SANYA, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2026 – On March 30, the torch relay of the 6th Asian Beach Games took place in Sanya, China. A total of 74 torchbearers ran a roughly 10.5-kilometer relay along Sanya Bay, igniting enthusiasm as they passed golden beaches, city streets, and the sea.

With the theme “Passing Friendship, Meeting in Sanya,“ the relay route creatively integrates three settings: beach, road and sea. This design fully showcased Sanya’s unique coastal scenery and highlighted the distinctive charm of an island-based sports event.

Chang Yani, champion of the women’s synchronized 3m springboard at the Paris Olympic Games, was the first torchbearer. “Facing the vast ocean and running with the torch on the beach—this feeling is really special,” Chang said. Liu Shiwen, gold medalist in the women’s table tennis team at the Tokyo Olympic Games, completed about 2.5 kilometers of the relay by boat, gliding over the waves and showcasing the beauty of Sanya from the sea.

Along the route, four themed cultural performances energized the relay. Dynamic water sports demonstrations included jet ski stunts, flyboarding, freestyle kayaking, and wake surfing. Hainan’s local culture was presented through Li brocade fashion shows, bamboo pole dances, Qiong opera, and Yazhou folk songs. A performance combining robotic lion dances and drumming further showcased the innovative vitality of the Asian Beach Games.

“The Sanya Asian Beach Games is the first international multi-sport event held since the full implementation of independent customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port. It will serve as a grand sports gathering for Asian youth to compete and foster friendship, and a cultural gala where Asian civilizations exchange, learn from, and shine alongside one another,” said Song Luzeng, vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia.

The 6th Asian Beach Games will take place in Sanya, China from April 22 to 30. A total of 1,790 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees, including those of Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, have registered to compete. The Games will feature 14 sports, including beach volleyball, beach handball, and teqball, with 62 gold medals up for grabs.

Hashtag: #AsianBeachGames #AsianBeachGames2026 #Sanya #Hainan #TorchRelay

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

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

Ngāi Tahu wants to see tougher restrictions on exporting pounamu after a mother and son were found guilty of attempting to illegally export pounamu to China over the legal limit.

It is the first successful prosecution of its kind by New Zealand Customs after Boyuan Zhang and his mother Xin Li were found carrying almost 18 [17.9] kilograms in their luggage in 2024.

While not a party to the case, Ngāi Tahu holds legal ownership of all naturally occurring pounamu within its tribal boundaries since 1997 under the Ngāi Tahu Pounamu Vesting Act.

Ngāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio is one of the kaitiaki or stewardship hapū of Ngāi Tahu with a particular whakapapa connection to pounamu.

Representative Susan Wallace told Morning Report pounamu is a sacred resource and taonga recognised by many New Zealanders, not just Māori, who wear it and have a connection to the stone.

Descendants of Ngāi Tahu attended the trial in the Manukau District Court last month, and Wallace said the verdict was an emotional moment for them.

“It does serve as a warning that attempts to export pounamu without permission can and will be prosecuted so it’s a huge outcome for us.

“The case also highlighted a number of areas where the export regime could be strengthened, and that includes the current weight threshold. You can currently export up to five kilograms out of the country – this case showed that you can’t get around that by sharing the weight amongst a group of people, which is what happened in this case.”

Wallace said Ngāi Tahu had been working with Customs and the police.

Asked why there was such a large black market for pounamu, Wallace said she believed it was because pounamu was not mined here to the extent it was in other countries.

“So we’re fortunate to be able to have quite a lot of pounamu that is available. As a result of that, others from overseas are coming in quite regularly to take and export pounamu. We’re actually wanting to tighten that up – we think that the weight needs to be lowered significantly.”

Exporting pounamu in quantities over five kilograms was only permitted with the approval of the Customs minister.

Public fossicking for pounamu was only allowed on West Coast beaches, and the size of pounamu allowed to be taken was limited to something you could carry in one hand.

Rivers were able to be fossicked by Ngāi Tahu whānau members, but only with a collection permit granted by the kaitiaki (guardian) rūnanga.

Wallace said the case showed there were areas of the law that needed to be tightened up, including the weight limit for exporting pounamu.

“We’d love to see it reduced down completely and that there is a special permit that might be given that would enable it to be taken out legally, but actually with the support of Ngāi Tahu rather than it being something that is, I guess, managed through the government.”

Ngāi Tahu had an authentication process in place for buyers to check the authenticity of their taonga, she said.

“So we have a unique traceability code from the seller, you can enter that into the Ngāi Tahu pounamu website and trace back where that particular piece of pounamu came from.

“It’s a shame that despite this case there [are] so many online listings for illegally sourced stone, so it is showing the scale of the black market pounamu trade at the moment.”

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

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

A member’s bill reforming alcohol laws comes into force at midnight tonight, providing much-needed regulatory relief and clarity for the hospitality sector just in time for the Easter long weekend, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill, put forward by Hon. Kieran McAnulty, received Royal Assent today.

“As the Minister responsible for the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, I want to provide clear guidance to hospitality businesses about what this change means in practice,” says Mrs McKee.

The Ministry of Justice has published guidance on their website for the benefit of those involved in the alcohol regulatory system. 

“Thanks to this law, and a common-sense amendment from ACT MP Cameron Luxton, bars and pubs will no longer be forced to close at midnight tonight, or wait until 12.01am on Saturday morning to open.

“This is a practical fix that removes confusion and inconsistency between alcohol laws and shop trading restrictions.

“It also removes outdated requirements at restaurants and cafes for customers to order a ‘substantial meal’, and restrictions preventing alcohol from being served more than an hour before or after eating.

“Businesses that hold an on-licence can now operate under their normal licence conditions across Good Friday and Easter Sunday, as well as Anzac Day morning and Christmas Day.

“We are aware of some businesses that have been planning to open or host events this weekend, but have had concerns raised about whether doing so would be lawful, or whether they can even promote events that are conditional on the law being passed.

“This change makes it clear: those businesses can now proceed with confidence that they can operate under their normal licence conditions, without fear of falling foul of the law.

“Regulatory agencies are aware of the changes and will apply the new law from midnight tonight.

“Any business experiencing difficulties or being advised otherwise is encouraged to contact my office directly via my email N.McKee@ministers.govt.nz which will be monitored over the weekend.”

Mrs McKee says the change provides long-overdue certainty for the sector.

“This is huge for hospitality, especially after a rough few years, and something I’ve been keen to see fixed for some time.

“In practical terms, it means treating Kiwis like adults. These days are important to many New Zealanders, but people should be free to recognise them in their own way.

“No business will be forced to open, and no one will be required to drink. This is about restoring choice.”

ACT MP Cameron Luxton was responsible for the amendment ensuring bars and pubs can continue trading past midnight.

“I put forward this amendment after realising that the opening night of Christchurch’s new Te Kaha Stadium would have been cut short by outdated alcohol laws on Anzac weekend,” says Mr Luxton.

“This change will also benefit hospitality businesses on other restricted trading days, including Good Friday and Easter Sunday this weekend.

“Taxpayers and Christchurch ratepayers have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into this stadium, in part to drive economic activity and showcase the city.

“It would have made no sense to undermine that opportunity during the opening weekend, when 10 Super Rugby teams and tens of thousands of supporters will be in town, simply because the day after opening falls on Anzac Day.”

Mrs McKee says the change will also improve public safety.

“The last thing we want is large numbers of people being pushed out onto the streets all at once at midnight. That creates unnecessary risk, particularly with large crowds and international visitors who may not understand what’s going on.

“Allowing venues to operate under their normal trading hours means people can leave gradually and safely, rather than all at once.

“This is a good example of MPs across Parliament working together to fix what matters and solve practical problems for New Zealanders. I hope to see more of this.”

Notes to editors:

• The Ministry of Justice has published the attached fact sheet here: https://www.justice.govt.nz/about/news-and-media/news/changes-to-alcohol-sales-on-restricted-trading-days/
• As originally drafted, Kieran McAnulty’s member’s bill would allow businesses to sell alcohol under their normal licence conditions every day of the year – but only if their principal business is selling food (i.e. restaurants and cafes). Many bars and pubs don’t fit this requirement and therefore would be forced to remain closed under separate Shop Trading Hours Act restrictions relating to alcohol. Cameron Luxton’s amendment overrides the Shop Trading Hours Act restrictions in this narrow situation.

