Category: MIL-OSI

Source: NZCTU

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi President, Sandra Grey, is calling on the Prime Minister to uphold democratic values and ensure his MPs refrain from making false and inflammatory accusations about unions. Claims of bullying tactics from Sam Uffindell on social media yesterday are not only untrue, they undermine the integrity of the thousands of parents who serve on school boards across the country.

“The Prime Minister must stop his MPs from making false and inflammatory accusations about unions employing bullying tactics. This rhetoric is an insult to the democratically elected school boards, composed of parents, who are independently choosing to take a stand,” Grey said.

“These parents are independently choosing to stand up for what they believe is right for their tamariki. To dismiss their decisions as the result of union pressure is both disrespectful and out of step with the values of fairness, participation, and community leadership that New Zealanders expect.”

More than 1,300 school communities have expressed clear support for honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations in law. Their voices reflect a deep commitment to partnership, respect, and the wellbeing of all learners.

“We urge the Prime Minister to listen to these communities and acknowledge the strength of their mandate. The Government has misread public sentiment on this issue. Rather than compounding that error with anti-union misinformation, it should change course and engage constructively with the people it serves,” Grey said.

Source: New Zealand Government

Health New Zealand’s announcement that around 1800 graduate registered nurses will begin hospital-based roles represents a significant boost for the health system, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“A sustainable health system relies on a steady pipeline of skilled New Zealand-trained nurses entering the workforce,” Mr Brown says.

“I welcome Health New Zealand’s decision to offer around 1400 hospital-based roles to the 2025 end of year cohort of nursing graduates, which means more than 80 percent of those who pass their exams are expected to secure positions.”

“When combined with the more than 400 mid-year graduate roles it has already offered, Health New Zealand expects to support around 1800 graduate nurses into the workforce in the current financial year.

“This is a significant step in strengthening our workforce and ensuring locally trained nurses are supported into frontline roles. These positions will help hospitals across the country maintain the staff needed to deliver timely, quality care.”

Graduate nurses will start receiving offers from Health New Zealand from 1 December.

The remaining graduates will be supported into roles outside of Health New Zealand, including in primary care.

“Alongside hospital-based positions, the Government is investing in supporting graduate nurses into primary care. Funding is available for primary care employers to take on up to 400 graduate nurses each year, with $20,000 provided for each graduate employed by rural primary and community providers, and $15,000 for those employed by urban providers.”

Mr Brown says expanding graduate opportunities is essential to building a sustainable, long-term workforce.

“Importantly, these roles provide new graduates with structured support, professional development, and a clear pathway into clinical practice. That is how we build a workforce that is resilient, well supported, and prepared for the future.

“Since coming to Government, around 2000 additional nurses have joined the health system. We remain focused on continuing to grow the workforce so New Zealanders can access timely, quality care – and supporting locally trained nurses is key to delivering on that commitment,”

“I want to congratulate all nurses on completing their studies and look forward to welcoming them to the health workforce in the coming months as they begin their careers caring for New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Government

The nationwide Top Up campaign, launched in August to encourage Kiwis to take everyday actions that boost mental wellbeing, has reached 3,283,076 people and achieved a milestone of 115,000 website visitors in its first four months, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.

“The response to the Top Up campaign has been phenomenal and shows there’s a real appetite for simple, evidence-based ways to look after our mental health,” Mr Doocey says.

“A perfect example of what success looks like is if you’ve had a challenging day on the farm or stress from work is building up, we want New Zealanders to automatically think which of the five actions they can do to top up.

“Seeing this level of engagement in the first few months gives me real confidence that more Kiwis are taking positive steps to top up their wellbeing.”

Launched in August, Top Up promotes the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect, Give, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Be Active which are proven to support better mental health. The campaign has reached millions through TV, radio, and digital channels, driving strong engagement across all communities.

“This campaign is about shifting the conversation from crisis to prevention. Applying the Five Ways to Wellbeing has been shown to aid recovery from tough times and the management of long-term mental health issues.” Mr Doocey says.

“By encouraging everyday actions, we’re helping New Zealanders take proactive steps to maintain their mental wellbeing and prevent small problems growing into big issues.”

Developed by VML in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, Top Up aligns with the Government’s Mental Health Targets focused on prevention and early intervention. It is complemented by a new Top Up Community Grants Scheme, which offers $250,000 annually for two years to support grassroots wellbeing initiatives, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.

