NZ Tourism and Law – Startling New Zealand travel warning after launch of new tourism campaign

Source: Carter Capner Law As New Zealand launches a major tourism campaign targeted at Aussies with the slogan “Everyone must go”, a leading Australian travel compensation lawyer has warned travellers to “go at your own risk”. Director of Carter Capner Law and former national president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance Peter Carter has revealed that … Read more

Animal Rights – SAFE renews call for rodeo ban following four deaths – SAFE

Source: SAFE For Animals SAFE renews call for rodeo ban following four deaths SAFE is once again urging the Government to ban rodeo following the deaths of four animals so far this summer – deaths that could have been prevented had the Government acted on long overdue animal welfare reforms. SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall says … Read more

Universities – Power struggles: The psychology behind workplace energy use – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) Do you ever take the stairs instead of the lift or print double-sided – not for fitness, or to stretch the last few sheets of paper, but to save energy?  An international study co-authored by researchers from the University of Auckland looks at how businesses can support these kinds of everyday … Read more

Fatal crash, Kaingaroa

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) One person has died following a crash in Kaingaroa last night. Police were notified at about 10.40pm that a vehicle had crashed on State Highway 10. Unfortunately, the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other vehicles were involved. Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are underway. … Read more

Health and Workplace – New guide launched to help navigate medicinal cannabis and workplace safety – Drug Foundation

Source: NZ Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri A new guide launched today will help employers and their workers better understand and manage medicinal cannabis and workplace safety concerns. Sarah Helm, Executive Director of NZ Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri, says the guide was developed in response to regular requests … Read more

Housing and Construction – The staggering increase in home building costs over 4 years – QV

Source: Quotable Value (QV) Building costs have increased at an average rate of 44% over the last four years, despite the rate of inflation slowing markedly last year. This was the major finding from a new QV CostBuilder study that looked at the comparative cost of building a standardised 150m² home across six main urban centres … Read more

Finance Analysis – Getting the OCR down quickly – CoreLogic

Source: CoreLogic – Commentary from Kelvin Davidson, CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist Financial markets and economists were united in expecting the Reserve Bank to cut the official cash rate by 0.5% to 3.75% at today’s meeting, and this was duly delivered. The barriers to the cut were non-existent, with inflation back inside the 1-3% target … Read more

Housing costs continue to put pressure on households in year to June 2024 – Stats NZ media and information release: Household income and housing-cost statistics: Year ended June 2024

Source: Statistics New Zealand Housing costs continue to put pressure on households in year to June 2024 – 20 February 2025 – One-third of low-income households in Aotearoa New Zealand spent more than 40 percent of their income on housing costs in the year ended June 2024, according to data released by Stats NZ today. … Read more

No movement in child poverty rates for year ended June 2024 – Stats NZ media and information release: Child poverty statistics: Year ended June 2024

Source: Statistics New Zealand No movement in child poverty rates for year ended June 2024 – 20 February 2025 – None of the nine measures of child poverty showed a statistically significant change in the year ended June 2024, compared with the previous year, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Three of the … Read more

Right to Repair Bill passes significant step

Source: Green Party Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson’s Consumer Guarantees Right to Repair Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament this evening. “This is a significant step towards building a circular economy that empowers our people and protects our planet,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. “This Bill combines climate action with cost … Read more

Grants open soon for the Hibiscus and Bays community

Source: Auckland Council Hibiscus and Bays community groups and business associations will soon be able to apply for local, facilities or business grants. Local grants provide funding for arts, community, environment, heritage, sport and recreation projects and events and applications open from 3 March to 11 April 2025. Facilities grants assist with the costs of … Read more

Government Response to the Report from the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant and growing public health threat which affects patients and communities, and threatens to undermine the modern health system. AMR can also have serious negative impacts on animal health, welfare and production, and the environment. The New Zealand Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan was published … Read more

Regional Tourism Boost to attract international visitors

Source: New Zealand Government A new $3 million fund from the International Conservation and Tourism Visitor Levy will be used to attract more international visitors to regional destinations this autumn and winter, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.   “The Government has a clear priority to unleash economic growth and getting our visitor numbers back … Read more

NZCTU welcomes passage of wage theft bill

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill passing committee stage in the House is a win for workers, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff. The Bill, which amends the Crimes Act 1961 to clarify that not paying an employee their wages is theft, will now head … Read more

Serious crash, State Highway 3, Te Mapara

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) State Highway 3 is expected to be closed for several hours following a serious single-vehicle crash. About 8.45am, emergency services were alerted to the crash. Initial indications suggest a van left the road and hit a tree between Maraetaua and Pukenui roads. One person is reportedly in a critical … Read more

Council’s value for money programme gains momentum

Source: Auckland Council Auckland Council has recorded $43.2 million in savings so far this year – two-thirds of the annual savings target of $66 million. The council’s savings initiative is part of an ongoing programme to ensure ratepayers get value for money and cost-effectiveness across the organisation, through clear targets set in the Long-term Plan. … Read more

Police monitoring Te Puke tangi

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attributable to Inspector Clifford Paxton, Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander: Police are aware of a gang related tangi for the father of a prominent gang member, due to take place in the Western Bay of Plenty Area on Friday 21 February. Bay of Plenty Police will be monitoring … Read more

Sun Life Invests Over HK$10 Million to Partner with the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China

Source: Media Outreach Focusing on Three Key Areas to Develop a Professional Basketball Ecosystem and Promote a Healthy and Active Lifestyle HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 February 2025 – Sun Life and the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China (BAHKC) held a partnership signing ceremony today (February 19), officially announcing an … Read more

Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited announces annual results for the financial year ended December 31, 2024

Source: Media Outreach 2024Annual Results – Financial Highlights(Figures for the corresponding period in 2023 are shown in brackets) Consolidated revenue: HK$ 901 million (HK$ 822 million) Consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company:HK$ 230 million (HK$ 466 million) Basic loss per share: 11.29 HK cents (22.89 HK cents) No final dividend (No … Read more

Sahm Capital Joins Capital Market Forum Riyadh 2025 as Platinum Sponsor

Source: Media Outreach RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 February 2025 – Sahm Capital, the first fintech-driven financial company to secure full Capital Market Authority (CMA) licensing (license no. 22251-25), is proud to announce its participation as a platinum sponsor at the Capital Market Forum (CMF) 2025. Organized by the Saudi Tadawul … Read more

Economy – OCR 3.75% – OCR reduced further as inflation abates – Reserve Bank of NZ

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand 19 February 2025 – Annual consumer price inflation remains near the midpoint of the Monetary Policy Committee’s 1 to 3 percent target band. Firms’ inflation expectations are at target and core inflation continues to fall towards the target midpoint. The economic outlook remains consistent with inflation remaining in the … Read more

Lifestyle – Exercise Industry Set for Significant Growth in 2025 Despite Economic Headwinds

Source: Exercise NZ Despite ongoing economic pressures, a new consumer survey by ExerciseNZ reveals a promising outlook for New Zealand’s exercise industry. Conducted by Horizon Research for the past five years, the survey polled New Zealand adults nationwide and highlights a growing interest and uptake in physical activity and structured exercise, presenting significant opportunities for … Read more

Euvella Unveils Two New Captivating Scents for Reed Diffusers

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 February 2025 – Singapore-based fragrance company Euvella is set to expand its collection with the introduction of two new scents—White Musk and Aquamelon—designed to elevate home ambience through their signature reed diffuser sticks. Slated for a tentative early March release, these new fragrances promise to … Read more

[3-Day Pop-up] ‘‘My Favourite Sake’’ Arrives at Mira Place, Tsim Sha Tsui! Free Tasting of Over 70 Nihonshu + Enjoy 23 Workshops + Win Round-Trip Tickets to Yonago

Source: Media Outreach Featuring 5 Themed Zones Constantly Rotating Sake Selection – TRADITIONAL SAKE, FRUIT LIQUEUR, SPARKLING, AGED SAKE, NEW STYLE / CRAFT SAKE HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 February 2025 – A Must-Visit Event for Sake Enthusiasts! Organized by JETRO Hong Kong, the 推しの日本酒 (My Favourite Sake) event will take over … Read more

Update: Information sought after possible sighting of Tom Phillips

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police have confirmed the group sighted on State Highway 4 around 8:30am, Sunday 16 February, who were believed to potentially be Tom Phillips and his children, were not. Following the initial reported sighting on Sunday, Police responded to the area conducting several enquiries to locate the group, however they … Read more

‘A peaceful, prosperous, democratic Pacific’

Source: New Zealand Government Good Evening Let us begin by acknowledging Professor David Capie and the PIPSA team for convening this important conference over the next few days. Whenever the Pacific Islands region comes together, we have a precious opportunity to share perspectives and learn from each other. That is especially true in our region, where … Read more

“Design Your Change: Up+Rise Bangkok” Bangkok Design Week 2025: A Showcase of Creative Solutions Transforming Bangkok’s Future

Source: Media Outreach As part of Bangkok Design Week 2025, designers and cross-sector collaborators are showcasing cutting-edge projects that underscore the potential of creativity to reshape cities. These works reflect how design can tackle pressing urban challenges, elevate communities, and open pathways for sustainable growth—all while reimagining Bangkok’s future as a city that thrives on … Read more