Today Straterra has been renamed as New Zealand Minerals Council, says chief executive Josie Vidal.
“With the global interest in mined minerals, particularly critical minerals, we believe it is time to better align ourselves with a name that will mean something to both New Zealanders and those in the global supply chain,” Vidal says.
“The Government has this year launched a Minerals Strategy for New Zealand to 2040 and a Critical Minerals List and is actively promoting minerals on the world stage, recognising mining’s contribution to growing our economy.
“We are a trading nation and our mined minerals are a valuable export commodity even, or perhaps more particularly, in the current turbulent world of trade.
“Straterra has been a great name and identity for our organisation, dating back to 2008, but the world is changing fast and we need to be agile and ready to assist our members in that environment.
“We have a new logo and name but our purpose remains the same, to enable socially and environmentally responsible mining, providing minerals for a sustainable and resilient future, and enduring value for all New Zealanders.”
New Zealand Minerals Council is the industry association representing New Zealand’s minerals and mining sector.
Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority in relation to a fatal crash which occurred following a Police pursuit near Ōtaki.
First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies are with the people and families impacted by this crash.
On 26 April 2024, police briefly pursued a stolen vehicle on State Highway 1, south of Levin, after it was involved in an aggravated robbery in Ōtaki. Police abandoned the pursuit due to high speeds of the driver. They later found the vehicle driving north in the southbound lane of the expressway and it eventually crashed head on into another vehicle.
Tragically, the driver and one passenger of the stolen vehicle died, and another passenger suffered serious injuries. The four people in the other vehicle suffered serious to moderate injuries.
Relieving Central District Commander Inspector Ross Grantham says the IPCA found that overall Police managed this complex and dangerous fleeing driver incident appropriately in the circumstances:
“The outcome of this incident, which was the death of two young people and serious injuries to five members of the public is a tragedy and was completely avoidable.
Police use every serious incident as an opportunity to learn and we note the minor breaches of our police policy raised by the IPCA and have taken these onboard,” says Inspector Grantham.
The IPCA has recommended Police amend their Fleeing Driver Policy to specify that when a police vehicle is carrying crew members, those crew members are responsible for managing police communications during pursuits. Police are considering this recommendation.
Queenstown Police are seeking information from the public after a speeding motorcyclist failed to stop for Police.
At around 4:20am yesterday (Monday 14 April), a vehicle was seen by Police travelling at around two times the posted speed limit on Frankton Road, near Yewlett Crescent.
The bike was signalled to stop, however it failed to do so. Due to the speed, Police did not pursue. The last sighting of the bike was at about 4:25am as it travelled past the Z petrol station on Frankton Road, heading towards the Queenstown CBD.
This driving behaviour puts not only the bike riders at risk, but also other motorists. Police will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to this kind of behaviour and in all cases where possible, Police will make follow-up enquiries to ensure these dangerous road users are held accountable.
Police would like to hear from anyone who saw this bike travelling through Queenstown in the early hours of yesterday morning. The bike was a sports bike with two people on it.
We would also like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the bike.
Please contact Police on 105, either over the phone or online, referencing file number 250414/1674.
Please attribute to Relieving Central District Commander Inspector Ross Grantham:
Police accepts the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority which investigated complaints against three officers involved in the investigation and trial regarding the murder of Palmiro MacDonald.
Mr MacDonald went missing in March 2016 and his remains were found several months later in Horowhenua. Police began a homicide investigation and three people were charged with his murder. However, charges against all parties were eventually dropped or dismissed in court.
We accept and agree with the findings by the IPCA that there were issues with disclosure of information but that these were not intentional or deliberate acts.
Since this incident, the Solicitor-General has issued guidelines for the use of inmate admissions evidence, and Police now require senior detective supervisors to review inmate admissions evidence against these guidelines in homicide investigations.
Police were also involved in the development of the High Court ‘Criminal Disclosure in High Court Trials’ practice note which was implemented in 2023. That practice note requires specific consideration of ‘inmate witnesses’ or ‘incentivised witnesses’ in terms of ensuring disclosure obligations are addressed.
Police are confident that these two significant changes to the process will avert as best as possible any future mistakes being made.
The IPCA recommended Police prescribe in policy that it be standard practice that all prison informant interviews being undertaken for the purpose of taking statements should be video or audio recorded.
Police do not agree with the recommendation, but will engage with the Authority in an effort to resolve the issue.
The Government is ensuring hundreds more students benefit from safe, warm and dry learning areas by delivering a new school and more classrooms into communities that need them most. “Through our decisive action to improve efficiency and performance in school property delivery, $100 million has been freed up for areas across the country that have growing school rolls. With a 35 per cent increase in the number of standardised and repeatable designs, we have reduced the price per classroom by 28 per cent. We can now provide an additional 67 teaching spaces in Auckland and in the Kaupapa Māori Education network to help meet growing demand,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says. The following projects will be delivered in Auckland:
A new 600-student primary school in Massey, which will include two satellite learning support spaces for Arohanui School. An 18-classroom expansion for Ormiston Senior College, which includes associated administration spaces and a staff room extension. A two-storey block of ten new classrooms at Scott Point Primary School.
The following projects will be delivered for the Kaupapa Māori Education network.
Two new classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu in Rotorua. Four new senior school classrooms and a permanent site for Te Kura Kaupapa o Hawaiki Hou in Gisborne. Three new classrooms at Manutuke School in Gisborne. Two new classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakarewa I Te Reo Ki Tuwharetoa in Taupō.
“For Te Kura Kaupapa o Hawaiki Hou, this means moving from and unsuitable learning environment they have leased for seven years. “Detailed planning for all projects is underway, with construction set to begin soon after. Our priority is to get these projects delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible so that students, teachers and communities benefit sooner,” Ms Stanford says. ”This reinvestment has been made possible by accelerating and improving the cost-effectiveness of new builds using standard designs and offsite manufacturing. We want to be responsive to changing student numbers while ensuring our solutions represent the best value for money. “This Government is focused on raising student achievement and closing the equity gap and to do that our children need warm, safe and dry classrooms. Our drive for efficiency and good value for money is delivering more of these classrooms across New Zealand.”
Notes to editors Over the last year the Ministry of Education has made significant improvements to the delivery of school property, including:
30% increase in the number of classrooms delivered, 35% increase in the number of standardised or repeatable designs, 28% reduction in the average cost of each classroom.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says it was excellent to meet with Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department staff and peer support specialists today to mark the start of a new service designed to better assist people presenting in mental distress. “Christchurch ED is one of the busiest in New Zealand, I am pleased that there are now peer support specialists available to provide timely mental health and addiction support for people in their time of need,” Mr Doocey says. “One of the initiatives I am most proud of a year in is the roll out of peer support workers. These are people who have their own lived experience with mental health that can empathise and really understand what the person in front of them are going through, which can provide a huge comfort. “When I recently met with some of the peer support specialists in Wellington, I spoke to a worker who told me how surreal it was to be here today and have the ability now to now offer others hope and show that there is a pathway forward, like her journey. I think this is really powerful. “The peer support specialists are available for people who are presenting to the ED in mental distress and will be able to provide comfort, as well as help connect them to community services if needed.” Christchurch ED is the fourth hospital to provide this service after it was launched at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland City Hospital and Wellington Hospital. The service will be extended to Waikato ED in the coming months, and three further locations will be announced soon. “I have been heartened to hear that early feedback is showing that peer support specialists are already proving to be beneficial for people presenting to emergency departments and I am looking forward to continuing to see the positive effects of this workforce.” Last March, the Government announced that eight services would be stood up across two years using uncommitted funding. Each Peer Support Specialist service is estimated to cost between $300,000 and $500,000 per hospital. A $1 million workforce fund has also been set up by the Government to provide Level 4 NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Peer Support) training and specific training for working in emergency departments. “We are also rolling out crisis cafes around the country that will have peer workers in them. The next step as I signalled when I announced we are refreshing the eating disorders strategy is to grow and utilise the peer support workforce more in the eating disorders space,” Mr Doocey says. “We know one of the biggest barriers to support is the workforce, that is why we are focused on growing the mental health and addiction workforce so people can access timely mental health support when and where they need it.”
New Zealand and the United States will continue to pursue shared strategic objectives in the Pacific, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says. “Our Pacific links with the United States are more important than ever, and this visit to Hawaii has been an excellent opportunity to underline our shared Polynesian heritage and common strategic interests,” Mr Peters says. “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.” Mr Peters, leading a cross-party New Zealand political delegation to the Pacific, has had engagements in Honolulu with Governor of Hawaii Joshua Green, the Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Paparo, the Interim President of the East-West Center Dr James Scott, as well as Hawaii-based representatives for Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. “This visit has enabled an important exchange of views on the economic, political and security changes occurring in the Indo-Pacific, and the role that New Zealand can play in working with regional partners to meet common challenges,” Mr Peters says. “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.” The delegation also commemorated the attack on Pearl Harbour by laying a wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial alongside the Commander of US Pacific Fleet Admiral Stephen Koehler. “It is important to remember those who gave their lives to create a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially in times such as these where the values which we fought for are being challenged.” Hawaii was the second destination on the New Zealand delegation’s ongoing Pacific visit, following Tonga. The delegation now travels to Fiji, then Vanuatu.
The number of marine mammal species in New Zealand classified as Threatened or At Risk has increased from 10 in 2019 to 14 today, with the sperm whale, pygmy blue whale, southern right whale dolphin, goose-beaked whale, and pygmy sperm whale added to the list. Leopard seals were moved from at-risk to migrant.
A ‘Threatened’ species status is given to animals in serious trouble. New Zealand has the highest proportion of threatened indigenous species in the world – more than 4000 native species are currently threatened or at risk of extinction.
Panel lead and DOC Senior Science Advisor, Dr Dave Lundquist, says several species have been shifted to a more threatened conservation status. This includes sperm whales, which were moved from Data Deficient to At Risk – Declining.
“Research published by the University of Otago in 2022 shows a long-term decline in the number of sperm whales seen off Kaikōura during summer,” says Dave Lundquist.
“We don’t yet know if this reflects a broader drop in sperm whale numbers across New Zealand, but the panel has taken a precautionary approach and assumed it could be.”
Thanks to improved population data, eight other marine mammal species previously considered Data Deficient now have updated conservation statuses. This includes pygmy blue whales, now listed as Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable.
The New Zealand sea lion has also been moved to a higher risk category – from Nationally Vulnerable to Threatened – Nationally Endangered. This is due to a smaller estimated number of breeding adults and a faster rate of population decline than previously thought.
“Estimates suggest sea lion numbers could decline by 30–70% over the next 30 years, which is about three generations. Multiple human-caused threats are likely to be contributing to this decline,” says Dave Lundquist.
Bottlenose dolphins are the only species whose status has improved – from Threatened – Nationally Endangered to Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable. However, Dave Lundquist says this change is due to better information, not an actual increase in numbers.
“We previously estimated fewer than 1000 coastal bottlenose dolphins in New Zealand, plus an unknown number of oceanic ones. We now know there are over 1000 oceanic dolphins, which improved the overall status. But coastal populations are still at risk and depend on local conservation efforts to survive.”
Dave Lundquist says the positive takeaway is that when people act to reduce threats and protect nature, it makes a real difference.
“This information is valuable for everyone involved in marine mammal conservation – including iwi, community groups, businesses, fishers, councils and government.
“When we understand the conservation status of marine mammals, we’re all better equipped to make informed decisions to help protect them and their habitats.”
The conservation status of 57 marine mammal types found in New Zealand waters was reviewed by an independent panel of national and international experts. They used the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – a tool that assesses the extinction risk of native species.
NZTCS assessments are reviewed roughly every five years and are based on factors such as population size, trends, and distribution. DOC uses these results to prioritise conservation work, guide resource allocation, and shape policy decisions. The assessments also support collaboration with iwi, researchers, community groups, and others working to protect native species.
The NZTCS is a rule-based system for experts to assess the risk of extinction faced by organisms in Aotearoa New Zealand. The NZTCS is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and complements the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Independent panels of experts assess groups of taxa (for examples, birds, reptiles or marine mammals. Species, subspecies, varieties and forms are collectively known as taxa, singular = taxon), approximately every five years, using criteria of population state, size and trend.
Knowing a species’ risk of extinction provides a basis for setting priorities and making decisions, planning recovery programmes and research, monitoring the effectiveness of management and gaining support for habitat protection. Taxa assessed as ‘Threatened’ face greater risk of extinction because they have small population with greatest rate of decline. Taxa assessed as ‘At Risk’ are not considered Threatened, but they could quickly become so if conservation management reduces, if a new threat arises, or if the declines continue.
The expert panel assessed the conservation status of 57 taxa of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, fur seals and sea lions.
Thirteen species have changed status since last assessed in 2019. One has a more threatened status, one has a less threatened status, and the remainder are neutral status changes (into and out of the category Data Deficient).
There are brighter days ahead for Tairua with progress on a new 2-lane bridge on State Highway 25 (SH25), which will cull queues of holiday traffic at the single-lane Pepe Stream Bridge.
The replacement bridge project is now in the procurement phase ahead of construction starting late next year says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
“The business case developed by NZTA in 2022 along with engagement with iwi and stakeholders has determined that the preferred option is a 2-lane bridge with an attached shared walking and cycling path to replace the single-lane bridge and a separate pedestrian bridge,” says Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Darryl Coalter.
Later this month a community information session will be held at Tairua to update the community and SH25 users on what’s ahead.
“With funding confirmed, there is a lot of work ahead to get the bridge designed and consented, but the countdown is on for construction to start by late 2026. All going well NZTA’s target is to have traffic on the new bridge by Christmas 2027.
“While NZTA engaged with the community as part of the Business Case development, we are keen to hear what’s important to people who live, work or holiday in the area,” Mr Coalter says.
The project team will be at the Tairua Community Hall on Wednesday 30 April, and people can call in any time between 3pm and 6pm.
NZTA will be seeking a design and build contract and expects to have a contractor in place later this year. Construction methodology is critical because SH25 needs to remain open during the build.
The current bridge crosses a tidal stream on SH25 south of the Tairua town centre.
The narrow 3-span Pepe Stream bridge as it is today. It opened in 1943.
The project is part of a wider bridge programme to improve safety, efficiency and resilience on the state highway around the peninsula.
Work will begin later this year at the Boundary Creek Bridge on the Thames Coast north of Te Mata. Design of a new 2-lane bridge to replace the single lane bridge Ramarama Stream Bridge on SH25, just north of Whiritoa, is also underway.
“Wherever Palestinians have control is barbaric.” These were the words from New Zealand’s Chief Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow.
During a meeting with Philippa Yasbek from Jewish Voices for Peace, Dr Rainbow allegedly told her that information from the NZ Security Intelligence Services (NZSIS) threat assessment asserted that Muslims were the biggest threat to the Jewish community. More so than white supremacists.
But the NZSIS has not identified Muslims as the greatest threat to national security.
In the 2023 threat environment report, NZSIS stated that it: “Does not single out any community as a threat to our country, and to do so would be a misinterpretation of the analysis.
“White Identity-Motivated Violent Extremism (W-IMVE) continues to be the dominant IMVE ideology in New Zealand. Young people becoming involved in W-IMVE is a growing trend.”
Religiously motivated violent extremism (RMVE) did not come from the Muslim community, as Dr Rainbow has also misrepresented.
The more recent 2024 NZSIS report stated: “White identity-motivated violent extremism (W-IMVE) remains the dominant IMVE ideology in New Zealand. Terrorist attack-related material and propaganda, including the Christchurch terrorist’s manifesto and livestream footage, continue to be shared among IMVE adherents in New Zealand and abroad.”
To implicate Muslims as being the greatest threat may highlight Dr Rainbow’s own biases, racist beliefs, and political agenda. These false narratives, that have recently been strongly pushed by the US and Israel, undermine social cohesion and lead to a rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.
It is also deeply troubling that he has framed Muslim and Arab communities as potential sources of violent extremism while failing to acknowledge the very real and documented threats they have faced in Aotearoa.
The Christchurch Mosque attacks — the most horrific act of mass violence in New Zealand’s modern history — were perpetrated not by Muslims, but against them, by an individual radicalised by white supremacist ideology.
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Dr Stephen Rainbow . . . “It is also deeply troubling that he has framed Muslim and Arab communities as potential sources of violent extremism while failing to acknowledge the very real and documented threats they have faced in Aotearoa.” Image: HRC
Since that tragedy, there have been multiple threats made against mosques, Arab New Zealanders, and Palestinian communities, many of which have received insufficient public attention or institutional response.
For a Human Rights Commissioner to overlook this context and effectively invert the victim-aggressor dynamic is not only factually inaccurate, but it also risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes and undermining the safety and dignity of communities who are already vulnerable.
Such narratives are inconsistent with the Human Rights Commission’s mandate to protect all people in New Zealand from discrimination and hate.
The dehumanisation of Muslims and Palestinians As part of Israel’s propaganda, anti-Muslim and Palestinian tropes are used to justify violence against Palestinians by framing us as barbaric, aggressive, and as a threat. We are dehumanised in order to normalise the harm they inflict on our communities which includes genocide, land theft, ethnic cleansing, apartheid policies, dispossession, and occupation.
In October 2023, Dan Gillerman, a former Israeli Ambassador to the UN, described Palestinians as “horrible, inhuman animals” and was perplexed with the growing global concern for us.
That same month Yoav Gallant, then Israeli Defence Minister, referred to Palestinians as “human animals” when he announced Israel’s illegal and horrific siege on Gaza that included blocking water, food, medicine, and shelter to an entire population, the majority of which are children.
In making his own remarks about the Muslim community being a “threat” in New Zealand as a collective group, and labelling Palestinians being “barbaric”, Dr Stephen Rainbow has shattered the credibility of the Human Rights Commission. He has made it very clear that he is not impartial nor is he representing and protecting all communities.
Instead, Dr Rainbow is exacerbating divisions within society. This is a worrying trend that we are witnessing around the world; the de-humanising of groups to serve political agendas, retain power, or seek public support for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Dr Rainbow’s appointment also points a spotlight onto this government’s commitment to neutrality and inclusiveness in its human rights policies. Allowing a high-ranking official to make discriminatory remarks undermines New Zealand’s commitment to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
A high-ranking official should not be allowed to engage in Islamic and Palestinian racist rhetoric without consequence. The public should be questioning the morals, principles, and inclusivity of those currently in power. Our trust is being eroded.
Dr Stephen Rainbow’s comments can also be seen as a breach of human rights principles, as he is supposed to uphold equality and non-discrimination. Yet his beliefs seem to be peppered with racism, often falsely based on religion, ethnicity, and race.
Foreign influence in New Zealand This incident also shines accountability and concerns for foreign influence and propaganda seeping into New Zealand. The Israel Institute of New Zealand (IINZ) has published articles that some perceive as dehumanising toward Palestinians.
“The Left has found a new underdog to replace the Jews — the Palestinians — in spite of the fact that the treatment of gay people, women, and political opponents wherever Palestinians have control is barbaric.”
By publicising these comments, The Israel Institute of New Zealand signalled its support of these offensive and racist serotypes. Such statements risk reinforcing a narrative that portrays Palestinians as inherently violent, uncivilised, and unworthy of basic rights and dignity.
This kind of rhetoric contributes to what many describe as anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism, and it warrants public scrutiny, especially when shared by organisations involved in shaping public discourse.
Importantly, the NZSIS 2024 threat report stated that “Inflammatory and violent language online can target anyone, although most appears directed towards those from already marginalised minority communities, or those affected by globally significant conflicts or events, such as the Israel-Gaza conflict.”
Other statements and reposts published online by the IINZ on their X account include:
“Muslims are getting killed, is Israel involved? No. How many casualties? Under 100,00, who cares? Why is this even on the news? Over 100,000. Oh, that’s too bad, what’s for dinner?” (12 February 2024)
“Fact. Gaza isn’t ‘ancestral Palestinian land’. We’ve been here long before them, and we’ll still be here long after the latest propaganda campaign.” (12 February 2024)
Palestinian society was also described as being “a violent, terror-supporting, Jew-hating society with genocidal aspirations.” (16 February 2025)
The “estimate of Hamas casualties, the civilian-to-combat death ratio could be as low as 1:1. This could be historically low for urban warfare.” (21 February 2025)
“There has never been a country called Palestine.” (25 February 2025)
Even showing a picture of Gaza before Israel’s bombing campaign with a caption saying, “Open air prison”. Next to it a picture of a completely destroyed Gaza with a caption that says “Victory.” (23 February 2025)
“Palestinian society in Gaza is in my eyes little more than a death loving cult of murderers and criminals of the lowest kind.” (28 February 2025)
Anti-Palestinian bias and racism Portraying Muslims and Palestinians as a threat and extremist reflects both Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian bias and potential racism. These statements risk dehumanising Palestinians and are typical of the settler colonial narrative used to erase indigenous populations by denying our history, identity and legal claim.
The IINZ has published content that many see as mocking the deaths of Palestinian Muslims and Christians, which is not only ethically questionable but can be seen as a complete lack of empathy.
And posting the horrific images of a completely destroyed Gaza, appears to revel in the suffering of others and contradicts basic ethical norms, such as decency and compassion.
There also appears to be a common theme among pro-Israeli organisations, not just the IINZ, that cast negative connotations on our national symbols including our Palestinian flag and keffiyeh.
In an article on the IINZ webpage, titled “A justified war”, they write “chorus of protesters wearing keffiyehs, waving their Palestinian and terrorist flags, and shouting about Israel’s alleged war crimes.”
It seemingly places the Palestinian flag — an internationally recognised national symbol– alongside so-called “terrorist flags,” suggesting an equivalence between Palestinian identity and terrorism. Many view this language as dehumanising and inflammatory, erasing the legitimate national and cultural characteristics of Palestinians and feeding into harmful stereotypes.
The Palestinian flag represents a people, their identity, and national aspirations.
There is nothing wrong with our keffiyeh, it is part of our national dress. The negative connotations of Palestinian cultural symbols have to stop, including vilifying other MPs or supporters who wear it in solidarity.
This is happening all too often in New Zealand and must be called out and addressed. Our keffiyeh is not just a scarf — it is a symbol of our Palestinian identity, our resistance, and our rich, historic and deeply rooted cultural heritage.
Pro-Israeli groups attack it because they aim to delegitimise Palestinian identity and resistance by associating it with violence, terrorism, or extremism.
In 2024, ISESCO and UNESCO both recognised the keffiyeh as an essential part of their Intangible Cultural Heritage lists as a way of safeguarding Palestinian cultural heritage and reinforcing its historical and symbolic importance.
As a safeguarded cultural artifact, much like indigenous dress and other traditional attire, attempts to ban or demonize it are acts of cultural erasure and need to be called out as such and dealt with accordingly.
In the same IINZ article titled “A Justified War”, the authors present arguments that appear to defend Israel’s military actions in Gaza, including the targeting of civilians.
Many within the community (most of us have been affected), including survivors and those with direct ties to the region, have found the article deeply distressing and feel that it lacks compassion for the victims of the ongoing violence, and the framing and tone of the piece have raised serious ethical concerns, especially as some statements are factually incorrect.
The New Zealand Palestinian communities affected by this unimaginable genocide are suffering. Our family members are being killed and are at threat daily from Israel’s aggression and illegal war.
Unfortunately, much rhetoric from this organisation aligns with Israeli state narratives and includes statements that some view as racist or immoral, warranting further scrutiny from the government.
There is growing public concern over the association of Human Rights Commissioner Dr Stephen Rainbow with the IINZ, which promotes itself as a research and advocacy body.
A Human Rights Commissioner requires neutrality and a commitment to protecting all communities from discrimination; aligning with Israel and publishing harmful rhetoric may lead to bias in policy decisions and discrimination.
It is also important to remember that we are not a monolithic group. Christian Palestinians exist (I am one) as well as Muslim and historically Jewish Palestinians. Christian communities have lived in Palestine for two thousand years.
This is also not a religious conflict, as many pro-Israeli groups wish the world to believe, and it is not complex. It is one of colonialism, dispossession, and human rights. A history that New Zealand is all too familiar with.
“A Human Rights Commissioner requires neutrality and a commitment to protecting all communities from discrimination; aligning with Israel and publishing harmful rhetoric may lead to bias in policy decisions and discrimination.” Image: HRC screenshot APR
The need for accountability Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith’s inaction and disrespectful response, claiming that a staunchly pro-Israeli supporter can be impartial and will be “very careful” from now on, hints that he may also support some forms of racism, in this case against Muslims and Palestinians.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith . . . “There needs to be accountability for Goldsmith. Why has he not removed Dr Rainbow from office and acted appropriately?” Image: NZ Parliament
You cannot address only some groups who are discriminated against but then ignore others, or accept excuses for racist, intolerable actions or statements. This is not justice.
This is the application of selective principles, enforced and underpinned by political agendas, foreign influence, and racism. Does Goldsmith understand that justice is as much about human rights, fairness and accountability as it is about laws?
Without accountability, there is no justice at all, or perhaps he too is confused or uncertain about his role, as much as Dr Rainbow seems oblivious to his?
There needs to be accountability for Goldsmith. Why has he not removed Dr Rainbow from office and acted appropriately? If Dr Rainbow had said that Jews were the biggest threat to Muslims or that Israelis were the biggest threat to Palestinians, would this government and Goldsmith have sat back and said, “he didn’t mean it, it was a mistake, and he has apologised”?
Questions New Zealanders should be asking are, what kind of Human Rights Commissioner speaks of entire peoples this way? What kind of minister, like Paul Goldsmith, looks at that and does very little?
What kind of Government claims to champion justice, while turning a blind eye to genocide? This is betraying the very idea of human rights itself.
Although we are a small country here in New Zealand, we have remained strong by upholding and standing by our principles. We said no to apartheid in South Africa. We said no to nuclear weapons in the Pacific. We said no to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
And we must now say no to dehumanisation — anywhere. Are we a nation that upholds justice or do we sit on the sidelines while the darkest times in modern history envelopes us all?
The attacks against Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims must stop. We have already faced horrific acts of violence against us here in New Zealand and currently in Palestine. We need support and humanity, not dehumanisation, demonisation and cruelty. This is not what New Zealand is about, we must do better together.
There needs to be a formal enquiry and policy review to see if structural biases exist in New Zealand’s Human Rights institutions. This should also be done across some government bodies, including the Ministry of Education and Immigration NZ, to determine if there has been discrimination or inequality in the handling of humanitarian visas and how the Education Ministry has handled the complaints of anti-Palestinian discrimination at schools.
Communities have particular concern at how the curriculum in many schools deals with the creation of the state of Israel but is silent on Palestinian history.
Public figures should be held to a higher standard, with consequences for spreading racially charged rhetoric.
The Human Rights Commission needs to rebuild trust in our multicultural New Zealand society. The only way this can be done is through fair and just measures that include enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, true inclusivity and action when there is an absence of these.
We are living in a moment where silence is complicity. Where apathy is betrayal.
This is a test of whether New Zealand, Minister Goldsmith and this government truly uphold human rights for all, or only for some.
Illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour have no place in our neighbourhoods—that’s the clear message being delivered by local residents and community partners working together to create safer, cleaner spaces in Māngere.
At a recent Māngere East Community Safety meeting, led by the Māngere East Community Centre and funded through the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board’s safety work programme, residents voiced their concerns about rising anti-social behaviour at Radonich Park in Māngere East, especially over weekends and late nights.
Key issues raised included alcohol consumption, loud noise, dangerous driving in the carpark, disturbances affecting nearby residents and illegal dumping.
A community-led BBQ brought together local groups and regular park users to kōrero (talk) the challenges they face at Radonich Park, fostering connection and understanding.
Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says, “This kind of behaviour is simply unacceptable, and we won’t stand for it. We are fully committed to making a change and will work alongside our community to make this happen. Our board recently met with residents and saw firsthand the impact these issues are having. It’s deeply upsetting to witness the blatant disrespect for our environment, particularly with illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour that is making it unsafe for locals.
“Council staff are taking immediate action to tackle these issues, including securing the main gates during park hours, enforcing the liquor ban with signage, and addressing illegal dumping. These concerns have also been raised with the Community Prevention Policing team, who will help support and keep our residents safe.”
Illegal Dumping
If you see dumped rubbish on public property, call 0800 NO DUMP (0800 663 867). Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Large piles of rubbish illegally dumped at the local community garden.
Council takes illegal dumping seriously. All reports will be investigated. Offenders could face fines of up to $400, and serious cases may result in prosecution under the Litter Act 1979, with penalties of up to $30,000.
A sad sight: images of illegal dumping taken during a recent walkthrough of the gardens.
Anti-social behaviour
Another area of concern is ongoing antisocial behaviour in the park, particularly during weekends and late-night hours. The main issues are alcohol use, loud noise, speeding in the carpark, and disturbances to nearby residents.
During a recent cleanup, the team came across alcohol boxes and bottles scattered across the area, a stark reminder of the disrespect shown to our community spaces.
Bakulich adds, “We’ve stressed the importance of safety and urged residents not to intervene in escalating situations. Their wellbeing is our top priority. We are incredibly proud of our community for stepping up and wanting to be a part of the solution. Together, we’re working to make the area safe and a welcoming space for everyone.”
The end goal is simple: working together to create a safe and thriving environment, where anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping will not be tolerated, and fines will be enforced.
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On a crisp March morning, as the first light of day gently spread across the sky, the quiet anticipation of the crowd filled the air. The soft glow of dawn illuminated the space, casting long shadows across the ground, creating a serene atmosphere as the Te Punga sculpture was unveiled.
The moment was simple, yet profound, connecting the past and present while honouring the land and its cultural significance.
The Anchor. Image: Simon Runting.
Te Punga, created by Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua artist Pāora Puru and sculptor Chris van Doren, stands as a stunning public taonga.
Dawn blessing by mana whenua. Image: Simon Runting.
The sculpture, meaning “The Anchor” – symbolises a waka anchor, as a reference to the area being a traditional waka trading route, was revealed in a ceremony that included Māngere College students, Mana Whenua, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, Watercare and local community members.
The inscription on the sculpture helps the public understand its meaning and significance. Image: Simon Runting.
Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says, “The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board area is blessed with strong mana whenua and mataawaka organisations, whose support helps nurture and celebrate our community. It’s truly special to have Mana Whenua share our Māori history and stories in public spaces, honouring our rich Māori identity. We are also home to local heritage sites like Ōtuataua Stonefields, Te Pane o Mataoho Māngere Mountain, and Pūkaki Crater, so it’s wonderful to add Te Punga to this.”
The sculpture, crafted from basalt rock excavated during the Watercare Central Interceptor tunnel project, was transformed by Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua artist Pāora Puru and sculptor Chris van Doren.
The raw basalt was taken to Chris’s studio at the Pacifica Arts Centre in West Auckland to be shaped.
Te Punga honours the cultural significance of Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa (the Manukau Harbour) to the Waiohua iwi. It symbolises the many waka (canoes) that once anchored in these waters, serving as a vital link for people through transport, trade, and tradition.
L-R: Sculptor Chris van Doren, Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua artist Pāora Puru and board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich.
The sculpture can be found at the corner of Creamery Road and Greenwood Road, by the Māngere Lagoon, Māngere Bridge (near Māngere Domain).
A deeply meaningful and solemn moment at the dawn blessing and unveiling of Te Punga. Image: Simon Runting.
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Home Support workers will hold stop-work meetings tomorrow in response to their employer, Access Community Health, offering them no pay increase and reduced work conditions, despite the company receiving increased government funding.
Workers at these meetings will be discussing what options they wish to take in response to this poor attitude from their employer.
Stop work meetings will be held from 8am to 10am tomorrow, for over 1000 union members. Most earn the minimum wage and some slightly more, but none have received a pay increase for nearly two years.
Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi assistant secretary, Melissa Woolley, says Access offered no pay increase, instead, is proposing to reduce sick leave, and remove pay recognition for qualifications and tenure, while introducing 90-day trials.
“Removing pay recognition for qualifications and tenure was won by all care and support workers as part of the historic care and support pay equity settlement. It is outrageous that Access Community Health want to undo that historic settlement at their first opportunity since the support workers settlement act has expired,” says Wooley.
“Having a well-qualified care and support worker workforce was a fundamental element of the negotiations that led to the care and support worker settlement in 2017 that was delivered under a National led government,” says Woolley.
“It’s despicable that while Access has received increased funding in Government contracts, no pay increase has passed on to workers. Instead, they chose to pass on their profit off the back of low paid women workers to their shareholders.
“The company is imposing clawing back terms and conditions, and no cost of living increases to already struggling care and support workers. Our society can’t function without support workers, but their low pay rates block them from going to the dentist or getting the car serviced which is critical to them performing their roles. These workers are already subsidizing the system by using their own cars for work to travel in between clients.
“This blatant attack on workers has major connections to the health crisis. When Access do not value their staff, clients suffer the effects of short-staffing – missing the carers they need to shower and get dressed in the morning. Access needs to come to the table with a reasonable pay offer that respects their people,” says Woolley.
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.
Road freight industry group Transporting New Zealand is welcoming proposed changes to driver licensing rules, saying they will help encourage more young people to become truck drivers.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the changes would remove the need for new drivers to take a second practical test to get their full licence. Other proposed changes include toughening up alcohol restrictions and reducing the number demerit points required before a driver can have their licence suspended.
Transporting New Zealand chief executive Dom Kalasih says that attracting more young drivers is critical for the future of the industry. A large proportion of truck drivers are older, with many of them over 60, and as they retire that will lead to a driver shortage, which in turn will hurt the economy. Other countries are also facing this issue.
In the recent 2025 National Road Freight Industry survey, conducted by Research New Zealand, almost all industry respondents ranked workforce challenges as one of the top issues facing the industry with 94 per cent of respondents agreeing that the industry needs to attract more young people. There was also general agreement the current heavy vehicle driver licensing system makes it too difficult for new entrants to join the road freight industry.
Kalasih says getting their class one licence is the essential first step for young drivers progressing on to more specialised heavy vehicle licences, but fewer young people have been getting their licences compared with recent decades. He supports any move that makes it easier for young people to get their licence.
However, Kalasih agrees with the Automobile Association that safety is the number one priority and that the details of the proposed changes must be carefully examined. He welcomes the road transport industry being involved in consultation before the changes are introduced in the middle of next year.
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealandis the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
Attribute to Senior Sergeant Andy Reid, Manawatū Road Policing Services Team Leader:
Road Policing staff from Manawatū and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team conducted a four-day operation last week, targeting driver behaviour and Heavy Motor Vehicle compliance across the upper Rangitikei and greater Ruapehu areas.
The operation ran over four days, from Wednesday 9 April to Saturday 12 April, with the focus on safety of road users across the region.
Across the four days, 20 checkpoints were conducted, and 7755 drivers were breath tested.
Three people blew over the legal breath alcohol limit. Two of those drivers received a $200 fine, forbidden to drive for 12 hours and had 50 demerit points added to their licence for two years. The third driver will appear before the court.
Nearly 130 infringement notices were issued during the operation, with 62 for speed, 8 for not wearing seatbelts and 2 drivers were on their cell phones. More than 50 notices were issued for other vehicle related offences.
Of the 61 heavy motor vehicles inspected, two were ordered off the road and issued with stickers, and one was not up to certificate of fitness standards.
While most drivers are doing the right thing, we are still disappointed that we’re continuing to see people putting themselves and other road users at risk.
Our aim is to prevent tragic incidents on our roads, and we make no apology for targeting dangerous driving behaviour including restraints, impairment, distractions, and speed.
A major drive boosting New Zealand as an international travel destination will kick off with a $13.5 million turbocharge for global marketing activity, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced.
“We’re a Government relentlessly focused on growing the economy so Kiwis can get ahead. All the stats show tourism will play a leading role as that growth continues,” Louise Upston says.
“Today I’m delighted to announce a $13.5 million investment for Tourism New Zealand to encourage more international visitors across multiple markets.
“Encouraging more visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our cafés, spending in our shops and visiting our attractions, creating jobs and driving economic growth.
“The initial investment will include a focus on encouraging visitors from China, Australia, the United States, India, Germany and South Korea. In these countries and beyond there are millions of people actively considering coming here and experiencing all New Zealand has to offer.
“We know international marketing works, with around 14 per cent of international holiday visitors already being directly influenced by Tourism NZ’s marketing activity.
“We want to grow that influence. Our international visitor spending and visitor numbers have been rebuilding strongly, and we must make the most of that momentum.
“The $13.5 million announced today is estimated to result in more than 23,000 additional international visitors and spending an extra $100 million across the country.
“That will be a major boost, not just for tourism and hospitality providers, but in regions and communities throughout the country.
“We have encouraging signs coming through from our ‘Everyone Must Go!’ campaign focused on Australia, but we won’t stop there.
“2025 is our chance to reinforce the value of tourism and show what our humming, vibrant country has on show. New Zealand tourism is open for business.
“We already know our country has so much going for it. Now we need the global marketing to push that story even wider,” Louise Upston says.
Specific campaigns will be announced as they continue to be developed during 2025.
Notes for Editors
Tourism’s key numbers
Tourism now contributes 7.5 per cent of GDP and continues to be our second highest export.
The Tourism Satellite Account shows total tourism expenditure in New Zealand of $44.4 billion for the year ending March 2024, an increase of $5.6 billion or 14.6 per cent compared to March 2023.
Overseas visitor expenditure increased by $6.3 billion (59.9 per cent) to $16.9 billion
International expenditure grew almost 60 per cent in the year ending March 2024.
Tourism initiatives, funded through the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, in 2025 include:
$500,000 for marketing New Zealand as the ‘go now’ destination for Australians
$9 million for New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund to enhance the Great Rides
$3 million for a Regional Tourism Boost
$3 million to secure more business events for New Zealand
$2.45 million for the second round of the Regional Events Promotion Fund
And an additional $30 million to support conservation visitor related experiences
ACT Justice spokesperson Todd Stephenson is calling on Green MP Tamatha Paul to clarify her party’s stance on crime and explain her decision tofundraise for the extremist group People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA).
“This is a group that openly calls for the abolition of prisons and the police,” says Mr Stephenson.
“New Zealanders – and especially Ms Paul’s constituents – deserve to know whether this reflects her views and those of the Green Party. If it doesn’t, she needs to explain why she chose to support them by nominating them to receive proceeds from the sale of merchandise featuring her image.
“The question that needs to be answered is what ought to happen to murders, rapists and terrorists if prisons and the police force no longer exist?
“Ms Paul can’t have it both ways. She’s previously claimed not to support police abolition after being challenged by ACT, yet she continues to promote and raise money for an organisation that exists solely to push that very agenda. If she disagrees with PAPA’s goals, why is she using her public platform to amplify and fundraise for them?
“Paul has also stated she’s received ‘nothing but complaints’ about police beat patrols in Wellington. If that’s true, either she’s not talking to normal people, or her constituents have concluded she’s living in La La Land and see no point in engaging with someone so disconnected from reality.
“This group isn’t about reducing crime, it’s about facilitating a descent into anarchy and chaos. Supporting them means supporting an extremist vision for New Zealand’s justice system, where victims are forgotten and dangerous offenders are allowed to walk free.”
Some of People Against Prisons Aotearoa’spolicy positions include:
Abolishing the New Zealand Police
Abolishing prisons entirely
Ending reincarceration for breaches of parole, probation, or bail
Banning incarceration of transgender offenders
Decriminalising benefit fraud
Progressively defunding the Department of Corrections
Repealing three strikes for the worst repeat violent and sexual offenders
As work progresses on a hi-tech weigh station at Taupō, traffic will continue to be managed through works on the surrounding state highways and local roads.
Five sites leading to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre are having in-road weighing technology installed and these will be coned off for 30 days from late April/early May to cure the asphalt before the technology is installed advises NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)
“So while it may look like nothing is happening beyond the cones, it is essential to give the asphalt time to cure and be ready for installing the weigh-in-motion scales,” says Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Darryl Coalter.
“The asphalt layer at each site needs time to harden and gain strength. The new layer needs to be undisturbed for 30 days so that it hardens sufficiently for contractors to make precise cuts into it to fit the weigh-in-motion weigh plates.
“We can’t remove the traffic management and run traffic over it because it has been laid at precise levels so the scales work properly when they are installed. We want to avoid the risk of the soft asphalt crumbling.”
The scales are being installed on 5 of the roads heading towards the safety centre:
SH1 north of the SH1/5 roundabout
SH1 south of the roundabout
SH5 east of the roundabout
Napier Road west of the roundabout
Nearby Crown Road.
Temporary lanes have been built on the road shoulders to allow traffic to pass around the work areas and minimise the use of stop/go or temporary detours. Speed restrictions are in place and only minor delays are expected.
The curing period will run from the end of April to the end of May.
The Taupō weight station is 1 of 12 facilities NZTA is building on high-volume freight routes around the country for NZ Police to operate. The safety centres are part of the national Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme.
This technology will screen passing traffic and direct any suspected non-compliant heavy vehicles into the safety centre. Police officers on site will check vehicle weights, road user charges, certificates of fitness, logbooks and driver impairment.
Read more about the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centres:
Electronic card transactions: March 2025 – 14 April 2025 – The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity.
Key facts All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.
Values are at the national level and are not adjusted for price changes.
March 2025 month Changes in the value of electronic card transactions for the March 2025 month (compared with February 2025) were:
spending in the retail industries decreased 0.8 percent ($52 million)
spending in the core retail industries decreased 0.8 percent ($46 million).
International migration: February 2025 – 14 April 2025 – International migration statistics give the latest outcomes-based measure of migration, which includes estimates of migrants entering or leaving New Zealand.
Key facts
Annual migration Provisional estimates for the February 2025 year compared with the February 2024 year were:
migrant arrivals: 154,300 (± 1,400), down 30 percent
migrant departures: 121,300 (± 1,100), up 15 percent
annual net migration: gain of 32,900 (± 1,700), compared with a net gain of 113,700 (± 200).
International travel: February 2025 – 14 April 2025 – International travel covers the number and characteristics of overseas visitors and New Zealand resident travellers (short-term movements) entering or leaving New Zealand.
Key facts
Monthly arrivals – overseas visitors Overseas visitor arrivals were 354,400 in February 2025, a decrease of 8,400 from February 2024. The biggest changes were in arrivals from:
More people could be harmed if Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey does not guarantee to protect patients and workers as the Police withdraw from supporting mental health call outs.
“Two reported incidents show that by withdrawing the Police’s support from mental health call outs, people suffering severe distress will fall through the cracks, and will miss out on the support and care they deserve,” Labour mental health spokesperson Ingrid Leary said.
“The Government has failed to provide a plan to support mental health workers, patients and other staff when people detained under the Mental Health Act are brought into emergency departments.
“The Government said it had a plan for Police to reduce the amount of time they stay with a person detained under the Mental Health Act in an emergency department, but it’s being pushed through too fast.
“Staff in our hospitals are already reporting high levels of violence in their workplace. Withdrawing Police without trained safe staff to step in puts everyone at risk.
“Matt Doocey is compromising worker and patient safety and is failing to deliver the mental health support he promised New Zealanders. He should be held accountable if more incidences of harm are reported,” Ingrid Leary said.
“While in Government, we were developing a plan to phase in mental health co-response teams nationally to respond to 111 calls for people experiencing mental distress,” Labour Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.
“However, rushing through the withdrawal of Police support is irresponsible when there is no additional mental health workforce in place.”
Covering period of Monday 14th – Thursday 17th May – While the South Island is experiencing the interesting weather today, our focus shifts to the North Island as we head into the week.
A punchy cold front with a period of heavy rain is moving up the South Island today, lowering snow to 900 metres throughout the day. For those travelling in the area, keep an eye on the passes, in particular Lindis Pass is expected to see a sprinkling of snow tonight.
MetService Meteorologist Katie Hillyer says, “It’s a real cold snap, with Tuesdays maximums in the east coast of the South Island about 10 degrees less than Mondays.”
The rain stalls and weakens over the central South Island on Tuesday as northeasterlies build over the country ahead of a subtropical low pressure system from the North.
From Tuesday morning, northeast winds and rain begin to build over the upper North Island ahead of a subtropical low. From Wednesday, Northland, Auckland and Coromandel are under a Strong Wind Watch in gale northeasterlies, and a Heavy Rain Watch. There is a high confidence of these Watches being upgraded to Orange Warnings closer to the time. Generally, the North Island can expect the worst weather on Thursday, with a high confidence of Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Warnings being issued for western Bay of Plenty as well.
With plenty of travellers on the road over the Easter Break, people should be extra cautious and keep a close eye on the forecast, particularly with the exodus from Auckland lining up with the most significant weather.
Hillyer says, “This windy system is long-lived, with periods of heavy rain, so accumulations are expected to be impressive. Try to take some time before the action starts to clear those gutters and drains and any surrounding leaves that could cause any blockages. With very few systems with this magnitude of northeast winds in the last year, trees could be particularly susceptible to damage, so trimming back branches and securing any loose objects is also a good idea.”
Sticky uncomfortable nights are also on the table as temperatures and the humidity rise, with overnight temperatures in the high teens in the upper North Island.
While the South Island can also expect intermittent wet weather over the next week, it’s the top of the Island, particularly Nelson and Tasman, that are set to cop some heavy rain from Thursday, continuing into the weekend.
While we’ll see a few breaks in the rain, it is a long-lived system, with windy and rainy conditions to continue over the country until next week.
Porirua’s biggest annual event supporting local businesses – Love Local – returns in June.
Filling Te Rauparaha Arena for the sixth year running, Love Local is a free event where attendees can meet the hundreds of different local businesses in Porirua and learn about what they have to offer.
Vendors of all types are welcome at the event – selling things from food, crafts, books, jewellery, clothing, and services. Local community groups and organisations are also welcome to have a stall.
Love Local has grown each year and is now a key date in the calendar for both vendors and savvy shoppers wanting to support the Porirua economy.
Applications are now open for vendors wanting a spot at this year’s event, happening on Saturday 7 June.
Last year the event played host to more than 100 vendors, with thousands of people coming through the event during the day.
If you want to be involved this year, please make sure you complete the application form and send it in by midday onFriday 2 May.
New ASB research shows that despite tough economic circumstances, 43% of Kiwi aged 18-24 are building better money habits and taking action to improve their financial wellbeing.
Young Kiwi are facing a financial double whammy, as high youth unemployment adds to cost of living pressures. More than 80% of the net jobs lost in 2024 were for workers aged 30 and under, and ASB economists expect unemployment for jobseekers aged 15-19 to remain around 20% until the end of 2025, compared with around 5% overall.
To understand how these challenges are impacting young people, ASB has analysed the spending and saving patterns of more than 650,000 customers, including 57,000 aged 18-24.
ASB found customers aged 18-24 were 26% more likely to experience payment problems than the national average. A lack of savings is causing strain: 56% of young people don’t have at least $1000 of savings, compared with 44% of Kiwi overall.
60% of customers aged 18-24 rarely have enough money to cover their monthly bills, and 44% live paycheck to paycheck.
ASB General Manager Business Transformation and Customer Engagement Rosalyn Clarke leads the bank’s financial wellbeing programme, and says while the past few years have been hard for many Kiwi, rangatahi face distinct challenges.
“This generation started working and managing their money through lockdowns, rising inflation and a recession. It’s tough – but we know young people want to get ahead, and with a lifetime in front of them, small changes now can make a big financial difference.
“Our data shows one-fifth of our 18-24 customers are regular savers, which is encouraging, as good savings habits can significantly lift financial wellbeing. 80% of this age group contributed to their KiwiSaver in the past year, and they’re 18% more likely to invest enough to earn the $521 annual Government KiwiSaver contribution.
“43% of our 18-24 customers took steps to build better spending, savings, or credit habits in the past year. By making changes such as reducing their overdraft, setting up regular savings, or getting KiwiSaver advice, we can see their financial wellbeing improves compared to those in their age group who don’t.”
ASB is currently sharing money tips with young people through its Level Up campaign, which supports 18-24s to build money confidence. Now in its third year, Level Up spotlights money tools such as ASB’s Goal Planner, which tracks progress toward a saving target, and Save the Change, which automatically rounds up spending and puts the difference into savings.
ASB’s Community Bankers and its dedicated school team also support rangatahi across the country gain money management skills through free face-to-face workshops for school leavers, community groups, and young jobseekers.
Research by ASB’s partner, youth mental health charity Youthline, found money is one of the top stresses for Kiwi aged 21-24[1] and ASB wants to help to tackle this, says Rosalyn.
“If young people are worried about money, or need support to get on top their finances, ASB offers free help – and you don’t need to be a customer. Check out our online tools, or book a financial wellbeing review and we’ll help you take steps toward your goals.”
Notes:
Financial wellbeing information is based on anonymised analysis of more than 650,000 New Zealand adults that have their main bank relationship with ASB and includes high volumes of customers across all New Zealand regions and demographics.
KiwiSaver information refers to anonymised analysis of ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Funds.
All financial wellbeing data reflects the 12 months to 31 January 2025.
Greenpeace Aotearoa says that it is deeply concerned about the safety of drinking water in the Ashburton District after close to one in five bore water samples tested for nitrate at the beginning of April exceeded levels linked withblue baby syndrome.
The organisation says that this is indicative of a failure by Environment Canterbury to protect drinking water from contamination.
Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says, “Environment Canterbury has a responsibility to protect Cantabrians, and they are failing in their duty by allowing drinking water contamination to exceed the Government’s maximum standards for nitrate contamination.”
Two samples tested were just over double the level of nitrate permitted in drinking water – a standard set in the 1950s to prevent Blue Baby Syndrome. However, this standard doesn’t capture other serious health risks associated with nitrate-contaminated drinking water.
Almost half of all bore water samples tested at Greenpeace Aotearoa’s Ashburton town hall water testing event in early April were above 5 mg/L of nitrate, a level linked to an increased risk of preterm birth. The New Zealand College of Midwives recommends pregnant people consider avoiding water above 5 mg/L for nitrate. A sample from the Hinds town supply also tested at 6.55 mg/L.
“It’s unacceptable that these communities have such high levels of nitrate in their drinking water, and it’s particularly concerning for pregnant people and small babies, whose health could be at risk,” adds Appelbe.
“Everybody, no matter where they live, should be able to drink the water from their kitchen tap without worrying about getting sick. This is a present and looming public health crisis for Mid Canterbury.”
There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that longer-term exposure to drinking water above 0.87 mg/L can increase the risk of bowel cancer. Greenpeace tested 27 samples from the Ashburton town supply, with a mean level of 2.06 mg/L.
“Safe drinking water is a fundamental necessity for life, and it’s alarming that rural communities are dealing with such dangerously high levels of nitrate contamination in their water.
“Intensive dairying is the main source of nitrate pollution in Canterbury – with nitrate from dairy cattle urine and synthetic nitrogen fertiliser leaching into drinking water supplies. The solution is clear – we need a phase out of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers and to transition to more sustainable forms of agriculture that don’t pollute the lakes, rivers and aquifers.
“Environment Canterbury must take action. Local body elections are approaching later this year, and people in the Ashburton District are ready to demand their elected representatives take action to address this drinking water crisis,” says Applebe.
Auckland councillors have approved the approach for the future use of around 1,200 properties bought out following the 2023 storms.
The policy guidingfuture land use decisionswas approved by the council’s Policy and Planning Committee. The 1,200 properties with high-risk homes are expected to be purchased by the end of 2025 – making this one of the largest land acquisitionprogrammes undertaken in Auckland.
Mayor Wayne Brown says the policy is an important step.
“We have to think about the future and this policy allows the council to consider the different ways the land can be used, including, importantly, what we can do to recoup ratepayer money allocated to purchase the high-risk properties,” says Mayor Brown.
“I’m committed to getting value for money for what is a significant investment for council, so it makes sense we carefully consider how we utilise land safely, sensibly, and economically to reduce the cost of the storm damage and return some of that investment, to Auckland ratepayers.”
Committee chair, councillor Richard Hills says it’s important to remember that severely storm-affected land (Category 3) has inherent risks that must be considered for any future use.
“To move people out of harm’s way – that’s why these properties were assessed and purchased in the buy-out scheme. While we want to use the land effectively to provide homes and maintain strong communities, safety will always be our top priority,” says Cr Hills.
Under the policy, the council will retain a large number of properties for flood resilience projects, other council services or where hazards such as unstable land must be safely managed. The council will also consider opportunities to sell some properties that can be used safely for other purposes.
Cr Hills stressed that with hundreds of pieces of land to assess, it will take several years before final decisions are made, a factor which he knows will be frustrating for affected communities.
“We understand communities have a keen interest in the future of storm-affected land, but we have to carefully make the best decisions for the land and the community.”
Director Policy, Planning and Governance Megan Tyler says the policy is all about finding safe and sensible options for the land, within the constraints of any hazard risks.
“This policy will guide how we assess the potential for each property, so that safety, future resilience and value for Aucklanders are top of mind.”
Aucklanders told the council through consultation in September 2023 they wanted to see the impact on rates from the buy-out programme minimised, which along with other recovery costs tallies to more than $1 billion.
If you have suggestions for specific Category 3 sites, you can provide these in theexpressions of interest register.
The removal of storm-affected homes will continue until late 2027, and the council will maintain the vacant land until the future land use is determined. You can read the frequently asked questions onOurAuckland.
E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.
Thank you for inviting Richard and me to join you today for this very special celebration of Vaisakhi at Gurudwara Sahib. It’s an honour to be the first Governor-General to visit your temple.
I wish to begin by acknowledgingyour holy book the Guru Granth Sahib. I also join you in celebrating the bounty of harvest-time, and in your expressions of gratitude for the food that will nourish our communities.
As Governor-General, one of my over-riding goals is to encourage a sense of inclusion and unity in New Zealand. I enjoy meeting New Zealanders of all faiths and backgrounds, and appreciate the contributions, expertise and aspirations we all bring – in our different ways – to Aotearoa.
This afternoon’s celebration is one of those occasions – in this instance, I welcome this opportunity to meet members of the Sikh community – and learn more about Sikhism, the sacred space of Gurudwara, and the traditions associated with visiting this temple and the celebration of Vaisakhi.
I was interested to learn that Sikhism is the fastest-growing religion in New Zealand, and about the role Gurudwara play in bringing your communities together and enabling you to hold fast to your cultural and spiritual heritage.
The last few years have tested our resilience in ways we could never have imagined. Last year, when we visited Hawkes Bay communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, it was a great privilege to meet Sikh people there who had showed such extraordinary compassion and generosity to people who had, in many instances, lost everything in the floods.
I want to acknowledge your efforts to not only promote egalitarian and humanitarian values, but also for doing your best to live them on a daily basis. Your generosity and compassion to those in need are deeply appreciated, and a reminder that true spirituality is expressed in our actions towards others.
My thanks once again for welcoming us into your temple and sharing this special occasion with us.