Recycling Sector – Widespread support to start a Container Return Scheme in NZ

Source: Zero Waste Network A coalition of 84 companies, councils and not for profit organisations have written to the NZ Government asking them to modernise how we handle waste and litter in New Zealand by starting a Container Return Scheme. Organisations as diverse and significant as Woolworths, Foodstuffs NZ, Coca Cola, BP, The Warehouse, The … Read more

Construction to begin on final stage of Wellington SH58 Road of Regional Significance project

Source: New Zealand Government The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has given the go-ahead for construction to begin on the final stage of the State Highway 58 (SH58) safety improvements project in Wellington, between Moonshine Road and the SH1 Pāuatahanui Interchange of Transmission Gully, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.    “As a Road of Regional Significance, … Read more

TRACR and Sarine Technologies Sign Agreement for Pioneering Diamond Traceability Solution

Source: Media Outreach The collaboration enables a scalable and cost-effective diamond traceability solution in support of transparency and trust across the supply chain HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – Tracr™ Limited (“Tracr”), the world’s first fully distributed diamond blockchain platform enabling the registration of rough diamonds at source, and … Read more

Government backs Mangawhai tornado clean-up

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has confirmed a $435,000 contribution from the Ministry for the Environment to support emergency waste clean-up after a recent tornado, say Environment Minister, Penny Simmonds and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister, Mark Mitchell.“The Government recognises the significant challenge councils face in managing emergency waste from severe weather events and … Read more

Moth plants beware

Source: Auckland Council South Auckland schools and community groups are being encouraged to join the fight against moth plants. The popular Pest-free South Auckland Moth Plant Competition 2025 is open for registrations. Pods can be collected from 3 March 2025 to 9 May 2025. So – if you live, work, play, or learn in Ōtara-Papatoetoe … Read more

Weather News – Cold mornings, showers, and sunshine – MetService

Source: MetService Covering period of Thursday 6th – Monday 10th March – Autumn is in full swing, and it is starting to feel like it. MetService is forecasting a chilly night for the North Island tonight (Thursday), followed by a weekend that brings a mix of sunshine and cloudier periods, with a lingering crispness in the … Read more

Urgent repairs near Te Hana River Bridge tonight

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 6 March 2025 12:14 pm | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises contractors will undertake urgent repairs near Te Hana River Bridge on State Highway 1 overnight tonight (Thursday 6 March). Due to the narrow road environment, a lane closure with stop/go traffic management … Read more

Expect delays on SH49 Tangiwai for urgent rail maintenance

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Road users on State Highway 49 (SH49), northwest of Waiouru, should prepare for delays over 2 weekends this month, while KiwiRail undertakes urgent maintenance on the Tangiwai Rail Crossing. To enable KiwiRail to undertake this work safely, SH49 will be down to 1 lane under stop/go traffic management at the … Read more

First Financial Statements including 2025 released

Source: New Zealand Government The latest interim Financial Statements of the Government show results were more positive than expected at the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update for most indicators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.Treasury published the Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the Seven Months ended 31 January 2025 today.“The results … Read more

Expanded specialist youth services coming for regions in need

Source: New Zealand Government Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has announced details for a $3.5 million annual funding boost to increase access and expand specialist infants, children and adolescents mental health services (ICAMHS) in Tairāwhiti, Counties Manukau, and Waitematā.   “Through data we know these three regions have lower investment in Infant, Child and … Read more

Northland News – CityLink bus service diverted after more stone throwing incidents

Source: Northland Regional Council Services on CityLink Whangārei’s Otangarei Route Four will temporarily bypass Matai St from today until further notice while police investigate a series of rock throwing incidents that have damaged buses and put drivers and passengers at risk. The 16-bus CityLink network is operated by Ritchies Transport Whangarei under contract to the Northland … Read more

NZ Post cost-cutting another blow to Kiwi employment – E tū

Source: Etu Union Workers at NZ Post’s call centre have been told their jobs are being gradually moved to Manila, in the Philippines, as part of NZ Post’s need to cut costs. While workers’ jobs are safe for now, they will be replaced by workers in Manila by attrition, with people not being rehired in … Read more

Crown settles eight years of Treaty negotiations

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is demonstrating its commitment to prioritising treaty settlements with the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passing third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is a privilege to conclude eight years of negotiations between the Crown and the three central North Island iwi who … Read more

Building activity down 4.4 percent in December 2024 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Value of building work put in place: December 2024 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand Building activity down 4.4 percent in December 2024 quarter – 6 March 2025 – The seasonally adjusted volume of building work in New Zealand was $7.4 billion in the December 2024 quarter, down 4.4 percent compared with the September 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “There has … Read more

Stats NZ information release: Environmental-economic accounts: Data to 2023

Source: Statistics New Zealand Environmental-economic accounts: Data to 2023 – 6 March 2025 – Environmental-economic accounts show how our environment contributes to our economy, the impacts of economic activity on our environment, and how we respond to environmental issues. Stats NZ’s environmental-economic accounts show the interactions between the environment and the economy to provide a … Read more

High quality Kiwi beef and lamb helps lead economic recovery

Source: New Zealand Government Strong demand and favourable export prices combined with new export opportunities in Europe and the Middle East will see New Zealand’s beef and lamb farmers add an extra $1.2 billion to their bank accounts this year as the primary sector helps to grow the economy, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said during a farm … Read more

Health and Politics- Open letter to the Prime Minister: on marmite sandwiches and healthy school lunches

Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa Today, Health Coalition Aotearoa, Child Poverty Action Group and NZEI sent an open letter to Prime Minister Chris Luxton, Hon David Seymour (Associate Minister of Health) and Hon Erica Stanford (Minister of Education). In the letter, we raise concerns about the Prime Minister’s comment about “marmite sandwiches and an apple” regarding the litany of problems … Read more

Asia New Zealand – Top Asia experts gather in Auckland to discuss New Zealand’s progress in and with Asia

Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation Top Asia experts from across New Zealand and the Asia region will meet in Auckland from 9 to 11 March to share their perspectives on New Zealand’s Asia relations. The experts are part of the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Honorary Advisers Network and include current and former ministers, academics, businesspeople and … Read more

Heritage – Kate Sheppard National Suffrage Memorial Celebrated for Outstanding Significance

Source: Heritage New Zealand The Kate Sheppard National Memorial to Women’s Suffrage has been entered on the New Zealand Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero as a Category 1 historic place. The 2.1-metre-high bas-relief sculpture depicts a life-sized Kate Sheppard, flanked by five other influential suffragists. The artwork was created for the 1993 commemorations of the momentous achievement … Read more

Economy – Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the seven months ended 31 January 2025 – Treasury

Source: The Treasury The Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the seven months ended 31 January 2025 were released by the Treasury today. The January results are reported against forecasts based on the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (HYEFU 2024), published on 17 December 2024, and the results for … Read more

First Responders – Papakura fire update #4 reissued

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Firefighters have worked through the night at the scene of a fire at a metal recycling plant in Papakura and are making good progress. Crews have been rotated at the fireground, with seven fire appliances including three aerials still in action. Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Katie Pocock says that … Read more

Health – Vape companies hunt loopholes ahead of law change

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Heavy restrictions on the sale of vapes will soon be in place, but some vape companies are already searching for loopholes in the law. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is calling out vape retailers for their blatant attempts to bypass the new laws aimed at protecting our tamariki. Between March and … Read more

Banking Sector – ASB further boosts rural commitment with new Head of Food & Fibre

Source: ASB ASB has appointed Kristen Ashby as its new Head of Food & Fibre, a newly established role within its Rural Corporate Banking team. Kristen joins ASB from Fonterra where she was most recently Director of Capital Strategy. Starting her career as a Chartered Accountant, Kristen has worked across a variety of roles at … Read more

Consumer NZ calls for an end to the surcharge “swindle”

Source: Consumer NZ Consumer NZ is calling on the Commerce Commission to consider a ban on card payment surcharges due to growing concerns about excessive and hidden fees. While the Commission is considering lowering interchange fees – to reduce merchants’ costs for accepting card payments, – Consumer says there’s no guarantee this will reduce card … Read more

Energy – Perfect paradox: Urgent focus on affordability and infrastructure in global energy report – BusinessNZ

Source: BusinessNZ Global data released from the World Energy Council today highlights urgent concern for affordable energy and the importance of future energy infrastructure. The BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) is New Zealand’s representative to the World Energy Council. Executive Director Tina Schirr says more than 3,000 energy leaders from more than 100 countries participated in the World … Read more

Auckland’s flood resilience pilot a success

Source: Auckland Council Aucklanders have come together to build flood resilience, with a successful pilot programme proving the power of community action. Their efforts have paved the way for region-wide expansion in 2025, helping more neighbourhoods prepare for future storms. As part of Council’s Making Space for Water programme – a response to the 2023 … Read more

‘Need not race’ approach to bowel cancer screening will save lives

Source: ACT Party “The move to reduce the eligibility age for free bowel cancer screening to 58 is ‘need, not race’ in action, and will save lives,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “ACT campaigned against targeting services based on race, because this practice was unfair, inefficient, and led to perverse outcomes. “Bowel cancer screening was … Read more