Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Consumers are responding to soaring electricity prices by turning to modern energy-efficient technologies, says energy efficiency expert Dr Chris Mardon, Managing Director of Christchurch-based company Ecobulb.

According to Statistics New Zealand, electricity costs rose by 11% in the year to September, the steepest annual increase since 1989.

“These increases are significant, and more are expected as Transpower and lines companies continue to invest heavily in upgrading the electricity network,” says Dr Mardon. “As a result we’re seeing a surge in interest from households wanting to take control of their energy use.”

Dr Mardon says the Canterbury Home Show over the weekend saw a marked uptick in inquiries from people keen to cut their electricity and gas bills using modern, efficient technology.

“One of the most common questions we received was how much a household could save by replacing traditional hot water cylinders with high-performance hot water heat pumps,” he says. “The answer is – a lot.”

Hot water heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat rather than generate it, making them significantly more efficient than conventional electric elements. “They can reduce energy use by up to 75% for water heating,” says Dr Mardon. “That translates into thousands of dollars in savings over the life of the system, with many households able to recover the extra upfront cost in just a few years.”

Ecobulb received 60 inquiries about hot water heat pumps at the home show, triple the number of inquiries at a similar sized Canterbury home show in August.

“Based on past experience, we expect around two-thirds of those inquiries to convert into installations — so around 40 new systems from one weekend,” says Dr Mardon. “That’s promising, but with over two million households in New Zealand, we’ve only scratched the surface.”

Dr Mardon says while rising power prices are prompting more people to consider energy-efficient options, further support is needed to accelerate adoption. “We’d like to see greater investment in programmes like Warmer Kiwi Homes, which could subsidise hot water heat pumps. We also support the introduction of a Ratings Assistance Scheme to help homeowners better understand and improve the energy efficiency of their homes.”

He adds that broadening access to efficient technologies like hot water heat pumps would reduce emissions, modernise New Zealand’s residential energy systems, and lower long-term costs for Kiwi households.

“Hot water heat pumps are one of the most efficient solutions available for residential and commercial water heating,” says Dr Mardon. “They’re good for the environment—and even better for the power bill.”

ProCare is pleased to announce the sale of Mt Smart Medical Centre, one of its Elevate programme practices, marking a significant milestone in its strategy to support clinician and industry-led ownership pathways.

The practice, located in Auckland, settled on Friday 17 October, and has been purchased by Harpreet Kaur, a highly respected clinician with a strong commitment to patient care and community wellbeing. Harpreet brings a wealth of clinical experience and a passion for making a difference in primary care, making her an ideal fit to lead Mt Smart into its next chapter.

To support continuity, current Lead GP Dr Samuel Fuimano will remain with the practice. His ongoing presence complements Harpreet’s leadership, ensuring trusted clinical governance and continuity of care that the community and practice team value deeply.

This sale reflects ProCare’s ongoing commitment to its Elevate programme, which was established to strengthen general practice sustainability and support ownership opportunities for clinicians and industry professionals.

Bindi Norwell, Group Chief Executive at ProCare says: “We’re incredibly proud of what the Elevate programme has achieved so far. The sale of Mt Smart Medical Centre is a great example of how we’re enabling passionate, skilled clinicians to step into ownership roles. Harpreet’s leadership will bring fresh energy to the practice, and we’re confident she will continue to deliver high-quality care to the community.”

ProCare will continue to support Mt Smart Medical Centre through the transition period, with Harpreet remaining part of the ProCare PHO Network, ensuring continuity of care and access to ongoing support.

New owner, Harpreet Kaur says: “I’m honoured to take on the ownership of Mt Smart Medical Centre. I look forward to building on the strong foundation and serving our patients with compassion and excellence to provide person-centred health services.”

We warmly welcome Harpreet to her new role and look forward to an exciting new chapter for Mt Smart Medical Centre.

As ProCare looks ahead, it remains open to further Elevate practice sales where they align with the long-term goals of its strategy – ensuring that general practice remains in the hands of those who are connected to the communities they serve.

About ProCare
ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi.

As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to nearly 700,000 patients across Auckland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

Covering period of Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd October

• Severe Weather Warnings for northwest winds and rain to start the week
• Another, more intense, system due on Thursday
• 30°C forecast in Hastings on Thursday after a run of warmer than average temperatures.

A slew of warnings and watches are in place as we start the working week, but this is a precursor for a potentially more impactful weather event on Thursday.

MetService is forecasting heavy rain and strong winds for much of the South Island and Central New Zealand on Monday and Tuesday, with morning thunderstorms and hail possible on Tuesday.

MetService Meteorologist Michael Pawley details “Northwesterly wind gusts will rise to 130 km/h in exposed places about some regions. Peak rain rates of 20 to 30 mm/h are also expected about the Southern Alps and Westland Ranges. There will be decent spillover rain east of the main divide.”

See image below for watches & warnings at issued time. See http://bit.ly/AllWarnings for up-to-date details.

