Stand-alone houses lead annual rise in home consents – media release
1 August 2025
There were 33,979 new homes consented in Aotearoa New Zealand in the year ended June 2025, up 1.0 percent compared with the year ended June 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
“This is the first time in two years that we have recorded annual growth in the number of new homes consented,” economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.
The lift was largely due to a 6.3 percent rise in stand-alone house consents, reaching 15,858.
In contrast, consents for multi-unit homes fell 3.2 percent to 18,121 in the year ended June 2025.
Multi-unit homes include townhouses, apartments, retirement village units, and flats.
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The sisters running Auckland’s first authentic Polynesian show for tourists say it’s not just for visitors, but also to help uplift Pacific people.
Louisa Tipene Opetaia and Ama Mosese’s Glorious Tours was pooled as one of 10 new “Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau”: a go-to guide by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) for local Māori tourism.
Their tour tells the story of how Auckland became the biggest Polynesian city in the world, and often starts with a drop in at a Pacific or Māori-owned cafe, a guided hīkoi up the Māngere mountain, hangi lunch, a haka show at the museum, then end with a kava-drinking experience.
The tour, which has been running for a year, aims to give visitors an Auckland experience through local eyes, with Māori-led journeys and dining events.
Opetaia said before they started their tour, tourists were travelling to Rotorua for a Pacific cultural experience.
The only other regular Polynesian show for tourists in Auckland was at Auckland Museum, where there was a daily haka show.
“We have rich culture gold in south Auckland,” she said.
“All tourists fly here, in our backyard and we wanted to offer them something right here.”
The sisters, who are of Māori and Samoan heritage, call themselves “cultural connectors”.
‘The space was lacking’ “We’ve been working for these other companies for some time, some of them not even New Zealand-owned. And we felt we were the face of these companies but behind the scenes it wasn’t a local or Māori or indigenous business.
“We decided to step into this space that we saw was lacking, and offer authentic indigenous cultural experiences here in Tāmaki Makaurau — the biggest Polynesian city in the world.”
Glorious Tours is based out of Naumi Hotel, near the Auckland Airport in Māngere.
“We tailor it to what they want, so if they like shopping we take them to places where they can buy authentic Pacific goods, or we take them to our local gallery in Māngere.
This month, the sisters will launch a Polynesian dinner and dance show in Māngere, featuring local schools.
“It’s not just for the tourists, it’s for our own people. Our kaupapa is to uplift our local people, especially our rangatahi.”
TAU director of Māori outcomes Helen Te Hira said Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau plays a vital role in ensuring Māori culture, businesses and leadership are central to the way Tāmaki Makaurau is experienced by visitors.
“Every business on this platform brings something unique — a sense of purpose, cultural depth and creative excellence.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Asia Pacific Report is a partner.
Protesters demonstrated outside several major US media outlets in Washington this week condemning their coverage of the genocide in Gaza, claiming they were to blame over misinformation and the worsening catastrophe.
Banging pots and pans to spotlight the starvation crisis, they accused the media of “complicity in genocide”.
Banners and placards proclaimed “Stop media complicity in genocide” and “US media manufactures consent for Israel’s crimes”, as the protesters demonstrated outside media offices that included NBC News and Fox News.
But the irony was that while the protests appeared to have been ignored or overlooked by national media in the US – and certainly in New Zealand, they were strongly reported by at least one global news agency, Turkey’s Anadolu Agensi.
The protests echoed a series of statements by various news media organisations, such as Agence France-Presse concerned about the safety of their journalists from both under fire and the risk of starvation, and media freedom advocacy groups.
The Doha-based global television news network Al Jazeera, that has been producing arguably the best and most honest news coverage of Gaza and the occupied West Bank – which earned it being banned last year by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority from reporting inside their territory — called for global action to protect Gaza’s journalists.
It said in a statement that Isael’s forced starvation of the besieged enclave that threatened Gaza’s entire population, including those “risking their lives to shed light on Israel’s atrocities”.
Death toll passes 60,000 On Tuesday this week, the world noted a grim milestone in Gaza, with the Health Ministry announcing that the death toll had surpassed 60,000 (this does not include the tens of thousands of people buried under the rubble and missing, presumed dead).
Put in perspective, that is one in every 36 people in Gaza killed, and more than 90 people on average slaughtered every day.
Also, 1157 people have been killed near the notorious Israel and US-backed Gaza “Humanitarian” Foundation food depots condemned as “death traps”, while 154 people have died from starvation, 89 of them children with the numbers rising.
Israel’s genocide – ‘Everyone in Gaza is starving’ Video: Al Jazeera
An episode of the weekly media watch programme, The Listening Post, took up the theme as well, criticising the failure of many high profile Western news services from adequately reporting the horror of Israel’s devastating and cruel policies.
“When trying to stave off starvation becomes part of the job. What it means to be a Palestinian journalist in Gaza. The stories they are determined to tell, the incredible risks they are prepared to take,” said host Richard Gizbert when introducing the programme. He wasted no time firing a few caustic shots.
Metropolitan police on watch for the pro-Palestinian protesters outside Fox News offices in Washington DC this week. Image: AA screenshot APR
“What is unfolding in Gaza now has the appearance of a final solution, orchestrated by Israel and the United States, Israel’s other ally: The transformation of parts of the Gaza strip into starvation and concentration camps, a place where famine has been turned into a weapon of war,” he said.
“Reporting on the reality of this genocide can amount to a death sentence. Palestinian journalists can easily identify with the suffering they are documenting since they too are going hungry.
“They have been targeted because for [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu, like other genocidal leaders before him, starving a population is much easier to do when no one is watching.
An Al Jazeera reporter ducks for cover as bombs hit a building behind her in a live broadcast from Gaza . . . featured in The Listening Post’s starvation report. Image: AA screenshot APR
Perpetrator ‘left out’ “Across Western mainstream media, news outlets have been unable to ignore this story of mass starvation in Gaza. But in report after report, they have made a habit of leaving out a key detail – naming the perpetrators of the famine, Israel.
“The missing actors, the sanitised language, the use of the passive grammatical voice, it is all part of the playbook for far too many international news outlets and that is exactly what the few Palestinian journalists still standing are out to tell the world.”
Gizbert explained that “journalists in Gaza already have the world’s toughest assignment”: “Job one for almost 22 months now has been survival; job two, telling heartbreaking stories; documenting a genocide while under fire.”
Hossam Shabat reports on his colleague Anas al-Sharif’s experience at Al Shifa hospital and the starvation of babies in Gaza. Image: Instagram/@hossam_shbat
Like, for example, Al Jazeera Arabic’s Anas al-Sharif who was reporting live from outside Al Shifa medical complex when a woman behind him collapsed at the hospital’s gate.
Al-Sharif, who had reported on the genocide of his own people for more than 650 days without rest or complaint, through Israeli occupation airstrikes, drone attacks, and countless “scenes resembling hell”, suddenly could not take it anymore.
He broke down: “People are falling to the ground from the severity of hunger,” al-Sharif said through his tears. “They need one sip of water. They need one loaf of bread.”
Al-Sharif has also been threatened by the Israeli military, accusing him of being a “Hamas militant”, an accusation strongly denied by Al Jazeera, denouncing what it called Tel Aviv’s “campaign of incitement” against its reporters in the Gaza Strip.
Discredited for bias Many Western mainstream media – including BBC, CNN, Sky, ITN, and Australia’s public broadcaster ABC — have been repeatedly discredited for their “pro-Israel bias” by scores of journalists who have acted as whistleblowers about the actions of their own news organisations.
According to a Declassified UK report, for example, the journalists working for a range of outlets from across the political spectrum have “painted a consistent picture of the obstacles faced by reporters who want to humanise Palestinians or scrutinise Israeli government narratives”. The US media is also under attack and has been putting up a lame defence.
Last week, more than 100 aid groups warned of “mass starvation” throughout Gaza — predictably denied by Israeli government in the face of overwhelming evidence — with their staff severely impacted by shortages and serious implications for journalists already being threatened with targeting by the Israeli military.
Israel faces growing global pressure over the enclave’s dire humanitarian crisis, where more than two million people have endured 22 months of war. UN Security Council member France has led a group of countries announcing that they plan to recognise the Palestinian state at the UN in September, with United Kingdom, Canada, Malta and Finland among those following with the total number now almost 150 of the 193 UN member states.
A statement with 111 signatories, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Save the Children and Oxfam, warned that “our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away”. The groups called for an immediate negotiated ceasefire, the opening of all land crossings and the free flow of aid through UN-led mechanisms.
Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh reported from Amman that the Israeli government had accused the UK of supporting the establishment of a “jihadi” state and of derailing efforts to reach a ceasefire.
“But really,” she said, “the Israeli media, for example, is describing this as a political tsunami, a realisation of how significant the tide is, and how improbable it is to turn it back to countries withholding recognition because Israel said it doesn’t want it.”
Calling for sanctions She also noted how 31 high-profile Israelis, including the former speaker of the Knesset, a former attorney general, and several recipients of Israel’s highest cultural award, were calling on world governments to impose crippling sanctions on Israel to stop the starvation of Palestinians in Gaza and their expulsion
“This was taboo just a few days ago and has never really been done before, certainly not at this level of prominence of the signatories,” Odeh added.
“Israel is starving Gazan journalists into silence,” says the CPJ. Image: CPJ screenshot APR
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) added its voice to the appeal by aid agencies to call for an end to Israel’s starvation of journalists and other civilians in Gaza, backing the plea for states to “save lives before there are none left to save.”
In a statement on its website, the CPJ accused Israel of “starving journalists into silence”.
“Israel is starving Gazan journalists into silence. They are not just reporters, they are frontline witnesses, abandoned as international media were pulled out and denied entry,” said CPJ regional director Sara Qudah.
“The world must act now: protect them, feed them, and allow them to recover while other journalists step in to help report. Our response to their courageous 650 plus-days of war reporting cannot simply be to let them starve to death.”
As Israel partially eased its 11-week total blockade of Gaza that began in May, CPJ published the testimony of six journalists who described how “starvation, dizziness, brain fog, and sickness” had threatened their ability to report.
Among highlights cited by the CPJ: • On June 20, Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al Sharif — the journalist cited earlier in this article — posted online: “I am drowning in hunger, trembling in exhaustion, and resisting the fainting that follows me every moment . . . Gaza is dying. And we die with it.” • Sally Thabet, correspondent for Al-Kofiya satellite channel, told CPJ that she fainted consciousness after doing a live broadcast on July 20 because she had not eaten all day. She regained consciousness in Al-Shifa hospital, where doctors gave her an intravenous drip for rehydration and nutrition. In an online video, she described how she and her three daughters were starving. • Another Palestinian journalist, Shuruq As’ad said Thabet had been the third journalist to collapse on air from starvation that week, and posted a photograph of Thabet with the drip in her hand. • During a live broadcast on July 20, Al-Araby TV correspondent Saleh Al-Natour said: “We have no choice but to write and speak; otherwise, we will all die.”
Little of this horrendous state of affairs has made it onto the pages of newspapers, websites of the television screens in the New Zealand mainstream media which seems to have a pro-Israel slant and rarely interviews Palestinian journalists or analysts for balance.
“Stop media complicity in genocide” says the protest banner in Washington DC. Image: AA screenshot APR
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting on health and safety regulations in the recreation and entertainment sectors to reduce unnecessary compliance pressure, while maintaining safety outcomes.
“We’re making it easier for recreation providers by making sure only those running genuinely high-risk adventure activities need to meet the stricter safety requirements,” says Ms van Velden.
“The first proposed change is to amend the definition of ‘adventure activities’ in the Adventure Activities Regulations. The current definition is so broad that it may require low-risk activities to meet compliance standards designed for higher-risk operations.
“There’s a big difference in the level of risk associated with things like white water rafting and bungy jumping versus a bike ride on one of the New Zealand cycle trails,” says Ms van Velden.
“I’m proposing this change to ensure only businesses providing higher-risk adventure activities need to meet the stricter higher risk safety requirements. We will be consulting with the sector so that we get the boundary right between high risk and lower risk activities.”
The second change is to update the Amusement Device Regulations so that only transportable high-risk amusement devices require a permit from local councils.
“I have heard from local councils who say the regulations are outdated and in need of review.
“Councils currently permit a wide range of amusement devices regardless of risk. There’s a difference in risk between large Ferris wheels that are frequently dismantled and reinstalled, and small merry-go-rounds or fixed amusement rides that are never moved.
“This change will streamline the process, such as the use of low-risk amusement devices at the school fair. It will make it easier for communities to put on local events like Guy Fawkes or Easter shows because the operators from the communities don’t have to get local permits from the Councils,” says Ms van Velden.
“I have also heard from a number of groups that recreational organisations are reluctant to organise volunteer work in the outdoors, like checking traps and pest control or trail maintenance, because of concerns about triggering health and safety liabilities.”
Social and community groups are having to develop extensive policies and documentation for their volunteer workers, rather than focusing on actions to keep them safe.
Local authorities are concerned about extensive health and safety obligations for people who spontaneously volunteer and self-organise during emergencies, over which they may not have much control.
“I will be seeking Cabinet approval to include a provision on clarifying the obligations for volunteer organisations in the Health and Safety Reform Bill that I expect to be introduced later this year.
“I have asked my officials to consult a wide range of affected groups like the Federated Mountain Clubs, Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust, Department of Conservation, Volunteering NZ, and Local Government NZ.
“It is important we get the balance right between encouraging voluntary activities that all New Zealanders benefit from, while keeping people safe.
“By targeting regulation better, we’re helping recreation and entertainment businesses spend less time on paperwork and more time delivering safe, enjoyable experiences,” says Ms van Velden.
“These changes will save time and costs for businesses and workers as we cut-red-tape to make it easier to do business. When our Kiwi businesses thrive, there are more jobs and lower prices for all New Zealanders.”
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition is a nationwide initiative to raise awareness of the environmental and agricultural damage caused by wild goats.
Running from 1 August to 26 November 2025, the competition encourages hunters and landowners across Aotearoa New Zealand to tackle the growing wild goat population.
Wild goats are prolific breeders and pose a serious threat to native biodiversity and farmland. This competition is a practical and rewarding way for communities to contribute to conservation efforts while enjoying the outdoors.
Already, ten landowners have registered their interest with the competition to get help reducing wild goat numbers on their land. Many are motivated not just by wild goat control, but by the opportunity to support conservation.
Doug Jacobs, an NZDA member, took part in the 2024 competition with a focus on hunting responsibly on private land.
“I put up a light-hearted post on our local rural community Facebook page,” Doug says. “I mentioned the DOC/NZDA National Wild Goat Hunting Competition, my NZDA membership, and the protections that come with it. I also talked about the Landowner Assist process, which helps set clear ground rules between hunters and landowners.”
The Landowner Assist process, developed by NZDA, with input from DOC, Federated Farmers, and Forestry Owners Association, provides a clear framework for safe and respectful hunting on private property. It covers access boundaries, carcass disposal, and meat handling ensuring transparency and trust. Landowners can view the Landowner Assist document online via the National Wild Goat Hunting Competition website to see how it works and what to expect.
Doug’s post caught the attention of a landowner dealing with wild goats crossing over from a neighbouring property. “We met up and went through the Landowner Assist document together,” Doug explains. “We covered where I could hunt, what to do with the carcasses, and how we’d handle the meat. It was all very straightforward.”
The landowner later told Doug that without the professional framework provided by NZDA and the Landowner Assist documentation, they wouldn’t have responded at all. That trust and clarity made all the difference.
Just a week later, Doug had four goat tails to submit for the competition, nine kilograms of salami on the way, and plans for a few hearty curries. “It was a rewarding experience,” he says. “Not just for the meat, but for the connection it built and the contribution to managing a local wild goat problem.”
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition is about more than just hunting. It’s about protecting native ecosystems, supporting farmers, and encouraging responsible community involvement.
This year, the competition has the private landowner category open again. Landowners who register can be paired with vetted NZDA hunters and go in the draw to win over $3,200 worth of prizes from Bushnell and Hunting & Fishing NZ Ltd.
The hunter categories also have great prizes up for grabs, including gear from Hunting & Fishing NZ, thermal monoculars from Nocpix, a tent from M.I.A, binoculars from Bushnell, freeze dried meals from Real Meals, a wild goat hunt with the NZ Hunter crew, and more. There’s over $70,000 worth of prizes, it’s a great time to get involved.
“We want to see wild goat hunting become a regular feature in the hunting calendar,” says Mike Perry, Wild Animals Manager at DOC.
Thinking of entering this year’s comp? Entries are open from 1 August to 26 November. Whether you’re hunting on public land or teaming up with a local landowner, you never know where it might take you.
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition is brought to you by the Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association. It is supported by Federated Farmers of NZ, Hunting & Fishing NZ, and Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority.
Federated Farmers is backing moves to review health and safety rules for farmers, saying it’s unfortunate some seem to have completely misunderstood the Minister’s announcement.
“Taking a closer look at these rules is really important, so it’s disappointing a lot of people have gotten the wrong end of the stick,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“The Government aren’t trying to add layers of bureaucracy or wrap farm kids up in cotton wool. They’re actually trying to do the exact opposite of what’s been portrayed in the media so far.
“This is all about making sure health and safety rules are practical, common sense, and easy to understand – and Federated Farmers absolutely welcome that conversation.”
Langford says the current health and safety rules for farmers have gone way too far and are unnecessarily confusing for smaller family-owned farming operations.
“We’re talking about small mum and dad type businesses which might only employ one or two staff members. They’re certainly not big corporates with a health and safety manager on staff.
“They’re hands-on farmers who actually spend their days farming rather than sitting in an office. That’s why it’s so important these rules are practical and easy to understand.”
He says confusion about health and safety obligations has meant some farmers no longer allow children on the farm like they would have in the past, for fear of falling foul of the law.
“There’s something very special about growing up on a farm and having that classic rural childhood many farmers enjoyed themselves,” Langford says.
“That’s the childhood I had, and my own kids have had something similar, but I think we’re at risk of losing that kind of upbringing if we don’t get these rules right.”
Langford says preserving that traditional rural Kiwi upbringing, while still keeping kids safe, is exactly what Minister Brooke van Velden is trying to achieve.
“I think it’s unfortunate the Minister’s examples were things like collecting eggs and watering plants – because that’s not really what we’re talking about here.
“The fact those are the talking points the Minister was provided with by bureaucrats tells you everything you need to know about why we need to get Wellington out of farming.
“In reality, we’re talking about things like feeding calves, shifting stock, or helping mum and dad hose down the shed after milking – perfectly safe everyday farming activities.”
Federated Farmers 100% backs what the Minister has announced and look forward to engaging in the consultation process.
Today’s passing of the Crown Minerals Amendment Act is the cherry on top of a great week for mining, says New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal.
“To make the most of international interest in mining in New Zealand, untap the potential of critical minerals, and make a greater contribution to jobs, exports and the economy, we need enabling legislation such as the Crown Minerals Amendment Act,” Vidal says.
“One of the significant aspects of this law for us, is that the emphasis on promoting mining goes back into the purpose statement of the Act. This is important because it shows the world that the New Zealand Government understands the value of our mining industry and that gives export markets and investors confidence.
“The positivity around mining has been reflected in the respected international analysis of policy and investment attractiveness in 82 mining jurisdictions globally by the Fraser Institute in itsAnnual Survey of Mining Companies, 2024, released this week.
“After languishing near the bottom of rankings for too many years, due to uncertainty about the environment for mining, New Zealand has made a massive leap and is now ranked higher than any Australian jurisdiction on the Investment Attractiveness Index – at 12th of 82, compared with 43rd of 86 in 2023 – and 15th of 82 on the Policy Perception Index, compared with 50th of 86 in 2023.
“This week we also hosted an event to discuss science in the sector, and it was heartening to see the buzz around the critical minerals the world needs and what is available in New Zealand, and how we can add value and be part of the global supply chain.
“Professor Chris Bumby, Chief Scientist (Materials) at the Robinson Research Institute within Victoria University of Wellington spoke about the potential for value-add processing of New Zealand’s critical mineral resources. He pointed out why metals production matters – ‘today’s world is built from metals and tomorrow’s world will require a whole bunch more’, he said.
“He highlighted New Zealand opportunities included critical minerals vanadium, titanium, zirconium, tungsten, and antinomy, among others, and the value New Zealand minerals bring to the world’s steel production.
“New Zealand science and research stands out globally and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Shane Reti also spoke about the work the Government is doing to further enable science and technology to advance our country in a rapidly changing high-tech world.
“There is so much exciting work happening in our minerals industry and it is important to have enabling laws that back our claims that New Zealand is open for business, and that the Fast-track Approvals Act is allowed to work as it is intended and is not derailed by vexatious detractors,” Vidal says.
Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes the passage of the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill into law, describing it as an important contribution to restoring investment confidence and strengthening New Zealand’s energy security.
The Bill reverses the 2018 ban on new petroleum permits, restores the promotional purpose of the Act, provides greater flexibility in how petroleum permits are allocated, and recalibrates the decommissioning rules while retaining suitable safeguards.
Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says the legislation goes some way towards rebuilding the confidence to invest in New Zealand’s petroleum sector, which is essential for backing up the country’s renewable electricity system, especially during periods of low hydro inflows and peak winter demand.
“This Bill reverses policy that has done real damage to New Zealand’s long-term energy security, our economic resilience, and our reputation as a place to invest.
Energy prices tell this story. Without a secure domestic gas supply, the alternative is greater reliance on emissions-intensive imports – most likely from coal.
To meet our growing energy needs, we must make better use of the resources beneath our feet to enhance economic, social, and environmental resilience.”
Carnegie acknowledged the Government’s willingness to engage with the sector throughout these changes.
“We appreciate the time Minister Jones and officials have taken to listen to industry concerns and understand the on-the-ground realities. That engagement is reflected in final legislation, which is more workable for our sector.”
Carnegie says the changes are a pragmatic step forward, but more will be needed to achieve the Government’s objectives of restoring investor confidence and revitalising the sector.
“Securing New Zealand’s energy future will require a system firing on all cylinders – which means backing technologies like carbon capture and ensuring all energy options remain on the table, including hydrogen, green gas, biomass, and large-scale renewable generation.
This new Act is an important part of the puzzle, but to attract the kind of long-term investment New Zealand needs, there must be durable, predictable policy settings that survive beyond election cycles.”
Carnegie says energy policy shouldn’t be treated as a political football.
“The stakes are too high, and it’s ordinary Kiwis who end up paying the price when supply is unnecessarily constrained or uncertain.
Today’s reform is a big step in the right direction. Now we need to build on it with consistent policy and a clear long-term plan for how domestic natural gas will help deliver affordable, secure energy and economic growth.”
The Government has agreed to increase the probate threshold from $15,000 to $40,000 to save families time and money when accessing assets of deceased loved ones, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“The threshold was last set in 2009 before the implementation of KiwiSaver. Most estates now include KiwiSaver balances well over $15,000, but still have to go through the High Court process. This results in a significant proportion of smaller estates being eaten up in court costs and legal fees.
“Executors need to be able to distribute lower-value assets, ensuring more of an estate goes to the beneficiaries, helping grieving families. The last thing they need is a costly legal process with extra paperwork to deal with.
“I’m assured $40,000 is still sufficiently low enough to ensure there are still appropriate safeguards through the oversight of the High Court for higher value assets, to ensure against potential dishonesty, fraud, or the deceased person’s wishes not being followed.
“The Ministry undertook targeted consultation with key stakeholders, including the law profession and financial services industry to gain feedback on an appropriate threshold level.
These changes will come into force on 24 September 2025.
What started as a ride to campus for a friend has led to a new career path for Herb Kepa (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pāoa), who recently completed the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) at EIT Tairāwhiti.
The 56-year-old spent more than three decades working in landscaping and stone masonry before a serious health scare in 2019 forced him to step away from the physical work.
Herb Kepa at EIT Tairāwhiti, where his passion for cooking turned into a new career path.
He spent months in hospital with a torn aorta and has since experienced a series of mini strokes, most of them occurring around the end of the year.
No longer able to return to the work he had done most of his life, Herb was unsure what would come next.
“A friend of mine wanted a lift to come in to check out this cooking course. I sat in on it, and then the tutor asked if I wanted to join up too. I said, I’ve got nothing else to do, so why not give it a go. I’ve been there ever since.”
That decision led to four years of study in hospitality. Herb began with the New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (Level 3), followed by a plant-based cookery training scheme, the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3), and then the two-year New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4), which he completed last year.
