The HKFYG marks completion of Hong Kong International a cappella Festival

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 April 2025 – Music is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries and geographical borders. The Hong Kong International a cappella Festival 2025, an annual signature event of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), has just concluded on a resounding note. … Read more

Joint efforts applauded as fruit fly response ends

Source: New Zealand Government Biosecurity New Zealand today lifted controls on movement of fruit and vegetables in the North Shore suburb of Birkdale following no further finds of fruit flies since a single male Oriental fruit fly was discovered in a surveillance trap in the suburb in February.“This is great news for New Zealand as … Read more

Workers First Union Statement: Woolworths restructure – thousands of workers will lose hours and income

Source: Workers First Union The restructure of Woolworths supermarkets, announced to staff by the company today following a consultation period, will result in a reduction in income for thousands of experienced workers and should not go ahead in its current form, Workers First Union said today. The wide-ranging restructure, which the company claims is being adopted … Read more

Health Care Funding – Spectrum Foundation invests over $580,000 in disability-led projects

Source: Spectrum Foundation Group Spectrum Foundation is proud to award funding to nine disability support organisations in its latest – and largest – funding round to date. This milestone brings Spectrum Foundation’s total funding since its first distribution in 2023 to $2.2 million. Funding panel spokesperson Ann Thomson says this outcome reflects the increased demand following … Read more

Crackdown on unregistered dogs: final infringement notices issued

Source: Auckland Council As part of efforts to promote responsible dog ownership in the Auckland region, dog owners who have failed to register their pets despite multiple opportunities will now face Infringement fines. Auckland Council has issued final infringement notices, and those who do not pay within the next 28 days will have their fines … Read more

Oriental fruit fly restrictions lifted – Birkdale area

Source: Auckland Council Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in Auckland’s Birkdale area have been lifted after no further evidence of the Oriental fruit fly was found in the area. Biosecurity New Zealand, the biosecurity arm of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  announced the update today. Phil Brown, Auckland Council Head of … Read more

Grant James Taylor recommended for appointment as Controller and Auditor-General

Source: New Zealand ParliamentThe Officers of Parliament Committee has recommended the appointment of Grant James Taylor as Controller and Auditor-General in their report on the Inquiry into the appointment of a Controller and Auditor-General, presented to the House today.MIL OSI MIL OSI

The roadworks housekeeping list: litter-picking, painting, cleaning and road-kill autumn tidy-up

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Road workers have been busy on Central Otago, Queenstown and Wanaka highways completing a variety of maintenance improvements in the lead-in to winter, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). While the annual programme includes multiple reseal and road rehabilitation elements, it doesn’t stop there, says Peter Standring, Maintenance Contract … Read more

Universities – Renters miss out on real relief from housing subsidy – UoA study

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) As more New Zealanders rent and rents continue to climb, new research shows government support is failing to ease housing stress. New Zealand’s accommodation supplement is doing little to improve affordability for renters, according to a recent study. (ref. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5100405 ) Although rental subsidies offer some relief, the study authors … Read more

Arts News – Auckland Museum announces inaugural Matafatafa Aho Pacific Artist in Residence

Source: Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum is thrilled to announce its inaugural Pacific Artist Residency, an innovative initiative designed to cultivate profound creative engagement with its diverse collections. Benjamin Work has been named as the 2025 Matafatafa Aho Pacific Artist in Residence. Selected from a strong … Read more

Further appeal for information, Frankton fire

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Attributable to Detective Sergeant Matt Lee: Police investigating a fire at a mechanical workshop in Frankton are seeking further information from the public. Police were called to the fire on Ellis Street just after 11:20am on Monday 10 March. The investigation has progressed well in recent days and Police … Read more

Mining Sector – Greens deliberately misunderstand coal – Straterra

Source: Straterra Inc It is disappointing to see the Green Party continuing to demonise coal and deliberately misunderstanding its role in ensuring the lights stay on, there is food on the table, and steel to build with, says Straterra chief executive Josie Vidal. “The Crown Minerals (Prohibition on Coal Mining) Amendment Bill of Green MP Hon … Read more

The Rise of the Calculated Strategist: 62% of Malaysian Traders Choose a Rational Investment Approach

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 April 2025 – A recent quiz conducted by global broker Octa and World of Buzz media discovered that 62% of Malaysian traders are ‘calculated strategists’—investors who base their decisions on information, risk management, and long-term stability rather than emotional fluctuations. This change in … Read more

Release: Bill to make trading laws fairer passes first hurdle

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Labour MP Kieran McAnulty’s Members Bill to make the law simpler and fairer for businesses operating on Easter, Anzac and Christmas Days has passed its first reading after a conscience vote in Parliament. “This Bill is about the sale and supply of alcohol – and that’s it. It only focuses … Read more

Member’s Bill an opportunity for climate action

Source: Green Party A Member’s Bill in the name of Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter which aims to stop coal mining, the Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill, has been pulled from Parliament’s ‘biscuit tin’ today. “Christopher Luxon can put his money where his mouth is when it comes to the environment by … Read more

Work to protect Ocean Beach begins

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  10 April 2025 The beach has been off limits to public since 2018 when contaminants including asbestos were found on the beach. An asbestos removal company has since cleared about 1.2 tonnes of contaminated material from the beach. DOC Operations Manager Murihiku John McCarroll says the risk of public exposure is … Read more

Gang members arrested, drugs seized in Gisborne

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attributable to Detective Inspector Dave de Lange: Ten gang members or associates have been arrested this week, after Police terminated an operation and executed search warrants related to drug offending in Gisborne. Eight people, aged between 19 and 46, have been charged with drug dealing offences including cannabis and … Read more

Weather News – A touch of autumn to start the school holidays – MetService

Source: MetService Covering period of Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th April – The first cold snap of the year signals that we are well into autumn. A handful of regions have seen frost in the last couple of days, and the mountains have been dusted with snow. Christchurch had its coldest night of the year … Read more

Festival AF: Free AF Heads to Coachella with The New Bar

Source: Lindsay Stanley – for Free AF 10 April 2025 – Auckland, New Zealand – New Zealand’s leading alcohol-free beverage brand, Free AF, is making its Coachella debut this month through an exciting partnership with LA-based non-alcoholic retailer, The New Bar. And the only NZ alcohol free brand at the world-renowned festival. Boasting headline acts … Read more

Australian Lender Bizcap Launches in Singapore to Bring Flexible Lending to SMEs

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 April 2025 – Bizcap, an Australia-headquartered leading provider of fast, flexible business loans, has officially launched its Singapore operations. Since entering the market, Bizcap has already funded over $6 million in deals and built strong partnerships with local brokers and advisers, showing early traction and … Read more

Making a difference for young New Zealanders

Source: New Zealand Government New reporting out today shows that while most young Kiwis are doing well, further progress is needed so all children and young people thrive. Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says the Annual Report on the Child and Youth Strategy / the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and the Child Poverty Related … Read more

Families and households in the 2023 Census – further insights into how we live – Stats NZ media and information release: Families, households, and housing: 2023 Census

Source: Statistics New Zealand Families and households in the 2023 Census – further insights into how we live – 10 April 2025 – Today’s release of 2023 Census data includes more detailed information about families and households, and the people within them. This information is widely used for many different purposes and helps inform planning … Read more

Local News – Mayor Campbell Barry announces that he won’t be seeking re-election – Hutt City

Source: Hutt City Council Campbell Barry has announced today that he will not seek a third term as Lower Hutt’s Mayor. During his mayoralty, Barry has delivered on major commitments including the re-building of Te Ngaengae Pool and Fitness after its sudden closure in 2019, record investment and delivery in water infrastructure and rolling out a … Read more

Fire Safety – Changes to fire and fireworks restrictions in Otago

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand has changed restrictions on outdoor fires and fireworks in parts of Otago from 8am on Thursday 10 April, until further notice. The Lakes and Glendhu Bluffs zones move from a prohibited to a restricted fire season, which means people can light open air fires if … Read more

Local News – Nominations now open for 2025 Porirua Civic Awards

Source: Porirua City Council Porirua City Council is calling for nominations for the city’s highest honour. The Porirua Civic Awards recognise locals who have made a significant contribution to the Porirua community by their personal leadership, inspiration, sacrifice or commitment to a cause. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says volunteers are at the heart of our community … Read more

Children speak out: What tamariki and rangatahi really want from a safer internet – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children Almost 1,000 children and young people across Aotearoa New Zealand have had their say on online safety in a new survey conducted by Save the Children and Netsafe – and the results send a clear message: children want to be heard and informed, as well as protected. The survey, launched in the … Read more

ACT MP welcomes step towards greater freedom over Easter

Source: ACT Party ACT MP Cameron Luxton is congratulating Kieran McAnulty after his Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament last night. 
“It would give us a little more freedom over the Easter weekend, allowing pubs and … Read more