Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Energy Sector – Electricity Authority proposes reining in high up-front charges to connect to electricity networks

Source: Electricity Authority

Excessively high up-front costs to connect to electricity networks can be a barrier to development, slow down electrification and leave New Zealanders worse off, says the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (Authority).
“Electricity is key to a growing and thriving economy,” says Authority General Manager Networks and System Change Tim Sparks. “But high costs to connect to networks can have an impact on new housing and commercial developments, EV charging stations and other critical infrastructure.
“Reducing very high up-front charges would help enable and encourage efficient development. Not only is this good for the economy, it means the network costs would be shared among more people on the network.
“We’re seeking feedback on our proposal to rein in excessively high connection costs, which are a known problem in some parts of the country,” Sparks said.
“We think people should pay all their costs for connecting to networks over time, as well as their share of other network costs. However, data indicates a small number of lines companies have been requiring newly connecting customers to pay more than their share.”
“The proposal is targeted so we would intervene only where it’s needed. Most of the 29 lines companies – and their customers – wouldn’t be affected.
“We acknowledge this proposal could mean the few lines companies that would be affected respond by increasing their lines charges for existing customers on their network. We expect this increase would be very small. As an illustrative example, in Auckland we estimate existing households could initially face an increase of between 22 cents and 66 cents a month.”
This proposal complements other Authority rule changes coming into effect next year to make connection pricing methodologies more efficient, transparent and consistent across regions, and to make connecting to the network easier and faster.
At the same time, the Authority is seeking feedback on its proposed approach to introduce obligations for when lines companies must offer and maintain connections to their networks.
“Electricity is an essential service. We think there should be some obligations for when lines companies must supply electricity. This would provide greater clarity from the outset about lines companies’ obligations for connections. We look forward to receiving feedback,” Sparks said.
The proposed new rules would be an interim solution ahead of further potential changes to improve connection pricing efficiency across the board.
Submissions on these proposals by 5pm, Friday 19 December 2025. 
For more information:
Register to join our webinar at 9.30am, Monday 17 November to hear more about the issues, the Authority’s current thinking, proposed solutions and how to share feedback: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d3e451be-2bd4-42dc-8606-306670a7f6ec@01ce6efc-7935-414f-b831-2b1d356f92e4
Customer impacts
The potential customer impacts of the targeted pricing intervention exclude GST and have been modelled for the years beginning 1 April 2028 and 1 April 2029 when changes to excessive up-front costs could come into play. The Authority anticipates possible further reform of connection pricing methodologies to come into effect from 1 April 2030 to tie in with the Commerce Commission’s price setting for distributors for 2030-2035. Longer-term modelling of potential customer impacts of this proposal will be released in the coming weeks.
Background
In July 2025, the Authority announced two sets of rule changes to improve connection pricing methodologies and the application processes for connecting to networks. Following feedback, decisions were deferred at the time on the two issues these proposals aim to address.  
The Electricity Authority is an independent Crown Entity with the main statutory objective to promote competition in, reliable supply by, and the efficient operation of, the electricity industry for the long-term benefit of consumers. The additional objective of the Authority is to protect the interests of domestic consumers and small business consumers in relation to the supply of electricity to those consumers.
Posted on

Tāmaki Makaurau welcomes thousands of delegates at world’s largest Indigenous education conference WIPCE 2025

Source: World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025

Haere mai e ngā iwi taketake o te ao
Haere mai ki ahau o Ngāti Whātua
Ki Te Kahu Tōpuni o Tuperiri
Haere mai, e tau, e tau, e tau nei e.

Iwi manaaki for the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025 Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei welcomed more than 3,000 Indigenous knowledge holders, educators and leaders from across the globe in a powerful pōwhiri hosted yesterday at The Cloud. WIPCE 2025 is hosted by Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau – Auckland University of Technology.

WIPCE is the world’s largest and most significant event dedicated to Indigenous education. With 3,800 registered delegates, WIPCE 2025 is set to be the biggest academic conference in the history of Aotearoa, and also the country’s largest conference hosted this year. This morning’s pōwhiri set the tone for a momentous week grounded in Indigenous excellence, connection and purpose.

“Our gathering comes at a pivotal time not only for the future direction of Indigenous education but for Indigenous rights more broadly, and we are immensely grateful for the pōwhiri yesterday hosted by iwi manaaki, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, which highlighted the sheer  importance of those themes within the unique dimensions of Indigenous ceremony, language and ritual,” says WIPCE 2025 Co-Chair Meihana Durie.

It’s the first time in 20 years that Aotearoa New Zealand has hosted this event, uniting voices from across the world to celebrate, preserve and advance Indigenous knowledge, languages and ways of learning. A large number of the delegates are international and have flown to Tāmaki Makaurau for this prestigious event.

