First Financial Statements including 2025 released

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March 6, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The latest interim Financial Statements of the Government show results were more positive than expected at the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update for most indicators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Treasury published the Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the Seven Months ended 31 January 2025 today.
“The results show the OBEGALx deficit was $1.4 billion smaller than forecast.
“Core Crown tax revenue was $600 million higher than forecast, while core Crown expenses were lower than forecast by $600 million – the latter mainly due to timing.
“Net core Crown debt was $66 million lower than forecast – so is tracking as expected.
“Core Crown expenses rose by 2 per cent in the seven months to January 2025 compared to the same period a year earlier. In the same period to January 2024, they rose by 9.7 per cent.
“The fiscal fix-up job is underway, but it won’t happen overnight. Rectifying the state of the books underpins the Government’s push to get the country back on track.
“Healthier books will help support economic growth, which will mean more and better paid jobs, and money to support the public services New Zealanders expect.”

MIL OSI

Expanded specialist youth services coming for regions in need

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March 6, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has announced details for a $3.5 million annual funding boost to increase access and expand specialist infants, children and adolescents mental health services (ICAMHS) in Tairāwhiti, Counties Manukau, and Waitematā.

“Through data we know these three regions have lower investment in Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services compared to other regions, this funding will help address that disparity,” Mr Doocey says.

“One of the biggest barriers to timely mental health support in New Zealand is workforce and this additional funding will enable the expansion of ICAMHS teams and services to some of their most vulnerable members of their communities.

The three regions all have individual plans for the additional funding:
•    Counties Manukau will receive the largest uplift of more than $2 million a year and will establish a dedicated clinical team for children up to intermediate schooling age who have moderate to severe mental health needs.
•    Waitematā plans to use the additional funding on specialist clinical roles to meet the needs of children with neurodevelopmental issues.
•    Tairāwhiti is still developing their approach, it expects to expand Hospital and Specialist Services to support the mental health needs of young people in their region.

“This is an example of the Government’s commitment to improving access and support for New Zealanders across the mental health continuum,” Mr Doocey says.

“This funding will also help enable these regions to deliver on the Government’s mental health and addiction targets and better support their mental health and addiction workforces.”

MIL OSI

Northland News – CityLink bus service diverted after more stone throwing incidents

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Northland Regional Council

Services on CityLink Whangārei’s Otangarei Route Four will temporarily bypass Matai St from today until further notice while police investigate a series of rock throwing incidents that have damaged buses and put drivers and passengers at risk.

The 16-bus CityLink network is operated by Ritchies Transport Whangarei under contract to the Northland Regional Council.

The council’s Transport Manager Chris Powell says the council and Ritchies were already dealing with a spate of recent rock throwing on Matai St that had seen bus windows smashed in separate incidents on both Saturday and Monday.

“We take these incidents very seriously as in both cases there were passengers on board and either incident had the potential to injure either those passengers or our drivers, although fortunately that did not occur.”

Both the drivers involved and their passengers had been shaken by the incidents.

Mr Powell says there have unfortunately been several more incidents of Matai St rock throwing since Monday and things had come to a head today when yet more rocks were thrown.

After discussions between Ritchies and the council, the decision had been made to temporarily stop travelling along Matai St on safety grounds while police investigate.

Instead the Route Four bus would do a loop around nearby William Jones Dr.

The council estimated several regular passengers a day would be directly impacted by the decision, but all involved felt they had no choice but to avoid Matai St until the matter was resolved.

“We take health and safety considerations very seriously.” “We’ve got a responsibility to both our drivers and passengers to ensure that we’re operating in a safe environment hence today’s decision.”

Mr Powell says the council and Ritchies hoped to meet with Otangarei community leaders to discuss the situation and what might be able to be done to prevent the issue going forwards.

Things had been quiet in the area since a previous spate of rock throwing in the suburb 10 years ago. In that case the council and Ritchies had worked together to stress the importance of the buses to the community and that the incidents of rock throwing were putting the service at risk locally.

MIL OSI

NZ Post cost-cutting another blow to Kiwi employment – E tū

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Etu Union

Workers at NZ Post’s call centre have been told their jobs are being gradually moved to Manila, in the Philippines, as part of NZ Post’s need to cut costs.

While workers’ jobs are safe for now, they will be replaced by workers in Manila by attrition, with people not being rehired in Aotearoa New Zealand when one leaves.

NZ Post worker and E tū delegate Samatha Boe says the move is out of line with NZ Post’s values.

“I find it disappointing a government-owned business is looking to send jobs offshore, thus taking away from everyday New Zealanders trying to earn a living in a difficult economic climate,” Samantha says.

“The Government should be prioritising having Kiwis in jobs. They might save in some running costs, but they’ll lose out in tax revenue and unemployment benefits.

“One of NZ Post’s values is ‘stronger together’ – we should be keeping these values here in Aotearoa.”

E tū Negotiation Specialist Joe Gallagher fears this is just another signal of the Government’s overall goal of preparing NZ Post for privatisation.

“Our postal network is core infrastructure designed to help our communities and businesses, not just another thing to make a quick buck on,” Joe says.

“We’re deeply concerned that the Government is allowing NZ Post to make these kinds of changes in preparation to sell off this service to the highest bidder.

“The state-owned enterprise model has been appropriate for NZ Post, and we have worked very constructively with the company through some significant changes, always putting the interests of workers and the wider community who use the services first.

“Offshoring work, inadequate government support, and the talks of privatisation all point to an abdication of responsibility for both New Zealand’s workforce and the services we need.”

ENDS

For more information and comment:
Joe Gallagher, 027 591 0015

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Crown settles eight years of Treaty negotiations

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March 6, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is demonstrating its commitment to prioritising treaty settlements with the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passing third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“It is a privilege to conclude eight years of negotiations between the Crown and the three central North Island iwi who comprise Te Korowai o Wainuiārua: Tamahaki, Tamakana and Uenuku ki Manganui-o-te-Ao, nā Tūkaihoro.
“The settlement addresses the historical grievances endured by the three iwi, which include 19th century warfare and land purchased or taken for public works.
“The settlement includes an agreed historical account, Crown acknowledgements of its historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and a Crown apology. Te Korowai o Wainuiārua will receive financial and commercial redress of $21.7 million, a cultural revitalisation fund of $6.85 million and cultural redress, including the return of 19 sites of cultural significance.
“The settlement will contribute towards supporting the aspirations of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua. The redress will help the iwi to grow their economic base, provide housing for their whānau, develop their culture and enhance the natural environment.
“The historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua with the Crown relate to 19th century warfare and land purchased or taken for public works. That land was then used for the North Island Main Trunk railway, power generation projects and it was included in two National Parks.
“This led to Te Korowai o Wainuiārua becoming virtually landless.
“It is my hope that this settlement can form the basis of a positive future for the people of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, and a renewed relationship with the Crown.
“I want to acknowledge Te Korowai o Wainuiārua for working so tirelessly during the negotiations process to reach this significant milestone.”
Copies of the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Deed of Settlement are available at Te Tari Whakatau – Central Whanganui (Te Korowai o Wainuiārua)

The Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill can be found at: Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill 286-2 (2023), Government Bill – New Zealand Legislation

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Building activity down 4.4 percent in December 2024 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Value of building work put in place: December 2024 quarter

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Statistics New Zealand

Building activity down 4.4 percent in December 2024 quarter – 6 March 2025 – The seasonally adjusted volume of building work in New Zealand was $7.4 billion in the December 2024 quarter, down 4.4 percent compared with the September 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

“There has been a downward trend in building activity volume since the most recent peak in the September 2022 quarter,” economic indicators spokesperson Michael Heslop said.

Residential building work fell 4.9 percent to $4.5 billion and non-residential building work fell 3.1 percent to $2.8 billion (seasonally adjusted) in the final quarter of 2024.

“Residential building activity volume reached its lowest level in over four years, in seasonally adjusted terms,” Heslop said.

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Stats NZ information release: Environmental-economic accounts: Data to 2023

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Statistics New Zealand

Environmental-economic accounts: Data to 2023 – 6 March 2025 – Environmental-economic accounts show how our environment contributes to our economy, the impacts of economic activity on our environment, and how we respond to environmental issues.

Stats NZ’s environmental-economic accounts show the interactions between the environment and the economy to provide a clearer understanding of environmental-economic pressures, dependencies, trade-offs, and impacts. It is done within the United Nations’ System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework, which specifies how environmental data can be integrated coherently with economic data from the System of National Accounts.

All accounts are expressed in monetary units and in current prices for the year to March.

Key facts
In the year to March 2023:

Total environmental taxes were $5.2 billion, most of which were transport (51 percent) and energy (45 percent) taxes. From 2022–2023, environmental taxes decreased 21 percent ($1.4 billion).
Marine economy contributed $4.6 billion to New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP). This was an increase of 7.9 percent compared with 2022. The contribution of the marine economy to GDP in 2023 was 1.2 percent.
The total asset value of renewable energy was $13.7 billion. Hydro generation made up 69 percent of total asset value, followed by geothermal (21 percent).
Central and local government expenditure on environmental protection (on a final consumption basis) increased 15 percent ($381 million) to total $2.9 billion. Local government contributed 68 percent ($1.9 billion) to this total, and central government 32 percent ($904 million).

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High quality Kiwi beef and lamb helps lead economic recovery

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March 6, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

Strong demand and favourable export prices combined with new export opportunities in Europe and the Middle East will see New Zealand’s beef and lamb farmers add an extra $1.2 billion to their bank accounts this year as the primary sector helps to grow the economy, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said during a farm visit in Canterbury today.
“This is extremely positive news for sheep and beef farmers who have been doing it tough over the last six years,” Mr McClay says.
“Red meat exports are forecast to grow by 13 per cent this year which will have a positive economic impact on many of our provincial towns.
“New Zealand’s trade is extremely diversified with our network of FTAs offering exporters choices about where they send their products. For example, the newly enacted trade agreement with the European Union has seen goods exports to Europe increase by more than 24 per cent over the last year with sheep meat playing a big part in this growth.”
Mr McClay says lamb prices have increased by 20 per cent over the last year and mutton prices up by 70 per cent.
“It’s good to see farmers starting to receive recognition for what their high quality product is worth.”
Total red meat exports are expected to reach $10.2 billion this year with increased demand from key markets seeking high quality, safe, grass-fed food and fibre from New Zealand.
“New Zealand red meat is some of the safest environmentally friendly food produced on the planet. We can continue to meet our environmental and climate obligations without shutting down farms or sending jobs and production overseas.”
Mr McClay says that the Government will continue to back sheep and beef farmers by reducing red tape and compliance costs and ensuring they can farm on a level playing field.
“We have already announced a ban on full farm to forest conversions from entering the ETS on some of our most productive food producing land from 4 December last year and will shortly introduce legislation to Parliament to enact this decision.
“The Government has set an ambitious goal of doubling exports by value in 10 years. It’s important to recognise that our hard-working sheep and beef farmers are doing their bit to grow the New Zealand economy.”

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Health and Politics- Open letter to the Prime Minister: on marmite sandwiches and healthy school lunches

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa

Today, Health Coalition Aotearoa, Child Poverty Action Group and NZEI sent an open letter to Prime Minister Chris Luxton, Hon David Seymour (Associate Minister of Health) and Hon Erica Stanford (Minister of Education).

In the letter, we raise concerns about the Prime Minister’s comment about “marmite sandwiches and an apple” regarding the litany of problems with the Ka Ora Ka Ako school lunch programme.

We also propose some solutions to the problems.

MIL OSI

Asia New Zealand – Top Asia experts gather in Auckland to discuss New Zealand’s progress in and with Asia

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation

Top Asia experts from across New Zealand and the Asia region will meet in Auckland from 9 to 11 March to share their perspectives on New Zealand’s Asia relations.

The experts are part of the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Honorary Advisers Network and include current and former ministers, academics, businesspeople and other sector leaders.

As a network, they help to guide the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s work and support its mission of being one of New Zealand’s leading non-profit, non-partisan providers of Asia insights and experiences that help New Zealanders to excel in Asia.

During the two-day meeting, members of the network will meet with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Foreign Minister Winston Peters (who is also chair of the network) and a range of New Zealand’s top public and private sector leaders.

Attendees from Asia will include key figures such as Dr Ng Eng Hen, Singapore’s Minister for Defence; Ms Heekyung Jo Min, Executive Vice President of major Asian media and entertainment company CJ Cheiljedang; trade expert and former ASEAN Secretariat head Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria; and Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Thailand’s leading international relations authority.

“The advisers are vital advocates for New Zealand in Asia, bringing deep expertise and longstanding ties. As New Zealand’s relationships with Asia evolve and as the Foundation’s work develops across the region, their contributions become even more critical,” says Foundation Chief Executive, Suz Jessep.

“At a time of profound change in our region, this in-person meeting provides an opportunity to really unpick how other small and medium sized countries are responding to challenges and opportunities in Asia and to hear free and frank assessments from trusted advisers who know us well and who want to see New Zealand succeed.” Jessep noted.

The advisers have supported New Zealand’s connections with Asia in several ways. In addition to their honorary role, they have also supported educational scholarships, paid internships for New Zealand students in Asian companies and facilitated and participated in Track II (informal diplomacy) dialogues between New Zealand and Asian experts.

List of Honorary Advisers attending:

Asia Honorary Advisers

Ms Adaljiza Magno – Timor Leste
Mr Amane Nakashima – Japan
Mr Guillermo M. Luz – Philippines
Ms Heekyung Jo Min – South Korea
Ms. Helianti Hilman – Indonesia
Prof Jolan Hsieh – Taiwan
Dr Ng Eng Hen – Singapore
Prof Pavida Pananond – Thailand
Ms Pham Thi My Le – Viet Nam
Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria – Malaysia
Dr Reuben Abraham – India
Mr Stanley Tan ONZM – Singapore
Prof Thitinan Pongsudhirak – Thailand

New Zealand Honorary Advisers

Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand
Mr Danny Chan
Rt Hon Sir Don McKinnon (Foundation Founder)
Mr Josh Wharehinga
Mr Kyle Murdoch
Hon Lianne Dalziel
Prof Manying Ip
Ms Nicola Ngarewa
Ms Paula Tesoriero
Hon Philip Burdon (Foundation Founder)
Ms Sachie Nomura
Mr Sameer Handa
Mr Simon Murdoch
Ms Tania Te Whenua
Ms Traci Houpapa
Mr Warrick Cleine (Viet Nam)

About the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono

Established in 1994, the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is New Zealand’s leading provider of Asia insights and experiences. Its mission is to equip New Zealanders to excel in Asia, by providing research, insights and targeted opportunities to grow their knowledge, connections and experiences across the Asia region. The Foundation’s activities cover more than 20 countries in Asia and are delivered through eight core programmes: arts, business, entrepreneurship, leadership, media, research, Track II diplomacy and sports.

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