AM Edition: Here are the top 10 politics articles on LiveNews.co.nz for October 9, 2026 – Full Text
1. Government cracks down on rockpool vandals
October 8, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Major fishing rule changes will come into force this summer to stop people from stripping rockpools of marine life on the Auckland and Coromandel coastlines, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft say.
“Fossicking in a rockpool is a Kiwi tradition. It’s a pastime that’s been enjoyed by generations of New Zealanders. However, it’s being exploited by a selfish few who are taking far too much kaimoana. This behaviour is endangering these fragile ecosystems and putting at risk our beloved coastal areas.
“For this reason, I am closing a substantial area of the intertidal zone in the Auckland and Coromandel regions to recreational fishing for a wide range of species including cat’s eyes, mussels, and limpets. I am also reducing the bag limits for other species,” Mr Jones says.
Harvesting in the intertidal zone on beaches, rocky shores and rockpools, the area in and around where the tide comes in and goes out, will be heavily limited with exceptions in place for only certain species that can be taken sustainably. A 2m depth limit will be used to define this area, meaning areas that are accessible at low tide will be covered by the ban.
“This will protect a broad range of species that are vulnerable to overharvesting and other pressures, while keeping access to highly valued species that can sustainably be caught in the intertidal zone, such as rock lobster and squid.
“I have also decided to introduce a daily limit of 10 for all other shellfish without their own limits outside of the intertidal zone. This is to reduce the risk of overharvesting activity shifting to offshore or subtidal areas,” Mr Jones says.
The changes will be in place until revoked by the Oceans and Fisheries Minister, with continual monitoring and review to determine their impact and whether further measures are needed.
The Government is also working rapidly to set up an infringement regime for the closure so Fishery Officers can hand out instant fines to lawbreakers, Ms Marcroft says.
“It is clear that a robust but proportionate penalty response is required. Fishery Officers will continue to exercise discretion. For example, tamariki exploring the rockpools with a bucket and spade will not face punishment for their curiosity. But where it is obvious our rockpools are being cleared out of all marine life through greed and selfishness, authorities will act,” Ms Marcroft says.
The moves respond to community concerns about overharvesting pressure and the sustainability of marine life in rocky shore areas and rockpools.
“The overwhelming majority of submitters during public consultation wanted far-ranging and meaningful restrictions. While I am reluctant to close our coastlines, it is a necessary step,” Mr Jones says
“Kiwis should be able to enjoy our coastline and gather kaimoana but we have a responsibility to make sure fisheries resources are protected for all to enjoy. This broad prohibition, with some sensible and evidence-based exceptions, strikes that balance.”
“The actions we are taking will protect these fisheries for the future. They build on and complement existing site-specific shellfish closures, including the restrictions I placed over the northern Hauraki Gulf earlier this year to protect intertidal fisheries and rockpools that had come under significant pressure.”
Full details on the new restrictions can be found on MPI’s website.
Editors’ note:
Intertidal zone
- The closure covers an intertidal area of coastline including Auckland’s east and west coast, Waiheke Island, and Coromandel. It extends from the mean high-water mark to a point offshore where the water is 2m deep.
- The intertidal closure prohibits the take of marine invertebrates except for cockles, crabs, kina, octopus, oysters, pāua, pipi, rock lobsters (spiny and packhorse), scallops, sea cucumbers, prawns/shrimps, squid, and tuatua. These species are managed through species-specific controls, including catch limits and other restrictions.
- The closure will protect a broad range of species including cat’s eyes, chitons, limpets, periwinkles, and mussels.
Daily limits
- Catch limits will apply to species and areas that remain open to harvesting in the Auckland Coromandel area.
- The existing daily limits for cockles, kina, oysters, pāua, pipi, rock lobsters (spiny and packhorse), scallops, and tuatua will be retained.
- New daily limits for all species of crabs (10), octopus (1), prawns/shrimps (50), sea cucumbers (5) and squid (10) have been set.
- A new daily limit of 10 shellfish has been set for any species without its own limit in the Auckland Coromandel area (for example, barnacles, chitons, cat’s eyes, limpets, periwinkles, starfish).
- The daily limit for green-lipped mussels is reduced from 25 to 10 per person, while mussel take will be prohibited in the intertidal closure area.
Existing closures
- Existing shellfish closures will continue to apply, such as the east coast scallop fishery, temporary closures in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, and the inner Hauraki Gulf spiny rock lobster closure.
- It’s important that people check the rules for their area.
Enforcement tools
Intertidal zone closure
- From 1 November, Fishery Officers will be educating people about the rules in the intertidal closure and people breaking the rules could face prosecution.
- Infringement notices are an important tool for deterring offending while supporting proportionate and effective enforcement.
- The Government is progressing regulatory changes so Fishery Officers can issue fines for breaching the intertidal restrictions. Prosecution will remain available for more serious offending.
Daily limits where harvesting is allowed
- The new daily limits will restrict take of shellfish species that remain open to harvesting. The existing infringement regime for daily limits will continue to apply – these are fines ranging from $250 to $500.
- Fishery Officers will use their discretion to determine an appropriate compliance response from their toolkit which includes education/warnings, infringements, and prosecution.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/08/government-cracks-down-on-rockpool-vandals/
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2. Next steps in fight against organised crime
October 8, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The new Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Chief Executive Board has met for the first time today, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello has announced.
“We need better organised government to fight organised crime, and the Board will help deliver that,” Ms Costello says.
“The Government has made a series of decisions to improve our response to TSOC, including appointing a Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), and putting in place a new TSOC strategy and Action Plan. A key recommendation of the MAG was to improve governance and coordination across government and that is what the CEB will do.”
Alongside the joint chairs, Customs Comptroller Christine Stevenson and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, the CEs who will be permanent members of the CEB are: Ben King, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; Peter Mersi, Inland Revenue; Paul James, Department of Internal Affairs; and Nic Blakeley, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
“We are at a critical time in the fight against TSOC,” Ms Costello says. “New Zealand is being increasingly targeted by organised criminal groups – we are seeing this in the supply of drugs like meth and cocaine, in a wave of cannabis grow houses, and in the impacts of industrial-scale scam centres operating internationally.
“These crimes involve money laundering and migrant exploitation, and they impact all of us through related violence, money disappearing out of the economy and community and personal harm from drugs.
“I’ve said before, individual agencies do great work in trying to address this, but there are multiple agencies with different powers who have a role in fighting organised crime and across government we need a stronger and more cohesive response.
“What the CEB provides is enhanced oversight and coordination of this work and it will provide the mechanism for focusing on system issues such as information sharing.
“The public probably assumes that, for example, Customs and Police routinely share the phone numbers of gang members they are investigating, but that is not the case. In fact, in most circumstances it is not even permitted.”
The CEB’s priorities will be to:
- embed the TSOC Strategy and ensure delivery of the TSOC Action Plan
- drive activities that support system-wide information sharing, improve collective investigative practice, and facilitate strategic investment
- identify legislative opportunities to combat TSOC
- sustain and strengthen ROCC
- review existing governance and support structures including opportunities for increased effectiveness and efficiencies across agencies and the TSOC system.
“The Board’s initial focus will be on driving the system response to organised crime and operational cohesion, particularly around money flows and the profitability of TSOC groups, and the CEB membership was determined on that basis,” Ms Costello says.
Other Chief Executives will be invited to meet with the CEB and provide expertise and leadership on specific issues.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/08/next-steps-in-fight-against-organised-crime/
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3. Government moves to end prolonged confinement of dogs
October 8, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is seeking New Zealanders’ views on proposed new rules to stop dogs being shut away in cages, crates and kennels for extremely long periods, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
“Dogs need exercise, company and room to move. When a dog is locked in a crate or kennel day after day with no break, it misses out on all of that, and it suffers,” Mr Hoggard says.
