Source: Greenpeace Aotearoa

Greenpeace Aotearoa has joined a complaint to the EU, lodged by EU-based organisation Both ENDS, over New Zealand’s failure to comply with clauses in the EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement requiring strong climate action.

Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director Dr Russel Norman says, “The New Zealand Government has spent the last three years systematically undermining climate and environment laws and regulations in our country, often with the explicit stated purpose of gaining trade benefits.”

“We are in a climate and biodiversity crisis, and the UN is warning that we are set to breach 1.5℃ of global temperature rise. We need urgent action to cut climate pollution rapidly, but the Government has instead spent the last three years engaged in a race to the bottom on environmental regulation – and that’s why we have co-sponsored this complaint.”

Norman says that this action comes after years of good-faith engagement with the New Zealand Government.

“Over the last three years we have met with the Prime Minister, Ministers and senior officials on many occasions to urge them to change course and to warn them that they were breaching the sustainability chapter of the free trade agreement with the European Union. We have mobilised people to sign petitions, we’ve made submissions against their legislation, we’ve marched in the streets, and more. But this Government has not listened.”

“Hence today we are joining this complaint in the hope that the risk of losing preferential trade access to the EU market will encourage the New Zealand Government to change course. Sadly it seems that money is the only language they understand.”

The EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2023, requires both parties to ‘effectively implement the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, including commitments with regard to nationally determined contributions’, and ‘to refrain from any action or omission that materially defeats the object and purpose of the Paris Agreement.’

Dr Norman says, “We need to act collectively as a global community to achieve our climate and environmental objectives, yet the New Zealand Government has consistently and deliberately undermined global efforts, and undermined the Paris climate agreement in particular.”

“Whatever the outcome of the New Zealand general election in November, we need to insist that the next New Zealand Government rejoins the nations of the world that take their climate and environment responsibilities seriously.”

The Both ENDS complaint identifies several areas of concern as evidence of a breach of the EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement, including:

1. The reversal of the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration
2. The weakening of the biogenic methane target
3. The removal of the ETS backstop for agricultural emissions, and refusal to price agricultural emissions at all.
4. The Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendment Act, which retroactively prevents legal action against climate-polluting companies.
5. A failure to set ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as required under the Paris Agreement

The Both ENDS complaint is co-sponsored by the following New Zealand organisations and individuals: the Environmental Law Initiative, Greenpeace Aotearoa, Ngāti Pūkenga Iwi ki Tauranga Trust, OraTaiao: New Zealand Climate and Health Council, Mike Smith, and Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey.

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

Source: ONEKEY GmbH

The Düsseldorf-based firmware security specialist will focus on compliance with the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) at it-sa in Hall 9 (Booth 9-346)

Düsseldorf/Nuremberg, September 29, 2026 — Since September 11, manufacturers of connected devices, machines, and systems have been required to actively report vulnerabilities and serious security incidents in accordance with the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). At the same time, pressure is mounting to comply with all CRA obligations, which will take effect on December 11 of next year. From that date on, products with digital elements may only be placed on the European Union market if they meet the essential cybersecurity requirements of the EU Regulation. This means that vulnerabilities must be addressed throughout the support period, software components must be documented, and a conformity assessment must be available.

To meet the growing demand for CRA compliance, the Düsseldorf-based cybersecurity company ONEKEY will present its “CRA Fast Start” program at it-sa 2026 (October 27-29) at booth 9-346. The program allows manufacturers to assess their products against CRA requirements in a structured manner and get started without lengthy lead times. It is estimated that the Cyber Resilience Act affects hundreds of millions, if not billions, of digital products in the EU.

The “CRA Fast Start” program is based on the following pillars: CRA Readiness Assessment; creation of software bills of materials (SBOMs) to establish a solid foundation for ongoing CRA compliance; systematic vulnerability management; and continuous monitoring. The program is suitable for companies at various stages of readiness. For manufacturers in the early stages of addressing CRA requirements, the assessment serves as a guide. Those who already understand the extent to which they are affected by the CRA and require rapid implementation can begin directly with vulnerability management and continuous monitoring. Additionally, a compliance check and a wizard assist with the initial CRA compliance review. The wizard is continuously updated to reflect future regulatory requirements and anticipated harmonized standards.

“With CRA Fast Start, we provide manufacturers with a systematic and rapidly deployable approach to meeting the CRA’s legal requirements,” explained Jan Wendenburg, ONEKEY’s CEO.

Get Started with the CRA Readiness Assessment

An initial, structured CRA Readiness Assessment is a core component of the program. This assessment analyzes a company’s level of readiness for the CRA requirements. In addition to product requirements, the assessment examines existing processes for addressing vulnerabilities, SBOM documentation and organizational responsibilities, among other things. Based on the results, compliance gaps can be identified and priority actions defined. ONEKEY particularly recommends this assessment to companies that are unsure how the CRA applies to them and which steps they need to take.

Continuous Monitoring for Potential Vulnerabilities

The next step applies to all companies, including those that have already started preparing for CRA compliance. Ongoing vulnerability management and continuous monitoring help identify existing gaps. SBOMs ensure transparency throughout the software supply chain. New vulnerabilities, affected libraries, and security-related changes are continuously tracked, ensuring ongoing transparency regarding the security status of digital products. The ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform is used for this purpose.

Launching a Long-Term Security Strategy

“Our platform, combined with the CRA Readiness Assessment, unites our expertise in consulting with the extensive analytical capabilities of the ONEKEY platform. This enables us to take immediate action while simultaneously paving the way for a long-term strategy to ensure compliance,” Jan Wendenburg said. He also clarified: “Ultimately, for manufacturers, this is about more than meeting mandatory legal requirements. They also need to effectively protect their product portfolios against cyberattacks. Any vulnerability that is successfully exploited can create both legal and reputational risks.”

ONEKEY is the leading European specialist in Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Management and part of the investment portfolio of PricewaterhouseCoopers Germany (PwC). The unique combination of the automated ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform (OCP) with expert knowledge and consulting services provides fast and comprehensive analysis, support, and management to improve product cybersecurity and compliance from product purchasing, design, development, production to end-of-life.

Critical vulnerabilities and compliance violations in device firmware are automatically identified in binary code by AI-based technology in minutes – without source code, device, or network access. Proactively audit software supply chains with integrated Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) generation. “Digital Cyber Twins” enable automated 24/7 post-release cybersecurity monitoring throughout the product lifecycle.

The integrated ONEKEY Compliance Wizard already supports compliance with requirements from IEC 62443-4-2, ETSI EN 303 645, UNECE R155, and many other standards and regulations.

As part of the EU-funded CRACoWi (Cyber Resilience Act Compliance Wizard) project, ONEKEY is collaborating with 13 European partners to develop an AI-powered assistant for the automated implementation of the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).

The solution will guide companies through the entire compliance process–from the initial CRA scope assessment to the generation of the required Declaration of Conformity.

The Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is effectively supported by the integrated automatic prioritization of vulnerabilities, significantly reducing the time to remediation.

Leading international companies in Asia, Europe and the Americas already benefit from the ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform (OCP) and ONEKEY Cybersecurity Experts.

MIL OSI

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI

Source: ONEKEY GmbH

The most effective way to ensure the security of software in devices, machines and systems is to use a combination of deterministic analysis, artificial intelligence and automation.

Düsseldorf, September 17, 2026 — Artificial intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword in cybersecurity. While attackers can use it to uncover vulnerabilities faster than ever before, AI is also an excellent tool for detecting and fixing hidden security vulnerabilities. According to Düsseldorf-based cybersecurity specialist ONEKEY, the situation is particularly critical when it comes to firmware–the control software for devices, machines, and systems.

Experts cite two main reasons for this. First, control systems often comprise hundreds or even thousands of software components that interact with one another, and their exact origins and security status are frequently unknown. Second, cyberattacks can have particularly severe consequences because the affected devices, machines, and systems operate in both the physical and digital worlds.

“Large language models, such as Mythos, have demonstrated how swiftly and thoroughly AI can identify and exploit vulnerabilities,” said ONEKEY CEO Jan Wendenburg. He added: “A single security vulnerability in a widely used library can affect numerous products that have been in use for years. That’s why it’s essential for manufacturers to know exactly which components are used in which products and where security updates are needed.”

AI Still Has Room for Improvement When It Comes to Identifying Security Vulnerabilities

“AI alone does not inherently make firmware secure,” emphasized Jan Wendenburg. That is why ONEKEY combines deterministic firmware analysis with targeted AI support. The ONEKEY platform lists software components in the form of SBOMs (Software Bills of Materials), compares them against known vulnerabilities (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, or CVEs), and tracks new CVE reports. Language models are used on a case-by-case basis for closer analysis and classification of findings or unknown vulnerabilities.

ONEKEY points out that large language models (LLMs) do not necessarily find every vulnerability on the first run. The same language model can discover new vulnerabilities with each successive run. Anthropic, the developer of Mythos, documented how its AI performed around 1,000 independent analysis runs in iterative loops to identify several dozen vulnerabilities in a target component. “The use of large language models for vulnerability detection is not currently a process that yields reproducible results,” said ONEKEY CEO Jan Wendenburg, highlighting the limitations of AI in firmware security. Before a new firmware version is released, developers must be able to distinguish between insecure code and a fluctuating model response.

A Deterministic Foundation Before Deploying AI

That is why ONEKEY relies on deterministic testing before deploying AI. The platform dissects the firmware, creates a software bill of materials, and compares it against known vulnerabilities. Additionally, static binary analysis scans the code for vulnerabilities. The advantage of this method is that running the same firmware through the same analysis process again yields the same results.

Furthermore, deterministic verification analyzes firmware systematically and comprehensively. This provides security teams with transparency into what is actually inside the device. Based on this information, the platform can identify known vulnerabilities affecting the components contained within and deliver this information in the appropriate context.

ONEKEY was specifically designed to reduce the “noise” that traditional security scans often generate. Embedded developers often receive long lists of CVEs from generic scanners, many of which later prove to be irrelevant or already fixed. That’s why ONEKEY relies on version-aware and binary-specific analyses. These analyses show which vulnerabilities are relevant to the specific firmware and help filter out false positives. AI is used as a supplement in complex cases, such as with unknown or obfuscated components. Vulnerability management involves maintaining a comprehensive inventory of all software installed on devices, machines, and systems.

Combining the Benefits of AI and Deterministic Analysis

In this way, ONEKEY addresses another important aspect of AI-powered firmware security: efficient time and budget management. Since language models realize their full potential through numerous analysis runs, it makes sense to use AI agents that examine different segments of the program code simultaneously and share their findings. However, the practical implementation of such multi-agent systems is complex. It requires custom scripts and simulated runtime environments, as well as extensive prompt engineering and expert knowledge. For most companies, this level of effort is not feasible for every new firmware version, especially given the significant time and costs involved.

Jan Wendenburg explained: “LLM-based code analysis and deterministic analysis complement each other. AI enables creative, context-aware vulnerability detection, while deterministic analysis methods ensure reproducibility, consistency, and scalability.”

Automation and Integration into Development

In addition to advanced vulnerability detection, automation and integration into the software development process are increasingly important given the growing number of identified vulnerabilities–a trend being further accelerated by AI. The ONEKEY platform can be integrated into existing development and release processes to ensure that every new firmware version is analyzed automatically and known vulnerabilities are detected before release.

Furthermore, ONEKEY continuously monitors firmware security throughout its entire lifecycle. Once a firmware version has been analyzed, users are automatically notified if new vulnerabilities affecting that firmware are discovered. An indexed inventory of components across the entire product portfolio ensures that all devices, machines, and systems are continuously included in security checks.

“In the age of AI, security updates must be developed and deployed ever more quickly, so centralized, automated monitoring for firmware vulnerabilities is essentially indispensable,” said Jan Wendenburg. Whenever a new vulnerability is reported, the ONEKEY platform performs all necessary analyses and assessments related to the firmware across the entire product range in the background. Rather than spending time on this time-consuming preparatory work, security teams can focus on resolving issues clearly identified by the platform.

ONEKEY is the leading European specialist in Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Management and part of the investment portfolio of PricewaterhouseCoopers Germany (PwC). The unique combination of the automated ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform (OCP) with expert knowledge and consulting services provides fast and comprehensive analysis, support, and management to improve product cybersecurity and compliance from product purchasing, design, development, production to end-of-life.

Critical vulnerabilities and compliance violations in device firmware are automatically identified in binary code by AI-based technology in minutes – without source code, device, or network access. Proactively audit software supply chains with integrated Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) generation. “Digital Cyber Twins” enable automated 24/7 post-release cybersecurity monitoring throughout the product lifecycle.

The integrated ONEKEY Compliance Wizard already supports compliance with requirements from IEC 62443-4-2, ETSI EN 303 645, UNECE R155, and many other standards and regulations.

As part of the EU-funded CRACoWi (Cyber Resilience Act Compliance Wizard) project, ONEKEY is collaborating with 13 European partners to develop an AI-powered assistant for the automated implementation of the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).

The solution will guide companies through the entire compliance process–from the initial CRA scope assessment to the generation of the required Declaration of Conformity.

The Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is effectively supported by the integrated automatic prioritization of vulnerabilities, significantly reducing the time to remediation.

Leading international companies in Asia, Europe and the Americas already benefit from the ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform (OCP) and ONEKEY Cybersecurity Experts.

ONEKEY GmbH

MIL OSI

Source: Federated Farmers

For the first time in a quarter of a century, Federated Farmers has something positive to say about the Labour Party’s climate change policy leading into a general election.

The grassroots farming organisation is welcoming comments from Labour leader Chris Hipkins that his party will not campaign on taxing agricultural emissions.

