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Fire Safety – Ban on open fires and fireworks over the Central South Island

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

A total ban on outdoor fires and fireworks comes into force in Marlborough, Canterbury and South Canterbury from noon today because of the extreme fire risk caused by the next wave of the severe gales forecast to hit the South Island.
Winds are forecast to exceed 100km/hr in many places, with high temperatures and low humidity.
The ban will cover the whole of Canterbury and South Canterbury, from the boundary with Marlborough (north of Kaikoura) to the Waitaki River. It will remain in place until 8am on Monday 27 October.
Firefighters are still dealing with some of the many vegetation fires that occurred yesterday, and which have caused extensive damage and property losses. The worse of these were around Kaikoura, where five homes have been destroyed.
“We are asking every landowner, agricultural contractor, forestry manager and lifestyle block owner to help us avoid any more fires starting, or reigniting from previous burns,” Fire and Emergency Commander Rob Hands says.
Yesterday’s fires showed the devastating effects that wildfires have on communities, putting lives at risk and causing significant damage.
Anyone who has had an outdoor fire since the beginning of September is asked to go and check today that it is completely out. If you see any sign of heat or smoke, please act immediately to fully wet down the site. If this is not possible, call 111 so that firefighters can assist.
Canterbury District Commander Dave Stackhouse says there is a limited opportunity to act today before the winds strengthen again this evening. Strong winds make it very difficult for firefighters and it may be impossible to use aircraft.
Fire and Emergency is also asking the community to help by refraining from letting off fireworks as part of Diwali celebrations while the fireworks ban is in place. And people planning outdoor activities over the long weekend should remember that all campfires and bonfires are also prohibited.
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Greenpeace – Pacific activists protest deep sea mining as U.S exploration vessel enters port

Source: Greenpeace

Cook Islanders holding a banner reading “Don’t Mine the Moana”, have confronted an exploration vessel as it returned to Rarotonga port today, protesting the emerging threat of seabed mining.
Four activists in kayaks paddled alongside the Nautilus, which has spent the last three weeks on a U.S. funded research expedition surveying mineral nodule fields around the Cook Islands in partnership with the Cook Islands Government.
The Nautilus expedition comes just six months after President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to expedite deep sea mining, tasking the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fast track the licensing process. The research conducted on the Nautilus expedition was funded by NOAA’s Ocean Exploration Cooperation Institute. [1]
Campaigners against seabed mining are calling the expedition one of the first steps in the Cook Island – U.S. partnership on their critical minerals deal which was announced in August, and say it demonstrates the political motive behind the expedition is to advance seabed mining.
Louisa Castledine, Cook Island activist and spokesperson for the Ocean Ancestors collective, says the Pacific movement against seabed mining is strong and mining enablers are not welcome.
“Right now global superpowers like the U.S. are vying for control of deep sea minerals throughout the Pacific, in an attempt to assert their military might. Seabed mining will lead to the destruction of our home environments and put our Indigenous rights, cultural ways of living, and wellbeing at risk. Any government or corporate looking to exploit us in this way is no true partner of ours,” says Castledine.
“We need to open our eyes to the threats imposed on us by the seabed mining industry and stop the corporate takeover of our ocean. We have long endured environmental and political injustices, brought about by colonialism, that forcefully displace and compromise our way of living and survival. We are taking a stand against the exploitation of our people and resources. As Indigenous Peoples and custodians of the ocean we say NO to seabed mining.”
In August, the U.S. and Cook Islands governments announced their official partnership on developing seabed mineral resources. A senior official at the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority described this research vessel expedition as “a first step in our collaboration”. [2] [3]
Two of the three deep sea mining exploration licences in the Cook Islands' EEZ waters are held by U.S. companies. [4]
Seabed mining is an emerging destructive industry that has not started anywhere at commercial scale. If it goes ahead, seabed mining within Cook Islands waters could pave the way for mining throughout the Pacific.
Greenpeace Aotearoa is also campaigning to stop seabed mining before it starts. Campaigner Juressa Lee says:”We’re here today, standing alongside our allies in the Cook Islands, who like many across the region want a Pacific blue line drawn against this destructive industry.
“Just like Greenpeace stood with Pacific Peoples in the fight against nuclear testing, we will continue to ally with them against this reckless industry that is gambling with our future.”The Nautilus, which was confronted today, is doing exploration for the U.S. Pacific People will not be sidelined by corporations and powerful countries that try to impose this new form of extractive colonialism on the region.”
Further south in the Pacific in Aotearoa, Trans-Tasman Resources is seeking consent to mine the seabed off Taranaki, despite fierce opposition from local iwi, community groups, NGOs and over 50,000 New Zealanders.
“People here in the Cook Islands face the same fight we’re up against in Aotearoa. In both cases, Indigenous Peoples are leading the resistance against seabed miners, to protect ancestral territories and waters for future generations. Together we will resist them every step of the way,” says Lee.
More than 940 leading marine science and policy experts from over 70 countries have voiced their concerns about deep sea mining, and are calling for a precautionary pause on the start of deep sea mining to allow time to gather more scientific information on deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystems [5]
Notes
[3] Senior official from the Cook Islands Seabed Mineral Authority (source: 1:40) https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/cook-islands-us-seabed-collaboration/105640744)
[4] The companies that do own licenses in the Cook Islands EEZ are: Moana Minerals (who are a subsidiary of a US company Ocean Minerals LLC (OML).), Cobalt (CIC) Limited and CIIC Seabed resources, which is a joint venture between Belgian GSR and the Cook Islands Investment Corp.
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Earth Sciences – First known green turtle feeding habitat confirmed in NZ

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

Scientists have used drones to video green turtles feeding in New Zealand waters for the first time.
Rangaunu Harbour in Northland was surveyed last summer to assess the feasibility of aerial drones for monitoring green turtles. 
Earth Sciences New Zealand fisheries scientist Dr Brit Finucci says they found a potential of 18 unique individuals from 27 sightings.
“We saw them actively foraging in shallow seagrass habitats during high tides. This is something locals have reported seeing but wasn’t yet officially documented, meaning we now have video proof that the harbour is a foraging ground for green turtles in New Zealand,” said Dr Finucci. 
Green turtles are the only sea turtle species to reside year-round in New Zealand waters, with juveniles using shallow coastal habitats as foraging grounds before dispersing throughout the Pacific.
We don’t know where they go when they leave New Zealand waters. 
The survey, “Trialling a honu monitoring tool for iwi-led honu reporting in Te Hiku”, was a collaboration between Ngāi Takato, Ngāti Kahu, Moana Whenua Trust Limited, Department of Conservation, Conservation International, and Auckland Museum. 
Dr Finucci says they also confirmed the feasibility of using drones as a monitoring tool for turtles and other marine megafauna. 
“This method could help communities collect and display turtle data, as well as that of other marine life known to occur in the harbour. Human impacts on estuaries and coastal New Zealand ecosystems, including Rangaunu Harbour, mean we need to identify and protect critical green turtle habitat as soon as possible,” she said. 
Department of Conservation Principal Ranger Paul Mills says the discovery of green turtles feeding in Rangaunu Harbour is both exciting and significant. 
“I believe this mahi should continue, with biodiversity monitoring and public education both playing key roles. Turtles are a high-profile species that really capture public attention, and they can serve as powerful ambassadors for the health of coastal ecosystems – from seagrass beds to fish stocks – all of which are facing growing pressure from human activity and climate change,” Mr Mills said. 
Hapū Cultural and Environmental Monitor, Nina Raharuhi of Haititaimarangai Marae had a message to boaties and recreational fishers in the harbour.
“Kia tupato, ata haere… Be cautious and take it easy in the harbour as these beautiful species reside here amongst us!” 
While surveying, the team documented other diverse marine fauna, including eagle rays, stingrays, and several fish species. 
Re:wild Shark Conservation Director, Mark Erdmann says he was surprised at how readily they found the turtles by drone.
“We use drones extensively in our surveys of oceanic manta rays in the coastal waters of Aotearoa, but I wasn’t sure how well drones would work on green turtles – potentially camouflaged against the seagrass beds they were feeding on. 
“I was surprised at how readily we found them, not only when they were on the surface breathing, but even when submerged and feeding in the seagrass. There’s tremendous potential to expand the scope of this drone monitoring of honu across northern New Zealand,” said Mr Erdmann. 
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Have your say: Could these be New Zealand’s next National Historic Landmarks?

Source: Heritage New Zealand

Two South Island heritage icons have been proposed for the country’s highest heritage status – and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga wants your feedback.
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre in Ōtautahi Christchurch and the Ōamaru Historic Town Centre and Port have been nominated for National Historic Landmark status – and as part of the nomination process, the public are invited to have their say.
“Currently there are only two National Historic Landmarks in New Zealand, both in the North Island – Te Pitowhenua / Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the National War Memorial at Pukeahu. That’s an indication of how high the threshold is to qualify,” says Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Director Southern, Dr Christine Whybrew.
“Being nominated for National Historic Landmark status is a significant honour. This is the first time South Island places have been put forward for consideration.”
According to Dr Whybrew, the submission process is easy and people can respond to the two nomination proposals online.
“People’s feedback can be as brief or as detailed as they like, and they can submit on either or both proposals. We are seeking a variety of views from anyone who wishes to share them,” she says.
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre is New Zealand’s flagship arts hub showcasing this country’s largest collection of Gothic Revival architecture. The precinct has evolved into an internationally acclaimed dynamic centre of creativity and community engagement over the past 50 years, while drawing inspiration from the Māori history of this site. Incorporating an entire city block, most of its heritage buildings originate with the establishment of Canterbury College in 1877.
Te Matatiki Toi Ora was recently included in the newly-launched Tohu Whenua Waitaha Canterbury itinerary, recognising it as a trailblazing heritage destination that has shaped our National identity.
The Ōamaru Historic Town Centre and Port has deep significance to Māori whose roots to the area predate the Ōamaru colonial settlement by many centuries. Its location within an extensive network of kainga nohoanga (settlements) and kainga mahinga kai (cultivations and food-gathering sites) made it a central source of life and wellbeing for Māori. The economic prosperity that built the Victorian-era town came at a great cost for local Māori however.
The scale and grandeur of the largely Italianate infrastructure and mercantile buildings – which make up Aotearoa New Zealand’s most complete streetscape of Victorian commercial buildings – were described variously at the time as ‘massive, monstrous and gargantuan’ reflecting the prosperity and promise of an enterprising settler community set on reaping the benefits of a new land funded by gold, agriculture and commerce.
The Ōamaru Historic Town Centre and Port – also a recognised Tohu Whenua destination – is renowned internationally as an example of preservation and adaptive reuse, and draws thousands of visitors annually to marvel at its architecture and history.
“The two nomination proposals are the culmination of a period of deep research, engagement and consultation,” says Dr Whybrew.
“The public submission phase is the next part of the assessment process – and a very important one.
“Proposals to list the two sites – including an overview of their heritage and cultural significance – have been uploaded onto the National Heritage agency’s website, and people are encouraged to formally share their views through the submission process. 
Submissions close on November 19 2025.
To make a submission, go to:
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Tax Reform – Tax Omnibus Bill undermines the integrity of our tax system – Tax Justice Aotearoa submission

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

22 October 2025 – Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA) is criticising the attacks on tax transparency and other retrograde measures contained in the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2025–26, Compliance Simplification, and Remedial Measures) Bill, currently before the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee. The proposals to repeal s.17GB of the Tax Administration Act, which enabled IRD to conduct its groundbreaking research into High Net Worth Individuals in 2023, and to repeal specific provisions mandating the provision of information by trusts, are just two of the problematic provisions TJA is highlighting in its submission to the select committee.

“TJA strongly opposes the proposed repeal of s 17GB of the Tax Administration Act,” says Glenn Barclay,Tax Justice Aotearoa spokesperson.”The IRD research in 2023 showed that the effective tax rate of the wealthiest New Zealanders (9%) was significantly lower than the rate for average working people (20%). Removing this provision looks like an attempt to shield the wealthy and powerful from the kind of scrutiny that the rest of us are subject to, because IRD already has good information on those whose income is derived primarily through work.”  
“The Government claims the repeal of s 17GB is to address privacy concerns, but officials and the Privacy Commissioner have identified additional privacy safeguards that could mitigate those concerns,” says Glenn Barclay.

In a similar vein, the Bill repeals legislative provisions mandating provision of information by trusts, which was not previously collected under the discretionary system that existed before 2020. TJA also opposes this cutback on tax transparency.

“This kind of information is critical to understanding the impacts of the tax system to inform the development of policy to address inequities,” says Glenn Barclay. “Unlike the Register of Companies there is almost no information available on who controls or might benefit from a trust and given their widespread use as a vehicle for tax avoidance we need to be strengthening rather than removing disclosure provisions here.”

TJA is also concerned about the proposal to greatly expand and accelerate information sharing between IRD and other government agencies. This change is being proposed  over the Privacy Commissioner's opposition and l has been rushed through without wide consultation.

“TJA opposes this move because, as the Privacy Commissioner points out, existing information sharing mechanisms provide appropriate protections for privacy. It would greatly widen the range of agencies which have access to individuals' tax information. This move undermines the principle that tax information is confidential in order to encourage people to honestly report their income and other information, which is essential to protect the integrity of our tax system,” says Glenn Barclay.

“It is also hypocritical, given the Government's professed concern for the privacy of high net worth individuals, and it risks reducing the trust people have in New Zealand's tax system and government” says Glenn Barclay. “Concerns have already been raised about potential information sharing between IRD and Immigration NZ giving rise to exploitation of migrant workers who are not lawfully able to work in New Zealand.”

TJA also considers the “digital nomads” provisions, which allow visitors to work for a limited time while in New Zealand without being taxed here, give rise to a risk of temporary-migrant exploitation and we have proposed greater safeguards.

The Bill also proposes to exempt income from taxation when it arises from individuals generating electricity (e.g. from solar panels) on their residential properties and selling some of it to an electricity retailer. TJA points out that this potentially gives another windfall to landlords.

“While we support the proposal for ordinary residents, for landlords with multiple properties this could result in a significant amount of additional, untaxed income. This would further tip the scales in favour of housing investment. It gives a further tax break to those who already have enough wealth to own multiple properties and don't pay tax on their income from capital gains,” says Glenn Barclay.

“The ultimate outcome would be to exacerbate the imbalance in our tax system, wealth inequality and housing unaffordability. It is simple to avoid this by putting a cap on the income from residential electricity generation and sale that is tax exempt.”

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Household living-costs price indexes review: 2024 – Stats NZ methods


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Overseas merchandise trade: September 2025 – Stats NZ information release


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Health – Labour’s fresh approach to funding general practice has merit – GenPro

Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)

The General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) has cautiously welcomed the Labour Party’s proposal to establish an independent, evidence-based approach to funding general practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“We support the intent to create a fairer, more transparent process for determining funding for general practice,” says Dr Angus Chambers, Chair of GenPro. “This is a positive step toward ensuring frontline services receive the support they need.”

The proposal, outlined by Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall in New Zealand Doctor, recommends removing Health New Zealand from the annual contract negotiation process and replacing it with an independent pricing system. The goal: to deliver consistent, data-driven funding decisions that reflect the realities of running a general practice.

“Decoupling funding decisions from Health New Zealand could help redirect resources to where they’re most needed—on the ground, in communities,” says Dr Chambers.

To be effective, GenPro believes the independent model must:

  • Address not only rising business costs but all factors impacting the viability and sustainability of general practices;
  • Enable general practice providers to contribute through high-quality submissions and consultation;
  • Be guided by robust financial expertise and a deep understanding of the general practice business model.

“We expect an independent approach to improve on the current system and look forward to engaging further with the Labour Party to ensure this proposal delivers meaningful change,” Dr Chambers adds.

GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit  www.genpro.org.nz

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Education – Schools Face Another Curriculum Crisis – Principals’ Federation

Source: NZ Principals Federation

The President of The New Zealand Principals' Federation (NZPF), Leanne Otene, is calling for urgent changes to the implementation timeline for the New Zealand English/Mathematics and Statistics Curriculum Years 0-10, released late Sunday evening, by the Ministry of Education.
Otene says schools have wasted hours of work this past year, preparing for changes to the English and Maths curricula and at the last minute, the whole curriculum framework and delivery mode has been altered without explanation or consultation.
“With just seven weeks of the most demanding term of the school year remaining, the Minister now expects schools to undertake significant PLD and preparation for substantial changes to curriculum content and reframe the way it is delivered – all of which she expects to be implemented in February. This is an unprofessional and unachievable expectation,” she said.
“Schools have already invested heavily in time to acquire professional development based on the February 2025 mandated Mathematics/ Statistics and English Curriculum. We were told to get on with it. With the current radical and unexpected changes to both Mathematics/ Statistics and English, Principals are now losing trust in the Minister and the system,”
Principals report that they are expected to rewrite different planning formats, make different resource selections and completely revise teaching sequences and phases of learning. Principals say they are shocked at the extent of the changes.
“What the Minister wants now, is a simple age-based year by year sequence of learning, irrespective of whether a child is well ahead of the curriculum year level or well below it,” said Otene. The reality is that our classrooms have never delivered a one year level curriculum since the 1950s.
“We have repeatedly told the Minister for the last two years that learning must occur in a framework of broader phases of learning – not year levels – so that we can accommodate learners who, for many different reasons, are either well ahead or struggling to keep up,” she said.” “It was our understanding that the Minister supported children learning at the level they were at, rather than at an arbitrary year level,” said Otene.
NZPF is calling on the Minister to rethink the latest ‘learning by year-level’ approach; to provide further PLD funding and dedicated teacher only days for the relearning required to meet the latest curriculum framework and expectations; to scrap the February 2026 implementation date and to impose a moratorium on further curriculum  releases until the new English and maths curricula are fully and successfully embedded.
“Our students deserve better than a curriculum implemented on the run,” said Otene.
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Defence News – Hercules lights up Cook Islands Blue Light course

Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)

For the first time in its more than 10-year history, the Cook Islands Blue Light programme has given its teenage participants a hands-on experience with a multi-million-dollar Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130J Hercules aircraft.

The 27 young Cook Islanders were given a tour of the RNZAF’s newest aircraft last week when it overnighted at Rarotonga Airport as part of its work for Exercise Tropic Twilight on Ma’uke.

“This is the first we’ve been able to take the Cook Islands Blue Light group through a Hercules. It has taken a lot of planning but it’s been worth it,” said Sergeant Ryan Merwood.

“The kids loved the aircraft. They were raving about it all day. They wanted to get through the cockpit and take all the photos, basically to get an experience of the Air Force.”

It was a taste of one end of military life during the five-day course which relies a lot on the basics of military training normally given to new recruits.

It is run by Cook Island Police, Blue Light NZ, and with help from three instructors from the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) Youth Development Unit.

Tuakeu Paerau, 18, who is in his last year at school and thinking of joining the police, said he loved the course.

“My favourite part is listening to the staff and doing what we are told. We get more rewards out of that.

“I also enjoy the marching and drills. We are proud of ourselves when we march. We march like we are actually in the military, thanks to the training.”

Tiare Williams, 17, is now thinking about joining the Army after her parents got her involved with Blue Light.

Already active and into sports, she said she enjoyed the marching, waking up early and runs.

She also appreciated what she had learned around teamwork, communication and discipline.

“The NZ Army soldiers are pretty cool. They are straight to the point and don’t muck around.”

The course covered a range of skills, from basic cooking, tying knots, rules around driving, cyber safety and setting goals to the fun of games and even a lagoon cruise – a tourist trip many might not normally experience.

“We provide the good leadership-style activities, as well as drill and marching, waking up early and making themselves clean and presentable,” Sergeant Merwood said.

The teens generally picked up marching and drill quickly.

“At first, it’s a bit foreign to them. They struggle with the idea of drill with uniformed personnel barking orders. Come Day 2 it’s completely normal, big smiles, they want to show off and be the best.

“Just in two days I was telling them they should be extremely proud. They could march, left and right turn, about turn and do drill movements that a lot of our soldiers might take a little while to get the hang of.”

Putting smiles on the teens’ faces was why many YDU staff did the job, Sergeant Merwood said.

“And when you end up seeing them in uniform, it is a very fulfilling moment.

“We are incredibly proud to be here working with amazing kids, and growing the partnerships we have with Cook Islands Police and Blue Light NZ. It’s extremely rewarding.”

Senior Sergeant Epii Poila said Blue Light started in the Cook Islands in 2014 as a response to problems around truancy.

Those issues with at-risk youth had since declined, and now the programme was good for building confidence, offering structure and career pathways, he said.

The NZDF component helped bring structure and discipline to the students and previous participants had since become police officers or joined the NZDF, he said.

“Our youth here love anything to do with the Defence Force. It focuses their attention and it’s so different for them.”