PM Edition: Here are the top 10 business articles on LiveNews.co.nz for July 31, 2026 – Full Text
1. Business Canterbury Welcomes Employment Leave Act
July 30, 2026
Source: Business Canterbury
Business Canterbury welcomes the passing of the Employment Leave Act, which replaces the Holidays Act after decades of complexity and uncertainty.
Chief Executive Leeann Watson says, “Congratulations must go to the Government and Minister van Velden for taking a piece of legislation that had been stuck in review for years, and delivering changes that will make leave calculations and management clearer and more workable for both employers and employees.”
“The leave calculations in the Holidays Act required an advanced calculus degree to navigate, and too often left both employees and employers unsure about the fairest way to determine entitlements.
“Payroll and leave legislation will always need to balance ease of use with fairness and practicality, but where the Employment Leave Act has landed is lightyears ahead of the outgoing Holidays Act. It removes another significant layer of red tape and will help businesses focus more on growth and on employing more people.
“Moving to a pro-rated minimum sick leave entitlement removes an absurdity within the previous law, where employees working fewer hours could receive disproportionately higher entitlements.
“As with the Holidays Act, the provisions in the new law set out minimum entitlements only. Employers will still be able to offer packages that go beyond the minimum requirements, and many already do.
“Continuity across political cycles will be important for employers. We hope that political parties will look at the progress made on the whole and not revert to repeal and replace conversations over the two-year implementation period.”
“The passing of the Employment Leave Act also nearly completes the key set of reforms the business community has long been calling for.
“The trifecta of policy changes businesses asked for ahead of the last election were resource management reform, health and safety reform, and Holidays Act reform, with two of three now passed by the Parliament.
“We look forward to working with the Government on the next set of improvements that will best support businesses to grow and hire more people.”
Business Canterbury, formerly Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, is the second largest Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand and the largest business support organisation in the South Island. It advocates on behalf of its members for an environment more favourable to innovation, productivity and sustainable growth.
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2. Toward the Realization of a Sustainable and Resilient ASEAN-Japan Economic Community: “DISG Task Force Joint Declaration” Officially Adopted
July 30, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 July 2026 – The Dialogue for Innovative and Sustainable Growth (DISG), a bilateral public-private economic cooperation platform between ASEAN and Japan chaired by Masuo Kuremura, convened the “18th DISG Task Force Meeting” on July 8, 2026, at the Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit in Bangkok, Thailand.
Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing international economic landscape, participants reaffirmed the critical need to further advance cooperation between Japan and ASEAN. Highlighting this shared commitment, the meeting culminated in the official adoption of the “DISG Task Force Joint Declaration” (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Declaration”), which outlines collaborative actions across five priority fields through public-private partnerships.
Opening Remarks and Keynote Presentation
At the commencement of the meeting, Chairman Masuo Kuremura delivered opening remarks, followed by a comprehensive presentation outlining the four strategic pillars of ASEAN-Japan cooperation:
- Supply Chain Resilience
- Co-creation of Innovation
- AI and Digital Investment
- Energy Transition
Amid growing uncertainty in the international arena regarding supply chain resilience, Chairman Masuo Kuremura addressed the possibility of supporting industrial self-reliance through consultations with major ASEAN nations. To promote the co-creation of innovation, he showcased the achievements of the “Fast Track Pitch” events—which attracted 410 applications and 776 participants across four neighboring nations—as well as the “Young Leaders Summit.”
In the field of AI and digital investment, he discussed the need for cooperation in data centers and semiconductors. For energy transition, he proposed the “AZEC+” (Asia Zero Emission Community Plus) initiative, which enhances the existing decarbonization framework by integrating a broader security perspective. In conclusion, he stressed the importance of translating these frameworks into more concrete projects and discussions.
Following the opening session, the first segment of keynote speeches featured Prof. Dr. Pavida Pananond, Professor of International Business at Thammasat Business School, who spoke on “Challenges and Expectations of ASEAN-Japan Cooperation.” She highlighted the structural shift in global supply chains from “efficiency-first” to “security and resilience-first” models. Noting that resilience holds different meanings depending on national perspectives and corporate strategies, she presented three crucial implications for businesses:
- Understanding the specific strengths of each country and region.
