Seven reappointments and seven new appointments to eight companies in the State Owned Enterprises portfolio have been made, ensuring these companies are equipped with the skills and expertise necessary to deliver on their commitments to New Zealanders, State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says.
“I have made clear that the Government expects a return on investment from our state-owned enterprises, and that like all commercial entities, they need to make commercial decisions that are in the best interest of the company. This requires SOEs to run profitable businesses that set ambitious targets and performance measures and emphasise distributions to shareholders.
“The Government is committed to ensuring our state-owned enterprises have strong leadership in place to navigate both the challenges and opportunities they face. These individuals bring a strong mix of governance expertise, commercial acumen, and stakeholder engagement to their roles, which will help ensure the entities they oversee meet the Government’s expectations,” Mr Brown says
ECNZ and Kordia will benefit from experienced leadership continuity through the reappointments of Victor Wu and Sophie Haslem as the Chairs of ECNZ and Kordia respectively. Victor Wu has successfully guided ECNZ towards its planned wind-up, while Sophie Haslem will continue to oversee Kordia’s strategic transformation, driving improved operational efficiency and enhancing its future resilience.
In addition, Terry Paddy (Airways), Jan Hilder (AsureQuality), Jane Meares (ECNZ), Nicola Riordan and Linda Robertson (Kordia) have all been reappointed to their respective boards with new term start dates of 1 September for Nicola Riordan and 1 November for the remainder.
Seven new directors will bring specific skills to help Hawke’s Bay Airport, Landcorp, MetService, and NZ Post achieve Ministers’ expectations, with terms commencing on 1 August:
Hawke’s Bay Airport: Megan Allan will bring expertise in financial strategy, operational efficiencies, and stakeholder engagement to enhance the airport’s role as an economic hub for the region.
Landcorp (Pāmu): The appointments of Angela Dixon, Stu Husband, and Brent Lawgun will focus on driving Landcorp’s performance turnaround. Collectively, they bring experience in agricultural governance, capital management, and iwi engagement, tailored to meet the Government’s expectations for a sharper focus on core farming operations.
MetService: Janie Elrick and Julian Smith bring complementary skills, with backgrounds in finance, risk management, and customer-centred transformational change. They will add value to the Board as the business amalgamates with NIWA over the medium term.
NZ Post: Michelle Henderson, with her commercial acumen and expertise in governance and digital transformation, will support the organisation’s transformation in the postal and logistics sector.
The Government acknowledges and thanks outgoing appointees for their valuable contributions and service.
Expressions of interest open today for registered nurses wanting to take the next training step in their career to become nurse practitioners, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Too often, patients wait longer than they should to see a health professional. Expanding the nurse practitioner workforce means faster, more consistent care for those who need it most,” Mr Brown says.
“That’s why we’re supporting up to 120 registered nurses each year to become nurse practitioners in primary care.”
Nurse practitioners are highly trained clinicians who can assess, diagnose and treat complex conditions, prescribe medicines, and manage ongoing care.
“In rural communities, nurse practitioners often serve as the lead primary care provider for patients, delivering essential care close to home.
“Nurse practitioners are a vital part of a modern health system. They reduce pressure on GPs, strengthen continuity of care, and help ensure patients are seen sooner and treated faster.
“There are currently 897 nurse practitioners registered in New Zealand, including 339 working in primary care. We’re committed to growing this workforce and enabling more nurses to work in the nurse practitioner advanced scope of practice.”
Next month, primary care scholarships will open for nurses who want to undertake advanced practice education, such as registered nurse prescribing.
Applications are also open for primary care employers to recruit and support up to 400 graduate nurses each year. Funding includes $20,000 for each graduate registered nurse employed by rural primary and community health providers, and $15,000 for those employed by urban providers.
“This is about backing frontline professionals and making sure every New Zealander can get the care they need, when they need it,” Mr Brown says.
Adequacy means that New Zealand is seen as a good place for the world to do business; we have strong privacy protections in our legislation and are an empowered regulator.
It’s good news for trade and ease-of-doing business in the digital age and helps ensure smooth cross-border data transfer.
Why is it important?
Only a small number of countries have achieved EU adequacy status, and this recognition is important for New Zealand in a global business environment. This recognition gives New Zealand has a competitive trade advantage because the EU has formally recognised that our privacy law meets current EU standards. This EU adequacy status allows the unrestricted transfer of European data for processing.
Privacy regulation supports the digital economy, with the Privacy Act being the only statute that requires data security safeguards to be in place; that underpins our relationships with key trading partners, which is crucial for any global operator.
An example of that is New Zealand’s $400 million video and computer games sector, which is enabled by good data protection standards.
How is it monitored?
The Privacy Commissioner and European Commission officials have an agreement for our office to provide six monthly update reports as part of the EU’s ongoing monitoring of our adequacy status.
Health New Zealand’s New Zealand Health Plan was presented to Parliament this morning.
Developed by Health New Zealand, the plan is a requirement under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022.
“The plan outlines how Health New Zealand will deliver on the Government’s health priorities over the period 2024–2027,” Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“It sets the direction for how we will improve health outcomes and ensure all New Zealanders can access the care they need, where and when they need it.
“It gives effect to the Government Policy Statement on Health 2024–2027, with a clear focus on the Government’s five health targets and five mental health targets:
Health targets:
faster cancer treatment improved childhood immunisation shorter stays in emergency departments shorter wait times for first specialist assessments shorter wait times for elective treatment.
Mental health and addiction targets:
faster access to specialist mental health and addiction services faster access to primary mental health and addiction services shorter mental health and addiction related stays in emergency departments increased mental health and addiction workforce development strengthened focus on prevention and early intervention.
“The plan is focused on achieving the Government’s health targets, ensuring the health system delivers real results for patients and communities. These targets are backed by clear accountability and transparent reporting, so the public can track progress on a regular basis.
“Reducing wait times is a key priority for the Government. Too many New Zealanders have been left waiting far too long for the care they need. Under the last Government, waitlists ballooned – with the number of Kiwis waiting more than four months for elective procedures like hip, knee, or cataract surgeries increasing by over 2,500 per cent.
“Health New Zealand is focussed on delivering the Elective Boost programme, which will deliver 21,000 additional procedures over the 2025/2026 year to help clear the backlog of patients needing care.”
The plan also sets out how the Government will grow and support the health workforce; improve clinical leadership with continuous quality improvement and innovation; invest in essential hospital infrastructure; ensure services are delivered more consistently across the country; and strengthen primary care across New Zealand so that people can receive timely, quality care in the community.
“Our focus is clear: putting patients back at the centre of the health system. We’re building a system that delivers real results, and this plan is a key part of that,” Mr Brown says.
After working in South Africa for nearly 18 years and putting her studies on hold when her daughter became seriously ill, Chantel Delport is now halfway through a Bachelor of Accounting at EIT.
The 36-year-old mother of three moved to New Zealand with her husband Quentin and their children in 2019, following a difficult period that saw her prioritise family over formal study.
“I did begin my studies back home in South Africa, but due to a serious family health scare involving my daughter, I wasn’t able to sit my exams,” Chantel says.
“At that time, my children became my top priority, and I put my studies on hold.”
While settling into a new life in Hawke’s Bay, Chantel continued with some online learning and worked in accounts and admin. She had already been a bookkeeper since 2007, something she says she loved from the beginning, but she was ready to take her skills further.
“Over the years I completed various online courses, but none were NZQA-approved. I really wanted to take my skills to the next level.”
Chantel says she chose EIT because she wanted to study in a real classroom environment where she could engage directly with lecturers. Although she was nervous at first about returning to study, she quickly found she was not alone.
“I thought I’d be the oldest student on campus, but I was pleasantly surprised to find many people my age also pursuing education and self-improvement.”
She says smaller class sizes at EIT have allowed her to ask more questions and form meaningful connections with both classmates and lecturers.
“My lecturers have been incredibly understanding and supportive, especially as I juggle life as a mum of three, one of whom has ongoing health challenges.”
Chantel still works part-time in accounts and admin while studying. She says finding balance has not always been easy, but it has been worth it.
“There have been plenty of exhausting days where I questioned whether I could keep going, but the personal satisfaction and sense of achievement have kept me moving forward.”
Her long-term goal is to become a Chartered Accountant and potentially explore forensic accounting in future.
To others considering a return to study later in life, she has a simple message: “Don’t let age stop you.”
“It’s never too late to pursue the education you’ve always dreamed of or to aim for the career and pay you deserve. You are absolutely worth it.”
Gareth Allison, EIT’s Head of the School of Business, said: “Chantel’s journey is a powerful reminder that perseverance can overcome even the toughest challenges”.
“We are proud to support students like her who balance family, work, and study. At EIT, we believe education is a lifelong pursuit, and Chantel’s success is an inspiration to all who aspire to reach their goals.”
After years of gentle encouragement from EIT lecturers, Mabel Aiolupotea returned to study and completed her Master of Professional Practice while working full-time
Mabel, a Registered Social Worker in the Cancer Support Team within Oncology Services at Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay, recently completed the postgraduate qualification at EIT.
Her journey with EIT began more than a decade ago, when she enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work.
“It wasn’t something that I planned or knew I would become. I didn’t quite finish my last year of high school, and then I got married and had two kids before I started studying.”
She completed her degree by taking one paper at a time while working full-time in social services.
She graduated in 2013 and remained connected to the institute.
“Every time I bumped into one of my old lecturers, they would say, ‘Are you thinking about coming back? We’ve got this programme running.’ They saw potential in me, and that encouragement stayed with me.”
Eventually, Mabel decided to apply.
“I didn’t know how I was going to pay for it. But I just knew it was what I was supposed to do. So, I applied and trusted the rest would follow.”
She later received education funding through the Radiotherapy and Oncology Trust in Palmerston North. That support enabled her to complete her studies one paper at a time while continuing full-time work.
Mabel has spent nearly a decade at Hawke’s Bay Hospital and the past five years in Oncology Psychosocial Services. Her role spans the full cancer journey, from initial testing and diagnosis through to treatment, end-of-life care, and bereavement support.
“It’s a privilege to walk alongside people during some of their most vulnerable moments, especially when facing uncertainty. You do not take that lightly.”
Returning to study gave her space to reflect on her practice and grow her confidence, both professionally and personally.
As part of her master’s programme, Mabel completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision and a research component that gave her insight into the different cultural and personal spaces she moves through every day.
“You can go through the motions, or you can really engage in a way that transforms you. Supervision became a place for deeper learning, not just a mandatory requirement,” she says.
She credits the support of her family and her village, including EIT staff for helping her succeed while balancing home, work, study, and church life. When classes were moved to Hastings following Cyclone Gabrielle, she says EIT handled the disruption with care and minimal interruption.
Mabel graduated in April this year and received an award at EIT’s Pacific Achievement Ceremony, an honour she says was both humbling and affirming.
Earlier this year, she also became a grandmother for the first time. With a new mokopuna in the family, she is taking a pause from study to enjoy this season, though she hasn’t ruled out the idea of pursuing a doctorate in the future.
“There is always more to learn. But for now, I am just really grateful. I am proud of who I have become through this journey and how it has helped me show up at work, at home, and in my community.”
Mabel says she would “absolutely” recommend study at EIT.
“If you want to become better at being you, then it’s the right place to be. You get out what you put in and with God all things are possible.”
Mandy Pentecost, EIT School of Education and Social Sciences Programme Coordinator, said: “I speak for all those who have taught Mabel through her studies with EIT, to congratulate her on completing her Masters degree”.
“Mabel has been a committed student, humble and open to embracing new ideas and ways of practice. Through her work she has an impact on so many lives, and we wish her well as she continues her journey of learning and service.”
Transport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signed construction contracts with two alliances to build the new Ōtaki to north of Levin Road of National Significance, with construction set to get underway this spring.
“The Government is committed to delivering safe new roading infrastructure that helps boost economic growth and productivity, improves resilience, reduces travel times, and supporting much needed housing. The 24km Ōtaki to north of Levin project is critical for Kāpiti and Horowhenua and is a step forward for these priorities,” Mr Bishop says.
“The existing Kāpiti Highway currently sees up to 19,500 vehicle movements per day. Once completed, those travelling on the new Ōtaki to north of Levin Highway will experience significantly improved journey times, with up to 15-minute travel time savings for trips from Ōtaki to north of Levin, and 6 minutes for trips from Ōtaki to Levin.
“The two alliance teams will each deliver a section of the new highway and associated works, with Downer, McConnell Dowell, Beca and Tonkin+Taylor focused south of the Ohau River, and Fulton Hogan, HEB, WSP and Aurecon focused to the north.
“Ōtaki to north of Levin is one of the final stages of the Wellington Northern Corridor, started by the previous National Government in 2013. Its completion will improve safety by shifting heavy traffic out of local town centres, making regional freight trips more efficient and making it easier for locals to get around. It will also unlock new opportunities for housing and urban development.
“We know how important this project is to the region, and I appreciate that patience of local communities, road users, and freight operators while we took the necessary time to get this project across the line. Both alliances are cooperating across the project to ensure it is delivered smoothly and efficiently, and I look forward to being on site in the next few months to turn the first sod and kick off construction.”
In preparation for the start of construction, the alliance teams are underway with other site establishment works, including fencing, building demolition and relocations, establishing site accesses and construction roads, and setting up environmental controls. The site office on Tararua Road is now complete.
The new road is expected to be open to traffic before the end of 2029.
Notes to Editor:
Ōtaki to north of Levin is a crucial part of the Wellington northern corridor started by the previous National Government in 2013. It builds on the success of Transmission Gully, and the Mackays to Peka Peka and Peka Peka to Ōtaki Roads of National Significance.
Over the last year the alliances have operated under interim agreements as developed design and project costings have been carried out, with a strong focus on delivering on the project outcomes in an affordable way.
In June, the NZTA Board confirmed additional funding for the project, enabling the project to progress, and including some features from the earlier concept design.
21km of the new highway is four-laned, with the northernmost 3km, beyond the State Highway 57 (SH57) traffic split, being two lanes.
At the southern connection with Peka Peka 2 Ōtaki (PP2Ō), northbound traffic will be able to exit the new highway, and southbound traffic will be able to join the northern end of PP2Ō, to continue south.
A grade-separated interchange at Tararua Road, in Levin, will enable northbound and southbound traffic to leave or join the new highway, and local traffic continue uninterrupted
Large roundabouts at SH57 and the northern end of Ō2NL will transition traffic from the modern highway to the regional state highway network beyond.
In addition to the local road connection at Manakau Heights, local roads connect under or over the new highway at South Manakau Road, North Manakau Road, Kuku East Road, Muhunoa East Road and Queen Street East.
A north-south shared user path provides walking and cycling facilities between local communities.
The new road was approved for tolling in December 2024
Minister for Courts Nicole McKee is welcoming new data showing a significant drop in sentencing adjournments in the District Court, reflecting ongoing improvements in court efficiency.
“Over the past two years, sentencing adjournments in the criminal jurisdiction have fallen from 36 to 29 per cent, resulting in nearly 2,900 fewer delayed sentencing hearings. This means more cases are proceeding as planned, freeing up court time and helping more people access timely justice,” Mrs McKee says.
Mrs McKee credits the success to the collaborative efforts of the District Court Timeliness Programme, the Sentencing Ready team supported by priority rostering, and the Prosecutions Uplift Programme.
Reducing delays benefits victims, defendants, witnesses, and their families by allowing swift justice and enabling people to move forward with their lives.
To build on this progress, new Case Review Hearing Guidelines introduced nationwide from 1 August by the Chief District Court Judge will help ensure trials proceed on schedule by confirming all parties are fully prepared.
“These guidelines provide a clear process for reviewing evidence and resolving issues before trial, improving scheduling accuracy and court efficiency. They have been piloted successfully in Auckland and Waitākere District Courts and are an important step in reducing court backlogs,” Mrs McKee says.
“With national backlogs decreasing, we are seeing real results from these collective efforts to keep our courts moving.”
Minister for Courts Nicole McKee has welcomed the rollout of an updated protocol for judge-alone trials, effective from today (1 August), aimed at further enhancing court timeliness.
“Improving court performance remains a key priority for this Government. We appreciate the judiciary and justice sector’s collaboration in refining this important protocol,” Mrs McKee says.
First introduced in 2021 and piloted in select courts in 2022, the Judge-Alone Trial (JAT) protocol has been revised with input from judges, lawyers, and justice agencies. From today, it will be implemented across all District Courts.
The protocol strengthens case readiness by introducing a registrar-led teleconference between prosecution and defence three weeks before trial. It also allows courts to start earlier to review and prioritize scheduled cases, optimizing judicial time.
This protocol supports the Chief District Court Judge’s Timely Access to Justice standard, aiming for 90 per cent of criminal cases to be resolved within set timeframes.
“Our goal is fair and timely justice for victims, defendants, witnesses, and whānau, helping communities heal and move on,” Mrs McKee says.
“Peace Action Wellington completely opposes the opening of a US FBI office in Aotearoa New Zealand. The decision by the NZ government to allow a foreign country’s police force to operate here is terrifying.
This is particularly true given the authoritarian regime in power in the US and the FBI’s behaviour since Trump’s election,” said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington.
“The FBI anti-terrorism units have been involved in numerous raids and arrests of student activists at universities across the US. These brutal investigations have nothing to do with criminal actions by anyone and everything to do with student support for Palestine.”
“The NZ government’s statement that a key area of collaboration is anti-terrorism is therefore extremely alarming. We have seen the kidnappings and deportations by US federal agents for those involved in nonviolent protests in the US. We want no US policing here.”
“The FBI is a US domestic police force. Its operation here raises very serious questions about its jurisdiction and powers here. We are concerned that FBI officers may be operating here with complete diplomatic immunity from prosecution and may be carrying firearms.”
“New Zealand’s most recent public experience with the FBI was the botched raids on Kim Dotcom’s house in 2011. What we learned from that was NZ’s intelligence agencies engaged in illegal surveillance for the FBI, and the charges brought against Dotcom were not even things that are illegal in this country. In short, the entire case, which is still going on, has been one violation of rights after another.”
“We would like to know if there are other foreign police forces operating here. We expect that there will be widespread opposition to the establishment of an FBI office.”
ABB has been named as Exporter of the Year at the 2025 ExportNZ ASB Hawke’s Bay Export Awards
The supreme winner was crowned in Hawke’s Bay at the Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Event Centre at a sold-out gala dinner.
MC Matt Chisholm opened the event – followed by a virtual address from Trade and Investment Minister Hon Todd McClay, in front of a sold-out crowd.
The longstanding and highly successful awards are presented by ExportNZ in partnership with ASB to reward and recognise the region’s outstanding exporters.
ASB Head of International Trade Mike Atkins, who presented the Exporter of the Year award, said the quality of entries this year underscored the spirit and purpose of the awards.
“We uncovered a rock star in ABB while both Starboard Bio and Ovenden Seeds have potential to make a meaningful difference in the world.
“At ASB, we are passionate about enabling exporters to scale up, be it through working capital funding or other advisory initiatives across clean tech, food & fibre, productivity, and sustainability.
“Our partnership with ExportNZ in celebrating these awards continues our commitment to the region’s exporters.”
ASB Exporter of the Year ABB Napier is a largely autonomous company specialising in power systems design in production, says the judges.
“Originally VecTek in Onekawa, they have retained their engineering skills, and through a strong focus on innovation and quality produced a unique world leading UPS product. All these products are designed, built and tested to exceptional quality right here in Hawke’s Bay.
“All the winners and finalists are truly exceptional, and we as judges felt spoilt for choice – congratulations to all involved”
Winners and nominees alike across all categories were celebrated by judges and the audience.
ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay Regional Manager Amanda Liddle said “It is outstanding to see another cohort of such amazing finalists and winners.
“Going global is a tough business – more so than ever, but tonight’s exporters show the best of what our region has to offer.
“Congratulations to ASB Exporter of the Year ABB, who also picked up the Ziwi Excellence in Innovation award, your products and clarity of vision were awe inspiring and the win is well deserved.
“All of us at ExportNZ would also like to give our special congratulations to Stephen Jacobi, this year’s NZME Service to Export Award winner. Stephen’s tireless advocacy has unlocked many opportunities for New Zealand exporters and businesses the world over, and his tenure on the ExportNZ Advisory Board has been invaluable to the organisation.”
Winners of each category will now go on to the final stage of the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) International Business Awards, held in Auckland on November 27 th for a night of national celebration and international recognition.
The full list of winners:
2025 ASB Exporter of the Year: ABB – ABB Napier designs and manufactures innovative solutions to make AI-driven data centres more affordable and energy efficient, addressing AI’s high-power demands. Operating in New Zealand for over 90 years, ABB has invested around $34 million in Napier since 2020 and employs 145 people locally, with plans to expand by up to 50 more as production grows.
T&G Global Best Established Business Award:Starboard Bio – Starboard Bio produces and exports animal-derived pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food ingredients, supplying frozen raw materials and powdered ingredients for encapsulation to the EU and US markets. The company operates with a team passionate about their products, the New Zealand brand, and enhancing value within the NZ red meat industry.
ContainerCo Best Emerging Business: Ovenden Seeds – Ovenden Seeds is a specialist seed multiplication company growing, processing, and exporting herb and vegetable seeds, particularly smaller, hard-to-handle varieties. Seeds are dried, cleaned, and packed at a custom facility near Waipawa. With farms in Hawke’s Bay and grower partners in Canterbury, Ovenden focuses on growth and exports to the UK, EU, and US
Judges’ Choice Award: Haumako – Haumako is the Tātau Tātau Trust’s commercial entity and develops and grows horticultural products for the export market. Tātau invests directly in horticulture to further diversify their economy, foster sustainable regional growth, and create valuable local jobs. By expanding the horticulture industry in Wairoa, Tātau encourages better use of Māori-owned land by sharing opportunities, learning, knowledge gained in their own orchards.
Ziwi Excellence in Innovation Award: ABB
NZME Service to Export Award: Stephen Jacobi
Napier Port Unsung Heroes Award: Tamsyn Illston, Natural Pet Foods & Nick Elliot, ABB.
Notes:
ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay is overseen by Business Central, which represents around 3,500 organisations across the lower North Island. Business Central offers advice, learning, advocacy, and support to a wide range of organisations across Central New Zealand. Business Central is part of the BusinessNZ Network.
A new poll shows strong public support – especially in Auckland – for cutting green tape to boost agricultural exports and help grow the economy.
