NewzIntel.com

Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ- Kiribati fallout: A ‘Pacific way’ perspective on the Peters spat

    A NZ-born Kiribati member of Parliament, Ruth Cross Kwansing, has tried to bring in some Pacific common sense into the diplomatic tiff between her country and Aotearoa New Zealand. Her original title on her social media posting was “A storm in a teacup: Kiribati, New Zealand and a misunderstanding over diplomacy”.

    COMMENTARY: By Ruth Cross Kwansing

    We were polarised by the United States last week, but in the same way that a windscreen wiper distracts you from the rain, our Pacific news cycle and local coconut wireless became dominated by a whirlwind of speculation after New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced a review of New Zealand’s aid to Kiribati.

    This followed what was perceived as a snub by our President Taneti Maamau.

    The New Zealand media, in its typical fashion, seized the opportunity to patronise Kiribati, and the familiar whispers about Chinese influence began to circulate.

    Amidst this media manufactured drama, I found myself reflecting on “that” recent experience which offered stark contrast to the geopolitical noise.

    We had the privilege of attending the ordination of a Catholic Priest in Onotoa, where the true spirit of Kiribati was exemplified in the splendour of simplicity. Despite limited resources, the island community, representing various faiths, came together to celebrate this sacred event with unparalleled joy, hilariousness and hospitality from silent hands that blessed you with love.

    Hands that built thatched huts for us to sleep in, wove mats, cooked food, made pillows and hung bananas in maneabas to provide for guests from all over Kiribati and Nauru. Our President, himself a Protestant, had prioritised and actively participated, embodying by example, the unity and peace that Bishop Simon Mani so eloquently spoke of.

    We laughed, we cried, and we felt the spirit of our loving God.

    Spirit of harmony
    That spirit of harmony and hope we carried from recent experiences felt shaken overnight by news of New Zealand’s potential aid withdrawal. Social media in Kiribati erupted with questions and concerns, fuelled by an article claiming that New Zealand was halting aid due to President Maamau “snubbing” of Deputy Prime Minister Peters.

    Importantly: President Maamau would never in a millennium intentionally “snub” New Zealand or any foreign minister. The reality is far more nuanced.

    At the end of 2024, President Maamau announced to his Cabinet Ministers that he would delegate international bilateral engagements to Vice-President Dr Teuea Toatu or other Ministers and Ambassadors appropriately. Thereby enabling him to focus intently on domestic matters, including the workplan for our national necessities outlined in the KV20 vision and 149 deliverables of his party manifesto.

    NZ’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters . . . his spat with Kiribati described as a “storm in a teacup”. Image: RNZ/Reece Baker

    While the Vice-President was prepared to receive the New Zealand delegation, it seems Minister Peters was insistent on meeting with the President himself, leading to the cancellation of his trip.

    This insistence on bypassing established protocol is not only unusual but also, well let’s just say it with as much love as possible: It’s disrespectful to Kiribati’s sovereignty.

    It is also worth noting that the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia recently visited Kiribati and engaged with the Vice-President and Cabinet Ministers without any such reluctance.

    New Zealand’s subsequent announcement of an aid review, including a potential threat to the $2 million funded RSE scheme, has understandably caused serious anxiety in Kiribati.

    Devastating impact
    The potential loss of funding for critical sectors like health, education, fisheries, economic development and climate resilience would of course have a devastating impact on our people.

    After committing $102 million between 2021-2024 these are major threats to public health where $20 million was invested in initiatives like rebuilding the Betio Hospital, training doctors, building clinics, NCD strategic planning and more, $10 million in education, $4 million in developing the fisheries sector, it’s an expansive and highly impactful list of critical support for capacity strengthening to our country.

    While New Zealand has every right to review its aid programme to Kiribati or any developing country, it is crucial that these kinds of decisions are based on genuine development processes and not used as a tool for political pressure.

    Linking Pacific aid to access to political leaders sets a questionable precedent and undermines the principles of partnership, mutual respect and “mana” that underpins the inextricably linked relationships between Pacific nations.

    The reference to potential impacts on I-Kiribati workers in New Zealand under the RSE scheme is particularly concerning. These hardworking individuals contribute significantly to the New Zealand economy in a mutually beneficial arrangement.

    We deserve to be treated with fairness and respect, not weaponised to cut at the heart of what drives our political motivations — providing for our people, who are providing for our children.

    Despite this unfortunate situation, I believe that dialogue and understanding along with truth and love will prevail.

    Greater humility needed
    In the spirit of the “effectiveness, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability” that upholds New Zealand’s own development principles, we should all revisit this issue with greater humility and a commitment to resolving such misunderstandings.

    As a New Zealand-born, Australian/Tuvaluan, I-Kiribati politician representing the largest constituency in Kiribati, I have zero pride or ego and will never be too proud to beg for the needs of the people I serve, who placed their faith in a government that would put them first.

    We would love to host Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and a New Zealand government delegation in Kiribati, and we are indescribably grateful for the kinds of support provided since we gained independence in 1979. Our history stretches back even further than that, when New Zealand’s agricultural industry was nourished by phosphate from Banaba, and we continue to treasure the intertwined links between our nations.

    Let us prioritise cooperation and mutual respect over ego and political posturing. Let’s drink fresh coconuts and eat raw fish together and talk about how we can change the world by changing ourselves first.

    The “tea party” of Pacific partnership must continue to strengthen, and deepen, ESPECIALLY when challenged to overcome misunderstandings. It should always be one where Pacific voices are heard and respected lovingly, while we work towards a collective vision of health, peace and prosperity for all.

    But if development diplomacy ever fails, we’ll remember that I-Kiribati people are some of the most determined and resilient on this planet. Our ancestors navigated to these “isolated isles of the Pacific” surrounded by 3.5 million km of ocean and found “Tungaru” which means “a place of JOY”.

    We arrived in this world with nothing, and we’ll leave it with nothing, and we get to live our whole lives not feeling sorry for ourselves in this island paradise of ours, this place of joy, where we are wealthy in ways that money cannot buy.

    We will survive

    Ruth Maryanne Cross Kwansing was elected an independent member of Parliament in Kiribati in 2024. She later joined the Tobwaan Kiribati Party.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: Homicide investigation – Harley Shrimpton

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow:

    In November 2023, Tauranga Police launched a homicide investigation after Harley Shrimpton was killed at a rural property in Poripori Road, Lower Kaimai, Tauranga.

    He had been missing since he was kidnapped on 3 November 2023 and a missing person report was filed with Police by his whānau.

    In January 2024, 23-year-old Tauranga man Piripi Tukaokao was charged with murder, kidnapping and other related offences. He is remanded in custody and will be appearing in Hamilton High Court in November 2025.

    We know that there were others who assisted the defendant and we are continuing to follow positive lines of enquiry.

    It is crucial that all those responsible in relation to Harley’s death are held to account.

    It’s now been over 14 months since Harley was found and since then a dedicated Police team has continued with enquiries and are closely analysing new information.

    We continue to speak with people close to the investigation and have not ruled out laying further charges against others who may have been involved.

    On behalf of Police and Harley’s whānau, I want to acknowledge the significant public support shown over the last year, to thank everyone who has come forward with information during the course of the investigation, and to urge anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Police and tell us what you know.

    Information can be passed to Police via our 105 phone service, or by going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105  and using ‘Update Report’, referencing file number 231117/9085.

    Alternatively, information can be passed to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Scaled-back new Dunedin hospital puts cost-cutting before health – NZNO

    Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

    The Coalition Government’s scaled-back new Dunedin hospital build is putting cost-cutting ahead of health and wellbeing, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
    NZNO President and emergency nurse Anne Daniels says today’s announcement fails to future-proof the health needs of the Southern community.
    “This is short-sighted. The Southern community has a growing and aging population. We also have a failing primary care health sector which means more people will unnecessarily need hospital level care.”
    NZNO is disappointed but not surprised with today’s announcement, she says.
    “We had hoped the Coalition Government would keep its promise to fund the new build as outlined in the 2017 business case which was worked on by 500 clinicians.
    “But this Government is still intent on putting dollars before the people. That is a choice.
    “They are making decisions about the health and wellbeing of the Southern community rather than doing what they were elected to do,” Anne Daniels says.
    The new hospital will open with 16 beds fewer than the existing hospital and even after it is scaled up over time, will have six beds less than originally promised, she said.
    “Fewer beds also means fewer jobs for nurses as Te Whatu Ora will resource this hospital based on bed numbers.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Climate – Seasonal Climate Outlook February to April 2025 by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)

    Source: NIWA

    Seasonal Climate Outlook
    New Zealand is likely to experience a blend of typical La Niña climate patterns, along with occasional atypical patterns over the next three months, according to the latest Seasonal Climate Outlook released today (Friday 31 January 2025) by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
    A La Niña Advisory is in effect, though weak and expected to be short-lived, says NIWA National Climate Centre Principal Scientist Chris Brandolino, with international guidance indicating around a 50% chance for La Niña conditions persisting through the February to April period. “When combined with atypical characteristics including sea surface temperature anomalies, is likely to mean New Zealand will experience La Niña-like patterns with occasional deviation.”
    Overall, New Zealand can expect wind from the easterly quarter, ranging from NE to SE flows, along with occasional periods of westerly quarter flows, from SW to NW, for the three-month period, he says. “The north and west of the North Island can expect warmer than average temperatures, with equal chances for near average or above average seasonal air temperatures for most other regions.”
    Early February weather is likely to be drier than normal, but over the three months through to the end of April seasonal rainfall is forecast to be near or above normal for most regions. However, northern and eastern North Island may see occasional heavy rain events.
    Soil moisture and river flows are expected to be near or below normal in most areas. At the same time, sea surface temperatures are forecast to be above average, with a normal to elevated tropical cyclone risk with the potential for an ex-tropical cyclone to pass near New Zealand.
    Attached is the February-April 2025 Seasonal Climate Outlook in pdf and Word formats, along with three supporting infographics showing national rainfall and temperature forecasts.
    Please read the ‘Note to Reporters and Editors’ at the end of the outlook to assist your understanding of the content, its creation and the terminology used.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Dunedin wins, hospital build continues

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The people of Dunedin have won in an almost year-long battle to have their hospital confirmed, but National’s delays have cost dearly.

    “Though there are fewer beds than originally planned, this is a win for the people of the Southern region,” Labour health infrastructure spokesperson Tracey McLellan said.

    “We have always said there is money to pay for this hospital, and the announcement today proves National was trying to make savings at the cost of good healthcare for the Southern region.

    “Together we have fought hard against National’s attempts to scale back New Dunedin Hospital. The people of the Southern region deserve a state-of-the-art hospital that meets their needs now and into the future.

    “According to one estimate, the Government’s poor negotiation and delays cost $100,000 per day while it sat still. This is money that should have been spent improving healthcare.

    “The building of the new hospital, which Labour began and paid for, falls short of the promises National made during the election campaign, but it is the best of a bad situation.

    “We’ll be watching closely to make sure this Government actually delivers on their promise and doesn’t try to cut corners down the line, both in Dunedin and at other hospitals which they said were threatened by the Dunedin project,” Tracey McLellan said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Further appeal for information in Harley Shrimpton homicide investigation

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Please attribute to Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow:

    In November 2023, Tauranga Police launched a homicide investigation after Harley Shrimpton was killed at a rural property in Poripori Road, Lower Kaimai, Tauranga.

    He had been missing since he was kidnapped on 3 November 2023 and a missing person report was filed with Police by his whānau.

    In January 2024, 23-year-old Tauranga man Piripi Tukaokao was charged with murder, kidnapping and other related offences. He is remanded in custody and will be appearing in Hamilton High Court in November 2025.

    We know that there were others who assisted the defendant and we are continuing to follow positive lines of enquiry.

    It is crucial that all those responsible in relation to Harley’s death are held to account.

    It’s now been over 14 months since Harley was found and since then a dedicated Police team has continued with enquiries and are closely analysing new information.

    We continue to speak with people close to the investigation and have not ruled out laying further charges against others who may have been involved.

    On behalf of Police and Harley’s whānau, I want to acknowledge the significant public support shown over the last year, to thank everyone who has come forward with information during the course of the investigation, and to urge anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Police and tell us what you know.

    Information can be passed to Police via our 105 phone service, or by going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105  and using ‘Update Report’, referencing file number 231117/9085.

    Alternatively, information can be passed to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pair get $25,000 fine and 300 hours community work over illegal slaughter and sales of pigs

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    An Auckland woman has been fined $25,245 and an Auckland man has been ordered to do 300 hours’ community work for the illegal slaughter and sales of pigs.

    Following a successful investigation and prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety, Suli Rachael Rejoice Adimim (43) and Bruce Baru Luke Vunipola (38) were both sentenced in the Papakura District Court on 29 January on 7 charges under the Animal Products Act, and one charge under the Animal Welfare Act.

    “This so-called homekill business was not registered as required under the Animal Products Act, meaning they were operating without a risk management programme,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general, Vincent Arbuckle.

    “By failing to do this, they avoided meeting vital checks and balances in our food safety system that are there to keep consumers safe.

    “While someone buying one of these pigs may have considered it a great deal, their health was potentially put at risk because of the pair’s illegal behaviour.”

    Following a complaint from a member of the public in July 2022 – concerning the welfare of pigs on a farm and claims they had seen farmers killing and selling pigs – an animal welfare inspector visited the property and spoke with Mr Vunipola. They observed butchering facilities and a whiteboard with the names of customers and details on pigs sold. This visit led to a wider investigation, which included a covert food safety investigator buying a live pig that would be killed on site for $310 cash in October 2022.

    In November 2022, Mr Vunipola was served a Notice of Direction under the Animal Products Act prohibiting him from operating as a homekill provider as he did not have a registered risk management programme. He was provided education and information on how to operate legally, which he acknowledged understanding.

    However, food safety investigators found the illegal slaughter and selling of pigs continued when another covert investigator was offered a pig for sale in November by Mr Vunipola’s associate, Ms Adimim, for which the food safety investigator paid $220 cash. Ms Adimim was served the same Notice of Direction as Mr Vunipola, but investigators found the sales continued, and charges were laid against the pair.

    “This was an organised operation. During the period of investigation, it was found they illegally sold 222 pigs and 4 sheep, for which they earned nearly $60,000,” says Mr Arbuckle.

    “The majority of operators in New Zealand follow the rules and understand the importance of doing so to keep consumers safe.

    “When we find evidence of people deliberately flouting the law, we take action and there are consequences as we’ve seen from the court’s response.”

    More information on the Code of Welfare: Commercial Slaughter

    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 008 333.

    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-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers – Lend, don’t lecture – Feds support Shane Jones’ banking crackdown

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers welcomes Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones’ efforts to hold banks accountable when they stray from their core function – lending money.
    Jones is spearheading a member’s bill seeking to ensure financial institutions focus on their legal and social responsibility to provide credit rather than engaging in selective lending based on ideology.
    “We’re right behind that. Banks exist to lend, not to lecture,” Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says.
    “It’s the job of elected governments to determine which businesses are lawful -not a handful of banking executives imposing their own moral compass.
    “Yet we’re seeing banks decline credit to legal businesses simply because they don’t align with corporate PR strategies.”
    One threat identified by Federated Farmers is to petrol stations, a vital lifeline for rural communities and isolated parts of New Zealand.
    Internal BNZ documents provided to Federated Farmers in late 2024 clearly state there is to be no new lending to petrol stations, and all existing debt needs to be repaid by 2030.
    “If banks are unwilling to provide lending to pay for things like upgrades, expansion or compliance, petrol stations will just disappear,” McIntyre says.
    “It’s ideologically driven nonsense. Do they not think farmers and rural communities will still need petrol in five years?
    “If a business is lawful, creditworthy, and can service a loan, then why should it be blacklisted by bank officials who jetted off to Glasgow together to sign an agreement on joint lending criteria?”
    Banks hold a social licence, and with that comes an obligation to serve their customers fairly, not to dictate how they should run their businesses, McIntyre says.
    Federated Farmers has been at the forefront of the fight against banking overreach in recent years.
    The farming advocacy group has led the charge for a government inquiry into banking competition, and has been working with Ministers to push for a review of bank capital requirements that penalise the agriculture sector.
    The federation also laid a complaint late last year with the Commerce Commission about the Net Zero Banking Alliance and its potential anti-competitive behaviour.
    “We continue to monitor and put pressure on banks to be fair to their customers, and we’re pleased to support Minister Jones’ proposal.
    “Banks should focus on banking, so farmers can focus on farming.
    “We expect this Bill to include provisions ensuring lending decisions are based on financial criteria rather than emissions targets,” McIntyre says.
    “Federated Farmers will continue to advocate for rural businesses and fair access to credit, so banking policies support the economy rather than ideology.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Govt Cuts – Official data shows Government over-egged working from home issue – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The Government should be embarrassed that its own data shows working from home by public servants is not the big problem it made out to be.
    The Public Service Commission has today published data showing only a third of public servants work from home around one or two days a week. The average days working from home was in fact less than one day – 0.9 days.
    “The Government’s appalling attack on public servants working from home has been exposed for what it really is – a flimsy attempt to deflect from its own decisions to axe thousands of workers,” said Fleur Fitzsimons Acting National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    The PSA has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority to stop the Government restricting flexible workplace practices (see statement below).
    “The reckless and rushed job cuts ordered by the Government are what has been hurting Wellington’s CBD businesses. Ordering public servants to spend more time in the office when in fact most are already working most days of the week in the office is just stupid policy. It won’t offset the economic damage its austerity policies have inflicted.
    “International evidence shows flexible work drives greater productivity. The PSA’s own survey last year showed 85% of members saying it improved the work they do, that means delivering the better outcomes the Government wants.
    “The Government promised evidence-based decision-making. It should have waited before launching its attack on flexible work practices.
    “It’s directive to order public servants to spend more time in the office has been over-egged for purely political ends – public servants deserve better.”
    Past statements on flexible work

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Justice served in Southland drug operation

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attribute to Southern District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Shona Low:

    Police have smashed a significant Southland drug operation, thanks to some dodgy-looking crockery intercepted by Customs in Auckland.

    Kilograms of drugs, including over 30kg of cannabis, and over $60,000 cash have been seized and two Invercargill men have been arrested and charged.

    The operation began at the Auckland International Mail Centre on 6 January 2025, when a package caught the attention of Customs officers. It was declared to contain dining plates, but an X-ray raised suspicions and testing revealed more than 2kg of MDMA had been pressed into plate shape and coated with paint.

    The package was addressed to an Invercargill property, and the Southern District Organised Crime Group immediately got to work, gathering information and preparing a search warrant.

    On 23 January the Invercargill property was searched, and officers turned up ketamine, cash, ammunition and cannabis. But the most significant discovery was evidence that showed a connection to another Southland address.

    Given the quantities of MDMA intercepted at the border and clear signs of a wider drug operation, Police quickly obtained a search warrant for the second property and prepared to search it that same day.

    At that address, Police were met with an overwhelming smell of cannabis and found a sophisticated grow set-up, numerous plants, and more than 25kg of high-grade cannabis head, packaged and ready to be sold.

    A sizeable amount of a substance, believed to be ketamine, was also located, along with another half-kilogram of MDMA, and more than $60,000 cash.

    This is offending on a scale rarely seen in Southland and serious harm has been prevented, thanks to Customs and Police working closely together and acting fast.

    This wasn’t someone growing a cannabis plant for their own use. It was an organised, sophisticated drug operation designed to make a profit, without any concern for the people affected or damaged by it. The drug trade feeds people’s addictions and fuels crime by encouraging desperate individuals to steal in order to pay for their next hit.

    We know this won’t stop the supply of drugs, it won’t stop organised crime groups or others from trying to profit from addiction, but it will put a noticeable dent in the availability of illegal drugs in the district and the harm caused by them.

    We want to thank the highly trained Customs officers whose efforts have contributed to keeping our communities safe.

    By the numbers:

    • 18kg (40lb) of high-grade cannabis head
    • 12kg (28lb) of leaf
    • 22 Cannabis plants
    • 431g (15.2oz) of MDMA
    • 0.46g of cocaine
    • 210g (7.4oz) of suspected ketamine
    • 6 rounds of .303 ammo, and a magazine
    • 8 rounds of .300 ammo
    • 250 rounds of .22 ammo
    • $60,400 in cash

    A 38-year-old Invercargill man appeared in the Invercargill District Court on 24 January, charged with:

    • Supplying ecstasy
    • Supplying ketamine
    • Cultivating cannabis
    • Possession of cannabis for supply
    • Possession of ecstasy for supply.

    He has been remanded in custody.

    A 34-year-old Invercargill man appeared in the Invercargill District Court on 28 January, charged with:

    • Possession of ketamine
    • Unlawfully possessing ammunition.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: 31 January 2025 Twelve inner city apartments for Napier Situated on Wellesley Road, they are the first three-storey apartments close to the central city that Kāinga Ora has delivered in many years. Now they are completed, whānau will start moving in.

    Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

    They were recently blessed by local kaikarakia along with another seven homes in nearby Onekawa. The seven homes on Taradale Road are single story, two-bedroom homes and are on a main arterial route, close to schools and workplaces.

    Naomi Whitewood Regional Director East North Island says “We are looking forward to welcoming another 19 whānau into new homes in the next couple of weeks. We know that having a warm, dry place to call home can make such a huge difference to people’s lives.

    “There is a strong demand for housing in Napier including demand for homes close to the central city. The modern three-storey apartments on Wellesley Road address this need and contribute to future apartment living options in Napier city.

    “We take a careful approach to matching homes to whānau requiring a home of that size and location with consideration of the neighbouring community.

    In Wellesley Road, the apartments are within walking distance of the central city including supermarkets and health services. This was an important consideration when purchasing the development and matching people to the apartments.

    Napier is an area of focus in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s Public Housing Plan. It has a significant housing need in relation to population size.

    Progress is being made, with 755 people moved into a Kāinga Ora house last year. This includes 261 tamariki who moved into a long-term home from unsuitable housing. “We continue to focus on ensuring our mokopuna have a healthy, long-term place in which to grow.” 

    In the last four years 221 homes were delivered by Kāinga Ora in Napier and 610 in the wider Hawkes Bay. This includes 15 homes in Onekawa that were completed in December just in time for whanau to move in before Christmas.

    Currently another 152 new social houses are planned to be delivered for Kāinga Ora in Napier. Of these, 101 houses are expected to be delivered in 2025, and 51 in 2026.

    Page updated: 31 January 2025

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Privacy News – January 2025

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    The first Privacy News of 2025 covers the release of the Biometrics Code and how to give feedback on this, a new case note about personal information being published to a website, and the introduction of OPC’s Mori reference panel. There is also a notice about new translations of our privacy brochures – we now offer them in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese. Read the January 2025 issue.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: 98 per cent of potholes repaired within 24 hours

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
    “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is a key priority for our Government, and boosting pothole repairs and prevention will deliver a safe and efficient state highway network that will support this growth.
    “One of the reasons this Government was elected was because people were fed up with the degradation of our roads under Labour. They could see it in their day-to-day lives, with record numbers of potholes peppering highways across the country. Our Government promised change to Kiwis and the freight sector, and we are delivering on that promise. 
    “To sort out the potholes, we established a $3.9 billion Pothole Prevention Activity Class over three years, ringfenced for resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance works to ensure these funds are used entirely on preventing potholes. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is now delivering a significant programme of works, including a record increase in road rehabilitation, which involves rebuilding entire sections of road rather than just resealing.
    “The Government’s Pothole Prevention Fund is delivering a total of 285.6 lane kilometres of rehabilitation work over the summer months – a 124 per cent increase compared to last year. This record level of rehabilitation work will help prevent potholes from forming in the first place.
    “The previous government showed Kiwis that throwing more money at a problem is lazy, expensive, and ineffective. Funding must be paired with increased expectation and accountabilities, and that is what we’ve introduced to drive better results. Faster pothole repairs are improving the safety and maintenance standards on our roads.”
    In July last year, the Government introduced targets for NZTA contractors to repair 95 per cent of potholes on main state highways and 85 per cent of potholes on regional state highways within 24 hours of identification. 
    “The results speak for themselves. Since our targets were introduced, NZTA has delivered every month with greater use of new innovations to ensure that temporary pothole repairs last longer before a permanent reseal can take place, instead of simply placing cold mix in potholes,” Mr Bishop says. 
    “Achieving these targets month after month shows the significant progress we’ve made in tackling the pothole issue. Kiwis can now travel more safely and efficiently on our roads, with fewer disruptions and safety hazards.
    “If you see a pothole on the state highway network, report it immediately by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS. Together, Kiwis are ensuring that potholes are identified and repaired as quickly as possible.”
    Notes to editor: 
     

    NZTA has delivered on the Government’s 24 hour pothole repair targets each month since they were introduced, exceeding the targets set in July. 

    Month
    Total Potholes Repaired
    % Repaired Within 24 Hours

    Jul-24
    7,114
    95%

    Aug-24
    6,303
    98%

    Sep-24
    5,030
    98%

    Oct-24
    4,809
    98%

    Nov-24
    3,200
    99%

    Dec-24
    1,697
    98%

    Potholes tend to be formed in wet conditions, which is why there are a higher number requiring repair in winter months.

    The Pothole Prevention Activity Class includes $2 billion of funding for State Highway Pothole Prevention over three years, and $1.9 billion for local road Pothole Prevention over three years.
    The number of kilometres of rehabilitation work on state highways as part of the 2024/25 summer maintenance programme compared to the previous programme: 
    The summer maintenance programme began in October 2024 and will be completed by March 2025.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace – Jones reveals Govt’s actual climate policy – expanding fossil fuel extraction

    Source: Greenpeace

    The Government’s true climate policy, which is to increase fossil fuel extraction, was revealed today in the release of the finalised mining policy, says Greenpeace.
    “Just a few hours after the Government released an updated Paris Climate Target, their actual climate policy was revealed by Shane Jones in the policy to increase fossil fuel extraction,” says Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Russel Norman.
    “The Luxon Government wants to fast track coal mining and restart oil and gas exploration, which is a complete contradiction to the objectives of the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse emissions.”
    The Government’s announcement went one step further with a threat to introduce regulations that will force banks to finance fossil fuel expansion.
    “Shane Jones, acting as an agent of foreign mining companies, is attempting to force fossil fuel extraction on New Zealanders, most of whom want a responsible climate policy,” says Norman.
    “Overseas-based fossil fuel companies will walk away with profits while New Zealanders will be left to pay the clean-up costs.
    The offshore oil company Tamarind Oil left New Zealanders with a $400m clean-up bill when they went bankrupt.
    “The Government’s true climate policy must be judged by their actions not their words – and their actions are more fossil fuel extraction.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New campaign calls for an end to criminalising Aotearoa’s vulnerable children – Save the Children

    Source: Save the Children

    Save the Children has today launched a new campaign calling on New Zealanders to oppose a new Government bill looking to introduce the use of physical force and re-introduce military style detention camps for the country’s most vulnerable children.
    The ‘Boot the Bill’ campaign and petition asks Kiwis to make a stand against the new Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill, currently before Select Committee, which, if passed, would reintroduce harmful military-style boot camps and permit the use of physical force against children.
    Save the Children’s Advocacy and Research Director Jacqui Southey says evidence shows that punitive approaches like these fail to address the root causes of youth offending, such as trauma, abuse and systemic inequality, and risk causing further harm to already vulnerable children.
    “This form of coercive youth justice intervention is an outdated methodology, has been tried before in New Zealand, with little to no effect in preventing youth offending and may even increase rates of reoffending,” she says.
    “The inclusion of allowing the use of “reasonable physical force”, which in real terms is the use of physical violence to subdue a child, poses a real risk to children and is absolutely unacceptable, breaching children’s rights to be protected from all forms of violence.
    “It’s time to stop criminalising our most vulnerable children and look towards policies that support positive change and ensure a brighter future for our youth.”
    In addition to the research, testimony provided by survivors of Abuse in State Care as part of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care and Faith Based Care clearly shows that children have been violently abused and traumatised in State-funded boot camp style institutions in New Zealand.
    Ms Southey says as recently as 2004, Te Whakapakari Youth Programme (Te Whakapakari) was a fully State-funded boot camp style programme where children were sent as social welfare care and protection or youth justice sentencing options. While it claimed to promote drug abuse rehabilitation, self-esteem and skills development, Māoritanga and confidence building, underpinned by military style discipline, instead children suffered cruel, violent and inhumane treatment including, extreme psychological, physical and sexual abuse.
    “A former Minister of Child, Youth and Family, Hon Ruth Dyson, was quoted as saying, ‘A lot of government money was put into that programme and in the end it resulted in the State funding violence and abuse towards children and young people’” she says. 
    “Most young offenders are victims themselves, having experienced high rates of criminal abuse, neglect, and violence, often from infancy. If New Zealand is to be truly effective in preventing youth crime, we need to be serious about preventing harm to children occurring in the first place. That means investing in programmes and policies to strengthen families, particularly those struggling, to ensure good outcomes for children in both the short and long term.”
    New Zealanders wanting to sign the petition can go to: Boot the Bill – Advocacy Save the Children New Zealand. 
    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: Waitangi Day – Government supports 26 Waitangi events across Aotearoa

    Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

    Government funding will go towards 26 community events to commemorate Waitangi Day in 2025, from Tāhuna (Queenstown) to Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) and Rēkohu/Wharekauri (Chatham Islands).
    The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund, administered by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, supports events that commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and increases awareness and knowledge of Te Tiriti through celebrations and local storytelling.
    “This Fund recognises that Waitangi Day is for all New Zealanders, wherever you celebrate it,” says Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, Manatū Taonga Tumu Whakarae Secretary for Culture and Heritage.
    “With so many exciting events planned, we hope that all New Zealanders will be able to engage with this important kaupapa up and down the motu to learn about our country’s history.
    “$300,000 in grants will enable communities to celebrate this important national day and explore how Te Tiriti has shaped the nation we are today.
    “In Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke’s Bay), Ngāti Kahungunu will be hosting an event for all members of the community. Whakawhanaungatanga activities will bring together the shared heritage of the region to commemorate Te Tiriti through kapa haka, English and Gaelic music, Pasifika dance and Asian songs.
    “Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, Waikato Museum will be hosting a ‘Weaving a Future Together’ community day with kōrero (talks) and workshops covering local stories, Te Tiriti, toi Māori, and raranga (weaving).
    “Masterton District Council is partnering with iwi, hapū, tangata whenua and high schoolers to enhance community understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ‘On the Couch’ discussions with Tangata Tiriti and a Year 13 Te Tiriti wananga are part of efforts to raise awareness and knowledge of Te Tiriti among the Whakaoriori and Wairarapa communities.
    “And over on the Chathams, kaumatua, kura, local council and community groups will bring people together with traditional sporting activities, karakia, waiata, kōrero and kai to acknowledge Te Tiriti.
    “With so many ways to celebrate in so many locations, we encourage all New Zealanders to take this opportunity to reflect on our nation’s founding document and how we can incorporate the principles of Te Tiriti into our lives on this public holiday and beyond.
    “Thank you to all the event organisers across Aotearoa that will bring their communities together to mark this special day,” says Laulu Mac.
    A full list of 2025 funded events is available on the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage website: (ref. https://www.mch.govt.nz/publications/waitangi-day-fund-2025-successful-applicants )

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Plunket site begins delivering childhood immunisations

    Source: New Zealand Government

    From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 

    The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It will allow Plunket to deliver vaccinations alongside in-clinic Well Child visits, at dedicated immunisations clinics, at community events, and eventually in homes. 

    “Improving childhood immunisation rates is a priority for the Government. Having established immunisation services across the country is an important step in increasing access and reducing barriers. 

    “The Government knows that immunisations are a critical tool in protecting children from serious, preventable diseases such as whooping cough (pertussis), which has worryingly already hospitalised a number of babies so far this year. 

    “Our Government’s health targets are critical to ensuring that all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare services. This new service will support our target of 95 per cent of children being fully vaccinated by 24 months of age, setting them up for a healthy start in life. 

    “By upskilling the existing workforce and catching those in the system who may not be able to access their general practice or aren’t enrolled, we’ll be able to boost childhood immunisations in areas where vaccine coverage is particularly low,” Mr Brown says. 

    This initiative to boost the vaccination workforce is in addition to the $50 million investment over two years for Hauora Māori providers to deliver additional vaccinations. The pilot runs until June 2026. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Decision reached on Dunedin Hospital

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. 
    “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin Hospital that will futureproof the provision of timely, quality healthcare for the people of Dunedin and the surrounding Otago and Southland regions. This will be a new, modern hospital, built at the former Cadbury factory site,” Mr Brown says. 
    “Last year, the Government invested $290 million towards the new Dunedin Hospital project, bringing the total funding for the project to $1.88 billion. Alongside this, the Government is investing a record additional $16.68 billion in health over three years.
    “All New Zealanders deserve to see better results for that record spend on health, including better health infrastructure, to ensure they have access to timely, quality healthcare. The Government has listened to the Dunedin community and is committed to build a new Dunedin Hospital to deliver the healthcare locals need.” 
    Upon opening, the new Dunedin Hospital will provide:

    351 beds, with capacity to expand to 404 beds over time 
    20 short-stay surgical beds, a new model of care 
    22 theatres, with capacity to expand to 24 theatres over time 
    41 same day beds to provide greater capacity for timely access to specialist and outpatient procedures 
    58 ED spaces, including a short-stay unit and specialised emergency psychiatric care 
    20 imaging units for CT, MRI and Xray procedures, with 4 additional spaces available for future imaging advancement.  

    In late September last year, the Government released Robert Rust’s independent review into the hospital project. The review found that the project was alarmingly off-track and over budget due to poor decision making and due diligence by the previous government.  
    “The Dunedin Hospital project was poorly handled under the previous government. They promised big, made poor decisions, and blew out the budget. We are focused on delivering a safe, modern hospital complex that Dunedin deserves,” Mr Brown says. 
    “There are few suitable sites for a new Dunedin Hospital to be located. The former Cadbury factory site purchased by the previous government has numerous construction challenges such as contamination, flood risk, and access issues. However, we are confident that these can be overcome, and it’s clear that using this site to build a new hospital would be far less disruptive than constructing a new complex at the existing hospital. 
    “Our review of the project means the hospital will be futureproofed for growth, with no change to the number of floors to be built. The new Dunedin Hospital will provide clinical staff with world-class facilities and is designed to meet the needs of the community. The site will also be futureproofed so new beds and services will be able to be brought online when needed. The new Dunedin Hospital will be able to adapt and expand in years to come to ensure it responds to changing needs.”   
    Further updates will be provided once the contracting process has been completed. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greens stand with Coromandel locals against Luxon’s destructive mining policy

    Source: Green Party

    Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine.

    “These communities have successfully opposed mining for the best part of 50 years – Jones’ latest announcement is a mere blip in history that will be undone when there’s a new Green Government,” says Green Party Spokesperson for Resources, Steve Abel.

    “They know first-hand that long after the jobs have dried up and the mine bosses have taken the profits overseas the locals are left with a toxic legacy of cyanide tailings dams and acid mine drainage. 

    “Our public conservation lands exist to protect our rich natural landscapes, and the unique native plants and animals that they sustain.

    “When John Key’s National government proposed a similar policy in 2010, 40,000 people marched up Queen Street in vehement opposition. Now, Christopher Luxon is resurrecting the same terrible idea. 

    “Mining more conservation land was a terrible idea 15 years ago and it’s a worse idea now. The message back in 2010 was clear: conservation land is for all of us, not for the profits of a wealthy few. Nothing’s changed.

    “We can’t mine our way to a liveable planet. The resources we need for energy transition need to come from better waste recovery. Coal and gold are not critical minerals.

    “We can’t rip, strip and bust our way to real prosperity – our well-being relies on a thriving natural world and a stable climate–and that’s why the extractive mindset is unfit for the 21st century,” says Steve Abel.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: A new direction for the minerals sector to grow the economy

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. 

    It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the Minerals Strategy for New Zealand and our Critical Minerals List.

    Of course our joint presence fulfils a deeper presence. It is a validation of an industry that has suffered from excessive regulation and poisonous politics. It is a chance to stand with a skilled workforce that is literally worth its weight in gold.

    A year of delivery for the minerals sector under the Coalition Government

    In May last year I stood in front of a packed hall in Blackball on the West Coast, people who depend on our mineral resources.

    I presented to them a vision for the future – a vision that would see our wealth base grow by utilising our mineral reserves to benefit all New Zealanders, increasing our domestic resilience by reducing reliance on imported minerals.

    I said this meant owning up to the fact that we will use our indigenous fossil fuels. Resources integral to our modern industrial civilisation. We do have valuable minerals, oil and gas.

    These minerals include coal, a vital ingredient to steel-making, a source of energy and jobs, a stream of export earnings. 

    I spoke of our focus on cutting barriers to development but not corners, and increasing New Zealand’s contributions to global supply chains, especially for minerals that are needed to support the transition to diverse sources of energy.

    Dealing with banks

    It is not widely known but some barriers are not imposed by government but come in the form of corporate straitjackets. One should look no further than the directors and executives of our banking sector. Some are in thrall to climate group-think.

    They are the new corporate gatekeepers, imposing moral priorities under the cover of saving the planet upon regional communities. Not only are they inflicting their luxury beliefs on our farming industry but they are actively de-banking mineral firms.

    Kiwi enterprises legitimately operating in the natural resource sector are being driven to despair by these woke-riddled, corporate undertakers.

    This malevolence flows from cult like accords fostered within the UN where banks and their sustainability units foolishly believe they can change the weather. New Zealand banks should abandon such agreements as the Net Zero Banking Alliance. These instruments are alien and represent a foreign threat to regional development.

    To this end New Zealand First will be introducing a members bill stopping the banks and related corporate bodies from behaving in this harmful manner. We cannot let them hold our economic development to ransom to suit the privileged cabal employed on environmental, social and inclusion matters. 

    This will include the ability for regulators to remove a bank’s operating licence if it persist with virtue-signalling destructiveness. 

    As an Associate Finance Minister, I will be working closely with the Minister for Regulation to identify how elements of our bill can be used in the wider government work programme.

    I would like to acknowledge the work of ACT MP Mark Cameron on this issue so far. He is a champion for the farming sector.

    I want the mining sector on an enduring pathway to boost regional opportunities and jobs, increase our self-sufficiency, to be a critical part of our export-led focus, especially as we take advantage of the global opportunities for new minerals uses.

    How can we achieve such outcomes if key intermediaries such as banks and insurance companies are going to bully our Kiwi businesses and their employees out of the economy? When did citizens authorise corporates to use climate extremism to bankrupt firm and family alike?

    It is bad enough that Aussie-owned banks are behaving in this predatory manner but it is especially galling that Kiwibank is treating Kiwis in this vein. Had New Zealand First known this would be their attitude we may very well have formed a different view about their recent recapitalisation initiative. 

