Fisheries – LiveNews.co.nz

Hong Kong Residential Purchasing Power Released as Prices and Sales Rise, CRE Investment Momentum Sustains

MIL OSI — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:07:06 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Core Grade A Offices Lead Rental Recovery, Hong Kong Island High Streets Outperform Kowloon

Residential Market: Q2 residential transaction numbers increased by 19% q-o-q and 32% y-o-y to reach more than 22,150 units. Home prices rose by 2.5% during April and May, bringing a cumulative 7.4% increase for the first five months, with growth recorded across different segments.
Grade A Office Market: Citywide net absorption reached 396,100 sq ft in Q2, with new leases mainly driven by the banking & finance and insurance sectors. Core areas such as Greater Central witnessed significant rental pick up, offsetting rental corrections in non-core submarkets. Cushman & Wakefield expects the overall office market rental level to rise by +4% to +6% in 2026.
Retail Market: Overall retail sales maintained steady growth on the back of sustained rises in inbound visitors and a stronger RMB. High street vacancy rates in Causeway Bay and Central remained at 0% in Q2, with Hong Kong Island leading a rental growth recovery.
Capital Markets: Hong Kong’s commercial real estate investment market sustained the momentum carried over from late 2025. Supported by demand from end-users and still-attractive pricing levels across property sectors, total large-sized (>HK$100 million) non-residential transaction volume for the 1H 2026 period recorded HK$23.2 billion, up 84% y-o-y.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 July 2026 – Global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield today held its Hong Kong Property Markets 1H 2026 Review and 2H 2026 Outlook press conference. Residential market activity remained robust as transaction numbers surpassed 22,000 cases in Q2, the highest quarterly record since Q2 2021. Grade A office market net absorption reached 396,100 sq ft in Q2, with rental level recovery mainly driven by core areas. Greater Central rents continued to pick up by 4.1% q-o-q in Q2, supporting the citywide rental level to grow by 1.9% q-o-q. In the retail sector, total retail sales continued to recover steadily, while high street store vacancy in Causeway Bay and Central returned to 0%, supporting stronger rental performance on Hong Kong Island and outpacing Kowloon. In the capital markets, end-users and well-capitalized investors bottom-fished amid attractive office asset pricing. Living sector and residential site transactions are expected to be the market focus in the upcoming months.

Grade A office leasing market: Leasing momentum driven by banking & finance and insurance sectors, rental recovery led by core areas
Driven by take-up at recent new entrants into the market, citywide office market net absorption reached 396,100 sq ft in the quarter, mainly led by Greater Central and Greater Tsimshatsui. The total new leased area reached 1.2 million sq ft in Q2, underpinned by activities from the banking & finance and insurance sectors. Rents in Greater Central continued to pick up, rising by a further 4.1% q-o-q in Q2 for total growth of 9.7% in 1H 2026, while rental level growth of 2.9% q-o-q was seen in Wanchai/ Causeway Bay. In contrast, rents in non-core areas remained soft, with all four non-core submarkets experiencing rental corrections in Q2 and 1H. The recovery in core areas has supported citywide rental growth of 1.9% q-o-q in Q2 and 4.3% for 1H 2026. In the absence of new completions in Q2, the overall availability rate fell by 0.5 percentage points q-o-q to 19.5%.

John Siu, Managing Director, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield, said, “Despite the uncertainties arising from recent stock market volatility and geopolitical tensions, leasing demand from the banking & finance and insurance sectors is expected to remain resilient, backed by ongoing wealth management activities, an active IPO pipeline, and long-term operational needs from finance-related institutions. These two sectors accounted for around 60% of Grade A office new leased area in 1H 2026, compared with 38% in 2024. Following strong rental growth in Greater Central in 1H 2026, the upwards momentum is expected to moderate in 2H. Full-year rental growth in the submarket is projected in the +10% to +12% range. This will help offset the impact of rental corrections in certain non-core submarkets, and support the citywide Grade A office rental level to rise by +4% to +6% in 2026, revised upward from the previous forecast of +1% to +3%.”

Retail leasing market: High street vacancy in Causeway Bay and Central holds at 0%, more overseas brands to establish presence in Hong Kong
Sustained rises in inbound visitors, along with the wealth effect from an improving residential market and a stronger RMB, have continued to support steady growth in Hong Kong’s retail market. As at May 2026, the city’s overall retail sales marked thirteen consecutive months of y-o-y growth, while total retail sales for the January to May 2026 period recorded HK$171.5 billion, up 10.6% y-o-y. Sales growth was recorded in all key retail categories. The Jewellery & Watches sector remained the most popular among tourists, posting y-o-y growth of 26.2%, followed by the Fashion & Accessories and Medicines & Cosmetics sectors, which grew 5.4% and 5.2%, respectively.

The overall high street vacancy rate rose mildly to 5.4% in Q2 from 4.2% in Q1, chiefly driven by greater vacancies in Kowloon. Causeway Bay and Central both continued to register zero vacancies through the quarter, while vacancy rates in Tsimshatsui and Mongkok rose to 8.3% and 8.6%, respectively. Despite this, new leasing activity was witnessed across core retail districts, with relatively strong leasing demand from pharmacies and jewellery & watches retailers.

As for high street retail rents, rental recovery in Hong Kong Island continued to outperform Kowloon. Causeway Bay and Central recorded q-o-q increases of 1.0% and 0.8%, respectively, with both local and international retailers displaying preferences for these two prime high-street hubs. At the same time, the relatively affordable and reasonable rental levels in Mongkok attracted a wider range of brand entries into the district, bringing q-o-q rental growth to 0.5%. However, with the slowdown among luxury retailers, rental levels in Tsimshatsui remained under pressure, declining by 1.1% q-o-q. In the F&B sector, landlords have been more willing to offer discounts amid high availability, resulting in F&B rents across four key retail districts recording q-o-q declines within a 1% range.

John Siu commented, “Looking ahead, we expect the Hong Kong retail market to remain on a steady recovery trajectory in 2H 2026, supported by continued growth in inbound tourist numbers and recovering tourist spending amid a stronger RMB. Given still-attractive rental levels, we also expect ongoing entries of new retailers, especially from international brands who view the Hong Kong market as a strategic launchpad for regional expansion in Asia. Causeway Bay and Central are likely to remain active for leasing activities, underpinned by strong tourist footfall. We forecast high street retail rents in Causeway Bay and Central to lead a recovery and increase by 3% to 5% in 2H 2026, while we project Tsimshatsui and Mongkok to pick up modestly in the range of 1% to 2%.”

Residential market: Prices and sales rise in 1H, interest rate uncertainty may weigh on 2H sentiment
The Hong Kong residential market continued to gain momentum in Q2, with overall sentiment and transactions remaining active despite the disruptions brought on by ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. Both primary and secondary sales were strong in Q2, with the total number of residential sales and purchases agreements reaching more than 22,150 cases in the quarter, up 19% q-o-q and 32% y-o-y (Chart 3), bringing the total transaction number for the 1H 2026 period to more than 40,800 cases, a new high for the same period since 2021. As at June, the monthly number of residential sales and purchases agreements exceeded 5,000 units for 16 consecutive months, reflecting sustained buyer confidence and demand from investors. Strong sales at new launches saw primary market transactions take a 32% share of total transactions between January and May.

Edgar Lai, Senior Director, Valuation and Advisory Services, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield, highlighted, “Home prices continued to increase in Q2 2026. Rating and Valuation Department data suggests that the overall residential price index picked up 2.5% in the two months from April to May, bringing 7.4% YTD growth. Meanwhile, our Cushman & Wakefield mid-and-small size units price index shows that home prices rose by 4% q-o-q and 9% in 1H. Our tracking of popular housing estates shows that price growth was witnessed across different market segments. Prices at City One Shatin, representing the mass market, rose 4.7% q-o-q, while prices at Taikoo Shing, representing the mid-market, grew by 8.6% q-o-q. Residence Bel-Air, representing the luxury segment, also recorded a notable 6.7% q-o-q rise. However, following the sustained release of pent-up demand over the past year, coupled with rising stock market volatility in June and tighter cross-border capital controls from the Chinese mainland, our June Verbal Enquiry index indicates that buyer enquiries moderated towards the end of the quarter, compared with the peak seen in April and May.”

Rosanna Tang, Deputy Managing Director, Head of Research, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield, added, “The Hong Kong residential market extended its positive momentum in Q2, with overall transaction activity remaining vibrant. Total residential transaction numbers in the quarter exceeded 22,150 cases, marking a new high since Q2 2021. Looking ahead to 2H, uncertainties in interest rate movements are expected to widen. Some potential buyers may again observe how geopolitical developments and stock market trends are affecting capital flow and market sentiment. Yet, given the resilient housing demand in the city, backed by rising numbers from incoming talent and non-local students, Hong Kong residential market is expected to remain stable in 2H. We anticipate full-year transactions in 2026 to reach approximately 75,000 units, while home prices to pick up by close to 10%. In terms of rents, rental index picked up by 1.8% in the first five months in 2026, rising 18% from the last bottom in 2023. Rental growth is expected to be moderate and stay within 5% y-o-y in 2026.”

Non-residential investment market (dealsexceeding HK$100 million): Transaction momentum sustains, with end-users leading office transactions
Amid the still-attractive pricing across property sectors, the Hong Kong commercial real estate investment market largely sustained the transaction momentum carried over from 2H 2025. The city’s non-residential investment market for deals exceeding HK$100 million recorded 50 transactions in 1H 2026, with total transaction volume rising 84% y-o-y to HK$23.2 billion, although down 16% from the HK$27.8 billion seen in the 2H 2025 period. (Chart 4). In 1H 2026, local buyers remained the major source of capital, accounting for more than 70% of the total consideration. Foreign capital comprised 19% of 1H 2026 total transaction volume, drawn by discounted property prices and conversion projects with value-added angles. By asset class, the office sector accounted for 54% of total investment consideration, followed by around 23% from the hotel / rental housing sector.

Tom Ko, Executive Director and Head of Capital Markets, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield, concluded, “In 1H 2026, office sales transactions continued to account for the largest share of both consideration and deal count, indicating a recovery in the investment ecosystem. During this round of consolidation, end-user buyers acted to capture bottom-fishing opportunities, with multiple large-scale office deals concluded. Our recent publication in May 2026, Hong Kong Office Building Investment Back in Focus: A Market Reassessment, suggests the significant capital value adjustment has reset entry levels and reopened the market to end-users seeking bottom-fishing opportunities, especially for education institutions, banks and financial institutions, as well as leading Chinese mainland corporates.

“Notably, some end-user buyers are cash-rich and therefore less sensitive to banks’ cautious lending stance toward commercial properties, and to interest rate movements. Office capital values are projected to follow the recovery in rents. Coupled with the declining availability of distressed office assets, the current market encourages end-users to accelerate their decision-making to consider bottom-fishing ahead of the subsequent upcycle. Looking ahead to 2H 2026, we believe demand from end-users and the living sector will remain the major drivers of investment activity. The market has also witnessed growing momentum in private residential sites transactions, with investors strategically expanding land banks amid a buoyant residential market. We expect to see more transactions in this segment through the remainder of the year. Against this backdrop, the 2026 full-year investment volume is now forecast to reach more than HK$40 billion.”

Please click here to download photo and presentation deck.

(From left to right) Tom Ko, Executive Director and Head of Capital Markets, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield; John Siu, Managing Director, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield; Rosanna Tang, Deputy Managing Director, Head of Research, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield and Edgar Lai, Senior Director, Valuation and Advisory Services, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield.

Hashtag: #Cushman&Wakefield

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

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

Politics – Greenpeace says Greens’ policy announcement a win for fresh water and oceans, but Labour must follow

LiveNews Publisher — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:26:36 +0000

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Aotearoa is welcoming the announcement from the Green Party that, if elected, they will phase out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, reduce the size of the dairy herd and lower the legal limit for nitrate contamination.

However, Greenpeace Freshwater Campaigner Will Appelbe warns that this is not the end of the road for water protections.

“We welcome the announcement from the Greens that they will implement common-sense bottom lines for freshwater management and tackle the source of the pollution – the intensive dairy industry. But more needs to be done,” says Appelbe.

“Places like Canterbury and Southland are experiencing a nitrate crisis. Rural drinking water is being poisoned by fertiliser runoff and cow urine. And we need action now.

“The dairy boom in those regions occurred over a relatively short space of time. We know we can change land use practices quickly, which those communities dealing with nitrate contamination desperately need.”

Greenpeace is also welcoming commitments to protect more of the ocean surrounding Aotearoa, including phasing out destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling on seamounts.

Oceans campaigner Ellie Hooper says: “Protecting vulnerable habitats from bottom trawling is urgent,so it’s good to see it recognised in the Greens’ policy. We would like to see a timeline for this as it’s imperative bottom trawling is banned on seamounts by the end of 2027. Every year of delay is just furthering ocean depletion.”

Greenpeace is calling on the Labour Party to adopt the policies.

Appelbe says, “It’s time for Hipkins to copy the Greens’ homework, and take action to stop dairy pollution. There is no time to lose, and peoples’ lives depend on it.”

Nitrate contamination in drinking water has been linked to several health risks, including bowel cancer and preterm birth. A 2022 study revealed that up to 100 cases of bowel cancer and 40 deaths every year could be caused by exposure to nitrate contamination in drinking water.

Hooper says, “New Zealand has fallen far behind other parts of the world when it comes to looking after the diverse ocean that surrounds us. We are hopeful that strong policy to protect it from destructive fishing techniques will give the ocean we all love a real shot at recovery. “

MIL OSI

Animal Welfare – More Than 181,000 Animals Lost Their Lives Through New Zealand’s Research, Testing and Teaching System in 2025

LiveNews Publisher — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 02:22:57 +0000

Source: Beyond Animal Research

More Than 181,000 Animals Lost Their Lives Through New Zealand’s Research, Testing and Teaching System in 2025

New Government statistics released today by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) show that 274,985 animals were used in research, testing and teaching (RTT) in New Zealand during 2025.

The figures also reveal that 181,043 animals ultimately lost their lives because of the research, testing and teaching system. This includes 99,711 animals killed during or for research, testing and teaching, and a further 81,332 animals bred for research but never used before being killed as “excess” animals.

Beyond Animal Research (BAR), a New Zealand charity dedicated to working with the science community to replace harmful animal use with modern scientific methods, says the figures highlight the need to accelerate New Zealand’s transition towards animal-free science.

“While the total number of animals used has decreased compared with 2024, these figures show that more than 181,000 animals still lost their lives because of New Zealand’s research, testing and teaching system,” says Tara Jackson, Co-Founder of Beyond Animal Research.

“Almost half of these animals were never used in any scientific procedure. They were bred for the research, testing and teaching system, but were ultimately killed as excess.

This is a profound waste of sentient lives, and one that deserves far greater public attention.”

The five most commonly used species in 2025 were cattle (69,579), sheep (58,016), fish (56,506), mice (45,553) and fowls/chickens (10,730).

The species most commonly killed during or for research, testing and teaching were mice (43,334), fish (34,302), fowls/chickens (9,227), rats (6,270) and sheep (1,897).

BAR emphasises that the annual statistics require careful interpretation. Not every animal included in the figures undergoes invasive procedures or experiences significant suffering, and annual totals naturally fluctuate because some long-term projects are only reported when they conclude.

“Looking at one year’s statistics in isolation doesn’t tell the full story,” says Jackson.

“But what these figures do tell us is that New Zealand continues to rely on the harmful animals in research, testing and teaching, despite rapid advances in animal-free technologies around the world.”

Jackson says New Zealand now needs a coordinated strategy to accelerate the uptake of these approaches.

“The tools to transition exist. The alternatives are improving. The science is evolving. What we need now is to remove long-standing barriers across institutions, regulators and government so New Zealand can accelerate the uptake of modern, animal-free methods wherever they can replace harmful animal use.”

“Working with the science community and not against, BAR believes that real progress comes from trust, collaboration and transparency. By working together, as a science alliance for animals, Aotearoa New Zealand has the opportunity to become a global leader in scientific innovation that no longer involves animal suffering.”

About Beyond Animal Research:

BAR is a science alliance for animals working with progressive scientists, institutes and organisations from the animal science and research community in NZ and beyond.
Our science advisors are highly respected figures in the international scientific community, recognising BAR as a revolutionary charity – the first of its kind, created to unite for animals and scientific progress.
Together, we believe in an Aotearoa, New Zealand that leads the world in the ethical use of animals for science.

The full report from MPI can be found here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/animals/animal-welfare/animals-research-testing-teaching/statistics-on-the-use-of-animals-in-research-testing-and-teaching

A summary of the key statistics from 2025 can be found on the latest Blog from BAR: https://www.beyondanimalresearch.org.nz/post/nz-government-releases-2025-animal-use-statistics

MIL OSI

Latest Cox’s Bazar fire wipes out crucial food source for Rohingya refugee families

LiveNews Publisher — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:01:47 +0000

Source: ChildFund New Zealand

A fire just last month in the Bangladesh refugee camps for displaced Rohingya has destroyed life-saving gardens that provide food to some of the 1.1 million refugees.

Cox’s Bazar is home to the biggest refugee camps in the world. It grew rapidly in 2017 following the mass exodus of Rohingya families escaping massacres in their home communities in Myanmar.

It is now a multi-year, city-sized humanitarian operation.

“It is understandable that with so many crises today, some tragedies get forgotten. That is the case with the Rohingya community, who have been living in these fragile, make-shift homes, and raising families in the camps for nearly ten years.”

A whole generation of children have grown up in the camps, knowing no other home.

The settlement is extraordinarily dense, covering only a relatively small area and consisting largely of bamboo-and-tarpaulin shelters.

“At ChildFund, we stand by our commitment to leave no-one behind, even when the stories drop out of the media. We have kept up our support in places like Cox’s Bazar for 10 years,” says Josie Pagani, CEO of ChildFund New Zealand.

A devastating fire tore through Cox’s Bazar last month, destroying food gardens that provide food security and income generation for women, damaging shelters belonging to families who had very little to begin with.

The fire broke out late afternoon, and was brought under control as quickly as possible. No one was killed or injured.

“That is the good news, but it is the only good news. These fires have happened before, and they set families back by years. These gardens are not decorative. They are an important source of food for families. Progress is fragile, and can be destroyed in minutes by fire. Months of work, gone in twenty-five minutes.”

In 2021, a major fire in Cox’s Bazar left tens of thousands of people without shelter and destroyed hospitals, learning centres, distribution points and other essential facilities.

“It has taken years to recover. Unfortunately fires are one of the camps’ most persistent threats.”

Shelters are temporary. Families cook over open flames. People live close together because they have no choice. When fire starts, it moves quickly.

“A cooking fire can become a shelter fire. A shelter fire can destroy food, documents, safety and months of careful work.”

“Families in the camps cannot escape this risk by moving somewhere else, like we can in New Zealand. They have nowhere safe to go. ChildFund will continue to support the camps with practical work – gardens, education, reducing the risk of fires, and making sure recovery is as quick as possible,” says Josie Pagani.

MIL OSI

Greenpeace slams issuing of High Seas permit for Tasman Sea bottom trawlers

LiveNews Publisher — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:56:37 +0000

Source: Greenpeace

The Tasman Viking, a bottom trawling vessel that pulled up protected coral in international waters two years ago, has been issued an international fishing permit by the New Zealand government this month, in a move environmentalists are calling outrageous.

Greenpeace oceans campaigner Ellie Hooper says the move to issue a permit is embarrassing, and flies in the face of widespread public opposition to bottom trawling in the Tasman Sea.

“New Zealand is now the only country bottom trawling out in the South Pacific high seas, including the ecologically diverse waters of the Tasman, and the public have made it abundantly clear they object to it. Polling shows that 78% of people want bottom trawling gone from this area and the majority are calling for more protection, not more trawling destruction.”

The Tasman Viking, owned by Westfleet, was convicted for dragging up deep sea coral in the Tasman and failing to report it properly in 2020. In 2024, the vessel also dragged up a further 37kg of coral from a biodiverse Lord Howe Rise seamount, triggering the temporary closure of the area.

“The decision to permit a bottom trawler with a recent history of non-compliance, and the cause of coral destruction less than two years ago, is egregious,” says Hooper.”It’s well past time that New Zealand stopped permitting this ocean destruction out on the High Seas.”

Following the incident in 2024, Greenpeace carried out deep sea camera surveys of the seamount where the vessel pulled up coral. The surveys and subsequent scientific analysis revealed hundreds of corals, sponges and other deep sea lifeforms that qualify it as a vulnerable marine ecosystem. Some corals found on the site measured almost two metres in height, and many were estimated to be well over a century old.

“There is no question that we have evidence of vulnerable, ancient coral ecosystems in the High Seas of the Tasman. But if permits continue to be issued New Zealand bottom trawlers could destroy this precious life in the deep. We know what is there, how can trawlers still be permitted?”

Karli Thomas of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition says protection for all seamounts in the High Seas is well overdue.

“New Zealand has been kicking the can down the road on this issue for far too long. As other countries have pushed for the protection of these vulnerable and important habitats – oases of life in the deep – New Zealand is the country that stands in the way, continuing to trawl on seamounts and blocking international efforts to protect them.

“New Zealanders are sick of the free rein given to bottom trawlers by a Minister that is wined, dined and donated to by industrial fishing companies. Trawling on seamounts is last-century ocean vandalism, and it’s got to stop.

“Along with our allies we are calling for all seamounts and features to be closed to destructive bottom trawling and for the New Zealand Government to protect the seamounts of the High Seas of the Tasman.”

Public opposition to bottom trawling continues to grow. Over 100,000 people have signed petitions calling for an end to bottom trawling on seamounts, and for the government to stop issuing international fishing permits to bottom trawlers. Tens of thousands got onside with Jono Ridler who swam the length of the North Island to draw attention to the need for a ban.

New Zealand bottom trawlers must apply for an International Fishing Permit issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries before being able to fish in the South Pacific High Seas. The Tasman Viking was issued a permit on June 12, and on June 22 turned off its location outside of Nelson.

“This vessel, with a history of bulldozing coral out in the biodiverse Tasman, could be out there right now causing more destruction. We are calling for this to stop,” says Hooper.

MIL OSI

Post-Pandemic Health Upgrade Drives Global Brands to Southeast Asia: High-Purity Omega-3 Leader WHC Selects Singapore as Strategic First Hub

MIL OSI — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:46:16 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2026 – WHC, the Belgium-based premium Omega-3 brand, today officially announced the launch of its flagship fish oil supplement, UnoCardio 1000, in Singapore, marking its strategic entry into the Southeast Asian market. This milestone expansion comes at a pivotal time, as Southeast Asia’s nutraceutical market enters a sophisticated new era driven by unprecedented post-pandemic health awareness. Within this landscape, Singapore—with its high disposable income and rigorous regulatory framework—stands as the premier strategic hub for top-tier international brands establishing their presence in the Asia-Pacific.

Singaporean Consumers Pivot to “Specialist” Brands

Despite industry growth, the supplement market faces increasing category fragmentation. Most traditional brands prioritize product line expansion to achieve mass reach. While this offers variety, it often struggles to maintain the R&D depth and extreme optimization required for individual components.

For Singapore’s “Smart Consumers” who prioritize “Health ROI,” high transparency has driven a preference for “Specialist Brands” with deep scientific expertise over generalists. These consumers demand uncompromising purity to ensure precise, effective nutritional outcomes. Amidst this consumer awakening, WHC, the premium Belgian Omega-3 specialist, officially enters Singapore. Diverging from traditional multi-line expansion, WHC has spent 26 years adhering to a philosophy of “Subtractive Focus”—concentrating all R&D resources on the ultimate purification of Omega-3 to deliver pure, cellular-level nutrition.

The Gold Standard of Omega-3: Why WHC Leads the Global Omega-3 Market

Founded by Jo Wyckmans, Europe’s “Father of Omega-3,” WHC leverages his deep expertise in co-developing the manufacturing infrastructure for pharmaceutical giant KD Pharma. Utilizing patented Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) technology, WHC achieves an industry-leading Omega-3 concentration of over 95%. By combining sustainably sourced deep-sea fish with pharmaceutical-grade craftsmanship, WHC has become synonymous with high-performance cellular nutrition worldwide.

Four Core Competencies

To deliver tangible health returns, WHC establishes the ultimate ceiling for premium fish oil in Singapore through four key product benchmarks:

Pharmaceutical-Grade 95% High Concentration : WHC fish oil sets a clear boundary against generic alternatives that offer only 30%-50% purity. This made in Europe, GMP-compliant High-concentration fish oil delivers clinical-grade efficacy directly to the cells.
Joint R&D with KD Pharma: As a GOED member, WHC partners with pharmaceutical giant KD Pharma, utilizing Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) technology to pioneer a new era in high-purity extraction.
Patented rTG Form & Certifications: Sourced from short-cycle small deep-sea fish to ensure purity, WHC uses the highly bioavailable rTG form, delivering a 4x higher absorption rate than standard oils. Efficacy and safety are guaranteed by IFOS 5-star and Labdoor top rankings.
Localized Formulation Strategy : WHC addresses the chronic Vitamin D deficiency prevalent among Southeast Asian urban professionals due to air-conditioned offices. Its flagship UnoCardio 1000 combines high-purity Omega-3 with Vitamin D3, offering the perfect synergy for modern lifestyles.

Elevating Industry Standards

WHC’s entry into Singapore marks a definitive shift in Southeast Asia’s wellness market toward scientific transparency. As pharmaceutical-grade purity becomes the new benchmark, the regional industry’s focus is moving from marketing-driven tactics to genuine R&D depth, effectively raising the professional barrier to entry.

Hashtag: #WHC

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

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

Transport industry award winners honoured at Parliament

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:07:54 +0000

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Seven exceptional contributions to Aotearoa’s road freight sector were honoured at Transporting Zealand’s industry awards ceremony in the capital on Friday night.

An independent judging panel had chosen winners from over 30 nominations, consisting of individuals and organisations who have gone to great efforts to improve industry standards, workplace environments, and public perception of the transport sector.

More than 200 people braved Wellington’s stormy weather to attend the Awards Dinner at Parliament’s Banquet Hall, generously sponsored by IVCS ONE.

The most prestigious of the awards, the VTNZ Supreme Contribution to Road Freight recognises an individual whose impact has significantly advanced the industry’s standing and future direction through sustained leadership, service, and influence. This year’s winner is TR Group’s Managing Director, Andrew Carpenter.

Andrew has helped to shape and modernise New Zealand’s road freight industry through long-term investment in safer vehicles, heavy vehicle driver training, technology, alternative fuel solutions and sustainability, with TR now owning one of the biggest zero-emission truck fleets in the country.

TR Group’s Shayne Barns accepted the award on Andrew’s behalf.

Jasmin Smith won the Wynn Williams Women in Road Freight award, which celebrates women who are helping shape a more inclusive industry, enhancing the profile of road transport and inspiring others through their actions. Jasmin is a widely regarded as a role model and mentor to her colleagues at Linfox, actively promoting the industry as a modern, essential and rewarding career pathway, and challenging outdated perceptions to help attract a broader and more diverse workforce.

The EROAD Outstanding Contribution to Health and Safety award went to Graham Neate. Graham is an outstanding advocate and respected leader in the transport health & safety space, serving as the Health and Safety Leader at Philip Wareing Ltd and on the National Livestock Transport and Safety Council, where his expertise is highly valued.

The first-ever winner of a new award category, NZI’s Emerging Leader is Julie Crahay of Wareing Group Ltd. Julie had years of leadership experience under her belt before moving to New Zealand, where she strengthened her expertise in health and safety, focusing on fatigue management and driver wellbeing. Julie is known for her collaborative and forward-thinking approach, contributing to national forums and initiatives that aim to make transport safer and more efficient.

Twenty-one-year-old Max Hewson took home the EROAD Young Driver Award for his strong performance, safe driving record and consistent demonstration of initiative and leadership, including the coordination of other drivers during a major disruption.

Fruehauf’s Outstanding Contribution to Innovation award went jointly to Selwyn District Council and Treadlite who worked together to pioneer New Zealand’s first rubber road made from recycled waste tyres.

Paul Fincham of KAM Transport won MITO’s Outstanding Contribution to Training award for his decades-long commitment to workforce development, mentoring, and creating meaningful career pathways within transport, having supported countless drivers to gain their Class 5 licence.

“The sheer amount and quality of the nominations is a testament to the great things happening in road freight across the country,” says Transporting New Zealand’s chief executive, Dom Kalasih.

“Recognising good work is essential for morale. It’s been a challenging few months for transport, but nights like these remind us of how fortunate we are to have such great people moving the industry forward,” he added.

“Transporting New Zealand is incredibly grateful to all those who attended the Awards and showed their support for the nominees. We’d also like to again thank our generous dinner and awards sponsors; IVCS ONE, VTNZ, NZI, EROAD, Fruehauf, Wynn Williams and MITO.”

About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.

Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.

MIL OSI

Tech Security – Norton’s Scam-Free Winter Forecast

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:01:42 +0000

Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners for Norton

From AI crypto cons to fake holiday bookings, Norton reveals the scams catching out Kiwis, plus advice to stay ahead of the scammers

As winter sets in the ruthless scams targeting Kiwis heat up. Norton, a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety and part of, has released information about the 5 biggest scams facing Kiwis this winter, along with practical advice on how to avoid them.

Norton’s Threat Labs team analysed hundreds of millions of scams blocked across its global network during the winter months of 2024 and 2025.

To support the report findings and to help Kiwis enjoy a scam free winter, Norton cyber security experts have put together a hotlist of the biggest scam red flags:

· If you have to pay to get paid, it’s a scam. Doesn’t matter if it’s a lottery prize, an investment payout, or a package delivery.

· If a stranger is fast-tracking the relationship, slow down. Romance, business, investments, friendship… speed is the tell.

· If a message uses real details about you, that doesn’t make it real. This is the game in 2026, the presence of personal data isn’t proof, it’s the trap.

· If a link is doing the urgent work, don’t click it. Go to the source. Type the URL yourself. Open the app.

· If something feels off, it likely is. Trust the instinct, hang up the call, close the tab, ask a friend.

Mark Gorrie, VP APAC at Norton, said, “The cold and wet winter is already here, and scammers were ready for it. We spend more time searching online, some of us chasing a warmer holiday, others looking for a better return on their money. That’s why the scams hitting Kiwis run from fake investment platforms to reservation hijack scams. With AI, scams are cheap to make and deploy, and easy to make convincing. The lesson is simple. Before you pay anyone, stop and ask yourself why you’re paying this money to this person, every single time.”

Norton Top 5 Scams of Winter 2026 in NZ:

1. Crypto and Investment Fraud Scams

Crypto and investment fraud scams are long-con financial scams where fraudsters use fake trading platforms, “guaranteed return” pitches and recover schemes to steal money.

Gen blocked more than 83,000 financial scam attacks in winter 2025, a 225% increase compared to the rest of the year. Similar figures are expected this year. Interestingly, investment scams are tied very closely to romance scams where people are distracted taking faster decisions than normal.

How it works: There are three main ways to encounter this scam.

· Fake crypto trading dashboard. You get invited to a private group, app, or platform, usually by someone you’ve built rapport with over weeks on a dating or networking app. You “deposit” a small amount of money and the dashboard show your money growing. You withdraw a small amount and get it back. Then you go bigger, and the withdrawal never comes.

· “Guaranteed return” investment groups. Discord servers, Telegram channels, and Instagram DMs promising returns no legitimate investment can offer.

· Recovery scams: Scammers target people who have already been scammed, promising to recover their lost money – for a fee. Often, they’re the same people who scammed you the first time.

How to avoid this scam:

· No legitimate investment guarantees a return. None. If what you’re being proposed does, cut off contact.

· A dashboard showing your money growing is not your money growing, it’s a webpage. Always use legitimate, well known investment pages that you’ve sourced the URL for yourself.

· The person DMing you about a “no-risk opportunity” is not your friend. No risk does not exist, avoid immediately.

· If someone offers to “recover” money you already lost to a scam, that’s a second scam. Real recovery happens through your bank, your card issuer, and law enforcement. Do not use other recovery providers.

2. Imposter Scams

Impostor scams were one of the scam types seeing observable upticks in June, July, and August of 2025, compared to the rest of the year, up 128%. And thanks to AI voice cloning, that figure is only going up.

How it works: You receive a panicked call from a friend, loved one or government body, like IRD. They ask urgently for money, why would you not – the call is from their number and their voice. But it’s a scammer using an AI voice clone to impersonate your trusted source.

How to avoid this scam:

· Set a safe word with family and groups of friends now, before anyone needs it.

· If a call sounds urgent and emotional, hang up and call the person back on the number you already have for them.

· Real agencies ask you to get in touch through official channels, not to act immediately on a link.

3. Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams are social engineering attacks where fraudsters impersonate tech companies, tracking victims into giving them remote computer access, or transferring money to “protect” their accounts. These surge in winter as people spending more time online.

Gen blocked more than 16,000 tech support scam attacks during winter 2025, up 115% in New Zealand compared to the rest of the year. Unfortunately, most victims are over 60 because they’re less online savvy, retired, or relying on their savings. They find it harder to spot a scammer and therefore are more vulnerable.

How it works: A browser pop-up claims your computer has a virus, followed by a “Technical Support” message from a known provider. You click and give them access. Once they’re in, they install real malware, charge for fake clear ups or convince you to transfer money to “protect” your bank account.

How to avoid this scam:

· Microsoft, Apple, and companies like Norton do not put their phone numbers in browser pop-ups. Ever.

· A legitimate antivirus alert won’t ask you to call a number. It’ll tell you what it blocked and let you keep going.

· If a pop-up locks your browser, force quit. Don’t call the number.

· Never give remote access to your computer to someone who called you, or someone you called from a pop-up.

4. Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams

Lottery and sweepstakes scams are “unexpected money” frauds where scammers claim you’ve won a prize or earned a reward, then require you to pay a fee to claim it. But as much as we all want some extra “fun money” in the winter, there is no prize. The fee is the entire scam.

Gen blocked more than 4,000 unexpected money scam attacks over winter in 2025, up 55% in New Zealand compared to the rest of the year.

How it works: An email or DM claims you’ve won a lottery, gift card giveaway, or sweepstakes, (often from real-sounding companies) that you don’t remember entering. To claim the prize, you have to pay a “processing fee”, “tax”, or “shipping cost.” After you pay, nothing arrives or you get a fake check that bounces.

How to avoid this scam:

· You did not win a lottery you did not enter. If you’ve been presented with a random lottery prize, this is a scam. Do not click the link. Delete the message and forget about it.

· Real sweepstakes prizes do not require upfront payment of any kind. End contact immediately with that provider if you are presented with this offer.

· Never open emails or click on links that are from sources like Nigerian princes. These are the oldest tricks in the book. Delete the email without opening it.

5. The Reservation Hijack Scam

The Reservation Hijack Scam is a phishing attack where fraudsters use stolen booking data to impersonate hotels and steal payment information from travellers. Since late 2025, research at Gen, the company behind Norton, has identified 353 fraudulent landing pages, representing roughly 350 distinct accommodations and 38,000 rooms across rented accommodation all over the world.

How it works: After booking your hotel, a new message from your booking platform arrives within a few days. It appears legitimate, referencing all correct booking information, but requests another payment due to a ‘payment problem’. It all looks legitimate, and you don’t want to lose your reservation, so in go your card details… to the scammer!

How to avoid this scam:

· If you get a “re-verify” or “problem with your reservation” message, don’t click the link, even if it looks real.

· If you think there could be an issue with your reservation, manually enter the URL in your browser to log into the booking site or contact the accommodation directly using their official contact information.

· Stick to official communication channels. Real hotels will never transfer you to text or WhatsApp to re-enter your card details.

MIL OSI

Politics – Federated Farmers backs commonsense conservation reform

LiveNews Publisher — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:31:43 +0000

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is calling for the Government to be bold and continue with plans to modernise New Zealand’s outdated, clunky and overly complicated conservation laws.

“These reforms are long overdue and desperately needed to support conservation efforts and help grow the economy,” says Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins.

“The current legislation is outdated, unnecessarily restrictive and slow, and has been holding back the country’s conservation ambitions for decades – in fact, we’re rapidly going backwards.

“Despite significantly increased budgets, our conservation estate is being totally overrun by pests, weeds and wilding pines. The case for reform couldn’t be any clearer or more urgent.”

Federated Farmers supports a pragmatic approach to conservation that protects and enhances high-value conservation land while allowing sensible economic decisions.

“The Department of Conservation manages one of the largest public land estates in the world, covering more than eight million hectares,” Dawkins says.

“Unfortunately, conservation isn’t free. Somebody has to do the day-to-day work required to maintain New Zealand’s unique natural landscapes.

“It’s completely unrealistic to expect a government agency to manage weeds, pests, infrastructure needs and fire risk across an estate of that scale by themselves, funded by taxpayers.

“Successful conservation depends on strong partnerships with the people who live alongside the land every day – farmers, hunters, anglers and tourism operators.

“It should come as no surprise to anyone that it’s these same groups who are most passionately supporting the Government’s proposed reforms, because we can see the opportunity.”

Environmental activist groups have been quick to scaremonger in election year, claiming pristine conservation land will be sold off for mining, but Dawkins says that’s “total nonsense”.

“Groups like Forest & Bird and EDS have been running an incredibly divisive campaign of fear that hasn’t been particularly constructive or helpful for the national conversation,” he says.

“I think they’ve lost sight of what this is all about – modernising our conservation system to improve environmental outcomes, reduce the burden for taxpayers and grow the economy.

“There are plenty of economic activities we could be doing on that land with an environmental benefit, including grazing, wild animal recovery operations and tourism.”

Federated Farmers West Coast president Simon Cameron is also a passionate supporter of the Government’s proposed conservation reforms, particularly when it comes to grazing.

“New Zealand can’t conserve more than eight million hectares of conservation land through passive protection alone. It requires active management,” Cameron says.

“If we truly want to see better long-term conservation outcomes for future generations of New Zealanders, then we can’t afford to let ideology or politics get in the way of pragmatism.

“In practice, this will require a fundamental shift in thinking to recognise that a ‘lock up and leave’ approach to conservation – excluding people from the landscape – simply doesn’t work.

“Instead, we should be recognising the role of active, practical management like grazing in improving biodiversity, managing pests and protecting our famous natural landscapes.”

Cameron says that, since 1990, the Department of Conservation has inherited and retired 1.2 million hectares of land that was previously grazed – but it’s since gone backwards.

“That land was absolutely immaculate when it was actively managed by farmers who kept on top of the weeds and pests – like you’d see on a postcard,” Cameron says.

“Those farmers were outstanding stewards of the land, but they also contributed significantly to the economy producing world-class beef, lamb and wool.

“Unfortunately, when the farmers moved out, the pests and weeds moved in. That land has since been taken over by wilding pines, gorse, deer, pigs, wallabies and goats.”

Cameron says huge areas of our high country were retired because they had significant conservation value, but that value didn’t develop in the absence of human contact.

“The value was created by generations of farmers who invested time and money in protecting and enhancing the environment for future generations,” he says.

“They weren’t just grazing livestock. They were also fencing, hunting, maintaining tracks and controlling weeds. These are all important conservation activities that were lost.”

Cameron is scathing of the environmental activist groups who have tried to play politics and derail long-overdue conservation reforms.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable that, after years of work, anyone would be calling for the entire bill to be thrown in the bin,” he says.

“Surely everyone can agree the current system simply isn’t delivering the outcomes New Zealanders expect, and that change is needed to modernise our laws.

“It’s time those groups put the politics aside, stop playing petty games, and start working alongside the rest of us who are trying to do the right thing for the country.”

MIL OSI

VinEnergo partners with SunAsia Energy to develop Solar-on-Water projects integrated with aquaculture in the Philippines

MIL OSI — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:32:56 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2026 – VinEnergo, a member of Vingroup’s green ecosystem, and SunAsia Energy Inc., a pioneer in the Philippine solar energy sector, have announced a strategic partnership to develop a portfolio of large-scale renewable energy projects utilizing the Solar on Stilts model. With expected lifetime revenues exceeding USD 1.5B, the projects will drive job creation, catalyze infrastructure investment, and strengthen the Philippines’ energy security.

Ms. Tetchi Capellan, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of SunAsia Energy (second from left), and Mr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, CEO of VinEnergo (second from right), sign the agreement between the two companies in the presence of Ms. Sharon Garin, Secretary of Energy of the Philippines, and Mr. Lai Thai Binh, Ambassador of Vietnam to the Philippines.

Between 2027 and 2028, VinEnergo and SunAsia Energy plan to bring three flagship projects into operation, with a combined installed capacity of 422MWp. These are projects located in Macabebe, Pampanga (181 MWp), Sagay (126 MWp) and Silay (115MWp), both in Negros Occidental Province.

The partnership aims to deliver reliable renewable energy to the national grid, while supporting the Philippines’ goals of strengthening energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting local economic development. Once operational, the projects are expected to supply electricity to approximately 278,000 households and reduce carbon emissions by more than 460,000 tons annually, equivalent to planting around 21 million trees.

Over the next 18 months, VinEnergo will work closely with SunAsia Energy on engineering design and project implementation. This phase will include the selection of engineers, technology providers, and contractors to install nearly 700,000 solar panels mounted on pile structures, as well as approximately 62 kilometers of new transmission lines across Negros and Pampanga.

The project portfolio will utilize the Solar on Stilts technology, in which solar panels are mounted on pile-supported structures above the water surface, enabling the integration of clean power generation with aquaculture activities. This approach effectively leverages the Philippines’ strong potential for combining renewable energy development with agriculture and fisheries, while serving as a model for future sustainable energy projects. It also aligns with VinEnergo’s strategy of advancing the Food-Energy-Water Nexus to optimize resource use and create long-term value for communities.

ING and SGV & Co. acted as exclusive M&A advisors to VinEnergo and SunAsia, respectively.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, Chief Executive Officer of VinEnergo, said: “Our partnership with SunAsia Energy on this strategic project portfolio is a clear demonstration of VinEnergo’s regional growth ambitions. We are proud to bring forward solutions that combine sustainable energy development with responsible resource utilization. Floating solar not only contributes to addressing energy security challenges, but also provides a valuable opportunity to share Vietnam’s development experience in protecting local livelihoods and fostering the parallel growth of the energy and agricultural sectors.”

Ms. Tetchi Capellan, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of SunAsia Energy Inc., said: “This partnership is driven by the shared commitment of SunAsia Energy and VinEnergo to strengthen energy security, support economic growth, improve people’s lives, and help protect the planet. Through the Floating Solar model, we are not only developing renewable energy infrastructure but also creating a framework where food production and clean energy generation can thrive together.”

The announcement of this strategic partnership comes as the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit, underscoring VinEnergo’s role in advancing cross-border collaboration to address energy and climate challenges. It also marks an important milestone in VinEnergo’s international expansion strategy, while highlighting the capabilities of Vietnamese enterprises in developing pioneering renewable energy models that contribute to ASEAN’s and the world’s sustainable energy transition goals.

Hashtag: #VinEnergo #SunAsiaEnergy #SolarOnWater

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

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

Paddles up! Hong Kong marks 50 Years of international dragon boat thrills

MIL OSI — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:03:30 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 June 2026 – With top teams from around the world gearing up for the hotly contested Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races this weekend (June 27-28), participants and spectators can expect a bumper programme of action, fun and entertainment along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui – one of the city’s most vibrant districts known for its iconic skyline views and tourist attractions.

There is much to celebrate. This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races as well as 35^th anniversary of both the co-organiser, Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, and the sanctioning body, International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). The IDBF added to the occasion by announcing earlier this year the relocation of its headquarters back to Hong Kong.

Riding on the wave of excitement, the organiser, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), extended the annual Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival period to 13 days (June 19 – July 1), beginning on the historic Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) and concluding on July 1, which is the 29^th anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

As the headline international flagship event of “Hong Kong Summer Fun”, Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of the HKTB, said the Festival not only ran over a longer period, but also featured a stronger race line-up and more vibrant entertainment programmes than in previous years, offering an experience found only in Hong Kong for locals and visitors, while showcasing Hong Kong’s position as the Events Capital of Asia.

More than 220 teams from 16 countries and regions will compete for top honours in the world‑renowned setting of Victoria Harbour. This year’s event also introduces the special 50^th Anniversary Fishermen Invitational Cup and the 50^th Anniversary Championship, paying tribute to the traditional spirit of dragon boat racing.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a series of thematic activities along the Avenue of Stars, including a 22-metre traditional wooden dragon boat, a dragon boat-themed installation in collaboration with the new film Minions & Monsters, live music performances and a line-up of intangible cultural heritage performances, including martial art Wing Chun, Chinese juggling diabolo, traditional musical instruments ruan and guzheng.

Visitors can enjoy a series of thematic activities at the “Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival” which runs until July 1.

Highlighting Hong Kong’s reputation as the birthplace of modern international dragon boat racing, as well as its strengths as a global hub city, the IDBF has taken a significant step in its long‑term global strategy with the formal incorporation of International Dragon Boat Federation Limited in Hong Kong on 29 April 2026.

“Incorporation in Hong Kong is not a conclusion, but a beginning. It anchors our Federation in the city where our international story started and strengthens our ability to serve our members and the global dragon boat family,” said Claudio Schermi, President of the IDBF.

As part of this new chapter, the IDBF has applied for funding under “the Pilot Scheme to Strengthen the Presence of Hong Kong in Asian and International Sports Associations”, which was recently introduced by the HKSAR Government’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. The Pilot Scheme is an initiative designed to support Asian and international sports associations establishing their headquarters or regional headquarters in the city.

The Dragon Boat Festival has a long and colourful history dating back more than two thousand years. Held each year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the day commemorates the patriotic poet Qu Yuan.

According to legend, Qu committed suicide for his beliefs by throwing himself into the Luo River. The villagers nearby raced out on their dragon boats, banging gongs and drums to scare away fish and other underwater creatures to stop them from eating Qu’s body. The tradition continues to this day, with dragon boat competitions taking place at locations across Hong Kong, each reflecting the unique characteristics of its neighbourhood.

Traditional dragon boat treats feature prominently during the festival, notably zongzi. These glutinous rice dumplings, traditionally wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed or boiled, are widely available during the festive period.

https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/
https://x.com/Brand_HK/
https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isd
https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #dragonboatraces #dragonboatfestival

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

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

Federated Farmers – Fresh hope for Waikato farmers caught by Plan Change 1

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:16:44 +0000

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is welcoming news the Government will consider options to prevent Waikato farmers being hit by rules developed under an old planning system.

Speaking at the Primary Industries NZ Summit in Auckland today, Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay addressed growing concerns about the effects Waikato Region Plan Change 1 (PC1) could have on farmers.

“I met with Minister Bishop yesterday to make the case for Waikato farmers,” McClay said.

“It doesn’t make sense to have a new national planning system adopted by Parliament before the election but for the Waikato to be sentenced to rules that were developed under the old system.

“We will instruct officials to provide advice on options to better align rulemaking in the Waikato with the replaced RMA.”

McClay’s comments came just days after Federated Farmers urged the Government to urgently press pause on PC1 until the dust has settled on major national policy reforms.

Waikato Federated Farmers vice president Andrew Reymer says McClay’s comments will be hugely encouraging for farmers worried about their future.

“With the Government currently overhauling local government and the resource management system, we think PC1 needs to be paused.

“It’s clear that the Government is moving towards cutting most of the cost and complexity out of farming, but unfortunately the Waikato Regional Council’s PC1 is heading in the other direction.

“It’s like the Government is trying to press the accelerator on economic growth, but Council’s PC1 is pulling the handbrake.

“The Minister’s comments today show there’s clearly political will to step in and support Waikato farmers, so now we’ll wait to see what options his officials bring to the table.”

MIL OSI

Freshwater physical habitat: Data to 2024 – Stats NZ indicator

LiveNews Publisher — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 03:47:11 +0000

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Freshwater physical habitat: Data to 2024 – indicator

22 June 2026

Freshwater physical habitat is a fundamental indicator of the condition of Aotearoa New Zealand’s river ecosystems, underpinning the structure and function of aquatic communities by influencing where aquatic organisms can live. Understanding changes in habitat condition is critical to assessing the extent and impact of human activities on freshwater ecosystems.

We report on the current state of New Zealand’s freshwater physical habitat condition using the median habitat quality score calculated from data recorded at monitored river sites between 2020 and 2024. We also report on the relationship between upstream human modified land cover and physical habitat condition at monitored river sites.

Habitat quality scores are made up of 10 habitat parameters at each assessed site:

deposited sediment
invertebrate habitat diversity
invertebrate habitat abundance
fish cover abundance
fish cover diversity
hydraulic heterogeneity
bank erosion
bank vegetation
riparian width
riparian shade.

Freshwater physical habitat: Data to 2024

MIL OSI

“Happiness from Europe” Returns to Hong Kong with PizzaExpress Partnership

MIL OSI — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 02:06:15 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 June 2026 – The “Happiness from Europe” campaign is back in Hong Kong this summer through a partnership with PizzaExpress. From 23 June to 7 September 2026, 19 PizzaExpress branches will feature a special Grana Padano PDO menu in honor of Restaurant Weeks.

The three-year campaign is co-funded by the European Union and centered on Grana Padano PDO, a hard cheese from the Pianura Padana (Po River Valley) in Northern Italy, known for its fine, granular texture and 900-year production history. In 2026 the campaign returns to PizzaExpress with a dedicated three-dish Grana Padano PDO menu running across 19 branches for the length of the promotion. The partnership puts the cheese in front of diners through one of Hong Kong’s most familiar restaurant brands.

Each of the three dishes uses Grana Padano PDO in a different way, from the sauce of a pizza to the finishing of a pasta. The menu is designed to show how the cheese works across familiar dishes diners already order.

The Menu

The starter is a Cheesy Crab Dip with Grana Padano PDO. Grana Padano PDO is stirred through the dip to balance the sweetness of the crab, and the dip is served with a Grana Padano PDO cheese flatbread for tearing and dipping. It is built to be shared and finished before the rest of the meal arrives.

The Grana Padano PDO Pizza is built on a béchamel base rather than tomato sauce, with Grana Padano PDO worked into the sauce and shaved generously over the top. It is layered with fresh porcini, mortadella, mozzarella, and sliced peach. The combination of sweet peach, cured mortadella, and earthy porcini gives the pizza its character, and the cheese running through both the base and the finish brings the flavors together.

The Spaghetti Seafood Bianco with Grana Padano PDO brings together prawns, clams, and mussels in a garlic and white wine sauce with chili flakes and Grana Padano PDO. The cheese is stirred through the sauce, giving the dish more body than a typical white-wine seafood pasta.

About Grana Padano PDO

Grana Padano is one of the oldest cheeses still in continuous production. It was first made in 1135 at the Abbey of Chiaravalle near Milan, where Cistercians monks developed it as a way to preserve surplus milk. The name comes from its texture: “grana” means “grainy”, a reference to the fine, granular structure the cheese develops as it ages.

Each wheel is handcrafted from fresh milk produced in the Po River Valley of Northern Italy. The cheese is naturally lactose-free thanks to the production process. Maturation takes at least nine months, with some wheels aged for over two years. Younger wheels are milky and slightly sweet; longer-aged ones become richer, nuttier, and faintly crystalline. Grana Padano is the world’s most consumed PDO cheese in Europe.

The Consorzio Tutela Grana Padano is a non-profit making organization charged with protecting, promoting and enhancing the product, providing consumer information and generally taking care of the interests regarding its P.D.O. status.

The absence of lactose is a natural consequence of the traditional Grana Padano production process. It contains less than 10 mg/100 g of galactose.

Ciao! Buon appetito everyone!

For campaign updates and participating branches, visit www.happinessfromeu.com or follow the campaign on Instagram and Facebook.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Hashtag: #HappinessfromEurope

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

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

Defence News – RNZAF Poseidon crew spots fisherman missing for a week in Cook Islands

LiveNews Publisher — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 05:41:50 +0000

Source: New Zealand Defence Force

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon crew has found a solo fisherman missing for a week in the northern Cook Islands.

The man, in his four-metre aluminium skiff, was spotted by the crew this morning (NZT) and he was able to wave to them.

Nearby fishing vessels had indicated they were able to pick the man up.

The fisherman had set off from Pukapuka Island, about 1140km northwest of Rarotonga, for a day’s fishing on Thursday last week (local time) but failed to return.

He was reported overdue to local police the following day and New Zealand’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre requested RNZAF help in the search earlier this week.

It was believed he had minimal safety or survival equipment.

The P-8A and crew started the search on Thursday (NZT).

MIL OSI

Legislation – Jones fails to force through Fisheries Amendment Bill before election, following public backlash – Greenpeace

LiveNews Publisher — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:37:46 +0000

Source: Greenpeace

News that progress on the Fisheries Amendment Bill will be delayed until after the election is being called a win for People Power by environmental groups, who say it proves how united the New Zealand public is against destructive fishing.

On Thursday, it was announced to the Select Committee that the Bill will not be progressed within this political term. This comes after tens of thousands of New Zealanders submitted against the Bill, and weeks of hearings in Parliament.

Minister Shane Jones championed the Bill that would introduce the largest changes to fisheries legislation in a generation. Greenpeace and allies say the delay is the result of mass public outcry from ordinary New Zealanders, recreational fishers, legal experts and environmentalists.

“The people of New Zealand have made it abundantly clear they want more ocean protection, not less. Thanks to all of the people who spoke out against this Ocean Exploitation Bill, it’s not getting rubber stamped ahead of the election,” says Greenpeace oceans campaigner Ellie Hooper.

“This Bill is not dead in the water, but the delay is a clear sign that some political parties are starting to listen. Ocean protection is what voters want and they are watching. They don’t want empty platitudes from politicians about how important the ocean is, if they are unwilling to do what’s in their power to stop its depletion.”

Karli Thomas of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) says the Bill would take New Zealand ocean management further in completely the wrong direction, especially on bottom trawling.

“The Fisheries Amendment Bill would incentivise this most destructive form of fishing – bottom trawling – at a time when the public are overwhelmingly calling for it to be restricted, especially from seamounts.

“It would reduce public participation in fisheries decisions, prevent access to cameras on boats footage, and make it almost impossible for the public to challenge bad decision-making. It’s the opposite of what New Zealanders want and what our ocean needs to thrive.”

Polling released by WWF this week revealed that 90% of people wanted to see bottom trawling restrictions in some form. Barry Weeber, co-chair of ECO, says the can has been kicked down the road on this issue long enough.

“The devastating impacts of bottom trawling on vital seamounts and other high biodiversity areas are well established, and the public mandate for closing them has never been higher. Political leaders should state their position and make firm commitments to banning bottom trawling on seamounts and similar features ahead of the election.

“The ocean cannot afford more years of delay in protections. We know seamount ecosystems are vulnerable and important, and there is plenty of evidence to act to protect them.”

A coalition of environmental groups are calling for political parties to commit to banning bottom trawling on all seamounts and features in the waters of Aotearoa and the South Pacific – where New Zealand is the last country to operate a bottom trawl fleet. To date over 100,000 people have signed petitions on the issue.

The groups maintain the Ocean Exploitation Bill should be rejected in its entirety, before its next reading in the new political term.

MIL OSI

Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia Unveils Conference Program Addressing AI, Sustainability, the Future of Aquaculture, Consumer Trust and more

MIL OSI — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:05:29 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

, organized by Diversified, announces its 2026 conference program ahead of the fourteenth edition of the event, taking place 2–4 September at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore. Free to attend to all registered visitors, this year’s program brings leading voices from the industry and across technology and policy to address the defining challenges and opportunities shaping seafood’s future across Asia and beyond.

Consumer Trust & Market Dynamics

A session titled Seafood in the Spotlight: Trust. Taste. Tomorrow’s Consumer will present findings from a GlobeScan bi-annual survey commissioned by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), tracking consumer attitudes across 20+ global markets. Fresh from its debut at Seafood Expo Global in April, the research lands in Singapore at a critical moment. Attendees will explore how rising sustainability expectations, cost-of-living pressures and shifting retail dynamics are reshaping purchasing decisions and what it takes to build durable consumer trust.

The most pressing issues facing the Asian shrimp trade will be discussed in a session around rebalancing export-dependent supply as demand and price signals shift across major markets. Amid reduced China import pull, elevated US tariffs and uneven farm output trends, these forces are already reshaping trade flows, pricing power and production planning decisions and will determine which Asian producers can protect margins and maintain market access in 2026–2027.

Innovation & Technology

A panel of industry insiders will discuss the rapid rise of recirculating aquaculture systems across the region in RAS Fish Farming: Why is Asia Leading the Way. The panel will deliver an honest assessment of real-world challenges alongside compelling results already being achieved in markets across Asia, and what this leadership position means for the future of sustainable fish production worldwide.

A session around Asia’s growing demand for seafood processing will discuss how advanced automation, productivity gains and a sharper focus on consumer trends are significantly changing the industry across Asia. Challenging market conditions are driving the industry to rethink the future of the processing environment, with innovative tools and precise systems now enabling processors to optimize resource utilization and promote sustainability to drive maximum profit. The session features Marcel Franz, Managing Director of BAADER Asia and Nils Rabe, Global Sales Director Fish at BAADER.

Eric Enno Tamm, CEO of ThisFish Inc. will map the practical and transformative applications of AI across seafood supply chains in The Definitive Guide to AI & the Tuna Value Chain. From machine learning and computer vision to generative AI and AI agents, Tamm will outline how these technologies are already reshaping operations and offer a forward-looking vision of what an AI-optimized tuna value chain could look like from boat to plate.

Food Integrity & Digital Resilience

FAO GLOBEFISH convenes a timely session on Aquatic Food Fraud: Mislabeling, Market Demand and Consumer Trust. Drawing on FAO’s recent technical paper on food fraud in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, the session will examine a problem of significant scale: up to 20% of fisheries and aquaculture products may be mislabeled globally, with fraud particularly prevalent in processed products, restaurants and catering. The session will examine how price incentives, supply chain complexity and governance gaps interact to enable fraud, and what governments, industry, retailers and standard-setting bodies are doing to address it.

The Invisible Net: Securing the Digital Integrity and Resilience of the Asian Seafood Supply Chain is a session led by the President of the Cyber Security Alliance for the Seafood Industry (CSAFI) that will discuss the emerging risk for the sector. As seafood supply chains become increasingly powered by IoT-enabled processing plants, AI-driven logistics and blockchain-backed traceability, they also become vulnerable to cyberattack. With incidents on global logistics networks rising over 900% in five years, a single breach can trigger immediate product spoilage, financial loss and reputational damage.

The session will present a 2026 roadmap for protecting operational technology, defending traceability data against digital fraud and making the business case for cybersecurity as a core ESG and trade compliance imperative.

Learn More & Register to Attend

Seafood industry professionals can learn more about Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia, find information on the conference program and other special events, and register to attend for free by visiting www.seafoodexpo.com/asia.

To register as media/press, please visit the press center.

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

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

HKUST and HKUST(GZ) Present SURREALITY MR × AI Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition

MIL OSI — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:22:18 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Harnessing Innovative Technologies to Drive Cultural Mobility and Foster Global Exchange

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(Guangzhou), presents the SURREALITY Mixed Reality (MR) × Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition. As part of HKUST’s 35th-anniversary celebrations, an exclusive media preview of the world’s first large-scale, cross-regional MR × AI digital art exhibition was held at the University’s Clear Water Bay campus.

Showcasing selected works by renowned international and Chinese Mainland digital artists, as well as faculty and students from both campuses, the exhibition integrates creativity with Virtual Reality (VR), MR, and AI technologies. It transforms the campus into a global hub for arts innovation and technological excellence.

The exhibition will open at HKUST(GZ) tomorrow and run through July 31, 2026, before returning to Hong Kong for public engagement. This exhibition exemplifies HKUST’s visionary commitment to driving cultural mobility and fostering international exchange through innovative technologies.

Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, remarked, “This event signifies a major milestone for HKUST in its pursuit of integrating technology, humanities, and cross-regional innovation. The national 15th Five-Year Plan released this year explicitly supports Hong Kong in deepening its development as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. In 2024, the HKSAR Government also introduced the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, outlining plans to develop diverse arts and culture industries with an international perspective, and to establish international platforms that foster East-meets-West arts and cultural exchanges. Local universities play a pivotal role in advancing these initiatives.”

“HKUST’s Strategic Plan 2031 identifies the integration of innovation and the humanities as a key direction for the University’s future development. In line with this vision, we established Hong Kong’s first Division of Arts and Machine Creativity, which is committed to creating an innovative platform that fosters the fusion of technology and art while nurturing a new generation of creative talent with strong interdisciplinary perspectives. Hosting initiatives such as SURREALITY and the HKUST AI Film Festival exemplifies this direction and is poised to develop into prominent international platforms that fosters arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world,” she added.

Prof. Lionel NI Ming-Shuan, President of HKUST(GZ), stated, “‘SURREALITY’ is not only the world’s first large-scale MR × AI art exhibition, but also a powerful showcase of the strengths of HKUST and HKUST(GZ) in interdisciplinary studies and computational creativity. As a flagship initiative under the ‘One HKUST, Complementary Campuses’ framework, the two campuses have welcomed artists and young creators from 23 countries and regions, redefining the boundaries of knowledge production and artistic expression through the seamless fusion of the virtual and the real. At a time when the nation is strategically advancing future industries and the Greater Bay Area is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, the digital ‘Portal’ connecting Clear Water Bay and Nansha represents far more than a technological breakthrough—it embodies a forward-looking model of educational collaboration, where engineering converges with aesthetics, algorithms with poetry, and global vision with local engagement. At thirty-five years old, HKUST remains youthful and dynamic. Guided by this founding aspiration, HKUST(GZ) will continue to advance in step with HKUST, writing a new chapter of integrated innovation and talent development in the Greater Bay Area.”

SURREALITY showcases the integration of AI-generated artworks with the physical campus environment, creating an immersive experience through spatial computing and real-time rendering technologies. Across the two campuses, nearly 50 works by more than 70 digital artists from the United States, Germany, Russia, Australia, Bolivia, Singapore, Korea, the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong are featured. Presented in innovative and striking forms, these exceptional works from around the world highlight HKUST’s strong commitment to advancing interdisciplinary integration.

Today, 19 selected works premiered at the Clear Water Bay campus, where MR-enhanced creations transform the HKUST campus into an immersive, technology-driven art space. By wearing MR headsets, visitors can freely explore three exhibition areas: Living Currents, Future Fables, and Beyond Mind. Several projects created by HKUST(GZ) faculty and students stand out as highlights, with The Gate—built on a metaverse concept—emerging as the centerpiece of the exhibition. As the armillary sphere slowly turns and the portal comes into view, visitors can step inside and instantly traverse the virtual spaces of both campuses, experiencing a groundbreaking sense of cross‑campus, seamless connectivity that embodies the vision of “One HKUST, Complementary Campuses.” Another featured work, Kunpeng, symbolizes a spirit of boundless freedom. A giant fish leaps from the nearby Port Shelter in Sai Kung and transforms into a soaring roc that ascends powerfully into the sky. Its majestic presence delivers a striking visual spectacle. The piece The Twinworld Tree creates a dynamic living system formed by the World Tree and virtual life, symbolizing the interdependence of all things, like the tides.

The exhibition also features an MR recreation of a classic work—GFP Bunny, created by internationally acclaimed contemporary artist, Prof. Eduardo KAC, who is also Professor of Art and Technology Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since its debut, this piece has sparked global reflection on genetic modification, bioethics, and the boundaries of art. Mr. ZHANG Yishuai, a PhD student in the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts at HKUST(GZ) and a computational artist, presents Echoes of Earth 2.0, offering a forward-looking perspective on AI and interstellar civilizations. This work enriches the exhibition with a visionary reflection on humanity’s aspirations for the future.

Several VR digital art pieces are also on display, including Astra, created by Ms. Eliza MCNITT— Venice Immersive Grand Prize winner and renowned American writer and director—which offers visitors a unique journey of exploration into the universe. Mr. Benedict YU, a VR visual artist from Singapore, presents Mother’s Body Remembers, utilizing LiDAR to capture movements and combining VR with tactile interaction to rekindle visitors’ memories of family connections. The HKUST XRIM Lab‘s work, Unfolding Touch, enables a soft-robot-mediated handshake between the Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou campuses, integrating sensing and tactile replication to create a shared touch experience across distance. Other works include My Flower, which invites viewers to experience the daily challenges faced by people with Alzheimer’s disease. A short animation, The Cat Ghost, which narrates the relationship between ancient Chinese people and cats from the Western world, is also screened.

Prof. Pan HUI, Chair Professor of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas at HKUST, Acting Head and Chair Professor of the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts, and Director of the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(GZ), introduced the core concept of “SURREALITY.” He explained that as technologies such as AI, spatial computing, and MR rapidly evolve, digital worlds are transcending screens into real spaces and becoming deeply integrated into people’s daily life. SURREALITY explores a new form of reality that may emerge in the future—a scenario where the virtual and the physical are no longer distinctly separate but collectively form the environments in which we perceive, interact, and live. Through artistic creation and immersive experiences, the exhibition offers audiences a glimpse into this transformative vision, prompting reflection on how technology is reshaping humanity’s understanding of reality.

The exhibited works come from numerous internationally renowned artists, showcasing the remarkable fusion of creative arts and digital technology. Several prominent participating artists also joined today’s event to introduce their works, fostering cross-regional cultural and arts exchanges. They include Prof. Benjamin SEIDE, media artist, VFX expert, and Associate Professor in the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University; Ms. Katerina SEMENKO, a Russian conceptual phygital artist and International Design Award recipient; and Dr. Adam NASH, an Australian digital virtual artist and Honorary Fellow of RMIT University.

Hashtag: #HKUST #HKUST(GZ)

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

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

Forest City Releases Updated 2026 ESG Milestones for Green City Malaysia as JS-SEZ Investment Master Plan Nears Completion

MIL OSI — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:34:51 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

JOHOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – As the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) prepares to unveil its strategic master plan this year, Forest City Special Financial Zone (SFZ), a growing residential and commercial hub designated as a Special Financial Zone in Johor, has released an updated summary of its ESG credentials.

Forest City aerial view — more than 60% of the master plan is dedicated to non-built green space (Source: Forest City SFZ).

While international headlines previously called Forest City a ghost city, its buildings earned LEED Gold Pre-Certification, and its development programme supported the restoration of 9 km of mangroves along the Johor coastline. Forest City SFZ’s updated summary presents a clear, verifiable record of its environmental performance, including 2.86 million m² of green space, LEED–Core and Shell (CS) Gold Pre‑Certification, 400+ documented species, 40+ international awards, and a live coastal restoration programme.

Natazha Harris, CEO of the Johor Investment Promotion Agency (IMFC-J), noted: “In the first four months of this year, we recorded 48 investment enquiries related to the Forest City SFZ. The potential investment value under discussion is estimated to reach several billion ringgit, with the annual target of RM2 billion expected to be surpassed. Several companies have progressed to advanced negotiations and feasibility studies, with key sectors including financial services, the digital economy, green technology, and high-value-added services. At the same time, areas such as renewable energy, carbon management, and sustainable urban development continue to attract strong interest.”

ESG Performance in Context: The JS-SEZ Investment Corridor

With the JS-SEZ master plan nearing completion — targeting accelerated growth across 11 key sectors and aiming to contribute RM 260 billion to Johor’s GDP by 2030 — Forest City SFZ is positioned to improve cross-border connectivity and attract investors seeking bilaterally supported investment opportunities.

As ESG criteria increasingly shape institutional real estate and infrastructure investment decisions globally, Forest City SFZ offers corporates and investors a verifiable record to evaluate across four key pillars: green space, LEED-CS Gold Pre-Certified buildings, biodiversity, and ongoing restoration efforts. Each pillar provides measurable environmental data points, while the 2024 Special Financial Zone designation added a governance dimension: a government-backed framework now bilaterally endorsed through the Malaysia–Singapore JS-SEZ agreement signed in January 2025.

In 2024, Malaysia officially launched the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF), requiring listed companies and large enterprises to adopt IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. The Singapore Exchange has also implemented comparable requirements for its listed entities, reflecting a growing regional emphasis on transparency and accountability in sustainability practices. Forest City continues to advance the adoption of robust sustainability standards and performance indicators. It serves as a strategic platform that encourages businesses and investors to prioritise environmental stewardship while promoting balance between economic development and natural ecosystem protection. Through a range of structured and recurring environmental initiatives within the Forest City SFZ, companies are provided with meaningful opportunities to implement and demonstrate ESG practices, building tangible track records in environmental responsibility.

For enterprises operating within the SFZ, this integrated environment—where land and marine ecosystems are carefully preserved—enhances their environmental performance and strengthens their sustainability credentials.

Foundation for ESG Performance: 2.86 Million m² of Total Green Space

Green space serves as a foundational layer of Forest City SFZ’s ESG framework, supporting quantifiable outcomes across building certification, biodiversity preservation, and coastal restoration progress.

The master plan dedicates over 60% of the total land area to non-built space, translating to 2.86 million m² of green infrastructure. This includes two golf courses, public parks, landscaped residential zones, and mangrove corridors that extend along the Johor coastline.

As of 2026, this green space supports more than 400 officially documented species on site. Beyond enhancing its appeal as a destination, this rich biodiversity serves as tangible evidence of sustained environmental stewardship. The island’s mangroves are critical contributors to biodiversity, as they support fish nurseries and bird populations while protecting the coast against erosion.

Land allocation at this scale, defined at the master plan stage, establishes a more stable foundation for future ESG targets and initiatives. For investors conducting ESG due diligence, the green-space ratio represents a structural commitment that cannot be replicated through incremental upgrades.

Building Credentials: LEED-CS Gold Pre-Certification

Forest City’s LEED-CS Gold Pre-Certification, a premier international sustainability standard for green buildings, provides an externally validated benchmark for sustainable building design. The standard is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), an independent third party recognised globally.

Pre-Certification represents verified design intent and formal commitment to sustainable performance criteria. It is evidence that environmental performance was embedded in project planning, not retrofitted. The standard covers energy modelling, water efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality, among other categories. The credential offers an independently verified data point aligned with global sustainability standards.

In addition, Forest City’s environmental protection and sustainable development efforts have also received third-party recognition. In 2022, Forest City received the Sustainable City and Human Settlements Award (SCAHSA), presented by the United Nations Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS), for Global Model of Green and Intelligent Construction. In addition, Forest City has received other SCAHSA awards, such as the 2020 Global Model of Coastal Ecological Environmental Protection Award and the 2021 Global Model of Low-Carbon City Planning and Design.

Coastal Restoration: Mangroves, Seagrass, and Marine Life

While third-party certification documents existing ecological value, coastal restoration demonstrates active investment in expanding environmental outcomes. Forest City’s programme focuses on mangrove restoration along the Johor coastline, a globally recognised climate adaptation strategy. Mangroves can store three to four times more carbon per acre than tropical forests. They also serve as natural barriers against storms, help prevent erosion, and support fish nurseries.

During the development phase, the landscape department implemented mangrove protection initiatives, including monitoring the mangrove coastline, collecting seeds, and supporting germination in the nursery. Now, Forest City regularly collaborates with professional environmental and research institutions, serving as a platform for advancing initiatives in climate action and biodiversity conservation. In a recent collaboration with HOPE 100, around 250 participants planted more than 1,000 mangrove saplings to help maintain the stability and health of mangrove ecosystems, providing tangible evidence of progress as longer-term restoration work advances.

The coastal design extends beyond mangroves to include 4 km of accessible beachfront coastline for residents and visitors, shallow coves and mudflats, and 250 hectares of seagrass habitat preservation. Seagrass meadows function as significant long-term carbon sinks, reinforcing the programme’s climate relevance. In collaboration with Country Garden Pacificview, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) launched a long-term monitoring and assisted recovery programme (2015–2025) focused on the seagrass ecosystem at Merambong Shoal, located near Forest City and recognised as the largest seagrass habitat in Peninsular Malaysia.

These restoration efforts are already yielding results. Since the programme’s inception, the number of seagrass species at Meambong Shoal has increased from 8 to 12, alongside a corresponding expansion in seagrass coverage. The area now supports diverse marine life, including dugongs, flounders, sea cucumbers, seahorses, and various fish species, with more than 100 species recorded. The collaboration between both parties remains ongoing.

The Long-Term Proposition: Nature and Commerce in Harmony

Forest City SFZ’s environmental investments are not isolated from its commercial proposition. The same green infrastructure that supports biodiversity and coastal restoration efforts also underpins a growing ecosystem of leisure and tourism amenities, creating revenue streams for long-term economic growth in the JS-SEZ.

The mangrove corridors, 4 km coastline, and sea fishing programmes are open to day visitors and weekend travellers, weaving green conservation into the travel experience and positioning Forest City as an emerging eco-tourism destination within the JS-SEZ corridor. For details, see Forest City’s tourism facilities.

Golf represents another convergence of environmental planning and commercial return, integrating ecology and landscape design. The Forest City Golf Resort features two critically acclaimed courses with abundant water features and landscapes surrounded by vast mangrove forests. The courses attract regional and international players to Johor annually: the Jack Nicklaus Legacy Course (par-72, 7,386 yards), which has ranked within the top 50 of the 2024–2025 Asia-Pacific Top 100 Golf Courses list, and the Liang Guo Kun Classic Course (7,138 yards), which has ranked in the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia for six consecutive years.

Conclusion

Forest City SFZ’s latest ESG credentials indicate measurable sustainability progress, evidenced by LEED–CS Gold Pre-Certification, verified green-space and biodiversity metrics, and an ongoing coastal restoration programme.

For investors and corporates navigating tightening ESG disclosure requirements, these metrics offer a credible basis for due diligence. While prior “ghost city” narratives suggested limited prospects, current verifiable records from the U.S. Green Building Council, 40+ international awards recognising planning and sustainability excellence, and bilateral government endorsement through the JS-SEZ framework provide a significantly more informed and current basis for assessment. The SFZ incentive structure and MM2H programme round out the proposition, positioning Forest City SFZ not merely as an environmental benchmark, but also as a credible long-term destination for capital and talent alike.

Hashtag: #ForestCity

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

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

Every thing leaves a trace: eDNA technology empowers environmental protection in China

MIL OSI — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:01:30 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – Since 2021, the China Zhi Gong Party has been carrying out a Yangtze River eco-environmental protection project in partnership with east China’s Anhui Province.

Faced with the complex challenge of river basin management, the party’s central committee has leveraged its intellectual resources, bringing together a think tank of leading experts to launch a five-year “science and technology empowerment” initiative across the Jianghuai region, the area around the lower reaches of the Huaihe River and the Yangtze River.

Among them is Zhang Wei, a member of the China Zhi Gong Party and a professor at Peking University. She has led her team in monitoring biodiversity in Chaohu Lake and the main and branch tributaries of the Wanjiang River in Anhui Province through eDNA technology, which can precisely identify minute traces of life in water and even detect invasive species that are difficult to spot with bare eyes.

“We capture or collect these minute traces of environmental information and then amplify them,” said Zhang.

Without the need to fish or disturb aquatic life, this technology allows scientists to assess the biodiversity of a water body simply by analyzing genetic information from water samples. This approach has opened up new pathways for evaluating the effectiveness of the fishing ban on the Yangtze River and conducting biodiversity monitoring.

Over the past five years, Zhang’s team has worked closely with Anhui University and local environmental protection authorities to establish multiple sampling sites in Chaohu Lake and the Wanjiang River. She hopes that through targeted oversight, eDNA monitoring technology will be promoted and applied on a more comprehensive scale.

“We hope to set an example so that everyone can do their part to support environmental protection and monitoring in this way,” Zhang said.

Hashtag: #eDNA #EnvironmentalProtection

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

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

DRC: One month on, MSF warns dangerous gaps persist in Ebola disease response

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:52:55 +0000

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

BUNIA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 15 June 2026 — One month after the Ebola disease outbreak was declared in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns that despite the recent scale-up in the response, major gaps in surveillance, diagnosis, contact tracing and community engagement continue to undermine efforts to bring the outbreak under control. A response that is proportionate to the scale of the outbreak is urgently needed.

“One month on, the Ebola disease outbreak is outpacing the response effort,” says Kate White, emergency medical coordinator for MSF in DRC. “No one knows the true scale or exactly where the disease is spreading in DRC. What we do know is that most treatment centres in Ituri province are overwhelmed; many of our patients arrive at a late stage of the disease, and the majority were never identified or monitored as contacts before seeking care.”

The disease is spreading across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces in eastern DRC, with Ituri accounting for nearly 95 per cent of the cases. The response, led by the Congolese Ministry of Health and supported by several international partners, is being put in place in the affected areas. Unfortunately, insecurity makes reaching certain communities difficult, and even in more stable areas, efforts to detect cases, test patients, identify contacts, and monitor transmission are insufficient. In neighbouring Uganda, 19 confirmed cases have also been reported by the health authorities.

Congolese health authorities officially reported more than 650 confirmed cases and over 130 deaths. However, MSF warns that these figures likely represent only part of the picture.

“Testing remains one of the most significant weaknesses in the response, despite recent improvements in laboratory capacity and the arrival of hundreds of mobile test kits in eastern DRC, designed specifically for the Bundibugyo virus,” says White. “Many communities, especially those affected by ongoing insecurity, still have limited access to these kits, while treatment centres continue to face significant delays in receiving laboratory results. Without faster and more widely available testing, we will struggle to detect cases early enough to contain the outbreak.”

In areas where the outbreak is unfolding, millions of people have already been living with decades of active conflict, repeated displacement, chronic gaps in healthcare, and a limited humanitarian response. These conditions severely hamper response efforts and create an environment in which the disease can spread more easily.

In Ituri, where MSF has been present for decades, we have observed fear and mistrust among communities, with some being wary of the sudden arrival of Ebola response teams.

“Setting up activities and explaining the disease is not enough to build community trust – people’s concerns need to be listened to, and communities should help shape the response,” says Frederic Lai Manantsoa, emergency coordinator for MSF in DRC.

For many communities, the outbreak is just one of several health emergencies that have been inadequately addressed for years. Maintaining access to routine healthcare is just as important as controlling the outbreak itself to save lives.

“Pregnant women still need maternal care, children still need vaccinations, and patients still need treatment for malaria and cholera,” says White. “Maintaining access to routine healthcare also helps support Ebola disease surveillance among communities.”

Although the number of confirmed cases reported in North Kivu and South Kivu is relatively low, they face many of the same challenges around surveillance and testing. In North Kivu, there is only one laboratory to test blood samples, and they take several days to process. Since there is no automated system for sending them to healthcare facilities, it can sometimes take almost a week to get results.

Alongside direct patient care, MSF is also sending teams to more remote and insecure areas to strengthen detection and response capacity where alerts have been reported.

“This outbreak can still be brought under control, but the window for action is narrowing,” says Lai Manantsoa. “Diagnostics, surveillance, access to care, and community engagement must be urgently strengthened. We urge authorities, and all stakeholders involved in the response, to do everything possible to facilitate the movement of health workers and supplies, and enable a response that matches the scale of this crisis.”

MSF Ebola Disease Outbreak Response: Since the beginning of the outbreak, MSF teams in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu have established Ebola treatment centres in Bunia, Mongbwalu, Komanda, Goma, Bukavu, and Lwiro, and we are preparing more isolation and treatment facilities across the three provinces. MSF has reinforced infection prevention and control measures in the health facilities we support. We are also carrying out a wide range of critical activities, including engaging with communities, supporting surveillance activities, training health workers in infection prevention and control, supporting on safe and dignified burials, supplying health facilities with equipment and medicines, and helping to ensure continuity of essential healthcare services beyond the Ebola disease response. Hundreds of tonnes of equipment and medicines have been shipped from Kinshasa and abroad, and nearly 600 staff are currently involved in MSF’s Ebola disease outbreak response.

MSF activities in DRC: In parallel with our support for the Ebola outbreak response, MSF remains committed to providing impartial medical care to people across DRC, where we work in 16 of the country’s 26 provinces. Our teams respond to the needs of people affected by conflict, violence, displacement, and disease outbreaks. Key activities include surgical care for the wounded; treatment of malnutrition; HIV and tuberculosis care; reproductive health services; paediatric care; malaria prevention and treatment; disease outbreak prevention, surveillance, and response; and mental health support. Our teams are also currently responding to other preventable disease outbreaks, including cholera and measles.

Link to video material:

An interview with Australian Kate White, Emergency Medical Coordinator in Ituri, describing the current situation with a focus on the Ebola response in the epicentre, Mongbwalu (in English) https://media.msf.org/Share/fn6x5bu7y66867f2p3mjyx61s2402gc0
An interview with Dr. Maria Mashako, Emergency Medical Coordinator in Ituri, describing the situation with a focus on the fact that Ebola is not the only emergency affecting Ituri (in French) https://media.msf.org/Share/pw4al1u2w081ctt5284od7jm6aue3261
Maps of the affected areas :https://media.msf.org/Share/5dqjnc6m5crb13sxs68b5346184qf8jl
Broll of Ebola activities is available upon request.

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. Every year more than 120 Australians and New Zealanders go on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières working as: doctors, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, human resource/finance coordinators, pharmacists, mental health specialists and logisticians. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au

MIL OSI

Books – The Artist Who Preserved Paradise: Expansive New Biography Explores the Life and Legacy of Robert Lee Eskridge

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:52:49 +0000

Source: Cision.com

HAWAII, June 15, 2026 — Long before global tourism reshaped the world’s most remote destinations, artist Robert Lee Eskridge was there — preserving island life as it existed nearly a century ago: the fishermen at daybreak, the surfers poised against rolling seas, the vahine framed by mountain and lagoon.

“His art does more than depict memory; it safeguards it,” writes award-winning author and historian CJ Cook in his book, Robert Lee Eskridge: Affable Artist, Author, and Adventurer in Tahiti, Hawaii, Brazil, and Beyond. “In bringing his life to the page, I have come to understand that his paintings and prose were never separate endeavors. They were twin instruments in a single mission: to make the world more vivid, more human, and more remembered.”

A painter, writer and restless traveler whose career spanned five decades and three oceans, Eskridge produced thousands of watercolors, hundreds of oils and more than 100 illustrations for eight books, three of which he wrote.

Eskridge trained in France under the Cubist master André Lhote, absorbing the structural discipline of modernism and carrying it with him into the tropics. There, he merged Art Deco geometry with the organic rhythms of island life, creating a visual language that was both contemporary and deeply rooted in place. His four journeys to Tahiti culminated in Manga Reva: The Forgotten Islands (1931), a landmark work of Pacific art and literature that blends firsthand ethnographic insight with lyrical prose and evocative illustration.

In Hawai‘i, Eskridge emerged as a keen visual historian of daily life before statehood. His murals, watercolors and oils — depicting surfers, fishermen, paniolos and hula

dancers — capture a world in transition with empathy, clarity and respect. Ever curious and unwilling to stand still, he later expanded his palette while traveling through Brazil and Portugal, responding to new cultures with the same attentiveness that defined his island work. At every stage, Eskridge fused scholarship, adventure and humor into his art and writing. His paintings and books reveal a man of intellect and humanity — an artist who bridged continents, honored local cultures and celebrated the enduring beauty of the Pacific and beyond.

“Eskridge urged us to observe with intention and feel sincerely,” Cook writes. “Each painted stroke invited contemplation. Each story bridged worlds.”

Robert Lee Eskridge: Affable Artist, Author, and Adventurer in Tahiti, Hawaii, Brazil, and Beyond

Publisher: South Pacific Dreams Publishing

Release Date: August 11, 2026

ISBN-13: 979-8-9948266-0-7

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CJ Cook is an award-winning author and historian whose work focuses on the art, artists and cultural history of the South Pacific. His previous titles, including Tyree: Artist of the South Pacific and Leeteg: Babes, Bars, Beaches, and Black Velvet Art, have earned multiple golds from the Independent Book Publishers Association.

Cook’s biography of Robert Lee Eskridge offers the most comprehensive account yet of the artist’s remarkable life and legacy. The expansive, richly illustrated volume features 509 images, including over 210 works by Eskridge.

Cook serves on the board of The Manuscript Society, an organization dedicated to preserving historical documents.

For more information, please visit www.SouthPacificDreams.com, or find the author on
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cj.cook.520054), X (@cjcook17) and Instagram (@cjcook1767).

MIL OSI

More than 60 landmarks across Aotearoa to light up orange for World Vision 40 Hour Challenge

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:52:46 +0000

Source: World Vision

An orange glow will light up across Aotearoa this weekend as more than 60 iconic Kiwis landmarks light up orange in support of the country’s largest youth fundraising event, the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.

This is the sixth year that a multitude of New Zealand’s most recognisable monuments will shine orange to raise awareness for the fundraising campaign which this year is focused on tackling severe child hunger in Solomon Islands.

The nationwide campaign runs from 19-21 June 2026 and invites participants to go offline for 40 hours by giving up phones, gaming, social media, streaming, and even electricity, while raising funds for hungry children in Solomon Islands.

World Vision New Zealand’s National Director, TJ Grant, says young people today live very “online” lives, which makes going offline for 40 hours the ultimate challenge, while also being a great opportunity to help the one in six children in the Pacific living in severe food poverty i.

“We’re asking rangatahi to sacrifice their screentime for a short time to make a lifelong difference for hungry children in Solomon Islands. Nearly half of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition which means they don’t get what they need to grow and thrive ii.

“Funds raised will give families tools and seeds to farm climate-smart crops, plant mangroves to protect their land from rising sea levels and restore fish populations and provide sustainable food sources for future generations so children can grow up healthy and strong in a changing climate.”

Grant says it’s encouraging that so many landmarks want to show their support for this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge. Some of the key monuments lighting up in Auckland during the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge Weekend (19-21 June) include Sky Tower, Spark Arena, Dominion Road, Eden Park, The Aotea Centre, The Civic Lights, Sylvia Park, and St. Peters Church (Onehunga).

Other key monuments lighting up across Aotearoa, include the Christchurch Botanical Gardens; Forsyth Barr Stadium and Otago Boys High School (Dunedin); The Anzac Parade Bridge (Hamilton); Queen’s Park (Invercargill); The Gold of the Kowhai Sculpture and Tom Parker Fountain (Napier); New Plymouth Clock Tower and Main Street Trees Inglewood; Lake District Museum & Gallery and Queenstown Airport terminal; and Michael Fowler Centre (Wellington).

Unique and iconic landmarks lighting up orange this year include the Gore Brown Trout; the tunnel at Wellington Cable Cars; and the Big Fruit in Cromwell.

The World Vision 40 Hour Challenge takes place from 19-21 June. Sign up to take part in this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, or donate, at: 40hour.org.nz The full list of landmarks lighting up orange and supporting the campaign on 19-21 June includes:

Arrowtown: Lakes District Museum & Gallery

Ashburton: Clocktower Auckland: Sky Tower, Spark Arena, Dominion Road, Eden Park, The Aotea Centre, The Civic Lights, Sylvia Park, St. Peters Church (Onehunga)

Christchurch: Belfast Road Bridge, Botanical Gardens, Bridge of Remembrance, Bowker Fountain (Victoria Square), Captain Scott Plaza, New Brighton Pier, Vaka A Hina, Fanfare Sculpture, Christchurch Airport (Terminal and Tower), Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Christchurch Town Hall Ferrier Fountain, Memorial Gateway Bridge

Cromwell: Big Fruit

Dunedin: Forsyth Barr Stadium and Otago Boys High School will be lighting up orange while Dunedin Airport will be showcasing the campaign on its digital screens.

Gore: Brown Trout

Hamilton: The Anzac Parade Bridge will be lighting up orange, while the Hamilton Airport will be showcasing the campaign on its digital screens.

Horowhenua: Foxton Water Tower

Invercargill: Queens Park (Feldwich Gates, Band Rotunda, and Gala Street Fountain) Napier: The Gold of the Kowhai Sculpture and Tom Parker Fountain Nelson: Civic House Clock Tower

New Plymouth: New Plymouth Clock Tower and Main Street Trees Inglewood

Oamaru: Oamaru Opera House and Craig Fountain Palmerston North: Hopwood Clock Tower

Queenstown: Lake District Museum & Gallery and Queenstown Airport terminal

Rotorua: Rotorua Lakes Council Civic Admin building

Tauranga: Wharf Street Lights, Beacon Wharf, Masonic Park, Waterfront Park North, Waterfront Playground, Wharf Street Lights, Tunks Reserve

Te Aroha: Clock Tower

Timaru: Basilica of Sacred Heart

Tirau: The Big Sheep Dog Waitaki: Craig Fountain Waitomo: Tree of Light Wellington: Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Cable Car tunnel, Wellington Airport, Kelburn Park Fountain, Hikitia, Nga Kina sculpture and Promenades, Queens Wharf sails shades, Waterfront Light poles (Te Papa Promenade/Taranaki St Wharf/Frank Kitts Park Promenade/Kumutoto area), Wellington Airport (promoting the campaign on their digital screens)

Whanganui: Royal Whanganui Opera House

Whangarei: Victoria Canopy Bridge, Te Matau a Pohe Bridge

MIL OSI

Consumer Issues – More than a million households likely paying too much for power

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:52:44 +0000

Source: Consumer NZ

As the winter power bills start to bite, research by Consumer NZ has found half the nation’s households have stayed loyal to their power provider for at least five years. Loyalty could be costing those customers hundreds of extra dollars each year.

“Essentially, over a million households are probably inadvertently paying a loyalty tax,” says Paul Fuge, who manages Powerswitch, Consumer’s free price-comparison website.

Many people think all power providers charge around the same, but that’s simply not true, Fuge says.

“You could be using the same amount of power as your neighbour but paying much more than them.”

The price a household pays for power varies significantly depending on their provider, plan type and location.

According to Consumer, energy retailers tend to offer their best pricing deals to new customers. Existing customers don’t reap the same benefit from the promotional perks.

Fuge says: “What really gets people fired up is coming to Powerswitch and finding not only could they be getting a better deal with another retailer, but often they could also get a better deal from the retailer they’re already with!

“Too many consumers – especially those that have been with their retailer for a long time – understandably assume their retailer will reward their loyalty and look out for them by letting them know when a better deal comes along. To be fair, some do, but, unfortunately, not all.

“Power prices are already high, up 20% in the past two years alone. Don’t add a loyalty tax on top. The average annual saving for people who switch on Powerswitch is now around $450.”

Bundles need an abundance of caution

Bundles continue to be popular, but Consumer recommends would-be bundlers proceed with caution.

Three in 10 energy customers are on a bundled deal. This means they have multiple services with the same provider.

“A quarter of New Zealanders say bundled deals are important to them when choosing a provider. Similarly, a quarter of people say promotions, such as free electronics or appliances, are an important factor when choosing who to give their custom to,” says Fuge.

“In our experience, people who bundle tend to get tied in with their provider because the barriers to switching appear more complicated. In reality, once your contract is up, a bundle should not be a barrier to switching. You might be paying over the odds for multiple services and could save even more by splitting out your utilities.

“We urge people to do their homework before signing up for a plan with a free appliance. Chances are you will be paying for that appliance through higher-than-average power prices throughout the duration of your fixed-term contract.

“Pay less for power this winter, and make today the day you say no to a loyalty tax.

“It only takes a few minutes to compare power plans and switch for savings on Powerswitch.org.nz.”

About Consumer

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

MIL OSI

Universities – Warm winters have chilling environmental effects – expert

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:41:41 +0000

Source: University of Auckland

Ahead of Show Your Stripes Day on 21 June raising awareness of climate change, Professor Cate Macinnis-Ng delves into the environmental impacts of our warming winters.

A warm start to winter might seem like good news, but unseasonal weather has serious environmental consequences, says University of Auckland Professor Cate Macinnis-Ng.

Record high temperatures have been recorded this month in Wellington and across much of the country, says Macinnis-Ng, a Professor of Biological Sciences.

“A wide range of natural and human systems are disrupted by this abnormally mild winter weather,” she says.

Many native trees typically have a dormant period during winter, but warmer temperatures can spur unseasonal growth, says Macinnis-Ng.

“Our measurements over the past few years show kauri in Auckland are continuing to grow right through winter.

“Unfortunately, that has negative impacts on their ability to store carbon.

“Warmer weather increases tree respiration rates, so more carbon is released into the atmosphere, creating a pretty alarming climate change spiral.”

More insects from warmer climates are becoming pests in New Zealand, as milder winter weather makes it easier for them to survive here, she says.

“We’re likely to get more exotic wasps, which are harmful to our native insects, birds and reptiles – as well as packing a nasty sting for humans.

“We’re also expecting to see increasing numbers of parasites in sheep and cattle and more insect pests in plantation forests.”

With fewer cold snaps, there’s a higher risk of new invasions of larger mosquitoes, ants, cattle ticks, and exotic pests, such as the Queensland fruit fly, says Macinnis-Ng, who works with the University’s Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society – Ngā Ara Whetū.

“The good news is flea infestations are expected to decline in parts of New Zealand that are getting warmer and drier.”

New invasive plants from subtropical regions could become established in New Zealand and existing pest plants could spread further, she says.

New Zealand’s alpine zones are particularly vulnerable to winter warming, because the native plants and wildlife there have adapted to icy conditions, with few predators and competitors, says Macinnis-Ng.

Animal pests, such as rats, stoats and ferrets, could increase in numbers and spread to higher elevations in alpine areas as they grow warmer, a pattern known as “thermal squeeze”, she says.

“We’re concerned about thermal squeeze, because it shrinks the remaining safe spaces left for alpine birds, like the kea and our endangered native rock wren, the tuke.

“So the risk of extinctions rises.”

Macinnis-Ng says the horticulture industry depends on cold winter nights to trigger spring flowering.

Future climates could cause kiwifruit vines and fruit trees, such as apples and avocados, to flower less prolifically and have poor-quality fruit, she says.

“Heat stress reduces the quality and size of crops like potatoes and onions.

“But more tropical crops, like bananas, could begin to flourish here.

“Plant breeding and gene technologies might also help us develop fruit and vegetables that can grow well in a warmer world.”

Macinnis-Ng says more scientific research will be needed to develop solutions to the problems warmer winters cause for native wildlife and primary industries.

“As the climate changes, we’re going to need to find the best ways to adapt to all these impacts on our environment and on our society as a whole,” she says.

Show Your Stripes Day uses graphics with coloured stripes to show how climate change has impacted on temperatures in different parts of the world. Blue shades indicate cooler temperatures, while red shades represent warmer temperatures. The event aims to raise awareness about our warming world.

MIL OSI