Stop with the politics and threats – PSA responds to Judith Collins ‘open letter’

October 20, 2025

Source: PSA

Public Service Minister Judith Collins needs to stop with the political games and get back to the bargaining table with a fair offer for health workers striking on Thursday for safe staffing and decent pay.

The Minister’s open letter blaming unions completely misses the point – the public understands why health workers are taking action and backs them in their fight for fair pay and recognition of the vital work they do, said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“Health workers are striking because after months of negotiation, the Government has failed to offer fair pay or address the chronic understaffing crisis putting them and patients at risk.

“These are nurses, allied health workers and other critical support staff who keep our health system running 24/7 and now work double shifts to cover vacancies because of the Government’s underfunding.

“It’s a problem of their own making and now the Government is blaming unions and making reckless threats to change the law and take away workers’ fundamental right to strike.

“None of this is helpful and just distracts from the real issue – this government’s political choice to underfund our health system while handing out tax breaks to landlords and tobacco companies.

“Health funding is a political choice. Listening to workers is a political choice. This government is making the wrong choices.

“It needs to stop the threats, stop the blame game, and start taking responsibility for the health staffing crisis it has created through short-sighted funding cuts.

“Health workers don’t want to strike – they want fair pay and safe working conditions so they can get back to caring for patients. The ball is in the Government’s court.”

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Advocacy – Judith Collins dog-whistles to her small choir to drown out Palestine – PSNA

LiveNews Publisher

October 20, 2025

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA

PSNA says Minister of Defence Judith Collins’ open-letter attack on teachers, for daring to raise Palestine in their discussions with the government, says more about her own prejudices than teacher priorities.

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Co-chair Maher Nazzal says teachers, who have devoted their lives to educating children here, would be appalled at the wholesale slaughter of Palestinian school children in Gaza.

“Teachers who are committed to the education and development of the next generation of our country would feel a special affinity with the children of another nation, who are being killed by Israeli bombing in their tens of thousands, see all their schools destroyed, and who will suffer the consequences of two years of malnutrition for the rest of their lives.”

Nazzal says, only two months ago, Collins was on television, standing next to a damaged residential building in Kiev, condemning Russia for attacks which had killed Ukrainian children.

“But not a critical word of Israel from her, or her cabinet colleagues, despite Israel just now resuming its mass bombing in Gaza.”

“Ukrainian, Palestinian and New Zealand school children all deserve protection and we should expect our government to speak up loudly in their defence, without having to have a teachers’ union raise government inaction on Gaza with them.”

“But even after 24 months of genocide, Collins won’t find the words to express New Zealand’s horror at the indiscriminate killing of school children in Gaza. But she’s in her element dog-whistling to her small choir in the pro-Israel lobby.”

“Collins has already been referred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, for complicity in Israel’s genocide by facilitating the supply of military technology for Israeli use.”

“It’s more than time for Luxon to pull back his Israeli fanatic colleagues and uphold an ethical rule-based policy, and not default to blind prejudices.”

Maher Nazzal

Co-Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA

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New methane research barn boosts farmer options

LiveNews Publisher

October 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has said at the opening of a new state-of-the-art methane research facility in the Waikato today.

“Livestock Improvement Corporation’s (LIC) new ‘Methane Barn’ will enable large-scale monitoring and measurement of methane produced by lactating dairy cows,” Mr McClay says.

“The research will enable farmers to select lower-emitting genetics and will be a valuable tool to help reduce biogenic methane without harming productivity.

“This research further bolsters confidence in the pipeline of new mitigation tools – giving farmers the choice in how they get emissions down.”

The Government and industry have committed more than $400 million to speed up the development of methane-cutting tools with as many as 11 to be commercially available by 2030.

“We are committed to meeting our climate obligations without closing down farms and sending jobs and production overseas. Investments like the Methane Barn will offer farmers the tools they need to reduce on-farm emissions without reducing production,” Mr McClay says.

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Proposed changes to the Plants for Planting Import Health Standard (155.02.06)

LiveNews Publisher

October 20, 2025

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

For 4 genera – Allium, Diospyros, Olea, and Passiflora – a review of the IHS amendment history, pest lists and measures suggested it was likely that the schedules were outdated and would not manage all pest risks appropriately. This review was tested using a hazard search process, to check for ‘new’ pests now known to be associated with each of the hosts, and which were either regulated and likely to cause harm, or likely to be new organisms in New Zealand.

A structured search approach was used to test the initial review, to give a relatively quick but consistent method for checking for potential pest hazards.

CABI Digital Library

This approach is non-exhaustive and was not intended to create a complete list of potential pest hazards, especially with respect to the most recent research and first-report literature. However, we believe it was sufficiently robust to give a reliable indication of the potential for pest risks not appropriately managed by each of the four IHS schedules.

The process found many new potential pest associations. A significant number of the pests associated with the 4 hosts are regulated in New Zealand, or potential new organisms – hence, they may be biosecurity risks that need to be managed. Here are some examples from the pest lists we collated:

Allium

Fungi: Ciborinia allii, Colletotrichum allii

Bacteria: Pantoea allii, Pseudomonas syringae pv. allii, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. allii

Viruses: Garlic mite-borne filamentous virus, Garlic virus E, Iris yellow spot virus

Diospyros

Fungi: Over 30 fungal species associated with persimmon, including five species of Phaeoacremonium and 10 species of Pseudocercospora.

Phytoplasmas: ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australasiae’, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma omanense’, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’

Olea

Nematodes: Multiple species potentially associated with nursery-produced plants

Fungi: Colletotrichum godetiae, Colletotrichum nymphaeae, Neofusicoccum mediterraneum, Neofusicoccum stellenboschiana, Pseudophaeomoniella oleae, Pseudophaeomoniella oleicola

Phytoplasmas: ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni’, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi’

Viruses: A range of known and newly identified viruses

Passiflora

Fungi: Alternaria passiflorae, Colletotrichum queenslandicum, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. passiflorae

Bacteria: Ralstonia solanacearum, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae

Viruses: Multiple known and newly identified viruses associated with passionfruit vines, including Passion fruit mottle virus, Passion fruit severe leaf distortion virus, Passion fruit severe mottle-associated virus, Passion fruit vein clearing virus, Passion fruit yellow mosaic virus and Passionfruit woodiness virus.

This initial work indicates that existing measures are unlikely to appropriately manage pest risks. Therefore, we are suspending these four schedules until we can complete the risk analysis for the four genera.

We know that these four genera are of interest to you. We have added them to our list of requested species, to be prioritised on the work programme at a later time.

Plants Biosecurity Index

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Banking Appointments – Appointment of Susan Peterson as Kiwibank Chair

LiveNews Publisher

October 20, 2025

Source: Kiwi Group Capital Limited (KGC)

The Board of Kiwi Group Capital Limited (KGC), the non-operating holding company of Kiwibank Limited, is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Susan Peterson as the new Chair of the Kiwibank Limited Board for a term of three years, effective from 30 November 2025. Ms. Peterson succeeds Mr. Jon Hartley, who will step down when his current term ends on 29 November 2025.

Ms. Peterson is a highly respected New Zealand business leader with extensive experience in strategic leadership, successfully growing businesses and good governance. She is the current Chair of Vista Group Limited and a director of Xero Limited and Mercury Limited. Susan is also a past director of ASB Bank Limited and has served 9 years on the New Zealand Markets Disciplinary Tribunal. Susan’s experience chairing and directing multiple NZX and ASX listed and private companies, overseeing major corporate transactions, and navigating complex regulatory and political environments positions her well to support Kiwibank confidently through its next phase of growth.

Ms. Peterson said, “I’m honoured to take on the role of Chair at Kiwibank. Kiwibank is our largest New Zealand-owned bank and has a proud history and a clear Purpose of Kiwi making Kiwi better off by creating meaningful competition in the banking market. I am confident Kiwibank can deliver great customer outcomes while also offering world class career opportunities to talented Kiwi.

“All Kiwibank profits remain in New Zealand, and this means that every Kiwi benefits when Kiwibank is successful. This is an exciting time to join Kiwibank, and I am looking forward to working with Steve Jurkovich and the team to find more ways to strengthen its position as the challenger bank and support more Kiwi, more Kiwi businesses and New Zealand’s overall economy to thrive.”

Mr. Hartley has served as Kiwibank Chair since November 2019, and under his leadership the bank has achieved significant growth and momentum. His dedication and strategic contributions have been pivotal in positioning Kiwibank for continued success. KGC and Kiwibank thank Mr. Hartley sincerely for his service and impact and wish him all the best with his future endeavours.

KGC has reappointed Kevin Malloy as an Independent Director of Kiwibank for a further term of one year, effective from the current term expiry date of 28 November 2025. He has been a Director since November 2016. KGC and Kiwibank thank Mr. Malloy for his willingness to extend his term by an additional year, ensuring continuity during a period of transition for the Kiwibank Board.

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Advocacy – World Statistics Day and Palestine – October 20

LiveNews Publisher

October 20, 2025

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Today, the world marks World Statistics Day, a global occasion celebrated every five years to highlight the importance of reliable data, transparency, and informed decision-making. Statistics are more than just numbers; they are powerful tools to shape policies, track progress, and reveal truths that can no longer be ignored.

For Palestine, statistics are not only a technical matter—they are a form of resistance and documentation. For decades, Palestinian institutions such as the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) have worked under occupation to collect, analyse, and share data about Palestinian society, economy, health, education, and the ongoing impacts of occupation.

These numbers tell a human story:

Over 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza face severe humanitarian conditions.
More than 80% of Gazans rely on humanitarian aid.
Land confiscation, settlement expansion, and movement restrictions continue to shape daily life for Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Unemployment and poverty rates remain among the highest in the world, not because of a lack of potential, but because of systemic restrictions imposed by occupation.

Accurate statistics are crucial for international accountability, humanitarian response, and future reconstruction. They preserve facts against denial and erasure, ensuring that the Palestinian narrative is backed by credible, documented evidence.

On World Statistics Day, we honour Palestinian statisticians, researchers, and institutions who work under immense pressure to bring truth to light. Their work helps the world understand the reality on the ground and strengthens the global call for justice and human rights.

📊 “Good data tells powerful stories. For Palestine, it tells the story of a people who refuse to be erased.”

Palestine Forum of New Zealand

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Northland News – $1.5M Awanui-Lower Whangatane Spillway funding welcomed

LiveNews Publisher

October 20, 2025

Source: Northland Regional Council

News the government will fund more than half of a $2.5 million project to remove a weak point from the Awanui flood scheme has been welcomed by the Northland Regional Council (NRC).

Council Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Gibbard said Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced recently (subs: Thurs 16 Oct) an application for $1.5M Crown funding via the Regional Infrastructure Fund had been successful. Mr Gibbard says the council will fund the remaining $1M through existing rates.

He says the area involved is a weak spot in the long-running, multimillion dollar Awanui flood scheme on the Lower Whangatane Spillway at Kumi Rd near Awanui township. Floodbanks had overtopped there in July 2020, flooding several houses and causing stock losses.

The project – which the council hopes will begin over summer – would take about two years to complete over two construction seasons and would see about two kilometres of stopbanks set back by as much as 250 metres in places, effectively creating more room in the river channel for floodwaters.

“Our modelling indicates that this will reduce the flood level there by about half a metre which may not seem like a lot but could be the difference between the floodwaters overtopping the stopbanks or not.”

Mr Gibbard says ‘making room for the river’ is seen as world-wide best practice in flood risk reduction and the council is grateful for the latest funding which as well as improving the scheme, substantially reduces the cost of the project for ratepayers.

He says last week’s ‘Tranche 2’ funding was among almost $92M for 32 projects nationally announced by the government. These build on the momentum of 42 national ‘Before the Deluge Tranche 1 projects’ also made possible through co-investment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Mr Gibbard says the NRC had earlier received about $1.5M in Tranche 1 funding for a project to remove a flooding pinch point, again on the Awanui scheme, at Quarry Rd near Kaitaia’s airport.

He says since Covid (and including last week’s funding), central government had now funded almost $20.7M in flood-related regional council projects across Northland, including the Awanui scheme,work at Panguru, Otiria-Moerewa and Kaeo and to reduce flood-risks at Northland’s most flood-prone marae.

The central government funding means Northland ratepayers would have collectively had to foot just under $10M of the total $30.6M spent on those projects.

Mr Gibbard says regional councils play a critical role in flood risk management.

“Our council and the local communities we represent have invested heavily in several flood management schemes across Northland to reduce risks to people, property and infrastructure.”

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Immigration Minister to Deliver Keynote at NZ’s Premier Immigration Conference

LiveNews Publisher

October 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment (NZAMI)

Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Immigration, will deliver the keynote address at New Zealand’s leading immigration industry event, the Annual Immigration Conference, on Friday, 24 October 2025, in Auckland.

Hosted by the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment (NZAMI), the conference brings together government, industry, and policy experts to discuss the critical role of immigration in supporting New Zealand’s economic recovery and long-term growth.

Also speaking at the conference are Phil Twyford, Labour’s spokesperson on immigration, and senior officials from key government agencies involved in immigration policy and operations.

“This year’s conference comes at a pivotal time,” says Simon Laurent, Chair of NZAMI. “New Zealand has experienced a dramatic decline in net migration over the past two years, driven by high citizen departures and fewer migrant arrivals. This has contributed to stagnating retail activity and a slowdown in new housing development.”

The conference will focus on the intersection of immigration policy, demographic trends, and economic performance.

“As the peak industry body in the immigration sector, NZAMI believes a well-functioning immigration system is essential to unlocking the country’s economic potential,” says Laurent.

“Currently, immigration is at historically low levels, limiting both population-driven economic growth and the ability of businesses to access the skills they urgently need.”

Laurent says NZAMI members are eager to hear more from Minister Stanford and policy makers about forthcoming changes to key immigration pathways.

“We acknowledge the Minister’s progress on initiatives such as the new business investor visa and the recent announcement of new trades-focused residence pathways to be released in 2026,” he says.

“However, we believe the excessively high English language requirements, will undermine the Government’s immigration policy objectives. We look forward to discussing suggestions for improvements with Minister Standford at Friday’s conference.”

Event Details
What: Annual Immigration Conference
When: Friday, 24 October 2025, 8:30am – 5pm
Where: JW Marriott Hotel, 22 Albert Street, Auckland CBD

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Water Safety – Keep an eye out for our new spokes-Buoy this Safer Boating Week – Maritime New Zealand

LiveNews Publisher

October 20, 2025

Source: Maritime New Zealand

As Safer Boating Week 2025 gets underway, a new ambassador for safety will start bobbing in the waves around the country. Introducing “Buoy-Boy” – a floating reminder to recreational craft users to stay safe on the water. Buoy-Boy will be appearing at popular boating spots nationwide, starting this week, and continuing throughout the summer months.

Buoy-Boy’s mission is simple: to encourage recreational craft users to be prepared in case they unexpectedly find themselves in the water. His presence is a light-hearted but important reminder to check lifejackets, monitor marine weather conditions, and carry at least two waterproof forms of communication – such as a beacon (EPIRB), cellphone, or have a marine radio on-board.

The name Buoy-Boy is a playful twist on the maritime term “buoy,” paired with “boy” to give a human touch to the delivery of safety messages. Buoys are familiar to water users and serve a vital role in marking hazards, speed zones, and areas designated for specific activities, such as water skiing.

Matt Wood, Maritime NZ’s Principal Advisor Recreational Craft, says Buoy-Boy’s role is to gently reinforce safety habits as boaties head out for the day.

“While he’s not an official aid to navigation, we hope Buoy-Boy will serve as a friendly prompt to think about safety as recreational craft users are leaving for a day on the water.

“When boaties see Buoy-Boy, it should be their final reminder to ensure they’re wearing a properly fitted lifejacket, have checked the marine weather forecast and are carrying two forms of communication.”

Buoy-Boy will be popping up at some popular recreational boating locations across the country over the next month.

Tragically, an average of 17 people lose their lives each year in incidents involving recreational craft. Research shows that the highest risk occurs within 400 metres of shore – an area where many assume they are safe.

“I want to acknowledge the tragic incident that occurred at Port Waikato over the weekend. While we are not able to talk about what occurred. This is a devastating reminder about the dangers of heading out on the water.

Our thoughts are with those involved and their friends and family,” Matt Wood says.

Maritime NZ wants to thank all the responders who worked to help those involved in this heartbreaking incident.

One craft type identified through our research as having an elevated risk are dinghies.

“Over the past decade, a quarter of all fatal incidents have involved dinghies, and in most cases, those who died were not wearing lifejackets.”

“People often believe that being close to shore means they are safer than they actually are – but sadly, that’s not always the case,” Matt Wood says.

Before heading out, every water user should ask themselves; If I end up in the water, how prepared am I?

“Preparation is the key to staying safe.

“We want recreational craft users to be sure before they leave the shore; this means they will enjoy their time on the water and most importantly come home safely,” Matt Wood says.

Key Statistics:

Over the past decade, more than 170 lives have been lost in incidents involving recreational craft. A quarter of these involved dinghies.
As a craft type, dinghies have the second highest number of fatalities connected to them as a craft type. Sitting just behind powerboats.
Nearly all single-occupancy dinghy fatalities involved men.
Mature males are at greatest risk, with the average age being 56.
Between 1 January and 19 October 2025, there have been 15 recreational craft accidents resulting in 16 deaths.
Just under half of dinghy-related fatalities involved people falling overboard from vessels that remained afloat.
70% of these fatalities occurred within one nautical mile of shore, and 40% within 400 metres – despite many believing the greatest danger lies in open water.

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Employment – The benefit equation: What workers want and how employers can benefit – Robert Half

LiveNews Publisher

October 20, 2025

Source: Robert Half

94% of Kiwi workers say they receive perks and benefits from their employer

76% plan to ask for additional perks and benefits

An agreed bonus (19%), a remote working option (16%), and flexible working arrangements (16%) are the three benefits employees plan to ask for in 2025

Auckland, 20 October 2025 – New Zealand employees consider perks and benefits as an important part of their remuneration package, to the extent that most (76%) are planning to negotiate for enhanced offerings as part of their employment discussions, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds.

The Robert Half Salary Guide reveals almost all (94%) workers say they are provided with an array of perks and benefits from their employer.

Current worker benefits snapshot

According to Kiwi workers, their employers are most likely to offer a range of flexible work arrangements and discounts to encourage better work-life balance and an enhanced lifestyle.

Perk/benefit	Percentage of workers
Working from home/hybrid options	39%
Flexible work arrangements (e.g., ability to leave early/start late, compressed hours/weeks)	39%
Staff benefits hub (e.g., special offers, reductions, cashback scheme)	30%
Flexible benefits program (allowance given monthly/yearly to be used on a range of benefits – e.g., health insurance, gym membership)	29%
Agreed bonus (i.e., annually, quarterly, monthly, ad-hoc)	29%
Remote working option (beyond working from home)	27%
Mental health resources/Employee assistance	27%

Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 500 full-time office workers in New Zealand.

“With many companies focused on cost management, they may not be in a position to award pay rises or higher starting salaries amid economic uncertainty,” says Megan Alexander, Managing Director at Robert Half. “While salary remains the main incentive of a remuneration package, businesses recognise the power of benefits to land, motivate, engage and keep their top performers.”

What’s on workers’ wish lists

More than three in four (76%) Kiwi workers plan to ask for the following benefits they don’t already have:

Perk/benefit	Percentage of workers
Agreed bonus (i.e., annually, quarterly, monthly, ad-hoc)	19%
Remote working option (beyond working from home)	16%
Flexible work arrangements (e.g., ability to leave early/start late, compressed hours/weeks)	16%
Flexible benefits program (allowance given monthly/yearly to be used on a range of benefits – e.g., health insurance, gym membership)	16%
Working from home/hybrid options (more than one day a week)	14%
Paid sabbaticals/leave of absence	13%
Home office equipment allowance	13%
Public transport allowance	13%

Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 500 full-time office workers in New Zealand.

“Kiwis are voicing what they want from their employer, with many asking for stronger financial rewards as well as lifestyle benefits, such as flexibility. Ignoring these requests can drive workers to competitors who better meet their needs. To secure and retain talent, companies should strategically align their benefit offerings with what they know employees are seeking, and where full alignment is not possible, focus on open communication, transparency and alternative incentives that reinforce commitment and trust.

“A company’s perks and benefits structure reflects its wider corporate culture. Innovative and comprehensive packages not only help employee attraction and retention, but they can also support a long-term talent pipeline and help build staff engagement overall,” concludes Alexander.

Notes

About the research

The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in November 2024 by an independent research company among 500 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, and IT and technology. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management and trends in the workplace.

About Robert Half

Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm.  Robert Half New Zealand has an office in Auckland. More information on roberthalf.com/nz

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