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Financial education will be embedded as a core element of the refreshed social sciences curriculum for Year 1-10 students, set to be available for use from 2026, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today. 
“Embedding essential skills into the curriculum will ensure our young people are better prepared to make informed financial decisions in a complex financial world. This will positively impact their lives and the broader economy,” says Minister Stanford. 
For younger students the curriculum will cover key financial skills, such as identifying needs versus wants, having a bank account, earning, spending and saving. Older students will gain the knowledge needed to understand more complex concepts, such as budgeting, investment, interest, taxes, and insurance to help to build lifelong financial skills. We have already included financial maths in the new maths curriculum, which is being delivered this year.   
To support the implementation of financial education in the new curriculum, a variety of tools and resources, developed in collaboration with financial organisations, banks, and charitable trusts, will be available to schools, ensuring they can effectively deliver the curriculum.
A new partnership between the Ministry of Education and the Retirement Commission will map the offerings from financial education providers against the updated curriculum.  The Retirement Commission’s work with providers will ensure consistent curriculum-aligned supports and resources, giving schools confidence in their delivery. 
This resource map will be extended into senior secondary years with guidance and resources for Year 11-13 students, supporting schools to flexibly deliver ongoing financial education to their students. 
“As the Minister responsible for the Retirement Commission, I absolutely believe that strengthening financial education is crucial to our Government’s focus on economic growth. We are all consumers, and financial literacy can set young Kiwis up to be savvy consumers – whether it’s knowing how to invest wisely, choose the best loan at a bank, or even identify a scam,” Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says.  
“We know that New Zealand parents have long called for financial education to be a priority. This curriculum update answers those calls, ensuring students are equipped with the knowledge to thrive in both personal and financial aspects of their lives,” says Minister Stanford. 
This initiative marks a significant step forward in New Zealand’s education system, placing a strong emphasis on real-world skills that will empower students to take control of their financial futures. Notes to Editor: 
Providers working with the Retirement Commission include:  

Sorted in Schools (Retirement Commission) 
Banqer
MoneyTime
Life Education
Young Enterprise Trust
Savvy
Westpac
ASB
Kiwi bank
BNZ

A draft of the updated social sciences learning area will be available in Term 4, 2025 for feedback. An updated version will be available for schools to use in 2026, and is planned to be required from 2027.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Common sense new rules allowing certain species of live fish to be legally returned to the sea will reduce unnecessary red tape and support sustainability, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.
Under the Quota Management System most fish caught by commercial fishers must be kept and taken to shore unless there is an exception in place.
The new rules exempt southern bluefin tuna, legal-sized pāua and Bluff oysters from this requirement as long as they are alive and likely to survive being returned to sea.
“Returning these species to their fisheries in circumstances when they are likely to survive benefits the sustainability of fish stocks as returned fish will remain part of the spawning population,” Mr Jones says.
“Commercial fishers have been allowed to return southern bluefin tuna since 2004 but these new rules set out the conditions in which they are likely to survive.
Under the new exception, commercial fishers can return southern bluefin tuna only if it has been caught by surface longline or troll, is confirmed to be alive, without major injury, and is returned to the sea as soon as possible. 
“Commercial pāua fishers have put in place voluntary minimum harvest sizes, which are larger than the minimum legal size. These voluntary measures from industry support sustainability of pāua fisheries by maintaining a larger amount of spawning pāua in the fishery,” Mr Jones says. 
“The exception will allow commercial pāua fishers to return pāua that are larger than the legal size, but smaller than the voluntary harvest size, which supports efforts to look after the fisheries they depend on.”
The change allowing oysters to be returned to the sea is a practical response to how they grow, Mr Jones says.
“Oysters grow in clumps, which can include both legal and undersized oysters. Without the exception, undersized oysters must be removed from the legal-sized ones and returned to the sea.
The exception requires legal-sized oysters, if attached to such a clump, to be returned to the water quickly as possible as well.
“Bluff oysters need to be returned to the sea quickly for them to have the best chance of surviving, so the handling time needed to separate the undersized oysters hurts their chances of surviving to grow and spawn more oysters.”
“My thanks to everyone who provided feedback as part of the consultation on these changes,” Mr Jones says.
The commercial landing exceptions come into force on 1 May 2025.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Improving the current system to better protect power lines from falling trees will protect the security of New Zealand’s electricity infrastructure, says Energy Minister Simon Watts. 

“Secure electricity lines are critical to electrifying New Zealand’s economy and delivering the resilient and reliable electricity supply we need to power economic growth,” Mr Watts says.

“Cyclone Gabrielle and Cyclone Tam highlighted the vulnerability of our infrastructure to severe weather events like storms and floods. During Cyclone Gabrielle alone, trees outside the Growth Limit Zone caused power outages that left 68,000 households without heating, lighting, internet, and access to essential appliances.”

The Government has now agreed to amendments to the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003, that will lower the risk to power lines from trees that are close to but aren’t immediately beside the line. 

“We’re taking action to deal with the increasing risk of damaged infrastructure and support our adaptation to the changing climate,” Mr Watts says.

The amendments introduce two key measures:

• Enabling lines owners to assess the likelihood and potential impact of a fall for trees they consider could be a risk to lines, then issue a Treefall Hazard Notice for moderate- and high-risk trees.
• Restricting the planting of new trees on land that is not already forested outside of urban areas.

“We have worked closely with lines owners and other impacted stakeholders to ensure we struck the right balance between security of our electricity supply, protecting property rights, and making sure the forestry sector’s Emissions Trading Scheme-related revenues are not unduly impacted,” Mr Watts says.

“This Government has made it clear that we are committed to unleashing transmission and distribution infrastructure on our mission to electrify the New Zealand economy. Ensuring the security of our network infrastructure is essential to delivering reliable electricity to all New Zealanders.”

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  30 April 2025

The 13-hectare forest near Eyrewell in North Canterbury is in the Motu Kānuka Scientific Reserve, which sits within a vast sea of privately owned farmland.

DOC Biodiversity Ranger Christina Stet says when she’s sitting in the middle of the kānuka forest island or motu on the flat expanse of the plains, she feels like she’s travelled back hundreds of years.

“Everything around it has been cleared, and yet amazingly this motu has remained. It’s an incredibly special ecosystem and provides a home for many threatened and at-risk species, shrubs, lichen, moss, insects, lizards, and birds. I feel very passionate about protecting it as many of these species are extremely rare on the Canterbury Plains.”

DOC purchased the forest through the Nature Heritage Fund in 2019. There were many threats to contend with including introduced grasses, gorse, broom, and pests, which impact the native plants and animals. It was pure luck the native kānuka forest had survived for so long.

Christina and DOC’s biodiversity team had a challenge. How could they protect the existing forest and increase its size by encouraging more kānuka to grow?

“We heard ECAN (Environment Canterbury) was trialling a new technique of reforestation in kānuka reserves. The idea was to try and create a giant ‘seed tray’. With help from their biodiversity fund, we cleared the invasive grasses near the adult trees and hoped the kānuka seeds would be blown across and land on the cleared soil and grow. The famous Canterbury nor’ wester blew and suddenly, these little seedlings started sprouting. I was so stoked to see how they’ve thrived.”

Christina says they hope to create a ‘seed tray’ on another side of Motu Kānuka.

“The bigger the buffer we can make, the more resilient the forest will be. What I love is being able to make a difference. We’ve proven in many parts of the country that when we remove or manage the threats to nature or restore habitats, they come back and thrive. Every individual action counts,” she says.

“We want to make sure this little ancient island stays this way for generations to come as once it disappears, it’s gone for good. This is part of our heritage and a wonderful snapshot of the past. This motu is a reminder of the resilience of nature, but more often now, it needs a helping hand.”

The Motu Kānuka Scientific Reserve requires a permit to visit.

Watch a video of Christina Stet in the Motu Kānuka.

A second video of Christina explaining how her giant ‘seed tray’ works is also available via DOC’s social media channels.

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From late April to December 2025, parts of Hayman Park in Manukau will be temporarily closed for work to further enhance its green spaces.

This will finish the full upgrade of the park and go well with the much-loved playground, which was upgraded in 2023.

Upgraded Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park playground, completed in 2023. Image: Eke Panuku.

Once a thriving wetland that filtered water before it reached Waipuhinui (Puhinui Stream), and the Manukau Harbour, Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park was a vital hub for native fish, birds, insects, and plants.

Working alongside Te Ākitai Waiohua, Ngaati Tamaoho, and Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters and flood resilience teams, the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and Eke Panuku Development Auckland are bringing this natural taonga (treasure) back to life. Rejuvenating the land and its ecosystems, preserving it as a thriving, living space for future generations.

The Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park Wetland project is a part of the Puhinui Regeneration Strategy, this project is led by Eke Panuku and proudly supported by the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.

Manukau Ward Councillor Lotu Fuli says, “This incredible project, over a decade in the making, would not be possible without the hard work of our Mana Whenua, Eke Panuku, Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience, the design team, and the wider Auckland Council whānau. A special thanks to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board for their ongoing advocacy and leadership. As we restore the land to its original wetland form, we ask for the community’s patience and understanding. Some areas of the park will be closed, so please respect the barriers for safety during this important work.”

Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park Repo (wetlands) project will rejuvenate the land and its ecosystems – keeping Manukau’s green heart healthy for future generations. Image: Eke Panuku.

Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia adds, “Currently there is a stagnant dead pond located on the park. It serves no purpose. Under this project, the wetlands will be revived, and we hope a habitat for our flora and fauna to live and thrive in. This is whakaoranga – bringing back to life.”

A whakaawatea karakia (blessing) in action. Image: Eke Panuku.

Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park holds deep cultural significance, particularly for local iwi Te Ākitai o Waiohua, Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, and Ngaati Tamaoho.

A stunning shot of the whakaawatea karakia (blessing). Image: Eke Panuku.

Richard Davison, Priority Location Director at Eke Panuku says “This project has been a long time in the making, and it’s incredibly special to see it come to life. Hayman Park has always been the green jewel at the heart of Manukau, and now we’re helping it shine even brighter.”

From the park to the Auckland Botanic Gardens and beyond, new walking and cycling connections are being strengthened, along with deeper ties to nature.

Artist impression of the revived wetlands at Manu-kau Noa Iho. Image: Eke Panuku.

Why does this work need to be done?

Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park’s stormwater ponds were originally built in 1975 as part of the former Manukau City Council’s development of the city centre.

Over time, issues with sediment build-up, bank stability and litter have begun to cause problems with the ponds. It was agreed that a natural treatment process in the form of a wetland and installing a litter-capturing device would deliver the most effective solution for a cleaner, healthier environment.

What features are planned?

• A new repo (wetland) filled with native planting and rich in wildlife habitat that will improve water quality before it flows into Te Puhinui and the Manukau Harbour

• Replacing the existing ornamental pond with a new grass area for people to rest, enjoy or that can be activated through small events

• Build wider footpaths, boardwalks, and viewing platforms to help people reconnect with nature.

These features will help to clean stormwater before it flows into the Puhinui Stream and Manukau Harbour.

A nice view of the park featuring a calm pond area. Image: Eke Panuku.

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

Advocates for living roofs, those lush, plant-covered patches of green on our city buildings, have long championed these slices of eco-paradise in our urban jungle. Now, thanks to a pioneering project between Auckland Council and the University of Auckland, we have the data to prove their value.

The Living Roof Monitoring project was launched to assess how well these verdant rooftops perform compared to conventional ones. After months of careful monitoring, the results highlight their effectiveness as a sustainable urban solution.

Stormwater superstars

Auckland Council’s Senior Healthy Waters Specialist Rachel Devine highlights the global success of integrating nature into urban infrastructure. She explains that planting vegetation on rooftops is one of the ways that cities can effectively absorb rainfall, reduce flooding and mitigate the stormwater network from becoming overwhelmed.

“But now, having the local data to back this up gives us context that is relevant to Auckland’s climate and environment,” Ms Devine says.

University of Auckland Professor Asaad Shamseldin who leads the research with Dr Kilisimasi Latu and Dr Conrad Zorn, is pleased with the robust dataset collected by the team’s PhD students Aung Naing Soe and Sihui Dong, which focuses on assessing the benefits of plants over conventional coverings on rooftops.

Their findings show living roofs significantly reduce stormwater runoff, with some substrate types retaining nearly 80 per cent of rainfall, even during heavy downpours. And that almost every drop is retained in light rainfall, demonstrating the excellent absorption potential of these gardens.

Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee Councillor Richard Hills says the findings of this research are very promising for roof gardens, helping to prevent flooding and water pollution in built-up urban areas like the inner city. 

“This preliminary research indicates that if we could retrofit roof gardens all over Auckland’s city centre it would not only enhance our place as a clean green city on the global stage but would also be a viable aid in reducing heat and help prevent or reduce flooding in parts of the city centre.

“It would also make the city look more beautiful for residents in high rise apartments, staying in hotels or working in offices and provide tangible environmental benefits, including providing habitats for native plants and birds.

“Stormwater run-off in the city centre also contributes to the pollution of the Waitematā and the Hauraki Gulf, and these findings point to roof gardens curtailing much of this run-off into our precious oceans and harbours.

Nature’s air conditioner: cooling our concrete jungles

Professor Shamseldin adds it is important to remember living roofs aren’t just about stormwater management; they are also very effective at keeping things cool.

“When urban temperatures rise, green roofs act like nature’s air conditioners,” says Professor Shamseldin.

In Auckland’s hottest months, when temperatures can exceed 25°C, the data shows living roofs lower rooftop surface temperatures by an impressive 32 per to 56 per cent. The research even uncovered a surprising ally in urban cooling: the wind.

“During the day, sea breezes help cool green roofs and delay peak temperatures, while at night, city-to-sea winds help reduce the temperature difference between green and conventional rooftops,” explains Associate Professor Shamseldin.

This translates to tangible energy savings for buildings and a potential reduction in the Urban Heat Island effect – truly, a breath of fresh air from above.

A living legacy: onshore islands

The pilot study was inspired by Auckland’s Central City Library living roof, a project developed in partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei that was launched five years ago.

Featuring over 2,000 hardy native plants, the roof reflects a shared commitment to enhance urban biodiversity and live in harmony with te taiao (the natural world).

Native grasses flourishing in the Auckland Central Library living roof.

“Kaupapa like this green roof are examples of cultural infrastructure, they integrate nature into our cities and allow us to actively elevate the mauri of our taiao,” says Etienne Neho of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

Greener cities, smarter cities: a vision for the future

This collaboration already has the potential to influence Auckland’s future. By providing policymakers and urban planners with data, the project can inform smarter, greener development decisions that enhance urban environments.

“If we want to create a sustainable, healthy city, one that future generations can enjoy – working with nature is a must,” adds Ms. Devine.

“These results prove what we’ve long suspected: nature-based solutions can help our journey towards becoming a more sustainable and resilient city.”

The research team continues to monitor additional biodiversity benefits, and more updates will follow as the data flourishes. Although urbanisation and climate change present numerous challenges, one thing is certain, working with nature is a positive step towards a healthier urban environment.