Education – Pacific voices help shape innovative new course at Ara

Source: Ara Institute of Canterbury A vibrant ava ceremony and the words “we did it” marked the launch of a new Pacific Culture and Health course at Ara Institute of Canterbury. Developed through extensive collaboration with Pacific community leaders, health practitioners and sector partners, the Level 5 course aims to prepare graduates to work more … Read more

Universal Health opens W3LL early access to help institutions get ahead of youth wellbeing decline

Source: Media Outreach The testbed programme at Temasek Shophouse will give invited users a daily read of the conditions driving their state of mind and energy – benchmarked against their own baseline – ahead of a higher ed institution launch. SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 July 2026 – Universal Health announced the W3LL … Read more

Better firearm laws locked and loaded

Source: New Zealand Government The Arms Bill passed its final reading in Parliament today meaning New Zealanders will soon have much better firearms laws that respect licenced firearm owners and improve public safety, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee. “The Bill keeps firearms out of criminals’ hands, while making compliance easier for licenced firearm owners,”…

Search and rescue on Mount Aspiring

Source: New Zealand Police Police received a report of a climber falling an estimated 200 metres down a cliff face and into a crevasse on Mount Aspiring at about 6.15pm last night. Sergeant Darren Cranfield from Wānaka Police said the climber’s companion was faced with an extremely challenging situation. “After the fall, the companion spent…

New investment to boost Otago predator control

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  29 July 2026 Source:  Office of the Minister of Conservation The investment follows $5.5 million for Wellington and $10 million for Auckland, building momentum behind proven predator-free projects across New Zealand. “Together, this work demonstrates what can be achieved when the Government backs successful local projects and helps take them to…

Burglars book one-way ticket to court

Source: New Zealand Police A trip to court beckons for two alleged burglars who targeted a west Auckland property while the homeowners were overseas. Between 11 June and 18 June, two offenders allegedly entered a Te Atatū home and stole a significant amount of property. Detective Sergeant Anna Freestone, Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit, says…

Fatal crash, Brookby

Source: New Zealand Police One person has died following a single vehicle crash in Brookby, west of Clevedon on Friday 24 July.  Emergency services were called to Brookby Road, at the intersection with Richardson Road, shortly before 11:30pm. One person received critical injuries and was transported to hospital, while a second person received minor injuries.…

Over $800,000 of assets and cash forfeited in Wairoa

Source: New Zealand Police The Gisborne High Court has ordered the forfeiture of over $800,000 worth of assets and cash belonging to a Wairoa couple convicted of drug supply. Acting Detective Sergeant Shaun Kennard says the order issued by the Gisborne High Court today, comes after a long running investigation by the Police Asset Recovery…

FCC Philippines, Subsidiary of Japan’s FCC CO., LTD., Global Leader in Motorcycle Clutch Systems, Signs 1,500 MWh Long-Term Solar Agreement with Peak Energy

Source: Media Outreach Onsite solar installation to cut FCC Philippines’ energy costs by 30% compared to grid electricity prices, supporting the automotive supply chain manufacturer’s cost competitiveness and energy resilience in Laguna. LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 July 2026 – FCC (Philippines) Corp., a subsidiary of Japan’s FCC CO., LTD. and a … Read more

Statement on further issues concerning the Biometric Capability Upgrade (BCU) Project

Source: New Zealand Government The Biometric Capability Upgrade was a seven-year project within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) that was ceased in December 2025. MBIE previously advised Ministers, the Education and Workforce Committee, and New Zealanders in June that the project costs to be written off were around $33 million. The Greg…

Defence Force to modernise with strike drones

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is beginning the process to purchase long-range one-way strike drones, looking particularly toward Kiwi industry for solutions, Defence Minister Chris Penk says. “We will soon place with industry a request for information and while we will consider all viable options, we are especially interested in supporting local innovation, skills…

Youth Hubs to deliver faster access to support

Source: New Zealand Government Young people in Hamilton, Nelson and Hawke’s Bay will soon have faster access to mental health and addiction support through three new Youth Hubs, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “The Government is investing $3 million to establish three new Youth Hubs that will make it easier for young people aged…

TCMA Launches “The NEXT Chapter” with 5 Engines to Accelerate Cement Industry Toward Net Zero 2050

Source: Media Outreach Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) has advanced its strategy, “The NEXT Chapter to Net Zero 2050,” through five key implementation pillars – “5 Engines to Net Zero” – under the theme ‘Accelerating Collaborative Action towards Net Zero 2050.’ The initiative aims to accelerate the transition of Thailand’s cement industry toward a low-carbon … Read more

Otago population – a changing landscape – Stats NZ news story

Source: Statistics New Zealand Otago population – a changing landscape – news story 29 July 2026 As more people move to the Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago districts, the centre of Otago’s population is shifting west, according to data released by Stats NZ. “As of June 2025, 52 percent of the Otago population lived in Dunedin city, … Read more

Statistical area 2 and 3 population projections: 2023(base)–2053 – sixth instalment – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand Statistical area 2 and 3 population projections: 2023(base)–2053 – sixth instalment – information release 29 July 2026 Statistical area 2 (SA2) and statistical area 3 (SA3) population projections released in Aotearoa Data Explorer (ADE) provide an indication of future changes in the size and age-sex structure of the population usually living … Read more

“Weaver of dreams” puts focus on Pureora

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  29 July 2026 Tama, 41, is DOC’s Project Co-Lead for Pureora, a relatively new role in the department’s Maniapoto team. He’s focused on developing a long-term vision and plan for the forest, a noted biodiversity hotspot and popular recreation location for people who go naturing. Tama at the kākā releaseImage:…

Retail Sector – Book Hero turns the page with launch of Toy Hero

Source: Book Hero 30 July 2026 Independent Kiwi retailer expands into toys after serving more than 100,000 customers and selling 345,000 books in under two years. At a time when much of the retail conversation is about store closures, shrinking sales and tough economic conditions, one independent Kiwi business is heading in the opposite direction. … Read more

Universities – Kasi Valu named as 2026 Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence

Source: Victoria University of Wellington 29 July 2025 Victoria University of Wellington’s International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) is delighted to announce the appointment of Kasi Valu as the Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence for 2026. Kasi will use the residency to develop a collection of poems, spoken-word pieces, and short stories with the working … Read more

Competition for AI talent creates new pay challenges for Kiwi employers

Source: Robert Half 29 July 2026 The single biggest challenge in compensating AI-proficient candidates is high market demand and competition (34%) 94% anticipate AI proficiency will continue to drive salary growth in their organisation over the next 1-2 years Auckland, 29 July 2026 – AI proficiency is rapidly becoming one of the most valuable skills … Read more

US dollar strength and diverging central bank policies set to drive global currency market volatility

Source: OFX Currency markets are set for another volatile month as resilient US economic data, diverging central bank policies and geopolitical uncertainty continue to weigh on investor confidence, according to OFX’s latest Monthly Currency Outlook. The report highlights renewed US dollar strength and central banks each exploring different policy options as the key themes shaping … Read more

Amnesty International Statement – Nigeria: Shell documents expose ‘basket’ pipeline, ‘missing’ wells and US$10.9bn decommissioning costs as pollution scandal grows

Source: Amnesty International Shell must answer for decades of pollution in the Niger Delta after internal company documents revealed broken rules, failing infrastructure and unresolved clean-up costs that risk leaving affected communities to pay the price,a coalition of human rights and environmental organisations, including Amnesty International, said today in a new report. The report, Nigeria: … Read more

Design Builders Expands Into Wānaka and Central Otago

Source: Press Release Service Headline: Design Builders Expands Into Wānaka and Central Otago Design Builders, New Zealand’s award-winning residential building company, has announced the launch of a new region covering Wānaka and Central Otago, led by newly appointed Managing Director Hayley Barbour. The post Design Builders Expands Into Wānaka and Central Otago first appeared on…

Belfast to Pegasus (SH1) Road of National Significance Fast-tracked

Source: New Zealand Government The State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass, Road of National Significance, has been granted Fast-track approval. This is the 27th project and the second roading project to be approved through the Fast-track process. New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) lodged its application in December 2025, with approval…

Energy Sector – First exploration approval advances gas rebuild

Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa Energy Resources Aotearoa says today’s approval of an exploration permit for EnZed Energy off South Taranaki shows the Government’s new petroleum regime and permitting processes are delivering for New Zealanders, but the pace needs to increase for other applications. Chief Executive John Carnegie says the approval is a first step under … Read more

Tech – Norton Study Reveals Emerging Risks for Kids Online, and the Need for a New Kind of “The Talk”

Source: Norton Kiwi parents are facing the new realities of digital parenting Auckland, July 29, 2026 – Parents are entering a new era of digital parenting, and it necessitates a new version of “the talk.” The Norton Insights Report: Connected Kids, a new study from Norton, a Gen brand, reveals parents of children under 18 … Read more

The United Nations should invite the delegation of the Executive Government of the Federal Republic of West Papua to participate in the annual UN General Assembly

Source: Executive Government of the Federal Republic of West Papua July 28, 2026 I respectfully refer to the letter dated 21 October 2015 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council, and to the subsequent Security Council communication dated 23 October 2015, in which it was acknowledged that sovereignty over West Irian … Read more

Nearly 900 Gather for Māori Governance Summit in Wellington

Source: Tapuwae Roa Almost 900 Māori leaders, governors and decision-makers are taking part in Amorangi: Māori in Governance Summit today, with 480 attendees gathering in person at Shed 6 Wellington and hundreds more joining online from across Aotearoa. Delivered by Tapuwae Roa, Amorangi brings together Māori directors, trustees, executives, public-sector leaders, and emerging governors to … Read more