Federated Farmers says the Government’s proposed rules to limit whole-farm conversions to carbon forestry are far too weak to stop the damage being done to rural New Zealand.
“The draft rules have completely missed the mark,” says Federated Farmers forestry spokesperson Richard Dawkins.
“As they’re currently drafted, the proposed regulations will barely make a dent in the number of whole-farm conversions to carbon forestry.
“Unless Minister Todd McClay steps in and makes urgent changes, we’ll continue to see our productive hill country swallowed up by permanent pine forests at an alarming rate.”
The Government’s proposal is to cap the amount of farmland that can be registered in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) at 25%.
But that limit applies only to land use capability (LUC) classes 1 to 5 – the land least likely to be targeted for carbon farming in the first place.
“The reality is that only 12% of recent carbon farm conversions have happened on this kind of land anyway,” Dawkins explains.
“The remaining 88% have occurred on class 6 and 7 land, which is where most of New Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers also happen to operate.
“These are not marginal blocks of scrub or waste. They’re productive, resilient hill country farms – the backbone of our red meat industry and a vital part of our food production system.
“Under the new rules, those farms will get next to no protection.”
The Government is instead proposing a 15,000-hectare annual cap for class 6 land and leaving class 7 unrestricted – a move Dawkins calls ineffective and unfair.
“There’s just toomuchsheep and beef land without protection for it to be effective,” Dawkins says.
“It will be business as usual for the big polluters and foreign investors looking to blanket rural New Zealand in pine trees.
“This kind of timber doesn’t generate jobs, export earnings or regional development. It’s speculative carbon farming.”
He says the system allows big urban emitters to buy their way out of reducing emissions while rural communities shoulder the long-term costs and consequences.
“Once you lose a productive sheep and beef farm to carbon forestry, it’s gone for good.”
He says the Government’s goal of doubling exports by 2030 is at risk under the proposed rules.
“Red meat is a cornerstone of our export economy, bringing in around $12 billion annually,” Dawkins says.
“With strong prices and advances in genetics, pasture management and technology, we should be focused on improving productivity and lifting output – not losing ground.”
Dawkins is calling on Forestry Minister Todd McClay to act.
“If this Government is serious about reining in whole-farm carbon conversions, the 25% cap must apply to all land classes – including classes 6 and 7.
“Our national values, our future as a food-producing nation, and the resilience of our rural communities are all on the line.
“We’re about to find out whether this Government truly stands with rural New Zealand or if this Bill is just political spin.”
Projects 5X Revenue Growth by 2028, Accelerates Global Market Leadership and Paves the Way for IPO
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2025 – Robocore Technology Limited (Robocore), a partner company of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), is pleased to announce the recent completion of its Series D funding. As the world’s largest precision electronics manufacturer, Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd. (“FTC”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Q-Run Holdings Limited, has made a strategic investment in Robocore’s wholly-owned subsidiary RoboTemi Global Ltd. This investment marks FTC’s official entry into the smart robotics market, bolstering its smart manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, while paving the way for Robocore’s future IPO.
Robocore Technology Limited has recently completed its Series D financing. Its wholly owned subsidiary, RoboTemi Global Ltd. (RoboTemi Global), received investment from Q-Run Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd. (FTC), one of the world’s largest precision electronics manufacturers. Shown in the photo is RoboTemi Global’s temi robot series.
The transaction involves a total potential investment of up to US$30 million from FTC, beginning with an initial US$10 million investment in preferred shares, acquiring a 6.6% equity stake in RoboTemi Global Ltd. The agreement also includes two subsequent investment tranches of US$10 million each, which may be exercised on the first and second anniversaries of the initial investment. Valuations for these tranches will be determined by mutual agreement or third-party assessment.
“This is more than a capital injection — it’s an affirmation of our company’s future prospects,” said Mr Roy Lim, CEO of Robocore Technology. “With world-leading manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, FTC will join forces with us to accelerate our growth, expand into new markets, and help us stride confidently toward our IPO milestone.”
Mr Eric Or, Acting Chief Operating Officer of HKSTP, said, “AI empowers Hong Kong’s long-term economic development. HKSTP is pleased to see Robocore’s rapid growth and global impact. Robocore’s successful funding round not only signifies that a world-leading technology enterprise has endorsed its core robotics technology, but also proves that Hong Kong’s tech ventures can firmly establish their position on the global stage.”
Headquartered in Hong Kong Science Park, Robocore is the world’s leading open-platform service robotics enterprise. Its products are deployed at nearly 20,000 client sites worldwide. Additionally, it serves over 5,000 sites in the US, spanning hospitals, elderly homes, retail chains, and households. In New York State alone, more than 200 elderly homes use its temi robots to assist doctors in completing remote diagnoses within two minutes — significantly reducing insurance costs and improving medical coverage rates. Moreover, approximately 50 four-star and five-star hotels, 1,300 universities, secondary and primary schools, over one hundred smart buildings and shopping malls and 2,000 system integrators with development capabilities in the world are using Robocore’s products.
With FTC’s strategic and manufacturing support, Robocore is expected to achieve three-fold revenue growth over the next three years and aims for a five-fold increase by 2028. The company’s growth will be primarily driven by accelerated expansion in the US, Europe, and Asia. Robocore plans to initiate its IPO process within five years, aiming to become one of the world’s fastest-growing service robotic enterprises.
Proceeds from this funding round will be mainly used to strengthen Robocore’s telemedicine business in the US, Europe and Japan, launch new products for mainland China’s consumer market, and expand global sales and marketing operations. These initiatives aim to further consolidate its industry leadership position while preparing for a pre-2030 IPO.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2025 – Luxury skincare J. Bruhin Muller today announced the launch of new concentrated serums and sumptuous crème, formulated with Vitamin B3 NAD+ and skin reviving peptides. These new, supercharged serums and luxurious crème help rejuvenate on a cellular level.
Luxury skincare J. Bruhin Muller introduces new B3 NAD+ Serum.
J. Bruhin Muller’s new B3 NAD+ Collection uses the latest in biotechnology to harness the revitalizing powers of the coenzyme, NAD+, and its precursor, NMN, to help restore function to skin cells. Cellular performance is reinvigorated, significantly slowing the signs of aging and improving skin health. Sapphire-hued blue copper peptides further enhance the essences with their youth-enhancing and skin-renewing properties.
“We have observed that high-end consumers expect to solve skin problems from the root. The global beauty market has a growing demand for Vitamin B3, NAD+ and NMN, and we will promote our products to all parts of the world.” says the spokesperson for J. Bruhin Muller.
Responding to the global demand for dewy and perfect skin, J. Bruhin Muller’s scientists transformed essence nutrients into micro-peptide molecules for superior moisture penetration and oil regulation.
J. Bruhin Muller believes everyone should experience the miraculous confidence that comes with feeling beautiful in one’s skin. They’ve developed three new formulations to enliven skin and spirit:
Youth Activating B3 NAD+ Serum: Enriched with a high-concentration of B3 NAD+ essence, this new serum repairs skin for an instantly brighter and more even tone. It can be applied in the morning and the evening to support cell turnover.
Revitalising Crème: This weightless formula uses polyglumatic acid to infuse skin with long-lasting hydration. Enhanced with light-reflecting properties, this crème delivers a luminous ceramic effect. Inspired by the pearlescent glow of the snow-capped Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps, it brings nature’s ethereal radiance to skin.
AH8 Potent Serum: Using Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, this ampoule essence calms reactive skin to reduce senstivity and bring back its natural healthy texture.
The amazing possibilities for a new breed of skincare are due to J. Bruhin Muller’s use of AI-powered 3D optical skin analysis technology. The 4K high-definition diagnostic device allows clinicians to provide the most personalized regimen of the appropriate products for clients’ best skin ever.
Three people have been arrested, and synthetic cannabis, cash, and ammunition seized, following five search warrants in Christchurch this morning.
Detective Sergeant Brad Grainger, from Canterbury’s Organised Crime Team, says there has been an increase in the manufacture and supply of synthetic cannabis across the district over the last month.
In today’s warrants, Police located:
one firearm
significant cash
imitation firearms
50 rounds of ammunition
7.7 kg of packaged synthetic cannabis – estimated at around $200,000 in street value
possessions seized as suspected assets from criminal offending.
Synthetic cannabis has been the most lethal form of illicit substances in New Zealand in recent years, having been implicated in at least 70 deaths.
In talking with local retail staff, and with people sleeping rough, Detective Sergeant Grainger says the Christchurch Community Beat Team was hearing about issues related to synthetic cannabis use.
“Although this is not a top-of-the-line ‘sexy’ drug, the significant increase in the supply of synthetic cannabis lately has affected retail offending and disorderly behaviour,” Detective Seargeant Grainger says.
“It appears to have added to crime and disorder reported by local business leaders in the Christchurch area,” he says.
“We’re pleased to have these people before the court, but we won’t stop there, we continue to investigate so our communities can be safe and feel safe.”
A 51-year-old man was arrested on charges of supplying a non-approved psychoactive substance, and unlawful possession of a firearm, and was due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.
A 52-year-old man was arrested on charges of supplying a non-approved psychoactive substance, money laundering, and unlawful possession of ammunition and was due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.
A 44-year-old man was arrested on charges of possessing a non-approved psychoactive product for supply, and for selling a non-approved psychoactive product, and is due to appear in Christchurch District Court 5 September.
Further charges are likely.
High Alert, New Zealand’s drug early warning system, has issued five notifications related to serious synthetic cannabis harm over the last four years. More information on synthetic cannabis is available here. If people choose to use this substance, drug checking is recommended to lower the risks.
Anyone who needs assistance for drug dependency is encouraged to find help or contact the Alcohol Drug support line on 0800 787 797.
Please call 111 if you witness any unlawful activity happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact, with as much information as you can safely gather.
Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please attribute the following to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen:
A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Rotorua this afternoon.
Emergency services were called to an assault on Trigg Ave around 12:20pm.
Upon arrival, a man was located in a critical condition but died at the scene.
Police would like to reassure the community that while an area of Trigg Ave is cordoned off, there is not believed to be any risk to the public.
Police are continuing to make enquiries to locate those responsible.
Police ask anyone who may have seen what happened to please get in touch.
If you have any information that can assist the investigation, please make a report online, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number P063544271.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Further information will be provided when we are in a position to do so.
Falling interest rates are good for growth, businesses, jobs and Kiwis paying off their mortgages, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
The Reserve Bank announced today that it was reducing the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 3.25 to 3 per cent and signalled two further reductions this year.
“The latest reduction means the OCR has now fallen from 5.5 per cent to 3 per cent in just a year,” Nicola Willis says.
“I welcome the bank’s decision to respond to a difficult second quarter of the year with more stimulus.
“Lower interest rates support businesses to expand and grow, support increased construction activity, create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.
“The falling OCR means repayments on a 25-year $500,000 floating mortgage are about $330 less a fortnight today than they were a year ago.
“That makes a big difference to the family budget and, as more mortgages come up for refinancing, more households will benefit. About 40 per cent of fixed mortgages are due to come up for repricing in the next six months.
“I know many families are still doing it tough, but the Reserve Bank’s view is that we are through the worst of it and the economy is starting to pick up.
“The Government’s responsible economic management is making a difference.
“Taking the pressure off inflation has allowed the Reserve Bank to lower the OCR when it needs to be adjusted.”
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2025 – To address the increasingly diverse medical needs of pet owners in Hong Kong, Veterinary Emergency Centre (VEC) is proud to announce the launch of two major new services: Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialty Service (Internal Medicine) and HomeVet Services, in addition to our existing 24-hour emergency and critical care. This marks VEC’s commitment to providing a one-stop, comprehensive healthcare solution for pets across Hong Kong, ranging from emergency care and advanced diagnostics to in-home palliative support — aiming to be the most trusted guardian of your pet’s health.
VEC has provided 24-hour emergency, critical care, surgery, outpatient, and hospitalization services for pets, supported by a team of experienced and dedicated veterinarians who remain on duty even during adverse weather. The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities including operating theatres, intensive care, CT & X-ray Imaging, echocardiography, dental care, endoscopy, blood transfusion, oxygen chambers, and cryotherapy — ensuring precise diagnosis and treatment at critical moments.
Three Core Services for Comprehensive Pet Wellness 1. 24-Hour Emergency Care: Every Second Counts in Safeguarding Lives
As the frontline of veterinary medicine, VEC’s emergency services utilize a highly professional triage system to ensure that pets in critical condition receive prompt attention, maximizing the golden window for life-saving treatment. Our team of veterinarians and nurses is on-site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and ready to respond immediately to emergencies such as gastric torsion, dystocia, foreign body ingestion, accidental fractures, hematuria, or urinary obstruction, arranging surgery whenever necessary. For pets requiring hospitalization, our dedicated nursing staff provide owners with daily updates, offering reassurance during anxious times.
Posey Leung, VEC Hospital Manager, shares “In veterinary care, our nursing team serves as the eyes and ears of our veterinarians, playing a vital role on the front lines. We continuously monitor the vital signs of hospitalized animals, quickly detect any changes in their condition, and accurately interpret monitoring data. In the emergency department, we gather medical histories, conduct initial assessments and triage, and determine the urgency of each case—all within minutes—to ensure critically ill pets receive the most timely and appropriate care.”
2. Internal Medicine: The “Sherlock Holmes” of Complex Pet Cases
Our newly launched Internal Medicine service is dedicated to tackling complex, chronic, and unexplained cases often referred from other clinics. Acting as the “Sherlock Holmes” of the veterinary world, our internal medicine specialists manage chronic conditions (such as persistent vomiting, diarrhea, and endocrine disorders), severe illnesses (like multi-organ failure or pancreatitis), and other intricate non-surgical diseases.
Fanny Cheung, VEC Assistant Operation Manager, explains “What distinguishes our internal medicine specialists is the time and depth they invest in understanding each pet’s medical history. We allocate up to one hour for every consultation, enabling thorough communication between the veterinarian and the owner to craft a highly personalized treatment plan and significantly improve the pet’s quality of life. Importantly, our specialist Dr. Koo is fluent in both Cantonese and English, allowing for direct, seamless communication with owners, removing language barriers and ensuring more accurate diagnoses.”
3. HomeVet Services: Reducing Stress with Care in a Familiar Environment
To meet the growing demand for flexible care, VEC has introduced HomeVet Services, bringing professional veterinary care directly to pets in the comfort of their own homes.
“Housecall services have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they effectively reduce the anxiety pets may experience in unfamiliar settings. This approach is especially beneficial for pets with mobility challenges or larger breeds, allowing them to receive care without the stress of travel. It also offers great convenience for households with multiple pets.” Fanny shares.
“By visiting pets at home, our veterinarians can gain a more complete understanding of their daily environment and habits, making it easier to identify potential health risks such as environmental allergens or unsafe toys. When a pet reaches the end of its life, we can also provide in-home palliative care, ensuring a peaceful farewell surrounded by family in familiar surroundings. Most importantly, if further diagnostics or intensive care are needed, pets can be seamlessly transferred to VEC’s 24-hour hospital, where our expert team provides continuous monitoring and advanced treatment.” Fanny adds.
VEC remains committed to ongoing investment in resources, combining a skilled professional team, state-of-the-art facilities, and compassionate service to provide Hong Kong’s pet community with the most trusted and reliable medical support.
Scope of Services: Provide 24-hour emergency, hospitalization services and veterinary housecall services. Offering professional support for urgent situations at any time.
Veterinary Emergency Centre (Davis Street) Address: Shop C & H, G/F, Luen Gay Apartments, No. 9A-9C Davis Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong.
Scope of Services: Internal Medicine Specialty Service, a full range of surgical and orthopedic procedures as well as outpatient consultations.
General Enquiries: 2334 2334 Emergency calls open 24/7: 6828 6620 WhatsApp: 5599 1144
The Government has made significant improvements to the freshwater farm plan system through the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act which has now passed into law, says Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard.
“These changes are about making farm plans workable and affordable so farmers can get on and farm without unnecessary red tape,” Mr Hoggard says.
The Act allows the Minister for the Environment to approve industry organisations to certify and audit freshwater farm plans, replacing the previous requirement where regional councils provided approval.
“This reduces duplication and cost for farmers who are already part of robust industry assurance programmes such as Horticulture New Zealand’s NZGAP or Fonterra’s Tiaki plans,” Mr Hoggard says.
“If farmers and industry groups are already doing good work to identify and manage risks, we want to recognise that rather than force more paperwork on them.
“Farm plans will be built around actual risk on farm, and the practical actions the farmer will take over time to reduce them. This is another step toward ensuring farmers can continue to feed the world without getting tied up in complex resource consents, and balances this with protecting the environment.”
Many smaller farms will no longer need a freshwater farm plan – the minimum farm size needing a plan for sheep and beef, arable, orcharding, and viticulture land use is now 50 hectares, up from 20ha.
This means that for around 8,000 smaller, lower risk farms the requirement for a freshwater farm plan has been scrapped completely.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the primary sector drives New Zealand’s exports, underpinning our economy and standard of living. When farmers do well, every New Zealander does well.
“We’re continuing to progress a full overhaul of the RMA and replace it with a common-sense system that works. In the meantime, these practical amendments ensure farmers can get on with the job until we get there.”
These reforms support both environmental stewardship and growth.
“Farmers are already doing a huge amount of work investing in freshwater management. Our job is to make sure the rules are practical, efficient and fit for purpose so the sector can continue to lead the world,” Mr McClay says.
It’s not just the use of sedatives – it’s the neuromuscular blockers designed to ensure those watching the death only see peace and calm when the reality could be quite different.
Family First is today releasing a podcast that highlights the reality of what happens when drugs are given for assisted suicide and euthanasia.
In the podcast interview with Sharon Quick MD – a retired American paediatric anaesthetist and critical care physician – she talks through the drugs used overseas, and likely here in New Zealand, and what they actually do to the human body.
From the use of lethal drugs to paralyse patients so they cannot speak or respond, to sedatives which wear off quickly, to declaring a person dead when it’s not clinically possible – her insights are disturbing and clearly why pro-euthanasia groups do not wish to discuss the reality of the lethal drugs used, and why New Zealand authorities do not disclose what lethal drugs are administered. Her insights from clinical experience are disturbing yet importantly contribute to a deeper understanding of what euthanasia / assisted suicide actually involves.
As New Zealand continues to see an increase of euthanasia deaths and a push for expansion, it is more important than ever that people understand the reality of what is happening when lethal drugs are administered.
Dr Quick notes how the use of sedatives such as propofol are frequently used and even though highly dosed, patients can often wake within 30 minutes of the drugs being administered. Alongside this, sedatives can cause hypoxia which in turn can lead to seizures, unusual breathing patterns, and gasping. As she notes, this is difficult to watch and why in the executions of prisoners, the use of neuromuscular blockers became standard – and now in euthanasia / assisted suicides.
Disturbingly, Dr Quick notes that the frequent use of neuromuscular blockers during euthanasia are designed to keep the family happy, not the patient. Neuromuscular blockers paralyse the patient so that family and others can see no movement at all. As Dr Quick herself notes, neuromuscular blockers “causes the person not to be able to move any voluntary muscles so they can’t move their arms or legs. They can’t breathe, they can’t speak, they can’t even blink.”
Dr Quick says, “I am concerned that someone’s propofol, their anaesthetic has worn off and they are paralysed and they’re unable to speak. They’re unable to move. They’re unable to say, I can feel everything I can.”
“I want to breathe, but I can’t breathe…. so they may be dying in agony. But the protocols are to prevent them from moving so that there aren’t any uncomfortable, like seizures or uncomfortable looking motions for the families to witness. And yet we have no idea what’s going on in the heads of those patients who are taking that long to die.”
She also calls out pro-euthanasia advocates who say that people can be dead within a minute or two. From her clinical experience, she notes that it is impossible to confidently say a person is dead in such a short space of time.
The full podcast and transcript can be found here:
