Business leader David McClatchy has been reappointed as a Member of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Board, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

The board manages and administers the investments for the NZ Superannuation Fund and the Elevate NZ Venture Capital Fund which, as of 30 June, were worth $94.4 billion.

“Mr McClatchy’s reappointment – for a further three years from October 1 this year – recognises his strong commitment and contribution, maintaining stability and continuity during the pre-election period and into the future.

“Mr McClatchy brings extensive experience in managing and operating large investment businesses, overseeing portfolios for mutual societies, corporates, superannuation funds, and sovereign wealth funds. He has held a variety of governance roles within the investment sector.

“His reappointment to the board maintains the governance leadership, investment expertise and connections needed for the continued growth of the NZSF and Elevate. It also underscores the Government’s commitment to ensuring the Guardians continue to deliver robust investment performance and fulfil their mandate to grow New Zealand’s sovereign wealth funds for future generations in an environment with heightened volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.”

Mr McClatchy has been a board member since 2021.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/09/guardians-board-member-reappointed/

Minister for Regulation David Seymour and Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Louise Upston have today welcomed the completion of the Ministry for Regulation’s Hospitality Sector Review, which will make it easier and cheaper for hospitality businesses to open, and easier for them to do business.

“Everybody has a favourite café, bar or restaurant they wish was still open. Today’s announcement is about cutting red tape and getting rid of dumb rules which can contribute to closures,” Mr Seymour says. 

“If we are going to unlock New Zealand’s potential, we need to let Kiwi businesses get on with business. 

“The sector was hit hard by Covid. Red tape and dumb rules made It hard for the sector to bounce back. The rules and regulations are imposed by so many departments that they’re difficult to fix. That’s why we set up a Ministry with a mandate for cutting red tape; to fix the problems no one else can.

“For example, the Review heard from a food truck which considered setting up in Australia because the process in New Zealand was so bureaucratic. On exploring this option with Australian regulators, they were given one contact and a clear pathway to set up the business. In New Zealand, they had to meet with 13 different officials from 8 different central and local government agencies. They said the pathway to set up was incredibly confusing and complex.”

The Review identified a number of problems with how the sector was regulated, including: 

• businesses have to provide the same information multiple times, often to the same regulator (i.e. councils)
• some decisions take too long, and businesses have little certainty about timeframes
• alcohol licensing and renewal processes can be inefficient, disproportionate to risk, and ineffective in some cases
• fees for licensing and registration are too high for some hospitality businesses, not always transparent, and are not covering the costs for regulators 
• food safety requirements are not always effective, efficient, or proportionate to risk
• food safety checks and compliance practices may not be effective, efficient, nor proportionate
• disproportionate regulatory barriers affect the provision of transport services
• building consent and planning requirements can create unnecessary costs and delays for temporary structures such as marquees.

“Now, we’re fixing those problems. In the coming weeks Ministers will be deciding which recommendations to accept, and the next steps,” Mr Seymour says. 

“Our hospitality sector plays a vital role in New Zealand’s economy – it supports jobs, local communities and the experiences of domestic and international visitors across the country,” Louise Upston says. 

“The hospitality sector is a $21.4 billion industry, employing more than 193,000 people across the country. We’re backing Kiwi businesses and supporting a stronger visitor economy.

“As several of the recommendations highlight, hospitality issues often span multiple portfolios and agencies. That is why I will develop a Hospitality Action Plan to provide a coordinated framework for priority hospitality initiatives across government.

“I intend to continue working in partnership with the sector to remove barriers to growth, support businesses and workers, and ensure hospitality can thrive as part of a growing New Zealand economy.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/09/hospitality-industry-served-regulatory-relief/

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

9 September 2026

In a speech delivered today at the KangaNews Debt Capital Markets Summit in Auckland, Reserve Bank Assistant Governor Money Karen Silk highlighted the growing importance of the repo market in supporting financial market liquidity, monetary policy implementation, and financial system resilience.

The speech accompanies the publication of a Reserve Bank Bulletin article examining developments in government bond-backed repo markets in New Zealand and internationally.

“Today, I want to talk about an important channel of monetary policy implementation, or what’s sometimes referred to as the ‘financial market plumbing’ that helps transmit the policy stance through the financial system. That is the repo market,” Ms Silk said.

Ms Silk said repo markets have grown significantly in recent years, both globally and in New Zealand.

“As repo markets become more important, they matter more for monetary policy.”

The speech discusses the recent changes to the Reserve Bank’s liquidity management framework, which places weekly repo operations at the centre of its approach to supplying liquidity to the financial system.

Ms Silk said a well-functioning repo market supports the distribution of liquidity across the financial system.

“Because repo helps distribute cash, a well-functioning repo market can lower the amount of settlement cash needed and reduce the Reserve Bank’s footprint in markets.”

The speech also calls on market participants to help strengthen the depth, liquidity, transparency, and resilience of New Zealand’s repo market.

“The Reserve Bank clearly has a role through its policy settings and operating frameworks. But market participants can also act to improve the depth, liquidity and transparency of the market,” Ms Silk said.

Ms Silk said more counterparty relationships, greater pricing transparency, and improved market infrastructure would help support the continued development of the market.

“If we get this right, the repo market will support better liquidity management, stronger monetary policy transmission, and more dynamic and resilient capital markets.”

