NewzIntel.com

Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Global: Recorded executions highest since 2015 – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand

    Global: Recorded executions hit their highest figure since 2015
    – Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia responsible for 91% of executions
    – States weaponizing death penalty against protesters and ethnic groups
    – Rise in drug-related executions in violation of human rights
    Global executions hit their highest figure since 2015, as over 1,500 people were executed across 15 countries in 2024, said Amnesty International today as it released its annual report on the global use of the death penalty.
    According to the report, Death Sentences and Executions 2024 , 1,518 executions were recorded in 2024 – the highest number since 2015 (at least 1,634) – with the majority in the Middle East. However, for the second year in a row, countries carrying out executions remained at the lowest point on record.
    The known totals do not include the thousands of people believed to have been executed in China, which remains the world’s lead executioner, as well as North Korea and Viet Nam which are also believed to resort to the death penalty extensively. Ongoing crises in Palestine (State of) and Syria meant that Amnesty International could not confirm a figure.
    Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were responsible for the overall rise in known executions. In total, the trio accounted for a staggering 1,380 recorded executions. Iraq almost quadrupled its executions (from at least 16 to at least 63) and Saudi Arabia doubled its yearly total (from 172 to at least 345), while Iran executed 119 more individuals than last year (from at least 853 to at least 972) – accounting for 64% of all known executions.
    “The death penalty is an abhorrent practice with no place in today’s world. While secrecy continued to shroud scrutiny in some countries that we believe are responsible for thousands of executions, it’s evident that states that retain the death penalty are an isolated minority. With just 15 countries carrying out executions in 2024, the lowest number on record for the second consecutive year, this signals a move away from this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.
    “Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia were responsible for the sharp spike in deaths last year, carrying out over 91% of known executions, violating human rights and callously taking people’s lives for drug-related and terrorism charges.”
    The five countries with the highest number of recorded executions in 2024 were China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Yemen.
    Authorities weaponizing death penalty
    Throughout 2024, Amnesty International witnessed leaders weaponizing the death penalty under the false pretence that it would improve public safety or to instil fear among the population. In the USA, which has experienced a steady upward trend in executions since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, 25 people were executed (against 24 in 2023). Newly elected President Trump repeatedly invoked the death penalty as a tool to protect people “ from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters“. His dehumanizing remarks promoted a false narrative that the death penalty has a unique deterrent effect on crime.
    In some countries in the Middle East region, death sentences were used to silence human rights defenders, dissidents, protesters, political opponents, and ethnic minorities.
    “Those who dare challenge authorities have faced the most cruel of punishments, particularly in Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the death penalty used to silence those brave enough to speak out,” said Agnès Callamard.
    “In 2024, Iran persisted in their use of the death penalty to punish individuals who had challenged the Islamic Republic establishment during the Woman Life Freedom uprising. Last year saw two of those people – including a youth with a mental disability – executed in connection with the uprising following unfair trials and torture-tainted ‘confessions’, proving how far the authorities are willing to go to tighten their grip on power.”
    Saudi authorities continued to weaponize the death penalty to silence political dissent and punish nationals from the country’s Shi’a minority who supported “anti-government” protests between 2011 and 2013. In August, the authorities executed Abdulmajeed al-Nimr for terrorism-related offences related to joining Al-Qaeda, despite initial court documents referring to his participation in protests.
    The Democratic Republic of Congo announced its intention to resume executions while Burkina Faso’s military authorities announced plans to reintroduce the death penalty for ordinary crimes.
    Rise in executions for drug-related offences
    Over 40% of 2024’s executions were carried out unlawfully for drug-related offences. Under international human rights law and standards, the use of the death penalty must be restricted for the ‘most serious crimes’ – sentencing people to death for drug-related offences does not meet this threshold.
    “Drug-related executions were prevalent in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and, while no confirmation was possible, likely Viet Nam . In many contexts, sentencing people to death for drug-related offences has been found to disproportionately impact those from disadvantaged backgrounds, while it has no proven effect in reducing drug trafficking,” said Agnès Callamard.
    “Leaders who promote the death penalty for drug-related offences are proposing ineffective and unlawful solutions. States considering introducing capital punishment for drug-related offences, such as the Maldives, Nigeria and Tonga, must be called out and encouraged to put human rights at the centre of their drug policies.”
    The power of campaigning
    Despite a rise in executions, just 15 countries were known to have carried them out – the lowest number on record for the second consecutive year. As of today, 113 countries are fully abolitionist and 145 in total have abolished the death penalty in law or practice.
    In 2024, Zimbabwe signed into law a bill that abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes. For the first time, more than two thirds of all UN member states voted in favour of the tenth General Assembly resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. Death penalty reforms in Malaysia also led to a reduction by more than 1,000 in the number of people at risk of execution.
    Furthermore, the world witnessed the power of campaigning. Hakamada Iwao – who spent nearly five decades on death row in Japan – was acquitted in September 2024. This has continued into 2025. In March, Rocky Myers – a Black man sentenced to death in Alabama despite serious flaws in the proceedings – was granted clemency following calls from his family and legal team, a former juror, local activists and the international community.
    “When people prioritize campaigning for an end to the death penalty, it really does work,” said Agnès Callamard. “Despite the minority of leaders determined to weaponize the death penalty, the tide is turning. It’s only a matter of time until the world is free from the shadows of the gallows.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Four-month Kaikōura pāua season starts 1 May

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Kaikōura pāua fishery will open to recreational pāua-gathering for a four-month season from 1 May, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

    “I’m very pleased to be able to open this treasured fishery for a longer season this year, which is possible due to the continuing recovery of the pāua stock.

    “This recovery is thanks to careful management, and the ongoing commitment by Kaikōura locals to their fishery.”

    The season will run until 31 August and, subject to ongoing discussion with the Kaikōura Marine Guardians, iwi, and the community, these dates will also apply for future seasons, giving people certainty about when the fishery will be open. 

    “The Kaikōura pāua population was heavily impacted by the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, which caused significant damage to pāua habitat along the coastline,” Mr Jones says.

    “We have made major strides in the recovery of the pāua stock, and I’m committed to ensuring this continues, which is why I decided to increase the minimum legal size for recreationally caught pāua. 

    “The new size limit means people can take pāua only if they are 130mm or bigger. This will help improve the population by providing more time for pāua to spawn. This also aligns with a higher size limit implemented by commercial fishers.”

    The daily bag limit is three pāua per species from Marfells Beach to Conway River with a minimum size of 130mm for blackfoot pāua and 80mm for yellowfoot pāua. When gathering over multiple days, there is a maximum accumulation of two daily limits.

    Some areas remain closed including the Hikurangi marine reserve, Waiopuka (Wakatu Quay) rāhui, three mātaitai, and a taiāpure. The Oaro-Haumuri Taiāpure will be open for the season but has lower daily limits and a bigger minimum size.

    Fishery Officers will be checking catch to make sure all fishers are following the rules. More information can be found on MPI’s website.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Farmer banned from owning farm animals for 2 years, placed on 6 months community detention over lack of food and welfare for sheep

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    A Woodville farmer has been banned from owning or being in charge of farm animals and placed on 6 months community detention over a lack of food and welfare that led to 55 sheep being euthanised and others suffering.

    Noel Thomas Cunningham (64) was sentenced (7 April 2025) in the Palmerston North District on 3 charges he pleaded guilty to under the Animal Welfare Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

    “When animal welfare inspectors visited the farm, they found infrastructure including fencing and water reticulation, particularly on the 40-hectare sheep block, showed maintenance and management had been lacking for some time. Most of the sheep fences were not stock proof and pasture was tired and indicative of poor grazing management.  An open fronted shed containing multiple sheep carcasses, along with shallow graves in an adjacent paddock indicated a history of poor care and management of the sheep,” says MPI manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance central, Gray Harrison.

    “Many of the existing sheep were underweight and displaying signs of lice infestation, and some had to be euthanised to prevent further stress and suffering.

    “This level of neglect is unacceptable. When we find evidence of it, we will take action.”

    An MPI animal welfare inspector and 2 veterinarians inspected a total of 322 animals. They found 25 recently dead sheep and a number of dead newborn lambs. 55 sheep had to be euthanised because they were so thin and affected by parasites. 90 ewes that were also very thin were not euthanised because it would have compromised the health of their lambs, and the welfare needs of 179 other sheep were not being met.

    “Mr Cunningham was an experienced farmer, yet we found no evidence of sheep management or routine husbandry being carried out. Some of the sheep that died were found near water courses, stuck in mud and at various stages of decomposition. Most farmers do the right thing for their animals. Mr Cunningham failed the basics – providing quality feed and good access to water, along with timely care,” says Gray Harrison.

    Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

    For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

    For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Open letter to NZME board – don’t allow alt-right Canadian billionaire to take over NZ’s Fourth Estate

    NZME directors ‘have concerns’ about businessman Jim Grenon taking editorial control

    NZME’s directors have fired their own shots in the war for control of the media company, saying they have concerns about a takeover bid including the risk of businessman Jim Grenon taking editorial control.

    In a statement to the NZX, the board said it was delaying its annual shareholders meeting until June and opening up nominations of other directors.

    NZME . . . RNZ report on NZME’s directors “firing their own shots in the war for control of the media company”.

    Grenon, a New Zealand resident since 2012, bought a 9.3 percent stake in NZME for just over $9 million early in March.

