Health – Vape companies hunt loopholes ahead of law change

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March 6, 2025

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

Heavy restrictions on the sale of vapes will soon be in place, but some vape companies are already searching for loopholes in the law.

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is calling out vape retailers for their blatant attempts to bypass the new laws aimed at protecting our tamariki.

Between March and June, a flurry of new laws will take effect, including the ban of disposable vapes, a ban on displaying products (in store and online), and a ban on discounts and giveaways.

The Foundation, however, is aware of some vape retailers exploring website redesigns and new customer engagement strategies to continue marketing their products despite the law changes.

Foundation Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says any attempt to undermine the regulations will only reinforce the need for stronger enforcement.

“Vape companies have been given clear rules to follow, and yet some are already looking for loopholes.”

While the Foundation supported the new laws, it urged the Government to invest in enforcement so they have the intended impact of reducing youth access, limiting exposure, and preventing nicotine addiction in a new generation, Ms Harding says.

“We have been calling for tighter restrictions since 2017, so it is good to finally see many of our recommendations come into law, including banning in-front-of-store window advertising and product display by retailers.”

“However, the Government can’t drop the ball and let retailers dodge the new laws.”

In addition to the new laws, the Foundation wants the Government to halt the establishment of further Specialist Vape Retailers (SVRs), limit the nicotine content of all vape products to 20 mg/mL and re-look at the prescription model.

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Banking Sector – ASB further boosts rural commitment with new Head of Food & Fibre

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March 6, 2025

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Source: ASB

ASB has appointed Kristen Ashby as its new Head of Food & Fibre, a newly established role within its Rural Corporate Banking team.

Kristen joins ASB from Fonterra where she was most recently Director of Capital Strategy. Starting her career as a Chartered Accountant, Kristen has worked across a variety of roles at organisations including Fonterra, Turners & Growers and Goodman Fielder.

Born and bred in Waikato, Kristen’s rural upbringing and breadth of experience mean she brings a unique perspective to this role. She is passionate about helping Kiwi businesses to reach their goals, as well as future proofing for tomorrow.

Kristen says, “I’m excited to be joining the team at such a crucial time. I see so much opportunity in the Food & Fibre sector and feel privileged to help build on the work already being done at ASB.

As a bank we can make a real difference for our rural communities, uplift regional economies and put New Zealand-grown products on the map globally.

I’m looking forward to getting on the road soon to meet our customers and broader industry participants to tackle these ambitious goals.”

ASB General Manager Rural Banking Aidan Gent says “Kristen is a passionate leader with a proven track record of success, genuinely interested in making a difference for our customers.

We are so excited to have her on board in this pivotal role as we bring our full-service banking proposition to the Food & Fibre sector – a critical component of our economy.

With Food & Fibre making up more than 80% of our global exports, there is significant opportunity in this sector. This is not just farmers – it is the innovators looking at new foods & fibres and future uses of land, processors, logistics companies moving goods, all the way through to the electrician in Gore fixing a woolshed.

Food & Fibre represents an opportunity to truly accelerate the social, environmental and financial progress of New Zealanders.”

Kristen Ashby started in her new role in February 2025.

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Consumer NZ calls for an end to the surcharge “swindle”

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ is calling on the Commerce Commission to consider a ban on card payment surcharges due to growing concerns about excessive and hidden fees.

While the Commission is considering lowering interchange fees – to reduce merchants’ costs for accepting card payments, – Consumer says there’s no guarantee this will reduce card surcharges for consumers, and that should be the priority.

Currently, there are no regulations in New Zealand on surcharges, only guidelines. The guidelines recommend surcharges be transparent, avoidable and not excessive. Unfortunately, these recommendations are often ignored, to the detriment of shoppers.

“The surcharging situation in New Zealand is a mess. We have received hundreds of complaints showing merchants are not complying with the guidelines. It’s time to introduce new surcharge rules,” says Consumer acting head of research and advocacy, Jessica Walker.

Although the Commission has said it will consider some form of surcharge regulation, an outright ban doesn’t appear to be one of the options being considered. Yet Consumer thinks a ban would be a simple and effective solution, with the benefits outweighing the risks.

“Less thought would be required about what card to use, whether to swipe, insert or tap; what the surcharge amount is and whether there’s a way to avoid the surcharge.

“You could just leave the house with your phone in your pocket, knowing you wouldn’t have to pay a hefty surcharge for the convenience of not carrying any cards. A ban makes things simpler for merchants too,” Walker says.

Issues with surcharging

Complaints to Consumer about surcharges include:

Excessive fees: Merchants are charging well over what it costs them to accept the card payment. In the worst cases, card payment surcharges have exceeded 20%. The Commission estimates New Zealanders are paying up to $65 million per year in excessive surcharges, with Mastercard estimating this figure to be $90 million.

Lack of transparency: Some merchants don’t mention the fact they add surcharges. Others have terminals that simply state “surcharge applies”, without specifying the amount.

Fixed fees: Some merchants charge flat fees rather than percentages, which don’t always reflect their actual costs.

Hidden fees: Additional costs, like service fees, are often bundled with surcharges, confusing consumers.

To address these issues, Consumer is calling on the Commission to consider a ban on surcharges.

The benefits of a surcharge ban

Transparency: A surcharge ban would eliminate unclear and hidden fees, allowing consumers to more easily compare prices.

Consistency: Consumers would have a consistent experience across merchants, with no nasty surprises at the counter.

Simplicity: A ban would be easy for consumers and businesses to understand and easy for the Commission to enforce.

Fairer: A ban would incentivise merchants to search for better card deals that allow them to reduce their payment costs. While surcharging is allowed, there’s no incentive for merchants to do this. Lower interchange fees also mean businesses could more easily absorb payment costs.

Encourages competition: Transparent pricing would allow consumers to shop around more easily, fostering competition.

Alignment with other jurisdictions: The United Kingdom and European Union have banned surcharges, proving such a ban can work.

The case for banning surcharges in New Zealand is strong.

Consumer lodged a submission with the Commission this week supporting further interchange regulation and calling for the Commission to consider a ban on surcharges.

We urge anyone else who is fed up with surcharges to let the Commission know by 5pm on 18 March 2025 using this simple online form: https://consumernz.cmail20.com/t/i-l-fdykily-ijjdkdttjk-j/

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Energy – Perfect paradox: Urgent focus on affordability and infrastructure in global energy report – BusinessNZ

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March 6, 2025

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Source: BusinessNZ

Global data released from the World Energy Council today highlights urgent concern for affordable energy and the importance of future energy infrastructure.

The BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) is New Zealand’s representative to the World Energy Council. Executive Director Tina Schirr says more than 3,000 energy leaders from more than 100 countries participated in the World Energy Issues Monitor 2025, a survey providing critical insights into the challenges facing the energy sector at home and abroad.

“New Zealand is not alone in its desire for more affordable and reliable energy. This year’s Monitor shows this is the number one growing concern for businesses and households around the world.

“The report also identifies areas which require urgent action including energy storage, grid upgrades, and climate mitigation. These infrastructure and climate issues are crucial for energy security and economic growth.

“While New Zealand shares many global concerns – including the need for economic growth alongside energy transition, key differences emerge in areas like supply chain disruptions and the development of future fuels.

“The World Energy Issues Monitor is a valuable tool for understanding the key uncertainties and priorities shaping energy strategies worldwide. BEC looks forward to the release of regional data in May, which will offer more detailed insights into New Zealand’s current situation.”

The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

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Auckland’s flood resilience pilot a success

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Auckland Council

Aucklanders have come together to build flood resilience, with a successful pilot programme proving the power of community action. Their efforts have paved the way for region-wide expansion in 2025, helping more neighbourhoods prepare for future storms.

As part of Council’s Making Space for Water programme – a response to the 2023 extreme weather events – the pilot focused on promoting partnership, inclusivity, and local leadership to enhance Auckland’s flood resilience.

Running from September 2023 to December 2024, the pilot:

engaged 1,424 volunteers in resilience-building activities, including clearing critical stream blockages
partnered with 11 organisations to amplify community leadership
delivered 72 community events to improve flood awareness and stormwater management
planted 2,512 native plants in the right places to absorb water and reduce erosion.

Building on this success, 12 community environmental organisations have now been contracted to expand the programme regionwide in 2025 strengthening flood preparedness in at-risk communities by:

increasing public workshops to improve flood literacy and understanding of healthy catchments.
expanding stream restoration efforts to support stormwater management.
strengthening partnerships with mana whenua and local organisations to enhance resilience.

“The 2023 storms showed that we needed to strengthen community connections and invest in community engagement to foster resilience,” says Tom Mansell, Auckland Council’s Head of Sustainable Partnerships.

“This initiative ensures communities aren’t just preparing for floods—they’re actively reducing risk through education and local initiatives.”

Alanah Mullin from EcoMatters is involved in the initiative and highlights the importance of collective action.

“Flooding is a growing challenge, but we can all be part of the solution. Restoring waterways and planting the right native plants in the right places can help absorb stormwater and reduce the impact of heavy rain on our communities,” she says.

“When the city’s drainage system is overwhelmed, healthy streams can play a crucial role in moving excess water to the sea. By working together, we’re making Auckland more resilient—one neighbourhood at a time.”

Tom Mansell agrees.

“This initiative shows the power of community-led action. We’re not just responding to past events—we’re building a more resilient Auckland for the future.”

For more information or to get involved, visit the Auckland Council website.

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‘Need not race’ approach to bowel cancer screening will save lives

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March 6, 2025

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Source: ACT Party

“The move to reduce the eligibility age for free bowel cancer screening to 58 is ‘need, not race’ in action, and will save lives,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“ACT campaigned against targeting services based on race, because this practice was unfair, inefficient, and led to perverse outcomes.

“Bowel cancer screening was a classic example. In 2022, Labour set a lower eligibility age for Māori/Pacific people accessing the National Bowel Screening Programme.

“However, bowel cancer does not discriminate on race. Māori and Pacific peoples have a similar risk of developing bowel cancer compared to other population groups at a given age.

“It was true that a higher proportion of bowel cancers occur in Māori and Pacific peoples at a younger age, but that is because the overall demographics of those groups are younger. It has always been age that determines bowel cancer risk, not race.

“Today, the Government has repurposed Labour’s funding to deliver an eligibility age of 58 for all population groups, down from the previous default of 60.

“This is ‘need, not race’ in action. ACT campaigned on it, we secured it in our coalition agreement, the Minister of Health pushed officials, and the result was (after having to go overseas for the advice) that we can have good things and deliver wider health benefits to all New Zealanders.

“It shows, when you use real science and real statistics you don’t have to be racist. The previous government got the science and statistics wrong, and practiced racism. We abhor racial discrimination and we’re proud to be part of seeing the back of it.”

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Bowel screening changes to save hundreds of lives

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March 6, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has agreed to progressively lower the age of eligibility for bowel cancer screening tests to align with Australia.“Today, I am pleased to announce that we are taking the first step by lowering the age to 58, with redirected funding of $36 million over four years. “This means free bowel screening will become available to all New Zealanders from the ages of 58 to 74,” Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Lowering the age of eligibility from 60 to 58 will see 122,000 Kiwis eligible for free tests in the first year and save hundreds of lives over the coming decades.“This is the first significant step we are taking to align our screening rate for bowel cancer with Australia as funding and access to additional colonoscopy resource becomes available.“The changes announced today are projected to prevent an additional 771 bowel cancers and an additional 566 bowel cancer deaths over the next 25 years.“Advice from the Ministry of Health clearly states that lowering the age to 58 for all New Zealanders will save even more lives than the previous government’s approach to lower the age to 50 for Māori and Pacific Peoples only.“Under our approach, we will be able to prevent 218 additional cancers and 176 additional deaths over 25 years in comparison to the settings proposed by the previous government.“This also aligns with the Government’s policy of ensuring that healthcare is delivered on the basis of need. “The evidence is clear: by delivering this first step for all New Zealanders, more lives will be saved. “The Government has also approved additional funding for targeted initiatives that aim to increase screening rates among population groups with low rates. Improving early detection of bowel cancers can be lifesaving, and this significant investment will be a game-changer for under-screened populations. “New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer globally. Every year, more than 3,300 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in New Zealand. Tragically, more than 1,200 Kiwis die from the disease. “We are committed to improving cancer detection and treatment for Kiwis. Last year we announced a $604 million uplift over four years to enable thousands more Kiwis to access life-saving cancer drugs.”“We will continue to deliver better outcomes for people with cancer as a result of the changes announced today.“By expanding eligibility for free bowel cancer screening tests, we will enable Kiwis to detect cancer earlier, undertake treatment, and ultimately save lives,” Mr Brown says.

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Unexplained death, Wairoa

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March 6, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attribute to Detective Inspector Dave de Lange:

An investigation has been launched after the death of a man in Wairoa yesterday.

Emergency services were called to a Lucknow Street address about 4pm after a man was found unresponsive.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His death is currently being treated as unexplained, and enquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances of what has occurred.

A scene examination will commence at the property today, and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Further information will be provided when it becomes available.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Auckland’s flood resilience pilot a success: community leadership drives expansion in 2025

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Auckland Council

Aucklanders have come together to build flood resilience, with a successful pilot programme proving the power of community action. Their efforts have paved the way for region-wide expansion in 2025, helping more neighbourhoods prepare for future storms.

As part of Council’s Making Space for Water programme – a response to the 2023 extreme weather events – the pilot focused on promoting partnership, inclusivity, and local leadership to enhance Auckland’s flood resilience.

Running from September 2023 to December 2024, the pilot:

engaged 1,424 volunteers in resilience-building activities, including clearing critical stream blockages
partnered with 11 organisations to amplify community leadership
delivered 72 community events to improve flood awareness and stormwater management
planted 2,512 native plants in the right places to absorb water and reduce erosion.

Building on this success, 12 community environmental organisations have now been contracted to expand the programme regionwide in 2025 strengthening flood preparedness in at-risk communities by:

increasing public workshops to improve flood literacy and understanding of healthy catchments.
expanding stream restoration efforts to support stormwater management.
strengthening partnerships with mana whenua and local organisations to enhance resilience.

“The 2023 storms showed that we needed to strengthen community connections and invest in community engagement to foster resilience,” says Tom Mansell, Auckland Council’s Head of Sustainable Partnerships.

“This initiative ensures communities aren’t just preparing for floods—they’re actively reducing risk through education and local initiatives.”

Alanah Mullin from EcoMatters is involved in the initiative and highlights the importance of collective action.

“Flooding is a growing challenge, but we can all be part of the solution. Restoring waterways and planting the right native plants in the right places can help absorb stormwater and reduce the impact of heavy rain on our communities,” she says.

“When the city’s drainage system is overwhelmed, healthy streams can play a crucial role in moving excess water to the sea. By working together, we’re making Auckland more resilient—one neighbourhood at a time.”

Tom Mansell agrees.

“This initiative shows the power of community-led action. We’re not just responding to past events—we’re building a more resilient Auckland for the future.”

For more information or to get involved, visit

MIL OSI

Avondale’s new community hub gets set to connect

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March 6, 2025

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Source: Auckland Council

Great progress is underway in the preparations to build Te Hono – the new Avondale library, community hub, and upgraded town square.

Deconstruction works are complete and the focus now shifts to site preparations that include the construction of retaining walls, ahead of the main construction phase beginning in spring 2025.

Centrally located in Avondale’s town centre, when complete Te Hono aims to connect, inspire, and bring people together.

“Our priority is to deliver Te Hono as soon as possible, at the same time as maximising value for money for ratepayers and keeping true to the community’s vision for a modern, purpose-built space for generations to enjoy,” says Taryn Crewe, Auckland Council’s general manager of Parks and Community Facilities.

The project steering group of the council and Eke Panuku met on 24 February and agreed to run the enabling works and the main construction phase separately. This decision was taken to keep the project moving and ensure that the main construction phase is delivered at the right value.

“The council is committed to delivering high-quality community projects that provide true value. Our intent is to manage capital projects effectively and ensure that every dollar is well spent for Aucklanders. This project reflects our commitment and strikes the right balance between fiscal responsibility and the community’s aspirations,” says Mrs Crewe.

“This next stage of on-site work will effectively help the main construction phase this year to occur more quickly, after winter, and ensure steady progress. Come spring, you’ll see Te Hono come to life!”

The project group continue their focus on minimizing compromises to the design, to ensure the final outcome delivers on the community’s vision and long-term needs keeping within the available budget.

For more information, visit: Te Hono – Eke Panuku and OurAuckland

Background Info

Since 2019, Auckland Council and Eke Panuku Development Auckland have worked in partnership on the design and planning of Te Hono – the new Avondale library & community hub with an upgraded town square. The plan for a modern, flexible space aims to support learning, creativity, and community interactions, evolving alongside Avondale as a vibrant gathering place.

Following an open selection process, the council signed a pre-construction services agreement with a main contractor in August 2022. Rising construction costs in 2023 resulted in a funding shortfall, so the Whau Local Board approved an updated design to simplify construction and minimise some of the costs. To secure the project’s future, Auckland Council reallocated $15 million in September 2023 from the planned Whau Aquatic and Recreation Centre development budget, reinforcing the project’s importance to the community.

In September 2024, after finalising the detailed designs, the council’s steering group for this project invited the pre-construction services contractor to submit a final bid. After a thorough assessment and negotiations, both parties were unable to reach an agreement on the value for money and budget considerations.

On 24 February 2025, the project steering group approved the decision to go-to-market via a competitive tendering process.

The council remains committed to delivering value for money within the approved overall budget for this project.

Next steps

At the council Project Steering Group on 24 February 2025, the decision was made to engage another council-approved contractor for the next stage of pre-construction, known as ‘enabling works’. This stage includes removing the remaining concrete and steel structure supporting the slip lane and constructing new retaining walls. This approach also allows the project to continue while the new competitive tendering process for a new main contractor is completed.

The successful main contractor is expected to start on-site in spring 2025.

This approach also avoids the additional costs and risks of undertaking major earthworks during winter, including soil instability, sediment control and environmental mitigations.

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