Health and Education – “Give us more” – young people want sex ed to be earlier, longer, and more inclusive

Source: Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest ever survey of young people’s views on RSE has delivered a clear message to policy makers – leave our RSE content alone and give us more information, starting younger and finishing later. More than 1000 people aged 16 to 20 responded to a Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa survey on relationships … Read more

Weather News – A week of changeable weather; snow and cool temperatures in the south – MetService

Source: MetService Covering period of Monday 29th September – Thursday 2nd October:   •    Short-lived rainbands move across the country throughout the week.•    Clear skies on Tuesday for much of the country.•    Strong Wind and Heavy Rain Watches for South Island; Canterbury High Country, Otago, Fiordland, Stewart Island and Southland.•    Snow to … Read more

Property Council – Seismic Shift: Government’s Earthquake-Prone Building Overhaul a Win for Communities

Source: Property Council New Zealand   Property Council New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s announcement to overhaul the assessment of earthquake-prone buildings, calling it a long-awaited reset that addresses the flaws of a regime which has left thousands of buildings empty and communities burdened with unfair costs.   Chief Executive Leonie Freeman says the previous … Read more

Oxfam reacts to NZ government’s decision not to recognise Palestinian statehood

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa At the United Nations over the weekend, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced that New Zealand will not recognise Palestinian statehood.  Oxfam Aotearoa Executive Director Jason Myers said, “We are disappointed at our government’s inaction on this issue. Recognition of statehood is more than a symbolic gesture, it affirms the Palestinian people’s right … Read more

Earthquake-prone building system refocused 

Source: New Zealand Government The earthquake-prone building system will be refocused to reduce repair costs and reinvigorate communities, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “While well intentioned, the current system for assessing and managing seismic risk in buildings places an overwhelming financial burden on building owners. “For many buildings, the price of strengthening runs … Read more

Maritime Union backs Global Sumud Flotilla and recognition of Palestine

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the New Zealand Government’s failure to formally recognise the State of Palestine is a bad mistake. Mr Findlay says New Zealand is not even doing the bare minimum for justice and peace. “The Government’s position that recognition of Palestine … Read more

Strengthening prostate cancer care in Southern

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand’s first Advanced Practitioner Radiation Therapist specialising in prostate cancer is transforming care for men in the lower South Island, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This role is helping transform prostate cancer care in region, giving men faster access to treatment, more personalised support, and improved outcomes,” Mr Brown says. … Read more

Work-related health newsletter – September 2025

Source: Worksafe New Zealand 29 September 2025 Check out our latest guidance and resources to help you ensure a healthy and safe work environment for you and your workers. In this edition of the work-related health newsletter: New Site Safe asbestos awareness training New Forestry Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) Workplace exposure standards (WES) SafePlus … Read more

Dargaville calf rearer fined $15,000 over poor care of animals

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries A Dargaville calf rearer has been fined $15,000 over his poor treatment of calves, with 13 found dead, and others having to be euthanised. Vivian Philip Flett (50) was sentenced (26/9/25) in the Dargaville District Court on 5 charges under the Animal Welfare Act following a successful prosecution by … Read more

Firearms found, four arrested following Whanganui search warrant

Source: New Zealand Police Multiple firearms were found hidden at a Puriri Street property when Whanganui police teams executed a search warrant last week. Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Carey Priest from the Whanganui Criminal Investigation Branch says items were found throughout the house, shed and in a roof space. “Officers found a significant number of … Read more

Charting a digital future: World Maritime Day 2025

Source: Maritime New Zealand Maritime NZ marked World Maritime Day on 25 September by bringing sector leaders together for an event in Wellington, highlighting the theme ‘Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity’ – set by the International Maritime Organization. The event showcased the Maritime Digital Transformation (MDT) initiative – a partnership between Toitū Te Whenua … Read more

Appointments to SOE boards

Source: New Zealand Government State-Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown has today announced a series of appointments and reappointments to two companies in the State Owned Enterprises portfolio. At Kiwi Group Capital Ltd, David McLean has been reappointed as Chair for a one-year term commencing 1 November 2025. Scott Pickering has also been appointed as a … Read more

Rooney’s Hut – snapshot of bygone era

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  29 September 2025 The hut, built in the 1930’s as accommodation for a family who lived at Big River, was later owned by the winding house operator of the Big River Mine, who walked off his job in 1942, causing the closure of the mine. Once the mine closed, people … Read more

PLB use leads to swift rescue in Upper Hutt

Source: New Zealand Police Wellington Police’s Search and Rescue squad was called into action on Sunday following a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) activation in the Little Akatarawa River area, Upper Hutt. The Rescue Coordination Centre requested assistance after the beacon was activated by a tramping group deep in the bush. Upon arrival, Police SAR teams … Read more

Crash, SH1 Tauranga-Taupō bridge

Source: New Zealand Police Emergency services are responding to a crash involving two vehicles on State Highway 1 at the Tauranga-Taupō bridge between Heuheu Parade and Hingapo Road. Police were called to the scene around 11.25am. At this stage six people are reported to have suffered moderate to serious injuries. The road is blocked in … Read more

Roll on Summer! Northland’s state highway renewal season

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Road users can expect to see significant upgrades along Northland’s vital transport routes this summer, with contractors for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) out renewing 204 lane kilometres* of state highway. It’s the second year of the largest-ever investment in state highway maintenance for the region. “Northland’s state highways … Read more

Health – Call for Pharmac to fund life-saving heart drugs out of reach for many Kiwi families

Source: Kia Manawanui Trust | The Heart of Aotearoa New Zealand Thousands of Kiwi heart patients are missing out on a proven, life-saving heart medication because it is not publicly funded. Kia Manawanui Trust – The Heart of Aotearoa is calling on Pharmac to fund a class of medicines called PCSK9 inhibitors that reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol. … Read more

Health – Aged Care Association backs Wairoa Mayor: Government must act on aged care crisis

Source: Aged Care Association The Aged Care Association (ACA) backs Wairoa Mayor Craig Little in his criticism of government inaction that has left the town without a single aged care bed more than two years after Cyclone Gabrielle. Mayor Little has called the lack of residential care in Wairoa an “emergency” that has been ignored by … Read more

Serious Crash: Botany Road

Source: New Zealand Police Emergency Services are attending a serious Crash on Botany Road, Auckland. Police were called at 10.20am after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle. One person has been transported to hospital in a serious condition. Botany Road is closed between Millhouse Drive and Golfland Drive. Police are advising motorists to use … Read more

Homicide investigation into man’s death in Gisborne

Source: New Zealand Police The death of a man in Gisborne this morning is being treated as a homicide, as Police seek a person seen running from the area. Shortly after 4am, Police were called to an address on Ormond Road, between Lytton Road and Riperata Street, where officers located the 36-year-old victim on the … Read more

Health – Up to 700 GP trainees to benefit from funding boost this year – College of GPs

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners Up to 700 GP trainees to benefit from funding boost this year The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) has been working alongside Minister Brown and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora to confirm how this funding, the ” Training Boost,” will be used to … Read more

Defence News – Whakatāne soldier builds around the Pacific

Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) The New Zealand Army’s Sergeant Shaun Taylor jumped at the chance to return to the Cook Islands as he grows his resume of building work from the heat of the tropics to the sub-zero temperatures of Antarctica. The Troop Sergeant is again taking part in Exercise Tropic Twilight, which … Read more

Employment – Pay rise for 800 Auckland Council library workers a step towards pay equity

Source: PSA The PSA has welcomed Auckland Council agreeing to a significant pay rise for council library workers, despite the Government scrapping pay equity for them and many other workers. Around 800 library workers – librarians, library assistants and those in specialist roles – will receive a pay rise backdated from 1 September. The increase amounts … Read more

The legacy of Lisa – a kākapō, an ancestor 

Source: NZ Department of Conservation By Andie Gentle Te tuku iho o Lisa – ke kākāpō, he tupuna – The legacy of Lisa – a kākapō, an ancestor  Lisa the kākāpō lived more than half a century and was one of the kākāpō we knew the longest. She passed away earlier this year on Pukenui … Read more

Specialised leadership programme provides skills and connection for migrant women

Source: Rata Foundation A leadership programme designed specifically for migrant women has supported 90 women from 19 countries, helping them build confidence and overcome social isolation through culturally responsive training. The Ethnic Women’s Leadership® Programme was developed by Lady Khadija Trust to address what founder Dr Hafsa Ahmed MNZM describes as a need to help migrant … Read more

Advocacy – On World Heart Day: Stand with the Beating Heart of Palestine – Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand On this World Heart Day, we are reminded that the heart is not only a symbol of life but also of resilience, compassion, and justice. The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on the global community to recognise the suffering of the Palestinian people, whose hearts continue to beat … Read more

Orange roughy, blue cod catch limits reduced

Source: New Zealand Government Catch limits for Chatham Rise and southern New Zea­­land orange roughy will be more than halved to support sustainability following a careful scientific assessment and public consultation, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes are included in a suite of catch limit changes as part of a regular sustainability … Read more