The independent poll asked 1000 New Zealanders if regulations, including environmental regulations, should be reduced to allow increases in agricultural production, in line with the Government’s ambition to double exports over the next decade.
Nationwide, 47% of respondents said yes, 35% said no, and 18% were unsure – but the biggest surprise came from Auckland.
“In Auckland, 62% of people backed cutting regulation to enable export growth. Only 23% were opposed,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“That’s a huge vote of confidence from New Zealand’s largest city – and from the block of voters who often decide elections.”
The poll results should challenge some of the old assumptions about urban-rural divisions, Langford says.
“Sometimes we hear people in the provinces grumbling about the ‘JAFAs’ not understanding farming, but these numbers tell a different story.
“It turns out Aucklanders do understand where their bread is buttered, quite literally.”
Workers First Union members who worked at Victoria Park New World, which was severely damaged by a fire in mid-June, say that Foodstuffs North Island managers appear to be reneging on their commitment to rehire all supermarket staff who are losing jobs and income as a result of the fire, with final paycheques due on Monday 4 August and around 40% of workers still without job offers.
Union members say that of the 80 new positions available at New World Point Chevalier, only around half have been filled by staff from New World Victoria Park, with many workers left in the dark and seeming not to have been rehired by other Foodstuffs stores, as was initially suggested to union representatives. The brand-new New World Point Chevalier was due to open in September but was brought forward to 19 August as a result of the fire at Victoria Park.
One worker from the New World Victoria Park store alleged that in particular, many workers aged 40 or older and those with disabilities and learning difficulties have not yet received offers of employment from Point Chevalier or other Foodstuffs stores in Auckland, while younger workers appeared to have been more likely to be recruited.
Workers First Union is calling for Foodstuffs North Island – the cooperative comprised of New World and Pak’N’Save stores in the North Island – to prioritise hiring all displaced workers from Victoria Park and live up to their commitments to the union that no worker would lose income as a result of the fire.
“They coordinate on pricing, stock, advertising and specials – why the hell can’t they coordinate rehiring experienced staff who’ve lost their jobs as a result of a fire?” said Jas Giri, Workers First Organiser.
“We’re really concerned that the apparent indifference by Foodstuffs store managers in the region means an estimated 40% of Victoria Park workers will be without any income from Monday, when their final paycheques arrive.”
“It’s unnecessary, disheartening and confusing behaviour from a company that many of these workers have given decades of their lives to and believed they would be looked after by when the worst happened.”
“There is no defensible reason to leave a group of vulnerable workers without income during a cost-of-living crisis in the middle of winter under an austerity government – it’s Dickensian stuff.”
Mr Giri said Workers First was urging the Foodstuffs North Island cooperative to “get their act together” and urgently confirm or arrange practicable roles for these workers in nearby New World and Pak’N’Save supermarkets. He said it was particularly difficult for workers to seek comparable roles in Woolworths stores because there was a “de facto” hiring freeze in place at the Australasian chain.
Lindsay Rowles, Foodstuffs North Island retail and property general manager, told media in July that “it’s been great to see how the co-op pulls together and looks after its own” and that over 100 of the 189 staff who worked at Victoria Park had already been “engaged in employment”.
One worker, who has worked at New World Victoria Park for more than a decade and has not yet been re-hired at another Foodstuffs store, said there were implications of “ageism” and workers were “in turmoil” ahead of their last paycheque on August 4th.
“They went to the press, they said they look after their team, they said they’ll make sure everyone has a job, but many of us feel hopeless now with our last pay day coming up on Monday and no job to go into,” said the worker, commenting anonymously for their own protection.
“I’m happy for the ones who have been rehired, but some of us have worked at Victoria Park for 26 years, since the store opened its doors, and do not have jobs lined up.”
“We want to work but we don’t know where to go from here. Lots of people are feeling let down after working so many years for a company and being loyal for so long.”
The Retirement Commission’s annual Sorted Money Month campaign starts today and is putting the spotlight on emergency savings.
Research has found that 64% of people who had set up an emergency savings fund in the last three months felt confident about their future (almost identical to those with established funds at 65%) in comparison to only 22% of those without a fund. However, 44% of New Zealanders do not have an emergency savings fund, which threatens their financial resilience.
Sorted Personal Financial Lead Tom Hartmann says, “Building up your emergency savings this Sorted Money Month will help you to deal with financial challenges when they arise.”
“Having emergency savings in place can be the difference from feeling stressed or sorted when the unexpected happens. It can then be used for a variety of situations, such as trips to the vet, urgent home repairs, car breakdowns, or sudden job loss. Having this financial cushion ensures that you are prepared for life’s uncertainties and can handle them without undue stress.”
Alongside the national marketing activity which includes billboards, radio ads and social media, the financial services sector involved with the National Strategy for Financial Capability are hosting events, workshops, and sharing resources aimed at promoting emergency savings and encouraging saving habits. Details of what’s taking place can be found on the Sorted event calendar.
Sorted is also hosting two free webinars during Money Month providing independent financial information on starting an emergency savings fund. The first one, ‘Stressed to Sorted – Emergency Savings 101,’ is on 12 August. Then, on 26 August, there’s
‘How an Emergency Fund Can Save Your Life,’ featuring a panel of experts from community and financial organisations sharing their tips on building and keeping emergency savings.
There’s also a range of in-person events to choose from, including in Auckland Vaiola Pacific Island Budgeting Service: Empowering Pasifika mums event; Tamaki Budgeting: Beating the emergency event, (an Amazing Race-style experience with stations providing information on a range of common emergencies) and Ngā Tāngata Microfinance Trust’s Build Your Buffer event.
Waikato events include Kainga Aroha Community House is giving away the chance to win free butter as part of its Money Month event and Waihi Budget Services is offering free pork buns and a chat with a financial mentor every Tuesday in August. Tom Hartmann knows that economic conditions are tough for many people.
“But if you can take one action today to protect your future, open an emergency savings account and start regularly putting aside money to help deal with the unexpected,” he says.
“Having your own emergency money at the ready keeps you from sliding into debt and paying heaps in interest and fees. The more you have saved for the unexpected, the easier it is when things go wrong.”
About Sorted
Sorted is a free service run by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, the government-funded, independent agency dedicated to helping New Zealanders get ahead financially.
As New Zealand’s trusted personal finance site, Sorted has the information needed to tackle debt, plan and budget, save and invest, dial up your KiwiSaver, plan for retirement, protect what’s important, and manage a mortgage. Providing tools, guides and blogs, Sorted can help no matter where you are at when it comes to money.
About Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission aims to help New Zealanders to retire with confidence. Retiring with confidence means New Zealanders feel secure they’ll have resources to live and the know-how to make
Three instances of people attempting to remove flaming objects from their homes is prompting a stark warning from firefighters.
In recent weeks, people have been badly burned after attempting to remove a dryer, a mattress and a burning pot of oil from their homes in three separate incidents in Dunedin.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Otago Risk Reduction Advisor Matt Jones says each incident had the potential to end in tragedy.
“These people have sustained serious injuries, but we were fortunate to not be responding to fatal fires,” he says.
“Let this be a reminder to people that if a fire is bigger than a football, then you can’t put it out. You must get out and stay out.
“That means closing the door to the room if safe to do so, getting everyone out of the house and calling 111. Let the firefighters do their job and put the fire out safely.”
Matt says the mattress fire was caused by a vape’s lithium-ion battery overheating while charging on the bed.
“That caused a very intense, hot fire inside the mattress,” he says.
“The person attempted to remove the mattress three times, but this put themselves and others in danger, not only from the fire, but from the toxic smoke being emitted.
“Everything in that house can be replaced, except for the people inside. People should never risk their lives to save their property – it’s just not worth it.”
