Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Amnesty International – We can create an Aotearoa where everyone can thrive

Source: Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand

The Helen Clark Foundation’s second annual report on social cohesion has found that cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand has slipped across every dimension measured.
“Social cohesion is important to human rights because rights aren’t just about what’s in the law, it’s how we interact with each other, our ability to come together and support each other,” said Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand's Advocacy Director, Lisa Woods. 
The report provides insights into a number of areas as they relate to social cohesion, including recognising the significance of social media. The report states 55% think it's bad for society, but that its use is widespread. 
“Many, including Amnesty, have been saying for a long time that online harm is hurting community wellbeing – its role in issues such as violent extremism, discrimination and prejudice is well known. Research has shown the catastrophic impacts online harm can have on communities and entire countries. However, online platforms like social media are now an important part of daily life for most people. We use it to stay connected with friends and family, to trade, work and to learn.
“As a core part of daily life, we need online platforms to be safer by design. This goes to the heart of the issue where platform design is driving harm. Many search engines and social media platforms are designed to promote content that drives engagement, regardless of its harmful effects. This allows harmful material to spread widely.
“We know the Government is considering action to address online harm. Given the extent of harm occurring and the enormous risk it poses to a healthy thriving society, we need action to address the root causes of harm – platform design. Standards are needed that set transparency and accountability requirements, along with an independent regulator, similar to what the Select Committee on young people and online harm recently recommended,” said Woods.
The Foundation's report considers a number of other areas, including addressing financial stress which the report names as a dominant driver. It also talks about sharing authority and agency: “Communities that hold budgets and set priorities themselves form meaning by being situated in living relationships with accountability and consequences.” 
“It's important to keep at the forefront that we can create an Aotearoa where everyone can thrive.
“This starts with upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In doing so we can build a strong foundation that provides a place for us all to belong, for respectful relationships to flourish and a just foundation for how we can make decisions together.
“When our systems are designed so we can all make a meaningful contribution, it can provide more well-rounded and informed decision-making, stronger communities, and feelings of belonging and connection,” said Woods.
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Tech – Getac redefines rugged mobility with launch of G140 Copilot+ PC, powered by AMD Technology in Australia and New Zealand

Source: Getac

The new G140 tablet blends AI-powered performance with MIL-STD fully rugged protection in a lightweight, field friendly design.

News in brief:

• Getac today launches the new G140 tablet, its first AMD-powered fully rugged tablet as a Copilot+ PC in Australia and New Zealand.  

• The G140 provides Australia and New Zealand's public safety, automotive and manufacturing industries with versatile rugged devices that can run demanding edge AI applications in the field.

• The G140 further expands Getac’s industry-leading portfolio of rugged Copilot+ PCs, which also includes the next generation UX10, F120, B360 Plus, and S510AD in the region.

SYDNEY, 24 April 2026: Getac Technology Corporation (Getac), a leading provider of rugged computing and mobile video solutions and a manufacturer with advanced in-house capabilities, today announced the launch of the new G140 tablet, a fully rugged Copilot+ PC1in Australia and New Zealand.  

Powered by AMD RyzenTM technology, the G140 is designed for professionals working in industries such as public safety, automotive, and manufacturing, who require versatile field-ready devices that can run demanding edge AI applications in a wide range of operational environments.

Supporting the growing demand for architectural continuity

As organisations across Australia and New Zealand continue to invest in digital transformation IT decision-makers are increasingly prioritising seamless compatibility and platform consistency with their existing infrastructure. In response to this growing demand for architectural continuity, Getac has expanded its portfolio to include AMD-powered rugged solutions, beginning with the recently launched S510AD Copilot+ PC and now with the G140 Copilot+ PC. These additions provide greater deployment flexibility for customers with specific integration requirements, while ensuring their IT environments remain unified and efficient.

Real-time AI-powered performance

The G140 is engineered for optimal productivity in the field. Featuring an AMD RyzenTM AI 5 340 / 7 350 CPU, AMD RadeonTM 840M / 860M GPU, and AMD XDNATM 2 NPU (up to 50 TOPS), it delivers seamless AI-powered processing performance and high-quality visuals directly at the point of work. This advanced AMD architecture is specifically optimized for efficiency, providing exceptional battery endurance to support long shifts between charges without compromising power.

