AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for October 20, 2026 – Full Text

Source: Greenpeace Aotearoa

Environmental groups are calling out the New Zealand Government for attempting to reopen a coral hotspot to bottom trawling, despite recent scientific findings proving the site is home to diverse deep-sea life.[1]

New Zealand, which is the only country still bottom trawling the High Seas of the South Pacific, made the proposal [2] ahead of an international fisheries meeting [3], arguing the Lord Howe Rise seamount should be reopened to trawlers.

A report, released this week, details that New Zealand’s proposal to resume trawling was considered by members of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO), along with Greenpeace evidence of vulnerable life at the site. The SPRFMO Scientific Committee recommended the area should remain closed, acknowledging the risk of further impacts.[4]

Ellie Hooper, oceans campaigner at Greenpeace Aotearoa, is calling the move by the New Zealand Government “yet another example of this government acting against the best available science and the interests of the ocean.

“Scientists went to the Lord Howe Rise and found exactly what we should be protecting: ancient coral communities and a rich, vulnerable deep-sea habitat. But instead of choosing to safeguard this extraordinary place, the New Zealand’s Government had proposed sending destructive trawlers back.”

During the research expedition conducted in March last year, scientists documented hundreds of fragile corals and other vulnerable marine life at the Lord Howe Rise site, ocean life that is meant to be protected from bottom trawling under international rules.[5]

“This should have given them more than enough cause to protect this area from further harm,” says Hooper, “but NZ still tried its luck to open the area.”

The seamount in question has a colourful history. It was temporarily closed to bottom trawling in 2024 after Westfleet trawler the Tasman Viking dragged up 37kg of coral there [6]. This prompted Greenpeace and scientists to investigate the area.

“The public needs to ask why, when scientists present undeniable evidence of important deep-sea life, the Government’s first instinct is to clear a path for commercial trawlers,” says Karli Thomas of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.

“Not only did our Government push to reopen a biodiversity hotspot, it acted as a mouthpiece for industry lobbyists at this recent fisheries meeting – speaking on behalf of the High Seas Fishing Group which wanted to continue trawling the seamount. It is clear whose interests the government is prioritising.”

Over the past five years, commercial fishing companies including Westfleet, have donated to Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones, and his party New Zealand First.[7]

In the same timeframe, New Zealand has increasingly become an international outlier on high seas marine protection. Since taking office in 2023, the government blocked the implementation of protections for vulnerable marine ecosystems [8], and proposed raising the limit on how much coral trawlers can destroy as bycatch.[9]

While New Zealand’s proposal to reopen the Lord Howe site was unsuccessful, campaigners warn the intention signals what’s at stake in the upcoming election.

“Science and sense has prevailed here – but that’s in spite of the New Zealand government, not because of them,” says Hooper.

“We’re a nation of ocean lovers, the vast majority want coral habitats protected from trawling, but the position our government takes on these issues is often the opposite of that. They go into bat for industry above all else.

“We urge people to look closely at what political parties have done, and what they are committing to when it comes to ocean protection this election. Right now we have a choice – let destructive fishing continue to degrade the ocean, or choose protection and recovery.

“Protecting these ecosystems is vital and any political party looking to win with the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who want that – would commit to that without delay.”

Greenpeace has released an election scorecard that ranks political parties’ positions on ocean issues [10].

Notes

1. Lord Howe Rise findings (Greenpeace)
2. New Zealand encounter review to SC Aug 2026
3. Meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation’s Scientific Committee
4. SPRFMO SC14 report
5. UNGA Resolution 61/105
6. Tasman Viking drags up coral from Lord Howe
7. Westfleet donates to Shane Jones
8. NZ blocks VME protection
9. NZ proposal to increase coral bycatch
10. Oceans election scorecard

Source: SMX Email

19 October 2026

New Zealand is now leading the Five Eyes in protecting government emails from a cyberattack that could allow sensitive information to be intercepted before it reaches its destination, according to new research.

