NZ and the Nordic Region: cooperating for the future

October 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand and the five Nordic countries will deepen and intensify their cooperation, driven by common strategic assessments, values and national development aspirations, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.

“New Zealand and the Nordic countries are separated by vast oceans, but united by how we see the world, the values we wish to uphold and defend, and our desire to cooperate for mutual economic benefit,” Mr Peters says, at the conclusion of his visit to the Nordic region.

As well as undertaking bilateral visits to all five Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, Mr Peters also attended the inaugural Nordic 5-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Stockholm.

“Like New Zealand, the Nordic countries face their most challenging strategic environment in decades, as they unite to support Ukraine in repelling Russia’s illegal invasion,” Mr Peters says. “As we heard repeatedly, if Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, it will keep pushing further and they are already seeking to cause disruption in the Nordic and Baltic regions.

“In this context, the Nordic countries are deeply appreciative of New Zealand’s tangible contributions to help defend Ukraine. They drew comfort from New Zealand – acknowledging our great distance from the conflict – providing significant support in the common fight against Russia’s naked aggression. We also discussed the direct and indirect support that Russia’s war effort receives from certain actors in the Indo-Pacific – underlining the interconnected nature of our respective strategic environments.

“Just as New Zealand supports a stable and peaceful Europe underpinned by the international rules-based system, the Nordic countries have an interest in contributing to the Indo-Pacific being a free, open and democratic region. In this context, we also discussed how Pacific Island countries can continue to benefit from Nordic development assistance, including through multilateral and regional organisations.”

National economic development strategies were another important theme of Mr Peters’ Nordic tour.

“For 20 years now across three terms as Foreign Minister, we have championed the idea that the economic development stories of the Nordic countries have many seriously important lessons for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says.

“That’s why we opened a New Zealand Embassy in Stockholm in 2008, and then re-opened it in 2018 after John Key’s Government misguidedly opted to close it.

“This visit has underlined the many areas New Zealand’s development could benefit from cooperating more closely with Nordic countries and their very successful companies – from fisheries management and renewable energy infrastructure to port operations, and from geothermal exploration to sovereign wealth management.

“If New Zealand is to become a more productive economy and more attractive for foreign direct investment, we need to apply practical lessons from other, small countries that have had success – and the Nordic region is a great source of them.

“There was shared agreement that there is no limit to what we might achieve together. To that end, we will be ensuring that relevant parts of the New Zealand Government and companies connect with Nordic counterparts, to start realising this still untapped potential,” Mr Peters says.

Mr Peters returns to New Zealand on Saturday 1 November.

Oi Wah Announces Interim Results

MIL OSI

October 31, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

Net Profit Surges over 25%, Proposed an Interim Dividend of HK 1.0 cent per share

Financial Highlights

For the six months ended 31 Aug
HK$’000	2025	2024	Change
Profit before taxation	44,696	35,962	+24.3%
Profit for the period attributable to shareholders	38,381	30,535	+25.7%
Net profit margin	46.8%	35.1%	+11.7 p.p
Basic earnings per share (HK cents)	2.0	1.6	+25.0%

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – The board of directors of Oi Wah Pawnshop Credit Holdings Limited (HKEx stock code: 1319.HK, the “Group” or “Oi Wah”) announced its interim results and its financial position. For the six months ended 31 August 2025 (“FP2026”), the Group recorded revenue of approximately HK$82.0 million and profit attributable to shareholders of the Company of approximately HK$38.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 25.7%.

During the period, earnings per share was HK 2.0 cents, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 25.0%. The Board of Directors recommends an interim dividend of HK 1.0 cent.

Business Review

Mortgage loan business
In FP2026, the interest income of the mortgage loan business of the Group was approximately HK$33.6 million, which accounted for approximately 41.0% of the Group’s total revenue. As at 31 August 2025, the gross mortgage loan receivable was approximately HK$654.1 million and during the period, the total new mortgage loans granted amounted to approximately HK$121.6 million. The net interest margin of the mortgage loan business is about 9.6%. There were 27 new cases of mortgage loan transactions.

Pawn Loan Business
In FP2026, the interest income generated from the pawn loan business was approximately HK$39.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 4.5%. The Group recorded gain from disposal on repossessed assets of approximately HK$9.0 million, representing an increase of approximately 60.7%. It is mainly attributable to the appreciation of gold price during the period.

During the period, the Group continued to channel resources to advertising and promotion, in order to enhance the Group’s brand exposure. Such effort has generated demand of one-to-one pawn loan appointment services for pawn loans of loan size exceeding HK$0.1 million. The Group recorded average loan amount of approximately HK$12,600 per transaction during FP2026.

Prospects

Looking ahead, the global economy is expected to continue its moderate recovery, although uncertainties related to macroeconomic policies and geopolitical developments are likely to persist. Geopolitical tensions and market volatility are no longer occasional and are coming structural. The Board believes that residential property prices in Hong Kong are approaching the bottom and are likely to gradually recover in the coming quarters, provided that fundamental basis of economic conditions remain broadly unchanged. However, the commercial and industrial property segments are expected to remain subdued, reflecting ongoing structural and demand-side challenges. In light of these factors, the Board maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook on the property market and the broader local economy, while remaining vigilant to potential downside risks stemming from external shocks and domestic market developments.

To drive profit growth, the Group has strategically partnered with PACM Group to establish a fund, marking our entry into the real estate private credit institutional investment management sector. We will proactively explore expansion opportunities in local and overseas developed markets and maintain prudent investment oversight to mitigate market risks and maximize returns for both investors and shareholders.

Furthermore, the Group will continue to review strategic shop locations and consider potential acquisition opportunities within established pawn businesses to further enhance customer experience and maintain robust operational profitability. These initiatives are intended to reinforce our market leading position and ensure sustainable long-term growth amid evolving industry dynamics.

Mr. Edward Chan, Chairman and CEO of the Company, said, “Amid an external environment filled with uncertainties, geopolitical tensions and market volatility have become the new normal. The Group will continue to prudently keep abreast of market trends and adjust our business strategies with agility. Through our strategic partnership fund with PACM Group, we will proactively explore promising overseas investment opportunities to diversify the Group’s revenue streams. Looking ahead, we will adhere to prudent management principles and remain committed to delivering sustainable long-term returns for our shareholders, further strengthening our leading position in the industry.”

Hashtag: #OiWah #靄華 #InterimResults #中期業績

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

NZ-AU: IperionX – September 2025 Quarterly Report

MIL OSI

October 31, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IperionX Limited (IperionX) (NASDAQ: IPX, ASX: IPX) is pleased to present its quarterly report for the period ending September 30, 2025. Highlights during and subsequent to the end of the quarter include:

Commercial operations: production online, with higher production capacity and lower unit costs

All planned major manufacturing equipment is online and operational, for both titanium powder production and component manufacturing at the Titanium Manufacturing Campus in Virginia.
Process improvements and optimization has lifted nameplate titanium powder production capacity by 60% without additional capital spend, with further increases in production capacity expected in 2026.
Titanium manufacturing sales are expected to progressively scale through 2026, with a positive EBITDA inflection point projected by year-end 2026.
Consumer-electronics scrap processing has commenced, using scrap supplied by the consumer electronics OEM, with IperionX by now producing a range of consumer electronic components as specified in the customer contract.
Production of various fasteners has commenced with IperionX receiving initial purchase orders for the delivery of a range of fastener products into applications for the U.S. military and commercial and industrial markets.

Mid-2027 U.S. Department of War (DoW) backed expansion underway to become the largest & lowest cost U.S. producer

IperionX is now scaling titanium capacity to 1,400 tpa, with commissioning planned for mid-2027, positioning IperionX to be America’s largest and lowest-cost titanium powder producer.
The 1,400 tpa expansion accelerates a more resilient and sustainable U.S. titanium supply chain, cutting reliance on foreign imports and supporting national security for aerospace, defense, and electric vehicles.
The total expansion capital is ~US$75 million, and is majority funded through the U.S. DoW Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) award of US$47.1 million, of which $42.5 million has now been obligated to IperionX.
Rapid scaling of advanced titanium manufacturing capacity will be undertaken in parallel – powder metallurgy, forging, and additive systems to deliver integrated titanium supply chain capabilities.

Accelerated growth roadmap targets market leadership in high-performance titanium components

Roadmap being developed to further scale titanium production capacity, targeting cost competitiveness with stainless steel and aluminum by 2030.
Technology-driven cost advantage – the patented titanium HAMR^TM and HSPT^TM technologies significantly increase manufacturing yields, while cutting process steps, energy and capex intensity, resulting in long-term cost advantage.
IperionX has begun the upfit of a new facility in Halifax County, Virginia to deliver the next generation of HAMR and HSPT technologies that will drive the titanium cost curve even lower.

U.S. Government Funding

IperionX was obligated a further US$37.5 million under the U.S. Department of War’s IBAS US$47.2 million award, taking total obligations to date to US$42.5 million. The remaining $4.6 million is expected to be obligated over the contract term.
Confirmation of the additional obligation enables IperionX to finalize its scale-up plans to achieve a production capacity of 1,400 metric tonnes of titanium per year.

Strong financial position

At September 30, 2025, IperionX closed the quarter with US$79.2 million in cash.
In July, IperionX announced that it had received firm commitments for a private placement of 14 million new ordinary shares at an issue price of A$5.00 per share, to raise A$70 million (US$46 million) before costs, resulting in pro-forma cash of approximately US$100 million.
Proceeds from the private placement will be used for:
- Acceleration of Phase 2 capacity scale-up, with fast-track ordering of long lead time production and manufacturing equipment;
- Scaling Phase 1 operations, including low-cost capital projects to further increase production over nameplate throughput capacities;
- Scaling of HSPT pressing and furnace capacity to align with accelerated production scale-up; and
- Operations, Phase 3 expansion studies and increased R&D.

Directors and key management subscribed for A$2.2 million (US$1.4 million), following shareholder approval, reinforcing alignment with shareholders.

Figure 1: Various operations, including clockwise from top left – reagent mixing, crucible loading /
unloading, HAMR furnace operations, product leaching, argon facilities, product collector, jet mill operations

A link to the full release can be found here.

Contacts

Anastasios (Taso) Arima, Founder and CEO
Toby Symonds, President
Dominic Allen, Chief Commercial Officer

Investors: investorrelations@iperionx.com
Media: media@iperionx.com

+1 980 237 8900
www.iperionx.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f6333be-5bf1-467c-bd94-9f13ad789573

– Published by The MIL Network

New Zealand business demography statistics: At February 2025 – Stats NZ information release

LiveNews Publisher

October 31, 2025

New Zealand business demography statistics: At February 2025 – information release

30 October 2025

Business demography statistics provide an annual snapshot of the characteristics of New Zealand businesses. The statistics cover economically significant enterprises that produce goods and services in New Zealand.

Key facts
Provisional data showed that at February 2025:

New Zealand had 617,330 enterprises, an increase of 0.5 percent from February 2024; this followed a 1.2 percent increase in the previous February year
the number of paid employees in these enterprises (not an official employment statistic) was 2.4 million, down 2.2 percent from February 2024
these enterprises had 654,460 business locations, an increase of 0.5 percent from February 2024
of the 19 industries, 12 had more enterprises compared with February 2024, and six had more employees
of the 16 regions, 11 had more business locations than a year ago, and one had more employees.

Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV files:

For media enquiries contact: Media team, Wellington, media@stats.govt.nz“>media@stats.govt.nz, 021 285 9191

The Government Statistician authorises all statistics and data we publish.

Ngā mihi,
Publishing
Stats NZ

MIL OSI

HepTa Advisory-Labs recognized among the Best Places to Work in France 2024

MIL OSI

October 30, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

An international distinction celebrating the company’s culture of human excellence and innovation

PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – HepTa Advisory-Labs has earned the Best Place to Work 2024 certification, joining the exclusive community of organizations recognized for the exceptional quality of their workplace environment and their commitment to employee well-being.

This distinction, awarded following a rigorous evaluation conducted among employees and the HR team, highlights the high levels of trust, collaboration, and motivation that define the company’s culture. The evaluation results revealed a strong sense of pride and belonging, a feeling of recognition, and a management approach grounded in autonomy and transparency.

“Being certified as a Best Place to Work is a recognition of our teams’ collective commitment. At HepTa, we believe that a human, inclusive, and inspiring environment is the key to innovation and sustainable performance,” said Mouaad HAFSI, CEO of the organization.

HepTa A.L. — The Intelligence of Transformation
HepTa Advisory-Labs is a center of excellence in information systems architecture and transformation. The company supports organizations in addressing major digital challenges by helping them design, manage, and industrialize innovative solutions around data, artificial intelligence, and next-generation information systems.

Transform, Innovate, Accelerate
At the heart of our approach lie our innovation labs — true delivery accelerators that combine applied research, architectural design, and rapid prototyping to turn ideas into tangible, measurable solutions. Our teams design AI models, data platforms, cloud architectures, and intelligent IT frameworks that create a lasting competitive advantage for our clients.

Human Excellence and Unique Expertise
Our strength lies in our human capital. HepTa A.L. consultants, coming from leading firms and top schools, bring together a dual skill set:

Strategic vision and technical expertise
The rigor of architects and the creativity of entrepreneurs

Driven by strong values — openness, integrity, innovation, and collaboration — they design tailor-made, concrete, and sustainable solutions adapted to complex contexts and ambitious goals.

A Recognized and Inspiring Culture
HepTa Advisory-Labs is proud to be certified as a Best Place to Work. This recognition celebrates a management model based on trust, autonomy, and individual development. Every day, the company fosters an inclusive, stimulating, and fulfilling environment where everyone can learn, innovate, and grow.

Hashtag: #BestPlacesToWork

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Health services return to EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus

LiveNews Publisher

October 30, 2025

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

27 seconds ago

Access to primary healthcare has returned to EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale, with local provider Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri delivering nurse-led services to staff, students and children attending the Ōtatara Children’s Centre.

After initially operating from a mobile clinic outside J Block in July, the Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri team moved into the Health Centre in K Block in August.

The service now works in partnership with EIT’s student wellbeing and counselling services to provide integrated health and wellbeing support on campus.

Health Coach Katherine MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Registered Nurse Katrina Witton (Ngāti Porou) from Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri, who are delivering nurse-led health services on EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale.

Executive Director, Student and Academic Services, Ondene van Dulm, says re-establishing on-campus health services is “a really exciting milestone in our post-cyclone recovery”.

“The vision is to provide comprehensive support for our students’ wellbeing, with accessible and affordable care that responds to diverse needs.

The whānau-led services provided by Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri will complement the support delivered by our Student Wellbeing Advisor and Counsellor. This is indeed a partnership to celebrate as we continue to rebuild our campus.”

Health Coach Katherine MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Registered Nurse Katrina Witton (Ngāti Porou) from Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri say the response to the service has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Within our first week, we had around 50 people come through just to get a health check or find out what’s available,” Katherine says.

Katherine says being on campus helps break down barriers to healthcare by providing a familiar, welcoming environment. She says awareness continues to grow as staff and students become more familiar with the service.

“It’s all about access,” she says. “Having somewhere close, affordable and easy to walk into makes a huge difference for people who might otherwise put off seeing someone.”

Both staff and students have already benefited from the service.

“We’ve had people come back and say, ‘I went to see my GP after you suggested it, and now I’m feeling great’. Even small checks like blood pressure can make a big difference,” Katrina says.

For Katrina, who completed her Bachelor of Nursing at EIT last year alongside her sister Jessica, returning to campus in a professional role has been especially meaningful.

A former forklift supervisor and dispatch coordinator, she was inspired to study nursing during the COVID-19 lockdown and has since become an advocate for accessible, community-based care.

“I studied here before the cyclone, so it’s quite special to come back and be part of bringing this service to life again,” she says.

Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri offers nurse-led care, health checks, vaccinations, referrals and health education to support students and staff in managing their wellbeing.

The service operates Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 3pm during teaching weeks, and is open to students and staff on a walk-in basis.

MIL OSI

NTT Honours with Energy Management Award at CLP Smart Energy Award 2025

MIL OSI

October 30, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

Accelerating smart and sustainable operations through cutting-edge energy-efficiency technologies, best-in-class data center practices, and renewable energy adoption

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – As part of NTT Group, a leading global technology company, NTT Com Asia (NTT) is delighted to receive the Energy Management Award (Services Industries) at the CLP Smart Energy Award 2025. Presented by CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, this distinguished programmer recognizes NTT’s achievement in adopting industry-leading energy optimization and sustainable best practices.

Steven So, Chief Technology Officer of NTT Com Asia, receives the trophy at the Award Presentation Ceremony of CLP Smart Energy Award 2025.

NTT is committed to sustainability and energy efficiency at the core of its business and operations by actively exploring new approaches to adopt renewable energy and continuously advancing data center cooling technologies to optimize energy usage. Among its latest smart initiatives, NTT has implemented Hong Kong’s largest car park with solar panels, in terms of scale, size and electricity generated, which is deployed and currently in use. With a size of 1000 m² solar panel coverage offering 71 parking space in the Tseung Kwan O Financial Data Center campus, the solar system is capable in generating more than 200,000 kWh of electricity annually. It is also connected to the CLP grid and participates in the CLP Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme. This initiative is a testament to NTT’s pursuit of driving the adoption of renewable energy to achieve ESG and sustainability goals.