Feds is also backing Labour’s plans to tackle the incentives driving productive farmland into forestry, but it has serious questions about wider plans for the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

“The Labour Party has campaigned on taxing farm emissions in some form in every election since 2003,” Federated Farmers climate spokesperson Richard Dawkins says.

“Credit where credit is due, they’ve clearly listened to farmers’ views, looked at the evidence, and been open to changing their position. That’s a significant policy shift.

“We now need Labour to go one step further and categorically rule out any emissions tax on farmers as part of potential coalition negotiations.”

Dawkins says the change hasn’t happened by chance.

“For the last three years we’ve hosted an annual two-day meeting with the Labour caucus to build their understanding of these kinds of issues,” he says.

“It should come as no surprise that climate policy, particularly issues around methane and forestry, have been a major focus of these meetings.

“We’ve also worked hard to get Labour leaders out on farm to see the impacts of whole-farm carbon forestry conversions with their own eyes.

“That work has clearly had an impact that’s now flowing through into Labour’s policy.”

Dawkins says Labour is right to recognise the current ETS settings can make planting exotic forests more attractive than producing food.

“It’s really encouraging to see Labour acknowledge the current settings can incentivise the loss of productive farmland to exotic forestry.

“We support Labour’s commitment to pause new forestry registrations, review forestry’s role in the ETS and develop rules to prevent whole-farm carbon forestry conversions.”

Dawkins says Federated Farmers isn’t opposed to production forestry, or to farmers making their own decisions about how their land is used.

“We strongly support property rights. If forestry genuinely is the best use of a particular property, farmers should be able to make that choice.

“Our concern is when the ETS artificially tips the scales towards whole-farm conversion because the financial returns from carbon outweigh the returns from producing food.

“That is a distortion created by policy – and it desperately needs fixing.”

Dawkins says Federated Farmers is also open to reviewing the wider role of forestry in the ETS, but Labour must be careful about throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

“We agree with the underlying problem identified by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, but that doesn’t mean we automatically agree with every recommendation.

“We would favour a more targeted approach, particularly to exotic plantation forestry, rather than simply writing off all exotic species.

“There are forms of planting, like spaced poplars and willows, that can deliver real on-farm benefits, including erosion control, alongside carbon sequestration.

“We need an ETS that recognises those wider environmental benefits rather than treating every tree as if it’s the same.”

Dawkins says any changes must also protect farmers who’ve already made decisions and investments under the existing rules.

“Farmers who have acted in good faith and invested under the current ETS settings shouldn’t be left carrying the can when governments change the rules.

“Any reform needs to provide certainty and avoid retrospectively undermining existing registrations or investments.”

Dawkins says the bigger concern is Labour’s commitment to use the ETS to put New Zealand on track to meet its existing and overly ambitious Paris Agreement targets.

“Fixing the forestry problem is one thing, but using the ETS to pursue an unchanged Paris target at the same time is another. It’s a serious risk for New Zealand.

“If we remove a major source of cheap units from the ETS while continuing to chase the same level of emissions reduction, there’s going to be a lot of economic pain.

“The obvious risk is a much higher carbon price and much greater pressure on the rest of the economy – including energy, fuel, and food production.

“That could be bad news, not only for farmers, but for everyday Kiwi families who are already struggling with cost of living.”

We need to be very careful that fixing one distortion in the ETS doesn’t simply create another, Dawkins says.

“We can’t just lump the costs of unrealistic climate ambition on hardworking families, farmers and other productive business who keep our economy moving.

“New Zealanders want to see an emissions policy that actually works for our country, our communities, our economy, and the environment.

“That means recognising the difference between long-lived carbon dioxide and short-lived biogenic methane, and protecting our ability to keep producing food for the world.

“Labour has put some good ideas on the table around emissions and forestry – and we welcome that as an incredibly positive step forward.

“But before anyone starts celebrating the ETS as fixed, we need to see much more detail on how the wider system would work and what it would mean for farmers.”

MIL OSI

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

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

Retains Fastest, Best Fixed Broadband and Top-Rated Network
Earns Hong Kong’s Most Consistent Fixed Network recognition for the first time

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2026 – HKT’s (SEHK: 6823) Netvigator has once again secured six top honours from the renowned global independent connectivity intelligence leader, Ookla^®‘s Speedtest^®, including Fastest and Best Fixed Network in the newly released first-half 2026 report. For the first time, it was also recognised as Hong Kong’s Most Consistent Fixed Network^*, further cementing its position as a leading broadband service provider in Hong Kong and across the East Asia region.

Following its sweep of six Ookla^® Speedtest^® awards in the second half of 2025, Netvigator has once again earned a series of fixed broadband accolades, demonstrating its high-speed, reliability, ultra-low-latency, and seamless network performance.

Ookla^® Speedtest^® awards for the first half of 2026:

• Fastest Fixed Network in Hong Kong
• Best Fixed Network in Hong Kong
• Best Fixed Gaming Network in Hong Kong
• Top-Rated Fixed Network in Hong Kong
• Fastest Fixed Network in East Asia
• Best Fixed Network in East Asia

Bruce Lam, CEO, Consumer, HKT, said, “Netvigator is committed to enhancing our network quality and user experience. Winning six awards again and being recognised as the Most Consistent Fixed Network in Hong Kong clearly reflects our dedication to providing reliable, low-latency connectivity for the public. Modern families expect more from their networks than just speed. Netvigator’s F5G‑A Super Broadband^{^}, Hong Kong’s first and only fibre network compliant with the F5G-A standard^@, delivers stable support for network-intensive AI applications, meeting the rapidly growing network demands of AI, empowering users to adopt and keep pace with evolving AI technologies, while also supporting bandwidth-intensive applications such as high-resolution streaming. This enables multiple family members to binge-watch, play online games, or work in the cloud at the same time. With a next-generation fibre network that meets international standards, Netvigator is setting a new benchmark for ultra-high bandwidth, ultra-low latency and highly reliable fixed network in Hong Kong, enabling Hong Kong to master the AI era. We will continue to elevate our service quality to deliver a faster, more stable, and smarter digital experiences for our customers.”

Ricky Kwong, Head of Fixed Network Engineering, HKT and CEO, Fiber Link Global, said, “With the rapid emergence of various AI applications, the demand for stable, high-speed and low-latency networks is growing at an unprecedented pace. HKT has been committed to enhancing network performance. In addition to our F5G-A standard-compliant fibre network^@, which continues to expand, we are actively upgrading our network through technological innovation, including the use of AI for real-time traffic monitoring and resource optimisation, ensuring a more seamless, smooth, and reliable network experience for our customers.”

Ookla^® Speedtest^® has long been widely referenced across the telecommunications industry. The sample data is drawn from over ten million tests conducted globally by actual users in real-world network environments. The results evaluate operators’ performance in terms of network speed, stability and overall user experience across various usage scenarios, making it one of the world’s most widely adopted and trusted platforms for measuring internet speed.

^*The recognition is based on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data, measuring the percentage of users achieving minimum speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload compared with other providers in Hong Kong
^{^} Super Broadband refers to the Netvigator fibre broadband service plan that meets the ETSI F5G-A standard. As of 31 May 2026, HKT’s fixed broadband has met the ETSI F5G-A standard in the fibre networks of 57,000 designated buildings. 2500M Fibre-to-the-Home plans correspond to a maximum upstream and downstream bandwidth of 2500Mbps respectively. Actual speed experienced using the Service will be less than the network specifications and may be affected by your device, technology, network and software used, network configuration and coverage, usage levels, international bandwidth and other extraneous factors. 2500M Fibre-to-the Home plans depend on the support of the end device.
^@ According to the public market information of major telecommunications service providers in Hong Kong as of 2 August, 2024, Netvigator is the first network in Hong Kong to meet the F5G-A standard in designated buildings. As of 20 July 2026, based on publicly available information, no other telecommunications service provider in Hong Kong has announced compliance with the ETSI F5G-A standard apart from HKT.

Hashtag: #HKT

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

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

Featuring Cesar Millan’s Singapore Debut, Over 300 Exhibitors, 800+ Brands, International Competitions, and Four Halls of Pet Experiences

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

MIL OSI

A young driver who was involved in a serious crash on a rural road is encouraging others to experience practical driver training after saying it changed the way she approaches every journey.

Gabby was travelling to school at 100km/h when another vehicle pulled out in front of her, causing a collision that rolled her vehicle into a fence. While she escaped without physical injury, the crash left a lasting impact on her willingness to drive.

“I was driving to school on a country road when another driver didn’t see me and pulled out in front of me. I was travelling at 100km/h when my vehicle was hit and rolled into a fence.

“Afterwards, I didn’t want to drive again because I felt like every car was going to crash into me.”

Gabby later attended a Street Smart young driver training day, a practical, hands-on programme, run at venues  around the country, that gives drivers the opportunity to experience emergency braking, hazard awareness and vehicle control in a safe, controlled environment alongside experienced coaches.

Initially, she admits she wasn’t enthusiastic about attending.

“I thought it was going to be all theory and quite boring, so I wasn’t very keen to go.”

By the end of the day, however, her outlook had changed.

“The ABS braking exercise was what I took the most from. I really enjoyed learning how to use it properly and understanding what the vehicle can do in an emergency situation.”

Since completing the programme, Gabby says she approaches driving differently.

“I am much more aware of my surroundings now. I pay more attention to potential hazards and I know how to use ABS braking effectively if I ever need it.”

Street Smart Programme Director Hayden Dickason says Gabby’s experience reflects what many participants describe after completing the programme.

“Young drivers spend a lot of time learning the rules of the road, but there are some situations that simply can’t be experienced safely on public roads. Street Smart gives them the opportunity to understand how a vehicle behaves under emergency braking, how distractions affect reaction times, and how quickly hazards can develop, all in a controlled environment.”

The impact is often noticed well beyond the training day.

Gabby’s mother says she initially thought her daughter viewed the programme as a consequence of the crash rather than an opportunity to learn.

“At the beginning, Gabby wasn’t particularly keen to attend… she viewed the course as a punishment for the accident and a waste of her time. As the day progressed, her attitude completely changed. She mentioned several times how good the course was and how much she enjoyed it.”

She says the lessons have continued to shape Gabby’s driving.

“Since attending Street Smart, Gabby has become much more careful and aware of her surroundings. She pays greater attention to potential hazards and is far more conscious of distractions, both inside and outside the vehicle. Overall, she approaches driving with much more caution and maturity.”

Similar experiences have been shared by participants across New Zealand.

Emma, who recently attended a training day in Christchurch says the programme changed the way she scans the road and thinks about vehicle control, particularly on rural roads where looking further ahead is critical.

“The experience is 100x better than I could have imagined, not only was it highly educational, but for me the backgrounds of the coaches made it so much more of an enjoyable, interesting and fun day. The lessons that you learn completely outweigh the cost, this experience is very likely to change the outcome of someone’s driving experience or even their life. Just give it a go!”

For Cromwell attendee Meisha, those lessons were put to the test only weeks after attending when another driver failed to give way at an intersection.

“I slammed on my brakes and felt my car judder, but thanks to testing it out at Street Smart, I knew my car would be okay.”

She believes the practical experience prepared her for a situation many new drivers hope they never encounter.

“It is far better to test out your vehicle’s safety precautions in a controlled space, rather than in a real emergency. If it comes down to it, brake, and brake hard. You are more important than your car. Your vehicle is replaceable. You aren’t.”

Greg Murphy, Street Smart Trust Chair and Ambassador, shared his enthusiasm for the programme: “I’m incredibly passionate about saving lives through improving driver awareness, and I’m incredibly proud to have been involved in Street Smart since its inception. This programme has been designed by experts for Kiwi teens, and it’s making a difference in helping young people become more aware and responsible behind the wheel.”

Street Smart is a one-day practical driver training programme delivered around New Zealand, helping young drivers and their guardians experience real-world driving situations in a safe environment before encountering them on public roads.

For upcoming training days or more information, visit www.streetsmart.org.nz

The Street Smart programme is open to young drivers and their parents/guardians. Registration details and additional information are available on the Street Smart website www.streetsmart.nz

Event Details:

AUCKLAND – WAIKATO

• When: 7^th, 8^th, 9^th July, 25th July, 13^th September, 30^th September, 1^st, 2^nd October 2026
• Where: Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, 20 Hampton Downs Road, Te Kauwhata

TAUPŌ

• When: 5^th & 6^th July, 28^th & 29^th September 2026
• Where: Taupō International Motorsport Park, 463 Broadlands Road, Taupō

MANAWATŪ – FEILDING

• When: 26^th & 27^th September 2026
• Where: Manfeild Park Back Circuit, 120 Kawakawa Road, Feilding

CHRISTCHURCH

• When: 13^th & 14 July, 5^th & 6^th October 2026
• Where: Euromarque Motorsport Park, 107 Hasketts Road, Templeton, Christchurch

CROMWELL

• When: 16th & 17th July, 8^th & 9^th October 2026
• Where: Highlands Motorsport Park, Corner SH6 & Sandflat Road, Cromwell, Otago

INVERCRAGILL:

• When: 18^th & 19^th July, 7^th October 2026
• Where: Teretonga Park Raceway, 86 Sandy Point Road, Oreti Beach, Invercargill

ABOUT STREETSMART DRIVEN BY TONY QUINN FOUNDATION

Street Smart driven by Tony Quinn Foundation Road Safety, is a world-class, hands-on driver education programme designed to positively impact young Kiwis across the country. Unlike traditional defensive driving or theory / classroom based programmes, Street Smart offers a one-day, hands on practical experience where young drivers and their parents/guardians participate in activities, guided and coached by professional drivers. This unique approach helps both the young driver and their mentor assess skills that are crucial to their driving journey.

The programme is held at a number of safe and controlled environments around the country with participants, under the guidance of trained coaches, engaging in real-world driving scenarios to enhance their skills. The goal is for young drivers to leave the programme as a safer and more aware driver but most importantly being able to learn by doing and be able to take charge of their learning.

www.streetsmart.org.nz

MIL OSI

The Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the eleven months ended 31 May 2026 were released by the Treasury today. The May results are reported against forecasts based on the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU 2026), published on 28 May 2026, and the results for the same period for the previous year.

Overall, the key fiscal indicators for the eleven months ended 31 May 2026 were stronger than forecast. The operating balance before gains and losses excluding ACC (OBEGALx) showed a deficit of $6.8 billion, which was $3.0 billion smaller than forecast. Net core Crown debt was $2.8 billion lower than forecast, at $186.0 billion or 41.3% of GDP.

Core Crown tax revenue at $114.9 billion, was $0.9 billion higher than forecast. The variance predominantly reflected higher-than-forecast corporate and other individuals’ tax revenue owing to stronger-than-forecast provisional tax revenue.

Core Crown revenue at $126.6 billion was $1.7 billion higher than forecast. In addition to the favourable core Crown tax results, revenue from the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) was $0.5 billion higher than forecast reflecting an increase in the price of New Zealand Units (NZUs) and a higher volume of NZUs being surrendered to the Crown.

Core Crown expenses at $132.4 billion, were $0.9 billion lower than forecast spread across a range of functional classifications, including core government services, economic and industrial services, transport and communications and education.

The OBEGALx deficit was $6.8 billion, $3.0 billion smaller than forecast reflecting the core Crown results noted above along with results of State‑Owned Enterprises. When including the revenue and expenses of ACC, the OBEGAL deficit was $9.5 billion, $3.4 billion smaller than the forecast deficit.

The operating balance surplus of $1.1 billion was $3.6 billion stronger than the forecast deficit of $2.5 billion. This mainly reflects the favourable OBEGAL variance mentioned above, with variances in gains and losses on financial and non-financial instruments broadly offsetting each other.

The core Crown residual cash deficit of $4.6 billion was $2.0 billion smaller than forecast. Net core Crown operating cash outflows and capital cash outflows were $1.9 billion and $0.1 billion lower than forecast, respectively. The net core Crown operating cashflows variance was largely driven by higher than forecast tax receipts and lower than forecast personnel and operating costs, broadly consistent with the trends in core Crown tax revenue and expenses discussed above.

Net core Crown debt at $186.0 billion (41.3% of GDP) was $2.8 billion lower than forecast. This variance was mainly driven by the smaller‑than‑forecast core Crown residual cash deficit mentioned above. In addition, the Reserve Bank’s issued currency was $0.7 billion higher than forecast.

Gross debt at $222.5 billion (49.3% of GDP) was higher than forecast by $1.2 billion. This primarily reflected higher-than-forecast issuances of Euro Commercial Paper driven by short-term cash requirements and unsettled purchases of securities, partially offset by lower-than-forecast cross-currency derivatives in loss at 31 May 2026.

Net worth attributable to the Crown at $181.2 billion (40.2% of GDP) was $4.1 billion higher than forecast. This reflected the stronger-than-forecast operating balance result mentioned above ($3.6 billion) along with higher-than-expected property, plant and equipment valuation movements.

MIL OSI

Refreshed five-year Encompass roadmap highlights accelerated fleet decarbonisation and proactive talent integration as key competitive advantages

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

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 June 2026 – Siam Piwat Group, owner and operator of Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, and joint-venture partner of ICONSIAM and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, reinforces its “Game Changer” status by announcing a strategic collaboration with world-class titans: BELMOND (LVMH), GALERIES LAFAYETTE, INSIGNIA, and MJETS.

This alliance strengthens the Global Privilege Partnership and elevates the Global Luxury Ecosystem. It connects the world of luxury for ONESIAM members and partner patrons through high-value experiences across Thailand and the globe. Currently, Siam Piwat commands over 70% of the luxury market share in Thailand, backed by Asia’s highest-purchasing-power customer base.

By integrating private aviation, ultra-luxury hospitality, premier department stores, and bespoke lifestyle management, Siam Piwat is shaping a “Borderless Luxury Ecosystem.” This milestone solidifies its retail leadership and drives Thailand to become a premier global luxury hub.

Mrs. Saruntorn Asaves, First Executive Vice President at Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., stated “Siam Piwat remains committed to its ‘Co-creation & Collaboration’ strategy. In the high-value luxury sector, we possess deep expertise in catering to global High-Net-Worth individuals. In 2025, our premium members recorded expenditures exceeding 1 million Baht per transaction, with annual spending surpassing average customers by 35 times. This year’s partnership aims to elevate Thailand into the Luxury Hub of the World by integrating databases and cross-industry advantages to deliver ultimate privileges.”

Uniting 4 World-Class Partners into the Global Partnership Ecosystem

• Elevated Travel Experiences with BELMOND (LVMH): Revolutionizing travel through curated journeys. Members enjoy 1-1 travel planning and VIP welcomes at legendary hotels or traveling aboard Belmond’s iconic luxury trains worldwide.
• Exceptional Services with INSIGNIA: Elevating lifestyles via 24/7 bespoke client services and highly personalized support, seamlessly curated to fulfil every desire without geographical boundaries, from securing reservations at sought-after restaurants and gaining access to exclusive global events.
• Seamless Travels with MJETS: Completing the puzzle of limitless mobility through bespoke private jet services, elite airport lounge access, and luxury chauffeur transfers directly from the runway to Siam Piwat’s landmarks.
• Seamless Shopping with GALERIES LAFAYETTE: Bestowing exclusive privileges across two continents. In Paris, members enjoy access to a Private Personal Shopping Lounge, dedicated personal shoppers, and expedited tax refunds.

Joining Forces with Global Partners to Offer Curated World-Class Privileges

Beyond these four titans, Siam Piwat’s Global Privilege Partnership network includes international retail leaders such as PARCO (Japan), TAIPEI 101 (Taiwan), Hong Kong Times Square, ION Orchard (Singapore), Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Plaza Indonesia, FOSUN (China), and Hyundai Department Store (South Korea).

ONESIAM members receive exclusive discounts, promotions, and VIP hospitality abroad. Reciprocally, international partner members visiting Siam Piwat’s destinations enjoy premium privileges, including lounge access and dedicated customer relationship assistance. Furthermore, Siam Piwat has integrated database infrastructures with its partners to analyze customer insights, enabling hyper-personalized offers that foster long-term relationships.

“This synergy marks a monumental step toward borderless growth, establishing a definitive new benchmark for the ultimate luxury lifestyle experience,” concluded Mrs. Saruntorn.

https://www.siampiwat.com/en/home
https://www.linkedin.com/company/siam-piwat/
https://www.facebook.com/siampiwat.official/
https://www.instagram.com/siampiwat_official/

Hashtag: #SiamPiwat #GameChanger #ONESIAMMember #GlobalPartnershipEcosystem #BorderlessPrivilege #GlobalLuxuryDestination #Bangkok #BELMOND #GALERIESLAFAYETTE #INSIGNIA #MJETS

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

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

MIL OSI

As part of the Government’s work to grow the international education sector, new funding for a dedicated support function will help build sector capability and support schools to attract and manage international students, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

“Through the Govenrment’s Going for Growth plan, we are focused on doubling the sector’s value to $7.2 billion by 2034. We are already well on our way with enrolments growing 11 percent in 2025,” Ms Stanford says.

“As part of that, we’re helping to ensure that schools have the resources they need. Today’s commitment will see specialist support provided by a tendered organisation with deep knowledge and experience in school-based international education.

“This will support schools with marketing, resourcing, finding homestays, and with resources to understand their obligations to ensure student wellbeing and safety.

“The sector has already made strong progress in 2025, with school enrolments continuing to recover toward pre-pandemic levels. This investment will help schools build on that momentum and grow their international programmes with confidence.”

Ms Stanford says that all schools who choose to participate will be able to benefit this from this support, including those that not yet enrolling international students.

“International education is a large contributor to New Zealand’s economy. Enabling schools to support more international students will allow this economic growth to continue in a way that is high quality and sustainable.”

The tender will be available on the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) by the end of June 2026.

MIL OSI

The Government is clarifying climate change laws to provide businesses with certainty around their obligations, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. 

“Ongoing litigation in the High Court, where an applicant has brought civil claims against six major businesses for their greenhouse gas emissions, is creating uncertainty in business confidence and investment that the Government must address.

“The Government is acting now to provide legal clarity and certainty and to remove the possible development of a new regime that contradicts the framework Parliament has already enacted to respond to climate change.

“Our government is committed to fixing the basics, and certainty of law is essential for businesses to operate, attracting overseas investment, and stimulating economic growth.

“Therefore, the Government will amend the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to prevent findings of liability for tort for climate change damage or harm caused by greenhouse gas emissions in both current and future proceedings before the courts. 

“Our response to climate change is best managed by the Government at a national level and not through piece-meal litigation in the courts. New Zealand already has a legal framework to manage greenhouse gas emissions set through Parliament through the Climate Change Response Act 2002 and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). 

“It is essential to maintain the coherence of the regulatory system and to deliver consistent obligations for greenhouse gas emitters.

“The courts are not the right place to resolve claims of harm from climate change, and tort law is not well-suited to respond to a problem like climate change which involves a range of complex environmental, economic and social factors.

“This law change will not alter the Government’s responsibilities under the Climate Change Response Act and businesses that have obligations under the ETS will still be required to meet them.”

MIL OSI

Heavy rain is expected for the parts of the South Island through until the weekend with MetService issuing orange heavy rain warnings.

MetService said heavy rain was expected for most of the West Coast on Thursday morning which would continue through until Friday or Saturday.

There was a risk of surface flooding and slips on the whole of the West Coast, MetService meteorologist Alanna Burrows said.

She said people should avoid low lying areas and drive cautiously on the roads.

The areas likely to experience the heaviest rain on Thursday would be Westland and the Tasman District, Burrows said.

Westland could expect up to 350mm of rain, she said while the Tasman district could see up to 400mm which was a “huge” amount of rain.

The orange heavy rain warnings were in place for Tasman District, northwest of Motueka, Buller District, Westland District, the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers, headwaters of Otago lakes and rivers and Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound.

The warnings were in place from 12pm on Thursday until Friday evening for Tasman District and from 10am Thursday until 7pm Friday for the Buller District.

The New Zealand Transport Agency warned motorists to prepare for difficult driving conditions.

Along with the heavy rain, the lower North Island could expect severe gales on Friday in Wellington and Taranaki, Burrows said.

Things would ease off on Sunday, she said.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

The Climate Change Commission said the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is on track to fail without reform.

In its annual advice to the government, the commission warned that the scheme faces huge future volatility and would fail without reform by the 2030s.

The ETS is a market in which the government sets a price for greenhouse gas that polluters must pay to emit. The price of units rises over time, incentivising firms to emit less.

The commission has advised the government this year to keep auction unit pricing and volumes the same to prevent price instability.

However, chief executive Jo Hendy said a unit shortfall as early as 2028 could see price spikes and significant economic harm.

She said that could result in factory closures to reduce emissions, rather than investment in decarbonisation.

The government could get ahead of the shortfall by publicly consulting on options to address it, she said.

Forest and Bird fears the scheme will soon be unfit for purpose.

Climate spokesperson Scott Burnett said the market had lost confidence in it, due to recent volatility in prices and recent government policy announcements, such as rolling back action on agricultural emissions.

He said it urgently needed reform and stability to allow businesses to make good investment decisions on decarbonisation.

The Climate Change Commission had been sounding the alarm on the fragile state of the ETS for years, he said.

Climate minister Simon Watts told RNZ in a statement that the government welcomed the commission’s advice, and it would carefully consider that before developing proposals for the ETS auction and unit settings.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Hundreds of Canterbury teens at risk of disengaging from education are among the first to benefit from a new Government initiative to double the value of investment for both recipients and the taxpayer, Youth and South Island Minister James Meager says.

Christchurch-based Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi has received $750,000 from taxpayers to deliver a 26-week minimum early intervention programme for 300+ young people.

As the first recipient of the new Youth Development Partnership and Innovation Fund (YDPIF), the Government is investing alongside matched co-funding of $750,000 from the Rātā Foundation and Wayne Francis Charitable Trust, for a $1.5 million investment total.

“By co-funding alongside other organisations, we are doubling the amount of financial support being brought into the youth sector. This provides twice the opportunity for young people to benefit from these initiatives at no additional taxpayer cost,” Mr Meager says.

“Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi’s programme, delivered across three years for those aged 12-18, will support school transitions (primary to secondary school), and promote positive, sustained engagement in education for at-risk students.

“Students will be supported to set goals and plan education pathways, have access to one-to-one mentoring, and take part in group activities that build skills and confidence.

“The provider will act as a support liaison between the young person, their family, and school. It will also make connections with other community organisations where necessary, enabling a cohesive wraparound approach.

“Through this community-led support we expect to see an increase in school attendance and improved academic performance, which is a key Government priority as we continue to fix the basics and build the future of New Zealand’s education system.

“This investment also represents the first step in our new direction for all Ministry of Youth Development funding to only go to programmes that can demonstrate successful outcomes which align with key government targets.

“The YDPIF is focused on early intervention programmes which support young people to develop skills and capabilities, contribute to their communities and the economy, and reach their highest potential.

“The Government continues to seek co-investors for this fund. I encourage any interested business or organisation to get in touch, as I want to see a wide variety of outcomes-based innovative services supported which enable young Kiwis to thrive.”

