Contractor Confidence Rises Amid Strengthening Office Demand Across Asia Pacific

Source: Media Outreach Contractor Sentiment Survey shows 70% of respondents expect improved market conditions in 2026 Office fit out costs diverge across the region with Japan and Taipei posting largest year-on-year increases while costs in Hong Kong held steady HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 March 2026 – Cushman & Wakefield’s Asia … Read more

First significant Pharmac medical device proposal since procurement changes

Source: New Zealand Government Pharmac has negotiated a provisional agreement for the supply of drug eluting stents to public hospitals that would result in estimated savings of $1.2m for public hospitals per annum, says Associate Health Minister David Seymour.  If feedback is positive, the deal would award Principal Supply Status for permanent coronary drug-eluting stents … Read more

Focus on boosting enrolment after government’s new voter restrictions – Electoral Commission

Source: Radio New Zealand Karl le Quesne says the Commission is expecting increased numbers of special votes this election. RNZ / Russell Palmer The Electoral Commission says it is pushing hard to boost enrolment – particularly among young people – because of the government’s changes restricting voting. Chief executive Karl le Quesne also says he … Read more

Memorial design revealed for hundreds of unmarked graves

Source: Radio New Zealand An artists impression of a memorial at the Pukekohe Cemetery, to honour the unmarked graves on site. Supplied Plans to erect a memorial plaque on a rural Auckland cemetery to honour hundreds of unmarked graves – many of whom were Māori babies – are underway, after a design concept was approved. … Read more

Appeal for information, burglaries, Napier

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Senior Sergeant Dan Scott – Napier Police: Police are appealing to the public for information following burglaries in Greenmeadows and Tamatea. Police were called to an address in Greenmeadows about 6am this morning after two offenders were found in the victim’s house. Both offenders fled the scene. Police located … Read more

NZ and Tuvalu reaffirm strong partnership

Source: New Zealand Government Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo in Auckland today, during his first official visit to New Zealand.  “New Zealand and Tuvalu share a close friendship and a joint commitment to regional security, resilience, and prosperity,” Mr Luxon says.  “We are longstanding supporters of Tuvalu’s development priorities, … Read more

Consumer NZ upset at possible end of surcharge ban

Source: Radio New Zealand Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson introduced legislation last year to ban in-store card surcharges. 123RF Consumer NZ says it is disappointed by news the government may not progress its plan to ban credit card surcharges. The ACT Party and Retail NZ have both said the proposed ban on surcharges … Read more

Concerns countries in Asia are hoarding jet fuel

Source: Radio New Zealand A file photo of a British Airways plane being refuelled. AFP / NurPhoto / Mateusz Wlodarczyk There are concerns some Asian countries are beginning to hoard jet fuel as the Iran conflict drags on. News outlet Bloomberg has reported the South Korean government is discussing whether to redirect export-bound jet fuel … Read more

ANZ says Middle East conflict will mean house prices fall

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau ANZ says it now expects house prices to fall this year as conflict in the Middle East means lower household confidence and upwards pressure on interest rates. The bank’s economists said in their latest Property Focus update that, before the war broke out, consumer confidence had lifted … Read more

New technology introduced for autumn push in hornet eradication

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries New technology is being introduced to Biosecurity New Zealand’s yellow-legged hornet eradication programme in Auckland to further strengthen the operation in the lead up to winter. Biosecurity New Zealand’s commissioner north, Mike Inglis, says the response toolkit will soon be boosted with new AI-enabled cameras to help monitor hornets. … Read more

Energy Sector – ERGANZ welcomes launch of Billy to help Kiwis find power plans that fit their needs

Source: Energy Retailers and Generators Association of New Zealand (ERGANZ) ERGANZ welcomes the launch of Billy, the Electricity Authority’s new free power bill comparison tool, saying the service promises to make it easier for New Zealanders to compare power plans and switch providers. (See; billy.govt.nz ) ERGANZ Chief Executive Bridget Abernethy says the launch is … Read more

Rugby: Veteran loosie Brad Shields extends stay with Hurricanes

Source: Radio New Zealand Hurricanes player Brad Shields. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz Experienced loose forward Brad Shields has extended his stay with the Hurricanes for another year. The one-year contract extension means Shields will return to the Hurricanes for an 11th season in his second stint with the club, a decade-and-a-half after his debut in … Read more

Person arrested, another in hospital after Waikato high school put in lockdown

Source: Radio New Zealand Tuakau College in Waikato. Tuakau College A teacher has been injured and a student is in custody fter an incident at a Waikato school. Tuakau College went into a lockdown during the incident on Thursday morning. Emergency services were called to the Buckland Road school about 10am, with reports of a … Read more

Commerce Commission set to authorise banks’ cash-in-transit proposal

Source: Radio New Zealand In a draft determination announced on Thursday, the regulator proposed to authorise the application. Armourguard / supplied The Commerce Commission has performed a U-turn on banks’ bid to collectively negotiate cash-in-transit services with Armourguard. The Commission initially declined an interim bid by the Banking Association to negotiate on behalf of banks … Read more

Health Coalition – New report shows communities need better policy support to combat growing food insecurity

Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa Health Coalition Aotearoa and Healthy Families South Auckland have released a new report highlighting key actions needed to improve access to affordable, nutritious food for communities across South Auckland. Titled “He kai kei aku ringa – There is food in my hands”, the foundation report responds to rising levels of food poverty in the … Read more

Energy Sector – Electricity Authority launches free power comparison and switching site ‘Billy’

Source: Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko New publicly owned digital tool helps households check they’re on the right power plan Thursday 26 March 2026 – New Zealanders can now compare and switch power plans with confidence using Billy, the new, free, publicly-owned comparison and switching site launched today by the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko … Read more

Local knowledge proves pivotal in trio of arrests

Source: New Zealand Police Police were quick on the heels of a trio allegedly responsible for an aggravated robbery and car theft in Glen Eden yesterday. Just before 4pm, Police were called to an eatery on Glendale Road following a report of three people making demands and taking money from a till. Acting Detective Inspector … Read more

Speech to the Infrastructure NZ One Day Conference

Source: New Zealand Government Good morning, everyone.  It’s great to be here today.  I’d like to thank Katie Bradford for the warm welcome and Nick Leggett and his team at Infrastructure New Zealand for hosting today’s event.  Katie – congratulations on your new role, I look forward to seeing you continue to cover infrastructure at … Read more

Reserve Bank Advisory – “Keeping Cash Local” consultation extended to 31 July 2026

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand 26 March 2026 – Due to strong interest from the public and key stakeholders, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Te Pūtea Matua has extended the closing date for responses to our Keeping Cash Local consultation. The new closing date will be 31 July 2026. The RBNZ has received requests … Read more

Providing false details, fishing without licence and fishing out of season lands angler in Court

Source: Fish and Game NZ Central South Island Fish & Game have successfully prosecuted an angler who flouted the law while fishing at Loch Cameron near Twizel in October 2025. Blake Thorman of Christchurch appeared in the Timaru District Court on 17 March and entered a guilty plea to three charges; providing false details, fishing without a … Read more

Love Their Game® – Momentum builds for Auckland-wide sideline behaviour initiative

Source: Aktive Just over a year after eight Auckland Regional Sport Organisations partnered with Aktive to launch a collective push for positive sideline behaviour, the movement has surged to 18 Regional Sport Organisations, reaching more than 220,000 participants. Love Their Game emphasises the importance of positive sideline support and its role in creating quality sport experiences … Read more

Burst pipe cuts water to three Wellington suburbs

Source: Radio New Zealand A file photo of a damaged water pipe in the capital. RNZ / REECE BAKER Parts of three Wellington suburbs are without water as crews work to repair a burst drinking water pipe. Wellington Water crews responded to the burst pipe on Washington Avenue in Brooklyn at 7am on Thursday. The … Read more

Are hot cross buns a good pre-workout snack?

Source: Radio New Zealand It’s hot cross bun season and on social media, the Easter treat is being promoted as an ideal pre-workout snack. Sports dietitians Emilie Burgess and Dannielle Hibberd have worked with elite teams and athletes in Tasmania and New South Wales. They share whether hot cross buns are a good choice, plus … Read more

Don Mackinnon steps down from integrity role as NZ20 plans advance

Source: Radio New Zealand Don Mackinnon has been a key figure in sport integrity over many years. Elias Rodriguez The front man for a proposed new Twenty20 league has stepped down as chairperson of the Sport Integrity Commission, as questions emerge over his dual roles in New Zealand sport during a pivotal moment for cricket’s … Read more

Health Politics and Tech – Threats won’t fix Health NZ’s AI problem Investment will

Source: PSA Health NZ is threatening health workers with disciplinary action for using AI tools like ChatGPT to write notes. But the PSA says the real question is why staff are turning to free tools in the first place. A Health NZ senior manager has sent a memo to all Mental Health and Addiction Services staff in the … Read more

Workers First calls on finance sector to act on fuel crisis and support workers

Source: Workers First Union Workers First – the union for finance workers – has written to financial institutions across Aotearoa, calling on them to support their staff amid rising petrol costs and warning that workers are spending an increasing proportion of their wages simply travelling to and from work. [Read the letter from Workers First Union … Read more

Universities – As AI races ahead, can the law keep up? UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA How can existing and emerging legal frameworks govern artificial intelligence without stifling innovation? This question will be top of mind at a conference on AI regulation, governance, and public procurement at the University of Auckland this April. The inaugural Law, Technology and Government Conference will see international legal scholars, … Read more