Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a crash in Takanini last night.
Emergency services were called to the crash between a vehicle and a dirtbike on Mill Road just before 8.30pm.
Sadly, one person was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Serious Crash Unit attended and enquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Wairarapa Police are working to track the offenders behind 29 car thefts in the space of two weeks.
The number of thefts is an increase on the 37 vehicles that were stolen in the two months to May last year. Wairarapa Area Prevention Manager Senior Sergeant Gill Flower said the recent rise is believed to be down to groups of criminals operating in the area.
“There’s no reason behind some of these thefts – they’re doing it for their enjoyment and don’t care about all damage they’re doing to the cars and the impact it has on people.
“Of the 29 recent cases, 25 have been in Masterton. Mazda Demios and Ford Couriers have been the main target for these offenders, and we’re asking people to take some additional steps to keep their vehicles safe.
“Some of the vehicles have been left unlocked, or keys left in places that are easy to access. People are also leaving items in their cars, and that attracts attention too. These offenders aren’t above stealing your prescription glasses, so the less you can leave in your car, the better.”
Senior Sergeant Flower said steering wheel locks were a cost-effective way to immobilise a car and make it less attractive to thieves.
“Some people can’t afford insurance, but a steering wheel lock will mean your car is undrivable. It’s a worthwhile investment, especially if you have to park your car on the road.
“We’re working hard to track these offenders, but we need the public’s help to do that.
“If you see suspicious behaviour, call 111,” Senior Sergeant Flower said. “The faster we get a report, the quicker we can act.”
Even in cases where Police can’t respond immediately, the reports helped Police track where offenders were operating.
“For us it’s valuable intelligence.”
“If you can’t report something straight away, please still tell us about it by making a report through 105.
“We’re working hard to find these offenders, but we need the community to help us.”
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following the two-vehicle collision south of Pahiatua yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the crash on State Highway 2 at around 3pm on Thursday.
Sadly, the driver of one of the vehicles died at the scene. There were no other significant injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit has carried out a scene examination and enquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
39 minutes ago
EIT staff and students embraced the cold, plunging into an ice bath at the Hawke’s Bay campus as part of an initiative to raise awareness for mental health.
Held on Tuesday, the challenge saw Head of the School of Trades Todd Rogers, Dean Helen Ryan-Stewart, Mental Health Lecturer Chris Malcolm, and Ira White from Human Resources take turns submerging themselves in freezing water alongside three student volunteers.
The initiative was part of a global resurgence of cold-water challenges, revived in the United States nearly a decade after the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, using the hashtag #SpeakYourMIND to raise mental health awareness.
Dean Helen Ryan-Stewart, Ira White from Human Resources, Mental Health Lecturer Chris Malcolm and Head of the School of Trades Todd Rogers took turns submerging themselves in freezing water to raise funds and awareness for mental health.
A crowd of supporters gathered with cheers, laughter, and plenty of encouragement as each “dipper” stepped up to the tub. The event combined light-hearted fun with a serious message, promoting open conversations around mental health and showing solidarity with those facing mental health challenges. Funds raised went to the Jolly Good Chaps Charitable Trust.
Ira showed particular resilience, taking a full bucket of ice-cold water over the head with a smile.
All four staff members embraced the challenge with good humour and were met with enthusiastic applause.
“Hopping into a bucket of ice is never easy,” Todd said.
Chris said mental health was an important focus. “One of the key things was resilience, so we wanted to test the resilience of some of these people hopping in the ice.”
Leanne Harkness, who helped coordinate the event, said the turnout and energy on the day reflected strong support for student mental health. “It’s been quite a warm day, so it was lucky for our dippers.”
Watch the video of the challenge here.
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
2 days ago
Dr Sally Rye (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou) has been appointed as Head of Research at EIT, marking a return to the institution where her academic journey began.
She brings more than a decade of experience across education, health, and social development, with a strong focus on kaupapa Māori and community-led research.
Sally returns to Hawke’s Bay after holding national roles in the tertiary and public sectors, most recently at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Dr Sally Rye (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou) has been appointed Head of Research at EIT.
Her interdisciplinary background includes business development, social work, youth development, mental health, addictions, and teaching.
She is widely recognised for her innovative approach to research centred on wellbeing, equity, and mātauranga Māori.
She says the decision to take on the role was grounded in a desire to contribute to her own community and invest in the future of her mokopuna.
“EIT is deeply embedded in this region. For me, this role is about returning home — not just geographically, but to a place that shaped who I am. I’m here to support a research culture that reflects our people, our priorities and our potential,” she says.
Her vision includes strengthening communities of practice, where staff and external partners can collaborate on shared kaupapa, and making research more visible, vibrant, and relevant to everyday life.
“I want to shift the perception of research from something isolated or academic to something aspirational, creative and community driven. Whether it’s improving local health outcomes, celebrating cultural knowledge, or informing how we teach, research should be part of everything we do.”
Sally also brings a deeply personal connection to her research practice. Her doctoral work explored the relationship between gut health, brain function and wellbeing — a journey inspired by her own health challenges. This work evolved into a holistic, kaupapa Māori programme that helped hundreds of wāhine Māori reclaim their hauora through nutrition, spirituality, connection, and movement.
She remains active in both national and international research spaces and recently presented at the Eru Pōmare Centre at Otago University in Wellington.
Sally was formally welcomed onto the Taradale campus at a pōwhiri in February and officially began her role in March. She is currently connecting with staff across all EIT campuses and welcomes interest from those keen to collaborate or join a community of research practice.
Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart, EIT’s Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sally to EIT”.
“Her experience across various disciplines combined with her passion for research and rangahau provide a perfect fit for our institution. Sally’s vision aligns with EIT’s goals and values, and her leadership will drive our research and innovation space forward.”
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Inspector Peter Raynes:
Police have made two arrests after a fleeing driver incident in South Auckland this evening.
At around 4.30pm, Police received information about a stolen vehicle travelling north in the Pukekohe area.
At about 5.08pm, this vehicle was seen travelling on Porchester Road in Papakura.
This vehicle then entered The Warehouse car park in Takanini Village and collected a female passenger.
A Police car approached the vehicle and was rammed along with several other cars as it erratically exited the car park.
Around this time, the Police Eagle helicopter arrived in the area and began tracking the vehicle.
Shortly after the woman was observed exiting the car with stolen property.
The vehicle continued travelling recklessly through the surrounding area until eventually entering the Southern Motorway southbound at Takanini.
Road spikes were successfully deployed at the Bombay offramp.
The vehicle then re-entered the Southern Motorway heading north before eventually stopping near Ramamara.
Police were close behind the vehicle when the driver absconded on foot and ran across the motorway into the surrounding area.
He has since been taken into custody without incident.
The woman has also been arrested and stolen property recovered.
Police are aware a number of vehicles may have been damaged throughout the course of this incident.
Police are asking anyone who has had their vehicle damaged or anyone who witnessed the driving behaviour to contact us.
Please call 105 using the reference number P062560926.
ENDS
Nicole Bremner/NZ Police
Source: Green Party
The Government’s just-passed Social Security Amendment Bill is set to create more benefit sanctions that will push families deeper into poverty.
“Instead of punching down on the poor like the current Government, we can end poverty and provide everyone with what they need to live good lives,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Ricardo Menéndez March.
“Calling these new sanctions non-financial is misleading, as they’ll still deprive people of the ability to access financial support like hardship grants. It’s a disgrace that the Government is pursuing this despite reports New Zealand ranks near the bottom in child wellbeing.
“We have a plan to provide everyone with what they need to live good lives. Our Income Guarantee would ensure all whānau have the basics for a good life and don’t fall through the gaps.
“In this country, we have enough to support those who are struggling. Instead of providing the bare essentials for some of our most vulnerable, Christopher Luxon’s Government has chosen to prioritise tax cuts for wealthy landlords and tobacco companies.
“The Ministry of Social Development has already admitted their frontline capacity is oversubscribed and unable to properly support people due to the traffic light regime the Government has brought in. This will make things even worse.
“The Green Party will repeal all benefit sanctions and lift incomes to liveable levels. We will build an economy that works for all of us, not just a wealthy few,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.
Source: Green Party
Today’s report into last year’s Oranga Tamariki contract procurement process confirms the Government’s brutal cuts were rushed, poorly managed, and made with no concern for the impact on tamariki.
“It is now crystal clear that these cuts have come at the expense of the safety and wellbeing of our children,” says the Green Party spokesperson for Children, Kahurangi Carter.
“All tamariki in Aotearoa have the right to be loved, nurtured and safe in whānau and communities that have what they need to support their wellbeing.
“Today, the Government’s lie that any cuts would not affect front-line services has been completely exposed. We’ve heard from staff on the ground: they’re experiencing increased wait lists, inability for whānau to access services, and distress at the prospect of more tamariki going into state care.
“Slashing $30 million – nearly six per cent of the budget for contracted services – was never about efficiency. It was about cutting costs to fund tax cuts for wealthy landlords and tobacco companies.
“Incredibly, the report shows that Oranga Tamariki axed nearly half of the team responsible for contract management and development, directly before a major contracting round, and with no robust systems in place to support it. Not only did this leave providers in chaos, but it left frontline staff unsupported and tamariki at risk.
“The effects of decisions on children and their families are still not known. Let’s be really clear: this was all avoidable. The Minister forced these cuts through, painting these service providers as a ‘cash cow’.
“Our Green Budget reverses these funding cuts and ensures our tamariki get the care and support they deserve.
“The well-being of our tamariki and rangatahi must be at the centre of decision-making. It really is as simple as that,” says Kahurangi Carter.
Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines
A new strategy for how and where Auckland’s southern rural area will grow and change over the next 30 years has been approved by Auckland’s Policy and Planning Committee.
Franklin ward councillor, Andy Baker, says the Southern Rural Strategy supports the region to accommodate a growing population, while continuing to support a healthy environment and the area’s established and emerging industries, like horticulture, dairy farming and construction.
“The southern rural area is expected to account for approximately 15 per cent of Auckland’s overall population growth over the next 30 years. At the same time, it is one of the country’s primary food production regions, with abundant natural resources and some of the most productive land in New Zealand. It’s strategic location, close to airports, seaport and key export markets, helps to further cultivate these industries.
“The strategy provides direction for where housing choices, industries and employment opportunities will grow, in a way that supports the area to thrive economically and ecologically. I’d like to acknowledge the Franklin Local Board, mana whenua, and local communities, businesses and representatives, as well as all who took part in the consultation for their work to help shape the future of Auckland’s southern rural land,” says Cr Baker.
Auckland Council anticipates an increase of 89,900 people, 37,500 households, and 16,500 jobs in the southern rural region by 2052. Housing capacity to cater for this expected population growth has been enabled by the Auckland Unitary Plan. Over time, areas that have been identified as places where future urban growth – known as ‘future urban areas’ – will also provide additional capacity.
Deputy chair of Auckland’s Policy and Planning Committee, Angela Dalton, is councillor of the Manurewa-Papakura Ward. She says the strategy supports the southern rural area to grow well.
“This is a vibrant region, where traditional industries thrive alongside emerging sectors. The strategy is about balanced growth, that minimises the impact on the environment while improving housing choices and socially connected communities. By making the most of existing infrastructure, and focusing on projects that deliver multiple benefits, we’re helping set up the region for a resilient and sustainable future.”
The strategy covers the full Franklin ward. It also includes some rural land from the Howick, Manurewa, and Papakura local board areas. The area’s quickest growing towns, Drury, Ōpaheke , and Pukekohe, already have community-backed plans to guide their growth, so the strategy does not cover these areas.
Consultation on the Southern Rural Strategy took place from Tuesday 29 October – Sunday 1 December 2024.
Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines
Auckland’s notable trees are living legends. They provide homes for native species like the tūī, offer much-needed shade on a warm day, and have stood steady as Tāmaki Makaurau has grown around them. Now, a fresh batch of these leafy landmarks have been nominated for the notable tree schedule.
Today, Auckland’s Policy and Planning Committee approved public consultation on adding 174 individual trees and 29 groups of trees to the schedule. Chair of the committee, councillor Richard Hills, says protecting notable trees helps preserve an important part of Auckland’s natural identity.
“Notable trees are living parts of Auckland’s story. From pōhutukawa to kauri to London planes – adding them to the notable tree schedule preserves their natural, historical and cultural stories for us, and to pass on for generations to come.
“This year Auckland was recognised as a Tree City of the World for the fourth year in a row. I’m so proud the effort we make to protect and nurture our vibrant urban ngahere has again been recognised on a global scale – our notable trees play a key part in that.
“We now have an opportunity to protect more of Auckland’s remarkable trees. We have assessed all trees that were nominated for the schedule up until the end of June 2024, and now propose to add them through this plan change.”
The notable trees schedule includes trees that are remarkable, significant or help wildlife to flourish.
How are notable trees protected?
Auckland’s unitary plan is our city’s planning rulebook. It sets out what can be built where, and it also helps preserve the notable trees that line our leafy streets. It does this through a part of the plan called the notable tree schedule. Most changes to this schedule must follow a plan change process, allowing Aucklanders to have their say on updates.
What makes a tree notable?
Notable trees are significant for their age and size, rarity, cultural or historical significance, or the habitat they provide to wildlife, like pīwakawaka/fantail, pihipihi/silvereye, and riroriro/grey warbler.
Additionally, trees help cool our city and clean the air. As Auckland’s population grows and city becomes denser, they’re vital to keeping our neighbourhoods healthy and liveable.
What protections do notable trees have?
The notable trees schedule includes trees that are remarkable, significant or help wildlife to flourish. They therefore have greater legal protections and can’t be removed or significantly altered without an approved resource consent from Auckland Council.
How do I know if a tree is notable?
Check the schedule! You can see all of the trees listed on the notable trees schedule in the Auckland Unitary Plan, or the Hauraki Gulf Islands District Plan for the islands.
Find out more about Auckland’s notable trees. You can have your say on the proposed change to add the trees to the notable tree schedule from 22 May – 23 June 2025.
Source:
The closing date for submissions is Thursday, 12 June 2025.
The bill would amend the Education and Training Act 2020 to give effect to new policy decisions, including matters related to:
The bill would also make some technical changes to the Act and regulations. Full details of the bill are available at the links below.
Tell the Education and Workforce Committee what you think
Make a submission on the bill by 11.59pm on Thursday, 12 June 2025.
For more details about the bill:
ENDS
For media enquiries contact: Committee staff, education.workforce@parliament.govt.nz
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Food prices increase 3.7 percent annually – 15 May 2025 – Food prices increased 3.7 percent in the 12 months to April 2025, following a 3.5 percent increase in the 12 months to March 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Higher prices for the grocery food group and the non-alcoholic beverages group contributed most to the annual increase in food prices, up 5.2 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively.
“Price increases were widespread, with all five food groups recording an increase,” prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.
The fruit and vegetables group increased in price for the first time since January 2024, with prices up 0.2 percent in the 12 months to April 2025.
Files:
Source: Statistics New Zealand
National population estimates: At 31 March 2025 (2023-base) – 15 May 2025 – National population estimates give the best available measure of the population, by age and sex, usually living in Aotearoa New Zealand.
