PM Edition: Here are the top 10 business articles on LiveNews.co.nz for September 3, 2026 – Full Text
1. Economy – OCR increased by 25 basis points to 2.75%
September 2, 2026
Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua
2 September 2026
The Monetary Policy Committee today reached consensus to increase the OCR to 25 basis points to 2.75 percent.
Inflation increased to 4.1 percent in the June quarter because of higher fuel prices arising from the conflict in the Middle East. Core inflation, expected wage growth, and inflation expectations remain consistent with inflation returning to the 1 to 3 percent target band by mid-2027 and the 2 percent target midpoint later next year.
After lacklustre growth in the June quarter, New Zealand’s economic recovery has most likely resumed but remains uneven. Resilient demand from New Zealand’s trading partners and strong export prices are supporting income growth and investment in export-exposed sectors and regional New Zealand. In contrast, weak income growth, job insecurity, and flat house prices continue to weigh on household spending and residential investment, particularly in Auckland and Wellington.
The recovery is expected to strengthen and broaden. The Committee expects New Zealand’s export sector to remain resilient and household spending to gradually increase. Conditions in the labour market should improve as the recovery gathers pace. Purchasing power will increase as inflation returns to the 2 percent target mid-point.
The global economy is facing significant risks that could affect commodity prices and demand for exports. New Zealand’s economic recovery could be stronger or weaker than expected and price pressures could generate more persistent inflation. The Committee remains vigilant and will respond as necessary to ensure inflation returns sustainably to the 2 percent target mid-point over the medium term.
The Committee judges that gradually removing monetary stimulus is appropriate to return inflation to the 2 percent target mid-point while supporting growth and employment. This decision reduces the risk that the OCR needs to increase by more later. Future policy decisions will depend on the Committee’s judgement of the balance of risks to medium-term inflation.
Summary record of meeting – September 2026
Annual consumers price index inflation is above the Monetary Policy Committee’s 1 to 3 percent target range. Inflation increased to 4.1 percent in the June 2026 quarter, largely driven by higher fuel and related prices due to the Middle East conflict. The Committee is setting monetary policy to return inflation to 2 percent by late 2027. Economic activity is expected to strengthen and broaden.
Inflation is forecast to fall to 2 percent by late 2027
The Committee expects inflation to remain elevated this year before returning to the target band by mid-2027 and reaching the 2 percent mid-point later next year. Excluding vehicle fuels, annual CPI inflation decreased to 2.9 percent in the June quarter. Most measures of core inflation are within the 1 to 3 percent target band.
As the effects of higher fuel prices drop out of the annual CPI calculation, spare capacity and the gradual removal of monetary stimulus are expected to support inflation returning to the 2 percent target mid-point.
Forward-looking indicators of inflation and spare capacity are consistent with achieving the medium-term target. Longer-term inflation expectations remain near 2 percent, while most measures of one- and two-year-ahead inflation expectations have fallen since May. Expected wage growth is consistent with returning inflation to 2 percent.
Trading partner inflation has increased and export prices remain resilient
High and volatile energy and petrochemical-derived product prices have increased inflation in many of New Zealand’s trading partners, increasing import prices. Global supply chains, refining capacity, and trade flows remain disrupted.
Despite recent geopolitical events, economic growth in New Zealand’s trading partners has remained resilient and the outlook has improved. Continued demand and supply-side constraints in global food markets have resulted in elevated prices for New Zealand’s commodity exports. This is partly offsetting higher import prices, and New Zealand’s terms of trade are projected to resume their long-run upward trend.
New Zealand’s economic recovery is resuming and expected to broaden
The Committee assessed that growth was lacklustre in the second quarter of 2026. The economic recovery is expected to have resumed in the third quarter, while remaining uneven across sectors and regions.
The Committee noted that economic conditions remain favourable for households and businesses exposed to the export sector, contributing to a recovery in business investment. Resilient trading-partner demand and strong export prices are supporting activity in the South Island and some North Island regions.
The Committee assessed that positive spillovers from the export sector into the broader economy have been limited. Households and businesses more exposed to the domestic economy continue to face challenging conditions.
Employment growth has not been sufficient to fully absorb new entrants into the labour market and unemployment is elevated, particularly in Auckland and Wellington and for youth and the long-term unemployed. Some households are moving to regions with stronger labour markets as part of this economic adjustment.
In some regions, job insecurity and falling real house prices may be contributing to precautionary behaviour. Household saving rates have increased and consumption growth remains weak. Strong growth in dwelling consents has not yet translated into residential construction nationwide.
