New Kaweroa Drive connection opening in Tauriko

Visa and DealMe launch NanuPay, the world’s first cross-border card installment service, available in South Korea for Vietnamese cardholders

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November 4, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2025 – Visa (NYSE: V) and fintech DealMe have launched NanuPay – the first solution that lets Vietnamese Visa credit cardholders choose installment plans while shopping abroad. The service goes live in South Korea, enabling eligible Techcombank and Sacombank cardholders – to select an installment plan instantly at checkout – no app downloads or new card applications.

As Vietnam–South Korea travel and commerce deepen, NanuPay brings familiar, flexible payments to a top destination for Vietnamese consumers and businesses. By extending domestic-style installments across borders, Visa and DealMe aim to support Vietnam’s digital transformation and make international spending simpler, safer, and more affordable.

The pilot will launch for Vietnam-issued Visa cardholders from pioneer issuers Techcombank and Sacombank at Shinsegae Duty Free and select beauty and medical tourism providers in Seoul and Gangnam, including Lien Jang Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic, Le Dental Clinic, Laprin Clinic, and many more, offering interest-free installments, special discounts, and complimentary gifts. Expansion is planned to enable the same interest-free installment experience for Visa credit cardholders in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other global markets.

According to Visa’s Green Shoots Radar survey, Vietnamese consumers, led by Gen Z and Millennials, are more likely than the Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific average to make big‑ticket purchases, with seven in ten expressing this intent, especially in healthcare (65%) and travel (61%)¹. This makes NanuPay’s installment options at South Korean beauty and medical institutions, as well as duty‑free stores, particularly relevant for Vietnamese shoppers.

“This launch with DealMe underscores Visa’s commitment to delivering flexible and secure cross-border payments while connecting the entire ecosystem so innovation reaches consumers faster. As a trusted brand at the centre of commerce, Visa brings banks, fintechs, merchants, and platforms together to give Vietnamese cardholders unparalleled access to installment options and offers worldwide. Our aim is to make every payment seamless and safe, in line with the government’s ambition for a cashless, digitally inclusive economy, and support sustainable economic growth for Vietnam,” said Ms. Dung Dang, Visa Country Manager for Vietnam and Laos.

“We are proud to partner with Visa to successfully launch NanuPay in South Korea. By leveraging the country’s advanced installment infrastructure, we introduced a model that ensures rapid adoption while reducing the operational burden for merchants. We will continue to expand merchant coverage to provide greater convenience for international visitors,” said Mr. Kim Tae Hong, Senior Vice President of DealMe.

Visa’s Gen Z Decoded report shows Vietnamese Gen Z values personalised experiences and seamless digital payments, with South Korea ranking as a top travel and shopping destination². NanuPay helps them enjoy those experiences more responsibly by offering transparent, interest-free installments at checkout in South Korea, making budgets easier to manage without extra apps or new cards. The service supports financial inclusion and Vietnam’s cashless vision while strengthening convenient, secure cross-border spending for Vietnamese consumers.

¹ The Green Shoots Radar study (Wave 16, January 2025) was conducted online with 14,250 consumers across 14 Asia Pacific countries and territories including 1,000 Vietnamese respondents aged 18-65 years old.

² The Gen Z Decode Study engaged over 560 Gen Z participants across 14 Asia‑Pacific markets, including Vietnam, using AI‑powered questioning and analysis via online bulletin boards, complemented by Zoom interactions in each market.

https://www.visa.com.vn/en_VN/about-visa/newsroom.html
https://www.linkedin.com/company/visa
https://www.facebook.com/visavn

Hashtag: #Visa

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

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

Workers strike for a fair deal as ‘shellfish’ Sanford profits soar

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November 4, 2025

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

Mussel farming crews at Sanford’s Havelock operations at the Top of the South will be striking for 12 hours tomorrow in a fight for fair conditions.

The action comes after protracted negotiations for a new Collective Employment Agreement stalled over Sanford’s refusal to value its frontline workforce.

Crew members, including Deckhands, Senior Deckhands, and Skippers, are members of the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ), and are currently working under outdated individual agreements.

Their key demands include being paid at the full rate for all hours spent onboard their vessel – which they can live on for days – and to have long-stagnant allowances brought up to date.

“Our members work incredibly long and hard hours, often in arduous conditions, to make Sanford the profitable company it is,” says MUNZ Nelson Branch Secretary Holly Payne.

“Mussel vessel crew members can live on board for four days, working 17-hour shifts with 7 hours off for sleep and rest a day.”

“Sanford posted a $34 million net profit in the first half of this year, yet it refuses to give its loyal, long-serving workers a pay review, which they haven’t seen in two years.”

The dispute also highlights the massive and growing disparity between workers and senior management at the company.

“These workers face 17-hour shifts in challenging weather for a fraction of the CEO’s million-plus pay package. These workers have allowances that have not been increased for many years,” said Ms. Payne.

Vessels can travel away from the Top of the South including to operations as distant as Stewart Island – Rakiura.

Sanford’s response to the workers’ claims was to propose clawbacks of existing conditions.

“This isn’t just about wages, it’s about respect,” says Ms. Payne.

“Sanford can easily afford to pay their workers fairly. This strike is a last resort for a workforce that has been pushed to the limit by a company that has lost any sense of obligation to the people whose hard work generates its success.”

Strike action will take place from 10am to 10pm on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.

Workers and union representatives will be holding an informational picket along with community supporters from 10am to 1pm, Main Road, Havelock, Wednesday 5 November.

Brochures and posters

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November 4, 2025

Request professionally printed bilingual privacy brochures.

Source: Privacy Commissioner

Our brochures cover New Zealander’s privacy rights, what to do if your personal information is taken, and how to make a complaint to us. It also includes our contact details. If you’d like a translation that you don’t see here, please get in touch at commsteam@privacy.org.nz.

Brochures

Posters

English/Te Reo Māori bilingual privacy brochure

Our brochure covers New Zealander’s privacy rights, what to do if your personal information is taken, and how to make a complaint to us. It also includes our contact details. You can print these yourself, or request professionally printed brochures by emailing us at commsteam@privacy.org.nz or using the link below. We find these are popular with GP clinics, Citizen’s Advice Bureau outlets, and libraries.

Download our bilingual privacy brochure (PDF, 2.1MB).

Printable privacy brochures in Traditional and Simplified Chinese

These brochures can be printed from a home or office computer. They are double sided, with an English translation on one side. We are unable to provide professionally printed versions of this brochure.

Download our privacy brochure in Traditional Chinese (PDF, 1.78MB)

Download our privacy brochure in Simplified Chinese (PDF, 1.78MB)

Printable privacy brochures in Vietnamese

These brochures can be printed from a home or office computer. They are double sided, with an English translation on one side. We are unable to provide professionally printed versions of this brochure.

Download our privacy brochure in Vietnamese (PDF, 1.66MB)

Printable privacy posters

These posters can be printed from a home or office computer. We have a white-background version of each poster, and both A4 and A3 sizes.

Privacy rights poster

AskUs privacy poster

AskUs privacy poster version 2

See our posters about protecting children and young people’s privacy online

Serious crash: Elliot Street, Papakura

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November 4, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are attending a serious crash at the intersection of Elliot Street and Ray Small Drive, Papakura.

The two-vehicle crash was reported to Police 2.04pm.

At this stage one person has suffered serious injuries.

Elliot Street is closed between Green Street and Mossford Green and Ray Small Drive between Union Street and Elliot Street.

Police are advising motorists to use alternate routes as road closures may be in place for some time.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and an investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the crash.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Whakamaua Quantitative Dashboard: Year Five

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November 4, 2025

Whakamaua Quantitative Dashboard: Year Five

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Publication date:

4 November 2025

The monitoring of Whakamaua is made up of three main parts: quantitative monitoring, evaluative monitoring, and delivery monitoring. The insights gained from these three types of monitoring create an important feedback loop to identify challenges and successes throughout the implementation of Whakamaua.

The quantitative measures presented in this dashboard are designed to provide a broad view of system performance against the four Whakamaua objectives. These measures were selected because they are relevant, technically reliable, and because the data is already available in the health and disability system. This has enabled us to measure changes regularly over the Whakamaua period.

This dashboard has been published online and updated yearly since 2021. This update (2025) is the final dashboard update, as Whakamaua comes to an end.

Objectives and measures

Accelerate and spread the delivery of kaupapa Māori and whānau-centred services.
- 1.1 Funding received by kaupapa Māori health and disability service providers
- 1.2 Geographical coverage and utilisation of rongoā Māori services
- 1.3 The percentage of Māori reporting unmet need for primary health care
Shift cultural and social norms.
- 2.1 Experience of health services as measured by the primary health care and adult inpatient patient experience surveys
- 2.2 Missed appointments for Māori at outpatient services (first specialist appointments)
- 2.3 Percentage of Māori in the regulated workforce compared with the percentage of Māori in the population.
Reduce health inequities and health loss for Māori.
- 3.1 Rates of ambulatory sensitive hospitalisations (ASH) for Māori aged 0–4-years
- 3.2 Māori young people able to access specialist mental health or addiction services in a timely manner (within three weeks from referral)
- 3.3 Rate of diabetes complications (ie, limb amputations and renal failure).
Strengthen system accountability settings
- 4.1 Measures of the health of Māori/Crown partnerships
- 4.2 Number of kaupapa Māori research proposals receiving ethics approval that focus on Māori health and disability
- 4.3 Number of Māori in leadership and governance roles across the Ministry and health sector Crown entities
- 4.4 Standardised acute bed days per capita for Māori.

View the dashboard

Use our dashboard to explore the latest data for these measures:

Board appointments to strengthen Pacific leadership

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November 4, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Pacific Peoples Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced new appointments to the Pacific Business Trust Board and the Centre for Pacific Languages Board.

Uluomato’otua Saulaulu Aiono has been appointed Chair of the Pacific Business Trust Board for a three-year term. Nora Swann and Lanuola Moe-Penn have also been appointed to the Board.

Eli Tagi and Dr Rae Si’ilata have been reappointed as Board members of the Centre for Pacific Language, while Dr Polu Apollo Taito has been appointed as a new member.

“The Pacific Business Trust and the Centre for Pacific Languages represent two pillars of Pacific progress, one driving economic growth and entrepreneurship, the other safeguarding language and cultural identity which in turn builds confidence and enhances employment,” says Dr Reti.

“Ulu is a Samoan-Kiwi and Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, bringing a unique blend of business acumen, community leadership, and Pacific regional insight. Nora Swann, a creative entrepreneur who established the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show, and Lanuola Moe-Penn, a governance leader in early childhood education also bring strong community connections and strategic capability to the Board. I also want to thank outgoing Chair Paul Retimanu, who’s helped strengthen the Trust’s strategic direction over the last few years.

“Eli is a Chartered Accountant and Co-founder of WE Mana, while Dr Rae is a leading expert in bilingual education and cultural responsiveness. Dr Polu Apollo Taito is a seasoned governance and community leader with over 20 years’ experience across health, education, and the New Zealand Army. I want to acknowledge outgoing board member Dr Jean Mitaera for her service and valuable contribution to the board.”

Indian Commerce Minister makes first official visit to New Zealand

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November 4, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will make his first official visit to New Zealand this week to strengthen the growing New Zealand-India trade and economic partnership.

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says it marks another milestone in the deepening relationship, which has seen an unprecedented level of engagement over the past two years and has been a priority for this Government.

“The Government has been clear about its commitment to building a broad, deep and enduring strategic relationship with India,” Mr McClay says.

This follows visits by Indian President Droupadi Murmu to New Zealand last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trade mission to India this year, two successful visits to India by Foreign Minister Winston Peters and five visits by Minister McClay since the election.

“Minister Goyal’s visit reflects the strong momentum we’ve built together and our shared ambition to expand trade and investment. It is a pleasure to host him and his delegation.”

While in New Zealand, Minister Goyal will attend a business summit in Auckland, engage with the New Zealand-Indian community, visit businesses in Rotorua, and discuss Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Minister McClay. Minister Goyal will be accompanied by his wife and a business delegation.

India has the fastest-growing economy in the G20, and it is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy in coming years.

“India’s rise represents one of the most significant economic opportunities of our time,” Mr McClay says.

“A strong relationship means New Zealand will be well placed to find new opportunities leading to economic and business growth across key sectors.”

Minister Goyal will be in New Zealand from 5 to 8 November.

HDBank posts US$562.4 million profit in nine months, proposes 30% dividend and bonus share plan

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November 4, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

HCM CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2025 – Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank (HDBank, stock code HDB) reported consolidated 9M2025 profit before tax of VND14.8 trillion (US$562.4 million), up 17% YoY.

Customers conduct transactions at an HDBank branch in HCM City.

Profitability indicators remained among the highest in the banking sector, with Return on Equity (ROE) at 25.2% and Return on Assets (ROA) at 2.1%, underscoring efficient operations and a solid financial foundation.

As of 30 September 2025, total assets stood at VND782 trillion (US$29.7 billion), a 12.1% increase YTD. Credit growth reached 22.6 %, focused on priority sectors and essential business activities. The non-performing loan ratio was 1.97%, while the Capital Adequacy Ratio under Basel II reached 15%, among the highest in the industry.

Non-interest income rose sharply to VND5.37 trillion (US$204.1 million), up 178.6% YoY, driven by income diversification and digitalisation. Transactions via digital channels grew by 47%, accounting for 94% of total retail transactions, thus, Cost-to-Income Ratio recorded at 25.7%, one of the lowest in the sector. HDBank currently serves over 20 million customers.

Subsidiaries and affiliates also posted strong results. HD SAISON recorded profit of VND1.1 trillion (US$41.8 million) with an ROE of 24.4%, maintaining its leading position in consumer finance. HD Securities earned VND614 billion (US$23.3 million) in profit, up 30% YoY, while Vikki Bank turned profitable after seven months of transaction, attracting over 1.3 million new customers and launching the innovative Vikki Café model – a new-generation experience branch.

HDBank will seek shareholder approval for a 30% total dividend and bonus share distribution for 2025, including a 25% stock dividend and 5% bonus shares, reaffirming its commitment to high and stable shareholder returns.

Following the amended Decree 69, the bank’s foreign ownership limit has been lifted to 49%, improving its ability to attract international investors and enhance stock liquidity.

During General Secretary Tô Lâm’s official visit to the United Kingdom, the London Stock Exchange discussed a Memorandum of Understanding with HDBank to promote potential listings, international capital mobilisation and access to global investors.

With outstanding profitability, an attractive dividend policy, and a clear strategy for digitalisation and international integration, HDBank is well positioned to sustain double-digit growth, reinforcing its position among the most high-performing and profitable banks in Vietnam.

Hashtag: #HDBank

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

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

Trades Academy students celebrated across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

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November 4, 2025

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

45 seconds ago

More than 800 secondary school students from 41 schools across the East Coast were recognised at this year’s EIT Trades Academy prizegivings in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.

The celebrations marked the achievements of 840 students who took part in hands-on, industry-based learning across 44 different programmes in 2025.

Trades Academy Manager Paul Hursthouse said the Academy, now in its 15th year, continued to go from strength to strength.

“EIT’s Trades Academy gives senior high school students the chance to try out hands-on learning in real-world industries. Our mantra is that it needs to be fun, practical and engaging, and that’s exactly what it is.”

Students from across Hawke’s Bay were recognised for their achievements at this year’s EIT Trades Academy prizegiving.

Students from Te Araroa in the north to Waipukurau in the south took part this year, with 509 in Hawke’s Bay and 331 in Tairāwhiti. Of those, 65 per cent identified as Māori, and more than half were in Year 12.

Paul said the Trades Academy was funded for 729 places but stretched its budget to support 840 students, reflecting the growing demand and success of the programme.

“The Trades Academy has continued to grow over the past few years. We’re proud to still be one of the largest in New Zealand, with more students than ever discovering what’s possible through practical learning,” he said.

“Whether you were learning to weld, bake, build, code or develop your self-presentation and self-discipline skills, you’ve taken a big step toward exploring options for your future. You’ve made new mates, learned new skills and grown in confidence, and that’s what this is all about.”

The prizegivings, held this month, also featured two inspiring guest speakers.

In Hawke’s Bay, Maata Dzilic (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou) shared her journey from Trades Academy student to successful entrepreneur.

She first studied beauty therapy through the Academy, went on to complete the full suite of beauty programmes at EIT, and now runs three ventures: Ma’s Beauty, Ma’s Cosmetics and Ma’s Bouquets.

At 18, Maata opened her own home-based clinic in Bridge Pa after completing her diploma, and she has since received the Hastings District Council Youth Potential Award and been a finalist in the NZ Beauty Student of the Year Awards.

Students from across Hawke’s Bay were recognised for their achievements at this year’s EIT Trades Academy prizegiving.

In Tairāwhiti, Rhiannon Morrell shared her story of leaving school early and finding her place in the horticulture industry. After starting as a labourer at LeaderBrand, she joined Craigmore, a national horticultural business, and is now a Technical and Quality Lead overseeing crop data and maturity tracking.

Earlier this year, Rhiannon won the Tairāwhiti Young Grower of the Year title and represented the region at the national competition.

Paul congratulated the students and said their success was not about being perfect but about showing up, giving it their best and learning along the way. He acknowledged the effort it took to reach the finish line.

“Whether it was the early mornings or the challenge of learning a new skill, you pushed through and made it to the end. Our students are proving every year that they’re capable of great things. This is just the beginning of their journey.”

Paul said the Academy also gives students the chance to build friendships and grow personally, something staff and tutors are proud to see each year. He encouraged students to take pride in their achievements.