Matt says to complicate matters further, the property also did not have working smoke alarms.
“It was just fortunate the person arrived home when they did as there was another person asleep inside the house at the time,” Matt says.
The greyhound racing industry has ended its 2024/25 season with yet another dog killed – bringing the season’s death toll to 17; the deadliest year for greyhounds since 2021.
The final fatality was Opawa Justin, a two-year-old greyhound who won his race at Addington Raceway in Christchurch on 31 July before suffering a catastrophic injury. He fell at the lure and fractured his left elbow. Veterinarians determined the injury was too severe to treat, and he was euthanised.
SAFE says the circumstances surrounding his death expose the brutal nature of racing, where even a winning dog isn’t safe.
“This young dog gave everything on the track, and it cost him his life. No matter how fast they run or how many races they win, greyhounds are always one fall away from tragedy,” says Campaign Manager Emma Brodie.
The total number of dogs killed has increased compared to last season, rising from 13 to 17. Over the course of the season, more than 800 dogs suffered race-related injuries, including 114 broken bones. SAFE says the scale of harm is staggering – and disturbingly routine.
“The death toll is going up, not down. If anything proves the failure of self-regulation, this is it,” says Brodie.
The Government was right to call time on this industry, and the rising body count only reinforces that.”
Racing Minister Winston Peters announced a phase-out of the industry in December 2024, with a full ban to come into effect by July 2026. The next season will be greyhound racing’s last.
SAFE is urging GRNZ to take immediate steps to slow the pace of racing and pour every resource into rehoming efforts.
“This is GRNZ’s last opportunity to show they care about the dogs they’ve profited from. They can either wind down with dignity or be remembered for prolonging suffering until the very end.”
Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) SeasonalOutlook Climate August to October 2025suggests warm, damp weather, with La Niña’s possible return
Parts of New Zealand are likely to experience more wet, warm weather over the next three-month period, with shifting ocean conditions hinting at a possible return to La Niña by the end of the year, according to the latest Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) Seasonal Climate Outlook for August to October 2025.
More frequent northeasterly to easterly air flows are expected over the next three months as winter turns into spring, says meteorologist Chris Brandolino, principal scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand. “The likelihood of tropical and subtropical systems influencing New Zealand remains elevated, and this is associated with an increased risk of heavy rainfall events, including those linked to atmospheric rivers, and flooding.”
Above normal rainfall is expected in the north and east of the North Island. “These anticipated rainfall patterns are driven by circulation anomalies that heighten the risk of heavy rainfall events in the north and east of the North Island. Conversely, a shift toward more persistent easterly flow anomalies is expected as the season progresses, increasing the likelihood of dry conditions in the southwest of the South Island.”
Above average seasonal air temperatures are expected across most of the country, except the east of the South Island, for which above average or near average temperatures are about equally likely, says Brandolino. “Cold snaps and frosts may still occur, but less often than usual.”
Soil moisture levels and river flows are expected to be near normal in the north and west of the North Island, and near normal or below normal in the east of the North Island. Near normal or above normal soil moisture levels and river flows are forecast for the South Island.
While conditions in the tropical Pacific remain officially ENSO-neutral, oceanic tr
Federated Farmers is deeply concerned by a proposal to shut down rural police stations across Canterbury, calling it a major blow to the safety and wellbeing of farming families.
According to The Press, Canterbury Police intend to reduce personnel at a number of rural stations and disestablish some roles in favour of larger 24/7 hubs based in Rolleston and Rangiora.
Bex Green, North Canterbury Federated Farmers president, says the plan has left rural communities reeling.
“This is not good enough – our community is extremely angry and disappointed about what’s being proposed.
“Farming families rely on local police stations to feel safe and supported. Closing them down s
The appalling and deliberate behaviour of key Ministers, operating in secret, to rip up pay equity rules and stop thousands of women getting the pay rise they deserve has been exposed by the document dump of official advice.
“We knew it was constitutional vandalism and wage theft, now we know the Government actively suppressed human rights and went to extraordinary lengths to hush it up in the Beehive,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“This was a treacherous betrayal from the get-go – conceived in secret, rushed through in indecent haste without consultation – all to save money at the expense of women – shame on the Government.
“The official papers spell out a deliberate campaign of secrecy – a clear plan to do this under urgency without consulting the very people impacted by their decisions.
“They knew they were riding roughshod over democracy, and they knew ripping up the rules violated basic human rights protected under the Bill or Rights. But they didn’t care.
“This was a carefully orchestrated, deceitful, and anti-democratic plan to deprive women of the pay they deserve.
“The Government will be hearing the voices of women loud and clear on this betrayal every day until election day when it must be punished for this appalling wage theft.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahiis Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
National stock levels drop by almost 2,000 listings for third consecutive month Around 60% of new listings on realestate.co.nz priced below the national average asking price
Latest data from realestate.co.nz shows a steady drain on housing stock is tightening the property pool for buyers across Aotearoa. Stock has fallen by almost 2,000 properties for the third month in a row to 30,430, a 0.4% decline on July last year.
Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says despite the seasonal slowdown, buyer demand remains steady, and opportunities are waiting for those ready to act.
“Although we’re seeing fewer homes coming onto the market, that doesn’t mean buyers have disappeared,” says Williams. “The real estate industry is telling us that vendors who are realistic with their price expectations are selling, and with less competition, it can actually be a smart time to list your property if you’re ready.”
First home buyers in with a chance
During July, 58.5% of all properties listed on realestate.co.nz were under $850,000 – well clear of the national average asking price for July of $858,189. Williams says for first home buyers and investors, this represents a window of opportunity before the traditional spring surge.
“First home buyers have a prime opportunity to look at their options with a solid band of homes listed for under $850,000,” says Williams. “For buyers who have their finances in order and a clear idea of what they’re after, now is a great time to secure a foothold before competition heats up again.”
Price variation in the regions
The national average asking price was up 0.6% year-on-year and while this marks continued price stability, several regions showed a different story.
Asking prices in the West Coast rose 25.3% year-on-year, reaching $500,000 for the first time since January 2025. It is one of just three regions to record growth month-on-month and year-on-year alongside Nelson & Bays, which rose to $874,818 (up 2.6% YoY and 1.0% MoM), and Northland, which increased to $843,362 (up 9.8% YoY and 9.2% MoM).
In contrast, four regions saw declines both month-on-month and year-on-year, a notable drop from seven regions last month. These included:
Central Otago/Lakes District $1,437,577 – down 8.5% YoY and 2.3% MoM
Marlborough, $725,377 – down 13.6% YoY and 1.4% MoM
Wairarapa $711,778 – down 3.2% YoY and 1.5% MoM
Wellington $807,503 – down 3.0% YoY and 2.7% MoM.
“Nationally, prices are holding steady, but when you zoom in, the picture becomes more dynamic,” says Williams “We’re seeing some standout regional growth which is a clear reminder that every region has its own rhythm, and local conditions matter more than ever.”
Buyers encouraged to act while stock remains tight
Despite a decline in total stock there were pockets of the motu to buck the trend. Gisborne (up 35.5% with 123 properties listed) and the West Coast (up 20.6% with 316 properties listed) topped the leaderboard for year-on-year stock growth.
“We have just 31 days until spring, and traditionally we see a surge of properties come to the market at that time,” says Williams. “For buyers who are ready now, there’s a window of opportunity, especially with so many homes priced below the national average.”
New listings down year-on-year but realistic pricing gets results
While the total number of new listings nationally (7,737) was down 4.2% year-on-year, Northland, Gisborne, and Taranaki all showed year-on-year increases of 26.3%, 54.5%, and 34.3%, respectively.
