Who has the most disposable income in the country?

RNZ has crunched the data to look at which areas in New Zealand are left with the most in their bank accounts after they’ve covered the essentials.

The exercise is far from definitive, and everyone’s individual circumstances will be different, but it gives an idea of the pressures in various regions.

Looking initially at the main centres, we’ve started with Infometrics’ estimates for the year to December for median household incomes in each area.

We’ve deducted tax as if one person was earning that amount, for simplicity’s sake.

Then we’ve deducted the average rates bill for that area, the cost of servicing a mortgage at 80 percent of the value of the area’s typical home according to Cotality, the median cost of house insurance according to Consumer, a typical food spend according to Stats NZ, and the average local power bill.

We have kept the price of food consistent because data indicates relatively little variation between centres.

By this calculation, Wellington had the most disposable income at $42,211 a year. It had about the same household income as Auckland, and higher rates bills, but the cost of servicing a mortgage on an average value home was $10,000 a year lower.

Auckland’s average disposable income with that calculation was $35,509.49 a year.

Then came Dunedin at $23,708 with the lowest household income of the main centres included in the survey but lower housing costs.

It was followed by Hamilton at $23,503.90 and Christchurch at $21,543.06.

Christchurch was weak by this measure because it had higher costs than Dunedin but median incomes were only a little higher.

According to Cotality, the lowest mortgage costs anywhere in the country were in the Grey District, where a typical new mortgage would cost $24,875 a year to service. Households there were earning $111,981 before tax, according to Infometrics.

Queenstown had the highest typical mortgage cost, at more than $100,000 a year in Queenstown’s data. Affordability measures that compare local incomes to house prices tend not to be representative for this area because many houses are bought by people from outside the region.

Annual power bills were highest in Kerikeri and Porirua had the highest residential rates in the data – although not every council submitted.

The longest commutes in the country, which potentially means households with the largest fuel bills, were in Mackenzie District, where the median commute was 17.4km, according to economist Shamubeel Eaqub’s data.

This does not reflect all the factors that can go into a household’s budget. People who bought houses a long time ago may face much lower mortgage costs. Renters will be different again. Many households will have two people earning and contributing to their total income, so the after-tax income will vary.

But it shows that the experience of juggling costs is not uniform around New Zealand.

Infometrics principal economist Nick Brunsdon said in reality and in perception, some areas were definitely better off than others.

“This data shows that the biggest factor by far is income – it’s no coincidence that the two areas with the highest disposable income also have among the highest household incomes. But we do need to consider what’s required to achieve these incomes – in the bigger cities, a family might need two people working full time to earn enough to buy an average house. Compared to a similar family in a small town, the big city family might spend more on childcare and have less free time – which is where broader considerations around quality of life come into play.”

He said it was notable there was a much wider range of housing costs than incomes.

“The highest household income area – Wellington City – has a household income more than two times higher than the lowest income area – Buller District. The highest housing cost area – Queenstown-Lakes – has an average house value over eight times higher than the lowest house value area – Wairoa. Unfortunately, the low hanging fruit have been taking advantage of already, so there’s not many high-income areas next to low housing cost areas.”

Brunsdon said there was a lot of pressure on households generally.

“Given mortgage rates are relatively low for the minute, it’s a combination of a tough labour market and high inflation for essentials. With a tough labour market, more people are unemployed, it’s hard to pick up more work, and wage inflation is low. Overall inflation of 3.1 percent isn’t super high compared to the 7 percent-plus peak in 2022, but the cost of essentials like food, rates and energy are all much higher, and it’s hard for households to avoid those cost increases.”

Eaqub said different things would put pressure on in different ways. “Sometimes it’s because rates are increasing, sometimes it’s insurance risk has become higher. Sometimes it’s because you just have to travel a lot. A small town where distances are vast… on the other side you’ve got more affordable housing that provides a counterbalance.”

He said national-level statistics would always hide the experiences of individual communities.

Eaqub said some people were prompted to move to cheaper areas to give themselves more disposable income, but it could involve sacrificing some amenities.

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An economist is warning the unemployment rate is likely to get worse in the coming months and could reach up to 6 percent due to the Iran War.

The unemployment rate eased to 5.3 percent in the three months ended March, down slightly from the previous quarter.

A total of 163,000 people were unemployed, a fall of 2000 on the previous quarter but 7000 higher than a year ago.

Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr said Wednesday’s data was “very outdated”, and the full impact of the fuel crisis would be felt in the second or third quarter of this year.

Kiwibank was forecasting unemployment to reach 5.5 per cent, Kerr said, but there was a chance it could reach 5.8 or 6 percent if conditions didn’t improve.

“We are hearing of [construction] projects being post-poned, we are hearing of projects being cancelled, we are hearing of forestry crews being stood down because it’s too expensive to cut-down trees at the moment.”

He expected both surging air fares and flight cancellations in the wake of the Iran War to dent the tourism industry, including the regions, which had recently been performing well due to a strong export market.

“Tourism is the one we don’t hear a lot about. It was our largest exporter prior to Covid, more than dairy. Now dairy’s our number one.

“New Zealand’s got such a large tourism sector, so for that to be falling back, it’s a big negative for large parts of the country.”

Kerr noted the numbers of people who were employed but needed to work more hours – the underutilisation rate – which was stubborn at 12.9 per cent.

That wasn’t a good sign, he said.

“Businesses, they cut hours before they cut heads…so you’ve got a workforce, you’ve trained them, in many cases you’ve worked with them for years, and a crisis hits – you cut their hours before you cut their jobs…that’s where the slack shows up first.”

ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley told Midday Report said he expected the unemployment rate to reach 5.5 percent and would briefly stall the employment growth evident at the beginning of this year.

Bay of Plenty unemployment rate ‘surprising’ – mayor

Auckland, Wellington and the Bay of Plenty had the highest unemployment rates in the latest figures, between 6 and 7 percent.

Bay of Plenty’s unemployment rate had increased to 7.1 percent in the March quarter, from 5.7 percent in the previous quarter.

Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said she was “very surprised” to see the Bay of Plenty’s unemployment rate rise, and would be looking into why it had increased.

“I know that as a region we are actually doing quite well, and I hear from businesses that they are seeking employees as well – so again [I’m] very surprised.”

She said it was concerning to hear families could be struggling.

Some conference and business events in Rotorua were looking at postponing due to the effect of fuel costs, Tapsell said, but in general, tourism in the city was “booming”, and domestic flights hadn’t been cut.

But Tauranga chamber of commerce chief executive Matt Cowley said tourism in the Eastern Bay of Plenty had been “patchy”, forestry was “doing it tough”, as well as some manufacturers exposed to the domestic market.

He cited Ballance Agri-Nutrients decision to end manufacturing operations in Mount Maunganui, and cut 60 jobs, as one example.

“Hospitality has been somewhat contracting due to reasonably tough summer periods,” Cowley said.

Auckland and Wellington’s unemployment rates remain high – Auckland’s increasing from 6.4 to 6.6 percent in the March quarter, and Wellington’s from 5.8 to 6.3 percent.

Kerr said Wellington had been in a “very dark place” over the last couple of years, due to public sector job cuts.

He said surveys consistently showed Wellington businesses were “downbeat”, and Auckland, “not that much better”.

He compared that to Canterbury where unemployment rates were 4.4 percent in the March quarter – up from 3.7 percent in the previous quarter – but the region was generally performing better than the North Island cities.

“I think Auckland and Wellington, they need to do something to drag themselves out of this funk that they’re in.”

Finance Minister Nicola Willis said in any economic recovery, unemployment was the last thing to recover.

