Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Education Events – Keynote speakers announced for 30th ICDE World Conference 2025 in Wellington this November

Source: Open Polytechnic

An exciting lineup of distinguished keynote speakers will share their insights and expertise at the upcoming International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) conference, including leaders of the world’s largest universities, a renowned Māori academic, an international AI expert, and a programme specialist leading transformative education.
Te Kuratini Tuwhera o Aotearoa Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa Massey University will co-host the conference in Wellington at the Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, from 10 to 13 November, at which hundreds of international and domestic delegates are expected.
Open Polytechnic Executive Director of Learning Design and Development, and current ICDE President Dr Mark Nichols, says each keynote will bring a unique perspective to the conference and exciting conference program. They include: 
– Dr Paul J. LeBlanc, Leader of Matter and Space, an AI and Education startup and previous President of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), an online mega-university. Dr LeBlanc is recognised as one of USA’s most innovative educators. Under his 20-year leadership as former President of SNHU, the university grew from 2,800 to over 250,000 students to become the largest non-profit online higher education provider in the USA. 
– Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA). Professor LenkaBula has won multiple international and national teaching awards and now leads South Africa’s largest university by enrolment (370,000 students per year). 
– Professor Danny Liu, Professor of Educational Technologies in the DVC Education Portfolio at the University of Sydney. Professor Liu is known internationally for his work on Generative Artificial Intelligence in higher education, and is the developer of Cogniti, an AI application widely used by students. 
– Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou, Tūhourangi), is a Professor at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, and CEO of Ngā Āhuatanga O Te Kai Ltd, The Kai Research Institute. Professor Smith is an internationally renowned and highly awarded researcher, scholar and writer known for her work on Decolonising Methodologies, Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine and Māori Education.
– Dr Faryal Khan, Programme Specialist leading Transformative Education at the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and the Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok). Dr Khan brings an international perspective on education reform. 
Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist provider of online and distance learning is a long-standing institutional member of ICDE. The last time an ICDE conference was held in New Zealand was in 1950.
Dr Nichols, says, “ICDE’s roots go back to 1938, and it has been generously hosted by the Norwegian government since 1988. It has members from over 90 countries, including the world’s largest open and distance learning institutions – some with millions of enrolments each year.”
“ICDE is committed to advancing inclusive, scalable, and sustainable education and it is a pleasure to be able to bring members from this global movement to Wellington in November.”
“Our focus t

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Auckland News – Rail crossing upgrades must accommodate freight growth

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Road freight industry group Transporting New Zealand has welcomed construction work getting underway this week to replace Auckland level crossings with overbridges , but says ensuring adequate freight routes in Takanini may require further investment.
The Takanini and Glen Innes projects will see eight level crossings removed and replaced by three new grade-separated road bridges and three new pedestrian access bridges. Two crossings in Takanini – Spartan Road and Manuroa Road – will be closed completely.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says that the upgrades will help prepare the transport network for the City Rail Link and future increases in rail services.
“From 2030 onwards the increased frequency of train services could mean barrier arms at level crossings on the Southern Line are lowered every 2-3 minutes. That would have been a nightmare for commuters and freight customers trying to move goods out of the key Takanini industrial area. Overbridge replacements are the right outcome.”
Kalasih welcomed the Government and Auckland Council jointly funding the first three years of construction, noting that it’s been three years since Transporting New Zealand submitted on the Takanini level crossing closure plans.
Kalasih says that replacing eight level crossings with three road bridges will take some adjustment and is encouraging Auckland Council to ensure the city’s booming freight task is being accounted for in its planning.
“Takanini is projected to grow by 5,900 dwellings, 12,300 jobs and 13,900 people between 2018 to 2048. Auckland’s freight task (measured by kilometres travelled) is projected to grow around 80% over the same time period.
“This demonstrates the need for additional freight routes, not fewer, to future-proof the network,” Kalasih says.
“Transporting New Zealand has made a request to Auckland Transport for any freight impact and congestion analysis undertaken since the 2023 Takanini level crossing closure detailed business case, and I look forward to reviewing the data.”
Kalasih is also encouraging AT to communicate with affected businesses during the construction period.
“This is an important industrial area supporting a huge number of jobs. Transporting New Zealand is always happy to assist with sharing communications and facilitating project updates to local businesses, as we did during the initial level crossing closure consultation.”
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
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Commerce – Meet the Buyer™ exhibitor trade floor sold out

Source: Meet the Buyer

Exhibitor space at the fifth Buy West Eat Best annual trade show, Meet the Buyer™ held on 21 October at Crown Perth is officially sold out.

Hosted by the State Government’s Buy West Eat Best program, Meet the Buyer™ is Western Australia’s only dedicated food and beverage industry trade show exhibition and networking forum.

This year is billed the largest to date with a sold-out trade floor. It will showcase more than 500 products, ingredients, businesses and brands from across the State, with every region represented.

Melissa Worthington, program manager of Buy West Eat Best at Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, said Meet the Buyer™ is an important platform for WA producers and suppliers.

“The local producers who have secured an exhibition space this year will have the floor to promote their business and produce, connect with buyers and distributors, with a view to securing commercial outcomes across domestic and international markets, all under one roof and all in one day,” Ms Worthington said.

“The rapid growth in reputation of Meet the Buyer as WA’s only dedicated food and beverage exhibition trade show and premier networking event attracts delegates from around the state, across the country and from overseas.”

Delegates include major supermarket retailers, independent gourmet grocers, chefs, restauranteurs, hospitality groups, sommeliers, importers as well as media and educators.

“The relaxed and collaborative atmosphere of the tradeshow is deliberate, to meet the expectations of trade and industry delegates, foster meaningful conversations and, as we have determined in previous years, often leads to unexpected partnerships,” Ms Worthington said.

“For delegates, it’s a day of opportunity, finding new suppliers and new ingredients to showcase on a menu or on in stores, but importantly, a chance to actually meet the people behind the business.

“As a facilitator of Meet the Buyer, it’s extremely rewarding to watch Western Australian businesses go from strength to strength, make meaningful business connections, innovate through collaboration and potentially expand their supply range or scale their business, leading to greater growth and employment across the state within the sector.

“Over the past four years, we’ve seen many success stories as a result of business done at Meet the Buyer – it’s where business connections are made and opportunities grow.”

Independent feedback of previous Meet the Buyer™ events shows strong commercial outcomes for WA businesses with 67 percent of participants reporting they connected with new buyers or business contacts previously inaccessible, 54 percent secured commercial value through partnerships, new market access or business growth, and 83 percent discovered new products, brands or businesses.

The WA food and beverage sector, valued at $9.6 billion, is a significant contributor to the State’s economy supporting 1,555 businesses and 20,000 jobs.

Combined with the food service sector, the broader industry supports over 100,000 jobs across 8,000 businesses, generating approximately $17.6 billion in annual turnover.

Buy West Eat Best is a voluntary food labelling and marketing initiative developed by the Western Australian Government to assist local food and beverage producers to promote their products to consumers whether they be grocery shoppers or those that dine out.

For more information about Meet the Buyer™, visit meetthebuyer.com.au.

NOTES

YouTube highlights: https://youtu.be/m5YmaaxQ00c

About Buy West Eat Best

The Buy West Eat Best program is a voluntary food and beverage labelling and marketing initiative developed by the Western Australian Government to assist local producers to promote their products to grocery shoppers and those that dine out.

Buy West Eat Best works with members to support and promote the buy local message, highlight the importance of seasonality and champion delicious, fresh ranges of fruits and vegetables that grocery shoppers can seek out, particularly as new seasons commence.

The program works across the supply chain, from producers, processors, retail, and foodservice businesses; providing a critical conduit to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of businesses and identify source of origin for consumers. There is a vast and diverse range of local businesses and brands that are members of the Buy West Eat Best community.

When you see the distinctive Buy West Eat Best bite mark logo you can be assured that you are choosing food and beverage that has been grown, farmed, fished, processed, prepared and served right here in WA.

The program has matured, and it is vitally important to the State from an economic and employment perspective – the food and drink industry or agrifood sector is the second largest export sector to mining and resources and critical to the diversification and sustainability of local communities across the State.

The Buy West Eat Best logo is a registered trademark owned by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), administered by government and championed by business and supported by industry.

www.buywesteatbest.org.au

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Advocacy – Run for Hope: One Man. 617km. One Powerful Mission

Source: I Am Hope

Christchurch endurance athlete to run 617km in honour of every life lost to suicide last year

I Am Hope is proud to stand behind 26-year-old endurance athlete and landscaper Morgan Bartram, who this September will take on an extraordinary challenge to raise awareness and funds for youth mental health in Aotearoa.

Starting 1 September 2025, Morgan will run 617km around Hagley Park South in Christchurch — one kilometre for every New Zealander lost to suicide last year. Over the course of seven days, he’ll cover 100km a day for six days, with the final 17km to be completed on 7 September, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day.

It’s more than a run. It’s a call to action.

Morgan is urging Kiwis across the country to take part in the “What's Your Six Seventeen?” challenge — a seven-day movement inviting individuals, teams, and communities to do something bold, meaningful, and just beyond their comfort zone in honour of those we've lost, and for the ones still fighting.

All funds raised will go directly to I Am Hope , delivering free counselling for young people through its Gumboot Friday programme and advocating for real, grassroots change in the mental health space.

“What Morgan’s doing is unreal,” says I Am Hope founder Mike King. “Most people can’t imagine running 6km, let alone 617. But he’s out there, in the cold, the rain, pushing through day after day — all to remind young people they matter. He’s truly special, and we’re so grateful to have him in our corner. If you can support him, do it. Every step he takes is for someone else.”

For Morgan, this mission is deeply personal. And he’s putting in the hard mahi to make it happen.

“I’ve always been fascinated by what we’re capable of — but this is about more than the distance,” says Morgan. “It’s about pushing through pain, showing up every day, and doing something that matters. I want to challenge others to do the same. You don’t have to run 617km — just take one step. Ask for help. Check in on someone. Be part of this.”

Morgan has been training relentlessly — clocking long runs in cold, wet, unforgiving conditions to prepare his body and mind for what lies ahead.

Morgan video: https://bit.ly/4fSCZdN

You can follow his journey on Instagram at @morgybartrum
Morgan’s Givealittle page: https://bit.ly/465NrLN

Event Details:

  • Hagley Park South, Christchurch 
  • 1–7 September 2025
  • Goal: 617km in 7 days | 1km for each life lost

Join the movement:

  • Run alongside Morgan
  • Start your own “617” challenge
  • Text HOPE to 469 for $3 donation

Let’s turn pain into purpose — together.

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Northland News – Public help sought to find ‘Mickey Mouse’ plant in gardens

Source: Northland Regional Council

Biosecurity experts are asking for the public’s help to identify the locations of an invasive plant hiding in gardens around Kerikeri, Opua and Mangonui and in other Far North areas.
Mickey Mouse plant (Ochna serrulata) is an issue because it can form dense monocultures that prevent regeneration of native species, and it grows and reproduces prolifically in Northland’s mild climate.
Joanna Barr, Northland Regional Council’s Biosecurity Manager – Pest Plants, says Mickey Mouse plant was originally introduced and shared as a garden plant in New Zealand.
It is currently primarily found in urban gardens and unmanaged/disturbed areas, but it is spreading. “Its berries are inedible to humans but are very attractive to birds which spread the plants a considerable distance.”
She says now is a good time for people to be on the lookout for it as it comes into flower in spring and then starts to set its unusual looking fruit in November/December.
It has yellow buttercup-like flowers that are followed by distinctive red and black fruiting bodies.
These fruiting bodies are what give the plant its name because they resemble the face of Mickey Mouse, with black berry-like fruits perched on a red base. These are surrounded by what look like red petals.
Ms Barr says council’s Biosecurity team would like assistance from Far North residents in identifying possible locations of the plant, especially in the Kerikeri, Opua and Mangonui areas.
“These observations will help us determine the distribution of Mickey Mouse plant and help us in our battle to control this plant’s spread.”
Mickey Mouse plant is a shade tolerant shrub that is usually 1-2m tall. It has elongated oval leaves that are 13-50mm long and have finely-toothed margins. It has pimply-textured bark.
Ms Barr says anyone who thinks they have seen a Mickey Mouse plant should contact the Northland Regional Council’s biosecurity team on (0800) 002 004.
“We will have a Biosecurity Officer come out and check the site and if Mickey Mouse plants are found, will undertake control at no cost to the landowner.”
Mickey Mouse plant has a deep tap root which makes it almost impossible to remove manually, and it will often re-sprout if not controlled correctly.
“Please do not try and pull them out yourself or mulch them because this could spread the seeds.”
Ms Barr says one good feature about the plant is that it does not have long lived seed, which is a big advantage in eradicating it from a site.
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Government Cuts – New data shows human misery of public sector cuts

Source: PSA

New data revealing there are almost 30 people competing for each public sector job shows the human cost of the Government's arbitrary cuts to the public service, says the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
Data from 75 public organisations shows there were almost 286,000 applications for 10,000 public service jobs in the first half of this year – a ratio of 28.5 applications per role, compared to just eight applications per role in 2023.
PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the figures expose the human cost of the Government's arbitrary cuts to the public service.
“The numbers speak for themselves – competition for public sector jobs has more than tripled from eight applications per role in 2023 to almost 30 now. Real people who had more to give have been thrown on the scrapheap by a Government that made arbitrary 6.5 to 7.5 percent cuts across the board.
“Some large ministries dealt with thousands of applicants – the Ministry of Social Development alone had almost 20,000 applicants for 1,000 roles, while some agencies like Crown Law had 460 applications for just 13 roles.
“These cuts weren't made because there was any identified need to reduce jobs or improve efficiency – they were made purely to pay for tax cuts including $3 billion for landlords. The human cost of those political priorities is now clear.
“This is a public service that is starting to crack under pressure as remaining staff struggle with increased workloads while their skilled colleagues who were providing essential services are now desperately seeking work, with many moving overseas.
“Among those cut were people modernising our IT systems to make our health system more responsive and efficient, and staff at the Department of Internal Affairs who keep our kids safe from online predators. These weren't inefficiencies being trimmed – these were essential services being gutted.
“There is important work that needs to be done to support New Zealanders, and there are committed people ready and willing to do it. It makes no sense to have a public service under pressure while skilled people who were laid off are now struggling to find work.
“The Government needs to properly fund the public service to meet the needs of all New Zealanders,” Fitzsimons said.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 94,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Palestine Forum of New Zealand Condemns Israel’s Killing of Palestinian Journalists in Gaza

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand strongly condemns the recent Israeli airstrike in Gaza that killed at least six Palestinian journalists, as they carried out their professional duty of documenting the ongoing assault on the Palestinian people.

The targeted attack on media workers near Al-Shifa Hospital follows a disturbing pattern of deliberate violence against Palestinian journalists, who have been systematically silenced for bearing witness to atrocities. According to international press freedom organisations, more than 240 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, making this one of the deadliest conflicts for media workers in modern history.

“Journalists are not combatants. They are the eyes and ears of humanity,” said a spokesperson for the Forum. “Killing journalists is not only a violation of international law, it is an assault on truth itself. By silencing Palestinian voices, Israel seeks to erase evidence of its crimes and deny the world an honest account of what is happening in Gaza.”

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on:

  • The New Zealand Government to urgently demand independent investigations into these killings and hold Israel accountable under international law.

  • The international community to ensure full and unrestricted access for foreign and local media to Gaza, in line with the recent Media Freedom Coalition statement supported by New Zealand.

  • All media outlets in Aotearoa, New Zealand, give prominence to the testimonies and reporting of Palestinian journalists, whose courage comes at the cost of their lives.

We stand in solidarity with the families of the martyred journalists and with all those in Gaza who continue to risk everything to make the truth known. Their voices will not be silenced.

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Events – Big wins and bigger spirit at inaugural Raine & Horne NZ conference

Source: Raine & Horne

 Paul Billinghurst and Neville Ruske honoured with first-ever Max Raine Award in NZ.

 Highlights

  • Raine & Horne New Zealand held its first standalone National Conference in Rotorua, uniting professionals from 60+ offices for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration.
  • Hosted by television personality Hilary Barry, the Gala Awards Night celebrated sales, property management, and franchise excellence, with a traditional Māori welcome and an atmosphere of pride and community spirit.
  • Raine & Horne Tauranga | Mt Maunganui | Katikati | Waihi | Waihi Beach won dual Top Office awards and directors Paul Billinghurst and Neville Ruske became the first NZ recipients of the prestigious Max Raine Award for leadership and entrepreneurship.Christchurch, NZ – 26 August 2025 – Raine & Horne has marked a major milestone in its New Zealand growth journey with the successful staging of its first-ever standalone National Conference, held at Rydges Rotorua on 12–13 August.

The event brought together real estate professionals from more than 60 offices nationwide for two days of inspiration, learning, and connection. Alongside keynote presentations from adventurer Kevin Biggar and psychologist Dr Paul Wood, five speakers from within the Raine & Horne network – ranging from high-performing sales agents to business owners – shared powerful and down-to-earth stories of on life, survival and success.

The program concluded with a spectacular Gala Awards Night hosted by television presenter Hilary Barry. Opening with a traditional Māori welcome, the evening celebrated excellence across sales, property management, and franchise categories.

Among the standout office winners was Raine & Horne Tauranga | Mt Maunganui | Katikati | Waihi | Waihi Beach, led by directors Paul Billinghurst and Neville Ruske of the NRG Group, which claimed dual honours as Top Office – Top Producer (GCI – Sales Dollar Value) and Top Office – Top Seller (Sales Units).

For the first time in New Zealand, the prestigious Max Raine Award for integrity, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit was jointly presented to Mr Billinghurst and Mr Ruske by Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne. The award commemorates Max Raine, who served as Chairman from 1973 to 2011 and was a pioneer of real estate franchising in Australasia.

In the individual sales categories, Bernadette Griffiths of Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui was crowned Top Salesperson – Top Producer (GCI – Sales Dollar Value), while Nicky Bax from Raine & Horne Thames took out Top Salesperson – Top Seller (Sales Units).

Christian O’Malley from Raine & Horne Cashmere secured first place in the Top Sales Value – Team or Individual category, and Rhonda Bradley of Raine & Horne Dargaville was recognised with the Sales Growth Award.

In the franchisee awards, Adrian Louttit of Raine & Horne Rangiora won Top Franchisee – Top Producer (GCI – Sales Dollar Value), with Tina Lawson and Nick McIsaac-Luke

from Raine & Horne Parklands taking the Top Franchisee – Top Seller (Sales Units) title. Rozie Khan from Raine & Horne Manukau was recognised with the Franchisee Growth Award.

James Shepherd, General Manager of Raine & Horne New Zealand, described the conference and gala awards night as a landmark moment for the Raine & Horne brand in New Zealand.

“Our first standalone national conference wasn’t just about business growth—it captured the camaraderie and unity that makes Raine & Horne unique in New Zealand,” Mr Shepherd said.

“The gala awards night was truly special, with the entire room cheering, clapping, and celebrating their peers who won awards. The atmosphere was one of genuine joy and community spirit.”

Mr Shepherd added, “What struck me most was the balance—there’s healthy competition driving our people to achieve more, but at the same time, a remarkable willingness to support and lift each other up. It’s an exciting time for our rapidly expanding network.”

2025 Gala Awards – other major winners

  • Auction Shield – Raine & Horne St Martins
  • Top Auction Lister– Rhys Chamberlain, Raine & Horne Alexandra | Cromwell
  • Brand Awareness Award– Lee Johns, Raine & Horne Timaru
  • Best New Talent – Salesperson – Renee Hayward, Raine & Horne Timaru
  • Outstanding Office Support – Lisa Lindsay, Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui
  • Outstanding PM Office– Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui
  • Outstanding Property Manager– Nicola Connor, Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui.
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Retail activity up in the June 2025 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Retail trade survey: June 2025 quarter