Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Christian Solidarity International (CSI)

Source: Skills Group

Skills Group – Ignite and Growing Future Farmers (GFF) have developed a new training programme to meet the learning and development needs of young sheep and beef farmers.

Pending NZQA approval, the first cohort is set to begin as early as July 2025, with the Level 4 programme offering a next-step pathway that builds on the success of GFF’s hands-on model and NZQA Level 2 and 3 qualifications.

It has been co-designed and developed with extensive industry consultation to give young farmers the opportunity to deepen their skills while continuing to work on-farm, helping to strengthen the pipeline of talent and capability within the sector.

GFF CEO Wendy Paul says the new programme is a natural extension of GFF’s founding purpose.

“From day one, GFF has been about creating real career opportunities for young people in farming. This new programme allows us to extend that journey by offering progression while keeping the real-world, on-farm learning that’s central to our model.”

Skills Group – Ignite Director of Vocational Training and Higher Education Mark Worsop says the innovative blended learning programme, combining provider-based and work-based learning is designed to equip young farmers with the necessary skills to take on leadership roles in the agricultural industry.

“With this new programme, graduates will be able to take on increased responsibility says Mark.

The GFF programme is a two-year initiative where students gain practical, hands-on experience working directly on farms. Students, typically aged between 16 and 21 years old, are matched with experienced farm trainers.

“The new Level 4 programme will ensure that graduates are prepared to meet the demands of an ever-evolving agricultural sector by developing management and leadership skills. The programme offers an exciting opportunity for GFF Level 2 and Level 3 graduates to further develop their skills and transition into beef and sheep farm leadership roles,” Mark says.

Graduates of this qualification will be equipped to do a range of things, from coordinating agribusiness activities using appropriate technology to benchmarking a farm’s physical performance and implementing and monitoring a farm environmental plan.

The Level 4 programme is delivered through a blended learning approach. Trainees will benefit from online tuition and academic support provided by expert tutors from Skills Group – Ignite. In addition, they will receive the same level of high-quality pastoral care and in-person support that GFF currently provides.

“This holistic approach ensures that trainees are well-supported academically and personally, as they progress through their studies,” Mark says.

Source: The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA

AUCKLAND – 15 May 2025 – New national data from The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), New Zealand’s leading workplace drug tester, shows methamphetamine (meth) is growing and making up a disproportionate share of non-negative workplace drug test results.

The proportion of meth detections has jumped since the start of the year:

January: 13.7%
February: 18.2%
March: 24.9%.

Data is taken from TDDA’s Imperans reporting platform. Samples were taken between 1 Jan and 31 March. They are representative of meth detections versus other test results, and encompass a broad set of industries across the nation. 

“Our data is showing us that more people are turning to meth when it comes to the range of drugs available, such as cannabis,” says Glenn Dobson, CEO of TDDA. “The surge is consistent with rising wastewater statistics and confirms that meth supply remains readily available nationwide. When access to supply is this easy, increased consumption often follows. This has serious implications for workplace safety and productivity.”

With meth now accounting for over a fifth of drug-related workplace testing results, and nearly 25% in March alone, employers and regulators alike may need to reassess risk exposure and response.

The top 10 locations showing high instances of methamphetamine detection are:

·        Central North – 30.6%

·        Taranaki – 27.9%

·        Auckland East – 25.8%

·        Taupo/Rotorua – 25%

·        North Harbour – 23.6%

·        Auckland West – 23.2%

·        Northland – 21.7%

·        Canterbury – 20%

·        Southland – 13.7%

·        Otago – 10.5%.

“Our frontline data tells a confronting story, meth use is more than a big-city issue. We’re seeing higher proportions of meth detections in smaller regions like the Central North, The Lakes and Taranaki. This is about safety as well as businesses and communities under pressure. Employers must stay alert, have clear workplace substance policies, and be ready to act on suspicions compliantly and quickly,” says Dobson.

If you suspect meth use at work:

Follow your drug and alcohol policy

Initiate the appropriate procedures as outlined in your policy, which may include a reasonable cause drug test.

Observe and record

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

15 May 2025 – The US-Israel proposition to control the distribution of supplies under the guise of humanitarian aid raises grave humanitarian, ethical, security and legal concerns, says international medical organization Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF). 

Source: ExerciseNZ

As the colder months settle in across Aotearoa, ExerciseNZ is encouraging Kiwis to take stock of their winter wellness routines — with a special focus on a crucial yet often overlooked pillar of health: sleep.

New research from Uppsala University, published in Biomarker Research (April 2025), reveals that just three consecutive nights of restricted sleep (approximately 4.25 hours per night) can significantly alter blood biomarkers associated with cardiovascular disease — even in young, healthy individuals. Alarmingly, the study also found that regular physical activity does not offset these negative effects, making sleep more important than ever for those with fitness and wellbeing goals.

“As winter rolls in and we shift our routines indoors, we want to remind people that sleep isn’t a luxury — it’s a foundational part of health and recovery,” says Richard Beddie, CEO of ExerciseNZ. “Quality sleep might just be the secret weapon for smashing your fitness goals this winter.” While many Kiwis double down on exercise to combat seasonal lethargy, the combination of colder temperatures, darker days, and disrupted sleep patterns can actually hinder performance and recovery if not managed properly.

In fact, research published in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology shows that sleep loss can impair muscle glycogen repletion, reduce time to exhaustion, and decrease strength and aerobic capacity — all of which can compromise training outcomes. The study underscores how sleep enhances performance, cognitive functioning, and outcomes across 1-rep max testing, endurance training, and high-intensity interval workouts.

The Science of Sleep and Exercise: Why Recovery Matters More in Winter

Restricted sleep increases levels of inflammation-related proteins in the blood, raising the risk for cardiovascular issues — even in fit, active people.
Sleep plays a key role in muscle repair, hormone regulation, and mental clarity — all essential to getting the most from your workouts.
A consistent sleep routine can reduce injury risk, support immunity during colder months, and enhance energy levels for winter training.

Top Tips for Winter Wellness:

Prioritise Consistency: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time daily, even on weekends.
Wind Down Naturally: Reduce screen time in the hour before bed. Try stretching, light reading, or mindfulness exercises instead.
Pair Exercise with Recovery: Listen to your body and allow for adequate rest between intense sessions.

This winter, instead of trying to “power through” with more training, ExerciseNZ challenges everyone to train smarter — by recognising the power of rest, especially as the mercury drops.

Source: Statistics New Zealand

National population estimates: At 31 March 2025 (2023-base) – 15 May 2025 – National population estimates give the best available measure of the population, by age and sex, usually living in Aotearoa New Zealand.

With the release of Estimated resident population (2023-base): At 30 June 2023 on 16 April 2025, we revised population estimates between 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2023, and rebased population estimates after 30 June 2023. This is the usual revision that occurs after new census and post-enumeration survey results are available.  

Estimated resident population 2023: Data sources and methods has more information. 

All population estimates from 30 June 2023 are now 2023-base.  

Key facts
At 31 March 2025:

• the estimated resident population of Aotearoa New Zealand was 5,330,600 (provisionally)
• there were 2,680,100 females and 2,650,500 males
• the median age of females and males was 38.9 and 37.3 years respectively.

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Source: Statistics New Zealand

Food prices increase 3.7 percent annually – 15 May 2025 – Food prices increased 3.7 percent in the 12 months to April 2025, following a 3.5 percent increase in the 12 months to March 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

Higher prices for the grocery food group and the non-alcoholic beverages group contributed most to the annual increase in food prices, up 5.2 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively.

“Price increases were widespread, with all five food groups recording an increase,” prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.

The fruit and vegetables group increased in price for the first time since January 2024, with prices up 0.2 percent in the 12 months to April 2025.

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