Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police are making enquiries following damage to a number of water meters, directly impacting the Huntly Reservoir water levels.
We would like to hear from anyone with information that could assist our enquiries, including any reports of suspicious behaviour around the Huntly area over the weekend.
You can contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, referencing file number 250407/6712.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government has announced the New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF) will stop making new investments and will wind down its existing portfolio, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.
“Almost $400 million has been invested with very limited results and there are more than 20 other government funds operating with similar objectives to the NZGIF,” Mr Watts says.
“Alongside this, the market for low emission investments has grown, there are more funding and financing products, and we have a more robust Emissions Trading Scheme, reducing the need for government involvement.
“This Government is serious about climate change, that’s why we have committed to doubling renewable energy, investing in technology to lower emissions while boosting productivity, and cutting barriers to green investment.
“We will prioritise actions that have the greatest impact on emissions and growth and will provide real value for money. In the current economic environment New Zealanders want assurance that taxpayer money is being well spent and delivering results. We believe NZGIF is no longer aligned to that vision.”
The transition will be carried out in a structured and responsible manner, ensuring that all stakeholders are kept informed.
Within 90 days NZGIF will develop a plan for Ministers outlining how changes at the company will be implemented.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Drivers travelling on sections of State Highway 1 on Vivian Street and Kent Terrace can expect smoother journeys ahead, with resurfacing works planned next week.
Three nights of work are planned for Sunday, 13 April, Tuesday, 15 April, and Wednesday, 16 April. Weather permitting, work crews will be on site between 9 pm and 4:30 am each night.
Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Alliance Manager, says these central city sections of State Highway 1 are heavily used.
“Heavy traffic causes damage over time, and these areas need resurfacing. It will make travel through the CBD smoother and safer for drivers.”
Ms Hilliard says the aim is to get the work done as quickly as possible.
“Work crews will work at night when traffic volumes are lower. Vivian Street and Kent Terrace are busy during the day, and we do not want to disrupt traffic in peak periods because of the delays this would cause.”
She says the work will require altered lane layouts, a one-night closure of SH1/Vivian Street between Tory Street and Kent Terrace, and a two-night closure of the Kent Terrace/Pirie Street intersection.
“Unfortunately, we cannot do this sort of work without affecting traffic. However, there are alternative routes on local roads drivers can use.”
“People will still be able to get through the central city, they will just need to allow for a little more travel time,” Ms Hilliard says.
Work crews will do their best to control noise and its impact on inner-city residents. Residents can expect to hear noise on nights when work is underway near their properties. We aim to complete the noisiest part of the work between 9 pm and 11 pm.
Source: Samsung
Galaxy S25 series users can experience new visual conversation capabilities through a free software update
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – April 8, 2025 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the rollout of a new AI experience with Gemini Live, bringing real-time visual conversations with AI to Galaxy users. The feature will begin rolling out on April 7, starting with the Galaxy S25 series available for any users free of charge.
Through AI-powered assistance, Galaxy users can more naturally engage in conversational interactions that make everyday tasks easier. Just press and hold the side button to show Gemini Live[1] what you see while simultaneously interacting with it in a live conversation.
Imagine picking out an outfit or reorganising a closet. Gemini Live can now make those everyday decisions easier. By simply pointing the camera, users can get suggestions on how to categorise items and optimise space, or share their screen while browsing online retailers to receive personalised style advice. With the ability to see what the user sees and respond in real time, Galaxy S25 series feels like a trusted friend who’s always ready to help.
“Together with Google, we are marking a bold step toward the future of mobile AI, delivering smarter interactions that are deeply in sync with how we live, work and communicate,” said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “With this new visual capability, Galaxy S25 series brings next-generation AI experiences to life, setting new standards for how users engage with the world through their devices.”
On April 7, Gemini Live with camera and screen sharing capabilities will start rolling out to all Galaxy S25 series users at no additional cost. For more information about Galaxy S25 series, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsungmobilepress.com and Samsung.com.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
Source: IHC
Joint Statement – Disability advocates, including IHC and New Zealand Down Syndrome Association, are calling on the New Zealand Government to reverse a deeply discriminatory immigration policy that targets children with intellectual disabilities.
A six-year-old boy with Down syndrome, the child of a South African couple living in Waikato, is facing deportation following new immigration rules introduced by Minister of Immigration Erica Stanford. Under changes announced in March, children of temporary visa holders who have a “severe cognitive or development disorder that requires significant support” are no longer eligible for student or visitor visas.
“This policy sends a chilling message: that children with intellectual disabilities are not welcome here,” said Tania Thomas, Director of Advocacy at IHC. “We work with many talented people with intellectual disabilities who bring enormous value to our workplaces and communities. These changes are shameful.”
Zandra Vaccarino, National Executive Officer for the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA), says this is not an isolated case.
“Just last week, I spoke to another family with a four-year-old son who was declined a visa. These decisions are devastating, and the process is not only unjust, it’s traumatic,” says Zandra.
“Such refusals reflect systemic discrimination and are driven by policies that perpetuate ableist assumptions, which ignore the value and potential of people with Down syndrome and violate their fundamental rights — including those protected under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which New Zealand is a signatory.”
Advocates say the new policy compounds an already discriminatory immigration system, which bars many disabled people from becoming permanent residents due to the so-called “acceptable standard of health” criteria.
The new policy also appears to fly in the face of international human rights obligations. In 2022, the (UNCRPD) criticised New Zealand’s immigration rules, saying the health criteria allowed for discrimination against disabled people in practice.
Rather than acting on those recommendations, the Government has introduced stricter visa settings for families with disabled children. Disability advocates say this signals a worrying trend: instead of addressing underfunding in the education system, the Government is pushing the burden onto migrant families.
“The education system is stretched – that’s not in dispute. But punishing disabled children and their families for systemic underfunding is not the solution,” says Tania. “This move effectively blames vulnerable children for the state’s failure to invest in inclusive education.”
Minister Stanford has said the new rules will improve transparency, preventing situations where a child is granted a temporary visa but later denied residency due to high support needs. However, advocates argue that “transparency” is being used to justify unfair and exclusionary treatment.
The United Nations has urged New Zealand to remove discriminatory provisions from its immigration policy, yet there has been no substantive change. When questioned by media, Minister Stanford declined to comment on individual cases. Her spokesperson reiterated that support for children with additional needs is “significantly oversubscribed” and that it is “entirely appropriate” to ensure the education system can respond to New Zealand children first.
But Tania says blaming underfunding in the education system is no excuse for targeting children with disabilities.
“This isn’t a funding issue. It’s a values issue,” she said. “New Zealand must decide whether it sees disabled children as a burden or as equal members of our society.”
About IHC New Zealand
IHC New Zealand advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with intellectual disabilities and supports them to live satisfying lives in the community. IHC provides advocacy, volunteering, events, membership associations and fundraising. It is part of the IHC Group, which also includes IDEA Services, Choices NZ and Accessible Properties.
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
This research report was commissioned by the Ministry to help inform the Review of Certain Matters under the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977. It was one of three reports commissioned for three different consumer groups.
The research report focuses on the experiences of rainbow people and provides insights into how abortion health care services are perceived and accessed by this group since changes to the law in 2020.
The overarching theme from the report of rainbow people involved the structural heteronormative discrimination of the health system against the rainbow community. A central component of this discrimination was a lack of recognition of the reproductive potential, ability and needs of the rainbow population.
Three reports were commissioned of three different consumer groups, and a brief summary of the reports below outlines some common themes about abortion health care services since law change.
Where comparisons are made to abortion services prior to law change, these changes have improved the experience of the people involved in these reports. The ability to use telehealth, self-refer, and improvements in timeliness are particularly noted across the reports. The use of telehealth appears to be a useful option for some, while others had issues with the technology.
Intersecting layers of societal discrimination and inequity were described as key drivers of experience for rainbow and disabled people.
Abortion remains a sensitive topic, particularly for rainbow and disabled people. However, providers of abortion services were overwhelmingly perceived to be accepting and non-judgmental, suggesting that the concerns expressed by some people interviewed reflected biases outside of the abortion services.
All groups reported some difficulties in accessing information regarding abortion despite information being available through multiple mechanisms. However, once individuals were engaged with abortion services the quality and availability of information was reported as being adequate.
The reports identified a potential issue regarding the availability and timing of abortion counselling. Regarding contraception, ongoing contraception appears to be discussed routinely as standard practice, although some individuals felt they were provided with limited options or not provided with a full explanation of the risks and benefits of the range of options offered.
The other two reports, for Māori and Pacific peoples and disabled people are available here:
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
This research report was commissioned by the Ministry to help inform the Review of Certain Matters under the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977. It was one of three reports commissioned for three different consumer groups.
The research report focuses on the experiences of disabled people and provides insights into how abortion health care services are perceived and accessed by this group since changes to the law in 2020.
The over-arching themes from the report for disabled people was that provision of abortion services for people with disabilities is positioned within a wider societal attitude to disability and eugenics. The issue of abortion services for disabled people is presented as a human rights issue which is highlighted within the group of disabled people because of the association with inheritable disease.
Three reports were commissioned of three different consumer groups, and a brief summary of the reports below outlines some common themes about abortion health care services since law change.
Where comparisons are made to abortion services prior to law change, these changes have improved the experience of the people involved in these reports. The ability to use telehealth, self-refer, and improvements in timeliness are particularly noted across the reports. The use of telehealth appears to be a useful option for some, while others had issues with the technology.
Intersecting layers of societal discrimination and inequity were described as key drivers of experience for rainbow and disabled people.
Abortion remains a sensitive topic, particularly for rainbow and disabled people. However, providers of abortion services were overwhelmingly perceived to be accepting and non-judgmental, suggesting that the concerns expressed by some people interviewed reflected biases outside of the abortion services.
All groups reported some difficulties in accessing information regarding abortion despite information being available through multiple mechanisms. However, once individuals were engaged with abortion services the quality and availability of information was reported as being adequate.
The reports identified a potential issue regarding the availability and timing of abortion counselling. Regarding contraception, ongoing contraception appears to be discussed routinely as standard practice, although some individuals felt they were provided with limited options or not provided with a full explanation of the risks and benefits of the range of options offered.
The other two reports, for Māori and Pacific peoples and rainbow people are available here:
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
This research report was commissioned by the Ministry to help inform the Review of Certain Matters under the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977. It was one of three reports commissioned for three different consumer groups.
The research report focuses on the experiences of Māori and Pacific peoples and provides insights into how abortion health care services are perceived and accessed by this group since changes to the law in 2020.
The over-arching theme from this study was that abortion services had become safer and more accessible since the legislation changed, but ongoing improvements are required to move clinical care for abortions beyond the procedure itself in order to provide culturally safe and ongoing care for women.
Three reports were commissioned of three different consumer groups, and a brief summary of the reports below outlines some common themes about abortion health care services since law change.
Where comparisons are made to abortion services prior to law change, these changes have improved the experience of the people involved in these reports. The ability to use telehealth, self-refer, and improvements in timeliness are particularly noted across the reports. The use of telehealth appears to be a useful option for some, while others had issues with the technology.
Intersecting layers of societal discrimination and inequity were described as key drivers of experience for rainbow and disabled people.
Abortion remains a sensitive topic, particularly for rainbow and disabled people. However, providers of abortion services were overwhelmingly perceived to be accepting and non-judgmental, suggesting that the concerns expressed by some people interviewed reflected biases outside of the abortion services.
All groups reported some difficulties in accessing information regarding abortion despite information being available through multiple mechanisms. However, once individuals were engaged with abortion services the quality and availability of information was reported as being adequate.
The reports identified a potential issue regarding the availability and timing of abortion counselling. Regarding contraception, ongoing contraception appears to be discussed routinely as standard practice, although some individuals felt they were provided with limited options or not provided with a full explanation of the risks and benefits of the range of options offered.
The other two reports, for rainbow people and disabled people are available here:
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
This is the first periodic Review of Certain Matters under the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977.
The review identifies that some good progress has occurred. There is increased access to abortion services, with more providers, and an increase of locations of provision. In addition, we have Increased access to early abortion services through the telehealth services DECIDE as well as in primary health care and community settings through funded EMA medicines and clarification of funding available through the Primary Maternity Services Notice. The introduction of clinical guidelines to support clinical practice in abortion care and the Standard for Abortion Counselling in New Zealand have also been beneficial.
However, there is work to do to improve access, especially for women seeking abortion health care who live in rural communities and who require surgical or follow-up health care. Cost, service consistency and access to counselling services also vary greatly across regions.
The scope of the review is set in the legislation and is focused on how the current law is working. This means that:
Under the legislation, the review must also include consideration of whether there is any evidence of abortions being sought solely because of a preference for the fetus to be of a particular sex.
These reports were commissioned to help inform the review.
8 April 2025 – Christian Hawkesby has been appointed as Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand for a six-month term by the Minister of Finance, upon the recommendation of the RBNZ Board.
Mr Hawkesby has been acting Governor since 5 March and will be Governor from 8 April for six months while the recruitment of a Governor to serve for a five-year term takes place. Mr Hawkesby’s appointment may be extended by the Minister of Finance for up to three additional months.
“I am proud to step into the role of Governor and continue contributing to our mission of working to enable economic prosperity and wellbeing for all New Zealanders,” Mr Hawkesby says.
Board Chair Neil Quigley says, “Mr Hawkesby’s leadership and expertise have been invaluable to Te Pūtea Matua since he joined the RBNZ in 2019. His appointment reflects both his contributions and our confidence in his ability to continue strengthening New Zealand’s financial system, chair the Monetary Policy Committee and be CEO of RBNZ.”
The RBNZ board has commenced the recruitment process to nominate for appointment a Governor who will serve for five years. During the recruitment process the MPC will consist of 3 internal RBNZ staff and 3 external members. The MPC Chair holds a casting vote.
More information
For further information on making a temporary appointment, please see:
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2021/0031/latest/LMS287123.html
For further information on the MPC’s quorum, please see: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2021/0031/latest/LMS287133.html
RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr resigns: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=18640a250c&e=f3c68946f8
Christian Hawkesby – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=ed7e50fcfa&e=f3c68946f8
Mr Hawkesby joined Te Pūtea Matua in 2019 and was appointed Deputy Governor/General Manager of the Financial Stability Group after serving as Assistant Governor. He previously helped establish Harbour Asset Management and spent nine years in senior roles at the Bank of England. He holds a Master of Commerce (Hons) in Economics from the University of Canterbury.
Source: New Zealand Government
A high-level delegation from across New Zealand’s Parliament will visit the Pacific over the coming week, led by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.
“New Zealand’s commitment to the Pacific is long-term and endures through successive governments and across the political spectrum,” Mr Peters says. “That’s why we are visiting the region with a senior delegation from across our Parliament to listen to our partners and learn more about the Pacific’s priorities.”
“The Pacific is grappling with a complex, challenging geostrategic and economic environment, and New Zealand is committed to doing its part to help,” Mr Peters says.
“New Zealand has deep connections in the Pacific, befitting our close historical, strategic, economic, and people-to-people links, and reflecting our place in the Pacific Islands Forum family.
“It is incumbent on us to regularly spend quality time in the Pacific to renew relationships and ensure that we are working with our partners towards mutually-beneficial cooperation. The upcoming Pacific tour is part of this ongoing process.”
Alongside Mr Peters, the delegation comprises:
The delegation leaves New Zealand on Thursday (10 April), and includes time in Tonga, Hawai’i and Vanuatu. It returns to New Zealand on 17 April.
Source: New Zealand Labour Party
Long-serving Labour MP and former Minister David Parker has today announced his intention to leave Parliament.
“It has been a privilege to be elected by the people of New Zealand to represent their interests in Parliament for the last 23 years,” David Parker said.
“I have served to the best of my ability as Attorney General and Minister of Trade, Revenue, Economic Development, Associate Finance, Climate Change, Energy, Environment, State Services, Transport and Land Information.
“In Opposition my roles have included Finance, Foreign Affairs, Treaty Settlements, Conservation and Deputy Leader.
“I leave enthusiastic for New Zealand and for the New Zealand Labour Party. I want to thank my Parliamentary colleagues and wish them well for the hard work ahead.
“I was a serial entrepreneur before coming to Parliament and have been an agent for change while here. I will return to the private sector and continue building a prosperous and egalitarian nation,” David Parker said.
David Parker will deliver a valedictory speech in early May. A date will be confirmed once agreed with the Business Committee.
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Source: New Zealand Labour Party
The Labour Leader today acknowledged and celebrated David Parker’s 23-year contribution to the Labour Party and to Parliament.
“David Parker is a principled and talented Parliamentarian and the Labour team will miss him,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.
“He is optimistic and hard-working and has served in a variety of roles in Government and Opposition – from energy, environment and transport to infrastructure, finance and foreign affairs. He was also deputy Leader of the Labour Party.
“David has achieved an awful lot in his time here. No one’s work in politics is ever finished and I’m sure he steps away with that same sense.
“What I know to be true is he made a difference, and contributed to a higher quality of life for New Zealanders.
“I want to thank David for his service to Parliament and to the Labour Party. I am certain his contribution to New Zealand is not over,” Chris Hipkins said.
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Source: ACT Party
ACT is encouraging public sector organisations to make use of 90-day employment trials, once a law change announced today allows for it.
Today Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced the end of the ‘30-day rule’ which forces new employees onto collective contracts even if they are not union members. The removal of this rule will make it possible for public sector agencies to hire employees on a trial basis.
“Private businesses use 90-day trials prudently to take a chance on workers without fear of being locked into a dysfunctional employment relationship. It’s sensible business practice that should be extended to the public sector,” says ACT Public Service spokesperson Todd Stephenson.
“The public sector’s primary responsibility is to the general taxpayer, not its own employees. If it becomes clear in the first few weeks of employment that a new worker can’t deliver for taxpayers, that worker should be let go – so long as employment law allows for it.
“Brooke van Velden’s reforms mean taxpayers stand to save millions of dollars in golden handshakes and protracted performance management processes. Let’s make the most of this opportunity.”
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Selected price indexes − rental data for February and March 2025 – 8 April 2025 – Selected price indexes: March 2025 will include the national-level stock measure for actual rentals for housing for February and March 2025.
Actual rentals for housing data were not included in the February 2025 selected price indexes (SPI) as the dataset used to compile this information was incomplete, and Stats NZ was not confident the measure would meet customer expectations.
Stats NZ has worked closely with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to provide some requirements and update processes for the dataset, and we are now confident that the data and stock measure for February and March meet expectations. We do not expect further disruptions.
The other series within the SPI remain unaffected, and the upcoming March 2025 quarter Consumers price index (CPI) will be produced using the full three months of actual rentals for housing data for the period
Note: The March 2025 SPI release will not include the flow of rental properties measures (national and regional) as we are still working to integrate this, following an update to MBIE’s tenancy bond-lodgement system. The flow measures, which do not affect the CPI, will be included when we are confident they meet customer expectations.
Source: New Zealand Government
Acting Reserve Bank Governor Christian Hawkesby has been appointed as Governor of the Reserve Bank for a six month period, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
The appointment is effective from 8 April 2025 and can be extended by up to three months with written notice.
“Mr Hawkesby is an experienced central banker who has held a number of senior positions at the Reserve Bank.
His appointment was recommended by the Reserve Bank board and will help ensure the continued integrity and operations of the Reserve Bank while the search for a permanent Governor is underway.
“During his term, the board will support Mr Hawkesby to implement the bank’s new five-year funding agreement which will apply from 1 July 2025.
“I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role.”
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is making changes to prescriber regulations, giving New Zealanders better access to medicines, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister David Seymour say.“We are committed to ensuring Kiwis have access to timely, quality healthcare in their communities,” Mr Brown says.“Making our health system more efficient and enabling our health workforce to better care for their patients is a key part of this.“Changes to the Medicines Act introduced to Parliament last week will give nurse practitioners, who are highly skilled health professionals, increased prescribing rights within their scope of practice.“Nurse practitioners work in a range of environments, including in rural areas and in aged residential care, and provide a key role caring for patients.“These changes will mean Nurse Practitioners will be able to prescribe more medicines, providing more and better continuity of care for their patients. “They will also mean that when there are supply shortages of approved medicines, other professions, such as dentists, pharmacist prescribers, midwives, and registered nurse prescribers, will be able to prescribe replacement medicines that are funded by Pharmac.”Together, these changes are about increasing access to medicines for patients and supporting the Government’s objective of ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely and quality healthcare.”The changes are included in the Medicines Amendment Bill, which amends the Medicines Act 1981.“The Medicines Amendment Bill also enables medicines to be approved in less than 30 days if the product has approval from two recognised overseas jurisdictions. This provides a quicker and easier option for pharmaceutical companies to get products approved in New Zealand,” Mr Seymour says.“We know expanding access to medicines significantly improves New Zealanders’ health and life outcomes.“We’ve already taken a range of actions to give Kiwis better access to medicines. In addition to regulatory changes, we have made a record investment in Pharmac and provided additional funding for cancer and other medicines. “The Medicines Amendment Bill also updates the settings for the Medicines Classification Committee, which has an important role in providing access to medicines. The Bill modernises the membership requirements for the Committee and removes outdated provisions from the Act.”The Government is also progressing work on a new Medical Products Bill, to replace the Medicines Act 1981.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police are now in a position to release the name of the man who was killed following a collision between a train and vehicle in Penrose on Friday.
He was Sarveen Singh, 40, of Auckland.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.
The crash remains under investigation.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is dismayed that Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden has launched another attack on workers’ rights by removing employment protections for workers when they start in a new role.
These protections include being provided information about the role and function of unions and that, for the first 30 days, new employees must be employed on the same (or better) terms with any onsite collective agreement while they decide whether to join a union.
“In yet another announcement from Brooke van Velden, workers’ rights are being eroded and unions undermined,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
“Currently workers in a new role have protection for 30 days, to weigh their options and settle in without being disadvantaged. The Minister clearly wants to disrupt this period and encourage employers to create division among workers – between those who have a union agreement and those who don’t.
“Make no mistake, this is a deliberate attempt to undermine the role of unions in workplaces and prevent working people from securing good pay and conditions when they take on a job in a new workplace.
“When workers start a new job, they are in a vulnerable position and can’t be expected to assert their rights in terms of trade union coverage.
“The Minister has no experience of unions or collective bargaining, and she refuses to engage with unions to understand the issues. In less than two years in the role, she already has the worst record in the portfolio in decades.
“Workers are sick and tired of this Government and their continued disdain for ordinary people who work hard every day to keep this country running.
“Across the country workers are organising to stand together and fight back against this Government, which is actively hostile to their interests,” said Wagstaff.
By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific journalist
Pasifika comedy troupe Naked Samoans is facing a backlash from some members of the Pacific community over its promotional poster.
In the image, which has now been taken down, the Naked Samoans depicted themselves as the 12 disciples surrounding Jesus, a parody of The Last Supper.
Several Pasifika influencers condemned the image online, with one person labelling it “disrespectful”.
However, Naked Samoan group member Oscar Kightley told RNZ Pacific Waves he did not anticipate the uproar.
Oscar Kightley talking to RNZ Pacific Waves.
The award-winning writer has addressed the backlash as they gear up to perform at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in Auckland next month.
The Samoan-New Zealand actor said it was never their intention to hurt people.
“This month, 27 years ago, was our first-ever show, and we’ve been offending and upsetting people ever since, really. But we didn’t expect [the backlash].
Checks, balances ‘let us down’
“We saw the reaction [to the poster], and we saw how it was being taken, it was never our intention to mock Jesus or God or the Last Supper. But when we saw that that’s how it was being taken by some in our community, we made the decision to take it down.”
“We took it down as soon as we knew that it was causing upset.”
Responding to the online criticism that “they should have known better”, Kightley said “we should have known that some people would take it that way”.
“Our robust system of checks and balances badly let us down in this sense,” he said.
“We could understand how some people would have looked at this and went, ‘you guys have gone too far’, and even though we didn’t mean it, we all went to Sunday school, understand the reverence that that image and that scripture has.
“But we weren’t trying to comment on the scripture.”
He said even though they took the image down, due to the nature of the internet it would remain online “forever now”.
“I think as long as people spread it, people will be raged and raised by it.
“But my message [to those who are offended by it] is, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
“And maybe think about Jesus’s teaching in John 8:7.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Greenhouse gas emissions fall 2.0 percent in the December 2024 quarter – 8 April 2025 – Seasonally adjusted industry and household greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Aotearoa New Zealand decreased 2.0 percent in the December 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
The decrease was primarily the result of a 45 percent reduction in emissions from electricity, gas, water, and waste services in the December 2024 quarter.
“There were substantial falls in the amount of fossil fuels used for electricity generation in the December 2024 quarter, which drove an overall decrease in carbon dioxide emissions from industry,” environment statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.
Partly offsetting the decrease was an increase in emissions from manufacturing (up 5.0 percent), and transport, postal, and warehousing (up 3.1 percent). Both industries saw increases in GDP during this quarter.
Files:
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is dismayed that Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden has launched another attack on workers’ rights by removing employment protections for workers when they start in a new role.
These protections include being provided information about the role and function of unions and that, for the first 30 days, new employees must be employed on the same (or better) terms with any onsite collective agreement while they decide whether to join a union.
“In yet another announcement from Brooke van Velden, workers’ rights are being eroded and unions undermined,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
“Currently workers in a new role have protection for 30 days, to weigh their options and settle in without being disadvantaged. The Minister clearly wants to disrupt this period and encourage employers to create division among workers – between those who have a union agreement and those who don’t.
“Make no mistake, this is a deliberate attempt to undermine the role of unions in workplaces and prevent working people from securing good pay and conditions when they take on a job in a new workplace.
“When workers start a new job, they are in a vulnerable position and can’t be expected to assert their rights in terms of trade union coverage.
“The Minister has no experience of unions or collective bargaining, and she refuses to engage with unions to understand the issues. In less than two years in the role, she already has the worst record in the portfolio in decades.
“Workers are sick and tired of this Government and their continued disdain for ordinary people who work hard every day to keep this country running.
“Across the country workers are organising to stand together and fight back against this Government, which is actively hostile to their interests,” said Wagstaff.
Source: ProCare
In a step toward making healthcare more sustainable and whānau centric, ProCare has partnered with Heidi Health to reduce the administrative burden on GPs, helping them spend more time where it counts – with their patients.
Heidi Health is an AI medical scribe that automates clinical documentation, enabling GPs to generate accurate notes in real-time during patient consultations. It also facilitates the seamless creation of essential documents, such as referral letters and patient summaries, directly from consultation notes.
Bindi Norwell, CEO of ProCare, says: “We want to help equip doctors and nurses with the best tools to support them in their job. AI can transform the way our healthcare staff support their patients by reducing the administrative burden so they can focus on giving their patients the care and support they need.
“At the heart of this partnership is a shared commitment to making healthcare more sustainable and accessible, with a clear focus on relieving the pressures on the primary care workforce, leaving more time for our clinicians to focus on shifting the dial for better health outcomes,” concludes Norwell.
With Heidi’s ambient medical scribe taking detailed notes during the appointment, healthcare staff in the ProCare Network will experience a reduction in administrative tasks, giving them back valuable time to focus on what truly matters – caring for their patients and their communities.
Dr Karl Cole, GP at Papatoetoe Family Doctors, has been using Heidi Health in his practice for more than 12 months, saying: “As a GP, time is one of my most precious resources. The Heidi AI scribe has helped me reclaim that time, making my job more sustainable and efficient.
“I’m spending less time on my screen and more time actually engaging with my patients — it’s been a real game-changer,” says Cole.
Dr. Thomas Kelly, CEO of Heidi Health, adds: “This partnership with ProCare is a pivotal step toward making our technology widely accessible to GPs across Aotearoa, ensuring they are supported in their work while enhancing the quality of care they provide. We are proud to be part of a partnership that values clinician wellbeing and aims to create better, more equitable health outcomes for everyone.”
This partnership arrives at a time when Aotearoa’s healthcare system is facing significant challenges. Clinicians are stretched thin, and burnout is a growing concern. By streamlining the documentation process with AI-powered technology, ProCare in collaboration with Heidi Health aim to help alleviate these pressures, allowing clinicians to engage more meaningfully with patients and improve their overall work-life balance. In doing so, creating a more sustainable and supportive environment for primary care across New Zealand.
About ProCare
About Heidi Health
Heidi Health adheres to international standards, including the NHS, HIPAA, GDPR, and Australian Privacy Principles, and has obtained enterprise-grade security certifications such as SOC2 and ISO27001. Founded in 2019 by a team of active and former medical professionals, Heidi is the most loved AI scribe by clinicians of all disciplines and specialties, from Emergency Departments to Neurology to Primary Care to Allied Health. Learn more at: https://www.heidihealth.com/en-nz
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police and Health NZ have completed Phase One of the Mental Health Response Change Programme and are preparing to begin Phase Two.
Phase One of the joint agency approach commenced on 4 November 2024, and Phase Two was initially set to start on 31 March 2025.
With Phase One complete, Phase Two will now start from 14 April with both agencies agreeing to a staged implementation across districts.
Each district has been assessed for their readiness to implement the next phase, and as a result, districts will have varying starting points for the rollout.
Moving the start of this phase by two weeks was recommended by the Mental Health Response Change Programme Governance Group (including Police, Ministry of Health, Health NZ, and Ambulance agencies), to allow districts to be ready.
Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says one of the challenges agencies faced was discrepancies in the way section 109 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 was interpreted with regard to handovers of detained person in emergency departments.
“We now have Crown Law advice which provides the much-needed clarity on section 109 for Phase Two to commence.”
The Police districts that will commence with Phase Two on 14 April are: Waitematā, Counties Manukau, Waikato, and Tasman (excluding Kaikoura). This corresponds to Health NZ’s Waitematā, Counties Manukau, Waikato (excluding Tokoroa and Taumarunui), Nelson-Marlborough, and West Coast districts.
Police and Health NZ will be working closely with these teams and districts to support their preparation for the changes, and will continue work with other districts to get them ready to start Phase Two.
“The safety of police and healthcare staff, and those in our community impacted by these changes, is a priority for us as we move forward,” Assistant Commissioner Johnson says.
“Police will always respond when there is an offence or an immediate risk to life or safety and this will not change.”
Health NZ Director of Specialist Mental Health and Addiction Karla Bergquist says Police and Health NZ, along with the Ministry of Health, Hato Hone St John, and Wellington Free Ambulance, have been working closely together on how agencies respond to mental health.
“At the heart of these changes is ensuring people receive the right mental health care at the right time, and their safety and that of kaimahi delivering that care is paramount,” Ms Bergquist says.
“This is why agencies have committed to safely phasing in these changes and working together to make adjustments to implementation timeframes when necessary.”
The Phase Two changes remain the same and include:
“We are committed to working together towards a system that supports everyone’s mental wellbeing, so people are supported to stay well, and have access to help that works for them.”
Note: NZ Police and Health NZ districts are not the same (Police has 12, Health has 20), so there are some parts of a Police district which are not included in the comparable Health NZ district or vice versa.
ENDS
Police media contact: media@police.govt.nz
Health NZ media contact: hnzmedia@health.govt.nz