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Stay warmer for cheaper this winter

Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education




Stay warmer for cheaper this winter | Environment Canterbury















Date:

Burn good, dry wood

Good quality, dry wood will get and keep your fire roaring. However, not all woods are equal. Some burn hotter and produce less smoke. Plantation pine, Douglas fir and blue gum are the best locally available timbers, while old man pine can be smoky, and is best suited for kindling or mixed with other woods.

A great way to get your firewood is to buy from one of our Trusted Good Wood Merchants. We audit these Waitaha/Canterbury firewood sellers regularly to ensure they’re selling good, dry wood; moisture testing is part of our audit process. 

Plantation pine, Douglas fir and blue gum are quicker-drying woods.

Check your burning technique

Using good wood burning technique makes a big difference. Many of us were taught to build a fire in a pyramid shape, with kindling on the bottom and big logs on the top. But the upside-down method (also known as the Swiss method), with big logs on the bottom and kindling on top, lasts longer and is more efficient. Check out this step by step guide to learn how to burn better.

A well-maintained burner

If you keep your wood burner well maintained and the flue/chimney clean you will decrease your chances of a smoky chimney. Do not burn treated timber, driftwood or rubbish, as these can clog your chimney and increase pollution in the air. A buildup of chimney soot can also be a fire risk (the kind of fire you don’t want!) and reduce the burner’s efficiency. Check out this handy burner maintenance checklist for more good advice. 

Financial assistance

We know it’s a tough time out there for many people, and, if you meet the criteria, you may be eligible for financial assistance towards the cost of a new heat pump, ultra-low emission burner, or insulation upgrades.

If you have any questions or want to find out more, phone us on 0800 324 636.

Environment Canterbury © 2025
Retrieved: 10:49am, Thu 22 May 2025
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2025/stay-warmer-for-cheaper-this-winter/

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Rural waste workshop coming to Canterbury

Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education




Rural waste workshop coming to Canterbury | Environment Canterbury















Date:

About the speaker

Trish has over 20 years of national and international teaching experience combined with 15 years of dairy farming. Over the last 10 years, she has completed:

  • PG Cert in Circular Economy, Business and Innovation,
  • Diploma in Agribusiness
  • Kellogg Rural Leader Project on Reducing Farm Waste.

Event details

Trish Rankin – Rural leader and dairy farmer

RSVP: Register via our

online form or email us at events@ecan.govt.nz by Monday 16 June.

Environment Canterbury © 2025
Retrieved: 10:49am, Thu 22 May 2025
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2025/rural-waste-workshop-coming-to-canterbury/

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Budget 2025 – Unions to hold Budget Day Hui for Pay Equity

Source: NZCTU

The union movement are today hosting a Budget Day Hui to fight back against the Government’s decision to gut the Equal Pay Act and destroy decades of progress towards achieving pay equity.

The hui will take place from 1pm at Parliament and will feature speeches from workers who have been impacted by the pay equity changes. Some of the speakers will be available to speak with media.

“The Government is set to unveil a Budget that makes the wealthiest New Zealanders even richer, paid for by taking money from some of the lowest paid women,” said NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges. 

“Over the last few weeks, we have seen overwhelming opposition from across our society to the Government’s cruel actions.

“Today workers, community groups and the public are coming together to send a message to the Government that they will not get away with effectively ending pay equity in Aotearoa,” said Ansell-Bridges.

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Property Market – Broader market signals point to a steady upturn – Cotality

Source: Cotality

New Zealand’s property market continues to point to signs of recovery, according to new data from Cotality NZ’s latest Monthly Chart Pack.

Kelvin Davidson, Chief Property Economist at Cotality, said property sales volumes have been gradually trending upward for nearly two years.

In April, sales rose 4% compared to a year earlier – lifting activity to 7% above the historical norm for this time of year. Falling mortgage rates have clearly supported this momentum, according to Mr. Davidson.
“Sales activity has been on a steady incline, and we’re now starting to see this translate into home values,” Mr Davidson said.
The Cotality Home Value Index rose 0.3% in April – the fourth consecutive monthly increase – although growth remains modest. Among the main centres, Hamilton and Christchurch led the gains, while Dunedin, Wellington and Tauranga showed flatter results.
“Despite these signs of improvement, the market remains tilted in favour of buyers,” Mr Davidson noted.
“Stock levels are still elevated by historical standards, which will likely keep price growth in check.”
Mortgaged multiple property owners are also regaining ground. This group accounted for 24% of April’s sales – the highest share in more than three years. Lower mortgage rates are reducing cashflow shortfalls, improving the financial appeal of property investment.
Looking ahead, Mr Davidson said the outlook for 2025 remains cautiously positive.
“We’re expecting a moderate upswing, with national property values forecast to rise around 5% for the year,” he said.
“Lower mortgage rates will be a key driver. But we’re also watching the wider economy, the labour market, and the impact of lending restrictions, particularly debt-to-income limits.”
 
Highlights from the May 2025 Housing Chart Pack include:

New Zealand’s residential real estate market is worth a combined $1.64 trillion.

The CoreLogic Home Value Index shows property values across New Zealand increased 0.3% in April. Over the three months to April, there was a 0.9% rise in median property values across NZ.
The total sales count over the 12 months to April is 84,226.
Total listings on the market were 31,035 in April. The total number of properties listed on the market remains elevated, although the seasonal fall for new listings flows means that agreed sales have just started to eat into stock levels a little in the past few weeks.
On rents, the pace of growth remains subdued, with net migration having fallen a long way from its peak, and the stock of available rental listings on the market still elevated.
Gross rental yields now stand at 3.9%, which is the highest level since mid-2015.
Inflation is firmly back in the 1–3% target range, and after April’s 0.25% cut, further OCR reductions seem likely in the coming months.
The Chart of the Month shows that First Home Buyers are taking advantage of multiple funding options to get a foot on the property ladder – making up 27% of property purchases in April.

For more property news and insights, visit www.corelogic.co.nz/news-research.

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Crash causing delays: SH1, Mata

Source: New Zealand Police

Northland Police are responding to another crash on State Highway 1, south of Whangārei.

The crash has occurred at about 9.15am on northbound lanes near Mata.

It involves a vehicle carrying a horse float, but there are no reports of serious injuries.

One lane is blocked, and traffic is being diverted around the blockage. 

Northbound traffic is still being impacted by an earlier crash on State Highway 1 near Oakleigh.

Southbound traffic is flowing, but Police are advising all motorists to take care on the roads and allow additional time to reach your destination this morning.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Road closed following crash in East Tāmaki

Source: New Zealand Police

Motorists are being advised to expect delays following a crash in East Tāmaki this morning.

Police were notified of the crash on Springs Road at about 8.18am.

At this stage it appears one person has received serious injuries and three others are in a moderate condition.

Both southbound lanes on Springs Road have been closed and diversions are in place.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police 

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SH1 cleared following Oakleigh crash

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can advise State Highway 1 has reopened in both directions following an earlier crash near Oakleigh.

The two vehicle crash, one of which was a large truck, occurred after 6am.

Two people suffered moderate injuries and were transported to hospital.

Police appreciate motorists’ cooperation on the roads this morning.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Northland accident: Delays SH1 near North Mangapai Intersection

Source: New Zealand Police

Motorists in Northland are advised to avoid travelling on State Highway One between the North Mangapai Intersection and Mata.

A two vehicle accident on Oakleigh Wharf Road is causing major delays.

Police advise one of the vehicles is a large truck which is blocking the road and may take some time to move.

Traffic is backed-up several kilometres in both directions.

Emergency services are at the scene.

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes and avoid the area.

ENDS

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Commonsense financial reforms underway

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Last night the Government took a major step toward restoring common sense to financial regulation, with the first readings of three important reform bills, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson.

“Our Government is delivering on its promise to make it easier for New Zealanders to access the financial services they need, whether it’s buying a home, growing a business, or simply managing everyday life,” says Mr Simpson.

“For too long, New Zealanders have been trapped by rules that are overly bureaucratic, unnecessarily repetitive, and sometimes just downright silly. Today, we’ve begun to fix that.”

The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill, the Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill, and the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Amendment Bill are the first legislative steps in a broader package aimed at rewiring New Zealand’s financial services regulation. Together, they form part of a comprehensive overhaul that will rebalance the system to ensure consumer protection without stifling access to credit or innovation.

“For many Kiwis, the absurdity of past rules became clear when banks were forced to quiz them about what they’d been spending on takeaways or Netflix subscriptions before approving a mortgage. That wasn’t responsible lending, it was regulatory overreach.”

These three bills focus on addressing some of the most counterproductive aspects of the current law:

  • Regulators empowered to take proactive action: The Financial Markets Authority will be given the tools needed to effectively oversee lending, banking and insurance markets to the benefit of consumers.
  • Removing unnecessary personal liability: Senior managers and directors will no longer face personal liability for compliance failures. Responsibility will sit with the businesses, where it belongs.
  • Streamlining licensing requirements: Financial service providers will no longer need to hold multiple overlapping conduct licences, reducing duplication and compliance costs across the sector.
  • Improving dispute resolution services: The Bill strengthens oversight and independent governance of financial dispute resolution schemes, ensuring Kiwis can have confidence in fair, effective support when things go wrong.
  • A fairer and more proportionate approach to non-disclosures: Another change, which will apply retrospectively for the period between 2015 and 2019, will enable the courts to apply greater discretion when a lender has failed to disclose certain information to consumers.

“These changes are pro-consumer, pro-competition, and pro-growth. They ensure that financial institutions are held to account without being tied up in needless red tape that drives up costs for everyone.”

The reform package delivers on a core part of the National-ACT coalition agreement to rewrite the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003.

“These changes are about enabling our economy to flourish. Financial regulation should protect people, not block their ambitions. This progress means we’re one step closer to a more dynamic, fair, and accessible financial system for all.”

Notes to editors

Fact sheet for the Bills is attached.