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Ambitious new Aviation Action Plan takes flight

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Source: New Zealand Government

An ambitious new Aviation Action Plan has been released, containing 25 actions to grow and future-proof the aviation sector, ensuring it continues to deliver for all New Zealanders.

Associate Transport Minister James Meager launched the plan, led by industry through the Interim Aviation Council in partnership with government, while speaking at the Aviation Industry Association Conference in Wellington this morning.

“Aviation is vital to New Zealand’s economic prosperity and our way of life. The Aviation Action Plan outlines a strategic programme of work to ensure the sector continues to support trade, tourism, regional connectivity and economic growth across the country”, Mr Meager says.

“This action plan is a first for New Zealand and represents a major sector milestone. It’s a practical roadmap that tackles challenges facing aviation, including the need to embrace growth and innovation, and build a skilled and sustainable workforce.”

Key actions from the Aviation Action Plan include:

·         Promote growth and innovation by reworking specific civil aviation rules, including in emerging technologies like drones and uncrewed aircraft, improving the pace of regulatory decision-making, reducing certification wait times, and automating routine tasks.

·         Developing a programme of work to tackle workforce issues, including by updating the pilot and engineer training pipelines, promoting aviation careers, and progressing international mutual recognition of licences where appropriate.

·         Making RNZAF Base Ohakea available as an alternative runway for wide body aircraft on a permanent basis.

·        Strengthening passengers’ consumer rights and improving accessibility for disabled travellers.

·         Securing vulnerable regional routes by supporting small airlines through concessionary loans and providing investment for interlining arrangements.

“We’ve already made progress on several actions, including targeted investment in regional routes through $30 million in loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund. We have also commenced the system-wide first principles funding review of the Civil Aviation Authority, which is another recommendation,” Mr Meager says.

“This plan includes long-term steps to continue building momentum, including confirmation we will establish the Aviation Council as a permanent body. I’d like to thank the Interim Aviation Council for its leadership and expertise, and I look forward to working with the new permanent Council.

MIL OSI

Environment – “Tough on crime” Government lets repeat pesticide offenders off the hook

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Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is calling the Government’s “tough on crime” rhetoric a complete sham after official documents reveal companies repeatedly breaking food safety laws are escaping prosecution.
Documents released to Greenpeace show that since 2021, four companies were caught selling food with illegally high levels of pesticide residues on multiple occasions. Yet, in the past nine years, the Government has not prosecuted a single company for pesticide residue breaches.
Greenpeace spokesperson Gen Toop said: “Every New Zealander has a right to safe, healthy food, but this shocking enforcement failure means that illegally high levels of hazardous chemicals are ending up on our plates.
“Even after uncovering repeated breaches of pesticide residue laws by multiple companies, the Government has failed to take a single prosecution in almost ten years.
“These documents expose the Government’s two-tiered justice system: it’s tough on crime for ordinary people, but soft on crime for powerful agribusiness,” says Toop.
Food safety regulations in Aotearoa prohibit the sale of food with pesticide residues above what’s known as the maximum residue limit (MRL). New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is the Government agency responsible for monitoring and enforcing these rules.
In the documents, NZFS claims “in serious cases, enforced compliance action can, and is taken”. Greenpeace says companies have committed serious breaches in the last nine years and still evaded prosecution.
In 2022/23 NZFS found food with the organophosphate, methamidophos on it at levels thirty times above the legal limit. Methamidophos is so toxic it was banned in New Zealand last year.
“This Government’s “tough on crime” rhetoric is a complete sham. Instead of cracking down on companies that use agrichemicals illegally, the Government is letting serious offences and repeat offenders off the hook entirely.”
“This Government is putting the profits of chemical corporations and agribusiness ahead of the health of people and our environment. They need to do a complete 180 on this approach, start actually cracking down on illegal pesticide use, and strengthen, not weaken, our chemical laws.”

MIL OSI

Earth Sciences NZ and SPREP Formalise Partnership for Pacific Climate and Environmental Resilience

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Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

Earth Sciences New Zealand and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a significant milestone in their decades-long collaboration on environmental science and resilience in the Pacific.
This first formal agreement between the two organisations establishes a framework for deeper cooperation in climate science and resilience, ecosystem protection, environmental monitoring, and integration of Indigenous knowledge in natural resource management-all areas central to the region’s priorities and future under Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The MOU enables joint planning and execution of projects, capacity-building initiatives, and shared research efforts that will support sustainable development and environmental resilience across Pacific Island countries and territories.
SPREP Director General Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra welcomed the agreement, noting that “This recommitment of our existing partnership, which has stood the test of time and covers the whole area of the work that SPREP does, has untapped potential which will allow us to venture into newer areas of joint work. The timing is perfect for both institutions, seeing SPREP has established the new Climate Science and Information Programme, whilst Earth Sciences New Zealand has gone through a restructure – strategic moves which strengthen confidence among our partners and the countries we serve. “
“Formalising our partnership with SPREP allows us to better align our strengths and resources to meet the urgent environmental challenges facing the Pacific,” said Connon Andrews, Manager of the Pacific Centre at Earth Sciences NZ. “Together, we can deliver more coordinated, impactful science and services to support Pacific communities.”
The MOU outlines mechanisms for joint work planning, regular strategic meetings, and collaboration across a wide range of activity areas, including regional initiatives such as the Weather Ready Pacific programme, the Pacific Climate Change Science and Services Research Roadmap, and the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Centre Network, and the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service.
The MOU will guide collaboration over the next five years, with a shared commitment to integrity, sustainability, and the values of both organisations.

MIL OSI

Summer forecast: trillions of seeds and rat plagues

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation

By Janel Hull

This summer, we expect the South Island to experience the biggest beech forest mast in seven years where trillions of seeds blanket forest floors. Beech masts provide a bounty of food but unfortunately also trigger a dangerous ripple effect for native species.

Food is abundant Rat and stoat populations boom Predators devastate precious native birds, bats, and insects.

Predator plague cycle:

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Without expanded predator control, the consequences can be devastating. We’ve seen local extinctions before – like the loss of the last mohua population in Mount Stokes following a beech mast without adequate predator control.

But there’s also hope. Predator control helps nature bounce back with native bird and bat numbers increasing.

Long-tailed bat. : Belle Gwilliam

Our National Predator Control Programme is stepping up with an expanded predator control programme. Thanks to a funding boost from the International Visitor Levy, we’re able to carry out 15 predator control operations this year at high priority sites across about 650,000ha of South Island beech forests. Priority sites for predator control included Kahurangi, Mount Aspiring, Arthur’s Pass, and Fiordland national parks. We’re planning a second round of predator control work in these forests from late 2026. 

Our two-round approach to beech masts targets predators before seeding this year and after seed is gone from late 2026. This approach is backed by strong science and results because it targets predators when food is scarce and they’re more likely to eat toxic bait.

The outcomes of our predator control speak for themselves. In the Landsborough Valley, over 20 years of sustained predator control has led to native bird populations more than doubling. Populations of rare birds like kākā and mohua are also on the rise.  

Landsborough Valley:

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Our National Predator Control Programme’s work is critical. It’s about preventing extinctions and giving our wildlife a fighting chance to recover and thrive – especially during a major beech mast.

You can also do your bit ‘naturing’ by trapping in your backyards, joining a local predator free group or donating as we work towards the Predator Free 2050 goal.

MIL OSI

DOC ramps up pest control ahead of major mast

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  16 September 2025

The predicted beech mast will drop trillions of seeds, fuelling a surge in rodents then stoats – with potentially devastating impacts on native birds, bats, snails and other species.

DOC National Predator Control Programme Manager Peter Morton says it’s expected to be the biggest beech mast in seven years with seeding most likely in western areas from Kahurangi at the top of the South Island to Fiordland.

“We are planning a bigger predator control programme than usual over the next two years to protect our most vulnerable native species like mohua, rock wren and pekapeka from beech-seed fuelled plagues of rats and stoats.

“Operations will be focused on the best surviving populations of endangered wildlife in Kahurangi, Mt Aspiring, Arthur’s Pass and Fiordland national parks. 

“We know if we do nothing, native species will be decimated. Some of our last surviving mohua populations are hanging on by a thread and there’s a risk with a surge in predators we could lose them,” says Peter.

Mohua/yellowhead are helpless when rats invade the tree holes where they nest and roost. A rat plague during a beech mast in 1999 wiped out the last population of mohua in the northern South Island at Mt Stokes.  

“Our monitoring shows that carefully timed aerial 1080 operations prevent large spikes in predator numbers, enabling birds and bats to survive and breed successfully.

“Controlling predators is one of the most important actions we can take to protect nature. People can do their bit of ‘naturing’ by setting traps in their backyards, joining a local trapping group or donating, as we work towards New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 goal,” says Peter.      

Beech mast response operations will be focussed in two rounds – later this year before seed falls in autumn and from late 2026, once seed has been eaten or germinated. This avoids times when beech seed carpets the forest floor and rodents are less likely to eat toxic bait. Monitoring through a smaller beech mast in 2023 showed this timing led to the most effective control of predators and best outcomes for native wildlife.

Planning is underway for 15 predator control operations over 650,000 ha at priority South Island sites from spring to early summer in 2025. This is in addition to DOC’s regular programme over another 150,000 ha. DOC is consulting with iwi and hapū, stakeholders and local communities about all proposed operations.

The predator control programme for the second part of the beech mast response in 2026 and early 2027 will be determined by rat and stoat monitoring results from the sites DOC is protecting. If rodent numbers do not reach anticipated damaging levels in some areas, the programme will be scaled back. 

DOC has received $6.5 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy for its expanded programme to tackle invasive predators.

DOC uses climate modelling to predict beech masts a year in advance, and satellite imagery to monitor beech forest flowering across New Zealand. Profuse red flowering of beech trees this summer will be the first sign that the beech mast has started.  

Background information

 Beech forests naturally mast or seed every 2-6 years. Typically, this occurs on a local or regional scale in response to local climatic conditions. The last big mast was in 2019 when beech forests and tussock grasslands across Aotearoa seeded in a ‘mega mast’. A smaller mast occurred in parts of the South Island in 2023.

DOC controls predators on a sustained, rotational basis to protect more than 67 forest sites across the country over about 1.8 million ha or 20% of public conservation land.

Beech mast prediction 2026

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

Going For Growth: Competition Reform

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Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is beefing up the Commerce Act for the first time in nearly 20 years to provide greater protection to the public and more certainty for business, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson say. 

“These changes provide more certainty and reliability for businesses, and are what this Government was elected to deliver,” Nicola Willis says. 

“Competition is a key driver of growth, innovation and productivity. Consumers and businesses thrive when markets are open and fair. But our current settings are outdated, lack clarity and have led to some of our most important markets being dominated by only a handful of players.” 

Key changes include: 

  • Stopping unfair tactics like creeping acquisitions and predatory pricing so genuine competitors can thrive.
  • Clearer merger rules to give businesses certainty while keeping markets fair.
  • A stronger, better-structured Commerce Commission meaning faster, more transparent decisions.
  • Streamlined approval for beneficial collaboration making it easier for businesses to work together where it helps the public.
  • Allowing businesses to voluntarily undertake to limit market power as part of merger applications. 

“As part of the changes, the Commerce Commission will be strengthened to ensure it can continue to be an effective agency and is fit for purpose for the additional powers it has been given,” Scott Simpson says.  

“An independent review found the Commerce Commission has outgrown its current structure, with the board handling both governance and regulatory decisions. By separating these functions, the Commission will be able to deliver better outcomes for consumers. 

“Competition is needed. However, there is sometimes a benefit to having competitors collaborate where there are public benefits, and no harm is done to competition. The proposed changes will streamline approval for collaboration between businesses.  

“The Commerce Commission will gain stronger tools, including the ability to pause or ‘call in’ risky mergers before they are completed. This targeted power ensures problematic deals can be properly assessed.   

“The Commission will also be able to accept commitments from businesses – known as behavioural undertakings – to help resolve competition concerns arising from a proposed merger. Alongside this, clearer statutory timeframes will support more timely and transparent decisions. 

These changes will ensure the merger regime is fit for purpose, making it easier to identify and stop deals that could harm competition.   

“Importantly, these changes lift the bar on which mergers can proceed. This will prevent dominant firms entrenching their power and give businesses and consumers more choice, sharper prices and fairer markets.”  

The changes are reflected in amendments to the Commerce Act that will be introduced to Parliament before Christmas and passed by mid-2026.  

Nicola Willis also released an update today on the Government’s Going For Growth work programme. The Competitive Business Settings update sets out how the Government is making it easier for businesses to operate and grow so they can create more jobs and lift Kiwi incomes.  

MIL OSI

Immigration Minister travels to US to meet investors and boost economic growth

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Source: New Zealand Government

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford will head to the United States this week to lead a delegation of immigration and investment private sector participants to promote our Active Investor Plus visa, with events hosted by Invest NZ who have organised the delegation.

“Since our changes were implemented on 1 April, the Active investor Plus visa has generated significant new proposed investment in New Zealand of over $1 billion, with US investors submitting the most applications. 

“Heading to the US will provide an opportunity to meet with potential investors who want to know more about what New Zealand has to offer.

“We’ve said that New Zealand is open for business, and investor migrants are clearly attracted to our growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy. 

“Attracting investment to New Zealand is crucial to boosting economic growth. It will also support our businesses to expand, hire and grow – and that means more opportunities for New Zealanders.

“It’s fantastic to see this response so far. We welcome investors’ capital, knowledge, contribution to New Zealand’s economic growth, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet with them.”

The delegation will travel to meet potential investors in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco at events hosted by Invest NZ.

Minister Stanford will travel to the United States on 15 September and return on 21 September.

MIL OSI

Consultation closes on new national qualifications to replace NCEA

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Source: New Zealand Government

Public consultation has now closed on a proposal to replace the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), aiming to lift outcomes and better prepare students for life beyond school.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says she is encouraged by the amount of engagement there has been with the proposal.

“We have received over 8,200 submissions. I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback, and acknowledge the significant time and expertise contributed by the education sector throughout the process. 

“Your insights, experience, and ongoing commitment to helping young people thrive have been, and will continue to be, invaluable, as we consider the future of NCEA. 

“I also extend my thanks to parents, family, iwi, community members, and industry representatives who shared their feedback. 

“Given this is our national secondary school qualification, it matters that we’ve heard from people from a wide range of backgrounds.

“Now that consultation has closed, I will take time to carefully consider the feedback we have received. My officials will analyse responses from submissions and understand which areas of the proposed changes need further investigation. They are planning for further sector engagement to test areas as needed and get the sector’s further input into the design, before final decisions are made. 

“Once final decisions are made on the features of the qualification, government will work with the sector on detailed design elements – for example, the balance of internal and external assessments.  

“As I have said before, the proposed changes aim to strengthen foundational skills, improve coherence in teaching and assessment, and ensure qualifications reflect what students know and can do.

“This is not change for the sake of change. We have heard from the sector on issues and we have listened. I am pleased that we have heard from professionals and from Kiwis across the country so that everyone can have their say as we work together to improve the qualification system.

“This is about lifting education outcomes for New Zealanders. It’s about ensuring that every student, no matter where they live or which school they attend, has access to a qualification that is credible, consistent, and prepares them with the best education and opportunity for life beyond school.”

MIL OSI

Levelling the playing field for fish exporters

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Source: New Zealand Government

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand exporters will benefit from fairer competition as the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies takes effect today, after nearly two decades of negotiations.

“Unfair subsidies distort markets and disadvantage responsible producers. This agreement delivers on New Zealand’s long-standing push for global reform, ensuring Kiwi exporters can compete on a level playing field while helping to safeguard fish stocks for the future,” Mr McClay says.

The agreement prohibits subsidies that support illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, fishing of overfished stocks and unregulated high seas fishing.

“New Zealand was the first WTO member to call for improved rules on fish subsidies in the 1990s. Now we look forward to seeing the benefits, especially in the Pacific, where many of our key partners and exporters operate,” Mr McClay says.

“New Zealand will also continue to back efforts to conclude additional rules on fish subsidies at the WTO.”

Mr McClay says the agreement reinforces New Zealand’s wider trade ambition of doubling the value of New Zealand’s exports in 10 years.

“Stronger global rules that deliver fairer competition are an important part of that.”

The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies entered into force following ratification by two thirds of the WTO members. New Zealand ratified it in September 2023, after negotiations concluded in 2022.

MIL OSI

Reasonable confidence despite uncertainty – BusinessNZ

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Source: BusinessNZ

Future investment intentions indicate a reasonable level of business confidence, BusinessNZ says.
BusinessNZ’s 2025 Business Sentiment Survey shows uncertainty is a key challenge for businesses, but also shows companies planning more investment than last year.
The survey of 130 businesses shows 68% intend to authorise the same or more capital expenditure as last year compared with 61% in 2024; and fewer expect to invest less (25%) compared with 2024 (33%).
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich said investment intentions were a good indicator of business confidence and the 2025 results pointed to gradual improvement in the economy.
Asked about their top concerns affecting business confidence, the largest number cited uncertainty stemming from reversals of government policies following elections. This differs from the top concerns in 2024, which were interest rates and profitability challenges.
Companies involved in exporting were asked about their level of confidence in being able to export at the same rate as in recent years in the light of recent US tariff decisions. 73% were confident or neutral, while 27% said they were not confident.
The survey also indicated business views on the level of corporate tax, relevant skill levels of employees, ease of recruitment, and quality of roading for business needs.

MIL OSI

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