Household consumption growth is expected to gradually strengthen. The labour market is expected to slowly improve, with employment growing and unemployment falling as the economy recovers. A pick up in real income growth and a modest recovery in house prices supported by past and current monetary stimulus is expected to strengthen household balance sheets, consumer confidence and spending. Improvements in the terms of trade from next year will also support national income growth over the forecast period.
On balance, the Committee assesses that spare capacity remains in the economy, particularly in the labour market. Looking forward, strength in the external sector and the effects of accommodative monetary policy will continue to support and broaden the recovery, absorbing spare capacity over the medium term.
Financial conditions have tightened in recent months
Domestic financial conditions have tightened. Higher wholesale interest rates have led to a comparable increase in bank mortgage and business lending rates and a small appreciation in the exchange rate, partly reflecting expectations of future OCR increases.
The Committee noted a more limited pass through of higher wholesale interest rates to term deposit rates, which is lowering the cost of new funding for banks. A greater pass through to deposit rates would be more consistent with the desired stance and transmission of monetary policy.
Members agreed that domestic financial stability continues to pose no material trade-off to its inflation objective.
Risks to global and domestic economic growth
The Committee discussed risks to the global outlook. There are significant risks to financial stability from the serviceability of public and private debt and ongoing fiscal deficits. Geopolitical instability also continues to present considerable risks. Uncertainties remain about the sustainability of various asset valuations, including for AI-related investments.
El Niño weather conditions do not necessarily imply that New Zealand will experience a drought. However, adverse global and local weather events can impact supply, posing upside risk to commodity and food prices. Although risks to the global economy remain heightened, the Committee expects global economic conditions to remain favourable for New Zealand’s export-facing businesses over the medium term.
Members discussed risks to New Zealand’s economic recovery. Consumption growth could be subdued if employment and house price growth remain weak, or if precautionary behaviour persists. If this were to occur, the recovery could be weaker and current unevenness could continue. Alternatively, consumption growth could be stronger and absorb spare capacity faster than currently anticipated.
Members highlighted that the real economy is showing signs of adjusting to a range of structural changes, but transitions can be slow and contribute to divergences across sectors and regions. It was noted that monetary policy cannot influence the ultimate path of these real adjustments.
The Committee remains vigilant to inflation risks
The outlook for medium-term inflationary pressures depends on price-setting behaviour and the speed with which spare capacity in the economy is absorbed. Recent elevated inflation is expected to continue to impact price setting, keeping inflation more persistent than otherwise.
Hayley Gourley, Karen Silk, Prasanna Gai and Anna Breman saw upside risks to inflation relative to the central projection. These members observed that more persistence in energy and petrochemical prices could raise near-term inflation risks, impact price-setting behaviour, and lead to more sticky inflation over the medium term. Price-setting can be a front-loaded process, meaning businesses could raise domestic prices more than import costs warrant.
They also noted that high administered price inflation could continue. These factors increase the risk that monetary policy needs to lean against broader inflation pressures.
Paul Conway and Carl Hansen saw risks to inflation as balanced. These members shared concerns that high inflation could become embedded through price-setting behaviour. But weighed against this, they saw activity risks as skewed to the downside and noted that these could weigh on inflation. They highlighted the potential effects of weak house prices and precautionary behaviour, weakening growth in household spending.
All members agreed that downside risks to activity were significant and that the recovery could remain uneven. They also noted growth in activity may not flow through into additional employment as expected, particularly if businesses are relatively more focused on efficiency and technology investment in the short run.
Gradually removing monetary stimulus remains appropriate
The Committee discussed the monetary conditions required to return inflation sustainably to the 2 percent target mid-point.
When considering the policy response at this meeting, there was a clear consensus across the Committee. All members agreed that gradually removing monetary stimulus is consistent with achieving the medium-term inflation target, conditional on the outlook.
Members reflected on the potential trade-offs associated with a faster or slower monetary policy response. The Committee judged that its response balances containing inflationary pressures against the risk of holding the OCR and then having to raise it faster and to a higher level later.
All members agreed that the central projection for the OCR is appropriate. Conditional on the central economic outlook, members judged that the OCR may need to increase further. The Committee assessed that its monetary policy stance would guard against the effects of the oil price shock leading to persistently elevated price-setting behaviour, while supporting growth and employment.
However, the future OCR path is not pre-determined. The Committee’s response to data is not mechanical, as it depends on its assessment of various factors that impact inflation. Currently, indicators of medium-term inflation are consistent with inflation returning to target.
The Committee decided by consensus to increase the OCR by 25 basis points to 2.75 percent
The Committee judged that increasing the OCR to 2.75 percent is appropriate to sustainably return inflation to the 2 percent target mid-point while avoiding unnecessary instability in output, employment, interest rates and the exchange rate.
Future policy will depend on the Committee’s judgement of the balance of risks to medium-term inflation. This approach allows the Committee to observe and assess the effects of reduced monetary stimulus.
On Wednesday 2 September, the Committee decided by consensus to increase the OCR by 25 basis points to 2.75 percent.
Attendees:
MPC members: Anna Breman (chairperson), Carl Hansen, Hayley Gourley, Karen Silk, Paul Conway, Prasanna Gai
Treasury Observer: Struan Little
MPC Secretary: Liz Kendall
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2. Opening the farm gate to first-time buyers
September 2, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Farm workers will soon be able to use their own KiwiSaver savings to buy their first home under legislation introduced this week, say Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer.
The KiwiSaver (First Home or Farm) Amendment Bill fixes two rules that have kept rural New Zealanders from a first-home withdrawal available to everyone else. It began as a member’s bill in the name of Rangitīkei MP Suze Redmayne, and the Government has adopted it.
“If your job comes with a roof over your head, you should not be locked out of your own savings,” Nicola Willis says.
“Many farm workers are required to live where they work. But a first-home withdrawal requires you to move into the home you buy, so they have been paying into KiwiSaver alongside everyone else while shut out of a withdrawal every other member can make.
“That rule was written with a suburban street in mind, not a farm gate. Rural New Zealand has been wearing the cost of it, and we are fixing that.”
The Bill also allows first-time farm buyers to use their KiwiSaver towards a farm bought through a company, trust or partnership they majority own and control, where the farm will be their main home. Current rules only allow it if the farm is in the buyer’s own name.
“A farm is a business and a home at the same time, which is why almost nobody buys one in their own name. The KiwiSaver rules were never written with that in mind, and aspiring farm owners have been shut out because of it,” Mr Brewer says.
“So a young couple who have spent a decade milking someone else’s cows and saving hard have been blocked from their own KiwiSaver by a technicality about whose name is on the title. That is not fair, and it is not smart.
“This change recognises how farm ownership actually works in this country, and it means new farm owners start out with less debt around their necks.
“Since 2010, hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders have used their KiwiSaver to get onto the property ladder. The people who milk the cows and work the land deserve to be among them.
“This is the Government fixing the basics and building the future, so the people who work our land can own a piece of it,” Mr Brewer says.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/02/opening-the-farm-gate-to-first-time-buyers/
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3. HSUHK holds inaugural orientation dinner and launch ceremony for first MBA (in Chinese) cohort
September 2, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
In his welcome address, Professor Joshua Mok, President of HSUHK, highlighted the University’s leading position in liberal arts education and its commitment to nurturing leaders who combine innovation with humanistic care to serve local and global communities. He encouraged students to broaden their horizons, care for society, and translate their learning into a force for social progress.
Professor Sam Park, Dean of SBUS, said, “As the first cohort and the earliest participants, this is both a responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity for all of you.” He encouraged students to build an ecosystem of capabilities throughout the programme, learn to let go of outdated approaches and relearn, and develop the critical judgement essential in the AI era, becoming leaders who can responsibly harness AI and drive future business transformation.
Professor Victor Lau, Associate Dean (Taught Postgraduate Programmes) of SBUS and MBA (in Chinese) Programme Director, noted that SBUS at HSUHK is the first private university business school in Hong Kong to be accredited by AACSB International, placing it among the fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide with this distinction. The MBA (in Chinese) is the University’s first business master’s programme conducted in Chinese, with close to 220 students admitted in its inaugural intake. Professor Lau encouraged students to seize this valuable opportunity and work together with faculty and fellow students to build a vibrant culture, alumni network and future direction.
The MBA (in Chinese) aims to cultivate future business leaders equipped with business management knowledge, ethical leadership, environmental, social and governance (ESG) awareness, digital transformation capabilities, and an understanding of both Chinese and Western business practices. Set against the backdrop of the Greater Bay Area’s development, the curriculum integrates the wisdom of the Chinese classic I Ching (Book of Changes), artificial intelligence, liberal arts education and professional business training to help students develop international perspectives, strategic thinking and cross-cultural understanding.
Distinctive modules include “Wisdom of I-Ching in Business Context”, “AI, Data Analytics, and Robotics in Business”, and “Finance and Financial Technology (FinTech)”, enabling students to examine how emerging technologies affect corporate operations, management decisions and business models, and to explore shifts and opportunities in the new business landscape.
For more information on the programme, please visit: https://sbus.hsu.edu.hk/programmes/postgraduate-programmes/master-of-business-administration-in-chinese/
Photo 1: (From left) Dr Josiah Chan, Vice-President (Organisational Development); Professor David Tse, Acting Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research); Professor Joshua Mok, President; Professor Jeanne Fu, Vice-President (Learning and Student Experience); Professor Sam Park, Dean of SBUS; and Professor Victor Lau, Associate Dean (Taught Postgraduate Programmes) of SBUS and MBA (in Chinese) Programme Director, officiate at the launch ceremony for the inaugural MBA (in Chinese) cohort.
Photo 2: A robot performance blending Tai Chi, traditional Chinese culture and AI elements illustrates the fusion of ancient wisdom and technological innovation.
Photo 3: A group photo of HSUHK senior management, distinguished guests and the first cohort of MBA (in Chinese) students.
Hashtag: #HSUHK #BusinessSchool
About The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Aspiring to be a leading private university in the region, HSUHK prioritises stellar undergraduate education, top-quality faculty members, award-winning green campus facilities, innovative degree programmes, a unique residential college system that combines living and learning, interactive small-class teaching, close student-teacher relationships, impactful research, and excellent student development and support services.
HSUHK has earned various international recognitions. In the AppliedHE’s ALL ASIA Private University Ranking 2026, it secured 7th place in China. HSUHK ranked 24th in Social Sciences and Humanities and 23rd in both Business and Management and Economics and Finance among China’s top universities in the Research.com Top Universities and Top Scientists Rankings 2026. The MSc in Global Supply Chain Management programme achieved 84th place globally in the QS International Trade Rankings 2025. Additionally, HSUHK’s School of Business obtained AACSB International accreditation in 2023, a mark of excellence held by only 6% of the world’s leading business schools. HSUHK was also ranked among the top 200 worldwide on “Quality Education” and “Decent Work and Economic Growth” in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2021.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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4. JustCo Continues Expansion Plan By Growing Singapore Network With A New Centre At Raffles City Tower
September 2, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
The expansion comes as demand for premium flexible workspace in prime locations continues to rise, with businesses increasingly prioritising hybrid-work flexibility over long-term fixed leases. Flexible workspace accounted for 5.5% of Singapore’s total office stock as of 1H2026, reflecting strong headroom for growth in the office landscape. (CBRE)
“Businesses today are much more deliberate about where they locate their teams. They want the flexibility of a managed workspace, but they are not willing to compromise on the quality of the address, connectivity or the experience they offer their employees,” said Kong Wan Long, Chief Commercial Officer, JustCo. “Raffles City Tower responds to that demand and gives us an important presence in the downtown business district, where we see continued opportunity to serve both established businesses and growing teams.”
A Landmark Address Backing Business Growth
The new centre is located within Raffles City, an integrated development in the heart of Singapore’s Civic District, combining Grade-A offices with retail, hospitality and convention facilities. As part of ongoing enhancements, Raffles City Tower is being refreshed with upgraded key touchpoints, improved wayfinding and new end-of-trip facilities.
The addition reflects JustCo’s strategy of anchoring its premium centres in landmark, high-connectivity locations. The office tower offers expansive city views, generous natural light, a fully sheltered drop-off point and concierge services, providing a convenient and professional setting for employees, clients and visitors.
JustCo Raffles City Tower sits directly above City Hall MRT Interchange, serving the North-South and East-West Lines, with seamless sheltered connectivity to Esplanade MRT on the Circle Line. Connectivity has become an increasingly important consideration in JustCo’s site selection strategy as businesses place greater emphasis on commute convenience when making return-to-office decisions.
Design Built Around How Businesses Actually Work Today
Beyond the address, the centre’s design draws on the site’s educational heritage as the former home of Raffles Institution, reinterpreting elements of the traditional classroom for the contemporary workplace. The concept takes cues from environments built around exchange, shared thinking and development, translating these qualities through natural materials, layered textures and refined detailing that support focused work and collaboration.
This reflects a broader shift among JustCo’s clients: as companies invest more in employee learning, workshops and cross-team collaboration, they are seeking environments built for knowledge-sharing, not just desks.
JustCo Raffles City Tower offers private offices, dedicated workspaces, and meeting and collaboration areas, giving businesses the flexibility to scale their footprint as needs change.
A Strategic Addition to JustCo’s Singapore Growing Network
JustCo Raffles City Tower adds to the company’s growing portfolio of Singapore locations, which includes the THE COLLECTIVE Labrador Tower, which opened in January this year, and upcoming centres at The Octagon by the boring office, as well as JustCo Place on Orchard Road. JustCo Place will see the Group expand its platform beyond flexible workspaces into coliving as an extension of an integrated service offering to our coworking customers. The new coliving project is a management contract while the coworking centre is already 100% occupied.
Businesses can explore flexible workspace solutions at JustCo Raffles City Tower via the JustCo website
Across Asia Pacific, the Group continues to deepen its footprint across key growth markets. Since the start of the year, the Group has opened locations in Bengaluru, Gurugram, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Singapore, Taipei and Seoul. In the coming months, there will be additional openings in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, reinforcing its disciplined expansion strategy and regional growth momentum.
Disclaimer
DBS Bank Ltd. and UBS AG, Singapore Branch are the joint issue managers (the “Joint Issue Managers”) for the initial public offering of shares in, and the listing of, the Company on the Mainboard of SGX-ST. The Joint Issue Managers assume no responsibility for the contents of this presentation or announcement.
Hashtag: #JustCo
About JustCo Holdings Limited
Through our portfolio of brands, including THE COLLECTIVE, JustCo and the boring office, we support organisations of all sizes, from startups and SMEs to multinational corporations, with flexible workspace solutions across multiple cities and markets.
Beyond workspace, JustCo helps businesses scale faster through flexibility, operational simplicity and access to a regional network. For landlords, we transform buildings into vibrant business destinations that attract demand, enhance asset performance and create long-term value.
Together with our members, partners and landlords, we are building an ecosystem that connects work, business, learning, wellness and community, enabling people and organisations to grow and succeed.
For more information, visit: justcoglobal.com
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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5. Increasing resilience of economy welcomed
September 2, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Reserve Bank’s assessment that the economic recovery is resuming and expected to broaden, has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.
Announcing a 0.25 basis point lift in the Official Cash Rate today to 2.75 per cent, the Reserve Bank said it expected the recovery to strengthen and broaden, the export sector to remain resilient and household spending to increase.
The bank also expects purchasing power to increase as inflation returns to the mid-point of its target range.
“The bank’s assessment demonstrates the economy has proved to be more resilient in the face of the Middle East conflict than many commentators thought,” Nicola Willis says.
“Unlike some previous upturns, this recovery is being driven by the export sector rather than rising house prices. That augurs well for the future.
“Many people are doing it tough and we still have a way to go but New Zealanders can take heart from the resilience shown by the economy.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/02/increasing-resilience-of-economy-welcomed/
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6. CER Trade and Tourism ministers to discuss greater cooperation
September 2, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will host the Australian Trade and Tourism Minister, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, in Auckland on Friday for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers meeting.
Minister McClay and Minister Farrell will also meet with a range of trans-Tasman businesses at an event hosted by the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum to discuss enhancing the strength and resilience of the trans-Tasman partnership.
“Working together is more important than ever in the face of increased global economic volatility,” Minister McClay says.
“As New Zealand builds and deepens our trade relationships across the world, it’s important that we don’t take our trade links with Australia for granted. Australia is typically the first export destination for New Zealand companies,” Mr McClay says.
In 2025, our two-way trade with Australia was worth $35 billion and involved around 25,000 trans-Tasman businesses.
During his visit to New Zealand, Minister Farrell will also meet with Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston to discuss opportunities to support tourism growth and strengthen connections between our two countries.
“Australia is our largest international visitor market, with strong tourism links supporting businesses, communities and travellers on both sides of the Tasman,” Minister Upston says.
“This is an opportunity to discuss our shared tourism priorities and strengthen the close relationship that already exists.”
Minister McClay will also host Minister Farrell in the Bay of Islands for a programme focused on Māori tourism and regional economic development.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/02/cer-trade-and-tourism-ministers-to-discuss-greater-cooperation/
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7. Pacific – Overshoot is not surrender: PICAN says every fraction of a degree is now a fight for survival
September 2, 2026
Source: Pacific Islands Climate Action Network
Full report: UNEP report
[KOROR, 2 September 2026] – The Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) has warned that the projected overshoot of the 1.5°C global warming threshold must not become an excuse for weaker climate ambition. A major new UNEP report released today finds that global warming is now set to cross 1.5°C within the next few years. Even under an optimistic scenario, peak warming reaches around 1.8°C, while current policies point to significantly higher temperatures. UNEP warns there are no safe outcomes above 1.5°C, with Small Island Developing States facing escalating risks from sea-level rise, ecosystem loss, extreme weather and possible partial or complete submersion.
The report lands as Pacific leaders meet in Palau for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, where climate resilience, regional security and development are central to discussions.
Dr Rufino Varea, Director of the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network said:
“For the Pacific, overshoot is not a line on a graph. Every fraction of a degree carries consequences for our reefs, our food and water, our economies, our homes and ultimately our ability to remain on our islands. We have fought for 1.5°C because the science has always told us what lies beyond it, and this report makes those consequences even clearer.”
“We cannot allow the inevitability of crossing 1.5°C to become an excuse for accepting a hotter world. Overshoot may now be unavoidable, but how high temperatures rise and how long they remain there are still determined by the choices governments make today. Every fraction of a degree we prevent matters. Every year we shorten overshoot matters. For Pacific peoples, those choices will be measured in what we are still able to save.”
UNEP identifies an “overshoot, peak and decline” pathway as the best remaining option to limit how high temperatures rise and how long they remain above 1.5°C. The report makes clear that the most effective action available now is rapid and sustained emissions reductions, alongside stronger adaptation and resilience. While technologies may form part of future responses, they cannot substitute for cutting emissions at source today.
The report also places equity and justice at the centre of the response, saying countries with greater historical responsibility and capability must act the hardest and fastest.
Dr Sindra Sharma, International Policy Lead at the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network said:
“Crossing 1.5°C does not make 1.5°C irrelevant. It makes the responsibility to act even greater. The International Court of Justice has affirmed 1.5°C as the agreed primary temperature goal under the Paris Agreement, and UNEP is clear that this benchmark continues to guide states’ obligations even in an overshoot world.”
“The science of overshoot cannot become political cover for continued fossil fuel expansion or weaker climate targets. Nor can governments gamble our future on technologies that may or may not deliver at the scale required to bring temperatures back down. States must act to limit any exceedance of 1.5C. That means deep and sustained emissions reductions now, stronger NDCs, an accelerated transition away from fossil fuels, and climate finance at a scale that enables vulnerable countries to adapt while protecting development gains.”
“And we have to ask the justice question at the heart of this report – who is being asked to carry the cost of overshoot? Pacific countries did not create this crisis, yet our options are closing around us, climate finance is not reaching communities to flexibly adapt to and respond to the harms of a warming world. We are being asked to contemplate consequences that reach all the way to habitability. Overshoot has a message, to those delaying action — it is telling us we are disposable.”
UNEP’s legal analysis also reinforces that overshoot does not erase existing obligations. The report says the 1.5°C benchmark continues to guide states even if warming exceeds it, and that growing climate risks increase the level of action expected from governments.
PICAN said the report should sharpen, not weaken, Pacific demands for deep emissions cuts, a transition away from fossil fuels, adequate climate finance and stronger support for adaptation and loss and damage.
About PICAN
PICAN is a regional alliance of 290+ non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, social movements and not-for-profit organisations from the Pacific Islands region working on various aspects of climate change, disaster risk and response and sustainable development.
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8. Hong Kong Ranks Fifth Among APAC’s Preferred Living Investment Destinations as 85% of Investors Plan to Increase Sector Investment
September 2, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
- 90% of investors targeting Hong Kong are actively pursuing repositioning or change-of-use strategies
- Student accommodation and conversion-led strategies continue to drive Living sector investment activity in Hong Kong
- 85% of investors across APAC expect to increase Living investment over the next five years
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2026 – Hong Kong ranked fifth among Asia Pacific’s (APAC) preferred Living investment destinations in Cushman & Wakefield’s inaugural APAC Living Investor Survey 2026, with investors increasingly pursuing student accommodation, repositioning and conversion opportunities to gain exposure to the sector’s long-term growth prospects.
Among respondents who ranked Hong Kong among their preferred investment destinations, 90% are actively considering repositioning or change-of-use opportunities, highlighting the growing importance of conversion-led strategies in addressing the city’s Living sector supply constraints.
Rosanna Tang, Deputy Managing Director & Head of Research, Hong Kong at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “In Hong Kong, recent market transactions show that investors are approaching the Living sector through a value-add lens, particularly through conversion opportunities and student accommodation assets. Since 2021, the market has recorded US$1.63 billion (HK$12.8 billion) of student housing conversion related transactions across 24 deals, including US$739.9 million (HK$5.8 billion) from 10 deals in the first seven months of 2026, involving a broad spectrum of investors. This strong momentum reflects renewed interest from institutional capital, including the return of real estate funds, as investors seek exposure to resilient, education-linked residential assets underpinned by the city’s persistent accommodation shortage and growing student population.”