The G140 excels at multitasking, handling demanding field applications with high levels of responsiveness. Its integrated graphics capabilities allow professionals to view high-resolution maps and complex schematics with superb clarity, eliminating the need for a separate GPU. Extensive communication options, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 4G LTE (optional), 5G Sub-6 (optional), and dual-SIM (optional) keep users connected in even remote locations, while two USB 4 ports as standard support high-speed data transfer, high-resolution video output, and power delivery.

Field friendly design

At the heart of the G140 is a 14-inch LumiBond screen with 1,000 nits of brightness and sunlight readable display, supporting usability in outdoor and variable weather conditions common across Australia and New Zealand's harsh climatic environments. Usability is further enhanced by Getac’s Smart Touch auto-sensing technology, which automatically adapts to inputs from a finger, stylus or glove without the need for manual mode switching, while a new dual-speaker design makes it well suited to noisy indoor and outdoor environments.

The G140 also features Getac’s hot-swappable battery technology and can accommodate high-capacity batteries (optional) for long periods of uninterrupted use. A robust suite of security features including TPM 2.0, Windows Hello face-authentication camera, AMD PRO (optional), HF RFID reader (optional), fingerprint reader (optional) and smart card reader (optional), keep sensitive data safe at all times.

A wide range of carrying and mounting options offer enhanced mobility in the field. These include a hard handle, and a rotating hand strap, magnetic mount and kickstand – the latter three made possible via an integrated VESA mount that is part of the G140 chassis. These options allow the G140 to be conveniently carried and/or mounted onto nearby surfaces for easy hands-free operation. Vehicle docks from Havis and Gamber-Johnson also support secure in-vehicle charging and operation.

Fully rugged protection in a portable and lightweight form factor

Like all Getac devices, the G140 is built to thrive where other devices or equipment may fail. MIL-STD-810H and IP66 certifications, 4 ft (1.2m) drop resistance and an operating temperature range of -29°C to 63°C / -20°F to 145°F ensure high levels of reliability in challenging work environments, helping to minimise unplanned downtime and reduce capital/operating costs.

Despite its fully rugged credentials, the G140 is also incredibly light. At just 1.79kg/3.95lbs, it is easy to carry and operate for extended periods of time.

A versatile digital solution for field professionals

The G140’s powerful specification and lightweight form factor make it well suited to several critical use cases across the public safety, automotive and manufacturing industries:

• Public safety: First responders in Australia and New Zealand can now seamlessly detach the G140 from their response vehicles as they arrive at the scene of an incident and use it to gather evidence, gain situational awareness, and share critical information with other response teams directly from the field.

• Automotive: Mechanics and technicians can harness the G140’s powerful processing capabilities to run diagnostics, manage tasks, check inventory levels, and solve emergency issues at the roadside or in a service center.

• Manufacturing: Factory operators can use the G140 to capture and support timely sharing of asset data across the facility, enabling predictive planning and maintenance initiatives that reduce unplanned downtime and boost operational efficiency.

Part of Getac’s comprehensive multi-platform portfolio

The G140 is the latest addition to Getac’s industry-leading portfolio of rugged Copilot+ PCs, bringing AI-powered performance to customers via their choice of platform. The full range now includes:

• The UX10 fully rugged tablet (Intel)

• The F120 fully rugged tablet (Intel)

• The B360 Plus fully rugged laptop (Intel)

• The S510AD rugged laptop (AMD)

• The G140 fully rugged tablet (AMD)

James Hwang, president of Getac Technology Corporation, said, “As organisations in Australia and New Zealand and globally increasingly harness the power of AI within their operations, demand for rugged digital devices capable of running powerful edge AI applications is growing at an exponential rate.

“With the launch of the G140 we are redefining what’s possible at the edge, putting real-time analytical power directly into the hands of field professionals and empowering them to complete mission-critical activities without compromise, no matter how harsh the conditions.”

G140 will be available in Australia and New Zealand in June 2026.

For more information, please visit www.getac.com

1 To qualify as a Copilot+ PC, a device must include an NPU (Neural Processor Unit) capable of 40+ TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second), have a minimum of 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage, and support at least one form of biometric security authentication.