- Identifying critical areas along the value chain.
- Creating resilience across regions, industries, and companies that transcends mere cost-efficiency.
Next, Mr. Yuta Okuyama, Chief of Staff of the President’s Office at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), delivered a presentation titled “From Shock to Strategy: Towards a New Generation of ASEAN-Japan Cooperation and Regional Economic Resilience.” He detailed ERIA’s efforts to strengthen regional platforms through supply chain analysis and Track 1.5 public-private dialogues. He also introduced an ongoing initiative to formulate a regional oil stockpiling strategy for ASEAN, affirming ERIA’s commitment to reinforcing economic resilience and security in the region through cooperative approaches.
Presentations: Updates from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines and Thailand
The second session opened with a presentation by Mr. Perry Ferrer, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). He outlined the structural challenges facing the Philippines, including infrastructure quality constraints, income disparities, and the economic toll of frequent typhoons. However, he also spotlighted the country’s emerging strategic assets, such as its robust semiconductor and electronics industries, its young demographic profile, the trilateral “Luzon Economic Corridor” initiative involving Japan, the US, and the Philippines, and its high-purity silica resources. Mr. Ferrer emphasized the complementary nature of the bilateral relationship, with Japan providing capital and technology while the Philippines contributes a dynamic workforce and critical minerals.
Subsequently, Mr. Voratat Tantimongkolsuk, Deputy Secretary General of the Board of Trade of Thailand (representing the Thai Chamber of Commerce – TCC), pointed out that global supply chains are at a turning point due to geopolitical risks and maritime logistics disruptions. Leveraging the strategic location of the Mekong region connecting East Asia and ASEAN, he proposed enhancing land-sea connectivity and trucking efficiency through the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) framework. He identified digital logistics and green logistics as top priorities for ASEAN-Japan cooperation, concluding that mutual trust among stakeholders is indispensable to realizing a resilient and sustainable supply chain.
Discussion and Exchange of Views
A lively panel discussion ensued, focusing on supply chain resilience and workforce development:
- Mr. Perry Ferrer (PCCI, Philippines) proposed the implementation of supply chain visualization tools and the necessity of establishing a mutual recognition framework for skilled labor.
- Mr. Hans Lukiman (KADIN, Indonesia) emphasized the importance of creating pathways that allow returning workers to contribute their acquired skills back to domestic industries.
- Mr. Nguyen Vu Kien (VCCI, Vietnam) advocated for the development of supply chain traceability systems.
- Mr. Musa Adnin (ASEAN-BAC, Brunei) brought up a practical case where no Japanese firms participated in recent domestic data center tenders, pointing out that “while Japan possesses superior technology, it lags behind Western and Chinese competitors in terms of business execution and deployment speed.”
In response to these recommendations, Ms. Yumiko Hata (Director, Asia and Pacific Division at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI, of Japan) expressed her gratitude for the proposals and stated, “We will promote measures toward energy security and supply chain resilience in close cooperation with the chambers of commerce of each country.”
To consolidate the rich insights from this dialogue, Chairman Masuo Kuremura presented the “DISG Task Force Joint Declaration” at the conclusion of the meeting, which was officially adopted.
Background of the Joint Declaration
While ASEAN continues to enjoy robust economic growth, geopolitical tensions, energy supply chain risks originating from the Strait of Hormuz, and structural shifts in industries driven by AI and digitalization are impacting the regional economy. Under these circumstances, Japan and ASEAN have compiled the Joint Declaration to co-create a sustainable and resilient economic foundation.
Key Points of the Joint Declaration
The Joint Declaration aims to strengthen public-private partnership and regional cooperation across the following five priority areas:
1. Building Resilient Supply Chains
Acknowledge that securing the stability and diversity of supply chains, including critical materials and technologies, is essential for regional economic growth. Japan and ASEAN will upgrade production, logistics, and procurement networks through deeper industrial cooperation, enhancing resilience and mitigating concentration risks.
2. Cooperation in Economic Security Fields
Strengthen mutually beneficial, complementary partnerships in a highly volatile international environment. Cooperation will focus on information sharing, human resource development, and investment promotion in strategically critical sectors, including semiconductors, automobiles, AI/digital infrastructure, and energy.
