Te Matatini boosts Taranaki business

February 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Kua tū te haka a Tāne Rore me ngā mahi a Hine Rēhia!
The world’s greatest kapa haka event will generate a significant boost for businesses in Taranaki, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say.
Minister Potaka attended Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 opening pōhiri at Yarrow Stadium in Ngāmotu – New Plymouth on 24 February. From Tuesday 25 February to Saturday 1 March, 55 groups will perform on stage in the Bowl of Brooklands at Pukekura Park to a large in-person audience and an expected 2.5 million viewers on TV or online.
“It was a beautiful pōwhiri to welcome this great event to the rōhe under the gaze of Te Kāhui Tupua – Taranaki Maunga,” Mr Potaka says.
“We’re here witnessing the Olympics of kapa haka. Tens of thousands are expected here this week and will bring tens of millions into the local economy. This means a boost for a range of businesses including accommodation providers and restaurants.
“The significance of kapa haka to Te Ao Māori is something we value deeply, especially since the rise of the waiata-ā-ringa form with Tā Apirana Ngata. It also gives us the great gift of protecting and revitalising our reo.
“After much hard preparation and practice, bringing an event of this scale together requires a significant effort from many people from many backgrounds coming together for the benefit of all.”
“As part of Budget 2024, the Government announced $48.7 million for Te Matatini over three years, backing the ongoing development of kapa haka events including this one for all New Zealanders to enjoy,” Mr Goldsmith says.
“The funding helps enable Te Matatini to embed a regional kapa haka model, allowing communities to decide how they want to grow kapa haka. It also supports Te Matatini to create this great biennial national festival.
“My thanks to all those whose hard mahi has helped to make this year’s event a success we can all enjoy.”
In 2023, the Te Matatini event in Auckland was attended by more than 70,000 people. The economic contribution to Auckland as a result of the festival was at least $22 million.
Minister Goldsmith will be attending the event on Friday and Saturday.

Hikitia ana ngā pakihi o Taranaki e Te Matatini
Kua tū te haka a Tāne Rore me ngā mahi a Hine Rēhia!
Ka kaha hikitia ngā pakihi o roto o Taranaki i te taumāhekeheke kapa haka mutunga mai o te ao, te kī a te Minita Toi a Paul Goldsmith rāua ko te Minita Whanaketanga Māori a Tama Potaka.
I tatu atu a Minita Potaka ki te pōhiri whakarewa i Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 i tū ki Te Taiwhanga Hākinakina o Yarrow – ki Ngāmotu i te 24 Huitanguru. Mai i te Rātū 25 Huitanguru ki te Rāhoroi 1 Poutūterangi, e tū te 55 ngā rōpū ki te haka i te haka a Tānerore, me te mahi i te mahi a Hine Rehia ki te papa tūwaewae i te Oko o Brooklands ki Te Papatākaro o Pukekura ki mua i te aroaro tonu o te iwi nui i reira me tētahi 2.5 miriona kaimātakitaki anō ki runga i te pouaka whakaata, te ipurangi rānei.
“Kātahi te rerehua o te pōhiri hei tāwhiri mai i tēnei huihuinga whakahirahira ki roto i te rohe i raro i te mātaitanga o Te Kāhui Tipua – a Taranaki,” te kī a Minita Potaka.
“Ko te taumāhekeheke Orimipia tēnei o te ao kapa haka ka mātakitia ai e tātou. Ka tae mai ko te tini mano o te tāngata ki konei i tēnei wiki, oti rā, ka mauria mai anō hoki te tini miriona tāra ki te ōhanga ā-rohe. Ko te hua o tēnei ka hikitia ngā momo pakihi huri noa te rohe tae atu ki ngā whare noho, ngā kaiwhakarato me ngā wharekai.
“Kāore i tua atu, kāore i tua mai i te hiranga a te kapa haka ki Te Ao Māori nō te hāpaitanga ake o tēnei momo āhua o te waiata ā-ringa nā Tā Āpirana Ngata. He taonga nui te kapa haka e whakamarumaru ana, e whakarauora ana hoki i tō tātou reo rangatira.
“I muri i te mahi nui o te takatū me te whakawai, kātahi te mahi nui ko te whakaritenga o te taiopenga pēnei te nui, me tini tonu ngā tāngata e whakapau kaha tahi ana mā te katoa ngā hua.”
“Hei wāhanga o Te Tahua 2024, i pānuitia e te Kāwanatanga ko te $48.7 miriona i roto i te toru tau, hei tautoko i te haerenga tonutanga o te whanaketanga o ngā huihuinga kapa haka tae atu ki tēnei hei whakangahautanga mā ngāi Aotearoa katoa,” te kī a Minita Goldsmith.
“He mea āwhina te pūtea tautoko i Te Matatini ki te whakatinana i te tauira kapa haka ā-rohe kia āhei ai hoki ngā hapori ki te whakatau i tā rātou ake huarahi whakatipu i te kapa haka i tō rātou rohe. Hei tautoko hoki i Te Matatini ki te whakahaere i tēnei taiopenga nui whakaharahara ā-motu i ia rua tau.
“Nei aku mihi ki te katoa i whakapeto ngoi kia eke panuku ai te taumāhekeheke i tēnei tau e tūrangahakoa ai tātou katoa.
I te tau 2023, i tae atu te 70,000 tāngata neke atu ki Te Matatini i tū ki Tāmaki Makaurau. He neke atu i te $22 miriona te nui o te hua ā-ōhanga i whakawhiwhia ki te tāone nui o Tāmaki Makaurau mai i te taiopenga i taua tau.
Ka tae atu a Minita Goldsmith ki te whakataetae ā te Rāmere me te Rāhoroi.

