Category: MIL-OSI

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Weather News – Wet and windy South Island on Saturday, rain crossing North Island on Sunday – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 15th – Monday 19th May – Wet and windy South Island on Saturday, rain crossing North Island on Sunday.

Cloud and showers in the west, sunny in the east to end the work week
Heavy rain and strong winds expected to move up the country over the weekend

Yellow Heavy Rain Watches in place (from Saturday) for:

  • The Ranges of Tasman northwest of Motueka
  • Buller
  • Ranges of the Grey District
  • Headwaters of the Canterbury Lakes and Rivers
  • Headwaters of the Otago Lakes and Rivers
  • Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound

Yellow Strong Wind Watch in place (from Saturday) for:

  • Canterbury High Country.
Slightly warmer overnight temperatures throughout

The weather will be quite different depending on where you are in the country over the next couple of days. The west, especially the South Island, will be mostly cloudy with showers, while the east will enjoy sunny and mostly clear skies thanks to a high-pressure system still hanging around.

Today (Thursday), a band of rain moves up the west coast of the South Island, making it a wet day there. Westerly winds will continue to bring moisture to western regions, so expect clouds and the chance of a shower in many western areas on Thursday and Friday.

As we head into the weekend, expect more rain and stronger winds. A low-pressure system will arrive in southern New Zealand on Saturday and then move north by Sunday. While the rain during the week might not be too serious, the weekend brings the potential for severe weather.

MetService Meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says, “Heavy rain is forecast for Saturday in the South Island, especially the west, where Heavy Rain Watches have been issued. A Strong Wind Watch also covers the blustery northwest winds over the Canterbury High Country. The wind and rain are forecast to decrease in severity before moving onto the North Island by Sunday”. Keep an eye on the MetService website (www.metservice.com) for updates.
 
There’s some good news though, nights will be less chilly due to a warmer airmass from the northwest, so we’ll get a break from those frosts we’ve had over the past few days.
 
If you’ve got outdoor plans, Thursday and Friday are your best bet, particularly in the eastern regions. Shiviti recommends, “Rethinking any weekend plans and taking advantage of the better weather the next couple of days before conditions worsen”.
 
That said, Napier is in luck, “Sunny skies are expected for the Hawke’s Bay Marathon this Saturday”, added Shiviti.

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Fire Safety – Marlborough south moves to open fire season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand will return the Marlborough South area to an open fire season from 8am on Friday, 16 May, until further notice.
An open fire season means people can light outdoor fires without a permit approved by Fire and Emergency.
All Department of Conservation land will remain in a restricted season. In a restricted season, people need a permit to light an outdoor fire approved by Fire and Emergency.
The Marlborough North area is already in an open fire season.
Nelson Marlborough Group Manager Chris Hayles says there is now less risk of fire across the region.
“Although no fire permit is required it is still the responsibility of the person lighting the fire to ensure it is done so safely.
“Fires need to be kept to a manageable size and smoke drift should not be a hazard for motorists.
“Always visit www.checkitsalright.nz before lighting and avoid lighting fires during or ahead of strong winds.”
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Energy Sector – From carbon costs to gas gaps: NZ energy sector flags rising pressures – BusinessNZ

Source: BusinessNZ

New information from the World Energy Council shows affordability, carbon pricing, and demand management are the top energy concerns in New Zealand.
The 2025 Country Issues Map is out now. The report surveyed energy leaders across the wider energy sector to get a snapshot of what keeps them awake at night, and busy during the day.
BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) Executive Director Tina Schirr says the map paints a clear picture of the sector’s issues that still need to be addressed.
“Affordability being the dominant concern on the 2025 map is no surprise given the strain placed on the electricity sector during last year’s dry winter, and the compounding issue of reduced gas availability.”
Carbon pricing ranks high on the uncertainty list, reflecting instability in the Emissions Trading Scheme, an oversupply of New Zealand Units, and investor hesitancy.
Schirr says gas users will continue to face difficulties accessing viable alternatives.
“However, there is growing acknowledgement that grid-scale storage and demand response measures can help reduce supply risks, especially during dry years.
“How New Zealand manages the energy trilemma – balancing security, sustainability, and equity – has become an increasing area of concern in these reports. Uncertainty over gas reliability is now a key threat to security of supply and affecting affordability across the wider industry.”
Schirr says that over the years, a major blind spot for New Zealand remains unchanged – community engagement.
“Engagement and energy literacy continue to rank low for both uncertainty and impact, despite their importance in building lasting public support for energy transitions.
“On the bright side, infrastructure concerns that dominated previous years have eased somewhat, but transmission grids and long-term planning remain high-priority actions. New Zealand also retains its position as a global energy innovator.
“lastly, the report reinforces that our abundant renewable energy resources and strong public-private position on collaboration will serve us well for energy transition to come.”
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.
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Budget ‘25 needs to prioritise a thriving and resilient Pacific region – World Vision

Source: World Vision

World Vision New Zealand is urging the government to prioritise Pacific prosperity and resilience with strong investment in climate finance and foreign aid as part of Budget ’25.

The aid agency’s National Director, Grant Bayldon, says in challenging geopolitical times, it is vital the government invests in the Pacific region to ensure it is strong and thriving.  

He says Pacific nations are among the most vulnerable to climate shocks, and New Zealand needs to stand in solidarity with our neighbours.

“These are tough economic times for New Zealand and many other countries, but climate finance is a cornerstone of effective development, ensuring that communities can respond to climate shocks, build resilience, and secure the rights of future generations.

“New Zealand has a leadership role to play and that requires us to step up and support our Pacific neighbours in the face of a changing climate, growing poverty, and changing geo-political alliances.

Bayldon says it’s more important than ever before to invest in the children of the Pacific and to support Pacific communities with education, nutrition, healthcare and the tools to combat climate change.

“Half of the Pacific’s population are children. We know that every dollar invested in child-related programming yields exceptional returns, which will help to make Pacific communities stronger.

“That’s a fantastic return on investment for our region and for New Zealanders who will partner with, and deliver many of these projects,” Bayldon says.

He says this year’s Budget is particularly important because New Zealand will need to decide how much it will invest in climate finance under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change.

New Zealand committed NZ$1.3 billion in climate finance between 2022 – 2025, but at last year’s COP29 climate conference agreed that developed nations together should contribute more (at least US$300 billion per year) in future to help low-income countries transition to clean energy and adapt to climate change.

Bayldon says it’s incumbent on the Government to increase its climate finance commitment in Budget ’25.

“We know that climate change is the great existential crisis of our time, and it is without doubt a humanitarian crisis in which children bear the brunt of suffering.  Every cyclone, every flood, and every village lost to rising sea levels means more children going without food, a home, and an education.

“Our commitment to climate finance will help Pacific children and communities to become more resilient in the face of a changing climate,” he says.

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Government Cuts and Legal Action – PSA takes more legal action to stop the Govt cutting health further

Source: PSA

The PSA is taking Health NZ Te Whatu Ora to the Employment Relations Authority to stop another round of job cuts to key teams that support frontline health services.
The litigation covers the proposed restructures of Audit, Assurance and Risk, People and Culture, Finance, and Communications and Engagement.
“These are damaging cuts of key teams which support the frontline – if they go ahead this will further undermine our health system and so patient care,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“This is all because the Government has made a choice to cut taxes and underfund the health system – New Zealanders deserve better.”
Significant jobs are at stake. For example Health NZ is is proposing to cut 338 People and Culture roles – a net reduction of 21% of the team – at a time when it is struggling to recruit people to staff hospitals and elsewhere.
Health NZ also plans to cut one in four roles at its Audit Assurance and Risk team which ensures some $12 billion of annual funding of the primary health care sector is paid out correctly and not subject to fraud.
“Our view is the restructures have been handled badly by the Government. It has ignored obligations under collective agreements to properly consult with the union and members. It’s required to work with those impacted on the design of new structures and not impose them in the way it has.
“In particular, roles can’t simply be disestablished without considering alternatives like re-deploying impacted staff, re-training for other positions or reducing roles through attrition.”
The Authority has also ordered mediation in relation to the PSA’s litigation over the proposed restructuring of two other teams – Procurement and Supply Chain and Planning, Funding and Outcomes – Service Improvement and Innovations.
“The PSA remains strongly opposed to all job cuts at Health NZ which are being rushed through regardless of their impacts on frontline health services. It’s all about saving money in the short term, not supporting our health system.”
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Have your say on the Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Bill

Source:

The bill seeks to give effect to certain matters contained in Te Pua o Te Riri Kore, the Ngāti Hāua deed of settlement of historical claims.

Te Pua o Te Riri Kore was signed on 29 March 2025 by the Crown, the Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust (the mandated entity for Ngāti Hāua), and Te Whiringa Kākaho o Ngāti Hāua (the post-settlement governance entity for Ngāti Hāua). It is an agreement between Ngāti Hāua and the Crown that seeks to settle historical Treaty of Waitangi claims. It addresses breaches including loss of land, economic opportunities, and cultural disenfranchisement.

Ngāti Hāua will receive an apology from the Crown along with acknowledgments of its breaches of te Tiriti o Waitangi—the Treaty of Waitangi. It will receive cultural redress that includes the return of 64 culturally significant sites and a $6-million cultural revitalisation fund. The iwi will also receive a range of financial and commercial redress that includes property purchasing rights and rights of first refusal.

Tell the Māori Affairs Committee what you think

Make a submission on the bill by 11.59pm on 24 June 2025.

For more details about the bill:

ENDS

For media enquiries contact:

Committee staff

ma@parliament.govt.nz

MIL OSI

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Lower Buller Gorge culvert replacement, SH6 – 48-hour closure coming up

Source: Argument for Lifting NZ Super Age

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is gearing up for an intense 48-hours of work in early June to replace a culvert under SH6 at Te Kuha in the Lower Buller Gorge.

The work will require a full closure of the highway for 48 hours – from 7am on Wednesday, 4 June to 7 am on Friday, 6 June.

“A full road closure will allow our contractors to complete this work in just 48 hours, with crews working around the clock, compared to up to five weeks of disruptions for motorists if the work was completed using traditional stop-go traffic management,” says Moira Whinham, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA on the West Coast.

The timing for the two-day closure has been carefully considered – in between King’s Birthday weekend and the Matariki holiday – as well as before the worst of the winter weather typically sets in.

NZTA is urging people to plan ahead and to make alternative travel arrangements if necessary over the planned two day closure.

NZTA has engaged with emergency services in order to ensure that they are well prepared for the planned closure.

Freight and tourism operators, residents and the road user community are also being contacted to ensure everyone is aware of the work and the closure well in advance.

The culvert being replaced is located around 5km east of the intersection of SH6 and SH67. It will be replaced with a much larger capacity pipe, requiring a six metre deep trench to be dug across the state highway. It is not possible to build an off-road detour around the site given the river’s location.

The red circle indicates the site of the culvert to be replaced on SH6 in early June.

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Social Security Amendment Bill passes into law

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Social Security Amendment Bill has passed its third reading in Parliament today expanding the welfare Traffic Light System that launched in August 2024. 

“This bill brings new tools to ensure beneficiaries stay on track with their obligations to find or prepare for work if they are able”, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston. 

From 26 May 2025, two new non-financial sanctions can be imposed. Rather than reducing a benefit, these non-financial sanctions are: 

  • Money Management – where half of someone’s benefit is put onto an MSD payment card that can only be used in approved shops to buy essential items, such as groceries, transport, healthcare-related items, and education-related items. This will be for a four-week period.
     
  • Community Work Experience – where someone will have up to two weeks to find suitable work experience and is required to participate in a placement at one or more community or voluntary organisations for at least five hours per week for four weeks.

From 20 October, two more non-financial sanctions will be implemented: 

  • Upskilling – Jobseekers will be required to attend and participate, to MSD’s satisfaction, in one or more employment-related training courses or programmes for a minimum of five hours per week over a four-week period.
     
  • Report Job Search – Jobseekers must undertake at least three job-search activities per week, to MSD’s satisfaction, and report on them weekly over a four-week period.

Also from 26 May 2025 new policy settings will be put in place: 

  • Applicants for certain benefits, and their partners if relevant, will be required to have a completed Jobseeker Profile before they can be granted a benefit.
     
  • New obligation failures will carry over for two years rather than one, increasing the likelihood that those who repeatedly refuse to comply with their obligations will have their benefit cancelled if they remain on it for more than a year.

From 1 July 2025, Jobseeker Support clients must reapply for their benefit every 26-weeks (currently 52-weeks). This will require clients to engage with MSD more frequently, allowing for more proactive support and a focus on moving people into employment where they can. 

“These changes will support more people into work and help achieve the Government’s target of having 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030, which is forecast to save the country over two billion dollars in welfare payments,” Louise Upston says. 

“Because we believe having a job is the best way for people to lift themselves and their families out of hardship, the Government is setting a clear expectation that those who can work, should work.

“Our economy is stronger when more people are in work, and as we look to unleash economic growth, it’s important that as many Kiwis as possible share in the benefits of work.” 

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Work-related health newsletter – May 2025

Source:

Check out the latest guidance and resources, and a number of upcoming courses and conferences to help you ensure a healthy and safe work environment for you and your workers.

In this edition:

  • New tools for musculoskeletal risks
  • New hazardous substances guidance
    • Hazardous substances: how to use the quantity-ratio sum (QRS)
    • Unattended refuelling sites
    • Service station compliance with hazardous substances regulations
  • Fraudulent asbestos removals catch up with industry veteran
  • Te Rōpū Marutau o Aotearoa and ACC launch Te Takenga Mai
  • Publications
  • Conferences and events

Read the full newsletter(external link)

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Government supports Tairāwhiti marae to relocate to safer ground

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Five Tairāwhiti marae impacted by the North Island weather events of early 2023, are moving to safer locations with support from the Crown,” said Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery and Tama Potaka, Minister for Māori Development.

“The Marae Trustees of Puketawai, Hinemaurea ki Mangatuna, Okuri, Takipū, and Rangatira Marae – supported by their whānau and hapū – have made the difficult decision to relocate and re-establish their respective marae in new locations. 

“The local council designated these marae, as Category 3 – High Risk, and not safe to occupy because of unacceptable risk to life from future extreme weather. 

“Each of the marae have accepted the Crown’s support package and have acquired new sites to relocate to. The new sites are in close proximity within, or close to, their respective tribal boundaries,” says Mark Mitchell.

“The impact of the severe weather on the marae was devastating for the many whānau and hapū connected to these marae and their wider community.

“The decision to relocate is not an easy one and has come from the desire of the Marae Trustees to keep their marae, and their respective whānau, safe and secure, protecting the lives of those who might otherwise be at real risk from any future severe weather events.”

Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka says relocating the individual marae will take time.

“We expect the relocation works, including the rebuild of wharenui and whare kai where required due to the damage, will take place over the next two or so years.  For some of the marae, the project is a complete rebuild.

“Reaching this point is a significant milestone.  Most importantly, it will provide affected whanau and hapu peace of mind, and will have the added benefit of creating opportunities for SMEs and jobs.  This augments the growing construction capability on the East Coast as a result of the mahi at Toitū Tairāwhiti and others,” says Mr Potaka.

Of the five marae three are located in the Uawa – Tolaga Bay area and the other two are in Te Karaka. 

“The Crown is also working with two Kahungunu Marae, Tangoio and Petāne in Hawke’s Bay with support packages available to both marae so they too can reestablish in safer locations. These marae were also designated, by their local council, as having an unacceptable risk to life.” 

A total of $136.215m, allocated from Budgets 23 and 24 will fund the entire Whenua Māori and Marae relocation Programme after North Island weather events. It includes the costs to relocate owners of 24 whenua Māori properties to safety as well as demolition of residential structures and covers some assistance to support affected sites of cultural significance, principally urūpa.  

“The Crown recognises moving a marae requires careful navigation. This is not an easy journey, and we would like to thank the Marae Trustees for working with us to ensure the safety of people on marae,” Mr Potaka says. 

Note for Editors:

In all cases ownership of the whenua remains with the existing owners.  

The cost for each Marae relocation is commercially sensitive due to procurement undertakings. 

Geographic location of all Category 3 Marae in Tairāwhiti:

  • Puketawai, Tolaga Bay
  • Hinemaurea ki Mangatuna, Tolaga Bay
  • Okuri, Tolaga Bay
  • Takipū, Te Karaka
  • Rangatira Marae, Te Karaka