NZ Engine

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated Anthony Albanese on winning the Australian Federal Election, and Lawrence Wong on winning the Singaporean election.
“I have been in touch with both Mr Albanese and Mr Wong to offer my congratulations on retaining office,” Mr Luxon says.
“When we spoke, Mr Albanese and I affirmed our strong working relationship. New Zealand has no better friend and no greater ally than Australia. Working together is even more important now as we both face the most challenging global environment in decades. We are stronger on the world stage together. 
“I look forward to continuing to work with Mr Albanese on a range of issues including our shared security, partnering in the Pacific, and making the trans-Tasman business environment ever more seamless.” 
Mr Luxon has also congratulated Lawrence Wong on his recent election victory in Singapore.
“Singapore is a key partner for New Zealand in Southeast Asia, and I am eager to continue to strengthen our bilateral relations and collaborate on regional and global challenges.
“Both Australia and Singapore are indispensable partners for New Zealand. I am committed to enhancing our cooperation with both countries as we navigate the complexities of the current global landscape.”
 

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

 

Israel’s drone attack on the Freedom Flotilla boat ‘Conscience’ shows Israel’s genocide strategy has now gone global, according to PSNA.

 

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says the attack in international waters is a thoroughly predictable war crime, committed by an out-of-control Israel, intent on violence anywhere to uphold its starvation strategy for Gaza.

 

The ‘Conscience’ was loaded with life-saving humanitarian aid for Gaza and was attacked and disabled off the coast of Malta.

 

“It’s another war crime to add to Israel’s blood-soaked reputation” says PSNA Co-National Chair John Minto. “This is a cowardly attack on the best of humanity trying to get aid to more than two million desperate and starving people.”

 

“Israel has blocked all aid for more than two months in an attempt to starve them to death.”

“This brazen attack in international waters shows how emboldened Israel has become by the silence of Western governments such as New Zealand.”

 

Minto is pointing to the UN Panel of Inquiry in 2011 on a similar Israeli attack on the Turkish aid vessel the Mavi Marmara the year before.  It was chaired by former New Zealand Prime Minster Sir Geoffrey Palmer.

 

Palmer found that Israel used ‘excessive and unreasonable force’ in boarding the vessel and killing ten people on board.

 

“But Palmer also said that Israel had conducted a ‘legitimate security measure’.  I wonder how Geoffrey Palmer feels about legitimising that action now,” Minto says.

 

“Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa is calling on the New Zealand government to condemn the aggression on what is an unarmed, civilian vessel in international waters.”

 

“When Ansar Allah (Houthis) in Yemen did this to Israeli vessels to try to stop the genocide in Gaza, New Zealand involved itself by sending military support to western countries to bomb Yemen.”

 

“We are not calling on the government to send military support for the bombing of Israel. However, if New Zealand really believes in the freedom of passage of unarmed vessels in international waters, it must condemn Israeli outright for this cowardly attack on the ‘Conscience’.”

 

 Minto says to maintain any credibility the government is also overdue and obligated to end its months long silence over other Israeli actions.

 

“Top of the list is Israel’s war crime use of starvation in Gaza as a weapon of war.  But the government must also condemn the Israeli army ethnic cleansing and assisting settler attacks in Occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.”

 

“Israel is building new illegal settlements there at an unprecedented rate.”

 

“Israel has also just conducted unprovoked major military assaults on Syria. Our Foreign Minister must surely know about these things, and we are at a loss to know why he says and does nothing.” 

 

John Minto

Co-National Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

On this World Press Freedom Day, we pause to honour journalists and media workers across the globe who risk their safety to report truth and amplify the voices of the oppressed. Nowhere is this commitment more courageous, or more perilous, than in occupied Palestine.

For decades, Palestinian journalists have operated under constant threat — targeted, detained, censored, and even killed for doing their jobs. In Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, Palestinian reporters document human rights violations, military assaults, home demolitions, and the daily realities of life under occupation, often at great personal risk.

In the latest war on Gaza, media offices have been bombed, journalists and their families deliberately targeted, and communication blackouts imposed to silence Palestinian narratives. As of May 2025, over 140 journalists have been killed in Gaza alone since October 2023, marking one of the deadliest periods for media professionals in recent history. Many others face arbitrary arrest, harassment at checkpoints, equipment confiscation, and restrictions on movement.

Despite these dangers, Palestinian journalists persist — their cameras, pens, and microphones bearing witness to what much of the world might otherwise never see. From the frontline photographers in Gaza to the independent media outlets in the diaspora, their work ensures that Palestinian stories remain in public view.

On this day, we also remember iconic voices like Shireen Abu Akleh, the veteran Al Jazeera journalist killed by Israeli forces in May 2022 while reporting in Jenin. Her legacy is carried by the next generation of Palestinian journalists, who continue to speak truth to power in her name.

Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of justice. In Palestine, this freedom is under siege. And yet, the resilience of Palestinian media workers is a testament to the enduring power of truth.

 Today, we say:
We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.

We demand protection for journalists in Palestine.

We affirm the right of Palestinians to tell their own story.

Press freedom is not a privilege — it is a right. And in Palestine, that right remains worth fighting for.

Maher Nazzal
Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

A new air ambulance helicopter commissioned today will significantly enhance emergency medical response capabilities across Auckland and Northland, Associate Health Minister Hon Casey Costello and ACC Minister Scott Simpson announced today.
“This state-of-the-art helicopter represents a major advancement in aeromedical service delivery, and we are pleased to see it become operational in this part of the country,” Ms Costello said during a visit to Northern Rescue’s Ardmore base where the aircraft is stationed.
“It’s great news that this helicopter will support people living in these regions as part of the Government’s investment to upgrade some of New Zealand’s air ambulance fleet.
“The Leonardo AW169 aircraft incorporates modern design features and capabilities that improve flight performance, increase safety and reliability, and enhance patient care during transport — especially in challenging weather conditions or remote environments.”
The helicopter is one of nine new or near-new aircraft being introduced across the national Emergency Air Ambulance Helicopter Service fleet throughout 2024/25, jointly funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
“Ageing helicopters are being replaced in Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Wellington,” Ms Costello says.
The Auckland/Northland helicopter is the third in this fleet renewal programme and the first AW169 to enter service under this investment.
“Our Emergency Air Ambulance Helicopter Service plays a critical role in enabling time-sensitive care for people in urgent need, particularly in regional and rural communities,” Mr Simpson says.
“Notably, this is the first helicopter purchased using ACC Investment debt financing, which has enabled the ageing helicopter replacement programme to progress at a faster pace. This financing arrangement has contributed to savings of around $500,000 per year.”
The regions next in line for improved aircraft capabilities include Northland, which will also receive two additional leased near-new aircraft ready for use from July and Wellington, which will get a brand new replacement aircraft in August. 
The Government’s broader investment into fleet renewal is aimed at replacing ageing helicopters with more capable, efficient, and future-ready alternatives.
“Our air ambulance services do great work and it’s important that the helicopter fleet is upgraded,” Ms Costello says. “Health NZ and ACC are also redesigning the aeromedical operating model to make the best use of air ambulance resources, and the $128 million of rotary wing air ambulance funding provided by the Government.”

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has joined the thousands of New Zealanders taking part in the annual game bird hunting season opening. 
He spent the morning at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau / Sinclair Wetlands, a 315-hectare portion of the Lakes Waihola-Waipori wetland south of Dunedin, hosted by Fish & Game New Zealand.
“It was awesome being out there with fellow hunters as the sun rose on opening day,” Mr Meager says. 
“This isn’t just recreation — it’s about sustainably harvesting food, teaching the next generation important skills, and maintaining connections to our heritage that stretch back for generations.”
The game bird season opener saw an estimated 60,000 people head to wetlands and waterways across the country, many travelling significant distances from urban centres.
“Fish & Game regions across the country do a great job managing the game-bird populations, looking after wetlands, waterways and wildlife habitats, and making sure this tradition stays sustainable for future generations,” Mr Meager says.
“My priority is to make it as simple as possible for Kiwis to go hunting and fishing in New Zealand. What I saw today was people from all walks of life coming together to do just that.
“Hunters understand the effort and responsibility involved in harvesting wild food, and there’s real value in that knowledge. We back our hunters to be part of the conservation solution and will continue to ensure Fish & Game are a responsible, responsive and collaborative organisation providing value for licence-holders’ money.”