AM Edition: Here are the top 10 politics articles on LiveNews.co.nz for August 27, 2026 – Full Text
1. 50 more Acts up for repeal
August 26, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
A further 50 of New Zealand’s historic laws have been identified for repeal as part of the Legislation Repeals Project, a once-in-a-generation review of 900 pieces of New Zealand’s oldest legislation, Attorney-General Chris Bishop says.
“While these laws once served a purpose, many of them now sit as relics of New Zealand’s days gone past, providing a window into the times, quirks, and realities of yesteryear,” Mr Bishop says.
“Keeping our statute book up to date avoids unnecessary costs and confusion for users, and round four now brings the total number of Acts identified for repeal to over 200.
“When there was uncertainty around whether Auckland Council had the authority to provide staff with a social room, the Auckland City and Auckland Museum Empowering Act 1924 thankfully deemed it lawful.
“For those wondering how some of Wellington’s quays were built, the Thorndon Reclamation Act 1882 enabled the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company to reclaim a lot of the land that now forms the Wellington railyard, by dumping construction material into the harbour.
“The latest set also includes the unique governance of some of our oldest schools and societies – these were often established through their own Acts rather than under general legislation as they would be today.
“Examples of the various projects include high schools in Ashburton and Akaroa, a technical school in Westport, as well as a racecourse in Te Aroha, a public hall in West Clive, a cemetery in Ngaruawahia, a showground in Wyndham, and an athenaeum in Havelock.
“Some Agricultural and Pastoral society-related Acts enabled activities still enjoyed by Kiwis today, like the Blueskin Market Reserve Ordinance 1871 which provided for a cattle market, exhibiting livestock and agricultural produce and providing prizes for winning exhibits at Blueskin. While A&P shows continue to be a feature of New Zealand rural life, in many cases there is no longer a need for these Acts.
“Parliament now passes legislation with general application across New Zealand, through Acts like the Resource Management Act and Local Government Act, avoiding the need for Parliament to approve things on a case-by-case basis.
“Repealing these Acts doesn’t erase this history. Repealing them makes their status explicitly clear for anyone searching through our stock of in-force legislation, and they will remain permanently accessible on the NZ Legislation website.”
The Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) and the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport in relation to local Acts, welcome feedback on the fourth round of 50 Acts identified for repeal. This follows the 152 Acts previously consulted on, bringing the total number of Acts identified for repeal to 202.
“We’ll be consulting on a fifth round of Acts proposed for repeal later this year. That’ll bring the total to around 250 Acts. We’ll then have a Bill to repeal the Acts ready to go for next year,” says Mr Bishop.
“The Bill will go through the normal legislative process, so the public will have a chance to make further submissions on the Acts proposed for repeal at select committee.”
Note to editors:
Each Act identified for repeal is carefully reviewed and consulted on with relevant organisations, agencies, councils, and stakeholders. Public consultation on the 50 Acts identified for repeal is open now and closes on Friday 2 October 2026. The PCO continues to accept late submissions on the 152 Acts previously consulted on. Consultation on another round of Acts is planned for later in 2026.
Following consultation, public submissions will be reviewed to confirm the Acts are suitable for repeal. The Parliamentary Counsel Office will then draft a Bill to repeal the Acts. The Bill will be introduced to Parliament and go through the full parliamentary process including select committee scrutiny. This will provide the public another opportunity to make submissions.
More information, including how to make a submission, is available on the Legislation Repeals Project page.
