UPDATE – PSA files Ombudsman complaint over Minister’s ERA interference

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August 22, 2025

Source: PSA

Full text of media release, correcting earlier truncated version:

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi has today filed a formal complaint with the Chief Ombudsman over Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden’s political interference in the Employment Relations Authority.

PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the complaint centres on Van Velden’s public statements suggesting her new ERA appointees should deliver outcomes favourable to employers.

“The Minister stated that she hoped new Employment Relations Authority appointees with private sector backgrounds would lead to smaller awards against businesses, adding that current members ‘believe that money grows on trees.’

“The Minister’s statement also included a reminder about her powers to re-appoint existing ERA members, and that her decisions in this regard will be based on the current members making ‘the right decisions’ and doing so quickly.

“This amounts to a blatant political direction to ERA members to act in a way that is not independent and breaches the law,” Fitzsimons said. “It undermines the impartiality of incoming members and has a chilling effect on the current members she has criticised.”

The PSA’s Ombudsman complaint notes that Van Velden’s statements breach Cabinet Manual requirements for political neutrality and merit-based appointments in the public service.

“When a Minister starts telling judicial officers what kinds of decisions to make, faith in the system breaks down. Workers facing employment issues deserve to know they’ll get a fair hearing based on facts, not the political preferences of the Government of the day.

“This interference is corrosive to the rule of law and has no place in our democracy,” Fitzsimons said.

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Have you seen Ingrid Nason?

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August 22, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police

Police are asking for the public’s help finding Ingrid Nason, who has been reported missing from the Three Kings area.

The 33-year-old was last seen on 15 August and is described as between 165-170cms tall with green eyes and blonde hair.

Police and Ingrid’s family have concerns for her welfare and would like to find her as soon as possible.

If you have seen her or have information that might help us find her, please call 111 and quote reference number 250817/7487.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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Two officers injured and one nearly hit by vehicle following incident in Lower Hutt

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August 22, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Inspector Wade Jennings, Hutt Valley Area Commander:

Two Police officers have been injured and one officer nearly hit by a vehicle following an incident in Lower Hutt this morning.

At around 11.20am, Police were conducting a checkpoint on Gracefield Street where a vehicle has failed to stop.

The vehicle has narrowly missed a police officer while attempting to avoid the checkpoint.

Police did not initiate a pursuit however kept observations on the vehicle.

Some time later, the man and the vehicle were located on Randwick Road.

Police attempted to speak to the man, however he continued to act in a threatening way.

While arresting the man, two police officers have been bitten and have sustained minor injuries.

A short time later, the man was tasered and taken into custody at the scene.

The two officers and the man are currently being medically assessed.

Charges against the man are being considered.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Rotorua homicide: Name release

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August 22, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now confirm the name of the victim of the homicide on Trigg Avenue on Wednesday (20 August).

He was 41-year-old, Temutu Vincent Ehau, of Rotorua.

Police continue to support Mr Ehau’s whānau during this difficult time.

We continue to ask for anyone that may have seen what happened to please get in touch.

We are also keen to review any CCTV or dashcam footage from the Trigg Ave area around midday Wednesday 20 August.

If you have any information that can assist the investigation, please make a report at 105 online, or by calling 105, using the reference number 250820/8065.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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HKIVALAWYER.com Officially Launched｜The First Dedicated Debt Restructuring Legal Platform in Hong Kong

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August 22, 2025

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Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 August 2025 – In today’s economic climate, both businesses and individuals are facing mounting debt pressures and an increasing need for restructuring solutions. To address this growing demand, HKIVALAWYER.com has been officially launched. This new platform is a joint initiative between hkfindlawyer.com and faatgo.com, bringing together a network of legal professionals specializing in debt restructuring. Its mission is to provide comprehensive, professional, and innovative solutions to help debtors navigate financial challenges and regain stability.

Core Vision: Integrating Legal Expertise for Greater Efficiency and Transparency
HKIVALAWYER.com connects renowned lawyers and law firms in Hong Kong who focus on a wide range of debt restructuring mechanisms, particularly IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangements) and DRP (Debt Relief Plans). These two options are often the most effective for individuals struggling with multiple creditors or unsustainable repayment schedules, offering legally structured paths to manage or reduce debt.

Through the platform, users can benefit from:

Convenient Search and Comparison: A one-stop hub to review different lawyers’ expertise, service focus, and track records in IVA and DRP cases.
Professional Matching Services: Automated lawyer recommendations based on users’ financial situations and needs, ensuring that those considering IVA or DRP are connected to specialists with relevant experience.
Transparent Information: Access to case studies, FAQs, and detailed comparisons of IVA, DRP, and other restructuring options, empowering debtors to make informed decisions with clarity.

Background: Responding to the Surge in Debt Restructuring Needs
With ongoing pressures from China’s property sector and a rise in corporate defaults, Hong Kong has seen an increase in high-profile debt restructuring cases such as Evergrande. These have exposed limitations in the city’s current legal framework. Experts point out that unlike London, New York, or Singapore, Hong Kong has yet to establish a comprehensive debt restructuring regime that provides temporary protection and streamlined restructuring procedures.

Against this backdrop, HKIVALAWYER.com was established to fill the gap—offering individuals and businesses credible, professional, and practical legal support, especially through IVA and DRP solutions.

Expected Benefits and Future Development
In the short term, the platform aims to achieve several key milestones:

Expand its lawyer directory to include more specialists in IVA and DRP.
Launch an online appointment and review system to build transparency and trust.
Publish real success stories to enhance public understanding of how IVA and DRP can help restructure unmanageable debts.

In the long run, HKIVALAWYER.com seeks to collaborate with legislative bodies and industry associations to advocate for reforms in Hong Kong’s debt restructuring system, alleviating pressure on debtors, supporting businesses in distress, and contributing to economic recovery and social stability.

Hashtag: #HKIVALAWYER

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Lifestyle – Want the secret to staying young? Research Confirms Exercise Slows Ageing

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August 22, 2025

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Source: Exercise New Zealand

“This research confirms what we’ve known anecdotally for years: movement is medicine”,

“But now we’re seeing that exercise doesn’t just help you feel younger, it actually makes you biologically younger, and slows ageing markers.”

“The key is consistency – moderate physical activity that keeps your body moving and strong. Walking, gardening, swimming, group exercise classes – these all count.”

“We have an opportunity to empower people to live longer, healthier lives, not through expensive interventions, but by simply making physical activity a regular part of everyday life”

As the pursuit of healthy ageing gains momentum, the global longevity and wellness market has already surpassed $2.5 trillion. Yet the latest research shows that the foundation of any longevity protocol isn’t found in expensive treatments or futuristic science, it’s already accessible to us all. Exercise offers far more than just short-term fitness gains; it has the power to actively slow the aging process itself, supporting both quality of life and healthy years lived.

A 2025 peer-reviewed review in Aging found that both aerobic and strength-based exercise slow biological aging in key organs such as the heart, liver, and fat tissue. This research, recently summarised in Technology Networks, shows how Olympic-level athletes and everyday exercisers alike exhibit younger biological age markers through regular movement.

“This research confirms what we’ve known anecdotally for years: movement is medicine,” says Richard Beddie, CEO of Exercise New Zealand. “But now we’re seeing that exercise doesn’t just help you feel younger, it actually makes you biologically younger, and slows ageing markers.”

Not Just Cardio, Muscles Matter Too

The study emphasised that both cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength were key to slowing cellular aging. Aerobic fitness, measured through VO₂ max, and grip strength, an indicator of strength/muscular capacity, were both linked to lower biological age markers.

“The key is consistency – moderate physical activity that keeps your body moving and strong. Walking, gardening, swimming, group exercise classes – these all count,” Beddie says.

In one highlighted case, sedentary middle-aged women reduced their epigenetic age by two years after just eight weeks of structured aerobic and resistance training.

A Wake-Up Call for Sedentary Kiwis

Despite the known benefits, less than 50% of New Zealanders meet recommended physical activity guidelines. ExerciseNZ warns this will have long-term health consequences, not just for physical health but also for aging, independence, and quality of life.

Large-scale data published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle shows that people who engage in moderate-to-vigorous activity may reduce their biological age by up to 1.7 years compared to their inactive peers.

Beyond Quick Fixes

While short-term exercise challenges can spark temporary motivation, their benefits often fade once the challenge

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SH16 closures now lifted

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August 22, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police

Police can advise earlier closures at both ends of State Highway 16 have now lifted.

Two separate incidents resulted in closures near Whenuapai and Grafton.

The truck driver in this morning’s crash, near Whenuapai, was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Police extend our condolonces to the family of the person who has died near Grafton this afternoon.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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PSA files Ombudsman complaint over Minister’s ERA interference

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August 22, 2025

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Source: PSA

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi has today filed a formal complaint with the Chief Ombudsman over Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden’s political interference in the Employment Relations Authority.

The PSA made the complaint after Van Velden this morning declined to retract her comments and commit to respecting ERA independence. It follows a separate complaint to the Auditor-General by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi.

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Shock as Winston Peters refuses to sign foreign ministers’ letter condemning illegal Israeli settlements – PSNA

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August 22, 2025

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Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

PSNA is shocked to see New Zealand’s backward slide in foreign policy continue this morning with Winston Peters’ name missing from a letter signed by 21 foreign ministers condemning Israel’s approval for a new illegal Israel settlement in the occupied West Bank of Palestine.

The 21 foreign ministers who signed the letter include those we like to compare ourselves to and include the foreign ministers from three of the so-called “five eyes” countries – Australian, Canada and the UK – but not New Zealand! (The 21 foreign ministers who signed the letter are: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom)

“Winston Peters’ shock omission from this letter represents another dramatic backward shift in foreign policy” says PSNA Co-Chair John Minto. “While the world is outraged at Israel’s deliberate attempt to “bury” the two-state solution by splitting the occupied West Bank in two, Winston Peters is nowhere to be seen”

In the past New Zealand has spoken out strongly condemning illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories and in 2016, under a National-led government, New Zealand co-sponsored United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 which said Israeli settlements had “no legal validity” and constituted “a flagrant violation under international law”.

But instead of signing the letter, Winston Peters was cosying up to Israel’s chief genocide enabler, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a phone call.

“The situation for our foreign policy is now dire. We are the shame of so-called liberal democracies”

Christopher Luxon has contracted out foreign affairs to the most reactionary section of his coalition government and Winston Peters is enacting policy for the 6% who voted for him at the last election.

The PSNA opinion poll last month showed strong popular support for sanctions against Israel but also showed a majority of New Zealand First supporters don’t want sanctions.

“We have the party of 6% now driving foreign policy to its own agenda”

“It’s an outrage against New Zealanders deeply upset by government silence over Israel’s starvation of the people of Gaza”

John Minto

Co-Chair PSNA

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Farming News – Banking inquiry delivers major win for farmers

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August 22, 2025

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Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is calling the final report into banking competition a major step forward for rural New Zealand – and a vindication of the farming sector’s concerns.

“This is the most significant progress we’ve seen in a generation on rural banking issues,” Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Mark Hooper says.

“Federated Farmers fought hard to make this inquiry happen because we knew many farmers were getting a raw deal from their banks and felt greater scrutiny was needed.

“Throughout the process, we’ve raised firm questions and put forward constructive suggestions for how the banking system could be improved for all New Zealanders.

“Politicians have clearly listened, recognising that farmers have been facing an unfair playing field for too long – and now they’ve presented concrete changes to start fixing it.”

In a long-awaited report released today, the Finance and Expenditure Committee has recommended greater transparency and oversight of rural lending.

“Federated Farmers asked for changes to ensure regular and direct scrutiny of banking booses – and this report has delivered just that,” Hooper says.

“Six-monthly appearances before the Finance and Expenditure Committee should keep the big banks honest, with significantly increased accountability and political oversight.

“It also puts the spotlight on their lending behaviour and profitability and s

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