NZ Engine

Category: MIL-OSI

  • Greenpeace – Luxon’s war on nature opens gate for more dairy conversion

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling out the Luxon Government for “leaving the gate wide open” to more dairy conversion with no plan to protect fresh water from pollution.
    Temporary rules that restricted the conversion of farmland to intensive dairy were in place until 1 January this year, to allow time for Regional Councils to implement the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. This was effectively a stop-gap to prevent further degradation of lakes, rivers and drinking water.
    However, the Luxon Government repealed many of those intended protections last year, blocked Regional Councils from implementing their own freshwater plans, and allowed the dairy conversion restrictions to be lifted without replacing them. BussinessDesk has reported that Environment Canterbury has approved several dairy farm conversions this year.
    Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says, “Everyone, no matter where they live, should be able to drink the water from their kitchen tap without getting sick. But this basic right is under threat by an already oversized intensive dairy industry that’s set to expand further.”
    “They were happy to delay freshwater plans for Regional Councils, and repeal the few freshwater protections we had, but did not extend the stop-gap on dairy conversions. Now that dairy conversions have started up again, we have to ask how many more communities have to have unsafe drinking water before intensive dairy is reigned in?”
    Nearly half of New Zealand’s rivers are now unsafe for swimming, and 20% of the population could be drinking water contaminated with unsafe levels of nitrate. Emerging evidence shows that drinking water nitrate levels from 1mg/L are associated with a higher risk of some health conditions, including colo-rectal cancer. The largest contributor to nitrate contamination is cow urine and the overuse of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser in the intensive dairy industry.
    At water testing events run by Greenpeace in the Ashburton District last month, almost half of all bore water samples tested were above 5 mg/L of nitrate, a level linked to an increased risk of preterm birth. Several Canterbury town supplies are close to or exceed this level, including Darfield, Hinds, and the Oxford Rural 1 supply. The New Zealand College of Midwives recommends that pregnant people consider avoiding water above 5 mg/L for nitrate.
    “We’ve already seen what dairy expansion does – unswimmable rivers and water that’s unsafe to drink. It’s now up to Regional Councils to step up and protect drinking water, lakes and rivers. And if they’re unwilling, for candidates to step up at the Local Body Elections this year to get the job done.”
    “Environment Canterbury must halt any dairy conversion or intensification applications, at a bare minimum, and swiftly take action to protect the health of people and fresh water from dairy pollution.”

  • Government Cuts – Govt spending decision signals crisis and cuts – CTU

    Source: CTU

    The decision to nearly halve the amount of new investment being made in the next Budget signals that this Government doesn’t care about the users of public services, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

    “$1.3bn in operating allowance isn’t enough to pay for cost pressures in health alone ($1.55bn). There is no money for cost pressures in education and other public services, or proposed defence spending. This is a Budget that will be built on cuts to essential services,” said Renney.

    “The fact that this announcement has come only three weeks away from Budget suggests that there is no agreement around the cabinet table about what government should be doing.

    “We now know that we are looking at a Budget where departments will be asked to make further rounds of deep cuts – just after cuts at Budget 2024.

    “The Minister of Finance is blaming borrowing for the need to make cuts. At the last Budget the government borrowed $12bn to pay for tax giveaways, including to landlords and tobacco companies.

    “This decision to cut investment is a choice. When child poverty rises, as it currently is, it’s a choice to not increase support. When we can’t support people losing their job, that’s a choice. This Government’s choices are now very clear.

    “We implore the Government to rethink this decision. It doesn’t help solve the public investment gap that already exists. It doesn’t help tackle unmet need in health and education. It’s time for a better approach, and to rebuild our public services,” said Renney.

  • Northland Regional Council News 29/04/25

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    Climate Resilient Communities Fund open for applications
    Northland Regional Council is inviting applications to the Climate Resilient Communities Fund.
    The fund aims to build community resilience to the effects of climate change by focusing on local needs and community-led solutions. Council has $600,000 to invest in projects that meet the funding criteria, and eligible groups can apply for between $5,000 and $40,000 plus GST.
    Applications must be for projects in Te Taitokerau and from a legal community entity, such as hapū or iwi groups, community or neighbourhood groups, education providers, social enterprises and not-for-profit businesses.
    The fund will support projects focusing on: Food resilience (Te Kai); Water resilience (Te Wai); Energy resilience (Te Ngao); Nature-based resilience (Te Taiao); Planning for resilience (Ngā mahi Whakamahere).
    Applications close 3 June 2025.
    Free open day event at award-winning, sustainable Northland farm
    Anyone interested in sustainable farming is invited to attend the Rob and Mandy Pye – Mangere Falls Farm, Ballance Farm Northland Regional Supreme Winner Open Day in Kōkopu (Whangarei) on May 7.
    The special free event hosted by New Zealand Farm Environmental Trust will include an overview from Rob and Mandy Pye about striking a balance between profitability, environmental stewardship and farm efficiency, a farm tour, presentations from Alison Whiteford (B+LNZ), Northland Regional Council, Kaipara Moana Remediation and Silver Fern Farms, followed by lunch.
    Anyone wishing to attend must ensure all vehicles and footwear are clean (to comply with biosecurity requirements), with 4WDs required to take part in the farm tour (carpooling is recommended where possible).
    The event will be held from 10am and finish with a lunch at 1pm at Mangere Falls Farm, 638 Knight Road, Kōkopu, Whangarei. 

  • Government Cuts – Cuts to public services will be opposed: austerity does not work – PSA

    Source: PSA

    Finance Minister Nicola Willis today has made it clear that austerity is on the horizon for health and other public services with little new money being made available in next month’s Budget.
    In today’s pre-Budget speech the Finance Minister announced that the operating allowance, which funds new operating spending, will be halved to $1.3 billion.
    “This is an irresponsible recipe for failure in health and public services which are already in desperate need of additional investment after reckless cuts and the failure to invest,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “Budget 2025 should be about investing in the services New Zealanders need, particularly health with rising costs of care and an ageing population.
    “But this government remains hell bent on its reckless ideological crusade to downsize our public health system regardless of the consequences.
    “It made a clear choice in last year’s Budget to cut taxes and now the chickens are coming home to roost with the Government’s finances more constrained than they should be.
    “Nicola Willis talks about ‘limited fiscal means’ forcing cuts to the operating allowance – well, she is the author of those, and it is a choice that she made.
    “The PSA will strongly resist any further threats to the jobs of public service or health workers.”
    “This is a recipe for austerity which history tells us does not work, it just creates more misery, and New Zealanders will pay that price from this approach.
    “Budget 2025 will be a sad indictment of the Government’s economic management.”

  • Education and Experience – Local student interns welcomed at Porirua City

    Source: Porirua City Council

    A group of young people from Porirua colleges are getting a taste of the workplace this term as part of the Mahi Rangatahi programme run by Porirua City.
    Now in its fourth year, the Mahi Rangatahi programme provides real-world work experience for young people in Porirua, including developing a CV, applying for a job, having an interview – as well as the hands-on experience of their chosen role.
    With term 2 beginning this week, a group of 12 students from three Porirua schools were welcomed by their new mentors.
    More schools are now involved with the programme, with a student from Te Kura Māori o Porirua joining Mahi Rangatahi for the first time. Students from Mana and Aotea colleges are also getting a taste of the workplace.
    This year’s group of students are experiencing work in a range of teams at Council, including Emergency Management, Communications & Marketing, Arena Fitness, Pātaka Art + Museum, Economic Development, Strategic Partnerships, and Business Technology Support.
    Mahi Rangatahi was introduced as a pilot programme in 2022 following feedback to Council from local schools on what would be most beneficial to help their students understand different career pathway options.
    “The programme develops each year as we receive feedback from the students about what they’ve thought of their experience working at Council,” says Porirua Mayor Anita Baker.
    “It’s more than just work experience – the students go through an interview process and after their internship wraps up, their manager provides them with a reference to help them into future roles.”
    For students or others thinking about potential career pathways, the Porirua Careers Expo is back for 2025, this year happening on Tuesday 13 May, 9.30am-4.30pm at Te Rauparaha Arena.

  • UNICEF to launch groundbreaking project to 3D print prosthetics for war-injured Gaza children

    Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ

    A groundbreaking project to 3D print prosthetic limbs for war-injured children in Gaza will be launched by UNICEF, thanks to funding from a New Zealand organisation.
    Gaza currently has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world. Over 23,000 children have sustained conflict-related injuries, and many thousands are facing disabilities and needing long-term rehabilitation.
    Funding of more than quarter of a million dollars from a new collaboration between UNICEF Aotearoa and the Federated Islamic Association of New Zealand ( FIANZ) has allowed a pilot to launch with the planning of a production facility in Jordan to ‘print’ desperately needed prosthetics.
    3D printed prosthetics cost around a sixth of the price of traditional prosthetics and can be made efficiently based on digital measurements taken using a smart phone. This helps solve the common issues of seriously injured children facing long and treacherous journeys to clinics to be assessed. They also allow for the fact that as children grow, they need new and updated components every six months. The project is intended to vastly improve efficiency and outcomes for children.
    UNICEF is working with leading global prosthetics manufacturers, alongside hospital and physiotherapist teams in the region who will collaborate on the wrap-around services each affected child may need. Partnerships with existing hospitals and facilities will help UNICEF ensure children in Gaza are still reached despite incredibly difficult conditions at the border and the breaking of the previous ceasefire.
    FIANZ president Ibrar Shaikh said the organisation has a focus on improving the lives of children, who are often the most affected by conflict.
    “This project directly addresses the physical and emotional well-being of children, alongside providing a tangible way to restore hope and dignity,” he said.
    “The collaboration between a local organisation like FIANZ and a global entity like UNICEF demonstrates how even smaller organisations can contribute meaningfully to groundbreaking humanitarian efforts. This work serves as an inspiration for other organisations to strive beyond their perceived limitations, reinforcing the collective potential to create a more compassionate and just world”.
    UNICEF Aotearoa CEO Michelle Sharp said the funding collaboration was a leading example of the tangible change and impact that can be made for children.
    “When organisations with a passion to help others, such as FIANZ, join with us – we can make incredible things happen to improve the lives of children who are enduring some of the toughest conditions imaginable,” she said.
    “This funding has meant a groundbreaking project has been able to launch which will go on to become a blueprint for the future as we aim to reach as many children in need as possible. We are honoured to build this relationship with FIANZ and look forward to seeing the outcomes we can achieve together”. 

  • Events – REPORTERS FACING MULTIPLE CHALLENGES COVERING THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY – AUT

    Source: Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
    The challenges faced by journalists covering the climate emergency will be at the heart of a public symposium at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) next month.  
    The symposium, titled Framing the Emergency: Climate Journalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, will explore how journalists report on the climate crisis, what more they can do, and how more climate stories might be told.  
    Speakers will include leading journalists Eloise Gibson (RNZ), Marc Daalder (Newsroom), and Miriama Kamo (TVNZ).  
    Experts and activists in the line-up include Russel Norman (Greenpeace), Jessica Palairet (Lawyers for Climate Action), and Joe Nagera (Pacific Climate Warriors).
    The symposium convenor, Professor Geoffrey Craig, said New Zealand climate journalists had a challenging job relating how the planetary crisis was impacting the nation.  
    They needed to “traverse the complexities of governmental policies and emission trading schemes, the power of corporations and the technicality of scientific research”, he said.  
    “They must cover the politics of land and water management, the advocacy of activists, and the struggles of citizens responding to disasters and building greater sustainability in their communities and everyday lives.”
    Journalists also face the challenge of reporting independently on the “actions and discourses of stakeholders” who frame climate issues in different ways, based on their interests. 
    The climate emergency could be said to transforming our understanding of the relationships between economy, environment and society.  
    “Yet some might argue there is little sense of an ’emergency’ in our public responses to the climate crisis,” he said.  
    “Do we need other climate stories in our media where the mahi and hope of communities point the way forward?”  
    Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is one of the world’s best modern universities. Home to 28,000 students across three campuses, AUT has more than 60 research centres and institutes delivering leading research – from artificial intelligence to robotics,
    and ecology to public health. As a contemporary university, AUT is connected to an extraordinary range of organisations sharing expertise and resources, collaborating on ground-breaking research, and connecting students with industry leaders and employers. 

  • Government Cuts – $1b cut in Budget operating allowance ‘unnecessary and damaging’

    Source: Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign

    The announcement by the Government that it will cut $1b to its Budget operating allowance is unnecessary and damaging, according to the Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign.

    “This cut, on top of last year’s mean spirited Budget, is a result of the 2024 tax cuts, which overwhelmingly favoured the wealthiest New Zealanders, including the $2.9b tax break for landlords,” says Glenn Barclay, spokesperson for the Better Taxes Campaign.

    “The Government has painted itself into a fiscal corner as a consequence and is making decisions that are both unnecessary and damaging because of their unwillingness to recognise that our tax system is broken and that we need to raise more revenue for the betterment of all New Zealanders.”

    “We are seeing the health system in crisis and other essential public services being squeezed,” says Glenn Barclay.

    “While this is an immediate problem, it reflects the failure of successive governments to ensure that we collect sufficient revenue to meet our needs and that those who can afford to pay more in tax do so.”

    New Zealand’s core Crown revenue has averaged around 30% of GDP historically and this is low compared to many European countries, which have much better health systems and public services.

    In 2023, research by Inland Revenue demonstrated that the the wealthiest 310 families in New Zealand had an effective tax rate of around 9% whereas the average New Zealander paid over 20% in tax.

    “It is clear that our health system and public services need better funding, that we need more resources for tackling climate change and that inequality is eating away at our society,” says Glenn Barclay.

    “Our broken tax system lies at the heart of all these pressing issues and we call on the Government and opposition parties to recognise the need to introduce taxes that many other countries have – such as a capital gains tax, an excess profits tax, wealth taxes and wealth transfer taxes.”

    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.

  • BusinessNZ – Regulatory roadblock to be removed

    Source: BusinessNZ

    Swift action to remove a regulatory roadblock in the way of medical innovation, global events and tourism has been applauded by BusinessNZ.
    A ‘nonsensical’ ruling by Medsafe effectively prevents major international medical conferences from being held in New Zealand because displaying new products or sharing the latest research with medics in trade shows is deemed to be “advertising” and therefore prohibited – but now the Government intends to fix the regulations concerned to allow these major global conferences to come here.
    The announced changes means more global organisations can consider New Zealand as a conference destination, and our tourism sector will benefit from the flow on effect of post-conference travel.
    BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says it’s a good example of the Government taking action to remove regulatory barriers to economic growth.
    “New Zealand has been locked out of the multi-billion-dollar global medical conference market because Medsafe’s stance prohibits the trade shows and expos that are usually a valuable part of global medical conferences.
    “But the economics of running a large international conference often depend on there being a major expo or trade show associated with the event, where companies can share information about their latest products and medical research.
    “Medsafe’s ruling makes it uneconomic for large medical conferences to be held here, meaning multi-million-dollar lost opportunities for New Zealand and our medics have to travel to conferences outside of New Zealand to hear about the latest drugs, devices and procedures.
    “Over the years many professional associations and medical organisations with annual conferences on a global circuit have wanted to come to New Zealand, but have had to rule out coming here because of the financial hit of not being able to hold a world-class trade show to support their event.
    “New Zealand’s unique stance is nonsensical. Sharing information and new research with medical experts in a closed setting is in no way unsafe. We know of no other country that has taken the same stance, but we do know this is why New Zealand conference centres and our local economy regularly lose out to Australia when global conference circuits rotate to the Southern Hemisphere.
    “It’s excellent news that the Government plans to fix the regulations to make clear that global medical conferences are welcome in New Zealand.
    “New Zealand stands to gain an estimated $90 million in revenue over the next few years with the dismantling of this roadblock to economic growth.”
    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.

  • Govt’s further backtrack on Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Pharmac endangers Māori health – PSA

    Source: PSA

    Pharmac’s proposal to axe its specialist Māori advisory team is another sad example of the low priority the Government places on improving the health of Māori.
    The proposed scrapping of the Māori Directorate announced to staff today will see a net loss of three roles, including those responsible for supporting an anti-racism research programme, and the roles responsible for supporting the work of the now-defunct Māori Advisory Group.
    “This is an abandonment of Pharmac’s commitment to the health of Māori and another breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” said Janice Panoho, Te Kaihautū Māori for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    This follows a decision in October last year to scrap the independent Māori Advisory Group, Te Rōpū Māori, made up of medical specialists including doctors, pharmacists and researchers.
    This was a result of the Government’s Letter of Expectations to Pharmac instructing it to stop embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in its funding decisions.
    “This latest proposal flies in the face of Pharmac’s statutory obligation to consider equity and address racism in access to medicines – this change will further diminish the voice of Māori in Pharmac’s funding decisions.
    “The dismantling of Pharmac’s Māori leadership capacity is unacceptable. It sends a clear message to our communities, that Māori voices in the health system can be ignored, erased, and sidelined.
    “Across the public service, the Government is overriding its legal obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and washing its hands of the partnership between the Crown and Māori that previous governments embraced.
    “We urge the Government and Pharmac to not walk away from Te Tiriti o Waitangi if it’s serious about improving the health outcomes of Māori.”
    The PSA stands with its Māori members at Pharmac and calls for a firm recommitment to equity in health outcomes for Māori and its community.