Category: Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Hawke’s Bay growers mull McCain takeover bid

Source: Radio New Zealand

Stuart Davies says with McCain’s shutting up shop he’s looking at scaling down by cutting one worker and possibly selling one of his spraying machines. RNZ / Alexa Cook

A group of Hawke’s Bay growers is looking at whether it could take over the McCain vegetable processing factory and save the industry.

McCain is closing its frozen vegetable factory in Hastings, a decision that’s impacting more than 100 growers of peas, beans, corn and carrots.

The international company said it had reviewed operations at the site and ‘considered a range of options to strengthen the long-term position of the site’.

However, it said the business was ‘unable to identify a sustainable pathway under the current model’.

The decision is a huge blow to the industry in Hawke’s Bay, where the impact is being felt widely from growers to contractors, and mechanics to factory workers.

Alistair Setter says it’s emotional thinking he may have grown his last crop of peas. RNZ / Alexa Cook

Alistair Setter has been farming in Central Hawke’s Bay for decades, and told RNZ the closure has come as a shock, and with no warning.

“I was like, oh gosh…have we really grown our last crop of peas? My father grew peas back in the 70s and it’s an important business for us but it’s also an emotional thing as well.

“It’s a great thing to be part of that pea growing business – you think you’re doing good for the world and everything else. As the days go by it kinda sinks in and it really feels like a loss on quite a few levels,” Setter said.

He owns 180 hectares near Ongaonga, growing crops over the warmer months and grazing cattle in winter. About a quarter of his income is from supplying peas to McCains – so the financial hit is substantial.

“It will be significant and we will have to think of alternatives… but they won’t pay as much and it will put risks on other cropping programmes… so yeah we’ve got challenges,” he said.

Alistair Setter owns 180 hectares of cropping land in Ongaonga. RNZ / Alexa Cook

“There are wider issues at play here about how we handle food security as a nation.. when the industry’s go they’re very hard to get back,” Setter said.

One of the alternatives could be a group of growers taking over the current McCain’s factory site, and processing their crops themselves.

Since the closure was announced several meetings have been held between ministers, mayors, and growers to see if anything can be done to save the industry in Hawke’s Bay.

Setter said there were a lot of people keen to see the pea, bean and corn cropping industry survive.

“There’s a lot of desire among farmers like myself and other industry participants to have a go at trying to save it.

“It’s a big thing to try and organise, and it’s a big business, but there is a lot of will out there. The farmers we know around here, a lot of them are really capable business people so sometimes when there is a will and a need… maybe there is a way,” Setter said.

One of those farmers is Hugh Ritchie. He’s been growing peas for McCain for over 30 years and said for it to work, there must be more scrutiny of the food production chain. He said to understand why big companies like McCain can’t make it work, everyone’s margins, from growers to supermarkets, must be analysed.

“If we don’t solve this problem and really understand why it’s happening then it’s just going to be the start of a downward spiral on the domestic production of food,” said Ritchie.

Hawkes Bay farmer Hugh Ritchie Horticulture NZ

Central Hawke’s Bay mayor Will Foley is also keen to find out the cause of McCain decision.

“It doesn’t seem right that we can’t produce that food and sell it locally and for export – all at a success. That’s why we want to get to the bottom of what is going on here and can we take it on ourselves,” he said.

Will Foley Supplied

However, the pressure is on because McCain is only using its Hastings factory until January; after that the machinery could be packed up and sent overseas.

“There is a lot of urgency because any businesses involved that are thinking there is no more business going forward, they are needing to dispose of their assets, otherwise it’s just a cost to them..

“And if we lose those assets and have to start again, the cost to start up will be so much more than if we can take over what is already there,” Foley said.

The Minister for Agriculture, Todd McClay, said he had a constructive and informative meeting with the region’s mayors last week.

“There is a huge amount of optimism in the region and the Minister is looking to meet with growers over the coming weeks,” he said.

McCain told RNZ it has received ‘potential interest in the plant and its equipment from several parties and is continuing discussions’.

‘Massive’ flow-on effect

Many growers, especially for crops like peas, beans and sweet corn, would normally get a contract in mid-year and then start planting crops through August and September.

The impact of McCain closing is rippling through the region, from growers to factory workers, to companies selling seeds and chemicals, contractors and machinery engineers.

Fogarty Spraying in Ongaonga sprays about 1500 hectares of McCain crops each season, and employs three people to help run the operation.

