Government Cuts – CPAG urges Government to reverse ‘funded to fail’ school lunch cuts

By

-

February 23, 2025

Source: Child Poverty Action Group

The Child Poverty Action Group has today told the Government that reversing cuts to school lunches is an achievable way to address rising child poverty levels in New Zealand.

Official statistics released last week showed an extra 36,600 children are likely to be living in material hardship compared to two years ago.

Speaking to Guyon Espiner on TVNZ’s Q+A on Sunday, CPAG Executive Officer Sarita Divis said she was heartened to hear the Minister of Child Poverty Reduction Louise Upston mention the healthy school lunches programme as a key commitment of this government in tackling child poverty.

This year the Government scrapped the previous model of healthy school lunches, many of which created jobs in local communities. Instead, it switched to a for-profit model delivered under an $85 million annual contract with the School Lunch Collective, a partnership between Compass Group NZ, Libelle Group and Gilmours.

The new lunch programme has a budget of $3 per meal, about $5 cheaper than the previous model.

“One in four children do not have enough food. That could be that they don’t have breakfast and dinner so we need to make sure that the lunch that they receive is nutritious, healthy and delicious so that they do get those educational benefits and those health benefits.”

The new model has been beset by problems, with late deliveries, culturally insensitive food, and a largely repetitive, unappetising menu with questionable nutrition value since its implementation at the start of the school year.

“Education is one of the key ways to break the cycle of poverty.”

Ka Ora, Ka Ako only provides for about 40 percent of NZ children living in food poverty and there was a strong argument to not only reverse the cuts, but increase the number of children who receive the meals, Ms Divis said.

“When you do proactive policies like this it can make a difference,” Ms Divis said.

“Reverse those cuts. We think that is really achievable for the government.”

Ms Divis said CPAG was disappointed the Government’s Budget policy statement in December – which gives an early indication about priorities in May’s Budget – had no mention of child poverty.

Under the Child Poverty Reduction Act (2018), the Government is legally required to address child poverty rates in the Budget with specific policies.

Last year, CPAG along with Health Coalition Aotearoa and the NZEI Te Riu Roa, campaigned to stop cuts to the programme with 26,000 people signing a petition to save school lunches.

MIL OSI

Serious crash, Ashworths Rd, Hurunui

By

LiveNews Publisher

-

February 23, 2025

0

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on Ashworths Rd (SH1) near Mays Road, Hurunui.

Police were called about 5.30pm.

Initial reports suggest two people have been seriously injured.

Traffic management is in place.

Motorists should avoid the area if possible.

ENDS

MIL OSI

Fatal crash, Hadlow, Timaru District

By

LiveNews Publisher

-

February 23, 2025

0

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

One person has died after a single-vehicle crash on Spur Road, Hadlow, in the Timaru District.

The crash was discovered about midday today and is thought to have occurred overnight.

The Serious Crash Unit is examining the scene, and diversions are in place.

Motorists should avoid the area if possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Going for Growth: Overseas investment changes to drive higher wages

By

LiveNews Publisher

-

February 23, 2025

0

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced the Government’s plan to reform the Overseas Investment Act and make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages.

“New Zealand is one of the hardest countries in the developed world for overseas people to invest in businesses, and our productivity growth is woeful. Those two facts are closely linked.

“We are introducing reforms to improve New Zealand’s overseas investment laws. The package will speed up decisions and provide more confidence to investors, while protecting our national interests.

“Overseas investment can support economic growth because when workers work with better tools and technologies, they are more productive and get paid more.

“I’ve seen the difference that overseas investment can make. I once visited two businesses in the same industry on the same afternoon. Both had skilled and passionate people with good ideas. One had overseas investment, though, and benefited in two ways. They had more money for machinery, and they had more know-how for manufacturing and marketing their product by receiving knowledge from their partners offshore.

“New Zealand’s productivity growth has closely tracked the amount of capital workers have had to work with. Our capital-to-labour ratio has seen very little growth in the last 10 years, averaging approximately 0.7 per cent annually. That’s compared to growth of around 2 percent a year in the previous 10 to 15 years. Unsurprisingly, productivity growth averaged 1.4 percent a year between 1993 and 2013, but only 0.2 percent between 2013 and 2023.

“The Government has agreed on a reform package which includes:

better acknowledging the benefits investment can provide to New Zealand’s economy,
for all investments aside from residential land, farmland and fishing quota, making decisions in just 15 days, unless the application could be contrary to New Zealand’s national interest,
strengthening the Government’s ability to intervene on the rare occasion that a transaction is not in the national interest,
giving LINZ more powers to grant consent without involving Ministers.

“High-value investments, such as significant business assets, existing forestry and non-farmland, account for around $14 billion of gross investment each year. Cabinet has agreed to remove the barriers for these investments, while retaining existing protections for residential land, farmland and fishing quota.

“Nearly every other developed country has less obstructive laws than New Zealand. They benefit from the flow of money and the ideas that come with overseas investment. If we are going to raise wages, we can’t afford to ignore the simple fact that our competitors gain money and know-how from outside their borders.”

MIL OSI

BusinessNZ Statement – Overseas investment overhaul: NZ means business

By

LiveNews Publisher

-

February 23, 2025

0

Source: BusinessNZ

BusinessNZ says the Government’s announcement to reform the Overseas Investment Act sends a positive signal to the world that New Zealand is ready to do business.

Chief Executive Katherine Rich says existing rules make it difficult and uncertain for overseas investors to consider investing here.

“New Zealand’s settings for overseas investment have been some of the most restrictive in the OECD. These rules have held us back from achieving our potential as we say no to investment which has been accepted by other economies.

“As one example, any non-urban land parcel larger than five hectares is deemed sensitive in the current Act. For the likes of a manufacturer looking to set up shop and invest here, anything less is far too small.

“BusinessNZ has long advocated for new policy settings which could allow us to gain the benefits of overseas capital and grow businesses, assets, and the incomes of New Zealanders. We know that business will be heartened by today’s announcement.

“Changing settings will be a positive first step in showing the rest of the world that we welcome investment – but more changes are required to encourage it.

“Settings related to taxation of overseas earnings and incentives for research and development need to be more internationally competitive. Otherwise, investors will choose to put their money and talent where they see a better return.”

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.

MIL OSI

Fatal quad bike crash – Purangi, Taranaki

By

LiveNews Publisher

-

February 23, 2025

0

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A person died after a quad bike crash on Tarata Road, Purangi yesterday afternoon.

Police were advised at 2.30pm that a quad bike had rolled on the road, adjacent to paddocks.

The person was critically injured and tragically passed away at the scene.

Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

MIL OSI

Biosecurity New Zealand Birkdale fruit fly update, February 23 2025

By

LiveNews Publisher

-

February 23, 2025

0

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

MPI is providing daily 10am updates for any significant developments regarding the Oriental fruit fly response.

There is no significant update at this time. No further fruit flies have been detected. Today, our team continues its work on the ground checking traps, collecting waste from bins in the area for safe disposal, and talking to the local community, who we thank for their co-operation.

Please find our latest press release from yesterday here:

Biosecurity New Zealand media release – Birkdale fruit fly update

Oriental fruit fly response information

We appreciate your work in helping to get information out to the public.

For media queries, call 029 894 0328 or email media@mpi.govt.nz

MIL OSI

Electric Avenue wrap-up

By

LiveNews Publisher

-

February 23, 2025

0

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons, Operation Commander:

Christchurch put on a stunning weekend for the more than 35,000 people attending Electric Avenue each day of the two-day festival.

The event was well managed and organised, with a large security contingent which proved valuable.

Police assisted event security with fence jumpers, minor disorder and assaults, and evictions due to intoxication.

Police were generally pleased with the behaviour of the majority of those attending. However it was disappointing to see some people heavily intoxicated when they arrived at the festival. Unfortunately Police also observed a lot of people under the influence of drugs.

Crowd behaviour when people were leaving the festival was good, with only minor disorder reported in the CBD on Saturday night.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

MIL OSI

Man arrested – Birkenhead stabbing

By

LiveNews Publisher

-

February 23, 2025

0

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Matt Bartlett:

A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to a stabbing in Birkenhead on 4 February.

The man was arrested during a search warrant at a Northcote address yesterday morning and is due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Monday, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. His bail will be opposed.

We would like to thank the members of the public for their assistance and information provided that assisted our investigation.

I would like to acknowledge the various Police teams who have worked tirelessly on this case, as part of our ongoing dedication to holding offenders to account.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

MIL OSI

Rural News – Farmers celebrate more funding for QEII Trust – Federated Farmers

By

LiveNews Publisher

-

February 22, 2025

0

Source: Federated Farmers

A funding boost for the QEII National Trust is a win for farmers and the environment, Federated Farmers vice president Colin Hurst says.

Following strong advocacy from Federated Farmers, the Government have announced an additional $4.5 million for the trust over the next three years.

“When it comes to environmental bang for your taxpayer buck, I can’t think of a better investment than the QEII Trust,” Hurst says.

“But despite the amazing work they do in our rural communities to improve biodiversity and other environmental outcomes, the trust hasn’t had an increase in funding for over a decade.

“During that time the trust has faced huge inflationary pressures and a 28% increase in demand for their services.

“Today’s announcement may not be the doubling of funding Federated Farmers called for, but it’s certainly a positive step in the right direction and will do a lot of good.”

The QEII National Trust was established in 1977, with Federated Farmers dairy chair (the late) Gordon Stephenson a key instigator.

The trust partners with landowners who are willing to voluntarily protect their land without selling or donating it.

Covenants ensure special areas of bush, wetland and biodiversity are protected for future generations, in perpetuity.

There are now more than 5,200 covenants covering 187,774 hectares – the vast majority on farms.

“Without an increase in funding the QEII Trust would have been forced to scale back the number of new covenants it could support,” Hurst says,

“That would have been a huge setback for nature, and the ongoing efforts of many farmers who are committed to protecting special areas of biodiversity on their land.”

Federated Farmers has been given a 30-minute slot in front of the Primary Production Committee to explain why it believes the trust deserves more support.

“We’ll certainly be taking up that opportunity and making a strong case for further funding increases that will allow the trust to expand their work.”

MIL OSI