Attributable to Senior Sergeant Andrew Knox, Eastern Area Response Manager:
Police are aware of a planned gathering of gang members in Waipawa on Sunday and Monday.
As is standard with these events, Police have been proactively engaging with the organisers to ensure activity remains lawful and public disruption is minimalised.
Police would like to reassure Waipawa residents that plans are in place to ensure safety during the planned event.
If anybody witnesses any illegal or dangerous activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report via 105 if it is after the fact.
The 132nd anniversary of Suffrage Day is a tribute to all those who have contributed to New Zealand’s progress for women and girls, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says.
“New Zealand can be very proud of what we have achieved, and we should all celebrate and honour the suffrage legacy, 132 years since New Zealand became the first nation where women gained the right to vote.
“This Government is proud to be driving real outcomes for women and girls in New Zealand.
“In the last 12 months, New Zealand’s gender pay gap has decreased from 8.2 percent to 5.2 percent – the lowest it has been since reporting began in 1998.
“Last year I launched the first ever government-backed gender pay gap calculation toolkit to support business to address their gender pay gaps. We continue to have strong engagement from the business community as we develop the second iteration of resources.
“Women’s representation on public sector boards remains strong at above 50 percent for the fifth year in a row, and women continue to be well-represented in Board chair positions at 44.5 percent.
“In May I launched the new Free to Lead toolkit to support women and their employers tackle the impact of online harm and support women to engage online with confidence.
“Improving health outcomes for women and girls is also a priority. Recent Government initiatives to support women’s health include extending free breast screening to women aged 70-74, funding of $4.9 million to ensure women and their families have better access to mental health support in under-served regions, and funding to grow the rural health workforce, including frontline rural mental wellbeing services.
“I’m spending Suffrage Day in Christchurch – the heart of the suffrage movement – attending events that reflected on how far we’ve come, and what we have yet to do to achieve true equality.
“I want all women to have equal choice and equal opportunities across all areas of life. This Suffrage Day I say thank you to all women and girls for your many contributions that make New Zealand a better place.”
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston will travel to China on Monday to lead an industry delegation on a tourism-focused trade mission.
The delegation will travel to Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing to meet with Chinese airlines, e-commerce platforms and tourism industry professionals.
“The mission will promote New Zealand’s tourism sector, meet with local travel-trade businesses and organisations to better understand the Chinese market, and strengthen our relationship with China,” Louise Upston says.
“China is New Zealand’s third largest tourism market, with nearly 250,000 arrivals in the year ending July 2025.
“This mission will build on the positive momentum of the Prime Minister’s visit in June. It will strengthen the relationships we’ve developed with key trade partners and promote New Zealand as a fantastic year-round destination.”
The Minister will also travel to Beijing to meet with Minister of Culture and Tourism, Sun Yeli.
Industry delegates are from the aviation, accommodation and hospitality, cruise and visitor attraction sectors, as well as tour operators.
“This mission also builds on our efforts to increase the number of Chinese visitors to New Zealand, by making it quicker, easier and cheaper for Chinese nationals to come to New Zealand via Australia from November, if they hold an eligible Australian visa,” Louise Upston says.
“New Zealand visitor visa offerings for Chinese nationals are more generous than other groups of travellers, reflecting the importance of the relationship with China.
“Most Chinese visitors receive a five-year multiple entry visitor visa, making it easier for Chinese visitors to return to New Zealand. Average processing times for Chinese visas are currently the fastest they’ve ever been at five working days.
“Smoothing their passage to New Zealand will help us grow the economy by boosting the tourism sector, connecting friends and family, and strengthening trade and business relationships.”
The Minister and her delegation will be in China from September 23-27.
It’s that magical time again when feathers fly, memes hatch, and suddenly everyone you know is a part-time ornithologist. Yes, it’s Bird of the Year season.
In the space of a week, your mate who couldn’t tell a kererū from a chicken is suddenly dropping lines like: “Actually, the black stilt is the rarest wading bird in the world.” Someone else casually mentions that pūteketeke perform synchronised weed dances, and now you’re wondering if you should launch a reality TV show called Feathers & Follie.
The good news? You don’t have to pick just one favourite, you can vote for up to five birds. The bad news? That still means leaving a whole lot of deserving birds off your ballot. Back the tara iti, kākāpō, kororā, and southern dotterel, but what about the tūī that soundtracked your lockdown, or the cheeky pīwakawaka who wagged you out of the bush? Bird FOMO is real.
And then comes the question we always get: “Hey DOC, which bird are you backing?”
Here’s where we ruffle a few feathers: we can’t endorse one bird over another. As lovers of all our native birds, we’re fence sitters and remain strictly bird neutral as an organisation. That would be like a parent announcing they have a favourite child. (Even though secretly, every parent knows which one’s the “easy one.”) Our job isn’t to pick sides. It’s to make sure all of Aotearoa’s birds survive and thrive long enough for future Bird of the Year showdowns. From the booming kākāpō to the chip-stealing gull, they’re all our taonga.
That said, our passionate DOC rangers and scientists are only human, and yes, they definitely have favourites. From tara iti in the north to takahē in the south, there’s a diversity of strong opinions, whispered alliances, and quiet campaign slogans in our tea rooms. So, while you might encounter some of our friendly staff gently nudging you towards a certain ornithological choice, as an organisation we keep our feathers unruffled and our loyalties neutral, the ultimate test of self-control for any bird fan.
So what’s a good nature-lover to do? This is where Always Be Naturing swoops in.
Bird of the Year is once a year. Naturing is every day.
Vote for five birds, sure, but be naturing all the other days whenever you can. Here’s some ways:
➜ Flock over to the DOC website and discover easy ways to back birds and their habitats, from big nationwide wins to little backyard boosts.
➜ Nod respectfully to the tūī doing a DJ set of coughs, squeaks and bell chimes in your backyard.
➜ Carefully tidy up any rubbish in the park or near the water, because even seagulls appreciate a Michelin-star dining experience.
➜ Admire the pūkeko’s absolute confidence strutting across the road like it owns the joint.
➜ Plant a native shrub or tree to give birds more food and shelter basically becoming a luxury Airbnb host for feathery tenants.
➜ Forgive the gull, yes, even the one that nicked your hot chip in 2009.
➜ Applaud the kererū attempting aerial acrobatics and instead crash-landing into a cabbage tree like a feathery bowling ball.
➜ Set up a predator trap – think of it as a tiny fortress defending your feathery friends from sneaky stoats, rats, or possums.
So go ahead, vote five times, campaign hard, make memes, and argue passionately over whether the takahē’s comeback story is more inspiring than the kōkako’s haunting song.
But when the polls close, remember: the real winner is the bird you notice tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2025 – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, in his 2025 Policy Address announced yesterday (September 17) set out a range of measures to diversify Hong Kong’s economy and reinforce the city’s status as an international hub for business, investment and new industrialisation.
“Backed by strong national support and a high degree of global connectivity, Hong Kong is recognised worldwide as an international centre in finance, trade and shipping, as well as in aviation, legal services and dispute resolution,” Mr Lee said. “The Government will fully leverage these institutional strengths to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as a premier international hub.”
Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive John Lee attended the Legislative Council of Hong Kong SAR’s question and answer session on his 2025 Policy Address
To cement Hong Kong’s position as a leading global financial centre, Mr Lee said the Government’s strategy would include deepening the equity market, expanding a world-class bond market and a vibrant currency market, while advancing the insurance, asset and wealth management sectors. Key initiatives include:
Leveraging the Technology Enterprises Channel to assist Mainland technology enterprises in raising funds in Hong Kong, exploring shortening the stock settlement cycle to T+1, and encouraging more overseas enterprises to seek secondary listing in Hong Kong;
Further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a bond market hub with a view to fostering interplay between various mutual market access mechanisms, establishing connections with markets such as Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, and promoting the use of offshore Chinese Government Bonds as collateral in different clearing houses to further enrich the use cases of RMB assets; and
Enhancing the liquidity and global reach of the offshore RMB market in Hong Kong, including Government issuing more RMB bonds, and consider settling government expenditure in RMB under suitable circumstances.
“We will also expedite the development of new growth areas, building a premier international gold trading market, driving the development of fintech, as well as promoting green and sustainable finance,” Mr Lee said.
Initiatives on building an international gold trading market include establishing gold storage facilities, encouraging gold traders to set up or expand their refineries in Hong Kong, establishing a central clearing system for gold and offering a greater variety of gold investment vehicles by assisting issuers in issuing gold funds, and support the development of new investment products such as tokenised gold.
To boost Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre, the Chief Executive said the Government would deepen international economic and trade networks by exploring the signing of new investment agreements with overseas economies, expanding the city’s network of Economic and Trade Offices around the world with an office to be established in Kuala Lumpur this year, and promoting the digitalisation of trade.
“Under ‘One Country, Two Systems’, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantages of attracting overseas enterprises and assisting Mainland enterprises to go global,” Mr Lee said. “In the past, we focused primarily on bringing in enterprises, achieving remarkable growth and success. The new opportunities ahead for Hong Kong, however, will come from helping Mainland enterprises expand abroad.”
The Chief Executive said he would establish a one‑stop platform by mobilising Hong Kong’s overseas offices as well as Hong Kong offices in the Mainland, and set up the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) to encourage Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong in expanding their businesses overseas.
“With the sustained growth in the output of new industries, the Government will step up its efforts to nurture emerging industries locally and attract those from outside Hong Kong, promoting the diversified development of our economy,” Mr Lee said.
The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, said in a press conference today (September 18) on the 2025 Policy Address, that attracting enterprises to set up and develop in Hong Kong is a crucial component of the city’s industry development and reform, and Hong Kong needs to formulate preferential policy packages to achieve this.
To foster the life and health technology research sector, the Government will attract more pharmaceutical companies to set up operations in Hong Kong to conduct clinical trials and medical treatments for rare disease drugs, high‑end cancer drugs and advanced therapy products, and set up the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation.
To promote the development of the new energy industry, the Government will develop a sustainable aviation fuel industry chain, develop the GBA Hydrogen Corridor in collaboration with the Guangdong Province, and push forward the construction of Hong Kong’s first large‑scale electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility at the EcoPark, which is expected to commence operation in the first half of 2026.
“Today, Hong Kong is at the critical juncture of advancing from stability to prosperity,” Mr Lee said. “We are moving through an irreversible economic transition, but it is an essential process for a stronger and more robust economy in the future.”
With prize money of one million euros, it is one of the most highly endowed medical awards in the world
Awarded for groundbreaking pioneering work in cancer therapy using CAR-T cells
Award Ceremony with Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein
GIESSEN, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 18 September 2025. – The jury of the Broermann Medical Innovation Award (BMIA) is honoring Dr. Carl June (University of Pennsylvania) and Dr. Michel Sadelain (Columbia University) for their groundbreaking research in the field of CAR-T cell therapy. The Broermann Medical Innovation Award is being presented for the first time this year. With prize money of one million euros, it is among the most highly endowed awards for medical research worldwide.
A Revolution in Cancer Therapy
Dr. Carl June and Dr. Michel Sadelain are recognized for their pioneering roles in the genetic modification of T-cells, which enable these cells to identify, attack, and destroy cancer cells. They use synthetic receptors, so-called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which enable T cells to see and kill cancer cells. CAR-T cells achieve remarkable success rates in cancers such as leukemia, lymphomas, and myelomas; for other cancers, this new approach is still in the experimental phase.
Dr. Carl June (Foto: Asklepios)
Dr. Carl June, the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, says: “I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Broermann Medical Innovation Award together with my esteemed colleague Michel Sadelain. This award not only recognizes our decades of research but above all the transformative potential of CAR-T cell therapy for cancer patients worldwide.”
Dr. Michel Sadelain (Foto: Asklepios)
Dr. Michel Sadelain, Director of the Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy (CICET), says: “Receiving the Broermann Medical Innovation Award is an extraordinary honor for me and a recognition of the revolutionary power of CAR-T cell therapy. Together with Carl June, we have worked to turn the immune system into a precise weapon against cancer. Our work precisely symbolizes what the Broermann Award stands for: medical breakthroughs that fundamentally change patients’ lives. It fills me with profound gratitude to know that our research helps usher in a new era of cancer treatment and create hope for patients who were once considered incurable.”
CAR-T cell therapy has achieved remarkable success rates in treating cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Through their visionary research, Sadelain and June have ushered in a completely new era in cancer treatment.
Selection process by the renowned jury
The laureates of the Broermann Medical Innovation Award are selected by an outstanding scientific jury consisting of nine senior members of renowned institutes: Prof. Dr. Werner Seeger (Chair of the Broermann Medical Innovation Award), Prof. Dr. Karsten Krüger (Member of the Executive Board of Justus Liebig University Giessen), Prof. Dr. Isabelle Bekeredjian-Ding (Director Center of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Marburg), Prof. Dr. Britta Siegmund (Vice President of the German Research Foundation), Prof. Dr. Stefan Offermanns (Director of the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research), Prof. Dr. Otmar Wiestler (President of the Helmholtz Association), Prof. Dr. Dr. Gerd Geißlinger (Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Clinical Pharmacology), Prof. Dr. Martina Brockmeier (President of the Leibniz Association), and Dr. Jan Liersch (Managing Director of Broermann Holding GmbH). Supported by a group of international reviewers, the committee evaluates all nominations in a multi-stage process that ensures the highest scientific quality and independence. The decision is based on strict selection criteria.
About the laureates
Dr. Carl June was born in Denver, USA, in 1953. He received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and his postdoctoral training at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Following a research career in the US Navy, June founded the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies (CCI) at the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 and established a leading interdisciplinary research initiative for cellular immunotherapies. In 2012, he received the prestigious Richard W. Vague Professorship.
Dr. Michel Sadelain was born in Paris, France, in 1960 and received his medical degree from the University of Paris in 1984 and his PhD from the University of Alberta, Canada in 1989, before conducting postdoctoral research at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1994, he joined Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Sadelain now serves as director of the Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy (CICET) center in New York, established in 2024, where he leads innovative cell therapy research.
Both scientists have received numerous scientific prizes for their pioneering contributions to cancer therapy.
EIT Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science graduate and valedictorian Anna Kelland has been named the 2025 Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Anna, who works as a Viticulture Technician for Constellation Brands in Marlborough, took out the prestigious national title after winning the Marlborough regional competition for the second year in a row.
“I’m very proud to receive the title, and to represent the success of the organisers and past winners whose efforts have kept this competition running for 20 years,” the 24-year-old said.
EIT Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science graduate and valedictorian Anna Kelland has been named the 2025 Young Viticulturist of the Year. Photo/ Smoke Photo and Video (https://smoke.co.nz/)
The national final was held at Greystone in Waipara in August, where regional winners from across the country were tested in a full day of practical and theoretical modules, including trellising, irrigation, machinery, pest and disease management, and an interview.
Finalists also delivered speeches at the New Zealand Wine Business Forum, reflecting on the past 20 years of the industry and looking to its future.
“It was really challenging this year. The sponsors and module runners were really testing us, but that made it all the more rewarding.”
This was her second appearance at the national final, after placing runner-up in 2024.
“After coming runner-up last year, there was only one way I could improve,” she said.
Anna completed the concurrent Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science at EIT in 2022 and was named one of two valedictorians at the 2023 graduation ceremony.
During her studies she also received several scholarships, including an EIT Year 13 Scholarship, a Bragato Trust Study Grant, and the Lawson Robinson Hawke’s Bay A&P Society Scholarship at the Napier Port Primary Sector Awards.
She said the knowledge and experience gained through her degree continue to influence her work.
“The lecturers at EIT were an amazing support while I was studying, and I use so much of what I learned there in my everyday work.”
Sue Blackmore, Head of School, Viticulture and Wine Science, said: “The school of Viticulture and Wine Science congratulates Anna on her achievement and wish her well for her future in the wine industry. Well done Anna!’
DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2025 – VinFast has officially announced a strategic partnership with the Arabian Automobile Association (AAA), a leading provider of vehicle support services in the Middle East, to launch comprehensive roadside assistance for VinFast customers across six countries: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in VinFast’s ongoing efforts to enhance customer experience and aftersales service quality in the region.
Ms. Do Hoai Linh, CEO of VinFast Middle East (second from left); Mr. Paul Joseph, Managing Director of AAA (far right), together with representatives of both parties at the MOU signing ceremony.
Under the agreement, AAA will deliver a full suite of professional roadside assistance services, including emergency towing, transport to charging stations for depleted batteries, 12V battery jump-starts, flat tire replacement, and vehicle lockout support. All services will be carried out by well-trained technicians in strict compliance with VinFast’s technical standards and local regulations. AAA guarantees rapid response times, with call center replies averaging under 45 seconds and on-site assistance within 60 to 90 minutes, depending on location and traffic conditions.
VinFast Middle East will support AAA by providing customer data, technical training, and establishing dedicated hotlines in each country to ensure seamless and timely service delivery. AAA is committed to maintaining a minimum customer satisfaction (CSAT) score of 90%, reflecting its dedication to service excellence.
Notably, the roadside assistance program offers 10 years of coverage from the date of vehicle purchase and is transferable within the country of purchase, providing added flexibility and peace of mind for VinFast owners.
Ms. Do Hoai Linh, CEO of VinFast Middle East, stated: “This partnership with the Arabian Automobile Association represents a strategic step forward in VinFast’s journey to expand and elevate service quality in the Middle East. It reflects our unwavering commitment to a customer-centric philosophy, where every touchpoint — from product to aftersales — is designed to deliver value, convenience, and peace of mind. By offering fast, reliable, and professional roadside assistance, we aim to strengthen customer trust and ensure that VinFast owners feel supported on every journey.”
Mr. Paul T Joseph, Managing Director at the Arabian Automobile Association AAA, commented: “We are proud to join forces with VinFast — a pioneering electric vehicle brand making waves globally. With over a decade of experience in roadside support, the Arabian Automobile Association is dedicated to delivering world-class service that enhances safety and satisfaction for VinFast customers throughout the Gulf region. We believe this partnership will set a new benchmark for EV service standards in the Middle East.”
In the region, VinFast has signed exclusive distribution agreements with three leading automotive partners: Al Tayer Motors (UAE), Al Mana Holdings (Qatar), and Bahwan Automobiles & Trading (Oman). Through strategic collaborations with top-tier local players, VinFast is actively contributing to the green mobility transformation in the Middle East, while reaffirming its mission to make electric vehicles more accessible to everyone.
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GDP decreases 0.9 percent in the June 2025 quarter
18 September 2025
New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.9 percent in the June 2025 quarter, following a 0.9 percent increase in the March 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Activity decreased in the June 2025 quarter across 2 out of 3 high-level industry groups: goods-producing industries fell 2.3 percent, and primary industries fell 0.7 percent. Service industries were flat.
“The 0.9 percent fall in economic activity in the June 2025 quarter was broad-based with falls in 10 out of 16 industries,” economic growth spokesperson Jason Attewell said. “GDP has now fallen in 3 of the last 5 quarters.”
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