“As the tangata whenua of central Tāmaki, we were proud to launch this very special kaupapa, leading the pōwhiri and welcoming the many indigenous nations to our lands,” says Marama Royal, Heawahine (Chairperson), Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

Following the official opening, a ‘Parade of Nations’ of more than 4,000 travelled from Queen Street to Aotea Square, showcasing at least 20 diverse countries attending WIPCE. Delegates were proudly dressed in their Indigenous kākahu (attire), filling Auckland’s city centre with colour and pride.

Durie says, “Both the pōwhiri and Parade of Nations were potent expressions of our unity as Indigenous Peoples. They reminded us that every aspect of this conference is grounded in tikanga and our shared values, and that our true strength lies in standing together as one.”

WIPCE International Council Chair, Dr Noe Noe Wong-Wilson says this morning was an affirmation of Indigeneity.

“WIPCE is the only educational platform designed specifically for native peoples from around the world to come together to share our stories, our challenges and our successes with each other. Coming to Aotearoa and being welcomed in the Māori way was beautiful, especially to see The Cloud completely full, it was really emotional.”

The celebrations continued at the Te Ao Pūtahi Festival, where the public enjoyed live performances by Ngā Tūmanako, Sons of Zion, Corrella, Jackson Owens, Betty-Anne, IA and Seth Haapu. This vibrant and free event features different ‘ao’ or ‘worlds’, focusing on culture, food, healing and trade. Indigenous stallholders will be providing free hands-on creative workshops and storytelling sessions, as well as selling kai and gifts. Te Ao Pūtahi is open daily until Thursday 20 November, from 11 am each day.

With welcoming formalities complete, the official programme for WIPCE 2025 begins today, featuring an exceptional line up of keynote and guest speakers, including Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Dr Mere Skerrett, Associate Professor Jeffrey Ansloos, Dr Teina Rongo and Cliff Curtis.

WIPCE 2025 Co-Chair Damon Salesa says it’s an honour to host such an extraordinary range of speakers.

“Each kaikōrero brings their unique perspectives and knowledge. This conference is an opportunity to listen, learn and be inspired by those who continue to lead and shape Indigenous education across the world,” says Salesa.

More than 3,000 delegates are also taking part in 21 Te Ao Tirotiro hosted cultural excursions held during the week throughout Tāmaki Makaurau – from waka sailing on the Waitematā to hāngī. These excursions introduce delegates to te ao Māori, manaakitanga and New Zealand’s unique cultural tourism.

WIPCE 2025 will run until Thursday 20 November, concluding with a closing ceremony and karakia, marking a week of learning, connection and kōtahitanga (unity).

WIPCE 2025 Keynote Speakers:

Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Education Systems and Practices | Monday 17 November, 8:45 am

Associate Professor Mere Skerrett, Science and Technology | Monday 17 November, 1 pm

Ani Mikaere, Politics, Self-Determination and Decolonisation | Tuesday 18 November, 8:45 am

Eru Kapa-Kingi, Youth | Tuesday 18 November, 1 pm

Associate Professor Jeffrey Ansloos, Health and Wellbeing | Wednesday 19 November, 8:45 am

Dr Teina Rongo, Environment and Climate | Wednesday 19 November, 1 pm

Professor Leonie Pihama and Raniera Proctor, Linguistic and Cultural revitalisation | Thursday 20 November, 8:45 am

Katie Wolfe and Cliff Curtis, Creative Arts and Media | Thursday 20 November, 11:30am

Guest Speakers

Rosa Hibbert-Schooner, Monday 17 November, 4:25 pm

Dr Jon Osorio, Tuesday 18 November, 4:25 pm

Dr Spero Manson, Wednesday 19 November, 4:25 pm.

