering the law, we set compliance expectations and look for ways to reduce and minimise red tape. We expect all taxpayers to model good behaviour. For NFPs this means:
Checking that the associates and addresses of your NFP are current. If not, and they need to be updated, download and submit the Change of registration details form at ato.gov.au/NFPnotifyofchanges. If you haven’t updated your details in a while and you don’t know who your authorised contact is, we’ll accept the completed form from a newly appointed authorised contact if evidence such as minutes from the meeting or a letter from the NFP is also provided.
Undertaking a regular health check of your NFP at least annually. We recently published the NFP tax, super and registry responsibilities checklist. This good governance checklist helps NFPs stay on track with their tax, super and registry obligations. It’s good practice to run through this checklist at your regular board or committee meetings as a standing agenda item. Staying current with your tax and super affairs is part of your good governance framework and delivers transparency and accountability for your members.
Staying informed by subscribing to our monthly newsletter Not-for-profit news. It’s free to subscribeExternal Link and delivers timely information tailored especially for NFPs.
Reporting non-compliant behaviours that bring disrepute to the NFP sector. We welcome tip-offs. They help level the playing field for honest entities. It only takes a few minutes to make a tip-off, and you can remain anonymous. You can make a tip off by:
completing the tip-off form (the form is also available in the Help & support section in the ATO app)
phoning us on 1800 060 062.
Reaching out if you need assistance. To deliver on our vision, we provide the sector with expert advice through our web content as well as our dedicated phone service for NFPs and their representatives. You can call the team on 1300 130 248 Monday to Friday 8 m to 6 m AEST.
NFP Stewardship Group
Our NFP Stewardship Group is both a group of stewards and role models for the sector. Our group which was recently refreshed to include a First Nations organisation and a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) NFP, met on 25 March for the first meeting of 2025. The diversity of our members was reflected in the depth and richness of the conversation which is critical given it’s one of our key consultative forums. Membership is contingent on members providing an integrity declaration and meeting the requirements of the charter including participation and support for the administration of the law.
Members of our NFP Stewardship Group are role models in their communities and networks and we greatly value their time and constructive feedback especially where the law may not be operating as intended.
The key items at our March meeting focused on:
a technical discussion with respect to the Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (GloBE Rules) for Australian NFPs
an overview of our compliance expectations and what we see in review and audit cases
an open discussion about emerging issues including anti-avoidance
a presentation on places of worship and CALD communities, and the support available to help them meet their tax, super and reporting obligations
an update on the NFP self-review return including the approach for those who haven’t lodged.
NFP self-review return
As of 31 March, the extended lodgment date, more than 27,000 NFPs had lodged their return, and the number is still rising as more lodgments come in.
The NFPs who have lodged are modelling good sector behaviours and will have their future returns pre-populated making it even easier to meet their reporting obligations in future years.
We’re extending our support for NFPs who haven’t lodged and we’re urging them to do so before 30 June to avoid a review. We’ve published a new What happens if you lodge the NFP self-review return late page on the ATO site to help self-assessing NFPs who are yet to lodge. The key points for NFPs who need to lodge are:
there is a legal requirement to lodge an annual self-review return for non-charitable NFPs with an active ABN
NFPs who haven’t lodged must lodge as soon as possible – you don’t need to request an extension
we have support for NFPs making genuine efforts to comply, noting that we’ve suspended penalties for late lodgment of the 2023–24 NFP self-review return as part of our transitional support arrangements
from July 2025 we’ll review NFPs who intentionally ignore their obligations.
NFPs can demonstrate they’re trying to do the right thing by:
lodging the return online or via our self-help phone service on 13 72 26, even if they are lodging late
engaging a registered tax agent to lodge on their behalf
Finally, we’ve seen an uptick in the number of applications for private rulings from NFPs. This is being driven by a desire for certainty. Seeking a private ruling may not be the most efficient way of obtaining the guidance required. Applying for a private ruling can take a significant amount of time and be resource-intensive, particularly if additional information is required.
In June last year, I urged NFPs and sector stakeholders to check if our publicly available guidance addresses questions first. If you’ve relied on our public advice and guidance in good faith, you have the requisite certainty.
For NFPs who already have a private ruling, there’s a common misconception that a time ‘extension’ must be requested if the end date is approaching. This isn’t the case.
If your NFP’s circumstances haven’t materially changed from the circumstances outlined in your initial private ruling, you don’t need to apply for an extension.
In fact, the life of a private ruling cannot be extended and any new request is treated as a fresh application!
Final thoughts
In wrapping up this update, I’d like to call out the extraordinary efforts of the sector, my team, and all the internal and external stakeholders who have contributed to the implementation of the NFP self-review return. The NFP sector is significant and expected to grow with billions of dollars flowing through it. It’s appropriate for Australians to expect that all NFPs are meeting their tax, super and registry obligations and that they operate for the purpose for which they’re established. Modelling good behaviour ensures we can sustain a vibrant sector.