In addition, the company is investing in new data center technologies that improve energy-efficiency, which includes leveraging Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) technology to meet the needs for power-hungry AI infrastructure. NTT also works with CLP to purchase renewable energy certificates for each unit of electricity used in EV charging at its carpark, as part of its efforts to optimize carbon footprints management.

“In the AI era, data centers have become the power engine of the new digital economy, and sustainability has become strategic priorities of our company,” said Steven So, Chief Technology Officer of NTT Com Asia. “Receiving this award is a recognition to our efforts toward environmental stewardship. We expect to partner with CLP to adopt new smart solutions and renewable energy initiatives, empowering both NTT and our enterprise customers to achieve their ESG goals.”

CLP Power Senior Director – Customer Success and Experience Ms Lena Low congratulated NTT on receiving the award, she remarked, “CLP believes that smart energy management and renewable energy are the cornerstones of sustainable long-term development, particularly for organizations managing mission-critical infrastructure that supports the digital economy. By leveraging our expertise in electricity and integrating innovative technologies, we help customers optimize system design and energy management to enhance operational efficiency. We look forward to exploring further collaboration opportunities with industry leaders such as NTT to jointly advance Hong Kong’s sustainable development.”.

Hashtag: #NTT

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Quality HealthCare and PolyU School of Accounting and Finance Launch Strategic RPA Internship to Drive Healthcare Innovation and Develop Future Talent

MIL OSI

October 30, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS), a long-established healthcare provider in Hong Kong, has partnered with School of Accounting and Finance (AF) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to launch a strategic internship programme focused on Robotic Process Automation (RPA). The initiative supports internal workflow improvement across QHMS operations while giving undergraduate students real-world experience in digital process transformation. The collaboration reflects QHMS’s commitment to fostering future talent and exploring technologies that enhance operational efficiency in healthcare.

Quality HealthCare and PolyU School of Accounting and Finance Launch Strategic RPA Internship to Drive Healthcare Innovation and Develop Future Talent

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) uses software robots to automate repetitive, rule-based digital tasks such as data entry, file handling, and system navigation — reducing manual workload and improving consistency across administrative processes.

In this internship, six PolyU AF students are working across five QHMS departments to develop and implement nine RPA use cases, with additional projects in reserve. These automations are expected to contribute to a combined monthly saving of approximately 1,600 man-hours¹, providing measurable improvements in internal productivity.

Key areas of focus of the internship include:

Clinic report digitisation – Automating the generation and handling of internal reports across 20 clinics (approx. 1,320 hours/month¹).
Billing query management – Streamlining billing-related administrative queries (approx. 120 hours/month¹).
Amendment form handling – Automating the processing of 100+ scanned amendment forms from clinics to the billing system.

“This programme allows us to pilot emerging technologies in a structured, low-risk way while supporting student learning,” said Elaine Chu, General Manager of QHMS. “It demonstrates how collaboration between academia and healthcare services can create mutual value. By working alongside students, our teams gain fresh perspectives on how technology can enhance efficiency — supporting our broader goal of continuous improvement in healthcare operations.”

Designed specifically for business undergraduates, the internship provides the students with an opportunity to apply their analytical and process improvement skills in a live healthcare setting. Unlike traditional tech internships, this programme equips students from non-technical backgrounds to contribute meaningfully to automation projects.

Each student will take part in a 24-week internship over two semesters, dedicating approximately 10 to 14 hours per week to the project. Throughout the programme, they will gain hands-on exposure to Quality HealthCare’s business operations and processes, and contribute to the design and development of automation robots with an objective to enhance efficiency and foster innovation.

Prior to the internship, students are required to complete a five-day training course on RPA. This course covers the fundamentals of automation design, development, and deployment, and equips them with the technical foundation needed to contribute effectively under supervision during the internship.

The internship deliverables include:

Term 1: Initial RPA bots and interim reports
Term 2: Finalised bots, process documentation, and summary reports

“This partnership provides students with a valuable opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical setting,” said Professor Brian Kei, Professor of Practice (FinTech), School of Accounting and Finance at PolyU. “It also allows them to explore how digital transformation is impacting a vital sector like healthcare.”

Beyond skill development, the RPA internship fosters a broader innovation mindset within QHMS. The initiative encourages staff to explore process improvement opportunities and engage with digital tools that enhance internal workflows.

Looking ahead, QHMS plans to deepen its collaboration with academic institutions in Hong Kong by expanding internship and applied learning opportunities. These initiatives will support a wider range of innovation and operational improvement projects across different functions. By partnering with more higher education institutions in Hong Kong and nurturing future talent, QHMS aims to contribute to workforce readiness in Hong Kong and foster a culture of continuous improvement within healthcare service operations.

* The above contents are prepared for information purposes only and do not constitute an offer or solicitation for services.

¹ The estimated man-hour savings are computed based on internal time-tracking data and average monthly volumes recorded across relevant teams (Q1-2 2025).

Hashtag: #QHMS, #healthcare, #TheHongKongPolytechnicUniversity, #PolyU, #internship, #futuretalent, #卓健醫療, #醫療, #香港理工大學, #實習, #未來人才

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

EIT Tourism and Travel graduate sets sail on career in the Mediterranean

LiveNews Publisher

October 30, 2025

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

1 day ago

EIT graduate Josephine O’Halloran is charting her own course in the global tourism industry, working aboard luxury superyachts in the Mediterranean.

The 21-year-old completed the NZ Certificate in Tourism (Level 4) and the NZ Diploma in Tourism and Travel (Level 5) during 2023-2024.

She has since moved to Europe, recently finishing her first season as a second stewardess, where her duties included luxury service, high-end housekeeping, organising inventory and provisioning for charters, and maintaining the interior to an exceptional standard.

EIT graduate Josephine O’Halloran is working aboard luxury superyachts in the Mediterranean after completing the NZ Certificate in Tourism (Level 4) and the NZ Diploma in Tourism and Travel (Level 5) at EIT.

“It’s been an incredible experience. I’ve been able to work, travel, and meet amazing people. The skills and knowledge I gained at EIT have definitely helped me transition into this career, especially in professionalism, communication, and customer service.”

She is now set to work later this year as a stewardess on a 74-metre motor yacht based in Dubai, with trips to the Maldives over the winter season.

Originally from Dunedin, Josephine moved to Hawke’s Bay after high school and began working in hospitality at Rosewood Cape Kidnappers.

That experience sparked her interest in expanding into the wider tourism sector, and she says EIT offered the perfect opportunity to study in person while continuing to work.

“EIT was the perfect choice because I preferred to study in person rather than online, and the course structure and timetable fit really well with my work schedule. It also has a great reputation and felt like a supportive, community-focused environment.”

The diploma also covered a wide range of topics she was interested in, rather than focusing on just one specific area.

“At the time, I wasn’t completely sure which path I wanted to take, so I liked that the diploma gave me the chance to explore different aspects of the tourism industry. It helped me figure out what I do and don’t enjoy, without committing too early.

Josephine says she “really enjoyed” her time at EIT.

“The teachers were supportive, the subjects were interesting, and the assignments were a great mix of practical and theoretical work. I liked that the course gave us the opportunity to gain skills that were transferable to other industries and areas of life.

“Meeting people through classes and placements was another highlight, and the facilities at EIT were fantastic. Overall, I found it a really positive and worthwhile experience.”

She says she would “absolutely” recommend EIT to others.

“I would recommend EIT because of its small class sizes, supportive staff, and hands-on learning environment. The courses are interactive and engaging, with plenty of opportunities to learn through field trips, placements, and group activities. The EIT team genuinely cares about student success, and there’s a great balance between academic learning and real-world experience.”

Looking back, Josephine credits EIT for giving her the confidence to take her skills overseas.

“Studying at EIT gave me a strong foundation and the confidence to explore different career paths in tourism and hospitality,” she says. “It opened up opportunities I never expected, and I’m really grateful for the experience and the people I met along the way.”

Nikki Lloyd, EIT Assistant Head of School Tourism and Hospitality, says: “Studying tourism opens the door to a wide range of exciting opportunities. You’re not limited to just one type of job; there are many career paths with many possibilities.”

“What makes tourism especially exciting is its global nature, it opens up a world of opportunities, as Jo has shown. EIT offers tourism programmes from level 3 through to level 5, providing valuable skills that can take you anywhere in the world.”

MIL OSI

Events – WIPCE 2025: World’s largest Indigenous education conference set to unite Indigenous educators in Tāmaki Makaurau next month

LiveNews Publisher

October 30, 2025

Source: World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE)

Tēnā huihui mai tātou katoa, e takatū mai nei ki te manaaki i ngā iwi taketake puta noa i te ao whānui.

Mark your calendars – the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) returns to Aotearoa New Zealand next month, bringing together nearly 4,000 Indigenous knowledge holders, educators and leaders from across the globe for a powerful week of connection, kōrero and celebration of Indigenous excellence in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Running for 37 years, WIPCE is the leading forum for Indigenous education and is dedicated to honouring, preserving and advancing Indigenous knowledge. Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau – AUT and iwi manaaki Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei are hosting the 2025 conference at the Aotea Centre from 16-20 November.

Co-Chair of WIPCE 2025, Professor Meihana Durie, says the conference offers a powerful opportunity for Indigenous educators to come together in unity and shared purpose.

“Being able to gather en masse at WIPCE is critical, for Indigenous communities and for the world. At a time when Indigenous rights are under threat, and our contributions to humanity and the environment are too often ignored, it is through the power of our unity that our collective messages will reverberate around the world.

“WIPCE allows us, as Māori, to host our manuhiri here in Aotearoa – to stand alongside Indigenous educators from across the world in solidarity, and to celebrate the richness that comes through Indigenous story, culture, language, scholarship and ceremony,” says Durie.

WIPCE 2025 features an exceptional line up of keynote and guest speakers, including Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Professor Leonie Pihama, Associate Professor Jeffrey Ansloos and Actor and Producer Cliff Curtis. Their work has helped shape global discussion on Indigenous rights, decolonisation and education.

The media are warmly invited to attend all or part of the conference. Please advise if and when you would like to attend and media access and tickets will be arranged.

People not attending the official activities but keen to get involved in the movement can enjoy the free Te Ao Pūtahi festival running alongside WIPCE 2025 in Aotea Square.

Key Events

WIPCE 2025 Powhiri | 16 November 9 am-11 am | The Cloud

Official welcoming from iwi manaaki, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

Parade of Nations | 16 November 11.30 am-1 pm | Queen Street to Aotea Square

A cultural parade showcasing the diverse countries attending WIPCE 2025 – hailing from Australia, Canada, United States and Guam to Finland, Taiwan, Botswana and more than 20 others – which will travel from Queen Street to Aotea Square.
Delegates will be dressed in their Indigenous kākahu/attire.

Te Ao Pūtahi Festival | 16-20 November | Aotea Square

Te Ao Pūtahi Festival will offer a vibrant and accessible experience for locals and manuhiri to celebrate Indigenous culture.
The free festival will feature different ao or ‘worlds’, focusing on culture, food, healing and trade. Indigenous stallholders will be providing free hands-on creative workshops and storytelling sessions, as well as selling kai and gifts.
There’ll be kapa haka performances from rōpū like Ngā Tūmanako, as well as live music from artists including Jackson Owens, Betty-Anne, IA, Naia Awatea and Seth Hapu with more to be announced.

Keynote Speakers

Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith

Education Systems and Practises | Monday 17 November, 8:45 am

Associate Professor Mere Skerrett

Science and Technology | Monday 17 November, 1 pm

Ani Mikaere

Politics, Self-Determination and Decolonisation | Tuesday 18 November, 8:45 am

Eru Kapa-Kingi

Youth | Tuesday 18 November, 1 pm

Associate Professor Jeffrey Ansloos

Health and Wellbeing | Wednesday 19 November, 8:45 am

Dr Teina Rongo

Environment and Climate | Wednesday 19 November, 1 pm

Professor Leonie Pihama and Raniera Proctor

Linguistic and Cultural Revitalisation | Thursday 20 November, 8:10 am

Katie Wolfe and Cliff Curtis

Creative Arts and Media | Thursday 20 November, 11.30 am

Guest Speakers

Rosa Hibbert-Schooner

Monday 17 November, 4:25 pm

Dr Jon Osorio

Tuesday 18 November, 4:25 pm

Dr Spero Manson

Wednesday 19 November, 4:25 pm

More information about this year’s kaupapa is on the WIPCE 2025 website, including the themes and programme, keynote speakers, guest speakers and other event information.

If media are interested in attending any of the key events for WIPCE 2025, or the keynote sessions throughout the week, please contact our team as soon as possible. Media attendance at keynote sessions must be organised prior to the session commencing.

MIL OSI

12 3...1,233 Page 1 of 1,233