Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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NZNO says Independent inquiry into death at Waikato ED needed

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Te Whatu Ora’s inability to answer basic questions about staffing levels shows an independent inquiry into the tragic death of a patient in the Waikato emergency department must be held, NZNO says.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says NZNO’s thoughts and condolences are with the whānau of the man who died.
“New Zealanders need to know their local emergency departments (EDs) have enough staff to provide the health care they need, when they need it.
“Te Whatu Ora’s Midland executive regional director Cath Cronin refused to say this morning whether the ED was understaffed on Monday night. The public deserve better than obfuscation,” Paul Goulter says.
NZNO had spent 20 months in bargaining raising concerns that short staffing is putting patients at risk, he said.
“After 20 months of their concerns being brushed off, our members have little confidence in Te Whatu Ora reviewing its own processes.
“The independent inquiry must also look at funding levels and whether the hospital has adequate funding to staff the ED.
“Health Minister Simeon Brown says the ‘the family will rightly want answers’. NZNO couldn’t agree more. Those answers must also include whether his Government has deliberately underfunded the hospital to meet their arbitrary cost cutting budget,” Paul Goulter says.
Te Whatu Ora was put on notice over its dangerous short-staffing last year by Coroner Ian Telford following the death of Len Collett in an under-resourced Taranaki Base Hospital in 2020, he says. 
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Appointments – GUARDIANS APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF DATA & ANALYTICS

Source: Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation

The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, manager of the $93 billion New Zealand Superannuation Fund, has named Anastasia Moskvina as its new Head of Data & Analytics.

Moskvina, who joined the Guardians’ Data & Analytics team in 2022 from the BNZ, has a Masters in Information Technology, Mathematics and Economics from Irkutsk State University and a PhD in Computer Science from the Auckland University of Technology.

Guardians co-Chief Investment Officer Will Goodwin said the Guardians was intent on building data, analytics and AI capability to support better investment outcomes. Moskvina’s expertise in modelling and analysis and her ability to harness data science to meet business needs were ideally suited to this important work.

“Anastasia is already playing a leading role in shaping our thinking on AI and advanced analytics — including AI governance, practical use cases, and how we build scalable capability across the Guardians,” said Goodwin.

“Her appointment reflects the combination of technical ability and leadership qualities she brings to the team.”

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Employment Disputes – Fire and Emergency New Zealand reminds public to be extra careful when strike action takes place

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is warning the public that the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) will be striking today, Wednesday 1 July, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.
“I want to reassure the public that all 111 calls will be received and responded to during the strike period,” Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says.
“However, our response times will be delayed in impacted areas as volunteer crews will be responding from the next closest location. So, we are asking the public to remain extra careful.
“Our advice remains the same. If there is a fire, get out early, stay out, then call 111.”
During the one-hour strikes, Fire and Emergency will prioritise emergencies and may not attend less serious incidents, such as private fire alarms where there is no sign of fire, small rubbish fires, traffic-management assistance, and animal rescues.
In addition, Fire and Emergency has established a process with Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance for responding to medical events in impacted areas.
“We remain focused on achieving a fair and sustainable settlement with the NZPFU so we can continue working to keep communities safe,” Megan Stiffler says.
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The Chief Ombudsman has released the findings of his investigation into the way the Prime Minister’s Office handled an Official Information Act request

Source: Office of the Ombudsman

John Allen has found that the Prime Minister should have identified and released a climate briefing note and related information to the Environmental Law Initiative when the group requested it in 2025.
The consultation process undertaken by the Prime Minister’s Office should have identified the existence of the briefing note. This didn’t happen and the documents were not considered when responding to the request which meant information was effectively withheld.
Mr Allen has also made a number of recommendations which the Prime Minister’s Office has accepted.
He has also referred the matter to the Chief Archivist.
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Legislation – Time to scrap the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill

Source: New Zealand Institute of Safety Management

The New Zealand Institute of Safety Management is calling all political parties to end the farce by agreeing to consign the unethical and unworkable Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill to the dustbin of history.
“Delaying the implementation date of the Bill to April 2027 simply punts all of the problematic changes down the field. A broad coalition stretching from the Employers and Manufacturers Association to the Council of Trade Unions has been consistently raising concerns that the complex, confused and contradictory Bill will lead to more harm without providing benefits to employers. These changes will lead to more harm and more red tape” said Mike Cosman, law reform spokesperson for the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management.
Concerns were raised most eloquently and poignantly by Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne of Stand with Pike who understand the human cost of getting it wrong and how hard-won progress has been.
“New Zealand First deserves some credit for taking the major concerns raised by employers, workers and experts to the Minister, but have apparently backed down when it comes to voting against the Bill instead pushing the problems down the road. We will be asking all parties to commit to immediate repeal of the Bill post-Election.
“The health and safety system has poured thousands of hours into patiently explaining why the changes will push New Zealand further behind Australia and the UK in terms of harm and productivity. 
 The passage of this Bill represents an enormous waste of time that could have been spent improving both. We hope that a new Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety will seize the opportunity to do better and focus on what really matters, improving workplace health and safety. This Bill does the opposite.
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Health – Wai July begins on track for more than 1,000 people choosing wai over waipiro

Source: Hapai Te Hauora

Wai July officially gets underway today, with registrations already surpassing last year's final total as more people across Aotearoa choose to spend the month waipiro (alcohol) free.
This year's registrations show people are joining Wai July for a wide range of reasons. Some want to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, others want to save money, become better role models for their tamariki, support friends and whānau, or simply reset their relationship with alcohol.
Hāpai Te Hauora Chief Operating Officer Jason Alexander says that's exactly what Wai July is about.”Everyone's reason for taking part is different. For some it's about getting healthier, for others it's being more present for their whānau or proving to themselves they can go a month without alcohol. Whatever their reason, that's often what gets them through the tougher days.”Registrations also highlight the challenges many participants expect to face, including peer pressure, social occasions, stress, and the widespread availability of alcohol. At the same time, many say they'll stay on track by focusing on fitness, spending more time with whānau, trying new hobbies, and supporting one another through the challenge.  Alexander says Wai July isn't about perfection.
“This isn't about telling people they should never drink again. It's about creating an opportunity to pause, reflect and see how going waipiro (alcohol) free for a month might positively impact your life.”
While the challenge has officially begun, registrations remain open throughout July, meaning people can still sign up at any stage and take part.
People can register and find out more at waijuly.nz 
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AI and cost-cutting drive big upheaval for half of DOC’s IT team – PSA

Source: PSA

The Department of Conservation is proposing a major restructure of its information systems function, driven by budget pressure and plans to embed artificial intelligence across its operations.
Under the proposal, unveiled to staff today, 65 roles are being disestablished in DOC’s Information Systems and Services group. With 17 roles currently vacant, this directly impacts 48 staff, many of whom are long serving. They will be left competing for 40 new positions, with no guarantee of a job at the end of the process.
“This isn’t more with less. This is less with less at a time when the conservation estate, the jewel in New Zealand’s crown, is under more pressure than ever,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
DOC told staff the changes were driven by several factors, including the need to find ‘genuine savings’, to embed AI across all its work and the need to take on more commercial activity.
“DOC’s IT team is the backbone of conservation work in the field. Rangers rely on it to monitor pest traps and cameras, track bird breeding programmes, and stay connected in remote areas.
“There’s no doubt AI can be a valuable tool to strengthen conservation efforts and free up staff time in the field. It’s being used now with an AI trap network on the Heaphy Track, and used to process live camera data, all saving ranger time.
“But you can’t build a smarter, more capable technology function by cutting so many experienced people. These are workers who understand DOC’s systems, its environment, and its mission. That knowledge doesn’t transfer to a new position description. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
The PSA is concerned the restructure is being driven by the need to find savings rather than what is best for conservation.
“A government serious about conservation would be investing more in technology, not less. This is cutting the cloth to fit a slimmer budget while hoping the public doesn’t notice the consequences.
“And the Government clearly wants DOC to find more of its own money. The Conservation Amendment Bill is proposing shifting its focus from strict preservation to enabling commercial activity and economic development ‘to the greatest extent practicable’. These priorities are all wrong.
“This is why we need a new government come November, one that properly values the public service and in this case, sees the huge value DOC provides New Zealanders and overseas visitors.”
Staff only have until 13 July to provide feedback, just eight working days. The PSA is calling on DOC to reconsider the scale and pace of the proposal, and to explore retraining and redeployment options before experienced staff are shown the door.
“There’s an opportunity here to do something genuinely forward-looking: invest in your people, build capability, and use technology to deepen conservation outcomes. This proposal risks squandering that opportunity.”
Background – DOC cuts to date
On top of these cuts DOC, like many government agencies, has to reduce its workforce by 14% or around 370 roles over the next three years to meet the Government’s target to reducing the public sector workforce by nearly 9000 jobs.
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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Energy Sector – New rules target high charges to connect to electricity networks

Source: Electricity Authority

Lines companies’ charging approaches for connecting to their networks will come under scrutiny following new rules announced today by the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (Authority).
From 1 August 2026, the Authority will implement a new framework under the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010. This enables the Authority to examine lines companies’ pricing methodologies and require them to be adjusted for consistency with the new pricing methodology in the Code.
“The Authority considers some people are paying very high up-front charges to connect to their local network, without any offsetting cut in their on-going lines charges. This means they’re paying more than their share, which can discourage efficient network connections,” says Authority General Manager Tim Sparks.
Data indicates up-front connection charges in some areas are projected to rise even further.
“Increasing up-front charges can be a barrier to efficient connections. This slows electrification and deters developments of EV charging stations, housing, commercial buildings and other infrastructure. It can also stunt network growth. This means fewer people connect and the fixed costs of the network aren’t shared as widely.
“These new rules should put the brakes on high up-front connection charges, stopping them from increasing further than needed and in some cases, it may bring them down.
“The new rules will allow for a targeted approach. We will intervene only where there’s evidence of a problem. However, while most lines companies won’t be directly affected, the new rules and the possibility of intervention should help keep their up-front connection charges in check.
“The new rules are an important step towards promoting efficiency. They create a better environment for efficient connection growth by protecting connection applicants from facing higher up-front charges than needed. At the same time, they help ensure everyone on the network benefits from each new connection. They’re intended as an interim measure while we consider a more comprehensive and enduring solution,” Sparks said.
The Authority is preparing to implement the new rules from 1 August 2026 and will issue guidance to help lines companies comply.
These changes are part of the Authority’s broader work programme to make lines companies’ connection charges more efficient, transparent and nationally consistent, and support good outcomes for all consumers in the long term. The first set of rule changes, the 'fast-track measures', came into effect from 1 April 2026. These were designed to quickly address some known issues and lay the foundation for further reform.
The Authority is now looking at the next stage of this work. An issues paper will be released on 13 July seeking feedback on possible areas for reform, including options for a longer-term solution to address inefficiently high up-front connection charges.
As part of today’s decision, the Authority has also confirmed its preferred approach for clarifying when lines companies must provide new connections. This is an early step towards developing clearer rules on when lines companies must offer and maintain connections. The Authority has decided to allow the recently introduced rules to become established before progressing this work. It will monitor lines companies’ supply of new connections and revisit this approach if needed.
The Authority has also decided to amend the discount rate lines companies need to use from 1 October 2026 as part of their connection charge reconciliations.
For more information:
Read the Electricity Authority's webpage for more about these decisions.
Register to join our webinar at 10am, 13 July 2026 for an overview of our work to date to reform distribution connection pricing and the issues paper that explores options for further reform.
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Banking and Finance – ASB makes changes to home loan and term deposit rates

Source: ASB

ASB has today reduced its fixed home loan rates by up to 30bps on 3-5 year terms, and increased its 6-month and 18-month terms by 20 and 14 basis points respectively. ASB has also reduced term deposit rates by up to 25 basis points across 2-year to 5-year terms.

ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says “Wholesale interest rates continue to be somewhat volatile but longer-term rates have come down recently. These rates play a key role in setting lending and deposit pricing domestically, and mirror broader trends internationally as markets navigate the current landscape.”

“We encourage any homeowners with questions about their lending to speak with us. Getting the right structure in place for individual circumstances can make a real difference, and ASB’s team is available to help work through the options.”


Rate Table 

Home Loan  

Current Rates 

New Rates 

Rate Change 

6 Months 

4.49% 

4.69% 

+20 bps

1 Year 

4.65% 

4.65%

N/C

18 Months 

4.95% 

5.09%

+14 bps

2 Years 

5.25% 

5.25% 

N/C

3 Years 

5.49% 

5.29%

-20 bps

4 Years 

5.69% 

5.49%

-20 bps

5 Years  

5.89% 

5.59%

-30 bps 

  

Term Deposit  

Current Rates 

New Rates 

Rate Change 

1 Month 

1.80% 

1.80% 

N/C 

2 Months 

2.00% 

2.00% 

N/C 

3 Months 

3.00% 

3.00%

N/C 

  

4 Months 

3.00% 

3.00% 

N/C 

5 Months 

3.10% 

3.10% 

N/C 

6 Months 

3.45% 

3.45% 

N/C 

9 Months 

3.55% 

3.55% 

N/C 

12 Months 

3.90% 

3.90% 

N/C 

18 Months 

4.00% 

4.00% 

N/C

24 Months  

4.20% 

4.00% 

– 20bps 

36 Months  

4.50% 

4.40% 

– 10 bps 

48 Months  

4.70% 

4.60% 

– 10 bps 

60 Months  

5.00% 

4.75% 

– 25 bps 

 

ASB has practical information for customers on the current interest rate environment available on its website as well as support to help customers take control of their financial wellbeing and achieve their goals at its Financial Wellbeing Hub. 

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China: New ‘ethnic unity’ law set to entrench assimilation of minority groups – Amnesty International

Source: Amnesty International

Ahead of China’s new Ethnic Unity Law coming into force on 1 July, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director Sarah Brooks said:

“Chinese authorities have human rights obligations requiring them to protect minority communities and their cultures, but this law does the opposite. Rather than celebrating difference, it is about pushing ethnic groups such as Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Mongolians to adopt a single, state-defined national identity dominated by Han Chinese culture.

“‘Unity’ in this context is not harmony between different communities — it is political and ideological alignment with the Chinese Communist Party. Rather than protecting diversity and equality, the law requires conformity.

“Chinese authorities’ stated intention to apply elements of this law beyond China’s borders is also deeply concerning. This law risks providing a stronger legal basis for existing practices of transnational repression — peaceful advocacy for minority rights in China by anyone, anywhere could be characterized as undermining ‘ethnic unity’.

“Meanwhile, activities which already carry great risk within China – such as promoting minority languages, documenting human rights abuses, or campaigning for the release of those detained because of their expression of culture, opinion or belief – could be further criminalized.

“This law puts a national legal framework behind policies that have already devastated the rights of Uyghurs, Tibetans and other non-Han ethnic groups. We expect it to further institutionalize China’s policies of forced assimilation.”

Background

China’s Ethnic Unity Law will come into force on 1 July 2026. The law frames “ethnic unity” as a pre-condition for ambitious projects of the Chinese Communist Party leadership, including the advancement of Xi Jinping Thought, and the “rejuvenation” of a shared national political identity.

The law, for example, prohibits acts that “undermine ethnic unity or create ethnic division,” but these terms are broad and undefined, raising concerns about arbitrary enforcement.

During a 24 June State Council press conference, senior officials confirmed that authorities consider aspects of the law applicable beyond China’s borders.

Amnesty International has previously documented China’s use of transnational repression, including surveillance of diaspora communities, harassment of critics overseas, intimidation of family members in China, and efforts to pressure foreign governments to return individuals.

Cases such as those of Uyghur academic Ilham Tohti, Uyghur ethnographer Rahile Dawut, and Tibetan religious leader Choktrul Dorje Ten Rinpoche, illustrate how peaceful academic, cultural, and religious work has been criminalized under existing policies — trends this law risks further entrenching.