    Our Government has progressed in enabling an environment for a responsible and productive minerals sector to thrive.

    Resources-friendly policy

    We’ve moved quickly to enact policy and legislative fixes. Our upgrades have included introducing the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill that will not only remove the ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki – it will deliver a new tier of minerals permit to make it easier for people to undertake small-scale non-commercial gold mining activity across the country. We expect to finalise and pass the Bill in the coming months.

    We’ve made changes to the Resource Management Act to align consenting for coal mining with other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development.

    Timely permit decisions are vital in supporting the sector to get to work. Following direction on my expectations, regulator New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals has made significant progress dealing with the backlog of permit decisions while managing the growing influx of new applications as activity ramps up. 

    Figures for 2024 show a 74 per cent increase in minerals permitting output – that’s the number of outcomes made on minerals applications – compared to the previous calendar year.

    In 2023, NZP&M received 288 new and change minerals permit applications and in 2024 it was 447. That is a 55 per cent increase – and a very good indicator of a sector that is really starting to hum.

    We have begun our journey to rebuild international investor awareness in our mining sector through the delivery of investment aids such as the GNS Endowment Study. This is a specialist report bringing together extensive technical research to identify short, medium, and long-term prospects for potential development.

    We have returned to the international mining stage to make sure New Zealand is back on the agenda for international investors and challenge responsible operators to explore what we have to offer.

    Finally, I can’t understate the impact that our new Fast-track Approvals legislation will have in sending well-planned, investment-ready projects along the path of development.

    The Act’s broad and overarching purpose statement is to recognise the contributions significant projects such as mining operations can make to our communities and economy.

    At long last the gate-keepers behind the outdated Wildlife Act and cumbersome Conservation Act will be brought to heel. On the former there is more to do. Sadly it is often delivered at an operational level in a way inimical to our productivity. 

    Previously mining companies were unable to secure permits under these statutes for dubious reasons. That has now disappeared. If there are implementation problems the Government will make additional amendments to the law.

    A one-stop shop will streamline the pathway to attaining the approvals required for mining activities, removing the multiple application processes operators currently must navigate to mine in New Zealand.

    Land access

    One of the key areas I see this process improving is concessions for land access. An array of high-value mining and quarrying projects are already approved to travel this consenting pathway.

    Officials estimate the number of jobs across the mining projects listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act at over 2,500 direct fulltime jobs at peak production. Many of these roles will be well-paying regional jobs with significant opportunities for training and growing skills.

    I don’t need to tell the good folks of Waihi that every direct employee of a mining company generates many more job opportunities. The environmental scientists that provide expert advice, the drilling companies that contract with OceanaGold, and all the other skills needed to run a successful operation spread out over the local, regional, and national economy.

    For the seven listed mining projects that will generate export revenue, estimates are a peak of $2.5 billion in 2033, with gold playing a big part. This is what our minerals potential looks like.

    Going forward, this is what consenting will look like for significant mining projects in our country.

    As our industry expands, we need to ensure that Paamu and statutes such as the Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust Act are fit for purpose and do not inhibit the growth of critical minerals.

    When there is opportunity, we are going to say yes

    I will make one further note about this Government’s work to provide the certainty that the sector needs to push forward.

    Not all conservation land is equal. We have an inordinately large conservation estate of varying quality.

    Stewardship land is managed by the Department of Conservation until it is appropriately assessed for its conservation value and classified. Around 30 per cent of conservation areas are held in stewardship – that’s over 2.7 million hectares or 9 per cent of New Zealand’s total land area.

    A lot of that land isn’t considered to have special conservation or scenic values, but we do know that there are areas there likely to contain mineral deposits.

    This Government supports sustainable and environmentally approved mining on stewardship land and other categories of DOC land but we are very clear that national parks and other land categories identified under schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act are not on the table.

    It would be remiss of me not to also mention my favourite amphibian, Freddy the Frog at this point. I raise this not in a flippant way, but as realist wanting to have a genuine conversation about how we focus our efforts and limited resources in protecting the natural assets that New Zealanders value most.

    It is correct that our Archey’s frog is endangered – but it is not from mining. The real threat to Freddy is the rats, stoats and pigs that populate significant extents of our stewardship and conservation land.

    I put to you that the work we are doing to enable responsible mining in New Zealand is the best news Freddy has had for a long time. As part of its listed Fast-track Approvals project, OceanaGold will be stepping up with an intensive predator control programme in the Coromandel Forest Park. 

    In fact, it’s because of OceanaGold and its specialist conservationists that we have some of the most insightful research collected on the species to date. Over $600,000 towards ecological outcomes around this mining site. 

    Actually a much larger sum when one considers the broader commercial footprint including Macraes, Otago, South Island. Such a quantum is not possible without a successful business.

    It is time for Kiwis to have an honest and considered debate on mining. On this score I am going to pay more attention to the blue collar community than woke collar spongers. 

    This engagement will lead us to the complex and deadweight nature of our climate change regulations. They are excessive for our small economy. They run the risk of deindustrialisation, exporting jobs and importing carbon.

    Of course this is all intertwined with environmental, social and government reporting requirements. dubious value and should be discretionary at best. Green scrub that has spread too far and needs a severe prune. 

    We need to acknowledge the criticality of minerals to our daily lives, the importance of maintaining a strong, independent economy with well-paying jobs and opportunities in our regions. Why import materials we can perfectly adequately supply ourselves?

    Some people argue against minerals extraction, but gladly rely on the conveniences of modern society and economy built by those resources. As our Prime Minister said, we don’t have the luxury of turning off growth. 

    A strategy to ensure momentum is enduring

    Some of you in the sector may be looking at this progress and feeling like we’ve been here before, only for the hard-won momentum to die with a change in Government.

    I hear your concerns. I’ve spoken at length about how a lack of long-term, enduring strategic direction has hindered this country in reaping the economic and security benefits our bounty of natural resources presents.

    Today we change that.

    The Minerals Strategy for New Zealand adopts a strategic lens out to 2040, focusing our approach to the development of our minerals estate with a delivery roadmap to get us there. This is a holistic picture of minerals production from the earth, from reprocessing waste material, and from potential recycling and recovery.

    There are three main changes to the strategy follow consultation with New Zealanders.

    We have reframed the strategy to have a clear vision, goal and succinct outcomes.

    Our key outcomes for the sector are productive, valued, and resilient, and are guided by overarching principles that respect Treaty settlement obligations and ensure responsible practices.

    Minerals developments in New Zealand will happen in a responsible manner where environmental guard rails are appropriate to the risks being managed. The protection, the health and safety of our workers, and impacts on regional communities is important.

    This means we are working towards sector growth and innovation that contributes to New Zealand’s prosperity.  The sector’s performance and responsible practices need to be emphasised. Advocacy and being forward leaning is important. I recognise the sector has been subject to misinformation but the mute button is not an option.

    We have updated the goal of doubling our exports to $3 billion by 2035 from the previous goal of $2 billion. Statistics NZ reports that mineral exports for the financial year ending June 2023 totalled $1.46 billion and our submitters were clear – we needed a more ambitious goal.

    Finally, I want to assure you that we are not downing tools when there is still work to do. The addition of a Delivery Roadmap clearly sets out the key actions the Government will take to achieve the strategy’s goal and vision.

    In the short term, key actions include creating a network to support minerals research and development, making information about minerals and regulations more accessible to potential investors, and engaging with countries to support supply chain resilience for critical minerals.

    Longer term, we will deliver a minerals research strategy and address workforce development needs, skills and training programmes.

    Through our Minerals Strategy we have formed the foundations. Soon our government will roll out the refreshed approach to inward foreign direct investment. You have told me that an overseas investment process that is efficient, timely and not too costly is important. 

    We have a pathway forward. A permitting regime which acknowledges the principle of risk proportionality. A recognition that excessive climate net zero regulations will thwart economic growth. A consideration of ecological, community, tangata whenua issues that is balanced and does not present scope for veto power.

    An expanded Critical Minerals List

    I don’t have to explain to anyone here today how we rely on a wide range of minerals to enable the comforts of our lives. Every road you drive on, every light switch you turn on, our schools, hospitals and homes. All are enabled in some way by the extraction of our natural resources.

    If suddenly we couldn’t access aggregate to construct our roads, phosphate to support the growth of our crops or iron sand to make steel for our buildings, our economy would grind to a halt.

    On the matter of iron sands, the recent Taharoa RMA hearing process for consents to continue an activity that has been happening for over 50 years was a circus. It shows that more robustness is needed. Hopefully the treatment this firm receives will be inordinately better under the Fast-track processes.

    Equally, there is no low emissions energy transition without minerals – no batteries, no electric cars, no wind turbines and no solar panels.

    Unfortunately, we have never sought a comprehensive picture of the minerals needs of New Zealand now and in the future, or how we ensure those supplies are secure and affordable.

    I am delighted today to release New Zealand’s Critical Minerals List, a holistic picture of the minerals that are economically important and are vulnerable to supply risk or essential to unlocking other critical minerals.

    Following public consultation last September, the Critical Minerals List now features 37 minerals, up from 35.

    The Coalition Government agreed to include both gold and metallurgical coal, which is used in steelmaking, on the list in recognition of their importance to our minerals sector and economy, and in unlocking other critical minerals.

    Together, they represent 80 per cent of our mineral exports, generating export revenues of around $1.2 billion in the year to June 2023.

    Simply put, OceanaGold’s Waihi Operation today shows gold investments needs skills, machinery, resources, and capacity to support our modern industrial system.

    The legacy of gold- and coal-mining is that of a catalyst for transformation – for our economy, for our development, for our technical skills and trades, and for our place on the world stage.

    Future mining in New Zealand will play to our strengths in terms of existing production while we develop new opportunities. That means gold and metallurgical coal.

