NZ Engine – Page 530

May 5, 2025

Blaze sparks wake-up call: Auckland Council urges industry vigilance on battery disposal

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

In the wake of a spate of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, including the most recent at Abilities’ North Shore recycling plant, Auckland Council supports the ruling by the Auckland District Court in the matter of Auckland Council v Sims Metal Industries Limited, following a significant fire at the Sims Metal scrap metal yard in Favona in July 2023.

The incident, caused by the ignition of a lithium-ion battery within a large scrap metal stockpile released toxic smoke across parts of Auckland and highlighted a growing national and international issue surrounding battery disposal and fire risk.

Judge Smith, in his decision, recognised the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries, noting there is currently no available technology capable of reliably identifying or detecting them within scrap material.

The judge described the situation as “a new and emerging issue,” which has led to fires not only in New Zealand but around the globe.

While acknowledging Sims Metal’s cooperation and the absence of any intentional wrongdoing, Judge Smith imposed a fine of $30,000, reduced from an initial starting point of $50,000, to reflect an early guilty plea, meaningful cooperation, and the agreement to enforcement orders.

Fire at the Sims Metal Scrapyard.

The enforcement orders issued require Sims Metal to implement several improvements at the James Fletcher Drive, Favona site.

These include the completion of a secondary access point to the site by May 2025, the development of a certified Fire Risk Management Plan and a Stockpile Management Plan. The orders are registered with the Environment Court and will remain in place unless superseded by conditions with a new resource consent.

Judge Smith noted, “There has been considerable difficulty in finding a technical solution to the problems with batteries catching on fire.

“This is not only a national problem but an international one; these orders form a workaround solution until more technical solutions, particularly for bulk disposal, are available.”

Auckland Council’s Field Operations Manager for Compliance, David Pawson, emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant despite the novelty of the issue.

“We recognise this is a new issue and we’re all finding our way with lithium-ion batteries and those handling them.

“But businesses still need to take responsibility for their disposal – this is their business. While we’re all working on solutions, consent conditions still need to be met.”

The council views this case as an important precedent in balancing empathy for emerging challenges with the necessity of regulatory compliance.

It also highlights the importance of proactive risk management and industry-wide collaboration to adapt to evolving environmental risks.

May 5, 2025

Rare reef heron numbers decline in Auckland

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

Auckland’s critically threatened reef heron (matuku moana) is in the spotlight after an initial summer survey, revealing concerning findings with numbers in the inner Hauraki Gulf worryingly low.

As part of their work to protect the biodiversity of bird species in the Auckland region, Auckland Council’s Environmental Services team, alongside a dedicated network of bird experts, boaties and volunteer conservationists, surveyed some of the likely key locations for a reef heron across the region between December 2024 and February 2025. While Auckland is likely a national stronghold for these birds, they have not been monitored previously.

The team’s mission: to uncover the secretive nesting habits of this elusive species and assess its population health.

The results?

A total of only 10 nests were identified, with sightings of two juveniles and three lone birds, where nationally there are estimated to be between 300-500 birds.

Critically threatened reef heron on sea shore.

Auckland’s coastlines are arguably under the greatest pressures in the country from coastal development, our growing population and the increasing uses of coastal spaces. As a consequence, Auckland’s local reef heron population could well be facing greater pressures than elsewhere in New Zealand.

Chair of Auckland Council’s Planning, Environment and Parks Committee Councillor Richard Hills, says the survey findings reinforce the need to ramp up protection efforts.

“The reef heron is a fascinating and rare bird that has quietly existed on our shores for centuries. With numbers this low, every nest and every bird count. Protecting them from human disturbance and predators is crucial if we want to ensure their survival for future generations,” says Councillor Hills.

Reef herons, often mistaken for their more common white-faced relatives, prefer rocky shorelines where they stealthily hunt small crustaceans and fish. They are rarely seen, avoiding humans and nesting in secluded caves, rock crevices, and under coastal pōhutukawa trees. Disturbance from boats, people, and pest species like cats and stoats have likely contributed to their decline, forcing them to retreat to small offshore islands.

Auckland Council’s Regional Biodiversity Advisor Jacinda Woolly notes that while the discovery of nine birds in the Manukau Harbour is encouraging, the low numbers in the inner Hauraki Gulf is concerning.

“These birds were once more commonly seen along our coastlines, but habitat loss, increasing human activity, and introduced predators have pushed them into hiding,” Woolly says.

“The fact that we found four nests in the Manukau suggests there are still some areas where they can thrive, but we need to do more to protect their habitats.

The findings from this initial survey will be used by Auckland Council to inform targeted protection measures, such as pest control, signage to reduce human disturbance, and advocacy for safeguarding critical nesting sites.

Despite their rarity, reef herons can still be spotted in the areas they regularly use. They are sometimes seen stalking the shallows, using their wings to create shaded areas that lure unsuspecting prey within striking distance.

With their population so precariously low, Auckland Council asks people to respect the birds’ habitats. Simple actions – such as keeping a safe distance if you see one, controlling pets near coastal areas and always following the relevant dog rules (especially on our pest-free islands), and supporting conservation initiatives can make a significant difference.

“The reef heron is a taonga of our coastal environment,” says Councillor Hills. “If we act now, we can give them the best chance of survival.”

More information is available on New Zealand Bird Online.

May 5, 2025

New Advanced Technology Science Platform announced

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

The multidisciplinary Paihau—Robinson Research Institute will host the platform, leveraging its world-leading expertise in superconductors, magnets and materials technologies. The platform will increase jobs in advanced tech in New Zealand, and create innovations that will benefit many sectors from space to fusion energy, quantum computing, aviation, medical devices and sensors.

The science platform brings together the expertise needed to turn innovative ideas into real-world products and services. It will support our scientists and innovators to achieve technological breakthroughs and take their ideas to market.

Funding is being provided through the MBIE-administered Strategic Science Investment Fund. Details on the platform plan, outlining the goals, scope and approach to achieving these are being worked through alongside contracting with MBIE.

This investment marks the first step towards establishing an advanced technology Research Organisation (PRO) in New Zealand. Details about what the advanced technology PRO will look like, its structure, form and function are to come.

Read the Minister’s announcement:

Boosting high-tech exports with advanced technology(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

May 5, 2025

Funding, payments and learner fees – Youth Guarantee

Source:

For the full requirements, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
Funding mechanism
The Minister responsible for tertiary education issues the YG funding mechanism. The funding mechanism outlines the general form and essential components of the fund. It provides the mandate for the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to allocate the funding and what the funding can be used for, and details how we administer the fund.
Funding is agreed through a tertiary education organisation’s (TEO’s) Investment Plan. For more information see Plan guidance and toolkit.
A TEO that receives YG funding is required to:

The overall amount of YG funding available is set through the Government’s annual budget process. We determine the appropriate amount of YG funding for a TEO through the annual investment process and in-year additional funding requests (if available).
Funding allocation and payments
Funding allocations, including any amendments, are available through the My Allocations and Payments app on Ngā Kete.
YG funding is paid in equal monthly instalments.
After each Single Data Return (SDR) submission we pay (and recover) Youth Guarantee Exceptional Circumstances Travel Assistance funding.
For the calculation of indicative allocations see the methodology from the relevant year. The most recent information is at the top.
For more details regarding your specific allocation, please contact customerservice@tec.govt.nz or your Relationship Manager.
Funding rates
There are two funding rates for all YG provision – the trades and non-trades rates per EFTS.
The trades funding rate applies to trades provision at Levels 2 and 3 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).
The non-trades rate applies to all other provision at Levels 1 to 3 on the NZQCF.
This page provides information on the YG funding rates.
Funding wash-ups
For the calculation of funding wash-ups see the methodology and technical specifications from the relevant year.
Premium allocation
We will allocate the 50% funding premium for the Level 1 and 2 programmes in your Level 1 and 2 commitment
We will allocate the YG premium based on your Level 1 and 2 commitments in your YG Mix of Provision (MoP).
We will calculate your final delivery against your total YG allocation, including the Level 1 and 2 premium and recovery if you were overpaid.
We will adjust your premium allocation, if required, due to other significant Plan changes
Significant Plan changes during the year may affect the amount of Level 1 and 2 premium required, for example if we have agreed a change in the total allocated, or there is a change in the distribution of your commitments within the allocation. If necessary, we will recalculate and adjust your premium allocation.
We will carefully review your submitted MoP to ensure we allocate the correct amount
We will monitor closely to ensure you allocate accurately as agreed with TEC in your MoP. This includes any changes agreed within the year. We will only accept and approve the MoP if the commitment is within the MoP tolerance (tolerance value identified in MoP instructions tab), and the distribution of the funding is in line with what was agreed and approved by the TEC. MoPs must be submitted in a timely matter.
We will take into account previous delivery patterns, and any specific agreements you have with us regarding changes to your MoP.
Wellbeing and pathways support subsidy
The wellbeing and pathways support subsidy is intended to fund a range of services tailored to the needs of individual learners. This may include:

career planning and advice
specific cultural and learning support that is easy for the learner to access
an orientation programme that informs learners about access to financial assistance
extra-curricular activities
regular activities with other YG learners
building workplace connections, and/or

From 2023, TEOs are expected to work with learners and their whānau to develop a pathway plan to map “where to from here”. The plan should support each learner’s needs to move to further study and/or employment. For more information on what should be included in the pathway plan refer to the YG funding conditions
We will allocate the wellbeing and pathways support allocation based on your total EFTS commitment in your MoP
We will calculate and pay the subsidy separately to your other YG funding.
We will not recover any of the subsidy where under-delivery occurs.
We will pay the subsidy on all eligible Flexible Funding over-delivery (up to 102% of your allocation) based on your December SDR reporting.
We will adjust your wellbeing and pathways support allocation, if required, due to other significant Plan changes
Significant Plan changes during the year may affect the amount of wellbeing and pathways support allocation you are entitled to, for example if we have agreed a change in the total allocated. If necessary, we will recalculate and adjust your wellbeing and pathways support allocation.
Travel assistance funding
For the full travel assistance funding requirements, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
Travel assistance funding must only be used to pay for the actual cost of transport. We expect TEOs to take an “actual and reasonable” approach to the reimbursement of learner travel costs. This means if a learner uses:

public transport, the reimbursement of the student must be based on the appropriate concession rate, or
private transport, where suitable public transport is not available, a reasonable reimbursement rate should be established by the TEO on a case-by-case basis.

If the TEO supplies the transport, the cost of the travel must not exceed 80 cents per kilometre travelled.
Travel assistance funding that is paid directly to a learner must only be used to cover or reimburse costs associated with travel to and from the YG course.
Records
The TEO must keep records of all learner travel expenses and TEO reimbursements to learners.
If the TEO supplies transport to learners, it must keep records of travel expenses. All travel records are to be made available to us on request. Records must include:

a daily travel logbook that sets out the kilometres travelled in relation to each learner, and
the source of funding for each learner’s enrolment at the TEO (for example, whether the learner is enrolled in a YG funded programme or otherwise).

Inland Revenue
If the TEO supplies transport, the TEO must keep records of travel expenses in line with Inland Revenue requirements.
There may be tax implications in the way that travel reimbursements are administered. Contact Inland Revenue directly for further information.
When reimbursing learners for travel, in general, TEOs are not able to claim GST input tax on this cost because the payments are made to individuals who are not registered for GST. GST input tax can only be claimed if the TEO has incurred the cost itself and can produce a GST invoice in support of the claim.
Travel subsidy
The travel assistance subsidy is expected to adequately meet the costs associated with normal learner travel needs.
As the travel subsidy is allocated per EFTS, the TEO may cross-subsidise by using more than the per EFTS rate for some learners (ie, where they have particularly high travel expenses), and less than the per EFTS rate for others (where they do not require the full amount).
The TEO must reimburse each learner within a reasonable time after they have incurred the cost.
Exceptional Circumstances Transport Assistance funding
Exceptional Circumstances Transport Assistance (ECTA) funding is to provide additional transport assistance to learners who live in relatively isolated areas who may have higher transport needs.
For the full exceptional circumstances transport assistance funding requirements, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
ECTA funding is based on EFTS delivered, and the rural isolation of the site where the delivery took place. The rural isolation of TEOs’ delivery sites uses a classification system developed by Statistics New Zealand.
Based on the urban/rural classification we provide a “top-up” payment per YG EFTS at each delivery site as reported in each SDR submission.
Funding calculation
Disaggregated courses must add up to the total credit value of the qualification, but unlike Delivery Qualification (DQ) funding, Youth Guarantee is not funded at the course level.
For a trades programme at Levels 2 and 3 the funding calculation is: trades rate per EFTS x programme EFTS value. Trades programmes include NCEA where at least 50% of the courses are classified under Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) and above on the NZQCF delivery classification codes – alphabetic and numeric – as C1, L1, or P1.
For a non-trades programmes the funding calculation is: non-trades rate per EFTS x programme EFTS value. Non-trade programmes include NCEA where less than 50% of the courses are classified as trades courses.
Specifically, we calculate a TEO’s consumed funding using:

the number of valid domestic student enrolments, measured by equivalent full-time students (EFTS), and
the programmes, and their component courses, in which a valid domestic student is enrolled.

To calculate a TEO’s consumed Youth Guarantee funding, we use the following elements:

the metric (EFTS value)
delivery classification
funding category (trades/non-trades, which may also depend on level on the NZQCF), and
funding rate.

Example only (rates may differ depending on year):

Step

Funding calculation

Example

Assign the programme an EFTS value

A TEO’s NZ2104 New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage (Level 3) obtained through half a year of academic year study has a value of 0.5 EFTS.
Note: We use 120 credits per EFTS for all programmes in STEO.

Assign the programme a funding rate

This is determined in conjunction with us. The rate will be trade or non-trade, depending on whether the majority of course EFTS are trades or non-trades.

Disaggregate the programme into courses
Calculate the EFTS factor of each course (Note: We use 120 credits per EFTS for all courses in STEO)
Classify the courses

The programme is disaggregated into three courses.
Each course has an EFTS factor of 0.1667 EFTS.
The subject matter of these courses is classified as #22 (Trades) in the Delivery Classification Guide.

Apply the funding category

Refer to Funding category (CATEGORY) under information about courses:
The funding category alphabetic code is used to determine the category of the course as P (Trades #22).
The funding category numeric code is used to determine the category of the course as 1 (non-degree course with no research requirement, including certificates and diplomas).

Apply funding rates

The funding rate for provision towards a trade programme, including transport subsidy, is $14,981 per EFTS, plus $2,000 per EFTS wellbeing and pathways support subsidy.

Multiply the funding rate by the number of valid enrolments

For 10 students on each of the 3 courses, each course attracts Youth Guarantee funding of $28,307.33 (excl. GST) calculated as (0.1667 x $14,981 x 10 = $24,973.33) + (0.1667 x $2,000 x 10 = $3,334.00).
This means the programme attracts $84,921.99 funding if 10 students enrol in each of the 3 programme courses.
Note: From 2023, for Level 1 and 2 programmes, we pay a 50% premium in addition to each EFTS reported in your Single Data Return (SDR). This is to acknowledge our YG definition of an EFTS being 80 credits for Level 1 and 2 programme delivery.

Calculating funding for Level 1 and 2 provision
From 2023 onwards, we recognise that 80 credits is a full-time, full-year workload for a learner enrolled in a Level 1 or 2 Youth Guarantee programme (or programmes) (one EFTS).
As a result TEOs will receive 50% more funding for delivery of EFTS towards Level 1 and 2 programmes.
The amount paid will be determined by the volume of Levels 1–3 course enrolment EFTS that lead towards Level 1 and 2 Youth Guarantee qualifications, as reported in the SDR.
We will fund up to 120 credits worth of delivery per learner in a calendar year.
You must not enrol a learner in more than:

1.5 EFTS (120 credits) for programmes leading to Level 1 and/or 2 Youth Guarantee qualifications; and
1.0 EFTS (120 credits) for programmes leading to Level 3 Youth Guarantee qualifications.

We will continue to fund up to 120 credits worth of delivery per learner in a calendar year.

Student’s 2023 enrolments

Credits

2023 EFTS

Credits ‘funded’

Definition

Delivered

Reported in the SDR

Funded (includes premium payment)

New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2)

80 credits

0.7500

0.5000

0.7500*

New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3)

120 credits

0.5417

Total

125

N/A

1.2917

1.0417

1.2917

125

* 0.500 Level 2 EFTS reported in the SDR plus the 50% premium = 0.750 Level 2 EFTS funded.
Re-enrolling a Youth Guarantee student
Where a YG learner requires further study to complete their programme, their study can only be to complete courses that they have not yet passed. This can include content not yet studied or content studied and assessed, but requiring a re-sit.
Note: A learner who turns 25 years old while enrolled is not eligible to re-enrol.
For example:
A TEO enrols a learner in all courses linked to a 60-credit (0.5 EFTS) Level 3 programme. The sum of the course EFTS factors is 0.5 EFTS.
The learner passes/achieves 30 credits from the 60-credit course enrolments. The TEO is funded 0.5 EFTS, for the 60 credits of courses the learner was enrolled in.
The TEO re-enrols the learner in a second period of study for the remaining 30 credits not yet achieved. The TEO is funded 0.25 EFTS for the 30 credits of courses the learner was re-enrolled in.
The learner successfully completes the courses and is awarded the qualification.
The learner will have received 0.75 EFTS worth of provision (90 credits), and the TEO will be funded for 0.75 EFTS delivery (0.5 + 0.25 EFTS) (assuming funding conditions are met for each course enrolment).
Note: The TEO will report 0.25 EFTS (30 credits) unsuccessful course completions, and 0.5 EFTS (60 credits) successful course completions.
Calculating EFTS remaining vs consumed
To determine the exact value of the EFTS remaining for a returning learner, the following formula should be used:

Qual EFTS value – (credits completed/total qual credits x qual EFTS value) = remaining EFTS

For example:
0.5 – (30/60 x 0.5)
= 0.5 – 0.25
= 0.25 remaining EFTS

Notes:
You will need to ensure that when a learner needs more time to complete their programme, other learners are enrolled to ensure you deliver fully on your Mix of Provision (MoP) EFTS commitment and consume all funding for the year.
Consider a learner’s course re-enrolments before you enrol them in a further programme. Where a learner does not complete a course successfully and you re-enrol them and claim funding, the learner is consuming additional EFTS towards their entitlements.
Flexible funding
We fund eligible TEOs for eligible Youth Guarantee provision above the amount the TEO has been approved to deliver. This is to provide TEOs with flexibility to meet additional learner demand.
For further information about flexible funding, please see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
Flexible funding:

is payable for provision towards qualifications that we have agreed to fund in your Mix of Provision (MoP)
does not mean we have changed your approved funding allocation, and
is subject to the conditions that we have imposed on your funding.

The external evaluation and review (EER) category referred to in the funding conditions will be the highest published EER category for the TEO during the funding year to which flexible funding is being applied.
Flexible funding is calculated using the December Single Data Return (SDR). Payments are made in March of the following year.
Suspending or revoking funding
Under clause 16 of Schedule 18 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act), we may suspend or revoke some or all funding given under section 425 of the Act if we are satisfied on reasonable grounds that:

when measured against performance indicators, the TEO has not achieved, or is not achieving, an outcome anticipated in its Investment Plan for a tertiary education programme or activity in relation to which funding has been given under section 425 of the Act, or
the TEO has not complied, or is not complying, with a condition on which funding has been given under section 425 of the Act, or
the TEO has not provided, or is not providing, adequate and timely information required by the TEC or Ministry of Education under section 425 of the Act.

If a TEO has its funding approval revoked in accordance with clause 16 of Schedule 18 of the Act, the unspent portion of funding is repayable to us on demand (see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year). We may offset the amount against any funding payable to the TEO.
Subcontracting
Subcontracting refers to a situation in which a TEO uses TEC funding to pay another organisation to deliver teaching or assessment on its behalf. This excludes:

teaching and learning activities contracted to individuals or organisations that are not TEOs (for example, an employee on a fixed-term contract, an honorary staff member, or a contract for teaching and learning services with a subject-matter expert for part of the programme such as for First Aid provision)
research activities or postgraduate research supervision, and
learning that occurs within vocational placements such a workplace placement or practicum.

A TEO must not subcontract delivery of any YG funded programme without the prior written approval of NZQA and without prior written consent from us.
Note: To gain approval, you must demonstrate how the subcontracting arrangement would benefit the YG programme.
If we approve a subcontract arrangement
Subcontracting can be agreed in two ways
If we approve a subcontract arrangement, the subcontracting can be agreed to within a TEO’s Investment Plan (Plan). The subcontracting specified in the Plan will be permitted for the period of the Plan. If the Plan expires then approval will need to be obtained from us again.
Subcontracting can also be agreed outside of a Plan. Again, the subcontracting specified will be permitted for the period agreed with us.
At any time, TEOs can contact us to discuss proposed subcontracting.
Subcontracting TEO obligations
As specified in section 425 of the Education and Training Act 2020, it is a condition of a TEO receiving funding under section 425 that the TEO will supply to us, from time to time as required by us, and in a form specified by us, any financial, statistical, or other information that we require the TEO to supply.
Therefore, at any time, we can request information regarding subcontracted activities from the TEO (that has subcontracted another party to carry out the activities).
In addition, a TEO that has subcontracted another party to carry out its activities:

must comply with any conditions imposed by us within a consent to subcontract; and
must ensure that the subcontracted party does not further subcontract any functions; and
will be accountable to us for the use of the YG funding, including in respect to legislative and funding condition requirements.

Student Allowance and Student Loan Scheme payments
A programme must be approved for TEC funding before a learner can access the Student Allowance and Student Loan Schemes. YG learners are only eligible for some aspects of the Student Loan Scheme. For further information on eligibility visit StudyLink.
Programmes delivered full-time
We will only approve a YG funded programmes for learner access to Student Allowance Student Loan Schemes if the programme:

is delivered full-time
runs for a minimum of 12 weeks, and
has an EFTS value of at least 0.3.

A full-time YG programme must be made up of at least 0.5 EFTS, comprising one or more qualifications. Where there is recognition of prior learning (RPL) for some of the programme, the learner’s individual programme following RPL must be at least 0.5 EFTS.
Programmes delivered part-time
A programme of less than 0.3 EFTS is classified as part-time regardless of the number of weeks over which it is delivered. A part-time programme is not eligible for learner access to the Student Allowance Scheme.
For a YG funded part-time programme leading to a qualification, we will only approve learner access to the Student Loan Scheme if the programme meets one of the following criteria:

it runs for 32 weeks or more and has an EFTS value of at least 0.3 EFTS, or
it runs for fewer than 32 weeks with an EFTS value of between 0.25 and 0.3 EFTS.

Loan entry threshold
The loan entry threshold (LET) is used to identify the minimum EFTS value required for a learner’s individual study programme to be deemed full-time. This affects learner eligibility for the Student Allowance and Student Loan Schemes. A programme that is not deemed to be full-time (ie, not approved for access to the Student Allowance and Student Loan Schemes) can nevertheless be funded through YG.
The LET is determined by matching a range of gross weeks to a range of EFTS values. A gross week is the total length of enrolment in a programme, including holiday weeks.
The table below shows this relationship. Programmes of less than 0.3 EFTS may still be eligible for learner access to the Student Loan Scheme.

Loan entry threshold table

Length of enrolment(Gross weeks)

Loan entry threshold(EFTS)

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.525

0.55

0.575

0.6

0.625

0.65

0.675

0.7

0.725

0.75

0.775

32–52

0.8

53 or more

1.0

Student allowances – paid practical work
Learners that undertake paid practical work as part of their course of study are not entitled to any student allowance payments for the week(s) they undertake that work. It is important that you discuss this with your learners.
For more information on student allowance entitlements and paid practical work please see StudyLink.

May 5, 2025

Iwi Rights Under Attack in Government Treaty Clause Purge

Source:

Te Pāti Māori warns that the Government’s Treaty Clause Review represents the most severe erosion of iwi rights in modern legal history.

“Luxon’s Government is doing what the Treaty Principles Bill failed to do. They are removing every legal reference to Te Tiriti across health, housing, conservation, and child wellbeing laws, clause by clause” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

The Treaty clause review impacts 28 laws, including the Conservation Act, RMA, Oranga Tamariki Act, Climate Change Response Act, and the Pae Ora Act. Key protections for Māori health equity, kaitiakitanga, and tino rangatiratanga are being systematically erased.

“This is constitutional vandalism” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi. “The Government is deleting our rights from legislation, with no consultation, no mandate, no Treaty partner process.”

Te Pāti Māori is calling on all iwi, hapori Māori, legal advocates, community defenders, whānau, and Tangata Tiriti to prepare a unified response.

“They may be erasing words from legislation, but we will not let them erase our rights,” concluded Ngarewa-Packer.

May 5, 2025

Release: Cuts to beds for seniors at Dunedin Hospital

Source:

After failing to be upfront about cuts to intensive care beds, it’s now becoming clear that other downgrades to Dunedin Hospital are being concealed by the Minister of Health.

“National is reducing dementia and psychogeriatric beds capacity at the new Dunedin Hospital by almost half, with no alternative clinical option for older people,” Labour mental health and seniors spokesperson Ingrid Leary said.

“Psychogeriatric care is complex, requiring specialist services and care which are already very scarce in the community.

“Labour had a review underway to look at the best model of care for psychogeriatric services, but that work seems to have been shelved.

“Scaling back the hospital beds on the basis of an as-yet undefined model of care is at best magical thinking, at worst another way of concealing cuts.

“The lower South Island has an older population per capita than most parts of NZ and is already amongst the worst off when it comes to the postcode lottery for access to specialist mental health services.

“To make slash and burn decisions in this context is a slap in the face to our communities and renders Simeon Brown’s assurances earlier this year plain gaslighting,” Ingrid Leary said.

Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

May 5, 2025

Bupa under scrutiny for tax practices as workers face cuts – E tū

Source:

A new report from E tū and international tax watchdog CICTAR has raised serious questions about whether aged care giant Bupa is shifting profits offshore to avoid paying its fair share of tax in Aotearoa.

E tū is calling for urgent reform and transparency in aged residential care funding, following the revelations that Bupa – the country’s second-largest provider – has paid just $12 million in income tax over the past decade, despite reporting nearly $300 million in profits.

“We spend billions of dollars each year on aged residential care, but there is very little transparency about whether that money supports decent jobs for workers, or simply subsidises corporate profits,” says Edward Miller, researcher with the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR).

“Our research suggests that over the last decade, Bupa earned $3.3 billion in revenue and $293 million in profit, but only paid a total of $12 million in income tax – an effective tax rate of just four percent.

“In addition, a major intercompany loan appears to have reduced their taxable income by $150 million over the last decade. That could have cost Aotearoa up to $27 million in lost tax revenue over that period.”

E tū National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh says the report reveals a disturbing pattern.

“At the same time as Bupa is sending tens of millions overseas in interest payments on questionable debts to other Bupa subsidiaries, they’re pushing through dangerous new rosters that cut hours and destabilise care,” Rachel says.

“Care workers are rightly asking whether Bupa is putting tax planning ahead of providing safe, decent care for residents. In 2023, for instance, Bupa made $12 million in pre-tax profit but paid just $11,000 in corporate tax – that’s about what a Level 4 care worker pays.”

Rachel says while more funding is urgently needed for the sector, companies must also be held to account.

“We need increased investment in aged care, but with it must come transparency. New Zealanders deserve to know their taxes are going to support quality care, not just boost overseas profits.

“It’s time to put the wellbeing of our elderly and those who care for them at the centre of this system.”

May 5, 2025

Livestock numbers fall over the last 10 years while area planted in fruit increases – Stats NZ media and information release: Agricultural production statistics: Year to June 2024 (final)

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Livestock numbers fall over the last 10 years while area planted in fruit increases – 5 May 2025 – The total number of sheep was 23.6 million at June 2024, a fall of 6.2 million (21 percent) compared with 10 years ago, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

The total number of dairy cattle also fell by 861,000 (13 percent) over this period to 5.8 million.

“Bucking the trend of falling livestock, however, is beef cattle. There were 3.7 million beef cattle in 2024, similar to the total in 2014,” agricultural statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.

Deer had the highest percentage fall of all livestock types, down 26 percent in the 10-year period. Numbers are down by 250,000 since 2014, bringing the total to 709,000 deer.

Files:

May 5, 2025

Climate News: April very warm, and for north of both islands: wet – NIWA’s Climate Summary – April 2025

Source: NIWA

The month of April was very warm across New Zealand, with last month very wet for northern parts of both islands, according to NIWA’s Climate Summary for April 2025.

Temperatures were well above average throughout the country. It was the warmest April on record for 22 locations, with a further 52 locations observing near-record high April mean temperatures.

April was very wet for Northland, Tasman, and Canterbury. Rainfall was above normal or well above normal for northern parts of the North Island, Taranaki, western Wellington, northern parts of the South Island, eastern Canterbury, and Central Otago.

Auckland was the coolest of the six main centres, Christchurch the coolest, Dunedin the driest and sunniest, while Tauranga was the wettest and least sunny for April.

May 5, 2025

Defence and Employment – PSA welcomes increased Defence spend on civilian salaries

Source: PSA

Union also seeks a commitment from the NZDF to retain civilian roles.

The PSA has welcomed the news from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) that $33 million will be allocated to staff pay increases over the next four years as the result of last year’s industrial action.

“We’re very pleased to see increased funding for civilian personnel salaries in yesterday’s NZDF announcement,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says.

“This decision is a response to civilian staff’s strike action last year.”

Non-uniformed NZDF staff, which includes engineers, IT specialists, and other support staff, undertook weeks of industrial action from September to November, culminating in a strike.

The settlement of the strike action contains a specific clause on the union working together with the NZDF on the $33 million of funding allocated from the Budget.

“The NZDF have already been in touch with the PSA to work through the allocation of this funding,” Fitzsimons says.

The NZDF’s 3000-plus civilian workforce is currently undergoing a change proposal process which seeks to cut 374 roles.

“While this is good news, the NZDF has already lost 144 highly skilled, diligent personnel through the voluntary redundancy process.

“To ensure the remaining workers aren’t overwhelmed with large workloads and can continue to deliver this essential mahi, we will be seeking a commitment that there will be no more job cuts.”