PSA files Ombudsman complaint over Minister’s ERA interference

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August 22, 2025

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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Politics – CTU calls on PM to sack Brooke van Velden

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August 22, 2025

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Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is calling on the Prime Minister to remove Brooke van Velden as Minister of Employment Relations and Safety, following her recent comments that politicise the Employment Relations Authority and breach the Cabinet Manual.

The NZCTU will also lodge a complaint with the Attorney General on the grounds that the Minister has commented on judicial matters and not exercised appropriate judgement.

“We are calling on the Prime Minister to show leadership by removing Brooke van Velden as Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“In my 10 years as CTU President I have never had to take the drastic step to call for the removal of a Minister for Workplace Relations.

“Before van Velden was appointed as the Minister, we always had constructive working relationships with labour ministers, including under National-led governments, as they understood the importance of the portfolio, including the independence of the Employment Relations Authority.

“It is of the upmost importance that ministers respect the independence of judicial bodies and not politicise them by saying they expect members they’ve appointed to deliver outcomes that suit their political agenda.

“It is deeply concerning that the Minister has told media that she stands by her comments, after the PSA called for a retraction. It is now clear that the Prime Minister must step in and take action to uphold ministerial standards in his cabinet.

“These comments represent the kind of political interference in judicial processes that undermine the rule of law and have no place in a democracy.

“Since she was appointed as Minister, van Velden has implemented constant policy attacks on workers’ rights and unions. There is no ability for workers and the public to have confidence in her as the Minister. It’s time for her to go,” said Wagstaff.

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Arts – NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award 2025 goes to Cristina Sanders!

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August 22, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) congratulates Cristina Sanders on winning the NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award 2025.

Cristina Sanders will use the award to continue research into her time-travel story of colonial governor, Sir George Grey.

Cristina says: “Thank you Tina Shaw! The timing of this award is perfect; I’m off to wander Te Rohe Pōtae next week, whispering up ghosts and stories, tracing our colonial history in the geography of hills and rivers. I’m am so grateful to the judges for considering my story, with all its peculiarities, worth telling.”

The judging panel of Dr Paula Morris and Catherine Roberston said, “Cristina Sanders is a serious writer, intent on developing her skill and repertoire and with the talent/experience to do so.”

Tina Shaw said, “I was really impressed with Cristina’s ambitious idea for her fifth novel that mashes together time travel and history. It’s an interesting progression for this author who has worked hard to achieve success in her writing career. Cristina has already completed a solid first draft of the novel, and I look forward to seeing a new perspective of Aotearoa historical issues in a near-future context.”

The $5,000 award was established by award-winning novelist Tina Shaw to encourage the development of new novels by mid-career fiction writers. The inaugural winner of this award was Steph Matuku, who used the award to help complete the writing of The Blue Dawn, a novel set in early 19th century New Zealand, when the whaling industry was at its peak.

Tina Shaw is a novelist, short story writer and editor who has received many awards for her work, including the CNZ Berlin Writers Residency, the University of Waikato Writer-In-Residence and the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship. She won the 2018 Storylines Tessa Duder Award with Ursa which was published in 2019 by Walker Books Australia and received a Storylines Notable Book Award. As editor, her 7th edition of the Bateman NZ Writer’s Handbook was published in 2023. Her novel manuscript A House Built on Sand won the 2023 Michael Gifkins Prize and was published in 2024 by Text Publishing.

Shaw works as a book reviewer, mentor, manuscript assessor, publisher, and is editor of the NZSA quarterly publication NZ Author.

Find out more about the NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award: https://authors.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=905a5275ec5c023659502ec21&id=673ec283d4&e=466373ae7c

The NZSA would like to thank the 2025 Judging Panel – Dr Paula Morris and Catherine Robertson and Tina Shaw for generously establishing this award.

Notes:
The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc is the principal organisation representing writers in Aotearoa. Founded in 1934, it advocates for the right to fair reward and creative rights, administers prizes and awards, works across the literary sector to make Aotearoa New Zealand writers and books more visible, and runs professional development programmes for writers.
authors.org.nz

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Rural News – Rules on road transport between farms need addressing

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August 22, 2025

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Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Following last night’s One News story about an overweight farm tractor and trailer and subsequent comments from Transport Minister Chris Bishop, road freight association Transporting New Zealand says it agrees those rules need to be reviewed – but it can’t just be a case of ‘anything goes’.

Chief Executive, Dom Kalasih said there is a risk that people jump to incorrect conclusions.

“Prior to Minister Bishop’s announcement in June about reforming the land transport rules, we’d been working with officials on this and unless something has dramatically changed, the requirements related to operating farm equipment on the road isn’t in the scope of the first tranche of work.

“That said, we’ll have to wait and see what comes out in October.”

While technology in the agriculture sector has improved, Kalasih cautions that the purpose of land transport rules can’t be ignored.

“These rules are in place to ensure that safety and roading infrastructure impacts are being managed, and that maintenance on those assets is being paid for. The agricultural sector needs to take accountability in managing and contributing to these things.”

“There’s no doubt that an efficient productive agricultural sector is a key part to the success of our economy. But on the flip side, I think that sector needs to appreciate there are an increasing number of motorists that are getting stuck behind farm tractors and trailers and while they’re following them, they’re thinking it all looks a bit dodgy.

“I’d hate to see a serious crash or major damage to a bridge because those vehicles were exempt from all the rules.”

Transporting New Zealand will be continuing to work with officials on the rules reform.

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Local News – Pātaka heating system a win for the environment – Porirua

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August 22, 2025

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Source: Porirua City Council

In a climate change success story, Porirua City’s Pātaka Art + Museum has moved from a gas boiler to a more cost-effective electric heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

The HVAC system took 16 weeks to put in and was completed on 11 August. It replaces the old-fashioned gas boiler Pātaka had, which was near the end of its life.

Gas has been kept in the building for catering purposes, but Pātaka will now be 94 per cent electric, which is more cost-effective and better for the environment, Porirua’s General Manager Community & Partnerships, Reuben Friend, says.

“An electric-supplied HVAC system is a win-win for visitors to our amazing Pātaka as the heating and system control is now consistent,” he says.

“Our beautiful galleries, offices and public areas are warmer and inviting and we can regulate temperature and air quality so much better.

“More importantly, we’re helping achieve one of Council’s priorities, building towards a low-carbon city, reducing our pollution overall.”

The area where the old heating system was contained can now be used as a hireable space for entertaining and events, Reuben says.

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Slim Down Server Maintenance Time with Southco’s New Rack Attach

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August 22, 2025

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Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 August 2025 – Southco Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Southco Inc., a leading global provider of engineered access solutions such as locks, latches, captive fasteners, electronic access solutions and hinges/ positioning technology has introduced RA Rack Attach to the server industries.

RA Rack Attach

As the race for the best AI technology heats up, manufacturers are turning to liquid immersion cooling to stabilize the servers of the future. While this technology provides far superior cooling properties compared to traditional fans, it also brings a new set of challenges, particularly around maintenance. Server blades are packed extremely tightly in a small space and immersed in liquid coolant, which can make it difficult to remove a single blade for service.

During maintenance, screws can be dropped and lost in the enclosure and hands can slip on slick metal as technicians try to lift heavy, liquid-covered hardware. These mishaps risk costly damage to server blades, and more importantly, loss of server uptime. In this AI race, the more time you spend running the better off you are, and every second counts. That is why Southco is introducing the RA Rack Attach.

The RA Rack Attach replaces traditional screws that normally secure a server blade to a rack. Instead, those screws are used to attach the RA to the blade, and an integrated pawl secures the blade to the rack.

This pawl retracts when a technician presses an integrated trigger in the Rack Attach handle, providing easy release from the rack, and a secure grip for the technician as they lift out the blade in one fluid motion. No more screws slowing down maintenance, and increased uptime for servers as they support the tech of the future.

While space is at a premium in these liquid cooled server racks, the RA Rack Attach barely takes up any. The device is only 7mm thick, but its steel construction enables it to support 50kg of weight. Technicians get a strong, ergonomic grip with barely any space used by the Rack Attach.

These features drastically decrease maintenance time and risk of damage and injury to technicians. Implementing the Southco RA Rack Attach means lower costs, increased uptime, and a leg up in the race to power the technology of the future.

For more information about the RA Rack Attach, please visit www.southco.com or email the 24/7 customer service department at info@southco.com.

Hashtag: #southco

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

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

Acquisitions – Fonterra agrees sale of Consumer and associated businesses to Lactalis for $3.845 billion

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August 22, 2025

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Source: Fontera

Fonterra has agreed to sell its Consumer and associated businesses to Lactalis for $3.845 billion NZD
Sale is subject to certain conditions, including Fonterra farmer shareholder approval, separation of the businesses and receipt of regulatory approvals
Farmer shareholder vote to occur in late October or early November with Notice of Meeting to be issued in October
Fonterra targeting a tax free capital return of $2.00 dollars per share
Sale includes long-term agreement for Fonterra to sell milk and ingredients to Lactalis
Subject to the satisfaction of conditions, the sale is expected to complete in the first half of 2026
Fonterra’s FY25 earnings guidance of 65-75 cents per share remains unchanged.

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd today announced it has agreed the sale of its global Consumer and associated businesses to Lactalis for $3.845 billion, subject to certain customary financial adjustments and conditions including approval by farmer shareholders, separating the businesses being sold from Fonterra, and receipt of certain final regulatory approvals.

The sale comprises Fonterra’s global Consumer business (excluding Greater China) and Consumer brands; the integrated Foodservice and Ingredients businesses in Oceania and Sri Lanka; and the Middle East and Africa Foodservice business.

In addition to the base enterprise value of $3.845 billion, there is potential for a further $375 million increase from the inclusion of the Bega licences held by Fonterra’s Australian business, which if progressed would take the headline enterprise value of the transaction up to $4.220 billion.

The Co-op is targeting a tax free capital return of $2.00 dollars per share, which is approximately $3.2 billion, following completion of the sale.

As part of the sale agreement, Fonterra will continue to supply milk and other products to the divested businesses, meaning New Zealand farmers’ milk will still be found in iconic dairy brands including Anchor and Mainland.

Fonterra Chairman Peter McBride says over the last 15 months, the Board has thoroughly tested the terms and value of both a trade sale and initial public offering (IPO) as divestment options.

“Following a highly competitive sale process with multiple interested bidders, the Fonterra Board is confident a sale to Lactalis is the highest value option for the Co-op, including over the long-term.

“Alongside a strong valuation for the businesses being divested, the sale allows for a full divestment of the assets by Fonterra, and a faster return of capital to the Co-op’s owners, when compared with an IPO.

“This, coupled with the firm belief we have in Fonterra’s long-term strategy, gives the Board the confidence to unanimously recommend this divestment to shareholders for approval,” says Mr McBride.

Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says the sale agreement represents a great outcome for the Co-op.

“As the world’s largest dairy company, Lactalis has the scale required to take these brands and businesses to the next level. Fonterra farmers will continue to benefit from their success, with Lactalis to become one of our most significant Ingredients customers.

“At the same time, a divestment of these businesses will allow Fonterra to deliver further value for farmer shareholders and New Zealand by focusing on our world leading Ingredients and Foodservice businesses, through which we sell innovative products to more than 100 countries around the world, from our home base here in New Zealand,” says Mr Hurrell.

Lactalis CEO Emmanuel Besnier says “with this acquisition, we significantly strengthen our strategy across Oceania, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Combining the Fonterra consumer business operations and market leading brands with our existing footprint in Australia and Asia will allow Lactalis to further grow its position in key markets. I’m delighted to become a key partner to Fonterra over the long term as well as I’m looking forward to welcoming new teams to the Lactalis family”.

Terms of sale agreement

The divestment comprises the sale of shares in Mainland Group Holdings Limited, a New Zealand incorporated holding company that is currently owned by Fonterra.

The inclusion of the Bega licences held by Fonterra’s Australian business would be confirmed once a dispute with Bega Cheese Limited is resolved. If for some reason the Bega licences are not included in the sale, Fonterra expects to receive a fair value payment from Bega for the licences which would need to be determined at the time.

Under the terms relating to the sale, Fonterra will continue to supply raw milk, dairy ingredients and products to the divested businesses under long-term supply agreements.

Alongside shareholder approval, the divestment is conditional on final regulatory approvals being received from the Overseas Investment Office in New Zealand, the Foreign Investment Review Board in Australia, as well as relevant competition regulators and foreign direct investment regulators in certain countries including Kuwait, New Caledonia and Saudi Arabia.

In July 2025, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition by Lactalis in Australia.

The divestment is also conditional on separation of the businesses from Fonterra and no material adverse change arising before completion.

Subject to satisfaction of all conditions, the transaction is expected to complete in the first half of the 2026 calendar year.

Shareholder vote and capital return process

Fonterra will now seek farmer shareholder approval to divest the businesses by ordinary resolution at a Special Meeting to be held in late October or early November.

The Notice of Meeting will be issued in early October and will contain information on the impact of the divestment on Fonterra’s financial shape as well as the proposed capital return.

Payment of the capital return would be subject to a separate shareholder vote following completion of the sale and receipt of proceeds in New Zealand. The amount of the capital return would be confirmed ahead of the capital return shareholder vote.

Fonterra’s outlook

Mr McBride says “the Board’s decision to pursue a divestment followed a strategic review, through which we examined the context we operate in, our strengths, and how as a Co-op we create value for farmers.

“By far, we do this best through our Ingredients and Foodservice businesses, which collectively generate the majority of our returns to shareholders through both the Farmgate Milk Price and divid

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State Highway 56 blocked, Opiki

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August 22, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police

An intersection on State Highway 56 in Opiki, Horowhenua is blocked as emergency services respond to a single-vehicle crash.

It happened shortly before 1:20pm at the intersection with Poplar and Tane Roads.

The vehicle involved was on fire, however this has now been extinguished.

There have been no injuries reported.

Motorists should delay travel if possible, or expect delays.

ENDS

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