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Crown takes significant step forward with Ngāpuhi

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Source: New Zealand Government

The Crown has taken a significant step forward with Ngāpuhi as legislation that returns Kororipo Pā passes first reading in Parliament today, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith says.

“This marks the end of three years of negotiations between the Crown and Ngāti Rēhia, who have led these negotiations with the support of hapū with close connection to the site. It will be the first redress the Crown provides to Ngāpuhi, and demonstrates our commitment to a settlement. 

“Reaching a comprehensive settlement remains a high priority for the Government and we would like to progress negotiations as soon as possible. It is an honour to welcome Ngāpuhi into the house for their first Treaty settlement-related Bill reading.

“Kororipo Pā is significant to New Zealand as part of early settlement. It was a place of learning and trade between Ngāpuhi, missionaries and settlers. Ngāpuhi would assemble there before going to war and rangatira would meet to discuss politically important issues.

“Ngāpuhi has long sought the return of Kororipo Pā, on the banks of the Kerikeri River, as a historical site of great significance to all Ngāpuhi. I’d like to thank them for all their hard work in getting us here today.”

Kororipo Pā will transfer to Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Trust in early 2026, which will hold it as kaitiaki on behalf of all Ngāpuhi. 

The site will retain its historic reserve status and public access to the reserve will not be affected.

MIL OSI

Cyber security webinars

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Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 11 September 2025
Last updated 11 September 2025

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In 2024 the Cyber Security for the Tertiary Sector initiative facilitated online webinars to help organisations in the New Zealand tertiary education sector to better understand cyber security and help them decide what steps they can take to become more secure.
In 2024 the Cyber Security for the Tertiary Sector initiative facilitated online webinars to help organisations in the New Zealand tertiary education sector to better understand cyber security and help them decide what steps they can take to become more secure.

The cyber security webinars, facilitated by Defend, were well attended and informative. Recordings of these sessions are below.
Recordings of webinars

Title
Overview

Phishing Awareness – YouTube, 31mins

Learn about the different kinds of phishing, how to spot a phish and what to do when phished.

Staying Safe Online – YouTube, 58mins

Learn the biggest threats to the tertiary sector, how hackers get in, and what you can do to keep your organisation and yourself safe.

Data Handling – YouTube, 31mins

Learn about what data to protect and how to keep data safe.

Zero Trust – YouTube, 33mins

Learn how to use conditional access, muti-factor authentication, Azure Identity Protection and Zero Trust Principles to reduce the likelihood of accounts being compromised.

Social Engineering – YouTube, 38mins

Find out about the different methods that threat actors use to manipulate you to do the hard work for them.

Passwords and Authentication – YouTube, 38mins

Learn more about different kinds of authentication, what makes a bad or good password, multi factor authentication (MFA) and new developments.

Additional educational videos and content from Microsoft
These workshops, run by Microsoft, provide targeted information on what to do to make your organisation more cyber secure. They are primarily aimed at tertiary education organisations (TEOs) with access to E5/A5 Microsoft licensing. We’ve outlined the groups most likely to benefit from the workshops, below:

Title
Overview
Links

Most likely to benefit

Security Foundations

Setting the stage for Zero Trust, MFA and the basics on Identity based protection and why.

Understanding and Getting Started with ZERO TRUST – YouTube, 57mins

IT professionals, security admins, identity, and access admins, CISOs, security managers.

CISO and Cloud Security Architectures – MCRA 

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) training helps accelerate security program modernisation with reference to strategies built using Zero Trust principles. Modular videos cover strategic initiatives, roles and responsibilities, success metrics, maturity models and more.

Individual CISO Workshop Videos – Microsoft
MCRA playlist explaining each key topic in the MCRA – YouTube

Security and risk managers, CISOs, IT managers.

M365 Security

What do we get with M365 Security?
An overview of what is available and what you need to plan to implement as a baseline.

Video on using Defender M365 – YouTube
Full playlist for Defender for Endpoint – YouTube
Key concepts and how to guides – Get Security Done

IT professionals, security admins, identity and access admins, IT developers.

Cloud and Hybrid Security

Using Defender for Cloud to manage your multi cloud security requirements.

Video introducing Defender for Cloud – YouTube
Full playlist for Defender for Cloud – YouTube
Defender for Cloud helps you simplify your cloud security management and improve your security outcomes. Learn more at: Defender for Cloud – Microsoft.

IT professionals, security admins, identity and access admins, IT developers.

MIL OSI

Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi

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Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 1 September 2025
Last updated 1 September 2025

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Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi supports language revitalisation and addresses workforce needs through the growth of te reo Māori speakers.
Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi supports language revitalisation and addresses workforce needs through the growth of te reo Māori speakers.

This funding supports the development of new or existing programmes targeting higher levels of te reo Māori proficiency, with the aim of growing the number of highly proficient te reo Māori speakers and supporting sector workforce capabilities.
What is the intent of Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi?
Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi is a fund that supports the outcomes of:

The Fund is intended to support the further development and growth of programmes that support high levels of te reo Māori language proficiency, as outlined in the Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework, developed by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission).
Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework
We do not intend the Fund to be the only source of funding that providers use to develop and deliver programmes. It is intended to support growth of proficiency in te reo Māori.
Next funding round
The TEC is no longer accepting new applications for Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi fund. All existing contracts will continue to be honoured.

MIL OSI

Advocacy – Let Children Live! Save the Children and Amnesty International launch global campaign to protect the lives of children trapped in Gaza

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Source: Save the Children

Save the Children and Amnesty International have launched a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the 2.38 million Palestinian children, still alive, growing up in unbearable conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The campaign – Let Children Live – is a global call to action to remind the world what is at stake: the future of children struggling to survive one of the most urgent and devastating crises of our time. In 2024, Gaza was declared the deadliest place on earth to be a child, while more recently, famine has been confirmed, and the death toll of Palestinian children has risen to more than 20,000.
Of the 2.38 million Palestinian children alive, the Palestinian authorities have provided Amnesty International and Save the Children International with 1.2 million names. The aim of Let Children Live is to have each name carried and honoured by someone across the world, amplifying the call to protect children’s lives and futures.
Aotearoa New Zealand will lead the Global Day of Action on Saturday 13 September, the Saturday before the UN General Assembly deadline on 18 September for Israel to end its unlawful occupation. In Auckland, staff from each organisation will carry children’s names on posters and signs as part of the Harbour Bridge March for Humanity, while across the motu, New Zealanders are encouraged to take the campaign to other community rallies or share online.
“Each name carried is a child who is alive. We refuse to let these children become statistics. We carry their names, say them out loud, and demand protection, justice, and an end to the violence,” says Save the Children New Zealand CEO Heather Campbell.
“This campaign seeks to influence public discourse and political will ahead of a critical UN deadline. It also sends a powerful message of solidarity and visibility to children and families in occupied Palestinian territory.”
The organisations are calling on New Zealanders to join the campaign by registering at the campaign site www.letchildrenlive.com. Every person who registers will receive a unique child’s name and age, a social asset to share online and printable poster.
“Each name becomes your responsibility. We ask you to share with the world – within your social media feeds, in the streets, in your local community. As a stand for our collective humanity, we must ensure each and every child is seen and their life made visible,” says Amnesty International Aotearoa Executive Director Jacqui Dillon.
“By putting the names and lives of children at the forefront, we call on the world to uphold international law and protect children’s rights ahead of the UN General Assembly’s one-year deadline for Israel to end its occupation found unlawful by the International Court of Justice. Member states, in line with the UNGA resolution and international law, to work together to bring the occupation to an end.”

MIL OSI

Climate – Declining sea-ice is altering Antarctic food webs – Earth Sciences NZ

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Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

A new study shows a significant change in Antarctic phytoplankton over time that could cascade through the marine food web and affect the ocean’s capacity as a carbon sink.
The study reveals that diatoms, a major group of microscopic phytoplankton, are declining across large areas of the Southern Ocean due to being outcompeted by smaller, less nutritious phytoplankton species.
Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) principal scientist Dr Matt Pinkerton says that as microscopic single-celled algae are the first link in the ocean food web and support krill, any changes to these phytoplankton communities may have a negative flow-on effect.
“Phytoplankton are often described as the ‘grass of the ocean’. These tiny marine algae sustain the Antarctic food web, supporting a diverse array of Antarctic life, from zooplankton to fish, seabed corals, and apex predators, including seals, whales, and penguins. Changes at the base of the marine food web will ripple through from the grazers of these algae to the whole system.”
The study in Nature Climate Change, was led by Dr Alexander Hayward, a former NIWA and University of Otago PhD student, who is now a climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute in Copenhagen. 
“We may be witnessing a fundamental reorganisation of life around Antarctica,” Dr Hayward said.
Satellite data, along with samples collected from the Ross Sea as part of New Zealand’s Antarctic Science Platform (ASP), were analysed together with data from other regions of the Southern Ocean. The researchers from Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Spain and the USA, developed methods to track changes in different Southern Ocean phytoplankton communities over time.
The researchers found that the gradual increase in Antarctic sea-ice between 1997 and 2016 was accompanied by a change in the phytoplankton community. However, as the sea-ice subsequently decreased between 2016 and 2023, the phytoplankton community changed again.
Earth Sciences NZ principal scientist Cliff Law says the flow-on effects could also disrupt the ocean’s ability to lock away carbon.
“These billions of green cells in the surface ocean that nobody really thinks about are absolutely vital. The diatoms are particularly important in sequestering carbon, absorbing it at the ocean surface and carrying down to the deep as they sink, thereby locking it away from the atmosphere.”
Dr Pinkerton says projecting the future effects of climate change on Antarctic ecosystems is complex but critical.
“Understanding how Southern Ocean phytoplankton communities respond to climate change will help us to prepare for flow-on effects on the rest of the ecosystem. Our research has developed advanced food web models for the Ross Sea region. These new models include more information and have a better consideration of uncertainties in order to make them more useful for informing decision-making about marine management.”
Research into the impact of climate change on plankton and marine food webs in the Ross Sea will continue as part of the Antarctic Science Platform Tranche 2, with further research voyages of Earth Sciences New Zealand’s RV Tangaroa to this region. The scientists say increased use of sensors on unmanned buoys (ARGO) and satellite data will improve understanding of how changes in sea ice may result in ecosystem change.

MIL OSI

Events – Keep Our Assets (KOA) Public Meeting September 16 To Witness Candidates Sign Pledge Not To Sell Assets

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Source:  Keep Our Assets (KOA)

PUBLIC MEETING
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 7 P.M.
WEA HALL, 59 GLOUCESTER ST, ChCh

The purpose is to invite as many candidates as possible to publicly sign a pledge not to sell assets (see below for pledge wording)

Asset sales is the issue that won’t die. It was hardly mentioned at the 2022 election, then suddenly sprung on the people of Christchurch shortly afterwards and narrowly averted.

So, in 2025, Keep Our Assets (KOA) is reviving something we last utilised in the 2013 election – calling on candidates to sign a pledge not to sell assets.

There will be three speakers, speaking for ten minutes each

The three speakers, in order, are Murray Horton, as KOA Convenor; youth activist Aurora Garner-Randolph and Paul McMahon, Co-Chair of The People’s Choice (TPC)

Topics: Murray on the Christchurch assets issue, from the KOA perspective; Aurora on what public ownership of key public assets means for her generation; Paul on TPC’s policy on asset sales.

Following Paul McMahon’s speech, meeting chair Paul Watson will invite candidates present to sign KOA’s pledge to not sell assets.

The pledge will be present as individual A4 certificates to be signed by one person each (and for them to keep). And as one big A2 sheet for multiple people to sign and for KOA to keep. We’d like to get a photo op with that big signed sheet.

Here is the pledge and its explanatory notes (the pledge is only for candidates to sign, not members of the public):

https://www.cafca.org.nz/uncategorised/2025/07/keep-our-assets-pledge/

I pledge to maintain Christchurch’s key strategic assets in public ownership and control and to utilise the ownership to build a community development strategy for Ōtautahi/Christchurch looking decades into the future.

Notes:

A community development strategy means to utilise the assets in ways which would include:

  • Maximising the training of apprentices across all trades associated with the assets
  • Provision of retraining opportunities in cases of private sector business failure
  • Provide leading models of good employment practices for the private sector to aspire to
  • Provide opportunities to expand housing initiatives for tenants and families on low incomes
  • Future proofing the assets so infrastructure development is maintained through the long term rather than providing short term profits
  • Foster community pride through owning the assets rather than “renting” them from the private sector 
  • Develop the assets to invest in public transport initiatives with their economic, social and environmental benefits
  • Maintain the ability to react immediately in times of crisis (e.g. our airport and port would be our lifelines to the outside world in times of crisis)
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the greatest extent possible in order to contribute to the goal of keeping global temperature increases well below +2 degrees C.

Murray Horton
Convenor 
Keep Our Assets-Canterbury

MIL OSI

Property Market Analysis – Which parts of NZ are seeing supply outpace demand? – Cotality

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Source: Cotality, Analysis from Kelvin Davidson, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist

Strong supply growth in Auckland & Wellington

Based on the analysis, Wellington and Auckland are two primary areas in New Zealand where property supply has outpaced population growth between 2019 and 2024.
In Wellington, the population actually saw a small decline of 1.0% in the five years to 2024, while the dwelling stock increased by 4.3%. This caused the occupancy rate to drop from 2.97 to 2.82. While the recent property value downturn is partly an unwinding of previous affordability stress, this loosening of the supply and demand balance also played a role.
Auckland’s population grew by a robust 7.0% over the same period, but this was exceeded by an even stronger 10.3% increase in dwelling stock. This eased Auckland’s occupancy rate from 3.45 to 3.34.
This easing in the physical supply and demand balance aligns with the weakness in Auckland’s property values, although it is also worth noting that the recent construction mix in Auckland has been dominated by townhouses, which are smaller and have a naturally lower occupancy rate.
Conversely, areas like Hamilton and Tauranga are seeing a tightening of the supply/demand balance, as their population growth has outpaced dwelling supply – more detail on the next page.
Nationally, from 2019 to 2024, the population grew by 6.4%, while housing stock increased by 7.5%. This resulted in the average number of people per dwelling, or occupancy rate, easing from 2.99 to 2.96 over the five-year period. 
This figure suggests that the overall market is well-balanced, with the long-run average of 2.97 people per house sitting close to the current rate. This balance is also supported by the recent lack of growth in property values and rentals.

A varying picture across other areas

Other main centres, such as Tauranga and Hamilton, present the opposite scenario, with double-digit population growth outpacing the rise in dwelling stock. Between 2019 and 2024, Hamilton’s population increased by 10.3% while its dwellings grew by 8.1%, and Tauranga saw population growth of 10.2% compared to a 5.9% rise in dwellings. Although these areas are not experiencing a property value boom, their markets have been more resilient than those in Auckland and Wellington, with less improvement in housing affordability.
Focusing on other population hotspots, like Selwyn, Queenstown-Lakes, Waikato District, and Waimakariri, construction activity has largely kept pace with population growth. From 2019 to 2024, dwelling stock grew by 12.7% in Waimakariri, 29.8% in Selwyn, and 13.8% in Waikato. Market feedback suggests these areas are well-balanced in terms of property availability and do not show the same clear affordability strains.
However, Queenstown-Lakes remains an exception. Despite its dwelling stock growing slightly faster than its population between 2019 and 2024, the area’s property values remain high and affordability pressures intense. This highlights the unique market dynamics of Queenstown, where accumulated wealth helps to insulate property values even with strong supply growth.
Supply and demand isn’t everything, but still vital
While the physical supply and demand balance over short periods does not explain all changes in property values or affordability, it is obviously an important factor. Other influences, such as available listings, or changes in wealth and income, also play a significant role. However, when looking at this data in isolation, it suggests that property values in Wellington and Auckland may remain relatively soft, while other main centres like Hamilton and Tauranga could see stronger performance.

MIL OSI

Increased Police presence in Tairāwhiti this weekend

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Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Inspector Danny Kirk, Tairāwhiti Area Commander:

Police are aware of a planned gathering involving a number of leaders of a gang, in Tairāwhiti this weekend.

As is standard with these events, Police have been proactively engaging with the organisers of this event to ensure public disruption is limited and any activity remains lawful.

Residents can expect to see an increased Police presence in the region over the weekend. Additional Police staff will be brought in from across Eastern District to assist.

If anybody witnesses any illegal or dangerous activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report via 105 if it is after the fact.

ENDS
 

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

MIL OSI

Decapitated dolphin prompts call for information

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  11 September 2025

DOC Kaikōura Marine Reserves Ranger Zac Penman says it’s illegal to injure, kill, or take parts of a marine mammal and the grisly act is completely unacceptable.

“The dolphin was found by a member of the public and reported to DOC on 24 August,” Zac says.

“It appears to be a dusky dolphin thought to have washed up naturally before someone took its head.”

The Marine Mammals Protection Act clearly states it is illegal to take any part of a marine mammal.

“We want to find out what happened and are appealing for anyone who knows about this to contact DOC and share the information they have,” Zac says.

Anyone with information on the decapitated dolphin is asked to call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or email wildlifecrime@doc.govt.nz with the reference number CLE-9721. Any information received will be kept strictly confidential.

“It’s not acceptable for people to interfere with protected wildlife, and it’s illegal to remove a protected species’ head,” Zac says.

“Without a permit it’s an offence to take and be in possession of any part of a marine mammal. The exception to this is if part of a marine mammal (such as a jawbone) has separated naturally from its body. If that occurs, the finder must notify DOC of the time, place and circumstances under which the find was made.

“Kaikōura is renowned for its marine life which gets visitors naturing through amazing wildlife watching opportunities. Countless dolphins, seals, whales and other marine animals count on us to do our part and follow the rules.”

DOC protects and nurtures more than a third of New Zealand’s landscape, vast marine areas, and thousands of endangered species – a role guided by key laws like the Conservation Act, Wildlife Act, Marine Mammals Protection Act, and National Parks Act. These legal frameworks ensure our unique biodiversity is properly safeguarded.

When people or organisations don’t follow the rules, it threatens our special places and native wildlife. DOC takes these responsibilities very seriously and has a range of enforcement tools to hold rule-breakers to account.

However, DOC can’t be everywhere, so public eyes and ears make a real difference. DOC staff continually urge the public to help protect nature by reporting unlawful activity through 0800 DOC HOT.

It’s not the only instance of decapitated marine mammals being reported this year. Two headless kekeno/fur seals were reported on Muriwai Beach, Auckland, in early June.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

EIT Sri Lankan student wins Best Asian Tertiary Student award

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Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

11 minutes ago

EIT Bachelor of Business Studies student Devindi Kahandawala has been named Best Asian Tertiary Student at the Asians in the Bay Awards, after moving from Sri Lanka to pursue her studies in Hawke’s Bay.

The 24-year-old said the award was an unexpected but meaningful recognition of her journey.

“I honestly did not expect to win that night which made the moment even more meaningful for me. Standing on stage and receiving the award, I felt incredibly proud to represent not only myself and EIT but also Sri Lanka and the wider Asian community here in Hawke’s Bay.”

EIT Bachelor of Business Studies student Devindi Kahandawala, who moved from Sri Lanka in 2023, won Best Tertiary Student at the Asians in the Bay Awards.

Devindi, who is in her third year of study, moved to New Zealand in 2023, joining her two older brothers; Nisal and Rumal, who had also studied and settled in Hawke’s Bay. Rumal studied the NZ Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) [Level 5] at EIT.

She said the support of her family has been vital, alongside encouragement from lecturers and EIT’s international team.

“When I started my studies, I had to complete my first semester online after Cyclone Gabrielle. But I had amazing support from lecturers, especially Russell Booth, who was always there when I needed help.”

She has particularly enjoyed the papers she has studied over the years, including a current Strategic Marketing paper.

“That’s what I enjoy most about EIT, lecturers don’t just focus on theory, they always look for practical solutions too. The exercises are fascinating.”

Devindi now gives back as a mentor for international students.

“I really enjoy helping new students because I know exactly what it feels like to arrive and not know where to start. It’s also fascinating to meet people from so many different countries and hear their stories.”

She is also active in sport and the community, playing for the Hawke’s Bay senior badminton team and volunteering with the Salvation Army.

“For me, volunteering has been a way to meet people, build connections, and learn more about Hawke’s Bay.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a career in accounting, following in the footsteps of her parents.

“My end goal is to become a chartered accountant. After finishing my bachelor’s degree, I plan to gain work experience and then continue with a master’s in accounting.”

Devindi says she recommends EIT to other international students.

“It makes you feel at home from day one. The support, the diversity and welcoming environment helped me settle in quickly and thrive in both my studies and my personal journey.”

Russell Booth, programme coordinator of the BBS, said: “It was evident to everyone that from day one in class, Devindi was here to work hard and do that with a big smile on her face”.

“Without doubt, the way she has dedicated her time and efforts to both her studies and her involvement in EIT and the wider community has led to this fabulous recognition. There really is no one more deserving than Devindi in gaining this award as it has come from all that hard work!”

Gareth Allison, EIT Head of School of Business, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Devindi’s achievement”.

“Her recognition as Best Asian Tertiary Student reflects not only her academic commitment but also her leadership and contribution to the wider community. Devindi’s journey is a great example of how international students enrich our campus and region. She’s shown resilience, generosity, and a strong work ethic – qualities we value deeply at EIT. It’s rewarding to see her success and the positive impact she’s making.”

MIL OSI

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