DOC urges caution as wild weather impacts tracks, further delays to some Great Walks

Negotiations launched for trilateral agreement supporting green trade and investment

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October 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay joined their Singaporean and Chilean counterparts today to launch negotiations for the Green Economy Partnership Agreement (GEPA) in the Republic of Korea.

“New Zealand, Singapore, and Chile have a proud history of shared leadership in developing innovative trade agreements to drive integration and economic growth in our region,” Mr McClay says.

“This agreement is an opportunity to work together to position our businesses to seize trade and investment opportunities in the growing global green economy, the value of which is estimated to more than quintuple to US$11 trillion by 2040.”

The agreement will boost trade and investment and will involve the partners working together on issues like environmental credit markets, sustainable finance and investment, green goods and services, sustainable agriculture and food systems and low and zero emissions fuel alternatives.

“New Zealand is committed to meeting its climate targets, and this innovative agreement will help drive our transition to a greener, more resilient economy,” Mr McClay says.

Negotiations are set to begin immediately and will continue into 2026. The launch closely follows the signature of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Singapore on 10 October and the agreement will be a flagship initiative under the Climate Change and Green Economy, and Trade and Economics pillars.

It also comes after successful Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and bilaterals this week.

“In an increasingly fragmented and unpredictable international trading landscape, APEC remains a leading platform for international dialogue on trade and economic issues.

“Trade with APEC economies constitutes around 75 per cent of New Zealand’s exports, and accounts for about 60 per cent of global GDP.

“Meeting with important trading partners presented a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties with key economic partners and advance the interests of New Zealand exporters.”

Exercise NZ – Progress Over Perfection: All Moments of Movement Count

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October 31, 2025

Source: Exercise NZ

“Movement doesn’t have to be extreme or exhausting to be effective,”

“This research reinforces what we’ve been advocating for years: every minute of movement counts. Accessible, inclusive and consistent activity is the key to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

“Progress matters more than perfection. Just one or two 10-minute sessions can make a real difference to heart health and wellbeing,”

“Our goal at Exercise New Zealand is to help the exercise industry lead this shift, supporting exercise providers, and exercise professionals to show that even short, steady sessions can deliver real health outcomes.

“When we make movement more accessible and achievable, we bring more New Zealanders into active living, because every step, stretch, and moment of movement counts.”

When it comes to exercise, it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress, consistency, and making every minute count. New research from the University of Sydney shows that one or two uninterrupted 10-15 minute bouts of movement a day can meaningfully reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In other words, short, steady blocks of activity, the kind you can do at the gym between meetings, meals, school pick-ups, or on your way home, really add up.

“Movement doesn’t have to be extreme or exhausting to be effective,” says ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie. “This research reinforces what we’ve been advocating for years: every minute of movement counts. Accessible, inclusive and consistent activity is the key to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

Tips for Exercise Providers & Professionals

These findings highlight a powerful, practical message for the exercise industry here in Aotearoa: small, sustained movement wins. Help people succeed by making high-impact micro-sessions easy, normal and celebrated.

Keep it simple: 10-15 minutes of steady movement is a valid, effective workout
Make it easy: Offer short drop-in sessions before work, at lunch, or after school runs.
Focus on flow: Coach quality, continuous effort-not just numbers or totals.
Remove barriers: Set up quick circuits or ready-to-go stations.
Celebrate consistency: Reward progress, not perfection.
Start small: For beginners, two short blocks a day is a great first step.

Why it matters

In this study, people who performed longer, continuous bouts (10-15 minutes) experienced substantial reductions in cardiovascular risk, even if their overall daily movement wasn’t high. The takeaway for busy Kiwis: pattern and consistency trump perfection.

“Progress matters more than perfection. Just one or two 10-minute sessions can make a real difference to heart health and wellbeing,” says ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie.

He adds: “Our goal at Exercise New Zealand is to help the exercise industry lead this shift, supporting gyms, studios, and exercise professionals to show that even short, steady sessions can deliver real health outcomes. When we make movement more accessible and achievable, we bring more New Zealanders into active living, because every step, stretch, and moment of movement counts.”

Appointments – New Te Hiringa Mahara board appointments welcomed

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October 31, 2025

Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

Today’s announcement of changes to the composition of the Board of Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has been welcomed.

“The new appointments and other board changes are the beginning of the next chapter for Te Hiringa Mahara,” said board chair Hayden Wano.

“We have a diverse, knowledgeable and hard-working board that is committed to bringing to life our vision of thriving together. The changes announced today put us on a strong footing for the future.”

“In July this year we began delivering on a new strategy that takes us up until 2029. We will continue to push strongly to ensure people who need support have access to appropriate services, and as well as tackling underlying factors that contribute to poor mental health.”

The changes announced are:

Dr Barbara Disley, a current board member, has been appointed Deputy Chair for a five-year term.

Two new members have been appointed: Josiah Tualamali’i and Rae Lamb.

Two existing members have been reappointed: Professor Sunny Collings and Tuari Potiki.

Wayne Langford, appointed in September 2024, will continues his term as a member.

At the same time as welcoming these changes, two long standing board members are being farewelled. Both Kevin Hague and Alex El Amanni have been on the board since its inception in February 2021. Mr Hague served as deputy chair from February 2022.

“We acknowledge the dedication and experience the two outgoing board members brought to the work of the organisation,” Mr Wano said.

The role of the Board is to provide strategic guidance and oversight of our work. Central to this is ensuring that Te Hiringa Mahara delivers on its mandate to contribute to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Up to seven members are appointed by the Governor-General, under the Crown Entities Act 2004.

Banking Security – ASB warns of impersonation scam targeting Kiwi businesses

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October 31, 2025

Source: ASB

ASB is warning Kiwi businesses to be alert for unsolicited cold calls from scammers impersonating ASB’s fraud team.

Scammers are currently targeting business customers, saying their account is at risk, there is fraud on the account, there are suspicious transactions or that their account is being hacked. They may also make other excuses and ask for username, passwords, or verification codes including codes from Fastnet Business tokens.

ASB General Manager Fraud and Scams, Richard Joseph, says the scammers may already have personal information like email addresses and dates of birth. “Unfortunately, impersonation scams are not new, but scammers continue to evolve the way they approach them, often creating a sense of urgency. The scammers will try to get you to disclose your business or personal account details so they can then access your accounts and transfer money away.

I encourage everyone to be vigilant, particularly if you’re asked to make a payment or provide sensitive information. Anyone can fall victim to a scam and staying alert to scammers is our first defence.”

How ASB customers can protect themselves

Customers can verify a caller who claims to be from ASB by asking them for a Caller Check notification. Caller Check is only available through the ASB Mobile Banking app so if the caller is unable to send a notification through this channel, it will be a scam.

“If you have any concerns or think you have given your information to a scammer, hang up and call our fraud team,” Richard says. “Our team of fraud experts is available 24/7, including over the public holidays, on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372).”

While our fraud team may call customers to verify unusual transactions, they will:

Never ask you for your banking passwords, PINs, text verification codes or codes from your token
Never need to know your full credit card number – especially not the CVV
Never ask you to purchase gift cards, set up crypto currency accounts or transfer funds to keep your money safe.
Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device.

For more information and to keep up to date with the latest scams, visit ASB’s Scam Hub: www.asb.co.nz/asbscamhub

Autism NZ Education Hub gives students new options in Term 3 2026

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October 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Autism NZ Education Hub will open in Term 3 2026 as a charter school.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. Today’s announcement demonstrates the innovation enabled by the charter school model,” Mr Seymour says.

“Autism NZ Education Hub will give another option to autistic and neurodivergent secondary school students who have struggled with traditional schooling. It will be sponsored by Autism NZ and operate from campuses in Wellington and Auckland.

“Students’ days will follow a personalised plan built around their strengths, interests, and needs. Core education will be balanced with development of life skills and social-emotional learning.

“The goal is to get students benefitting from in class education. It will utilise online and community-based learning as ways to transition students back into the classroom, learning face-to-face.

“When it comes to education, one size does not fit all.

“It is estimated there are at least 3,900 autistic students in years 9-13 in Auckland and Wellington. National data suggests there is disproportionately high and chronic absence and school rejection among neurodivergent and disabled students, particularly in secondary years.

“The 2023 Education Review Office review on Alternative Education highlighted this concern. Autism New Zealand has relentlessly advocated for efforts to better understand and address these inequalities.

“Providing more education options for whānau is essential to ensuring that every young person can access an education that supports their individual needs. The Autism New Zealand Education Hub represents a meaningful step forward for autistic learners and their families. We appreciate the support of the Charter School Agency in helping bring this vision to life,” Dane Dougan, the CE of Autism New Zealand says.

“Charter schools show education can be different if we let communities bring their ideas to the table,” Mr Seymour says.

“These schools have more flexibility in return for strictly measured results.

“The charter school equation is: the same funding as state schools, plus greater flexibility plus stricter accountability for results, equals student success.

“There are more ideas in the communities of New Zealand than there are in the Government. That’s why we open ideas to the wider community, then apply strict performance standards to the best ones.

“It will join the five new charter schools announced in the last couple of weeks which will open in 2026. This takes the total number of charter schools to 17. We expect more new charter schools to be announced before the end of the year, along with the first state schools to convert.

“I want to thank the Charter School Agency and Authorisation Board for the work they have done getting charters open. They considered 52 applicants for new charter schools. This year they tell me the choices were very difficult.

“This is just the beginning. I hope to see many more new charter schools opening, and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools.”

Celebrating 30 Years of Curves: Women Empowering Women Around the World

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October 31, 2025

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Celebrating 30 Years of Curves: Women Empowering Women Around the World

This year marks a major milestone for Curves – the iconic women’s fitness franchise that has helped millions of women around the world reclaim their strength, their health, and their voice.

We’re celebrating nearly 30 years of impact, with a renewed commitment to community-centered wellness under the leadership of our new CEO and President, Kim McQueen.

The post Celebrating 30 Years of Curves: Women Empowering Women Around the World first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Name release: Fatal crash Tamaki Drive

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October 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash on Tamaki Drive on 22 October.

He was Sean James Cleary, 61, of Point Chevalier.

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

The family of the deceased ask for privacy as they grieve their loved one.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

New Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Board appointments

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October 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has announced two new appointments to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Board, alongside a new Deputy Chair and two reappointments.

“The Government is focused on delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response. It is the Commission’s role to hold the Government to account to ensure we are delivering those results,” Mr Doocey says.

“Dr Barbara Disley, a current board member, has been appointed Deputy Chair for a five-year term. Hayden Wano continues as Chair of the Commission.

“The two new members who have been appointed are Josiah Tualamali’i and Rae Lamb.

“There are also two existing members that have been reappointed who are Professor Sunny Collings and Tuari Potiki.

“Wayne Langford continues his term as a member.

“I want to acknowledge outgoing board members Kevin Hague and Alexander El Amanni for their significant contributions to the Commission during their terms.”

“As leaders in mental health and wellbeing, the Commission’s board members are powerful advocates for ensuring services meet the needs of New Zealanders. It is great to have such strong mental health advocates bringing specialist expertise and diverse perspectives to the table.”

Note to editor:
Hayden Wano has over 40 years’ health sector experience including in the areas of mental health, community services and medical services.

Dr Barbara Disley has been in a number of leadership roles in the mental health sector since the 1990s and has an in-depth understanding of mental health and addiction services.

Josiah Tualamali’i has substantial frontline youth advocacy experience, particularly from a Pacific perspective. He has served on many different groups and Boards for mental health.

Rae Lamb has extensive governance and senior leadership experience and has expert knowledge of health, disability, and aged care services.

Sunny Collings has a background as a researcher and clinician, having practiced as a Consultant Psychiatrist for over 25 years. She is currently the Chief Executive of the Health Quality and Safety Commission.

Tuari Potiki has experience in the Māori health, mental health, education, and justice sectors. He has worked in a number of different roles as a Māori alcohol and drug clinician and tutor before moving into public and non-government leadership roles.

Wayne Langford brings extensive experience as a board member for several organisations supporting mental health – particularly for rural and remote communities.

Crown Liquidity Facility for New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency increased

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October 31, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is increasing and extending the Crown Liquidity Facility (CLF) that it provides to the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited (LGFA) to support local government sector borrowing, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

The CLF assists LGFA to secure competitively priced financing for local authorities by assuring lenders the agency has sufficient tools to manage exceptional circumstances such as global financial market disruptions.

The facility was established in December 2011 when LGFA was created and has never been drawn on.

Nicola Willis says the facility is being increased from $1.5 billion to $3 billion and its term extended from December 2031 to June 2037.

“The changes will enable the agency to continue to secure competitively priced financing which supports the delivery of critical infrastructure and public services. The increase takes effect today.”

Notes to editors:

LGFA is the largest lender to New Zealand’s local government sector, with approximately 80 per cent market share of annual sector borrowing and has loans outstanding to councils and Council-Controlled Organisations of $23.4 billion. The Crown owns 20% of the paid up capital of LGFA and thirty councils own the remaining 80%.

The establishment of the LGFA was driven in part by the experience of councils during the Global Financial Crisis when access to finance became more challenging. LGFA has provided certainty of access to long dated financing for the local government sector since it was established.

A facility fee paid by LGFA for the CLF covers the cost of the extra liquidity held on the Crown’s books to support local government borrowing, meaning the provision of the facility does not have a significant cost to the Crown.