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Daily Term 3 attendance data shows where improvements needed

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Education Minister David Seymour says a promising term of attendance was blown in the disrupted last week of the term, where strike action took precedence over learning.  

“With one week to go in Term 3 2025 regular attendance was 52.7 per cent, an improvement on 51.7 per cent last year. However, a very poor last week of term plunged the final rate to a 50.3 per cent,” Mr Seymour says.

“Strikes in the final week of term likely played a significant role in this disappointing finish. Even though students are not marked absent on strike days, we saw a clear drop-off in attendance, with the disruption of a mid-week day off prompting many to begin their holidays early.

“Almost 20,000 students were not regular attendees in Term 3, because they knocked off early. That is unacceptable. This shows that knocking off early does just as much damage as low attendance throughout the term. 

“Thanks to the daily attendance dashboard we can see that about 200,000 students were absent on the last day of Term. 

“PHF Science reported a late peak in seasonal respiratory illness during Term 3. In 2024 that same peak was during Term 2. Despite this difference, attendance rates would still have improved, if Kiwis took the last week of term seriously. 

“Students missed 7.2 per cent of the term due to medical-related reasons in Term 3 2025. More than any other reason. This was the highest rate of medical-related absence in any term since Term 2 2022, when nationwide attendance was only 39.9 per cent. 

“PHF Science reported the South Island was hit the hardest by illness. Canterbury and Chatham Islands region saw the largest drop of 7.6 percentage points from Term 3 2024, while the Otago, Southland region decreased by 3.1 percentage points. While this is useful to know, it is no excuse. 

“Daily attendance reporting, and the attendance data dashboard produce more accurate, complete, and timely information. The more we define the problems, the more effective interventions can be.

“Earlier this week the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2.) passed its third reading. Schools are now legally required to have an attendance management plan (AMP) in place by the start of next year. 

“The basic premise of the AMP means no child is left behind. Every student, parent, teacher and school has a role to play. Each school will develop their own AMP to suit their community and school. It means there are escalating responses for declining attendance.”

Some examples of how interventions could work are:

  • 5 days absent: The school to get in touch with parents/guardians to determine reasons for absence and set expectations.
  • 10 days absent: School leadership meets with parents/guardian and the student to identify barriers to attendance and develop plans to address this.
  • 15 days absent: Escalating the response to the Ministry and steps to initiate prosecution of parents could be considered as a valid intervention.

“Missing the last week of school for an unjustified reason would result in a response under the AMP template,” Mr Seymour says. 

“At the start of next year frontline attendance services will also be more accountable, better at effectively managing cases, and data-driven in their responses. To achieve this, they will soon have access to a new case management system and better data monitoring, and their contracts will be more closely monitored. Budget 2025 included $140 million of additional funding package to improve attendance over the next four years.

“Attending school is the first step towards achieving positive educational outcomes. Positive educational outcomes lead to better health, higher incomes, better job stability and greater participation within communities. These are opportunities that every student deserves.”

The full data is available here: https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/attendance 

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More people to get faster access to support

Source: New Zealand Government

Hundreds of extra young people, mums, and families across New Zealand will now get faster access to mental health support, following a boost of funding for multiple community organisations, says Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey.

“Five grassroots community organisations have received funding to ensure young people and families can access the support they need, when and where it’s needed,” Mr Doocey says.

“These initiatives will strengthen support for young people and expand maternal mental health services. They include:

  • Ensure more children have someone to talk to. Barnardos will strengthen the 0800 What’s Up helpline, providing free, immediate support to more children and reducing wait times.
  •  Help young people stay safe online. Netsafe will create a digital harm and mental health response network, strengthen its helpline, and train up to 1,000 workers to respond to youth distress linked to online harm.
  • Build confidence and life skills. The Graeme Dingle Foundation will expand Project K, a strengths-based youth programme combining outdoor adventure, mentoring, and mental health support, helping 36 more young people across Waikato, Western Bay of Plenty, and Christchurch.
  • Support young mothers. Ki Tua o Matariki will run 24 peer support groups for expectant mothers aged 15–25 in Auckland, helping at least 100 mothers connect, share experiences, and support their mental health.
  • Reach families early. Whānau Āwhina Plunket will launch a new online maternal mental health service in Waikato, providing personalised care plans for up to 375 parents of children aged 0–5 years.

“We know the first 1,000 days of a child’s life lay the foundations for their future. That’s why we’re focused on early intervention and expanding maternal mental health support, so we can set our children up for success later in life. 

“Mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing our youth. Every young New Zealander deserves access to support when and where they need it. By expanding the help available, we can ensure that no one is left waiting on a waitlist.

“I am committed to reducing mental health and addiction wait times across New Zealand. By partnering with organisations such as Barnardos, Netsafe, Plunket, The Graeme Dingle Foundation, and Ki Tua o Matariki, we are making this a reality.

“These initiatives build on existing investments in youth and maternal mental health, including funding for Gumboot Friday, Youthline’s intervention programme, the Mitey programme in schools, the first ever prevalence survey in New Zealand and additional support for specialist maternal mental health services.

“When someone takes the brave step of reaching out, whether it’s you, your child, a friend, or a family member, we’re committed to ensuring the right support is always there to answer that call.”

Notes to editor

  • The five projects are funded through the Mental Health Innovation Fund. For the second funding round, the matched funding threshold was lowered from $250,000 to $100,000 to allow a wider range of community-led initiatives.
  • There will be further announcements from round two of the Innovation Fund shortly.
     
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ComCom denies banks’ request for collective negotiation over cash-in-transit

Source: Radio New Zealand

Armourguard (owned by US-based Evergreen International) is the only supplier of specialised cash transport services. Armourguard / supplied

  • Commerce Commission rejects interim bid for banks and some retailers to negotiate with Armourguard
  • Interim bid was over cash transit services
  • Commission intends to make a final decision at a later date

The Commerce Commission has declined an interim request by the Banking Association to negotiate collectively on behalf of the banks and some retailers, for cash-in-transit services with Armourguard.

The Commission was not satisfied that the benefits of collective bargaining by the banks would outweigh the negatives, although it intends to make a final decision at a later date.

It was a split decision, with one of the three commissioners dissenting.

“All commissioners agreed that this was a finely balanced decision,” Commission chair John Small, who voted to decline, said.

“However, on the information provided the majority of commissioners are not satisfied that the potential benefits of permitting collective bargaining would outweigh the potential detriments,” Small said.

Commissioner Bryan Chapple also declined the request, while associate commissioner Nathan Strong dissented.

“Commissioner Strong’s dissenting view is that granting interim authorisation and allowing the participants to begin collective negotiations would preserve the potential for the benefits of collective negotiation to be realised should the Commission grant full authorisation, and that this outweighed the potential detriments of interim authorisation,” Small said.

Armourguard (owned by US-based Evergreen International) is the only supplier of specialised cash transport services, after the Commission allowed Evergreen to buy out its only competitor in 2024.

Armourguard had previously warned against the banks’ application.

“On one side, you have New Zealand’s last remaining cash services provider, which has been carrying heavy losses while continuing to invest in the nation’s resilience,” Armourguard chief executive Shane O’Halloran said in September.

“On the other, a group of banks that make billions each year and now want permission to act as a cartel to drive costs down for banks as opposed to the broader market,” he said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Infratil posts $2 billion first-half profit

Source: Radio New Zealand

Infratil chief executive Jason Boyes. Supplied

Infrastructure investor Infratil has reported a strong first half net profit with revenue up more than a third to $2 billion.

It said underlying profit rose 7 percent, despite New Zealand’s economy remaining relatively subdued throughout the period ended in September.

Key numbers for the six months ended September compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $631.5m* vs net loss $206.4m**
  • Revenue $1.993b vs $1.482b
  • Underlying profit $662.4m vs $68.8m
  • Total debt $2.62b vs $2.19b as at 31 March
  • Total asset value $19b versus $18.3b
  • Interim dividend 7.25 cents a share vs unchanged
  • *Reflected sale of Manawa Energy resulting net surplus of $606m
  • **Net loss reflected a number of one-time costs and a revaluation gain in the year earlier.

Infratil chief executive Jason Boyes said profit growth was largely driven by United States-based Longroad Energy, Australasia’s CDC data centre business, while capital expenses fell $52m to $1.14b on the year earlier.

“Digital and renewable energy thematics are stronger than ever, with CDC and Longroad building strong earnings momentum on the back of new waves of demand,” Boyes said.

“CDC has recently announced 140 megawatts of contracts and Longroad Energy reached financial close for 925MW of new projects.

“Gurīn Energy in Asia is another investment poised for growth and we’re always scanning for other attractive new growth sectors.”

He said the company was about 58 percent on its way to meeting its $1b divestment target, with sale agreements in place for RetireAustralia, Fortysouth and a legacy property asset. A strategic review of Qscan is also underway.

“Our focus is on simplifying our current portfolio and reinvesting in areas with strong thematic drivers, to position Infratil for continued growth and shareholder returns.”

New Zealand business performance

Despite the weak New Zealand economy, Boyes said Infratil’s New Zealand businesses had been largely resilient.

Wellington Airport reported 4 percent growth in underlying profit with international passengers numbers up 7 percent, while domestic passenger numbers fell 5 percent.

Telecommunications company One NZ, which accounted for about 58 percent of underlying profit, saw revenue rise by $14 million on the year earlier.

“Revenues have lifted through a mix of pricing and service initiatives, including the One Wallet loyalty programme and SpaceX text services – with more than 6 million texts now sent via the exclusive satellite service.”

The RHCNZ Medical Imaging business saw a pick-up in scans, though underlying profit fell on lower margins and cost inflation. However, Boyes said the outlook was more positive for the second half.

“This includes creating a standalone teleradiology service provider that will include staff and assets from Infratil’s Australian diagnostic imaging investment, Qscan, ” he said, adding its Qscan’s underlying profit rose 11 percent, with a positive mix of imaging demand and pricing changes.

Boyes said the company was poised for long-term growth, with its increased investment in Contact Energy expected to generate financial flexibility for the firm.

Underlying profit guidance for the full year ending in March was between $1b and $1.05b on a like-for-like basis, or between $960m to $1b following the sale of RetireAustralia and Fortysouth.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Nathan Boulter pleads guilty to murder of woman in Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A man has pleaded guilty to murdering a woman in Christchurch.

It can now be revealed the man is Nathan Boulter.

Boulter was jailed for eight years and six months in 2012 for kidnapping and assaulting his ex-girlfriend over a 38 hour ordeal on Great Barrier Island.

Boulter appeared in the High Court at Christchurch on Thursday before Justice Rachel Dunningham and pleaded guilty to murdering a woman on 23 July at a property in Parklands.

A date for sentencing will be set next month at a further hearing.

The name of the victim is currently suppressed.

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‘He was a liar, he schemed’: Public Service Commissioner on Jevon McSkimming ‘wake-up call’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche says the case was a “wake up call”. RNZ / REECE BAKER

The Public Service Commissioner says Jevon McSkimming is a liar who went to extreme efforts to cover up accusations against him.

Sir Brian Roche said since appointing McSkimming to his role near the top of police the commission has improved its hiring processes, calling the case a “wake-up call”.

He said he was confident they would now detect someone like McSkimming during the hiring process.

He told Morning Report the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report was confronting.

“It’s just shameless and shameful that we’re in this position, that one of the key institutions of the state being the police is now being questioned and that questioning is appropriate at this point,” he said.

“A few people behaving poorly have created problems for us all.”

The report recommended that the Public Service Commission could have pushed on a particular line of enquiry when McSkimming was appointed. Sir Brian said that had been taken on board and its processes had been strengthened.

“I’m really confident that we would [now] have detected the likes of Mr McSkimming,” he said.

Jevon McSkimming POOL

“But I do not wish to underestimate he was a liar, he schemed and he created a story that just was so pervasive and it wasn’t until 2024 that it began to unravel. But even then he was confident enough to put himself forward for Commissioner of Police. This was a a person who lacked serious judgement.”

Sir Brian admitted that it was extraordinary that issues around McSkimming had not come up during the interview process.

“And that’s the detail that I’m working through about who said what to who when. But the fact remains this person was a flawed character and it was about this time last year that it became clear about the nature of this person – at that point no one knew about the issues associated with the devices.”

Sir Brian agrees the commission should have probed further regarding “a strange relationship” McSkimming had that had been mentioned.

“But as the review found, it is highly unlikely we would’ve learned anything because of the curated story that Mr McSkimming had over many years managed to cement in that organisation and everything around it.

“We have to make sure we get behind that filtering – it’s a very big wake up call for us.”

The commission had had some confidence because McSkimming had a very high level security clearance from the SIS, he said.

But where the SIS was focused on security, the Public Service Commission’s focus was “probity and character”, he said.

“I’m still going to push really hard that we are able to get access to that, at the moment it is against the law for the SIS to make that information available to us,” he said.

“This person was able to mislead the majority of the system, this system now has to make sure we’re not going to get captured by that again.”

Sir Brian said the commission now checks all applicants’ devices for certain appointments within the public sector.

“We’re making it very very clear to the candidates that if there is any blemish once they’re appointed, we find anything about them that they haven’t disclosed, that would result in immediate sanctions. There’s no misunderstanding about the critical nature of what it is we’re looking for and their obligations to continually disclose to us.”

The public can have confidence and the current circumstances must never be repeated, he said.

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster RNZ / Nick Monro

Meanwhile, Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has been placed on leave from his role as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency, with an employment process underway.

Sir Brian said the commission was currently working through an employment process which would be done as quickly as possible.

‘Members of the police executive hadn’t learned from history,’ former top cop says

Former Assistant Police Commissioner Nick Perry said the people who failed to properly investigate allegations against Jevon McSkimming broke the first rule of learning from history.

Perry was given the job of cleaning up the police ranks 20 years ago, after Louise Nicholas brought historic rape allegations against former and serving officers.

He retired as Assistant Police Commissioner in 2013 and told Morning Report that he felt “deep disappointment” when he saw the damning IPCA report.

Perry said he used to present adult sexual assault courses at the police college and in his opening comments he would say that those who did not learn from history were bound to repeat it.

“I couldn’t help thinking about that when I was reading the IPCA report because it was clearly the fact that certain members of the police executive hadn’t learned from history, although I must add there were clearly those within the organisation who had and did their very best to address the issue that they confronted.”

The police culture had changed for the better in the last 20 years, he said.

Perry said despite retiring in 2013 he had remained in contact with police.

Jevon McSkimming with Prime Minister Christoher Luxon and Police Minister Mark Mitchell Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images

“Last year for example I was speaking to a number of front line officers who had graduated in the previous 18 months, I’ve got to say I’m extremely impressed with the quality of the people, the motivation, it’s all there.”

Police needed to follow a basic process which was not followed with Louise Nicholas nor in this case, he said.

“In terms of investigations it’s relatively simple in terms of whether it’s an investigation into a criminal offence or a complaint. You have to keep an open mind, you have to be unbiased, follow policy procedures and just see where the evidence takes you.

“If you start missing out any of those, particularly the keeping the open mind and being unbiased, that really starts to damage the integrity of the investigation itself and it’s clearly what’s happened in this particular case.”

Both this case and the Louise Nicholas case involved a complainant making a complaint about sexual offending by police officers, he said.

In the Nicolas case her allegations weren’t accepted, the word of police officers were accepted and it was well down the track before an investigation was commenced, he said.

In the latest case, the IPCA report indicates it appears that Jevon McSkimming’s future and potential as a commissioner was foremost in the mind of a number of upper level police staff involved in the investigation, he said.

Public Services Minister Judith Collins speaks after a damning report into police conduct, with Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Police Minister Mark Mitchell. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The case raises the question about the selection processes in terms of selecting senior leadership within the police, he said.

The IPCA report recommended the establishment of an Inspector-General to have oversight of police, a move which the government is moving to do.

Perry said it remained to be seen what their powers would be and what resources they would get.

He said he would encourage strengthening the powers of the IPCA as they did some very good work but really had no teeth so they could not ensure they were followed through.

A joint IPCA inspector general could be a way forward but that remained to be seen, he said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Stunning aurora lights up southern skies

Source: Radio New Zealand

An aurora lit up skies at the southern end of the country overnight.

Stargazers took to social media to post their photographs from places like Dunedin, Waihola Lake, Roxburgh, Cromwell and Mount Cook.

Shot from Middlemarch, Otago, about 11pm. Ian Griffin, Tūhura Otago Museum / supplied

Unedited photo taken at McCracken’s Rest by Edwin Mabonga. Edwin Mabonga / supplied

Te Whatu Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki in October told RNZ aurora could often be caught on camera, even when they were not visible to the naked eye.

“We’re currently in a pretty high activity period with our sun, and the aurora is a direct result of solar activity interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field.”

Taieri Plains, Otago, taken on a smartphone and unedited. Jennifer Gould / supplied

Unedited photo of Clifden Bridge, taken about midnight last night in Otautau. Edwin Mabonga / supplied

The further south you went – place like Twizel, Southland and Otago – the better the view. Spots with less light pollution worked best.

He said aurora were notoriously hard to predict in terms of how bright they would be, but people could keep an eye on the space weather forecast on the NOAA website.

Meanwhile, Transpower has lifted the grid emergency that was issued on Wednesday afternoon now the G4 geomagnetic storm – the force behind the aurora – had reduced in severity.

It said in a statement the South Island electricity transmission lines, taken offline as a precaution to prevent damage to equipment, had now been returned to service.

There was no impact on consumers’ electricity as a result of the storm.

Taken at Woodlands, Southland. Kelly Gladwin / supplied

Ōreti Beach Southland, taken just after midnight. Kate Duncan / supplied

Transpower said this kind of action was standard when space weather reached a particular level. A plan had been developed over several years through work with the University of Otago, international space agencies and others in the electricity industry.

Although New Zealand was well prepared for geomagnetic storms, Transpower said, it was a timely reminder to Kiwis that they should be prepared for a natural disaster or other major event that could interrupt their power supply and damage other infrastructure.

Last week, the National Emergency Management Agency and other affected agencies ran through a test scenario of a solar storm response in the Beehive’s bunker, to make sure they are adequately prepared.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Media advisory: Special Olympics flame in Wellington this weekend

Source: New Zealand Police

Police will be part of something special, supporting Wellington District’s Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope in support of the Special Olympic Games.

Media is invited to the Wellington leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, hosted by Wellington District Police, travelling from Lower Hutt to Parliament.

What: Law Enforcement Torch Run – Wellington District.

Where: Meet at Lower Hutt Police Station, 19 Kings Crescent.

When: Saturday 15 November at 9.00am.

Who: District Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and Police staff.

Route: The route will be Kings Crescent – Queens Drive – Bunny Street – Knights Road – Stevens Grove – Dowse Square (opposite the Lower Hutt Town Hall).

The torch will then be taken by the Police boat, Lady Liz, from Seaview Marine to Wellington Police Maritime Base.

Wellington: Meet at the Wellington Police Maritime base – 25 Lady Elizabeth Lane, Pipitea on 15 November at 11am.

Route: Lady Elizabeth Lane – Waterloo Quay – Whitmore Street – Lambton Quay – Molesworth Street – Parliament Steps.

RSVP: Please email media@police.govt.nz.

Media are welcome to take photos, video footage and conduct interviews with athletes and Police staff.

The event will start at the Lower Hutt Police Station before the torch makes its way to Dowse Square, opposite the Lower Hutt Town Hall.

Then the torch will go by Lady Liz to Lady Elizabeth Lane and by road to the steps of Parliament.

The New Zealand Law Enforcement Torch Run

Originally the Torch Run started in Northland in early October and will travel all the way down to Southland.

It concludes in Christchurch the week before the Special Olympics Games begin.

Known as Guardians of the Flame, Police members carry the Flame of Hope as it traverses the country.

The countdown is on: The Special Olympics Games will be held at the new Wolfbrook Arena from Wednesday 10 December until Sunday 14 of December.

Inspector Rupert Friend from New Zealand Police says, “We are proud to take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to help raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.

“The Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms, including Polar Plunges.

“We held two plunges in Wellington and Christchurch this year, where a total of $26,000 was raised for our New Zealand athletes.

“The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a worldwide organisation and celebrated this year raising $1 billion to support the athletes of Special Olympics.

“We encourage all Kiwis to come out and show their support at Torch Run events up and down the country from October to December leading up to the games.”

Police contact: Inspector Mark Harrison 021 1907 805

Special Olympics contact: Coen Lammers 021 730 239

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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New Zealand needs Privacy Act modernisation

Source: Privacy Commissioner

The increasing number of privacy complaints, and privacy breach notifications, received by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner shows New Zealanders’ increased concerns about privacy are fast becoming reality, the Privacy Commissioner says. 

“Privacy complaints in our 2024/25 Annual Report are up 21% from 2023/24, which was also a record year. The number of serious privacy breaches notified by organisations rose 43% this year.  

“New Zealanders are saying they’re more concerned about their individual privacy and personal information and it’s easy to see why. People are right to worry, as more needs to be done to improve New Zealander’s privacy,” Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says.

Our 2025 Privacy Survey showed that:

  • 66% of those surveyed agreed that protecting personal privacy is a major concern.
  • 67% are concerned about the privacy of children.
  • 62% are concerned about government agencies or businesses using AI to make decisions about them, using their personal information.
  • 82% agree they want more control and choice over the collection and use of their personal information.

“The reputational damage and financial costs associated with privacy breaches, and not protecting or respecting individuals’ personal information, should provide a spur to encouraging organisations to do privacy well.  But my Office also understands people need help to understand how to do that.  

This year, we’ve written guidance on a range of subjects for different audiences, including on children’s privacy and use of biometric technology, we hosted a series of webinars during Privacy Week which saw over 8,000 New Zealanders take part, and we have continued to advocate for modernisation of New Zealand’s Privacy Act.

“The Privacy Act currently provides insufficient incentives for many organisations to understand or meet even the most basic privacy requirements.  For example, a growing number of organisations do not establish policies and practices to effectively manage the privacy impacts of their activities.  Other countries have modernised their privacy regimes beyond our own to capture the benefits and avoid the harm of new technologies.
“We continue to recommend amendments to the Act that would modernise it and strengthen privacy outcomes. Our 2025 Survey also showed strong support for strengthening the Privacy Commissioner’s powers under the Act.”

The amendments include:

  1. Empowering New Zealanders to better protect themselves with new rights, such as a ‘right to erasure’, that would provide individuals with the right to ask agencies to delete their personal information.
  2. Adding strong incentives for agencies to take privacy seriously through establishing a new and significantly stronger penalty regime.
  3. Requiring agencies to be able to demonstrate how they meet their privacy requirements, in similar ways to the privacy management programmes recommended by the OECD.
  4. Providing New Zealanders with stronger protections for automated decision making.

Read more about this year’s Annual Report including a download of the full document.

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Call for kids’ KiwiSaver to counter NZ’s weak savings record

Source: Radio New Zealand

IGOR STEVANOVIC / SCIENCE PHOTO

The author of new research looking into the benefit of a kids’ KiwiSaver scheme says if all children were enrolled from birth, they could have $10,000-20,000 in savings by the time they reach adulthood.

The report outlines several possible models, including a government kickstart and matching annual contributions to help children build savings from an early age.

Max Rashbrooke RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Max Rashbrooke, co-founder of the Institute for Democratic and Economic Engagement Analysis, told Morning Report that as a country we’re not saving enough.

“We thought that an elegant but practical way to solve that problem, as well as building a savings culture and trying to improve the future prospects for our young people, would be to set up some kind of kids’ KiwiSaver scheme.

“I think the core of it would be to imitate the things that have made KiwiSaver itself successful as much as possible,” he said.

“So there’d be a kickstart for parents to start saving, maybe $1000. Then you’d have the government matching small amounts of parental savings.”

Rashbrooke said there could be government contributions for those that couldn’t afford to contribute to ensure no one missed out.

Six scenarios were modelled in the report with different levels of contributions from both the government and parents.

The first-year cost to the government ranged between $20 million to $80m across scenarios.

Rashbrooke said in 18 years the total savings could plausibly be somewhere around $10 billion to 13b in total.

There have been various attempts to introduce similar schemes around the world.

In the United States and Hungary there were “baby bonds”, while the United Kingdom previously had “child trust funds”.

Meanwhile, domestically Ngāi Tahu operates a matched savings scheme, Whai Rawa, which runs similarly to the proposed Kids KiwiSaver scheme.

As of early 2025, Ngāi Tahu’s scheme has over 35,000 members and $165 million in funds under management.

Ngāi Tahu has contributed over $75m in matched savings, payments to newborns and annual distributions.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand