Disruptive secondary teacher strikes condemned

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August 13, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is extremely disappointed the secondary school teachers’ union (PPTA) has chosen to walk out of classrooms after only six days of bargaining.

Public Service Minister Judith Collins and Education Minister Erica Stanford say the union’s actions are disproportionate, particularly given that a fair and reasonable offer has been made.

“The PPTA had barely sat down at the bargaining table before taking this drastic action,” Ms Collins says.

“Bargaining requires genuine engagement and trade-offs from all parties. Instead of providing feedback or engaging constructively, the PPTA has chosen disruption.”

“This action is unduly disruptive to student learning, especially those preparing for important assessments and exams. It also places significant pressure on parents and caregivers, who must make alternative arrangements when their children are unable to attend school,” Ms Stanford says.

“We fully recognise the vital role teachers play in shaping the academic and personal development of our young people. They are a significant and valued workforce, and we are committed to supporting them.”

A secondary school teacher with 10 years of experience can currently earn up to $147,000, including allowances. The average salary for secondary teachers is now $100,000, up from $93,000 three years ago.

The offer made to secondary teachers reflects the current fiscal constraints and the substantial increases teachers have received over the past three years – an average increase of 14.5 per cent. The current offer includes a 3 per cent increase over three years, in addition to annual pay progression of between 4 per cent and 7.5 per cent.

“Rather than continuing constructive dialogue, the PPTA has chosen a path that disrupts students, families, and schools,” the Ministers say.

“We urge the PPTA to return to the bargaining table with a commitment to constructive dialogue and a realistic settlement – one that supports teachers, students, and the integrity of our public education system.”

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Police lay charges over Kumeū fatal crash

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August 13, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police

A teenager will appear in court next week, charged over a fatal crash in Kumeū in late June.

Police have been investigating the single vehicle crash that occurred on Coatesville-Riverhead Highway at 8.20pm on 27 June.

The vehicle had failed to stop for Police a short time earlier.

Sixteen-year-old Elliot New, a passenger in the vehicle, was critically injured and died in hospital on 1 July.

Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan says Police interviewed the alleged driver of the vehicle today.

“Investigators subsequently charged an 18-year-old man with a range of offences, and he will appear in the North Shore District Court on 20 August.”

Those charges include:

– One count of driver in charge of a vehicle whilst under the influence of drugs where death has resulted

– Two counts of driver in charge of a vehicle whilst under the influence of drugs where injury has resulted

– One count of dangerous driving causing death

– Two counts of dangerous driving causing injury

– One count of failing to stop for flashing red and blue lights

Superintendent Hassan says Police enquiries into the incident remain ongoing, and further charges may result from these enquiries.

“A critical incident investigation also remains ongoing, as well as enquiries by the IPCA.

“We are continuing to support our people through the process, as well as to the families that have been impacted by the tragic events that Friday night.”

Police are limited in further comment as the matter is now before the courts.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Waikato teens arrested after overnight trip to Auckland

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August 13, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police

A carload of out-of-town teenagers have had their return plans halted after Police stopped their stolen vehicle in south Auckland.

Just before 6am, Police received information a stolen Toyota Hilux was travelling south on the Southern Motorway.

Senior Sergeant Simon Cornish, of Counties Manukau East Police, says the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Hamilton area.

“It is alleged the vehicle was stolen overnight, and the Police Eagle helicopter deployed to the area,” he says.

“The vehicle was picked up in Manurewa, with its location being relayed to staff on the ground.”

Spikes were successfully deployed, but the vehicle carried on.

“It has continued slowly through the wider area, before being slowed further on Stratford Road,” Senior Sergeant Cornish says.

“Units blocked the vehicle in before it could get back to the motorway network.”

Five male occupants, four from the Waikato and one from Bay of Plenty, were taken into custody without further incident.

Those arrested are all aged 16 and 17, including the 16-year-old male driver.

“Police have recovered several items of interest, including tools, from the vehicle so it’s clear that this morning’s arrest has prevented further offending from taking place,” Senior Sergeant Cornish says.

Police are speaking with several of the vehicle’s occupants in relation to other offending within the Waikato region.

Charges are pending for this morning’s offending.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Improving support, encouraging new caregivers

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August 13, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Children Karen Chhour is calling on anyone able to provide a loving and stable environment for a child to seriously consider becoming a caregiver.

She has also reassured potential and former caregivers that the supports and training for caregivers have improved and will continue to be upgraded under this government.

Minister Chhour said, “Becoming a caregiver is one of the most selfless and rewarding things you can do, and we’re making it easier by increasing the quality of the support we provide and removing barriers that dissuaded potential caregivers – such as a focus on their ethnicity.”

Budget 2025 committed $16 million to make care environments safer and to better support and train caregivers and the wider care workforce.

“We have been guided by caregivers themselves and have undertaken a number of improvements.

These include:

Establishing the Caregiver Panel – ensuring caregivers have a strong voice in the services and supports provided to them
Better on-boarding of new caregivers by providing greater information and guidance during the start of their caregiver journey
Increasing the number of learning modules available to Oranga Tamariki caregivers provided by Caring Families Aotearoa, with 277 people already undertaking these courses since May of this year
Improving the approval process for caregivers and ensuring caregivers are fully approved before children are placed in their care – an issue under the previous government
Changes to the relevant caregiver policies and guidelines to ensure that safe and loving homes are prioritised over other considerations.

“There are children right here in our communities who need that care, that support, and that sense of belonging more than anything.

“If you can provide a safe, stable, and loving home, please consider becoming a caregiver.

“If you have been a caregiver in the past, we would encourage you to think about becoming one again,” said Mrs Chhour.

You can learn more on the Oranga Tamariki website, or in the link – https://www.orangatamariki.govt.nz/caregiving/becoming-a-caregiver/

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Shellfish biotoxin warning for Bay of Plenty – Whakatane to Mount Maunganui

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August 13, 2025

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Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from Bay of Plenty coast from Whakatane to Mount Maunganui due to the presence of toxins.

“Routine tests on tuatua from the location have shown levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin over the safe limit,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. “The warning extends from Whakatane to Mount Maunganui.

See the map of the warning for Bay of Plenty

“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick.

“Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes), Cook’s turban.

“Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.

“We are monitoring an algal bloom in the region, which is spreading. This type of algae produces a dangerous toxin and when shellfish filter-feed, these toxins can accumulate in their gut and flesh. Generally, the more algae there are in the water, the more toxic the shellfish get.”

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
difficulty swallowing or breathing
dizziness and headache
nausea and vomiting
diarrhoea
paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking.

New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Find out more

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

See signage in the affected area.

Podcast about shellfish contamination

Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 1.2 MB]

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Tech and Security – Three-Quarters of New Zealand Government Organisations Yet to Meet Strictest Cybersecurity Standards Ahead of Security Mandate – Research

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August 13, 2025

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Source: Proofpoint

With less than two months until the government enforcement deadline, the majority of organisations remain exposed to critical vulnerabilities.

SYDNEY, Australia – 13 August 2025 – Proofpoint, Inc., a leading cybersecurity and compliance company, has found that three out of four New Zealand Government organisations have yet to implement the strictest level of email cybersecurity measures, leaving them exposed to risks of email fraud that could impact the New Zealand public, government workers, and stakeholders.

These findings come ahead of the New Zealand Government’s mandate for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) enforcement for all government domains under its Secure Government Email (SGE) Framework.

The SGE is a stricter approach to protecting government email communications, replacing the previous SEEMail system and is set to take effect in October 2025. However, with less than two months to go until the deadline, the vast majority of government domains are not currently satisfying this requirement.

The new analysis by Proofpoint of DMARC adoption reveals that three quarters (75%) of New Zealand Government organisations have not implemented the recommended and strictest level of DMARC protection – reject – which prevents cyber criminals from spoofing organisations’ identities and reduces the risk of email fraud. DMARC has three levels of protection – monitor, quarantine and reject – with reject being the most secure for preventing illegitimate emails from reaching the inbox.

Proofpoint’s DMARC analysis covered 200 primary organisations in the New Zealand Government spanning sectors such as Defence, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Education, Employee and Workplace Relations, Social Services, Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Treasury and Finance. Many of these organisations will hold substantial data on the New Zealand population, plus vital information related to national security.

The findings reveal that while 91.5% of New Zealand Government organisations have adopted the email authentication protocol, only 25.5% of them are implementing it at the highest level by blocking suspicious emails, a requirement of the new SGE framework. Alarmingly 8.5% of New Zealand Government organisations do not have any DMARC record at all, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Email remains a primary vector for cyberattacks, with phishing and impersonation schemes constantly evolving. DMARC authentication detects and prevents email spoofing techniques used in phishing, business email compromise (BEC), and other email-based attacks. When fully implemented, DMARC provides a critical layer of defence by ensuring that only legitimate emails from an organisation’s domain reach their intended recipients. DMARC stands as the only widely deployed technology that verifies the sender’s “From” address, ensuring emails are genuinely from the claimed source and not from impersonators.

This analysis follows the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) finding that, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, $7.8 million was lost to poor cybersecurity, with New Zealand businesses bearing the brunt of the load – accounting for over half of reported losses.

When compared to government agencies in Australia, New Zealand is significantly behind. 50% of Australian Government domains are protected to the highest level, and only 1% have no DMARC record at all – meaning at least 99% have implemented basic protections. Since a single compromised agency can be impersonated, protecting every government domain and identity is critical.

“Mandating DMARC is an important step in the right direction and puts New Zealand in line with a number of countries who have taken this approach,” explains Steve Moros, Senior Director, Advanced Technology Group, Asia Pacific and Japan at Proofpoint. “Government entities are and always will be prime targets for cyber adversaries, so ensuring email domains are secure is critical to reducing the attack surface, safeguarding sensitive information, and maintaining public trust.”

The full findings of Proofpoint’s DMARC analysis of New Zealand’s Government agencies shows:

25.5% of New Zealand Government entities have implemented the highest DMARC protection level: Reject.
12% have a Quarantine policy, meaning suspicious emails are sent to a spam folder.
54% have a Monitor policy, which only tracks DMARC activity without blocking or quarantining emails.
8.5% have no DMARC record at all.

Best Practices for Enhanced Email Security:

Check the validity of all email communication and be cautious of potentially fraudulent emails impersonating colleagues, suppliers, and stakeholders. 
Be cautious of any communication attempts that request log-in credentials or threaten to suspend service or an account if a link isn’t clicked.
Adopt phishing-resistant multifactor authentication, such as passkeys.

About Proofpoint, Inc. 

Proofpoint, Inc. is a leading cybersecurity and compliance company that protects organizations’ greatest assets and biggest risks: their people. With an integrated suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint helps companies around the world stop targeted threats, safeguard their data, and make their users more resilient against cyber attacks. Leading organizations of all sizes, including 85 percent of the Fortune 100, rely on Proofpoint for people-centric security and compliance solutions that mitigate their most critical risks across email, the cloud, social media, and the web. More information is available at www.proofpoint.com.  

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Health and Employment – Te Whatu Ora nurses vote for further strikes – NZNO

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August 13, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

More than 36,000 Te Whatu Ora nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora have voted for further strike action after Health NZ failed to resolve their ongoing concerns about understaffing, NZNO says.

Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Chief Executive Paul Goulter says the Te Whatu Ora members voted strongly to go on strike on two days from 7am to 11pm on Tuesday 2 September and Thursday 4 September.

“Our members are clear that they want to keep fighting for the safety of their patients and to reduce preventable patient deaths.

“Nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora have had enough of their patients waiting for care because they are too busy to get them. They became health care workers because they want to help people and give them the care they need. Not risk their suffering due to a lack of staff.

“Patients are at risk because the Coalition Government is choosing cost cutting over patient need.”

Paul Goulter says strike notice will be issued to Te Whatu Ora to meet legal requirements in sufficient time to allow Life Preserving Services to be arranged and confirmed.

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Gaza – PSNA survey opinion poll shows strong popular support for sanctions against Israel

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August 13, 2025

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Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

A recent poll on whether New Zealanders want sanctions to be imposed on Israel, shows that of those who gave an opinion, 60% favour sanctions.

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa commissioned survey gave a similar result to one commissioned by Justice for Palestine a year ago.

PSNA Co-Chair John Minto says the numbers show strong popular support for sanctions. The 60% overall rose to 68% for the 18 – 29 year category.

“The government is well out of step with public opinion and ignores this message at its peril. There is popular support for sanctions against Israel.”

“People see that Israel is committing the worst atrocities of the 21^st century with impunity. It is starving a whole population. It has destroyed just about every building in Gaza. It is assassinating journalists. It holds 7,000 Palestinian hostages in its jails without charge. Its goal of occupying all of Gaza and ethnically cleansing its people into the Sudan desert, is all public knowledge.”

“Its depraved Prime Minister, wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, is boasting that if Israel was really committing genocide, it could have killed everyone in Gaza in a single afternoon.”

“The poll shows New Zealand First supporters are most opposed to sanctions against Israel (59% of those who gave an opinion were opposed) so it’s little surprise Winston Peters is dragging the chain”

“National has contracted out foreign affairs to the most reactionary part of its coalition government and is tying all New Zealanders into supporting impunity for Israel for its genocide in Gaza.”

“This brings shame on every New Zealander. When once this country would have led the way speaking out for justice and human rights, Winston Peters has us tagging along with the US”

The poll also asked respondents if they favoured recognition of a Palestinian state.

“Very significantly, four percent more of them were for sanctions, than were for recognition. I presume they saw recognition as some sort of soft tokenism.”

“Our government can’t even manage that.”

Minto says immediate government moves are imperative. He says New Zealand’s position has become the weakest in the western world, slipping to be on par with the United States.

“There’s a whole raft of sanction options; including immigration, diplomatic, trade, investment, cutting off military services, and technical cooperation.”

“The only thing the government has done is ban two Israeli cabinet ministers from entering our country, while our Foreign Minister still welcomes thousands of participants a year in the genocidal Israeli army to come here for rest and recreation.”

Minto says even sanctions have become a soft option with the escalating crisis.

“What is urgently needed is for countries to band together to use their armies to break the Gaza blockade and deliver food, water and medicine’.”

“This could be through a United Nations mandate such as through a “Uniting for Peace” Resolution (UN General Assembly resolution 377(V)) through an Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly. It has to happen somehow.”

“The four daily killing traps of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation are a deliberate disaster organised by the Israeli Defence Forces. The aid parachute drops are a grossly inadequate farce”

“People in New Zealand can see this is happening. None of it is a secret or complicated anymore. Winston Peters is looking like Neville Chamberlain after Munich in 1938. He is failing us on Gaza. If he can’t deliver sanctions now, National has to replace him”

John Minto

Co-Chair PSNA

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Putting the needs of sexual violence victims first

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August 13, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

Victims of sexual violence will soon have the power to determine name suppression orders, with legislation passing third reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“These changes will help ensure victims of sexual violence and their needs are returned to the heart of the justice system. We’ve been clear from day one that victims are our priority as we work to restore law and order.

“This Bill will ensure the courts cannot issue a permanent name suppression order for an adult convicted of a sexual offence, unless the victim agrees to it.

“Currently victims’ views only have to be taken into account by the courts. Long battles over name suppression retraumatises victims, as does the inability to discuss what happened to them and to warn others.

“I recognise that some victims will not want to make this decision, some will not be able to, and others may not be available. In these cases, the court will decide about name suppression for the convicted offender.

“We’re also ensuring victims of all sexual crimes, including intimate visual recording offences, are automatically given name suppression. There is a legislative gap, which means some victims of sexual offences receive automatic name suppression and others do not.

“Finally, this Bill amends the law so that children under the age of 12 will not be able to be questioned about whether they consented to sex. This makes it crystal clear that children cannot consent to abuse.

“These changes will help restore real consequences for crime, and ensure there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029.”

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eazy Insurance Announces Acquisition of G&C General Pte. Ltd.

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August 13, 2025

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Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 August 2025 – eazy Insurance is pleased to announce the acquisition of G&C General Pte Ltd, a family-run agency with a long history in Singapore’s retail insurance sector. This acquisition supports eazy’s broader expansion strategy while maintaining its focus on delivering consistent, client-oriented service.

Integrating Traditional Service with Digital Access

Existing clients can expect operational changes designed to enhance service accessibility. G&C’s client portfolio will now be supported through eazy’s digital insurance platform and broader product range. This acquisition brings together G&C’s relationship-based service model with eazy’s technology-driven processes to enable both continuity and improved access.

“This milestone represents more than just business growth; it reflects our commitment to preserving the trust that G&C has built with its clients over the years, while enhancing their experience through our digital capabilities,” stated Douglas Chia, CEO of eazy Insurance.

Shirley Ling, Director of G&C General Pte Ltd, added, “I am confident that with this acquisition, G&C’s clients will continue to receive dedicated, personalised service. With eazy’s advanced digital platform and comprehensive insurance solutions, we expect to see meaningful improvements in client service and overall satisfaction.”

Part of a Sustainable Growth Strategy

The acquisition of G&C General is aligned with eazy’s approach to sustainable and scalable growth. The company continues to invest in technology, service delivery, and operational improvements that support both client needs and business resilience, while maintaining the service standards its clients have come to expect.

The integration process is underway, with measures in place to ensure that clients experience minimal disruption during the transition.

Hashtag: #acquisition #singaporeinsurancebrokers #corporateinsurance #smeinsurance #employeehealthbenefitsinsurance #healthinsurance #carinsurancesingapore #personalinsurance #homeandfireinsurance

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

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