Source: Tertiary Education Commission
Cyber security webinars
Modified 19 June 2024
Over the last year, the Cyber Security for the Tertiary Sector initiative facilitated online webinars to help organisations in the New Zealand tertiary education sector to better understand cyber security and help them decide what steps they can take to become more secure.
https://www.tec.govt.nz/teo/working-with-teos/improving-cyber-security-in-the-tertiary-sector/how-to-improve-your-cyber-security
Source: New Zealand Government
Minister of State for Trade and Investment Nicola Grigg will travel to Fiji this week to attend the Pacific Island Forum’s Trade Ministers Meeting (FTMM).
“Trade plays a critical role in getting more money into your back pocket, helping you and your family to thrive. It drives employment, economic growth, and lifts the standard of living in New Zealand and across the Pacific,” Ms Grigg says.
The Pacific Island Forum’s (PIF) biennial Trade Ministers Meeting will be held in Suva on 18 July. It is a key regional event, bringing together Pacific trade ministers to discuss and shape the future of trade and economic integration.
“The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries to grow the positive impacts of trade. New Zealand’s attendance at the FTMM signals our continued commitment to regional cooperation, resilience, and leadership in advancing Pacific trade priorities under the 2050 Strategy for the Pacific Blue Continent,” Ms Grigg says.
“This key regional meeting provides a timely platform to discuss the critical importance of the rules-based trading system, with the World Trade Organisation at its core. This structure is particularly vital for small countries like New Zealand and PIF members. We are best served by a world in which trade flows freely governed by rules.
“I will attend a Fiji New Zealand Business Council event where the Council will launch its strategy to help reach the joint New Zealand and Fiji goal of lifting two-way trade to NZ$2 billion by 2030.
“I also look forward to engaging with my PACER Plus Ministerial counterparts. PACER Plus is the largest and most comprehensive trade agreement in our region. It is helping both large and small businesses — including women-led businesses — to grow; reduce costs through e-commerce and enhance regulatory cooperation between governments, streamline customs processes, paperless trade, and provisions on investment that protect investors; and to promote cross-border investment flows.
“While PACER Plus is a trade agreement, with currently 10 parties, that also speaks to the bonds between our nations, as neighbours, partners, and family, whose interests, prosperity, and well-being are intertwined.”
He accused the coalition government of being “too timid” and “afraid of offending President Donald Trump” to make a stand on the nuclear issue.
However, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand’s “overarching priority . . . is to work with Pacific partners to achieve a secure, stable, and prosperous region that preserves Pacific sovereignty and agency”.
The spokesperson said that through its foreign policy “reset”, New Zealand was committed to “comprehensive relationships” with Pacific Island countries.
“New Zealand’s identity, prosperity and security are intertwined with the Pacific through deep cultural, people, historical, security, and economic linkages.”
The New Zealand government commits almost 60 percent of its development funding to the region.
Pacific ‘increasingly contested’
The spokesperson said that the Pacific was becoming increasingly contested and complex.
“New Zealand has been clear with all of our partners that it is important that engagement in the Pacific takes place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities, is consistent with established regional practices, and supportive of Pacific regional institutions.”
They added that New Zealand’s main focus remained on the Pacific, “where we will be working with partners including the United States, Australia, Japan and in Europe to more intensively leverage greater support for the region.
“We will maintain the high tempo of political engagement across the Pacific to ensure alignment between our programme and New Zealand and partner priorities. And we will work more strategically with Pacific Governments to strengthen their systems, so they can better deliver the services their people need,” the spokesperson said.
However, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, writing in the prologue of Dr Robie’s book, said: “New Zealand needs to re-emphasise the principles and values which drove its nuclear-free legislation and its advocacy for a nuclear-free South Pacific and global nuclear disarmament.”
Dr Robie added that looking back 40 years to the 1980s, there was a strong sense of pride in being from Aotearoa, the small country which set an example around the world.
“We took on . . . the nuclear powers,” Dr Robie said.
“And the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was symbolic of that struggle, in a way, but it was a struggle that most New Zealanders felt a part of, and we were very proud of that [anti-nuclear] role that we took.
“Over the years, it has sort of been forgotten”.
‘Look at history’
France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia.
Until 2009, France claimed that its tests were “clean” and caused no harm, but in 2010, under the stewardship of Defence Minister Herve Morin, a compensation law was passed.
From 1946 to 1962, 67 nuclear bombs were detonated in the Marshall Islands by the US.
In 2024, then-US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, while responding to a question from RNZ Pacific about America’s nuclear legacy, said: “Washington has attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment.”
However, Dr Robie said that was not good enough and labelled the destruction left behind by the US, and France, as “outrageous”.
“It is political speak; politicians trying to cover their backs and so on. If you look at history, [the response] is nowhere near good enough, both by the US and the French.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
He accused the coalition government of being “too timid” and “afraid of offending President Donald Trump” to make a stand on the nuclear issue.
However, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand’s “overarching priority . . . is to work with Pacific partners to achieve a secure, stable, and prosperous region that preserves Pacific sovereignty and agency”.
The spokesperson said that through its foreign policy “reset”, New Zealand was committed to “comprehensive relationships” with Pacific Island countries.
“New Zealand’s identity, prosperity and security are intertwined with the Pacific through deep cultural, people, historical, security, and economic linkages.”
The New Zealand government commits almost 60 percent of its development funding to the region.
Pacific ‘increasingly contested’
The spokesperson said that the Pacific was becoming increasingly contested and complex.
“New Zealand has been clear with all of our partners that it is important that engagement in the Pacific takes place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities, is consistent with established regional practices, and supportive of Pacific regional institutions.”
They added that New Zealand’s main focus remained on the Pacific, “where we will be working with partners including the United States, Australia, Japan and in Europe to more intensively leverage greater support for the region.
“We will maintain the high tempo of political engagement across the Pacific to ensure alignment between our programme and New Zealand and partner priorities. And we will work more strategically with Pacific Governments to strengthen their systems, so they can better deliver the services their people need,” the spokesperson said.
However, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, writing in the prologue of Dr Robie’s book, said: “New Zealand needs to re-emphasise the principles and values which drove its nuclear-free legislation and its advocacy for a nuclear-free South Pacific and global nuclear disarmament.”
Dr Robie added that looking back 40 years to the 1980s, there was a strong sense of pride in being from Aotearoa, the small country which set an example around the world.
“We took on . . . the nuclear powers,” Dr Robie said.
“And the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was symbolic of that struggle, in a way, but it was a struggle that most New Zealanders felt a part of, and we were very proud of that [anti-nuclear] role that we took.
“Over the years, it has sort of been forgotten”.
‘Look at history’
France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia.
Until 2009, France claimed that its tests were “clean” and caused no harm, but in 2010, under the stewardship of Defence Minister Herve Morin, a compensation law was passed.
From 1946 to 1962, 67 nuclear bombs were detonated in the Marshall Islands by the US.
In 2024, then-US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, while responding to a question from RNZ Pacific about America’s nuclear legacy, said: “Washington has attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment.”
However, Dr Robie said that was not good enough and labelled the destruction left behind by the US, and France, as “outrageous”.
“It is political speak; politicians trying to cover their backs and so on. If you look at history, [the response] is nowhere near good enough, both by the US and the French.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
Occupied West Bank-based New Zealand journalist Cole Martin asks who are the peacemakers?
BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin
As a Kiwi journalist living in the occupied West Bank, I can list endless reasons why there is no peace in the “Holy Land”.
I live in a refugee camp, alongside families who were expelled from their homes by Israel’s violent establishment in 1948 — never allowed to return and repeatedly targeted by Israeli military incursions.
Daily I witness suffocating checkpoints, settler attacks against rural towns, arbitrary imprisonment with no charge or trial, a crippled economy, expansion of illegal settlements, demolition of entire communities, genocidal rhetoric, and continued expulsion.
No form of peace can exist within an active system of domination. To talk about peace without liberation and dignity is to suggest submission to a system of displacement, imprisonment, violence and erasure.
I often find myself alongside a variety of peacemakers, putting themselves on the line to end these horrific systems — let me outline the key groups:
Palestinian civil society and individuals have spent decades committed to creative non-violence in the face of these atrocities — from court battles to academia, education, art, co-ordinating demonstrations, general strikes, hīkoi (marches), sit-ins, civil disobedience. Google “Iqrit village”, “The Great March of Return”, “Tent of Nations farm”. These are the overlooked stories that don’t make catchy headlines.
Protective Presence activists are a mix of about 150 Israeli and international civilians who volunteer their days and nights physically accompanying Palestinian communities. They aim to prevent Israeli settler violence, state-sanctioned home demolitions, and military/police incursions. They document the injustice and often face violence and arrest themselves. Foreigners face deportation and blacklisting — as a journalist I was arrested and barred from the West Bank short-term and my passport was withheld for more than a month.
Reconciliation organisations have been working for decades to bridge the disconnect between political narratives and human realities. The effective groups don’t seek “co-existence” but “co-resistance” because they recognise there can be no peace within an active system of apartheid. They reiterate that dialogue alone achieves nothing while the Israeli regime continues to murder, displace and steal. Yes there are “opposing narratives”, but they do not have equal legitimacy when tested against the reality on the ground.
Journalists continue to document and report key developments, chilling statistics and the human cost. They ensure people are seen. Over 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza. High-profile Palestinian Christian journalist Shireen Abu-Akleh was killed by Israeli forces in 2022. They continue reporting despite the risk, and without their courage world leaders wouldn’t know which undeniable facts to brazenly ignore.
Humanitarians serve and protect the most vulnerable, treating and rescuing people selflessly. More than 400 aid workers and 1000 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza. All 38 hospitals have been destroyed or damaged, with just a small number left partially functioning. NGOs have been crippled by USAID cuts and targeted Israeli policies, marked by a mass exodus of expats who have spent years committed to this region — severing a critical lifeline for Palestinian communities.
All these groups emphasise change will not come from within. Protective Presence barely stems the flow.
Reconciliation means nothing while the system continues to displace, imprison and slaughter Palestinians en masse. Journalism, non-violence and humanitarian efforts are only as effective as the willingness of states to uphold international law.
Those on the frontlines of peacebuilding express the urgent need for global accountability across all sectors; economic, cultural and political sanctions. Systems of apartheid do not stem from corrupt leadership or several extremists, but from widespread attitudes of supremacy and nationalism across civil society.
Boycotts increase the economic cost of maintaining such systems. Divestment sends a strong financial message that business as usual is unacceptable.
Many other groups across the world are picketing weapons manufacturers, writing to elected leaders, educating friends and family, challenging harmful narratives, fundraising aid to keep people alive.
Where are the peacemakers? They’re out on the streets. They’re people just like you and me.
Cole Martin is an independent New Zealand photojournalist based in the occupied West Bank and a contributor to Asia Pacific Report. This article was first published by the Otago Daily Times and is republished with permission.
Occupied West Bank-based New Zealand journalist Cole Martin asks who are the peacemakers?
BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin
As a Kiwi journalist living in the occupied West Bank, I can list endless reasons why there is no peace in the “Holy Land”.
I live in a refugee camp, alongside families who were expelled from their homes by Israel’s violent establishment in 1948 — never allowed to return and repeatedly targeted by Israeli military incursions.
Daily I witness suffocating checkpoints, settler attacks against rural towns, arbitrary imprisonment with no charge or trial, a crippled economy, expansion of illegal settlements, demolition of entire communities, genocidal rhetoric, and continued expulsion.
No form of peace can exist within an active system of domination. To talk about peace without liberation and dignity is to suggest submission to a system of displacement, imprisonment, violence and erasure.
I often find myself alongside a variety of peacemakers, putting themselves on the line to end these horrific systems — let me outline the key groups:
Palestinian civil society and individuals have spent decades committed to creative non-violence in the face of these atrocities — from court battles to academia, education, art, co-ordinating demonstrations, general strikes, hīkoi (marches), sit-ins, civil disobedience. Google “Iqrit village”, “The Great March of Return”, “Tent of Nations farm”. These are the overlooked stories that don’t make catchy headlines.
Protective Presence activists are a mix of about 150 Israeli and international civilians who volunteer their days and nights physically accompanying Palestinian communities. They aim to prevent Israeli settler violence, state-sanctioned home demolitions, and military/police incursions. They document the injustice and often face violence and arrest themselves. Foreigners face deportation and blacklisting — as a journalist I was arrested and barred from the West Bank short-term and my passport was withheld for more than a month.
Reconciliation organisations have been working for decades to bridge the disconnect between political narratives and human realities. The effective groups don’t seek “co-existence” but “co-resistance” because they recognise there can be no peace within an active system of apartheid. They reiterate that dialogue alone achieves nothing while the Israeli regime continues to murder, displace and steal. Yes there are “opposing narratives”, but they do not have equal legitimacy when tested against the reality on the ground.
Journalists continue to document and report key developments, chilling statistics and the human cost. They ensure people are seen. Over 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza. High-profile Palestinian Christian journalist Shireen Abu-Akleh was killed by Israeli forces in 2022. They continue reporting despite the risk, and without their courage world leaders wouldn’t know which undeniable facts to brazenly ignore.
Humanitarians serve and protect the most vulnerable, treating and rescuing people selflessly. More than 400 aid workers and 1000 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza. All 38 hospitals have been destroyed or damaged, with just a small number left partially functioning. NGOs have been crippled by USAID cuts and targeted Israeli policies, marked by a mass exodus of expats who have spent years committed to this region — severing a critical lifeline for Palestinian communities.
All these groups emphasise change will not come from within. Protective Presence barely stems the flow.
Reconciliation means nothing while the system continues to displace, imprison and slaughter Palestinians en masse. Journalism, non-violence and humanitarian efforts are only as effective as the willingness of states to uphold international law.
Those on the frontlines of peacebuilding express the urgent need for global accountability across all sectors; economic, cultural and political sanctions. Systems of apartheid do not stem from corrupt leadership or several extremists, but from widespread attitudes of supremacy and nationalism across civil society.
Boycotts increase the economic cost of maintaining such systems. Divestment sends a strong financial message that business as usual is unacceptable.
Many other groups across the world are picketing weapons manufacturers, writing to elected leaders, educating friends and family, challenging harmful narratives, fundraising aid to keep people alive.
Where are the peacemakers? They’re out on the streets. They’re people just like you and me.
Cole Martin is an independent New Zealand photojournalist based in the occupied West Bank and a contributor to Asia Pacific Report. This article was first published by the Otago Daily Times and is republished with permission.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is warning motorists to be prepared for challenging driving conditions on central South Island highways over the next few days as freezing conditions set in.
Weather forecasts supplied to NZTA show that persistent freezing fog is likely for parts of State Highways 8 and 80 at least through until Sunday, along with hoar frosts and potential black ice on the roads. The area between Twizel and Tekapo on SH8 is expected to be especially high risk.
“These types of conditions are not new for roads in the Mackenzie Basin area, but it is important that motorists take notice and adjust their driving for the conditions. Especially when there is an increased risk like this over a number of days,” says NZTA maintenance contract manager Chris Chambers.
“We are expecting the freezing fog to hang around all day in places and there is a significant risk of black ice, especially in the mornings. All of this means increased risk of accidents and injury. It’s important that drivers take extra care and slow down in these conditions, increase their following distances and drive with their lights on.”
Fog on State Highway 8 presents a risk for motorists.
Roading contractors will be out around the clock in the coming days, checking the roads and gritting or de-icing the affected highways to reduce the risk.
“If people can avoid travelling on the affected highways during these times of increased risk, they should. Otherwise people need to plan ahead and be aware of the conditions they are travelling into by checking our Journey Planner site,” Mr Chambers says.
“We have the option of closing sections of highway, or introducing restrictions, if the conditions warrant it. Our preference is to keep the roads open, and motorists can help us do that by driving with caution or staying off the roads if they can.”
Source: New Zealand Government
New Zealand and Malaysia have committed to boosting trade in high-quality halal meat products.
Minister for Food Safety Andrew Hoggard says, “Malaysia is a significant market for New Zealand’s premium halal meat products, with exports of more than $60 million last year.”
“Malaysia is facilitating the approval of several New Zealand halal meat premises seeking first-time access to this market, which is crucial to growing exports.
“With a population of more than 35 million people, new access will help set the stage for significant growth in the Malaysian market.
“Once approved, this will boost returns for Kiwi farmers, processors and exporters,” Mr Hoggard says.
Malaysian authorities will visit the new premises to review their halal production processes as part of the approval process.
This progress was announced at a Halal Forum in Wellington today, hosted by Mr Hoggard and Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Rural and Regional Development Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Haji Hamidi.
Dato’ Seri Zahid says New Zealand and Malaysia are also working closely together to streamline the export requirements for New Zealand halal meat.
“Malaysia places significant importance on compliance with halal requirements.”
“We are working hard with New Zealand to strengthen halal collaboration, which includes refreshing the requirements for the export of halal meat to Malaysia. This is a testament to the strong relationship between both countries, and the confidence Malaysia has in New Zealand’s halal processing and assurance systems,” Dato’ Seri Zahid says.
Mr Hoggard says the refreshed requirements will help provide certainty for Kiwi producers in areas including registration of new premises, documentation, processing, labelling, packaging, and storage.
“New Zealand remains fully committed to our strong relationship with Malaysia and supplying the best quality halal products to consumers in this important market.”
Nelson-Tasman State of Emergency
NZ Super Fund-owned farms and orchards in the top of the South Island seem to have escaped the worst of the recent weather, with extensive cleaning up required but no significant damage to trees or infrastructure. Our thoughts are with those of our neighbours who have been hit hard by successive storms and heavy rain events over the past few weeks. The FarmRight team has been out in the community helping where it can.
Kaingaroa Timberlands expands plantation area
Kaingaroa Timberlands (KT), in which the Guardians has a 42 percent shareholding, recently announced it had bought 9,200 hectares of forestry land from Te Waihou Holdings Ltd.
Ryan Cavanagh, Chief Executive of KT subsidiary Timberlands, said the transaction underscored KT’s long-term commitment to New Zealand and its confidence in the forestry industry:
“By expanding our estate, we are not only securing the future of forestry in the Central North Island, we are also positioning ourselves to make further investments in our operations, driving further economic growth and job creation. It will help ensure New Zealand can remain a global leader in responsibly managed forestry.”
Ryan said the transaction preserves the land’s established role in commercial forestry and supports the South Waikato region’s economic and environmental objectives.
Select Committee Report tabled
The Finance & Expenditure Select Committee has presented a report on the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation to Parliament. The Committee’s report draws on our appearance before them on 2 April, and covers topics including performance, tax status, domestic investments, and the Elevate NZ Venture Fund. The full report can be found here.
Guardians Board Member joins Business Hall of Fame
Ahead of her induction next month into the NZ Business Hall of Fame, Guardians Board member Hinerangi Raumati talked to the NBR’s Mike McRoberts about the growing influence of kaupapa Māori in corporate New Zealand, and her own efforts to integrate Māori values and perspectives into mainstream boardrooms.
“There is a certain group dynamic that can happen in a room full of men … just bringing a different lens to things, as well as having a holistic view of the world, is what my approach has always been,” said Hinerangi – referring to a time in her career when she was frequently not only the sole Māori at the decision-making table but also the only woman.
Hinerangi also told the NBR that while it’s important to recognise what has been achieved, more remains to be done.
“None of us should sit on our laurels in terms of what we’ve achieved, and we shouldn’t lower our expectations either. Just keep raising the bar on what we’ve done. There’s good things being done in this country … we should all be proud of those things.”
Go to the Business Hall of Fame website for more information on Hinerangi and the other 2025 laureates; click here to read Mike McRoberts’ full story (paywalled).
Super Fund reintroduces buyout strategies
After stepping back from private market buyouts more than ten years ago, the NZ Super Fund is re-entering the global arena with a commitment of around US$800 million, reports i3Insights’ Florence Chong.
Doug Bell and Sian Orr from our External Investments & Partnerships team talked to Florence about how this initiative reflects a broader strategy designed to enhance international diversification, leverage specialist external managers, and integrate sustainability and other ESG considerations into the NZ Super Fund’s private markets programme.
Read the full article here: https://nzsuperfund.cmail20.com/t/d-l-suikyut-hujkdust-o/
This August, Kiwis are lacing up their walking shoes and joining PAWGUST, a nationwide challenge supporting the guide dogs who help New Zealanders live life without limits.
Whether you’re walking solo or side-by-side with your dog, PAWGUST invites you to step outside every day in August and help raise vital funds for Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs. Participants commit to walking or running a set distance while gathering sponsorship from fri
Source: New Zealand Government
Work is set to start on major upgrades to State Highway 76 (SH76) Brougham Street in Christchurch that will support economic growth and make it safer and easier for people to move through the city, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Earlier this year the Government confirmed Crown funding for this Road of Regional Significance, and being in Christchurch to turn the first sod today is an exciting step forward,” Mr Bishop says.
“Congestion and safety on SH76 Brougham Street have been issues of concern for Christchurch for some time now. Projects like this one are being prioritised by this Government because they’ll significantly improve how people, vehicles and freight get from A to B, and because of the flow-on productivity benefits to the wider roading network and our economy.
“SH76 Brougham Street is one of Christchurch’s busiest streets. It carries more than 45,000 vehicles per day, and it also serves as the main freight route to the South Island’s largest port at Lyttelton.
“There are also several schools and a retirement home close by, so the first stage of the project will focus on a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over Brougham Street at Collins Street and Simeon Street. This bridge will provide a safe crossing for kids getting to and from school, and for people with impaired mobility.
“Fulton Hogan will deliver the first stage of the project, with the bridge expected to be completed in about two years.
“The second stage of the upgrades will include improved traffic signals, T2 lanes (for vehicles with two or more occupants), new signalised crossings, and a shared path along the south side of Brougham Street.
“The Brougham Street upgrades are great example of the Government’s drive to deliver transport projects that will make a real difference for New Zealanders.”
Notes to editors:
Source: New Zealand Government
Jobseeker beneficiaries will be the focus of the Government’s employment programmes over the next three years, says Minister Louise Upston.
Minister Upston has welcomed an updated Ministry of Social Development employment investment strategy which runs through to June 2028, describing it as overdue.
“Prioritising beneficiaries into jobs should always be the employment focus for MSD but unfortunately that hasn’t always been the case,” Louise Upston says.
“This updated strategy makes it crystal clear MSD needs to be consistently focused on the job seekers already on benefits and getting them sorted first because that’s where they can make the most impact.
“I’ve also instructed MSD that it needs to work in more targeted ways, particularly when it comes to young people.
“That’s important because recent forecasts show that people under the age of 25 on Jobseeker Support are estimated to spend an average of 18 or more years on a benefit over their lifetimes – 49 per cent longer than in 2017.
“This is a human tragedy. We need to focus on the potential of one of New Zealand’s most powerful assets – our young people – and get them straight into first jobs.
“Frontline MSD staff do work hard in this area, and I know case managers working directly with clients is where MSD can make a real difference. This strategy reinforces that approach.
“Employment case management is important and should also be straightforward and practical. It can include something as simple as helping someone get an up-to-date CV, through to passing a driver licence.
“The Government continues to support MSD’s frontline staff – this year, Budget 2025 invested in retaining 490 frontline staff to help deliver vital employment services.
“Preventing young people getting stuck on a benefit will also be vitally important as we go on. Already in this term, we’ve introduced a new phone-based employment case management service which includes 6,000 18-24-year-old clients, we’ve got 2,100 more places for young people to get community job coaching, more regular work seminars, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their obligations.
“And just in the past weeks, MSD has kicked off a series of regional employment events, bringing together employers, providers and community organisations focused on a common goal – getting people into work.
“I’m also attending those events and hearing first-hand what’s needed to support employers, and job seekers. Our Government is determined to get Kiwis into jobs, grow New Zealand businesses, and grow the economy.”
Source: New Zealand Government
Good morning. It’s great to be here in Christchurch. Can I acknowledge Sam and Susan for having me here and to all of you for the important work you do around the country.
Can I also acknowledge my Ministerial colleague Simon Watts. Simon and I work really closely together, because the Local Government portfolio intersects so closely with Housing, Transport, Infrastructure and RMA Reform.
I thought I would begin with a reflection on the local government landscape.
As a starting point, it is clear to me that New Zealanders have serious questions about the performance of local government.
The Government shares those concerns.
New Zealanders question your “licence to lead”, to requisition your conference theme this year.
These questions have been bubbling for a long time, but this year it feels like they have reached a boiling point.
Restrictive planning rules holding back economic growth and exacerbating the housing crisis, crumbling local infrastructure, rapidly rising rates, and a reputation for largesse have led Kiwis to question whether local government is fit for purpose.
Key projects across the country continue to get declined by your own planning departments. Housing continues to be difficult to build, because of restrictive planning rules in your plans.
I still find myself trying to convince councils of basic economics: that restrictive planning leads to higher house prices, higher rents and intergenerational inequity.
Now, criticism of local government goes hand-in-hand with criticism of central government as well.
You would say, fairly, that our planning and infrastructure systems are broken.
You are right.
Central government has overseen the broken planning and infrastructure systems you’ve been operating within for 30 years. Only now are we starting to fix them and I’ll talk a bit about that today.
We have been a bad partner with you for a long time as well, with all of you relying on coordination across half a dozen central government Ministries to assist you in serving your communities.
As the Minister for most of those agencies, you don’t need to convince me about the difficulties you face in this coordination, believe me.
We have not made it easy for you.
As you know, there is massive work underway to fix the fundamentals of many of the problems I’ve just talked about.
Today I mainly want to talk about Resource Management Act Reform, but I want to briefly talk first about housing.
Going for Housing Growth
This government is determined to fix the fundamentals of our housing market and address New Zealand’s long-running housing crisis.
Fixing our housing crisis will help grow the economy by directing investment away from property.
It will help the cost of living by making renting or home ownership more affordable.
It will help the government books by reducing the amount of money we spend on housing subsidies.
Most importantly, letting our cities grow will help drive productivity growth, probably our greatest economic challenge.
Last year, I announced the Government’s Going for Housing Growth policy.
This is about getting the fundamentals of the housing market sorted.
Going for Housing Growth consists of three pillars of work:
Pillar 1 is about freeing up land for development and removing unnecessary planning barriers.
Pillar 2 is focused on improving infrastructure funding and financing to support urban growth, and Pillar 3 provides incentives for communities and councils to support growth.
Pillar 1 is very important.
Report after report and inquiry after inquiry has found that our planning system, particularly restrictions on the supply of urban land, are at the heart of our housing affordability challenge.
We are not a small country by land mass, but our planning system has made it difficult for our cities to grow. As a result, we have excessively high land prices driven by market expectations of an ongoing shortage of developable urban land to meet demand.
Pillar One of Going for Housing Growth will smash the urban limits holding our cities and regions back and will be delivered through our new planning laws that I’ll talk about in a moment, as well as the national direction that sits under them.
Put simply, it will be easier for our cities to grow upwards, particularly around public transport, and in city centres. It will also be easier for cities to expand outwards.
In February this year I talked to you about the changes we are making to infrastructure funding and financing to support urban growth.
Land supply is one thing. But infrastructure is critical.
You all know that under the status quo, councils and developers face significant challenges to fund and finance enabling infrastructure for housing.
Development Contributions are not fit for purpose. They under-recover costs of infrastructure and they are too inflexible.
We need to move to a future state where funding and financing tools enable a responsive supply of infrastructure where it is commercially viable to build new houses.
This will shift market expectations of future scarcity, bring down the cost of land for new housing, and improve incentives to develop land sooner instead of land banking.
To achieve this future, our overarching approach is that ‘growth pays for growth’.
I’m pleased to report that we’re making good progress on legislation to give you a more flexible toolkit of mechanisms to better support growth in a flexible planning environment.
I expect two Bills to be in the House by November this year. One Bill will replace Development Contributions with a new Development Levy System and make a series of other useful changes.
The second will overhaul the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act to make it much simpler to use.
These are all complex, major reforms that you have been asking for, for years. They deliver on this Governments commitment to make sure growth finally pays for growth.
I strongly encourage you to engage with this work. It is absolutely critical to New Zealand’s future. It is complicated and complex but it really matters. I cannot stress this enough to you.
We are committed to getting this toolkit in place and making it work for you and work for developers. DIA and HUD are here at the conference and are leading a workshop on the development of the new and updated tools.
The government expects you to use these tools to help support urban growth. You’ll see that in our City and Regional Deal Framework – and there will be help along the way to work out how to use them. That’s one of the reasons we’ve powered up the National Infrastructure Funding and Finance company, our new National Infrastructure Agency.
Last year you asked for new funding and financing tools and you released a list of 25.
We’ve acted.
Time of use pricing legislation is before Parliament.
We have made clear that all new roads will be considered for tolling.
Local Water Done Well is well underway.
Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act reform will be before Parliament before the end of the year – which we’ll use as a form of value capture, or cost recovery.
We’re replacing the Development Contribution regime.
We’ve introduced the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
But I have to say, the list of things councils want from government is growing, but the evidence that you are doing what you can to enable growth and cut your own cloth is shrinking. And New Zealanders are noticing.
You cry out for more financing and funding tools. We’re giving them to you. You ask for a better, simpler planning system. We’re giving this to you, too.
We are getting our house in order. Its time you sorted yours out.
I want you to make hard decisions about your spending. People don’t elect you to make the easy decisions – they elect you to make the tough ones.
This government has had to make some very tough calls, not all of them very popular.
My message to you is this.
It’s ok to build a local road without spending hundreds of thousands on artworks. Not everything you do has to be an architectural masterpiece. Not everything has to win awards for being the most sustainable or the most innovative or the most beautiful.
Simplicity is smart. Complexity is costly. Ratepayers don’t care what Greenstar rating your new council facilities have or whether some international architectural body thinks your latest build is pretty or not. The only awards your projects should be winning are for cost efficiency and effectiveness.
That’s where central government is heading. We’re moving to modular, standardised designs for school property and for hospital facilities. I’ve told NZTA to get back to basics with road building. Simplicity and cost-effectiveness are in and gold plating is out. New Zealand can’t afford it.
I also want local government to properly embrace your ability to supercharge growth, particularly through your control of the planning system.
Right now, many of your district and regional plans put a choke hold on your local economies and housing markets. That case is now incontrovertible.
Soon, you have an opportunity to rewrite these wrongs of the past. In the next term of local government, you will all be grappling with implementing New Zealand’s new planning system. A system that will be far more enabling of growth, housing, and business.
This year, elected members will be judged by New Zealand for their commitment to growing their local economies and their regions. They will be judged on whether they are going to help the housing crisis or hinder it.
I implore you to think about this when you are outlining your visions for your regions in the coming months.
Resource management reforms
Let me get onto the RMA. The Government is reforming our planning system after thirty three years with the failed experiment that is the RMA.
New Zealand is a country of only five million people on a land mass the size of the United Kingdom. Yet, we have managed to design a planning system that locks up so much land we have some of the most expensive houses in the developed world.
Achieving our economic goals will be impossible without fundamental planning reform.
A 2021 report commissioned by the Infrastructure Commission found the time taken to consent a major project more than doubled from 2014 to 2019 and we were spending $1.3 billion on resource consents a year.
This is a colossal amount for a resource management system that has consistently failed to deliver better outcomes for development and the natural environment.
We need to go as hard as we can to lift our economic growth rate. Growth is what raises our incomes and means better and higher paying jobs.
To achieve real growth, we need more roads, more farms, more congestion-busting public transport projects, more aquaculture, more mines, more housing, more transmission lines, and more electrification.
There are two broad objectives to our reform programme.
First, we aim to make it easier to get things done by unlocking development capacity for housing and business growth, accelerating delivery of high-quality infrastructure and enabling primary sector growth and development.
The second objective is to safeguard the environment and human health, adapt to the effects of climate change, and improve regulatory quality in the resource management system.
So, how are we getting on with our reform programme?
In December 2023, we repealed legislation the previous Government introduced to replace the Resource Management Act. This was Phase 1 of our reforms.
In December, under Phase 2 of the reforms, we passed the Fast-track Approvals Act. This will help drive economic growth by streamlining the process for approving infrastructure and development projects.
We are also in the midst of the biggest series of changes to national direction in New Zealand’s history. We are amending 12 different instruments and the introducing four new instruments, centred on three packages: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater.
Our intention is to carry over most of this work into the new system.
Replacing the RMA
That brings me to our replacement planning system, or Phase 3 of our reforms.
We have been developing new legislation to replace the RMA since an expert advisory group delivered its blueprint for reform at the start of the year. We are delivering a radical new system.
One big change is to narrow the scope of the resource management system and the effects it controls. The RMA right now just does far too much.
When you’re trying to manage for everything, often, you achieve nothing.
The new system will have a narrower approach to effects management based on the economic concept of externalities. Effects that are borne solely by the party undertaking the activity will not be controlled, while financial or competitive matters will be excluded.
No more council officers telling someone how their living room should look. Or where their washing line should do. Or what way their front door should face.
The other big change I wanted to mention now is around standardised zones.
There will be national set standards around land use zones in the new system.
New Zealand does not need 1,175 different types of zones. In Japan, which uses standardised planning, they have only 13 zones.
Standardised zones will significantly reduce the cost of plan development borne by councils.
Across New Zealand local government incurs costs of $90 million per year, developing consulting and implementing regional and district plans.
Under the new system, council costs for developing your own zones, definitions, policies, objectives, rules and overlays will significantly reduce, as these would be set at the national level.
They will focus on where the zones developed by central government will apply, and develop bespoke zones, if needed.
An economic analysis of the EAG report estimated a halving in the overall costs of plan making and implementation, across the country. This could save an estimated $14.8 billion in council administrative and compliance costs, over a 30-year period.
Enabling a new planning and natural environment system will reset how we plan for New Zealand’s future growth.
It will require change to how central government provides direction on the things that matter most to New Zealanders, and to how local government delivers these things for communities. It will require new institutions, such as a national regulator, to support delivery.
I want to acknowledge at this point the discussion about the future of regional councils and local government reform. As I’ve said publicly, once you start thinking about RMA reform, you quite quickly get into a discussion about “who does what” in the system, and whether things could be improved.
Of course back in the late 1980s while Geoffrey Palmer was taking a break from putting the House into urgency to draft the RMA, Michael Bassett was doing local government reform contemporaneously.
So, we’re having a look at the functions we will need in the new system. Nothing is off the table, but I am mindful of the scale and pace of change that we’re undertaking already.
The new legislation is on track to be introduced by the end of this year, pass next year, and come into force in 2027.
There are big economic benefits for New Zealand and your local communities if we get this right.
I encourage you to consider how you prepare for this change over the next twelve months and how to make the most of the new tools we are providing local government to enable growth.
Stopping unnecessary plan changes under the RMA
In light of this speedy transition, we have to start thinking about what we need to do now to help councils focus their efforts, as well as save ratepayers money.
Plans created in the new system will necessarily look and operate differently to RMA plans – meaning that planning work completed under the RMA may be incompatible with the new system.
I have heard from councils that, despite our plans to replace the RMA, you are still required by the law to plough on with 10-year plan and policy statement reviews and implement the requirements of the National Planning Standards.
These requirements tie up council resources on planning processes that are unlikely to be completed by the time the new system is in place, and even worse, will be largely wasted.
We don’t want you to waste your limited resources on tinkering unnecessarily with plans under the RMA when very soon, you should instead be spending that time preparing for the RMA’s replacement.
Today I am announcing that the Government will stop unnecessary plan changes under the RMA – except for limited plans that we consider important to continue. This will be done via an amendment to the RMA Amendment Bill currently before the House. It had its second reading yesterday.
The change we are making will suspend requirements for councils to complete 10-year plan and regional policy statement reviews, as well as implement national planning standards.
Councils will not be able to notify new plan or policy statements or changes to them unless they meet certain exemption criteria.
Plan or policy statement changes that have been notified, but not proceeded to hearings, will also be subject to the plan stop. Provisions that had legal effect on notification will be reversed. These plan changes will need to be withdrawn, unless they meet exemption criteria.
There is little point in progressing long and costly hearings on a plan change that will be incompatible with the new planning system, or probably won’t even be complete by the time the new system is switched on.
Councils that are using the Streamlined Planning Process, private plan changes, or parts of plan changes that uphold Treaty settlement obligations or relate to natural hazards, will be exempt from the plan stop.
Councils will also be able to apply to the Minister for the Environment if they have important plan changes that can’t wait until the new system. There’s a process to support this.
Councils and ratepayers have been calling for this kind intervention to relieve pressure on their resources where work is likely to be significantly changed under the new system.
So my message is that the transition to the new system starts now.
Regulation making power
As part of this transition, a few weeks ago I announced that Cabinet has agreed to insert a temporary regulation making power in the second RMA amendment Bill before it goes back to Parliament for its final reading.
This power would allow the Government to modify or remove provisions in council plans if they negatively impact economic growth, development capacity or employment.
We know this is a significant step, but New Zealanders elected us with a mandate to deliver economic growth and rebuild our economy, and that’s exactly what this new power will help do.
We aren’t willing to let a single line in a district plan unjustifiably hold back potential economic, employment or development opportunities.
You should also see this as an opportunity. I know how painful plan change processes are, how costly, and how long. I suspect you all could name one or two things in your local plans that you have slated for removal though your next plan change process.
Well, this is your chance. Write to me yourselves, and highlight provisions you want removed from your plans to enable growth.
Embedding a ‘yes’ culture
I want to end today by reminding you all of the size of our planning problems, and the size of the prize in getting these reforms right.
Consenting costs are up 70 per cent since 2014 and the average time to process consents is up 50 per cent.
The consents that your planning departments issue are far too complex, and include lengthy, disproportionate conditions. One example is from a NZTA project, where the condition decision document was 170 pages long.
The problem is not limited to significant infrastructure. Consents for relatively minor repairs are also unduly complex. To carry out minor maintenance to repair culverts now sometimes requires a full consent and full hydrological and engineering assessment. Just to repair a culvert.
Plans used to be simple. In the 1970s, when New Zealand building numbers were some of the highest they had ever been, the Wellington and Christchurch district plans were less than 200 pages long. By the early 2000s, both cities had plans in excess of 1000 pages, and were violently complex. Now, they are even longer.
Local government has a key role to play in implementing this bold new system. But we need you to truly grasp and drive the opportunity these reforms present.
This means properly balancing the protection of the environment with the necessity of development.
It means accepting that things like houses, supermarkets, and quarries are not ‘nice to haves’; they are essentials for human life.
It means recognising that we live in a market economy, not a planned one.
It means understanding that we cannot justify being as restrictive and fragmented as we have been in the past.
As a country, we have to start saying ‘yes’ a lot more, and ‘no’ a lot less.
The stakes are big: can we build a system that responds to need, not NIMBYs? One that treats enabling land use as an economic necessity, not a nice to have?
We are not interested in tinkering. We are building a planning system where growth of our urban areas, infrastructure and primary sector is not just allowed – it’s expected. Where councils are accountable for delivering capacity, not blocking it.
The time for excuses is over. The culture of “yes” starts now.
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government will stop councils wasting their officers’ time and their ratepayers’ money on plan changes in advance of the new planning system coming into force, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.
“The Resource Management Act (RMA) has crippled New Zealand for decades, and the Government’s planning system reforms are well underway to make it easier to get things done in New Zealand,” Mr Bishop says.
“We’ve already made a series of quick and targeted amendments to provide relief to our primary sector and passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to speed up the consenting process for projects with regional or nationally significant benefits. We’ve also opened consultation on sweeping changes to the regulations that sit under the RMA, and next month our second RMA Amendment Bill is expected to pass into law which will make important changes in the short-term to make it quicker and simpler to consent renewable energy, boost housing supply, and reduce red tape for the primary sector.
“Later this year the Government will introduce two new Acts to completely replace the RMA – one Act to focus on land-use planning and the second to focus on the natural environment. The new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure as well as protect the environment.
“The existing RMA mandates that councils review their plans and policy statements every ten years. This has led to a situation where, even though councils know the RMA’s days are numbered, many are required to continue with time consuming, expensive plan-making processes under the RMA.
“Much of this planning work won’t be completed or implemented by the time the new system takes effect in 2027. Even if it were, it would need significant changes in the next couple of years to comply with the new planning laws.
“So rather than let these pricey, pointless planning and policy processes play out, the Government will be giving councils clarity on where to focus their efforts while they await the new planning system.
“The Government will suspend councils’ mandatory RMA requirements to undertake plan and regional policy statement reviews every ten years, and the requirement to implement national planning standards. We will also extend the restriction on notifying freshwater planning instruments which we put in place last year.
“Councils will be required to withdraw plan reviews and changes that have not started hearings as soon as possible and within 90 days of the law coming into effect. Any rules that have immediate legal effect will continue to apply until the plan review or plan change is withdrawn by councils and then those rules will no longer apply. We will also stop new plan changes and reviews from being notified, except where there is good reason for them to continue.
“This decision has been made after careful consideration, and a recommendation from an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) that the Government relieve some of the workload of councils in the lead up to the new resource management system.
“The Government’s intention is that stopping plan requirements for councils will enable them to focus on critical work to prepare to transition to the new system.”
Exemption pathways and notification
“Plan reviews and changes will be stopped through an Amendment Paper to the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill, which is expected to become law next month.
There are a limited number of plan changes that will be automatically exempt from the stopping of a plan change. Examples of automatic exemptions include Streamlined Planning Processes and private plan changes (which are initiated by landowners and developers).
“The Government believes it’s also important that councils can continue work on proposed plans, or parts of proposed plans, that relate to natural hazard management as well as for plan changes required by Treaty settlement agreements. Proposed plans that address these matters will be subject to an exemption.
“The proposed amendment also allows councils to apply to the Minister for the Environment for an exemption to continue or notify a new plan change.
“I want to be clear that stopping plan changes does not mean stopping progress on work that supports the Government’s priorities in areas like housing, intensification and urban development, and councils will have pathways to continue with work that unlocks housing growth,” Minister Bishop says.
The Government is currently consulting on national direction proposals that councils will not have to change plans to implement. Information is available here: Consultation on updating RMA national direction | Ministry for the Environment
Innovative RedShield identity challenge responds to evolving threat landscape
Auckland, New Zealand, 16 July 2025 – RedShield, a web application security service using AWS technology, has introduced a new layer of security in response to the proliferation of ever-more-sophisticated Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) and automated bot attacks.
The new ‘Third Horizon’ protection that RedShield is introducing to its service thwarts DDoS attacks by disrupting the attack vector, requiring bad actors to respond in ways that cannot easily be managed by typical automated tools to gain access to a web application.
“Much of the security industry remains focused on traffic profiling via AI-driven anomaly detection,” said Fabian Partigliani, Chief Executive Officer at RedShield.
“As a result, traditional anomaly detection alone is no longer enough as a defence. In response to the escalation of DDoS and automated bot attacks, RedShield is introducing the ‘Third Horizon’ as the next evolution of DDoS and bot protection.”
Practical barriers to bad actors
The Third Horizon introduces additional practical barriers to automated attacks. When deployed to protect an application, and RedShield’s controls detect suspicious activity, users seeking access to a web application must first provide a valid email address and then verify their identity via a code sent to that address. This adds friction and therefore cost to the attacker seeking to make automated attacks. While this may seem like a familiar two factor authentication approach, Third Horizon comes into play even when there is no existing user account.
“Third Horizon adds a layer of complexity that bad actors hate because it costs them more time, resources, and money,” says Partigliani. “There are no simple technologies available to let them create enormous volumes of fake user accounts and then retrieve and enter verification for each one. An attacker will typically go and find an easier target.”
Three layers of protection
RedShield’s protection operates on multiple horizons:
According to the Imperva Bad Bot Report, almost half of all 2024 traffic was related to bot activity, with almost one third of the overall global traffic being connected to malicious bots. While attacks of greater than 1 terabit per second (Tbps) grew 1800% globally from Q3 to Q4 last year alone, a bigger concern is their sophistication. Bots mimic humans to take over accounts, scrape data, or overload specific functions like login pages or checkout processes. Attacks target APIs and business logic, putting New Zealand businesses at risks of operational disruption, data theft, and reputational damage.
RedShield’s service applies its three horizon approach and AWS’ global infrastructure to protect organisations from even these latest threats. RedShield’s Third Horizon will be available to customers in the coming weeks, on request, as an additional service for critical applications that need an extra layer of protection.
RedShield solutions are available on the AWS Marketplace.
About RedShield
For more information visit RedShield’s website and LinkedIn pages:
– https://www.redshield.co
– https://www.linkedin.com/company/redshield-security
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is increasing its financial contribution to support rural communities in the Nelson Tasman Region, with additional funding to help farmers, foresters, growers and rural contractors recover from recent severe weather events.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay speaking during a visit to the Tasman District today announced an additional $600,000 in Government and industry support, bringing the total Government financial contribution for the affected primary sector to $500,000.
“These regions have experienced significant damage to forests, farms and rural infrastructure. This funding will help meet immediate recovery needs and help rural businesses get back on their feet,” Mr McClay says.
The support package includes:
“We continue to work with New Zealand Winegrowers to ensure appropriate support for affected vineyards, including the potential use of Enhanced Taskforce Green,” Mr McClay said.
“Many farmers and growers are facing their second clean-up in a fortnight from floods and storm damage. Rural communities are resilient, but the relentless wet weather conditions have taken a toll. This support is designed to provide meaningful and direct assistance quickly,” Mr McClay says.
MPI staff are on the ground working with the Rural Support Trust and industry groups assessing damage and coordinating assistance.
“Farmers, foresters and growers will face many, many months of work to repair damage to their land and get their businesses back on track. We will continue to assess what further assistance might be required.”
“Farmers and growers who need help or assistance should in the first instance contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254,” Mr McClay said.
Source: New Zealand Government
Families of Deaf children and teenagers are among those able to take part in 11 community projects being funded to boost sign language In New Zealand.
Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston says together, the projects will receive a total of almost $250,000 to maintain and promote the use of New Zealand Sign Language.
“Each year, the NZSL Board distributes community grants to projects supporting and encouraging the use of NZSL,” Minister Upston says.
“This year, it’s fantastic to see a particularly wide range of funded initiatives including:
“I want to congratulate the NZSL and Deaf community organisations who have been successful,” Louise Upston says.
“Many Deaf children are born into hearing families, so NZSL classes for these families are important to ensure these children get access to language from a young age.
“I am also excited to see initiatives that strengthen our NZSL interpreter workforce, help the Deaf community to find information in NZSL all in one location, and provide NZSL-first spaces at Deaf clubs.”
NZSL is an official language used by almost 25,000 New Zealanders. The NZSL Board promotes the use of NZSL and provides expert advice to government and the community.
The Government, through the NZSL Board, invests about $1 million each year to support initiatives and projects that maintain and promote NZSL.
Notes for Editors
More information about the projects being funded can be found here:
https://www.nzsl.govt.nz/nzsl-community-grants/previous-nzsl-community-grant-rounds/2025-recipients
An NZSL translation of this media release can be found here:
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government has welcomed the announcement by the Medical Council of New Zealand that will see doctors from Chile, Luxembourg, and Croatia added to the Comparable Health System pathway, which will streamline the registration process and help strengthen New Zealand’s frontline health workforce, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“This is a practical step that will help us get more doctors into hospitals and clinics across the country more quickly,” Mr Brown says.
“New Zealand is in an international contest to train, attract, and retain skilled medical professionals. The addition of Chile, Luxembourg, and Croatia to the list of Comparable Health Systems will make it easier for qualified doctors from these countries to live and work in New Zealand.”
The Comparable Health System pathway enables international medical graduates from certain countries to fast-track their registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand, provided their qualifications and training meet recognised standards. With this latest decision, there are now 29 countries on the list, following the inclusion of Japan and South Korea earlier this year in February.
“New Zealand has long benefited from the skills and expertise of international medical professionals. They play a vital role in supporting our domestically trained workforce and ensuring patients can access timely, quality healthcare,” Mr Brown says.
“This builds on other initiatives the Government has to boost New Zealand’s health workforce. Earlier this year I announced a two-year training programme to support up to 100 additional overseas-trained doctors into New Zealand’s primary care workforce.
“Over 180 expressions of interest were received for this programme, exceeding the number of places available. This strong response shows that there is untapped potential in New Zealand. Overseas trained doctors are eager to work where they are most needed, and this Government is opening the door for them to do so.
“Through our record $16.68 billion investment across three Budgets, we are making sure our health system is properly resourced to meet the growing demands placed on it. That funding is already delivering results, with record funding for general practice to increase capacity, upgraded urgent care services across the country, and a new 24/7 digital health service. This is how we are putting patients first.
“The Medical Council’s announcement adds to the body of work the Government is undertaking to rebuild our health system around the needs of patients, so that all New Zealanders can receive the timely, quality healthcare they need.”
Source: New Zealand Government
Kiwi households and businesses will be able to save more on their electricity bills as a result of changes announced by the Electricity Authority (EA) today, Energy Minister Simon Watts and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say.
“The changes today are welcome developments for consumers who are not getting a fair deal at present from the energy market,” Mr Watts says.
“First, solar is getting another big boost – energy companies must now pay households with rooftop solar and battery who export their electricity to the grid at peak times a fair price for that electricity – this will help reduce power bills and encourage more solar installations and electricity generation.
“The large energy companies will also need to offer time of use plans by 30 June 2026 to provide better options for customers to save money by moving their electricity use from peak periods.”
Mr Watts says these simple solutions will help Kiwis with the cost-of-living impacts driven in part by rising electricity costs.
“New Zealand needs more electricity generation to power our economy, and Kiwis rightly expect abundant and affordable energy, which this government is taking action to deliver.
“The Government is working on a review of the electricity sector, with a focus on ensuring Kiwis get a fair price and aren’t hit in their pockets, and on addressing energy shortages.”
“The new rules announced today will give New Zealanders more ways to reduce their costs and will incentivise uptake of solar and battery systems, as well as drive power prices down over the long term. Ensuring energy companies pay a fair price for consumers exporting electricity to the network is one of the single best ways to help boost solar uptake to date.
“I want to see more New Zealanders benefitting from the smarter use of electricity. For this to happen, the electricity sector must appropriately reward consumers for the benefits they provide when they shift their power use away from peak times.
Mr Jones says that as our electricity market evolves, these small-scale systems will play an increasingly important role in enabling peak morning and evening demand to be met with local supply.
“With new, fairer rebates in place, there will be better opportunities for people to receive income from solar electricity they sell back to the grid.”
The Task Force was established by the Electricity Authority and Commerce Commission, with MBIE as an observer in August last year in response to the winter power crisis.
The Task Force is focused on enabling new generators and independent retailers to enter, and fairly compete, in the market as well as providing more options for consumers.
“I thank the Task Force members and the Authority for their work in reaching these decisions. There is more work to do, and I look forward to further Task Force decisions in coming weeks,” Mr Watts says.
Source: Privacy Commissioner
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says New Zealanders need to improve how they’re using passwords.
His warning comes because he’s concerned about the increased risk of privacy breaches caused by privacy spraying. That’s where hackers find one password and then try it on other accounts to see if it will work to open those as well. People recycling passwords for multiple accounts are falling victim.
“Our strong suggestion is for people to have a different password for each account they have. Making a password unique means if one account is hacked then there’s no chance it can also be used to open other accounts and create even more damage”, Mr Webster says.
“Having unique passwords is a great way to make a hacker’s job far harder.”
There are several other things people can do to help protect their personal information. Using a password manager to store all your passwords is a good fix and there are many different options, many of which are free.
People can also use long and strong passwords and change them immediately if they’ve been hacked. Turning on two-factor identification is another good layer of protection.
“Having your information breached on one account is bad enough, but by using a dedicated password and adding extra security steps you can help prevent hackers accessing other accounts and causing even more harm.
Personal information has value, so the more protection you have in place the better. Any step people can take to deter hackers is a good step to take and unique passwords are an excellent start.”