Posted on

Poll – New poll shows most New Zealanders believe the health system is broken

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Two-thirds of New Zealanders believe the state of the New Zealand public health system is poor, a new poll by Talbot Mills Research has found.
These findings are being released as more than 37,500 of NZNO’s Te Whatu Ora nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora begin two-week strike actions which will highlight unsafe staffing levels throughout the public health system. The actions follow stalled collective agreement negotiations.
The Talbot Mills Research polled 1020 people, asking them to describe the public health system in one word.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) delegate Noreen McCallan says some of the words can’t be repeated in public.
“Broken, underfunded and struggling were among the most used words.
“Surprisingly, more than half of the governing coalition parties' own voters said the public health system is poor. And more than half of all voters say the Coalition Government isn’t focused enough on fixing it,” she says.
“After more than a year of negotiations with Te Whatu Ora, and 37 days of bargaining, NZNO members’ concerns that short staffing is putting patients at risk still aren’t being heard, Noreen McCallan says.
“Te Whatu Ora is increasingly relying on the goodwill of health workers to cover-up chronic short staffing by redeploying them away from their patients to fill roster gaps in other parts of hospitals and public health.
“Te Whatu Ora was warned last week by the Coroner investigating the death of Taranaki man Len Collett that ‘consciously deciding’ to under-resource is creating a high risk of ‘another catastrophic event’.
“It is time for enforceable safe staffing nurse to patient ratios now,” Noreen McCallan says.
Notes:
  • From Monday 17 to Sunday 30 November, more than 37,500 NZNO Te Whatu Ora members will only perform their duties and shifts as set out in their rosters. They will not accept:
  • Being redeployed to other areas. 
  • Changes to their duties or shifts. 
  • For the week of Monday 24 to Sunday 30 November they will not accept: Proposed amendments to their rosters.
  • This action will occur at every place in New Zealand where Health New Zealand provides health services and/or disability support services.
  • As always, NZNO members will provide Life Preserving Services as agreed between NZNO and Te Whatu Ora. 
Posted on

Insurance Sector – Survey reveals Kiwis concerned about natural hazards driving up insurance costs

Source: Insurance Council of NZ

A new nationwide survey has found that most New Zealanders believe natural hazards such as earthquakes, flooding, and sea level rise are having a significant impact on property insurance premiums.
The research, based on responses from more than 1,000 people, highlights widespread concern about both the affordability and accessibility of insurance in the face of increasing climate and natural hazard risks.
“These results show that New Zealanders are highly aware of the pressures natural hazards and climate change are placing on insurance,” ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.
“We need a combined effort from government, councils, and communities to reduce risks and ensure insurance remains accessible.
Key findings include:
  • 67% of respondents said natural hazards impact their insurance premiums “a great deal” or “a fair amount.” This view was stronger among older New Zealanders, professionals, homeowners without mortgages, and those who had recently made a claim.
  • Around one in four felt they did not have sufficient access to clear information about natural hazards when owning or buying a property. Wellington respondents were less likely than average to believe they had sufficient access.
  • The top factors seen to impact the accessibility of property insurance were the occurrence of a major natural disaster in New Zealand and the growing risks of severe weather events.
  • The most popular actions New Zealanders want to see taken to reduce the risk of insurance becoming unavailable include restricting building in high-risk areas and investing in stronger flood defences and infrastructure to protect against sea level rise.
“The findings underline the growing need for transparent hazard information, smarter land-use decisions, and resilient infrastructure investment to maintain long-term insurance accessibility in New Zealand,” Kris Faafoi said.
Posted on

Save the Children – "We are between life and death" – One month after agreement, lives in Gaza are in limbo