    We will also offer more bespoke and boutique opportunities for the right investors.

    Of our 37 critical minerals, we produce or have the potential to produce 21 here in New Zealand. We are a prospective destination for sought-after minerals like antimony and we have operators working rare earth, vanadium and titanium projects – all exciting opportunities for New Zealand to support the international transition to a clean energy future.

    Our list will contribute to New Zealand’s work on critical international supply chains and allow us to investigate specific actions for securing better access to the minerals we’ve deemed critical.

    This could include preferential pathways and settings for development and supply of minerals on the list, or building international relationships to ensure secure supply of those we can’t produce. This work programme forms part of the Strategy’s delivery roadmap and will kick off shortly.

    Close

    When I left Blackball last year, I did so with the promise I would continue to be a dogged champion for the minerals sector and the economic prosperity it can offer New Zealand, if done right.

    I hope I have shown you that with the work we have done to get the right direction and settings in place, you can have confidence that we have an enduring pathway forward. 

    This Government is taking an active, deliberate and co-ordinated approach to harnessing the potential of our natural resources to take us from ‘open for business’ to ‘doing business’.

    The sector has been a transformative agent in the past, and I expect it to play a transforming role into the future.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Hearings schedule and selection of submitters decided— Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill

    Source: New Zealand ParliamentThe Justice Committee has decided how submitters will be selected for the remaining 70 hours of hearings on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill. The committee has also issued an indicative hearings schedule.
    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Single Data Return (SDR)

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    What is the SDR?
    The SDR is an electronic database of learner enrolment and completion information required by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
    The data is used for:

    monitoring performance against your Investment Plan 
    funding and fund recovery 
    publishing performance information
    statistical reporting.

    Note: Services for Tertiary Education Organisations (STEO) will be replaced by DXP Ngā Kete in early 2025. For more information go to Data System Refresh (DSR) programme.
    Who needs to complete an SDR?
    All tertiary education organisations (TEOs) need to complete an SDR three times a year if they:

    receive Delivery at Levels 1–10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework, including Youth Guarantee (YG), and/or
    have students with student loans or allowances.

    Completing an SDR is a condition of funding, and it’s important that you do so accurately and on time. Late or incomplete submissions can result in delays to your scheduled payments. (See Single Data Return submission dates.)
    Accessing the SDR
    You can access the SDR through the TEC Data Exchange Platform (DXP).
    You are able to log in through MoE’s Education Sector Logon (ESL) service.
    To find out how to set up access, please contact MoE on 0800 422 599 or service.desk@education.govt.nz. 
    Information to submit
    You’ll find comprehensive guidance in the:

    Here is some important information to include:
    Details about each of your enrolled students
    If you receive Delivery at Levels 1–10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework or YG funding, you need to provide information about each of your enrolled students, regardless of the level of study or the type of funding. For more details, see the introduction to the 2023 SDR Manual
    Workforce questionnaire (WFQ) – before you submit your December SDR
    Before you submit your December SDR, upload your WFQ to the TEC DXP. We won’t accept your December SDR without a processed WFQ.
    Up-to-date delivery site information
    Please check that your delivery site information in the STEO application is up to date. (For information on how to complete your SDR, including delivery sites, see the STEO user guide.) We rely on this information to analyse regional funding and provision. If you need to submit a delivery site update request, please do so early so we can process it in time for your final SDR submission.
    Forecasts
    If you are delivering qualifications eligible for TEC funding at Level 3 and above, with a source of funding code of 01, 29, 11 or 37, you need to provide an equivalent full-time student (EFTS) forecast with each round. The forecast should not include TEC-funded provision for Levels 1 and 2 or Youth Guarantee.
    Correct funding codes
    Before submitting your SDR, please check that you have used the correct funding codes. (These are in the 2023 SDR Manual). If you use the wrong codes, you may need to resubmit your SDR. If you have any questions about the codes, please refer to the SDR Manual or contact us at 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.
    New course/qualification requests
    You can change the credits, fees, levels or classifications of your courses and qualifications at any time. You don’t need to wait until just before your SDR is due. But it’s important to submit the change request through the STEO application before you submit a trial SDR.
    If you want to make multiple changes to courses (as a result of changing the disaggregation approach for a qualification), you need to do this before the courses start each year. We don’t approve in-year change requests resulting from substantial disaggregation for the current year.
    Completing a trial SDR
    So you have time to correct any errors in your data, it’s important to complete a trial SDR before submitting your final SDR. For help completing a SDR, please refer to the STEO user guide.
    Importance of data accuracy and timeliness
    We use data from every SDR to plan our ongoing investment in tertiary education. If you submit your data late or with errors, or resubmit it with changes, this can have flow-on effects for us and for other TEOs.
    To manage this, we don’t accept resubmissions of August or December SDRs unless we have approved the resubmission (which we will do only in exceptional circumstances).
    We will accept resubmissions of the April SDR during a set period (which we will let you know about each year) to allow you to review your educational performance indicator (EPI) data. Outside this set period, we will only accept resubmissions of the April SDR in exceptional circumstances. We may ask you to consider making any corrections in later SDR submissions in the next SDR round.
    We will treat all resubmissions outside published timeframes as late.
    What are “exceptional circumstances”?
    “Exceptional circumstances” are those that are genuinely unforeseeable and that you could not have proactively managed.
    We are unlikely to consider the following circumstances to be exceptional:

    Data issues identified during or after the sale and purchase of a TEO. If you are purchasing a TEO, you need to be confident that its historical SDR data is accurate.
    Student Management System (SMS) software errors. Submit trial SDRs early to identify and address any issues well in advance of the final submission deadline.
    A change of SMS, resulting in errors. If you are changing your SMS, you need to be confident you can do this without risking errors.
    Errors made by a staff member that were only identified at a later stage. You are responsible for ensuring that your staff submit accurate data. 
    Not checking your organisation’s EPI data from the April SDR in time. You are responsible for reading and responding to our announcements about when data is available for you to review.

    Late or inaccurate data
    If you don’t provide a timely and accurate SDR, your current or future funding may be affected.
    If you continue to submit inaccurate, incomplete or late data, we may introduce an extra monitoring process. For example, you could be asked to use an external auditor to confirm that your data is valid and accurate before you submit each SDR.
    Our Stop Gate process
    Our Stop Gate helps us manage late submissions and resubmissions of a full set of files. This means you need to submit a full set of SDR files by the due date for each round.
    We will decide whether or not to approve a submission outside of the SDR round on a case-by-case basis. You can also resubmit your data if we find an error after submission, with our permission.
    The process is as follows:

    Contact us on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz as soon as possible.
    We will then send you an SDR late/resubmission request (Stop Gate request) form to complete and submit.
    Once your SDR submission has the status of “Processed” (with zero errors) please send the completed form to customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject line [EDUMIS #] – SDR Stop Gate Request.
    Your request will be forwarded to the Customer Contact Group Manager to consider for approval.
    If we approve your request, we will advise you of the due date and lift the Stop Gate, allowing you to submit your processed (with zero errors) SDR.
    If we decline your request, we will advise you of the reason for that decision.

    This does not affect the SDR validation, processing and submission process. You can still submit course register, course and qualification completion files at any time, and we encourage you to do so, particularly after the December round so we can confirm your EPIs as early as possible. 
    Notes:
    This does not affect the SDR validation, processing and submission process. You can still submit course register, course and qualification completion files at any time, and we encourage you to do so, particularly after the December round so we can confirm your EPIs as early as possible. 
    Any amendment to a previously submitted SDR may have an impact on future funding and performance monitoring.
    If the data from an SDR has been published in a report (such as statistical reporting), the published data can no longer be altered.
    Resources to help you submit your SDR

    For help with the submissions process, see the STEO user guide.
    For a helpful guide to SDR, see the 2023 SDR Manual.
    For general assistance, guidance with validation errors and help with course, qualification and delivery site approvals, contact us on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject [EDUMIS #] Dec SDR enquiry.
    For help with your Education Sector Login (ESL), contact the Education Service Desk on 0800 422 599 or desk@education.govt.nz.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Major milestone reached with launch of Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035.
    Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision for the sector and identify minerals essential to our economy, at OceanaGold’s Waihi Operation in Hauraki today.
    “I’ve spoken at length about how a lack of long-term strategic direction has hindered this country in reaping the economic and security benefits our natural resources present. I am delighted to say that that ends now,” Mr Jones says.
    The creation of the strategy and list have come about through coalition agreement between New Zealand First and National to investigate the country’s mineral resources, including vanadium, and devise a plan to develop opportunities.
    “Through the Minerals Strategy this Government has formed the foundations of a considered, enduring approach to minerals development that prioritises delivering for New Zealanders, now and into the future, by supporting a productive and resilient economy through responsible and sustainable practices. This is a holistic picture of minerals production from the land and sea, from reprocessing waste material, and from potential recycling and recovery.
    “The final strategy addresses the feedback received during consultation with our three key outcomes refocused around productivity, value, and resilience, guided by overarching principles to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and responsible practices. With revised export statistics from Statistics NZ, we are now targeting a goal of doubling our exports to $3b by 2035, up from the previous target of $2b, with a roadmap for how we will get there,” Mr Jones says.
    Following public consultation, the Critical Minerals List now features 37 minerals, up from 35 in the draft list. 
    “The key change to the Critical Minerals List is the addition of gold and metallurgical coal in recognition of their importance to our minerals sector. Together, they represent 80 per cent of our mineral exports, generating export revenues of around $1.2b in the year to June 2023.
    “Simply put, New Zealand wouldn’t have the skills, machinery, resources, and capability to support a modern and responsible mining sector without them,” Mr Jones says. 
    “With the increasing demand and volatility in international markets, I want New Zealand to contribute to the growing critical minerals market as a trusted and reliable partner, particularly where we can support global mineral supply chains of minerals necessary for clean energy technologies.
    “Of the 37 minerals included on the list, we produce or have the potential to produce 21 here in New Zealand. We are a prospective destination for sought-after minerals like antimony and we have operators working rare earth, vanadium and titanium projects, which I note are all ways for New Zealand to support a transition to a clean energy future.”
    The Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List are the latest government initiatives led by Mr Jones to unleash the potential of New Zealand’s natural resources to boost regional opportunities and jobs, increase self-sufficiency, and support an export-led recovery for the economy.
    “This Government sees increasing the scale and pace of mineral resources development as a key pillar of a strong economy, as well as international trade, co-operation and investment,” Mr Jones says.
    “Our minerals sector will increase national and regional prosperity, strengthen critical supply chains, and leverage our relationships and international partnerships to drive economic benefits for New Zealanders. As I have said before, our minerals sector has been a transformative agent for our country in the past, and it will play a transforming role into the future.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Govt Cuts – Workers sound alarm as Govt cuts impact services Kiwis rely on – PSA Survey

    Source: PSA

    The Government’s austerity measures are taking a toll on public servants’ wellbeing and their ability to deliver effective public services, a new PSA survey has found.
    More than 4,000 workers in public services, health, the state sector, local government, and community services responded to the survey.
    Key findings:
    – Over half of respondents have too much work to do everything well
    – More than 90% have been affected by restructuring
    – More than 40% regularly work longer hours without pay
    – 70% respond to work calls and messages outside of work hours
    – Over half are worried about losing their job
    Workers say the Government’s sweeping funding cuts are undermining their ability to do a good job. One health professional said it feels “like you are doing a disservice to people in our community as we cannot deliver the health care that they need with our waitlist and restricted service provision.”
    A respondent at a community organisation that’s had its funding significantly cut by the Government said they now spend more time chasing funding and less time providing services to the community.
    “It’s obvious now that the Government’s claim that ‘no front-line services will be affected’ is a lie,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. “No amount of spin will stop the public from seeing that the Government is deliberately underfunding their public services and setting the table for private shareholders to enrich themselves from people’s needs.”
    The survey also shows that, like most of the country, public sector, health and community workers are struggling with cost-of-living pressures. More than half are worried about becoming unemployed and not being able to find a job, as the Government signals cuts will continue.
    Public sector, health and community workers need more certainty and better management support. They want fair treatment, better pay, career progression and to be valued. Most of all, they want the restructuring and disruption to stop, to allow them to get on with the work of delivering for their communities.
    “Public, health, and community services – and the workers that provide them – are part of a future that works for everyone in Aotearoa,” said Leo. “To get that, they need certainty, resources, leadership, and a vision for effective, universal services. This survey shows the Government isn’t providing any of this. It’s part of a mountain of evidence that this Government wants a country for the wealthy few, rather than the many.”
    About the survey
    The PSA conducted the survey in December 2024 and got 4090 responses from members across the country, working in public services, health, the state sector, local government, and community public services.
    Read the full report of the survey results attached.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: International treaty examination of the NZ – UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments

    Source: New Zealand ParliamentThe Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee is calling for submissions on its international treaty examination of the New Zealand – United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on the Promotion and Protection of Investments.
    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Miners celebrate support for economic growth – Straterra

    Source: Straterra Inc

    Miners are celebrating the Government’s support for growing mining’s contribution to the economy with the release of a minerals strategy and critical minerals list today, says Straterra chief executive Josie Vidal.
    “The Government is listening, so this is a good day – not just for miners, but also all the businesses that make mining possible, including those producing mining equipment, technology, and services,” Vidal says. “They provide jobs and contribute to the economy. We have been asking for some years for buy-in from the Government to support mining growth that benefits workers in New Zealand, and their communities.
    “It is great to see facts, evidence, and science being used in decision making to further develop mining. Let’s be clear, that is not at the expense of the environment and there won’t be a mine on every corner.
    “The strategy has been developed through consultation and it is important it has a clear vision. We need this to put a marker in the ground for global markets indicating that we can be part of the minerals supply chain. Minerals are needed for energy, technology, medicine, transport, infrastructure, communications, and food production.
    “Identifying critical minerals helps with this. New Zealand has its own unique path and that includes acknowledgement that some of what is already mined here is critical to our economy. So, the list released today rightly includes gold and metallurgical coal.
    “While thermal coal not on the list, it does not mean it is not critical, and the strategy acknowledges the role thermal coal plays in keeping the lights on and businesses running. Coal is critical to national energy security and users of coal energy face a supply risk if domestic miners are forced to exit the market before affordable alternative fuel sources are readily available.
    “Productivity is at the heart of the strategy and mining is one of the most productive sectors in New Zealand, which translates into high wages.
    “The strategy recognises the value of responsible mining and New Zealand can be proud our strict employment and health and safety laws and stringent environmental regulations that back that.
    “What has been missing is an enabling business environment. The Fast-track Approvals Act is a game changer and there is interest in it from law makers around the globe.
    “We also need investment and with that, basics such as banking and insurance. While on the investment front there is plenty of interest in New Zealand mining, is disappointing to see debanking of coal mining in New Zealand due to arbitrary moral judgements. If banks start making ‘moral’ judgements, where does that end? I fail to see how banks can refuse to do business with legal and legitimate business entities.
    “We must not go backwards now on political whims. The foundations are starting to form to enable the mining sector to double the value of exports and contribute to economic growth, jobs, and regional development and to do what benefits New Zealanders.”
    Straterra is the industry association representing New Zealand’s minerals and mining sector.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Housing Market – Housing market close to a trough – CoreLogic

    Source: CoreLogic

    Property values in Aotearoa New Zealand edged -0.1% lower in January, marking the fifth month in a row with limited movement.

    The CoreLogic Home Value Index (HVI) shows that after a cumulative decline of -4.1% over the six months from March to August, there has only been a further combined fall of -0.4% since then – a potential sign that a rebound in prices could be taking shape.
    The national median value now stands at $803,819, which is -17.5% below the record highs from late 2021/early 2022, but still 16.3% above the pre-COVID level from March 2020.
    Around the main centres, it was a broadly flat month in January, with Tauranga and Ōtepoti Dunedin both seeing growth of +0.1%, and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtautahi Christchurch at -0.1%. Kirikiriroa Hamilton stood out, growing +0.5%, while Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington remained soft (-0.6%).
    CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson said the recent stability in property values at the national level could be a sign of future growth potential.
    “Since the ‘mini downturn’ seen through the middle part of last year petered out in August, national property values have been in a holding pattern – not moving clearly in either direction,” he said.
    “But with mortgage rates having dropped significantly from their peaks, property sales volumes have continued to rise in recent months and may well start to reduce the available stock of listings on the market in the near term.”
    “That would create more competitive pressure amongst buyers, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see property values start to rise again shortly.”
    He noted some caution was still warranted.

    “After all, not all areas have stopped falling, including Wellington. Given that the economy remains soft and the labour market subdued, it is unlikely we will see a sharp upturn in values.”

    He also noted debt to income ratio caps will also play a role in dampening the market in 2025.

    Index results for January 2025 – national and main centres


     
    Month
    Quarter
    Annual
    From post-COVID peak
    From 2024 mini peak
    From pre-COVID levels
    Median  value
    Aotearoa New Zealand
    -0.1%
    -0.3%
    -4.3%
    -17.5%
    -4.5%
    16.3%
    $803,819
    Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
    -0.1%
    -0.3%
    -6.5%
    -22.1%
    -6.5%
    8.5%
    $1,069,140
    Kirikiriroa Hamilton
    0.5%
    1.6%
    -1.6%
    -12.0%
    -1.7%
    20.0%
    $748,944
    Tauranga
    0.1%
    0.5%
    -3.6%
    -17.1%
    -3.8%
    21.1%
    $904,920
    Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington*
    -0.6%
    -1.7%
    -7.4%
    -25.1%
    -8.5%
    4.8%
    $790,007
    Ōtautahi Christchurch
    -0.1%
    -0.1%
    0.0%
    -6.8%
    -1.1%
    41.0%
    $661,721
    Ōtepoti Dunedin
    0.1%
    0.1%
    0.9%
    -10.8%
    -1.2%
    11.1%
    $611,677


    Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

    Tamaki Makaurau Auckland’s sub-markets were a mixed bag in January, with North Shore recording a 0.3% rise, and Waitakere and Manukau flat (with Auckland City only down slightly, by -0.1%). However, in the more outlying areas the value patterns were weaker, with falls of between -0.3% and -0.5% in Papakura, Franklin, and Rodney.

    Over a slightly longer three-month horizon, there have been signs of growth in North Shore and Waitakere (0.8% and 0.7% respectively), although other parts of Auckland have remained more subdued.
    Mr Davidson commented: “It would appear that the downwards momentum across many parts of Auckland is slowing, and North Shore certainly looks to be a market worth keeping an eye on as a possible guide to where the rest of the city goes in the next few months.”

    “Even so, with buyers still having plenty of choice, not least because of the pipeline of new property still being completed in Auckland, it’s difficult to see a broad-based upturn kicking off anytime soon.”

     
    Month
    Quarter
    Annual
    From post-COVID peak
    From 2024 mini peak
    From pre-COVID levels
    Median value
    Rodney
    -0.5%
    -1.8%
    -7.0%
    -21.5%
    -7.1%
    14.3%
    $1,216,586
    Te Raki Paewhenua North Shore
    0.3%
    0.8%
    -3.6%
    -18.0%
    -3.6%
    10.1%
    $1,291,965
    Waitakere
    0.0%
    0.7%
    -5.1%
    -23.8%
    -5.1%
    7.4%
    $942,671
    Auckland City
    -0.1%
    -0.8%
    -8.1%
    -23.1%
    -8.1%
    4.1%
    $1,131,326
    Manukau
    0.0%
    0.0%
    -6.4%
    -22.9%
    -6.4%
    12.1%
    $1,014,115
    Papakura
    -0.4%
    -0.9%
    -7.2%
    -23.4%
    -7.5%
    12.6%
    $815,455
    Franklin
    -0.3%
    -0.5%
    -5.8%
    -22.7%
    -5.8%
    16.3%
    $900,200

    Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

    The wider Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington area still stands out in terms of lingering property value weakness. Indeed, values dipped across the board in January, ranging from fairly modest declines in Kapiti Coast and Porirua, up to drops of 0.6% in Lower Hutt and 0.7% in Wellington City itself.