Business owner Stuart Davies is among those affected. RNZ / Alexa Cook

Owner Stuart Davies told RNZ that with McCain’s shutting up shop he’s looking at scaling down by cutting one worker and possibly selling one of his spraying machines.

He said while others were much harder hit than him, this was the kind of impact that was being felt widely in the region.

“That whole economical side of it. It’s all singing and dancing until all of a sudden the big red button’s been hit and that’s it – she’s all stopped. It has a massive flow-on effect,” he said.

Davies said luckily there was currently a lot of confidence in other farming sectors like red meat and dairy, but it would still be a tough time for growers.

The news came out of the blue for most, and Davies said McCain could have done a better job at communicating its closure, as there was no notice that it was even being considered.

“We didn’t quite expect the rug to be pulled just like that, it would’ve been nice to have some warning.

“That was the feel around the place – that the rug was pulled pretty abruptly rather than maybe a softly softly ‘hey guys this is happening in 18 months’,” he said.

RNZ / Alexa Cook

McCain declined RNZ’s request for an interview, saying in a statement the business informed key stakeholders of the closure on the same day as its Hastings team was told.

“We indicated to our stakeholders that we are available to answer any questions about the closure and are also available to discuss the impact the closure may have on them.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

‘Shame on Hollywood’: Cannes-winning writer rails at stance on Gaza

Source: Radio New Zealand

Member of the jury Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty arrives on stage during the Opening Ceremony and the screening of the film “La Venus electrique” (The Electric Kiss) at the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. SAMEER AL-DOUMY / AFP

Hollywood should be ashamed of the way it has treated stars like Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo for opposing Israel’s war in Gaza, a member of the Cannes Film Festival jury said, with big studios conspicuously absent this year.

Paul Laverty, who wrote two films that won Cannes’ top prize, was cheered as he lambasted the studios and praised the French festival for using an image of Sarandon in “Thelma and Louise” for its poster this year.

“Isn’t it fascinating to see Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo blacklisted because of their views in opposing the murder of women and children in Gaza? Shame on Hollywood, people who do that,” the Scottish-born writer, who was arrested last year at a pro-Palestine protest, added.

“They’re the best of us,” said Laverty, who won best screenplay at Cannes for Ken Loach’s “I, Daniel Blake” and “The Wind that Shakes the Barley”.

“I just hope we don’t get bombed now,” he joked.

Sarandon was dropped by her US agents and accused of antisemitism in 2023 after she told a pro-Palestinian rally in New York that people “afraid of being Jewish at this time are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence”.

She said earlier this year that her outspoken stance on Gaza made it “impossible for me to even be on television”, never mind work in Hollywood.

But left-winger Laverty made an impassioned plea for filmmakers not to shy away from politics “when madmen lead the blind”, quoting Shakespeare’s “King Lear”.

Laverty did not mention US leader Donald Trump, but his presidency and the war in Gaza have hung heavy over film festivals over the last few years.

South Korea director Park Chan-wook, who heads the jury awarding the Palme d’Or, the top prize at Cannes, also defended the place of politics in film.

“Art and politics are not concepts that are in conflict with each other. As long as they are artistically expressed, they are valuable,” said the maker of “Oldboy” and “The Handmaiden”.

With Meta, the owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, signing a multi-year sponsorship deal with Cannes, Laverty also warned about “the concentration of power” by Big Tech.

“We are beginning to realise that we should not let these tech bros billionaires, mostly right-wing libertarians, dictate how we live our lives,” he added, with artificial intelligence another hot topic at the festival.

Hollywood star Demi Moore, who is also on the jury, said she was also sceptical of AI’s place in the industry, though not against it.

“There is nothing to fear because one can never replace what true art comes from, because it comes from the soul,” she told reporters.

– AFP

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Siri Hustvedt’s powerful memoir of losing her husband Paul Auster will make you cry

Source: Radio New Zealand

“Divested of others, what exactly is a self?” This question occurs halfway through Siri Hustvedt’s extraordinary new grief memoir, Ghost Stories. By my reading, it propels the whole book.

Ghost Stories reflects on Hustvedt’s life with her husband Paul Auster, her partner of 43 years, in the aftermath of his death, aged 77, in April 2024. An internationally renowned writer and filmmaker, Auster’s notable works include The New York Trilogy (1987), Smoke (1995), and the Booker Prize shortlisted novel, 4 3 2 1 (2017).

Ghost Stories narrates the final years, months and weeks of their time together, as well as the period immediately following Auster’s death. The four-year period, 2021-2025, forms the memoir’s central setting. It starts when COVID is still a serious menace and Trump’s first term is nearing an end. For Hustvedt’s Brooklyn household, these years cover two premature deaths.

