Celebrating Regional Unity and Marketing Innovation – Queenstown, NZ (8 September 2025) Southern Way is proud to celebrate its selection as a finalist in the prestigious New Zealand Tourism Awards 2025, under the Industry Collaboration Award category. This recognition celebrates the power of collective vision and the strength of regional partnerships in shaping the future of tourism across Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Southern Way represents a macro-regional alliance of eight Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) spanning the lower South Island – from Waitaki to Stewart Island, Central Otago to our smallest region Clutha, to Southland and everywhere in between. This collaboration showcases the diversity and richness of the South, inviting travellers to explore iconic landscapes, vibrant cities, and authentic local experiences.
At the heart of this achievement is the ‘One Trip to See It All’ campaign, delivered in partnership with Air New Zealand and the Southern Airport Alliance (Dunedin, Queenstown, and Invercargill Airports). The campaign promoted open-jaw and multistop travel, encouraging North Island residents to fly into one Southern Way destination, explore the region, and fly out from another.
Running from July to August 2024, the campaign generated impressive results and drove travel performance.
Mat Woods, Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown, said that being recognised as a finalist in the awards was a testament to what can be achieved when regions unite under a shared purpose.
“We’re proud to work together as a macro-region, amplifying our collective voice and showcasing the South’s extraordinary offerings. Air New Zealand’s support was instrumental in bringing this vision to life, alongside the amazing backing of our Southern Airports Alliance. This nomination reflects the strength of our partnership and the bold direction we’re heading as a united lower South Island.”
Mark Frood, GM Tourism & Events at Great South added: “The Southern Way is more than a campaign—it’s a movement that proves collaboration is our greatest asset. Together, we’re building a resilient, future-focused visitor economy that celebrates the richness of our landscapes, communities, and shared ambition.”
The winners of the 2025 New Zealand Tourism Awards will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Wednesday, 29 October. For more information about Southern Way and its regional experiences, visit Southern Way’s official website: https://southernway.nz
About the Southern Way The Southern Way is a collective of the eight Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) in the lower South Island, including Dunedin, Waitaki, Wānaka, Clutha, Central Otago, Queenstown, Fiordland, and Southland. The Southern Way collective works together to further the reputation of the lower South and undertake promotional activity. It has developed a regional brand proposition that unites Otago and Southland around a shared identity and presenting a cohesive and diverse visitor offering.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 September 2025 – Humansa, Asia’s leading longevity center, successfully hosted the “Targeted Anti-Aging · Dual-Box Revitalization” launch event at its Flagship Centre at the Victoria Dockside, Hong Kong, unveiling its ground-breaking Daily Glow Packs and Daily Vitality Packs. These innovative products are designed to address aging at the cellular level, leveraging cutting-edge science to target the 14 hallmarks of aging identified by the prestigious journal Cell. By addressing key aging factors such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and glycation, Humansa’s dual-box solution marks a new era in precision anti-aging nutrition.
From left to right- Don So, Humansa CEO; Humansa ;Elaine Jiang, Humansa’s Founding Partner; Charmaine So, Humansa Wellness Coach; Former Olympian, Yvette Kong; Former Miss Hong Kong, Grace Chan; Dr. Candy Chan
As Asia’s leader in comprehensive health solutions, Humansa integrates personalized health strategies into its offerings, leveraging advanced therapies, precision diagnostics, and data-driven evaluations to uncover deep health insights for its clients. Its holistic strategy covers every aspect of health, enabling tailored health plans that optimize well-being and healthspan. The introduction of the dual-box products exemplifies Humansa’s vision — integrating “cellular-level targeted anti-aging” into its comprehensive health ecosystem, making scientific anti-aging more effective, personalized, and convenient.
During the event, Humansa CEO Don So delved into the brand’s anti-aging philosophy and strategic roadmap. He emphasized the importance of addressing aging at its root causes with scientific precision, highlighting how these new products integrate seamlessly into Humansa’s commitment to longevity and wellness. The event also hosted an expert discussion with renowned medical specialists, health consultants, and a celebrated Hong Kong artist. The panel explored the concept of decoding the 14 hallmarks of aging to address cellular aging signals, offering fresh scientific perspectives for both the industry and consumers.
Dual-Box Innovation: Targeted Cellular Aging Solutions with Customized Anti-Aging Benefits
Humansa’s newly launched Dual Anti-Aging Nutrition Packs are designed to align with the theme of “Targeted Anti-Aging,” offering precision-tailored solutions to meet the core needs of different individuals. This marks a shift from broad-spectrum interventions to targeted approaches that directly address cellular aging.
Daily Glow Packs: Focused on skin rejuvenation needs, each pack combines 16 nutrients with four core ingredients: L-Ergothioneine, PQQ, Astaxanthin, and L-Carnosine.
L-Ergothioneine (EGT): The “master antioxidant” within cells. Studies show that a daily dose of 25mg significantly improves skin health in just 4 weeks: 54.8% reduction in pore size, 21.6% fewer wrinkles, and 18.4% improvement in UV spots.
PQQ: Enhances cellular energy production, with 21.5mg daily intake over 12 weeks, showing notable improvements in cognitive function and cerebral blood flow.
Astaxanthin: Strengthens the skin barrier against photoaging.
L-Carnosine: Inhibits collagen glycation, reducing fine lines and dullness.
Daily Vitality Packs: Designed for high-stress professionals and men’s health needs, this pack features 15 selected ingredients with a core combination of L-Ergothioneine, PQQ, Milk Thistle, and Maca.
Milk Thistle targets liver cell repair, alleviating the metabolic burden caused by late nights and social drinking.
Maca enhances energy reserves, addressing fatigue caused by sedentary lifestyles and high stress.
Combined with L-Ergothioneine and PQQ, this anti-aging and energy-boosting formula delivers multi-dimensional care, achieving “liver protection, fatigue reduction, and cellular revitalization.”
Both products are packaged in convenient daily sachets, with precise doses of three capsules per pack, requiring no additional preparation. This portable design makes it easy for busy urbanites to incorporate “cellular-level targeted anti-aging” into their daily routines.
Grounded in the 14 hallmarks of aging, Humansa’s research ensures that each ingredient targets critical aging mechanisms, transforming anti-aging solutions from theoretical concepts into practical, science-backed interventions. This approach offers consumers a safe, effective, and convenient way to address aging at its root.
Humansa CEO Don So: New Products as an “Innovative Addition” to Comprehensive Anti-Aging Strategy
At the launch event, Humansa CEO Don So outlined the brand’s core philosophy of building a science-based, full-cycle anti-aging system and explained the strategic significance of the new products. He emphasized: “At Humansa, we believe anti-aging is not just about ‘wrinkle reduction’ or ‘nutritional supplements.’ It’s a systematic approach built on five pillars: exercise, supplements and medication, sleep, emotional well-being, and nutrition. By scientifically identifying individual aging targets, such as low mitochondrial activity or weak liver metabolism, we implement multi-dimensional interventions. The new Dual Anti-Aging Nutrition Packs integrate seamlessly into this system, transforming anti-aging from ‘blind attempts’ to ‘scientifically controlled, targeted actions.’ This is the core mission we have always upheld.”
Don So further highlighted the products’ strategic importance: “The Dual Anti-Aging Nutrition Packs represent an innovative upgrade to Humansa’s ‘nutritional support’ pillar. They fill a market gap for convenient, targeted cellular nutrition interventions while making the synergy of our five pillars more actionable. Users can leverage Humansa’s precision diagnostics to identify their weaknesses and match them with the appropriate packs. This targeted matching model brings science-driven anti-aging into daily life, enhancing the practicality of our comprehensive anti-aging strategy and solidifying our position as a global leader in holistic health solutions.”
Experts and Celebrities Discuss: Decoding the 14 Hallmarks of Aging
During the event’s roundtable discussion, Dr. Candy Chan, General Practitioner at Humansa; Charmaine So, Humansa’s Wellness Coach, Grace Chan, renowned Hong Kong celebrity and Olympian, Arelyx founder and CEO, Yvette Kong, explored the topic: “Decoding the 14 Hallmarks of Aging: How Should We Address Cellular Aging Signals?” and “How Women Can Find a Healthy Balance in a Fast-Paced Life.”
Dr. Candy Chan emphasized the importance of targeting key aging mechanisms such as mitochondrial activity and oxidative stress; Grace Chan shared her personal experience, noting how Humansa’s products improved her skin and energy levels, while the convenient “one pack a day” design made it easy to maintain consistency.
Charmaine So and the research center representative elaborated on how precision diagnostics combined with targeted nutrition can effectively address aging hallmarks, creating a closed-loop anti-aging system. The discussion reinforced the scientific foundation of Humansa’s products while providing actionable solutions for consumers, further validating their core value.
Hashtag: #Humansa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
A powerful new exhibition opens at Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House on Women’s Suffrage evening (19 September), featuring photographic portraits of unnamed women taken in the Whanganui-Rangitīkei region between 1856 and 1889.
Entitled Person Includes Woman: Nineteenth Century Women Confronting the Lens, the exhibition presents black and white photographs taken by Whanganui photographer William Harding between 1856-1889 . The selection of images offers a rare and striking insight into women’s lives during a formative period of colonial settlement.
Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House in Ilam was once the home and campaign hub of suffragist Kate Sheppard, who led a movement of national and international activism that secured woman’s suffrage in New Zealand in 1893.
Today, the house is cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. According to Helen Osborne, Property Lead for Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House, the exhibition title is a direct reference to groundbreaking women’s suffrage legislation that was passed in 1893.
“For the first time, the law declared that “person includes woman” – a legal statement that recognised the legal and universal civic status of wāhine | women,” she says.
“These three words exposed the absurdity of needing to define women ‘as people’ – under the law before that, women were not legally recognised as persons! They remain a powerful reminder of how recent the struggle for women’s equality was and how deeply embedded in our nation’s collective memory and identity.”
Helen first encountered the William Harding photographic collection several years ago and was struck by the depth and emotional honesty of the portraits – images that immediately captured her attention.
“I became obsessed by this largely unrecognised series of glass plate negatives which offered an intimate glimpse of women living at great social change as well as the suffrage campaign,” she says.
“William Harding provided a safe and affordable space for a wide cross-section of women, Māori and Pākehā to sit for a portrait . They weren’t simply passive sitters or confined to colonial ideals of domesticity – they were recorded as individuals confronting the lens with intelligence, discomfort, confidence or unease. Although, these images were not created with political intent, seen together they form a vivid testament to women whose presence was often excluded from formal archives during a time when society was navigating transformations of power, culture and identity.”
In 2024, Harding’s photographic collection was recognised by UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register for its cultural and historical significance and compelling visual record.
According to the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, William Harding and his wife Annie arrived in New Zealand in 1855 and settled in Whanganui where William set up a photographic studio the following year. Facing intense competition from other photographers, William’s business struggled and at one point was heavily subsidised by the success of a dance school run by Annie.
The biography says: “When taking portraits […] Harding failed to flatter his sitters either by investing in elaborate studios and fittings or by retouching.”
“The direct and steady gazes of his subjects connect with the viewer,” says Helen.
“The images reflect a range of social positions – from young to old, wāhine Māori, to working class to elite settler. Many names are now not known. The women selected all have presence, and their images challenge the restrictive visual codes of the Victorian era.”
The emotional range visible in so many of the women’s faces struck Helen, including expressions of defiance, grief, poise, boredom, tenderness and sometimes resistance to the photographic process itself.
“For Māori, the concept of kanohi kitea – the seen face – carries deep er cultural significance. Being visible and remembered within one’s own whānau and community has enduring value. This also speaks to mana wāhine – the authority, resilience, and presence of Māori women – which persists even when the colonial record has silenced or obscured their names,” she says.
Bottom of Form
In 1889 William and Annie moved to Sydney leaving behind 6500 glass plates which are now held in the Alexander Turnbull Library and the Whanganui Regional Museum.
The Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House Museum tours are at 11am and 1pm. Bookings recommended.
New data shows construction continues to lead New Zealand’s insolvency statistics, with 187 cases recorded in Q2 2025, the highest of any industry.
Figures from the latest BWA Insolvency Quarterly Market Report reveal that while overall insolvency numbers have plateaued, sector-specific pressures remain. The construction sector has seen a 13% increase in business failures this quarter compared to Q2 2024, with cases dropping from 192 cases in Q1 2025 or 3%.
BWA Insolvency principal Bryan Williams says the construction sector is continuing to feel the brunt of economic challenges, with business services and retail trade also facing significant challenges.
“Despite a slight quarterly dip, construction insolvencies remain elevated. Project delays, cost overruns and cashflow constraints are still hitting builders and contractors hard,” says Williams. “Many firms are operating on razor-thin margins. When one job falls over, it can trigger a domino effect.”
Business services also saw a sharp rise in insolvencies, jumping 56% from Q1 to Q2. Retail trade followed with a 26% increase, while food and beverage, manufacturing, and property sectors saw modest declines.
Williams says the data highlights the uneven nature of economic recovery. “Some sectors are adapting and consolidating, while others are still under pressure. Insolvency trends are no longer just about macro conditions, it’s about how each industry is responding to change.”
While total insolvencies fell 1.6% from Q1 and 5.5% year-on-year, Williams cautions that the figures reflect a stabilisation at elevated levels, not a full recovery.
“We’re seeing a plateau, not a turnaround. Businesses are still vulnerable, especially those that haven’t adapted to new operating models.”
Williams says the rise of AI and digital tools is reshaping the business landscape.
“New entrants are leveraging technology to run leaner, more agile operations. That’s where growth is happening. Older businesses that haven’t evolved are struggling to keep up.”
Industry-specific insolvency trends
Construction: down 3% from Q1, from 192 to 187, up 13% year-on year
Business Services: up 57% from Q1, from 53 to 83, up 14% year-on-year
Retail Trade: up 26% from Q1 from 38 to 48, up 33% year-on-year
Food & Beverage: down 18% from Q1, from 76 to 62, up 24% year-on-year
Manufacturing: down 16% from Q1, from 49 to 4, down 2% year-on-year
Property & Real Estate: down 5% from Q1, from 64 to 6, down 34% year-on-year.
Williams says early intervention remains critical: “Whether you’re in construction or consulting, the message is the same: seek help early. Waiting too long limits your options.”
Key Q2 2025 findings:
Total insolvencies: 666 (down 1.6% from Q1, down 5.5% year-on-year)
Liquidations: 616 (down 3.6% from Q1, down 3.8% year-on-year )
Receiverships: 46 (up 35.3% from Q1, up 9.5% year-on-year)
Voluntary administrations: 4 (flat from Q1, down 82.6% year-on-year).
The full Quarterly Market Report is availablehere.
About BWA Insolvency BWA Insolvencyis a leading insolvency firm that supports New Zealand businesses through liquidations, receiverships and voluntary administrations (VA), specialising in VA in particular. Founder Bryan Williams has 30 years’ experience in the industry and has recently become just the second person in New Zealand and one of 200 people worldwide to be named a Fellow of global insolvency organisation Insol International.
About the BWA Insolvency Quarterly Market Report BWA Insolvency has been tracking data on liquidations, receiverships and voluntary administrations since 2012. The Registrar of Companies Office records the filings of companies that have gone into a formal state of insolvency. BWA Insolvency then does a deeper investigation to show industry trends and provide a detailed snapshot of what’s happening in the market for theQuarterly Market Report.
Only global newswire to provide guaranteed news postings with Mediacorp and SPH Media
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 September 2025 – Media OutReach Newswire, Asia Pacific’s first global newswire, has further cemented its reputation as the leading newswire for Singapore and Southeast Asia, with guaranteed news posting partnerships with Mediacorp and SPH Media, Singapore’s two leading media companies.
Dedicated page on CNA for Media OutReach Newswire press releases
Through the partnerships, Media OutReach Newswire becomes CNA’s first content partner and the only global newswire to offer guaranteed verbatim online news postings on both SPH’s MoneyFM89.3 and Mediacorp’s CNA.
By providing PR and communications professionals direct access to Singapore’s two top media, Media OutReach significantly enhances their stories’ reach and impact, in Singapore, across Southeast Asia, ASEAN, and the Asia Pacific region.
CNA is Singapore’s most used online news source, with a weekly reach of 47%, and one of the country’s two most trusted news media according to a recent study by Reuters Institute*.
Jennifer Kok, Founder & CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, shared: “As champions of the PR industry and the media, we are pleased to partner with both SPH and Mediacorp, and honoured to be the first newswire content partner of CNA. Our total communication solution allows PR and Communication professionals in Singapore to reach journalists and editors, secure write ups, build media relations and gives them multiformat post release reports, filled with data insights and PR campaign intelligence.”
In the AI era, Media OutReach Newswire’s unique guaranteed verbatim news postings, on authoritative online news media across Asia Pacific, North America, UK and Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America give companies a clear advantage in AI Search, SEO and GEO. Media range from local and regional to global media such as CNA, Malay Mail, The Sun Daily, Sinchew, Vietnam News, Vietnam Plus, Daum, Livedoor, AP, AFP, Yahoo, Marketwatch, Market Insider, Financial Times, Zawya, Arabian Post, and Slovenia Times.
Jennifer added, “Media OutReach Newswire’s verbatim news postings on real and trusted news websites make AI models find your content and cite it in search results –vital in driving brand trust as more people search using AI. The verbatim format also gives communicators the ability to control the narrative and the story. This makes the press release, and PR professionals, more relevant than ever.”
The partnerships with Mediacorp and SPH Media solidify Media OutReach Newswire’s position as the trusted newswire of choice for PR professionals, communicators, media and brands alike, across Asia Pacific and the globe.
Ara Ake has approved over $600,000 in funding from the National Flex Discovery Fund for 13 flexibility service providers (FSPs). The Fund is designed to accelerate the commercialisation of emerging energy solutions by providing targeted grants.
“Flexible energy resources, like batteries and electric vehicles, can help the electricity grid during peak demand, reduce the need for new infrastructure, and lower costs for consumers. However, much of New Zealand’s flexibility remains untapped because it is not visible, measurable or accessible,” says Rob Campbell, Ara Ake Board Chair.
“The Fund was set up to address this issue. As it was 160% oversubscribed for the $1 million grant funding pool available, we can see there is clear appetite from New Zealand innovators and industry to deliver flexibility services.”
The Fund is aimed at two areas:
Helping flexibility providers become discoverable to potential buyers on an open-access flexibility platform.
Supporting providers already visible on these platforms to grow and enhance capacity or improve reliability.
Allocated funding was split into two tracks: approximately $200,000 for Track 1 and $400,000 for Track 2. Of the 20 applicants, 13 were successful. The projects were selected based on the Fund criteria that emphasised value-for-money and connected the greatest number of new providers to open-access flexibility platforms.
“This will help provide visibility to potential buyers and ensure a diverse supply of flexibility services across Aotearoa with the potential to scale up as the New Zealand flexibility market evolves in the years to come,” says Rob Campbell.
By the end of 2025, the funding will result in multiple new connections across Flexviz, FlexPoint™, Localflex and GrideX flexibility platforms.
“By next winter, the recipients of Track 2 funds will deliver five projects across diverse technologies: hot water controls, home energy management systems, remote, smart and fast EV charging, and commercial and industrial load. This represents significant potential new flexible load made accessible to the electricity system in time to provide support through the colder winter months in 2026,” says Briony Bennett, Senior Energy Innovation Manager, Ara Ake.
The successful recipients are:
1. Supa Energy
2. Octopus Energy
3. Flex-Able
4. PowerHub
5. Gridsmart, Rinnai NZ
6. Ecotricity
7. EWI Energy
8. Daikin New Zealand
10. Lastmyle
11. Cortexo
12. Counties Energy
13. Simply Energy
“We’ve been preparing for a flexible future for a while now, and this funding will help us turn our trials and pilots into a scalable solution. We’re looking forward to supporting the grid as New Zealand’s vehicle fleet continues to electrify,” says Tom Rose, Product Owner, Evnex.
“PowerHub appreciates this grant, which enables us to connect to a flexibility platform,” says Sophia Bristow, Startup Strategist, PowerHub Group. “As a growing small business in the New Zealand market, being part of the Flex Fund cohort is an important step forward for us.”
Find out more about the National Flex Discovery Fundhere.
The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) has successfully completed the second phase of its Low Emission Freight Certificate (LEFC) collaboration, marking a major step in the development of a new national system to help reduce emissions from Aotearoa New Zealand’s heavy freight sector.
SBC collaborated with a number of its members, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency (EECA) and DETA to design a market-based mechanism to facilitate decarbonisation, launching the framework of the system at the Climate Change and Business Conference today. This is the final piece in a multi-year SBC project to help members and businesses move the needle on heavy freight emissions.
The LEFC system is designed to reward freight companies that invest in low-emission vehicles and to give businesses a clear and credible way to decarbonise their freight emissions. If implemented this would be a world-leading initiative, allowing New Zealand businesses to demonstrate their efforts to reduce emissions.
The system works by allowing freight operators using cleaner vehicle technologies, such as hydrogen and electric, to generate certificates. These certificates can then be purchased by businesses wanting to reduce their Scope 3 emissions – indirect emissions which come from a company’s supply chain like the transport of goods and services.
The design follows international best practices to ensure transparency and accuracy, and avoids double counting of emissions reductions. If implemented, it will support both freight providers investing in low-emission trucks, as well as businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact.
Now the design of the framework is complete, SBC is looking for a provider to bring the system to life, including setting up and running a central registry, managing the certificates, and ensuring the operation is verified and audited each year.
“This is a pivotal moment for the freight sector and a huge opportunity for New Zealand,” says SBC Head of Climate and Nature Antonia Burbidge.
“If implemented this would be a world first scheme. SBC and our participating members have worked closely with industry leaders, government agencies, and technical experts to co-design a system that is practical, credible, and scalable. Now we need a provider to turn this into action to drive real emissions reductions across the supply chain.”
DETA Consulting is the project’s design partner.
Principal Consultant David Taylor says, “Setting up a system like the LEFC is essential to unlocking scalable, transparent decarbonisation in freight. It creates a way to recognise and reward low-emission freight activity, while giving businesses a credible way to report reductions in their supply chain emissions.”
“This is a real and innovative opportunity to turn ambition into action.”
The LEFC initiative has been developed as an SBC-led collaboration. Contributing member businesses include NZ Post, Lyttelton Port Company, Hiringa, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and CHEP. Additional participating organisations and technical experts who have worked on developing the framework design and legal considerations include the Ministry of Transport (MoT), and Chapman Tripp, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and Retyna. The Smart Freight Centre (SFC) and Toitu Envirocare were engaged as part of the process.
NZ Post Head of Sustainability Maddie Spence says, “Industry collaboration on innovative solutions is essential to helping decarbonise heavy freight. We’re excited to see the Low Emissions Freight Certificate system move from concept to reality.”
SBC is now inviting expressions of interest from any organisations interested in knowing more about implementing the system and supporting New Zealand’s transition to a low-emissions and climate resilient economy.
Background
Member-led collaborations in hard to abate sectors form a critical part of SBC’s work programme.
The transport sector is New Zealand’s second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, with heavy vehicles accounting for approximately 5% of New Zealand’s emissions.
Copies of the full LEFC Project Summary and LEFC Demand Report project summary detailing the design and framework of the LEFC systemcan be accessed here.
This work has been part funded by SBC, EECA and participating member organisations.
Covering period of Monday 8 – Thursday 11 September The cooler temperatures, clear skies, and calm conditions that kick off the beginning of the second week of spring will be in stark contrast to the end of the week, with MetService forecasting wet and windy weather to move up the country from the early hours of Tuesday.
A clear and bright Monday morning came with an extra treat of a lunar eclipse, glimpsed as the moon set. With a ridge of high pressure extending over most of the country, cloud-free skies allowed a vast swathe of the population to view the astronomical phenomenon.
While Tuesday will also start off frosty and fresh, the impending change in the weather will not be far away. The first signs will be an increase in cloud and a switch in the wind: fresh southerly winds give way to gusty northwesterly winds about the southern South Island on Tuesday. Rain accompanies this change in weather, heaviest in the west and possibly thundery there also.
MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor says, “The front tracking northward up the country has a lot going on: heavy rain and thunderstorms right along the entire western coast; the chance of severe gale northwesterly winds for Canterbury High Country and the lower North Island; and potentially a fresh dump of spring snow for the southern ski fields. This week is really embodying what we think of as spring conditions.”
Later in the week, another shift in weather is expected. As the first front moves off to the east, a new one sinks down from the north. While still a few days away, it is already expected to pack a punch across the upper North Island.
O’Connor adds, “The northern North Island will escape the worst of the weather earlier in the week, but that will change come Thursday. Again, we are expecting heavy rain, potentially gale westerly winds, and maybe even some thunderstorms to have an impact over this area.”
With changeable weather prevailing this week, keeping up to date with the weather at metservice.com will be paramount, especially when deciding whether to take your raincoat or sunglasses – or maybe even both.
Source:Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
Senior doctors and dentists working for Health New Zealand have voted to strike for 48 hours over stalled pay talks with their employer.
The strike will see the complete withdrawal of labour of Association of Salaried Medical Specialists members from 12:01am on 23 September 2025 until 11:59pm on 24 September 2025.
ASMS members will maintain life preserving services during the strike. These plans will be negotiated over the next five days.
A total of 85% of members who cast a vote were in favour of the two-day strike.
The strike ballot was issued after members almost unanimously rejected Health New Zealand’s latest pay offer, which would have seen a real pay cut for most members. For 90% of senior doctors and dentists covered by our collective agreement, this offer would have represented an annualised pay increase of just 1.16% per year.
Escalating strike action is a last resort, but Health New Zealand must make ASMS members an offer that ensures that specialist salary rates remain competitive and allows Health New Zealand to recruit the medical workforce Aotearoa needs.
The ASMS is ready to resume pay talks and is expecting to meet with the employer before the strike.
ASMS encourages Health New Zealand to return to bargaining with a better offer.
The first two Pay Equity claims under the Coalition Government’s new stricter regime have been filed today by Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO).
NZNO today filed the claims on behalf of its Hospice and Plunket members, covering about 750 and 800 people respectively. Hospice and Plunket were the most advanced of NZNO’s 12 previous claims which were scrapped overnight with the Government’s changes on 6 May.
NZNO spokesperson and Hospice nurse Fiona McDougal says almost 95% of NZNO nurses and support staff working for Hospice are female.
“Our work involves supporting, counselling, and caring for people of all ages needing end-of-life and holistic palliative care in hospice, their homes and the community. We also support their whānau.
“It is skilled and difficult work that not everyone is cut out for. Our work is a crucial part of a caring society. Yet it is work that has long been considered that of women. For that reason, we continue to be underpaid,” Fiona McDougal says.
NZNO delegate and Plunket nurse Hannah Cook says it is estimated that around 98% of Plunket nurses are female.
“About 80% of all newborn babies in Aotearoa New Zealand are seen by skilled and experienced Whānau Āwhina Plunket nurses like me.
“Yet because care work has been historically and systemically devalued in homes and communities, the work we do has been undervalued and underpaid.
“For my colleagues and I, today is an important day. Our mahi is important and we deserve to be paid at the same level for our skills and experience as those in a comparable male dominated occupation,” Hannah Cook says.
NZNO Pay Equity spokesperson Glenda Alexander says NZNO will now meet with each employer separately to progress the respective claims as set out under the new law.
“The employers will now be required to confirm the claims have met the merit and other thresholds required under the new regime. A process to assess the claims will then be set up.
“We know all parties to the two claims are keen to see a positive outcome for these nurses,” Glenda Alexander says.
