Bubbling & Boiling Festival in Singapore; Xiamen Star TV Wins Global Fans with Chinese Cultural Experiences Overseas

September 18, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2025 – Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and jointly presented with Resorts World Sentosa, the inaugural Bubbling & Boiling Music and Arts Festival · Singapore concluded with resounding success over the weekend. The two-day festival brought together artists from China, Singapore, Korea, the United States and beyond, drawing young audiences from across Asia and the world to Sentosa.

The first day of festival focused on K-pop performances, featuring groups such as girl group (G)I-DLE. On the second day, artists from China, Singapore and other countries, including Cai Xukun, Joey Yung, Chen Li and Boon Hui Lu, were invited to perform. The two-day music festival drew young audiences from across Asia and around the world to gather at Sentosa.

This Singapore Station marks the first overseas stop of the Bubbling & Boiling IP. As one of China’s top-tier music festival IPs, Bubbling & Boiling Music & Art Festival is a new brand established only in 2023. In just two years, it has quickly risen to the top of the industry through phenomenal performances in cities like Tianjin and Xiamen.

“Bubbling & Boiling is not just a festival — it reflects the rising wave of cultural consumption and experiential entertainment driven by China’s younger generation. This collaboration marks a new phase, where Singapore is not only a host for large-scale events, but also a partner in co-creating cultural celebrations for Asia,” said Mr. Andrew Phua, Chief Representative & Executive Director, Greater China, Singapore Tourism Board.

Youth engagement was at the heart of this year’s festival. Gen Z accounted for more than 85% of attendees, while international attendees accounted for over 90%. On social media, festival-related topics amassed over 200 million views, making it one of the region’s most talked-about cultural happenings and reaffirming the growing influence of youth culture in global exchange.

Reporters noticed that the featured exhibition area brought by Xiamen Star TV not only created a strong Chinese-style scene with traditional Chinese elements such as bamboo, lotus flowers and lanterns, but also offered a variety of activities including Hanfu experience shows and the Minnan folk custom “Mid-Autumn Bobing” (a traditional dice game during Mid-Autumn Festival).

These activities enabled young people from all over the world to gain an intuitive and vivid understanding of Chinese culture through multiple dimensions such as visuals, music, food, opera and folk customs. Meanwhile, the diversified interactive activities of Gezi Opera (a traditional local opera of southern Fujian), co-presented with the “China Has Drama” project of the Culture Communication Center of China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, also attracted many young people.

” The featured booth from Xiamen, China left a deep impression on me. It added a unique layer of historical and cultural charm to the music festival. The experiences of wearing Hanfu and Gezi Opera costumes were fresh and interesting, making me feel as if I had stepped into scenes from some TV dramas. The Minnan-style game felt both familiar and special to me, which was really memorable,” said Chan, a student from the National University of Singapore.

“Bubbling & Boiling is an IP from China, and Singapore is a diverse and international place. This music festival has witnessed a lot of interactions between traditional Chinese culture and international music festivals, with numerous explorations into scene-based interactions and cross-boundary cultural integration,” said Zhang Chongshuo, founder of Chuangyu Wujie, at the booth. He added, “The booth of Xiamen Star TV this time is a successful attempt. I saw young people from Singapore, Malaysia and even European and American countries come to try on Hanfu. I believe that through such simple interactive methods, seeds have been sown in their hearts, and they may be inspired to learn more about Chinese culture in the future.”

https://www.xmtv.cn/

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

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

Policy – We need a capital gains tax that delivers for New Zealanders – tax reform group

LiveNews Publisher

September 18, 2025

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA)

Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA) and the Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign is calling on the Labour Party to go for the best, most comprehensive version of a tax on the income from capital gains (CGT), as an essential part of a better tax system.

“Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA), along with numerous public opinion polls and expert commentators support a CGT because it has the promise to deliver real benefits for New Zealand”, says Glenn Barclay, Tax Justice Aotearoa spokesperson. ” We will support Labour and any political party that commits to a CGT that will deliver on that promise”.

A CGT has the potential to generate significant revenue to fund our hospitals, schools and transport networks. It would make our tax system fairer. It could also help rebalance our economy to encourage productive investments, and discourage property speculation that drives up housing prices. But TJA warns that a CGT will only deliver for New Zealand if it is as comprehensive as possible.

“A majority of New Zealanders support some form of capital gains tax because they realise our current tax system is broken, it is not generating the revenue we need to maintain our health system and critical infrastructure, it provides a giant loophole for the wealthy to avoid paying their fair share of taxes, and it is not supporting a productive economy”, says Glenn Barclay.

“But they don’t support a CGT for the sake of it. They support a CGT that will address these issues and deliver long-term benefits to New Zealanders. So it is important that we get the CGT settings right, and that it is accompanied by other tax changes.”

“Thomas Coughlan’s recent article in the NZ Herald suggests the Labour Party will opt for a CGT, but that it will not be comprehensive and there might be exemptions that would dramatically lower the revenue the new tax would gather,” says Glenn Barclay.

“The article suggests it would raise barely 39% of a broad CGT’s revenue. This would be wholly inadequate to meet the challenges we face in healthcare, education, climate change and infrastructure, and would barely move the dial on wealth inequality and the housing market.”

While it is not clear if this accurately represents Labour’s current thinking, TJA is taking this opportunity to set out the settings required for a CGT that has that can deliver for New Zealanders:

The CGT needs to be as comprehensive as possible, covering all forms of significant assets, but with an exemption for the principal family home.
It should apply to individuals, companies and trusts that own assets.
It should be payable when the asset is sold or transferred.
Income from capital gains should be taxed like any other source of income to mitigate the risk of tax avoidance which will happen if lower tax rates apply, because wealthier people are more likely to own assets which make taxable capital gains.

“We acknowledge that committing to a proper CGT requires political determination, but this is what this moment calls for: a time when New Zealanders are increasingly uncertain about their futures and those of their children”, says Glenn Barclay.

“We hope that Labour will step up and show the necessary leadership to put a proper CGT before voters in the 2026 Election. Polling indicates that the majority of New Zealanders would get behind them and vote for a CGT that will deliver real benefits.”

The Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign is calling for a tax system that grows revenue and ensures that those who can afford it contribute more to our collective good. A comprehensive CGT is an essential part of a better tax system and would bring us into line with the vast majority of other countries who already have a CGT.

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Economy – New Monetary Policy Committee member appointed – Reserve Bank

LiveNews Publisher

September 18, 2025

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ)

18 September 2025 – A new member of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), Hayley Gourley has been appointed by the Minister of Finance Nicola Willis on the recommendation of the RBNZ Board.

The MPC is responsible for the monetary policy decisions needed to support price stability.

Agribusiness executive Hayley Gourley starts a four-year term on 1 October, replacing Professor Bob Buckle who retires from the MPC at the end of September 2025. Hayley Gourley will take part in the October Monetary Policy Review.

“We are delighted to welcome Hayley to the MPC. She is a highly qualified candidate with the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience from an extensive career in corporate, rural and financial services sectors to join the MPC and assist in its decision-making,” RBNZ Board Deputy Chair Rodger Finlay says.

“Her business experience at both board and executive management positions in some of New Zealand’s leading agribusinesses will add a fresh perspective to Committee discussions.”

Hayley also has a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Agricultural Economics from the University of London/ Imperial College and attended the London Business School under the Rabobank senior leadership programme. She has a Bachelor of Applied Economics, Agricultural Economics, from Massey University.

“We look forward to working with Hayley soon,” Governor and MPC Chair Christian Hawkesby says.

“The MPC remains laser-focussed on its job to control inflation and Hayley will play an important part in our discussions.”

“I’d also like to thank Professor Buckle for his significant service on the Monetary Policy Committee for many years, at an especially turbulent time during Covid-19,” Mr Hawkesby says.

“Bob is the sole remaining inaugural external member of the MPC, starting in 2019, when the Committee was first formed.”

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Advocacy – UN Commission’s genocide finding renews PSNA calls for the government to end military support for Israel

LiveNews Publisher

September 18, 2025

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Australia (PSNA)

PSNA is renewing demands that New Zealand end its military support for Israel in response to today’s findings by an independent UN commission that Israel is conducting genocide in Gaza.

As well as demanding Israel cease its mass killing and mass starvation in Gaza, the commission is also appealing to governments to “employ all means reasonably available to them” to “cease the transfer of arms and other equipment or items” which could be used by Israel to continue the genocide.

“The government says it has no direct evidence and goes out of its way to avoid finding any” says PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal. “Such ducking and diving fools no one. It’s an embarrassment”

For decades, Rakon has supplied crystal oscillators to the US for guided munitions, which end up killing civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

“Why is it so hard for the government to suspend these exports while it conducts an investigation?”

Rocket Lab is launching satellites from its Mahia base for Black Sky Technology, which provides quality images to the Israeli Defence Force in its bombing of occupied Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

“Why is our Minister of Defence refusing to even ask Rocket Lab or Black Sky about this aid to genocide?”

“Why are these launches not suspended while the government investigates?”

“Meanwhile, every day our GCSB spies are passing over surveillance information to the US, which shares this with Israel. Why is there no investigation into this by the government?”

It seems currying favour with the US and its genocidal sidekick Israel trumps our loyalty to international law and our responsibilities under the genocide convention.

“Our government is part of the western disease – complicity with genocide”

This UN confirmation of genocide should be the wake-up call the government needs to support international law without fear or favour.

Maher Nazzal

Co-Chair PSNA

Appendix: Part of the recommendations of the UN independent Commission includes:
The Commission recommends that all Member States:
(a) Employ all means reasonably available to them to prevent the commission of genocide in the Gaza Strip;
(b) Cease the transfer of arms and other equipment or items, including jet fuel, to the State of Israel or third States where there is reason to suspect their use in military operations that have involved or could involve the commission of genocide;
(c) Ensure individuals and corporations in their territories and within their jurisdiction are not involved in the commission of genocide, aiding and assisting the commission of genocide or incitement to commit genocide and investigate and prosecute those who may be implicated in these crimes under international law;
(d) Facilitate the investigations and domestic proceedings and take action (including imposing sanctions) against the State of Israel and against individuals or corporations that are involved in or facilitating the commission of genocide or incitement to commit genocide;
(e) Cooperate with the investigation of the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

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Advocacy – Appeal for New Zealand to demand International Humanitarian Law protection for Gaza-bound aid flotilla

LiveNews Publisher

September 18, 2025

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

Late this afternoon PSNA sent this self-explanatory letter to the Prime Minister.

Letter sent to Prime Minister

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon

Prime Minister

Parliament Buildings

Wellington.

Kia ora Mr Luxon,

Appeal for New Zealand to demand International Humanitarian Law protection for Gaza-bound aid flotilla

An international flotilla of ships and boats is sailing towards Gaza loaded with humanitarian relief supplies for the beleaguered Palestinians living there and suffering from Israeli-perpetrated mass killing and mass starvation of the population.

The people on the flotilla represent the very best of human values and are standing up for humanity when many governments, including our own, are failing to uphold these values.

We are requesting our government inform Israel that Aotearoa New Zealand expects them to facilitate the entry of this humanitarian convoy so it can deliver the desperately needed food, water and medical supplies.

Already 16 other countries have made this request of Israel to respect International Humanitarian Law. These countries are: Türkiye, Qatar, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Oman, Slovenia, South Africa, and Spain.

We want New Zealand to join this call.

Unfortunately, In the past Israel has attacked and boarded vessels bringing aid to Gaza, killing many people and illegally detaining others. Israel has already launched at least two drone attacks on vessels which are part of this flotilla.

There are three New Zealanders aboard this international flotilla and we want our government to stand up for them and for all the internationals taking part in this mercy-mission to Gaza.

Please respond urgently to this appeal.

We look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Ngā mihi.

Nā,

John Minto

Co-Chair PSNA.

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Health and Employment – Health New Zealand offers pay cuts amid workforce crisis

LiveNews Publisher

September 18, 2025

Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

To be attributed to ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton:

Health New Zealand failed to resolve its long-running pay dispute with the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists by failing to turn up with any meaningful improvement on its offer.

ASMS made it clear that the strike notice would not be lifted unless there was a sufficient movement on the initial pay offer. This did not occur.

The offer still represents a real pay cut for our senior medical workforce at a time when recruitment and retention is critical.

Health New Zealand, on arriving at bargaining, was unable to give accurate financial costings about its offer, there were errors in the position it tabled, which it was meant to update before bargaining resumed today. It did not do so.

Health NZ refuses to recognise a full year of delay to the bargaining process due to its inability to come to the table with a pay offer. Its bargaining team was not assembled until after the collective agreement expired and the first offer was not made until April 2025.

ASMS is still in bargaining. ASMS offered to meet again before strike day to make more progress. Health NZ has not taken up this offer.

ASMS members are not walking away from patients, they simply know it is critical to have a pay offer that it is competitive and continues to attract the medical workforce to New Zealand.

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First Responders – 25 new career firefighters join the Fire and Emergency New Zealand team

LiveNews Publisher

September 18, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand welcomed 25 new career firefighters at a graduation ceremony in Rotorua today.

Whānau and friends gathered at Fire and Emergency’s National Training Centre (NTC) to watch their loved ones demonstrate the skills learnt during the 12-week recruit course.

These skills include fighting fires, extricating trapped people from vehicles, managing hazardous substances, and search and rescue.

Emerson Coe, 33, was awarded most outstanding recruit.

Emerson has a background in youth mental health and youth justice work and now as a career firefighter will be based in Nelson.

“I have dreamed of being a firefighter since I was a kid, and it felt like the right time to pursue the dream.

“I can’t wait to get back to my station, get to know my watch and do my best to serve the community and be a role model for the next generation who see this as a career path,” he says.

Graduating alongside Emerson is Sophie Mahuru, 23, who comes from a family of firefighters.

“I grew up seeing the pride and meaning in the role and always knew it was something I wanted to follow.”

She says her favourite part of the course was the two weeks of Breathing Apparatus (BA) training.

“I enjoyed learning everything from commissioning a set, through to search and rescue, and then putting it all together.

“It’s a firefighter’s bread and butter.”

Sophie says she would encourage anyone who was considering firefighting as a career to put their name forward.

“The training is challenging but really rewarding, and you’ll grow so much along the way.

“If you enjoy working as part of a team and want a career that’s meaningful and exciting, it’s one of the best choices you can make.”

Sophie will be based in Auckland.

Stafford Hector left a career in financial services to finally pursue his dream of being a firefighter.

He says he was especially inspired to make the change after moving to New Zealand from South Africa.

“I have always had a deep need to help others and how better to do so than being the best I can be on someone’s worst day.”

Stafford says training over the last three months has been incredible.

“The team spirit and true camaraderie has been great, whether it’s the easy times, the study, or some of the really tough physical tests and challenges we need to face.”

He encourages anyone, no matter their age, to take the leap.

“Don’t let age hold you back. Fire and Emergency values life experience just as much as physical ability.

“If you’ve got the drive to serve your community, work as part of a high performing tight team and keep learning every day, you’re never too old to start the journey.”

Stafford will be based in St Heliers.

Congratulations to all the graduates and nau mai ki te whānau – welcome to the family.

Locations of deployment:

Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland: 11

Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington: 6

Whakatū | Nelson: 1

Kawerau | Bay of Plenty: 2

Tairawhiti | Gisborne: 3

Te Matau-a-Māui | Hawkes Bay: 1

Ōtepoti | Dunedin: 1.

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First Responders – Southbridge Canterbury vegetation fire update 3

LiveNews Publisher

September 18, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

The large vegetation fire which has been burning at Southbridge in Selwyn, Canterbury since yesterday afternoon is now contained.

Incident Controller Lou Ander says most firefighting crews have been stood down with some heavy machinery work continuing to turn over remaining hotspots.

‘All roads are now open again, and I expect to be able to hand back the fireground to the landowner this afternoon,’ he says.

‘There’ll be some smoke visible from the fireground as remaining hotspots are extinguished over the next few days. This is expected.’

Lou Ander says the cause of the fire won’t be known until the investigation underway is completed.

This will be the last update for this fire unless there is a significant development.

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Economy – Action needed as GDP falls faster and further than expected – NZCTU

LiveNews Publisher

September 18, 2025

Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney is saying that new GDP data released by Statistics New Zealand demonstrates the scale of the problems in the economy, and the desperate need for economic policy change.

“The economy fell 0.9% last quarter. The Reserve Bank forecast a 0.3% fall, and the Treasury had previously forecast a 0.7% increase. Together with recent poor labour market data, it’s clear that the government’s approach is not working,” said Renney.

“GDP fell in 10 out of 16 industry sectors. Manufacturing fell 3.5% in just three months, and mining was down 4.1%. Retail trade fell, and financial services fell. Business services fell. Healthcare and social assistance fell. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing fell.

“Across the past 15 months, the economy has been in decline for 9 of them. This isn’t due to one-off factors such as tariffs – this is an economy with no plan and no direction.

“Quarterly GDP per capita fell back into the red again and is now lower than it was in 2021, even after adjusting for inflation. Business investment fell in plant, machinery, and transport equipment. Residential construction fell 1.9% this quarter. The indicators that might support growth in the future are falling.

“We have consistently called for the government to change track on the economy. For action on rising unemployment. For action on investment in crumbling public services.

“This latest GDP data confirms the Government’s approach has failed. This should be a wake-up call that tax cuts and public service cuts aren’t delivering the economy that New Zealanders deserve or need,” said Renney.

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Govt’s working from home crackdown exposed as solution looking for a problem – PSA

LiveNews Publisher

September 18, 2025

Source: PSA

New data shows flexible work was never the issue the Government claimed

Today’s data from the Public Service Commission exposes the Government’s working from home directive as a manufactured crisis designed to distract from the real impact of public sector cuts on Wellington and communities across New Zealand.

“The Government made a huge song and dance about public servants supposedly not turning up to work, but the data shows this was never a real problem,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

The PSA’s position is that workers should be entitled to flexible work arrangements – which suit their individual circumstances unless there is a good business reason not to. Working from home and flexible work are generally a win-win for employers and employees.

“The figures show the Government’s headline grabbing crackdown on flexible work was just a stunt to appeal to Wellington businesses – working from home was never the crisis the Government claimed it was. The majority of public servants don’t even work from home regularly.

“This directive was all about finding a scapegoat for the economic damage the Government’s own cuts have caused to Wellington’s CBD and local businesses.

“Rather than acknowledge that sacking thousands of public servants would hurt the capital’s economy, they chose to blame workers for an imaginary problem.

“The backward step of reducing flexible work arrangements, even slightly, flies in the face of international evidence about productivity and employee wellbeing.

“Flexible work helps retain talented staff, improves work-life balance, and often increases productivity – exactly what the 2025 Public Service Census found, with 49% of managers saying staff working from home either increased productivity or had no impact. It’s certainly not a negative as the Government tried to make out.

“The Government claims to be concerned about raising productivity, but clearly in the public sector this doesn’t suit a government which is determined to keep disrespecting public service workers and eroding their rights.

“That’s why the PSA is challenging this directive at the Employment Relations Authority – because good employers recognise that flexible work arrangements benefit both workers and the organisations they serve.

“New Zealanders deserve a public service that can attract and retain the best people to deliver the services they rely on. Attacking flexible work practices that help achieve this goal is just another example of this Government’s misplaced priorities.”

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