About Getac

Getac Technology Corporation is a global leader in AI-capable rugged mobile technology and intelligent video solutions, including laptops, tablets, software, body-worn cameras, in-car video systems, digital evidence management and enterprise video analytics solutions. Getac’s solutions and services are designed to enable extraordinary experiences for frontline workers in challenging environments. Today, Getac serves customers in over 100 countries spanning defence, public safety, ambulance, fire & rescue, utilities, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. Getac was recently recognized as one of Newsweek’s “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies” for 2024. For more information, visit: https://www.getac.com . Participate in the Getac Industry blog or follow the company on LinkedIn and YouTube .

Getac and Getac logo are trademarks of Getac Holdings Corporation or its affiliates. Other brands or trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 Getac Technology Corporation.

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Property Market – Commercial Land Shortage Drives Property Prices to Record High – Data

Source: Distributed on behalf of Realestate.co.nz by Impact PR

A shortage of suitably-zoned commercial and industrial land is pushing Auckland’s property market to record-high levels, as competition for development-ready sites intensifies.

Industry experts warn the constraints will increase the cost of establishing and expanding businesses in the region, with higher land prices flowing through to development, logistics and ultimately consumers.

New data from realestate.co.nz shows Auckland’s industrial and commercial land values have reached an average of $1,190 per square metre in the 12 months to March 2026, the highest level recorded in at least a decade and up more than 600 percent from ten years ago.

The pressure is also being felt in other parts of the sector, with the average asking price for industrial buildings in Auckland now at over $3.5 million for the first time, reflecting the lack of availability of well-located sites in the country’s largest market.

At the same time, the average land area of industrial properties available for sale has fallen to a record low of 1,864 sqm, from 5,212 sqm a decade ago, a decline of more than 64%, signalling a shift toward smaller, more constrained site offerings.

Search data indicates demand is being driven primarily by domestic investors, with international activity easing over the past year.

While macroeconomic factors have slowed transaction volumes in recent years, particularly for land, the underlying shortage of development-ready sites continues to place upward pressure on pricing when assets do come to market.

Sarah Wood, CEO of realestate.co.nz, says the data highlights a long-term imbalance in the Auckland market, where limited land supply is driving prices.

She says the region remains the primary hub of the New Zealand economy, contributing 38% to national GDP, with shifts in land supply and pricing feeding directly into business costs, investment decisions and economic activity across the rest of the country.

“What we’re seeing is a structural shortage of commercial and industrial land, particularly in Auckland. There simply isn’t enough development-ready land coming to market to meet demand, and that is now being reflected clearly in pricing.

“The step-change in land prices over the past two years in particular isn’t a typical movement. It reflects a situation where supply is no longer keeping pace with demand.

“This is shifting development patterns, with access to suitable sites increasingly dictating how and where projects can occur, particularly for larger-scale industrial users.

“Over time, that affects where businesses locate, how supply chains are structured, and the cost of operating across the wider economy, including the competitiveness of New Zealand’s exports,” she says.

Stephen Hughes, CEO of Drury South Crossing, the country’s largest mixed-use development, says the same constraints are playing out on the ground, with limited availability of large, serviced industrial sites across the wider Auckland region.

“Businesses are placing a premium on land that is build-ready and well connected to transport modes, power and fibre. In a constrained market, those locations are becoming harder to secure and that is flowing directly into pricing.”

He says developments such as Drury South Crossing are becoming increasingly rare, with only a small number of large, industrial-zoned sites still available for purchase.

“We have sold more than 100 hectares of land at Drury South over the past five years, and with just 30 hectares remaining, we won’t be able to accommodate every requirement. Early movers can still secure a site, but the supply of greenfield industrial land at this scale across the region is becoming increasingly limited.”

Hughes says rising electricity demand is also reshaping site requirements, with many existing industrial locations unable to support modern business needs.

“It’s not just data centres, it’s everyday businesses needing more power for automation, machinery and electric vehicle fleets, and many older sites simply can’t support that without significant upgrades.”

Wood says there has been a noticeable shift in the commercial property market, where constrained land supply is dictating pricing, development patterns and business costs, with supply continuing to tighten.

“We’re seeing a move toward a land-constrained market, where site availability is becoming more important than the buildings themselves.

“Our data shows new commercial and industrial land listings have fallen 4 percent over the past year, from 211 to 203, reflecting the limited supply conditions.

“Higher land costs don’t stay in the property market, they affect businesses, logistics and ultimately consumers.

“Addressing this will require faster zoning, better infrastructure and a more proactive approach to planning commercial land supply,” she says.