Siri Hustvedt.

LINUS SUNDAHL-DJERF/DN

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Boy asks Immigration for step-mum’s visa to be ‘reunited as a family’

Source: Radio New Zealand

A 13-year-old is imploring immigration authorities to let his stepmother come to New Zealand. RNZ

A 13-year-old boy has written to immigration authorities imploring them to let his stepmother come to New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said 30-year-old Chunxiang Chen provided false or misleading information in previous visa applications.

But the family’s lawyer said Harris Gu said INZ never completed a character waiver to assess its concerns, and Chen was the ‘missing piece’ in the Auckland family.

“The real issue is whether INZ is exercising its discretion lawfully, fairly, and humanely in light of the explanation, the waiver request, and the child-welfare circumstances.”

Yichen Lu moved from China to Auckland to live with his father, but work commitments were making care difficult. “My father often goes out early and comes home late due to work and sometimes even has to work overtime on weekends,” he said. “I want my stepmother to come and take care of me so that we can be reunited as a family.”

“As a child adjusting to a completely new environment, he needs a great deal of emotional support and companionship,” said his father Allen Lu, 44. “Unfortunately, due to my work responsibilities, it has been very difficult for me to provide him with the level of care and attention he truly needs. It’s really hard for the single dad like to raise the family. You have to look after your kids and also you have to make the money.”

The couple met three years ago in New Zealand, and married in China in December 2024. Both his son and wife were suffering from depression, he said.

INZ visa director Chris Adamson said it understood it was an upsetting situation. “During our assessment of her latest application, we noted she has previously provided false and misleading information on previous applications, including inconsistent information about her relationship with her now husband. Because of this, we are not satisfied she currently meets the character requirements to be granted a visa.”

He said INZ had outlined its concerns to their lawyer, including that she was a genuine visitor, with ties to her home country and sufficient funds held in her own name.

“We recognise the family’s concerns around their son’s wellbeing and the impact of family separation. While we do consider New Zealand’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, including the best interests of the child as a primary consideration, we are not able to grant a visa where core requirements are not met. In practice, this means we carefully consider the child’s circumstances and any impact on their wellbeing, but these factors must be weighed alongside all visa requirements.”

Lawyer Harris Gu. supplied

Gu said the family circumstances meant she would need to move onto another visa, but that did not mean she would overstay.

“For the current time being, it’s best for her to come here to reunite with the family and plan for the future. So other visa options include student visa or work visa in her own right. And, perhaps, the worst case scenario, she can request the minister to consider special direction to grant a resident visa.”

There had been no deliberate deception and she had been misled by an unlicensed agent. “She accepts the confusion caused, is remorseful, and has since engaged proper legal representation. A character waiver request was submitted to INZ in July 2025. The key point is that, since I started acting, INZ has never actually determined the character waiver.

“The applications have instead been declined, or progressed toward decline, on other grounds such as bona fides, funds, home-country ties, or lawful purpose. In my view, INZ’s response is selective and risks misleading by omission.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Opposition warns reforms open up conservation estate to sale as government pushes on

Source: Radio New Zealand

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The government is pushing on with conservation reforms it says cut red tape and enable fees for foreign tourists visiting New Zealand’s premium natural areas.

The opposition warns it opens up 60 percent of the conservation estate to sale, and changes how current treaty settlements are interpreted.

The Conservation Amendment Bill passed its first reading supported by the coalition parties, and opposed by the opposition – 68 votes to 54.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka – who called it the most significant reform to conservation law in 40 years – said it was about modernising the management of conservation land and supporting economic growth.

The bill enables international visitors to be charged a levy for access to some areas of conservation land, with the minister saying those details would be worked out at a later date.

“Yes, we are going to charge foreigners to go on some tracks around the country,” Potaka told Parliament.

“Conservation and economic development do not sit in opposition to one another all the time. Done properly they can support one another – that’s what we believe in.”

The bill also makes changes to how concessions – permissions for tourism and other operations on conservation land – are managed; enables “amenity areas” where buildings like toilets or potentially eateries could be established; simplifies planning in line with the Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms; and amends or clarifies how Treaty Settlement and Takutai Moana rights are upheld.

Labour’s conservation spokesperson Priyanca Radhakrishnan. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Labour’s conservation spokesperson Priyanca Radhakrishnan warned it would also open up 60 percent of conservation land to being sold, including areas home to species considered ‘at risk’ rather than endangered – like the Lewis Pass beech forests.

She said it went far further than modernisation.

“It’s a sneaky, egregious bill that goes so much further, it is the most significant rollback of conservation protections in a generation and it puts commercialisation over conservation. And that minister should be ashamed.”

The Greens co-leader Marama Davidson was similarly outraged, saying the coalition had chosen to put profit over the environment – particularly given the $135 million in cuts to the Department of Conservation during this term.

She said it would also put more power in the hands of ministers, while reducing independent and public oversight.

The ACT Party’s Cameron Luxton argued the changes would prioritise people.

“For too long, New Zealand has had a conservation system that often treats people as the problem. It has treated a new track, a new hut, a new wharf, a better facility … or a business who’s looking to provide an experience, as something suspicious before it’s even been considered.”

NZ First’s Andy Foster. VNP/Louis Collins

NZ First’s Andy Foster welcomed the faster processing of concessions and the new Treaty clause, saying rather than removing the existing clause “which would have been quite good in our view, I think, is to interpret what this means”.

“As I read it, it says ‘you are going to engage’.”

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi warned however it would have a chilling effect on those yet to reach a Treaty settlement, describing the bill as another part of the coalition’s “ram raid” on conservation.

“This demonstrates a blanket lack of good faith, and only adds to the iwi Māori suspicion of the Crown’s ability to act with honour,” he said.

“Amending settlement legislation cannot be taken lightly – how can this government believe it can amend any legislation regarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi when it continues to fail to uphold it?”

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Potaka, however, was adamant the government remained committed to honouring settlements and good-faith negotiations.

“We want to be clear, the wording of section 4 is not being changed,” he said.

“This bill provides greater certainty about what it means, and of course members of the opposition know there is no veto – that’s what the Supreme Court said and that’s what this government says.”

The bill’s first reading came the same day the coalition announced it would override the Supreme Court, which had agreed a lawsuit challenging companies’ climate records under tort law could go ahead.

In a move the activist taking the case – iwi leader Mike Smith – called “an affront to democracy”, the government now planned to ban such cases.

After the bill’s passage, the next piece of legislation up for debate was the second reading of legislation that would abolish the Ministry for the Environment, so the government could merge the department into the new MCERT (Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport) mega-ministry.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Rescuers told to wait as man and dogs stranded in middle of flooded Canterbury river

Source: Radio New Zealand

The stranded ute in the Waimakariri River. Supplied / Coastguard NZ

Rescuers were told to hold back for more than an hour from saving a man and his dogs in the middle of a flooded Canterbury river unless something “catastrophic” happened, an emergency call log shows.

The man got stuck in his ute in the Waimakariri River near West Melton just north of Christchurch, with water flowing around the bonnet, about 12.30pm on Saturday.

The first 111 call for help was at 12.34pm.

A Coastguard jetboat and Fire and Emergency raft crew got him off the ute almost two and a half hours later, at about 2.50pm.

But the log showed the FENZ raft crew were ready on the river bank just after 2pm, but told not to deploy “unless urgent life preservation required” and to wait for the Coastguard.

The Coastguard had only been alerted about an hour after the 111 call.

By the time their volunteers got there, the vehicle was “sinking”, according to the log.

“FENZ swift water entering water up stream and Coast Guard entering water from down stream.”

The ute was close to the bank and the eventual rescue took less than 10 minutes.

Police defended the way they coordinated the rescue, calling it efficient and covering all the risks.

‘More dangerous to operate’

A source – a trained responder familiar with what happened – told RNZ that holding back was “odd”.

“It was a pretty simple rescue but then because police are managing it they won’t let us do anything. The river came up and made it more dangerous to operate.”

Coastguard North Canterbury was alerted “just after 1:30pm”, its online post said.

“This was our first official swift water rescue response, and the crew were really chuffed to be able to carry it out successfully. It was a great opportunity to put our training into practice,” said North Canterbury vice president Logan Pryce online.

Pryce said the Coastguard only subsequently learned of the delay.

He told RNZ on Tuesday that while the Coastguard had been “pushing hard” for police, FENZ and civil defence to use their capabilities, it was not privy to police decision-making on Saturday.

“We would rather be let know about a situation early and be sent home because it is resolved before we get there, than… have to work harder to help resolve the situation,” said Pryce.

Police said the rescue was “was completed efficiently and without incident”.

The ute’s driver had “remained under continuous observation by staff on the riverbank”.

“At no point did his condition deteriorate or the level of risk increase.”

