Category: MIL-OSI

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

A pacemaker with a ‘beat’ that responds to breathing is showing good results in studies and is now being trialled in Kiwi heart patients.

A pacemaker that mimics the heart’s naturally variable rhythm is being trialled in humans for the first time with no adverse effects reported and the promise of improved outcomes.

The first-in-human trials started in the Waikato, New Zealand just before Christmas and are now being conducted in Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia, and Bristol and Cardiff in the UK.

Usual pacemakers support a regular, monotonic beat in the patient’s heart, but our hearts naturally beat irregularly depending on our breathing.

The new pacemaker would vary according to respiration and has shown improvements in the health animal models so far, with a new study offering further evidence. See below.

The first patient was in Waikato hospital just before Christmas. The pacemaker is being tested in patients coming out of a heart operation in which temporary pacing wires are fitted that allows doctors to connect the new pacemaker to them for a few days.

Professor Martin Stiles, a cardiologist at Waikato Hospital, is overseeing the trial there and is hopeful about the novel pacemaker.

“This new technology is moving toward replicating the way nature has evolved pulse variability to make the most efficient use of the heart’s function,” Stiles says.

“Remarkably, researchers have found in sheep that our pacemaker allows the ability to exercise again despite heart failure, which usually prohibits any exertional activity, says study lead Professor Julian Paton, director of Manaaki Manawa, Centre for Heart Research in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

“We believe that, if patients have the choice of a pacemaker, then one that improves exercise performance without the need to undergo training will be a preferred option,” Paton says.

The new study led by colleague Associate Professor Rohit Ramchandra tested whether sheep’s ability to exercise was improved by a variable heart pacemaker. Sheep’s heart functions are similar to human’s.

“This is important since the ability to exercise can dramatically improve quality of life in patients with heart failure,” Ramchandra says.

“Our findings indicated that respiratory heart rate variability pacing improves baseline levels of heart function but also dramatically improves the capacity of the heart to pump blood during exercise. This translates to more blood being delivered to muscles during exercise.

“Remarkably, respiratory heart rate variability pacing also improved the recovery time of the heart post-exercise, which is an established marker of physical fitness.”

The researchers also tested whether the variable pacing improved heart function when the sheep remained on heart medications.

“We found variable pacing continues to improve heart function against a background of current medication. None of these changes happened in the group which underwent conventional monotonic pacing.”

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Legislation to disestablish New Zealand’s centralised vocational education and training system has passed its first reading in Parliament, Vocational Education and Training Minister Penny Simmonds says.

“Today, we’ve taken a major step forward toward a vocational education and training system that works for learners, employers, industries and local communities,” Ms Simmonds says.

“The Bill, which has passed its first reading, will return decision-making to where it belongs — in the hands of regional polytechnics and industry.

“This is a commonsense reset that ensures polytechnic education and training is responsive to regional needs and work-based learning for apprentices and trainees is led by the industries that rely on it.”

The Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill proposes a structural reset of vocational education, focusing on two key priorities: restoring local decision-making for polytechnics, and giving industry greater leadership in standard setting and work-based learning.

Among the key changes in the Bill are:

• Disestablishing Te Pūkenga and creating a network of regional polytechnics, which will operate as standalone institutions or within a federation. Te Pūkenga will remain as a transitional entity for one year to manage unallocated programmes and activities.
• Replacing Workforce Development Councils with new Industry Skills Boards, effective 1 January 2026. These statutory bodies will be governed primarily by industry representatives and responsible for setting standards, undertaking workforce planning, and advising the Tertiary Education Commission on relevant funding matters.
• Transferring work-based learning functions from Te Pūkenga to Industry Skills Boards for up to two years, allowing time for new delivery arrangements across polytechnics, private training establishments, and Wānanga to be developed.
• Amending training levy provisions to enable Industry Skills Boards to levy industry members, subject to industry support.

Ms Simmonds says implementation will take up to two years, with the first group of polytechnics and new Industry Skills Boards in place from 1 January 2026.

“Industry knows the skills it needs. That’s why we’re putting them back in charge of standard setting and qualification development for their industry,” Ms Simmonds says.

“This is about building a stronger, more relevant system — one that sets our people and our economy up for future success.

“We look forward to hearing what New Zealanders think during the select committee process so that we can get on with the changes.”

