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Category: MIL-OSI

  • Release: Women will keep being paid less under National

    Source:

    This Government is taking the women’s movement backwards, ensuring women will continue to be paid less into the future.

    “Instead of continuing the good work of successive governments to close the well-documented gender pay gap in our country, the Government is making it harder for women to get ahead,” Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.

    “Women have historically been paid less, currently it’s at around 92 cents to every dollar a man earns.

    “Government absolutely has a role to play to reduce the gender pay gap over time, and yet this one is about to push through legislation under urgency to stop women from making pay equity claims when they are paid less than their male colleagues doing a similar job.

    “Not content with trashing workers’ rights, Brooke Van Velden is now going after women on Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis’ behalf.

    “She thinks teachers don’t have the right to feel angry with the government, but 94,000 teachers who have equal pay claims would disagree.
    “This is a Government that is choosing to ignite a debate around women’s bathrooms, while destroying a women’s right to be paid the same as men. I don’t think I’ve ever seen something so gross and backwards in my life.

    “Funny how they can find money for tax cuts for landlords and the tobacco lobby but not for women.

    “If this is how Nicola Willis is planning to pay for her Budget then I suspect many people are going to let her know pretty quickly that she’s made the wrong decision,” Jan Tinetti said.

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  • Economy – 2024 General Insurance Stress Test Results published today – Reserve Bank of NZ

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    6 May 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published the results from the 2024 General Insurance Industry Stress Test. The exercise assessed insurers’ responses to a major earthquake and severe but plausible cyber-risk incidents.

    The seismic scenario was based on a magnitude 8.7 earthquake along the Hikurangi Subduction Zone off the east coast of the North Island. The scenario was designed to simulate an event well beyond our solvency requirements to enable testing of insurers’ preparedness and recovery plans. This scenario would result in widespread damage and a sharp decline in GDP. Participating insurers modelled property losses of $62 billion, which rose to around $100bn if extrapolated out to cover the whole market.  

    “Despite the severity of the scenario, policyholder claims would have been met,” said Kerry Watt, Director of Financial Stability Assessment and Strategy. “This is a sign of the resilience that’s been built into the system since the Canterbury earthquakes, including strengthening of solvency requirements, increased coverage by the Natural Hazards Commission and improved loss estimation modelling.”  

    The severity of the test did mean substantial mitigating actions were required to return insurers to required solvency positions. Capital injections from their parent companies and ongoing availability of reinsurance were identified as critical to enabling insurers to continue to offer cover following such an event. The exercise provided valuable insights to feed into our review of solvency standards and our recovery planning.  

    The stress test noted the significant impacts beyond the insurance industry. This includes costs to the Crown through funding of the Natural Hazards Commission and meeting recovery costs for damage to uninsured assets and any economic support programmes. This highlights the importance of the government maintaining sufficient fiscal buffers to manage such shocks.

    “The exercise was challenging and required a significant collaborative effort across industry and government. Ultimately, the scenario highlights the importance of all stakeholders, individually and collectively, understanding the risks and preparing for these types of severe events,” said Mr Watt.  

    The stress test also included a number of cyber scenarios, including a major data breach, a critical cloud services outage, and a ransomware attack. Insurers demonstrated resilience to claims arising from large cyber events, though these could have a significant impact on profitability.  

    “Cyber risks are growing and evolving quickly. This exercise helped insurers identify where they are most exposed, and where more work is needed to understand and model these risks. We encourage the industry to build on these insights to improve resilience in this rapidly changing space,” Mr Watt said.

    The Reserve Bank will continue to work closely with insurers and relevant government agencies to support New Zealand’s preparedness for seismic and cyber risks.
     

    More information

    2024 General Insurance Industry Stress Test : https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=08fd9aa271&e=f3c68946f8

    What is a Stress Test?  – Stress Tests are a critical tool we use to assess potential vulnerabilities, support risk management, and inform policy and supervisory decisions. 
    The May Financial Stability Report (FSR) will be released on Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 9:00am. There will be a media conference on the same day at 1:00pm.
    The Reserve Bank worked closely with the Treasury, the Natural Hazards Commission, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the National Emergency Management Agency when producing this Bulletin.

  • Social Media Bill Should Be Government Bill

    Social Media Bill Should Be Government Bill

    Source: E-Commerce arrangement with China to boost Digital Exports

    MEDIA RELEASE – 6 May 2025

    Family First welcomes the introduction of a Social Media Age-Appropriate Users Bill by Catherine Webb, the National MP for Tukituki, which makes it a legal requirement for social media companies to verify users are sixteen years or older.

    However, with the supposed backing of the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the National Party, Family First is asking why this Bill is being left to the luck of the members bills’ ballot and not made a government Bill?

    “If as Ms Webb and Mr Luxon say in their introductory comments that this is intended to protect young people from bullying, inappropriate content and social media addiction, then why is it not a government priority which would actually see the idea made into law, or at the very least have a parliamentary & public discussion via a Select Committee process?” asks Bob McCoskrie, CEO of Family First.

    Family First has long advocated for better regulation of social media and support for parents so as to protect young people.

    “First and foremost, there needs to be a community response where parents unite to ensure their young children are not exposed to social media, but there is also room for government support to empower parents,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    Dr Jonathan Haidt – author of “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” – notes in his acclaimed research that there is a clear correlation between the introduction of smart phones and a significant decline in young people’s mental health.  (Dr Haidt was a guest at last year’s Forum on the Family and he called on New Zealand and other countries to do more to protect young people from the harms online.)

    In Australia, a Guardian newspaper poll last year found that almost 70% wanted age limit raised from 13 years to 16 years when it came to social media.  Of this, 44% strongly supported the idea and 24% were somewhat supporting it.  Only 14% opposed the notion and 17% were unsure.

    In the US State of Virginia, legislation has just passed ensuring social media companies limit under sixteen year olds to a maximum of one hour of scrolling a day.

    Family First thanks Catherine Wedd for drafting the Bill but once again calls on all the coalition parties in the Government (ACT and NZ First) to adopt the bill as a Government bill and ultimately walk the talk when it comes to protecting children online.

    “This important discussion needs to be a priority for the Government and not left in a biscuit tin.”

  • Homicide investigation launched in Manurewa

    Source: New Zealand Police

    A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Manurewa this morning.

    Emergency services were called to a Mahia Road property just before 10am following a report of a person seriously injured.

    Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers, Counties Manukau CIB, says upon arrival, a man was located in a critical condition but despite the best efforts from emergency services, he died at the scene.

    “Police are continuing to gather information from the scene and there will be an increased Police presence in the area.

    “A scene examination will continue throughout today as we work to understand the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and who was involved.”

    Detective Inspector Vickers says Police are working hard to identify and locate the person or persons responsible.

    “Police would ask anyone who saw what happened, who has not yet spoken to us, to please get in touch.”

    If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please make a report via 105, using the file number 250506/4011 and quote ‘Operation Gully’.

    Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org

    Further information will be provided when we are in a position to do so.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

  • Government Cuts – Changes will gut the Equal Pay Act and lock in discrimination – CTU

    Source: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi

    The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is slamming the Government’s proposed changes to the Equal Pay Act, announced today by Brooke van Velden, as an attack on working women and their rights to pay equity.

    “It is shameful that the Government is cancelling pay equity for hundreds of thousands of working women in order to balance the budget,” said NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges.

    “These changes will gut the Equal Pay Act and lock in gender discrimination and inequity for years to come.

    “Pay equity is an issue of justice, not penny pinching. There is no excuse to ignore injustice, especially when employers’ business models have been predicated on the exploitation of women. The coalition is prioritising tax cuts for the rich over justice for poorly paid women.

    “This is not just about cancelling current claims, which would be bad enough, but the changes will also retrospectively rip up existing settlements by removing the review clauses. This will mean that those workers will soon lose the value of their claims.

    “This Government seems determined to undo all the progress that working women have made on achieving equal pay. They disestablished the Pay Equity Taskforce, pulled funding for settlements, and are now gutting the Act.

    “It is totally unacceptable that Brooke van Velden is intending to push these changes through Parliament in two days under urgency, bypassing democratic scrutiny and due process.

    “This Minister is once again demonstrating her contempt for working people and a total disregard for workers’ rights, fair pay and good work,” said Ansell-Bridges.

  • Government Cuts – Dark day for women as Government slams brakes on pay equity to save money – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The Government’s proposed changes to the Equal Pay Act will severely limit people in female-dominated professions to be paid fairly, said the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (PSA).
    “The new legislation announced today throws away all the work that has been done to date solely to save the Government money,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says.
    “Women across the country will pay the price for this.
    “The Government’s changes today are a dark day for New Zealand women as the Government says it will repeal the pay equity law and extinguish 33 existing claims in a constitutional overreach.
    “The PSA is exploring all possible avenues to oppose these unconstitutional amendments and stop this attack on women. We will not be deterred in our fight to achieve pay equity for all.
    “The Government is taking money out of the pockets of women. It’s denying justice, it’s denying hard work and dignity to women who for years have been underpaid by reinventing the process on specious grounds to save money.
    “This is a complete back-down from any attempt to eliminate pay discrimination in this country,” said Fitzsimons. “The Government is telling us who it thinks is disposable: women – especially women who also face pay discrimination based on their ethnicity.”
    The PSA is involved in 15 pay equity claims. This includes 65,000 care and support workers, who have lost about $18,600 each due to pay discrimination while they have waited for the Government to fund their claim.
    “It is now Government policy to keep sexist pay discrimination entrenched in the fabric of this country. It talks a big game about how we all need to ‘tighten our belts’, but it is women who will bear the brunt because of this decision.
    “For workers with claims, pay equity would mean they could put money aside and save for emergencies, holidays, or retirement. They wouldn’t have to stress about essentials like dental check-ups and GP visits.
    “The Government is snatching this justice from these women and using it to line landlords’ pockets. It spits on this country’s supposedly proud history of advancing equal rights.”

  • Local News – Pacific Language Weeks has new addition for 2025 – Porirua

    Source: Porirua City Council

    Bislama, the official language of Vanuatu, has been added to the list of Pacific Language Weeks to be celebrated in Porirua in 2025.
    Language weeks are important to our city as they highlight the diversity, language, heritage and identity of our many Pacific communities.
    After Rotuman Language, from 11-17 May, we recognise and celebrate the languages of Samoa, Kiribati, Vanuatu (Bislama), Cook Islands, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Fiji, Niue and Tokelau and Solomon Islands.
    The overarching theme for the 2025 series of Pacific Language Weeks across New Zealand is ‘preserving Pacific languages for the future’, following on from previous years’ of protecting heritage and culture through sustainability – the United Nations has said recently that 40 per cent of the world’s 7000 languages are in danger of being lost.
    Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says flag-raising and other events across each language week represent a chance to share the vibrancy of our Pacific people, who make up nearly 27 per cent of the city’s population.
    “It’s well-known that Porirua is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country, and I love that we highlight and celebrate that,” she says.
    “To see people, young and old and everywhere in between, getting out and learning and developing relationships in our community brings us all closer together. It’s wonderful to witness and aligns with our Pacific Strategy Ola Kamataga – Beginning of Life, which we adopted in 2023.
    “It’s more important than ever before for everyone to be proud to live in Porirua and be proud to celebrate their own ancestry and culture.”
    Individual language week themes will be announced closer to each celebration. Keep an eye on Council’s website and social media pages as we announce and highlight flag-raising and other Pacific Language Week activities. There is also information at mpp.govt.nz.
    Pacific Language Week dates for 2025:
    Rotuma: 11-17 May
    Samoa: 1-7 June
    Kiribati: 6-12 July
    Vanuatu: 27 July-2 August
    Cook Islands: 3-9 August
    Tonga: 17-23 August
    Papua New Guinea: 7-13 September
    Tuvalu: 28 September-4 October
    Fiji: 5-11 October
    Niue: 19-25 October
    Tokelau: 26 October-1 November
    Solomon Islands: 23-29 November

  • Politics and Health – Pay equity changes an attack on women: NZNO

    Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

    Changes by the Government to make pay equity claims harder to lodge and resolve are an attack on women, New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden today announced changes saying they will “significantly reduce costs to the Crown”.
    NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says nurses will be outraged that historical gender discrimination will not be addressed so the Government can save money.
    “This is a blatant and shameful attack on women.
    “Women in workforces predominantly performed by female employees have been underpaid and undervalued for generations. That is what pay equity claims seek to rectify.
    “This move by the Government will widen the pay gap between men and women,” Paul Goulter says.
    NZNO has at least 10 pay equity claims being progressed across branches of the health sector including Aged Care, Primary Health Care, Hospices, Plunket, Community Health and Laboratories covering many nurse and support worker roles.
    Paul Goulter says some of these claims have been going on for years.
    “Our members will be devastated that after years of waiting for settlements, the Government is now pulling the rug out from under their feet.
    “This move is particularly unfair to primary health and aged care nurses who are being denied the opportunity to close the pay gap with their hospital counterparts. Our Plunket and hospice members now face the injustice of having to redo their pay equity claims,” Paul Goulter says.

  • Politics and Business – Pay equity improvement supported – BusinessNZ

    Source: BusinessNZ

    BusinessNZ supports amending the pay equity process to make it more transparent, evidence-based, and more able to achieve robust settlements.
    BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the current process is bringing large anomalies between the public and private sectors, in effect leading to new equity problems – between those employed in the public sector and those in the private sector.
    “Increases in public health sector remuneration have created difficulties in the private sector where they can’t afford those pay rates. Where those private sector employers receive government funding for some services, it is not enough to cover the contracted services they provide. As a result, they are losing staff, suffering from industrial action and face problems in delivering their contracted work.
    “These outcomes indicate that the pay equity process needs attention.
    “Current problems include unclear evidence for some pay equity claims, a lack of transparency around choice of comparators for the pay equity process, and insufficient incentives for the bargaining parties to resolve pay equity claims themselves, without recourse to the government.
    “BusinessNZ supports a review of the settings for pay equity claims, in the interests of fairness and a more balanced economy,” Mrs Rich said.
    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.

  • Government Cuts – “A national embarrassment” – Workers First on Government’s pay equity betrayal

    Source: Workers First Union

    Workers First Union has described today’s announcement that the Government will attempt to shut down existing pay equity claims and make it harder to file new ones as a “national embarrassment” that will worsen inequality in New Zealand and continue the flood of experienced professionals in historically female-dominated professions to countries overseas.
    Sheryl Cadman, Workers First Central Region Secretary, said that the plan announced today by Minister Brooke Van Velden reneges on decades of bipartisan work on pay equity because the current Government cannot manage the economy ahead of Budget 2025/26.
    “Minister Van Velden has decided to make tens of thousands of women pay for her Government’s next austerity budget,” said Ms Cadman.
    “As a policy decision, it achieves the ambitious trifecta of worsening the long-term health of our economy, exacerbating worker shortages in health, education and other historically female-dominated industries, and embedding unfairness throughout our society.”
    Ms Cadman said pay equity claims like Workers First’s case on behalf of veterinary nurses across the private sector could be jeopardised by the Government’s “fast-tracked” changes to the system that deals with pay equity claims.
    “We’ll regroup and assess our options, but the problems do not go away just because the legislative pathway for change has been willingly broken by the Government,” said Ms Cadman.
    “Entire industries rely on the pay equity claim process to have an expert court consider their historical underpayment and make recommendations for redress – not an ignorant Minister whose main experience of female workers is as people who bring her things.”
    “Using parliamentary urgency to force a law change like this that demands careful scrutiny is especially foolish, short-sighted and authoritarian.”
    Ms Cadman said she reserved particular disdain for Minister Brooke van Velden.
    “Minister Van Velden is a politician who’s incapable of listening and barely capable of thinking clearly about the present moment, let alone considering the decades of unfairness in the past that has made pay equity a priority for anyone who wants to make New Zealand a better place to live.”
    “The union movement has dealt with worse and we will fight this again.”