NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is stamping out another payment pain point – extending its surcharge ban to foreign issued cards and commercial cards to make life easier for businesses and consumers, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced today.

“The Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill passed its first reading last night. The Bill prohibits surcharges on all in-store EFTPOS, Visa and Mastercard payments.

“Including foreign cards is easier for everyone. A comprehensive ban means businesses don’t have to second-guess what’s in or out, and consumers won’t get stung by surprise add-ons at the checkout.

“International visitors from our big inbound tourism markets like the United Kingdom and Europe, where surcharges are long gone, won’t feel like they’ve stepped back in time or they are being ripped off. 

“I want consumers to enjoy the benefits as early as possible, so the Bill proposes a one-month implementation period once it has been passed. The ban will be in place by May 2026, or sooner if possible. 

“By the time the ban is in full swing, the savings from the Commerce Commission’s latest cut to banking fees will benefit businesses, with expected savings of up to $90 million a year. That’s on top of the earlier savings of $140m from caps set in 2022.

“The ban means Kiwi shoppers will no longer be confronted at payment terminals by a pesky sticker and surprise, sometimes excessive, costs.”

The Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill will go to the Finance and Expenditure Committee. 

 Note to editors

• Transactions through the Visa and Mastercard networks and by EFTPOS are the main method of card payment in New Zealand.
• The Commerce Commission estimates New Zealanders pay about $150 million in surcharges annually. An estimated $65 million of that is excessive
• According to the Commerce Commission, approximately 20% of New Zealand businesses surcharge. Most businesses choose to absorb payment costs as a usual cost of doing business.
• Businesses pay $1 billion in merchant service fees each year, mainly to banks, for accepting Visa and Mastercard debit and credit payments (including online transactions).
• Interchange fees make up approximately 60% of merchant service fees. The Commerce Commission has decided to cut these fees from 1 December 2025 for cards that are already regulated and 1 May 2026 for cards that will become subject to caps for the first time (foreign-issued cards). The Commission estimates business savings of up to $90 million a year, on top of $140 million in annual savings from previous fee caps.
• Online transactions and payments through networks other than Visa, Mastercard and EFTPOS are excluded from the surcharging ban.

Source: New Zealand Government

The launch of a new safety campaign guides Kiwis on what to do to stay safe during an armed offender incident in a crowded place, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell.

“The campaign communicates three easy steps for people to follow that will help them stay safe in the unlikely event of an active armed offender incident in a crowded place,” Mr Mitchell says.

“New Zealanders love to get together and this is all about being prepared in public spaces, such as a sports and events venues, transport hubs or places we shop.

“I want to be clear that we are not expecting increased danger or risk in New Zealand, and while the advice may seem obvious, similar campaigns overseas have been helpful at guiding people.”

“While it’s unlikely Kiwis will encounter an active armed offender in a crowded place – someone with a weapon trying to hurt many people – it’s important everyone knows what to do.

“There are three simple words to remember: Escape. Hide. Tell.”

ESCAPE. Move quickly and quietly away from danger, but only if it is safe to do.
HIDE. Stay out of sight and silence your mobile phone.
TELL. Call the Police by dialling 111 when it is safe. 

“I encourage discussions within businesses, community groups and families. 

We all need to know how to respond in the unlikely event of an armed offender attack.

“Knowing what to do is the best way to keep ourselves and others safe.”’

For more information about the campaign visit: Know what to do: Escape. Hide. Tell | New Zealand Police

Source: Family First

MEDIA RELEASE – 16 September 2025

Family First NZ has written to the Associate Minister of Health Matt Doocey requiring an explanation of why the Government continues to fail to take action on the findings of the Ministry of Health’s Evidence Brief which clearly indicates that the use of puberty blockers must be restricted for those under 18 years of age.

As a result of further legal advice obtained by Family First:

• the Ministry of Health continues to contradict its own Evidence Brief by continuing to rely on, and refer people too, the PATHA guidelines.

• the Government is breaching rights and freedoms under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act (NZBORA) by failing to protect gender dysmorphic children and teenagers against the prescribing of puberty blockers that have no quality evidence of safety, efficacy, or reversibility.

• we also reminded the Minister that consent is not possible when there is insufficient evidence about the efficacy of the treatment or the resultant complications following use of puberty blockers; put another way, it is impossible for anyone – let alone an under 16 – to consent to a treatment that itself is not understood nor has sufficient evidence to support it.

Family First’s position remains that there should be an immediate end to new prescribing of puberty blockers due to the clear lack of quality probative evidence of efficacy and safety. Existing users need to be transitioned from Puberty Blockers in a medically appropriate way or at the very least, have the lack of quality evidence on safety, efficacy and reversibility explained to them with a view to confirming they and their parents or guardians do provide informed consent.  This in turn also means the Ministry’s Position Statement must be updated immediately to remove the factually incorrect statements regarding efficacy, safety, and future risks, including any references to the PATHA Guidelines.

READ THE FULL LETTER TO THE ASSOCIATE MINISTER

Source: NZCTU

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on the Government to help the Tokoroa community after Carter Holt Harvey confirmed the likely closure of the plywood plant in the town.

“This is another body blow to a community already reeling from the loss of jobs at the OJI Fibre plant. 100 secure, well-paid jobs are being lost. The Government must act now to help,” said Wagstaff.

“It’s not just the workers directly impacted by this change who will feel its effect. Their families, communities, and the local economy have already suffered due to job losses.

“These workers could face a brighter future if the Government were to genuinely commit to delivering a just transition for Tokoroa. The skills and talents of workers don’t need to be lost if we could build sustainable industries that provide well-paid jobs.

“This Government lacks the political will to invest and seems content to sit by and watch these workers and the Tokoroa community suffer.

“These job losses are the latest in a trend of large employers closing their operations in New Zealand. Unemployment is rising. Businesses are not investing. Working people are suffering. Yet there is no plan except cuts and empty promises.

“With a different approach, different outcomes are possible. It’s time to change track, and invest in communities like Tokoroa, and not let them fall further behind,” said Wagstaff.

Source: New Zealand Police

A 24-year-old Auckland man has been charged with Wounding with Intent and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm in relation to an incident in Hobsonville, Auckland, around 4.40pm yesterday, 16 September.

The man will be appearing in the Waitākere District court later today.

Police believe this is an isolated incident and reassuring the Hobsonville community there is no ongoing risk.

Enquiries are ongoing to identify further offenders

Anyone with information that can assist enquiries is asked to please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250916/8726.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: “Vapes and Energy Drinks”: Combining the 90s and the Now

Vapes and Energy Drinks introduces a new album that bridges New Zealand’s hip hop legacy across generations. Blending boom-bap rhythms and storytelling flow of the 1990s with the modern production, and melodic hooks of today’s scene, the project reflects homage and innovation

The post “Vapes and Energy Drinks”: Combining the 90s and the Now first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are attending a serious crash involving a car and truck on Central Boulevard, Silverdale.

Police were called to the scene around 6.50am, where one person is in a critical condition.

Central Boulevard has been closed, with Police advising motorists to avoid the area.

WorkSafe have been advised.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and an investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the crash.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 6 March 2025

We have now published our refreshed Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance (the Framework). The Framework describes the Tertiary Education Commission’s processes for managing educational delivery and performance where it needs to improve.
We have now published our refreshed Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance (the Framework). The Framework describes the Tertiary Education Commission’s processes for managing educational delivery and performance where it needs to improve.

Our Framework describes the range of responses we use to support provider delivery and performance. It also explains how we make response decisions and what factors affect those decisions. It includes:

the information we consider in making a decision
what other factors affect these decisions, and
the options and levers we use.

Developed in consultation with the sector, the Framework provides tertiary education organisations (TEOs) with greater transparency about what to expect when their performance needs to improve.
The Framework is part of a suite of tools that explain our decision-making
The Framework is the latest in a suite of tools that help TEOs understand how we make decisions.
It is a refreshed version of what was previously called the Performance Consequences Framework. It now contains more detail about our decision-making processes and reflects the current context and policies.
Read more about the Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance.
Other tools can also be found on our website, including:

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 4 February 2021

Advice for TEOs on training staff in privacy practice.

All staff should be trained in privacy practice. However, different staff will have different training needs depending on how much personal information they manage in their day-to-day job.
All staff should understand the basics, ie, the information privacy principles from the Privacy Act, what personal information is and what to do in the event of a privacy breach.
Larger organisations could consider creating a short privacy module for staff, especially as part of an induction package.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 3 November 2016

This page sets out the first step for a tertiary education institution (TEI) developing a business case for an investment.

A TEI wishing to develop and submit a business case must first send us a scoping document for the proposed investment. This may be accompanied by a completed Risk Profile Assessment (RPA) depending on the size and risk of the investment.
Risk Profile Assessment Tool
These documents will enable writers and assessors to agree on the next steps in developing the business case before any detailed writing or analysis is done. Completed scoping and RPA documents should be emailed to us.
We will agree with you:

the scale and risk of the proposal, using the Risk Profile Assessment tool (where applicable) and the scalability matrix
whether the solution to the problem the business case addresses is likely to be a discrete project, or would be better dealt with through a larger programme of work
whether further work is required to clarify the problem/opportunity and the possible options, benefits, strategic responses and solutions. Most programme business cases require a Strategic Assessment and some project business cases, particularly projects that require a two-stage business case, require an Investment Logic Mapping (PDF 37 KB) exercise
the level and depth of analysis required in various stages of developing the business case
the level and depth of independent quality assurance required in various stages of developing the business case
the level of effort and cost for development and assurance
the timing and nature of engagement and decisions required including how these fit with other processes required by the TEI (ie, council approval) or by us (ie, budget processes).

How to complete a scoping document
The content required in scoping documents is determined by the scale and risk of the proposal under consideration. Large-scale or risky business cases, or large programmes containing many individual projects, require more content and depth of analysis than smaller or less risky proposals.
A copy of the scoping document can be downloaded from the The Treasury’s website – Better Business Cases – Guidance.  For questions on which scoping document to use, read the information below and/or email us.
How to determine whether a proposal is large scale
Proposals that require Cabinet or ministerial approval and/or that require Crown funding are considered significant proposals. These are usually large-scale, high-risk proposals in terms of financial or risk thresholds. These are proposals with whole-of-life costs (WOLC) in excess of $15 million. WOLC are based on The Net Present Value (NPV) of cash costs of the proposal under consideration. Cash costs include the initial capital or operating costs, plus cash operating costs for the expected life of the asset, discounted using the Public Sector Discount Rate. Operating costs may include costs of operational personnel if this is an essential part of the proposal.
Refer to Cabinet Office circular CO (15) 5 Investment Management and Asset Performance in the State Services for more information.
How to determine whether a proposal is high risk
The risk of a proposal is determined using the Risk Profile Assessment (RPA) tool available on the State Services Commission’s website.
This tool comprises 26 multiple-choice questions that identify, at a high level, a project’s risk. It is not an exhaustive risk analysis model and it does not replace the need for you to perform your own detailed risk analysis and management throughout a project’s lifecycle.
If a proposal, not including programmes, is deemed to be high risk it must go through the Gateway Review Process. You may choose to also obtain assurance for moderate risk or large scale programmes or projects via the Gateway Review Process.
The timing of when a Gateway Review is started depends on the nature of the business case. For programme business cases, the Gateway Review process may not be required until individual projects have begun. Assurance for programmes may be better met through a third party (independent) quality assurance process.

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