Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has agreed to move forward with legislation that restores Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“Last year we introduced legislation to overturn the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Re Edwards, and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act to restore Parliament’s original test for CMT. 

“However, the Supreme Court then also determined this ruling was wrong. This was helpful, but after appropriate consideration, the Government has decided it doesn’t go far enough.

“Therefore, we will progress with the Bill currently before the House which ensures these tests for applications directly with the Crown, or through the Courts, are upheld as originally intended.

“Customary Marine Title gives the holder valuable rights, including refusing resource consents in the area, such as for renewals of some private assets like wharves, or aquaculture expansion. 

“All New Zealanders have an interest in the coastal waters of our country, so Parliament deliberately set a high test in 2011 before Customary Marine Title could be granted. 

“The Act enables the legal recognition of Māori customary rights while protecting the legitimate interests of all New Zealanders in the marine and coastal area.”

“This will give effect to a commitment in the National/NZ First coalition agreement to amend section 58 of the Act to make clear Parliament’s original intent. 

“If passed, the test will apply to any court decisions made since the Government announced its policy on 25 July 2024 and all undetermined applications in either the Court or Crown engagement pathways.

“The Government has ensured there is additional funding of up to $15 million to contribute to the costs of applicants whose applications will need to be re-heard.”

The Government intends to pass the legislation by the end of October 2025. 

Source: Massey University

Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa recently welcomed students, parents and staff from Longburn School and Te Kura o Wairau in Manawatū to celebrate the first graduating class of Children’s University at Massey.

Children’s University is an international charity that partners with local universities to engage children and young people in exciting, out-of-school learning opportunities with an aim to raise their aspirations for higher education and encourage lifelong learning.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students, Alumni and Global Engagement Tere McGonagle-Daly says, “As lifelong learning is something Massey University strongly believes in, we knew Children’s University was a good fit for us.

“This pilot was the first step in launching this valuable community-focused programme across the North Island. Massey’s Māori name is Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, which means ‘From inception to infinity’. It is a name that celebrates the importance of lifelong learning. Children’s University is about helping young people encounter things that will inspire their learning journey. I’m thrilled that Massey has been entrusted with this programme and look forward to seeing many more graduations like this one.”

Longburn School Principal Jo Emerson says it has been great to see the students engaging with different activities through the online portal and learning destinations.

“The programme has enhanced the students’ motivation to take ownership of their learning, encouraging them to learn new skills and complete a range of exciting activities to achieve the number of hours required to graduate.

“We look forward to embedding the programme further for our students in 2022, supporting them to achieve their goals in partnership with the Children’s University team.”

Speaking on behalf of the university at the graduation ceremony, Provost Professor Giselle Byrnes says she was delighted to see the next generation of young people moving forward in their education journey.

“A huge thank you and congratulations to the graduates and their families. You have completed your learning hours in record time. Your persistence in the face of disruptions related to the pandemic speaks to your resilience and determination. You have already demonstrated the characteristics of lifelong learners.

“For those of you who will return next year to Longburn School and Te Kura o Wairau, I hope you will continue your involvement with Children’s University to achieve the next level of the awards. In conclusion, I hope the activities you have participated in have ignited a spark for lifelong learning.”

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union has welcomed today’s announcement from Minister of Rail Winston Peters the two new Cook Strait ferries will be publicly owned and rail enabled, meaning that they can carry rail wagons.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the union had strongly argued for this outcome to the Minister, and the decision was a victory for common sense.

He says rail-enabled ferries ensure the long-term viability of both the national rail network and the Cook Strait ferry connection.

Mr Findlay says the developments around reduced expenditure on the new terminals and port infrastructure will be closely watched by the Union

He says today’s announcement was probably the best that could be expected in the circumstances given the cancellation of iRex by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.

Mr Findlay congratulated the membership of the Maritime Union including the crews of the Interislander ferries for their strong support for the Union campaign Our Ferries, Our Future.

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The two main unions for Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) workers have welcomed a determination this week from the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) that found LPC breached obligations to the Unions and workers under the Collective Agreements (CEAs) through a proposed restructure of its container terminal operations.

The ERA has ordered LPC to halt its direct consultation process with affected workers, and instead engage in structured consultation with the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) on the proposal within 20 working days.

The Authority ruled that LPC’s approach to developing its proposal to disestablish 35 positions, without involving Unions, breached the requirements of the CEAs and the wider duty of good faith under the Employment Relations Act.

MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay says the determination is a significant win for port workers by clearly reinforcing the importance of good faith and collective bargaining.

“This finding sends a strong message to employers that they cannot simply present a fully formed proposal for major change without genuinely engaging with the Unions who represent the affected workers,” says Mr Findlay.

Mr Findlay says collective agreements require a cooperative and collaborative approach, especially when jobs are on the line.

RMTU General Secretary Todd Valster says the ERA’s order for LPC to return to the table for structured consultation with the Unions was a positive outcome for port workers.

“This is a good result for workers because it ensures their collective voice is heard at a meaningful stage of the process. It means we can properly engage on the rationale, the details of the proposal, and explore alternatives that protect our members’ jobs and conditions,” says Mr Valster.

“Restructuring should not be presented from on high. It requires genuine engagement to find the best way forward for both the business and the people who make it run. This ERA determination reinforces that principle.”

MUNZ and RMTU looked forward to engaging with LPC as directed by the Authority to ensure a fair process for all affected workers.

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

New Zealand maritime workers will be rallying in support of Australian workers at Qube Ports on Monday 16 December 2024.

Australian wharfies at Qube are stopping work at ten ports in an International Day of Action to expose Qube Ports’ refusal to take safety, fatigue and work-life balance concerns seriously during bargaining for a new employment agreement covering more than 1000 workers.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says New Zealand wharfies will be supporting the Maritime Union of Australia in their struggle, with delegates heading across the Tasman in both directions, an international video link, and protest events to be held in two New Zealand ports.

TAURANGA informational picket Monday 16 December (1pm–3pm)
Hull Road, Mt. Maunganui (Port gates)

GISBORNE informational picket Monday 16 December (Morning)
Corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Hirini Street

Maritime Union of Australia delegates and MUNZ officials will be attending these pickets and available to talk to media.

Mr Findlay says Qube management need to be aware their actions in Australia will have consequences for their brand and credibility internationally unless they change their attitude towards their workforce.

He says the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) will be “acting as one.”

Qube Ports in Australia is an ASX listed behemoth which has extracted mega-profits in recent years from the productivity delivered by their hard working employees, and has doggedly refused to sit down and negotiate a new agreement with their workforce. 

The MUA says Qube has repeatedly dismissed safety and fatigue concerns and declared it unprofitable to operate a business which takes safety seriously. 

While wharfies’ pay has gone backwards against inflation, executive bonuses and shareholder dividends have soared. Over the last four years, Qube profits have jumped by 148%.

The MUA has repeatedly called on the company to return to the bargaining table and engage meaningfully with the safety, fatigue and work-life balance concerns that Qube employees are raising.

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union says an appeal by former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson against health and safety conviction should be dismissed.

On 26 November 2024, the Auckland District Court held that former Ports of Auckland (POAL) CEO Tony Gibson had failed to exercise his duty of due diligence as an officer of a PCBU (Person conducting a business or undertaking) under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Industry regulator Maritime NZ laid charges against Mr Gibson after the death of a stevedore, Pala’amo Kalati, in 2020.

The Union understands an appeal has been lodged.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the conviction of Mr Gibson was an important public recognition of the harm he had caused.

“One thing we found when Tony Gibson was in charge at the Port was that he always saw himself as right, and saw everyone else as wrong.”

“This attitude would have fatal consequences.”

He says Mr Gibson’s regime at Port of Auckland saw multiple deaths and serious injuries, sustained attacks on the workforce, and a failed automation project that cost Aucklanders hundreds of millions of dollars.

Mr Findlay says the successful recovery of the Port of Auckland since Mr Gibson’s resignation in 2021 confirm previous problems were down to poor management.

“It has taken several years to turn around the Port but we have done it.”

Mr Findlay says the recent reappointment of Tony Gibson to a board position at Marsden Maritime Holdings (MMH) in Northland is a travesty.

“There is no way Tony Gibson should have been appointed to any senior business role, let alone the Board of a maritime and port company.”

Marsden Maritime Holdings is a New Zealand Exchange-listed (NZX) company, which has a 50% stake in Northport, a marina, and significant industrial land holdings.

The Maritime Union will continue to campaign for corporate manslaughter laws and was seeking the removal of Mr Gibson from the Board of Marsden Maritime Holdings.

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: How Hot Christchurch Summers Are Melting Our Computers – PR.co.nz

In these hot summer days, computers are at a greater risk. Specifically, users may find that their CPU is overheating as the fan that keeps it cool struggles to keep pace with the increased temperature.

The post How Hot Christchurch Summers Are Melting Our Computers first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health