More information

• Download the speech
• Read the bulletin – The repo market: Global trends and a New Zealand perspective

MIL OSI

Hamish Glenn
Engagement Advisor
[email protected]

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/09/securing-the-future-the-role-of-the-repo-market/

Source: Messe Essen GmbH

Essen, 8 September 2026

The international defence industry trade fair

Civilian and military experts share their knowledge

When the international defence industry comes together for the first time at the Euro Defence Expo (EUDEX) at Messe Essen from 22 to 25 September 2026, the focus will not be limited to technologies and solutions. With the ‘EUDEX Conference by CPM’, the trade fair will feature an exclusive conference format that addresses current security policy challenges and, in particular, highlights cooperation between military and civilian stakeholders. The conference will take place on 22 and 23 September, running alongside the trade fair, and is organised by CPM Verlag.

More than 350 exhibitors from 19 countries are expected to attend the premiere of EUDEX. As a new international trade fair for the defence industry, it brings together companies, procurement organisations, the Bundeswehr, government agencies and other stakeholders in the security and defence sector. The event gains a distinctive profile by being held concurrently with Security Essen. This brings civilian and military security together in a shared exhibition environment—two sectors whose challenges, technologies and solutions are increasingly overlapping.

Think civil and military security together

It is precisely these interfaces that are at the heart of the EUDEX Conference by CPM. Over the course of two days, high-ranking representatives from the Bundeswehr, politics, public administration, industry, the healthcare sector and civil protection will discuss how Germany can strengthen its defence capabilities and the resilience of society as a whole. The range of topics extends from civil-military cooperation and developments in military strategy, through crisis prevention and healthcare, to innovations in security preparedness and NBC protection.

The event kicks off on 22 September with a keynote address by Retired Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, former Inspector General of the Army. Under the title ‘Rethinking Total Defence’, he will focus on civil-military cooperation as a precondition for national resilience. The programme will then go on to explore, amongst other things, the potential that civilian and military actors can unlock for one another and how cooperation must work in real life in the case of an emergency. Participants in the panel discussions include State Secretary Paul Höller from the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy; Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, Commander of Air Component Command; and Udo Schröder-Hörster, full-time member of the regional executive board of Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V., North Rhine-Westphalia regional association.

From NATO strategy to crisis management: a focus on resilience

On the second day of the conference, the focus will be, as well as other topics, on NATO’s military-strategic development, healthcare provision in times of crisis, and cooperation between the state and industry in the field of security prevention. Speakers will include, for example, retired Air Force Lieutenant General Jürgen Knappe, former Commander of the NATO Joint Support and Enabling Command; Gerd Friedsam, former President of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief; and Niklas Kull, Head of Development & Testing at Kärcher Futuretech GmbH.

Julia Jacob, Head of Project at Euro Defence Expo: “The current challenges show very clearly that civil and military security can no longer be considered in isolation from one another. This is precisely where EUDEX comes in. Together with Security Essen, we are creating a space where stakeholders from both sectors can meet, learn from one another and identify specific areas of overlap. The EUDEX Conference by CPM brings this vision to the fore and offers our trade visitors further opportunities for discussion, networking and new approaches to solutions.”

Free to attend – advance registration required

The full programme for the EUDEX Conference by CPM, including all topics, speakers and times, is available on the EUDEX website at https://www.eurodefenceexpo.de. Attendance at the conference is free of charge for registered EUDEX visitors. Advance registration is required to visit the trade fair. Important: A ticket for the Security Essen event, which is taking place at the same time, does not grant access to EUDEX.

MIL OSI

The Government will remove a key barrier to creating underground gas storage by ending the requirement for developers to pay royalties on gas that is unlikely to be extracted or sold, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.

“Across the world, underground gas storage is a proven way of improving flexibility and resilience in energy systems. There are already proposals being explored that could significantly expand New Zealand’s storage capacity, and we want to ensure unnecessary regulatory barriers are not standing in the way of those investments,” Mr Jones says.

“Gas production is relatively steady throughout the year but demand for electricity generation can surge during winter peaks and dry years. Gas storage helps bridge that gap by ensuring supply is available when it is needed most.

“At present, developers can be required to pay royalties on ‘cushion gas’ that cannot be extracted or sold because it is needed to maintain operational pressure within a storage reservoir.”

Cushion gas is the volume of gas needed to maintain pressure within a storage reservoir so gas can be injected, managed and withdrawn effectively. It is operational gas, not gas that is intended to be sold.

“By removing the requirement to pay royalties on gas that is unlikely to be produced, we are making it easier to invest in underground gas storage thereby strengthening New Zealand’s energy security,” Mr Jones says.

“This change will require an independent expert to determine the proportion of a storage facility’s original gas that qualifies as cushion gas and is therefore not subject to royalties. Any gas above that amount will remain subject to existing royalty requirements.

“New Zealand’s energy security relies on reliable access to the fuels needed to keep the lights on, power industry and support economic growth.”

Mr Jones says that while Methanex’s decision to idle its operations next year frees up gas for other users and improves the short-term outlook for the market, it does not remove the need to strengthen New Zealand’s longer-term energy security.

“Gas will continue to play an important role in supporting electricity generation and industry for many years to come. We need practical measures that improve the flexibility and resilience of our energy system.

“New Zealand cannot afford a future where factories close, industries shut down and electricity prices spike because we failed to prepare. This decision removes a barrier to investment and helps ensure we have the energy security our economy depends on,” Mr Jones says.

Future reviews of the petroleum regulatory framework will consider how effectively the new measure is helping investment in underground gas storage and strengthening New Zealand’s energy security.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/09/barrier-to-gas-storage-development-being-removed/

Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi

New analysis shows restoring pay equity would:

• Provide an income boost for 91,000 families with 136,000 children
• Lift an estimated 11,000 children out of poverty
• Deliver families six times more a week than the Govt’s average FamilyBoost payment

New PSA analysis shows 136,000 children in 91,000 families would be better off by $300 a week on average if pay equity was restored, confirming again how damaging the Government’s decision to axe claims has been.

The analysis, modelled from Census 2023 data and Treasury’s own figures, shows restoring pay equity would put a combined $1.39 billion a year into the pockets of families with children – an average of $300 a week per family, or around $195 a week for every child.

That would be enough to lift an estimated 11,000 children out of poverty overnight, on the material hardship measure.

“Pay equity for New Zealand women is the right thing to do morally but it also makes fiscal and economic sense. Every party in Parliament should be committed to ensuring that children do not live in poverty in New Zealand in 2026 and pay equity is an important step to making this a reality, said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“You can’t claim to be tackling child poverty with one hand while blocking the single biggest pay rise this country’s lowest-paid workers have ever been offered with the other – our analysis exposes just how cruel and heartless scrapping pay equity was.

“This is who the Government has really hurt – 136,000 children whose families are doing it even tougher in a cost of living crisis because this Government tore up their pay equity claims.

“This cruel and sexist decision was rushed through under urgency in a single day with no warning and without a thought for the families it affected. Our analysis, coupled with an earlier paper on the economic upside of pay equity, exposes the true consequences of this decision and the missed opportunity.

“It’s staggering that this Government spent months trumpeting FamilyBoost as its answer to the cost of living, when pay equity would put more than six times as much into the pockets of families with kids. FamilyBoost pays around $47 a week on average to just 60,000 families, and fewer than 2,000 receive the maximum $120 a week.

“Pay equity would change the lives of so many thousands of families and they wouldn’t have to fill out a single form to get it.”

The PSA’s earlier analysis of Treasury’s own modelling showed reinstating pay equity would grow the economy by $13.5 billion and create 13,000 jobs over four years – a $2.25 return for every dollar spent, better value than the Government’s own flagship growth policies.

“The Government chose to make the Budget numbers work by taking money out of the pockets of low-paid women and their children, while handing tax cuts to landlords and big tobacco,” said Fitzsimons.

“The facts are clear as daylight. Low- and middle-income families spend what they earn in their own communities, supporting local shops and local jobs. That’s money this Government is choosing to withhold – in other words wage theft.

“We will leave no stone unturned until New Zealand women and their families have pay equity.

“We’re calling on the Government, and on every party heading into the election, to front up: will you commit to restoring pay equity and lifting these children out of poverty, or will you keep defending a decision that’s failing families and failing the economy?” said Fitzsimons.

PSA analysis on the cost of pay equity

• PSA analysis – Pay equity would improve the lives of 136,000 New Zealand children
• 23 August Govt’s axing of pay equity cost jobs & GDP growth – PSA analysis

PSA actions to date on pay equity campaign

The PSA has taken a number of steps to fight the Government’s scrapping of pay equity. See the PSA campaign page. Actions include:

• Supported setting up the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity
• 26 May 2025 PSA supports peoples’ select committee on undemocratic pay equity changes
• Joined combined union High Court action under the Bill of Rights
• 18 August 2025 Five unions to take Government to court over pay equity
• 5 December 2025 Human Rights Commission intervention a boost for landmark pay equity legal case
• 6 August 2026 Govt’s pay equity defence ‘cynical and opportunistic’, unions tell High Court as landmark hearing concludes

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

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

9 September 2026

Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on the New Zealand Government to follow France, the UK, Canada and nine other countries and impose restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Twelve countries have now announced measures targeting trade connected to Israeli settlements, signalling growing international concern over the continued expansion of settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

Where is New Zealand?

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank have expanded for decades, involving the transfer of Israeli civilians into occupied territory and the development of homes, businesses and infrastructure on land claimed by Palestinians.

Settlement activity is not simply a political issue. It has significant economic dimensions. Goods produced in settlements enter international markets, while businesses and institutions can become connected to, and benefit from, settlement activity.

New Zealand should not be importing or supporting an economic system that contributes to the entrenchment of settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

If the Government is serious about international law, human rights and Palestinian self-determination, it must move from statements to action.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on the Government to:

• Ban imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank;
• Prevent New Zealand companies and institutions from supporting or profiting from settlement activity;
• Review government procurement, investment and trade relationships linked to settlements; and
• Join international efforts to impose meaningful economic measures against the settlement enterprise.

The question for the New Zealand Government is straightforward: if France, the United Kingdom, Canada and other governments are prepared to take action, why isn’t New Zealand?

New Zealand should not wait for others to act.

If twelve countries can take action, New Zealand can too.

MIL OSI

Work to replace the deck and beams of Symes Bridge on State Highway 39 (SH39) between Ōtorohanga and Pirongia will begin on 11 October, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“SH39 is a vital route through western Waikato and an important freight connection between Taranaki and Auckland. This upgrade will ensure Symes Bridge remains safe, reliable and fit for the traffic that depends on it every day,” Mr Bishop says.

“The upgraded bridge will be stronger and over one metre wider, improving its resilience and keeping people and freight moving safely along this important route.

“NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has contracted Oxcon to deliver the work. Oxcon is also constructing the permanent replacement for the Mangati Bridge, four kilometres north on SH39, allowing the two important projects to be coordinated efficiently.

“Coordinating the Symes Bridge upgrade with construction of the new Mangati Bridge means the most disruptive work on this section of SH39 can be completed within the same period, rather than requiring separate closures at a later date.

“I appreciate the closure will cause some inconvenience, but completing this work now will deliver a stronger and more reliable bridge while avoiding further disruption in the future.

“I’d like to thank local communities, businesses and freight operators for their patience while this important upgrade is completed.”

Notes to editor:

Work is scheduled to begin on Sunday 11 October and SH39 will be closed for up to 2 months.  
During this time, traffic will be detoured on SH3 through Te Awamutu.
This work was planned earlier this year but was delayed after the February storm event which damaged the Mangati Bridge beyond repair.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/09/sh39-symes-bridge-upgrade-getting-underway/

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed that upgrades to improve the current pedestrian crossing on State Highway 1 (SH1) through Ōtaika, south of Whangārei, are one step closer with a tender now out to deliver a new signalised crossing.

“Carrying more than 20,000 vehicles per day, around six percent heavy vehicles, SH1 through Ōtaika is a very busy highway. Given safety issues raised by the local community over a number of years, the existing unsignalised pedestrian crossing needs an upgrade and we’re getting on with it,” Mr Bishop says.

“The closest signalised pedestrian crossing is nearly 850 metres north of the current crossing at Ōtaika. With a number of schools, kindergartens, and a medical centre, in the area to the west, and a busy shopping centre to the east, providing a new signalised pedestrian crossing will improve safety and accessibility for everyone.

“There has been a history of incidents at Ōtaika, including rear-end crashes involving vehicles stopping for pedestrians, and incidents involving pedestrians crossing in the area, including two people who were hit by vehicles last year.

“Following ongoing engagement with the local community, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) commissioned design work for a new signalised pedestrian crossing, which will include improvements to streetlights, footpaths, and the road surface. 

“A tender for the project was released in August this year, and NZTA expects to award the contract in mid-October. Construction of the new signalised pedestrian crossing is expected to take around 6 weeks and be completed by the end of 2026.

“With a large number of vehicles and freight using the highway to get in and out of Whangārei each day, these improvements will help make this section of the corridor much safer. It will also improve traffic flow for the urban state highway and local road network by reducing the frequent stop/starts caused by an unsignalised crossing.

“I want to thank the local community for their strong advocacy for these upgrades, in particular the local MP Hon Dr Shane Reti who has consistently raised this issue. I look forward to the upgrades getting underway in coming months and a safer more accessible crossing being completed before Christmas this year.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/09/sh1-otaika-pedestrian-crossing-to-be-upgraded/

Source: BusinessNZ

The latest BusinessNZ Planning Forecast shows that New Zealand’s economy has regained its momentum, with solid growth forecast through to 2028.

BusinessNZ Chief Economist John Pask says despite an earlier dip, the economy is showing resilience across a range of indicators.

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and heightened geopolitical tensions elsewhere continue to have an impact, but New Zealand’s economy has fared better than expected with annual growth nearing three percent by 2028.”

Pask says while uncertainty surrounding the upcoming general election has made investors more cautious, it hasn’t materially affected investment behaviour yet.

“Businesses are conscious of the risks both at home and abroad, but for the most part are getting on with business. Confidence is holding up, credit activity is increasing and both the Performance of Manufacturing Index and Performance of Services Index have returned to expansion.”

Sectoral performance is also improving. Agriculture remains the standout performer, supported by strong international commodity prices, while manufacturing, construction, tourism and services are showing signs of recovery.

Pask says growth is becoming more broadly based.

“Manufacturing has strengthened considerably and tourism is moving beyond its post-Covid recovery into a genuine growth phase. New Zealand’s substantial infrastructure pipeline should also create opportunities for domestic and international investment over the coming years.”

Inflation remains a concern, particularly given elevated fuel prices and other persistent cost pressures. However, inflation expectations have eased and headline inflation is forecast to move back within the Reserve Bank’s target band during 2027.

Pask says while the near-term direction is encouraging, sustained growth will depend on New Zealand addressing deeper structural and long-term challenges.

“Our three-year electoral cycle can encourage short-term thinking and policy reversals, our ageing population has major implications for how retirement incomes and healthcare will be delivered and funded, and an increasingly complex geopolitical environment leaves New Zealand exposed to decisions made by major international players such as the United States and China.

“How we respond to these issues now will determine whether we can secure stronger, sustained growth over the long term.”

The BusinessNZ Economic Conditions Index (ECI) is a measure of some of NZ’s key economic indicators. It sits at 13 for the September 2026 quarter, up 13 points on the previous quarter, and up 10 points on a year ago. An ECI reading above 0 indicates that economic conditions are generally improving overall; below 0 means economic conditions are generally declining.

The full Planning Forecast for the September 2026 quarter is available now at BusinessNZ.

Notes to editors:

• The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast is a quarterly assessment of New Zealand’s economic outlook, drawing on more than 30 economic indicators and forecasts from major banks. It includes the BusinessNZ Economic Conditions Index (ECI), which tracks changes in economic growth, monetary conditions, business and consumer activity, and the labour market. A reading above zero indicates improving conditions, while a reading below zero signals an overall decline.
• The BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) and Performance of Services Index (PSI) are monthly surveys providing an early indication of activity across New Zealand’s manufacturing and services sectors. A reading above 50 indicates the sector is generally expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates contraction. The further an index is from 50, the stronger the expansion or contraction.
• The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

MIL OSI

New Zealand’s latest OECD PISA results show a significant narrowing of the socio-economic achievement gap, driven by strong gains among students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

“This is a really significant result. For years, a child’s socio-economic background has been far too strong a predictor of how well they will do at school.

“For the first time in years, that gap is closing, and it is closing because students at the bottom are doing better.”

Between 2022 and 2025, students in the lowest socio-economic quartile made gains equivalent to around a full year of learning in science, three terms in maths and six months in reading.

“In science and maths, achievement among the most advantaged students was essentially unchanged. This is not a story of the top coming down. It is a story of the bottom coming up.

“Importantly, the Ministry has tested these results against the known participation issues with the PISA sample, and the narrowing of the equity gap remains statistically significant.

“We still have a long way to go, and our overall results remain well below where New Zealand was 15 years ago. But after years of decline, this is an encouraging change in direction.”

Ms Stanford says improved attendance is likely to be part of the picture.

“You cannot learn if you are not at school. Regular attendance in Term 2 has risen from 39.6 per cent in 2022 to 64.3 per cent in 2026.

“I want to acknowledge teachers, school leaders and everyone across the education sector who have worked incredibly hard to improve outcomes for our kids.”

The Government’s reforms are focused on accelerating that progress, including structured literacy and maths, an hour a day of reading, writing and maths, a clear knowledge-rich curriculum, better resources and earlier intervention for students who fall behind.

“My focus is on closing the equity gap. A child’s means should never determine their destiny.

“Where you live, what school you attend or what your parents earn should not determine how far you can go. Every child deserves access to an excellent education, and that is what we are determined to deliver.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/09/disadvantaged-students-drive-significant-closing-of-education-equity-gap/

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

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

Results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 indicate achievement is stabilising after years of decline but more needs to be done to lift performance, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

New Zealand students remain above the OECD average across all three subjects, ranking ninth in reading, tenth in science, and 16th in mathematics. These results are broadly similar to PISA 2022.

Positively, New Zealand students were amongst the highest performers in computational problem-solving, which was part of the 2025 PISA focus area, Learning in the Digital World.

New Zealand students were also more positive about school in 2025 than they were in 2022, with more saying they learned useful things and felt prepared for adult life.

Compared with 2022, PISA 2025 shows:

• The achievement gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students narrowed in all three subjects.
• The number of students who reported applying additional effort when work becomes challenging increased by 6.9 percent
• Students placed greater value on school and were more likely to say they are learning useful skills for work and life.

“It is encouraging to see students value what they are learning and build the skills they need for a changing world,” Ms Stanford said.

While these PISA results are encouraging, some caution should be applied when interpreting the data.  

New Zealand did not meet the OECD participation requirements for PISA 2025. Only 52 percent of selected schools and 76 percent of selected students took part. This means the results may look more positive than they would in a fully representative sample and need to be treated with care.

PISA and other similar longitudinal international studies provide valuable insights into how our education system is performing and changing over time.

Ms Stanford said taking part in international studies is essential.

“Together with our national data, these studies help us understand the strengths of our education system and where we need to improve.”

This is why the Government recently passed legislation that requires selected schools to participate in PISA and other international monitoring tools. 

“Greater use of data to drive consistent improvement is one of my six education priorities. We are focused on using data from studies such as PISA to make decisions to raise student achievement”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/08/results-stabilise-but-more-work-to-do/

Investor migrants in the Active Investor Plus Growth category will soon be able to invest in approved managed funds supporting Build to Rent developments.

In December 2026, Growth category applicants will be able to include Build to Rent as part of their overall investment in New Zealand. 

“Active Investor Plus is designed to attract experienced investors who can make a meaningful contribution to New Zealand’s economy,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says. 

“The Growth category is particularly focused on investment that supports business growth, innovation and productivity. Adding Build to Rent gives investors another option, while keeping that focus through the managed funds model. 

“Active Investor Plus is attracting strong global investor interest and significant investment. This targeted change is part of the Government’s ongoing work to keep the visa competitive, effective and focused on investment that benefits New Zealand,” Ms Stanford says. 

Housing Minister Chris Bishop says Build to Rent has an important role to play in getting more homes built and giving renters more choice. 

“New Zealand needs more homes of all kinds, including more long-term rental homes that are purpose-built for renters,” Mr Bishop says. 

“Adding Build to Rent to the Growth category gives those experienced investors another way to put their capital into New Zealand, while helping support the delivery of new rental housing. 

“This is about unlocking more investment into the homes New Zealand needs to grow. 

“Build to Rent can add to rental supply over time, while the managed funds model provides clear safeguards around who manages the investment and how developments are delivered,” Mr Bishop says. 

Minister of Building and Construction Simon Watts said, we want our investment and building settings working in the same direction – attracting both capital and talent and supporting construction – in this instance to build the houses we need. It’s another example of this Government fixing the basics and literally building the future.”

The Growth category minimum investment remains $5 million, and applicants will still need to meet all relevant Active Investor Plus requirements. Build to Rent investment will be available through approved managed funds only, and direct investment in Build to Rent developments will not be available. 

Applicants and their family members will not be able to live in a Build to Rent development funded through their investment. 

More information on the detailed requirements is available on the Immigration New Zealand website. 

Notes to editors 

• The Active Investor Plus visa was refreshed from April 2025, replacing the previous weighted model with two categories: Growth and Balanced. 
• The Growth category requires a minimum investment of NZD $5 million. 
• Since the refreshed settings were introduced, Active Investor Plus has delivered more than 900 applications totalling around $5 billion in approved and pipline investments.
• More than 80 percent of applications have been under the Growth category. 
• Build to Rent investment will only be available through managed funds approved by Invest New Zealand. Investments in a wider range of property developments (both residential and commercial) can still take place under the Balanced category. Direct investment in Build to Rent developments will not be available. 

Applicants and their family members will not be able to live in a Build to Rent development funded through their investment. 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/08/aip-visa-growth-category-expands-to-support-build-to-rent/

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

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

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

MSF warns that reduced funding is collapsing an already fragile health system, overwhelming remaining hospitals.

8 September 2026 – Amidst a brutal ongoing war and a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, people in Sudan face reduced access to healthcare as facilities across the country close their doors as the impact of broad and historic international aid funding cuts by governments begins to take hold.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warns that this withdrawal of support from an already chronically underfunded crisis is cutting off lifesaving care and pushing the few remaining hospitals to breaking point. As world leaders gather at the UN General Assembly, governments and institutional donors must protect funding for essential health services in Sudan and provide flexible transitional financing where facilities are at risk of closure.

With aid organisations pulling out, local clinics are left without the funds or medicines needed to function. For patients, this means enduring long, dangerous journeys just to receive treatment. As they seek help wherever they can, the few hospitals still operational are absorbing the overflow: between January and April 2026, admissions in MSF supported facilities in Zalingei and Rokero in Central Darfur jumped by 22.5 per cent compared to the same time last year. The situation has deteriorated even further as in May alone 45 general healthcare centres in Central Darfur stopped receiving support as the organisation that had been providing resources lacked funding.

“War is driving Sudan’s needs; funding cuts are shrinking the response,” says Muhammad Ibrahim, MSF Head of Mission in Sudan. “MSF’s work in Sudan is privately funded. But when funding disappears from other health services, clinics close, patients have fewer places to go, and pressure shifts to the facilities that remain, including ours.”

“Donors must protect essential health services and provide sustained, flexible funding to organisations that depend on it,” says Ibrahim.

In Tanedba camp, in Gedaref state, home to 18,400 refugees, the sudden departure of a humanitarian organisation in June resulted in the camp’s maternity and surgical wards closing. Pregnant women who need C-sections now face three-hour journeys to the nearest city. MSF has stepped in to run the emergency room there through the end of 2026.

In 2021, around 35 aid organisations were working in and around Um Rakuba camp in Gedaref state. Today, fewer than 10 remain. The camp now hosts around 17,000 refugees, mostly women and children.

“Our hospital in Um Rakuba is now the only lifeline left for both refugees and the local Sudanese community,” says Fabrizio Locuratolo, MSF Humanitarian Affairs Manager. “But the cuts here go well beyond healthcare. Food rations are shrinking and protection programmes are being dismantled, pulling away the last safety nets and leaving refugees completely exposed.”

After the US government announced the closure of USAID in 2025, the grants to many organisations funded to work in Sudan ended in June this year. Although the US government continues to be the largest donor to Sudan, providing funding to OCHA and other organisations, many of the existing healthcare providers have been unable to find alternative funding to continue providing services, with health facilities closing in Sudan as a result.

Just as health providers faced the impending removal of US support, many European governments also reduced their assistance to people in Sudan. European and multilateral aid budgets are also shrinking globally. OECD[1] preliminary data show that aid from EU institutions fell by 13.8 per cent in 2025, while several major European donors also reduced their overall aid spending. Globally, humanitarian aid fell by 35.8 per cent. These figures do not represent equivalent cuts to Sudan, where some European donors have maintained or increased their support. But they point to a sharply contracting international funding environment. In Sudan, that wider squeeze is compounding an already severe health crisis, as specific funding withdrawals and programme closures reduce access to healthcare.

“Closing a clinic does not remove a single patient. It just sends them to the next facility,” says Sebastián Traficante, MSF emergency coordinator in Darfur. “After a longer and more expensive journey, patients often arrive in a much more serious condition, and the hospital may already be full. MSF can reinforce some services, but we cannot absorb every closure.”

In Central Darfur’s Hamidiya displacement camp, a health centre that previously provided maternity, paediatric, and mental health care is now operating at sharply reduced capacity after an international aid organisation ended its support. Daily patient visits have dropped from 200 to barely 40, and vaccinations have stopped. The fall was not a sign that people had become healthier. They had stopped making the journey to a centre that could no longer treat them. A labourer in Darfur earns roughly US$1[2], a day. The US$2 transport fare to reach a working clinic therefore costs about two days’ wages, leaving residents to choose between healthcare and food. “That money could buy food instead,” a patient told MSF. “If there is no food, there can be no health.”

Despite the presence of around 50 NGOs in Tawila, critical gaps persist for up to 600,000 displaced people. MSF runs the only 200-bed hospital in the area and is the only organisation capable of mounting a large-scale epidemic response. Malaria and malnutrition cases are already rising despite limited rainfall, ahead of the peak of the rainy season – and we expect numbers to increase as the rain intensifies. In August, our teams admitted 191 severely malnourished children under five to our inpatient feeding centre, and nearly 22 per cent also tested positive for malaria.

These closures are happening during a large-scale, severely underfunded humanitarian crisis. The UN reports that 825,000 children under five are expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition and 19.5 million people faced crisis-level hunger earlier this year, meaning families either do not have enough food to eat or can only meet basic food needs by resorting to measures such as selling the assets they depend on to survive. Yet the UN’s $2.87 billion response plan is barely 41 per cent funded, and 37 per cent of Sudan’s health facilities are estimated to be completely out of service.[3]

[1] OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

[2] https://logcluster.org/sites/default/files/public/2026-03/market-monitor-sudan-report-february-2026.pdf

[3] According to the World Health Organization

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

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Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is cautiously welcoming the National Party’s campaign promise to reset International Visitor Levy spending – but says the devil will be in the detail.

“New Zealand is desperately in need of further investment to support conservation and tourism work,” Federated Farmers conservation spokesperson Richard Dawkins says.

“The International Visitor Levy (IVL) is a great mechanism to help fund some of those initiatives but there hasn’t always been full transparency about where that money goes.

“Agriculture is New Zealand’s largest export earner, and tourism is number two, but we still have serious issues with weeds, pests, and underfunded regional infrastructure.

“That’s why Federated Farmers has been so vocal in questioning whether IVL funding is actually getting where it needs to go, or if it’s just being used to offset baseline funding.”

In its list of policy priorities for the 2026 General Election, Federated Farmers has called for 100% of IVL funding to be spent on tourism and conservation projects.

The organisation says it’s a sleight of hand for IVL funding to be reallocated to offset or replace existing Crown baseline funding to maintain current services.

“We’ve seen some great use of the IVL in the last few months that will really help control wilding pines and pests like deer – but that hasn’t always been the case,” Dawkins says.

“The levy raised around $230 million last year, but unfortunately only $90 million of that funding was used for its intended purpose of funding new discretionary initiatives.

“Just $55 million dollars was invested in new conservation projects and $35 million in tourism. The remaining $140 million was used to replace existing Crown spending.

“That’s simply not good enough when we have significant conservation challenges with wilding pines and an out-of-control pest problem that urgently needs more funding.”

Federated Farmers is now seeking assurances from the National Party that the $100 million annual allocation for conservation will be new funding.

“If that’s new funding from the IVL on top of the Department of Conversation’s existing spend, that will be a game changer for farmers and conservationists,” Dawkins says.

“But if it’s just going to be used to offset existing spending or patch over reductions in baseline funding, it will make absolutely no difference for farmers or the environment.”

Federated Farmers has written to the National Party’s conservation spokesperson Tama Potaka seeking further clarification of the policy.

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Wills Month highlights how Kiwis can leave a charitable legacy for the next generation, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says.

“Between now and 2050, New Zealand is expected to experience the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in its history. Inheritances are estimated to total $1.6 trillion. 

“As wealth passes between generations over the coming decades, there is an opportunity to create a legacy to benefit communities for years to come,” Louise Upston says.

It comes as new research commissioned by Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ found givers view their generosity as deeply tied to their values, sense of community and gratitude.

It also found that among those who receive professional financial advice, fewer than one in five have ever had charitable giving raised with them.

“This suggests that Kiwis are interested in the idea of bequests, but that there is an opportunity for the professional advice sector and charitable sector to work together to bridge that gap, and better enable New Zealanders to leave a deeply meaningful legacy through their will.

“I encourage all Kiwis considering leaving a bequest in their will to raise it with their professional advisor, or speak to their local Community Law or Citizen’s Advice Bureau.  

“Wills Month is a chance to start conversations about the difference a charitable bequest can make and the impact we choose to leave behind,” Louise Upston says.

New Zealanders have a strong tradition of giving. In 2024/2025, charities received $5.16 billion through donations, koha and fundraising.

Note to editors:

• More information on Wills Month can be found here.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/08/wills-month-generosity-across-generations/

Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

Te Hiringa Mahara welcomes the findings and Government response to the independent review of mental health and addiction telehealth services.

“Telehealth services are an essential part of the full continuum of services that support young people and adults so we are pleased to see such a swift response to the recommendations in the review,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Chief Executive, Karen Orsborn.

“The Minister for Mental Health and Health New Zealand have moved quickly to introduce a raft of changes. This will make an immediate difference to people seeking support and their whānau. We know that the three providers delivering telehealth services will welcome the changes and are committed to building up their services.

“Ensuring highly effective telehealth services are available to people is a cornerstone of a well-functioning continuum of services for people to draw on when it’s most needed.

“There is a lot of work to do to implement the 16 recommendations, and we look forward to seeing concrete plans being put in place to ensure more people can access timely support.

“These services have increasingly become a gateway for people needing to access crisis or specialist services with more than 50 per cent of people accessing crisis services through telehealth services. Of significant concern is the finding that around 50% of people calling these lines do not get through, and many people experience long wait times.

“All three providers are under real pressure to meet the burgeoning demand for telehealth services and respond to a broader range of needs. While all providers are working hard to respond to the increasing number and complexity of callers, the review found that too many people who reach out to mental health and addiction telehealth services are not getting through they have not been designed or funded sufficiently well to do this.

“Telehealth services must have consistent processes for identifying high-risk situations, escalating care and ensuring people are supported beyond the initial contact. We support the findings of the Telehealth Review, for not only services to meet increasing demand and needs, but also for telehealth services to ensure better connection and collaboration across services and with other parts of the mental health and addiction system.

“The endorsement of a pilot to initiate follow-up calls to evaluate the outcome for callers will help inform future developments.

“The Review has set out clear recommendations that Te Hiringa Mahara fully supports.

“We are particularly pleased to see the focus on young people’s telehealth services and the challenge they face responding to demands. Many young callers present with complex and urgent needs. We agree wholeheartedly with the Review’s recommendations that young people need to have different service models that are developed with their input to more effectively meet needs.

“Through Te Hiringa Mahara’s independent monitoring of crisis services in 2025, we found that these services are hard to navigate, fragmented and patchy, which is why we have consistently called for a nationally cohesive crisis response system that includes nationwide access to 24/7 phone-based crisis support.

“As work implementing the recommendations gets underway, we will be paying particular attention to responsiveness of services to the communities that use them. This means delivering services that are culturally appropriate for Māori, Pacific peoples and other priority populations.”

“We will continue to monitor crisis responses as when people are in crisis, they need to be able to rely on an effective mental health response that can respond and escalate as needed. In 2025 we made recommendations to HealthNZ and are monitoring implementation to ensure we see the improvements that are needed,” says Ms Orsborn.

Notes:

See Te Hiringa Mahara’s report defining what is needed to ensure services recognise and respond appropriately: Urupare mōrearea: Crisis responses monitoring report | Te Hiringa Mahara-Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

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

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

The Government has renewed the deployment of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel in support of Ukraine’s self-defence, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith say.

“New Zealand’s condemnation of Russia’s aggression and of the atrocities committed in Ukraine remains undiminished. We are fully committed to supporting the people of Ukraine,” Mr Peters says. 

“The brave Ukrainian men and women who have been fighting for years deserve our support for their courage and fortitude. We will continue to play our part alongside other likeminded partners in the international community,” Mr Goldsmith says. 

Up to 70 NZDF personnel will be deployed in Europe, with the majority training Ukrainian Armed Forces in Poland as part of a multinational initiative, led by Norway. The NZDF will also continue providing intelligence, liaison and logistics support in Europe. 

“The NZDF’s support through Operation Tīeke will prioritise training in specialist areas such as electronic warfare and drone operations, capabilities that are critical to Ukraine’s self-defence,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of Europe, but also for the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says. 

“That is another reason why New Zealand continues to play its part providing military and diplomatic support, humanitarian and economic assistance, and in maintaining economic pressure on Russia through our international sanctions efforts.” 

Operation Tīeke has been extended until 30 June 2028.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/08/new-zealand-continues-its-support-to-ukraine/

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Staff and students at ten schools with significant roll growth pressure will benefit from 34 additional classrooms and a new gym, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

 The $32.8 million investment has been made possible through savings in the school property portfolio. Since July 2024, more efficient planning, prioritisation and delivery has generated over $330 million in savings to be reinvested into school property.

 “Every dollar we save through more efficient delivery is put into the classrooms and facilities schools need,” Ms Stanford says.

 “We are focused on getting better value from the school property portfolio so we can invest more where the pressure is greatest.”

Schools receiving additional classrooms or facilities:

• Avondale Primary School (Auckland) – 4 classrooms
• Berkley Normal Middle School (Waikato) – 4 classrooms
• Botany Downs Secondary College (Auckland) – 8 classrooms
• Chapel Downs Junior College (Auckland) – new gym
• Gilberthorpe School (Canterbury) – 2 classrooms
• Massey High School (Auckland) – 6 classrooms
• Massey High School (Auckland) | Satellites for Arohanui Special School – 4 classrooms
• Takanini School (Auckland) – 2 classrooms
• Te Waka Unua School (Canterbury) – 2 classrooms
• Waitara High School (Taranaki) – 2 classrooms

The additional classrooms are spread across Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki and Canterbury and include four new satellite learning support classrooms for Arohanui Special School, based at Massey High School.

The new Chapel Downs Junior College will also receive its gym earlier than previously planned, with construction expected to begin around April 2027 and completion targeted for mid-2028.

Projects will be delivered through standard designs or offsite manufacturing to support more efficient delivery, with work starting over the next 12 months on all projects receiving reprioritised funding.

Today’s announcement builds on the nearly 1,400 new classrooms funded across New Zealand over the past three years, with more students learning in new, warm, safe and dry classrooms.

“We are delivering more bang for buck by improving the way school property is planned and built. This means our funding is going further, and even more classrooms can be delivered,” Ms Stanford says.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The four classrooms at Massey High School for Arohanui Special School will be satellite classrooms. Satellite classrooms are associated with a base specialist school but located on the site of another school. 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/08/government-funds-more-classrooms-for-growing-schools/