Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Napier City Council

Nuit Blanche – Art After Dark takes over Napier city on Saturday 3 October, bringing live music, art, performance, food and creative activity to the streets and spaces around the city. From 5.30–10pm, five stages will feature live bands, DJs and performers, alongside roving acts, digital projections, interactive art, galleries open after hours and activities for kids and families.

Follow the music, explore the arts quarter, stop into a gallery or simply make your way around and see what you come across. There’ll be plenty of places to stop for something to eat and drink too, with cafés, restaurants and food trucks staying open late. Take a look at the map and programme and start making your plans.

Nuit Blanche is free, family-friendly and happening this Saturday.

Find your way around Nuit Blanche and view the map and programme here www.nuitblanchenapier.com/programme

Music around every corner

Music will be a big part of Nuit Blanche, with five stages spread across the city and more than 20 live acts performing throughout the night. You’ll find local bands, DJs, choirs and solo performers on Hastings, Tennyson, Emerson and Herschell Streets, while Market Street will turn into a DJ and laser light show. The programme showcases some of Hawke’s Bay’s local talent across a broad range of genres, from funk and soul to country, folk, rock and pop!

Catch them if you can

Not everything at Nuit Blanche has a stage or a set time. Roving performers will be making their way through the city throughout the evening, bringing some unexpected moments to the streets. Keep an eye out for circus performers, fire dancers, giant bubbles, luminous fairies, street theatre and other characters appearing as you move between venues and performances. You never quite know what you’ll come across, so keep your eyes open!

Bring the kids

Nuit Blanche has plenty happening for younger visitors too, with activities and performances spread throughout the city.

Kahukura Hawke’s Bay Museum and Napier Libraries will both have special activities, alongside face painting, glitter tattoos, interactive art and the Bay Skate roller disco. There are things to make, create, discover and have a go at, making it easy for families to spend the evening exploring together.

See the city differently

Nuit Blanche is also a chance to see Napier’s galleries and creative spaces after hours, with exhibitions, artists, makers and interactive displays adding another layer to the night. Doors will be open later than usual, giving you the chance to browse artwork, meet creatives and discover some of the city’s smaller spaces along the way.

Take a look at the programme www.nuitblanchenapier.com/programme and see which galleries and creative spaces you want to add to your route.

Dine and delight the senses

Food is a huge part of the Nuit Blanche experience, with Napier’s restaurants, cafés, bars and food trucks staying open late and offering special dishes, drinks and deals. Whether you’re after dinner, something between performances or a late-night treat, there’ll be plenty to choose from across the city.

On Emerson Street, Eat Street on Emerson will bring food trucks into the heart of the event.

Holy Crepe, Polyanaz, Indulgence, Swagberg, Paella A Go Go, Ko Pop Chicken, Dreamy Dumplings, Wombos, Mr Whippy and Teddys will all be there. Just behind the Daily Telegraph, you’ll also find Lil Donuts and Lulu’s Soft Serve at the Hangar. With food stops dotted around the city, it’s easy to grab a bite and keep exploring.

Your guide to getting around Nuit Blanche

There’s a lot happening after dark. Find your bearings with the programme and map www.nuitblanchenapier.com/, then make your own way through Nuit Blanche. You might have a plan when you arrive, but you never quite know where the night will take you.

Getting to Nuit Blanche 🚌

Heading into the city by bus? GoBay will be running two later Route 1 services to help get you home after Nuit Blanche.

Catch a regular Saturday GoBay bus into Napier, then head to Dalton Street for one of the two night services returning towards Taradale, Hastings and Havelock North: 8pm | Route 1 to 107 Middle Road & 9.40pm | Route 1 to 45 Arataki Road

Normal fares apply | For full timetable information, visit gobay.co.nz gobay.co.nz or call 06 835 9200.

Keep an eye on the weather

We’ll be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for Saturday.

If the weather means there are any changes to Nuit Blanche, we’ll share the latest updates on the Nuit Blanche Facebook page www.facebook.com/nuitblanchenapier, so make sure you’re following along before you head into the city.

For everything else, including the programme and event information, head to the Nuit Blanche website www.nuitblanchenapier.com/.

Source: Better Taxes for a Better Future

2 October 2026, 4:05pm

Show us the money: Auckland event on Monday 5 October puts tax policy on the record ahead of the General Election.

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland: Representatives from parties seeking to form the next government will take the stage at Auckland Unitarian Church in Grey Lynn on Monday 5 October to explain how they plan to raise revenue and who will carry the cost.

Chlöe Swarbrick (Green Party), Qiulae Wong (Opportunity Party), David Wilson (New Zealand First), Oriini Kaipara (Te Pāti Māori) and Deborah Russell (Labour) will take part in the Better Taxes Election Forum, hosted by journalist Guyon Espiner.

Invitations have been extended to all parties, with ACT and National yet to confirm their participation.

Tax has dominated headlines in the lead-up to the 2026 General Election, but the debate has largely overlooked what tax pays for and how parties propose to fund better futures for Aotearoa.

“Monday’s event is an opportunity to ask candidates vying to run the country to be upfront about how they will address the challenges we face now and into the future.

Ordinary people are already bearing the cost of underfunding in our health system and infrastructure. And we know we’re facing rising costs of an aging population and responding to climate change and its effects.

The bickering about how many new taxes are on the table simply doesn’t cut it. The people of New Zealand deserve some real talk in the lead up to the election.” Kate Stone, Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign Manager.

The event is organised by the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign and its coalition organisations. It asks the parties seeking to form the next government to set out how they will fund hospitals, schools, transport and water infrastructure, and how they will gather that revenue in a more balanced way.

The pressures on those services include an ageing population, climate change, intergenerational inequity and the growing concentration of economic and political power.

Event details

• What: Better Taxes Election Forum: Show us the money!
• When: Monday 5 October 2026. Doors open 5.30pm, start 6pm
• Where: Auckland Unitarian Church, 1A Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
• Host: Guyon Espiner
• Panellists: Chlöe Swarbrick (Green Party), Qiulae Wong (Opportunity Party), David Wilson (New Zealand First), Oriini Kaipara (Te Pāti Māori), Deborah Russell (Labour). ACT and National yet to confirm their participation.

In person registration: bettertaxes.nz/better-taxes-election-forum

Live stream registration: bettertaxes.nz/livestreambetter-taxes-election-forum

About Better Taxes for a Better Future

Better Taxes for a Better Future is a campaign of coalition organisations. More information: bettertaxes.nz

Regional events: bettertaxes.nz/events

Source: Rapid Relief Team New Zealand

The Rapid Relief Team (RRT) charity has delivered 5,300 free meals to healthcare workers at Auckland City Hospital, marking the final event in a major nationwide campaign that has provided more than 36,040 meals to healthcare workers across 50 hospitals.

Arranged in collaboration with Auckland Hospital Foundation, the final event at Auckland City Hospital saw 100 RRT volunteers serve 5,300 meals across two days.

The campaign launched to coincide with International Nurses Day in May this year, aligning with the global theme of “Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”

Going on to hold 61 appreciation events over the last five months, RRT sought to recognise the critical role nurses play in delivering care and helping them feel seen and appreciated by their local communities.

At each event, nurses and healthcare staff were offered a free meal and refreshments by RRT volunteers, while providing staff a moment to connect with colleagues and enjoy a small token of appreciation from volunteers local to their area.

In total, the initiative has reached an equivalent of more than one-third of all New Zealand's 80,960 registered nurses.

Reflecting on the day, RRT New Zealand General Manager Paul Simmons said the campaign had achieved its purpose of providing a meaningful opportunity to thank nurses for their tireless work.

“Serving 5,300 meals across Auckland has been a fitting way to complete this major campaign of putting compassion into action by recognising the extraordinary work being carried out in hospitals every day.”

“In Auckland and right across the country, our volunteers have been out there personally thanking healthcare teams for their work while providing a simple but practical gesture of thanks.

“We now look forward to building on this success over the coming months and years to ensure healthcare staff continue to feel the appreciation they deserve,” Mr Simmons said.

Speaking at the event Candy Schroder, Chief Executive Officer at Auckland Hospital Foundation, said that “the corridors have been buzzing” in the hospital in the build-up, and that the initiative itself had “lifted spirits”.

“Thousands have come down from the hospital – the atmosphere has been electric”

“It's a huge morale booster. They [healthcare staff] are in the trenches taking care of all of us after a difficult winter and influenza season.

“It is wonderful to see the community come out, rally around the staff and show how much they appreciate all the work they do here at the hospital.

Also speaking at the event, Mike Shepherd, Group Director Operations at Auckland City Hospital, said the support had been “unbelievable”.

“The sense of knowing that the community cares about our staff is incredibly important,” he said, adding that “it's been a super hard winter, so to understand that the community does care about the work they do and the way they do it is great. A huge thank you to the Rapid Relief Team – they make an incredible difference.”

The initiative also formed part of RRT's global effort, which supported healthcare workers in multiple countries, providing a total of over 57,000 meals across 110 hospitals.

About Rapid Relief Team NZ

Established in 2013, the Rapid Relief Team is the charitable arm of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church which provides practical support, community assistance and disaster relief across New Zealand and around the world. For more information on RRT, please go to www.rrtglobal.org.

About Auckland Hospital Foundation

Auckland Hospital Foundation is the charity supporting adult health services at Auckland City Hospital. The Foundation's vision is for all New Zealanders to have access to world-class healthcare – accelerating discovery, innovation, and quality of patient care beyond the scope of government funding.

For more information on AHF, please visit www.ahf.org.nz.

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

• NZPFU delay has cost average senior firefighter $2,600

Fire and Emergency New Zealand welcomes the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union's agreement to take a proposal for two annual 2.2 percent salary increases, alongside new and increased allowances, to members for ratification.

When the new and increased allowances are included alongside salary and overtime increases, this will give an average increase in take-home pay of approximately 2.5 percent in the first year.

“This is a positive and important step. We have consistently sought a fair and sustainable collective agreement, and NZPFU members will now have the opportunity to directly consider a proposal that was first tabled in December 2025,” says Deputy Chief Executive People Janine Hearn.

When first tabled, it provided for a 2.2 percent increase from 1 December 2025 and a further 2.2 percent increase from 1 January 2027 over a 24-month term, alongside lump-sum payments, new and increased allowances and other provisions. The package was modelled at approximately $50 million over four years.

Janine says the decision to put the proposal to members is welcome, but the NZPFU’s delay in doing so has cost the average senior firefighter approximately $2,600 since the original offer was first tabled. She also noted the facilitation process did not produce a revised NZPFU pay position.

“During the most recent facilitation the NZPFU would not table a revised pay proposal or identify what pay outcome it would accept. That made it impossible for the parties to negotiate towards a different pay settlement.

“Every time Fire and Emergency has increased its offer, the NZPFU has hiked its settlement proposal taking the two parties further apart.

“Putting our proposal to members now creates a pathway to an outcome, but the NZPFU’s delay in doing so, also costs them.”

Currently senior firefighter base salaries are set at $80,600-$87,300. The proposal delivers an increase of approximately $1,773-$1,921 a year in gross base salary for those team members. In addition, the increase in average overtime earnings is worth approximately $858 per annum and the new and increased allowances worth approximately $410 per annum. In total, this equates to an average overall increase of 2.5 percent.

The Government’s Workforce Policy Statement expects settlements to avoid backdating any components of adjustments to pay and conditions, so delaying taking an offer out to members reduces the benefit ultimately available to those members.

The NZPFU’s 10-month delay in taking this proposal out to its members means they have missed out on those increases for 10 months. For the average senior firefighter, that equates to approximately $2,600 in lost income.

“That is real money for our people and illustrates why reaching a settlement matters. We will respect the NZPFU's ratification process and await the outcome,” Janine says.

Source: Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland

Friday, October 2, 2026

Unjust, illegitimate, illegal. This is how Professor Claire Charters describes New Zealand's constitution in her new book, Sovereignty.

In Sovereignty: The Case for Constitutional Transformation, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland Professor Claire Charters argues New Zealand's constitution fails to protect Māori rights and calls for fundamental change.

Charters (Ngāti Whakaue, Tainui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Whaoa, Ngāti Rehia), an expert in Indigenous law at Auckland Law School, challenges the foundations of New Zealand's constitutional system and examines what the country could learn from constitutional reform overseas.

Unlike most countries, New Zealand has no single written constitutional document. Instead, its constitution follows the British model, comprising legislation, court decisions, historical documents and unwritten conventions.

Charters questions why New Zealand has been so reluctant to examine its constitutional arrangements and argues that a fundamental weakness of the system is that the courts cannot overturn legislation passed by Parliament, even if it breaches human rights, Te Tiriti o Waitangi or Indigenous peoples' rights under international law.

“Our reluctance to question our constitution may reflect an attachment to the status quo, a desire to preserve existing privileges, or a lack of public awareness and debate.”

Although Sovereignty focuses primarily on Māori rights, Charters argues that the constitutional weaknesses she identifies have implications for everyone.

“New Zealand's constitution doesn't just fail Māori,” writes Charters, “it fails us all.”

Charters highlights the case of climate activist Mike Smith (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu). In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that his legal action against major greenhouse gas emitters could proceed, but the Government subsequently announced plans to legislate to prevent climate claims of this kind, illustrating Charters' concern that Parliament can intervene in court proceedings and restrict people's ability to pursue legal remedies.

She also points to amendments to the Oranga Tamariki Act, which removed a section requiring Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Children, to give effect to the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi and to work in partnership with iwi and hapū. Parliament proceeded with the repeal despite a Waitangi Tribunal recommendation to abandon the changes.

Drawing on years of international research, she challenges the perception that New Zealand compares favourably with other countries in protecting Indigenous peoples' rights.

She looks particularly at Mexico, where she spent time while writing Sovereignty, and whose constitutional reforms she considers the most progressive in the world in recognising Indigenous peoples' self-determination and rights.

Charters also highlights research by the Harvard University Project on Indigenous Governance and Development, which found that Indigenous peoples achieve better economic, social and environmental outcomes when exercising self-determination.

In the book's final chapter, she explores options for constitutional transformation that would better realise te Tiriti o Waitangi, strengthen human rights protections and make formal space for tikanga Māori.

“I can attest to the fact that constitutional transformation is possible, should not scare us, and can contribute to a more just world.”

Sovereignty: The case for constitutional transformation by Claire Charters was published in October 2026 by Bridget Williams Books (BWB).

Source: GlobalData

1 October 2026

A wave of price increases across this summer's flagship smartphone launches offers the clearest evidence yet that the AI-driven memory shortage, often dubbed “RAMageddon,” is reshaping the mobile device market: what phones cost, how much memory they carry, and which models survive. PC and laptop makers raised prices first; smartphone makers largely held off until this summer's launches. The memory shortage is expected to keep pressure on smartphone prices, according to GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

Apple, Google, and Samsung raised prices by roughly $100 on premium smartphones, while Google and Samsung applied similar increases to their foldables. Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, tops out at $3,199 amid the memory crunch.

GlobalData's latest report, “AI-Driven RAMageddon Triggers First Wave of Smartphone Price Hikes – Further Increases and Fewer Choices Loom,” reveals that AI infrastructure's growing claim on memory supply is leaving phone makers to compete for what remains, suggesting that this summer's price hikes likely only the opening move.

Behind the price increases is the AI buildout. As AI data centers multiply, the companies building them are buying memory at enormous scale, paying premium prices, and signing multiyear commitments. Alphabet and Meta alone expect to spend a combined $325 billion to $350 billion in 2026, much of it on servers and data-center infrastructure. That purchasing power is steering factory capacity and investment toward the higher-margin memory and storage products serving AI workloads, leaving less capacity for the DRAM and NAND used in smartphones and other consumer devices, and pushing device prices higher.

Amanda Mitchell, Senior Analyst – Telecoms Practice at GlobalData, comments: “Price hikes are only one way phone makers are responding to rising memory costs. Trimming specifications is another, and the economics become most punishing at the low end of the market. The pressure is also creating clear winners and losers: memory makers are reporting record numbers as limited supply and higher prices lift revenue and profits, while device makers compete for scarce chips and risk dampening consumer demand as higher prices arrive alongside lower specifications and threaten lower-end models.”

Google raised Pixel 11 prices while cutting base RAM in the Pro models from 16GB to 12GB. Cheaper phones feel the pressure most, since a memory cost increase that is manageable on a $1,200 flagship can erase the profit on a $200 phone. Consumers who rely on lower-cost phones could face fewer choices as manufacturers discontinue models, delay launches, or ship devices with less memory.

Mitchell continues: “Carriers are the last buffer between higher list prices and buyers. Longer instalment plans, trade-in credits, refurbished devices, and device-as-a-service offers can soften monthly payments, but they do not lower the total cost or ease the underlying supply shortage.”

Mitchell concludes: “Lasting relief depends on additional production capacity, but manufacturers' expansion plans will take years to reach the market, and much of the new investment is intended to serve AI demand rather than consumer devices. Samsung expects memory supply to remain tight through 2028, while Micron's first New York fab is not expected to begin production until 2030. With meaningful new capacity years away, price pressure is likely to persist.”

Notes to Editors

• Quotes provided by Amanda Mitchell, Senior Analyst – Telecoms Practice at GlobalData
• This press release was written using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData's team of industry experts

About GlobalData

GlobalData Plc (LSE:DATA) operates an intelligence platform that empowers leaders to act decisively in a world of complexity and change. By uniting proprietary data, human expertise, and purpose-built AI into a single, connected platform, we help organizations see what's coming, move faster, and lead with confidence. Our solutions are used by over 5,000 organizations across the world's largest industries, delivering tailored intelligence that supports strategic planning, innovation, risk management, and sustainable growth.

Source: Accor Plus

The paid travel membership’s latest expansion includes more than 150 hotels, bringing its network to over 1,400 participating properties.

Members booked more than 3.8 million room nights over the past year, with the most nights booked in Australia, Indonesia and Thailand.

[SINGAPORE, 1 October 2026] – One year after launch, ALL Accor+ Explorer, Accor Plus’ premium annual travel loyalty subscription, is expanding its network to 10 new countries from today, giving members more places to stay, dine and explore. The additions form part of a wider expansion encompassing more than 150 hotels in the Middle East, bringing its network to over 1,400 participating properties across 30 countries.

Earlier this year, Explorer launched in the United Arab Emirates, taking Accor Plus beyond Asia Pacific for the first time, while Japan saw the full-service rollout of Explorer. From today, members can use eligible benefits at participating hotels and resorts in Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and Iraq, including properties from Raffles, Fairmont, Pullman and Mövenpick.

Designed for those who travel, dine out close to home or enjoy local hotel stays, ALL Accor+ Explorer is a paid annual travel loyalty membership bringing together value, status and recognition, member-only privileges and experiences. Its dining benefits are now available at more than 1,800 restaurants and 1,300 bars.

Over the past year, the membership grew to more than 485,000 travellers while members booked more than 3.8 million room nights. They spent the most nights in Australia, followed by Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.

Among the 15 destinations with the most member room nights, year-on-year growth reached 41% in Mainland China, 20% in South Korea, 18% in India and 15% in Japan. Beyond Asia Pacific, room nights rose 21% in the UK and 46% in France¹.

Hotels where members stayed most often in 2026 included Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Swissôtel The Stamford in Singapore, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua and Pullman Tokyo Tamachi.

Members can receive an average of three times their annual membership fee in value through stay and dining benefits².

“A year ago, we launched Explorer with a clear promise: real value, from day one. People continue to prioritise travel, dining and experiences that enrich their lives, while looking for meaningful benefits they can use straight away and recognition when they travel. That’s what Accor Plus has built on for more than 30 years. And with our network now extending beyond Asia Pacific into the Middle East, members have even more ways to experience what they love about travel,” said Emilie Couton, Chief Executive Officer of Accor Plus.

The membership includes two Stay Plus FREE nights, up to 50% off selected stays with Red Hot Rooms, and 30% off dining and 15% off beverages for up to 10 guests in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Members also receive 15% off stays at more than 5,000 Accor hotels worldwide, member-only offers and experiences, and 30 Status Nights each year, unlocking ALL Accor Gold status or helping them progress to a higher tier.

