Government Cuts – Children pay price of Oranga Tamariki contracting fiasco – Auditor-General issues damning indictment of Govt cuts

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Source: PSA The Auditor-General’s report into Oranga Tamariki’s provider contracts lays bare the reckless way the Government ordered cuts without regard to how children would be harmed. In 2023 the Government ordered a 6.5% cut of Oranga Tamariki’s overall funding, triggering a chaotic review of contracts with hundreds of community service providers – some even told … Read more

First Responders – Winslow hay bale fire update #1

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to a large fire involving hay bales in Winslow, Ashburton around 11.30pm last night. Incident Controller Carrie Swanson says that at its peak, the fire was fought by 11 fire crews and additional support staff. “Thanks to the hard mahi of our crews, … Read more

Government Cuts – PSA strongly opposes decisions released by Health NZ – further dismantling of our public health system by Government

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Source: PSA The PSA strongly opposes final decisions released by Health New Zealand for the following teams: Procurement, Supply Chain and Health Technology Management (PSC&HTM), Planning, Funding and Outcomes, and Audit, Assurance & Risk. “These decisions include the possible loss of specialists procurement, auditing and health innovation and improvement,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga … Read more

Weather News – Wet and windy South Island on Saturday, rain crossing North Island on Sunday – MetService

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Source: MetService Covering period of Thursday 15th – Monday 19th May – Wet and windy South Island on Saturday, rain crossing North Island on Sunday. Cloud and showers in the west, sunny in the east to end the work weekHeavy rain and strong winds expected to move up the country over the weekend Yellow Heavy Rain … Read more

Fire Safety – Marlborough south moves to open fire season

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand will return the Marlborough South area to an open fire season from 8am on Friday, 16 May, until further notice. An open fire season means people can light outdoor fires without a permit approved by Fire and Emergency. All Department of Conservation land will remain … Read more

Government Cuts and Legal Action – PSA takes more legal action to stop the Govt cutting health further

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Source: PSA The PSA is taking Health NZ Te Whatu Ora to the Employment Relations Authority to stop another round of job cuts to key teams that support frontline health services. The litigation covers the proposed restructures of Audit, Assurance and Risk, People and Culture, Finance, and Communications and Engagement. “These are damaging cuts of key … Read more

Budget ‘25 needs to prioritise a thriving and resilient Pacific region – World Vision

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Source: World Vision World Vision New Zealand is urging the government to prioritise Pacific prosperity and resilience with strong investment in climate finance and foreign aid as part of Budget ’25. The aid agency’s National Director, Grant Bayldon, says in challenging geopolitical times, it is vital the government invests in the Pacific region to ensure … Read more

Energy Sector – From carbon costs to gas gaps: NZ energy sector flags rising pressures – BusinessNZ

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Source: BusinessNZ New information from the World Energy Council shows affordability, carbon pricing, and demand management are the top energy concerns in New Zealand. The 2025 Country Issues Map is out now. The report surveyed energy leaders across the wider energy sector to get a snapshot of what keeps them awake at night, and busy during … Read more

Have your say on the Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Bill

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Source: The bill seeks to give effect to certain matters contained in Te Pua o Te Riri Kore, the Ngāti Hāua deed of settlement of historical claims. Te Pua o Te Riri Kore was signed on 29 March 2025 by the Crown, the Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust (the mandated entity for Ngāti Hāua), and Te … Read more

Lower Buller Gorge culvert replacement, SH6 – 48-hour closure coming up

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Source: Argument for Lifting NZ Super Age NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is gearing up for an intense 48-hours of work in early June to replace a culvert under SH6 at Te Kuha in the Lower Buller Gorge. The work will require a full closure of the highway for 48 hours – from 7am … Read more

ISCA Welcomes Six New Council Members; Poised to Invest up to $7 Million in Enhancements to SCAQ Programme and International Growth and Expansion in 2025

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Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2025 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) has announced the election of four newly-elected members, re-election of four existing members, and appointment of two new members to the ISCA Council, which is the governing body of ISCA to approve major policy decisions … Read more

Social Security Amendment Bill passes into law

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Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Social Security Amendment Bill has passed its third reading in Parliament today expanding the welfare Traffic Light System that launched in August 2024.  “This bill brings new tools to ensure beneficiaries stay on track with their obligations to find or prepare for work if they are … Read more

Work-related health newsletter – May 2025

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Source: 14 May 2025 Check out the latest guidance and resources, and a number of upcoming courses and conferences to help you ensure a healthy and safe work environment for you and your workers. In this edition: New tools for musculoskeletal risks New hazardous substances guidance Hazardous substances: how to use the quantity-ratio sum (QRS) … Read more

Government supports Tairāwhiti marae to relocate to safer ground

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Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Five Tairāwhiti marae impacted by the North Island weather events of early 2023, are moving to safer locations with support from the Crown,” said Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery and Tama Potaka, Minister for Māori Development. “The Marae Trustees of Puketawai, Hinemaurea ki Mangatuna, … Read more

Government-Iwi partnership building East Coast homes

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Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Te Tai Rāwhiti – East Coast whānau will enjoy greater access to modern housing thanks to a Government-Iwi partnership that will deliver 150 affordable homes, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The Government is partnering with East Coast Iwi collective Toitū Tairāwhiti in a $75 million development … Read more

State Highway 2, Pahiatua closed

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Source: New Zealand Police State Highway 2 south of Pahiatua is closed following a serious crash. It happened around 3pm and involved two vehicles. Traffic is being diverted off State Highway 2 at Bridge Road to the south, and Mangahao Road to the north. The Serious Crash Unit has been advised. There are serious injuries … Read more

Parliament Hansard Report – Speaker’s Rulings — New Speaker’s Ruling—Content of Oral Questions – 001474

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Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities SPEAKER’S RULINGS New Speaker‘s Ruling—Content of questions SPEAKER: Members, yesterday, oral question No. 8 led the House into presenting itself in a less than favourable light. The content of the question led to numerous points of order, each referencing Standing Orders and Speakers’ rulings, presenting … Read more

Albert Park end of Victoria Street’s linear park OPENS

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Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines The tree-filled linear park at the northern entrance to Te Waihorotiu Station has reached another big milestone on its journey to completion. The eastern section of Te Hā Noa from Lorne Street to Albert Park is now open to the public, with widened footpaths, … Read more

Valuers Bill passes first reading

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Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets A Bill that modernises and re-enacts the Valuers Act 1948 passed its first reading in Parliament today, Attorney-General Judith Collins and Minister for Land Information Chris Penk announced.    “The Valuers Bill is on the Government’s revision programme for 2024-2026 as part of our ongoing work to keep … Read more

PSB Academy launches S$2.1m Beyond60 initiative to fully fund education scholarships for 30 recipients selected through the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE, United Women Singapore, and Care Corner Singapore

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Source: Media Outreach Joint efforts to champion greater inclusivity and access to education including for youths at risk, workforce pursuing social causes and women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) align with SG60’s theme of “Building Our Singapore Together” SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2025 – PSB Academy (PSBA), Singapore’s leading … Read more

2025 Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests presented

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Source: The 2025 Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament was presented in the House today. It summarises members’ financial interests as at31 January 2025. Since 2005 Standing Orders have provided a system for members of Parliament to register their financial interests. The summaries record members’ interests in 14 categories, including … Read more

Parliament Hansard Report – Thursday, 15 May 2025 – Volume 784 – 001475

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Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities THURSDAY, 15 MAY 2025 The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m. KARAKIA/PRAYERS TEANAU TUIONO (Assistant Speaker): E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou, mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro … Read more

Parliament Hansard Report – Karakia/Prayers – 001474

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Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities THURSDAY, 15 MAY 2025 The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m. KARAKIA/PRAYERS TEANAU TUIONO (Assistant Speaker): E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou, mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro … Read more

Resilience and unity in Mt Roskill – recovery events

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Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines Storm recovery efforts are well underway in Mt Roskill, with council and the community working together to build resilience after the major 2023 storms. But recent weather events have been a reminder that the job isn’t over — and that preparing for future storms … Read more

Reminder: categorisation programme is closed

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Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines Following recent bad weather, the Recovery Office has noted an increase in homeowners asking to join the categorisation programme. While we sympathise with homeowners across the region affected by flooding, we are unable to admit any further properties into the programme. The programme was … Read more

Storm recovery in East Coast Bays

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Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines Following major storms in 2023, Auckland North Community and Development (ANCAD) is working with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office, to facilitate community-led recovery planning in East Coast Bays communities. This is part of a series of partnerships in heavily impacted neighbourhoods across Auckland. Communities … Read more

Molex Collaborates with Prusa Research to Scale Rapid Growth Trajectory for 3D-Printing Pioneer

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Source: Media Outreach Robust yet simple connectivity solutions leveraged in widely popular 3D printers used by home hobbyists, students, small businesses and large industrial companies More than one million components populated on Prusa printers last year, using up to 16 types of Molex CLIK-Mate connectors for flexible, flawless performance More than 20 printer designs rely … Read more