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Government Cuts – New data shows human misery of public sector cuts

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August 26, 2025

Source: PSA

New data revealing there are almost 30 people competing for each public sector job shows the human cost of the Government’s arbitrary cuts to the public service, says the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

Data from 75 public organisations shows there were almost 286,000 applications for 10,000 public service jobs in the first half of this year – a ratio of 28.5 applications per role, compared to just eight applications per role in 2023.

PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the figures expose the human cost of the Government’s arbitrary cuts to the public service.

“The numbers speak for themselves – competition for public sector jobs has more than tripled from eight applications per role in 2023 to almost 30 now. Real people who had more to give have been thrown on the scrapheap by a Government that made arbitrary 6.5 to 7.5 percent cuts across the board.

“Some large ministries dealt with thousands of applicants – the Ministry of Social Development alone had almost 20,000 applicants for 1,000 roles, while some agencies like Crown Law had 460 applications for just 13 roles.

“These cuts weren’t made because there was any identified need to reduce jobs or improve efficiency – they were made purely to pay for tax cuts including $3 billion for landlords. The human cost of those political priorities is now clear.

“This is a public service that is starting to crack under pressure as remaining staff struggle with increased workloads while their skilled colleagues who were providing essential services are now desperately seeking work, with many moving overseas.

“Among those cut were people modernising our IT systems to make our health system more responsive and efficient, and staff at the Department of Internal Affairs who keep our kids safe from online predators. These weren’t inefficiencies being trimmed – these were essential services being gutted.

“There is important work that needs to be done to support New Zealanders, and there are committed people ready and willing to do it. It makes no sense to have a public service under pressure while skilled people who were laid off are now struggling to find work.

“The Government needs to properly fund the public service to meet the needs of all New Zealanders,” Fitzsimons said.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand Condemns Israel’s Killing of Palestinian Journalists in Gaza

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August 26, 2025

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand strongly condemns the recent Israeli airstrike in Gaza that killed at least six Palestinian journalists, as they carried out their professional duty of documenting the ongoing assault on the Palestinian people.

The targeted attack on media workers near Al-Shifa Hospital follows a disturbing pattern of deliberate violence against Palestinian journalists, who have been systematically silenced for bearing witness to atrocities. According to international press freedom organisations, more than 240 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, making this one of the deadliest conflicts for media workers in modern history.

“Journalists are not combatants. They are the eyes and ears of humanity,” said a spokesperson for the Forum. “Killing journalists is not only a violation of international law, it is an assault on truth itself. By silencing Palestinian voices, Israel seeks to erase evidence of its crimes and deny the world an honest account of what is happening in Gaza.”

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on:

The New Zealand Government to urgently demand independent investigations into these killings and hold Israel accountable under international law.
The international community to ensure full and unrestricted access for foreign and local media to Gaza, in line with the recent Media Freedom Coalition statement supported by New Zealand.
All media outlets in Aotearoa, New Zealand, give prominence to the testimonies and reporting of Palestinian journalists, whose courage comes at the cost of their lives.

We stand in solidarity with the families of the martyred journalists and with all those in Gaza who continue to risk everything to make the truth known. Their voices will not be silenced.

Events – Big wins and bigger spirit at inaugural Raine & Horne NZ conference

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August 26, 2025

Source: Raine & Horne

Paul Billinghurst and Neville Ruske honoured with first-ever Max Raine Award in NZ.

Highlights

Raine & Horne New Zealand held its first standalone National Conference in Rotorua, uniting professionals from 60+ offices for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration.
Hosted by television personality Hilary Barry, the Gala Awards Night celebrated sales, property management, and franchise excellence, with a traditional Māori welcome and an atmosphere of pride and community spirit.
Raine & Horne Tauranga | Mt Maunganui | Katikati | Waihi | Waihi Beach won dual Top Office awards and directors Paul Billinghurst and Neville Ruske became the first NZ recipients of the prestigious Max Raine Award for leadership and entrepreneurship.Christchurch, NZ – 26 August 2025 – Raine & Horne has marked a major milestone in its New Zealand growth journey with the successful staging of its first-ever standalone National Conference, held at Rydges Rotorua on 12–13 August.

The event brought together real estate professionals from more than 60 offices nationwide for two days of inspiration, learning, and connection. Alongside keynote presentations from adventurer Kevin Biggar and psychologist Dr Paul Wood, five speakers from within the Raine & Horne network – ranging from high-performing sales agents to business owners – shared powerful and down-to-earth stories of on life, survival and success.

The program concluded with a spectacular Gala Awards Night hosted by television presenter Hilary Barry. Opening with a traditional Māori welcome, the evening celebrated excellence across sales, property management, and franchise categories.

Among the standout office winners was Raine & Horne Tauranga | Mt Maunganui | Katikati | Waihi | Waihi Beach, led by directors Paul Billinghurst and Neville Ruske of the NRG Group, which claimed dual honours as Top Office – Top Producer (GCI – Sales Dollar Value) and Top Office – Top Seller (Sales Units).

For the first time in New Zealand, the prestigious Max Raine Award for integrity, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit was jointly presented to Mr Billinghurst and Mr Ruske by Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne. The award commemorates Max Raine, who served as Chairman from 1973 to 2011 and was a pioneer of real estate franchising in Australasia.

In the individual sales categories, Bernadette Griffiths of Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui was crowned Top Salesperson – Top Producer (GCI – Sales Dollar Value), while Nicky Bax from Raine & Horne Thames took out Top Salesperson – Top Seller (Sales Units).

Christian O’Malley from Raine & Horne Cashmere secured first place in the Top Sales Value – Team or Individual category, and Rhonda Bradley of Raine & Horne Dargaville was recognised with the Sales Growth Award.

In the franchisee awards, Adrian Louttit of Raine & Horne Rangiora won Top Franchisee – Top Producer (GCI – Sales Dollar Value), with Tina Lawson and Nick McIsaac-Luke

from Raine & Horne Parklands taking the Top Franchisee – Top Seller (Sales Units) title. Rozie Khan from Raine & Horne Manukau was recognised with the Franchisee Growth Award.

James Shepherd, General Manager of Raine & Horne New Zealand, described the conference and gala awards night as a landmark moment for the Raine & Horne brand in New Zealand.

“Our first standalone national conference wasn’t just about business growth—it captured the camaraderie and unity that makes Raine & Horne unique in New Zealand,” Mr Shepherd said.

“The gala awards night was truly special, with the entire room cheering, clapping, and celebrating their peers who won awards. The atmosphere was one of genuine joy and community spirit.”

Mr Shepherd added, “What struck me most was the balance—there’s healthy competition driving our people to achieve more, but at the same time, a remarkable willingness to support and lift each other up. It’s an exciting time for our rapidly expanding network.”

2025 Gala Awards – other major winners

Auction Shield – Raine & Horne St Martins
Top Auction Lister– Rhys Chamberlain, Raine & Horne Alexandra | Cromwell
Brand Awareness Award– Lee Johns, Raine & Horne Timaru
Best New Talent – Salesperson – Renee Hayward, Raine & Horne Timaru
Outstanding Office Support – Lisa Lindsay, Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui
Outstanding PM Office– Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui
Outstanding Property Manager– Nicola Connor, Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui.

Ruakura Road off-ramp, Waikato Expressway closed

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August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

The northbound Ruakura Road off-ramp, Waikato Expressway is closed following a crash.

Emergency services received reports of the crash about 9:20am.

One person is reported to have serious injuries.

Diversions are in place and motorists should avoid the area, diversion are in place.

ENDS

Police appeal for information following vehicle break-ins in Gore

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August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Constable Georgia Rhind:

Gore Police investigating a series of vehicle break-ins in the community are appealing for information from the public.

Police have received at least five reports of vehicles that have allegedly been broken into and had items stolen from inside.

These break-ins occurred on Broughton Street overnight between Friday 22 August and Saturday 23 August.

Police are appealing for anyone on, or in the proximity of, Broughton Street who may have witnessed any suspicious activity to please get in touch.

We are also asking for residents with CCTV to please come forward so that we can review any footage that they may have from the night of Friday 22 August to Saturday 23 August.

If you have any information that may assist us in our enquiries, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250823/7690.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Man charged following violent incident, Hobsonville

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August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

A man will appear in court today following a serious assault and robbery outside a supermarket in Hobsonville last week.

Police had been making enquiries into the incident out the front of Woolworths Hobsonville, which occurred on Wednesday 20 August.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting, Waitematā West Area Investigations Manager, says Police received a report of a person stealing a bag and assaulting two elderly people before fleeing.

“One victim suffered serious injuries and was transported to hospital, and a second person suffered minor injuries.

“Following an appeal to the public yesterday, a 23-year-old man handed himself in to the Henderson Police Station and has subsequently been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and robbery.”

The man will appear in Waitākere District Court today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says the elderly couple were visiting New Zealand on holiday when the assault happened.

“It was an understandably terrifying ordeal for them and we are continuing to support them until they return home.

“Like our community, we are appalled when violent offending takes place, and we will continue to hold those responsible to account.”

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Name release: Fatal crash, Onehunga

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August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are now in a position to release the name of the man who died following a crash on Neilson Street, Onehunga on 21 August.

He was 55-year-old Darren Anthony, of Auckland.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Cook Strait search and rescue operation

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August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are urgently seeking information following a mayday call overnight.

The call was made about 10pm yesterday, reporting a vessel with several people onboard was in trouble in the Cook Strait, approximately 3 nautical miles from Karori Rock.

Boats from Police, Coastguard Wellington, CentrePort, Wellington Airport Fire and Rescue, and Interislander searched the area until 2.30am, but no debris was found.

A Search and Rescue team and Police also checked along the shoreline and boat ramps, but nothing of note was located.

The search resumed about 7am, but Police urgently want to hear from anyone with information directly related to the report. Please call 111 and use the reference number P063602359.

Other information can be reported at 105.police.govt.nz, using the same reference number.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Lens Technology 2025 Mid-Term Performance Report: AI and Smart Vehicles Propel Growth, Global Expansion Accelerates

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August 26, 2025