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

Illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour have no place in our neighbourhoods—that’s the clear message being delivered by local residents and community partners working together to create safer, cleaner spaces in Māngere.

At a recent Māngere East Community Safety meeting, led by the team at ME Family Services and Cleek Road Residents, and funded through the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board’s safety work programme, residents voiced their concerns about rising anti-social behaviour at Radonich Park in Māngere East, especially over weekends and late nights.

Key issues raised included alcohol consumption, loud noise, dangerous driving in the carpark, disturbances affecting nearby residents and illegal dumping.

A community-led BBQ brought together local groups and regular park users to kōrero (talk) the challenges they face at Radonich Park, fostering connection and understanding.

Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says, “This kind of behaviour is simply unacceptable, and we won’t stand for it. We are fully committed to making a change and will work alongside our community to make this happen. Our board recently met with residents and saw firsthand the impact these issues are having. It’s deeply upsetting to witness the blatant disrespect for our environment, particularly with illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour that is making it unsafe for locals.

“Council staff are taking immediate action to tackle these issues, including securing the main gates during park hours, enforcing the liquor ban with signage, and addressing illegal dumping. These concerns have also been raised with the Community Prevention Policing team, who will help support and keep our residents safe.”

Illegal Dumping If you see dumped rubbish on public property, call 0800 NO DUMP (0800 663 867). Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Large piles of rubbish illegally dumped at the local community garden.

Council takes illegal dumping seriously. All reports will be investigated. Offenders could face fines of up to $400, and serious cases may result in prosecution under the Litter Act 1979, with penalties of up to $30,000.

A sad sight: images of illegal dumping taken during a recent walkthrough of the gardens.

Anti-social behaviour

Another area of concern is ongoing antisocial behaviour in the park, particularly during weekends and late-night hours. The main issues are alcohol use, loud noise, speeding in the carpark, and disturbances to nearby residents.

During a recent cleanup, the team came across alcohol boxes and bottles scattered across the area, a stark reminder of the disrespect shown to our community spaces.

Bakulich adds, “We’ve stressed the importance of safety and urged residents not to intervene in escalating situations. Their wellbeing is our top priority. We are incredibly proud of our community for stepping up and wanting to be a part of the solution. Together, we’re working to make the area safe and a welcoming space for everyone.”

The end goal is simple: working together to create a safe and thriving environment, where anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping will not be tolerated, and fines will be enforced.

Stay connected

Sign up for our Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board e-newsletter and get it delivered to your inbox each month. 

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

Auckland Council has met its full year’s savings target – securing its $66 million savings goal three months ahead of schedule.

The council’s ongoing focus on value for money and cost-effectiveness is part of a savings programme to help reduce the burden on general ratepayers, with savings targets set in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034.

Presented at May’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, the $66.6 million in savings to date this financial year exceeds the council’s $66 million total annual goal.

These savings build on ongoing savings of $90 million per year previously achieved. Combined, this means $156.6 million of savings achieved for the current financial year.

“Cost reductions are the reason for Auckland’s low rate rises compared to other councils,” says Mayor Wayne Brown. “Under my direction, council staff have worked hard to find savings across the group, as I promised Aucklanders.

“I am happy with this result, but the pressure needs to be kept up. My new rules for capital spending would have saved a lot more had they been enacted sooner.” 

Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee chair Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson reiterated that the savings are directly used to keep rates rises down.

“It’s important to show Aucklanders that we are committed to find savings, before we come to the ratepayer to deliver on what we need,” says Cr Simpson.

“Over the past three years we have achieved $403 million in cumulative savings – exceeding the total $374 million target. Without these savings, rates for 2024/2025 could have been around 6 per cent higher.

“Having the latest $66 million locked in as savings has enabled the council to keep rates at a 5.8 per cent increase, despite continued record levels of investment and ongoing cost pressures on our operations.”

Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson echoed the positive impact these savings have in delivering further value for ratepayers.

“We are focused on delivering value for money across the business and embedding that philosophy into every project and team,” says Phil.

“Achieving the full savings results early shows how much we’re actively challenging ourselves and doing things differently. This will ensure our limited resources go further and we can ultimately deliver more and better for Auckland.”

The $66.6 million savings comes from a further $23.4 million in savings achieved during quarter three (January-March 2025) on top of $43.2 million earlier in the year.

Recent savings were achieved in a range of areas, including efficiencies in outsourced waste collection costs, reduced professional services, and careful management of staff and other costs.

Of the $66.6 million of savings achieved to date this financial year, $34.8 million have been achieved on an ongoing basis, with a long-term recurring impact. All savings are directly used to keep rates and debt down.

The council continues to manage spend and ensure value for every dollar, improve non-rates revenue and continued savings for 2024/2025.

In addition to work on achieving savings targets, the council is also progressing the new Better Value Projects initiative and Value for Money reviews to help deliver good value for ratepayer money.

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

A long-term plan initiative for Auckland Council to do more with less, is reinventing how the council uses technology and purchases services, while also delivering better customer experiences.

The product of Auckland Council’s Long-term Plan 2024-2034, Group Shared Services was tasked with improving efficiency in back office services across the council group and enhancing customer experience.

At May’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, chair Desley Simpson applauded the division’s focus on smart solutions.

“We’re seeing technology and services that are smart for the council business at all levels – benefiting our ratepayers, delivering better customer service and building efficiency across the council group,” says Cr Simpson.

“We have a commitment to look at every decision and make sure we’re negotiating the very best deals by leveraging the scale of council and its CCOs, considering all the options and using the resources we have in-house.”

Ways we’re doing things differently

• Renegotiating key contracts – from property to new licenses, an unnecessary spend of nearly $18 million over 10 years has been avoided.

• Reinventing technology – new GIS aerial imagery will bring in an estimated $32 million to Auckland’s economy. The technology will also make urban planning and infrastructure easier, inform environmental conservation and increase accuracy for legal and planning purposes.

• Increased sharing of resources – we are providing Port of Auckland with access to group software, which saves about $140,000. Further savings of $130,000 has been secured for a Watercare IT licence.

• Delivering new tools faster and cheaper in-house, like the Vote Aucklanders website for the upcoming election and flood recovery data analysis saving $150,000.

Delivering benefits to ratepayers

Group shared services director Richard Jarrett said the division is striving to deliver measurable benefits to ratepayers, through everyday opportunities.

“We are looking at every new contract, service update, tool or technology across the council and the council-controlled organisations with a fresh eye,” says Mr Jarrett.

“In each case, we challenge ourselves on how we can deliver differently and better than before, and we believe it’s adding value for Aucklanders.”

Source: Argument for Lifting NZ Super Age

While professional athletes are in training across the world ahead of the next Winter Olympics, to be held in Italy during early 2026, New Zealand drivers are being reminded not to race on the roads this winter.

Colder temperatures are already being felt across the South Island, increasing the chance of weather conditions impacting the state highway network, explains Mark Pinner, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) System Manager.

“Large parts of the state highway network across the central and lower South Island are at high elevations, which means they’re the first to get frosts, snow or ice. While our contractors are constantly monitoring weather forecasts and patrolling the network, it’ss crucial that everyone plays their part. We saw snow on the Lindis Pass a few weeks ago, and we had a light snowfall around Burke’s Pass and Tekapo this week.

“Inland areas across the region will also experience frosts and icy roads when temperatures drop in the winter months. By reducing your speed and increasing your following distance you will significantly reduce the likelihood of a crash occurring. Use your headlights to be seen and avoid sudden braking or turning to reduce the risk of losing control.”

Winter driving tips

NZTA, along with our maintenance contractors, works closely with MetService, who provide a specialised forecasting to predict and monitor road conditions. This includes a network of weather stations that provide critical data such as temperature, wind speed, rainfall, and road surface temperatures to inform both immediate responses and long-term planning.

Where possible, contractors will proactively apply grit or Calcium Magnesium Acetate (a de-icer) to reduce the impact of snow and ice. However, it pays for drivers to take extra care in winter, as conditions can change rapidly.

“When following a grit truck it’s important to remember that the road ahead won’t be gritted, and may well be slippery. Drivers should also watch out for shaded areas – these take longer to warm up and dry out, so could still be slippery even hours after the rest of the road is fine.

“At times roads may need to be closed, to keep both road users and roadworkers safe. We may look to close the road as poor conditions are coming in, to ensure that people don’t get caught out. If you’re travelling over the winter months it pays to be prepared – packing warm clothes, snacks and water will ensure you have provisions should the weather turn.”

Road users travelling across the country can find the latest information about the state highway network on the NZTA Journey Planner.

Journey Planner(external link)

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Catherine Savage has been appointed as a Director of Kiwi Group Capital Ltd (KGC) from 20 May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown announced today.“Catherine Savage is a distinguished business leader with over 30 years’ experience spanning public and private sectors across Asia Pacific. Kiwi Group Capital Ltd will benefit from the wealth of experience she is able to bring to the role,” Nicola Willis says. KGC oversees investments in its subsidiaries Kiwibank and New Zealand Home Loans, developing the group’s banking and financial services business.Simeon Brown says Ms Savage brings substantial governance experience in the investment and asset management sectors. “She has sound strategic leadership, financial management, and responsible investment across multiple sectors supported by formal qualifications as a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, the Institute of Directors, and the Institute of Financial Professionals New Zealand,” Simeon Brown says.Catherine Savage is a Former Managing Director of AMP Capital and long-serving Chair of the NZ Super Fund. She currently holds directorships with NZ Rugby, Beca, and global organisations including the Pacific Pension Institute, and was previously on the boards of Kiwibank and Infratil.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

These recommendations follows the Speaker’s ruling on 10 December 2024 that a question of privilege arose from the actions of the Hon Peeni Henare, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi following the first reading debate on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill on 14 November 2024. 

 At the conclusion of that debate, and during the vote, the four members left their seats to perform the haka, and three of the members advanced towards the seats of another party – something The Speaker has ruled cannot be considered anything other than disorderly. 

 All four MPs were referred to the Privileges Committee and subsequently invited to appear before it; Mr Henare did so and accepted he should not have left his seat. The Committee recommended he apologise to the House for acting in a disorderly manner that disrupted a vote being taken and impeded the House in its functions, and he unreservedly did so on 25 March 2025. 

 However, the three other MPs declined to appear before the Committee, ostensibly because the Committee rejected their request to appear together rather than individually – while clarifying that each member would be able to attend in the public gallery. 

 The Committee wanted them to appear individually as it considered that would be of most assistance to it in considering the question of privilege. It especially wanted to clarify whether there was any pre-meditation behind the actions, given Ms Maipi-Clarke told media Mr Waititi was supposed to rip up the bill and start the haka but instead handed it to her to do so. 

 The Committee sought to arrange hearings twice more but the members declined each opportunity. 

 We have therefore had to consider this matter based on observations on 14 November, including video footage. 

 This footage clearly shows Ms Maipi-Clarke casting her party’s vote before proceeding to rip up the bill and start a haka. 

 The Speaker can be heard saying “No, don’t do that” before rising to his feet. 

 However, a number of Opposition party members then rose to their feet and joined Ms Maipi-Clarke in performing the haka, with Ms Maipi-Clarke, Mr Henare, Ms Ngarewa-Packer and Mr Waititi leaving their seats. 

 Ms Maipi-Clarke, Ms Ngarewa-Packer, and Mr Waititi moved across the chamber floor to face members of the ACT Party, who were seated at their desks. Ms Ngarewa-Packer approached the front of the ACT Party desks and, while performing the haka, pointed at ACT Party members using a hand gesture similar to a finger gun. 

 At the conclusion of the haka, Ms Ngarewa-Packer repeated the gesture and, simulating a firing motion, said “e noho” [sit down]. The Speaker suspended the sitting of the House. 

When the House resumed nearly 30 minutes later, the Speaker ruled that Ms Maipi-Clarke’s conduct was “appallingly disrespectful” and “grossly disorderly”. He moved that Ms Maipi-Clarke be suspended from the House and the motion was agreed to. 

Based on our review of the video footage, we consider that the facts of the matter are clear – and occurred as I’ve already outlined. 

We invited Ms Maipi-Clarke, Ms Ngarewa-Packer and Mr Waititi to provide written evidence and they jointly responded, saying their actions were an expression of tikanga, upholding the values and obligations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and their tino rangatiratanga. 

 One of their arguments was that tikanga Māori and haka are not matters for the Privileges Committee to consider. 

On this the Committee agrees with them: it is not there to set or debate the rules of Parliament but rather to uphold the rules as they are, not as people may wish them to be. 

To be clear, the haka is not banned in the House. However, the rules of Parliament – the Standing Orders under which it operates – states permission has first to be obtained from the Speaker, and that any actions must not impede the business of the House. 

 No such permission was sought for the 14 November haka, and it most certainly did impede the business of the House as it was carried out during a vote. 

 The ensuing chaos led to the Speaker suspending the House for nearly 30 minutes. 

 So here we are at the crux of the matter. It is not about the haka. It is not about tikanga. It is not about the Treaty of Waitangi. 

 It is about following the rules of Parliament, that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledge to follow. 

 It does not matter our gender, our ethnicity or our beliefs. In this House we are all simply Members of Parliament and, like any institution, it has rules. 

Standing Orders already include severe penalties for people who break the rules, without the requirement to go to the Privileges Committee. For example, any member who is suspended under Standing Order 92 that subsequently refuses to obey the Speaker’s direction to leave the Chamber can be suspended from the House for the remainder of the calendar year without further question. I’m quoting from Standing Order 95, for the avoidance of doubt. 

In this instance, the Speaker referred the matter to the Privileges Committee, which subsequently carried out a thorough inquiry over six months before coming to a majority decision. 

 Make no mistake, this was a very serious incident, the likes of which I have never before seen in my 23 years in the debating chamber. 

I am a robust debater, as many of you will know, but I follow the rules of the institution I am a proud member of and I appreciate and accept that my views are not those of all in this House. That is why we are the House of Representatives. 

 We cannot bring this House into disrepute by ignoring those rules, especially if that results in other members being intimidated. 

 And that is exactly what happened on November 14 2024. The behaviour of Ms Maipi-Clarke, Ms Ngarewa-Packer, and Mr Waititi was such that it could have the effect of intimidating other members of the House acting in the discharge of their duties. 

 It is highly disorderly for members to interrupt a vote while it is being conducted. The right to cast one’s vote without impediment goes to the heart of being a Member of Parliament. 

 It is not acceptable to physically approach another member on the floor of the debating chamber. It is particularly unacceptable for Ms Ngarewa-Packer to appear to simulate firing a gun at another Member of Parliament. 

 We therefore find by majority all three members have each committed a contempt of the House and are recommending the penalties as I have already outlined them. 

After six months of meetings and hearings – which all committee members participated in in a professional manner – it is  disappointing to now hear personal attacks and allegations of racism. 

I utterly reject that. We have simply done our job. 

Thank you Mr Speaker. 

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

While the punishments recommended by the Privileges Committee will remain as they are, the House’s vote on the report will take place following the Budget, says Leader of the House Chris Bishop.
“The actions that led to these punishments were unprecedented in their disrespect for Parliament and the taxpayers to whom we are accountable,” says Mr Bishop.
“Our position on the recommended punishments remains unchanged.
“It is critical that there are consequences for wrongdoing in Parliament. Te Pati Māori’s co-leaders have never accepted what they did was wrong. They have never apologised despite many opportunities, and it is not clear they even accept the jurisdiction of the Privileges Committee. They have never turned up to explain themselves despite numerous opportunities.
“The Budget is the central Parliamentary event of the year, which gives the House the chance to debate and then either endorse or reject the Government’s spending plans. Constitutionally, there is nothing more important than the Budget process which gives the House the opportunity to express confidence in the Government.
“Deferring consideration of the debate means all members will have the opportunity to debate and vote on the Budget. 
“If the Leader of the Opposition wants to waste taxpayers’ time by dragging out the debate on the Privileges Committee’s report and advocating for Te Pati Māori and its breaches of Parliament’s rules, he is welcome to. But New Zealanders will see that for what it is.”
                                  

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Alex Skinner has been appointed as Chair of Quotable Value (QV) from 1 June, State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says.QV is New Zealand’s largest provider of rating valuation and property services.“Alex Skinner has been a valued member of the QV Board since 2019, contributing significant governance expertise built on his extensive experience as a Chair. A Chartered Accountant and former partner at KPMG, Alex brings a robust financial background to the role, as well as an in-depth understanding of QV’s operations and strategic priorities,” Mr Brown says. “During his tenure on the Board, Mr Skinner has delivered strong leadership as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee since 2020. His accomplishments include leading the successful transition of QV’s financial functions in-house and driving improvements in financial reporting, ensuring strong accountability throughout the organisation.“Mr Skinner’s expertise and commitment will provide continuity and stability for QV’s governance and its relationships with management, councils, and other external stakeholders. His appointment reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to strong and effective leadership.”