Lifestyle – New Zealand’s largest initiative to Get More People Physically Active

September 9, 2025

Source: Exercise New Zealand

Exercise New Zealand’s Subsidised Gym Membership Programme is one of the country’s largest initiatives to help more Kiwis get physically active. Available year-round, the programme provides 40-70% off gym memberships at over 350 participating facilities nationwide, breaking down financial barriers and creating more equitable opportunities for people to begin, or return to, their exercise journey. With the September rollover upon us, all memberships are restocked, making now the perfect time to secure a subsidy.

“There is high demand for these memberships, and while the subsidy is available at over 350 facilities, each has only a limited number of subsidies available, so we encourage people to get in quick,” says ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie.

Beddie adds:
“Starting an exercise journey is personal, but it benefits everyone, your own health, your whānau through a longer life span, and the taxpayer through reduced health costs. Above all, people simply feel better when they do it. The side effects are all positive, exercise really is the closest thing we have to a magic pill.”

Why Getting Active Matters

Research consistently shows that regular physical activity is one of the most effective tools for improving health, often outperforming pharmaceuticals in both prevention and treatment. The former United States Surgeon General Dr Regina Benjamin has described exercise as a “miracle pill”, highlighting its power to improve physical and mental wellbeing across all populations.

Exercise is now considered a front-line therapy for conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health conditions, delivering benefits that are broader and safer than many medications.

Physical activity also plays a powerful role in reducing pressure on the healthcare system. The latest studies show that exercise lowers the incidence and severity of chronic diseases and age-related decline, potentially delaying or avoiding costly medical interventions (Saini et al., 2025). Making gym access more affordable could therefore result in significant long-term savings for the public health sector.

Beyond physical health, the mental health benefits of regular exercise are profound, from boosting mood to reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhancing resilience (Nascimento & dos Santos, 2025).

Exercise also plays an important role for populations such as people with disabilities, who report not only improved physical health but also greater daily motivation, psychological stability, and overall happiness when they have access to exercise facilities (Cho & Chang, 2025).

Alarmingly in New Zealand, physical inactivity costs taxpayers over $600 million annually in direct health costs and results in a loss of more than $2.3 billion to GDP (source: Deloitte’s Cost of Physical Inactivity, 2024).

How It Works

The subsidy is available to:

First-time gym-goers, or
Anyone who has not been a member of a gym in the last 12 months, and
Anyone who has not previously received this subsidy.

There’s no complex application process. Instead, you simply:

Visit www.exercise nz.org.nz to check eligibility and browse participating providers by region.
Secure their subsidy by completing a short membership form.
Receive a voucher via email to redeem directly at their chosen facility.

Key Details:

Over 350 locations nationwide
40%-70% off standard gym membership fees
Open to those not currently in a gym and not a member in the past 12 months
Simple online process, check eligibility, secure your voucher, and get started

With the September rollover around the corner, there’s never been a better time for eligible New Zealanders to access affordable, life-changing fitness opportunities. Exercise New Zealand urges individuals, whānau, health providers, and community leaders to help spread the word and support those who may benefit most. By making exercise more accessible, we’re not just helping people move, we’re investing in a healthier, more resilient Aotearoa.

MIL OSI

Assistance – Ingram Micro New Zealand celebrates $540,000 collectively raised for Cure Kids

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Ingram Micro New Zealand

Supporting life-changing research to improve health outcomes for children
across Aotearoa

Auckland, New Zealand 9 September, 2025 – Ingram Micro New Zealand celebrates its continued commitment to Cure Kids to support child health research.

Since first partnering with Cure Kids in 2014, Ingram Micro New Zealand’s ongoing relationship has helped raise over NZ$540,000 for the non-profit organisation. This joint effort has enabled crucial advancements in paediatric health research, benefiting the lives of thousands of children across the country.

So far in 2025, Ingram Micro New Zealand has helped raise more than NZ$40,000 to work towards its commitment to improving health outcomes for children across Aotearoa, including life-saving paediatric research, such as stillbirth prevention, improved care for babies born prematurely, and treatment for childhood diseases.

“Ingram Micro is honoured to continue our support of Cure Kids and the critical research it funds,” said Ingram Micro New Zealand Managing Director Leon De Suza. “Our ongoing support for Cure Kids is part of our dedication to the charity’s mission of undertaking critical research that is tangibly improving the lives of children and families across the country.”

Ingram Micro New Zealand’s 2025 support has included last month’s Riccarton Park Red Nose Day Races in Christchurch and the inaugural Wellington Rugby for Research event held on July 10, which alone raised NZ$16,000.

Rugby for Research featured Cure Kids ambassador Finn, who bravely shared his journey of living with type 1 diabetes, offering a personal insight into the daily challenges faced by many tamariki. His story puts a human face to the vital work Cure Kids is doing to change health outcomes and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of funding research that can improve – and even save – young lives.

The event also attracted a strong turnout from current and former elite athletes, including Black Ferns alumnae Melodie Robinson, Monalisa Codling and Shannon Willoughby, as well as former All Blacks coach and Cure Kids patron Sir Graham Henry.

“The breadth of activity we support, from race days and ladies’ lunches to our own Red Nose Day morning tea events, golf days and the Rebel 24-hour challenge, reflects how close this cause is to our hearts.” said De Suza. “This means so much to our team because everyone knows someone who has been affected. Cure Kids puts family first through its research and events, and that resonates deeply.”

Founded in 1971, Cure Kids is New Zealand’s leading charity focused on raising funds for research into serious childhood health conditions. Over the past five decades, Cure Kids has invested more than NZ$65 million into New Zealand-based research, which has helped transform diagnosis, treatment and care for thousands of seriously ill children.

For 11 years, Ingram Micro New Zealand has been a constant champion of Cure Kids, during which time the leading child health research charity has achieved numerous breakthroughs. Some of these notable advancements include proof that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy prevents doctor visits for acute respiratory infections in early childhood, the development of a robotic gait trainer to help children with cerebral palsy walk, evidence that sleeping on one’s side during pregnancy can reduce the risk of stillbirths by 50 per cent, and evidence that babies born prematurely at 23 to 24 weeks can survive and thrive.

“Cure Kids extends heartfelt thanks to Ingram Micro for its steadfast commitment to our mission, raising more than NZ$540,000 during the past 11 years,” said Frances Soutter, CEO at Cure Kids. “As a long-term supporter of Cure Kids, the Ingram Micro New Zealand team has a genuine passion for what we do and their unwavering commitment to fundraising events. We genuinely feel that we are part of the Ingram Micro whanau.”

For more information on how to support other Cure Kids initiatives or get involved, please visit https://www.curekids.org.nz/.

About Ingram Micro

Ingram Micro is a leading technology company in the global information technology ecosystem. With the ability to reach nearly 90% of the global population, we play a vital role in the worldwide IT sales channel, bringing products and services from technology manufacturers and cloud providers to a highly diversified base of business-to-business technology experts. Through Ingram Micro Xvantage™, our AI-powered digital platform, we offer what we believe to be the industry’s first comprehensive business-to-consumer-like experience, integrating hardware and cloud subscriptions, personalised recommendations, instant pricing, order tracking, and billing automation. We also provide a broad range of technology services, including financing, specialised marketing, lifecycle management, and technical pre and post-sales professional support. Learn more at www.ingrammicro.com.

MIL OSI

Greenpeace – “Bottom trawling kills” message projected onto downtown Wellington building as fisheries meeting starts

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace has projected images of destroyed coral onto a downtown Wellington building, highlighting the destruction caused by New Zealand bottom trawlers, as an international fisheries meeting starts in the capital city.Delegates from the EU, America, Australia and the Pacific are meeting in Wellington this week to discuss the management of fisheries in the international waters of the South Pacific as part of the SPRFMO Scientific Committee (South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation).New Zealand is the only country still bottom trawling the high seas of this region, including in the Tasman Sea between Aotearoa and Australia – despite environmental organisations calling for this practice to stop.

“Bottom trawling is a highly destructive fishing method that bulldozes everything in its path, including precious corals that can take hundreds of years to grow”, says Greenpeace ocean campaigner Juan Parada.”It’s shocking that New Zealand is the only country dragging heavy weighted nets over an area that is so vibrant, and full of diverse ocean life that it’s been earmarked for protection in one of the world’s first global ocean sanctuaries.”We’ve projected images of destroyed coral, filmed along known trawl tracks in the deep, to reveal what’s at stake if trawling is allowed to continue. We’ve also shown images of the vibrant life that thrives here and is worth protecting. “Our message is clear – bottom trawling kills. To protect the ocean for the future bottom trawling must stop in these highly diverse areas.”

Last year a New Zealand trawler, the Tasman Viking, pulled up 37kg of coral on the Lord Howe Rise which is in the area that SPRFMO governs, leading to the area being closed to trawling temporarily.Greenpeace has since carried out a scientific survey of this closed area and has submitted an observer paper to the SPRFMO Scientific Committee, outlining the data available from four deep sea video surveys on the Lord Howe Rise.

The survey was carried out despite the New Zealand government refusing to share the co-ordinates with the scientists working with Greenpeace.

Analysis of the footage taken from this area shows there are diverse species of coral living here, making the case for permanent closure of this site to New Zealand bottom trawlers.

Some of the coral observed in this region are estimated to be over a metre in height – indicating they are likely to be old individuals. Deep sea corals are known to be incredibly slow growing, with some growing just centimetres per year. Analysis of the footage by scientists has confirmed the presence of cup, black, bamboo, gorgonian and precious corals, as well as feather stars and sponges.”The impacts of bottom trawling are no longer in dispute, especially on ancient ecosystems like deep sea coral forests,” says Parada.

“We’ve all seen the Attenborough documentary which highlighted how destructive bottom trawling is. This type of fishing is happening in the high seas between Aotearoa and Australia, and now is the moment to protect the precious life that is irrefutably there – and is essential to ocean health.”

“The New Zealand government cannot ignore the findings from this Lord Howe Rise site, as uncomfortable as they may be for the bottom trawlers. There is rare and diverse life here, and in a biodiversity crisis – these areas must be protected from their major threat – bottom trawling.”

MIL OSI

Northland News – Voting papers on way

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Northland Regional Council

Voting papers for next month’s local body election will begin arriving in people’s mailboxes from today, Tuesday 09 September.

Dale Ofsoske, the Northland Regional Council’s Electoral Officer, says voting papers will be delivered to registered voters from 09-22 September 2025.

Local body elections are conducted by postal voting, and papers must be put in the mail no later than Tuesday 07 October to ensure they arrive in time to be counted.

“After that date however, you can hand deliver your voting paper to a ballot box up until midday on Election Day, Saturday 11 October.”

A list of ballot box locations can be found via your local district council website.

Mr Ofsoske says anyone who does not receive voting papers by 22 September should contact the Northland Regional Council electoral office by phoning (0800) 922 822 or emailing specialvotes@electionservices.org.nzand requesting a Special Vote.

Special Votes can also be obtained from dedicated district council offices in Whangārei, Kaipara and the Far North. (Visit their websites for locations nearest to you.)

Twenty-three people have been nominated for the regional council, however, due to only one nomination in the Mid North General Constituency the sole candidate, Geoff Crawford, has been declared elected unopposed.

This leaves 22 people contesting the remaining eight seats on council; six general seats and two Māori seats.

To help voters make an informed choice, the Northland Regional Council also recently invited candidates to film a 90-second video addressing three questions:

Why do you think you’re right for the role?

In your view, what’s the biggest challenge facing our region?

What are your top priorities for council/Northland for the next three years?

Meanwhile, as well as voting for those who will represent them around the council table for the next three years, all voters will also be able to vote on whether to keep or remove the Northland Regional Council Māori constituency, Te Raki Māori.

MIL OSI

Animal welfare – One year on: Animals still dying on notorious Southland mud farm – SAFE

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: SAFE For Animals

Exactly one year ago, SAFE helped expose shocking footage of dead and dying sheep on a Southland mud farm. Today, new footage from the very same farm shows that nothing has changed.

Filmed between 5-6 September, the footage shows a sheep likely struggling to give birth, her lamb’s head visibly stuck. The farmer pushes her to the ground, drags her through a fence, and takes her out of sight to a nearby bush. She is seen upright and alert, but moments later appears lifeless. What happened to her afterwards remains unknown.

The next day, at least two dead newborn lambs were found lying in mud.

SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie says the actions of the farmer are unconscionable and may well be criminal.

“This sheep was dragged out of sight at the very moment she most needed help. Not knowing what happened next is every bit as disturbing as what we did see.”

SAFE says the incident shatters the myth that animal deaths on mud farms are simply the result of bad weather.

“This is the exact same farm where sheep were filmed dead in mud one year ago. At the time, Federated Farmers tried to excuse it as poor weather. But this year has been significantly drier – and still, animals are dying.”

“These conditions are not the product of an extreme weather event, they’re the result of a farming practice that is dangerous by design,” says Brodie.

Mud farming forces animals to live, sleep, and give birth in paddocks saturated with mud, faeces, and urine. SAFE says this is an inherent violation of New Zealand’s animal welfare laws, which require that animals’ basic needs be met, and that they be handled in ways that prevent unnecessary pain and distress.

“No animal should ever be condemned to give birth or die in mud. These conditions are completely inconsistent with the obligations set out in the Animal Welfare Act. MPI knows the risks, yet its failure to enforce the law has enabled systemic neglect on these farms,” says Brodie.

SAFE is urging the Government to take decisive action and end mud farming in Aotearoa. More than 17,000 people have already signed SAFE’s petition calling for an end to the practice.

“This is not about one bad farm, or one bad season. It is the inevitable outcome of mud farming everywhere, and it will keep happening until the Government ends it.”

SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.

We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.

All images and footage are credited to Matt Coffey.

Footage from 5-6 September 2025 showing a farmer dragging a sheep through a fence while in labour and dead lambs in mud.

Footage and images from September 2024 showing dead and dying sheep and lambs on the same Southland mud farm.

MIL OSI

Environment Events – KASM, Greenpeace invited to submit on Fast-Track seabed mining application

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM)

Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) and Greenpeace today welcomed the invitation from the Fast-Track expert panel considering the seabed mining application to make a submission on the project.

KASM comment:

“We will bring critical evidence to the process that nobody else can, such as our expert on the pygmy blue whale population residing in the South Taranaki Bight, so it makes sense for the panel to invite us to take part. It’s good to see the panel recognise the value and legitimacy of our contribution which draws on over a decade of involvement on this issue,” said KASM Chairperson Cindy Baxter.

“It’s critical that this panel has all the relevant evidence before it to make this decision – we all need to do our collective best within an awful process that shouldn’t be happening in the first place. Trans Tasman Resources has already had this bid to destroy our moana rejected by the highest court in the land, but ducked out of the process, clearly thinking the Fast-Track would be an easier bar to clear.”

Greenpeace comment
“This would be a brand new destructive activity and this project would be the first in the world of its kind. Given Trans Tasman Resources’ parent company has been promoting a much bigger site of 877 square kilometres to its shareholders, it’s clear this first application sets a critical precedent,” says Greenpeace seabed mining campaigner Juressa Lee.

“We’ve been involved in this process for the past 12 years, and we represent literally tens of thousands of people who’ve signed our various petitions calling for a ban on seabed mining. “

The two organisations welcomed the panel’s extensive list of interested parties: it has called on a wide range of voices to make submissions on the application. They have 20 days to make their submission.

MIL OSI

Advocacy – Keep Your Eyes on Gaza: A People Being Exterminated

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

New Zealand The Palestine Forum of New Zealand urgently draws attention to the escalating catastrophe in Gaza, where entire families are being left homeless and exposed under relentless bombardment.

In just 72 hours:

Five high-rise buildings (more than seven floors, containing 209 apartments) were bombed. Each apartment sheltered at least 20 people, meaning over 4,100 children, women, and the elderly are now homeless.
More than 350 tents were destroyed. Each tent sheltered around 10 displaced people, meaning 3,500 people lost their last refuge.

The catastrophic toll:

In total, around 550 families, nearly 7,600 people, have been left in the open, without food, water, or shelter, struggling against hunger, heat, and death.

“This is not collateral damage. This is the systematic extermination of a civilian population,” said a spokesperson for the Palestine Forum of New Zealand. “Every day, the world watches in silence as thousands of innocent lives are destroyed. The time for statements has passed; urgent action is required.”

Call to action:

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on humanitarian organizations, governments, and the international community to act immediately to stop the annihilation of Gaza’s people and to provide urgent relief.

MIL OSI

Appeal for information on East Taieri-Allanton Road fatal crash, Dunedin

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Detective Darrin Healy:

Dunedin Police are appealing for the public’s help following a fatal crash on 4 September.

Around 1.30pm, Police were called to a crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle on East Taieri-Allanton Road.

Sadly, one person died at the scene.

Police would like to hear from any motorists who were travelling on East Taieri-Allanton Road, State Highway 1, near J.Tee’s Golf and Function Centre, between 1:20pm and 1:30pm that day.

In particular, Police are interested to hear from you if you may have seen an orange Suzuki Swift or a white and black motorcycle leading up to the time of the crash.

Police are also looking to speak to the driver of a white van with black and white chevron stripes on the back half (pictured).

We have no reason to believe this driver had any involvement in the crash, however, they may have information that can assist with our investigation.

If you can assist with these enquiries, or have dashcam footage from this time, please contact us via 105, either over the phone or online, referencing the file number 250904/9509.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

International meetings to grow defence, security

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister Responsible for the GCSB and NZSIS Judith Collins is this week representing New Zealand at the annual Five Country Ministerial meeting in London.

“This annual meeting recognises the common issues facing the five countries – New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK and the US – and our joint commitment to addressing them through research, engagement and working together,” Ms Collins says.

“We will be discussing a range of common challenges and emerging issues, including countering terrorism, approaches to state threats, border security and tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse.”

“While in the UK I will also meet with counterparts in the UK Intelligence and Defence communities, as well as with the UK public service on public service productivity, including digital government and artificial intelligence.

“The GCSB and NZSIS have strong, enduring intelligence relationships with their UK counterparts and other Five Eyes partners.

“This directly contributes to the safety and security of our two countries, as well as broader global security efforts.

“New Zealand can’t work in isolation when we are dealing with national security – we must always work with our international partners.

This week of engagements reaffirms New Zealand’s steadfast dedication to global security and the collective effort required to address these in an increasingly complex and dynamic international environment.”

MIL OSI

Another step forward for Takitimu North Link Stage 2, extending highway to Ōmokoroa

LiveNews Publisher

September 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A long-awaited step forward is confirmed for the new 4-lane state highway west of Tauranga, between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, as applications for statutory approvals are lodged for Stage 2 of the Takitimu North Link project under the Fast-track Approvals Act, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) confirms.

This comes as contracts are being awarded for design of this Road of National Significance, and work is underway to refine the design where Stage 1 and 2 meet at Te Puna, helping align both stages and reduce re-work under Stage 2.

“This moment represents the culmination of considerable mahi and tautoko (support) by many over recent years. We acknowledge the commitment and support from our stakeholders over the project’s history, as well as the clear need for improved reliability, resilience and safety on this stretch of State Highway 2,” says Susan Collins, NZTA Regional Manager System Design.

Stage 2 extends Takitimu North Link Stage 1, currently in construction between Tauranga and Te Puna, onwards to Ōmokoroa. The project will improve reliability and resilience for those travelling through the Western Bay sub-region, particularly at Ōmokoroa, Whakamārama, Te Puna and Tauranga.

“Delivering a project of this size and scale comes with its challenges, from managing the sensitive coastal environment to landholdings and complex stormwater requirements.

“Reaching the pre-implementation phase is no small feat, with several structures and a major interchange to be designed for the proposed 7.1km 4-lane state highway to be built.

“We are looking forward to working on the design with local authorities including Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and local hapū Pirirākau and Ngāti Taka, recognising the important role this infrastructure will have in the future prosperity of the region” says Ms Collins.

People passing through the area will see a programme of ground investigations beginning later this year, with key sites near Snodgrass, Ainsworth and Te Puna Quarry, and Munro roads, and near Te Puna Stream.

Tolling has been confirmed to support construction and maintenance costs, and funding for construction will be considered following further work in consenting and detailed design, which is currently in progress.

Notes to the editor

The Stage 2 (Te Puna to Ōmokoroa) project is a Road of National Significance project and is an extension of Stage 1 between Tauranga and Te Puna. It will include:

a new 4-lane state highway with median and side barriers
overbridge for local traffic at Plummers Point Road / Barrett Road
overbridge for local traffic at Snodgrass Road / Te Puna Quarry Road
grade separated interchange at SH2 / Ōmokoroa Road
4 million cubic metres of earthworks
ecological restoration areas
connection to the Takitimu North Link Stage 1 (currently in construction)
existing SH2 highway retained as a local road.

Takitimu North Link project

Takitimu North Link Stage 2: Te Puna to Ōmokoroa

The application documents are published online at fasttrack.govt.nz(external link)

This page outlines the Fast-track approvals process(external link)

Statement provided by Ngāti Taka hapū spokesperson

“Ngāti Taka hapū representatives have been working alongside NZTA Waka Kotahi on Takitimu North Link Stage 1 and developing Stage 2 for many years. This Kaupapa acknowledges our Mana and History, strengthens the relationships we have, and recognises the contribution and values we each bring to the table.”

“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini – Our strength is not as an individual, but as a collective. We look forward to the next steps together.”

Statement provided by Pirirākau hapū spokesperson

“Pirirākau has walked alongside NZTA Waka Kotahi for more than 2 decades in the planning of the Takitimu North Link. The corridor traverses our ancestral rohe, connecting the high-growth centres of Ōmokoroa and Tauranga, and enabling the broader western Bay of Plenty region to flourish.”

“For Pirirākau, this whenua is not just land, it is imbued with whakapapa, kōrero tuku iho, and the legacy of our tūpuna. The corridor follows traditional routes that once connected our coastal kāinga to inland settlements and strategic pathways linking Pirirākau with our whanaunga in Waikato.”

“All our lands in this area were unjustly confiscated by the Crown in 1863, following the battles of Pukehinahina and Te Ranga. Yet despite that history, we remain committed to advancing positive outcomes for our hapū and the wider community.”

“Through this project, we look forward to continuing our relationship with NZTA, building not just a road, but a future that acknowledges the past, respects our cultural identity, and supports the prosperity of all who call this place home.”

MIL OSI

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