Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Mindful Investing: Unique New Zealand initiative starts up in Australia

Source: Mindful Money

Strewth! Australians are surprised to find out where their super is invested: New research shows a large gap between public expectations and investment patterns.

The New Zealand charity, Mindful Money today released a new report in Australia revealing that billions of dollars of Australians’ superannuation is invested in industries linked to issues of public concern. This report, under the brand of Mindful Investing, summarises data from a pilot project, analysing the portfolios of 15 large super funds with Funds under Management of A$2.1trillion.

Barry Coates, Mindful Money Founder and Co-CEO explained: “This move into Australia comes after years of Australians asking us to provide transparency along the same lines as we do in New Zealand. We are particularly proud to be offering this information for free to the Australian public. Everyone should be informed about where their investment money goes.”

The report also draws on new research conducted by Lonergan Research on Australians’ attitudes to superannuation which found that 84% of respondents expect their super fund provider to invest ethically/responsibly. In a similar pattern to New Zealand, Australians want to avoid investing in issues such as fossil fuels (69%), human rights violations (87%), and environmental damage (85%).

Yet Mindful Investing’s analysis found that super fund managers have significant investments in the issues that Australians want to avoid. The listed equity and fixed income portfolio holdings of 31 MySuper and sustainable investment options from 15 major super fund providers have over 10% of their portfolio in those issues.

Mindful Money Co-CEO Barry Coates commented: “There is a significant gap between the expectations of everyday Australians and the reality of where their super fund is invested. We have seen this gap diminish in New Zealand, at least partly as a result of portfolio transparency. We hope that this analysis will inform and empower Australian investors and persuade fund managers in Australia to raise their ethical standards.”

The stakes are high. When scaled across the entire superannuation system, the findings suggest up to $450 billion could be invested in companies found to be linked to issues of concern, including human rights violations, animal cruelty, environmental damage, weapons, social harm and fossil fuels. These flows of capital are globally significant. The Australian superannuation sector is projected to soon be the second largest in the world behind only the US.

Mindful Money’s Co-CEO, Kate Vennell concluded: “The Australian super funds are foundations for the public’s wealth and retirement income, important for the local and national economy, and influential across global capital markets. A switch of their investment choices away from companies that contribute to harm towards climate solutions, sustainability and social inclusion could make a huge difference.”

 

Notes:

 

Mindful Investing’s report Inside Australia’s Superfunds: An ethical review of investment can be accessed atwww.mindfulinvesting.au. 

 

Mindful Investing is a programme of the New Zealand charity, Mindful Money, which provides portfolio disclosure on more than 400 KiwiSaver funds, the superannuation equivalent and around 600 managed investment funds, updated in December and June each year.

 

The methodology used in Australia draws from seven years ofMIndful Money’s methodology development in New Zealand. 

 

Mindful Investing is a small Kiwi charity that has made a big step into Australia with this pilot project. We aim to extend the range of super funds analysed, undertake two updates per year, build a large base of informed investors and work constructively with super funds to raise ethical standards.

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Climate Policies – Governments falling 90 percent short of climate adaptation finance needs, Oxfam warns ahead of Bonn climate talks

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

Governments are falling 90 percent short of adaptation finance targets and leaving people in climate-vulnerable communities drastically under-equipped to cope with the devastating impacts of climate change, Oxfam warns ahead of Bonn climate talks (8-18 June).
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as of 2024, governments mobilized $32 billion in public adaptation finance – around 90 percent short of the $310 billion to $365 billion projected needs for developing countries by 2035. To bridge this gap, rich countries would have to increase their adaptation financing tenfold.
“The New Zealand Government has failed to renew our climate finance commitment that ended in 2025. This is depriving our neighbours in the Pacific of at least $100 million every year,” said Nick Henry, Oxfam Aotearoa’s Advocacy and Policy Lead.
“While climate impacts on communities in the Pacific are accelerating, our Government is falling behind on our fair share of support for our neighbours.
“Oxfam Aotearoa calls on our Government and all political parties to commit to funding our fair share of climate adaptation needs for our Pacific neighbours.”
The total climate finance of $137 billion reached in 2024 is also just a fraction of what countries need to transition away from fossil fuels.
This shortfall highlights a stark global inequality, that those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis are being hit by the heaviest damage and short-changed from the funding promised to help them deal with it. People living across the Global South, women, girls and Indigenous groups are overwhelmingly bearing the costs of environmental devastation.
Meanwhile, super-rich corporations and individuals – largely based in the Global North – have seen their wealth skyrocket.
The profits of the six biggest fossil fuel corporations are projected to hit $94 billion in 2026, continuing to attract mega-investors. Almost 60 percent of billionaire investments are classified as being in high climate impact sectors, such as mining or oil and gas corporations.
“For too long, governments have coddled a super-rich elite whose huge emissions and dirty investments in polluting industries are throttling climate action. At Bonn, leaders must tackle this unequal concentration of wealth and power. It’s time to make rich polluters pay, and channel that wealth into accessible, participatory climate finance in a way that reaches the communities who need it most,” said Mariana Paoli, Oxfam International’s Climate Lead.
Recent polling commissioned by Oxfam across seven countries found that approximately two-thirds (68 percent) of the public support increasing taxes on the profits of large oil and gas corporations to help fund a fair transition to renewable energy.
Oxfam urges governments to:
  • Slash the emissions of the super-rich and make the richest polluters pay, through taxation on extreme wealth, excess profits taxes on fossil fuel corporations, and a carbon capital levy on investments in polluting sectors.
  • Remove the financial barriers blocking a Just Transition by cancelling debt, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and overhauling a financial architecture systemically skewed against Global South countries.
  • Substantially increase climate finance to support communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis. This means fulfilling the $300 billion annual target agreed at COP29, including tripling funding flows specifically for adaptation, and substantially increasing resources to address loss and damage.
Notes
According to the OECD, in 2024, wealthy countries mobilized $137 billion in total climate finance to support climate action in low- and middle-income countries. Of this, $102 billion came in the form of public finance, mostly as loans. Public finance for adaptation amounted to $32 billion.
The UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2025 calculates that the cost of adaptation finance needed in low- and middle-income countries is $310 billion per year in 2035, when based on modelled costs. When based on extrapolated needs expressed in Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans, this figure rises to $365 billion a year.
Oxfam research finds that six of the biggest fossil fuel companies (Chevron, Shell, BP, ConocoPhillips, Exxon and TotalEnergies) are projected to earn $2,967 a second in profits in 2026. Download the methodology note.
Download “Climate Plunder: How a powerful few are locking the world into disaster”, the executive summary and the methodology note. The report is also available in Spanish, French and Portuguese.
The global poll, conducted by market research company Norstat in April 2026, gathered responses from people in seven countries (UK, France, Brazil, Turkey, Australia, the Netherlands and Colombia). The polling also showed that support for taxing oil and gas corporations to fund the renewable energy transition crossed party lines. In six of the countries, there were more far-right respondents who supported such a tax, than those who opposed it.
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Take precautions for sunstrike, Transporting New Zealand warns

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
With New Zealand now in the winter season, Transporting New Zealand is warning drivers to take extra precautions to address the risk of sunstrike.
“With the sun low in the sky at this time of year, drivers are at risk of being blinded by the sun, especially when driving during sunrise and sunset,” says Transporting New Zealand Policy and Advocacy Advisor Mark Stockdale.
“Sadly there have been 15 fatal crashes and hundreds of injury crashes in the last 5 years which have been attributed to sunstrike, often occurring at the start or the end of the day when the sun is the lowest in the sky.
“One of the best ways to deal with sunstrike is to wear polarised sunglasses, which cut the glare and improve visibility. Also keep your windscreen clean, both inside and out, to minimise glare, and use the sun visor. If visibility is reduced, slow down and increase your following distance, and turn your headlights on so other road users can see you better. But if the glare is too severe, it’s safest to pull over until you can see clearly,” Stockdale adds.
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Consumer NZ says no energy retailer deserves People’s Choice accolade

Source: Consumer NZ

For the first time in over a decade, Consumer NZ has decided not to award an annual People’s Choice accolade to any energy retailer.

The People’s Choice award recognises businesses that do right by their customers and earn high customer satisfaction scores in Consumer’s surveys.

“This year, no retailer met the threshold of having both highly satisfied customers and our backing that they are doing a stellar job of looking after their customer base,” says Jessica Walker, campaigns manager.

Consumer NZ says that the number of energy customers who class themselves as very satisfied has been on a steady decline for the last three years – which is at odds with the other sectors it tracks.

“Customer satisfaction is rising across other sectors – including KiwiSaver, internet service providers and even insurance.”

The price of power is a problem

The cost of energy is a key concern for more than half of New Zealand households.  

“We have seen a rise in the number of people saying they are very concerned about the cost of energy. That’s now climbed to 34% of New Zealanders”, says Walker.

Consumer’s surveying has found that the majority of New Zealanders see energy profits as excessive, their bills as unfair and the recently announced half-year profits for gentailers (companies that both generate and sell electricity) as unjustifiable.

“The areas people are most dissatisfied with are value for money from their energy retailer, and a lack of competitive pricing,” says Walker.

Mercury satisfaction scores were significantly below average in four categories tracked by Consumer’s annual energy retailer survey – value for money, competitive pricing, helping you save energy and helping you select an appropriate plan.  

“This is particularly concerning given Mercury has the highest market share.”

Switch to save – Over the past two years, power prices have gone up for all households. However, the price increases vary by region, plan type and retail brand too.

Almost 40% of New Zealanders think all energy providers charge about the same – but this is not true, Consumer says.

“There are savings available to people who shop around for power.  

“People who use our free Powerswitch website save an average of $450 a year. We recommend people check to see what they could save by switching power plans or providers before the big winter bills hit.

“With satisfaction falling and power bills rising, there has never been a better time to test the market. Vote with your feet, shop around and see what you could save.”

About Consumer

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

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Property Market – Fuel pressure eases but construction costs keep building – QV

Source: Quality Valuation (QV)

Residential construction costs have continued to edge upward, despite lower diesel prices.

QV CostBuilder’s latest update captures more than 11,400 material price movements across six main centres, including Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

It shows that diesel prices fell by 18.9% between the end of April and May, easing pressure on fuel-intensive areas of construction.

However, costs have still risen overall, with the average building cost per square metre for residential buildings increasing by 1.6% in the three months to the end of May 2026 and by 2.4% annually.

QV CostBuilder spokesperson and quantity surveyor Martin Bisset said diesel prices had not fallen enough to offset price rises elsewhere.

“The reduction in diesel prices has provided some much-needed relief for fuel-intensive areas of work, but it hasn’t been enough to stop residential construction costs from rising overall,” he said.

“The steep price of fuel has obviously been the most pressing issue in recent months. We’ve seen some of that pressure ease now, but diesel is still significantly higher than it was earlier this year and so it remains highly relevant and highly volatile.”

As a result, the excavation and piling trades recorded falls last month – down 5.1% and 0.9% respectively, largely due to the reduction in diesel prices.

At the same time, a range of commonly used building materials moved in the opposite direction, including garage doors (2.5%),  framing timber (3%), ready mix concrete (4.1%), fibre cement cladding (4.8%), cedar cladding (21%), PVC pressure pipework (18.8%), PVC drain, waste and vent pipework (21.6%), and polyethylene pipework (25%).

“The broader picture is still one of modest cost growth overall. Some costs have come back, but materials such as concrete, timber, cladding and pipework are still moving higher,” Mr Bisset said.

“Construction cost inflation is not running away right now, but it is still present. Anyone planning a build should allow for some movement in costs. Even modest increases can make a difference over the life of a project.”

Meanwhile, the average building cost per square metre for non-residential buildings – excluding educational buildings – has increased by 1% this quarter and by 1.8% annually.

QV CostBuilder is an online building cost platform that covers everything from building costs per square metre for warehouses, schools and office buildings, to the retail supply cost of more than 8,000 items, labour rates, labour constants, and more.

Visit QV CostBuilder at costbuilder.qv.co.nz.

