NewzIntel.com

Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stretch of SH1 southbound from Foxton temporarily closing for sealing work

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    A stretch of State Highway 1 south of Foxton is closing to southbound traffic as the Levin to Foxton safety improvements project progresses.

    The southbound lane of SH1 will be closed from the southern entrance to Foxton through to the intersection with Oturoa Road between 9am and 3pm weekdays for 1 week from Monday 17 to Friday 21 March 2025.

    The road will remain open to northbound traffic.

    A signposted detour will be in place for southbound road users, who will be detoured left onto Union Street and into Foxton Shannon Road, onto State Highway 57, through to Queen Street East, and back to State Highway 1 in Levin. Detour signage will be in place.

    The lane closure is necessary to allow crews to complete a second coat seal on the highway and undertake some remedial tasks.

    While northbound traffic will remain on the highway, a reduced speed limit will be in place. The detour route is expected to add an additional 15 minutes to journey times.

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi wants to thank people for their understanding during this work. A one-way closure allows crews to complete the work as efficiently as possible, minimising ongoing disruption to motorists.

    When we rebuild a section of the road and apply a chipseal finish we need to come back later to carry out a second coat seal. This locks in the seal to make it waterproof, keeps it stronger and safer for longer, and helps reduce the likelihood of flushing occurring.

    About the project

    This work follows the completion of Stage 2 of the SH1 Levin to Foxton safety improvements project. Stage 2 saw flexible median and turnaround facilities constructed at Oturoa and Koputaroa roads. A small section of side barrier was also installed on the southbound lane just south of the Oturoa Road intersection to prevent vehicles driving into a ditch

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Closures this Sunday on SH2 HB Expressway and SH50

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Crews will be carrying out routine maintenance overnight Sunday on a stretch of State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway.

    The stretch of road between Omahu Road and Evenden Road will be closed from 8pm and reopening at 5am on Monday, in time for commuter traffic.

    Signposted detours will be available.

    During the closure, crews will be working on a range of maintenance, including focusing on flexible median barrier repair, signage repair and road surface repairs if and where needed within the Omahu to Evenden stretch.

    Sunday’s closure is part of routine monthly maintenance – one Sunday night a month, crews will be focused on a range of maintenance on a different section of the expressway.

    At this stage, the following dates have been confirmed for the remainder of the year:

    23 March         24 August

    27 April            28 September

    25 May            No October closure at this stage

    29 June            2 November

    27 July             7 December

    While these dates are confirmed, the stretch of expressway closed on any date may change at short notice depending on the maintenance priorities at the time.

    The dates are also weather dependent and if postponed, the following Sunday will be used as the contingency date.

    Further north, a section of State Highway 50 through Ahuriri, in Napier, will be closed during the day on Sunday for a triathlon event.

    There will be other local road closures too.

    Road closures(external link)

    SH50 will be closed from Napier Port’s eastern gate through Ahuriri Truck Bypass, Bridge Street and Hyderabad Street to the peanut roundabout intersection with Pandora Road.

    The road will be closed from 6.30am til 3pm.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Child Poverty – Save the Children: Urgent investment needed in low-income families, particularly sole parent households – Save the Children

    Source: Save the Children

    Save the Children is calling on the Government to commit to investing in policies to lift more children and whānau out of poverty following the release of today’s latest child poverty statistics that show no progress on meeting targets over the past year, and particular groups of children more at risk.
    Child Poverty Statistics for the year ending June 2024 released today by Stats NZ show the number of children experiencing hardship in their everyday lives has largely remained the same, with specific groups of children – including mokopuna Māori, Pasifika and disabled children and those living in sole parent households – particularly impacted by poverty.
    The cost of housing continues to push many families into poverty, with one third of low- income families spending more than 40% of their income on housing, compared to an average of 20% for all households. Today’s figures do not include those children and families living in emergency housing, the hardest end of poverty.
    “Child poverty is complex and needs political commitment and investment across all governments if we are to achieve real change and enable all children in Aotearoa to thrive,” says Save the Children New Zealand’s Advocacy and Research Director Jacqui Southey.
    “If we are to meaningfully reduce child poverty levels, we must be committed to meaningfully lifting the incomes of low-income families, including lifting welfare levels, and tackle the availability and cost of housing for all New Zealanders whether renting or owning their own homes.
    “We cannot be trapped into seeing this as a single term or single government issue. And most importantly, we must not give up.”
    Ms Southey says the data across the reporting period from 2018 shows a lift in poverty levels since 2021, although the primary measures remain lower than, or at, the 2018 baseline.
    “Although there is no statistically significant difference to report, the graphs show that over time we are no longer moving the dial in the right direction and this is extremely concerning.
    “We cannot ignore that one in four of our children are living in material hardship and one in five are living below the poverty line after housing costs in Aotearoa. For each of these numbers, a real child is experiencing the everyday hardships of not having enough.
    “For particular groups of children, this number is much higher. Pasifika children continue to experience poverty at a higher rate than other groups of children. It is essential that we understand the why of these statistics so we can make the necessary changes to ensure Pasifika children do not lead lives disadvantaged by poverty.”
    Ms Southey says children living in sole parent households are also significantly impacted by child poverty. Nearly 80% of households living on the lowest incomes are sole parent households, on average living on a disposable income of less than $46,000.
    “By any measure this is a shockingly low-income level for a family and is directly contributing to levels of child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand,” she says.
    “It is not acceptable that our economic systems are set up to push sole parent families into poverty, this is a critical area for change.”
    Save the Children is calling for targeted policies and investment to significantly improve support for sole parent families that would ease the economic burden they are living under.
    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: Child Poverty – Economic growth alone won’t help 156,600 Kiwi children who live in poverty – CPAG

    Source: Child Poverty Action Group

    The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is urging the government to put child poverty back on the agenda after official data showed an increase of children living in hardship over the past two years.
    It’s likely an extra 36,300 children are living in material hardship compared to 2022, according to official child poverty statistics from StatsNZ released today.
    “Child poverty data was trending down from 2018 but in the past two years we have seen an increase in material hardship rates which is a concerning trend,” CPAG executive officer Sarita Divis said.
    Stats NZ figures showed a likely 156,600 New Zealand children – 1 in 7 or 13.4 percent – are living in material hardship where their families cannot afford the basics.
    Those numbers were significantly higher for Māori (23.9 percent), Pacific (28.7 percent) and disabled (21 percent) children.
    “Colonisation and discrimination are at the root of these disproportionate rates for marginalised groups. The government needs to reverse the cuts made to community-led approaches.”
    “We know the broad brush stroke of economic growth benefits those already doing well and doesn’t help raise incomes of those struggling,” Ms Divis said.
    “We need to see a concerted effort with policies that we know will help. The government has ignored official advice on introducing measures to help improve child poverty rates and instead has focused on cruel actions that we know hurt children such as benefit sanctions.”
    CPAG urged the government to address urgent matters like food insecurity.
    “For a long time now, as a country, we have lived with low wages and inadequate welfare, an unfair tax system, high housing costs, and ongoing underinvestment in key services that help the lowest-income families,” Ms Divis said.
    “And as our cost of living has increased substantially over recent times, along with increased unemployment, it is no wonder that parents, despite their best efforts, struggle to provide the basics for their children.”
    The aim of the Child Poverty Reduction Act (2018) is to address a significant and sustained reduction in child poverty.
    While in opposition National supported the implementation of the act. At the time current child poverty reduction Minister Louise Upston said then the targets were not ambitious enough.
    The Prime Minister also talked about child poverty in his maiden speech to parliament in 2021 and we urge both to go back to their commitments. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release and appeal for information, Hastings homicide

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Detective Inspector Martin James, Eastern District Investigations Manager:

    Police can now confirm the name of the man who died in Hastings Sunday 23 February, and are appealing for information to assist in our ongoing investigation.

    A homicide investigation was launched after a man was pronounced deceased in Hawke’s Bay Hospital around 11pm, after he was brought into the hospital following an assault.

    Police can now confirm he was 33-year-old Keith Pati, of Flaxmere, Hastings. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones at this time.

    Police are continuing to focus our enquiries on the area of Camberley. In particular, we are wanting to hear from the residents of Huia Street and Takahe Street

    Police are asking residents to report any items that may have been located in the area, including discarded clothing items.

    If you have found any property not belonging to yourself in the area, please contact Police.

    You can contact us via 105 either online or over the phone – please quote reference number 250217/0218.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Child Poverty – “We can end child poverty”: Share My Super founder

    Source: Share My Super

    Reducing child poverty substantially needs only half the current public spend on roads, says philanthropist Liz Greive, as new StatsNZ data shows the burden of poverty on children has increased over the last two years.
    StatsNZ data released today showed that around 156,000 children live in hardship, meaning their families don’t have all the essentials to meet basic needs – around 36,000 more children since 2022, and a higher proportion of children than two years ago.
    Greive said it did not have to be this way. “New Zealanders care about each other – and we can change the terrible situation that is causing toxic stress for far too many mokopuna in our country.”
    Last year, officials told the government that reaching current 2027/28 child poverty targets would require investment of $3 billion a year – which is only around half our public spend on roads. The proportion of children in poverty has now increased to more than double those 2027/28 targets.
    “If we can find enough resources for our roads, we can find enough resources for our children,” said Greive. “As a society, right now we are choosing to keep child poverty high, and we can change that choice. Our country can support all our families – politicians need to know this is our priority.”
    Greive said there was no need to make 156,000 children wait before they got all the basic essentials.
    “I want to give hope: we can make a difference by letting decision makers know what our priorities are: happy childhoods and flourishing lives for all our country’s children.”
    Greive said people in a position to do so could also consider donating to charity to immediately reduce the effects of poverty on children.
    “Kids experiencing hardship can’t wait for leaders to make the right decisions, so we try to help as many as we can right now,” said Greive. “The more people join us, the more kids we can assist.”
    Share My Super enables older people to easily support a range of partner charities focused on both systems change and immediate needs of children in hardship. Greive funds 100% of Share My Super’s operating costs so all donations go directly to their partner charities.
    “Child poverty is shocking and unnecessary – each of us can work towards a better future for our kids. If we lift up our kids, we lift up our country” said Greive. “And together, we can end child poverty.”
    Info:
    – Share My Super (founded 2020 by Liz Greive) is a unique meta-charity; supporting carefully chosen partner charities who are all doing amazing work to alleviate the impacts of growing up in hardship.
    – In 2023 Liz established a separate charitable foundation which will fund Share My Super in perpetuity
    – Share My Super support their partner charities to ensure effectiveness of their programmes and robust governance.
    – “Forgotten Moko” is Share My Super’s campaign launched this week, headed by Sir Ian Taylor. www.sharemysuper.org.nz
    – Cost of roads is approx $20-$22 billion over three years see page 5 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Action needed now, as child poverty grows

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    Data released today by Statistics New Zealand showed the urgent problem facing Aotearoa New Zealand in tackling child poverty, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

    “Child poverty is estimated by Stats NZ on three measures – before housing costs, after housing costs, and material poverty. All three central estimates of poverty rose last year. This is the second year in a row in which the trend is heading in the wrong direction. We need action now to turn this trend around,” said Renney.

    “1 in 7 children are estimated to be living in households where they experience material poverty – that means 156,000 kids are missing out on essentials and living in cold and damp housing. That is the highest number since 2015.

    “Child poverty is a prison that holds too many children in Aotearoa back. Unless we tackle this problem now, we will be paying the social costs over generations.

    “Child poverty is not distributed equally. 1 in 4 tamariki Māori live in material poverty. 1 in 3 Pacific children live in material poverty. Where a household has a disabled person, 1 in 4 children in those households are in material poverty. For all these groups the number of children in material poverty has grown over the past two years.

    “The Government is now missing all three of its child poverty targets. The Government’s key response to child poverty has been to water down the targets, reduce the value of welfare support, and cut the real value of the minimum wage.

    “There is no plan to help these families living in poverty, instead they are being threatened with further sanctions and penalties.

    “The Government is urgently talking up the need for an economic plan, but it doesn’t seem as if it shares the same sense of urgency for child poverty. Children deserve better than this Government’s indifference,” said Renney.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Work-related health newsletter – February 2025

    Source: Worksafe New Zealand

    Check out the latest guidance and resources, and a number of upcoming courses and conferences to help you ensure a healthy and safe work environment for you and your workers.

    In this edition:

    • Updated leptospirosis guidance​
    • New restricted entry intervals and guidance
    • Mentally healthy work infographics
    • Psychosocial survey of the retail sector
    • Workplace exposure standards 
    • Engineered stone and respirable crystalline silica consultation 
    • New ACC recovery at work resources    
    • New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025 
    • MATES in Construction NZ awarded funding 
    • New Zealand Journal of Health and Safety Practice 
    • Courses and resources
    • Upcoming conferences

    Read the full newsletter(external link)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Remaking a classic

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    New Zealand Police is bringing back an iconic advertisement responsible for inspiring thousands of people to join its ranks over the last 30 years.

    The classic 1990s ad, set to “He Ain’t Heavy” – a song about a young girl carrying her baby brother – is an important part of New Zealand Police history.

    Now, more than 30 years later, a remake is set to inspire the next generation of Police.

    Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says the 2025 version showcases a team of professional, effective, and empathetic staff who are working hard to prevent crime and harm.

    “I know many officers who were inspired by the original ad to join Police, myself included.

    “I was very moved and incredibly proud when I saw the remake.

    “It demonstrates how varied, impactful and important policing is while showcasing the amazing work my staff do every day to keep people safe.

    “I hope this ad will inspire people to join, just as it did three decades ago.”

    The advertisement, a near scene-by-scene recreation of the original, includes Police responses to everything from pub brawls, to family harm, to arson, to fatalities on our roads.

    It builds on what made the original so popular, reminding us of the impact policing has on the lives of so many.

    “It’s a nod to the journey we’ve been on, incorporating new workgroups such as AOS, Maritime Unit and Community Beat Teams, and highlighting our increased diversity and capability, as well as the evolution of technology,” Commissioner Chambers says.

    “The ad encapsulates our focus on core policing and our commitment to being increasingly visible in the communities we serve.”

    While part of a recruitment campaign, the remake also represents an opportunity to celebrate Police and build community trust and confidence.

    “Supporting each other through the highs and lows of policing is important to our well-being and sense of belonging,” Commissioner Chambers says.

    Police staff around the country were eager to take part, with over 100 staff, family, and friends from partner emergency services and agencies featured.

    Police families even opened their homes for filming.

    Staff were so passionate about this initiative they were involved outside their normal working hours, and others such as Eagle were deployable during filming.

    “I’m delighted to support the remake and look forward to the interest that it generates,” Commissioner Chambers says.

    “It shows policing and my Police staff at their best, and I’m very proud for New Zealand, and the world, to see that.”

    Note to media:
    The video is available to view on the New Zealand Police Facebook page.
    A short clip of behind the scenes footage is available to media on request.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Police campaign welcomed

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The new Police marketing campaign starting today, recreating the ‘He Ain’t Heavy’ ad from the 1990s, has been welcomed by Associate Police Minister Casey Costello.

    “This isn’t just a great way to get the attention of more potential recruits, it’s a reminder to everyone about what policing is and the quality of NZ Police,” Ms Costello says.

    “As a serving officer when the original ad came out, I remember the impact it had and how proud I felt and I wasn’t surprised to hear that there was such a positive reaction from Police to the proposal to update it.

    “No actors were used. More than 100 Police, their families and colleagues from other emergency services were involved and opened up their homes for filming. 

    “Our Police is world class and it’s important that the public understands all the work they do to prevent crime and serve their communities.”

    The Minister said that the new campaign also provided potential recruits with a picture of what it meant to join the Police.

    “Police are doing a huge amount of work to drive recruitment, improving the application and training process and since the Government lifted funding in the Budget there has been an unprecedented number of applications.
    “To get 500 extra frontline Police and improve the safety of our communities we need to keep that pipeline going, and I’m sure this new campaign will help keep the number of high-quality applicants flowing.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Most common registered family names in 2024

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is pleased to announce the most common family names given to newborns in 2024. 
    “For the seventh consecutive year, Singh is the most common registered family name, with over 680 babies given this name. Kaur follows closely in second place with 630 babies, while Smith rounds out the top three with 300 babies sharing the family name,” says Ms van Velden.
    “A decade ago, in 2014, Smith was the most common registered family name, followed closely behind by Wilson and Brown. 
    “New Zealand is a diverse country – and it’s great to see that reflected in our family name data for 2024.
    “Family names are a real gift for all children, as they reflect the rich history of each family they originate from.
    “In the North Island, Singh, Kaur and Patel were the most common registered family names. In the South Island Kaur, Singh and Smith took the top spots.”
    The family name Singh has a long history, originating from the Sanskrit word for ‘lion.’ It is traditionally used by Sikh men and has become a common family name among the global Indian diaspora.
    As New Zealand’s diversity continues to grow, it’s important all New Zealand parents—both in the country and those living overseas— ensure their children are registered in New Zealand.
    “It’s important to remember that Kiwi babies born overseas must be registered as citizens by descent to ensure they have full access to citizenship rights, including the ability to obtain a passport,” says Ms van Velden.
    Every year the Registrar-General shares the most popular baby names by gathering information from SmartStart. The site is a quick and free way to register your child. It also has guidance for families about their children’s first years, including information about what services and assistance may be available to families. Smartstart can be accessed here: https://smartstart.services.govt.nz/

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ Tourism and Law – Startling New Zealand travel warning after launch of new tourism campaign

    Source: Carter Capner Law

    As New Zealand launches a major tourism campaign targeted at Aussies with the slogan “Everyone must go”, a leading Australian travel compensation lawyer has warned travellers to “go at your own risk”.

    Director of Carter Capner Law and former national president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance Peter Carter has revealed that unlike Australia and most other developed nations, travellers to New Zealand cannot access compensation for injury or death due to the fault of someone else.

    Victims cannot hold wrongdoers accountable for injuries they encounter anywhere in New Zealand as a result of recklessness or negligence, and court claims for damages against people responsible for injuries or their insurers are prohibited.

    Mr Carter said the country has been a “legal liability free zone” since the protections were removed in the 1970s.

    “As Australians we naturally assume that because at-fault motorists, workplaces and business enterprises carry insurance and can be pursued for losses resulting from major injuries – it would be the same across the ditch.

    “But in New Zealand, careless drivers and businesses are immune from liability for the injuries they cause other people.

    “This applies to everyone and includes road accidents, recreational injuries, domestic aircraft accidents and all other situations,” he explained.

    “You have no right to compensation and no avenue to take legal action, even if you are flattened on a pedestrian crossing by a 10 tonne truck.”

    He said one woman from Queensland who suffered serious spinal injuries when a speeding car crossed on to the wrong side of the road collided with her head-on, “fought the New Zealand legal system for eight years and lost.”

    “Australia’s health system will cover you for some medical expenses on your return but you are on your own if you can’t return to full time work.”

    Mr Carter urged all travellers to New Zealand to have travel insurance but said “this stops when you set foot on the tarmac” in Australia. The only way to protect against loss of earning capacity from a NZ road accident is to take out income protection insurance before you travel.

    He said the absence of accountability in New Zealand means there is no economic incentive – like potential insurance premium hikes or lawsuits – to prevent accidents.

    “There is no safety culture and this means road and other accident rates are much higher than Australia, so Australians must visit New Zealand with that knowledge,” he said.

    About Peter Carter:

    Peter Carter is one of the most experienced lawyers in the Australasian region in the fields of aviation, tourism and travel compensation. He is a former national president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, and was previously a director of the Civil Justice Foundation of Australia. Peter has also held the roles of Queensland president of the Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand, and governor on the board of the American Association for Justice.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Child Poverty statistics show challenges remain

    Source: New Zealand Government

    No significant change to child poverty rates under successive governments reinforces that lifting children out of material hardship will be an ongoing challenge, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. 
    Figures released by Stats NZ today show no change in child poverty rates for the year ended June 2024, reflecting the impact of a prolonged cost of living crisis. 
    Stats NZ data for the three primary measures show that in 2023/24: 

    13.4 per cent of all children (156,600) were in material hardship – with no statistically significant change compared to 2022/23 
    17.7 per cent of children (208,000) were in poverty, based on household income after housing costs have been paid – with no statistically significant change compared to 2022/23 
    12.7 per cent of children (149,900) were in poverty, based on household income before housing costs have been paid – with no statistically significant change compared to 2022/23.  

    “It’s encouraging that there has been no significant increase year-on-year, however if we look at what has happened over the previous two years we can see that rates are trending upwards,” Louise Upston says.  
    “Todays’ figures do reflect the challenges of a prolonged cost of living crisis which began under the previous administration and which we are tackling head-on. 
    “We know there are some Kiwi families and their kids still doing it tough. Our Government is working to fix that. 
    “We are committed to changing the circumstances which trap people in poverty, and to addressing the long-term drivers of child poverty.  
    “Our Government has lifted the incomes of working households experiencing hardship by providing tax relief, reducing inflation and making childcare more affordable by introducing the FamilyBoost childcare tax rebate.  
    “We’re also providing lunches to around 242,000 learners every day so Kiwi kids have access to food.   
    “Reducing material hardship is a priority in our Child and Youth Strategy which is why we have a target to lift 17,000 more children out of material hardship by 2027, compared to 2023.  
    “We recognise that child poverty is a long term issue and our strategy of tackling the deeper causes of poverty, including reducing long-term benefit dependency and lifting education and skills, will make a big difference in driving down child poverty rates.  
     “It’s encouraging that inflation has continued a downward trend and pressure on families is starting to ease but there is still more to do,” Louise Upston says.
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Kaingaroa

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    One person has died following a crash in Kaingaroa last night.

    Police were notified at about 10.40pm that a vehicle had crashed on State Highway 10.

    Unfortunately, the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

    No other vehicles were involved.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are underway.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Finance Analysis – Getting the OCR down quickly – CoreLogic

    Source: CoreLogic – Commentary from Kelvin Davidson, CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist

    Financial markets and economists were united in expecting the Reserve Bank to cut the official cash rate by 0.5% to 3.75% at today’s meeting, and this was duly delivered.

    The barriers to the cut were non-existent, with inflation back inside the 1-3% target band and the economy still lacklustre. Anything other than a 0.5% cut would also have been surprising considering the clear signal given by the RBNZ at their last meeting in November.
    Many of the forecasts attached to today’s Monetary Policy Statement weren’t too much different than last time either, including projections for a gradual recovery in GDP growth this year, the unemployment rate to peak shortly (if not already) and start to fall again, and for house prices to resume a modest upwards trend. Headline CPI inflation is also projected to hover around 2% for the foreseeable future.
    But there was still some ‘surprise’ value in the forward track for the OCR itself, with the RBNZ now seeing a potential trough in the range of 3-3.25% being reached perhaps by the middle of this year rather than mid-2026 as previously thought. In other words, there still seems room for another 0.5% cut before a ‘final’ 0.25% fall thereafter. This seemed to reflect their view that the economy has more spare capacity than previously thought.
    For the property market and mortgage borrowers, then, the key message is that interest rates seemingly have further to fall yet, although the drops to come could be a bit slower or smaller than those seen to date – especially since banks were already cutting in advance of today’s decision anyway.
    It’s also going to be really interesting to see whether the recent stampede towards borrowers taking floating and short-term fixed rates go into reverse at some stage in 2025, with the focus potentially shifting back towards longer-term fixed rates again.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Housing and Construction – The staggering increase in home building costs over 4 years – QV

    Source: Quotable Value (QV)

    Building costs have increased at an average rate of 44% over the last four years, despite the rate of inflation slowing markedly last year.
    This was the major finding from a new QV CostBuilder study that looked at the comparative cost of building a standardised 150m² home across six main urban centres – Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton and Palmerston North.
    This bespoke research also showed that construction costs have increased by the largest percentage in Dunedin (47.1%) since 2020, followed by Palmerston North (46%).
    Despite always being the most expensive city to build a home in overall, construction costs actually increased by the smallest margin in Auckland (39.4%). Christchurch (40.5%) wasn’t far behind, with Hamilton (44.8%) sitting just above average.
    In real dollar terms, however, Wellington saw the largest average increase in the cost to build a home; its average build cost increased by $900 per square metre in five years. As a percentage, the cost of building a home in the capital increased by an average of 45.9% since 2020.
    But the good news for developers or for anyone looking at building a home is that the rate of building cost inflation has slowed markedly in recent years. In 2024, costs increased at a rate of between 0.7% and 2.2% across these six main urban areas.
    The smallest percentage increases last year were in Auckland (0.7%) and Hamilton (0.7%). Palmerston North (2.2%) saw the largest increase in 2024.
    “There are currently no significant differences in the rate of construction cost increases across the country. What these numbers show is just a relatively small difference in cost, which can be attributed to variable labour rates, different company overheads, some variance in materials, and differing transport costs across the country,” QV CostBuilder quantity surveyor Martin Bisset said.
    “After years of pronounced inflation that came as a result of managing the Covid-19 epidemic here and abroad, it’s good to see that construction costs have become significantly more stable in recent years. Hopefully the years of such staggeringly large construction cost increases are now firmly in the rear-view mirror.”
    Mr Bisset is currently busy preparing QV CostBuilder’s latest quarterly update for release next month. Though still early in the process, he said it looked as though Q1 in 2025 had been another relatively flat quarter.
    However, he also pointed out that ongoing geopolitical instability in Ukraine and the Middle East, the proliferation of US-led trade wars, and increased tariffs on construction materials could all have a major detrimental impact on the cost of building a home in New Zealand in the future.
    “Given that Aotearoa relies so heavily on importing building materials, a lot always depends on the buying power of the New Zealand dollar.”
    For this research, the standard home was based on three or four bedrooms, with one or two bathrooms. Construction consisted of Ribraft floor slab, Colorsteel® roof, weatherboard or brick veneer cladding, 2.4m high stud, floor tiles to bathrooms and kitchen, half height wall tiles to bathroom, and medium quality fittings.
    These rates are based on the total floor area of all levels, measured over all external walls. They include the following percentages, which are based on the total cost of the building – preliminaries at 7%, margin at 5%, and contingency at 1.5%.
    Mr Bisset noted these rates exclude the cost of land, demolition of existing structures on site, site works to achieve the starting level of the build, increased structural requirements, external works, utilities (outside the boundary of the site), professional and legal fees, fittings, furniture, or equipment. They also exclude GST.
    “It’s important to remember that all of these figures are averages and the cost of building will always depend on the level of finishes, internal layout, and all manner of other elements,” he said.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Workplace – New guide launched to help navigate medicinal cannabis and workplace safety – Drug Foundation

    Source: NZ Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri

    A new guide launched today will help employers and their workers better understand and manage medicinal cannabis and workplace safety concerns.

    Sarah Helm, Executive Director of NZ Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri, says the guide was developed in response to regular requests for advice from employers and employees.

    “New Zealand’s prescription medicinal cannabis scheme is less than five years old, and it’s clear that many employers are still trying to work out how medicinal cannabis fits into their workplace policies, especially when it comes to safety-sensitive roles,” she says.

    “At the same time, many employees are wary of disclosing a medicinal cannabis prescription for fear of additional scrutiny or even dismissal.”

    “While medicinal cannabis is not unique in its ability to cause impairment, its change in status from an illicit drug to one that can be legally prescribed has challenged traditional workplace alcohol and substance use policies. Some products prescribed do not contain psychoactive ingredients like THC, so a nuanced approach is needed.”

    In response, the Foundation has partnered with Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ), Dentons and Māori and Pasifika Trades Training to develop Medicinal cannabis: A guide for employers and employees.

    CHASNZ Chief Executive Chris Alderson says that it is important to strike the right balance between managing impairment, recognising the role of treatments such as medicinal cannabis, and treating the workforce with respect and fairness.

    “For higher risk work, there is a need to ensure that employers and employees have a consistent approach to recognising impairment, for any reason, and responding in a rational, practical way,” he says.

    “To date there has not been much clarity around approach. The intention of this guide is to provide a basis for businesses to confidently address the legal presence of medicinal cannabis without stigmatisation or increasing the risk of harm occurring.”

    The guide provides an overview of medicinal cannabis and why it’s prescribed, sets out employers’ and employees’ rights and responsibilities, and suggests practical changes to workplace policies and procedures to manage disclosure of medicinal cannabis use and workplace impairment.

    It includes expert input from the Drug Foundation, CHASNZ, law firm Dentons, Māori and Pasifika Trades Training, Rothbury Insurance, and Dr Graham Gulbransen, Fellow of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

    Alderson says that the Drug Foundation and CHASNZ both advocate for approaches that focus on detection of impairment rather than simply relying on detection of specific drugs.

    “Medicines, alcohol and other drugs, fatigue, injuries, and stress can all impact workplace safety,” he says.

    “We think the best practice in New Zealand safety-sensitive workplaces will be in detecting impairment regardless of the cause. Emerging technologies, including mobile apps, are showing promise in this area, and can work in tandem with drug testing where needed.”

    Medicinal cannabis: A guide for employers and employees is being launched at a free CHASNZ webinar at midday on 20 February and will be available afterwards on the NZ Drug Foundation website: https://drugfoundation.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=12b1eb03b683b7209e15a8fcb&id=5b9988b0d8&e=19a223383c

    You can register for the webinar on the CHASNZ website: https://drugfoundation.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=12b1eb03b683b7209e15a8fcb&id=043563e37c&e=19a223383c

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Power struggles: The psychology behind workplace energy use – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    Do you ever take the stairs instead of the lift or print double-sided – not for fitness, or to stretch the last few sheets of paper, but to save energy?
      
    An international study co-authored by researchers from the University of Auckland looks at how businesses can support these kinds of everyday choices, often overlooked in corporate sustainability plans.

    Published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, the study analyses 70 research papers on employee energy-saving behaviours and shows that a combination of personal attitudes, social norms, habits, organisational culture and peer feedback shapes employees’ willingness to save energy.
       
    It suggests that businesses looking to cut energy use should focus on engagement rather than enforcement.

    Employees who feel encouraged, rather than monitored or penalised, are more likely to develop lasting energy-saving habits.
       
    “A work environment that recognises the value of energy-saving behaviour and employees with intentions to save energy are very effective,” says Business School Professor Sholeh Maani.

    The economics professor says businesses that integrate energy-saving behaviours into workplace policies and culture see greater engagement from staff.

    For example, giving employees control over lighting and temperature settings and regular feedback on energy use, combined with positive reinforcement, can motivate staff to save energy. 

    Digital tools like Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and gamified apps can help staff track their energy use, says Maani, encouraging autonomy and responsibility.

    And while many businesses rely on employee education campaigns to encourage energy conservation, the research suggests that providing information alone is not enough, and in some cases, it may even backfire if it’s seen as personal monitoring.

    One study the researchers point out took place at a university in Canada and surveyed 595 employees in 24 buildings. The results found that feedback and peer education reduced energy use by seven percent and four percent respectively, while energy consumption increased by four percent in the buildings that educated employees on how and why to save energy.

    Another study in the Netherlands examined a 13-week energy-saving initiative at an environmental consulting firm with 83 employees across five departments. Employees received weekly rewards for saving energy, with some receiving monetary incentives and others getting positive public  recognition. The results were clear: public feedback was more effective than financial incentives.
       
    These results and others highlight that awareness alone won’t necessarily drive change – practical interventions that reinforce personal and group habits, such as social incentives and feedback can be effective, say Maani and co-author Dr Le Wen.

    If businesses want to reduce energy waste, they need to focus on building a workplace culture that supports and normalises energy-saving behaviours, says Maani.
     
    “Employees are more likely to conserve energy when they see their colleagues doing the same, receive regular feedback on workplace energy use, and feel supported to make changes and take control.

    “And when managers and colleagues actively participate in energy-saving initiatives, other employees are far more likely to follow suit.”

    With rising electricity costs and increasing pressure to cut carbon emissions, New Zealand businesses have a lot to gain from empowering employees to be part of the solution, says Maani.
      
    “In a country where sustainability is a priority, reducing workplace energy waste is a low-cost, high-impact way for businesses to reach their environmental goals.”  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Animal Rights – SAFE renews call for rodeo ban following four deaths – SAFE

    Source: SAFE For Animals

    SAFE renews call for rodeo ban following four deaths
    SAFE is once again urging the Government to ban rodeo following the deaths of four animals so far this summer – deaths that could have been prevented had the Government acted on long overdue animal welfare reforms.
    SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall says animals used in rodeo events endure extreme physical and psychological trauma, and these recent deaths further illustrate the inherent cruelty of rodeo.
    “Over the past two months, we’ve seen animals die from lameness, dislocated limbs, and other severe injuries – all in the name of entertainment,” says Hall.
    “The pain and torment these animals endure is absolutely appalling.”
    Despite drafting a revised rodeo code of welfare two years ago, the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) and the Government have failed to progress it. SAFE believes that, as a result, New Zealand’s animal welfare laws remain disconnected from the brutal reality of rodeo practices.
    “The Animal Welfare Act states that the physical handling of animals must minimise the likelihood of unnecessary pain and distress, yet rodeo practices depend on force and rough handling,” says Hall.
    SAFE says releasing the revised code of welfare is urgently needed to allow New Zealanders to have their say on rodeo events, aligning it with both the Animal Welfare Act and public expectations.
    “The release of this revised code will allow Kiwis to voice their opinion on the future of cruel rodeo events” says Hall. “Public consultation is the vital next step.”
    Yesterday, SAFE took further action by placing an ad in The Post and billboards in Wellington calling for immediate Government intervention on rodeo.
    “The abuse of animals in rodeo must end, and NAWAC and Minister Hoggard need to take immediate action to progress the revised code of welfare,” says Hall.
    “It is high time Kiwis had their say on the future of rodeo.”
    SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.
    We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
    Notes for the editor:
    • Information on the four deaths; The first fatality was of a horse rendered lame following the Taupō rodeo on 29 December who was killed the following day. The second death on December 30 occurred at the Te Anau rodeo, where a three-year-old bull’s hind leg was dislocated during the bull riding event. He was killed on-site. A steer then died prior to the Oruru Valley event on 3 January after being transported from the Warkworth and Far North events. The fourth fatality occurred at the Mad Bull rodeo in Otago on 2 February where a bull died after being ridden the previous day.
    • SAFE’s February 20th Post Ad is attached.
    • Visit SAFE’s website to learn more about our campaign and view our submission form calling on NAWAC and the Animal Welfare Minister to release the draft rodeo code for public consultation. ( https://safe.org.nz/take-action/rodeo-cruelty/ )
    • Whilst vets are required to be on-site at all rodeo events, rodeo clubs are not obliged to report injuries or deaths sustained during events.
    • In July 2022, SAFE and the New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) jointly contested rodeo in the High Court. The court ruled that the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) must determine appropriate animal welfare guidelines. However, neither NAWAC nor Andrew Hoggard have provided a justification for the significant delay on the revised rodeo code of welfare.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Right to Repair Bill passes significant step

    Source: Green Party

    Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson’s Consumer Guarantees Right to Repair Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament this evening.

    “This is a significant step towards building a circular economy that empowers our people and protects our planet,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.

    “This Bill combines climate action with cost of living relief. We can build a better future for ourselves whilst also making our lives easier today.

    “The Right to Repair is about empowering consumers to repair what they own, protecting them from recurring costs and in turn preventing more and more waste going to landfill and polluting our environment.

    “This Bill would require manufacturers to provide repair parts and resources to allow consumers to extend the life cycle of the products they use. Passing this would be a win for regular people over big corporates who build obsolescence into their products so people have to keep coming back to replace their things and spend more of their money. 

    “This is something that would benefit not only households but also businesses – from hairdressers to farmers – by enabling them to fix the appliances and tools they rely on to do their work. 

    “I want to thank the community and organisations who have pushed for this legislation for so long. It is this collective work that has gotten the Bill this far.

    “I am also grateful for those political parties who voted in favour of this Bill. I look forward to the select committee process and working with the public as well as members across Parliament to ensure this Bill becomes law,” says Marama Davidson. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: 20 February 2025 ‘Auntie’ Faith’s fast fingers fly through the knitting Every winter, kids at Motueka primary schools are toasty warm thanks to Faith’s speedy knitting skills.

    Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

    The Kāinga Ora tenant, better known as ‘Auntie Faith’ to the children she knits for, has been donating beautifully knitted slippers and mittens to Motueka schools for a number of years.

    “The whole idea is every child in the classroom has cosy feet because they change into slippers in the classroom,” Faith explains.

    “I ring around the schools in March to see if they need anything. I do it with my daughter and two to three friends and I get the schools to draw an outline of the children’s feet to give me an idea of what’s needed. I also get an outline of the children’s hands for the mittens. I can do two pairs of slippers in an evening,” Faith explains.

    Faith with one of her handknitted tea cosies.

    Faith has been knitting for about 80 years and has many memories of the important part the hobby has played in her life.

    “I learnt to knit when I was five. It was during the war and Mum and I were living with a lady while Dad was overseas. She taught me how to knit, although Mum was a good knitter too. I was at school in Addington in Christchurch and Mum and I would go and buy skeins of wool. I was 10 when I knitted my first jersey.”

    Faith’s lifelong love of knitting has seen her enter local knitting competitions and donate to many people in need over the years. She was Motueka co-ordinator for ‘Operation Cover Up’, which sends shipping containers full of donated knitted clothes and toys to Eastern Europe each year, for 10 years.

    “I used to collect everything and then it went to Christchurch and on to Europe. We did about 300 blankets. I had peggy squares all over my lounge floor before we sewed them up,” Faith says.

    “We got a video of the children getting the handknitted dolls, and the look on their faces! I really enjoyed doing that project.”

    Faith and her husband raised four children in another Kāinga Ora home in Motueka, where she lived for 36 years. In August last year, with her family all grown up, it was time to move to a place that better suited her needs.

    Her home’s central location means she is close to the Motueka District Museum and the Motueka Red Cross Shop, where she volunteers her time.

    “When the weather is good, I can walk to the museum and the Red Cross. I have volunteered with the Red Cross for 32 years. I could not bear to not be busy,” Faith says.

    Page updated: 20 February 2025

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: No movement in child poverty rates for year ended June 2024 – Stats NZ media and information release: Child poverty statistics: Year ended June 2024

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    No movement in child poverty rates for year ended June 2024 – 20 February 2025 – None of the nine measures of child poverty showed a statistically significant change in the year ended June 2024, compared with the previous year, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    Three of the nine child poverty measures have decreased from the baseline year (year ended June 2018) to the year ended June 2024. The rest showed no statistically significant changes.

    “There has been no movement in the child poverty rates since June 2023,” statistical delivery spokesperson Abby Johnston said. “If we look over the longer term, however, we can see that two of the primary measures and one of the supplementary measures have statistically significant decreases from the baseline year ending June 2018.”

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Housing costs continue to put pressure on households in year to June 2024 – Stats NZ media and information release: Household income and housing-cost statistics: Year ended June 2024

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Housing costs continue to put pressure on households in year to June 2024 – 20 February 2025 – One-third of low-income households in Aotearoa New Zealand spent more than 40 percent of their income on housing costs in the year ended June 2024, according to data released by Stats NZ today.

    In the year ended June 2024, approximately 31 percent of households in the lowest two income quintiles spent 40 percent or more of their income on housing costs (31.7 percent of households in the lowest income quintile (under $41,600) and 31.0 percent for those in the second income quintile ($41,600 to $69,999)).

    Across all households, 19.7 percent spent 40 percent or more of their income on housing costs, up from 18.2 percent the previous year.

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Grants open soon for the Hibiscus and Bays community

    Source: Auckland Council

    Hibiscus and Bays community groups and business associations will soon be able to apply for local, facilities or business grants.

    Local grants provide funding for arts, community, environment, heritage, sport and recreation projects and events and applications open from 3 March to 11 April 2025.

    Facilities grants assist with the costs of planning or developing sports, recreation, arts or community facilities located in the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area.

    Local Economic and Business grants are open to business associations only and have a strong focus on initiatives that provide economic benefits to local businesses.

    Board chair Alexis Poppelbaum says the local board’s grants programme aims to fund deserving community initiatives that align with the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023.

    “Our local board plan has been developed together with our community and the plan sets out the priorities that are important to our area.

    “It’s important to read the plan before applying for any grant because this funding is aligned to the priorities listed in the plan.”

    In the first round of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Grants Programme for 2024/2025 financial year, 24 community organisations received a total of $63,678.50

    Local and Facilities grants

    Local grants are offered twice a year and for amounts between $2,000 to $8,000.

    Facilities grants are offered once a year and can be used for needs assessments, feasibility studies, investigation and design costs, and small building works for up to $50,000.

    Local Economic and Business grants

    Business associations attended a local board workshop recently to discuss the economic business grant and the requirements for the grant round opening soon.

    Poppelbaum says the session went well and business associations heard first-hand about the grant which provides additional funding over and above business-as-usual activities.

    “The session was an opportunity to hear feedback from the business associations, to clarify the grant’s eligibility criteria and to answer questions about the grant.”

    The business grant can assist with projects and programmes that:

    • provide skills and training that support staff recruitment, upskilling and retention

    • provide opportunities for increased local employment and local recruitment and business supporting business

    • focus on local business resilience and developing plans that move towards economic prosperity

    • provide local place-making that adds value to the experience of town centres with an emphasis on local businesses and experiences

    • improve the environment of town centres to ensure patrons feel safe.

    The deadline for this year’s application round is 11 April. Decisions will made by the local board at their business meeting on 27 May and will include projects that start after 1 June.

    Applicants should complete the online application form and can view the grants programmes here.

    Stay up to date

    Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month. Or follow us on Facebook.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Regional Tourism Boost to attract international visitors

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new $3 million fund from the International Conservation and Tourism Visitor Levy will be used to attract more international visitors to regional destinations this autumn and winter, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.  

    “The Government has a clear priority to unleash economic growth and getting our visitor numbers back to 2019 levels will be critical to our economic growth goals.

    “The Regional Tourism Boost contestable fund will open at the end of February for activity in the April to July period.”

    Speaking to the Regional Tourism New Zealand members’ meeting in Auckland, Louise Upston said collaboration between tourism organisations would be essential. Regions applying would also need to promote travel opportunities outside main tourism hotspots. 

    “I expect regions to join up to accelerate work to promote their wider region, so visitors have opportunities to explore multiple parts of our wonderful country.

    “Quality is also part of the process. Regions will demonstrate they have the capacity to host an increased number of visitors, ensuring a smooth and special experience once they arrive.

    “This initiative is another push in our Tourism Boost, developed by the Government in partnership with industry to support immediate growth in visitor numbers, drive export activity and deliver economic growth. 

    “Tourism is a crucial part of our focus on economic growth, with domestic and international tourism expenditure at almost $38 billion and supporting nearly 200,000 jobs.

    “We’re ramping up marketing activity and this fund, plus my recent announcement for additional Australia campaign activity, will start to give tourism the boost it needs.

    “We know it will be supported by New Zealanders – 93 per cent of New Zealanders surveyed last year agreed that tourism is good for the country. 

    “This is a year of opportunity. 2025 is our chance to reinforce the value of tourism to a humming, vibrant country, where we welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime,” Louise Upston says.

    Notes to the editor:

    • The Fund is open to groups of collaborating organisations, but each group must include at least two Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO) and have an RTO as a lead organisation.
    • Funding is available for existing or new activities that can be delivered between April and July 2025, in order to increase visitation over the Autumn/Winter season.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Response to the Report from the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant and growing public health threat which affects patients and communities, and threatens to undermine the modern health system. AMR can also have serious negative impacts on animal health, welfare and production, and the environment.

    The New Zealand Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan was published in 2017 to enable coordinated, cross-agency national action to minimise the impacts of AMR on New Zealand.

    In March 2022, the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor released Kotahitanga: Uniting Aotearoa against infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance.

    Many of the themes and recommendations in the Kotahitanga report align with, and build on, the Action Plan. This publication notes that progress has been made on a number of the recommendations in the Kotahitanga report, as well as acknowledging that there is more work to do. The Ministries of Health and Primary Industries are working together on a new cross-agency AMR strategy to update and drive ongoing action.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Council’s value for money programme gains momentum

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Council has recorded $43.2 million in savings so far this year – two-thirds of the annual savings target of $66 million.

    The council’s savings initiative is part of an ongoing programme to ensure ratepayers get value for money and cost-effectiveness across the organisation, through clear targets set in the Long-term Plan.

    Council savings is supported by Value for Money reviews and a new Better Value Projects initiative which will ensure investments in projects are good value for money.

    Through the mayoral proposal for the Annual Plan 2025/2026, Mayor Wayne Brown sought further measures on how council procures and effectively spends ratepayer money on projects.

    The new Better Value Projects programme was presented at this week’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee.

    “This is very positive progress. We have a responsibility to ensure ratepayers’ money is used efficiently – we need to spend council money like it is our own,” says Mayor Brown.

    “I’ve always been clear that we need to stop wasting money. That’s why as a council we need to follow basic rules like setting a maximum price and having a clear definition of the problem you’re trying to solve, before spending ratepayer money. 

    “We need to consistently deliver every project for Aucklanders effectively and affordably.  I’m pleased to see this piece of work coming to life – as a result, Aucklanders can be more assured that council projects are ensuring best value for money.”

    Better Value Projects identifies 10 areas that will make the biggest difference to improving value ratepayers receive from the council procuring and delivering capital projects, as well as some operational programmes.

    This includes increased use of standard designs; setting maximum prices; added rigour to scoping and design work; additional problem definition and value assessments; and careful selection of providers, across location and performance measures.

    Over $150 million savings this year
    Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee chair Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says in addition to Better Value Projects, the council has made great progress on savings, with $43.2 million already achieved.

    The $66 million savings target this financial year builds on ongoing savings of $90 million per year, totalling over $150 million savings this year.

    “We are looking at every opportunity to ensure cost-efficiency, and it’s paying off. This work directly rewards our ratepayers, helping rates to remain affordable and ensuring every dollar goes as far as it can,” says Cr Simpson.

    “Achieving 65 per cent of our 2024/2025 savings target so far is a positive sign that we’re striving hard to deliver on our commitments. Alongside savings, we’re continuing additional programmes to deliver value for money to ratepayers.”

    All savings are directly used to keep rates and debt down. For every $25 million of planned savings in the council’s budget, rates rise of around 1 per cent is avoided. 

    Value for Money reviews
    The Revenue, Value and Expenditure Committee is also overseeing the council’s ongoing programme of Value for Money reviews.

    The reviews approved by the committee this week mean 10 Value for Money reviews will have been undertaken this council term, and in total 20 reviews since the start of the programme in 2017.

    Under Section 17a of the Local Government Act, the council’s Value for Money team works across the council group to consider current services and recommend new ways to deliver, while optimising council’s investment in assets, achieving greater integration and cost-effectiveness.

    “Continuing to build our savings and value for money work, alongside new options through Better Value Projects, is one way the council demonstrates its efficiency and its focus on delivering value for ratepayers,” says Cr Simpson.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, State Highway 3, Te Mapara

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway 3 is expected to be closed for several hours following a serious single-vehicle crash.

    About 8.45am, emergency services were alerted to the crash. Initial indications suggest a van left the road and hit a tree between Maraetaua and Pukenui roads.

    One person is reportedly in a critical condition after being ejected from the vehicle, while another is in a moderate condition and is being extracted from the vehicle.

    The Serious Crash Unit is attending, and the highway is expected to be closed for some time. Motorists are advised to expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Proposed health, safety and wellbeing guidance for transitional facilities

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    Have your say

    From 20 February to 3 April 2025 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on a proposed new health, safety, and wellbeing guidance document for transitional facilities.

    We intend it to be read alongside the Standard for Transitional Facilities for General Uncleared Risk Goods (TFGEN) and the TFGEN guidance document (TFGEN-GD).

    A summary of the proposed changes is on this page. Full details are in the consultation documents.

    Submissions close at 5pm on 3 April 2025.

    What’s being proposed?

    We want your feedback about the proposed health, safety and wellbeing guidance document (TFGEN-GD-HSW).

    We’re also proposing changes to the TFGEN Standard, which include:

    • incorporating health and safety guidance information relating to biosecurity requirements and practices of TFGEN
    • adding references to the TFGEN-GD-HSW throughout the document.

    There are no proposed changes to existing TFGEN Standard requirements, nor have we reviewed the TFGEN guidance document. The existing biosecurity requirements of the TFGEN Standard and its guidance document are out of scope for this consultation.

    Note that:

    • the TFGEN-GD-HSW and the proposed guidance within the TFGEN Standard are guidance only
    • there are no new requirements being placed on transitional facilities, nor will there be any additions to the scope of the audits that MPI undertakes
    • the TFGEN-GD-HSW is outcome-focused. Transitional facility operators will be responsible for determining the best approach to meet these outcomes, ensuring alignment with their duties under the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Act 2015.

    Full details are in the discussion document.

    Why we’re making these changes

    Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, MPI has a primary duty of care to its staff to ensure that they can work in a safe environment, and that risks to their health, safety, and wellbeing are eliminated or minimised.

    Transitional facilities have significant influence over the safety of MPI staff working on their sites. MPI also shares duties with transitional facilities related to ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of workers within the biosecurity system.

    MPI has developed this proposed guidance document to fill the need for comprehensive and proactive communication with all transitional facilities about health and safety risks and risk management, and to protect all workers – from MPI inspectors to facility staff.

    The guidance is intended to assist, not replace, the transitional facility operator’s own duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Because MPI is not a health and safety regulator, the guidance does not hold the same significance as the guidance issued by regulators like WorkSafe and Maritime New Zealand.

    The proposed health, safety, and wellbeing guidance document and the proposed updates to guidance in the TFGEN Standard do not reflect a change in MPI’s expectations, but rather a shift from reactive to proactive management.

    Attend an online webinar

    MPI will host online webinars during the consultation period to further explain the proposed changes and enable stakeholders to ask questions. Transitional facility operators and related stakeholders will receive details of the webinars by email. If you are interested in attending a webinar and have not received an email, contact standards@mpi.govt.nz

    Consultation documents

    Draft Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Guidance Document [PDF, 399 KB]

    Draft Transitional Facilities for General Uncleared Risk Goods – Facility Standard [PDF, 713 KB]

    Discussion document: Health, safety and wellbeing guidance for transitional facilities [PDF, 368 KB]

    Related document

    HSE Global Report – Transitional Facility Health & Safety Observations [PDF, 945 KB] 

    Making your submission

    Email your feedback on the draft TFGEN-GD-HSW document before 5pm on 3 April 2025 to Standards@mpi.govt.nz

    We encourage you to use the TFGEN-GD-HSW submission form [DOCX, 1.3 MB]

    While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

    Transitional Facilities HSW Guidance, Biosecurity Import and Export Standards
    Ministry for Primary Industries
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington 6140
    New Zealand.

    Make sure you include the following in your submission:

    • the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
    • your name and title, if applicable
    • your organisation’s name (if you’re submitting on behalf of an organisation)
    • your contact details (for example, phone number, address, and email)
    • any requests for confidentiality of specific information you provide.

    All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the proposed draft TFGEN Standard and proposed TFGEN-GD-HSW document are issued. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the standard is next reviewed.

    Next steps after this consultation closes

    After we have considered all submissions, we will make a final decision on which amendments will be made to the TFGEN Standard and TFGEN-GD-HSW document. 

    Submissions are public information

    Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

    People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZCTU welcomes passage of wage theft bill

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill passing committee stage in the House is a win for workers, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff. The Bill, which amends the Crimes Act 1961 to clarify that not paying an employee their wages is theft, will now head to Third Reading.

    “We are thrilled that this Bill is making its way through the House and looks set to become law,” said Wagstaff.
     
    “Theft is theft. It’s past time that the legal system recognises that ‘theft by employer’ is every bit as serious and criminal as any other type of theft.
     
    “Currently, workers who suffer theft of their wages or minimum entitlements only have civil remedies available to them. Workers must spend their own money to argue their case in the court or the Authority, a cost that is too high for many. Too often cases of ‘theft by employer’ go unpunished and unresolved.
     
    “We acknowledge Camilla Belich and Ibrahim Omer for their leadership on this issue and thank all political parties who have supported it.
     
    “At a time when the workers’ rights in Aotearoa are under attack, we welcome this win for working people,” said Wagstaff.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –