PM Edition: Here are the top 10 business articles on LiveNews.co.nz for October 7, 2026 – Full Text
1. Qupital Unveils World’s First AI-Driven On-Chain E-Commerce Lending Protocol, Accelerating Web3 Global Trade Finance
October 6, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Combining real-time AI credit monitoring with Ethereum smart contracts and USDC settlement, Asia’s digital trade finance leader addresses a US$2.5 trillion SME trade financing funding gap opportunity.
Key Innovations of the Protocol
- Instant, 24/7 Global Liquidity: Complements existing banking channels by deploying USDC directly to e-commerce merchants via smart contracts, enabling real-time capital access synchronized with global e-commerce velocity.
- AI-Guarded Risk Control: Integrates Qupital’s proprietary AI engine with automated payment gateway APIs to monitor sales performance and capture settlement cashflows directly, drastically reducing credit risk. Merging AI intelligence with on-chain execution for trade finance. Powering digital trade through automated, smart-contract-driven liquidity vaults unlocks unprecedented operational efficiency and dynamic risk control without human intervention.
- Automated Capital Efficiency: Replaces manual back-office drawdown verification and settlement calls with smart contracts, accelerating capital turnover and reducing operational overhead.
- Real-Time Proof of Reserves & Auditability: Every active loan is tokenized on-chain to Qupital’s Treasury Vault, providing institutional lenders and partners with 1:1 real-time balance sheet verification.
A Multi-trillion Market opportunity
B2B cross-border stablecoin settlements are projected to reach $5 trillion by 2035, with over 54% of cross-border enterprises preparing to adopt stablecoin payment infrastructure. Qupital’s protocol directly addresses this surge in institutional and merchant demand.
https://www.qupital.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/qupital/
https://x.com/QupitalOfficial
Hashtag: #Qupital
About Qupital
Qupital is a Series C stage fintech platform and Asia’s leader in data-driven financing solutions for digital businesses. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Qupital empowers e-commerce businesses trading on global platforms including Amazon, JD.com, Tmall, TikTok Shop, and Pinduoduo. As the first platform in Asia to securitize e-commerce merchant loans, Qupital combines industry-leading credit performance and sustained profitability with backing from global financial institutions including HSBC and MUFG, as well as strategic investors including M Capital, Alibaba, MindWorks Capital, Greater Bay Area Homeland Development Fund, and the Innovation and Technology Ventures Fund of the Hong Kong SAR Government.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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2. Epson takes Silver Sponsorship at CEBA 2026 to help Catholic schools print smarter and spend better
October 6, 2026
Source: Epson Australia and Epson New Zealand
MELBOURNE, 6 October 2026 – Epson will appear as a Silver Sponsor at the 2026 Catholic Education Business Administrators (CEBA) Conference, taking Stand S01 at 1 Hotel Melbourne from Tuesday 6 to Friday 9 October and will address delegates directly on Friday 9 October at 9:35am.
The conference theme, “United in Purpose”, puts sustainability and mission at the centre of school administration at a time when business managers and finance leaders across Catholic education are being asked to do more with disciplined budgets.
Epson’s presence speaks directly to that pressure. School print fleets sit in a difficult corner of the budget, where quality expectations from teaching staff and marketing teams stay high while the cost per page, the service contract and the waste volume all need to fall.
Epson’s answer to those challenges comes to Melbourne in the form of two working demonstrations and a giveaway.
WorkForce Enterprise AM-C4000
The WorkForce Enterprise AM-C4000 is the centrepiece of the stand. It is a compact A3 colour multifunction device built for workgroups that need high volume output without the footprint, power draw or heat of a conventional A3 laser copier.
For a school business office, that combination matters in ways that rarely make a spec sheet. A smaller device fits into a front-office space that was never designed as a print room. Lower power consumption reduces the running cost that sits under the surface of every departmental budget. Also, because the AM-C4000 uses Epson’s Heat-Free print technology rather than a fuser-based laser engine, there is no warm-up period to absorb and far fewer parts to service over the life of the machine.
The device easily handles the work a Catholic secondary or combined school typically generates: reports, newsletters, exam papers, enrolment packs, governance documentation and the steady stream of administrative forms that move through a school year. It scans, copies and prints in colour at A3, which means the finance office can deploy a single device standard across an administrative team instead of maintaining a mix of desktop printers and an outsourced copy arrangement.
Delegates will be able to put the machine through its paces on the stand. Seeing the output quality and the speed in person is a different proposition from reading a specification, particularly for administrators weighing a fleet refresh against a ten-year capital plan.
SureColor P906
Epson will also showcase the SureColor P906, which addresses a challenge that has quietly grown inside Catholic education. School marketing teams now produce a significant volume of photographic material, from prospectus covers and annual reports to graduation portraits, art department coursework and archival records.
The SureColor P906 gives schools the ability to produce exhibition-quality photography, fine art and professional presentation materials in-house, eliminating the need for short-run outsourced printing. From gallery-standard student portfolios and framed artwork to prospectus covers and commemorative prints, it delivers colour-accurate results while creating new opportunities for fundraising, coursework support and donor communications that reflect the institution’s standards and reputation.
Visitors to the conference will also have the chance to win an Epson EcoTank ET-4950. EcoTank remains the clearest illustration of the cost argument Epson makes to education buyers. A refillable ink tank system removes the cartridge replacement cycle entirely, so the cost per page is dramatically lower. For a school administrator, the giveaway is a chance to take the technology back to a campus and test the running cost claim in a real office.
Epson participates in CEBA because the business administrators, bursars and finance leaders attending are often responsible for long-term print and imaging investment decisions across Catholic schools. These are practical buyers looking beyond brochures to understand real-world costs, reliability, service support and whether a single platform can meet the needs of both administration and teaching environments. With many schools reviewing fleets, capital projects and technology roadmaps, Epson’s presence at Stand S01 provides answers in one place, while demonstrating how technologies such as Heat-Free printing, refillable tank systems and on-site photo production can help schools reduce costs, minimise waste, lower energy consumption and improve output quality.
Epson will be on Stand S01 for the full conference program, including the welcome reception on Tuesday 6 October from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 October from the morning until 5:00pm and Friday 9 October from 8:00am until 1:00pm.
Epson will also give a five-minute address to conference delegates on Friday 9 October at 9:35am.
About Epson, Epson Australia and Epson New Zealand
Epson is a technology innovation and engineering company whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company uses technology and engineering ability to implement real-world solutions in precision innovation, industrial & robotics, office & home printing and visual & lifestyle.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1.4 trillion.
Epson Australia offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is the market leader in Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Established in 1983, Epson Australia is headquartered in North Sydney and is a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
Epson New Zealand offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is a market leader in New Zealand, Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Epson New Zealand is headquartered in Auckland and is a branch of Epson Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
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3. HKCEC Hosted 25 New Exhibitions and Conferences, Successfully Hosts Multiple Hong Kong and Asian Debuts Set to Return Next Year.
October 6, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Totals 786 Events in FY 2025–2026; Reinforcing Hong Kong’s Position as the “International Convention and Exhibition Hub”
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 October 2026 – The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (“HKCEC”) has reaffirmed its standing as the venue of choice for leading global and Chinese Mainland organisers. Throughout the financial year 2025–2026 (July 2025 to June 2026), the HKCEC hosted 786 events, including 128 exhibitions, 81 international and local conferences, and hundreds of corporate meetings, banquets and entertainment events. This year was highlighted by 25 new conferences and exhibitions, including several Hong Kong and Asian debuts, drawing an impressive total attendance of over 7.7 million.
During the financial year 2025–2026, HKCEC hosted 786 events with 25 new events; welcomed an attendance of over 7.7 million.
Ms Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (“HML”), commented, “Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantage as a gateway between Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world, HML has exemplified Hong Kong’s role as a ‘Super Connector’ and ‘Super Value-Adder’ by strategically aligning our business development focus on four key sectors—Medical, Innovation and Technology, Finance, and Education, and secured some landmark debuts. We are thrilled that these inaugural events were met with resounding success and have already confirmed their return to the HKCEC next year. Looking forward, we will continue to provide a world-class platform that empowers Mainland enterprises to go global while attracting international investment, creating a powerful engine for Hong Kong’s long-term economic growth.”
Several landmark events made their debuts at the HKCEC during the year. Notably, the inaugural Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 demonstrated the immense appeal of launching major international IPs in the city, achieving unprecedented success, generating substantial economic value and business opportunities. Following this resounding debut, the organisers have confirmed that the event will return to the HKCEC in 2027.
Following its resounding success of Hong Kong Comic Con 2026, the organisers have confirmed that it will return to the HKCEC in 2027.
Highlighting Hong Kong’s position as an international health and medical innovation hub, multiple international medical conferences were held in the city and at the HKCEC for the first time this year. Among them, the 9th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery brought together leading experts and more than 3,000 global participants, underscoring Hong Kong’s professional standing in medical. Additionally, the HKCEC welcomed the 15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress, marking the first time ever this national medical association convention has been held in Hong Kong. The HKCEC serves as a two-way platform to showcase national healthcare standards and support Mainland enterprises in their global expansion.
These milestones further demonstrate Hong Kong’s vital role as a regional hub connecting Chinese Mainland and the world, while continuing to reinforce city’s leading position in the medical sector.
In addition, Asia’s flagship events have reaffirmed Hong Kong as their long-term host city, confirming their return to the HKCEC in 2027. Art Basel Hong Kong, which has been held annually at the HKCEC since 2013, has reached an agreement with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to designate Hong Kong as the sole Asian venue over the next four years. Meanwhile, Vinexpo Asia—one of the region’s premier wine and spirits trade events since 1998—is ending its rotation with Singapore. Organiser Vinexposium announced that Vinexpo Asia will officially make Hong Kong its home starting in 2027.
Starting from 2027, Vinexpo Asia will be held in Hong Kong annually.
Looking ahead, HML will continue to actively secure prestigious exhibitions and conferences, generating high-value business and international exchange opportunities for Hong Kong. Recent additions include the inaugural LEAP East—the Asian edition of the Middle East’s flagship tech fair in July, the inaugural Global Unicorn Summit in August, and the World Cancer Congress 2026 in September. Later this year, the HKCEC will also host the city’s premier art toy exhibition—Amazing Toy Show Hong Kong 2026 for the first time in December.
By continuously introducing high-profile global events, HML will enrich Hong Kong’s vibrant events landscape and further cement its status as a leading convention and exhibition hub.
http://www.hkcec.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-convention-and-exhibition-centre/
https://www.facebook.com/HKCECofficial/
XHS: https://xhslink.com/m/D2yI1jiKjp
Hashtag: #HKCEC
About the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
This award–winning 306,000–sqm building, first opened in 1988, offers 91,500 sqm of rentable space. An iconic Hong Kong landmark, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (‘HKCEC’) is located on a prime waterfront site in the central business district of Hong Kong. It is owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
About Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited
HML is a member of CTF Services Limited. Listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, CTF Services Limited (Hong Kong Stock Code: 659) is a conglomerate with a diversified portfolio of market-leading businesses, predominantly in Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland. The Group’s businesses include financial services, toll roads, logistics, construction, and facilities management. Through the Group’s sustainable business model, it is committed to creating more value for all stakeholders and the community.
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. Waste Management: Buy your very own rubbish truck – but lose your work rights – Union
October 6, 2026
Source: Workers First Union
Waste Management, New Zealand’s largest materials recovery and recycling provider, is pushing ahead with making 23 rubbish truck drivers redundant and re-engaging 17 of them as owner-drivers.
Justin Wallace, Workers First organiser, says that the Auckland drivers who work for WM New Zealand will go from employees with job security, guaranteed hours, minimum wage protections, holidays, KiwiSaver contributions, a union and the right to bargain collectively, to “sham” contractors with no job protection or work rights, and a massive financial debt to the company to buy their rubbish truck. Mr Wallace said that buying the trucks would mean expected debts of “hundreds of thousands of dollars” for workers.
“This is a predatory scam enabled by the Government’s destruction of work rights through the Employment Relations Amendment Bill,” said Mr Wallace. “The councils around the country who tender services to WM New Zealand should be aware that this is how the company is planning to operate elsewhere, because we believe it will have major impacts on service delivery.”
“Waste Management are telling drivers they’re out of a job unless they can front up to buy their own garbage truck and pretend to be a contractor with their own business.”
“Drivers will be individually responsible for maintaining, repairing and upgrading their rubbish truck under the false pretence that they can use it for other business.”
“In reality, drivers will be working solely for Waste Management and their truck will wear that same brand and logo while they drive the same shifts they always have.”
“Having to give up your right to things like sick leave, guaranteed hours of work and collective bargaining just to stay in your job is not an acceptable trade-off.”
Joseph Allan, local board member for Manurewa, said he is concerned about how the trucks will be maintained and where the trucks will be parked overnight.
“It’s one thing to have courier vans parked all over our residential streets, but nobody wants a stinky rubbish truck parked outside their house,” said Mr Allan.
“What happens if the driver is sick? A big company might have spare trucks, a workshop, excess drivers. You lose the economy of scale.”
“Redundancies at a large company like this could lead to worse services for council ratepayers.”
WM New Zealand holds a 10-year contract with Auckland Council for kerbside collection in parts of Auckland. The current restructure pertains to East and South (Pakuranga to Manurewa), but the company has already restructured in the same way in other areas despite consistently negative feedback during consultation with drivers.
The union has contacted Auckland Regional Council and believes the company did not consult with the council about these changes, despite their contract having been awarded on the basis of their operation being set up to reliably and efficiently provide the services.
“We believe that services will suffer as a result of the company going from one large, cohesive business to a collection of tiny, separate ‘businesses’,” said Mr Wallace.
“Drivers will have to individually find cover when they are sick or want to take annual leave, whereas the already company had a pool of drivers available for these scenarios.”
“Auckland is a densely populated city, and the last thing Aucklanders want is rubbish sitting on the street uncollected because we no longer have a reliable system.”
Mr Wallace said WM New Zealand’s “dodgy” plan was part of a wider trend in the waste and recycling industry away from decent jobs to contractor status. He said that Enviro NZ has already adopted a similar proposal.
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5. DITP Promotes Thailand’s Entertainment Industry on the Global Stage with “Thai Night Busan 2026” at ACFM in the Republic of Korea
October 6, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
The Republic of Korea is one of the world’s leading countries in film and entertainment and a major hub for Asia’s content industry. Its annual content exports exceed USD 12 billion, and it plays a prominent role in global digital media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. DITP supported Thailand’s film and entertainment industry at ACFM consistently from 2012 to 2019. However, Thai Night activities has been on hiatus since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The return of the event reflects the growing international interest in and recognition of Thai films, series, animation, and digital content.
DITP is deeply honoured that Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi will graciously preside over the opening ceremony of Thai Night Busan 2026. Her Royal Highness’s longstanding support has provided great encouragement to Thailand’s entertainment industry. Her gracious presence will lend great distinction to the event and further enhance its international profile. The event will take place on October 11, 2026, at Park Hyatt Busan, under the theme “Reimagining Thailand,” presenting the country’s capabilities and fresh perspectives through creativity and its content industry.
DITP and the Department of Cultural Promotion will jointly organise the Thailand Pavilion at ACFM 2026, bringing 20 Thai companies to participate in business matching alongside Thai Night Busan 2026. These activities aim to facilitate co-production discussions, sales and licensing of Thai content, expansion into overseas markets, and networking between Thai companies and international buyers, investors, creators, directors, and media representatives across film, television, series, animation, and related services.
The initiative also aims to showcase Thailand’s creative capabilities and approaches to producing quality content, while connecting business development with the country’s food, culture, lifestyle, and tourism destinations. This initiative will drive exports, strengthen Thailand’s global brand, and support the growth of Thailand’s creative economy.
Hashtag: #DITP #ThaiNightBusan2026 #ReimaginingThailand
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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6. New allnex Leadership Team to drive next phase of growth
October 6, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
FRANKFURT, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 October 2026 – allnex is evolving its leadership team and business structure to acceleratethe next phase of growth, bringing technology, commercial and organizational leadership closer together.
Effective January 1, 2027, the new structure will strengthen allnex’s focus on three priorities: turning customer needs into innovation, creating one integrated global commercial organization, and building the capabilities needed to execute for the long term.
“allnex has a strong foundation, exceptional talent, and significant opportunities ahead. The new leadership team we are building brings together deep expertise in technology, commercial excellence, and organizational transformation. Together, we will strengthen our customer partnerships, accelerate innovation, and create sustainable growth for allnex in the years to come”, says Anish K. Taneja, Chief Executive Officer of allnex.
Driving the Future Through Innovation: Ruben Mannien Appointed Chief Technology Officer
To further strengthen the connection between technology leadership, market opportunities, and long-term business strategy, allnex is establishing the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as a core position within its Management Team.
Effective January 1, 2027, Ruben Mannien will assume the role of CTO, leading Corporate Strategy, Sustainability and Innovation, including key growth areas focused on opportunities that create future value for allnex.
“Ruben’s ability to connect customer needs, business strategy, and innovation makes him uniquely qualified for this role,” said Anish K. Taneja. “His leadership will help accelerate the commercialization of innovation and ensure that allnex remains at the forefront of technologies shaping the future of our industry.”
Creating One Global Commercial Organization: Mark Perbaums Appointed Chief Commercial Officer
Effective October 1, 2026, Mark Perbaums will join allnex as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).
Mark joins allnex from Johnson Matthey, where he most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer for Clean Air.
As CCO, Mark will bring together all global commercial activities under a single leadership structure, including Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Technical Service, Product Management, Regional Commercial Organizations, and Global Key Account Management. The Coating Resins, Additives, and Composites businesses will be aligned within this organization, creating a more connected and customer-centric commercial model.
His mission will be to strengthen customer intimacy, create a consistent customer experience across regions and businesses, accelerate decision-making, and unlock growth opportunities through closer collaboration across the global commercial organization.
“Mark brings extensive international experience in commercial leadership,” says Anish K. Taneja. “His leadership will help us further strengthen customer relationships, unlock new business opportunities, and deliver the consistent customer experience around the globe. Mark will help allnex to unleash its full growth potential and bring the voice of the customer to everyone in our company.”
Building the Organization of Tomorrow: Maria Roettger Appointed Chief Administrative Officer
Effective January 1, 2027, Maria Roettger will join allnex as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
In this newly created role, Maria will lead Human Resources, Communications, Legal & Compliance, Information Technology, GBS, the Transformation Office and the Process Center of Excellence, bringing together the critical functions that enable organizational effectiveness and long-term performance.
Maria joins allnex from Michelin, where she currently serves as President & CEO of Michelin Europe North.
Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership positions across both business and human resources disciplines, leading large-scale organizations through growth, change, and transformation.
“Maria will play a key role in shaping the culture, talent, and capabilities required to support allnex’s long-term growth ambitions, ensuring the organization remains agile, customer-focused, and ready for future opportunities“, said Anish K. Taneja.
Experienced Leadership Continues to Provide Stability and Execution Excellence
The following Management Team responsibilities will remain unchanged:
Duncan Taylor, Chief Financial Officer
Duncan Taylor will continue to lead Finance, Treasury, Tax, Controlling, Accounting & General Ledger, M&A activities and Internal Audit.
Lauri Wogschin, Chief Procurement Officer
Lauri Wogschin will continue to lead Procurement and Supply Chain.
Herman Vos, Chief Operating Officer
Herman Vos will continue to lead Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Safety, Health & Environment (SHE).
Positioned to Lead the Next Chapter of Growth
Anish K. Taneja, Chief Executive Officer of allnex concludes, “The future of allnex will be defined by how effectively we serve our customers, innovate ahead of market needs, and execute with excellence. This team gives us the leadership, experience, and ambition to do exactly that. Together we will drive profitable growth, customer satisfaction and employee engagement to the next level while writing the next chapter of allnex success story.”
The new Management Team structure will become fully effective on January 1, 2027.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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7. Strategic plan sets direction for Queenstown transport
October 6, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
A 30-year strategic plan released today by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will help focus ongoing investment in Queenstown’s transport infrastructure into the right areas, at the right time and help keep people moving, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Queenstown is growing quickly, and its transport network needs to keep pace. It’s a world-class destination with strong demand from people wanting to live, visit, and do business, with peak-day population expected to grow from around 83,000 in 2025 to around 143,000 by 2055,” Mr Bishop says.
“That growth will create enormous pressure on the transport network and meeting it will require a more integrated approach than simply adding road capacity. Queenstown’s lakes, rivers, and mountains, also create real physical constraints to what we can build, so we need to invest smartly and be open to innovative options.
“The Queenstown Strategic Network Plan, released by NZTA today, sets out a staged approach to improving the network over the next 30 years, focused on three core outcomes:
- Make best use of existing infrastructure – prioritise smarter use of existing corridors through network optimisation, managing key bottlenecks, and incremental investment in capacity and bus priority.
- Move more people around in less space – maximise the existing bus network and shift to higher capacity public transport, including buses and gondolas or cable cars.
- Actively manage demand – use pricing and access management tools to reduce pressure at peak times and make better use of available capacity.
“Early priorities in the plan include improvements to the Frankton Flats intersection, capacity and bus priority improvements, Ladies Mile and Southern Corridor upgrades, town centre bus hub improvements, and better walking and cycling connections. Replacing Edith Cavell Bridge at Arthurs Point is also critical for local road network resilience.
“Over the longer term, the plan identifies projects that may include ‘offline high-capacity public transport’, such as the gondolas or cable cars, with several private sector proposals already under discussion.
“An additional crossing over the Kawarau River is also proposed in the longer term to accommodate increasing demand from people travelling between Frankton and developments south of the river.
“This sensible, long-term approach supports the Government’s focus on a more resilient and reliable transport network that enables economic growth and productivity. It also supports the direction of the National Infrastructure Plan by making better use of the infrastructure we already have, looking after it, and prioritising projects that deliver value for money.
“The Queenstown Strategic Network Plan provides a long-term strategic direction that can feed into regional and national land transport funding decisions, as well as the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s recently established Mayoral Transport Taskforce.
“The Taskforce brings together local and regional government, business, mana whenua and transport expertise to identify practical actions to improve Queenstown’s transport network, accelerate delivery where possible, and explore innovative longer-term solutions.
“This Strategic Network Plan provides an important foundation for that work, setting out where the greatest pressures are expected to emerge and the options available to address them over time.
“Importantly, work is already underway on projects to help ease some of the transport pressures Queenstown is facing now, such as the Frankton State Highway 6/6A intersection and upgraded Bus Hub. This project will better manage traffic through the intersection for all road users, while additional lanes will increase capacity.
“At the busy Howards Drive intersection with SH6/Frankton-Ladies Mile Highway, NZTA is transforming the T-intersection into a signalised intersection, making it easier and safer to get on and off SH6 and help traffic move more smoothly. A fourth leg added to the intersection will also help accommodate much-needed housing.
“Early work is also underway on the new Jims Way/Pūāhuru walking and cycling bridge that will cross a very busy SH6, connect into existing cycling and walking paths, and provide a safe crossing for locals and visitors.
“NZTA is currently in discussions with Queenstown Lakes District Council about replacing of Edith Cavell Bridge at Arthurs Point. Delivering a new bridge is a priority for the resilience of the local road network, with funding to be considered in due course.
“Queenstown needs reliable and efficient transport options so residents, visitors, and freight operators, can spend less time in traffic and more time getting to where they need to go.
“I look forward to this strategic plan feeding into upcoming regional land transport and public transport plans and being considered as part of the 2027-30 National Land Transport Programme by NZTA in due course.”
Notes to Editor:
- PDF attached: Queenstown Strategic Network Plan.
- More about the current NZTA projects in Queenstown is at the following links:
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/06/strategic-plan-sets-direction-for-queenstown-transport/
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8. “Investment Advisers are Either Going to Be on the Crest of This AI Wave, or They are Going to Drown Under It”: Ray Dalio
October 6, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
As AI reshapes investing and advisory roles, WMI targets 21,000 enrolments in practical, role-specific AI training for wealth and asset management professionals over three years.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 October 2026 – Investors and advisers must learn to work effectively with artificial intelligence (AI) to remain competitive as the technology transforms decision-making and makes sophisticated capabilities broadly accessible, Mr Ray Dalio said today at the WMI Global-Asia Family Office Summit.
He said: “You are either going to be on the crest of this AI wave, or you’re going to drown under it. This is particularly true in markets, where producing alpha means making decisions that are better than random and better than the competition. Advisers will need to work effectively with AI to remain competitive. You have to get into that game and be able to do it capably. Otherwise, you will be bypassed.”
Speaking at the Partners Forum session on Investing in the Age of AI, Mr Dalio, Founder of Bridgewater Associates and Chairman of the Dalio Family Office, said AI can support the entire investment process, from gathering information and defining decision criteria to back-testing, portfolio construction and execution. He stressed that investors still need clear criteria and a game plan, and should challenge AI rather than accept its outputs uncritically.
According to Ray Dalio, investors should develop “their version” of AI that reflects their own values, choices and thinking. He described the future as “you and your AI partner”, where ideas are continually challenged, tested and refined through a high-quality intellectual exchange. Rather than relying blindly on technology, investors must understand the cause-and-effect relationships underlying their decisions and use AI to strengthen both their thinking and execution.
WMI to equip professionals for AI-enabled roles
Against this backdrop, the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) aims to achieve 21,000 enrolments in its AI training over the next three years. The training will provide practical, role-specific learning for wealth and asset management professionals, with safe and responsible AI use embedded throughout.
Ms Foo Mee Har, CEO of WMI, said: “AI is already changing how we invest and advise. Investment professionals can use it to synthesise vast amounts of research, explore portfolio vulnerabilities and strengthen risk analysis.”
Ms Foo added that using AI safely requires professionals to protect confidential client information, recognise bias and unreliable outputs, and maintain appropriate human oversight. She said: “AI can generate an answer. Advisers remain accountable for the advice.”
“As AI takes on more analysis and routine work, the premium on human connection rises. Advisers who know how to use AI well will be better equipped to thrive—with deeper insights, better preparation and more time to understand family concerns, build trust and strengthen relationships.”
The training supports the wider industry initiative by the IBF AI Workforce Co-Lab, recently launched by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to prepare the financial sector for changing jobs through training and job redesign. WMI’s goal is to help professionals turn AI capability into higher productivity, better advice and deeper client relationships.
Advisers have an opportunity to earn deeper trust
Addressing more than 400 participants, including family principals, private bankers, wealth and asset managers, lawyers, tax and trust advisers and many others who support families across generations, Ms Foo said advisers must move beyond individual products towards understanding families’ holistic needs and shaping advice around them.
New findings from WMI’s Stewardship by Design: Preparing Asia’s Next Generation for Leadership and Impact study underline the opportunity facing the profession.
The study was conducted jointly with academics from Harvard Business School and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. It draws on responses from about 150 family offices, primarily based in Asia. It compares their responses with those of family offices worldwide, with the majority from the Americas.
Only 32 per cent of family offices in WMI’s primarily Asian sample identified advisers as a source of guidance when considering strategic decisions about their wealth and legacy, a rate about one fifth lower than in the international sample.
Ms Foo said: “This points to a significant opportunity for advisers to earn a greater role in families’ decision-making. Doing so requires them to understand how a family’s investments, governance, succession and purpose connect. It is a capability we must build.”
Strengthening philanthropy and legacy capabilities
WMI and the Private Banking Industry Group are also expanding their partnership. Over the next three years, they expect to see 1,200 enrolments among private bankers keen to be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to guide families on philanthropy, legacy and purpose.
Ms Foo said: “We are seeing strong interest from advisers in building knowledge in philanthropy. Philanthropy gives families a practical way to put their values into action. It can bring generations together around a shared purpose and give younger members experience in making decisions and taking responsibility.”
The Partners Forum is the second day of the fifth WMI Global-Asia Family Office Summit, held under the theme Legacy in Action: Capital for the New Horizon. The Forum also explores next-generation investing, family office governance, philanthropy, long-term capital and the impact of emerging technologies and AI on investment decision-making.
Across two days, the Summit welcomed over 630 participants from the family office ecosystem, reflecting the growth of WMI’s family office community alongside Singapore’s family office ecosystem.
For Ms Foo Mee Har’s full speech, click here.
To download the report, click here.
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WMI provides a comprehensive suite of practice-based certification and diploma programmes and collaborates with leading universities for master’s degrees. With over 20,000 annual enrolments, WMI serves a diverse community of professionals across Asia—including wealth and asset managers, family offices, and professionals in tax, legal, compliance, and financial regulation across more than 160 programmes. WMI is recognised as Singapore’s lead training provider for private banking and wealth management.
WMI helms the Global-Asia Family Office (GFO) Circle, a trusted network platform that builds capabilities and fosters community within the family office sector. The GFO Circle is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). WMI also leads the Asia Centre for Changemakers (ACC), supported by Temasek Trust and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA). The ACC aims to build capacity and nurture a strong pipeline of active and informed changemakers with a focus on Asia.
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9. Unions go back to the Authority to stop FENZ restructure
October 6, 2026
Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi and New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union
The PSA and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union have filed more legal proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority which aim to stop Fire and Emergency NZ pushing ahead with a restructure the Authority has already found was carried out unlawfully.
The unions have filed for compliance orders to stop FENZ making any decisions, dismissing any union members or changing their terms and conditions until it meets its obligations under the collective agreements and the law.
In March the Authority found FENZ breached both collective agreements and its duty of good faith, by failing to consult the unions on whether change was needed and why. Six months on, FENZ has restarted the same process, with the same consultants, without fixing the problem.
“FENZ was told by the Authority it broke the law. Instead of starting again properly, it has dusted off the same plan and is trying to push it through anyway,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“We wrote to the board chair asking him to suspend the restructure. He refused, leaving the unions with no choice but to go back to the Authority.
“FENZ’s so-called ‘reasons for change’ document is a consultant-written mess of bullet points, arrows and coloured boxes, with substantial AI input. Almost every proposed change comes with the exact same boilerplate justification.
“You can’t restructure an emergency service on that basis. It must stop now, before livelihoods are upended for no good reason.
“These are the people who train firefighters, reduce fire risk in our communities and support crews when they’re called out to emergencies. Their jobs shouldn’t be cut on the strength of a document nobody can make sense of.”
Fleur Fitzsimons said this was a textbook case of why a public good test is needed for all public sector restructures. “FENZ has botched this restructure time and again – a public good test would have forced it to properly weigh its impacts across a range of criteria, avoiding this mess.”
NZPFU National Secretary Wattie Watson said the restructure must be stopped.
“FENZ’s chief executive has lost the confidence of his own Minister. FENZ has no business forcing through a process the Authority has already found unlawful.
“This shouldn’t be happening in the middle of an election campaign, when parties including Labour have committed to a review of FENZ. Locking in the biggest restructure in FENZ’s history weeks out from polling is reckless.”
Previous statements
18 Mar 2026 – ERA rules FENZ broke the law – restructure breached good faith and obligations to consult
Public good test
31 August 2026 – Enough is enough: public good test needed to stop Govt’s reckless restructures
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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10. Thailand’s LTR Visa Hits 12,000 Approvals in Four Years, Adding USD 1.28 Billion to the Economy
October 5, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)
Introduced in September 2022 to attract high-potential foreigners to reside and conduct economic activities in Thailand, the LTR visa program has generated an average economic value of more than USD 107,000 (THB 3.6 million) per recipient, according to BOI data. The calculation covers visa fees, spending in Thailand by visa holders, direct investment, and tax revenue from highly skilled professionals.
Amid intensifying global competition for highly skilled personnel, the LTR visa is an important mechanism for bringing global talent into Thailand. This is particularly relevant as the country prepares for a new wave of investment in advanced-technology industries, including semiconductors and advanced electronics, digital technology and AI, humanoid robotics, aviation, and biotechnology.
“The LTR visa is a strategic pillar to attract global talent as Thailand absorbs a new wave of advanced technology investments,” said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Board of Investment. “Drawing top-tier executives and technical specialists from around the world is vital to strengthening our national competitiveness and securing technology transfers from international partners.”
Approved LTR visa recipients primarily come from leading economies. The United States accounts for the largest group, with more than 2,400 approvals, followed by Japan with more than 1,300 and the United Kingdom with more than 1,000. Japanese nationals comprise a notable share of the specialist bracket, aligning with Japan’s heavy footprint in Thailand’s automotive and precision-electronics supply networks.
The 12,010 approved LTR visa recipients fall into five categories: 1,779 Highly-Skilled Professionals; 1,043 Work-from-Thailand Professionals, who work from Thailand for overseas employers; 737 Wealthy Global Citizens; 4,561 Wealthy Pensioners; and 3,891 Dependents of recipients in the first four categories.
Among recipients in the Highly-Skilled Professionals and Work-from-Thailand Professionals categories, 54% hold executive-level positions and 36% are professionals in various fields; the remainder are at the technical level. Applicants in each category must meet specific criteria, such as requirements relating to assets, income, investment evidence, work experience, and health insurance, and undergo rigorous checks by the relevant agencies.
To handle rising application volumes and remove long-standing administrative bottlenecks, the BOI rolled out an integrated digital processing portal in September 2026. The platform centralizes review procedures across four primary state bodies: the Department of Consular Affairs, the Immigration Bureau, the Department of Employment, and the Revenue Department.
Complementing the portal, the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC), a one-stop service center, is located on floors 6-7 of the Parade Zone at One Bangkok. “The center is intended to strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness in continuously attracting high-potential talent from around the world,” said Mr. Narit.
In addition to attracting foreign talent through the LTR visa, BOI also facilitates visas and work permits for executives and personnel working in BOI-promoted businesses through the BOI Visa, and offers the Smart Visa for startups. BOI also supports the skills development of Thai personnel through the Skill Bridge measure, and helps Thai entrepreneurs adopt modern technology to enhance their competitiveness through the Business Transformation measure. These measures work hand in hand to attract international experts, develop Thai personnel, and upgrade Thai businesses, strengthening Thailand’s readiness for the transition to a new economy driven by technology and innovation.
Note: Currency conversions are based on the Bank of Thailand’s average selling rate of approximately 1 USD = 33.6 THB.
https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/
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Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)
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