Wine judges put Hawke’s Bay’s best to the test at EIT

October 10, 2025

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

2 days ago

More than 200 of the region’s finest wines were sampled in an intense two-day judging process at EIT ahead of the Hawke’s Bay A&P Bayleys Wine Awards.

Judging for the country’s longest running regional competition took place on the Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale last week (September 23-24), with the awards dinner to be held on October 22.

EIT’s School of Viticulture and Wine Science staff and students once again played a central role in stewarding the process and ensuring anonymity by carefully sorting and pouring each glass before it reached the judging table.

EIT Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science students Jingyi Zhang (left) and Jenna Taffard helped prepare flights of wine for judges as part of judging for the Hawke’s Bay A&P Bayleys Wine Awards.

Lecturer Tim Creagh said hosting the judging was an important opportunity for students to experience the professionalism and rigour of a major wine competition.

“Wine shows are hugely important. Consumers will buy wine based on the results, so people trust the process. Having it here, with students involved, gives them invaluable insight into the industry and what’s expected at the highest level,” he said.

Among the stewards this year were first-year degree students Jenna Taffard and Jingyi Zhang, who both took on the role of panel leaders, ensuring judges received each flight of wines correctly and on time.

The judging panels were led by Chief Winemaker at Poulter Family Wines, Nick Picone, who served as Chair of Judges. He said the experience was both an honour and a privilege.

“This is a region I know well and feel very passionate about. Coming back to EIT in this role is a little surreal, because it was one of my first steps into the industry as a student here back in the 1990s. To return as Chair of Judges feels like a full-circle moment,” Nick said.

He added that the awards play a critical role in benchmarking Hawke’s Bay wines against the best.

“It’s a really rigorous process. Wines are tasted blind, discussed at length in panels, and put back through recall before we award gold medals. That makes sure the results are credible and meaningful for both producers and consumers.”

For students, the event also opens doors into wine judging itself. Last year’s A&P Young Vintners Scholarship winner, Tammy Madigan, took part as an associate judge, sitting alongside senior judges to taste, score and debate wines.

“It’s been amazing to try so many wines side by side and hear what experienced judges are looking for. I’ve learned a lot about how the whole process works, and it’s definitely something I’d like to keep doing,” she said.

Tim said the chance to step into associate roles, and eventually progress to full judging, was highly valuable.

“For students it can be the beginning of their pathway into judging. You start as a steward, move into an associate role, and one day you may become a senior judge. It’s exciting to see that cycle start right here at EIT.”

Head of School, Viticulture and Wine Science, Sue Blackmore, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome the Bayleys A&P Wine judging back to EIT after the disruption from Cyclone Gabrielle”.

“The team have still been assisting at other venues but to have the judging team back on EIT campus is very special.”

MIL OSI

Peer support workers join North Shore Hospital

LiveNews Publisher

October 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the introduction of peer support workers in North Shore Hospital’s Emergency Department, completing the rollout of the service across all three major Auckland hospitals.

“With North Shore now on board, it’s great to see the whole Auckland region benefitting from peer support in EDs. This is about making sure people in mental distress have the right support at the right time,” Mr Doocey says.

“For anyone in mental health crisis, arriving at a busy emergency department can be overwhelming. Having a peer support specialist there, someone with lived experience who understands what they’re going through can bring real comfort and hope.”

Mr Doocey says the service is already making a meaningful impact around the country.

“People tell us they feel listened to, supported, and more connected to support because of this service. That’s why we’re moving quickly to expand it nationwide.

“Peer support specialists are available to listen, share their experience, and reassure people there is a way forward. They can also link people to community mental health services where needed, helping to set them up for better outcomes once they leave hospital.

“As New Zealand’s first Minister for Mental Health, I want to see us make better use of the expertise and empathy peer support workers bring. We’re embedding this workforce not only in EDs but also in new crisis cafés opening around the country, and in our refreshed eating disorders strategy.

“Peer support workers are a part of our mental health plan for faster access to support, more frontline workers and a better crisis response.

“Whether it’s you, your child, a friend, or a family member, reaching out for support, this Government is committed to ensuring support is there.”

MIL OSI

65+ new social homes on the way for Canterbury

LiveNews Publisher

October 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 65 new social homes will be delivered in Canterbury by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Our Government backs social housing, and we’re determined to deliver it better. That means building the right homes, in the right places, with the right support, for the people most in need,” Mr Bishop says.

“Across New Zealand, CHPs and Kāinga Ora have delivered over 6,800 net new social homes since November 2023, with 837 of those places being in Canterbury.

“On top of that, the Government has committed funding for more than 2,000 additional homes to be delivered by CHPs over the next two years. Canterbury is one of the regions benefiting from this pipeline.”

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated social homes based on regional need, which has been assessed using a range of factors including the housing register and emergency housing use.

“In Canterbury, the CHP projects are expected to deliver:

At least 65 new social homes through CHPs including Christchurch Methodist Mission and Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust
Homes located in suburbs including Lyttelton, Linwood, Merivale and Somerfield
More than 80 percent of these homes will be one- and two-bedroom units, which will help address the greatest gap in social housing supply in Canterbury

“Half of those waiting for a home nationally need a one-bedroom property, yet only 12 percent of Kāinga Ora’s stock meets that need. In Canterbury, 88 per cent of the housing register demand is for one- and two-bedroom places so these new homes will make a real difference,” Mr Bishop says.

“Every set of keys handed over is another person or family in a warm, dry social home. We’re focused not just on delivering more homes, but on delivering the right homes that match the needs of people and communities.

“The Government’s wider reset of the social housing system is already showing results. Recently the Community Housing Funding Agency achieved an A+ credit rating from S&P Global, and just yesterday we announced the introduction of a new loan guarantee scheme, reducing borrowing costs for CHPs and enabling them to deliver more homes.

“We’re simplifying the funding system so providers can get on with building homes, instead of navigating a confusing web of overlapping funds. These Canterbury projects are a good example of the progress being made.”

Four of the homes have already been delivered by the Christchurch Methodist Mission, and over 60 others will be delivered from early 2026 by Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust working in conjunction with construction partners of their choice.

MIL OSI

More overseas investment, faster, means jobs and growth

LiveNews Publisher

October 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says overseas investment decisions being made more than twice as fast is a vital ingredient for businesses seeking capital to create jobs and pay higher wages.

“New Zealanders are paying the price for having one of the most restrictive overseas investment laws in the developed world – it’s resulted in less growth, fewer jobs, lower productivity, and stagnant wages”, says Mr Seymour.

“We’re fixing that by changing the Overseas Investment Act and making sure businesses can get quicker access to desperately needed capital.

“Last year I issued a Ministerial directive letter setting out my expectations for faster consent processing timeframes under the Overseas Investment Act. The letter set my expectation that LINZ, the regulator for the Act, will process 80 per cent of consent applications in half the statutory timeframes for decisions.”

In the 12 months to 31 August:

LINZ has processed almost 87 per cent of consent applications in half the statutory timeframe
Processing times are 62 per cent faster than in financial year 2024. The average timeframe has reduced from 71 working days to less than 27 working days.

“The improvements to processing times are largely owed to the new risk-based approach LINZ take to verifying information and streamlining consent processes. This recognises that the majority of consent applications are low-risk and should be processed more efficiently,” says Mr Seymour.

“By making an important government service more efficient, we’re getting better outcomes for New Zealanders.

“Also in the 12 months to 31 August, there were 131 applications for overseas investment, up from 122 between 1 July 2024 to 19 June 2025 (both figures exclude ‘only home to live in’ applications).

“Long waiting times for applications create uncertainty and reduce the attractiveness of investing in New Zealand. This impacts the New Zealand businesses that rely on overseas investment for capital.

“Since delegating most decision-making to LINZ and directing officials to focus on realising the benefits of overseas investment, there has been a significant improvement in processing times.

“Feedback from investors has been overwhelmingly positive, and they have welcomed the changes to make the application process more efficient, while still giving the right level of scrutiny to high-risk transactions.

“LINZ still has the full statutory timeframe to process 20 per cent of consent applications, which will allow them to manage complex and higher-risk applications.

“The Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, currently at select committee, will consolidate and simplify the screening process for less sensitive assets, introducing a modified national interest test that will enable the regulator to triage low-risk transactions, replacing the existing benefit to New Zealand test and investor test. If a national interest risk is identified, the regulator and relevant Minister will have a range of tools to manage this, including through imposing conditions or blocking the transaction.”

The current screening requirements will stay in place for investments in farmland and fishing quota.

“For all investments aside from residential land, farmland and fishing quota, decisions must be made in 15 days, unless the application could be contrary to New Zealand’s national interest. In contrast, the current timeframe in the Regulations for the benefit test is 70 days, and the average time taken for decisions to be made is 30 days for this test,” says Mr Seymour.

“New Zealand has been turning away opportunities for growth for too long. International investment is critical to ensuring economic growth. It provides access to capital and technology that grows New Zealand businesses, enhances productivity, and supports high paying jobs.”

MIL OSI

Passport processing times slashed by two-thirds

LiveNews Publisher

October 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that increased efficiency for passport processing has resulted in an 18-day improvement to wait times compared to when Labour was last in Government.

“This represents a dramatic improvement in passport processing efficiency with New Zealanders now receiving their passports three times faster than in October 2023,” says Ms van Velden.

“Standard passport applications that previously took 25 days are now processed in just 7 days.

“We are fixing what matters to Kiwis and their families. This enhanced efficiency demonstrates the Government’s commitment to delivering better value and service to New Zealanders.

“Currently, 99.5 per cent of all passport applications are processed within 10 working days from receipt of a completed and correct application.

“I am proud to see the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] consistently answering the call to boost efficiency and bring tangible benefits to Kiwis with the services it provides,” says Ms van Velden.

Improvements to processing times have been driven by internal processing changes, including a shift to more digital rather than paper-based application pathways, cross skilling of passport and citizenship processing staff and automating identity proofing services.

“These improvements come at a crucial time, as the Department expects passport application volumes to increase from December onwards when the first 10-year passports begin to expire, and I have asked the Department to find even further efficiencies.

“New Zealanders can now plan their travel with confidence, knowing their passport will arrive when they need it,” says Ms van Velden.

MIL OSI

AI-powered mental health support tool launched

LiveNews Publisher

October 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and Sir John Kirwan today launched Ask Groov, Health New Zealand’s first endorsed AI powered wellbeing guide for adults.

“Access to mental health support should never be a barrier. With Ask Groov, faster access to support is available 24/7, when and where people need it,” Mr Doocey says.

“With this launch, we’re taking a significant step forward in making mental health support more accessible, practical, and personalised, helping New Zealanders take control of their own wellbeing.

“The Government’s mental health plan focuses on faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response. Innovative tools like Ask Groov gives Kiwis faster access to support and allows us to get in early, preventing problems from escalating.

“The Ask Groov tool is designed to complement, not replace, the care provided by trained professionals. It helps people with mild to moderate needs manage everyday challenges such as stress, sleep issues, or relationship pressures before they escalate.

“Tools like Ask Groov equip people with practical strategies they can use to get through difficult times. By integrating innovative technology with expert clinical guidance, we are building a stronger mental health support system that reaches more people, faster.

“It’s especially great to be here today with Sir John Kirwan, who co-founded Groov alongside Adam Clark. John has been instrumental in breaking down stigma and supporting better mental health across the country.”

Sir John Kirwan highlighted to Minister Doocey that Ask Groov provides people with a safe space to ask their own questions in their own words and receive trusted, science-backed answers. He also notes that the tool has been specifically designed for Kiwis, with content that is reliable, evidence-based, and focused on wellbeing. He passed on this is the kind of support he wishes had been available when he was struggling.

“The tool has been deliberately designed with safety at its core. Ask Groov uses advanced AI techniques to ensure advice comes from information developed or approved by Groov’s clinical experts, so guidance is always safe. If a user needs more support, the tool automatically escalates them to human services such as 1737,” Mr Doocey says.

“Whether it’s you, your child, a friend, or a family member, this Government is committed to ensuring support is there.”

MIL OSI

Police presence for Hawke’s Bay gang tangi

LiveNews Publisher

October 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Hawke’s Bay Area Commander Inspector Lincoln Sycamore:

Police will have a visible presence across Hawke’s Bay today as a gang tangi travels from Napier to Waipukurau.

A large number of gang members and associates are expected to be in town for the tangi, and Police will have additional resources available to provide support to staff.

We are mindful of providing a space for whānau and friends to grieve peacefully while balancing the safety of the community.

Police have been in contact with local gang leaders to outline our expectations, including around the wearing or displaying of gang insignia in a public place, which Police will act upon.

Our focus is on the safety of everyone. We will not tolerate behaviour that aims to threaten or intimidate, and officers will be working to reduce disruption to the public.

Police will have additional patrols in place, including on the roads over the coming days. Even if we can’t take enforcement action on the day, staff will follow up on reports of illegal activity.

We urge anyone who witnesses illegal behaviour to call 111 immediately. If you are reporting matters after the fact, please make a report online or call 105.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Government considering Chorus divestment

LiveNews Publisher

October 10, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is exploring ways to free up capital locked in its investment in Chorus, to redirect into capital projects of more use to New Zealanders.

National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFFCo) will investigate the feasibility of selling the debt and equity securities it holds in Chorus.

These debt and equity securities were purchased as the Crown’s funding contribution to the delivery of the Ultra-Fast Broadband initiative, that was completed in 2022.

Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says that with the completion of the Ultra-Fast Broadband initiative there is no longer a policy reason for the Crown to own these securities.

“Most New Zealanders were probably not aware the Government owns this investment in Chorus, nor feels any particular benefit from it.

“That’s why it is sensible and prudent to consider the feasibility of divestment to redirect the Government’s capital stored in Chorus into investments that New Zealanders can benefit from.

“The Government is continuously identifying opportunities to support its fiscal strategy and to drive economic growth. Early monetisation of NIFFCo’s Chorus securities is one opportunity that is worth exploring.”

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says he has asked NIFFCo to explore the feasibility of selling the securities to private investors in early 2026, rather than waiting another five to ten years for the securities to mature. This process will be done with oversight from the Treasury.

“If such a sale gains approval and goes ahead, the proceeds would return to the Crown and the cash would be made available for capital allocations – that’s hospitals, schools, and roads – in Budget 2026.

“That means Kiwis reaping the benefits of jobs, infrastructure and growth sooner.”

NIFFCo’s programme of work will include due diligence of the contractual terms of the securities, commercial valuation, testing of market appetite, and advice on an optimal sales process.

It’s expected advice on whether to proceed with the sale to go to the NIFFCo board and shareholding ministers by the end of 2025.

Ministers require that for any sale to gain approval, the decision to go to market – and the final sale price – will meet value-for-money expectations.

MIL OSI

NZ-AU: Global Clean Energy Surges Ahead as Breakthrough Technologies and New ESG Rules Redefine the Path to Net Zero

MIL OSI

October 10, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

San Francisco, Oct. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SAN FRANCISCO, CA October 09, 2025 – –

A sweeping wave of technological breakthroughs and regulatory shifts is accelerating the global energy transition, reshaping how governments, investors, and industries are approaching decarbonization and sustainability. New intelligence from EarlyBirds highlights how rapid advancements in renewable energy and storage technologies, combined with tightening environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks, are setting the pace for the next decade of climate and industrial transformation.

From the deployment of hydrogen transport and large-scale battery systems to the expansion of space-based solar power and the resurgence of carbon pricing policies, momentum across the energy ecosystem suggests that the long-anticipated convergence of innovation, investment, and regulation is finally taking form. The developments observed during the first week of October 2025 paint a picture of a world moving swiftly toward technological maturity in renewable systems, even as it faces the policy and market complexities of scaling them.

In Norway, a country long regarded as a global leader in electric vehicle adoption, new advances in nationwide charging infrastructure are providing a benchmark for seamless integration between mobility systems and renewable energy grids. The country’s model demonstrates how well-planned infrastructure can accelerate decarbonization in transport while strengthening energy resilience. In the storage domain, Sineng Electric’s turnkey battery systems are emerging as vital tools for stabilizing renewable energy supply, enabling diverse applications ranging from grid-scale deployment to localized microgrid support. The commissioning of Europe’s largest battery energy storage system, a 200 MW installation by ENGIE and Sungrow in Belgium, underscores how storage technology has evolved from experimental pilot projects into a mature and bankable asset class supporting the continent’s renewable integration goals.

Hydrogen continues to gain prominence as both an industrial feedstock and a scalable clean fuel. Duke Energy’s launch of the United States’ first fully integrated green hydrogen system in Florida represents a landmark project that combines production, storage, and power generation. The initiative demonstrates the viability of hydrogen as a dispatchable energy source capable of reinforcing grid stability and reducing dependence on fossil generation. In Asia, Isuzu and Toyota’s deployment of hydrogen buses marks a decisive moment in clean public transportation, while new hydrogen refueling infrastructure in North America is addressing one of the sector’s most persistent adoption barriers.

Complementing hydrogen’s rise, innovation in geothermal energy is proving that renewable baseload power can be both reliable and cost-efficient. XGS Energy’s 3,000-hour geothermal trial in California achieved sustained output and seamless grid integration, suggesting that geothermal energy could play a much larger role in the global energy mix. Hybrid projects that combine hydrogen, geothermal, and battery storage, such as those now being built in the western United States, point to an era of complementary renewable ecosystems that work together to meet round-the-clock demand.

Solar technology, meanwhile, is pushing into new frontiers. Scientists from the University of Delaware and Taizhou University recently shattered the long-standing efficiency ceiling for silicon solar cells, achieving conversion rates above 50 percent. This leap could dramatically lower the cost of solar energy and double the output from the same surface area. Japan’s national investment program in ultra-thin perovskite cells, alongside Namibia’s approval of a 3 gigawatt solar and hydrogen complex, underscores how major economies are turning laboratory breakthroughs into industrial-scale programs. Beyond Earth, the first commercial collaborations in space-based solar power, led by Space Solar, Thales Alenia Space, and Aetherflux, are exploring continuous orbital energy collection and laser transmission to Earth. If proven viable, such systems could eliminate the intermittency challenge entirely and redefine the logistics of global energy distribution.

On the investment front, capital deployment into clean energy and storage assets continues to climb, signaling growing market confidence in the economics of decarbonization. A $700 million joint venture between Larsen & Toubro and ACWA Power in Uzbekistan is set to deliver 1 gigawatt of combined solar generation and storage capacity, establishing Central Asia as a new player in renewable expansion. In Australia, ACCIONA’s $140 million acquisition of the East Rockingham Waste-to-Energy facility reinforces the circular economy trend, turning waste streams into valuable energy resources. In the United States, Enlight Renewable Energy’s $340 million Roadrunner solar and storage project near Tucson is backed by tax equity investors, reflecting the increasing alignment between sustainable finance and infrastructure growth. Even smaller firms such as Vivakor, investing $23 million in clean energy technologies, illustrate how diversified capital participation is sustaining sectoral momentum across scales.

While innovation accelerates, the regulatory landscape is tightening. Governments are now moving beyond voluntary ESG reporting toward binding climate compliance. Australia’s proposal to reintroduce carbon pricing and impose a tax on coal exports represents a decisive return to fiscal mechanisms for emission control. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to phase out organics from landfills by 2040 is a significant measure against methane emissions and a potential catalyst for a new generation of circular waste solutions. Internationally, the International Maritime Organization’s forthcoming Net-Zero Framework will impose new emissions targets across global shipping, reshaping fuel supply chains and vessel design strategies. Europe’s environmental authorities have also renewed calls for deeper decarbonization, signaling stricter oversight of corporate climate disclosures and carbon accounting.

Together, these developments define a global inflection point in sustainability. Technological innovation is meeting regulatory ambition in a way that transforms compliance from an administrative function into a competitive advantage. Organizations able to anticipate policy changes and integrate advanced technologies — from AI-driven energy optimization to next-generation battery chemistries — will be best positioned to capture emerging markets and investor confidence. Conversely, industries slow to adapt face escalating operational costs, supply chain disruptions, and reputational risks as regulators and consumers demand measurable environmental progress.

According to EarlyBirds‘ analysts, the synergy between innovation and regulation will increasingly determine leadership in the energy transition. Nations and companies that align research, industrial deployment, and policy coherence are poised to dominate the green economy. As renewable systems become more efficient and interconnected, the boundaries between compliance, investment, and innovation are dissolving, creating a new ecosystem where technological agility equals resilience.

The first week of October 2025 encapsulates this transformation: governments tightening environmental policy, investors scaling clean energy commitments, and innovators surpassing long-held scientific limits. Together, these forces are rewriting the fundamentals of global energy economics. What was once a fragmented movement of isolated technologies and climate pledges is now coalescing into a unified, data-driven transition. The result is a race not just to decarbonize, but to reinvent how the world powers its future — continuously, sustainably, and intelligently.

###

For more information about EarlyBirds, contact the company here:

EarlyBirds
Mr Kris Poria
support@earlybirds.io
EarlyBirds USA Inc., 548 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94104 USA

– Published by The MIL Network

allnex to launch its European Defense Materials Program

MIL OSI

October 10, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

FRANKFURT, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – allnex is taking a bold leap forward with the launch of its European Defense Materials Program. This initiative is designed to accelerate innovation and support Europe’s ambition for greater strategic autonomy in defense.

Europe’s defense sector is facing urgent challenges. New solutions must be developed faster, built to last longer, and perform reliably in the harshest environments. Leveraging allnex resin technology, the program focuses on boosting productivity in structural composite manufacturing and accelerating in-field repairs to ensure a rapid return to service. Meeting these demands calls for fresh thinking, stronger partnerships, and advanced materials that set a new industry standard.

“At allnex, we’re not entering this program with a list of ready-made solutions,” said Mirko Schnitzler, EVP EMEA. “We come with open ears and open minds. Our ambition is to work side by side with customers and partners across the value chain, uncover the roadblocks that hold back progress, and mobilize our best people to create answers together. If there are bottlenecks, we’ll break them. If there are barriers, we’ll remove them. Because only by rethinking the way we collaborate can we set new standards for the future of defense materials.”

A key part of this approach is exploring the advantages of high-speed curing technologies such as EBECRYL® and Radcure® UV/EB curing and AcureTM, which can dramatically accelerate production and repair cycles. In parallel, allnex is developing resin solutions that address critical defense requirements—from stealth and corrosion protection to high heat and chemical resistance. These innovations are built to extend the service life of next-generation solutions, reduce repair and production times, and ultimately deliver greater military performance and readiness.

“While the European chemical industry faces challenges, demand for a more self-sufficient defense ecosystem in Europe is creating strong momentum,” said Cedric D’Hulst, Marketing Director EMEA. “This momentum is driving a surge in demand for advanced defense materials and innovative coating solutions. With solid investments flowing into defense R&D and plant upgrades, the need for high-performance resin systems is growing rapidly. allnex has launched this program not only to meet this demand, but to lead innovation in industrial resin systems that will enable the next generation of defense solutions.”

With the launch of the European Defense Materials Program, allnex is making its position clear. The company is ready to listen, collaborate, and deliver breakthrough technologies that will shape the future of European defense. Now is the time to forge the partnerships and innovations that will secure Europe’s strength for decades to come.

Hashtag: #allnex

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

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

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