Police said they were advised a full and ready FENZ swift water team was not immediately available, while the Coastguard could get there in 45 minutes.

“Given the river conditions and the value of a jet-powered vessel in high flows, police proceeded with Coastguard as the most appropriate partner agency,” police told RNZ on Tuesday.

The Kaiapoi Coastguard vessel supplied

‘Happy to approve whichever response is going to be the quickest’

Soon after the 111 call at 12.34pm, the FENZ call log said: “Toyota ute is half submerged in the water.

“Occupant is sitting on top of the ute with his 2 dogs about 20m from the riverbank. River is in flood. Ute appears stable at the mo’… Nil injuries … River in flood and has a heavy flow.

“Occupant on ute too far away to communicate clearly with.”

Volunteer fire crews set off – the riverbank was just minutes away – and police and ambulance were alerted quickly.

The crews were set up downstream with throw bags by 1.12pm when word arrived that it “sounds like they [police] are happy to approve whichever response is going to be the quickest between Coastguard, Westpac and FENZ swift water rescue”.

Police said they immediately sent an officer to the scene to monitor the man’s safety.

At 1.13pm the log said: “Water rescue approved”. A few minutes later that went – as per protocol – to FENZ’s National Commanders’ Group to sign off on. This took until about 45 minutes after the 111 call.

FENZ at 1.48pm had been trying to confirm when Coastguard volunteers might get there – but Coastguard said it was only alerted about 1.40pm.

‘Unable to deploy unless catastrophic change in situation’

The water-trained firefighter team got to the riverbank at 1.53pm.

But 11 minutes later came the message for them to wait.

A FENZ assistant district commander – who was not at the scene – referring to a decision by the police SAR (search and rescue) coordinator – who was also not at the scene – said:

“Details passed re SAR decision for swift water rescue to not deploy unless urgent life preservation required.

“He requests that as soon as Coast Guard are on scene we are to be advised and FENZ water rescue to be stood down.”

A minute later the Rolleston fire crew messaged from the riverbank, “SWRT [swift water rescue] set up in place – unable to deploy unless catastrophic change in situation This is from police coms [sic].”

RNZ asked police and FENZ what might have constituted “catastrophic”. They did not address that in their statements and did not give an interview.

The source suggested that might look like a large log floating down, headed towards the ute – at which point the swift water team would have had to scramble. “That would put the rescuers in a worse position.”

‘Doing it right, gets the job done’

In the event, the FENZ team waited 35 minutes till the Coastguard got there at 2.40pm, and shortly after they both got the job done.

“Male and 2 dogs back on shore,” said the log at 2.51pm.

Online comments at Coastguard’s site included: “So awesome to see you guys out with FENZ as well. It’s been a hard and challenging road but you’ve proven that doing it once, doing it right, gets the job done.”

RNZ asked FENZ why its water team did not go in immediately.

It issued a two-line statement: “The police were the lead agency and, as such, it’s appropriate that your inquiry is directed to police.

“Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded and were available as an asset to the incident controller.”

Coastguard spokesperson Kimberley Waters said the national operations centre got the call from police and started mobilising.

“So we have no idea at what point a call was made before that.”

Pryce said North Canterbury volunteers had spent several years getting a boat and vehicle and training to technician level, but Waters did not think the delay was in response to the volunteers’ push to be used.

“The process is always police making a decision as to who they want to respond in any given SAR situation so in this situation our swift water rescue is skilled and qualified,” she told RNZ on Tuesday.

Police said it was a coordinated response that ensured the man was brought to safety while managing risk appropriately for all responders.

“Decisions were made collaboratively, based on real-time assessments, available capability, and the paramount priority of responder and public safety,” said operations manager for Canterbury Inspector Bryan Buck, in a statement on Tuesday.

They discussed whether to send a helicopter but did not.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Is the ‘brain drain’ real – and is it really a problem?

Source: Radio New Zealand

The International Departures entrance at Auckland Airport. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Do we really have a ‘brain drain’ and is it a problem?

New research from Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures, has argued gaps in the data and too-simplistic analysis could be limiting New Zealanders’ understanding of migration trends.

The paper by Sir Peter Gluckman, Georgia Lala and Christoph Grant notes between 2021 and 2025, annual New Zealand citizen departures rose from around 26,000 to 64,000. That lifted from 0.44 percent of the population in 2021 to 1.34 percent of the population in 2025.

But it says this is not unprecedented and migration patterns need to be understood in a broader historical and economic context.

“Historical patterns in New Zealand suggest that the recent uptick in departures may simply be a part of a wider cyclical pattern, rather than a clear sign of a structural deviation from historical norms.”

It said there had been previous increases in times of economic stability like the 1978 oil crisis, 1987 stock market crash and the 2008 global financial crisis.

“Migration decisions are shaped by a range of push and pull factors. Yet the ebbs and flows of New Zealand citizen migration reflect the reality that, in a globalised world, people can and will move if mobility is an option and offshore outlooks appear better. Conversely, movement may restrict if outlooks appear better onshore, suggesting it is possible that we are not in a brain drain ‘crisis’ but rather a sustained cycle of movement.”

The report said the share of people departing who were aged 20 to 34 rose from 41 percent to 43 percent between 2021 and 2025 but that was just a return to historical averages.

“Youth mobility is a prominent part of Kiwi culture, and high mobility amongst young adults is not, on its own, a cause for concern. If those departing New Zealand elect to return home after some time working or studying abroad, they can bring with them new skills, experiences, ideas and networks.

“The question of whether there is an accelerated brain drain is largely dependent on whether those departing New Zealand will return at some point in the future.”

Sir Peter Gluckman Supplied / University of Auckland

Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen said migration had been talked about in a way that made it sound like something “wildly unusual and debilitating to the economy’ in the past couple of years.

“That’s not necessarily true. The number of people leaving has been high. It hasn’t been off-the-charts high.

“And more importantly … all the times that you’ve seen these record high or near record high departure numbers, you’ve still had more people coming into New Zealand than leaving.”

The report noted that despite an increase in emigration since 2021, immigration had made up for the losses since New Zealand fully reopened its borders.

“Based on publicly available data and the formal definition of a brain drain, we cannot say for certain whether New Zealand is experiencing a brain drain ‘crisis’, nor whether any such trend is short-term or long-term … Although immigration currently offsets emigration, immigration remains volatile in the global competition for talent. Net flows of skills and educational attainment in and out of New Zealand also remain unclear … What is clear, however, is that the public and political narratives concerning a brain drain are grounded in limited data and its selective interpretation, as well as a failure to acknowledge both the valuable skills immigrants bring into the country and the historically cyclical nature of New Zealand emigration.”

Gluckman said people had been moving between Australia and New Zealand for decades.

“We simply do not have sufficient data or understanding of the people leaving New Zealand to be certain about the nature or nuances of the issue,” he said.

“The current migration patterns do not appear to exceed historical episodes, but that does not mean we should be complacent. We need to better understand what is happening and continue to find ways to make New Zealand an attractive place to live, work and build a future.

“Even the terminology ‘brain drain’ may be misleading: the educational levels of migrants are very similar to those of our population and may be higher than those leaving although the data is very uncertain.

“Let’s get past the histrionics and let’s get the data. A more constructive approach is needed if we are to fully understand our migration patterns, particularly our emigrating population.”

Olsen said the level of arrivals was high considering the labour market was relatively weak.

Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“The unemployment rate is above 5 percent … So, there’s sort of this question over what’s driving all these migration flows?

“Why have we got such a strong pull still of people to come into New Zealand? When we talk to businesses, it’s around skills gaps and mismatches and the likes. So, there’s a lot of those different elements playing through. The other one, and it’s a drum that we’ve been beating for a long time as well, we have a pretty good idea of who comes into New Zealand. Not fully for absolutely every person, but we’ve got a pretty good idea around the likes of occupations and broad skills that people might be bringing in. We have no idea who we’re losing. We don’t ask people when they leave what they’re taking with them.”

He said that was a blind spot for the country.

“This entire conversation also sort of ties into a wider conversation that came through politically on Friday around the likes of fees free and similar, which is we’re still not sort of making it as strong of a connection between the likes of New Zealand’s migration system and our education system and everything else.

“We still don’t have a national skills plan that says we need these skills and this talent going forward, and therefore we need to incentivise those groups to be trained up. But there’s hope that with the scrapping of fees free and talk of a more focused, targeted approach, there’s greater potential to look at some of those options and go, look, these are sort of skills that we think we might be losing or that we know that we need into the future. So, therefore, let’s fund them through into either further study, trades, whatever it might be, so that we have the right skills when the economy needs it.”

Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Rural consumers spending as much as a quarter of household budget on fuel

Source: Radio New Zealand

Figures show the cost of living crisis is not being felt equally across New Zealand. Quin Tauetau

Soaring petrol prices could be deepening the cost-of-living divide between urban and rural communities, with new data suggesting households in parts of rural New Zealand are spending nearly a quarter of their total discretionary spending on fuel and some regions seeing record petrol prices.

