Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Exercise NZ

“This research challenges a lot of the conventional wisdom around alcohol and health,”

“It reinforces two important truths: there is no safe level of alcohol for health, and being physically active is one of the most powerful things people can do to improve their long-term wellbeing.”

“One of the most striking findings is that low fitness was consistently linked to poorer outcomes, even among people who didn't drink at all,”

“By contrast, those who remained physically active experienced better long-term health outcomes across all alcohol-intake groups, including occasional drinkers. While exercise isn't a license to drink, this research underlines the powerful role staying physically fit plays in protecting long-term health.”

“Physical activity is one of the most accessible and effective tools we have to improve population health. If we are serious about prevention, longevity and wellbeing, movement needs to be a central part of the conversation”

New landmark international research is reshaping how we think about health, revealing that physical fitness is one of the strongest predictors of long-term survival, often more influential than alcohol consumption patterns.

The peer-reviewed HUNT Study from Norway, published in Sports Medicine in December 2025, analysed data from more than 24,000 adults followed over nearly 17 years. Researchers found that changes in cardiorespiratory fitness over time were a stronger predictor of all-cause mortality than changes in alcohol intake, with people who maintained higher fitness levels experiencing significantly lower risk of early death across all drinking categories.

Importantly, this research highlights physical fitness as a powerful protective factor that plays a critical, and often underestimated, role in long-term wellbeing.

“This research challenges a lot of the conventional wisdom around alcohol and health,” said ExerciseNZ Chief Executive Richard Beddie. “It reinforces two important truths: there is no safe level of alcohol for health, and being physically active is one of the most powerful things people can do to improve their long-term wellbeing.”

Key findings from the study include:

Fitness matters most: Participants who stayed “fit”, defined as above the lowest 20 percent of cardiorespiratory fitness for their age and sex, had significantly lower risk of early death, regardless of whether they abstained from alcohol or drank within recommended limits.
Low fitness carried higher risk: Individuals who remained unfit had a 46–68 percent higher mortality risk compared with fit participants, even when they did not drink alcohol.
Alcohol risk remains: Increased alcohol intake over time was associated with higher mortality risk, reinforcing evidence that alcohol offers no protective health benefit.
Abstention is best for alcohol-related harm: People who did not drink had lower mortality risk than those who consumed small amounts, challenging the long-held belief that “one or two drinks a day” is good for health.

“One of the most striking findings is that low fitness was consistently linked to poorer outcomes, even among people who didn't drink at all,” said Beddie. “By contrast, those who remained physically active experienced better long-term health outcomes across all alcohol-intake groups, including occasional drinkers. While exercise isn't a license to drink, this research underlines the powerful role staying physically fit plays in protecting long-term health.”

ExerciseNZ says the findings add to a growing body of international evidence showing that physical activity not only improves overall health, but also helps buffer the impact of other lifestyle risk factors, reducing the likelihood of chronic disease and premature death.

“Physical activity is one of the most accessible and effective tools we have to improve population health. If we are serious about prevention, longevity and wellbeing, movement needs to be a central part of the conversation,” says Beddie.

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA

PSNA has requested an urgent meeting with Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, appealing for cohesive police action against an escalating spate of attacks by Israeli followers, against Palestinians and Palestinian rights supporters, around the country.

Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa says a rock was hurled through the window of well-known New Plymouth activists Kate and Grant Cole last week.

 PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal says attacks from Zionist backers have become more frequent and dangerous over the past year.

“In the case of the Coles, the rock through their window was just the latest in a series of targeted attacks on them and their property.”

 “They have twice endured spraypainted Israeli flags on their fence. Their car tyres were slashed on four different occasions.  They had vile lies about them delivered in letterboxes around their neighbourhood.”

“This time, it was a rock flung through their window with the message “Snap Action – REQ” attached.”

 Nazzal says local police have failed to take these attacks seriously and instead have suggested to the Coles they should spend a lot of money on security systems.”

Nazzal says attacks on activists were increasing even before Trump’s failed “ceasefire agreement” for Gaza was signed on 10 October.

“The pro-Israel lobby is upset their side has failed to keep the genocide in Gaza completely out of public view. They have lost the debate. Poll responses show New Zealanders register two to one that New Zealand should sanction Israel for genocide and recognise a Palestinian state.”

“Israelis and Israel’s supporters are taking their shock and frustration out on Palestine solidarity activists” says Nazzal.

“In the past couple of weeks alone, two women activists were stalked after a protest in Auckland.  There was spray painting and vandalism of PSNA Co-Chair John Minto’s home, an assault on a supporter by an ex-IDF soldier in Auckland and attacks on our supporters in Napier.”

“In contrast, the police have been vigorous in investigating and prosecuting anyone they believed to have been acting for Palestinian rights, such as the broken window at Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ home and an assault on an Israeli soldier holidaying here.”

“In the latter case, the police responded to direct pressure from the Israeli Embassy in Wellington and launched a criminal investigation. Police declared the attack was a ‘hate crime’ against Israelis and argued for bail to be refused. Bail was refused and the attacker received an unprecedented 28-month jail sentence for a first-time assault”

“The police are keen to pull out all the stops for the Israeli Embassy to defend Israeli soldiers fresh from a genocide in Gaza but can’t find the time to take attacks on Palestinians and Palestinian supporters seriously.”

 “With some notable exceptions by individual police offers, the rule seems to be, ‘hit an Israeli and it’s reported as a hate crime and you go to jail.  But hit a Palestine supporter and police look the other way”, Nazzal says.

“The Israeli government is furiously feeding political and media claims of Palestinian rights supporters being motivated by anti-semitism.  It’s working for Israel, especially in the UK and Australia.”

“I suspect that pro-Israel fanatics everywhere feel justified and licenced to respond to these spurious and diversionary anti-semitism claims, by attacking people.”

 “Even when prosecutions of violent behaviour have taken place and attacks proven, New Zealand judges have excused Israeli supporters’ thuggery with no conviction entered.”

“We have had enough of this double standard, which starts with the police and ends with the courts” say Nazzal. “We want serious police action to curb these cowardly thugs who attack our supporters.”

Maher Nazzal
Co-Chair PSNA

Source: I Am Hope

Last week’s storms have caused immense damage and heartbreak for many families, including the loss of life. The death of a local school teacher has deeply affected her students, colleagues, and the wider community. Many children and parents have visited the site, and for some, the reality of what has happened is only just beginning to sink in.

Alongside the physical clean up, there is also the emotional weight that follows events like this.

For many children and teenagers, distress does not always show up straight away. It can surface days or weeks later as anxiety, withdrawal, anger, numbness, trouble sleeping, or a heavy feeling they cannot explain.

Support is available for young people who are struggling.

Through the Gumboot Friday programme, free counselling is available for ages 5 to 25. There is no cost, no GP referral required, and young people can choose their own registered counsellor.

Bookings can be made at www.gumbootfriday.org.nz

“The loss of a teacher is something that cuts right through a community. For kids especially, it can shake their sense of safety in ways they do not always have the words for. It is important they know they do not have to carry that on their own. Getting support early can help stop those feelings from turning into something heavier later on.

And for parents and whānau, you do not need to have perfect answers. Being present, listening, and taking their worries seriously is more than enough to start with,” says I Am Hope founder Mike King.

Schools, clubs and community groups are encouraged to share the Gumboot Friday link so families know help is available.

In the weeks ahead, simple check ins, steady routines, and looking out for one another will matter more than ever.

Source: Robert Half

Salaries for roles regularly hired for are predominantly based on online salary guides (44%), industry benchmarking tools (40%), and recommendation from direct managers (39%).

Salaries for new roles not hired before are based on fixed salary scales (40%), recommendation from direct managers (39%), and guidance from HR/internal salary benchmarks (32%).

Auckland, 21 January 2026 – As job titles and responsibilities evolve, many New Zealand companies draw on a mix of internal and external sources to set salaries for roles within their organisation, relying mainly on internal expertise and experience for new roles, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half reveals.

How companies set salaries for familiar roles

When setting pay for familiar roles, New Zealand employers primarily reference established market data, but also validate those figures with internal structures. The top five tools cited by hiring managers are:

	Approach	% of employers
1	Online salary guides	44%
2	Industry benchmarking tools	40%
3	Recommendation from direct manager	39%
4	Compensation of internal peers	38%
5	Company performance/profitability	37%

Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 250 employers in New Zealand.

How companies set salaries for unfamiliar roles

When hiring for new or redefined roles, the process becomes less reliant on external materials. Without historical precedent, employers tend to adopt a more cautious and internally guided approach:

	Approach	% of employers
1	Fixed salary scales	40%
2	Recommendation from direct manager	38%
3	Guidance from HR/internal salary benchmarks	37%
4	Company performance/profitability	36%
5	Compensation of internal peers	32%

Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 250 employers in New Zealand.

“Online salary guides, like Robert Half’s, remain the top driver of pay for familiar roles, indicating that many businesses continue to take a data-driven approach to salary decisions,” says Megan Alexander, Managing Director at Robert Half.

“While internal expertise and experience are valuable for salary benchmarking, relying on them alone can leave businesses misaligned with the market for both existing and new roles. Companies that balance internal performance with up-to-date market data are better positioned to attract and retain in-demand professionals, especially in sectors where salary expectations move quickly.

“With job structures evolving and skill demands changing, flexibility and adaptability are now critical to effective workforce planning. This is driving greater reliance on market-informed salary setting for new and emerging roles, signalling a wider shift towards data-driven decision making,” concludes Alexander.

About the research

The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in October 2025 by an independent research company of 250 finance, accounting, and IT and technology hiring managers. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed, and public sector organisations across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management, and trends in the workplace.

About Robert Half

Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm.  Robert Half New Zealand has an office in Auckland. More information on roberthalf.com/nz.

Source: MetService

Covering period of Wednesday 21 – Thursday 22 January