Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Legislation – Govt’s justification for last-minute RMA changes appears to directly contradict EU Free Trade Agreement – Choose Clean Water

Source: Tom Kay, Choose Clean Water


The Government's attempt to justify last-minute changes to the Resource Management Act appear to contradict New Zealand’s commitments under our Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, say freshwater campaign group Choose Clean Water.


On Tuesday, the Government issued a press release stating that its last-minute changes to the Resource Management Act, which would allow agricultural and industrial pollution of waterways to continue where it’s causing “significant adverse effects on aquatic life”, are “Urgent economic action to protect exports”.


The Government is aiming to change a long-standing and fundamental part of New Zealand’s environmental law designed to protect fresh waterways from severe damage (ie, the loss of fish and other wildlife).


“What this means is that ongoing, severe pollution is being made legal at the stroke of a pen and that appears to directly contradict our obligations under our EU Free Trade Agreement,” says Tom Kay, Choose Clean Water spokesperson.


“A recent court decision on the Southland Land and Water Plan concluded that farming that was causing serious harm to rivers and other waterways could not simply be allowed as a permitted activity without a resource consent. This meant other councils who had similar permissions in their plans, like Waikato, are likely also allowing farming where it is causing significant degradation too.”


“But rather than do something to address this severe pollution, the Government is trying to cover it up by calling it “routine on-farm activities”, and trying to make the problem disappear by weakening the law and stating this is to “protect exports”. 


“There are clauses in our Free Trade Agreement with the EU about not weakening environmental protection in order to encourage trade.”


Our European Union Free Trade Agreement states, 


“Each Party shall strive to ensure that its relevant law and policies provide for, and encourage, high levels of environmental and labour protection, and shall strive to improve such levels, law and policies.”


“A Party shall not weaken or reduce the levels of protection afforded in its environmental or labour law in order to encourage trade or investment.”


“A Party shall not, through a sustained or recurring course of action or inaction, fail to effectively enforce its environmental or labour law in a manner affecting trade or investment.”


“A basic reading of the Free Trade Agreement would suggest that the Government’s last-minute changes to the RMA, as well as its other efforts to weaken environmental law, directly contradict the clauses relating to environmental protection.”


The Ministers’ press release says they are making the changes because “The Waikato region generates 20% of the nation’s primary exports,” and “If we don’t act, the economic heart of New Zealand’s primary sector could grind to a halt.” 


However, Kay says, the Government has not mentioned the potentially irreversible and intergenerational damage that could be done to waterways—such as groundwater underneath Canterbury that many rely on for drinking water—by allowing this pollution to be swept under the rug.


Given the consequences of these changes on people’s health and well-being, the places we live, and our international trade obligations, Ministers Bishop, McClay and Hoggard must issue a vastly more detailed explanation on the impacts of their changes to environmental protections for the state of our water and our trade agreement. 


“There have been other instances where MFAT has advised we may breach these environmental obligations. How much can the Government weaken environmental law before there are international consequences?”


“If so-called “routine on-farm activities” in New Zealand lead to the severe pollution of our freshwater, then our agricultural industry lobby groups aren’t the international leaders they say they are.” 


“The Government must drive and support more widespread improvement of farming activities, council enforcement, and accountability. They can not just magic away the problem by taking away environmental protection that safeguards all New Zealanders, the places we live in, and the water we all rely on.”

Posted on

Defence News – NZDF and University of Auckland collaborate on low-cost lifesaving locator for people at sea

Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)

A low-cost floating reflector to enable space-based synthetic aperture radar to detect people lost at sea is being developed by University of Auckland scientists in collaboration with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

The device could be a lifesaver in the Pacific and help New Zealand keep watch over its vast search and rescue region, covering 30 million square kilometres of water.

Vice Chief Defence Force, Rear Admiral Mathew Williams, and senior University leaders observed the latest phase of the Synthetic Aperture Radar for Search and Rescue (SAR4SaR) research programme at Omaha, north of Auckland.

