NZ Engine

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

13 minutes ago

EIT has officially launched a refreshed phase of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Worker Training Programme, set to equip thousands of Pacific seasonal workers with practical skills.

The new programme, known as NOA Village of Learning, marks the beginning of Phase III of the MFAT-funded initiative, which has been running since 2007. The contract, which was awarded to EIT at the end of last year, will see the institute deliver more than 150 courses annually to up to 2,250 RSE workers across the country.

The training focuses on building transferable skills that workers can use both during their time in New Zealand and when they return home to support their families and communities. Courses are already underway in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay. Further rollouts are planned for Central Otago, Auckland and Northland.

The programme was launched last month with a pōwhiri and a Fijian-led kava ceremony at EIT’s Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale. Around 70 guests attended, including Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst, representatives from Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, iwi leaders, church ministers, RSE employers and workers, government officials and industry partners.

EIT Operations Lead Glen Harkness said the programme reflects EIT’s commitment to growth and community.

“NOA is designed to support RSE workers on their journey to growth and the future,” Glen said. “At EIT we believe education and training is not just a process. It is a pathway to growth, community and success.”

He said NOA represents more than workforce development.

“This initiative is about strengthening social and economic wellbeing across the Pacific,” he said. “It reflects what can be achieved when we listen, collaborate and work together with a shared purpose.”
RSE Pacific Advisory Group Chair Tofilau Talalelei Taufale said: “This is the dawning of a refreshed approach to work-skills development for RSE workers”.

“Not only that, the wider implications with pedagogy and learner-centred curriculum will add to the weaving of the ʻie toga’, the fine mat of Pacific education here at EIT.”

EIT RSE National Operations Manager Meriama Taufale, who leads the implementation of NOA, said it was a privilege to serve in this space.

“Education is power, but being educated is powerful. Being able to enable and empower our RSE workers and their whānau to participate in the RSE Worker Training Programme is, for some, life-changing.”

She said the programme is built around a Pacific philosophy of reciprocity and reintegration.

“It is only right that we give them something to take home, considering a lot of the social disruption that happens in the RSE sector and what they are giving up to be here,” she said.

The programme includes two learning streams. NIU Learning, formerly Essential Learning, introduces skills such as financial literacy, digital capability, healthy living and human rights. MANAVA, the elective stream, includes hands-on vocational training in trades, small business, leadership and hospitality, aligned to the needs of labour-sending countries.

Meriama describes the model as community-driven and culturally grounded.

“The key for us is that we have facilitators who are language speakers so they can contextualise the learning. This will ensure it is not the team leaders or workers who have to translate,” she said. “We are also in the process of translating the learning material for them as well.”

Meriama said the launch marked a major milestone for the team and that collaboration would be key to its success.

“This has been a huge milestone for the team. But it is only the beginning of what we hope to build together because it really does take a village.”

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has outlined its ongoing response to the Royal Commission into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions.

“We are committed to continuing to respond to the Royal Commission of Inquiry with respect and dignity. To maintain transparency with our response, the Government’s released its Response Plan which lays out what work has already been completed and what work is still underway,” Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford says.

The Royal Commission made 95 recommendations in its 2021 redress report, and 138 in its final report in 2024. Of these 233 recommendations overall, 207 are addressed to the Crown, of these, 85 have been either accepted, partially accepted or we have accepted the intent. 

Since the release of the Royal Commission’s Final report in July 2024:

• The Government acknowledged that torture occurred at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (Lake Alice) and introduced two pathways for redress which are now underway;
• An end-of-life payment of $20,000 was made available for Lake Alice survivors along with work to address inequities in the reimbursement of legal fees;
• Public Apologies were made by the Prime Minister and Government agency Chief Executives on 12 November 2024;
• A $32 million investment as part of the apology to increase capacity in current redress and claims systems from approximately 1350 to 1550 claims per year
• Progression of the Responding to Abuse in Care Legislation Amendment Bill which supports the Crown response to a range of recommendations
• a $2 million dual purpose survivor-focused fund for local authorities, non-governmental organisations and community groups;
• Commitment to a national day of reflection on the one-year anniversary of the public apology, 12 November 2025;
• Budget 2025 investment of $533 million over four years, for redress improvements including increasing average payments and increasing the number of claims paid each year;
• Budget 2025 investment of $188 million over four years to improve the safety of children, young people and vulnerable people. 

“We know the Crown’s response will be ongoing given the number and complexity of recommendations. The Royal Commission estimated it could take up to 15 years. 

“While we can never fully make redress for or right the harm survivors experienced, the Government remains committed to engaging with the Royal Commission’s report and recommendations in good faith and with careful consideration,” Ms Stanford says.

Source: New Zealand Parliament –

Order Paper for Thursday, 5 June 2025

2.00pm

Business statement

Hon Chris Bishop, Leader of the House, made a statement about the business of the House for the sitting week commencing on Tuesday, 24 June 2025.

Oral questions

Question time is in progress. 

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A report by New Zealand Food Safety identifies the recall of imported sesame seeds with the potential to cause Salmonella poisoning as last year’s biggest food safety event.

The ‘Consumer-level food recalls annual report for 2024’, published today, says Salmonella was detected during routine testing by a New Zealand business importing the seeds.

Consumer-level food recalls annual report for 2024 [PDF, 4.8 MB]

“Thanks to the swift action of the team at New Zealand Food Safety, risk to the public was minimised. It was complex and meticulous work, involving testing and tracing potentially affected sesame seeds through the domestic market,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“As a result of these efforts potentially affected product was identified and removed from shelves. In total there were 15 related recalls where the seeds were used, including as ingredients in other products. Most importantly there were no confirmed reports of related illness.

“Recalls are an important part of our work to protect consumers. New Zealand’s food safety system has a strong track record of keeping people safe and – given the volumes of food being produced, manufactured, and imported – incidences of related illness remain rare.

“However, there are occasions when food safety issues occur, and that’s when we work quickly with food businesses to recall the affected product, removing it from the food supply chain and promoting public awareness.

“Good regulations also play a key role. The rules for imported sesame seeds have recently been strengthened. They now receive more scrutiny at the border to help minimise the risk of Salmonella contamination.”

Importing crushed sesame seeds

The 2024 report shows New Zealand Food Safety supported food businesses to conduct 88 consumer-level food recalls.

“It’s important to note that the number of recalls is not an accurate indicator of the level of risk to consumers. Numbers are dependent on many factors, including regulatory changes, business and public awareness of food-related problems, and reporting of those problems,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Of the 88 recalls, 56 were initiated for domestically produced foods and 32 were for imported foods.

Allergens in food were the leading cause for recalls in 2024, accounting for 46% of all recalls.

“Food recalls are a sign that our food safety system is working to protect consumers,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“You can help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts from the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.

Subscibe to food recall

“With World Food Safety Day coming up on Saturday (7 June 2025) it’s a good time to make sure you’ve got the latest information to help keep you and yours safe.”

Find details of recalled food products here:

Recalled food products list

By the numbers:

• 88 consumer-level recalls in 2024.
• Allergens were the leading cause for recalls in 2024 (40).
• Gluten was the allergen that triggered the most recalls (12). 
• 29 recalls were due to microbiological contamination.
• 10 recalls were due to physical contamination.
• 56 recalls were initiated from domestically produced foods and 32 recalls were from imported foods.

Read the full report here:

Consumer-level food recalls annual report 2024 [PDF, 4.8 MB]

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

During their 3-month internship programme at JPL they’ll work alongside scientists and engineers who are part of world-leading NASA missions.

Their experience at JPL will not only support their studies, it will also provide real-world skills to start exciting careers in New Zealand’s fast-growing space industry.

The students received their scholarships at a ceremony in Parliament today.

Congratulations to:

• Asif Rasha (Auckland University of Technology)
• Felix Goddard (University of Canterbury)
• Jack Patterson (University of Canterbury)
• Mark Bishop (Victoria University of Wellington)
• Shivam Desai (University of Auckland)
• Sofie Claridge (Victoria University of Wellington)
• Taran John (Victoria University of Wellington).

Space and advanced aviation are growing sectors in New Zealand, and the New Zealand Space Scholarships support the development of a workforce that is skilled, innovative, and meets the capability and capacity needs of the space and advanced aviation sectors.

Read more about the students and what they’ll be working on:

New Zealand Space Scholarship

Source: New Zealand Government

Foreign Minister Winston Peters departs this weekend for visits to France, Italy and Indonesia. 
 In Nice, Minister Peters will attend the Pacific-France Summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron; represent New Zealand at the third United Nations Ocean Conference; and hold a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts from around the world.  
 “New Zealand is a Pacific country, and we take seriously our responsibility to work with partners in the region and around the world to contribute to resilience, stability and prosperity,” Mr Peters says. 
“France’s hosting of these events further demonstrates its strong contribution to the Pacific.”  
 In Rome, Mr Peters’ visit will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. It will be the first visit by a New Zealand Foreign Minister to Rome since 2007, when Mr Peters last visited.  
 “Italy is a leading world economy, and we share important historical connections as well as contemporary trade and economic ties,” Mr Peters says.  
 In Jakarta, Mr Peters will attend the annual Joint Ministerial Commission meeting in alongside Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and will meet with President Prabowo’s brother and senior advisor, Hashim Djojohadikusumo.  
 “We are ambitious about deepening our relationship with Indonesia. This will be an opportunity to strengthen trade, education and development connections and promote regional cooperation,” Mr Peters says.  
 Mr Peters departs New Zealand on Saturday 7 June and returns on Saturday 14 June.  

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are now in a position to release the name of the man who died following a crash on Number 1 Line on 25 May.

He was Martin Lucien Symington, 53, from Australia.

Police extends our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

St Johns Road has been reopened following an earlier crash between a vehicle and pedestrian.

One person was transported to hospital in a serious condition.

An investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

Police would like to thank motorists for their patience while the scene was cleared.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is ensuring more students with the highest learning support needs have access to warm, safe, dry and fit-for-purpose learning environments.
“We know many parents of children with high needs want the option of a specialist education setting. Right now, those choices are limited because our specialist schools are stretched beyond capacity. This investment is about giving families more choice and confidence their children can learn in the environment that best supports them,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
$30 million through Budget 2025 will expand specialist school property across New Zealand. Investment will fund the construction of 18 new satellite classrooms at host schools nationwide and 5 additional classrooms at two base specialist schools, relieving pressure on the network.
This funding will deliver:

Two classrooms for Blomfield Special School at Selwyn Park School in Dargaville,
Two classrooms for Hamilton North School at Ngaruawahia School in Waikato,
Two classrooms for Kimi Ora School at Taita College in Lower Hutt,
Two classrooms for Tauranga Special School at Te Puke Primary School in the Bay of Plenty,
Two classrooms for Rosehill School at Papakura Normal School in Auckland,
Two classrooms for Fairhaven School at Onekawa School in Napier,
Four classrooms for Central Auckland Specialist School at an Auckland school,
Two classrooms for Oaklynn Special School at Kelston Intermediate in Auckland,
Two classrooms at Ferndale School in Christchurch,
Three classrooms at Sara Cohen School in Dunedin.

“Specialist schools play a vital role in our education system. This investment recognises the incredible work these schools do and builds on the largest boost to learning support in a generation.
“The classrooms are set to enter construction over the next 12 months. The majority will be delivered using offsite manufacturing or repeatable designs which enable the funding to go further, so more schools get the extra classrooms they need. The sooner we build, the sooner schools can provide tailored support, so more children have the chance to thrive,” Ms Stanford said.

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Ashley Clarke of Marlborough CIB:

Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to Paul Thomas Armon today in the Blenheim High Court.

Mr Armon was sentenced to life imprisonment with 15 years non-parole for the murder of his mother, Jennifer Sheehan, late last year.

We extend our sympathies to Mrs Sheehan’s family.

They have asked for privacy at this difficult time.

I would like to thank our investigations team, as well as the wider public who helped us with information during the course of our investigation.

While no outcome can bring Mrs Sheehan back, we are pleased that the matter has now been concluded through the courts.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.