MIL OSI

Release: Govt abandons retailers with citizen’s arrests

LiveNews Publisher

February 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

The Government’s expansion of citizen’s arrest powers leaves retailers on their own to deal with crime on their premises.

“National is not listening to the advice of their own police, who have consistently warned that letting Kiwis take the law into their own hands is unsafe, both for retailers and the public,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.

“Retailers are also expressing grave concerns about this policy, saying that it could escalate violence and put their workers in danger. These are often low-wage workers who are now expected to act as law enforcement officers. The Government needs to do its job and focus on breaking the cycle of crime, not ask people to put themselves in harm’s way.”

“Turning New Zealand into the wild west is not a crime prevention strategy, it’s dangerous and goes against our values as New Zealanders,” Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said.

“A broad right of citizens to use force against each other is likely to lead to harm. The enforcement of the criminal law is the job of the police who are properly trained and the suggestion that it is appropriate for citizens to do this in any but the most narrow circumstances can lead to tragic consequences.”

“This is unfortunately another example of Kiwis not getting what they were promised. They were promised 500 new police officers, but under this Government, more officers have left than have been brought on. They were promised safer communities, but methamphetamine use is skyrocketing. They were promised real solutions on retail crime. Instead, this Government is telling them they’re on their own,” Ginny Andersen said.

“It is shameful, dangerous, and I fear that it’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes because of their negligence.”

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Co-Leaders announce plans to launch Green Budget this year

LiveNews Publisher

February 26, 2025

Source: Green Party

Green Party Co-Leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have announced the party’s plans to deliver a Green Budget this year to offer an alternative vision to the Government’s trickle-down economics and austerity politics.

“New Zealanders care about each other and the planet we live on. Our Green Budget will lay out the plan for an economy that respects and protects those things, instead of exhausting and exploiting both,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance Chlöe Swarbrick.

“Poverty, and all the social ills that stem from it, doesn’t come from nowhere. It comes from a tolerance of extreme inequality. It comes from the privatisation of profit and the socialisation of cost.

“In December, we released He Ara Anamata, our Emissions Reduction Plan, which showed how we could reduce emissions five times faster than the Government’s proposed ‘plan’. It showed we can not only reduce the cost of living, but increase quality of life.

“Our Green Budget will build on that to continue to show precisely how a different world is possible, and entirely within our reach,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.

“More and more tamariki continue to fall through the cracks and live below the poverty line, as a result of this Government’s choices; the choices to gut housing for our most vulnerable, to gut school lunches, to gut our health system and put growing pressure on our health workers,” says Marama Davidson.

“We all depend on each other when times are rough. People want to care for each other – manaakitanga is part of human nature. This is the core value that will underpin our Green Budget.

“Our mokopuna deserve better, and we can deliver better by channelling community power and finally putting people and planet ahead of profit,” says Marama Davidson.

MIL OSI

Fall in love with Tāwharanui Regional Park

LiveNews Publisher

February 26, 2025

Source: Auckland Council

When it comes to Tāmaki Makaurau’s most loved regional parks, there’s a good reason why Tāwharanui is a favourite among many Aucklanders – once you set foot on its white-sand shores, you’ll be forever smitten.

Add to that the highly swimmable waves, rock pools teeming with marine life, and the piercing call of kiwi at night, and the scene is set for a glorious day at the beach or a memorable camping trip.

Make a day of it

At just more than an hour from downtown Auckland, Tāwharanui Regional Park is far away enough that you feel like you’ve left behind the urban hustle and bustle, but not so far that anyone will be asking ‘are we there yet?’. There are no shops near the park, so pack a picnic or stop off in Matakana Village for supplies before embarking on the 20-minute drive along the peninsula.

You’ll know when you’ve arrived because you can only enter the park via the automatic gates in the 2.7km predator-proof fence, which keeps introduced predators like stoats, rats and possums out so that native birdlife can flourish.

Make a splash

Dreamy Anchor Bay is a popular spot for swimmers, surfers and boogie boarders. At low tide, you can climb the rocky shelf to the left of Anchor Bay and explore the rock pools for octopus, starfish and sea anemones – the rocks can be sharp so wear suitable footwear. You can even go for a dip in the larger pools – one is the size of a hot tub – while the waves crash beside you. Remember to just look at the sea creatures and don’t touch, as Tāwharanui is a protected marine reserve.

Go exploring

Head out to the bush on one of the walking tracks. The Ecology Trail is a 4km loop that will take you through native bush, streams, beaches, and regenerating wetlands where you might spot the endangered pāteke (brown teal). Other rare birds to look out for include the takahē and the tīeke (North Island saddleback). If you’re after a decent mission, the 9km North/South Coast Tracks takes around four hours and will treat you to stunning views at the end of the peninsula.

Stay the night

If you’ve got a few days, book a tent site. Located to the left of Anchor Bay, beside a quieter stretch of beach, the campground sits at the base of a grassy hill beloved by kids who spend hours boogie boarding down its slopes or hanging out along the ridge as the sun sets. There is also an all-modes and vehicle-based campground too.

Be sure to book early as the campground often fills up months in advance. And if camping’s not your thing and you want the comfort of a bathroom (the campsite has a long drop), Tāwharanui Bach sleeps six people and is located around the other side of the park.

You might see a kiwi

If you’re staying over, pack some red cellophane and put it over your torch to increase your chances of spotting the growing population of North Island brown kiwi that bash and crash their way along the beachside paths at night.

If you are lucky enough to see a kiwi on your visit, sit or stand quietly and observe them. Make sure you give them their space, and don’t chase or harass them.

Volunteer

Help protect this precious taonga by volunteering with Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society (TOSSI), which has been working with Auckland Council for 21 years. Choose from a range of jobs that fit your fitness level and enthusiasm, including monitoring kiwi calls, participating on community planting days and setting traps.

Visit tossi.org.nz or follow TOSSI on Facebook for more information.

MIL OSI

Work on Timaru’s Evans St starts Monday, 3 March

LiveNews Publisher

February 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A month’s largely daytime road re-surfacing along Timaru’s SH1 Evans St gets underway next week (Monday, 3 March), says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

The area being re-surfaced is between Te Weka St and Beverley Road, close to 400 metres, 7 am to 7 pm.

Two-way traffic will be maintained for most of this work but some side roads will be affected, says Chris Chambers, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA in South Canterbury.

Beverley Road intersection will be closed throughout.
Trafalgar St will be left in/left out with an intersection closure when it is being re-surfaced.

“This work is dependent on dry, warm conditions to ensure the new surface sticks and will be long-lasting,” says Mr Chambers. “If it rains or temperatures drop significantly, the project may be extended. We will endeavour to keep all the business owners and residents around our work sites informed throughout.”

NZTA thanks everyone in Timaru for slowing to 30km/hour through this work site over the next four or more weeks and being alert for pedestrians using the traffic islands.

Consultation on no-stopping lines/removal of parking

This consultation is underway until mid March. The proposed no-stopping lines are part of the plan to widen Evans St to two lanes in each direction through this section of SH1 to improve traffic movements/efficiency. NZTA will inform people of the outcome and any changes to the existing road layout before the line marking for the re-surfacing project, starting 3 March, is completed.

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SH1 Drury to Manukau northbound closure tonight and tomorrow nights

LiveNews Publisher

February 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises State Highway 1 will be closed to northbound traffic between the Drury Interchange and the Manukau Interchange overnight tonight (Wednesday 26 February) and tomorrow (27 February).

The closure will also impact the below on- and off-ramps.

Drury northbound on-ramp
Papakura northbound off-ramp
Papakura interchange (Loop & Diamond) northbound on-ramp  
Takanini northbound off-ramp and on-ramp
Hill Road northbound on-ramp
SH1 Manukau northbound off-ramp
SH1 northbound to SH20 northbound Link

The SH1 northbound closure between the Drury Interchange and the Manukau Interchange will be in place between 10pm and 5am. The above ramp closures and other lane restrictions may be in place before the advertised closure times for this section of SH1.

Northbound traffic will be detoured via Great South Road and Redoubt Road.

During this time, different contractors will undertake road works as part of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project, as well as general motorway maintenance activities, such as line marking, lighting, stormwater improvements and barrier maintenance, between Papakura and Manukau.

These works have been coordinated and scheduled over two nights to maximise the amount of work carried out while minimising overall disruption to motorists.

People are asked to plan ahead and allow additional time for their journeys.

This 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 (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) for up-to-date information on these works, including any changes due to weather.

NZTA thanks everyone for their patience while this important work is completed.

MIL OSI

Further arrests for gang insignia breaches following Operation Poster

LiveNews Publisher

February 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant James Keene:

Today, Police have made further arrests following an investigation into gang insignia breaches during the tangi for a senior Mongrel Mob member late last year.

On 14 December 2024, a major Police operation was carried out in Napier for the funeral. At the time, Police made three arrests for displaying gang insignia and four arrests for disorder offences.

During the operation, Police noted several other breaches where people were displaying gang insignia. Today we have executed 13 search warrants across the Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Wairoa, Auckland, and Dannevirke areas to seize these items.

Police have arrested 11 people: four in Wairoa, four in Hawke’s Bay, one in Dannevirke, one in Auckland, and one in Gisborne. They are all due to appear in their respective district courts in the coming week, and further arrests are likely.

At the addresses Police seized 13 items of gang insignia, including 11 gang patches, one t-shirt, and one pair of shorts.

Police also located several other unlawful items, including a replica pistol, a taser, ammunition, and 22 cannabis plants.

These items highlight the dangerous role gangs play within our communities.

We hope the arrests today are a clear reminder that Police are committed to enforcing the gang insignia legislation and that we will be taking every opportunity to not only follow up on these breaches but also any other illegal gang activity.

While it is not always possible to take immediate action on the day, our gang disruption units are dedicated to targeting the unlawful activity of gangs. We will not tolerate intimidation or breaches of the law, and this action today demonstrates that.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Pedestrian dies following Courtenay Place crash

LiveNews Publisher

February 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A 66-year-old woman from Germany has died in hospital following a crash on Courtenay Place on Monday night (24 February).

The woman was a pedestrian and was hit by a vehicle as she crossed the street about 8.25pm. Sadly, she passed away in hospital this afternoon.

The victim’s family have travelled to New Zealand. Police are providing them with support and liaising with the German Embassy.

An investigation into the crash and its cause remains ongoing.

No charges have been laid at this time.

We would still like to hear from anyone with footage of the incident. If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online or call 105. Please use the reference number 250224/0187.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Two-Thirds of Employees in Singapore Considering Changing Employers Within the Next 12 Months, Aon Study Finds

MIL OSI

February 26, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

65 percent of employees are willing to sacrifice existing benefits for a better choice of benefits
45 percent agree that their compensation is fair compared to similar roles

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today released results from its 2025 Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study. The global study of more than 9,000 employees across 23 geographies, including the U.S., China, India and Australia, found that two-thirds of employees in Singapore are considering changing employers.

Aon’s study found 60 percent of employees globally might or will seek new employment in the next 12 months, revealing widespread dissatisfaction with their current job. This percentage is even higher in Singapore, at 67 percent, underscoring the urgency for Singaporean businesses to adapt their Human Capital strategies to meet the evolving expectations of its workforce.

With 21 percent of Singapore employees feeling undervalued compared to 13 percent globally, employers should ensure a consistent and continual investment in their employees to help mitigate workload pressures and retain their brightest talent.

“In a competitive market, it is imperative businesses build a fair and equitable workplace in which employees are rewarded for their efforts and results. Employers in Singapore must rethink their total rewards strategy to address both professional and personal needs,” said Rahul Chawla, partner and head of Talent Solutions for southeast Asia at Aon. “Designing a holistic employee value proposition that recognises unique work motivations utilising data and analytics will help build a resilient workforce and enhance the employee experience.”

Top 5 Most Influential Characteristics Attracting Employees in Singapore

“Although the expectation of above-average pay might be a key driver for employees leaving organisations, the survey also indicates a trust issue with less than half of participants feel their compensation is fair and more than a third lack confidence that their employer ensures pay equality regardless of gender. Employers therefore must do a lot more to ascertain their market positioning and communicate it confidently to build trust in the process,” added Chawla.

The top five valued benefits for the Singapore workforce are:

Medical coverage
Paid time off
Work-life balance programs
Flexible benefits
Career development

Top employee expectations for Singapore

44 percent say employers should support employee wellbeing.
24 percent say employers should support with eldercare or family care.
24 percent say employers should help employees save for retirement/long term needs.

Medical coverage and paid time off were top valued benefits

Medical Coverage and Paid Time Off were in the top five valued benefits for the Singapore workforce. While paid time off was the top valued benefit by Gen Y and Gen Z, medical coverage was rated highly by Gen X and Baby Boomers, indicating the need for employers to address the needs of an ageing workforce with integrated medical and wellbeing coverage. Interestingly, 65 percent of employees are willing to sacrifice the value of existing benefits for a better choice of benefits.

Work-life balance, personalised benefits and flexible working have also become more important for Singapore’s workforce.

“Employee benefits are so much more than programs and initiatives; they are a long-term people and performance strategy, driving business goals over a sustained period,” said Alan Oates, head of Global Benefits for Asia Pacific at Aon. “It is interesting that almost two-third of the employees would be willing to sacrifice the value of existing benefits for a better choice of benefits. In this challenging cost environment, we are successfully using flexibility and personalised benefits to better match employee needs and balance cost. Understanding employee expectations through data-driven insights coupled with leadership support are critical factors in creating an innovative benefits strategy that can positively impact attracting and retaining talent.”

Technological disruptions and innovation necessitate ongoing skill development among employees. In Singapore, 29 percent of employees are not confident that their employers are investing in their skills development and training for future work needs, compared to 17 percent globally. Additionally, 13 percent of employees in Singapore are uncertain about the impact of AI on their jobs, compared to 15 percent globally. Meanwhile, 35 percent of employees are motivated to develop new AI skills to remain relevant both globally and in Singapore.

Read Aon’s Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study here.

Hashtag: #Aon

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Citizen’s arrest powers will put workers in harm’s way

LiveNews Publisher

February 26, 2025

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The Government’s announcement to change citizen’s arrest powers shows workers will bear the brunt of their lack of a plan to deal with retail crime, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff.

“If the proposed changes to citizen’s arrests laws are any indication of what is to come, there will be serious implications for worker safety and employment rights in pursuit of minor savings for retailers,” said Wagstaff.

“Setting the expectation that workers on the shopfloor will be required to prevent shoplifting and retail crime will only increase the risk of violence and undermines workers’ right to a safe and healthy workplace.

“Good employers don’t put workers’ lives at risk to save a few dollars.

“We should be focusing on ways of work that remove hazards from the workplace, not create them. Employers must work with employees on creating safe workplaces, and what the business will do to achieve that.

“There are serious employment and criminal law concerns for workers and the public by putting workers in harm’s way to save their boss a few bucks. Crimefighting is not within the scope of retail workers’ employment duties.

“Workers in Aotearoa New Zealand have the legal right to a safe and healthy workplace. They also have the legal right to stop or say no to any work if they believe that doing the work would expose them, or anyone else, to a serious health or safety risk,” said Wagstaff.

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