Source: Save the Children

One month after an agreed pause in hostilities in Gaza, children and families’ lives remain in limbo, with people unable to start repairs to homes without equipment and many scared to move due to unexploded ordinance or the fear of further airstrikes, Save the Children said. 
While the UN and other aid agencies are doing all they can to scale up assistance, the amount of aid entering Gaza is nowhere near enough to meet the needs of children and families facing their third winter since the war started, and Save the Children still hasn’t had its own supplies enter Gaza since March. 
While the entry of commercial supplies means there is now some food, medicine and soap in the markets, many essential items remain scarce, and food prices remain higher than pre-conflict levels, particularly for freshly produced and key staple commodities such as rice and pulses, according to the World Food Programme. [1] 
Renewed Israeli military airstrikes that killed more than 100 people including 46 children two weeks ago left communities terrified once more and distrustful that the pause will become a definitive ceasefire. 
Recent UN satellite data showed that 198, 273 buildings – about 81% of buildings across Gaza – have been damaged, and several key roads also blocked by rubble. About 62% of the 198,273 damaged structures have been totally destroyed, the UN said . 
Meanwhile, much of the reconstruction materials and heavy equipment needed to repair damaged homes are not entering Gaza, leaving reconstruction at a standstill. The extent of the damage has left children and families unable to return to any sense of normalcy. They remain without proper shelter or basic conditions in which it is fit for children to grow up in, Save the Children said. 
And as long as homes aren’t rebuilt, the skeletal remains of Gaza’s school buildings are still sheltering homeless families, putting education out of reach with children having missed more than two years of formal schooling. The prevalence of unexploded devices among the rubble is also preventing families from returning home, with roughly 70,000 tonnes of explosives still undetonated, according to Palestinian Civil Defence. 
Already, the UN says that the war has led to Gaza having the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world, with a quarter of all injuries being life-changing and requiring rehabilitation. As cold weather approaches, almost the entire population of Gaza is still living in tents, many of which have been battered and damaged by two harsh winters, including flooding last year that Save the Children said turned “camps into swamps” . 
People are using blankets and other materials they can find to patch up holes in their tents, the aid organisation said, with tents, other shelter supplies, and hygiene kits stuck in warehouses since March. 
Shurouq, Multimedia Manager at Save the Children in Gaza, said: 
“We are between life and death. We keep hearing about people still being killed or injured, and the resumption of war could resurge at any time, attacks could happen at any moment. This is one of the reasons people are not returning to the north – we cannot return until we see that things are better. 
“Borders are still closed, so we are still under siege, trapped and blocked. Machinery, equipment and materials are still not entering Gaza.” 
Save the Children said that the pause in hostilities must become an immediate and definitive ceasefire, as the only way to save lives in Gaza and end grave violations of children’s rights. For children to have access to essential humanitarian aid and services, Israeli authorities must lift the siege and ensure all border crossings are open and fully operational, aid restrictions reduced, and services resumed. Additional crossings need to be opened, including those providing direct access to the growing number of people in the north of the strip. 
Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children’s Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, said: 
“A month ago, people in Gaza had a cautious optimism. But instead of the Strip being flooded with aid and equipment to demine and rebuild, children and families remain in limbo. The absence of childhood normalities, like going to school, is felt even more strongly, with consequences that threaten the very fabric of Palestinian society for generations to come. 
“Children in Gaza, now in their third year with no school, are staring into their futures. It is up to the international community to ensure these futures are filled with opportunity, hope, and fulfilment of their rights.” 
Save the Children, alongside local partners, are delivering lifesaving services to children and families across the occupied Palestinian territory, running health clinics, nutrition points, water and sanitation services, child protection programmes including mental health support and case management, child friendly spaces, education in temporary learning spaces, and cash transfer programmes to support families whose livelihoods have been decimated. 
With additional funding and access, Save the Children will be able to bring in more essential items, including shelter and winter kits, as well as cash provisions for families to buy whatever they need. The aid organisation said that it has supplies in Egypt ready to go into Gaza as soon as it is granted access, including 10,000 hygiene kits and lifesaving medical items. 
[1] Market Monitor – Gaza; WFP Palestine Food Security Analysis, October 2025
See more about Save the Children’s lifesaving operations work here: https://www.contenthubsavethechildren.org/Package/2O4C2SNAQ2ES
Posted on

Education – Open Letter to the Minister of Education from the Principal|Tumuaki Waihi College

Source: NZ Principals Federation

Open Letter follows:
Tēnā koe Minister
The Illusion of Help: A Call to Slow Down and Trust the Profession
School leaders from across Waihi have issued a united open letter calling for an urgent rethink of the pace and direction of educational reform in Aotearoa.
As the principal of Te Kura Tuarua o Waihī (Waihī College), along with all other principals, my role is to uphold the learning, wellbeing, and aspirations of our rangatahi.
Across Aotearoa, there are 2,500 tumuaki, each holding a unique understanding of their community’s heartbeat. Collectively, that represents over 10,000 years of leadership experience.
In our town alone, our seven tumuaki share almost 50 years of principalship, dedicated to serving this community with integrity and purpose.
Today, I am asking for something simple but vital – the space, respect, and professional trust to slow down, think deeply, and make decisions that truly serve our rangatahi and whānau.
The illusion of help
The pitch is seductive.Ready-made programmes claim to save planning time, reduce stress, and provide consistency. They promise teachers a way out of the crushing workload that continues to drive many from the profession. When you are already stretched thin, saying yes to these offers feels pragmatic, even necessary.
Yet beneath the surface, these reforms are not neutral tools. They carry with them a different vision of education – one that values compliance over creativity, delivery over dialogue, and uniformity over professional judgement. They reduce teaching to the following of a script, eroding the artistry that makes learning meaningful.
And then comes the clincher: fidelity.We are told that in order for students to succeed, programmes must be followed ‘with fidelity’ – as though all brains learn in the same way, and the teacher’s professional judgement is an inconvenience rather than an asset. Fidelity becomes the escape clause. If the programme does not work, it is not the design at fault, but the teacher who is blamed for failing to implement it faithfully. That is not support; that is control.
Why saying yes feels easier
We need to acknowledge this honestly. Our amazing Waihi College teachers are not complacent or lazy. They are change-fatigued and exhausted.
Demands multiply, paperwork grows, and the pressure to meet every new expectation is unrelenting. In that context, saying yes to a new initiative, even one you know is not great, can feel like the only way to keep moving forward.
Each yes becomes a temporary reprieve. But taken together, those small acts of acquiescence add up to something much larger – the gradual silencing of the profession.
Our learners deserve more than a one-size-fits-all education, built for someone else’s country, culture, and context.
The cost of silence
Every easy yes chips away at autonomy. Every unchallenged reform signals that change can continue to be imposed without meaningful dialogue. Over time, this erodes not just workload, but identity.
When teachers lose autonomy, students lose too. Learning becomes narrower, less responsive, and less connected to the diverse communities like ours, that make up Aotearoa.
The builders of learning
As tumuaki, we are more than administrators – we are architects of learning, builders of futures.Imagine constructing a whare. Every wall, beam, and nail must fit the landscape, the weather, and the people who will live there. No imported blueprint could ever account for our whenua, our winds, or our way of life.
So too in education. We build learning environments that fit our community. Each day, we make hundreds of complex decisions about curriculum delivery, hauora, pastoral care, behaviour, and achievement. We employ kaiako who bring light to every rangatahi’s potential, balancing the immediate needs of today with the long-term aspirations of tomorrow.
The reason we make these decisions locally is simple: we are highly skilled, qualified, and experienced professionals.
We are closest to our learners, our whānau, and our iwi. We see the daily realities, the nuanced needs, and the lived experiences that shape our students’ journeys.
Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi
At the heart of our mahi is a steadfast commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi – not as a policy checkbox, but as a living relationship. We remain staunch in our partnerships with iwi, hapū, and whānau, guided by tikanga and mātauranga Māori.
Many current reforms and curriculum changes are drawn from overseas systems, often disconnected from our local context and the developmental needs of our tamariki and rangatahi. Our communities deserve an education that reflects our own stories, values, and identities – one that upholds Te Reo Māori, celebrates diversity, and nurtures belonging.
Reclaiming our professional voice
We call for recognition – not as dissenters, but as trusted professionals who make evidence-based, context-aware decisions every single day.
We ask policymakers to pause.To listen.To recognise that the expertise required to shape effective learning already exists within our schools and communities.
It is time to slow the relentless churn of initiatives and rediscover depth over speed.It is time for politicians to trust the profession.It is time for autonomy to be seen not as resistance, but as a responsibility.
A collective call to action
I ask our kaiako, our rangatahi and our community to speak up when reforms do not serve our learners.Say no when “support” really means control.Ask whether the approach is right for your ākonga, your beliefs, your context.Do not accept blame for poor outcomes when the real issue lies in design, not delivery.
Stand together, so that no one carries the burden of resistance alone.
The true strength of our education system lies not in imported programmes or the next policy wave, but in the thinking teachers and courageous leaders who adapt wisely, hold firm to values, and keep our tamariki and rangatahi at the centre.
The tide of change will not slow on its own.But together, we can choose not to drown in it.
We can choose to stand, to speak, and to reclaim the space to do what matters most:to teach and lead with integrity, humanity, and purpose – for the future of education in Aotearoa.
Ngā manaakitanga nui,
Briar Carden-Scott
Principal – Tumuaki Waihi College
Posted on

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union back to bargaining next week

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is committed to good faith bargaining with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) that achieves a fair outcome.
Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says the NZPFU has made the right decision to withdraw its threat of strike action for today for one hour at midday, ahead of scheduled bargaining on Monday and Tuesday next week (17 and 18 November).
“Every time the NZPFU strikes, they compromise public safety,” Megan Stiffler says.
“We are very pleased communities will not be disrupted again today, and we urge the NZPFU to withdraw its strike notices for Friday 21 and Friday 28 November.
“We are pleased that our application for facilitation is being considered by the Employment Relations Authority today. Facilitation, if granted, will assist in trying to progress bargaining to conclusion, which is in the best interests of the New Zealand public and our people.
“Fire and Emergency 's goal is, and has always been, to reach a fair, sustainable, and reasonable settlement with the NZPFU. We are doing everything we can to achieve an agreement without disrupting the services communities rely on,” Megan Stiffler says.
Bargaining with the Union:
Megan Stiffler says on 3 November 2025, Fire and Emergency tabled a revised offer that included an increased pay offer, as well as several additional provisions focused on addressing some of the key elements of the Union's settlement proposal tabled in September.
“The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union made a counter proposal which was well outside Fire and Emergency's bargaining parameters,” she says.
“Following a robust and useful discussion, and further testing of possible components of a settlement, the NZPFU tabled a new pay proposal.
“While Fire and Emergency shared with the Union the concern that the proposal was highly likely to be outside of Fire and Emergency’s bargaining parameters, this represents a step forward in negotiations.
“Fire and Emergency is meeting with the NZPFU to continue bargaining on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November 2025.
“Any settlement must be sustainable; balance cost of living pressures being faced by individuals alongside fiscal pressures faced by Fire and Emergency and be consistent with the Government Workforce Policy Statement.
Notes
  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union have been negotiating a collective employment agreement for career firefighters since 16 July 2024.
  • Fire and Emergency has improved its original offer of a 5.1 percent pay increase over the next three years, as well as increases to some allowances.
  • Fire and Emergency considers the offer is sustainable, balances cost of living pressures being faced by individuals alongside fiscal pressures faced by Fire and Emergency and is consistent with the Government Workforce Policy Statement.
  • The previous 2022 collective employment agreement settlement provided a cumulative wage increase of up to 24 percent over a three-year period for career firefighters.
  • Fire and Emergency has also been investing in replacing our fleet, with 317 trucks replaced since 2017 and another 78 on order. We are currently spending over $20 million per year on replacement trucks. There is also a significant programme of station upgrades underway, as well as investment in training.  
Posted on

