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Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

Auckland Council’s Chief Executive, Phil Wilson, has confirmed the final decisions of the Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) Reform consultation with staff across the Auckland Council Group, aimed at achieving greater strategic alignment, accountability and better outcomes for Auckland.

Following the Governing Body’s request for CCO reform in December last year, the decisions outline how best to integrate into Auckland Council: Eke Panuku Development Auckland, as well as the economic development functions of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. 

From 1 July, there will be three new functions within Auckland Council focused on creating an inclusive, innovative and resilient Auckland economy.

• An Auckland Urban Development Office responsible for driving integrated implementation and delivery of quality urban development in the council group’s identified growth priority areas and large-scale projects. It will apply an economic and commercial lens. The Auckland Urban Development Office would include urban regeneration and place-based leadership on agreed large-scale projects.

• Creation of a Property Department within Auckland Council responsible for system leadership, providing centre of excellence advice and the delivery of our customer facing property functions from across Auckland Council and Eke Panuku, including the management of commercial property, Westhaven, Silo and Viaduct Marinas, and the leasing of our community property facilities. The focus of this team will be to optimise value from our property assets across the council group and ensure decisions are made by appropriately experienced staff who will take into account the council’s overall strategic direction.

• An Economic Development Office focused on economic development for the council group and responsible for business attraction, social and sector innovation, economic transformation and industry development support with a vision of inclusive, innovative, resilient economic growth for a prosperous Auckland.

Mr Wilson says he is genuinely excited about the establishment of a highly strategic Urban Development Office within Auckland Council that will take the council’s ability to support regeneration and development for Auckland to a new level.

“The office will be a clear ‘front door’ and single point of contact for our external investor, developer, private sector, iwi, and Crown agency partners. It will streamline and enhance our ability to achieve smart and sustainable urban development outcomes in strategically prioritised regeneration and growth locations. Including greenfield where appropriate.

“Likewise, I’m delighted to finalise a robust structure to take a systems-leadership role across the council and bring about consistency in the way we manage our considerable property holdings. Property is a key strategic lever to build strong communities, provide council services, and shape or enable good quality growth. Our new structure will set us up for success by bringing the important and interrelated property functions together.

“Getting both of these areas right is significant because, as Auckland continues to grow and as government planning, funding and infrastructure policy direction evolves, we need to be ready to respond to the increasing opportunities and challenges,” says Mr Wilson.

Additionally, Mr Wilson has confirmed decisions to improve the programming and delivery of events, placemaking and activations across the group, resulting in a unified group approach with clearer areas of responsibility for teams. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited would lead regional programming and deliver all regional, mega, major and city centre events; Auckland Council Events would deliver local and civic events; and the Auckland Urban Development Office would lead and deliver placemaking and activation activities in priority locations to mitigate the impact of capital delivery works and regeneration programmes.

In the city centre, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited will lead events, manage Aotea Square and Te Komititanga and be the primary lead for activations in the city centre. The Auckland Urban Development Office will deliver placemaking and will lead activations in the city centre directly related to capital works and development programmes, particularly where needed to support transformation in regeneration areas or mitigate disruption from construction.

“These important changes will provide our staff with clear areas of responsibility which is the foundation for effective collaboration. We’ll also begin using a single Auckland Council brand across our events and a shared regional calendar so Aucklanders can have complete picture of what’s happening in their region,” he says.

Recruitment is now underway for the new positions created in the Auckland Urban Development Office and Property Department and enabling functions to bring the new operating model and structure to life.

About the CCO Reform Transition Programme

On 12 December 2024, the Governing Body requested Auckland Council proceed with changes to our CCO model to strengthen the Auckland Council Group. 

The Mayor and Councillors noted the valued contribution made by all kaimahi and reiterated that this isn’t about changing service levels. This is about reviewing how the services are best delivered. It was agreed that the work would seek to align and reinvigorate the CCO model; strengthen council’s ability to support elected members to make integrated decisions; and ensure the Auckland Council Group is set up in the best way to deliver on its Long-term Plan and broader vision for Auckland.

Lead by experienced kaimahi from across the council group, there are four workstreams to shape recommendations for a new way of working that ensures we are best set up to deliver for Tāmaki Makaurau: the Structural integration of Eke Panuku and the economic development activities of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited; Strengthening the CCO model; and Transport Reform and Auckland Council Group Shared Services.

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

Over the sun-soaked days of summer, a dedicated crew in bright blue shirts was hard at work at marinas, boat ramps, and community events across Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

These were the biosecurity champions – nineteen passionate people on a mission to protect the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana and its precious islands from invasive pests.

Armed with knowledge, smiles, and a deep love for nature, the champions clocked over 2,000 hours over the season, connecting with nearly 15,000 boaties, fishers, divers, and curious beachgoers.

Their goal?

To stop hitchhiking pests like rats, plague skinks, and Argentine ants from sneaking onto the Gulf’s predator-free islands, home to rare species like saddlebacks, blue penguins, and kiwi.

“It’s been an awesome summer out at local marinas and boat ramps, chatting with boaties and the local community about our beautiful Hauraki Gulf and the biosecurity risks it faces!” said Anna Moir, a returning champion.

“People really want to help once they know how important it is. I’ve felt empowered and proud to be part of the fight to protect our little slice of paradise.”

Their message was simple but powerful: check, clean, and close your gear. Whether it’s a chilly bin, dive bag, or a kayak hatch, any place a pest can hide needs to be checked before heading to an island; even things like firewood, pot plants, or muddy shoes can carry biosecurity threats.

The champions were vital in spreading the word about new Controlled Area Notices (CANs) and educating the public on marine pests like exotic caulerpa. They brought biosecurity to the forefront at big events like the Auckland Boat Show and the Moana Festival where people not only learned but got excited about helping out.

For Lewis Luo, a first-time champion, the role was more than just a summer job.

“This role has given me a wonderful feeling of community. I feel privileged to work alongside such a talented and like-minded team to help protect our wonderful Hauraki Gulf.”

Inspired by his experience, Lewis is now planning a career in environmental protection.

Thanks to funding from the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) and support from Biosecurity New Zealand, this was the largest group of champions yet. And judging by the smiles, stories, and new awareness sparked this summer, it won’t be the last.

Want to be part of something meaningful next summer? Join the Biosecurity Champions and help ensure our islands remain pest free for generations to come.

Your bright blue shirt could be the start of something big.

Everyone is encouraged to stay informed and play an active role as a Biosecurity Champion.

Contact us: biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you have concerns or want to report a pest sighting.

Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE (2)

These new organisations, formed by merging and refocusing New Zealand’s 7 existing Crown Research Institutes, will concentrate on key areas of national importance to deliver a science system that is more connected, more commercially focused, and better aligned with the needs of New Zealand.  

The new institutes will be:

• New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science – advancing innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protecting ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and developing new bio-based technologies and products.
• New Zealand Institute for Earth Science – supporting energy security and sustainability; developing land, marine and mineral resources; and improving resilience to natural hazards and climate-related risks.
• New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science – strengthening public health through disease detection and response; and supporting public safety through forensic science services.

To lead this transformation, Barry Harris has been appointed Chair of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, and David Smol has been appointed Chair of the Earth Science Institute. Both bring outstanding leadership and deep sector experience and will be supported by highly capable deputy chairs and directors. 

Kim Wallace has been appointed Deputy Chair for the Institute for Bioeconomy Science, with Candace Kinser, Andrew Morrison and Gray Baldwin as directors.

Mary-Anne Macleod will be Deputy Chair for the Earth Science Institute alongside directors Paul Connell, Paul White, Peter Landon-Lane and Professor Chris Bumby.

Existing governance will remain in place for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) as they refocus to become the Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science.

See existing governance for ESR:

Our people(external link) — ESR

Read the Minister’s announcement:

Bold science reforms to fuel economic growth(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

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ACT Justice spokesman Todd Stephenson is disappointed, but not surprised, at the Green Party’s plan to release criminals in order to partially fund their latest socialist manifesto.

“Buried in their proposed budget is a $770 million ‘saving’ from ‘averting increase in prisoner numbers’ – with no further explanation.

“That’s just doublespeak for opening the prison gates and letting thugs and thieves back onto our streets.

“Even taking the most inflated prisoner cost figures at face value, this amounts to 3,850 criminals being released into the community.

“I’m disappointed, but not surprised, that this is the latest wacky idea from the Greens. This is the same party that fundraises for prison and police abolition groups, criticises increased beat patrols and lies about how many people are in prison due to non-violent offences.

“Even then, their soft-on-crime plan wouldn’t pay for more than a third of their $2.5 billion hiring spree for bureaucrats. It’s a dangerous and unserious idea from a party that clearly doesn’t care about public safety.”

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“The Greens’ proposal to blow out the national debt to 54 percent of GDP shows why we need financial literacy in schools,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“Anyone with a mortgage understands that when you’re deep in debt, you end up spending so much on the interest that you can’t cover the essentials. We’re already burning through nearly $9 billion a year just to pay the interest on Government debt.

“At last count, our national debt is growing by almost $2 million an hour, or more than $47 million a day.

“Now the Greens want to heap on more than $40 billion in new borrowing compared to 2024 – a staggering figure that will fall on the shoulders of young people and children that aren’t yet born. That means billions more in interest payments, siphoned away from the very services the Greens claim to care about.

“The Greens reckon their numbers will add up by just taxing Kiwis harder – 39% for income above $120,000, 45% at $180,000, a new tax on assets, a higher company tax rate, and an inheritance tax that would force farming families to sell their generational land.

“Anyone with the financial sense the Greens lack would simply take their career, their business, and their money overseas.

“A private jet tax isn’t a serious policy proposal; it’s an empty display of the Greens’ eat-the-rich mentality. They want us to believe all our problems are caused by other people’s success, because they can’t be bothered coming up with any ideas that would generate new wealth to meet our country’s challenges.

“The Left’s ideas are all about telling successful New Zealanders ‘you’re not welcome here’, dividing the wealth we have rather than creating more, and siphoning off more money for the Wellington bureaucracy. It all adds up to a poorer, more miserable New Zealand.

“ACT says we need to put power back in the hands of people, not bureaucrats. That means choosing freedom over control, responsibility over excuses, and aspiration over resentment.”

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ACT Conservation spokesperson Cameron Luxton is welcoming the Hunting and Fishing Minister’s moves toward designating wapiti as a Herd of Special Interest in Fiordland National Park, calling it a win for conservation, regional tourism, and common sense.

“The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation has spent years doing what government departments struggle to do. They manage the herd, trap pests, maintain huts, and protect native species like the blue duck/whio. And they do it all without asking taxpayers for a cent,” says Luxton.

Forest and Bird has opposed the move, comparing it to creating a ‘sanctuary for stoats.’

“That sort of rhetoric says more about Forest and Bird’s eco-fundamentalist ideology than the facts. We’re never going back to a pre-human ecology. Allowing hunter-led management of the wapiti population frees up DoC resources to deal with greater threats to native wildlife, such as stoats and rats.

“Forest and Bird needs to wake up and realise that hunters are conservationists too.”

Luxton says ACT backs the Government’s move to ensure Herds of Special Interest can be recognised in national parks, as originally intended.

“When passionate hunters are already getting the job done, the role of government should be to get out of the way. Or at the very least, provide legal certainty so they can keep going.”

Editor’s note: Cameron Luxton is the sponsor of the Conservation (Membership of New Zealand Conservation Authority) Amendment Bill, which would ensure hunters and fishers are represented on the Conservation Authority, just as Forest and Bird is already. The Bill is currently in Parliament’s member’s bill ballot.

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ACT is welcoming confirmation that public service reform will put merit, not identity, at the heart of what it means to be a public servant.

“If you’re vying to become a public service boss, it shouldn’t matter whether you’re brown, white, or blue. What matters is whether you are competent to deliver the services we expect for our taxes,” says ACT Public Service spokesperson Todd Stephenson.

“A creeping focus on people’s identity over merit in the public sector is corrosive. It distracts from service delivery, elevates less competent candidates, and is fundamentally racist.

“Now, with ACT in government, we’re cutting out the ideological rot. Our coalition agreement commits to amending the Public Service Act ‘to clarify the role of the public service, drive performance, and ensure accountability to deliver on the agenda of the government of the day.’

“New Zealanders don’t care about the identity of the person procuring life-saving medicines, improving the education system, or responding to natural disasters – so long as it’s the person with the best skills and experience doing it.

“Real inclusion means treating people as individuals, not representatives of demographic groups. It’s difficult to convince public servants to treat all New Zealanders equally when their own organisation hires people through a lens of identity.”