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Free blood testing now available in Te Anau and Wānaka

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Source: New Zealand Government

Free blood testing is being rolled out for nearly 24,000 people living in Te Anau and Wānaka, giving more rural New Zealanders access to healthcare closer to home, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey say.

“While most New Zealanders have access to free blood tests, some rural communities in the South Island still have to pay because there are no local blood collection centres,” Mr Brown says.

“This has meant patients in Te Anau and Wānaka have had to travel over an hour to reach a free collection centre or pay a co-payment at their local general practice if one was not funded to provide the service.

“The rollout means that 4,400 people in Te Anau and 19,350 people in Wānaka can now access blood testing free of charge at their local GP. Together, these towns will deliver approximately 25,000 free blood tests every year.”

Mr Doocey says removing these cost barriers is an important step in improving access to healthcare, providing care closer to home for rural communities, and addressing a long-standing inequity between rural and urban areas.

“This initiative will lead to earlier and more timely diagnoses for people who have previously delayed testing due to travel or cost,” Mr Doocey says.

“When I visited Wānaka as part of the Rural Health Roadshow, locals consistently raised concerns about having to pay for blood tests. Health Action Wānaka also highlighted the need for a local blood collection service.

“As I told the community at the time, no one should have to travel long distances or pay extra just because they live rurally. That’s why we made this a priority. The Rural Health Roadshow was invaluable because it allowed me to hear directly from locals about the issues that matter most to them.”

Mr Brown and Mr Doocey also acknowledge the advocacy of Southland MP Joseph Mooney and Waitaki MP Miles Anderson in improving access to rural healthcare.

“By listening to locals and removing barriers like cost and distance, we’re making healthcare more accessible and ensuring rural New Zealanders get the care they need, right in their own communities,” Mr Brown says.

Note to editors:
•    Fiordland Medical Centre in Te Anau has an enrolled population of 4400, with more than 5000 blood tests carried out each year. Free blood testing became available on 1 October. 
•    Wānaka has an enrolled population of 19,354 across three general practices, which carry out a combined 20,000 blood tests each year. Free blood testing will become available on 1 November.
•    Health New Zealand is working to have a more consistent approach to free blood tests across the South Island.  
 

MIL OSI

New RSE Guidelines: B+

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Source: Family First

The new proposed version of the relationship and sexuality education (RSE) curriculum has just been released.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Education developed a draft framework in preparation for the refresh of the Health and Physical Education curriculum.

Thanks to your feedback to the Ministry, more than half of the responses sent a clear message about RSE – “Less or later RSE”: This group emphasised the role of parents and family values. A much smaller group (approximately 25%) wanted “more or earlier RSE”.

THANK YOU to the many of you who sent this simple clear message – and who were concerned about the extreme and age-inappropriate content being dumped on children as young as primary school that we had highlighted to you.

In the Ministry’s InfoSheet announcing this new draft curriculum, there is this key statement:

Parents will still be able to have their children exempted from taking part in sexuality education. Clearer information about what is being taught helps parents, teachers and leaders to navigate these conversations. Sex education is now clearly set out in the teaching sequence. Parent-friendly information about relationships and sexuality education is available on the Parent Portal.”

[If you are not aware of the Parent Portal at your school, please ask your school about it. It is one of your biggest friends in monitoring what is being taught in schools.]

THE BIG WINS

* there is a notable absence of the words “sex”, “gender” & “preferences” in any of the primary school material, and “gender” in the secondary school material!

Remember the Relationships and Sexuality Education Guidelines(or RSE for short) which were released by the Ministry of Education in September 2020 under the Ardern Government?
In the curriculum for primary-age children, requirements included:
* students should be addressed by their preferred name and pronouns
* schools need to ensure that students can access toilets and changing rooms that align with their gender identification… trans students should not be required to use the gender-neutral toilet rather than male or female toilets of their choice
* teachers should challenge sex norms – for example, the assumption that sex characteristics at birth are always male or female
* teachers should challenge homophobia, transphobia, sexism, gender binaries… even interrogate the ongoing effects of colonisation [our emphasis added]
They wanted seven- and eight-year-old children “..able to identify gender stereotypes, understand the difference between gender and sex, and know that there are diverse gender and sexual identities in society.”
They wanted this ideology – this indoctrination – in all primary-school lessons and within virtually all subjects.
The year 7/8 guidelines wanted pre-teens to, “know about pubertal change (including hormonal changes, menstruation, body development, and the development of gender identities).” [our emphasis added]

This removal of the indoctrination of gender ideology & sexual ‘identities’ is a noticeable change – and a major win.

Credit should be given to both the Minister of Education & National MP Erika Stanford and also NZ First’s Winston Peters for listening to the concerns of parents & families.

* sex education is not introduced until year 8 – and in a very refreshing & welcome move, the curriculum starts by saying:
“In New Zealand, the legal age of consent for sexual activity is 16 years. Engaging in sexual activity with people below this age is considered unlawful under statutory provisions designed to protect young people from harm and exploitation.”
This has not been stated in previous curriculum material that we have seen.
This statement is also the leading statement in years 9 & 10 also.

* In year 10, students are rightly warned: “Engagement in harmful sexual behaviours, including non-consensual distribution of intimate content and unsolicited sexual advances, can result in significant psychological, social, and legal consequences for all involved.”

* at year 6 (primary) there is the first introduction of the harms of drugs – and a very clear message of “say no to drugs”, how to set boundaries and resist peer pressure. This continues through to year 10 with warnings about the negative effects of substance abuse, and strategies on how to say no or seek help! The harms of vaping are giving special emphasis also. (Some parents may feel that Primary school and perhaps even Intermediate school is too early to introduce specifics around these topics.)
However, the overall messaging is a very welcome change to the dangerous ‘harm minimisation’ messages (how to use drugs ‘safely’) that radical groups like the Drug Foundation and the Green Party constantly push.

* there is a notable emphasis on staying safe online – highlighting privacy, password & harmful content online to primary age, and then highlighting to intermediate and secondary students the online dangers & harms of cyberbullying, unrealistic body images, sexualised & pornographic content, and other exaggerated behaviours.

* there is an emphasis on “boundaries and staying safe” starting in year 2, and then consent about “personal belongings, space and bodies” & respecting others. In intermediate school, consent around sharing digital content is covered

THE RED FLAGS

* parents may still be concerned about the content of the sex education which begins in year 8. Despite the explicit opening message that sexual activity under the age of 16 is illegal, the curriculum then discusses “Communication and respect create safe and positive experiences within intimate and sexual relationships” and “there are a range of sexual activities in which consenting adults experience and express their sexuality.” Why is this being taught to underage children aged 12-13 years old?

* the year 9 (13-14 y/o) curriculum says: “Sexual development includes forming values, understanding consent, and knowing how to access confidential advice and support for sexual health when needed.” Note the age of the child and the secrecy. What is the role of parents in all of this? Interestingly, the module on the myth of “safer sex practices” has been delayed to year 10.

* the year 10 (14-15 y/o) curriculum says “Various forms of contraception (including abstinence, barrier methods, and hormonal options) can prevent unplanned pregnancies. Barrier methods can also reduce the risk of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). STIs can be transmitted through sexual contact and can affect multiple body systems. Access to confidential sexual health services (including testing, treatment, and counselling) can help to maintain personal health and relationships.” Secrecy continues to be encouraged.

* there is a notable absence around discussion of commitment, marriage, faithfulness etc. The word family is mentioned only once in each age bracket. In fact, the only use of the word abstinence (which the overwhelming (and growing) majority of the students will be choosing, according to all the surveys) is only mentioned once – to year 10 – in the context of being a form of contraception!

* most notably, there is still this Guide to LGBTQIA+ Students on a Ministry of Education-affiliated site. This is the site which, amongst other things, tells teachers to keep a child’s gender identity issues secret from his or her parents, by allowing the child to adopt a new persona whilst at school – including the use of preferred “pronouns”. There is no requirement to inform the parents that there are identity issues/gender dysphoria. They specifically advise teachers to ask young people: “Check with the student about the name and/or pronouns they want to be used in the records that parents or caregivers may see, as they might be different to the ones they use at school.” [our emphasis added]. They also have a page titled “Plan sexuality and gender education years 1-8 (i.e. primary and intermediate schools).

READ THE CURRICULUM CONTENT 

Be sure to check the age groups that your children are in, and ask yourself whether you want teachers and even outside groups to be talking to your children about these subjects. The Ministry needs to hear from you – the parent – because you can be sure that radical groups like InsideOut and Family Planning will be trying to push this framework to its radical extreme.

Years 0–3 (Young Primary) Phase 1 https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/new-zealand-curriculum-online/nzc—health-and-pe-phase-1/5637293082.p

Years 4–6 (Older Primary) Phase 2 https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/new-zealand-curriculum-online/nzc—health-and-pe-phase-2/5637293089.p

Years 7–8 (Intermedia) Phase 3 https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/new-zealand-curriculum-online/nzc—health-and-pe-phase-3/5637293090.p

Years 9–10 (Jumior Secondary) Phase 4 https://newzealandcurriculum.tahurangi.education.govt.nz/new-zealand-curriculum-online/nzc—health-and-pe-phase-4/5637293085.p

THEY WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

https://education.surveymonkey.com/r/NWCBTPH

The consultation period ends Friday, 24 April 2026. You will be asked to give feedback on each of the “Phases 1-4” as shown above. This is where you can say whether its age appropriate or not, and emphasise the role of parents and values of the family.

Following consultation the draft content will be finalised, with formal release of the updated curriculum content planned for mid-2026. Years 0–10 Health and Physical Education will become required teaching from the start of 2027.

We will continue to update you on this material, and send you a reminder about the consultation period when it is getting close to cut-off date.

But progress has been made – thanks to your voice!

PS: Bob McCoskrie and Simon O’Connor discussed the new proposed curriculum along with a few other breaking news stories on social media yesterday. You can watch the discussion here (starts at the 14’50” mark).

[embedded content]

MIL OSI

Application for Puketeraki mātaitai reserve, East Otago

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Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Your views sought

Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki has applied for a mātaitai reserve (Puketeraki mātaitai reserve) near Karitāne, north of Dunedin, Otago.

Fisheries New Zealand invites submissions from people who take fish, aquatic life, or seaweed or own quota, and whose ability to take fish, aquatic life, or seaweed or whose ownership interest in quota may be affected by the proposed mātaitai reserve.

Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki and Fisheries New Zealand have previously consulted with the local community on the application. The application proposes a number of conditions to allow specified commercial fishing activities to continue.

Find out about the consultation with the local community (closed 6 October 2025)

What is being proposed?

The proposed area includes approximately 47.5 square kilometres of South Island fisheries waters enclosed by a line drawn between Cornish Head (Ohineamio) and Purehurehu Point (west of Heyward Point) and the seaward boundary of the East Otago Taiāpure-Local Fishery. The southern boundary of the proposed area between Potato Point and Purehurehu Point is the mean high-water mark.

Consultation documents

Map of the proposed Puketeraki mātaitai reserve

Application for Puketeraki mātaitai reserve

Making your submission

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025.

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Fisheries management – Spatial allocations
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Public notices about this consultation

Public notices about the call for submissions are scheduled to appear in the Otago Daily Times on Friday 31 October 2025, and The Star on Thursday 20 November 2025.

About mātaitai reserves

A mātaitai reserve is an identified traditional fishing ground which tangata whenua have a special relationship with. 
Mātaitai reserves are limited to fisheries waters and do not include any land area. Mātaitai reserves do not change any existing arrangements for access to private land.

Find out more about mātaitai reserves

Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations 1999 – NZ Legislation

Recreational fishing

Mātaitai reserves do not change the recreational fishing rules. However, the Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki for a mātaitai reserve may propose changes to the rules at a later date. These are called mātaitai reserve bylaws. Any proposed bylaws will be consulted on separately with the public and relevant stakeholders. They need to be approved by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.

Commercial fishing

Commercial fishing is generally banned in a mātaitai reserve. However, the application proposes some commercial fishing activities to be allowed to continue. These activities include vessel anchoring, fish processing, and harvesting rock lobster, paddle crab, Undaria seaweed, and some finfish species. Commercial fishing for blue cod, butterfish, and moki would  be prohibited.

The proposed conditions are set out in section 6 of the application.

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MIL OSI

Do Minister Stanford’s comments on Kiwi jobs apply to seafarers on the MV Buffalo?

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Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) says Immigration Minister Erica Stanford’s tough talk on employers prioritizing migrants over Kiwi workers must be backed up by her Government in the case of loss of 32 seafarer jobs on the MV Buffalo.

Minister Stanford stated this week that employers will be stripped of accreditation for not genuinely trying to hire New Zealanders.

Ms. Stanford noted that “we have New Zealanders who are desperate for jobs and need to be given the first opportunity for those,” and that this applies to sectors including transportation and logistics.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says despite this, the Government is dithering while New Zealand seafarer jobs are on the chopping block.

He says the Maritime Union is currently in a struggle to retain experienced, qualified New Zealand seafarers on the cement vessel MV Buffalo.

“This is the exact scenario Minister Stanford is talking about – skilled New Zealand workers fighting to keep their jobs in the transport sector.”

The vessel’s charterer, global cement corporate Holcim, is seeking an exemption from the Government under the Maritime Transport Act to replace the New Zealand crewed MV Buffalo with a foreign-flagged vessel using a non-NZ crew, who will receive lower wages and inferior conditions.

“This is a blatant attempt to replace skilled Kiwi workers with a cheaper, foreign crew. It is the very definition of what Minister Stanford is supposedly cracking down on,” says Mr Findlay.

The Maritime Union is calling on Associate Transport Minister James Meager to reject Holcim’s application for exemption.

“Minister Meager needs to listen to his colleague, apply her logic to his own portfolio, and put New Zealand workers first. He must intervene and cancel any exemption that would allow Holcim to dump its New Zealand crew and undermine our domestic shipping industry.”

“The government can’t talk tough on Kiwi jobs out of one side of its mouth while signing off on Kiwi jobs being axed. Minister Meager must act now to save these seafarer jobs on the MV Buffalo and protect New Zealand’s shipping capability.”

MIL OSI

NZ-AU: Gemma Lynch Joins Oritain as Chief Customer Officer to Drive Global Growth and Customer Excellence

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Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

LONDON, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oritain is pleased to announce the appointment of Gemma Lynch as Chief Customer Officer, based in London. In this key leadership role, Gemma will oversee global sales and account management, bringing a strategic focus to customer success, commercial growth, and global partnerships.

Gemma brings over 20 years of experience in sales, commercial and operational leadership across the UK and North America. Her career spans senior roles in enterprise sales and client services, delivering strong growth across both corporate and public sector clients. Her ability to build high-performing teams and deliver measurable value to customers will be critical for Oritain’s next phase of growth.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for Oritain, as the company expands its global footprint and reinforces its position as the source of truth in global supply chains. Speaking about the appointment, Alyn Franklin, CEO of Oritain, said that “Gemma’s leadership and customer-first mindset will be instrumental as we scale our impact and deepen relationships with clients around the world. Her experience and energy align perfectly with our mission to bring trust, transparency, and integrity to global supply chains.”

Gemma shares Oritain’s commitment to excellence and purpose-driven growth. Reflecting on her new role, she said “I’m thrilled to be joining Oritain at such a transformative time. The company’s mission to bring clarity and confidence to global supply chains is one I deeply believe in. I look forward to working with our customers to unlock new opportunities and deliver meaningful impact.”

As Chief Customer Officer, Gemma will play a central role in shaping Oritain’s customer strategy, ensuring that every client engagement reflects the company’s values of scientific integrity, transparency, and long-term partnership.

Media contact:

For media inquiries, please contact:
mediainquiries@oritain.com

About Oritain:

Oritain is a global leader in forensic origin verification. Our proprietary methodology verifies origin through multiple analytical techniques – including isotopes, trace elements, and non-traditional isotopes – combined with advanced statistical modelling and a comprehensive global reference database. Our verification programs are trusted by organizations worldwide across industries as diverse as fashion and cotton, coffee, horticulture, meat, dairy, and more. Oritain works with some of the world’s leading brands to help them achieve regulatory compliance, reduce reputational risk, and meet market demand through verifying the provenance of their products. To learn more, visit www.oritain.com.

– Published by The MIL Network

Fatal crash: Epsom

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Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a serious crash on Great South Road, Epsom last night.

Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash at around 6.45pm.

Sadly, despite best efforts, one person died at the scene.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

MIL OSI

NZ and the Nordic Region: cooperating for the future

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Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand and the five Nordic countries will deepen and intensify their cooperation, driven by common strategic assessments, values and national development aspirations, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. 

“New Zealand and the Nordic countries are separated by vast oceans, but united by how we see the world, the values we wish to uphold and defend, and our desire to cooperate for mutual economic benefit,” Mr Peters says, at the conclusion of his visit to the Nordic region. 

As well as undertaking bilateral visits to all five Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, Mr Peters also attended the inaugural Nordic 5-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Stockholm. 

“Like New Zealand, the Nordic countries face their most challenging strategic environment in decades, as they unite to support Ukraine in repelling Russia’s illegal invasion,” Mr Peters says. “As we heard repeatedly, if Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, it will keep pushing further and they are already seeking to cause disruption in the Nordic and Baltic regions.

“In this context, the Nordic countries are deeply appreciative of New Zealand’s tangible contributions to help defend Ukraine. They drew comfort from New Zealand – acknowledging our great distance from the conflict – providing significant support in the common fight against Russia’s naked aggression. We also discussed the direct and indirect support that Russia’s war effort receives from certain actors in the Indo-Pacific – underlining the interconnected nature of our respective strategic environments.

“Just as New Zealand supports a stable and peaceful Europe underpinned by the international rules-based system, the Nordic countries have an interest in contributing to the Indo-Pacific being a free, open and democratic region. In this context, we also discussed how Pacific Island countries can continue to benefit from Nordic development assistance, including through multilateral and regional organisations.”       

National economic development strategies were another important theme of Mr Peters’ Nordic tour. 

“For 20 years now across three terms as Foreign Minister, we have championed the idea that the economic development stories of the Nordic countries have many seriously important lessons for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says. 

“That’s why we opened a New Zealand Embassy in Stockholm in 2008, and then re-opened it in 2018 after John Key’s Government misguidedly opted to close it.

“This visit has underlined the many areas New Zealand’s development could benefit from cooperating more closely with Nordic countries and their very successful companies – from fisheries management and renewable energy infrastructure to port operations, and from geothermal exploration to sovereign wealth management. 

“If New Zealand is to become a more productive economy and more attractive for foreign direct investment, we need to apply practical lessons from other, small countries that have had success – and the Nordic region is a great source of them.

“There was shared agreement that there is no limit to what we might achieve together. To that end, we will be ensuring that relevant parts of the New Zealand Government and companies connect with Nordic counterparts, to start realising this still untapped potential,” Mr Peters says.   

Mr Peters returns to New Zealand on Saturday 1 November. 

Related links:

Joint Statement, Nordic 5-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-foreign-ministers-nordic-countries-denmark-finland-iceland-norway-sweden__;!!Asq5-8xVch3Reg!ohosFz237Z-F25Mr5ITDFknL3qjdhxfi3-aAz0IlXVi7HNdAXSm9F7JoLOYmQWTfZBtcnDLVPEw6IJ51TvH7TsGcjr-LwA6c0RtsvEQj$ 

Speech, Swedish Institute for International Affairs:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/**B-europe-indo-pacific-new-zealand-perspectives-shared-challenges**B__;4oCY4oCZ!!Asq5-8xVch3Reg!ohosFz237Z-F25Mr5ITDFknL3qjdhxfi3-aAz0IlXVi7HNdAXSm9F7JoLOYmQWTfZBtcnDLVPEw6IJ51TvH7TsGcjr-LwA6c0bXUTgI1$ 

Press release, Sanctions on Russia’s oil industry and shadow fleet:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-expands-sanctions-russia**Bs-oil-industry-and-shadow-fleet__;4oCZ!!Asq5-8xVch3Reg!ohosFz237Z-F25Mr5ITDFknL3qjdhxfi3-aAz0IlXVi7HNdAXSm9F7JoLOYmQWTfZBtcnDLVPEw6IJ51TvH7TsGcjr-LwA6c0ReTG1Ba$ 

 

Press release, Iceland and New Zealand enhance cooperation https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/iceland-and-new-zealand-enhance-practical-cooperation__;!!Asq5-8xVch3Reg!ohosFz237Z-F25Mr5ITDFknL3qjdhxfi3-aAz0IlXVi7HNdAXSm9F7JoLOYmQWTfZBtcnDLVPEw6IJ51TvH7TsGcjr-LwA6c0dyHHiCT$ 

MIL OSI

Oi Wah Announces Interim Results

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Source: Media Outreach

Net Profit Surges over 25%, Proposed an Interim Dividend of HK 1.0 cent per share

Financial Highlights

For the six months ended 31 Aug
HK$’000 2025 2024 Change
Profit before taxation 44,696 35,962 +24.3%
Profit for the period attributable to shareholders 38,381 30,535 +25.7%
Net profit margin 46.8% 35.1% +11.7 p.p
Basic earnings per share (HK cents) 2.0 1.6 +25.0%

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – The board of directors of Oi Wah Pawnshop Credit Holdings Limited (HKEx stock code: 1319.HK, the “Group” or “Oi Wah”) announced its interim results and its financial position. For the six months ended 31 August 2025 (“FP2026”), the Group recorded revenue of approximately HK$82.0 million and profit attributable to shareholders of the Company of approximately HK$38.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 25.7%.

During the period, earnings per share was HK 2.0 cents, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 25.0%. The Board of Directors recommends an interim dividend of HK 1.0 cent.

Business Review

Mortgage loan business
In FP2026, the interest income of the mortgage loan business of the Group was approximately HK$33.6 million, which accounted for approximately 41.0% of the Group’s total revenue. As at 31 August 2025, the gross mortgage loan receivable was approximately HK$654.1 million and during the period, the total new mortgage loans granted amounted to approximately HK$121.6 million. The net interest margin of the mortgage loan business is about 9.6%. There were 27 new cases of mortgage loan transactions.

Pawn Loan Business
In FP2026, the interest income generated from the pawn loan business was approximately HK$39.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 4.5%. The Group recorded gain from disposal on repossessed assets of approximately HK$9.0 million, representing an increase of approximately 60.7%. It is mainly attributable to the appreciation of gold price during the period.

During the period, the Group continued to channel resources to advertising and promotion, in order to enhance the Group’s brand exposure. Such effort has generated demand of one-to-one pawn loan appointment services for pawn loans of loan size exceeding HK$0.1 million. The Group recorded average loan amount of approximately HK$12,600 per transaction during FP2026.

Prospects

Looking ahead, the global economy is expected to continue its moderate recovery, although uncertainties related to macroeconomic policies and geopolitical developments are likely to persist. Geopolitical tensions and market volatility are no longer occasional and are coming structural. The Board believes that residential property prices in Hong Kong are approaching the bottom and are likely to gradually recover in the coming quarters, provided that fundamental basis of economic conditions remain broadly unchanged. However, the commercial and industrial property segments are expected to remain subdued, reflecting ongoing structural and demand-side challenges. In light of these factors, the Board maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook on the property market and the broader local economy, while remaining vigilant to potential downside risks stemming from external shocks and domestic market developments.

To drive profit growth, the Group has strategically partnered with PACM Group to establish a fund, marking our entry into the real estate private credit institutional investment management sector. We will proactively explore expansion opportunities in local and overseas developed markets and maintain prudent investment oversight to mitigate market risks and maximize returns for both investors and shareholders.

Furthermore, the Group will continue to review strategic shop locations and consider potential acquisition opportunities within established pawn businesses to further enhance customer experience and maintain robust operational profitability. These initiatives are intended to reinforce our market leading position and ensure sustainable long-term growth amid evolving industry dynamics.

Mr. Edward Chan, Chairman and CEO of the Company, said, “Amid an external environment filled with uncertainties, geopolitical tensions and market volatility have become the new normal. The Group will continue to prudently keep abreast of market trends and adjust our business strategies with agility. Through our strategic partnership fund with PACM Group, we will proactively explore promising overseas investment opportunities to diversify the Group’s revenue streams. Looking ahead, we will adhere to prudent management principles and remain committed to delivering sustainable long-term returns for our shareholders, further strengthening our leading position in the industry.”

Hashtag: #OiWah #靄華 #InterimResults #中期業績

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

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

NZ-AU: IperionX – September 2025 Quarterly Report

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Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IperionX Limited (IperionX) (NASDAQ: IPX, ASX: IPX) is pleased to present its quarterly report for the period ending September 30, 2025. Highlights during and subsequent to the end of the quarter include:

Commercial operations: production online, with higher production capacity and lower unit costs

  • All planned major manufacturing equipment is online and operational, for both titanium powder production and component manufacturing at the Titanium Manufacturing Campus in Virginia.
  • Process improvements and optimization has lifted nameplate titanium powder production capacity by 60% without additional capital spend, with further increases in production capacity expected in 2026.
  • Titanium manufacturing sales are expected to progressively scale through 2026, with a positive EBITDA inflection point projected by year-end 2026.
  • Consumer-electronics scrap processing has commenced, using scrap supplied by the consumer electronics OEM, with IperionX by now producing a range of consumer electronic components as specified in the customer contract.
  • Production of various fasteners has commenced with IperionX receiving initial purchase orders for the delivery of a range of fastener products into applications for the U.S. military and commercial and industrial markets.

Mid-2027 U.S. Department of War (DoW) backed expansion underway to become the largest & lowest cost U.S. producer

  • IperionX is now scaling titanium capacity to 1,400 tpa, with commissioning planned for mid-2027, positioning IperionX to be America’s largest and lowest-cost titanium powder producer.
  • The 1,400 tpa expansion accelerates a more resilient and sustainable U.S. titanium supply chain, cutting reliance on foreign imports and supporting national security for aerospace, defense, and electric vehicles.
  • The total expansion capital is ~US$75 million, and is majority funded through the U.S. DoW Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) award of US$47.1 million, of which $42.5 million has now been obligated to IperionX.
  • Rapid scaling of advanced titanium manufacturing capacity will be undertaken in parallel – powder metallurgy, forging, and additive systems to deliver integrated titanium supply chain capabilities.

Accelerated growth roadmap targets market leadership in high-performance titanium components

  • Roadmap being developed to further scale titanium production capacity, targeting cost competitiveness with stainless steel and aluminum by 2030.
  • Technology-driven cost advantage – the patented titanium HAMRTM and HSPTTM technologies significantly increase manufacturing yields, while cutting process steps, energy and capex intensity, resulting in long-term cost advantage.
  • IperionX has begun the upfit of a new facility in Halifax County, Virginia to deliver the next generation of HAMR and HSPT technologies that will drive the titanium cost curve even lower.

U.S. Government Funding

  • IperionX was obligated a further US$37.5 million under the U.S. Department of War’s IBAS US$47.2 million award, taking total obligations to date to US$42.5 million. The remaining $4.6 million is expected to be obligated over the contract term.
  • Confirmation of the additional obligation enables IperionX to finalize its scale-up plans to achieve a production capacity of 1,400 metric tonnes of titanium per year.

Strong financial position

  • At September 30, 2025, IperionX closed the quarter with US$79.2 million in cash.
  • In July, IperionX announced that it had received firm commitments for a private placement of 14 million new ordinary shares at an issue price of A$5.00 per share, to raise A$70 million (US$46 million) before costs, resulting in pro-forma cash of approximately US$100 million.
  • Proceeds from the private placement will be used for:
    • Acceleration of Phase 2 capacity scale-up, with fast-track ordering of long lead time production and manufacturing equipment;
    • Scaling Phase 1 operations, including low-cost capital projects to further increase production over nameplate throughput capacities;
    • Scaling of HSPT pressing and furnace capacity to align with accelerated production scale-up; and
    • Operations, Phase 3 expansion studies and increased R&D.
  • Directors and key management subscribed for A$2.2 million (US$1.4 million), following shareholder approval, reinforcing alignment with shareholders.

Figure 1: Various operations, including clockwise from top left – reagent mixing, crucible loading /
unloading, HAMR furnace operations, product leaching, argon facilities, product collector, jet mill operations

A link to the full release can be found here.

Contacts

Anastasios (Taso) Arima, Founder and CEO
Toby Symonds, President
Dominic Allen, Chief Commercial Officer

Investors: investorrelations@iperionx.com
Media: media@iperionx.com

+1 980 237 8900
www.iperionx.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f6333be-5bf1-467c-bd94-9f13ad789573

– Published by The MIL Network

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