Education – Open Letter to the Minister of Education – Western Bay of Plenty Principals Association (WBOPPA)

Source: NZ Principals Federation

Open Letter follows:
Hon Erica Stanford
Minister of Education
Parliament Buildings
 Wellington
Tēnā koe Minister,
We write to you today on behalf of the Principals and Tumuaki of the Western Bay of Plenty, representing a diverse network of primary, intermediate, and secondary schools committed to providing the highest quality education for our ākonga. 
Our collective membership shares a deep sense of commitment to raising student achievement, but we must urgently express our unified concern regarding the recent direction, pace, and lack of genuine consultation surrounding several key educational policy updates from the Ministry of Education.
1. Unsustainable Pace, Lack of Trust, and Workload Crisis in Curriculum Reform
The continuous acceleration and revision of the curriculum, particularly the third iteration of content for the English and Mathematics/Statistics learning areas within a short timeframe, has eroded the trust of our profession. We support the intent to lift achievement through clarity, but the method of delivery is fundamentally flawed. These rapid and significant changes, often appearing at the last minute and, we note, reportedly relying on external expertise rather than local curriculum specialists, are placing an unsustainable and critical burden on our school leaders and teaching staff. This 'change overload' translates directly into a principal and teacher workload crisis. 
Our tumuaki are forced to divert crucial time away from core educational leadership-such as mentoring staff, engaging with whānau, and focusing on student wellbeing – to manage continuous, high-stakes administrative compliance. Teachers are struggling to reconcile new, untested frameworks with existing, high-quality planning, leading to widespread burnout and pressure on the quality of classroom instruction. The lack of bespoke, sector-led Professional Learning and Development (PLD) that aligns with the final documents means we are left to interpret complex, shifting guidance on our own.
We urgently call on the Ministry to immediately pause and review all current curriculum implementation deadlines. We need more time to allow our kaiako and tumuaki the necessary time to explore, understand, and embed these significant changes with fidelity, ensuring they are beneficial rather than detrimental to student learning. Furthermore, we seek clarity and true partnership in defining the parameters of the proposed ‘knowledge-rich’ curriculum, ensuring it remains grounded in Aotearoa New Zealand’s context and local curriculum design.
2. Eroding Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
The recent legislative proposal to remove the explicit requirement for School Boards to ‘give effect’ to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the Education and Training Act is profoundly troubling and unacceptable to the principals in our region. This move not only removes accountability but directly compromises the mandate for schools to ensure local curriculum reflects tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori. 
Our schools have invested substantial time, resources, and cultural capacity in making Te Tiriti fundamental to their planning and policies, directly supporting equitable outcomes and the identity of our Māori students. Removing this legal obligation risks undoing years of positive progress and sends a regressive message that cultural competence and the recognition of mātauranga Māori are optional rather than essential professional responsibilities. The flow-on effect will be felt immediately in achievement disparities and a reduction of inclusive practices. This proposal is entirely contrary to our professional goals to serve all students of Aotearoa. 
The WBOPPA stands firm in its commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the foundation of education in Aotearoa.
3. Undermining the Integrity of the Teaching Council
We are highly concerned about the proposed changes to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, specifically the suggestion to reduce the number of elected professional representatives and increase Ministerial appointments. The independence of the Teaching Council is paramount, as it acts as the voice and professional regulator of the sector. Shifting the power structure toward direct political control compromises the professional standing of every principal and teacher in the country, risks the crucial separation between policy-setting (Ministry) and professional regulation (Council), and severely damages the trust required for constructive collaboration between the government and the teaching profession. 
We are not resistant to change, Minister, but we demand changes that are research-informed, professionally sound, and developed in genuine partnership with those who lead and work in our schools every day. We call for an urgent and collaborative meeting to address these core concerns before these policies are enacted and cause further instability in the educational landscape.
Ngā mihi nui,
Craig Pentecost
President, Western Bay of Plenty Principals Association
The Executive Committee Western Bay of Plenty Principals Association
Posted on

Real Estate Authority reports increase in complaints in 2024/25 challenging market conditions

Source: Real Estate Authority (REA)


In its 2025 Annual Report released today the Real Estate Authority (REA) reports a 35% increase in formal complaints about the conduct of licensed real estate professionals (licensees) in the year to 30 June 2025. However, only 9% of licensees subject to a complaint had findings of misconduct or unsatisfactory conduct against them. (ref. https://www.rea.govt.nz/assets/2025-UPLOADS/Annual-report/REA-Annual-Report-2024-2025_Digital.pdf )


REA processed the highest ever number of complaints, with many addressed through REA’s early resolution processes. In the financial year to 30 June 2025:

  • 487 complaints were received by REA (361 in 2023/24)
  • 467 complaints were determined by REA (283 in 2022/24), with 341 addressed through early resolution processes
  • 145 decisions were issued by the independent Complaints Assessment Committees (113 in 2023/24)
  • 43 decisions were issued by the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal.


The top complaint themes related to customer service, skill and care, disclosure and misleading advertising. Poor communication was a common theme in complaints raised. However, REA reported that a large proportion of the complaints considered did not raise issues justifying strong regulatory intervention.


REA Registrar/Chief Executive Belinda Moffat says, “the complaint results indicate that most licensees are continuing to maintain high standards of professional conduct and REA is holding to account those who don’t.”


However, Ms Moffat noted that the increase in consumer dissatisfaction with the performance of real estate agency work needs to be a focus for the industry, and acknowledged that some cases raised complex and serious matters.


“Licensees are expected to maintain high standards and to have the skills to navigate challenging market conditions. Fairness, transparency, skill and care are critical expectations of the conduct regulatory system we oversee.”


REA’s Annual Report outlines that in the year to 30 June 2025, REA undertook a number of initiatives to support real estate licensees to meet high standards, and to provide information to support consumers to confidently engage in real estate transactions. 

Initiatives included:

  • Issuing guidance for licensees on use of AI in real estate transactions
  • Delivery of a high quality continuning professional development programme for licensees attracting 76% satisfaction rate
  • Launch of an Instagram account to promote REA’s consumer website Settled.govt.nz
  • Release of real estate transation process guides in formats accessible to blind and low vision consumers
  • Engagement with a range of real estate sector stakeholders in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Tauranga throughout the year.


REA’s Annual Report illustrates that despite the challenging market and increase in complaints, public confidence in the real estate industry and in REA as regulator remains strong. REA’s 2025 research results found:

  • 81% of the public have confidence the real estate industry is well regulated
  • 91% of consumers have confidence that the real estate industry is professional
  • 97% of consumers found information provided by REA useful.


Chief Executive/Registrar said the increase in complaints highlights the complexity of the real estate transaction process and the importance of consumers receiving high standards of service from the sector. The provision of quality information about the property is important to support good decision-making by parties to a transaction.


“Protecting consumers from harm is at the heart of our work. Our work this year to increase access to and awareness of our consumer website settled.govt.nz, and the wide range of consumer guides we develop for the diverse communities we serve has been particularly important. We are pleased to see how valued these resources are by New Zealanders.”


Despite the slow market, licensee numbers have remained stable with 15,692 active licenses as at 30 June 2025. This included:

  • 12,300 salespeople
  • 605 branch managers
  • 1,930 individual agents
  • 857 company agents.


“We were particularly pleased to see the 18% increase in branch managers this year given the important role they play as supervisors of salespeople,” Ms Moffat said.

REA Board Chair Denese Bates KC says;


“The 2025 Annual Report demonstrates that REA is making meaningful progress towards our strategic goals to ensure a high performing and well-regulated real estate industry in which consumers can have confidence.” (ref. https://www.rea.govt.nz/assets/2025-UPLOADS/Annual-report/REA-Annual-Report-2024-2025_Digital.pdf )

 

About REA

The Real Estate Authority (REA) is the independent government agency that regulates the conduct of licensed real estate professionals in New Zealand. We license people and companies working in real estate, provide oversight of the code of conduct (external link), oversee the complaints and disciplinary process for poor conduct by licensees, provide education and guidance to licensees to assist them to meet their regulatory obligations, and provide information to consumers about the real estate transaction process. REA is governed by a Board. The Chair is Denese Bates KC. REA Chief Executive is Belinda Moffat.

Posted on

Retirement Commissioner – A roadmap to a better retirement: Review calls for cross-party action

Source: Retirement Commissioner

The Retirement Commissioner is calling for cross-party action on the retirement income system – laying out a practical plan for what to do now while preparing for the challenges ahead.
New Zealand’s population is ageing. Work and caregiving patterns are shifting, home ownership is declining and KiwiSaver, now nearly two decades old, is maturing.
To better understand these challenges and where there are opportunities to improve the system, Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission is required to undertake a triennial review of retirement income policies. It provides the Government with independent advice on how retirement income policies are performing and what changes might be needed.
The 2025 review draws on a substantial body of research, including 15 reports and a special edition of Policy Quarterly, and reflects the voices of older New Zealanders, the insights of experts and the values that underpin the retirement income system.
Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson says, “the review provides a chance to pause and take stock. It marks how far we have come, and where we need to go next.

