Stats NZ information release: Local authority financial statistics: Year ended June 2024

Source: Statistics New Zealand Local authority financial statistics: Year ended June 2024 – 26 May 2025 – Local authority financial statistics provide information on the annual performance of core non-trading activities of all New Zealand’s territorial and regional councils. Data qualityThe Local Authority Census for the June 2024 year did not achieve full coverage. Historically, … Read more

First Responders – Multiple flooding callouts in Nelson

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is currently responding to a large number of flooding incidents in central Nelson caused by heavy rainfall. Southern Communications Centre shift manager Lyn Crossan says there have been more than 20 incidents reported since 10.15am this morning, most of them in the area between Washington … Read more

University Research – Taking the mic: Māori and Pacific voices in the media – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) Savvy media interaction can shape the perception and success of community-led health initiatives, particularly for Māori and Pacific people, according to a recent study. Organisations working to assist Indigenous and diverse communities should take control of their narrative in the news rather than reacting to media coverage, according to research … Read more

Survey sheds light on coastal bird’s decline across the Auckland region

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines A recent bird survey along the south Kaipara Peninsula including Pāpakanui, Muriwai, Bethells, Piha, and the east coast’s Tāwharanui Peninsula has revealed a sobering result for the New Zealand pipit, or pihoihoi. Despite the area’s seemingly good dune habitat, just four solitary pipits were … Read more

Benefit exploitation just got a lot harder

Source: “As of today, it’s a going to be a lot harder to exploit the benefit system,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “Today marks the launch of new benefit sanctions, including electronic money management. This has been an ACT policy since 2017, and in 2023 National agreed to include it in our coalition agreement. It … Read more

Pouākai Hut progress shows smart thinking

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house Date:  26 May 2025 Work on the new Pouākai Hut within Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki is well advanced, with the bulk of the structure completed thanks to the clever thinking and hard work of DOC staff working with iwi, hapū and numerous local contractors. A key aspect of the … Read more

Federated Farmers – SOS call: Save Our Sheep

Source: Federated Farmers OPINION: By Toby Williams, Federated Farmers meat & wool chair From the golden age of wool to lamb roasts at Sunday dinner, sheep farming has sat at the heart of our national identity for generations. We used to proudly say New Zealand was built off the sheep’s back-but today our sheep farmers are sitting … Read more

PSA supports peoples’ select committee on undemocratic pay equity changes

Source: PSA The PSA welcomes the launch today of a People’s select committee to hear the views of women, pay equity experts and other New Zealanders on the Government’s rushed changes to the Pay Equity Act. The legislation, which has slammed the brakes on pay equity claims for more than 150,000 underpaid, mainly female workers of … Read more

Budget 2025 misses opportunity to give primary care a leading role in addressing and improving healthcare in Aotearoa

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners The 2025 Budget has missed an important opportunity to recognise the value that the general practice and primary care workforce can have on improving the health outcomes of New Zealanders. The bulk of healthcare happens in the community by specialist GPs and primary care teams, not in the hospitals. … Read more

Advocacy – Former MPs announce People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity

Source: CTU A group of 10 former women MPs from across the political spectrum announced today that they have a formed the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity to examine the Government’s changes to the Equal Pay Act. It will serve as an extra-parliamentary committee tasked with considering public submissions and independently examining the new … Read more

Granny flats bill passes first reading

Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE (2) The Bill, which is expected to be passed by the end of the year, will exempt granny flats of up to 70 square metres from needing a building consent if it’s a simple design, meets the Building Code and built by authorised building professionals. The consent … Read more

Energy Sector – Ara Ake launches $1 million National Flex Discovery Fund to boost flexibility innovation in Aotearoa New Zealand

Source: Ara Ake Ara Ake, New Zealand’s national energy innovation centre, has announced the launch of the National Flex Discovery Fund, which offers up to $1 million in grants to accelerate the development and visibility of flexible energy resources across the country. The Fund reflects Ara Ake’s commitment to accelerating the commercialisation of emerging energy solutions … Read more

Track upgrade for Nikau Walk

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house Date:  26 May 2025 Nikau Walk, on the northeastern side of Pirongia Forest Park, provides access to the Kaniwhaniwha campsite and caves, as well as the Pahautea Hut and Pirongia summit further afield. DOC Waikato Biodiversity Ranger Cara Hansen says the track is vital for DOC staff … Read more

