Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Health Sector – ‘Our kids deserve better’ than current school lunches, says HCA

Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa

A report from the Auditor General adds ballast to Health Coalition Aotearoa’s call for a properly resourced and permanently funded, through Vote Education, free school lunch programme.
The new report finds the programme was unfairly procured, ignored risks with the suppliers, one of which went into liquidation, and has not been properly measured, monitored and managed.
“What has been measured shows poor performance on key target outcomes, chiefly that half the lunches, on average, are not meeting the nutrition standards,” says Health Coalition Aotearoa food spokesperson Dr Kelly Garton.
Despite the changes being justified as ways to reduce surplus and waste, neither of these have been managed effectively: surplus increased to 17 percent in 2026, despite a contractual limit of 10 percent, and waste (measured in Term 3 2025) was higher for the School Lunch Collective delivery model than internal and iwi models.
“Slashing funding isn't ‘delivering savings’ if you are actively undermining programme delivery,” says Garton.
“Our kids deserve better. It's time to revert to proper funding for this essential programme which was delivering excellent value for investment before 2025, according to independent evaluation.”
Associate Education Minister David Seymour talked about cost savings, but not cost-effectiveness, says Health Coalition Aotearoa Chair Professor Boyd Swinburn.
“Seymour did not talk about the ‘effectiveness’ side of the equation – effectiveness for reducing food insecurity, improving learning and quality of life.”
“The current programme has provided only 13 to 17 percent of child’s energy needs for the day and that should be about 25 percent. The previous version provided 20 to 25 percent of a child’s energy needs, so was much closer and had good nutritional qualities.’
With Ka Ora Ka Ako, the first version – the government invested significantly in evaluations and found improvements in attendance, mental health and quality of life.
“We have got to go for version three. We’ve had version one – it was generously funded and had good outcomes.
“We have a low-cost version now. It has saved money but has problems that have been highlighted by the Auditor General. Let’s get a version three that works for taxpayers, kids and meets nutritional standards.”
It is time to get a permanently funded Ka Ora Ka Ako, school lunch programme in Vote Education.
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PSA statement on death at Waikato Hospital ED

Source: PSA

No-one should be waiting nine hours or even longer at any Emergency Department in this country, the PSA says in the wake of reports of a person dying at Waikato Hospital.
The patient died in the Emergency Department there according to reports that said they had been waiting for nine hours.
The PSA represents allied and mental healthcare professionals who work in Emergency Departments.
“What happened at Waikato Hospital is a tragedy, and one that should never have happened in a wealthy country like New Zealand,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, said.
“It is a damning snapshot of what Aotearoa’s health system looks like under this government – chronically under-funded, under-staffed, and completely overloaded.
“It’s fair to say that our health system is reaching breaking point.
“Our members who work in EDs say that they’ve been under pressure for months, and now that winter flu season has hit, they’re run off their feet.
“Just yesterday, we had reports that whānau at the Waikato Hospital ED waited for ten hours to be seen, with some being told to expect a 14-hour wait.
“The state of our public healthcare system is unacceptable and is the result of the choices the Government made to give tax breaks to landlords and big tobacco rather than properly fund the health services New Zealanders need.
“Our thoughts are with the whānau affected by this death, and I hope Minister Simeon Brown is thinking very carefully himself about how his government can look to stop tragedies like these happening in future.
“Our message to New Zealanders come the election is simple, vote to change the Government for one that properly funds health.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Environment – The next government must restart action on plastic pollution – Zero Waste Aotearoa

Source: Zero Waste Aotearoa

Plastic Free July begins with an urgent call to put plastic pollution back on the political agenda. Plastic Free July is a worldwide campaign to reduce plastic waste and eliminate single use plastics.

“This coalition government has made no progress on addressing the plastic pollution crisis. The Plastics Action Plan targeting problematic plastics has stalled. The tools that would have made a difference are all still sitting on the shelf. We are calling on all political parties to make reducing plastic pollution a priority,” says Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Aotearoa.

“Kantar's 2026 Better Futures report showed that most New Zealanders expect business to take responsibility for the impacts of the packaging and products they put onto the market and they do not think business or government are doing enough. Voluntary schemes to collect soft plastics and caps and lids collect a small proportion of what goes onto the market, less than 10%.”

“More and more plastic is being imported into Aotearoa, with no viable plan for reusing or recycling it.” says Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Aotearoa. “Harm is caused upstream, with ecosystem damage and health risks to communities near plastic production facilities. And downstream, as plastic is littered, burned, sheds microplastics and leaches harmful chemical additives. “

“Around 1.5 million tonnes of plastic are imported into Aotearoa NZ every year. About 400,000 tonnes of that is packaging. Less than 20%, only 68,000 tonnes of this gets recycled. The rest gets landfilled,  littered, or burned. All three cause negative health, environmental and social impacts. “

“”Time and time again, New Zealanders say that plastic pollution is a major concern. Individuals, communities and small businesses can't stop this flood of hard to recycle and problematic plastic on their own.”

“Government needs to upgrade the Waste Minimisation Act so New Zealand can implement the product stewardship scheme for plastic packaging and get the drink container return scheme up and running.”

“Business has to take responsibility for covering the real cost of these systems and adapt their business models and packaging designs so they are not putting hard to recycle plastics on the market in the first place.”

“High quality recycling helps but won't solve our plastic pollution crisis. Phasing out the most problematic plastic products and polymers is essential for minimising the harms caused by plastic pollution. Phase outs make room for better alternatives, like reusables, to become mainstream.”

Plastic Free July puts the issue of plastic pollution squarely in front of all of the political parties. We challenge every party to get serious about implementing the practical solutions that will reduce unnecessary and single use plastic, make it viable to collect high value plastics for reuse and recycling and make it easier for everyone to live plastic pollution free lives.

Notes

Kantar Better Futures Survey Results – p12 – Business should take responsibility p15 Business, brands and government not doing enough: https://www.kantarnewzealand.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Better-Futures-Report_2026.pdf

Plastic statistics for Aotearoa NZ: from Envirowaste NZ presentation to the annual WasteMINZ conference, Wellington, May, 2026

Plastic Free July https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

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Transport industry award winners honoured at Parliament

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Seven exceptional contributions to Aotearoa’s road freight sector were honoured at Transporting Zealand’s industry awards ceremony in the capital on Friday night.
An independent judging panel had chosen winners from over 30 nominations, consisting of individuals and organisations who have gone to great efforts to improve industry standards, workplace environments, and public perception of the transport sector.
More than 200 people braved Wellington’s stormy weather to attend the Awards Dinner at Parliament’s Banquet Hall, generously sponsored by IVCS ONE.
The most prestigious of the awards, the VTNZ Supreme Contribution to Road Freight recognises an individual whose impact has significantly advanced the industry’s standing and future direction through sustained leadership, service, and influence. This year’s winner is TR Group’s Managing Director, Andrew Carpenter.
Andrew has helped to shape and modernise New Zealand’s road freight industry through long-term investment in safer vehicles, heavy vehicle driver training, technology, alternative fuel solutions and sustainability, with TR now owning one of the biggest zero-emission truck fleets in the country.
TR Group’s Shayne Barns accepted the award on Andrew’s behalf.
Jasmin Smith won the Wynn Williams Women in Road Freight award, which celebrates women who are helping shape a more inclusive industry, enhancing the profile of road transport and inspiring others through their actions. Jasmin is a widely regarded as a role model and mentor to her colleagues at Linfox, actively promoting the industry as a modern, essential and rewarding career pathway, and challenging outdated perceptions to help attract a broader and more diverse workforce.
The EROAD Outstanding Contribution to Health and Safety award went to Graham Neate. Graham is an outstanding advocate and respected leader in the transport health & safety space, serving as the Health and Safety Leader at Philip Wareing Ltd and on the National Livestock Transport and Safety Council, where his expertise is highly valued.
The first-ever winner of a new award category, NZI’s Emerging Leader is Julie Crahay of Wareing Group Ltd. Julie had years of leadership experience under her belt before moving to New Zealand, where she strengthened her expertise in health and safety, focusing on fatigue management and driver wellbeing. Julie is known for her collaborative and forward-thinking approach, contributing to national forums and initiatives that aim to make transport safer and more efficient.
Twenty-one-year-old Max Hewson took home the EROAD Young Driver Award for his strong performance, safe driving record and consistent demonstration of initiative and leadership, including the coordination of other drivers during a major disruption.
Fruehauf’s Outstanding Contribution to Innovation award went jointly to Selwyn District Council and Treadlite who worked together to pioneer New Zealand’s first rubber road made from recycled waste tyres.
Paul Fincham of KAM Transport won MITO’s Outstanding Contribution to Training award for his decades-long commitment to workforce development, mentoring, and creating meaningful career pathways within transport, having supported countless drivers to gain their Class 5 licence.
“The sheer amount and quality of the nominations is a testament to the great things happening in road freight across the country,” says Transporting New Zealand’s chief executive, Dom Kalasih.
“Recognising good work is essential for morale. It’s been a challenging few months for transport, but nights like these remind us of how fortunate we are to have such great people moving the industry forward,” he added.
“Transporting New Zealand is incredibly grateful to all those who attended the Awards and showed their support for the nominees. We’d also like to again thank our generous dinner and awards sponsors; IVCS ONE, VTNZ, NZI, EROAD, Fruehauf, Wynn Williams and MITO.”
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
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Energy Sector – Gas backed: LNG and biomethane get big tick from public

