AM Edition: Here are the top 10 politics articles on LiveNews.co.nz for July 11, 2026 – Full Text
1. Events – Auckland Museum opens archives for 40th anniversary of Homosexual Law Reform in special LATE event
July 9, 2026
Forty years after the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Act, Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum will open its archives for an evening of storytelling, taonga, music and performance reflecting on a crucial moment in Aotearoa New Zealand’s fight for equal rights.
LATE at the Museum | 1986: A Look Back at Homosexual Law Reform will take place on Wednesday 29 July, bringing together key figures involved in the campaign for reform, from Tāmaki Makaurau to the heart of Parliament. See: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/visit/whats-on/evenings/1986-a-look-back-at-homosexual-law-reform
On 9 July 1986, after 16 divisive months of nationwide protest and debate, the Homosexual Law Reform Act passed in Parliament, decriminalising consensual sexual activity between men. The Bill passed by a narrow margin, with 49 votes in support and 44 against.
Auckland Museum Manuscripts Curator Nina Finigan says the event will bring a significant moment in Aotearoa’s recent history into the room through archives, collection items and the voices of people who lived it.
“Museums are not only places for looking back; they are places where history that is still within living memory can be held, shared and understood through the people who experienced it,” says Finigan.
“Homosexual Law Reform is part of Aotearoa’s recent history, but it is also deeply personal history for many people. By bringing together archival material, collection objects and the voices of those who were there, this event allows us to reflect on what was won, what it took to get there, and the work that continued beyond 1986.”
Hosted by former MP and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Louisa Wall, the evening will feature storytellers including Dame Fran Wilde, who introduced the Homosexual Law Reform Bill into Parliament in 1985, alongside Edward Cowley, Bruce Kilmister, Welby Ings and Ngāhuia Te Awekōtuku, who were each part of the wider movement for change. The programme will also include live performances from GALS choir and drag artist Adena Delights to mark this significant anniversary.
Louisa Wall says the 40th anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform Act marks a defining moment in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history.
“It was more than a change to the law; it affirmed the dignity, humanity and equal worth of people who had lived under the burden of criminalisation. This anniversary is an opportunity to recognise the courage and determination of everyone who campaigned for reform and to remember those whose lives were profoundly affected by the law.”
“As we commemorate this milestone, we celebrate the progress that has been made while recognising that the pursuit of equality and inclusion continues. By sharing these stories and preserving this history, we pay tribute to those who came before us and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring all LGBTQIA+ and takatāpui people can live with dignity, safety and belonging,” says Wall.
Stories will include critical fundraising hijinks that countered the deep pockets of the opposition, the nurturing of drag as a form of advocacy at the inner-city nightclub Staircase, and the battles that would continue to be fought in the years to come.
The evening will also feature mini-talks from Auckland Museum curators Nina Finigan and Jane Groufsky, who will share rarely seen collection items and archival material from the period connected to queer life and creative expression in Tāmaki Makaurau.
LATE at the Museum | 1986: A Look Back at Homosexual Law Reform
Wednesday 29 July
Doors open 6.30pm, Event starts 7.30pm
Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum
Adults $59
Concession $25 – Concession tickets are available for students, seniors, unwaged people and Community Services Card holders.
Bookings are essential.
About the speakers:
Edward Cowley, renowned drag artiste performing as Buckwheat, is a public health advocate and former member of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. He worked at the legendary Staircase nightclub in the 1980s.
Welby Ings is a Professor of Narrative Design, educational reformer, author, designer, filmmaker and “disobedient thinker”. He was arrested several times during the 1980s Homosexual Law Reform protest movement.
Bruce Kilmister was a founding member of Auckland’s Gay Task Force chapter, Founding Trustee of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation (now Burnett Foundation Aotearoa) and CEO of Body Positive for more than 20 years. Bruce played a key role in the organisation and fundraising effort for the 1986 Homosexual Law Reform movement here in Tāmaki.
Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku (Te Arawa, Tūhoe, Ngāpuhi, Waikato) has fought for Māori, LGBTQI+ and women’s rights for five decades. In March 1972 she was refused a scholarship visa to the US as a ‘known sexual deviant’. That same week, the first gay activist group got together in Auckland. She describes herself as a Kuia/Queer.
Dame Fran Wilde introduced the Homosexual Law Reform Bill into Parliament in 1985 and worked tirelessly to see it through. Since then, she has been a Cabinet Minister, CEO and company director and is now Mayor of South Wairarapa.
Louisa Wall (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Waikato, Ngāti Hineuru) is Chair of the Tūwharetoa Iwi Māori Partnership Board, a former New Zealand MP, and Patron of Toitū Takatāpui. Her human rights leadership includes Marriage Equality, Safe Areas around abortion facilities, and reforms addressing image-based sexual abuse.
Nina Finigan is Manuscripts Curator, Documentary Heritage at Auckland Museum, and will speak on material from the Museum’s ephemera archive folder titled “Gay Liberation.”
Jane Groufsky is Auckland Museum’s Social History Curator, Human History, and will speak on the shoes and life of Doug George, as well as Garth Maxwell and Peter Wells’ filmic ode Naughty Little Peeptoe.
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2. Gisborne Crisis Recovery Café opens
July 9, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today officially opened Gisborne’s new Crisis Recovery Café.
“From today, people will be able to go to the café and talk to people with their own experience of recovery. This is a safe place for people experiencing mental health and addiction challenges to go for support that will also better connect them with the community services they may need,” Mr Doocey says.
“Wraparound support makes a real difference. Having someone who can connect people with longer-term support can help them feel less overwhelmed.
“The feedback from people has been clear. Sitting in a brightly lit, busy emergency department is not the best environment to be in when experiencing mental distress. That’s why we are rolling out eight new Crisis Recovery Cafés across the country, offering an alternative, non-clinical space where people can go for support.”
Te Kāuta café will be delivered by Te Kupenga Net Trust.
“The organisation was established in 1995 to deliver support to people in the Tairāwhiti region.
“I have always said communities know what works best for them. Te Kupenga is a trusted organisation in the region with strong existing community connections.
“There is no need for a referral to the café. People can simply show up when they need support.
“The café will initially operate Monday to Friday, from 7am to 3pm. This will be reviewed within the first three months, as to whether this needs adjusting.
“It has been heartening to hear the positive feedback about the peer support roles. One story that has stayed with me was from a worker reflecting on her own experience. She told me peer support services are exactly what she wishes she had when she was struggling, someone who could say, ‘I see you, I hear you, I know what you’re going through.’
“That’s exactly why we are making better use of peer support workers in a range of settings, including emergency departments, eating disorder services, maternal mental health services and inpatient settings.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/09/gisborne-crisis-recovery-cafe-opens/
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3. New members appointed to EECA Board
July 9, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
A new Chair and three new board members have been appointed to the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) Board, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.
Wayne Eagleson will be the Chair of EECA for a three-year term effectively immediately.
Nicholas Albrecht, Jonathan Kay and Jacqueline Cheyne have been appointed as Board members for three years from today.
“Reliable and affordable energy is necessary for New Zealand’s economic growth and I look forward to seeing how the expertise, new perspectives and fresh leadership among these appointees will support EECA’s role,” Mr Brown says.
“Meanwhile, EECA farewells Elena Trout as Chair and Judi Jones, Daniel Tulloch and Christopher Boyle from the Board. I thank them for their service to EECA.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/09/new-members-appointed-to-eeca-board/
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4. Hong Kong hosts first LEAP East, drawing 35,000 global innovators
July 10, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 July 2026 – The inaugural LEAP East 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (8-10 July), gathering more than 35,000 technology professionals, policymakers and investors from 30 countries and regions. The three-day event, the first LEAP summit staged outside Saudi Arabia, featured over 340 speakers, 450 exhibitors and over 400 investors, covering cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, smart cities and new energy industries.
“This turnout speaks volumes about the global appeal of LEAP East and the strength of our shared vision,” said Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) at the opening ceremony of the event. “I am particularly delighted to note that this conference will continue to be held in Hong Kong in the coming three years.”
Other top government officials attending the opening ceremony included Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSARG and Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia.
The event underscored the deepening partnership between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, and highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a unique gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the world.
“Hong Kong is perhaps the only city in the world that connects seamlessly to both the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world at the same time,” Mr Chan said. “Working under the common law system, we have robust protection for intellectual property. As a free port, capital, goods, talent and data freely flow in and out of this city. Simple, low tax is a standing feature of our regime. And we are one of the safest, most stable cities anywhere in the world. These are the foundations on which businesses, talent and creativity thrive.”
Mr Chan invited Saudi and Gulf enterprises to use Hong Kong as an international fundraising and risk-management platform, and expressed the HKSAR’s commitment to further strengthening co-operation with Saudi Arabia in innovation, infrastructure, green technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and professional services.
“Innovation needs capital, and Hong Kong is where capital and ideas meet. This is the heart of our ‘Finance+’ strategy – using finance as a powerful enabler to drive the real economy,” Mr Chan said.
<figure data-width="100%" data-caption="(From fifth right) Financial Secretary of HKSARG, Paul Chan; the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Alswaha; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of HKSARG, Professor Sun Dong, and other guests attend the LEAP East 2026 opening ceremony. (From fifth right) Financial Secretary of HKSARG, Paul Chan; the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Alswaha; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of HKSARG, Professor Sun Dong, and other guests attend the LEAP East 2026 opening ceremony. Professor Sun noted that the HKSARG’s efforts in promoting innovation and technology (I&T) are bearing fruit. He said the number of start-ups in Hong Kong has surged by 40% since 2021, reaching 5,200 in 2025. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster was ranked first globally in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and Hong Kong ranked fourth globally in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025, and second globally in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026. Hong Kong also topped the world in IPO (initial public offering) in 2025, with 119 listings raising some US$35 billion, including many world tech champions. Professor Sun also met with Mr Alswaha to exchange views on I&T collaborations between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. “This international gathering reflects the rising global I&T momentum, and Hong Kong is proud to serve as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ for international exchanges,” Professor Sun said. Meanwhile, Mr Chan revealed that he plans to lead a Hong Kong delegation to Saudi Arabia later this year, bringing leading companies in infrastructure, green tech, healthcare and advanced manufacturing, plus professionals in the finance, investment and professional services sector, to explore concrete projects and further partnership. https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/ Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #LEAPEast #I&T #innovation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. – Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong
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5. Opportunity MPs accommodation allowance policy
July 7, 2026
Source: Opportunity Party
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Opportunity MPs will not use taxpayer-funded allowances to build private property wealth.
“Opportunity will hold its MPs to a higher standard of transparency and fairness regarding accommodation and office space allowances” says leader Qiulae Wong.
If elected, the party will require its MPs to use their relevant allowances to meet actual and reasonable accommodation costs, paid to an unrelated third party.
In addition, Opportunity MPs will not use parliamentary funds to rent or lease any property in which the MP, the Opportunity Party or its major donors have an interest.
“Public money should support public service. It should not be used to build MPs’ private property wealth or channel taxpayer funds back to political parties or their donors” says leader Qiulae Wong.
“In effect, this policy will ensure that Opportunity MPs living outside of Wellington will rent accommodation while serving in the capital. Because it’s not fair that taxpayer dollars pay their mortgage and build their wealth.”
“Similarly, when an Opportunity MP needs to rent office space in their electorate, the policy will ensure that taxpayer dollars do not go towards building property wealth for the MP, the party or donors.”
The commitment follows renewed scrutiny of MPs claiming taxpayer-funded accommodation allowances for properties they own, including cases where MPs have claimed tens of thousands of dollars a year while living in their own mortgage-free Wellington apartments.
“New Zealanders expect better from their politicians. It’s not enough for our leaders to say they’re ‘just following rules’ when the rules are wrong” says Wong.
Wong notes that the policy aligns well with the party’s Land Value Tax, which is designed to shift New Zealand away from over-investment in property and towards a more productive economy.
“We will walk the talk on property wealth. We’re standing to change the incentives around property and to invest in the productive economy. So our MPs will do exactly what we are asking of everyone else.”
If elected to Parliament, Opportunity will seek a full review of MPs allowances and entitlements, including those available to former MPs and their spouses.
“Opportunity will hold ourself to a higher standard from day one, and we will push Parliament to lift the standard for everyone,” says Wong.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/07/opportunity-mps-accommodation-allowance-policy/
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6. Thailand Approves $1.99 Billion in New Investment, Led by AI and Advanced Electronics
July 8, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 July 2026 – Thailand has approved nine major investment projects worth a combined USD 1.99 billion (66.3 billion baht) in high-value sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), advanced electronics, aviation, clean energy, and food as global manufacturers reposition their supply chains across Southeast Asia.
Thailand Board of Investment Meeting
The approvals, cleared during a meeting of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) chaired by Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, highlight the country’s appeal to multinational corporations seeking reliable production hubs.
“These investments by leading multinationals signal strong global confidence in our industrial capacity,” said Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BOI. “By locating key parts of the AI and advanced electronics value chain here, we are connecting our economy directly to the core of next-generation global technology.”
To sustain this influx of high-tech investment, the BOI has restructured and expanded the mandate of its specialized energy panel into the “Subcommittee on Energy Management for Data Center Investment and Project Screening.” Chaired by the Minister of Energy, this body will serve as a one-stop regulatory filter to evaluate data center proposals on resource consumption, environmental impact, and clean energy sourcing before investors can apply for tax incentives, thereby providing policy transparency for international operators.
The largest share of the approvals covers Thailand’s advanced electronics and digital sector, led by companies from East Asia’s technology supply chains. In the AI infrastructure sector, Datasection (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan’s Datasection Inc., will invest USD 235.2 million (7.8 billion baht) to establish high-performance GPU server infrastructure for data hosting in Bangkok and Pathum Thani. This specialized hardware will directly power advanced AI applications and digital businesses in the region.
Doosan Electro-Materials (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a unit of South Korean conglomerate Doosan Corp. and a global leader in non-flow prepregs, will also invest USD 180.2 million (6 billion baht) in Samut Prakan to manufacture copper-clad laminate (CCL) and prepreg, which serve as critical inputs for printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Similarly, Taiwan Union Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is set to invest USD 189.2 million (6.3 billion baht) in Chonburi to manufacture CCL and prepreg designed specifically for high-demand AI servers and data centers. Fulltech Fiber Glass (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will invest USD 99.4 million (3.3 billion baht) to produce specialized glass fiber fabric, a raw material for PCB manufacturing, in Chachoengsao.
Beyond technology, multinational brands and critical infrastructure providers committed major investments to serve regional demand. In the consumer goods sector, Switzerland’s Nestlé (Thai) Co., Ltd. is committing USD 688.7 million (22.9 billion baht) to expand its Samut Prakan production facilities for instant, mixed, and ready-to-drink coffee, targeting both domestic and regional Southeast Asian markets.
National carrier Thai Airways International PCL secured approvals for two expansion projects totaling USD 430.2 million (14.3 billion baht) to lease eight passenger aircraft for its international flight networks.
For the infrastructure sector, Lomrak Green Energy Co., Ltd. will invest USD 168.7 million (5.6 billion baht) across two wind power projects in Lopburi province. The facilities will deliver a combined capacity of 120 megawatts to Thailand’s electrical grid, supporting the clean energy needs of high-demand industrial users.
To accommodate hyper-scale projects, the government has fast-tracked a seven-point energy action plan. This includes establishing a dedicated utility tariff rate for data centers, aligning data centers’ green energy targets with the Power Development Plan, facilitating clean power trading via Direct PPAs, introducing electricity usage guarantee rules, exploring direct high-voltage transmission for major operators, accelerating grid investment, and mapping water and power availability to guide site selections.
“We are building the infrastructure needed for the next wave of future-industry investment,” said Mr. Narit. “The government is aligning resource management with its green transition goals to ensure long-term operational security and give global investors confidence.”
Note: Currency conversions are based on the Bank of Thailand’s average selling rate of approximately 1 USD = 33.30 THB.
https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/
Hashtag: #Thailandboardofinvestment #BOI #FDI #Investment
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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7. “TVB Green Summit 2026” was Successfully Held
July 11, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
A Smarter Green Future: A New Era of GreenTech Enabled by AI Government, Business and Research Leaders in Dialogue on AI-empowered Green Technology
Photo 1: The “TVB Green Summit 2026” was held today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Summit was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (centre); Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited (2nd right); Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR (1st left); Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (1st right); and Mr. Sai Wo SIU, General Manager (Business Operations), Television Broadcasts Limited (2nd left).
This year’s Summit examined AI, innovation and technology, low-carbon development, sustainable supply chains, and building decarbonisation from multiple perspectives, promoting cross-sector exchange and collaboration. The Summit was honored to have officiating guests Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited; Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR; Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises; and Mr. Sai Wo SIU, General Manager (Business Operations), Television Broadcasts Limited. The Summit also introduced the Environmental, Social and Governance Awards 2026 (TVB ESG Awards 2026) and the judging panel.
Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, stated in his keynote speech, “The Government is actively enhancing Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem, promoting the development of a comprehensive I&T ecological chain encompassing the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. The Government is providing more favourable conditions for development of green technology. The Innovation and Technology Fund has supported approximately 160 green technology-related R&D projects. The newly established third InnoHK research cluster, ‘SEAM@InnoHK’, focuses on advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, and sustainable development. These initiatives provide support to nurturing of world-class green technology R&D outcomes in Hong Kong, while responding to the nation’s strategic direction in developing emerging industries including new energy and energy conservation.”
Industry Leaders Share Sustainability Practices, Driving Green Transition with Innovative Thinking
Following the opening, industry leaders took to the stage at the Leadership Insights Sessions and the Green Innovation Forum to share how innovative thinking and practical experience drive sustainable development, offering forward-looking inspiration for enterprises. The three Leadership Insights Sessions featured Mr. James TAM, Co-Chairman of EcoCeres; and Ms. Brenda HOU, CFA, Senior Head of Asia-Pacific Global Partnerships and Client Solutions at CFA Institute, as respective speakers. Mr. James TAM shared the application of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the building of a regional circular supply chain based in the GBA to drive the aviation industry’s green transition; Ms. Brenda HOU elaborated that AI is a key driver of green transformation — helping to identify transition risks and optimise capital allocation. Hong Kong can leverage its strengths as an international financial centre to support green and transition finance across the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited, presented at the Leadership Insights Session titled “Qianhai and Northern Metropolis Interconnection: Building a New Pattern for Green and Low-Carbon Development”, noted that Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park will leverage the deep interconnectivity between Qianhai and the Northern Metropolis to forge a new green and low-carbon development model for the GBA. By setting ESG targets, developing high value-added green industries, building green infrastructure and offering one-stop, high value-added support services, the Park will drive low-carbon transition and cross-boundary collaboration — achieving a win-win of economic prosperity and sustainability, and contributing to GBA’s high-quality development.
Furthermore, the Green Innovation Forum, themed “From Hong Kong to the World: Building a Global Future through AI and GreenTech”, featured Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, as the keynote speaker. He noted that OASES has successfully attracted 124 strategic enterprises to Hong Kong, including Tencent Cloud and Tianqi Lithium, both of which also participated as speakers at the forum. These enterprises will collectively invest a total of $73 billion and create 25,000 job opportunities in Hong Kong, further advancing the city’s development into an International Innovation and Technology Centre. OASES will soon announce its seventh batch of strategic enterprises and continue to attract more leading green energy and green technology companies to Hong Kong. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR. Focusing on how enterprises can seize low-carbon development opportunities across the GBA and global markets, Mr. Mark WANG, Vice President of Tencent Cloud; and Ms. Doris KWOK, Deputy General Manager of Tianqi Lithium Corporation, sharing how enterprises can leverage green data centres and smart energy to balance AI computing demands with carbon reduction, while advancing battery recycling and the utilisation of new energy materials.
In the Industry Insights Session, themed “Guide to Sustainability: The Sustainable Transition of the Textile Industry”, Mr. YEUNG Fan, BBS, Chairman, HK General Chamber of Textiles, introduced that the textile and apparel industry faces shifting market dynamics and evolving consumer shopping habits, enterprises should embrace the philosophy of “governing the enterprise for the greater good”. This drives sustainable development through stronger governance, supply chains and carbon footprint analysis. Mr. Howard LEE, Associate Director, Green Tech, HKSTP, then moderated a discussion with Ms. Anne CHOW, Marketing & Business Development Manager, Consinee Group Co. Limited, exploring new directions and opportunities for sustainability in the textile industry, such as low-carbon cashmere, green technology applications and smart factories.
Spotlighting GBA Innovation, Property Decarbonisation, and ESG Women’s Empowerment — Diverse Perspectives to Unlock Green Opportunities
Mr. Joseph CHAN, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury, stated in his keynote speech, “Hong Kong’s green debt market has grown at a remarkable pace. Total green and sustainable debt instruments issued in Hong Kong exceeded USD76 billion in 2025, with bonds arranged locally reaching approximately USD38 billion, representing over half of Asia’s market share. As of end-June 2026, the Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme has approved subsidies for over 700 green and sustainable debt instruments issued in Hong Kong, which involves debt issuance amount of over HKD1.5 trillion. We will support the exploration with the Mainland and international multilateral financial institutions of the establishment of a Hong Kong-based Green Technology Projects Accelerator. The Accelerator will provide incubation, acceleration, and empowerment services for green technology projects in the Belt and Road Regions.”
The afternoon session featured a GBA Green Innovation Roundtable, themed “Qianhai Shenzhen–Hong Kong Hub – Accelerating Cross‑Border Collaboration with AI‑Enabled Green Technologies”, moderated by Mr. Ivan LAU, General Manager of Operations (Shenzhen-Hong Kong Nexus). The session engaged Mr. Yee LOCKE, General Manager, South China Region, 51WORLD, in an in-depth exchange on low-carbon transition, AI, and the application of green technology. The discussion explored how enterprises can leverage institutional advantages including flow of capital, data, personnel, and goods, showcasing the immense potential of synergistic development between Qianhai and Hong Kong in advancing green innovation and new quality productive forces.
Thematic Session I, “Advancing ESG Women’s Empowerment for a Sustainable Economy”, was moderated by Ms. Loretta FONG, Sustainability Assurance Leader, PwC Hong Kong. She engaged with Ms. Jennifer TAN, Partner, 01F Group, Senior Advisor, Ant Digital Technologies; and Ms. Yvonne YEUNG, Chief Executive, HKYWCA, in exploring how digital transformation, business collaboration and corporate governance can empower women, sharing relevant success stories and translating ESG vision into concrete action to advance women’s participation in socio-economic development.
At the closing session “SME Transformation in the Supply Chain: Advancing Green and Technology in Parallel”, Dr. Keith CHOY, General Manager of the Green Living and Innovation Division of HKPC, served as moderator, delivering a conclusion on insights across the Summit’s sessions and leading a panel with four guests, namely Mr. Henry HO, Senior Manager – Sustainability, China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited; Prof. Edwin TSO, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach), Chair Professor of Energy and Sustainability, School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong; Ms. Oliver SUM, Network Representative for Greater China and the ASEAN, amfori; and Mr. David LO, Head of Environmental Intelligence and Excellence, Green Living and Innovation Division, HKPC, in a discussion on how SMEs with relatively limited resources can leverage AI and data-driven management to achieve carbon reduction in the most cost-effective way, enhance supply chain transparency, and seize market opportunities arising from green building development and international ESG requirements.
Thematic Session II, “How the real estate industry can use technology to reduce carbon emissions”, was moderated by Mr. Alkan AU, Head of Value and Risk Advisory, JLL. Three speakers includes Mr. Elvis LI, CEO, isBIM Limited; Ms. Melanie KWOK, Deputy General Manager, Sustainability and Innovation, Sino Group; and Mr. Marvin WU, Director, Value and Risk Advisory, JLL. They discussed how the construction and real estate industries can adopt the ESG framework to drive low-carbon operations, introducing solutions such as high-quality data utilisation, automated valuation tools and smart monitoring systems, to strengthen risk management and audit tracking, while capitalising on sustainable planning opportunities arising from new development zones.
TVB ESG Awards 2026 Recognises Outstanding Practices of Enterprises in Hong Kong and Macau
The Summit also introduced the landmark “TVB ESG Awards 2026” and its judging panel. The Awards encompass categories including the “Outstanding ESG Award”, “Best in ESG Practices”, “Best in ESG Report”, “ESG Environmental Innovative Technology Award”, and “ESG Social Innovative Technology Award”, recognising the achievements of enterprises of all sizes across multiple dimensions including ESG practices, reporting, and innovative development.
To further advance TVB ESG’s mission as a local platform for sustainable development exchange, TVB has once again partnered with the Hong Kong Productivity Council’s “ESG One” to launch the “SME ESG Excellence Award”, covering five categories: “Business Decarbonisation”, “Employee Care”, “Supply Chain Partnership”, “Sustainable Governance” and “ESG Tech Enhancement Excellence”. — aiming to comprehensively recognise SMEs that demonstrate outstanding performance in sustainable development. Registration for the TVB ESG Awards 2026 is now open, with the submission deadline of 5pm on 7 August 2026. For further details about the TVB ESG Awards, please visit: https://www.tvbesg.com.hk/latest-awards/esg-awards-2026
High resolution photos HERE
Photo captions:
Photo 1: The “TVB Green Summit 2026” was held today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Summit was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (centre); Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited (2nd right); Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR (1st left); Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (1st right); and Mr. Sai Wo SIU, General Manager (Business Operations), Television Broadcasts Limited (2nd left).
Photo 2: Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, delivered the keynote address.
Photo 3: Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited, shared at the Leadership Insights Session III — “Qianhai and Northern Metropolis Interconnection: Building a New Pattern for Green and Low-Carbon Development”.
Photo 4: Mr. Joseph CHAN, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury, delivered the keynote address.
Photo 5: Leadership Insights Session I — “From Table to Sky: New Pathways for Advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Green Transition”.
Photo 6: Leadership Insights Session II — “From Risk Management to Growth Engine: How AI, Energy and Investment Accelerate Sustainable Development”.
Photo 7: Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, delivered the keynote address at the Green Innovation Forum.
Photo 8: Green Innovation Forum — “From Hong Kong to the World: Building a Global Future through AI and GreenTech”.
Photo 9: Mr. YEUNG Fan, BBS, Chairman, HK General Chamber of Textiles, delivered a speech at Industry Insights Session — “Guide to Sustainability: The Sustainable Transition of the Textile Industry”.
Photo 10: Industry Insights Session — “Guide to Sustainability: The Sustainable Transition of the Textile Industry”.
Photo 11: Greater Bay Area Green Innovation Roundtable — “Qianhai Shenzhen–Hong Kong Hub – Accelerating Cross‑Border Collaboration with AI‑Enabled Green Technologies”.
Photo 12: Thematic Session I — “Advancing ESG Women’s Empowerment for a Sustainable Economy”.
Photo 13: Closing Session — “SME Transformation in the Supply Chain: Advancing Green and Technology in Parallel”.
Photo 14: Thematic Session II — “How the real estate industry can use technology to reduce carbon emissions”.
Hashtag: #TVBGreenSummit #ESGAwards
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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8. Advocacy – Anti-Palestinian Racism: A Prejudice That Extends Beyond Palestinians Themselves – PFNZ
July 8, 2026
Naming a Long-Standing Pattern
For decades, Palestinians have described a particular kind of hostility that doesn’t fit neatly into existing categories of discrimination. It isn’t quite the same as Islamophobia, since not all Palestinians are Muslim. It isn’t quite the same as general anti-Arab racism, since it attaches specifically to Palestinian identity, history, and political claims.
It’s worth noting that this framework is contested. Groups such as the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and other critics argue that APR, as defined by ACLA, is too broad that it can be used to characterise ordinary political disagreement, or even the assertion of Jewish indigeneity and self-determination, as racism. That criticism is a live part of the public debate, and readers encountering the term for the first time deserve to know the argument exists on both sides. What follows describes how APR is experienced and articulated by those who use the term, while acknowledging that its scope and application remain genuinely disputed.
How APR Shows Up in Practice
Those who document APR point to patterns across media, employment, education, and public institutions:
Media framing. Palestinian deaths are often reported in the passive voice people “die” rather than being killed while Israeli deaths are more often attributed directly to a named actor. Palestinian sources are treated with more scepticism than official Israeli statements, even when both are unverified.
Professional and institutional consequences. Palestinians and their supporters have lost jobs, had job offers rescinded, or faced disciplinary action at universities and workplaces after expressing ordinary political views wearing a keffiyeh, posting about Gaza, or signing an open letter. The chilling effect discourages people from speaking at all.
Erasure in language. Referring to Palestinian land only as “disputed territory,” describing historic Palestinian towns solely by their post-1948 names, or omitting Palestinians from discussions of the region’s history are all cited as everyday examples of narrative erasure.
Conflation with violence. Perhaps the most cited manifestation is the assumption that expressing Palestinian identity, grief, or political demands is equivalent to endorsing violence an assumption rarely applied in reverse.
Why It Doesn’t Stop at Palestinians
One of the more striking aspects of how APR is described by its proponents is that it isn’t confined to people who are themselves Palestinian. Because the core mechanism is the delegitimizing of a narrative rather than simply prejudice against an ethnicity, anyone who visibly aligns with that narrative can be swept into the same treatment. Human rights workers, students, academics, journalists, and even entirely unrelated ethnic and faith communities have reported being labelled “terrorist sympathisers” or “antisemitic” for advocacy that amounts to supporting Palestinian human rights a slander ACLA’s own definition explicitly names as one of the manifestations of APR: defaming Palestinians and their allies with the accusation that they are inherently antisemitic or a terrorism threat, or opposed to democratic values.
In practice, this has meant:
- Non-Palestinian speakers and MCs being dropped from events after expressing solidarity.
- Solidarity encampments and vigils facing disproportionate police response compared with other protest movements.
- Jewish anti-Zionist activists being told they are “self-hating” or inauthentic, a tactic that uses identity to police political dissent from within a community as well as from outside it.
- Community organisations Muslim, Arab, and otherwise having funding, venue bookings, or partnerships quietly withdrawn after co-signing Palestine-related statements.
This is part of why advocates increasingly describe APR not as a narrow ethnic prejudice but as a broader mechanism for enforcing which narratives are permissible in public life. The target is the message as much as the messenger.
Why the Distinction Matters
Recognising APR as its own category rather than folding it entirely into Islamophobia or antisemitism matters for two practical reasons. First, it captures harms that neither of those frameworks fully covers, such as Nakba denial or the automatic suspicion attached to Palestinian narratives regardless of the speaker’s religion. Second, it clarifies that criticism of a state’s policies is analytically distinct from prejudice against a people, a distinction both defenders and critics of the APR framework say they want preserved, even as they disagree sharply about where that line actually falls in practice.
Where This Leaves Public Debate
APR remains an evolving and disputed concept rather than a settled legal standard. No government has formally adopted a definition of it into anti-discrimination law, and organisations across the political spectrum continue to argue over both its content and its consequences for free expression. What isn’t in serious dispute is that Palestinians and increasingly those who publicly stand with them describe a consistent, recognisable pattern of exclusion, suspicion, and professional risk tied directly to that identity and advocacy. Whether or not one accepts APR as the right label for it, the underlying experiences being described are real and worth taking seriously on their own terms.
Palestine Forum of New Zealand
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9. Submission on the ‘Definitions of Woman and Man’ Amendment Bill
July 7, 2026
Source: Opportunity Party
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Opportunity opposes this Bill because it is pointless, unscientific and unworkable – and because it harms New Zealanders.
The Bill is pointless and conflicts with existing law
We agree with Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Professor Gail Pacheco that “there’s no need to define ‘man’ and ‘woman’ in the law because the law already works well using the usual meaning of those words.”
Single-sex provisions in workplaces, schools and clubs currently function because legal recognition lines up. The bill creates contradictions every employer, principal and HR department then has to navigate.
The Attorney General also found the Bill raises significant Bill of Rights concerns, discriminating on the basis of age and sex. The proposed biological definitions limit the right to be free from discrimination, as they conflict with broader legal protections currently provided to transgender and non-binary people under the Human Rights Act.
The Bill is unworkable and unscientific
The proposed definitions (“adult human biological female” and “adult human biological male”) are vague and do not have any scientific meaning.
- The bill does not define what “biological” means. It might refer to, for instance, chromosomes, gonads, hormones or anatomy. These do not always align. In addition to gender diverse people, there are over 100,000 intersex people in New Zealand whose legal status may be unclear under the proposed law.
- The bill does not define what “adult” means. The law says if the age of maturity is not specified, it means someone under 20. This may mean 16 to 19 year olds are discriminated against in healthcare and other settings.
The Bill harms New Zealanders
The Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021 allows people to update their registered sex. This Bill renders that right meaningless, since the proposed definitions in the Legislation Act would override the practical effect of having an updated birth certificate.
It would also harm intersex and non-binary people, many of whom would not feel they are represented in New Zealand legislation were this Bill to pass.
The Bill appears to be a cynical attempt to drum up a culture war and scapegoat gender diverse people. Transgender and gender diverse people already face discrimination. This debate around this pointless and unworkable Bill will make their lives harder.
Opportunity’s broader position on LGBTQIA+ issues
Opportunity are firmly supportive of LGBTQIA+ rights. We believe everyone should have the right to express themselves and love who they want to love. In addition to this, we believe transgender people should have access to the medical support they need. We are firmly against divisive culture wars that target these communities.
We don’t believe the primary role of government is to define people’s identities. Instead, we’ll focus on the things that really matter to most Kiwis – like building a fair tax system, ensuring access to healthcare and making New Zealand a place we can be proud to hand to the next generation. We are a party that works for all Kiwis, regardless of how they identify – that means focusing on fixing politics, building the next economy and restoring nature.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/07/submission-on-the-definitions-of-woman-and-man-amendment-bill/
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10. Design contract awarded for new Pekatahi Bridge
July 7, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today that a design contract has been awarded by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to Beca for the two-lane replacement of the State Highway 2 (SH2) Pekatahi Bridge in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
“Carrying more than 2,000 vehicles per day, around 21 per cent of that heavy vehicles, the existing one-lane bridge has served the region well, but it’s time to replace it. The proposed new 325-metre-long, two-lane bridge, will improve safety, resilience, and reliability for local communities and freight,” Mr Bishop says.
“NZTA have continued to work at pace since I confirmed late last year a two-lane replacement would be prioritised. Awarding a design contract is an important milestone, and I’m pleased Beca have come on board to keep momentum going.
“The new bridge will use a proven, standardised design, and readily available materials, so it can be delivered as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. It will also include earthquake-resilient foundations and an elevated bridge deck, improving the bridge’s resilience to flooding and extreme weather events.
“The new bridge is planned to be built alongside the existing bridge, allowing traffic to continue using the current crossing during construction, meaning no long-term closures. Thankfully, NZTA already owns the necessary land to deliver the project.
“With detailed design and consenting work progressing, NZTA expect the project to be construction-ready by mid-2027 and well positioned for consideration funding approvals through the 2027–30 National Land Transport Programme. Subject to funding approval, construction is expected to take between 18 and 24 months.
“SH2 is a vital link connecting Gisborne and the Tairāwhiti region with the Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, and Auckland. While planning for the replacement Pekatahi bridge progresses, NZTA will continue investing in the existing bridge to ensure it remains safe and reliable for road users.
“I look forward to work getting underway on the new two-lane bridge and NZTA taking advantage of any opportunity they can to bring this important work forward.”
Notes to editor:
- The Pekatahi Bridge is part of the End-of-Life Bridge Programme. While there is no immediate risk to the bridge structure, resilience investigations have resulted in a greater priority for replacement being assigned to the bridge.
- The new SH2 Pekatahi Bridge was previously estimated to cost between $64 and $69 million, with construction taking 18-24 months. Costs and timeframes will be reviewed and refined as the project progresses through detailed design.
- NZTA’s maintenance team will continue to monitor the current bridge closely and maintenance will still be required until the new bridge is open. The next planned maintenance and closure is scheduled for 4-9 July 2026. The team will be removing timber wearing boards, installing new transition treatments at each end of the bridge and repairing damaged side rails.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/07/design-contract-awarded-for-new-pekatahi-bridge/
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