Williams says while the number of new listings coming onto the market has slowed, vendors who align their price expectations with buyers are more likely to get their sale across the line.
“As spring approaches, our attention will turn to whether sellers come to the market in greater numbers and how buyers respond. For now, buyers remain active, and the market continues to reward those ready to move, but it will be interesting to see what happens in September as we move into the expected spring surge.”
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Making the most of Auckland’s port and waterfront is a step closer with formal approval of a Tripartite Accord between Auckland Council, the Port of Auckland Limited and port workers represented by the Maritime Union of New Zealand.
The groundbreaking accord got the green light at Thursday’s Governing Body meeting, cementing the relationship between the three partners and setting a foundation for good faith, co-operation and long-term strategic alignment.
“The Accord will support how the Make the Most of Auckland’s Port and Waterfront (the Port Plan) is delivered and reflects our commitment to get better value and returns from our strategic assets, and improve outcomes for Aucklanders, port workers and the port,” says Mayor Wayne Brown.
“The plan was the result of a collaborative process I initiated during the development of the Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 so getting the Accord in place to underpin the plan, is an achievement.”
Under the plan, Auckland’s port land, assets and operations are retained under council ownership, with the port contributing $1.1 billion in profits to Auckland Council over the next 10 years.
“The Plan and Accord provide the port, unions and council a clear direction, shared goals and an agreed way to work collaboratively together. This Accord acknowledges the needs of our owner Auckland city, our workforce and unions, whilst maintaining port operational reliability and security for our customers. We believe strong relationships between all parties will lead to better outcomes for everyone,” says Port of Auckland General Manager People and Legal, Phil Doak
Maritime Union of New Zealand Local 13 Auckland Secretary Grant Williams congratulates Mayor Wayne Brown and Auckland Councillors for their vision in reaching this Tripartite Accord.
“This is the right decision going forward, ensuring the Port of Auckland remains under local control contributing to the city’s prosperity and working for the benefit of our community. We look forward to working together to keep Auckland moving.”
Developed by a working group of delegates from all three partners, the Accord includes agreed commitments around health and safety, transparency and collaboration.
It also enables the establishment of the Tripartite Forum to support conversations, coordination and joint oversight. It will meet regularly, forming working groups to address specific issues collectively.
The Mayor will formally sign the Tripartite Accord on behalf of Auckland Council at the first tripartite forum.
Newly released Government documents reveal the lengths to which ministers went to avoid scrutiny and ignore official advice on their decision to gut the Equal Pay Act and cancel pay equity claims.
“These documents reveal that the Government did everything in its power to shut down public debate on pay equity in an effort to stop over 300,000 women from being paid what they’re worth,” said NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges.
“Ramming the legislation through Parliament under urgency with no select committee process was bad enough, but it is now clear that the Government intentionally denied the public transparency and accountability in a highly orchestrated and underhanded campaign.
“Ministers went to extraordinary lengths to keep their plans secret and prevent workers from taking claims while they still had an avenue to do so.
“The documents also reveal that officials warned that the secretive and rushed process limited proper scrutiny of the policy and could lead to unintended consequences, but this advice was evidently ignored.
“Officials also noted that the changes retrospectively removed people’s rights and could be breaches of the Human Rights Act and Bill of Rights Act.
“Attempts to silence opposition have failed – women workers and their allies continue to rise up and demand the reversal of claim cancellations and will be coming together in an unprecedented Women’s Day of Action on September 20,” said Ansell-Bridges.
Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) is proud to announce a new five-year partnership with Clare Foundation to address structural barriers to healthy food environments in South Auckland.
This strategic collaboration will help South Auckland communities reclaim agency over their local food systems by creating systems and policy change. Clare Foundation’s tagged funding will help HCA find policy and regulatory obstacles, strengthen the evidence base, and advocate for local and national solutions – so South Auckland can have a healthier food environment.
Alice Montague, CEO at Clare Foundation, says the opportunity to support the work of the Health Coalition Aotearoa was a natural fit with the goal to ignite lasting systems change in oral health.
“The impact of food and lifestyle choices on total wellbeing, especially on oral health, makes the work of the Unified Food Systems Strategy especially critical for communities where access to education, information and healthy options can make a meaningful difference for generations to come,” says Alice Montague of Clare Foundation.
The initiative is supported by co-funders Healthy Families South Auckland, University of Auckland School of Population Health Pacific Health, MAS Foundation and JR McKenzie Trust. Applied research will be led by Moana Connect, Toi Tangata, and Māngere-based community leaders and organisations – recognising the deep expertise communities already hold in food sovereignty and wellbeing.
“Communities in South Auckland are already doing the mahi to care for their people,” said Dr Lisa Te Morenga, Co-Chair of HCA. “This partnership ensures systems and policies do their part too.”
One clear example of structural inequity is the 10:1 ratio of fast-food to fresh food outlets in South Auckland. Such easy access to fast food (and difficult access to fresh food) is a key driver of diet-related diseases and poor oral health outcomes.
The partnership responds directly to the Public Health Advisory Committee’s 2023 Rebalancing Our Food System report, which recomm
Headline: Reuben’s Brought Home the Bacon… and the Ham! – PR.co.nz
Rueben Sharples, owner of The Aussie Butcher New Lynn, is proud to share that his team has picked up six medals at the 2025 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards, including three shiny Golds for their standout bacon and ham.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts is proud to have assisted Camco, a leading UK-based impact fund manager, with the establishment of an innovative blended finance fund called TIDES (Transforming Island Development through Electrification and Sustainability).
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PartnerLloyd Kavanaghand Senior AssociateKen Ngattended the signing ceremony of TIDES at the British High Commission in Wellington yesterday, alongside Minister for Climate Change, the Honourable Simon Watts, British High Commissioner HE Ms Iona Thomas OBE, and the Managing Director of Camco Management Limited, Geoff Sinclair.
Lloyd Kavanagh commented: “We are delighted to support Camco in launching the TIDES fund, a pioneering initiative that bl
New Caledonia’s oldest pro-independence party, the Union Calédonienne (UC), has officially rejected a political agreement on the Pacific territory’s political future signed in Paris last month.
The text, bearing the signatures of all of New Caledonia’s political parties represented in the local Congress — a total of 18 leaders, both pro-France and pro-independence — is described as a “project” for an agreement that would shape politics.
Since it was signed in the city of Bougival, west of Paris, on July 12, after 10 days of intense negotiations, it has been dubbed a “bet on trust” and has been described by French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls as a commitment from all signing parties to report to their respective bases and explain its contents.
The Bougival document involves a series of measures and recognition by France of New Caledonia as a “State” which could become empowered with its own international relations and foreign affairs, provided they do not contradict France’s key interests.
It also envisages dual citizenship — French and New Caledonian — provided future New Caledonian citizens are French nationals in the first place.
It also describes a future devolution of stronger powers for each of the three provinces (North, South and Loyalty Islands), especially in terms of tax collection.
Since it was published, the document, bearing a commitment to defend the text “as is”, was hailed as “innovative” and “historic”.
New Caledonia’s leaders have started to hold regular meetings — sometimes daily — and sessions with their respective supporters and militants, mostly to explain the contents of what they have signed.
The meetings were held by most pro-France parties and within the pro-independence camp, the two main moderate parties, UPM (Union Progressiste en Mélanésie) and PALIKA (Kanak Liberation Party).
Over the past two weeks, all of these parties have strived to defend the agreement, which is sometimes described as a Memorandum of Agreement or a roadmap for future changes in New Caledonia.
Most of the leaders who have inked the text have also held lengthy interviews with local media.
Parties who have unreservedly pledged their support to and signed the Bougival document are:
Pro-France side: Les Loyalistes, Rassemblement-LR, Wallisian-based Eveil Océanien and Calédonie Ensemble
Pro-independence: UNI-FLNKS (which comprises UPM and PALIKA).
But one of the main components of the pro-independence movement, the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) — as its main pillar — the Union Calédonienne, has held a series of meetings indicating their resentment at their negotiators for having signed the contested document.
UC held its executive committee on July 21, its steering committee on July 26, and FLNKS convened its political bureau on July 23.
A ‘lure of sovereignty’ All of these meetings concluded with an increasingly clear rejection of the Bougival document.
Speaking at a news conference in Nouméa yesterday, UC leaders made it clear that they “formally reject” the agreement because they regard it as a “lure of sovereignty” and does not guarantee either real sovereignty or political balance.
FLNKS chief negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou, who is also UC’s chair, told local reporters he understood his signature on the document meant a commitment to return to New Caledonia, explain the text and obtain the approval of the political base.
“I didn’t have a mandate to sign a political agreement, my mandate was to register the talks and bring them back to our people so that a decision can be made . . . it didn’t mean an acceptance on our part,” he said, mentioning it was a “temporary” document subject to further discussions.
Tjibaou said some amendments his delegation had put on the table in Bougival “went missing” in the final text.
Union Calédonienne chair and chief FLNKS negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou . .. some amendments that his delegation had put on the table in Bougival “went missing” in the final text. Image: RNZ Pacific
‘Bougival, it’s over’ “As far as we’re concerned, Bougival, it’s over”, UC vice-president Mickaël Forrest said.
He said it was now time to move onto a “post-Bougival phase”.
Meanwhile, the FLNKS also consulted its own “constitutionalists” to obtain legal advice and interpretation of the document.
In a release about yesterday’s media conference, UC stated that the Bougival text could not be regarded as a balance between two “visions” for Kanaky New Caledonia, but rather a way of “maintaining New Caledonia as French”.
The text, UC said, had led the political dialogue into a “new impasse” and it left several questions unanswered.
“With the denomination of a ‘State’, a fundamental law (a de facto Constitution), the capacity to self-organise, and international recognition, this document is perceived as a project for an agreement to integrate (New Caledonia) into France under the guise of a decolonisation”.
“The FLNKS has never accepted a status of autonomy within France, but an external decolonisation by means of accession to full sovereignty [which] grants us the right to choose our inter-dependencies,” the media release stated.
The pro-independence party also criticised plans to enlarge the list of people entitled to vote at New Caledonia’s local elections — the very issue that triggered deadly and destructive riots in May 2024.
It is also critical of a proposed mechanism that would require a vote at the Congress with a minimum majority of 64 percent (two thirds) before any future powers can be requested for transfer from France to New Caledonia.
Assuming that current population trends and a fresh system of representation at the Congress will allow more representatives from the Southern province (about three quarters of New Caledonia’s population), UC said “in other words, it would be the non-independence [camp] who will have the power to authorise us — or not — to ask for our sovereignty”.
They party confirmed that it had “formally rejected the Bougival project of agreement as it stands” following a decision made by its steering committee on July 26 “since the fundamentals of our struggle and the principles of decolonisation are not there”.
Negotiators no longer mandated The decision also means that every member of its negotiating team who signed the document on July 12 is now de facto demoted and no longer mandated by the party until a new negotiating team is appointed, if required.
“Union Calédonienne remains mobilised to arrive at a political agreement that takes into account the achievement of a trajectory towards full sovereignty”.
On Tuesday, FLNKS president Christian Téin, as an invited guest of Corsica’s “Nazione” pro-independence movement, told French media he declared himself “individually against” the Bougival document, adding this was “far from being akin to full sovereignty”.
Téin said that during the days that led to the signing of the document in Bougival “the pressure” exerted on negotiators was “terrible”.
He said the result was that due to “excessive force” applied by “France’s representatives”, the final text’s content “looks like it is the French State and right-wing people who will decide the (indigenous) Kanak people’s future”.
Facing crime-related charges, Téin is awaiting his trial, but was released from jail, under the condition that he does not return to New Caledonia.
The leader of a CCAT (field action coordinating cell) created by Union Calédonienne late in 2023 to protest against a proposed French Constitutional amendment to alter voters’ rules of eligibility at local elections, was jailed for one year in mainland France. However, he was elected president of FLNKS in absentia in late August 2024.
CCAT, meanwhile, was admitted as one of the new components of FLNKS.
In a de facto split, the two main moderate pillars of FLNKS, UPM and PALIKA, at the same time, distanced themselves from the pro-independence UC-dominated platform, opening a rift within the pro-independence umbrella.
The FLNKS is scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting on August 9 (it was initially scheduled to be held on August 2), to “highlight the prospects of the pursuit of dialogue through a repositioning of the pro-independence movement’s political orientations”.
French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls (centre) shows signatures on the last page of New Caledonia’s new Bougival agreement earlier this month . . . “If tomorrow there was to be no agreement, it would mean the future, hope, would be put into question” Image: FB/RNZ Pacific
Valls: ‘I’m not giving up’ Reacting to the latest UC statements, Valls told French media he called on UC to have “a great sense of responsibility”.
“If tomorrow there was to be no agreement, it would mean the future, hope, would be put into question. Investment, including for the nickel mining industry, would no longer be possible.”
“I’m not giving up. Union Calédonienne has chosen to reject, as it stands, the Bougival accord project. I take note of this, but I profoundly regret this position.
“An institutional void would be a disaster for [New Caledonia]. It would be a prolonged uncertainty, the risk of further instability, the return of violence,” he said.
“But my door is not closed and I remain available for dialogue at all times. Impasse is not an option.”
Valls said the Bougival document was “‘neither someone’s victory on another one, nor an imposed text: it was built day after day with partners around the table following months of long discussions.”
In a recent letter specifically sent to Union Calédonienne, the French former Prime Minister suggested the creation of an editorial committee to start drafting future-shaping documents for New Caledonia, such as its “fundamental law”, akin to a Constitution for New Caledonia.
Valls also stressed France’s financial assistance to New Caledonia, which last year totalled around 3 billion euros because of the costs associated to the May 2024 riots.
The riots caused 14 dead, hundreds of injured and an estimated financial cost of more than 2 billion euros (NZ$5.8 billion) in damage.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Newly released Government documents reveal the lengths to which ministers went to avoid scrutiny and ignore official advice on their decision to gut the Equal Pay Act and cancel pay equity claims.
“These documents reveal that the Government did everything in its power to shut down public debate on pay equity in an effort to stop over 300,000 women from being paid what they’re worth,” said NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges.
“Ramming the legislation through Parliament under urgency with no select committee process was bad enough, but it is now clear that the Government intentionally denied the public transparency and accountability in a highly orchestrated and underhanded campaign.
“Ministers went to extraordinary lengths to keep their plans secret and prevent workers from taking claims while they still had an avenue to do so.
“The documents also reveal that officials warned that the secretive and rushed process limited proper scrutiny of the policy and could lead to unintended consequences, but this advice was evidently ignored.
“Officials also noted that the changes retrospectively removed people’s rights and could be breaches of the Human Rights Act and Bill of Rights Act.
“Attempts to silence opposition have failed – women workers and their allies continue to rise up and demand the reversal of claim cancellations and will be coming together in an unprecedented Women’s Day of Action on September 20,” said Ansell-Bridges.
The United States has confirmed that tariffs on New Zealand exports will increase from 10 per cent to 15 per cent from 7 August, placing us alongside other key US trading partners including Japan and South Korea.
