Health – Healthline Diverts 83 Patients Daily from Te Manawa Taki (Midlands) Region Emergency Departments

by

Source: Whakarongorau Aotearoa A new study by Te Pūnaha Matatini and Auckland University reveals that Healthline, operated by Whakarongorau Aotearoa, prevents approximately 83 unnecessary Emergency Department (ED) visits per day across the Te Manawa Taki (Midlands) region, with potential to reduce ED pressure further. Analysis of data from July 2019 to June 2024 demonstrates that Healthline … Read more

Animal Welfare Laws – Study reveals flaws in animal protection laws – Auckland University

by

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) New Zealand’s animal welfare system is failing – and in urgent need of a dedicated police unit, researcher warns. The animal protection system in Aotearoa is ineffective, underfunded, and at risk of collapse, according to new research. University of Auckland law scholar associate professor Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere warns that without … Read more

Culture and Heritage – Funding of creative spaces leaves legacy

by

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage welcomes a new report Te kaha o ā tātou mahi | The Power of our work which details the impact of multi-year funding of creative spaces across New Zealand. As part of the COVID recovery programme, the Ministry invested $18 million into a … Read more

Aged Care issues – Consumer NZ backs calls for court action against retirement village operators’ unfair contract terms

by

Source: Consumer NZ Consumer NZ and the Retirement Village Residents Association are concerned retirement villages are ignoring warnings from the Commerce Commission about unfair terms in their contracts with residents. Both organisations are calling for the Commission to take further action.   Following complaints from Consumer NZ and the Retirement Village Residents Association (RVResidents), the … Read more

Captive kākā, Charlie, to stay in Dunedin

by

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  27 February 2025 Professor of Animal Welfare Science Ngaio Beausoleil, from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science, who carried out the assessment, recommended Charlie remain where she is to provide stability and allow her to adapt to her new environment over time. Department of Conservation … Read more

Speech to LGNZ All-of-Local-Government Forum

by

Source: New Zealand Government Good morning, everybody.It’s great to see such a good cross-section of people from local government here today.Against a backdrop of skyrocketing rates and massive cost of living pressures, a lot has been made recently of the need to go ‘back to basics’ and to ‘go for growth.’These two things are critically … Read more

Whangārei Hospital transit lounge open to patients

by

Source: New Zealand Government Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Whangārei Hospital’s new transit lounge, where patients can prepare to leave hospital after treatment.  “The Government’s $3.75 million investment into this lounge provides an important space for patients who are medically fit to leave the ward. It helps with their timely discharge while … Read more

Incident in Onerahi

by

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Emergency services are responding to a serious incident in Onerahi. Police received a report of a person injured at Beach Road Reserve at about 11.10am. There are cordons in the area and locals are asked to respect these until the incident is resolved. Motorists are being advised Beach Road … Read more

State of the Planet speeches, 2025

by

Source: Green Party At this year’s State of the Planet address, Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick announced the party’s plans to deliver a Green Budget this year to offer an alternative vision to the Government’s trickle-down economics and austerity politics.    Chlöe’s speech: Mihi atu ki a koutou e pupuri tonu ana ki te mana o te … Read more

Interim Report: increased capital investment in Auckland

by

Source: Auckland Council Auckland Council’s Interim Report shows the group invested significantly to strengthen the physical resilience of Auckland and manage growth, while meeting its financial targets. The council delivered $1.9 billon of capital investment in the six months to December 2024 – a record for a six-month period and an increase of $474 million … Read more

New disability data provides crucial insights

by

Source: New Zealand Government Data from Stats NZ’s Household Disability Survey released today provides crucial insights into the New Zealand disability community and its people, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says. Today’s survey data, collected following the 2023 Census, identifies 1 in 6 New Zealanders as disabled – that’s around 10 per cent of children … Read more

Changes to SafePlus online self-assessment tool coming soon

by

Source: Worksafe New Zealand 27 February 2025 From April there will be a new way of doing a SafePlus self-assessment. The current SafePlus online tool is at the end of its life and would require significant resource to rebuild. It is being replaced with downloadable questions – in multiple languages – that can be used … Read more

Going for Growth: Multi-million dollar benefits possible for farmers and growers

by

Source: New Zealand Government Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have today released the Ministry for Regulation’s recommendations to cut red tape on products used by the agriculture and horticulture sectors.“HSNO and ACVM products used to manage animals and plants like veterinary medicines and agrichemicals are absolutely … Read more

Have your say on proposed changes to inspection requirements for vintage vehicles and private motorhomes

by

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is seeking feedback on a proposal to reduce the frequency of warrant of fitness (WoF) checks on vintage and veteran vehicles and certificate of fitness checks (CoF) on privately owned heavy motorhomes. The changes, proposed by the Minister of Transport, would be progressed through … Read more

Freedom camping certification extended

by

Source: New Zealand Government There will be more time to get self-contained vehicles green-certified, with an extension of the transition period, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced.“This extension will be reassuring for people who enjoy freedom camping as a way to get off the beaten track and explore everything our beautiful country has … Read more

Further appeal for information about missing person, Geoffrey Kelly

by

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police working to locate missing person Geoffrey Kelly are urging members of the public to get in touch if they saw any unusual activity in the area of Hikimutu, since 20 February. Geoffrey’s car – pictured – was located at 7am on Friday 21 February in a ditch on … Read more

Homicide investigation launched, Kawerau

by

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a man in Kawerau yesterday. Emergency services were called to the Onslow Street property around 8:45am yesterday, after a man was located deceased on the front doorstep of the address. A scene guard remains in place at the property … Read more

Four-year term: a chance for a more mature democracy

by

Source: ACT Party ACT Leader David Seymour is welcoming the announcement that legislation enabling a four-year Parliamentary term will advance to select committee. The legislation is modelled on a draft Bill produced by ACT, and a commitment to advance it to select committee was secured in ACT’s coalition agreement. “Improving our approach to law making … Read more

Drought conditions declared across Taranaki

by

Source: New Zealand Government Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has today classified drought conditions in Taranaki as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging situation facing farmers and growers in the region. “Conditions on the ground are becoming extremely difficult with limited feed and pasture available,” Mr McClay says. “Taranaki is experiencing hot, dry conditions and … Read more

More tools for businesses to deal with retail crime

by

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is clamping down on retail crime by giving businesses more powers to detain those stealing from them, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say.  “Retail crime increased 85 per cent between 2019 and 2023, including a 91 per cent increase in victimisations relating to theft,” … Read more

Creating a level playing field in the energy sector

by

Source: New Zealand Government A proposal by the Electricity Authority for mandatory non-discrimination obligations for electricity gentailers sends a strong signal that any advantage being provided to their own retailers will not be tolerated, Energy Minister Simon Watts and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say. “This recommendation from the Energy Competition Task Force has been … Read more

Shoplifter faces the lights and sirens

by

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Routine patrolling in Avondale has bagged a prolific shoplifter. Late on Tuesday night, a frontline unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle sought by Police on Blockhouse Bay Road. “It was around 11.43pm, when staff were carrying out prevention patrolling in the area,” Auckland City West Area Commander, … Read more

Oregon State University welcomes Thai students to world-class education and research opportunities

by

Source: Media Outreach OSU President Jayathi Murthy and OSU Foundation CEO Shawn Scoville meet alumni and future students in Bangkok BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2025 – Oregon State University (OSU) President Professor Jayathi Y. Murthy met with OSU alumni and newly admitted students in Bangkok today, reinforcing the university’s commitment … Read more

New Zealand and China Foreign Ministers meet in Beijing

by

Source: New Zealand Government Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing today (26 February), concluding a substantive visit to China over the past two days.   “We were pleased to re-connect with Foreign Minister Wang. We have known each other for many years, and today we continued our … Read more

Budget by Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary: Accelerating Development through Reform and Innovation

by

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region unveiled his 2025-26 Budget today (February 26). He noted that while geopolitical situation might bring risks, technology reform and artificial intelligence (AI) development are remoulding the global landscape, leading … Read more

Cushman & Wakefield responses to the Budget 2025/26

by

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – Response to the Budget 2025/2026 by KK Chiu, International Director, Chief Executive, Greater China of Cushman & Wakefield: Large-scale land disposal for Northern Metropolis We are pleased to see the government continue to facilitate the development of the Northern Metropolis … Read more

Sino Land is Well-Positioned to Capitalise on Opportunities Stable Interim Dividend at HK15 Cents per Share

by

Source: Media Outreach Summary of 2024/2025Interim Results The Group’s unaudited underlying profit attributable to shareholders, excluding the effect of fair-value changes on investment properties for the six months ended 31 December 2024 (“Interim Period”) was HK$2,241 million (2023: HK$2,945 million). Steady interim dividend at HK15 cents per share. Attributable revenue from property sales for the … Read more