NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

Regulation Minister David Seymour is urging businesses, fuel users, freight operators, and the wider public to report any regulatory barriers that might be hindering our response to global fuel uncertainty. 

Submissions should be made to the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline (the Tipline). Submissions can be made here.

“New Zealand’s fuel supply is stable. We’re focussed on keeping it that way. This Government has responded well to the potential of conflict in the Middle East leading to shortages,” Mr Seymour says. 

“We can’t control what happens in the Middle East. We can control how we get fuel flowing through New Zealand pumps. If red tape is getting in the way of that goal, we want to hear it.” 

Earlier this week the Government set out updates to the National Fuel Plan to make sure New Zealand is prepared if international disruption puts pressure on fuel supply. 

“The Government’s first responsibility is to keep the economy moving and ensure essential services, freight, and families aren’t disrupted any more than necessary,” Mr Seymour says. 

“While the Government’s response has been strong, we don’t want a repeat of the Covid-19 lockdowns, and we don’t want to miss something which could lead to negative effects down the line. That’s why we want to hear from people affected by edicts from Wellington; what regulatory barriers do you see getting in the way of fuel supply?

“This Government listens to the people in tough times. Taiwan took a similar approach during the COVID outbreak. Through public feedback they were able to develop tools that improved their response. 

“In a disruption every unnecessary delay matters. If there are regulations that make it harder to import, store, distribute, or use fuel efficiently, they need to be identified now. Not when the pressure is at its peak.

“Examples of things which people might submit to the Tipline are regulations that could be reviewed, suspended, simplified, or better coordinated to support New Zealand’s fuel resilience. This could include barriers affecting fuel transport, storage, distribution, local delivery, freight movements, business operations, or the ability of firms to adapt quickly to changing supply conditions. 

“Not all issues identified will fall within the scope of regulation. Where submissions are non-regulatory they will be referred to the appropriate authority or organisation best placed to address them.

“The Tipline has already fixed many things that matter to Kiwis. It’s fixed dumb rules to allow Kiwis to build sheds on their property, allow home based baking businesses to get on with business, and got rid of draconian rules preventing medical conferences taking place in New Zealand. 

“We are particularly interested in hearing from businesses on the front line. Fuel companies, freight operators, contractors, primary producers, retailers, and others whose day-to-day experience tells them where the bottlenecks are.”

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

30 seconds ago

Anna-Marie Robison (Ngāti Porou) is in the final year of her Bachelor of Business Studies after returning to study last year, having first completed a New Zealand Diploma in Business in 2014.

She has also just been awarded the Te Waiu o Aotearoa Trust Scholarship.

“It’s more than just the financial support,” she says of the scholarship. “Getting it represents self-belief. I’ve been through so much that I didn’t think I would get it, but it shows me the value of persistence and gives me confidence to keep moving forward.”

Anna-Marie first began studying at EIT in 2013, completing her diploma while her father, John, was also studying a farming course.

“He ended up passing away that year. After I completed the diploma in 2014, I needed to take some time away, so I stepped back from study.”

In the years that followed, she worked in a range of community roles before spending five years as the primary caregiver for her grandmother, Josephine, from 2018 to 2023.

After a conversation with her mother, Lizz, the 32-year-old decided she was ready to return to study.

Thanks to cross-credits from her earlier diploma, Anna-Marie was able to enter directly into the second year of the Bachelor of Business Studies, with graduation set for next year.

“I was kind of worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up because I know things would have changed between the last time I studied and this time. But I thought no, I’ll come back and I’ll finish what I started.”

The year has not been without its challenges, but Anna-Marie credits the support of her immediate whānau and EIT’s teaching staff with keeping her motivated.

“The tutors are committed to their students. They’re passionate about what they’re teaching, so it’s really enjoyable studying at EIT.”
Business runs in Anna-Marie’s family. Her mother completed her own Bachelor of Business Studies at EIT, and her youngest sister, Aria, is now in her first year of the same programme.

Her motivation to study business stems from being raised in a family dedicated to service; her grandparents Tom and Josephine are Pastors, and she has long understood the impact of helping others. This influence was further reinforced during COVID-19, when her grandfather and mother founded Gisborne’s only Men’s shelter.

“From a very young age, I’ve been surrounded by community support and helping people who are facing challenges or going through a hard time.”

After graduating, she hopes to continue this “family legacy”.

“I aspire to one day build my own business – one that makes a meaningful difference by supporting and uplifting others.”

EIT Senior Lecturer Russell Booth says Anna-Marie is one of those people who always offers encouragement and support in not only her words but definitely her actions.

“Her role in the community is one about making a difference through these actions, so for her to be recognised through this scholarship is incredible. It shows clearly that others have the belief and faith in her to make that difference.

“At EIT, we are very proud of Anna-Marie and her achievements not only with winning this scholarship but also how she conducts herself on a daily basis with whānau and in the community.”

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

2 days ago

EIT’s Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) programme has produced its first school principal, with graduate Grace Ropitini appointed to lead one of Hawke’s Bay’s oldest schools.

Grace (Ngāti Kahungunu, Palawa), who graduated from EIT in 2019, was appointed Acting Principal of Te Kura o Mangateretere at the beginning of the year.

“Being a principal, for me, is about service to our tamariki, our whānau, and our wider community. It’s about creating a kura where our kids feel seen, valued, and proud of who they are, every single day.

“Being the first principal to come through the EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) programme means a lot. It speaks to the strength of that pathway and what’s possible, and I’m proud to carry that with me and open the door a bit wider for those coming next.”

She began studying at EIT in 2017 while raising two children and balancing multiple jobs, graduating two years later before moving straight into a teaching role.

“EIT was really supportive, and for me, the real learning was being in schools. Being able to go into a range of schools two days a week and build relationships across the education community while studying was huge.”

Her passion for teaching began while at Camberley School, where she says the principal and teachers went well beyond their roles to invest in the children and families, even helping Grace secure a scholarship to Woodford House.

“They really invested in growing really cool humans. From there, I just became really passionate about learning. I love seeing the lights turn on in other people.”

After graduating, she spent five years in the classroom, where she developed a passion not only for teaching but for mentoring and leadership.

Keen to give back to the programme that shaped her, Grace encouraged her school to partner with EIT, mentoring student teachers and helping to create pathways into employment.

“I really loved the programme, so I pushed my school to become a partnership school. We ended up employing two of them, which was really cool. It felt like a full-circle moment.”

Alongside her teaching career she took on leadership development opportunities, including being mentored by former Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazelhurst through the Huia Kaimanawa Programme and joining Te Akatea, the Māori Principals Association.

Last year, she was awarded a year of study leave and returned to EIT to study the NZ Diploma in Te Reo Māori (Immersion) (Level 5).

She had not previously learned te reo Māori before enrolling in night classes through EIT, an experience that sparked a deeper commitment to reconnecting with her language.

“I had all the tools, but the inner stuff to activate it and be able to stand strong in who I am, my identity and my language – that came from Te Ūranga Waka.”

She is now working towards the Bachelor of Arts (Māori) at EIT.

Now 29, Grace has taken on the challenge of leading Mangateretere Kura, which currently has about 35 students and strong ties to the surrounding community.

Her connection to the kura runs generations deep.

“My grandmother went here, her name is on the honours board, and many of our whānau have come through this school. It sits in the centre of all four marae of this community, so it means a lot to be here.”

The school, established in 1903, has faced uncertainty about its future, but Grace says the response from students, whānau and the wider community has been overwhelmingly positive.

“From week one, we’ve seen such a shift. The kids are settled, they’re engaged, and the community is really getting behind the school.”

A key focus for her is strengthening those connections and ensuring students see themselves reflected in their learning environment.

“It’s about bringing in people from here, who know our kids and our community, and can pour into them.”

Grace credits both her teaching degree and her te reo Māori study at EIT with preparing her for the role.

“The teaching degree gave me the tools to go into the classroom. But the te reo Māori programme helped me step into who I am and gave me that inner confidence to lead.”

Programme Co-ordinator Kirsty Jones says the EIT team is immensely proud to celebrate Grace’s appointment as the first BTP (Primary) graduate to become a school principal.

“Grace’s journey is a testament to her incredible resilience, having successfully navigated the rigours of academic study while raising a young family and balancing multiple commitments. She is a wahine toa who stands as a powerful role model, proving that with dedication, the path from student to educational leader is achievable.”

Kirsty says EIT is privileged to have provided a unique study pathway where the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and Bachelor of Arts (Māori) degrees complemented one another, offering Grace a robust double foundation.

“This education allowed her to develop essential pedagogical skills while also deepening her cultural identity. By applying these skills directly within her local community, Grace has grown into an exemplary leader who now performs with excellence alongside her fellow Hawke’s Bay principals, ensuring a bright future for the next generation of tamariki.”

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

2 days ago

A Wairoa teenager who completed two carpentry courses at EIT has landed his first job in the trade just months after finishing his studies.

Toby Colquhoun (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) completed the NZ Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades Skills at Level 2 and Level 3 in Wairoa last year.

He says the programme gave him the foundation he needed to step into the industry.

“I wanted to get into carpentry, so it was good to have some courses under my belt to go forward in my career.”

He is now working for PGC Constructors and is currently completing a job on a subdivision.

Toby finished high school at Wairoa College in 2024, before starting study at EIT last year. He was drawn to EIT’s Wairoa-based programme because it meant he could study close to home.

“It was good to just travel 10 minutes to where my course was.”

Now 19, Toby says one of the highlights of the course was the hands-on learning environment.

“It was quite hands-on and fun. We got to use a range of tools like nail guns, drills and saws, which is helping me in my job now.”

He said having access to experienced tutors was key to building his confidence with more advanced equipment.

“Some of the tools you need proper guidance for, so having a good tutor made a big difference.”

Now just a month into his role, Toby says he is enjoying the work and gaining valuable on-site experience.

Looking ahead, he hopes to complete a carpentry apprenticeship and eventually start his own business.

“I really want to finish a carpentry apprenticeship and start my own business in carpentry, or maybe concrete.”

For others considering a similar path, Toby’s advice is straightforward.

“If you have no experience and you want to get into carpentry or a trade, I think it would be a good thing to take a fresh step into one of EIT’s courses.”

Todd Rogers, Head of School Trades and Technology, says it is great to see their graduates pathway into employment.

“The carpentry programmes delivered in Wairoa are an excellent connection point for EIT and our regional communities.”