A Decade of Wonder: Wonderfruit Announces Programming through a Guide to Wonder

Source: Media Outreach BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 August 2025 – Wonderfruit, Thailand’s annual celebration of culture, art, music and nature, returns for a milestone 10th edition from 11–15 December 2025 at The Fields of Siam Country Club. Renowned international artists, diverse regional and Thai acts, chefs’ table experiences, Thai Molam legends, … Read more

Workers paying the price in weak economy

Source: NZCTU New data released by Statistics New Zealand shows that unemployment has increased to 5.2%, meaning that there are 158,000 people unemployed in New Zealand, and that wages are not keeping up with rising costs. “Unemployment has increased 28% since the Government took office. They have no plan to bring the numbers down or … Read more

Unemployment lower than forecast

Source: New Zealand Government The latest labour market data showing lower than forecast unemployment has been noted by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Stats NZ data released today shows the unemployment rate for the June quarter was 5.2 per cent, below the Treasury forecast of 5.4 per cent. “Rising unemployment is tough on every New Zealander … Read more

Dog owner’s blatant rule breaking costs $400

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  06 August 2025 Posted on a public Facebook page, the photos include damning evidence of the woman smiling while holding one of her dogs in front of one of the “no dogs” signs in the national park. Department of Conservation Tongariro Operations Manager Libby O’Brien says the infringement notice was … Read more

Abortions increase 30% since law change

Source: Family First MEDIA RELEASE – 6 August 2025Provisional data from the Ministry of Health reveals that the number of abortions increased by 5% in 2024, and have increased by 30% since abortion was decriminalised in 2020. Abortions have increased from  16,277 abortion procedures in 2023 to 17,123 last year, according to the provisional figures … Read more

One arrest after New Lynn aggravated robbery

Source: New Zealand Police Police have made an arrest following an aggravated robbery at New Lynn Train Station overnight. Police were called to the transport hub at around 11.30pm on Tuesday night. Detective Senior Sergeant Josh Lautogo, from Waitematā CIB, says the victim had alighted from a bus that had arrived. “The man was followed … Read more

Speech to Building Nations 2025

Source: New Zealand Government Good morning, everyone. It’s great to be here today at Building Nations 2025. I’d like to thank Nick Leggett and his team at Infrastructure New Zealand for hosting this conference. I believe this is the big 20. Congratulations, and I look forward to the next 20. Reflections Building Nations is always … Read more

Next steps on replacing petrol tax with electronic road user charges

Source: New Zealand Government Cabinet has agreed to a series of important legislative changes to enable the transition of New Zealand’s 3.5 million light vehicles to paying for our roading network through electronic road user charges, rather than petrol tax, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. “The abolition of petrol tax, and the move towards all … Read more

Education Research – Rethinking How Schools Prepare Students for Work – FFCoVE

Source: Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence A timely report released by the Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence (Food and Fibre CoVE) on the back of the Government announcing stronger vocational pathways, urges a shift away from outdated concepts of “transitions” between school and work, calling instead for a more integrated, flexible, … Read more

Health – 20 years of ProCare scholarships for University of Auckland medical students

Source: ProCare ProCare is proud to mark the 20th anniversary of its scholarship programme supporting Māori and Pacific medical students at the University of Auckland. Since 2003, the ProCare Scholarship has recognised top-performing students in the General Practice part of the University’s Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme. This year these scholarships … Read more

Govt Cuts – Govt kept secret cuts to science funding to finance new Applied Tech Institute – PSA

Source: PSA Last month’s announcement on the new Applied Technology Institute failed to reveal that science funds were being cut to finance it. MBIE has now revealed to media that there is no new money for the institute, but the $231 million budget comes from cutting science funds and from other science pools. This includes the Government chopping … Read more

Police disappointed after alcohol compliance checks in Taranaki

Source: New Zealand Police Taranaki Police are disappointed with licensed premises after multiple breaches were seen during a Controlled Purchase Operation. A Controlled Purchase Operation (CPO) checking the sale of alcohol to minors was held on 25 July, with six out of eight premises failing. Police, Te Whatu Ora, and South Taranaki District Council joined … Read more

Rural health roadshow reaches Tūrangi

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson are in Tūrangi today to continue engaging with rural communities on how to improve access to care across the country. “The Rural Health Roadshow is about hearing directly from … Read more

Help us find John Bagnall

Source: New Zealand Police Police are seeking information of John Bagnall who has been reported missing. The 57-year-old was reported missing from the Pt Chevalier and Mt Roskill areas on 31 July. John was last seen at 7.24am on 20 July at Kiwi Storage on Carr Road in Mt Roskill.  Police are seeking any sightings … Read more

Fisheries reforms support economic growth

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is progressing a package of major fisheries reforms that will remove obstacles to the fishing industry achieving its enormous potential for sustainable growth, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says “These changes are the most significant reforms to the Fisheries Act for decades and they reflect my commitment to … Read more

Privacy Commissioner announces new rules for biometrics

Source: Privacy Commissioner 6 Aug 2025, 09:00 New Zealand now has new privacy rules for the automated use of biometrics – rules that aim to protect New Zealander’s sensitive personal data, while allowing agencies to innovate. Biometric processing is the use of technologies, like facial recognition technology, to collect and process people’s biometric information to … Read more

Man’s death being investigated in Mt Wellington reserve

Source: New Zealand Police Auckland City Police are investigating the circumstances of a man’s death in Mt Wellington this morning. At around 1.30am, Police were called to a hardware retail store on Ellerslie-Panmure Highway after an alarm had been activated. “Police units arrived on scene and established cordons around the store,” Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony … Read more

World Triathlon races into Tauranga

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand is set to welcome the world’s top athletes as Tauranga is announced as the host city for a series of World Triathlon events over the next three years from 2026, including the 2028 World Triathlon Championship Finals. “We’re excited to host these high-profile World Triathlon events, attracting international visitors … Read more

Pedestrian dies following Onehunga crash

Source: New Zealand Police Police can advise a pedestrian critically injured in a crash in Onehunga on 4 August has died. A crash involving a bus and pedestrian was reported at 11.20am on Church Street. “A woman in her 80s was transported to Auckland City Hospital at the time,” Detective Sergeant Wayne Gear says. “Sadly, … Read more

Police appealing for information regarding powerline tampering

Source: New Zealand Police Police are renewing an appeal for information following the continuation of incidents of powerline tampering and theft across the Christchurch region. Acting Detective Sergeant Steph Trengrove, Christchurch Tactical Crime Unit says, over recent months, Police are continuing to see these incidents reported. “This is not only frustrating to when essential services … Read more

Biometric Processing Privacy Code 2025

Source: Privacy Commissioner About the code The Biometric Processing Privacy Code 2025 was issued on 21 July 2025. The Code will come into force on: 3 November 2025 for biometric processing that starts after 3 November 2025 3 August 2026 for biometric processing already in use on or before 3 November 2025  The Code, made … Read more

Biometrics

Source: Privacy Commissioner Read the Biometric Processing Privacy Code. This guidance on the Biometric Processing Privacy Code (the Code) is to help organisations and individuals understand the Code and how it applies to them. It explains how the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC, we) expect organisations to comply with the obligations in the Code. … Read more

BNZ research identifies key drivers of NZ business growth – and the untapped opportunities

Source: BNZ Statements New Zealand businesses excel at operational fundamentals, but many are missing strategic opportunities that could accelerate growth, new research from Bank of New Zealand reveals. “We’re at a pivotal moment for New Zealand business,” says Brandon Jackson, GM Growth Sectors at BNZ. “The economic headwinds are slowly easing, and the enterprises that … Read more

Everyone can be a firearms safety G.O.A T

Source: New Zealand Police With the annual National Wild Goat Hunting Competition now underway, hunters are being reminded that everyone can be a firearms safety G.O.A.T. [Greatest Of All Time]. The annual goat hunting competition is run by the Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association and is one of the important measures … Read more

Planning for Canterbury policing into the future

Source: New Zealand Police Canterbury Police are undertaking a staff consultation process to ensure the district has the right people in the right place at the right time. District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill last week sent a district restructure proposal to all Canterbury staff for feedback. “We know our communities want us to tackle retail … Read more

Prisoner loses claim that his letters were unfairly withheld

Source: New Zealand Privacy Commissioner – Blog The Human Rights Review Tribunal has dismissed a claim by a prisoner that the Department of Corrections interfered with his privacy by withholding his outgoing prison mail. The prisoner claimed the department’s actions were in breach of Privacy Act principles 1-4 and 9. He also said the department … Read more

Southeast Asia Youth Join Global Innovation Movement at Xiamen University Malaysia

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 August 2025 – The final competition and award ceremony of the Southeast Asia Division Contest of China International College Students’ Innovation Competition (SEA-CICSIC) 2025 and Malaysia-China Youth Innovation Competition (MCYIC) 2025 concluded successfully at Xiamen University Malaysia on 20 July 2025, bringing together … Read more