Politics – Minister’s political interference in the ERA outrageous – PSA

Source: PSA Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden’s statement that she expects new Employment Relations Authority appointments to reduce compensation awards to workers is an outrageous breach of judicial independence, says the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. In an interview with BusinessDesk, Van Velden said she hoped new ERA appointees with private sector backgrounds … Read more

Hongkong Land launches Hong Kong’s first AI-powered intelligent facility management platform

Source: Media Outreach Key highlights include: The Integrated Facility Management Control Tower (IFMCT) unifies over 20 standalone building systems into a single AI-powered command centre and is poised for wider implementation, with plans to expand across Hongkong Land’s regional portfolio. The transition from reactive to proactive maintenance, powered by AI health analytics, has significantly reduced … Read more

ITRI SEA Office and LogHealth of Mahidol University to Co-Host Smart Health Industry Forum on September 9

Source: Media Outreach TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 August 2025- The Southeast Asia Office of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and LogHealth of Mahidol University are collaborating to host the “Smart Health Industry Forum” on September 9, 2025 in Bangkok. The event aims to explore the latest trends and developments within … Read more

Operation Harvest bears fruit for Police

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Baird: South Island Organised Crime Police have arrested two men and seized a large amount of methamphetamine and cash during search warrants executed at addresses in Christchurch and Dunedin this week. The five-week investigation was terminated after the three addresses were searched on Monday 18 … Read more

Defence helicopter, plane decisions announced

Source: New Zealand Government Seahawk helicopters and Airbus planes are set to replace aging New Zealand Defence Force aircraft in the first major investment decisions to be made as part of the Government’s Defence Capability Plan (DCP). Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced investment decisions of $2.7 billion, with … Read more

CNA offers “paid media release” service in partnership with Media OutReach Newswire

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 August 2025 – CNA, the global news and current affairs brand of Mediacorp, is offering a new service which allows businesses and brands from around the world to seamlessly publish their media releases in a dedicated section on its flagship website, cna.asia, via its very … Read more

Four arrests as aggravated robbery investigation continues

Source: New Zealand Police Police have made four arrests after an operation unfolded across two regions following an aggravated robbery in Flat Bush this morning. Counties Manukau CIB are investigating with charges being confirmed for those allegedly involved. At around 5am, a group of men arrived at a Kerrykeel Drive property. Detective Inspector Karen Bright, … Read more

Back on the water: Jet ski found five years after theft

Source: New Zealand Police A family jet ski lost to the hands of thieves five years ago has been returned to its rightful owners after a search on social media proved fruitful. The jet ski was originally reported stolen from a property in Waitākere in October 2020. Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Kelly Farrant, … Read more

Weather News – Sunshine in the south, showers in the north – MetService

Source: MetService Covering period of Thursday 21st – Monday 25th August – With the weekend in sight, the clouds will part, and the skies will brighten up for many regions. A line of showers, however, will be arriving in the upper North Island. This will be something to keep a close eye on for those attending … Read more

The lure of luxury catches out alleged scammer

Source: New Zealand Police An alleged text scammer attempting to splash out on luxury goods is instead awaiting her next court date in custody. Auckland City CIB have laid seven fraud charges and are continuing to investigate the visitor’s actions after she aroused suspicion at high-end retailers. Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton says Police were … Read more

Universities – Exploring AI’s environmental costs and benefits – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) How can we use artificial intelligence to help the planet – and what impacts might it have along the way? A panel of experts will explore the opportunities and trade-offs of artificial intelligence (AI) for the environment at an event on Tuesday, 26 August, organised by University of Auckland research centre … Read more

First Fast-track project approved

Source: New Zealand Government Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have welcomed news that the first Fast-track project has received consent, less than seven months since the one-stop approvals shop opened for business. The Port of Auckland wharf expansion project has today received its approval from an expert panel set up … Read more

Confirmation of fatality, name release, Mahana

Source: New Zealand Police Police can confirm that a man died in Nelson Hospital yesterday [20 August] following a crash last week. The crash on 13 August was on the Coastal Highway, Mahana. The man was 71-year-old Richard Marris from Nelson. Police extend our condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time. Enquiries into … Read more

Northland Regional Council news briefs – 21 August 2025

Source: Northland Regional Council RELEASE OF THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT (COASTAL) 2024 REPORT Our coast is woven into Northlanders’ identity, wellbeing, and history. The health of the moana reflects the health of its people. Coastal environments are under increasing pressure from land use, marine activities, climate change, and biosecurity threats. Northland Regional Council’s newly released … Read more

Performing Arts – Rare chance to hear chamber music gem

Source: Aroha String Quartet Audiences in Wellington, the Kapiti Coast and the Manawatū will get the opportunity to hear a live performance of a rarely performed gem of the chamber music repertoire in concerts in September. The members of the Wellington-based Aroha String Quartet will be joined by fri MIL OSI

Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grants opens for applications

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage “I am proud to announce that Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grants is open for applications,” says Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae. The grants support historians, researchers and writers who are working on non-fiction projects that will significantly enhance our understanding of New Zealand’s past. “Like past years, we expect … Read more

Farm News – Strong wool – where to next? – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Richard Dawkins joins other farming and wool industry leaders at strong wool workshops in Otago and Southland next week. Richard writes there’s reason for hope the strong wool industry has turned a corner – but farmers need to get in behind the change-makers. My earliest memories of … Read more

Fonterra lifts FY25 forecast Farmgate Milk Price and narrows FY26 range

Source: Fonterra Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today increased the 2024/25 season forecast Farmgate Milk Price from $10.00 per kgMS to $10.15 per kgMS, with the range narrowing from $9.70 – $10.30 per kgMS to $10.10 – $10.20 per kgMS. CEO Miles Hurrell says “as we close out the FY25 year, I’m pleased to be in the … Read more

Results – Kiwibank announces FY25 results

Source: Kiwibank FY25 financial highlights: Net profit after tax of $191 million for the 12 months to 30 June 2025, down 5% on the prior financial year. Strong balance sheet growth was offset by a lower Net Interest Margin in a challenging economic environment. Above market lending and deposit growth as more Kiwi choose Kiwibank: … Read more

Term two attendance higher than pre-covid

Source: New Zealand Government Every term since Term 1 2024 has record higher attendance than the same term the year before. It’s a good run, thanks to the students who are showing up more often, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says.  In Term 2 this year, 58.4 per cent of students attended school regularly, an … Read more

Police acknowledge IPCA findings into unjustified use of force

Source: New Zealand Police Police acknowledge the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority over the use of force on a person in the Auckland Custody Unit. On 18 January 2023, Police arrested a man for breaching bail and took him to the custody unit. While there he was transferred to another cell where two … Read more

Recovery work underway in the Top of the South Island

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Residents and road users across the top of the South Island can expect to see a hive of activity on state highways as recovery works in the region step up a gear. Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says the public will see more road works … Read more

EIT confirms restructure as institute prepares for independence

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology 2 hours ago The Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) has confirmed the outcome of its change process, with restructure decisions now finalised following consultation with staff. The changes will result in a net reduction of 40 full-time equivalent (FTE) roles across both academic and non-academic areas. EIT Operations Lead Glen … Read more

Unions celebrate new pay transparency law

Source: NZCTU The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is celebrating the passage of Labour MP Camilla Belich’s Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill into law. The Bill will protect working people who want to discuss or disclose their pay. “This Bill represents a significant step towards pay transparency for workers. We are thrilled that is … Read more

Maketu Road has reopened

Source: New Zealand Police Maketu Road has reopened after it was closed in relation to a pre-planned search warrant this morning. The public can expect an increased Police presence in Maketu this morning as enquiries continue. There is not believed to be any risk to public safety, however residents can expect to see some staff … Read more

Arrests made in relation to Rotorua homicide

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark van Kempen: Four people are due in court today in relation to a homicide in Rotorua yesterday. Emergency services were called to an assault on Trigg Avenue around 12:20pm on Wednesday. Upon arrival, a man was located in a critical condition, but he died at … Read more

Growing proportion of Employment Relations Authority members with private sector experience

Source: New Zealand Government Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announces the appointment of four new members to fill vacancies at the Employment Relations Authority [ERA] and the reappointment of two Members. The ERA is an independent body that helps resolve employment relationship problems and facilitates collective bargaining when issues arise.  “Earlier this … Read more