Ascott powers up loyalty programme, Ascott Star Rewards, with enhanced member features to treble membership by 2028

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Source: Media Outreach Refreshes user interface and boosts personalisation on ASR mobile app to enhance ease of use Expands booking capabilities of GenAI-powered chatbot on discoversasr.com to make online direct bookings more seamless Develops predictive AI travel recommendation engine for ASR members to simplify travel planning process Elevates perks for ASR members to gain exclusive … Read more

Record-breaking Global Participation: Final Call to Join the TERA-Award by 9 April

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Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2025 – The 4th TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition, organised by The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) and empowered by Full Vision Capital, already attracted participation from a record-breaking 62 countries and regions, surpassing the 59 countries and regions … Read more

Man arrested following incident in Epuni, Lower Hutt

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attributable to Wellington District Commander, Superintendent Corrie Parnell One person has been taken into custody following an earlier incident in Epuni, Lower Hutt. At about 5:25pm, Police were called to Trinity Ave after receiving a report of suspicious behaviour. A responding Police unit observed a vehicle of interest leaving … Read more

JINGDONG Logistics Expands Middle East Presence with 5 Warehouses, Offering Premium Services Across MENA Markets

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Source: Media Outreach RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2025 – Recently, at JINGDONG Logistics’ warehouse in Riyadh, goods were being efficiently processed, destined not only for Middle East countries but also for parts of North Africa. Currently, JINGDONG Logistics operates five warehouses in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia Warehouse … Read more

Update: Police investigating Roseneath deaths

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attribute to Detective Inspector Haley Ryan: The bodies of two people who were located deceased in a residential address in Roseneath overnight have been removed from the property. Two post-mortem examinations are expected to take place tomorrow. The Roseneath community can expect to see a continued Police presence in … Read more

VT Markets Releases Q2 Report On U.S. Dollar Dominance Shift as Central Bank Diverge

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Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2025 – Leading global financial services provider VT Markets today releases its Q2 report, highlighting the season’s key market developments and potential implications for the currency markets. The Federal Reserve Remains CautiousDriven by divergent monetary policies between the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) … Read more

Prudential partners Thomson Medical Centre to offer more healthcare options and convenience for customers

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Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2025 – Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”) and Thomson Medical Centre (TMC) have signed a partnership agreement to enhance the healthcare experience for customers. With effect from 1 April 2025, Prudential Singapore’s Integrated Shield Plan (IP) customers will have access to more specialist doctors from TMC. … Read more

Oxford Terrace, Epuni closed

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Oxford Terrace, Epuni is closed near Brees Street while Police respond to an incident. The road is expected to be closed for some time. Members of the public are advised to avoid the area. There is no ongoing threat to public safety. ENDS Issued by Police Media Centre MIL … Read more

Plain Language Act Repeal Bill passes first reading

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Source: New Zealand Government Legislation to repeal the Plain Language Act, which is a waste of time and money, has passed its first reading in Parliament today, Public Service Minister Judith Collins says. “The Act, implemented by the previous government, compelled public service agencies to appoint designated ‘plain language officers’ and implement specific activities,” Ms … Read more

Government seeks to simplify Fringe Benefit Tax rules

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Source: New Zealand Government Inland Revenue is launching public consultation on proposals to make the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) rules easier and to reduce compliance costs for taxpayers, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. FBT is a tax payable when the following benefits are supplied to employees or shareholder-employees: low interest/interest-free loans free, subsidised, or discounted goods … Read more

SonicWall’s Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Solutions Driving Success Tackling 2025’s Biggest Cybersecurity Challenges

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Source: Media Outreach One Year After Acquiring Banyan Security, SonicWall’s Cloud Secure Edge/ZTNA Remote Access Solutions See Remarkable Growth SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2025 – SonicWall today marks a significant milestone in its journey redefining advanced cyber security protection with its Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution known as Cloud Secure … Read more

Name release: Fatal plane crash, Lake Hawea

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police can now release the name of the man who died following a plane crash near Lake Hawea on 29 March. He was Ivan Peter Van de Water, 65, of Wanaka. Police extend their condolences to his family at this difficult time. His death has been referred to the … Read more

Te Pāti Māori MPs Denied Fundamental Rights in Privileges Committee Hearing

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Source: Te Pati Maori The Privileges Committee has denied fundamental rights to Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, breaching their own standing orders, breaching principles of natural justice, and highlighting systemic prejudice and discrimination within our parliamentary processes. The three MPs were summoned to the privileges committee following their performance of a haka during … Read more