Source: GasNZ

Over half of New Zealanders support importing LNG to New Zealand, and 75 percent support using biomethane to gradually replace natural gas, according to a Talbot Mills survey conducted for GasNZ.

A majority (54 percent) of the 1,022 people surveyed supported LNG (liquified natural gas) imports, with only 21 percent against, and 25 percent not sure.

But the support is even greater when the public see the arguments side by side.

Over two-thirds agree with doing it to ensure energy security, and to keep energy prices affordable.

They were also asked if they supported replacing fossil-fuel-based natural gas over time with biomethane, a low-carbon alternative to natural gas.

Thirty-two percent strongly supported, and 44 percent somewhat supported.

Only 7 percent opposed, and 18 percent were unsure.

Jeffrey Clarke, chief executive of GasNZ, says the results are a massive show of public support for the role of gas in New Zealand's energy mix.

“This poll is a strong public endorsement of gas.

“The public is right behind the arguments that gas ensures strong and affordable energy supplies.

“They are even more enthusiastic about biomethane taking the place of natural gas in the future.”

He says the poll result would indicate to the Government that LNG imports were an acceptable solution to the immediate problem of not having enough natural gas to underpin the hydro electricity supply in dry years, nor to meet industrial demand.

“The public does not want to take any more risks with energy supplies,” Clarke says.

GasNZ is focused on developing a sustainable biomethane market to replace fossil-sourced natural gas, he says

This could negate the longer-term need for importing LNG to supply the needs of industries that don't have electrification as a practical option.

“Our biomethane strategy and action plan shows that with coordinated effort, biomethane could actually supply half of the expected demand for reticulated gas by 2050,” he says.

“Once we reach that level of available supply, we could end imports of LNG.

“The LNG option illustrates the flexibility, portability and value of gas in all its forms.”

Notes:

LNG:

Question #1: The government has proposed building a new terminal that could import natural gas into New Zealand, in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG). How strongly do you support or oppose that proposal? (%)

Question #2: Critics of importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) say that it's expensive to build the import terminal needed and that ongoing reliance on natural gas increases NZ's exposure to international price volatility. Supporters say that keeping natural gas in the mix of fuels available will mean better energy security and affordability for businesses and households over the next ten years.

How strongly do you agree or disagree that having additional supply of natural gas by importing LNG will help to: (%)

Ensure energy security and reliability?
Keep energy affordable for New Zealand households and businesses?

Biomethane:

Question: “Biogas” is a renewable gas made from organic waste. When it's upgraded by removing impurities and carbon dioxide, it becomes “biomethane”, a lower-carbon alternative to natural gas that can be used in the same way. How strongly do you support or oppose biomethane replacing fossil-fuel-based natural gas over time? (%)

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Rally at Parliament tomorrow calling for urgent funding for sexual violence prevention – PSA

Source: PSA

A rally will take place at Parliament tomorrow to hand over an open letter urging the Government to stop the closure of specialist sexual violence prevention organisation RespectEd Aotearoa. (ref. https://www.together.org.nz/fundsexualviolenceprevention )
The letter, signed by 21 organisations and over 600 individuals, asks the Minister for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Hon Karen Chhour provide urgent funding to save RespectEd Aotearoa. It faces closure in August because funding through ACC’s Hikitia programme was halted.
Minister Chhour has been invited to formally receive the letter at the rally, but she has not responded. The PSA hope to hand over the letter directly to Minister Chhour at the event, but if she does not attend, it will be handed to a representative from an opposition party.
“New Zealand has a problem with sexual violence,” says Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary of the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Prevention works. Without this important work, we’re going to see more people harmed, and that is on this government’s shoulders,
“Once these organisations are lost, they can’t just start back up overnight. They’ve built trust, relationships, and knowledge that are not easily replaced,
“This letter calls for sexual violence prevention to be properly funded so that organisations like RespectEd aren’t forced to close.”
Speakers will highlight the severe, long-term impacts of pulling resources away from prevention work, especially since New Zealand already has some of the worst rates of sexual violence in the developed world.
Rally information:
  • Date: 1 July 2026
  • Time: 12:15pm – 1:00pm
  • Location: Parliament lawn
Speakers include Fleur Fitzsimons, a representative from RespectEd, a representative from Thursdays in Black Victoria University, Minister Chhour has been invited, as well as opposition parties.
Open letter signatories:
  • Atamira Platform
  • Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children
  • Counselling Services Centre – Ngā Whakahaymarutanga o te Hauora
  • Eastern Refuge Society
  • Good Shepherd NZ
  • Hui E! Community Aotearoa
  • National Council of Women – Wellington Branch
  • New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi
  • New Zealand Disability Support Network
  • PSA Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
  • Tāhono Trust
  • Te Wāhi Wāhine o Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland Women’s Centre
  • The Backbone Collective
  • Thursdays In Black (VUW)
  • Victoria University of Wellington Feminist Law Society
  • Wellington Rape Crisis
  • Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Aotearoa Section
  • Women’s Refuge | Ngā Whare Whakaruruhau o Aotearoa
  • Women’s Refuge Tāmaki Makaurau
  • YWCA Tāmaki Makaurau
  • Dr Merrill Simmons Hansen, MANZASW, Reg SW. PhD, ISSC Therapy, IFS Informed, Supervision
  • Dr Debbie Hagar, Disability portfolio, Tauiwi Caucus, Te Ohaakii a Hine – National Network of Ending Sexual Violence Together
Previous statements:
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Health Professionals – Health NZ offer of "haphazard service" not good enough

Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

A “haphazard service” is all Health New Zealand can promise patients with chronic bowel conditions in Palmerston North, where the gastroenterology service has collapsed.
The promise was handed down by Health NZ’s National Clinical Director Richard Sullivan at a public meeting at Massey University last night, attended by more than 170 people.
“That’s just not good enough,” ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says. “It shouldn’t take a public meeting to goad HNZ into action. And even now, there seems to be no plan.
“In the past two years the MidCentral gastroenterology service has collapsed – from six specialists to none.
Both Sullivan and Executive Regional Director for the Central Region Chris Lowry were present at the meeting. “But neither had any concrete answers nor offered any specific timeframe for change,” Dalton says.
“Health NZ acknowledged they had interviewed 20 people for these vacancies and only one person has accepted a job offer – that should tell them something.
ASMS is calling for regional and rural allowances to incentivise and support doctors to put down roots in our smaller hospitals.
“If 11 out of 12 applicants decline a job offer, HNZ needs to find out why – and remove these recruitment barriers.
“HNZ leaders wouldn’t commit to specific actions, leaving community members asking if their health needs are less important than those of Auckland’s population – which is far better served.
ASMS is concerned that Lowry and Sullivan’s “regional solutions” will mean patients being forced to travel out of the district for care – and that there is a lack of commitment to safe, sustainable staffing at Palmerston North hospital.
“There are barely any gastroenterologists at neighbouring hospitals – so we are keen to know how these regional solutions are supposed to work.”
Notes: The public meeting was organised by ASMS in collaboration with Patient Voice Aotearoa.
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Opinion: Time To Pull Plug On Power-Hungry AI Data Centres – CAFCA

Source: Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) – Murray Horton.

The Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) is warning that a planned AI data centre in Southland would consume up to 25% of New Zealand’s annual electricity output and push power prices higher for Kiwi consumers and businesses.

