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Parliament Hansard Report – Tuesday, 6 May 2025 – Volume 783 – 001467

Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities

Question No. 8—Health

8. Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Labour) to the Minister of Health: Is his first priority as Health Minister still “focusing Health New Zealand on delivering the basics and achieving targets”; if so, why have wait times for first specialist assessment and elective treatments worsened?

Hon SIMEON BROWN (Minister of Health): Yes, you cannot manage what you don’t measure, and that’s why this Government reinstated health targets: to drive accountability and ensure access to timely, quality healthcare. Too many New Zealanders are waiting too long for first specialist assessments and elective treatments, and addressing this is a priority. Wait-lists have been growing over several years. Despite an increase in elective procedures and first specialist assessments being completed last year, the rate at which people were being referred on to wait-lists continues to outpace the rate at which people were receiving treatment or being seen. However, I’m pleased to inform the member that Health New Zealand advises me that the number of patients waiting for a first specialist assessment in the week ending 13 April has reduced by over 8,000 since the first week of January.

Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall: How can he expect others to be accountable for targets, if he doesn’t own up that there has been a 6 percent deterioration in first specialist assessments, and a 3 percent deterioration in elective treatments since the change of Government?

Hon SIMEON BROWN: If we’re going to talk about percentages, we could talk about the 6,500 percent increase in the number of people waiting more than four months for a first specialist assessment when that party was in Government; or we could talk about the 2,500 percent increase in the number of people waiting for an elective treatment more than four months, while that party was in Government. The wait-list ballooned. We’ve put in place targets. Now we’re focusing the system on delivery so that people can get the healthcare they need in a timely and quality manner.

Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall: Who does he expect to do the additional procedures, when Health New Zealand’s last quarterly workforce report shows 310 fewer nurses and 47 fewer doctors employed in our health system?

Hon SIMEON BROWN: There are more doctors and more nurses working at Health New Zealand than in 2023. We’re investing in front-line services and we’re focusing on ensuring that we treat the patients and get the timely and quality access to healthcare that is needed. As I said in my primary answer, I’m pleased to inform the member that Health New Zealand advises me that the number of patients waiting for a first specialist assessment in the week ending 13 April has reduced by over 8,000 since the first week of January. That is progress. Because of the huge wait-list that we inherited, it’s going to take time to deliver. I’m focused on delivery.

Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall: Does he stand by his statement “There is no such thing as a hiring freeze.”, or does he accept that official statistics now show hiring has been frozen?

Hon SIMEON BROWN: There are more doctors and more nurses working at Health New Zealand today than there were in 2023. We’re investing in front-line health workforces and we’re focusing on delivery. We’re investing $16.68 billion over three Budgets, so we can invest in the front-line services that New Zealanders need.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could the Minister confirm that with the last three answers on the statistical improvements that he gave in those answers, the primary question, or the questioner, was demonstrably, deliberately false?

Hon SIMEON BROWN: We’re focused on delivery. We’re focused on outcomes. We have more doctors and more nurses working at Health New Zealand today than in 2023. We’re focused on outcomes. As I said in my primary answer, 8,000 fewer people are waiting on the first specialist assessment wait-list for the week ending 13 April than in the first week of January. That’s progress. We inherited massive wait-lists which ballooned under the previous Government, and we are focused on getting patients the care they need.

Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall: Why did he try to blame senior doctors for longer waits for treatment, when it is his Government’s hiring freeze that means New Zealanders are going without the care they need?

Hon SIMEON BROWN: I was very clear when it came to the union deciding to go on strike that they should have put the offer that was presented to them a week prior to the strike to their members to vote on, rather than going on a strike which has caused 4,300 elective treatments or first specialist assessments to be delayed. That’s unacceptable. We must put patients first.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Supplementary.

SPEAKER: Question No. 9—just waiting for a bit of quiet.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Supplementary.

SPEAKER: Oh, supplementary. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Thank you. How does the ministry’s decision to remove ethnicity as a factor in wait-times align with his targets to reduce wait-times when Māori are still waiting longer for treatment than non-Māori?

Hon SIMEON BROWN: Our Government is very clear: we are focusing on need and we’re focusing on making sure that we are ensuring that patients get the treatment they need in a timely and quality manner, and that applies to all New Zealanders.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Point of order. That was a mischaracterisation of the actual question. The question, which is an equity-based, policy-based, needs-based—

Hon Judith Collins: Just ask the question.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer:—addresses Māori and Pacific Islanders, and there wasn’t actually an answer in that—thanks, Judith.

SPEAKER: Well, the Minister could say the same thing again if he likes.

Hon SIMEON BROWN: The Government is focusing the health system to treat people based on the needs that they have and ensuring that all New Zealanders can get the access to timely and quality healthcare.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Supplementary.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Supplementary question.

SPEAKER: Supplementary—Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: How did that go?

SPEAKER: Because she was faster off her feet.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: No, she wasn’t.

SPEAKER: Yes, she was. I’m pretty sure. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer—it was like a blur; you could hardly see it.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Thank you. How will proposed cuts to Māori and Pacific health and immunisation providers, many of whom serve high needs and hard to reach whānau, achieve his target to increase immunisation rates for children to 95 percent at 24 months?

Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well, this Government is very much focused on delivering on the basis of need. We continue to invest in providers who serve a variety of communities to ensure that we are reaching out into Māori and Pacific communities so that we can meet those targets. But as I said in the previous answer, we are focusing healthcare delivery on the basis of need so that all New Zealanders can access timely and quality healthcare.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I ask the Minister as to why on earth he hasn’t consulted with Ayesha Verrall, who’s an absolute expert on medical waiting lists and endless delays?

SPEAKER: No. Is there another question?

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Yes. How does his decision to cancel bowel cancer screening for Māori and Pasifika from the age of 50 align with his target of faster cancer treatment for 90 percent of patients when these groups have the highest rates of bowel cancer in the country with 18 percent of cases diagnosed under the age of 50?

Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well, we’re focusing on, as I said, healthcare delivered on the basis of need. We are lowering the age for all New Zealanders to be able to access bowel cancer screening to the age of 58. We are also making targeted investments to target those communities—Māori, Pasifika, Asian communities—where they have lower bowel cancer screening rates, to lift those rates so that we can save as many lives as possible.

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HY25: Solid result in challenging economic environment

Source: Indian Muneem Inaugurates Its New Office Branch In New Zealand

BNZ has reported a 4.8% decrease in underlying profit for the six months to 31 March 2025 to $1,075 million, reflecting a challenging economic environment and a highly competitive banking sector.

BNZ’s statutory net profit increased 4.3% on the prior year to $795 million.

BNZ CEO Dan Huggins says, “overall, this is a solid result in the current economic environment. It supports our view that despite the current uncertainty driven by global trade and tariff tensions, New Zealand’s economic fundamentals have improved.

“Looking beyond the current global volatility, we have confidence in the New Zealand economy and have delivered an impairment write back to reflect this.”

“BNZ remains focused on supporting New Zealanders and New Zealand businesses,” says Mr Huggins.

“This focus has seen more than 50,000 New Zealanders switch to BNZ in the first half of the financial year, as we continue to invest in more frontline bankers to improve customer service levels, reduce wait times, and open all our branches five days a week.

“It is also reflected in customer satisfaction, with BNZ moving into #1 position for our Consumer Net Promoter Score* (NPS).”

BNZ’s total lending increased $4.3 billion or 4.1% – with home lending up 5.6% and business lending up 2.0%.

BNZ also reported a significant increase in deposits up $5.4 billion or 6.8%. Term deposits continued to be the most popular choice, while BNZ’s Rapid Save – a market leading everyday high-interest rate savings account**- grew by $1.7b or 13.7%.

Supporting growth

“The economy appears to be at a turning point, and while uncertainty remains, BNZ is well positioned to support its customers,” says Mr Huggins.

“BNZ continues to make capital available for customers looking to invest in their business or buy their first or next home.”

“We’ve supported nearly 6,000 New Zealanders with their home ownership ambitions in the first six months of the financial year, with first home buyers accounting for almost one third of all new home loans.

“As New Zealand’s largest business bank, we understand that businesses will be at the forefront of our economic recovery. That’s why we are always looking for new and innovative ways to support our customers to invest and grow.”

BNZ backed Payap, New Zealand’s first digital wallet and point of sale app utilising open banking and compatible with all New Zealand banks, is one of those innovations.

More than 10,000 business customers have already signed up for Payap, which will leverage the power of open banking to reduce merchant fees by up to 80% on transactions going through Payap.

BNZ continues to lead the market in open banking, with over 300,000 customers and 26 fintechs using BNZ’s APIs.

Economic outlook

Mr Huggins says, “lower interest rates and strong conditions in the primary sector have helped support improvements in the New Zealand economy.

“However, trade tensions have created significant volatility and heightened uncertainty in global markets.

“We are watching these developments closely to gauge how this uncertainty impacts global growth and New Zealand’s economic recovery. However, we remain optimistic about the country’s long-term outlook and are committed to supporting New Zealand’s growth aspirations.”

ENDS

*Consumer NPS – Net Promoter Score. This measures the likelihood of a customer’s recommendation to others.

**BNZ Rapid Save winner of 2024 Canstar Outstanding Everyday Value Account.

 An unaudited summary of financial information for the six months ended 31 March 2025 follows:

  1. Statutory net profit has been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in New Zealand (“NZ GAAP”). It complies with New Zealand equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (“NZ IFRS”) and other applicable Financial Reporting Standards.
  2. Cash earnings is a non-IFRS key financial performance measure used by BNZ for its internal management reporting as it better reflects what BNZ considers to be underlying performance. Cash earnings is not a statutory financial measure, is not presented in accordance with NZ GAAP and is not audited or reviewed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand).
  3. NAB NZ Banking Reporting Segment consists of Partnership Banking, servicing retail, business and private customers; Corporate and Institutional Banking, servicing corporate and institutional customers, and the Markets operations in New Zealand. It also includes National Australia Bank’s investment in FirstCape and the impact of distributions to non-controlling interests.
  4. Unrealised fair value gains or losses on economic hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting and hedge ineffectiveness causes volatility in statutory profit, which is excluded from cash earnings as it is income neutral over the full term of transactions. This arises from fair value movements relating to trading derivatives for risk management purposes; fair value movements relating to assets; liabilities and derivatives designated in hedge relationships; and fair value movements relating to asset and liabilities designated at fair value.
  5. Spot volumes (unless otherwise stated).

The post HY25: Solid result in challenging economic environment appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

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Unemployment rate remains at 5.1 percent in the March 2025 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Labour market statistics: March 2025 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Unemployment rate remains at 5.1 percent in the March 2025 quarter – 7 May 2025 – The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in the March 2025 quarter, unchanged from last quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

In the March 2025 quarter:

  • the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent
  • the employment rate was 67.2 percent
  • annual wage inflation was 2.9 percent
  • average ordinary time hourly earnings were $42.79.

“Seasonally adjusted levels of unemployment remained at 156,000 between the December 2024 and March 2025 quarters,” labour market spokesperson Abby Johnston said. 

Files:

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Heritage – Welcome to the first Ōtautahi Festival of Archaeology

Source: Heritage New Zealand

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Christchurch Archaeology Project are joined by the heritage organisations, archaeology companies and museums of Ōtautahi to offer a fantastic range of archaeology themed activities at Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House in honour of New Zealand Archaeology Week.
Try your hand at excavation, take part in archaeology themed activities and talk to archaeologists about their artefacts and work. Discover what it takes to be an archaeologist in this hands-on free family event.

The festival is free and open to families and archaeology fans of all ages. Dr Katharine Watson of the Christchurch Archaeology Project says, “This is a chance to bring along any questions for archaeologists about what they do, the things they find, as well as any questions about archaeology as a career.”
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga has art activities inspired by experimental archaeology. Make sure to wear old clothes as you might get dirty while practising your excavation skills. Canterbury Museum’s stall will be displaying hands-on collection items and testing your knowledge of middens. Pūtaringamotu Riccarton House & Bush have artefacts discovered onsite, and will be holding story time sessions, complete with magnifying glasses and explorer hats. Test your knowledge of key Māori sites in Ōtautahi via an activity linked to Ngāi Tahu Archive’s Kā Huru Manu online atlas. And bring your library card so you can check out archaeology and history books at Christchurch City Library’s stall.
There will be professional archaeologists onsite from Christchurch Archaeology Project, Underground Overground and the Department of Conservation. They will be displaying artefacts discovered on recent excavation sites in central Christchurch. Touch and hold these taonga and find out more about what has been discovered under our city. You’ll also have the chance to try on real archaeologist’s gear and equipment.
Event organiser, Rosemary Baird, Senior Outreach Advisor for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, is excited about this new archaeology festival.
“All our partners have been so creative in coming up with fun ideas for the day. We also have a Junior Archaeologist activity booklet that kids can get stamped at each activity. Once you have four stamps you can create your own Ōtautahi Festival of Archaeology badge with Canterbury Museum’s badge making machine. Event sponsors Charlies are providing free juice pouches for all visitors.”
Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House suffrage museum will be open to paying visitors between 11am-3pm. The National Portrait Gallery’s exhibtion Background Matters: Portraiture and Place in Aotearoa, is also showing onsite. Entry to the art exhibition is free.
Event information:
Date: 11am-3pm, Saturday 10 May.
Venue: Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House, 83 Clyde Road.
Cancellation policy: The event is under tent cover and will go ahead unless the weather is very bad. Check the Facebook event or Eventbrite listing for cancellation.
Cost: Free, koha appreciated.
Parking: There is no parking onsite. Free parking is available in the University of Canterbury’s Arts Road carpark, which is a 5-minute walk from the property. Otherwise, take the 120 bus, which stops outside on Clyde Road.
ABOUT HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND POUHERE TAONGA
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is the leading national historic heritage agency for Aotearoa New Zealand, operating as an autonomous Crown Entity. Our mission is to identify, protect, and promote heritage – Kia mōhiotia atu, kia tiakina, kia hāpaingia ā tātau taonga tuku iho.
We actively engage with communities, foster partnerships, and provide valuable resources to support those who are passionate about exploring, learning, and connecting with our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit our website at www.heritage.org.nz
ABOUT NEW ZEALAND ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK 2025
This will be the ninth New Zealand Archaeology Week. The New Zealand Archaeological Association is working to increase public awareness and highlight the importance of protecting our archaeological heritage by promoting the work of New Zealand archaeologists both at home and abroad.
New Zealand Archaeology Week 2025 will comprise of a variety of events around Aotearoa and content shared online. These events are being hosted by consultant archaeologists, museums, heritage organisations and iwi and will include public talks, historic walks, community events and displays across a number of regions.
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Pay Equity – It’s more than just equal pay – Amnesty International

Source: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

In response to reports that the Government is amending the Equal Pay Act under urgency, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand’s Movement Building and Advocacy Director, Lisa Woods, said:

“This looks like an abuse of process. Once again we are seeing the Government rushing through legislation without adequate oversight and the opportunity for us all, especially those most impacted, to have a say. That’s not what happens in a healthy, thriving, representative democracy.
There can be legitimate reasons for using urgency. However, we are concerned that urgency is being used over and over and over again when it doesn’t need to be – avoiding the scrutiny and public input that helps protect against bad law.
This is a problem we’ve seen across successive governments. It risks normalising undemocratic practices, bypassing normal checks and balances that support transparency and participation.
The use of urgency is not an isolated concern.
We’re seeing actions by Government utterly disregarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi – a fundamental part of our constitutional make-up. We’re seeing accountability and transparency challenged in other areas such as with the Official Information Act.
New Zealanders must seriously question what path this is all leading us down and take a stand for the kind of society we want – one that’s based on respect, dignity and equity.
This starts with getting our foundation right. For Aotearoa New Zealand this is about upholding Te Tiriti and the tino rangatiratanga it guarantees. In doing so we provide a place for us all to belong, for respectful relationships to flourish and a just foundation for how we can make decisions together.
When our systems are designed so we can all make a meaningful contribution, we can all benefit in so many ways, including more well-rounded and informed decision-making, stronger communities and feelings of belonging and connection. Not to mention overcoming intergenerational inequities in how different groups of people are paid.”
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Employment – Workers pledge hybrid work is best to be productive – Survey

Source: Robert Half

  • 70% of Kiwi workers believe hybrid work has a positive impact on their productivity levels 
  • 32% of workers believe working in the office full-time has a negative impact on their productivity 
  • 94% say the work environment has an impact on their productivity.

Auckland, 7 May 2025 – Employees believe a hybrid work arrangement has the most positive impact on enhancing their productivity, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds.  

When asked to outline the impacts on productivity of different work environments, only 6% of employees stated it does not matter where or when they work, as they do not believe it would impact their productivity.

Workers believe working at home has the greatest positive impact on their productivity levels, whether that is for some (70%) or all (63%) of their working week. Similarly, with 32%, working from the office full time was reported as having the highest negative impact on productivity of all ways of working.

 

Working from home full time

Working from the office full time

Hybrid work

Working outside of traditional hours

Positive impact

63%

42%

70%

57%

Negative impact

16%

32%

8%

16%

No impact

22%

26%

23%

27%

Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 500 full-time office workers in New Zealand

 

“Workers find that the blend of in-office and at-home work optimises their productivity by leveraging the unique advantages of each environment,” says Megan Alexander, Managing Director at Robert Half. “But most New Zealand employers now require full-time office attendance as business leaders recognise that the absence of in-person work hinders the collaborative culture that leads to increased productivity.

“In saying this, many organisations are providing flexible work hours, giving employees the option to adjust their day when needed as an alternative, which is shown to have positive effects on worker productivity, motivation, and engagement. The most successful organisations will be those that find the right balance between flexibility and accountability.”  

About the research

The study was developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in November 2024 by an independent research company among 500 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, and IT and technology. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management, and trends in the workplace.    

About Robert Half

Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm.  Robert Half New Zealand has an office in Auckland. More information on roberthalf.com/nz.  

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University Research – Vape shops cluster around schools – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

Almost half of New Zealand schools are within a short walking distance of a specialist vape retailer, despite a law aimed at preventing vape stores near schools.

Embargoed to NZT 1201AM Wednesday 7 May: Almost half of schools across Aotearoa New Zealand have a specialist vape store within a 10-minute walk, despite recent legislation aimed at preventing this.

New research, which overlays vape stores on school locations, shows 44 percent of schools have a vape store within a one-kilometre radius and 13 percent have a dedicated store within 300 metres.

“That means a lot of our young people are getting multiple exposures on a daily basis to vape stores and vape marketing, to the attractive window displays and to the omnipresence of vaping, as a constantly available and easy thing to engage with,” says Ronan Payinda, a fourth-year medical student at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, who led the study.

Payinda says he saw the explosion of vaping while he was at school in Northland and felt that, as a society, Aotearoa New Zealand was failing to grapple with its potentially serious health effects.

Since 2020, it has been illegal to sell vapes to people under 18.

However, in 2021, more than a quarter (26 percent) of secondary school students reported having vaped in the previous week.

In 2023, the government passed legislation banning specialist vape stores from opening within 300 metres of schools and marae: however, existing vape shops were allowed to continue operating.

The law was a response to reports of teens, parents, schools and teachers struggling with the epidemic of vaping.

Payinda says this study, published today [NZT 7 May] in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health shows that stronger regulations are needed. Read the study. [Goes live 7 May, PDF available]

“We are not putting the right protections in place to ensure that a whole new generation of young people aren’t chained to addictions for the rest of their lives,” Payinda says.

The study looked only at specialist vape stores, whereas corner stores, petrol stations and other outlets, which sell a more limited range of vapes, are more popular with young people who reported no great difficulty making the illegal purchases.

Further, the researchers found inequity in the location of vape stores.

“We stratified these results by the level of deprivation of each community and found that there was a strong association between the level of poverty a community was suffering and the proximity of the vape stores to their schools.

Among the most affluent fifth of schools, seven percent had a specialist vape store within a 300-metre radius. Among the poorest quintile, 40 percent of schools had a specialist vape store within 300 metres.

Research in the US has found exposure to e-cigarette marketing via retail stores increases the likelihood of vape use among middle and high-school students.

The long-term health effects of youth vaping are not yet known, but strong associations are emerging, Payinda says.

The American Heart Association (AHA) says, in a statement, vapes can impair sleep quality, may affect mental health and may lead to nicotine dependence.

Available studies suggest adolescents who vape may have lower lung function and be susceptible to respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia.

Smoking cigarettes can lead to heart disease. So, while comparable long-term data for vaping are lacking, the AHA report raises concerns about the possibility of heart disease in later years.

The number of stores selling vapes within one kilometre of schools shows there is a need for more rigorous vaping policy, Payinda says.

“We need to implement regulations to prevent young people from not just being exposed to vaping products but also accessing them and becoming addicted to them in the long term,” Payinda says. “We need to get more serious about protecting our young people.”

About the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
“Vape shops on the way to school: geographical analysis of the proximity of Specialist Vape Retailers to New Zealand schools” will be published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health at 12:01am 7 May 2025.
Please credit the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health as the source of the research. 
The Journal is the official publication of the Public Health Association of Australia.
All articles are open access and can be found here: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/australian-and-new-zealand-journal-of-public-health

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Economy – Risks to the financial system have increased – Reserve Bank of NZ

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand  

7 May 2025 – Risks to the financial system have increased over the past six months, Reserve Bank Governor Christian Hawkesby says in releasing the May 2025 Financial Stability Report.

“Financial stability is critical for ensuring that New Zealanders can safely save, borrow, and manage financial risk,” Mr Hawkesby says. “While the global economic environment has become more volatile, our financial institutions are in a strong position to support the economy.”

Geopolitical risks have escalated, particularly following the US imposition of sweeping tariffs on goods imports from many countries, including New Zealand. These developments have heightened financial market volatility and pose a material risk to global economic activity.

Domestically, economic activity remains subdued. Previously high interest rates, rising unemployment, and a weak housing market continue to weigh on demand. However, lower borrowing costs and high agricultural export prices are supporting debt serviceability.

Banks have strong capital and liquidity buffers in place to maintain credit flows even if conditions deteriorate further. They also remain profitable, with non-performing loans expected to decline as mortgage rates reprice lower.

General insurers are experiencing more stable conditions. Our recent insurance stress test highlighted improved resilience in the sector, but also the challenges of extreme seismic events for New Zealand.
   
Progress is continuing on the implementation of the Deposit Takers Act 2023. Several strands of this work will help to promote competition and efficiency in the deposit-taking sector.

“Work on the review of key bank capital settings is well underway, with the release of the Terms of Reference today. This outlines the purpose, approach, and scope of the review, to ensure the right settings are in place to support financial stability and promote the wellbeing and prosperity of New Zealand,” Mr Hawkesby says. “We will engage leading international experts to inform and challenge our review.”

The Depositor Compensation Scheme will come into effect on 1 July 2025. This will protect depositors’ funds in the event of a deposit taker failure and is a significant milestone for enhancing trust and competition in the financial system.

More information:

What is a Stress Test?

Stress Tests are a critical tool we use to assess potential vulnerabilities, support risk management, and inform policy and supervisory decisions

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MSF – Israel’s New INGO Registration Measures Are a Grave Threat to Humanitarian Operations and International Law – 55 Organisations Say

 Source: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Doctors Without Borders

The undersigned 55 organisations operating in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) call for urgent action from the international community against new Israeli registration rules for international NGOs. Based on vague, broad, politicised, and open-ended criteria, these rules appear designed to assert control over independent humanitarian, development and peacebuilding operations, silence advocacy grounded in international humanitarian and human rights law, and further entrench Israeli control and de facto annexation of the occupied Palestinian territory.

For over a year and a half, humanitarian organisations have continued operating despite unprecedented constraints. In 2024, they reached millions of people across the oPt with essential services – from food and water to mobile clinics, legal aid, and education. The new registration rules now threaten to shut this work down. These measures go beyond routine policy. They mark a serious escalation in restrictions on humanitarian and civic space and risk setting a dangerous precedent.

Under the new provisions, INGOs already registered in Israel may face de-registration, while new applicants risk rejection based on arbitrary, politicised allegations, such as “delegitimising Israel” or expressing support for accountability for Israeli violations of international law. Other disqualifiers include public support for a boycott of Israel within the past seven years (by staff, a partner, board member, or founder) or failure to meet exhaustive reporting requirements. By framing humanitarian and human rights advocacy as a threat to the state, Israeli authorities can shut out organisations merely for speaking out about conditions they witness on the ground, forcing INGOs to choose between delivering aid and promoting respect for the protections owed to affected people.

INGOs are further required to submit complete staff lists and other sensitive information about staff and their families to Israel when applying for registration. In a context where humanitarian and healthcare workers are routinely subject to harassment, detention, and direct attacks, this raises serious protection concerns.

These new rules are part of a broader, long-term crackdown on humanitarian and civic space, marked by heightened surveillance and attacks, and a series of actions that restrict humanitarian access, compromise staff safety, and undermine core principles of humanitarian action. They are not isolated but part of a wider pattern that includes:

Blocking or delaying aid through arbitrary bureaucratic restrictions, logistical obstacles, and complete sieges, denying essential lifesaving supplies to Palestinians.
Killing more than 400 humanitarian workers in Gaza, injuring and detaining countless others, and repeatedly attacking marked and notified humanitarian premises, facilities or convoys.
Passing legislation aimed at curtailing the operations of UNRWA, the largest provider of essential services for Palestinians.
Advancing legislation to impose a tax of up to 80 per cent on foreign government funding to Israeli NGOs, while barring them from seeking recourse through the Israeli court system – including organisations that serve as partners for INGOs to deliver assistance and uphold protections in communities facing displacement, demolitions, or settler violence.
Suspending work visas for international staff and revoking permits for Palestinians residing in the West Bank to access Jerusalem, severely disrupting operations.

And now, making INGO registration conditional on political and ideological alignment, undermining the neutrality, impartiality and independence of humanitarian actors.

Under international humanitarian law, occupying powers are obligated to facilitate impartial humanitarian assistance and ensure the welfare of the protected population. Any attempt to condition humanitarian access on political alignment or penalise organisations for fulfilling their mandate risks breaching this framework. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to allow unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza in three legally binding provisional measures orders in 2024. Yet, these new rules expand and institutionalise existing barriers to aid.

We call on States, donors, and the international community to:

  • Use all possible means to protect humanitarian operations from measures that compromise neutrality, independence, and access – including staff list requirements, political vetting, and vague revocation clauses.
  • Take concrete political and diplomatic action beyond statements of concern to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and prevent the erosion of principled aid delivery.
  • Support INGOs and Palestinian and Israeli civil society organisations through legal assistance, diplomatic support, and flexible funding to help mitigate legal, financial, and reputational risks. Donors must defend principled humanitarian and human rights work.

The undersigned 55 organisations stress that engagement with the registration process to preserve critical humanitarian operations should not be misinterpreted as endorsement of these measures.

These 55 organisations remain committed to the delivery of humanitarian aid, along with development and peacebuilding services and activities that are independent, impartial, and based on need, in full accordance with international law and the humanitarian principles derived from it. INGOs stand ready to engage with Israeli authorities in good faith on administrative processes but cannot accept measures that penalise principled humanitarian work or expose staff to retaliation. These measures not only undermine assistance in the oPt but also set a dangerous precedent for humanitarian operations globally.

  1. Act Church of Sweden
  2. ActionAid
  3. Alianza / ActionAid Spain (ApS/AAS)
  4. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
  5. Anera
  6. Asamblea de Cooperación Por la Paz (ACPP)
  7. Asociación Paz con Dignidad
  8. CARE International
  9. CESVI
  10. Children Not Numbers
  11. Christian Aid
  12. CIDSE – International family of Catholic social justice organisations
  13. Cooperazione Internazionale Sud Sud (CISS)
  14. COSPE
  15. DanChurchAid (DCA)
  16. Danish House in Palestine
  17. Diakonia
  18. Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe
  19. forumZFD
  20. Global Communities
  21. HEKS/EPER
  22. Humanity First UK
  23. Humanity & Inclusion – Handicap International
  24. IM Swedish Development Partner
  25. International Media Support (IMS)
  26. Islamic Relief Worldwide
  27. Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
  28. KURVE Wustrow
  29. MedGlobal
  30. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
  31. Médecins du Monde (MdM) France
  32. Médecins du Monde (MdM) Spain
  33. Médecins du Monde (MdM) Switzerland
  34. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
  35. medico international
  36. Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
  37. Movement for Peace (MPDL)
  38. Muslim Aid
  39. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
  40. Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)
  41. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
  42. Oxfam
  43. Pax Christi International
  44. Plan International
  45. Polish Medical Mission Association (PMM)
  46. Première Urgence Internationale (PUI)
  47. Relief International (RI)
  48. Save the Children International (SCI)
  49. Secours Islamique France (SIF)
  50. Terre des Hommes (Tdh) Italia
  51. Terre des Hommes (Tdh) Lausanne
  52. The Center for Mind-Body Medicine
  53. War Child
  54. Weltfriedensdienst e.V. (world peace service)
  55. West Bank Protection Consortium (WBPC).

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

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Privacy Commissioner – Webinar programme for Privacy Week 2025 announced

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Privacy Week 2025 lands on the second week of May (12-16 May), with a full week of free webinars to promote privacy education.
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says, “New Zealanders’ concerns over the collection and use of their personal information remains high, and they want to see organisations and businesses responding positively to this challenge.”
“Now’s the time to brush up on your privacy skills, and take up the opportunity to learn more about subjects like AI and privacy, Māori data privacy, privacy and business, or media rules around privacy.
“We’re lucky to have attracted some of Aotearoa’s top privacy experts to speak on AI governance, biometrics and children’s toys, privacy in property management, and more,” he says.
OPC staff will share their expertise on the new IPP3a amendment, how to be a good privacy officer, and local government specific privacy issues.
“The programme is full to bursting with topics that are relevant and interesting,” says Mr Webster.
You don’t need to be a privacy expert to engage with Privacy Week or to be proactive about your privacy rights.
Webinars this year have been rated from beginner to advanced, showing which is suitable for your level of knowledge. All webinars are free.
“I encourage you to have a look at the programme and attend a talk.
Privacy is a basic human right, and the more we can educate ourselves and ensure businesses and organisations understand the breadth of their privacy obligations, the better,” the Commissioner says.