New Zealand’s Foreign Policy Reset: Progress & Reflections

Source: New Zealand Government [Keynote speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) national conference, Takina Convention Centre, Wellington] Good afternoon. National Chair of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Dr James Kember, Executive Director Dr Hamish McDougall, members of the Diplomatic Corps, distinguished guests.  It is a pleasure to speak here today … Read more

Arrest made in relation to homicide of Kaea Karauria

Source: New Zealand Police Police have charged a teenager after alleged interference in the murder investigation of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria. The girl was taken into custody on 16 June, after Police investigating Kaea’s death learned that a witness had been approached and allegedly threatened. Detective Inspector Dave de Lange said the alleged incident occurred on … Read more

The ‘serious threat to life or health’ exception in the HIPC

Source: Privacy Commissioner Rule 11 of the Health Information Privacy Code (HIPC) allows you to disclose health information if it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to the life or health of any person, or public health or safety (the serious threat exception). In each case, there are requirements that must be … Read more

Health on the road

Source: Privacy Commissioner 26 Apr 2017, 09:00 The health sector is increasingly providing community-based health services. Read our Health on the Road guide: how to keep health information safe while working in the community (opens to PDF, 174KB), which aims to help you keep health information secure while you’re off-site or on the road.  What … Read more

Etiqa Insurance Singapore Extends Support to Customers Impacted by Jetstar Asia’s Impending Closure

Source: Media Outreach Goodwill coverage for affected travel insurance customers includes extending claim submission period from 30 to 90 days to help customers better manage their travel disruptions SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2025 – On 16 June 2025, Etiqa Insurance Singapore announced its commitment to supporting its travel insurance customers who … Read more

Case Note 329274 [2025] NZ Priv Cmr 1 – Individual complains that government agency sent their health information to an incorrect address

Source: Privacy Commissioner 16 Jun 2025, 09:00 Background In 2021, a government agency mailed a client’s health information to the wrong address. The agency had the correct street but had misidentified the house number.  The agency had the incorrect address in its systems as the verified address for the client, because a staff member had … Read more

Rider and witnesses sought following crash on Edmund Road, Rotorua on Sunday

Source: New Zealand Police Police are seeking witnesses to the events leading up to a crash on Edmund Road, Rotorua on Sunday 15 June at about 2.15pm at a designated pedestrian crossing. Rotorua Police is investigating after a motorcyclist overtook a stationary vehicle waiting for a pedestrian to cross, and then struck the pedestrian who … Read more

Government must urgently rule out Ute Tax 2.0 – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers Federated Farmers is calling on Revenue Minister Simon Watts to urgently rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars each year. Inland Revenue has proposed major changes to the way FBT applies to utes, which are common and essential work tools for most farmers across … Read more

First Responders – New World Victoria Park fire update #3

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand The fire at New World Victoria Park is not yet under control, with firefighters facing challenges in reaching the fire. Crews were alerted by fire alarm activation to the fire around 11.18am. Currently there are 20 trucks and support vehicles are on the scene, with further resources still responding. This … Read more

Octa broker’s global survey: traders and security

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2025 – In trading, seizing opportunities and mitigating risks go hand in hand. Consistent success relies on a delicate balance between these two elements. To better understand how traders perceive and approach safety—both in daily life and during trading sessions—Octa, a trusted … Read more

Environment – EPA seeks feedback about new weedkiller for wheat and barley crops

Source: Environmental Protection Authority The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) wants feedback on an application to import or manufacture Tower, a new herbicide used to control certain broadleaf and grass weeds in wheat and barley crops. Adama New Zealand Limited has applied to introduce the new herbicide, which contains the active ingredients: – chlorotoluron at 250 g/L … Read more

Legislation – Luxon’s ACT Party Government dragging NZ workers back in time – Workers First Union

Source: Workers First Union Today’s introduction of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill to Parliament shows that the ACT Party – a fringe libertarian party with the support of fewer than one in ten New Zealanders – is now the leading force in Christopher Luxon’s “hands-off” Government and has been given a green light to drag Aotearoa … Read more

Appeal for information following incident in New Brighton

Source: New Zealand Police Canterbury Police are wanting to speak with the man in this photo, as we believe he can assist with our enquiries into an incident on New Brighton Pier at about 3:40pm on Saturday 14 June. The man has a distinctive hat and bike. If you have any information that could help … Read more

First Responders – New World Victoria Park fire update #2

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Firefighters are continuing to respond to the fire at New World Victoria Park in Auckland. Sixteen trucks and a Command Unit are in attendance as at 12.30pm, with trucks brought in from as far away as Devonport, Titirangi and Papatoetoe to provide additional personnel. Two aerial trucks are working above … Read more

Swiss Government Fails to Act on “Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Forum” – CSI

Source: Christian Solidarity International (CSI) CSI supports the Swiss sponsored peace negotiations between the Azerbaijani Government and representatives of the forcibly displaced Armenian Christian population of Nagorno Karabakh as required by the Swiss parliament. However, the Council of Ministers angered Swiss parliamentarians by tacitly accepting Azerbaijan’s ethno-religious cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh and refusing to communicate … Read more

Green’s fiscal strategy opportunity to debate new thinking on public investment – Better Taxes

Source: Better Taxes for a Better Future The Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign welcomes the recognition in the Green Party’s Fiscal Strategy of the importance of government capability in building an economy and society that delivers what our communities need. Its fiscal strategy is a significant contribution towards moving thinking on from the … Read more

The current state of housing in Aotearoa New Zealand – Stats NZ media release and report: Housing in Aotearoa New Zealand: 2025

The current state of housing in Aotearoa New Zealand – media release 17 June 2025 Housing in New Zealand’s cities is changing, with an increase in housing density, and more multi-unit homes. Home ownership has increased, however housing affordability is still an issue for many households, according to a report released by Stats NZ today. Housing … Read more

Targets continue to get health back on track

Source: New Zealand Government The Government’s focus on restoring performance and accountability in the health system is delivering real outcomes for patients, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “The latest quarterly results show clear progress in putting patients first and delivering access to timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says. In the latest … Read more

Modernising Early Childhood Education funding

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Funding Review to ensure the funding system is simple, fair, and gets value for money.  Mr Seymour has established an ECE Funding Review Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), chaired by Linda Meade to carry out this review. It will … Read more

Gordon Wilson Flats’ heritage protection goneburger

Source: New Zealand Government The derelict and unsafe Gordon Wilson Flats in Wellington will lose its protected heritage status and become eligible for demolition through an amendment to the Resource Management Act (RMA) in the coming weeks, RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Gordon Wilson Flats were used as social housing until … Read more

Property Market – NZ housing market steadies as sentiment cautiously lifts – QV

Source: Quality Valuation (QV) The rate of decline in the housing market has slowed again, with national residential property values largely holding steady throughout May. Our latest QV House Price Index shows nationwide values have inched up just 0.1% to a new national average of $913,772 in the May quarter. That figure is 1.1% lower … Read more

New Zealanders’ Asia knowledge peaks as regional relationships evolve – Asia NZ Foundation

Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation The Asia New Zealand Foundation’s 28th annual Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples survey shows that New Zealanders are maintaining their commitment to and engagement in Asia while adapting to changing regional dynamics. “New Zealanders are becoming more discerning about regional relationships,” says Suzannah Jessep, Chief Executive of the Asia New … Read more

First Responders – New World Victoria Park fire

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews are responding to a fire at New World Victoria Park in Auckland. Crews were alerted by a fire alarm activation at 11.18am. As at 11.50am, there are 11 trucks and a Command Unit at the scene. The fire is not yet under control. All … Read more

Legislation – Radical employment bill threatens every NZ worker – CTU

Source: Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is urging all political parties to vote against Brooke van Velden’s new Employment Relations Amendment Bill, as it will severely undermine workers’ rights. “This new Bill will legislate many of the attacks on workers’ rights signalled by Brooke van … Read more

Legislation – All workers will now be able to be fired at will – the Govt has no shame – PSA

Source: PSA All workers will be in the firing line for instant dismissal regardless of circumstances under a law change now before Parliament. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brook van Velden has introduced the Employment Relations Amendment Bill which will make it harder for workers to bring personal grievance claims. “This is plainly and simply a … Read more

Health Privatisation – Private health contracts advance Govt’s health privatisation agenda – PSA

Source: PSA The Government’s directive to Health New Zealand to give 10-year contracts to private hospitals for elective surgeries is a further step towards privatisation of health care, the PSA says. Stripping money out of the public health system to pay private, for-profit providers will not solve the Government’s underfunding of health, Public Service Association Te … Read more

Rural voters fed up with rates rip-off – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers Councils have a mountain to climb to win back the trust of rural ratepayers, Federated Farmers says – and that starts with cutting wasteful spending and sharing the burden more fairly. “At the same time, councils deserve an overhaul of their funding tools and other changes to central government policy,” Feds local government … Read more