3. Cooperation in Energy Transition and Next-Generation Energy Fields
Pursue the dual goals of energy security and carbon neutrality by establishing supply infrastructure and technical collaboration in next-generation fields, such as biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and small modular reactors (SMRs). Regional energy resilience will be enhanced by leveraging the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), and the Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia (POWERR Asia) frameworks.
4. Promoting Innovation and Industrial Upgrading
Position digital transformation (DX) and green transformation (GX) as keys to economic growth and industrial competitiveness, and promote inter-enterprise collaboration and open innovation in areas such as AI, data utilization, and next-generation mobility. The goal is to generate ASEAN-originated innovation through cooperation among large enterprises, SMEs, startups, and academia.
5. Next-Generation Human Resource Development and Contribution to Local Communities
Recognize that talent cultivation and active personnel exchanges are indispensable for sustainable development. Japan and ASEAN will promote exchanges among next-generation leaders, specialists, and young entrepreneurs, contributing to a diverse, inclusive, and resilient society.
https://ameicc.org/disg/
https://www.facebook.com/AMEICC
Hashtag: #DISG
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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3. THAI SELECT Festival 2026 Draws Strong Public Interest in New York, Reinforcing Thai Cuisine as a Global Soft Power
July 30, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 July 2026 – The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, successfully concluded THAI SELECT Festival 2026 at Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal, bringing the vibrant flavors, culture, and creativity of Thailand to the heart of New York City. The festival attracted enthusiastic crowds throughout the day and received an overwhelmingly positive response from New Yorkers, international visitors, and Thai food lovers, reaffirming the growing global appreciation for authentic Thai cuisine and the THAI SELECT certification.
The festival marked another important milestone in Thailand’s efforts to strengthen the international recognition of Thai cuisine as one of the country’s most influential Soft Power assets while enhancing the global reputation of the THAI SELECT certification as a trusted symbol of authentic Thai food and exceptional dining experiences.
The Ministry of Commerce was deeply honored by the gracious presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, who presided over the festival’s opening ceremony. Her Royal Highness’s participation added significant prestige to the event and underscored Thailand’s continued commitment to promoting its rich culinary heritage on the international stage.
Held under the theme “THAI SELECT Playground – Play with Thai Flavors,” the festival transformed one of New York City’s most iconic public spaces into an immersive celebration of Thai gastronomy. Visitors experienced Thailand through authentic flavors, cultural traditions, and interactive activities designed to showcase the diversity and creativity of Thai cuisine in an engaging and accessible way for audiences of all ages.
Following the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpunaccompanied Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi on a tour of the festival, visiting all 15 THAI SELECT-certified restaurants participating in the event. Each restaurant showcased a selection of authentic Thai signature dishes alongside innovative culinary creations, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of Thailand’s culinary heritage.
Throughout the festival, guests also enjoyed a variety of interactive culinary and cultural activities that provided immersive opportunities to explore Thai food traditions, craftsmanship, and regional flavors. Continuous participation across every activity zone created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day, demonstrating the festival’s success in engaging consumers through authentic experiences while strengthening appreciation for Thai cuisine and the THAI SELECT brand.
Another major highlight of the festival was the appearance of internationally acclaimed Thai actors Mile Phakphum Romsaithong and Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat, who met with fans and joined festival activities celebrating Thailand’s culinary culture. As ambassadors of Thailand’s contemporary Soft Power, their participation generated tremendous excitement and further expanded public awareness of Thai cuisine and the THAI SELECT brand among international audiences.
The success of THAI SELECT Festival 2026 demonstrates the unique ability of Thai cuisine to connect people from diverse cultures through exceptional flavors, hospitality, and meaningful shared experiences. More importantly, the festival highlighted the growing role of food as a powerful driver of cultural exchange, international trade, tourism, and economic opportunity, further strengthening Thailand’s position as one of the world’s leading culinary destinations.
The festival also reaffirmed DITP’s long-term commitment to promoting Thai food products, supporting Thai restaurants overseas, and expanding international recognition of the THAI SELECT certification. Through initiatives such as THAI SELECT Festival, DITP continues to create valuable business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs, strengthen consumer confidence in authentic Thai cuisine, and enhance the global competitiveness of Thailand’s food industry while advancing the country’s Soft Power strategy on the world stage.
