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Read about our Privacy Week 2025 lineup and resources, IPP3A guidance and how to have your say, and new tips for using AI to contact OPC.
Read the April 2025 issue.
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Te Pāti Māori stands firmly against any moves to downsize or close UCOL Whanganui. With over 30% of students identifying as Māori, the campus is a vital lifeline for education, upskilling, and community transformation in Te Tai Hauāuru.
“Matapihi ki te Ao is more than a name, it’s a promise. A window to the world for our rangatahi and whānau,” says Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
“We won’t sit back while this Government shuts the door on Māori futures. Our commitment is clear—we would invest more in regional tertiary education, not less.”
Te Pāti Māori would strengthen funding for adult and rangatahi learners, expand access to kaupapa Māori support services, and ensure local iwi shape the future of learning in their own rohe.
“This Government’s attack on vocational training is short-sighted and regressive. Job cuts don’t just mean fewer roles, they mean the loss of experienced and passionate kaimahi who genuinely care for their students. It devalues the people who have held up our communities through education.
“We’re here to protect what matters: our right to learn, to lead, and to live well in our own communities. We say, keep the window open,” concluded Ngarewa-Packer.
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Did you know that not everyone has to have their details published on the electoral roll? This makes sense if you and your family members could face a personal risk if your information was accessible to people who may want to cause you harm.
With just a few months to go until the general election, everyone is being reminded to register on the electoral roll. But it is also a timely reminder to people who may face a threat to their safety that not everyone has to have their details published.
The Electoral Act, under section 115, says the Electoral Commission may include you on the unpublished roll if it would be prejudicial to your personal safety, or your family, to have your details on the printed roll.
It particularly applies to those of you who have a protection or restraining order against someone who knows you. It also includes members of the Police and their families.
This unpublished roll can only be viewed by the Registrar of Electors. According to the Ministry of Justice, there were nearly 16,000 registered to vote on the unpublished electoral roll in 2014.
If you think this applies to you, you could request that your information be included only on the confidential unpublished roll. To do so, you will need to download the unpublished roll application form from here. Or you can phone the Electoral Commission free on 0800 36 76 56, and they will post an application form to you.
You will need to give your full name, address, date of birth, contact telephone number and evidence of your situation, such as a copy of a protection order that is in force under the Domestic Violence Act, or a copy of a restraining order that is in force under the Harassment Act.
Other evidence of your personal circumstances can include a statutory declaration from a member of the Police about the threat to your personal safety or that of your family’s, or a letter from a barrister or solicitor, employer or a Justice of the Peace that supports your application on the grounds of personal safety.
You remain on the unpublished roll until such time as your circumstances change. Your area Registrar of Electors will write to you from time to time to confirm that your circumstances are the same. You will also need to check your enrolment details and update them during enrolment update campaigns.
As your name will not appear on the printed electoral roll used on polling day, you will need to cast a special vote. These are available from the Returning Officer in your electorate ahead of Election Day or from any voting place on the actual day.
Source: Exercise NZ
The first Saturday of May — May 3rd — marks International Pilates Day. Pilates is officially one of the fastest-growing fitness trends in the world, with the global industry forecast to grow by over 10.8% in the next 10 years. Alongside global trends in core conditioning and functional training, Pilates is gaining momentum in New Zealand, with 64% of Gen Z gym members doing reformer Pilates classes and 55% taking part in mat-based Pilates.
As momentum builds, ExerciseNZ, in association with Pilates Aotearoa, is encouraging Kiwis to celebrate International Pilates Day and experience first-hand why this dynamic, research-backed form of movement — developed by Joseph Pilates during World War I — is transforming lives everywhere.
“In a world where wellbeing and vitality have never been more important, the Pilates method offers a holistic, sustainable approach to thriving — supporting not just physical wellness but emotional resilience and mindful movement. More than just a fitness fad, the practice of various forms of Pilates has earned its place as a powerful tool for building strength, enhancing mobility, and boosting mental wellbeing,”
— Stephanie Hadley, Chair, Pilates Aotearoa
As Pilates continues to grow in popularity, International Pilates Day offers a timely opportunity to explore the evidence behind this global trend. Studies show that regular Pilates practice can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by up to 30%, while improving balance, flexibility, and core strength — critical factors in preventing falls and supporting healthy ageing.
Research from the University of Sydney found that Pilates delivers mental health benefits comparable to other major forms of exercise therapy. Clinical research published in Physiotherapy shows that participating in Pilates twice a week can reduce fall risk by up to 40% among older adults, significantly improving functional strength and stability. Findings published in The Open Public Health Journal also show that after just eight weeks, participants experience higher body confidence, improved mood, and reduced stress.
Whether you’re a newbie, a regular participant, or a seasoned pro, there’s a place for everyone on the mat. ExerciseNZ, in partnership with Pilates Aotearoa, invites all New Zealanders to celebrate International Pilates Day — no matter your age, fitness level, or experience.
Why Pilates Works: Evidence-Based Benefits
Pilates can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by up to 30%.
Practising Pilates twice a week can lower fall risk by up to 40% in older adults.
After eight weeks, Pilates can significantly improve mood, reduce stress, and increase body confidence.
Research shows Pilates offers mental health benefits on par with other major exercise therapies.
This International Pilates Day, take a moment for yourself, connect with your community, and be part of a global movement towards better health and vitality through Pilates.
Pilates Aotearoa will also be hosting events for their members to celebrate the classical method on Saturday, May 3rd.
Source: RSA
When the All Blacks played France in Paris last November, they honoured New Zealand’s veterans of military of service by wearing an RSA Poppy embroidered onto their jersey.
One of those jerseys has now been gifted to the Royal New Zealand RSA to help raise funds to continue their support to our veterans.
National President Sir Wayne Shelford said it was heart-warming to see this show of support from the national team.
“Pulling on the Black Jersey is incredibly emotional for any player. But having that mark of respect for veterans embroidered on the sleeve takes it to another level.
The poppy is worn to honour the fallen, but this gift from the All Blacks will now allow us to provide more support to our living veterans.”
The “Remembrance Test” was played on 17 November (NZ time) with the All Blacks wearing the poppy to commemorate Remembrance Day and honour those New Zealanders who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.
The All Blacks wore the white version of the national jersey to differentiate from France’s dark blue.
The jersey has been signed by the 2024 All Blacks Squad and Coach Scott Robertson and is a true collector’s item, with no supporter version ever produced for sale.
The jersey is now being auctioned on Trade Me and closes on – the RSA is incredibly grateful to the All Blacks for the opportunity to raise more funds to improve the wellbeing of New Zealand’s veterans.
The auction closes on Wednesday 7 May at 7.45pm and can be viewed here: https://rnzrsa.info/ABjersey25
Background
A true collector’s item – these jerseys were only made for the test played against France on 17 November 2024 (16 November in France). No supporters jerseys were produced or made available for sale.
As the test played closest to Remembrance Day, the All Blacks’ jersey featured the poppy as a mark of respect for New Zealand’s veterans of military service.
Although it features the number 14, the jersey was not worn during the match – it was the spare jersey held on the sideline in case a replacement was needed.
The jersey was gifted to the RNZRSA to auction off to raise funds to continue our support to New Zealand’s veterans of military service and their whanau.
The jersey has been signed by Coach Scott Robertson and all members of the All Blacks’ squad that were in France at the time of the test:
Asafo Aumua, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, George Bell, Sam Cane, Caleb Clarke, Ethan de Groot, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, Peter Lakai, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Ruben Love, Damian McKenzie, Fletcher Newell, TJ Perenara, Stephen Perofeta, Cortez Ratima, Sevu Reece, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Codie Taylor, Mark Tele’a, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tupou Vaa’i, Tamati Williams.
Source: MetService
Covering period of Thursday 1st – Friday 2nd May – MetService has issued a Red Warning for Winds in Wellington from 10am Thursday to 3am Friday. This is the first Red Warning issued for Wellington. MetService Red Warnings are reserved for the most extreme weather events where significant impact and disruption is expected.
Wind speeds have already reached at least 150 km/h in exceptionally exposed areas and 118 km/h elsewhere, with winds expected to peak early afternoon, with gusts of 140 km/h possible. The combined effects of heavy rain (the region is currently under an Orange Warning for Heavy Rain), high tides and large waves of 7 metres have the potential to exacerbate the impacts from the damaging gusts affecting the area. In addition, the unusual direction of these very strong winds – being from the southwest rather than the more common strong northerly winds, is also expected to increase the likelihood of wind-induced damage.
Impacts include falling trees and flying debris. Destructive winds is also expected to cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport, communications, and power supply.
A Red Warning signifies that people need to act now as immediate action is required to protect people, animals and property from the impact of the weather. People are encouraged to stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel if possible, and follow any advice from Civil Defence and other agencies.
This is the first Red Warning MetService has issued this year, and it’s the 16th Red Warning weather event since the highest alert level was introduced back in May 2019. Keep up to date with weather and warnings via metservice.comor our free MetService weather app.
MetService also now provides push notifications for Red Severe Weather Warnings via our app. More information can be found here about enabling them.: https://metservice.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=63982abb40666393e6a63259d&id=68e2d48ca4&e=852c839bf9
Source: University of Auckland (UoA)
Volcanoes erupting underwater have a distinctive effect on the climate, according to research led by University of Auckland and Tongan scientists.
Research on Tonga’s devastating 2022 Hunga eruption has just been published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
“Submarine volcanism has previously been overlooked in global climate studies, because there is typically not much atmospheric sulphur dioxide released,” says Professor Shane Cronin, a co-lead author of the study with postdoctoral fellow Dr Jie Wu.
However, while sulphur dioxide can lead to significant climate effects, so too can water vapour.
At its peak Hunga’s eruption injected up to 3 billion tonnes of steam into the atmosphere in a single hour, with the water vapour reaching the stratosphere and even the mesosphere more than 57 km up, Cronin says.
“The eruption has been shown by several recently published studies to have cooled the Southern Hemisphere and cause a range of other atmospheric and climate impacts that we are still discovering,” he adds.
Hunga had the potential for a global impact from sulphur dioxide. The team estimates 20 million tonnes of it was released during the eruption, however, most of the sulphur went directly into seawater at depths between 300m and 1100m.
Cronin is at the School of Environment at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, while Wu is now based at the University of Otago.
University of Auckland and staff and students have been working with Tongan partners to understand the wider implications of submarine volcanism in the Southwestern Pacific in the aftermath of Hunga, the largest eruption witnessed in the modern era.
“We are striving to understand the broader hazards of submarine volcanism including tsunami and damage to shorelines and internet data cables as well as how these eruptions affect our environment and climate,” says Cronin.
The work is supported by an MBIE Endeavor Research Programme grant from 2024.