“The message is clear. We need a long-term political accord to focus on providing certainty for future generations of retirees and stop piecemeal policy change,” she says.

“That means improved governance, inclusive policy and a retirement income system that works for everyone.”

The 2025 review makes 12 recommendations to the Government, including targeted policy reforms to address the most pressing gaps, particularly those affecting groups who have historically missed out or face barriers to participation.

This includes a recommendation to extend the Government’s KiwiSaver parental leave contribution to $1,000 per parental leave period, regardless of whether the member makes contributions.

The Retirement Commissioner also recommends increasing KiwiSaver government contributions to those on low incomes.

She would also like to see the removal of unnecessary KiwiSaver exclusions for people aged over 65 and those on a temporary work visa.

“These changes would better reflect the diversity of New Zealand’s workforce and align KiwiSaver with international best practice,” she says.

“If no extra funding is available, the recommendations in the 2025 review could be put in place at no additional fiscal cost to the Government by reallocating existing spending on the government contribution to where it will have the most impact.

“Although this approach would mean fewer people would receive the government KiwiSaver contribution, they would continue to receive support for their retirement through NZ Super, and through matched and increasing employer contributions to KiwiSaver.

“These actions are designed to improve adequacy, close savings gaps, and ensure the retirement income system remains fair, sustainable and trusted.”

The review also recognises that lasting progress depends on more than just short-term fixes. It calls for stronger stewardship and a more joined-up approach to managing the retirement income system as a whole. This includes building cross-party consensus, improving coordination across government and industry, and developing a long-term roadmap that sets out a clear direction for the next decade and beyond.

The Retirement Commissioner says, “by sequencing actions in this way, the review aims to deliver both quick wins and enduring benefits, supporting fairness, sustainability and public confidence in the retirement income system.

“The recommendations in the review are designed to work together as a package. We have identified a practical roadmap for the future, with targeted changes we can make now, such as improving KiwiSaver settings and extending support during parental leave, and reforms to strengthen long-term stewardship.”

Recommendations:

Actions we can take now – targeted policy reforms

Extend the government KiwiSaver parental leave contribution to $1,000 per parental leave period, regardless of whether the member makes contributions.
Increase Government KiwiSaver contributions for low-income earners.

Remove unnecessary KiwiSaver exclusions. Mandate employer contributions for people over 65. Allow those on temporary visas to join and receive matched employer and government contributions.

Ban the use of total remuneration policies in KiwiSaver employer contributions.

Actions we can take now – system improvements and innovations

Work with KiwiSaver providers and supervisors to strengthen the regular, anonymised reporting of balances, contributions and withdrawals (including hardship), and improve integration with other administrative data sources.
Improve administrative processes in KiwiSaver, including standardising and optimising hardship withdrawals, and updating payroll systems to better support employer contributions during parental leave.
Design and trial sidecar/emergency savings accounts.
Develop a nationally consistent decumulation framework.

Long-term system stewardship

Put in place a new retirement income cross-party accord.
Establish a Parliamentary working group to set the strategic direction for a 10-year retirement income roadmap.

Establish a pan-sector group, led by the Retirement Commission, to develop and implement the roadmap under the guidance of the Parliamentary working group.

Ensure the 10-year retirement income roadmap addresses KiwiSaver, NZ Super and innovation in retirement planning.

Download the full 2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies here: https://retirement.govt.nz/policy-and-research/2025-review-of-retirement-income-policies

Notes
The Commission estimates the Government will spend $545 million on KiwiSaver subsidies in the 2025/26 financial year.  Assuming no additional funding is currently available, the Commission looked at ways to target government contributions to offset the costs to implement the proposed KiwiSaver reforms.
Making the recommended change for parental leave in the 2025 Review would cost $34 million. The cost of giving KiwiSaver to temporary visa holders is estimated at $40 million.
Stopping the use of total remuneration packages isn’t expected to cost the government directly (outside of as an employer).
That would leave a possible $471 million that the Commission believes should be prioritised for those on lower incomes, given the annual contribution of $260.72 is more significant for these workers than those on higher incomes. The wider discussion of the appropriate role and amount of the Government contribution in the future would form part of the roadmap work.
In this modelling, people would stop getting the government contribution once their income goes over a set limit, although the contribution could be reduced gradually instead. This would need to be checked to see how it affects matters like tax rates.