    NZME is publisher of a number of newspapers, including The New Zealand Herald, as well as operating radio stations and property platform OneRoof.

    Within days of taking the stake, Grenon had written to the company’s board proposing that most of its current directors be replaced with new ones, including himself, and said the performance of the company had been disappointing and he was wanted to improve the editorial content.

    NZME has now told the stockmarket it had concerns whether Grenon’s proposals were in the best interests of the company and shareholders. — RNZ News

    Dear NZME Board,

    I was once a columnist for The New Zealand Herald, but I’m too left wing for your stable of acceptable opinions and now just run award-winning political podcasts instead.

    The Daily Blog editor and publisher Martyn “Bomber” Bradbury. Image: TDB screenshot APR

    Normally as board members of a financialised media company in late stage capitalism with collapsing revenue thanks to social media, you don’t generally have to consider the actual well being of our democracy.

    Let me be as clear as I can to you all.

    You hold in your hands the fate of Fourth Estate journalism and ultimately the democracy of New Zealand itself.

    As the largest Fourth Estate platforms in the country, your obligations go well beyond just shareholder profit.

    Alt-right billionaire Jim Grenon has in my view been extremely disingenuous.

    The manner in which NZME has been sold as underperforming so that the promise of a quick buck from OneRoof seems the focus point is made more questionable because I suspect Grenon’s true desire here is editorial control of NZME.

    His relationship with a far-right culture war hate blog that promotes anti-Māori, anti-trans, anti-vaccine, climate denial editorial copy alongside his support for culture war influencers suggest a radicalised view of the world which he intends to implement if he gains control.

    Look.

    NZME is right wing enough, your first editorial in The New Zealand Herald was calling for white people to start war with Māori, Mike Hosking is the epitome of right wing commentary and the less said about Heather Du Plessis Allan, the better, but all of you acknowledge that 2 + 2 = 4.

    Alt-Right billionaires don’t admit that.

    Alt-right billionaires tend to lean into divisive culture war rhetoric and are happy to promote 2 + 2 = whatever I say it is.

    You cannot allow alt-right billionaires with radicalised culture war beliefs take over the largest media platforms in the country.

    This moment demands more than dollars and cents, it requires a strong defence of independent editorial content, even when that editorial content is right wing.

    The NZ Herald, Heather and Mike are without doubt right wingers, but they are right wingers who pitch their argument within the realms of the real and factual.

    Alt-right billionaires do not do that.

    If NZME is taken over and the editorial direction takes a hard right culture war turn, you will be dooming NZ democracy and planing us on a highway to hell.

    You must, you must, you must stand against this attack on editorial independence.

    Republished from The Daily Blog with permission.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government accepts election process changes

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Voters can expect the 2026 Election to be more efficient, resilient and transparent with the Government accepting a raft of recommendations, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

    “The Justice Committee recommended 65 changes following its routine inquiry into the last election.

    “Many of these recommendations are practical, like considering a single deadline for all candidate and party list nominations, or amending the cut-off date for enrolments prior to polling day.

    “We plan to implement 23 either in full or in part, through an electoral amendment bill to be announced later this year. 

    “In some cases, the Government may progress an option which differs from the specific approach recommended by the Justice Committee, but addresses the issue raised or the overall intent of the recommendation. 

    “We will then consider a further 36 recommendations as priorities and resourcing allows.

    “The remaining six recommendations do not require legislative change and we have asked the Electoral Commission to consider how these can best be implemented.

    “I want to thank the Committee for its report and recommendations, and the almost 100 people and organisations that made submissions.” 

    A full list of the recommendations is attached. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tiny Tara iti travels near and far

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Date:  08 April 2025

    Tara iti/NZ fairy tern is New Zealand’s rarest endemic breeding bird. With fewer than 45 individuals, the tara iti is nationally critical and despite intensive management has teetered on the brink of extinction since the 1980s.

    Senior Biodiversity Ranger Alex Wilson says the tiny Tara iti weighs a mere 70 grams, but the youngster from a “plucky and feisty” species clocked up more than 1700 km during four epic flights in February and March. The bird, part of the DOC-Auckland Zoo Tara iti captive rearing programme is fitted with a small “backpack” transmitter to track its movements.

    Over two days in late February, the little Tara iti covered 508 km on a trip around Northland, leaving from and returning to Kaipara Harbour. Two weeks later, in mid-March, it set off on the first of two visits to Thames in Coromandel, covering more than 600 km in total.

    “Its final effort was the most impressive, leaving Kaipara on 21 March, arriving in New Plymouth late the next day – clocking up 324 km,” Alex says.

    “Over the course of the next three days it returned to Kaipara – with a stop at Kawhia on the way – adding a further 320 km to its journey.”

    Alex says it’s not clear why or whether all juvenile Tara iti travel so far, or whether adults also accompany them.

    “Up until now we have had to rely on incidental reports of juvenile Tara iti outside their known habitats – so the tracking data from this bird gives valuable insight into the capabilities of young birds.

    “A better understanding of their movements and habitat use is a vital development for the programme and the species survival,” she says.

    “We’re encouraging people around the North Island to keep an eye out for Tara iti, and report sightings to taraiti@doc.govt.nz, because they could be popping up in all these places,” Alex says.

    The public can now donate directly to Tara iti recovery project.

    Over the next five years, the NZ Nature Fund in partnership with DOC is seeking to raise $1.57 million for tara iti conservation from public donors and philanthropists. The funds will be used to accelerate DOC’s tara iti recovery programme and ensure the species survives beyond the next 50 years through a number of initiatives such as;

    • Developing between three and five new safe breeding sites within the birds existing habitat range, but outside the four main current nesting sites.
    • Creating new habitats with shell patches at the existing and new breeding sites.
    • Expanding the buffer predator control range so all tara iti breeding have sufficient control to ensure protection.

    To donate visit NZ Nature Fund

    Background information

    DOC works closely with partners, including iwi groups Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board, Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust, Nga Maungawhakahii O Kaipara Development Trust, Ngāti Wai Trust Board, and Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Auckland Zoo, The Shorebirds Trust, NZ Fairy Tern Charitable Trust, About Tern, Birds NZ, Auckland Council, Tara Iti Golf Club, NZ Nature Fund and local trapping groups.

    Generous support for the breeding season has been provided by organisations such as the Shorebirds Trust, Endangered Species Foundation, Pākiri Beach Holiday Park, Auckland Council, Manāki Whitebait, Tongariro National Trout Centre, and New Zealand King Salmon.

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tuna (eel) stranding at Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere

    Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

    Date:

    Thousands of tuna (eel) trying to migrate to the sea were stranded at Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere last week, so we worked with Te Taumutu Rūnanga to clear the path for future migrations.

    Rūnanga  became aware of a large tuna migration, estimated to be 20 tonne, on Thursday night (3 April), and most tuna successfully made it to sea.

    Many tuna became stranded, and while this is very sad, this is a natural event that occurs every year.

    One of the natural triggers for tuna migration is the presence of seawater. On Thursday night seawater was washing from the sea into the lake, which likely triggered the urge to migrate.

    Check out Ngāi Tahu’s video about the tuna stranding on their Facebook page.

    About the tuna heke (eel migration)

    Tuna heke is the phrase used to describe mature eels that migrate to the sea to spawn. These migrating fish stop feeding and undergo many physiological changes to prepare for their journey.

    During the migration to the spawning grounds, they rely on stores of body fat to sustain them. By the time they spawn they are normally thin and die shortly after.

    In absence of a lake opening, they will follow any pathway and unfortunately can find themselves stranded and perish.

    The NIWA website has more information on tuna heke.

    Working together to help the tuna

    Tuna are an important taonga species for Ngāi Tahu and Te Taumutu Rūnanga. They are essential to the continuation of mahinga kai for Ngāi Tahu and the wider community at Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.

    At the request of Te Taumutu Rūnanga, we sent machinery to the site and started work on Sunday morning to lower the beach crest so that further waves of migrating tuna will have a shorter and less steep journey to the ocean.

    The earthworks to shorten the path for future migration are now complete and will last until shingle naturally washes into the area to fill it up again.

    In consultation with rūnanga representatives onsite, the decision was made to bury the deceased tuna. Tikanga (custom) and its application is determined by the hapū.

    Opening the lake

    Te Waihora is the largest lake in Waitaha/Canterbury and has no natural outlet to the sea. It was opened by generations of Ngāi Tahu before Pākehā arrival. The first written settler’s record of an artificial opening between the lake and sea was in 1852. It has been opened over 300 times since.

    The opening is governed by a National Water Conservation Order and a range of resource consents held jointly by Ngāi Tahu and us.

    However, many groups have an opportunity to share their views before a final decision is made.

    A full opening of the lake to the sea is very expensive and is a carefully considered process after consultation with a wide range of parties. The lake also naturally closes itself when shingle washes back into the cut and this can occur very quickly depending on sea conditions.

    Other work we’re doing in the area

    There is significant cultural and ecological long-term work being undertaken at Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere to restore and rejuvenate the mana, mauri and ecosystem health of Te Waihora and its catchment.

    The programme works in partnership with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, us, Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City Council and Department of Conservation (DOC) to improve water quality, mahinga kai and biodiversity values, such as through wetland and riparian restoration.

