Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews continue to battle a large vegetation fire at Southbridge in the Selwyn District in Canterbury today.
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews continue to battle a large vegetation fire at Southbridge in the Selwyn District in Canterbury today.
Source: University of Auckland (UoA)
Climate-related news can influence how much people are willing to pay for wine, according to a study by University of Auckland finance academic Dr Gertjan Verdickt.
“I ask the question, if you see more climate-related news, are you willing to pay more or less for foreign wine? And my analysis shows it’s less. The economic magnitude is meaningful with a one-standard-deviation increase in climate attention is associated with a 3.58 percent drop in the price of a bottle.”
In everyday terms, that would mean that when climate news spikes, the price a person is willing to pay for a US$480 bottle would fall by about US$17.
The decrease in the amount investors are willing to pay for a bottle of wine in relation to their exposure to climate-related news, says Verdickt, could mean a significant cost for fund managers and wine collectors.
He calls this phenomenon ‘climate extrapolation’ – when investors project climate news from their local environment onto an asset’s valuation, even if that asset is tied to a different geography.
“I compare the price of these wines abroad relative to their price in France; I used France as my benchmark. In theory, the ratio should be one, meaning a bottle costs the same abroad as it does in France. When that ratio changes, I look to understand why.”
A growing body of research shows that personal experiences influence financial decision-making, and climate news and events are no exception, says Verdickt. Events like unusually hot weather or poor air quality can alter how people invest and spend.
One theory suggests that heightened awareness of climate risks prompts investors to seek out assets perceived as resilient, thereby driving up their value. Another view is that climate awareness makes people more cautious, highlighting the vulnerabilities of certain assets and reducing demand.
The decrease in what people are willing to pay for a bottle of French wine is amplified when the effects of climate change are most palpable, during the summer months, says Verdickt, who ruled out other explanations, including natural disasters, investor mood, general uncertainty and differences in bottle condition.
To test how climate news affects what buyers are willing to pay for the same bottle of wine in different countries, he employed a dataset of over 68,000 Bordeaux Premier Cru wine auction prices from 222 houses in 18 countries, including Australia and New Zealand. Overall, the study examined more than 70,000 auction transactions.
“I collected a large dataset from auction houses that sell wines from five Bordeaux Premier Cru producers in France. These are considered the best in the world. Because of their reputation, they are highly sought after, and the average bottle costs around US$480,” says Verdickt.
“This is not the kind of wine you casually open on a weeknight, at least … I don’t. At the same time, these wines are frequently traded, which makes them a good product for analysis.”
The Bordeaux Premier Cru wines include five châteaus: Haut-Brion, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, and Mouton Rothschild. These five producers constitute the most liquid and globally traded segment of the wine market, forming the entire benchmark’ Liv-Ex Fine Wine index’.
Furthermore, there have been investment funds dedicated to investing in these five producers, ensuring that these wines, while still a consumption good, are also considered ‘investment-grade’ wines.
Verdickt’s dataset also included climate change news for each of the 18 countries in the study. To understand climate perceptions in different countries, he used a ‘Climate Attention Index’. This index breaks down climate-related attention across multiple countries by analysing over 23 million tweets from major (national) newspapers. Verdickt compared the newspaper tweets to authoritative climate change texts to generate a daily index with country-specific scores detailing levels of climate news.
The key takeaway from the study, that climate experiences can drive investor behaviour, is consistent with previous research showing that such experiences can also influence corporate voting and other financial decisions, according to Verdickt.
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s final firefighter has returned from deployment to Canada.
Source: Media Outreach
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2025 – On the occasion of the 100-day countdown to the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), the Hainan FTP Promotion and Policy Interpretation Conference was organized at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on Sept. 9th.
On Sept. 9th, enterprises from Hainan and Hong Kong signed agreements at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. (Photo credit: Wang Shen)
The event was hosted by the Hainan Provincial Government, aiming to enhance Hong Kong people’s understanding of the policies and achievements of the Hainan FTP, as well as opportunities after the island-wide special customs operations start, thus building deeper ties between the two places.
Feng Fei, secretary of the Communist Party of China Hainan Provincial Committee, stated at the conference that the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan FTP are both major national strategies, and that the interaction of the two is a driving force for building a new development pattern and facilitating domestic and international dual circulation. Hainan FTP plans to initiate island-wide special customs operations on Dec. 18, 2025, signifying a new phase in the development of the Hainan FTP, Feng said, adding that Hainan seeks to deepen its collaboration with Hong Kong, harnessing their respective strengths to amplify their combined regional influence and outreach.
Algernon Yau, secretary for commerce and economic development of the HKSAR government, reaffirmed the commitment to fostering collaboration between Hong Kong and Hainan, pledging to fully leverage Hong Kong’s strengths to promote coordinated development within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port. Yau also highlighted plans to attract international projects to Hainan and facilitate Hainan’s investment in overseas markets, aiming to create mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to China’s high-quality development and economic dynamism.
Tang Hua, director of the Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development, detailed Hainan’s advantages, including its beautiful ecological environment, broad market reach, high degree of economic openness, and strong talent attraction. Tang noted that Hong Kong offers world-class technological R&D capabilities, robust financial services, and access to international talent, which provide essential support services to enterprises in Hainan.
The promotion event saw the signing of 12 agreements between Hainan and Hong Kong enterprises across various sectors, including cultural tourism, technology, and food processing. More than 400 participants attended the event.
According to the Department of Finance of Hainan Province, Hainan issued 5 billion yuan of offshore RMB local government bonds in Hong Kong on Sept. 11th, with maturities of 3, 5 and 10 years. The issuance comprises three tranches: 3-year sustainable development bonds, 5-year blue bonds and a 10-year aerospace-themed bond. Proceeds will primarily support marine conservation, social welfare and key scientific research and infrastructure projects in the aerospace sector.
Hashtag: #HainanInformationOffice
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: New Zealand Police
A 66-year-old woman missing in Christchurch has sadly been located deceased this evening.
The woman was found by Police Search and Rescue at around 6pm today.
Police would like to thank all those who assisted with the search, including Coastguard Sumner volunteers, Land Search and Rescue volunteers, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand staff.
We would also like to acknowledge everyone who contacted Police with possible sightings following our public appeals for information.
The woman’s death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: Media Outreach
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2025 – Applications are now open for the Chen Zhi Climate Action Challenge, a nationwide initiative led by philanthropist Neak Oknha Chen Zhi that empowers young Cambodians to develop bold, scalable solutions to address the climate crisis.
The official launch announcement of the Chen Zhi Climate Action Challenge 2025, calling for applications from Cambodian youth innovators to develop solutions in renewable energy, nature-based solutions, circular economy, and sustainable agriculture and food security.
Launched under newly signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Ministry of Environment and the Royal University of Agriculture, the Challenge offers funding, expert mentorship, and national recognition to the country’s most promising green innovators.
Spearheaded by Neak Oknha Chen Zhi, the initiative reflects his long-term vision of mobilizing Cambodia’s youth to lead the transition to a clean, sustainable future. The program aligns with the National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan, ensuring that each proposed solution contributes directly to Cambodia’s environmental priorities.
A philanthropist and business leader, Neak Oknha Chen Zhi has long championed education, skills training, and community development as ways to prepare Cambodia’s youth for the future. The Climate Action Challenge builds on this commitment, underscoring his belief that equipping young people to innovate is key to advancing a greener, more resilient Cambodia.
Program Overview
The Challenge invites youth-led teams to submit original project ideas in one of four key areas:
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
From September 2025 through January 2026, selected teams will undergo an intensive training and mentorship program supported by CE SAIN, UN-Habitat, Ruy Reach, and other environmental experts. The program will culminate in a final pitch competition, where top teams will receive seed funding of up to USD 30,000 to bring their solutions to life.
A total of 20 teams will be shortlisted. One additional team will receive the “Most Popular Project” award, based on online public voting.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted directly via this [Chen Zhi Climate Action Challenge 2025 – Team Application Form]. The deadline to apply is 09 October 2025.
For updates and announcements, follow the Chen Zhi Climate Action Challenge on Facebook.
Hashtag: #ChenZhiClimateActionChallenge
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: Media Outreach
WRISE Academy Marches into Central China
As a flagship initiative of WRISE Prestige Hong Kong to nurture wealth management talents, WRISE Academy has successfully trained more than 100 undergraduates, graduates, and working professionals since its inception. Through a rigorous selection process, nearly 50% of its trainees have successfully achieved career transitions, evolving from Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) or entry-level professionals into highly competent Independent Wealth Consultants (IWCs), with significant improvements in both compensation and professional ranking.
Since its launch, WRISE Academy has hosted more than 40 seminars and thematic programs in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, attracting over 300 industry elites. The programme line-up brings together over 20 seasoned industry experts with an average of over 20 years of industry experience across core sectors including wealth management, securities, private equity, trusts, and family offices. They continue to provide participants with valuable industry insights, resource connections, and skills enhancement.
Dr. Jowin Fung, Vice Chairman of WRISE Hong Kong, said, “The launch of our Changsha office is a key milestone in our long-term China strategy. As an economic and cultural hub of Central China, Changsha offers rich talent resources and a favourable policy environment, providing an ideal platform for us to better serve mainland entrepreneurs and wealth management professionals.”
Partnering with Globally Recognised Institutions to Develop Benchmark Programmes
WRISE Academy consistently emphasises the professionalism and international recognition of its courses. It has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA) to introduce the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments (FAI) programme and a series of micro-certification courses to WRISE Academy, covering topics such as private debt, digital assets, real estate, and private equity. These initiatives are designed to help participants quickly grasp global market trends and practical skills, giving them a competitive edge in career development.
Road Ahead: Deepening Roots in China, Expanding Across Asia-Pacific
With the opening of its Changsha office, WRISE will actively pursue strategic partnerships with local chambers of commerce, enterprise associations, and financial industry organisations to foster joint research and co-innovation, promoting standardisation and professional excellence of the wealth management industry.
Moving forward, WRISE Academy will continue to expand its service network in mainland China. After expanding its presence into the Pearl River Delta and Central China this year, WRISE Academy is now setting its sights on South China, West China, and the Taiwan region. These regional hubs will work in synergy with its Hong Kong office to build a Greater China knowledge and advisory network that empowers both affluent clients and wealth advisers.
Dr. Fung added, “We are committed to establishing WRISE Academy as a talent development platform for the family office industry in Asia, while actively participating in shaping industry standards to elevate the overall quality and competitiveness of wealth management services in the region.”
As a regional core hub, Changsha boasts four key advantages: wealth concentration, industrial financing, institutional channels, and talent supply. However, it lacks a systematic international wealth management framework. By transplanting Hong Kong’s mature standards and extensive practical experience to Changsha, WRISE Academy fills the gap in family office and wealth-talent training while replicating the successful Shenzhen model. The initiative will cultivate a first wave of wealth professionals in central China who combine international perspective with Asian-market expertise.
Hashtag: #WRISE #WRISEACADEMY
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: Media Outreach
Alongside the new dishes, “Flavours of Hong Kong” features exclusive Hong Kong-themed souvenirs and accessories. The campaign also brings back classic promotions, including the limited-time “All You Can Eat” feast featuring new menu items, as well as half-price offers on select traditional pizzas, allowing everyone to indulge in a multi-sensory experience.
Creative Hong Kong-Inspired Flavours: A Playful Menu Delivering Dual Experiences
The “Flavours of Hong Kong” menu showcases a range of innovative dishes. The “‘Real’ Pineapple Dough Ball” cleverly combines the classic Hong Kong pineapple bun with PizzaExpress’ signature dough balls, featuring a golden crispy crust and soft interior, paired with a homemade mascarpone butter dip – a blend of Northern Italian special mascarpone and Australian butter for a double-textured treat. The “Singapore Noodles Pizza” creatively elevates the beloved stir-fried noodle dish by incorporating premium seafood and Italian cold cuts—succulent prawns, naturally smoked mortadella, and fresh vegetables on a curry sauce base, topped with crispy vermicelli for added crunch and layered flavours. The “Hainan Chicken Pizza” uses a secret-recipe Hainanese sauce as its base, topped with slow-cook tender chicken, fresh tomato slices, and onions, and drizzled with balsamic glaze for a modern twist on a local favourite. The “Satay Braised Beef Spaghetti”[1] captures the essence of Hong Kong’s iconic flavours—carefully braised beef cheek stir-fried with aromatic satay sauce, fresh spinach, and onions, touched up with crushed peanuts and Parmesan cheese, offering a uniquely Hong Kong-style indulgence.
For drinks, the “Tropical Bliss” lives up to its name by blending pineapple chunks, passionfruit syrup, and Sprite into a refreshing tropical beverage. The “Black Cow” evokes childhood memories by combining chocolate ice cream with Coca-Cola—a classic Hong Kong-style float that’s simply irresistible! For dessert, the “French Dough with Butter” upgrades the signature baked dough balls with butter, condensed milk, and peanut butter for an indulgent treat. For an even more elevated experience, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible contrast of hot and cold.
Limited-Edition “Flavours of Hong Kong” Souvenirs: Cherish the Culinary Memories
With Hong Kong-themed accessories becoming increasingly popular among both tourists and locals, “Flavours of Hong Kong” extends its East-meets-West creativity by launching three quirky accessories, along with a Hong Kong signature red-white-blue themed crossbody bag. During the campaign, customers who spend HK$580 or more will receive a limited-edition “Flavours of Hong Kong” accessory, while those spending HK$980 or more will receive an additional limited-edition crossbody bag. Supplies are limited and available only while stocks last—it would be a remarkable experience to take home these unique culinary mementos!
Starting September 16, 2025, PizzaExpress will roll out a series of exciting promotions to celebrate the new school term and invite everyone to savour British-Hong Kong fusion flavours.
Classic Original Pizza Series Discount
Available Mondays to Thursdays (excluding public holidays) during the campaign period, members can enjoy half-price à la carte traditional pizzas, while non-members get 40% off. The offer applies to 11 Classic pizzas (Original Size), including the new “Hainan Chicken Pizza,” all featuring PizzaExpress’ signature traditional pizza base that has been proudly served since 1965.
Promotion period: September 16 to November 17, 2025
“All You Can Eat” 60-Minute Feast Makes a Comeback
The “All You Can Eat” feast is available Mondays to Fridays (excluding public holidays) from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM. For just HK$98 per adult and HK$58 per child, diners can enjoy unlimited servings of select dishes, including “Margherita Pizza”, “Peking Duck Pizza”, “American Pizza”, signature “Baked Dough Balls”, and the new “Hainan Chicken Pizza,” all designed to celebrate the new menu.
Promotion period: September 16 to October 27, 2025
Peroni Italian Beer and Snack Combo
During the promotion, enjoy Baked Potato Skins with Beef or Chicken Wings paired with a small Peroni beer for just HK$118. Additional bottles can be added for HK$28, ensuring a delightful experience alongside the delicious food.
Promotion period: September 16 to November 17, 2025
“Flavours of Hong Kong” Menu Overview
Hashtag: #PizzaExpressHK #FlavoursofHongKong #60Years #FreshSince1965 #李錦記 #LeeKumKee
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.