“You’re seeing that it is in the cities that that recovery has taken the longest to turn around. What we do see is the signs are there that the recovery is starting to latch on in those cities.”

Willis said some businesses had been expanding, selling more and creating more jobs.

“What we need to do is give them every chance of continuing that in the months ahead, notwithstanding the events in the Middle East.”

Labour’s Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said the statistics were “nothing to sing about,” even though the headline figure had come down.

“If you scratch a little bit deeper, that’s 163,000 people who are out of work, and the unemployment levels being higher in Auckland now than it was 11 years ago, higher in Wellington than it was 12 years ago.”

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New labour market figures show the job market remains under pressure, with spare capacity staying elevated and wage growth subdued.

The latest Statistics New Zealand data shows the unemployment rate fell slightly to 5.3% from 5.4% in the March quarter. The participation rate fell to 70.4%, while the size of the labour force grew 0.5% compared to the March quarter of 2025. The underutilisation rate, which includes Kiwi who are unemployed or want more work, remained at 13% (12.9% if we look at the decimal points).

Alexandra Turcu, Kiwibank Economist, says there is still an uncomfortable amount of slack in the labour market: “Businesses are understandably cautious in the current environment, and that’s showing up in slower hiring and very limited movement in pay increases.”

Wage growth remains weak

Wage growth remained low in the March quarter, with most pay rises staying in the 1-2% range.

“This is a tough period for both households and businesses. Costs have been rising for several years, and recent fuel pressures have added another layer of strain. Many businesses are facing higher operating costs at the same time households are already feeling stretched.”

“In that environment, there’s limited room for pay increases, even as the cost of living remains high,” says Turcu.

Underemployment remains elevated

Underutilisation remains high, driven by a mix of unemployment and underemployment.

“When people hear ‘underemployment’, they often think it means a lack of hours, but that’s not always the case. Many underemployed workers are working close to full-time hours.”

“The difference is not how long people are working, but how much they’re earning. That’s why so many working New Zealanders are still looking for more or better-paid work, even though they’re already employed.”

Productivity continues to lag

Data continues to show New Zealand lags other developed economies on productivity, measured by how much value is produced for each hour worked.

“Productivity matters because it’s what ultimately supports income growth over time. If more people are concentrated in lower-paid roles, it limits how much wages can lift across the economy, even when people are employed.”

Turcu says that while this labour market data itself is unlikely to influence the next Reserve Bank decision, it continues to shape the inflation outlook: “With demand already weak, higher prices are unlikely to translate into stronger wage growth. The economy is slowing on its own, which means there is little justification for pushing interest rates higher right now.”

Kiwibank economists expect labour market conditions to remain soft in the near term, with unemployment and underutilisation staying elevated as the economy continues to adjust.

“This period is tough, but it isn’t permanent. When price pressures ease the economy will be able to rebuild. Stronger productivity and better-paying jobs are what ultimately lift incomes in the labour market. The levers that will give this momentum is long-term stability and growth in business confidence,” Turcu concludes.

About Kiwibank

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Documents filed with the Waitangi Tribunal have revealed the proposed changes which would set government obligations to the Treaty to no higher standard than to simply “take into account” across nine Acts.

Senior Lecturer in Law at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University Luke Fitzmaurice-Brown (Te Aupōuri) told RNZ the impact of the draft Bill could be as big as the Treaty Principles Bill.

“The effect of what’s being done in limiting all these Treaty clauses to ‘take into account’ could have just as damaging effect on the legal weight of Te Tiriti as the Treaty Principles Bill would have. It’s more technical and so it’s kind of harder, I think, to see through some of the smoke screen of that.”

Practically “take into account”, as opposed to stronger wording such as “give effect to”, would mean Treaty obligations would only be one of a number of considerations for decision makers, he said.

“The other option, which Paul Goldsmith seems to be ignoring, is to say, actually, in all contexts, it should have a higher weight. It should have a higher consideration, like ‘give effect to Te Tiriti.’ So the effect would be to limit, to put a ceiling on the weight that Te Tiriti can be given in any given context, and put a very low ceiling on that.”

The draft Bill stems from the coalition agreement between National and New Zealand First which agreed to conduct a comprehensive review of all legislation that includes ‘The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi’, and replace all such references with specific words relating to the relevance and application of the Treaty, or repeal the references.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said over the last 20 years, Parliament had passed a range of laws with all manner of references, sometimes being very vague about what they meant.

Reviewing these would ensure Treaty references were specific and consistent with one another, in the interests of increasing certainty and supporting compliance, he said.

“Some Acts are being reviewed through other processes, and all existing full and final Treaty settlements are being excluded.

“The Advisory Group has completed its review and provided the Government with a variety of recommendations.

“As a first step, the Government has agreed to amend two references to be more specific, and repeal a number of references elsewhere.

“The Government has also agreed a reference to both the Treaty of Waitangi and te Tiriti o Waitangi is preferable and should be used in all relevant provisions going forward.

“We are now consulting with Iwi leaders before introducing legislation. It will also go through a full select committee process where all New Zealanders can have their say, including Māori.”

The Acts in question

A letter dated 2 April, signed by ministers Paul Goldsmith and Shane Jones, to the National Iwi Chairs Forum Pou Tikanga co-chairs Professor Margaret Mutu and Aperahama Edwards set out Cabinet’s decisions on which Acts would be affected by the draft Bill.

Five Acts would have provisions referring to Treaty principles repealed:

• Education and Training Act 2020
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000
• Land Transport Management Act 2003
• Organic Products and Production Act 2023
• Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990

Two Acts would have provisions consolidated and redundant aspects repealed:

• Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998
• Plant Variety Rights Act 2022

Two Acts would be amended to make Treaty Provisions “more specific”:

• Data and Statistics Act 2022
• Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

The letter was one of a number of documents released to the Waitangi Tribunal as part of an urgent inquiry into government changes in education, including the proposed removal of Treaty clauses in the Education and Training Act.

The difference between Treaty principles and clauses

Fitzmaurice-Brown said there was a long history of New Zealand courts saying that Te Tiriti was not in and of itself legally binding on government, going as far back as the famous Wi Parata v The Bishop of Wellington decision in 1887 where Chief Justice James Prendergast declared the Treaty to be a “simple nullity”.

That attitude changed slightly in 1941 in a case brought by Ngāti Tūwharetoa Ariki Hoani Te Heuheu Tūkino VI to the Privy Council in London which found the Treaty had some legal effect but only if it was written into legislation, he said.

“It overruled the old law, which completely diminished Te Tiriti, but it still placed this limitation on needing to put references to Te Tiriti in other legislation to give it any teeth and that kind of still stands. And so we still have this rule that for Te Tiriti to have any legal teeth, it needs to be referenced in other legislation first, rather than what we could do and just say Te Tiriti itself is directly enforceable.”

Fitzmaurice-Brown said Treaty clauses were all those provisions in law that tolf decision makers exercising any sort of statutory authority how to take into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Those provisions and the different ways they were worded were how much weight the Treaty was given in any given situation, but the Treaty principles, which the Treaty Principles Bill would have changed, had been developed in laws and in the courts over many years and included rangatiratanga, partnership and active protection among others, he said.

“All of those things are the substantive content of what the Treaty relationship entails and these Treaty clauses are slightly different. They take those substantive things and they say, here’s how much weight you have to give those in any given decision. So, do you have to just kind of have it as one of many considerations, or do you have to really prioritise those, or do those have to be the bottom line?”

Fitzmaurice-Brown said there was a bigger question underlying the debate over this draft Bill, that was the place of Te Tiriti in New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements.

“I’m not sure we need to keep upholding this idea that Te Tiriti itself is not directly enforceable anymore. I think we’ve taken this compromise approach for the last 50 years, really, where actually it’s far more obvious to many people now that Te Tiriti or Waitangi itself is our founding document, should have that constitutional weight, and should be able to be directly enforced by our courts, as constitutional documents are in any other country.”

The draft legislation is not expected to be introduced to the House before early August 2026.

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The Government is backing New Zealand’s transport and construction sector by ensuring public transport operators and infrastructure contractors have greater flexibility to manage rising fuel costs, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Rising fuel prices are putting pressure on Kiwi businesses, including the public transport operators keeping our buses and ferries running, and the contractors building and maintaining our roads and infrastructure,” Mr Bishop says.

“Most NZTA contracts already include fuel price adjustment mechanisms, but they’ve typically only been applied quarterly. When prices move quickly, as they have recently, that creates cashflow pressure for operators and contractors who have to carry those higher costs until the next adjustment.

“We’re fixing that. NZTA is moving to monthly interim fuel price adjustments across its public transport, construction and maintenance contracts so operators and contractors are not left waiting months to recover rising costs.

“This is a practical, common-sense change. It doesn’t increase the overall cost of contracts, but it does smooth cashflow and reduce risk, particularly for smaller operators who don’t have the balance sheets to absorb rapid cost increases.”

Mr Bishop says the change will help keep public transport services running reliably and ensure critical infrastructure projects stay on track.

“Public transport operators play a vital role in keeping our cities moving every day. This change gives them greater certainty and helps ensure services remain reliable for passengers – especially important when Kiwis are increasingly choosing to take public transport in response to rising fuel prices.

Mr Bishop says the Government’s approach to providing support with higher fuel prices driven by the Middle East conflict is to ensure that it is temporary, targeted and timely.

“This change meets that test. It uses existing contract settings, applies for as long as volatility persists, and can be scaled back when conditions stabilise.”

The updated approach has been communicated to industry and applies to all relevant public transport, construction and maintenance contracts.

“NZTA is in regular contact with operators, contractors and the wider sector, and I expect that engagement to continue.”

Mr Bishop says the Government will continue to monitor global fuel markets closely.

“New Zealand’s fuel supply remains stable, and there is currently no need for restrictions. But we are planning carefully, acting early where needed, and making sure we are well positioned to respond to any disruption.

“Our focus is straightforward: keep fuel flowing, keep people moving, and keep the economy going.”

Notes to editor

• All bus and ferry operating contracts co‑funded from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) with a term of more than 12 months include an NZTA‑approved indexation mechanism.
• Once fuel prices stabilise, NZTA will return to quarterly indexation updates, and will notify stakeholders before this takes place.
• NZTA will publish the interim public transport index values each month as soon as possible following the release of the latest Statistics New Zealand data.

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Some of Auckland’s most experienced tailors believe the industry is ageing out, despite a good level of demand for work.

Serena Tan’s lunchtime on Monday had not been quiet.

She first spoke with Virginia, who brought in her daughter’s bridesmaid dress for hemming.

Tan had to be frank, gently explaining that the hem might need to take more fabric than Virginia had hoped.

Soon after, Tash arrived with an Anine Bing blazer in need of patching.

Tan asked after her child and later told me she had watched Tash grow from a high school student into a mother.

Now 60, Tan was among a group of tailors worried their trade was quietly ageing out.

Statistics back her concern. The median age for tailors and dressmakers rose from 48.3 in 2013, to 51 in 2023.

Born and trained as a seamstress in Malaysia, Tan first came to New Zealand on holiday in 1990, and stayed after getting a job in Wellington’s fashion industry.

In 1998, she opened Serena’s Dressmaking and Alterations in Auckland’s Mt Albert.

Tan said mastering the craft takes years, and fears the lack of younger workers will leave a gap that’s hard to fill.

“We are using the scissors for cutting, and the hairdresser also use the scissors for cutting. And then you cut the hair make a mistake, doesn’t matter. Few months later, the hair will grow or you can wear a hat. But this one (tailoring), when you’re cutting, you have to throw it away if you make a mistake.”

Behind her spacious storefront was Tan’s workshop, where seven machines crowded the space alongside fabrics and trims.

Her oldest machine had been with her for 35 years and was still stitching perfectly.

But while her machines endured, Tan was preparing to retire in a few years.

Finding a successor could prove difficult, so she came up with a plan.

“These several years, I’m feel very, very busy and tired. I hope if I retire, somebody can continue my business. If they know the basics of sewing, they come, I will teach them (tailoring).”

She was not alone in her concerns.

Merai Tailors had been in the suburb of Onehunga for over 30 years.

Now sitting behind the sewing machine was 70-year-old Mahesh Contractor, who took over the business from his older brother 15 years ago.

Contractor comes from generations of tailors, but he was the last in his family to carry on the trade.

“I like to carry on with the business. I’m fit for it and this is my medicine as well, it keeps me mentally and physically fit.”

He said while the economy had not been in its best shape for the past few years, demand for his skills was still high due to online shopping and op shopping.

“It’s very, very risky (to buy online) because different countries have different size (system). And new things are getting more expensive now, so people are buying from the op shop, lots of people bringing (clothes) from op shop (where they paid) for $1.50 – $2, so sometimes I’m confused, how much I’m going to charge.”

He said the trade was inexpensive to set up and encouraged young people to consider it.

“It is a profitable business. I will carry on if I’m fit.”

Government data suggested the trade could grow.

In the 2018 census, 684 people indicated they were dressmakers or tailors, growing from the 552 in 2013.

Jessica Jay was part of a small group choosing to enter the industry.

Six years ago, the then 26-year-old decided repairing garments was where her heart was.

“I love clothing and textiles, I love sewing and I love fashion, but I found it really hard to reconcile that interest and passion and skill set with just how many clothes already exist. And I was really interested in repairs of clothing, looking at different ways that you can keep garments in circulation for longer.”

Jay graduated from fashion school in 2016 and wasn’t sure why more of her peers hadn’t pursued repair and tailoring.

Now 31, she said the work offered her a decent amount of financial stability and work, life balance.

“I can imagine doing this well into old age because you can always improve your skills with sewing and alterations. Every garment that I see is a new problem-solving challenge.”

New Settlers Family and Community Trust was also helping to bring new hands into the trade.

A year ago, the trust set up the Sewing Repair Cafe, with a mission to help refugees build skills that could be used towards future employment.

On a Saturday session in Mt Eden, three workers made their way through a pile of garments.

Thirty-nine-year-old Rahila Roshan was hemming a shirt.

Before coming to New Zealand, she had been a biology teacher in her home country Afghanistan.

That career path was now out of reach due to language barriers, but sewing had opened another door.

“I love sewing, I like making dresses and attending repair cafes.”

While she had experience making clothes for her family, she said alterations required a different skillset.

“Making is easy, but fixing is very hard.”

Shukria Rezia, 42, worked on a dress. It needed expansion on the waist, and a new zip.

She estimated such a repair would typically cost about $40, but at the community workshop, payment was not mandatory.

Donations were encouraged to support the Trust, but on that Saturday morning, despite a steady stream of people dropping off items, few contributions came through.

But the trio was not too upset.

“Anything free is good, free is better,” they laughed.

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Australasian bosses across agriculture, aviation and freight sectors are in the ear of their government officials in dealing with the chaotic global supply chain.

The government announced on Tuesday it secured an initial agreement with Z Energy to procure an additional 90 million litres of diesel for Aotearoa, as key shipping routes in the Middle East remained blockaded.

Through late March and April, the Australian federal government secured hundreds of millions of litres of diesel from markets like Singapore and Malaysia, as well as locking in fertiliser deals covering 250,000 tonnes of urea from Indonesia, and supply commitments from Brunei.

It also introduced various tax relief packages on fuel excise and heavy vehicle user charges, and underwrote imports of fuel and fertiliser.

Finance minister Nicola Willis met with Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers last week, followed by a large roundtable meeting with Australasian bosses of industries exposed to supply chain disruptions, like agriculture.

Featured was Australia’s peak farming industry body, the National Farmers’ Federation.

Chief executive Mike Guerin said he applauded his federal government for its response after the beginning of the war in late February, and welcomed more collaboration with New Zealand.

He said Australia went “hard and early”, such as with the underwriting of fuel imports.

“That’s an example where Australia went very early, and New Zealand’s done something similar, but perhaps not quite as well as Australia has.”

New Zealand-born Guerin said both countries shared challenges around fuel and fertiliser shocks.

“Both countries have very little fuel supply onshore, but neither country has much processing capacity left to process and refine oils, for example, into finished product. The same broadly applies to fertiliser.”

But he said there was good discussion at the meeting about possibly sharing infrastructure in the longer term, including linking up vessel schedules.

“We could see lots of things we could do for each other, and they’re very willing to do so.”

• How have fuel and fertiliser challenges affected your farm? Let us know monique.steele@rnz.co.nz

Guerin said while no actions were firmly agreed to during the initial conversation, there were options tabled for manufacturing and storage.

“Rather than each of us working away, an issue which is difficult given our lack of scale in global terms, if we work together, there could be enormous value in that,” he said.

“Save some money, save some costs and give us both more confidence in storage and processing and manufacturing, and those big inputs to agriculture, because as we know, in both countries, for generations we’ve been able to take food security for granted.”

He said it was all about protecting food security and building a supply chain for Australasia together to deal with the immediate and longer term issues ahead.

Finance Minister

New Zealand’s Finance Minister Nicola Willis said close co-operation between New Zealand and Australia made sense, particularly to share information on fuel markets, shipping movements, supply chain risks and resilience options.

She said it was a valuable opportunity to gain feedback from across agriculture, freight, aviation, retail and energy sectors about the impact of higher costs and supply uncertainty, when considering our own planning and response options.

“Industry engagement helps ensure decisions reflect operational realities and the needs of key sectors such as food production, freight and emergency services. And more detail of phases 3 and 4 will be announced next week,” she said.

She said both countries were facing similar supply challenges.

“We have also amended fuel specifications to better align with Australia, helping ensure New Zealand can access supply headed into the same regional market,” she said.

“Alongside that, the Government is progressing practical regulatory changes identified by industry to improve fuel efficiency and resilience, including freight and transport settings.”

Earlier advice on fertiliser supply from key New Zealand-based supplier Ravensdown was that the country had sufficient fertiliser supply through to mid-August.

Willis said the Government was in regular contact with the fertiliser industry and monitored international supply chains closely, while Australia’s recent arrangement focused on securing winter supply.

“As a food-producing country, we [New Zealand] remain connected to major suppliers and producers, and ready to act to any emerging pressure points,” she said.

“Farmers and growers are critical to New Zealand’s economy. We know higher fuel and input costs create pressure, which is why our focus remains on targeted, timely and practical measures that support supply continuity, strengthen resilience and keep the economy moving.”

Willis described the situation on Wednesday’s Morning Report as “the worst oil supply shock in history.”

The latest Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment fuel supply statistics lifted, showing of Sunday, the country had 52 days of petrol, 46 days of diesel and 49 days of jet fuel either in country or on its way.

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IPP3A is about an agency’s obligations when it collects personal information indirectly (collecting from someone other than the person themselves).

Under IPP3A, if an agency collects someone’s personal information indirectly, they are required to notify them, unless one of the listed exceptions applies.

We have general guidance on the requirements of IPP3A and how agencies can meet their obligations.

On this page:

How does this impact the Health Information Privacy Code (HIPC)?

The HIPC has been amended to include rule 3A. This reflects the IPP3A requirements from the Privacy Amendment Act 2025. Exceptions to new rule 3A have also been included and align to the existing rules 2 and 3 under the HIPC where relevant.

What are the requirements of Rule 3A?

Rule 3A does not apply to health information collected before 1 May 2026.

If a health agency collects health information about a person, which hasn’t come directly from that person or their representative, the health agency must take any steps that are, in the circumstances, reasonable (unless an exception applies) to make sure that the person concerned, or their representative, is aware of:

• the fact that the information has been collected
• the purpose of the collection
• the intended recipients of the information
• the name and address of the health agency that has collected the information and the health agency that is holding the information
• if the collection is authorised or required by law, which particular law
• their rights of access to, and correction of, health information provided by rules 6 and 7.

The collecting health agency is required to tell an individual (or their representative), as soon as reasonably practicable after the information has been collected, unless they’ve already taken the notification steps, or another agency has. 

What are the differences between the rule 3 and rule 3A requirements?

Rule 3 requires a health agency to explain the reason for collection (among other things) when they collect health information directly from someone. Rule 3A requires these things when a health agency collects health information indirectly.

It’s likely that a health agency could meet its rule 3A obligations in the same way it meets its rule 3 obligations, by using accessible privacy policies, statements, and notices.

It’s important that health agencies know what health information they collect directly from someone, and what health information they collect indirectly from someone else, and tailor their privacy policies, statements, and notices accordingly. Health agencies will also need to think about how they draw attention to these statements when they collect health information indirectly as they may not have a direct line of communication with the person.

As with rule 3, there are a number of exceptions to the notification requirement in rule 3A. These are explained in the ‘what are the exceptions?’ section of this guidance.

What are ‘reasonable steps’?

The reasonable steps for a health agency to take to ensure that an individual, or their representative, is aware of the rule 3A matters, will depend on its own specific circumstances. Some factors that may impact what is reasonable are:

• Whether the collection is routine and expected (for example, blood test results being sent to the patient’s GP), or whether it’s an atypical or one-off collection.
• The sensitivity of the health information collected. Health agencies may need to give a full notification including all the rule 3A matters directly to the individual when particularly intimate or sensitive information is collected or where it plans to use the information in an unexpected way.
• Possible negative impacts to the person because of the collection. If the risk of negative impacts is high, more rigorous steps may be required.
• Any specific needs of the person. In some circumstances there may be a legal obligation to provide an interpreter when explaining things to a person who, for instance, doesn’t understand spoken English or who has accessibility needs. For example, Right 5 under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (right to effective communication). 
• The practicality, including time, cost, and the volume of health information involved. 

As long as the information is communicated clearly, an agency can notify or make someone aware of the rule 3A matters using a variety of formats. Types of notification could include:

• an update to privacy statements and notices (such as on GP enrolment and pre-enrolment forms)
• automatic notifications sent via a patient portal, if the patient opts in for this
• posters displayed in the health agency’s premises
• explanatory brochures
• an oral explanation in appropriate language
• an explanatory letter
• an explanatory note on standard print or electronic forms used for capturing health information.

Layered privacy notices

Complex information flows can be difficult to communicate concisely and accurately, particularly in the limited time available in most clinical consultations. It may be helpful for health agencies to consider preparing a layered privacy notice, to help communicate effectively about how they handle health information. 

Layered notices can concisely summarise key information in the first ‘layer’, then provide more detailed information in the second layer. This accomplishes the goal of informing patients in general terms about the likely movements of their health information. For example, you may include brief privacy notices on forms or posters, supplemented by longer notices made available online or in brochures. 