Pou Hihiri sculpture inspires hope in Muriwai

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Source: Auckland Council Hundreds of residents and visitors gathered in Muriwai on Sunday 23 March for the official unveiling and naming ceremony of Pou Hihiri – a new sculpture commemorating the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. Designed by renowned artist Jeff Thomson in collaboration with the Muriwai community, the sculpture consists of eight columns and benches … Read more

Making sense of turbulent times

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Source: Plant and Food New Zealand – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Making sense of turbulent times What else will 2025 bring? Collab crosses to DC to speak with Raj Kumar, founding President & Editor-in-Chief of Devex, the media platform for the global development community. Raj breaks down the current turbulent times and identifies trends to watch … Read more

Conciliations

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Source: Privacy Commissioner 1 Apr 2024, 14:20 We try to facilitate a resolution to individual privacy complaints wherever that is possible and appropriate in the circumstances of the case. There are a number of mechanisms in the Privacy Act that allow us to do this: Section 77 of the Privacy Act says that at any … Read more

Supporting better rehabilitation rates for injured Kiwis

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Source: New Zealand Government Updates to ACC’s Accredited Employers Programme taking effect today are designed to improve workplace injury rehabilitation for around one-fifth of New Zealand’s workforce and support our economic growth, says ACC Minister Scott Simpson.“ACC’s fundamental purpose is to prevent injuries and get injured Kiwis back to independence as soon as possible. But … Read more

Northland water security receives $41m boost

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Source: New Zealand Government Water projects in Northland will receive up to $41.5 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to significantly increase the region’s water security and unlock economic growth, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “These water projects together will significantly improve water storage and security in the Mid Far North and enable economic … Read more

BFSI Security Summit 2025 to Address Rising Cybersecurity Threats in Africa’s Financial Sector

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Source: Media Outreach JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2025 – The BFSI Security Summit 2025 is set to take place on May 7, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Gautrain, Sandton, Johannesburg, bringing together leading cybersecurity experts, IT decision-makers, and industry pioneers to tackle the growing cyber risks facing Africa’s banking, … Read more

Elective boost delivers more than 2,000 procedures

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Source: New Zealand Government Partnering with the private health sector is delivering better access and shorter wait times for elective treatment, Health Minister Simeon Brown.  “Ensuring Kiwis have access to timely, quality healthcare is a priority for the Government. “Last month, I announced that Health New Zealand will be delivering an increase in elective procedures … Read more

Climate News – ‘La Niña weakens with chance of more rain in New Zealand’s north and east’ NIWA Seasonal Climate Outlook April – June 2025 – NIWA

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Source: NIWA With La Niña weakening, higher pressure southeast of New Zealand will bring mostly north-easterly winds, with occasional bouts of south-westerlies, according to the latest NIWA Seasonal Climate Outlook for April to June 2025. The outlook notes that areas with low soil moisture and river flows need consistent rainfall to reverse the effects of dryness … Read more

Draft English curriculum lacks connection with reality

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Source: Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) “Its focus on cursive writing at Year 8, for example, shows a complete lack of understanding of the challenges of secondary teaching and the extent to which teachers have to work to engage and motivate students and manage an ever-increasing range of abilities and behaviours. “Similarly, making Shakespeare and … Read more

Moves to rein in public sector bloat welcomed

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Source: ACT Party Welcoming an overhaul of the Public Service Act 2020, ACT Public Service spokesperson Todd Stephenson says: “Too many government agencies are trying to do too many things. Bureaucratic mission creep sees taxpayer money wasted on nice-to-haves, duplicated across different departments. Basic services are neglected even while headcounts balloon. “Now, we’re getting the public … Read more

Using sports passion for good

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Source: Plant and Food New Zealand – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Using sports passion for good How to take public passion for something and focus it on a pressing issue? Collab chats with John Wroe, co-founder and CEO of Street Child United, which amongst other things runs an international tournament uniting teams of street children to … Read more

Science – Flooding from underneath: New tool reveals shallow groundwater elevations – NIWA

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Source: NIWA A new online tool that identifies areas at risk from groundwater flooding has been developed by New Zealand scientists. Groundwater flooding occurs when the water table rises close to the surface, causing issues even before the water visibly floods the ground. The Shallow Groundwater Screening Tool, which identifies areas at threat from water table … Read more

BusinessNZ – Thrill seekers welcome: Health and safety reform unlocks the outdoors

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Source: BusinessNZ Further changes to health and safety laws should see more Kiwis exploring their own backyard and unlock further economic gains in the great outdoors. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says clearer expectations around health and safety responsibilities for landowners will make agreeing to recreational activity simpler. “Landowners have been overly cautious when it comes … Read more