Notes to Editor: 

• The Ministry of Youth Development continues to seek to co-invest with businesses, iwi, trusts, charities, other philanthropic organisations, as well as government agencies through the YDPIF, which is focused on funding outcomes-based, early intervention and prevention programmes that contribute to supporting Government targets and priorities. This includes:
• Fewer people on the Jobseeker Support Benefit.
• Increased student attendance.
• Supporting young parents, aged 12-24 years, with children in their first 2,000 days (aligned with the Child and Youth Strategy).
• Further information on the fund can be found here.
• An Expression of Interest for the YDPIF is available on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) website.

Attached: An image of Minister James Meager visiting Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi today is attached, with local MP Hamish Campbell with representatives of Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi, Rata Foundation and Wayne Francis Charitable Trust.

MIL OSI

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has brushed off criticisms of his government after days of heated speculation about his leadership.

In a media standup at HamiltonJet Global in Christchurch on Friday morning, Luxon brushed off businesses’ concerns about a lack of funding to bring SailGP back to Auckland.

He has also joked about losing votes in Auckland as a result of his support for the Crusaders, and avoided saying much about a National Party dinner where guests could pay $10,000 to sit next to him.

Auckland events boss Nick Hill told Morning Report he was “very disappointed” at the loss of SailGP, saying it was “significant loss” for the City of Sails and blaming a lack of buy-in from the government.

Luxon said the proposal for funding Sail GP in Auckland did not stack up, but distanced himself from it – acknowledging he was not across the details.

“Yeah, look, um, you know, we’ll continue our conversations with Auckland Council and SailGP but the proposal we received just frankly didn’t stack up,” he said.

He was unsure how much money the government was being asked to provide.

“I can’t remember what the proposal specifics was but when we run it through our evaluation criteria, just didn’t stack up.”

He said Tourism Minister Louise Upston would know about the specifics.

“I’m just well aware that when we looked at the cost-benefit ratio, it didn’t meet the criteria … it just didn’t meet the criteria, is all I know.”

He rejected the suggestion from Auckland businesses the government was working against them.

“Ah absolute rubbish. This is a government that’s backed State of Origin into Auckland, it’s a government that’s put a whole bunch of major events into Auckland, it’s invested in the New Zealand International Convention Centre, invested in the CRL, and we’ve made big investments and big support programmes into Auckland.”

He was in Christchurch [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/593268/christchurch-stadium-opening-te-kaha-opens-after-15-year-wait ahead of the first Super Round at the city’s new stadium Te Kaha, when 10 of the Super Rugby Pacific’s 11 teams would all play at the same venue.

Having grown up in the city, he said it was “tough” to say whether Te Kaha had overtaken Eden Park as the national stadium.

“I gotta say, it’s a world class stadium. It was a pleasure to open it three or four weeks ago. I’ll be there tonight,” he said.

Leadership woes

Luxon has been under pressure in recent weeks over poor polling numbers and leaks from who he has described as disgruntled MPs.

Coalition tensions turned up a notch this week too, as New Zealand First’s Winston Peters criticised Luxon’s decision to call a confidence vote in himself without informing coalition partners, saying that was unwise and would lead to instability.

Luxon and his deputy Nicola Willis in turn criticised Peters in the media – the first time they have been willing to do so directly and publicly.

Despite all that, he joked about losing support in Auckland, where he holds the seat of Botany.

“I’ll be in my Crusaders kit, I’ll lose 5000 votes in Auckland – but that’s okay, because I’m a Crusaders guy through and through.

“If I’m honest with you, in terms of scale and size, Eden Park’s obviously large and can accommodate certain activity, but I can tell you, I’m going to be coming to Christchurch a lot to see a lot of things down here.”

He said it was important to draw international events like Robbie Williams to New Zealand, as every dollar spent on attracting them was “getting $3.20 back into the local economy here”.

“So it’s fantastic, so exciting and it’s honestly – I don’t know whether you guys have been inside it – but it’s amazing. It’s incredible. It’s covered. We’re so close to the action, you’ll be able to hear the lineout calls, it’s just going to be brilliant.”

Christchurch ‘a role model’

He said Christchurch was a “real role model for how we want New Zealand to ultimately look and feel like”.

“You’ve got incredibly modern, reliable infrastructure. You’ve got a fantastic airport, awesome university, great schools, fantastic infrastructure now with the stadium and the redevelopment that’s taking place, and it’s growing very quickly.

“It’s an affordable city, more affordable city than many other parts of New Zealand, and so things like our planning laws are changing in order to be able to increase the supply of housing across the rest of New Zealand.”

In the four years after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes devastated the city centre, the John Key-led government provided an estimated $16.5 billion, with about half coming from insurance payouts from the then-Earthquake Commission.

Luxon said there was “plenty of cash around” from private capital, but “whether the government needs to be involved, government doesn’t need to be involved in everything. It’s quite good if we’re not in many cases”.

The ongoing fuel crisis that has resulted from the US and Israel conflict with Iran has been putting additional pressure on government finances after high spending under Labour that aimed to keep the economy growing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Support for businesses and those struggling with high fuel prices has been limited to “targeted, timely and temporary” spending, with the main component being a $50-a-week increase for working families earning tax credits.

Luxon said New Zealand had managed to secure supplies and there was no disruption there, “but, you know, the world needs peace to be breaking out there”.

He said rhetoric like US President Donald Trump’s was not needed.

“We don’t need escalation.”

More weather concerns

Luxon’s comments were made shortly before news of more heavy rain lashing the country – causing landslips in Auckland and prompting people to evacuate their homes.

He was asked about a new report out from the Climate Change Commission pointing to a risk before 2030 of a shortfall of Emissions Trading Scheme units possibly resulting in volatile price spikes, but said his main concern was “growth over and above everything else”.

He said the country was “determined to deliver on our climate change commitments, net zero 2050 … and we’re on track to do exactly that”.

“Last quarter this country generated less emissions than we’ve ever had, ever since we started recording in 2010 – and that’s because we’ve got a government that doesn’t just do bumper stickers and slogans and words, we actually do action and investment, as illustrated by our big investments in the renewables energy boom that’s taking place.”

The government’s push towards renewable energy has largely been focused on planning changes.

Luxon was also questioned about a National Party fundraising dinner, where property developer Matthew Horncastle paid $10,000 for a ticket to sit next to the prime minister and his wife, Amanda.

When Luxon was asked about how things had gone at the dinner on Thursday, he initially said “with who?”

After the name was repeated, he said “oh, there was a National Party event I was at last night, yeah. But yesterday I was also at a company called Zethos, which was pretty exciting because that’s a startup that’s come out of the engineering school that’s recycling critical minerals here in Christchurch”.

Horncastle has previously said that if he entered politics he would aim to be a National Party prime minister by winning the Christchurch Central seat – which has been a Labour stronghold, with just one National MP holding it since 1946.

Asked if Horncastle was the kind of person he wanted in National, Luxon only said it was a “broad church, and if people want to support us from all sorts of work, as it does for every political party, uh, it was just a party event last night”.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

MIL OSI

MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – Melco Resorts & Entertainment has garnered six diamonds in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, further reaffirming the Company’s status as a global leader in fine dining and underlining its commitment to culinary excellence.

City of Dreams’ signature Cantonese fine dining restaurant Jade Dragon secured the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide‘s coveted Three Diamonds accolade for the seventh consecutive year, upholding its status as Macau’s one and only three diamond Chinese restaurant, and was honored the special “Annual Dish Award” for its signature “Steamed Garoupa Fillet on Egg White Custard with Aged Chinese Hua Diao Wine Sauce” course. Innovative Chinese restaurant Yí at City of Dreams received One Diamond, marking its seventh year of such achievement. Revering the great traditions and savoir-faire of French cuisine, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus maintains its One Diamond status for the third consecutive year, whilst City of Dreams’ tranquil Japanese restaurant Sushi Kinetsu upholds its One Diamond honor in the esteemed guide for the third consecutive year.

Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco, said, “It is a profound honor for Melco to be recognized once again by the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide in 2026. In addition to the recent achievements in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026, these prestigious accolades are a testament to our unwavering dedication to culinary innovation and our commitment to strengthening Macau’s position as a UNESCO-designated Creative City of Gastronomy.

“This achievement would not be possible without the incredible passion and hard work of our Colleagues. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our world-class culinary and front-of-house teams; it is their relentless pursuit of service excellence that allows us to consistently deliver the most memorable and exquisite dining experiences to our guests from around the globe. We remain steadfast in our mission to push the boundaries of luxury hospitality and contribute to the vibrant diversification of Macau’s tourism landscape.”

At the award ceremony which took place today in Singapore, Melco properties’ restaurants received the following honors:

JADE DRAGON – Three Diamonds and Annual Dish Award for “Steamed Garoupa Fillet on Egg White Custard withAged Chinese Hua Diao Wine Sauce”
Being the only Cantonese restaurant in Greater China awarded with both Three Black Pearl Diamonds and Three MICHELIN Stars, Jade Dragon showcases exquisite culinary masterpieces created with the freshest seasonal ingredients and delectable delicacies. Jade Dragon sets the benchmark for fine dining in Macau with its spectacular designer décor and superlative personalized service. Recent honors and awards include:

• Black Pearl Restaurant Guide Three Diamonds (2020-2026)
• MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau Three Stars (2019-2026)
• Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating (2014-2026)
• Trip.com Gourmet’s Black Diamond award (2021-2023, 2026), Diamond award (2024-2025)
• Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s Restaurant of the Year (2026), BAZAAR Taste Elite Macao (2024-2026)
• Tatler Best Awards Asia Pacific’s Best 100 Restaurants (2024-2025)
• Tatler Best Awards Hong Kong & Macau’s Restaurant of the Year Macau (2025), Best 20 Restaurants Macau (2025)
• Tatler Dining Guide’s Top 20 Macau Restaurants List (2024)
• South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables (2014-2025)
• TARGET ELITE SELECT Awards’ Chinese Restaurant of the Year (2025), Cantonese Restaurant of the Year (2024)
• TimeOut Beijing Food & Bar Awards’ Cantonese Restaurant of the Year (2025)
• China Feast Restaurants Awards’ Annual Influential Restaurants (2025)
• La Liste’s Top 1,000 World’s Best Restaurants (2025)
• Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2014-2025)
• World Culinary Awards’ Asia’s Best Hotel Restaurant (2025), Macao’s Best Hotel Restaurant (2022-2025)
• Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia’s Macau Tastemakers List (2024-2025)
• Three Stars in Golden Phoenix Tree China Restaurant Guide (2024-2025)

YÍ – One Diamond
One-diamond award winner Yí, located on the 21^st floor Sky Bridge of Morpheus, offers the very heights of innovative fine dining and Chinese cuisine served in a modern seasonal tasting menu format. Its degustation menu is inspired by the 24 Solar Terms of the Traditional Chinese Calendar (Jie Qi), changes 12 times a year and highlights many of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Recent honors and awards include:

• Black Pearl Restaurant Guide One Diamond (2020-2026)
• Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards (2020-2026)
• Trip.com Gourmet’s Platinum award (2021-2026)
• Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s BAZAAR Taste Elite Macao (2024-2025)
• Tatler Best Hong Kong & Macau’s Best 20 Restaurants Macau (2025)
• Tatler Dining Guide’s Top 20 Macau Restaurants List (2024)
• South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables (2019-2025)
• China Feast Restaurants Awards’ Best Innovative Restaurants (2025)
• Food&Wine The Best Awards’ Hotel Restaurant of the Year (2025)
• La Liste’s Top 1,000 World’s Best Restaurants (2025)
• Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2022-2025)
• Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia’s Macau Tastemakers List (2024-2025)

ALAIN DUCASSE AT MORPHEUS – One Diamond
Awarded One Diamond, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus redefines legendary French classics with a contemporary vision and sentimental approach to cooking. The restaurant located at City of Dreams sources produce from the best regions which is harvested at its optimal time, highlighting a deep appreciation for nature and an intimate understanding of the seasons. Sourcing from small-scale farms and line-caught fish, the restaurant ensures unparalleled quality and a distinctive tasting experience. Recent honors and awards include:

• Black Pearl Restaurant Guide One Diamond (2024-2026)
• MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau Two Stars (2019-2026)
• Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating (2020-2026)
• Trip.com Gourmet’s Diamond award (2022-2026)
• Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s BAZAAR Taste Elite Macao (2026)
• Tatler Best Awards Asia Pacific’s Best 100 Restaurants (2025)
• Tatler Best Awards Hong Kong & Macau’s Best Service (2025), Best 20 Restaurants Macau (2025)
• Tatler Dining Guide’s Top 20 Macau Restaurants List (2024)
• South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables (2020-2025)
• TimeOut Beijing Food & Bar Awards’ French Restaurant of the Year (2025)
• La Liste’s Top 1,000 World’s Best Restaurants (2025)
• Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2019-2025)
• TARGET ELITE SELECT Awards’ French Restaurant of the Year (2024)
• Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia’s Macau Tastemakers List (2024)

SUSHI KINETSU – One Diamond
Bestowed One Diamond, Sushi Kinetsu at City of Dreams offers authentic Edomae sushi across a beautiful, centuries old Hinoki wood sushi bar. The tranquil restaurant serves seasonal delicacies using only the finest ingredients, crafted by Japanese master chefs. Recent honors and awards include:

• Black Pearl Restaurant Guide One Diamond (2024-2026)
• MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau One Star (2024-2026)
• Trip.com Gourmet’s Diamond award (2024-26), Platinum award (2023)
• Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s BAZAAR Taste Spotlight Macao (2026)
• Tatler Best Hong Kong & Macau’s restaurant list (2025)

https://www.melco-resorts.com
https://hk.linkedin.com/company/melco-resorts-entertainment
https://x.com/MelcoResorts
https://www.facebook.com/MelcoCSR/
Wechat: 新濠博亚娱乐

Hashtag: #melco #blackpearl #cityofdreamsmacau #jadedragon #alainducasseatmorpheus #sushikinetsu #yi

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

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