PSNA says Minister of Defence Judith Collins’ open-letter attack on teachers, for daring to raise Palestine in their discussions with the government, says more about her own prejudices than teacher priorities.

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Co-chair Maher Nazzal says teachers, who have devoted their lives to educating children here, would be appalled at the wholesale slaughter of Palestinian school children in Gaza.

“Teachers who are committed to the education and development of the next generation of our country would feel a special affinity with the children of another nation, who are being killed by Israeli bombing in their tens of thousands, see all their schools destroyed, and who will suffer the consequences of two years of malnutrition for the rest of their lives.”

Nazzal says, only two months ago, Collins was on television, standing next to a damaged residential building in Kiev, condemning Russia for attacks which had killed Ukrainian children.

“But not a critical word of Israel from her, or her cabinet colleagues, despite Israel just now resuming its mass bombing in Gaza.”

“Ukrainian, Palestinian and New Zealand school children all deserve protection and we should expect our government to speak up loudly in their defence, without having to have a teachers’ union raise government inaction on Gaza with them.”

“But even after 24 months of genocide, Collins won’t find the words to express New Zealand’s horror at the indiscriminate killing of school children in Gaza.  But she’s in her element dog-whistling to her small choir in the pro-Israel lobby.”

“Collins has already been referred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, for complicity in Israel’s genocide by facilitating the supply of military technology for Israeli use.”

“It’s more than time for Luxon to pull back his Israeli fanatic colleagues and uphold an ethical rule-based policy, and not default to blind prejudices.”

Maher Nazzal

Co-Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA

The Board of Kiwi Group Capital Limited (KGC), the non-operating holding company of Kiwibank Limited, is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Susan Peterson as the new Chair of the Kiwibank Limited Board for a term of three years, effective from 30 November 2025. Ms. Peterson succeeds Mr. Jon Hartley, who will step down when his current term ends on 29 November 2025.

Ms. Peterson is a highly respected New Zealand business leader with extensive experience in strategic leadership, successfully growing businesses and good governance. She is the current Chair of Vista Group Limited and a director of Xero Limited and Mercury Limited. Susan is also a past director of ASB Bank Limited and has served 9 years on the New Zealand Markets Disciplinary Tribunal. Susan’s experience chairing and directing multiple NZX and ASX listed and private companies, overseeing major corporate transactions, and navigating complex regulatory and political environments positions her well to support Kiwibank confidently through its next phase of growth.

Ms. Peterson said, “I’m honoured to take on the role of Chair at Kiwibank. Kiwibank is our largest New Zealand-owned bank and has a proud history and a clear Purpose of Kiwi making Kiwi better off by creating meaningful competition in the banking market. I am confident Kiwibank can deliver great customer outcomes while also offering world class career opportunities to talented Kiwi.

“All Kiwibank profits remain in New Zealand, and this means that every Kiwi benefits when Kiwibank is successful. This is an exciting time to join Kiwibank, and I am looking forward to working with Steve Jurkovich and the team to find more ways to strengthen its position as the challenger bank and support more Kiwi, more Kiwi businesses and New Zealand’s overall economy to thrive.”

Mr. Hartley has served as Kiwibank Chair since November 2019, and under his leadership the bank has achieved significant growth and momentum. His dedication and strategic contributions have been pivotal in positioning Kiwibank for continued success. KGC and Kiwibank thank Mr. Hartley sincerely for his service and impact and wish him all the best with his future endeavours.

KGC has reappointed Kevin Malloy as an Independent Director of Kiwibank for a further term of one year, effective from the current term expiry date of 28 November 2025. He has been a Director since November 2016. KGC and Kiwibank thank Mr. Malloy for his willingness to extend his term by an additional year, ensuring continuity during a period of transition for the Kiwibank Board.

Today, the world marks World Statistics Day, a global occasion celebrated every five years to highlight the importance of reliable data, transparency, and informed decision-making. Statistics are more than just numbers; they are powerful tools to shape policies, track progress, and reveal truths that can no longer be ignored.

For Palestine, statistics are not only a technical matter—they are a form of resistance and documentation. For decades, Palestinian institutions such as the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) have worked under occupation to collect, analyse, and share data about Palestinian society, economy, health, education, and the ongoing impacts of occupation.

These numbers tell a human story:

• Over 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza face severe humanitarian conditions.

• More than 80% of Gazans rely on humanitarian aid.

• Land confiscation, settlement expansion, and movement restrictions continue to shape daily life for Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

• Unemployment and poverty rates remain among the highest in the world, not because of a lack of potential, but because of systemic restrictions imposed by occupation.

Accurate statistics are crucial for international accountability, humanitarian response, and future reconstruction. They preserve facts against denial and erasure, ensuring that the Palestinian narrative is backed by credible, documented evidence.

On World Statistics Day, we honour Palestinian statisticians, researchers, and institutions who work under immense pressure to bring truth to light. Their work helps the world understand the reality on the ground and strengthens the global call for justice and human rights.

📊 “Good data tells powerful stories. For Palestine, it tells the story of a people who refuse to be erased.”