With the release of Estimated resident population (2023-base): At 30 June 2023 on 16 April 2025, we revised population estimates between 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2023, and rebased population estimates after 30 June 2023. This is the usual revision that occurs after new census and post-enumeration survey results are available.
Estimated resident population 2023: Data sources and methods has more information.
All population estimates from 30 June 2023 are now 2023-base.
Key facts
At 31 March 2025:
Files:
Source: ExerciseNZ
As the colder months settle in across Aotearoa, ExerciseNZ is encouraging Kiwis to take stock of their winter wellness routines — with a special focus on a crucial yet often overlooked pillar of health: sleep.
New research from Uppsala University, published in Biomarker Research (April 2025), reveals that just three consecutive nights of restricted sleep (approximately 4.25 hours per night) can significantly alter blood biomarkers associated with cardiovascular disease — even in young, healthy individuals. Alarmingly, the study also found that regular physical activity does not offset these negative effects, making sleep more important than ever for those with fitness and wellbeing goals.
“As winter rolls in and we shift our routines indoors, we want to remind people that sleep isn’t a luxury — it’s a foundational part of health and recovery,” says Richard Beddie, CEO of ExerciseNZ. “Quality sleep might just be the secret weapon for smashing your fitness goals this winter.” While many Kiwis double down on exercise to combat seasonal lethargy, the combination of colder temperatures, darker days, and disrupted sleep patterns can actually hinder performance and recovery if not managed properly.
In fact, research published in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology shows that sleep loss can impair muscle glycogen repletion, reduce time to exhaustion, and decrease strength and aerobic capacity — all of which can compromise training outcomes. The study underscores how sleep enhances performance, cognitive functioning, and outcomes across 1-rep max testing, endurance training, and high-intensity interval workouts.
The Science of Sleep and Exercise: Why Recovery Matters More in Winter
Restricted sleep increases levels of inflammation-related proteins in the blood, raising the risk for cardiovascular issues — even in fit, active people.
Sleep plays a key role in muscle repair, hormone regulation, and mental clarity — all essential to getting the most from your workouts.
A consistent sleep routine can reduce injury risk, support immunity during colder months, and enhance energy levels for winter training.
Top Tips for Winter Wellness:
Prioritise Consistency: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time daily, even on weekends.
Wind Down Naturally: Reduce screen time in the hour before bed. Try stretching, light reading, or mindfulness exercises instead.
Pair Exercise with Recovery: Listen to your body and allow for adequate rest between intense sessions.
This winter, instead of trying to “power through” with more training, ExerciseNZ challenges everyone to train smarter — by recognising the power of rest, especially as the mercury drops.
15 May 2025 – The US-Israel proposition to control the distribution of supplies under the guise of humanitarian aid raises grave humanitarian, ethical, security and legal concerns, says international medical organization Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
We are witnessing, in real time, the creation of conditions for the eradication of Palestinian lives in Gaza, says MSF.
The obstruction of humanitarian aid is a direct violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2720, which calls for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. Claims that aid is being diverted by Hamas remain unverified and in no way justify such measures. As the occupying power, Israel must facilitate impartial humanitarian assistance for the population in need.
UN, EU member states, and all those with influence over Israel,including Australia, must urgently use their political and economic leverage to stop the instrumentalisation of aid. Humanitarian supplies, food, fuel and medicines must be allowed to reach the population of Gaza now.
Since Israel’s resumption of attacks and its total blockade of aid on 2 March, Gaza has become a hell on earth for Palestinians. The survival of Palestinians lies at the mercy of Israeli authorities, who are denying the entire population access to food, water, medical care and shelter. Israel continues to pursue its campaign of ethnic cleansing by deliberately destroying the conditions necessary for life.
Organisations including World Central Kitchen and the World Food Programme (WFP) have announced that they have no more food stocks available in Gaza: most community kitchens and bakeries have closed. MSF medical teams in Gaza City have seen a 32 per cent increase in the number of patients presenting with malnutrition over the past two weeks.
Dwindling fuel stocks are limiting the ability to desalinate and distribute water. Those health facilities that still function – already critically inadequate in number and capacity for the population – are still being attacked and are suffering from rapidly diminishing stocks of medications and other essential supplies. MSF teams in Gaza have received no supplies for 11 weeks and face critical shortages of essential medical items such as sterile compresses and sterile gloves.
Israel’s evacuation orders and established no-go military zones now cover 70 per cent of Gaza. The population has been forcibly transferred from one place to another, while not a single area of Gaza has been spared from attacks. The desperateness of the situation is such that MSF teams have treated and discharged patients only to see them return with new injuries.
Israeli’s plan to instrumentalise aid is a cynical response to the very humanitarian crisis they created. If they wished, Israel and its allies could lift the blockade today and let humanitarian aid reach all those in Gaza whose survival depends on it.
MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au
AUCKLAND – 15 May 2025 – New national data from The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), New Zealand’s leading workplace drug tester, shows methamphetamine (meth) is growing and making up a disproportionate share of non-negative workplace drug test results.
The proportion of meth detections has jumped since the start of the year:
January: 13.7%
February: 18.2%
March: 24.9%.
Data is taken from TDDA’s Imperans reporting platform. Samples were taken between 1 Jan and 31 March. They are representative of meth detections versus other test results, and encompass a broad set of industries across the nation.
“Our data is showing us that more people are turning to meth when it comes to the range of drugs available, such as cannabis,” says Glenn Dobson, CEO of TDDA. “The surge is consistent with rising wastewater statistics and confirms that meth supply remains readily available nationwide. When access to supply is this easy, increased consumption often follows. This has serious implications for workplace safety and productivity.”
With meth now accounting for over a fifth of drug-related workplace testing results, and nearly 25% in March alone, employers and regulators alike may need to reassess risk exposure and response.
The top 10 locations showing high instances of methamphetamine detection are:
· Central North – 30.6%
· Taranaki – 27.9%
· Auckland East – 25.8%
· Taupo/Rotorua – 25%
· North Harbour – 23.6%
· Auckland West – 23.2%
· Northland – 21.7%
· Canterbury – 20%
· Southland – 13.7%
· Otago – 10.5%.
“Our frontline data tells a confronting story, meth use is more than a big-city issue. We’re seeing higher proportions of meth detections in smaller regions like the Central North, The Lakes and Taranaki. This is about safety as well as businesses and communities under pressure. Employers must stay alert, have clear workplace substance policies, and be ready to act on suspicions compliantly and quickly,” says Dobson.
If you suspect meth use at work:
Follow your drug and alcohol policy
Initiate the appropriate procedures as outlined in your policy, which may include a reasonable cause drug test.
Observe and record
Methodology
Testing data from 1 January 2025 and 31 March 2025 is aggregated from 27 clinic and 60 mobile clinic operations throughout New Zealand. Data from preemployment, post incident, regular and random testing has been combined. All amphetamine type substances (ATS) are accounted for in testing results. Testing methods included urine and oral fluid screening. Data is reported into the TDDA Imperans platform, anonymised, and represents a snapshot of drug trends across New Zealand workplaces and industries.
About The Drug Detection Agency
The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA) is a leader in workplace substance testing with more than 300 staff, 90 mobile health clinics, 65 locations throughout Australasia, and processing more than 250,000 tests annually. TDDA was established in 2005 to provide New Zealand and Australian businesses with end-to-end workplace substance testing, education and policy services. TDDA holds ISO17025 accreditation for workplace substance testing in both AU and NZ. Refer to the IANZ and NATA websites for TDDA’s full accreditation details. Learn more about TDDA at https://tdda.com/.
Skills Group – Ignite and Growing Future Farmers (GFF) have developed a new training programme to meet the learning and development needs of young sheep and beef farmers.
Pending NZQA approval, the first cohort is set to begin as early as July 2025, with the Level 4 programme offering a next-step pathway that builds on the success of GFF’s hands-on model and NZQA Level 2 and 3 qualifications.
It has been co-designed and developed with extensive industry consultation to give young farmers the opportunity to deepen their skills while continuing to work on-farm, helping to strengthen the pipeline of talent and capability within the sector.
GFF CEO Wendy Paul says the new programme is a natural extension of GFF’s founding purpose.
“From day one, GFF has been about creating real career opportunities for young people in farming. This new programme allows us to extend that journey by offering progression while keeping the real-world, on-farm learning that’s central to our model.”
Skills Group – Ignite Director of Vocational Training and Higher Education Mark Worsop says the innovative blended learning programme, combining provider-based and work-based learning is designed to equip young farmers with the necessary skills to take on leadership roles in the agricultural industry.
“With this new programme, graduates will be able to take on increased responsibility says Mark.
The GFF programme is a two-year initiative where students gain practical, hands-on experience working directly on farms. Students, typically aged between 16 and 21 years old, are matched with experienced farm trainers.
“The new Level 4 programme will ensure that graduates are prepared to meet the demands of an ever-evolving agricultural sector by developing management and leadership skills. The programme offers an exciting opportunity for GFF Level 2 and Level 3 graduates to further develop their skills and transition into beef and sheep farm leadership roles,” Mark says.
Graduates of this qualification will be equipped to do a range of things, from coordinating agribusiness activities using appropriate technology to benchmarking a farm’s physical performance and implementing and monitoring a farm environmental plan.
The Level 4 programme is delivered through a blended learning approach. Trainees will benefit from online tuition and academic support provided by expert tutors from Skills Group – Ignite. In addition, they will receive the same level of high-quality pastoral care and in-person support that GFF currently provides.
“This holistic approach ensures that trainees are well-supported academically and personally, as they progress through their studies,” Mark says.
“The GFF team are passionate about the quality of training and support available to future farm trainees and students. They’ve developed a unique delivery model that not only meets the training and support needs of learners but is also built upon employer partnerships with a real commitment to the learner journey and their professional development,” Mark says.
GFF CEO Wendy Paul says the partnership with Skills Group- Ignite reflects a shared vision and a commitment to long-term impact.
“We’re really pleased to be partnering in a way that aligns so strongly with our strategic direction and purpose. This collaboration brings new perspectives, diverse capabilities, and helps strengthen the GFF model — ensuring it remains viable, high quality, and centred on student success. At its core, it’s about delivering life-changing experiences for the next generation of farmers and securing a strong future for the sector,” says Wendy.