Woman to appear in court following crash, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police A woman is before the courts following a serious crash in Christchurch. On Saturday 24 May, Police received a report of a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian at around 2.15pm. Upon arrival on Fitzgerald Avenue, emergency services located a child with critical injuries and an adult with serious injuries. … Read more

Increased transparency for Government accounts

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Government is amending the Public Finance Act to prevent future governments concealing the extent of fiscal risks in government accounts, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The change is included in legislation introduced to Parliament on Saturday evening to enhance the transparency and accountability of the public … Read more

New sanctions drive benefit accountability

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets From today, beneficiaries failing to meet the obligations they agreed to can expect two new measures to encourage people off welfare and into work. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the Money Management and Community Work Experience sanctions can apply to a first obligation failure … Read more

Fatal crash, Castlecliff

Source: New Zealand Police One person has died following a crash in Castlecliff this afternoon. The crash, involving a dirt bike and a parked vehicle on Seafront Road, was reported to Police at around 4:10pm. The rider died at the scene. Seafront Road has since reopened. Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing. … Read more

Africa – Tanzania’s New Foreign Policy Reaffirms Pan-African Leadership and Vision for Intra-African Cooperation

SOURCE: Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation To strengthen implementation, President Samia called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation to engage retired diplomats in training current officials, ensuring that Tanzania’s envoys are equipped to promote national interests globally DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, May 24, 2025 – In a … Read more

Protest Event – Keep Space for Peace Call at Space Summit at Sydney’s ICC

Source: World BEYOND War Australia Space Summit Protest Action8.00am-9.00amTuesday 27 May 2025Outside ICC 14 Darling Drive, Sydney. There has been a call to ‘Keep Space for Peace’ at the beginning of the fourth Space Summit at Sydney’s International Convention Centre (ICC)  beginning Tuesday 27 May. Those concerned about the unprecedented role of satellite technology in … Read more

Fire and Emergency New Zealand to assist in NSW flood response

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand will send six specialist personnel to assist with the ongoing flood response in New South Wales. Four Community Liaison Officers and two Jurisdiction Liaison Officers will depart New Zealand early next week following a formal request for assistance from the New South Wales State Emergency … Read more

Government Sacrificing Hapū, Iwi Tiriti rights for Offshore Profits

Source: Te Pāti Māori is demanding to know how the government can justify fast tracking a replica of a seabed mining application that was already rejected by the supreme court in 2021. “Trans-Tasman Resources, a company with no operational experience, is back to the table with the same outdated and incomplete data the Supreme Court … Read more

Man charged in relation to Kaikohe death

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Christan Fouhy – Far North Area Manager Investigations Police investigating the death of a 3-year-old girl in Kaikohe on Wednesday have charged a 45 year old man with her murder. Police were called to an address on Tawanui Road on Wednesday night where the girl was … Read more

Serious crash – Dannevirke

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross   Emergency services are in attendance following a serious crash on Victoria Avenue in Dannevirke. Police were called just after 9.30am this morning after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. At this stage it appears one person has suffered critical injuries. The Serious Crash Unit … Read more

KiwiSaver changes to bolster next generation

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Changes to KiwiSaver in Budget 2025 mean young people today will retire with more savings and more financial security, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “Using the Sorted website’s comparative calculator, you can see that with the Government’s KiwiSaver changes an 18-year-old today earning $48,000 a year, and … Read more

Witnesses sought after series of assaults in Gisborne

Source: New Zealand Police Gisborne Police are appealing for witnesses to a series of assaults which occurred yesterday afternoon in the central city. The incident occurred around 1.30pm on Saturday 24 May and involved several people being assaulted in and around Gladstone Road and Lowe Street. A 26 year old man will appear in the … Read more

Fatal crash, Number 1 Line, Manawatū

Source: New Zealand Police A person has died following a truck crash on Number 1 Line, Longburn, Manawatū this morning. Police were alerted to the single vehicle crash at 9.20am. The Serious Crash Unit has been notified and towing is being arranged to remove the truck from the crash site. Enquiries into the circumstances of … Read more

Parliament Hansard Report – Thursday, 22 May 2025 (continued on Saturday, 24 May 2025) – Volume 784 – 001486

Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities A party vote was called for on the question, That debate on this question now close. Ayes 68 New Zealand National 49; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8. Noes 53 New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; Te Pāti … Read more