NZ-AU: Gridless Empowering Victorian Homes to Cut Bills and Emissions with VEU Rebates

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU) Melbourne, VIC, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gridless is proud to announce an initiative helping Victorian homeowners replace outdated gas heating systems with efficient electric solutions. Australians can leverage the generous Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebates on air conditioning, solar energy systems, and hot water systems. This push comes as households’ growing … Read more

Have you seen Maria and Rumetati?

Source: New Zealand Police Police are seeking the public’s help to locate Maria, 29 and Rumetati, 28. Both were last seen entering the Hākarimata Summit Track at 4:30pm yesterday and have not returned to their homes. If you have been near the Hākarimata Summit Track area around that time and have seen either person, Police … Read more

Road closed, Moutere Highway

Source: New Zealand Police Moutere Highway, between Maisey and Old Coach Road, is closed following a fire. Police received report of the fire around 12.40am today. One person was treated for smoke inhalation. Motorists should avoid the area as emergency services respond. Diversions are in place. ENDS MIL OSI

Property and Construction – Construction costs have surged almost twice as fast as inflation over the past decade

Source: Quality Valuation (QV) New Zealand’s residential construction costs have risen around 61% since 2015, compared with a 33% rise in the Consumers Price Index (CPI) — highlighting how building costs have surged ahead of everyday prices. The data, drawn from QV CostBuilder, New Zealand’s largest subscription-based construction-cost platform, shows that building-cost inflation has run … Read more

Employment – More than 1200 ACC workers join other health workers in striking Thursday

Source: PSA PSA members at ACC have voted overwhelmingly to strike this Thursday, joining more than 100,000 other workers protesting the Government’s under funding of public sector services. More than 1200 workers from across ACC will strike from 6am to 8pm after the failure of the Government to provide a meaningful offer and ongoing concerns over … Read more

Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2025 Convenes for the 2nd Year, Igniting Youth Innovation and Global Leadership

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – The second annual Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2025, organized by the Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy, officially took place today. The Summit has convened over 200 young professionals, government leaders, and corporate executives from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, … Read more

Annual inflation at 3.0 percent in September 2025 – Consumers price index: September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

Annual inflation at 3.0 percent in September 2025 – news story 20 October 2025 Aotearoa New Zealand’s consumers price index (CPI) increased 3.0 percent in the 12 months to the September 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. The 3.0 percent increase follows a 2.7 percent increase in the 12 months to the … Read more

Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2025 Reinforces Thailand’s Position as Asia’s Leading Fashion Event, Elevating Bangkok as a Global Fashion Hub

Source: Media Outreach BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – The grandest fashion event of the year, “Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2025” (BIFW2025), concluded with a resounding success after four spectacular days that ignited the regional fashion scene. Featuring 11 groundbreaking runway shows from Thailand’s top designers and brands, … Read more

Two Hong Kong Free Claim Platforms Unite to Build the Most Comprehensive Legal Info Network for Accident Victims

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – To help workers, drivers, and accident victims better understand their rights and claim procedures, workinjury.hk and caraccident.hk have announced a strategic partnership. Together, they aim to create Hong Kong’s most complete free claim information network covering both work-injury and traffic-accident … Read more

uFinance Empowers Tertiary Students to Overcome Tuition Pressures and Navigate Grant Loan Challenges with Ease

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – For Hong Kong tertiary students, pursuing dreams often comes with financial pressures. While applying for the government’s Student Financial Assistance Scheme (“Grant Loan”) is a common option, its complex application process and strict deadlines frequently catch students off guard, potentially … Read more

Next steps for Roads of National Significance

Source: New Zealand Government Combined funding of nearly $1.2 billion will see the Government’s Roads of National Significance programme move to the next phase of development, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Government is committed to building a long-term pipeline of transport infrastructure investments to redress New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit and build jobs and growth … Read more

Education – Ara Institute of Canterbury launches ‘Get Set’ campaign ahead of 2026 independence

Source: Ara Institute of Canterbury Ara Institute of Canterbury has launched its first major independent brand campaign since 2020, marking a confident step toward full independence in 2026. Titled ‘Get Set’, the campaign puts the focus on learners who are ready to take the next step – even if they’re still figuring out their options.  It’s … Read more

Banking and Finance – ASB cuts mortgage rates further

Source: ASB ASB has today reduced six of its fixed home lending rates, including a market-leading 18-month term. ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says “These rate reductions will be welcome news to the thousands of households looking to refix their mortgages or begin their home ownership journey.” ASB also reduced its term … Read more

Transporting New Zealand calls for bipartisan commitment on Roads of National Significance programme

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Transporting New Zealand is welcoming progress on the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) Programme, but says that a bipartisan commitment is needed to avoid the risk of costly cancellations and further disruptions to the infrastructure pipeline. The Minister of Transport announced today that the NZTA Board has now endorsed … Read more

Energy Sector – Rising Power Bills Driving Demand for Hot Water Heat Pumps

Source: Ecobulb Consumers are responding to soaring electricity prices by turning to modern energy-efficient technologies, says energy efficiency expert Dr Chris Mardon, Managing Director of Christchurch-based company Ecobulb. According to Statistics New Zealand, electricity costs rose by 11% in the year to September, the steepest annual increase since 1989. “These increases are significant, and more … Read more

PSA backs plan to stop state asset sales

Source: PSA The Public Service Association is backing Labour’s Future Fund plan, saying it will protect state-owned assets from privatisation and ensure the wealth they generate stays in New Zealand for the benefit of all Kiwis. “This is exactly the kind of long-term thinking New Zealand desperately needs after the many short-sighted decisions by the current … Read more

Altruism – Kiwis donated an estimated 58,000kgs of clothing in just one day: The results are in from this year’s Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive

Source: Acumen Kiwis united in a nationwide show of generosity across the weekend, donating an estimated 58,000kgs (a 16% increase from 2024) of clothing in six hours through this year’s Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive on Saturday 18th October.    The Clothing Drive made it easy for New Zealanders to donate high-quality clothing directly … Read more

Raydel expands into Vietnam, aiming at promoting sustainable health for Vietnamese people

Source: Media Outreach HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – Raydel expands its business operations in Vietnam, with the goal not only of bringing high-quality health products closer to local consumers but also of promoting scientific cooperation and technology transfer in the field of preventive medicine. Mr. Lee Byeong-gu, Chief Executive … Read more

Fleeing incident land eight youths in Police hands

Source: New Zealand Police Safely resolving a fleeing incident, allegedly involving eight youths who were all too young to drive, was a top priority for Waitematā Police in the early hours of this morning.    At about 3.20am, a Police unit observed a stolen Toyota travelling through the Massey area. Waitematā West Area Response Manager, Acting … Read more

HKSTP and HKTDC Lead 22 Hong Kong Innovators to Middle East Facilitating Over 200 Business Matchings to Unlock Belt and Road Opportunities

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), recently led 22 Hong Kong technology companies to two premier innovation events, GITEX Global and Expand North Star, on Oct 12-17 … Read more

Three due to appear in court after being sniffed out by Dog Unit

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Sergeant Samantha Pettigrew, Cambridge Public Safety Team: Multiple incidents in Cambridge have landed three before the courts after they were no match for a Waikato Police Dog Unit. On Sunday, Police were notified of three people unlawfully entering a commercial premises on Robinson Street at around 2.15am. The alleged … Read more

Inflation rises to 3% – wages don’t

Source: NZCTU The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is concerned by new data released by Statistics New Zealand showing that the cost of living increased by 3%, more than public and private sector wage growth. “Wages are rising by less than inflation, meaning all workers, regardless of sector, are now falling behind average living costs. The … Read more

FBS AI Assistant Helps Traders Skip Market Noise and Focus on Strategy

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 October 2025 – FBS, a leading global broker, introduces the FBS AI Assistant, an intelligent feature in the FBS app designed to help traders skip the market noise and see what truly matters. FBS AI Assistant Helps Traders Skip Market Noise and Focus on Strategy … Read more

Wildberries Expands WB Club Loyalty Program to Central Asia

Source: Media Outreach MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – Wildberries, a leading digital platform in Eurasia, has expanded its loyalty program to seven countries. More than 3 million customers regularly pay for a WB Club subscription, which provides access to additional discounts on marketplace products and an enhanced level of … Read more

Hong Kong’s finance chief attends IMF and World Bank meetings in US, updates different sectors on latest developments in the HKSAR

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), visited the United States last week (October 14-17) to attend Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG). Mr Chan also updated government … Read more

Clear Direction for Credit Access and Consumer Confidence

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is moving to improve access to credit for New Zealanders through changes to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill, which was reported back from the Select Committee today. These reforms will restore common sense to lending, reduce unnecessary red tape, and ensure responsible borrowers can access finance … Read more

53 years of the Equal Pay Act 

Source: NZCTU 53 years since the Equal Pay Act 1972 was passed, NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges is calling on political parties to reverse the recent changes to the Act that undermine women’s pay equity rights. On 6 May, the National-led Government announced sweeping changes to the Equal Pay Act, gutting pay equity. Active claims were … Read more