Hashtag: #ThaiSELECT #ThaiSELECTFestival #ThaiSELECTPlayground
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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4. BusinessNZ: End of a 20-year headache: Broken Holidays Act sent packing
July 30, 2026
Source: BusinessNZ
BusinessNZ welcomes the passing of the Employment Leave Bill, and says it marks the end of one of the most costly and confusing pieces of workplace law ever forced on employers and workers.
The Bill repeals and replaces the Holidays Act 2003, moving to a simpler, hours based system where annual and sick leave accrue from day one – giving both employers and workers far greater certainty about what they are owed and what they must pay.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the 2003 Act has been one of New Zealand’s most problematic pieces of employment legislation.
“Even employers that wanted to comply found it difficult to do so because the Act became increasingly complex as work patterns evolved beyond the traditional Monday-to-Friday, 40-hour week.
“It has cost employers hundreds of millions of dollars to put right, and it has meant too many workers didn’t get the pay they were entitled to. Fixing it is common sense.”
The Act was so complex even government departments and agencies were caught out.
Health New Zealand estimated it had incorrectly calculated leave for around 90,000 current and 130,000 former employees; it paid out around $961 million in remediation.
Meanwhile, between November 2015 and June 2020, the labour inspectorate investigated and enforced Holiday’s Act breaches resulting in more than $237 million in remediation payments to over 22,7000 employees across numerous organisations – and that was likely only the tip of the iceberg.
“When a law is so complex that even the government departments enforcing it can’t get it right, you know the problem is with the law, not the employers,” Rich says.
“Crucially, this was never just a big-business issue. As MBIE itself acknowledges, the Act’s provisions are “unclear, overly complex, difficult to apply for diverse working arrangements, or challenging to systematise in payroll systems”, meaning even the smallest employer with a handful of staff could be caught out.
“Behind every one of these numbers are payroll teams spending months untangling calculations, and businesses diverting money and time that could have gone into growth, wages and jobs.
“A simple accrual-based approach will remove many of the opportunities for confusion that have persisted under the current Act and which have cost businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent years.
“BusinessNZ has long advocated for an hours-based approach to calculating leave which is simpler to apply to non-standard working hours than the current weeks-based system.”
Other changes in the new legislation include leave entitlements required to be proportionate to hours worked, access to leave entitlements from the first day of employment, increased leave compensation payments for casual employees, and more flexibility to cash up annual leave.
“While we look forward to these changes we also applaud the longer lead-time, which should give software developers and payroll providers enough time to convert their systems to reflect this new approach. In practice, employers should be able to make more straightforward leave calculations, and employees can be reassured they are being paid correctly.”
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
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5. Greenpeace calls for citizens assembly to reform electoral finance laws
July 30, 2026
Source: Greenpeace Aotearoa
Greenpeace is calling on all political parties to support a citizens assembly to reform electoral finance laws in light of the alarming flood of political donations threatening to drown democracy in New Zealand.
“Our democracy is facing an unprecedented onslaught of political party donations, which have increased five-fold compared to two electoral cycles ago”, says Greenpeace Executive Director Russel Norman.
“Much of this money is linked to corporations that are actively trying to circumvent environmental protection rules, making this flood of donations a threat to both the democratic process and environmental rules and regulations that protect nature.
“The tens of millions in political donations pouring in from individuals and corporations linked to polluting industries corrupts the democratic process. It is naive to think that political parties are immune to the pressure that comes from depending on millions in funding from polluting industries.
“That’s why today we are calling for an end to all corporate donations to political parties. Only people should be allowed to donate, and there must be a limit on how much each person can donate, for example $1000.
“But most of all we are calling for all parties to support a citizens assembly to deliberate on the rules on electoral finance.”
Citizen Assemblies are a type of deliberative democracy where a diverse group of people who represent society gather to debate a complex issue using collaborative decision making techniques. They have been used in Ireland to debate abortion law, Canada, some Australian states and by the Wellington City Council.
Norman says that all political parties would be compromised in any debate over reforming political donations.
“Political parties are an essential part of our democracy but when it comes to electoral finance reform, citizens assemblies are the best bodies to deliberate on electoral finance law, given that all parties have an unavoidable conflict of interest”, says Norman.
Political donations are increasing. In the non-election years of 2024 and 2025, Electoral Commission records show that $25 million was donated to political parties. For the comparable years in the previous electoral cycle, 2021 and 2022, the total was $11 million. In the electoral cycle before, it was only $5 million
Already in 2026, nearly $4 million has been declared in donations, and that’s only donations that need to be declared under the rolling disclosure rules.
“Many of the political party donors are individuals or companies linked to applications in the fast track approvals process, a process which was designed to sidestep environmental guardrails”, says Norman.
“Other donors are linked to industries actively lobbying to weaken environmental protections, such as the fishing and agribusiness industries, or are from fossil fuel companies which are seeking to weaken climate change policies.”Donations like this are a problem for democracy but also an issue for environmental campaigning organisations like Greenpeace, which is why we are speaking out.
“Greenpeace is committed to protecting democracy from the corrosive influence of money because it is important in itself, but also because we can see the influence of polluters’ money on the government which will ultimately impact the environment we all depend on.
“Today we call on all political parties to support such a citizens assembly on electoral finance reform.”
Greenpeace has sent a letter asking for the above to all political parties.
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6. Book Hero turns the page with launch of Toy Hero
July 30, 2026
Source: Book Hero and Toy Hero
30 July 2026
Independent Kiwi retailer expands into toys after serving more than 100,000 customers and selling 345,000 books in under two years.
At a time when much of the retail conversation is about store closures, shrinking sales and tough economic conditions, one independent Kiwi business is heading in the opposite direction.
Less than two years after launching Book Hero, the online bookseller has today unveiled Toy Hero, a dedicated online toy store and the next chapter in the company’s continued growth.
The move follows strong customer demand for toys, puzzles and games, which quickly grew to around 20 per cent of Book Hero’s sales.
Rather than treating toys as an add-on, the team has created a dedicated destination bursting with 20,000 products and built on the same promise customers have come to expect – fast delivery, competitive prices and humans at the helm.
Book Hero has served more than 100,000 New Zealand customers and sold more than 345,000 books since launching, bucking a challenging retail environment and proving there’s still strong demand for independent retailers that straddle online, experiences and activations and immediacy.
Tim Wackrow, Co-Founder at Book Hero and Toy Hero, says Toy Hero is a natural evolution of the business.
“We’ve learnt that what customers value most is certainty. Whether it’s a birthday this weekend, a family road trip or just keeping the kids entertained, people want to know they can order from a Kiwi business and have it arrive overnight. That’s exactly what we’ve built Toy Hero to do.”
“Families were already shopping for toys alongside books, so creating a dedicated destination with the same fast delivery, fair pricing and personal service that people know us for was the natural next step.”
Launching today, Toy Hero features a curated range of some of the world’s best-loved brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Bluey, Wasjig and Paw Patrol, with thousands more products and brands arriving over the coming months as the range continues to expand.
Juanita Neville-Te Rito, retail consultant and founder of RX Group, says online retail continues to grow, but success increasingly belongs to businesses that give customers a compelling reason to shop locally.
“Almost one in every four retail dollars is now spent online, but the businesses seeing sustained growth aren’t necessarily the biggest. They’re the ones giving customers a reason to come back through proper service, competitive pricing, fast fulfilment and a strong local identity.
“Expanding into adjacent categories is also a natural progression for successful retailers. When you’ve built trust with customers, extending that relationship into complementary products is often far more effective than trying to acquire entirely new shoppers.”
Toy Hero is now live at toyhero.co.nz
Fast facts
- 100% New Zealand owned – Toy Hero is brought to you by the team behind Book Hero (ex-Mighty Apers)
- Launching with 20,000 toys, board games and puzzles available to buy with overnight nationwide delivery
- Stocking leading brands including Barbie, Hape, Hot Wheels, Bluey, Ravensburger and Tonies
- It comes hot on the heels of Book Hero, which launched less than two years ago and already has over 100,000 NZ customers having sold 345,000 books
- The combined businesses have 17 full-time staff
- Toys, puzzles and games grew to around 20% of Book Hero sales within six months, leading to the creation of Toy Hero
- Built on the same customer promise as Book Hero: fast delivery, competitive prices, real people and proudly Kiwi owned
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7. Warkworth to Te Hana PPP signed
July 30, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government has signed a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement to deliver the first section of the Northland Expressway – Warkworth to Te Hana – starting one of New Zealand’s most significant infrastructure projects, Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced.
The Project Agreement was signed this week between the Crown and the Northway consortium to design, build, finance, maintain and operate the expressway, and reached financial close today.
Detailed design, site mobilisation and early construction works are expected to begin in the coming months.
“Northland has incredible potential and Warkworth to Te Hana is one of the most significant infrastructure investments this Government is making to support jobs, unlock economic growth, and provide a safer, more resilient connection for people and freight between Auckland and Northland,” Mr Bishop says.
“The scope includes a new 26-kilometre, four-lane expressway with grade-separated interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana. It also includes 15 standardised bridges, two underpasses, numerous large culverts, 12 wetland stormwater treatment basins, and twin tunnels of around one kilometre through Kraack Hill above the Dome Valley near Dome Forest.
“Over the life of the expressway, the benefits are expected to include 145 fewer deaths and serious injuries, travel time savings of seven to ten minutes per vehicle, more than 1,000 fewer closure hours caused by unexpected events such as severe weather, and the removal of around 1,000 heavy vehicles a day from the existing SH1 main streets through Wellsford and Te Hana.
“Following strong interest in the Northland Expressway at our Infrastructure Investment Summit in March last year, three competitive consortia were shortlisted by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to deliver the first section. The Northway consortium was confirmed as the preferred bidder in May this year.
“This PPP represents good value for taxpayers. The final project cost has a net present value (NPV) of $3.649 billion, around $251 million below the $3.9 billion Public Sector Comparator approved by Cabinet in March last year, which estimates what the project would cost under traditional public sector procurement.
“Every dollar invested is also expected to return $1.60 in wider economic benefits to New Zealand.
“Warkworth to Te Hana is the largest public-private partnership in New Zealand’s history and demonstrates the benefits that well-structured, highly competitive PPPs can deliver. Lessons from previous PPPs, including Transmission Gully, along with international best practice and market feedback, have been incorporated from the outset.
“This has included a more sophisticated approach to allocating risk, securing property and resource consents earlier, and establishing a stronger evidence base for setting affordability thresholds.
“The procurement process was also strengthened through bid cost reimbursement to encourage competitive participation, NZTA retaining intellectual property, price evaluation during the Request for Proposal stage, and an optimisation phase to maintain competitive tension between the final bidders.
“Ultimately, the Northway consortium put forward the strongest overall proposal, providing the best balance of price, quality and risk. The agreement provides greater certainty over costs, reduces the risk of disputes and delays during construction, and delivers better value for taxpayers over its lifetime.
“A PPP is like getting a mortgage to buy a house. Rather than paying the full cost upfront, it is spread over a longer period and repaid over time. But a PPP goes further than financing alone. The private partner is also responsible for designing and building the road, maintaining it, and meeting agreed performance standards throughout the life of the contract.”
In August 2025, Cabinet agreed to a Crown Capital Contribution (CCC) towards construction of the project. The Government provided NZTA with a $1.6 billion, 10-year loan to finance the contribution. NZTA will make these payments to the contractor during the latter stages of construction, beginning from 1 July 2028 (FY2029).
“NZTA will also begin making regular Unitary Charge payments once the road opens. These payments are linked to agreed performance, safety, maintenance and availability standards, helping protect value for taxpayers over the 25-year operating period. Financial deductions apply if those standards or KPIs are not met,” Mr Bishop says.
“Delivering wider employment and economic development benefits for Northland is also critically important. The Northway consortium expects around 60 per cent of total physical works spending to flow through local supply chains, creating opportunities for local subcontractors across earthworks, drainage, pavements, bridges and other civil engineering works.
“In addition, Northway has indicated it will create youth and graduate opportunities through internships, graduate roles, apprenticeships and school-to-work pathways, with a focus on local young people, including Māori and Pasifika. These opportunities will be backed by training, mentoring and pastoral support to help participants gain skills, qualifications and pathways into long-term infrastructure careers.
