Business – Open Country Acquires Miraka

Source: Open Country Open Country announced it has finalised a deal to acquire 100% of Miraka Limited (Miraka). Open Country CEO Mark de Lautour said the opportunity to purchase Miraka happened quickly and made sense for the business. “We have admired the Miraka location and milk supply network for a long period given it sits … Read more

Police and athletes mark countdown to Special Olympics National Summer Games

Source: New Zealand Police At sunrise this morning, Special Olympics athletes and members from New Zealand Police lit the Flame of Hope at the Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch.  The event took place to mark the 100-day countdown to the National Summer Special Olympics Games to be held at the new Wolfbrook Arena from Wednesday … Read more

Update: Body located near Fitzroy Beach

Source: New Zealand Police Police have identified the male who was located deceased on the shoreline at Fitzroy Beach, New Plymouth this morning. We send our condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time. Police are providing ongoing support. We would like to thank the members of the public who provided information to … Read more

Pharmac confirms continued access to Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine

Source: PHARMAC 1 September 2025 Media release Medicines COVID-19 Pharmac has secured a new supply agreement with Pfizer to continue funding the Comirnaty brand of COVID-19 vaccine. This means Comirnaty will remain the main funded vaccine in New Zealand from 1 February 2026 through to at least 30 September 2027, with options to extend until … Read more

PSA condemns Pharmac move to dismantle Te Tiriti policy and Māori protections

Source: PSA The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi opposes Pharmac’s in-principle decision to remove its Te Tiriti o Waitangi Policy, saying it would be a clear breach of legal obligations, a rollback of Māori protections, and a continuation of structural harm to Māori staff and health equity. “Pharmac’s decision in principle to completely … Read more

BusinessNZ – Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum to convene in Canberra

Source: BusinessNZ The 16th Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) will be held on Tuesday 2 September and Wednesday 3 September in Canberra, Australia. The ANZLF is a dynamic bilateral platform that unites senior public and private sector Australian and New Zealand leadership to discuss, debate, and provide actionable insights to both governments. It focuses on … Read more

Consumer NZ welcomes $2.25 million fine against Jetstar

Source: Consumer NZ A fine handed to Jetstar for misleading passengers about their rights is one of the largest penalties issued under New Zealand’s Fair Trading Act. “This is a landmark case. A $2.25 million penalty sends a clear message that airlines cannot mislead passengers and expect to get away with it,” says Consumer NZ … Read more

Energy sector – Conference to tackle energy hardship and build resilience returns for 3rd year

Source: Ara Ake The Energy Resilience and Affordability Conference will return on 8-9 October 2025 at the Harbourside Function Centre, Wellington, bringing together leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand’s energy, community and research sectors. The two-day event will focus on addressing energy hardship while highlighting innovative, community-led energy solutions already making a difference on the ground. … Read more

Construction Sector – QVCostbuilder: Construction cost growth slows to 1.2% annually — lowest in years

Source: Quality Valuation (QV) The cost of building a home remains relatively stable, giving builders and developers greater certainty on price. In QV CostBuilder’s latest quarterly update for August, approximately 11,700 new material and labour prices were applied to its database of more than 60,000 rates across Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The … Read more

Universities – Pacific children’s wellbeing expert appointed new Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) – Vic

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennett as Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika).   Dr Dunlop-Bennett, of Samoan (Sā Petāia, Sā Te’o, Sā Atoā) and Māori (Ngāti Maniapoto) descent, is a former New Zealand High Commissioner to South Africa and other … Read more

Culture and Heritage – Merchant Navy Day 2025 to honour hospital ships and historic milestones

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage Merchant Navy Day will be marked by a national commemoration on Wednesday 3 September at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington. “Please join us to mark this Merchant Navy Day at Pukeahu, and remember the efforts and people of what is regarded as the ‘fourth service’ alongside the army, … Read more

Health and Law – Vaping law breaches fuel Foundation’s training rollout

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Just two weeks into the new vaping laws, 125 complaints poured in – and dozens of retailers were caught breaking the rules. Information released to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ shows that between 17 and 30 June 2025, Health NZ received 125 complaints and carried out 607 compliance visits. … Read more

“Scrim” reflects on decades of protecting nature

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  01 September 2025 “A good pair of boots, a chainsaw, a rifle, and a reliable truck.” DOC has launched its Always Be Naturing campaign during Conservation Week. Nature is at the heart of who we are as New Zealanders – it shapes our identity, wellbeing, economy and future. But nature … Read more

Appeal for information after body located near Fitzroy Beach

Source: New Zealand Police Police are appealing for information that could help identify a person located deceased on the shoreline at Fitzroy Beach, New Plymouth this morning. The deceased man is thought to be in his 50s, and was located at around 6:50am. He is described as being a thin build with a white beard, … Read more

Government backing vital regional connectivity

Source: New Zealand Government The Coalition Government will support at risk regional air routes with up to $30 million in loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for small passenger airlines, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Transport Minister James Meager say. “Reliable air services are critical for the economic and social wellbeing of regional … Read more

Watercare investment to upgrade infrastructure and create jobs

Source: New Zealand Government Watercare’s $500 million investment to upgrade and replace aging infrastructure will deliver improved water services and more jobs for Aucklanders, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “The Government knows that decades of underinvestment in water services have created an unavoidable cost for everyday Kiwis. That’s why the Watercare Charter was developed … Read more

Name release: Fatal crash, Ngararatunua

Source: New Zealand Police Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash in Ngararatunua, Northland on 22 August. He was Don Craig Tataurangi, 36, of Whangārei. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time. Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are continuing. ENDS. Holly McKay/NZ … Read more

Education – Language learning in New Zealand at ‘crisis point’

Source: Language Learning for New Zealand’s Future Forum calls for compulsory second language learning in school years seven to 10. Language learning in New Zealand is at “crisis point” – with fewer students studying languages now than in the 1930s, a new report says. Language Learning for New Zealand’s Future recommends that second language learning become … Read more

Health and Employment – Battle for patient safety continues with more nurses strikes – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation Patient safety remains an absolute priority for Te Whatu Ora health workers who will strike for two days this week to have safe staffing levels enforced, NZNO says. More than 36,000 Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora will walk … Read more

From 5 million to 695 billion – DOC reveals New Zealand’s “new population”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  01 September 2025 In an open letter to the world and on digital billboards, which went live overnight in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, DOC revealed it has “counted” all of nature and the total is 695 billion. Department of Conservation Director General Penny Nelson says the new population is a … Read more

Lens Technology and Rokid Usher in a New Era for AR: A Synergy of Innovation and Ecosystem Integration

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 August 2025 – The augmented reality (AR) industry is witnessing an unprecedented surge, propelled by Rokid Glasses’ record-breaking single-day sales of over 10,000 units and revenues surpassing RMB 30 million. At the forefront of this global phenomenon, Lens Technology emerges as a pivotal … Read more

Fish & Game licences refreshed to support women

Source: New Zealand Government Fish & Game New Zealand’s family fishing licences are receiving a long-overdue update to ensure both adults have equal fishing rights, Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has announced. From the 2025/26 angling season, both adults will be able to fish independently and have voting rights in Fish & Game elections. … Read more

Fatal crash: SH50, Tikokino

Source: New Zealand Police Police can confirm one person has died following a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 50, north of Tikokino around midday today. Sadly, one person passed away at the scene.  The highway was closed for a few hours for debris removal and opened at 3pm. The Serious Crash Unit are making enquiries … Read more

Police disrupt antisocial road user behaviour in Tauranga

Source: New Zealand Police Bay of Plenty Police have intercepted and disrupted multiple planned anti-social road user gatherings overnight with arrests, impounds, and infringements issued. A significant number of anti-social road users travelled from Hamilton, Rotorua, and other areas to congregate in Tauranga for planned meet-ups. Over the course of the operation, more than 100 … Read more

Legal News – PSNA legal challenge to NZ Superfund’s investments supporting illegal Israel settlements

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network (PSNA)   The Palestine Solidarity Network has issued judicial review proceedings to challenge the New Zealand Superfund’s investments in companies helping to build or maintain illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories.   The case will be heard in the Auckland High Court on 14/15 October. The named plaintiffs are … Read more

Operation Purple: Infringements, arrests in anti-social road user gathering

Source: New Zealand Police A strong Police presence in Manawatū overnight saw officers spoil the intentions of anti-social road users, and issue dozens of infringements. Operation Purple – supported by staff from Whanganui, Taranaki, Wellington, and Hawke’s Bay – saw at least 250 breath tests conducted, and successfully prevented the activity from causing potential further … Read more

Greymouth Police seeking identification of male

Source: New Zealand Police Greymouth Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the man pictured in these images. We believe he may be able to assist us with our enquiries following an assault at a restaurant, on the corner of Tainui Street and Whall Street, on Friday 8 August at around 10.45pm. If this … Read more