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says, this decision appears to be based on a calculation of trade deficits, with countries running a surplus with the US moved to the higher rate. In New Zealand’s case, the surplus is modest, around US$500 million, and is not overly significant in the context of the US economy.
Over the past decade, our trade relationship with the US has seen periods where the US enjoyed a significant surplus and times, like now, when New Zealand has a modest one. Overall, our trade is balanced and complementary, reflecting the strength of a long-standing partnership.
“I am seeking an urgent call with the US Trade Representative to make New Zealand’s position clear: this increase risks harming exporters and consumers of both countries. The US currently faces an average tariff of just 0.8 per cent when exporting to New Zealand, far lower than what we face into their market,” Mr McClay says.
“New Zealand exports around $9 billion of goods to the US annually. At 15 per cent, the impact will be considerable for exporters, many of whom absorbed or passed on the earlier 10 per cent rate. At 15 per cent, that becomes much harder.
“Our focus now moves to engaging directly with the US on this current announcement to seek changes to this decision.
“New Zealand has always stood for open, rules-based trade. We will continue to advocate strongly for a resolution that supports our exporters and maintains the strength of our trading relationship with the United States.”
A former New Caledonia Congress president says there are “not enough” benefits for Kanaks in a new “draft” agreement he signed alongside pro and anti-independence stakeholders in France last month.
Roch Wamytan said that, after 10 days of deadlock discussions in Paris, he failed to secure the pro-independence mandate.
He told RNZ Pacific that he refused to sign a “final agreement”.
Instead, he said, he opted for a “draft” agreement, which is what he signed. It has been hailed as “historic” by all parties involved.
While France maintains its “neutrality”, Wamytan said that at the negotiating table it was two (France and New Caledonia’s pro-France bloc) against one (pro-Kanaky).
A main point of tension was the electoral law changes, which sparked last year’s civil unrest.
“We call on France to respect the provisions of international law, which remains our main protective shield until the process of decolonisation and emancipation is completed. Hence, our incessant interventions during negotiations on this subject [electoral law changes],” Wamytan told RNZ Pacific.
He said it was difficult to understand whether France wanted to decolonise New Caledonia or not.
Concrete measures “We have a lot of concrete measures in this proposed agreement, but the main question is a political question. Where are you [France] going with this? Independence or integration with France?”
The document, signed in the city of Bougival, involves a series of measures and recognition by France of New Caledonia as a “State” as well as dual citizenship — French and New Caledonian — provided future New Caledonian citizens are French nationals in the first place.
But this week, New Caledonia’s oldest pro-independence party, the Union Calédonienne (UC), officially rejected the political agreement signed in Paris.
However, Sonia Backès, the leader of the Caledonian Republicans Party and the president of the Provincial Assembly of Southern Province, says the agreement signed in France is “final”.
“Roch Wamytan and the pro-independence delegation signed an agreement in Bougival. Since their return to New Caledonia, their political supports have been fiercely critical of the agreement,” her office said via a statement.
“As a result, radical pro-independence leaders like Roch Wamytan have chosen to renege on their commitment and withdraw their signature. This agreement is final; there is no other viable political balance outside of it.”
So why did Wamytan sign? When asked why he signed the draft agreement when he did not agree with it, he said: “After the 10 days they obliged us to sign something.”
“We told them that we [didn’t have] the mandate of our parties to sign an agreement, but only a ‘project’ or ‘draft’.
“It was important for us to return with a paper and to show, to explain, to present, to debate, for the debate of our political party. This is the stage where we are at now, but for the moment, we do not agree with that.
“We [tried] to explain to [France and pro-France bloc] that we have a problem [with electoral law change being included].
“This is our problem. So we signed only for one reason . . . that we have to return back home and to explain where we are now, after 10 days of negotiation. [Did we] achieve the objectives, the mandate given by our political parties?”
He said one thing he wanted to make clear was that what he had signed was not definitive and was now up for negotiation.
An FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) Congress meeting is set down for this weekend with the Union Calédonienne Congress meeting held a weekend prior.
Wamytan said that it was now up to the FLNKS members to have their say and decide where to next.
“They will decide if we accept this draft agreement or we reject,” he said.
“We have two options: we accept with certain conditions, for example, on the question of the right to vote on the electoral rule. Or for the question of the trajectory from here to independence, through a referendum or the framework proposed by President Macron.”
“This is an important element to discuss with France, but after this round of discussions.”
He expected further meetings with France after community consultations.
Communication problem Wamytan admitted that the pro-independence negotiators did not communicate clearly about the agreement to their supporters.
He said after signing the document, President Macron and the pro-France signatories were quick to communicate to the media and their supporters — and the messages filtered to his supporters resulting in anger and frustrations.
He said the anger has mostly been around the signing itself, with people mistaking the draft proposal as final.
“The political, pro-Kanaky party were very, very, very angry against us. We did not communicate and this I think is our problem.”
Bribery allegations Wamytan has also dismissed unconfirmed reports that negotiators were bribed to sign a historic deal in Paris.
He said he was aware of people “chucking accusations of bribery” around, but said they were false.
“It has never been in the minds of Kanak independence leaders doing such practices,” he said.
“After the signature of the Matignon Accord 37 years ago, with [FLNKS leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou] and with us after the signature of Nouméa accord in 1998, we heard about the same allegation and some rumours like this.”
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But, speaking to RNZ Midday Report, Clark said New Zealand needed to come on board.
“We are watching a catastrophe unfold in Gaza. We’re watching starvation. We’re watching famine conditions for many. Many are using the word genocide,” she said.
“If New Zealand can’t act in these circumstances, when can it act?”
Elders call for recognition “The Elders, a group of world leaders of which Clark is a part, last month issued a call for countries to recognise the state of Palestine, calling it the “beginning, not the end of a political pathway towards lasting peace”.
Clark said the government seemed to be trying avoid the ire of the United States by waiting until the peace process was well underway or nearing its end.
“That is no longer tenable,” she said.
“New Zealand really is lagging behind.”
Even before the recent commitments from France, Canada and the UK, 147 of the UN’s 193 member states had recognised the Palestinian state.
Clark said the hope was that the series of recognitions from major Western states would first shift the US position and then Israel’s.
“When the US moves, Israel eventually jumps because it owes so much to the United States for the support, financial, military and otherwise,” she said.
“At some point, Israel has to smell the coffee.”
Surprised over Peters Clark said she was “a little surprised” that Foreign Minister Winston Peters had not been more forward-leaning given he historically had strongly advocated New Zealand’s even-handed position.
On Wednesday, New Zealand signed a joint statement with 14 other countries expressing a willingness to recognise the State of Palestine as a necessary step towards a two-state solution.
However, later speaking in Parliament, Peters said that was conditional on first seeing progress from Palestine, including representative governance, commitment to non-violence, and security guarantees for Israel.
“If we are to recognise the state of Palestine, New Zealand wants to know that what we are recognising is a legitimate, representative, viable, political entity,” Peters told MPs.
Peters also agreed with a contribution from ACT’s Simon Court that recognising the state of Palestine could be viewed as “a reward [to Hamas] for acts of terrorism” if it was done before Hamas had returned hostages or laid down arms.
Luxon earlier told RNZ New Zealand had long supported the eventual recognition of Palestinian statehood, but that the immediate focus should be on getting aid into Gaza rather than “fragmenting and talking about all sorts of other things that are distractions”.
“We need to put the pressure on Israel to get humanitarian assistance unfettered, at scale, at volume, into Gaza,” he told RNZ.
“You can talk about a whole bunch of other things, but for right now, the world needs to focus.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.