Wood says buyer activity on the platform is strengthening, with commercial search volumes up 12 percent over the past year, while active users in the sector have increased 21 percent over the same period.

“Commercial for sale property searches increased 12 percent in the 12 months to March 2026, with a lift in engagement from domestic investors and occupiers.

“According to our search data, international interest has softened, suggesting the current upswing is being driven primarily by local capital.”

Wood says the alignment of rising land values and increased buyer activity suggests a more active period ahead.

“When we see more people searching, more activity in the market, and rising values, it typically indicates momentum is building.

“If these trends continue, we would expect stronger transaction volumes through the rest of 2026.

“Over time, this risks pushing industrial activity further from key centres, increasing transport costs and reducing supply chain efficiency,” she says.

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Economy – Cash consultation legal basis and ongoing industry engagement – Reserve Bank

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

24 April 2026 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) is today releasing additional information about the legal basis of the Keeping Cash Local consultation proposal to help people respond to the consultation.

RBNZ is responsible for ensuring that cash meets the needs of the public. The consultation asks the public about local access to withdraw cash, deposit cash and swap cash for low-denomination banknotes and coins.

“There has been strong interest in the consultation with more than 4700 responses so far. We've extended the consultation deadline to 31 July 2026 to allow more time for people and industry to respond. No decisions have been made and we welcome a range of views on the proposals outlined in the consultation,” says Assistant Governor Money Karen Silk.

“We received detailed questions about the proposal's legal basis, so we're publishing additional information to explain it. We expect this will support stakeholders in making well-informed submissions,” says Karen Silk.

“We welcome views from the public, banking and cash industry on the consultation, and further engagement with banks and other cash industry participants will be important when working through how to best implement any proposal. This will be a subsequent conversation, informed by what we hear through the public consultation, alongside our research, analysis and engagement over the past five years to understand the cash needs of the public and if these needs are being met,” says Karen Silk.

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.

RBNZ will respond to other OIA requests on the Keeping Cash Local consultation by 2 June 2026.

More information

Legal basis for the proposal
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=27344579c6&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=6e1345855f&e=f3c68946f8

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Local News – Porirua Pacific Language weeks to start next month

Source: Porirua City Council

Winter might be coming, but the Pacific greetings will be warm as we approach the start of Pacific Language weeks in Porirua for 2026.
The first country to be celebrated is Rotuma, from 10-15 May, where an event will take place at Pātaka on Monday morning, 11 May. Themes of the different Pacific nations have always been based on sustainability of people, culture, identity and language, which is something we support in Porirua, as the United Nations warns at least 40 per cent of the world’s 7000 languages are in danger of being lost.
With Bislama, the official language of Vanuatu, added in 2025, there are now 12 language weeks to commemorate, along with Māori Language Week (the latter in September).
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says raising the flag at the Peace Memorial on the edge of Te Rauparaha Park, or having a celebration at Pātaka, is one small way we can honour and recognise the vibrancy of the nearly 27 per cent of Porirua’s population that nominates themselves as Pacific.
“We have one of the most culturally diverse populations in the country and I love that we highlight it wherever we can,” Mayor Baker says.
“At Council we have a Pacific Strategy, which we adopted in 2023, which has an aim of making people of all nations that live in our city feel welcome and being able to celebrate where they’ve come from, and their culture and heritage.
“I watch our residents, young and old, developing relationships and reveling in what makes their language so unique – we need to continue to support and applaud that pride.”
Individual language week themes will be announced closer to the time so keep an eye on Council’s social media pages as we highlight flag-raising and other Pacific Language Week activities. There is also information at mpp.govt.nz.
Pacific Language Week dates for 2026:
Rotuma: 10-16 May
Samoa: 31 May-6 June
Kiribati: 5-11 July
Vanuatu: 26 July-1 August
Cook Islands Māori: 2-8 August
Tonga: 16-22 August
Papua New Guinea Pidgin: 6-12 September
Tuvalu: 27 September-3 October
Fiji: 4-10 October
Niue: 18-24 October
Tokelau: 25-31 October
Solomon Islands Pidgin: 22-28 November
Note that Māori Language Week is 20-26 September.
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Property Market – NZ sales volumes fall for third straight month, capping weak start to 2026 – Cotality

Source: Cotality

Sales volumes have continued to decline across New Zealand’s housing market, marking a third consecutive monthly fall and extending a subdued start to 2026, even as property values remain broadly stable.

