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End to the American War on Vietnam Remembered 50 years on

Source: Workers First Union

MEDIA RELEASE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE ON VIETNAM
The 50th anniversary of the end of the War on Vietnam will be commemorated in Wellington on Friday, 16 May 2025.
30 April 1975 saw the “fall of Saigon” that brought an end to this horrendous war.
Former members and supporters of the Wellington Committee on Vietnam (CoV) and associated groups such as Release All Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience (RAVPOC), the Organisation to Halt Military Service (OMHS) and Medical Aid for Vietnam have been invited to the gathering. Younger and current anti-war activists have also been invited.
The gathering has been called by former chairs of the Wellington Committee of Vietnam in the early 1970s, Michael Law and Robert Reid, and will include an “Extraordinary Special Meeting of the CoV” to mark the occasion.
The events will be held at the National Library in Molesworth Street, Wellington.
From 2.00 pm until 4.30 pm Friday 16 May the Alexander Turnbull Library will have some of its archived material on anti-war protests on display (especially from the Rona Bailey Collection).
At 5.00 pm the reunion meeting will take place in the Malaga Pasifika Room of the National Library.
The events will remember the brave struggle of the Vietnamese people for independence, the horrific action and atrocities of the US and allied forces in Vietnam and the protest activity that took place against the war on Vietnam in New Zealand in the 1960s and 1970s.
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Government Cuts – Children pay price of Oranga Tamariki contracting fiasco – Auditor-General issues damning indictment of Govt cuts

Source: PSA

The Auditor-General’s report into Oranga Tamariki’s provider contracts lays bare the reckless way the Government ordered cuts without regard to how children would be harmed.
In 2023 the Government ordered a 6.5% cut of Oranga Tamariki’s overall funding, triggering a chaotic review of contracts with hundreds of community service providers – some even told their contracts would end with only days’ notice last year.
“The report confirms what we have said all along – the Government has totally botched its rushed spending cuts with little regard to the consequences – children are the casualties of these decisions,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The report says ‘its decisions were not adequately informed by evidence of how they would affect children and their families. The effects of decisions on children and their families are still not known. Given that this is the core role of Oranga Tamariki, it is unacceptable’.
“It’s staggering that the Government can order an organisation that supports some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable tamariki and rangatahi, and their whānau to make such bad decisions.
“Without doubt children will have been impacted as providers had to stop services or move children to other service providers at short notice – it’s just not good enough when the welfare of children should be at the heart of these decisions.
“This all speaks to the cruel nature of the Government’s decisions which put saving money to fund tax cuts ahead of supporting vulnerable children.
“The Government promised no impacts on frontline services – this report again exposes this lie as we have seen throughout the public service. There is nothing more frontline than protecting children.
“The PSA is still awaiting a response from the Auditor-General about whether he will investigate cuts at Health New Zealand which also impact frontline health services – this report means he should.
“The chickens are coming home to roost as we warned they would. Without doubt in the months and years ahead we will see more damage that the Government is inflicting on frontline services from these short-sighted cuts. More New Zealanders will pay the price – it’s unacceptable.”
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First Responders – Winslow hay bale fire update #1

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to a large fire involving hay bales in Winslow, Ashburton around 11.30pm last night.
Incident Controller Carrie Swanson says that at its peak, the fire was fought by 11 fire crews and additional support staff.
“Thanks to the hard mahi of our crews, no other structures were damaged besides the two hay sheds,” she says.
“The fire was contained to this property, and no others are currently threatened.
“The fire began to decrease in size around midday today, but it is large and deep-seated, and will take some time to cool and extinguish completely.”
Crews will continue to work on the fire overnight and into the next few days, Carrie Swanson says.
“Don’t be alarmed if you see smoke in the area, as this is to be expected,” she says.
“If you’re in the vicinity and are concerned, stay inside and keep doors and windows closed.”
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Stats NZ information release: Births and deaths: Year ended March 2025

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Births and deaths: Year ended March 2025 – 15 May 2025 – Births and deaths releases provide statistics on the number of births and deaths of people resident in New Zealand that are registered during a given period, along with selected fertility and mortality rates. They may differ from statistics presented elsewhere that relate to all births and deaths registered in New Zealand or to births and deaths occurring during a given period.

Key facts
In the year ended March 2025 compared with the year ended March 2024:

  • there were 58,539 live births registered, up from 56,277
  • there were 37,647 deaths registered, little changed from 37,623
  • the total fertility rate was 1.58 births per woman, up from 1.54
  • the infant mortality rate was 6.0 deaths per 1,000 live births, up from 3.8 per 1,000 (the increase is a result of a high number of late registrations during this period, see Births and deaths: Year ended December 2024 (including abridged period life table)).

Files:

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Government Cuts – PSA strongly opposes decisions released by Health NZ – further dismantling of our public health system by Government

Source: PSA

The PSA strongly opposes final decisions released by Health New Zealand for the following teams: Procurement, Supply Chain and Health Technology Management (PSC&HTM), Planning, Funding and Outcomes, and Audit, Assurance & Risk.
“These decisions include the possible loss of specialists procurement, auditing and health innovation and improvement,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, said.
“The possible loss of these roles has been forced on Health NZ by the Government imposing cuts to our health system that will affect patients. We call on Government to stop these endless cuts to our health system.
“This is why we are still fighting this in the Employment Relations Authority, which is why this will not be implemented until the Authority has heard and determined the matter or the PSA and Health New Zealand have settled it by agreement.”
The union filed these legal proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority in February because several proposed restructures breached the Code of Good Faith for the public health sector, the Employment Relations Act 2000, collective agreements and Te Mauri o Rongo – NZ Health Charter.
“We’ll be making it clear to all our members that legal action is still going ahead and we strongly oppose these Health NZ changes.”
Last month, the PSA agreed a settlement with Health NZ stopping the restructuring of the National Public Health Service and two directorates in the Planning Funding and Outcomes business unit: Data and Analytics, Community Mental Health Funding and Investment, and Data and Digital Services.
Litigation remains in place for Planning Funding and Outcomes (Former Service Improvement and Innovation functions): Te Whatu Ora Improve; Evidence, Research and Clinical Trial; Operations; Population Health Gain; Consumer Whanau Voice; Former Office of the Chief Executive (OCE): Strategic Planning and Procurement Supply Chain and Health Technology Management.
Earlier today, the PSA also announced further litigation against Health NZ to stop another round of cuts to their Audit, Assurance and Risk, People and Culture, Finance Stage 1, and Communications and Engagement teams.
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Weather News – Wet and windy South Island on Saturday, rain crossing North Island on Sunday – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 15th – Monday 19th May – Wet and windy South Island on Saturday, rain crossing North Island on Sunday.

Cloud and showers in the west, sunny in the east to end the work week
Heavy rain and strong winds expected to move up the country over the weekend

Yellow Heavy Rain Watches in place (from Saturday) for:

  • The Ranges of Tasman northwest of Motueka
  • Buller
  • Ranges of the Grey District
  • Headwaters of the Canterbury Lakes and Rivers
  • Headwaters of the Otago Lakes and Rivers
  • Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound

Yellow Strong Wind Watch in place (from Saturday) for:

  • Canterbury High Country.
Slightly warmer overnight temperatures throughout

The weather will be quite different depending on where you are in the country over the next couple of days. The west, especially the South Island, will be mostly cloudy with showers, while the east will enjoy sunny and mostly clear skies thanks to a high-pressure system still hanging around.

Today (Thursday), a band of rain moves up the west coast of the South Island, making it a wet day there. Westerly winds will continue to bring moisture to western regions, so expect clouds and the chance of a shower in many western areas on Thursday and Friday.

As we head into the weekend, expect more rain and stronger winds. A low-pressure system will arrive in southern New Zealand on Saturday and then move north by Sunday. While the rain during the week might not be too serious, the weekend brings the potential for severe weather.

MetService Meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says, “Heavy rain is forecast for Saturday in the South Island, especially the west, where Heavy Rain Watches have been issued. A Strong Wind Watch also covers the blustery northwest winds over the Canterbury High Country. The wind and rain are forecast to decrease in severity before moving onto the North Island by Sunday”. Keep an eye on the MetService website (www.metservice.com) for updates.
 
There’s some good news though, nights will be less chilly due to a warmer airmass from the northwest, so we’ll get a break from those frosts we’ve had over the past few days.
 
If you’ve got outdoor plans, Thursday and Friday are your best bet, particularly in the eastern regions. Shiviti recommends, “Rethinking any weekend plans and taking advantage of the better weather the next couple of days before conditions worsen”.
 
That said, Napier is in luck, “Sunny skies are expected for the Hawke’s Bay Marathon this Saturday”, added Shiviti.

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Fire Safety – Marlborough south moves to open fire season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand will return the Marlborough South area to an open fire season from 8am on Friday, 16 May, until further notice.
An open fire season means people can light outdoor fires without a permit approved by Fire and Emergency.
All Department of Conservation land will remain in a restricted season. In a restricted season, people need a permit to light an outdoor fire approved by Fire and Emergency.
The Marlborough North area is already in an open fire season.
Nelson Marlborough Group Manager Chris Hayles says there is now less risk of fire across the region.
“Although no fire permit is required it is still the responsibility of the person lighting the fire to ensure it is done so safely.
“Fires need to be kept to a manageable size and smoke drift should not be a hazard for motorists.
“Always visit www.checkitsalright.nz before lighting and avoid lighting fires during or ahead of strong winds.”
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Government Cuts and Legal Action – PSA takes more legal action to stop the Govt cutting health further

Source: PSA

The PSA is taking Health NZ Te Whatu Ora to the Employment Relations Authority to stop another round of job cuts to key teams that support frontline health services.
The litigation covers the proposed restructures of Audit, Assurance and Risk, People and Culture, Finance, and Communications and Engagement.
“These are damaging cuts of key teams which support the frontline – if they go ahead this will further undermine our health system and so patient care,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“This is all because the Government has made a choice to cut taxes and underfund the health system – New Zealanders deserve better.”
Significant jobs are at stake. For example Health NZ is is proposing to cut 338 People and Culture roles – a net reduction of 21% of the team – at a time when it is struggling to recruit people to staff hospitals and elsewhere.
Health NZ also plans to cut one in four roles at its Audit Assurance and Risk team which ensures some $12 billion of annual funding of the primary health care sector is paid out correctly and not subject to fraud.
“Our view is the restructures have been handled badly by the Government. It has ignored obligations under collective agreements to properly consult with the union and members. It’s required to work with those impacted on the design of new structures and not impose them in the way it has.
“In particular, roles can’t simply be disestablished without considering alternatives like re-deploying impacted staff, re-training for other positions or reducing roles through attrition.”
The Authority has also ordered mediation in relation to the PSA’s litigation over the proposed restructuring of two other teams – Procurement and Supply Chain and Planning, Funding and Outcomes – Service Improvement and Innovations.
“The PSA remains strongly opposed to all job cuts at Health NZ which are being rushed through regardless of their impacts on frontline health services. It’s all about saving money in the short term, not supporting our health system.”
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Budget ‘25 needs to prioritise a thriving and resilient Pacific region – World Vision

Source: World Vision

World Vision New Zealand is urging the government to prioritise Pacific prosperity and resilience with strong investment in climate finance and foreign aid as part of Budget ’25.

The aid agency’s National Director, Grant Bayldon, says in challenging geopolitical times, it is vital the government invests in the Pacific region to ensure it is strong and thriving.  

He says Pacific nations are among the most vulnerable to climate shocks, and New Zealand needs to stand in solidarity with our neighbours.

“These are tough economic times for New Zealand and many other countries, but climate finance is a cornerstone of effective development, ensuring that communities can respond to climate shocks, build resilience, and secure the rights of future generations.

“New Zealand has a leadership role to play and that requires us to step up and support our Pacific neighbours in the face of a changing climate, growing poverty, and changing geo-political alliances.

Bayldon says it’s more important than ever before to invest in the children of the Pacific and to support Pacific communities with education, nutrition, healthcare and the tools to combat climate change.

“Half of the Pacific’s population are children. We know that every dollar invested in child-related programming yields exceptional returns, which will help to make Pacific communities stronger.

“That’s a fantastic return on investment for our region and for New Zealanders who will partner with, and deliver many of these projects,” Bayldon says.

He says this year’s Budget is particularly important because New Zealand will need to decide how much it will invest in climate finance under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change.

New Zealand committed NZ$1.3 billion in climate finance between 2022 – 2025, but at last year’s COP29 climate conference agreed that developed nations together should contribute more (at least US$300 billion per year) in future to help low-income countries transition to clean energy and adapt to climate change.

Bayldon says it’s incumbent on the Government to increase its climate finance commitment in Budget ’25.

“We know that climate change is the great existential crisis of our time, and it is without doubt a humanitarian crisis in which children bear the brunt of suffering.  Every cyclone, every flood, and every village lost to rising sea levels means more children going without food, a home, and an education.

“Our commitment to climate finance will help Pacific children and communities to become more resilient in the face of a changing climate,” he says.

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Energy Sector – From carbon costs to gas gaps: NZ energy sector flags rising pressures – BusinessNZ

Source: BusinessNZ

New information from the World Energy Council shows affordability, carbon pricing, and demand management are the top energy concerns in New Zealand.
The 2025 Country Issues Map is out now. The report surveyed energy leaders across the wider energy sector to get a snapshot of what keeps them awake at night, and busy during the day.
BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) Executive Director Tina Schirr says the map paints a clear picture of the sector’s issues that still need to be addressed.
“Affordability being the dominant concern on the 2025 map is no surprise given the strain placed on the electricity sector during last year’s dry winter, and the compounding issue of reduced gas availability.”
Carbon pricing ranks high on the uncertainty list, reflecting instability in the Emissions Trading Scheme, an oversupply of New Zealand Units, and investor hesitancy.
Schirr says gas users will continue to face difficulties accessing viable alternatives.
“However, there is growing acknowledgement that grid-scale storage and demand response measures can help reduce supply risks, especially during dry years.
“How New Zealand manages the energy trilemma – balancing security, sustainability, and equity – has become an increasing area of concern in these reports. Uncertainty over gas reliability is now a key threat to security of supply and affecting affordability across the wider industry.”
Schirr says that over the years, a major blind spot for New Zealand remains unchanged – community engagement.
“Engagement and energy literacy continue to rank low for both uncertainty and impact, despite their importance in building lasting public support for energy transitions.
“On the bright side, infrastructure concerns that dominated previous years have eased somewhat, but transmission grids and long-term planning remain high-priority actions. New Zealand also retains its position as a global energy innovator.
“lastly, the report reinforces that our abundant renewable energy resources and strong public-private position on collaboration will serve us well for energy transition to come.”
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.