PM Edition: Here are the top 10 business articles on LiveNews.co.nz for November 2, 2026 – Full Text
1. Three ONYX Hotels Win Green Tourism Awards, Bringing “ONYX for Planet” to Life in Chonburi
November 1, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Amari Pattaya, OZO North Pattaya and Amari Bangsaen recognised for integrating responsible operations, local engagement and measurable sustainability outcomes
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 November 2026 – ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading hospitality management company in the Asia-Pacific region specialising in hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences, has received three awards at the Ultimate Thailand Green Tourism Showcase 2026, organised by Thailand’s Department of Tourism as part of the Chonburi Smart Green Tourism initiative.
Amari Pattaya and OZO North Pattaya were recognised in the Creativity & Innovation category, while Amari Bangsaen received the Unique WOW Experience award.
The three awards demonstrate how ONYX Hospitality Group is translating sustainability into practical, locally relevant action across its properties in Chonburi. Together, they reflect a holistic approach to sustainability management, covering energy and water efficiency, waste management, carbon reduction, community and stakeholder engagement, recognised environmental standards and measurable results.
These achievements bring ONYX for Planet to life at property level. ONYX for Planet is the Group’s sustainability framework, integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across its business operations and hotel management.
Guided by its Sustainably Crafted Hospitality philosophy, ONYX treats sustainability not as a separate programme, but as part of how it operates, makes decisions, manages resources and creates experiences. This approach includes responsible resource management and procurement, support for local communities and producers, talent development, and guest experiences that connect travellers more meaningfully with the destinations they visit.
Sukamal Mondal, VP – Operations and Sustainability & Community Engagement at ONYX Hospitality Group, said:
“For ONYX Hospitality Group, sustainability creates real value when our principles are translated into meaningful, locally relevant action. Every hotel operates within its own community and environment, so our approach must respond to that context while remaining aligned with ONYX for Planet.
“These awards recognise the work our teams are doing to make responsible practices part of everyday operations and guest experiences. As our approach matures, we are moving beyond individual initiatives to demonstrate impact: what has changed, what value has been created and, wherever possible, how progress can be measured. This is how we strengthen transparency and accountability as we grow.”
Beyond these property-level initiatives, ONYX Hospitality (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has achieved GSTC Hotel Multi-site Certification, demonstrating its alignment with internationally recognised standards for sustainable tourism. The certification was issued by Control Union Singapore Pte. Ltd., a GSTC-accredited Certification Body.
ONYX Hospitality Group has also partnered with CarbonWize to develop its ESG data management system and greenhouse gas emissions monitoring framework, strengthening the Group’s focus on measurement, transparency and accountability.
Through its partnership with SP Group, ONYX is exploring energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions across suitable properties in Thailand. At Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok Hotel, SP Group’s Cooling-as-a-Service solution has been operational since April 2026 and is expected to reduce energy consumption by more than 40%, save approximately 900,000 kWh of electricity and reduce carbon emissions by around 449 tonnes annually.
Together, the awards and Group-level initiatives demonstrate how ONYX for Planet connects locally relevant action with recognised standards, stronger measurement and operational outcomes. As ONYX Hospitality Group expands across the Asia-Pacific region, this integrated approach will remain part of its long-term business strategy, supporting responsible growth and meaningful value for guests, people, communities and destinations.
https://www.onyx-hospitality.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyx-hospitality-group/
https://www.facebook.com/ONYXHospitalityGroup
https://www.instagram.com/onyxhospitalitygroup/
Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup #ONYXforPlanet #GreenTourism
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Back to index · Read original article
2. Christchurch commuter rail pilot to be funded
November 1, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Regional Infrastructure Fund will invest in supporting Mainland Rail to return passenger rail services to Christchurch for a 12-month trial and establish the Christchurch-Dunedin-Invercargill Mainlander as a regular service, Rail Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones say.
“New Zealand’s railways began in Christchurch in 1863, and it is time we put them back to use again for passenger rail, not just freight and tourism,” Mr Peters says.
Mainland Rail, which owns rail carriages, intends to provide a 12-month trial service to test Canterbury’s appetite for rail as a public transport service and run more frequent trains from Christchurch-Dunedin-Invercargill. The Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) will provide a loan of $3.4 million to support these initiatives.
The trains will run morning and evening commuter services on the main lines from Rangiora in the north and Rolleston in the south into central Christchurch starting in mid-2027. The Rolleston trip is expected to take less than 20 minutes by rail instead of 50 minutes by road, taking commuter traffic off are already busy roads.
“New Zealanders are sick of transport proposals costing hundreds of millions or billions when pragmatic solutions such as using what we already have are staring us in the face, as is the case in Christchurch and its rail system,” Mr Peters says.
“The fares will be announced closer to the start date, but we are talking about a public transport trial and would expect affordable fares similar to those paid by rail commuters in Wellington and Auckland.
“There’s a saying, ‘it works in practice but will it work in theory,’ and here is an opportunity for Cantabrians to prove their support for rail as public transport in practice.
“The service proceeding is subject to the local councils confirming their combined half of costs, and letters of support from the Mayors of Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri, and we look forward to engaging further with Environment Canterbury,” Mr Peters says.
The $3.4 million RIF funding will also support Mainland Rail to shift its Mainlander train from monthly excursions to a regular timetable between Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Gore and Invercargill.
“The South Island’s rail corridors are regional infrastructure assets, and this funding is about putting them back to work for communities, tourism and local economies,” Mr Jones says.
“This is the type of commonsense investment people want to see – using what we already have, reinstating what we once had, and giving people choices in their lives once again.
“The economic development benefits are obvious: railing people into Canterbury, Otago and Southland towns to spend in the local economies, strengthening tourism in the South Island, creating employment, and putting assets New Zealanders already own to better use for the benefit of our economy,” Mr Jones says.
Mainland Rail will now start necessary planning processes with councils, the rail regulator, and KiwiRail – with start dates to be announced by Mainland Rail closer to the time.
“We look forward to the restored Mataura Railway Station reopening in late 2027 thanks to our commitment to fund its restoration in 2025, and we are confident the Mainlander will return to Mataura then too,” Mr Peters says.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/11/01/christchurch-commuter-rail-pilot-to-be-funded/
Back to index · Read original article
3. “Little Gaza” in Egypt provides sanctuary for some Palestinian children but funding cuts loom and medical evacuations falling
October 30, 2026
Source: Save the Children
Children in Gaza in need of life-saving medical treatment are becoming increasingly trapped inside the Strip with the number of child medical evacuations falling by 75% since the first year of the war despite tens of thousands awaiting urgent care, Save the Children said. [1]
Since the start of the war in October 2023 and decimation of health systems across Gaza, nearly 14,000 Palestinians have been evacuated for medical treatment, nearly two-thirds of them (8,940) to Egypt, along with companions, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This includes those evacuated by the Ministry of Health in Gaza and others before the WHO became the principal co-ordinator of evacuations.
But data provided by the WHO to Save the Children shows that the number of child medical evacuations is falling, with 1,010 children medically evacuated between 7 October 2025 and 6 October 2026, compared to 1,241 the previous year and 4,163 during the first year of the war. [2] The Ministry of Health in Gaza has said 21,000 people – a quarter of them children – are still awaiting medical evacuation from Gaza. (ref. https://www.newarab.com/news/over-2000-gazans-died-awaiting-medical-evacuation-amid-siege )
Meanwhile, support for those who leave Gaza is at risk due to funding cuts, the child rights organisation said.
For those who reach Egypt, the severe consequences of three years of war are evident. Palestinian children arrive experiencing deep psychological distress, including anxiety around food, speech disorders, aggression and trauma-related autoimmune conditions, according to Save the Children staff.
Save the Children runs a child-friendly space in Cairo – nicknamed “Little Gaza” – where about 750 children and their families are starting to find some glimmers of hope and healing but staff said the support is just a “drop in the ocean” next to the soaring scale of need, with a waiting list now at nearly at 5,000. These services will need to close next year without urgent and sustained funding, staff said.
Save the Children staff spoke of one boy arriving in Cairo having developed a stammer following years of distress inside Gaza. With psychological support, and finding community with other Palestinian children, he began to overcome his stammer, even narrating a play the children put on in the community. Staff said there are several stories like this.
But despite this community it is lonely for many Palestinians from Gaza. Some of those evacuated are unable to take their loved ones with them.
Reem-, 38, left Gaza earlier this year for breast cancer treatment in Egypt. She took her daughter Layan-, 9, whose experience of war has been so distressing that she suffered from the autoimmune condition vitiligo.
They were unable to take Reem’s 10-year old Mohamed-, who remains in Gaza and spend his time between his paternal and maternal aunts as his father has died.
At the child-friendly space, Save the Children supports Layan with education through the Palestinian curriculum after war prevented her from going to school for two years.
Both are desperate to reunite with Mohamed-.
“All I want is to reunite with my son and to live in a safe place,” said Reem.
“I just want to be with my brother,” said Layan.
Since the onset of the war, Save the Children has supported18,000 Palestinians from Gaza in Egypt with health, mental health and psychosocial support, education, child protection and cash assistance. Most of these cases are triaged through a support hotline that has found 93% of callers cannot meet basic needs such as food, rent and healthcare; 75% of families have no income; and 90% have no savings.
The most common wish children have is for there to be enough food for everyone, staff said, and cited the case of a mother who cannot bear to answer her husband back in Gaza when he asks her what she has eaten that day.
Doa Attia, Senior Operations Officer at Save the Children’s Gaza Response, described the fear of children and families on their arrival in Cairo, and how Save the Children’s support has helped them progress.
“At first it was hard, seeing all these needs in the children, like a child on his first day who kept grabbing onto his mother’s leg because he didn’t want to go in, he didn’t feel safe. But after that I saw the same child just playing about with the other children. That’s a big success. Another mother said her son used to be shy, even a little bit violent, but now he’s very respectful, he knows what to say and what not to say, he’s helping other children too. This is another success story.”
Children in Gaza are entitled to get medical treatment within the Strip [3], but three years of Israeli bombardment and restrictions on entry of aid and goods have left tens of thousands of children severely ill and injured. Amid decimated Gaza’s healthcare system, only half of hospitals even partially functional and all of them damaged, according to the UN.
One year after its signing, the so-called ‘ceasefire’ agreement exists in name only (https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.savethechildren.net%2Fnews%2Fgaza-ceasefire-exists-name-only-say-more-100-organizations&data=05%7C02%7Camie.richardson%40scnz.org.nz%7Cb81808c2bb4745c873a108df35a3f9ee%7Ccc586fccf9b04ce4b1e1e928aa024244%7C0%7C0%7C639288650635463492%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=YjaFnyWz7Qvhb%2BZOO0vwHFecsiBUdiW48Ic8a3jkTec%3D&reserved=0), Save the Children and more than 100 other organisations said earlier this month. Ongoing Israeli restrictions on humanitarian and commercial access into the Strip are preventing recovery efforts, and Israeli military activity continues (https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ochaopt.org%2Fcontent%2Fhumanitarian-situation-report-26-june-2026&data=05%7C02%7Camie.richardson%40scnz.org.nz%7Cb81808c2bb4745c873a108df35a3f9ee%7Ccc586fccf9b04ce4b1e1e928aa024244%7C0%7C0%7C639288650635473412%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FqFEJdbBvkrg96iy1yQfXPwA5ZSi66o6l3rILYeXLRg%3D&reserved=0) on a near daily basis, including airstrikes, artillery, and naval fire across Gaza.
Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children’s Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, said:
“Three years after the war began, children in Gaza have been denied a childhood. What should have been years spent learning, playing and imagining their futures have instead been marked by violence, loss, famine, and displacement. Our programmes in Egypt offer a lifeline and temporary reprieve, but this is under threat if funding comes to an end.
“The international community must step up to ensure Palestinian children and families affected by the Gaza war can access the care, protection and support they need. In Egypt, this means sustained donor funding for these child-friendly-spaces to maintain safe learning and critical mental health support.”
“As well as sustained humanitarian access and essential services, we need the international community to secure access to specialised medical treatment, first by reopening the medical corridor to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and, where treatment is unavailable in the occupied Palestinian territory, through referrals to other countries, while safeguarding patients’ right to return, particularly given the Government of Israel’s history of denying Palestinians that right.
“Inside Gaza we need to ensure Palestinian-led, child-centred reconstruction, with Palestinian civil society, communities and children shaping their own recovery and rebuilding.”
“Until then, children and families trapped outside Gaza are caught between two impossible realities: struggling to cope with a life away from home, while unable to return to a place that has been devastated – and where the decimated health system means staying alive is a daily challenge.”
Save the Children has been providing essential services and support to Palestinian children impacted by the ongoing conflict since 1953 and has had a permanent presence in the occupied Palestinian territory since 1973. We are present in the West Bank and Gaza.
In Egypt, since the onset of the current war in Gaza, Save the Children has supported 18,000 Palestinians from Gaza with health, mental health and psychosocial support, education, child protection and cash assistance.
[1] Data submitted to Save the Children by the World Health Organisation on request
[2] This is due to a complex combination of reasons, including the closure of the Rafah border crossing, a lack of supply of ambulances, and other medical equipment; the halting of patient referrals to health facilities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and more restrictions and bureaucracy, as well as escalations in hostilities, despite the so-called ‘ceasefire’ agreement. Before October 2023 between 50-100 patients were exiting Gaza daily for medical treatment and continued up until the closure of the Rafah crossing, according to the WHO.
[3] the Convention on the Rights of the Child (https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ohchr.org%2Fen%2Fprofessionalinterest%2Fpages%2Fcrc.aspx&data=05%7C02%7Camie.richardson%40scnz.org.nz%7Cb81808c2bb4745c873a108df35a3f9ee%7Ccc586fccf9b04ce4b1e1e928aa024244%7C0%7C0%7C639288650635483225%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=i64BTu%2B7cmmB44t6WxGzajZY8v%2BCuW9NqP1ItXwp00Y%3D&reserved=0) states that children have the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health and access to healthcare services
Captions: CH295175_Layan (9) and her mother Reem (38) at a child-friendly-space in Egypt.jpg – Layan*, 9, and her mother Reem*, 38, were medically evacuated from Gaza to Egypt. They are supported by Save the Children in Cairo, where they attend a child-friendly-space, accessing mental health and psychosocial support, education in the Palestinian curriculum and protection support
Back to index · Read original article
4. A Better Start, Ready for the Day: Green SM Elevates the Urban Mobility Experience in the U.S.
October 31, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
For commuters, however, this time can be an opportunity: 15 minutes to review a presentation, a few moments to prepare for an important meeting, or a quiet transition from family life to the workday ahead. The key is finding ways to make these moments more meaningful and begin each day in a more positive frame of mind, contributing to overall well-being and happiness.
The in-vehicle experience plays an important role in making that difference. J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which evaluates the emotional appeal and ownership experience of 78,514 new-vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership across 37 attributes, found that electric vehicles outperformed internal combustion engine vehicles in nearly every category. The largest gap was in the powertrain category, where EVs scored 109 points higher on a 1,000-point scale.
A 2018 study conducted by the University of York in the United Kingdom also reported positive changes among drivers who switched from diesel vehicles to electric vehicles, including improved concentration, greater calmness and a stronger sense of happiness.
Together, these findings highlight how a morning commute can become a more positive start to the day – with less stress, greater comfort and a stronger sense of control. Rather than allowing rush-hour traffic to drain their energy, commuters can turn their journey into an opportunity to prepare, recharge and feel ready for the day ahead.
This is the spirit behind “Start Strong. Arrive Ready.”, the message Green SM, a Vietnamese-born all-electric taxi service, has chosen to introduce its experience to the U.S. market. Through every electric ride, Green SM aims to help passengers begin their day feeling more positive, comfortable and energized.
Making Every Moment Before Work Count: How a Smoother Ride Enhances the Passenger Experience
This experience comes to life through the VinFast VF 8, a D-segment electric SUV in Green SM’s fleet in Los Angeles. Its spacious interior, clean cabin and smooth, quiet performance offer passengers a welcome moment of comfort amid the pace of urban life. Whether heading to the office or an important appointment, passengers can use the journey to finish emails, review key talking points for a meeting, or simply relax and recharge before the day begins.
A pleasant journey is shaped not only by the vehicle, but also by the quality of service. Green Driver partners are carefully selected and trained, with an emphasis on professionalism, courtesy and attentive service throughout every ride.
For customers booking through the Green SM app, available features provide information about drivers, vehicles and routes, helping passengers follow their journeys and stay informed along the way. Fares and promotional offers are also displayed clearly, making it easier for customers to compare options and choose a ride that suits their needs.
Whether it is a morning ride before an important meeting, a transfer from a hotel to an event venue, or a series of journeys packed into a business trip, Green SM aims to make urban mobility more comfortable and convenient. After all, the value of a ride lies not only in getting passengers to their destinations, but also in helping them arrive feeling relaxed, in control and ready for whatever comes next.
From Vietnam to Los Angeles: Bringing Green Mobility to More People Through the Five Green Goodness Pillars
In mid-October, Green SM officially launched its all-electric taxi service in Los Angeles, marking the brand’s first entry into North America and expanding its global footprint to nine markets. Customers can book rides through the Green SM app, contact the call center or hail a vehicle on the street, with options to meet a range of mobility needs, from everyday commutes and longer journeys to airport transfers.
Across its markets, Green SM builds its service experience around the 5 Good Promises: Good Cars, Good Drivers, Good Price, Good Experience and Good for the Environment. In Los Angeles, these principles are reflected in an all-electric VinFast fleet, transparent fares and promotional offers, professional drivers, attentive service and rides with zero tailpipe emissions.
To celebrate its launch, Green SM is offering special promotions to customers in Los Angeles. New users can enjoy 50% off their fares, up to $12 per ride, on their first five trips. Customers can also sign up for Green Pass membership free of charge and receive 10 discount codes each month, with each code offering 30% off a fare, up to $10.
Founded in Vietnam in 2023, Green SM has steadily expanded its operations, bringing all-electric mobility services to markets around the world, including Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Kazakhstan, Denmark and the Netherlands. The brand has completed approximately 850 million trips covering nearly 6 billion kilometers, helping reduce more than 800,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by approximately 36 million trees.
In the U.S., Green SM says it will progressively strengthen its local operations and recruit and train drivers from the local community, creating additional employment opportunities while contributing to the transition toward greener transportation in Los Angeles and the surrounding region. Alongside its expansion, the brand will continue investing in its fleet, technology, people and service quality, with the goal of building a sustainable, long-term presence in the U.S. market.
From Vietnam to Los Angeles, Green SM’s global journey represents more than an expansion of its brand footprint. It is also an opportunity to bring a greener, more comfortable mobility experience to people in major cities around the world.
Because a productive day can begin with a better ride. Start Strong. Arrive Ready.
Sources
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Back to index · Read original article
5. Waiouru Fire update #9
October 31, 2026
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Improving weather conditions have allowed firefighters from Fire and Emergency New Zealand, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the Department of Conservation to continue working on the containment and extinguishment of the fire in the Waiouru Military Training Area, which began on Monday.
Incident Controller Craig Cottrill says that crews are working today on locating and extinguishing hot spots identified by a drone team overnight. The crews have been reinforced today by 20 fresh NZDF personnel, who will be patrolling the fire edge to check for further hot spots.
“This part of an incident is where things take a bit longer, as the crews need to identify and locate hot spots, then get resources into remote bush areas to dig them out and completely extinguish them,” he says.
“The fire is around 60 percent contained at this point. It will take more time yet to get the last forty percent tidied up, as some of this has deep seated and hard to access hot spots.”
Currently there are 66 firefighting personnel on the fireground, with 18 incident management team personnel supporting them along with one helicopter, four pieces of heavy machinery and six 4×4 fire trucks.
NZDF are also supplying other vehicles where needed to move personnel around the fire ground.
“We are now working towards moving control of the incident into the hands of a NZDF incident management team from Monday” Craig Cottrill says. “Over the next few days we will be reducing Fire and Emergency resources and NZDF will begin to transition back to business as usual.”
Note to editors: there will be a further update on this fire tomorrow afternoon, Sunday.
Captions:
- Father and daughter firefighters 31oct26.jpg — Father and daughter team Doug and Bree out on the fire line.
- Westlawn Hut 31oct26.jpg — The historic Westlawn Hut still stands in a protected area of the fire perimeter.
Back to index · Read original article
6. Data Analysis – Top 10 Voter Issues and Performance by Government
October 29, 2026
Source: Kiwi Performance Indicators
28 October 2026
For the first time this election, a comprehensive list of the top 10 voter issues and official government performance data has been compiled into one place – www.KPI.nz (Kiwi Performance Indicators).
Voters can now see:
- The top 10 issues ranked and aggregated across the two research companies (Ipsos, Curia) that regularly poll and publish the issues that matter most to New Zealanders.
- Dynamic KPIs using official Government data and other leading industry sources to show how our country is going in each key area.
- An objective comparison of how well Labour-led vs National-led governments have performed over time.
Better Data. Better Debate.
Performance data is meticulously sourced and checked with trusted organisations including Stats NZ, the Reserve Bank, Treasury, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Social Development, NZ Police, REINZ and the Ministry for the Environment.
For full transparency, each KPI includes interactive historical graphs, data sources, methodology, explanatory notes and government timelines. Issue rankings and graphs are updated as new information becomes available.
The top 10 voter issues:
- Cost of Living – the #1 issue for 4.5 years (Ipsos, page 7).
- Health – all 5 Health Targets improving after rapid decline (4 Wait Time KPIs).
- Economy – out of recession, but slow-growing. GDP per capita is what counts most.
- Unemployment – 1 in 8 now on a main benefit. Flaws in the official unemployment rate.
- Housing – affordability back under 6x household income for the first time in 13 years.
- Environment – GDP up, emissions down (2nd table).
- Poverty – very slow data releases, but 8 out of 9 poverty measures improved last release (table 2).
- Taxes – a more complex picture. Contact us for our additional tax research.
- Crime – victimisations per capita down 22.5% from 2022 and 2023 peaks.
- Immigration – into the top 10 for the first time. A top 3 issue in the UK (#1), US (#3), AU (#3).
The top three issue rankings are identical between Ipsos and Curia, and account for 52% of the combined weighted issue scores.
Issues 4-12 are much closer, and often move about month to month. Treaty/race relations (#11) and Education (#12) drop out of the top 10 this month.
Overall mood of the nation
Country Direction is above the September-October 2023 lows of -28%, but still at -13%, despite most KPIs improving.
These are just a few of the insights revealed by the data. Media are encouraged to contact us for further findings, analysis and story angles.
“This election has seen robust coverage of party polling, policies, promises and gang-pads. But we believe there’s a far more important P-word not getting enough attention — Performance,” says Geoff Neal, one of the creators of Kiwi Performance Indicators.
“KPIs are a standard part of most people’s jobs and critical to the success of both public organisations and private businesses, so we’ve always found it strange that the biggest business of all — New Zealand — doesn’t have its own high-performance dashboard.
“We’ve brought together the data on the issues that matter most to New Zealanders, so media and voters alike can objectively compare government performance and judge for themselves.”
About KPI.nz
KPI.nz is an independent, citizen-funded and volunteer initiative. It receives no taxpayer funding and operates independently of political parties, media and corporate organisations. Our aim is to encourage informed discussion and debate to achieve better decision-making and outcomes for New Zealand.
Full methodology: kpi.nz/methodology
Next data update: Crime data, Friday 30 October. Issues ranking and Country Direction, early November.
Back to index · Read original article
7. 82% of Founders Maintain US Expansion Plans Despite Immigration Uncertainty, Beyond Border Survey Finds
October 29, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Founders are pressing ahead with US expansion despite immigration uncertainty, according to new research from Beyond Border. Its Founder Mobility Pulse survey found that 82% have not changed their plans to expand to the US, while an analysis of 1,140 immigration inquiries from Asia offers insights into the region’s role in US market entry.
SINGAPORE & HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 October 2026 – Despite continued uncertainty surrounding US immigration policies, founders remain committed to expanding into the American market, according to new research from US immigration platform Beyond Border.
Beyond Border’s Founder Mobility Pulse survey, conducted in August 2026 among 307 respondents worldwide, found that 82% had not changed their US expansion plans despite immigration uncertainty. A further 11% reported either accelerating their timelines or exploring alternative visa pathways.
The findings form part of Beyond Border’s October 2026 market commentary, which also draws on proprietary analysis of 1,140 US immigration enquiries from Asia-based individuals between August 2025 and September 2026, alongside US government immigration statistics and regional talent mobility data.
The research suggests that while immigration uncertainty is influencing how founders approach US market entry, access to the American market remains an important commercial priority.
“For founders, the question is no longer simply whether to expand into the US, but how to establish the right presence there. We’re seeing businesses pursue access to American customers while keeping key functions in their home markets. Immigration planning needs to be part of that strategy from the outset, rather than something founders address only when they’re ready to relocate,” said Fred Ng, Cofounder & CEO of Beyond Border.
Four Findings on US Expansion and Immigration Trends
Beyond Border’s research highlights four developments shaping US expansion and international talent mobility:
1. Access to US customers remains the biggest expansion driver: Some 85% of survey respondents identified access to US customers as their primary motivation for expansion, compared with 8% citing fundraising and investors. Meanwhile, 60% plan to expand into the US within the next 12 months.
2. Founders are taking a more distributed approach to US expansion: Nearly two-thirds (64%) expect to establish a US presence through the founder alone or alongside a small team. At the same time, 72% intend to retain engineering and product functions in Asia, suggesting that US market entry does not necessarily require relocating entire operations.
3. Immigration uncertainty is not deterring founders’ US expansion plans: Beyond Border’s analysis of 1,140 immigration enquiries from Asia-based individuals found that approximately 45% (510) concerned the O-1 visa. Meanwhile, US government data shows diverging approval trends across immigration pathways. Between FY2022 and FY2024, approved L-1 petitions declined by 31%, while O-1/O-2 approvals increased slightly by 1%. Over a separate period, FY2023 to FY2025, EB-1A approvals increased by 20%, while EB-2 NIW approvals declined by 39%. These figures reflect changes in approval volumes rather than approval rates.
4. Changing talent mobility patterns could create opportunities for Asian economies: Estimates from Xpheno indicate that the number of US-based technology professionals returning to India increased from approximately 7,200 in 2023 to 15,100 in 2025. While these movements cannot be attributed solely to immigration policies, they point to broader shifts in international technology talent mobility.
As founders navigate an evolving immigration environment, Beyond Border’s research highlights the importance of aligning immigration decisions with commercial priorities, market entry strategies and long-term business plans.
For the full market commentary, visit https://lp.beyondborderglobal.com/organic/us-expansion-report-2026
https://www.beyondborderglobal.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondborder/?viewAsMember=true
https://www.facebook.com/BeyondBorder01Visas
https://www.instagram.com/beyondborderglobal/
Hashtag: #beyondborder #tech #immigration
Beyond Border
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Back to index · Read original article
8. Property Market – First home buyers buck the trend as market share hits new record – Cotality
October 30, 2026
Source: Cotality
New Zealand’s first home buyers are bucking the wider housing market slowdown, accounting for a record share of property purchases despite softer activity across other buyer groups.
The latest Cotality Westpac First Home Buyer Report shows first home buyers (FHBs) accounted for 29.5% of all property purchases in Q3 2026, surpassing the previous record of 28.3% set just three months earlier.
The number of FHB purchases also remains historically high, hovering around 25,000 on a 12-month rolling basis, back at levels last seen briefly during the post-COVID boom. This comes as wider housing market sales volumes have generally remained flat to falling.
Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said first home buyers had continued to take advantage of purchaser-friendly conditions.
“FHBs have always tended to be willing to compromise on location or property type to make the shift from renting into ownership, but lately there hasn’t been much need to take such an approach.”
Prices and property types
Standalone houses have accounted for 76% of all FHB purchases so far in 2026, up from 75% last year and well above the cyclical trough of less than 70% in 2023. For comparison, standalone houses have accounted for around 72% of purchases across all buyers this year.
The median price paid by FHBs so far in 2026 has risen to $715,000, up from $701,000 in 2025, but remains around $4,000 below the level recorded in 2022.
FHBs are also increasingly active across the value spectrum, accounting for around 30% of purchases in the middle 40% price bracket so far this year, up from 28% in 2025 and 21% in 2015.
“This shows that FHBs are getting the most for their money in a quieter market.”
“Another important point to make is that FHBs don’t always enter at the bottom of the housing ladder and work their way up – many actually enter well above the lowest tiers of the market.”
Lending conditions remain favourable
Access to low-deposit finance remains an important support, with recent Reserve Bank data showing more than half of FHB loans have been advanced with deposits of less than 20%.
Westpac’s mortgage lending records show the average LVR for FHB loans has remained a touch above 80% in recent months. Access to KiwiSaver for at least part of a deposit is also supporting buyers, alongside property values that remain more than 18% below their national peak.
Buyer age and location
First home buyer strength is widespread, with market shares across the main centres sitting above their own long-term averages.
The wider Wellington area remains a standout, with FHBs accounting for just over 37% of purchases so far in 2026, compared with its long-term average of 30%. FHB market share has also exceeded 30% in Hamilton and Auckland.
Among the next 12 key urban areas, Palmerston North has recorded a 33% FHB share, while Rotorua, Gisborne, Hastings and Invercargill have also recorded shares of at least 30%.
Westpac borrower data shows the average age of FHBs has edged higher, from around 35 late last year to 35.5, which the report suggests could reflect buyers having more time to wait for the right property in a subdued market.
Mortgage costs remain below previous highs
Lower mortgage rates in recent years, combined with broadly flat house prices, have helped improve mortgage affordability compared with previous years.
For the average first home buyer, lower mortgage rates have reduced monthly mortgage payments by around $560 compared with 2023, when interest rates were at their peak. In Auckland, the saving is around $685 per month.
Westpac NZ Senior Economist Satish Ranchhod said the housing market remained more accessible for FHBs than it was a few years ago, although borrowing costs had begun to rise.
“Even with the recent rise in mortgage rates, the housing market is still a lot more accessible for first home buyers than a few years ago.”
“But with growing upward pressure on interest rates, it’s a good time for prospective first home buyers (or anyone with a re-fix coming up) to think about the best way to structure their borrowing.”
Outlook remains favourable
Despite higher borrowing costs, first home buyers continue to benefit from subdued house prices, KiwiSaver access and the availability of low-deposit lending. Westpac expects average house prices to fall 1.4% over 2026 before rising 1.8% in 2027.
Mr Davidson said FHBs could remain a solid presence into next year.
“Overall, it’s never easy to buy that first home and FHBs certainly continue to face challenges. But their presence has remained strong in recent months and, although nothing lasts forever, it’s not hard to imagine that FHBs stay a solid presence into 2027 as well.”
Mr Ranchhod said softer house prices should continue to provide buyers with options.
“That combination of conditions means that there is still likely to be a lot of options for those looking to get into their first home over the coming year.”
Note to editors
The Cotality–Westpac First Home Buyer Report tracks first home buyer purchasing activity, property types, and prices paid across New Zealand. A first home buyer purchase is defined as a transaction where no party involved has previously owned property in New Zealand and a mortgage is used to complete the purchase. Cotality data draws on its Buyer Classification database and hedonic Home Value Index. Westpac LVR and borrower age data are sourced from Westpac’s own mortgage lending records and are not matched to the Cotality database.
Back to index · Read original article
9. Opening of new Tongan detector dog facility
October 29, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Customs Minister Casey Costello is travelling to Tonga this evening to represent New Zealand at the official opening of the country’s second detector dog facility.
“The new facility in Vava’u will help strengthen Tonga’s border and build local capability to combat organised crime and the drug trade,” Ms Costello says.
“Transnational, serious and organised crime (TSOC) is a growing challenge across the Pacific with criminal networks exploiting legitimate trade and travel to move illicit drugs, firearms and cash across borders.
“New Zealand is committed to working with our Pacific neighbours to address this and the facility is a practical investment in Tonga’s security and that of the region.”
New Zealand Customs and New Zealand Police worked alongside Tonga Police and Tonga’s Ministry of Revenue and Customs to deliver the project, with the facility being built locally.
Vava’u has an international airport, and its port and regular yacht and small-craft traffic create an environment where strong border capability is important. The facility, located within the Tonga Police compound in Neiafu, will give Tonga’s detector dog teams a secure base on the island and will provide greater capability to screen passengers, baggage, cargo and maritime activity, and allow teams to deploy for longer periods in support of operations. The facility will be jointly owned by Tonga Police and Tonga Customs.
“We want to work alongside Pacific partners in a way that supports their priorities and builds sustainable, locally led capability,” Ms Costello says. “The Pacific Detector Dog Programme is a great example of that approach, and the opening of this new facility represents another step in the partnership between our two nations.”
In Tonga, three qualified detector dog teams are already operating out of Nuku’alofa, with two further teams – one Tonga Police team and one Tonga Customs team – currently training at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre in Trentham. These teams will provide the workforce required to support operations from the new Vava’u facility.
The opening event is occurring Friday morning and will be attended by Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, the Minister of Revenue and Customs Hon Sevenitini Toumo’ua and the Governor of Vava’u, Lord Fakatulolo.
Minister Costello will return to New Zealand tomorrow night.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/29/opening-of-new-tongan-detector-dog-facility/
Back to index · Read original article
10. Energy sector – Doubles North Sea gas discovery estimate – Equinor
October 29, 2026
Source: Equinor
29 October 2026 07:01 (CET)
A new appraisal well in the Afrodite discovery near the Kvitebjørn field shows that the recoverable gas volumes may be more than twice as large as previously estimated.
The recoverable volumes of gas and condensate are now estimated at between 77 and 180 million barrels of oil equivalent. The total volumes in the reservoir are about three times as large, but the reservoir properties mean that only parts of the resources can be recovered (see fact box).
“To find such large gas volumes in a mature area on the Norwegian continental shelf is very good. We have long had faith in the Afrodite discovery, and this appraisal well has uncovered volumes far above expectations,” says Kjetil Hove, Equinor’s executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway.
Kjetil Hove, Equinor’s executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway. Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland / ©Equinor
Afrodite was discovered in 2008. The reservoir has relatively low permeability, which means that the gas flows slowly through the reservoir rock and makes the resources difficult to recover. The results from the appraisal well will now be analysed further.
“We are investing aggressively in exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf. Equinor strongly believes that there is still more to be discovered and is working purposefully to increase the likelihood of new and larger discoveries. The results at Afrodite show the potential that still exists in mature areas. At the same time, new discoveries in new exploration areas will be crucial for maintaining production from the Norwegian continental shelf and deliveries of energy to Europe,” says Hove.
Equinor considers the discovery to be commercially viable and will continue to work on the possibility of a subsea development tied back to the Kvitebjørn platform. In the event of a development, the gas could be sent via existing infrastructure to the Kollsnes processing plant in Øygarden and on to the European market.
The appraisal well was drilled by the Deepsea Yantai rig. Wellesley is the operator of the well, while Equinor is the operator of the production licence.
Afrodite and appraisal well
- Discovery in licence PL293 proven in 2008 by Eni Norway.
- The discovery has been proven to have significantly increased volumes through the drilling of a branch well in the autumn of 2026.
- An appraisal well is an exploration well that is drilled after a discovery has been made. This is done in cases where there is a need for more information about the size and extent of the discovery and the properties of the reservoir.
- Afrodite is a High Pressure High Temperature well. In addition, the reservoir is a so-called “tight” reservoir with low permeability. This means that the gas flows slowly through the rock and that it is difficult to extract the volumes.
- Owners:
- Equinor: 60 %
- ORLEN Upstream Norway AS: 25 %
- DNO Norway AS: 10 %
- Wellesley Petroleum AS: 5 %
Original release: https://www.equinor.com/news/20261029-doubles-north-sea-gas-discovery-estimate
Back to index · Read original article