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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

Three prime New Zealand islands join global restoration campaign

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  21 February 2025

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and partners are joining the international Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC) to boost conservation efforts on subantarctic Maukahuka/Auckland Island, Rakiura/Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. 

The IOCC, led by international conservation groups, Island Conservation and Re:wild, and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, aims to restore at least 40 globally significant island-ocean ecosystems around the world by 2030.   

An ambitious plan to remove invasive species, protect threatened wildlife, and restore the island ecosystems so they’re resilient to climate change has been agreed by DOC, Ngāi Tahu, Moriori, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri and community partners.  

DOC’s Director-General Penny Nelson says joining the IOCC will help New Zealand promote and amplify groundbreaking island conservation on the world stage. 

“For millions of years, New Zealand’s native species evolved separately from the rest of the world. They’re unique, they’re only found here, and once they’re gone from here, they’re gone from everywhere. 

“These islands are precious remnants of a prehistoric world. Protecting and restoring them will make sure they become safe havens for iconic native species once more. 

“We want to see the return of fields of chest-high flowering megaherbs on Maukahuka/Auckland Island, thriving colonies of diverse seabirds like tāiko and albatross on the Chatham Islands and Rakiura becoming a refuge for kākāpō.   

“Partnering with the IOCC connects us with international donors who want to restore nature. It will boost government investment so we can scale up the most complex and challenging island conservation projects New Zealand has ever attempted.  

“We’re thrilled that just last month a generous New Zealander donated $100,000 to the Auckland Island project, adding to the $11.5 million already raised through philanthropy across the three projects,” Penny Nelson says. 

Penny Becker, CEO of Island Conservation, says, “We are beyond excited to welcome these three important New Zealand restoration projects into our global portfolio of island-ocean ecosystems.  

“By restoring these islands, we can make a tangible difference for biodiversity and oceans. Investing in these projects is an investment in the health and future of our planet.” 

Signatory partners are celebrating the launch of New Zealand’s participation in the IOCC at an event at Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bluff, hosted by Te Rūnaka o Awarua.  

Awarua Rūnaka spokesperson and co-chair of Te Puka Rakiura Trust Dean Whaanga, says, “Te Rūnaka o Awarua is delighted to be hosting this event to launch the entry of these three motu (islands) into the IOCC. 

“Two of the three islands – Rakiura/Stewart Island and Maukahuka/Auckland Island – are located within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā (territory) and our role as kaitiaki (guardians) of these motu is of immense significance to our whānau (people).  

“Our success in restoring the small offshore islands surrounding Rakiura has laid the pathway for the mahi that needs to be done on Rakiura and Maukahuka,” Dean Whaanga says. 

New Zealand is world renowned for island conservation work with over 110 successful island pest eradications achieved so far and an ambitious nationwide Predator Free 2050 goal. However, the three latest island projects will be ground-breaking in their scale and complexity.  

Each island is 4-15 times larger than the biggest New Zealand island (Campbell Island) previously cleared of pests. Their remoteness from the mainland, difficult terrain, wild weather and multiple animal pest species presents unique challenges. Human settlements are also present on Rakiura and the Chatham Islands, marking a first for New Zealand predator free projects of this scale. The local communities play a crucial part in the restoration of these islands. 

Plans for removing introduced predators from the three islands have been underway for many years and are well advanced. Extensive research and feasibility work has been undertaken, involving a wide range of expertise including in science, predator control, planning and logistics, and community engagement. Investment in these projects will unlock new methods and grow the toolbox for eradicating harmful introduced predators both in Aotearoa and around the world.   

The government has invested $54 million in the three island conservation projects, which are estimated to cost a total of $202 million. With $11.5 million donated so far, this leaves $137 million still to be raised.  

Funds raised towards the three island conservation projects will be managed by the New Zealand Nature Fund (NZNF), which is supporting New Zealand’s IOCC pledge. NZNF is also embarking on a major campaign with donors and philanthropists.     

Donate today to help restore the natural biodiversity of these three unique islands: www.nznaturefund.org/iocc.

New Zealand Island-Ocean Connection Challenge booklet (PDF, 5,900K)

Background information

Signatories to New Zealand’s IOCC pledge are the Department of Conservation, Te Rūnanga o Hokonui, Te Rūnaka o Awarua, Te Rūnaka o Waihōpai, Te Rūnaka o Ōraka Aparima, Te Puka Rakiura Trust (Predator Free Rakiura), Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust and Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust. Predator Free NZ Trust and Predator Free 2050 Ltd are supporting partners. 

DOC is coordinating the partnerships with all groups involved in the IOCC pledge.  

Maukahuka/Auckland Island, located 465km south of Bluff, is a renowned World Heritage Site and nature reserve. Dubbed the ‘seabird capital of the world’, it’s a hub for breeding seabirds, including four albatross species. The island’s rich biodiversity (including over 100 species found nowhere else) is at threat from mice, pigs and feral cats. Planning is well underway for the eradication of the three invasive mammals which is estimated to cost $78 million. This project is led by DOC in partnership with Ngāi Tahu. 

Rakiura/Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third largest island, is 90% public conservation land including Rakiura National Park. Home to a tokoeka brown kiwi population, it’s surrounded by many pest-free islands with thriving tītī/sooty shearwater and other seabird populations. Te Puka Rakiura Trust, Ngāi Tahu and DOC are working together towards the goal to eradicate feral cats, rats, possums, and hedgehogs from the island. The vision is to restore the island for the return of kākāpō and other wildlife previously found there. 

Chatham Islands, located 800km east of Aotearoa, is a haven for native birds and plants found nowhere else like the kakaruia/karure/Chatham Island black robin, Chatham Island tāiko/magenta petrel and Chatham Island albatross/toroa/hopo. The IOCC pledge is to continue removing feral cats from Rangihaute/Rangiauria/Pitt Island and complete the first phase of the Predator Free project on Rēkohu/Wharekauri/main Chatham by removing possums and feral cats. The long-term goal is to remove possums, feral cats and rats from the whole archipelago and see the seabird-driven ecosystem thriving. This community-driven project is led by the Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust with Hokotehi Moriori Trust and Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri, supported by DOC, Chatham Islands Council and Predator Free 2050 Ltd. 

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Department of Conservation: media@doc.govt.nz 

Island Conservation Strategic Communications Director Sally Esposito: sally.esposito@islandconservation.org 

Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust Communications Lead Jess MacKenzie: info@chathamrestorationtrust.org  

Te Puka Rakiura Trust (Predator Free Rakiura) Communication Advisor Vaneesa Bellew: v.bellew@predatorfreerakiura.org.nz

MIL OSI

Serious crash, SH 73/Curletts Road, Christchurch

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A busy Christchurch intersection is shut as emergency services respond to a crash involving a car and motorbike this morning.

Curletts Road (State Highway 73) is blocked at the intersection of Lunns Road, following the 5.40am crash.

The rider of the motorcycle is being treated for critical injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit is attending and the intersection will likely be closed for some time.

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Barbecues Galore Acquires Barbecue Country Edmonton

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MIL OSI
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Source: Media Outreach

ALBERTA & ONTARIO, CANADA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 February 2025 – In a joint agreement that completes today at 11:00 am MST, Barbecue Country, of 5682 75 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta will officially join the proudly Canadian, Barbecues Galore family.

Canadian homeowners have trusted Barbecues Galore since 1979 for expert advice and exceptional services related to luxury patio furniture, fireplaces, barbecues, an amazing assortment of barbecue accessories, smokers, pizza ovens, outdoor fire tables, umbrellas, modular outdoor kitchens, charcoal, and pellets, plus a huge selection of sauces, spices & rubs.

A 46-year-old, privately held, Canadian-owned and operated company, Barbecues Galore will now own six gorgeous retail stores — three in Ontario, two in Calgary, and one in Edmonton — offering the nation’s best collection of barbecues, fireplaces, and patio furniture.

Barbecue Country started in 1983 and has always been known as the premier destination for all your barbecue needs. It expanded into its current 12,000 sq ft. showroom in 2004. With a certified Kansas City Barbecue Society judge on staff, it is clear that barbecue is in the DNA of both companies.1

“We are excited to welcome the staff and customers of Barbecue Country to our Barbecues Galore family. They can expect to enjoy more product choices including Yoder smokers, pizza ovens, electric fireplaces, luxury patio furniture, a variety of charcoal options, and a $9.99 everyday bag of Big Boy pellet fuel – the lowest price in Canada,” said President, Paul Johnson.

Barbecues Galore wants all current and future customers to know they are in good hands. Both companies honour the same great Price Promise. We welcome everyone to join our barbecue community for Canadians, by Canadians. Follow us on Facebook, and subscribe to our free email Hotline Newsletter to get weekly barbecue recipes, and articles on interesting barbecue topics, and be among the first to hear about local events and great promotions throughout the year.

www.BarbecuesGalore.ca

Hashtag: #BarbecuesGalore

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

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

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