While studying, Herb worked part-time at The Vines Restaurant in Makaraka. He continues to work there, preparing entrees, desserts and breads.
“I’ve always loved cooking, but I never thought I’d be a chef,” he said. “I love my breads. It’s something I enjoy.”
Herb said his background in landscaping helped with the hands-on nature of kitchen work, and that returning to study in his 50s came with some challenges but was well worth it.
“I’ve never been one to study. I’m better with my hands. But this is the first time I’ve actually studied properly.”
He said the tutors were “really good”, especially Maaki Gooding, Karen Johnston and Tony Davis who “helped a lot”.
His advice to others thinking about making a change later in life and studying at EIT is simple.
“If you like food, give it a go. It’s definitely worth it. You’re never too old.”
Assistant Head of School for Tourism and Hospitality at EIT, Nikki Lloyd said the level 4 cookery programme allows students to study while they work, attending class one day a week while working in the industry.
“The ability to learn and earn is a win-win for both student and employer. What students learn in class is put into practice in the workplace, giving them the confidence that is critical to their success. Employers often mention how students grow into key roles in the workplace as a result of their training.”
Chef tutor Tony Davis said Herb’s curiosity with food regularly showed results above expectation.
“The enjoyment he gets from cooking is apparent both in the classroom and the workplace. This combined with his steady work ethic has seen him graduate as one of our top students and now a respected, qualified chef in the workplace.”
An exhibition with a difference will be unveiled at Alberton, the historic Mt Albert mansion cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, on August 10.
Alberton – Impressions of an Art Group in Residence draws on the work of members of the Auckland Plein Art Group. The historic property – which earlier hosted the group of artists – is the focal point of the group’s creative expression, with interior and exterior scenes of the landmark heritage building serving as subject for the artists.
The Auckland Plein Air Group is the brainchild of Nicki Heenan and Amanda Gleason who started the group in the summer of 2023.
“En plein air is an ethos of painting that follows on in the traditions of the French Impressionists and such English artists from the 1800s as Constable and Turner, who took their inspiration from nature and looked for new ways to communicate their ideas,” says Nicki.
“This was happening in the 1860s – much the same time as the construction of Alberton. There has been a huge revival in plein air painting in the past 10 years with festivals being held around the world.”
The Auckland Plein Air Group provides a welcoming social environment where people share ideas and provide support and encouragement to each other with the possibility of presenting their artwork to a wider audience through exhibitions and tutorials.
The exhibition in Alberton’s ballroom is an opportunity for people to come and appreciate the group’s work. The artworks are also available for sale.
“What these artists have produced is remarkable,” says Alberton Property Lead Rendell McIntosh.
“They have managed to create a range of images that capture Alberton’s many different moods and angles. The paintings help us see Alberton through fresh eyes – even those of us who are very familiar with the building.”
– Alberton Impressions of an Art Group in Residence opens on August 10 and runs through to August 31. Entry to the exhibition in the Alberton Ballroom is free (donation appreciated). Standard entry fee applies to visit the rest of house.
– Join us for a Quick Draw event on (Sunday August 31, 11am-1pm) where you can bring your own art materials and paint alongside the Auckland Plein Air Group members. The Quick Draw is a fundraising event with a suggested $5 koha. All ages, especially school age, welcome and there are special awards for young painters.
Covering period of Thursday 31st July – Monday 4th August – After a soggy start to the week for many across the motu, the end of the week brings sunnier skies and a return to chilly winter nights.
While folks in southern and eastern parts will still see a few showers, for the rest of the country the weekend is a great time for outdoor plans, whether you’re heading out for a stroll, off to a Saturday sports game, working in the garden, or taking the opportunity to hang the washing out.
Today’s action is in the upper North Island: eastern parts of Auckland and Northland, as well as Taranaki, may hear a rumble of thunder or see a scattering of hail this afternoon as some beefier showers roll through.
MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino advises, “With heavier showers expected right around school run time and into rush hour, make sure to keep an eye on the rain radar to see if any pop up near you.”
Luckily for those cleaning up after heavy rain and flooding in Bay of Plenty yesterday, just a few showers are forecast for the region today, although the odd shower might still be heavy.
There’s one more month of meteorological winter, and the next few days will certainly feel like it. Overnight temperatures dip into the negatives for much of the country, and many in the South Island will be back to single-digit daytime highs.
“Clear skies, cold air, and light winds are perfect conditions for frosty nights and mornings – watch out for icy roads, and bring any precious pot plants in out of the cold,” Martino suggests.
There is light on the horizon, though, with longer days bringing more daylight hours. Today the country sees an average of 45 minutes more daylight than we did a month ago on the shortest day of the year, and during August we’ll add another hour and a quarter to that.
All eyes (and ears) have been on the tsunami advisories issued by NEMA for coastal regions of Aotearoa New Zealand. MetService supports the distribution of this safety-critical messaging with a banner on our Marine forecast pages directing users to https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/ for the most up-to-date information, as well as advising people through individual coastal and recreational marine forecasts to expect strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at shore.
Martino explains, “The wave models used by weather forecasting agencies capture waves produced by wind and weather, so the swell heights in our marine forecasts don’t include any contribution from tsunami waves. Tsunami modelling is carried out by specialists at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly GNS Science), and messages issued by NEMA represent the official warning status for New Zealand.”
In an act of climate denial, the Luxon Government is today planning to pass legislation to try to restart offshore oil and gas exploration, but they are also slipping in a further amendment that opens the door to taxpayers picking up the billion dollar tab to decommission oil and gas infrastructure.
“Attempting to restart offshore oil and gas exploration is bad enough, given advice from the International Energy Agency that we can’t burn existing known fossil fuel reserves if we are to avoid dangerous global heating. When you’re in a hole the first step to escape is to stop digging,” says Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director Dr. Russel Norman.
“The environment movement will fight any new offshore oil and gas exploration just like we did when John Key was Prime Minister.
“But this legislation is even worse: Luxon is proposing to overturn existing law that makes oil companies automatically responsible for the costs of decommissioning oil and gas fields.”
Under existing law, even if an existing operator onsells an end-of-life oil and gas field to a shell company, which then goes bankrupt when faced with the costs of decommissioning, the original operator is still responsible for the cost.
“Luxon is changing the legislation so that the Minister of Resources and the Minister of Finance are given total ministerial discretion to approve the onselling of the depleted field, and if they approve and the final operator goes bankrupt, the original oil field operator is NOT responsible for the decommissioning costs. The government will end up with the cost.
“New Zealand taxpayers will be the ones that will be picking up the cost of cleaning up after oil companies abandon exhausted oil fields. Costs that could run into billions of dollars,” says Dr. Norman.
“New Zealand has already learnt an expensive lesson in how the oil industry operates. The Tui oil field passed through a number of hands before it was finally sold to an offshore oil company Tamarind that had little money, and Tamarind went bankrupt when faced with the cost of decommissioning the exhausted field. New Zealand taxpayers were stung for $300million to clean up the mess and plug the wells, which was only completed in June 2025.
“After the Tui field fiasco, the law was changed to make sure oil field operators were responsible for the clean up costs, regardless of how many shell companies to which it was onsold.
“The oil industry hated the changes to the law on liability for decommissioning costs as much as they hated the ending of offshore oil and gas exploration. And now they have their chance to pass on the costs to the taxpayers and you can be sure they will take it.
“As the New Zealand oil and gas industry enters its sunset phase, the costs of plugging the wells and cleaning up all the seafloor pipes etc will run into the billions.
“This fossil fuel-obsessed government has given in to pressure from the oil industry and opened the door to making taxpayers pick up the costs of cleaning up after them.
“This is part of a trend by this backward-looking Luxon government which has allocated $200m to help invest in new gas fields.
“Last month, it brought embarrassing shame to New Zealand by pulling out of the international Beyond Oil and Gas coalition, which has pledged to phase out fossil fuels.”
“New Zealand will have energy security, lower prices and low emissions by investing in solar, wind, geothermal, storage, efficiency and demand side management. That is our future, not the nonsense being promoted by Luxon and Shane Jones.”
Fulbright New Zealand and Creative New Zealand are delighted to announce Simone Kaho is the recipient of the 2025 Pacific Writer’s Residency.
This annual award is for an established New Zealand writer of Pacific heritage to carry out work on a creative writing project exploring Pacific identity, culture or history at the University of Hawai’i for three months.
Simone Kaho says many writers she admires and follows have won the award in previous years.
“It’s a fabulous thing to receive institutional support for work that is so challenging. What if our most profound connections aren’t just with family, but in deep attunement with nature, recognising patterns in the unseen, and finding new ways to move forward? In this project, I’ll be drawing theoretical lines between Pacific people who are neurodiverse, and the traits of Pacific wayfinders—and I hope to find evidence of these in Hawaii’s research archives,” says Simone.
Fulbright NZ Executive Director Penelope Borland says it is heartening to see the residency taken up by a poet of Simone’s distinction.
“We are thrilled to be granting the 2025 Pacific Writer’s Residency to Simone Kaho, enabling her to continue her work that has already received widespread acclaim, most recently seeing her take up the 2022 Emerging Pasifika writer in Residence at the prestigious International Institute of Modern Letters. With this award, Simone will travel to Hawai’i, where I am sure a deeply meaningful experience awaits her,” says Penelope.
Makerita Urale, Creative New Zealand’s Senior Manager Pacific Arts, herself an alumna of the residency, says the award is timely for Simone’s literary career.
“Simone’s work is fearless and deeply grounded in lived experience and cultural insight. This residency is a fitting next step for an artist of her calibre, and we look forward to seeing how her time in Hawai’i will further shape and strengthen her work,” says Makerita.
Previous recipients of the prestigious Pacific Writer’s Residency have been some of New Zealand’s most celebrated writers, including Tusiata Avia, Karlo Mila, Oscar Kightley, David Eggleton, Mīria George, and playwright Victor Rodger.
The popular Great Walk in the Abel Tasman National Park had been temporarily closed from Mārahau to Anchorage due to the damage.
DOC Motueka Operations Manager Chris Golding says staff have been out on the track since the heavy rain on Tuesday 29 July and it’s come through without any significant new damage.
“There are several areas with minor damage, which are all passable with care. Please make safe decisions for your ability level and if you have any doubts, don’t go ahead. We’ll get these tidied up in the coming weeks when we can,” says Chris.
“Some planned maintenance is happening between Bark Bay and Onetahuti for another month or so. There will be machines operating so please follow all instructions from the staff and contractors.”
Chris says access to the Kahurangi National Park from the Tasman District is still severely limited by road closures.
“We’re working out repair options for Graham Valley Rd, which is the gateway Flora Car Park and some of the region’s most popular alpine walks. Over the Takaka Hill, the Cobb Valley is also closed due to several slips,” Chris says.
“There’s no timeframe for when these will reopen, please check the DOC and Tasman District Council websites for the latest.
“The Wangapeka River Rd is open, but a four-wheel-drive is required as there has been some storm damage.”
The Top of the South has had several storms in the last month and anyone going into the outdoors should be prepared to potentially come across track damage. Make safe decisions and report issues to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
The DOC website will be kept up to date as things change. Anyone planning to head out should check for the latest before their trip.
Operators will be able to apply for new petroleum exploration permits as early as September following the third reading of the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
The Bill removes the ban on oil and gas exploration beyond onshore Taranaki, better aligns decommissioning settings with international practice, establishes a new tier of permit to undertake small-scale non-commercial gold mining, and signals the Coalition Government’s intent to reinvigorate investment in Crown-owned minerals.
“This Government is pragmatic about the vital role natural gas will play in our energy mix in the decades ahead and we have set a course for greater energy security backed by our own indigenous reserves,” Mr Jones says.
“The ill-fated exploration ban in 2018 has exacerbated shortages in our domestic gas supply by obliterating new investment in the exploration and development needed to meet our future gas needs. Reserves are also falling faster than anticipated.
“New Zealanders are bearing the brunt of this constrained gas supply, and energy security concerns are impacting investor sentiment. These factors are taking a toll on our economic growth and prosperity.
“We are seeing businesses in the regions closing as a result with Kiwis losing their jobs, and we’re importing hundreds of tonnes of Indonesian coal to meet peak energy demand.
“This legislation is just one of many actions we are taking to get the right settings in place to resuscitate sector confidence, shore up energy supply and protect electricity affordability.”
During the progression of the Bill, a gap was identified in the existing Crown Minerals Act that relates to liability for the costs of decommissioning petroleum infrastructure. In certain circumstances, parent companies of permit-holders could sell their shares without remaining responsible for the costs of decommissioning old petroleum infrastructure, exposing the Crown to fiscal risk.
“Together with changes to the decommissioning regime that better balance regulatory burden and risk to give operators the clarity they need to invest in exploration and development wells, we have introduced ministerial discretion to assign liability for decommissioning costs to former permit-holders and others who have held interests in a permit,” Mr Jones says.
“We recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach for every scenario not only erodes investor confidence, it also doesn’t allow us to best manage risk.
“I want those who benefited from having an interest in a petroleum permit to pay for decommissioning the relevant infrastructure. While financial securities remain at the core, the new approach to assigning liability will ensure the most appropriate person will remain responsible for costs if the current permit-holder cannot meet their obligations and financial securities are insufficient.”
Most of the changes through the Bill will take effect immediately, while others will require staged implementation and secondary legislation. All changes will be operational by the end of September 2025.
Legislation to overhaul the public service so it focuses on getting back to basics and delivering value for money to taxpayers has passed its first reading, Public Service Minister Judith Collins says.
“The Public Service Amendment Bill aims to lift the performance of the public service,” Ms Collins says.
“It clarifies the purpose of the public service – and the responsibilities of chief executives – while preserving its constitutional role as a politically neutral and professional institution.”
The bill will:
Reinforce merit-based appointments, to attract the widest pool of talent and ensure the best candidates are chosen
Clarify the responsibilities of public service chief executives, with greater accountability for performance
Remove the option to automatically reappoint chief executives at the end of their fixed term, to ensure a competitive selection process
Refocus the public service on supporting the government of the day, while maintaining the core values of political neutrality and free and frank advice
Remove pay equity, diversity and inclusion provisions, most of which are substantively covered in the Public Service Act or in other laws
“The reforms will ensure the public service is professional, politically neutral and equipped to serve the government of the day – all of which adds up to better outcomes for taxpayers,” Ms Collins says.
“Taxpayers expect a public service that is capable, impartial, and focused on getting results. These changes will do that.”
Legislation to overhaul the public service so it focuses on getting back to basics and delivering value for money to taxpayers has passed its first reading, Public Service Minister Judith Collins says.
“The Public Service Amendment Bill aims to lift the performance of the public service,” Ms Collins says.
“It clarifies the purpose of the public service – and the responsibilities of chief executives – while preserving its constitutional role as a politically neutral and professional institution.”
The bill will:
Reinforce merit-based appointments, to attract the widest pool of talent and ensure the best candidates are chosen
Clarify the responsibilities of public service chief executives, with greater accountability for performance
Remove the option to automatically reappoint chief executives at the end of their fixed term, to ensure a competitive selection process
Refocus the public service on supporting the government of the day, while maintaining the core values of political neutrality and free and frank advice
Remove pay equity, diversity and inclusion provisions, most of which are substantively covered in the Public Service Act or in other laws
“The reforms will ensure the public service is professional, politically neutral and equipped to serve the government of the day – all of which adds up to better outcomes for taxpayers,” Ms Collins says.
“Taxpayers expect a public service that is capable, impartial, and focused on getting results. These changes will do that.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele in Wellington today, reaffirming New Zealand’s close ties to Solomon Islands.
“Prime Minister Manele’s visit this week reinforces the deep ties between our two nations stretching back over 150 years. We discussed the work we are doing together to grow Solomon Islands economy, and PM Manele’s plans for the Pacific Islands Forum, which he will host next month,” Mr Luxon says.
“I was particularly pleased to confirm that New Zealand will continue its support over the next 10 years to build on the positive progress Solomon Islands is making in the education and fisheries sectors.
“Our long-standing partnership demonstrates New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to Solomon Islands and its people.”
Mr Peters welcomed New Zealand’s continued commitment to supporting Solomon Islands’ development.
“As we work with our Pacific partners to build a peaceful and prosperous Pacific, New Zealand’s assistance plays a big part in supporting the development of countries like Solomon Islands.
“Our continued commitments to Solomon Islands’ education and fisheries sectors will build upon the hard-earned progress made to date for the mutual benefit of both our countries,” Mr Peters says.
Prime Minister Manele and his delegation also attended a number of business and community engagements in Auckland and Wellington.
Prime Minister Manele departs New Zealand tomorrow.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting on proposed changes to health and safety regulations to better support innovation in New Zealand’s science and technology sector.
“As part of the wider health and safety reforms, we’re clearing the way for scientific progress by reducing complexity and making it easier to understand what’s required,” says Ms van Velden.
“We’ve heard that the current regulations don’t match what university laboratories do, creating unnecessary compliance challenges. Researchers and innovators need a system that supports their work, not one that stands in the way.”
I am proposing a change that aims to match hazardous substances requirements for university laboratories as well as science and technology laboratories with their actual risk.
Current regulations require flammable substance laboratories to be on the ground floor. However, universities often place them on upper levels to improve fire safety and security, keeping evacuation routes clear and limiting access to hazardous materials. This approach, supported by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, does not align with how the regulations are currently written.
“I’m developing these changes to ensure they are practical and effectively support New Zealand’s science and technology sector. This includes assessing whether the current laboratory design and hazardous substances storage requirements work for their laboratories.
“We’ll be consulting directly with the university laboratories and science and technology laboratories. I intend to complete these changes by mid-2026.”
Another key change already being consulted on aims to remove regulatory barriers to the development and use of hydrogen technologies.
“We’re planning to update the rules to support the safe development and use of hydrogen technologiesin a way that’s flexible, future-proofed, and internationally aligned.”
Officials have already conducted targeted consultation, and now we’re opening it more widely to ensure all interested stakeholders have the opportunity to share their feedback.
Because the current safety requirements were not developed with hydrogen in mind, they are now preventing the safe development and use of hydrogen technologies.
Key changes being consulted on include:
Enabling the use of hydrogen storage containers that are already in common use overseas. Establishing safety requirements for cryogenic liquid hydrogen. Introducing safety requirements for hydrogen filling stations and dispensers.
“Hydrogen technologies could transform sectors from transport to manufacturing, and these changes will help unlock that potential by removing regulatory barriers.”
These changes support the Government’s 2024 Hydrogen Action Plan by creating an enabling regulatory environment for hydrogen development while maintaining safety. The changes are expected to be completed by mid-2026.
“Once agreed, these updates will remove unnecessary complexity and ensure the regulatory system better supports scientific research and emerging technologies,” says Ms van Velden.
“These changes will save time and costs for businesses and workers as we cut red tape to make it easier to do business. When our Kiwi businesses thrive, there are more jobs and lower prices for all New Zealanders.”
More women and families in need of specialist mental health support during and after pregnancy will soon have better access to care, with new investment being directed to Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Mid Central, and the Wellington region.
Pregnancy and early parenthood can be a challenging time. This funding will mean more women can access the right care when they need it. These services can be life-changing not only for mothers but also for their babies and wider families,” Mr Doocey says.
“While becoming a parent is often a time of great joy, it can also bring real challenges for some. This funding will enable those who need extra support, whether they are facing mental health challenges during pregnancy or postpartum, to access the care they need.
“It will also provide support for those experiencing distress following birth trauma or stillbirth.
“The additional $4.9 million announced today targets four regions identified as having lower levels of investment in maternal mental health. This new funding will help ensure more equitable access across the country.
“The investment will create more clinical and non-clinical roles within community-based specialist infant and maternal mental health services. It will also fund intensive home-based care packages for those with higher needs. Evidence shows these measures make a significant difference for pregnant women, mothers, their babies, and families.
“We’re turning the corner on reducing wait times and increasing the workforce. Recent data shows Health New Zealand’s frontline mental health workforce has grown around 10% since we came into Government and over 80% of people are being seen within three weeks for specialist services.
“When someone reaches out for help whether it’s you, your child, a friend or family member this Government is committed to ensuring support is available. Today’s announcement will continue with the progress being made in ensuring that support is there.”
Time to celebrate our crews doing their best to protect nature in Aotearoa. This is a window into conservation field work: selfie-style. 📸
📷1: Taking a break at Ōpoutere Beach after clearing tracks – (L to R) Rebecca, Rachel, Shania 📷2: Daniel and Chippy setting new trap lines along Hirikimata on Aotea 📷3: Community ranger team (Michelle, Chris and Cat) from the Mahaanui office
World Ranger Day is an opportunity to celebrate rangers who serve on the front lines of conservation worldwide.
Today we recognise the invaluable efforts of those rangers who contribute to protecting nature and our planet day-in, day-out.
📷1: Self-timer selfie at Ōpoutere Beach aftertrack clearing pine logs – Dan, Rebecca, Rachel, Shania, Hugh, Cole and Ken 📷2: CITES Officer Sarah inspecting an American Alligator specimen at Auckland International Airport imported from the USA 📷3: Drone selfie of Rachel and Shania transporting plants to Waemaro Wildlife Management Reserve in collaboration with Ngāti Hako, Waikato Regional Council and Fonterra
The role of a ranger can be hard work, it’s not always glamorous and has its challenges, but there is no doubt about the importance of the work of our rangers when it comes to preserving and protecting nature.
Internationally, World Ranger Day commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty, in addition to celebrating the work rangers do around the globe to protect natural treasures and cultural heritage.
📷1: Phillip from Kaimaumau in Te Hiku doing a site visit with the locals 📷2: UBCO Training with Kyle, Doug and Brownie from Te Hiku Kaitaia DOC 📷3: Alyssia and Daniel planting native seedlings to help restore wetlands in Whangapoua, Aotea
Not all of our rangers are field-based, and lots of conservation happens behind a desk, but there’s no doubt that our team in the field have some of the best views and work stories around.
What does a ranger do?
This is a question we get asked a lot. The short answer is: heaps!
📷1: Campbell walking up to the infamous Brewster Hut during Winter to clean the hut and toilet 📷2: Hauraki Heritage and Visitor Team – Rebecca with the Hauraki Tracks Crew 📷3: Cara and Kaitiaki Kiwi planning conservation work with mana whenua on Aotea
The long answer involves managing threats like predators, cutting tracks, managing biosecurity risks, monitoring and reporting on population health, restoration, recreation maintenance, running Visitor Centres, research and development … the list goes on and on.
We have experts in many things: ecosystems, kākāpō, kiwi, weeds, waterways, sharks, bittern, non-vascular plants, bird-banding, endangered orchids, visitor behaviour, surveying, safety, community engagement, backcountry tramping; you name it. The DOC Sounds of Science podcast is a good listen if you’d like to dive deeper into any of these fields.
📷1: Cameron and Kylie cooking up a kai for the kids after planting a reserve in Ahipara 📷2: Campbell and Renee crossing the freezing cold East Matukituki River after spraying Cotoneaster weeds 📷3: Daniel and Chippy putting out biodiversity tracking cards on the pest-free Mokohinau Islands
Working in the field to help nature thrive is often very physically challenging, complex, with sky high stakes. But, on the other hand, our team have ‘office views’ like no where else, and often have seen things or done things that turn their friends and desk-based colleagues green with envy.
Please put your emoji hands together for all of our awesome rangers.👏
They deserve it. 💚
📷1: Bianca, Alaanah, Brownie and Adrienne during UBCO Training at Maitai Bay 📷2: A selfie after an Otago Hector Dolphin Biopsy Survey from left Mike, Tom, Cara and Kristina at Port Chalmers 📷3: Cara and Lizzie and rangers from Karioi Project Jasmine, Terence and Louie carrying out willow control in the Toreparu wetland to enhance matuku habitat
World Ranger Day 2025
It’s World Ranger Day. A day to celebrate the amazing things that dedicated rangers do across Aotearoa all year round.You can learn more about World Ranger Day on our website.
For more information about becoming a ranger, check out our DOC careers page.
Tourism and rural businesses will benefit from Government action to eradicate invasive weeds from popular landscapes including progressing the development of world-leading early detection technology, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
The Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is New Zealand’s biggest tourism provider – conservation tourism is worth $3.4 billion a year – but the ongoing protection of our iconic landscapes is facing significant financial and environmental challenges,” Mr Potaka says.
“Tourism is a key part of our plan to grow the economy to create jobs, lift wages and help Kiwis get ahead. Through the International Visitor Levy (IVL), we’re providing $10 million over the next three years to ensure our popular mountains, parks, and islands, remain beautiful for years to come.
“Locations include Abel Tasman, Aoraki / Mt Cook, Tongariro, Stewart Island, Mackenzie Basin, Molesworth, and Te Paki and North Cape / Otou near Cape Reinga.
“In Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly two million hectares are affected by wilding pines. Without intervention, these trees can spread at a rate of five per cent per year. The cost of this to New Zealand’s nature, productivity and economy can grow exponentially over time.
“I’ve announced an extra $3 million to the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, led by Biosecurity New Zealand, for important control work in the Molesworth and Mackenzie Basin areas. This builds on significant previous IVL investments to urgently tackle wilding conifers across Canterbury, Marlborough, Otago and on Rangitoto in the Hauraki Gulf.
“A further $7.45 million will go towards managing other significant weeds. For example in Rakiura, Abel Tasman, Te Paki, and North Cape/Otou, such as marram, spartina, and pampas grasses that affect natural dune and estuary ecosystems, and our coastal scenery.
“When it comes to tackling invasive weeds, taking early action is essential. IVL funding will also go towards the development and rollout of an innovative, smart software tool to detect weeds when they first invade.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard highlighted the annual boost in funding to combat wilding pines, which threaten farmland, water catchments, and native biodiversity, while increasing the risk of wildfires.
“The Government is focused on protecting the productive heart of our economy – our rural communities. That’s why there has been significant investment into the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, including an extra $2 million announced in Budget and annual $10 million baseline funding.
“Since 2016, the Government has committed more than $150 million to the fight to contain and control the spread of wilding pines, alongside more than $33 million contributed by partners and communities.”
“This year’s investment continues to support the people doing the work alongside Government – regional councils, Iwi, farmers, researchers, and volunteers, whose combined effort has pushed back some of the worst infestations and protected key landscapes,” says Mr Hoggard.
Notes to editor: The funding covers work across the next three years (2025 –2028) and comes from money raised under the new $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy rate.
A $4.5 million investment to develop tourism at places with unique cultural heritage will help create jobs and boost incomes in rural economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
“This investment over the next three years from the International Visitor Levy will expand Tohu Whenua experiences to more regions with Manawatū-Whanganui and Murihiku Southland next,” Mr Potaka says.
“Tohu Whenua is a tourism and regional economic development programme that helps create jobs, boost incomes, and connect visitors to places with unique cultural heritage.
“Sites which received Tohu Whenua status previously have seen increases of up to 150 per cent in visitation in their first year in the programme.
“Expansion of the programme across more regions will support high-quality authentic visitor experiences with enhanced storytelling, information and facilities.
“Recently added sites include Kate Sheppard House, and Kaikōura Peninsula in Canterbury. They joined others including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Te Ana Ngāi Tahu Māori Rock Art Centre in Timaru, and Historic Hayes in Otago.
“DOC is responsible for over 15,000 heritage places across New Zealand, from pā to whaling stations, light houses, WWII defences and mining relics. Tourism to these places is estimated to be worth around $1.3 billion per year.
“I encourage everyone to look out for Tohu Whenua sites around Aotearoa New Zealand. These offer rich stories, variety and cultural exchange, encouraging visitors to stay longer in a region and delve deeper. In turn, they support local economies by spending more on attractions, accommodation, hospitality and retail.”
Notes to editor:
Tohu Whenua is a partnership between Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and DOC, with support from Te Puni Kōkiri, Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture & Heritage and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Tohu Whenua currently includes 39 sites. Many of these are in public conservation areas. Launched in 2016, the programme is successfully operating in four regions:
Northland Te Tai Tokerau (9 sites) Otago (12 sites) West Coast Te Tai Poutini (7 sites) Canterbury Waitaha (11 sites launched in June 2025).
The programme is working towards nation-wide coverage and will be rolling out to Manawatū-Whanganui and Murihiku Southland next.
Figures for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga properties show the increase in visitors in the first year of becoming a Tohu Whenua site:
Clendon House 61% increase Pompallier Mission and Printery 35% increase Māngungu Mission 156% increase Waitangi Treaty Grounds 7% increase Historic Hayes 10% increase
A $17.5 million investment into strengthening sustainable tourism at some of the country’s most popular natural attractions will support jobs and incomes for regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
“Our beautiful Conservation lands are one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest drawcards, attracting $3.4 billion into our economy from tourism a year. However, the ongoing protection of our landscapes is facing financial and environmental challenges.
“$13.6 million over three years will improve visitor planning and management at the beautiful Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, Piopiotahi Milford Sound and Matiu / Somes Island on Wellington’s doorstep.
“This investment ensures the conservation areas and facilities that attract tourists to our regions continues to deliver on its promise of stunning nature.
“This includes more dedicated staff at visitor centres during peak times. It means more summer rangers to look after facilities, share information about the outdoors, wildlife and history and ensure people are visiting responsibly.
“$3.9 million over two years will go to improving service and management of some of New Zealand’s popular Great Walks and Department of Conservation campsites.
“As well as offering so much to New Zealanders, public conservation lands and water support around 2,000 tourism concessions. For example, there are currently more than 560 active guiding permits.
“Conservation areas, tracks and facilities are also vital for local economies right across the country, like Mautohe Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula, and Tuatapere in Southland.
“Tourism is a crucial part of the Government’s focus on economic growth, with domestic and international tourism expenditure at $44.4 billion and supporting more than 300,000 jobs.”
Key metrics published today show how much councils are spending and what they are spending it on, which has a direct impact on your rates, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.
“We know it is really tough out there and the cost of living is the biggest worry for households. Councils need to show they are wisely spending ratepayers’ hard-earned money.
“Ratepayers place immense trust in their local councils who make key decisions on local infrastructure, fiscal management, and how their community operates on a day-to-day basis on their behalf.
“Some ratepayers are getting more and more fed up with rising rates hitting pockets harder than ever. This isn’t fair during a cost-of-living crisis where many Kiwis are doing it tough. It is important that ratepayers can see how their council is performing and what it is delivering for their community.
“That’s why the Government is putting clear facts and figures directly into the hands of ratepayers. When ratepayers know more about how their council is performing and where their money is going, they can engage more effectively and ask the tough questions.
“For instance, communities can now compare how much their council spends on core essentials like infrastructure and see whether their rates are going up more than average.
“We have been clear that we want to see councils get back to basics, focusing on delivering essential services and infrastructure, improving local decision-making, and supporting their communities through the cost of living – not adding to it.
“Releasing these performance metrics aligns with our commitment to lifting the performance of local government. It is an opportunity for councils that are focused on their core functions to highlight their efficiency and value to their communities.”
The Government is also actively exploring a rates capping system.
“Given the current pressures on households, the degree of rates increases is a massive worry. We’re actively exploring a rates capping system to ensure councils are spending ratepayers’ money responsibly,” Mr Watts says.
The metrics include information on council demographics, rates revenue, debt, staffing and expenditure, with benchmarking based on groupings of similar councils.
As an annual publication, the information will be developed over time to paint a fuller picture of council performance across New Zealand.
This year’s council profiles and group comparison tables are available on https://www.dia.govt.nz/local-government-performance-metrics.
A scholarship programme run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has started producing the next generation of on-farm advisers to support farmers and growers.
Ffion White was one of the inaugural recipients of the On Farm Support science scholarship and is now an intern with Ballance Agri-Nutrients in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.
“I’m getting to work on-farm alongside Ballance’s nutrient specialists. My role is about helping farmers improve their soil, grow better quality pasture and crops, and become more productive and profitable,” Ms White says.
“The scholarship was hugely beneficial. I had a mentor from MPI’s On Farm Support team who invited me to industry field days and events. It helped me meet people in the sector which came in handy when I started looking for a job.”
Ms White, who completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, is one of 4 scholarship recipients who have secured primary industry advisory roles. Another is Nerissa Edwards, who now works as a farm consultant with Feilding-based KS Agri.
“Every day is different. I find it hugely rewarding working with farmers to create individual plans to drive improvements in on-farm efficiency, profitability, and sustainability,” Ms Edwards says.
“The scholarship enabled me to build connections within the advisory sector. That led to a 6-month internship with KS Agri and eventually a role as a consultant.”
