More staff, better prisons to keep public safe

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets New investment in prison capacity and frontline staff will help reduce reoffending and keep the public safe, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says.  “Our Government has restored proper consequences for crime. Because of that, there has been an increase in the prison population and fewer victims of crime. … Read more

Investing in public safety and reforming young offenders

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Initiatives to help serious and persistent young offenders turn their lives around, and improvements to facilities for them, have been given a significant financial boost in Budget 2025.  Building on the successes that have already led to a 13 per cent reduction in young people with serious and … Read more

Supporting school choice

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Diversity and choice in New Zealand’s schooling system will be supported by increasing funding for independent (private) school subsidies, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. Budget 2025 will invest $15.7 million over four years to increase the subsidy available for independent schools. This increases the yearly funding for independent … Read more

Billion-dollar investment in hospitals

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Nelson and other communities will benefit from a billion-dollar upgrade and expansion of hospitals across the country, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Budget 2025 funds a major redevelopment of Nelson Hospital. This will deliver a new inpatient building with more beds to meet population growth. The hospital’s two main … Read more

Mental distress 111 calls to get a mental health response

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Government is overhauling the way emergency services respond to 111 calls from people experiencing mental distress, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says. Budget 2025 invests $28 million over four years to fund the transition from a Police-led response to a mental health response to 111 … Read more

Tackling New Zealand’s rising tax debt

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Government will boost its investment in chasing tax evaders, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says.  “Hard-working Kiwis who pay their taxes are being ripped off by tax cheats who deliberately evade their obligations,” he says. “New Zealand’s tax debt rose to $8.5 billion by the end of 2024. … Read more

Improving care for disabled New Zealanders

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets More than 7,000 disabled New Zealanders will receive improved residential care, thanks to a $240 million four-year funding boost in today’s Budget.  This is on top of more than $1 billion already funded annually for Disability Support Services. It means 89 residential providers across the country, and the … Read more

More Police funding to improve public safety

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Government is investing more in core police services to continue its good progress in restoring law and order and improving the safety of all New Zealanders, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “This year’s Budget package continues to support Police’s frontline to deliver the policing services our communities need. … Read more

Funding boost for post-Cyclone local road recovery

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets North Island communities still building back after the 2023 weather events will get extra funding to complete recovery works on local roads, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.   “Last year’s Budget invested nearly $1 billion into recovery and resilience projects in regions hit by Cyclone Gabrielle and … Read more

Tertiary study subsidy boost in priority subjects

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Government is backing the tertiary system with new investment in study that delivers the greatest value for students and for New Zealand, Minister for Universities Dr Shane Reti and Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds announced today.  “Budget 2025 invests an extra $398 million in tertiary education … Read more

Growth-promoting science and innovation backed

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Government is backing modern, commercially-focused science and innovation to fully realise the contribution it can make to economic growth and the wellbeing of New Zealanders, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “Budget 2025 reprioritises existing funding towards new growth-promoting investments in science and … Read more

New timeline for property revaluation

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines Auckland Council is in the process of delivering its three-yearly property revaluations, ahead of the 2025/2026 rating year. Ensuring there is a robust and consistent process for determining property valuations used to set rates is vital to ensure rates are fairly shared between property … Read more

Octa receives the ‘Best CSR program by CFD broker Asia 2025’ award

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 May 2025 – A global broker deeply involved in implementing social initiatives worldwide, Octa, recently received an award for one of its CSR (corporate social responsibility) projects. Given by Global Banking and Finance Review, the ‘Best CSR program by CFD broker Asia 2025’ … Read more

BAFS expands into Southeast Asia with delivery of Thai-engineered aircraft refueling vehicles for Cambodia’s new international airport, set to launch mid-year

Source: Media Outreach BAFS INTECH reinforces its leadership position as a leading Thai ground support vehicle manufacturer, aggressively expanding into international markets by delivering seven aircraft refueling vehicles and ground support vehicles to Cambodia’s new international airport, positioning itself to accommodate the burgeoning aviation industry across Southeast Asia. BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – … Read more

Baiduri Bank Opens Representative Office In Singapore

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 May 2025 – Baiduri Bank, Brunei Darussalam’s largest conventional bank, proudly announces the opening of its first overseas representative office in Singapore. Located at Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) Tower 2, this expansion marks a significant milestone in the Bank’s 30-year journey in the financial … Read more

Budget 2025 – Growing the economy to help Kiwis get ahead

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Budget 2025 is about growing the economy to create jobs and help Kiwis get ahead, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “The Government’s economic plan is working. By stopping wasteful spending, inflation is down from 7.3 per cent to 2.5 per cent and mortgage interest rates are falling. … Read more

Parakao death: Man charged with murder

Source: New Zealand Police A 26-year-old Northland man has been charged with the murder of Geoffrey Ware on May 9. Police upgraded an enquiry into the 55-year-old’s death to a homicide investigation on May 12. Detective Senior Sergeant Michelle Harris, of Whangārei CIB, says Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with Mr Ware’s … Read more

Fatal Crash, Dansey Road, Ngongotahā Valley

Source: New Zealand Police Location: Bay of Plenty Police can confirm one person has died following a two-vehicle crash on Dansey Road, Ngongotahā Valley. Two others involved in the crash around 8am were also injured – one had serious injuries and one had minor injuries. The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance. Dansey Road remains … Read more

Micro-credentials funding and fees

Source: Funding for micro-credentials We want to invest in micro-credentials that meet the needs of industries and communities, and support government priorities delivered by highly capable TEOs. To be funded, micro-credentials need to have a clearly established industry or community need, be tightly focused on a set of skills and have stand-alone value. Not all … Read more

UPDATE: Night closures coming for State Highway 2 – Masterton to Carterton (no more road closures this week)

Source: Argument for Lifting NZ Super Age 30 April: Road crews have finished works requiring closures ahead of time, meaning planned road closures scheduled for tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow night (Thursday) are no longer needed. However, road users travelling on State Highway 2 in Wairarapa still need to be aware of road rebuilding works and … Read more

Winter gardening tips from the pros at Auckland Botanic Gardens

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines Spring might get all the glory in the gardening world, but seeing the Auckland Botanic Gardens in winter is a testament to the beauty that can be achieved in your backyard any time of the year. This treasure of Tāmaki Makaurau is bursting with … Read more

Unexplained child death under investigation

Source: New Zealand Police Police are investigating the unexplained death of a 3-year old girl in Kaikohe yesterday. Emergency services responded to a Tawanui Road address at around 6.15pm. “The child was unresponsive and sadly, despite medical treatment provided, died at the scene,” Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, of Northland CIB, says.  “Police extend their condolences … Read more

Homicide enquiry launched in Kaikohe

Source: New Zealand Police Northland Police have launched a homicide investigation following the discovery of man’s body at Horeke, north of Kaikohe. A man arrived outside the Kaikohe Police Station last night at around 8.30pm. “After speaking with this man, Police went to a Waikerikeri Road property where a male was found with critical injuries,” … Read more

State Highway 59 now stronger and safer at Pukerua Bay

Source: Argument for Lifting NZ Super Age Contractors have wrapped up ongoing resilience works on State Highway 59 near Pukerua Bay. Work has been underway at the site since January. Rockfall protection was completed in April, and now seawall works have also finished. Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Alliance Manager, says that State Highway 59, which is … Read more

NZ-AU: U.S. Department of Commerce to Place Up to 721% Tariffs on Chinese Graphite

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NOVONIX Limited (NASDAQ: NVX, ASX: NVX) (“NOVONIX” or the “Company”), a leading battery materials and technology company, applauds the preliminary affirmative determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) to impose up to 721% of countervailing duty (“CVD”) tariffs on synthetic and natural graphite … Read more

Stay warmer for cheaper this winter

Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education Stay warmer for cheaper this winter | Environment Canterbury Date: 22 May 2025 Burn good, dry wood Good quality, dry wood will get and keep your fire roaring. However, not all woods are equal. Some burn hotter and produce less smoke. … Read more

Rural waste workshop coming to Canterbury

Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education Rural waste workshop coming to Canterbury | Environment Canterbury Date: 22 May 2025 About the speaker Trish has over 20 years of national and international teaching experience combined with 15 years of dairy farming. Over the last 10 years, she has … Read more