Investment in Lower North Island Classrooms

Source: New Zealand Government Education Minister Erica Stanford announced $10 million to deliver new classrooms across the lower North Island, taking the total spend on new classrooms to over $1.2 billion over the past 3 years. Today’s announcement will deliver 14 new teaching spaces to schools in the lower North Island that are at, or over, capacity. “This…

GDP shows underlying economic strength

Source: New Zealand Government Today’s GDP figures confirm the economy had real momentum at the beginning of this year, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ figures put GDP growth for the March 2026 quarter at 0.8 per cent. “New Zealand’s economy grew almost three times faster than Australia’s in the March 2026 quarter and…

One ‘front door’ for hospo: new council's digital hub makes licensing simpler

Source: Auckland Council Starting a café, restaurant or food truck often begins with a big idea – but turning that idea into reality can mean navigating licences, permits and paperwork. Auckland Council is making that journey easier with Hospo Hub, a free online service that brings everything hospitality operators need into one place. The new…

New parents to receive increased support

Source: New Zealand Government The amount paid to parents taking time off from work to care for their new children will increase from 1 July 2026, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today.  The maximum weekly paid parental leave rate will increase to $811.05 per week from $788.66, in line with movement in average weekly…

How biodiversity funding is improving Canterbury's environment

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council Through funding and hands-on support, farmers are installing poplar poles to stabilise fragile slopes, fencing off unproductive land to allow native vegetation to return, and establishing on‑farm poplar nurseries to supply future planting. The programme also funds Land Use Capability (LUC) mapping, giving farmers clearer information to guide long-term land…

DTA consultations on crisis preparedness and final tranche of draft standards

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) – Te Pūtea Matua has opened consultations on six draft standards and a package of crisis preparedness policies for deposit takers. The consultations are the latest step in RBNZ’s implementation of the most significant regulatory reform for the sector in decades, the…

Regulation changes to enhance the Taupō fishery

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  18 June 2026 The most obvious change for many people will be the increased ‘bag limit’, which increases from six to eight trout. This move aims to increase trout harvest and help maintain a healthy balance between trout and their main food source, smelt. DOC Taupō Operations Manager Dave Conley…

Fatal crash, Kinleith

Source: New Zealand Police One person has died following a crash in Kinleith on yesterday. Police were called to the single vehicle crash on Kauri Road around 3.40pm. Sadly, the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was found deceased at the scene. The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted…

Driving visitor growth and business events

Source: New Zealand Government The Government will build on tourism growth by targeting more marketing in Australia, the United States and China, alongside attracting more business events to New Zealand. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says investing in these markets will bring more visitors and drive economic growth. “The Government is focused on growing…

NZ NEEDS NEW IMMIGRATION FRAMEWORK FOR HUMANITARIAN CRISES

Source: World Vision This World Refugee Day (June 20) a new report calls for immigration changes to better support and protect people displaced due to disaster, conflict, and humanitarian emergencies. World Vision New Zealand and the University of Auckland Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies have partnered on the report which urges changes to the country’s … Read more

GLM Launches Essential Clutch – Limited Edition to Complement Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13.8-inch

Source: Media Outreach NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2026 – GLM, a fashion and tech accessories brand, today announced the launch of the Essential Clutch – Limited Edition, a slim laptop clutch designed to complement the Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13.8-inch. Available in limited quantities, the piece is equally suited to … Read more

Property Market – Conditions may be ripe for a ‘bargain’ property trade up – Cotality

Source: Cotality New analysis by Cotality finds that trading up from a three-bedroom to a four-bedroom house typically still commands a six-figure premium. What is the trade-up premium? One way to measure the potential costs facing a property owner who’s looking to ‘trade up’ is to assess the difference in median values between three bedroom … Read more

Current account deficit $4.6 billion for the March 2026 quarter – Balance of payments and international investment position: March 2026 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand Current account deficit $4.6 billion for the March 2026 quarter – news story 17 June 2026 New Zealand’s seasonally adjusted current account balance widened by $100 million to a deficit of $4.6 billion in the March 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “The current account balance records the … Read more

Vingroup Rises 11 Places In Fortune Southeast Asia 500, Ranking Among The Region’s Top 30 Largest Companies

Source: Media Outreach HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2026 – Vingroup ranked 26th in Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 ranking, rising 11 places from 37th in 2025 and 19 places from 45th in 2024. The Group continues to be the highest-ranked private enterprise in Vietnam.Advancing in the ranking for two consecutive years … Read more

Insurers welcome review of FNZ levy funding model

Source: Insurance Council of NZ The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) has welcomed the Government’s decision to review how Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is funded. ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said the review is a timely and positive step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of a critical … Read more

Ministerial Overreach – CMC statement on changes to Medical Council leadership

Source: Council of Medical Colleges The Council of Medical Colleges (CMC) thanks Dr Rachelle Love for her hard work as Chair of the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and wishes her well for the future. CMC has valued our positive engagements with Dr Love and her contribution to the joint programme of work between MCNZ … Read more

Funding “boost” continues dangerous under-funding of aged care – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation The Health Minister’s funding “boost” for aged residential care continues underfunding to the sector and will continue unsafe practices and short staffing, which is putting vulnerable residents at risk, NZNO says. Simeon Brown today announced a 4% increase of $79 million for aged care providers in the coming financial year. As part of … Read more

Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners statement on changes to Medical Council leadership

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) is concerned by the Minister’s comments about cultural safety being political ideology in relation to the change of board members at the Medical Council. The independence of the Medical Council as a regulator is fundamental to public trust, patient … Read more

Aviation – Changes to security screening at Invercargill Airport

Source: Civil Aviation Authority From 29 June 2026, passengers travelling through Invercargill Airport will notice a change to our security screening process. Body scanners (Automated Imaging Technology or AIT) will become the main way we screen passengers. This change supports New Zealand’s strong aviation security standards, as body scanners have proven highly effective at detecting … Read more

World Vision – More than 200 schools across Aotearoa to go offline for World Vision 40 Hour Challenge

Source: World Vision More than 200 schools across Aotearoa will be going offline to participate in the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, which kicks off on Friday, 19 June. Thousands of young people will take on the country’s largest youth fundraising event, raising funds to support hungry children in Solomon Islands. This year’s World Vision 40 … Read more

WRISE Group Officially Launches WRISE Academy in Wuxi

Source: Media Outreach This new office located in the Yangtze Delta region strengthens family governance and intergenerational succession capabilities for next-generation family leaders HONG KONG SAR / WUXI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2026 – WRISE Group (“WRISE”), one of Asia’s fastest-growing independent wealth management firms, announced the official launch of WRISE … Read more

SeABank completes charter capital increase to VND 34,288 billion

Source: Media Outreach HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2026 – With approval from the State Bank of Vietnam, Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank, HOSE: SSB) has officially completed its charter capital increase to VND 34,288 billion. The additional capital is expected to strengthen the Bank’s market competitiveness, improve its … Read more

Lanson Place Celebrates Its Strongest Ever Performance At Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travellers’ Choice Awards

Source: Media Outreach Seven properties honoured across Asia-Pacific, including highly prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ recognition for Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2026 – Lanson Place is proud to announce that seven of its hotels and serviced residences across Asia-Pacific have been recognised in the … Read more

DHL Express partners with Absurd Laboratory to create limited-edition fashion accessories using retired courier uniforms

Source: Media Outreach Winner of the Redress Design Award 2025 “DHL GoGreen Plus Alumni Prize”, Eric Wong has created “DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection”, a limited-edition fashion accessory line that gives retired courier uniforms a second life All profits will be donated to the local environmental NGO Redress to foster the next generation … Read more

Alibaba Cloud Expands European Footprint with Two Availability Zones in France

Source: Media Outreach A suite of Agentic AI services set to launch for European customers later this year PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2026 – Alibaba Cloud, a leading global provider of AI infrastructure and the intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, today announced the launch of its cloud region in France. … Read more