For hotels, room revenue generated by members increased by more than 20%³, while members stayed five times as frequently as non-members.

Accor Plus has continued to strengthen partnerships across financial services, retail and other sectors during Explorer’s first year. These include American Express in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and India, CIMB Niaga in Indonesia and Woori Card in South Korea. A new Visa partnership across selected Asian markets this year reflects growing interest from brands in offering customers more immediate, tangible value through travel and lifestyle benefits.

To mark the anniversary, eligible new members who join the membership by 31 October 2026 will also receive 3,000 bonus ALL Accor Reward points (equivalent to €60 in redemption value).

For more information or to join, ALL Accor+ Explorer is available at www.accorplus.com.

Notes

• ¹ Accor Plus member booking data, by country of stay. Room-night changes compare October 2025–September 2026 with October 2024–September 2025.
• ² Based on estimated average annual savings by active members, after the cost of ALL Accor+ Explorer membership, including the equivalent retail value of stays and dining benefits.
• ³ Based on member bookings in Accor Plus August 2026 year-to-date report; recorded revenue growth was over 20%.
• Header image caption: Fairmont The Palm, Dubai (left); Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour (middle).

Image Gallery & Assets Available

ABOUT ACCOR PLUS

Accor Plus is the Accor subsidiary that delivers the ALL Accor+ travel loyalty subscription programme in 30 countries across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The premium ALL Accor+ Explorer subscription is tailored for discerning travellers who seek exceptional value, status, recognition and exclusive experiences. The ALL Accor+ Explorer subscription grants members instant elevation to ALL Accor Gold status or higher within Accor’s free global loyalty programme. Members enjoy two Stay Plus free nights each year, access to exclusive offers with up to half-priced stays, and generous dining and beverage savings in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. These privileges unlock substantial savings and elevated stays at more than 5,000 Accor hotels, resorts, and apartments worldwide, including renowned brands like Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis. Since it began in Australia in 1994, Accor Plus has grown to become the leading travel loyalty programme in Asia Pacific, with a community of more than 485,000 members. Discover more at www.accorplus.com Connect with us @accorplus.

ABOUT ALL ACCOR+ EXPLORER

ALL Accor+ Explorer is a premium travel loyalty subscription offering immediate access to exclusive benefits and greater recognition:

• Two Stay Plus FREE nights each year at participating hotels. Each Stay Plus provides one free room night when booking an eligible stay of two nights or more.
• 30% off dining and 15% off beverages for up to 10 guests at participating restaurants and bars, with no hotel stay required.
• Access to Red Hot Rooms with savings of up to 50% on selected early-bird and last-minute hotel stays.
• 15% off stays across more than 5,000 Accor hotels worldwide.
• Instant Gold ALL Accor status or higher, with 30 bonus Status Nights each year, providing benefits such as welcome drinks, room upgrades and flexible check-in and check-out, subject to availability.

Source: Workers First Union

WHAT:

Workers First Union members at Biomed Limited will withdraw their labour and take their first full strike action, with a picket taking place outside of the Point Chevalier Library on Friday 2nd October from 12:00pm to 3:30pm.

WHEN:

Friday 2 October, 12:00 – 3:30pm

WHERE:

Point Chevalier Library, 1225 Great North Road, Point Chevalier, Auckland.

WHY:

Liam Bloomfield, Workers First organiser, said that union members at Biomed Ltd. are an integral part of the public health system who create life-saving products for those in labour, going through surgery, as well as pre-term tamariki.

“Biomed workers are paid such low wages that many are having to consider a change of career,” said Mr Bloomfield. “They are skilled, dedicated, and want to continue the highly specialised work they do in supporting the highest risk patients in our hospital system.”

“Many of them start off earning just over minimum wage, despite being expected to hold the lives of our tamariki, rangatahi, and kaumatua in their hands.”

“This is the first time many of our members at Biomed have voted for a full strike action, and they do so only after exhausting every other option available to them.”

“Biomed has completely rejected any financial improvement for workers as part of these negotiations, offering instead them a functional pay cut during the cost-of-living crisis.”

“We would love to see the community come along to support these workers and tell Biomed that they deserve to be valued.”