NewzIntel.com

Category: New Zealand

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Politics – Hui to further raise awareness on health woes – NZNO

    Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

    NZNO’s Ōtautahi/Canterbury members will join local leaders and politicians to talk about the dire state of their local hospitals and the public health system at a hui on Thursday.
    New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) will be supported by their Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) and E tū colleagues at the event to raise public awareness and place further pressure on the Government to increase funding for health.
    Included among the evening’s speakers is long-serving and long-suffering enrolled nurse Debbie Handisides who says the Government needs to immediately plug the sinking ship that is health care.
    “I’m concerned for patient safety, and their health outcomes due to the shortage of doctors, general practitioners, nurses, physios, occupational therapists, pharmacists, midwives and surgeons.
    “Our patients are getting delayed health care with longer wait times to see GPs so they report to hospitals more unwell.”
    Like virtually every part of the country, Ōtautahi is struggling with under-resourcing and understaffing, and our communities are all feeling the impact, she says.
    “Every sector of the health system is crumbling around health workers’ ears. The Government is not providing adequate funding for safe staffing, and they are disguising their frontline hiring freeze.
    “Every day, health workers are burning themselves out while compensating for the Government’s refusal to fund a safe and effective health system.
    “Patients are at serious risk of harm and are even dying on waiting lists. This is not good enough and we demand action.”
    Other speakers include Patient Voice Aotearoa’s Malcolm Mulholland, Councillor and mayoral candidate Sara Templeton, an ASMS spokesperson, Spinal Trust National Programme manager Andrew Hall, and a nursing student representative.
    Interview and photo opportunities available
    WHEN: Wednesday, 15 May 2025
    TIME: 5.30pm-7pm
    WHERE: Aldersgate Centre, 309 Durham Street North, Christchurch
    Community members are welcome.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Timaru’s MyWay service is here to stay

    Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education

    Date:

    Timaru’s MyWay by Metro on-demand public transport service has been made permanent.

    The service was first introduced in June 2020 and now forms part of our continuous programme for public transport in Timaru.

    “After a successful trial, we’re proud to make MyWay a permanent service for the Timaru community, and I want to acknowledge the Timaru community, our partners and both the councillors and staff who worked hard to make this possible,” Chair Craig Pauling said.

    Ritchies to continue providing the service

    We have appointed incumbent trial operator Ritchies until 2032, after a successful tender to provide public transport services in Timaru. Councils are required to periodically test the market for public transport services, to ensure they deliver the best possible service at the best value for ratepayers.

    Chair Pauling said that in addition to MyWay becoming permanent, the Council was proud to be able to increase capacity on school and Temuka routes.

    “The new contract gives us the ability to increase capacity on the school and Temuka routes and also comes at a decreased cost to our ratepayers.”

    “The MyWay fleet will be zero-emissions, excluding when spare vehicles are required, with improved emissions vehicles that will be used for the school and Temuka routes. All of the vehicles being used by the operator will also be equipped with copper-free brake pads,” Chair Pauling said.

    “This is fantastic news and reflects on the passion and efforts of our Timaru team and Ritchies commitment to our national zero emissions journey,” said Ritchies Transport CEO Michele Kernahan.

    “The innovative thinking behind MyWay and the local team’s willingness to embrace change has played a huge part in the programme’s success.

    “MyWay is a great example of putting the customer first, of adapting a traditional model to the consumer’s needs, and we’re proud to have been chosen to continue the MyWay journey,” she added.

    MyWay breaking records

    Councillor Joe Davies said that the community had strongly supported MyWay, and that the service had reached an exciting milestone, recording the city’s highest level of patronage for almost a quarter of a century.

    “We recorded almost 267,000 passenger trips in Timaru over the 2023-24 Financial Year, which is fantastic given where we were before MyWay was introduced,” Councillor Davies said.

    The previous record was 263,000 trips recorded in the 2001–02 Financial Year.

    Community support key to success

    Councillor Peter Scott said the service enabled people to get to where they needed easily, and on demand, which is something he was proud the Council could provide for the community.

    “This service has been popular due to its convenience and simplicity, and we are pleased that it can continue into the future,” Councillor Scott said.

    “We want to take this opportunity to thank Timaru residents for their ongoing support which has helped make this service such a success,” he added.

    Find out more about the MyWay by Metro service.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: In Gaza, nearly every single child is at risk of famine

    Source: Save The Children

    The war in Gaza and Israeli authorities’ total siege on the entry of aid and goods have pushed families to take unimaginable measures to survive, says Save the Children. Without urgent action to end the siege and to allow food and medicine into Gaza, one million children are at risk of starvation, disease and ultimately death.
    Save the Children staff members have received reports in recent days of families in northern Gaza resorting to desperate measures, including eating animal feed, expired flour and flour mixed with sand, out of desperation to survive.
    A 30-year-old father, living in northern Gaza with his pregnant wife and two-year-old child, said:
    “I don’t know how to feed my family. There’s no food. I have no choice but to eat things you would never imagine. It’s unfair. She’s weak (his daughter), constantly sick, and can’t get up. She has diarrhoea. She’s in pain from hunger. My wife is going to lose our unborn child.
    “It’s desperate here – chaos. We don’t know what awaits us. No one is living a dignified life. Why is this happening to us?”
    A 25-year-old mother of four in northern Gaza, whose children were receiving treatment for malnutrition at Save the Children’s healthcare clinic during the brief pause in fighting, said:
    “We know what hunger feels like – we’ve tasted death. Our children are just waiting their turn to die.”
    Nothing has been allowed to enter Gaza – no food, water, fuel, or medicine – since Israeli authorities imposed a total siege on 2 March 2025. Almost everyone in Gaza depends on humanitarian aid, but with supplies cut off, people have been pushed to desperate measures to survive, while trucks loaded with food sit rotting at the borders. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) and community kitchens across the strip have run out of food and been forced to halt operations.
    Save the Children’s Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, Ahmad Alhendawi, said:
    “This is a deliberate humanitarian catastrophe. Children are being starved by design, under Israeli authorities’ total siege. We have the food, we have the aid and we know how to treat malnutrition in children – what we don’t have is access. There is food, water, and medical aid ready to go, but it’s being blocked at the border while families are forced to eat animal feed and leaves, taking unimaginable and dehumanising measures to survive. This is not a crisis of supply; it’s a crisis of access. At any given moment in Gaza, a child, someone’s whole world, could be killed by bombs and bullets, starvation and disease. The international community must act now to open the crossings and deliver life-saving aid. We cannot stand by while an entire population is starved in plain sight.”
    Starvation as a method of warfare is strictly prohibited under international law and is codified as a war crime. The denial of humanitarian assistance is also a violation of International Humanitarian Law.
    Save the Children is running a primary healthcare centre in Deir Al-Balah providing essential services to children, mothers and families. The collapse of the pause on March 18 has made it extremely difficult for our staff to deliver nutrition services to children and families, despite the high levels of malnutrition among children under the age of five. During the month of April, we were only able to screen 574 children for acute malnutrition compared to more than 10,500 children in January during the pause. Of the children aged under two years who were screened in April, more than one in five were found to have moderate acute malnutrition or severe acute malnutrition, requiring urgent treatment.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Childhood immunisation rates hit three-year high

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    More than 80 per cent of New Zealand children are now fully immunised by 24 months of age – the highest rate since early 2022, recent Health New Zealand data provided to Health Minister Simeon Brown shows.

    “This is a welcome step forward. Just seven months ago, 75.7 per cent of two-year-olds were up to date with their immunisations. Now, that figure has risen to 80.2 per cent – a 4.5 percentage point increase toward our goal of 95 per cent coverage by 2030. This is the highest rate in three years,” Mr Brown says.

    This achievement comes as New Zealand confirmed a new case of measles in Auckland this week, underscoring the urgent need to protect both children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.

    “This case is a timely reminder: measles spreads quickly and can be dangerous, especially for young children. Every child deserves protection from serious illnesses, and that protection starts with immunisation.

    “Immunisation not only protects you, but also helps protect those around you, including loved ones and vulnerable community members, from becoming seriously ill or spreading disease.

    “That’s why improving childhood immunisation rates is a key priority for our Government. It’s encouraging to see that our targeted approach – backed by a record $16.68 billion health investment across three budgets – is delivering tangible results.

    “This result shows our health targets in action, focusing the health system on improving outcomes for New Zealanders. By investing in community-based services and growing our frontline workforce, we are enabling our health system to better protect our most vulnerable.

    “We still have work to do, but reaching 80.2 per cent of Kiwi children being vaccinated by 24 months of age is a big step forward. After years of decline, we are now seeing the positive impact of dedicated efforts in general practice, alongside co-ordinated and targeted community-led outreach and support. This result is encouraging, and our focus remains firmly on reaching 95 per cent coverage.

    “If your child has missed any vaccines, now is the time to catch up. Don’t wait for an outbreak to take action,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pizza thief can’t outrun city cameras

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police had all the bases covered after an offender stole pizzas in central Auckland on Monday night.

    At around 9pm, the victim was walking to her accommodation with recently purchased pizzas on Mayoral Drive.

    Auckland Central Area Commander, Inspector Grant Tetzalff, says the male offender approached the woman.

    “He initially asked her to hand over the pizzas,” he says.

    “When she refused, he walked away before returning and presenting a knife, demanding the pizzas.”

    The victim handed over the pizzas unharmed, and the offender ran on foot.

    “Units responded to the scene and worked in conjunction with Police Camera Operators,” Inspector Tetzlaff says.

    “Police Cameras had tracked the movements of the man within the central city and were able to direct in staff who arrested the man.

    “It’s a good example of frontline Police resources working together to keep the city safe and respond to any events that occur.”

    Police arrested the 28-year-old man without incident.

    He has been charged with aggravated robbery and will be appearing in the Auckland District Court on 16 May.

    ENDS.

    Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: In Gaza, nearly every single child is at risk of famine – Save the Children

    Source: Save the Children

    More than 93% of the children in Gaza – about 930,000 children – are at critical risk of famine, said Save the Children, as new data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the leading international authority measuring hunger crises, reveals a spiraling hunger catastrophe [1].
    The war in Gaza and Israeli authorities’ total siege on the entry of aid and goods have pushed families to take unimaginable measures to survive, says Save the Children. Without urgent action to end the siege and to allow food and medicine into Gaza, one million children are at risk of starvation, disease and ultimately death.
    Save the Children staff members have received reports in recent days of families in northern Gaza resorting to desperate measures, including eating animal feed, expired flour and flour mixed with sand, out of desperation to survive.
    A 30-year-old father, living in northern Gaza with his pregnant wife and two-year-old child, said:
    “I don’t know how to feed my family. There’s no food. I have no choice but to eat things you would never imagine. It’s unfair. She’s weak (his daughter), constantly sick, and can’t get up. She has diarrhoea. She’s in pain from hunger. My wife is going to lose our unborn child.
    “It’s desperate here – chaos. We don’t know what awaits us. No one is living a dignified life. Why is this happening to us?”
    A 25-year-old mother of four in northern Gaza, whose children were receiving treatment for malnutrition at Save the Children’s healthcare clinic during the brief pause in fighting, said:
    “We know what hunger feels like – we’ve tasted death. Our children are just waiting their turn to die.”
    Nothing has been allowed to enter Gaza – no food, water, fuel, or medicine – since Israeli authorities imposed a total siege on 2 March 2025. Almost everyone in Gaza depends on humanitarian aid, but with supplies cut off, people have been pushed to desperate measures to survive, while trucks loaded with food sit rotting at the borders. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) and community kitchens across the strip have run out of food and been forced to halt operations.
    Save the Children’s Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, Ahmad Alhendawi, said:
    “This is a deliberate humanitarian catastrophe. Children are being starved by design, under Israeli authorities’ total siege. We have the food, we have the aid and we know how to treat malnutrition in children – what we don’t have is access. There is food, water, and medical aid ready to go, but it’s being blocked at the border while families are forced to eat animal feed and leaves, taking unimaginable and dehumanising measures to survive. This is not a crisis of supply; it’s a crisis of access. At any given moment in Gaza, a child, someone’s whole world, could be killed by bombs and bullets, starvation and disease. The international community must act now to open the crossings and deliver life-saving aid. We cannot stand by while an entire population is starved in plain sight.”
    Starvation as a method of warfare is strictly prohibited under international law and is codified as a war crime. The denial of humanitarian assistance is also a violation of International Humanitarian Law.
    Save the Children is running a primary healthcare centre in Deir Al-Balah providing essential services to children, mothers and families. The collapse of the pause on March 18 has made it extremely difficult for our staff to deliver nutrition services to children and families, despite the high levels of malnutrition among children under the age of five. During the month of April, we were only able to screen 574 children for acute malnutrition compared to more than 10,500 children in January during the pause. Of the children aged under two years who were screened in April, more than one in five were found to have moderate acute malnutrition or severe acute malnutrition, requiring urgent treatment.
    [1] The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) provides a common scale for classifying the severity and magnitude of food shortage and acute malnutrition. According to the IPC report released today (12 May), almost all (93%) of Gaza’s 2.1 million people are already enduring “crisis levels” of hunger (IPC Phase 3) or worse. Among them, almost a quarter of a million people are facing catastrophic, “famine-like conditions”, while nearly half the population is in a state of “emergency” hunger. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Officers not horsing around in Flat Bush

    Source: New Zealand Police

    It’s never a dull day on the beat, and Sunday night was no different in East Auckland.

    Police were called by a member of the public after they spotted a horse galloping along Ravello Rise, Flat Bush.

    Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook, says two officers nearby attended the job.

    Officers’ arrival spooked the horse, which went charging down Jeffs Road.

    “The horse has failed to stop for Police and was subsequently followed through a number of side streets for about two kilometres before a car was seen narrowly missing the scared animal. 

    “One of our staff managed to coax the horse to slow down with a handful of grass, allowing him to take a hold of the horse’s halter.”

    Inspector Cook says animal control were called and enquires were completed at nearby rural properties from where he was first spotted, but no owner was located.

    “Eventually a very helpful vet from Clevedon was able to attend and sedate the horse to take him back to their facility.

    “The actions of these officer’s no doubt reduced the risk to all road users in the area and demonstrates that Police work is more than just catching criminals.”

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update – homicide investigation, Napier

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Attribute to Detective Inspector Martin James, District Manager Criminal Investigations:

    Police investigating the death of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria from Napier are continuing to assess information from the public.

    Kaea was found critically injured at an Alexander Avenue address early on Sunday morning. Despite all efforts by ambulance staff, he died at the scene.

    We have received a steady flow of information through the anonymous portal and Crime Stoppers, which is being analysed by the investigation team.

    We urge those who saw what occurred to come forward and speak to Police.

    The scene examination will conclude today and a post-mortem will also be conducted.

    No arrests have been made at this stage.

    Anyone with information is asked to make a report online, or by calling 105.

    Footage can be uploaded anonymously here.

    Please quote the reference number 250511/1317.

    Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    Media Note: We are aware there is a lot of media interest in the homicide. Police are not in a position to do any interviews at this stage.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Growing NZ – now and for the long term

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Tēna koutou kātoa. Greetings everyone. Thanks for coming.

    Thank you Sharesies for making the space available.

    You are exactly the sort of business we need more of to create opportunities for the next generation – Sharesies was started by smart people, who identified a gap in the market, harnessed technology and went about changing the way in which many New Zealanders invest.

    In just a few years you’ve grown from a tiny operation employing a handful of people to a business worth more than half a billion dollars, employing more than 200 people and expanding its reach to Australia. Hopefully, over time you’ll go further. 

    That’s a good news story for the people who work here, for the communities your incomes support, for the customers you serve and for our economy as a whole.  

    Sharesies is also an inspiration to other Kiwi entrepreneurs, including many in New Zealand’s booming Fin-Tech sector, which grew more than 20 per cent in the past year.

    I want to see more successes like this in New Zealand. When New Zealand entrepreneurs and startups do well, they create more and better paying jobs, more tax revenue to support government services, and more opportunities for us all.  

    That mission: driving economic growth and creating the conditions for business success, is at the heart of this year’s Government Budget.  

    Let me be clear, I don’t want growth just for growth’s sake, it’s much more than numbers on a chart for me. I want growth so that our kids, and future New Zealanders can enjoy the better choices, opportunities and standard of living we all aspire to and that too many Kiwis are missing out on today.

    On Thursday next week I’ll set out the full details of our Budget.  It will detail the Government’s specific spending and revenue choices, key new infrastructure investments, the path for borrowing and debt and our plans for strengthening the fundamentals of the New Zealand economy. I’m looking forward to delivering it.

    In a recent speech I detailed the difficult context in which the Government is delivering this year’s Budget.  New Zealand has gone through a tough few years of high inflation, high interest rates and little to no real growth. The Government has been running big deficits and accumulating debt and just as our economic recovery has gotten underway global events have conspired to make things harder.  

    That’s just reality. We can’t wish it away. Nor should we use it as an excuse to shy away from making choices now that will set New Zealand up better for the longer-term. 

    Today I want to talk a bit more about that longer-term picture and detail one specific Budget initiative that shows the Government’s commitment to sustained and long-term growth. 

    Because Budgets shouldn’t just be about the short term – who is getting what. Yes, there are a number of initiatives in the Budget designed to address the immediate issues of the here and now.   

    I am acutely conscious of the cost of living challenges many Kiwis are facing today and the hard yards so many people have gone through over these past few years. It’s essential that our Budget sustains the government services and supports they rely on, even though money is tighter than ever. Our Budget is built on a series of careful choices to ensure that’s possible, that we provide the funding needed for health, education, other vital public services and essential social supports.  

    But, as a responsible Government, we also need to be thinking ahead and addressing the structural challenges confronting our country. Our Budget also takes careful steps to do that, and that’s what I want to speak a bit more about today.  

    There are three key long-term challenges for New Zealand that  I spend a lot of time thinking about: They are productivity, social mobility and the ageing of the population.

    These are issues we need to be awake to now, lest we make life much harder for the people who follow us.  

    Let me make a few remarks about each of these challenges.

    I’ll start with productivity. Productivity is a key indicator of economic performance.  

    The most common measure of productivity is labour productivity which measures output per unit of time worked. 

    In New Zealand labour productivity has averaged just 0.3 per cent a year over the past 10 years. That is low by historic standards and low in comparison with our international peers.

    There’s no doubt Kiwis work hard, and in fact we work relatively big hours. Our challenge historically has been that we just don’t generate as much for that effort as those in some other countries. 

    Our labour productivity levels rank near the bottom of OECD countries, well behind those in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. 

    This rankles me. Not just because I’m competitive by nature, but because I think New Zealand has so much intrinsically going for it when compared to those countries. New Zealand can and must do better in the productivity race. 

    Why does low productivity matter? Because productivity determines how competitive our businesses are. The more competitive businesses are, the more people they can hire and the more money they can pay in salaries and wages. That in turn determines how fast our country can grow, and the revenue we have available for investing in the things that matter – like cancer drugs, education programmes, hospitals and Police.

    What are the causes of New Zealand’s low productivity rates?

    Treasury identifies three key problems. 

    First is low capital intensity, that is the machinery, tools and technology available per worker. More capital per worker typically means higher productivity and wages. The increase in New Zealand’s capital intensity has slowed over time from 1.9 per cent per year between 1997 and 2008 to 0.7 per cent between 2012 and 2023. Basically, our workers have less access to the machinery, innovation and technology that would allow them to be more productive. Our Budget will take steps to address that. 

    Second is low rates of foreign direct investment. This restricts the access Kiwi businesses have to the capital they need to grow and the world-leading know-how they need to thrive.  It slows uptake of innovation and best practices. Our Budget will take steps to address those issues too.  

    Third is export intensity. By international standards relatively few New Zealand businesses derive large portions of their income from exports. This reduces the scale of New Zealand businesses, competition and opportunities to learn. 

    The good news is, despite all the global shenanigans playing out, New Zealand is in the midst of an export-led economy recovery. Dairy farmers, horticulturalists, meat producers, all are doing well. In recent years New Zealand entrepreneurs have broken new ground in fields like space, film and accounting software. 

    Our Government is ambitious to build on this export success – with a stretch goal of doubling New Zealand’s exports by 2030.  Our Budget will take further steps to drive that work forward. 

    The thing with all these underlying productivity challenges is that there’s no quick fix, or easy road to success. It’s about doing lots of things well, over successive Budgets, keeping our eyes on the big prize while we deal with the here and now. 

    Budget initiatives in this area won’t make your household budget bigger today, but, over time, they are essential to growing the household budgets we have in future. 

    The next thing big challenge I want to talk about is social mobility. It’s a very Kiwi concept. The idea that no matter what background you come from, ours should be a country where with hard work and good choices you can have the opportunity to succeed.  

    That’s why our Government is putting so much emphasis on improving education achievement in our schools. Getting back to the basics of reading, writing and maths. And financial literacy too! Those skills are tickets to the game of life. We owe it to each and every Kiwi kid to make sure they leave school with those critical skills. 

    A desire to improve social mobility is also why our Government is revitalising the social investment approach developed by my predecessor Bill English. 

    Successive governments have spent huge sums trying to tackle the entrenched disadvantage that blights lives, pushes up costs for other New Zealanders and fuels criminal offending. 

    In addition to core social supports, government agencies collectively spend around $7 billion per year buying social services designed to deliver better lives for those with particularly challenging lives.

    However, despite the best intentions of all involved, this expenditure cannot be described as a success. There are some fantastic examples of lives being turned around, but the overall picture is grim. Too many Kiwis are trapped in cycles of inter-generational disadvantage.  We are spending more on ambulances at the bottom of the cliff than fences at the top. 

    Data now give us a very good ideal of those at greatest risk. We also know that intervening early increases the prospect of success. There are some incredible community and iwi organisations who know what to do, but too often they’re held back by the frustrations of government bureaucracy and short-termism. 

    We can do much much better here.  

    Shifting a young New Zealander off a life of welfare dependency and, potentially criminal offending, greatly reduces future costs for everyone else. But even more importantly it gives that New Zealander a chance to lead a fulfilling, productive life. We want that for all our kids.

    Later this week I’ll announce an initiative in this year’s Budget that is designed to do just that.  

    The third big challenge I think about is demographic change, more specifically the ageing of our population. 

    Kiwis are living longer – this is something to celebrate, but it also has an economic consequence as we seek to ensure people have the income and financial security they need in retirement. 

    There’s two things I think about here: one is KiwiSaver and the other is Government Superannuation. Let me make a few comments about each. 

    I’m delighted to see how many Kiwis are embracing KiwiSaver as a way of saving – for a first home and to supplement their income in retirement. 

    KiwiSaver membership is high – with more than 3 million members, representing around 96% of the working age population.  Fund balances differ but most working Kiwis choose to make regular contributions to their funds, matched by contributions from their employers.  

    KiwiSaver has become an increasingly important tool for people choosing to buy a first home – with around 42,000 people using their KiwiSaver funds for this purpose in the past year.

    It’s also an increasingly important supplement to support people’s incomes in retirement.

    The other good news story here is that the Reserve Bank estimates around 40 per cent of all KiwiSaver balances are invested in New Zealand-based financial products and assets.

    I want to acknowledge the work Sharesies has done to promote KiwiSaver uptake and your efforts to improve Kiwis understanding of how it can support their financial security.

    I share your mission.  I want to see KiwiSaver balances continue to grow and our Budget will contain steps to support that mission. 

    Let me now turn to New Zealand Superannuation.

    In 2000, there were about 6.5 people of working age (15 and over) for every superannuitant. Today there are about 4.7 people of working age for every superannuitant. By 2050 there are expected to only be about 3.6 people of working age for every superannuitant. 

    At the same time, superannuation costs are increasing both in dollar terms and as a proportion of GDP.  Gross expenditure on super in 2000 was $5.1 billion or 4.4 per cent of GDP. By 2050 it is expected to be $71.7 billion or 6.5 per cent of GDP.

    This leaping cost will play out in this year’s Budget.  New Zealand Superannuation costs will rise from $23.2 billion this year to $29.0 billion in 2028/29.  

    Put this together with the cost of healthcare, which increases every year, and it’s clear we need to be earning more as a country to support this growing cost.  

    In the coming years, increasing superannuation costs will be partially offset by withdrawals from the Superannuation Fund which was established to help smooth superannuation costs between generations.  

    We are now approaching the time when the Super Fund is big enough to ensure that withdrawals, rather than contributions, are the normal outcome each year. 

    This is not a Government decision, it is driven by a formula in the relevant Act. 

    In something of a milestone event, the first withdrawal is forecast to happen in 2028 – a very modest withdrawal of $32 million. 

    In the short term there will be some bouncing around between withdrawals and contributions.  

    But from 2031 onwards, projections show that withdrawals from the Super Fund are expected in every year. 

    Withdrawals help cover the costs of Superannuation, so taxpayers don’t face the full cost each year. 

    This does not mean that the Super Fund will get smaller. Far from it. The Fund currently has $80 billion of investments. On reasonable assumptions, Super Fund returns will outstrip withdrawals, and the Fund will continue to get bigger every year. 

    This brings me to the announcement I want to make today. 

    As part of its investment activity, the New Zealand Super Fund has invested $300 million in a venture capital fund called Elevate. 

    The fund was established in 2020 to support high-growth tech-based startups in New Zealand. 

    The fund was created to fill a funding gap at the so-called Series A/B stage of startup funding – the point at which startups typically need $2–$20 million to scale beyond early seed funding.

    The Elevate fund operates as a fund-of-funds. That is, it invests not directly in startups, but in private venture capital funds which must also attract private co-investment.

    In doing so, it supports the commercialisation of science and technology and helps export-focused startups to attract global investment. It also helps to attract global investment to New Zealand by showing there is a pipeline of companies reaching the Series C stage.

    The short-term goal is to increase startup funding. The long-term goal is to help build a self-sustaining venture capital market in New Zealand in which returns from previous investments fund future investments. 

    The results from Elevate’s first five years of operation are positive. 

    It has committed $221 million across nine funds and attracted $536 million of private capital – a ratio of 2.4 dollars of private equity for every $1 committed by the fund. 

    This has led to $440 million being invested in 123 startups across sectors like software, clean-tech, and med-tech.

    There have been some significant successes. I’ll give you a couple of examples. 

    First, Dawn Aerospace which is developing reusable spaceplanes and non-toxic satellite propulsion systems to make space access more sustainable and affordable. 

    In 2022, the Elevate fund helped close a $22m funding raise for Dawn with a number of local Venture Capital funds. 

    This was instrumental in bridging the gap to a larger fundraising round of over $100m. 

    Since then, Dawn has expanded operations to France in 2023 and established a European facility in the Netherlands, all whilst still being run out of Christchurch.

    26 satellites, 122 thrusters and 3 launchers later, Dawn Aerospace is at the cutting edge of its sector with an ever-growing global presence and domestic economic impact.

    Second, Halter which has created a smart collar for cows that uses GPS, sound, and vibration to guide livestock, allowing farmers to manage grazing, shifting, and monitoring from a phone. 

    The collar is transforming day-to-day farm operations. 

    With the help of Elevate backed funds, Halter raised $32m in a Series B funding round in 2021. 

    In the time since, Halter has tripled its workforce to meet growing demand in markets including Australia and the United States.

    It has since attracted further Series C fundraising and is continuing with its plans to revolutionise farming.

    In time, the Elevate fund is expected to become self-sustaining with the returns from previous investments funding future investments. 

    However, the fund is not yet self-sustaining. 

    Therefore, I am announcing today that the Government is committing an extra $100 million to the Elevate venture capital fund at Budget 2025.

    This will be funded through a combination of the 2025 contribution to the NZ Super Fund of $61 million, topped up with an additional $39 million from the Budget 2025 capital allowance.

    This follows the approach taken by the previous government when the Elevate fund was established. The initial government contribution was funded from the Crown’s contribution to the Super Fund. 

    The Government wants to see more companies like Sharesies capitalise on New Zealand talent and grow from small beginnings to create opportunities for other New Zealanders and contribute to the New Zealand economy.

    Let me finish on an optimistic note. 

    The international order is undergoing profound change. We are seeing a shift from rules to power, from economics to security and from efficiency to resiliency. 

    None of this is good news for a small, remote nation that relies on trade for prosperity. 

    But New Zealand is blessed with abundant natural resources, safe, secure, borders, strong institutions and decent, smart, resilient people. Our best years are ahead of us.  

    The job of government is to unlock that potential, for New Zealanders today and for New Zealanders in the years ahead. Next week’s Budget will be the next step in that process.

    Thank you for listening. 

    I understand we have time for a few questions if you have any. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Politics and Unions – Unions barred from Budget 2025 lock-up – CTU

    Source: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi (CTU)

    The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi has sent an open letter to the Government objecting to its decision to block the NZCTU and other unions from attending the Budget lock-up on 22 May.

    “We object in the strongest possible terms to the Government’s decision to bar the NZCTU from the Budget 2025 lock-up. The NZCTU represents over 300,000 workers across the private and public sectors and is the largest democratic organisation in New Zealand,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

    “Workers will be significantly impacted by the decisions made by government at Budget 2025, and it is important that the NZCTU can accurately report on Budget decisions to ensure working people are properly briefed.

    “This Government appears to believe the banks, international financial institutions, and consulting houses are more important than working people, and it seems that is why the representatives of working people have been denied access.

    “Last week the Government made the highly controversial decision to unilaterally gut the pay equity claims process. It is therefore unsurprising that it doesn’t want working people to understand the rationale and impacts of its Budget decisions this year,” said Wagstaff.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stats NZ information release: Rainbow/LGBTIQ+ population: 2023 Census

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Rainbow/LGBTIQ+ population: 2023 Census – 13 May 2025 – Rainbow /LGBTIQ+ population: 2023 Census provides data on LGBTIQ+ communities with the release of 24 new Aotearoa Data Explorer tables.

    The 2023 Census was the first census to collect information on LGBTIQ+ communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. The LGBTIQ+ population output from the 2023 Census includes people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, were born with a variation of sex characteristics, or have other minority genders or sexual identities.

    LGBTIQ+ statistics give a picture of the diversity within our population, and enable people to advocate for the needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. This data is valuable for informing local and central government planning, service provision, and policy development. It also allows us to understand how outcomes differ for LGBTIQ+ and non-LGBTIQ+ people in New Zealand.

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Off the rails: Man to face court over theft

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police have derailed a man’s plans, putting him before the court for theft of thousands of dollars’ worth of railway sleepers.

    On 2 May, witnesses called Police after seeing two men removing railway sleepers from beside the Glenbrook Vintage Railway line.

    Waiuku Sergeant Michael Robison says the witnesses managed to record the alleged offender’s number plate as well as video footage, which helped identify one of the men.

    “Late last week Police executed a search warrant at a Pukekohe address where a number of railway sleepers were located and seized.

    “A man was also arrested at the address and will appear in court next month.

    “This type of crime is incredibly dangerous for our community and we are grateful to the vigilant people who called Police and were able to gather as much information as possible, helping lead to this arrest.”

    Anyone who notices any offending or suspicious behaviour is urged to contact Police online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or via our 105 phone service.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    A 64-year-old man will appear in Pukekohe District Court on 12 June charged with theft and trespassing.

    Enquiries remain ongoing to identify and locate the second person.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – New crop of PINZ Award finalists named

    Source: Federated Farmers

    A Southlander who created edible bale netting and rural heroes who made their mark advocating for pragmatic regulation and supporting stressed-out farmers feature among PINZ 2025 finalists.
    The seventh annual Primary Industries NZ Awards are a highlight of the two-day PINZ Summit taking place at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre 24 and 25 June.
    “With tariff tit-for-tat sparking disruption and uncertainty in export markets, more than ever New Zealand needs the primary sector to be innovative and enterprising,” Federated Farmers Chief Executive Terry Copeland says.
    “The PINZ Awards celebrate our primary industry movers and shakers – the science and food production teams delivering a market edge for our exported goods, the leaders who go the extra mile.
    “Their efforts inspire others and lift the employment prospects and standard of living for fellow Kiwis,” Copeland says.
    Rural Hero finalists are (the late) Chris Allen, Neil Bateup and Ian Jury.
    Allen, who died in an accident on his Ashburton farm last December, gave 14 years’ service as an elected Federated Farmers leader, including eight years on the national board.
    A champion of rural causes, he steered a pragmatic and balanced approach on environment and water issues, earning respect not just from farmers but from those with opposing views.
    Neil Bateup helped set up the Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust in 2004 and in 2017 became founding chair of the NZ RST. He’s given countless hours supporting farmers and rural families facing hard times.
    The third Rural Hero finalist is Ian Jury, an 85-year-old who for 20 years has been raising money for the Taranaki rescue helicopter by collecting batteries for recycling.
    Four young women selected as Emerging Leader Award finalists illustrate the depth of talent being fostered in our primary industries.
    Bridie Virbickas succeeded in her bid for one of the hotly-contested DairyNZ Associate director roles and followed that by joining waste recycling enterprise AgRecovery as a foundation trustee.
    A contract milker who has overseen expansion of her employing farm from 270 to 850 cows, she put up her hand to be Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty sharefarmer chair to ensure a voice for the district’s young farmers is at the decision-making table.
    The role has seen her help out in a number of cases where the relationship between a sharefarmer and farm owner had broken down.
    Imogen Brankin has only been with Silver Fern Farms for three years but the On-Farm Sustainability Advisor has organised 60 ‘Know Your Number’ climate change workshops.
    She was winner of the 2022 Polson Higgs and Young Farmers Innovation Competition, speaking on the topic “Can Farming Deliver a Sustainable Future for New Zealand”, and was part of a team of five who competed in the 2023 IFAMA Global Case Study Competition.
    Newly appointed Onions NZ general manager Kazi Talaska has served on the Food and Fibre Youth Council, latterly as chair, and champions the Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence to support the vegetable industry research pipeline.
    Talaska worked with industry partners and growers to obtain $2 million in funding to set up a first-of-its-kind vegetable research farm, in Pukekohe.
    The fourth Emerging Leader Award finalist is agricultural sustainability coach Lucy Brown. Through her work with the MPI-funded Integrated Farm Planning project, and in other roles, she’s found ways to show farmers sustainability is not just a theoretical concept but something that is practical and achievable.
    Molesworth Station manager James (Jim) Ward is up against senior AgResearch scientists Dr Robyn Dynes and David Wheeler for the Champion Award.
    For nearly two decades, Ward has been a force on the Federated Farmers High Country committee and the Wilding Pine Network NZ, where he has tirelessly advocated for change, shaped policies, and driven meaningful improvements for New Zealand high-country farmers.
    Starting off as farm manager at Molesworth in 2001, Ward has faced and overcome countless challenges to ensure the station remains economically viable through a blend of pastoral farming, conservation, and recreation values – all under the microscope of the public eye.
    Wheeler has worked hard to bridge the gap between environmental stewardship and agricultural productivity, shaping and improving the farm management tool Overseer.
    Dynes, a Principal Scientist and Farmer Engagement Specialist in AgResearch, has had a highly regarded science career focused on farming systems at the interface between forage science and animal science.
    Southland farmer Grant Lightfoot is a finalist for the Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award after creating edible and biodegradable bale netting made from jute. It’s an environment-friendly alternative to plastic netting, which isn’t recyclable and is often ingested by livestock.
    The two other contenders in this category are Chia Sisters, who produce a gut health-supporting drink from a golden kiwifruit probiotic, kawakawa and hail-damaged cherries, and New Image International, which exports health and beauty products to millions of people around the world.
    The full list of 2025 Primary Industries NZ Award finalists is:
    Emerging Leader Award (sponsor Lincoln University)
    Bridie Virbickas, Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty Sharemilker Chair
    Imogen Brankin, On-Farm Sustainability Advisor, Silver Fern Farms
    Kazi Talaska, General Manager, Onions NZ
    Lucy Brown, The Whole Story
    Champion Award (sponsor BASF)
    David Wheeler, Senior Scientist, AgResearch
    James (Jim) Ward, Manager Molesworth Station
    Dr Robyn Dynes, Principal scientist and farmer engagement specialist, AgResearch
    Team & Collaboration Award (sponsor Overseer)
    nProve for Beef – online genetics tool, Beef + Lamb New Zealand
    Food System Integrity Team, AgResearch, led by Dr Gale Brightwell
    An open data sharing ecosystem: Fonterra, Ballance, Ravensdown, and LIC.
    Technology Innovation Award (sponsor AsureQuality Kaitiaki Kai)
    TEO for Ovitage®, the world’s most complete collagen
    FAR for Combine Workshops – increasing productivity on arable farms
    Alliance Group NZ for Meat Eating Quality (MEQ) technology
    Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award (sponsor Kotahi)
    Chia Sisters
    Kiwi Econet – founder, Grant Lightfoot
    New Image International
    Guardianship & Conservation/Kaitiakitanga Award (sponsor Rabobank)
    Pāua Dashboard – Pāua Industry Council
    The eDNA for water quality Team – led by Dr Adrian Cookson
    Pacificvet, co-founder Kent Deitemeyer
    Rural Hero of the Year (sponsor Fern Energy)
    Chris Allen (posthumous)
    Neil Bateup, Founder, Rural Support Trust
    Ian Jury, Taranaki grassroots good sort
    Outstanding Contribution to NZ’s Primary Industries Award (sponsor AgResearch)
    Winner to be announced on the night 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Revolutionising Predator Control: A New Wave of Tech Tools Accelerating New Zealand’s Predator Free Mission

    Source: Predator Free 2050

    Aotearoa New Zealand’s fight for a predator free future has taken a bold leap forward, with a powerful suite of next-generation tools and technologies already starting to transform pest management across the motu.
    Developed through Predator Free 2050 Limited (PF2050 Limited) Products to Projects (P2P) funding of innovation since 2019, 20 cutting-edge tools are becoming operational with more on the way. These tools range from AI-driven detection systems and remote monitoring networks to smarter traps and more targeted toxin use.
    Over $8 million in revenue sales to developers has been accomplished to date, with further commitments to purchase from interested parties later this year. A number of these tools are also gaining international attention with sales as far afield as Guam, Scotland, USA and the UK. Not only is this good news for the developers, it’s also further growing New Zealand’s reputation as global leaders in pest management for conservation.
    “These tools are game-changers,” says PF2050 Limited Research and Development Project Support Manager Olivia Rothwell. “For example, the ‘Backcountry Camera’, a remote-reporting thermal camera with onboard AI image recognition, is enabling the maintenance of tens of thousands of hectares of predator free space in Predator Free South Westland.”
    ‘’This is no longer just about one device. It’s an ecosystem of tools-powered by cutting-edge technology, informed by our in-depth knowledge of possums, rats and mustelids, and brought together through local innovation to protect our native species,” Rothwell says.
    The Toolbox
    Better Luring
    – PoaUku- Developed by Boffa Miskell, these long-life ceramic-based lures can stay attractive in the field for up to three months and be refilled when they run out. Two versions are available – one for mustelids (stoats, ferrets and weasels) and one for possums and rats.
    – EzyLure- Developed by Boffa Miskell, this is a set-and-forget device that automatically dispenses fresh lure at pre-determined intervals. It can be retrofitted to a wide range of existing traps and bait stations and paired with trail cameras for effective monitoring.
    – Motolure- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, Motolure dispenses a preset amount of fresh lure for up to one year without requiring manual service. It can be used as a lure for traps, a prefeeding tool, a detection device, and a biomarker tool to monitor predator movements.
    Remote Monitoring
    – BaitSense- Developed by eTrapper, Baitsense provides a near real-time view of levels in mini Philproof Gen III baitstations. Data is remote-reported and displayed on the Trap.NZ web platform, making it free for the user to be notified if bait is being taken or if a refill is required.
    – Backcountry Camera- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, is a remote-reporting thermal video camera with onboard AI image recognition that supports landscape-scale predator surveillance across tens of thousands of hectares in Predator Free South Westland.
    – Smart Camera Monitoring System- Developed by Critter Solutions, this trail-camera with onboard AI image recognition and thermal triggering offers improved detection and species recognition. The camera can also send alerts of images taken of target species in real-time.
    Remote Communication
    – OutPost- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, this is a remote communication system for traps and detection cameras. Outpost can be paired with a range of devices and utilises LoRaWan to send data out of remote landscapes where there is no cell connectivity.
    – Flexicomms- Developed by Critter Solutions, Flexicomms is a remote communication platform (web-based front and back end) developed for trap and detection device integration. Currently a cell-based version, it will also utilise OneNZ direct-to-satellite IoT technology.
    – Connected Leg-Hold Traps- Developed by Encounter Solutions, this system enables real-time notification from, and monitoring of, leg-hold traps over even challenging topographies (utilising the Celium network, a dynamic low-power long-range communication system).
    – Live Capture Remote Locking- Developed by Encounter Solutions, also utilising the Celium network, this system allows users to remotely lock live capture cage-traps, ensuring that animal welfare is maintained when staff are unable to physically disable live capture traps.
    Supporting Software
    – CamTrap- Developed by Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, this free to use AI image recognition software can identify 11 species and supports the rapid assessment for predator detection of images that standard motion-triggered cameras (‘trail cameras’) produce.
    – Open Sensor Network- Developed by Trap.NZ and using LoRaWAN (a low power long range wide area network protocol), this enables ‘off-the-shelf’ hardware to send trap-trigger alerts and data directly to the Trap.NZ platform (a free predator control data management app).
    – Deployment & Planning Module- Developed by Trap.NZ, these new functions enable Trap.NZ users to better plan predator trapping deployment within the Trap.NZ web app. Recording functions also help users to keep track of landowner permissions and device installations.
    Self-resetting Traps
    – AT220- Developed by NZ AutoTraps, the AT220 is New Zealand’s first multi-species, automatic resetting and re-luring predator trap, controlling both possums and rats for predator free. It has been shown to quickly and effectively control pest populations with minimal labour costs.
    – Multi-species AI Kill Trap- Developed by Critter Solutions, this trap with AI species recognition targets mice, rats, mustelids and possums with the highest animal-welfare rating. With open architecture, it can target shy pests while protecting native wildlife.
    High-interaction Rate Traps
    – High Interaction Rate Trap- Developed by The Cacophony Project, this earlier version of the High Interaction Rate Trap is an open-architecture motion-sensing multi-species cage trap, ideal for targeting remaining hard to control predator individuals, or those re-invading.
    – Intelligent High Interaction Rate Trap- The Cacophony Project further developed their trap to include a PIR (passive infrared red) sensor and an automated reset mechanism, further improving its sensitivity for capturing predators and allowing it to be deployed for longer.
    – PosStop- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, this is an improved raised set for the leg-hold trapping of possums, still one of the best approaches that we have for helping to eliminate remaining possum individuals following their knock-down control in backcountry landscapes.
    Selective Toxin Application
    – Wildlife Friendly Bait Station- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, this bait station effectively delivers toxic bait to predators over long periods while ensuring that non-targets cannot access the bait (with a focus on being safe for kea in backcountry landscapes).
    – Possum Spitfire- Developed by Envico Technologies, the Spitfire is a self-resetting, species-specific toxin delivery device, that uses a sensor array to accurately spray liquid toxin onto the stomach of only possums (and no other species), which is then ingested during grooming.
    Latest Technology Videos 
    https://youtu.be/0KMzv6scjss – Envico Technologies Limited
    https://youtu.be/zZO-j1lroIg – Encounter Solutions 
    https://youtu.be/N4Ic7u1A8FI – Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
    https://youtu.be/TgQpbaC58II – Critter Solutions
    https://youtu.be/xJ3w7PjfhIg – Zero Invasive Predators

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Review of Firearms Registry finds public safety benefits and recommends it continue

    Source: New Zealand Police

    The head of the Firearms Safety Authority (Te Tari Pūreke) is pleased an external review of the Firearms Registry has found it helps to protect the public from harm and that it should continue.    

    Acting Executive Director, Superintendent Richard Wilson, says the Ministry of Justice review shines a light on hard work behind the scenes to keep communities and frontline Police safe from the risk of firearms harm.  

    “The Firearms Registry is less than two years into a five-year implementation programme and it’s really clear what the benefits are,” says Superintendent Wilson.  

    “The Registry is an essential part of a bigger system to deal with firearms harm in our communities. It is designed to mitigate the risk of firearms falling into the wrong hands through greater transparency and accountability when firearms are imported, manufactured, bought and sold.

    “It gives frontline Police access to real-time information to support risk assessments about firearms in a property or vehicle when they’re responding to critical incidents. It also supports the work of Police intelligence and criminal investigations.

    “The majority of firearms licence holders are good law-abiding people. Unfortunately, there are still a few who divert firearms to unlicensed offenders. The Registry is a significant tool to support Police to detect this offending. Over time the Registry will increasingly make it more difficult for firearms to move from lawful hands into the black market of unlicensed people, including gangs, extremists, or criminals.

    “The Registry also helps licence holders have more confidence when buying or selling firearms. They can check firearms have not been stolen.  

    “We know from daily engagement with licence holders that most are fit and proper to use a firearm, understand their obligations and have no trouble meeting them. There are strong levels of compliance with the Registry.  I acknowledge all licence holders who have filled in the Registry so far and are doing their bit to make it harder for criminals to access firearms.

    “We have just passed an important milestone where more than one-third (36 percent) of all licence holders have now entered their details into the Registry. A significant proportion, around 24,000 licence holders or 29 percent of those registered, did so proactively without waiting for an activating event. An activating event could be renewing a licence, buying or selling a firearm, or moving address.  

    “We have invested a lot of time and effort into working alongside licence holders to help them meet their legal obligations. The results of the Registry Review show the engagement and partnership is paying off.   

    “It provides a useful stocktake at an early stage of implementation and confirms the Registry’s public safety impact. We will continue to drive enhancements across the whole firearms system. There is always room for improvement, within our overall funding and resource constraints,” said Superintendent Wilson.   

    In summary, the Review’s main findings for the Authority are:

    • the Firearms Registry should continue as planned;  
    • early indications show the Registry contributes to public safety;  
    • diversion of firearms to the black market is a threat to public safety and the Registry mitigates that risk;  
    • the Registry has been cost-effective;  
    • the Registry meets government standards for security of personal information;   
    • Registry requirements for licence holders are necessary, appropriate and streamlined;  
    • Police and the Authority could improve reporting of some monitoring and evaluation data, and report on any operational improvements that could be made within current budgets.  

    The Government has also made decisions around existing Regulations due to take effect from 24 June 2025. These are: 

    • Cabinet has confirmed the purchase of ammunition becomes an activating circumstance for firearms licence holders after 24 June 2025. 
    • Cabinet has confirmed ammunition sellers and licensed dealers must record sales of ammunition to licence holders in the Firearms Registry from 24 June 2025.  
    • Cabinet has agreed to defer the obligation for firearms dealers to register all of the arms items in their possession, until June 2027. 

    ENDS  

    Note to Editors:  

    • The Registry by the numbers [1 May 2025] 
    • 81,400 individual licence holders registered (36% of active licence holders).  
    • 400,143 firearms and 13,742 firearms parts registered to known locations and licence holders.  
    • Almost 89% of registered firearms and parts are non-prohibited, or standard “A-Cat” firearms such as rifles and shotguns. For the first time Police are able to understand where these firearms are being held in our communities, and when they are swapping hands. The remainder include pistols, prohibited firearms or restricted weapons.  
    • 229,022 active individual licence holders.   
    • 426 firearms dealer licences. A dealer licence allows a person to sell, hire, lend or supply arms items; repair or modify items; manufacture items; display items in a bona fide museum; and possess items for auction.  
    • Around 99% of licence holders who registered after an activating circumstance did so within required time frames and avoided escalation to enforcement action, like suspension of their licence.  Just 28 people had their firearms licence revoked where registry non-compliance was a factor or one of several factors. 

    These numbers are drawn from a dynamic database and are subject to update or revision.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release; Budget should not be paid for by working women

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The Government must do three things in Budget 2025 if it is genuinely going to turn things around for New Zealanders.

    “First, it will need to properly fund our frontline public services,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

    “Second, it will need to provide a credible answer to how the Government is going to fund all of its promises, and that should not be at the expense of working women.

    “Third, they need to show they have a plan to invest in our future. To rebuild our ageing schools, hospitals, public homes and infrastructure. To create jobs, upskill our workers, and raise wages and living standards.

    “Because fundamentally, good economic management is about people. Shifting numbers around on a page while making life harder for everyday working Kiwis is not a sign of success.

    “Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis say there is no alternative. But there is always an alternative – choosing billions in tax breaks for landlords and tobacco companies are not the choices Labour would have made.

    “Borrowing $12 billion for tax cuts while cutting jobs, cutting investment, and cutting hope for future generations are not choices Labour would make.

    “A good, responsible manager of New Zealand’s economy would not fund their Budget by cutting women’s pay,” Chris Hipkins said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Chris Hipkins: Pre-Budget speech

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    So as we gather here for an early conversation about next week’s Budget, it’s also a good time for us to have some hard, and honest, conversations about the crossroads our country finds itself at.

    We’re at a moment that demands honesty. A moment that demands leadership. And above all, a moment that demands hope.

    I want to say upfront that paying for your Budget at the expense of women, cutting their chance at fair pay, is the opposite of all of those things.

    I think the reaction over the past week has been swift, strong and utterly justified.

    Women all over this country rightly felt like pay equity was something they had fought for, in some cases devoting their lives to it. It was hard fought, and we were making progress.

    Let’s be clear – this Government is gaslighting all Kiwi women.

    Telling them they aren’t cutting women’s pay on one hand, while cancelling 33 active claims representing hundreds of thousands of women with no due process on the other.

    Claiming it wasn’t to pay for their Budget, then admitting their changes will see billions slashed from that same Budget.

    I think one of the many reasons this is resonating so strongly is because for many Kiwis, the promises they were sold at the last election have turned to dust.

    They were told the economy would be stronger. But it’s slower.

    They were told the cost of living would come down. But prices have gone up.

    They were told families with kids would get an extra $250 a fortnight to help with the cost of living, yet only a handful, if that, are getting it.

    They were told a new government would get things moving, and yet building projects have ground to a halt and 13,000 people working in construction lost their jobs.

    They were told the country would be united. But it’s more divided than ever.

    And at every turn, when people ask ‘why can’t we invest in our schools, in our hospitals, in our future?’ the government is giving them the same answer:

    “There’s no alternative.”

    Well, let me be clear: there is always an alternative. There are always choices.

    And this government is making the wrong ones.

    A $3 billion tax break for landlords while cutting funding for pay equity for women.

    A rollback of our world-leading smoke-free laws while giving tobacco companies over $200 million in tax breaks.

    Borrowing $12 billion for tax cuts while cutting jobs, cutting investment, and cutting hope for future generations.

    They are choosing austerity. Nicola Willis doesn’t like that word, but it is absolutely true. Choosing decline. Choosing division.

    But we in Labour are choosing a different path. A better path. A fairer path. One that puts people at the heart of our economy and decency back at the heart of our politics.

    Because we’ve done it before, and we can do it again.

    There are challenges ahead. Challenges like the rise of artificial intelligence and the changing nature of work that’s going to prompt.

    The climate crisis, and the energy transition that’s going to demand.

    An ageing population, in need of care and dignity.

    The widening gap between rich and poor, between city and region, between young and old.

    And the creeping polarisation that seeks to divide us, when what we need most is to come together.

    What’s this government’s response now to these challenges?

    Deregulate here. Privatise there.

    If it moves, sell it. If it breaks, blame someone else.

    This is a government more interested in finding someone else to blame than solving the problems facing the country.

    They’re trying to solve the challenges of the 21st century with ideas from the 19th.

    They have no plan for the future. Just slogans and spreadsheets.

    But we do have a plan. A serious, credible, ambitious plan one that is rooted in fairness, decency, and community. One that believes in people. One that backs New Zealand.

    Labour is the party that governs for all, not just a few.

    Let’s start with the economy—because you can’t build anything if your foundations are crumbling.

    The current government loves to repeat the myth that New Zealand is drowning in debt.

    Let’s look at the facts. Before COVID-19 arrived, our net core Crown debt was around 18%. After the pandemic, it peaked at 40%. That’s an increase—but it’s broadly in line with what National borrowed during the Global Financial Crisis, when they increased debt by 20%.

    And if you include our assetts—like the New Zealand Super Fund—our net debt falls closer to 25%. That’s still one of the lowest levels in the developed world.

    You wouldn’t sell your house because of a mortgage you can easily manage. And we shouldn’t sell our public assets because of debt that’s low by international standards.

    And net debt isn’t the full story either. The government’s net worth more than doubled over the past decade —from $81 billion in 2014 to $191 billion in 2023.

    We need a more mature conversation about government debt and assets than the one that we are having at the moment.

    Borrowing more money to support a higher number of people on unemployment benefits because you’ve slashed government investment in areas like infrastructure and housing simply isn’t sustainable.

    Now is exactly the time for government to make the investments we need in infrastructure, housing, health, and our environment so we are creating jobs and get New Zealand moving again.

    Anchor projects funded by government have helped us get through major economic shocks before, like the rollout of broadband during the GFC. They create jobs, stimulate the economy, and leave a positive legacy for the future.

    Yet all we’ve seen from this government so far is big talk about a pipeline of future projects that’s yet to eventuate. In fact, the opposite has happened. They spent less last year than the year before.

    All the big talk about infrastructure is actually resulting in less investment in it.

    Talking about economic growth without actually having a plan to deliver it just doesn’t cut it.

    Labour will get New Zealand back to work, just as we’ve done before.

    We didn’t get everything right in government, but let’s put a few facts on the table.

    GDP per person grew by $18,000 under the last Labour government—more than under either the Clark or Key governments, despite the fact we were in office for 3 years less than both of those predecessor governments.

    And wages? Under Bolger and Shipley, ordinary hourly pay grew by $3.30 over nine years. Under Clark, $7.22. Under Key and English, $6.29. Under Ardern and Hipkins? $9.98.

    We grew the economy faster. We lifted wages faster. We created more jobs. Unemployment was lower.

    So when the government tells you there is no alternative to cuts—don’t believe it. There is.

    But it’s not just about numbers. It’s about values.

    If we are genuinely going to turn things around, and provide New Zealanders with hope and the opportunity of a better future, this year’s Budget will need to do three things.

    First, it will need to properly fund our frontline public services like health, education, aged care and police.

    National promised New Zealanders before the election frontline public services wouldn’t be cut, yet hiring freezes in health, cuts to specialist teachers, and cruel cuts to disability support all serve as vivid examples that just wasn’t true.

    Second, it will need to provide a credible answer to how the government is going to fund all of its promises, and that should not be at the expense of working New Zealand women.

    They’ve committing billions in infrastructure investment, for example, but still haven’t said how they will pay for it all.

    Third, they need to show they have a plan to invest in our future. To rebuild our ageing schools, hospitals, public homes and infrastructure. To create jobs, upskill our workers, and raising wages and living standards.

    Because fundamentally, good economic management is about people. Shifting numbers around on a page while making life harder for everyday working Kiwis is not a sign of success.

    How can we look our kids in the eye when we give $3 billion tax break to landlords—while cutting funding for food banks?

    How can we justify increasing returns for landlords while we cut the pay of those who clean our hospitals and protect our schools?

    We can’t. We won’t and we shouldn’t.

    Labour is not anti-wealth. We are anti-poverty. And we are pro-opportunity—for everyone.

    We believe in a fair tax system, and you’ll hear more from us on that soon. Not to punish success, but to ask those who have benefitted most to contribute their fair share—to the schools that taught them, the roads that connect them, and the hospitals that care for their families.

    Because you can’t build a strong economy on a weak society.

    We want to build a country where our kids don’t feel they have to leave New Zealand to build a life for themselves.

    Where our elders can live with dignity.

    Where no child goes hungry.

    Where our businesses thrive.

    Where being a nurse, a teacher, or a farmer isn’t a path to burnout—but a path to pride.

    We want New Zealand to be a place where our best and brightest don’t just want to stay—but they can stay. Because there is opportunity here. Hope here. A future here.

    We know the future will test us. Artificial intelligence is going to change how we work. Climate change is going to challenge how we live. New technologies will transform jobs and our industries.

    But these aren’t reasons to fear the future. They are reasons to shape it.

    And that’s exactly what Labour will do.

    We will invest in green energy and the industries of tomorrow.

    We will reform our education system so that we prepare young people for the jobs of the future—not the jobs of the 19th century.

    We will make sure that new technologies benefit everyone, not just the few.

    We will build homes—not sell them off.

    We will protect our environment—not carve it up and privatise it.

    And need to focus on uniting this country—not driving division.

    Because diversity is not a weakness. It is our greatest strength.

    Whether you are Māori, Pākehā, Pasifika, Asian, or new to this land—you are all Kiwis.

    Whether you’re a nurse in Palmerston North, a teacher in Ōtaki, a small business owner in Timaru, a cleaner in South Auckland, a builder in Rotorua, or a farmer in Wairoa – your contribution matters.

    Whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, gay or straight or transgender, Labour sees you. Labour hears you. Labour is fighting for you.

    Because what unites us is far greater than what divides us.

    We are a nation of workers and dreamers, of creators and carers.

    We believe in fairness. In decency. In community.

    And we believe the role of government is not to sit on the sidelines—it’s to step up, to help, to serve.

    This government is making different choices. Choosing a lucky few, over the rest of us.

    And those choices show us, more than anything, what kind of country this government wants to build.

    But I ask you: is that the country we want?

    A broken health system.

    Children going to school hungry.

    People sleeping in cars.

    And a generation—our kids—growing up believing they may never own a home, never raise a family, never build a future here.

    Or do we want a New Zealand where everyone gets a fair go?

    Where the dignity of work is restored, the promise of opportunity renewed, and the bonds of community rebuilt?

    We’re not here to manage decline. We are here to build the future.

    A future where prosperity is shared.

    Where no one is left behind.

    Where we choose hope over fear.

    Where we say to the next generation: yes—you can dream here. You can build here. You can stay here.

    We’ve done it before.

    And with your support, we’ll do it again.

    Let’s build a better way. Together.

    Kia kaha. Kia māia. Kia manawanui.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rare duck on the comeback near Milford Track

    Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

    Date:  13 May 2025

    The small brown ducks found only in Aotearoa New Zealand previously became extinct in the South Island due to the combined impacts of predators, habitat loss and other threats.

    Since 2009, captive-reared pāteke have been reintroduced to the area around the Milford Track – one of only two restored populations in the South Island.

    Department of Conservation Biodiversity Ranger Louise McLaughlin and team celebrated the success by releasing 40 more captive-reared pāteke in the Arthur Valley to join their thriving friends in early May.

    Louise says with support from Air New Zealand and iwi, DOC staff release and monitor pāteke with specialised transmitters.

    “We’re not just throwing them out there and hoping for the best, we’re tracking their survival, and learning, always learning.

    “With high rainfall and risk of floods, this can be a tough location for pāteke, but their biggest threat remains their vulnerability to introduced predators. They just don’t have a ‘fight back’ mechanism at all, they’re sitting ducks.

    “Fortunately, we’ve seen incredible survival rates following 1080 predator control operations. This year we’ve had more than 86% survival. In the years when we don’t have 1080 operations, survival can drop to as low as 16%.”

    With more pāteke dabbling in the rivers, visitors to the Milford Track are more likely to spot this unique duck in the future.

    Every year 25 million native birds are killed by invasive predators. DOC’s National Predator Control Programme protects threatened native species by regularly suppressing introduced predators across large forest areas on public conservation land.

    In the Arthur and Clinton valleys DOC uses aerially applied biodegradable 1080 to target rats, possums and stoats, supported by traps along the valley floor to target stoats in between 1080 operation years. The frequency of 1080 operations is dependent on predator numbers, and the most recent operation was in 2024.

    “It’s so wonderful doing the monitoring after we’ve had a 1080 operation. There is more life in the forest, there are more nests, more fledglings, and it’s not just pāteke, it’s benefiting all our native forest animals,” says Louise.

    With predators controlled, pāteke have a chance to build their resilience to natural threats.

    “We’re finding that the longer they survive out there, the better they get at putting their nests in smart locations above the floodline. The population is becoming more savvy, more fit for this location.”

    The recent pāteke release has been made possible by Auckland Zoo, Ōtorohanga Kiwi House, Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery, Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, Staglands Wildlife Reserve, Natureland Wildlife Trust, Orana Wildlife Park, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Kiwi Park, and The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust, with the support of Air New Zealand.

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tupu Accelerator continues to nurture seeds of Māori startup economy

    Source: Tapuwae Roa

    Tapuwae Roa has welcomed ten Māori-founded startups into the 2025 Tupu Accelerator cohort, continuing its mission to grow the Māori startup ecosystem in Aotearoa.
    Delivered in partnership with Sprout Agritech and co-funded by Callaghan Innovation, the eight-week programme now enters its second year and continues its mission to provide intensive support to early-stage Māori founders.
    Participants will work with experienced coaches to refine their business models, strengthen operational capability, and prepare for investment, and present at a capstone showcase in June.
    Recent research commissioned by Tapuwae Roa found that just 5% of Aotearoa’s 2400 startups have Māori founders. The findings also highlighted key challenges for Māori founders, including limited access to investment, capability-building opportunities, and a lack of cohesive support networks.
    Tupu aims to address these gaps by providing a kaupapa-Māori approach to business support, with structured guidance, grounded mentorship, and a platform to scale.
    For BEINGS founder Léon Bristow (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu), joining the cohort is an opportunity to grow alongside others who share a values-based approach to business.
    “I’m genuinely moved to have been selected for this year’s Tupu Accelerator programme. Coming from an industry with only 4% Māori, I look forward to being supported by others who see pakihi through a similar lens. This experience will not only benefit my own professional and personal growth, but hopefully other Māori that I hope to influence and inspire,” says Bristow.
    Lui Hellesoe (Tūhoe), founder of KiwiData, says Tupu provides the structure and support to grow a business grounded in kaupapa Māori.
    “Getting into the Tupu Accelerator is a big step for me and for KiwiData. I built this company to solve real problems that Māori and Pacific businesses face when it comes to AI. This opportunity gives me the support and backing to grow something that reflects who we are and how we work. It means I can build with purpose, stay grounded in our values, and scale a business that creates space for our people in the future of tech.”
    The 2025 Tupu Accelerator Showcase will be held on 26 June 2025 at the Auckland Art Gallery. Earlybird tickets are on sale now for $110 +GST: https://tupu2025.lilregie.com
    TUPU ACCELERATOR 2025 COHORT:
    To read more about the cohort and their pakihi please visit: https://tupu.org.nz/purapura
    • Green Waste Products NZ: Koro Carman (Ngāpuhi) & Simon Tanner
    • Girl Native: Rawinia Rimene (Whakatōhea)
    • BEINGS: Léon Bristow (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu)
    • Performnz IQ: Pele Aumua (Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu) & Maraki Aumua (Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu)
    • Makachilli: Hira Nathan (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga)
    • KiwiData: Lui Hellesoe (Tūhoe)
    • Aro: Tina Wickliffe (Ngāti Porou)
    • Mauriora Kombucha: Tamara Kirwan (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Julian Kirwan (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) & Keela Atkinson (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga)
    • Plunge Lab: Oliver George (Tūhourangi) & Teancum Kahaki (Ngāti Porou)
    • Takesfour: Jenny Steward (Ngāti Maniapoto) & Renee McCallum (Ngāti Pikiao/Te Arawa) 

    TE ARA TAKATŪ: PATHWAYS FOR MĀORI ENTREPRENUERSHIP RESEARCH REPORT Te Ara Takatū explores Aotearoa New Zealand’s venture capital ecosystem and provides supportive advice and insights to Rakahinonga Māori (Māori entrepreneurs) to become ‘investment ready’, navigate their pathways, and become more successful in the early stages of startup growth. As a joint research endeavour by Tapuwae Roa and PWC New Zealand, with support from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, this report seeks to provide the playbook for Māori startups on the path to gaining investment. Read the full report here: https://www.tapuwaeroa.org/te-ara-takatu/

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: The art world pays respects to celebrated artist Fred Graham

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland Council) is joining the art world in paying its respects to Fred Graham (Ngaati Koroki Kahukura), ONZM, Art Foundation Icon.

    Graham has passed away at the age of 96 but his legacy lives on, and for Aucklanders that is in the extensive public artworks that are part of the council’s enduring collection. 

    In the words of his whaanau – words that are being echoed around the world – “Fred Graham was a revered Maaori sculptor, educator, athlete, and artist who has journeyed beyond the veil. His artistry embodied the strength and depth of Maaori storytelling, carrying the whakapapa, traditions, and wairua of his iwi, Ngaati Koroki Kahukura.”

    A tribute from Fred Graham’s whaanau:

    Frederick John Graham 1 September 1928 – 9 May 2025
    He Pou Whakarauora i te Ao Toi Maaori

    Kua rere atu taku manu ki ngaa rangi tuuhaahaa, ki te tihi o Maungatautari, ki Taupiri anoo hoki.

    I te atapoo o te Paraire, i moe ngaa karu o te ringatoi Maaori whakaihuwaka, te kaiako, te kaipara, te ringa whao, te kaiwhakairo i te kupu, o Fred Graham CNZM, he uri o Ngaati Koroki Kahukura.

    Mai i ngā tohu whakairo nunui pēnei i a Kaitiaki i Pukekawa ki Taamaki Makaurau me Justice i te Kooti Matua ki te pokapuu o Taamaki, i ruku hohonu a Graham ki ngā kaupapa o te manaaki, o te tika, o te maaramatanga hoki. Naana ngaa maatauranga tuku iho i whiriwhiria ki te ao hou. Ka kite i ana whakaaro rangatira i ana mahinga toi.

    He kaiako ia hei tauira ki ngaa rangatira o āpōpō i ngaa mahinga toi Maaori. I tīmata toona haerenga ki Ardmore Teachers’ Training College, kaatahi ka huri te aronga ki Te Tai Tokerau hei tautoko i ngaa kaiako Maaori, wheeraa i a Katerina Mataira, i a Rau Hotere hoki. He tangata whakapau kaha i te toituutanga o te ao toi Maaori i Aotearoa.

    Ehake i te mea he ringatoi anahe, he Maaori All Black hoki a Graham i toona waa. I taakaro raaua ko tana hoa pūmau, a Bishop Muru Walters. Noo raatou te kaha ki te whakatairanga i te mana o te Maaori i ngaa tuumomo waahanga, mai i te haakinakina ki te wairua, tae atu ki te ao toi.

    I teeraa tau, i kite ana mahi i te Venice Biennale, ko Whiti Te Raa (1966) teetehi e whakaatu ana i te haka a Te Rauparaha i roto i te whakairo toi. Ko taua whakaaturanga he tohu nui moo te toi Maaori ki te ao whaanui, e whakaū ana i a Graham hei rangatira i roto i te ao toi Maaori.

    I whakawhiwhia e Graham te tohu Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM), hei whakamaanawa i toona koha nui ki te ao toi Maaori, me aana mahi whakakaha i te whakaaturanga o te toi i Aotearoa.

    I noho a Fred i Waiuku. Kei taua takiwaa aana mahi toi tūmatanui e rua. Ko tana tohu whakairo tuatahi, ko Birds Soar, he tohu rino e waru mita te rahi, hei whakamaharatanga ki te 50 tau o Glenbrook mill. He tohu teenei moo ngaa whakatupuranga katoa.

    Ko Waiuku Sculpture, he tohu whakairo rino i whakarewahia i te tau 2024, e whakaatu ana i ngā kōrero o ngā iwi o te rohe, me te hono atu ki te whakapapa o Waiuku.

    Ahakoa toona kaumaatuatanga, i noho ia hei tohunga whakairo. I mahia tonutia e ia te toi, i hoahoa tonu ia i tana taapaetanga moo te Erebus Memorial, he tohu whakamaumahara i toona aroha moo te koorero tuku iho maa te toi.

    He hoa rangatira, he matua, he koroheke ia. Ko toona whaanau te tuuaapapa o toona ao, te aronga o toona auahatanga. Ka mau tonu toona aroha, toona manaakitanga i roto i ngaa whakatupuranga kei te heke mai.

    He kaikookiri ia i te ao toi Maaori, he tauira ki ngaa ringatoi e tupu ana, he kaihaapai i ngaa tirohanga o te Maaori. Ka mau tonu te mana o aana mahi hei whakaawe, hei whakanui, hei whakatauira moo te hunga toi e whai mai nei.

    Haere whakangaro atu raa e te rangatira.  E tiu, e topa. Pai Maarire.

    Fred Graham at centre – pictured in Waiuku

    Frederick John Graham 1 September 1928 – 9 May 2025
    A Guardian of Maaori Art and Legacy

    A majestic bird has journeyed to the heights of the sacred mountains of Maungatautari and Taupiri.

    Fred Graham, a revered Maaori sculptor, educator, athlete, and artist, has journeyed beyond the veil. His artistry embodied the strength and depth of Maaori storytelling, carrying the whakapapa, traditions, and wairua of his iwi, Ngaati Koroki Kahukura.

    Through iconic works such as Kaitiaki in Pukekawa / Auckland Domain and Justice at the High Court, Graham explored themes of guardianship, justice, and enlightenment. He bridged ancestral knowledge with contemporary expression, ensuring Maaori identity and legacy lived on through his sculptural forms.

    Beyond his artistic contributions, Graham was a dedicated educator, shaping the future of Maaori art through his teaching career. His journey began at Ardmore Teachers’ Training College, where he was encouraged to specialise in art education, before moving north to work with Maaori students in Te Tai Tokerau. His commitment to fostering creativity among rangatahi ensured that Maaori perspectives remained central to Aotearoa’s evolving artistic landscape.

    Te Waka Taumata o Horotiu (Resting Waka), 2008, Fred Graham. Corner Queen Street and Swanson Street.

    Graham was also a Maaori All Black, playing alongside his lifelong friend Bishop Muru Walters. Their bond extended beyond the rugby field, as both men became champions of Maaori art, education, and leadership. Their shared journey reflected a deep commitment to uplifting Maaori voices across multiple spheres, from sport to spirituality to artistic expression.

    His influence extended beyond Aotearoa, with his works exhibited internationally, including at the prestigious Venice Biennale. His piece Whiti Te Raa (1966), which portrays figures in motion inspired by the haka of Te Rauparaha, was showcased as part of the Biennale Arte 2024. This exhibition marked a significant moment for Maaori art on the global stage, reinforcing Graham’s role as a pioneer in contemporary indigenous sculpture.

    In recognition of his immense contributions to Maaori art, Graham was recently named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Honours. This prestigious accolade acknowledged his lifelong dedication to elevating Maaori artistry and ensuring its place within Aotearoa’s cultural fabric.

    In 2024 Fred Graham unveiled a gift to his hometown of Waiuku, described as “an expression of his aroha and whakawhetai.”

    Fred spent his final years in Waiuku, where he left an indelible mark on the town through two significant public artworks. His Waiuku Sculpture, a stainless-steel piece unveiled in 2024, acknowledges local iwi histories and honours the whakapapa of the region.

    His second piece, Birds Soar, an eight-metre steel sculpture commemorating the 50th anniversary of NZ Steel’s Glenbrook mill, symbolises the past, present, and future generations connected to the industry. A tohunga whakairo to the end, he remained deeply engaged in his craft, continuing to shape spaces with his vision and artistic integrity. Even in his last days, he was designing a submission for the Erebus Memorial, a testament to his lifelong devotion to storytelling through form.

    The Web (2014) – swapping silk for steel, this spiderweb delights visitors to the Threatened Native Plants Garden at Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa.

    But above all, Fred was a devoted husband, father, and Granddad. He cherished his whaanau, who were the foundation of his life and inspiration for his creative journey. His love and guidance will endure through the generations he nurtured, shaping not only his art but also the lives of those who walked alongside him.

    As a staunch advocate for Maaori art, he nurtured emerging artists, championed indigenous perspectives, and paved the way for future generations. His life’s work stands as a testament to the enduring power of Maaori creativity, ensuring his influence will continue to shape and inspire.

    Fred Graham’s public art 

    View more of the treasured public artworks in Auckland Council’s collection by Fred Graham, located across Tāmaki Makaurau.

    Within Fred Graham’s impressive body of work of over 70 years, manu have been a recurring theme, and his works stand and cast a long and rich shadow across Aotearoa and Tāmaki Makaurau, from Waiuku to the city centre.  

    Manurewa (2007) – as if in flight and with a wingspan of six metres, this majestic Fred Graham sculpture soars above Mission Bay.

    Two of Fred Graham’s public artworks – located in Auckland’s city centre – are placed at the junction of Shortland and Queen Streets. These works mark the original foreshore and former waka landing area before this area was reclaimed. 

    Kaitiaki II, 2009, Fred Graham. Outside BNZ, 80 Queen Street.

    Tūrama Kāhu Kōrako inspired by Fred Graham. Photo credit: Bryan Lowe

    Kāhu Kōrako is a term for an older kāhu / hawk / New Zealand harrier whose plumage has lost the dark colouring of youth and whose feathers are pale, white or grey. 

    The plumage of Kāhu Kōrako is compared by Māori orators with the grey hair of elders, and when coupled with the veneration that ngāi Māori hold for kuia, koroua and kaumātua, the term Kāhu Kōrako becomes a metaphor for an elderly person of mana, whose wisdom and grace will assist your passage wherever you travel within the hem of their korowai (cloak). This Matariki season people will look up and they might notice the bird’s head looks to the south-west – towards Waiuku – acknowledging where Fred Graham and his wife Norma raised their whānau.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Peace Action Wellington Statement – Mahia: now a US nuclear base?

    Source: Peace Action Wellington

    13 May 2025 – The US military has indicated it wants to increase the number of space launches from Rocket Lab’s launchpad on the Mahia Peninsula including launching satellites involved in nuclear command-control-and-comms. 

    “This raises serious questions about compliance with New Zealand’s Nuclear Free legislation,” said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington.

    “We have been very concerned that the national security assessments by MBIE of Rocket Lab launches are insufficient. In particular, US military launches that are ‘classified’ means that New Zealand officials have very little knowledge about the military capabilities and targets of these satellites.”

    “The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment who oversee space launches specifically state that ‘payloads that contribute to nuclear weapons programmes or capabilities” are expressly prohibited. Yet without the actual access to classified information from the US we have incomplete information about what these satellites do.”

    “Moreover the integration and consolidation of command systems means that satellites may serve multiple outcomes including the operation of nuclear weapons. The US’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control or CJADC2 is the concept that the Department of Defense has developed to connect sensors from all branches of the armed forces into a unified network powered by artificial intelligence.”

    “Mahia has become a de facto outpost of the US military where it can do what it wants, when it wants with very little real oversight and no concern for the implications of that for New Zealand independence as a nation. ”

    “The threat of nuclear war is at the highest level it has been at in 40 years. New Zealanders rejected nuclear weapons two generations ago, we should not give up our principled stand under any circumstances, but particularly not by stealth under the cover of US ‘classified’ programmes.” 

    Notes

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Signs of Progress in Tobacco Control Sector: New Bill and Council Action Offer Hope

    Source: Hapai Te Hauora

    Amid recent setbacks in New Zealand’s Smokefree efforts, two new developments bring fresh momentum to tobacco harm reduction that have renewed hope in our goals for a healthier Aotearoa.
    Health spokesperson Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall has launched the Tobacco Transparency Bill, aimed at stopping tobacco industry lobbying in health policy. “Around the world, tobacco companies have a long history of influencing and weakening health policies to better suit their bottom line. This Bill will address those influences and help us protect people’s health…,” said Dr Verrall.[1]
    This Bill follows growing calls for stronger lobbying regulations in New Zealand politics. There is a pressing need for greater transparency and accountability, especially among those whose decisions directly impact public health outcomes. If passed, the Tobacco Transparency Bill would help the government understand its duties under international law and could lead to stronger rules around emerging nicotine products.
    Similarly, Far North District Council votes to develop a Smokefree/Vapefree policy for public spaces. The council’s decision follows a new study linking vaping to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), adding urgency to calls for regulation.[2]
    These developments offer timely encouragement for Smokefree and Vapefree advocates across Aotearoa as we mark World Smokefree May. Jasmine Graham, National Tobacco Control Manager at Hāpai te Hauora says, “While major challenges remain, these steps offer hope that momentum toward a healthier, smokefree Aotearoa is not lost.” 
    [1] “Bill Launched To Stop Tobacco Industry Lobbying,” Scoop – New Zealand News, accessed May 9, 2025, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2505/S00066/bill-launched-to-stop-tobacco-industry-lobbying.htm.
    [2] “Far North Council Moves to Adopt Smokefree and Vape-free Policy,” NZ Herald, last modified May 8, 2025, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/far-north-council-seeks-smokefree-policy-amid-vaping-health-concerns/XBDKKDT5C5CE7EEDR4BRZ435I4/. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Politics and Education – Maths Support Funding a Mixed Bag say Principals

    Source: NZ Principals Federation

    “All new funding for curriculum is welcome funding,” said Leanne Otene, President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF), in response to the Minister of Education’s announcement to fund the mathematics curriculum an additional $100m over four years.
    The funding is intended for early intervention – $4million for maths checks at year 2 – $56 million for 143 full time maths intervention teachers for targeted support for years 0 – 6 students, and $40million for small group tutoring for up to 34,000 year 7 – 8 students.
    On the year 2 maths check Otene said, “Our teachers already know the curriculum expectations at year 2, and teachers know which students are not meeting those expectations,” she said. 
    “There is much research evidence to show that compulsory testing in primary school leads to negative unintended consequences which are not helpful,” said Otene.
    “What we need is additional support to help develop positive attitudes to maths, and build confidence in our young students,” she said, “and $4 million won’t be enough to do that.
    “The $56 million for 143 new full time maths intervention teachers for our year 0-6 children would be very helpful,” said Otene, ” and if the Minister can find and appoint those teachers full time, that could make a difference,’ she said. 
    “The remaining $40million for small group tutoring for year 7-8 students not yet meeting the curriculum expectations, is great, but it would be helpful to first see the outcome of the pilot study currently underway with these students,” she said, “before committing to a particular course of action.”
    “The Minister has been clear that the maths intervention money is to target tier 2 support  – targeted class intervention, rather than our most vulnerable students requiring tier 3 support,” said Otene. 
    “We trust that the Minister is saving her biggest learning support funding boost for Budget Day,” she said. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appointments – GUARDIANS APPOINTS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Source: New Zealand Super Fund

    The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, manager of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, has appointed Paula Steed to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer.

    Ms Steed, who joined the Guardians in 2021, is currently the Guardians’ General Manager, Technology. She was previously General Manager Strategy and Shared Services and was Acting CEO between December 2023 and April 2024.

    Guardians CEO Jo Townsend says that the new role will be responsible for the Guardians’ technology, corporate strategy and shared services functions.

    “Combining these business units will help break down operational silos and create a clearer line of sight between our strategic priorities and their execution,” Ms Townsend said.

    “Paula’s skill set makes her the ideal person to take on this role.”

    Ms Townsend said it was important the Guardians continued to focus on efficiency and scalability, given the NZ Super Fund’s value is projected to double over the next 10 or so years.

    Before joining the Guardians, Ms Steed had a 25-year career in financial services and banking, including various executive finance and general management roles with AMP, ANZ and ASB.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Emerging tech entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia to visit New Zealand this month

    Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation

    Ten emerging tech entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia will visit New Zealand from 18-25 May to meet with leading innovators and businesses and attend a number of tech events.
    Their visit is part of the ASEAN Young Business Leaders Initiative (YBLI), managed by the Asia New Zealand Foundation on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
    The initiative facilitates trade and builds networks and connections between entrepreneurs and business leaders in Southeast Asia and in New Zealand.
    The delegation represents a diverse mix of cutting-edge sectors, including med-tech, AI, digital mobility and eCommerce. Fam Alonto, a participant from the Philippines and founding partner of Embiggen Group, says:
    “I believe innovation happens through meaningful relationships and open collaboration. The YBLI programme is a great chance to connect, learn and build partnerships across ASEAN and New Zealand. For me, this visit is about more than business-it’s about building relationships that spark real ideas.”
    Dr Elaine Chan, co-founder and CEO of Vidanex, Malaysia, adds:
    “As a medtech entrepreneur based in Kuala Lumpur, I’m looking forward to meeting other innovators from Southeast Asia [on the delegation] and learning about New Zealand’s health tech scene. This visit is a great chance to learn from each other and explore ways we might work together in the future.”
    During their week-long programme, the group will meet with New Zealand companies such as Sharesies, Partlyand Outset Ventures, and engage with startup and innovation communities in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
    The visit will conclude with the NZ Hi-Tech Awards gala dinner, one of New Zealand’s premier events celebrating innovation and technological excellence.
    Asia New Zealand Foundation Chief Executive, Suzannah Jessep, said the visit reflects the best of how the YBLI programme is evolving – bringing in dynamic, cutting-edge innovators to brainstorm and share ideas with their New Zealand-based counterparts.
    “To date, we have worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and seen many partnerships and ideas flourish. Southeast Asia is a region of growing importance for New Zealand. Through initiatives like YBLI, and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we’re helping to lay the groundwork for future partnerships and cross-border collaboration.”
    Since its inception in 2011, the ASEAN Young Business Leaders Initiative has facilitated visits for more than 130 ASEAN entrepreneurs to New Zealand and supported over 80 New Zealand entrepreneurs in exploring opportunities in Southeast Asia. In total, the YBLI Network numbers over 270 entrepreneurs.                               
    For more information, contact: Taniya Scott, director communications and media | Asia New Zealand Foundation | email: tscott@asianz.org.nz
    Meet the 2025 ASEAN YBLI Tech delegation:
    • Anugrah Nurrewa – Founder and CEO, Komuto (Indonesia): Delivering real-time urban mobility solutions for public transport.
    • Dr Darren Gouk – Founder, AOne (Malaysia): Providing management software for over 2,000 education centres in Southeast Asia.
    • Dr Elaine Chan – Co-founder and CEO, Vidanex (Malaysia): Using AI and digital pathology to improve cancer diagnostics. [Available for interview]
    • Ella Trinh – Co-founder and COO, Vulcan Augmetics (Vietnam): Developing affordable prosthetics and wearable tech for amputees in emerging markets and conflict zones.
    • Fam Alonto – Founding Partner, Embiggen Group (Philippines): Driving digital transformation and inclusive growth in Southeast Asia. [Available for interview]
    • Nelson Shih – Co-founder and COO, Oakra (Thailand): Enabling Southeast Asian manufacturers to scale eCommerce through logistics and analytics.
    • Nik Muhammad Amin – Founder and CEO, Moovby (Malaysia): A peer-to-peer car-sharing platform transforming urban mobility. [Available for interview]
    • Tan Sukhonpanich – Chief Product Officer, FutureSkill (Thailand): Advancing tech-driven workforce learning and upskilling.
    • Thang Pham – Founder and CEO, Mamibabi (Vietnam): AI-powered parenting app for pregnancy and childcare support.
    • Dr Yen Nguyen – Chief Business Officer, Quickom (Vietnam): Working at the intersection of education, innovation and social impact. [Available for interview]
    About the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono
    Established in 1994, the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is New Zealand’s leading provider of Asia insights and experiences. Its mission is to equip New Zealanders to excel in Asia, by providing research, insights and targeted opportunities to grow their knowledge, connections and experiences across the Asia region. The Foundation’s activities cover more than 20 countries in Asia and are delivered through eight core programmes: arts, business, entrepreneurship, leadership, media, research, Track II diplomacy and sports. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Working from home dispute in mediation today – will Govt support women on this?

    Source: PSA
    The PSA is urging the Government to pull back from restricting flexible work practices in the public service, including working from home when mediation begins today.
    The PSA filed action with the Employment Relations Authority last December to stop the Government from restricting flexible workplace practices, which disproportionately impacts women who make up 62% of public service workers.
    “The Government has heard the loud outrage of women over its shocking destruction of the pay equity framework – it needs to listen now and stop further attacking women in the workplace,” said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “We are hoping to settle this dispute in mediation.”
    “Women need flexible work to help them manage caring responsibilities whānau and be more productive. It’s a win win.
    “What the Government is proposing is effectively ripping up the Gender Pay Principles, which was an agreement to end discrimination based on gender and normalise flexible work practices.
    “Flexible work is the backbone of employment agreements in modern workplaces and the Government must not undermine this.
    “These are binding on the Government and are included in collective agreements so the Government can’t turn around and shift the goalposts.
    “This is exactly what it is doing with the pay equity overhaul, upending a system that was working to lift the pay of women in female-dominated occupations.
    “The Government needs to learn the lesson from last week, hear the voice of women, and come to the party and resolve this if it wants to avoid litigation before the Authority.”
    Background
    In 2018 the PSA entered in into an agreement – the Gender Pay Principles, following legal action in the Employment Court to establish principles governing work performed by women in accordance with the Equal Pay Act 1972. The follow up agreement, Flexible Work by Default, gave effect to these principles and was signed by the PSA, CTU, the State Services Commission (as it then was) and the Ministry for Women in 2020.
    The Gender Pay Principles guide all government work on gender pay with the aim of ending discrimination based on gender, and closing the gender pay gap. They require senior leaders to eliminate gender inequalities, require agencies to apply specific resourcing to ensure Māori women are not discriminated against and work with unions to ensure equitable practices are sustained.
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Housing market – NZ housing market conditions tip in favour of first home buyers – QV

    Source: Quality Valuation (QV)

    Lower home values and easing interest rates are creating a rare opportunity for first-home buyers to enter the New Zealand housing market, particularly in hard to access main centres like Auckland and Wellington.

    Our latest QV House Price Index shows home values rose 0.10% in the three months to April to a new national average value of $914,504, which is -1.33% lower than the same time last year.

    Across New Zealand’s main urban areas: the Auckland region continues to soften, with home values down 2.89% year on year, and 0.08% over the past 3-months; the Wellington region dropped 4.11% year on year, and 0.50% over the quarter to April; Dunedin was down 0.04% year on year and -0.73% over the past three months; while Christchurch bucked the trend, rising 1.35% year on year and 0.88% in the April quarter; as did Hamilton up 0.36% year on year and 0.12% over the past 3-months.
     
    QV Operations Manager James Wilson said while headline values remain soft, early signs suggest a shift in sentiment, with some main urban centres showing a positive monthly trend.

    “After five years of significant volatility, the market appears to have stabilised,” he said. “We’re not seeing big swings anymore—home values are holding steady as we head into winter.”

    “Although interest rates are trending down, demand is tempered by cautious buyer sentiment and a large supply of properties. Still, signs of a turnaround are emerging, especially in the main centres.”

    “For first home buyers, particularly in parts of Auckland where standalone homes are now selling in the $700,000s in some areas—something we didn’t see a year ago—now is the time to act,” said Mr Wilson.

    “Investors remain more active than first home buyers, taking advantage of lower competition compared to previous peaks. However, many are still taking a ‘wait and see’ approach.”

    Northland

    Northland home values have experienced modest recovery momentum rising 1.30% in the three months to April 2025. Whangarei was the top performer in the region with values up 3.19%; value growth in the Far North slowed to just 0.17%; while the Kaipara District was down -2.05% over 3 months, reversing the gains it made earlier in the year.

    The annual trend remains negative at -2.79%, but growth signs suggest renewed buyer activity, particularly in Whangarei among investors and first home buyers. The average home value across the region now sits at $731,090, up from $721,626 in January.

    Auckland

    Across the Auckland region values are down -0.08% over the past three months and 2.89% year on year. The current average value is now $1,244,996.

    Manukau (0.53%), Papakura (0.40%) and Franklin (0.81%) all posted 3-month gains, while in the local council areas previously known as Auckland City values softened (-0.28%); North Shore was down the most (-1.19%); Waitakere also dipped (-0.33%); and Rodney (-0.06%) also eased slightly over the same period.

    Local QV registered valuer, Hugh Robson said, “Overall, market conditions remain similar to three months ago, we continue to see the strongest demand from first home buyers who are often purchasing more affordable townhouse developments.”

    “Annual growth remains in decline at -2.89%, pointing to a patchy recovery across the super city. In areas where supply levels are beginning to be absorbed and owner occupier interest remains stronger, we are starting to see some early positive signals,” he said.

    Bay of Plenty

    Home values were down in Tauranga -0.23% over the past three months. The city’s average home value $1,014,726, which is -1.48% less than the same time last year.

    Meanwhile, the Bay of Plenty region saw values rise slightly by 0.28% over the past 3-months but were down -1.30% year on year. Kawerau values saw the greatest increase, jumping 7.16% over the quarter to April and 1.59% year on year. Western Bay of Plenty district also saw values rise 2.96% over the past three months; Gisborne was also up 2.78%; as was Rotorua up 0.14%; while Opotiki values dropped -2.21%.  

    Waikato

    The latest QV House Price Index shows Hamilton’s average home value is now $792,221, rising 0.12% over the past three months and 0.36% year on year.

    Local QV registered valuer Marshall Wu said, “While we are seeing demand levels beginning to return in mid-price brackets where investor and first home buyers competition meet, a significant volume of unsold inventory continues to linger on the market. So, although April’s upturn in Hamilton’s home values is a positive sign, it remains premature to declare a market recovery,” he said.

    The Waikato region demonstrated slight improvement in the April quarter with a 3-month gain of 0.60% and 0.03% year on year. The average home value across the region now stands at $817,310. Waitomo District surged 5.41% over the past 3 months, making it the standout performer.

    Taranaki

    Home values in New Plymouth have risen 1.24% over the past three months and are 1.27% higher than the same time last year. The average home value is now $729,739. Meanwhile, the average home value in South Taranaki dipped 0.64% over the quarter to April to $443,886 while Stratford values also dipped 1.35% over the past three months and the average home there is worth $478,051.

    QV property consultant, Danny Grace said “New Plymouth district is more stable with improved levels of activity and interest over the recent months, with more interest from buyers and agents feeling more confident. Stratford and South Taranaki are also stabilising, but not to the same level as New Plymouth. The quarterly gain in New Plymouth of 1.24% shows improved sentiment fueled mostly by the strength of first home buyer demand.”

    Hawke’s Bay

    Napier City home values rose 0.97% over the past 3 months and were up 0.15% in the year to April. The average value in the city is now $760,444. Hastings values were also up 0.29% over the past three months but were down 2.24% year on year.

    The average value in Hastings is now $773,595. Wairoa saw values rise 2.21% in the three months to April and 9.83% year on year to a new average value of $414,919. While it was a different story in the Central Hawke’s Bay District, which saw the greatest decrease down -4.25% over 3 months and -7.02% year on year with an average value of $540,303.

    Palmerston North

    Home values in Palmerston North dipped 0.68% over the past three months to a new average value of $634,094 which is 1.61% lower than this time last year.

    QV registered valuer, Olivia Betts said, “We are currently seeing increased sales activity however prices remain stable. Homes with older, outdated features are struggling to attract buyers and are often listed on the market for longer periods. In contrast, there’s been a growing demand for homes recently renovated, reflecting a preference for modern amenities, according to industry experts.”

    Wellington

    Residential property values have continued their downward trend most parts of Wellington this quarter. The latest QV House Price Index shows the region’s average home value decreased by 0.50% to $837,745 throughout the quarter to April and is 4.11% lower than the same time last year.

    Upper Hutt bucked the trend this quarter with average growth of 0.69%. While, Wellington City (-0.69%), Kapiti Coast (-0.01%), Hutt City (-0.47%) and Porirua (-0.21%) all recorded small average home value losses.
     
    QV senior consultant, David Cornford said, “Stock levels remain at elevated levels and accordingly we have seen a slight overall softening in values in recent months in the region.”

    “There is adequate market activity, however the volume of stock on the market is making conditions challenging for vendors in some cases,” he said.

    “Buyers have plenty of options currently and are not afraid to walk away from a property. Economic and employment uncertainty continues and we are seeing this reflected in a relatively soft market where buyers are taking a cautious approach.”

    Tasman-Nelson-Marlborough

    These three regions fared relatively well in April, with Nelson City and Tasman District recording 3-month growth of 1.21% and 2.16%, respectively. Marlborough posted a slight increase of 0.82% over the 3 months to April. The average value in Nelson is now $799,144, Tasman is $829,427, and Marlborough is $703,836.

    QV Property Consultant, Craig Russel said “In the Tasman and Nelson markets, demand for homes within the $500,000 to $800,000 price range is still strong, with multiple offers being a common occurrence.”

    “Pricing remains a key determinate, with accurate pricing required to avoid properties languishing on the market for an extended period, and with multiple price reductions.”

    “Although we have seen modest growth over recent months we are still facing economic headwinds, and with the quieter winter period approaching, it is likely that values will remain flat over the next few months.”

    West Coast

    Our QV House Price Index for the April brought mixed results for the region with values down 2.60% over the past three months, indicating recent volatility. However, annual growth remains at 1.87% higher than the same time last year.

    Average home values in Westland rose 0.27% to $471,390 this quarter. While they decreased by 3.80% to $375,858 in Buller and by 3.55% to $445,433 in Grey.

    Canterbury

    The Christchurch city average home value rose slightly by 0.88% in the past three months to April to $776,636 and are now 1.35% higher than a year ago.

    Meanwhile home values in Hurunui rose 0.76% in the past three months to $645,875 but were down 0.89% year on year. While Waimakariri rose 0.52% over the past quarter to an $721,149 which is 0.47% higher than they were a year ago.

    QV registered valuer Olivia Brownie said, “In the three months to April we’ve seen more positive market movement for Christchurch City and the neighbouring districts. We have seen slightly more activity over the previous month which can be attributed to some more affordability and a slight reduction in the cost of borrowing.”

    “The market is currently seeing a balance in supply and demand, with buyers having a good range of options and sellers not expecting immediate price increases. Well-presented and located homes are transacting with buyers having the option to leave less appealing stock to the side or negotiating on price. Overall the market movement is minimal and we are seeing a somewhat steady property market.”

    Dunedin

    Our QV House Price Index for April 2025 shows values dipped slightly in Dunedin City overall by an average of -0.73% over the past quarter, with Dunedin’s average home value now $646,378, which is just 0.04% lower than the same time last year. Dunedin’s central suburbs saw the greatest quarterly increase up 1.40%.

    QV Property Consultant Robin Graham said, “Listing levels in Dunedin remain high when compared to the same period last year, with downsizing activity occurring within the owner occupier market. Demand levels remain firm for Mosgiel, followed by Maori Hill and Saint Clair, however agents continue to report that heightened levels of supply, mean vendor price points need to be realistic.”

    “Overall property values in the region are flatlining, with only minor growth in isolated areas and softening sentiment in Dunedin among first home buyers and investors when compared to earlier in the year.”

    Queenstown

    Residential property values are continuing their slight downward trend across the Queenstown Lakes District in this quarter.

    Our QV House Price Index for April 2025 shows the average home value reduced by 0.43% over the past three months to $1,818,422. Home values in Queenstown are now -0.45% lower on average than at the same time last year.

    Southland

    Invercargill values rose 0.21% over the past three months to top half a million with an average value of $501,322, which is 4.01% higher than the same time last year.

    While in Gore, values increased 3.15% over the quarter to $418,768 which is 0.22% higher than a year ago. And in Southland values rose were up 1.88% over the past three months to $535,303 which is 6.56% higher than a year ago.

    QV registered valuer Andrew Ronald said the region’s affordability and consistent performance underpin buyer interest. We are still experiencing strong demand from first home buyers seeking entry level properties, typically under $500,000.

    “Investor activity continues to increase, although not in any significant levels yet. There is still limited demand for upper price bracket properties,” he said.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Takapau, Central Hawke’s Bay

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Emergency services are responding to a serious crash on State Highway 2 near Takapau this morning, which has closed the State Highway.

    The two vehicle crash was reported to Police just before 7.30am.

    Initial indications are there are serious injuries.

    Motorists are advised there are diversions in place via Fraser Road and Marahakeke Road.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: PSNA says broadcast ruling a warning to NZ news media to be wary of ‘Israeli propaganda’

    Asia Pacific Report

    A decision by the Broadcasting Standards Authority to uphold a complaint against a 1News broadcast last November is a warning to news media, says the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.

    The authority ruled that a TVNZ news item on violence in Amsterdam in the Netherlands breached BSA rules.

    1News described violence in the streets of Amsterdam on November 7 and 8 following a soccer match as “disturbing” and ‘antisemitic’ and stated the graphic video of beatings were Maccabi Tel Aviv fans under attack just for being Jewish.

    Videographers who took the footage which 1News had used, complained to their news agencies that this description was wrong. The violence had been perpetrated by the Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv fans against those they suspected of being Arab or supporters of Palestine.

    The visiting Israelis were the attackers — not the victims, said the PSNA statement, as widely reported by global media correcting initial reports.

    Before the match these same Maccabi fans had gathered in large groups to chant “Death to Arabs” — a racist genocidal chant which if used with the races reversed (“Arabs” replaced by Jews”) “would have been rightly condemned in purple prose by Western news media such as TVNZ”, said PSNA co-chair John Minto in the statement.

    “But no such sympathy for Palestinians or Arabs,” he added.

    Requested broadcast correction
    PSNA said in its statement that it had immediately requested that TVNZ broadcast a correction. TVNZ refused, though admitting they had got the story wrong.

    PSNA then referred a complaint to the BSA which upheld the complaint as failing to meet the accuracy standard.

    Minto said in the statement that the BSA decision should be seen as a warning to news media to be aware that Israel was using “fabricated charges of antisemitism, to justify and divert attention from its genocide in Gaza and silence its critics”.

    “Just because [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu and the then US President Joe Biden made statements turning Amsterdam attackers into victims, doesn’t mean TVNZ news should automatically parrot them,” Minto said.

    “That’s effectively what the BSA concluded.”


    Framing violence: How Israel shaped the narrative and the impact on Dutch politics   Video: Al Jazeera

    Minto also pointed to what he called a recent fabricated hysteria about antisemitism in Sydney, which the New South Wales police found to be completely based on hoaxes by a criminal gang.

    “In the US, Trump is using the same charge as an excuse to close down university courses and expel anyone who protests against the Israeli genocide in Gaza,” Minto said.

    “Of course, we strongly condemn the real antisemitism of anti-Jewish, Nazi-type Islamophobic groups,” Minto says.

    Call for media ‘self education’
    “It should be easy for professional reporters and editors to tell the difference between criticism of Israeli apartheid, ethnic cleansing and violence on one hand, and on the other hand Nazis and their fellow travellers who condemn Jews because they are Jews.

    “The BSA is, in effect, demanding the news media educate themselves.”

    In a half-hour report on 16 November 2024 headlined “Media bias, inaccuracy and the violence in Amsterdam”, Al Jazeera’s global mediawatch programme The Listening Post said “one night of violence revealed … Western media’s failings on Israel and Palestine”.

    “In the wake of an ugly eruption of violence on the streets of Amsterdam, the media coverage of the story [was] put under the microscope with editors scrambling to revise headlines, rework narratives, and reframe video content.”

    In an investigative documentary, The Full Report, on 22 January 2025, Al Jazeera’s Dutch correspondent Step Vaessen reported how Israel had framed the violence, shaped the narrative, manipulated the global media, and impacted on Dutch politics.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Otago academics plan declaration on Palestine to ‘face daily horrors’

    Asia Pacific Report

    A group of New Zealand academics at Otago University have drawn up a “Declaration on Palestine” against genocide, apartheid and scholasticide of Palestinians by Israel that has illegally occupied their indigenous lands for more than seven decades.

    The document, which had already drawn more than 300 signatures from staff, students and alumni by the weekend, will be formally adopted at a congress of the Otago Staff for Justice in Palestine (OSJP) group on Thursday.

    “At a time when our universities, our public institutions and our political leaders are silent in the face of the daily horrors we are shown from illegally-occupied Palestine, this declaration is an act of solidarity with our Palestinian whānau,” declared Professor Richard Jackson from Te Ao O Rongomaraeroa — The National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

    “It expresses the brutal truth of what is currently taking place in Palestine, as well as our commitment to international law and human rights, and our social responsibilities as academics.

    “We hope the declaration will be an inspiration to others and a call to action at a moment when the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians is accelerating at an alarming rate.”

    Scholars and students at the university had expressed concern that they did not want to be teaching or learning about the Palestinian genocide in future courses on the history of the Palestinian people, Professor Jackson said.

    Nor did they want to feel ashamed when they were asked what they did while the genocide was taking place.

    ‘Collective moral courage’
    “Signing up to the declaration represents an act of individual and collective moral courage, and a public commitment to working to end the genocide.”

    In an interview with the Otago Daily Times published at the weekend, Professor Jackson said boycotting academic ties with Israel was among the measures included in a declaration.

    The declaration commits its signatories to an academic boycott as part of the wider Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanction (BDS) campaign “until such time as Palestinians enjoy freedom from genocide, apartheid and scholasticide”, they had national self-determination and full and complete enjoyment of human rights, as codified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    The declaration says that given the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled there is a “plausible” case that Israel has been committing genocide, and that all states that are signatory to the Genocide Convention must take all necessary measures to prevent acts of genocide, the signatories commit themselves to an academic boycott.

    BDS is a campaign, begun in 2005, to promote economic, social and cultural boycotts of the Israeli government, Israeli companies and companies that support Israel, in an effort to end the occupation of Palestinian territories and win equal rights for Palestinian citizens within Israel.

    It draws inspiration from South African anti-apartheid campaigns and the United States civil rights movement.

    The full text of the declaration:

    The Otago Declaration on the Situation in Palestine

    We, the staff, students and graduates, being members of the University of Otago, make the following declaration.

    We fully and completely recognise that:
    – The Palestinian people have a right under international law to national self-determination;
    – The Palestinians have the right to security and the full enjoyment of all human and social rights as laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

    And furthermore that:
    – Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinian nation, according to experts, official bodies, international lawyers and human rights organisations;
    – Israel operates a system of apartheid in the territories it controls, and denies the full expression and enjoyment of human rights to Palestinians, according to international courts, human rights organisations, legal and academic experts;
    – Israel is committing scholasticide, thereby denying Palestinians their right to education;

    We recognise that:
    – Given the International Court of Justice has ruled that there is a plausible case that Israel has been committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, that all states that are signatory to the Genocide Convention, which includes Aotearoa New Zealand, have a responsibility to take all necessary measures to prevent acts of genocide;

    We also acknowledge that as members of a public institution with educational responsibilities:
    – We hold a legal and ethical responsibility to act as critic and conscience of society, both individually as members of the University and collectively as a social institution;
    – We have a responsibility to follow international law and norms and to act in an ethical manner in our personal and professional endeavours;
    – We hold an ethical responsibility to act in solidarity with oppressed and disadvantaged people, including those who struggle against settler colonial regimes or discriminatory apartheid systems and the harmful long-term effects of colonisation;
    – We owe a responsibility to fellow educators who are victimised by apartheid and scholasticide;

    Therefore, we, the under-signed, do solemnly commit ourselves to:
    – Uphold the practices, standards and ethics of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign in terms of investment and procurement as called for by Palestinian civil society and international legal bodies; until such time as Palestinians enjoy freedom from genocide, apartheid and scholasticide, national self-determination and full and complete enjoyment of human rights, as codified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
    – Adopt as part of the BDS campaign an Academic Boycott, as called for by Palestinian civil society and international legal bodies; until such time as Palestinians enjoy freedom from genocide, apartheid and scholasticide, national self-determination and full and complete enjoyment of human rights, as codified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    • The Otago Declaration congress meeting will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 12 noon at the Museum Lawn, Dunedin.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –