NZ Engine

Category: MIL-OSI

  • Trade Minister to meet US Trade Representative at APEC in Korea

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay travels to Korea today for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Trade Ministers meeting where he will meet with APEC and CPTPP trading partners including a first in person meeting with United Stated Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

    “These meetings are an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand exporters, discuss our strong and mutually beneficial trade relationships, and restate New Zealand’s opposition to high tariff regimes,” Mr McClay says.

    While in Jeju, Minister McClay will meet with Ministers from: Australia, China, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Peru, Singapore and the United States where he will talk about the need for certainty for consumers and exporters.  

    APEC’s 21 economies receive over 75 per cent of New Zealand’s exports and represent nearly 60 per cent of global GDP. 

    “Open and fair market access remains a priority for our Government as we look to double the value of exports in 10 years and grow the economy,” Mr McClay says. 

    “This meeting is an opportunity to deepen our connections with these major economic partners and support New Zealand exporters.”

  • Alternative Budget – Green’s Budget Gets Thumbs Up from Tax Reform Group

    Source: Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign

    The Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign welcomes the Green Party’s alternative budget released today, for recognising the need to grow revenue and ensuring that those who can afford it get to contribute more.

    “The Green Budget recognises that we face enormous challenges as a country and we need to fund government better in order to respond to them,” says Glenn Barclay, spokesperson for the Better Taxes Campaign.

    “They also promote a range of new taxes that will help ensure that we all contribute according to our ability to pay.”

    “When compared to other countries like Denmark, Germany, Austria and France we are a low tax country. At the same time we face growing inequality, an enormous infrastructure deficit, the challenges of climate change, health services that are in crisis and public services that are struggling to cope. The need to increase government revenue is urgent,” says Glenn Barclay.

    The Green’s proposals include a wealth tax, a more progressive income tax (including a tax free threshold), reversing interest deductibility for rental properties, and raising the tax on corporations.  The Green Budget stops short of introducing a full capital gains tax but restores the Bright Line Test for taxing the capital gains on housing to 10 years.

    “These changes are important steps towards a more progressive tax system. They would help address the sources of inequality in our tax system while raising more revenue,” says Glenn Barclay.

    “The lack of a full capital gains tax is interesting and we would like to better understand the rationale for this, but we do welcome the restoration of the Bright Line Test as a step in the right direction.”

    “In many ways we are outliers when you look at countries we like to compare ourselves to and most of these initiatives will just bring us into line with them”.

    “We would also encourage all parties to consider tax system reforms to ensure that multinational companies operating in New Zealand are not escaping paying tax and improve tax transparency for more effective and efficient revenue gathering.”

    The Better taxes for a Better Future Campaign was launched in June 2023 with the support of 21 partner organisations. It is seeking a tax system that:

    Is fully transparent.
    Ensures people who have more to contribute make that contribution: that we gather more revenue from wealth, gains from wealth, all forms of income, and corporates.
    Makes greater use of fair taxes to promote good health and environmental health.
    Addresses the tax impact on the least well-off in our society.
    Raises more revenue to enable us to address the social, economic and environmental challenges we face.

  • Economy – Examining Māori Access to Capital – Market Failures – Reserve Bank

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua

    14 May 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has published a Bulletin article which discusses the barriers Māori face in accessing capital that may be associated with market failures or imperfections.

    The Bulletin highlights barriers specific to Māori, including legislative constraints that make it challenging to use Māori land as loan collateral and low trust and awareness between Māori and banks. Māori are also more likely to live in rural areas and face market failures common to rural credit markets.

    The market failures that tend to be associated with these financing gaps are all forms of information failure or asymmetry.

    Assistant Governor Simone Robbers says that Māori face persistent barriers to accessing capital, many of which stem from market failures or imperfections.

    “These barriers contribute to ongoing financial exclusion which has broader economic consequences. It can weaken the financial system’s ability to allocate capital efficiently and limit the potential of the New Zealand economy, especially given the growing significance of the Māori economy,” says Ms Robbers.

    Various initiatives have been introduced to address information gaps and improve access to capital for Māori. These include better data collection, cultural training, and financial literacy programmes. Steps have also been taken to facilitate lending on Māori land and develop tailored bank products, though uptake remains low.

    Although the Māori economy has grown significantly and business financing gaps between Māori and non-Māori appear to be narrowing, further efforts are needed to completely close the gap and unlock the full potential of the Māori economy.

    Improved data collection, innovations in the financial system, AML/CFT reforms, and further legislative changes have been identified as ways that could ease barriers and support development in a way that recognises and promotes the cultural and economic significance of Māori.

    “Identifying where market failures exist is important for informing targeted and effective public policy interventions that support more inclusive and efficient financial outcomes,” says Chief Economist Paul Conway.

    This research builds on the Reserve Bank’s 2022 “Improving Māori Access to Capital” Issues Paper. It continues our commitment to exploring and addressing structural challenges in the financial system in line with our Financial Policy Remit and 2024 Letter of Expectations.
     

    More information

    Māori Access to Capital – Market Failures – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=2d6397b9f4&e=f3c68946f8
     
    What are market failures or imperfections? A market failure refers to a situation where a competitive market fails to allocate resources efficiently.
     
    Improving Māori Access to Capital” Issues Paper: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=f910dda49c&e=f3c68946f8
     
    Improving access to capital for Māori: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=444f82d571&e=f3c68946f8

  • New public research organisation boards dominated by men – PSA

    Source: PSA

    In a week when the government has been under fire for its rollback of pay equity, the announcement today of two of the three new Public Research Organisations (PRO) Boards has raised concerns for their lack of diversity.
    A PSA assessment of the announcement by the Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, Hon Dr Shane Reti, shows that the boards of the New Zealand Institute of Earth Sciences and the New Zealand Institute of Bioeconomy Science are collectively over 70 per cent male.
    These two institutes are replacing the soon-to-be merged entities AgResearch, Scion, Manaaki Whenua, Plant and Food, NIWA, and GNS. The Boards of these CRIs collectively have a roughly 50-50 gender split, with 20 men and 22 women across the six Boards.
    “It’s pretty outrageous that in 2025 that we are still seeing Boards – any Board, but particularly publicly funded research Boards – be made up of a majority of men,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, said.
    “There are more men called Paul on the Earth Science Institute Board than there are women.”
    Of the 11 people named on the two Boards today, all had previously served as Crown Research Institute (CRI) directors, bar one exception.
    “It really just looks like a shuffle of the existing CRI board members, but the women got the sack,” Fitzsimons said.
    According to the 2018 census, women make up 48 per cent of roles within STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), but only 30 per cent are in leadership positions.
    “These appointments are a real throwback to when the sciences were completely and utterly dominated by men.
    “The gains that women have made in science over the past few decades are in no way reflected here. How can we possibly expect women to join STEM professions when our public institutions don’t represent them or their interests?
    “The National government continues to show us its true colours this week. The message to women is pretty clear – we’re not interested in what you have to say and you’re not invited to the table.”

  • Banking Sector – The Co-operative Bank outranks the big 5 for customer satisfaction again

    Source: The Co-operative Bank

    The Co-operative Bank says it is delighted to win the Consumer People’s Choice Award for banking.
    The Co-operative Bank has taken out the top spot in Consumer’s 2025 banking satisfaction survey, earning a score of 77% of customers who are very satisfied, which is 20% higher than New Zealand’s biggest bank and 15% higher than the average score across all banks.
    The Co-operative Bank, which is fully owned by its customers, has been voted #1 by customers in the Consumer People’s Choice Award for nine out of the past 10 years.
    Chief Executive Mark Wilkshire says the win is a testament to the bank’s commitment to putting customers first.
    “It shows that bigger is not necessarily better. The Co-operative Bank punches well above our weight because we focus relentlessly on doing better for our customers, who also own the bank.”
    “As owners of the Co-operative, our customers can expect better from us than they can from other banks. They can expect better accountability, transparency and customer experiences,” Mark Wilkshire says.
    One of the ways the Co-operative is delivering better is through competitive rates. It today announced a drop to its floating home loan interest rate from 6.20% to 5.95% p.a., which would make it the lowest rate of this type currently being offered by any bank in NZ, as well as offering competitive 1 and 2 year fixed rates at 4.99% per annum.
    “The cut to our floating rate reflects the importance of offering customers more options.
    Customers can opt for floating rates while they decide when to fix or, for some customers, having some or all of their mortgage on floating gives them flexibility,” Mark Wilkshire said.
    “We remain committed to helping our customers to bank better every day and we are actively working on more improvements to our products and services that our customers have asked for.”
    As well as being voted first overall, The Co-operative Bank was rated #1 in four categories: its mobile app, digital banking features, interest on savings and personal loan interest rates.
    The floating rate change is effective for new loans from 15 May and existing loans from 29 May.
    About The Co-operative Bank:
    The Co-operative Bank is a customer-owned co-operative that operates in retail banking and associated personal financial services across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our approach to banking is about leaving everyone better off – our customers, our people, the Co-operative, and our communities. We are here to grow together and share the gains. All profits stay in New Zealand and since 2013 The Co-operative Bank has shared $24million with eligible customer shareholders as rebates.

  • Equal Pay Amendment Act

    Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE (2)

    The Government is committed to maintaining a process to raise and resolve pay equity claims and these changes will ensure the process is workable and sustainable.

    The changes to the Equal Pay Act through the Equal Pay Amendment Act include a better process to raise and resolve claims of sex-based undervaluation in the pay of female-dominated work when a pay equity claim is made. 

    The process will ensure parties can more confidently assess whether there is sex-based undervaluation in the pay of female-dominated work.

    While these changes will mean all current pay equity claims will be discontinued, new claims can be raised under the amended Act if they meet the new requirements. Review clauses in existing settlements will become unenforceable.

    Read more about the changes on the MBIE website:

    Equal Pay Amendment Act

    Read the Minister’s announcement from earlier this month:

    Changes to improve pay equity process(external link)  — Beehive.govt.nz

  • Update: Nayland Road re-opens

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Nayland Road has reopened following an earlier incident.

    Cordons and lockdowns at nearby schools were lifted at around 3:20pm.

    There is not believed to be any threat to the public following this incident.

    A person has been spoken to, and no further Police action is required.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

  • Auckland Council announces first stage of CCO Reform

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Auckland Council’s Chief Executive, Phil Wilson, has confirmed the final decisions of the Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) Reform consultation with staff across the Auckland Council Group, aimed at achieving greater strategic alignment, accountability and better outcomes for Auckland.

    Following the Governing Body’s request for CCO reform in December last year, the decisions outline how best to integrate into Auckland Council: Eke Panuku Development Auckland, as well as the economic development functions of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. 

    From 1 July, there will be three new functions within Auckland Council focused on creating an inclusive, innovative and resilient Auckland economy.

    • An Auckland Urban Development Office responsible for driving integrated implementation and delivery of quality urban development in the council group’s identified growth priority areas and large-scale projects. It will apply an economic and commercial lens. The Auckland Urban Development Office would include urban regeneration and place-based leadership on agreed large-scale projects.

    • Creation of a Property Department within Auckland Council responsible for system leadership, providing centre of excellence advice and the delivery of our customer facing property functions from across Auckland Council and Eke Panuku, including the management of commercial property, Westhaven, Silo and Viaduct Marinas, and the leasing of our community property facilities. The focus of this team will be to optimise value from our property assets across the council group and ensure decisions are made by appropriately experienced staff who will take into account the council’s overall strategic direction.

    • An Economic Development Office focused on economic development for the council group and responsible for business attraction, social and sector innovation, economic transformation and industry development support with a vision of inclusive, innovative, resilient economic growth for a prosperous Auckland.

    Mr Wilson says he is genuinely excited about the establishment of a highly strategic Urban Development Office within Auckland Council that will take the council’s ability to support regeneration and development for Auckland to a new level.

    “The office will be a clear ‘front door’ and single point of contact for our external investor, developer, private sector, iwi, and Crown agency partners. It will streamline and enhance our ability to achieve smart and sustainable urban development outcomes in strategically prioritised regeneration and growth locations. Including greenfield where appropriate.

    “Likewise, I’m delighted to finalise a robust structure to take a systems-leadership role across the council and bring about consistency in the way we manage our considerable property holdings. Property is a key strategic lever to build strong communities, provide council services, and shape or enable good quality growth. Our new structure will set us up for success by bringing the important and interrelated property functions together.

    “Getting both of these areas right is significant because, as Auckland continues to grow and as government planning, funding and infrastructure policy direction evolves, we need to be ready to respond to the increasing opportunities and challenges,” says Mr Wilson.

    Additionally, Mr Wilson has confirmed decisions to improve the programming and delivery of events, placemaking and activations across the group, resulting in a unified group approach with clearer areas of responsibility for teams. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited would lead regional programming and deliver all regional, mega, major and city centre events; Auckland Council Events would deliver local and civic events; and the Auckland Urban Development Office would lead and deliver placemaking and activation activities in priority locations to mitigate the impact of capital delivery works and regeneration programmes.

    In the city centre, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited will lead events, manage Aotea Square and Te Komititanga and be the primary lead for activations in the city centre. The Auckland Urban Development Office will deliver placemaking and will lead activations in the city centre directly related to capital works and development programmes, particularly where needed to support transformation in regeneration areas or mitigate disruption from construction.

    “These important changes will provide our staff with clear areas of responsibility which is the foundation for effective collaboration. We’ll also begin using a single Auckland Council brand across our events and a shared regional calendar so Aucklanders can have complete picture of what’s happening in their region,” he says.

    Recruitment is now underway for the new positions created in the Auckland Urban Development Office and Property Department and enabling functions to bring the new operating model and structure to life.

    About the CCO Reform Transition Programme

    On 12 December 2024, the Governing Body requested Auckland Council proceed with changes to our CCO model to strengthen the Auckland Council Group. 

    The Mayor and Councillors noted the valued contribution made by all kaimahi and reiterated that this isn’t about changing service levels. This is about reviewing how the services are best delivered. It was agreed that the work would seek to align and reinvigorate the CCO model; strengthen council’s ability to support elected members to make integrated decisions; and ensure the Auckland Council Group is set up in the best way to deliver on its Long-term Plan and broader vision for Auckland.

    Lead by experienced kaimahi from across the council group, there are four workstreams to shape recommendations for a new way of working that ensures we are best set up to deliver for Tāmaki Makaurau: the Structural integration of Eke Panuku and the economic development activities of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited; Strengthening the CCO model; and Transport Reform and Auckland Council Group Shared Services.

  • Guardians of the Gulf: meet the summer biosecurity champions

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Over the sun-soaked days of summer, a dedicated crew in bright blue shirts was hard at work at marinas, boat ramps, and community events across Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

    These were the biosecurity champions – nineteen passionate people on a mission to protect the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana and its precious islands from invasive pests.

    Armed with knowledge, smiles, and a deep love for nature, the champions clocked over 2,000 hours over the season, connecting with nearly 15,000 boaties, fishers, divers, and curious beachgoers.

    Their goal?

    To stop hitchhiking pests like rats, plague skinks, and Argentine ants from sneaking onto the Gulf’s predator-free islands, home to rare species like saddlebacks, blue penguins, and kiwi.

    “It’s been an awesome summer out at local marinas and boat ramps, chatting with boaties and the local community about our beautiful Hauraki Gulf and the biosecurity risks it faces!” said Anna Moir, a returning champion.

    “People really want to help once they know how important it is. I’ve felt empowered and proud to be part of the fight to protect our little slice of paradise.”

    Their message was simple but powerful: check, clean, and close your gear. Whether it’s a chilly bin, dive bag, or a kayak hatch, any place a pest can hide needs to be checked before heading to an island; even things like firewood, pot plants, or muddy shoes can carry biosecurity threats.

    The champions were vital in spreading the word about new Controlled Area Notices (CANs) and educating the public on marine pests like exotic caulerpa. They brought biosecurity to the forefront at big events like the Auckland Boat Show and the Moana Festival where people not only learned but got excited about helping out.

    For Lewis Luo, a first-time champion, the role was more than just a summer job.

    “This role has given me a wonderful feeling of community. I feel privileged to work alongside such a talented and like-minded team to help protect our wonderful Hauraki Gulf.”

    Inspired by his experience, Lewis is now planning a career in environmental protection.

    Thanks to funding from the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) and support from Biosecurity New Zealand, this was the largest group of champions yet. And judging by the smiles, stories, and new awareness sparked this summer, it won’t be the last.

    Want to be part of something meaningful next summer? Join the Biosecurity Champions and help ensure our islands remain pest free for generations to come.

    Your bright blue shirt could be the start of something big.

    Everyone is encouraged to stay informed and play an active role as a Biosecurity Champion.

    Contact us: biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you have concerns or want to report a pest sighting.

  • Names announced for new science organisations

    Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE (2)

    These new organisations, formed by merging and refocusing New Zealand’s 7 existing Crown Research Institutes, will concentrate on key areas of national importance to deliver a science system that is more connected, more commercially focused, and better aligned with the needs of New Zealand.  

    The new institutes will be:

    • New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science – advancing innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protecting ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and developing new bio-based technologies and products.
    • New Zealand Institute for Earth Science – supporting energy security and sustainability; developing land, marine and mineral resources; and improving resilience to natural hazards and climate-related risks.
    • New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science – strengthening public health through disease detection and response; and supporting public safety through forensic science services.

    To lead this transformation, Barry Harris has been appointed Chair of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, and David Smol has been appointed Chair of the Earth Science Institute. Both bring outstanding leadership and deep sector experience and will be supported by highly capable deputy chairs and directors. 

    Kim Wallace has been appointed Deputy Chair for the Institute for Bioeconomy Science, with Candace Kinser, Andrew Morrison and Gray Baldwin as directors.

    Mary-Anne Macleod will be Deputy Chair for the Earth Science Institute alongside directors Paul Connell, Paul White, Peter Landon-Lane and Professor Chris Bumby.

    Existing governance will remain in place for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) as they refocus to become the Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science.

    See existing governance for ESR:

    Our people(external link) — ESR

    Read the Minister’s announcement:

    Bold science reforms to fuel economic growth(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz