Energy Sector – Electricity Authority shines new spotlight on the retail market

Source: Electricity Authority The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (the Authority) is introducing mandatory retailer reporting of domestic and small business customer data to increase transparency and accountability in New Zealand’s retail electricity market. Towards the end of 2025 the Authority will begin publishing aggregated retail data and insights on its website. Authority General Manager Retail … Read more

Union Name Change – Our union’s new name: ‘FIRST Union’ Becomes ‘Workers First Union’

Source: Workers First Union Workers First Union is pleased to announce that the union has now formally changed its name from ‘FIRST Union’ to ‘Workers First Union’ (or ‘Workers First’, for short) following a vote by delegates at the union’s Annual General Meeting in December 2024. Dennis Maga, Workers First General Secretary, said he was proud that … Read more

Police get whiff of dodgy deal

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) A member of the public’s spidy senses and an officer’s keen sense of smell has assisted Police in locating more than 70 bags of drugs inside a car in Beachlands overnight. At about 2.20am, Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle parked on Wakelin Road with the engine … Read more

Economy – RBNZ supports release of Police’s National Risk Assessment

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand 17 March 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua welcomes the release of the latest National Risk Assessment (NRA) from Police’s Financial Intelligence Unit. The report assesses threat and sectoral vulnerability, exploring their impact on money laundering and terrorism financing risk and proliferation financing … Read more

Family Court Judges appointed

Source: New Zealand Government Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new Family Court Judges.   The new Judges will take up their roles in April and May and fill Family Court vacancies at the Auckland and Manukau courts. Annette Gray Ms Gray completed her law degree at Victoria University before joining Phillips Fox … Read more

Brace yourself – Windy weather ahead for Wellington drivers

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 17 March 2025 10:25 am | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Wellington drivers will need to take extra care on the region’s roads with wind weather warnings in force. The Metservice has issued a Strong Wind Watch for the region from one am Tuesday morning to one pm Tuesday afternoon. … Read more

New High Dependency Unit will expand critical care services in Wellington

Source: New Zealand Government Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Wellington Regional Hospital’s first High Dependency Unit (HDU).“This unit will boost critical care services in the lower North Island, providing extra capacity and relieving pressure on the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and emergency department.“Wellington Regional Hospital has previously relied on the ICU … Read more

Barrio Brings the Taste of Home to Filipinos in New Zealand

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand Filipinos in New Zealand can now enjoy a true taste of home with the launch of Barrio, the country’s newest Filipino online grocery store. From everyday pantry staples to gourmet delicacies, Barrio offers a carefully curated selection of authentic Filipino products delivered straight to your doorstep, anywhere in … Read more

Strengthening education ties across the Pacific

Source: New Zealand Government Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti will travel to Port Moresby this week to attend the Conference of Pacific Education Ministers alongside representatives from Pacific nations and Australia, to collaborate on shared education priorities.  The theme of the conference, Transforming Edukesen for a Better Pacific, reflects the need for the region to adapt and … Read more

Public’s help sought after serious Miramar incidents

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch: Police are seeking the public’s help following two serious incidents in Miramar overnight. At 2am, Police were called to a Darlington Road address, where the occupants found an intruder inside their home. One occupant received minor injuries following an altercation with the … Read more

New Business – Soda’s New Online Platform a Game-Changer for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Source: Soda Kiwi entrepreneurs now have an easier way to turn their business ideas into reality. Soda has launched an online business platform, packed with short business courses that give aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners the framework to create business success. There are six courses which, as a complete set, provide the necessary tools and frameworks to … Read more

Research – Gender parity clarity: New Zealand’s deepest dive into KiwiSaver balances reveals crucial demographic insights

Source: Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission Results from the largest analysis of KiwiSaver, encompassing more than 3.2 million members, reveal no progress has been made on closing the gender retirement savings gap.   With shades of the recent estimate by the World Economic Forum that at the existing rate of progress, full gender parity … Read more

Banks and Security – ASB launches Caller Check to combat scammers

Source: ASB ASB has launched Caller Check, its latest innovation in its fight against scammers to help protect customers from impersonation scams. Research by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance last year found half of New Zealanders had experienced a rise in scam encounters over the past 12 months, and more than 40% received these by phone … Read more

Universities – Fiordland’s marine habitats surveyed to develop first complete picture of biodiversity – Vic

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington   Scientists have long known Fiordland’s marine habitats are home to a diverse range of species, from bright orange cup corals to huge black corals. A project to survey and catalogue these habitats is now underway to help support evidence-based management of this unique environment.    Researchers from … Read more

MIL-OSI News

Greenpeace Statement: The deep sea mining industry is crumbling and desperate Source: Greenpeace The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority, which starts today in Kingston, Jamaica, is the first under the new Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho, a scientist whose appointment brings an opportunity to reset the ISA’s focus away from prioritising deep sea mining industry interests and … Read more

Education delegation departs for Europe & UK

Source: New Zealand Government Education Minister Erica Stanford is leading a New Zealand delegation to Iceland to participate in the 2025 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP).  “The summit will be attended by Education Ministers, union leaders, and teacher leaders from high performing OECD countries. It provides an excellent opportunity for sharing best practice … Read more

Health requirements strengthened for children of temporary visa holders

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is strengthening health requirements for dependent children of people on temporary visas to ensure more consistency in the immigration system.“In recent years, a spike in enrolments of children of temporary migrants in our schools has resulted in an increase in children from this cohort with very high learning needs. … Read more

Proposed amendments to the New Zealand Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries Have your say New Zealand Food Safety wants your feedback about changes to the New Zealand Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds. The proposed changes include: 2 new entries for maximum residue levels in Schedule 1 12 amended entries for maximum residue levels in Schedule 1. Full details … Read more

Plan ahead for upcoming works on SH1 north of Auckland

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Motorists traveling on State Highway 1 (SH1) north of Auckland are advised to plan ahead, with lane and road closures scheduled between Sunday 16 and Friday 21 March. Johnstone Hill Tunnels – Sunday 16 to Friday 21 March Northbound traffic will be shifted across to one of the southbound lanes … Read more

Take care, pay attention: Fire alongside SH1 Brynderwyn Hills

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 14 March 2025 5:07 pm | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is currently fighting a scrub fire next to State Highway 1 on the northern side of the Brynderwyn Hills. NZ Transport Agency does not expect to close this section of SH1 at this … Read more

Rebuilding SH1 at Whakapara

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) contractors will begin rebuilding a section of State Highway 1 near Puhipuhi Rd, Whakapara, from next week. From Wednesday (19 March) the road will be down to one lane with stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place for the duration … Read more

Global leader in Temperature-Controlled solutions expands in Christchurch, New Zealand

Source: Press Release Service – Christchurch Americold, a global leader in temperature-controlled storage, logistics and facilities solutions, and value-added services, today announced the groundbreaking of its USD$34 million Halwyn facility expansion in Hornby, Christchurch. This ambitious project will more than double the site’s capacity, significantly enhancing its ability to meet the growing demand for temperature-controlled … Read more

NZ & India launch Comprehensive FTA negotiations

Source: New Zealand Government Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay today announced New Zealand and India have formally launched negotiations on a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. Mr McClay held extensive discussions with his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal in New Delhi today, where they agreed to launch negotiations. “This announcement is a major … Read more

Road closed following crash, SH2, Waioeka

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Motorists are advised to expect delays after a crash on Waioeka Road (SH2) this evening. Emergency services were called to the scene, between Waiata Road and Waioeka Pa Road, about 5.30pm, after a truck rolled. One person has sustained minor injuries. The road is completely blocked and has been … Read more

Serious crash: Great South Road, Penrose

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Great South Road, Penrose is closed at the intersection with Southdown Road following a crash. The three-vehicle crash was reported to Police just after 2pm. Initial indications are that there are serious injuries. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays. ENDS Issued by Police Media Centre … Read more

Crash blocks Auckland Northern Motorway, Dairy Flat

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) The Auckland Northern Motorway is partially blocked heading southbound near the Wilks Road Overbridge following a crash. The crash, involving multiple vehicles, was reported just before 11:20am. Two people have been moderately injured. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays. ENDS Issued by Police Media Centre … Read more

Shane Jones has no shame

Source: Green Party Shane Jones’ display on Q&A showed how out of touch he and this Government are with our communities and how in sync they are with companies with little concern for people and planet.  “Shane Jones is nothing more than a puppet for private interest, parroting industry talking points while allowing our oceans … Read more