List of Acts identified in for repeal in Round 4
Local Acts
- Auckland City and Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Act 1914
- Auckland City and Auckland Museum Empowering Act 1924
- Auckland City Empowering Act 1932–33
- Te Aroha Recreation-Ground and Racecourse Act 1892
- Ngaruawahia Cemetery Reserve Leasing Act 1888
- West Clive Public Hall Site Act 1879
- Taranaki Agricultural Society Empowering Act 1909
- Inglewood County Act 1919
- Makerua Drainage Board Empowering Act 1952
- Wellington City Empowering Act 1931
- Thorndon Reclamation Act 1882
- Westport Technical School Site Act 1919
- Havelock Athenaeum and Mechanics’ Institute Incorporation Act 1877
- Ashburton High School Act 1878
- Opawa Education Reserve Act 1888
- Christchurch City Empowering Repeal Act 1948
- Akaroa High School Act 1881
- Rangiora Drill-shed Site Vesting Act 1913
- Vincent County Empowering (Community Centres) Act 1970
- North Otago Benevolent Society Act 1878
- Oamaru Racecourse Trustees Empowering Act 1892
- Alexandra Borough Race Enabling Act 1900
- Riverton Harbour Loan and Empowering Act 1911
- Wallace County Empowering (Community Centres) Act 1966
- Wyndham Showground Reserve Act 1886
- Wyndham Showground Reserve Act 1910
Public Acts
- Lawrence Recreation Reserve Act 1876
- Dunedin Wharves and Quays Reserves Act 1876
- New Zealand Library Association Act 1939
- Public Reserves Sale Act 1878
- Invercargill Public Offices Site Act 1875
- Newspapers and Printers Act Repeal Act 1995
- Naval and Victualling Stores Act Repeal Act 1998
- Military Manoeuvres Act Repeal Act 2012
- War Funds Act Repeal Act 2003
- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Act Repeal Act 1994
- Hotel Association of New Zealand Act 1969
Private Acts
- New Zealand Bible Tract and Book Society Act 1886
- Hamilton Parsonage Site Act 1904
- George and Annie Troup Trust Act 1949
- Presbyterian Church Reserves (Canterbury) Act 1926
- Peggy Joan Boys Voluntary Settlement Act 1951
- Managers of the Saint Paul’s Presbyterian Congregation (Oamaru) Act 1930
- Napier Odd Fellows’ Lodge Site Act 1889
- Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Act 2016
Provincial Acts
- Municipal Councils Reserves Ordinance 1862 (C)
- Otago Harbour Trust Leasing Ordinance 1862 (O)
- Harbour Reclaimed Lands Sale And Leasing Ordinance 1868 (O)
- Blueskin Market Reserve Ordinance 1871 (O)
- Northern Agricultural And Pastoral Reserve Management Ordinance 1871 (O)
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/26/50-more-acts-up-for-repeal/
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2. Health Minister’s claim Winter Plan ‘managing well’ delusional – NZNO
August 26, 2026
Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Health Minister Simeon Brown’s claim that hospitals are ‘managing well’ because of the Government’s Winter Plan is delusional, NZNO says.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the Minister’s comments yesterday beggar belief.
“Despite Emergency Departments (ED) being completely overwhelmed and patients being treated in waiting rooms and corridors, Simeon Brown claims the Coalition Government’s failed Winter Plan is ‘managing well’.
“The Minister is delusional and completely out of touch with reality. He continues to ignore warnings from nurses on the frontline that patients are at risk. He fails to acknowledge patients can’t get into their local doctors, or can’t afford to, and are arriving at EDs increasingly unwell. Once in ED, they can’t be moved because the hospital wards are full.
“Instead, Simeon Brown continues to perpetuate untruths on social media about his Government hiring 2100 more nurses despite admitting in Parliament last week the net increase is just 54 full-time nurses. With a growing and ageing population this means there are less nurses, not more,” Kerri Nuku says.
The Minister also points to Te Whatu Ora “actively recruiting for the equivalent of 2378 full-time nursing roles right across the country” and that “475 nurses have already accepted their offers”.
“This recruitment is too late to help the worst flu season in a decade and follows revelations the Minister oversaw a deliberate recruitment freeze to cut costs which left 1300 empty nursing jobs. It also doesn’t include attrition, retirement rates or the fact that some of these vacancies will be filled by the same nurses moving to different hospitals.
“Even the promised 1800 graduate jobs are smoke and mirrors when there are around 3000 nursing graduates a year. That is only 60% being hired, down from 90-100% before this Government took office. Our tauira (students) tell us they are looking to move to Australia, so New Zealand taxpayers are now paying to train the Australian nursing workforce.
“It is time for the Minister to own his decisions,” Kerri Nuku says.
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3. Government drops the ball on waste minimisation – Zero Waste Aotearoa
August 26, 2026
Source: Zero Waste Aotearoa
Long awaited updates to the Waste Minimisation and Litter Acts will not be introduced to the house this parliamentary term. The government advised stakeholders that no further work is progressing.
These updates would have given business and households a modern, fit for purpose law to help prevent and reduce waste, litter and emissions.
Sue Coutts is Director of External Affairs for Zero Waste Aotearoa. She said:
“Protecting our environment and using resources efficiently are apparently not priorities for the government.”
“New Zealanders want better recycling systems. They want alternatives to disposal. They want to make the shift away from this throwaway economy. The 2026 Kantar Better Futures Report shows that New Zealanders expect government, business and brands to do more to reduce environmental impacts.”
“Successive governments have said they’ll update the law. The background work is done. The sector and the public have been consulted twice on the proposals. We’ve been waiting for six years. These straightforward changes would help the country catch up with modern reuse and recycling systems”
“Time and time again we’re told by the Minister for the Environment that the law will be updated. The government is stringing New Zealanders along by saying they’ll progress this when they have no intention of doing so.”
“The deadline for phasing out PVC and polystyrene food and beverage packaging also keeps getting pushed back. Policy flip flops between governments are a major barrier to progress and investment in the reuse, recycling and waste sector.”
“Companies have already pulled back from commitments to ensure packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 because the systems that would make that possible are not in place.”
“Central government is responsible for making producers set up and fund reuse and recycling systems for their products and packaging. The work on this has been done; now, it just needs to go through Parliament.”
The original Waste Minimisation Act was passed with cross party support back in 2008.
Zero Waste Aotearoa calls on all parties to make updating the Waste Minimisation Act an early priority in the next government. That way, New Zealand can finally make some progress on reducing waste.
Notes and Relevant Links
Kantar Better Futures 2026
https://www.kantarnewzealand.com/latest-thinking/better-futures/
P9 New Zealanders make good use of limited waste management services they have access to
P12 – 87% of New Zealanders expect business/brands to take responsibility for their environmental and social impacts
P15 New Zealanders expect Government, Business and Brands to do more
MfE and MCERT
The original work on the Waste legislation updates was done by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE), which has now been incorporated into The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.
MCERT – Governments Waste work programme
https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/waste/work-programme-on-waste/
Link to list of cabinet papers released
https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/cabinet-papers-and-regulatory-impact-statements/amending-the-waste-legislation-policy-approvals/
Exactly the same thing happened at the end of the last parliamentary term with 7 cabinet papers and drafting proposals left sitting at the bottom of the pile.
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4. Election 2026 – Labour recommits to smokefree goals at HCA’s political panel
August 26, 2026
Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa
Labour announced it would restore smokefree generation policies and a licensing regime for tobacco and vapes at Health Coalition Aotearoa’s (HCA) political panel on prevention.
Act, the Greens, Labour and Te Pati Māori health spokespeople addressed a strong showing of attendees at the Beehive forum on 25 August, hosted by HCA, the University of Otago and the Public Health Communications Centre.
Labour’s Ayesha Verrall also said the party would reverse the heated tobacco tax cut, “a tax break worth hundreds of millions of dollars.”
The politicians were responding to policy asks in HCA’s Prevention Brief 2026, which are evidence-based policy priorities to tackle harm from tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food, saving lives and reducing pressure on the health system.
“We were disappointed that National and New Zealand First chose not to attend and tell voters where they stand. We had hoped for a cross-party discussion,” said HCA co-chair Professor Boyd Swinburn.
Act’s Todd Stevenson kicked off the discussion talking about the party’s commitment to increasing Pharmac’s budget, which would cover innovative vaccines, such as for RSV, and widened access to shingles vaccines, plus other preventive medicines.
In closing remarks, Swinburn quipped, “I’ve got some really cost-effective policies for you, more cost-effective than Pharmac funding of drugs.”
However, there was common ground across the parties on HCA’s campaign to ‘level the playing field’ with Stevenson saying he “wasn’t opposed’ to lobbying policies, albeit with technical details ironed out.
Greens and Te Pati Māori agreed on the need for a lobbying register and a cool-down period for politicians before they could work as lobbyists, as well as caps on party donations.
Verrall said Labour was yet to announce its policy but they wanted transparency around lobbyists’ meetings with ministers, plus she had a bill in the biscuit tin to restrict tobacco lobbying.
Green Party’s Hūhana Lyndon said HCA’s policies “act as a compass for where the country should be heading”.
On the left, there was shared support for restoration of healthy school lunches to meet nutrition standards and with provision for community providers.
Verrall pointed out Labour started Ka Ora, Ka Ako and is proud to recommit to the programme, which is a significant spend on making sure people have healthy food.
The Green’s Hūhana Lyndon spoke about the party’s recently announced policy supporting Ka Ora, Ka Ako in a form closer to the original version.
“The Green Party wants to see the programme well-resourced, sustainable and expanded, so that no mokopuna will be left behind.”
Te Pati Māori’s Debbie Ngarewa-Packer was also in agreement with HCA’s policies, emphasising the importance of Māori self-determination and mana motuhake. Her party fully supports Ka Ora Ka Ako.
“We believe that no tamariki should ever go hungry at school, so we oppose the government’s defunding of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme, and we support permanent funding.
“Again, we support restricting unhealthy kai and drink and marketing that targets children.”
Stevenson gave some parting advice, which was for public health advocates to start working with the new government from the minute they came into office.
“My advice is start early in the next parliament and try to look for things that you actually think people could agree on and get bipartisan support for a few issues.”
So, while the political parties defined prevention differently, all agreed it was important.
“Our focus now is working with all parties towards our prevention policy priorities,” says Swinburn. “We would welcome the opportunity to brief National and New Zealand First on them directly.”
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5. Gender pay gap stays near record low
August 26, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
New Zealand’s gender pay gap remains at a near-record low, thanks to the work of government and employers to identify and close them, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says.
Statistics New Zealand has today confirmed the gender pay gap was 5.3 percent in the June quarter, largely unchanged from last year’s record figure of 5.2 percent.
“Today’s figure confirms the impact tangible action like calculating pay gaps can have.
“In 2024, I launched the first ever government-backed pay gap calculator. Since then it has had over 80 thousand visits – which indicates to me that businesses are keen to understand and address their pay gaps.”
The data shows that median hourly earnings for women rose to $34.95, up 3.4 percent. However, pay gaps remain wider for some ethnic groups.
“Today’s figure shows there’s still work to do to reduce the gender pay gap further – the gaps for Māori and Pasifika women especially are still far too wide – and I encourage businesses and organisations to lean in and address them.
“As a Government we’re focused on closing the pay gap and supporting women to advance. We’ve launched a database for governance-ready women looking for directorship opportunities called BoardConnector. It aims to advance women into high paid leadership positions across the public and private sectors, and we’ve increased KiwiSaver contributions for employers and employees, which will improve women’s longer-term wealth.
“We’re committed to building the economy and driving women into higher paid jobs. This is how we will continue to close the gender pay gap and, therefore, the retirement savings gap – as well as growing women’s longer-term wealth and financial security,” Ms Grigg says.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/26/gender-pay-gap-stays-near-record-low/
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6. Gender pay gap widens — women work for free from 27 November
August 26, 2026
Source: NZCTU
Today, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi released the 2026 Work for Free Calendar which shows the scale of systemic pay inequality facing women across Aotearoa and the devastating impact of the Government’s gutting of pay equity.
“Data released today by Stats NZ shows that the pay gap between men and women has gotten larger over the past year,” says Melissa Ansell-Bridges, Secretary of the NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi. Using the mean measure, the gender pay gap was 9.6% in the June 2026 quarter, up from 8.7% last year. This means that women effectively start working for free compared to men from 27 November.
When women of different ethnicities are compared to Pākehā men, the difference is even starker. Pacific women are the first to start working for free on 1 October. Māori women start working for free from 20 October and Asian women start working for free on 21 October. Pākehā women follow on 20 November.
“This Government has perpetuated the cost-of-living crisis by scrapping one of the most powerful tools to close pay gaps – pay equity,” says Ansell-Bridges. “We need leaders who will fight to close gender and ethnic pay gaps, not make them even worse.”
