Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Sleep your way to smoother skin: MyWrinkles founder wins Soda’s Growth Lab

Source: Soda Inc.

A simple idea with big potential – smoothing wrinkles while you sleep – has won Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab and $2,000 to support its next stage of growth.
MyWrinkles founder, Lara Hofer, impressed judges with her science-backed skincare brand which uses reusable, medical-grade silicone patches to smooth fine lines and support healthier skin – offering a non-invasive, non-toxic alternative to Botox and other cosmetic treatments.
The idea grew out of Lara’s business, Myscar, which develops and sells silicone scar treatment products.
“While developing silicone products for scar care, I became increasingly interested in its potential for everyday skincare, particularly its ability to soften fine lines and wrinkles. After years of development and testing, MyWrinkles was created to bring that same trusted technology to facial skincare in a way that is effective, easy to use, and gentle on the skin,” says Lara.
“The Growth Lab has been incredibly valuable for me as a founder. It gave me clarity on how to structure and communicate my business and helped turn what felt like a lot of moving parts into a clear, focused growth plan. Winning gives me real confidence in the direction we are heading with MyWrinkles, and the impact we can have in the beauty industry here in New Zealand and globally.”
The win comes at the culmination of Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab, powered by Deloitte. Over the past two months, a cohort of Hamilton-based female founders have taken part in a structured programme designed to build strong business foundations and accelerate growth.
Developed and led by local entrepreneur, Dr Fern Kelly-Zander – co-founder and owner of Rudi’s Bakehouse and Innovation Specialist at Soda – the programme combines online learning with in-person, expert-led workshops and weekly guest speakers.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch participants grow in confidence and clarity week by week,” says Dr Fern Kelly-Zander, Soda Programme Manager and Innovation Specialist.
“By the time they step onto the pitch stage, they’re not just talking about an idea, they’re communicating a well-thought-out business with purpose and direction. That shift is exactly what the Growth Lab is designed to support,”
During the programme, participants learnt practical skills to run and grow successful businesses, covering everything from financial foundations and pricing through to marketing, strategy and long-term planning.
“We created the Growth Lab to equip founders with the tools, knowledge, confidence and connections needed to grow sustainable businesses. The impact the programme has had on participants has been genuinely transformational,” says Anna Devcich, Soda General Manager.
“We’re lucky to have Dr Fern Kelly-Zander who has poured an incredible amount of expertise, energy, time and care into the Growth Lab. As a founder herself, she understands exactly what early-stage businesses need, and that’s reflected in both this programme and Soda’s Business Fundamentals Online platform.”
Delivered in partnership with Deloitte New Zealand, the Business Fundamentals Growth Lab reflects a shared commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the regional business ecosystem.
“The programme struck a great balance between practical business fundamentals and the excitement of building something new. As head judge, it was rewarding to see founders sharpen their thinking, back themselves, and enjoy the process,” says Stefan Davies, Partner at Deloitte New Zealand.
“Deloitte was proud to support Soda’s first in-person Business Fundamentals Growth Lab, along with the founders who brought such momentum and commitment to the cohort.”
The Business Fundamentals Growth Lab is part of Soda’s wider offering for entrepreneurs and business owners, including access to government funding and support, business events and workshops, startup coaching, and strong community connections.
Business Fundamentals Growth Lab participants
Britt Te Patu – Eventi
Hayley Beaumont – HeyBeau
Kelly Watts – Kultivate Kids
Lara Hofer – MyWrinkles
Lisa Quarrie – Common Compost
Olya Meehan – Topsy Turvy NZ
Zoe Hoole – Makers Common
Soda Soda empowers businesses to grow with confidence and achieve success. We connect entrepreneurs, business owners and key decision makers with the people, tools and expertise they need to accelerate growth. Proudly based in Hamilton, Soda is the Waikato’s Regional Business Partner, guiding local businesses to government funding and support to help them thrive. We also deliver free one-to-one coaching for early-stage founders through Startup Aotearoa. Alongside our programmes, Soda hosts a range of inspiring events designed to motivate and upskill our business community. We’ve also developed Business Fundamentals Online – a digital learning platform offering short, practical courses tailored to support entrepreneurs and business owners across Aotearoa. www.sodainc.com Deloitte Deloitte New Zealand brings together more than 1,800 specialist professionals providing audit, tax, technology and systems, strategy and performance improvement, risk management, corporate finance, business recovery, forensic and accounting services. By fostering inclusive leadership and creating opportunities for women, Deloitte aims to shape a business landscape where women are driving transformation and redefining success.
Deloitte is proud to sponsor Soda's Business Fundamentals Growth Lab for Women in Business. Deloitte was involved in the selection panel, group sessions, as well as judging on the pitch night, offering advice and feedback.
Posted on

Housing or Health? It’s an Unacceptable Choice A Quarter of New Zealanders Skipped Medical Care Last Year to Stay Housed

Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners

New survey of over 5,000 New Zealanders finds housing costs now drive sacrifice
across health, food, and family life.

AUCKLAND – 7 April 2026 – More than one in four New Zealanders delayed medical care last year because of what they pay for housing. One in four skipped meals.

This is a choice faced by ordinary households – renters, moderate-income families, and first-home aspirants – caught in a housing system that consumes too much of their income and offers too few alternatives. It is not limited to people living in extreme poverty.

The second annual New Zealand Housing Survey®, released today by urban strategy consultancy The Urban Advisory (TUA), draws on the experiences of 5,232 New Zealanders surveyed between August 2024 and January 2026. It is the most comprehensive demand-side housing dataset in Aotearoa.

Its findings are unambiguous.

“The sacrifices revealed in this data are not a cost-of-living story. They are an ongoing story about housing system failure,” says Dr Natalie Allen, Co-Founder and Director of TUA. “We are now two years into this survey, and the patterns are not changing. They are hardening.”

What the survey found:

  • 50% of respondents worry they cannot pay for housing in the future.
  • 45% are dissatisfied with the housing options available to them.
  • 27.8% delayed medical appointments because of housing costs.
  • 25.3% skipped meals.
  • 91% say housing costs too much relative to income.
  • 76% rank safety from natural hazards as the most important property feature — above price and outdoor space.

The tenure divide

The survey's sharpest finding concerns the gap between two types of tenure: owning and renting. While 90% of homeowners feel stable and secure in their housing, only 57% of renters say the same. Renters also report colder and damper homes, lower energy efficiency, and less control over their living conditions.

Critically, the survey finds that New Zealanders are not dissatisfied with renting as a way of living. They are dissatisfied with the quality and insecurity of the rental homes available to them. Renting is a viable tenure option — but only if the product improves.

“Renters are paying more for less,” says Allen. “That is a structural failure with nationwide implications, not a set of unfortunate individual circumstances.”

Deposits, not repayments, lock people out

Using a Residual Income Model which integrates deposit levels, lending constraints, stress-tested rates, and age-adjusted mortgage terms, the survey shows that, while many moderate-income households would be able to afford mortgage repayments, they cannot accumulate a deposit. Although recent OCR cuts have reduced monthly costs, they have done nothing to address the deposit gap.

A demographic shift the market is not ready for

Nearly half (49%) of people planning to retire in the next ten years expect to downsize. Most plan to stay in the region where they currently live. Yet the market offers very few well-located, accessible, compact homes at the quality and price this cohort needs. This is not a niche problem: it is one of the strongest signals of future housing demand in the dataset.

The commercial opportunity

Fifty-two percent of respondents want more secure, long-term rental options. The market delivers almost none at scale. Internationally proven models such as Build-to-Rent, shared equity, cooperative housing, community land trusts, progressive ownership, and new-generation retirement living, remain undersupplied in New Zealand, despite clear and growing demand.

“There is a large and growing segment of demand that the current market is not serving,” says Greer O'Donnell, Co-Founder and Director of TUA. “Diversifying New Zealand's housing stock is now both a social necessity and a commercial imperative.”

For developers, iwi, councils, government agencies, and investors, the survey data offers a precise evidence base: which typologies are in demand, where, and for whom. The Urban Advisory is using the dataset to reduce risk and align investment with real household need.

Download the survey

You can find the full survey, as well as additional supporting imagery, here: https://www.theurbanadvisory.com/research/the-new-zealand-housing-survey-year-2-survey-results

About The New Zealand Housing Survey®

The New Zealand Housing Survey® is an independently administered, annually repeated national study. The 2026 dataset drew on 5,232 respondents aged 16 and over, surveyed across Aotearoa between August 2024 and January 2026. The survey methodology underwent academic peer review, Te Ao Māori cultural review, and multiple rounds of user testing. All responses are fully anonymised.

About The Urban Advisory

The Urban Advisory is an Aotearoa New Zealand urban strategy consultancy, established in 2016, working with developers, iwi, councils, and government to deliver better housing and urban development outcomes.

Posted on

Politics and Trade – Back the India deal: Business leaders call for cross-party support

Source: BusinessNZ

The BusinessNZ Network and leaders across New Zealand’s export sector are calling on all political parties to back the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, warning the country cannot afford to miss a major economic opportunity.
An open letter published today and signed by 28 exporters and industry associations outlines the significance of getting the deal across the line as global uncertainty, rising protectionism and supply chain disruption continues to reshape international trade.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says trade has long been a strength of New Zealand’s economic policy, and bipartisan support has underpinned our success.
“New Zealand relies on global markets to drive growth, support jobs and lift incomes. That only works when there is consistency and confidence in our trade settings. That’s why we’re making this call to all political parties today.
“This Agreement opens the door to one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and creates real opportunities for New Zealand exporters. We cannot afford to delay this deal.”
The open letter states that the reduction of barriers secured in the Free Trade Agreement will directly benefit sectors including; Horticulture, sheep meat, seafood, wine, honey, wood products, seeds and natural fibres, machinery, digital technology, and services.
ExportNZ Executive Director Joshua Tan says the Agreement is ultimately about backing the people behind New Zealand’s export economy.
“India is on track to become the world's third largest economy by 2030. Securing fair access to a market the size of India’s backs our farmers, growers, manufacturers, innovators and service providers, as well as the communities that depend on them.”
Tan says opportunities of this scale are rare, and maintaining New Zealand’s longstanding bipartisan approach to trade is critical in the modern trading environment.
“This Agreement was hard-fought and represents our best chance to secure meaningful access to one of the world’s most important growth markets. Businesses want to see the agreement signed and into force as quickly as possible. Now is the time for Parliament to get behind it.”
The full open letter and supporting material can be found at exportnz.org.nz. Business leaders and other interested parties are encouraged to sign the letter and show support for the deal using the link above.
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
Posted on

PSA – Take inspiration from Australian Govt: encourage public servants to work from home to save fuel and ease costs

Source: PSA

The Government needs to take a leaf out of the Australian Government’s book and step up and direct public service agencies to encourage working from home to conserve fuel and reduce the crippling cost of commuting for many workers.
The Australian Government has today launched a $20 million advertising campaign urging people to drive less, use public transport and conserve fuel. Australia has also halved its fuel excise.
“With the threat of fuel shortages remaining high, the Government should be doing everything it can to reduce unnecessary travel. Instead, it’s still clinging to its failed back-to-the-office agenda,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Every public servant who can work from home and who does so instead of driving, is one fewer car on the road burning fuel we can’t afford to waste. This is about conserving a scarce resource as well as easing the financial pain on workers whose commuting costs have surged by $40 to $50 a week.
“Even the Australian Government gets it. Meanwhile, our government refuses to cut fuel excise, or lower public transport fares and is still pushing public servants back into the office. It makes no sense.
“We welcome the temporary 30 percent increase in mileage rates for home and community support workers, a move the PSA campaigned hard for. And it should be made permanent. But it highlights the gap in the Government’s thinking. It recognises fuel costs are punishing many frontline care workers who have no choice but to drive, yet it won’t take the obvious step of reducing unnecessary commuting for thousands of public servants who can do their jobs from home.
“We are in a fuel crisis. A temporary, sensible increase in working from home would ease pressure on our fuel supply, take pressure off household budgets, all while keeping the public service running.
“It’s ironic that this government dragged public servants back to the office with no evidence it improved productivity and has already been forced to back down at MBIE when its rigid policy was found to breach the collective agreement. Now workers are paying through the nose for a commute the Government insisted on.
“The $50 a week tax credit increase for some working families is welcome but does not go far enough. The Government needs to use every tool available to lower costs for workers and letting people work from home where they can is one of the simplest and most effective things it can do.
“The Government needs to look across the Tasman and do all it can right now, as this crisis shows no sign of easing soon.”
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

Storm News – Cyclone Vaianu Response Update #2

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is continuing to respond to 111 calls for assistance in areas affected by Cyclone Vaianu.
Most of the calls have come from the east coast of the North Island, reflecting the path of the storm and the high winds and rainfall.
Since 5am today, fire crews have responded to more than 100 calls, relating to wind damage and surface flooding.
Fire and Emergency is maintaining full readiness to respond to incidents in all areas already affected by the cyclone and in places where the full force is still to come.
Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper says specialist resources including teams with enhanced rescue and water response capability are in position ready to assist local brigades.
“In addition, resources will be moved from Rotorua to the Bay of Plenty to assist in areas most impacted by weather.
“We want to acknowledge and thank our communities for adhering to the safety advice and keeping off the roads and out of flood waters.
“We urge people to remain vigilant and to keep informed through your local Civil Defence and for weather updates MetService.”
Posted on

Storm News – Cyclone Vaianu Response Update #1 5am Update

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

5am Update
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has been responding to a small number of 111 calls for assistance as a result of the weather across parts of the North Island.
Director of Operations Brendan Nally says that, as at 5am, crews have responded to twelve incidents related to Cyclone Vaianu, none of them life-threatening. Most of the incidents are related to the winds, with fallen trees affecting property and roofs lifting. In addition, Fire and Emergency assisted Civil Defence and Police with precautionary evacuations from coastal areas in Northland and Bay of Plenty during the day yesterday.
Enhanced rescue teams remain pre-positioned in Whangarei, Auckland, Rotorua, Tairawhiti, and Coromandel to support local fire brigades.
Fire and Emergency’s National Coordination Centre is activated, along with its Region Coordination Centres in Auckland and Tauranga.
The next update will be around 7am, unless there is a significant change. The updates will also be on the news page of our website www.fireandemergency.nz.
Posted on

Storm News – Northland overnight update on Cyclone Vaianu

Source: Northland Regional Council

Severe winds were recorded across parts of Northland overnight. Wind gusts of up to 120km/h were observed at Cape Reinga and Tutukākā Harbour, while Hokianga Harbour recorded gusts of up to 110km/h.
In relation to rainfall, the southeastern areas of Northland have seen the highest totals, with Whangārei recording approximately 90 millimetres during the warning period as of 6am.
As the system continues to move south, winds across Northland are beginning to shift to the south-west. Gale south-westerlies are expected to continue affecting parts of the region throughout today.
Both the Strong Wind Warning and Heavy Rain Warning for Northland remain in place until later this morning, with conditions scheduled to be reviewed by MetService around 10am. People are encouraged to continue monitoring official forecasts and warnings at: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home#upper-north
At this stage, the majority of rivers across the region are receding, although some river levels remain elevated and may still be rising.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency closed State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge from 7pm yesterday due to safety concerns. Crews are currently assessing conditions, and a decision on whether the gorge can safely reopen will be made later this morning. The most current information on the state highway network is available via NZTA’s Journey Planner: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner
Northland Civil Defence continues to advise people to delay any unnecessary travel. Those who do need to be on the roads are urged to drive to the conditions and take extra care.
At this time, no additional road closures have been confirmed. However, inspections are ongoing and further issues may be identified. Roading crews will respond as quickly as possible, and motorists should allow extra time for travel.
Yesterday afternoon, six households in Kerikeri were proactively evacuated due to the potential risk posed by nearby trees. Most residents, along with their pets, were able to stay with friends and family.
Overnight, Top Energy reported two power outages:
  • One affecting 786 customers in the Omapere-Opononi-Whirinaki area
  • One affecting 373 customers in the Waikare through to Rawhiti area
Both outages are currently expected to be resolved around the middle of the day today. At this time, Northpower is reporting no outages, with crews remaining on standby.
Members of the public who encounter storm-related damage or roading issues on public property are encouraged to report them directly to their local council:
Northland Civil Defence continues to work closely with local councils, emergency services, and partner agencies and will provide further updates as conditions change.
Posted on

Storm News – State of Emergency declared in Northland as precautionary step

Source: Northland Regional Council

A State of Emergency has been declared for Northland as at 5pm Friday 10 April, for an initial period of seven days, as part of the regional response to Cyclone Vaianu.
The emergency declaration was made after consultation with local councils and emergency services, and was requested by Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group Controller Damian Rio and signed by CDEM Group Chair Colin Kitchen.
Mr Rio says region-wide emergency declarations are relatively rare in Northland and the move has been taken as a precaution given the potentially significant impacts that may be seen across Taitokerau from Cyclone Vaianu.
“Declaring an emergency is a step under our legislation which allows the Civil Defence Controller and/or those to whom they delegate authority, access to emergency powers, granting authority to protect life and property in extraordinary emergency events under the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Act 2002.”
The most commonly-used emergency powers include evacuating premises and places, entering premises, closing roads and public places, removing aircraft, vessels, vehicles etc and requisitioning property, equipment, material or supplies. Of these, enabling evacuations is often the key reason for an emergency declaration.
Mr Rio says the MetService today (10 April) issued a suite of weather warnings and watches across the whole of the North Island.
For Northland, an orange strong wind warning is in place for the whole region from 11pm Saturday 11 April until 2pm Sunday 12 April. An orange heavy rain warning for Northland about and south of Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour runs from 9pm Saturday 11 April until 9am Sunday 12 April. A heavy rain watch is also in place for Northland north of Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour from 7pm Saturday 11 April until 7am Sunday 12 April.
Cyclone Vaianu is expected to bring periods of severe winds and heavy rain across Northland, with eastern areas likely to be most affected. Severe gale winds, shifting from southeast to southwest, could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Surface flooding, rapidly rising rivers, slips, and hazardous driving condition may also occur.
Mr Rio says at this stage it is unclear whether emergency powers will need to be used, but the declaration ensures the region is prepared should conditions worsen.
“This declaration means we can act quickly if required. It gives us the tools to respond effectively and keep our communities safe if the situation escalates.”
Mr Kitchen acknowledges the challenging timing of the event, with the region still recovering from recent severe weather.
“We know this is a difficult time for many communities who are already dealing with the impacts of previous weather events, but Northlanders have consistently shown their strength and resilience,” Mr Kitchen says.
“I want to acknowledge the efforts people are making now to get prepared, look out for their neighbours, and follow official advice. Those actions make a real difference.”
Mr Kitchen says Northlanders should continue to stay up-to-date with weather forecasts and official information, have a plan in case they need to evacuate, check on neighbours, avoid non-essential travel during the weather warning periods and take extreme care if it was necessary to be on the roads.
Local councils, emergency services and Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management continue to meet regularly and are coordinating closely for this event.
Key updates will continue to be posted on the Civil Defence Northland Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/civildefencenorthland and the Civil Defence section of Northland Regional Council’s website www.nrc.govt.nz
Other useful link for Northlanders:
Your local district council is the best place to both report issues with and get updates on, local infrastructure, such as local roads.
Northland Civil Defence works across the councils to provide local welfare support. If centres or marae are open to provide support, they will be published on the district council websites below:
Whangarei District Council | Phone: 0800 932 463 | Website: www.wdc.govt.nz
Far North District Council| Phone: 0800 920 029 | Website: www.fndc.govt.nz
Kaipara District Council | Phone: 0800 727 059 | Website: www.kaipara.govt.nz
Power outages:
Whangārei & Kaipara Districts (Northpower): https://northpower.nz/outages/
You can contact the Northpower faults line: 0800 104 040
Far North District (Top Energy) https://outages.topenergy.co.nz/
You can phone Top Energy: 0800 867 363
To check if your property may be in a flood prone area or exposed to potential hazards check:
Posted on

Price index methods – updates for the March 2026 quarter – Stats NZ methods paper

Posted on

Economy – Cash consultation continues, update on further supporting information – Reserve Bank of NZ

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ)

10 April 2026 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) Assistant Governor Money Karen Silk encourages the public to have their say about local access to withdraw cash, deposit cash and swap cash for low-denomination banknotes and coins.

There has been strong interest in the “Keeping Cash Local” consultation with more than 4000 responses so far. The deadline was extended to 31 July 2026 to allow more time for people and industry to respond, and for RBNZ to share further materials.

“As part of the consultation, we have received questions about the legal basis for the proposal we are consulting on, and we will release more information about this within two weeks. This may assist people in shaping their feedback on the consultation. We will also provide some Official Information Act responses that will be completed within that timeframe,” says Karen Silk.

RBNZ is responsible for ensuring that cash meets needs of the public.

“No decisions have been made yet on the proposals outlined in the consultation, and we want to hear a wide range of views about what the minimum services should be locally to withdraw cash, deposit cash, and swap cash free-of-charge, in every district of New Zealand. The public's views are important and will help inform our approach,” says Karen Silk.

“Our preferred approach is to work with banks to explore how the public's access to cash services could be improved on a voluntary basis and we welcome responses from the cash industry,” says Karen Silk.

Additionally, alternate formats of the consultation document – in NZSL, braille, easy read, audio and large print – will be made available in May to allow disabled people and their communities to have their say.
 

More information

About the consultation Access to cash – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=411ba5af3b&e=f3c68946f8
Respond to our survey, make a submission or download consultation materials on CitizenSpace: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=e68c1f2e9b&e=f3c68946f8