    Two significant projects in the programme are:

    1. The Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai project, led by Te Taumutu Rūnanga and co-managed with us, is restoring the mid-lower reaches of Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream through riparian restoration, on-farm actions, and restoring a significant wetland for iwi.
    2. The Weed Strikeforce, which is delivered by DOC and co-funded by us, is restoring lakeshore wetlands at scale through targeted control of willows and woody weeds, fostering natural regeneration (Rejuvenating the mauri and ecosystem health of Te Waihora).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Treaty Principles Select Committee

    Source: ACT Party

    The Haps

    The world is about to relearn economics, as Governments erect trade barriers between citizens of their countries and those of other countries. New Zealand cannot change the rest of the world’s trade policies right now, we can only ensure our own house is as competitive as possible. Putting on our own tariffs would be a tax on New Zealanders, we should remain a beacon of free trade for the world. The Government’s latest quarterly plan, filled with ACT initiatives, will keep the reform pressure on.

    Treaty Principles Select Committee

    The Justice Committee has reported back to the House on the Treaty Principles Bill. Thanks to ACT’s member on the Committee, Todd Stephenson, ALL of the submissions will be included in the final record, even though they couldn’t be processed in time for the report back.

    The submissions have been roughly categorised as for or against. The Committee report says ninety per cent are against, and only eight per cent in favour. Free Press knows that’s misleading. The ACT Party and Hobson’s Pledge, two organisations heavily in favour of the bill, helped 55,000 submit between them. Those alone would be 17 per cent in favour but some organisations’ submissions were counted as one.

    The truth is Select Committee submissions almost never reflect reality anyway. People are far more likely to submit in opposition to a bill than for it. Submissions on David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill were ninety per cent opposed, but it passed a referendum by two million votes to one million. A similar story played out with abortion law reform.

    Like those examples, we know the public overwhelmingly support the principles proposed in the Bill. Scientific polling where everyone’s opinion has an equal chance of being included shows New Zealanders in favour of the principles by an average of two to one. When the third principle – that all people should be equal before the law – is read out, 62 per cent are in favour versus 18 per cent opposed.

    A majority of Green voters, even, agree with the third principle, so all may not be lost. It’s the arguments that really matter, and what comes out of the Treaty Principles Bill hearings is that there are no arguments against the Bill. This week Free Press covers off the opponents’ attempts.

    If anything, the submission process has shown why the Bill really is needed. Many submitters argued that the chiefs who signed the Treaty never ceded sovereignty. They believe that somehow descendants of the Chiefs shouldn’t have to follow Parliament’s laws (Te Pāti Māori has been acting this out).

    The idea that investment, jobs, and growth need clarity from the law, and that people want to be treated equally before it, seems an afterthought to these submitters. As an aside, the ahistorical claim that 100,000 Māori wouldn’t have ceded sovereignty to 2,000 settlers shows how poor the debate in New Zealand has become. If a people devastated by the Musket Wars, worried about the French, and concerned about the threat of Europeans already ashore had nothing to gain from the unrivalled superpower of the day, why did they sign any Treaty at all?

    Submitters also argued that Parliament cannot make this law, even if it has the right to make laws generally. The difference between Parliament, on the one hand, and the Courts, Waitangi Tribunal, and bureaucracy, on the other, is that Parliament is elected by the people. What the opponents are really saying is that the people should not have a say on their constitutional future, it should be decided by all the public institutions they can’t actually vote for. Telling people they cannot control the laws they live under usually ends in revolution, Free Press prefers democracy.

    Opponents claimed at various times that Māori do not, in fact, have special rights in New Zealand. Just as many claimed that Māori in fact deserve special rights. This was best summed up in the following paragraph from the Green Party section of the report.

    One often repeated statement was that Māori were given special privileges under the Resource Management Act. There was no substantive evidence provided for this, and the Auckland City Council in its oral submission rejected that this was the case. It is true that where there is an application for a resource consent for a use outside of the District Plan the interests of Māori, including local iwi and hapu, are relevant to decision making. However it is hard to understand how consultation with the mana whenua is in any way a special privilege.

    The Bill gives all people equal rights. If Māori had no special rights there would be no reason to oppose the Bill. The facts are that Māori do have special rights under current law, including in Resource Management law, and that is why the Bill is opposed. Opposition to the Bill is opposition to equal rights for all people.

    Other submitters said that the Bill prevents Governments trying to address people’s disadvantage. It does not. It prevents Governments discriminating by race, but there is no reason it cannot help disadvantaged people, regardless of race. There is no reason iwi cannot run charter schools, or their own healthcare, but any group should have the same opportunity. Seeing as not all Māori are disadvantaged and not all disadvantaged are Māori, racial profiling doesn’t do much good anyway.

    So what next? The Bill will be debated in Parliament. ACT’s partners will have one last chance to do the right thing. If they do not, that is a shame for them. However it will not change how ACT works for your values. The party will never give up promoting universal human rights, and the next step of the Treaty Principles journey will be clear before the next election.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Freeing up access to finance for Kiwi households

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is delivering on its commitment to make it easier for Kiwis to access the finance they need, when they need it, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson.

    “Access to finance is a critical part of life. Kiwis need finance to buy a house or a car, or to start and grow a business,” says Mr Simpson.

    “Our Government campaigned on slashing red tape to make it easier and safer for Kiwis to access finance when they need. I am delighted that we are delivering on this promise by progressing three pieces of legislation which will simplify access to financial services.

    “Successive reforms heaped compliance requirements on banks, insurers, and lenders. The sector found itself in a bureaucratic straitjacket, regulated by multiple authorities and subjected to duplicative licence requirements. 

    “This illogical and overly cautious approach led to perverse outcomes for Kiwis who found it more difficult and costly to access basic financial services.

    “Many people will remember with frustration banks asking invasive questions about minor expenses like food delivery and subscriptions when they applied for a home loan during the peak of madness a few years ago.

    “The Government addressed this by removing overly prescriptive requirements from regulations. These reforms, along with those being progressed, are all about bringing back common sense. 

    “One of the key changes will mean lenders aren’t unfairly penalised for small, harmless mistakes. Lenders will still be required to identify and correct any mistakes. 

    “Another change, which will apply retrospectively for the period between 2015 and 2019, will enable the courts to apply greater discretion when a lender has failed to disclose certain information to consumers. This fixes a really bad law that meant if a lender forgot to include their address on a loan document – even if everything else was correct and the borrower wasn’t affected – they could be forced to cancel all interest and fees until the mistake is fixed. That’s like being fined for forgetting to write your return address on an envelope, even though the letter still gets delivered.

    “This punitive approach had a potentially chilling effect on competition, as small lenders are not able to absorb the risk and could face closure if faced with significant compensation imposed by the court. Meanwhile big lenders price in the risk and pass the cost on to consumers.

    “Other reforms include improvements to dispute resolution services so people can get help when something goes wrong and changes which mean that financial providers will only need to have one conduct licence instead of several. Directors and senior managers will also no longer be held personally liable for mistakes. Instead, the liability will fall on the businesses, which is fairer and more appropriate.”

    These reforms deliver on a National-ACT coalition agreement to rewrite the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 to protect vulnerable consumers

    without unnecessarily limiting access to credit.

    “These reforms will simplify the financial services sector so Kiwis can get on with their lives, get ahead, and grow the economy.”

    Notes to editors

    A fact sheet with further information is attached.

    The three Bills that have just been introduced to Parliament are:

    • Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill
    • Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill
    • Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Amendment Bill

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ‘Safety-first’ approach at Oranga Tamariki underway

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has received confirmation that Oranga Tamariki have made progress on the removal of targets not focused on child safety and wellbeing.  

    “I am pleased to announce that Oranga Tamariki are finally moving beyond priorities not directly related to the care and protection of children – they will now prioritise safety above all else,” Mrs Chhour says.  

    Currently, Oranga Tamariki have a 58% target for placing children in care with wider family/whanau.  

    Oranga Tamariki have also had a target for the proportion of investment with Māori/Iwi organisations of greater than 23%.  

    “I was concerned by this approach and asked Oranga Tamariki to undertake a full scoping review of all existing appropriation measures, to ensure that Oranga Tamariki is focused on the things that matter most to our most vulnerable children and young people.”  

    “These outdated departmental targets go against the ‘need not race’ directive, and there are also concerns with whether it is appropriate for this self-classification of being a Māori/Iwi organisation to be prioritised over the quality and efficacy of the services being provided.”  

    “With the removal of requirements and targets that do not focus solely on ensuring children are physically safe and cared for, Oranga Tamariki can now be solely focused on their core responsibility which is the care and protection of children.”  

    “This is both a safety-first approach and one that will lead to overall better services and outcomes for children,” Mrs Chhour says.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Crash: Māngere / Great South roads, Ōtāhuhu

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Emergency services are responding to a crash involving a car and pedestrian in Ōtāhuhu.

    The crash occurred at the intersection of Māngere and Great South roads at around 7.05am.

    The pedestrian has suffered injuries, but as yet the extent of these injuries has not been confirmed.

    Police are advising motorists travelling through this busy area to expect delays this morning.

    Further updates will be provided as available.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Environment report shows human activities are driving changes affecting health, livelihoods and homes: New Zealand’s environmental reporting series: Our environment 2025

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Environment report shows human activities are driving changes affecting health, livelihoods and homes – 8 April 2025 – The way New Zealanders choose to live is continuing to have a significant impact on the environment, affecting our health, quality of life, homes and livelihoods in both positive and negative ways, a major report on the environment shows.