“I want to thank the unsuccessful bidders for their strong participation in a robust and competitive procurement process and congratulate the Northway consortium on its successful bid. I look forward to joining them on site in the coming months to celebrate design and construction getting underway.
“Northland has incredible potential, and today’s agreement is a major milestone in unlocking the infrastructure, jobs and economic growth the region deserves.”
Notes for editors:
- In July 2024, Cabinet agreed in principle to use an Accelerated Delivery Strategy to deliver the Northland Corridor, including a PPP procurement for Section 1, Warkworth to Te Hana.
- In March 2025, Cabinet endorsed the Implementation Investment Case and approved NZTA to commence procurement of the project through a PPP.
- In August 2025, Cabinet agreed for NZTA to contribute a Crown Capital Contribution (CCC) to the construction of the project. Cabinet also agreed to provide NZTA with a $1.6 billion 10-year loan to finance the CCC and appropriated funding for the loan.
- The CCC reduced the required private capital for the Warkworth to Te Hana project. This ensured that the Request for Proposals (RFP) procurement process was competitive and reduced the amount of private debt required by each bidder, especially given the debt market capacity for such a large project.
- The CCC also struck a balance between retaining sufficient transfer of risk from the Crown to the PPP consortia and taking advantage of the Crown’s lower cost of capital. All these considerations are consistent with the Treasury PPP Policy Guidance which sets out the factors and trade-offs that should considered when assessing the need for a CCC.
- The CCC payments can only be used on direct Project construction costs, and not indirect Contractor costs. Mechanisms are in place to ensure that risk is appropriately managed through the construction phase.
- A Gateway 3 Review was conducted between 4 – 8 May 2026. This focused on the procurement process and preparation for Financial Close and delivery. The review resulted in a Green/Amber delivery confidence assessment, with seven recommendations. NZTA accepted all recommendations in full and will or has already actioned them.
- In June 2026, Cabinet approved the project to enable NZTA to proceed to financial close. Financial close occurred on Thursday 30 July. Financial Close means the financial conditions of the Agreement have been met and is when the construction capital becomes available.
- The Northway consortium comprises Acciona Concesiones SL, Global Sustainable Infrastructure GP IV Ltd and Acciona Construction New Zealand Ltd, alongside strong New Zealand partners including Downer New Zealand and AECOM.
- Construction planning, mobilisation, detailed design, and early works are due to commence from August 2026, with main construction starting in November 2027. The road is expected to open in 2033 and full works are expected to be completed in 2034.
- The ongoing Unitary Charge (UC) payments over the 25-year term of the Agreement cover financing (debt and equity), operations and maintenance, performance adjustments, and insurance and lifecycle costs.
- Financial deductions to the UC payments apply if the road is closed during the operational period or if Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not met.
- Potential KPI deductions support performance outcomes across safety hazard management, incident response, asset management, reporting, compliance, communication, and environmental obligations.
- The terms of the Project Agreement expire in 2058, and the road will be handed back to NZTA at the conclusion.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/30/warkworth-to-te-hana-ppp-signed/
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8. Two Thai Institutions Take Muay Thai Beyond the Ring with a Standout Culture-Meets-Fashion Collaboration
July 30, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (“the Company” or “Central Retail”) is the leading Multi-Format, Multi-Category, Omnichannel Retail and Wholesale platform in Thailand and Vietnam. The Company has a network of 3,777 stores (as of 31 March 2026) such as department stores, specialty stores, supermarket, hypermarket, wholesale, and retail plaza. Central Retail’s business is organized into 4 operating segments based on business units; (1) Food, which focuses on groceries and items including products and services for both people and pets under portfolio of retail and wholesale banners, for example, TOPS, TOPS FOOD HALL, TOPS FINE FOOD, TOPS DAILY, TOPS CARE and GO WHOLESALE in Thailand and Big C / GO! hypermarket, Tops Market Vietnam, go! and Lan Chi Mart in Vietnam; (2) Hardline, which focuses on electronics, home improvement, stationery, office equipment, book, and e-Book under portfolio of retail banners, for example, Thaiwatsadu, Thaiwatsadu x BnB home, Auto1, Power Buy, OfficeMate, B2S, Meb, and Nguyen Kim; (3) Fashion, which focuses on apparel and accessories under portfolio of retail banners, for example, Central Department Store, Robinson Department Store, Supersports, and Central Marketing Group; (4) Property, which focuses on leasing retail property to third parties and to its own stores at retail plazas, for example, Robinson Lifestyle, Tops Plaza, and Big C / GO! mall Vietnam. As of 31 March 2026, Central Retail has a presence in 2 countries: comprising of 63 provinces in Thailand and 26 provinces in Vietnam.
Rajadamnern Stadium is the world’s first Muay Thai stadium. It remains the birthplace of Muay Thai’s official ranking system and championship belt, and a living arena where every fight night begins with a ritual dance honouring teachers, discipline and history through an immersive experience.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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9. Two Thai Legends Take Muay Thai Beyond the Ring with the Year’s Most Talked-About Culture-Meets-Fashion Collaboration
July 30, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (“the Company” or “Central Retail”) is the leading Multi-Format, Multi-Category, Omnichannel Retail and Wholesale platform in Thailand and Vietnam. The Company has a network of 3,777 stores (as of 31 March 2026) such as department stores, specialty stores, supermarket, hypermarket, wholesale, and retail plaza. Central Retail’s business is organized into 4 operating segments based on business units; (1) Food, which focuses on groceries and items including products and services for both people and pets under portfolio of retail and wholesale banners, for example, TOPS, TOPS FOOD HALL, TOPS FINE FOOD, TOPS DAILY, TOPS CARE and GO WHOLESALE in Thailand and Big C / GO! hypermarket, Tops Market Vietnam, go! and Lan Chi Mart in Vietnam; (2) Hardline, which focuses on electronics, home improvement, stationery, office equipment, book, and e-Book under portfolio of retail banners, for example, Thaiwatsadu, Thaiwatsadu x BnB home, Auto1, Power Buy, OfficeMate, B2S, Meb, and Nguyen Kim; (3) Fashion, which focuses on apparel and accessories under portfolio of retail banners, for example, Central Department Store, Robinson Department Store, Supersports, and Central Marketing Group; (4) Property, which focuses on leasing retail property to third parties and to its own stores at retail plazas, for example, Robinson Lifestyle, Tops Plaza, and Big C / GO! mall Vietnam. As of 31 March 2026, Central Retail has a presence in 2 countries: comprising of 63 provinces in Thailand and 26 provinces in Vietnam.
Rajadamnern Stadium is the world’s first Muay Thai stadium. It remains the birthplace of Muay Thai’s official ranking system and championship belt, and a living arena where every fight night begins with a ritual dance honouring teachers, discipline and history through an immersive experience.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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10. Deputy Chair appointed to Reserve Bank Board
July 30, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Finance Minister Nicola Willis today announced the appointment of Byron Pepper as Deputy Chair of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board.
“Byron Pepper has made a significant contribution to the Reserve Bank Board since his appointment in 2022, and I am pleased to appoint him as Deputy Chair,” Nicola Willis says.
“Mr Pepper’s extensive experience in global financial markets, combined with his proven leadership, governance expertise and deep understanding of the Board’s operations make him well-suited to the role.
“He brings more than 25 years’ experience in investment banking and financial services, including 22 years at Goldman Sachs, with expertise spanning financial markets, insurance, corporate strategy and financial systems.
“As Chair of the Reserve Bank’s Financial Policy Committee, Mr Pepper has played a key role in the Bank’s financial policy decision-making and oversight of financial stability. His appointment as Deputy Chair reflects the valuable contribution he has made to the Board.
“Mr Pepper’s appointment continues the Government’s programme of strengthening the Reserve Bank’s governance, ensuring the Board has experienced leadership to continue driving greater accountability, transparency and focus on its statutory responsibilities.”
Having served on the Reserve Bank Board since 2022, Mr Pepper was reappointed for a second term commencing on 1 July 2025.
His appointment as Deputy Chair follows Rodger Finlay’s appointment as Chair of the Reserve Bank Board in December 2025, which left the Deputy Chair position vacant.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/30/deputy-chair-appointed-to-reserve-bank-board/
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