Council AI tool saves Aucklanders up to nine minutes per request

Source: Auckland Council Auckland Council’s recently launched AI assistant, Ask Auckland Council, is saving users around eight to nine minutes compared to calling the contact centre. Launched only two months ago, the tool is purpose-built, AI-powered and can be easily accessed on a smartphone, computer or tablet via a web browser. Aucklanders have already used…

Blackwall Enters Vietnam: European Web Traffic Security Firm Launches Southeast Asia Expansion with 19-Year Hosting Partner HostVN

Source: Media Outreach Estonian web traffic security company Blackwall announces its first publicly disclosed Southeast Asia partnership, bringing integrated traffic security to Vietnam’s digital infrastructure market through HostVN HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2026 – Blackwall, a European web traffic security company, today announced a partnership with HOSTVN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS JOINT … Read more

Muck around and find out

Source: New Zealand Police A rider has lost his bike for a month and been summonsed to court after making a poor decision in Moerewa yesterday. At about 5pm, officers observed an unregistered dirt bike travelling at speed on Otiria Road before turning into Pokapu Road. Mid North Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Mark Barratt,…

Consumer NZ – More than 41,000 people call for fair repayment for retirement village residents

Source: Consumer NZ Today, Consumer NZ presented its fair repayment petition to Labour’s spokesperson for seniors, Ingrid Leary. The petition calls for a law change so residents who leave a retirement village get their money back sooner. “More than 41,000 people backed our call for fast and fair repayment for all residents after they leave … Read more

University of Auckland rural medical programme expands to Taupō in 2027

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) The University of Auckland’s Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP) will expand to Taupō in 2027, creating new opportunities for medical students to train in rural healthcare settings and strengthening connections with communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. The year-long programme places fifth-year medical students in rural locations, where they work alongside … Read more

Police investigating threatening emails

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, Auckland City CIB: Police are aware of a number of emailed threats to schools and other institutions across the country today. At this stage, Police perceive the threats to be low risk. The Cybercrime team, supported by staff in other Police districts, have initiated…

New research to support yellow-legged hornet response

Source: New Zealand Government Four new research projects will help the ongoing efforts, led by Biosecurity New Zealand, to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet from New Zealand, say Science Minister Penny Simmonds and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. The new research is being led by scientists at the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao, a Public Research Organisation…

Compliance Guide: Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in Mining and Mineral Extraction

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Publication date: 23 June 2026 img]:border [&>img]:border-brand-2-light field__item”> The Compliance Guide: Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in Mining and Mineral Extraction (ORS G13) is a practical guide to support the management of radiation risks associated with NORM in mining and mineral extraction activities. The Guide provides practical…

Kiwi Distillery Eyes Global Expansion After Whey-Based Gin Judged World-Leading

Source: Impact PR for Clarity Distilling Company A Tauranga craft distillery is set for global expansion after its whey-based gin was judged the highest-rated gin at one of the world’s leading international spirits competitions in London, prompting a surge in international enquiries from consumers and distributors. The win also coincides with the signing of the … Read more

Research Agenda: Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Publication date: 23 June 2026 img]:border [&>img]:border-brand-2-light field__item”> This Research Agenda sets out the key priorities for future rheumatic fever research in New Zealand, across prevention, clinical care, and long-term outcomes. It aims to better connect research with policy, and health services. Rheumatic fever remains a serious and unfair health issue…

No rats! – “best news ever” for rare kākāriki karaka

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  23 June 2026 Recent monitoring results showing zero rats in the Hawdon valley in Arthur’s Pass National Park is great news for a small kākāriki karaka/orange fronted parakeet population there. “Five years ago, there were zero kākāriki karaka there,” says DOC’s Kākāriki Karaka Recovery Programme lead, Wayne Beggs. “We have…

Banking Sector – The Co-operative Bank hits $25m milestone in customer profit-sharing

Source: The Co-operative Bank The Co-operative Bank has returned $25 million to its customers since introducing profit-sharing in 2013, reaching the milestone with this year’s rebate, paid today. New Zealanders are questioning where bank profits go, and whether customers are getting their fair share. The Co-operative Bank is the only bank in New Zealand that shares … Read more

Education Trends – ERO finds the number of students leaving mainstream schooling is rapidly increasing; calls for urgent reform

Source: Education Review Office The Education Review Office (ERO) has found that the number of students leaving mainstream schooling to learn in alternative settings has doubled over the past last decade. ERO recommends major changes to keep them in school – and a new model for those who leave. ERO Senior Manager Rebecca Bjarnesen says more … Read more

Ombudsman survey participants raise job losses, bullying and harassment after blowing the whistle on serious wrongdoing at work

Source: Office of the Ombudsman New research released on World Whistleblower Day shows that around a third of people who blew the whistle on serious wrongdoing at their workplace last year, claimed they lost their job as a result. The Office of the Ombudsman’s annual nationwide survey by AK Research on people’s awareness and knowledge of … Read more

Kaupapa Māori parenting programme strengthens kaimahi practice

Source: Rata Foundation A kaupapa grounded in the parenting traditions of tūpuna Māori is equipping kaimahi with the skills and resources to better support whānau through mātauranga Māori. Ngākau Aroha for Kaimahi, developed by Tūpuna Parenting, is one of the only kaupapa Māori professional development programmes about parenting offered in Aotearoa. The most recent cohort completed … Read more

FRESH INVESTMENT IN LOCAL TECH SECTOR FOR NZ SUPER FUND

Source: New Zealand Super Fund The decade-long partnership between the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and leading local technology investor Movac continues, with the Super Fund committing $35 million to Movac’s Growth Fund 7 (MGF7). The Super Fund is one of several institutional investors to back MGF7, which has raised $185 million at first close, almost … Read more

Update: Body located in Rongomai Park

Source: New Zealand Police Police are continuing to make enquiries after a body was located in a pond at Rongomai Park yesterday. Emergency services were called at about 4.08pm after a member of the public located the body in a secluded area within the park, near Ōtara. Police Search and Rescue have recovered the body…

Funding boost for hospices across New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Government Hospices will receive a funding boost to strengthen palliative care services across New Zealand, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Thousands of New Zealanders and their families rely on hospice care every year during some of the most difficult times in their lives,” Mr Brown says. “Ensuring people receive quality, compassionate end-of-life…

AS Watson Launches brand lab to Turn Retail Scale into a Data-driven Brand Growth Engine

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 June 2026 – AS Watson Group has launched AS Watson brand lab, a data-driven brand creation and scaling platform designed to systematically identify, develop, and grow brands across its global retail ecosystem. Built on the company’s integrated O+O (Offline plus Online) capabilities, extensive … Read more

HKSTP Forges An Asia–Europe Innovation Gateway at VivaTech 2026

Source: Media Outreach A stream of partnership propose heightened tech and business connections across continents HONG KONG / PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 June 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has successfully concluded its Paris delegation to Viva Technology (VivaTech) 2026, which celebrated its 10th anniversary as a … Read more

The Third International Summit of Religious Leaders in Kuala Lumpur Calls for Youth Empowerment

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 June 2026 – The Third International Summit of Religious Leaders 2026 concluded in Kuala Lumpur with the participation of His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars. The summit … Read more