“Finding a raft or small boat in the open ocean is like looking for a needle in a haystack,” said Tom Dowling, a University of Auckland scientist who is leading the project in conjunction with Defence Science & Technology (DST).

“But we aim to make the needle so shiny that it can’t be missed,” Dr Dowling said.

Small enough to fit in a small boat – even below the seat of a canoe – the device is popped open to float on the sea, reflecting electromagnetic energy back to satellites passing overhead.  An artificial intelligence tool would be scanning radar data to detect the call for help.  

“This innovation could be especially relevant for parts of the Pacific where many people rely on simple boats and lack access to high-end emergency gear,” said David Galligan, the director of DST, the Devonport-based scientific arm of the NZDF.

“The ocean is central to the lives of Pacific Island communities; it is an important source of food, and a means of transport,” Dr Galligan said.

“But fishers often go to sea with limited safety and communications equipment. When problems arise, they can find themselves adrift on the open ocean.”

In experiments done earlier this year, reflectors were tested for their durability and detectability from the air and space.

In tests staged from HMNZS Canterbury near the subantarctic Campbell Island, prototypes remained visible to satellites in stormy seas with gusts of 50-knot winds – more than 90 kilometres per hour.

During the week-long experiment at Omaha, the reflectors were put through a series of trials that confirmed their detectability, durability and ease of deployment.

The device’s effectiveness is made possible because of the advent of low-orbiting satellites.

Working in the University Space Institute’s fabrication facility, Dr Dowling and University engineer Ella Fasciana created prototypes in a variety of shapes – square, diamond, wedge – from materials available at local home improvement stores: aluminium foil, plastic sheeting, gaffer tape and tarpaulins.

The geometric configuration of adjoining aluminium surfaces focuses the energy of the radar signals and bounces it back to space, providing a distinctive signature for identification.  

Reflectors won’t replace contemporary emergency alerting systems, such as Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons or Satellite Emergency Notification Devices. But they would be a boon for people who can’t afford such devices and a back-up for those who can.

The aim is for a low-cost device that requires no batteries or maintenance.

When small vessels go missing in the Pacific, the responsibility for coordinating the search often falls to New Zealand because this country is responsible for a zone extending from the mid-Tasman Sea, halfway to Chile, and from the South Pole almost up to the Equator.

In 2023/24 New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre conducted 489 search and rescue operations.

In many cases, search and rescue involves deploying long-range maritime patrol aircraft, such as the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon, operated by No. 5 Squadron.

While these aircraft are vital for conducting extensive search and rescue operations, their use comes with significant operational costs. Each mission places considerable demands on both resources and the aircraft themselves, contributing to increased maintenance needs and airframe fatigue.

Posted on

Weather News – Winter sun before a cloudier, wetter weekend – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 14 – Monday 18 August – MetService is forecasting a mix of weather for the rest of the working week, with showers for some, but also plenty of sunny skies. However, a switch back to active weather is on the horizon as wetter, windier weather returns for the second half of the weekend into early next week.

The past week has been a true reminder that we are still in winter as cold weather gripped the country.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says, “Wellington’s Kelburn weather station went 113 hours where the temperature was below 10°C, its second longest run in the last decade, only surpassed by the 155-hour run in August 2016.”

Today (Thursday) the sun is out in full display for many places, helping ease the chill. However, for parts of Northland and Auckland, the day may also come with a possible heavy shower. For most across Aotearoa New Zealand, Friday is shaping up as a great opportunity to make the most of winter sunshine.