Figures and analysis provided to RNZ by Dot Loves Data showed that in April motorists in many rural districts spent as much as five times more of their household budgets on fuel than city dwellers.

In Hurunui, fuel accounted for 24 percent of all household spending in April, compared to 16 percent in December 2025, before the US-Iran war began. Local consumers in the Mackenzie district, Rangitikei and rural Waikato regions spent 23 percent on petrol and diesel (up from 18 percent, 19 percent and 21 percent respectively in December).

Other districts where drivers are feeling pain at the pump include Selwyn at 22 percent (up from 16 percent in December), Southland at 21 percent (up from 15), and Opotiki at 21.5 percent (up from 19).

By contrast Wellington households spent just 5 percent of their weekly budget on fuel in April, a jump of 1 percent from December.

The national media for April was 13 percent of total discretionary spending, compared to 10 percent in December.

Nelson sits at 8 percent (a 2 percent increase), and Dunedin and Queenstown at 9 percent (up 6 and 7 percent respectively). Auckland and Christchurch sit 11 percent and 10 percent respectively – up from 8 percent and 7.5 percent in December.

Dot Loves Data director Justin Lester said the findings showed fuel inflation was becoming “an increasingly unavoidable financial burden” for rural New Zealanders.

“Fuel isn’t discretionary spending in rural New Zealand. For many families, it’s the cost of getting to work, school, healthcare, and even the supermarket. Rural families are more exposed to the global fuel shock due to longer travel distances and heavy dependence on private vehicles.”

Dot Loves Data director Justin Lester. RNZ /Dom Thomas

People in larger cities had more alternatives, and these “insulated” them from the worst impacts of rising fuel prices, he added. “They can use public transport, travel shorter distances, or work closer to home.”

Rural communities did not have those options available to them. “It’s beginning to bite [and it] will begin to impact other sectors.”

The report also found grocery spending in urban centres averaged around 33 percent of household expenditure, compared with a national median of 41 percent, further highlighting the sharper affordability pressures outside the main centres.

Lester said prolonged international instability and higher fuel prices could continue to place significant strain on regional economies.

“When fuel prices rise, rural households have less flexibility in their budgets, and that pressure flows directly into local businesses and communities. These numbers show the cost of living crisis is not being felt equally across New Zealand.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Strong ‘buyer’s market’ is working against anyone trying to sell an apartment

Source: Radio New Zealand

Across the country, 12.2 percent of sales in the first quarter of this year were for less than the sellers had paid for them. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Almost 20 percent of Auckland sellers lost money on properties they sold in the first quarter of this year, Cotality says – and more than 40 percent of people selling apartments.

Cotality said across the country, 12.2 percent of sales in the first quarter of this year were for less than the sellers had paid for them.

But in Auckland 19.9 percent of sales were for a loss. In Hamilton it was 13.1 percent and in Wellington 16.7 percent. Palmerston North recorded 17.4 percent losses. In Christchurch, fewer than 5 percent were for a loss.

For apartments, 41.1 percent were sold for a loss, the weakest since 2011. Cotality chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said there was no evidence of a “fire sale” in apartments but they tended to have less growth in value over time, so there was more potential for a loss. “I don’t think apartments are necessarily collapsing, the figures aren’t strong by any means but it’s not as if people are abandoning apartments. I think it just reflects the fact there’s less capital gain over time so at any point in the cycle you’re less likely to make a profit simply because apartment values don’t go up as much.”

The national median gross profit was $285,000, down from a peak of $440,000 but similar to recent quarters.

Profit-making sales had been held for a median 10 years.

Sellers who made a loss had held their properties for a median 4.2 years and lost a median $54,000.

For owner-occupiers, 11.1 percent of resales in the first quarter were for a loss, down from 11.6 percent in the last quarter of 2025 but still about the highest levels since 2013.

For investors, 13.7 percent of sales were for a loss, up from 11.3 percent in the fourth quarter last year and the highest level since 2012.

SUPPLIED

“We’re in a buyer’s market, lots of choice, prices are flat, so that’s working against resellers,” Davidson said. “Eighty-eight percent is down a lot from where it used to be but that’s still pretty much nine in every 10 people making a gross profit of some degree so it’s still quite strong and it’s quite in favour of sellers.

“If you’re an Auckland seller of an apartment and you’re an investor, it’s been a tricky few years.”

He said there had been previous periods of time that had been similarly difficult for people who bought just before a drop in prices.

“If you go back to the worst point of the GFC, the figure [making a gain] was down at about 80 percent … and in the Asian financial crisis it was about 70 percent.

“Things are not great for sellers at the moment but it has been worse in the past even though this downturn in property values has been bigger. I guess it’s just telling you that people are able to hang on.

“There’s been serviceability testing, there’s probably higher credit standards than what they might have been 20 or 30 years ago so even though the downturn in values has been bigger people have been able to hold on and ride it out. “

In some cases, people may be taking their homes off the market rather than selling at a loss.

Davidson said very few listings “failed” in 2020 and 2021 but since the proportion had risen to between 25 percent had 30 percent and stayed there.

“We recorded about 21,850 ‘pulled’ listings in 2025, the highest since 2018, but that’s in the wider context of more properties just being listed and sold anyway.”

QV data, meanwhile, shows the average value nationally had grown by 0.3 percent since the start of the year to $912,406 but was 0.2 percent lower than a year earlier.

Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Posted on

Blues captain Maia Roos embracing expectations as Super Rugby Aupiki continues to grow

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Blues won the 2024, and 2025 Aupiki finals. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

The Blues women want to build a dynasty.

The franchise has dominated the early years of Aupiki, winning back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025, and they have no intention of relinquishing their crown.

Blues captain Maia Roos said they welcome the target on their backs as it hunts a historic three-peat, when the season gets under way next month.

“It’s sitting there, everyone’s gunning for the win this year, so we just have to start fresh, start new and can’t get complacent.”

Roos has been part of the Blues set-up since the inaugural season and has seen significant growth in Aupiki, both in the number of games and standard of rugby being played.

“We worried about the sustainability of the competition because it was so bang, bang, bang, six games. But I think as we continue to get more funding, more resources in our sport, I hope that we’ll be able to extend the competition in a way that is accessible to more girls so that they don’t have to fully quit their jobs for three months and then have to look again.”

That growth is reflected in the 2026 competition structure, with the season expanding to a six round format, alongside a final and a trans-Tasman championship.

Another major change this year is the scheduling. The season has shifted to June to accommodate the Black Ferns Pacific Four campaign – a move Roos believes will ultimately lift standards across the game.

“It set a really good standard for how girls will train and play in Aupiki, and I think they’ll be able to take those standards into their clubs so that the younger girls are able to rise to that level as well.”

Maia Roos says the Blues will have a target on their back this year. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

The Black Ferns lock said the increase in professionalism within the women’s game has also translated into a more physical and entertaining competition.

“Man, we’re able to play such exciting games because of the fitness levels. It’s hard, because every team has those strengths to match that. So the games are quality every single week and they’re exciting to watch and play.”

The introduction of long-term contracts has also strengthened confidence in the pathway for aspiring players, she said.

“Just showing people from their communities that they can play at this level, and that’s beneficial for all rugby in New Zealand and girls and boys who want to play when they grow up too.”

After a forgettable World Cup last year, Roos, fresh off the Pacific Four campaign, said the new Black Ferns era had started strongly under Whitney Hansen.

“We feel so connected as a group, you get that through hardship. We have the tools that we need and it’s up to us and how we run with it. I think with the start of a new World Cup cycle, it’s cool to see new players getting exposed to high pressure, high performance rugby in Aupiki.”

Even so, Roos admits Black Ferns selection inevitably lingers in the background during the domestic season.

“It does sit in the back of my head, but my main focus right now is on Aupiki and on serving our Blues region. I love the Blues and I’m so excited to be back with my friends. The cool thing is that I’ve played with these girls since grassroots, since school, and to now represent our region together is really cool, ten years on. Oh man, we’re old!”

With 33 new names spread across the four Aupiki squads this season, Roos believes the Blues’ dominance will face its toughest challenge yet.

“All the squads are so strong this year. Poa has some really strong new additions and I think the girls that they’ve retained have a real hunger to be better. I think all the teams are going to be strong and every week you can’t let your guard down.”

Despite the rising standard on the field, Roos said one of her biggest hopes for the season is to see more supporters in the stands.

“I understand the cost of living crisis is tough right now, so people don’t always have the money to come out to games, but ticket prices are quite accessible at some of our games. It would be amazing to see more people supporting us and supporting women’s rugby.”

Aupiki Round One:

Saturday 13 June

2:05pm, Blues vs Hurricanes Poua, Eden Park, Auckland

4:05pm, Matatū vs Chiefs Manawa, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand