AM Edition: Here are the top 10 politics articles on LiveNews.co.nz for September 1, 2026 – Full Text
1. Government cancels fuel tax hike
August 31, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The fuel excise hike planned for next year has been cancelled to help Kiwis with the cost of living and deliver lower taxes for New Zealanders, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Transport Minister Chris Bishop have announced.
“Fuel excise was scheduled to resume annual increases starting with a 12c per litre increase from 1 January 2027, with equivalent increases to road user charges. That has now been scrapped, with the next increase of 5c a litre now taking effect from 1 January 2028,” Ms Willis says.
“Cancelling next year’s fuel excise increase and spreading the change over time from 2028 will give Kiwis more time to recover from the period of post-Covid economic pain and recent uncertainty in the Middle East.
“It follows our decision to cancel the last Government’s proposed fuel excise hikes, which were due to kick in this term, along with the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax.
“The short-term sugar-hit approach to economic management we saw post-Covid drove a period of record-high inflation and soaring interest rates that hit New Zealanders hard.
“That’s why, since the start of the fuel crisis, we have sought to get the balance right between supporting New Zealanders with the cost of living and being responsible managers of the economy.
“Our careful economic management means inflation has fallen significantly from its peak of 7.3 per cent, wages are expected to grow faster than prices each year, and around 220,000 new jobs are expected to be created by 2030.
“But times are still tough and there remains uncertainty in the Middle East. As we have demonstrated this year, we will keep a watchful eye on international events and ensure Kiwis are supported if the crisis leads to higher fuel prices in 2028.”
Mr Bishop says that since 2020, the average cost of transport projects has increased by as much as 45 per cent, while fuel excise has remained frozen – falling in real terms by around 20 percent.
“While pausing fuel excise increases was the right choice as New Zealanders weathered an economic storm, unless they begin again soon, the financial foundations of our land transport system will be undermined,” Mr Bishop says.
“For New Zealanders, that would mean roads littered with potholes, cancelled projects, and an inability to respond when communities are cut off following severe weather events.
“To prevent this, the Government has agreed on a new, more sustainable path for fuel tax increases. There will be no increase to fuel tax in 2027, with the next increase taking effect on 1 January 2028.
“Instead of a one-off 12-cent increase, we have spread these changes over time to make the transition fairer and more manageable for New Zealanders, as the economy continues to pick up and wages grow.
“Fuel tax will rise by 5 cents on 1 January 2028, followed by three further 5-cent increases at six-month intervals. Annual increases will then resume from 1 January 2030, of 5 cents per year. Road user charges will be subject to equivalent increases at the same intervals.
“It would be irresponsible to reduce funding for the land transport system to pay for this change. Doing so would require significant reductions in road maintenance, public transport services and infrastructure investment. Officials have advised that a reduction of this scale would not be credible without serious reductions in funded services.
“On that basis, Ministers have agreed to top up the National Land Transport Fund to account for the reduction in fuel excise revenue. This is expected to cost $1.476 billion over the forecast period,” Mr Bishop says.
Nicola Willis says the cost will be partly offset by the $450 million fuel response contingency established through Budget 2026. The remaining cost will be managed through and reflected in the PREFU.
“Cancelling next year’s planned fuel tax increases is the responsible choice. New Zealand can only afford to do this because of our Government’s careful management of the finances, which has ensured the country is on track to return to surplus in 2028/29, earlier than forecast last year,” Ms Willis says.
“We are getting on with the job of fixing the basics and building the future.”
Note to editors:
- The Government is also delaying the increase to road user charges scheduled for 1 January 2027. Instead, road user charges will be increased from 1 January 2028 at rates equivalent to the increase in fuel tax.
- The 45 per cent increase in transport project costs is a weighted average based on costs that are captured in the Producers Price Index (PPI) which tracks the costs of steel, concrete, aggregate, and fuel, among other construction costs, but also factors in NZTA’s higher exposure to increases in the price of bitumen (which has increased 220%).
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/31/government-cancels-fuel-tax-hike/
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2. NZ Minerals Council – Let mining grow
August 31, 2026
Source: New Zealand Minerals Council
Let mining grow is the message for the Government elected on 7 November, says New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal.
Today the minerals council is sending its Election 2026 manifesto (https://mineralscouncil.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-Election-Manifesto.pdf) to all Members of Parliament, outlining how the mining industry can grow its contribution to the economy, jobs, conservation efforts, and regional communities.
“We believe mining is a ray of light in the economy and the Government should support growth,” Vidal says. “Minerals export earnings are at $3.1 billion, having doubled since 2023, and now represent 2.7% of New Zealand total goods exports. That puts them ahead of many iconic export sectors such as wine and seafood.
“The sector employs 5,870 people (2024), up 11% from 2023, and with the mines in the pipeline more than 1,500 new jobs can be expected. These are high wage jobs and the sector is one of the most productive in the economy.
“It is important for responsible decision makers to look at facts and evidence to assess the economic value of mining,” Vidal says. “We advocate for policy and law that enables investment and growth, so that New Zealand can make the most of its resources, within reasonable guardrails.
“In an increasingly volatile world, it is important to show we have stable Government and the ideal is cross-party agreement from the main political parties on impactful issues, allowing for clarity and confidence for businesses, investors, and trading partners.
“There is a lot of international interest in mining in New Zealand and in 2025 there were 551 mining exploration applications compared with 450 in 2024. That doesn’t mean there is going to be a mine on every corner because not every exploration permit ends in a mine. But there are some serious contenders that will bring jobs and money into our economy. They pay taxes, royalties and rates here, and support businesses that supply goods and services.
“While politicians are influenced by public perceptions, it is important they realise that research shows a sizeable majority of New Zealanders think mining is important to the economy and they would prefer New Zealand to mine its own minerals over importing them.
“We want the next Government to understand mining is not a threat to high value conservation land; the seabed can be mined responsibly, and New Zealand has a significant scientific and technical contribution to make to managing its environmental impact; and that gold, coal and other critical minerals we have here should be mined responsibly to contribute to global supply, so that quality of life can improve for all.
“The best path forward is a lighter touch from Government and continued engagement by decision makers with the mining sector and experts in the field,” Vidal says.
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3. Advocacy – ‘Moral collapse’ opts NZ out of condemnation of Israeli settlements – PSNA
August 31, 2026
Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)
The absence of a New Zealand government signature on a 22-member joint statement, which is condemning the E1 Israeli settlement in the Occupied West Bank, can only be interpreted as a ‘moral collapse’ in our foreign policy, according to the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.
The recent joint statement was issued by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the European Commission.
The statement condemned the decision by the Israeli Higher Planning Committee to approve plans for settlement construction in the E1 area, East of Jerusalem, as ‘unacceptable and a violation of international law’.
The E1 settlement would divide the Occupied West Bank into two regions – northern and southern.
PSNA spokesperson, Rinad Tamimi says the New Zealand’s government’s absence from the statement is even worse, in the context of the statement specifically citing UN Security Council Resolution 2334, describing the settlements as a “flagrant breach of international law.”
“The Key/English National Party government co-sponsored this resolution at the UN Security Council in 2016. But the Luxon National Party, even after the genocide in Gaza in the past three years, can’t even bother to put its name to this recent condemnation,” Tamimi says.
“In the nuanced world of world of international diplomacy, Israel will be taking favourable note of New Zealand’s slide into not caring what atrocities Israel is committing.”
“Without taking any other action, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has always made of point of saying he often ‘made his concerns known’ to Israel. Now he’s even given up on that.”
Tamimi is also concerned that none of New Zealand’s political parties have specific policies to support Palestine in their election manifestos.
Tamimi says Israel’s genocide in Gaza is the worst atrocity of the 21st century.
“While there is meant to be a functioning ceasefire, the latest news from Gaza is that Israel has reoccupied more than 70 percent of Gaza, Israeli forces have resumed their assault because children in Gaza were flying kites. And on the Occupied West Bank Israeli settlers are openly beating up foreign network journalists with impunity.”
New Zealand has practical and significant symbolic leverage against Israel which it deliberately has decided not to use.”
“As you would expect, all three coalition parties, pretend there is no such thing as foreign policy.”
“Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori have expressed support for Palestine, including imposing sanctions.”
“But they need to clearly state what type and level of sanctions. Even the present government can say its immigration bans on West Bank terrorist settlers constitutes a sanction.”
“It all amounts to just election rhetoric, without announcing specific and meaningful sanctions in all areas; trade, investment, diplomatic, military and immigration,” Tamimi says.
“Without sanctions, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and the Greater Israel project, are all still licenced for Israel to action.”
Rinad Tamimi
National Spokesperson
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
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4. Stable credit rating a vote of confidence
August 31, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed rating agency S&P’s vote of confidence in the New Zealand economy.
The agency has affirmed New Zealand’s AA+ foreign currency credit rating with a stable outlook and is forecasting the economy to grow 2.5 per cent in the 12 months to June next year.
“New Zealand is one of just 18 economies to have an AA+, or better rating,” Nicola Willis says.
“S&P affirmation of our rating is a vote of confidence in both the economy and the Government’s management of the books.
“S&P says New Zealand’s economic outlook is improving and it expects stronger growth to help reduce the government’s deficit over the next three years.
“Its expectations accord with the Government’s fiscal intentions which are to gradually reduce government spending as a proportion of GDP, return the books to surplus and bend the debt curve down.
“Getting the tick of approval from S&P is important because rating agency decisions can move markets. Downgrades lead to higher borrowing costs for both governments and people.”
In its review, S&P pays tribute to New Zealand’s monetary policy flexibility, wealthy economy, relatively low net debt, and strong institutions. It says these strengths offset weaknesses associated with external imbalances and fiscal deficits.
It notes that action taken by the current Government to reduce the deficit and revitalise the economy includes: reducing income taxes, streamlining the public service, incentivising foreign investment through the reversal of offshore oil and gas exploration bans, and reforming the local government sector.
“I know many people are still doing it tough, but S&P’s latest report is further evidence that Kiwis can look forward to a growing economy creating more jobs and the government’s books returning to surplus,” Nicola Willis says.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/31/stable-credit-rating-a-vote-of-confidence/
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5. ASB – Investor confidence drops: Kiwi investors ‘very concerned’ about political environment both here and abroad, but investment activity holds steady
August 31, 2026
Source: ASB Bank
ASB Investor Confidence Survey Q2 2026
New Zealand investors are keeping a close eye on domestic politics, with a record 40% saying they are ‘very concerned’ about how local political uncertainty will impact their investments, according to the latest ASB Investor Confidence Survey.
A further 46% said they were ‘concerned’, taking total concern to 86%. Global geopolitical and economic concern levels are also at a record high with 57% of investors ‘very concerned’.
However, rising concern has not translated into more investment changes, with no increase in the proportion of people making or considering changes as a result.
ASB Senior Economist Chris Tennent-Brown says the findings show that while political uncertainty is weighing on sentiment, it’s a positive sign that investors are not immediately acting on it.
“Politics can create uncertainty and it is understandable that New Zealanders are paying close attention, especially with a general election coming up. But concern on its own is not a reason to step away from a well-considered investment plan, particularly as many investments perform as expected, with the US share market a positive example of all-time highs despite the uncertain geopolitical backdrop.”
“Markets can move quickly in response to news, and trying to time those movements can mean missing periods of recovery and growth. For most investors, the more useful focus is whether their portfolio remains diversified, aligned with their goals and appropriate for their timeframe.”
When it comes to where Kiwi see the best return on investment, rental property has plummeted this quarter, with only 10% of Kiwi saying they see it as providing the best return.
“This makes sense, the property market has been flat for a while and this is clearly impacting investor sentiment for rental property ownership, and the housing market in general.”
“Consequently, Kiwi whose main investment was a rental property were significantly more likely to be very concerned about local political outlook, likely seeing potential for change in the rental market affected by local policy,” says Chris.
Overall nett investor confidence declined five percentage points over the quarter to 1%, now at the same level recorded in June 2025, when the Trump tariff policy first kicked in.
“The survey tells us people are concerned, but they are not necessarily acting on that concern. That is a sensible distinction. Staying invested through periods of uncertainty can help investors participate in market gains, while a long-term plan provides a stronger foundation than reacting to any political cycle.”
Note:
The ASB Investor Confidence and KiwiSaver survey measures New Zealanders’ behaviour and attitudes towards investing. The following analysis is based on 784 online interviews in Q2’26 with adults aged 18 years and older throughout New Zealand from the Dynata panel. A sample of this size has a maximum margin of error of 3.5% at the 95% confidence level. Fieldwork occurred between 1st April – 28th June 2026. Note that fieldwork took place after the Iran-Israel-US conflict and resulting fuel crisis began on 28th February.
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6. Cutting red tape between the farm gate and the freezer
August 31, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is seeking feedback on changes that would make it easier for people to buy an animal from a local farmer and get it processed sooner, Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
Under current rules, people can already buy a live animal. But before it can be processed by a homekill provider listed with MPI, the buyer has to show they actively cared for it for 28 days.
“These rules haven’t been looked at in 20 years. The way we live, farm and share food has changed, and the rules need to catch up.”
“This is about removing rules that no longer make sense. homekill can currently only be eaten by the animal owner, their family or household, and farm employees.”
“With the cost of living still biting, people are looking at what else is on offer. Buying an animal from a local farmer means the farmer sets the price, and while I can’t promise it will be cheaper, it could well be.”
The consultation also proposes that homekill and hunted meat be labelled, so people know it has not gone through the same checks as meat sold in shops, particularly if restrictions on who can eat it are relaxed.
There are no proposed changes to requirements for providers, or to the ban on selling homekill or recreationally hunted meat. Where a slaughter or processing provider is used, that provider must still be listed with the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The consultation also covers whether recreational hunters can share hunted meat more widely.
“We have heard the current rules are vague, and that uncertainty is putting people off donating hunted meat to foodbanks and charities.
Hunters want to give meat to their local foodbank, but many are not sure whether they are allowed to. Meat is the most asked for item at foodbanks and the most expensive to provide. We should not have unclear rules getting in the way of that.”
“I encourage farmers, hunters, processors and Kiwis who value local food to have their say. This is a chance to shape practical rules that support local food, not hold it back,” Mr Hoggard says.
Consultation runs until 5 October 2026. Have your say on homekill and recreational catch
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/31/cutting-red-tape-between-the-farm-gate-and-the-freezer/
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7. Transport Group says Deferring road tax increases is kicking the can down the road – Transporting NZ
August 31, 2026
Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Road freight association Transporting New Zealand says that decreasing investment in the road network will lead to transport issues that fuel the cost-of-living crisis.
The Government announced today that, if re-elected, the previously planned increase of 12 cents per litre in January 2027, followed by a further 6 cents per litre increase in January 2028 and annual 4 cent increases from 2029, will not go ahead. Instead, there will be an increase of 5c a litre from January 2028, followed by three 5-cent increases every six months until 2030. This is despite the fact fuel excise duty (FED) and road user charges (RUC) have not increased since 2020.
“Flatlining revenue from fuel tax and RUC alongside a significant increase in road construction costs means the actual purchasing power of our National Land Transport Fund has plummeted,” says the group’s chief executive, Dom Kalasih.
“New Zealand’s road network is a national asset. Keeping it in good shape is essential for moving freight, growing the economy, and keeping communities connected,” he continued.
The announcement comes days after the Labour Party announced their promise to not increase FED or RUC for the next three years, as a measure to address the cost-of-living crisis.
“An inefficient transport network imposes extra costs on everyone,” Kalasih said. “Therefore, we welcome Minister Willis and Bishop’s acknowledgement that pausing fuel excise and RUC increases would result in a funding shortfall, and that this gap will be bridged with $1.476 billion in funds from alternative sources.”
“Poor roads increase freight times, spike vehicle maintenance costs, and waste fuel. These costs are inevitably passed down to consumers – for example, on supermarket shelves. Chronic underinvestment is a hidden tax on every single good moved in this country.”
Kalasih added that the next Government will have some very difficult decisions to make without an increase to FED or RUC.
“There will be trade-offs, and it’s all road users who will pay the price,” he said. “We will be seeking clarification from whoever forms the next Government on how it intends to deliver on the commitments in the current National Land Transport Programme.”
Ensuring road investment keeps pace with rising costs is a key call in Transporting New Zealand’s 2026 Election Platform, being released on Tuesday the 8th of September.
Transporting New Zealand will be sharing its recommendations to the next Government on where action is needed to strengthen productivity and long-term economic growth, in the priority areas of:
- Fuel and supply chain resilience
- Infrastructure
- Safer roads through smarter enforcement
- Supporting the future workforce
- Efficiency and lower-emission road freight
The Election Platform launch will be held online and at venues in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, and Hastings. These events are open to all attendees, not just Transporting New Zealand members, and more information can be found on the Transporting New Zealand website.
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter-regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 93% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
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8. GenPro launches seven steps to restore general practice
August 31, 2026
Source: General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand
GenPro has today launched its election policy manifesto, Seven Steps to Restore General Practice, calling on all political parties to make the long-term sustainability of frontline general practice a priority at the 2026 General Election.
GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers says general practice is the foundation of a high-performing health system, but practices across New Zealand are under sustained financial and workforce pressure.
“General practice is the front door to our health system. When people can access the right care, at the right time, in their local community, they are more likely to stay well and less likely to need hospital care,” Dr Chambers says.
“But that depends on having a financially sustainable general practice sector with enough doctors, nurses and other health professionals to meet demand. Political parties have an opportunity at this election to put general practice on a sustainable footing for the long term.”
Generated from the frontline of general practice, GenPro’s manifesto sets out seven practical priorities, with three identified as immediate priorities:
- Invest in frontline general practice
GenPro is calling for a 30 percent cumulative increase in general practice funding over three years, an independent mechanism to adjust funding for the true cost of delivering care, and a five-year funding pathway to provide certainty for practices. It also wants targeted funding for patients with complex health needs and for rural and remote practices.
- Support long-term GP–patient relationships
GenPro wants continuity of care recognised as a core quality measure, with every enrolled patient having access to a named GP or Nurse Practitioner. Face-to-face consultations should remain the foundation of primary care, with telehealth used to complement rather than replace in-person care.
“Patients benefit when they can build a relationship with a clinician who knows them and their health history,” Dr Chambers says. “Continuity of care is not just about convenience. It contributes to better health outcomes and can reduce avoidable pressure on hospitals.”
- Strengthen rural and urgent after-hours care
GenPro is calling for increased rural funding, stronger support for rural workforce recruitment and retention, and investment in infrastructure and digital connectivity. “Where someone lives should not determine whether they can access quality primary healthcare,” Dr Chambers says. “The challenges facing rural practices are different and require targeted solutions if we are going to provide equitable access across New Zealand.”
GenPro is also calling for:
- Less bureaucracy and greater funding transparency – reducing unnecessary administration and ensuring more health funding reaches frontline patient care.
- Support for independent, community-owned general practice – protecting the owner-operated model providing continuity of care and ensuring government policy supports a diverse, community-based primary care sector.
- A stronger voice for general practice – ensuring GenPro is meaningfully consulted early on significant changes to funding, service design and primary healthcare policy.
- A sustainable general practice workforce – improving funding so general practice can offer competitive employment conditions, supporting internationally qualified clinicians and helping the next generation of GPs buy into independent practices.
Dr Chambers says the manifesto is designed to provide political parties with a practical roadmap rather than simply identify problems.
“General practice needs certainty, sustainable funding and a workforce for the future,” he says.
“These seven steps would help strengthen access to care, reduce avoidable pressure on hospitals and deliver better value for taxpayers. We are calling on every political party to engage seriously with these proposals and make the future of general practice a priority in their 2026 election policies.”
GenPro is the General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand. We represent the owners of independent general practices and urgent care centres and advocate for policies that strengthen frontline primary healthcare, improve patient access, and ensure the long-term sustainability of community-based general practice.
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9. Advocacy – Pacific Leaders called on to Act as Indonesian Military Violence and Environmental Destruction Harms West Papuans
August 31, 2026
Source: United Liberation Movement for West Papua
31 August 2026
A West Papan leader in exile in Australia who is one of the Executive of the ULMWP group is calling on Pacific leaders at the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Island Forum to condemn the recent increased military violence and to call for an immediate end to this violence in civilian areas and address other urgent issues related to land the environment. Her call is being supported by several Pacific based organisations.
“The letter sent today to Pacific leaders calls for immediate action because the humanitarian situation has reached a critical juncture, underscored by devastating casualties reported in recent weeks” Ms Makabory said,
She listed the following recent incidents as examples of many since mid 2025 until this day in 2026 which show escalation of extra judicial killings and use of drones and land mines in by the Indonesian military in civilian areas.
- The Drone Strike in Intan Jaya (Thursday, 18 June 2026): At approximately 1:00 PM local time, an elderly Papuan woman was killed, and two other women were severely injured in an attack involving explosive materials deployed by Indonesian military drones. Local sources indicate an alarming escalation in military tactics, including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and landmines placed along civilian footpaths.
- The Fatal Shooting in Dekai, Yahukimo (Wednesday, 17 June 2026): At 4:05 PM local time, a young Papuan man was shot and killed in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. Eyewitness accounts from the victim’s family directly implicate members of the Indonesian Marine Task Force.
She also noted the incident on 2 July 2026, American pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin of Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) was killed after landing in Yahukimo. The West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility, alleging the aircraft was supporting Indonesian military operations, while Indonesian authorities stated it was conducting a civilian humanitarian mission.
“Regardless of the competing accounts, this tragic incident demonstrates the urgent need for independent international monitoring, transparent investigations, and renewed efforts to de-escalate the conflict and promote human rights.” Paula Makabory said,
“Under the internationally recognized doctrine of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), the global community—and neighbouring sovereign states in particular—has a duty to step in when a state fails to protect its population from systematic human rights violations.
The continuous deployment of heavy tactical forces has turned residential areas into active conflict zones, where indigenous Papuans are treated with inherent suspicion and lethal force. There have been 24 extra judicial killings in 2026 so far.
Severe human rights violations are rarely met with independent investigations or genuine justice, leaving civilian populations entirely defenceless and more than 125,00 people displaced and homeless in the Highlands.
The indigenous people of West Papua are an integral part of the Melanesian family. Their ongoing suffering directly weakens the security and solidarity of the entire Pacific region.”
She urged Pacific Island Forum Leaders to break the silence and take collective diplomatic action by issuing a formal condemnation of recent killings in Intan Jaya and Yahukimo, issue a collective call an immediate cessation of military operations in civilian areas, and demand a unimpeded United Nations access to investigate human rights abuses. She also called for condemnation of drone strikes, the establishment of a humanitarian corridor for aid for displaced people in the Highlands, a moratorium on mega projects in West Papua and an independent evaluation of Special Autonomy in terms of pathways to indigenous West Papuan self determination.
“The report also calls on the PIF leadership to challenge the crushing of peaceful dissent and the widespread destruction of indigenous land with resulting acceleration of deforestation and regional climate change risks.” Said Catherine Delahunty, spokesperson for “West Papua Action Aotearoa”.
She said that New Zealand and Australian Government were failing in their critical leadership roles by their silence on all these of the issues.
“The Pacific Island Forum has called or years for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to be granted immediate, unrestricted access to West Papua to conduct an independent investigation, but this has been ignored and the PIF needs to ensure Indonesia can’t expect status at Pacific meetings while ignoring the PIF requests. The PIF Special Envoys Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Merape, (whether at the Palau meeting or not) need to negotiate a firm timeline for a UN fact finding mission with Indonesia.” Paula Makabory said.
“The PIF and MSG must bring the West Papuan human rights crisis and land crisis to the forefront of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and relevant international human rights forums to ensure global oversight. The survival of our Melanesian brothers and sisters depends on leaders who are willing to champion human rights and regional stability over political convenience” Ms Makabory said.
Paula Makabory
Executive Member Of United Liberation Movement for West Papua
Head of Pacific Islands Mission
Undersigned by
Teanau Tuiono Green MP for Pacific Affairs Aotearoa /NZ
Catherine Delahunty National Spokesperson for West Papua Action Aotearoa
James Bhagwan – Pacific Council of Churches
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10. Health and Education – Graduate nurse guarantee must include aged care if it is to strengthen the health system
August 31, 2026
Source: Aged Care Association
The Aged Care Association says Labour’s commitment to guarantee jobs for graduate nurses is welcome recognition that New Zealand needs to secure and grow its nursing workforce but warns the policy must not unintentionally make it even harder for aged residential care to recruit nurses.
“Aged care is health care. Any workforce policy designed to strengthen New Zealand’s health system must recognise the 40,000 aged residential care beds that are providing healthcare to older New Zealanders every day,” Aged Care Association Chief Executive Hon Tracey Martin says.
“We absolutely support getting our graduate nurses into jobs. But if the guarantee directs those nurses predominantly into Health New Zealand while aged residential care continues to compete with different pay and employment conditions, the Government will simply shift the workforce pressure from one part of the health system to another.”
The Association says the proposed increase in recruitment subsidies for primary and community care could help aged care providers recruit graduates, provided aged residential care remains fully included. But recruitment incentives alone will not solve the longstanding pay disparity between Health New Zealand and aged residential care.
“We have already seen what happens when the pay gap between hospitals and aged care grows. Nurses understandably move to where the pay and conditions are better. Unless aged care funding moves alongside public hospital nursing remuneration, that gap will simply open up again.”
Ms Martin says the consequences extend well beyond the aged care sector.
“New Zealand’s public hospitals have around 10,000 beds. Aged residential care has around 40,000. We are also going to need another 9,000 to 12,000 aged residential care beds as our population ages.
“You can put more nurses into hospitals, but you still only have one person in each hospital bed. If there is nowhere appropriate for an older person to go once, they no longer need acute hospital care, that bed remains occupied and the next patient cannot get into it.
“That is why aged residential care is such an important part of hospital capacity. Our sector provides 24-hour nursing and care, takes people out of hospitals, prevents avoidable hospital admissions and provides the long-term care that hospitals were never designed to provide.
“Anything that reduces our access to nurses ultimately reduces our ability to take pressure off hospitals.”
The Aged Care Association is calling on Labour to confirm that aged residential care providers will be fully included in its graduate nurse employment pathway and eligible for the increased recruitment subsidies.
It is also seeking a commitment that government funding for aged residential care will maintain nursing pay relativity with Health New Zealand, rather than allowing another significant pay gap to develop.
“If the objective is to strengthen the health workforce, then we need to think about where nurses are needed across the whole health system.
“We cannot solve the hospital workforce problem by creating a bigger aged care workforce problem.
“Aged care is health care, and workforce policy needs to reflect that.”
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