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Law Issues – Police double standard on Palestine – PSNA

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

 

PSNA is demanding police charge a pro-Israel tyre slasher, after he slashed two tyres on a Palestine supporter’s car in Raglan during a pro-Palestine protest in mid April.

 

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says Police told the victim they will not charge the Auckland businessman saying he has admitted he did it, apologised and has agreed to pay for the damage. 

 

PSNA Campaign Co-ordinator John Minto says the Police say the tyre slasher has no criminal record and the victim has never been a victim before so it doesn’t reach the threshold for prosecution.

 

“Police have told the complainant they can’t prosecute because it doesn’t meet the Solicitor General’s guidelines for doing so.”

 

“We are flabbergasted at the double standard. Five of our supporters in Christchurch were charged with wilful damage last year after placing small stickers onto the window of a central city business”.

 

“One of these people appears in court tomorrow in Christchurch to face police charges of wilful damage”

 

 “Since when is slashing tyres given a free pass but putting stickers on a window demands prosecution?” says Minto.

 

“A large PSNA delegation met with senior police in Wellington earlier this year to discuss what we have seen as an obvious police bias in going softly on pro-Israel physical violence and property damage while taking heavy-handed action at the mildest protests against the genocide in Gaza.

 

“The police denied any bias in their policing, but this tyre-slasher case underlines the shocking prejudice at some police levels.”

 

“They are taking their blatantly prejudiced approach from similar outrageous police responses to protests in Australia and the UK.”

 

“Letting off this tyre slasher just adds to the litany of complaints of systemic police prejudice against Palestinians and Palestine supporters in New Zealand.”

 

“If the situation were reversed and a pro-Israel supporter had their tyres slashed the police, media and politicians would be in a frenzy claiming it as a violent, anti-semitic attack which endangered Jewish lives”

 

“We have written to the Police Commissioner Richard Chambers to demand prosecution of the tyre slasher.”

 

John Minto

National Campaign Co-ordinator

PSNA

 

Background

 

The well-known Auckland businessman had approached two women who had arrived in Raglan carrying Palestinian flags for a protest and offered money to them to fly an Israeli flag instead. They declined and joined the protest. Returning to their car an hour later they found one of the tyres was flat and had been slashed. The following day a second tyre was found flat – both tyres had to be replaced.

 

If the second tyre had blown out during the drive back from Raglan to Hamilton the situation could have been much worse.

 

The victim lodged a complaint with police and then using CCTV footage from the local supermarket was able to identify the person responsible from the company name on the car of the offender. The victim’s husband contacted the man through social media and after initial denials he phoned the victim’s husband and admitted responsibility and offered to pay for the damage once he was sent images from the CCTV cameras.

 

 All this information was passed to police who last week contacted the complainant to say they would not be prosecuting the man.

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Animal Welfare – Another greyhound dead as industry prioritises racing until the bitter end – SAFE

Source: SAFE For Animals

SAFE says the death of a young greyhound on Friday, combined with plans to export dogs overseas for racing and new financial incentives for participants, shows the industry still hasn’t learned the lessons that led to the ban on greyhound racing in New Zealand.
Three-year-old Diamond Harriot was euthanised on Friday 29 May after suffering a fractured elbow during a race at Christchurch’s Addington Raceway. She had raced 58 times in her short life.
The death comes just days after revelations that Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) is facilitating a charter flight to Australia so greyhounds can continue racing and breeding overseas. The organisation has also increased prizemoney and introduced fuel payments for participants in the final weeks before the industry closes.
SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie says the developments expose a disturbing set of priorities.
“New Zealanders expected the greyhound racing ban to mark the beginning of a responsible transition focused on the welfare of dogs.”
“Instead, we’re seeing efforts to continue racing beyond New Zealand’s borders and incentives designed to keep dogs on the track until the very end.”
“And while all of that is happening, another greyhound has lost her life.”
SAFE is particularly concerned that resources which could support the care, rehabilitation and rehoming of greyhounds are instead being directed towards sustaining racing activities during the industry’s final weeks.
“The priority should be ensuring every greyhound has a safe future after racing, but the industry appears determined to squeeze every last race out of the dogs still in its care.”
“If the industry’s final months were an opportunity to prove it had learned from its failures, it has squandered that opportunity.”
SAFE has written to Racing Minister Winston Peters seeking urgent clarification about the proposed export of greyhounds for continued racing and breeding and whether such activities are consistent with the purpose of the ban.
“When greyhound racing comes to an end, its legacy won’t be the prizemoney or the race wins.”
“It will be the dogs whose lives were cut short.”
“Diamond Harriot is one of them.”
Notes:
Greyhound racing in New Zealand is set to end on 31 July 2026, and it is estimated more than 1700 greyhounds will need to be re-homed once the industry closes
New Zealand Herald article regarding Greyhound Racing New Zealand lifting prize money if advance of ban
RNZ article regarding members of the greyhound racing industry exploring option of exporting greyhounds overseas to continue racing 
Latest GH injury and death statistics for 25/26 racing season:
Injuries: 556
Fractures: 57
Deaths: 8.
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Advocacy – Palestine Forum of New Zealand Calls for Withdrawal of Israeli Knesset-Linked Speaker from LIMMUD NZ

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand is calling on LIMMUD NZ to withdraw the invitation extended to Noa Lavi, a speaker with direct ties to the Israeli Knesset, from its upcoming event in Wellington on June 13–14.

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand wishes to be unequivocal: this call has nothing to do with Jewish identity, culture, or learning. We fully respect and support spaces dedicated to Jewish community engagement and education. Our objection is specific and principled in the inclusion of a speaker affiliated with an active political institution of a state currently subject to international legal scrutiny and widespread condemnation for its actions in Gaza.

LIMMUD promotes itself as a cultural and educational platform. Hosting a speaker with direct Knesset connections contradicts that purpose and risks making the event a platform for political representation and state-affiliated advocacy whether intended or not.

At a moment when Palestinian lives and rights are at the centre of global conscience, the Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on LIMMUD NZ to:

  • Remove Noa Lavi from the programme, given her political affiliations.
  • Issue a public statement clarifying its policy on speakers connected to foreign political institutions.
  • Demonstrate genuine commitment to inclusivity by ensuring its events do not provide platforms for representatives of a state engaged in internationally condemned actions.

Silence or inaction will itself be a statement.

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand remains open to dialogue with LIMMUD NZ organisers.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand

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Insurance – Insurers call for Community Protection Levy to fund resilience before disaster strikes

Source: Insurance Council of NZ

The insurance sector is calling on all political parties to replace the current Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) levy with a simpler Community Protection Levy, redirecting funding into reducing natural hazard risk before disasters strike while moving FENZ to sustainable Crown funding.
“New Zealand needs to invest more in reducing risk before disasters happen,” Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.
“A Community Protection Levy would provide a simple, durable way to fund resilience, while ensuring FENZ has the secure Crown funding it deserves.
“FENZ plays a vital role in protecting communities and responding when disasters strike. But the current levy is too complex, too uneven, and no longer well suited to the risks New Zealand faces today.
Under the proposal, FENZ funding would move from insurance-linked levies to Crown funding, allowing around $600-700 million a year to be redirected into resilience and risk reduction.
The Community Protection Levy would be collected by insurers on behalf of the Government, ensuring a simple and efficient system for households and businesses.
This would replace the existing levy system, which currently applies different charges across homes, contents, commercial property and vehicles, making it more complicated than necessary and less suited to today’s risk environment.
“A Community Protection Levy would give New Zealanders a direct stake in reducing the risks they face,” Mr Faafoi said.
“ICNZ research shows 87% of respondents support acting early to protect communities from natural disasters. This levy would turn that support into funded, long-term projects that make a real difference.”
The case for investing earlier is clear. Every dollar invested before a disaster can return $5 to $8 in avoided losses, with recent New Zealand projects already demonstrating the benefits:
  • The $4 million Taradale stopbank helped protect communities during Cyclone Gabrielle.
  • The $15 million Awanui Flood Protection Scheme in Kaitaia is estimated to have already avoided around $50 million in damage.
“Councils are being asked to lead adaptation, but they need reliable funding to do it,” Kris Faafoi said.
“We cannot keep spending more on disaster recovery while underinvesting in prevention. Budget rules that treat resilience as invest-to-save would help close the gap.”
“The National Climate Adaptation Framework sets the direction, but it needs to be backed by sustained investment.
“By replacing the current FENZ levy with a Community Protection Levy, New Zealand can invest more consistently in reducing risk and better protecting communities before the next disaster hits,” Kris Faafoi said
Note: ICNZ is holding its annual conference at the Aotea Centre in Auckland on Thursday 4 June.
This year’s theme is Taking on Risk: Building Resilience Together and brings leaders from government, industry, and communities to focus on what can actually be done to reduce risk, build resilience, and keep insurance within reach for all New Zealanders. 
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Transport – SH2 Waioweka Gorge closure shows importance of road resilience investment

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Road freight association Transporting New Zealand says that the ongoing closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge highlights the importance of investing in road resilience projects.
The comments follow the Government's commitment of $400 million for state highway resilience projects in Budget 2026, aimed at helping keep critical transport routes open during and after severe weather events.
Transporting New Zealand estimates the closure of Waioweka Gorge costs freight operators and their customers more than $500,000 a week through additional travel distance, delays and disruption to supply chains.
The Budget funding package is expected to include resilience improvements for Waioweka Gorge, including slope stabilisation, rockfall protection, drainage upgrades and targeted works at critical sites through the corridor.
Transporting New Zealand Membership Manager Lindsay Calvi-Freeman says road closures come at a significant cost to local communities and businesses.
“As well as putting people in danger, road closures and extended detours associated with natural disasters come at a serious economic cost.”
“For example, Waioweka Gorge is a critical freight corridor, carrying large volumes of heavy vehicles and connecting businesses and communities across their regions.”
“When these regional roads are closed by severe weather, there are often few practical alternatives, particularly for freight operators working within delivery schedules and driver worktime requirements.”
“Members regularly raise concerns about the reliability of these corridors and the impact repeated closures have on freight movements and local businesses.”
“Transporting New Zealand has been advocating for major resilience works on vulnerable routes for years, so it was encouraging to see resilience funding included in the Budget.”
Transporting New Zealand is working with NZTA to help minimise disruption resulting from the ongoing SH2 Waioweka Gorge closure.
Transport resilience projects from Budget 2026
Final scopes and delivery timelines for individual transport resilience projects will be confirmed following further investigation, design and procurement work. Proposed works may be refined as projects progress.
North Island
– SH2 Waioweka Gorge resilience Likely to include slope stabilisation, rockfall protection, drainage improvements, and targeted works at critical sites through the gorge.
– SH3 Awakino Gorge resilience programme Expected to include slope stabilisation, improved drainage and culverts, small retaining walls, and works to reduce river erosion alongside the road corridor.
– SH26 Kirikiri Stream bridge replacement Replacement of the existing bridge with a higher, more resilient structure, alongside raising the highway approaches and upgrading the nearby SH26/SH25A intersection.
– SH25 corridor targeted resilience Resilience improvements at multiple high-risk sites around the Coromandel, likely including retaining works, drainage upgrades, slope stabilisation and road protection works.
South Island
– SH60 Tākaka Hill resilience Likely to include retaining wall upgrades, landslide monitoring, and improved stormwater and groundwater management at key risk sites.
– SH6 Cromwell to Frankton resilience Works across multiple sites including rock scaling and bolting, drainage improvements, retaining wall strengthening, localised widening, and reinforced road shoulders.
– SH6 Frankton to Kingston resilience Proactive slope stabilisation works including rock bolting, mesh protection, soil nailing, and targeted drainage improvements.
– SH6 Haast to Hāwea resilience Improvements across high-risk sites vulnerable to landslides, rockfall, river erosion, debris flows and road dropouts.
– SH94 Milford to Te Anau resilience Likely to include rockfall protection, slope stabilisation, rock armouring, and culvert and drainage improvements at key sites along the corridor.