While dry weather prevails for Saturday morning sports for most, the picture changes during the second half of the day as weather desc

Posted on

Gaza: Israel threatens to ban major aid organizations as starvation deepens – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children

Over 100 organisations call for an end to Israel’s weaponization of aid
Despite claims by Israeli authorities that there is no limit on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, most major international NGOs have been unable to deliver a single truck of lifesaving supplies since 2 March.
Instead of clearing the growing backlog of goods, Israeli authorities have rejected requests from dozens of NGOs to bring in lifesaving goods, citing that these organizations are “not authorized to deliver aid.” In July alone, over 60 requests were denied under this justification.
This obstruction has left millions of dollars’ worth of food, medicine, water, and shelter items stranded in warehouses across Jordan and Egypt, while Palestinians are being starved.
“Anera has over $7 million worth of lifesaving supplies ready to enter Gaza – including744 tons of rice, enough for six million meals, blocked in Ashdod just kilometres away,” said Sean Carroll, President and CEO of Anera.
Many of the NGOs now told they are not “authorized” to deliver aid have worked in Gaza for decades, are trusted by communities and experienced in delivering aid safely. Their exclusion has left hospitals without basic supplies, children, people with disabilities, and older people dying from hunger and preventable illnesses, and aid workers themselves going to work hungry.
The obstruction is tied to new INGO registration rules introduced in March. Under these new rules, registration can be denied on the basis of vague and politicized criteria, such as alleged “delegitimization” of the state of Israel. INGOs warned the process was designed to control independent organizations, silence advocacy, and censor humanitarian reporting. This new bureaucratic obstruction is inconsistent with established international law as it entrenches Israel’s control and annexation of the occupied Palestinian territory.
Unless INGOs submit to the full registration requirements, including the mandatory submission of details of private donors, complete Palestinian staff lists and other sensitive information about personnel for so-called “security” vetting to Israeli authorities, many could be forced to halt operations in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and remove all international staff within 60 days. Some organizations have even been issued a seven-day ultimatum to provide Palestinian staff lists.
NGOs have made clear that sharing such data is unlawful (including under relevant data protection laws), unsafe, and incompatible with humanitarian principles. In the deadliest context for aid workers worldwide, where 98 percent of those humanitarians killed were Palestinian, NGOs have no guarantees that handing over such information would not put staff at further risk, or be used to advance the government of Israel's stated military and political aims.
Today, INGOs’ fears have proven true: the registration system is now being used to further block aid and deny food and medicine in the midst of the worst-case scenario of famine.
“Since the full siege was imposed on 2 March, CARE has not been able to deliver any of our $1.5 million worth of pre-positioned supplies into Gaza,” said Jolien Veldwijk, Country Director of CARE. 
“This includes critical shipments of food parcels, medical supplies, hygiene kits, dignity kits, and maternal and infant care items. Our mandate is to save lives, but due to the registration restrictions civilians are being left without the food, medicine, and protection they urgently need.”
“Oxfam has over $2.5 million worth of goods that have been rejected from entering Gaza by Israel, especially WASH and hygiene items as well as food,” said Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam Policy Lead. 
“This registration process signals to INGOs that their ability to operate may come at the cost of their independence and ability to speak out.”
These restrictions are part of a broader strategy that includes the so-called “GHF” scheme – a militarized distribution mechanism promoted as a humanitarian solution. In reality, it is a deadly tool of control, with at least 859 Palestinians killed around “GHF” sites since it began operating.
“The militarized food distribution scheme has weaponized starvation and curated suffering. Distributions at GHF sites have resulted in extreme levels of violence and killings, primarily of young Palestinian men, but also of women and children, who have gone to the sites in the hope of receiving food,” according to Aitor Zabalgogeazkoa, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza.
Both the “GHF” scheme and the INGO registration process aim to block impartial aid, exclude Palestinian actors, and replace trusted humanitarian organizations with mechanisms that serve political and military objectives. They come as the government of Israel escalates its military offensive and deepens its occupation in Gaza, making clear these measures are part of a broader strategy to entrench control and erase Palestinian presence.
“At this point, everyone knows what the correct, humane answer is, and it's not a floating pier, airdrops or the “GHF.” The answer, to save lives, save humanity and save yourselves from complicity in engineered mass starvation, is to open all the borders, at all hours, to the thousands of trucks, millions of meals and medical supplies, ready and waiting nearby,” said Sean Carroll of Anera.
We call on all states and donors to:
● Press Israel to end the weaponization of aid, including through bureaucratic obstruction, such as the INGO registration procedures.
● Insist that INGOs are not forced to share sensitive personal information, in violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), or compromise staff safety or independence as a condition for delivering aid.
● Demand the immediate and unconditional opening of all land crossings and conditions for the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aid.
Notes
● The occupied Palestinian territory is the deadliest setting for aid workers worldwide, with Palestinian staff accounting for 98% of aid worker fatalities: 509 out of 517 killings that took place between 2023-2025, according to the Aid Worker Security Database.
● On 6 May, 55 organizations warned that Israel’s new INGO registration measures are a grave threat to humanitarian operations and international law.
● On 1 July, 200+ organizations called for immediate action to end the deadly Israeli distribution scheme, including the so-called “GHF” in Gaza, revert to the existing UN-led coordination mechanisms, and lift the Israeli government’s blockade on aid and commercial supplies.
● On 23 July, 100+ organizations warned that, as mass starvation spreads across Gaza, our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away.
● On 29 July, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) wrote that the worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.
● Israel has consistently denied restricting the amount of aid allowed into Gaza, including throughout the period of July 2025, when most of the denials discussed in this statement were issued.
● On 31 July, OHCHR wrote that since 27 May, at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food; 859 in the vicinity of the “GHF” sites and 514 along the routes of food convoys. Most of these killings were committed by the Israeli forces.
● On 4 August, a Palestinian nurse in Gaza was killed when an airdrop struck him.
● On 5 August, it was reported that Israeli authorities are planning for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip.
● On 6 August, UN agencies and NGOs warned that without immediate action most international NGO partners could be de-registered by Israel in coming weeks.
● On 6 August, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) concluded that Israel’s information requests under the INGO registration process risk violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The DPA advised that INGOs should not comply with these requests, and that the only solution is for Israel to amend its requirements and for the relevant ministries to issue a formal protest.
● On 7 August, MSF released a report stating food distributions in Gaza run by the so-called “GHF” are sites of “orchestrated killing and dehumanization” that must be shut down.”
● On 10 August, Save the Children reported the deaths of 100 children due to starvation in Gaza since October 2023.
● On 12 August, a group of UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights published a letter to the Israeli government, stating deep concern that the INGO registration measures “weaken the ability of INGOs to operate independently and impartially and to carry out their humanitarian and human rights work without interference or fear of reprisal” and that “that the obligation to report on INGO personnel, in the context of occupation, armed conflict and serious violations of international law, could raise serious protection and reprisal concerns.”
Signatories:
1. A New Policy
2. ACT Alliance
3. ActionAid Denmark
4. ActionAid International
5. Action Against Hunger (ACF)
6. Action For Humanity
7. All We Can
8. Alliance Sud
9. American Fri

