Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

New Zealand needs Privacy Act modernisation

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

The increasing number of privacy complaints, and privacy breach notifications, received by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner shows New Zealanders’ increased concerns about privacy are fast becoming reality, the Privacy Commissioner says.
“Privacy complaints in our 2024/25 Annual Report are up 21% from 2023/24, which was also a record year. The number of serious privacy breaches notified by organisations rose 43% this year.
“New Zealanders are saying they’re more concerned about their individual privacy and personal information and it’s easy to see why. People are right to worry, as more needs to be done to improve New Zealanders' privacy,” Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says.
Our 2025 Privacy Survey showed that:
  • 66% of those surveyed agreed that protecting personal privacy is a major concern.
  • 67% are concerned about the privacy of children.
  • 62% are concerned about government agencies or businesses using AI to make decisions about them, using their personal information.
  • 82% agree they want more control and choice over the collection and use of their personal information.
“The reputational damage and financial costs associated with privacy breaches, and not protecting or respecting individuals’ personal information, should provide a spur to encouraging organisations to do privacy well, but my Office also understands people need help to understand how to do that.
This year, we’ve written guidance on a range of subjects for different audiences, including on children’s privacy and use of biometric technology, we hosted a series of webinars during Privacy Week which saw over 8,000 New Zealanders take part, and we have continued to advocate for modernisation of New Zealand’s Privacy Act.
“The Privacy Act currently provides insufficient incentives for many organisations to understand or meet even the most basic privacy requirements. For example, a growing number of organisations do not establish policies and practices to effectively manage the privacy impacts of their activities. Other countries have modernised their privacy regimes beyond our own to capture the benefits and avoid the harm of new technologies.
“We continue to recommend amendments to the Act that would modernise it and strengthen privacy outcomes. Our 2025 Survey also showed strong support for strengthening the Privacy Commissioner’s powers under the Act.”
The amendments include:
1. Empowering New Zealanders to better protect themselves with new rights, such as a ‘right to erasure’, that would provide individuals with the right to ask agencies to delete their personal information.
2. Adding strong incentives for agencies to take privacy seriously through establishing a new and significantly stronger penalty regime.
3. Requiring agencies to be able to demonstrate how they meet their privacy requirements, in similar ways to the privacy management programmes recommended by the OECD.
4. Providing New Zealanders with stronger protections for automated decision making.
Posted on

Banking – The Co-operative Bank is the only bank to pass on full OCR cuts to floating mortgages

Source: The Co-operative Bank

The Co-operative Bank has demonstrated market leading action by passing on the full Official Cash Rate (OCR) reductions to its floating home loan customers during this cycle of rate reductions, reinforcing its commitment to a fair deal.
Since the Reserve Bank began reductions to the Official Cash Rate 15 months ago, it has dropped by 3%, from 5.5% to 2.5%. In response, The Co-operative Bank has reduced its floating home loan rate by 3.1%, making it the only bank in New Zealand to have passed on the full benefit of OCR cuts to floating rate customers.
The Co-operative Bank is encouraging New Zealanders to consider their options to get the best deal now, as well as select a Bank that values fairness and delivers the service that people should expect from a bank.
When compared to all banks in the New Zealand home loan market, The Co-operative Bank’s floating home loan rate of 5.3% is the lowest variable rate available to all customers. Floating rates offer customers flexibility and the potential for lower interest costs if mortgage rates continue to fall.
Mark Wilkshire, Chief Executive of The Co-operative Bank, said “With the bank’s floating volumes almost doubling in the last year, we’re pleased to offer both great value and flexibility through our market leading rate”.
“As a customer-owned bank, The Co-operative Bank puts customers first in pricing decisions. We estimate that New Zealanders could be paying more than $100m per annum extra due to the amount of floating rate cuts held back by the Big Four Australian banks,” he said.
“With another OCR review due at the end of November, it will be interesting to see how other banks respond in what remains a delicately poised economic recovery,” Wilkshire said.
Table: Floating Home Loan interest rate deductions in this rate cycle – since 31 July 2024
About The Co-operative Bank
We are a New Zealand Co-operative 100% owned by our customers. We are the only bank that shares its profits directly with customers in the form of rebates when we make sufficient profit. Since 2013, we’ve shared over $24 million with customers.
Customers have voted us the winners of Consumer People's Choice Award for four years running, making us the recipients for nine out of the last ten years. We are also proud members of the B Corp movement which recognises businesses that meet better standards of social and environmental performance.
Posted on

Exercise NZ – Game-Changer: New Meta-Analysis Shows Intense Exercise Far More Beneficial Than Previously Thought

Source: Exercise New Zealand

Exercise New Zealand says new international research is a game-changer that could reshape global exercise advice, revealing that intense exercise delivers up to nine times the health benefits of moderate activity, and in some cases up to 156 times better than low intensity.

“This new research shows that intense exercise isn't just twice as good, it's at least four times better overall, and up to nine times better for heart health. That's a game-changer”

“If you're short on time, this means just 30 minutes of intense exercise spread across the week can deliver the same health protection as two and a half hours of moderate activity”

“If the new evidence holds, it suggests the ratio should be revised dramatically,”

“Instead of a 2-to-1 benefit, the data points to something closer to 4-to-1, maybe even higher. That could mean as little as 30 minutes of vigorous exercise per week delivers the same benefits as the recommended 2½ hours of moderate activity. That's a huge shift in what we understand about exercise efficiency.”

“Clearly we need to reconsider how we talk about the benefits of intensity in our guidelines,”

“If you're short on time, this means just 30 minutes of intense exercise spread across the week can deliver the same health protection as two and a half hours of moderate activity..  It's proof you can work out smarter, not longer.”

“This means the global guidelines should be reviewed.”

A major meta-analysis, combining data from multiple long-term studies involving over a hundred thousand individuals, found that vigorous exercise reduces the risk of dying from any cause (all-cause mortality) by a factor of at least four compared to low to moderate activity. Even more striking, for heart disease, the effect jumps to up to nine times greater.

ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie states that “this new research shows that intense exercise isn't just twice as good, it's at least four times better overall, and up to nine times better for heart health. That's a game-changer.”

The current WHO guidelines are built on the assumption that vigorous activity provides double the benefit of moderate activity, that is, you can swap 150 minutes of brisk walking or cycling for 75 minutes of running or high-intensity work.  These numbers were based on research that primarily was self-reporting of activity levels, so the new research that uses data from wearables is much more accurate and therefore more likely to be more accurate.

“If the new evidence holds, it suggests the activity ratio should be revised dramatically,” says Beddie. “Instead of a 2-to-1 benefit, the data points to something closer to 4-to-1, maybe even higher. That could mean as little as 30 minutes of vigorous exercise per week delivers the same benefits as the recommended 2½ hours of moderate activity. That's a huge shift in what we understand about exercise efficiency.”

Perhaps most striking, when comparing high intensity to low intensity activities, for all-cause mortality, high intensity was 53 times more effective. For cardiovascular disease (CVD) it was 73 times, and 156 times for cancer.  This would indicate that one minute of intensive activity provides the same protective effects as almost one hour (53 minutes), and even more so for CVD and cancer.  “Clearly we need to reconsider how we talk about the benefits of intensity in our physical activity guidelines,” says Beddie.

For time-poor New Zealanders, the findings are especially powerful.

“If you're short on time, this means just 30 minutes of intense exercise spread across the week can deliver the same health protection as two and a half hours of moderate activity..  It's proof you can work out smarter, not longer.” says Beddie.

ExerciseNZ stresses that any exercise is better than none. Even light activity improves health, mood and longevity. The key takeaway is that moving your body in any way is beneficial. However, if you choose to go harder, you can hit your weekly targets quicker, leaving more time for the other things you love.

Exercise New Zealand Calls it a “Game-Changer”

ExerciseNZ considers these findings to be a game-changing moment for the exercise industry, with Beddie confidently suggesting that “this means the global guidelines should be reviewed.”

The implications from this research are clear and urgent:

Time to review global guidelines: The WHO recommendations are based on outdated ratios, and this new evidence should trigger a rethink worldwide.
Update how we talk about exercise: Trainers, gyms and health providers should highlight the value of intensity, safely and accessibly.
Empower people with choice: Whether it's a brisk walk, a sprint, or a short, sharp HIIT session every move counts, and now we know just how powerful those harder efforts can be.

Posted on

Awards – Fusion5 a finalist in 2025 Microsoft Global Partner of the Year awards

Source: FUSION5

Auckland, New Zealand – 13 November 2025: Australasian systems integrator Fusion5 today announced it has been named a finalist for the 2025 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Service Partner of the Year Award. The company has been honoured among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.
Kristy Brown, Fusion5 CEO – New Zealand, says “Fusion5 has demonstrated the ability to deliver advanced technology solutions efficiently, repeatedly implementing Microsoft’s AI-driven Digital Contact Centre within three months. Recognition as one of the top four global Dynamics 365 partners for Service affirms our expertise and provides assurance to customers seeking excellence in customer service transformation. We are delighted to receive this recognition.”
The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognise Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft Cloud applications, services, devices, and AI innovation during the past year. Awards are classified in various categories, with honourees chosen from more than 4,600 nominations across more the globe. Fusion5 has been recognised for its outstanding solutions and services in the customer service category.
The Microsoft Dynamics 365 Service award highlights Microsoft partners’ use of Dynamics 365 Service as the core of their solution, along with Microsoft Copilot and AI capabilities, and seamless integration with Microsoft platforms such as M365, Power Apps and Copilot Studio to deliver exceptional customer value, satisfaction and outcomes.
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards,” said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft. “This year, our partners harnessed the transformative power of Microsoft’s Cloud and AI platforms to deliver transformative solutions that redefine the boundaries of innovation. The energy and ingenuity across our ecosystem continue to inspire us. The 2025 honourees exemplify what’s possible when technology and vision unite to empower customers around the world.”
As well as being the current Microsoft ANZ Business Applications Partner of the Year, Fusion5 was recently named to the Microsoft Business Solutions Inner Circle Partner for the 9th year in a row. The business was named the Microsoft New Zealand Partner of the Year in 2021.
The 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced ahead of Microsoft Ignite, which will be held in San Francisco from November 18-21. For a full list of categories, finalists and winners, visit: https://aka.ms/2025POTYAWinnersFinalists
About Fusion5
Fusion5 helps organisations improve performance by connecting people, processes, and technology. With expertise spanning business applications, cloud, infrastructure, security, and AI, Fusion5 brings together the platforms and partnerships that power better decisions, stronger operations, and lasting growth.
With a team of more than 950 innovators, Fusion5 works alongside its clients to turn strategy into measurable results – driving productivity, performance, and competitive advantage in a constantly evolving digital world.
Posted on

Ready-mixed concrete: September 2025 quarter – update to user survey


This email was sent by Stats NZ, 8 Willis Street, Wellington, CBD 6011, New Zealand to nz@enz.mil-osi.com


Unsubscribe

Posted on

Ready-mixed concrete: September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release


This email was sent by Stats NZ, 8 Willis Street, Wellington, CBD 6011, New Zealand to nz@enz.mil-osi.com


Unsubscribe

Posted on

FENZ proposes restructure to build modern and effective emergency service

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is proposing to restructure its organisation to ensure it can sustainably, effectively and efficiently meet New Zealanders’ needs both now and in the future. 
Subject to consultation, the proposals in the restructure will touch around 700 roles across the organisation, resulting in the net loss of around 140 positions.
No frontline firefighter positions are impacted, although some supporting functions may change.
“This proposal is about ensuring we are best positioned to deliver a modern and responsive emergency service,” Chief Executive Kerry Gregory says.
“The primary focus is to provide a trusted service that keeps New Zealanders safe. Our dedicated team does an amazing job looking after our communities and this proposal is about ensuring we are best positioned to continue doing that. 
“I acknowledge this is difficult for the teams and individuals impacted. We are committed to constructively working through their feedback to ensure we get the best outcome.
“Our intention is to communicate the outcome of consultations before the end of the year, allowing as many  people as possible to go into the holiday period with certainty. No structural changes will take effect until the new year, likely to be March/April, to give people and teams time to prepare and transition.
” The changes have been proposed to give effect to Fire and Emergency’s strategic direction, which shapes how the organisation operates and what it focuses its efforts and resources on.”
It is the culmination of a period of evolution that began with the merger of around 40 organisations in 2017 to create a national service. The key drivers behind the proposed changes include:
  • Removing silos and increasing collaboration and oversight across functions
  • Refocusing on Fire and Emergency’s core business
  • Improving role clarity and accountability
  • Enhancing decision-making by empowering leaders
  • Creating 'Centres of Expertise' and improving access to, and quality of, information
“Changing workloads and expectations on our people, along with the need to prepare for future challenges and resource constraints, highlighted the need to make changes to become a more effective and sustainable emergency service,” Kerry Gregory says. 
 “Our operating environment is evolving rapidly. Communities’ needs are changing, and technology, both the tools we use and those that can create new risks, is advancing at pace. To meet these changes, we must adapt and become more adaptable. 
I’m proud of the mahi our teams do every day to keep our communities safe. By making smart decisions now with their input, we can build a more modern, and more trusted emergency service – one that’s equipped to meet the needs of New Zealanders for years to come,” Kerry Gregory says.
Note to Editor
  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand has approximately 14,900 personnel
  • We have around 1300 fire trucks and over 600 station sites
  • In the 2024/2025 financial year, our crews responded to 88,805 incidents
  • Fire and Emergency’s 2024/2025 levy revenue was $796,717,000 and other revenue $41,300,000.
Posted on

Govt. must step in and stop the deep cuts proposed by FENZ – PSA

Source: PSA

– Net loss of 169 roles including 46 directly supporting firefighters
– 13% of FENZ of non-firefighting staff proposed to go
– FENZ cutting spending by $70m/year – 10% of annual budget
Fire and Emergency NZ’s proposal to cut 13% of non-firefighting staff across the country and shave 10% off its annual budget, is reckless at a time of escalating climate-driven emergencies.
Staff at Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) were today given a 260-page consultation document and told to provide feedback within two weeks before the new structure is confirmed just days before Christmas.
“The Government must step in and stop these short-sighted cuts – FENZ is telling its workers to do more with less, which will impact FENZ’s ability to deal with emergencies and prevent future emergencies,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“It’s alarming that the proposed cuts include the net loss of 46 roles in the Operational Response branch that sits at the heart of FENZ’s ‘frontline delivery’, supporting fire stations and firefighters and communication centres.
“These workers do critical work like ensuring the urgent coordination of resources for fires and other emergencies.”
FENZ is also proposing to cut 45 roles in the Prevention branch which according to FENZ aims to ‘reduce risk and harm before emergencies occur and currently has the accountability for ensuring our people are well trained should they occur’.
“This includes cutting the roles of four wildfire specialists – how does that make sense when the Tongariro National Park fire shows how important it is to be prepared for such emergencies?
“The wildfire, which required mobilisation of resources from across the country, coupled with concerns about the state of the ageing fire engine fleet should have been a wake-up call that FENZ needs more investment, not deep cuts.
“At a time of rising climate risks from more frequent extreme storm events and wildfires, and the increasing population in major urban centres, these proposed cuts are completely the wrong approach.”
The restructure follows the Government in December refusing to agree to the insurance levy increases FENZ wanted – 95% of its revenue funded through the levy, forcing FENZ to shave spending by $50m a year over the next three years. On top of that the Government has ordered FENZ to cut $60m from its budget by 2029, all up about 10% of its current expenditure is to be cut.
“The Government is deliberately allowing the underfunding of FENZ, and ignoring the risks to New Zealanders’ lives and property.
“Yet again, we are seeing the Government pushing through shortsighted decisions regardless of the consequences for public safety.
“Workers who are impacted are in a state of shock. And this comes at a time of great uncertainty with bargaining for a new collective agreement currently ongoing.
“Imposing such a fundamental restructure on staff with an extremely short consultation period, just before Christmas is insulting and unfair.
“Many workers and their families now face a bleak Christmas period knowing their jobs are on the line. This tells you how much the Government cares about workers who do such a courageous job keeping New Zealanders safe.
“The PSA will be strongly opposing these changes and will be setting out the risks in a comprehensive submission. It should never have come to this.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Posted on

Economy – China fixed communication service revenue growth to remain stagnant through 2030, forecasts GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

The total fixed communications services revenue in China is expected to see sluggish compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7% in its revenue from $303 billion in 2025 to $314 billion in 2030, mainly due to drop in average revenue per user (ARPU) levels, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s China Fixed Communication Forecast (Q3 2025) reveals that fixed voice and fixed broadband service lines will expand at a CAGR of 1% and 1.5%, respectively, over the forecast period. However, both voice telephony and broadband ARPU levels will drop considerably during the period thereby dragging the overall revenue growth.

For instance, fixed voice ARPU levels in the residential segment is expected to decline from $5.07 to $4.35 between 2025 and 2030 due to the growing popularity of mobile/Internet-based communication. Similarly, broadband ARPU levels are expected to decline from $31.10 to $29.53 in residential segment due to the discounted pricing plans offered by operators.

Pradeepthi Kantipudi, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, says: “Fiber will remain the leading broadband technology in terms of subscription share through the forecast period driven by the government’s support for expansion and improvement of fiber network infrastructure in the country. FTTH coverage is widespread with about 99% of residential broadband subscriptions on fiber optic lines as of 2025 and is expected to reach 100% by the end of 2030.”

China Mobile will lead the fixed broadband services market in 2025, by subscription share, followed by China Telecom and China Unicom. China Mobile will maintain its leadership in the market through 2030 driven by its strong position in the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) segment and a focus on upgrading gigabit broadband network across the country. China Mobile's commitment to integrate advanced technologies, such as AI-driven network management and 10G PON deployments, has enhanced service quality and customer satisfaction.

Kantipudi concludes: “As service differentiation increasingly relies on network performance, reliability, and bundled digital services, the operators that pay attention to customer experience while optimizing operational efficiency will lead the next wave of China’s fixed broadband growth.”

Notes:

Quotes provided by Pradeepthi Kantipudi, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData
Information based on GlobalData’s China Fixed Communication Forecast (Q3 2025)
GlobalData’s China Fixed Communication Forecast:  Quantifies current and future demand and spending on fixed voice and data services. The data is published quarterly.

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.

Posted on

Health – "An indictment on our nation": Health Coalition Aotearoa slams country’s fall in global tobacco industry interference ranking

Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa

Health Coalition Aotearoa says it is an “indictment on our nation” for New Zealand to fall from second in 2023 to 53rd in a global study released today assessing the interference of the tobacco industry.
The 2025 Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index outlined New Zealand’s “most deteriorated” and paper-thin protection against tobacco industry interference.
Health Coalition Aotearoa’s Smokefree Expert Advisory Group co-chair Professor Chris Bullen says the report shows the Government’s actions are far too closely aligned with the tobacco industry’s agenda.
“This report shows our Government blindly letting Big Tobacco waft back into New Zealanders’ lives despite decades of relentless work towards Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 goal. How many times do we have to remind the government that tobacco kills?” asks Bullen.
Despite overwhelming opposition from health experts, Māori health providers and other New Zealanders, in early 2024, the Government repealed crucial elements of the Smokefree Act, gave tax breaks to tobacco companies through the reduced excise tax on heated tobacco products, and continues to allow unregulated lobbying by the tobacco industry.
Bullen says, “We are the first country in the world that we’re aware of with a government that has reduced a tobacco tax. Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in Aotearoa. Rolling back protections and bending to industry pressure is not just shameful, but harmful – it will have health consequences for many of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people.”
This report reflects the decades of progress dismantled by the current Government and sends a clear signal to New Zealand: tobacco industry priorities now outrank public health.
Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) is a coalition of member organisations committed to closing the health prevention gap in Aotearoa. HCA has been campaigning for tighter regulation of lobbying and industry influence on policy across all government sectors in its Level the Playing Field campaign since April 2025.
HCA works with the Cancer Society, ASPIRE Aotearoa research group, Public Health Communication Centre and Vape-Free Kids in a collaborative effort to increase transparency on tobacco industry lobbying and improve smoking and vaping cessation policy.