    As Mr Davidson noted: “Parts of the Wellington area may be showing signs of optimism, or at least less pessimism.”

    “But the latest data still shows that values in and around the Capital are generally facing continued downwards pressure, linked to the elevated level of listings available on the market, and presumably also the underlying concerns about public sector employment.”

     
    Month
    Quarter
    Annual
    From post-COVID peak
    From 2024 mini peak
    From pre-COVID levels
    Median value
    Kāpiti Coast
    -0.1%
    0.0%
    -4.5%
    -21.9%
    -6.7%
    13.5%
    $808,515
    Porirua
    -0.2%
    0.2%
    -3.7%
    -22.4%
    -4.7%
    11.0%
    $752,261
    Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt
    -0.4%
    -1.4%
    -6.1%
    -24.2%
    -6.9%
    7.1%
    $708,418
    Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt
    -0.6%
    -1.8%
    -6.7%
    -26.3%
    -8.1%
    6.7%
    $670,538
    Wellington City
    -0.7%
    -2.1%
    -8.6%
    -25.3%
    -9.8%
    2.4%
    $886,088

    Regional results

    The early signs of some modest gains in property values that had started to become evident around regional areas in November and December have continued into January. That being said, Gisborne did drop by -0.5%, and Palmerston North and Invercargill also edged lower in January. But seven of the other eight markets covered in this section were either flat or rose by up to 0.3%, with New Plymouth showing a more robust 0.9% increase.

    “It remains early in the process, but there are signs in a number of provincial areas that lower mortgage rates have brought the falls in property values to an end, and some modest growth might even have restarted in certain markets,” Mr Davidson said.

    “Again, there’s cause for caution about how strong or sudden an upturn in property values might be in 2025, especially with the unemployment rate still rising. But the first signs of growth nevertheless seem to be emerging.”

     
    Month
    Quarter
    Annual
    From post-COVID peak
    From 2024 mini peak
    From pre-COVID levels
    Median value
    Ahuriri Napier
    0.2%
    1.3%
    -3.6%
    -19.1%
    -3.6%
    14.5%
    $689,554
    Te Papaioea Palmerston North
    -0.2%
    -0.7%
    -3.4%
    -19.0%
    -3.8%
    15.1%
    $601,785
    Heretaunga Hastings
    0.1%
    -0.6%
    -4.9%
    -18.9%
    -4.9%
    22.0%
    $690,337
    Whangārei
    0.3%
    -0.2%
    -5.8%
    -20.8%
    -5.8%
    12.8%
    $719,145
    Whanganui
    0.1%
    -0.2%
    2.5%
    -13.3%
    -1.7%
    28.8%
    $486,074
    Rotorua
    0.0%
    -0.1%
    -0.4%
    -13.5%
    -1.5%
    22.5%
    $608,130
    Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne
    -0.5%
    -1.6%
    -7.8%
    -17.9%
    -8.5%
    23.7%
    $581,918
    Whakatū Nelson
    0.1%
    -0.3%
    1.7%
    -11.7%
    -0.3%
    15.6%
    $742,790
    Ngāmotu New Plymouth
    0.9%
    0.9%
    0.6%
    -1.0%
    -1.0%
    48.1%
    $703,040
    Waihōpai Invercargill
    -0.2%
    -0.5%
    2.5%
    -2.8%
    -0.5%
    27.7%
    $468,161
    Tāhuna Queenstown
    0.1%
    0.4%
    2.4%
    -5.1%
    -0.7%
    31.5%
    $1,631,244

    Property market outlook

    Looking ahead, Mr Davidson noted that the continued slowdown in net migration continues to dampen overall population growth and marginal demand for property, especially in the rental sector.
    He said that would likely weigh on investor sentiment in the near term.

    “Even so, the tax rules have become more favourable for mortgaged investors again, and of course lower interest rates are shrinking the top-ups from other income that are typically required to sustain rental property cashflows. Some extra demand from investors this year is firmly on the cards, although the debt to income ratio rules will be something this group may have to weigh up too.”

    “Other buyer groups will also tend to target property in a lower mortgage rate environment, and certainly conditions remain favourable for first home buyers too. A more liquid and faster-moving market may also help existing owner-occupiers to get their house sold and allow them to press ahead with the next purchase.”

    “All in all, 2025 looks set to be a stronger year for the property market than 2024, but the slowly emerging growth in values in some areas is not universal yet, and the upturn this year could well be more muted than in the past,” he concluded.

    For more property news and insights, visit www.corelogic.co.nz/news-research.

    Notes:

    The CoreLogic Hedonic Home Value Index (HVI) is calculated using a hedonic regression methodology that addresses the issue of compositional bias associated with median price and other measures. In simple terms, the index is calculated using recent sales data combined with information about the attributes of individual properties such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, land area and geographical context of the dwelling. By separating each property into its various formational and locational attributes, observed sales values for each property can be distinguished between those attributed to the property’s attributes and those resulting from changes in the underlying residential property market. Additionally, by understanding the value associated with each attribute of a given property, this methodology can be used to estimate the value of dwellings with known characteristics for which there is no recent sales price by observing the characteristics and sales prices of other dwellings which have recently transacted. It then follows that changes in the market value of the entire residential property stock can be accurately tracked through time.

    The detailed ‘frequently asked questions’ and methodological information can be found at: https://www.corelogic.co.nz/our-data/hedonic-index

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tax policy proposal would boost NZ racing

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. 

    “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry put nearly a billion dollars into the economy in 2022/23,” Mr Peters says. 

    Bloodstock breeders often join together in a joint venture when investing in a thoroughbred, helping with the initial purchase price and ongoing costs.

    Mr Peters says common practice amongst joint ventures including bloodstock breeders is to individually claim GST deductions in their own GST returns. Inland Revenue has however recently concluded that the current rules do not allow this.   

    “To comply with this, breeders would incur the compliance cost of registering and filing GST returns for each horse separately every month or every two months. The Government is proposing to take a pragmatic approach and avoid imposing compliance costs by allowing current practice. 

    “If this proposal proceeds, it will place the New Zealand industry on a more equal footing with the Australian industry,” Mr Peters said.

    The consultation document is expected to be published in the coming months on taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz.

    Mr Peters also congratulated New Zealand Bloodstock on the just completed 99th National Yearling Sales at Karaka, with combined sales of $86m.

    A highlight was the record $2.4m paid for a Savabeel-sired filly – the highest price ever paid for a filly sold in New Zealand. 

    “The sales show the New Zealand bloodstock industry is in good health and the industry presents major potential for growth both domestically and through international interest,” Mr Peters says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Latest climate target as useful as a screen door on a submarine – Greenpeace

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace has slammed the Luxon Government for failing to protect future generations after releasing New Zealand’s latest climate target of a 1-5% additional reduction in emissions by 2035, saying it’s “about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.”
    Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson says, “This target is an absolute joke, yet the climate crisis is no laughing matter.”
    “Against the backdrop of Luxon’s war on nature, not only is this target too weak to protect our kids and grandkids from a disastrous future but there is no plan to achieve even the targets we already have.”
    Under the Paris Agreement on climate change, nations are required to submit a so-called nationally determined contribution (NDC) every four years. Each NDC must represent an increase in ambition on the last, which was submitted in 2021.
    “Every parent and grandparent wants to pass on a safe and stable world to our kids. That requires brave and visionary leadership, both of which Luxon is lacking,” says Larsson.
    “Luxon’s vision for New Zealand seems to be a landscape ripped open by coal mines, a coastline dotted with oil rigs and fields crammed with cows, knee deep in mud and effluent.”
    The Luxon Government controversially overturned the 2018 ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, despite advice from MFAT that this is likely to breach our recent free trade agreements with the EU and UK. Coal mines are included in the list for fast-tracking, overriding community will and environmental laws. Luxon has also exempted New Zealand’s most polluting industry – dairying – from paying for its emissions through the Emissions Trading Scheme.
    “Our country is doing worse on climate change than it was ten years ago,” says Larsson. “This is what happens when you let polluters write the policy.”
    Documents released to Greenpeace under the Official Information Act reveal the unprecedented influence of the meat and dairy industry over environmental policy in Luxon’s Government. Emails, texts and briefings show that Federated Farmers, Dairy NZ and Beef + Lamb NZ have used privileged access to Ministers to draft policy on freshwater and climate change, to advise on Government communications and to push central Government to instruct local councils to weaken their environmental policies.
    “The increasingly rampant wildfires, floods and cyclones we’re witnessing around us are a sign that our planet is sick. If governments won’t stand up to polluters to protect our kids and grandkids, as Luxon has shown he will not, then people will use the courts, protest and other means to save their children from climate disaster,” says Larsson.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Tiwai Peninsula vegetation fire update #2

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews are back on Tiwai Peninsula in Invercargill today, where the large vegetation fire has not grown further overnight.
    The fire grew to 1,200 hectares yesterday in hot, windy conditions but was contained by the end of the day.
    Incident Controller Hamish Angus says there will be 35 firefighters on site today, with support from five helicopters, the Department of Conservation and local forestry companies.
    “Our focus today is on knocking out those remaining hotspots,” he says.
    “We’re expecting winds to pick up over the next few days, so we want to make sure there’s nothing left here that could get the fire under way again.
    “It’s too early to say what caused the fire, but we will have fire investigators here today looking into that.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –