Facebook Linkedin Youtube
Home Blog Page 61

Appeal for witnesses following Cardrona Valley Road crash, Wānaka

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Senior Sergeant Fiona Roberts, Area Response Manager, Wānaka, Southern District.

Southern District Police are investigating a serious crash in Wānaka and are seeking witnesses.

Police responded to a crash on Cardrona Valley Road, around 4pm Wednesday 4 September.

We would like to speak with anyone who saw the accident, or witnessed the manner of driving prior to the crash.

If you have any information that could assist Police, please contact us via 105, either over the phone or online. Reference file number 250904/6697.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.

Police appreciate the patience shown by motorists caught up in the road closures.

The road is reduced to one lane this afternoon so further enquiries can take place. 

It is important we all continue to do everything we can to prevent lives being lost on our roads. 

We urge motorists to ensure everyone in your vehicle is safely restrained, drive at a safe speed for the conditions under the posted speed limit, put your cell phone away, and ensure you’re free of fatigue, alcohol and drugs.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Serious crash, East Taieri-Allanton Road /SH1

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: New Zealand Police

East Taieri-Allanton Road /SH1 between Law Road and Riverside Road is closed following a two-vehicle crash around 1:30pm.

One person has sustained serious injuries and diversions are in place.

Motorists should expect delays.

The road is expected to be closed for several hours.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

MIL OSI

Temporary changes coming to Cambridge Road/SH29 intersection

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

For people that live near or travel along Cambridge Road, some temporary disruptions are on the way during the school holidays later this month as part of the State Highway 29 (SH29) Tauriko Enabling Works project.

Work is underway on a major retaining wall at the intersection of SH29 and Cambridge Road. This is in preparation for a new, safer intersection with traffic lights, a key upgrade that will also include a new connection to Whiore Avenue for buses and people walking and cycling wanting to access Tauriko Business Estate.

Darryl Coalter, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Acting Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery says that great progress is already being made.

“We’ve already moved the power lines underground and we’re now ready to switch them on and remove the old lines and poles.

“To do this safely, there will be a short power outage and temporary lane closures. We’ve timed this work to happen during the school holidays to minimise overall disruption to the travelling public.”

Power outage and right-turn bay closure – Monday 22 September, 9am to 4pm

To switch on new underground power cables, a power outage is planned for both Cambridge Road and SH29. Affected customers will be notified by their power providers. During this time, temporary traffic management will include: 

  • Cambridge Road – stop/go and a 30km/h speed limit.
  • Cambridge Road to SH29 – closure of the right-turn bay. Hamilton-bound traffic must turn left onto SH29, then use the SH29/SH36 roundabout to change direction.
  • SH29 – a lane shift and shoulder closure (westbound towards Hamilton).
  • 60km/h speed limit on all approaches to the work site.
  • All eastbound traffic (towards Tauranga/Bethlehem via Cambridge Road) will be maintained.

Cambridge Road lane closure – Sunday 28 September, 9am to 4pm

A closure of a section of the northbound lane (heading to Bethlehem) on Cambridge Road is also needed to safely remove the old power poles and lines on Cambridge Road and SH29. No power outage is required.

The lane closure includes a short section of road from the intersection with SH29 to 559 Cambridge Road. People should be prepared for moderate disruption. During this time, temporary traffic management will include:

  • SH29/Cambridge Road intersection to Bethlehem Town Centre – detour routes for Bethlehem-bound traffic are expected to take approximately 15 minutes via SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (toll applies), and approximately 22 minutes via SH29A and Cameron Road (free route).
  • Cambridge Road residents – access from SH29 will be via the detours. We acknowledge the inconvenience and are committed to completing this work as quickly as possible.
  • The southbound lane on Cambridge Road heading towards SH29 will remain open.
  • Shoulder closures and mobile operations on SH29, with SH29 traffic maintained in both directions.

View larger/downloadable map [PDF, 377 KB]

NZTA thanks everyone for their patience during this important work.

Work to upgrade the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection is expected to be completed in 2027.

The SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works are being delivered by NZTA together with Tauranga City Council, with construction by Downer. 

Tauriko Enabling Works

MIL OSI

Weather News – From northwest warmth to southwest chill – MetService

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thu 04 – Mon 08 September – West-northwest breezes and passing cloud for the final two days of Zespri AIMS games in Tauranga
Auckland starts off wet on Saturday but come kick off there’s just a risk of brief rain with chilly southwest winds
Father’s Day is a bit of a mixed bag; some rain spreads up the country with southwesterly winds
A blood moon is due in the western sky around 6am on Monday morning

MetService has issued a number of Severe Weather Forecasts for strong northwest winds and heavy rain as an active frontal system moves up the country while the working week winds down.

The most likely severe weather is about the Canterbury High Country and headwaters with Orange Warnings for northwest winds and heavy rain, but there’s several Watches for Heavy Rain and Strong winds around the country.

The heavy rain has kicked off for the west coast of the South Island today (Thursday) with a few thunderstorms making it on land around Fiordland and southern Westland. Western areas are most at risk of rain today but as we head into Friday the wet weather extends northward with Wellington seeing passing showers through the day and the main frontal rain band arriving at night.

Thunderstorms are forecast to mostly remain around southern and western parts of the South Island, however, some may sneak across the alps into the likes of Queenstown Lakes. The thunderstorms bring risk of hail, blustery winds and potential snow down to around 400m.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris warns, “Much of the North Island will wake up to rain on Saturday but it will be tending drier as the front keeps on trucking away to the northeast. There’s not much reprieve though – a cool southwest change moves onto Southland Saturday evening and zips up the country. It might be breakfast in bed rather than a round of golf for Dad on Sunday.”

Northwest winds make for some warm temperatures in eastern areas today and tomorrow. These highs are short lived as the southwest winds remind us that spring is a time of yoyoing temperatures. Christchurch is going for 18°C on Friday and 11°C on Saturday.

A brief ridge of high pressure is forecast across the country on Monday morning so there’s a good chance for many to spot the blood moon.
 

Understanding MetService Severe Weather Warning System

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) – take cover now:

This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning.
In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!

Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:

When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!

Orange Warnings are about taking action:

When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action.

Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action

Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.

Watches are about being alert:

When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
During a Watch: Stay alert

Outlooks are about looking ahead:

To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
Issued routinely once or twice a day
Recommendation: Plan.

MIL OSI

Business – Australia and NZ Leadership Forum concludes with firm commitment to a stronger trans-Tasman partnership

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: BusinessNZ

The 2025 Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) has concluded in Canberra with business and government leaders from both nations reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation and building a more resilient and prosperous trans-Tasman partnership.
Under the theme “Navigating a Turbulent World: Enhancing Trans-Tasman Prosperity, Security, and Resilience,” the Forum focused on concrete actions to address shared challenges in an increasingly complex geopolitical and economic landscape.
Discussions spanned four key plenary sessions, identifying a clear path forward:
  • Aligning for
Impact – Leaders discussed greater collaboration on workforce,
investment, and innovation to boost trans-Tasman productivity and
competitiveness.
  • Integrated Defence
Capability – Discussions focused on transforming defence industry
alignment into practical cooperation, strengthening joint capabilities and
supply chains.
  • Building a Seamless
Digital Economy – Delegates explored initiatives to harmonise data
regulations and invest in infrastructure to facilitate seamless digital
trade and embrace emerging technologies, such as AI, cyber and quantum.
  • Trans-Tasman Climate
Cooperation – The forum highlighted the need for coordinated
regulation and finance to unlock green economic growth and establish
consistent climate-related standards.
The 2025 ANZLF was attended by a number of senior government officials whose participation underscored the strong government-to-business partnership. Australian Ministers included Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers and Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell. New Zealand Ministers included Finance Minister Nicola Willis, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, and Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk, The day’s events concluded with a Leaders’ Dinner, where delegates were joined by the Prime Minister of Australia the Honourable Anthony Albanese.
“The Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum is more than just a discussion; it is a platform for action,” said Mr John Paitaridis, Australian Co-Chair of the ANZLF. “The robust dialogue and practical recommendations from today’s sessions will be crucial in strengthening our shared prosperity and security in a shifting global environment.”
“The outcomes of this forum demonstrate that when business and government work in lockstep, we can achieve more together than we can alone,” added Mr Greg Lowe, New Zealand Co-Chair of the ANZLF. “The commitment shown today gives me great confidence that we can turn this momentum into tangible progress for both our nations.”
About the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF)
The ANZLF is the premier bilateral forum that brings together senior business and government leaders from Australia and New Zealand to advance opportunities for a more prosperous, secure, and resilient trans-Tasman partnership.

MIL OSI

Climate – This year’s winter snow ‘abysmal’ for many – Earth Sciences

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

Winter snowfall was well below average for much of the country, says Earth Sciences New Zealand.
Several ski fields were forced to close this season due to a lack of snow, leaving many ski enthusiasts disappointed.
Hydrological forecasting scientist Dr Jono Conway said it had been an abysmal year for some areas.
“Our high elevation weather stations tell us it’s been a mixed bag for our alpine regions. Some places saw near-average snowfall but what stands out is the number of low or record low total snowfall readings,” he said.
Snow plays a significant role in both national water flows and the economy. Snowmelt contributes up to 50% of winter inflows to major hydroelectricity lakes, large areas of the South Island use meltwater for irrigation in spring and early summer, and winter tourism relies heavily on snow; in 2019, there were about 1.7 million visitors to ski fields in New Zealand.
“Mountains in the north of the South Island have been particularly bare of snow this season. The Mahanga Range site in Tasman saw less than half its average winter snowfall, as did mid- to lower-elevation sites throughout the South Island. Crawford Knob and Murchison Mountains had their lowest winter snowfall totals on record, with 1.92m and 0.46m respectively.”
“At only 0.19m deep, as recorded on 1st September, the snow at Mahanga was at a third of the average depth for that date and the second lowest on record. Mt Larkins near Queenstown and Mueller Hut above Mt Cook Village recorded moderately low snowfall with 71 and 85% of average winter totals, respectively,” said Dr Conway.
The exception was Upper Rakaia in inland mid-Canterbury, where large snowfall events during June set up the season well and regular snowfall during July and August kept total winter snowfall around the long-term average.
Other areas that recorded near average snow depths on 1st September only did so because of a large amount of snowfall in the last few days of August.
“The lack of snow was due to predominately settled, dry conditions through much of July and August. Early-season storms in the northern half of the island also brought heavy rain rather than snow. This was especially felt in Nelson-Tasman, where damaging floods devastated the region back in June and July,” said Dr Conway.
Earth Sciences NZ’s Winter and August Climate Summaries are due out this Friday, covering the season’s weather in more detail. 

MIL OSI

Property Market – A cold winter for property values – Cotality

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Cotality

Property values in Aotearoa New Zealand edged down by -0.2% in August, the fifth monthly fall in a row, according to Cotality NZ’s latest hedonic Home Value Index (HVI).

National values have dropped by -0.6% so far in 2025, with the modest gains seen late last year and early this year now negated.
The nationwide median now stands at $809,113, still -17.2% down compared to the January 2022 peak, and also the lowest level since August 2023.

Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said the August result was yet another reminder that market conditions remained soft over Winter.

“Given the continued economic weakness, further increases in unemployment, and subdued confidence, it’s no surprise that property values are treading water. While the downturn after the post-COVID boom has now petered out, steadier growth has yet to materialise.”

“That said, what might be discouraging for property owners and sellers is beneficial for those buyers on the other side of the coin.”

“In particular, we’re seeing continued strength from first home buyers, and a rising market share for mortgaged multiple property owners too.”

“That includes the cliched ‘Mum and Dad’ investors who are no doubt enjoying lower mortgage rates and reduced top-ups on their rental properties.”

“The psychology and mindset around house prices can change quickly, and we’ve seen that before. But right now, caution is the dominant theme, and with unemployment not expected to be at its peak just yet, it’s unlikely that many people will be rushing out to bid up house prices aggressively over the rest of 2025.”

Across the main centres, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland was down by -0.5% in August, with Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and Kirikiriroa Hamilton both seeing a more modest -0.1% fall. Tauranga was unchanged, with Ōtautahi Christchurch up by +0.2% and Ōtepoti Dunedin recording a +0.4% lift.

Index results for August 2025
Change in dwelling values
Median value
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
$1,047,698
Kirikiriroa Hamilton
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington*
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Ōtepoti Dunedin
Aotearoa New Zealand

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s property values have certainly endured a testing Winter, with falls across the board in August, the third month out of the past four in which this has occurred (only July missed the cut, with only Rodney just holding steady).

August’s falls were fairly uniform across the sub-markets, ranging between -0.4% and -0.6% in Auckland City, Manukau, Papakura, North Shore, and Waitakare, with Franklin and Rodney a little weaker still.

Over a broader three-month period, the falls range from -1.5% to -2.0%, although Rodney’s has been a touch smaller at -1.3%. Each sub-market also still sits around -20% to -25% below the previous peak.

Mr Davidson added: “The stock of available listings around Tāmaki Makaurau has begun to drift downwards, but it’s starting from a high level, and the latest property value figures re-emphasise that it’s still a buyer’s market in our largest city. For example, the Cotality Buyer Classification figures show that first home buyers and mortgaged multiple property owners are enjoying conditions at present and taking a high or rising share of purchasing activity.”

Change in dwelling values
Median value
$1,203,878
Te Raki Paewhenua North Shore
$1,244,915
Auckland City
$1,133,308
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
$1,047,698

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

August was also subdued across the wider Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington area, with Kāpiti Coast and Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt both down by -0.6%, and Porirua slipping -0.3% lower. Wellington City itself was flat, but it has still dropped by -3.4% over the past 12 months.

The falls from peak remain significant across the region too, ranging from around -22% in Kāpiti Coast and Porirua, to more than -25% in Wellington City and Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt.

“Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington’s previous sharp downturn in property values has petered out, but the remnants of that phase haven’t disappeared altogether. Indeed, although the rate of decline has been much slower, Wellington City itself has still fallen further in the past 12 months, with lingering employment uncertainty a continued challenge,” Mr Davidson noted.

Change in dwelling values
Median value
Kāpiti Coast
Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt
Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt
Wellington City
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Regional results

The tentative evidence that a touch more economic resilience in provincial areas was also supporting property values continued from July and into August, with Whakatū Nelson, Waihōpai Invercargill, and Ngāmotu New Plymouth all rising by at least +0.5%.

That said, there’s still patchiness from month to month, with Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne, Heretaunga Hastings, and Ahuriri Napier all down by -0.5% or more.

“We shouldn’t get carried away with any flow-on effects from NZ’s two-speed economy into provincial property outperformance, not least because some of the regions have their own challenges in terms of losing young people overseas during this current phase of strong migrant departures.”
“That said, the longer the primary sector continues to grow strongly, the more cash will find its way into our regional towns and cities, giving property values some key support.”

Change in dwelling values
Median value
Ahuriri Napier
Te Papaioea Palmerston North
Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne
Whangārei
Heretaunga Hastings
Whakatū Nelson
Tāhuna Queenstown
$1,680,803
Ngāmotu New Plymouth
Waihōpai Invercargill

Property market outlook
Looking ahead, Mr Davidson noted: “It wouldn’t be a surprise if the final few months of the year remain consistent with the ‘conflicting forces’ theme that we’ve been reiterating throughout 2025. That is, the support from lower mortgage rates, but the headwinds of a weak economy and elevated levels of listings on the market.”

“That said, property sales volumes have basically ‘normalised’ and should rise further in 2026 as the lagged effects of lower mortgage rates continue to flow through – with more existing borrowers repricing their loans down to current interest rates. Those interest rates themselves may also drop further as the Reserve Bank pushes through more official cash rate cuts.”

“Housing affordability also looks a bit more comfortable now, and the unemployment rate is projected to start easing downwards gently in the first few months of next year too, with the stock of listings also potentially drifting lower.”

“Adding all of this together, property values may be poised to rise a little more clearly in 2026. But a fresh boom doesn’t look likely, especially given the debt to income ratio rules and Government measures to ramp up housing supply,” Davidson concluded.
For more property news and insights, visit www.cotality.com/nz/insights.

Notes:

The Cotality Hedonic Home Value Index (HVI) is calculated using a hedonic regression methodology that addresses the issue of compositional bias associated with median price and other measures. In simple terms, the index is calculated using recent sales data combined with information about the attributes of individual properties such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, land area and geographical context of the dwelling. By separating each property into its various formational and locational attributes, observed sales values for each property can be distinguished between those attributed to the property’s attributes and those resulting from changes in the underlying residential property market. Additionally, by understanding the value associated with each attribute of a given property, this methodology can be used to estimate the value of dwellings with known characteristics for which there is no recent sales price by observing the characteristics and sales prices of other dwellings which have recently transacted. It then follows that changes in the market value of the entire residential property stock can be accurately.

MIL OSI

Renewable Energy – NZ Homes Could Be Fully Solar-Powered by 2032 – Data

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Impact PR

A surge in solar capacity has put New Zealand on track to generate enough solar energy to power every home in the country within the next seven years, according to new research.

Analysis of government installation data by Harrisons Solar, the nation’s largest residential solar provider, shows the total capacity installed reached 665 MW last month, up 43% on the same time last year and more than double the capacity of two years ago.[1]

Based on this growth rate, the country’s solar capacity will reach over 10,250 MW by 2032, enough to offset the annual electricity needs of all 2.05 million households.[2]

Phil Harrison, managing director of Harrisons Solar, says New Zealand has reached a tipping point in its transition toward a decarbonised energy future.

He says the adoption of new, more efficient solar technologies is set to help cut the number of years the country will take to become self-sufficient from non-renewable power sources

“For the first time, we can realistically forecast a future where New Zealand will have enough solar capacity to power every home in the country – and that milestone is now firmly within reach.”

Harrison says in just under a year, New Zealand’s solar capacity will reach 953 MW, the equivalent generation of the coal-fired Huntly station.

He says, despite record growth in residential solar and increased consumer interest driven by rising power bills and grid instability, solar currently contributes less than 2% of New Zealand’s total electricity generation.

“Our analysis of Electricity Authority data shows that residential installations made up around 54% of total installed solar capacity last month.

“The number of Kiwi homes with rooftop solar is now almost 68,000 and growing at around over 8,700 annually.

“While it took NZ seven years to reach the first 100 MW in solar capacity, that same amount is now being added every 18 months,” he says.

Harrison says the current phase of growth is similar to other significant home energy shifts.

“We’re moving through a similar adoption curve to what we saw with heat pumps. Early hesitation is now giving way to mainstream acceptance as the economics and the technology both improve.

“The latest generation of photovoltaic technology is an example of this shift in market dynamics. New models now entering the NZ market, such as the world’s most powerful and efficient all black solar panels, the AIKO Infinite series, are capable of producing up to 475 – 490 watts per panel, more than double the output of a typical panel installed just a decade ago.

“This leap in performance means homeowners can now generate more electricity with fewer panels, making systems more compact and more viable for a wider range of properties,” he says.

Harrison says the number of New Zealand homes combining solar with battery storage is also rising sharply, reflecting a growing appetite for energy independence and resilience. According to new data, the total number of households with both solar panels and batteries has increased by 72% since July 2024.[3]

“We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how New Zealanders engage with energy.

“As more homes generate and store their own power, we’re moving toward a decentralised electricity system, one that’s more resilient, less reliant on the grid during peak times, and better equipped to handle disruptions. Over time, this transition could ease pressure on national infrastructure and open the door to innovations like energy sharing between households and community-wide power networks.

“With average returns estimated between 12 and 14 percent, solar is now delivering stronger financial performance than many leading KiwiSaver funds. For homeowners, the data suggests that delaying installation could mean missing out on significant long-term savings,” he says.

MIL OSI

Universities – The corporate effects of protecting biodiversity – UoA

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

What happens when a national park or conservation area is created next to a business that emits toxic substances into the environment?

A new study, co-authored by University of Auckland researcher Dr Marty Pham, shows that while companies near protected areas slash their toxic emissions, they do so by cutting jobs and production rather than cleaning up their act through investing in pollution reduction.

The research paper, ‘The real effects of protecting biodiversity’, is the first of its kind to investigate how protected areas (designated places aimed at conserving biodiversity and ecosystems) influence the operations of nearby businesses.

“Our findings show a sharp decline in firms’ toxic emissions, suggesting that these businesses react to heightened regulatory and public scrutiny and adjust their polluting activities accordingly,” says Dr Pham.

Using data from 1990 to 2021, the researchers examined 18,341 industrial facilities that generate toxic emissions across the United States, spanning industries including mining, manufacturing, forestry and agriculture.

To track the effect of conservation zones on companies, the researchers developed a novel ‘Corporate Biodiversity Exposure’ (CBE) measure. This identifies facilities located near newly designated protected areas and quantifies the ecological, regulatory, and reputational implications that follow.

“Our findings reveal a significant association between higher CBE metrics and reduced on-site toxic chemical emissions into the air, ground, and water”, says Pham. “This highlights the localised impact of protected areas.”

The study also points out that being near protected areas is associated with significant declines in sales, productivity, and workforce size for affected establishments. However, there’s no evidence of increased investment in abatement technologies.

Pham says this suggests firms respond to biodiversity conservation pressures by scaling down production, possibly through relocating or outsourcing their production, rather than adopting new environmental innovations.

These localised disruptions have broader financial consequences at the parent-company level, according to the study, which shows that reduced economic activity at affected establishments contributes to firm-wide declines in profitability and stock market valuation.

One likely contributor to these financial pressures, says Pham, is increased regulatory oversight.

“While protected areas don’t directly impose land-use constraints on neighbouring establishments, they trigger more frequent environmental inspections, strengthen compliance requirements and attract greater public scrutiny, increasing enforcement risks and operational costs.”

With biodiversity in crisis worldwide, many countries are expanding protected natural areas, compelling businesses and investors to adapt their strategies.

This shift is particularly relevant to the United Nations’ 30-by-30 target, which aims to protect 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030, reshaping the interface between conservation policy and corporate operations.

In Aotearoa New Zealand around 30 percent of the total land area is protected in some way, and Pham says the study highlights the need for policymakers here and overseas to strike a balance between achieving ecological goals and managing their associated economic impacts.

“We need to promote effective conservation planning and transparency in corporate biodiversity disclosures.”

While around 200 of New Zealand’s largest companies and biggest emitters are required to provide climate-related disclosures, there are currently no specific mandatory biodiversity disclosure requirements, something Pham says is worth considering.

“Transparency is so valuable in this area; understanding how companies are operating and responding to biodiversity conservation measures helps governments create policies that support both the environment and businesses.”

In light of their findings, Pham and his co-authors say companies should integrate biodiversity risk assessments into their operational and location decisions. They also say investors need to recognise the regulatory risks stemming from proximity to protected areas, given the significant cashflow implications highlighted by their analysis.

The study, The Real Effects of Protecting Biodiversity, is under consideration for publication in the Review of Finance and is authored by Amir Akbari (DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Canada), Lilian Ng (Schulich School of Business, York University, Canada), Marty Pham (Business School, University of Auckland), and Jing Yu (the University of Sydney, Australia).

MIL OSI

Consumer NZ – New Zealanders’ favourite shops revealed

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ’s latest retailer survey has found the five shops with the most satisfied customers – and those falling short.

The stores with the most satisfied customers and winners of Consumer NZ’s People’s Choice award were:

100% Home Appliances – in the large whiteware + appliances category and small appliances category

  • PB Tech – in the home tech category and mobile tech category
  • Stihl Shop – in the hardware category
  • Mitre 10 – in the hardware category
  • Macpac – in the sports and outdoors category.

Consumer NZ digital journalist Kate Harvey said Stihl Shop and Macpac got the highest satisfaction ratings across the survey. Both received ratings of 94%.

“Stihl Shop rated particularly high for its customer service and staff members’ product knowledge,” Harvey said.

“Macpac beat its competitors – Kathmandu, Torpedo7 and Rebel – in all the categories we ask about, including perceived value and range of products available.”

Mitre 10 was beaten by Stihl Shop in the hardware category but still had an excellent result.

100% Home Appliances has dominated both the large and small appliance categories for 11 years, so it was no surprise to see it back at the top again.

“100% Home Appliances’ satisfaction score was well above the next highest scoring store in both the large and small appliance categories. Smiths City, which has just entered voluntary administration, rated second in the large appliance category and Briscoes has second spot for small appliances,” said Harvey.

PB Tech shone in the home tech and mobile tech categories.

“PB Tech’s customers particularly rate it for its prices and range,” Harvey said.

The shops that got the lowest ratings in the survey were:

  • Rebel Sport – in the sports and outdoors category

“Rebel’s customers gave especially low scores for customer service and staff’s product knowledge,” said Harvey.

  • One NZ and Spark stores – in the mobile tech category

“Both One NZ and Spark got low scores for value for money and their range of products,” said Harvey.

  • The Warehouse – in the home tech category

“Only 63% of those who had bought home technology such as TVs and game consoles at The Warehouse were very satisfied with the experience,” said Harvey.

  • OPSM – in the eyewear category

“People had a better shopping experience at Specsavers but those who shopped at an independent optometrist had the best experience,” said Harvey.

More than 3,200 Consumer NZ members and supporters detailed the purchases they’d made over the past year when they undertook this survey in June and July.

Notes

Consumer NZ is primarily funded by its members. Consumer NZ members can see the full results of the 2025 retailer survey on its website. See: https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/retail-service

About Consumer

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

MIL OSI

1...606162...1,060Page 61 of 1,060
© Copyright 2024 - LiveNews.co.nz a Multimedia Investments Ltd site