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Storm recovery planning underway in Āwhitu

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Source: Auckland Council

The Pollok Community Hall and Emergency Hub is working with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office, helping drive recovery planning in the Āwhitu community. This is part of a series of partnerships in heavily-impacted communities across Auckland. Communities are being supported to develop practical plans, which will include activities and priorities that can be delivered to improve well-being and flourishing as they recover.   

Since major 2023 storms affected the Āwhitu region, its resourceful local communities have come together to help each other move forward with resilience. 

At the heart of this collective effort is the Pollok Community Hall and Emergency Hub, led and delivered by the community. As recovery continues, the group is working alongside residents, businesses and organisations to rebuild with hope, and the aim of leaving no one behind.  

Mayor Wayne Brown assesses slip damage in Awhitu

A community tested by adversity 

Storms in early 2023 caused widespread disruption, leaving many local families, homes and businesses in distress. Being on a peninsula, power outages, flooding and damage to infrastructure made life difficult for the community. But despite the challenges, the spirit of solidarity emerged as neighbours helped each other and local organisations quickly mobilised.  

“We’ve had big storms before but Cyclone Gabrielle was different,” says Peter Sharps, Chairman of Pollok Community Hall and Emergency Hub.  

“We just help each other. Whether it’s providing shelter for people that can’t access their homes, or locals using bulldozers to move trees off the road.” 

Local farmer Richard Craig adds, “My family has been here since the 1860s. So, we were well-prepared, but the storm trashed everything.”  

“Seven out of eight bridges on my property were submerged, and an arterial road collapsed onto our property. I had no income for six months while repairing the farm. But I survived with support from my bank, the Ministry of Primary Industries, and businesses were kind, offering discounted supplies which made a huge difference.” 

Peter Sharps (credit Hon Andrew Bayly MP)

Pollok Community Hall and Emergency Hub: Aligning with our mission 

The group is dedicated to serving the community through a hall and emergency centre.  

“Our mission is to strengthen the local community by fostering connections, offering vital services, and preserving historically significant sites,” says Peter. “This requires bringing people together. So, since the storm, we’ve organised several community meetings and formed a steering group to help shape a recovery plan that reflects the diverse needs of the community.” 

“It’s hard to get people to come together for anything,” says committee member Francie Craig. “So, it was amazing to see so many people show up for our recovery planning meeting.” 

As recovery progresses, the focus has shifted from immediate relief to long-term planning. Auckland Council is supporting through initiatives including disaster preparedness workshops and local recovery support.  

“Wind and rain caused major damage,” says local Ian McNaughton. “I lost two acres of fencing and water supply. The rain wiped out the well, and damaged trees. With only one road in and out after Pollok, I’m keen for us to think about access to the peninsula.”  

The community’s focus is on building a united approach to recovery that is sustainable and accessible for all. This includes developing a united vision as well as planning the practicalities like generators and making sure accommodation/refuge are available for everyone. 

Āwhitu Road slip repaired

Get involved in recovery planning 

The group invites everyone in the community to participate in recovery efforts.  

“Whether attending a planning session, volunteering or contributing ideas for future projects, your involvement is essential to rebuilding stronger than before,” says Peter. “Our recovery won’t succeed without everyone’s contribution. This is a collective effort, and everyone’s voice is critical in shaping our path forward.”  

All residents are encouraged to join in recovery meetings and events, share their thoughts, and help create a recovery plan that works for everyone. 

MIL OSI

Fatal Crash, Glassford Road, Otago

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

One person has died following a serious crash on Glassford Road, Otago overnight.

Police were alerted to the single-vehicle crash at around 11pm.

Sadly, one person was located deceased at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit examined the scene overnight.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

ChildFund – Don’t Abandon Ukrainian Children Now

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Source: ChildFund New Zealand

“While the politicians talk, Ukrainian children enter their fourth year of no school and no normal childhood – longer if you include the interruptions of Covid,” says Josie Pagani CEO of ChildFund.
Thousands of children have relied on the help of New Zealanders and others around the world to make sure they can keep accessing online education, have safe places to play, or learn abroad as their families seek refuge in places like Moldova.
Many have never set foot in a classroom.
ChildFund will keep supporting these children, with the help of donations from the New Zealand public, and support from The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“This is the generation who will have to rebuild Ukraine. They will be the builders, engineers, teachers, and leaders of the future. It’s not just that they deserve to be safe, to learn, to have a future like any other child. It’s also that they are literally the future of Ukraine,” says Josie Pagani.
Since 2022, ChildFund’s partners implementing the Ukraine Regional Refugee Response have:
  • Reached over 3,700 caregivers and children with psychosocial support and counselling services
  • Provided access to child friendly spaces, supporting access for 2,383 children to play activities and facilities
  • Provided child dedicated food bags to 8,237 children and caregivers
  • Provided access to additional education and training services for 204 children and young people
  • Provided referrals, assistive devices and systems strengthening for 88 children with disabilities and service providers.
Since Russia invaded, more than 4,000 schools and educational institutions in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed.
“We are asking New Zealanders to keep supporting these efforts. Ukrainian children need decent food, safe places to learn. They need to be able to play like other children, and get the counselling they so desperately need.”
“We don’t know how this war will end. But we do know these children will be tasked with rebuilding their country and their communities. They need our support more than ever.”

MIL OSI

Arts – NZSA Kupu Kaitiaki & Kaituhi Mentor Programmes for Kaituhi Māori Now Open For Application

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Source: New Zealand Society of Authors

These two programmes aim to support the amplification of Māori voices, Māori stories, and ultimately see greater publication and performance of these works.  They are modelled on NZSA’s 30-year successful and impactful mentorship and assessment support programmes for writers. NZSA now offers dedicated programmes for Māori writers through its Kaituhi Māori branch.

Kaituhi Māori Mentor Programme:

Designed for emerging writers who whakapapa Māori to have the opportunity to work closely with an acclaimed writer as their mentor to hone their tuhituhi ability and, in the process, evolve and refine a work toward a publishable state. We welcome kaituhi who write in te reo Māori and/or te reo Pākehā, in the genres of fiction including short fiction, on any topic(s). We welcome kaituhi of all ages – from rangatahi to kaumātua.
 
Over a period of up to six months, it provides opportunities to discuss ideas and issues – practical and editorial – and benefit from the experience, mōhio and mana of experienced kaituhi Māori to help aspiring kaituhi Māori develop further skills to sustain and strengthen their future career. Modelled on a tuakana-teina relationship, this kaupapa aims to offer a safe and supportive space for emerging kaituhi to develop their craft; gain encouragement and accountability, along with substantive feedback. As well as mentorship, part of this programme is to provide constructive suggestions for the refinement of a work in progress.  
 
There are four (4) mentorships for kaituhi Māori available in 2025.

Kupu Kaitiaki:

This kaupapa is an assessment programme and aims to provide new and emerging kaituhi with valuable feedback from a skilled Kupu Kaitiaki, for the refinement of a part of a manuscript written in te reo Māori.The proposed work can be in the genres of poetry, fiction (excluding plays), short fiction or non-fiction (excluding screenplays and picture books), on any topic(s), of up to 30,000 words. The two selected successful manuscripts will then be read by an experienced te reo Māori pūkenga and literary advisor – a Kupu Kaitiaki – who will compile feedback in a brief report. It offers kaituhi an opportunity to further develop style and direction, and receive reo support for a project in the early stages of development.

The desired outcome is to champion Māori writers and Māori writing and in particular, works by kaituhi Māori in te reo Māori. To apply, kaituhi can send in a piece a 1-2 page synopsis along with a sample (max 5,000 words) of the manuscript they are seeking feedback on. There are two opportunities available in 2025. Assessments of the recipients’ works will begin shortly thereafter, and will be completed on/by 30 June 2025. 

MIL OSI

Property Market – All eyes on lower mortgage rates as investors return – CoreLogic

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Source: CoreLogic

Easing mortgage rates and further cuts on the horizon could drive further growth in borrower activity, potentially starting to lift NZ’s property market out of its recent soft patch.

CoreLogic NZ’s February Housing Chart Pack shows increased market activity among ‘movers’ and mortgaged multiple property owners (MPOs) in January, rising to 28% and 24% of property purchases respectively.

By contrast, first home buyers’ (FHBs) market share dropped back slightly to 25% last month, from 26% in Q4 last year. However, it remains at above-average levels.

CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said although a modest upturn for property values may emerge in the coming months, current conditions remain favourable for all buyer types.

“Investors, in particular, have certainly started to return at levels not seen since 2021. Falling mortgage rates have been a key factor, significantly reducing the income top-ups typically required to sustain cashflow on recent rental property purchases,” he said

“They’ve also benefited from the easing in the LVR rules from 1st July last year, and the looming full reinstatement of interest deductibility from April this year.”

Mr Davidson noted that while the market share for FHBs had edged down, the group remains a strong force, particularly in areas such as Hamilton and Wellington, where they continue to hold high market shares.

“We expect this group to maintain a strong market presence in 2025, as overall deal volumes rise, even though their share of activity may dip a bit,” he added.

Mr Davidson said with the OCR and credit conditions set to ease further, all eyes will be on loosening mortgage terms in coming months.

“A key theme to watch this year is the terms that borrowers choose when taking out a new loan or repricing an existing mortgage. Recently, the focus has been on floating rates or short-term fixes, but at some stage in 2025, that could switch back to an emphasis on longer-term rates, especially if global uncertainty stays elevated.

“All in all, 2025 could see a subdued upturn for the property market, with values nationally rising by around 5%,” he concluded.

Highlights from the February 2025 Housing Chart Pack include:

  • New Zealand’s residential real estate market is worth a combined $1.61 trillion.
  • The CoreLogic Home Value Index shows property values across New Zealand edged down by another 0.1% in January. Over the year to January, values dipped by 4.3%, with the level now back down at an 18-month low.
  • Total listings on the market were 29,301 in January to be 25% up on the five-year average. Total listing counts in Northland and Waikato are lower than last year, but Canterbury, Wellington, Otago, and Gisborne have seen sizeable increases of 15% and more.
  • Rental market conditions remained flat amid slowing net migration. The pace of rental growth has now dropped to lows not seen since 2022.
  • Gross rental yields now stand at 3.9%, which Is the highest level since early 2016.
  • Around 71% of NZ’s existing mortgages by value are currently fixed but due to reprice onto a new mortgage rate over the next 12 months.
  • Inflation is firmly back in the 1–3% target range, and with February’s 0.5% cut, further OCR reductions seem likely in the coming months.

Download and subscribe to the monthly CoreLogic Housing Chart Pack at: https://corelogic.co.nz/news-research/reports/housing-chart-pack

MIL OSI

Dairy Sector – Fonterra provides FY25 earnings and milk collections update

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Source: Fonterra

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd today provided an update on its forecast earnings for FY25, which it anticipates will be in the upper half of the previously announced forecast earnings range of 40-60 cents per share.  

Preliminary results show the Co-op has had a strong first half and, alongside the strength in earnings, Fonterra is currently forecasting a 2024/25 Farmgate Milk Price midpoint of $10.00 per kgMS. In addition, the Co-op has revised its forecast milk collections up to 1,510 million kgMS, following favourable weather conditions.

“As we prepare our FY25 interim results for release on 20 March, we can see we’ve maintained the momentum from Q1. Further to this, good pasture growth across most of New Zealand to date has meant our forecast collections for the season are up,” says CEO Miles Hurrell.  

“The Co-op’s earnings momentum is driven by strong demand across our sales channels. Subject to audit, our first half accounts indicate our full year forecast earnings for FY25 will be in the upper half of the 40-60 cents per share range.

“Fonterra’s earnings and the forecast Farmgate Milk Price have both benefited from solid demand for our high value Ingredients products,and our sales book is well contracted for the season. 

“Considering these factors, we expect to be in a position to pay a strong interim dividend. Our revised dividend policy released in September 2024 is 60-80% of full year earnings, with up to 50% of full year dividend to be paid at interims,” says Mr Hurrell.

About Fonterra  

Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together.  

MIL OSI

Te Awa Tārai – A career development guide for Allied Health – Hauora Haumi

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Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Career development is often conceptualised as a linear progression. In reality, career progression often takes a winding path, which both shapes and is shaped by its environment. 

Te Awa Tārai acts as a guide through which individual professionals, educators, industries and organisations can recognise, value and invest in necessary skills for current and emerging hauora haumi – allied health career opportunities. This purposefully includes acknowledgement of cultural intelligence and expertise, lived experiences and mātauranga Māori, to safeguard the delivery of equitable, effective, safe and sustainable health services in Aotearoa.

Te Awa Tārai acknowledges the true diversity of the skill sets and career pathways which exist across hauora haumi – allied health professions. It provides support and guidance to allow people and organisations to best utilise, engage with and sustain this critical and highly skilled workforce. 

This guidance document describes six broad development streams and identifies progressive development stages – riverbanks – for each stream. It accommodates the numerous existing career pathways available allied health professionals while allowing for emerging careers and pathways to be developed.

MIL OSI

More ffective and lasting solutions needed for teacher shortages

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Source: Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA)

“The report released today shows clearly we are facing significant shortages of secondary teachers around the motu.

“The Government’s attempts to address the shortage by importing teachers from overseas, employing unqualified staff and lowering the re-entry requirements for teachers who have been out of the profession for a while are a bandaid on the significant need in schools.

“We need improvements in relative pay rates and working conditions and the removal of barriers into teaching – such as paid training.”

“Also, the numbers still only tell part of the story as the specialist nature of secondary teaching means that you could have numbers balanced yet still be short of hundreds of the needed teachers in practice. And if you want schools to have a choice of appointment you actually need a surplus of teachers in each region.”

“Even on the most optimistic projection for secondary teachers, schools could still be struggling to fill subject vacancies and reducing curriculum options or having teachers take subject classes they are not specialists in, e.g. specialist history teachers taking physics classes.”

Chris Abercrombie said the report did not take into account relief teacher supply. “Relief teachers are a big part of the system and shortages there are a major pressure currently.

“This report acknowledges what we are hearing from principals around the motu – that it is becoming increasingly difficulty to fill vacancies in a wide range of subject areas, and in a wide range of schools.

“The secondary teacher shortage is worsening and if this Government is serious about growing Aotearoa New Zealand, it needs to start with the basics and ensure every secondary school student has a trained and qualified specialist teacher in every subject.”

Last modified on Friday, 21 February 2025 09:43

MIL OSI

Industrial hemp regulations to be reviewed

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Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Regulation David Seymour says that outdated and burdensome regulations surrounding industrial hemp (iHemp) production are set to be reviewed by the Ministry for Regulation.

Industrial hemp is currently classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, despite containing minimal THC and posing little risk of misuse.

“This over-regulation stifles economic growth and innovation within the sector,” says Mr Seymour.

The Ministry for Regulation has received extensive feedback on the red tape hindering the industry, both through its review into Agricultural and Horticultural Products and the red tape tipline.

In response, the Ministry is working with MedSafe and the Ministry of Health to reassess these nearly twenty-year-old regulations. 

A 2023 report by MBIE highlighted hemp as a key opportunity for New Zealand’s bioeconomy, with the New Zealand Hemp Industries Association (NZHIA) projecting potential earnings of $2 billion by 2030, contingent on regulatory reform.

“Despite several government interventions since the legalisation of hemp cultivation in 2006, the sector has seen limited growth.

“It’s time for a new approach that balances risk management with unlocking opportunities for growers.

“I will present reform options to Cabinet later this year, to rejuvenate the iHemp sector and drive economic growth.”

MIL OSI

SH1 Awanui road rebuild to begin Sunday

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises road users to plan ahead and expect delays as contractors work to rebuild a section of State Highway 1 at Awanui, from this Sunday (23 February).

Work will take place between the Awanui BP and 20m south of the Gill Road/SH1 intersection overnight from 6pm – 6am, to minimise disruption. Stop/go traffic management will be in place during the works, and a 30km/h temporary speed limit will remain in place 24 hours for the duration. Work is expected to take approximately six weeks to complete.

There will be no parking along this section of SH1 (the main street of Awanui) and for 100m up Collards St, Gills Rd, and Warau St, Sunday to Thursday nights, from 6pm to 6am.

Travel delays during these works are expected to be 5 – 10mins.

Rebuilding the road, which often involves replacing all or most of the structural road layers, improves the longevity of the network, the resilience and ultimately the safety and efficiency for all road users.

Chipsealing between Kaitaia and Awanui

Overnight chipsealing work at 2 locations on SH1 between Kaitaia and Awanui is also planned for mid-March.

  • Between N Park Drive and Wireless Road, north of Kaitaia
  • Between Gill Road and Quarry Road, south of Awanui

Work will take place between 7pm and 7am, with stop/go traffic and temporary speed restrictions in place. Temporary speed limits and traffic management will remain in place the following day to guide traffic over the new seal and help to embed it successfully.

This work is currently scheduled for Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 March but is weather dependent and may change at short notice. People are encouraged to visit the Journey Planner website for up-to-date information.

People travelling from Kaitaia and on through Awanui on these dates, should expect delays and allow additional time for their journeys.

Please be patient and treat our crews with kindness and respect. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the directions of traffic management staff and signs.

This summer maintenance period (September 2024 to May 2025), we’re investing in the largest road rebuild programme ever for the region, with Northland one of three regions across Aotearoa with the most significant road rebuild programmes over the next three years. 

Work is weather dependent and there may be changes to the planned works in the case of unsuitable weather. Please visit the NZTA Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on these works, including any changes due to weather.

Journey Planner(external link)

For more information about the overall maintenance programme and planned works, visit the Northland State Highway Maintenance Programme website:

Northland roadworks(external link)

You can now sign up to receive email updates on upcoming road maintenance:

NZTA thanks everyone for their patience while we undertake this important work to improve the safety and efficiency of our roads.

MIL OSI

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