Arts Award Applications – NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award 2026

Source: New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) Applications are OPEN An award supporting writers of new fiction – $5,000 The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) announce the 2026 opening of this award, which supports the completion and/or publication of new … Read more

Tourism – ZIPTREK STRENGTHENS ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT THROUGH LOVE QUEENSTOWN PARTNERSHIP

Source: Love Queenstown Queenstown Lakes, New Zealand (7 August 2026) – Queenstown tourism operator Ziptrek Ecotours has become a Love Queenstown Impact Partner, strengthening its support for local climate, conservation and biodiversity projects. Ziptrek has been involved with the community fund since its launch in 2023, contributing to fundraising events, industry planting days and other … Read more

Arrest after firearms incident in Dargaville

Source: New Zealand Police A man has been charged over a firearms incident that occurred at a Dargaville address on Thursday night. Police responded at 6.40pm to Ranfurly Street following reports of a family harm incident. Inspector Maria Nordstrom, Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander, says it was reported a man had allegedly presented a firearm, before firing…

Epsom incident: Update on cyclist’s condition

Source: New Zealand Police Police can advise one cyclist remains in hospital in a critical condition, following the events in Epsom on Wednesday morning. The boy’s parents have been overwhelmed by attempts to contact them. They have asked Police to convey their wish to media that they would like privacy at this time. ENDS Jarred…

Business funding now easier to find

Source: New Zealand Government Kiwi businesses can now find their share of the $400 million a year the Government puts into business grants, funds, and equity schemes in minutes rather than hours, with the launch of the upgraded Funding Explorer, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says. Hosted on business.govt.nz, the tool brings together…

Total Mobility scheme strengthened following review

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is making changes to strengthen the Total Mobility scheme and give disabled people greater transport choice, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston have announced. “Total Mobility provides subsidised transport through approved providers for disabled people and older New Zealanders with age-related impairments when regular public…

Northland News – Northland Mill closes early, workers to be paid out in full

Source: Workers First Union Juken NZ has confirmed the Northland Mill will close permanently today – Friday, 7 August – two weeks earlier than the previously planned closure date of 21 August. Workers First Union organiser Marcus Coverdale says the earlier date came as a surprise to workers and delegates. “Holy heka, it’s a bit … Read more

Govt & govt agencies’ approach to OIA comes under greater scrutiny by Ombudsman in lead-up to election

Source: Office of the Ombudsman Compliance with the Official Information Act by Government Ministers and agencies is set to come under closer scrutiny by the Ombudsman as New Zealand’s General Election approaches. Chief Ombudsman John Allen says it will become more important over the next three months for people requesting official information to get it … Read more

Time to clean up the dirty flood of secret money into political parties – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace Aotearoa The flood of secret money flowing into political parties shows the urgent need to clean up the electoral finance rules if we are to avoid a US-style system of one-dollar-one-vote, says Greenpeace Aotearoa. “This flood of secret money into political parties is a systemic threat to our democracy. We need to clean … Read more

Human Rights Commission calls for human rights-centred approach to AI and digital technologies

Source: Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission Aotearoa New Zealand can be a society where digital technologies support dignity, equality, and participation for all. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, the Human Rights Commission is calling for a human rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi-based approach to ensure these technologies … Read more

Multi-agency rescue of missing woman in Nelson

Source: New Zealand Police A coordinated and rapid response involving New Zealand Police, Land Search and Rescue Nelson, and Hato Hone St John led to the rescue of a missing 74-year-old woman in Nelson on Wednesday evening. On what was one of the coldest nights of the year, Police were notified around nightfall that a…

State Highway 98 closed following crash

Source: New Zealand Police State Highway 98 remains closed following a crash this morning. Police were called to a crash where a car hit a power pole on Lorne Dacre Road, Roslyn Bush, Southland, at approximately 7.50am. The highway is expected to be closed for the next couple of hours, so motorists will need to…

NZ’s ‘lowest-paid’ community nurses strike

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation Dozens of NZNO’s Total Care Health North Island members will hold a full withdrawal of labour strike on Friday 7 August from 8.30am to 4.30pm. The pickets take place in Hamilton, Auckland and Havelock North (Hawke’s Bay). Working under the ACC Nursing Services Contract for Total Care Health by Access, … Read more

Earlier monetisation of Chorus debt to the Crown supports infrastructure investment

Source: New Zealand Government The Crown has entered into binding agreements to monetise the debt it holds in telecommunications lines company Chorus, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop have confirmed.  “The Government announced in December 2025 its decision to progress the early monetisation of interest-free loans provided to Chorus between 2012 and…

New rule to slash red tape for regional airports

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is reforming a long-standing issue for regional airports by creating more flexible, cost-effective options to improve runway safety, Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced. Mr Meager says smaller airports will be freed from blanket industry regulations and unnecessary compliance costs through the creation of a new civil aviation rule.…

The Ocean Connects Us All! Grand Opening of the “Formosa-Hawaii Cultural Festival” Marking the CIP’s 30th Anniversary, Taiwan Joins Hands with Hawaii to Bring Indigenous Culture to the World

Source: Media Outreach TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 August 2024 – From July 31 to August 2, the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) joined hands with the State of Hawaii Office in Taipei to present the three-day “Formosa-Hawaii Cultural Festival” at the New Taipei City Citizen Plaza, inviting people from across Taiwan … Read more

deVere Group: the AI trade is fracturing fast and what to do now

Source: deVere Group AI investors should follow three priorities for the rest of 2026, warns the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organisations, as sharp swings are exposing which parts of the AI trade are built on real demand and which are not. Nigel Green of deVere Group’s comments come as … Read more

CUHK unveils 2026-2030 Strategic Plan: Leaping to Greatness

Source: Media Outreach Anchored by the TIGER framework, CUHK leaps toward new heights of academic excellence and global impact HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 August 2026 – The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) today (6 August) unveiled its new five-year strategic plan, titled “CUHK 2026–2030: Leaping to Greatness” (the “CUHK … Read more

Bridge Data Centres and Morong Electric Jointly Launch the World’s First Fully Prefabricated Power Module for AI Data Centres

Source: Media Outreach Called PowerCore 5.0, the containerised module will reduce power infrastructure delivery timelines by more than 50%. SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 August 2026 – Bridge Data Centres (BDC), a Singapore-headquartered hyperscale data centre provider, and Morong Electric, an electrical manufacturing specialist, have launched PowerCore 5.0, the world’s first fully prefabricated … Read more

Mortgage lending trends: 10 things to know right now – Cotality

Source: Cotality NZ Thursday 6 August 2026 Interest rates, credit rules, and shifting buyer behaviour are inextricably entwined with the health of the housing market. In line with the recent slowdown in property sales activity, mortgage lending has lost significant momentum – with growth dipping near zero in May and June marking a nearly three-year … Read more

GlobalData – RBI’s deliberate hold at 5.25% anchors growth amid US tariff and oil risks, says GlobalData

Source: GlobalData 6 August 2026 Following the Reserve Bank of India’s decision on 05 August 2026 to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% with a neutral stance; Jaison Davis, Economic Research Analyst at GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform, provides his perspective: “This is a deliberate pause, and the RBI can afford it. … Read more

RSA – Government urged to better fund NZDF personnel

Source: Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association 6 August 2026 The Royal New Zealand RSA is calling on the Government to provide greater, sustained funding for New Zealand Defence Force remuneration, saying investment in people must keep pace with New Zealand’s defence ambitions. The RNZRSA welcomes the additional funding provided for Defence pay through … Read more

Employment and Health – NZ’s ‘lowest-paid’ community nurses strike

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation Dozens of NZNO’s Total Care Health North Island members will hold a full withdrawal of labour strike on Friday 7 August from 8.30am to 4.30pm. The pickets take place in Hamilton, Auckland and Havelock North (Hawke’s Bay). Working under the ACC Nursing Services Contract for Total Care Health by Access, … Read more

Local News – Porirua supports regional amalgamation proposal

Source: Porirua City Council Porirua City Council today voted to submit an amalgamation proposal based on a single unitary council, supported by strong community councils, but said a referendum should be included in the next steps. The proposal was developed by councils in the Wellington region as part of Government’s Head Start process, as part … Read more