The first layer can be thought of as the ‘highlights’ of the privacy notice. It should give an overview of how the agency handles health information, use clear and straightforward language, and provide the most important information first. Agencies may then link to more detailed information, either by a reference (e.g. “a copy of the full privacy policy is available on our website at…”) or by a direct web link.

The second layer is the full privacy policy, whether broken down by topics into selected units or listed in full. This format lends itself well to websites, but a similar approach is possible through linking of posters, brochures and detailed written policies.

Another example is to provide people with a full explanation initially, and then brief refreshers as people become more familiar with how that health agency handles personal information.

Repeat explanations

If people have regular interactions with a health agency (such as their GP), they will need a full explanation the first-time information is collected but not necessarily on every subsequent occasion, as long as the information and the purposes for which it will be used remain the same. This is a requirement under rule 3 when collecting information directly from the individual, so it may be a good opportunity to also inform individuals of any health information your agency collects about them indirectly, and the other matters under rule 3A.

Whether further steps are required may depend on how recently an explanation was given, the importance or sensitivity of the information and the individual’s circumstances. Unless the agency collecting the information is reasonably sure that the individual is aware of rule 3A matters, the agency should notify the individual whenever new or additional information is collected. When statements are available that explain in a generic way why information is being collected, it may be enough to draw these to an individual’s attention on subsequent occasions.

Example – reasonable steps

A patient has asked their GP to email them every time the GP collects health information about them indirectly. The GP’s practice uses a patient portal, and has offered this option to the patient, but the patient has decided they don’t want to use it. Because of the extensive time constraints and practicality of having to email the patient every time the GP receives information about them indirectly, the GP decides that this is not a reasonable step in the circumstances. They instead decide that drawing the patient’s attention to their privacy statement, which includes the rule 3A notification information, is a reasonable step in the circumstances. The GP does this by emailing the patient a link to the relevant privacy statement.

Example – reasonable steps and layered privacy notices

A patient is enrolled with a GP and has an ongoing care relationship with the practice. When enrolling, the patient was provided with a link to the practice’s privacy statement and given a brochure containing information about the practice’s health information privacy practices. Following an unplanned hospital admission, the GP receives a discharge summary from the hospital outlining the admission, investigations, medications, and recommended follow-up. The GP did not collect this information directly from the patient, so it’s an indirect collection.

Rule 3A requires the GP to take reasonable steps to make sure the patient is aware of the collection and how the information will be used. The GP decides to refer to the discharge summary during the patient’s next consultation, explain how it informs follow-up care, and answer any questions. Alternatively, a brief patient portal message acknowledging receipt of the hospital information may be sufficient, depending on the nature of the discharge summary and when the GP will next see the patient. The patient portal message also includes a link to the GP’s privacy statement, which has been updated to reflect the rule 3A matters.

Timing of notification

What does ‘as soon as reasonably practicable after the information has been collected’ mean?

What is a reasonably practicable timeframe for notification will depend on the circumstances of the collection. If you decide it’s not practicable to notify or make sure an individual is aware of the collection shortly after, then your agency needs to be able to justify that decision.

Agencies should be building options for providing notification or making people aware into their information collection processes and systems. For example, by including relevant information in standard forms and online collection mechanisms. 

Agencies may take into account any technical and resource considerations when deciding on a reasonable timeframe for notification. However, it’s an agency’s responsibility to be able to justify any delay in notification.

Documenting your rationale and decision-making will be important.

Example

A GP’s patient has had an unplanned hospital admission. Generally, after an unplanned hospital admission, the patient’s GP receives a discharge summary from the hospital outlining the admission, investigations, medications, and recommended follow-up. The GP doesn’t collect this information directly from the patient, so it’s an indirect collection.

Rule 3A requires the GP to take reasonable steps to make sure the patient is aware of the collection and how the information will be used, as soon as reasonably practicable after the information has been collected. The GP decides to wait until the patient’s next consultation to refer to the discharge summary from the hospital, explain how it informs follow-up care, and answer any questions. 

Notification requirements

What are the exceptions?

Rule 3A(3): Individual has already been made aware

An agency collecting health information indirectly doesn’t have to take the notification steps if the person has already been made aware of the rule 3A notification matters.

We have further guidance on this exception in our general IPP3A guidance.

Example

A patient is enrolled with a GP and is referred for a specialist outpatient assessment. The referral letter states that the patient has been informed of the referral and that relevant health information is being shared to support further assessment and management. The patient has also received a copy of the referral letter.

The specialist sends a detailed report back to the GP, which is then added to the patient’s clinical record. Although the GP has indirectly collected new health information by receiving the specialist’s report, they have reason to believe that the patient is already aware that information has been shared with and returned from the specialist, and this information has been collected for the purpose of ongoing care. In this circumstance, the GP doesn’t provide additional notification to the patient, because the patient is already aware of the indirect collection.

Rule 3A(4)(a): Compliance would prejudice the interests of the individual concerned

What does ‘would prejudice’ mean?

Generally, this means that the person concerned would suffer detriment if they were notified of the indirect collection of their health information. What may be considered detrimental will often depend on the person concerned. For example, an agency might not disclose the fact that information has been collected indirectly if knowledge of the fact may disrupt the process and compromise care and treatment, as long as the indirect collection was taking place for proper medical reasons. 

Example

One of Joe’s secondary care providers contacts Joe’s GP because they are concerned Joe has stopped taking medication they are required to take and also tells the GP they are concerned about Joe’s mental health and wellbeing. The GP assesses the situation and decides not to tell Joe that they have collected this information about them, as it may compromise Joe continuing with the treatment plan that the GP has developed with them. The GP makes sure to record this assessment and decision, along with the information collected from Joe’s secondary care provider. 

Example

A GP has an established treating relationship with a patient who is in the early stages of exploring possible family harm and safety issues. A social worker involved with the patient’s family contacts the GP to share concerns raised by another family member, providing contextual information intended to help the GP approach future consultations safely and appropriately. The information is shared confidentially, without the patient’s knowledge, and is not yet verified or ready to be discussed directly with the patient.

The GP records the information in the clinical notes, meaning the information has been indirectly collected. The GP considers that notifying the patient at this stage would risk significant distress and may undermine the therapeutic relationship before the GP has had an opportunity to assess the situation and plan a safe, supportive approach. Notifying the patient may also risk damaging the therapeutic relationship between the family and social worker. The GP decides to rely on this exception and documents their decision. They keep it under review, with the intention of addressing the information with the patient later, if and when it’s appropriate and safe to do so.

Rule 3A(4)(b): Compliance would prejudice the purposes of the collection

In some cases, the purpose for collecting personal information indirectly may be undermined if the agency collecting it were to tell the person concerned.

For example, a health agency is conducting an internal investigation into a practitioner and has a legitimate purpose for collecting personal information about the practitioner from their colleague, to verify personal information collected from the practitioner themselves. If the agency’s purpose is to find out objectively the facts of the situation, because it’s part of an investigation, then letting the practitioner know of the indirect collection may undermine that. For example, notifying the practitioner may give them an opportunity to destroy evidence, or try and influence what information their colleague gives to the investigator.

It’s important to note that the agency must still have a proper basis under IPP2 for collecting this information from someone other than the person themselves. They must only collect information that is relevant to the investigation of the situation.

Take great care if your agency plans to rely on this exception and be sure to seek professional advice before doing so. OPC has previously undertaken an inquiry into (amongst other things) an agency collecting information about an individual indirectly without proper reason. Read about the inquiry here.

Rule 3A(4)(c): Compliance is not reasonably practicable in the circumstances

In some cases, notifying the individual of an indirect collection will not be practicable. However, it’s important to note that inconvenience, cost, or administrative burden doesn’t automatically mean notification is ‘not reasonably practicable’.

Cost may be a factor if notification would be so expensive that the cost would be disproportionate to the value provided to the person.

Generally, the threshold to assess whether it’s not reasonably practicable to notify will depend on the nature of the personal information that’s being collected indirectly. For example, if the information is sensitive, then the threshold of ‘not reasonably practicable’ will be higher.

Health agencies need to consider how rule 3A notification requirements will be met as part of any new or existing processes that involve routinely and repeatedly collecting health information indirectly. Having incompatible systems or processes is not a valid reason to rely on this exception.

For example, it may not be reasonably practicable for an agency to notify the person if they don’t hold any contact details for them. In this situation, the collecting agency isn’t expected to collect contact details solely for the purpose of notifying them.

Compliance may not be practicable where an individual is unconscious or in cases of emergency. Indirect collection of health information by ambulance staff in an emergency may sometimes fall within this exception, or exception 3A(4)(a) – compliance would prejudice the interests of the individual concerned.

Example

A regulatory authority in the health sector is investigating a practitioner who has been prescribing medication in a way that is concerning. The authority makes a request to the health agency that holds prescription information, asking for all prescriptions made for a certain medication within a specified date range. The scope of the information they receive back is much larger in volume than they anticipated, with 1000+ individual’s prescription information. As this is an indirect collection of health information, the authority needs to consider their obligations under rule 3A of the HIPC. The authority decides that notifying all the individuals concerned is not reasonably practicable, because of the volume of the information, and the fact that they don’t have contact details for the individuals concerned and have no direct relationship with them. However, the authority has taken some reasonable steps in the circumstances to ensure individuals are aware of the rule 3A matters by including these in their privacy policy, which is published on their website.

Rule 3A(4)(g): The health information was collected for the purpose of assembling a family or genetic history of an individual from that individual

Health agencies may rely on this exception if, as part of assembling a family or genetic history of an individual, they indirectly collect health information about the individual’s relatives from that individual. 

However, genetic information, and the use of information obtained from genetic tests, raises some important issues. Information obtained from a genetic test on an individual relates not only to the individual undergoing the test, but also to their relatives.

When carrying out a genetic test on behalf of an individual, agencies should carefully consider whether they have fulfilled their obligations under rules 3 and 3A. This is especially important if a positive result for any condition being tested for would have implications for the health of the individual’s relatives. Health agencies should have clearly communicated policies on what they will do when they receive information that may be vital to an individual’s relatives’ health.

Notifying an individual’s representative

Under rule 2 of the HIPC, it’s not necessary for a health agency to collect health information directly from the individual concerned, if the agency believes on reasonable grounds:

• That the individual concerned authorises collection of the information from someone else having been made aware of the matters set out in rule 3A(1), or
• That the individual is unable to give their authority and the health agency, having made the individual’s representative aware of the matters set out in rule 3(1), collects the information from the representative, or 
• That the individual is unable to give their authority and the health agency, having made the individual’s representative aware of the matters set out in rule 3A(1), is authorised by the representative to collect the individual’s health information from someone else.

It’s not always possible to collect information directly from the individual. For example, an individual may be unconscious or may not have capacity to understand because of their age or disability. In these circumstances, if health agencies collect information from the representative, they should give the representative the explanations that would otherwise have been given to the individual.

The only change that rule 3A makes to this process, is that when an individual or their representative authorises collection of the information from someone else, the agency needs to believe on reasonable grounds that the individual or representative has been made aware of the matters in rule 3A(1), rather than rule 3(1).

Health agencies should make sure any processes for communicating with individuals and their representatives are aligned with the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.

MIL OSI

The launch of the Survey of Business Operations, a new national survey, will provide a comprehensive, up‑to‑date picture of how New Zealand businesses use Artificial Intelligence and respond to economic and technology changes, Minister of Statistics Scott Simpsons says. 

“Good decisions rely on quality data. This survey will give us a clearer understanding of how businesses across the economy are operating, the challenges they face, and where opportunities for growth and productivity lie.” 

The new survey builds on existing business data gathered by Stats NZ, retaining core questions to ensure comparability over time. It introduces new content in areas where information gaps have emerged. This includes questions on innovation, business practices, and the uptake of AI.  

Insights from the survey would shape Government policy to support businesses to grow and innovate, Mr Simpson says. 

“For the first time, we will be able to measure AI use across a large and representative sample of New Zealand firms. This will help us understand where adoption is occurring, where barriers remain, and what this means for the wider economy.

“Artificial Intelligence represents one of the biggest opportunities of our time and we want businesses to invest in this technology with confidence. Smarter, informed adoption and use of advanced technologies like AI will help New Zealand’s economy grow faster and enable better living standards and opportunities for all New Zealanders.”

Around 20,000 businesses with six or more employees across all sectors will be surveyed, making it one of the largest and most detailed business surveys undertaken in New Zealand.

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

Some early childhood education centres in Auckland are offering steep discounts – in some cases up to 12 months of childcare free of charge – in a bid to lift enrolments.

Operators say the incentives reflect a deepening affordability crisis in early childhood education. For some centres, it’s one of the few options they have to stay afloat.

However, others warn that offering aggressive discounts is unsustainable, risks intensifying financial pressure across the sector and may force more centres to close.

Enrolment discounts

Go Bananas Childcare in the Auckland suburb of Beachlands is offering 12 months of free early childhood education for new enrolments, including meals, for children of all ages.

Manager Nadine Cilliers said that, as a newly opened centre in the area, the discount was an effective way to build relationships in the community while making childcare more affordable.

“Offering incentives and discounts has become more noticeable in recent times because of our economic climate,” she said.

“We know some families are struggling to pay daycare fees because it is very expensive,” she said.

“Some promotions have always existed, and centres are looking for ways to remain accessible to families while trying to maintain enrolments.”

Early childhood education in New Zealand is funded through a mix of government subsidies and parent fees.

The government covers part of the cost, including 20 hours of free early childhood education for children aged 3 to 5, while parent fees help cover the remaining operating expenses.

Cilliers said that, because her centre did not charge newly enrolled families any fees in the first 12 months, most of its operating costs were now covered by government funding and support from the franchise.

She said other childcare centres in the area were also offering discounts, such as three months free or 50 percent off fees.

However, Cilliers said many centres were concerned that families might leave once the discounts ended.

“It is a worry that parents find better promotions elsewhere, that they move to other areas that offer better promotions than yours,” she said.

“But we do hope that after the 12 months, children are settled, they’re happy, our families are connected and they’ve formed strong bonds with our centre,” she added.

“We hope they won’t want to leave.”

Cilliers said discounting could add pressure to early childhood education centres, particularly smaller, independent providers that may not have the same level of financial backing from a franchise.

However, she said it also reflected a broader community need for more affordable childcare.

“It does put pressure on us to maintain a higher standard, because we want to keep our families with us even after the 12 months,” she said.

RNZ has reported that early childhood education costs rose by 2.5 percent between the March and December 2025 quarters.

Some parents returning to work are facing childcare bills of $15,000 to $20,000 a year, while the sector has warned that fees could rise further.

Rising costs

Little Dinosaurs, a family-owned early childhood education centre in Epsom, is offering free childcare over autumn for newly enrolled families, helping them save up to $3800 per child in childcare costs.

The centre’s owners, Sean and Margarita Sampayo, said the promotion was a response to the childcare affordability crisis and a decline in the centre’s roll.

Sean Sampayo said the centre was licensed for 27 children and currently had 21 on its roll. But enrolments fell last year to about 12 or 13 children, which worried the couple.

“We were really keen to get our numbers up and to a more suitable sort of rate again,” Sampayo said.

“Our parents are facing an affordability crisis at the moment. People are very price sensitive. We want to meet families where they are, and we want to make it affordable for them to send their children to childcare.”

Sampayo said the discounts were also a response to added pressure and competition from nearby kindergartens and childcare centres offering similar programmes.

“When one centre runs a programme like this, it almost forces the hand of other nearby centres to run similar programmes as well,” Sampayo said.

Sampayo said 70 percent of the families enrolled at the centre were currently on discounted rates.

He said discounts could help families pay for childcare during an affordability crisis, but they could also put significant pressure on smaller providers.

“When you’ve got centers that are privately owned by individuals like ours, we can make a loss in a year or two,” he said.

“But over time, those losses start to stack up, and it just makes it impossible.”

Sampayo said family-run centres had tough decisions to make at that point.

“Do we continue to run the centre in a way that’s just enough to keep it up and running, barely profitable and unable to [reach] the service level that you’d expect?” he said.

“Or do you decide to shut down the centre and move on?”

Sampayo said the government could do more, through both policy and funding, to ease the pressures driving widespread discounting and provide greater oversight of drastic discounts.

Funding shortfall

Reach for the Stars on Auckland’s North Shore is another early childhood education centre advertising enrolment discounts, offering three months free for new enrolments, including meals and nappies, if families stay with the centre for at least a year.

Manager Carole Liang said the discount strategy began after Covid, when the centre found more families were struggling to pay for childcare.

Liang said enrolment discounts had become increasingly common across Auckland after Covid, and that her centre was feeling pressure from aggressive discounting by other providers.

“There are many centres [opening] in the same area. Some people just think childcare is a good business to make money,” she said.

“They think that as long as they have children, they would get funding and, with that funding, they can make money,” she said.

“Childcare is education. It is about caring for children and their future,” she said.

“We are nurturing children and providing them with a good environment to grow and learn. It is not just a business.”

Liang said many early childhood education centres were trying to keep their services affordable for families, but that it was increasingly difficult to maintain quality under current government funding levels.

She said Budget 2025 included a 0.5 percent funding increase for the early childhood education sector, but that it was clearly not keeping pace with the real costs of running a centre.

“Everything has increased by 5-10 percent,” she said. “But we can’t increase parents’ fees because they can’t afford it.”

Liang said large promotions could widen the financial gap between what centres needed to operate sustainably and what they received in funding.

She said early childhood education should prioritise quality, rather than affordability alone.

“That’s not healthy competition,” she said. “We should emphasise quality and what children and families can get from [early childhood education].

“If you just focus on affordable childcare, but neglect the other factors which are more important, then I don’t see the hope in our childcare education in the future.”

Discounting raises closure fears

Simon Laube, chief executive of the Early Childhood Council, which represents early childhood education operators, said steep enrolment discounts were becoming more common in the sector but were unsustainable, especially when centres asked for no contribution from parents and government funding became the only source of income towards operating costs.

According to the Early Childhood Council, 443 early childhood services nationwide closed between March 2022 and July 2025.

More than half of those closures were education and care services, with Auckland the hardest-hit region, accounting for 44 percent of education and care closures.

Laube said centre closures appeared to be rising again this year, with 20 centres closing in the latest quarter, according to Ministry of Education data from March 2026. That followed a high rate of closures in 2023, when an average of nine centres closed each month.

“That’s the hard end of discounting,” he said. “You don’t want to become one of those statistics.”

Laube said the Early Childhood Council was extremely concerned about aggressive discounting, saying it showed the level of desperation among providers.

“The fact that you’re seeing discounting happening across lots of centres just shows that there are lots of centres [operating] below the occupancy level they need to be financially viable,” he said.

Laube said that if centres were unsuccessful with their discounting and revenue did not increase as occupancy rose, they could be forced to cut staff and other costs.

He said centres that chose not to compromise on quality could be forced to close.

He said the Early Childhood Council had been advocating for a higher cost adjustment for providers in this year’s Budget.

“We do need things like a Budget uplift just to keep the sector going,” he said. “Otherwise, there will be quite a few centre closures that occur if things stay the way they are.”

Funding system under review

Rebecca Barnes-Clarke, acting general manager of System, Connections and Early Learning Policy at the Ministry of Education, said discounts offered by early childhood education and care service providers might make early childhood education more affordable for parents and caregivers, as well as increase children’s participation in the short term.

“However, education and care service providers would need to consider and decide whether they can sustain such discounts,” she said.

Barnes-Clarke said early childhood education services could determine the level of fees they charged families beyond the hours covered by government subsidy.

She said the ministry recognised the early childhood education funding system was no longer fit for purpose, with concerns about affordability, access, the need to support children who stood to benefit most from early childhood education, and the complexity of the current settings for parents and services.

The government established a ministerial advisory group in June to review funding for early learning.

Barnes-Clarke said the group had completed a discovery phase, hearing people’s experiences and views on the challenges and opportunities in the early childhood education funding system.

She said the group intended to consult on indicative options in the middle of this year before finalising its advice and recommendations to the minister, which were due by the end of the year.

“The government will then make decisions on this advice,” she said.

“Any changes to funding provided to the sector will be subject to future government and Budget decisions.”

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

One of New Zealand’s most celebrated cricketers has announced her retirement from the international game, but not before one last crack at a another world title.

Suzie Bates has announced that after a 20-year career, the T20 World Cup in England in June/July will be the final time she plays for the White Ferns.

The 38-year-old’s been a fixture in the New Zealand team ever since debuting against India in 2006, rewriting several records along the way, while at the same time, witnessing and experiencing the transition of the women’s game from amateur to professional.

“When I look back on the past twenty-plus years, I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone,” Bates said.

“I’m immensely proud to have worn the fern so many times, and I’ve been filled with enormous purpose and joy in striving each day to be a better person, teammate, cricketer, and athlete for this team.

“Words can’t truly express my gratitude to all my teammates and coaches along the way,” she said.

Bates, from Dunedin, was destined for international glory, after making her domestic debut for Otago as a 15-year-old in 2003.

A talented sportswoman, Bates also represented New Zealand on the global stage in basketball, appearing for the Tall Ferns at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

But she would give up the sport to focus on cricket shortly after, going on to become the all-time leading run-scorer in Women’s T20 Internationals (4717*) and fourth in Women’s ODIs (5964*),

Bates is also the first female cricketer to appear in 350 international matches and score 25,000 career runs (international and domestic).

She also captained New Zealand on 151 occasions between 2011-2018, guiding the side in several ICC tournament finals.

Current captain Melie Kerr said Bates is one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

“Growing up Suzie was my role model, and I was fortunate enough to make the team when she was captain,” Kerr said.

“Her record speaks for itself, she’s paved the way for a long time in women’s cricket, and what she’s done for cricket, the women’s game, and sport in New Zealand, she should be very proud of.

“She’ll be hugely missed, but I know she’s still got a bit more left in the tank,” she said.

And that last bit of energy will be channelled in England later this year, when the White Ferns attempt to defend their T20 World Cup title, with New Zealand Cricket confirming Bates will be named as part of the squad at an announcement at her former school, Otago Girls’ High School next Wednesday.

“I have one final mission: to head to the UK – a place that holds so many special memories for me – and win another World Cup,” Bates said.

“I’m going to give every ounce of my energy to this final quest, dedicating every minute to helping this team play the kind of cricket we, and our country, can be proud of.”

Bates Statistics:

• Captained the White Ferns in 151 matches (79 ODIs, 72 T20Is)
• First woman to play 350 international matches
• First woman to score 25,000 career runs (international and domestic)
• The all-time leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is (4717*)
• White Ferns all-time leading run scorer in ODIs and fourth in women’s One Day International cricket (5964*)
• 145 international wickets (83 ODI, 62 T20I)
• The most catches in women’s ODIs (93) and T20Is (96)
• Player of the Tournament at the 2013 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup
• The first cricketer to win the ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year Awards in the same year (2016)
• Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist (2022)
• ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winner (2024)
• Attended 14 ICC World Cups (9 T20I, 5 ODI)

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

Midwives say a rule-change allowing them to vaccinate parents, babies and their whanau means more people are getting immunised sooner.

After a rule change in February, midwives are able to give a wider range of funded immunisations – including flu and measles – from pregnancy until babies are a year old.

Porirua community midwife Tess Willis from Meraki Midwives said it was a natural fit for midwives who already had trusted relationships and time booked in with parents, meaning no extra travel or additional appointments to manage.

“It’s meaning people are getting immunised earlier, and people that it might have dropped off as, ‘Oh, didn’t get round to doing that’, that’s not happening as much anymore.”

The online training had been very straightforward, she said.

“We already do vaccinate, and give various immunisations to newborns in the hospital, so it’s not something that’s brand new to us,” she said. “It was more about expanding the scope of the vaccines that we were giving.”

She said midwives could ease the stress of newborn vaccinations for new parents.

“It’s not nice watching your baby cry, but then there’s that comfort level of, ‘This is my midwife who cares about me, and cares about my baby’, so it is probably an overall more positive experience for them.”

Sarah Dow from Domino Midwives, also based in Porirua, said it was a quick and easy process.

“I did it today,” she said. “Someone came in, we had a quick chat, checked in on how they’re doing, and then they were keen to have the flu vaccination, so I just grabbed my little key, opened the fridge, prepared the vaccination, bring it in, and just gave it on the spot. It takes less than five minutes.”

And the mandatory wait-time afterwards could be used to finish off their appointment, she said.

They also had a kit on-hand to treat rare reactions to the vaccine, if needed.

Director of prevention – immunisation at the National Public Health Service, Nikki Canter-Burgoyne, said it was about removing barriers to access to improve immunity across communities.

Health New Zealand (HNZ) data for the three-month period ending 31 December 2025 – the latest data available – showed coverage for tamariki in New Zealand at 24 months of age was 82.9 percent.

Other recent efforts from Te Whatu Ora to lift immunisation rates included work with Plunket to improve access for whānau, and enabling pharmacies to provide childhood immunisations as well.

The government set a health target of 95 percent of children fully vaccinated at two years of age by the year 2030.

Only this week, Health NZ confirmed a new measles case in Wellington, which was not known to be linked to any previous cases or overseas travel.

That person visited a number of places in the capital and at least one in Palmerston North while infectious in mid-April.

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

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The Government has welcomed a new investment by French luxury fashion house Chanel in New Zealand’s premium agricultural sector.

Chanel has invested in a joint venture company to own part of and support Lammermoor Station in the central Otago high country, which produces fine wool for Chanel’s garments.

It comes as statistics from Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) show average timeframes to assess applications for business and productive forestry investments have decreased significantly since reforms began with the June 2024 Ministerial Directive letter.

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour – who is responsible for overseas investment as Associate Finance Minister – says the new streamlined pathway allows low risk applications to be processed faster, delivering more investment to New Zealand.

“The proof is in the investment pudding. While average end to end timeframes for business and production forestry applications before June 2024 were 67 working days, this has decreased to an average of 31 working days in the last 12 months.

“Since the Amendment Act came into force, the average timeframe to grant consent for these types of investment under the new national interest test is now four working days.

“These were common sense changes that improved the efficiency of the system, and give investors greater confidence, in turn delivering growth and jobs for New Zealanders.

“Chanel’s investment in New Zealand is a great illustration of how overseas investment opens new doors for Kiwis, and a reflection that the world now sees New Zealand as open for business.”

Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says New Zealand farmers produce some of the highest quality fine wool in the world, and the partnership with Chanel at Lammermoor Station helps cement the industry’s reputation for excellence.

“This investment acknowledges the high quality of New Zealand’s exports. It allows Lammermoor to continue doing what it does best, retaining jobs and livelihoods in the process, and contributing to New Zealand’s export growth.”

Land Information Minister Mike Butterick says Lammermoor is New Zealand’s largest organic farm and only certified organic fine wool producer.

“The investment was granted under the Overseas Investment Act’s Benefit to New Zealand – farm land benefit pathway. The investment is expected to provide substantial benefit to New Zealand.

“Chanel plans to build on Lammermoor’s organic status and achieve Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC). That would make Lammermoor the world’s first ROC fine wool-producing farm.

“Achieving this certification would help to further boost the value of Lammermoor’s fine wool, increasing export receipts. It also boosts the reputation of New Zealand wool’s high quality and sustainable production.”

Lammermoor’s New Zealand owners will hold a stake in the joint venture company with Chanel, and continue to live and work on the land.

“It’s a win-win-win for Chanel, Lammermoor and New Zealanders.”

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The small Waikato town of Mōkau on the west coast of the North Island is being described by locals as a “ghost town” and “dead as a doornail” due to the closure of the Awakino Gorge on State Highway 3.

Local butcher Bryan Lester told Morning Report he only served three customers on Wednesday between 7am and 3.30pm.

Fellow local and owner of Nic’s Latte and Grill, Nic Phillips, echoed Lester’s sentiments.

“There’s nobody on the road”, Phillips told Morning Report, “it’s a terrible situation that we’re in.”

With no traffic and no customers, Phillips decided to close her caravan on Thursday.

“Unfortunately for us, the Awakino Gorge is the choke point for this. You know, when those rocks come down, that’s it, we’re done, and there’s no way north for any traffic, you know.

“We are fighting Mother Nature. So what do you do, you know?

“We have these statistics there from the New Plymouth District Council that show that we have anywhere between 2000 to 2300 vehicles per hour, per day, you know, and it just stops.”

Phillips said people from all over the world stop in at the small town, and described it as the “gateway to the King Country, we’re the gateway to Taranaki, and we’re the only place when you come out of the Gorge that you get to see our Maunga [Taranaki Maunga] and the ocean.”

There are seven businesses in the town, and Phillips said they all struggle when the Gorge is closed, and the impacts spread deeper into the community, impacting everyone in the town.

Phillips said going back to July 2025, there have been 11 road closures, which was frustrating for the businesses, but also for people using the highway.

“Do we try and do a bypass? Do we spend billions of dollars on doing something like that? I don’t know the answer.

“But, you know, putting a band-aid on the gorge for decades, like they’ve been doing, isn’t working, and now look what’s happened, it’s massive.”

Gorge to open next week

In a statement, NZTA said State Highway 3 through Awakino Gorge will reopen late next week.

“Further assessments are underway following heavy rainfall over the weekend, which caused slips along this stretch of highway in north Taranaki.

“The road between Mōkau and Piopio has been closed since the weekend.

“Crews have been working to safely clear material from the road – the significant slip has seen roughly 12-16 thousand cubic metres of material come down the hill – the equivalent of almost 1400 standard rubbish trucks.

“Complicating the recovery is the fact the hillside is incredibly sodden and it’s still moving,” said Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Rua Earle.

“This is an incredibly challenging time for communities who are restricted by the closure and today’s news will be frustrating. We wish we had better news, the safety of the workers is paramount as well as ensuring the road is opened as quickly as possible,” said Earle.

NZTA said while this section of SH3 is closed, State Highway 4 can be used as an alternative route.

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