“Women working for free, for months, in critical jobs in health, community care, and education is a shameful stain on our proud gender equality record,” says Dame Judy McGregor, spokesperson for the Pay Equity Coalition Aotearoa. “It comes on top of the cruel, secretive and deliberate axing of pay equity and a crippling cost of living crisis which hits women and families hardest. Women can use their vote on 7 November by choosing parties that will restore pay equity as an immediate priority”.
Teresa Tepania-Ashton, Tāmaki Makaurau CEO, Young Women’s Christian Association says that “The Work for Free Calendar is a stark reminder that women are still not being equally valued for the work they do. For Māori and Pacific women, that inequity begins even earlier – and that should concern all of us”.
“Pay inequity has a real and lasting impact on women, their whānau and communities,” adds Tepania-Ashton. “Closing the gender pay gap requires deliberate action to remove the structural barriers that continue to hold women back.”
“Women deserve better,” adds Ansell-Bridges. “They deserve political leaders that take action to close pay gaps and ensure that everyone is paid 100 percent of what they’re worth.
“The National-led Government has done the opposite. By destroying the pay equity system, the Luxon government has made it much harder for women and marginalised workers to ensure they are paid what is fair and what they are owed.”
2026 work for free dates:
Compared to Pākehā men, on average the following groups start to work for free from:
- Pacific women: 1 October
- Pacific men: 18 October
- Māori women: 20 October
- Asian women: 21 October
- MELAA women: 2 November
- Māori men: 9 November
- Pākehā women: 20 November
Note:
These dates are based off the average (mean) wage gap. Women of different ethnicities are compared against Pākehā (European NZ) men, and Māori and Pacific men are compared against Pākehā men.
Stats NZ uses median figures to calculate the wage gap. The NZCTU prefers to use the average (mean) figures to calculate the wage gap, as this measure reflects the full diversity of women’s work. It captures the influence of low-paid and high-paid workers, with Pākehā men over-represented in higher-paying roles, and women from non-European ethnicities concentrated in lower-paying sectors and occupations. These figures have been released by NZCTU alongside Still Minding the Gap, PECA, and YWCA.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/26/gender-pay-gap-widens-women-work-for-free-from-27-november/
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7. Experienced public servant to lead new firearms regulator
August 26, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Experienced public sector leader Dr Kelvin Watson has been appointed as the first Chief Executive of Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSENZ), Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has announced.
“Creating an independent firearms regulator is one of the most important changes under the new Arms Act. It is about rebuilding trust, improving services, and getting the culture of firearms regulation right,” says Mrs McKee.
“Dr Watson has extensive experience leading major operational, workforce and technology change across the public sector.
“Licenced firearms owners should be able to deal with a regulator that treats them fairly, makes consistent and practical decisions, and understands that licenced firearms owners are not criminals.
“At the same time, the wider public should have confidence that the regulator is focused firmly on firearms safety and on identifying genuine risk.
“Dr Watson has worked in complex public sector environments where legislation, statutory responsibilities, risk, assurance and public accountability all matter. He has the experience needed to build those expectations into the new agency from day one.
“Under the Arms Act 2026, FSENZ will replace the Firearms Safety Authority, which currently sits within New Zealand Police. The new regulator will be institutionally separate from Police and monitored by the Ministry of Justice.
“That separation is deliberate. Police should be focused on enforcing the law and catching criminals. The firearms regulator should be focused on running a fair, effective and trusted regulatory system. No sworn Police Officers will work at FSENZ.
“The Chief Executive is a statutory officer appointed by the Governor-General, and FSENZ staff will make regulatory decisions independently of both Police and Ministers. That independence is an important safeguard for everyone who interacts with the firearms licensing system.
“Dr Watson will take up the role for a five-year term from 23 September 2026, when FSENZ is formally established, and will work with the establishment team beforehand to ensure the new agency is ready to operate from day one.
“The appointment falls within the pre-election period, but the Government has decided that a full five-year term is appropriate. The new regulator needs stable leadership capable of establishing its core systems, culture and capability from the outset. The Office of the Leader of the Opposition was consulted on the appointment.”
Note to editors:
Biography of Dr Kelvin Watson
Dr Kelvin Watson has been Deputy Secretary (Corporate Services) at the Ministry of Justice since October 2023. He has held several senior leadership positions at Statistics New Zealand, Capital and Coast District Health Board, New Zealand Post, and the Open Polytechnic. His private sector experience includes four years with Ernst and Young and three years as an independent consultant.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/26/experienced-public-servant-to-lead-new-firearms-regulator/
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8. Community Job Coaching reaches milestone
August 26, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Community Job Coaching, an employment programme to get young people into work, has reached a significant milestone, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.
“Community Job Coaching now has 4000 young New Zealanders enrolled. The programme is showing the value of locally-delivered, tailored job coaching to help young people off benefit and into work.”
The Ministry of Social Development launched Community Job Coaching in October 2025.
“That is great progress in less than a year. Community providers have helped these young people achieve more than 640 paid work activities, including full-time, part-time, casual and temporary work, while taking part in the programme. So far 290 people have been helped to get off the benefit and into a sustainable job.
“One young person in the programme had been on a benefit for two years and was losing confidence and motivation. Community Job Coaching turned that around and he’s now working full-time as a tiler. This is great news for that individual.
“We have set an ambitious target for 50,000 fewer people on the Jobseeker Support benefit and are investing in programmes like this that not only help shift that dial, but help New Zealanders into jobs, higher incomes and career pathways.
“Going on welfare when you’re young is a trap, with modelling suggesting that people who are on the Jobseeker benefit under the age of 25 are forecast, on average, to spend another 20 years of their life on welfare. It’s important we stop that cycle.”
Community Job Coaching is delivered by community providers across Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Wellington, Canterbury and Southern regions.
The programme supports 18–24-year-old Jobseekers with up to 26 weeks of personalised employment coaching, helping participants overcome barriers to work and achieve sustainable employment. Participants continue to receive support for up to 12 months after securing work to help ensure a successful transition into employment.
“Three new regions will join Community Job Coaching in its second year: Taranaki, Central and Nelson. The addition of these regions will ensure more young people can access tailored job coaching and employment support within their local communities,” Louise Upston says.
“As Community Job Coaching continues to grow, we remain focused on creating opportunities for young people to gain the skills, confidence and support they need to find and remain in sustainable employment.
“The Government’s investment in Community Job Coaching will enable up to 10,000 young people to access the service over the two-year programme, helping more New Zealanders move into meaningful and sustainable work.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/26/community-job-coaching-reaches-milestone/
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9. Over 260,000 young children eligible for funded flu vaccines from 2027
August 26, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to strengthen New Zealand’s vaccine response, including by funding the flu vaccine for children aged 6 months up to 5 years old for the 2027 flu season.
“Winter is a challenging period for many Kiwis. Strong flu strains in recent years have made it much more difficult,” Mr Seymour says.
“Flu season puts a lot of pressure on households, workplaces, schools, and the health system. Today’s decision will make next winter more manageable.
“From April 2027, every child aged six months until their fifth birthday will be eligible for a funded influenza vaccine. This gives parents another tool to help keep their children healthy and reduce the impact of flu on families.
“This change will mean more than 260,000 children are eligible for funded flu vaccination. That’s a practical investment in prevention that will help reduce illness, doctor visits, and pressure on the health system during the winter months.
“This is part of a broader package of vaccine investments confirmed by Pharmac. 1.6 million New Zealanders are expected to receive the vaccines included in this decision in the first year of funding.”
The influenza vaccine is currently funded for people aged 65 years and over, and for people under 65 with certain health conditions that put them at higher risk of serious illness.
“From April 2027, funded influenza vaccines will move to newer vaccines that provide improved protection for older New Zealanders, eligible at-risk people under 65, and children aged six months up to their fifth birthday,” Mr Seymour says.
Pharmac is changing funded brands of the influenza, meningococcal ACWY and pneumococcal vaccines from 2027. Access to funded influenza vaccination will widen to include all children aged 6 months up to their fifth birthday (6-59 months inclusive) from 1 April 2027.
“Pharmac received strong support for the proposals during consultation. New Zealanders told Pharmac they supported broader access to innovative influenza vaccines and stronger protection against pneumococcal disease,” Mr Seymour says.
“These changes give more New Zealanders access to better protection against serious illness while ensuring public funding helps improve health outcomes for New Zealanders.
“This is another example of the culture we are building at Pharmac. Pharmac funding the medicines that Kiwis need, based on the feedback of Kiwis in need.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/26/over-260000-young-children-eligible-for-funded-flu-vaccines-from-2027/
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10. From textile waste to runway: Redress Design Award 2026 opens public vote for the next generation of sustainable fashion designers
August 26, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
The Finalists’ collections showcase innovative approaches to tackling textile waste, transforming discarded leather offcuts, secondhand hardware and industrial waste through reconstruction and upcycling techniques, while exploring next-generation materials such as biodegradable fruit leather and ethical non-livestock wool to reimagine raw materials for circular fashion.
Organised by Redress and supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as Lead Sponsor, the Redress Design Award invites the public to discover the tactile beauty of circular fashion through its latest photoshoot and cast their votes to champion sustainable fashion while empowering the next generation of circular design talents.
The photoshoot: sensory storytelling
Photographed by acclaimed Hong Kong creative Paul Sunga with hair by Davines and makeup by MakeupBees, the photoshoot celebrates the creative decisions behind each Finalist’s collection, highlighting the unique textures, craftsmanship and natural imperfections of their materials while underscoring why design matters: 80% of a garment’s environmental impact is determined at the design stage[1].
“The Finalists of the Redress Design Award are proving that thoughtful design can transform textile waste into something beautiful. Getting up close to these garments, you see how every material choice, texture and technique tells a story, reminding us that the biggest opportunity to reduce fashion’s environmental impact begins at the design stage. I can’t wait for people to discover these collections through the photoshoot and vote for their favourite,” says photoshoot photographer Paul Sunga.
The Finalists’ collections are transported from overseas to Hong Kong for the photoshoot and upcoming Grand Final using DHL Express’ GoGreen Plus service. This service helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a Book & Claim mechanism, where the environmental attributes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are allocated to participating shipments. Made from alternative raw materials with a lower-emission energy profile, such as used cooking oil, waste and hydrogen, SAF can reduce the air transport shipments’ lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by around 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel.
Find out who wins at the grand final show
The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced at the Redress Design Award 2026 Grand Final Fashion Show, along with the coveted first prize including a week-long trip to the UK to connect with leading voices in sustainable fashion through a visit to Simple Approach’s Manchester operations to gain insight into responsible fashion design, development, and manufacturing, and an intensive experience with the team at luxury womenswear brand Roksanda to work on an upcycling design project.
The Redress Design Award 2026 Grand Final Fashion Show is open to an exclusive in-person audience and will be livestreamed globally on 2 September 2026 (Wednesday), at 5pm HKT / 11am CET via Facebook and WeChat. Save the date here.
Alumni showcase at centrestage open to public
Redress will also present a total of six Redress Alumni brands as part of both the Grand Final Fashion Show, and at a showcase of Alumni brands at CENTRESTAGE in Hong Kong from 2–5 September 2026 (Wednesday–Saturday, 11am–7pm) supported by DHL. Industry professionals and the public alike are all welcome to come, meet designers, and see up close their sustainable, waste-reducing collections.
The Redress Design Award 2026 Photoshoot Credits
- Photographer: Paul Sunga
- Models: Pak Yan Wong (Self Management Hong Kong), Max Holmström (Primo Management Ltd)
- Creative Stylist: Matthieu Amelin
- Hair: Henry Tse for Davines
- Make-up: Cindy Lai for MakeupBees
- Production: Katt Bidegain, Charly Cheung, Nancy Liu
- Studio: Soho House Hong Kong
- Lighting: Ming Suet
- BTS videographer: Jimmy Yu
- BTS photographer: Nicky Chan
Hashtag: #Redress
Redress
The Redress Design Award
Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA)
Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.
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