MPI launched the On Farm Support science scholarships in 2023. MPI’s director of On Farm Support, Vanessa Winning, says applications are now open for next year’s scholarships.
“Six scholarships, worth a total of $30,000, are on offer for the 2026 academic year to tertiary students enrolled in relevant agriculture, horticulture, science, or viticulture degrees,” Ms Winning says.
“We’re seeking applications from students who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in either the agriculture, horticulture, or viticulture advisory sector. Applicants must have completed their first year of study.”
Ms Winning says there’s strong demand for on-farm advice backed by science and analysis that can support producers to adapt and improve business performance.
“MPI is backing initiatives that support farmers and growers to sustainably boost productivity and profitability, helping to achieve the Government’s goal of doubling the value of exports by 2034,” Ms Winning says.
Applications for the scholarships close on 15 September 2025.
31 July 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) has created a series of financial inclusion indicators, designed to improve understanding of how well the financial system is serving the diverse needs of our communities and how it evolves over time.
Director of Financial System Assessment, Kerry Watt, says financial inclusion is an important feature of an effective modern financial system.
“When people are excluded from financial services, it can limit their ability to participate in the economy and ultimately their wellbeing. Our indicators are part of our efforts to understand and track how the financial system is serving New Zealanders,” Mr Watt says.
The indicators focus on the ability of individuals and businesses to obtain and access to financial services such as cash services, deposit accounts, and credit.
Key findings from the report include:
97% of adults in Aotearoa New Zealand reported having at least one deposit account. However, access varies by age, income, and ethnicity.
70% of adults have at least one regulated credit product, though this drops to 64% among Māori. Regional disparities are also evident, with Gisborne showing notably lower access relative to its population size than other parts of the country.
Rural residents, particularly those over 60, are less likely to find it easy to deposit cash than urban residents.
Māori-owned businesses received $3.5 billion in lending from the four largest banks, just 2% of total business lending (of $185 billion).
The indicators have been developed based on international approaches and reflect the growing recognition, both globally and domestically, of financial inclusion as a core component of financial system performance.
“Understanding and promoting financial participation is a priority for the Reserve Bank. These indicators build a fuller picture of access, use, and outcomes to support New Zealanders in having reasonable access to financial products and services that meet their needs,” Mr Watt says.
New research from Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission has revealed that record numbers of women are feeling more uncomfortable financially compared to their male counterparts.
Data from the Retirement Commission’s financial sentiment tracker has found that 62% of women are financially uncomfortable in comparison to 51% of men in the year to 30 June 2025. The proportion of women who were worried about their finances pay-to-pay and their levels of debt is now the highest since research began in July 2021.
The Retirement Commission surveys thousands of New Zealanders each year to track how people are feeling about their finances. The insights are used to help identify where particular challenges are and opportunities to provide better support.
Over the last few years, the financial sentiment tracker has shown the power that having an emergency savings fund can have on people’s financial wellbeing when they have some protections in place to cope with the unexpected. This latest report reveals that 44% of the population currently do not have an emergency fund in place, ultimately threatening their financial resilience.
Women were less likely than men to have an emergency fund (48% either don’t think they’ll have one or are just considering setting one up, compared to 41% of men).
Data found that 64% of people who had set up an emergency savings fund in the last three months felt confident about their future (almost identical to those with established funds at 65%) in comparison to only 22% of those without a fund.
This August, the Retirement Commission’s annual Sorted Money Month campaign is putting the spotlight on emergency savings.
Sorted Personal Finance Lead Tom Hartmann is encouraging New Zealanders to set up an emergency savings fund if they don’t already have one.
“Starting an emergency savings fund, even if it is only $5 a week, can help people avoid debt and cope better in a crisis,” he says.
“The research shows that putting money into emergency savings to deal with financial challenges when they arise, will also help you feel more optimistic about the future, and encourage a savings habit that ultimately builds financial resilience.”
The National Strategy for Financial Capability partners are also supporting Money Month with events and programmes across the country. These events can be found the on the Sorted event calendar allowing people to find out what is happening locally and get involved.
Ngā Tāngata Microfinance Trust’s General Manager, Vijay Farley-Naiker was keen to support the drive to build emergency savings with their community. Ngā Tāngata Microfinance offers affordable loans to help those on low incomes get ahead with money.
Farley-Naiker’s advice is, “start your emergency savings today, it’s a small step that can make a big difference and break the cycle of financial stress.”
Ngā Tāngata Microfinance is running a free family event in Henderson, Auckland Build your buffer, on Saturday 30 August, with a free sausage sizzle, games as well as budgeting services, financial mentors and financial institutions ready to help people start building their emergency fund.
Sorted will host two free webinars during Money Month, providing independent financial information to help people start an emergency savings fund. Stressed to sorted – Emergency savings 101 will be held on 12 August followed by How and emergency fund can save your life on 26 August, featuring a panel of experts from community and financial organisations as they share their tips for building and keeping emergency savings.
By the numbers:
44% of the general population do not currently have an emergency savings fund.
64% of those who’ve set up an emergency fund in the last three months agree with the statement ‘I/we feel optimistic and confident about my/our future right now’ compared to only 22% of those who don’t believe they will set one up in the near future.
Only 35% of those with an emergency fund are concerned about finances from pay to pay, compared to 64% of those without a fund.
56% of participants feel financially uncomfortable, while 44% feel financially comfortable.
The gap between women and men feeling financially comfortable has widened over the past four years, with only 38% of women feeling financially comfortable compared to 49% of men in 2025.
The proportion 18 to 34-year-olds feeling financially comfortable has declined from 53% in 2022 to 43% in 2025
The proportion of Māori participants feeling financially comfortable has dropped from 42% two years ago to 34% this year.
On a year-on-year basis, more people are concerned about finances from pay to pay this year (42%) compared to last year (40%), while optimism about the future has increased to 46% from 44%.
About Sorted Sorted is a free service run by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, the government-funded, independent agency dedicated to helping New Zealanders get ahead financially. As New Zealand’s trusted personal finance site, Sorted has the information needed to tackle debt, plan and budget, save and invest, dial up your KiwiSaver, plan for retirement, protect what’s important, and manage a mortgage. Providing tools, guides and blogs, Sorted can help no matter where you are at when it comes to money. About Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission aims to help New Zealanders to retire with confidence. Retiring with confidence means New Zealanders feel secure they’ll have resources to live and the know-how to make
Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) is calling for a public inquiry and urging the Government to rethink its support for heated tobacco products (HTPs), followingfresh revelationsthe Government extended a 50% tax cut on the products for two more years.
Following on the heels oflast week’s revelations about tobacco industry lobbying of politicians, Health Coalition Aotearoa is calling for a public inquiry into tobacco industry influence. HCA is also calling for the Prime Minister to reassign the tobacco and vaping portfolio away from NZ First.
The heated tobacco products tax break was introduced last year-against the advice of government officials. They pointed out tobacco giant Philip Morris (who have a monopoly on heated tobacco products in Aotearoa New Zealand) would be the main beneficiary.
“There’s no evidence heated tobacco products help people stop smoking, or that they’re significantly less harmful than cigarettes,” says Dr Jude Ball, Health Coalition Aotearoa spokesperson and University of Otago researcher.
“Yet the Government, despite committing to a one-year trial, have extended the tax cut by two more years. This decision is favourable to the tobacco industry but not beneficial to public health.
“This latest decision adds to a worrying trend of Government policy decisions that align with tobacco company interests.
The Government’s approach to evaluating if heated tobacco products help people quit smoking is unclear. It is highly unusual for a Government to run a trial like this which, by cutting a tax on HTPs, helps the sole seller of heated tobacco products (Philip Morris) to increase their product sales. Especially if there is no evidence that product helps people to quit cigarettes.
“Tobacco giant Phillip Morris are the sole beneficiaries of this tax cut. It’s a poor use of taxpayer dollars at a time when our health system is already stretched,” says Dr Ball.
Health Coalition Aotearoa calls on the Government to act with urgency and leadership and:
Launch a public inquiry into tobacco industry influence on Government policy.
Strip NZ First of the tobacco and vaping portfolio.
We also support thepetition launched by Vape-Free Kids NZcalling on the Prime Minister to strip the tobacco and vaping portfolio from New Zealand First.
