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BusinessNZ – Business backs a four year term

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Source: BusinessNZ

BusinessNZ says there is support from the private sector for a longer political term in New Zealand, as the Government looks to introduce legislation extending it to four years.
Chief Executive Katherine Rich says extending the term is an important step towards improving the New Zealand’s governance and encouraging longer-term plans to fix major economic problems.
“A four-year term is not a new idea, it’s been discussed each decade by both National and Labour since at least the 1960s and put to the public twice by referendum.
“Most countries operate with four or five-year electoral terms. New Zealand’s three-year electoral term is one reason for the policy pendulum swings which contribute to a failure by successive governments to execute long term solutions.
“The reality is three years is too short to govern successfully – particularly when we are facing complex economic problems or long-term trends like the costs and impacts of our aging population, which may require tough political decisions to solve.
“BusinessNZ has long been a supporter of a longer term because business leaders value policy stability and a predictable environment where they can pursue productivity, innovation and growth, and feel confident about investing. Our current campaign Future Vision has been gauging support from businesses, who are largely in favour of a longer term.
“Business investment horizons surpass political terms, and successive flip-flops do nothing to enhance New Zealand’s reputation as a safe place to invest and do business.
“Political leaders hoping for change this time around will have to present a compelling narrative to explain the benefits in a way that rebuts fear, cynicism and tendency towards the status quo.”
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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Farmers welcome Taranaki adverse event declaration

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Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is pleased the Government has recognised the desperate situation of some Taranaki farmers with the declaration of a medium-scale adverse event across the province.
“The lack of any decent rain for several months, compounding a year and a half of much lower than usual rainfall, is causing huge stress for farmers,” Federated Farmers Taranaki president Leedom Gibbs says.
“That’s especially in the Manaia, Hāwera and Kakaramea hotspots.
“They’ve never seen it so extremely dry, so early.”
Water tables are very low, meaning wells and bores have dried up and farmers have had to truck in water as well as feed.
“On top of bank interest rates and other costs, this is just another big layer of worry for those farmers.”
Gibbs says most New Zealanders are isolated from drought impacts but for farmers the situation is “desperate and very real.
“Getting enough water and feed for the animals they feel a huge duty of care for, weighs on their mind.
“Finances are under pressure too, and whether or not you’re in business, you can understand the stress that adds.”
The adverse event declaration means extra funding for Rural Support’s counselling and advisory services, with flexibility around tax for affected farmers, and the potential for Rural Assistance Payments from the Ministry of Social Development.
“As much as those things, it’s also the official recognition of the seriousness of what’s happening to them,” Gibbs says.
She chairs the Rural Coordinating Group (RCG) that has been running a series of farmer support events in the district.
“Where it’s needed, dairy herds are being dried off early and all stock that’s not needed for next year has already gone to the works.
“Drought impacts can be like a slow-moving landslide, and the earlier you respond to it as a farmer and get plans in place, the better off you are,” Gibbs says.
“For any farmer that might still need a prompt to start necessary actions, the adverse event declaration will help.” 

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First Responders – Waipoua River fire update #2

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Eight helicopters, five heavy machinery and around 50 firefighters are back fighting the Waipoua River fire today.
Incident Controller Corey Matchitt says the aim today is to keep on top of the fire from the air while establishing containment lines on the ground.
“We did not lose any structures overnight, and we will continue to protect structures today,” he says.
“As we work with heavy machinery to establish the containment lines, we will have iwi alongside us to identify sites of significance and ensure they are not disturbed.”
Around 20 homes were evacuated on Wednesday night as the fire took hold. A community meeting was held with evacuees this morning.
Corey Matchitt says crews were working as quickly as possible to get people back into their homes, but this would only be done when it was safe to do so.
“The safety of residents and our people is at the forefront of everything we do.
“I would like to thank those who have been evacuated for their patience and understanding.
“It can be a very hard thing to do to leave your home when a fire is near, but doing so has meant everyone is safe. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect their homes.
“I would also like to thank the public for staying away from the area. We need to keep these roads clear so our ground crews can get to where they need to go.”
While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Corey Matchitt says the incident is a reminder of how quickly a fire can move in these dry conditions.
“I would like to remind everyone across Northland that we are in a restricted fire season, so you need a permit to light an open-air fire.
“It is important if you do have a permit to adhere to the conditions of the permit and to check it’s alright before you light at www.checkitsalright.nz.
“This fire is an example of how things can turn really quickly if a fire does get out of control.”
There’ll be another update later today.

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Universities – Team behind University’s first Pacific Strategy spans the Moana

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Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

Finance Opposition spokesperson, the Hon Pesetatamalelagi Barbara Edmonds visited her alma mater, the University of Auckland to talk with Business academics and learn more about the Pacific Strategy and Pacific Academy initiatives launching this year.

Edmonds (Fale’ula, Faleatiu, Safotu, Fasito’o/Sāmoa) is the MP for Mana and visited the University on 24 February. She met with leaders from the School of Business, Schools and Community Engagement, and the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific.
 
“It’s nice to be back home, it does feel like home, this is my alma mater where I did my Law and Arts degree that set me up for my career.”
 
Edmonds says it was good to be amongst Pacific students and to have in-depth discussions focused on economic policies.
 
“We had good discussions with the School of Business, around macro and micro economic policies that we will be testing as part of our policies that we will be forming,” she says.
 
Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific Professor Jemaima Sipaea Tiatia-Siau says drafting the University’s first Pacific Strategy in 142 years has been a huge task over the last year; having someone with the expertise and calibre of the Finance Opposition Spokesperson view the work undertaken highlights the strategy’s significance.
 
“We’re grateful to have had the Hon Barbara Edmonds come onto campus, to be able to share with her the work we have undertaken.
 
“She’s a great example of why drawing up a road map for Pacific success here at the University is important, so that our young people can flourish at the University and leave ready to take on the world.”
 
Professor Tiatia-Siau says the Mana MP relished learning about initiatives to prepare school leavers for the university environment such as Auckland Maths Challenge and the Pacific Academy, ensuring Pacific youth were able to thrive.
 
Edmonds says it was also important to encourage the Pacific community into the Business space.  She pivoted during her career path starting out in Health Sciences before graduating with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in 2008, going on to become a specialist tax lawyer.
 
A mother of eight, her path to becoming a Cabinet Minister began eight years ago while working as a private secretary for the National Party’s Ministers of Revenue, Michael Woodhouse and Judith Collins. The following year in 2017 she was appointed as a political adviser for the Labour Government’s Revenue and Police Minister Stuart Nash. She entered Parliament in 2020 as the MP for Mana and became a Cabinet Minister in 2023, holding the Internal Affairs and Pacific Peoples portfolios.
 
“I came into the business space through the Arts and through Law, it was a very different pathway, says the 44-year-old.
 
“I got into the area of tax through law, it’s a good indicator of broadening [your scope]. The Humanities and the Arts are important, it means you have a good grounding for a diverse career.
 
“I’ve been really fortunate that I had a good grounding here, with the Law School and with the Faculty of Arts, and that means decades later you become a Finance Opposition spokesperson for a major political party – don’t knock the Arts!”
 
Professor Tiatia-Siau says Edmonds’ visit to give guidance and moral support to developing the Pacific Strategy was timely.
 
“We are this week welcoming our first-year students and we are also on the eve of a great milestone. The presence of Pesetatamalelagi the Hon. Barbara Edmonds is a show of support for the work we are doing, and she is a wonderful role model of what can be accomplished once you have secured a university education.”

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Environment – Agricultural and horticultural review presents opportunities for EPA

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Source: Environmental Protection Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) welcomes the recommendations in the Ministry for Regulation’s Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review, which was released today.
Working with the Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry for the Environment, and the EPA, the review aimed to identify system-wide opportunities to improve timely access to agricultural and horticultural products.
“The EPA recognises the importance that timely assessments and decisions on agrichemicals have for industry.
“We welcome the opportunity for further improvements to the legislation, and how we operate,” says EPA Chief Executive Dr Allan Freeth.
“We already have work underway that relates to some of the recommendations in the review.”
We are making a raft of changes to improve our timeframes for hazardous substance applications, including:
– bolstering our frontline by recruiting up to 11 new staff to assess applications
– developing new group standards for low-risk hazardous substances
– working with other agencies on amendments to the HSNO Act
– improving communication and transparency with applicants and stakeholders.
“We will continue to work closely with the other relevant agencies, and our stakeholders, to implement the report’s recommendations. This includes providing advice on technical and operational matters – including resourcing implications – so we are best placed to progress these improvements,” Dr Freeth says.

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Employment – NZDF and PSA dispute settled

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Source: PSA

PSA members at the New Zealand Defence Force have settled their dispute after nearly 8 months of bargaining and strike action. NZDF had previously refused to budge from an offer that included no pay rises.
This week PSA members, who are civilian workers, voted to ratify a new collective agreement which includes pay increases for every union member covered by the Collective Agreement.
“Collective action gets results, even in the face of Government austerity and hostility towards public service workers,” said PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. “Our members refused to be disrespected and took action. They forced NZDF and the Government to take notice and table a new offer.”
PSA members escalated industrial action last year after NZDF offered no pay rises during negotiations for a new collective agreement.
This triggered a rare use of powers by the Minister of Defence, approving the military undertaking the work of striking civilian workers. A settlement was agreed after two days of facilitation by the Employment Relations Authority in January and has now been ratified by union members.
“Such a drawn-out dispute is tough for members, but the alternative was accepting no pay increase while the cost of living is still high,” said Fitzsimons. “Through their determination and resolve they’ve won recognition and respect they deserve.”
“There is still the outstanding issue of increased funding to restore the cuts made to NZDF and to stop further civilian job losses. We call on Government to reverse cuts already made and urgently invest in our Defence Force.”

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Climate – Paris Agreement requires urgent action to cut pollution, not just vibes – Greenpeace

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Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is slamming climate minister Simon Watts for claims that New Zealand does not have to meet our climate targets under the Paris climate agreement.
Farmers Weekly reported yesterday that Watts had told a group of Federated Farmers members that there was no requirement for New Zealand to meet its climate targets, saying “It’s not a liability on our books, it’s intent and there is no legal obligation in the context around that.”
Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson says “Watts is fundamentally wrong. Our climate targets are not vague ‘intentions’ built on vibes. We are facing an escalating climate crisis – a fire that is burning up our only home while our children are inside. The only appropriate action is to stop pouring fuel on the fire.
“Regardless of what Watts may believe, New Zealand also has a legal obligation to take action to prevent the climate crisis.”
In early February, the Government announced its updated climate target under the Paris Agreement, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution or NDC. Greenpeace and many others criticised this target for being deeply unambitious when it was announced, as the target aims for an additional 1-5% reduction in emissions between 2030 and 2035.
“Luxon’s Government is waging a war on nature, while the climate crisis escalates,” says Larsson.
“We already have the solutions to the climate crisis at our fingertips, and there is no reason why New Zealand couldn’t meet, and actually exceed, our climate targets with appropriate ambition from the Government.
“What Watts has failed to realise is that the actions we take to protect our kids’ future have added benefits for our health and livelihoods. Cleaner air, safer streets, clean drinking water, swimmable rivers and more abundant wildlife.
“We know that the biggest climate polluter in Aotearoa is the intensive dairy industry, led by Fonterra, and the tools exist to reduce emissions from intensive dairy right now. The sector’s relentless refrain that we need to wait for magic bullet technology is frankly untrue.
“What Fonterra and lobbyists from Federated Farmers and Dairy NZ are pushing for is to be exempt from doing their part in the fight for our children’s future. This is a sector that already gets tax-free capital gains, deductible expenses and publicly-funded research. Continuing to refuse to take any climate action simply means the rest of New Zealand has to shoulder that burden, effectively subsidising the already-privileged dairy sector.
“Quite simply, we have too many cows producing large quantities of superheating methane gas. We need to reduce herd sizes, and phase out inputs like synthetic nitrogen fertiliser which enable these oversized herds,” says Larsson.
“Ultimately, the future of farming lies in ecological, organic, plant-based agriculture practices. The Government – and Fonterra – must support farmers to transition away from climate polluting practices towards ways of farming that work with, instead of against, nature.
“Lobby groups like Federated Farmers are doing their members a huge disservice by delaying action. They should be supporting their farmers to shift to practices that will be more resilient to climate change impacts like droughts and floods, while also meeting the standards of our biggest customers.”

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Health – Healthline Diverts 83 Patients Daily from Te Manawa Taki (Midlands) Region Emergency Departments

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Source: Whakarongorau Aotearoa

A new study by Te Pūnaha Matatini and Auckland University reveals that Healthline, operated by Whakarongorau Aotearoa, prevents approximately 83 unnecessary Emergency Department (ED) visits per day across the Te Manawa Taki (Midlands) region, with potential to reduce ED pressure further.
Analysis of data from July 2019 to June 2024 demonstrates that Healthline advice has successfully diverted 14.6% of potential ED presentations, while identifying an additional 6% of current ED visits that could be managed through the telehealth service.
“These findings confirm what we’ve always believed — that Healthline plays a crucial role in connecting New Zealanders with the right care at the right time,” says Glynis Sandland, CEO of Whakarongorau Aotearoa. “By providing 24/7 clinical advice, we’re not only making healthcare more accessible but also reducing unnecessary pressure on our emergency departments.
“The study showed particularly strong impact in the Bay of Plenty, where Healthline prevented 29.6% of potential ED visits, followed by Lakes (23.5%) and Waikato (14.1%).
“Every unnecessary ED presentation we prevent allows hospital clinicians to work at the top of their scope, focusing on patients who truly need emergency care,” Sandland adds. “This is about creating a more efficient healthcare system that works better for everyone — patients, whānau, and healthcare providers alike.
“The research identified that Healthline is particularly effective at supporting younger and older individuals, Māori communities, and people from higher deprivation areas who might otherwise default to ED services due to uncertainty about care options or access barriers.
About Whakarongorau Aotearoa: Whakarongorau Aotearoa is New Zealand’s national telehealth service provider, operating Healthline and other essential health and wellbeing support services. We connect the people of New Zealand with healthcare professionals 24/7, providing clinical advice, support, and information when and where it’s needed most.

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Animal Welfare Laws – Study reveals flaws in animal protection laws – Auckland University

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Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

New Zealand’s animal welfare system is failing – and in urgent need of a dedicated police unit, researcher warns.

The animal protection system in Aotearoa is ineffective, underfunded, and at risk of collapse, according to new research.

University of Auckland law scholar associate professor Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere warns that without major reform, animals will continue to suffer harm without adequate legal consequences.

His doctoral thesis with the University of Alberta, which compares New Zealand’s system with Alberta, Canada, identifies deep structural flaws. These include overlapping responsibilities, jurisdictional confusion, and a reliance on the SPCA – an under-resourced charity – to carry out much of the enforcement.

“The effect of this enforcement gap is clear: breaches of animal welfare laws go consistently undetected and under-prosecuted,” says Rodriguez Ferrere.

“Not only does this directly harm animals, but it weakens the deterrent effect of the law, allowing a cycle of neglect and cruelty to continue. In this way, animal welfare underenforcement frustrates the rule of law.”

A lack of financial support for the sector has resulted in inadequate training for animal protection officers, reactive and delayed enforcement, and areas where no enforcement occurs at all.
Our reliance on private enforcement is outdated and the biggest flaw in the system. We need a specialised animal welfare unit within the police.

In New Zealand, three agencies – police, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) – theoretically share responsibility for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. But in reality, that enforcement falls to the MPI and the SPCA and neither of them, Rodriguez Ferrere argues, have the resources to do the job effectively.

“The SPCA has been given the responsibility to enforce animal welfare legislation with regards to companion animals, even though police and MPI also have jurisdiction,” he says. “It’s a strange quirk of our system that we rely on a charity with limited funding to do this work. They do their best, but it’s not working.”

He believes New Zealand should consider removing enforcement responsibilities from the SPCA, which remains one of the few charities in the world still conducting private animal welfare prosecutions. Instead, he argues that their expertise could be shifted to state-funded enforcement bodies dedicated to animal welfare.

“The SPCA has done an amazing job, despite limited resources, but our reliance on private enforcement is outdated and the biggest flaw in the system,” he says. “We need a specialised animal welfare unit within the police.”

Rodriguez Ferrere also sees broader issues at play, linking New Zealand’s weak enforcement to institutional speciesism. He says people prioritise the interests of their own species, while treating other animals as ‘property’.

“The legal classification of animals as property is speciesism in action,” he says. “As long as animals are treated as commodities, their well-being is directly linked to the value they represent to their owners and society.”

While removing the property status of animals would be too radical a shift, Rodriguez Ferrere says a more immediate and achievable step is to strengthen regulatory enforcement. A properly funded police unit focused on animal welfare, he argues, would go a long way toward ensuring the law is upheld. Such a unit operates within the city of Edmonton, Alberta, with significant success.

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Culture and Heritage – Funding of creative spaces leaves legacy

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Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage welcomes a new report Te kaha o ā tātou mahi | The Power of our work which details the impact of multi-year funding of creative spaces across New Zealand.
As part of the COVID recovery programme, the Ministry invested $18 million into a network of creative spaces, in partnership with Arts Access Aotearoa, to support the growth and sustainability of creative spaces over three years.
“It’s fantastic to read about the positive impacts in the report,” says Manatū Taonga Secretary for Culture and Heritage Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae.
“Funding allowed the spaces to increase services to meet the high demand, and had so many benefits for staff and participants – particularly on their mental health and wellbeing.
“Funding of creative spaces not only created more jobs, but provided career development opportunities and supported career pathways, including for artists who had previously been participants or volunteers. Many of the creative spaces have used those three years of investment to find new ways to support their long-term sustainability.
“The funding gave creative spaces greater capacity to build relationships to help expand the reach of their programmes, and support different groups in the community to access creative opportunities. Some spaces supported artists to sell their artworks, and even helped to develop their own small business enterprises.
“A big thank you to Arts Access Aotearoa for partnering with Manatū Taonga to monitor the investment and support creative spaces throughout this initiative,” says Leauanae.
A total of 54 creative spaces received funding across the country.

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