MIL OSI

The government has committed millions of dollars in extra spending to support polytechnic courses in Northland and on the South Island’s West Coast for the next five years.

Figures provided by Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds showed how the government would address concerns about the financial viability of polytechnic provision in both regions.

Simmonds announced earlier this week that the West Coast’s Tai Poutini would leave super-institute Te Pūkenga at the start of next year to become a campus of the Open Polytechnic, while NorthTec would become a stand-alone institute but within a federation model aimed at saving costs.

She said the Open Polytechnic would receive $2 million next year for its take-over of Tai Poutini, and a further $1m a year from 2028-31 to support its operations on the coast.

“This funding is intended to offset the high costs of delivery in a region with low learner demand and to ensure that essential workforce training remains available on the West Coast,” Simmonds said.

“As a condition of this funding, the Open Polytechnic must retain physical operations in the region.”

Simmonds said the polytechnic would also receive $3.1m this year and at least $2m next year from the Strategically Important Provision Fund for maintaining courses in areas where they were needed but might not be viable.

NorthTec would also receive money from the same fund – $3.6m this year, $2.75m in 2027 and a further $1.3 million per year from 2028-2031.

“While NorthTec has faced viability challenges in the past, significant progress has been made over the last year to strengthen its financial position and establish a pathway to sustainability,” Simmonds said.

She said the institute would receive $4.7m in ring-fenced reserves it had when it became part of Te Pūkenga, a further $4.5m for property consolidation, and “in-principle investment” of $34.7m for a new tertiary hub in central Whangārei, subject to a business case.

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

NEW YORK, April 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hall Chadwick Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: HCACU) (“HCAC”) and REEcycle Holdings, Inc. (“REEcycle”) today announced the execution of a non-binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) for a proposed de-SPAC business combination.

The proposed transaction values REEcycle at approximately US$600 million, assuming no redemptions by HCAC public shareholders, with REEcycle existing shareholders expected to roll 100% of their equity into the combined publicly listed entity. The transaction is expected to include a minimum US$50 million PIPE financing at US$10.00 per share, providing committed capital at closing and supporting the execution of REEcycle’s near-term growth strategy.

The transaction comes at a pivotal time for U.S. critical minerals policy. China currently controls an estimated 90% of rare earth separation and processing and ~93% of permanent magnet manufacturing globally.¹ In response, the U.S. Government, through Department of Defense and Department of Energy initiatives, has committed billions of dollars to strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains, including rare earth processing.² REEcycle has been awarded and is drawing upon US$5.1 million of Defense Production Act funding, supporting the advancement of its domestic rare earth processing capabilities.

REEcycle is advancing a technology-led solution to rare earth supply constraints. Its proprietary recycling process extracts and separates rare earth elements from end-of-life electronics and industrial products, offering a faster, lower-capex and scalable alternative to traditional mining. This approach enables near-term domestic supply while reducing exposure to geopolitical disruption.

The global rare earth market was valued at approximately US$19 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach ~US$36.7 billion by 2034, with recycling expected to grow at an accelerated rate as demand for domestically sourced materials increases.³

REEcycle’s Executive Chairman and largest shareholder is Mick McMullen, a highly respected mining executive with over 30 years of leadership experience across global mining and capital markets. He is best known for his tenure as President and CEO of Detour Gold Corporation, where he grew the company’s market capitalisation from C$2.1 billion to C$4.9 billion in nine months, culminating in its acquisition by Kirkland Lake Gold.⁴ His investment in REEcycle reflects strong conviction in recycling-led onshoring.

“We are addressing a critical U.S. supply gap with a faster and more capital-efficient solution than traditional mining, scalable across the U.S. and globally. This is both a technology opportunity and a national security priority.”

— Mick McMullen, Executive Chairman, REEcycle Holdings

Hall Chadwick Acquisition Corp. raised US$207 million in its Nasdaq IPO in November 2025 and is focused on transactions in critical minerals and industrial technology sectors.

“REEcycle represents a rare combination of proprietary technology, experienced leadership, and direct alignment with U.S. critical minerals strategy. We see this as a platform capable of becoming a meaningful domestic supplier, and we are excited to bring that opportunity to public investors.”

— Alex Bono, CEO, Hall Chadwick Acquisition Corp.

Exclusivity

The parties have agreed to a 60-day exclusivity period to undertake due diligence and negotiate a definitive Business Combination Agreement.

Non-Binding Letter of Intent

The LOI is non-binding and subject to the execution of definitive agreements, completion of due diligence, required approvals, and customary closing conditions. There can be no assurance that a transaction will be completed.

Important Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the proposed business combination, including expected structure, financing, timing and benefits. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the ability to execute definitive agreements, obtain approvals, satisfy closing conditions and maintain listing status. This press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation of securities. In connection with the proposed transaction, HCAC intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC. Investors are urged to review these materials when available at www.sec.gov. No obligation is undertaken to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.

1 CSIS, “China Rare Earth Restrictions,” 2025.
2 U.S. State Dept., “Critical Minerals Fact Sheet,” 2026.
3 Grand Research Store, “Rare Earth Market Report,” 2025
4 Globe and Mail, “Kirkland–Detour Gold deal,” 2019; Business Wire, “Kirkland Lake Gold acquisition,” 2019.

– Published by The MIL Network

Premiums for the new supplementary plans, PRUExtra Care series, are at least 30 per cent lower compared to the previous suite of riders; new critical illness and retrenchment benefits added

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

Legislation to ease alcohol restrictions over Easter, Anzac Day, and Christmas has passed its third and final reading at Parliament.

The bill amends the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow premises that are already open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day morning, and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under normal licence conditions.

Bottle shops will still have to stay closed, and supermarket alcohol restrictions remain.

The bill passed 66 votes to 56.

It was put forward by Labour MP Kieran McAnulty.

Speaking at the third reading, McAnulty told the House the bill would clear up the guesswork for hospitality staff in deciding what was a “substantial” meal to serve before someone could purchase alcohol, by removing the requirement entirely.

“What is even more ridiculous is that actually they’re not required to eat the meal. They’re only required to purchase it, and it can sit there while they drink, and it could also be argued that they can go and buy another substantial meal in order to keep drinking. That doesn’t make sense. This bill clears that up,” he said.

McAnulty said it was clear there was not a majority in Parliament to amend the Easter Trading laws themselves, something he himself was opposed to amending, and so he was not seeking to change them.

“All we’re talking about here is businesses that can already open. This is not expanding access to alcohol. When we’re only talking about those workers that are working anyway, this is not taking anything away from those workers that otherwise enjoy a guaranteed day off,” he said.

At the Committee of the Whole House stage, and amendment from ACT’s Cameron Luxton was adopted to ensure those venues could continue to serve drinks past midnight the day before the holiday.

Luxton said the provision would allow a business to stay open for its usual licencing hours, and not necessarily that they must remain open or stay open past the 11:59 deadline the day before.

“The amendment says that the premises for which an on-licence is held may remain open during the permitted trading hours that apply to the premises,” he said.

McAnulty said Luxton’s amendment cleared up an anomaly, and he was happy to support it.

Rather than the usual eleven speeches in response to McAnulty’s first call, Assistant Speaker Barbara Kuriger allowed the debate to be split into 22 shorter calls, acknowledging the vote was a conscience matter.

Parliament treats votes on legislation involving alcohol as a conscience matter, meaning MPs are free to vote according to their personal feelings, or those of their constituents, rather than whipped as a party bloc.

It means McAnulty’s Labour colleagues were free to vote against his bill, as Taieri MP Ingrid Leary did.

“I can’t in good conscience continue to see bills come before the House that incrementally change small, nuanced parts of a wider architecture that urgently needs reform,” she said.

ACT voted as a bloc in support, while all New Zealand First and Green MPs opposed the bill.

MP Kahurangi Carter said the Greens had a long history of fighting for alcohol harm reduction laws, and believed the entire Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act needed to be overhauled.

“The Green Party is united in our position that we cannot support this bill,” she said.

New Zealand First MP David Wilson said he valued using those holidays for remembrance and reflection.

“It’s not much to ask to take some time to reflect, to revere, and to respect, and then celebrate with friends and family,” he said.

“A small degree of restriction for a few days to reinforce shared traditions and values is a very small price to pay.”

His New Zealand First colleague Mark Patterson took it a step further, saying the House would be “crossing a Rubicon” with its vote.