Cotality’s NZ Monthly Housing Chart Pack shows sales volumes in March were down -2.4% compared to the same time last year, following falls of -7.6% in January and -3.1% in February. Taken together, the results leave activity tracking around or below long-term averages across the first quarter.
Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said the persistence of weaker sales suggested something more than a simple start-of-year adjustment.
“January’s weakness could have been explained by activity being pulled forward into December to nab a generous cash-back, but that softness has carried through February and March as well,” Mr Davidson said.
“We’ve now had three subdued months in a row, which indicates a weaker first quarter than expected. It’s not a sharp downturn, but it does show that confidence is still muted and buyers are taking their time.”
Values stable, main centres uneven
Property values held relatively steady through the softer sales environment, with the national median rising 0.2% in March and 0.3% across the first quarter. 
However, performance across the main centres remains uneven with Auckland values down -0.2% over the three months to March and -3.4% lower over the past year. 
Christchurch recorded modest gains, with values rising 1.1% over the quarter and 2.4% annually. 
Mr Davidson said those differences reflected local supply dynamics and shifts in affordability.
“Auckland still looks expensive in dollar terms, but when you look at it against local incomes it’s more affordable than it has been for quite some time,” he said.
“That’s helping support demand in that market, even if price growth remains fairly contained overall.”
First home buyers steady
First home buyers continue to play a major role in NZ’s market, accounting for more than 27% of purchases nationally across the first quarter, well above their long-term average of around 22%.

In Auckland, their share was higher again at around 30%, with even stronger concentrations in other parts of the country including Hamilton (33%) and the wider Wellington are (37%).

Mr Davidson said the consistency of first home buyer activity was fairly evenly spread across the country and supported by a combination of factors such as improved affordability and access to credit.
“Lower house prices compared to a few years ago, reduced mortgage rates, and KiwiSaver withdrawals are all helping,” he said.
“But just as important is that many buyers don’t need a full 20% deposit. More than half of first home buyer lending is still being done below that threshold, which makes a real difference to access.”
Soft rental market despite signs of stabilisation
Conditions in the rental market remain subdued, with Stats NZ data showing rents have fallen -0.4% in the year to March and MBIE figures recording a -1.6% fall in February. 
At the same time, gross rental yields have improved to 3.9% nationally, their highest level since 2015, reflecting earlier declines in property values alongside prior rent growth.
Mr Davidson said recent data suggests rents may be approaching a floor, but volatility in the monthly figures makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions.
“There are some hints in the latest numbers that rents could be flattening out, with migration picking up and rental listings easing a little,” he said.
“But rents are still very high relative to incomes, so even if they have flattened out, a strong upswing is unlikely.”
Market outlook remains constrained
Mr Davidson said the housing market started 2026 with limited momentum, and global uncertainty, along with higher inflation and interest rate expectations, continues to weigh on confidence.
This week’s Q1 CPI result was relatively becalmed, but the key period still lies ahead with the latest quarter capturing only the initial effects of the Iran conflict.
Mr Davidson said the Q1 number may not look too bad on its own, but it could be the calm before stronger inflation pressures come through later in the year.
“Property sales volumes were already soft through the first quarter, and that was before the latest developments around the Iran conflict,” he said.
“For now, prices are holding up reasonably well, but turnover is still on the softer side. Until confidence improves and movers start to re-engage, sales volumes are likely to remain subdued. Near-term downwards pressure on prices would not be a surprise.”
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Save the Children – Meet the 10 Generation Hope ambassadors championing youth voice in Aotearoa

Source: Save the Children

Ten young people have been selected for Save the Children New Zealand’s 2026 Generation Hope Youth Ambassador Programme, forming a collective of passionate youth advocates ready to take action on the issues that matter most to them.
The youth ambassadors – selected from across the motu – bring a diverse range of experience including youth councils, UN Youth, Digiwise, rotary clubs, and other community and leadership-focused initiatives.
Now in its fourth year, the programme is designed for rangatahi aged 14-18 interested in leading change in their own communities. Over the year, they take part in leadership and advocacy training, and co-create and lead events, such as Youth COP or online panels to raise awareness and their voices on issues that matter to them.
Wellington-based ambassador Casmai, 17 says she joined Generation Hope to “close the gap between youth voices and real-world change”.
“I want to challenge the idea that youth are only ‘the future’ and prove that we are more than capable of creating meaningful impact in Aotearoa right now.”
The 10 ambassadors gathered in Wellington for the first time last week, visiting Parliament, meeting with Minister for Children Karen Chhour, and attending a series of workshops designed to help build new skills and knowledge across advocacy, communications, fundraising and international development.
New ambassador Malak says, “Every past ambassador I’ve spoken to describes their time with Generation Hope as a turning point, an experience that builds confidence, broadens perspectives, and creates lifelong connections grounded in shared purpose. Being part of a community that uplifts young leaders while driving meaningful action is what draws me most to this opportunity.”
Save the Children New Zealand’s Advocacy and Research Director Jacqui Southey says each iteration of the programme has built on the year before, creating a strong foundation for youth leadership.
“Generation Hope gives young people a platform to speak on the issues they care about. With this year’s General Election fast approaching, our ambassadors are eager to speak up on the issues that affect their lives and help shape the future they want to see.”
This year’s Generation Hope youth ambassadors are:
Malak, 16
Ōtepoti Dunedin, Palestine
Malak is a passionate youth, mental health, and community advocate who sparks local and national conversations. Inspired by her family and community, she uses art, public speaking, and campaigning to create inclusive spaces. She is part of the Mental Health Foundation YAG, Make It 16, Gen-Z Aotearoa, and Rotary Club. A multifaceted changemaker, she believes every voice matters and works to challenge stereotypes and drive meaningful social and systemic impact.
Sofia, 16
T ā maki Makaurau Auckland
With experience in fundraising, Sofia is a passionate 16-year-old leader from Tāmaki Makaurau who values learning, education and creativity. Committed to advocacy and community impact, she aims to create positive change with a focus on connecting and empowering other young people.
Johan, 17
Kirikiriroa Hamilton
Johan is a youth advocate focused on mental health and wellbeing, who brings energy and purpose to his work. Driven to support young people globally, he is passionate about leadership, debate, and creating opportunities for youth to thrive.
Casmai, 17
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Casmai is a creative and confident young leader who tries to bring humour and authenticity to her advocacy. She is very passionate about racial equality and inclusion, and uses filmmaking, public speaking, and leadership to uplift diverse voices. Alongside being a dedicated badminton player, Casmai has led and been part of initiatives like Speech Race Unity and Rotaract Club while volunteering in her community. Whether she’s on stage, behind the camera, or leading a team, Casmai is always aiming to inspire change and empower others.
Annatongamaria-Rita, 18
T ā maki Makaurau Auckland
Annatongamaria-Rita is a passionate and driven young leader who brings authenticity and heart to everything she does. Deeply connected to her culture and community, she is committed to uplifting others and creating meaningful change. Guided by the Samoan proverb “O le ala i le pule o le tautua” – the pathway to leadership is through service – she leads with purpose, humility, and a desire to empower those around her.
Ollie, 17,
T ā maki Makaurau Auckland
A proactive leader within his community, Ollie is dedicated to serving and supporting those around him. With an interest in youth and older adults' well-being, he supports meaningful connections and promotes equitable access to opportunities. An advocate for environmental issues, he is driven to contribute toward sustainable, positive change.
Chunwa, 17
Kirikiriroa Hamilton
A dedicated debater and literature lover, Chunwa uses words as her strongest tool for change. Passionate about social justice issues, she involves herself in volunteer work, promoting the idea that the most vulnerable members of her community deserve to meet their daily needs without hardship.
Shubhanyu, 15,
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Inspired by the world he was raised in and the world it has the potential to be, Shubhanyu is a young leader with a passion for breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for all youth to thrive the way they see fit. He seeks to understand, challenge, and reform today's systems so that Rangatahi can craft the best version of tomorrow.
Betty, 17
Ōtepoti Dunedin and The Philippines
Betty is a passionate Filipino youth advocate and creative from Dunedin. Lived experience shapes this changemaker who is committed to representation, community care, and youth-led spaces. Betty believes in empowering tamariki and rangatahi across Aotearoa and beyond to lead today and shape tomorrow.
Brayden, 15
Whakaoriori Masterton
A musician, public speaker and youth advocate, Brayden uses creativity to connect people and inspire change. He is actively involved in environmental and World Vision initiatives, serves as an Ambassador for UN Youth Wellington, and is a former Chair of the Masterton District Youth Council. Brayden is guided by a belief in dignity and a strong sense of self for all, endeavouring to empower others through storytelling, genuine conversation, and meaningful expression.
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
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Fire Safety – Open fire season for most of Nelson Marlborough

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is revoking the restricted fire season in most of the Nelson Marlborough District from 8am on Friday 24 April, until further notice.
This means the Waimea, Coastal, Nelson North, Lake Rotoiti, Murchison, North Marlborough, and South Marlborough zones join the Golden Bay zone in an open fire season.
An open fire season means you do not need a permit from Fire and Emergency to light an outdoor fire.
All Department of Conservation land (PCL) remains in a restricted fire season, meaning anyone wanting to light a fire needs a permit approved by Fire and Emergency.
Sandy Bay remains in a prohibited fire season, meaning all outdoor fires are banned.
District Commander Grant Haywood says the autumn conditions have reduced the fire risk across the district.
“Thanks to shorter days, cooler temperatures, and increased rainfall, there is no longer a need to impose restrictions on outdoor fires.
“However, if you are lighting a fire, it is your responsibility to do so in a safe manner.
“Fires must be kept to a manageable size and smoke drift should not be a hazard for motorists. If it is windy, please postpone your burn.
“We urge everyone to continue going to www.checkitsalright.nz before lighting any fires to check if it’s safe to light and to access safety advice.”
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Renewable Energy Sector – Taiohi Solar Farm strengthens Waikato’s energy resilience

Source: WEL Networks

The WEL Group has officially opened the Taiohi Solar Farm, its largest solar development to date, marking a significant milestone in the Waikato’s clean energy transition.
The Taiohi Solar Farm is expected to generate approximately 44.6 GWh of renewable electricity each year; enough to power around 5,600 homes, and it will remove around 4,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Covering 32 hectares, the solar farm features more than 47,000 solar panels. Construction was completed over 18 months and involved a workforce of around 150 people. WEL Group subsidiary, NewPower Energy, acknowledged the commitment and expertise of its development and delivery partner, Infratec, along with key subcontractors and suppliers including PGS Profab, Trilect, Feisst, Connells, SMA, Canadian Solar, S Rack and Kiwistaff.
“This project is the result of an incredible team effort,” said Acting NewPower Energy CEO, David Barnett.
“The skill, dedication and collaboration shown across the project team made Taiohi possible.”
Taiohi plays an important role in strengthening electricity supply resilience across the Waikato by generating power closer to where it is used. It forms part of a wider distributed generation and storage system being developed by the WEL Group, alongside the Rotohiko Battery Energy Storage System near Huntly and other solar farms in the region.
“Building generation locally improves resilience and reduces reliance on supply from outside the region.
“With electricity demand growing fast, solar generation is playing a bigger role because it can be deployed quickly to help meet near-term energy needs.”
Beyond its energy contribution, Taiohi is also being recognised for its strong partnership with Maurea Marae. The partnership has already delivered meaningful outcomes, including iwi and marae involvement during construction, the naming of the solar farm (meaning youthful), the installation of a pou at the entrance, and the creation of scholarships and grants for rangatahi.
“The focus on directing benefits from this project into supporting young people is an inspiring outcome.
“Our energy future depends not only on infrastructure like solar farms, but also on the talent, commitment and leadership of rangatahi.
“Taiohi is a powerful example of what’s possible through partnership and collaboration and represents a significant step toward a more sustainable, resilient, and locally supported energy system,” added David Barnett.
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Rural News – Farm pay growth slows after strong gains – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers

Farm worker pay growth has levelled off in the last few years, after a post-pandemic period of rapid growth, a new report shows.
The 2026 Federated Farmers-Rabobank Farm Remuneration Report, released today, shows the average salary for a farm worker increased by $1,367 to $72,778, or a weighted average rise of 3% across 13 job positions.
“For some of those roles, the increases have been higher,” Federated Farmers employment spokesperson Karl Dean says.
“For example, the average salary for a dairy farm assistant – the most common position on a dairy farm – rose to $63,359 this year, a rise of 5%.
“Wages for an arable farm machinery operator jumped a massive 30% to $82,651.”
The moderation in farm worker pay rises in the last two years is consistent with broader labour market trends, with wage growth across the economy typically 2-2.4% annually.
“Keep in mind, too, that average annual salaries in our sector jumped 13% between 2022 and 2024, with a weighted average rise of 17% for sheep and beef farm roles,” Dean says.
This is the 15 th farming salaries report Federated Farmers and Rabobank have produced, this time collating results from a survey of 427 farm employers in early 2026.
The findings cover data relating to nearly 1,500 employees across 13 positions, ranging from dairy farm assistant to arable farm managers.
Bruce Weir, Rabobank General Manager for Country Banking, says the report highlights slightly stronger growth in Total Package Values (TPV) for farm employees.
“The salary figures don’t include the range of other benefits provided to farm employees, which can include things like vehicle usage, meat, firewood, phone and power allowances,” he says.
“For many farm employees, those extras can add up to several thousand dollars a year.
“Overall, the weighted average TPV across all farm employees lifted 5% to $77,030, nearly $4,252 more than the average salary.”
Despite the relatively modest lift in salaries and TPV over the last two years, Weir says the sector’s recent strong performance makes it an attractive option for young Kiwis.
“The agri sector has performed really strongly over the last 18 months and has been the shining light of the New Zealand economy,” he says.
“The sector’s long-term outlook remains positive, and the strong investment we’re currently seeing should flow through to new job opportunities in the years ahead.”
However, Weir says ongoing salary growth is also essential to ensure the sector continues to entice the next generation into agri careers.
“Remuneration matters to young people, and attracting strong talent will depend on on-farm salaries keeping up with – or surpassing – the wider employment market.”
Dairy positions
For dairy farm workers, the average weighted rise in TPV was 5%, up to $77,186.
“Pay rises for dairy farm staff were stronger in entry- and mid-level roles, and while the labour market remains competitive for experienced dairy workers, wage pressures have eased,” Dean says.
The dairy sector is facing increasing margin pressure despite solid commodity prices.
While forecast milk prices remain relatively strong at $9.20-$9.80 per kilogram of milk solids, breakeven costs have risen to around $8.50kgMS.
That’s eating into margins for many operators and is reflected in farmers’ weakening profit expectations, which fell to a net negative position in early 2026, Dean says.
“These factors help explain why dairy farm pay increases have been more incremental compared to bigger lifts in the previous years,” Dean says.
Sheep and beef positions
In the sheep and beef sector, the weighted average increase in TPV since 2024 was 2%, rising to $76,296, despite difficult operating conditions in 2024/25.
Sheep and beef salaries rose by a weighted average of 2%.
A Federated Farmers survey in February this year showed strong profitability on sheep and beef farms, but much more caution over forward expectations, reflecting ongoing cost pressures and market volatility.
“Even with conditions improving, farmers will be conscious of how cyclical schedules are, and are likely to take a cautious approach to reinvesting in staff until returns prove more reliable and consistent,” Dean says.
Arable positions
In the arable sector, the average TPV rose to $73,980, a weighted average increase of 7%.
Salaries increased by a weighted average of 5% but the results varied across arable positions.
Machinery operators saw big increases in both TPV and salary, but general farm hands and farm managers experienced declines.
Deans says the pay boost for machinery operators is largely attributable to the lift in technology in harvesting and other equipment coming onto farms, and the greater level of knowledge required to operate this equipment.
“These skills are becoming harder to find and come at a cost of remuneration.
“The lift in pay also reflects the fact that the past two wet harvests have increased the number of hours worked by operators to get the harvest done and extra time spent getting crops established.”
Dean says that while a relatively smaller sample size from this sector means results should be interpreted with some caution, the outcomes reflect economic and operational pressures.
“There is global oversupply in herbage seed, softer prices are putting a dampener on returns to farmers and wetter conditions over the past season have reduced yields.
“The decline in pay for general hand and manager positions is down to reduced profitability in the sector.”
Rabobank New Zealand
Rabobank New Zealand Limited is a part of the global Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 120 years’ experience providing customized banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of about 8.6 million clients worldwide through a network of close to 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank New Zealand is one of the country's leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the New Zealand food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 27 offices throughout New Zealand.
Federated Farmers of New Zealand
Federated Farmers is a membership-based organisation that has been representing rural land-owners for more than 125 years. Our staff and elected farmers have been a collective voice in decision-making, speaking to all levels of government directly to get a positive outcome for our members. Through our advocacy at a local and national level, we have influenced decisions around legislation affecting stock and land, the supply of farm needs, taxation and rating.