Posted on

Health and Employment – Three Christchurch Hospital wards down tools for two hours over safe staffing – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

NZNO members in Theatre, Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit and Radiology at Christchurch Hospital embark on a two-hour full strike tomorrow over continued concerns about chronic and ongoing staff shortages.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Christchurch Hospital theatre delegate Gayl Marryatt says in late July members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strikes across these three areas.
“The strike is a result of the desperate staffing issues faced by members on a daily basis.
“Te Whatu Ora’s complete unwillingness to resolve the issues raised in bargaining has meant that members are now standing up to tell Te Whatu Ora, and the Government, that they are willing to take direct action and win on these issues.
“We are taking this action so Te Whatu Ora recognises there are not enough nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and kaimahi hauora. We want patients to get the care they need.
“If the Coalition Government is as committed to patient safety as it claims, it will ensure they are not under-staffed, under-resourced and overworked,” Gayl Marryatt says.
A picket will be held outside the hospital from 2pm to 4pm.
Life preserving services will continue to be provided.
Posted on

Arts – Hamilton Artist Wins People’s Choice at 2025 IHC Art Awards

Source: IHC

14 August 2024 – Hamilton artist Julian Godfery says it felt great to win the 2025 IHC Art Awards Forté Recruitment People's Choice Award with his striking work The Jaguar.

The Jaguar was a clear crowd favourite, earning 3,085 votes out of a total 9,480 cast by the public for this year’s 30 finalists.

It’s not Julian’s first win. He also claimed the same award in 2017 with his piece Invisible Magic.

Julian says his mother, artist Jane Galloway, is an inspiration to him and this particular work was sparked by a nature documentary he saw on TV.

He does his detailed pen-and-ink creations at home, the Enrich+ day base and at Jane’s Raglan studio.

His work has been exhibited at galleries around the North Island.

Art isn't his only creative outlet and he's also part of a band. “I play drums in Robert Mullen Junior and Fri

Posted on

Local Govt – Candidates announced for Porirua City Council elections

Source: Porirua City Council

Nominations for the mayoralty and Porirua’s three wards have closed and the candidates announced.
There are three candidates in the running for Porirua’s mayoralty – Anita Baker, Kathleen Filo, and Ura Wilson-Pokoati.
In the Pāuatahanui General Ward, covering the northern part of the city, there are eight candidates standing for four seats: Brent Ching, Phill Houlihan, Moira Lawler, Ross Leggett, Paul Nation, Aditi Tiwari, Josh Trlin and Nathan Waddle.
Current councillor Tracy Johnson is not standing again.
In the Onepoto General Ward, representing the city’s west and east, there are 15 people standing for five seats: Miriam Albert, Angel Domingos, Mike Duncan, Chris Ellis, Hemi Fermanis, Kathleen Filo, Jaistone Finau, Izzy Ford, Moze Galo, Geoff Hayward, Sharon Hilling, Zac Painting, Siobhan Samuel, Ura Wilson-Pokoati, and Yan Zhang.
In the Parirua Māori Ward, which has one councillor voted on by those on the Māori electoral roll, there are four candidates: Raniera (Daniel) Albert, Rawinia Rimene, Jess Te Huia, and Kylie Wihapi.
We use Single Transferrable Vote (known as STV) in Porirua, meaning you rank your preferred candidates.
Porirua Deputy Electoral Officer Jack Marshall says candidate videos will be up on the Council website in the coming weeks to help voters get to know the candidates by hearing from them directly.
“The mayor and councillors make key decisions on how the city is run and Council oversees facilities like Pātaka, Te Rauparaha Arena, libraries, parks, reserves, sportsfields, along with events. Council makes important decisions for our city, so it’s really important that you vote for what makes you Porirua Proud!” he says.
If you’re on the General Electoral Roll, you will also be asked to vote in the Porirua-Tawa Constituency for Greater Wellington (the regional council).
Everyone, no matter what electoral roll you are on, will also vote in three polls: two binding polls on the Parirua Māori Ward and Te upoko o te ika a Māui Māori Constituency, as well as a non-binding poll on future Council structures in the Wellington region.
For those on the Māori Electoral Roll, there is no election for the Greater Wellington Te upoko o te ika a Māui Māori Constituency, as there was only one nomination for the one vacancy. As such Shamia Makarini has been elected unopposed.
Voting papers, which will be posted out in September, must be returned before 12 noon on election day, Saturday 11 October. You can post them back in the free post envelope or, return them to one of the specially marked orange voting boxes at your local supermarket, and many community facilities across the city. A full list of voting boxes will be on our website in the coming weeks.
If you weren’t enrolled by 1 August, you’ll need to cast a special vote. 
Details of community voting sessions we are holding across the city will also be published closer to the voting period on our website.
All information for the upcoming elections, including who is standing, can be found at poriruacity.govt.nz/elections.
Posted on

Advocacy – Dental Advocacy Group Calls for Action on Dental Costs to Deal with Cost of Living Pain

Source: Dental for All

A group advocating for improved access to dental is calling on the Government to bring dental into the public healthcare system to ease cost of living pain.

