More ambulance crews, upgraded technology, and stronger frontline support will strengthen ambulance services across New Zealand, enabling quick and effective responses to emergencies, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Casey Costello say. 

“When New Zealanders call an ambulance, they need confidence that they will get the help they need quickly and that frontline crews have the support and resources they need to respond,” Mr Brown says.

“Demand for ambulance services continues to grow across the country, which is why we are focused on strengthening the workforce, infrastructure, and technology needed to support modern, reliable emergency care.”

Budget 2026 provides $35 million over four years to strengthen road ambulance services and deliver immediate improvements for patients and frontline staff.

Funding is provided for:

The establishment of two ambulance hubs in Auckland, with one confirmed for South Auckland
The deployment of an electronic Patient Clinical Record system
Additional training support for ambulance communications centre staff
Additional clinical welfare checks for patients

The investment from Budget 2026 will be in addition to an increase in funding from Health New Zealand and ACC for road ambulances to meet demand and cost pressures, with the total funding package to be finalised following negotiations for the next four-year contract.

The increased funding from Health New Zealand and ACC will support:

Additional frontline ambulance crews and 111 call handlers
Strengthened recruitment and retention of ambulance volunteers, particularly in rural and high-deprivation areas
An enhanced clinical hub to provide clinical telephone advice and support more patients to resolve their care needs without an ambulance response

Ms Costello says the overall funding increase contributes to the National–NZ First Coalition Agreement commitment.

“Emergency ambulance demand is expected to increase by 95,000 incidents over the next four years, to an estimated 735,000 incidents. This additional investment is critical to ensuring ambulance services can continue putting more crews on the road to meet growing demand, while maintaining safe and efficient services for communities across New Zealand,” Ms Costello says.

“Volunteers also play an essential role in ambulance services, particularly in rural and remote areas, sustaining emergency care for those communities, while the enhanced clinical hub will help more patients access the right level of care sooner through clinical telephone advice and allow crews to focus on higher-acuity emergencies.

“The overall investment is expected to reduce avoidable emergency department transports by around 23,000 each year by 2029/30, while supporting the infrastructure needed to improve service delivery and meet future demand.”

The new spending builds on a significant increase in ambulance service funding under this Government. Since 2023, Health New Zealand and ACC have provided an additional $77.7 million for road ambulance services, bringing total funding to $452 million for the 2025/26 financial year. This sustained investment has supported record ambulance staffing levels, faster response times for the most serious emergencies, and more efficient use of resources.

Mr Brown says strengthening ambulance services is part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring New Zealanders can access timely, quality healthcare when they need it most.

“Ambulance crews are on the frontline of emergency care every day. That’s exactly why the Government has remained focused on responsible fiscal management – so we can keep investing in the services that matter most to New Zealanders.

“This investment is about fixing the basics and building the future – strengthening ambulance crews’ ability to respond quickly and deliver safe, effective care, and ensuring services are well equipped to meet growing demand and continue supporting New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/boosting-ambulance-services-across-new-zealand/

Construction has begun on a major solar energy project on Stewart Island/Rakiura that will reduce the island’s reliance on diesel-generated electricity and cut power prices, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say.

Mr Patterson was on the island today to turn the first sod on the Government-backed energy upgrade.

“The Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) provided a $15.35 million loan to Southland District Council to help strengthen the Island’s energy resilience and bring real cost relief to a remote community that doesn’t have the convenience of connection to the national grid,” Mr Jones says.

“The start of construction reflects strong community support and careful local planning. It responds directly to the challenges they have identified including high power costs, supply risk, and long-term resilience,” Mr Patterson says.

Stewart Island/Rakiura has about 494 permanent electricity connections and relies entirely on diesel generators for its electricity supply. Households and businesses currently face electricity prices more than twice as high as on the mainland.

The project is being delivered by the council through the Stewart Island Electricity Supply Authority, which owns and operates the island’s electricity system.

The project involves installing a solar farm and battery system, along with electricity network upgrades and smart meters. It is expected to cut power prices by up to 35 cents per kilowatt hour and reduce diesel use for power generation by up to 75 per cent.

The project is expected to be completed in early 2027. It will support around 40 fulltime-equivalent jobs during construction, with long-term benefits for tourism, aquaculture and other local industries as energy costs come down.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/stewart-island-rakiura-solar-project-underway/

Construction of the long-awaited second Ashburton Bridge has begun, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and South Island Minister James Meager have announced.

“A second crossing over the Ashburton River is going to be a game changer for residents moving around and through the Mid Canterbury town. It will also be important for economic growth as traffic volumes ease for commuters, tourists and freight operators on the existing crossing via State Highway 1,” Mr Bishop says.

“The second Ashburton Bridge project is one of the Government’s Roads of Regional Significance being delivered by the NZ Transport Agency in partnership with the Ashburton District Council.”

Mr Meager says the second bridge and new connection road will be 2.46km long and will include two traffic lanes, on-road cycle facilities, and a shared path.

“About 24,000 vehicles use the current bridge daily. This is a key route for ensuring our people and goods can get up and down the South Island and needs to be future proofed.

“Having a second crossing connecting Tinwald to Ashburton provides a critical back-up and lifeline in the event of crashes, emergencies or severe weather events that may impact SH1, which has occurred in recent years,” Mr Meager says.

“I’m proud to be delivering on the National Party’s 2023 campaign promise to start construction of the bridge in our first term. This crucial project has been accelerated because of its importance to the community and the Government. 

“Fletcher Construction is able to hit the ground running after helping to develop the detailed design for the project over the last few months.

“The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2027, with an estimated total project cost of between $134 to $144 million.”

Notes to Editor: 

• The Second Ashburton Bridge project will provide access across the 650m wide Ashburton/Hakatere riverbed, about 700m east (downstream) of the existing SH1 bridge. 

• On the north side of the river, the bridge extends from Chalmers Avenue across the river to Carters Terrace. On the south side of the river, a new road will connect Carters Terrace to Grahams Road. 

• The project also includes two new roundabouts (at Chalmers Avenue/South Street and Grahams Road), new intersections and provision for people walking and cycling.

• Geotechnical investigations have been completed to better understand the ground conditions in and around Ashburton/Hakatere River for the new bridge. Early work has also been underway, including ecological work, removal of trees, creation of access roads, and establishing placement areas for heavy equipment.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/work-on-second-ashburton-bridge-underway/

Small businesses will get practical support to strengthen performance and seize growth opportunities, with a new Government-backed training initiative announced today at the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce conference.

“In my engagement with businesses across the country, I’ve heard the need for support to manage disruption, strengthen resilience, and plan with confidence,” says Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Cameron Brewer.

“That is why today I am announcing a new package of fully funded business resilience training for small and medium enterprises.”

The funding will support businesses to improve preparedness, strengthen continuity planning, and reduce vulnerability to disruption.

“We are committed to fixing the basics and building the future, and that’s why it is important we ensure small businesses have support they need to grow, compete, and succeed,” says Mr Brewer

“Delivered through the Regional Business Partner Network (RBPN), this training will include online webinars and in-person workshops across the country, providing practical tools without the cost barrier,” says Mr Brewer.

This work complements the existing support available through the RBPN. 

“The initial focus will be on practical tools to manage change and strengthen business continuity planning, giving businesses skills they can apply straight away,” says Mr Brewer.

“Rolling out nationwide from now until August, the programme will upload online content on business.govt.nz so businesses can access support on demand, which will be available for free for eligible small and medium enterprises,”

“In Business Continuity and Resilience Awareness Week, and in a more uncertain and volatile world, being prepared for disruption is no longer optional – it is part of building long-term business success.”

Notes to editors: 

The initiative will be delivered through the Regional Business Partner Network (RBPN). For more information, businesses can contact their local Regional Business Partner or visit: Find your local Regional Business Partner – Business.govt.nz. 
Training will be delivered as a series of workshops and webinars between May and August and content will also be available on business.govt.nz.
Business Continuity & Resilience Awareness Week (BCAW+R) is the BCI’s annual campaign equipping professionals and organisations with practical tools to raise internal awareness and strengthen organisational resilience. More information can be found here: Business Continuity & Resilience Awareness Week (BCAW+R) 2026 | BCI. 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/package-to-support-small-businesses-announced/

Programmes aimed at addressing access issues for disabled people in street navigation, reading, housing and sports education through technology will soon get a boost, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says.

The six successful applicants of the Access Activator pilot programme have been selected. The programme is run through the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha, in collaboration with start-up hub Creative HQ.

Louise Upston says Access Activator is about delivering practical results for people with a variety of accessibility needs.

“About one in six people in New Zealand live with a disability, and that number is expected to grow alongside the aging population. That means providing solutions to accessibility affects a growing number of Kiwis. Disabled New Zealanders also make an important contribution to society and the economy.

“We want disabled New Zealanders – like all New Zealanders – to be able to excel, work, thrive and participate in their communities.

“This funding will provide more opportunities to ensure that.”

The projects were selected with input from the Accessibility Advisory Group, Creative HQ, and an evaluation panel comprising disabled people and Ministry of Disabled People senior leaders.

Applications were marked against criteria which considered the impact and value delivered, project feasibility, involvement of disabled people, and an evidence-based problem statement and solution. 

The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha received 161 applications for the funding. 

For projects ready to scale, up to $100,000 was available for applications, while projects at the ideas stage could apply for up to $25,000.

Whaikaha is providing $405,000 in funding across the six projects.

Notes to Editors:

The successful applicants are:

1. Access Quest – an app that helps plan accessible journeys
2. Intermentis – An AI-driven smart doorstep assistant for disabled and elderly people
3. Veera – An app to help organisations improve the accessibility of their buildings
4. People First: Easy Read Mobile Library – making Easy Read more available on mobile phones
5. Āhei – A platform making sport more inclusive for disabled children. The programme has already had significant use in schools
6. Insights Research – to develop a toolkit to make homes more autism-friendly

Each of the successful applicants will receive mentoring and support from the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha and Creative HQ to help them deliver maximum impact for disabled Kiwis.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/projects-selected-to-improve-accessibility/

NANNING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 May 2026 – The China-ASEAN Business and Trade Information Platform was officially launched in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Tuesday.

The platform offers comprehensive information services and an international communication platform to support economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

Built and operated by China News Network, the official website of China News Service, the platform serves as ASEAN trade agencies, industry associations, overseas Chinese communities, and cross-border enterprises, providing one-stop trade information services.

China News Service will leverage its strengths to build the China-ASEAN Business and Trade Information Platform into an influential and dynamic communication channel that promotes information sharing and provides services, to facilitate trade and people-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN countries.

Currently, a trade information network between China and ASEAN countries has been built, with key content covering policy explanations, market conditions, investment promotion, business cooperation, and industry analysis, to comprehensively support cross-border trade activities.

Prior to the platform’s launch, representatives from government departments, media outlets, research institutes, and universities in China and multiple ASEAN countries participated in discussions on economic and trade information exchange between China and ASEAN countries, as well as the development of the platform.

Consular officials from ASEAN member states including Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, stationed in Nanning expressed their hopes for enhancing China-ASEAN economic and trade connectivity as well as people-to-people ties through information sharing.

Against the backdrop of the signing of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, the platform serves as an information bridge for expanding cooperation, promoting trade, enhancing industrial upgrade, and achieving mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, they said.

They hope that the platform will play a greater role in trade facilitation and logistics services, empowering micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and investment policies and regulatory measures, while helping share cooperation stories between China and ASEAN countries.

Hashtag: #Nanning

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

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

MIL OSI

As New Zealanders grapple with the cost of everyday essentials, from the supermarket checkout to power bills and bank fees, pressure is growing to address weak competition in critical sectors.

Rebalancing Markets: Competition, power, and a fair economy, hosted by Business School research centreJuncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism, will see experts in regulation, energy, consumer behaviour, law and economics examine why competition remains weak and what could help rebalance the system.

The discussion comes as the Commerce Commission’s latest report on the state of competition in New Zealand suggests market conditions favour larger established businesses, making it harder for smaller and newer firms to displace these dominant players. Electricity, gas, water, and waste services, and financial and insurance services were identified as the areas most lacking competitive pressure.

The Commission’s Deputy Chief Executive Raj Krishnan is bringing insights from the competition and consumer watchdog to the panel discussion.

Another panellist, Business School alumnus Tex Edwards, the founder of independent public policy and research group Monopoly Watch, and telecommunications company 2degrees, says the Commerce Commission has clearly identified the country’s competition problems.

“Parliament must now arm the Commerce Commission with the powers, and protect it from lobbyists, so the evidence can be translated into lower prices, more choices, and a fairer economy.”

Dr Eric Crampton, chief economist at the New Zealand Initiative and adjunct senior fellow at the University of Canterbury, says too often, governments create the market power they later condemn.
 
“District plans often have rules banning new supermarkets in particular locations, and consenting processes that force entrants to prove they will not compete with established businesses,” he says.

“When markets are open, underperformance by established players becomes an opportunity for entrants and better service for consumers. When entry is blocked by law, regulation, planning, licensing or procurement, market power becomes entrenched.”

Dr John Land, senior barrister at Bankside Chambers and teaching fellow at Auckland Law School, says competition could be improved through increased Commerce Commission powers and by removing barriers to entry and expansion. He says some areas of the competition framework, however, may go too far, particularly around franchise networks and intellectual property rights, with possible impacts on innovation and pro-competitive business conduct.

Professor Jodi Gardner (Auckland Law School) researches how the law responds to issues such as inequality, vulnerability, poverty, and financial exclusion. She will bring a consumer rights perspective to the panel, which will also explore how technology reshapes markets.

Jessica Venning-Bryan, CEO and co-founder of AI-driven energy forecasting and pricing platform Factor, brings energy industry insights and says technology is constantly changing how households participate in the energy system.  

“When households become producers, not just consumers of energy, they have economic leverage. As we reach a critical mass of empowered households, the market will respond with better products and services to attract these prosumers.”

The discussion is being facilitated by Dr Drew Franklin, senior lecturer in marketing and associate director at Juncture. Franklin says when people feel essential markets are stacked against them, trust in the whole economic system begins to weaken.

“Markets are one of the most powerful tools we have for coordinating economic life, but they don’t work well in isolation. They depend on rules that encourage openness, innovation and accountability.”

MIL OSI

The Disability Support Services Bill threatens to undermine the rights of disabled people, tangata whaikaha, their families and whānau, and worsen the lives of families who are already struggling, says Te Kahui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission.

The Commission is calling for a fairer, rights-based approach to disability support, as the Disability Support Services Bill progresses.  

The bill, introduced this week, aims to clarify that the Crown is not the employer of family carers, following a Supreme Court ruling (Fleming v Attorney-General) which held that two parents caring for their disabled children should be considered government employees.

The bill would remove the right of family carers to seek remedies (such as additional wages or compensation) through the Employment Relations Authority.

“Restricting the ability of disabled people and their families to seek justice and advocate for their rights is very concerning. Carers, including family members, need to be fairly paid as workers.” says Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker. “Legislating to overrule Supreme Court decisions is not a just or fair way for government to work.”

“In addition, the bill’s aim to define disability support as a ‘contribution’ from the Government is likely to worsen the lives of families already struggling with financial hardship,” says Walker. “There is clear evidence showing disabled families are more likely to face poverty.”

The bill’s provisions could be seen as contradicting New Zealand’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which emphasises the importance of autonomy, independence, and equality for disabled individuals.  

“We echo the concerns of disabled people and their families about the lack of consultation before the bill was introduced, when the well-being and rights of disabled people are at stake,” says Walker. “A fairer and supportive rights-based approach is essential given the critical role family carers play in supporting disabled family members to live and participate in their communities.”

The bill’s introduction follows the recent announcement that Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities has dropped its annual targets for creating accessible homes, that financial subsidies for Total Mobility have been reduced, and the Lottery Grants Board will no longer fund Lottery Individuals with Disabilities, which provided support for assistance dogs, communication equipment, vehicles, vehicle modifications, scooters and other mobility equipment.

Walker stresses the importance of upholding the rights of disabled people, as enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1993 and the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990.

“At the moment, disabled people’s rights, autonomy and ability to pursue a good life are being reduced instead of progressively improved – especially the right to seek redress.”

“It’s crucial that any legislation respects and promotes these rights. The right to autonomy and the ability for disabled people to pursue a good life must be supported.”

MIL OSI

Driving Industrial Upgrading and Widespread AI Adoption through Smart Manufacturing, Public Services and “AI for All” Training

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

MIL OSI

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

PSNA has congratulated Winston Peters for calling-in the Israeli ambassador, as the first step in New Zealand imposing meaningful sanctions on Israel.

The Foreign Minister has just posted;

“It’s about time he made this first step to show Israel it can’t continue to flout international law,” says PSNA National Spokesperson Rinad Tamimi. 

“These breaches include violent assaults on heroic New Zealanders trying to get desperately needed humanitarian aid into Gaza.” 

“These heroic New Zealanders represent the very best of New Zealand values of care and compassion”

 “Two of our kiwis, Mousa Taher and Julien Blondel, had already suffered brutality at the hands of the Israeli military, on an earlier flotilla boat last month. Mr Peters refused then to speak out then against the bashings Israel meted out on these brave New Zealanders.”

 “This is the first time in more than 2 ½ years of genocidal attacks on Palestinians that Mr Peters has called in the Israeli ambassador”.

 “Up ‘till now he’s done nothing.  And it’s not though he’s not spoiled for recent choice.”

• Israel’s daily breaches of the so-called ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon
• Israel’s invasion and ethnic cleansing of vast areas of Lebanon – Israel now occupies more of Lebanon than Russia occupies of Ukraine
• Israel’s mass killing and starvation of civilians in Gaza and creeping re-occupation.
• A sharp increase in the pogroms by illegal Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities and theft of Palestinian land in the Occupied West Bank.

 “We suspect Mr Peters has only called-in the Israeli ambassador on this occasion because that’s what the US and European countries have done,” says Tamimi.

“Our government’s foreign policy is determined by US/Israeli priorities.”

 “Mr Peters is carefully pointing out in his posting that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has also criticised his cabinet colleague Itamar Ben Gvir for ‘his conduct relative to the flotilla”.

“Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.  He is not the good-guy Mr Peters is trying to make him out to be.”

“But having made that first step, we want to see more of Peters speaking out, show more courage, more independence and more real action,” says Tamimi. “We want to be proud of New Zealand, not ashamed.”

Rinad Tamimi

National Spokesperson

PSNA

MIL OSI

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 May 2026 – Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Ms Loretta Lee concluded a successful mission to South Africa and Rwanda today (May 18), reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as the strategic launchpad for African and Global South enterprises seeking offshore business growth into the Chinese Mainland and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

During her visit to Johannesburg (May 10 to13) (Johannesburg time), Ms Lee engaged with a diverse range of leading enterprises and industry bodies. Discussions focused on how Hong Kong’s robust business environment can empower African enterprises to effectively manage and scale their expanding Asian operations.

Ms Lee also met with local chambers of commerce and government investment agencies to explore new avenues for collaboration. She highlighted that Africa is one of the InvestHK’s key markets, as many African enterprises are now looking to diversify their funding sources and simplify cross-border transactions through Hong Kong’s deep capital markets and unique connectivity with Chinese Mainland.

Ms Lee said, “Africa has emerged as a vital engine of growth within the Global South. Our journey of thousands of miles to Africa begins with a meaningful step. For African corporates looking for a trusted and strategic partner to expand into the Chinese Mainland and the Asia-Pacific region, the interest, relationships, and momentum are building up. Hong Kong has vast potential to play a unique role linking capital, talent, and innovation between Africa and our part of the world, while InvestHK will continue to be a driver of this interconnectivity, facilitating two-way investment through strategic market insights, extensive global access, targeted promotion, and policy facilitation. “

The Minister Counsellor in charge of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, Ms Liu Yu, said, “The synergy between South Africa and Hong Kong in the economic and trade fields is both complementary and strategically significant. Under the framework of the 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong’s status as a global offshore Renminbi hub and an international asset management centre provides a professional one-stop platform for enterprises to go global. We encourage South African and Chinese Mainland enterprises in South Africa to leverage Hong Kong’s unique professional advantages to optimise their supply chain layouts and achieve high-quality, mutually beneficial development.”

The President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), Mr Mtho Xulu, said, “We want to see the relationship beyond our borders, where we take companies from South Africa into Hong Kong, using the city as a platform to scale into the bigger markets. Whether it’s for innovation, manufacturing, or industrialisation, we want to look at how we can collaborate further and bring the two places closer together. This ecosystem is exactly what our members need to unlock high-value opportunities on the Chinese Mainland and across Asia.”

The visit culminated in Kigali, Rwanda, where Ms Lee represented InvestHK at the Africa CEO Forum, engaging in high-level discussions with C-suite executives from the continent’s leading multinationals on May 14 and 15 (Kigali time).

Continuing the momentum of two-way economic ties, InvestHK will host an Africa Day Reception in Hong Kong on May 26, assembling local African business communities to explore new avenues for cross-border collaboration.

Hashtag: #InvestHK

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

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

The move-on orders legislation has passed its first reading, following a heated debate at Parliament.

Around 80 people were sat in the public gallery to watch the debate, following a call to action from the Green Party.

Even though the legislation has passed its hurdle, a long debate on when the select committee has to report back on the bill has to be extended into next week.

The Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill would give police the power to issue move-on orders to people who are displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening, or intimidating behaviour.

They will also apply to people who are obstructing or impeding someone entering a business, breaching the peace, begging, rough sleeping, or displaying behaviour indicating an attempt to inhabit a public place.

After being issued with such an order, the person has to leave a specified order for up to 24 hours, and what the officer deems to be a “reasonable distance” away.

People as young as 14 would be subject to the orders.

The legislation has been heavily criticised by opposition parties, homelessness organisations, and the Police Association.

Speaking at the first reading on Thursday, justice minister Paul Goldsmith said the bill was not criminalising homelessness, but would simply give police the power to issue move-on orders.

Only people who refused to follow the orders would face prosecution, and people lawfully protesting or conducting charitable or not-for-profit fundraising would be exempt.

Goldsmith said there had been “unprecedented” levels of disruption in city centres with businesses, residents, and visitors playing the price.

“Our focus is ensuring that we reclaim those streets and those town centres for the enjoyment of people who live there, who work there, who visit there,” he said.

He said many “disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful” acts could occur before police had any means of intervention, and that was what the legislation sought to change.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find anybody who lives, works, or visits our city centres that hasn’t witnessed disorderly behaviour.”

Goldsmith insisted there were “many tools” to help people in need, including access to the welfare system, additional Housing First homes, more funding for frontline services, and expanded wraparound support.

“It’s often said, ‘oh well, what about your empathy for those who are in genuine need?’ And I’d just say this, my empathy lies particularly with those New Zealanders who have put their life savings into a small business, who get up every day to do their business, to provide for their family, for their community, and for their customers,” he said.

“And they find a number of people lined up outside their businesses abusing those who come and go, and make it difficult for them to succeed, and to live, and to provide for their families. That’s where my empathy lies.”

‘Would you like them to go sleep in a bush?’ – Opposition parties slam bill

Labour’s deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said the bill was “purely ideological” and insisted it did criminalise homelessness.

“You stand up in this House and say you’re not criminalising, despite the fact if they don’t move on they can be fined or they can be sentenced.”

Sepuloni said it was “crazy” that the government would talk about disorderly behaviour when two of the categories that would trigger a move-on order were homelessness and begging.

“It’s not nice, and it’s hard when you have to explain it to your kids, but it’s even worse for the people that are actually living as homeless people, because they have nowhere to lay down with a roof over their heads at night time.”

Green MP Tamatha Paul said the government was misleading the public by saying it was not criminalising homelessness.

“If they comply and go home, they’re not going to be charged. The minister realises they don’t have a home, right? Where exactly are they supposed to move on? Should they go to your house?”

Paul was particularly aggrieved that the orders applied to people as young as 14.

“Where exactly are these kids meant to go? Would you like them to go sleep in a bush? Would you like them to go sleep under a bridge? They have nowhere to go, they have no parents, they have no responsible adults, and now they will be caught up in the justice system for the rest of their life.”

Paul, who had organised to get people into the public gallery, said those watching on worked on the frontline, and urged the government to listen to them.

Both Paul and Labour MP Willie Jackson mentioned that Goldsmith had advocated for a similar policy as an Auckland City councillor.

Jackson said Goldsmith had now “got his wish” almost 20 years later.

“Congratulations Minister Goldsmith, well done, what a political achievement,” Jackson remarked sarcastically.

“Hold on to anger towards the poor long enough … and you too can be a National cabinet minister.”

Bill gets coalition backing

National’s coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First voted in favour of the bill.

ACT MP Simon Court said there had been “political gaslighting” around the bill, and all it did was equip police to deal with public disorder.

“You are denying the lived reality of young people who I’ve worked with, in the central city, in K Road and other business, who told me they were afraid to come to work until it was light because of the intimidation and fear they felt from people who they could identify as being regularly occupying places in public spaces,” he said.

“The Greens and Labour are denying the reality of people who choose to live in urban centres, with all the enormous investments and infrastructure like City Rail Link in Auckland, we want people to come and live.”

New Zealand First’s Casey Costello, said as minister for seniors she wanted older people to be able to feel safe and part of the cities they lived in.

“It is returning our streets to the communities that own them, not allowing us to be intimidated and to be frightened, to just be in our own cities.”

MPs debate report back timeframe

Goldsmith wanted the Justice Committee to report back on the bill by 3 September.

“The reason for this slightly faster turnaround of three and a half months, rather than the usual period, is because this government wants to get on with this legislation, and have it enforced quickly, and because we believe three and a half months does provide plenty of time for full consideration of the issues,” he said.

It prompted a filibuster attempt from the opposition.

Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan argued it should be moved to 22 September – two days before the House is expected to rise before the election.

Xu-Nan said the bill had a Section 7 report by the Attorney-General, which had found removing rough sleepers and beggars did not appear to be justified.

The Green MP said this deserved further scrutiny, and also noted the government could have introduced it sooner, given it received a Regulatory Impact Statement in November.

“If they introduced something like this earlier in the year, they could in fact allow for a full six month select committee, without having to have a truncated process. Instead the bill has decided to introduce bills of a lesser significance, despite knowing something like this would have an impact and undermine our Bill of Rights.”

Labour agreed the report back timeframe was too short, with Justice Committee member Duncan Webb tabling his own amendment to stop the committee from meeting while the House was sitting.

Because Parliament had to rise at 6pm, the debate on the report back date was interrupted.

It means, despite the bill passing its first reading, the debate on exactly when it will next appear before the House will resume next Tuesday.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/move-on-orders-bill-passes-first-reading-following-heated-debate/

An inquiry into the state of Fire and Emergency’s fire trucks has heard its troubles go deeper than thought and require a wider investigation.

The parliamentary select committee inquiry was triggered by MPs who were angry at getting mixed messages from Fire and Emergency (FENZ) amid truck breakdowns and new trucks not being put on the road fast enough.

Ray Deacon of the Taxpayers’ Union said FENZ’s lack of asset management had been “astonishing”.

“Failures to control expenditure, failure to efficiently construct rural fire stations, failure to efficiently manage assets, all suggest a major failure of governance by the board and Department of Internal Affairs,” Deacon told MPs on Wednesday.

He disputed FENZ’s contention that it had inherited fire trucks from rural brigades that were worse than expected in the 2017 merger of urban and rural services. Deacon said that did not wash with what was on record, and if it were true, why the cost-benefit analysis conducted at the time did not raise it.

“Would the merger actually even have gone ahead had the actual costs that have been incurred subsequent to merger been known at the time? I very much doubt it,” he said.

Other submitters also called for a wider inquiry, among them Alan Collett, speaking on behalf of the Professional Firefighters’ Union’s Wellington branch.

Citing the Loafers Lodge fire that killed five people in Wellington in 2023, Collett said when trucks broke down, crews could adopt different tactics, but options got more and more limited as time ticked by.

He said at the Loafers fire, the shorter ladder of a truck standing in for a broken-down long-ladder Newtown truck prevented firefighters from rescuing people jumping onto a roof on the south side of the building.

Collett pointed to other weaknesses, citing an unreleased review within FENZ that he suggested showed “systematic inconsistencies” in training.

Another submitter, Adriana de Souza, told the inquiry she had witnessed firefighters’ commitment to the job at a lodge fire in the central Auckland suburb of Parnell in 2024, and said they deserved better.

It was the second public hearing of the inquiry, which is ongoing.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/mps-told-investigation-needed-into-state-of-fire-truck-fleet/

A family support service in the Hutt Valley is closing its doors tomorrow after 60 years of service.

Birthright Hutt Valley supports single-caregiver whānau in the region, and is the only specialist social service like it in the area.

Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the government has failed the Hutt Valley community.

“This closure is a failure of government. Birthright has served this community for 60 years and it’s closing because the government would not fund it adequately, said Fitzsimons.

“It’s heartbreaking. There has been no response from Oranga Tamariki, no plan, and no replacement. Hutt Valley families have been left out in the cold.”

Fitzsimons accused the government of not being serious about children and families doing well in New Zealand.

“This government has chosen tax relief for landlords over a 60-year-old organisation that support single-caregiver families.

“When you allow an organisation like this to close, you are not just failing the families in front of you today – you are failing generations to come.”

Birthright Hutt Valley manager Sarah Szabo said their social workers have helped families navigate Work and Income, supported survivors of family violence, advocated in family court and provided practical help through its Whānau Room.

“In the days since we announced our closure, whānau have been coming to us asking where they can turn to now. And I have had to tell them I do not know. There is nothing else.

“We have laughed and cried with these families. We have been there for some of the hardest moments of their lives. Saying goodbye to them is devastating.”

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Family Violence

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/hutt-valley-family-support-service-closing-doors-after-60-years/

The Citizens Advice Bureau says it’s “gut-wrenching” that Wellington City Council has decided to cut the bureau’s funding by around 60 percent.

The council announced yesterday that Wellington’s CAB will go from receiving around $230,000 to $100,000 from the council.

Citizens Advice Bureau CEO Kerry Dalton told Checkpoint the bureau was already “cut to the bone” and now their “survival is at risk”.

She said what made the announcement even worst was that they had been effectively “blindsided”.

“We got about five hours’ notice before the agenda with that recommendation got posted on the council’s public website.”

She said while there had been some discussion prior around changing the councils’ funding priorities, there had been no indication of this type of funding cut.

“We had shown that we met the new criteria and we in fact asked for a small funding increase, not having had it signalled to us that there was this degree of a funding cut being thought of.”

She said last year CAB had helped 11,000 Wellingtonians including 1,130 people with employment issues and 400 people with income support issues.

“Someone came in recently who had lost their job and as a result of that drop in income, they couldn’t keep up their rent payments. They lost their house and they were coming to us because they were homeless”

When asked about the potential of AI replacing their service Dalton said they had found a lot of people come to them wanting to speak with a real person after being frustrated with AI.

“People often need the reassurance of interacting with a person. They also need that information to be accurate.”

“They’re coming to us because they’ve only been able to talk to a bot and it’s a very limited interaction with them.”

Dalton said the CAB was heavily reliant on trained volunteers with the Wellington bureau having a handful of part time staff who support 125 volunteers throughout the city.

She said while council needed to support CAB and its volunteers, there needed to be a contribution made by central government as well.

“At the moment, central government does not provide any direct funding to our frontline CABs.”

“That needs to be additional to council funding. It’s not a replacement for it.”

With the government also looking to cut thousands of public sector jobs, Dalton said Wellington needed the CAB now more than ever.

She said support for the CAB had already been flooding in through Facebook.

“We will be calling on people to support us to get our funding reinstated because our volunteers, they were devastated, now they’re angry.”

Dalton also noted this was not the first time that the CAB was at risk of a funding cut.

“The council had a go at cutting our funding before in 2018 and Wellingtonians said no in force.”

A petition in support of the CAB had received 5000 signatures at the time and council had commissioned a review which showed that council should make funding to the CAB non-contestable.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/wellingtons-citizens-advice-bureau-devastated-by-council-funding-cut/

Hawke’s Bay mayors have written to McCain asking the international company to pause its closure of the Hastings processing plant.

More than 100 growers are impacted by McCain closing its frozen vegetable factory in Hastings, a decision the company said it made after reviewing operations and being “unable to identify a sustainable pathway under the current model”.

However, a group of growers are now looking at whether they could take over the processing operation.

Hastings District Mayor Wendy Schollum and Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Will Foley wrote to McCain Foods requesting an eight-week pause on any major changes to the company’s Hawke’s Bay processing plant while growers explore the potential for an independent feasibility study into the future of the sector.

The proposed study would assess whether a viable pathway existed for a grower-owned processing operation that could retain large-scale food manufacturing capability in Hawke’s Bay, and protect the wider economic ecosystem built around McCain’s long-standing presence in the region.

Schollum said the request was intended to allow time for the study to be completed before decisions are made that could limit future opportunities.

“We are asking for a short period to complete the work while the facility remains substantially intact. This will help to determine whether there is a credible commercial pathway forward for the sector,” she said.

It follows a series of meetings between mayors, growers, government ministers and members of parliament.

Foley said the mayors respected McCain’s commercial position and were seeking a constructive and pragmatic process.

“We acknowledge the realities McCain is working through and this request is not intended to challenge the company’s right to make business decisions,” he said.

“However, given the significance of this industry to Hawke’s Bay, we believe there is value in allowing this assessment to be completed before key infrastructure or processing capability is lost.”

The proposed feasibility study would examine infrastructure requirements, market opportunities, logistics, energy and water considerations, workforce needs and overall commercial sustainability.

Government support

Foley and Schollum said government support would be critical to ensuring the work could be undertaken quickly, independently and with the level of commercial and technical rigour required.

“This is a significant piece of work with potentially important implications for Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand’s wider food production sector.

“Government support would help ensure growers have access to the expertise and analysis needed to properly assess whether a sustainable long-term future remains possible for the sector,” Foley said.

And they are hopeful, after meeting with central government and MPs from across Parliament in recent weeks.

“These discussions extend well beyond a single processing site. They go to the future of regional manufacturing, grower confidence and New Zealand’s broader food resilience and security,” Schollum said.

The mayors confirmed they remain committed to working collaboratively with growers, government and McCain Foods as discussions continue.

McCain has been contacted for comment.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/hawkes-bay-mayors-ask-mccain-to-pause-plant-closure/

Analysis – Much like every other political party in Parliament, New Zealand First isn’t really planning to use taxpayer money to buy back BNZ.

The idea is a bold and bizarre one given the potential price tag of anywhere between $7 billion and $30b, depending on who you believe.

Winston Peters himself couldn’t say what it would cost when asked on Morning Report on Monday, but he doesn’t need to.

Be under no illusions: this is not a make-or-break policy for New Zealand First, and it won’t be an election bottom line.

The country has been feeling the effects of a cost-of-living crisis since late 2021 and for many it hasn’t got any better. For plenty, it’s got worse.

Add to that an international fuel crisis, business confidence tanking, and inflation struggling to get back into the desired 1 to 3 percent bracket.

There isn’t a political leader who would realistically prioritise spending billions of dollars to buy back an Australian Bank at this point in time, or anytime in the near future.

What New Zealand First set out to achieve at the weekend was much simpler than spending billions of dollars buying the country an expensive and potentially out-of-reach bank.

The clue is in its name – putting New Zealand First – and reminding voters less than six months out from an election that the party that believes in nationalism, “taking back our country”, and holding onto state assets isn’t National, nor is it ACT.

Peters is the political leader who has spent the past 33 years reusing large sections of the same speech at his public meetings where he talks about New Zealanders keeping more of their own money, profits not going overseas, and state-owned assets staying that – state-owned.

It’s all part of a wider strategy of getting everybody else to spend their time talking about New Zealand First.

It’s one Peters, for decades, has mastered far better than any other politician, and MPs new to politics, like the Prime Minister, time and time again fall into his trap.

Responding to these sorts of policies is exactly what Peters wants, and day after day Luxon, and a string of other National Party ministers and MPs, have done exactly that – for five straight days.

There have been stories ad nauseam about coalition partners and the opposition parties pooh-poohing the idea, never mind the economists, columnists and experts commenting and writing endless paragraphs about it.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis told media it was “attention-seeking” and not serious policy.

Willis has a point – Peters sought to get attention, but it’s his coalition partner who took the bait most of all.

New Zealand First has had a successful week notching up wins between the BNZ narrative taking flight exactly as planned, and convincing Willis to exempt his pet ministry – foreign affairs and trade – from her cost-cutting public service exercise for a third year running.

ACT has had its win too, with the public service cuts being centred on a head count reduction and department mergers – two ideas straight out of the party’s policy playbook making it easy for David Seymour to claim victory on saving the Budget for two years running.

The Budget is the pride and joy of any finance minister and the product of a lot of hard work, sleepless nights, sweat and at times, probably tears.

Thursday will be Willis’ day to shine and the National Party will hog most of the spotlight for that reason.

The week leading up to Budget Day has been all about New Zealand First and ACT.

Willis has seven days to wrestle the attention back.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/minor-parties-steal-spotlight-from-nicola-willis-budget/

Healthcare professionals and border agencies are on alert for diphtheria entering New Zealand as an outbreak in Australia grows.

About 230 cases have been reported so far this year across Australia.

On Thursday, the federal government unveiled a $7.2 million package for more diphtheria vaccines, while authorities are still working for autopsy results on a death reportedly caused by the disease.

New Zealand’s director of public health Dr Corina Grey said the risk of diphtheria infection in New Zealand was low.

But in response to the outbreak in Australia, Health New Zealand has issued a public health advisory to healthcare professionals and an advisory to border agencies.

“The advisories are asking health professionals and border officials to be alert for diphtheria in returning travellers from Australia and areas where the disease is endemic, including Asia and the South Pacific.”

The Ministry of Health was in regular contact with Australian health authorities about potential health threats, including diphtheria, she said.

“The best protection against diphtheria is immunisation. In New Zealand the vaccines that protect against diphtheria are given as part of the childhood immunisation programme.

“Our child immunisations rates are improving with 82.9 percent of children fully immunised at 24 months as of 31 December 2025.”

Diphtheria often begins with mild, cold-like symptoms but could quickly become severe. Common symptoms included sore throat and mild fever.

Once one of the biggest killers of children in New Zealand, the last case of respiratory diphtheria was in 1998.

Immunisation was the most effective protection, the health ministry said, with vaccination free for children as part of the childhood immunisation programme at six weeks, three months, and five months.

Boosters were also delivered at four years and 11 years.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/health-professionals-border-officials-on-alert-for-diphtheria-amid-outbreak-in-australia/

Legislation which provides Police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where everyone feels safe to visit, work and live in our central cities. 

“Our streets and town centres have endured unprecedented levels of disruption in recent years. Many people no longer want to be there. Businesses, residents and visitors are paying the price. 

“You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who lives, works or visits our city centres that hasn’t witnessed disorderly behaviour. That’s why so many people and central city businesses support move-on orders. Many are just trying to make a living, but have to face disruptive people camped outside their store, day in day out. 

“We currently have many tools to help those who are in need, including access to one of the most generous welfare systems in the world, but we have limited tools to deal with disorderly behaviour. It means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before police officers have any means of intervention. This legislation changes that. 

“There has been much said about this legislation, so let me set the record straight, the Government has no policy to criminalise homelessness. 

“What we do have, is a policy to give Police the power to issue move-on orders to people displaying disorderly behaviour in public places. Only people who refuse those orders, will face prosecution. A move-on order is not a criminal charge.

“This is about reclaiming our streets and our city centres for the enjoyment of everybody.”

Under this legislation Police will have the power to issue move-on orders to people who are: 

• Displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour.
• Obstructing or impeding someone entering a business.
• Breaching the peace.
• All forms of begging.
• Rough sleeping.
• Behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place.

These orders will: 

• Require a person to leave a specified area for a specified amount of time, up to 24 hours.
• Require a person to move on a reasonable distance from the area, as specified by the constable.
• Apply to people aged 14 or older.
• Be issued in writing or electronically, as is operationally appropriate.

“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need. But that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, as places of intimidation and dysfunction.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/move-on-orders-pass-first-reading/

Green Party Member Lan Pham‘s Bill to prohibit mining on conservation land has been drawn from the ballot today. 

“Conservation land belongs to all of us. It is set aside to protect native plants, wildlife and the places New Zealanders love, not to be dug up for private profit,” says Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham. 

“This Bill simply protects conservation land in the way most New Zealanders would expect. It keeps conservation land for protection for everyone to enjoy, not exploitation for a few. It shuts the door on new mining, prospecting and exploration across the 8.5 million hectares of public conservation land that make up around a third of Aotearoa.” 

“Right now, mining gets a special pass. This Bill closes the loophole whereby mining is treated differently to every other commercial activity on conservation land, letting companies tear into places that were meant to be protected forever.” 

“The Bill also requires new mining permits to be surrendered if protected wildlife is found on the land it covers, so the discovery of a rare or threatened species can no longer be brushed aside, like the Government has done with their Bill that authorises the killing of wildlife where it stands in the way of so-called ‘development’,.” 

“You cannot say you value our native species and then keep handing out permits to mine the ground they live on.” 

“New Zealanders do not want mining companies let loose on our national parks and reserves. They expect conservation land to actually be conserved,” says Pham.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/bill-would-protect-public-conservation-land-this-government-wants-to-mine/

The Government’s announcement that it will increase housing costs for some of the poorest families in the country is a sign that the Budget is making all the wrong decisions, says Sandra Grey, President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi.

“This change will take $380m straight from 84,000 of the most vulnerable households and give it to private landlords. It will make people in state housing even more insecure. It doesn’t build a single new state house. It doesn’t do anything to tackle the record levels of homelessness in many of our cities. It’s balancing the books on the shoulders of those who have the least to give.”

Grey says “By signalling this increase in accommodation supplement so far in advance, landlords will have ample time to raise rents for on tenants receiving that support. They know full well that those tenants have extra income coming. The crying shame is that the money is coming from social housing tenants who often don’t have the $1,612 a year that the average tenant will be expected to find. This is Reverse Robin Hood – taking from the poorest tenants and handing it to the wealthiest landlords.”

“Adding to that is the withdrawal of $200m from the pockets of the very poorest in the country through the loss of Temporary Additional Support. These are people who are truly destitute – you must prove that you have absolutely no income left in order to claim it. Where is the $200m coming from? Is the Government so broke from its unfunded tax cuts that it must take money from those with nothing to give?” says Grey.

“Cuts to public services. Cuts to benefits. This Budget does nothing to meet the needs of working people, nothing to help grow the economy, and nothing to help the thousands more people on Jobseeker Support than were forecast just two years ago. This change is a sign of whose side the Government is on. We don’t build security in New Zealand by making tenants more insecure. We don’t build security by taking away the tiny income support our poorest receive. This package doesn’t build a single new home. The Government’s Budget policies are simply building more poverty and more expenses for the future.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/reverse-robin-hood-rides-to-government-budget-rescue-again/

The opposition says the government’s social housing shake-up is “cruel” and will lead to more evictions of public housing tenants who will be “driven deeper into poverty”.

But the finance minister has defended the move, saying it’s about fixing an unfairness where those in social housing have “won the lottery” compared to others doing it tough who do not have access.

The government has announced a major shake-up of social housing beginning in this year’s Budget – which will boost weekly support for 110,000 families by almost $15 but leave another 80,000 families worse off by $30 a week.

The change will be paired with more stringent criteria for getting a social house – and possibly new tenancy duration limits and regular check-ins.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the government was “cruel and mean” to hike rents during a cost-of-living crisis.

“Make no bones about it. This is a government that does not care about people on low incomes … the people who benefit from an increase in the accommodation supplement are private sector landlords.”

He refused to say if Labour would reverse it until after next week’s Budget, but said those losing out would include 34,000 people with children, 30,000 pensioners, and 27,000 people with disabilities.

“If Winston Peters wants to boot out pensioners from social housing, he should say so. I’m astounded that Winston Peters, who claims to be a champion for super annuitants, is now basically condoning a hike in rent for the lowest income pensioners,” he said.

Many of those people would be unable to change their circumstances, he said.

“Increasing their rents by another 5 percent relative to their income is a massive blow to them. They already can’t make their ends meet … this is going to be an absolute body blow to people who already can’t keep their head above water.”

He said the answer was to build more public housing.

“We built about 18,000 new houses during the time we were in government, some of those finished after the election … by contrast, this government’s selling them off.”

Labour’s housing spokesperson, Kieran McAnulty, said it was nothing more than a plan to remove support from struggling New Zealanders to save money.

“Christopher Luxon and Chris Bishop are trying to dress up rent hikes and benefit cuts as ‘independence’,” he said, “you do not help families into independence by making them poorer”.

The Greens’ housing spokesperson Tamatha Paul said the reform “cuts costs” at the expense of “our most vulnerable”.

“The reason that people are in Kāinga Ora housing is because they can’t afford the private rental market, so it’s a stupid argument to make,” she said.

She said increasing rents by 20 percent on top of unaffordable food costs, power bills and medical bills was “simply cruel”.

“It’s totally out of touch with reality, and out of touch with the fact that there are thousands of people on the public housing wait list who can’t access a private flat, who need a Kāinga Ora flat, and that’s the only option for them.”

She said she had asked Bishop in recent weeks if he was considering adjusting accommodation supplements or the Income-Related Rent Subsidy.

“He said no – and look what they’ve done.”

Green social development spokesperson Ricardo Menendez March said the government wanted to make social housing tenants and those in poverty “pay the price for their austerity”.

“If the government is concerned about the high cost of accommodation for people in private housing, they need to build more public housing.

“They need to maybe not strip support from the accommodation supplement from those very same people. This is a government that is taking away from our poorest at a time of a cost-of-living crisis, and then turns their back on them and blames them for the very same crisis that they manufactured.”

The party warned the government’s changes would lead to more public housing tenants evicted and driven deeper into poverty.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis argued the changes were not about cutting costs, but reducing unfairness.

“If you’re in a state home and you compare how much income you have with someone in a private rental who’s got exactly the same income as you, you’re $110 a week better off,” she said.

“These changes are about making the system fairer. At the moment, people in social housing effectively have won the lotto, they get so much more support than a family with just as lower income in a private rental. That’s not fair, and our changes are about fixing it.”

She did not think social housing tenants would necessarily feel like lotto winners, but said it was unfair on the families who did not have access to social housing.

“Most social housing tenants, after the changes the government’s putting forward, will still be better off than households with similar income levels and private rentals, and in fact, 110,000 families in private rentals will be better off as a result of the budget.”

She pushed back on the suggestions the money would just go into landlords’ pockets, and said it was a different situation to when she had attacked an increase in student allowances for that reason when in opposition.

“That was quite different, because what happened there was that you had students in one fell swoop get a significant increase in income at a time in the rental market when there were simply not enough houses.

“[Social housing tenants’] income each week will be … on average $15 higher a week as a result of the government’s changes. That will not be a prompt for landlords to increase their rents, because actually what our government is doing at the same time is we are working very hard to increase the supply of housing in this country, including by fast tracking housing developments.”

She said social housing was needed in New Zealand for supporting vulnerable people, but “actually, we need it focused on those who are most vulnerable”.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/labour-and-greens-say-social-housing-shake-up-will-see-public-housing-tenants-evicted/

More than 80 Wairoa youth will be supported to re-engage with education or embark on the pathway to employment, through a joint Government and community funding initiative, Youth Minister James Meager has confirmed.

The Wairoa Young Achievers Trust has received $100,000 from the Youth Development Partnership and Innovation Fund, to deliver a minimum ten-week ‘Pathways 2 Potential’ programme for those aged 12 to 18 years, over one year.

That investment has been doubled through co-funding from the New Zealand Police, Eastern and Central Community Trust, and First Light Community Foundation for a total of $200,000.

“This partnership focuses on improving young people’s education through and additional learning opportunities and increased school attendance, with an end goal of attaining NCEA or starting, continuing, or completing tertiary qualifications,” Mr Meager says.

“Participants will get involved in hands-on tailored workshops covering crucial topics, like financial literacy, employability skills, teamwork and communication skills, discipline and decision-making and social media awareness.

“They will be supported to plan for key transitions, like between primary and high school or high school and tertiary education or work, and will have access to individual and group mentoring. They will also have opportunities to be involved in community volunteering.

“I’d like to acknowledge the strong advocacy for Wairoa’s young people from MP Katie Nimon, who spends a significant amount of time in the area supporting the community.

“This investment is part of our new direction for all Ministry of Youth Development funding to only go to programmes that can demonstrate successful outcomes, which align with key government targets.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/wairoa-youth-benefit-from-new-funding-partnerships/