“I’m delighted with the success of this campaign, already exceeding expectations, I hope to see it further break down the stigma around mental health over the next two years.”

Notes to editor

The Top Up website which includes the promotion campaign video can be found here.
The campaign aimed to reach up to 2.6 million New Zealanders each year through a range of multimedia channels such as TV, radio, social media and other online platforms. But it’s performing better than hoped.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Transport Minister James Meager has confirmed a significant Government investment into new container-handling equipment for Gisborne’s Eastland Port, which will unlock fresh economic opportunities for the Tairāwhiti region.

Mr Meager announced the $5 million investment while visiting the Port, as part of his two-day visit to the region.

“This funding will directly benefit local businesses, exporters, and industries, by enabling the ability to ship containers out of Gisborne,” Mr Meager says.

“In addition to supporting regional prosperity, the investment will secure Tairāwhiti’s connectivity, as it creates an avenue for essential supplies to be brought in by sea if the region is cut off by road, as we saw in Cyclone Gabrielle.”

Eastland Port is the first confirmed recipient of funding from the Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund, which was established through the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024. The $30 million fund invests in projects which enhance the sector’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from events that could disrupt New Zealand’s freight system.

“Supporting freight movements in and out of Gisborne is vital for the region’s economic growth and supports our Government’s plan to double the value of exports in the next 10 years,” Mr Meager says.

“By providing efficient container handling capabilities, Gisborne can attract new trade, stimulate investment, and support job creation in the region. This investment will help local producers access wider markets, strengthen supply chains, and increase the region’s competitiveness.

“I would like to acknowledge local MP Dana Kirkpatrick for her advocacy for the Gisborne community and investment in Eastland Port.”

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Auckland Transport (AT) and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) are advising drivers to expect significant delays on Auckland’s roads when IKEA opens its first New Zealand store at Sylvia Park next Thursday (4 December).

Road users are being encouraged to plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys.

“We expect the opening day, and subsequent weeks or even months to draw big crowds to the Sylvia Park area, and for this to have a substantial effect on the transport network both locally and across Auckland,” says Auckland Transport Operations Centre (ATOC) Manager Claire Howard.

“Travel times across the wider Auckland  transport network are likely to be substantially longer than usual, and our traffic modelling shows that in a worst-case scenario, there could be 40-minute-plus queues to exit the motorway at Mt Wellington and wait times of up to an hour to get into car parks at IKEA,” Howard says.

“Surrounding streets in Mt Wellington will also be busy, with forecast delays of up to 40 minutes on Mt Wellington Highway in peak traffic.”

ATOC, which is a joint venture between AT and NZTA for managing the transport network in real time, has been working with IKEA to ensure their traffic management plan minimises the traffic impact as much as possible, and will be actively managing traffic light signals and diverting traffic where possible as congestion levels increase. 

“We know people are excited about IKEA opening, but like any popular event or destination that attracts a large crowd, it’s going to put pressure on the transport network,” Howard says.

“The best thing you can do is allow plenty of extra time, check routes and travel times on navigation apps and travel outside of peak times if you can.

“We expect congestion will be at its worst during evening peak traffic on weekdays and on Saturdays from 1-4pm, particularly heading Northbound from South Auckland toward Mt Wellington.”

Multiple channels for informing Aucklanders of travel delays

There will be multiple channels used for keeping Aucklanders and people travelling from other regions informed about disruptions and delays on Auckland’s transport network during this busy period.

These will include real-time updates on the NZTA Journey Planner website, AT website and AT Mobile app notifications, electronic signs on the highway network and local roads, and NZTA/AT social media channels.

“When the store opens on 4 December, staff at ATOC will be monitoring and responding around the clock to keep traffic moving as best we can and we will provide real-time updates for road users and public transport users,” Howard says.

“Our focus is on minimising disruption as much as possible and ensuring people can make informed travel choices.”

Travel advice for IKEA shoppers – taking the train may be your best bet

To avoid the longest queues, people should consider visiting the store outside of peak traffic times.

For those who aren’t planning to buy large furniture, catching the train on the Eastern Line will be the fastest way to get to and from the store.

ATOC Manager Claire Howard says people should consider travelling by train if they are able to.

“It’s a 19-minute train ride from Waitematā Station to Sylvia Park Station compared with expected travel times of more than an hour for the same journey by car, especially if you’re just window shopping or able to get your purchases delivered.” Howard says.

Staff will be on the ground at Sylvia Park Station to help direct people to the store who are travelling by train.

Travel advice for people travelling through Auckland

Drivers coming from out of Auckland to either visit the store or drive through this part of SH1 through Mount Wellington should plan for potential delays and check traffic levels before departing.

Drivers can explore other routes, for example the Western Ring Route (State Highway 20, 18 and 16) through Māngere, Mt Roskill and Massey to avoid State Highway 1.

We recommend using navigation apps to check traffic levels and find the best route before you travel.

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced the completion of the ECE licensing criteria reform. 

“Families need access to affordable and quality early learning services. When families have access to good options, children build foundations for future learning and social interactions,” Mr Seymour says. 

“As an electorate MP I’ve had countless parents raise the issue of affordability of Early Childhood Education (ECE). Local ECE services told me that red tape puts unnecessary costs on parents and services, and takes the focus away from children. 

“That’s why I asked for this delegation. That’s why the Government conducted a Sector Review; to reduce compliance costs but keep children’s safety at the forefront.

“Earlier this year, the ECE Sector Review instigated 15 changes to make it easier to open and run high-quality centres. This leads to more choice and better access for parents. 

“The Review included a recommendation to reform the 98 ECE licensing criteria. Most of which were outdated or unnecessary. We consulted the public on changing, merging, or removing approximately three-quarters of them. We are listening to the sector. For example, people said they wanted the frequency of checks for sleeping children to stay the same, so they are.  

“We have reduced the number of licensing criteria by almost 20 per cent, and simplified 58 of them. The changes reduce unnecessary compliance for services and give them greater flexibility. These changes also remove duplication and make the rules clearer. 

“For example, we have removed the requirement for services to document laundry, because it’s a waste of time. Centres will be able to provide parents with information digitally, because it’s 2025. We have also removed requirements for tempering valves, because it’s already dealt with in other health and safety requirements.

“The Ministry for Regulation went straight to the source and asked the sector what’s increasing costs and limiting competition. These changes are based on feedback from providers around the country who say they’ve been frustrated by unclear rules, conflicting advice from different agencies, and unnecessary red tape.

“This is just one part of our wider reform of the ECE sector. The new ECE licensing criteria will be administered by the newly established Director of Regulation. 

“The Director will be responsible for licensing, monitoring, and enforcing compliance in ECE, including investigating and prosecuting where necessary. They will handle complaints and incidents, while also providing support, information, and guidance to service providers, parents, and caregivers. This raises awareness of what quality early childhood education looks like.

“By mid next year, graduated enforcement tools will be used to respond to breaches of the new licensing criteria. The only enforcement tools previously available couldn’t manage minor breaches and didn’t facilitate early intervention. There will no longer be high-stakes open-or-shut rules that create anxiety, and strain relationships between regulators and centre operators. 

“Instead, the relationship will be collaborative, focused on the common goals of ensuring child safety and keeping costs down.”

The updated licensing criteria changes will be used from April 2026. More information and guidance for early learning services will be provided by the Ministry of Education in early 2026. 

“These reforms will make it easier to open and run high-quality centres, which means more choice and better access for parents. This is part of the Government’s wider commitment to smarter, more effective regulation that encourages growth,” says Mr Seymour.

Source: New Zealand Government

Families, workers, visitors and businesses will benefit from a new action plan to ensure Auckland’s city centre is a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say.

“Auckland’s CBD is at the heart of our largest city and a key part of New Zealand’s economy, generating around 8 percent of the country’s GDP. It should be a place where businesses can thrive, tourists can enjoy and a place where people who work, live and visit should feel safe,” Minister Brown says.

“Our plan focuses on giving people the support they need, while restoring confidence and order in the city centre. That means support for those who need housing, safe and clean streets, and ensuring bylaws are enforced and fit for purpose.

The action plan brings together the Ministry for Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry for Social Development, Police, Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, Auckland Council, businesses, and social service providers to strengthen safety:

• Focus on the rollout of 207 additional social houses for Housing First, alongside making up to 100 more social houses available by more efficient use of existing Housing First contracts.
• Outreach teams connecting rough sleepers with mental health, addiction, and housing support.
• Building on the already increased Police visibility in the central city.
• Police and safety wardens focusing enforcement on locations linked to criminal activity and antisocial behaviours.
• Ensuring public spaces, like Pocket Park at Queen Street and Fort Street, are designed to be safe and welcoming, which reduces opportunities for criminal behaviour.
• Litter and Graffiti removal teams operating at pace, as well as rubbish collection to a regular and high standard.
• Continued targeted safety patrols.
• Review of bylaws to ensure they are fit for purpose.
• Regular taskforce meetings, chaired by the Minister for Auckland, to drive progress across all organisations.

Mayor Brown says the action plan shows what can be achieved when central government and Council work together on the issues that matter to Aucklanders. 

“People want to feel safe walking, shopping, and working in the city centre, and this plan delivers more visible patrols and tidier streets, while also addressing disruptive behaviour,” says Mayor Brown.

“We’re working hard as a council to be responsive to issues as they are raised, but I have been very clear about roles and responsibilities; the government do people and providing the social services needed, we do places and spaces.

“As Mayor, my expectation is for government agencies to work with our council to actually deliver on this action plan, so it doesn’t just end up as another announcement and talkfest with little else to show for it.

“There is a lot to be proud of in our city centre, like Browny’s Pool and the Christmas tree I lit up on the weekend at Te Komititanga Britomart and it’s up to all of us including government, council, agencies and the private sector to work collaboratively to ensure these measures make a real difference for people using the city every day.” 

Ensuring the city centre is safe and welcoming will be especially important as major projects come online.

“Next year the City Rail Link opens, bringing thousands more people into our city every day. The New Zealand International Convention Centre will also open, generating $90 million in additional tourism spending every year,” Minister Brown says.

“We are also entering the busy summer cruise ship season, which brings visitors who support local shops, cafes and attractions.

“We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in the city centre and using these world-class facilities. When people feel safe and welcome, more families come in, workers enjoy their environment, visitors spend more, and local businesses can thrive.”

The Minister of Justice is also seeking advice on additional measures to enhance safety in our CBDs, including the potential use of move-on orders.

Minister Brown says the action plan balances support with accountability.

“We are making help available for people struggling with homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges, while taking firm action against behaviour that intimidates or harms others,” Minister Brown says.

“A safe, thriving central city means more foot traffic, stronger business confidence, more jobs, and more opportunities for everyone, including those currently experiencing hardship. Our Government is backing Auckland to succeed, because a strong, welcoming city centre is good for Aucklanders, good for visitors, and good for New Zealand.”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  28 November 2025

An independent panel of experts, led by Department of Conservation Senior Science Advisor Dr Nicholas Dunn, assessed 78 freshwater fish species using New Zealand Threat Classification System criteria.

The report shows New Zealand’s freshwater fish are in trouble with 28% of freshwater fish species classified as threatened with extinction and 32% at risk of becoming threatened. Only 8% are identified as not threatened.

“Eggs are the most vulnerable stage for freshwater fish, so assessments were focussed on the area of spawning habitat where they are laid,” Dr Dunn says.

“Spawning habitat is critical for the fish life cycle. They need the right conditions for egg fertilisation, development and hatching. Nearby rearing areas are also key for the survival of young fish.”

Since the previous report in 2017, 11 species have worsened in status and 12 have improved, largely due to better data rather than reduced threats. 

Dr Dunn says inanga – one of the six species fished as whitebait – has experienced a notable change in conservation status, moving from ‘At Risk – Declining’ to ‘Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable’.

“The worsened status reflects the vulnerability of inanga spawning habitat, which is estimated as less than 100 ha nationally and is under increasing pressure.”

Despite the small size of these areas, inanga still produce lots of eggs and young fish. Protecting inanga habitats is an important part of DOC’s efforts to manage the whitebait fishery.

Dr Dunn says Stokell’s smelt, found predominately in Canterbury, has experienced the most dramatic status decline since the 2017 assessment, moving from ‘At Risk – Declining’ to ‘Threatened – Nationally Critical’ – the final step before extinction.

“Severe population declines since the 1980s of Stokell’s smelt, which inhabit hāpua (river mouth lagoons), are linked to sedimentation, predation by birds and fishes, and marine heatwaves affecting young fish.”

Greater knowledge of habitat area, has seen other freshwater fish species assessed with an improved status such as Eldon’s galaxias and dusky galaxias. Both have moved from ‘Threatened – Nationally Endangered’ to ‘Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable’.

Dr Dunn says that with much of threatened freshwater fish habitat lying outside public conservation land and water, collaborative efforts are needed to look after and protect these species.

DOC works to protect and restore freshwater fish populations by reducing the threat of invasive species, improving the ability for fish to move freely through freshwater systems, and restoring habitats including spawning areas in partnership with iwi, landowners, regional councils, and other agencies.

People wanting to help native fish on their properties and in their communities, can do their bit through naturing activities like joining a local stream care group, fencing streams from stock, reporting barriers to fish movement and planting native plants along stream edges.

Report: Conservation status of New Zealand freshwater fishes, 2023

You can help New Zealand freshwater fish

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Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Regulation David Seymour says early analysis shows huge economic benefits from cutting red tape, many times larger than the cost to the taxpayer of doing it.

“Cutting red tape is already delivering real value for New Zealanders, and pointing to great potential for more” Mr Seymour says.

“Peer reviewed analysis estimates that work by the Ministry for Regulation in its first 18 months will deliver a net public benefit of $223 million to $337 million. The return on investment is large, from expenditure of around $20 million.  

“The return is $11–$17 in benefit for every dollar spent on the Ministry. It shows what I have been saying for years, we are overregulated, and the proof is shown in the benefits of cutting red tape.

“Removing the effective ban on medical conferences is one example. The ban on  advertising new medicines sent major conferences to Australia or Fiji. The Ministry for Regulation reviewed the rule after a tip from the red tape tipline. It found comparable countries don’t have these bans because they don’t make sense, and fixed it. Two of Australasia’s largest medical conferences are already booked here for 2026. Total benefits are estimated between $6 million and as high as $35 million a decade if more conferences come here.  

“Another example is the Hairdressing and Barbering Sector Review that revoked all sector-specific regulations. They were either unnecessary, already managed by other rules, or applied inconsistently between local authorities. This Sector Review means an estimated $6.5 million in benefits for hairdressers and barbers. We are doing four Sector Reviews a year, and the savings will keep coming for Kiwi businesses.

“Every unnecessary regulation is a barrier to growth. This Government is committed to fixing this by clearing the path of needless regulations and improving how laws are made.

“These estimates are early and conservative. They are based on the work the Ministry has completed in its first 18 months. It shows a relatively small investment in getting regulation right pays off many times over. As the Ministry continues to evaluate more sectors of the economy, the payoff will increase.  

“The benefits arise from practical, common-sense changes like allowing major medical conferences to take place here and improving settings to support the hemp industry, through to larger system-wide reviews of sectors like agricultural and horticultural products and early childhood education. Using standard cost-benefit methods and appropriate discount rates, officials assessed the net public benefit of the changes in present value over a 10-year period.

“Indicative estimates suggest potential net public benefits from reforms in areas such as early childhood education (ECE), agricultural and horticultural approvals (AgHort), telecommunications, and industrial hemp totalling around $204–$275 million over 10 years.  

To avoid overstating the gains, officials deliberately used conservative assumptions, excluded benefits that could not be credibly monetised, and worked within data constraints for older proposals. The work has been peer reviewed by Motu.

“To grow its way out of deficit and give future generations better opportunities, Government can’t just shuffle taxes and borrow more. Government policy must make it easier to produce, invest, and employ. Better regulation lifts productivity by letting people spend less time on paperwork and more time creating value,” says Mr Seymour.

“With the Regulatory Standards Act now in place, my focus is to build on this work so that every rule made by Government is genuinely in the public interest.”

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand and Australia have announced an additional package of support for PACER Plus – the Pacific region’s most modern framework for rules-based trade. 

 “We have committed $10 million over the next five years to enable Pacific PACER Plus countries to boost their export capability, grow and diversify trade in goods and services, attract investment, and increase the benefits of labour mobility,” Minister of State for Trade and Investment Nicola Grigg says.

“New Zealand is proud to be working with Pacific Island countries and Australia through PACER Plus to keep driving trade-based growth in our region.” 

The new investment comes five years after the trade and development agreement entered into force.

”In signing the PACER Plus Implementing Arrangement, we are demonstrating our ongoing commitment to trade growth, prosperity, and regional economic integration through trade.

 “By ensuring all parties get the best out of PACER Plus we are better positioned as a region to respond to economic challenges as they arise,” Ms Grigg says.

 PACER Plus’s Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme helps members implement the trade agreement, harmonise regional trade infrastructure and regulations, and maximise opportunities for businesses to access export markets.

Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson yesterday confirmed the new investment at the 2025 PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting in Solomon Islands on behalf of the New Zealand Government.