“Those dogs can become anxious, fearful and aggressive. That’s bad for the dog, and it can put families, the public and other animals at risk too.”
SPCA inspectors deal with prolonged confinement regularly and received more than 400 complaints about it in 2024/25 alone.
“Last year we worked with SPCA to ban prolonged tethering, and we’ve worked with them again on these proposals. We want to give inspectors a quicker way to act when they find a dog that is clearly suffering.”
Under the proposal, Animal Welfare Inspectors could issue a $500 infringement notice to the owner or person in charge of a dog when they find two or more signs of prolonged confinement. The proposed signs include built-up faeces or urine, a badly damaged enclosure, injuries from the enclosure, muscle wastage, overgrown nails, fly bite dermatitis and excessive frustration.
“I want to be really clear for farmers and other dog owners. Kennelling your dogs at night, or between jobs on the farm, is normal and responsible, and these proposals don’t change that. Neither does crating a dog for toilet training, travel, vet care or a house move. If your dog’s get regular exercise and company, and have room to stand, lie down, stretch out and turn around, you have nothing to worry about.
“This is about the small minority of owners who leave their dogs shut away day after day, to the point where the dog shows clear signs of harm.”
Mr Hoggard says the proposals are open for feedback and nothing has been decided.
“We want to hear whether the proposed signs are clear, whether $500 is the right fine, and whether the rules properly protect normal, short-term confinement. We’re also asking for views on dog breeding, to help reduce the number of dangerous and roaming dogs, and on commercial services like day care, boarding kennels, walkers and groomers.”
Consultation opens on 12 October and closes at 5pm on 23 November 2026. Details are at Have your say here.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/08/government-moves-to-end-prolonged-confinement-of-dogs/
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4. RMA national direction reforms complete
October 8, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government has completed the biggest overhaul of national direction in the history of the Resource Management Act – with the final changes making it faster, easier and more affordable to build and upgrade New Zealand’s electricity and telecommunications networks, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Over the past two years the Government has developed or amended 16 national direction instruments to remove unnecessary barriers to housing, infrastructure, energy and the primary sector,” Mr Bishop says.
“The final two are the National Environmental Standards for Electricity Network Activities and Telecommunication Facilities, which will replace outdated and inconsistent planning requirements with clearer, nationally consistent rules from today.
“National environmental standards set the rules for how particular activities are treated under the RMA, including when straightforward work can go ahead without needing a resource consent.
“Across the programme we have changed standards where they have been getting in the way of things New Zealand actually needs to do. Requiring a consent for routine or low-impact work costs money, takes time and can delay investment without necessarily delivering a better environmental outcome.
“The national direction programme has been designed as a bridge during the transition between outgoing resource management laws and the Government’s replacement planning system, the Planning Act and Natural Environment Act, while national instruments are developed.
“We are already consulting on illustrative National Policy Direction for the new system, which shows how the Government intends to set clear national priorities for housing and development, infrastructure, primary production, resources and important public and environmental values.”
Easier to build and upgrade electricity networks
The new National Environmental Standards for Electricity Network Activities (NES-ENA) significantly expand the existing national rules for electricity infrastructure.
The previous standards dated from 2009 and principally cover the national transmission grid. Electricity distribution networks – the local lines, poles and other infrastructure that carry power to homes and businesses – have largely been subject to different rules in different council plans.
The new standards bring transmission and distribution networks under a more consistent national framework and provide clearer rules for routine maintenance and upgrades, new distribution assets, protection of electricity networks from incompatible development, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
“For a lines company, this can mean being able to replace or upgrade existing infrastructure, carry out earthworks or vegetation clearance associated with maintenance, and improve the resilience of its network without unnecessarily having to start a bespoke consenting process every time,” Mr Bishop says.
“It will be faster and less costly to strengthen the networks that keep the lights on, connect new homes and businesses and accommodate growing electricity demand.
“The standards will also introduce nationally consistent protections around electricity infrastructure to reduce problems caused when new development is built too close to important network assets.
“Transpower has previously spent around $14 million seeking protection for the National Grid corridor council by council. A nationally consistent approach means we do not need to keep reinventing the wheel across dozens of individual plans.”
Planning rules that keep pace with telecommunications technology
“The changes to the National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities (NES-TF) address a different problem: technology has moved faster than the planning rules,” Mr Bishop says.
“The previous standards were introduced in 2016, but no longer adequately provide for equipment needed for modern telecommunications networks.
“As a result, telecommunications companies can currently find themselves needing resource consent for relatively minor upgrades simply because modern equipment does not fit within rules written for an earlier generation of technology.
“The new standards allow larger antennas and cabinets where appropriate, make it easier to install new poles in suitable locations, and better provide for the continued rollout of technology such as 5G.
“Larger cabinets can accommodate more back-up battery capacity, temporary telecommunications facilities can be deployed during emergencies or maintenance, and small-scale renewable generation can help power facilities in remote rural areas.
“The standards will also make it easier to improve rural connectivity, including through taller telecommunications poles in rural areas where terrain, trees and shelter belts can otherwise create coverage blackspots, and provide clearer pathways for connecting fibre to heritage buildings.
“Officials estimate these reforms could save between $40 million and $50 million in planning and consenting costs over the next decade.”
Note to editors:
- The changes to the NES-ENA and NES-TF were informed by public consultation in 2025 and feedback from local government, iwi authorities, infrastructure providers, industry groups, environmental organisations and other users of the resource management system.
- National policy statements direct how councils and decision-makers approach particular issues, while national environmental standards can set nationally consistent rules and consenting requirements for activities.
- The programme of changes has resulted in new national direction for:
- detached minor residential units (also known as granny flats)
- natural hazards
- infrastructure
- papakāinga.
- Existing national direction has also been amended for:
- highly productive land
- the coastal environment
- indigenous biodiversity
- freshwater as it relates to quarrying and mining
- renewable electricity generation
- electricity networks
- electric vehicle charging
- stock exclusion
- marine aquaculture
- commercial forestry
- electricity network activities
- telecommunication facilities.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/08/rma-national-direction-reforms-complete/
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5. Four more school redevelopments get the green light
October 8, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is investing a further $37 million to redevelop four schools, taking investment in school redevelopment projects approved this year to more than $200 million, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
“When we came into Government, school property was a mess. Around 350 projects could not be delivered within the funding available, schools had been waiting years for certainty, and classrooms were costing around $1.2 million each.
“We said we would fix it, and that is exactly what we have been doing.
“We changed the way we build, using simpler, repeatable designs and offsite manufacturing. Most new classrooms now cost less than $650,000 and more than $330 million in savings has been reinvested back into school property.
“Today, four more school communities are getting certainty.”
The projects are:
- Lynfield College, Auckland: a new administration block.
- Whenuapai School, Auckland: 10 replacement classrooms, a library and resource space.
- Tawa College, Wellington: upgrades to classroom block interiors.
- Māruawai College, Gore: 14 replacement classrooms as Stage 2 of the school’s redevelopment.
Work on the four projects will begin within the next 12 months.
“Across three Budgets we have invested around $2.7 billion in school property, fully funded nearly 1,600 additional classrooms and learning spaces, and increased maintenance funding by $880 million.
“That is what making every dollar go further looks like – more classrooms, better maintenance and greater certainty for schools.”
Supporting Kōhanga Reo
The Government is also making up to $3 million available to ease property pressures and expand capacity at Kōhanga Reo. Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust and the Ministry of Education will work together to identify where the investment can have the greatest impact.
“Demand for immersion education is growing and parents should have choice. If they choose Kōhanga Reo for their child, we want to make sure there is space available.
“We inherited a school property system that was not delivering. We have changed the way it works, driven down costs and reinvested the savings. Now we are getting school property back on track and getting on with delivering what schools and communities need.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/08/four-more-school-redevelopments-get-the-green-light/
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6. Updated: Kids waiting in pain as children’s dental service starved of funding – new report
October 8, 2026
Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
Key findings:
- Children’s dental workers report long waitlists and children in pain.
- A system stretched by staff shortages, lack of investment in equipment and infrastructure, and a lack of clerical support.
- Free dental care for young people shows how a properly funded free system could work for adults – unmet dental need surges after age 18.
Primary-aged school children are waiting years between dental appointments, many are stuck on waitlists while already in pain, according to a new report released today, Children’s Oral Health Workers: Voices for Dental for All .
The report, from the PSA in association with the Dental for All coalition, builds a new picture of children’s public dental care in 2026, based on in-depth interviews with 19 dental workers from around the country.
Dental workers describe in the report how underfunding has worsened over the past three years under the National-led Government, leading to reduced services and more staff vacancies.
“This is a disturbing snapshot of what we are seeing throughout the public health system – chronic underfunding that is fast eroding the high-quality oral health care for children that used to be the envy of the world,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“These are frontline health workers with a clear message to the Government – invest in public health. Making sure our children grow up with healthy teeth is the best way to prevent problems later in life. It’s a no-brainer.
“Children should not have to endure weeks and months of pain before being seen.”
Workers say Health NZ has deliberately slowed recruitment to save money, leaving them far less time for the preventative work that stops problems before they start. Mobile dental clinics, key to reaching children, have maintenance problems that get worse every year, adding to delays.
“On top of this, Health NZ has slashed 1000 IT workers – this means digital systems are not being upgraded to meet demand, and support is far harder to get when technology breaks down.
“All this adds to waiting times, more pain for children and erodes the quality of health care.”
Worker testimony
‘When we go into schools, we’re not able to see everybody – we’re not able to see those who are due last year and do preventative work.’
‘The floor’s become spongy in a lot of the vans. We’re told they’re still safe to be in. It can make you quite nervous.’
‘We had a person leave who answered our 0800 number and they didn’t replace them. Frontline staff are covering the person they didn’t replace. I’m sorry it doesn’t work.’
A future blueprint for free universal care
The report also shows the children’s service is a blueprint for free adult dental care.
Among children aged 10 to 14, unmet dental need due to cost is 4 per cent. By contrast, 58 per cent of adults aged 25 to 34 need to see a dentist but are going without because of the cost.
“Dental workers see the cost of unmet dental need up close – the damage to people’s overall health and wellbeing, and to their confidence to smile. They worry about the kids who will eventually age out of their service,” said Fleur Fitzsimons.
“Many wish they could treat the adults in the whānau they see. Some are asked by parents to look at their teeth, and have to say no.
“Dental care sits outside the public system only because of a quirk of history – and lobbying by dentists in the 1930s to keep it private.
“In the decades since, it has become clear a privatised dental system doesn’t serve the people of Aotearoa, and plenty of research spells out how much inequitable access to dental care is costing our country.
“We hope this report adds to the growing support for Dental for All by setting out workers’ vision for a better system. It’s time everyone in New Zealand can access high-quality, free dental care.”
“This report shares important insights from community oral health workers about what universal, public oral healthcare should look like. In our policy paper released in April, ‘Fixing Oral Healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Costed Policy Plan for Delivering Dental for All’, we propose a model for universal, Te Tiriti o Waitangi-consistent oral healthcare which builds on the successes of public provision for children.
“We know what the solutions are, and the need is urgent. Now we need politicians to commit to taking action,” Dental for All campaigner, Hana Pilkinton-Ching, says.
Read the report in full at this link: https://content.app-us1.com/2g9OXD/2026/10/07/a6b3ff80-529c-4f77-afde-71cb544f0e38.pdf
The Report will be launched today (8 October) at 5pm at the Barclay Theatre at the Otago Museum with a panel discussion chaired by PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons and Samuel Carrington, Raewyn Sinclar and Janet Quigley.
Please register if you wish to join: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pZ1WjE1jXUCaUAB_PhHr7M7upUZlUnNBpxxaM18KMcZUOFFRWkc5NUJOVFM1T1lTMUREM0lYREo4Ty4u&route=shorturl
Samuel Carrington (Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Hurungaterangi) is a Māori Oral Health Therapist, Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean Māori at the University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry. He is Vice President of Te Ohu Pūniho Ora o Aotearoa – the New Zealand Oral Health Association, an Executive member of Te Ao Mārama – Aotearoa Māori Dental Association, and a member of the Dental for All coalition.
Raewyn Sinclair is a Senior Oral Health Therapist for the Community Oral Health Service and has been working in this service for the past 11 years. She is also a PSA Delegate for Community Oral Health, a position she has taken up for a second time. Raewyn started in dentistry at the University of Otago, School of Dentistry, as a Dental assistant in 1985 at the age of 16 and then worked in several private practices throughout her career. She decided as an adult student she wanted to help children’s dentistry so got her degree as an Oral Health Therapist at the age of 47 and has never looked back. She also has 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren whom she enjoys spending her down time with.
Janet Quigley graduated as a Dental nurse in the early 1970s and, alongside later MP and Minister for Health Annette King, she joined the march on parliament in 1974 to demand pay parity with Public Health nurses.
After two major restructures 18 years ago, Janet left community dental and took on a Health promotion role. The majority of her work now focuses on nutrition and oral health promotion in Early Childhood and Primary schools.
Throughout her career she has stayed very active is the PSA. She was on the bargaining team for the successful Allied Health Pay Equity claim in 2023 and currently serves as our Vice President.
Background: Dental for All (https://www.dentalforall.nz/about)
Dental for All is a campaign for free, universal, Te Tiriti o Waitangi-consistent oral healthcare in Aotearoa. The campaign, started in 2022, is led by ActionStation Aotearoa and supported by a core coalition, which includes unions, community organisations, oral health workers and many others passionate about transforming the way we treat oral health in Aotearoa – alongside a growing movement of everyday people organising for Dental for All in their communities
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (https://www.psa.org.nz/) 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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7. More psychology hubs to grow the frontline
October 8, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is growing the frontline psychology workforce by ensuring more psychology students have access to internships, with the number of Psychology Intern Hubs increasing next year, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says.
“We know there are students coming through our universities who want to become psychologists, but getting the supervised experience they need can be a real bottleneck.
“That’s why we are removing barriers by growing the number of Psychology Intern Hubs across the country, giving more students access to supported placements and helping more mental health services build the capacity to take on interns.
“From next year there will be eight hubs around the country, an increase of two, with the hubs supporting up to 40 interns each year.
“These hubs will provide more opportunities for psychology interns to gain supervised experience in mental health and addiction services, while strengthening the pathway from university training into the frontline workforce.
“They provide dedicated supervision for psychology interns, including peer support, while giving them exposure to a range of mental health and addiction services and setting them up well for a career as a psychologist.
“The hubs will be based across specialist, primary and community services, including in Waikato, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and now for the first time Northland and Dunedin too.
“This is part of our wider plan to grow the psychology workforce and create more pathways into the frontline.
“We are on track to double clinical psychology internships, increasing from 40 to 80. In 2027, Health New Zealand will fund 85 internships, up from 75 so far this year.
“We have also established the new Psychology Assistant role, creating another pathway for psychology graduates who miss out on a postgraduate place and keep them working in mental health.
“Psychology Assistants will work alongside registered psychologists, providing practical support and helping people access support faster, while allowing psychologists to focus more of their time on people with the most complex needs.
“We are building the future workforce and fixing the basics by growing the pipeline of frontline workers. We came into Government with a clear plan to deliver faster access to support, more frontline workers and a better crisis response, and it’s paying off.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/08/more-psychology-hubs-to-grow-the-frontline/
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8. Home support workers can’t afford to do their jobs as petrol prices hit record high
October 8, 2026
Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
As petrol prices hit an all-time high this week, 23,000 home support workers are struggling to make ends meet while the Government is silent on a review of their mileage rate.
“These workers travel between clients all day caring for elderly and disabled New Zealanders in their own homes and they have to fund and maintain their own car to do it, on wages at or near the minimum wage,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Workers campaigned hard earlier this year to win a mileage rate increase. That was a real win. But the new rate of 82.5 cents per kilometre is still falls below what the IRD says it actually costs to run a car for work, and it is temporary.
“The Government promised a review of the rate by 1 July. It is now October and these workers have heard nothing.
“On top of having their pay equity claim ripped away, this is a kick in the teeth for these workers.
“This low-paid predominantly female workforce hold our health system together. “
Becks, a home support worker in rural Waimate was shocked to see the petrol price reach $3.88 this week. She said, “I have clients who are only 15-minute visits but by the time I factor in the distances between them and what it costs to run my car, I’m effectively paying to do those jobs.”
Sonia, a home support worker in Greymouth said, “I’m on a low wage and I live alone. I can’t afford this. I do this work because I love it but it’s just getting so hard to get by. It’s not OK.”
Fitzsimons said, “With petrol prices hitting $3.88 per litre in areas like Waimate, home support workers urgently need a mileage rate increase that covers their actual costs, and they deserve a response from the Minister.”
The PSA has written to Health Minister Simeon Brown this week calling for a rate increase and asking for the outcome of the 2026 review of rates, which was due on 1 July. The letter is attached.
The PSA and Etū have an ongoing Employment Relations Authority claim against Health New Zealand arguing that requiring workers to fund and maintain their own vehicles as a condition of employment breaches the Employment Relations Act.
Home support workers are available for interview.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (https://www.psa.org.nz/) 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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9. More Kiwis choosing teaching
October 8, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
More New Zealanders are choosing to become teachers, with initial teacher education enrolments up 40 per cent since 2023.
Education Minister Erica Stanford says the increase shows more Kiwis want to be part of New Zealand’s teaching workforce.
“We’ve had a real focus on getting more New Zealanders into teaching so we can grow our own workforce and reduce our reliance on recruiting teachers from overseas.
“Overseas-trained teachers make an important contribution to our schools, and we will continue to need them, but we are also making it easier and more attractive for Kiwis to choose teaching as a career.
“That’s why we’ve expanded the School Onsite Training Programme, which pays people to learn on the job with a $20,000 grant. We’re increasing places to 660 next year and 704 every year from 2028, with more places focused on secondary teaching where the need is greatest.
“And today’s numbers show that focus is working, with 40 per cent more New Zealanders now training to become teachers than in 2023.”
Indicative figures show initial teacher education enrolments have increased from 3,190 in August 2023 to 4,455 in August 2026.
Ms Stanford says attracting more people into teaching is only part of the picture, with teacher retention remaining stable at around 90 per cent.
“We want talented people to choose teaching, to be well prepared when they enter the classroom, and to want to stay in the profession.
“That’s why our wider education reforms matter too. We are giving teachers a clear, knowledge-rich curriculum, high-quality classroom resources and professional learning and development so they have the support they need to do their job well.
“We are rebuilding an education system focused on great teaching and strong foundations in reading, writing, maths and other core knowledge, and we are starting to see results improve.
“Our ambition is to create a world-leading education system, and great teachers are at the heart of that.
“More Kiwis are putting their hands up to become teachers and be part of what we are building. That is great news for our schools and for New Zealand students.”
Notes to editors:
Initial teacher education enrolments increased from 3,190 in August 2023 to 4,455 in August 2026, an increase of around 40 per cent.
In 2025, 3,190 New Zealand students completed teacher training, up 2.4 per cent on the previous year.
Secondary teacher graduates increased 13 per cent, from 785 to 890.
Science graduates increased from 110 to 150, maths and statistics from 95 to 110, and te reo Māori from 30 to 45.
The School Onsite Training Programme will provide 660 places in 2027 and 704 places every year from 2028, with more places focused on secondary teaching.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/08/more-kiwis-choosing-teaching/
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10. Election 2026 – GPs demand next government to fund the work that keeps patients healthy and general practice open
October 8, 2026
Source: Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
8 October 2026
Almost half of specialist GPs’ work takes place outside funded face-to-face consultations. This work is essential to safe patient care, but the health system often relies on GPs and practices to absorb the cost or recover it from patients, creating further barriers to equitable access. The College is calling on the next government to fund the full range of clinical work that is required to provide safe, equitable, culturally safe and continuous care, and to meet its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The College is calling for the next government to:
- Fund the full range of clinical work, including work outside consultations.
- Address GP remuneration and working conditions compared with hospital-based specialties.
- Measure general practice need and use, including inequities for Māori, Pacific peoples, rural and underserved communities.
- Plan and adequately fund the workforce required to meet that need.
General practice is the entry point to the health system for most New Zealanders, with 90 percent of health conditions being managed in primary care. Specialist GPs provide early intervention, manage long-term conditions and help prevent illness from becoming serious enough to require hospital or emergency care. The demand is growing as the population ages and patients’ health needs become more complex.
Aotearoa New Zealand currently invests a low proportion of Vote Health funding in primary care, an average of about 6 percent.
However, the public funding model does not adequately fund the breadth of work carried out by GPs in the provision of culturally safe and clinically excellent patient care, including the time needed to respond to patients’ cultural, social and clinical needs. The College’s Your Work Counts project found that 44 percent of specialist GP work happens outside funded face-to-face consultations. This includes reviewing and acting on test results, writing and managing referrals, coordinating care with other services, and completing clinical follow-up.
Patients may never see this work, but their safety depends on it.
Expecting specialist GPs to provide this work without sufficient funding is not sustainable. It contributes to burnout, reduces the number of patients GPs can see and makes it harder to retain experienced specialist GPs. Patients experience longer waits, reduced continuity and greater difficulty receiving timely care. Pressure then shifts to hospital emergency departments and after-hours services.
Recruiting more GPs is important, but recruitment alone will not address the shortfalls of current primary care funding models. New Zealand must adequately fund those clinicians delivering primary care in a way that covers the breadth of their work. Clear career pathways in clinical leadership, teaching, supervision and practice ownership can support specialist GPs to maintain long-term careers in the communities they serve.
General practices also carry the costs of employing staff, maintaining premises and infrastructure, supporting training and sustaining services for their communities. Underinvestment can make practices financially fragile, particularly in rural and underserved communities where recruitment is already difficult and loss of local services can deepen inequities in access and continuity. Funding should support sustainable, culturally responsive models of care that reflect community need. If a practice reduces services or becomes unviable, patients lose access and continuity while demand moves to more expensive parts of the health system such as the hospital Emergency Department.
Policies intended to give more people access to care cannot succeed if general practice does not have the funded workforce capacity to deliver them. Training, teaching, clinical governance, patient follow-up and non-contact clinical time must be treated, and funded, as core components of care, rather than assuming this work will simply be absorbed into existing primary care workloads.
Properly funding this work will give specialist GPs more time for patients, support workforce retention and enable practices to plan for future demand. It can also support culturally safe care, Māori health equity, specialist GP clinical leadership and sustainable rural services. For the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, the benefit is straightforward: safer follow-up, better and more equitable access and more consistent care from a general practice team that can remain in the heart of their community.
This paper is part of a series of advocacy White Papers that set out our priorities for strengthening Aotearoa New Zealand’s health system through a sustainable general practice workforce. These papers will be released in the lead-up to the 2026 general election and outline the evidence, value and investment required to ensure the specialisms of general practice and rural hospital medicine can continue to deliver accessible, equitable care for all New Zealanders. Keep informed of our Budget and election advocacy on our website.
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