International treaty examination of the NZ – UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments

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Source: New Zealand ParliamentThe Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee is calling for submissions on its international treaty examination of the New Zealand – United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on the Promotion and Protection of Investments.MIL OSI … Read more

Govt Cuts – Workers sound alarm as Govt cuts impact services Kiwis rely on – PSA Survey

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Source: PSA The Government’s austerity measures are taking a toll on public servants’ wellbeing and their ability to deliver effective public services, a new PSA survey has found. More than 4,000 workers in public services, health, the state sector, local government, and community services responded to the survey. Key findings: – Over half of respondents have … Read more

Housing Market – Housing market close to a trough – CoreLogic

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Source: CoreLogic Property values in Aotearoa New Zealand edged -0.1% lower in January, marking the fifth month in a row with limited movement. The CoreLogic Home Value Index (HVI) shows that after a cumulative decline of -4.1% over the six months from March to August, there has only been a further combined fall of -0.4% … Read more

Miners celebrate support for economic growth – Straterra

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Source: Straterra Inc Miners are celebrating the Government’s support for growing mining’s contribution to the economy with the release of a minerals strategy and critical minerals list today, says Straterra chief executive Josie Vidal. “The Government is listening, so this is a good day – not just for miners, but also all the businesses that make … Read more

Tax policy proposal would boost NZ racing

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Source: New Zealand Government Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive.  “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry put … Read more

Fire Safety – Fire restrictions eased in parts of Mid-South Canterbury

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand has revoked the restrictions on lighting outdoor fires in the lower-lying areas of Mid-South Canterbury from 8am on Friday 31 January. Mid-South Canterbury District Manager Rob Hands says that as fire danger has eased in these areas after recent rainfall, they are now back in … Read more

First Responders – Tiwai Peninsula vegetation fire update #2

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews are back on Tiwai Peninsula in Invercargill today, where the large vegetation fire has not grown further overnight. The fire grew to 1,200 hectares yesterday in hot, windy conditions but was contained by the end of the day. Incident Controller Hamish Angus says there … Read more

Latest climate target as useful as a screen door on a submarine – Greenpeace

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Source: Greenpeace Greenpeace has slammed the Luxon Government for failing to protect future generations after releasing New Zealand’s latest climate target of a 1-5% additional reduction in emissions by 2035, saying it’s “about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.” Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson says, “This target is an absolute joke, yet the climate … Read more

Buzzing from the world stage to Auckland’s elections

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Source: Auckland Council The dynamic new digital platform Buzzly, created to engage youth in civics and developed by Auckland Council just four months ago, has won at the World Summit Awards 2024 for Digital Innovation with Social Impact. Buzzly was recognised as one of the best digital impact solutions in the Government & Citizen Engagement … Read more

Signs of hope as Whangamarino Wetlands bounces back from fire

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Source: Department of Conservation Date:  31 January 2025 The good news comes just ahead of World Wetlands Day, which celebrates and raises awareness of the significant role wetlands play for the planet and people. This year’s theme is protecting wetlands for our common future. Aotearoa has seven Ramsar-listed wetlands, recognised as internationally significant sites, including Whangamarino … Read more

Where’s the “culture of yes” on climate ambition?

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Source: Green Party The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. “This new NDC is the closest thing the Government could do to breaking the Paris Agreement and walking away from our … Read more

Business confidence signals progress

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Source: New Zealand Government Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 in … Read more

IMAX Rockets to Best Chinese New Year Opening with $12 Million

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Source: Media Outreach SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 January 2025 – IMAX China set a record Chinese New Year opening day with a whopping $12 million in box office revenue, eclipsing the previous record set in 2021. Additionally, with 1.2 million admissions nationwide, IMAX achieved its highest day-one attendance in history, paving … Read more

Taranaki Maunga Granted Legal Personhood

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Source: Te Pati Maori Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. “Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. Its … Read more

Government signs NZ up to a decade’s more pine planting – Federated Farmers

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Source: Federated Farmers The Government’s announcement today of a 2035 climate target of a 51-55% emissions reduction has signed New Zealand up for a decade more of planting pine on productive land, Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams says.  “In the past, New Zealand has signed up to Paris Agreement targets that are achievable … Read more

Setting New Zealand’s second international climate target

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Source: New Zealand Government The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious and … Read more

Fatal crash: Chatham Road, Flaxmere

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on Chatham Road this afternoon. The crash involved a car and a cyclist, and was reported to Police just before 6pm. The cyclist sadly died at the scene. Chatham Road is currently closed while a scene examination is conducted. … Read more

Search continues for missing 24-year-old Travis

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police are continuing the search for 24-year-old Travis, who has been missing since 17 January. Travis travelled from Wellington to the Waikato region, where his vehicle was located burnt out on a Tolley Road farm in Ngaroma on 18 January. Police coordinated a search of the area where his … Read more

Auckland News – Developers Urged to Act Swiftly as Auckland Council Plans Major Development Fee Increases

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Source: WarkWorth Web The Auckland Council is planning a considerable hike in development contributions, which are the monetary fees residential property developers pay to fund local infrastructure projects. These contributions, currently calculated over a 10-year timeframe, are proposed to be spread over 30 years, leading to significant cost increases for developers. The average development contribution … Read more

Swimwerks Launches Sponsorship for Lifeguard Training Initiative in Singapore

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Source: Media Outreach Through this program, Swimwerks not only promotes water safety but also creates meaningful training opportunities for deserving individuals. SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 January 2025 – Swimwerks, a leading authority in swimming education and water safety, has announced the launch of its Lifeguard Sponsorship Initiative, a social responsibility program designed … Read more

Chipsealing works on SH1 Te Kamo Bypass Sunday, Monday

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) spokesperson advises chipsealing work will take place on State Highway 1 Kamo Bypass overnight on Sunday 2 February, with temporary traffic management remaining in place until contractors return to sweep and line mark overnight on Monday 3 February. This work had been scheduled to … Read more

Major negotiations with iwi of Taranaki conclude

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Source: New Zealand Government Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi of … Read more

Firearms, cash and drugs seized in Hawke’s Bay search warrant

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attribute to Acting Detective Sergeant Steve Leonard Police have arrested one person and seized firearms, drugs and cash from the central Hawke’s Bay property of an Outlaws gang member. Three firearms, methamphetamine and cash were seized after Police executed a warrant at the address, this included a fully loaded … Read more

Time to pull plug on banking wokery

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Source: ACT Party “So far, the inquiry into rural banking has not changed my suspicion that a cabal of woke banks is neglecting rural communities in the name of climate action,” says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “Banks are starving rural New Zealand of capital. Farmers have long complained they’re getting a raw deal … Read more

Four-year term: New poll bodes well for better law making

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Source: ACT Party ACT Leader David Seymour is welcoming a new Horizon Research poll showing strong support for a four-year Parliamentary term. ACT’s coalition commitment includes introducing Seymour’s four-year term Bill in the first half of this term. “Better law making is the number one thing that New Zealand can change about itself to get … Read more

Release: Frontline providers deserve certainty, not name-calling

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Source: New Zealand Labour Party Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. “In August last year, Karen Chhour was calling frontline service providers “disgruntled” and accusing them of using Oranga Tamariki as a … Read more

First Responders – Tiwai Peninsula vegetation fire update

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews have been working hard to contain a large vegetation fire in mixed scrub and wetland on Tiwai Peninsula in Invercargill today. The fire has grown to 1,200 hectares across the centre of the peninsula, with an 18 kilometre perimeter, due to higher temperatures and … Read more