Fresh data released today shows international visitor arrivals and spending are continuing to climb, giving a boost to our tourism sector and economy, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
“Tourism is our second highest export earner and I’m encouraged to see our tourism numbers continuing to gain in strength.
“Welcoming more international visitors keeps our communities vibrant and our regions humming – supporting local businesses, creating more jobs and strengthening our economy overall.” Louise Upston says.
International Visitor Survey results show for the year ending June 2025, international tourism contributed $12.1 billion to New Zealand’s economy, up 4.3 per cent compared to the previous year.
This reflects an increase of 5 percent in international visitor arrivals, with 3.38 million visitors coming to New Zealand, up from 3.21 million in 2024.
When adjusted for inflation, this equates international spending to $9.6 billion or 86 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
“I’m pleased to see the growth in visitor numbers and spending but there is still more work to do to get our tourism sector booming”. Louise Upston says.
“Amongst other initiatives, the Government recently released the Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets out our plan to double the value of tourism exports by 2034.
“New Zealand is open for business, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to our shores.”
Information on what the Cancer Treatments Advisory Committee (CTAC) will be considering at its half-day meeting in September 2025.
Matters arising
Atezolizumab for the treatment of lung cancer
The Committee will discuss correspondence from a supplier related to its recommendations on the application for atezolizumab for the adjuvant treatment of PD-L1 positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). (external link)
Pembrolizumab and nivolumab for cancer of the oesophagus or stomach
The Committee will discuss applications for the PD-L1 inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab. These treatments are currently funded for some other types of cancers. CTAC will discuss the use of these treatments in oesophagus, gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer.
Nivolumab for the treatment melanoma following surgery
The Committee will discuss an application for adjuvant treatment of resected melanoma (Stage IIIB to IV). A similar treatment (pembrolizumab) is currently funded for this use. CTAC will discuss the relative benefit and risks of nivolumab compared to pembrolizumab.
The scheduling and agenda setting process for advisory meetings considers multiple factors. We aim to balance the relative priorities of clinical advice needed across indications, the factors for consideration for each application (for example unmet health need), the time since applications were received and the internal and advisor resource available to support each meeting.
Information on what the Cancer Treatments Advisory Committee (CTAC) will be considering at its half-day meeting in October 2025.
Applications
CTAC will discuss three applications for different treatments for a type of blood cancer, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a fast-growing blood cancer that starts in white blood cells.
Polatuzumab vedotin (POLIVY) for the first line treatment of DLBCL
The Committee will discuss an application for polatuzumab vedotin, in combination with rituximab cyclophosphamide doxorubicin and prednisone, for the treatment of people with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that has not been treated with other medicines.
Polatuzumab vedotin is a type of targeted cancer treatment called an antibody-drug conjugate. It attaches to a protein found on B cells and delivers a chemotherapy drug directly to those cells.
Glofitamab (COLUMVI) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory DLBCL
The Committee will discuss an application for glofitamab, to be used in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine and oxaliplatin), for people with DLBCL that has not responded to, or has returned after prior treatments and who are not able to have a stem-cell transplant. This is for second line or later treatment.
Glofitamab is a type of treatment that works by linking together the immune systems T cells and B cells, helping the T cells destroy cancerous B cells. It is given as an infusion.
Epcoritamab (EPKINLY) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory DLBCL
The Committee will discuss an application for epcoritamab for people with DLBCL that has not responded to or has returned after prior treatments (third line or later treatment).
Epcoritamab is similar to glofitamab but is given by a subcutaneous injection. These treatments work by linking together the immune systems T cells and B cells, helping the T cells destroy cancerous B cells.
Momelotinib (Omijara) for various types of myelofibrosis
The Committee will discuss an application for momelotinib for people with myelofibrosis (MF), a type of blood cancer where the bone marrow (which makes blood cells) stops working properly. It will consider treatment for intermediate or high-risk primary myelofibrosis, post-polycythaemia vera MF or post-essential thrombocythaemia MF, with moderate to severe anaemia.
The scheduling and agenda setting process for advisory meetings considers multiple factors. We aim to balance the relative priorities of clinical advice needed across indications, the factors for consideration for each application (for example unmet health need), the time since applications were received and the internal and advisor resource available to support each meeting.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today opened Whanganui’s new Crisis Recovery Café at Aunty’s Café, the first of six cafés being rolled out by the Government across the country.
“This is about real options for support, close to home. A place to feel heard, supported, and safe. EDs are often not the right environment when someone is going through a mental health crisis. Cafés like this one meet people where they are, offering compassionate, peer-led care in the heart of the community,” Mr Doocey says.
The new café is being delivered by Balance Aotearoa, working alongside iwi providers Te Oranganui and Hāpai Mauri Tangata, with Government backing to bring the idea to life.
Crisis Recovery Cafés are peer-led, non-clinical spaces with trained support workers, where people experiencing mental health or addiction challenges can sit down with people in a relaxed setting.
“Our crisis cafes have the potential to take pressure off our traditional crisis systems. Too often, people in crisis end up in EDs that aren’t right for them. Cafés like this offer a lower stress, more compassionate alternative.
“That said, alongside the cafés, we are also establishing peer support specialist roles in eight emergency departments by the end of the year. This will help embed a quiet revolution of lived experience and peer support across the system.
“We’re focused on delivering results – faster access to support, more frontline workers and a better crisis response.
“Our mental health plan is working. We’re turning the corner on reducing wait times and increasing the mental health workforce. Recent data shows the frontline Health NZ mental health workforce has grown around 10 percent since we came into Government, and over 80 percent of people are being seen within three weeks for specialist services.
“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.”
A first-of-its-kind survey of workers in the family violence and sexual violence sector shows improvements in training and collaboration, which will lead to better victim-centred services.
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour says the workforce survey has highlighted the importance of strong connections between the community sector and government agencies, as well as more consistent training.
“Workers in family violence and sexual violence prevention care for people and families who carry significant trauma and require highly specialised support.
“The workforce survey helps us understand who is in the workforce, their employment status, skill levels and how they apply training in their vital work helping people and families through significant distress.
“The latest workforce survey shows that nearly every single frontline worker surveyed has received family violence and sexual violence training (94% of those working in frontline family violence and sexual violence services have received specialist training) and use that training on a daily or weekly basis.
“While it’s promising that so many have received training, it is now our priority to ensure that this training is nationally consistent and of the highest quality.
“We have also prioritised better, and more, training to help staff across the public sector to support in family violence and sexual violence responses – including Courts, Corrections, and Police. These are being rolled out now, with the goal of reaching 10,000 workers in the next two years.
“The survey also asked about workers’ relationships with government agencies in their local community and has found that the majority have positive and collaborative relationships. This is important for enabling effective multi-agency responses to family violence and sexual violence, with all professionals working together to deliver victim-centred services.
“The next workforce survey is now open (available here), providing workers the opportunity to share information about themselves and their work, to inform government planning for the family violence and sexual violence system,” said Mrs Chhour.
Dave was born, raised, and schooled in Stratford, beneath Taranaki Maunga. He affiliates to Ngāti Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Taranaki Tūturu, Ngāti Ruanui and Maniapoto iwi – and he points to the stories told by his mother Miria and one of his grandfathers, Taikomako, of his whakapapa connecting him to the maunga.
“After I left school I worked in a local tannery near Stratford, for two years. I used to look at the mountain from my workstation every morning, and I would tell everybody ‘I’m going to work up there one day,” he says.
Dave’s first role in the national park was in 1975 as part of a winter seasonal work scheme for unemployed people – he quit the tannery job to secure the opportunity with the Egmont National Park Board.
“I was working on tracks, mowing lawns, and servicing amenities – it was what our staff do now, ranger work.”
He recalls a lot of time spent living in the bush, living out of a backpack and carrying out hard graft: “It’d be into the hut on a Monday morning, come out on a Friday afternoon – running down steps, racing your mates…real hands-on stuff. I learned heaps!”
He became the park foreman in the early 1980s, responsible for all park operations and up to 40 staff. He learned to manage people and how to get them into the right teams.
Dave says “putting a Māori lens” on management of the park was important to him – and helped raise his professional profile early in his career: “All of a sudden, I was being inundated with strategies and plans, with the request ‘Dave, can you run your eye over this?’”
Dave says the creation of DOC in 1987 was a smart move – bringing various conservation organisations together under one umbrella and working more closely with Māori – and in the early 1990s he made a conscious decision to shift to an office-based role so he could influence strategic park planning and management more directly.
He’s particularly proud of his effort to connect DOC and iwi. He sees a lot of similarities between his Māori values and DOC values and says he’s constantly “walked both paths” through his career.
He looks fondly on work he’s done or supported to enhance and protect the story-telling connected to some of the district’s sites significant to Ngā Iwi o Taranaki – work often driven by his enthusiasm for history and whakapapa. The Pou Whenua at Dawson Falls – installed for the park’s centenary and the subject of some debate – is one example he points to.
One of the biggest changes he’s seen is the type of visitors in the national park. When he started it was bushmen and hunters, before the emergence of trampers and back-packers, and now foreign tourists and day-trippers out for a walk. Visitor numbers have shot up to more than 370,000 visitors a year.
He says the conservation sector needs to be careful in how visitor numbers are managed “in these special places”: “It’s important we never lose sight of what we’re conserving, and who we’re conserving it for.”
Dave says although the conservation sector has changed a lot, much of the work remains the same.
“We’ve still got to cut tracks, we’ve still got to clean toilets, we’ve still got to maintain huts,” he says.
“I still clean the odd DOC toilet now – because I’m the only ranger down here in South Taranaki… it’s easier for me to go and it saves someone driving from New Plymouth!”
It’s a testament to his character and commitment to the maunga and the park.
Three people have been arrested after being caught red-handed with a car full of meat shoplifted from Wellington supermarkets over the weekend.
On Sunday, Police were notified of separate incidents having occurred at supermarkets in Island Bay and Crofton Downs, where large quantities of meat had been targeted.
A vehicle of interest was sighted travelling north from the city, and was stopped in Lower Hutt without issue.
Around $1000 of meat was found in the vehicle, and the three occupants – two young people and an 18-year-old man – were arrested.
They have all been charged in relation to shoplifting offences.
Wellington Area Prevention Manager Inspector Jason McCarthy says Police are pleased to be able to hold these offenders to account.
“These were targeted thefts of high-value items, no doubt destined to be on-sold.
“We won’t tolerate this type of offending and are working hard to hold those committing retail crime to account.”
All three, including an 18-year-old Lower Hutt man, are due to appear in the Wellington Youth Court today (Tuesday 2 September).
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee outlined proposed changes to special licensing rules for the events sector, speaking at the New Zealand Events Association’s annual conference today.
“This Government recognises the enormous economic, social, and cultural value of New Zealand’s events sector. To operate effectively, innovate, and plan ahead with confidence, you need simple, stable, and practical rules,” Mrs McKee says.
These proposed changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 build on last week’s announcement, which included flexibility around televised national events.
The following reforms are designed to reduce unnecessary red tape and provide greater certainty and consistency for the events sector, while continuing to prioritise the reduction of alcohol-related harm.
Key Reforms to Special Licensing:
National Risk-Based Framework: To remove inconsistent decision-making across the country, a nationally applied, risk-based framework will be introduced for assessing special licence applications. District Licensing Committees (DLCs) will be required to apply this framework, with the details, including risk ratings and conditions, set in regulations to allow for flexibility and regular updates.
Coordinated Approach for Multi-District Events: Where an event spans multiple council areas, DLCs will be required to consult each other within a specified timeframe to ensure consistency and avoid repetitive processes and costly delays for organisers.
Large-scale Events: The threshold for large-scale events, which require complete event management plans, certificates of compliance and to work with Police on event management, increases from 400 to 2000 people. This will reduce costs associated with obtaining a special licence for many events.
National Events Flexibility: As announced last week, the responsible Minister will now have the power to declare televised national events exempt from special licensing requirements, removing the need for legislative amendments each time. This will allow large-scale events to be planned and approved more efficiently.
“These are sensible, targeted changes which support the Government’s creative sector strategyAmplify, which aims to streamline regulation to enable the sector to thrive. We know this kind of red tape can lead to events being cancelled, delayed or scaled down,” Mrs McKee says.
The special licensing changes are part of a broader package of reforms designed to modernise the alcohol regulatory system and eliminate unnecessary compliance burdens.
“This is about striking the right balance. We are creating a more efficient, consistent, and business-friendly environment for events, while keeping strong safeguards in place to reduce harm where it matters most.”
As the first event held at the newly inaugurated Vietnam Exposition Center in Hanoi, the exhibition titled “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness” has become a symbol of a modern, ambitious, and globally engaged Vietnam.
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2025 – Anyone who finds themselves in Hanoi these days can sense that history is not just something written on faded pages. The memory of President Ho Chi Minh reading Vietnam’s Declaration of Independence before a crowd of half a million people at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi on September 2, 1945, remains vivid in the national consciousness. That moment opened a new chapter for Vietnam after decades of colonial rule.
The Vietnam Exposition Center in Hanoi attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors
From a war-torn and impoverished country, Vietnam has quietly navigated many turning points. With determination and resilience, the nation has gradually found its place in the world, contributing its own voice to the global chorus.
This year’s 80th Independence Day is not just a time for celebration but also a time to look back at Vietnam’s journey. Now, that story is being told in a new way at the “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness” exhibition, taking place at the new Vietnam Exposition Center in Dong Anh, just outside central Hanoi.
A Living Portrait of Eight Decades
In late August, crowds from across Vietnam flocked to visit the Vietnam Exposition Center, a project by Vingroup, the nation’s largest private conglomerate by both size and tax contributions, to take part in the grand celebration of Vietnam’s 80th National Day. The exhibition features more than 200 indoor and outdoor displays, weaving together a vivid, multi-dimensional portrait of Vietnam’s transformation over the past eighty years.
The exhibition showcases not only Vietnam’s achievements in economics, technology, defense, and education, but also highlights everyday stories of its land and people—simple yet proud moments that reflects the nation’s steady progress, powered by countless individual efforts.
What sets this exhibition apart is its use of virtual reality, digital models, and interactive AR/VR presentations, allowing visitors to experience history as if they were truly there. Both indoor and outdoor spaces are packed, with people searching for their own special view within the grand setting.
This is more than just a commemorative event. The exhibition is a clear statement that Vietnam is moving forward—open to the world, proud of its identity, and brimming with creativity.
A Place Where Ambition Meets Opportunity
Sometimes, the medium is just as important as the message itself. And the stage a nation chooses for its story can reveal its aspirations. Seen from this perspective, the Vietnam Exposition Center is more than Southeast Asia’s largest exhibition complex—it is a symbol of Vietnam’s long-term vision for integration and renewal. More than that, the Center bears the hallmark of Vingroup as a strategic brand. With its forward-looking orientation, it is set to become a bridge connecting Vietnamese businesses with the global community through international-scale exhibitions, trade fairs, and major events.
From now on, this will be more than a venue for major exhibitions. It is set to become a new hub for Vietnam’s event industry, welcoming the fresh energy of international integration: global music festivals, AI forums, community marathons, conferences—a place where ideas, initiatives, and friendships can flourish.
Few people know that to complete the center in time for National Day on September 2, nearly 3,000 workers and engineers worked around the clock. Heavy-duty cranes and cutting-edge machinery from across the country converged on the site. Over more than a year, the project’s owner, Vingroup led a race against time to keep its promise to history and the hopes of many generations. The inauguration coincided with Vietnam’s August Revolution anniversary, and the center was awarded the First-Class Labor Medal, honoring the spirit of daring to dream and daring to deliver.
Many may see this exhibition as a chance to reflect on the past. But on a deeper level, both the exhibition and the Vietnam Exposition Center are a real test of Vietnam’s ability to connect and engage with the world today.
Once standing on the sidelines, Vietnam now confidently invites international partners to share in its achievements and discuss topics like green development, digital transformation, culture, and creativity. With a packed schedule of events and an expected tens of millions of visitors, this space promises to be a gateway for cooperation, investment, and learning.
This is also a national stage: Every festival, art show, sporting event, or global forum held here is a chance to showcase a welcoming, open Vietnam. Here, the power of culture and hospitality will resonate, spreading further than any grand display.
Hashtag: #Vingroup
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The research was commissioned to inform DOC’s Always Be Naturing campaign which launched yesterday. Undertaken by market research agency TRA, it looks at New Zealanders’ attitudes towards nature, and barriers and motivations for taking action for it.
“Always Be Naturing is simple. No matter who you are, or where you live, you can do something for nature every day,” says DOC Deputy Director-General Public Affairs, Sia Aston.
“The research shows us all the right ingredients are there to turn the dial.
“It’s unsurprising but still makes me proud to see 97% of us feel we are connected to nature and 98% of us care about protecting and restoring it.
“But the flip side – we might not realise at DOC managing conservation challenges every day – 89% of people think nature is in good shape.
“The truth is, nature is in trouble. It needs us now more than ever. If we want our grandchildren to experience nature as we know it, we all need to take more action, now.
“Habitat loss, over-exploitation, introduced invasive animals and plants, pollution and climate change are devastating our environment. New Zealand has 4000 species threatened or at risk of extinction. More alarmingly, over 63% of our ecosystems are threatened with collapse.”
The research reveals many New Zealanders are willing to take biodiversity and conservation actions but can feel overwhelmed or are unsure how. It found people are motivated by the idea of protecting their local area, because it helps improve their health, they’re proud of New Zealand’s nature, and to have fun with others.
“Nature needs more action, faster. We have an important job ahead to flip the script and raise awareness of what’s really going on, but also to show what’s possible when we all do our bit,” says Sia.
“Every day at DOC we see evidence that when we take action for nature, nature bounces back.
“The good news is many people are already setting a stellar example. More than half the population took some kind of action to protect nature in the last 12 months. It’s a great foundation to build on.”
New Zealanders are uniquely placed to be global leaders in normalising looking after nature as something we all do each day, says Sia.
“Nature is our biggest asset, and it’s also our insurance policy against climate change. It’s central to our economy and way of life.
“DOC’s Always Be Naturing campaign is designed to build on our national love for nature and make it simple for everyone to take small, regular steps that add up to deliver big results.
Always Be Naturing celebrates New Zealanders’ love of nature and encourages everyone to get involved. DOC is one of many organisations protecting nature, and we need the collective effort of all New Zealanders so nature thrives for generations to come. Find out how you can help: Always Be Naturing