“Will they vote to uphold their traditional New Zealand values, history, and traditions? Will they respect our Christian heritage, sacred Christian celebrations of Christmas, Easter Sunday, and Good Friday? Will they acknowledge the solemn commemoration of Anzac Day morning? Or will they sacrifice that heritage at the altar of consumerism and consumption?”

McAnulty’s Labour colleague Lemauga Lydia Sosene said communities in her Māngere electorate wanted to keep those days sacred, and so she opposed it on their behalf.

However, in support of the bill, National’s Greg Fleming said he did not believe the legislation affected the sanctity of those days.

Fleming, who co-founded conservative policy think-tank the Maxim Institute, said many years ago he would have opposed the bill, but he said it was a “considered, incremental, and mature step forward” for a healthy relationship for alcohol, and a healthy respect for differences, rather than being “fearful” of what it meant for sacred days.

ACT’s Laura McClure said people’s behaviour would not change just because trading hours did.

“Our licenced premises have to adhere to really strict rules when it comes to intoxication. One of the safest places you could probably have a few beverages in is a licenced premises.”

National’s Carl Bates, opposing the legislation, said Parliament could have instead clarfied the definition of a “substantial” meal in regulation.

“The idea that the only way to solve this problem is to remove the law, to take a step on that slop towards removing the importance of these days in New Zealand’s history, and in its culture, is in itself absurd.”

Speaking to RNZ before the third reading, McAnulty was hopeful it could get Royal Assent on Thursday, so it could be law before the long weekend.

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

1 day ago

A daily bus service connecting Wairoa students to EIT’s Tairāwhiti campus is carrying record numbers this semester.

Wairoa Regional Learning Centre Co-ordinator Maraea Wesche says 22 learners are making the free trip to Gisborne – the most since the service began.

“It’s been a really productive first semester, both on campus and the ones that are travelling through to Tairāwhiti.”

The service has been in place for several years, but Maraea says it has taken time to build momentum.

“I can’t stress enough how valuable it is. It’s a big commitment for our whānau, but it means they can study and still come home every day.”

Students travelling this year are enrolled across a wide range of programmes, including construction, engineering, automotive, services pathway and teacher education.

Maraea says strong pathways between Wairoa-based programmes and those in Tairāwhiti are helping students progress.

“We’ve had students move from our NZ Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades Skills Level 2 and 3 into the NZ Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry) (Level 3) and they’re doing really well.”

Maraea says the ability to study while staying connected to home is key to student success.

“It makes it easier for our whānau to commit to study, because they don’t have to leave Wairoa to do it.”

Alongside those travelling to Tairāwhiti, enrolments in Wairoa-based programmes are also growing, with courses including building, sport and recreation, te reo Māori, tikanga and intro to welding running throughout the year.

A new NZ Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) programme will also launch in semester two, the first time it has been offered in Wairoa.
She says the increased uptake reflects a wider shift in the community.

“Being able to offer people in Wairoa the opportunity to further their education through study at EIT is great. They see education as a pathway to a better future, not just for themselves but for their whānau as well.”

She says the momentum is building.

“It’s a real buzz in Wairoa at the moment. I’m really excited about where things are heading.”

MIL OSI

Greenpeace Aotearoa is claiming victory against dairy giant Fonterra for misleading butter packaging it labels as “greenwashing”.

The activist group filed the lawsuit in September 2024 for logos featured on Fonterra Brands’ Anchor butter sold between December 2023 and April 2025 that said “100-percent New Zealand grass fed”.

But it argued the co-operative’s dairy cows were also fed imported supplementary feed like palm kernel expeller (PKE), produced in countries like Indonesia.

The use of the two phrases “100 percent New Zealand” and “grass-fed” in combination were found to be misleading and breached the Fair Trading Act 1986.

Fonterra has discontinued using the logo on Anchor butter packaging, however the co-operative has sold its consumer brands business Mainland Group, that Anchor sits under, to French dairy giant Lactalis.

Greenpeace spokesperson Sinéad Deighton-O’Flynn serving Fonterra with a lawsuit on 30 September, 2024. Photo: Supplied/ Greenpeace

Greenpeace spokesperson Sinéad Deighton-O’Flynn said it was a win against corporate greenwashing.

“This admission from the world’s biggest dairy exporter is a win against corporate greenwash,” she said.

“It exposes the cynicism of Fonterra and its intensive dairy model: instead of ending its links to rainforest destruction, Fonterra just slapped a misleading label on its packaging and continued business as usual.”

She said New Zealanders were getting ripped off during a cost-of-living crisis.

“We’ve been paying at times upwards of $20 a kilo for butter, while also being misled about the quality of that butter.”

But a spokesman for Fonterra said it stood by its grass-fed claims.

“However, [Fonterra] recognises that the combined use of the two phrases would have been likely to mislead some consumers and has accepted this in the settlement with Greenpeace, the details of which are confidential.”

He said the co-op’s cows were 96 percent grass-fed, including grass, grass silage, hay and forage crops like legumes and brassicas.

The two parties settled outside court on Wednesday.

Greenpeace was a staunch opponent to the use of imported feed products due to its links to deforestation, such as in Southeast Asian rainforests.

“Most New Zealanders would be horrified to know that rainforests are being destroyed, with precious wildlife pushed to the brink of extinction, to grow cheap feed for Fonterra’s oversized dairy herd. And that’s likely why Fonterra tried to hide the truth.”

A worker at a palm plantation area in Indonesia’s Sumatra island. Palm kernel expeller (PKE) is a by-product of the palm oil industry. Photo: AFP

Deighton-O’Flynn said PKE was a dry, gravelly feed that originated from destroyed rainforests.

“The reality is Fonterra has only changed the label. It hasn’t changed its destructive practices. Instead of greenwash tactics, Fonterra should take action to phase out palm kernel on all of its farms.”

New Zealand imported around 2 million tonnes of PKE each year largely for the dairy industry.

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

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has wrapped up negotiations as Vice Chair at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

“Disappointingly, proposals to reform the WTO and to extend the WTO-wide prohibition on the imposition of tariffs on digital trade flows could not be agreed in time,” Mr McClay says.

“However, all Members agreed the WTO needs to be modernised.

“An agreement on the final package is in reach and securing these decisions through further work in Geneva will now be the priority for New Zealand.”

Mr McClay also met with counterparts from 17 countries during the conference, including the United States, India, China, European Union, United Arab Emirates
and Saudi Arabia.

“While fuel supplies remain healthy for New Zealand, I took the opportunity to meet with Ministers from Singapore, and Korea, as well as Heads of Delegation from Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, to discuss critical fuel supply chains,” Mr McClay says.

Progressing the implementation of a new Electronic Commerce Agreement, underpinning approximately US$159 billion in trade, was agreed to by 66 WTO Members – who between them account for 70 per cent of global trade.

“This significant outcome will provide more predictability to our small businesses and exporters including through a permanent ban on tariffs on digital trade flows between the parties,” Mr McClay says.

“New Zealand also continues to pursue progress on negotiations to limit fisheries and agricultural subsidies, which are a significant issue in reducing our exporters’ returns.”

Labour Party Trade and Export Growth spokesperson Damien O’Connor joined the New Zealand delegation.

MIL OSI

The European promotional campaign “It’s Time for EU Beef” has consolidated its presence in the Philippine market throughout 2025 and has kicked off 2026 with renewed momentum. Through trade missions, international exhibitions, exclusive showrooms, and high-level seminars, the campaign continues to position European beef from Spain as a premium product among Filipino importers, distributors, and foodservice professionals

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

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 March 2026 – On March 31, 2026, Linklogis Inc. (09959.HK, “Linklogis”) released its 2025 annual results. During the year, the total revenue and income amounted to RMB983 million. Revenue and income in the second half of the year increased significantly by 62% compared with the first half of the year, reaching RMB608 million. In 2025, the total volume of supply chain assets processed by its technology solutions reached RMB508.1 billion, representing a 27% year-on-year increase, while the number of anchor enterprises served increased to 3,145. As of the end of 2025, Linklogis had cumulatively served more than 430,000 SMEs with efficient and convenient digital inclusive fintech services. The company maintained a solid financial position, with cash reserves reaching RMB4.9 billion, while liquidity remained ample.

In addition, Linklogis has always placed shareholder interests at the core of its corporate governance, rewarding investors’ trust through sustained and tangible actions. In August 2025, the Board approved a new share repurchase program of no less than US$80 million to be implemented over a one-year period. Under this repurchase program, the company has cumulatively repurchased shares totaling HK$365 million (approximately US$47 million), demonstrating its confidence in its long-term value through concrete actions.

Focusing on Core Business, Accelerating Business Structure Optimization

In 2025, Linklogis remained focused on its core business and accelerated the optimization of its business structure. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by its technology solutions reached RMB508.1 billion, up 27% year-on-year. With a market share of 22%, the company ranked first in the industry for the sixth consecutive year. The number of anchor enterprises served increased to 3,145, including 54 of China’s Top 100 enterprises and 151 of China’s Top 500 enterprises, while the number of financial institution partners reached 428, further improving the efficiency of industry-finance collaboration.

Linklogis’ supply chain finance technology solutions include Anchor Cloud, which consists of Multi-tier Transfer Cloud, AMS Cloud and Treasury Cloud, as well as FI Cloud, which consists of ABS Cloud and eChain Cloud. In 2025, the total volume of supply chain assets processed by Anchor Cloud reached RMB369.6 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 31%. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by Multi-tier Transfer Cloud reached RMB304.2 billion, surging 47% year-on-year, with its contribution to the group’s total asset volume rising from 52% in 2024 to 60% in 2025. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by AMS Cloud, however, was RMB65.4 billion, down 13% year-on-year due to the continued decline in issuance volume in the supply chain asset securitization market.

The total volume of supply chain assets processed by FI Cloud reached RMB128.9 billion, up 20% year-on-year. Both ABS Cloud and eChain Cloud recorded solid double-digit growth in transaction volume, contributing to a 25% year-on-year increase in FI Cloud revenue. In the ABS Cloud segment, the total volume of supply chain assets processed reached RMB69.1 billion, rising 28% year-on-year. In the eChain Cloud segment, the total volume of supply chain assets processed reached RMB59.7 billion, increasing 13% year-on-year.

Linklogis focused on six key industries, including infrastructure and construction, new energy and advanced manufacturing, and worked with its subsidiary Bytter Technology to deepen targeted cross-selling, achieving breakthroughs in high-quality customer acquisition. Leveraging its one-stop comprehensive industrial-finance solutions and innovative scenario-based applications, Linklogis worked with a number of central and state-owned enterprises and leading private enterprises, including Shougang Group, China Coal Mine Construction Group Corporation and JA Solar Technology, to launch integrated industrial-finance platform projects. At the same time, it provided targeted support to 17 high-quality enterprises, including Shanghai Construction Group, Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group and Luzhou Laojiao, covering scenarios such as order financing, bill collateral, and supply chain bill transfer, supporting coordinated growth in both scale and value creation.

Building the “Second Growth Curve”, Unlocking Global Trade Finance Potential

2025 marked a pivotal year for Linklogis’ international business as the company embarked on a new chapter and accelerated the development of its “second growth curve.” During the year, Linklogis officially launched a comprehensive rebranding of its international business, introducing “Unloq” as its new identity for the global market, reflecting its vision of unlocking the potential and efficiency of global trade finance. Guided by a core strategy centered on cross-border trade corridors, scenario-based finance and technology-driven risk management, Unloq is committed to building a globally connected digital supply chain finance platform with strong local execution capabilities.

In line with its core strategy, the company has leveraged its cloud-native technology to launch the innovative “SC+ Platform”, designed to connect global real-world trade with digital finance. The “SC+” signifies its core function of connecting smart contracts with compliant digital payment instruments, forming a technology-enabled solution for global trade finance. The platform is dedicated to building the next-generation digital infrastructure for global trade finance and addressing systemic challenges in cross-border trade, including credit verification, fund turnover, and clearing and settlement efficiency. Through the platform, funders can utilize various compliant payment methods to purchase trade receivables.

To date, Unloq has completed the deployment of the core architecture of the SC+ Platform. Working with multiple commercial partners, Unloq has advanced the rollout of innovative applications leveraging compliant digital payment methods. In 2025, Linklogis successfully secured the bid for a Web3.0-based supply chain finance platform project for a leading central state-owned enterprise, marking a new milestone in its technological capabilities and industry recognition in the field of digital trade infrastructure.

In its international business, Unloq accelerated the expansion of cross-border trade services. In addition to traditional B2B goods trade, cross-border e-commerce and online travel agencies, it also expanded into cross-border logistics, bringing the total number of platform customers to 1,550, representing a net year-on-year increase of 451. With the deeper penetration of the SC+ Platform in cross-border trade finance, the continued expansion of its global localized service network, and the accelerated integration of solutions supporting Chinese enterprises’ overseas expansion, Linklogis’ cross-border and international business is expected to enter a phase of exponential growth in both asset volume and revenue in 2026, embarking on a new chapter of high-quality and sustainable development.

Advancing the “AI-powered Industrial Finance” Strategy: From Internal Empowerment to Industry Value Co-Creation

Linklogis remains committed to its “AI-powered Industrial Finance” strategy and continues to promote the deep integration of AI with supply chain finance across the entire value chain. Built on years of technological expertise and scenario-based refinement, its AI capabilities have evolved from internal productivity tools into a sophisticated intelligence engine that empowers the entire industrial ecosystem. By deeply integrating leading domestic large language models with its proprietary supply chain finance scenario knowledge graph and multimodal business elements, the company has systematically advanced the ongoing iteration and capability enhancement of its self-developed vertical model, LDP-GPT. Building on this foundation, Linklogis has developed the “BeeLink AI Agent” product matrix, covering more than ten core scenarios including intelligent trade document checking, intelligent PBOC registration, intelligent KYC, and intelligent risk management.

In 2025, BeeLink AI Agent continued to deliver breakthroughs in market penetration and commercialization. The number of customers served rose to 42, including domestic and overseas financial institutions and industry leaders such as Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of Hangzhou, and China Electrical Equipment Finance. Processing efficiency improved by 20 times, while accuracy in key processes reached 99%. As AI continues to evolve toward an agent-based paradigm, Linklogis will take “AI Agent+” as a strategic lever to comprehensively upgrade BeeLink AI Agent from functional tools to intelligent collaboration. It will prioritize breakthroughs in advanced capabilities such as cross-system task coordination, natural-language interactive decision-making, and adaptive workflow optimization, enabling customers to move from point intelligence to enterprise-wide intelligence, and from business insights to intelligent decision-making, thereby delivering end-to-end value across the entire value chain.

Linklogis actively responded to China’s “dual carbon” strategy and high-quality development agenda by embedding ESG principles into product innovation and the entire service lifecycle, leveraging technology to advance green finance, inclusive finance, and sustainable development. In 2025, the volume of sustainable supply chain assets served by the company exceeded RMB66.8 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 80%, with its share of total serviced assets rising from 9% in 2024 to 13% in 2025. During the year, SMEs that obtained financing through Linklogis Supply Chain Multi-tier AR Transfer Platform benefited from an average financing cost of only 2.85%. The company continued to deepen its presence in four key sectors—renewable energy, rural revitalization, environmental protection, and public health—while further expanding into sustainable sectors such as the new energy vehicle supply chain, green buildings, and the circular economy. Through these initiatives, it directed financial resources more precisely to key segments that generate both green and low-carbon benefits and strong social impact, gradually building a broader and more influential sustainable development ecosystem that integrates industry and finance.

Expanding Full-scenario Deployment, Enhancing the Smart Industrial Finance Treasury Product Matrix

Through the acquisition of Bytter Technology, Linklogis made a strategic entry into the corporate treasury management sector. By synergizing management teams and business operations, the company successfully established the Treasury Cloud product line, providing diverse customers with end-to-end treasury management services covering settlement operations, cash planning, financing management, risk monitoring, and intelligent decision-making. As a key component of Linklogis’ “Smart Industrial Finance Treasury” strategy, Treasury Cloud is anchored by a dual-engine approach powered by AI and data, and has established a comprehensive product matrix, including the F1 treasury management system and T6 cash management system for anchor enterprises, the bank treasury system for financial institutions, and the Yingzilian SaaS platform for SMEs.

Since September 11, 2025, Bytter Technology has been consolidated into the group’s financial statements. The integration of the Treasury Cloud business has been fully completed. Linklogis will continue to deepen resources integration and business collaboration between Treasury Cloud and the group’s other supply chain finance technology businesses in areas such as product R&D, channel expansion and customer service. The company will accelerate the development of an integrated, intelligent and scalable Smart Industrial Finance Treasury platform, providing customers with one-stop digital solutions covering treasury management and industrial-finance collaboration.

Charles Song, founder, Chairman and CEO of Linklogis, said: “The year 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of Linklogis. As we stand at the threshold of a new decade, we will remain firmly committed to a core strategy of being technology-driven and globally connected, while steadfastly advancing our dual-engine approach of deepening domestic industrial finance and expanding global digital trade. We will seize opportunities amid transformation and strengthen our competitive advantages through innovation. In the domestic market, we will continue to advance the “AI-powered Industrial Finance” strategy. Anchored by the comprehensive upgrade of BeeLink AI Agent, we will accelerate AI’s evolution from scenario-based enablement to ecosystem-level collaboration. At the same time, leveraging our full-stack capabilities in Smart Industrial Finance Treasury solutions, we will continue to refine our integrated one-stop solutions, consolidate our market leadership, and ensure the steady growth of our core business. In international markets, we will accelerate the expansion of global cross-border digital trade networks through Unloq and roll out the SC+ Platform along key global trade corridors. We aim to become a key builder and connector in the ongoing digital and intelligent transformation of global trade finance. The future is already unfolding. Only the adaptable can prevail, and only the persistent can go the distance. With technology as our oar and industry as our vessel, Linklogis will continue to join forces with our partners, embarking together on the magnificent journey toward a digital and intelligent future for global industrial finance.”

Hashtag: #Linklogis

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

A new whare for whānau and residents has opened at Barnardos’ Christchurch care residence.

Te Poutama Ārahi Rangatahi offers therapeutic care for up to eight boys aged between 12 and 17 who are in state care.

But now residents and their families will have a place to meet, learn and heal outside of the facility’s chain link fence.

The whare – named Te Ao Mārama – opened on Tuesday.

Barnardos chief executive Matt Reid said having a place for the boys and their whānau outside the wire was important.

“Can you imagine being a 13-year-old boy going straight through the wire, through a couple of locked doors as your first experience. Rather they will go into this very safe space surrounded by identity and culture, they will be able to come out here to do their learning and healing,” Reid said.

“Importantly, too, it’s a space for their whānau, whether it’s mum or dad, uncle, aunty, grandad, grandma can come and stay.”

He said it provided an environment for the boys to receive what they really needed – aroha.

“Most of the young ones we’re working are carrying some trauma and because of that they have gone on to have some at-risk behaviours and what we’re about is … learning to manage that trauma,” Reid said.

“We are about aroha. Everyone deserves aroha and I think we should be judging ourselves on how we look after our most vulnerable, and some of these young people are our most vulnerable so let’s wrap that aroha around them.”

A focus for Te Poutama Ārahi Rangatahi is kotahitanga – or unity and collective action – and it took a real display of kotahitanga to get the whare built.

A team of 20 volunteers gave up two weeks of their time to come to Christchurch from across New Zealand and work 12 hour days.

Pete Walker, a firefighter and the leader of the volunteer team, said it was easy to find helpers.

“We took away far more than what we gave,” Walker said.

“It doesn’t make sense in today’s economy but if you haven’t ever volunteered, if you haven’t had a chance to give something back, give it a go and you’ll be amazed at the result of it all.”

Some of the boys from the residence worked on the build with the volunteers, he said.

“We wanted to have an open work space with as many opportunities as the young folk could be a part of it,” Walker said.

“They would often come across at lunch times and sit and talk and we would have a chance to interact and it gave us real motivation.”

The idea for Walker’s volunteer army to build the whare came about after a chance meeting in a coffee shop between him and Reid.

Barnardos had only had to raise about $350,000 to pay for what could have cost well over $700,000 due to the efforts of volunteers and donors.

The idea of a whare for the boys and their whānau was first floated by the late Matua Whare Tamanui.

Ben Huriwai, who works as a team leader in the residence, said the idea had been around since before he started working for Barnardos a decade ago.

“It’s hard to put into words,” he said, when asked what it meant to him.

“This is just a massive day for us as Barnardos, a massive day for the rangatahi we support, and for our communities as well. All the work throughout the years to get to where we are, all the ‘noes’, all the hurdles that were put in the way. Getting to this space and being able to be part of it is just massive.”

Resident manager Anaru Baynes said the whare was the product of true kotahitanga.

“This is a game changer for us,” he said.

“You can try and have whānau therapy … but unless there’s something specifically built for it, you’re probably going to find that a challenge. At the moment we have a care residence that was designed to keep people safe and contained, what we have now is a place rangatahi whānau can visit, they can stay and we can sure up those relationships and the harm that’s be done we can help process that with the young person and their whānau.”

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

One of New Zealand’s largest red meat companies is back in the black after a few years of financial losses.

But Silver Ferns Farms is also counting the costs of halting exports into its key Persian Gulf markets.

The firm with 14 meat processing plants across Aotearoa reported a profit after tax of $29.1 million for the 2025 financial year, up from a $21.8m loss the previous year, and a $24m loss in 2023.

The company has seven global outposts and attributed the nearly $51m turnaround to strong international red meat demand, tight cost controls and deferred investment into projects like factory automation.

Exports to Persian Gulf halted, for now

But its agility was being tested by war in the Persian Gulf, as for other primary sector exporters.

Twelve percent of Silver Fern Farm’s lamb and up to 5 percent of its beef went into Gulf states, that it entered via the embattled Strait of Hormuz, into key markets, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

When the conflict broke out in late February, it had 140 containers in-transit destined for the Middle East.

Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton said most containers were able to be moved through other ports, though some still awaited documentation requirements on-port, and it diverted some product to other markets entirely.

He said it paused production into the Middle East, until it had clarity.

“As soon as the conflict started and we knew we were having issues, we made that decision to halt all production until we had transparency around what our options are.

“We’ll slowly resume production once we get certainty around supply chains back into that sector.”

Boulton said it was working with its supply chain partners like Kotahi to keep product moving into the important region.

He said it was looking at creative solutions to ensure it could continue to supply product into the region, including considering air freight options and diverting via the Mediterranean Sea and down through the Suez Canal.

“So it’s obviously a longer transit time. But what’s important is that we continue to service our customers.

“But that will come at additional costs, which we’re working with our customers on.”

Securing livestock supply when margins are tight

Boulton said 2025 was a hard-fought year for the company dealing with low livestock volumes.

“Though we’ve delivered a great result, there’ve still been quite tight margins,” he said.

The company tightened its purse strings these past few years, and cost control measures saw it cut full-time roles and seasonal lay-offs across its sites.

Boulton said tighter supply and high procurement costs put pressure on its ability to run the plants efficiently, on investment opportunities and its processing margins.

“We’ve had to fix capacity on and off, shift structures and longer seasonal layoffs,” he said.

“That’s been tough, but that’s what we’ve had to do to reduce our operating costs, in the light of the livestock numbers.”

Meanwhile, farmers were earning top dollar from processors for their stock, but Boulton said he expected farmgate prices to come off their highs.

“We’ll see as market conditions change that there’ll be a little bit more of that retained within processing, so we can invest in the processing sector and invest in the market.

“I don’t see farmgate prices easing dramatically too much based on long-term demand, I just see a little bit of the top coming out as capacity rebalances with supply.”

The company gained new commercial partnerships, and revenue jumped $409m on 2024 to more than $3 billion this year.

Livestock numbers were down 6 percent in 2025, and through the first quarter of this year, the cull was down 18 percent for beef and 12 percent for lamb, he said.

Boulton expected many livestock were being deferred making for a busy quarter two ahead.

Meanwhile, the Silver Fern Farms Co-operative earned $14.2m in financial year 2025, up from a $10.9m loss the year before.

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

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has announced a new joint statement on keeping supply chains open with fellow Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership members Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Rwanda, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay. 

“As we face the risk of further serious disruption to global supply chains, this joint statement proposed by New Zealand outlines our mutual interest in ensuring that trade lines stay open, transparent and resilient,” Mr McClay says.

“We are already seeing the impact of the current conflict in the Middle East on global supply chains for oil, gas and fuel.

“New Zealand and these FIT partners have committed to working together to identify disruptions to the trade of essential goods and exchanging information on how we will approach and mitigate these.”

The Joint Statement also committed to working together with other trading partners to ensure air and seaports remain open to support trade to flow unimpeded.

New Zealand hosts the next FIT Partnership Ministerial Meeting in Auckland in July.

Note for editors:

The FIT Partnership was established in September 2025. It provides a strategic platform for small and medium-sized economies to work together to shape the future of global trade and investment.

The FIT Partnership brings together Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Rwanda, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.

The joint statement is available here: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/media-and-resources/joint-statement-on-maintaining-open-and-resilient-supply-chains

The joint press release is available here: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/media-and-resources/fit-partnership-members-issue-joint-statement-on-maintaining-open-and-resilient-supply-chains 
 

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MIL OSI

Self-employment is not proving a path to higher incomes for many New Zealanders, new data from Inland Revenue shows.

Many self-employed people were earning less than the median wage, and more than half of those for whom it was their main income stream were not even earning the minimum.

The data supplied to RNZ shows the median income among people who report wages or salaried income in the 2024 tax year was $62,115.

Self-employed people whose self-employed income was more than 50 percent of their taxable income had a median income of less than $45,000.

People reporting business income, and self-employment as a lesser part of their income, had median incomes in line with wage and salary earners.

More business income-earners were at the top end of the income scale.

Inland Revenue said 70 percent of people who reported self-employment income as more than 50 percent of their taxable income were earning less than the median income of all workers, compared to 58 percent of those earning wages and salaries and 55 percent of those with business income making up the majority of their earnings.

In addition, 53 percent of those who were primarily self-employed were earning less than the median wage.

Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said it could reflect the progression of a new business.

“When a person starts out, some will form companies, but many will just work for themselves – and then as their workload increases, they start to take on other people and/or progress to a different trading model, meaning that they shift into the business income categories instead.”

At the University of Otago, economist Dr Murat Ungor said there was a clear skew in the data.

“The lower-income pattern emerges specifically when you narrow the focus to the unincorporated self-employed.

“Their overall median is $50,446, and among those for whom self-employment makes up more than half of total income, it falls further to $44,721; below even the all-individuals median of $45,232.

“By contrast, those who combine self-employment with wages report a much healthier $54,875. The skew, in other words, is concentrated among people whose primary source of income is self-employed income/sole-trader activity.

“Roughly seven in ten people who depend mainly on self-employment report taxable incomes below the national median wage, compared with fewer than six in ten wage earners. One might interpret this as a meaningful gap.”

He said there could be an element of how income was reported affecting the data.

“A salaried employee earning $70,000 typically reports close to that full amount as taxable income, whereas a sole trader invoicing $100,000 or more may deduct vehicle expenses, home office costs, depreciation, subcontractor payments, and prior losses before arriving at a taxable figure, which might land in the $40,000 to $60,000 range despite strong underlying turnover.

“The remainder of the gap reflects genuine earnings volatility. Seasonal work, contract gaps, business start-up losses, and part-year trading all make annual taxable income look weaker for sole traders than for wage earners with stable PAYE salaries.”

He said tough economic conditions recently probably amplified patterns that were already present.

“The lower-income skew among primarily self-employed individuals seems to be a persistent structural feature of how sole-trader income is measured and reported. That said, difficult economic conditions would make it more pronounced, increasing the share of people in the early-loss or low-revenue phase at any given time.”

He said some of the people reporting income of less than $20,000 a year, for example, could be early in their business life.

“Interest rates were high throughout this period as the Reserve Bank sought to reduce inflation by constraining demand, and economic growth was low or even negative in each quarter.

“Someone launching a business in that environment would plausibly show low or nil taxable income in their first filing, not because the business model is flawed, but simply because the conditions were tough and start-up costs absorbed early revenue.

“In general, in many countries, when employment markets tighten, some people move into self-employment not entirely by choice. This kind of reluctant or necessity-driven self-employment tends to produce lower and more volatile incomes than planned entrepreneurship. It seems reasonable that this pattern could also apply to New Zealand during a difficult economic cycle.”

Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub said there could be a lot of variation in people’s experience of self-employment.

“There some industries like arts, recreation, where you have to be a self-employed person to be able to do your job, right? If you think about, you know, if you’re a personal trainer, for example.

“And the issue with that data is that we just don’t have any idea what it is that they do, whether it requires a lot of capital outlay, if it doesn’t, how long they work, that kind of stuff.”

He said any costs that were being claimed to reduce income would be business costs reducing what people earned.

“It’s interesting that those people who tend to own businesses tend to have incomes that are a bit more top-heavy versus those who tend to be self-employed and wage earners are somewhere in the middle.”

Hnry chief executive James Fuller said income was not always the primary reason for pursuing self-employment, and when combined with those who earned business income, self-employed people were on average earning more than those working for other people.

“While the varied nature of self-employment, encompassing a wide range of sectors and job types including, but not limited to, midwives, personal trainers, doctors, tradies, travel and tourism, gig workers, contractors, and side hustlers, makes it challenging to definitively provide the average earnings of a self-employed person; the data from Stats NZ relating to the income of those who are self-employed and do not have employees is the most representative and reliable measure of earnings across various sectors.

“Findings in the independent Sole Trader Pulse show that many sole traders consider factors beyond earnings in their decision to be self-employed, the October 2025 STP revealed that 46 percent said they had chosen to be self-employed to avoid being employed by someone else altogether and data from June 2025 showed that 76 percent valued the flexibility to choose the way they worked, as a result of being a sole trader.”

He said a desire for more flexibility, control and work-life balance were often drivers in the decision to pursue self-employment.

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

There has been an increase in total petrol and diesel stocks, while jet fuel levels remain normal, according to the latest fuel stocks update.

Data released on Monday afternoon by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment showed that as of 11:59pm on Wednesday evening, there were 59.3 days’ cover of petrol, 54.5 days’ cover of diesel, and 50.4 days’ cover of jet fuel.

The data combines the stocks that are in-country, on the water within New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone (meaning ships with fuel unloading, ships at berth yet to unload, and ships moving between ports), or on the water outside the EEZ (up to three weeks away).

There were 29.9 days’ of petrol, 21.7 days’ diesel, and 25.3 days’ jet fuel in-country.

There were five ships on the water within New Zealand’s EEZ, containing 12.5 days’ petrol, 6.1 days’ diesel, and 2.0 days’ jet fuel.

A further 10 trips were on the water outside the EEZ, carrying 18.9 days’ petrol, 26.7 days’ diesel, and 23.1 days’ jet fuel.

Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Morning Report it was “business as usual” for now, and as long as phases one and two of the national fuel plan were effective, people would not have to worry about phases three and four.

“At this point in time we’ve had no indication that our fuel importers who we talk to daily, multiple times a day, have had any cancellation of their forward orders,” Luxon said.

On Friday, the government set out its fuel plan, including the criteria it would consider to make an assessment on whether there needed to be a change in phases.

The criteria included:

• Export restrictions – if any of New Zealand’s source refineries introduce or relax export restrictions
• Changes to New Zealand’s fuel stock levels of plus or minus three days since the most recent published update
• A fuel company informs the government that they are unlikely or unable to fill future orders
• A breach, or a notification of an imminent breach, of the minimum storage obligations
• Any significant policy changes in Australia or from the International Energy Agency
• A significant disruption to regional distribution

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

Black market cigarettes are being brazenly sold at heavily discounted prices in Auckland, undermining one of the biggest barriers to smoking – the cost.

The illicit packets of cigarettes and bags of loose tobacco have none of the scary health warnings and carry no information about quitting.

They are typically sold at prices that fail to include the hefty excise tax on tobacco, which Customs says amounts to $30.13 on a packet of 20 cigarettes.

Customs says organised crime is involved, and dairy owners warn it’s only getting worse.

Customs excise duties are taxes added to tobacco and other potentially harmful products.

However, the price of tobacco products being sold on the black market is typically less than half the excise duty that must be paid.

Importing cigarettes without paying the excise duty is illegal, and offenders can be charged with defrauding customs revenue.

It’s also illegal for retailers to sell illicit cigarettes, with offenders facing a six-month prison sentence, a $20,000 fine or both.

Given the stiff penalties business owners face for selling such products, it’s somewhat surprising to find them being sold over a shop counter in suburban Auckland.

Nestled between a hardware shop and a massage parlour, the store in an East Auckland shopping centre looks like any other.

Inside a glass-topped front counter are packets of cigarettes for sale.

The prices of the cigarettes are written on the packets in black marker, ranging from $13 to $15 – less than a third of the usual price.

The East Auckland store is one of a number of outlets in the country’s largest city that RNZ believes is offering illicit tobacco products for sale.

Not only do the products avoid excise tax the government could use in the health system to treat conditions related to smoking, but they also hurt the profit margins of small business owners offering legitimate tobacco products.

Tara Singh Bains, owner of several retail stores in the Auckland suburb of Manurewa, said it was hard for small business owners not to be tempted by the price differences.

“Every pack of 20 cigarettes we sell is priced between $36 to $40, with margins of just $3 or $4,” Bains said.

“Whereas a pack of illegal cigarettes – mainly smuggled from China, including the most popular brand Double Happiness – is sold at $13 to $15. Here the margins can be anything between $8 and $10 per pack,” he said.

“This solid profit, along with the involvement of organised crime groups, is the main reason contraband cigarettes are being brazenly sold across Auckland,” he said.

“People like us who … are doing the right thing are approached regularly by people distributing illicit cigarettes and encouraged to join multiple outlets engaged in this illegal activity.”

Daljeet Singh Sidhu, a retailer based in Papakura, claimed the black market for tobacco products in Auckland was an open secret.

“The surprising thing is everyone in the business community knows who is engaged in selling illegal cigarettes, [but] no action is taken against them,” Sidhu said.

“This lukewarm attitude of authorities is ensuring compliant retailers are weakened, while rogue retailers expand and organised crime gains a stable cash engine.”

Sidhu claimed legitimate businesses had experienced a drop in revenue of more than 75 percent for tobacco sales over the past six months or so.

Himanshu Parmar, vice chairperson of Dairy & Business Owners Group that represents more than 5000 entities nationwide, said members had increasingly complained of how readily available black-market cigarettes had become.

“A number of dairy owners in particular have reported significant hardship because they have chosen not to participate in what has become a very prevalent illegal tobacco sales network,” Parmar said.

“Importantly, this also affects other impulse purchases that typically accompany tobacco sales, such as confectionery, drinks and other small retail items,” he said, noting that the combined sales were a critical part of a store’s daily revenue.

“Successive governments have placed significant emphasis on plain packaging and health warnings to highlight the risks associated with smoking,” he said.

“Illegal cigarettes typically bypass these regulations and do not carry the required warnings about the dangers of tobacco use.

Parmar said adulterated tobacco products were particularly worrying.

“Because these products are part of an illegal supply chain, there are serious concerns about the quality and contents of the tobacco itself,” he said.

“Consumers simply do not know what additional chemicals or harmful substances may be present.”

In 2011, Canada’s national police force warned that adulterated cigarettes could contain significantly more cadmium, lead, tar and carbon monoxide than standard cigarettes.

The issue doesn’t appear to be confined to Auckland.

Jay Patel, owner of a dairy in Hamilton, said his cigarette sales had plummeted in recent months.

“Everyone is selling – why are you not selling?” Patel said, repeating a question he often gets from his customers.

“As a result, my cigarette sales have dropped by almost 80 percent in the past three or four months.”

Patel called for harsher penalties to be introduced, with undercover operations increased to catch those selling illicit cigarettes red-handed.

“The fine for selling illegal cigarettes should be something to the tune of $10,000 or more,” he said.

“The current fines, which these retailers engaging in illicit tobacco trade earn in a day, is nothing more than a slap on the wrist.”

Several retailers in Auckland – who all spoke on condition of anonymity – said they had made multiple complaints about illicit tobacco products to authorities, as well as to their local boards and Takanini MP Rima Nakhle.

RNZ has approached police, Health New Zealand and Ministry of Health for comment on the issue, but they all deferred questions to Customs.

Customs acknowledged that tobacco smuggling had become more organised, large scale and sophisticated.

This came amid warnings New Zealand’s illegal tobacco market would become as bad as Australia’s.

Robert Beaglehole, chair of anti-smoking group ASH, said while it was in smokers’ interests to buy cheaper smokes, it carried risk.

“The danger of that, of course, is that the illegal trade grows and, as we’ve seen in Australia, gets totally out of control,” Beaglehole said.

Beaglehole said an illegal tobacco market could lead to a decline in tax revenue used to fund the very health system that smokers might one day be forced to rely on.

Nigel Barnes, chief customs officer for fraud and prohibition, said seizures figures had been trending upwards for the past decade.

In 2025, Customs seized 11.1 million illicit cigarettes and cigars.

Just 9.2 million illicit cigarettes and cigars were seized in 2024, 8.48 million in 2023 and 4.8 million in 2022.

Seizures of illicit cigarettes and cigars in 2017 amounted to just over 3 million.

Barnes said the illegal tobacco industry was part of the organised crime ecosystem.

“These aren’t opportunists, they’re organised criminal groups by definition,” Barnes said. “It will typically involve multiple people, and there is a lot of money involved.”

Barnes highlighted the price differential between legitimate and illicit tobacco products.

“If they had paid the excise, they’d be selling you that at a massive loss, which is highly unlikely, so that’s a strong indicator that [it’s] illicit tobacco.”

Nakhle said she was concerned by the reports of an increase in illicit cigarette sales in South Auckland.

“This is both a crime issue and a health issue, and it is something that communities in Takanini and across South Auckland are right to be concerned about,” she said.

“People selling cheap, illegal cigarettes are not doing our communities any favours. These actions make smoking more accessible, particularly in lower-income areas, and that cuts across the work that has been done by our government to help people quit.”

Nakhle pledged to continue raising the issue with police and her parliamentary colleagues.

Manurewa Local Board member Marshal Ahluwalia said numerous dairy and small business owners in his area had raised concerns about how the illicit tobacco products were harming their businesses and creating unfair competition for those who followed the law.

“Illegal cigarettes are cheaper, which encourage people to smoke more,” Ahluwalia said.

“Authorities need to take stronger enforcement action,” he said. “At the same time, agencies … should actively confiscate these products and ensure they are removed from the market.”

Meanwhile, retailers pointed to the emergence of “pop-up dairies” that act as fronts for illicit tobacco sales in their complaints to authorities.

Parmar claimed such shops typically displayed basic grocery items worth a total of $1000, with the real focus being the sale of illicit tobacco products to locals.

“I am aware of a small town in South Waikato that now has one of these so-called pop-up dairies,” Parmar said.

“Local retailers have raised concerns with police, but no action has been taken. They were instead advised to contact the health department, which unfortunately has led nowhere so far.”

Customs warned retailers to refrain from selling illicit tobacco products.

“Engaging in the illicit tobacco market … potentially exposes [them] to other organised crime risk types, so it’s to be avoided,” Barnes said.

Parmar urged retailers selling illicit cigarettes to think about the harm they were causing.

“Our advice to anyone involved in selling illegal tobacco is simple: stop immediately,” he said. “It is not worth risking prosecution that could ultimately prevent you from operating a business at all.”

Ahluwalia called on business owners to think about the impact on the wider community.

“No profit is more important than the health and wellbeing of our communities,” he said. “So please just stop.”

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

The Prime Minister says there will be “some form of disruption to fuel at some point in time”, but for now it’s “business as usual”.

Speaking to Morning Report on the unfolding fuel crisis, Christopher Luxon said as long as phases one and two of the national fuel plan are effective, people won’t have to worry about phases three and four.

“At this point in time we’ve had no indication that our fuel importers who we talk to daily, multiple times a day, have had any cancellation of their forward orders.

“Keep working, keep the kids in school, doing all that stuff. Please don’t think ‘it’s Covid 2.0, I’m making sourdough at home again’.”

Luxon said he had received assurances from Korean President Lee Jae Myung that New Zealand will receive all of the fuel it ordered last year.

“All of the refineries in the different countries which we source our oil from are hussling in the world looking for alternatives. Some are getting some success, some are not.”

The government’s utmost priority was ensuring that the country had fuel – even if that meant fuel suppliers paying additional Iranian tolls, he said.

“We are as well prepared as any country that I’ve talked to, but … we’re thinking about days ahead.”

Luxon said he was leaving it to fuel importers and distributors to organise how to allocate fuel.

“There needs to be a reworking of the allocations which is what the importers and the distributors need to work out this week, and it’s up to them to do so.”

‘A price shock crisis’

Rural fuel distributor Fern Energy says with allocation rules as they are, it is needing to prioritise some of its fuel deliveries based on need.

The most up-to-date figures showed that there was 18.1 days of diesel in the country, with a further 28.3 days worth on ships bound for New Zealand, but an update is due to be released Monday.

Fern Energy chief executive Chris Gourley told Morning Report people were trying to beat the price by filling up early, and in some cases by hoarding, which was creating demand spikes in certain regions that could not be met because of new allocation rules.

“Importers have said to us that in some ports, they are managing that fuel to make sure it lasts until that next boat comes in, and they’re giving us strict … seven-day allocations.”

He emphasised it was not a problem of supply, but increased demand.

These allocation rules meant that sometimes there was not enough fuel where it was needed, and distributors were forced to bring it in from other regions, which slowed it down, he said.

They were also prioritising deliveries based on need, which was especially important at this critical part of the farming season, Gourley said.

“They are harvesting, they are working through that final stages as they work towards winter … so we are trying to prioritise based on that need, and trying to get to those customers before it becomes dire and they lose their crops.”

Federated Farmers spokesperson David Birkett previously told RNZ up to 95 percent of farming machinery used the fuel.

The hops season had just finished, so recently they had been prioritising that industry, Gourley said.

It was also the middle of the grape harvest season, and there was a huge amount of food in the ground that needed to come out, he added.

The forestry industry was also struggling, but that was more about cost and less about fuel demand, he said.

“Some of them are actually saying ‘do you know what? We’re going to just pull up and stop working until this settles down’.”

It would be “useful” for the government to start telling certain ports how to allocate their fuel, he said.

“(In) three or four weeks when the supply issue settles, it could be too late for some farmers … There could be some need immediately, if it’s possible, to improve allocations for distributors like Fern, so we can get on and get fuel to farmers quicker.”

He was confident that there would not be any issues around supply to the country, but reiterated that allocation was a concern

“Supply isn’t going to be an issue for New Zealand. Sustained high prices is what we’ve got to focus on next.

“The crisis is a price shock crisis.”

‘Financial pressure’

Meanwhile, companion driver service Driving Miss Daisy had so far chosen to absorb the rising cost of fuel.

This was because a large number of its customers were elderly or disabled – people on generally on fixed incomes, it said.

General manager Andrew Kirkpatrick told Morning Report over the last four to five weeks, their fuel expenditure was up 30 to 35 percent.

It was getting “harder and harder” to afford this additional cost, he said.

“Transferring our pain to our clients is something we want to avoid if we can.”

It would be helpful for the government to provide financial assistance to those people on fixed incomes, who might not be able to afford their service if they had to increase prices, Kirkpatrick said.

“For many of our clients we are an essential service, not a luxury. And for those clients, they don’t necessarily have practical alternatives.

“For them to be able to continue to remain engaged in the community, to get to their medical appointments, to do their shopping or their rehabilitation, whatever it might be. If they are asked to pay that additional costs it will put financial pressure on them.”

The company hoped it would be an essential service as it was during the pandemic, so that if the country is forced to allocate fuel or subsidies are needed, its clients won’t be disadvantaged.

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

A rural fuel distributor says strict allocation rules at certain ports mean it is needing to prioritise distribution to those who need it most.

The most up-to-date figures showed that there was 18.1 days of diesel in the country, with a further 28.3 days worth on ships bound for New Zealand, but an update is due to be released Monday.

Fern Energy chief executive Chris Gourley told Morning Report people were trying to beat the price by filling up early, and in some cases by hoarding, which was creating demand spikes in certain regions that could not be met because of new allocation rules.

“Importers have said to us that in some ports, they are managing that fuel to make sure it lasts until that next boat comes in, and they’re giving us strict … seven-day allocations.”

He emphasised it was not a problem of supply, but increased demand.

These allocation rules meant that sometimes there was not enough fuel where it was needed, and distributors were forced to bring it in from other regions, which slowed it down, he said.

They were also prioritising deliveries based on need, which was especially important at this critical part of the farming season, Gourley said.

“They are harvesting, they are working through that final stages as they work towards winter … so we are trying to prioritise based on that need, and trying to get to those customers before it becomes dire and they lose their crops.”

Federated Farmers spokesperson David Birkett previously told RNZ up to 95 percent of farming machinery used the fuel.

The hops season had just finished, so recently they had been prioritising that industry, Gourley said.

It was also the middle of the grape harvest season, and there was a huge amount of food in the ground that needed to come out, he added.

The forestry industry was also struggling, but that was more about cost and less about fuel demand, he said.

“Some of them are actually saying ‘do you know what? We’re going to just pull up and stop working until this settles down’.”

It would be “useful” for the government to start telling certain ports how to allocate their fuel, he said.

“(In) three or four weeks when the supply issue settles, it could be too late for some farmers … There could be some need immediately, if it’s possible, to improve allocations for distributors like Fern, so we can get on and get fuel to farmers quicker.”

He was confident that there would not be any issues around supply to the country, but reiterated that allocation was a concern

“Supply isn’t going to be an issue for New Zealand. Sustained high prices is what we’ve got to focus on next.

“The crisis is a price shock crisis.”

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

Regulatory feedback is being called for as the government looks to tackle global fuel uncertainty.

The government laid out its response plan to the rising fuel costs triggered by the conflict in the Middle East following the US-Israel attacks on Iran one month ago.

The National Fuel Plan mimics the Covid response in that it has four phases, each outlining measures that would be taken if the situation gets progressively worse.

New Zealand is currently at phase one and the government has said for now there is sufficient supply and no need for stockpiling.

The Ministry for Regulation is now urging businesses, fuel users, freight operators, and the wider public to report any barriers that could stand in the way of the government’s response.

The ministry’s main job is to ensure quality across regulatory systems and encouraging productivity.

Regulation Minister David Seymour said the ministry was interested in hearing from businesses on the front line including fuel companies, freight operators, contractors, primary producers and retailers.

“We can’t control what happens in the Middle East. We can control how we get fuel flowing through New Zealand pumps. If red tape is getting in the way of that goal, we want to hear it.”

Seymour said the government was trying to avoid a “repeat of the Covid-19 lockdowns”.

“We don’t want to miss something which could lead to negative effects down the line.

“That’s why we want to hear from people affected by edicts from Wellington; what regulatory barriers do you see getting in the way of fuel supply?”

Examples of submissions that could be made included barriers affecting fuel transport, storage, distribution, local delivery, freight movements, business operations, or the ability of firms to adapt quickly to changing supply conditions.

“In a disruption every unnecessary delay matters. If there are regulations that make it harder to import, store, distribute, or use fuel efficiently, they need to be identified now. Not when the pressure is at its peak,” Seymour said.

Submissions can be made to the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline.

The price of 91 and diesel fuel in most parts of the country was well past $3 per litre with some stations running dry especially on discount days.

Motor Trade Association spokesperson Simon Bradwell recently said there were concerns over the increasing possibility of people driving off without paying for fuel.

He said businesses were doing what they can to keep prices down as it was also in their best interest.

The government also announced earlier this week almost 150,000 families with children will receive an extra $50 a week to help with the rising cost of fuel.

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

2 days ago

A Wairoa teenager who completed two carpentry courses at EIT has landed his first job in the trade just months after finishing his studies.

Toby Colquhoun (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) completed the NZ Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades Skills at Level 2 and Level 3 in Wairoa last year.

He says the programme gave him the foundation he needed to step into the industry.

“I wanted to get into carpentry, so it was good to have some courses under my belt to go forward in my career.”

He is now working for PGC Constructors and is currently completing a job on a subdivision.

Toby finished high school at Wairoa College in 2024, before starting study at EIT last year. He was drawn to EIT’s Wairoa-based programme because it meant he could study close to home.

“It was good to just travel 10 minutes to where my course was.”

Now 19, Toby says one of the highlights of the course was the hands-on learning environment.

“It was quite hands-on and fun. We got to use a range of tools like nail guns, drills and saws, which is helping me in my job now.”

He said having access to experienced tutors was key to building his confidence with more advanced equipment.

“Some of the tools you need proper guidance for, so having a good tutor made a big difference.”

Now just a month into his role, Toby says he is enjoying the work and gaining valuable on-site experience.

Looking ahead, he hopes to complete a carpentry apprenticeship and eventually start his own business.

“I really want to finish a carpentry apprenticeship and start my own business in carpentry, or maybe concrete.”

For others considering a similar path, Toby’s advice is straightforward.

“If you have no experience and you want to get into carpentry or a trade, I think it would be a good thing to take a fresh step into one of EIT’s courses.”

Todd Rogers, Head of School Trades and Technology, says it is great to see their graduates pathway into employment.

“The carpentry programmes delivered in Wairoa are an excellent connection point for EIT and our regional communities.”

MIL OSI