Police seize $100k worth of methamphetamine, firearms and ammunition

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute: Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Whitty Methamphetamine with an estimated street value of approximately $100,000, along with two handguns and ammunition have been seized following a targeted Police operation in Marlborough. A 39-year-old man appeared in the Blenheim District Court this week in relation to the seizures. He’s been remanded and…

Health – Workforce Hub Northern Region launches to strengthen primary care workforce

Source: Workforce Hub Northern Region 21 August 2026 A new regional Workforce Hub designed to simplify workforce development, expand training opportunities and strengthen primary and community care across the Northern Region was officially launched yesterday by Health Minister Hon Simeon Brown. Delivered by ProCare and Total Healthcare on behalf of all 11 Primary Health Organisations … Read more

Australia – Household spending rises in July amid football World Cup and The Odyssey – CBA

Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) Friday, 21 August 2026 Australian household spending lifted by 0.6 per cent in July, with discretionary spending on experiences helping fuel the jump. Key stats: The strongest spending categories in July were insurance (1.2%), recreation (1.1%) and hospitality (1.0%). Discretionary spending lifted from 0.3% in June to 0.8% in … Read more

Advertising Sector – Smart Brands Prepare for Black Friday in August Before Ad Costs Climb 18% and Competition Jumps 40%

Source: Billo August 21, 2026 Data from marketing platform Billo dated June to December 2025 shows Meta ad competition rose 40% between August and the November peak. Billo, which connects brands with creators to produce social video ads, says the brands that win Black Friday test their creative already in August. New Billo data shows … Read more

Universities – Climate reporting drives firms to build capability and seek external expertise – UoS

Source: University of Sydney, Business School and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand 21 August 2026 Two reports highlight growing capability and valuable lessons for entities preparing for future reporting obligations. Australia’s largest organisations are shaping good practice in mandatory climate reporting, according to two new research reports from the University of Sydney Business School … Read more

Health sector – System-wide reform needed to improve access and affordability of surgery

Source: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Friday 21 August 2026 The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) calls for focus on what sits behind the patient gap. More than 700 surgeons have identified pressures across Medicare, private health insurance, public hospital capacity and the distribution of the surgical workforce as barriers to Australians accessing … Read more

Last chance to complete your set: Woolworths announces final Disney OOSHIES™ Swap Day as stock runs out nationwide

Source: Woolworths New Zealand 21 August 2026 – Woolworths teams nationwide are handing out their final Disney OOSHIES. To keep the magic going just a little longer and to help Kiwis finish their collections, Woolworths is hosting a second and final Swap Day this Saturday, 22 August, from 10AM to 12PM. The final event gives … Read more

PSA calls on Public Service Commission to withdraw te reo Māori parade guidance

Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is deeply concerned by guidance recently issued by the Public Service Commission that discourages public servants from attending the annual Te Wiki o te Reo Māori parade. The union is warning that the guidance could have a … Read more

NZPFU rejects options to progress settlement of collective agreement negotiations

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency is disappointed the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has rejected its request to explore arbitration as a way to bring their long-running collective agreement negotiations to a conclusion. “We have been working in good faith, utilising all of the options available under the Employment Relations … Read more

EMA appoints Matthew Dearing as Head of Legal

Source: Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) The EMA (Employers and Manufacturers Association) has appointed experienced employment lawyer Matthew Dearing as Head of Legal and General Counsel, strengthening its specialist support for New Zealand businesses at a time of significant workplace and employment law change. Throughout his career, Dearing has advised organisations ranging from small businesses … Read more

Tobacco sales continue to fall

Source: New Zealand Government Newly published data shows a continued decline in the sale of cigarettes and tobacco, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today.  “The figures are encouraging and are consistent with the long-term fall in smoking rates,” Ms Costello says. “The latest annual tobacco returns show the volume of tobacco sold in New…

Sod turned on Waimarino Health Centre expansion

Source: New Zealand Government People living in the Ruapehu district will have easier access to care as a result of the Waimarino Health Centre more than doubling in size, say Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey. “It’s a big day for the community with construction having begun today on the expansion…

Māori Health Strategy – Whiria Te Ora

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Publication date: 21 August 2026 img]:border [&>img]:border-brand-2-light field__item”> The Māori Health Strategy 2026 – Whiria Te Ora (to weave wellbeing) sets a clear, needs-based direction for improving health outcomes for Māori over the next five years.   The Strategy focuses on delivering improvements in the areas that will make the biggest difference to increasing…

Insights Report: Engagement for Māori Health Strategy 2026

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Publication date: 21 August 2026 img]:border [&>img]:border-brand-2-light field__item”> This report summarises insights and themes gathered from engaging with Māori communities, health providers, iwi, and sector partners about the development of the Māori Health Strategy. These engagements took place in September and October 2024.

Auckland children’s dental surgery waitlist falls by two-thirds

Source: New Zealand Government More children are getting faster access to dental treatment in Auckland, with the number of children waiting for dental surgery falling by more than 1,400 to its lowest level in years, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey announced today. “Children shouldn’t have to wait months for the dental treatment they need. Reducing this…

Closer to home: 20 new specialist classrooms

Source: New Zealand Government This Government is delivering a further 20 new specialist classrooms across nine schools, giving students the support they need, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. This $23 million investment brings the government’s total investment in specialist education infrastructure to more than $317 million, helping students with high and complex learning support needs…

Fake gun, real charges

Source: New Zealand Police A man who allegedly presented a fake pistol inside a store at Lynn Mall before stealing a hoodie is now in custody. At about 7pm, Police received a call from security staff at the New Lynn shopping centre who reported a male had allegedly told staff he wasn’t shoplifting but did…

Robber arrested after late night hold-up

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Inspector Jason McCarthy, Wellington Area Prevention Manager: Wellington City Beat Police have arrested a man following multiple reports of a robbery at an inner-city eatery on Manners Street last night. Just after 9pm, Police received report of a man demanding cash and passing a threatening note to counter staff. …

Li Ning Company Limited Announces 2026 Interim Results

Source: Media Outreach Firmly Implementing the “Single Brand, Multi-categories, Diversified Channels” Strategy; Super BOOM Capsule Technology Achieves Full Commercialization; Deepens Global Professional Sports Resources Together with Curry FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS In the first half of the year, the Group recorded the following operating results: Revenue rose by 2.8% to RMB15,235 million; gross profit margin increased by … Read more

Tonglu Enhances Regional Tourism Strategy Through Immersive Experiences and Infrastructure Upgrades

Source: Media Outreach TONGLU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2026 – Olympic champion diver Quan Hongchan visited the Chuiyun Tongtian River scenic area in Tonglu, China, in early August — not to dive, but to joke with the “Turtle Immortal,” a costumed performer entertaining passengers on boats through the river and its … Read more

From the Ground Up: How Vinhomes Is Building Cities to Global Smart-City Standards

Source: Media Outreach HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2026 – As global investors increasingly evaluate cities through measurable resilience, governance and sustainability, Vinhomes is taking an uncommon approach, embedding internationally recognized smart-city standards into large-scale developments from day one. Situated across 2,870 hectares, Vinhomes Green Paradise occupies one of Vietnam’s most … Read more

Phancy 2026 Interim Results: Revenue Up 43.4%, API Revenue Up 860.8%, Turnaround to Profit

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2026 – Phancy Group Co., Ltd. (“Phancy” or “the Group”, stock code: 6682.HK), a leading enterprise AI cloud service platform, today announced its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2026 (“the period”). During the period, the Group achieved revenue … Read more

“Japan Home” Singapore Stores Resume Operations

Source: Media Outreach Local Franchise Model to Enhance Operational Efficiency and Support Sustainable Growth SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2026 – International Housewares Retail Company Limited (“IH Retail” or the “Group”, stock code: 1373), the parent company and owner of the “Japan Home” brand in Singapore, is pleased to announce that all … Read more

Olymptrade partners with HOPE Worldwide Malaysia for a charitable mission in Kuala Lumpur

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2026 – Olymptrade, a global trading platform, partnered with HOPE Worldwide Malaysia on a charity initiative to support food distribution and healthcare access for low-income families in Kuala Lumpur. HOPE Worldwide Malaysia is a non-profit organization founded in 2000. It supports urban … Read more

From the Ground Up: How Vinhomes Is Building Cities to Global Smart-City Standards20

Source: Media Outreach HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2026 – As global investors increasingly evaluate cities through measurable resilience, governance and sustainability, Vinhomes is taking an uncommon approach, embedding internationally recognized smart-city standards into large-scale developments from day one. Situated across 2,870 hectares, Vinhomes Green Paradise occupies one of Vietnam’s most … Read more