    Our environment 2025 is the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ’s latest three-yearly update on the state of New Zealand’s environment. The report draws on regular six-monthly reporting in the air, atmosphere and climate, freshwater, land, and marine domains, to provide an overall picture of the environment, including how each of these domains are connected.

    Secretary for the Environment, James Palmer, says much of the change seen in our air, water, climate, marine environment, and land over time has been caused by people whose lives are in turn affected by those changes.

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police operations net prolific offenders

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Two Police operations across the Auckland region have result in several prolific offenders being arrested.

    Eight arrests were made after two stolen vehicles were detected by Police in the west Auckland area.

    Amongst those arrests are two prolific offenders sought in connection with two violent aggravated robberies at Auckland jewellery stores last month.

    • Rata Street, New Lynn:

    Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison says a stolen vehicle was detected travelling in the Henderson area at around 3.15pm.

    “Eagle deployed to the area, and maintained observations of this vehicle which was seen driving dangerously through Te Atatū Road towards New Lynn.”

    The vehicle was abandoned on Rata Street, with the group attempting to stop and steal another person’s vehicle.

    Acting Detective Inspector Harrison says the group continued to flee on foot.

    “Cordons were put in place around the area while enquiries were made to locate these offenders.

    “While we were still in the area, information was received that a group believed to be connected to these offenders had fled the area in another vehicle.

    “A member of the public had been assaulted in the process.”

    Eagle located this vehicle and tracked it to an address on Riserra Drive in Rānui.

    “All four occupants of this vehicle were quickly rounded up and apprehended by ground staff,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

    This included the driver, aged 18, and three passengers: two aged 15 and one 19.

    The 19-year-old man has been charged with assault with intent to rob over the Nikau Road incident in New Lynn.

    He will appear in the Waitākere District Court today.

    At this point the original group were still at large.

    “Police acknowledge the cooperation from commuters who were disrupted during our operation yesterday afternoon.

    “We also received valuable information from the community which assisted our enquiries.”

    • Woodford Avenue, Henderson:

    Police continued to make enquiries to locate the group involved in the original incident.

    This group were also believed to be connected to an investigation over recent aggravated robberies at jewellery stores.

    An address of interest on Woodford Avenue was identified.

    Acting Detective Inspector Harrison says Eagle detected a stolen vehicle leaving this property at about 9.30pm.

    “The vehicle was signalled to stop by a unit on Lincoln Road but fled from Police towards the North-Western Motorway.

    “Eagle continued to track this vehicle speeding along the motorway and connecting onto the South-Western Motorway.”

    The vehicle travelled to Māngere, with occupants switching to another vehicle.

    “All the while Eagle continued to monitor this group travel south towards the Southern Motorway interchange,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

    “This vehicle was travelling at speed but began to experience mechanical issues near Penrose and slowed significantly.”

    Authority was given to bring this vehicle to a stop.

    Minor damage was sustained to one patrol vehicle, but all four occupants were quickly arrested.

    Amongst the arrests was the 18-year-old driver.

    He was subject of a media appeal with a warrant to arrest over the aggravated robbery at Mānawa Bay on 23 March.

    He now faces additional charges relating to failing to stop.

    A 15-year-old passenger was also sought as part of that investigation.

    “He has been charged with aggravated robberies at the Kayson’s Fashion Store on 16 March and the Mānawa Bay Michael Hill on 23 March,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

    The other two occupants were aged 16 and 19, and face charges of failing to stop and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.

    Police will be opposing these offenders’ bail when they appear in the Auckland District and Auckland Youth courts today.

    Acting Detective Inspector Harrison says: “This is a great outcome for the community to have these offenders off the streets.

    “It represents a significant amount of work carried out over recent week by detectives and frontline staff to identify and target these prolific offenders.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police accept findings by IPCA to incident in Whitianga

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Relieving Waikato District Commander Superintendent Scott Gemmell

    Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority in relation to an incident in Whitianga in March 2023.

    Police officers were called to an apartment complex for a family harm matter.

    One officer went to the address on foot and a second officer went in from another direction in a patrol car. When the officer drove into the carpark, he saw the man who had been involved in the family harm incident. The man immediately started yelling at the officer and smashed the police car windscreen shattering the glass, which injured the officer.

    The officer initially started driving away but concerned for his colleague who had still not arrived at the scene, he did a U-turn and then drove the patrol car into the man. He has then got out of his patrol car and punched the offender several times.

    Police carried out an investigation into the incident and the officer was charged with common assault and assault with intent to injure. The case was tried before a Judge and jury in May 2024 and the officer was acquitted.

    The offender in this incident was charged with intentional damage and intentionally injuring the officer and was convicted in court.

    As both matters have already been traversed through the courts, police will keep our comment limited except to say that while we acknowledge this was a confronting and unpredictable situation for the officer involved, our investigation and subsequent legal advice found the force used was excessive and as such the officer was charged.

    An employment investigation remains ongoing, and we cannot comment on the specifics for privacy reasons. We can confirm the officer remains working for New Zealand Police.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cutting red tape at the start of employment

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says changes are coming to support freedom of choice and reduce the burden on employers when new employees start in a role.  
    The Government has agreed to repeal the changes made by the previous government by removing the 30-day rule and reducing related employer obligations. 
    “Currently, if a collective agreement is in place the employee’s individual agreement must reflect the terms of the collective agreement and that applies for 30 days regardless of whether an employee chooses to join a union or not.  
    “Not only is the status quo convoluted and confusing, the process adds another administrative cost on top of many others, and those costs are dragging down workplace productivity.  
    “If a new employee chooses to negotiate the terms and conditions that suit their personal preferences or situation, they should have that choice realised from day one of employment,” says Ms van Velden. 
    Removing the 30-day rule means employees and employers are free to agree on a wider range of employment terms including those that differ from the collective employment agreement for the first 30 days.  
    A further benefit of these changes is that 90-day trials can be made available from the start of employment if the employee chooses an individual employment agreement.  
    “Expanding the availability of 90-day trials was an ACT-National coalition commitment and supports workers that may struggle to gain employment and also give employers greater confidence around hiring,” says Ms van Velden. 
    Changes are also being made to the way employers communicate and report back on union membership for new employees. 
    The current processes are the most extensive since the Employment Relations Act was enacted, and these changes will ensure employees still receive the information they need to make a decision about their employment agreement and union membership options. 
    Employers will no longer have to use the ‘active choice form’, created by the previous government, and unions will no longer have the ability to provide information about the role and functions of the unions, that the employer must pass on to the employee.  
    Employers will still need to communicate that the employee may join a union that is a party to the collective employment agreement, how to contact the union and that if the employee joins the union, the collective employment agreement will bind the employee. 
    These changes will be included in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill that will be introduced this year and is expected to be passed by the end of 2025. 
    “I am striking the right balance between ensuring information about unions is available to new employees, protecting the personal choice of workers and reducing the compliance burden for employers,” says Ms van Velden.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Sudden death near Red Beach

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can advise a man has died after he was located unresponsive in water off Red Beach.

    At 7.27am, an outrigger was reported overturned in water.

    Police, including the Eagle helicopter, deployed to the area and located a man unresponsive in the water.

    Members of the public in the area moved the man to rocks, where he was airlifted by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Stanmore Bay.

    Sadly, we can confirm that the man was deceased.

    Police are in the process of recovering the outrigger and enquiries will be carried out on behalf of the Coroner.

    Our thoughts are with the community after this morning’s incident.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: Crash closure – State Highway 58, Pāuatahanui to Paremata (SH58 now open)

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    7:30 am update: State Highway 58 has reopened to traffic.

    The highway was closed for approximately one hour while emergency services and contractors attended the crash.

    Drivers may experience some delays as queued traffic clears.

    6:50 am update: State Highway 58 is currently closed between James Cook Drive and Postgate Drive following a crash earlier this morning.

    The incident was reported around 6:15 am. Emergency services and contractors are attending.

    Drivers are asked to avoid the area and use alternative local road routes when travelling between Pāuatahanui and Paremata/Porirua. Travel delays can be expected in the area until the crash scene is cleared.

    Updates on the highway’s status can be checked on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website:

    Meanwhile, the Metservice has issued a Strong Wind Warning for the Wellington, Marlborough, and northwest Tasman regions, which applies until late this afternoon.

    Road users – particular trucks, vans, towing and light vehicles, and motorcyclists – must take extra care on the roads, especially on exposed areas like State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill and Wainui Saddle on State Highway 1 Transmission Gully.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: MYANMAR: Heavy rains heighten risk of disease outbreaks following earthquake – Save the Children

    Source: Save the Children

    Children in earthquake affected areas in Myanmar are at heightened risk of contracting waterborne diseases, such as diarrhoea and cholera, after heavy rains in recent days as well as water shortages, Save the Children warned.
    Save the Children and its partners are seeing the needs of children firsthand in communities with limited access to clean water in the aftermath of the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on 28 March.
    In some areas, access to safe water has been severely disrupted with some primary water sources now contaminated and people forced to rely on spring or surface water. In the hardest hit areas, damaged pipelines have also cut access to spring water and rivers are far away. The lack of electricity in some areas has made it impossible to pump water. 
    Many families are living in makeshift shelters outside the ruins of their homes which give little protection from unseasonable storms of recent days. The rains are also exacerbating the risk of water and mosquito-borne diseases with pools of dirty, stagnant water. More rain is forecast for this week in areas where thousands of people are sleeping in the open [1].
    Families are telling Save the Children that food and drinking water are their urgent priorities, but that they also need repairs to toilets and washing facilities which are crucial to limiting the spread of water and mosquito borne disease such as cholera and dengue and skin infections.
    Myanmar has seen outbreaks of diseases such as acute watery diarrhoea and cholera before, and current emergency water supplies to affected areas are only a short-term solution. In the longer term, communities need sustainable and reliable sources of water. 
    Thein Htike-, 20, was in a small boat on a lake when the quake struck, throwing him and his friends overboard. While he was swimming to shore, he saw wooden houses in his village collapsing. His family were safe, but many people died or were injured, and nearly every family in his village lost their belongings.
    Thein Htike- said:
    “Our drinking water storage tank had collapsed, and we were left without safe water to drink. Donations didn’t arrive for two days. Until then, we had to filter the muddy water [from the lake] which used to be clean. Either way, we had no choice but to drink what we had, safe or not.”After the quake, dead snails began floating on the surface [of the lake]. Some people said it was because of oxygen loss in the water, killing the aquatic life, but I’m not sure if that’s true.
    “After two days, we got some clean drinking water, but once those supplies run out, we will face a serious crisis. Without long-term support, the lack of clean water may lead to long-term health problems in the village.” 
    Last year, Thein Htike-’s village was hit by devasting floods, and they were only beginning to recover when the earthquake hit. Conflict and climate fueled disasters have left 6.3 million children among the 19.9 million people – or more than one third of the population – already in need of humanitarian support in Myanmar before the earthquake [2].
    More than 17 million people across 57 townships of Myanmar’s 330 townships have been affected by the earthquake, according to the UN, with at least 3,500 people killed and nearly 5,000 injured [3]. 
    The Department of Disaster Management and AHA Centre said about 69,000 people have been displaced by the earthquake [4]. 
    Save the Children is responding in the earthquake affected areas alongside local partners to ensure children’s immediate needs are met, including food, water, shelter, personal hygiene kits and emergency health care services. 
    Jeremy Stoner, Interim Asia Regional Director, Save the Children said:
    “The situation right now is desperate for children and their families. After being forced to flee from their ruined homes, they are now facing unseasonably early rains on top of the brutal heat. With clean water in short supply, it’s difficult for people to maintain proper hygiene – and that can lead to disease outbreaks. “We’re concerned that we could start seeing a growing number of children getting sick with illnesses like diarrhoea, as is often the case in the aftermath of crises like this where the scale of damage is so high.”
    Save the Children has been working in Myanmar since 1995, providing life-saving healthcare, food and nutrition, education and child protection programmes.  
    Notes
    -denotes name changed to protect identity
    About Save the Children NZ:
    Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
    Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Property Market – Home values ‘virtually motionless’ in flat first quarter – QV

    Source: Quality Valuations (QV)

    Residential property values have largely been kept at a standstill throughout the first quarter of 2025 with few exceptions.

    Our latest QV House Price Index shows home values have crept up just 0.2% to a new national average of $903,928 in the March quarter, down slightly from the 0.5% quarterly growth recorded in February. That figure is now 2.3% lower than the same time last year and 15% below the market’s peak in late 2021.

    Across New Zealand’s main urban areas, just Whangarei (2.6%), Rotorua (3.6%), Nelson (1.7%) and Christchurch (1.1%) recorded average home value growth in excess of 1% throughout the three months to the end of March 2025. Auckland (-0.1%), Wellington (-0.3%) and Hamilton (-0.3%) recorded small losses, while home values in Palmerston North and Dunedin were stationary.

    QV operations manager James Wilson said market conditions remained “pretty soft” across Aotearoa. “Residential property values continue to bubble up and down slightly from month to month but have been kept virtually motionless as a whole throughout the first quarter of 2025.”

    “Although interest rates have reduced markedly, buyers are still finding the current economic climate to be a challenge. Job worries and a rise in unemployment are causing many to be cautious and play it safe right now, which is understandable. This is one factor that has helped to keep the brakes on throughout the first quarter of 2025 – a sizeable surplus of properties for sale is another,” he said.

    “It seems sellers are out in force across Aotearoa today. You don’t have to walk very far around the neighbourhood these days to see a ‘for sale’ sign. Ample properties for sale and a lack of meaningful competition are helping keep prices really flat for now. That’s no bad thing, as first-home buyers continue to make up a larger share of the market overall.”

    However, Mr Wilson said there was also growing evidence to suggest that investors were beginning to re-enter the market again following changes to the interest deductibility rules and recent interest rate reductions.

    “Investor activity continues to increase relative to first-home buyer activity. A ‘getting in early’ mindset appears to be emerging in some key areas with interest rates only expected to reduce further. But this is also being tempered by a cautious approach to the economy. Again, it is understandable given current conditions.”

    Mr Wilson expected the real estate market’s current flat trend to continue into autumn and eventually winter, even as economic conditions slowly improve. “It’s going to take some time before interest rate relief fully takes hold and for the labour market to regain its footing again. In the meantime, those who are in a position to purchase are going to benefit from having a wider selection to choose from.”

    “When the economy does eventually recover and all the excess stock that is available for sale on the market today is sold, that’s when we will see some more sustained home value growth. It could be a while yet,” he concluded.

    Northland

    It’s been a relatively flat first quarter of 2025 in Northland.

    Home values have increased across the wider region by just 0.4% on average since the start of 2025. Whangarei (2.6%) has recorded the most growth by far; Far North (-2.8%) has experienced the least; Kaipara (0.1%) has done little more than break even.

    The average home is now worth $674,678 in the Far North, $734,326 in Whangarei, and $835,041 in Kaipara.

    Auckland

    Residential property values have dipped slightly this quarter across much of Auckland.

    The average home value has reduced by just 0.1% to $1,244,605 in what was the Super City’s first negative quarter since October last year.

    Rodney (0.2%), Manukau (0.2%) and Franklin (1.1%) experienced some marginal growth on average. Otherwise home values reduced on the North Shore (-0.9%) and in the local council areas previously known as Auckland City (0.1%), Waitakere (-0.7%), and Papakura (-0.5%).

    This is in contrast to a small 0.6% rise in average home value throughout the three months to the end of February 2025. The average home in Auckland is now worth 3% less than the same time last year and 19.2% less than at the market’s peak in late 2021.

    Local QV registered valuer Hugh Robson said prices looked as though they had largely stabilised, but there was still little to no prospect of sustained growth in the immediate future.

    “We’re at the end of summer now and it has been a fairly quiet one. The market continues to plod along with not a lot happening. First-home buyers are the most active sector, but agents are reporting fairly low attendance at open homes across the board,” he said.

    “There is quite a lot of stock on the market at present, but there just isn’t a large amount of demand. It seems many people are still understandably concerned about retaining their jobs and about dealing with the high cost of living.”

    Bay of Plenty

    Home value growth remains flat-to-gently rising in Tauranga.

    The city’s average home has grown in value by 0.4% in the March quarter to $1,023,465 – down slightly on the 1.6% growth recorded throughout the three months to the end of February, and the 1.4% growth recorded throughout the three months to the end of January.

    The city’s average home is now worth 1.7% less than the same time last year.

    Meanwhile, home values have also risen by an average of 1.3% across the wider Bay of Plenty region this quarter. Rotorua (3.6%) and Gisborne (1.3%) recorded some growth; Opotiki (-1.4%) recorded a small average reduction.

    Waikato

    Home values in Hamilton have experienced a small loss throughout the first quarter of 2025.

    The latest QV House Price Index shows Hamilton’s average home is now worth $787,886, which is 0.3% lower than at the start of this year but 0.5% higher than at the same time last year.

    This compares to a small 0.6% increase in average home value throughout the three months to the end of February, and a relatively sizeable 2.3% increase throughout the three months to the end of January.

    “Persistent economic uncertainties, including rising unemployment, weakening business conditions and the potential imposition of higher tariffs by the US continue to impact market conditions,” said local QV registered valuer Marshall Wu.

    “While March is traditionally the busiest month of the year for the residential market, unsold inventory remains relatively high. This is providing buyers with more choices and less urgency in making purchasing decisions, while some sellers are compelled to lower prices to secure sales.”

    “As the market transitions into the cooler months, the housing sector is expected to remain subdued,” Mr Wu added.

    Taranaki

    The average home in New Plymouth is now worth just 0.3% more than the same time last year.

    It follows another quarter of just modest growth. The city’s average home value grew by just 0.3% to $723,836 – compared to 1% growth in the February quarter, and 1.2% growth in the January quarter.

    Meanwhile, the average home value in South Taranaki has shrunk by 1.2% to $437,452 this quarter, and increased by 1.6% to $499,508 in Stratford.

    Hawke’s Bay

    Napier and Hastings had contrasting quarters once more.

    Home values increased by an average of 0.7% in the former and reduced by 1.7% in the latter.

    Across the wider Hawke’s Bay region, home values decreased by 0.5% throughout the three months to the end of March 2025. It means the average home in the region is now worth 0.9% less than the same time last year.

    Palmerston North

    Residential property values remain largely static in Palmerston North.

    The city’s average home value is unmoved this quarter at $635,891, following a small 0.3% average reduction during the month of March itself.

    This is compared to a small 0.9% increase in the three months to the end of February, and 1.1% growth in the three months to the end of January.

