Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Health privacy breach exposes risk of Govt cutting IT experts in public health – PSA

Source: PSA

The cyber security breach at privately run Manage My Health is a chilling reminder of how the Government blundered in cutting the jobs of many IT experts safeguarding the public health system.
The sensitive personal information of more than 120,000 patients using Manage My Health may have been exposed in the latest ransomware attack on New Zealand’s health system.
“This privacy breach is a wakeup call for the entire health sector in New Zealand,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“We have seen it before in the public health system with the Waikato Hospital ransomware attack in 2021 and yet this government failed to heed that lesson in forcing Health NZ to cut the jobs of experts running digital services.
“The risks are too high to play fast and loose with data systems – it’s a ticking time bomb.
“Like Manage My Health, our hospitals are using outdated systems but have lost experts who understand their complexities and weaknesses.
“Last year the PSA asked the Privacy Commissioner to investigate the impact of cuts to Health NZ’s digital services workforce but he refused.
“We call on him to reconsider this given the Manage My Health data breach.
“Patient information is highly sensitive and private, and New Zealanders should expect it's safely stored and not at risk from cyber security attacks.”
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.
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Consumer NZ shares four simple ways to save in 2026

 Source: Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ’s research has found the number of people concerned about the cost of living has doubled in 4 years.  

With some small adjustments to your spending habits, though, you could save thousands in 2026.  

Here are four simple and practical tips to help you keep more of your money where it belongs – in your pocket.

1. Save up to $1,680 by changing your car insurance
Switching your car insurance provider could save you as much as $1,680 a year.  

Our car insurance survey found the difference between the highest and lowest premiums for a family was $140 a month – or $1,680 a year.

“Car insurance premiums can vary wildly depending on the provider, it is worth taking some time to shop around,” says Jon Duffy, Consumer’s chief executive.

Consumer says other steps you can take to bring down your premiums include increasing your excess or paying an annual lump sum if you can afford to.

2. Save up to $600 by tweaking your power usage
Small changes in how you use power can lead to big savings.  

By adjusting the way you use your heat pump, switching off appliances at the wall and cutting down shower times, you can save hundreds each year.
 
“Get the most out of your heat pump by setting it between 19°C and 21°C, and regularly removing the filters for a gentle clean with a vacuum. Your room will be warm enough, and you will save about $90 over the year,” says Duffy.  
 
“Switching to cold water for washing your laundry could save you $50 a year, and reducing your shower length from 15 minutes to 5 minutes could save you up to $260 a person each year.

“Switching off appliances at the wall when they’re not in use can save up to $200 a year, too.”  

These small steps make a big difference to your bill.

3. Save $240 by dropping a streaming service
If you’re paying for multiple streaming services, it might be time to review your subscriptions.  

If you’re paying $20 a month for a service you don’t use much, unsubscribing could save you $240 a year.

“Streaming services are generally pretty easy to start and stop,” says Duffy.  
 
“Why not make a list of everything you want to watch on a particular service and rotate through different services a month at a time.”

4. Save up to $350 by changing your power company
In 2025, power prices soared. Switching to a cheaper plan could save you hundreds each year.  
 
Consumer’s free Powerswitch service helps you compare power plans and find the cheapest deal for your needs.
 
“Almost 95% of Powerswitch users find they can save money, with average savings of $350 a year.

“It’s a quick and easy way to ensure you’re not overpaying for electricity.”

Small savings tweaks can add up  
With a few simple changes, you could save thousands of dollars over the course of the year.

