Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay joined their Singaporean and Chilean counterparts today to launch negotiations for the Green Economy Partnership Agreement (GEPA) in the Republic of Korea.
“New Zealand, Singapore, and Chile have a proud history of shared leadership in developing innovative trade agreements to drive integration and economic growth in our region,” Mr McClay says.
“This agreement is an opportunity to work together to position our businesses to seize trade and investment opportunities in the growing global green economy, the value of which is estimated to more than quintuple to US$11 trillion by 2040.”
The agreement will boost trade and investment and will involve the partners working together on issues like environmental credit markets, sustainable finance and investment, green goods and services, sustainable agriculture and food systems and low and zero emissions fuel alternatives.
“New Zealand is committed to meeting its climate targets, and this innovative agreement will help drive our transition to a greener, more resilient economy,” Mr McClay says.
Negotiations are set to begin immediately and will continue into 2026. The launch closely follows the signature of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Singapore on 10 October and the agreement will be a flagship initiative under the Climate Change and Green Economy, and Trade and Economics pillars.
It also comes after successful Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and bilaterals this week.
“In an increasingly fragmented and unpredictable international trading landscape, APEC remains a leading platform for international dialogue on trade and economic issues.
“Trade with APEC economies constitutes around 75 per cent of New Zealand’s exports, and accounts for about 60 per cent of global GDP.
“Meeting with important trading partners presented a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties with key economic partners and advance the interests of New Zealand exporters.”
Canterbury Student Army volunteers pitched in to help.Photo: SUPPLIED/LDR
A West Coast community group has joined forces with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to reopen a historic tramway and restore one of the region’s best-loved day walks, connecting Hector and Seddonville.
The southern half of the popular Charming Creek Walkway, about 45km north of Westport, has been closed by multiple slips since 2019.
DOC’s regional director Owen Kilgour told the West Coast (Tai Poutini) Conservation Board this month that the route could never reopen.
It was a tough call to make, but there were now 19 slips on the track, and it could not be made safe, he said.
“It’s a damn shame — but the community has picked the ball up.
“They’ve got volunteers keen to open up the old tramway route that runs through to Hector and we are working with that group on a community agreement.”
Community Action Northern Buller (CANB) co-ordinator Jo Douglas, told Local Democracy Reporting that local people mourning their favourite walk had been hunting around for an alternative route for some time.
“Some of them had been tramping around looking for options since 2019 when the track first closed.
“DOC did try to reopen it, but a digger got buried in a slip — it’s still there.
“It’s really dangerous, some people still walk there even though it’s closed, and it looks benign but it’s not.
“Even 50 metres from the entrance there are trees hanging over the track, and a massive slump just waiting to come down.”
About 40 years ago, when she was a possum hunter, Ms Douglas heard about another old track up to the old Watsons mill site, that came down onto the northern half of the track, just after the swing bridge.
“It’s a tramway, used to haul timber – at least a hundred years old. A few people knew about, but all the access points were on private land, and previous owners didn’t want people tracking over their property.”
But new owners Heather and Lewis Holland had supported the idea of restoring the old tramway, and an online survey by CANB had drawn an enthusiastic response, not just from locals but people in Christchurch and Nelson who were keen to help and had joined up as members.
Landowner Heather Holland directs the first working bee on new track.Photo: SUPPLIED/LDR
DOC had agreed it was feasible to reopen the tramway but was concerned to protect some parts of it, Ms Douglas said.
“Quite a lot of it is still intact.
“Bridges and tunnels have fallen but we can divert around them. The biggest problem will be that it goes through an ecological zone country with rare trees like yellow pine, that has a really high form of protection.”
For that reason and to preserve heritage, the new southern half of the track would have to be for trampers only, not cyclists, she said.
The access route was steep in places, and the tramway had a steady incline, climbing to 200 metres above sea level, staying above the risk of landslides.
The group had begun cutting the new track through the private land access and had invited search and rescue workers to inspect it, Ms Douglas said.
“We’re mostly retired people, so there’s plenty of opportunity for us to cark it one way or other or come to grief so we needed to know if we can be rescued,” she joked.
“But I can get up there with sticks, on my bad knees – so it’s no problem for younger fit people.”
LandSAR confirmed the track was wide enough for a wheelie stretcher, but they would have to rope and belay a patient in some places, Ms Douglas said.
LandSar volunteers check out the route for stretcher ops.Photo: SUPPLIED/LDR
DOC had no money for new tracks and had costed the new 4 kilometre route at $40,000.
The volunteers would be saving DOC that cost but would still need to raise about half that amount for predator control and Good Nature traps, as part of their agreement with DOC, Ms Douglas said.
Since May the volunteers had put in nearly 900 hours of work and if all went as planned, the route from Hector to Seddonville should be open again by the end of next year, she said.
“We do want to celebrate the history of the place, the early pioneers, the Watsons, but also want to write about our experience of doing it because it is a journey in itself and will also be history in another 20 years.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Autism NZ Education Hub will open in Term 3 2026 as a charter school.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. Today’s announcement demonstrates the innovation enabled by the charter school model,” Mr Seymour says.
“Autism NZ Education Hub will give another option to autistic and neurodivergent secondary school students who have struggled with traditional schooling. It will be sponsored by Autism NZ and operate from campuses in Wellington and Auckland.
“Students’ days will follow a personalised plan built around their strengths, interests, and needs. Core education will be balanced with development of life skills and social-emotional learning.
“The goal is to get students benefitting from in class education. It will utilise online and community-based learning as ways to transition students back into the classroom, learning face-to-face.
“When it comes to education, one size does not fit all.
“It is estimated there are at least 3,900 autistic students in years 9-13 in Auckland and Wellington. National data suggests there is disproportionately high and chronic absence and school rejection among neurodivergent and disabled students, particularly in secondary years.
“The 2023 Education Review Office review on Alternative Education highlighted this concern. Autism New Zealand has relentlessly advocated for efforts to better understand and address these inequalities.
“Providing more education options for whānau is essential to ensuring that every young person can access an education that supports their individual needs. The Autism New Zealand Education Hub represents a meaningful step forward for autistic learners and their families. We appreciate the support of the Charter School Agency in helping bring this vision to life,” Dane Dougan, the CE of Autism New Zealand says.
“Charter schools show education can be different if we let communities bring their ideas to the table,” Mr Seymour says.
“These schools have more flexibility in return for strictly measured results.
“The charter school equation is: the same funding as state schools, plus greater flexibility plus stricter accountability for results, equals student success.
“There are more ideas in the communities of New Zealand than there are in the Government. That’s why we open ideas to the wider community, then apply strict performance standards to the best ones.
“It will join the five new charter schools announced in the last couple of weeks which will open in 2026. This takes the total number of charter schools to 17. We expect more new charter schools to be announced before the end of the year, along with the first state schools to convert.
“I want to thank the Charter School Agency and Authorisation Board for the work they have done getting charters open. They considered 52 applicants for new charter schools. This year they tell me the choices were very difficult.
“This is just the beginning. I hope to see many more new charter schools opening, and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools.”
Headline: Celebrating 30 Years of Curves: Women Empowering Women Around the World
This year marks a major milestone for Curves – the iconic women’s fitness franchise that has helped millions of women around the world reclaim their strength, their health, and their voice.
We’re celebrating nearly 30 years of impact, with a renewed commitment to community-centered wellness under the leadership of our new CEO and President, Kim McQueen.
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has announced two new appointments to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Board, alongside a new Deputy Chair and two reappointments.
“The Government is focused on delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response. It is the Commission’s role to hold the Government to account to ensure we are delivering those results,” Mr Doocey says.
“Dr Barbara Disley, a current board member, has been appointed Deputy Chair for a five-year term. Hayden Wano continues as Chair of the Commission.
“The two new members who have been appointed are Josiah Tualamali’i and Rae Lamb.
“There are also two existing members that have been reappointed who are Professor Sunny Collings and Tuari Potiki.
“Wayne Langford continues his term as a member.
“I want to acknowledge outgoing board members Kevin Hague and Alexander El Amanni for their significant contributions to the Commission during their terms.”
“As leaders in mental health and wellbeing, the Commission’s board members are powerful advocates for ensuring services meet the needs of New Zealanders. It is great to have such strong mental health advocates bringing specialist expertise and diverse perspectives to the table.”
Note to editor: Hayden Wano has over 40 years’ health sector experience including in the areas of mental health, community services and medical services.
Dr Barbara Disley has been in a number of leadership roles in the mental health sector since the 1990s and has an in-depth understanding of mental health and addiction services.
Josiah Tualamali’i has substantial frontline youth advocacy experience, particularly from a Pacific perspective. He has served on many different groups and Boards for mental health.
Rae Lamb has extensive governance and senior leadership experience and has expert knowledge of health, disability, and aged care services.
Sunny Collings has a background as a researcher and clinician, having practiced as a Consultant Psychiatrist for over 25 years. She is currently the Chief Executive of the Health Quality and Safety Commission.
Tuari Potiki has experience in the Māori health, mental health, education, and justice sectors. He has worked in a number of different roles as a Māori alcohol and drug clinician and tutor before moving into public and non-government leadership roles.
Wayne Langford brings extensive experience as a board member for several organisations supporting mental health – particularly for rural and remote communities.
The Government is increasing and extending the Crown Liquidity Facility (CLF) that it provides to the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited (LGFA) to support local government sector borrowing, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
The CLF assists LGFA to secure competitively priced financing for local authorities by assuring lenders the agency has sufficient tools to manage exceptional circumstances such as global financial market disruptions.
The facility was established in December 2011 when LGFA was created and has never been drawn on.
Nicola Willis says the facility is being increased from $1.5 billion to $3 billion and its term extended from December 2031 to June 2037.
“The changes will enable the agency to continue to secure competitively priced financing which supports the delivery of critical infrastructure and public services. The increase takes effect today.”
Notes to editors:
LGFA is the largest lender to New Zealand’s local government sector, with approximately 80 per cent market share of annual sector borrowing and has loans outstanding to councils and Council-Controlled Organisations of $23.4 billion. The Crown owns 20% of the paid up capital of LGFA and thirty councils own the remaining 80%.
The establishment of the LGFA was driven in part by the experience of councils during the Global Financial Crisis when access to finance became more challenging. LGFA has provided certainty of access to long dated financing for the local government sector since it was established.
A facility fee paid by LGFA for the CLF covers the cost of the extra liquidity held on the Crown’s books to support local government borrowing, meaning the provision of the facility does not have a significant cost to the Crown.
Free blood testing is being rolled out for nearly 24,000 people living in Te Anau and Wānaka, giving more rural New Zealanders access to healthcare closer to home, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey say.
“While most New Zealanders have access to free blood tests, some rural communities in the South Island still have to pay because there are no local blood collection centres,” Mr Brown says.
“This has meant patients in Te Anau and Wānaka have had to travel over an hour to reach a free collection centre or pay a co-payment at their local general practice if one was not funded to provide the service.
“The rollout means that 4,400 people in Te Anau and 19,350 people in Wānaka can now access blood testing free of charge at their local GP. Together, these towns will deliver approximately 25,000 free blood tests every year.”
Mr Doocey says removing these cost barriers is an important step in improving access to healthcare, providing care closer to home for rural communities, and addressing a long-standing inequity between rural and urban areas.
“This initiative will lead to earlier and more timely diagnoses for people who have previously delayed testing due to travel or cost,” Mr Doocey says.
“When I visited Wānaka as part of the Rural Health Roadshow, locals consistently raised concerns about having to pay for blood tests. Health Action Wānaka also highlighted the need for a local blood collection service.
“As I told the community at the time, no one should have to travel long distances or pay extra just because they live rurally. That’s why we made this a priority. The Rural Health Roadshow was invaluable because it allowed me to hear directly from locals about the issues that matter most to them.”
Mr Brown and Mr Doocey also acknowledge the advocacy of Southland MP Joseph Mooney and Waitaki MP Miles Anderson in improving access to rural healthcare.
“By listening to locals and removing barriers like cost and distance, we’re making healthcare more accessible and ensuring rural New Zealanders get the care they need, right in their own communities,” Mr Brown says.
Note to editors: • Fiordland Medical Centre in Te Anau has an enrolled population of 4400, with more than 5000 blood tests carried out each year. Free blood testing became available on 1 October. • Wānaka has an enrolled population of 19,354 across three general practices, which carry out a combined 20,000 blood tests each year. Free blood testing will become available on 1 November. • Health New Zealand is working to have a more consistent approach to free blood tests across the South Island.
The new proposed version of the relationship and sexuality education (RSE) curriculum has just been released.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Education developed a draft framework in preparation for the refresh of the Health and Physical Education curriculum.
Thanks to your feedback to the Ministry, more than half of the responses sent a clear message about RSE – “Less or later RSE”: This group emphasised the role of parents and family values. A much smaller group (approximately 25%) wanted “more or earlier RSE”.
THANK YOU to the many of you who sent this simple clear message – and who were concerned about the extreme and age-inappropriate content being dumped on children as young as primary school that we had highlighted to you.
Parents will still be able to have their children exempted from taking part in sexuality education. Clearer information about what is being taught helps parents, teachers and leaders to navigate these conversations. Sex education is now clearly set out in the teaching sequence. Parent-friendly information about relationships and sexuality education is available on the Parent Portal.”
[If you are not aware of the Parent Portal at your school, please ask your school about it. It is one of your biggest friends in monitoring what is being taught in schools.]
THE BIG WINS
* there is a notable absence of the words “sex”, “gender” & “preferences” in any of the primary school material, and “gender” in the secondary school material!
Remember the Relationships and Sexuality Education Guidelines(or RSE for short) which were released by the Ministry of Education in September 2020 under the Ardern Government? In the curriculum for primary-age children, requirements included: * students should be addressed by their preferred name and pronouns * schools need to ensure that students can access toilets and changing rooms that align with their gender identification… trans students should not be required to use the gender-neutral toilet rather than male or female toilets of their choice * teachers should challenge sex norms – for example, the assumption that sex characteristics at birth are always male or female * teachers should challenge homophobia, transphobia, sexism, gender binaries… even interrogate the ongoing effects of colonisation [our emphasis added] They wanted seven- and eight-year-old children “..able to identify gender stereotypes, understand the difference between gender and sex, and know that there are diverse gender and sexual identities in society.” They wanted this ideology – this indoctrination – in all primary-school lessons and within virtually all subjects. The year 7/8 guidelines wanted pre-teens to, “know about pubertal change (including hormonal changes, menstruation, body development, and the development of gender identities).” [our emphasis added]
This removal of the indoctrination of gender ideology & sexual ‘identities’ is a noticeable change – and a major win.
Credit should be given to both the Minister of Education & National MP Erika Stanford and also NZ First’s Winston Peters for listening to the concerns of parents & families.
* sex education is not introduced until year 8 – and in a very refreshing & welcome move, the curriculum starts by saying: “In New Zealand, the legal age of consent for sexual activity is 16 years. Engaging in sexual activity with people below this age is considered unlawful under statutory provisions designed to protect young people from harm and exploitation.” This has not been stated in previous curriculum material that we have seen. This statement is also the leading statement in years 9 & 10 also.
* In year 10, students are rightly warned: “Engagement in harmful sexual behaviours, including non-consensual distribution of intimate content and unsolicited sexual advances, can result in significant psychological, social, and legal consequences for all involved.”
* at year 6 (primary) there is the first introduction of the harms of drugs – and a very clear message of “say no to drugs”, how to set boundaries and resist peer pressure. This continues through to year 10 with warnings about the negative effects of substance abuse, and strategies on how to say no or seek help! The harms of vaping are giving special emphasis also. (Some parents may feel that Primary school and perhaps even Intermediate school is too early to introduce specifics around these topics.) However, the overall messaging is a very welcome change to the dangerous ‘harm minimisation’ messages (how to use drugs ‘safely’) that radical groups like the Drug Foundation and the Green Party constantly push.
* there is a notable emphasis on staying safe online – highlighting privacy, password & harmful content online to primary age, and then highlighting to intermediate and secondary students the online dangers & harms of cyberbullying, unrealistic body images, sexualised & pornographic content, and other exaggerated behaviours.
* there is an emphasis on “boundaries and staying safe” starting in year 2, and then consent about “personal belongings, space and bodies” & respecting others. In intermediate school, consent around sharing digital content is covered
THE RED FLAGS
* parents may still be concerned about the content of the sex education which begins in year 8. Despite the explicit opening message that sexual activity under the age of 16 is illegal, the curriculum then discusses “Communication and respect create safe and positive experiences within intimate and sexual relationships” and “there are a range of sexual activities in which consenting adults experience and express their sexuality.” Why is this being taught to underage children aged 12-13 years old?
* the year 9 (13-14 y/o) curriculum says: “Sexual development includes forming values, understanding consent, and knowing how to access confidential advice and support for sexual health when needed.” Note the age of the child and the secrecy. What is the role of parents in all of this? Interestingly, the module on the myth of “safer sex practices” has been delayed to year 10.
* the year 10 (14-15 y/o) curriculum says “Various forms of contraception (including abstinence, barrier methods, and hormonal options) can prevent unplanned pregnancies. Barrier methods can also reduce the risk of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). STIs can be transmitted through sexual contact and can affect multiple body systems. Access to confidential sexual health services (including testing, treatment, and counselling) can help to maintain personal health and relationships.” Secrecy continues to be encouraged.
* there is a notable absence around discussion of commitment, marriage, faithfulness etc. The word family is mentioned only once in each age bracket. In fact, the only use of the word abstinence (which the overwhelming (and growing) majority of the students will be choosing, according to all the surveys) is only mentioned once – to year 10 – in the context of being a form of contraception!
* most notably, there is still this Guide to LGBTQIA+ Students on a Ministry of Education-affiliated site. This is the site which, amongst other things, tells teachers to keep a child’s gender identity issues secret from his or her parents, by allowing the child to adopt a new persona whilst at school – including the use of preferred “pronouns”. There is no requirement to inform the parents that there are identity issues/gender dysphoria. They specifically advise teachers to ask young people: “Check with the student about the name and/or pronouns they want to be used in the records that parents or caregivers may see, as they might be different to the ones they use at school.” [our emphasis added]. They also have a page titled “Plan sexuality and gender education years 1-8 (i.e. primary and intermediate schools).
READ THE CURRICULUM CONTENT
Be sure to check the age groups that your children are in, and ask yourself whether you want teachers and even outside groups to be talking to your children about these subjects. The Ministry needs to hear from you – the parent – because you can be sure that radical groups like InsideOut and Family Planning will be trying to push this framework to its radical extreme.
The consultation period ends Friday, 24 April 2026. You will be asked to give feedback on each of the “Phases 1-4” as shown above. This is where you can say whether its age appropriate or not, and emphasise the role of parents and values of the family.
Following consultation the draft content will be finalised, with formal release of the updated curriculum content planned for mid-2026. Years 0–10 Health and Physical Education will become required teaching from the start of 2027.
We will continue to update you on this material, and send you a reminder about the consultation period when it is getting close to cut-off date.
But progress has been made – thanks to your voice!
PS: Bob McCoskrie and Simon O’Connor discussed the new proposed curriculum along with a few other breaking news stories on social media yesterday. You can watch the discussion here (starts at the 14’50” mark).
Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki has applied for a mātaitai reserve (Puketeraki mātaitai reserve) near Karitāne, north of Dunedin, Otago.
Fisheries New Zealand invites submissions from people who take fish, aquatic life, or seaweed or own quota, and whose ability to take fish, aquatic life, or seaweed or whose ownership interest in quota may be affected by the proposed mātaitai reserve.
Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki and Fisheries New Zealand have previously consulted with the local community on the application. The application proposes a number of conditions to allow specified commercial fishing activities to continue.
The proposed area includes approximately 47.5 square kilometres of South Island fisheries waters enclosed by a line drawn between Cornish Head (Ohineamio) and Purehurehu Point (west of Heyward Point) and the seaward boundary of the East Otago Taiāpure-Local Fishery. The southern boundary of the proposed area between Potato Point and Purehurehu Point is the mean high-water mark.
Consultation documents
Map of the proposed Puketeraki mātaitai reserve
Application for Puketeraki mātaitai reserve
Making your submission
Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025.
While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:
Fisheries management – Spatial allocations Fisheries New Zealand PO Box 2526 Wellington 6140.
Public notices about this consultation
Public notices about the call for submissions are scheduled to appear in the Otago Daily Times on Friday 31 October 2025, and The Star on Thursday 20 November 2025.
About mātaitai reserves
A mātaitai reserve is an identified traditional fishing ground which tangata whenua have a special relationship with. Mātaitai reserves are limited to fisheries waters and do not include any land area. Mātaitai reserves do not change any existing arrangements for access to private land.
Mātaitai reserves do not change the recreational fishing rules. However, the Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki for a mātaitai reserve may propose changes to the rules at a later date. These are called mātaitai reserve bylaws. Any proposed bylaws will be consulted on separately with the public and relevant stakeholders. They need to be approved by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.
Commercial fishing
Commercial fishing is generally banned in a mātaitai reserve. However, the application proposes some commercial fishing activities to be allowed to continue. These activities include vessel anchoring, fish processing, and harvesting rock lobster, paddle crab, Undaria seaweed, and some finfish species. Commercial fishing for blue cod, butterfish, and moki would be prohibited.
The proposed conditions are set out in section 6 of the application.
Submissions are public information
Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.
People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.