Housing – LiveNews.co.nz

Environment – Danish Govt to lower drinking water nitrate limit, Greenpeace calls on NZ to follow

LiveNews Publisher — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:07:49 +0000

Source: Greenpeace

The Danish Government has officially confirmed, via its coalition agreement, that it will dramatically lower legal limits for nitrate contamination in drinking water in line with authorities’ recommendations, following outcry from Danish citizens over the country’s pork industry and its links to water contamination.

Greenpeace Aotearoa says that New Zealand should follow in Denmark’s footsteps, calling nitrate contamination a ‘hidden public health crisis’ and warning that it will worsen if action isn’t taken.

The existing nitrate limits – set at 50 mg/L NO3 , which is equivalent to the 11.3 mg/L NO3-N metric used in New Zealand – were set in the 1950s by the World Health Organisation in response to methemoglobinemia risk in infants (Blue Baby Syndrome), but do not account for long-term and chronic health risks. Denmark is set to lower its nitrate limits to 6 mg/L NO3, equivalent to 1.3 mg/L NO3-N, following the recommendations of an independent scientific review commissioned by the Danish Ministry for the Environment.

“From New Zealand to Denmark and beyond, nitrate contamination is threatening rural communities’ health,” says Greenpeace Aotearoa freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe.

“Intensive meat and dairy corporations are poisoning drinking water, and governments are not holding them accountable. Denmark’s commitment to lowering the nitrate limit is the first step towards forcing these corporations to stop their pollution.”

“Denmark has just proven that public health can take precedence over corporate agribusiness lobbies. Every child should be able to grow up drinking safe, clean water at home, without pollution from industrial livestock production making them sick.”

“Lowering the nitrate limit will make that possible for Danish communities. But New Zealanders will find little comfort in this while they are drinking water that could be making them sick.”

Nitrate contamination in drinking water has been linked to increased risks of bowel cancer and preterm birth by a growing body of international scientific research.

“New Zealand is in the middle of a nitrate crisis,” says Appelbe.

“Already, many rural communities cannot safely drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap. Towns like Darfield and Oxford in Canterbury, or Lumsden in Southland, have levels of nitrate in their drinking water that put pregnant people at an increased risk of preterm birth. This is unacceptable, and New Zealanders should be ashamed that it’s got this bad.”

“While Fonterra and other corporations are reaping record profits, their intensive dairy farms are leaking nitrate and other toxins into the soil and water systems. A handful of wealthy agribusiness executives cannot be allowed to compromise the health of our communities just to enrich themselves. That’s why New Zealand must lower the nitrate limit immediately, just like Denmark.”

MIL OSI

New Samoan Language Music Videos Launched During Samoa Language Week 2026

LiveNews Publisher — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:38:01 +0000

Source: Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata (MMAA)

Palmerston North, New Zealand—5th June 2026

Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata (MMAA) proudly launched four new bilingual Samoan children’s music videos during Samoa Language Week 2026, continuing its commitment to preserving, promoting, and celebrating gagana Samoa for future generations.

The music videos formed Part Two of a collaborative project between Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata and award-winning children’s music duo The KaRs, led by Kane Parsons and Regan Taylor. The project was proudly supported through the Creative Communities Scheme, administered by Palmerston North City Council, over both 2025 and 2026.

Building on the success of the 2025 project, the partnership previously released 10 original bilingual Samoan songs and two music videos. One of those videos, I’a Mase’ese’e (Slippery Fish), attracted more than 100k views on YouTube, highlighting the demand for engaging and accessible Samoan language resources for children, families, educators, and communities across Aotearoa and beyond.

The launch took place on Thursday, 4 June 2026 and brought together children, families, educators, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate the richness of the Samoan language and culture.

This year’s Samoa Language Week theme, “‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le nu‘u” – “From the high mountains are the blessings of the village,” acknowledged the collective contributions of families, communities, leaders, and educators who nurture and strengthen future generations. The theme reflected the spirit of this project, which was made possible through collaboration, partnership, and a shared commitment to language revitalisation.

Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata Centre Manager, Tiana Fauolo, said the project continued to respond to the growing need for quality Samoan language resources.

“We were delighted to share these new resources with our families and community during Samoa Language Week. We hope these resources encourage families, educators, and communities to use gagana Samoa every day.”

The videos featured the voices and talents of Malamalama Moni tamaiti alongside The KaRs, whose work is widely recognised for creating educational music and resources that inspire children to learn through song and play.

Kane Parsons of The KaRs said the collaboration demonstrated the power of community partnerships in supporting language learning. ‘Music has an incredible way of bringing language, culture, and community together. Seeing tamaiti singing confidently in gagana Samoa through these songs and videos has been incredibly rewarding for all of us involved. This project has always been about creating resources that families can use together at home, in centres, and out in the community. We’re also incredibly proud of the visual storytelling in these videos, captured beautifully by videographer Trent Skeet, a recent UCOL graduate, whose creativity and passion helped bring the songs to life for tamariki and audiences everywhere.’

At the heart of the partnership between Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata and The KaRs is a shared belief in the power of music to inspire learning. Both organisations are passionate about supporting young children during their formative years, when language, culture, identity, and confidence are developing rapidly. Through songs, movement, and storytelling, they have worked together to create resources created for use both in the classroom and at home, the resources support learners of all ages to hear, speak, and enjoy gagana Samoa in meaningful and engaging ways.

The project reflected a simple but powerful belief: language thrives when it is spoken, sung, shared, and celebrated together.

Acknowledgement

Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata, The KaRs and Hokozoo Productions gratefully acknowledges the support of the Creative Communities Scheme, administered by Palmerston North City Council. Funding received over the past two years made it possible to develop and produce bilingual Samoan language songs and music videos that promote gagana Samoa and celebrate Pacific culture through music, learning, and community connection.

About Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata

Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata is a bilingual Samoan early childhood education centre based in Palmerston North. Established under the EFKS Church, the centre provides a nurturing environment where children are immersed in gagana Samoa, aganu’u Samoa, Christian values, and a strong sense of identity, belonging, and cultural pride.

About The KaRs

The KaRs are an award-winning children’s music duo consisting of Kane Parsons and Regan Taylor. Through music, books, videos, and live performances, they create educational content that encourages children to learn, explore, and celebrate diversity through creative experiences.

MIL OSI

Disabled People’s | Tāngata Whaikaha Experiences of Health Services: Report on complaints to HDC

LiveNews Publisher — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:07:56 +0000

Source: Health and Disability Commissioner

Disabled People’s | Tāngata Whaikaha Experiences of Health Services: Report on complaints to HDC

Report highlights barriers disabled people face in health services

A report released today by the HDC highlights the significant barriers disabled people continue to face when engaging with health services. Complaints made to the HDC detail the impact of a health system that does not meet the needs of disabled people.

Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner, Rose Wall said that HDC’s report reflects concerns disabled people have consistently raised for many years.

“Disabled people engage more frequently with the health system, yet too often they continue to face barriers that affect their dignity, safety and ability to access care on an equal basis with others.”

‘Disabled People’s | Tāngata Whaikaha Experiences of Health Services: report on complaints to HDC’ details an analysis of complaints received between 2023 and 2025. The HDC makes a series of recommendations related to the right of disabled people to receive safe, person-centred care.

“Disabled people experience poorer health outcomes, and implicit and explicit biases towards disability remain.”

“Trust in the health system is critical. Disabled people need to know they will have their rights upheld when they receive care.”

“This report looks at how gaps in service design, communication and coordination within and between agencies negatively impact on disabled people’s experiences and outcomes.”

Over the three-year period, HDC received approximately 1,800 complaints from disabled people about health services. A close review of 176 complaints highlighted recurring issues relating to person-centred care, cultural responsiveness, informed consent, understanding and management of coexisting health and disability conditions, and coordination of care across services.

“Improving outcomes for disabled people requires more than individual service improvements – it requires a coordinated, cross-system approach. I have recommended that Health NZ and Disability Support Services work together as lead agencies to address the issues highlighted in the report.”

The report identifies the need to strengthen reasonable accommodations and reduce barriers to care and highlights the importance of cross-agency collaboration in supporting disabled people to navigate between multiple systems.

HDC has also stressed the importance of the health workforce being supported to improve their understanding of the rights of disabled people, the diverse experiences and support needs of disability communities.

“Disabled people must be at the centre of this work. Their voice and leadership are essential in shaping services that are safe, accessible and responsive to their needs.”

HDC will continue to work with relevant agencies and providers to monitor progress and advocate for system-wide improvements.

The full report is available on the Health and Disability Commissioner’s website: www.hdc.org.nz

This release of this report coincides with the publication of ‘A Window on Disability’ by the Health Quality & Safety Commission Te Tāhū Hauora, with both reports highlighting the ongoing barriers and inequities in outcomes disabled people continue to experience across the health system.

Anonymised excerpts from complaints:

A non-verbal consumer reported waiting hours in ED before a nurse identified a simple alternative communication method, enabling contact with an emergency support person and medication to be provided.

“After hours, another nurse came in and tried to speak to me. She quickly realised I was nonverbal and asked if I could answer by shaking or nodding my head – I could. It took her one minute to do this and to find out she could call one of my emergency contacts to tell her what had happened … I was then moved to a quieter place in ED, given a cup of water with a straw so I could actually drink, was given the medication I had waited hours for.”

A hearing-impaired consumer described relying on a phone transcription app to communicate with hospital staff after surgery, despite informing staff about their communication needs in advance.

“I told the nurse who admitted me to the ward [for surgery] I was very hearing impaired. She wrote on my information whiteboard that my language was ‘lip reading’ … I am not a good lip reader, it requires intense concentration and skill, and after surgery there was no hope of me lip reading … I was relying on Google Live Transcribe to understand what people were saying to me.”

A wheelchair user reported having to bring their own ramp to medical appointments because a clinic was not accessible.

“The clinic… had no accessibility, meaning any time I visited I had to bring my own ramp for my wheelchair.”

A father described concerns about autism-related care needs and specialist notes being ignored during an emergency department presentation, resulting in distress for his son and premature halting of healthcare.

“On [consumer’s] medical notes there are two red flags noted by a psychologist and a psychiatrist, which highlights the difficulty for him when receiving treatments in hospital … [consumer’s father] relayed this information to the ED consultant but the information was ignored and resulted in [consumer] becoming anxious, aggressive towards staff … [consumer’s father] wanted [consumer] to remain in hospital but felt, with the low level of acceptance and acknowledgement about [consumer’s] autism and the recorded notes by specialists being ignored, it was in the best interest of [consumer] to take him home.”

A disabled man who did not meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis spent multiple years in a psychiatric ward due to a lack of alternative support options.

“[We] are concerned there is no end to this [three-year psychiatric] hospital admission for [consumer with learning disability and no diagnosed mental health condition] and [we] are uncertain he is being prioritised in terms of a pathway for [him] to be successfully integrated back into the community.”

Notes

Please only use the photo provided with this media release. For any questions about the photo, please contact the communications team.

The full report of this case can be viewed on HDC’s website – see HDC’s ‘ Latest Decisions‘.

Names have been removed from the report to protect privacy of the individuals involved in this case.

The Commissioner will usually name providers and public hospitals found in breach of the Code unless it would not be in the public interest or would unfairly compromise the privacy interests of an individual provider or a consumer. More information for the media, including HDC’s naming policy and why we don’t comment on complaints, can be found on our website here.

HDC promotes and protects the rights of people using health and disability services as set out in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code).

In 2022/23 HDC made 592 quality improvement recommendations to individual complaints and we have a high compliance rate of around 96%.

MIL OSI

Health Provision – Disability data gaps leave health inequities hidden, new report finds

LiveNews Publisher — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:00:47 +0000

Source: Health Quality and Safety Commission Te Tāhū Hauora

A significant gap in New Zealand’s health data is making widespread inequities for disabled people invisible, according to a new report released Friday June 5 by the Health Quality and Safety Commission Te Tāhū Hauora (the Commission).

According to the 2023 Household Disability Survey, disabled people make up around one in six New Zealanders.

A Window on Disability report finds that disability is largely invisible in national health data, meaning the health system has limited ability to identify, measure or address the health needs and inequities experienced by more than 850,000 disabled New Zealanders.

For example, while everyone who uses the health system is assigned a National Health Index (NHI) number, the NHI record does not capture whether a person is disabled or what support they may need.

Despite these limitations, the report uses new data analysis techniques to connect existing datasets and, for the first time, build a national picture of disabled people’s experiences of health care quality and safety.

What emerges is a clear pattern of systemic barriers and poorer health outcomes across the lifetimes of disabled people. These include:

maternity care: disabled people are less likely to enrol with a lead maternity carer and have higher rates of pre-term birth
children and youth: services are generally responsive in early years, but the transition to adult care is a significant pressure point where connections between services begin to fragment and disparities in health outcomes between disabled and non-disabled people widen
adults: disabled people face barriers to accessing primary care, contributing to higher emergency department use and increased rates of cancer, diabetes, post-operative complications, poor oral health, and mental health conditions
older adults: a growing group of people with age-related disabilities is emerging, but their needs are not well distinguished in current data.

The compounding impacts throughout disabled people’s lifetimes build and result in the Window’s stark finding that disabled people die from treatable conditions at five times the rate of non-disabled people. This rises to 10 times for Māori disabled people.

Professor Sunny Collings, Chief Executive of the Commission, says the findings highlight both the impact of inequities and the risks of data gaps on disabled people’s health outcomes.

“Disabled people have long reported barriers in the health system, but until now, those experiences haven’t been visible in national level data.

“A Window on Disability shows what becomes possible when we start to connect the data, but also how much is still missing”.

Improving disability data collection is critical. The report identified a good first step is to commit to, and fully resource, the mandatory inclusion of standardised disability identification questions across all existing and future health data collection processes.

Professor Collings says “reliable, good quality data is essential to understanding where in the health system we need to focus our efforts to improve health outcomes for disabled people”.

Access A Window on Disability report on the Health Quality & Safety Commission website, from Friday 5 June: http://hqsc.govt.nz/a-window-on-disability

A Window on Disability is released on the same day as the Health and Disability Commissioner’s report ‘Disabled people’s | Tangata whaikaha experiences of health services’ which states that about 25 percent of complaints it receives are about care provided to disabled people.

Background

A Window on Disability was developed in a partnership between the Health Quality & Safety Commission Te Tāhū Hauora, researchers from the Donald Beasley Institute, and data analytics group Nicholson Consulting.

The Window combines disabled-led research and disability community engagement with advanced Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) data analytics.

The Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) is a large research database managed by Statistics NZ. It holds de-identified microdata about people and households that comes from government agencies, Statistics NZ surveys, and non-government organisations (NGOs).

MIL OSI

Registration Now Open for Free Public Admission to Fifth Hong Kong Science Fair

MIL OSI — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:16:36 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Over five years, nearly 9,000 teachers and students have participated in the Fair to drive youth engagement in innovation and technology

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 June 2026 – Organised by the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (‘HKIF’), the Fifth Hong Kong Science Fair (‘Science Fair’) will take place from 27 to 28 June 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will showcase around 120 shortlisted teams from primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong, presenting creative inventions that integrate artificial intelligence with a diverse range of technology applications. With Sino Group as Principal Patron, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government (ITIB) as the Supporting Bureau, and the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC) as Strategic Partner, HKIF is also honoured to have, for the first time, invited the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China as an Advisory Organisation. Representatives from the Foundation will attend the award ceremony to witness the announcement of this year’s winning teams. Consistently a major draw for the community, the Science Fair is now open for online registration with free admission, and the public is warmly invited to attend in person.

Since its launch in 2021, the Science Fair has attracted participation from over 400 local schools, engaging nearly 9,000 students and teachers from Primary 4 to Secondary 6. To date, more than 2,200 creative invention submissions have been received, and the event has established itself as a key platform for youth I&T exchange.

Following Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Dr Lai Ka-ying, into space, the local innovation and technology ecosystem has attracted even greater attention. This year’s Science Fair has specially incorporated aerospace engineering elements, enabling the public to learn about the daily work and challenges of payload specialists, gain insight into the reality of aerospace research and development, and spark greater interest among young people in space exploration. Dr Lai launched aboard the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft and is expected to remain in space for approximately six months to conduct space science experiments and maintenance tasks. Visitors can express their support and encouragement by creating message cards for her. In addition, UBTECH Robotics, a globally leading enterprise in embodied AI robotics, will participate in the exhibition, showcasing multiple humanoid robots and offering visitors the opportunity to experience the appeal of embodied intelligence up close.

Professor Sun Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, stated: ‘The Hong Kong SAR Government is fully committed to developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, with talent being a key driver of this growth. Now in its fifth edition, the Hong Kong Science Fair – organised by the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation – has become an annual flagship I&T education event. It offers students a valuable platform to turn their innovative ideas into practice, deepen their interest and confidence in I&T, and help bring I&T into schools and the wider community, thereby fostering a more innovation-friendly atmosphere. I look forward to seeing more young people unleash their potential through this platform, pursue careers in I&T, and contribute to the high-quality development of Hong Kong and our nation.’

Mr Daryl Ng, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation and Chairman of Sino Group, said ‘Innovation and technology are key to Hong Kong’s long-term sustainable development and are integral to the country’s 15^th Five-Year Plan. It is vital for Hong Kong to strengthen its I&T capabilities and actively contribute to national development, as underscored by the historic moment when Dr Lai Ka-ying became Hong Kong’s first astronaut. We are encouraged to see growing recognition of I&T opening up new opportunities for young people aspiring to pursue scientific research. As the Hong Kong Science Fair enters its fifth edition, its growth has been made possible by the support of the HKSAR Government, industry partners, tertiary institutions, research organisations, and our panels of judges. This year, we are grateful for the guidance and support of the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China. Moving forward, the Science Fair will remain committed to nurturing talent from an early age, bringing together all sectors to promote I&T and inspire more young people to pursue careers in science and technology.’

Professor Anderson Shum, MH, Chairman of Judging Panel, Hong Kong Science Fair, President of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, said, ‘The Science Fair adopts the format of “integrating competition with exhibition,” enabling students to translate their learning into tangible and verifiable outcomes. This plays an important role in nurturing Hong Kong’s youth I&T ecosystem. I am delighted to have served as a judge for this major event over the years, witnessing students progressively enhance their presentation skills, build confidence, and broaden their horizons through exchanges with experts, participation in workshops and showcasing their work to the public. The standard of participating projects continues to improve each year, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence and diverse technological applications across different fields. Scientific research is a journey that demands passion and perseverance, and the growth of young scientists often begins with curiosity during their primary and secondary school years. Through these exchanges, we hope to leverage the role-model influence of young scientists, inspiring more students to pursue I&T as their lifelong career. I look forward to seeing our younger generation continue to grow and excel in scientific research and innovation, and officially join the community of scientists in the near future to jointly drive Hong Kong’s I&T development.’

Mr Michael Tam, Chief Brand Officer of UBTECH, said, ‘Humanoid robots are among the most promising real-world embodiments of artificial intelligence, reflecting a future in which intelligent systems are deeply integrated with the physical world. As a global pioneer in humanoid robotics, UBTECH has remained at the forefront of innovation for more than 14 years, with a long-standing commitment to I&T education. The company is dedicated to translating advanced technologies into practical, accessible educational resources. Through collaboration with like-minded partners such as the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation, we aim to inspire greater interest and engagement among both teachers and students in humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence. We are committed to supporting the development of Hong Kong’s I&T education ecosystem, helping to nurture future-ready talent and build a strong, sustainable foundation for long-term growth.’

Since its launch in 2021, the Science Fair has attracted participation from over 400 local schools, engaging nearly 9,000 Primary 4 to Secondary 6 students and their teachers. To date, more than 2,200 creative invention submissions have been received and total attendance has exceeded 120,000 visitors. The Science Fair has gradually established itself as a key platform for youth innovation and technology (‘I&T’) exchange and one of Hong Kong’s most representative I&T education initiatives. This year’s response has been enthusiastic, with over 500 project submissions received. Following preliminary judging, around 120 shortlisted teams took part in a series of workshops and mentorship sessions, and will present their projects at the exhibition in late June to compete for top awards. Gold award-winning teams from each category will have the opportunity to participate in the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in Switzerland, fostering idea exchange with global I&T talents.

The Hong Kong Science Fair draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. During the exhibition period, the venue will be transformed into a catalyst for city-wide I&T inspiration. In addition to student showcases, five interactive zones will offer hands-on experiences, including DIY bubble bath bomb workshops, freezer-free slushie making, themed games celebrating the Science Fair’s fifth anniversary, and modified remote-controlled cars made from upcycled household appliances, allowing visitors of all ages to explore science and innovation through engaging and enjoyable activities.

Bulu Bulu Bubble Factory: Blending science with sensory experiences, visitors can mix and mould from scratch to create a delightful ‘bathroom blind box’.
Shake Shake Ice Factory: Applying the principle of freezing point depression, participants will see how temperature can be rapidly lowered using only salt, ice and water to create personalised slushies — all without a freezer.
Scan2Play: Scan the QR Code on your phone to join the themed game celebrating the Hong Kong Science Fair’s Fifth Anniversary.
Racing Homey Kart 2.0: Showcasing the spirit of upcycling and upgrades, visitors can transform old, small household appliances into remote-controlled racing cars and compete on a dedicated track.
UBTECH Robotics Base: Featuring a wide range of robots, this zone provides a comprehensive showcase of the integration of artificial intelligence with mechanical engineering.

To celebrate the Science Fair’s fifth edition, various special experiences will be introduced. The venue will feature a hidden Science Fair character treasure hunt and check-in activity, through which visitors can redeem curated gifts upon completion. Limited-edition souvenirs, including the ‘HKSF-5 Metal Standee Collection’ and the ‘Special Edition Robo K’ blind boxes, will also be available in limited quantities. All proceeds from the HKSF Bazaar, with no deduction, will go directly to charity to support local community technology initiatives.

The Fifth Hong Kong Science Fair Details:

Date: 27 to 28 June 2026 (Saturday and Sunday)
Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 3FG
Admission: Free of Charge (Pre-registration online is required)
Registration Website: https://reghksciencefair.org.hk/public

Photos download: https://shorturl.at/mgawb

Hashtag: #HKIF #ScienceFair

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

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

Value of building work put in place: March 2026 quarter – Stats NZ information release

LiveNews Publisher — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:01:45 +0000

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Value of building work put in place: March 2026 quarter – information release

4 June 2026

Value of building work statistics estimate the value and volume of work put in place on construction jobs in New Zealand.

Key facts
In the March 2026 quarter:

the seasonally adjusted total building volume fell 3.5 percent compared with the December 2025 quarter – residential fell 2.2 percent, and non-residential fell 4.0 percent
total building value was $7.2 billion, down 5.9 percent from the March 2025 quarter.

Statistics remain provisional for the latest three quarters and are updated each quarter.

Visit our website to read the full information release and to download CSV files:

For media enquiries contact: Media team, Wellington, media@stats.govt.nz“>media@stats.govt.nz, 021 285 9191

The Government Statistician authorises all statistics and data we publish.

Ngā mihi,
Publishing
Stats NZ

MIL OSI

WRISE Group Launches WRISE Master Trust in Hong Kong

MIL OSI — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:31:28 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Redefining Global Generational Wealth and Legacy Architecture for HNWIs and Family Offices

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 June 2026 – WRISE Wealth Management (“WRISE”), one of Asia’s fastest-growing independent wealth platforms, today announced the launch of WRISE Master Trust in Hong Kong, a flagship trust service brand designed exclusively for high-net-worth individuals (“HNWIs”) and family offices.

As Hong Kong continues to strengthen its position as a leading international hub for family offices and wealth management, demand is rising for more flexible and digitally enabled trust structures among Asia’s ultra-high-net-worth families. Traditional trust arrangements are often viewed as operationally complex, slow to establish, and lacking real-time visibility across assets and banking relationships, challenges that are becoming increasingly apparent as younger generations seek greater transparency, mobility and digital access to family wealth.

By combining WRISE’s global wealth management platform with the licensed trustee capabilities of Quantum Trust (a licensed Hong Kong trust and corporate trustee), WRISE Master Trust is designed to deliver an integrated solution for intergenerational wealth inheritance, asset segregation, tax planning, corporate governance, identity planning and cross-border structure integration.

Meeting Surging Market Demand for Trust Solutions

Supported by clear government policy incentives including tax concessions, streamlined licensing regimes, and Hong Kong’s unique role as a gateway to Mainland China, Hong Kong is becoming premier jurisdiction for family office formation and multi-generational wealth structuring.

According to the ” 2026 China Family Offices White Paper” published by WRISE Group and Puyi Standard, families are moving beyond basic asset protection toward systematic governance, legacy architecture, and next‑gen preparedness. Modern families and their rising generations expect real-time, transparent oversight of trust structures, holdings, and transactions. WRISE Master Trust directly addresses these gaps by providing a transparent, compliant, and digitally empowered trust ecosystem.

“We are seeing unprecedented demand from families who want not just asset protection, but also operational efficiency and real-time visibility across their global holdings,” said Dr. Jowin Fung, Vice Chairman, WRISE Hong Kong. “With WRISE Master Trust, we have reimagined the trust experience – combining institutional-grade custody, multi-bank integration, and even Visa-powered payment capabilities under one roof. Hong Kong’s centuries-old trust legal system, perpetual duration, and privacy protections under applicable laws and contractual arrangements give our clients a high degree of legal certainty under Hong Kong’s trust framework. Our mission is simple: to ensure that a family’s value endures infinitely, across generations.”

“WRISE Master Trust is an important extension of WRISE Prestige’s broader wealth and legacy planning ecosystem,” said Henry Shin, CEO of WRISE Prestige. “As client needs evolve beyond investment performance into succession planning, governance and intergenerational continuity, we are seeing increasing demand for integrated solutions that connect wealth management, trust structures and family office services under one platform. WRISE Master Trust further strengthens WRISE’s ability to support clients across every stage of long-term wealth preservation and legacy planning.”

Key Features of WRISE Master Trust that ensures long-term preservation and continuation of family values

Backed by Quantum Trust: Quantum Trust has been issued a TCSP license and Trust Company Registration Certificate by the Hong Kong companies registry,

Visa-enabled Payment Capability: WRISE Master Trust supports Visa-enabled payment functionality for eligible trust structures, providing clients with greater flexibility in managing approved expenditures related to investments, travel, lifestyle and family office operations. The solution also supports customized spending controls and usage permissions for beneficiaries, family members and designated representatives, helping enhance operational efficiency and family governance.

Comprehensive Digital Platform: Designed with security, transparency, and efficiency at its core, the WRISE Master Trust digital platform provides real-time visibility across the entire trust structure, integrating multi-bank custody accounts, trust sub-accounts, and virtual accounts into a single dashboard. All transactions are automatically synchronized, and every trust account generates systematic monthly statements, structured information displays and custodian certificates, ensuring full asset transparency, security, and auditability.

Rapid Account Opening: Drawing on extensive experience in establishing trust funds and family trusts, WRISE Master Trust employs institutionalized procedures and remote signing mechanisms, enabling clients to complete review and account activation within short period, significantly improving the efficiency of trust structure deployment.

Multi-Bank, Multi-Currency, Multi-Entity Infrastructure: WRISE Master Trust integrates client accounts, virtual accounts, and custody accounts across multiple banks. The platform supports global payments in multiple major currencies, utilizing SWIFT and local clearing channels across more than 180 countries, providing transparent cross-border payment and receipt capabilities as well as multi-currency working capital management. WRISE Master Trust is also designed to accommodate multiple entity structures, including individuals, corporates, offshore companies, fund SPVs, and family trusts under a unified infrastructure.

“A trust is no longer just a legal container – it must be an operating system for family wealth,” Dr. Jowin Fung added, “Hong Kong’s proactive family office policies and its role as a connector between Mainland China and global markets make it the natural home for WRISE Master Trust. WRISE Master Trust gives families the payment convenience, investment flexibility, and digital control they expect from a modern bank, with the legal resilience of a world-class trust.”

Hashtag: #WRISE

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

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

Exotic Food Elevates Thai Brands onto the Global Stage

MIL OSI — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 08:31:33 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Transforming Thai Sriracha Sauce into a Premium Global Brand Exported to More Than 80 Countries, Generating Over THB 2 Billion in Revenue

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 June 2026 – Exotic Food Public Company Limited (XO), a leading Thai producer and exporter of premium Thai sauces and condiments under the brands Exotic Food and Flying Goose, is reinforcing the strength of Thailand’s “Global Thai Brand” potential after successfully bringing Thai food products into leading supermarkets and modern trade retailers across more than 80 countries worldwide. In 2025, the company generated over THB 2 billion in revenue through a strategy focused on elevating Thai products from commodities into premium global brands with strong value creation and international brand recognition.

Ms. Vasana Jantarach and Mr. Jittiporn Jantarach, the executives behind Exotic Food’s journey from a Thai food producer to a global brand sold in more than 80 countries.

The company’s journey began with a clear vision: recognizing the global opportunity for Thai cuisine at a time when the international Asian condiments market remained relatively untapped, while consumers around the world were becoming increasingly open to new culinary cultures. From the outset, Exotic Food chose to focus on international markets by developing Thai food products that meet global standards and are suitable for placement in premium supermarkets worldwide, while building distinctive brands capable of standing out and being remembered internationally.

Today, the global sauces and condiments market continues to experience strong growth, driven by rising consumer interest in home cooking, the growing popularity of Asian cuisine, and increasing demand for bold and spicy flavours. Sriracha sauce, in particular, has become one of the fastest-growing categories within the global condiments sector, fuelled by the worldwide rise of Asian food culture and its versatility across international menus.

According to IMARC Group, the global hot sauce market is expected to reach approximately US$5.7 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, Statista estimates the global sauces and condiments market to be worth around US$280.35 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 6.14%. Fortune Business Insights projects the market will expand from US$259 billion in 2024 to more than US$380 billion by 2032, reflecting continued momentum driven by consumers’ growing appetite for diverse international flavours.

For Exotic Food, “Brand Value” remains at the core of long-term business growth and serves as a critical differentiator beyond price competition. The company strategically positions Thai products as premium offerings through modern and eye-catching packaging designed to stand out on supermarket shelves globally, while preserving authentic Thai flavours and adapting products to suit international consumer preferences.

Under the Flying Goose brand, the company offers more than 50 Sriracha sauce flavours, while the Exotic Food brand features over 700 SKUs of Thai condiments and ready-to-cook products. Beyond product development, Exotic Food places significant emphasis on long-term brand building through marketing campaigns and collaborations with renowned chefs, local restaurants, and international lifestyle brands, including Anya Hindmarch® and Percival. These collaborations create new consumer experiences and allow the brand to connect more closely with local food cultures and lifestyles in each market.

Another key pillar of the company’s strategy is its exclusive distributor model, appointing only one distributor per country to foster long-term partnerships and improve market efficiency. Today, Exotic Food products are available at more than 30,000 points of sale worldwide.

Ms. Vasana Jantarach, Chief Executive Officer of Exotic Food Public Company Limited, said the company chose to focus on international expansion from the early stages of the business because it recognized a “Blue Ocean” opportunity capable of creating significant added value for Thai products through the right brand positioning strategy.

“We never wanted to be merely a manufacturer of Thai food products. Our goal has always been to build Thai brands that consumers around the world trust and remember. Our success demonstrates that Thai SMEs are fully capable of creating world-class brands when supported by strong quality, international standards, and powerful brand value,” said Ms. Vasana.

Ms. Vasana added that both Flying Goose and Exotic Food currently have their strongest market presence in Europe, where demand continues to grow steadily. The company has also begun expanding into new markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, reflecting the rising global popularity of Thai cuisine and the significant growth potential of Thai flavours in international markets.

At the same time, the company continues to invest in international quality standards, automation systems, research and development, as well as proactive cost and risk management to strengthen its long-term competitiveness. Exotic Food is also focused on developing new products and innovations aligned with health and sustainability trends, which are increasingly becoming key drivers for modern food brands.

Looking ahead, Exotic Food is preparing to showcase more than 700 SKUs at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026, one of Asia’s largest food and beverage trade exhibitions. The event serves as an important platform for expanding international business opportunities and connecting with buyers, importers, supermarket chains, and business partners from around the world — further reinforcing the global rise of Thai food brands under the concept of a “Premium Global Thai Brand.”

Hashtag: #ExoticFood

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

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

Thailand Privilege Card Reinforces Thailand as a World-Class Safe Haven for Long-Term Living

MIL OSI — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:16:36 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 June 2026 – Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (TPC), world’s premier residency program and privileged services providers for exclusive individuals under the supervision of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, reinforces Thailand’s position as a “World-Class Safest Destination for Long-Term Living.” Integrated with advanced medical care and nature-based wellness, Thailand responds a longevity demand of global citizens seeking long-term stability, safety, and exceptional quality of life.

In light of a series of interrelated conflicts and heightened instability in Middle East, demands for relocation and migration increase. Global citizens especially for Middle East residents are looking for a peace-of-mind second home where safety, longevity, and extraordinary living meet.

Ranked among top three safest countries in Southeast Asia by Numbeo’s Safety Index 2026, Thailand is recognized as a “World-Class Safest Destination for Long-Term Living.” Given its multipolarity geopolitics, multi cultural society, and low risk of natural disasters, Thailand becomes a top destination for relocation and migration.

In response to a global longevity trend, Thailand is ranked #7 among the world’s top 25 wellness countries with the market expansion from USD 38.8 billion in 2023 to USD 42.7 billion in 2024 [source: Global Wellness Institute]. Riding with the trend, Thailand’s Wellness Tourism value is forecasted at over USD 1.3 billion by 2028 [source: Datalab].

“Safety is a key consideration for global residents looking for long-term residency. Those seek security and stability where they can build a lifelong Live & Retreat. Thailand provides a safety environment where socio-political and natural stability is settled in a ground. Apart from safety, Thailand fulfills a complete journey towards last well-being. This includes cutting-edge medical and healthcare systems, traditional healing and wellness to longevity services-focused.” said Mr. Manatase Annawat, President of Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.

Thailand Privilege Card is the only residency program in the world that offers not only long-term visa
but also a comprehensive suite of lifestyle privileges.

Thailand Privilege Card offers Long-Term Visa from 5-20++ years; signature VIP Airport Services from the meet & assist, electric cart and VIP Lounge to fast-track immigration; Government Concierge Support; and multilingual Member Contact Center.

Going beyond living expectations, an accompanying comprehensive suite of Lifestyle Privileges spanning every dimension – from Stay, Travel, Leisure to Health & Well-Being, and Wealth – built through over 1,500 affiliations in the world and 400 alliances in Thailand – fully ensures TPC members seamless living experiences.

From a trust and credibility perspective, Thailand Privilege Card has received multiple internationally recognized awards and accolades, reaffirming its commitment to excellence and premium member experiences.

In addition, Thailand Privilege Card continuously curates exclusive events and networking opportunities to further enrich its member experiences.

As global demand for secure long-term residency continues to rise, Thailand Privilege Card thrives to set a new standard for extraordinary living experiences at an ultimately desired second home strengthening Thailand’s proposition as a prominent “World-Class Safe Haven for Long-Term Living.”

https://www.thailandprivilege.co.th/home

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

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

FOTILE Celebrates 30 Years with MegaBox “BUILT-IN PRO” Opening on June 18

MIL OSI — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 02:46:36 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 June 2026 – FOTILE, a global leader in high-end kitchen appliances, has announced that its brand-new image counter under the dealer channel “BUILT-IN PRO” located at MegaBox, Kowloon Bay, will hold its grand opening on June 18 to celebrate FOTILE’s 30th anniversary. This newly upgraded counter features Hong Kong’s very first “FOTILE Smart Kitchen” Immersive Experience Zone, integrating cutting-edge intelligent technology into real-world scenarios to offer Hong Kong consumers future kitchen solutions that blend aesthetic design, smart technology, and user-friendly cooking experiences.

FOTILE Celebrates 30 Years with MegaBox “BUILT-IN PRO” Opening on June 18 Launches First-Ever Immersive Smart Kitchen with Exclusive Offers

Immersive Smart Kitchen Experience: Three Heavyweight Flagship Products Take the Lead

Moving away from traditional product displays, the newly upgraded counter features a highly interactive and deeply immersive smart cooking space. “The 30th anniversary is a significant milestone for FOTILE,” said a FOTILE Hong Kong spokesperson. “The new-image flagship counter at MegaBox serves as a core window for direct communication with Hong Kong consumers. Through this meticulously crafted immersive smart kitchen experience zone, we hope to let Hong Kong residents experience firsthand how technology empowers daily life, transforming tedious household chores into a joyful and blissful cooking experience.”

In addition to experiencing FOTILE’s innovative technologies that precisely address the pain points of grease fumes and space constraints in Chinese cooking, consumers can gain a deeper understanding of the brand’s core philosophy—”For the Happiness of Billions of Families”. To mark its 30th anniversary, FOTILE is debuting several heavyweight new products that combine international design accolades with core patented technologies at the brand-new counter in the BUILT-IN PRO MegaBox store.

Ultimate Aesthetics, Invisible Space

Inspired by aircraft landing gear, the BIG9069-G Fully Integrated Invisible Range Hood features pioneering a folding lift technology that seamlessly integrates into kitchen cabinetry to perfectly showcase the ultimate “invisible” built-in aesthetics. Equipped with a Brushless DC Inverter Motor, it boasts a powerful airflow of 1,700 m³/h and a maximum static pressure of 1,450 Pa. Combined with bionic noise reduction technology, it offers a perfect balance of intense suction and a whisper-quiet experience.

Bubble Washing, High-Efficiency Cleansing & Protection

The SD2F-P7 5-in-1 Sink Dishwasher seamlessly integrates dishwashing, fruit/ vegetable/ seafood washing, disinfection, sterilization, and storage, accommodating up to 11 standard place settings. The upgraded HydroJet High-Pressure Cleaning Tech 3.0 delivers thorough and meticulous cleaning performance. Its innovative top-loading design eliminates the need to bend over, making the most of Hong Kong’s compact kitchen spaces.

Smart Nitrogen Control, Peak Freshness Preservation

Designed by a renowned international designer, the H508W-F20 508L Smart Nitrogen Preservation Refrigerator has been honored with the German iF Design Gold Award. Employing millimeter-level precision built-in craftsmanship, its unique Nitrogen Preservation Technology replicates the marine MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) storage principle. Combined with Triple Defrosting Technology and a fresh air purification system, it precisely extends the shelf life of ingredients, setting a new benchmark for high-end built-in kitchens.

A wide array of diverse products, including built-in steam ovens and hobs, are also on display simultaneously, fully satisfying modern families’ imaginations of a smart kitchen. Visitors to the newly established Immersive Experience Zone can interact with top-tier kitchen appliances. In addition to dynamic demonstrations of the “HydroJet High-Pressure Cleaning Tech 3.0” technology, guests can test the range hood’s powerful suction firsthand, experiencing FOTILE’s unparalleled user-centric design.

Stackable “Discount on Discount” Offers Celebrate the Grand Opening

To celebrate the grand opening of the new counter and FOTILE’s 30th anniversary with the public, the brand is rolling out exclusive flagship counter offers. Starting today, customers purchasing FOTILE products at the BUILT-IN PRO MegaBox store in Kowloon Bay will enjoy exclusive instant cash discounts. All promotions are stackable with existing in-store discounts, offering you a true ‘discount on discount’ deal. Select bundles are available at up to 30% off—making this the perfect time to upgrade your kitchen.

Spend HK$3,000 or more ── Save HK$300 instantly
Spend HK$9,000 or more ── Save HK$1,000 instantly
Spend HK$15,000 or more ── Save HK$1,800 instantly

*Offers are valid until July 31.

Enquiries
Official Website: fotile.com.hk
Enquiry Hotline: 3699 2900
Counter Address: BUILT-IN PRO Store, Shop 3, 6/F, MegaBox Enterprise Square Five, Wang Chiu Road 38, Kwun Tong District, Kowloon
Distributor: BUILT-IN PRO

*FOTILE Hong Kong’s sole distributor, Wan Hung Holdings Limited, and BUILT-IN PRO reserve the right of final interpretation of this event.

https://fotile.com.hk/
https://www.facebook.com/hkfotile/
https://www.instagram.com/fotilehk/

Hashtag: #FOTILE #FOTILEhk #BUILTINPRO #SmartKitchenExpert #SmartKitchen #HighEndKitchenAppliances #MegaBox #FOTILESmartKitchen

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

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

Local News – No increase for Porirua City Council non-water rates

LiveNews Publisher — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 01:26:41 +0000

Source: Porirua City Council

Porirua City Council is currently projecting on average a zero per cent increase to non-water rates for existing ratepayers in its draft 2026/27 Annual Plan, down from the almost 4 per cent increase that was previously proposed.

Rates for the 2026/27 year will also have the charges for water removed, which will see around 30 per cent come off bills, on average. The figures presented to the Te Puna Kōrero Committee today project that there will be no increase added onto the bills for residential non-water rates. This is an average, so some rates bills may see a small decrease, while others may have a slight increase.

The new projection comes after factoring in the impact of the recently released Quotable Value valuations on the spread of rates. The 0.1 per cent decrease is the average across all rating categories. The QV valuations significantly increased the value of utility properties at a time when many other property-type categories, including residential, decreased in value.

Figures are not finalised yet, but on current estimates the total weekly combined bills for Porirua residential households for council rates, Tiaki Wai water charges, and Greater Wellington Regional Council rates are estimated to increase on average around $228 per year, which is $4 per week.

The draft Annual Plan will be considered and adopted at the Council meeting on 25 June.

Mayor Anita Baker said it was a great result to have been able to avoid any rate increases for the average existing residential ratepayer, at a time when communities were facing financial pressure.

“We’ve worked really hard to reduce costs wherever we can. We had predicted we would need to increase non-water rates but to now be able to land on a zero increase is a win for our communities at a time when everyone is feeling the pinch.

“I’m proud of the effort the council has made to reduce the burden on ratepayers. And we’ve achieved this zero increase without cutting services and without reducing maintenance work. We are continuing to invest in the things that keep our city running and support the quality of life people expect.

“Significantly, we’ve also achieved a balanced budget and will fully rates fund depreciation, which means we’re not pushing costs down the line to future generations.

“The need for more water investment to fix the ageing infrastructure means that household costs will still increase, but with no increase to our council rates the impact on Porirua people will be much lower than originally thought.”

Te Puna Kōrero Committee Chair, Councillor Josh Trlin, said for many years the Council had been laser focused on turning the ship around on decades of underinvestment.

“We’ve made hard calls around investing in the most impactful and important infrastructure projects and reducing our deficit to achieve a balanced budget. That has been slow, hard work, but it’s shifted Council’s books into the healthiest position they’ve been in for a very long time,” he said.

“Zero percent rates increase. Zero cuts to services. On track to a fully balanced budget – how good does that feel?

“To our residents, we know your rates bill is only one part of the puzzle when it comes to household budgets, but it is my sincere hope that this year’s zero percent increase will offer some relief.”

MIL OSI

Housing Market – Housing values tread water as buyer caution dominates – Cotality

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:52:45 +0000

Source: Cotality

New Zealand property values stalled in May, as a cautious stance from both buyers and sellers kept the housing market in neutral.

Cotality NZ’s latest Home Value Index (HVI) shows the national median value in May of $808,187 was flat compared to the previous month and -0.1% lower than three months ago. Values were also -0.6% down from a year ago and still -17.0% below the peak in early 2022 of $974,002.

Across the main centres, Ōtautahi Christchurch rose by 0.4% in May, while Ōtepoti Dunedin and Tauranga both edged up by 0.2%. Kirikiriroa Hamilton saw a minor 0.1% rise, but Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (-0.2%) and Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington (-0.3%) both fell again.

Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson said that May’s flat result was a continuation of the sluggish property market trends seen so far in 2026, with no clear directional change in sight.

“Property values are generally stuck in neutral at the national level, with buyers in no major rush, but sellers not having to capitulate either.”

“There are differing patterns beneath the surface. Key areas, including Auckland and Wellington are still subdued, while even ‘strong’ markets such as Christchurch or Invercargill aren’t racing away.”

“Interest rates have already lifted in recent months and there’s likely to be more to come the longer the Iran conflict continues.”

“At the same time, consumer and business confidence has been hit hard, and there are other signs of economic weakness coming through, such as falls in retail spending.”

“It all adds up to significant headwinds for sales activity and property values in the coming months.”

“The marked improvement in housing affordability in the past 4-5 years will tend to limit any further downside for the market. Nevertheless, renewed, modest declines in property values in the coming months would not be a surprise.”

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

The small drop in values in May for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland as a whole reflected pretty consistent falls in each sub-market, other than Rodney (+0.2%) and Franklin (0.0%). Elsewhere, there were consistent drops of either -0.2% or -0.3%.

The gaps aren’t huge, but Auckland City has still underperformed over slightly longer horizons of three months (-0.8%) and twelve months (-4.1%), although the drops from the peak have been ever so slightly larger in Manukau (-24.5%) and Waitakere (-24.9%).

Mr Davidson said, “May brought more of the same for property values in Auckland – a general drift downwards, with market sentiment seemingly remaining very subdued.”

“It’s true that housing affordability has improved significantly and this will tend to dampen the speed or size of any further drops in values.”

“But the supply pipeline of new townhouses across the super-city remains appreciable and this means purchasers are still in the box-seat, whether they’re first home buyers, or even investors looking to expand their portfolio.”

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

It was a mixed bag across the Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington area in May, with Kāpiti Coast rising by 0.7%, Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt seeing a 0.3% gain, and 0.2% in Porirua. Yet Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt dipped by a minor -0.1%, with Wellington City itself showing a more significant -0.6% monthly decline.

That being said, only Wellington City has (just) avoided a drop over the past 12 months, while all sub-markets in this area are still showing falls of more than 21% from peak. Lower Hutt at -27.3% has seen the largest fall of any territorial authority in the country.

Mr Davidson noted, “an increase in physical property supply in some parts of the wider Wellington area will have played a role in the weakness of values in recent years. But it seems that the far bigger factors will have been the previous boom and sharp reduction in affordability, which created the scope for subsequent large falls in property values, and then just the underlying weakness of the area’s economy – as the public sector now faces even more cuts.”

“Of course, there’s always two sides to the housing market and first home buyers who are confident of their own financial resilience are taking full advantage.”

Regional results

By contrast with some of the larger centres, many provincial markets saw flat or slightly higher results for values in May. Granted, Heretaunga Hastings edged down by -0.4% and Whangārei saw a minor -0.1% dip.

But there were gains of 0.2% or slightly more in Tāhuna Queenstown, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, and Waihōpai Invercargill, while Rotorua (0.6%) and Whanganui (0.8%) recorded stronger increases.

Over a 12-month horizon, the growth in values has been at least 4% in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Tāhuna Queenstown, and Waihōpai Invercargill, although negative in some other areas, including Whakatū Nelson, Ahuriri Napier, and Heretaunga Hastings.

“It’s not easy to put a blanket over all of these areas and say that one or two factors explain everything – after all, primary industries are generally faring well, yet parts of Hawke’s Bay are still showing sluggish property values.”

“But the strength of the farming sector no doubt helps to explain continued growth in property values in many parts of Southland, while Queenstown is probably still riding the tourism rebound and the continued wider appeal of the area to wealthy buyers.”

Property market outlook

Looking ahead, Mr Davidson noted that there’s still a tricky balancing act for the Reserve Bank to pull off, which will have effects on the property market.

“The longer the OCR stays on hold the greater the chances inflation is harder to rein back in again – which will tend to put more upwards pressure on mortgage rates.”

“But the quicker they move, the higher are the chances of a marked weakening in the economy, with associated knocks to household confidence, the labour market, and also property sales and house prices.”

“Clearly, the housing market is not a direct consideration for monetary policy anyway. But in these uncertain times, it may still be caught in the cross-fire – with an OCR rise now looking likely in July – especially as more existing borrowers start to roll off older mortgage terms and onto higher rates.”

“Of course, what’s potentially disappointing for some is great news for others, and first home buyers confident about their income and financial resilience should continue to find good opportunities in a market where listings remain elevated.”

“To some extent that applies to investors as well. But this group has other concerns, such as the looming election and scope for capital gains tax if we see a change of government, as well as interest deductibility potentially being phased out again too.”

“All in all, housing market conditions remain challenging. Having previously anticipated sales volumes rising from around 90,000 in 2025 to 100,000 this year, the market may actually do well to hold at similar levels to last year. This points to a sluggish outlook for values too,” Mr Davidson concluded.

Notes:

The Cotality Hedonic Home Value Index (HVI) is calculated using a hedonic regression methodology that addresses the issue of compositional bias associated with median price and other measures. In simple terms, the index is calculated using recent sales data combined with information about the attributes of individual properties such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, land area and geographical context of the dwelling. By separating each property into its various formational and locational attributes, observed sales values for each property can be distinguished between those attributed to the property’s attributes and those resulting from changes in the underlying residential property market. Additionally, by understanding the value associated with each attribute of a given property, this methodology can be used to estimate the value of dwellings with known characteristics for which there is no recent sales price by observing the characteristics and sales prices of other dwellings which have recently transacted. It then follows that changes in the market value of the entire residential property stock can be accurately tracked through time.

The detailed ‘frequently asked questions’ and methodological information can be found at: https://www.cotality.com/nz/our-data/indices

MIL OSI

MOKiN Introduces Safe Swap Programme in Malaysia to Encourage Safer Charging Habits

MIL OSI — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:31:32 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2026 – MOKiN Malaysia, managed by Unipro Global Sdn Bhd, has launched its Safe Swap Programme, an initiative aimed at encouraging consumers to replace old or damaged charging accessories that may pose potential safety risks during daily use.

The programme is anchored by MOKiN’s TrueGround technology, a SIRIM-certified anti-leakage charging solution designed to help reduce electrical leakage risks during charging. As the world’s first Class-1 Anti-Leakage charger, MOKiN introduces an added layer of electrical safety protection that addresses a risk often overlooked in conventional charging products, which typically prioritise charging speed and power output.

The initiative comes amid growing concerns over electrical safety in Malaysian households. According to the Fire and Rescue Department, electrical-related issues accounted for 68% of building fire cases recorded between January and September 2024, with more than 3,000 residential fire incidents linked to electrical sources such as faulty wiring, damaged electrical equipment and overloaded circuits.

“Charging has become such a routine part of daily life that many people no longer pay attention to warning signs like overheating, exposed cables or tingling sensations during charging,” said Terry Lee Hup Boon, Founder of UNIPRO GLOBAL SDN BHD.

“Many consumers tend to focus on charging speed and convenience, but electrical safety is just as important. Our anti-leakage charging technology was developed to help address safety risks that are often overlooked in everyday charging, and through the Safe Swap Programme, we hope to encourage greater awareness of safer charging practices.”

Through the Safe Swap Programme, consumers can trade in old or damaged chargers from any brand and receive a complimentary MOKiN 20W charger, while stocks last.Consumers can participate in Safe Swap activations at the following events from 1 to 30 June 2026:

Switch World Event, Gurney Plaza, Penang (4-7 June 2026)
UR Festival Fair, Sunway Square, Selangor (11-14 June 2026)

In partnership with consumer electronics retailer Gajeto, MOKiN will also be running a free trade-in campaign at selected Gajeto outlets throughout the month of June, giving consumers additional opportunities to learn more about safer charging solutions and explore MOKiN’s range of anti-leakage charging products. Customers can bring any old charger, regardless of brand, and swap in for a brand-new MOKiN 20W charger at no cost, with no purchase required, while stocks last. Participating Gajeto locations include:

Gajeto IOI City Mall (6-7 June 2026)
Gajeto The Exchange 106 (13-14 June 2026)
Gajeto 1 Utama (20-21 June 2026)
Gajeto Setia City Mall (27-28 June 2026)

Consumers may also choose to upgrade to selected higher-watt charging models ranging from 33W to 140W at promotional prices throughout the campaign period.

The Safe Swap Programme reflects MOKiN’s ongoing effort to encourage safer charging habits and greater awareness around the condition of charging accessories used daily by consumers. Consumers are encouraged to bring in old, damaged or ageing chargers during the campaign period, particularly accessories showing signs such as overheating, exposed cables, loose connections or inconsistent charging performance. All traded-in chargers collected through the programme will be removed from circulation as part of the initiative.

Complimentary MOKiN 20W chargers are available on a first come, first served basis while stocks last. For more information, visit www.mokin.my.

https://www.mokin.my/
https://www.facebook.com/mokin.my
https://www.instagram.com/mokin.my

Hashtag: #mokinmalaysia #trueground #mokin #mokinmy #safeswap

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

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

Multi-unit homes lead rise in home consents in April 2026 – Building consents issued: April 2026 – Stats NZ news story and information release

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:26:38 +0000

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Multi-unit homes lead rise in home consents in April 2026 – news story

3 June 2026

There were 39,087 new homes consented in Aotearoa New Zealand in the year ended April 2026, up 16 percent compared with the year ended April 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

“More than half of the annual growth came from multi-unit homes, such as apartments, townhouses, flats, and retirement village units,” economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.

Of the multi-unit homes consented in the year ended April 2026, compared with the year ended April 2025, there were:

16,832 townhouses, flats, and units (up 19 percent)
2,656 apartments (up 27 percent)
1,699 retirement village units (up 13 percent).

The number of stand-alone house consents was 17,900, up 14 percent over the year.

Visit our website to read the full news story and information release and to download CSV files:

For media enquiries contact: Media team, Wellington, media@stats.govt.nz“>media@stats.govt.nz, 021 285 9191

The Government Statistician authorises all statistics and data we publish.

Ngā mihi,
Publishing
Stats NZ

MIL OSI

Webdorks Launches Claude Design-Assisted Prototyping for Website and MVP Development

MIL OSI — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:46:43 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2026 – Webdorks Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based web design and development agency, has leveraged Claude Design-assisted prototyping within selected website and Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development projects since May 2026.

The approach is intended to help businesses visualize concepts, explore design directions, review user journeys, and refine core requirements before progressing into full-scale UI/UX design and development.

Claude Design, launched by Anthropic in April 2026, allows users to collaborate with Claude to create visual work such as designs, interactive prototypes, wireframes, mockups, presentations, and marketing materials. The tool enables teams to describe an idea, generate an initial version, and refine the concept through further instructions and edits.

Since its launch, tools such as Claude Design have made it significantly easier to turn early ideas into interactive prototypes. This creates new opportunities for businesses to review concepts more quickly before committing substantial time and budget to a full build.

However, Webdorks believes that early-stage prototyping and production deployment should remain distinct phases, particularly for corporate websites and digital products that support business-critical functions.

“Claude Design has made it much faster to visualize an idea and explore different directions,” said Alex Choong, Founder of Webdorks Pte Ltd. “The distinction is that an interactive prototype is not necessarily a production-ready website or application. For higher-stakes corporate projects, the final product still needs proper planning, design review, development, testing, security considerations, and ongoing support.”

Using AI at the Initial Prototyping Stage

Webdorks is incorporating Claude Design into the initial prototyping phase of suitable website and MVP projects. Depending on the project requirements, the prototype may be used to demonstrate selected screens, page structures, feature concepts, interactions, or user journeys.

For corporate website projects, this may include exploring the homepage direction, content hierarchy, lead-generation flow, service pages, or selected interactive elements.

For MVP projects, this may include illustrating how users navigate a customer portal, internal dashboard, booking system, membership platform, marketplace, workflow automation tool, or Software-as-a-Service product.

The initial prototype provides stakeholders with a clearer reference point for discussion. It can help businesses identify gaps earlier, compare alternative approaches, and refine requirements before the project enters the more resource-intensive design and development stages.

“Previously, businesses often had to rely heavily on written descriptions, static references, or wireframes during the early stage,” Choong added. “AI-assisted prototyping makes discussions more visual and practical. Clients can react to something tangible, which helps us identify what should be retained, changed, or removed before the full build begins.”

Prototype First, Production Build Second

Webdorks does not position AI-generated prototypes as a substitute for structured production development.

Corporate websites and digital products may need to support requirements such as brand consistency, responsive behaviour across devices, content management systems, third-party integrations, analytics, customer data, payment gateways, user access controls, internal workflows, performance optimization, quality assurance, security testing, and future scalability.

These requirements become more important when a digital product is customer-facing, revenue-generating, operationally critical, or connected to internal business processes.

For this reason, Webdorks uses AI-assisted prototypes primarily as an early validation tool. Once the direction is confirmed, suitable projects proceed through a structured workflow that may include discovery, UI/UX refinement, technical planning, custom development, integrations, testing, deployment, and post-launch support.

“AI is changing the speed of the first draft,” Choong said. “The role of an agency is to turn that first draft into a digital product that is aligned with the business, tested properly, and built for real-world use.”

Supporting Faster Validation for Businesses

The introduction of Claude Design-assisted prototyping is part of Webdorks’ broader approach to helping businesses launch digital projects in stages.

Instead of building every feature immediately, businesses can begin by clarifying the objective, visualizing the core user journey, and validating the most important requirements. This may be followed by a lean MVP, a more comprehensive version with selected integrations, or a full custom build based on the project’s complexity and commercial requirements.

The approach is intended to support businesses exploring new digital initiatives while reducing avoidable rework during later stages of the project.

“AI tools and agencies solve different problems,” Choong said. “AI makes early exploration more accessible. For the foreseeable future, agencies will remain important when businesses need to translate an idea into a structured, scalable, and maintainable platform.”

https://webdorks.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/webdorks
https://www.instagram.com/webdorks_sg/
https://webdorks.com/ai-app-builders-vs-web-development-agencies/

Hashtag: #Webdorks #ClaudeDesign #ArtificialIntelligence #WebDesign #WebDevelopment #MVPDevelopment #DigitalTransformation #CorporateWebsites #Webagency

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

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

The DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2025–26 crowns Hong Kong’s Hasting Ng as Global Champion

MIL OSI — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:31:29 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

The Global Final held at World of Coffee Bangkok 2026, celebrates the best of barista artistry, individuality and creative self-expression.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2026 – Hong Kong’s Hasting Ng has been crowned Global Champion of the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2025–26. Following an intense final at the World of Coffee Bangkok 2026, Hasting secured the title ahead of Yasmim Rodrigues Sarandy da Silva (Brazil) and Çetin Alpay Başkan (Türkiye), with a performance that perfectly captured this year’s theme, Espresso Your Flavour.

(Left to Right) Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager of Food Service Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, in Bangkok and Hasting Ng, Global Champion of the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship Global

This year’s competition went beyond technical mastery to celebrate individuality through flavour, storytelling and craft. By using DaVinci Gourmet’s flavour range as their toolkit, finalists were challenged to create beverages that reflected their personal journeys and cultural roots.

“We saw more than just technical skill today; we saw identity,” said Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Food Service Brands, Marketing, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa. “Hasting, Yasmim, and Çetin proved that the future of coffee is personal, and in this championship, they’ve set a new standard for beverage innovation.”

Hasting Ng impressed the judges with two distinct creations namely his “Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine” combining Columbine Las Flores filter coffee with DaVinci Gourmet Spiced Chai and Blue Ocean syrups to build a complex, festive profile, followed by “Mango Sticky Rice”, a chilled co-fermentation espresso drink that served as a homage to Southeast Asian flavours, featuring DaVinci Gourmet Pandan and Lychee syrups.

“Winning the Global Final in Bangkok is a milestone for me. This victory validates my belief that ‘simple is best’,” said Hasting Ng. “When you have great ingredients and the variety of flavours from DaVinci Gourmet, you don’t need to overcomplicate things to create something world-class. I wanted to bring the flavours of Thailand to the stage with my Mango Sticky Rice drink, and I’m happy it resonated with the judges.”

The runners-up also delivered standout performances that pushed the boundaries of traditional coffee.

Yasmim Rodrigues Sarandy da Silva (Brazil) showcased her heritage with “La Cura”, combining espresso and tea with mint, featuring DaVinci Gourmet Lemonade and Ginger syrups, and “Abuela”, a sparkling mix of carrot and beetroot juice incorporating DaVinci Gourmet Blood Orange and Almond syrups.

“This competition has been an enriching journey of cultural exchange and learnings”, said Yasmim. “I am proud to have shared my beverage concepts and explored new flavour profiles on a global stage. This experience has only encouraged me to keep pushing the boundaries of creativity in my career.”

Çetin Alpay Başkan (Türkiye) delivered the savoury and bold purple basil tea-based “Aegean Breeze”, utilising DaVinci Gourmet Forest Berries syrup and Cheesecake sauce, and the “Pink Panther”, a cold brew creation featuring DaVinci Gourmet Pink Guava syrup and Condensed Milk Flavoured sauce.

“Representing Türkiye and my region on the world stage and exchanging ideas with such respected colleagues and judges has been a life-changing experience,” said Çetin. “This journey with DaVinci Gourmet has been a significant milestone for my professional development, sharpening my technical skills and motivating me to reach new heights.”

The finalists were evaluated by a prestigious panel of judges, including Mikael Jasin (2024 World Barista Champion, Sensory Judge), Edward Choo (Founder of Toothless Coffee, Sensory Judge), Sarawut “Bank” Manngan (Three-time Thailand National Latte Art Champion, Technical Judge), and Shanya “Kath” Taratikundech (Founder, Promchim Coffee Academy, Sensory Judge).

“At the global finals, the ‘Espresso Your Flavour’ theme took on a powerful new meaning,” said Mikael Jasin. “I was looking for how these baristas could translate the unique flavours of their home regions into a sophisticated, global coffee experience. Each of these champions has navigated through an incredibly challenging journey, and they bring with them a depth of wisdom and expertise that was reflected in their creativity.”

As the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2025–26 concludes, the beverage solutions brand reaffirms its commitment to championing the artistry of baristas worldwide, providing the tools, flavours and platform for the next generation of coffee innovators to express who they are through what they do best.

Hashtag: #DaVinciGourmet

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

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

Galaxy Macau Kicked Off UFC Partnership Three Live Consecutive Event Nights Culminated in a Sell-Out UFC FIGHT NIGHT Macau

MIL OSI — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:01:29 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Extended Fight Week Activities Brought World-Class Combat to the Ultimate Stage at Galaxy Macau

MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2026 – At Galaxy Macau the vision met the venue as the award-winning luxury resort played host to a resoundingly successful UFC Fight Week that featured two nights of the ROAD TO UFC Season 5 opening round, and culminated with UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: Song vs Figueiredo on May 30 at Galaxy Arena—the largest indoor arena in Macau. Across three nights, nearly 20,000 fans packed the Galaxy Arena to witness world-class MMA action, while live broadcast in local primetime entertained audiences in Asia and beyond, further elevating Macau’s profile as a “City of Sports” and contributing to its winning tourism streak.

The excitement reached peak play on May 30 in the sold-out Galaxy Arena, when China’s Song Yadong faced Brazil’s Deiveson Figueiredo in a thrilling main event that captured the home crowd’s frenzied appreciation. Renowned actor Daniel Wu, Hong Kong action star Philip Ng and other celebrities were in attendance, joining fans in witnessing the high-stakes knockout drama inside the Octagon. In a highly anticipated stylistic clash, Song submitted the ultimate showdown against Figueiredo in a thrilling second-round finish that sparked a crowd frenzy, earning him a “Performance of the Night.”

In 2026, building on the strategic partnership between Galaxy Macau and UFC, UFC returned to Galaxy Arena for an electrifying ROAD TO UFC Season 5 and UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SONG VS FIGUEIREDO delivering three knock-out nights of MMA action to an international audience.

The co-main event light heavyweight bout between Zhang Mingyang and Alonzo Menifield was a non-stop bout that won “Fight of the Night” honours. Facing the ultimate litmus test; another noteworthy bout saw Japan’s former UFC title challenger – battle-tested Kai Asakura – move up to bantamweight, with a heavy-hitting knockout of highly touted prospect Cameron Smotherman in the first round; earning him a “Performance of the Night.”

The headline bout of UFC FIGHT NIGHT Macau on May 30 featured China’s own #5 bantamweight contender Song Yadong facing former two-time UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, with Song achieving a knock-out in the second round.

ROAD TO UFC Season 5 opening round on May 28 and 29 saw fireworks ignite the Octagon, as Galaxy Macau played host to athletes shifting the UFC landscape from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, and Australia showcasing the deep talent pool across the region as they advanced to the semi-finals.

The opening rounds of ROAD TO UFC Season 5, held on May 28 and 29, featured electrifying competitive bouts showcasing emerging talent, serving as an adrenaline pumping platform to develop the next generation of UFC fighters.

A special UFC main event was featured each night. On Day 1, Rongzhu from Sichuan knocked out Victor Martinez in a little over a minute in the explosive first round. On Day 2, “Doctor” Shi Ming captured a highlight-worthy first-round submission victory over Puja Tomar. With the co-main event featuring the flyweight finale of RTU Season 4, where Mongolia’s Namsrai Batbayar secured the win over Yin Shuai by TKO to earn a coveted UFC contract.

The action-packed fight card saw renowned Chinese actor Daniel Wu grace the Galaxy Arena, posing alongside guest fighter – UFC’s first Chinese champion Zhang Weili. Hong Kong action star Philip Ng also witnessed the thrilling bouts live.

Beyond the Octagon, the state-of-the-art Galaxy Macau UFC experience saw a vibrant curated programme throughout Fight Week, including the official opening ceremony and open workouts at East Square, and a series of exclusive meet-and-greet and Q&A sessions with China’s first UFC champion Zhang Weili, three-time UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, former UFC interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez, and fan favourite UFC welterweight veteran “Leech” Li Jingliang. Plus, an immersive UFC Fan Experience at the Pearl Lobby at Galaxy Promenade featuring a gaming zone with a range of interactive activities.

In collaboration with UFC, Galaxy Macau presented Fight Week fan activities at East Square, attracting a large number of fight fans eager to battle-test their UFC heroes, alongside the UFC FAN EXPERIENCE at the Pearl Lobby at Galaxy Promenade for an exclusive experience.

An Engine for Economic Diversification
This year marked not only the highly anticipated return of UFC FIGHT NIGHT Macau to Galaxy Arena, but also the debut of ROAD TO UFC in the Macau economy. By hosting Asia-Pacific’s premier tournament pathway for the top regional athletes to make it to UFC, Galaxy Macau continues to expand the city’s appeal to a broader and more diverse international audience, while reinforcing its development as the leading sports destination.

Galaxy Macau hosted the Opening Ceremony for UFC Fight Week at East Square, welcoming an esteemed line-up of guests in attendance.

By introducing world-class sports and entertainment and bringing world-class combat to the ultimate stage, Galaxy Macau has proven effective in boosting visitor arrivals, extending the length of stay, and injecting vibrant momentum into the local economy. At the same time, hosting UFC events has created meaningful opportunities for Macau’s event management and related industries to benchmark against international standards, further enhancing local expertise in delivering world-class production to scale. Supported by extensive global broadcast coverage, the visceral thrill of UFC at Galaxy Macau has also significantly elevated Macau’s visibility on the international stage.

This marks the inaugural activation under the strategic partnership between Galaxy Macau and UFC where at least two more UFC FIGHT NIGHT Macau events will be staged in the city, delivering global notoriety to showcase Macau in the years ahead.

For more information about Galaxy Macau, please visit www.galaxymacau.com.

Hashtag: #GalaxyMacau #UFC

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

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

Handshake Finance Raises S$500K Pre-Seed to Build Escrow-as-a-Service for Singapore’s High-Trust Service Industries

MIL OSI — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:16:31 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2026 – Handshake Finance, the Singapore-based fintech company building escrow-as-a-service infrastructure for high-trust service industries, has closed a S$500,000 pre-seed funding round. The capital will accelerate the company’s expansion across its beachhead renovation and interior design market in Singapore, with longer-term ambitions to extend its platform across other service industries where payment trust remains a structural problem.

Handshake Finance Founders Christopher Chan (Left) and Lee Jun Xian (Right)

Born From Personal Experience

Handshake Finance launched in September 2025, founded by Christopher Chan and Lee Jun Xian. Both had seen the trust gap up close.

Jun’s close friend lost S$80,000 in pre-payments to a renovation company that collapsed mid-project. At the same time, Christopher’s friend paid a deposit on a rental home she had never viewed, only to discover the listing was fraudulent. Both incidents pointed to the same structural failure: in service industries, someone always carries the risk, and when trust breaks down, there is little recourse on either side.

The two founders met as university classmates in London and returned to the problem with complementary backgrounds. Christopher Chan had spent his career in fintech, designing compliant payment flows on regulated infrastructure. Lee Jun Xian came from venture capital, with experience scaling early-stage companies from zero to one.

Trust as the foundation, not the feature

Handshake operates on bank-grade payment infrastructure provided by MAS-regulated partners. All payment flows are fully MAS regulated, and funds are held with DBS in segregated escrow accounts. For the founders, this is not a checkbox — it is the entire foundation of the business.

“We are trying to solve a structural trust gap in service industries. But before any of that, our users have to trust us,” said Christopher Chan, Co-Founder of Handshake Finance. “Making sure every fund flow is fully compliant, and that our users feel completely assured handing us money in what are often life-changing transactions, is our number one priority. Everything else is built on top of that.”

Closing the Trust Gap Across Service Industries

Every high-trust service transaction carries the same structural flaw: either the customer pays before work is done, or the provider works before getting paid. Someone always carries the risk. Across industries — from renovation and interior design to event planning, creative agencies, and professional services — that risk falls entirely on one side, and when trust breaks down, there is little recourse for either party.

Handshake Finance was built to close that gap. The platform holds customer funds in escrow and releases them to service providers against agreed milestones, giving buyers protection from pre-payment risk while giving service providers the confidence to deliver. The model is designed to work across any service industry where the payment trust problem exists.

Why Renovation and Interior Design Is Handshake’s Beachhead Market

Renovation was where the structural failure ran deepest. The industry operates with no mandatory licensing or regulatory framework. Anyone can set up as an interior designer with no accreditation required, leaving homeowners with no reliable way to assess accountability before signing a contract.

There is no standard payment framework either. Homeowners routinely pay up to 50% of the total project value upfront, with funds going directly to the interior designer before any work begins. If a project stalls or a firm shuts down, there is limited protection and recourse. At the other end of the project, interior designers face the opposite problem: the final handover payment, where homeowners hold most of the leverage, can be withheld over disputes that wipe out up to half a project’s margin.

Eight Months of Listening Before a Single Line of Code

Before writing any software, the Handshake team spent eight months speaking with more than 80 interior designers and homeowners across Singapore to understand the real frictions on both sides of the transaction. What they found reinforced the decision to start here: high transaction values, a broken payment norm, an unregulated supply side, and no existing platform that protected both parties.

That research shaped how the product was built. After a renovation contract is signed, Handshake’s AI automatically generates the transaction structure with line items, payment schedules, and sub-milestones set out clearly to remove ambiguity. Homeowners place funds into escrow rather than paying upfront directly to the interior designer.

Payment releases to the designer as work progresses against agreed milestones, with sub-milestone releases providing faster cashflow access without compromising homeowner protection. The platform also replaces the manual spreadsheet-based back-office admin most interior design firms still run, and offers complimentary mediation and independent assessments in the event of a dispute.

More than 40 Interior Design Companies Onboarded and 2 Major Partnerships Signed

Handshake now has more than 40 interior design companies onboarded. The company has signed partnerships with Renonation.sg and Network SG, two of Singapore’s most established renovation marketplaces, to drive awareness and adoption across the broader ecosystem.

“It is an incredible feeling to see this much support behind us, and we are excited about what is ahead,” said Lee Jun Xian, Co-Founder of Handshake Finance. “We are industry-agnostic by design, but we are laser-focused on fixing renovation first. The scams that are still everyday occurrences in this space need to go, and the transactional experience for everyone involved needs to be better before we turn our attention to the next industry or market.”

Homeowners and interior designers can learn more or request access at handshake.finance.

Hashtag: #HandshakeFinance

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

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

VinRobotics makes global debut of “Make In Vietnam” humanoid robot at leading global tech events

MIL OSI — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:46:34 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2026 – VinRobotics, a technology company under Vingroup, showcased its VR-H3 humanoid robot platform at a series of major global technology and robotics events, including the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation 2026 (ICRA)and COMPUTEX Taipei 2026. VinRobotics’ participation in these global technology events marks a new milestone for Vietnamese technology enterprises in the field of humanoid robotics, while demonstrating the capability of Vietnamese engineers to develop and master core technologies.

On the opening day of ICRA 2026, VinRobotics’ humanoid robot impressed attendees with its remote operation capabilities enabled by motion-capture technology integrated into a virtual reality headset, requiring no additional external devices.

From late May to early June 2026, VinRobotics introduced the VR-H3 humanoid robot to international experts and the public across a series of global technology and robotics events, including ICRA 2026, the outdoor robotics festival Festival der Roboter 2026 held as part of ICRA 2026, Vietnam Robot Tech Day 2026, a technology diplomacy event co-organized by VinRobotics and the Embassy of Vietnam in Austria, as well as COMPUTEX 2026 in Taipei.

Across all events, VR-H3 attracted attention for its stable operation in open environments and crowded exhibition spaces, agile mobility, and ability to perform flexible and dexterous manipulation tasks, highlighting the practical potential of humanoid robots in both everyday life and industrial environments.

VR-H3 is the third-generation humanoid robot built by VinRobotics, featuring core technologies developed entirely in-house by Vietnamese engineers, including the mechanical structure, real-time computing and communication electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture, power distribution platform, battery system, and full-body AI control technology. Equipped with more than 31 actuators and two onboard edge computers, VR-H3 can perceive its surroundings, interact with humans, lift payloads of up to 6–8 kilograms, transport objects, and perform assembly operations.

As part of the events, alongside showcasing the VR-H3 humanoid robot, VinRobotics also participated in technical talks featuring leading global industry names such as Google DeepMind, NVIDIA, and Boston Dynamics. A key highlight of VinRobotics’ presentations was its integrated technology ecosystem surrounding the VR-H3 platform, spanning from humanoid robotic systems to core enabling technologies such as robotic hands and high-performance actuators independently researched and developed by Vietnamese engineers. These presentations drew strong interest from industry experts, expanding VinRobotics’ connections within the global technology ecosystem while reinforcing the potential of Vietnamese enterprises in core AI and robotics technologies.

On this occasion, VinRobotics also announced its strategy to gradually open-source selected foundational robotics technologies to contribute to the broader development of the global technology community. This initiative aims to create an open knowledge ecosystem where researchers, developers, and engineers can learn, collaborate, and accelerate the growing presence of robotics technologies developed by Vietnamese engineers within the global embodied AI wave.

Mr. Ngo Quoc Hung, Chief Executive Officer of VinRobotics, said: “Bringing VR-H3 to international technology forums is not only an opportunity for VinRobotics to showcase the capabilities of Vietnamese engineers, but also a real-world testing process to further refine humanoid robot platforms designed for practical applications and real-life operating environments. We believe humanoid robots and embodied AI will soon become an integral part of both daily life and industrial operations, and Vietnam is fully capable of becoming an active contributor to this technological wave with products developed by Vietnamese engineers.”

At a time when the robotics industry continues to be led primarily by major technology powers such as the United States, China, and Japan, VinRobotics’ presence across multiple international forums highlights the increasingly visible role of Vietnamese technology enterprises in the global race for robotics and embodied AI.

Hashtag: #VinRobotics

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

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

FOMO Pay to Launch DuitNow QR Acceptance in Singapore Ahead of RTS Link Opening

MIL OSI — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 03:16:49 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

FOMO Pay merchants in Singapore will soon be able to accept DuitNow QR payments, enabling Malaysian travellers and visitors to pay using familiar home-country banking and payment applications.
The rollout comes ahead of the Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link, expected to carry up to 40,000 passengers daily upon launch in January 2027.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2026 – FOMO Pay, a leading Singapore-headquartered payment institution, will launch DuitNow QR acceptance in Singapore, enabling Malaysian travellers and visitors to make payments using familiar banking and payment applications while merchants receive settlement in Singapore Dollars (SGD).

The rollout comes ahead of the opening of the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link in January 2027, a landmark infrastructure project expected to carry up to 40,000 passengers daily. The rail link is expected to further strengthen travel and consumer activity between Singapore and Malaysia.

Supporting Singapore Merchants with Growing Malaysian Visitor Traffic
As travel between Singapore and Malaysia continues to increase, merchants are seeing a growing demand for payment experiences that are frictionless to regional consumers.

By enabling DuitNow QR acceptance in Singapore, FOMO Pay allows Malaysian visitors to pay using their local banking and payment apps in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), while Singapore merchants receive full settlement in SGD. The rollout will simplify payment acceptance for merchants, removing the need for separate payment setups or manual foreign currency handling.

As cross-border consumer traffic continues to grow, seamless payment experiences are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping consumer confidence and purchase behaviour, particularly in retail, dining, and lifestyle environments.

Enhancing Cross-Border Payment Experiences

“Cross-border commerce is no longer limited to large enterprises or international brands. Increasingly, everyday businesses are serving consumers who move frequently across markets,” said Rose Wang, Head of Digital Payments at FOMO Pay. “As travel and consumer movement across Southeast Asia becomes increasingly fluid, real-time payment rails like DuitNow are fast becoming part of the infrastructure powering everyday regional commerce. Enabling DuitNow QR acceptance in Singapore helps merchants better connect with Malaysian consumers in ways that feel natural to how they already transact in their daily lives.”

The rollout marks another step in FOMO Pay’s broader efforts to help merchants access Asia’s growing network of national instant payment systems through a unified multi-rail, multi-currency platform, better supporting increasingly cross-border consumer spending across the region.

https://www.fomopay.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/fomo-pay/
https://x.com/FOMOPayOfficial

Hashtag: #DigitalPayment #DigitalBanking #DigitalAsset #FinTech #AI

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

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

Real Estate – Multigenerational luxury living on the rise – Sotherby’s

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:52:49 +0000

Source: New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty          

Demand to cohabitate with extended family is on the rise in New Zealand, even at the top end of the property market.

New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR) managing director Mark Harris says more wealthy buyers, family offices and Active Investor Plus visa holders are looking for properties that can accommodate multiple generations. This echoes the sentiment from a recent Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) report, which confirms that demand for multigenerational living in NZ is increasing.

“There has been a notable pick up in digital and physical enquiry from purchasers at the high end of the market who are looking at properties from an intergenerational perspective,” Harris says. “Quite often, this comes in the form of the senior family unit principals searching for options that are built and ready to be used, or land that’s big enough to build a multi-unit residency.

“Baby boomers are looking to purchase properties that have the ability to accommodate their mature-age children and grandchildren, mainly for lifestyle purposes and next-generational investment succession. AIP buyers are also interested in the ‘safe haven’ aspects of NZ property – some of them are looking at holiday homes, but with a long-term, full-time residency perspective.”

Whilst traditionally, intergenerational living has been driven by cultural or religious values, or sharing living costs, it’s now becoming a lifestyle choice, particularly for buyers at the luxury end of the market.

“Properties with self-contained wings or apartments, or upstairs-downstairs separation are in demand; properties with space, privacy, seclusion, a high level of build quality and access to airports,” Harris says. “Premium wellness amenities are also high on the wish-list, such as inbuilt gyms, pools, saunas and other lifestyle attributes. Some buyers require the ability to build safe houses or bunkers.”

The Urban Advisory managing director Dr Natalie Allen – a lead researcher for the BRANZ Multigenerational Housing report – agrees that multigenerational housing demand is increasing in NZ.

“The New Zealand Housing Survey data shows that there is a broad appetite for multigenerational housing, with around one in 10 households saying they would prefer to live multigenerationally in their next home,” she says. “Our BRANZ‑funded research shows the challenge isn’t demand, but a system that hasn’t yet enabled the market to respond.”

Harris says Northland, Auckland, Waiheke Island and the Southern Lakes are the most in-demand locations for multigenerational luxury living, with interest also in the Nelson-Tasman region. A few of NZSIR’s current listing examples are in Kerikeri, Waiheke Island, Auckland and Queenstown.

“There’s a clear and growing trend of property being held and treated as a family heirloom rather than a liquid asset,” he says. “The property becomes a gathering point: somewhere all generations can use, return to, and eventually inherit as a shared legacy.”

About New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty                    
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty is a specialist agency that focuses on the sale of premium property through quality marketing and global networking. Founded in 2005 by Mark Harris and Julian Brown, the NZ branch of the global company has 28 offices nationwide – Northland, Auckland Britomart, Auckland North Shore, Auckland Remuera, Auckland South East, Waiheke Island, Hamilton, Cambridge, Rotorua, Taupō, Napier, Ahuriri, Havelock North, Palmerston North, Masterton, Greytown, Kapiti, Wellington, Hutt Valley, Nelson, Marlborough, Wānaka, Arrowtown and its head office in Queenstown. It is part of Sotheby’s International Realty – the world’s leading luxury real estate company – with a global network of approximately 1,110 offices and more than 26,100 affiliated independent sales associates throughout 84 countries and territories. It is through this unparalleled luxury network that NZSIR is able to access and market properties on an international level. In 2022/2023 NZSIR was named Best International Real Estate Agency Asia Pacific (5-20 offices) at the International Property Awards and also won Best Property Agency/Consultancy New Zealand at the 2025 International Property Awards for the Asia Pacific region.       
www.nzsothebysrealty.com     

MIL OSI

Employment and Law – PSA takes legal action to stop secure jobs turning into insecure work

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:52:47 +0000

Source: PSA statement follows:

– Kāinga Ora failed to consult workers on plan to centralise maintenance operations

– Putting full time workers onto fixed term contracts clear breach of law

The PSA has filed legal proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority to stop Kāinga Ora sacking workers in its maintenance operations division and rehiring many of them on fixed-term contracts in breach of its collective agreement.

Kāinga Ora is proposing to cut maintenance staff in regional offices across the country and centralise them in Auckland and Christchurch. This would mean a net loss of 46 permanent roles with 36 temporary fixed-term positions expiring at various dates in 2026 and 2027 offered to staff.

“Kāinga Ora has ridden roughshod over workers’ legal rights. The collective agreement is crystal clear: all change must go through the agreed change management process with proper consultation. Kāinga Ora ignored that obligation entirely,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

Maintenance supervisors and administrators in more than 40 regional offices could lose their jobs, with only those in Auckland and Christchurch retained and many existing workers would have to apply for fixed term roles. Workers who have provided years of loyal service would lose their job security overnight and Kainga Ora would not get the benefit of their insights into what the proposed change would mean in reality.

“Kāinga Ora ran pilot programmes and proof of concept trials in Auckland that changed its organisational structure without ever consulting workers or the PSA as required under the collective agreement. It’s now relying on those pilots to justify the restructure. Workers have been presented with a fait accompli based on decisions they were unlawfully shut out of.

“On top of that, Kāinga Ora wants to sack permanent workers and rehire many of them on temporary contracts doing the same work.

“Kāinga Ora says the fixed terms are needed because it hasn’t decided what it wants to do yet. That’s not a lawful reason for a fixed-term agreement under the Employment Relations Act. You can’t fire people and park them on temporary contracts while you make up your mind about their future.

“Fundamentally, we believe the proposal is flawed, there are better ways to deliver improvements to this critical service, but Kāinga Ora chose to ignore the views of those on ground who know how best to quickly and effectively look after the maintenance needs of tenants.”

The PSA is asking the Authority to halt the restructure, determine that the proposal breaches the collective agreement and the Employment Relations Act, and order Kāinga Ora to remove the unlawful fixed-term arrangements and consult properly.

“This is now a pattern. Government agencies are treating collective agreements as optional and workers’ rights as an inconvenience. Earlier this year the ERA ruled that FENZ broke the law by failing to consult on its restructure. MBIE backed down on its unlawful flexible working policy the day before a hearing, after wasting more than $100,000 of taxpayers’ money on outside lawyers defending its weak position.

“The PSA will oppose these bad decisions at every step. We have taken on government agencies that have tried to turn a blind eye to clear obligations in collective agreements and won. Kāinga Ora should take note.”

A hearing before the Employment Relations Authority is set down for 21, 22 July.

Previous Kāinga Ora statements – more than a thousand workers have already lost their jobs as the Government guts the social housing agency.

8 May 2026 Government proposes more job cuts at Kāinga Ora – tenants and workers in regions pay the price

21 May 2025 Govt dismantling of public housing confirmed with Kāinga Ora axing a net 620 roles

Related PSA legal actions

31 March 2026 MBIE backs down at last minute over unlawful flexible work policy

18 March 2026 ERA rules FENZ broke the law – restructure breached good faith and obligations to consult

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

MIL OSI

Consumer NZ says no energy retailer deserves People’s Choice accolade

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:37:59 +0000

Source: Consumer NZ

For the first time in over a decade, Consumer NZ has decided not to award an annual People’s Choice accolade to any energy retailer.

The People’s Choice award recognises businesses that do right by their customers and earn high customer satisfaction scores in Consumer’s surveys.

“This year, no retailer met the threshold of having both highly satisfied customers and our backing that they are doing a stellar job of looking after their customer base,” says Jessica Walker, campaigns manager.

Consumer NZ says that the number of energy customers who class themselves as very satisfied has been on a steady decline for the last three years – which is at odds with the other sectors it tracks.

“Customer satisfaction is rising across other sectors – including KiwiSaver, internet service providers and even insurance.”

The price of power is a problem

The cost of energy is a key concern for more than half of New Zealand households.

“We have seen a rise in the number of people saying they are very concerned about the cost of energy. That’s now climbed to 34% of New Zealanders”, says Walker.

Consumer’s surveying has found that the majority of New Zealanders see energy profits as excessive, their bills as unfair and the recently announced half-year profits for gentailers (companies that both generate and sell electricity) as unjustifiable.

“The areas people are most dissatisfied with are value for money from their energy retailer, and a lack of competitive pricing,” says Walker.

Mercury satisfaction scores were significantly below average in four categories tracked by Consumer’s annual energy retailer survey – value for money, competitive pricing, helping you save energy and helping you select an appropriate plan.

“This is particularly concerning given Mercury has the highest market share.”

Switch to save – Over the past two years, power prices have gone up for all households. However, the price increases vary by region, plan type and retail brand too.

Almost 40% of New Zealanders think all energy providers charge about the same – but this is not true, Consumer says.

“There are savings available to people who shop around for power.

“People who use our free Powerswitch website save an average of $450 a year. We recommend people check to see what they could save by switching power plans or providers before the big winter bills hit.

“With satisfaction falling and power bills rising, there has never been a better time to test the market. Vote with your feet, shop around and see what you could save.”

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

Property Market – Fuel pressure eases but construction costs keep building – QV

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:37:56 +0000

Source: Quality Valuation (QV)

Residential construction costs have continued to edge upward, despite lower diesel prices.

QV CostBuilder’s latest update captures more than 11,400 material price movements across six main centres, including Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

It shows that diesel prices fell by 18.9% between the end of April and May, easing pressure on fuel-intensive areas of construction.

However, costs have still risen overall, with the average building cost per square metre for residential buildings increasing by 1.6% in the three months to the end of May 2026 and by 2.4% annually.

QV CostBuilder spokesperson and quantity surveyor Martin Bisset said diesel prices had not fallen enough to offset price rises elsewhere.

“The reduction in diesel prices has provided some much-needed relief for fuel-intensive areas of work, but it hasn’t been enough to stop residential construction costs from rising overall,” he said.

“The steep price of fuel has obviously been the most pressing issue in recent months. We’ve seen some of that pressure ease now, but diesel is still significantly higher than it was earlier this year and so it remains highly relevant and highly volatile.”

As a result, the excavation and piling trades recorded falls last month – down 5.1% and 0.9% respectively, largely due to the reduction in diesel prices.

At the same time, a range of commonly used building materials moved in the opposite direction, including garage doors (2.5%), framing timber (3%), ready mix concrete (4.1%), fibre cement cladding (4.8%), cedar cladding (21%), PVC pressure pipework (18.8%), PVC drain, waste and vent pipework (21.6%), and polyethylene pipework (25%).

“The broader picture is still one of modest cost growth overall. Some costs have come back, but materials such as concrete, timber, cladding and pipework are still moving higher,” Mr Bisset said.

“Construction cost inflation is not running away right now, but it is still present. Anyone planning a build should allow for some movement in costs. Even modest increases can make a difference over the life of a project.”

Meanwhile, the average building cost per square metre for non-residential buildings – excluding educational buildings – has increased by 1% this quarter and by 1.8% annually.

QV CostBuilder is an online building cost platform that covers everything from building costs per square metre for warehouses, schools and office buildings, to the retail supply cost of more than 8,000 items, labour rates, labour constants, and more.

Visit QV CostBuilder at costbuilder.qv.co.nz.

MIL OSI

Animal Welfare – Another greyhound dead as industry prioritises racing until the bitter end – SAFE

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:26:42 +0000

Source: SAFE For Animals

SAFE says the death of a young greyhound on Friday, combined with plans to export dogs overseas for racing and new financial incentives for participants, shows the industry still hasn’t learned the lessons that led to the ban on greyhound racing in New Zealand.

Three-year-old Diamond Harriot was euthanised on Friday 29 May after suffering a fractured elbow during a race at Christchurch’s Addington Raceway. She had raced 58 times in her short life.

The death comes just days after revelations that Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) is facilitating a charter flight to Australia so greyhounds can continue racing and breeding overseas. The organisation has also increased prizemoney and introduced fuel payments for participants in the final weeks before the industry closes.

SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie says the developments expose a disturbing set of priorities.

“New Zealanders expected the greyhound racing ban to mark the beginning of a responsible transition focused on the welfare of dogs.”

“Instead, we’re seeing efforts to continue racing beyond New Zealand’s borders and incentives designed to keep dogs on the track until the very end.”

“And while all of that is happening, another greyhound has lost her life.”

SAFE is particularly concerned that resources which could support the care, rehabilitation and rehoming of greyhounds are instead being directed towards sustaining racing activities during the industry’s final weeks.

“The priority should be ensuring every greyhound has a safe future after racing, but the industry appears determined to squeeze every last race out of the dogs still in its care.”

“If the industry’s final months were an opportunity to prove it had learned from its failures, it has squandered that opportunity.”

SAFE has written to Racing Minister Winston Peters seeking urgent clarification about the proposed export of greyhounds for continued racing and breeding and whether such activities are consistent with the purpose of the ban.

“When greyhound racing comes to an end, its legacy won’t be the prizemoney or the race wins.”

“It will be the dogs whose lives were cut short.”

“Diamond Harriot is one of them.”

Notes:

Greyhound racing in New Zealand is set to end on 31 July 2026, and it is estimated more than 1700 greyhounds will need to be re-homed once the industry closes

New Zealand Herald article regarding Greyhound Racing New Zealand lifting prize money if advance of ban

RNZ article regarding members of the greyhound racing industry exploring option of exporting greyhounds overseas to continue racing

Latest GH injury and death statistics for 25/26 racing season:

Injuries: 556

Fractures: 57

Deaths: 8.

MIL OSI