Stats NZ information release: Electronic card transactions: January 2025

Source: Statistics New Zealand Electronic card transactions: January 2025 – 13 February 2025 – The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity. Key facts All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified. … Read more

Govt Cuts – Axing 63 roles at Callaghan Innovation will drive essential skills out of the country and undermine Government growth agenda – PSA

Source: PSA New redundances at Callaghan Innovation will undermine the country’s capacity to commercialise innovations of New Zealand businesses, which the Government claims it is so focussed on, says the union for Callaghan Innovation workers, the Public Service Association. Last night, Callaghan Innovation told 63 workers their roles were being made redundant, including 16 commercialisation roles, … Read more

Consumer NZ warns of car rental company’s questionable practices

Source: Consumer NZ A recent investigation reveals how autoUnion pressures customers into paying large bonds to cover the excess on an insurance policy some believe is dodgy. Chris Schulz, senior investigative journalist at Consumer NZ, is warning those looking for an affordable car hire option in Auckland or Christchurch to avoid car rental company autoUnion. … Read more

$14 million boost for sports facilities across Tāmaki Makaurau from Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council A top-of-the-line climbing structure for Auckland tamariki and rangatahi to use and enjoy is one step closer thanks to Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund. Six sports organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau will receive a slice of more than $14.3 million from the council to help develop their facilities to meet … Read more

Universities – Deep dive on deep-water reefs finds new marine species – Vic

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Marine researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington have discovered a species of sea squirt that is thought to be new to science. The sea squirt was found off Rakiura Stewart Island while the researchers were exploring marine communities that live on the area’s deep-water reefs. “We … Read more

NZ-AU: IREN Reports Q2 FY25 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU) Record Revenue, $53.7m Operating Cashflow, $18.9m NPAT 75MW Liquid-Cooled Childress Data Center for AI / HPC (“Horizon 1”) Developing New 600MW Sweetwater 2 Site SYDNEY, Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IREN Limited (NASDAQ: IREN) (together with its subsidiaries, “IREN” or “the Company”), today reported its financial results for the three and … Read more

Finance – Mortgage advisers alarmed at ComCom proposal that will be “shocking for consumers”

Source: Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ) The Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ) has revealed recommendations by the Commerce Commission to supposedly “promote price competition and choice for home loans” would in fact be disastrous for consumers. FAMNZ country manager Leigh Hodgetts revealed the commission has requested mortgage … Read more

Release: Homelessness growing under National

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Housing is going in the wrong direction under National, despite promises to build more houses and reduce the social housing waitlist. “The Salvation Army State of the Nation 2025 report shows Labour was making good progress in public housing, but that it has ground to a halt under this Government,” … Read more

Going for growth: supermarkets on notice

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is seeking to bolster supermarket competition to deliver a better deal for shoppers, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “Studies have shown that New Zealand shoppers pay more for kitchen staples than their counterparts in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. “The market lacks competition with three large entities, … Read more

Speech to New Zealand Economics Forum

Source: New Zealand Government Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone.Thank you Matt for the introduction and can I acknowledge the presence of former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. It’s a pleasure to have you back in the country.It’s also a pleasure to be here to speak at this event for the third year in a row. The … Read more

Whakapapa Holdings Limited public hearings to begin

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  13 February 2025 Acting Deputy Director-General Policy and Regulatory Services Ewan Delany says DOC received 529 submissions. “We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback on Whakapapa Holdings concession application to operate the Whakapapa Ski Area on Mt Ruapehu. “Hearings are the next stage of the … Read more

The Risk of Adverse Events Associated with Mesh and Non-Mesh Repair of Groin Hernias: A literature review

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Summary In light of the pause on use of mesh in urogynaecology procedures in New Zealand in 2023, and the hernia mesh report in Australia (Health Issues Centre 2019), the Ministry of Health began a review of the literature on the use of mesh in inguinal (also known as … Read more

First test train journeys through City Rail Link

Source: New Zealand Government A test train has now completed its first trip through the full length of the City Rail Link (CRL) tunnel in Auckland, representing a critical step forward in this game-changing public transport project for our largest city, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown say. “Started under the … Read more

Update – Search for missing man, Mt Aspiring National Park

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) The search for a man reported missing in a river in Mt Aspiring National Park on 6 February remains ongoing. Police have located a number of personal items along the river, believed to belong to the missing man. Search efforts in the last two days have been hampered by … Read more

Police make arrest over Birkenhead aggravated robbery

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) An arrest has been made following the aggravated robbery of a Cash in Transit van in Birkenhead on Tuesday afternoon. Overnight, Police executed a search warrant at a Northcote address as part of the investigation. Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison, of Waitematā CIB, says a man was taken into … Read more

Fatal crash, Cromwell-Clyde Road

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police can confirm two people have died following a crash on State Highway 8/Cromwell-Clyde Road yesterday evening. The two-vehicle crash, involving a vehicle and a motorbike, was reported to emergency services at 5pm. Sadly, both the motorbike rider and the sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene. … Read more

PSA takes urgent legal action to stop damaging cuts to jobs & services at Health NZ

Source: PSA – Files three legal actions with Employment Relations Authority – Seeks orders to stop Govt sacking thousands of health workers The PSA has filed legal proceedings to stop the gutting of Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora on the grounds that it has breached employment law and other agreements. Health NZ is cutting thousands of roles … Read more

Melco leads with the most Five-Star awards in Macau and Asia in the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide

Source: Media Outreach Melco Resorts & Entertainment, with its American depositary shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ: MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates Altira Macau ( www.altiramacau.com), an integrated resort located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), … Read more

Galaxy Macau Receives Record-breaking Five-Star Awards Recognition from Forbes Travel Guide on 2025 List

Source: Media Outreach The Luxury Integrated Resort Company Scales New Heights for the Third Consecutive Year, Celebrating the Accolade of Having the Most Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotels Under One Roof MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – The prestigious Forbes Travel Guide today unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 Star Awards, … Read more

Update on December 2024 and January 2025 rental data

Update on December 2024 and January 2025 rental data The national-level stock measure for actual rentals for housing for December 2024 and January 2025 will be included in Selected price indexes: January 2025, which is due out on Friday 14 February.   The administrative data used for this measure is provided by the Ministry of … Read more

Housing Market – Subtle turning point for property sellers – CoreLogic

Source: CoreLogic New Zealand’s property market is showing early signs of a gentle turnaround, giving resellers a glimmer of renewed leverage after a prolonged downturn. CoreLogic NZ’s latest Pain & Gain report for Q4 2024 shows the proportion of properties being resold for more than the original purchase price was 91.0%, up from 90.1% in … Read more

Capture.HK is Commissioned by Actor Kwok Fung to Restore his 30 Years of Family Memories Ahead of Valentine’s Day

Source: Media Outreach Customers digitalise memories with their spouses enjoy 20% off Valentine’s Day offer HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – CaptureTM Hong Kong, a leading analogue media digitisation provider, has been commissioned by actor Kwok Fung to restore his memories with his family, friends and fellow artists in … Read more

Etiqa Insurance Singapore Spreads Festive Cheer with ‘Multiply Blessings’ this Chinese New Year

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – Chinese New Year is a time for togetherness, celebration, and sharing joy. Yet, amidst back-to-back gatherings and increased seasonal spending, the festivities can sometimes feel exciting and a little overwhelming1. Embracing the spirit of giving, Etiqa Insurance Singapore partnered with independent creative … Read more

F88 reports 2024 profit of VND351 billion, revenue jumps 23%

Source: Media Outreach HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – F88 Investment Joint Stock Company (F88) has just announced its highest-ever consolidated after-tax profit, along with several key financial indicators that highlight the company’s rapid and sustainable recovery, following a challenging year. F88 posts highest-ever consolidated after-tax profit in 2024. Photo … Read more

HEIDELBERG sees clear increase in profitability in third quarter of financial year 2024/2025

Source: Media Outreach Q3 sales at previous year’s level and adjusted EBITDA margin improves significantly to 9.2 percent Incoming orders up 8.3 percent for Q3 and 7.7 percent after nine months compared with previous year High order backlog points to strong final quarter Full-year forecast confirmed, adjusted EBITDA margin to rise to up to around … Read more

The Photo Booth Celebrates Milestone Of 10,000 Smiles Captured Across Events

Source: Media Outreach Company reaffirms its position as a leading provider of premium photo booth rental services in Singapore SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – The Photo Booth, a prominent provider of photo booth rental services in Singapore, has officially surpassed 10,000 smiles captured at events across the country. This milestone … Read more

Banyan Tree Residences Sichon: Thailand’s Southern Triangle Emerges As A Top Tourism And Investment Destination

Source: Media Outreach As Banyan Tree Residences Sichon breaks ground in Nakhon Si Thammarat, investors and travelers are recognizing the untapped potential of Thailand’s diverse coastal regions. NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – Today, Banyan Tree Residences Sichon, a new ultra-luxury branded residence, is set to redefine Southern … Read more