Dental for All – a group of dentists, oral health therapists, unions, and poverty action groups – says that recently released research shows rising dental costs are adding to the strain faced by households.

New 2025 research published by University of Otago academics shows that between 1978 and 2023, fees for five core dental treatments increased by 75%-236% while earnings went up by 46%.

Hana Pilkinton-Ching, Dental for All spokesperson, said: “We already knew that dental care was cost-prohibitive, with almost half of us unable to afford it, but this latest research shows households dealing with high food and gas costs are also facing rising dental costs for essential care.”

The New Zealand Health Survey for 2023-2024 showed that 45% of people in New Zealand were unable to access dental care because of cost.

Pilkinton-Ching added: “We are calling on the Government to address this as a matter of urgency. There's no good medical or policy reason why dental is carved out of our public healthcare system, and with dental costs continuing to rise the Government needs to get a grip on this.”

Research shows that untreated oral healthcare problems are associated with downstream health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline and Alzheimer's.

Work previously produced by Dental for All shows that keeping dental out of our public healthcare system is costing New Zealand $2.5bn in lost productivity and $3.1bn in reduced quality of life.

The Dental for All coalition continues a roadshow this week, travelling this evening to Whanganui, followed by further events in the coming days in New Plymouth, Hamilton, and Rotorua.
Posted on

Employment – Government must come clean on plans to restrict public sector collective bargaining – PSA

Source: PSA

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is calling on the Government to come clean on plans to undermine the rights of public sector workers, after Judith Collins hinted the Government was looking at options to restrict collective bargaining and the right to strike. 
In comments made on Radio NZ this morning, the Public Service Minister suggested the Government was exploring “a lot of options” for public sector workers when it comes to collective bargaining. 
“The PSA is seeking an urgent assurance the Minister will not be restricting the fundamental right of workers to collective bargaining and the right to withdraw their labour,” PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said.”The right to strike is a cornerstone of our democratic workplace relations system and the Government must come clean on any options they are looking at that could undermine this right.”
This Government has already demonstrated a pattern of undermining workers' rights without proper notice or consultation. It removed pay equity rights with no warning, changed the law to financially penalise workers for taking partial strike action, and Minister Collins has already deployed replacement labour during the Defence Force strike.
“We're seeing a concerning escalation in this Government's anti-worker agenda,” Fitzsimons said. “The timing of these comments comes as bargaining is underway in health and the public sector and the Government is offering below-inflation pay offers.
“This is the same Government that recently increased board directors’ pay by 80%. If the Government wants to avoid public sector strike action then it should negotiate in good faith and offer fair pay increases that recognise the rising cost of living and the valuable work our members do.”
The PSA is seeking an urgent meeting with Minister Collins to discuss these concerning comments and the Government's intentions regarding public sector workers' rights.
“We call on Minister Collins to clarify exactly what options the Government is considering and to rule out any moves to restrict the right to strike,” said Fitzsimons.
“The right to strike is protected under international law and is a fundamental principle of free and democratic societies, for workers in both the private and public sectors. Any attempt to restrict this right would be a backward step for working New Zealanders.”
Transcript from RNZ interview:
COLLINS: “…we’re fully aware that the unions have said that they are going to continue strikes and they want to have strikes that we’ll see across the public sector and that’s probably more political than it is in the interests of their members because don’t forget these partial strikes bring about a partial drop in wages as well.
DANN: “… do we just need to cut to the chase and get back to arbitration and leave it to an independent panel to make the call and then move on?”
COLLINS: “Well I think there’s going to be a lot of options that we’re looking at as a government as to how to move away from this basically yearly attack on students and also what we’re seeing with the…”
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.