The Most Beloved Tenor Andrea Bocelli, the “Voice of God”, Returns to Macau After Nine Years for His Galaxy Arena Debut with a Unique Setlist

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February 18, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Improving people’s experience with the Justice system is at the heart of a package of Bills which passed its first reading today Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says.

“The 63 changes in these Bills will deliver real impacts for everyday New Zealanders. The changes will improve court timeliness and efficiency, boost access to justice, and reduce regulatory burdens,” Mrs McKee says.

The Regulatory Systems (Courts) Amendment Bill will enable coroners to better direct their resources to where they are most needed, and in doing so reduce wait-times and uncertainty for grieving families.

“We are enabling coroners’ cases to be dealt with more efficiently, which will mean families and whānau will receive coroners’ findings sooner.

“This Bill also strengthens the protections for witnesses and informants. It clarifies that information which may lead to the identification of the address of the place where a witness or informant works cannot be disclosed to the defendant, except in specific circumstances. This will increase safety and privacy for witnesses and informants,” Mrs McKee says.

The Regulatory Systems (Tribunals) Amendment Bill will increase access to justice by allowing the Disputes Tribunal to order the respondent to pay the filing fee to successful claimants.

This will make the system fairer for successful applicants to the Disputes Tribunal by enabling them to be reimbursed for the costs of enforcing their legal rights.

This Bill will also allow the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority to accept complaints about people who are allegedly working without a licence or certificate of approval. This amendment will help to ensure that people working in the security industry are appropriately licensed and qualified. This should have a positive impact on public safety.

The final Bill in the package, the Regulatory Systems (Occupational Regulation) Amendment Bill, will increase operational efficiencies for regulators, reduce the burden of compliance and ensure services are performed with reasonable care and skill.

“This Bill will reduce the burden of regulatory compliance by removing the current five-year disqualification period for failure to complete a real estate agent’s continuing professional development requirement. No other profession has this disqualification period. It is a disproportionate response that stops people from working in their chosen profession for five years,” Mrs McKee says.

“It is clear that the justice system touches the lives of many people. We understand that engaging with the justice system can be frustrating, stressful, and confusing. These Bills are delivering on this Government’s commitment to improve access to justice, court timeliness, and the quality of existing regulation.”

IT Leaders Forum 2025: Shaping the Future of Business and Technology in Africa

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February 18, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 February 2025 – IT News Africa is proud to announce the IT Leaders Forum2025, a premier gathering of top technology and information industry experts. The event is set to take place on March 12, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel in Sandton.

As organizations grapple with technology skills gaps, economic uncertainty, and ESG compliance mandates, IT leaders are increasingly turning to technology-driven solutions to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and drive profitability. The IT Leaders Forum 2025 is designed to equip CIOs and IT executives with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to navigate these challenges and seize new opportunities.

According to Abe Wakama, CEO of IT News Africa, “The IT Leaders Forum 2025 comes at a crucial time when businesses are navigating unprecedented technological advancements, economic shifts, and cybersecurity challenges. This event will provide a platform for IT executives to gain valuable insights, connect with industry leaders, and explore innovative solutions that will drive their organizations forward. Our goal is to empower attendees with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions and stay ahead in this fast-evolving digital era.”

What’s Included at IT Leaders Forum 2025:

This exclusive event will serve as a hub for cutting-edge discussions, industry trends, and innovative solutions shaping Africa’s IT landscape. Attendees can expect:

Expert-Led Discussions – Gain insights into IT leadership, cybersecurity, digital transformation, application modernization, and infrastructure management.
Industry-Specific Impact – Explore how emerging technologies are revolutionizing banking, healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
Networking with Industry Leaders – Connect with top CIOs, IT executives, and technology innovators from across Africa.
Actionable Takeaways – Discover practical strategies to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital space.

Key Benefits of Attending:

With digital transformation accelerating across industries, businesses must adapt, innovate, and secure their operations. The IT Leaders Forum 2025 will address key challenges and opportunities, covering topics such as:

Enhancing cybersecurity frameworks to mitigate risks.
Developing effective cloud strategies for business scalability.
Leveraging AI, automation, and emerging technologies to gain a competitive edge.
Building resilient IT leadership for future-proofing businesses.

Ideal Attendees for IT Leaders Forum:

The IT Leaders Forum 2025 is tailored for technology professionals and decision-makers, including:

Chief Information Officers (CIOs)
IT Directors & Managers
Tech Entrepreneurs
Cybersecurity Experts
Digital Transformation Leaders
Tech Vendors & Solution Providers
Policymakers & Government Officials in Technology

Key Speakers

The event will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

John Bosco Arends – Chairperson, Chartered CIO Council
Manish Hira – IS Regional Manager: Asia Pacific, Servier
Ruan Schutte – Innovation Specialist, Liberty
Henry Abea – Head of ICT, Kimisitu SACCO, Kenya
Faith Burn – CIO, Eskom
Denisha Jairam-Owthar – CIO, Council for Medical Schemes

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities Reasons to Sponsor IT Leaders Forum 2025

We offer a range of customizable sponsorship and exhibition opportunities tailored to meet your business objectives. Here’s why you should get involved:

Direct Access to Decision-Makers – Engage with top-level IT executives and industry leaders.
Brand Visibility & Recognition – Position your company as an industry leader among a highly targeted audience.
Unparalleled Networking – Forge valuable relationships with potential clients, partners, and peers.
Showcase Innovations – Present your latest technologies, solutions, and services to an engaged audience.
Market Insights & Trends – Gain insider knowledge on emerging IT challenges and opportunities.
Lead Generation – Connect with CIOs and IT professionals actively seeking solutions.

Save the Date & Special Offer

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to engage with some of the most influential IT leaders in Africa. Mark your calendars for March 12, 2025, and be part of a transformative event that will shape the future of IT.

Register before February 28, 2025, using the discount code ‘ITLEADERS50’ and save 50% on delegate passes!

Stay tuned for updates on the event agenda, speakers, and registration details.

For more information, visit IT News Africa and join the conversation on shaping Africa’s digital future.

Hashtag: #ITNewsAfrica

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

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

Fatality – Mountfort Park, Weymouth

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February 18, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A person has died following an incident involving a motorcycle in Mountfort Park in Weymouth this evening.

The incident was reported to Police at 7.40pm.

Cordons are in place within the park and members of the public are asked to avoid the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

State Highway 8 between Millers Flat and Raes Junction impacted by flooding

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February 18, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

State Highway 8 between Millers Flat and Raes Junction is being impacted by flooding.

Motorists are asked take alternative routes if possible, or delay travel.

Anyone travelling on the road is asked to drive with caution and adjust your driving to the conditions.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

Trump has sent a message on trade: Time to scrap Kiwi tariffs

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February 18, 2025

Source: ACT Party

Responding to President Trump’s announcement of a reciprocal tariff regime, ACT Finance spokesperson Todd Stephenson says:

“ACT has previously argued to scrap our remaining tariffs. President Trump’s announcement makes this urgent.

“New Zealand charges tariffs on imported products like clothing, makeup, biscuits, gardening tools, railway locomotives, and ambulances. Under Trump’s plan, these tariffs would be reflected in tariffs charged on our exports to the US – unless we choose to ditch the tariffs, in which case Trump’s reciprocal tariffs will be lifted.

“It’s a no-brainer. By scrapping our remaining tariffs we can spare local exporters from the cost of a reciprocal American regime. At the same time, we’ll be cutting the cost of popular imported goods for Kiwi households and firms.

“When two countries trade, both are better off. New Zealand has preached the gospel of free trade on the world stage since the 1980s, and it’s time to start practising what we preach.

“It appears possible that Trump’s plan will impose a reciprocal tariff in response to our GST regime. This would impose a significant cost on companies exporting to the US. Abolishing our remaining tariffs would at least somewhat offset this cost.”

State Highway 2, Matatā blocked by crash

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February 18, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

State Highway 2 near Matatā is blocked following a crash this evening.

Police were advised at 6.20pm that a ute had rolled on State Highway 2, between the two turnoffs into McPherson Street.

The driver is reported to have serious injuries and the road is expected to remain closed for some time.

Motorists are asked to take alternative routes where possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

Activist News – No to anti-protest law – Peace Action Wellington

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February 18, 2025

Source: Peace Action Wellington

In a report released today, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has called for new standalone legislation directed at preemptively policing protest.

“I completely reject the IPCA recommendation for a specific protest law. It will limit our fundamental rights and freedoms,” said Valerie Morse.

“We already have a great protest law: it’s called the NZ bill of rights.”

“Police regularly try to limit or shut down protests that are simply embarrassing or unhelpful for the government. They cannot be trusted to prioritise people’s rights at protests.”

“I have been arrested a number of times at protests. When these charges have gone to court the judge has thrown them out. If the police had had their way these protests never would have occurred.”

“Just because similar jurisdictions have laws about policing protests doesn’t mean that they are a good idea. The US, UK and Australia are all suffering from extreme democratic deficits – in part due to authoritarian responses like these anti-protest laws.”

Privacy Commissioner – Two reports show privacy must be at the heart of trust in government

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February 18, 2025

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Today’s release of two reports into the protection of personal information show agencies must be better at privacy, says Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster.

The Inquiry into how government agencies protected personal information for the 2023 Census and COVID-19 vaccination programme (the PSC Inquiry) and the Independent investigation and assurance review of allegations of misuse of 2023 Census information (the Stats NZ report), show the protection of personal information needs to be treated as a priority.

Several matters have now been referred to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (these are detailed below).

Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster said he is carefully reviewing the referrals raised in the two reports. That work will be done in the context the Privacy Act and the need to ensure individuals’ rights to privacy is protected and respected.

“New Zealanders need to be confident that when they do activities, like filling in their Census form, or giving over information for medical services, that their information is collected, used, and shared as the law outlines it should be,” says Mr Webster.

“The Privacy Act is very clear that agencies collecting personal information need to keep it safe and treat it with care. This responsibility extends to the use of third-party service providers.

Agencies need to be confident that personal information is protected wherever and whatever organisation is handling it.”

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has recently issued guidance to help agencies working with third-party providers understand their responsibilities.

Mr Webster said he was encouraged to see that work on a new information sharing standard is underway, supporting the information stewardship framework at the core of the Privacy Act.

“Its important people can trust that their information is treated with care. In our 2024 Privacy Survey the percentage of people who said they are “more concerned” about privacy issues over the last few years has increased to 55%, a 14% increase from two years ago. New Zealanders were clear in their response to these concerns:

80% want more control and choice over the collection and use of their personal information.

63% said protecting their personal information is a major concern in their lives.

around two-thirds of New Zealanders are concerned about businesses or government

organisations sharing their personal information without telling them.

“Good privacy is an essential part of providing services and doing business in a digital economy. Today’s findings should be a reminder to government organisations that good privacy practices aren’t an optional extra but are fundamental to the work they do,” says the Commissioner.

A number of questions have now been referred to the Privacy Commissioner by the PSC Inquiry:

Whether systems and controls were appropriate for personal data following its transmission by Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Health and Stats NZ to service providers

Whether there were appropriate means in place for these public agencies to be confident that their service providers were meeting their contractual privacy requirements

Whether personal information was collected or used by Manurewa Marae for unauthorised purposes

Whether separation of personal data from Census data was maintained at Manurewa Marae, and whether privacy statements were adequate to inform people about the use of their information.

A further matter has been referred to the Privacy Commissioner by the Stats NZ report about the collection and management of personal information and confidential census data.

While the review of the referrals takes place, the Office will not be making any further comment.

Release: ACT taps out of Treaty Principles Bill submission process

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February 18, 2025

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

“The ACT Party can’t be bothered putting an MP on one of the Justice subcommittees hearing submissions on their own Treaty Principles Bill,” Labour Justice Spokesperson Duncan Webb said.

“It is bad enough that ACT has put New Zealand through the expense and anguish of this doomed Bill, but to then refuse to hear oral submissions is utterly disrespectful, lazy, and it shows that this is all just a stunt by David Seymour.

“It is outrageous that $6 million of the taxpayer’s money is being misused to promote ACT Party ideology, while Christopher Luxon stands idly by. For the ACT Party to refuse to send an MP to hear 30 of the 80 hours of submissions just adds insult to injury.

“Thousands of New Zealanders have spent hours carefully preparing their submissions and some have been invited to submit to the select committee. Those submitters deserve to have the ACT Party listen to what they have to say. The ACT Party’s suggestion that they have more important things to do is insulting and disingenuous,” Duncan Webb said.

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