Investor Conviction Remains Strong Across APAC
Beyond Hong Kong, investor conviction across the APAC Living sector remains strong, with 85% of investors planning to increase Living investment over the next five years and respondents collectively indicating an estimated US$33.2 billion (HK$260.28 billion) of Living-sector deployment over the same period.
The survey found that Living is becoming an increasingly important real estate allocation across the region, supported by resilient demand fundamentals and investor preference for stabilised, income-producing assets. Notably, a third of respondents with diversified real estate portfolios expect Living to account for more than 30% of their real estate portfolio within five years, underscoring the sector’s growing importance in institutional investment strategies.
Conal Newland, International Director, Head of Living, APAC at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “Our inaugural APAC Living Investor Survey reinforces the growing institutionalisation of the sector across the region. Despite heightened economic and geopolitical uncertainty, investors continue to view Living as a long-term strategic allocation supported by resilient demand fundamentals, defensive income characteristics and strong structural growth drivers. The fact that 85% of respondents intend to increase Living investment over the next five years highlights how Living is evolving from an alternative investment strategy into a core institutional real estate allocation.”
Australia and Japan Lead Investor Preferences
Australia/New Zealand and Japan emerged as the region’s most preferred Living investment destinations, ranking clearly ahead of other APAC markets. Japan’s position reflects its scale, liquidity and status as APAC’s most mature institutional multifamily market, while Australia’s housing undersupply and strong rental fundamentals continue to underpin long-term growth potential. Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong form the next tier of preferred markets, although deployment continues to be constrained by scale, regulation and pricing.
Demand for Stabilised Assets Outpaces Supply
The survey also found that investors are increasingly favouring stabilised, income-producing and defensive Living assets. Recent market volatility has prompted 50% of respondents to report a greater preference for stabilised assets, yet the availability of standing institutional-grade stock remains limited across much of APAC.
This supply-demand imbalance is increasingly pushing investors towards alternative routes to market. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents are actively considering repositioning or change-of-use strategies, while joint ventures emerged as the most likely deal structure over the next one to three years. Office and hotel conversions are also becoming an increasingly important source of Living supply in markets such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
Josh Rose-Nokes, Director, Living Research, APAC at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “What stands out is not a shortage of capital, but a shortage of investable stock. Investors increasingly want stabilised, income-producing Living assets, yet much of APAC lacks sufficient institutional-grade product to satisfy that demand. This mismatch is driving greater competition for stabilised assets and accelerating interest in repositioning, conversions and partnership-led deployment strategies.”
The gap between buyer and seller expectations was identified as the leading investment challenge by 44% of respondents, followed by development viability at 29%. Limited transaction evidence and inconsistent market transparency were also highlighted as barriers to pricing assets accurately and deploying capital efficiently.
About the Survey
The inaugural APAC Living Investor Survey 2026 draws on insights from institutional investors, fund managers, listed property groups and specialist Living-sector participants across APAC, representing approximately 224,000 units or beds. For the purposes of this survey, diversified respondents refer to investors with exposure across multiple real estate sectors and exclude Living-only specialists. The survey was fielded in Q2 2026 during the Middle East hostilities and provides insights into investor sentiment, capital allocation trends and investment priorities across the APAC Living sector. Estimated five-year capital deployment figures were derived from banded responses using midpoints.
For more information and to download the report, please click here.
About Cushman & Wakefield’s Living Platform
Cushman & Wakefield’s Living platform provides integrated advisory services to investors, developers, and operators across the residential investment spectrum, including multifamily, build-to-rent, purpose-built student accommodation, co-living, and senior living. The team delivers integrated advisory across capital markets, valuation, development consultancy, and asset strategy, supported by proprietary research and a region-wide Asia Pacific network, as well as dedicated research and consultancy professionals who provide strategic insights and execution capabilities across the region. Click here for additional information.
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About Cushman & Wakefield
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9. Macao Economic, Trade, and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminar Convened in Jakarta, Indonesia, Fostering Multi-Dimensional Cooperation to Jointly Explore New Opportunities Along the Silk Road
September 2, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
The event gathered over 350 distinguished guests, including Mr.Sam Hou Fai, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR; Susiwijono Moegiarso, Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Republic of Indonesia; and Wang Lutong, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia. Also in attendance were members of the Macao SAR Government and entrepreneur delegations, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, and prominent figures from various sectors in Indonesia.
Mr.Sam Hou Fai stated that the implementation of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the Macao SAR’s 3rd Five-Year Plan will unlock cooperation opportunities between Macao and Indonesia. He noted that Indonesia is the birthplace of the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road,” and both Macao and Indonesia are pivotal nodes along this route. Guided by the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue mechanism, the friendly cooperative ties are poised to deepen further.
In the first half of this year, international visitor to Macao rose by 6% year-on-year, with approximately 88,000 Indonesian tourists—ranking among the top source markets in Southeast Asia. This highlights the close ties between Macao and Indonesia in people-to-people exchanges, trade, and tourism. The Macao SAR Government is committed to promoting exchanges at all levels. By leveraging Macao’s role as a vital bridgehead for China’s high-level opening-up and as a “precise connector,” Macao aims to strengthen all-around, pragmatic cooperation in trade, investment, MICE, tourism, and cultural exchanges, actively contributing to a China-Indonesia community with a shared future.
Edi Prio Pambudi, Deputy Minister for International Economic Cooperation of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of Indonesia, stated in his speech that under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, Macao has built an outstanding international reputation with its long-term stability, high degree of openness, and strong connectivity. As a vital hub for mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations, Macao has successfully gathered global talent, capital, and creativity. Indonesian sectors widely applaud and anticipate Macao’s economic diversification.
He noted that close economic and cultural ties have driven Macao enterprises to invest in Indonesian projects like construction and transportation. In terms of tourism, Macao welcomed over 200,000 visitors from Indonesia last year, ranking Indonesia among Macao’s top source markets in Southeast Asia. Indonesia’s visa-free policy for Macao SAR passport holders will further facilitate mutual exchanges. Looking ahead, Indonesia and Macao share vast potential for cooperation in Halal products, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and connectivity.
Hashtag: #MacaoEconomicTradeandTourismInvestmentPromotionSeminar
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10. Inovatif Media Asia Sets Regional Ambitions in Motion with Tun Ahmad Fuzi as Strategic Advisor
September 2, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Setting the Regional Agenda – CT Cheah (L) and Tun Ahmad Fuzi (R) inked the Official Appointment, marking a new chapter in IMA’s regional growth
A distinguished leader who served as the 8th Governor (Yang di-Pertua Negeri) of the Malaysian state of Penang, Tun Fuzi will advise IMA on its regional growth strategy, strategic partnerships, and institutional engagement as the Publisher accelerates the expansion of its leading business magazine title, The SmartInvestor (TSI) across ASEAN.
“Onboarding Tun Fuzi is a milestone not only for IMA, but Malaysia’s media publication industry. Undoubtedly a seasoned leader fortified by his long diplomatic career experience, we are confident that his strategic insights will pave the way for TSI’s stronger regional voice,” said CT Cheah, IMA’s Managing Director and TSI’s Managing Editor.
Currently, TSI has established its presence in Hong Kong in addition to Malaysia via its magazine content and dedicated website platforms. The publication also recently relaunched https://smartinvestor.com.my and https://smartinvestor.hk and is also in progress to rolling out its China website by the first half of 2027.
Beyond expansion plans, Tun Fuzi also shares a common vision with IMA in empowering communities through financial literacy as the partnership will kickstart initiatives to promote practical grassroots financial education, strengthen awareness on governance and regulatory compliance as well as encourage informed financial-decision making among communities, business and future generations.
“A well-informed society is fundamental to sustainable economic growth. I believe the media has an important role in promoting financial awareness, encouraging good governance, and connecting businesses and communities across borders. Working with IMA, I am committed to supporting its nation-building initiative of advancing financial literacy and responsible investment knowledge across ASEAN,” stated Tun Fuzi.
With its expansion strategy in place and leveraging on the new appointment, IMA is exploring new opportunities for regional collaboration to broaden its reach and relevance across Asia. At the heart of this ambition is a commitment of combining credible journalism with education, contributing to a more informed, resilient and inclusive society.
https://smartinvestor.com.my
Hashtag: #InovatifMediaAsia #TheSmartInvestor #TunFuzi
About Inovatif Media Asia (IMA)
With a new management onboard in 2023, IMA is slated to expand its regional presence for publications, business dialogues and cross-border collaborations.
Websites:
1. https://smartinvestor.com.my
2. https://smartinvestor.hk
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