CAFCA Organiser Murray Horton says data centres consume a phenomenal amount of electricity.

“The proposed $5 billion foreign-owned Datagrid AI centre near Invercargill would require 1 gigawatt of electricity to operate. That is nearly twice as much as the 570 megawatts that Rio Tinto’s Tiwai Point aluminium smelter consumes.

“Currently the smelter takes 13% of all the electricity New Zealand produces. If the data centre is built, we would have to sacrifice more than one third of the power we produce to supply just two foreign-owned businesses.”

Mr Horton says CAFCA has long targeted Rio Tinto’s smelter near Bluff, labelling it New Zealand’s biggest corporate bludger. It pays a secret, super cheap price for power that is not available for any other user. All other electricity users in Aotearoa therefore subsidise the power that the smelter consumes and exports in the form of aluminium.

“Rio Tinto’s smelter is the textbook example of corporate welfare in New Zealand, but this new data centre would take this to another level. It would use twice as much power and would require it 24 hours a day, every single day of the year.

“In a dry winter the smelter can turn off one or two of its pot lines to conserve power, but data centres cannot do that. Industry experts say AI computers can be damaged if they are shut down so they need an unending, uninterrupted supply.

“The Government’s plans to develop a liquefied natural gas import terminal in Taranaki to provide backup power in lean years have to be seen in this light. LNG is an environmentally harmful and, as we have seen with the war in Iran, potentially vulnerable solution to a problem largely created by these large power users.

“Without these major consumers, we could use new renewable energy generation and better storage and management of our supply to meet demand in dry years,” Mr Horton says.

Another problem with AI computing centres is that they generate high levels of heat, so they must be cooled using large amounts of water. This is why cool regions such as Southland are sought after by developers.

Heat from data centres can be siphoned off and used to heat urban areas, but this requires significant investment in infrastructure.

Mr Horton says concerns about electricity and water consumption as well as the insidious nature of AI are driving opposition to AI data centres around the world.

Because it has made a big bet on AI, the United States is at the forefront of this. Many states have used tax incentives to encourage data centres and some AI companies are even developing their own generators to power them. Microsoft plans to reopen the notorious Three Mile Island nuclear power plant to run data centres in four different states, for example.

“Now opposition to them is growing right in the US. The issue unites people across the political spectrum – from MAGA to the far left. And the New York Times reports there are movements against them in Europe, South Africa, Latin America, India and Southeast Asia.

“There are also concerns about the nature of AI itself. Many people are worried that AI will cause massive unemployment. The military’s use of AI and facial recognition tools create some truly frightening prospects.

“AI is unprecedented and potentially devastating technology but there is very little discussion of it in New Zealand.

“The Overseas Investment Office has approved the construction of the data centre in Southland, but that is not a surprise because they approve nearly all projects that foreign companies who want to operate here propose.”

Along with the ethical issues AI poses, the economics of data centres do not add up. While they create jobs during the construction phase, once they are up and running they are virtually automatic and profits flow to the biggest tech oligarchs in the world.

CAFCA is calling for a halt to major AI data centres in Aotearoa. They are being sold to the NZ public as The Next Big Thing, with little or no discussion about their massive impact on our electricity and water resources, let alone any discussion on the bigger issue of highly controversial AI. Nor is there any guarantee that they will actually be built in this country. Exhibit A: Amazon's 2026 abandonment of its proposed hyper-scale data centre in Auckland. Amazon has opted instead to lease capacity in other data centres, rather than construct new builds. Aotearoa has more pressing needs for our electricity resources than turning them over to Big Tech for AI.

Murray Horton
Organiser
CAFCA
Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa
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Tech Security – Norton’s Scam-Free Winter Forecast

Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners for Norton

From AI crypto cons to fake holiday bookings, Norton reveals the scams catching out Kiwis, plus advice to stay ahead of the scammers

As winter sets in the ruthless scams targeting Kiwis heat up. Norton, a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety and part of, has released information about the 5 biggest scams facing Kiwis this winter, along with practical advice on how to avoid them.

Norton’s Threat Labs team analysed hundreds of millions of scams blocked across its global network during the winter months of 2024 and 2025.

To support the report findings and to help Kiwis enjoy a scam free winter, Norton cyber security experts have put together a hotlist of the biggest scam red flags:

·         If you have to pay to get paid, it’s a scam. Doesn't matter if it’s a lottery prize, an investment payout, or a package delivery.

·         If a stranger is fast-tracking the relationship, slow down. Romance, business, investments, friendship… speed is the tell.

·         If a message uses real details about you, that doesn’t make it real.  This is the game in 2026, the presence of personal data isn’t proof, it’s the trap.

·         If a link is doing the urgent work, don’t click it. Go to the source. Type the URL yourself. Open the app.

·         If something feels off, it likely is. Trust the instinct, hang up the call, close the tab, ask a friend. 

Mark Gorrie, VP APAC at Norton, said, “The cold and wet winter is already here, and scammers were ready for it. We spend more time searching online, some of us chasing a warmer holiday, others looking for a better return on their money. That's why the scams hitting Kiwis run from fake investment platforms to reservation hijack scams. With AI, scams are cheap to make and deploy, and easy to make convincing. The lesson is simple. Before you pay anyone, stop and ask yourself why you're paying this money to this person, every single time.”

 

Norton Top 5 Scams of Winter 2026 in NZ:

 

1. Crypto and Investment Fraud Scams

Crypto and investment fraud scams are long-con financial scams where fraudsters use fake trading platforms, “guaranteed return” pitches and recover schemes to steal money.

 

Gen blocked more than 83,000 financial scam attacks in winter 2025, a 225% increase compared to the rest of the year. Similar figures are expected this year. Interestingly, investment scams are tied very closely to romance scams where people are distracted taking faster decisions than normal.

 

How it works: There are three main ways to encounter this scam. 

·         Fake crypto trading dashboard. You get invited to a private group, app, or platform, usually by someone you’ve built rapport with over weeks on a dating or networking app. You “deposit” a small amount of money and the dashboard show your money growing. You withdraw a small amount and get it back. Then you go bigger, and the withdrawal never comes.

·         “Guaranteed return” investment groups. Discord servers, Telegram channels, and Instagram DMs promising returns no legitimate investment can offer. 

·         Recovery scams: Scammers target people who have already been scammed, promising to recover their lost money – for a fee. Often, they’re the same people who scammed you the first time.

 

How to avoid this scam:

·         No legitimate investment guarantees a return. None. If what you’re being proposed does, cut off contact.

·         A dashboard showing your money growing is not your money growing, it’s a webpage. Always use legitimate, well known investment pages that you’ve sourced the URL for yourself. 

·         The person DMing you about a “no-risk opportunity” is not your friend. No risk does not exist, avoid immediately.

·         If someone offers to “recover” money you already lost to a scam, that’s a second scam. Real recovery happens through your bank, your card issuer, and law enforcement. Do not use other recovery providers.

 

2. Imposter Scams

Impostor scams were one of the scam types seeing observable upticks in June, July, and August of 2025, compared to the rest of the year, up 128%. And thanks to AI voice cloning, that figure is only going up.

 

How it works: You receive a panicked call from a friend, loved one or government body, like IRD. They ask urgently for money, why would you not – the call is from their number and their voice. But it’s a scammer using an AI voice clone to impersonate your trusted source.

 

How to avoid this scam:

·         Set a safe word with family and groups of friends now, before anyone needs it.

·         If a call sounds urgent and emotional, hang up and call the person back on the number you already have for them.

·         Real agencies ask you to get in touch through official channels, not to act immediately on a link.

 

3. Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams are social engineering attacks where fraudsters impersonate tech companies, tracking victims into giving them remote computer access, or transferring money to “protect” their accounts. These surge in winter as people spending more time online.

 

Gen blocked more than 16,000 tech support scam attacks during winter 2025, up 115% in New Zealand compared to the rest of the year. Unfortunately, most victims are over 60 because they’re less online savvy, retired, or relying on their savings. They find it harder to spot a scammer and therefore are more vulnerable.

 

How it works: A browser pop-up claims your computer has a virus, followed by a “Technical Support” message from a known provider. You click and give them access. Once they’re in, they install real malware, charge for fake clear ups or convince you to transfer money to “protect” your bank account.

 

How to avoid this scam:

·         Microsoft, Apple, and companies like Norton do not put their phone numbers in browser pop-ups. Ever.

·         A legitimate antivirus alert won’t ask you to call a number. It’ll tell you what it blocked and let you keep going.

·         If a pop-up locks your browser, force quit. Don't call the number.

·         Never give remote access to your computer to someone who called you, or someone you called from a pop-up.

 

4. Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams

Lottery and sweepstakes scams are “unexpected money” frauds where scammers claim you’ve won a prize or earned a reward, then require you to pay a fee to claim it. But as much as we all want some extra “fun money” in the winter, there is no prize. The fee is the entire scam.

 

Gen blocked more than 4,000 unexpected money scam attacks over winter in 2025, up 55% in New Zealand compared to the rest of the year.

 

How it works: An email or DM claims you’ve won a lottery, gift card giveaway, or sweepstakes, (often from real-sounding companies) that you don’t remember entering. To claim the prize, you have to pay a “processing fee”, “tax”, or “shipping cost.” After you pay, nothing arrives or you get a fake check that bounces. 

 

How to avoid this scam:

·         You did not win a lottery you did not enter. If you’ve been presented with a random lottery prize, this is a scam. Do not click the link. Delete the message and forget about it.

·         Real sweepstakes prizes do not require upfront payment of any kind. End contact immediately with that provider if you are presented with this offer.

·         Never open emails or click on links that are from sources like Nigerian princes. These are the oldest tricks in the book. Delete the email without opening it.

 

5. The Reservation Hijack Scam

The Reservation Hijack Scam is a phishing attack where fraudsters use stolen booking data to impersonate hotels and steal payment information from travellers. Since late 2025, research at Gen, the company behind Norton, has identified 353 fraudulent landing pages, representing roughly 350 distinct accommodations and 38,000 rooms across rented accommodation all over the world. 

 

How it works:  After booking your hotel, a new message from your booking platform arrives within a few days. It appears legitimate, referencing all correct booking information, but requests another payment due to a ‘payment problem’. It all looks legitimate, and you don’t want to lose your reservation, so in go your card details… to the scammer!

 

How to avoid this scam:

·         If you get a “re-verify” or “problem with your reservation” message, don’t click the link, even if it looks real.

·         If you think there could be an issue with your reservation, manually enter the URL in your browser to log into the booking site or contact the accommodation directly using their official contact information. 

·         Stick to official communication channels. Real hotels will never transfer you to text or WhatsApp to re-enter your card details.

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Local News – Porirua by-election set down for 16 October

Source: Porirua City Council

Porirua City Council will hold a by-election to fill the seat left vacant after the sudden death of Councillor Mike Duncan.
Councillor Duncan was one of five councillors representing the Onepoto General Ward, which covers the eastern and western areas of Porirua. Due to his passing, Council is legally required to hold a by-election to fill this vacancy.
Porirua’s Deputy Electoral Officer, Jack Marshall, says at this stage of the by-election process it’s vital that potential voters make sure they are enrolled and for anyone thinking of standing to start preparing to put their name forward.
“We’re entering a crucial period for Porirua and the wider region, with big issues such as amalgamation on the table, but there are also the important local decisions needing to be made by Porirua City Council’s elected members each week,” Jack says.
“Mike is a big loss for our community, we will miss his experience and attention to detail around the Council table. His replacement will have big shoes to fill but it’s vital we have full representation in place to discuss, deliberate and make the decisions that are required for the future of our city.”
The timeline for the by-election is as follows:
Nominations open: 9 July
Nominations close: Midday, Thursday 6 August
The election will be via postal vote, with delivery of voting papers starting on 14 September
Votes must be returned by midday 16 October
Votes will then be counted and results declared shortly after.
Other Onepoto General Ward councillors at present are Hemi Fermanis, Kathleen Filo, Izzy Ford and Geoff Hayward.
Nominations documents can be found at the Council front counter on Cobham Court; the Titahi Bay, Cannons Creek and central city libraries; or can be downloaded from poriruacity.govt.nz/elections.
Candidates for the vacant seat will also have the opportunity to record a 1-minute video, outlining what they stand for, which will be put on the Council website to help voters make their decision.
To check whether you’re eligible to vote in the Onepoto General Ward, go to https://poriruacity.govt.nz/elections and use our handy ward finder.
To find out if you’re enrolled, head to vote.nz to check your details.