The Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council today congratulated Minister Tama Potaka for expediting regulatory and legislative changes to the Retirement Villages Act.
The Minister wrote to the Council today, and other key stakeholders, advising that he had, “… heard your collective desire for legislative and regulatory changes to be completed more quickly.” He said, ” … additional policy resources have been allocated to the Retirement Villages Act review to speed up the review timetable by around eight months.”
It is expected that a Bill could now be introduced in this term of Parliament.
Council spokesperson, Carol Shepherd said, “this latest announcement by the Minister, shows he is listening to residents. Good for him. The Council looks forward to working with the Government and other stakeholders on improvements to benefit residents and operators.”
The Council had been frustrated by the lengthy time the review was taking. It had long advocated for a speedy resolution of numerous issues confronting residents of retirement villages. They include a new dispute resolution scheme, stopping deferred maintenance payments when a resident exits a village, a fairer way to deal with chattels and a set time for repayment of capital.
About the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council
Who does the Council represent?
The Council is a fresh independent voice to advocate on behalf of retirement village residents.
Who are the Council members?
The Council currently has 7 members who were nominated by their villages and / or residents and selected by the independent chair. They reside in various retirement villages, both large and small, throughout the country and bring significant experience to the council, many having served or are serving on the residents committees of villages.
Why was the Council formed?
The Council aims to act as an independent body representing the interests of retirement village residents.
We acknowledge the good work done by the Retirement Villages Residents Association (RVRA) in representing residents. It is the largest residents’ membership association in New Zealand. But we also note that only one in five residents belong to this association. The Council is not a membership organisation and does not compete with the RVRA. But we believe there is room for another organisation that can be an additional voice for the concerns of residents. In particular, the council aims to represent their views to policy-makers. Often those views will align with the RVRA. Sometimes they will differ.
How is the Council independent when funded by operators?
The Council is funded by the Retirement Villages Association (RVA), which represents most of the operators, developers and managers of retirement villages throughout New Zealand. However, the RVA has no say in anything that the Council does, including its views on policies or how it spends its budget. It does not attend meetings, does not receive agendas or minutes and has no influence over how the Council’s budget is applied. This independence is underpinned by the Council’s terms of reference.
Around 2,800 PSA members at Oranga Tamariki will strike from 3pm to 5pm tomorrow (Friday 7 March), as part of ongoing action against an insulting pay offer and unsafe and unmanageable workloads.
Members across the country will take part in the total withdrawal of labour, including social workers and members working in care and protection residences, youth justice residences, residential homes, and the national contact centre.
“The Government is leaving workers no choice but to strike,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, Assistant Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The offer on the table is effectively a pay cut, and Oranga Tamariki is failing to ensure workloads are reasonably sized and well managed.”
A care and protection social worker described the stress they’re under: “The worst part is waking at 4am every morning so that your caseload can run laps around your head and the thought that something really bad could happen to a child because you didn’t have the capacity to get to them.”
“This strike is telling Oranga Tamariki, and the Government, that their failure to act is unacceptable,” said Fitzsimons. “The workers want the resources and capacity to do their best work. Oranga Tamariki must come to the table to make that happen.”
More information
This withdrawal of labour is part of ongoing actions that began on Friday 28 February and will end on Friday 18 April. They include:
– A ban on all work that is not paid work, including only working standard hours of work and taking all rest and meal breaks.
– A ban on using all work-related systems and software outside of paid work, including online case recording systems.
– A ban on working paid overtime; and a ban on working overtime for TOIL.
– A ban on working double shifts.
– A ban on being on-call and working call-back (after-hours duties).
Government changes to bowel screening eligibility will leave more Māori and Pacific people at risk of dying at a younger age from bowel cancer, New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
Health Minister Simeon Brown today announced the Government is repurposing funding set aside from now scraped plans to lower bowel screen eligibility to all Māori and Pacific people over 50, to lower eligibility for all New Zealanders from 60 to 58.
NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the move will exacerbate health inequities for Māori and Pacific people.
“The reason eligibility for Māori and Pacific people was lowered was because they have a higher proportion of bowel cancer before they reach 60 – with a shockingly rate of 21% rate compared to 10% for non-Māori and non-Pacific peoples.
“The Cancer Society has called out the Government’s use of data to back up its decision as ‘very selective’. NZNO would go a step further and call it outright dangerous to the lives of Māori and Pacific people,” Kerri Nuku says.
The Coalition Government claims to put need before race but there is a clear evidential need to screen Māori and Pacific people at an earlier age, she says.
“Bowel Cancer New Zealand has said removing the younger screening eligibility would result in 100,000 Māori and Pacific people aged 50 not getting earlier screening. These people are at greater risk of having later stage bowel cancer when they are screened eight years later.
“This decision smacks of political ideology over commonsense health policy and must be reversed,” Kerri Nuku says.
iShopChangi blossoms this spring with an irresistible Spring Sale! Throughout the month of March, explore an array of new finds, from chic wardrobe must-haves to essential travel gear, all at GST-absorbed and tax-free prices. But that’s not all! Revel in the spirit of International Women’s Day by treating yourself to a selection of luxury fashion, beauty, and wellness items from women-led brands accelerating action in Singapore. Plus, take advantage of additional discounts of up to 60% with stackable sitewide promo codes — because who doesn’t love extra savings?
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – From now to 31 March 2025, travellers and non-travellers can step into spring with iShopChangi’s vibrant array of Spring Sale delights. Embrace the new season with exclusive deals, refreshing everything from fashion wardrobes to beauty routines and travel essentials as you discover spectacular savings on renowned brands like GUCCI, SK-II and Braun Büffel. Simultaneously celebrate your strength, your achievements, and your journey this International Women’s Day by supporting female-led brands on iShopChangi, and top off your spree with seamless gift-wrapping and rapid on-demand delivery.
Blossoms this spring with an irresistible Spring Sale!
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International Women’s Day Exclusive Finds to Empower Her Style
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Co-hosted with Miramar Travel and Consulate General of Türkiye in Hong Kong, Showcasing Muslim-Friendly Hotel Services
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – The Mira Hong Kong, a design-led urban lifestyle retreat located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, has proudly hosted the first-ever Ramadan Iftar Dinner Celebration at its penthouse Ballroom on March 4, 2025.
This landmark event organized in collaboration with Miramar Travel and Consulate General of Türkiye in Hong Kong was a milestone step towards recognition of Hong Kong as a Muslim-friendly destination as it brought together nearly 200 Guests representing the local Muslim community, diplomats from the Middle East and Asia, local government officials from the tourism sector, and media to symbolically break the fast and enjoy an evening of togetherness and cultural discovery, and a variety of halal dining options. It was also an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the hotel’s Muslim-friendly facilities and services, recently distinguished with 5 crescents byCrescentRating.com, reaffirming that the award-winning urban retreat and its sister property – enchanting boutique hotel, Mira Moon – are among the best choices for Muslim travellers.
After the sunset prayer led by the Chief Imam of Hong Kong, Mufti Muhammad Arshad, and symbolic breaking of the fast with dates and lentil soup, followed by welcoming remarks from the three co-hosts: Mr Alexander Wassermann, Head of Hotels & Serviced Apartments, Miramar Group, Mr Alex Lee, General Manager of Miramar Travel, and Mr. Kerim Sercan Evcin, Consul General of Türkiye in Hong Kong, as well as the Guest of Honour, Mr. Clarence Leung, Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, HKSAR Government, all guests including 12 Consuls General from the Middle East and Asia representing Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the Philippines enjoyed a sumptuous Halal buffet showcasing a variety of specialty dishes from Chinese to Mediterranean cuisines. The cross-cultural experience was entwined with a traditional music performance, Turkish shadow puppet theatre, and ended with interactive Turkish Bazaar serving traditional snacks enjoyed during the holy period of Ramadan including the coffee brewed in the hot sand.
Mrs. Angelina Cheung, Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Tourism Commission said, “I am very happy to participate in tonight’s Ramadan Iftar Dinner. I am also pleased to see the trade proactively work hand in hand with the Government to develop the Middle East and ASEAN markets and offer more suitable dining options for Muslim visitors, including high-end Chinese cuisines. As of now, more than 140 restaurants have received Halal-certification. The Government is strengthening efforts to develop markets in the Middle East and ASEAN, and encouraging various sectors of the community to enhance tourism‑support facilities with a view to attracting more high‑end visitors.”
Located just a stroll away from the Kowloon Mosque in the heart of the city’s shopping mecca, The Mira Hong Kong, is a Muslim-friendly hotel with top-notch Halal dining options including Cantonese fine dining at MICHELIN-recommended Cuisine Cuisine at The Mira, an Arabic speaking Guest Ambassador, delicious 24/7 in-room dining menu in Arabic serving Asian and Western favorites, a spacious open-air lounge Vibes hidden in the courtyard oasis-like setting, plus expansive wellness facilities at MiraSpa. Meanwhile, the fabled Chinese fairy-tale themed boutique hotel, Mira Moon – overlooking the Victoria Harbour on Hong Kong Island and located just a short stroll from the iconic Wan Chai Mosque as well as HKCEC – is fitted with necessary Muslim-friendly amenities and offers a Halal breakfast set to international travellers.
“Our luxurious urban oasis in Tsim Sha Tsui, The Mira Hong Kong, and enchanting boutique hotel in Causeway Bay, Mira Moon, accredited by the world’s leading authority on halal travel, CrescentRating, are ready to cater to the needs of discerning Muslim travellers,” shared Alexander Wassermann, Head of Hotels & Serviced Apartments, Miramar Group. “All of our employees have received extensive training on halal food and halal travel practices implemented at our hotels. Our Team looks forward to welcoming more Muslim Guests from around the world and we aim to be the preferred Chinese dining destination in Hong Kong for the local Muslim community.”
Video Gallery: The Mira Hong Kong | Mira Moon
www.themirahotel.com | www.miramoonhotel.com
Hashtag: #TheMiraHongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – Hong Kong tertiary students are eager to seize their youth and chase bold dreams—whether it’s studying abroad on an exchange program, mastering new skills, or launching a startup to earn their first fortune. Yet, financial constraints often force many to hesitate, unwilling to burden their families, leaving them torn between dreams and reality. To ease the financial pressures of college life, uFinance, the Hong Kong student loan platform, introduces a tailored loan service for students, making borrowing simple and stress-free. Unlike traditional banks and financial institutions, uFinance prioritizes student privacy and offers a worry-free loan experience. For those struggling with tuition fees, uFinance University Student Tuition Loan comes with Hong Kong’s first-ever “Lowest Interest Rate Guarantee,” empowering students to tackle financial challenges with ease.
uFinanceSafeguards Privacy: Student Loan Records Kept Strictly Confidential
Many tertiary students worry about personal data leaks when applying for loans. uFinance understands these concerns and, with over 20,000 student loan applications processed, pledges never to disclose applicants’ details or loan records to schools or third parties. Unless under exceptional circumstances, no letters will be mailed—communication is handled entirely by phone, ensuring a discreet borrowing process and peace of mind for students.
Borrowing Made Easy:uFinanceOffers Fully Online Applications
For first-time borrowers, asking for a loan can feel daunting, and complicated procedures often deter students from pursuing their dreams. uFinance student loan breaks the mold with a fully online application process—no face-to-face meetings required. Simply fill out the online form and upload the necessary documents to kickstart your student loan application. Our customer service team will reach out via phone to handle approval and identity verification. Once approved, students can sign contracts and receive funds online, resolving financial woes quickly and conveniently.
True Low-InterestUniversity Tuition Fee Loanswith Hong Kong’s First “Lowest Interest Rate Guarantee”
When applying for Grant Loan/Non Means and other government subsidies, students often face lengthy processes, missing tuition deadlines and incurring penalties. To address this, uFinance offers an exclusive University Tuition Fee Loans that deposits funds directly into school accounts upon approval, bypassing unnecessary delays. Featuring Hong Kong’s pioneering “Lowest Interest Rate Guarantee,” this loan boasts a market-leading annual percentage rate of just 6%. Students can borrow up to $21,050 per semester, with flexible repayment terms from 6 to 48 months. After receiving government aid, borrowers can settle the balance anytime without extra fees, offering unmatched flexibility.
Student Loan Information Platform– Preparing Students for Social Challenges
In addition to relieving students of financial burdens during their studies, uFinance hopes that students can obtain more helpful information for their life planning on the platform, such as internship job vacancies, living encyclopedias, and financial information. uFinance believes that the few years of undergraduate life have a significant impact on the future development of students. Therefore, it hopes that students can equip themselves well before entering society to meet future challenges. Also, uFinance will also cooperate with different businesses to provide students with exclusive discounts, so the tertiary students can develop financial management habits during their studies.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – MooneyBird, a real estate technology company focusing on property marketing and AI applications, has officially introduced Hong Kong’s first Cantonese-focused AI Voice Concierge tailored for the real estate industry. Developed in partnership with AIVOICE, a startup nurtured by the HKUST Entrepreneurship Center, this innovative solution combines Cantonese voice technology with AI agent features. By speaking Cantonese, users can instantly access up-to-date property listings, empowering real estate agents to deliver more seamless and human-centric digital interactions.
The AI Voice Concierge enables consumers to instantly access the latest real estate listings via Cantonese voice-based interaction.
Ensuring Digital Inclusion and a Barrier-Free Property Search Experience As Hong Kong citizens fully embrace property search habits online, real estate agents often struggle to respond to a high volume of customer inquiries, risking potential buyer loss if they fail to respond promptly. Meanwhile, to fulfill social responsibilities, many agencies have begun integrating barrier-free elements into their websites, ensuring all user segments can access property information equally.
The AI Voice Concierge allows agents to interact with customers more naturally while instantly managing tasks such as property purchase inquiries, rental queries, and listings. It delivers personalized recommendations, mortgage calculations, analyses estate and neighborhood advantage, and information about nearby transportation or facility, all via voice-based interactions that transcend traditional text-based limitations.
Empowering Real Estate Agent for Professional Customer Support The AI Voice Concierge leverages a multimodal AI model developed by AIVOICE. By integrating Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Text-To-Speech (TTS), and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), it seamlessly processes Cantonese or mixed Chinese-English queries. Additionally, the solution connects to MooneyBird’s industry-specific database and large language models to generate more specialized, human-like responses.
At its core, the system employs an Agentic AI infrastructure to support multi-turn, context-aware conversations. By learning user data and predictive analytics, it delivers highly precise property suggestions based on past interactions, helping agents effectively target potential buyers.
Accelerating Customer Interactions by 30% with Voice AI Century 21 Property Agency (Pak Shek Kok) in Tai Po has implemented the AI Voice Concierge into its website to streamline its customer service. According to the branch manager, client engagement rates have increased by 30% within three months, enabling more precise outreach to potential buyers and boosting sales opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://c21psk.com.hk/
Furthermore, based on practical needs, the AI Voice Concierge can integrate seamlessly with CRM systems and can incorporate AI voice-cloning technology. Agents only need to record around one minute of audio to create a custom AI voice model that delivers personal responses, enhancing brand image and reinforcing customer relationships.
Pioneering Smart Property Technology, Redefining the User Experience Eddie Lee, Founder of Synergy Marketing Technology and CEO of MooneyBird, shared, “The AI Voice Concierge helps agents quickly identify potential clients. Once customers obtain initial property insights, they can engage in deeper discussions with agents, fostering mutual trust. We’re excited to see the real estate sector advancing into a new era of smart solutions, and we believe this technology will empower agents to reach broader audiences while strengthening their brand equity.”
AIVOICE was founded by students from HKUST. Wilson Wong, Co-founder of AIVOICE, said, “As Cantonese voice-over tools are in short supply, we developed our own AI technology to capture nuances like tone, diction, and accent. After 20,000 hours of Cantonese voice-data training, our model achieves a 95% accuracy rate. Through the AI Voice Concierge, we aim to showcase the adaptability of Cantonese AI and expand its use across multiple industries.”
Looking ahead, Lee added, “We plan to roll out the AI Voice Concierge to more than 50 real estate agencies and are currently exploring additional collaborations with developers. We are also working on interactive virtual avatars and other innovations to continuously enhance the digital property experience.”
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – Wells Singapore is proud to introduce the Wells Home Café, the world’s first Tea X Coffee capsule machine designed to elevate the home beverage experience in Singapore. This innovative appliance seamlessly integrates with the Wells The One water dispenser, providing users with a convenient and premium solution for brewing both tea and coffee using purified water.
Wells Home Café
The Wells Home Café features a unique dual extraction system with separate channels and capsule drawers for tea and coffee, ensuring that flavours remain distinct and untainted. This design allows users to switch effortlessly between beverages without the risk of cross-contamination. By connecting directly to the Wells The One water purifier, the Home Café eliminates the need for a water container, supplying mineral-rich, purified water directly to the machine for every brew.
The Wells The One water dispenser plays a key role in this dual-unit system, providing purified water and added functionality. Consumers can also access six different temperatures, providing more convenience, whether they need hot water for tea, warm water for baby formula, or cold water for refreshing drinks.
With a 19-bar high-pressure extraction system, the Wells Home Café delivers rich, aromatic coffee with a golden crema, rivalling the quality found in cafés. For tea lovers, its rapid extraction system allows users to enjoy a perfectly brewed cup in just 60 seconds. The machine is designed with a user-friendly slide-touch interface and a sleek sliding capsule drawer, making it effortless to operate. Its slim and stylish design ensures that it enhances any kitchen interior while saving space.
The Wells Home Café has been recognised for its exceptional design, earning finalist positions at prestigious international competitions such as the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Design Award. As a leading provider of water dispensers in Singapore, Wells is committed to delivering products that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. Established in 2002, Wells is a Korean lifestyle brand known for its premium water purifiers and lifestyle appliances, all designed and manufactured in Korea to ensure top-quality standards. The company’s mission is to enhance daily living through innovative solutions that prioritise health, convenience, and sophisticated design.
The Wells Home Café is now available in Singapore, offering households the opportunity to enjoy café-quality beverages with the convenience of home brewing. By integrating this dual-function capsule machine with the Wells The One water dispenser, users can experience the perfect blend of taste and purity in every cup.
For more information, visit www.wellssingapore.com.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – A consortium of civil society organisations today called on the Hong Kong government to urgently address critical gaps in the city’s seafood import regulations. The coalition warns that Hong Kong’s current regulatory framework dates back to the 1940s and fails to ensure the safety, sustainability, and traceability of seafood products entering the city, posing risks to public health, marine ecosystems, and consumer trust.
Photograph credit: Paul Hilton / Earth Tree Images
“Our call for action responds to the findings of research released over decades by different academics and NGOs, that continue to point to the same systemic issues which remain unresolved today,” said Sophie le Clue, CEO of ADM Capital Foundation.
The most recent research released in December 2024 found that of all the data necessary to ensure sufficient traceability, the Hong Kong authorities are only requiring collection of 12% of such data, in stark contrast to other countries. The call for action comes at a time when many of Hong Kong’s trading partners (Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the EU and the USA) are making substantial efforts to develop and implement measures to facilitate traceability—benefiting both suppliers and buyers who wish to source responsibly and sustainably, as well as consumer health and well-being.
“To remain competitive, Hong Kong must align with international standards and best practices by strengthening import controls,” said Benjamin So, Founder of 178 Degrees, a seafood importer. “While certain leading businesses in the industry have been promoting sustainable seafood for years, and expending resources to ensure their seafood is sourced responsibly and sustainably, the issue is ignored by many in the sector–and without government intervention and support, there is no level playing field or motivation for the industry to change,” he added.
Both the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC) and WWF-Hong Kong’s Sustainable Seafood Business Membership Programme are at the forefront of driving changes in industry practices and promoting seafood sustainability. As HKSSC Secretariat Mandy Wong explains, “The HKSSC was established by industry leaders to advance sustainable seafood practices in Hong Kong and Macau. Our corporate members are deeply committed to responsible sourcing and are dedicated to mainstreaming sustainable seafood. However, without government policies and legislation to address unethical practices and encourage responsible procurement, there are limits to what we can achieve.”
Echoing these concerns Lydia Pang, Head of Oceans Conservation at WWF-Hong Kong explains that “whilst some businesses are proactive and engaged, without sufficient traceability requirements, we continue to risk consuming seafood that may be harmful to our health, sourced through illegal fishing practices, or contributing to the depletion of global fish stocks.”
Hong Kong ranks among the top importers of seafood by value and volume. The city serves as a major hub for seafood trade in Asia, with a substantial portion of its imports being re-exported to mainland China and other regional markets. Its seafood consumption is exceptionally high due to its dense population, affluent economy, and cultural preference for fresh seafood. This makes Hong Kong a critical player in the global seafood supply chain.
The city is also a hub for high-demand luxury products such as live reef food fish, shark fin, and fish maw, but traceability for these imports is insufficient. A study by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) iterated the finding of previous research on significant data gaps in the live reef food fish trade, valued at over USD 2 billion. “Such gaps lead to a multitude of issues – environmental harm through overfishing and ecosystem damage, economic losses, and illegal fishing. They also give rise to ethical concerns, such as labour exploitation, health risks, and present a slew of regulatory challenges.” Said Prof. Celia Schunter from HKU.
The consortium has submitted a formal letter to the Hong Kong government and is calling on it to consider their concerns and prioritise a review of Hong Kong’s existing legislation and policy developments in relation to the seafood trade. Recommendations include traceability, health and safety, port measures and stakeholder collaboration.
1. Traceability: a. Add Key Data Elements (KDEs) like species’ scientific name, catch/farming method, and location. b. Develop digital traceability standards and align with Global Dialogue for Seafood Traceability (GDST). c. Amend the Fish Marketing Ordinance to include live fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. d. Require all Class III fish carrier vessels to comply with Marine Department clearance.
2. Health & Safety: a. Mandate health certificates and stricter import checks. b. Land all seafood at designated ports for quarantine and monitoring. 3. Port Measures: a. Require Hong Kong-registered vessels to report entry/exit. b. Align with FAO’s Transshipment Guidelines. 4. Stakeholder Collaboration: a. Promote best practices through coalition or business networks such as the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition. b. Foster collaboration among government, industry, and NGOs.
Hashtag: #ADMCapitalFoundation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The Teaching Council has opened consultation this week on a proposal to increase practising certificate renewal fees from $464 to $501 for the next three years.
Chris Abercrombie said the proposal represented an 8% increase which the Council advise is the result of cost inflation as well as increased operating costs. One of those is the processing of thousands of overseas teaching applications.
Teaching Council explanations for the proposed fee increase include the fact the Government funding of additional staff to process overseas teachers’ applications would end in June. “The Government has deliberately chosen to hire overseas teachers to address teacher shortages, rather than ensuring an adequate supply of New Zealand teachers, so it should continue the funding of staff to process overseas applications for as long as it takes. There is no way the profession should be paying for this.”
Chris Abercrombie said it was National Party policy that teachers’ registration fees should be paid for by the government, and teachers supported this. “This will most likely be part of our claim in our collective agreement negotiations later this year.
“In the meantime, I would strongly encourage all teachers to have their say on the proposed fee increase.”