On that note, I wish everyone a safe break with the approaching Easter and Anzac public holidays, particularly if you’re taking a road trip.
STATEMENT – The church announced its official position that Le Parisien distorted facts about Shincheonji France in an article published last week, only quoting speculative statements from someone who left the church. On the other hand the church’s statement made up only two lines of the report, barely reflecting the actual state of the faith community.
The article was titled “They Treated Us Like Animals” and defined Shincheonji Church of Jesus as one of the “problematic evangelical groups” in France based on the personal testimony of an anonymous former member.
Shincheonji France says, “the reputation of the church and its members has been seriously damaged”, with the article mentioning training camps, severing relationships, and demands for money.
But a church official criticized, “We faithfully submitted thousands of characters of written responses to the 12 questions the reporter had sent us in advance, but only two sentences were reflected in the main text of the article,” and “This is less than 1% of the total responses, which seriously limited the opportunity to convey a balanced perspective to readers.”
They also said, “Considering that the report was published just four hours after the responses were sent to the reporter, we could tell that it was a one-sided, targeted, slanderous article.”
They continued, “If the written response was insufficient, they (the reporter) could have visited the actual church to check the religious scene and directly heard the voices of the current believers,” adding, “the church is always ready to respond to open communication with the media.”
The church also provided heart-felt testimonies from believers who are currently practicing their faith at Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
Teresa (29), who has been attending the church in Paris for six years, said, “Faith is something that is done voluntarily. Here, I came to know God properly and learned how to act as a person of God and shine in the world.”
Another believer, Axel (30), said, “Before coming to Shincheonji Church, I was looking for the meaning of my life. Since I started believing in Shincheonji Church, I was able to realize what God wants, and I love doing God’s work. While doing my mission, I was able to go on trips that I like, and I was able to meet my wife at church. I am living a truly satisfying life.”
Even the title of the article itself sparked shock and embarrassment amongst the members, stating, “no one has ever been treated like that, and we do not think that way. It was just used as a sensational article title to attract attention”. “In reality, we do not allow threats or stigmatization of those who have left the church, and a culture has been established that respects individual choices even after leaving the church.”
The church also refuted the claim that the former member “broke up with her boyfriend because of the church’s request,” saying, “It is not true.”
“The man in question (boyfriend) was a believer who attended the church with her at the time, and I understand that he wanted to get married. However, the woman said that she had no intention of getting married right away. The breakup was a decision made based on conversation between the parties and their personal religious concerns, and the church never induced or forced any choice.”
They emphasized that “dating and marriage are personal areas based on autonomy and responsibility, and it is not true to link this to the church’s control.”
The church also took issue with the fact that the article included situations that the interviewee had not actually experienced.
There was a photo used in the report of a person putting their feet on a radiator, and it was referred to as “corporal punishment”, but the photo had nothing to do with corporal punishment and was taken before the interviewee entered the church.
“The person in the photo is a man who is still a believer in the church, and at the time, he did that pose thinking that it was okay, and someone else took the picture for fun”, the church said.
The man in the photo was shocked to see it being used and plans to file an official complaint about it being used without his consent and for misconstruing its intention.
The church stated, “It is very regrettable that the media cited and reported this statement without fact-checking, as it may give readers the biased perception that the entire Shincheonji Church of Jesus is an abnormal organization.”
Regarding the “training camp” mentioned in the article, the church explained, “the program was a short-term training program that some missionaries who hoped for religious growth participated in 100% voluntarily.”
“It consisted of morning prayers, meditation on the word and the person could stop the camp at any time. There was no physical punishment or coercion.”
“However, we are aware that there is room for misunderstanding from an outside perspective, and we are currently not operating the program.”
Regarding claims of collecting personal information, restricting internet use, and inducing severance of family relationships, the church stated, “This is completely untrue, and we do not collect anything other than the minimum information required for religious counseling.”
They emphasized, “We have never restricted internet use or external relationships, and rather, we encourage our members to live exemplary lives in their families and society.”
The report also accused Shincheonji France of using a false name, ECA Academy. But the church explained, “It was the name of a Bible education program temporarily used in 2019, and at the beginning of the class, we clearly informed that we were affiliated with Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and after that, the decision to join the church was completely up to the individual’s discretion.”
The church further requests media to;
Carry out comprehensive coverage that reflects various perspectives and experiences, and sufficiently reflects the church’s official position and responses
Provide fair reporting on the actual experiences and voices of currently active members
Establish a reporting culture that respects religious freedom and the dignity of believers, and
Refrain from promoting prejudice through provocative expressions and titles.
Church officials emphasized, “Biased reporting on a specific religion or religious community can result in imposing stigma and prejudice on good believers and undermining religious freedom and human rights,” and “the media should contain diverse voices based on balanced information and mutual respect, rather than provocative approaches that induce hatred.”
They continued, “We hope that all media, including Le Parisien, will maintain higher ethical standards and balance in religious reporting, and Shincheonji Church of Jesus will continue to do its best to help correct understanding through transparent communication and open dialogue.”
STATEMENT: The church announced its official position that Le Parisien distorted facts about Shincheonji France in an article published last week, only quoting speculative statements from someone who left the church. On the other hand the church’s statement made up only two lines of the report, barely reflecting the actual state of the faith community.
The article was titled “They Treated Us Like Animals” and defined Shincheonji Church of Jesus as one of the “problematic evangelical groups” in France based on the personal testimony of an anonymous former member.
Shincheonji France says, “the reputation of the church and its members has been seriously damaged”, with the article mentioning training camps, severing relationships, and demands for money.
But a church official criticized, “We faithfully submitted thousands of characters of written responses to the 12 questions the reporter had sent us in advance, but only two sentences were reflected in the main text of the article,” and “This is less than 1% of the total responses, which seriously limited the opportunity to convey a balanced perspective to readers.”
They also said, “Considering that the report was published just four hours after the responses were sent to the reporter, we could tell that it was a one-sided, targeted, slanderous article.”
They continued, “If the written response was insufficient, they (the reporter) could have visited the actual church to check the religious scene and directly heard the voices of the current believers,” adding, “the church is always ready to respond to open communication with the media.”
The church also provided heart-felt testimonies from believers who are currently practicing their faith at Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
Teresa (29), who has been attending the church in Paris for six years, said, “Faith is something that is done voluntarily. Here, I came to know God properly and learned how to act as a person of God and shine in the world.”
Another believer, Axel (30), said, “Before coming to Shincheonji Church, I was looking for the meaning of my life. Since I started believing in Shincheonji Church, I was able to realize what God wants, and I love doing God’s work. While doing my mission, I was able to go on trips that I like, and I was able to meet my wife at church. I am living a truly satisfying life.”
Even the title of the article itself sparked shock and embarrassment amongst the members, stating, “no one has ever been treated like that, and we do not think that way. It was just used as a sensational article title to attract attention”.
“In reality, we do not allow threats or stigmatization of those who have left the church, and a culture has been established that respects individual choices even after leaving the church.”
The church also refuted the claim that the former member “broke up with her boyfriend because of the church’s request,” saying, “It is not true.”
“The man in question (boyfriend) was a believer who attended the church with her at the time, and I understand that he wanted to get married. However, the woman said that she had no intention of getting married right away. The breakup was a decision made based on conversation between the parties and their personal religious concerns, and the church never induced or forced any choice.”
They emphasized that “dating and marriage are personal areas based on autonomy and responsibility, and it is not true to link this to the church’s control.”
The church also took issue with the fact that the article included situations that the interviewee had not actually experienced.
There was a photo used in the report of a person putting their feet on a radiator, and it was referred to as “corporal punishment”, but the photo had nothing to do with corporal punishment and was taken before the interviewee entered the church.
“The person in the photo is a man who is still a believer in the church, and at the time, he did that pose thinking that it was okay, and someone else took the picture for fun”, the church said.
The man in the photo was shocked to see it being used and plans to file an official complaint about it being used without his consent and for misconstruing its intention.
The church stated, “It is very regrettable that the media cited and reported this statement without fact-checking, as it may give readers the biased perception that the entire Shincheonji Church of Jesus is an abnormal organization.”
Regarding the “training camp” mentioned in the article, the church explained, “the program was a short-term training program that some missionaries who hoped for religious growth participated in 100% voluntarily.”
“It consisted of morning prayers, meditation on the word and the person could stop the camp at any time. There was no physical punishment or coercion.”
“However, we are aware that there is room for misunderstanding from an outside perspective, and we are currently not operating the program.”
Regarding claims of collecting personal information, restricting internet use, and inducing severance of family relationships, the church stated, “This is completely untrue, and we do not collect anything other than the minimum information required for religious counseling.”
They emphasized, “We have never restricted internet use or external relationships, and rather, we encourage our members to live exemplary lives in their families and society.”
The report also accused Shincheonji France of using a false name, ECA Academy. But the church explained, “It was the name of a Bible education program temporarily used in 2019, and at the beginning of the class, we clearly informed that we were affiliated with Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and after that, the decision to join the church was completely up to the individual’s discretion.”
The church further requests media to;
-Carry out comprehensive coverage that reflects various perspectives and experiences, and sufficiently reflects the church’s official position and responses
-Provide fair reporting on the actual experiences and voices of currently active members
-Establish a reporting culture that respects religious freedom and the dignity of believers, and
-Refrain from promoting prejudice through provocative expressions and titles.
Church officials emphasized, “Biased reporting on a specific religion or religious community can result in imposing stigma and prejudice on good believers and undermining religious freedom and human rights,” and “the media should contain diverse voices based on balanced information and mutual respect, rather than provocative approaches that induce hatred.”
They continued, “We hope that all media, including Le Parisien, will maintain higher ethical standards and balance in religious reporting, and Shincheonji Church of Jesus will continue to do its best to help correct understanding through transparent communication and open dialogue.”
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
April 10, 2025
President Trump’s promises that Social Security benefits will not be cut are providing little reassurance to Massachusetts residents, advocates and employees who are witnessing changes to the program firsthand.
The Trump administration has slashed the nearly 90-year-old agency’s workforce as part of an effort to downsize the federal government. Though no cuts have been made to individual benefits, service delays and staffing reductions are creating anxiety for people across the state.
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“They may not be cutting the dollar amount that an individual has earned and is slated to receive, but it’s still a cut if that individual can’t access those funds,” said Betsy Connell, executive director of the Massachusetts Councils on Aging. “If you cut staff, and you cut access to the administration of those services, you’re going to impede people from accessing those benefits.”
Nearly 1.5 million people in the state — about one in five residents — receive Social Security. The federal program provides retirement benefits and disability income to qualified people and often serves as their primary — or only — source of income, advocates say. Massachusetts is home to the highest percentage of older adults in the country living alone and in poverty, according to the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston.
In recent weeks, phones have been ringing at local councils on aging, elected officials’ offices and Social Security field offices. Often it’s people expressing concern and confusion, advocates say, but there have also been complaints about delayed benefits, long wait times and unexplained errors.
Changes at the agency
The Social Security Administration has cut some 7,000 jobs, including about 3,000 employees who accepted a buyout offer or early retirement. More staff reductions are expected at the agency in the coming weeks.
Rich Couture, a spokesman for the union representing Social Security workers, said the exodus has damaged the agency, which was already at a 50-year staffing low. He said it has caused rising wait times on the national information hotline and longer approval periods for benefits.
In Massachusetts, many field offices in and around Boston were not meeting the agency’s goal of processing 83% of claims within two weeks of filing before the cuts.
Camillie Piñeiro, who works in the Springfield office, said the site is already understaffed by 13 employees, and five more plan to take the early retirement offer.
“People with the most experience have been incentivized to walk away,” Piñeiro said. “The more understaffed we are, the bigger the burden on those that stay.”
The smaller workforce could pose an even bigger problem starting April 14, when many people seeking benefits will need in-person appointments to verify their identities. The new policy was scaled back after advocates and lawmakers raised concerns about barriers to service. Still, Piñeiro said half the calls she answers on the general inquiry line are from people worried their benefits will be stopped if they can’t make it into the office.
Some Social Security beneficiaries don’t live near a field office or lack access to public transportation. In Massachusetts, the Greenfield field office closed over a decade ago, leaving a gap in Franklin County, a largely rural area where 18,925 residents receive Social Security, according to U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., joined at right by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, criticizes efforts by President Trump, Elon Musk, and Republicans in Congress to compromise the Social Security program, in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Concerns about in-person service have been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s plans to close federal buildings. No Massachusetts sites are on the list of Social Security offices closing this year. But the Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. Federal Building in Boston, which houses a Social Security office, was on a list of buildings to sell that the Trump administration posted and later took down in March. Union spokesman Couture worries the federal government will again target the O’Neill building for closure.
“All these federal buildings — well, that’s one avenue for closure,” Couture said. “So the entire system is under attack.”
Another change causing concern is a new overpayment policy, Piñeiro said. In the past, the agency deducted 10% of a recipient’s monthly benefit if they had received more than they were entitled to. This can result from a mistake on Social Security’s part or a failure to make updates that might impact a person’s benefits.
Now, the agency is withholding all funds until any overpayment is addressed.
“That brings people into the office in a state of desperation,” Piñeiro said. “Retirees cannot afford to lose for one month their benefit.”
Billionaire Elon Musk, who is helming DOGE, the White House’s cost-cutting unit, has repeatedly cited Social Security fraud as a significant problem. But Couture said the fraud rate is far less than 1% of payments a year.
“One of the ways to mitigate this is to provide the agency with resources,” Couture said. “Overpayments could be avoided with adequate staffing.”
Delays and confusion
Some Massachusetts residents have reported long wait times, payment delays and confusing messages in their online account portals.
Carolyn Villers, executive director of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, said her organization joined a lawsuit filed last Wednesday alleging DOGE and the Social Security Administration’s actions violate laws protecting the benefit. Villers said her group has received concerning reports in recent weeks that include payment delays.
Two individuals who were set to receive benefits on March 26 didn’t receive their checks until April 1, leaving one woman unable to pay her rent on time, Villers said, calling it “alarming.”
“I have worked with Mass Senior Action 20 years this fall, and I have never heard of people getting delayed or late payments, certainly without explanation,” she said.
She said she has also heard reports of phone wait times exceeding three hours and limited availability for in-person appointments. One woman was told she would have to wait 40 days — more than a month — for an appointment at any of the six offices in her region, Villers said.
“Until recently, I had not heard of people who called and were told ‘no available appointments,’ ” Villers said. “We have seen and heard from our members and the larger community that there has been a noticeable shift in a lack of access.”
Error reports also appear to be on the rise, Villers said. Concerns have circulated on social media from people who found notices in their online accounts that said they are no longer receiving benefits.
Tom and Christine, a Westborough couple who asked WBUR to withhold their last name because they fear retribution for speaking out, received one such notice. They logged in March 31 to check the account of their son Ned, who has autism. He gets Social Security disability benefits that help pay for the group home where he receives 24/7 care.
The notice on his account caused them to panic, said Chistine. She said she worried that she might have to reapply for her son’s benefits. It turned out to be an error, and the payment arrived on time the following day.
The family also had to wait three weeks to schedule an appointment for Ned’s Medicare benefits. Christine said these experiences have shaken her confidence in the system.
“These are not people we need to stress more, and these are not families we need to stress more,” she said.
Taking action
Massachusetts’ two U.S. senators, both Democrats, say they’re fighting to preserve Social Security benefits.
Last week, Sen. Warren and three other Democratic senators launched a “Social Security War Room” to educate the public about cuts and encourage grassroots activism.
“It is about having a place to bring the stories, so we can have all of the American people privy to what we hear when we’re back home,” Warren told reporters.
Sen. Ed Markey said his office has contacted Social Security officials about complaints from his constituents.
“My office is contacted daily by senior citizens who are terrified that they will lose the earned benefits they rely on to eat and to keep a roof over their head,” he told reporters last month.
Musk and his DOGE team have yet to comment on the lawsuit the Massachusetts Senior Action Council and four other groups filed with seven beneficiaries.
“We keep hearing the administration and Trump say, ‘We’re not gonna cut Social Security.’ Well, they are,” Villers said. “These delays and disruptions that are creating barriers to people accessing their earned benefits are absolutely a cut.”
This story is part of a partnership between WBUR and the Boston University Department of Journalism.
58% of New Zealand workers say there is currently a correlation between in-office attendance and promotion opportunities in their organisation
54% of workers would spend more time in the office if frequent attendance was a requirement for a promotion
17% of employees would look for a new job if they had to attend the office more often in order to get a promotion
Auckland, 15 April 2025 – Employees who are reluctant to return to the office may be putting their next promotion at risk, as the majority of New Zealand workers agree that in-office attendance significantly increases their chances of advancement, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds.
At a time when only 39% of workers say they have working from home/hybrid options, the research reveals Kiwi workers are aware that being present in the office is a significant benefit to their career.
When asked if there is currently a correlation between in-office attendance and promotion opportunities within your organisation, 58% of workers agreed. A quarter (25%) disagreed and 17% were unsure.
“The growing emphasis on in-office work by employers could create career progression hurdles for those seeking to remain remote,” says Megan Alexander, Managing Director at Robert Half. “The reality is, physical presence in the office enhances visibility, promotes collaboration, and aids in promoting culture, all of which are highly valued by employers.”
Employees put promotions ahead of remote work perks
The research reveals employees are prepared to increase their in-office attendance rather than risk being overlooked for a promotion. If their employer outlined it as a requirement or expectation for a higher role, more than half (54%) of employees say they would increase their time in the office.
However, remote working arrangements were cited as sacrosanct for many employees who would choose working from home over a promotion (17%) or would look for a new job that may not have the same in-office requirements (17%).
The remaining 12% of employees say they already attend the office full time.
While all generations acknowledge the potential promotional advantages of in-office work, our research found that the generations of Gen Z (56%) and Gen X (58%) are more willing to increase their office attendance to be favoured for a promotion.
“As working in the office has returned as the new norm for Kiwi workers, the significance of in-office attendance as a key factor in promotional decisions diminishes. This allows businesses to focus more intently on output and outcome-driven parameters, ensuring that promotions are primarily driven by tangible results rather than presence,” concludes Alexander.
About the research
The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in November 2024 by an independent research company among 500 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, and IT and technology. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management and trends in the workplace.
About Robert Half
Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Robert Half New Zealand has an office in Auckland. More information on roberthalf.com/nz
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones will take one of the largest delegations in recent years to the Chatham Islands tomorrow for his next regional summit. “It is important, given the relative isolation of the islands, to take the summit to the people who live there. The Chathams has an infrastructure deficit and I am going there in person to share with the locals the criteria of the Regional Infrastructure Fund and how they can apply for project funding,” Mr Jones says. “I expect a big turnout from the locals for this summit. Previously, the Crown funded projects through the Provincial Growth Fund. I’m keen to see how they have contributed to the local economy. Boosting resilience is critical. “ I am taking a large delegation including government ministers and MPs, experts in a range of fields, business leaders and officials. Energy, fishing, tourism and alternative land use are all areas which could benefit from the connections made at the summit tomorrow and I hope to hear some ambitious plans from the islanders.” Mr Jones will also be accompanied by the Rātana Band, a rare visit, and an acknowledgement of the historical ties between the Rātana Church and the Chathams. The Coalition Government’s drive for regional economic growth through the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund is on track with more than $580 million in funding so far committed to key infrastructure projects. “To date, the Regional Infrastructure Fund has received more than 260 applications. Approved investments align with the Government’s focus areas of enabling growth and water storage, supporting energy generation and Māori economic development, and increasing resilience,” Mr Jones says. Mr Jones has so far held 11 summits around the country, with more than 1300 stakeholders attending. Summits will be held for Wairarapa and Kāpiti on 9 May, and Otago on 16 May. The Regional Infrastructure Fund is a capital fund with the primary purpose of accelerating infrastructure projects, particularly with a focus on water storage, energy, Māori economic development, growth, and resilience. Committed funding includes approved funding and funding ring-fenced for specific purposes but is yet to be approved for release.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government secures raw materials to save British Steel
The Government has secured raw materials needed to save British Steel.
The Business Secretary pushes ahead with efforts to safeguard British Steel. Today [Tuesday 15 April] he will travel up to Immingham as the raw materials that have been waiting in the dock are unloaded and transported to the site, following the government settling payment for them.
The materials – which have arrived from the US – are enough to keep the blast furnaces running for the coming weeks, with officials continuing to work at pace to get a steady pipeline of materials to keep the fire burning.
A separate ship which contains yet more coking coal is on the way to the UK from Australia. This cargo was the subject of a legal dispute between British Steel and Jingye over the weekend that has now been resolved. The materials have been paid for using existing DBT budgets.
New legislation passed last weekend, in an unprecedented move, gives Government the power to direct the company’s board and workforce, ensure they get paid, and order the raw materials to keep the blast furnaces running. It also permits the Government to do these things itself if needed. The government acted to protect 37,000 jobs in supply chains and ensure we can build the infrastructure needed to deliver growth which is fundamental to the Plan for Change.
On Monday, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed the appointment of Allan Bell as interim Chief Executive Officer, and Lisa Coulson as interim Chief Commercial Officer, both with immediate effect – ensuring the right expertise is in place to keep the site running smoothly.
After intensive work over the weekend, the government has secured coke and iron ore pellets for the blast furnaces and is confident there will be enough materials to keep the furnaces burning.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
We will always act in the interest of working people and UK industry. Thanks to the work of those at British Steel, and in my department, we have moved decisively to secure the raw materials we need to help save British Steel.
Our industries depend on UK steel and – thanks to our Plan for Change – demand is set to shoot up: helping build the 1.5 million homes, railways, schools and hospitals we need to usher in a decade of national renewal.
This is a joint media release from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Victoria Police.
Detectives from the VIPER Taskforce executed warrants at 12 tobacco stores across Melbourne last week as part of the ongoing investigation by Taskforce Lunar into organised crime syndicates linked to the illicit tobacco trade.
Members of the taskforce were joined at the warrants from 7–11 April by representatives from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), who also executed warrants at the stores.
Police attended 12 stores, which they will allege are linked to two of the organised crime syndicates involved, in Altona Meadows, Truganina, Craigieburn, Broadmeadows, Tullamarine, Mill Park, Bundoora, Weir Views, Watsonia, Altona North, Prahran and Hawthorn.
As a result, the following was seized:
14,593 e-cigarettes (vapes) with a street value of over $729,650 profit
over 305kg of loose-leaf tobacco worth $650,388 excise avoided
over $22,500 in cash, and
three conducted electricity devices and one baton.
Fourteen people were arrested and interviewed in relation to the offences of possess tobacco and possess proceeds of crime. They are expected to be charged on summons.
Detectives from the VIPER Taskforce ran the same operation from 21 November – 2 December, 2024, executing 16 search warrants across regional and metropolitan Melbourne, seizing the following:
over 745 kg of loose-leaf tobacco, worth $1,565,907 excise avoided
over 131,000 in cash, and
over 3,400 e-cigarettes (vapes) with a street value of over $170,000 profit.
Victoria Police continues to support local councils and the Victorian Department of Health who have responsibility for tobacco and vape enforcement and compliance.
Detectives continue to work alongside external agencies such as the ABF, AFP, TGA, ATO and interstate counterparts.
Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who have information about these incidents and who is responsible to come forward.
Anyone with information about these incidents or with further information about serious and organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco trade is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link.
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Inspector Justin Shields, VIPER Taskforce:
“The warrants this week in support of the Taskforce Lunar investigation into the operation of these crime syndicates are a strong demonstration of state and Commonwealth agencies coming together to target the issue of illicit tobacco in every way possible.
“We have been clear that this is no longer about simply the investigation of the individual incidents – this is about doing absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates and those at the helm of them.
“This includes the targeting of anyone across Victoria who is involved in the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco, at any level. Ultimately, this is contributing to enabling those organised crime syndicates to operate here in Victoria.
“While people’s lives remain at risk due to this heightened criminal activity, we will continue to target these organise crime syndicates and do everything we can to hold them accountable.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Commissioner, Jade Hawkins, Australian Taxation Office:
“These arrests and the seizure of illicit tobacco products demonstrate the ATO’s ongoing commitment to supporting our partners in removing it from the community while creating a level playing field for legitimate businesses.
“We’ll continue to work with our partners to detect, disrupt and dismantle the organised crime syndicates who are using profits from selling illicit tobacco to fund other serious illegal activities. By doing this, it ensures there will be financial and criminal implications for those who are involved.”
Just listed on Auckland Council’s LinkedIn jobs board is a range of paid positions to govern Tāmaki Makaurau for passionate Aucklanders to consider applying for.
This year’s local elections in October mean Auckland’s current political leaders will either stand for re-election or step aside. A fresh set of candidates will also have the opportunity to get in the race.
Auckland Council’s Governance and Engagement General Manager Lou-Ann Ballantyne explains why the council is in the market for new leaders.
“It’s important to have a range of new and differing perspectives when it comes to leading the unique region that is Tāmaki Makaurau,” Ms Ballantyne says.
“With a governing body of 20 ward councillors representing the region, alongside a mayor to lead Auckland’s vision, and representatives for 21 local board areas to serve at community level, there are plenty of opportunities and reasons to stand in Auckland’s local elections,” she says.
“Elected members lead planning and decision-making for our city centre and local development, economic development, transport, natural environment, water, wastewater and stormwater and its parks and community.
“We’re hoping for a diverse range of representatives with good local knowledge who care for their community and have great decision-making skills.”
Who could Auckland Council’s next elected members be?
Ms Ballantyne believes plenty of people could step into these roles.
“Without even knowing it, so many people would be great in these positions.
“If you already play a pivotal part in your community, like sports coaching, coordinating events, advising or providing consulting services to organisations, being the skipper of your waka or successfully steering your household – you could be perfect for the role,” she says.
“No political experience is necessary as your skills and qualities are likely to be transferrable and we’ll provide additional training to help bring you up to speed.
“There’s plenty of room for growth, development and a chance to try something completely different while taking on rewarding responsibilities that’ll make a difference to your community.”
Want to hear more?
Tune in to an upcoming live webinar on Wednesday 30 April, 4.30pm to hear everything there is to know about standing in the Auckland Local Elections 2025 and what you’d do if elected.
It’s local elections year which means Aucklanders will get to choose the mayor, ward councillors and local board members, who help shape the future of Auckland.
And did you know some voters could be eligible for more than one vote?
Auckland Council’s independent electoral officer, Dale Ofsoske from Independent Election Services, explains how this is possible.
“Some might ask how this is legal, but it certainly is: wherever you pay rates you can vote.
“If you live in one local board area and pay rates on a property in another, you may be able to vote for local board members in both – to be eligible for that additional vote, you just need to add your name to the ratepayer electoral role,” says Mr Ofsoske.
Ratepayers are eligible to enrol on the ratepayer electoral roll and vote in the Tāmaki Makaurau local elections if they pay rates:
on an Auckland property, but live elsewhere
on two or more properties in different areas of Auckland.
You can check online if you’re on the ratepayer electoral roll. It’s important to note ratepayers don’t get on the roll automatically – you must apply to be on the roll.
Also, if there are multiple property owners, only one owner can vote with that property’s address.
For example, Jo and Sam own an apartment in Mt Roskill and a home where they live in Glenfield. If they are enrolled on the electoral roll, they can each vote for the mayor, North Shore Ward councillors and Kaipātiki Local Board members. One of them can also enrol on the non-resident ratepayer roll to make an additional vote for members of the Puketāpapa Local Board.
A company or society that pays property rates can also qualify as a ratepayer elector.
Check out the ward and local board finder to look up your ward and local board area.
While candidates can’t officially submit their nominations until Friday 4 July – with nominations closing at midday on Friday 1 August – anticipation will start to build as voters receive the Electoral Commission’s enrolment confirmation packs in the mail in April.
So, it’s a good time to ensure that your voting packs get sent to the right place. Check your enrolment details and enrol or update any address details by Friday 1 August at vote.nz/enrolling.
For everything there is to know about Auckland’s elections, go to voteauckland.co.nz.
The Tertiary Education Union’s opposition to free speech legislation shows exactly why free speech policies are needed at university, says ACT Tertiary Education spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar.
“We know that university staff want the power to decide what ideas are allowed on campus. We’re telling them no.
“Universities are primarily funded by the taxpayer, and we all have an interest in ensuring they are fostering genuine debate and disagreement.
“Universities have historically, and rightly, offered space for contrasting ideas to be tested in debate. In fact, the whole project of academic inquiry and enlightenment hinges on the premise that any idea can be aired and challenged.
“Free expression includes the right to seek different perspectives. If students invite a willing speaker – whether it’s Don Brash or an extremist like Tamatha Paul – that speaker should be allowed to speak. No-one is forced to listen, and the political opinions of university staff shouldn’t come into it.
“The suggestion that a free speech policy is ‘nanny state’ regulation is laughable. ACT secured the free speech commitment precisely to get busybody university staff out of the business of regulating speech. We have set out clear requirements for a complaints process precisely because we have seen universities fail to uphold their students’ speech rights.”
St Francis of Assisi recommended having the serenity to accept what you can’t change, the courage to change what you can, and the wisdom to know the difference. He’d probably be quite useful for dealing with the Trump Tariff situation.
The Government of New Zealand cannot change the events unfolding overseas, but there are still useful things it can do. When you can’t change trade policy, the best trade policy is good domestic policy.
Regardless of trade conditions, the New Zealand Governmentcanchoose better domestic policies. It is (mostly) getting value from taxpayer funded services, regulating lightly, and managing the assets it owns. That’s where the emphasis should be as the May 22 Budget approaches.
One-way Traffic
Never has Parliament seen such a one-sided debate as the two hours it set aside for the second reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. A dozen MPs spoke against the Bill, but not one referred to the principles set out in the Bill. They certainly didn’t explain why they were opposed to the principles.
We saw the vote in Parliament, so we know the Bill was defeated in one sense, but in another sense it succeded. No idea can survive being displaced by a better ideal. The filtering of ideas is how open societies advance. On the other hand, no idea has ever been defeated by emotion and abuse alone. Only light can drive out darkness.
So long as an idea remains the best available argument, its time in the sun will come back around. Let’s put it another way, if there were better ideas than those put in the Bill, why didn’t opponents say what they were, at some point during a two hour debate?
Take Willie Jackson, who got booted from Parliament for calling David Seymour a liar, again. What’s interesting is this:Free Pressknows Jackson had a chance to debate Seymour on TV3, but turned it down multiple times. For some reason we’re reminded of Ronald Reagan’s comment on the American flag: These colors don’t run.
Jackson didn’t just run in the media, though, he ran in the House as well. Parliament sat for over 100 days over the 14 months David Seymour was the Associate Minister of Justice responsible for the Treaty Principles Bill. Jackson could have asked Seymour questions hundreds of times but he only asked one question on the Bill. The question is captured in theYouTube video, viewed 80,000 times.The video shows why Jackson didn’t come back for more.
For all his talk, Jackson ran like diarrhoea when challenged to serious debate. Perhaps it’s not his fault, though. Perhaps nobody could give him good arguments. After all, if someone so passionately opposed to the Bill did have a good argument, they’d use it, wouldn’t they?
Not one MP in the debate got up and said ‘The Bill says x. I disagree with x. My reason is y. I think we’d have a better country if…z. None of them got to x. Nobody (except David Seymour) quoted the Bill. Even media commentators accepted David Seymour’s point that the opponents were not engaging with the Bill.
When the hysteria and personal attacks die down, people will be left to answer the simple question: what was wrong with the Treaty Principles Bill? Nobody has given an answer that engages with the contents of the Bill. That’s why we believe the Principles below will be the law of New Zealand sooner or later, it’s just a matter of time.
If you’re one of those people who’ve quietly (or not so quietly) supported David Seymour and ACT advancing the Principles below, thank you. We predict that, between now and the next election, ACT will lay out a new approach to making these undefeated principles part of our way of life. Until then we are grateful for your support.
Principle 1 The Executive Government of New Zealand has full power to govern, and the Parliament of New Zealand has full power to make laws,— (a) in the best interests of everyone; and (b) in accordance with the rule of law and the maintenance of a free and democratic society.
Principle 2 (1) The Crown recognises, and will respect and protect, the rights that hapū and iwi Māori had under the Treaty of Waitangi/te Tiriti o Waitangi at the time they signed it. (2) However, if those rights differ from the rights of everyone, subclause (1) applies only if those rights are agreed in the settlement of a historical treaty claim under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975
Principle 3 (1) Everyone is equal before the law. (2) Everyone is entitled, without discrimination, to— (a) the equal protection and equal benefit of the law; and (b) the equal enjoyment of the same fundamental human rights.
Each year Wellington Airport and local councils come together to recognise the work carried out by community groups in the wider Wellington region. Nominations are now open for the 2025 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards. The focus of the awards is to celebrate volunteer groups for their valuable contribution to society.Groups can be nominated under these categories:
Arts & Culture – enhance and increase participation in arts and creative leisure activities.
Education & Child/Youth Development – improvement or enhancement of the educational and social development of children / youth.
Health & Wellbeing – enhancing the health and wellbeing of our community.
Heritage & Environment – improvement or revitalising of the environment, culture or heritage.
Sport & Leisure – increase participation and enjoyment in physical sport, leisure activities and recreational pursuits.
Rising Star award – designed to recognise and encourage emerging grassroots groups in the community.
Winners from each region then go forward to the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards for the overall award in their category, and the opportunity to be named Supreme Winner, with winners announced at a celebration dinner.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says the awards are a great way to recognise community groups and organisation volunteers who make a valuable contribution to our city.
“We have an amazing network of groups and volunteers in Porirua and the awards are a great way to recognise the contribution they make to our community. Te Kiwa Nui was the winner of the Education and Child/Youth Development category last year and Porirua has been well represented over the years.”