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Fire and Emergency NZ Statement – NZPFU members will strike today – be extra careful

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging people and businesses in cities and towns to remain extra careful when members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) undertake a one-hour strike today.
“NZPFU members will walk off the job again between 12-1pm today,” Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says.
“We advise people, especially those in cities and towns served by paid firefighters, to be extra careful with fire safety today.
“We will continue to answer 111 calls during the one-hour strike and respond to fires in affected areas, but our responses will be delayed. Our dispatch system will direct volunteers from their own stations to help as they regularly do when there are multiple emergencies at one time, but it will take them longer.
“Businesses should take care with any work practices that could result in fire, and make sure their tenants understand their evacuation schemes and procedures,” Megan Stiffler says.
“We are advising everyone that, should there be a fire, they should evacuate early and, once out, stay out, and call 111.
“People should also check their smoke alarms and their escape plans.
“Community safety is of the utmost importance to us,” Megan Stiffler says.
“And, as we have done during the previous one-hour strikes, Fire and Emergency will prioritise emergencies and, as a result, may not respond to less serious incidents in cities and towns during the one-hour strike.
“For example, private fire alarms where there is no evidence of fire, small rubbish fires, assisting traffic management, and animal rescues. This will ensure our resources are focused where they are needed most,” Megan Stiffler says.
“We have notified Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance that, for the one-hour strike, our volunteer crews won’t be able to respond to medical calls outside their patch.
“I want to reassure people that this strike action will not affect most of the country,” Megan Stiffler says.
“The vast majority of communities are served by our more than 11,800 volunteers in nearly 600 stations across New Zealand, who will respond as usual.
Bargaining
The Employment Relations Authority has referred Fire and Emergency and the NZPFU to facilitation to help make progress in ongoing negotiations for the NZPFU collective employment agreement.
Facilitation is ongoing.
“Attending independent facilitation with the Authority is the next logical step in coming to an agreement and we will participate in good faith with the NZPFU.
“We hope the facilitation process introduces some realism into discussions. The NZPFU’s most recent settlement proposal was more than three times higher than our last offer, which we believe was fair, sustainable, and reasonable, and in line with other settlements across the public service.
“The settlement offer we made prior to facilitation was a 6.2 percent increase over three years.
“This would have taken the average senior firefighter remuneration from a range of approximately $80,700-$87,400 to $85,800-$92,900 at the end of the period, excluding overtime and allowances which currently adds an average of $38,800 to annual remuneration. We believe this represents a fair and sustainable increase for our people.
“We value our people, which is why over the past decade average senior firefighter pay has cumulatively increased by 37 percent – more than 10 percent above the average increase for all workers.”
Notes
  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union have been in bargaining talks for a collective employment agreement for paid firefighters since 16 July 2024.
  • Fire and Emergency’s most recent offer made prior to facilitation was a 6.2 percent increase over three years and compares favourably with equivalent public sector agreements.
  • 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 paid firefighters.
  • Fire and Emergency has also been investing in replacing our fleet. We’ve taken delivery of 317 new trucks since 2017 and have 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.
  • For the 2025/26 financial year, Fire and Emergency’s operating budget is $857.9 million. Of that operating budget, 59 percent will be spent directly on the frontline, while another 32 percent is spent on frontline enablers. This means that over 90 percent of Fire and Emergency’s budget is spent on the frontline and the people directly supporting the frontline. 
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PSA NEW YEAR WARNING – Fire at will is coming – job security of workers at risk like never before

Source: PSA

– New law will make it easy for bosses to fire workers at will
– Employment Relations Amendment Bill most anti-worker law in a generation
As 2026 dawns, working New Zealanders will soon face increased job insecurity with a new law coming into force that will give bosses the power to fire workers at will.
When the Employment Relations Amendment Bill becomes law within months it will herald an unprecedented power grab by employers, stripping away fundamental protections that have been the bedrock of fair employment for decades.
“Workers will be more vulnerable than ever before with employers able to undermine personal grievance protections and fire workers effectively at will,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The Government is again riding roughshod over the rights of workers showing who it really cares about. Increased job insecurity will pile more pressure on families at a time when they are already facing higher prices and a weak job market.”
Workers who want to take a personal grievance would lose the right to compensation if they contributed in any way to the situation – even a minor contribution means no remedy at all, and employers will have no trouble finding a contribution to avoid paying out a worker.
“The right to be reinstated in your job should win a personal grievance case is also being effectively axed. That is fundamentally unfair. Workers who are unjustly fired or mistreated should have the right to be reinstated and face proper remedies.
“This is all done in the name of so called ‘labour market flexibility.’ We all know what that is code for – driving down wages and eroding conditions.
“It’s a solution looking for a problem. Good employers don’t need these powers so all the new law will really do is embolden those employers who don’t value their employees as they should.”
In summary, the changes will:
– mean workers who are legally unfairly dismissed will have no proper remedies if they have contributed to the situation, however minor.
– allow employers to fire at will workers who are unjustifiably dismissed and earn more than $200,000 – they cannot access a personal grievance process for unjustified dismissal.
– remove the provision that automatically enrols new employees in collective agreements for 30 days. This means new workers will risk being exposed to 90-day fire-at-will trials before understanding the protections offered by collective agreements.
– allow employers to deem workers contractors removing their right to holiday and sick pay and means they can be fired at will – the law change written by multi-national ride share company Uber.
“This law speaks to who calls the shots in this government. At every step of the way these past two years, it’s sought to tilt the balance in favour of employers who already have the most power in any employment relationship.
“It’s never been more important for workers to be backed by a strong union.
“In 2026 the PSA will be campaigning loudly and clearly against this new law, reminding working New Zealanders how this government has bent over backwards to strip away their hard-won rights in favour of their business mates.
“This is an election year, and workers will have a clear choice.”
Reminder: the Coalition Government’s crackdown on workers included:
– Cancelling 33 pay equity claims for more than 150,000 women and severely restricted the ability of workers to make future claims
– Axing Fair Pay Agreements that would have boosted pay and improved conditions for low paid workers like supermarket workers and bus drivers
– Reinstating 90-day fire at will laws for all employers
– Plans to reduce sick leave entitlements for part-time workers
– Hitting the pay of low wage workers by consistently reducing the minimum wage in real terms
 o April 1, 2024: Increased from $22.70 to $23.15 per hour (45 cents increase, or 2%)
 o April 1, 2025: Increased from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour (35 cents increase, or 1.5%)
 o April 1, 2026: to increase from $23.50 to $23.90 (45 cents or 1.9%)
  This amounts to an increase of $1.25 per hour compared to $3.80 per hour over the last three years of the previous government.
– Ending worker representation on the board of WorkSafe – a practice that had existed since WorkSafe was established following the Pike River Mine disaster.
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.
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Fish & Game Seeks Feedback on Potential Sea Run Salmon Regulation Changes

Source: Fish and Game NZ

Sea-run salmon populations in Canterbury are at critically low levels, prompting Fish & Game to seek public feedback on potential regulatory changes designed to increase the relative size of the spawning population. The primary way Fish & Game can influence the sea-run salmon fishery is by changing the harvest rate through fishing regulations.
The Central South Island and North Canterbury Fish & Game Councils are jointly consulting salmon anglers and the wider public on a range of options that could be introduced when salmon populations are within the “severe” population management band which provides for a one salmon season bag limit. Regulation change options include:
– reducing the season length,
– limiting fishing areas,
– implementing a catch-and-release fishery (zero season bag limit),
– or introducing a temporary season closure.
The consultation process began on 1 December 2025. From 1 January 2026, sea-run salmon licence holders who have not yet participated will be emailed, and the survey will also be made publicly available on the Fish & Game website. Submissions close on 31 January 2026.
Steve McKnight, Chief Executive of Central South Island Fish & Game, emphasised the importance of collective action:
“We are at a critical moment for our sea-run salmon fishery. For future generations to experience the thrill of salmon angling, we must ensure enough salmon reach their spawning grounds. Regulation changes are not decisions we take lightly, but they may be necessary to give the fishery a chance to recover. Angler input is vital to provide a balance between conservation and the values of our fishing community.”
“Anglers are at the heart of this fishery, and their feedback will guide us in determining which measures are most pragmatic. We know regulation changes can impact fishing opportunities, but they remain our best option to give salmon populations a chance to recover. This consultation is about working together to protect a precious species and angling tradition and ensure the salmon remain viable as a wild species in New Zealand.”
Fish & Game encourages anglers and interested members of the public to participate in the survey and contribute their perspectives. An information pack outlining the proposed regulatory options is available on the Fish & Game website.
The Councils will review the submissions before making any recommendations on regulatory changes to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing. Any regulation change recommendations will be made with the goal of increasing spawning to provide a better chance for salmon populations to rebuild for the benefit of anglers and communities.
WHAT IS FISH & GAME?
Fish & Game manage trout, salmon and game birds to provide healthy recreation for Kiwis.
We work to protect the environment that anglers and hunters have enjoyed as a tradition for over 150 years.
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NZ Government urgently needs to join international condemnation of Israeli suspension of aid organisations in Gaza – PSNA

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

 

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says the government urgently needs to join international condemnation of Israel’s suspension of dozens of humanitarian organisations, including Doctors Without Borders, which provide food, water and medical services for Palestinians in Gaza.

 

“This is a death sentence to thousands more Palestinian in Gaza,” says PSNA Co-Chair John Minto. 

 

“With western countries distracted by New Year celebrations, Israel has decided to dramatically tighten its stranglehold on aid to Gaza.”

 

“Only 20% of the aid agreed under the so-called ‘ceasefire agreement’ has been allowed in.”

 

“Israel’s aim is to deepen the humanitarian crisis to make it easier to expel Palestinians from Gaza.  It’s latest plan is to banish them to the rebel state of Somaliland – a country which is recognised only by Israel!”

 

“This is all the more reason for New Zealand to speak out now before the ban is due to take affect this Thursday.”

 

“There is a new government pattern, which started with a negative vote in the United Nations on recognition of Palestine earlier in the year,” Minto says.

 

“New Zealand has now abandoned standing with other western countries, who have condemned Israel’s refusal to allow full resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which Israel agreed to under the deal of October 10th”.

 

In a joint statement Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland have stated: “As winter draws in civilians in Gaza are facing appalling conditions with heavy rainfall and temperatures dropping” and demands Israel increase the flow of aid.

 

Minto asks “why did New Zealand not sign that letter?”

 

“New Zealand was also unmoved by appeals from the United Nations Office for the co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs earlier in December.”

 

“Israel has ignored these repeated UN appeals and New Zealand has conveniently looked the other way.”

 

“And while Trump has just said Israel is ‘100% compliant’ with the ceasefire terms, he, and our government too, have ignored the fact that Israeli forces have already directly killed more than 400 Palestinians during the ceasefire.”

 

John Minto

Co-Chair PSNA

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Advocacy – Israeli Genocide Holiday Season in NZ Peaking Now – PSNA

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

 

Our summer is the main time for Israelis to visit New Zealand, and PSNA is warning that many soldiers who have been serving in the IDF genocide in Gaza will be among them.

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says Immigration NZ figures show 799 Israelis visited New Zealand last December, and half of them would be of an age to be eligible for compulsory military service.  The Israeli visitor numbers then usually increase for January and February.

 

PSNA Co-chair John Minto says all these soldiers would have been complicit in some way with the ongoing genocide in Gaza during the past two years.

 

“So, what these troops are doing, is having a ‘Genocide Holiday’ here.  They belong to a military force which has been responsible for perhaps hundreds of thousands of deaths in Gaza, the all but total destruction of its buildings and other infrastructure, and mass ethnic cleansing and starvation.”

 

The IDF has killed more than 400 Palestinians in Gaza since October when the ceasefire was meant to have begun.

 

“It’s a disgrace that our Foreign Minister says they are welcome to come here,” Minto says.

 

‘Our officials can’t even bother to ask these likely war criminals, whether they live or operate in Occupied East Jerusalem or West Bank.  The International Court of Justice says signatories to the Geneva Conventions, such as New Zealand, must not do anything which perpetuates the Occupation.

 

The 2016 United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which New Zealand co-sponsored, required countries “to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967”. 

 

“Free visas for soldiers who enforce the Occupation or live as occupiers, can’t be seen as anything other than a New Zealand endorsement of the Occupation and a breach of the terms of a UN Security Council resolution which New Zealand played a major role in passing.”

 

Minto says he fears the risk of violence from these visitors.

 

“Weve seen more threats and acts of violence against Palestinian supporters from Israelis and their supporters over the past few months.

 

“Two former IDF people have appeared in court after their physical attacks on protesters.”

 

“We are maintaining our hotline this summer – 027 427 2784 – for people who are concerned for their safety when they encounter IDF types in holiday spots, and to identity them wherever in the country they are enjoying their break from genocide.”

 

John Minto

Co-Chair PSNA

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New Year’s Honours – David Corner honoured with New Zealand Order of Merit Award

Source: IHC

31 December 2025 – David Corner has dedicated his life’s work to advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and he has now been honoured with an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit Award.

David, an IHC Self Advocacy Advisor, received the award in the 2025 New Year's honours.

IHC Chief Executive Andrew Crisp said the honour was well-deserved in recognition of David’s tireless work in the disability sector both in New Zealand and Internationally.

“David’s energy, experience and dedication to supporting people with intellectual disabilities to speak up and advocate for themselves has been invaluable,” Andrew says. “His influence has been felt by many individuals, their families and within the disability sector.”

“David has also shown relentless courage in stepping up to speak at local and international forums, over many years, to share his own personal and professional experiences. IHC thanks David for his hard work and dedication and we all celebrate this well-deserved honour with him.”

Living with an intellectual disability, David has focused his professional and personal life on speaking up and advocating on behalf of individuals, as well as for systemic and international change.

David says receiving this acknowledgement for his work feels good, and he hopes it will help other people with intellectual disabilities to be recognised for their advocacy.  

“It’s a real honour to receive this, unfortunately there are a lot of people with intellectual disability working in the sector who don’t get awards, and I’d like to see them recognised more,” David says. “I want to see other people have the same opportunities and help and support that I have had from IHC, Inclusion International, and friends and family, so they can be leaders in the disability sector too.”  

David also hoped that the Order of Merit award will open new doors and help him get things done for people with intellectual disabilities.

David is a public speaker who advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and what is important for them. David’s practice of developing Easy Read formats includes reviewing work so it can be readily understood by people with intellectual disabilities. He has co-authored a chapter on Easy Read in teaching and learning for an international journal.  

David is busy as an active member of Disabled Person’s Assembly, Standards and Monitoring Services, Association for Supported Employment in New Zealand, and is a Life Member of People First. He has also been a representative Board Member of these organisations, and Chairs IHC’s Chief Executive Advisory Group.  

David was also a New Zealand representative for the international disability organisation Inclusion International for 12 years. His leadership and contribution were recognised in 2020 when he was made an Honorary Member of Inclusion International. He was acknowledged again in September 2025 when he received a lifetime member award at the Inclusion International World Congress in the United Arab Emirates.

David continues to work as an advocate for IHC, on the Ombudsman Disability Advisory group, and the Whaikaha Disability Employment Strategy Working group.

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New Year’s Honours – Fire and Emergency honours recipients congratulated

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair Rebecca Keoghan congratulates seven personnel, both paid and volunteer, from Ashburton, Leeston, Amberley, Napier, Wairoa, Te Aroha and Rongotea who have been recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours List released today.
“These Honours are a worthy recognition of the many years of dedicated service these seven recipients have made to Fire and Emergency and their communities,” says Rebecca Keoghan.
This year’s recipients of New Year Honours for services to Fire and Emergency are:
– Mr Donald George (Don) Geddes – appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
– Mr Lloyd Bertram Clausen, MStJ – award of the King’s Service Medal (KSM)
– Mr Paul David Harris, JP – award of the King’s Service Medal (KSM)
– Mr Patrick Gerard O’Rourke – award of the King’s Service Medal (KSM)
– Mr Stanley Donald (Don) Scott – award of the King’s Service Medal (KSM)
– Mr Paul Gregory (Tomsie) Toms – award of the King’s Service Medal (KSM)
– Mr Henry Joseph Wheeler – award of the King’s Service Medal (KSM).
“These Honours are a testament to the trust communities place in Fire and Emergency and the incredible dedication of our people,” says Rebecca Keoghan.
“Each recipient has shown unwavering commitment to keeping New Zealanders safe, and their recognition reinforces the value of service and the pride that comes with being part of Fire and Emergency.
“Their achievements not only strengthen the trust our communities have in us, but also inspire others to work and volunteer with Fire and Emergency. On behalf of everyone at Fire and Emergency, and the communities we serve, I would like to extend my congratulations,” says Rebecca Keoghan.
More information on recipients follows:
For appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
Mr Donald George (Don) Geddes
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Land Search and Rescue and the community.
Mr Don Geddes worked with Ashburton District Council as both Principal Rural Fire Officer and Civil Defence Emergency Management Officer for 18 years. Through this role, Mr Geddes managed 10 rural fire forces and 180 volunteers. In 2016 he helped facilitate the implementation of a Welfare Trust, which supports the welfare of volunteer firefighters and their families. He has been a key liaison with Federated Farmers, developing long-standing relationships with the arable farming sector, particularly for the safe burning of crop residue. He has volunteered for Land Search and Rescue New Zealand (LandSAR) with the Methven Group for 50 years and chaired the Group for 20 years. He has served on the Canterbury Regional SAR Committee and chaired that Committee for a term. He served as a Gazetted Advisor (LandSAR) to the New Zealand Police. He was part of a five-person National LandSAR Advisory Panel in 2016, to the then Chief Executive Officer of LandSAR New Zealand. He is a Trustee and Chairperson of WanderSearch Canterbury, a volunteer organisation providing free radio frequency devices for vulnerable individuals at risk of wandering. Mr Geddes has served as a Trustee of the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust and continues his involvement with the Trust as a volunteer.
For the award of the King’s Service Medal (KSM)
Mr Lloyd Bertram Clausen, MStJ
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
Mr Lloyd Clausen has been a leader in the Leeston community for several decades, serving with a range of organisations.
Mr Clausen joined the Leeston Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1969, since serving in several roles including Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Chief Fire Officer, and being made a Life Member in 1994. He has promoted and led extensive Community Fire Safety programmes in the area. He has been on the Leeston Township Advisory Committee for 30 years, serving as Chair from 2004 to 2024. He has overseen and operated the Leeston Learners Pool for more than 30 years, organising volunteer operation and maintenance. He is the current President of the Ellesmere Returned and Services Association, after 20 years of membership, including organising the annual Poppy Day sales and ANZAC Day services. He is a long-serving member for more than 20 years of the Ellesmere and Selwyn St John Area Committee. Starting in 2011, he has been a Foundation Trust Board Member of the Ellesmere Heritage Park Trust. Mr Clausen has played with the Ellesmere Brass Band for 22 years and the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Wigram Brass Band for 13 years, performing at various functions locally and nationally.
Mr Paul David Harris, JP
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
Mr Paul Harris has contributed to the Waipara community for 50 years.
Mr Harris has served with the Waipara Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1975 and as Chief Fire Officer from 1999. He is involved in a wide array of community groups, including the Glenmark Reserves Committee, which he chaired for 15 years. He has raised funds for the Friends of Glenmark Church to maintain this century-old structure. He has been a judge for the New Zealand Shearing Sports committee since 1995 and a referee for the World Sheep Shearing Record Society from 2007 to 2024, judging record attempts nationally and in the United Kingdom and Australia. He was Chief Referee for the World Shearing Championships in Invercargill in 2017. He has chaired the South Island Shearing Sports Committee and the World Sheep Shearing Record Society since 2021. He organised one of New Zealand’s earliest long-standing Speed Shear competitions, held in annually in Waipara for 25 years. Since 1980 he has been a member of the Glenmark Rifle Shooting Club and has helped organise various tournaments. Mr Harris has been a Justice of the Peace in the Waipara community since 1998.
Mr Patrick Gerard O'Rourke
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
Mr Patrick O'Rourke has served with the Rissington Rural Volunteer Fire Force, north-west of Napier, since 1993.
Appointed Controller in 1999, Mr O'Rourke oversaw the relocation of the Rissington Fire Station to its current site, and led the Brigade through its integration with Fire and Emergency New Zealand. He ensured the geographically isolated Brigade remained a vital first response to a wide range of emergencies. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, he applied his emergency management training to mobilise the Brigade and wider community, establishing a temporary hub to connect residents with support services, during a three-week period of isolation from Napier and Hastings. His leadership contributed to an additional permanent Community Hub building constructed next to the fire station to enhance community resilience. He is a Trustee of the Tumanako Charitable Trust, established in response to Cyclone Gabrielle to financially support recovery efforts for families in the Rissington, Patoka and Puketitiri districts. He has volunteered extensively in the Rissington community since the early 1990s. As Chairperson of Rissington Community Group since its inception in 2011, he has overseen initiatives including scholarships, reunions and community events. Mr O’Rourke served on the Rissington School Board of Trustees from 1994, including nine years as Chairperson, supporting staff and students through fundraising, camps and other activities.
Mr Stanley Donald (Don) Scott
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and civil defence.
Mr Don Scott has been involved with volunteer fire brigades since the 1960s across several regions.
While a paid firefighter in Auckland, Mr Scott established the Onewhero Rural Fire Brigade in 1985, serving as its first Rural Fire Controller. He then volunteered with the Eastland Rural Fire Brigade from 1994, helped establish the Tamatea Rural Fire Force in Central Hawke’s Bay in 2011, before relocating to Hokitika in 2019. He is Health and Safety Officer and Welfare Support Officer for Wairoa Volunteer Fire Brigade, having joined in 2024. Identifying that volunteer rural firefighters were not represented on rural fire matters as a national collective, he approached the Forest and Rural Fire Association of New Zealand in 1989 and established an agreement for the inclusion of Rural Forces as members. He then served as a Committee member from 1994 to 2015. He carried out volunteer civil defence functions between 1996 and 2024 with the District Councils of Gisborne, Wairoa, Hastings, Central Hawke’s Bay, Buller and Westland. He held various roles and provided leadership, notably, for the 2007 Gisborne earthquake, 2019 Fox River flood event, and the 2021 and 2022 Westport flood events, as well as supporting the response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Mr Scott served as Treasurer of Hokitika Lions Club.
Mr Paul Gregory (Tomsie) Toms
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and football.
Mr Paul “Tomsie” Toms has volunteered with Te Aroha Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1981 and has been involved with Te Aroha Soccer Club since the late 1970s.
Mr Toms trained as a firefighter-driver and has maintained a high callout attendance percentage. He was Brigade Secretary from 1986 to 1990, Treasurer from 1993 to 1997, joint Secretary/Treasurer until 2001, and has since been Treasurer. He served on numerous Brigade committees for special projects, including to build a shed for the rural fire tanker, alterations to the ageing fire station, bi-annual fundraisers for rescue equipment, and the purchase of two other utility vehicles. He is a Life Member of the Brigade and has continued to promote fire safety and awareness in local schools and through school tours of the fire station. He coached Te Aroha Soccer Club’s first women’s team in the 1980s. He was one of the driving forces behind the building of the clubrooms and moving from Te Aroha College grounds to their present home on Boyd Park. After retiring from playing in the 1980s, he has been a referee with the local Waikato League and has continued to offer advice to the club and coaches on rules and interpretations. Mr Toms has been Membership Secretary of Te Aroha RSA since 1981.
Mr Henry Joseph Wheeler
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
Mr Henry Wheeler has contributed more than 50 years to the Rongotea community and has served in the Rongotea Fire Brigade for 55 years.
Mr Wheeler served as the Deputy Chief between 1980 and 1990 and Chief Fire Officer of Rongotea Fire Brigade from 1991 until 2015. He was also simultaneously Chief Fire Officer of Tangimoana Brigade, an auxiliary Brigade of Rongotea. He has fulfilled the role of Welfare Officer, following up with firefighters following traumatic callouts, as well as following up with those affected by fires after the events to offer support. He helped patrol with the Neighbourhood Watch Group on a weekly basis for five years He has been a member of the Rongotea Community committee since inception and has helped in several community projects, including helping plant 1,500 cherry trees throughout the community as part of the Keep Rongotea Beautiful Campaign. He was Chair of the Rongotea Pool Swimming Committee for ten years and was a leader in Every Boys Rally between 1960 and 1980. He raised funds annually to cover the cost of the chemicals that are needed to keep the Rongotea swimming pool open each summer. Mr Wheeler was awarded The Year of the Volunteer Medal by the United Nations in 2001 and a Manawatu District Council Community Award in 2023.
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Defence News – Naval officer decorated for leadership of response to sinking of HMNZS Manawanui

Source: New Zealand Defence Force
 
Commodore Andrew Brown RNZN (Retd) has been awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) In the New Year Honours List 2026 for his leadership of New Zealand’s response to the grounding and subsequent sinking of HMNZS Manawanui on the south coast of Upolu, Samoa in October 2024.
 
The Naval dive and hydrographic vessel ran aground with 75 people on board while surveying a reef on Saturday 5 October 2024, and sank the next day. Everyone aboard the ship made their way safely to shore and/or were rescued by locals.
 
Over a five-month period in Samoa, Commodore Brown was the strategic interface between New Zealand authorities, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), Samoan authorities and the various stakeholders involved in the response, which addressed the initial impact assessment, environmental protection, salvage operations, diplomacy, and strategic implications of the sinking.
 
The citation states that he recognised that the support of the Samoan Government and community was critical in the management of the sinking.
 
“He facilitated the Samoan-led response with an inclusive approach, engaging with leaders and providing constant progress feedback to Samoan authorities. This resulted in a high degree of trust being placed in New Zealand’s response, in a situation where the local community were concerned about the threat to their environment and livelihoods.
 
“He was Strategic Contract Manager for the NZDF’s oversight of salvage operations, had oversight of the deployed NZDF Task Group, and was a key advisor to the Maritime Pollution Advisory Committee that managed the Samoan national response. Commodore Brown’s leadership and diplomacy within the [Samoan] Maritime Pollution Advisory Committee and support to the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa, with development and deployment of a water testing capability, positively influenced the decision to remove the precautionary zone and permit the community to return to fishing in the vicinity” the citation says.
 
Commodore Brown said that he is honoured and humbled to be recognised for his contribution to the response.
 
“But I must acknowledge the personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force, other government agencies, civilian contractors, and Samoan Government officials that worked alongside me and supported me during the response.
 
“It was a very challenging and technical operation and there were not many days that I did not call upon my previous years of experience, training, and leadership, so I have many to thank and acknowledge,” he said.
 
Commodore Brown has recently retired from regular service in the Navy, but remains a member of the Reserve Force.