The SMX Email Security Report found 55% of New Zealand’s core government email domains actively enforce a critical security measure designed to protect emails while they are being delivered, compared with just 0.9% in the United States.¹

The findings come as the Government shifts agencies from its ageing SEEMail system to the new Secure Government Email (SGE) framework, with the wider decommissioning programme due to be completed by November.

An industry expert warns significant gaps remain across the Government’s email systems and says an attack on an inadequately protected connection could expose information being exchanged between government agencies, businesses and members of the public while an email is being delivered.

Thom Hooker, co-founder of Auckland-based cybersecurity SMX Email, says the transition is also making the remaining weak points in government email security more obvious, describing the situation as a “shrinking pond” in which vulnerable domains stand out more clearly to attackers as more of the government network becomes properly protected.

He says the findings mark a significant turnaround for New Zealand and show how a coordinated shift to modern email security standards has rapidly strengthened protection across the Government’s digital infrastructure.

“New Zealand has spent years playing catch-up in some areas of email security, particularly against Australia, but in this instance we’re actually leading the way.”

The research examined 1,940 domains within the official government namespaces of New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and the US, comparing the extent to which each country had adopted measures designed to protect email as it moves between computer systems.

The protection being measured, known as MTA-STS, is designed to make sure emails sent to government agencies travel over encrypted connections to legitimate mail servers, making it harder for an attacker to interfere with a message while it is moving between systems.

The research found 66 of New Zealand’s 120 core government domains, or 55%, were actively enforcing the protection, compared with 46.9% in the UK, 15.3% in Australia, 0.9% in the US and none of the Canadian government domains measured.

Hooker says the shift is significant because government email can carry sensitive information relating to individuals, businesses and public agencies, while the remaining gaps become more obvious as the overall level of protection improves.

“As more of the Government’s email environment is secured, the remaining gaps become easier for attackers to identify, which means you don’t want to leave part of the estate behind.”

The study found New Zealand does not lead the Five Eyes on every measure of email security, with Australia, the UK and US ahead on DMARC, a separate protection designed to stop criminals sending emails that falsely appear to come from a government agency.

About 66.7% of New Zealand’s core government domains enforce DMARC, compared with 90.3% in Australia, 84.5% in the UK and 83.3% in the US, while Canada was at 20.5%.

Hooker says the two protections tackle different weaknesses and are most effective when used together.

“One helps establish whether the sender really is who they claim to be, while the other helps make sure the email gets to its destination securely, so you need both.

“The US has one of the strongest records in the Five Eyes for stopping forged government email but almost no adoption of enforced transport protection, while New Zealand is combining relatively strong performance across both measures.”

Hooker says the impact of the SGE rollout is likely to extend beyond central government as the standards flow through to other public sector organisations and businesses that exchange information with government agencies.

“No Five Eyes country has finished the job across every measure, but New Zealand is now closer than most to having both sides properly covered,” Hooker says.

¹ The analysis was conducted using publicly available DNS and HTTPS information from government domains across the Five Eyes countries. SMX Email assessed the deployment and enforcement of email security standards including DMARC and MTA-STS. No government systems or data were accessed as part of the research.

SMX Email Security Report 2026

About SMX Email

SMX Email is a New Zealand-owned specialist cloud email security company providing services designed to protect organisations against threats including email impersonation, interception, phishing and other malicious activity. The company has monitored email security standards across the Australasian market since 2022 and publishes annual research tracking the adoption of technologies including DMARC and MTA-STS across government and business sectors.

Source: Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Source link

Statement 19 October 2026

Starting on the 12 October and ending on the 20 October, approximately 1000 ADF personnel with a similar number of Indonesian personal are taking part in Exercise Keris Woomera 26, which is this year’s largest overseas joint training activity for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The joint Keris Woomera 26 exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Banyuwangi, East Java, aims to strengthen bilateral defense and security cooperation. (ANTARA FOTO/HO-Kedubes Australia). (Photo ANTARA 13 Oct)

Joe Collins of AWPA said, “we get the usual mantra/statements from Government of, the exercise will reinforce the strength of Australia’s security relationship with Indonesia, Indonesia is an essential and enduring partner for Australia and it is significant that we share our largest overseas training activity for the year with the TNI and our ability to work together on this exercise reinforces our deep and longstanding partnership with Indonesia, underpinned by trust, mutual respect and close cooperation etc.

“Yet, not so far away, the Indonesian security forces are conducting military operations against Papuan civilians and Australia says nothing”.

The Evangelical Christian Church (KINGMI) has called on the Indonesian Government and humanitarian organisations to address reports of civilians fleeing their homes amid alleged military operations in the Korowai region. The church’s Department of Justice and Peace (DKP) said it had received reports of increased military activity between October 12 and 14 in Danowage village, Yaniruma district, Boven Digoel Regency, and areas bordering Yahukimo Regency. (Jubi Oct17)

In a Jubi report (Oct 17) The Head of the GIDI Department of Law and Human Rights, Reverend Jimmy Koirewoa, stated that, according to information from the indigenous Korowai people and other Papuan residents living in the area, the local population is in a state of panic and has begun to flee, fearing the prospect of military operations in the vicinity of civilian settlements.

Joe Collins said, “during military operations, local people flee because of their fear of the Indonesian security forces. The flee to the forest and can face starvation because they are afraid to go back to work in their food gardens. Each military operation creates more internal refugees”.

Korowai residents living in the border area between Boven Digoel Regency (South Papua Province) and Yahukimo Regency (Highland Papua Province) – Doc. GIDI Department of Law and Human Rights (In Jubi 17 Oct)

In its August update Human Rights Monitor reported that there are more than 127.031 civilians across multiple regencies in West Papua that remain internally displaced due to military operations and armed conflict.

Women from Korowai, Yahukimo Regency, Ppaua Highlands, shelter at a displacement site in the forest in July 2026. – Courtesy of Jubi

Calls to halt military operations

The GIDI Department of Law and Human Rights urged the Government of Indonesia and all relevant authorities to immediately halt the movement of troops—who are allegedly preparing for military operations within the civilian settlements of the Korowai people—and to withdraw forces from civilian areas where their presence is not required for legitimate operations.

They further demand that no military actions be taken that could endanger the safety of the community, incite fear, force residents to abandon their homes, or disrupt the daily lives and activities of the indigenous people. “We emphasize that places of worship, residential homes, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, and other public amenities must be protected,” he stated.

The church has also urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), national humanitarian agencies and relevant international organisations to explore ways to provide assistance, in accordance with their mandates and humanitarian principles.

Humanitarian crises

There are also increasingly difficult conditions facing local people due to drought and smoke from forest and land fires, which are affecting areas spanning from Yahukimo and Boven Digoel to the Pegunungan Bintang (Star Mountains) regency.

In such a situation, explained Reverend Jimmy Koirewoa, the community requires protection, healthcare services, access to basic necessities, and security guarantees.

The pressure and fear resulting from the movement of troops near residential areas are considered likely to further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis already confronting the local residents.

In a media release the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) reported from Danowage Village that following an Indonesian military’s deployment on October 12 and 13, the authorities immediately began a military operation on Wednesday October 14. The operation traumatized civilians, who began fleeing on Wednesday night to forests in the Boven Digoel, Oksibil, Mappi, and Yahukimo areas.

The Central High Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) also appealed to President Prabowo Subianto and his staff to immediately allow access for the International Red Cross, foreign journalists, and international human rights organizations to enter the armed conflict zone in Papua to address the humanitarian crisis and displacement of indigenous peoples in various regions of Papua.

The situation in the territory is seriously deteroriating.

HRM reported (14 Oct) that Indigenous civilians were trapped by a military deployment in Tolikara.

It reported that an estimated 8,251 civilians in three districts of Tolikara Regency had been confined to their homes, cut off from gardens, schools and health services, since non-organic Indonesian military (TNI) troops entered the area on 5 October 2026. Nearly 100 residents of Gundagi District, including young schoolchildren, have fled into the forest without food.

It has also been reported that the Indonesian security forces have increasingly used military drones to drop grenades and explosives in the Central Highlands of West Papua, targeting Indigenous communities and members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).

Joe Collins said, “with all the appeals for help from church and civil society groups in West Papua, we hear nothing from the Australian Government. Its time Australia showed concern for the ongoing conflict in the territory and joined with the Pacific leaders, church and civil society groups to push Jakarta to allow the UN human rights chief to visit Papua”.

Sources

• GIDI: Hentikan Operasi Militer di Korowai
• Indigenous civilians trapped by military deployment in Tolikara
• IDP update August 2026

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is giving top marks to Feilding High School for its call to retain Agriculture and Horticultural Science as a standalone subject in Year 11.

“We’re 100% behind the school and we’ve written a letter to Minister of Education Erica Stanford, urging her to reconsider the proposed change,” Federated Farmers education spokesperson Greg Anderson says.

“Agriculture is absolutely vital to New Zealand’s economy and we should be doing all we can to get our young people into the sector, which offers exciting opportunities.

“Year 11 is when students begin choosing subjects that shape their study and future career pathways.

“Providing a dedicated agricultural science subject gives the sector visibility at exactly that point.

“Without it, fewer students are likely to consider agricultural careers, and the sector will feel the effect in the years ahead.”

Under secondary school curriculum changes, the Government plans a new industry-led Food and Fibre Systems subject, available to Year 12 and 13 students from 2029.

But it is proposing that agribusiness, agriculture and horticulture science be dropped as standalone Year 11 subjects, with a small component of those topics being incorporated into general science instead.

Federated Farmers is backing opposition to this move from the Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers Association (HATA) and from Feilding High School, which has a proud history of teaching agriculture as a pathway from school into vet training, farm business degrees and research.

“Agricultural science keeps rural children interested in school, and exposes children without a rural background to the wonderful opportunities of a career in agriculture,” Anderson says.

A general science course cannot offer the depth, context or industry connection that a specific subject provides.

“Year 11 Agricultural and Horticultural Science has long played a valuable role in sparking student interest and preparing students for further study at Massey, Lincoln and other tertiary providers.

“We’re backing farmers, teachers, Feilding High and other schools in their push to change the Government’s mind on this,” Anderson says.

“It’s the same thinking in our Backing Kiwi Farmers election platform, where we urged more agriculture and horticulture content in the Years 0-10 science curriculum.

“Those early years are an opportunity to engage young people in these topics and help all Kiwi kids understand where their food comes from.

“Farmers tell us regularly that attracting and retain skilled and motivated people is one of their biggest challenges.

“Building the foundations to address that starts in our schools.”

Source: Government House

Tomorrow, the Governor-General, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, will present Royal New Zealand Honours to 20 recipients at two investiture ceremonies in the Limes Room of the Christchurch Town Hall.

Those being recognised include Māori artist and carver Riki Manuel, community law advocate Jenny Hughey, paediatrician Associate Professor Nicola Austin, former Commonwealth Games medallist Barbara Beable, athletics coach Dr Michael Beable, and financial literacy entrepreneur Kendall Flutey.

Others receiving their insignia include conservation volunteers, community leaders, educators, athletics officials, and supporters of the arts and youth organisations.

The ceremonies will take place on Tuesday 20 October at 10am and 3pm. See the full recipient lists below.

• Media must register attendance at least 2 hours before the ceremony.
• For security purposes, we require the names and phone numbers of all personnel attending from your organisation.
• Media should arrive no later than 30 minutes before each ceremony (9.30am and 2.30pm).
• Media are reminded that a reasonable standard of dress is expected.

Note: Government House can provide images of recipients to media on request. Images can also be downloaded from https://www.gg.govt.nz within 6 hours of the ceremony’s completion. Video will be posted on our website within 48 hours of the ceremony.

List of recipients

Tuesday 20 October 10am

• Mr Riki Manuel, of Christchurch, CNZM for services to Māori art
• Ms Jenny Hughey, of Christchurch, ONZM for services to community law and governance
• Mr Terry Nicholas, of Winton, MNZM for services to Māori and governance
• Mr Trevor Spittle, of Christchurch, MNZM for services to athletics
• Mrs Agnes Abuel-Guda, JP, of Rolleston, KSM for services to the Filipino community
• Mr Graeme Kates, of Arthur’s Pass National Park, KSM for services to conservation and the community
• Mr Leigh Martin, JP, of Rolleston, KSM for services to brass bands
• Mrs Barb Simpson, of Queenstown, KSM for services to conservation and the community
• Mr Noel Walker, of Te Anau, KSM for services to Scouts and the community
• Mrs Sue Walker, of Te Anau, KSM for services to Scouts and the community

Tuesday 20 October 3pm

• Associate Professor Nicola Austin, of Christchurch, ONZM for services to children’s health
• Mrs Barbara Beable, of Wānaka, MNZM for services to athletics
• Dr Michael Beable, of Wānaka, MNZM for services to athletics
• Ms Kendall Flutey, of Christchurch, MNZM for services to business and financial literacy
• Pāpā Ruawhitu Pokaia, of Christchurch, MNZM for services to Māori and education
• Mrs Barbara Astill, JP, of Auckland, KSM for services to women, the community and governance
• Mrs Sue Breen, of Rolleston, KSM for services to gifted children education
• Mr Douglas Brenssell, of Oamaru, KSM for services to the community
• Reverend Tapita Ching, of Richmond, KSM for services to the Pacific community and education
• Mrs Miriam Spragg, of Christchurch, KSM for services to barbershop singing and music administration

This list of recipients is correct on Monday 19 October and may be subject to change.

Over 200 job openings brought by 50+ leading employers from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to global professionals in the UK.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 October 2026 – The Hong Kong · Global Talent & Career Showcase was organised by Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) on 17 and 18 October 2026 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. The showcase was supported by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London. Over 200 quality job openings offered by more than 50 leading enterprises from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, with more than 4,500 visits recorded.

Multi-Sector Engagement

The showcase featured job vacancies across banking and finance, innovation and technology (I&T), engineering and construction, and professional services. Attendees engaged directly with HR representatives from renowned enterprises in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. The event also featured forums and workshops, where government representatives and business leaders shared insights on Hong Kong’s development advantages, talent landscape and market trends, while experienced HR representatives offered practical job-seeking tips and career advice.

In his opening remarks, the Director of HKTE, Mr Felix Chan, said that the showcase enabled global talent to learn about career development in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, and exchange and match jobs directly with enterprises. HKTE will continue to promote Hong Kong worldwide, and attract talent with skills required for the development of the country and Hong Kong in a targeted manner.

A representative of a participating enterprise opined that the showcase facilitated them to connect with global talent directly as well as identify suitable candidates with a global mindset and cross-cultural collaboration experience, thereby supporting business expansion.

Why Hong Kong

Hong Kong is strengthening its position as an I&T centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent. As a “super connector”, Hong Kong is deeply integrated with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and connected to extensive international network, generating immense opportunities for global talent.

Looking Ahead

The recent London career showcase is one of over 100 outreach visits conducted by HKTE. In the coming year, HKTE will continue its promotional activities across the Chinese Mainland, Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, partnering with Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland enterprises to go global together, and facilitate targeted matching between enterprises and global talent.

Hong Kong welcomes global talent. Interested talent can learn more about talent admission schemes in Hong Kong and upcoming events of HKTE at [www.hkengage.gov.hk].

Hashtag: #HongKongTalentEngage

About Hong Kong Talent Engage

In Singapore, global leaders in ocean science, exploration and conservation examine how evidence, storytelling and education can help shape the ocean’s future

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 October 2026 – What does it take to turn ocean discovery into lasting change? That question connected three days of conversations at the OceanX Summit 2026, where leaders from ocean science, government, exploration, education and conservation considered how evidence can inform protection, how immersive learning can engage the next generation, and how local leadership can shape solutions.

The Summit brought together oceanographer Sylvia Earle; filmmaker and deep-sea explorer James Cameron; Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society; Takashi Kudo of international art collective teamLab; Benoît Dageville, Co-Founder and President of Products at Snowflake; Rizza Sacra-Dejucos, Asia Regional Coordinator of the High Seas Alliance; Professor Peter Ng of NUS; and conservation leaders Titouan Bernicot of Coral Gardeners and Rili Joani-Mohamed of the Coral Triangle Centre. Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Trade) Gan Kim Yong opened the Summit, with Minister for Education Desmond Lee later addressing the role of ocean exploration in student learning.

A clear message emerged: ocean knowledge has its greatest value when it can be shared, understood and used. Discussions on artificial intelligence highlighted both its potential to connect fragmented datasets and its dependence on high-quality information from regions that remain underrepresented. Sessions on finance and marine protected areas explored how public policy, private-sector expertise and philanthropic support can work together, with the needs of coastal communities in view.

“The Summit brought the ocean into the room in a way people could experience. Immersive education can turn curiosity into a personal connection, and help students see how their skills can contribute to ocean science and its future. We need to open those experiences and career pathways to more young people,” said Mark Dalio.

Science that can inform action

The programme connected scientific discovery with the international effort to conserve marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. The Into the Deep: Monsoon Rise expedition, jointly led by OceanX and NUS, mapped more than 8,300 square kilometres of seafloor in the eastern Indian Ocean. Scientists from Southeast Asia and the Pacific worked alongside Singapore researchers, with approximately 2,000 specimens now contributing to continuing biodiversity research.

The Summit also explored the wider challenge of making ocean data useful across disciplines and regions, as countries implement the BBNJ Agreement. OceanX has committed a significant share of its 2027 expedition time to high seas research.

“The Summit made clear that there is a need to collect much more ocean data which is necessary to make informed decisions around ocean stewardship. We need to connect information across disciplines, close gaps in what is known, and make evidence accessible to people working on decision making. Science must work in collaboration with all stakeholders to move together if knowledge is to support lasting ocean protection,” said Vincent Pieribone.

Education and storytelling bring the ocean closer

Singapore’s partnership with OceanX through the Ministry of Education and Science Centre Board has enabled more than 570 students and educators to visit OceanXplorer since 2024, while hundreds more have joined ship-to-shore expedition livestreams. At the Summit, Desmond Lee spoke about how experiences like these help students connect classroom learning to real research and see how skills in engineering, data science and communications contribute to scientific discovery.

The Summit also featured more than 20 immersive installations developed by OceanX Education and its Changemaker community. These experiences put audiences inside ocean stories and research, demonstrating how art, media and technology can build understanding and invite people into the work.

A discussion between Mark Dalio and Anderson Tanoto of Tanoto Foundation highlighted education pathways across Southeast Asia. Nine Tanoto Foundation scholars have participated in OceanX’s Young Explorers programme, while the partnership continues to develop opportunities through fellowships, hackathons and other immersive learning experiences.

Local leadership turns ambition into practice

Speakers from across the conservation community showed how ocean protection is already being advanced by local leaders. Coral Gardeners founder Titouan Bernicot described an island-led movement that has grown to 97 full-time employees and planted more than 250,000 corals across French Polynesia, Fiji and Thailand. Other changemakers presented projects using AI for reef monitoring and immersive media to connect audiences with marine ecosystems.

These examples brought the Summit’s discussions back to people and places: local knowledge must shape conservation, and communities need a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their ocean. The Summit convened more than 750+ participants, including 223 students and educators, around the relationships and ideas that can carry this work forward.

Watch OceanX Summit 2026 highlights.

Hashtag: #OceanX

About OceanX