AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for June 14, 2026 – Full Text

Source: Green Party

The Luxon Government has once again shown its disdain for low paid working people, voting alongside the United States against a global treaty to protect gig-workers’ rights. 

Despite New Zealand’s vote, the International Labour Organisation’s Standard Setting Committee voted to expand protections for workers in the ‘platform’ or gig economy, such as Uber drivers.

“Brooke Van Velden and the Luxon Government have just embarrassed NZ internationally by lining up with the US and big global tech companies and against almost every other country in the world. This shows where their loyalties lie, and it’s not with regular New Zealanders,” says the Green Party’s workplace relations spokesperson Teanau Tuiono. 

“By lining New Zealand up alongside the US, and against countries like Australia, Japan and France, this Government is showing what sort of employment laws they really want: worse conditions for workers and more power for big international corporates.”

“Brook Van Velden’s law change earlier this year undermined a Supreme Court ruling and stripped Uber drivers and gig workers of the right to challenge their status as contractors. That law is grossly out of step with the rest of the world. “

“The Government needs to ratify this international convention, and then change domestic law to give people working in the gig economy the protections the rest of the world have agreed they need,” says Tuiono.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/13/new-zealand-government-sides-with-the-us-against-workers-rights-and-loses/

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand and Timor-Leste have signed an updated defence cooperation arrangement, Defence Minister Chris Penk says.

“This was an excellent opportunity to review and restate our shared commitment to ongoing cooperation. It has been 15 years since we last reviewed this arrangement and in that time the world has changed significantly,” Mr Penk says.

The updated Defence Cooperation Arrangement was signed by Minister Penk and Timor-Leste Defense Minister Rear Admiral Donaciano do Rosario da Costa Gomes, at a virtual meeting this month.

The arrangement complements the existing Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and outlines the key priorities and areas of ongoing cooperation, including training, education and capacity building activities; deepening the bilateral relationship; cooperation on humanitarian aid and disaster relief and maritime security; and exchange of expertise in a number of areas. 

“We look forward to expanding our defence relationship with Timor-Leste, including as the newest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“Our longstanding defence relationship is based on partnership and respect. It’s 27 years since New Zealand sent peacekeepers to Timor-Leste, who contributed to the country’s stabilisation and ultimately its independence. This is a contribution we remain incredibly proud of. Signing this updated arrangement is an important step to allow our defence relationship to continue to grow, in line with our shared priorities.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/11/new-zealand-signs-defence-arrangement-with-timor-leste/

Source: New Zealand Government

Major roading improvements for State Highway 75/Halswell Road in Christchurch have finished months ahead of schedule, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and South Island Minister James Meager confirm.

“This Road of Regional Significance project will improve choices for people on this busy road, increase resilience and support strong housing growth in the southwest area of Christchurch,” Mr Bishop says.

“The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has successfully delivered this project well in advance of the original October 2026 completion date, meaning several fewer months of disruption for people in the area. There were some challenges with delivery, including post-earthquake underground conditions being much more difficult than expected.

“Work began in 2024 to upgrade SH75/Halswell Road between Curletts Road and Dunbars Road, including priority bus lanes for more reliable public transport, shared paths on both sides, and a two-way cycle path on the northern side.

“New signalised intersections and pedestrian crossings will also improve safety for people walking, scooting and cycling.”

Mr Meager says it is a significant upgrade for a fast-growing part of the city and will make a real difference for the people who rely on this route daily.

“NZTA has worked with Christchurch City Council, which is installing peak hour bus lanes on Lincoln Road. This will lead onto SH75/Halswell Road and provide an extended corridor of improved public transport along the roads, when complete,” Mr Meager says.

“National is committed to fixing the basics and building the future of South Island infrastructure. This milestone follows our Budget 26 roading resilience package, worth more than $150m, to strengthen some of the mainland’s most vital state highways.

“It also comes just weeks after the sod-turning of the second Ashburton Bridge, another key Canterbury transport project. The first stage of the SH76 Brougham Street upgrade is also underway, with the second stage on track to start later this year. 

“We also confirmed $38.5m in co-funding for the Pages Road Bridge replacement in August last year, which is being delivered by Christchurch City Council. I look forward to seeing shovels in the ground as soon as possible.”

Notes to Editor:

The overall cost to complete the SH75 Halswell Road improvements project is expected to between $60-70 million. Final costs will be confirmed by NZTA in due course once standard end-of-project financial reconciliation work is completed.
The project involved approximately 275,000 worker hours, with almost 1000 people inducted onto the work site during the course of the project.
The following approximate amount of materials was used or applied in the project:
4,700m of kerb and channel.
4,500m of timber edging.
56,700m2 of asphalt (road and footpath/cycleway/drives).
18,500m of line-marking.
6,000m of ducting or trenches for utilities.
170 drainage structures (manholes/sumps)
1350m of watermain.
2,900m of stormwater.
5,040m of subsoil drainage.
110,000 m3 of aggregates (roading material).
173 plants/trees planted.
52 traffic signal poles.
132 streetlights.

More about the project is available here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh75-halswell-road-improvements.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/11/christchurch-sh75-improvements-complete/

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Minister of Education David Seymour welcomes the publication of the first public annual reports from charter schools.

“Charter schools are unlocking young New Zealanders’ potential. Students who were not attending are at school, and those who were behind are ahead. The Seven original schools that opened in early 2025 have released their first reports with five of the seven exceeding their targets for attendance, and five exceeding their achievement targets,” Mr Seymour says. 

All charter schools that opened last year have now published their first Public Annual Reports. These reports include attendance and achievement data for the 2025 year.

“When children can learn and grow in ways more specific to their needs, they achieve more at school,” Mr Seymour says. 

“Each report highlights progress being made already. Five of the seven schools which opened last year are hitting their performance targets for achievement. 

“TIPENE took initial assessment data in February 2025. It showed more than half their students were below the expected levels in mathematics, reading, and writing. By the end of the year, 81 per cent of students were achieving at or above the expected level in mathematics, 79 per cent in reading, and 80 per cent in writing. 

“In its first year École Française Internationale Auckland surpassed the Government targets for both attendance and achievement. In Term 1 this year regular attendance at Twin Oaks was 98 per cent. 

“There are also still areas for improvement. While students at Mastery School made over one year’s improvement in English and Maths in their first year, they didn’t meet their performance threshold for achievement. The school was specifically set up to work with young people disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education. They have had a strong first year, but we don’t apologise for setting the bar high.

“Last year students at charter schools also attended school more than students in the state system. Three of the charter schools which opened last year were set up to work with students who faced significant barriers to education prior to their enrolment in charter schools. This includes many students who previously attended school very rarely, but are now at school significantly more, and achieving at a much higher level. 

“Christchurch North College and BUSY School NZ are two examples of those schools. Both these schools in their first year didn’t reach their attendance thresholds, but the improvement has been significant. 

“At Christchurch North College for example, all its students were previously disengaged from education. The school began its year with a regular attendance rate of 28 per cent. In Term 4 it was 42 per cent. While at BUSY School NZ, the average attendance rate for its students before enrolling was just 19 per cent. It now sits at 83 per cent.

“In return for greater autonomy with how they use their funding, charter schools will face greater scrutiny. 

“Public reporting builds trust and ensures that schools remain focused on delivering improved outcomes for learners. Parents, communities and the taxpayer deserve to know how these schools are performing.

“Minimum standards are informed by a school’s equity index (EQI), which is reviewed annually. As schools grow and change, their EQI, and the standards they are expected to meet, may also change. The goal is to guide schools towards the Government’s targets.

“If a school is not making meaningful progress, the Authorisation Board will step in. Initially, this may involve requiring the school to map out how it will improve attendance or achievement. If progress is not made, the Board can end the school’s contract.

“These first reports are a good step towards building trust. They help parents, communities and the taxpayer understand how well these schools are performing. The Agency will continue to work with these schools to lift that accountability.”

The schools that are required to have published an Annual Public Report last week are:

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/11/charter-schools-helping-students-achieve-their-potential/

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Kiwis and businesses are getting a stronger line of defence against scammers, with the Anti-Scam Alliance releasing a raft of new initiatives to help protect people and their money, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer says.

“Scammers are relentless. They hit people through fake websites, dodgy texts, phone calls and social media ads, all to trick them into handing over their hard-earned money. The harm is financial, but it’s also deeply personal,” Mr Brewer says.

“This is a cross-sector issue, so it takes a collaborative approach to make a difference. That’s why we set up the Anti-Scam Alliance last year, bringing telcos, digital platforms, banks, government and consumer groups together to fight scams as one. Today the Alliance has released a fresh set of actions to keep New Zealanders one step ahead of the crooks.

Among them is an expansion of the banking sector’s “Confirmation of Payee” system, which lets customers check the name they’re paying matches the account before any money leaves their hands.

“The banking sector is extending that safety net to cover fintechs and other non-bank providers, so whoever you bank with, you can pay with confidence. The Alliance is also rolling out the New Zealand Online Scams Code, backed by Google, Meta and TikTok, and the telco sector is sharpening its own code to stop scam calls and texts before they ever reach a Kiwi’s phone,” Mr Brewer says.

“This work complements changes to the Fair Trading Act so online service providers can move faster to pull down suspected scam content before people get burned.

These actions build on real results. A cross-sector pilot involving some of New Zealand’s biggest banks and telcos, alongside Trade Me, blocked more than 23,000 malicious domains in six months, saving Kiwis an estimated $23.8 million in fraud losses.

“There’s no silver bullet for scams. But by joining forces across every sector, we can give New Zealanders the confidence to bank, shop and connect online without looking over their shoulder. This is all part of the Government’s plan to fix the basics, build the future and make New Zealand a far harder target for the scammers preying on hardworking Kiwis,” Mr Brewer says.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/10/more-work-revealed-to-keep-kiwis-money-safe/

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Construction of a new bridge on State Highway 27 (SH27) between Tahuna and Patetonga in the Waikato will get underway this month, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“The existing SH27 Ohinekaua Stream Bridge is around 80 years old and has reached the end of its serviceable life. Replacing it will ensure SH27 remains a safe and reliable route for the people, businesses, and freight operators, who depend on it every day,” Mr Bishop says.

“Downer NZ have been contracted to deliver the bridge replacement, with site setup and enabling works beginning from Monday 22 June. The project is expected to cost around $3.26 million and construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year. 

“A short diversion and single-lane Bailey bridge will be in place by late July, allowing traffic to continue using SH27 while the new bridge is built. SH27 carries around 3,500 vehicles per day, 21 per cent of the heavy vehicles. By using a temporary bypass and Bailey bridge, this important route can remain open while a new bridge is built.

“The temporary bridge will be controlled by traffic lights, with a 30km/h speed limit in place. Delays are expected to be short, but road users should allow extra time for their journeys from late July. The temporary bridge will accommodate HPMV 50MAX trucks but will not be suitable for oversized loads.

“The work to repair or upgrade nine priority bridges and culverts was given the green light in July 2024 as part of the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). Since then, a further five priority locations have been added, and NZTA is progressing design, consenting, and contracting so work can start.

“Fixing the basics of our roading network is a priority for this Government, and with many bridges across the country requiring speed and weight restrictions due to their age and condition, it is essential priority bridges are replaced when funding is available with more modern and resilient structures.

“Our state highways are critical routes for freight and tourism and serve as important lifelines for communities around New Zealand. We expect our state highway bridges to be well maintained and properly managed, which is why this replacement and maintenance work is so important.

“Replacing the SH27 Ohinekaua Stream Bridge will improve the resilience of the wider Waikato state highway network and keep local communities, freight and emergency services moving. I look forward to work getting underway this month and being completed by the end of the year.”

Notes to editor: 

Bridges/culverts set to be replaced in the 2024-27 NLTP period:

• SH3 Mangapepeke No. 1 Culvert, Taranaki (new addition for 2024-27 period)
• SH3 Mangapepeke No. 2 Culvert, Taranaki
• SH43 Kururau Stream Water Drive, Whanganui
• SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge, Coromandel
• SH82 Elephant Hill Bridge, South Canterbury
• SH82 Waihao North Bridge, South Canterbury
• SH6 Coal Creek Overbridge, West Coast
• SH25 Ramarama Stream Bridge, Waikato
• SH27 Ohinekaua Bridge, Waikato 
• SH36 Hauraki Stream Culvert, Bay of Plenty

Bridge maintenance renewal works:

• SH25 Boundary Creek Bridge, Coromandel (new addition for 2024-27 period)
• SH35 Mangahauini No. 1 Bridge, Gisborne (new addition for 2024-27 period)
• SH38 Frasertown Bridge, Hawke’s Bay (new addition for 2024-27 period)
• SH50 Ngaruroro River Bridge, Hawke’s Bay (new addition for 2024-27 period)

Other announcements recently made:

• SH2 Pekatahi Bridge, Bay of Plenty. Design and pre-implementation work for a two-lane replacement is underway. Construction is expected to be within the 2027-30 NLTP once funding is approved and a contractor is appointed.

This programme excludes bridges being replaced due to weather event damage.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/11/work-to-replace-sh27-ohinekaua-stream-bridge-begins/

Source: New Zealand Government

Taupō District’s trout bag limits will increase for the new fishing season, improving stock quality and creating more opportunities for anglers and local businesses, Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager says.

Mr Meager has approved a bag limit increase from six to eight trout, taking effect from 1 July.

“Lake Taupō trout are heavily dependent on their primary food source, smelt, to grow quickly and maintain condition. However, data shows smelt levels are under pressure due an imbalance from the large trout population,” Mr Meager says.

“Taupō spawning streams are often described as ‘hyper productive’, generating huge numbers of juvenile trout annually. Angler harvest is essential to maintaining a healthy population.

“Increasing the bag limit is a logical, evidence-based decision. History has shown a collapse in smelt numbers dramatically impacts the size and condition of trout.

“This win-win move will improve fishing conditions, encourage greater participation, put more food on the table for families, and benefit local businesses.

“The Taupo trout fishery is a world-renowned angling destination, attracting visitors from all over the world while providing strong fishing opportunities for locals.

“It is also a significant resource for the local economy, with annual sales revenue of around $1.3m generated from the sale of around 30,000 fishing licences. The fishery supports hundreds of local jobs and contributes to tens of millions of dollars in business turnover.

“It is vital this resource is well managed to ensure its viability for years to come.”

Mr Meager has also approved several minor regulation changes, designed to simplify the rules and make them easier for anglers to understand.

“This includes the removal of the fixed February closure at Lake Otamangakau. A more responsive management approach will be adopted, which looks closely at predicted weather patterns,” Mr Meager says.

“These changes are yet another example of our Government’s commitment to improving freshwater fishing opportunities for all New Zealanders.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/11/taupo-fishing-regulation-updates-increase-bag-limits/