About Skills Group – Ignite
Skills Group is New Zealand’s largest private training establishment, delivering hands-on, real-world education to over 18,000 learners across New Zealand and the world. From school leavers to CEOs, Skills Group supports lifelong learning through practical, industry-aligned training programmes that help people grow their careers, businesses, and communities. For more information about Skills Group – Ignite go to https://skills-ignite.org/
About Growing Future Farmers
GFF is a charity that provides the opportunity for motivated young people to enter the sheep, beef and deer industry with the confidence of supported training and development, and that provides an industry respected, employer led career pathway that will enable motivated young people to progress in their career.
https://www.growingfuturefarmers.co.nz/about
GFF provides NZQA approved on farm programmes underpinned by proven methods and are future focused.
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 14, 2025/ — The African Development Bank www.AfDB.org has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to collaborating with African civil society to advance the continent’s development agenda. This was a key message of the 2025 Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Forum, which was successfully held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Abidjan.
The forum, organized under the theme: “Celebrating the Contribution of Civil Society to Africa’s Development,” brought together over 150 participants at the Bank’s headquarters, with thousands more connected online across Africa and the diaspora.
A Novel Action Plan to Deepen Engagement
This edition of the CSO Forum marked a pivotal step in reinforcing a solid, transformative, and trust-based partnership between the African Development Bank and civil society organizations. This enduring alliance is essential for collectively serving African populations and achieving impactful development across the continent.
The forum provided an opportunity for the Bank to present its Civil Society Engagement Action Plan (2024–2028), reaffirming its commitment to an inclusive and participatory development process.
Zeneb Touré, Manager of the Civil Society and Community Engagement Division, presented the strategic framework to Beth Dunford, the African Development Bank Group’s Vice-President for Agriculture, Human, and Social Development, who accepted it on behalf of the institution’s President, Akinwumi Adesina.
Demonstrating the Bank’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive partnership, Dunford shared the Action Plan with representatives of key civil society components: the Bank-Civil Society Committee, the Climate and Energy Coalition, and a continental network of women entrepreneurs’ associations.
Augustine Njamnshi, a prominent voice in the civil society climate and energy movement, welcomed its adoption: “The approval of this Action Plan marks a historic turning point in our collaboration with the African Development Bank Group. Born from a shared vision, this document becomes our collective legacy. We express our sincere gratitude to the Bank for this profound act of trust.”
Highlighting the essential role of civil society as an integral part of Africa’s progress, Kolyang Palebele, representative of the Platform of Farmers’ Organizations of Africa, expressed the spirit of collaboration, praising “the Bank’s unique power to unite the continent’s driving forces around a common vision of improving the lives of African people.” “Civil society is not on the margins of development dynamics; it is the very essence, its living memory and its engine for change,” Mr. Palebele stated.
“Over the years, civil society engagement has become a cornerstone of the African Development Bank’s work. What was once an aspiration has become evolved into a structured, institutionalized, and results-oriented collaboration partnership.” Ms. Dunford emphasized.
Empowering Communities Through Decentralized Engagement
During the forum, an important session highlighted the progress made in decentralizing the Bank’s engagement with civil society. Successful experiences from the five regions of Africa were presented. This localized approach was strongly commended by the Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration and Service Delivery, Nnenna Nwabufo, who appreciated a transformative cross-border initiative between the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project has provided over 2.4 million people with access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, while strengthening community resilience and fostering cooperation.
Fostering Mutual Accountability Through Open Dialogue
The forum culminated in an unprecedented and frank dialogue between senior representatives from seven strategic departments of the Bank and leaders of civil society organizations. Discussions focused on crucial areas such as access to information, environmental and social safeguards, climate action, agriculture, gender equality, youth empowerment, and grievance mechanisms. This essential interaction highlighted a shared commitment to transparency, responsiveness, and mutual accountability in the pursuit of sustainable development outcomes.
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Christian Solidarity International (CSI) welcomes President Trump’s long-overdue decision to lift the crippling broad economic sector sanctions on Syria, announced yesterday at an international forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They were first imposed by President Obama in 2011 to hasten the overthrow of Syria’s dictatorship under Bashar al-Assad.
The sanctions have been, as a Christian leader from Syria commented to CSI as recently as last month, “weapons of mass destruction.” In pushing millions of Syrians into hunger, illness and destitution, they killed, maimed, and dehumanized civilians of all religious communities and ethnicities just as surely as bombs and bullets throughout the country’s 14-year sectarian war, which pitted jihadist-led opposition forces, including al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, against those of the secular Assad regime.
For this reason, and at the request of Syrian Christian leaders, CSI has been advocating since 2016 for the U.S. and its allies to remove their broad economic sector sanctions on Syria.
Six months into its rule, however, Syria’s new, jihadist-led government has already been implicated in mass atrocities against religious minorities. In particular, targeted killings resulted in the massacre of thousands of Alawites on March 6-10, more recently followed by attacks against the Druze. Christians are also increasingly threatened and discriminated against in the “new Syria.”
To this day, Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa and many of his lieutenants are still under individual sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations Security Council, because they are leaders of an al Qaeda-linked group.
These individual sanctions against terrorist-designated leaders should not be removed until the perpetrators of the massacres of Alawites and Druzes in Latakia, Tartus, Hama, Homs, Rif Dimashq, and Suwayda governorates are brought to justice, and the United States can ensure firm guarantees for fundamental human rights and religious freedom.
Following the massacre of Alawites in March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to “stand with Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities.” Vice President JD Vance said, “We do not want to see another Christian community erased from the face of the earth… There are a lot of things we can do diplomatically and economically to protect some of those groups.” And during his campaign, President Trump pledged, “When I am President, I will protect persecuted Christians.”
Now is the time to fulfill these pledges.
Dr. John Eibner
President
Christian Solidarity International (CSI)
AUT today launches the AUT Innovation Fund with an allocation of $5 million to invest into spinout companies and impact initiatives.
Managed by AUT Ventures, the fund will empower some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most innovative minds to commercialise research and transform it into real-world solutions.
Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa says that growing research impact is a key focus, and the AUT Innovation Fund extends the way that AUT Ventures supports innovation and research commercialisation. “The AUT Innovation Fund is more than just a financial instrument. It’s a signal — to our researchers, our partners, and our country — that AUT is ready to lead. Ready to invest. Ready to go first.”
AUT Ventures Chief Executive Michael Fielding says the fund is about accelerating commercialisation, as well as linking research to industry. “It’s a game-changer. The fund lets us back promising ideas and teams at a very early stage, committing support to innovators before they’re ready to seek investment from the angel and VC community. But it’s also going to give us new ways to connect with organisations outside the university.”
The fund is being launched with investments into Dot Ingredients and CONICAL.
Motion Capital is the lead investor in the $350k early funding round in Dot Ingredients, alongside Climate Venture Capital Fund and the AUT Innovation Fund. Formerly known as Spherelose, Dot is the brainchild of Associate Professor Jack Chen, who developed a new way to make critical ingredients for everyday products like soaps, detergents and cosmetics, but using wood pulp instead of petrochemicals or palm oil. Based in laboratories at AUT, the company is currently participating in the Aurora Climate Lab accelerator programme run by Creative HQ, while scaling production and developing new applications.
$110,000 will be invested into CONICAL to support the upcoming launch of its indie role-playing game, Faeborne. Launched out of AUT in 2016 by alumnus Alejandro Davila and entirely staffed by AUT graduates, CONICAL quickly gained headlines through the success of its Green Fairy TV series. After earning a reputation for developing cutting edge virtual reality exhibits and activations for businesses across New Zealand and worldwide, Faeborne marks a return to the company’s fairy fantasy origins. Faeborne is a fast-paced, story-driven co-op game centred around the conflict between two fairy sisters in the fantasy realm of Lamparis, and is slated for a multi-platform launch in late 2025.
AUT Ventures has appointed Craigs Investment Partners, a leading New Zealand investment manager, to manage the fund’s assets until they’re invested into new innovations. The income generated under Craig’s management will provide grants to AUT researchers to help kickstart new collaborations with businesses, government and NGOs, expanding the pipeline of future commercialisation opportunities.
AUT’s Innovation Fund will be launched at city campus by Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Hon. Dr Shane Reti today.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand will return the Marlborough South area to an open fire season from 8am on Friday, 16 May, until further notice.
An open fire season means people can light outdoor fires without a permit approved by Fire and Emergency.
All Department of Conservation land will remain in a restricted season. In a restricted season, people need a permit to light an outdoor fire approved by Fire and Emergency.
The Marlborough North area is already in an open fire season.
Nelson Marlborough Group Manager Chris Hayles says there is now less risk of fire across the region.
“Although no fire permit is required it is still the responsibility of the person lighting the fire to ensure it is done so safely.
“Fires need to be kept to a manageable size and smoke drift should not be a hazard for motorists.
Source: MetService
Covering period of Thursday 15th – Monday 19th May – Wet and windy South Island on Saturday, rain crossing North Island on Sunday.
Cloud and showers in the west, sunny in the east to end the work week
Heavy rain and strong winds expected to move up the country over the weekend
Yellow Strong Wind Watch in place (from Saturday) for:
The weather will be quite different depending on where you are in the country over the next couple of days. The west, especially the South Island, will be mostly cloudy with showers, while the east will enjoy sunny and mostly clear skies thanks to a high-pressure system still hanging around.
Today (Thursday), a band of rain moves up the west coast of the South Island, making it a wet day there. Westerly winds will continue to bring moisture to western regions, so expect clouds and the chance of a shower in many western areas on Thursday and Friday.
As we head into the weekend, expect more rain and stronger winds. A low-pressure system will arrive in southern New Zealand on Saturday and then move north by Sunday. While the rain during the week might not be too serious, the weekend brings the potential for severe weather.
MetService Meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says, “Heavy rain is forecast for Saturday in the South Island, especially the west, where Heavy Rain Watches have been issued. A Strong Wind Watch also covers the blustery northwest winds over the Canterbury High Country. The wind and rain are forecast to decrease in severity before moving onto the North Island by Sunday”. Keep an eye on the MetService website (www.metservice.com) for updates.
There’s some good news though, nights will be less chilly due to a warmer airmass from the northwest, so we’ll get a break from those frosts we’ve had over the past few days.
If you’ve got outdoor plans, Thursday and Friday are your best bet, particularly in the eastern regions. Shiviti recommends, “Rethinking any weekend plans and taking advantage of the better weather the next couple of days before conditions worsen”.
That said, Napier is in luck, “Sunny skies are expected for the Hawke’s Bay Marathon this Saturday”, added Shiviti.
The PSA strongly opposes final decisions released by Health New Zealand for the following teams: Procurement, Supply Chain and Health Technology Management (PSC&HTM), Planning, Funding and Outcomes, and Audit, Assurance & Risk.
“These decisions include the possible loss of specialists procurement, auditing and health innovation and improvement,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, said.
“The possible loss of these roles has been forced on Health NZ by the Government imposing cuts to our health system that will affect patients. We call on Government to stop these endless cuts to our health system.
“This is why we are still fighting this in the Employment Relations Authority, which is why this will not be implemented until the Authority has heard and determined the matter or the PSA and Health New Zealand have settled it by agreement.”
The union filed these legal proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority in February because several proposed restructures breached the Code of Good Faith for the public health sector, the Employment Relations Act 2000, collective agreements and Te Mauri o Rongo – NZ Health Charter.
“We’ll be making it clear to all our members that legal action is still going ahead and we strongly oppose these Health NZ changes.”
Last month, the PSA agreed a settlement with Health NZ stopping the restructuring of the National Public Health Service and two directorates in the Planning Funding and Outcomes business unit: Data and Analytics, Community Mental Health Funding and Investment, and Data and Digital Services.
Litigation remains in place for Planning Funding and Outcomes (Former Service Improvement and Innovation functions): Te Whatu Ora Improve; Evidence, Research and Clinical Trial; Operations; Population Health Gain; Consumer Whanau Voice; Former Office of the Chief Executive (OCE): Strategic Planning and Procurement Supply Chain and Health Technology Management.
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Births and deaths: Year ended March 2025 – 15 May 2025 – Births and deaths releases provide statistics on the number of births and deaths of people resident in New Zealand that are registered during a given period, along with selected fertility and mortality rates. They may differ from statistics presented elsewhere that relate to all births and deaths registered in New Zealand or to births and deaths occurring during a given period.
Key facts
In the year ended March 2025 compared with the year ended March 2024:
Files:
Car insurance premiums have surged in the past 2 years but switching providers could save you hundreds of dollars, says Consumer NZ.
Vanessa Pratley, investigative writer at Consumer NZ, says its annual car insurance survey found premiums have increased by as much as 46% since 2023.
Pratley points to inflation and extreme weather events as factors driving up the cost of insurance across the board, but another contributing factor is your age and life stage.
“Every insurer will base its premiums on risk. How much you pay will depend on things like whether you live in a flood-prone area, the car you drive, and even your age and gender.
“And because not all insurers are equal – which is to say they use their own risk assessments – you might be more or less of a risk to one provider or another.
“You can switch insurance providers any time (though there might be cancellation fees), and that could potentially reward you with hundreds of dollars in annual savings.”
Toot if your premium’s up!
Consumer’s survey found young males will pay more in car insurance premiums than older people or young females. And older females could pay more than older males – depending on the insurer.
“When we compared the costs for four different age brackets across nine insurance providers, we found annual savings ranged quite significantly – between $481 and $1,296.
“Since 2023, the lowest median increase was just 0.6% for a family of four living in Auckland, and the highest median increase was 46% for young males living in Christchurch.
“If the cost to insure your car is stressing you out right now, don’t cancel your cover or drop down to third-party – shop around and see what savings you could make first.”
Switch to a lane you can afford
Other than switching providers, Pratley explains some policies may look similar but cover very different things.
“‘Standard’ cover with one insurer will be an optional extra with another insurer.
“You might find your insurance policy includes towing expenses or key replacements as part of its standard offering. But if you very rarely park in the city and never lose your keys, you might be paying more than you need.
“Take the time to compare what’s on offer and consider whether switching plans or providers would get you back to a policy you can afford.”
Get a steer on satisfaction
As well as crunching the numbers on the cost of car insurance premiums, Consumer surveys car insurance customers about how satisfied they are with their current provider.
“No one takes out insurance cover for fun. It’s an important financial safety net, for example, if you accidentally swing your car into a parked Tesla. If the right protection isn’t in place for you, you could find yourself in a real pickle.
“The experience you get from your insurance provider, especially how they treat you, should be an important consideration, too. We’re pleased to announce that FMG and MAS received Consumer’s People’s Choice award for car insurance this year.”
To help New Zealanders independently compare insurance providers’ cover, our team has crunched the details on comprehensive car insurance policies: https://consumernz.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fhddkjk-ijjdkdttjk-j/
Notes
We got quotes from nine companies for comprehensive car insurance for four profiles. More information about our methodology, and the paywalled results, are available on our website: Car insurance – compare policies: https://consumernz.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fhddkjk-ijjdkdttjk-t/
About Consumer
Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.