    “The local property market remains stable with limited price movement,” said QV registered valuer Olivia Betts. “In February and March we saw a large increase in the number of listings, giving buyers even more choice and buying power. We also saw an increase in sales activity, which is not uncommon before autumn and winter sets in.”

    “First-time homebuyers are still showing strong interest in properties priced around the mid-$500,000 range, especially those that have been updated within the last 20 years,” she added.

    Wairarapa

    Home value reductions appear to be slowly gaining traction in the Wairarapa region.

    Our latest QV House Price Index shows Masterton’s average home value has reduced by 3.1% this quarter to $562,681. Carterton’s average home reduced in value by 4.7% to $603,755, and home values in South Wairarapa also reduced by 4.4% to a new average of $745,740.

    The average home in the region is now worth 2.6% less than the same time last year. This is compared to a national average decline of 2.3% annually.

    Wellington

    Residential property values have dwindled in Wellington this quarter.

    The latest QV House Price Index shows the region’s average home value decreased by 0.3% to $838,916 throughout the first three months of 2025 – a reversal of the 0.3% average growth recorded throughout the February quarter.

    Kapiti Coast and Porirua bucked the trend this quarter with average growth of 1.9% and 0.6% respectively. Otherwise, Upper Hutt (-0.4%), Hutt City (-0.2%), and Wellington City (-0.5%) all recorded small average home value losses.

    The region’s average home value is now 4.2% lower than the same time last year and 23.2% below the market’s previous peak in late 2021.

    QV senior consultant David Cornford said it was a continuation of the same flat theme as in previous months.

    “Despite values being relatively flat, there is still reasonable activity in the market – particularly from first-home buyers. Open home attendance has been steady throughout the first quarter of 2025 for well-presented and well-located properties,” he said.

    “Buyers are active. However, the number of properties on the market is providing them with plenty of options, as well as some extra bargaining power. It will likely take some time to work through this existing stock and we’ll have to see an uptick in general economic and employment confidence in the capital before any significant improvements in the market flow through.”

    Nelson

    Home value growth remains consistently slow in Nelson.

    The city’s average home has increased in value by 1.7% in the March quarter – only a fraction of a percentage point off the 1.6% growth recorded in the February quarter, and within striking distance of the 1.2% annual growth recorded back in the January quarter.

    At $794,843, Nelson’s average home value is now 2% higher than the same time last year.

    QV Nelson/Marlborough manager Craig Russell said the majority of activity was in the $500,000 to $800,000 price bracket. “Market confidence is subdued with economic indicators still showing weakness,” he said.

    “Renovated properties are in more demand than unrenovated ones and vendors who overprice their property are having to adjust their expectations to achieve a sale within a reasonable time frame. Stock levels remain high, with purchasers generally having a reasonable range of options.”

    West Coast

    Housing figures continue to fluctuate from month to month and quarter to quarter on the West Coast.

    Our QV House Price Index for March 2025 shows that the average home value has risen in Westland District by 4% to $483,677 this quarter. Average home values have reduced by 2.8% to $367,073 in Buller and by 0.4% to $451,564 in Grey.

    The average home on the West Coast is still worth 5.2% more than the same time last year. This is compared to an average annual home value decline of 2.3% nationally.

    Canterbury

    Our latest housing statistics show minimal movement across Canterbury.

    Christchurch’s average home value has increased by only 1.1% since the start of this year to reach $774,614.

    Likewise, home values in Hurunui and Waimakariri have grown by an average of just 0.5% and 1% to $645,982 and $720,068 respectively.

    “Our QV House Price Index results for March once again show modest growth in values, with a similarly steady increase to last month,” said local QV registered valuer Olivia Brownie.

    “Though we have seen a busier month in the residential property, it still appears to be somewhat balanced at present, with plenty of listings stifling any significant growth. Yet there is positive sentiment and it has been active with buyer interest in all property types,” she added.

    Meanwhile, the average home in Selwyn increased in value by 0.5% this quarter to $844,344. Ashburton recorded no change at $575,234, and Timaru’s average home value reduced marginally by 0.9% to $530,232.

    Mackenzie saw the largest average home value increase this quarter, rising 2% to $788,306.

    Otago

    Residential property values in the Otago region have done little more than break even throughout the first quarter of 2025.

    Our QV House Price Index for March 2025 shows values have lifted across the region by an average of just 0.2% since the start of the year, with Dunedin’s average home value registering no growth whatsoever at $645,081. That figure is 1.5% higher than the same time last year.

    Central Otago (2.1%) and Waitaki (1.3%) recorded more growth this quarter; Queenstown (-0.1%) and Clutha (-0.3%) recorded less.

    Local QV registered valuer Rebecca Johnston commented: “These figures highlight stable, albeit minimal, growth across the region and the continuation of it being a buyers’ market.”

    “The property market in Dunedin has been relatively stable compared to other New Zealand cities, showing resilience amid broader national trends,” she added.

    Queenstown

    Residential property values have wavered by just a fraction of a percentage point in Queenstown this quarter.

    Our QV House Price Index for March 2025 shows the average property value has reduced locally by just 0.1% this quarter to $1,819,173. That is slightly smaller than the 0.4% average reduction recorded in the February quarter.

    Home values in Queenstown are now 0.4% lower on average than at the same point last year.

    Invercargill

    The average home in Invercargill is now worth just 0.5% more than the start of 2025.

    The city’s average home value has sunk below the $500,000 mark once more, following a small 0.4% reduction during the month of March. The average home here is now worth $498,565, which is 3.7% higher than the same time last year.

    Local QV registered valuer Andrew Ronald agents were still reporting strong interest for properties under $600,000, with multiple offers common. “This is likely to flow through to strengthening value levels over the next few months.”

    “There is still steady demand from first home buyers and investors are beginning to return to the market with the restoration of interest tax deductibility rules,” he added.

    The QV HPI uses a rolling three month collection of sales data, based on sales agreement date. This has always been the case and ensures a large sample of sales data is used to measure value change over time. Having agent and non-agent sales included in the index provides a comprehensive measure of property value change over the longer term.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment – When a pay rise is a pay cut – Briscoes and Rebel Sport workers to strike – Workers First Union

    Source: Workers First Union

    Workers First Union members who work for major retailers Briscoes and Rebel Sport have rejected a deal containing pay ‘increases’ below the rising cost of living and have voted to begin strike action today by making their feelings about the “disappointing” pay offer known publicly (a ‘media strike’).
    Samuel Gilray, a sales assistant at Rebel Sport in Christchurch who has worked for the company for around 18 years, said workers were frustrated with the Briscoe Group’s approach to pay negotiations and were striking for a better future.
    “I like my job, and I like working for the company, but the last two years have been some of the most stressful of my working life and many of us are feeling frustrated after these negotiations,” said Mr Gilray.
    “This is one of the most successful New Zealand companies and they don’t seem to think we deserve an actual pay rise that takes us forwards rather than backwards.”
    “That little extra to take us into positive territory could be the difference between people going to work motivated and happy rather than disappointed and under financial pressure.”
    Nicholas Mayne, Workers First Union organiser, said that the Briscoe Group operated 90 stores in New Zealand (47 Briscoes and 43 Rebel Sport), and despite making over $60m in profit for the year ended January 2025, the company would not offer a pay increase to workers that met the rate of the current rising cost of living ( 3% for the 12 months to December 2024 quarter).
    “It’s a poor wage offer to Briscoes and Rebel Sport workers,” said Mr Mayne. “After another busy year of trading and tens of millions in profit, the company are offering our members an effective pay cut for 2025-26.”
    “Workers want to make their feelings known and expose the fact that one of our most well-known homewares brands doesn’t believe staff are worth a wage that keeps up with increasing household costs.”
    “It’s distasteful and miserly, and the company’s offer to members is well below the current living wage and well below what is tolerable for another year of hard work in the retail sector ahead.”
    Troy Johnston, a storeperson at Briscoes Petone, said that his store was “awesome” to work for, but workers deserved better from the current negotiations.
    “A lot of people have worked for the company for years, even decades – but with no real growth in wages, lately it has been feeling more like a part-time job for students,” said Mr Johnston.
    “You want to do better than just getting by. You want to save, expand your knowledge in the job, and not be held back by the financial pressure.”
    Mr Mayne said the formal strike notice was for “non-compliance with any and all employer requirements to refrain from speaking to news media” and would be continuous until a collective agreement is ratified.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: BusinessNZ – Consumers hold line on sustainability, expect business to do the same

    Source: BusinessNZ

    New research shows that while the cost of living remains top concern for New Zealand’s consumers, their commitment to sustainability remains strong.
    The Kantar and Sustainable Business Council (SBC) Better Futures 2025 report – now in its 16th year, surveyed 1,000 New Zealanders. Results show there are high expectations of businesses to take responsibility for their environmental and social impacts.
    Kantar’s Sustainable Transformation Practice Lead Jason Cate says businesses should be rethinking how they engage with consumers on environmental and social issues.
    “Perceptions show businesses are falling short of consumers’ expectations in the sustainability space. Although global pressures mean it’s more challenging for businesses to prioritise social and environmental responsibility, these issues remain key to New Zealanders – and consumers continue to hold the line on sustainability issues year on year.
    “Consumers expect businesses to do the same, if not go further, to help them make the better choices they aspire to.”
    Sixty percent of people surveyed said they were prepared to invest time and money to support companies doing good in the sustainability space, while almost half (49%) said they had stopped buying certain products because of their environmental impact.
    “Businesses cannot walk away from their sustainability commitments without losing trust in their brand,” Cate says.
    SBC’s Head of Environmental, Social and Governance Jay Crangle says the report reaffirms calls for businesses to go beyond storytelling, with New Zealanders expecting action on the big issues.
    “We’re seeing proof that meaningful actions speak louder than words when it comes to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Consumers are looking for businesses to show more than tell. When they do tell, consumers want to see transparency and authenticity.”
    Consumers again ranked social issues as more of a priority than environmental issues – with a sharp increase in concern over access to good, affordable healthcare (up 9% on 2024). Almost one-third of a consumer’s perception of a brand is now shaped by what they’re doing to minimise the social harm of their products or services.
    “Environmental issues remain important to consumers, but social concerns are increasingly apparent and pressing,” Crangle says.
    “There is clear commercial benefit in engaging genuinely with both sustainability and social issues, because there’s substantial overlap in the interest for progress in both. But engagement must be authentic and relevant to your business, or consumers will notice.”
    Notes:
    This is the 16th year Kantar has been monitoring the issues New Zealanders care most deeply about. 
    The 2025 top five concerns for New Zealanders (percentage change since 2024):
    1. The cost of living (+1)
    2. Not having access to good, affordable healthcare (+9)
    3. Protection of children from mental, physical and sexual abuse (-2)
    4. The level and treatment of mental health issues (+3)
    5. The impact of social media (+4)
    The top five environmental concerns for New Zealanders (percentage change since 2024):
    1. Pollution of lakes, rivers and seas (-1)
    2. Managing our waste including recycling (+3)
    3. Microplastics in the environment and food sources (+1)
    4. Protection and management of conservation land and waterways (+2)
    5. The impact of climate change on New Zealand (+2)
    Margin of error ±5% points at the 95% confidence level.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Russel Norman – NZ’s Environment Report Card is Alarming – Greenpeace

    Source: Greenpeace

    The Government’s three-yearly environment report card, Our Environment 2025, documents the rapid and dramatic decline of nature in Aotearoa, Greenpeace says.
    “The report documents the alarming decline of nature in Aotearoa, driven by activities such as industrial dairying and fishing, and highlights the desperate need for strong Government regulation to protect nature from more harm”, says Dr. Russel Norman, Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director.
    “Here are a few of the lowlights: There is only a single species of indigenous bat that is NOT at risk of extinction; only a single species of frog NOT at risk of extinction; just 22% of birds are safe from extinction; over 2,000kg of protected corals pulled up by commercial fishing nets. And on and on the list goes.
    “We are in a biodiversity crash dive, driven by industrial exploitation combined with inadequate government regulation to protect nature.
    “The very foundations of life in Aotearoa – our food systems, our drinking water, and the wildlife we share the country with are on the brink. Native species and ecosystems are on the verge of collapse.
    “Successive governments have allowed profiteering corporations to pollute, exploit, and degrade the environment for decades. And now, everyday New Zealanders are paying the price – through unsafe drinking water, eroding land, unswimmable rivers, depleted fish numbers, and native wildlife that are slipping away. This crisis is political, it’s systemic, and it’s urgent.
    “We have had far too few regulations to protect nature and too much freedom to destroy it for profit.
    “At a time when we need bold action, the Luxon Government is opening the door for polluters to profit while nature collapses.
    “The Government needs to repeal the fast track act, and abandon the RMA reforms. These changes will only make the crisis worse – handing even more power to corporations to fast-track destruction and block environmental protections,” says Norman.
    Some lowlights from the report:
    Terrestrial (p.23-25)
    • Only 6% of indigenous reptile species are NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. 72% of reptile species have declining populations.
    • Only 22% of indigenous terrestrial bird species are NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. And 22% of species have declining populations.
    • Only 1 indigenous bat species (out of 5) is NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. And only one species has an increasing population.
    • Only 1 indigenous frog species (out of 14) is NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. 12 species have declining populations.
    • Native ecosystems continue to be destroyed – 88,000 hectares lost between 1996 and 2018.
    Freshwater
    • Half of all lakes are in poor health, contaminated by excess nutrients. Only a third of lakes are in good or very good health (pg. 31).
    • Most freshwater-dependent birds threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction
    • 76% of freshwater fish are threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with 63% of fish populations in decline (37)
    • Half of freshwater monitoring sites failed to meet e.coli standard (ie fecal contamination)
    • Only 10% of our wetlands remain yet they continue to be drained and degraded for livestock farming (pg 34).
    • At least 48 percent of the river network is at least partially inaccessible to migratory fish, such as Tuna/eel though a further 36 percent has not yet been assessed and could be inaccessible (pg 36).
    • Nitrate contamination in groundwater is increasing in nearly half of monitored sites (47%) – pg 31
    • Severely polluted rivers found in intensive dairy regions – Canterbury, Waikato and Southland (see map pg 31)
    • 12% of groundwater monitoring sites failed nitrate drinking water standard (ie the 50 year old WHO standard that is very high compared with modern evidence)
    • 45% of entire river length unsafe for swimming, (even though much of this length is in the high country where industries have very little presence)
    Ocean
    • 91% of indigenous seabirds are threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened (p.46).
    • 22 percent of indigenous marine mammal species (10 of 49) were threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened (p.46).
    • Estimated 3,613 seabirds and 476 fur seals were caught in trawling and longline fisheries in one year (p.43)
    • 2,073 kilograms of protected coral were reported as caught in one year (p.43)
    • 12% of assessed fish stocks (19 of 152) were overfished or depleted in 2023, including some stock of black cardinalfish, orange roughy and scallops. FIve stocks had collapsed. (p.43)
    • 15 Hector’s dolphins deaths due to commercial bycatch in 2023-24 (up from usual 0-5 per year). (p.43)
    • Few biogenic habitats (like kelp forests, seagrass meadows and sponge gardens) are monitored in New Zealand, but most that are have experienced loss or damage. (p.48)
    Climate
    • Marine heatwaves have become more frequent, intense and longer-lasting, including. In 2022, New Zealand experienced a record number of marine heatwave days, and the two longest and most intense marine heatwaves on record in some locations. (pg 44)
    • Marine heatwaves have caused unusual fish migrations, severe bleaching and necrosis of sponges, large losses of farmed salmon and southern bull kelp (rimurapa), and likely contributed to the mass mortality of blue penguins (kororā) in the Bay of Plenty pg 65
    • In some areas sea level is expected to rise 20 to 30 centimetres by 2050 compared with 2005 levels. For many parts of the country, a 30-centimetre rise is a threshold for extreme flooding, above which a 100-year coastal storm becomes an annual event (pg 45)
    • In 2021, extreme rainfall events that caused flooding in Canterbury were 10 to 15 percent more intense because of climate change. Similarly, extreme weather and associated flooding on the West Coast in 2021 were nearly 10 percent more intense due to climate change (pg 62)
    • The frequency of extreme temperature events in New Zealand has increased two to threefold due to human influence since pre-industrial times (pg 62)
    • Total glacier ice volumes in New Zealand decreased 35 percent, and the rate of annual loss increased between 1978 and 2020 pg 64
    Other
    • Without changes to land-use, erosion rates are predicted to worsen with climate change. Sediment loads to waterways are expected to increase by up to 233% by 2090 (pg 18)
    • Almost half (49%) of soil at monitored sites is compacted (pg 19)
    • Emerging evidence is finding soils may be contaminated with microplastics (pg 20)
    • Microplastics are widespread throughout the marine environment, and they accumulate in animals as they move up the food chain. Found in many fish species eaten by humans and in green- lipped mussels. (p.42)
    • 67% of items counted in Litter Intelligence were plastic, hazardous plastic additives have been detected in debris in NZ beaches. (p.42)
    • In 2019, air pollution was a factor in 3,239 premature deaths,12,653 cases of childhood asthma 13,237 hospitalisations. Air pollution from motor vehicles was associated with 71 percent of these hospitalisations and 69 percent of premature deaths. (pg 68)
    • Premature deaths associated with NO2 exposure from motor vehicle emissions increased 28 percent, and hospitalisations increased 39 percent. (68)
    • Social costs resulting from the health impacts associated with air pollution were estimated at $15.3 billion for the year 2019, with 69 percent of these costs associated with air pollution from motor vehicles (pg 68)
    • As a result of climate change there is an increasing risk that insect-spread viruses like the Zika virus and dengue fever will be introduced from overseas and locally transmitted

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release: Aircraft crash, Hastings

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can now name the man who died following an aircraft crash in Hastings on Sunday 6 April.

    He was 71-year-old Grant Bruce Jarden, of Hastings.

    Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

    The incident has been referred to the Civil Aviation Authority.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cordons lifted in New Lynn but Police presence remains

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Rata Street in New Lynn is now open to vehicles following cordons being put in place earlier this afternoon.

    Officers remain in the area as they continue to work to locate four people who fled from Police.

    We would ask anyone who notices suspicious activity in the wider area to please call Police straight away on 111.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Flaws in Govt’s climate strategy will cost us money

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The Government’s plan to achieve our climate goals falls short, and will cost New Zealanders money and jobs.

    “The Government needs to come clean on how it is going to ensure we not only reach our Paris Agreement obligations, but also how we are going to meet our domestic net zero 2050 target,”
    Labour climate spokesperson Deborah Russell said.

    “Increasing reliance on trees to absorb carbon once it’s emitted will not get us where we need to be, especially since the Government also cut $3 billion worth of climate action from last year’s Budget.

    “The Government scrapped effective climate work such as the Clean Car Discount, extension to the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme and the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund.

    “The Government’s forestry plans are deeply unrealistic and so it needs to show how it intends to meet targets. Otherwise, we will be committed to buying expensive offshore credits, which aren’t budgeted for.

    “Worse than that, they’re failing to meet our commitments to our children. We aren’t doing our bit to address climate change and that means leaving our children worse off and having to live in an irreparably changed world,” Deborah Russell said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZDF’s Obscene military spending plans – Peace Action Wellington

    Source: Peace Action Wellington

    Monday 7 April 2025 – “The just announced plan to spend $12 billion on weapons is a shocking waste. It shows both that there is plenty of money for desperately needed infrastructure, and that this government’s priorities are entirely in the wrong place. It also shows that this government has no plan and no leadership when it comes to the major security issue in our region: climate change,” said Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington.

    “The $12 billion that this government plans intends to funnel to global weapons dealers in the next three years is money that would save New Zealanders’ lives if our health system was prioritised. We can’t afford a proper hospital in Dunedin or emergency care in Dargaville, but we can afford this? It shows that the massive cuts to public services are driven by ideology.”

    “This new Defence Capability Plan talks about a ‘dangerous strategic environment’ but takes no responsibility for the help it has given to make it dangerous by supporting a genocide in Palestine. It says that upholding a ‘rules based international order’ is a key priority, yet it is the NZ government itself that is undermining international law by refusing to apply it to Israel. Neither Luxon, Peters or Collins has dared to say a word about the US’s full-blown attacks on international law and its institutions such as the International Criminal Court.”

    The Defence Capability Plan also clearly ties NZ to deploying with the US against China. It says:

     “New Zealand has a particular interest in Indo-Pacific Security. This is where our security partners are closely engaged, where Defence contributions would be expected, and where our economic and strategic interests converge. Defence will focus on contributing to activities that reinforce the existing international rules-based order.”

    “Right now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and security services are all buying into the US’s fear mongering about China. That is where this drive for massive spending comes from. We should be not adopt an anti-China position simply because that is the US position.”

    “Plans to expand the aerospace capability and industry are almost entirely to service the US military. These launches carry classified ‘national security’ payloads doing the dirty work of US targeting and surveillance. We have no idea what is actually being done from our shores, at places like Mahia.”

    “New Zealand’s role must be to push for peaceful solutions and step away from dangerous alliances. The US is a fascist state. It is not a reliable ally as the Europeans are quickly learning, and NZ would be wise to create some distance between it and our international relations.”

    “This Defence Capability Plan will not make New Zealanders safer or more secure. This plan will ensure that desperately needed public services here in Aotearoa are starved of resources and primed for privatisation, while US weapons companies drain our treasury and the US military sets us up to service them in their forever wars.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Finally, NZ can be taken seriously on defence

    Source: ACT Party

    Welcoming the Government’s Defence Capability Plan, ACT Defence spokesperson Mark Cameron says:

    “This is a major win for New Zealand’s security and a testament to ACT’s push for a robust defence posture. We’ve campaigned for two percent of GDP on defence for years, and today’s plan finally delivers.

    “The global situation is becoming less certain and less secure. Strength-focused leaders demand that allies who want to be taken seriously offer real capability. A $12 billion commitment across four years, with a goal to exceed the two percent-of-GDP target in eight, demonstrates to the world that New Zealand is ready to step up.

    “Enhanced strike capabilities, deeper integration with our ANZAC partners, and innovations like uncrewed vehicles and space tech will make our Defence Force a credible deterrent.

    “I’m especially pleased for our personnel. Finally, the men and woman asked to put their lives on the line will get the respect they deserve. Years of underfunding, MIQ deployment, and attrition hollowed out the Defence Force’s core. A new workforce strategy and equipment upgrades shows we’re serious about giving personnel meaningful roles, extraordinary skills, and fulfilling experiences.

    “ACT will fight to ensure this momentum holds. Protecting Kiwis is the first job of government, and the time for complacence is over.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment Issues – Personal finance helpline advisors to strike against unfair pay system that means they can’t budget for themselves – PSA

    Source: PSA

    FinCap workers are set to strike against an obscure pay structure that’s leaving them in financial uncertainty – despite working for a financial wellbeing charity.
    Members of the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi will strike tomorrow – Tuesday 8 April – from 12pm to 2pm.
    They’re calling on FinCap to abandon a confusing system based on “Strategic Pay” – where the employer can move workers around pay bands at their own discretion.
    With opaque performance measures unmoored from clear benchmarks, workers are left guessing what their salary will be for the coming year.
    “The irony of a financial wellbeing charity imposing income uncertainty on their workers is shocking,” says PSA National Sector Lead, Chris Ollington.
    “The service’s workers deserve support for their budget struggles too. Having peace of mind will help people focus on what can be very intense mahi for our communities.”
    Members going on strike are the advisors behind FInCap’s MoneyTalks Helpline and experts who support financial mentors at over 150 services across Aotearoa.
    Helpline Advisors provide tailored support to people in financial hardship or facing overwhelming debt. This can involve food support referral, on-the-ground budgeting help, and information on accessing government and creditor supports.
    “Even though our team works above and beyond our roles, we can’t be sure how our pay will change. We need a transparent pay system everyone can understand,” says one PSA member.
    Callers reaching FinCap’s MoneyTalks helpline will be advised the service is unavailable on Tuesday afternoon due to the strike. A voicemail message will let them know when to call back for support.
    The strike action also calls for a reasonable redundancy package in the current climate of job insecurity.
    PSA members at FinCap began industrial action on March 25th by working only standard hours and taking full breaks together. Work-to-rule will continue until April 11.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Agriculture Research – Climate change conditions impacting critical element for plant growth, fertiliser need

    Source: AgResearch

    Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are altering phosphorus (P) available for plant growth, potentially leading to costly and unnecessary fertiliser application by farmers.

    New research published in the Global Change Biology journal by scientists from AgResearch and Lincoln University has found that the test used in New Zealand to estimate the amount of available P in the soil may be underestimating the true accessibility of this crucial element for pasture plant growth.

    The research, which drew on data from a long-running AgResearch experiment* in which carbon dioxide is artificially elevated on an area of grazed pasture, is the latest to throw up surprising new results about what happens under rising carbon dioxide levels tied to climate change.

    “For decades, New Zealand farmers have relied on the Olsen P test to determine the P available in soils and to guide decisions about fertiliser use,” says lead author Zac Beechey-Gradwell. 

    “The data from the AgResearch experiment shows a substantial and sustained reduction in available P in the topsoil extracted by the Olsen P measure under elevated carbon dioxide, prior to annual P fertiliser application. In addition, the effectiveness of P fertiliser in raising Olsen P was significantly reduced.”      

    “Scientists have known for a while that elevated carbon dioxide reduces the amount of P extracted by the Olsen P test, but we didn’t fully understand why or what the consequences of this might be. Our latest research confirms that more of the fertiliser P that is applied under elevated carbon dioxide is rapidly converted into organic forms in the topsoil, in a process called ‘biological immobilisation’. This essentially makes it invisible to standard soil P tests.”

    “If a soil P test indicates phosphorus deficiency, farmers may respond by applying more fertiliser than is necessary, driving up costs without improving pasture performance. Phosphorus is an essential macro-nutrient for plant growth. Without it, production will decline.”

    “At a minimum, this research suggests we are going to need to recalibrate soil P test targets under elevated carbon dioxide to ensure that P fertiliser recommendations remain cost-effective and environmentally sustainable in the years ahead.”

    AgResearch principal scientist Alec Mackay says the phosphorus findings have landed against a backdrop of expected gains in pasture productivity not materialising under climate change.

    “We need further research to see if similar trends are occurring in different soil types, and what the impact is on clovers and nitrogen fixation.”

    Research co-author, Professor Leo Condron of Lincoln University, says: “Phosphorus fertiliser manufacture in New Zealand is dependent on imported phosphate rock and the cost has increased and become more volatile since 2007-08, and it is therefore important to ensure that fertiliser P is being used efficiently”.

    Read the full research at: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70150

    *New Zealand’s globally unique Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiment has allowed scientists to study plant and soil responses to elevated carbon dioxide in a sheep grazed pasture for almost 24 years (1997-2021). Read more at:https://www.agresearch.co.nz/our-research/future-facing-experiment-helping-to-combat-climate-change/

    AgResearch’s core focus is to deliver high quality science to enhance the value, productivity and sustainability of New Zealand’s pastoral, agri-food and agri-technology sectors. More at www.agresearch.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Christchurch industrial fire update #2

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    The fire in the industrial building in Bromley, Christchurch, has been contained to the building of origin and has not spread to any surrounding buildings.
    Incident Commander Dave Key says the fire is not extinguished and is deep seated.
    “We will have a presence at the site overnight as it will take some time to fully extinguish,” he says.
    A fire investigator is currently on scene and an investigation into the cause will begin once it is safe to do so.
    People impacted by the smoke should continue to keep their windows and doors closed, and stay inside if possible.
    Dave Key asks those with elderly neighbours near the fire area to check in on them to ensure they also have windows and doors closed.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –