Police arrest man following suspicious reports

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police have arrested a man following a series of reports about his behaviour from the Mt Wellington community. Late last week, Police received reports about a man acting suspiciously around the morning school drop off times. Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rachel Dolheguy says the reports centred … Read more

Trade negotiations with India commence

Source: New Zealand Government Following significant engagement over the last month, the first in-person round of negotiations towards a comprehensive India New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will take place in India this week.  This follows the highly successful visit to India last year by Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters and the formal launch of … Read more

NZ-EU trade deal delivers export growth

Source: New Zealand Government The early entry into force of the New Zealand–European Union Trade Agreement (FTA) is paying off, with Kiwi goods exports to the EU surging by 28 per cent during the first year.  “In the last 12 months our goods exports to the EU surged from $3.8 billion to over $4.8 billion,” … Read more

Pakuranga Road closed following fire

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Emergency services are in attendance at a building fire on Pakuranga Road. The fire, at the McDonald’s restaurant, was reported to Police at about 3pm. At this stage there are no reports of injury. Pakuranga Road has been closed in both directions and road users are advised to avoid … Read more

Stowaway weka hitches a ride across the Southern Alps

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  05 May 2025 DOC says the incident is a reminder for people to check their gear for wildlife before setting off, to prevent spreading them into new places where they could impact the local ecosystem. Kim Ranger and her partner Ian were parked at Berlins campsite in the Buller Gorge on … Read more

Defence and Employment – PSA welcomes increased Defence spend on civilian salaries

Source: PSA Union also seeks a commitment from the NZDF to retain civilian roles. The PSA has welcomed the news from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) that $33 million will be allocated to staff pay increases over the next four years as the result of last year’s industrial action. “We’re very pleased to see increased … Read more

Blaze sparks wake-up call: Auckland Council urges industry vigilance on battery disposal

Source: Auckland Council In the wake of a spate of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, including the most recent at Abilities’ North Shore recycling plant, Auckland Council supports the ruling by the Auckland District Court in the matter of Auckland Council v Sims Metal Industries Limited, following a significant fire at the Sims Metal scrap … Read more

Kenanga Investors Awarded Best Malaysia Large-Cap Equity Fund at Morningstar Awards

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 May 2025 – Kenanga Investors Berhad (“Kenanga Investors”) has been awarded Best Malaysia Large-Cap Equity Fund at the Morningstar Awards 2025, recognising the strong performance of the Kenanga Blue Chip Fund (“KBCF”). This achievement marks a significant milestone for the firm, as KBCF … Read more

Iwi Rights Under Attack in Government Treaty Clause Purge

Source: Te Pati Maori Te Pāti Māori warns that the Government’s Treaty Clause Review represents the most severe erosion of iwi rights in modern legal history. “Luxon’s Government is doing what the Treaty Principles Bill failed to do. They are removing every legal reference to Te Tiriti across health, housing, conservation, and child wellbeing laws, … Read more

Majority Support For Bill Defining ‘Woman’ & ‘Man’

Source: Family First MEDIA RELEASE – 5 May 2025 Majority Support For Bill Defining ‘Woman’ & ‘Man’ – ONLY 29% OPPOSITION TO THE BILL A new poll has found majority support for a Member’s Bill that would ensure the biological definition of a woman and man are defined in law according to biology, with two … Read more

Serious crash, Avondale

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Emergency services are responding to a serious crash in Blockhouse Bay this afternoon. The single vehicle crash, on Blockhouse Bay Road, was reported to Police just after 12.30pm. One person has been transported to hospital in a serious condition. Motorists are being advised the southbound lane has been closed … Read more

Tax Issues – New report illustrates tax system failures – Tax Justice Aotearoa

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa Tax reform advocacy group Tax Justice Aotearoa is calling on the Government and opposition parties to remedy the failures in our taxation system illustrated by a new report from the Centre of International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research, which looks at transparency and corporate tax issues in the heavily public-funded aged … Read more

Celebrating New Zealand Sign Language

Source: New Zealand Government Now is the time for Kiwis to give New Zealand Sign Language a go as we take a week to celebrate the language, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) week. The theme is that “anyone can sign anywhere”.   “NZSL is an official language … Read more

Universities – Robinson Research Institute awarded $71 million to host advanced technology platform – Vic

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Robinson Research Institute, a pioneer in high-temperature superconductivity (HTS) research, has received funding of $71million towards setting up and hosting an advanced technology platform in Future Magnetic and Materials Technologies. The funding for the advanced technology platform was announced by Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Shane Reti at … Read more

Peace Action Wellington – Fund healthcare not warfare

Source: Peace Action Wellington Sunday 4 May 2025 – The government has announced an additional $1 billion of military spending today on top of $12 billion of spending already announced over the next four years. These plans will take New Zealand’s annual military budget to approximately 2% of GDP. “The budget will have the most severe … Read more

Economy – Rise of the machines: How could artificial intelligence impact financial stability? – Reserve Bank of NZ

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand 5 May 2025 – The rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in financial services presents both opportunities and risks to financial stability, according to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in a special topic from the upcoming May 2025 Financial Stability Report. As AI tools and models become increasingly … Read more

Bupa under scrutiny for tax practices as workers face cuts – E tū

Source: Etu Union A new report from E tū and international tax watchdog CICTAR has raised serious questions about whether aged care giant Bupa is shifting profits offshore to avoid paying its fair share of tax in Aotearoa. E tū is calling for urgent reform and transparency in aged residential care funding, following the revelations … Read more

Weather News – A settled start gives way to a wet finish across Aotearoa – MetService

Source: MetService – Cold nights with widespread single-digit temperatures; frost risk for the central North Island.– Monday morning saw some of the lowest temperatures recorded so far this year, including Christchurch: -0.5°C, Taumarunui: -1.7°C, Taupo: -1.8°C and Masterton: -0.5°C.– Clear skies dominate early in the week under a ridge of high pressure.– Rain and warmer, humid … Read more

RSA – Hurricanes Donate Jerseys to Support New Zealand’s Veterans

Source: RSA   Following their hard-fought victory over the Brumbies in Canberra last month, the Hurricanes have demonstrated that their strength extends beyond the rugby pitch.   In a meaningful gesture, all 23 jerseys worn by Hurricanes players during the DHL Super Rugby Pacific’s Anzac Round have been donated to the RSA. The aim is … Read more

Health – “Please don’t die today” – a mother’s fight against asthma – Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation “I love you, Mummy. Please don’t die today.” That’s what Jade Steven’s five-year-old son whispered to her one morning before school. For Jade, a mother-of-three from Wellington, those words captured the fear that comes with living – and parenting – while battling asthma. This World Asthma Day (on Tuesday 6 May), … Read more

Education – Skills Group Embraces AI to Transform Vocational Education

Source: Skills Group Skills Group, New Zealand’s largest private training provider, is pioneering the future of vocational education by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its teaching and learning processes. Skills Group Head of Strategic Development Andy Cooper says by leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, Skills Group is enhancing student performance, streamlining administrative tasks, and personalising the … Read more

Northland News – Have your say on Navigation Safety Bylaw

Source: Northland Regional Council The public is being encouraged to have its say on a review of the Northland Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw for Northland, which sets the rules for keeping people safe on the water. Council Chair Geoff Crawford says the bylaw was originally scheduled for its five-yearly review in 2022, but the process … Read more

Politics – Australian election a warning shot for Luxon’s Trump-style agenda, says Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace The Australian election result has sent a clear message across the Tasman: voters will not tolerate Trump-style politics that fuel environmental destruction and ignore the climate crisis. “Australians chose to protect climate and nature over a coalition pushing fossil fuels, destruction, and division. That should be a wake-up call for political leaders here in … Read more

E tū union – mischievous or misinformed? – Aged Care Association Statement

Source: Aged Care Association The E tū union is either being deliberately mischievous or is seriously misinformed about how aged residential care works in New Zealand, says Aged Care Association Chief Executive Hon. Tracey Martin. The Post published a story last week based on a report titled Transparency and Corporate Tax Reforms to Improve the Efficiency … Read more

Livestock numbers fall over the last 10 years while area planted in fruit increases – Stats NZ media and information release: Agricultural production statistics: Year to June 2024 (final)

Source: Statistics New Zealand Livestock numbers fall over the last 10 years while area planted in fruit increases – 5 May 2025 – The total number of sheep was 23.6 million at June 2024, a fall of 6.2 million (21 percent) compared with 10 years ago, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. The total number … Read more

Correction re shots fired in Gisborne overnight

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) An earlier media release regarding two firearms-related incidents in Gisborne overnight stated that two people were injured as a result of shots fired at a house on Taruheru Crescent. This was incorrect – the two people injured were in the vehicle in Valley Road that was also shot at. … Read more

Four arrested after shots fired in Gisborne overnight

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) To be attributed to Inspector Danny Kirk, Tairāwhiti Area Commander: Tairāwhiti Police have arrested and charged four people following two firearms-related incidents overnight. At around 11.45pm yesterday, Police were called to Taruheru Crescent in Mangapapa, following a report of several shots being fired towards a house from a car. … Read more